Author's Note: This was updated on 7/26/20. I hope you enjoy!
"Captain...Levi..."
"I'm here."
Without hesitation, Levi gripped the soldier's filthy hand, comforting him in his last moments.
"Was I...helpful?" the soldier croaked. "Did I...make a difference?"
"You did," Levi stated solemnly. "We've accomplished great things today, because of you. Rest easy, now. Let us take it from here."
The soldier smiled softly, and breathed his last.
Levi sighed, then gently laid the man's hand on top of his bloodstained chest before rising to his feet. He hated this. He hated watching his comrades die, even the ones he barely knew. Yet, he maintained his stoic mask. He had to stay strong for the ones that were still alive and fighting.
Levi turned to go, but after taking a few steps, he heard a woman's voice behind him. Except, that was impossible. He had been the only person in this area – the only living person, anyway.
Levi whirled around, and sure enough, he saw a woman there. She paid him no mind. Instead, her attention was focused on the man standing in front of her. He looked like...but it couldn't be...
She was speaking with the soldier who had been dead on the ground only a few moments ago. Yet, when Levi looked, the body was still there. Were there two of him?
Upon closer inspection, the man who was standing didn't look right. Levi realized a second later that he was nearly transparent. However, there was no mistaking his face. It was the same man. But how was that possible?
"You did well," the woman said kindly. "I know you'll find peace."
The transparent soldier smiled. Then he disappeared.
"What..." Levi stammered, gaping at the woman, "...what was that? Who are you?"
The woman's brow furrowed in confusion. She looked over her right shoulder, then her left. When she didn't see anyone, she turned back to Levi and asked, "Are you talking to me?"
Levi blinked. "Of course I'm talking to you," he snapped. "There's no one else here."
The woman tilted her head. "You mean...you can actually see me?"
"Obviously," Levi grumbled, starting to lose his patience. "Now answer my question."
The woman ignored him. Looking mildly perplexed, she pulled a notebook from her pocket and started flipping through it. "Strange," she hummed. "I didn't think you were on the To-Die List today, Captain Levi of the Scouts."
"The what?" Levi asked incredulously.
Again, she ignored him. She stopped at a certain page and skimmed her finger across it while she read. "Nope. I was right. You're not here." She closed the book and returned her attention to Levi. "Hmm. I wonder why you can see me. You shouldn't be able to. Do you have any ideas?"
"Why don't you start by answering my question?" Levi hissed. "I don't even know who – or what – you are."
"Well, I'm not really supposed to tell you," she mused. "But I suppose there's no point in hiding it, since you can see me. I'm a Grim Reaper."
Levi's eyebrows shot up. "You're...what?"
"A Grim Reaper," she repeated matter-of-factly. "I harvest the souls of the dead and help them move on." She looked around a bit, then added, "The Scouts have been keeping me very busy today."
"You stay away from them!" Levi barked. He still didn't quite understand what this woman was, but if she tried to hurt his comrades...
"Hey, easy," she muttered, holding up her hands in a placating gesture. "It's not like I cause their deaths. I only show up when their time has come. If I don't do my job, their souls will stay trapped here forever. And believe me, that is not a pleasant experience."
Levi was still wary, but then he remembered the kindness with which she had spoken to his fallen comrade. Perhaps she wasn't so bad, after all.
When the hostility disappeared from Levi's face, the woman sighed. "Anyway, I have a lot of work to do. I'll stop by Reaper Headquarters and do some research on why you might be able to see me. Until next time, Levi!"
She turned to go, but Levi shouted, "Wait!"
When she glanced back at him, he asked, "How do you know my name?"
She smiled, and Levi found the sight to be strangely comforting. "I know everyone's name," she chimed. Then she patted her pocket. "They're all here, in my book."
After a moment, she added, "But just to be fair...you can call me (f/n)."
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Since that day, Levi saw (f/n) on every expedition, without fail. She would make eye contact and nod, but she never said anything. He never spoke to her either, because there were always other soldiers around. Since (f/n) claimed that no one else could see her, Levi thought it best to keep silent.
However, he did watch her while she worked. It was slightly comforting to know that his fallen comrades were being taken care of by someone so kind, especially after the horrible deaths they experienced. Despite her busy schedule, she took her time with each soul, soothing them until they were ready to move on.
Several expeditions passed before Levi finally had a chance to talk to (f/n) when no one else was around.
"Thank you," he murmured, holding her gaze.
She seemed mildly surprised. "For what?"
"For taking care of them," Levi explained. "They've been through hell. And the kindness that you show them...they need it."
(F/n) nodded in agreement. "They deserve it," she stated. "I can see everything, you know – their souls, their lives, what kind of person they were. And all of the Scouts have been so selfless, even if they were scared."
Levi felt a lump forming in his throat. "Like I said, thank you," he muttered tightly.
"Don't mention it," she replied. "By the way, I haven't found anything that explains why you can see me even though you're alive. I would ask my superiors about it, only..." she trailed off, looking uncertain. "I'm not sure what they would do to you, if they found out. It could be that nothing would happen, but just in case..."
