#the finale making like NO noise in the mainstream & irl circles is so funny to me idk

[edwardsissyhandsthtdanceslikeabb]

a realization which really clicked for me and allowed me to really reconcile all the contrasting facets of levi's character, is that his almost uncanny ability to continue, his relentless drive —which due to its unwavering nature, can be misconstrued as flawed or unfeeling — is in fact the opposite.

levi is a very passionate character, yet often wears a face of immovability, and i think its not only bc he HAS to — bc levi finds drive and purpose in service and dedicating himself to that which is bigger than his individuality and fleeting concerns — but bc what can read as impassiveness, is actually peace.

levi finds peace in being able to give meaning to those who can no longer fight for themselves, he finds peace in not soiling their memory, in maintaining gratitude for life and pouring his passion into fulfilling their fight. but levi also takes it upon himself to stay strong FOR others, FOR the fight, his composure, like almost all of his facets, is a selflessness.

it never mattered to levi WHO had passed, he was never one for scaling, levi appreciates whoever is placed in his life and takes to their spirits with equal zeal, he was ready to kill for furlan and isobel, ready to die for erwin, and ready to let go of hange in prioritizing their autonomy. and throughout, his foremost priority was an uncompromising pursuit of life, an uncompromising care for a life desired, a life true to itself - his whole mission is affording ppl freedom after all, securing them their humanity.

which is why seemingly failing the ppl in his life — e.g. erwin, kenny — makes him so angry (there's more to this tho, cant get into it w/o being shippy lol).

however, the thing, (or person lol), which really cemented my stance, is levi's last interaction with hange, you can feel him pause, you can feel the weight and history and burden of being asked to let someone he cares deeply for, sacrifice themself unchallenged, of standing unequivocally between that. But Levi recognizes his irrelevance in the equation, he recognizes Hange's sincerity, he recognizes the weight of their sacrifice, and in that is able to tell them that whatever they do, they should dedicate their heart, he's able to recognize hange's autonomy, their passion THEIR life, and what giving it means to them, and is able to find peace in knowing that hange lived as they died, fully.

he lets them die with no regrets.

levi is the personification of one's dedicated heart, he is uncompromising faith, he is unflinching support, and he is relentless sacrifice. levi is life, and he is proof of life after death, and he is, primarily, peace after death - peace in dying for having lived.