AN: Wow, it's been like almost two years since I've updated anything here. Oops. Well, I'm super into attack on titan now and I thought of this random AU story that I hope you'll like. I'm kinda rusty with my writing so I hope it's decent. Enjoy~
© Hajime Isayama
Chapter 1
Nobody ever said life was fair. Innocent people are killed by the actions of stupid people daily. There's not a thing anyone can do about it.
Levi sighed. The traffic seemed to stretch out across the highway for miles. Today of all days... Just my luck. He glanced over at the passenger seat occupied by a bouquet. It would all be worth it though, he reasoned with himself with a faint smile.
By the time Levi made it home the stars were shining in the night sky and the moon could be seen high above. He ran his hand through his raven colored hair and smoothed out any wrinkles in his clothing.
"I'm home." Levi waited a moment. No answer. Strange. Usually he was greeted by a beautiful red head girl. He tried again, louder. Still no reply.
Levi's stomach flopped. This was unlike her. "Petra." He finally said. Where was she?
The man tried to remain calm. He sat down on the couch and turned on the news. "She's just running late," He reasoned. Then he saw it. When he looked up at the TV the first thing he saw was his lover's face.
"...one of the victims in a multiple vehicle collision identified: Petra Ral," he heard the reporter say. But...that couldn't be right. There was no way. Petra was supposed to be home with him. They were supposed to be celebrating their one year anniversary together. She couldn't have made her ascent from earth. Her time wasn't, couldn't be over.
Levi shut off the television. He couldn't handle it anymore. The man collapsed onto his couch and just stared. His life at that moment had come crashing down. Tears slid down his cheek for the first time in years. He had no choice but to accept the circumstances. He had a funeral to plan.
It wasn't too much later that Levi discovered that their close friends Gunter Schultz, Eld Jinn, and Oluo Bozado had also been in that pile-up. I should be with them, thought Levi. Why am I still here when they're gone?
By now Levi thought he was used to death. He was in a gang in his youth after all. No, he couldn't compare that with how he was feeling now. The people who tended to die were the nameless faces of his gang, people he cared little for. These people, though. These were people he opened up to and now they were gone in an instant.
"Levi!" A familiar voice called.
Levi and his good friend Erwin, the man who removed Levi forcefully from his gang life and pushed him towards a better life, turned to see a brunette running towards them with her usual enthusiasm. "Good lord, don't you know this is a funeral?" Levi hissed.
Hanji blushed. Of course she did, she was just naturally energetic, even at the worst times. Had they been meeting now under normal circumstances the two would have been spouting insults at each other.
With a roll of the eyes Levi asked, "Did you need something?"
"I was just going to tell you sorry for your loss," Hanji mumbled.
Petra was to be lowered into the ground soon but Levi had a special request. He requested a moment with the casket open, it was a closed casket due to extensive injuries to her face. The funeral director allowed it, anyone who didn't wish to see was asked to turn away. Petra's face was the first thing Levi noticed. Though the funeral home attempted to fix and clean away any blemishes the crash may have left behind Levi could see the bruising and scarring. Her nose appeared to be broken. This wasn't how Levi would remember her, though, he'd remember her as the beautiful young woman he had fallen head over heels for.
Levi pulled something out of his coat pocket. A little box. In his other hand he held the bouquet he had for her for their anniversary. Petra… Levi opened the box revealing a ring. He was going to ask for her hand in marriage that night. The least he could do now is have closure in putting the ring on her finger and giving her the flowers. He hated that this was goodbye. Levi gave the okay and they closed the casket to resume the service.
Levi bit his lip as she was lowered. Goodbye…
A couple days passed. Levi hadn't talked to anyone since the funeral. He'd taken off work. He was a mess. Levi went through Petra's belongings, memories flooding back to him. As he looked through photo albums and letters one such memory stuck out the most.
"Levi," Petra looked up at him with large, wondering eyes.
"Yes?"
"Do you want kids?"
Levi choked. "Do I want what?"
Petra laughed. "Not now, but in the future."
"I might consider it," Levi grumbled.
Petra wrapped her arms around Levi's waist and smiled, "I know I do."
Levi patted Petra's head. "Well you need to finish school first. We don't have the means to take care of a child."
With a playful shove at Levi, Petra said, "I know that. Cut me a break, it's my last year at university."
Levi wanted to fulfill her wish but she was gone. What could he really do?
"Have you ever thought about adoption?" Erwin asked.
Levi crinkled his nose. Well, he did ask his trusted friend for an opinion of what he should do. "She always wanted kids. I suppose this is the only way I can honor that wish."
"I'll come with you, it'll be fine."
The next day Levi and Erwin walked into the orphanage, earning a funny look from the receptionist. She cleared her throat. "Can I help you?"
"I'd like to adopt a child," Levi said.
"Are you two together?"
Levi blushed, scowling at this audacious woman. "Only in that he drove me here," He spat.
The woman flinched. Even though she was much larger in width and height than Levi she couldn't help but be intimidated. "O-oh, well right this way," she said. She got up from her chair to lead the men to a room where there were kids playing. "Take as long as you need."
Levi groaned. It was so loud. These brats are like animals. Why did I let myself get talked into this?
In one corner a bald boy and a girl with long brown hair play fought. In another a boy with two toned hair played with a little black haired boy. Levi watched as one especially tall black haired child peered over a wall of blocks and his friend rammed into it to knock it down. A blonde boy read to himself while a girl with a red scarf wrapped to her nose sat alone and looked out the window. None of these children struck a chord with Levi, though.
"Hi mister." Where did this kid come from? Levi hadn't noticed him among all the other children.
"Who are you?" Levi asked.
"I'm Eren," the boy said with pride, his green eyes lighting up with joy. "Are you going to adopt me?" He grinned.
The nerve of this kid, to think he's more special than all the others. "I guess we'll see. I must be leaving now." Levi got up. He looked at Erwin. "Let's go."
"You didn't have to be like that to the kid, Levi," Erwin said when they were out of earshot.
"Spare me the lecture," Levi said.
Levi couldn't help but think of that kid as he laid in bed last night. All the other kids just played and didn't pay attention to the fact that there was a chance they would be adopted. Maybe if they had his face would have scared them away anyways. That kid though. Eren.
"You want Eren?" The receptionist asked.
"Is there a problem?"
"No problem. I just need you to fill out this paper work."
Levi just knew there was something this woman was hiding. He was going to ask but decided against it. This was a kid they were talking about. How much trouble could he be?
When everything was all set Eren was called out. "Eren, this is your new father."
"I remember you," The boy grinned.
Eren raised his arms, wanting to be picked up. Levi ignored the gesture. "Let's go."
