“Akane? You’re alive?!” I said in shock. I was on my knees, in front of Akane. She was sobbing…

I wrapped my arms around her, burying my nose into her neck. I started rubbing circles on her back, trying to comfort her.

I felt my vision start to blur, my throat starting to feel itchy. The next thing I knew, I was crying into Akane’s neck.

“Shorty, are you okay? Why ya crying?” I heard Shitty Glasses ask me. “Hanji, let’s go get the horses”, Moblit said to Shitty Glasses.

When they left, I heard Akane speak, “L-levi? Is that r-really you?”

“Yes, you stupid br-brat, I’m here now!” I said to Akane, a noise like a chuckle and a sob escapes me. 

Akane started to chuckle. “Why are y-you crying, Levi? Aren’t you always emotionless?”

“It’s because I really missed you, dumbass,” I said to her, “but now, I’m here and you’re here so…”

“So, how are Isabel and-”

“They’re dead…” I could feel more tears coming, and a new feeling… self-anger…, “I couldn’t protect them during our first expedition and they got killed by a titan and…” I started to breathe rapidly, “It’s my fault!!”