Author's Note: Hey guys! So I saw this amazing fanart "Successors" by Miaou on Tumblr (seriously, go check it out) and couldn't resist writing a little something for each of the three "pairings" depicted in the art.

There are three pairings: Mikasa and Levi, Jean and Erwin, Armin and Hanji, and this piece is about the first pair. I know the art is not meant to be romantic of any kind, but to make this work (at least in my head), I made it Rivamika or Levimika (or whatever the ship is called). However, I know that this pairing has come under fire for the age difference between the two, and because of that I edged up everyone's age to about ten years older. So this takes place in the future of the SnK universe.

It's a bit angsty for some themes, but I liked the way it turned out. Happy reading!

Also, don't worry, Hawkeye and the General will be updated soon! I just needed a bit of a break from the upcoming chapter...


Disclaimer: I do not own any of the published stories or characters I write about in my own work, nor do I make any profit from my writing.


How had it come to this?

Levi spluttered blood and felt its warmth track down his cheek. He raised a scarlet hand to wipe away the offending liquid but stopped short when he heard the deafening sound of a Titan's roar. It sounded nearby but it might have been more than a few hundred feet away to half a mile away, and in this damn forest, soldiers couldn't be too sure.

So this was how it was going to end. The same goddamn forest that Eld and Petra…Oluo…Gunther. I'm sorry…

He rested his head against the tree his battered body was leaning crookedly on and released the bloody and broken blades from their handles, flinging both away from him unceremoniously. Without replacements, the handle grips were useless anyway. They clattered against the steaming remains of a small Titan Connie Springer had brought down earlier.

My squad. He thought dimly, each of their hard-set faces glimmering in his tired head. They were no longer the stupid brats they'd been ten years ago, though they still acted like it most of the time. Each had become a deadly elite soldier in his or her own right, with their own quirks and mannerisms he'd become quite accustomed to and, though he wouldn't admit it, loved. Erwin will find them a new captain. One who hasn't gotten careless. He was sure he knew who the Commander would choose, and he grimly hoped she wouldn't meet the same fate as he. At least she obeyed the order.

At the beginning of the day, he had commanded his squad to search the perimeter of the forest while he would take the center, and to report back to him within half an hour at the southernmost edge. They'd been flooded with six Titans and an Abnormal almost as soon as he'd finished giving the order and though they'd immediately taken to action, he'd seen the surprise and bewilderment in their faces, hindering their normally well-executed maneuvers. We should have been more prepared for something like that. The Abnormal had violently plucked one of his own steel wires as he had swung in front of it, pushing Sasha Blouse out of another Titan's meaty reach, yelling at her to take the rest of the squad around the perimeter and do their fucking job. He'd been flung backwards so quickly, his usual sharp mind hadn't had time to catch up to what was happening until he'd landed in the Abnormal's hot and sticky mouth and felt its hardened teeth clamp down on his middle, effectively breaking his spine. All he had felt was the pain, the raw agony of severed nerves, the excruciating misery of cracked bones and torn muscle, as he whipped his head back and released a shriek of despair in realization. Though he'd somehow managed to bring the Titan down without the use of his legs, he couldn't do much more than sit where he'd roughly landed against a tree after the bloody fight, the maneuver gear useless without movement from his lower body. He had tied the remains of his cloak and jacket around his stomach to suppress the blood loss but scarlet was already beginning to show through both, and he knew it was only a matter of time before he passed out.

Shit. Fucking shit. He tried once again to move his legs in a vain attempt, even unbuckling the tight straps of the gear for more ease. The crashing racket from the nearby Titan grew louder, and Levi strained his muscles trying, almost desperately, to get them to move. When they didn't respond, he breathed deeply, focusing on in, out, in out and closed his was time, then.

Eren still needs to be protected, the stupid kid. If my death can save him, so be it.

Reaching inside his left boot, he drew out a long, but ordinary knife; the ebony handle was considerably worn from multiple years of previous usage, but the blade gleamed proudly as he stared at his bloody reflection in the metal.

But if I'm going to die, it will be on my own terms.

He clasped the knife in his hand across his ruined stomach, closed his eyes, and waited for the Titan.


