#return to shiganshina

[lostcauses-noregrets]

Hello Lost you're the only AoT account I follow I hope you don't mind me asking but I don't really have much time, I watched the anime and I heard people saying Levi's character is a bit better in the manga and in season 3 they didn't include some of his lines or scenes. Do you suggest me to read the whole manga or is there a specific part that I should be reading because it wasn't in the anime (I mostly only care about Levi parts since I already watched the anime for the rest)? Is season 3 really different from the manga?

I have to confess that it's a while since I've watched season 3. I tend to watch the anime seasons when they air, but I don't often go back and re-watch them. From what I can recall though, I think the anime does stick pretty faithfully to the manga in terms of both plot and characterisation, though it's inevitable that some nuance is lost. I don't think the anime cut out anything that really changes Levi's character or motivations significantly.

The only thing I can think of is that in the original Japanese version of manga chapter 85 Levi says that it was his own personal feelings that influenced his choice to let Erwin to rest. I can't remember if this detail appears in the anime, I suspect not, it doesn't even appear in the official English translation of the manga. It's definitely there in the original Japanese though.

I can highly recommend reading the manga if you have the time. The Uprising and Return to Shiganshina arcs are hands down my favourite parts of the story and I've read them multiple times over. It's really hard to pick out specific chapters because Levi is central to both these arcs but chapter 69, 72, 76, 79-85 are unmissable.

[starlight-bread-blog]

Totally not re-reading Midnight Sun and absolutly crying over Erwin's death. My brother also totally didn't check up on me cause he thought I was laughing (??)

[topaz-carbuncle]

Hooded Levi, my beloved

[aengelren]

the type of story that absorbs you

[sixpennydame]

My husband and I are rewatching Attack on Titan and we just finished season three. This morning, out of nowhere he says,

“I wish I was stacked like Armin. Just a nice teddy bear on the outside then BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM” (referring to abs).

😂😂😭😭

[elmundodeflor]

CRACKS ON PORCELAIN - CHAPTER TWO PREVIEW

The tender rays prompt their eyes wide open, at last. They’re huddled in bedsheets, basked in a pallet of golds, and reds, and warm tones.

Next to them, Levi breathes slowly; his hair an ink smash that spills against the pillow. They had slept together the night before, more so in the strict sense of the word. He was about to go after they’d had dinner, but then they’d stopped him halfway through.

“Please.”, they’d held his hand. They didn’t even have to ask it straight out. Levi knew, just from looking at how their fingers entwined; — his cheeks glittering under the oil lamp.

“Alright.”, he’d said, as he kicked off his shoes, and sat back on the bed. He stared at Hanji’s meal, that was still left unfinished on their chair, then at them again. “But let me go do the dishes first.”

Now, they’re the one staring at him, for a change, — watching him sound in his slumber. His face looks more delicate when he’s peaceful like this, — not scowling at the world. The sun makes his long, long lashes glitter, and there’s an angelic aura to him. Like he’s a fallen star that they’ve dared hold precious, cupped inside their once bare palms.

“Oh, Levi…”

Only a couple hours earlier, he’d tried to take their eyepatch off; his fingers soft on calloused skin. They’d been adamant on it at first, not really sure of showing such a wound out in the open. But then it happened; slow, and cautious, and tender, — like sugar melting on the stove. He’d inched close to them, stroked their hair as he slid off the fabric.

“Are you gonna teach the cadets the first-aid course this year?”, he’d asked. His hands lingered on their face for a moment, tracing the marks that the eyepatch had left. “Wouldn’t trust you to do it if you can’t even let the skin breathe properly.”

Hanji leaned into the touch.

“Scatterbrain.”, they’d huffed, though they were smiling, even if the tiniest of smiles. Levi was so gentle, so caring and warm with them, how could they not? He made them feel pretty— for once— safe, at home. As if none of the red flesh, and the white iris, and the sinking nightmares were really visible, and it was just them. The passionate nerd. The reckless scientist. No injuries. No reasons to hide from people.

