Archive of Our Own ^beta

It had been a hard expedition outside the walls and it had taken its toll on all the soldiers of the survey corps, most of which had sustained injuries. Levi for the most part had come back relatively unharmed, he had a few cuts and bruises but they would heal in no time, his mind however was a different story his thoughts were too loud and all he wanted to do was rest. He sighed as he entered his room deciding to bathe first, his injuries may not be life threatening but his muscles were aching and his body felt like he had decided to lie in shit for a month, he felt disgusting and a bath would be a good way to get him to relax a little before trying to get some sleep. He had hoped Hange would be back before then but knew better than that, she had cooped herself up in her lab the moment Erwin had said dismissed and nobody had seen her since, she was probably busy writing about titan shit again.

"Titans don't shit Levi" her voice reminded him in his head making him chuckle a little as he got ready for bed, he loved that crazy, four eyed idiot, he wanted to stay up and wait for her but he knew that wasn't going to happen, he had barely slept the entire time he had been out there on the expedition and he knew he couldn't hold out any longer. So with a tired sigh he went to bed and surprisingly it didn't take him long to fall asleep.

Levi was no stranger when it came to having bad dreams, they were often an occurrence every night for him, so it struck him strangely at how peaceful this dream seemed, he was in a small cottage or something in a large field outside, standing in a kitchen which had a kettle boiling and two tea cups were laid out neatly, the view of the garden outside the window was beautiful, the garden was teeming with life and had plants and flowers of all sorts, Levi mused as he imagined how much Hange would love it here, in an idealistic world he would love to have a place like this with her but their world couldn't allow for that to happen, it didn't stop him from thinking about it though.

"Enjoying the view?" a familiar voice from long ago asked him, he froze in shock as he stared at the figure who was stood before him, she looked so beautiful and care free, unburdened and her smile could light up anyone's soul even on the worst days, he didn't realise how much he had missed it until now. Her eyes were shining with affection for the man who was gawking at her like he had seen a ghost, which in this instance was pretty accurate.

"Momma?..." he breathed in surprise, suddenly feeling like a five year old boy again and at that her smile got bigger and she walked closer to him so she was standing right in front of him.

"Oh how I've missed you, my sweet boy" Kuchel's honey sweet voice sounded, warming up his heart instantly, he didn't even realise he had tears running down his cheeks until she wiped them away with her thumb as she went to cup his face in her hands.

"Am I dead?" he asked her softly, leaning into her palm easily, like he had done it his whole life

"No, of course not, just dreaming my love" she assured him with another smile "God its so good to see you again Levi, you look well, big and strong just like those heroes you used to read about" she said happily looking at her son with pride.

"Tch, I'm not that big really" he said in a childish tone which made her laugh and Levi felt his heart swell at the sound

"The size of your heart is more than enough to make up for that my little hero" she said with amusement and that is enough for Levi to shed more tears

"I don't think I'm much of a hero really momma, I can't save anyone" he mumbled sadly looking down to avert his eyes away from her, he didn't want her to see him cry, but Kuchel was persistent and had wrapped him up in her arms before he had time to resist and Levi melted into the hug finally feeling safe enough to spill the tears he had kept in check for so long.

"Oh my sweet boy, I know you've been through so much on your own, I'm sorry I wasn't there to look after you longer..."

"No, don't blame yourself Momma, it wasn't your fault you got sick" Levi interrupted her to reassure her as well which made her smile again looking at him again with so much love

"I have been watching over you since I left you and I am so proud of you, you have really grown into such a strong, compassionate and good hearted man and I couldn't be any prouder of you" she told him smoothing the hair out of his face with her tender touch

"I couldn't have done it if it wasn't for what you sacrificed for me, I'm sorry I couldn't get you that house you always wanted" Levi said looking guilty he couldn't keep the promise he had made to her when he was just a child.

"Hey don't you worry about that I'm fine here now, but if you want to fulfil that dream then maybe that's something you could do with Hange instead" she said with a knowing smile, making Levi blush a little like he had been caught out.