When the beast finally emerged from the trees, with the dusty air giving it a more washed out appearance than usual, Levi gripped the knife tightly in his hand and stared into its dull eyes with his usual bored and determined expression. Come on you meatsack. I'm right here. He knitted his brows together, feeling sweat trickle down the back of his neck and into his shirt. He loosened the bloody cravat from his neck and wrapped it around his hand as a makeshift bandage. Do me a favor, and hurry up. I want this quick.

Dragging its massive feet, it ambled slowly toward him with its grinning mouth dripping hot saliva, and Levi's bleary mind instinctively classified it as a normal 12-meter class: big and stupid.

I'm coming Petra, Gunther. Just…a little while longer.

The Titan was almost to him, its pink arm outstretched, when his ears picked up the familiar whirring sounds of 3D maneuver gear, and he snapped up his heavy head to see two green blurs fly by the arms of the Titan, who was now uninterested in him and preoccupied with the moving targets.

"Captain!" he heard someone yell, but his mind was beginning to go faint from the blood loss and overexertion, and he couldn't tell who it was. He narrowed his eyes and spat out bile, scowling. These kids never listen to orders.

"Get Jaeger and haul his ass back to Wall Rose!" he managed to screech out, coughing from his damaged lungs. Goddamnit! His heart was threatening to explode inside his chest and he felt fresh blood ooze from his stomach wound.

A crack and the satisfying sound of blades slicing into flesh answered him, and he squinted through blurry eyes, trying to see what was happening. Blood streamed from his hairline, thoroughly blinding him, and he felt his grasp on the knife loosen, his strength finally failing. Is it…finally time? But where is…?

"Captain!" the voice shrieked again, but closer this time, and he heard heavy footsteps running toward where he slumped against the tree.

"Get the Captain's horse!" he heard someone else order frantically that might have been Eren, and felt a hand rest lightly on his neck.

"He's still alive," a garbled voice said calmly. "But look," a pause, "there's too much blood loss. Even Historia can't fix this up right now. We have to get him back to the Wall."

Levi breathed heavily and tried to raise his hand.

"Captain, don't move too much." Was that Armin?

"Someone help me carry him. Will he be alright riding back on a horse? We've still got the last cart," another warbled voice cut in.

"Put me on the damn horse," Levi growled out, his respiration coming short and shallow.

"Captain! The blood, it's–"

"Do it, Cadet," he ground out, his insides aching and throbbing with every breath. He still couldn't see from the blood in his eyes.

Though his squad members had ranked up much further than lowly cadets, out of respect for him and the present situation, no one bothered to correct him. "Sir!" He heard shuffling and the clip-clopping of a horse being brought to him, and someone hefted him under the arms to a standing position. Without the use of his legs, it was considerably more fatiguing than usual and he gasped in frustration.

"Hold on Captain, we'll try to be as gentle as possible, but you gotta help us out a little. Can you move your legs?"

Levi didn't answer for a few moments, despair and shame descending on his shoulders. "No," he bit out.

A cloth was dragged across his face and he cracked open his eyes. His squad stared back at him with troubled faces. Jean Kirstein was supporting him, somewhat, as they leaned standing against the tree.

"Just get me on the damn horse," he ordered again. "Where's Jaeger?"

"Here Captain," Eren stepped forward and saluted, trying not to look at the bloody mess that was his squad leader.

"Take Ackerman and Springer and get your asses back to Wall Rose. Tell Erwin the mission failed," Levi tried to heave himself up against the tree, clutching onto Jean's jacket for support. "The rest of the team and I will rendezvous with you at headquarters. Get going."

"Sir…"

"That's an order Jaeger!" Levi snarled, already feeling his head beginning to droop from exhaustion.

Almost there…Erd…Oluo. Wait for me.

"With all due respect, Captain, I'd like to request to accompany you back to headquarters," he heard Mikasa state quietly.

Levi spat out more blood. "Do whatever the hell you want Ackerman, just…tell Jaeger to…to…" he slumped against Jean, going limp.

"Captain!" Jean cried, and immediately released the rest of Levi's maneuver gear. He swung his superior's debilitated legs into a proper carrying position, his usual hard eyes beginning to mist over.

