Levi's intention rarely matches his attitude, vicious words serving as a complex defense mechanism that's no longer needed in a world with virtually no conflict. There's no reason to hide behind a stoic facade anymore, right? No, but it's all he really knows. Opening your heart, no matter how benign the situation, is a difficult feat-- no, a feat that he sees no reason in accomplishing. More likely than not he will never see this individual again, and quite frankly that's alright with him. The less forged bonds, the better. As benign as Dregnia is supposed to be, he trusted nothing.
He hasn't a thing to lose, but he also has no intention to gain.
He lost everything. He failed in the one mission he was supposed to carry out and complete. He failed. Levi Ackerman failed. Humanity's Strongest had failed. It's all so surreal, an illusion that felt all too painful to truly accept. Fortunately for him, the stranger could sympathize. Fortunately? Unfortunately? Shit, he doesn't know anymore. This whole premise is all too surreal for him. It just pissed him off the more he thought on it.
"I'm not. Especially not wannabe philosophers." Again with the harsh words. He honestly couldn't help it at this point-- years and years of toughening his shell made him unwilling to speak with kindness.
He isn't the only one to lose it all. This stranger isn't a longtime denizen of this shitty little district, is he? Levi's also never seen him in his life, concluding that he's an alien from another destroyed planet. Or something. No one said that Levi's the brains of the operation.
"Everyone I gave a shit about died way before the rest of humanity followed after." Bitterness. His words oozed with bitterness. His words were also lies. Even without personal bonds, he still cared for everyone. Levi Ackerman loved humanity.
With nothing to lose and nothing to hide from, Levi takes Castiel's words into consideration. He's offering sympathy. Sympathy he didn't ask for. He would be insulted if he were the prideful type.
No. The sympathy was something he unwittingly needed.
"Do you know what it's like to get a second chance, only to completely fuck it up? You spend your whole life fighting, fighting, fighting for what you believe in. Fighting a looming threat-- no, two goddamn threats at the same time, in hopes that you can make some sort of difference and help progress humanity into prospering like it should? But that can't happen anymore."
"Think of it like you lost your kid at a young age. He or she didn't get a chance to live, and they're gone. And you're not. You feel like you should've been the goner. Forty-- maybe thirty if you're lucky-- years is enough time to fill your purpose and you can die knowing you accomplished something. This kid didn't even know what he was gonna do with their life. And now you're a dad with a dead child." He's not good with metaphors, either.
