as the snow melts away

Love is life protracted in agony.

A pleasant warmth was spreading in Mikasa’s chest. She always felt so nice and calm around Levi. The touch of his caring hands helped not to lose heart, and now they gently escorted her into the house. Even though he was grumbling about her being reckless again, there was a soft smile on his face.

Stohess is a city of contrasts — where the wealthy and the most notorious criminals live side by side. Along fate’s winding paths, two people from different worlds come face to face, unaware that they’re heading toward the same goal. What could possibly connect a young singer and a criminal from the underground?

When the world is falling apart before your eyes, when you have no strength left to go on, when it feels like there's nothing left for you in this life—someone appears who helps you find a new meaning. The war is over, and two of humanity's strongest warriors, haunted by the ghosts of their past, are learning to live again.

Until that evening, Ackerman had never believed in New Year's fairy tales.

Levi noticed her by accident. He wouldn't have paid any attention to yet another green recruit if she hadn't managed to kill a titan all on her own. He shouldn't have been bothered by her trying to save Eren, but why did he care so much?

Mikasa doesn’t believe in God. She never has. Church, for her, has always been a chore—something her mother forces on her, a ritual of guilt and incense that she endures only for the occasional bribe, like concert tickets or a rare moment of peace at home. But this time is different.

He gave her the freedom to find solace in other's hands.

Twenty fifth of December. Apparently, everyone was in a hurry to finish affairs before the New Year, ignoring the fact that many were already celebrating Christmas on this day. The man, who will turn twenty-nine next year, did not care at all about these holidays. Useless, stupid vanity with a hint of hypocrisy. But still this date mattered. Large enough for a person, who has never built illusions about the structure of the world and human essence. Today was his nephew's birthday.

From early childhood, she was taught to obey, to comply. Her will was broken and her spirit turned inside out. Captain Levi Ackerman of the Scout Regiment buys the broken and submissive Mikasa, hoping she will add some variety to his dull evenings.