This is a crossover literally no one asked for…wrote this while listening to this ~

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Let me tell you what
I’d wish I’d known

When I was young and
dreamed of glory…

You’ve have no control

Who lives, who dies,
who tells your story…

The sun slowly peaked out from behind the clouds. He was not
normally a fan of the sun—it was a blinding inconvenience most days—but he was
more than happy to welcome the familiar warmth as its rays enveloped him. Too
many days of nonstop freezing rain had almost ruined his mood.  

But when you’re gone

Who remembers your
name?

Who keeps your flame?

Who tells your story?

Gravel crunched harshly under his feet, but the sound barely
registered to him. Thorns bit into his fingers, and blood lazily dribbled down
to the grass underfoot.  Even after all
this time, this part never got any easier. Erwin had done so much for him, yet
the pain never seemed to dull…

I stop wasting time on
tears…

Another farewell to another dearly departed…another year already
gone…Yet he couldn’t bring himself to cry. His tears had dried eons
ago. His mind had tormented him as the years trudged on—chiding him for not
shedding nearly enough tears for the
most important person in his life. Painful as it was, he took a little solace
in the fact that Erwin would not hold that against him. He placed the roses
before the marble slab. He’d had no time for tears.

And I’m still not
through…

I ask myself what
would you do

If you had more time?

The Lord in His
kindness

He gives me what you
always wanted…

He gives me more time…

Levi had done all he could to preserve the commander’s
memory. So many had fled from the Corps. The thought of fighting the beasts in
and beyond the walls was a distant and all-too-terrifying dream for most, and with
Erwin gone, the soldiers’ morale had plummeted sharply. Levi remained; Hange remained,
but even Humanity’s strongest and smartest could not keep the unwilling there. Civilians
demonized and harangued Erwin, but the troops needed him the most…

You could’ve done so
much more if you only had time

And when my time is up,

Have I done enough?

Will they tell your
story?

Levi had dedicated himself selfishly to his
Erwin in life, but in death, he had clung to the last shred of the commander’s
memory. And others swiftly followed his example.

Levi completely poured himself into freeing humanity. Into
seeing what exotic lands and worlds lay far beyond the walls. He’d strolled up
the coastline by himself countless times; he had marveled silently at the sheer
size of the ocean as it pitched and heaved mightily and lapped gently at his
bare feet. Hell, he’d even felt something like joy as the sand squelched and clung
to his toes. But despite the novelty of the experience, he would always return…

 The orphanage…

Erwin had brought up the topic of children and adoption in
one of the more quiet afternoons in the solitude of his office. He’d been so
blasé about his desire to adopt; as if his life wasn’t hectic enough. Levi had
scoffed at the absurdity of the idea. Erwin was adept with soldiers; Levi had a
hard time imagining the commander being anything but hilariously inept with snot-nosed
toddlers. But, of course…

In their eyes I see
you…

I see you every time…

Many of the children behind the thick walls of the orphanages
had seen enough trauma to last a lifetime, and they’d dared to keep their heads
held high. Levi had seen that same hopeful spark reflecting deep in his
commander’s deep blue eyes. That same hope had resonated in his deep voice, it lingered
in each word of motivation, in how he presented himself. To his troops. To
Levi.

And when my time is
up,

Have I done enough?

Will they tell your
story?

“Perhaps at a later date. Some other time.” Time. Erwin hadn’t been given nearly
enough, and Levi couldn’t believe how much he missed those small moments of
vulnerability. It was nice to see Erwin as a man and not as a commander. Not
many could say they had that privilege. Levi could feel his throat tightening…

Oh, I can’t wait to
see you again…

It’s only a matter of
time…

Levi felt a small tug on his arm. He peered down, and met a shy
glance with a curious one of his own. The child at his side then pointed at the
words carved into smooth slab of marble before them. Levi could see pride swelling
on the small child’s face as his smile grew wider and wider; he’d seen fit to name
himself after the brave, fallen commander who had sacrificed his life for
humanity’s freedom.

Levi cast one more glance at the headstone then looked at the
child beside him. Perhaps the Erwin at his side would have more time. He’d live.
He’d grow strong and tell tales of the Survey Corps and their courage to his
own children. And they would watch and learn with eyes as wide and hopeful as
the commander’s own. And one day Levi would join his commander. A small smile
crossed his face, and finally, a few tears spilled over his cheeks. Yes. That
would be enough…

Who lives, who dies,
who tells your story?