A/N: *Me watching Attack on Titan with friends."

Friend 1: "Dude, Armin looks so much like Mello it's insane!"

All of us: *Silence*

Friends: *Look right to me*

Me: *Opens laptop slowly*

Friend 2: "Don't do it."

Me: *Opens up Word*

Friend 2: "Don't you dare, bitch!"

Me: "... ... ...this was your own doing!"

So, yeah. This was happening. XD

I am going to be doing a crossover here, but there are a few things I should get out in the clear here.

Yes, Armin is my favourite character and it isn't because of Mello. Frankly, I think Armin is one of the best characters of the series because he's not stupid. He knows way more than anyone else, and he knows there's nothing to fear outside the walls other than Titans, and I admire him for being so strong and open-minded even when things look dark for him. (And let's face it, he's fricken adorable!)

Another thing, I've only seen a few episodes of the show, and read one or two books. So, much of the story is going to be a bit changed - especially if I'm adding in DN characters. I kinda stopped when things got waaay too dark for me to handle. Plus, Eren is kind of... intense. A kid shouldn't suffer through PTSD... it's way too much for them.

Now, another thing that I'm going to switch around is the whole parents issues. I get that more than a few died, and some of that isn't changing, but there's one thing that bugs me more than anything...

...what the hell happened to Armin's parents? We saw Eren's mom get killed by a Titan, Mikasa lost hers to scummy ass-wipes (Was not pleased with learning that), but Armin's is a mystery. In the anime it's said that they were planning to go outside the wall, but in the manga it's said that they were killed off. So... I'm fixing things around here.

You'll see what I mean.

Like I said, I'm not wholly familiar with the franchise as I have yet to continue watching it, but I still have this idea floating around in my head that I need to type out. It'll be a rather slow story though so be patient with me. :)

Anyway, hope you enjoy, leave a review if you can, and if you have any ideas for me - or some corrections - let me know!

(Mello P.O.V)

"Da will be home today, right?" I asked in what would be my smaller voice. Lord knows I was loud most of the time.

My mother giggled, adjusting Armin to a more comfortable position in her hold. "Possibly. That's what he told us in his last letter. He might be later though."

"But why?" I whined. "He's always away with the soldiers, and we never see him!"

My mother hummed at this. "I know, darling. But he has to go away in order to scout the walls outside. He always comes home though. And he always tells us what's happening in his letters. Try to understand that."

I did understand that. I just didn't like it.

My father, Memphis, was a Squad leader of the Survey Corps. Which meant we didn't see him too often because of his duty. He 'ventured outside the walls in exploration and the eventual reclamation of human territory from Titan-infested lands' as he'd put it, so – in a sense – he was always away. But, like my mother had said, he always came back. Thankfully, he would head into early retirement soon in order to spend more time with his family. His squad was only in town for one week though for rest and supplies.

Everyone marveled at my father's prowess. Not once, in his time as leader, did his squad lose its members to the titans. They were tactical, fast, and deadly. I once overheard someone say that my father could cut your head off and you wouldn't know it until you were dead. I almost believed it too. With how much he reminds me that a sword is only as good as the arm that swings it, I'd believe he was capable of anything that had to do with sharp objects.

Too bad he wouldn't show me any of his moves.

I climbed up onto the boxes of supplies beside me to get a better view over my mother's garden. We'd been outside all day waiting for my father to return with his squad but nothing was happening. Even my little brother had fallen asleep he'd been so bored. Or… maybe it was because he was a toddler. I didn't really know.

I heard my mother's friend, Grisha I think his name was, chuckle before speaking.

"That boy has so much of his father in him it's scary." He readjusted his son in his arms to keep him from squirming before he continued. "I hope Eren doesn't end up that high strung. It might just put me into an early grave."

My mother giggled. "Mihael, get down from there and come hold your little brother while I get the tea."

I grumbled. "Can't I just go get the tea? Last time I held Armin he spit up on me!"

"That was when he was only a few days old." She reminded me. "He's two now, and more than capable of keeping his food down."

"Until I hold him." I muttered begrudgingly.

My mother groaned but before she could argue with me some more her other friend – Kalura I believe? - took Armin from her.

"I got this little one. It's alright, Selena."

The woman sighed thankfully as she stood. "Thank you, Kalura. At least someone helps me out."

I ignored the fact that she directed that to me before she left to grab the tea. I wasn't good with children, especially toddlers. I didn't want them in my future, and I didn't want them now! Why my parents had another baby was beyond my reasoning. Wasn't I good enough? Or maybe they were trying to replace me.

