Sorry for not being active with this story...I hope you can forgive me.


It was early in the morning when Armin had gotten out of bed, the sky was still dark so the hour had to be around three or four. The blonde exited the room and heads to Eren's room underground, he knocked on the door once, twice, thrice times before calling out to the brunette "Eren. Hey Eren I'm going to the market early to beat the rush do you wanna come?" He asked curiously awaiting the response from his friend.

It was silent for a moment but soon the door opened and the taller male is seen rubbing sleep from his eyes "Ye-Yeah I'll get dressed...gimme a second." Armin nods before racing back up the stairs to fix him and Eren a quick breakfast and to see what they would need.

Armin collected a pen and pad walking through the kitchen, peeking into the pantry and ice house to see what they were missing or had little of. Returning to the dining table he began to jot down what he saw.

"Hmmm...what else..." Armin mumbles thumping the pen against his lips as he ohs and wrote down what came to mind. The squeak of a chair caught his attention "Eren?" He asked curiously however he was met with another sight and rather insensitive words.

"Do I look like that idiot to you Goldilocks!?"

Armin sighed giving Levi an apologetic look "Sorry about that Levi...I thought you were-"

"Yeah Eren. I know."

Armin stood from his seat watching Levi slump forward his eyes narrowing either from annoyance or tiredness. "You hungry?" Ask Armin trying to lighten the atmosphere but Levi simply looked at him making Armin bite his lip he looked to the left for a moment before snapping his fingers. He went to the pantry and collected various ingredients placing them on the table he then left the room to collect ice from the ice house with three tankards. Levi watched curiously as Armin cut three slices from the loaf and turned to Levi "Which jam do you want?" He asked kindly making Levi look up curiously "Jam?" He asked as if he wasn't sure, he hadn't had jam in a long time only on special occasions in fact he hadn't had it long enough to pick a favorite. He looked at the various jams and then to Armin however when he saw him smile the shorter male glared pointing to the peaches.

Armin laughed a bit making Levi look away, Armin scooped the peach preserve onto the loaf before sprinkling it with nutmeg and cinnamon. He placed it in front of his tiny corporal following the action with poor his mug with apple juice.

"Go on try it you'll like it."

Levi looked down at the sweet breakfast before picking it up and bites into it chewing slowly tasting out the flavors before his eyes light up with pure joy as he shoves another bite into his mouth. This made Armin laugh with a smile "You like it?" Hearing this made Levi look away blushing "Shut up Mushroom Head, it's just food and I'm hungry!" however despite his words he picked up a slice of peach and popped it into his mouth.

Armin just shook his head and turned to the sound of someone approaching "Hey Eren you want some?" He asked holding up one of the jars "Yeah I'll take apple please." Armin nods and sets to work "Why are you morons up this early anyway?" Levi asked with a mouthful of breakfast.

"Me an Eren are going to the Market. We need more supplies."

"Like what?"

"Oh more-"

"Does it matter? You're not going with us you're going to stay here cause I don't wanna be responsible if you get hurt!" Spat Eren with a smug look, this made Levi give him a nasty look as he opens his mouth to argue before Armin quickly intervenes.

Armin sat down Eren's plate in front of him "Well, actually Eren I was hoping he could come with us, we may end up having more than we can carry and I'm positive that Levi would like the vist the Market place." Armin said noticing the look on Levi's face changed "And if he behaves..." Levi quickly gained the look that every child gets when they hear that sentence, his eyes light up and his features soften with a odd radiance of anxiety "IF he behaves he may get to pick out some treats." Armin said in a voice that meant he promises. Hearing this made Levi look ecstatic "I'll be good I promise."

Eren rolled his eyes "Sure, and that includes no name calling and being rude!"

"Or swearing."

The voice from behind made the boys jump twisting around nervously only to see Mikasa standing with arms crossed "And if I find out you had broken any of these you won't have to worry about getting taller because I'd make sure you don't grow anymore...permanently."