Levi waved her off. "I get it. It's not important, anyway." After a moment, he added, "So, there are more of you Grim Reapers?"
"Are you kidding?" she asked with a laugh. "I can't be everywhere at once, you know. Of course there are a lot of us. We're each assigned to a certain region. Mine just happens to be this one. And believe me, just that much is a handful."
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A few weeks later, Levi saw (f/n) again. Only this time, she appeared in his office at Scout Regiment Headquarters.
Levi was shocked at seeing her there, wondering whose soul she had come to collect. However, (f/n) had quickly calmed him, stating that none of his friends were dying that day, and that she had only come to ask him a few questions. She still hadn't found out why he could see her, and she thought that some details about him might provide her with a lead.
"Why do you need to ask?" Levi grumbled. "I thought you could see everyone's lives."
"Don't be silly," she replied, waving him off. "I can see your name, deathdate, and soul, but I don't get to see your life until it's complete."
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(F/n) never found what she was looking for, but she still visited him frequently. Their talks became less about getting answers and more about just spending time together. Levi discovered that she had a bit of a sly streak when she wasn't working, and it was surprisingly easy to laugh with her. Moreover, (f/n) was so gentle, so comforting, that Levi couldn't help but trust her.
Levi told her things that he had never shared with anyone. And she became closer to him than he had ever allowed anyone to be. It got to the point where Levi would almost forget about the hell that he lived in, for a while. He was just so...happy...with her.
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When the Female Titan killed his squad, it nearly broke him. It was Farlan and Isabel all over again. He had left them alone. The choice he made was wrong.
But then (f/n) was there, giving him a gentle nod before beginning her work. Levi took solace from that, and he steeled himself for the fight he knew was ahead. He still had a job to do, after all.
He knew (f/n) would give his squad all the kindness and respect they deserved.
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Levi stayed with Kenny longer than he should have. When he finally turned to leave, he heard (f/n) speaking, but he didn't dare look back. He had already let Kenny go.
As Levi walked on, he realized that (f/n) had waited to take Kenny's soul until he had gone. She had waited until Levi was ready to say goodbye.
He had just reached his horse when (f/n) appeared next to him. He didn't look at her. He didn't think he could.
"For what it's worth," she began gently, "Kenny did think of you as his son. He was...very proud of you."
The knot that had already been in Levi's chest grew tighter. He didn't know why he felt this way. Kenny had tried to kill him, after all. Yet, Kenny had also been the closest thing Levi ever had to a father. He was Levi's father, in all the ways that mattered.
Unable to speak, he simply nodded in acknowledgement of (f/n)'s words. It seemed she was comforting more than just the dead that day.
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They were leaving to retake Wall Maria tomorrow. After years of fighting and countless sacrifices, it was finally going to happen.
"Will Erwin die in Shiganshina?" Levi asked (f/n) when she appeared in his office.
"You know I'm not allowed to tell you that," she replied gently.
"Tch. Then what good are you?" Levi snapped, his throat tight. "Why do you even come here?"
(F/n) sighed. She knew he didn't mean to be harsh. He was just worried about his friend.
"I suppose I come here because I like talking with you," she answered softly. "You make me feel almost human again."
A bit of curiosity broke through Levi's anger. "So...that's what happens when we die? We become Grim Reapers?"
"Not necessarily," (f/n) replied. "What happens to your soul depends on the type of person you are. Only a few are chosen to be Grim Reapers."
Levi thought for a moment. He knew better than to ask, since (f/n) wasn't allowed to reveal any details. Instead, he muttered quietly, "I hope I'm not one of them. I've seen enough death already."
(F/n) smiled, and it looked almost sad. "Death isn't so bad, once you're on the other side of it. But...if you are chosen, and you really don't want to, you could always refuse. They give you that choice."
"And you're allowed to tell me that?" he mumbled.
She shrugged again. "You already know that Grim Reapers exist, so I figure, what harm could it do?"
Levi was silent for a moment. Then, "They chose right, with you. I'm glad that someone so kind will be waiting for me at the end."
(F/n) tilted her head. "The world hasn't been very kind to you at all, has it?" she murmured sadly.
Levi didn't have an answer.
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She found him curled on the floor, amidst the wreckage of his typically pristine office. Levi didn't need to explain; she knew what had happened. She had taken Erwin's soul herself.
(F/n) knelt on the floor next to him, wrapping him in her arms. In the back of his mind, Levi felt the tiniest bit of surprise. He hadn't known that (f/n) was able to touch him, being a Grim Reaper and all. But she was.
Levi didn't try to resist. Instead, he buried himself in the comfort of her embrace. He clutched her like a lifeline as he screamed and sobbed and whimpered into her shirt.
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Five years later, Levi sat in the mess hall of Scout Regiment Headquarters, the smallest smile pulling at his lips.
"Hey, Levi!" Hanji chimed. "We're all going out for drinks! Want to join us?"
"Sure," he muttered. "I'll go get my coat."
Normally, he hated social gatherings. But he supposed he could make an exception, since this was a special occasion. Just yesterday, Paradis had finally won the war. They didn't have to worry about humans or titans anymore. They were truly free.