“We’ll have to set the recruitment campaign first.”

They scoot over to him now, flip a thread of black behind his ear. He’s so beautiful, their fingers burn at the spots where they meet him. Levi Ackerman; a fragile soul that life had been too bleak to. The timid gold peaking from a cracked-up surface. All they wish for, is to protect him from disaster. To cradle him in their arms, and never let anything hurt him ever again.

“Hi.”, he greets them, as if he knew they’d been staring all along. His voice is rough and low; a single dimple drawn at the corners of his lips.

Hanji kisses him in the space between his eyes.

“Sleepyhead.”, they giggle, and their thumb and index pit-pat at his temples, making him laugh a bit, as well. “Hi, good morning.”

[aulophobus]

His office, as he left it.

Oops my hand slipped:(

[apricusapollo]

I'm thinking about that one erwin x levi tiktok I saw years ago that went like:

(e) "this mission is very important."

(l) "more important than *insert thing* (I think it was some part of erwin's body)"

(e) "yes."

(l) "more important than me?"

(e) "that's not fair–"

[l3visthighs]

Some random Levi shots from the Return to Shiganshina arc ✨

[starlight-bread-blog]

[4everinyour-roaa]

eren’s emotional maturity is so sweet to watch in terms of his relationship with mikasa

initially, eren takes out his feelings of jealousy and anger because of mikasa’s strength directly onto her

he fails to understand what her care means and why she acts the way she does

and so he constantly wants to prove to her that he isn’t a little kid, that he is capable of things on his own

but post the events of season 3 part one, eren finally has the courage to admit to mikasa his jealousy

and as we enter the return to shiganshina arc, eren has to witness the sight of his childhood home and the destruction that had befallen upon it

he relies on mikasa’s mental resilience and strength in order to face it

he no longer feels the need to prove himself independent of her, but he allows himself to depend on her strength

and mikasa does not need to speak a word. all that was needed was a simple touch, a gentle reminder, her hand over his—a return of his promise that she will always stay by his side, forever

[pitruli]

Obsessed with the reverse Aruani AU started by @aruanimess so i had to draw a bit (a Lot. Somehow got so productive) (And i'll make more)

Mostly "cannon compliant" doodle for now but i've been brainrotting a lot about how much the plot could change at times. Just the 57th expedition could go a lot different with Armin as antagonist. And then what the fuck happens for Return to Shiganshina? It could differ in so many ways oh my god-

I love all the possible relationships in this, the new trios sound so cool haha- Wished Mika and Annie were good friends and here they're basically sisters? incredible- Also like the idea of Armin and Berthold being long-time friends from before warrior training it sounds cute (and i have too many thoughts about how/why Armin doesn't buy to Marley propaganda and his existential crisis during the mission i'm screaming haha)

Anyways i'm tempted to make comics of some canon divergent moments if i find out how to make that happen haha-

[j-wilson-md]

Was re-watching the return to shiganshina arc (y'know, as you do) and I felt sick, jesus christ.

Levi's first instinct is to protect and save as many lives as possible. He was going to sacrifice himself, so Erwin and the cadets can flee. He said to Erwin, "As long as Eren and you survive, humanity still has a chance."

Oh, you poor, poor man.

All these years, and he still doesn't get it.

Humanity can survive without Erwin. It's you that humanity can't survive without.

The curse of being powerful is that he always stands alone.

[elmundodeflor]

CRACKS ON PORCELAIN - a gift for @someonestolemyshoes

READ THE FULL FIC ON AO3

The third flash of realization comes unexpected, one late-night where he's bathing them. He had to drag them there, — out into the common showers. They would have stayed in their room for another day, signing off papers and permissions, hadn’t he done so.

“Oi”, he’d asked, soon as he’d opened the door. “How long has it been?”

Hanji’d barely looked up at him.