"Get him onto the horse, now!" Mikasa's own eyes widened and she pressed a hand on her stomach. "We make for Wall Rose immediately."


Two days had passed, and Mikasa sat by her Captain's bedside in Headquarters wondering if things would have turned out differently had she been at his side, the way she had promised him two years ago.

"I will always protect Eren, Captain, but he doesn't need me watching over his shoulder anymore."

"Oh? Has Jaeger finally grown up from being a whiny brat?"

Mikasa smiled softly. "Almost. He's twenty-three now. Barely a brat anymore. You on the other hand…you've gotten a bit careless in your old age, Captain," she teased him lightly.

"I know how to take care of myself, Ackerman. Go play someone else's babysitter if you're out of work."

"Understood Captain. But it is not because you need protecting. But because I have realized that my place from now on is beside you." She said in all seriousness.

Levi stared at her with a hard face, realizing what she had just said. His eyes widened ever so slightly, pupils dilating to pinpoints, but it was gone before she could be sure. "Ackerman. Do you even know what in the hell is coming out of your stupid mouth?" he had gripped her shoulder tightly. "You can't...you can't possibly…"

"I do, Captain. And I'm sorry. I usually don't let my emotions take hold of me like this. But with the first expedition in six months beyond the Wall tomorrow…"

"Fine Ackerman." He had given her one of his rare smiles. "What would you say if I told you that I wouldn't want you anywhere else?" He turned away from her.

"Then I would say: it would be my pleasure, Captain."

Mikasa scrunched up the soft bedsheets in a fist and silently willed the tears not to rain down just yet. The rest of the squad had been informed earlier that day, all of them stunned silent by the heart-wrenching news. Eren had retreated to the basement, knowing full well that he wouldn't be able to hold himself back, and Armin and Sasha had left as well to watch over him.

"How dare you leave me. How dare you leave us," she whispered, leaning closer to the Captain's body, and smoothing his black hair from his forehead. She clutched her stomach. "What will the rest of the Scouting Legion say? What are we supposed to do?" What am I supposed to do? She cupped his cold cheek, feeling hot tears dribble guiltily down her face and watched them splash onto his bare chest. "It seems even Humanity's Strongest isn't as invincible as we thought." She studied the skin in front of her, dragging a finger across muscle indented and outlined from decades of wearing the maneuvering gear, memorizing every scar and wound.

She leaned her head down to Levi's chest, desperately hoping to hear a faint heartbeat, something the doctors had missed, anything.

But there was nothing. No thud of life, no sneer of condescension from her superior, no heart beating, no scathing remarks from his stiff lips, no whisper of forbidden passion, no nothing.

What did I expect? A miracle? She stood up, drying her eyes on her sleeve, and righted the sheets covering the Captain. Catching his cold hand in her own, she brought it to her quivering lips, and for the last time, kissed the soft skin of his knuckles as softly and as gently as she could manage. Oh Captain. My Captain. Why didn't you let me follow?


Commander Erwin Smith met her outside Levi's door, and ushered her to his office. Once they were in the safe confinement of the room, he said grimly, "You're to be my next Captain, Ackerman. I'm sure you already knew that."

"Sir!" Mikasa saluted sharply, eyes burning with threatening tears. Of course she'd known. Levi had told her countless times before every mission that she was to be his successor should something go wrong. You're strong, Ackerman. Erwin knows that.

"Beginning in two days, you're to lead the second attempt in the Forest of Giant Trees. No more mistakes," his eyes flashed, but dimmed when he saw his subordinate's face. "Levi was a valuable soldier, and frankly, I'm not sure what to do without his skill. I'm not asking you to be Levi, Ackerman. But you're my top soldier and I'm trusting you with this responsibility."

"Understood sir." She held her salute, and gritted her teeth. Captain. Levi. I'll make you proud.

Erwin drew something out from a pocket. "Levi would have wanted you to have it, Ackerman." He held out a long, thin knife. Its black handle was losing its polish, and the blade was a little dull, but she clutched it to her chest when she noticed a few words written in gilded letters: The Choice Is Yours.