I sighed to myself before leaning against the boxes. Even after two years with that brat I still didn't like him all that much. Even if my parents pay attention to me as much as they do him, it just felt… weird, having him around. Like he stole them away from me. I guess that was just me being paranoid, but I still didn't like having to share a bedroom with a squealing little brat. Especially when he jumped out of his crib and crawled into my bed to cuddle me. I needed my space, but he just didn't understand that. Maybe because he wasn't even old enough to understand it, but my parents could have at least moved him into a different room.

Perhaps when the basement was cleared I could stick him down there.

I suddenly heard the sound of horses in the distance and I immediately looked over the fence in excitement.

Just as I'd thought. The Scouts had returned!

I wasted no time in jumping the fence and running for the road to be the first to greet my father. It had always been me he saw first when he came home, from the moment I was able to jump the fence. Yes, I'd nearly broken my leg the first time doing so, but now I was perfect at landing on the other side without any trouble.

I got to the front of the house to see a tall, muscular, blonde man dismounting his horse. He wore his usual brown leather coat and green hood, along with the gear given to him for what I only knew as flying. I was told the correct term for it years ago, but to me… it was flying.

The man turned to see me and he smiled brightly. "You've grown, my boy!"

I giggled happily and ran in to hug him. He picked me up into his arms and swung me around happily, chuckling at my overzealousness. He accepted it though since he knew I'd been waiting for what felt like forever for him to return.

My mother soon joined us with Armin in her arms and her friends behind her. They all hugged him happily and congratulated him on another successful return. All limbs and lives accounted for.

Just like my da to prove how great he was!

"It feels good to be home!" He said happily as he set me down, turning to mother. "And how is our youngest, my dear?"

"Tired," she chuckled out, "but healthy."

The man opened his arms and soon he was holding the sleeping toddler.

The tiny blonde woke up almost instantly and was surprised to see a new face holding him. He soon smiled though and hugged the man happily, squealing 'Da!' in the process.

The blonde man hugged him back. "I'm happy to see you too, Armin. And I'm glad to see you looking much healthier than before."

"You may thank Grisha for that, my dear." My mother spoke up. "He helped bring down the fever."

"Of course, anything for an old friend!" The man with long brown hair replied. "Besides, I don't think Eren would forgive me if I hadn't done anything. Lord knows that child has favoured Armin since the day they met."

My father hugged the medic happily. "Thank you, Grisha. I owe you my life for taking care of my family."

"Think nothing of it, Memphis. Your family has always been good to mine. I would help you all in a heartbeat if asked."

Kalura hummed happily, rocking her toddler to sleep. "That goes double for me as well. Anytime you need a babysitter, don't hesitate to ask."

My father placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair. "I doubt you can handle Armin and this little terror on your own! I know he can be a handful."

I turned away from him when he said this. Somehow I considered being called a terror an insult.

"Maybe," Kalura replied, "but he has a heart of gold. He just needs to grow a little more in maturity to see that."

"I don't need to do anything." I replied back. "I'm perfect the way I am. I always will be."

"And modest too, I see." My father retorted. "For an eight year old, you think mighty high of yourself my boy!"

I moved away from his hand on my head. "You always taught me to be proud of myself. And I am! I can read and write, I'm strong and resilient, and I know how to knock a few heads around if someone doesn't like what I have to say. Face it, I'm perfection!"

The adults joined in on a laugh together after I said this but I couldn't tell why. Yes, maybe I was a bit big headed, but that only meant that I respected and loved myself the way I was. And that meant I changed for no one.

When they calmed down my father patted my back. "Go get your coat son. We're going to the docks for a celebration tonight on our return. Don't forget the baby bag as well."

I blinked at this but just shrugged and ran off to grab my things.

Adults could be so weird sometimes.

(Memphis P.O.V)

"Memphis, that child will rule the world someday, I guarantee it." Grisha promised me. "High and mighty, just like you. I could almost see the passion and fire behind those eyes."

I shrugged, still smiling. "That boy will rule the world, my friend. In one way or another, he will rule the world."

"And in that world he will leave a trail of broken hearts behind him." Selena mentioned. "Some of the local girls all try to talk to him but he keeps ignoring them. Poor little girls. Lord knows he'll just continue that streak when he's older."

"He'll break a million hearts, I promise you." Kalura jumped in. "Each more broken than the last."

