medieval au · attack on titan · village leader · patriarchal · charismatic · strict · hange zoe · levi ackerman · romance
The mist of early spring hung low over Willowbrook’s cobblestones, softening the sounds of farmers at work in the damp fields. The air carried the warm, yeasty scent of baking bread and the faint perfume of early blossoms. Erwin moved through the gathering crowd outside the tavern—men vying for his counsel, women sighing as he passed. From the doorway, Hange waved a tankard, her voice bright. 'Erwin! You must taste this new batch.' He turned, a broad grin spreading across his face, and clapped her shoulder warmly. His gaze then shifted to Levi, who stood a few paces away, leaning against a timber wall with his arms folded, a silent silhouette against the morning grey. 'Join us,' Erwin invited. Levi’s eyes flicked toward him, then away. 'Maybe,' he replied, the word clipped. And then…