“My brain’s fried, Levi.”, they’d sighed, as they ran their fingers through their hair. Good thing he didn’t even need to be specific. “I can barely remember my own name by now.”

He’d nodded.

“More of a reason to get moving, then.”

Now, mercurial blue hours twinkle in the haze between dusk and morning. Hanji’s bare before him, and the pale moonshine traces contours on their body. They’re concave and convex, frail and strong. All too swift, all at once. Levi can’t help but find shapes upon their back, — like he’s connecting dots between muscle and scar. A planet, a cloud. He pretends that he’s a painter. That each stroke of light and shadow brings his work to life.

He lathers up soap between his hands. Water ripples at each one of his movements, as he washes down their neck, their nape, their shoulders. He’s careful handling them, — he always has been. There’s a part of him that feels that Hanji’s made of glass, — that a single blow could shatter them to pieces. They don’t need the extra pressure— the world puts enough on them already. It’s why he holds them with sheer delicacy— as if they’re Erwin’s vase, and he’s trying to bring their broken back to earth. Not everyone gets to see the softer sides of him, but Hanji; — Hanji’s different. They understand him— simple and complex as that. Everyone else is intimidated by his presence, and yet they tease him for being clean-cut. Will say titans don’t shit just to play around with him.

His fingers trickle down their spine, their waist; shy, meticulous. As if all his endings have turned to sea-foam. They have a secret pact. A tacit agreement that goes unexplored, untouched in moments like these, where they’re too hush and helpless. They don’t ask him why he does all of this for them, and he never speaks the two words that would give them enough of an answer.

“You stank, you know.”, he says, instead. His voice’s sweet, but then he stops himself.

He can feel bone under his palms. Sharp, and fierce and rigid. He doesn’t recall it being there before, the last time he’d bathed them. Sure, Hanji had always been skinny; tall, and with a languid frame. Still, it was never like this. It was never this bad. He would know. He’d engraved each scrap of them into his heart before.

When was the last time he’d even seen them eat?

He clears his throat, and swallows hard, and lets out a sigh. He can count each vertebra that pokes from under the skin. It seems that, beneath the shadows, they’re different phases of the moon: one crescent, one full. There’s little muscle in sight; only the thinness of flesh. The tough realization that this is all it’s come down to.

“Hanji…”

They tell him nothing back. They don’t wish to talk about it, and he knows better than to push them further. All of a sudden, it’s like they’re a kid who’s been caught red-handed. A famous criminal found at the theft scene.

It does make Levi’s soul shrink, — to watch them like this, all too small; knees pulled to their chest. They used to shine with every color in the rainbow; a whisp of bright and vibrant. Now, they’re only rain. Nothing but the cracks on a porcelain vase; no liquid gold to glue them back together.

He gets up from the chair he’s in, goes fetch for a warm, fluffy towel. Hanji stands up to their full height, and covers up their breasts with their hands, but he can see it, still. Their weak build, the protuberances on their hips and ribs. For a moment, it almost looks like they’ll bend and fall. Like water will weigh them down, and they’re not sturdy enough to carry themselves to make it.

He’s worried sick about them. Oh, God forbid, he’s so, so worried. He doesn’t understand, — how could he be this selfish; much too focused on his own pain to even notice Hanji’s.

“I’m cold.”, they whisper, barely audible.

And when he wraps them up in cloth, at last, beaming with all the love that he’s capable of, he can only promise himself one thing:

He won’t let them disappear. He can’t. He’ll never.

He won’t let Hanji Zoe become cracks on porcelain.

[hangesdarling]

Could you make hange x female reader enemies to lovers with Hange teasing her later

tease — h. zoë

PAIRING. Hange Zoë x female reader SYNOPSIS. You always find yourself in dissent with the Survey Corps Squad Leader, Hange. CONTENT. 18+, MDNI, vaginal fingering, implied sex, teasing, your usual enemies-to-lovers thing, i suppose WORD COUNT. 1.9k A/N. playful hange, my beloved <33

The Survey Corps always clashes with the Military Police Brigade in some way or another. The factions never seemed to have a moment where silent resentment didn't boil over. After being given a chance to choose a regiment, you never considered being part of the Survey Corps. Only the bravest or the craziest or the ones with no choice ends up with that fate. You're meant for the inner walls, to fulfill a duty within where you won't have to risk your life in a slim chance that a titan won't devour you in a battle.