"You know about me and Hange?" he asked her shifting on his feet a little anxiously, its not like their relationship was public knowledge really, other than Erwin, Moblit and maybe a handful of others in the 104th, nobody knew about their marriage and that was fine with them, the less people knew the better really, they didn't need that extra pressure on them as well as all their other responsibilities.

"Of course I know, I thought I saw something from the moment you met and I am happy you have found such a beautiful, kind soul to call your wife, she seems to complete you and you do the same for her, I think you were meant for each other" Kuchel said that smile never wavering making Levi return one of his own.

"She's more than my wife, when I lost Isabel and Farlan I thought I would never find anyone who would want to understand me again but Hange, Hange never gave up, she seemed to know what I needed before I even did, I think I'd be lost without her Mum, I really do" he admitted softly.

"You two are like two sides of the same coin, you both support and love each other in a way nobody else can, I am glad you have her and your friends with you, they have helped you to grow into this wonderful person you have become"

"Thank you Momma, I'm happy to hear that I often wondered if you would be proud of who I've become, I know its probably not what you wanted for me but..."

"Levi its not my place to stop you, you have a duty now, I understand more than anything about not wanting to give up something you truly believe is the right thing" she consoled him

"Really?, what was yours?" he asked her curiously which made her roll her eyes playfully and hold his head in her hands again, her light grey eyes staring right into his slate grey eyes

"Having you my little hero" she said so sweetly Levi couldn't help but tear up again and hug her tightly

"I love you Momma" he said with such devotion that nobody could challenge him about it

"I love you too Levi, my sweet boy" Kuchel said back with just as much affection hugging him to her tightly "Your starting to wake up" she murmured softly stroking his hair again

"I don't want to leave you" he said hugging her more

"You'll see me again someday I'm sure about that, just know I'm always watching over you just like Hange and your friends are, I'll always be right by your side Levi" she promised him her hand on his heart, Levi stared at her again softly her smile just as big as when he got here

"With you and Hange looking over me, those titans are truly screwed" he said feeling truly honoured to know that he had two of the strongest women he knew looking after him one way or the other. His comment made Kuchel laugh again but it didn't sound as close this time despite the fact she was right next to him still.

"Sweet dreams my little hero, we'll see each other again I know it" Kuchel said as a farewell to her son as she started to fade away, Levi squeezed her hand tightly as she left him

"See you later Momma, keep watching over me" he whispered softly feeling sad but also warm at the same time.

Levi woke up a little while later with a small gasp before realising where he was, he also realised he was being held in someone's arms, he looked up to see Hange's smiling face looking down at him.

"Hey sleepy head, you okay?" she asked him lovingly, Levi just smiled at her softly leaning up to kiss her deeply

"Yeah I'm okay just had a strange dream, it was good though" he whispered to her, her face became intrigued by what he meant and he knew she wouldn't rest until he told her so he explained everything to her.

"Wow, that does sound like a good dream for you" Hange said with a look of fascination as he could see her mind already thinking about what it could mean

"She likes you by the way" he told her softly yawning again as he cuddled up to her more, Hange's arms already moving to hold him the way he liked

"Well obviously she would, I'm pretty amazing" she chuckled making him roll his eyes at her but he could tell she appreciated the comment more than she let on, he kissed her neck where the chain holding her wedding ring was still present.

"Your the only one for me four eyes" he murmured affectionately, Hange blushed at his comment and kissed him back sweetly

"And your the only one for me shorty" she confirmed to him her smile just as wide as ever, just like his mothers he mused. They laid back on the bed together hugging each other tightly as they enjoyed the quiet moment together.

"I'm lucky I have you and her looking out for me" he mumbled proudly, Hange kissed her husbands head again.

"Those titans are truly screwed" Hange said repeating his words, making him chuckle softly

"That's what I told her" he admitted before falling asleep peacefully, knowing he would always have Kuchel and Hange looking over him