Ok I just wanna say that i don't know how to use this site -..- When I copy paste, everything is normal but then the final results? Well fanfic swallows up my spaces and lines. I had to edit chapter 20 like 5 times before giving up. I'm not being sloppy with the editing, it just doesn't seem to like special characters T.T. Anyway ta-da. please send me a quick msg if you see something awry with the spacing and everything. Thank you guys for reading.

Chapter 21

At a certain Commanders office, Levi stares out the window and off into the distance. It's the hardest challenge he's ever faced in his life and frankly, Levi's afraid he's about to fail.

"You tell me she knows you want to marry her and that she approves. So why again are you this nervous?"

"Erwin, I need to do this formally too. It's not something I can just arrange knowing it's what she wants. I need to pro..pose." Levi swallows like he's forcing down a bitter pill.

Blonde eyebrows rise and Erwin puts a hand on Levi's shoulder.

"What are you afraid of?"

Levi looks away and let's out a breath, emotions have always been difficult for Levi.

"Everything"

Erwin scrunches up his brows at this point, he cares about you much like he would dote on his favourite niece.

"Levi, just tell me what's going on inside your head. Vague answers won't help me help you"

"I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing Erwin. She's perfect and I love her, she loves me. What's there to be unsure about right? Everything. She's so young, I'll probably die before I turn 35, who will take care of her then Erwin?"

Levi has had sleepless nights thinking about how uncertain the future would be for you or for your child when one would come. Once again his mind derails just a little bit when he imagines a baby that would be yours and his. He wishes he had powers to destroy the Titans, annihilate them completely from this world.

"Stop spacing out Ackerman" the commander remarks dryly.

"I'm sorry, I was just thinking"

"Yes I notice you do that often these days"

Sharp eyes observe Levi and he feels dissected, cut open for Erwin to rummage through his thoughts. He blinks away the feeling, Erwin can't possibly read his mind"

"Levi, do you think (name) is stupid?"

He doesn't know where this is going but he shakes his head, "no, I fell for her intellectual superiority in the first place. But sometimes she does stupid things yes"

"I'm sure she's thought about this deeper than you have. And stop underestimating her, she's really strong Levi. No matter what the future brings, she'll make it. Hasn't she been through so much pain and tribulations? She's turned out into a fine gem. Take this chance you foolish man before someone else snatches her up. Someone like Raphael, and when that happens, you'll have no right to be jealous because it would be your fault entirely for losing her."

The commander says it all in a breath and he wishes his friend would stop being such an idiot sometimes. He's never seen Levi more happy or relaxed than when he is with you and he knows what losing you would do to Levi. It wouldn't be pretty. The worst part is that Levi doesn't seem to realise this about himself.

"I don't want to lose her"

"I'm about to lose my patience Levi. She deserves better than a man who can't seem to make up his mind."

Levi clamps his mouth shut and ruminates seriously for a few seconds. He runs a hand through his hair and meets the Commanders eyes.

"Promise me something"

"Anything Levi as long as it is within my powers"

"If anything ever happens to me, promise me you'll take of her"

"You know that goes without saying. She'll be taken good care of Levi. Just do what you have to"

Levi nods, an unexplainable emotion filling his chest. There's no one he'd trust more than Erwin, and the promise he has made eases much of the tension he'd held clenched in his heart. There was no turning back now, Levi knew time was running out and he had much to do.

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It was late in the evening and you were taking a walk with Mikasa. The sky had darkened considerably and soon you'd be able to see the stars. You wanted to talk to Levi but the man was constantly missing. The memories of the night before floated back into your mind. It irked you that Levi behaved like a perfect gentleman and you fell asleep in his warm embrace, legs entwined. You were sure you wouldn't survive the night but surprisingly you fell asleep. And that was that, no good time with Levi.

"What are you thinking about?" Mikasa asks from next to you.

"Eh nothing really, it's stupid"

"Then why are you pouting?"

You've reached the end of the open yard and the beginning of the thin forest.

"I'm not pouting. Hey Mikasa, do you see the light over there?"

From within the forest you see the faint twinkling of lights and it surprises you. People don't live there, you've gone through the forest so many times you know it like the back of your hand. But you'd never seen houses or lights before. It was worrisome.

Mikasa goes rigid next to you, "(name), let's go call the Captain. I don't think we should check it out alone."

"No, the offices aren't far, I'll skirt the edges and scout out ahead. Go inform the Captain or Commander"

"I can't leave you alone" she says it with finality.

"Look, Kasa, I'm not going near. I'll climb a tree, stay far. Someone needs to check immediately. What if the people there leave? We'll never know what's going on, it's too suspicious!"

Mikasa looks torn between staying and dragging you off with her but she finally relents. "I'll be there soon, be careful"

You creep closer to the lights, sticking close to the shadows and muffling your steps.