I rolled my eyes at this but chuckled anyway. "He'll be a lot like me then. Up until he finds number one million and one, like my dearest Selena here."

The blonde woman before me took the toddler out of my arms with a slight chuckle. "And I'd better be your number one out of all of them."

"Darling, you are my only one." I bowed to her.

Her response was merely an eye-roll.

When Mihael came back with his things and the baby bag, we were off to the docks to celebrate our return. After this, a whole week with my family to spend.

I couldn't have been happier.

Meanwhile

(Matt P.O.V)

The garrison were right stupid if they couldn't capture a small kid in an ally-way. Honestly, they thought they were tough for fighting against supposed titans? I doubt they could murder a fly.

I dodged into another ally and climbed up a set of boxes lined outside one of the shops before heading to the roofs. I suppose that was a mistake though since the garrison did have those machines that made them whip through the air like a dragonfly, but I was too sure I could out maneuver them. Besides, I doubt they really knew how to use them anyhow. All they knew was how to get drunk and eat bread. Bread that could go to the starving, but ended up in their gullets instead. It was more than the reason for my dislike of them.

Especially when they chased me for stealing their undeserved food.

I managed to lose the officers that were chasing me by hiding in the shadow of another home, and went the opposite way of where they left. Truly, I was a master at the art of thievery.

But it hadn't always been that way.

There was a time I had a home. When I had a mother and father. It didn't last long though. My father got drunk and wandered off, and my mother committed suicide. I hadn't known them that well aside from that. I can remember getting a few bruises from my drunk father, but that was about it. I doubt either of them actually loved me anyhow.

As soon as they were gone… I just left.

I'd been born in the Utopia District, but after a while of travel I ended up in Shiganshina. It wasn't that much better here than in Utopia, but there were more guards to mess about with. Drunken bastards.

Other than traveling around, there wasn't much for me wherever I went. No one wanted me, and no one saw a use for me. I was just some lonesome, parentless, bastard child that had nothing to his name. The most I had were the clothes on my back. Even then, it wasn't much.

I munched on my bread as I began patrolling about on the rooftops. I'd gotten to the docks going this was and saw that a festival was happening. I suppose they were celebrating the return of the Survey Corps.

A lot of good they did… but I guess they did more than the garrison.

I sat down on the roof, taking in another bite of bread. "Damn soldiers. Useless, every one of 'em."

"That so, ya little brat!?"

I turned around fearfully to catch a glimpse of one of the soldiers making a grab for me before jumping off the roof into a pile of hay.

I guess my run would have to continue.

They chased after me up the street and down a few blocks before I leapt into a shop window and ran through the store to get to the rear exit. This led me into another ally where I bolted down to the street that lay ahead. Once I made it into the crowd, I was off scot free!

Right as I was about to exit the ally-way…

…he appeared.

It was like everything went at the pace of a snail. I was running, the wisp of blonde hair appeared before me, the face turned to see me, and I skidded to a halt. It wasn't that fast of a stop though since I still managed to nearly crash into him, our noses touching and our eyes meeting. For a brief moment, I thought I'd been staring into the sky instead of two large eyes. It took me by surprise how bright they were, and I had to catch my breath after for fear I'd pass out from their stunning shine. I'd never met anyone with eyes like his…

…

…and I loved them.

We stayed in place for a few moments, our eyes not leaving each other's and our noses still touching. I was speechless.

I took a step back to give him some room. "Uh… um…"

He blinked at me before relaxing his stance. "Hi…"

I felt my heart quiver. His voice was angelic.

"H-hi."

He grinned slightly. "What's your name?"

I blinked, revelling in his voice. "Umm… Mail. Mail Jeevas. But you can call me Matt. I like it a lot better than Mail."

His grin widened as he held out his hand. "Mihael Keehl. But you can call me Mello."

I took his hand, mentally remarking to myself how soft his skin was. "Why Mello?"

He shrugged. "My grandfather calls me that. He said it was an 'ironic nickname'."

"Well I like it!" I complimented. "It suits you."

He giggled. "Not as much as you think."

"Mihael!" Came an older voice. "Son, where'd you go!?"

"Over here, Da!" The blonde called. "I'm with a friend!"

Suddenly, a tall soldier with the Survey Corps crest on his jacket popped out from behind a booth. I almost wet myself at how tall this man was. Not to mention he was a soldier.

So then… would he know who I was?

