It had been six months since Erwin and Levi's argument, and they had rarely spoken since. Both had changed drastically; Levi was more grumpy (if that was even possible) than usual, and Erwin seemed less relaxed when he wasn't looking or talking to Levi. As if putting him out of his mind was a bad thing.

Levi had healed up fine, his ribs only causing him slight discomfort at the worst times and his ankle not being a problem at all. Despite Levi getting a right talking to again by the doctors at the hospital because he prevented the ribs from healing while he was moving around too much, he was fine now. Ready to fight. Ready to avenge his friends. Ready to do something to bring the titans down.

If only he was allowed.

It pained Erwin being away from Levi for this long. It pained him to see Levi's steely glances every time they made eye contact and not the nice normal looks he'd got so used to receiving. It pained him to not let Levi out on missions, even though he desperately wanted to.

It might sound weird, but Erwin found great comfort in seeing Levi in action, flying around like a free bird. He loved the confidence that Levi had. But he also found comfort in Levi being safe, like when Erwin walks the corridors in the early hours of the morning to see him sleeping softly in his bed. The soft side to Levi that only a handful of people had seen. Erwin felt privileged to be one of those people, but now that they have argued, he felt as though maybe that privilege may be taken away.

•=•=•=•

Levi sat at the desk in his room, worn out. He'd been scrubbing the base top to toe for three days straight, making sure to get every single little speck of mud or grime out from any cracks and crevices. The place practically shined now.

Not a day had gone by since their argument that Levi hadn't thought of Erwin in times like these, when he was alone and had nothing to do. Sometimes it was on purpose, whereas on other occasions he crossed his mind randomly. He missed him constantly checking on him with that worried voice of his. Now the only person Levi had for company was Hange, and they were getting on his nerves.

Speak of the devil, Levi thought as in that moment Hange entered with excitement etched onto their face. They radiated positivity, which Levi despised. How could you possibly be happy in this hellish reality?

"Heya Levi! I've got news!" Hange beamed, taking a seat in front of him.

"What?" Levi asked gloomily, picking his teacup up for a drink, but getting disappointed when he discovered nothing was in there.

"A new mission. We're going to research titans more while we can."

"Well good luck. Make sure no one dies this time." Levi replied quickly, uninterested, getting up from where he sat to get a new drink. Hange shook off the little comment about no one dying, having heard it several times during these six months when the scouts had ventured outside the walls without him.

"I was thinking, before you go," Hange turned, their words stopping Levi in his tracks. "Perhaps you could talk to Erwin about joining us?" Levi scoffed.

"You think he'll go back on his word? He wants me to stay away, so why should I bother."

Hange looked at the man with sympathy. The argument with Erwin had hurt him more than he cared to say, but his movements and attitude over the last six months had changed. He was sadder. One could go as far to say he was weaker when he wasn't around Erwin, both mentally and physically.

"Let me tell you a secret, my friend." Hange began, gesturing for Levi to take a seat.

"Can I get my tea?" Levi asked, bored.

"No. Sit." Levi rolled his eyes but complied.

"The reason Erwin told you he wanted you to stay here was not because he didn't want you around. It was because he cares for you. He doesn't want to lose you like he's lost everyone else. He hates the fact that he's taken people from you too. He's hurting, Levi. He doesn't want to make you stay, but he has no choice." Hange told him. Levi looked at the floor with his head bowed.

So he's being selfish. He wasn't lying that day...

"Furthermore," they continued, knowing they were getting through to Levi a bit. "I have evidence to believe that Webber was right."

Levi's head shot up. He stared at Hange with a look so frightening that they felt a shiver down their spine.

"Right about what?"

"Uhm..." they gulped, producing a letter from their pocket. "I stole this from his office. It was just lying on his desk, and I happened to be in there...I shouldn't have, but..." they paused and handed Levi the letter.

"You need to read it. I'll leave you alone." They stood up, patted Levi gently on the shoulder and left, closing the door gently behind them, and leaving Levi with a horrible feeling of dread. He didn't know if he wanted to read the letter or not.