'itallics' - Hindi

It was really irritating for Saira to not be able to move around much for a month. She wasn't allowed to leave the Med Bay for the first two weeks. Luckily, she had always been a fast healer and shifted back to her quarters three days before time.

Erwin had ordered her to sit out the next expedition and after an intervention from Mike, Ehaan and Killian, Saira grudgingly accepted. She just couldn't not do anything. The pain of losing her squad was still fresh in her mind and she wanted to drown herself in her work.

"If you want to work," Erwin had said, "then you can take care of some of the paperwork that I had to sort out. A desk job would suit you since you are not fit to be on the field yet."

No strenuous exercise for the next one month, she was told. That meant that she couldn't train every morning, or even run laps. So, she stood near the stables, waving goodbye to her comrades at they left for the world beyond the walls. Quietly, she prayed that they returned with their hearts still beating.

Ehaan had grinned at her before riding ahead to speak with his squad leader, Hanji. Saira sighed in relief that Hanji wasn't allowed to attempt capturing a titan. She watched until the last wagon had disappeared and slowly made her way to her office.

Grumbling to herself, Saira settled on the mountain of paperwork that Erwin had handed her in his absence. She had to compare skills of this month's recruits and then sort them accordingly into various squads. She also had to take care of the finances and resources, rationing of food and supplies.

"Trained my ass off for three torturous years, joined the Scouts, killed titans and ultimately wound up doing Erwin-I'm-So-Smart-Smith's paperwork." The woman mumbled under her breath, sorting one Oluo Bozado under Levi's squad as recommendation.

It took her two days to finish half of the work. She was bored out of her mind and on the fifth day, after she had finished the last of her work with vengeance in mind, she realized that it was time for the soldiers to return.

The sun had almost set when they returned, holding torches high. Erwin led them, followed by Mike, Levi and Nanaba. Saira was in civilian clothes, as there was no point in wearing her uniform. She tugged her cardigan closer as the Commander climbed off the horse and made his way towards her.

She saluted him and he waved his hand as if to say 'that isn't necessary right now'.

"Erw-" Saira stopped and corrected herself, "Commander, how was the expedition?"

The blond man's eyes followed the stable boys, who had rushed to take the reins from the injured/tired soldiers and led the horses to the stables.

"Compared to the previous one…" His baritone voice soothed her nerves, "We had fewer deaths. Most of the injured are with the medics stationed in Trost. We were able to make it a little further towards Wall Maria."

Levi quietly walked past them and Saira noticed blood on his sleeve.

"He lost one of his squad members." Erwin explained and then placed his hand on the woman's shoulder, "How are you?"

"Fine. I can move around now. Breathing's better. Back hurts sometimes, but it'll heal. I can start training soon."

"That'll be for the doctor to decide. But I'm glad." Erwin bent his head a little, his blue eyes looked dark, "If you'll excuse me, I need to file the reports-" He took long strides, as if he wanted to get away from everyone.

"Are you alright?"

Her question made Erwin freeze, his back to her and he responded without missing a beat, "Of course."

"Erwin!" Saira called as he took another step.

This time, he looked over his shoulder.

"Welcome home." She smiled at him, relief bubbling up in her heart.

The corner of Erwin's mouth twitched and nodded, "Goodnight, Saira."

Saira refrained from saying anything more, watching him walk away. Sighing, she thought about how this had become somewhat of a routine. Him, walking away and she, watching him go.

"Bua!" Ehaan's voice rang in her ears and Saira turned, smiling at her nephew.

He had a few scratches here and there but overall was unharmed. The woman hurried over to the tall boy, who promptly embraced her.

"All okay?" She patted his forearm and pulled back.

Ehaan lifted his shoulders, "Yeah, I'm good. Lost one of my batch mates. I didn't really know him…but I…well..." He trailed off with a dry chuckle.

"I'm sorry…" Saira frowned, not knowing what to say.

She was terrible at comforting people. Death had always left her tongue tied. In the past, Saira had managed to unknowingly say the wrong things to those who had approached her for help. Over time, her colleagues realized that she was better at expressing her remorse through actions rather than words.

