Follow Lara's journey, an orphan girl of just ten years old, who joins the Survey Corps. Having Levi Ackerman and Hange Zoë as her tutors, her life takes on a new meaning as the relationship with these two soldiers grows. And, as time goes by, she d...
Levi felt anguish in his heart. He had treated Lara so coldly the day before, that even though he sensed something wasn't right with her, he hadn't been able to really check how she was feeling. But now, thinking about it, even Levi didn't know why he had been so angry with the girl during the past week. Maybe it was because she reminded him of Hange...
"What can I do to help?" asked Levi, worried.
"Nothing..." she replied, running her hand over her face, "You don't have to do anything," Hange's emphasis on that last word made Levi feel something strange. "I'm already taking care of everything. Go to Stohess at once." She started to walk down the corridor.
Levi stood in front of the bedroom door, fists clenched, pressing them. He closed his eyes and felt an intense sadness in his heart.
"Hange!" he exclaimed, making the Squad Leader stop walking and slowly look back. "If Lara doesn't get any better until at night, give her a warm bath."
Hange nodded and Levi watched her walk down the corridor until she was out of sight. He headed to the courtyard to meet his companions and they all left for the Stohess District.
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Night fell, and although the fever had gone down a little, Lara was still very hot. Hange had left the girl wearing only a thin nightgown and covered her with a sheet. She had already lost count of how many cold compresses she had put on Lara's foreheads and wrists.
Hange didn't know what was happening to her. She noticed her hands were shaking, she was sweating nonstop, and she sometimes found herself crying, kneeling beside Lara's bed, while she put more compresses on the girl, who spent most of the day sleeping or a little groggy.
Her mind was in a whirlwind of thoughts. There was a moment when she dozed, kneeled next to the bed, and dreamed that Titans had devoured Lara and Levi just watched her, doing nothing.
She woke up, feeling tears running down her face, and opened the window to let in some fresh air. She gazed up to the sky and thought about him, about Levi.
"Why aren't you here?" thought Hange in anguish. "You weren't supposed to go to Stohess! I do need your help... I need... I need..."
Hange looked at Lara, who was still a little red, and a thought occurred to her. If Lara didn't get better, she wouldn't need to go on the mission! The girl could stay here, even if Hange would leave her in a hospital bed. But she soon pushed that thought away. What kind of person was she, wanting a child to be sick just to satisfy her will? But at the same time, she felt her heart sink as she imagined Lara going on the mission. Hange didn't know what to think anymore.
► PLAY - The Place Where Wishes Come True II, from Clannad
She decided to follow Levi's advice and, carrying the child in her arms, took her to one of the bathing rooms. While filling the bathtub, Hange noticed that Lara, who was sitting on a stool, looked a little distant. Her eyes weren't focusing on anything specific and her face wasn't expressing any emotions.
Hange's heart started to beat faster in worry at the sight of that scene. She took off Lara's nightgown, which was soaked with sweat, and placed the girl in the bathtub. Hange gently washed Lara's head and tried to talk to her, but the child only replied with a few little smiles and a tired look.
Tears came out of Hange's eyes and, constantly, when she looked at Lara, she would think about Levi. How she wished he were here. But thinking about him only made Hange's heart ache even more.
Watching Lara, who looked so helpless in that bathtub, thoughts of death began to get into Hange's mind. She looked at Lara and saw a dead body. Hange was shaking and there was a bad taste in her mouth. It came to a point where she couldn't hold it any longer. The only thing she wanted to do at that moment was to hug that child tight until someone said "enough".
Hange realized she herself was drenched in sweat and also got into the bathtub. As soon as she did it, Hange hugged Lara with all the strength she had. When Lara felt it, she hugged her back with the same intensity. The child snuggled into Hange's chest and the two of them just stayed there, feeling each other's love.
Hange had never imagined feeling something that strong in her life. She thought her heart would burst. At that moment, only Lara mattered. At that moment, Lara was safe in Hange's arms.
Lara was hers. As Hange stroked the hair of that child, who was lying on her chest, she realized that from the moment she met her and listened to her story, the girl had awakened something in Hange that she had never felt before. Lara wasn't related to anyone she knew and her biological parents were horrible people. But, what does it matter? Lara was hers.
But, she was also Levi's. It was undeniable. It was clear to Hange that Lara had also awakened something in him. Levi just didn't want to admit it. He was blind. No, he was not blind. Levi saw things clearly, he just pretended not to.
But, Hange wouldn't close her eyes to it, much less her heart. Lara needed her and Hange needed Lara. One no longer existed without the other anymore.
"I love you, mommy..." said Lara, very softly.
Hange's eyes widened. Had she heard right?
"Wh-What did you say?" she asked, gazing at Lara's head.
The child snuggled more on Hange's chest, her eyes closed.
"I said I love you, mommy," repeated Lara, with a little smile. "Thank you for taking care of me."
"That's it..." thought Hange, tears running down her cheeks, "That's who I am... I'm your mother."
"Me too, baby..." whispered Hange, gently kissing the top of Lara's head and hugging her tighter, "I love you, very much."
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