Levi narrows his eyes he was about to open his mouth but remembered his promise and fell silent gritting his teeth "I won't..." He said with a forced smile.

Outside the small group headed for the stables "Why are going to stables?" He asked sounding impatient "Horseback will be much faster. If we went by foot it would be really late in the day when we get there." Eren said fastening the saddle. Eren turned to Levi "Who you riding with?" He asked curiously making Levi glance at him and then Armin. Much to Eren's surprise he pick him "I wanna ride with you." He said attempting to climb the horse on his own he struggled to get his foot into the lift and he grappled at the cloth his arms straining to move him. Suddenly Levi leaned back a bit but the small movement caused him to lose his grip and balance making him fall back.

He lets out a yelp but he doesn't hit the ground, no instead he hit Eren's chest as the older boy caught him under his armpits "You okay? You gotta be careful." Eren said sternly before raising Levi up higher so he could get on the horse's back. He climbed up sitting behind Levi making the other look at him confused "Why aren't you in the front?" He asked "Well I gotta make sure you don't topple off plus you're safer in this spot."

Levi didn't really understand how he was safer in front but decided not to question it further he turned his attention to Armin who rode up beside them on his own horse "Alright let's get going before any Titans pop up, it's still dark out so they shouldn't be mobile." Armin smirked as he suddenly thrashed the reins racing forward, Eren picked up the reins looked down at Levi "Hold on to that piece right there and lean against me." Levi gripped the knob on the saddle and pressed against the older boy as told. Eren lift the reins up at Levi's sides and he thrashed the reins rushing after Armin.

The threesome reach the inner walls when the sun was up Armin guessed it was either nine or ten at this point. Eren climbed down and picked Levi off the saddle making the younger boy stagger a bit rubbing his legs "That was the most uncomfortable ride ever...my legs hurt." He complained looking up at Eren as if it was his fault. "Horseback riding takes some getting used to." He said flatly as he pulled the horse along with the cart trailing behind. "SO, Where are we going first Armin?" Eren asked looking back to the blonde.

Armin reached into his pocket pulling out his notes "We should get the spices first, I just know that we should get the meats last." He said folding the scrap paper "Okay then let's get going." Eren said turning to the town "And look there aren't a lot of people." He adds facing the Market.

Armin nods "Oh I have an idea let's split up you can get the spices, vegetables, fruit, and I'm going to get the medicine, flour, sugar, and dairy. We'll met up that's when we'll get meat." Eren nods "And Levi don't forget if you behave we'll let pick out something." Armin said smiling to the younger male as he drops to his height. Levi tried to look unfazed but he nods "Yeah I know." He said.

As Armin heads off his own way Eren and Levi heads for the specific stands. As Eren shopped many people couldn't help but ooh and awe at Levi as he stood next to Eren many girls and women asked Eren if he was the father of the young boy or how old Levi was leaving Eren baffled and stumbling over his words as he tried to explain he had no relationship towards Levi whatsoever. However uncharacteristically Levi would find himself hiding behind Eren to escape the gawking passersby as he childishly clung to Eren's trousers. Eren smirked it was funny to see someone like Levi Who was fearless and could careless what others said or did was now very self conscious and spooked.

Eren tugged him along telling him to stay close when suddenly the town begin fill more and more with shoppers. Yet Levi didn't have to be told twice for he was terrified of the suddenly massive crowd "Why are all these d*mm people here?" He squeaks "Levi no swearing." Eren said, but the brunette soon found it hard to walk for Levi was under his feet much like a small dog does when around his owner.

Annoyed Eren stuck Levi in the cart "Stay in there. You're too clingy when we're in crowds." Levi growls placing his chin in his palm as he watched the passing buildings when he spotted a familiar building.

It was huge with candle sticks on other sides of the door. The doors were white with a green canopy over them and a dusty red mat. He looked up at it sitting upright, it was his mother's workplace. He looked at Eren then to the building that was slowly leaving his view, he wanted to see his mother and surely she was in there. He stands but the words that the others said returns.

