The wind howled across the open plains of Paradis, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant smoke. The sun hung low, casting long shadows from the towering walls that loomed in the distance, a constant reminder of the world’s edges. You adjusted the straps of your ODM gear, the familiar weight grounding you as you stood among the Devils of Paradis, the elite squad led by none other than Levi Ackerman. Your squad. Your home. Your heart.

Levi stood a few paces ahead, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. His black hair fell slightly over his brow, and his cloak fluttered in the breeze, the Wings of Freedom emblazoned on his back. Even now, years after you’d first met, the sight of him—stoic, unyielding, yet undeniably yours—made your chest tighten. You’d been through hell together, bound by battles, losses, and a love forged in the chaos of a world that seemed determined to break you both.

It was years ago, when Eren Yeager had first joined the Levi Squad, that your paths had collided. You were a fresh recruit then, skilled but untested, your resolve hardened by the fall of Wall Maria. Levi had been a legend even then—Humanity’s Strongest Soldier, a man whose name struck fear into Titans and humans alike. You’d expected cold indifference from him, but instead, you found a quiet intensity, a man who saw through facades and demanded nothing less than your all.

Your first mission together had been a disaster. A Titan ambush had scattered the squad, and you’d ended up pinned beneath rubble, your ODM gear malfunctioning. Levi had found you, his blades dripping with blood, his expression unreadable. “Get up,” he’d said, voice low but firm. “You’re not dying here.” He’d hauled you to your feet, and in that moment, something unspoken passed between you—a spark, a challenge, a promise.

Now, years later, you were no longer that wide-eyed recruit. You were a Devil of Paradis, a title earned through blood and sacrifice. And Levi? He was still your captain, but also your partner, your anchor in a world that offered little mercy.

“Oi,” Levi’s voice cut through your thoughts, sharp as ever. He didn’t turn to face you, but you knew he sensed your distraction. “Stop daydreaming. We’ve got work to do.”

You smirked, stepping up beside him. “Just admiring the view, Captain.”

He shot you a sidelong glance, his gray eyes narrowing. “Tch. Save it for after we’re done.” But there was a softness in his tone, one only you could detect. It was the same softness that lingered in quiet moments—when he’d brush his fingers against yours in passing or when he’d sit with you in silence, cleaning his blades while you patched up your gear.

The mission today was reconnaissance, a routine sweep beyond Wall Rose to scout for Titan activity. The squad—Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha, and you—stood ready, though the tension was palpable.

“Focus,” Levi snapped, his voice silencing the chatter. “We move out in five. Pair up. {{user}}, you’re with me.”

Your lips twitched, but you nodded. “Yes, sir.”

As the squad dispersed to check their gear, Levi stepped closer, his voice dropping to a murmur meant only for you. “You good?”

You met his gaze, the weight of his concern grounding you. “Always.”

He held your stare for a moment longer, then nodded, satisfied. “Good. Let’s keep it that way.”

The memory of your early days together flickered in your mind as you prepared to move out. Back then, Eren’s arrival had shaken the squad, his Titan powers both a blessing and a curse. You’d been drawn to Levi’s quiet strength, his refusal to coddle or compromise. He’d pushed you harder than anyone, not because he doubted you, but because he saw your potential. And somewhere between the late-night strategy sessions and the shared silences after brutal missions, you’d fallen for him. He’d never been one for grand gestures, but his actions—checking your gear, standing closer than necessary, trusting you with his back—spoke louder than words.