You never lifted an eye for those in that regiment, but interesting news always comes up now and then. Not just the newspapers or whispers from other soldiers. You couldn't deny that every time the regiment goes outside the wall, a heavy tone sets in. 

Deaths, corpses, and grieving families. You were too caught up with the fact that you never had to deal with such gruesome things until the fall of Shiganshina.

Military Police began to work closely at times with the Garrison Regiment and the Survey Corps, who had a more appreciated role around this time. A clash between the regiment members occurs now and then, especially you and that crazy Survey Corps Squad Leader who has a propensity for grabbing people's collars.

Maybe you were annoyed at their temper, or how their reckless-sounding plans always turned up effective somehow which would never work out according to the Military Police Brigade's principle. It's way too different.

However, a sudden shift in your relationship occurred when you decided to be snarky one time.

Hange's hand clenched around your collar in a rather strong grip, and honestly, you forgot how you both ended up arguing to that extent. Your face was centimeters away from theirs as you smirked, "You know if you want an excuse to touch me so bad, there are better ways other than grabbing my collar. You could just say so, for example."

"Oh, get over yourself, L/N," Hange huffed, letting go of you. "As if I'd want to do that."

Your subordinates have told you that Hange gets pissed off at the right things and their anger is something to be feared. But it always brings you satisfaction when their cheeks or the tips of their ears redden when they are annoyed. It's cute, you must admit.

"Awww, is the Squad Leader blushing?" you crossed your arms, grinning.

Hange gave you a bright sarcastic smile and responded, "You make the blood vessels on my face dilate and it makes me want to rip your head off, darling."

"See, you're smitten," you chuckled.

Hange huffed this time, deciding it was over messing with you, and headed for the door. "Whatever. Go back to work."

"Hey, you can't command me like that. We're in the same rank!" Your indignant response made Hange smirk but they'll never show you that.

-

Maybe you don't have intentions to get close to them in a way where they'd piss you off in return first and have their fingers buried inside you the next in a cramped storage room.

"Shhh, quiet down, Y/N... Do you want the others to hear you? You're into that, huh?" Hange smirked, lips grazing the shell of your ear, making sure that every thrust of their digits was deep enough that their knuckles brushed against your folds.

"You might like trying to shut up for once. It looks good on you," you managed to say.

"Do you think I'd have such a pretty MP officer on my lap right now if it weren't for my insufferable, talkative mouth?"

"You know what? I'll bring a gag next time. That'll shut you up."

"And here I thought you can't get any kinkier." Hange playfully bit on your neck, relishing at the sounds you made that were soon muffled by their hand over your mouth.

You mewled and whimpered under their touch, any sense of decorum and authority thrown out of the window. The stuffy air inside the room didn't matter nor did the lack of a window, you drew a breath, head resting on their neck where you could inhale their scent. They remind you of fresh grass and perfume powders from your childhood.

Hange's hand would cradle your head to their chest in every silent intimacy shared in that room, their other hand rubbing circles on your hip in waiting for your highs to subside.

"This won't be a regular thing," you would say but both of you knew it was a lie uttered in an attempt to deny yourself more. Your meetings couldn't stand as infrequent when each day was a reminder that you would see each other again. Every time you stripped off your clothes, you would see every kiss mark and love bite from Hange etched on your skin. Hange knew you wouldn't admit your surreptitious desires even at gunpoint, and that only urged them to rib at the persona you clothed yourself with. A game of who would cave in first.