"You behave and you get something special."

"If you are a good boy we'll let you pick out treats."

Sure those promises sounded nice, but he missed his mom and wanted to see her. Besides, those things his mom could get him! He hops out of the cart stumbling a bit but soon found his footing as he raced to the building he saw. He reached the door and raised a hand to the knob "Hey tyke wha'cha doing trying to get in there? You gotta be a big man to go there." Levi stopped turning to see a old man with a large belly and bulbous nose "Cause a boy your age can't appreciate the stuff in there." The man began to sweat as saliva ran down his chin Levi looked up at him "Nope those women in there just waiting to be...hahaha their too stupid-"

"Shut up!"

The man looked down a Levi "What was that?"

Levi narrowed his eyes the brilliant gray turning to an icy stare as he clenched his fist "You gone deaf already? I said to shut up you old hound! You have no right to disrespect the women in there. Then again you seem like the kind of guy that will disrespect your old mom." Levi spat, making the man lunge at him however Levi dodged and delivered quick punches to the man's gut.

The pervert gags on his own breath falling to the floor coughing "Like I was saying, a dirty dog like you shouldn't be allowed to go in there, these women may have a profession that is bad and frowned on but they do it so they can feed their families it's probably the only job they could get. They don't enjoy this and some even think about dying." Levi said his voice taking on a soft tone as sadness fills his eyes as he recalls the nights he seen his mother crying and how he tried to help her feel better.

"So to put it shortly, I distaste anyone who disrespects them." He spat. The man got to his feet anger fueling him as he turned to Levi with all intention to pummel him but when he saw the look on his face and the look in his eyes the man quickly backed off.

"Levi! Levi there you are!"

Levi never let his gaze up as Eren approached "What are you doing over here?" Eren asked frantically, he was relieved that Levi was alright but the many vision of his head on a silver platter in front of Erwin still plagued him. "I uh...I was..." Levi paused he looked angered suddenly "I fell out of your d*mn cart!" He lied. He couldn't let Eren know he was looking for his mom.

This made Eren pale "Wha!? Y-You're not hurt are you!?" He nearly screamed but Levi didn't say anything as he returned to the cart he knew that if he wanted to see him mom he would have to do it in secrecy.

It was a little after noon when Armin and Eren regrouped "So were you a good boy Levi?" Armin asked curiously "Does it matter?" He asked sullen as he looked down, Armin looked at Eren before turning to Levi "I saw a toy store over there do you want a toy?"

A toy? Levi hadn't had a new toy in a while he looked up curiously at Armin smiled him kindly "You can pick any one you want, come on." He said holding out his hand to the boy. Levi was hesitant for a moment before approaching the other.

When they had entered the store Levi looked around curiously at all the various toys that sat on the shelves they ranged from wooden toys to stuffed animals. Levi walked around with wide eyes, it didn't take long for him to spot the one thing he really wanted, it was a small teaset. The tray was silver and glistens in the light, the saucers, cups, and kettle were white with soft pink flowers with gray stems decorated all over he looked at Armin and Eren who were watching him as they talk one another. Levi looked back at the set a blush coated his cheeks thinking that they would laugh at him for wanting a teaset as if he was a little girl.

He bit his lip standing at the set for a moment before turning away looking for something else something more boyish. He eventually found a stuffed German Shepherd with a blue collar. He picked it up and stared at it with little interest. He sighed before returning to the others holding up his stuffed dog "I want this." He said trying to hide the heartbreak in his voice.

"You sure? You pick whatever you want." Eren said trying to sound encouraging but Levi shook his head, to be honest he just wanted to go home.

Armin nods paying for the dog.

When the three some returned home it was late. Armin, Eren, and Mikasa all worked together to store the groceries and to be honest Mikasa was surprised at how much they had. It was bound to last them a good long time.

That night Levi decided to go to bed without dinner. He was still upset about what that man had said about his mom and the women like her.

He was angry that he didn't get to see his mom, but he wasn't going to give up.