The sky stretched from a blood red to a dull violet, then into a familiar blue as the group of helicopters left the destruction far behind. Madoka stared out the window, awed by the expansive world as they passed overhead.
I’ve never been this high up.This world...is so beautiful.After a while of flying, a neighborhood of mansions appeared in view, settled on top of grassy knolls. The helicopter found a spot to land nearby one of the mansions and Ayame moved towards the door. Wordlessly, Levi stood and followed her, mumbling a “thank you” before stepping out onto the grass. Ayame began to close the door.
...What…?“Wait,” Madoka insisted, jumping to his feet and hurrying to the door. Levi headed towards one of the mansions, unusually solemn.
“Levi, wait! W-where are you…?”The makeup artist didn’t say a word. Suddenly extremely concerned, Madoka jumped out of the helicopter and chased him down, catching the boy’s wrist about a foot from the helicopter.
“Where are you going?” Madoka demanded.
“We still need to get to the hospital and then we’re heading to that neighborhood, right? I-is this it? Why isn’t anyone else getting out?”For a moment, Levi was silent. He stared ahead, not even turning to look at Madoka.
When he finally spoke, his voice was nearly void of emotion.
“You need to get to the hospital, good luck charm. Please let go.”“But you’re coming with us,” Madoka protested.
“...L-Levi, come on, l-let’s get back on together…”“...You’ll take care of Fauss, right?” Levi asked quietly.
“Of course,” Madoka replied.
“...J-just like you will. C-come on, let’s…”Madoka gave Levi’s wrist a tug. Levi remained still, then moved to step forwards. Madoka held fast.
“L-Levi, what…”Levi glanced down at the floor.
“...I’m not going with you, Madoka.”...What?What? W-what is he talking about? Levi, you can’t just…Slowly, Levi turned to look at Madoka over his shoulder. Though there was a smile on his face, his eyes shone with tears.
“I’m going home to Lucifer.”Madoka’s heartbeat kicked into overdrive. He cried out just as Levi yanked his wrist free and began speed walking towards the mansion. Madoka caught his wrist again, pulling him back a step.
“W-what are you talking about?!” Madoka demanded.
“You can’t--you can’t do that! Not after everything we...d-didn’t you throw your whole life away just to get away from him?! H-he’s going to hurt you, y-you can’t just go back!”Don’t go. Don’t leave me. You said I’m not alone, right? So don’t leave me alone!“Please, d-don’t…” Madoka swallowed.
“W...why? Why? H-how long have you been planning on doing this?”Levi’s eyes flickered back to the ground. He turned his head to face the horizon again.
“Since I realized you’re all better off without me. ...I don’t want to hurt you anymore, Madoka, please. Please just let me go.”“No!” Madoka snapped, gripping Levi’s wrist with both hands.
“I...I-I won’t let you do this! I won’t let you go back to him, he...h-he’s going to hurt you! Don’t do this, Levi, p-please don’t leave me, I-I...I love you so much, don’t leave me!”“This is what I deserve.” There was an odd edge to Levi’s voice; Madoka gripped his wrist tighter, hiccuping.
“I need this, please...don’t make this harder than it has to be. I’ve broken your heart before and you got over it. All of you will be better off once I’m gone.”I never got over it. I...I never got over you.
“You’re wrong,” Madoka sobbed.
“N-no, that...that’s wrong! You’re our friend and we love you, n-no one wants you to do this! Now come on, l-let’s get back on the helicopter and go, please!”“Madoka…” Levi’s wrist trembled in Madoka’s hands, then went limp. Biting his lip, desperate to keep Levi close, Madoka steadily began pulling him back towards the helicopter. Levi stumbled backwards with him, still strangely solemn.
Please...this is better, right? Let’s go…“Let’s go home,” Madoka urged, releasing Levi’s wrist with one hand.
“C-come on, Levi, don’t...don’t say crazy things like this. L-let’s go home.”It happened in a blur.
“I’m sorry.”Before Madoka even realized what was happening, he was pushed up against the side of the helicopter. Levi’s lips met his own out of the blue, keeping his head in place.
L-Levi...a-ah, y-you can’t keep…Slowly, Madoka’s hand moved from gripping Levi’s wrist to rest on his cheek, his body relaxing.
Don’t tease me like this. Ah, I love you...I love you so much…Levi pulled back, yanked Madoka to the door, and shoved him hard, sending the lucky student tumbling back into the helicopter. He gave one last, tearful look, glanced up at Ayame, and took off running back towards the mansion.
Wh...what…?The door slammed closed, shutting out the image of Levi fleeing to the mansion forever. Dazed, Madoka could only sit as the helicopter began rising into the sky once more.
It wasn’t until they had lifted off the ground that he realized what had happened.
Crying out, Madoka scrambled to his feet, leaping at the door. Ayame caught him, holding him back. Madoka thrashed, trying desperately to reach out and chase Levi down before it was too late.
“No!” Madoka shouted, sobbing.
“NO! Stop, we have to go back! Levi, stop!”“We can’t waste any more time,” Ayame called firmly.
“If this is what he wants, we can’t afford to go back. You need a hospital!”“He’s going to die out there!” Madoka cried, still struggling against Ayame's grip as the helicopter began leaving the mansion far behind.
“Go back! P-please, you can’t let him do this! We have to go back! LEVI!”“There’s no time!” Ayame insisted.
“One of you is actively bleeding out and this was a long enough detour already! He’ll be fine, alright? We can pick him up later.”Still shouting, Madoka continued struggling until exhaustion took over and he collapsed, sobbing like a child. Ayame slowly lowered him to the ground and sat with him, allowing Madoka to hug her while he cried.
He...he didn’t even say goodbye! Will I ever see you again…?!Why would you…LEVI!