-

Some things could only be investigated in proper light when the sky gets dark. With intuition as sharp as Hange's, Erwin knew it would be best to trust investigations to them. From regiment treachery to pilferage that wears away the system, Hange finds the most relevant information in the obscure.

Streets weren't as busy on weekend nights. The village takes rest on those few hours when families are too busy lounging at home to notice dubious operations outside. Hange crept into the darkness, each gray shadow turning a shade darker by their lamplight. Their eyes crossed over the scroll containing all the points that led them here, the gears in their head turning about how they could fully unearth the mystery.

But then, alertness spiked in their veins the moment they heard sharp scurrying footsteps and hasty shadows running in their direction. Their usual calmness escaped them when the shadow held their arms, but their fighting instincts shut down when they heard, "Hange, it's me..."

Hange regained their composure when they saw your face by their lamplight, your chest rose and sank, making Hange wonder how long you've been running. They were taking a clear look at you, eyes momentarily traveling over the scrape on your cheek, and your frantic eyes looking from the direction you came from. But before Hange could utter a question, you abruptly put their lamplight down, quite aggressively that it was almost knocked off from Hange's hands if it weren't for their grip.

Hange felt your finger pressed against their lips as they heard you once more.

"Shut the hell up," you muttered, both in desperation and command and also by the knowledge that Hange was seconds away from running their mouth.

"I haven't said anything," Hange mumbled back.

"Shhhh..." you hissed as voices became audible from the direction you ran from. "They're coming so be quiet.”

Hange couldn't see much from the darkness but their hands knew where your hips were by touch. Their hands settled around them as they asked, "Who's coming?"

You couldn't find the heart to tell Hange that you were spying on fellow Military Police officers to gain evidence of their corruption both in trade and land. People might have coupled you to the elite, high, and mighty commanding rank of the brigade but you're not a filthy traitor of humanity unlike what those other MP officers subjected themselves to.

"I got in trouble," is all you said, your tone unwelcoming to any further questions Hange might ask. You would answer them some time but not now. Not when all the truth you could tell only punctuates that you belong in a rotten, grimy-handed faction.

The footsteps drew close, the familiar sound of an unholstering gun, and a voice posing seniority along with the other two. Hange wasn't a fool and knew they were Military Police officers as well. Their eyes peeked beyond the alleyway, calculating that both of you had nowhere to run at this point but a direction towards danger. No safe options, in short.

Hange turned back to you, eyes grazing at the outline of your figure.

"You know we could be pretending to make out instead of huddling together like a bunch of cows in summer," they proposed, fingers lightly tapping your hip in suppressed nervousness. It was a laughable proposal in a certain context, but it wasn't a terrible one.

"Ugh, what a pervert," you mumbled to yourself, running the idea in your mind in consideration and at the same time cursing yourself for being flustered at such an unlikely time.

"What! I'm just trying to save your li–" Hange would like to offer more protests but your lips crashing against theirs suspended their words, even the thoughts whirling in their head.

They kneaded your hip beneath their hands, teasing the edge where your shirt ended and skirt began. Hange brushed their tongue softly against yours, reveling upon the taste of your mouth they longed to lay claim upon.

The officers only needed a glimpse of your vague outlines moving sensually in that dim alleyway to know what was going on. Unsuspectingly and half-pissed, they only passed by, remembering their authority at the last minute when one of the older men shouted, "Trysting bastards, get a damn room!"

Hange couldn't help but emit a soft laugh as they gently pulled away from the kiss, just from the light shake of their shoulder you could measure how much they were struggling to keep their laughs in. A smile lifted on your lips to its own accord, jabbing at their sides as you say, "shut up, you idiot" despite smiling widely to yourself.

-

Hange could be persistent without sounding like one. They would nurse the scrapes on your cheeks and knees while nudging you to tell them what happened earlier. Your stories were lacking due to a desire to remain an arcane persona as protection but Hange has an aptitude to string your stories and read between what your words cannot say. You're a person of good intentions, they concluded, hoping their intuition served them right as usual. You spent the rest of the night with Hange, enclosed by both their arms and a blanket. They were not so willing to let you go when early dawn broke, but you gave them a kiss of gratitude, smirking as they blushed profusely. You gathered your clothes and dressed up before leaving, wishing that tomorrow you would see them again for another warm night.

