After about 20 rewrites, and a bit of pressure from friend person, I've finally decided to upload this.

A few things to be aware of: It's meant to look simplistic. There are hints of repetition - that's intentional. My writing isn't the best. Characters may get ooc, but I think it's safe to present to the world.

Enjoy!

A streak of red flew across his line of vision.

A titan fell, but not before letting out a deafening roar. A roar only a handful of surviving scouts knew too well.

It didn't take long for more to appear. First only a few of the smaller 10 meters, then the 15, appeared from the shadows of the dense forest. Giant arms swinging about, seemingly aimlessly, grabbing whatever unfortunate souls they could.

Blood-curdling screams ripped through the air.

It was suicide to go against so many at once, especially with troop numbers depleting at an increasingly dangerous rate. Still, there was no flare to signal retreat. This mission was too important. Even if their numbers were reduced to one, they were all instructed to see it to its end – even if it meant their own.

The members of Corporal Levi's Special Ops Squadron knew better than to go about helter-skelter slicing the napes of titans. Not when there were so many around them. There was a strategy to it and communication was key. His instructions were simple: focus on your target, be aware of your surroundings, and don't fuck up.

Another streak of red followed by a clanking of metal.

It was such a subtle motion that no one else around seemed to notice, but he knew her well enough at this point. He saw how she nearly tripped trying to land on the tree branch next to him. She was getting tired.

"Oi, Ackerman." He called.

Mikasa spun around to meet the lidded eyes of Corporal Levi. He tilted his head in the direction of an Aberrant closing in fast. It was too quick and too unpredictable for the others to take down. She nodded in understanding and together they took off.

Their movements were calculated, precise, even ethereal. The heavy blades held at their sides were more like lethal extensions of their arms. No words were ever said between the two. It was a sight to behold – the famous 'Humanity's Strongest' as they were admiringly regarded as by their peers – dancing with ease through the air; a trail of fallen titans left in their wake. Together they were unstoppable.

Another Aberrant appeared from behind Mikasa, catching her off guard. She leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the giant jaws that lunged at her. Using all his speed, Levi spun through the air. His blades sliced deep, practically decapitating the monster. It stood still for a few seconds, almost unaware it had been attacked. Mikasa landed on its forehead, looking down into hollow eyes.

"Fall."

And it did.

With most of the titans dead and quickly dissipating into the evening sun, the duo regrouped on a nearby branch.

"What did I tell you about paying attention to your surroundings?" Levi admonished, annoyance clearly hanging in his voice.

Mikasa switched out her dull blades. "It came from behind," was all she said. Her lack of respect for authority irked him to no end, though his expression never really showed it. He would deal with her attitude later.

"Hn. I'm not always going to be around to save your ass."

He watched as she ignored him to check her equipment and noticed her fuel was running low. She always did push things to their limits. What was she trying to prove? She was no longer a teenager trying to sort through the emotions of her menial life. Those years were finally over with. 'Thankfully.' With still no sign of the mission nearing its end, he knew it would be a while before they could be able to refuel their tanks. He couldn't risk her being stranded. 'Damn girl will be the death of me.'

"Switch tanks with me." He ordered.

She lifted her head and cocked it to the side, her grey eyes meeting his dark gaze with a look of confusion.

"Why?"

"Because I am your Corporal. Do not question me, brat."

Annoyed, she complied.

Almost immediately after attaching the others' tanks, a much taller 20 meter titan emerged behind from the shadows, its arm extended high above and ready to come crashing down. Levi's normally stoic eyes widened before shouting. "-Mikasa! Go now!"

Without question, she shot off like a missile expecting her corporal to be close behind. When she looked back, he was nowhere to be seen. Her eyes darted from tree to tree, searching for him among the thick branches, before finally spotting his small black tuft of hair wrapped in the clutches of the giant hand.

The guilt only hit her for a second, quickly replaced by blind rage.

Red.

Two slices, one after the other, until the titan's head fell clean off.

Falling.

Her corporal was falling.

His gear was crushed; his appendages useless. He was a ragdoll at the mercy to the world around him. He closed his eyes.

'So this is how it ends,' he thought to himself, 'Pity.'

A streak of red.

