Levi woke up to sunlight pouring through the window of the makeshift infirmary inside an old castle the scouts had taken refuge in 3 days ago. It was that day that he had been told that his life was in debt to a new recruit, and it had been since then that Erwin had made that strange comment about him never being able to forgive himself if Levi had died.

As much as he'd hate to admit it, Levi had spent more time thinking about that remark than he had wanted. It was just a comment. A compliment of his skills and Erwin not wanting humanity to lose their sharpest spear. He didn't know what the fuss was about.

And yet the way he said it, the way it made him feel...it wouldn't leave him alone.

Erwin had come to check on Levi every day since then, and he had fully recovered from his blurry vision. He could now make out every face: from Erwin's serious expression when telling Levi that he needed to rest, to Hange rambling on about how they almost captured an abnormal the other day, to Finn Webber excitedly talking about how he was looking forward to fighting for humanity. It was a step forward, but Levi needed to speed his recovery up if he wanted to get back out on the field.

There was a sudden knock at the door, and it creaked open without waiting for a response. Erwin stood in the doorframe and smiled gently.

"Morning, Levi. How are you feeling? Did you get any sleep?"

"I'm ok I guess. I smell like shit though." Levi replied, getting a chuckle from Erwin. Levi's heart soared at the sight; it had been a while since he saw Erwin genuinely laugh, and it was music to his ears.

I'm not seriously thinking this. Get it together, Levi. He scolded himself. Up until recently, Erwin had been his enemy. He couldn't start being this friendly towards him this quickly. It takes time for trust to grow.

"Did you get all that, Levi?" Erwin's voice stopped his train of thought. Erwin must've been talking about something important, from his expression.

"Oh. No, sorry. Mind was on...other things." Levi muttered, struggling to sit up.

"Don't overdo it." The blonde man said, getting a look of distaste from Levi. His eyes told him 'let it be, old man. I can do this without you pretending to be my dad'.

As soon as Levi was comfortable, he asked what Erwin had said while he was spaced out.

"We're retuning to Trost tonight." Came the response. Levi let out a small gasp.

"Tonight?! But I'm not fully healed!"

"You'll ride in a wagon with Hange and Webber. The cadet seems worried about you, but has been busy with duties, so he couldn't visit as much as he wanted too." Erwin explained.

Levi took this in.

"Pathetic," He voiced after a moment. Erwin was shocked at his response. "Humanities strongest can't even ride alongside his comrades, some of whom will no doubt die. He'll just be sitting in a wagon, doing fuck all to help." Levi's voice gained an angry tone, his face plastered with rage.

Erwin knew Levi wanted to help humanity. To contribute to bringing the titans reign to an end. Saving the people of the walls from these devils was the only thing he had to focus on, seemingly his only purpose in life. He never thought he was this determined, though. He never knew the height of responsibility Levi felt for his comrades deaths. He did truly care for them. As far as Erwin knew, it was the first time Levi had ever physically shown that he did.

"Levi..you know you can't do anything in the condition you're in. Your ribs and ankle need proper medical attention. You can't possibly think to ride a horse in the state you're in." Erwin tried to reason with Levi calmly.

"It was pathetic that I even got injured in the first place. Dunno what got into me." Levi scoffed, somewhat composing himself.

Erwin glared at Levi, confused.

"You thought you'd go your whole life without injuring yourself? That isn't possible. Not in this life, anyway. Everyone gets injured or makes mistakes, even me. Perfection is

boring, so stop trying so hard to be perfect."

Levi sat in silence, Erwin's words swimming in his ears. Stop trying so hard to be perfect...

"Hange and Webber will come for you at around eight o'clock. Try to be considerate towards their efforts of helping you. Don't put up a fight, and I'll see you back in Trost." Erwin instructed. He walked to the door, opened it and left. Levi sighed and tilted his head back as the door closed.

Damn you Erwin Smith. Damn you and those speeches of yours.

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