#sandcrafted

@sandcrafted (Levi) sent: "Who's gonna stop me?"

There were many options Pieck could choose from: the wheelchair, for one, or generally his injuries, she could very likely play the pain card as well, though she highly doubted pointing out any of those options would do much good in the first place. She'd seen the man fight with missing fingers, face half covered in bandages and only seeing on one eye against a horde of past titan shifter forms summoned by Eren and survive through it all.

sandstacked

a gender that feels as though it was built out of minecraft’s sand blocks.

sandcrafted

a gender that feels as though it was crafted using minecraft’s sand blocks in its recipe.

❝ So you're the queen behind the walls. I have to admit, you’re… not what I expected. No crown, no guards breathing down your neck, just calm eyes that have seen too much for someone your age. I wonder, do you carry your title like a weapon or a burden? Either way, it suits you. And if we’re being honest, I’ve never trusted royalty… but something about you feels more survivor than sovereign. ❞

@sandcrafted (Levi) sent: "To hell with the consequences!"

For a few fleeting moments, the silence that fell between them felt deafening, gray eyes staring straight into Levi's. By now, Erwin was used to him questioning his orders. In fact, he preferred it that way, even if those in command in other branches gave him questionable looks every single time. Levi was one to always question his authority, especially when Erwin's decision was deemed either too risky or too stupid, and usually he was the one being warned about the high risks and consequences.

But now, Levi not giving a damn about consequences just felt wrong. Then again, Erwin talking about consequences and taking lives into consideration also felt very out of character, too, the commander of the survey corps being the first one to disregard any sacrifice if it brought them any closer to finding a way to live outside the walls and beat the titans once and for all.

Had he grown to be that unaffected by so many lives lost that he was willing to put all of them at risk of dying just for the sake of chasing a dream that may never come true?

A soft sigh escaped Erwin as he slumped against the back of his chair, hand going up to pinch the bridge of his nose.

「♠ ⸥ ⎯ They had never been particularly close—who was he kidding, he wasn't close to anyone but Reiner. Bertholdt had never cared to know any of the others more than on a superficial level —Liar— yet… he didn't know how to finish his thought, didn't know how to justify his reasoning for approaching them.

No, his reasons for being here were simple and comprehensible. But what was less understandable was his decision to stand in the doorway for ten minutes like a fool, watching the other person rummage through various things, while the cut on his hand kept bleeding. Bertholdt had hoped the person would leave the cramped room sooner rather than later, so he could avoid any interaction with them, but he hadn't been so lucky.

prompts ( always accepting ) @sandcrafted: "Your laugh is so... I missed it."

Reiner had been anxious the entire time leading up to his return to Paradis. Despite being one of the Queen's picked peace ambassadors he was still getting used to walking freely and without the fear of the future on his shoulders. Or the fear of the past. He walked lighter, talked lighter, and his laugh came more freely now, very similarly to his days as a cadet, was there ever a doubt that she'd notice? She always did have a way with reading people, it was easy to see why she had been so liked by pretty much all when they were youths.

His face heats, amber eyes downcast from her admission. She may have noticed his change in demeanor, but surely even she couldn't see all of which he carried. The burdens, the sorrows, the guilt, they still lay heavy on him, even after having his friends back he'd never fully forgive himself, and she played a large role in that. " Historia. " He begins, voice soft, hands coming to rest behind his back as he bows his head.

" I can't stand here beside you and pretend that I'm not a reason for some of your grief. Bertholdt and I . . . " Even saying his name felt like a punch to his chest, a piece of his heart missing even if it had been years. Reiner figured he'd feel his loss even on his deathbed . . . was it the same for the Queen and her loss? " We're the reason Ymir is gone. I'll never fully be able to repay the debt I owe her, the letter you received doesn't nearly cover for the loss of her . . . I'm sorry. Truly. I know how it feels to lose the person you care about the most . . . to know I played a hand in that and you still invited me back here. "

Looking back Reiner could see now why it was so easy to craft his false infatuation with her. She was beautiful and kind, most of their cadet class had a thing for her . . . adapting that into a persona that was reliable and strong and a soldier seemed natural. Knowing himself now? He could almost laugh at how wrong it felt to feel anything for her besides the bonds of nostalgic friendship and the respect she deserved.