She flew as fast as she could, grabbing hold of him and clutching tight before they fell to the ground with a dull thud.

A yellow flare shot into the air signifying the mission was over.

He was unconscious for two weeks. Maybe more. But he was alive. Mikasa stood at the foot of his bed in the infirmary, staring at his form with furrowed brows, almost trying to will him awake. He came out with a few broken ribs, wrist, and leg. She suffered only from a slight concussion. Ever since they had come back to the safety of the cobbled castle barracks she had been internally kicking herself for being so careless. It should have been her in the palm of the titan, not her captain. His injuries were her fault. She was the one who had used up her fuel, after all. 'He should have minded his own damn business.'

A twitch.

It was slight, but there was no mistaking his hand's subtle movement.

His mouth opened. Moved. A small whisper, barely audible, escaped his chapped lips.

"Mikasa,"

She moved to sit beside him, wrapping her soft hands around his. It felt coarse and worn, but she paid no mind. His fingers moved, gradually intertwining with hers, gripping as tightly as they could. The action caught her slightly off guard, but she credited it to his addled mind. She squeezed back in return.

"I-I'm here," her voice trembled, "Levi, I'm here." His name escaped her lips as though it was second nature.

Slowly, he managed to open his eyes. Blinking and taking in his surroundings, the smell of disinfectant that invaded his nostrils comforted him to a degree. "Where am I?" he breathed out.

Her eyes softened before brushing loose hairs away from his face. "The infirmary," she spoke gently. "It's been almost a month, I think. I stopped counting days. The expedition was successful."

With a moist washcloth, she dabbed at his forehead, temples, and lips, cleaning his face of sweat and crusted blood. This was her daily routine as of late. "I'm sorry, heichou."

He kept his eyes fixated on her, just now noticing how delicate she appeared, how much guilt she held in her downcast eyes. Yes, years of battling titans took their toll on her, as they did to everyone. The youthful innocence she once had left her features long ago. She was now a hardened soldier fighting for humanity and he hated it. He hated how this was her 'normal.' He hated how she always took the blame with every injury that damn brother of hers sustained, never expecting any sort of thanks in return. He hated waking up to find her caring for him like it was once again her fault. Yet despite all that, his urge to reach out and shield her from the destruction of the world seemed to rule over all else. He could see the dark circles under her eyes, telling him she had little to no sleep. 'Had she been here the entire time? '

"Have you had any rest?" he winced. Speaking wasn't easy, especially with a split lip.

She didn't answer. Call it pride or embarrassment, she didn't want him knowing she had been sleeping in the wooden chair beside his bedframe, leaving only when Commander Erwin ordered her to eat or bathe. The rest of her chores went largely ignored. No one dared discipline her.

"Mikasa, look at me." Think about your goddamn self for once!

Their eyes met and he knew.

She didn't have to say a word.

With a wince, he moved over and gestured for her to lie beside him. She stood up and took a step back, concern flooding her face.

"But sir, you're-"

"-a lot stronger than I look, Ackerman." He interrupted. "Please," he gestured again, holding his hand out to her. I need you.

I need you, too.

She closed her eyes and nodded before carefully climbing in beside him. He wrapped his arm around her, noting how small her frame felt against his. 'Ten years of this and she still seems like a child.'

Fatigue quickly took over, the steady beating of his heart forcing her into a dull slumber. He remained awake, taking comfort in her warm embrace. It took him years to admit that he held a certain fondness for the girl. He never told her, but it was becoming more obvious each day to those around them. Somewhere in the back of her mind, he suspected she felt the same.

Her brows furrowed again. Her hands twitched before grabbing hold of his shirt and letting out frantic breaths. She groaned.

A nightmare.

"Levi..."

He looked back down to her and stroked her cheek. She eventually loosened her grip, her facial features relaxing. He didn't care about the pains in his body. He didn't care about the titans. In that moment, it was only her. They were both alive. That was all that mattered and he was going to try like hell to keep it that way.

He kissed her forehead. "Thank you… Mikasa."

A/N: Phew, ok. Wasn't that unbearable, right? I've been holding onto this and editing it over and over for the past month. I have two others written out, but I have no idea whether or not they should see the light of day.

Thanks for reading!

-VG-