"Passed down from every Captain of the Scouting Legion since its birth. Use it only when needed," Erwin stood up and clenched his remaining hand tightly against his side. "The cremation will begin tomorrow at 1300 hours. Dismissed, Ackerman."

"Sir!" she saluted again, and walked out heavily.

"One more thing…Mikasa." Erwin paused and she stopped in her tracks. "Though I didn't approve of your…relationship with the Captain, know that I truly wanted to see Levi happy and satisfied. I am grateful to you."

Mikasa squeezed her eyes and nodded calmly, not bothering to turn around to face him.

"Did Levi know?" Erwin's stern voice lilted across the office.

Mikasa felt her stomach flip flop and turned back to the tall man, her eyes on fire. "Of course he knew, Commander. I told him immediately after I found out," she bit out as respectfully as she could. Levi must have told the Commander she thought, frustrated. Levi told Erwin everything.

Erwin continued to stare out the window. "I would have liked to see his face when the time comes, Ackerman."

Mikasa knitted her eyebrows together. "I'm sorry I'll have to be taken out of commission in about seven months, Commander. But I fully intend to fulfill my duty as your Captain until then–"

"We'll talk more when that time is upon us. For now, do your best. I will accept no less," Erwin turned to face her, his eyes cold and calculating.

Mikasa saluted again and fled the office back to her own quarters. Damn you Erwin! Damn you to hell! She thought furiously as she slammed her door and locked it, desperately wanting to wake up from this nightmare. She slouched against the wall and slid to the floor, hugging her legs to her chest. He would have found out sooner or later anyway. She sighed in defeat.

Flipping over the long knife in her hands, she fingered the handle, trying to remember if she'd ever seen Levi use the weapon. It had been in his hand when they'd found him broken against the tree in the forest, but it hadn't been bloody with use, she recalled. Her fingernails caught on several tiny inscriptions in the handle and squinting in the candlelight, she saw names etched neatly in a column. Her eyes caught the last name, a fresh inscription, and a little bigger than the others: 17th. Levi.


The cremation was swift and private. The rest of the Scouting Legion had finally been told, but as another expedition beyond the wall had been planned for the next day, most members were away, preparing for the departure. Mikasa's squad-mates, no, her squad, was there, and with solemn faces they crossed Levi's blades in an X over his uniformed chest and lifted their former leader onto the small pyre. Erwin lit it himself and stared deeply into the flames that devoured his former Captain, his face betraying no emotion.

Mikasa had saluted as Levi's body was laid down on the dry wood, and hardened her heart, silently willing her body to find the strength to look away. But she couldn't, and her dark eyes watched as the Captain's body melted away to ash. He would no longer wield the deadly double blades, fly gracefully through the air as a deadly weapon, continue to be humanity's savior, keep her warm at night. No. She would try to take his place as Erwin's second-in-command, and Mikasa was absolutely certain she wouldn't be able to live up to the Thirteenth Commander's high expectations. Though Levi had once stated her skill and prowess with the 3DMG had become equal to his own, she had always felt inferior just watching him. Shaking those thoughts from her exhausted head, she noticed Erwin and Hanji making their way toward her.

"Orders and squad formation for tomorrow, Ackerman. You'll ride with us to the ten mile marker from the Wall and then depart for the Forest from there for the second attempt," Erwin handed her a few sheets of paper, and Mikasa accepted them delicately. "Your squad will remain the same, as I'm sure you wanted. Keep Jaeger and Kirstein in check." Erwin nodded to her and left, stopping to salute the remains of the pyre as he walked past.

"Mikasa," Hanji adjusted her glasses. "I'm so sorry. The Captain was…Levi...was," she hung her head and wrung her hands, and Mikasa touched her shoulder in consolation.

"Squad Leader. Soldiers die every day. We cannot let one death force us to our knees in submission. The Captain would say the same," Mikasa said softly.

"Mikasa," Hanji repeated and took the younger woman's hand in her own. "I'm not talking about Levi, I'm talking about you."

