A/N: This story is also posted on AO3 under Tiamo4ever :)

It was about 10:30 at night as Levi was walking home from Hange's apartment. She had needed help with some of her research and since Levi happened to own a book store, he also happened to have some of the latest science books Hange would need. Somehow she had persuaded him to bring them to her place and spend the entire evening going through them, and where did it get them; well in Levi's opinion after seven and a half hours of reading, note taking and one or two minor explosions they had made zero progress. Hange however made a big deal saying that they had managed to get one step closer to proving her hypothesis.

"You know what they say Levi 'the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step'. Every step in this journey to knowledge is important. It may not feel like it but we made progress today!" Hange exclaimed. Levi could still hear her over eager attitude in his head and he walked down the street to his apartment. He was lost in thought when he felt his cell phone buzz in his pocket.

Erwin: Since you're on your way home could you stop at the convenience store and pick up some ice cream? :)

Levi: K

Erwin: Thanks babe ;)

"Who eats ice cream at when it's almost 11:00?" Levi thought to himself as he crossed the street and headed into the only 24 hour convenience store in their neighbourhood. In all honesty Levi didn't mind stopping since it was on the way home; the store was only about 6 buildings away from his anyway. Plus Levi was a bit of a night owl and enjoyed walking around at night. After purchasing a small container of Ben & Jerry's ice cream for Erwin he began his walk back to their apartment. Levi was nearly home when he heard a noise that made him stop in his tracks.

"What the hell?" Levi said as he glance toward the dark ally. He stayed silent for a moment when he heard the noise again. It sounded like crying, but not just any crying, it sounded like a baby. Levi let his curiosity get the best of him and he proceeded to walk down the ally to find the source of the noise. After a few steps into the ally, Levi noticed a brown whicker basket with an infant who couldn't be more than 6 or 8 months in it near a large dumpster. When the infant noticed Levi standing there, his cries got louder and his hands reached out hoping that Levi would pick him up. Levi's body moved without thinking as he kneeled down on the filthily ground next to the basket. Since it was late fall the weather had gotten rather cold at night and Levi noticed that the baby only had a long sleeve onesie and a thin baby blanket wrapped around it.

"You're probably cold huh brat?" Levi said as he took off the scarf he had been wearing. It was a thick green wool scarf that Erwin had given him for Christmas last year. He carefully placed the scarf around the infant in the basket, turning it into a second blanket. The baby's cry decreased until it was just a small series of whimpers and whines. Then it happened, the baby and Levi's eyes met and locked on each other. Levi was amazed, he had never seen eyes as beautiful as the ones this baby had; they were an absolutely breath taking turquoise color. The baby broke eye contact first and began to fuss again as it squirmed around, causing the blanket and scarf to slide. "Oi, keep still brat, you'll catch a cold if you keep kicking your blanket away." Levi said as he tucked the blanket and scarf back around the infant. He was just about done when he felt something on the right near the baby's side. He pulled back the blanked only to find an envelope containing a hand written note.

I don't know who will find this note, but I can only hope that you have a kind and compassionate soul. Even though I do not know who you are I am about to ask a favor of you. This is Eren (8months old) my beautiful baby boy. The favor I ask of you is to please care for him, give Eren the loving home and wonderful life he deserves. Please give him all of the things I am unable to. I want my Eren to know that this world is full of beauty and kindness, that despite my irresponsible and unfortunate decisions, there is hope. Please become Eren's hope, become Eren's strength, become Eren's family. Please don't let my selfishness rob this child of a happy life.

After finishing the note Levi looked back down at the slightly fussing infant. When their eyes met this time Levi experienced an intense attachment to Eren; he was going to protect him. Levi stood up off the ground and attempted to wipe some of the dirt off his pants. Then he grabbed the handle of the basket Eren was in as well as Erwin's ice cream and started to head towards the apartment when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

Erwin: Where Are You!? It's 11:45 You should have been home at least 20 minutes ago!

Levi: Calm down eyebrows...be home in 5 minutes

"Well brat, we better get going. Erwin's going to shit his pants when he sees you." Levi said as he walked the last little stretch before making it to their doorstep. Levi took out his keys and unlocked the outside door. The interesting thing about Levi and Erwin's apartment was that it was located just above the book store that Levi owns. To get to the apartment you have to enter through the stores side door and head up the stair case next to the electrical room. As Levi climbed the stairs Eren had finally stopped fussing and began incoherent baby talk. Levi barely had his apartment key in the lock when the door swung open. Erwin looked as though he was about to yell when he noticed the baby in the basket Levi was holding. While Erwin was trying to process what he was seeing Levi pushed past him and set Eren's basket on the kitchen table and began answering all of Erwin's potential questions.

"Haa...So basically I asked you to stop at the store and get me ice cream and you brought home a baby." Erwin sighed, he was clearly unamused. "Well I'll run back to the store and pick up enough diapers and formula for tonight. Tomorrow we will call children's aid and explain the situation, I'm sure they will find a good home for him." Levi stood up so fast that he knocked his chair back and he grabbed Erwin by the shirt collar.

"The brat isn't going anywhere. THIS will be his home ad WE will be his family. Eren is my little brat" Levi said in a serious even tone that he only used when he wasn't willing to back down.

"I suppose there isn't anything I can say to change your mind." Erwin said, Levi shook his head. "Well then I'll go get the diapers and formula for tonight and tomorrow we'll have to go baby shopping and get the others things we'll need to take care of him." Erwin said as he removed Levi's hand from his shirt and headed towards the door, grabbing his coat and wallet on the way; Levi let out a sigh of relief as he looked down at Eren who was happily sucking on his own fingers. He then reached out for Levi, while making happy giggle like sounds in the hopes that he would finally be held. Levi picked up on the baby's not so subtle hint and lifted him out of the basket and cradled him in his arms.

"Well brat I hope you're happy, because starting today this is your new home."