"How are you?" Ehaan's green eyes, a shade darker than hers, narrowed, "Are you supposed to be walking around like this?"

"I'm fine." The woman replied, "You should know that we Vogels heal fast."

"Too fast, if you ask me." Her nephew muttered, "Will you come home, then? Does baba know that you're injured, by the way? Have you written to him at all?"

Saira let out an airy laugh, "Good grief, so many questions. You just returned, Ehaan. Go back to your dorm first. Tonight, you rest. We shall speak tomorrow."

Ehaan nodded uncertainly.

"I'm glad you are safe." Saira patted his cheek and he returned her smile.

"I'm glad you are, too."

Ever since her nephew had joined the Survey Corps, Saira had made it her duty to look out for him. She kept an eye on him in a way that didn't make it seem that he was someone special. During expeditions, she tried not to think about the various ways Ehaan could die. She didn't want to lose any more of her family.

But there were times when she wanted to choke the life out of him. Like two days later when the duo had gone home for the weekend.

"You tattled!" Saira accused her nephew, pointing a finger at him as the seventeen year old cowered behind his mother, "Can't you keep your mouth shut for once in your life?"

Sebastian crossed his arms and interrupted, "If he hadn't told me about what had happened, then you would've kept lying to me every time you got hurt."

She threw her arms up in exasperation, "It doesn't matter! I'm okay now."

"You could've died!"

"I could've died a lot of times in these past years. I've always come back, haven't I?" Saira snapped at her elder brother.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, "For f- I should've never introduced you to Erwin and Nile."

"Don't bring Erwin into this! And don't you mention that bas-"

Adeline sighed, "Sai, sit down. Seb, dear, leave her alone. They've had a long ride and I'm sure both of them must be tired. And you-" She turned to her son, pulling his ear, "You better stop snitching. You're seventeen now. Act like it."

"Ow, ow, ow. Ma, let go! Owww, I'm sorry. Saira bua, tell her to let go."

The woman simply ignored the painful cries of her nephew and seated herself in her usual place at the dining table. It was then that she remembered.

"Bhaiyya, where's noor? Why isn't she here?"

Sebastian nervously scratched the back of his head, sitting at the head of the table. He knew that Saira and Ehaan would explode with anger if they found out that Nadine had joined the military.

But if he lied now, then he'd have to lie for the next three years. It would be so…troublesome.

"Training." He simply said.

"…What training?" Ehaan asked, rubbing his now aching ear.

"Military training."

Saira choked on her soup. She hacked and coughed so badly that her still healing ribs hurt.

"No." Ehaan flatly said, "Call her back. There's no need for her to join the military. She was doing very well academically. She could become a teacher or a scholar or-"

"What branch does she want to join?" Saira asked her elder brother and the sheepish look he gave answered her question. The woman swore colourfully in their native tongue and Ehaan's ears went red when he understood the profanities.

"Saira." Sebastian chided her.

"I can't help it, alright?" She replied, rubbing her temple.

Heaving a sigh, her brother folded his arms, "I'm not too happy with her decision either. But you know how she is. She gets her pig-headedness from her mother."

"What was that, dear?" Adeline called out from the kitchen.

"Nothing, sweetheart." He called back and then lowered his voice, "Nadine would've found another way to convince us if we had refused. I'm hoping that she changes her mind towards the end of her training and chooses the Garrison."

Ehaan felt frustration and guilt. Frustration because he knew that there was in no way that his little sister would waver from her decision and that she would have to live the same life of uncertainty that he and their aunt lived. Guilt, because it was that day in Shinganshina that had driven her to this decision and he could do nothing to help her.

"Bua fell down from the roof of HQ and almost broke her neck." He blurted.

"Oh, you little shi-!"

Baba – Father

Noor – light

Hi everyone!

I hope all of you had a good weekend. I know I didn't (;-;) It was terrible *sob*

EnemyOfDeath : I get so excited when I see your review. It makes my day, honestly. No, the expedition was not Levi's first expedition. It's already been two years since he joined the Survey Corps.

I appreciate all of your reviews! Please don't be a silent reader. Tell me what you feel about the fanfic.

See you guys! ^-^