Mello introduced me. "This is Matt! We just met! Could he stay over tonight!?"

Stay over? At his place? This was kind of soon… but I'm up for it!

"Matt eh?" He questioned, kneeling down to look at me better. "Where are your parents my boy?"

I blinked. "Uh…"

"Got ya!"

I shrieked slightly as someone hoisted me up into their arms and held me tight. I tried to squirm but it was no use. I couldn't get out of this one. I was more embarrassed than scared anyway because Mello was seeing all this.

"Let me go, you pig!" I screamed, trying to kick him away. "I got nothing!"

"You little whelp, you took food from our storage! Now cough it up or we'll cut it outta ya!"

"Bite me!" I growled.

"Hold on here!" Came the tall man's voice. "What is going on!?"

The pig soldier snorted. "This little cur took food from the Garrison. He's wanted with the crimes of theft, breaking and entering, and destruction of property."

The man was quiet. "I see… and how old are you, my boy?"

"Uh… e-eight, ser." I replied worriedly.

"Oh? Only eight?" He asked. "But what about your parents?"

I shrugged slightly. "My momma's dead, ser. And my pops walked off in a drunken stupor right before she killed herself."

"Hmm… I see." Came his reply before he looked at the officer. "Set him down."

He did as asked, if not begrudgingly, and the tall man leaned down to me once more. This time, with a small smile on his face.

"And how long have you been dodging the Garrison?"

I shrugged again. "Two years?"

"Really?! That's quite a feat for someone as young as yourself!" He complimented, making me grin back at him.

He then put a hand on my shoulder. "Tell you what… how would you like to join the cadets up in the Trost district?"

"What!" Came the officer's reply. "You can't be serious, chief! This little runt…!"

"Has been one step ahead of you and the Garrison for years." He interrupted, looking up at the soldier. "And I think he'd do well in service of the King."

"He wouldn't last two days!"

"He lasted two years without parents or even your help. I think he'll be alright. But it is his choice. Be on the run? Or train to be a soldier?" He then looked back at me. "What will it be Matt?"

Although I hated the corps with every fibre of my being… I suppose it was best to be fed and kept warm than live out in the cold for another winter.

I nodded to the man. "I'll join."

"Perfect!" The tall blonde said happily, standing up. "Yagami! Front and center!"

A young brunette suddenly appeared in front of us and saluted respectively to the man. "Yes ser?"

"Take our newest recruit here to the Trost district. Get him fitted for a cadet uniform and get to training him. This one will be a great asset to us."

"But… ser, what about…"

"I know you had your heart set on the mission around the wall, but training comes first. We need the best of the best, and this one will prove his worth in no time. Mentor him, be an older brother to him. I trust you make him into a fine soldier."

The brunette sighed, but saluted again. "I'll do my best, ser."

"Good man!"

Before I was whisked away by the teen soldier I felt someone grab my arm and pull me back. It was Mello.

He smiled happily. "Promise you'll come see me when training is over."

I smiled back. "I promise."

With that, we were off.

But first…

"What's your name?" I asked the teen.

He grinned slightly. "Light. Light Yagami."

"Don't see a lot of you guys around anymore." I commented.

"The Asian kind?"

"The pretty boy kind. I think we're all inbred or something."

The teen laughed at this. "Humanity was on the verge of extinction a hundred years ago. It wouldn't surprise me if we were inbred."

With that, I had a whole new friend.

(Memphis P.O.V)

"I like him." Mihael commented. "I hope I see him again."

There was something in his voice that sounded… off. Not bad. But off. Almost like he was in a dreamy kind of state.

"There you two are." I heard Selena call from behind us. "What's going on?"

Mihael didn't seem to notice her. He was too busy staring off in the direction where Matt had gone.

I chuckled slightly. "A million minus one, my dear."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

I nudged her to look down at the small blonde and she almost immediately knew what I meant.

"I see…" she hummed out. "Was it a nice little lady?"

I giggled. "A nice young lad."

She hid the giggles well, but I could see the excitement in her eyes. "Best we find this out now rather than later."

"I concur."

I put a hand on Mihael's shoulder. "Come along, son. The celebration has only begun."

He nodded silently and followed, his eyes still lingering on the path where Matt had walked. Seeing my boy like this, happy instead of angry or prideful, was a god sent. Especially in a world run by monsters that threatened us day in and day out.

But when something like this happened… it was like none of them mattered. It was just the love that existed.

And I hoped it would stay that way for a long time to come.