Mikasa reeled back and met Hanji's soft eyes. "The Commander has replaced me as his second-in-command, Squad Leader. I will do whatever it takes to–"

"Captain." Mikasa grimaced at her new title. "I know." Hanji glanced over to where the rest of the Special Operations Squad was waiting. She leaned in closer. "And you will have to tell them sooner or later. Please don't wait."

Hanji saluted and left Mikasa with a feeling of dread and a bitter taste in her mouth.

But now is not the time Hanji. Now is not the time.


Under Mikasa's careful direction, the second attempt in the Forest of Giant Trees was successful. No more mistakes she had reiterated to the squad as they entered the massive trees again, telling them to take the perimeter once more and that she would take the center, just as Levi had done two days prior. What Erwin didn't know wouldn't kill him.

Returning to the exact spot where Levi had fallen, the ground still dark with dried blood, she knelt by the tree, placing a hand on the dirty bark. Here she could mourn in private, if only for a few moments, and the tears came like a hurricane.

You left me Levi.

She noticed something white and out of place against the dark muted colors of the forest, and leaning to inspect it, saw it was the remains of Levi's last cravat. Mikasa snatched it, feeling the soft cloth and the crusted blood flake off. She stuffed it into her jacket pocket and whipped her green cloak violently around her, releasing the twin wires from their holsters in a cloud of gas and misery. Her fury would serve as a crutch for the completion of the mission for now.

No more tears. I will do my job. I will continue to support the Commander and Eren in any way possible. The Captain would do the same.


Mikasa adjusted the straps of her son's maneuvering gear. "Stay close to me," she ordered sharply, and then sighed. "Twenty-one and you still can't put on your gear correctly. It's too loose here," she pointed to his hips, "and here," she pointed to his chest.

"It's fine, Mother," the young man snapped back. "The Commander said my skill with the 3DMG surpassed even Father. I know how to take care of myself."

Mikasa was silent, hearing Levi's own patronizing voice in their son. True, the boy had inherited his father's looks, and talent and deadliness with the gear and swords at an early age, but he was hotheaded and rash, almost to the point of reckless. None of Levi's cool demeanor and calm collectedness had managed to show through and Mikasa often wondered if the boy's temper came from her. "Fine. Just stay close to the rest of the squad. I don't entirely agree with Jean's formation," she breathed out and frowned. "Let's go."

Mother and son met the Fourteenth Commander and the Special Operations Squad in the courtyard of Headquarters and mounted their horses, hearts pounding with the anticipation of another expedition beyond the walls. The Titans were less in number these days, but they were still a threat, and the Scouting Legion still had work to do in recovering lost territory.

"Captain," Jean nodded to her and turned to her son, "Ackerman. Ready to go when you are. Follow the formation this time, Squad Leader."

"Of course, Commander," her son acknowledged and edged further away from the taller man and closer to Eren with whom he started to converse.

Jean gave the command and the horses snorted and thundered down the main road, green cloaks billowing out behind them and creating clouds of dust, as the Scouting Legion ventured out beyond the wall for their next mission. As they left the safety of stone, Mikasa eyed her son, his black hair styled in the military's traditional undercut whipping behind him as he rode hard, and for a moment in the pale sunlight, she thought she saw Levi once more, his narrow eyes reflected in her son's angular face. But the vision was fleeting and she turned to face forward once again.

I hope you are proud of what Erwin and I have accomplished during his time as Commander.

I hope you are proud of Eren and Jean and the rest of your squad. These past twenty-two years have stolen some of them away, but know that they did not die in vain.

I hope you are proud of what your son has become. He's so much like you that it breaks my heart to even look at him sometimes.

I wanted to stand beside you, Captain. But instead of fighting next to you, I've taken your place. I did not want to.

I will stand beside you once again when the time comes. But for now, stand beside me, and give me your strength.

I have been many things in my life, Levi. Daughter. Protector. Lover. Soldier.

But I did not want to be your successor.


Author's Note: I hope it was alright! The next two parts should come out as soon as I'm finished with them. Thanks for reading!

As usual, message me here or on Tumblr if you have any questions, comments, concern, suggestions (seriously, if you guys have any requests or want me to write something for you, don't hold back! I'd love to do something for my readers, since you're all so awesome!)