When Levi entered his bedroom, he found (f/n) perched casually on the edge of his mattress.
"I guess I should congratulate you," she said with a playful smirk. "How does it feel to know you won't have to fight anymore?"
Levi froze. He had been so busy with bureaucratic nonsense after their victory that he hadn't really stopped to think about it. "I...don't know," he mumbled.
"Lucky for you, you have the rest of your life to figure it out," she hummed, jumping to her feet.
"I guess so," Levi replied with a strange feeling in his chest.
"Anyway, I only came to applaud your triumph," (f/n) chimed as she crossed over to where he stood. Without warning, she pulled him into a tight hug. Something about it didn't quite match her lighthearted tone.
"Goodbye, Levi," she whispered. Then she pulled away.
Somehow, Levi knew that this was different than every other time she had left. If he let her go now, she wouldn't come back.
"Wait!" he said hastily. "When will I see you again?"
(F/n)'s expression softened. "Haven't you seen enough of Death for one lifetime?"
Levi stepped toward her. He took her hand, in case she tried to run away – although he wasn't sure he could stop her from leaving if she truly wanted to go. "It's not the same," he whispered, holding her gaze. "I've seen enough people die, but I haven't seen enough of you. I don't think I ever will."
She smiled sadly at his words. "It is the same. Death is both painful and kind – two sides of the same coin. That's why you can see me, you know. I finally figured it out. You had experienced so much pain from your comrades' deaths, for so long, that you needed the comfort we Grim Reapers usually reserve for the dead."
(F/n) lifted her free hand and gently ran her fingers through his hair. "But the fighting is done now, Levi. You don't need me anymore. And you deserve a shot at life without Death constantly in your shadow. I would only be a reminder of what is waiting at the end, of all the souls you've seen me take."
Levi gritted his teeth. "It's not fair," he hissed, fighting back tears. He sounded like a petulant child, but he didn't care. "I do need you. Grim Reaper or not, you're the kindest person I've ever known. I don't want you to go."
Her smile turned consoling. "You'll see me again, when you're ready. But first, I want you to experience life at its fullest. This is your only chance, after all."
Levi's gaze fell, and his heart dropped with it. "I don't know how."
(F/n) cupped his face in her palm, then gently placed a kiss on his forehead. "Try. You'll figure it out, I promise you. And there are living, breathing people who will help you along the way. You won't be alone."
Levi squeezed his eyes shut. He hissed a breath, wishing with every fiber of his being that he could share his new life with her. But (f/n) was right. Death had no place in the life ahead of him.
Steeling himself, Levi nodded. For her, he would try.
Levi felt her smile against his skin. Then she was gone.
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"(F/n)?" he breathed, hardly daring to believe it.
She nodded, giving him a smile – that same, soft smile that he had never forgotten, despite all the years that had passed. "Hello, Levi."
"So...this is it then? The end?" Despite his certainty that it was true, Levi didn't feel sad, or afraid. He only felt...content.
(F/n) stepped forward to take his hands. "You might also think of it as the beginning," she mused, still smiling softly. "So, did you enjoy your life?"
Levi found himself smiling in return. "I did. But you already knew that, didn't you?"
She chuckled, then hummed playfully, "Well...if you'd like to stay a little longer, I could fudge the official records."
"No thanks," Levi replied, shaking his head. "I'm ready."
(F/n) shrugged. "Suit yourself."
Levi waited, but nothing seemed to change. "So...what happens now?" he ventured.
"You'll find out soon enough," she murmured.
"I see." He couldn't tell if (f/n) wasn't allowed to reveal that information, or if she was just messing with him. "Well, whatever it is, will you be there? I mean..."
"I'll still be able to visit you, if that's what you're asking," she replied, her expression softening. "But I think a few other people would like to see you first."
Levi's breath caught. "You...you mean...?"
(F/n) nodded. "They're all waiting for you."
Levi couldn't believe it. His friends. His family. After all this time, he would get to see them again.
"How do I get to them?" he whispered.
(F/n)'s smile grew. She stepped closer, until she was only a breath away. Large, black wings unfurled from her back, wrapping around them both like a cocoon. Her feathers were so soft, and warm. Levi couldn't help but feel at ease in their embrace.
Then (f/n) pulled him into her arms, and he was filled with the sense that he had finally come home.
"Normally, I would just send you on your way," she murmured into his hair. "But I think Humanity's Strongest Soldier deserves a personal escort, don't you?"
She pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. When Levi glanced up at her, she cupped his face in her palm, her skin smooth and soft against his own. "Levi Ackerman..." she began. Somehow, her tone had become formal without ever losing its warmth. "...you have done well with the life that was given to you. So many people were saved because of your bravery and selflessness. And so many people were happier because you were a part of their journey. I hope you leave this life with no regrets, because there are none to be had. Come with me now, and be at peace."
Tears pricked his eyes at her words. And for the first time ever, Levi was crying for happiness.
(F/n) continued to hold him in her warm embrace as she spread her wings. He kept his eyes on her gentle gaze, her soft smile. And he barely felt it as they rose together from the Earth.
Levi departed this life in the arms of the kindest person he had ever known.