-

Most inner operations ceased temporarily the day the Survey Corps will retake Wall Maria. You remained stationed in the inner walls, occasionally visiting your office to read through a few reports until a small envelope fell out of the stack you were checking. It was from Hange and they asked a subordinate to deliver it in by the looks of it. You tore the flap and read the small note:

To Y/N,

I'll try to visit you more often. I'm also hoping you'll have some spare time to come over to my place whenever I'm here.

P. S. You never returned my pen but it's yours now, I presume. I found something of interest you left at my place last week. It's inside the envelope.

From Hange

When you shook the envelope upside down, a small button rolled on your desk. It was one of the buttons from your uniform, embedded with the Military Police Brigade logo. You sighed and kept it in your pocket, the memory of why you left such a trinket in their place sinking in and transpiring into a blush on your cheeks. It was a rough night, to say the least.

You kept the letter tucked inside your coat, making a mental note to chastise Hange and tell them not to send such things in the mail even if they want to piss you off so badly. 

likes, reblogs, and comments are appreciated, sweethearts <3

[14dyh]

Forgotten | H.Z.

Pairing: Hange Zoë x female reader Summary: Being the Commander's wife comes with a price. Word count: 1.4k A/N: i'm in the mood for angst. more angst to come in my future fics

It was a harsh morning, the sort of morning where the breeze nips at your skin and the air cools your flesh. Even the thickest blankets could not save Y/N from such torment but one thing warmed her heart as she woke up on this cruel day: it was their anniversary. It was seven years ago when her life changed. A time when waking up was not a chore or sleeping at night wondering if you would remain alive tomorrow. Y/N married the person she stayed alive for, who later became the Commander of the Survey Corps after the return to Shiganshina.

Their relationship managed to pull through during those years, the pain the war left behind was not healed by the passing of time, but their love remained stronger each time.

Y/N reminisced the past when she would wake up in Hange's arms, the days when she would see her lover's smiling face upon the sight of a burgeoning Paradis, and the time when their hearts were not far from each other's reach. Things began to change when the Rumbling came to discussion. Every day in the meeting room, her mind would wander if this was truly the life they dedicated their hearts to--a life full of unfavorable choices. Y/N knew that this rising conflict weighed down on her lover's heart as each day passed. Y/N wanted to cry and protest to a god that does not exist, to tell this entity that Hange's heart wasn't made to be burdened by indescribable responsibility. Y/N felt powerless in such a situation. The person she swore to protect and love more than anything was slowly deteriorating right before her eyes and she could only watch.

Despite their dejected days, Y/N still yearned for something to change. Over time, her mind conjured up plans to escape being a part of this cycle, of the curse of Eldia but she found nothing Hange would approve of. They were too kind and selfless--a commander put into a tight responsibility and forced to forget that they are human.

Y/N began the day like any other. For half of the day, she did not expect to see Hange because they were too preoccupied with the duties and the plans they had to make. She walked outside, pacing around the garden and admiring the temporary beauty of the flowers. She picked one of them and placed it in the breast pocket close to her heart. It was the same kind of flower she held on their wedding day. In the same pocket, she kept the gift she would give Hange today. Y/N knew that she needed to be patient, to wait the way a devoted lover would do.

However, the bleak morning turned to a starless night and, Hange still wasn't by her side. That morning, she tried to distract herself with work, to get her mind off how their special day was beginning to pass by and they hadn't seen each other yet. But as Y/N crawled to bed and let the crisp coldness of night creep into their sheets, she could not help the tears threatening to fall from her eyes. Y/N should have known. She should've accepted the way things are right now. But her heart urged her to wail, to cry until there was nothing left. The flower she picked that morning was growing frail on her bedside.

