Your Wings - Reader X Levi Ackerman

The night air is cool and crisp as the ship creeps into the port of Odiha. The low groan of metal scrapes against the dock, echoing in the quiet. Lamps flicker along the worn wooden planks, casting long shadows across the water. It's strange, almost peaceful, considering everything you've just been through. Like the world itself is holding its breath.

The engineers are the first to move, leaping off the ship. Without a word, they secure the ropes and begin hauling the air ship toward the garage. Jean, Connie, Eugene, and Reiner jump in to help, their tired faces set with quiet determination. No one complains. No one hesitates. There's too much at stake.

You step off the ship, boots hitting solid ground for the first time in hours. The ache in your muscles reminds you how unnatural it is to be at sea for so long, and you stretch your arms overhead, trying to shake the stiffness from your legs. Your gaze drifts across the dock. Mikasa and Annie stand by the edge, talking quietly, their silhouettes barely illuminated by the dim lights. Even from here, you can see the tension in their shoulders, the heaviness of exhaustion weighing them down.

Sighing, you turn and spot Hange standing alone near the garage, arms crossed as she watches the engineers work. Or at least, that's what it looks like. Her eyes are distant, unfocused, like she's somewhere far away. That's enough to pull you toward her, feet moving before your mind can catch up.

You gently tap her shoulder. "Hey, you alive in there?"

Hange blinks, startled out of her thoughts. When her gaze lands on you, her lips curl into a familiar grin. "Well, look who it is. What's wrong, my little birdie?"

You chuckle softly. "You still remember that name?"

"Of course I do," she says, nudging your side with her elbow.

You smile, the warmth of nostalgia settling in your chest. "How are you holding up?"

Her smile falters, just for a moment. She sighs, rubbing the back of her neck. "It's... a lot. Too much, honestly."

Your gaze drops to the ground as you nudge a stray pebble with your boot. "Yeah. Can't imagine being commander makes it any easier."

Hange snorts. "You have no idea. Sometimes I wish Erwin never passed the torch to me. I'm not him. I don't have that... commanding presence. The way he could rally an entire army into charging toward certain death for the sake of humanity? How the hell did he do it?"

You shrug, arms crossing over your chest. "I wonder the same thing sometimes. But... that's what killed him in the end."

The weight of that truth settles between you, thick and suffocating. Neither of you speaks for a moment, just watching the men haul equipment into the garage. The faint clinking of tools and quiet murmurs fill the air, but it all feels so far away.

Finally, you break the silence. "I think it's because he saw that same drive in you."

Hange glances at you, brows furrowing. "What?"

"You were always the one taking risks. Pushing boundaries. Running after titans like a lunatic just to learn something new for the sake of progress." You smile faintly. "You're brilliant, Hange. Erwin saw that. You don't lead like him because you're not him. You lead like you. Quick-thinking, adaptable, always three steps ahead. Honestly, I can't think of anyone better for the job."

She chuckles, shaking her head. "Flattery won't get you out of night watch, you know."

"I'm serious." Your smile softens. "You've done more for humanity than anyone gives you credit for. And once this is all over, you can finally retire. Do whatever the hell you want. No more meetings, no more battles. Just peace."