However, her thoughts were cut short as the door opend, and a sliver of bright light entered their dark bedroom. Hange's arrival was later than usual. They sensed that she would have been asleep by now, and began to move silently. Y/N listened in silence as Hange began to dress for bed, her head buried in the pillow as Hange inched closer to her in bed.

Y/N was determined to not let this day go by without having Hange in her arms. She shifted her body close to theirs and began to wrap her arms around their familiar figure which Hange chuckled softly in response before saying, "You're awake." Hange hugged her close in return.

Y/N nodded.

"Y/N, can I ask you something? It's quite important," Hange told her in a quiet voice. Her heart skipped a bit in anticipation. Maybe Hange remembered this special day after all.

"What is it?" Y/N said, watching Hange's face in silent anticipation.

Hange was quiet for a moment before saying, "You're a brilliant tactician so I would love to hear your insight on this. It's about the military plan discussed this morning."

Hange went on to explain what was discussed that morning and Y/N could only reply in a low voice, keeping their composure so she wouldn't break.

But her pain only intensified when she saw Hange listening with their eye focused on her. Their expression only showed that they were eager for her answers, an honest expression showing that they didn't remember the special occasion of that day.

Y/N began to speak more slowly as hot tears began to prick her eyes. But it was not long before she could not hold back any longer and bit back a sob. Hange noticed the break in their lover's voice, and turned to her in full concern, caressing her face.

"My darling, what is it?" Hange asked in sincerity as her tears slid down their fingers. Y/N wanted to say that it was nothing, but she could not find a voice within her that would not break. Y/N began to turn their head away, but Hange would not let her and asked again what was wrong.

"Our anniversary…" Y/N muttered in a trembling voice, hesitating to continue. "You didn't remember it was today, didn't you?"

Y/N watched the sorrow passed over Hange's voice. Y/N could not watch their pain expression any longer. She turned her back on them as their hands slid away from them.

Hange was silent for a moment, and Y/N sensed how apologetic they were when they began to hug her from the back, muttering apologies on her shoulder. Y/N felt Hange's tears slide down her skin, the slight tremble in their body as they held her close. She didn't expect a hug of apology from her spouse that day and she couldn't help but notice how her body desperately wanted to be hugged, to be touched again by her lover. Y/N cannot remember the last time Hange hugged her this long. Y/N could hear Hange's silent sobs as they uttered a broken "I'm so sorry…" behind her.

Hange was exhausted every day after work, there would be dark circles under their eyes, and Y/N would hold them close when they began to cry in their sleep. But today was different for both of them. Something was breaking inside Y/N that she could not pinpoint. All she knew was that Hange's heart was already too wounded and tired for her to make them cry, especially on the day when she swore that her love would not falter. Y/N could not resist and turned to Hange, guiding their head in her chest as they cried.

"I want to make it up to you," Hange ignored the exhaustion within their body and sat up, holding their wife's hands in between theirs. "I don't want you to feel bitter about today anymore. Will you let me make this up to you?"

"Hange…" she began. "Please don't cry... It's alright. You need to sleep, my dear. You have a long day tomorrow."

Y/N said this with all her genuineness, regretting that they brought up their anniversary only to make Hange cry.

There are several things she wants to tell Hange.

Hange looked at her with a pleading expression, determined to fix the damage between them today.

But Y/N shook her head. She wanted to say how it's too late or how things couldn't be fixed anymore, of how it was destroyed long ago.

Run away with me.

Live somewhere else. Just the two of us.

Leave all of this behind and start anew.

Y/N hid the plaintive pleas within her eyes. She knew Hange made their decision long ago. Their heart belongs to humanity--to their cause.

Y/N wanted to cry in their arms but decided to carry her pleas inside her heart in tormenting silence.

Choose me this time.

All Y/N's thoughts will remain as thoughts as they have always been.

Y/N gently tugged on their hand with a small melancholic smile before saying, "Let's sleep, Hange."