Robbers were not unheard of but this was too close to where the survey corps lived and trained. A snapping twig behind you made your heart leap and you turned around and saw nothing. It was probably a squirrel, but your nerves were taut and your ears alert to every hoot, snap and whisper that rang through the branches. You were fairly close to the lights now. You could make out an open clearing but it seemed to be empty save for a bonfire. The slight breeze swept the flame back and forth and through the tangle of branches, it seemed to twinkle when you'd seen it from far.

You climbed a tree and watched for movement, you waited for minutes and still there was no sign of life. Boredom was quickly beginning to take over when your sharp eyes noticed a note tied to the tree closest to the fire. You wanted to look at it but then it could be a trap. You waited another 15 minutes and gave up, curiosity was burning like acid in your gut.

A quick leap down the tree and you cautiously walked to the note. Shaking fingers untied it and its contents had your mouth open.

"How many times have you been told to be careful brat? I just knew you'd come alone like the curious idiot you've always been. I'd say kitchen duty for a week, that's your punishment."

It was signed "Levi" in a flourish. The note was very confusing, there was nothing else there. Why did he light a bonfire in the middle of nowhere to leave you this very confusing note? You wanted to know. You turned the note around and examined it, it was all blank. There had to be a message here, the Captain was upto something and you were going to find out what even if it killed you. An empty note and a bonfire, what did it mean? This was too easy. You laughed and turned to the forest "Levi are you watching? You're underestimating me Captain!"

Silence.

You confidently walked to the fire and held the note up close. Soon the hidden message began to appear in front of your eager eyes.

"You're probably thinking this was easy. You need humility brat, that's another week of kitchen duty for you.

P.s. I've left a flower for you. Can you find it? It's in a special place."

A thrill of excitement runs through your body, it was game on.

The second clue was easy to find between the words in the note and it led you to the brook where you'd found Levi many times. It was his special place. There was a single candle illuminating the place. Your swept the ground and the big rock at the edge of the water. There were tiny wild flowers everywhere and you weren't sure what kind of flower you were looking for. You got down on your knees and patted the flower bed looking for, you didn't know what you were looking for. The flower, was this it? Was there a hidden clue within the flower bed? The thought that maybe this place was a red herring hit you. But you were so sure it was this place that Levi meant so you ran around to where the light reached and kept searching. Nothing. You came up with a handful of nothing. Doubt lingered again and you climbed the rock to have a higher vantage. A scan of the bed from the top still showed nothing and it frustrated you. You were seriously doubting you'd found the right place, how hard was it to hide a flower?

You picked up the candle and looked over the edge of the rock that faced the water. You'd half hoped to find something floating there but no. Then something caught your eyes and you scrambled down the rock with the candle. Stepping into the shallow water, you examined the rock face. There was a flower carved into the rock. The message carved next to it said "You found it. Took you long enough"

The message was short and annoying, just like Levi Ackerman. The man could infuriate you even when physically not present. "How dare you assume I took long to find it? I only took 15 minutes shitty Captain!" You didn't know if Levi was listening but you said it, just in case.

The message said nothing more, the rock was bare save for the line you'd already read. You carefully examined the entire rock hoping for a clue but there was none.

It was getting tougher and the moon was out. You needed to find the answer soon or you'd be freezing in the open.

Crossing your legs and sitting on the rock, you thought about the message. What was the code word here? Was he alluding to something about time? But there was no eye catching clock or sun dial that you knew of.

You played with possibilities that all the words could present but came upon blank walls. You'd thought about what the flower could mean, there was no greenhouse that the survey corps owned. You decided to take a closer look at the flower.

The flower was simple, tiny petals surrounding a circle. The flower looked like a common daisy to you. Had he chosen the daisy because it was easier to carve? You wondered. Daisy, it rang a bell in your mind. Petra's horse was called Daisy!

You sloshed out of the water and ran as fast as your legs could carry you towards the stables. You were very sure you'd find your next clue there.

"A-Armin!" You wheezed out of breath at the door of the stable.

"What are you doing here?"

The blonde boy handed a note to you, "Heichou asked me to give you this when you got here. Good luck and bye"

"Your pants are wet, there's a pair hanging on the peg next to the door"

And sure enough there was a pair of pants hanging there looking incongruous among the stable furnishing.

You changed into the pants after closing the door. Standing warmer now in your dry pants, you looked around the stable. No other notes there. You spent less than a minute mulling over the note Armin had handed to you. On an impulse, you rummaged through the pockets of the pants and you found your prize, an aquamarine stone shaped like an ellipse. It looked familiar to you, you knew you'd seen it somewhere but the answer kept eluding you. It was like grasping at a slippery fish in water, or a word at the tip of your tongue and you just couldn't remember it. You paced the floor and went round in circles, "where have I seen this?" You scrutinised the stone carefully. It looked like a pendant of sorts, something a girl could wear around her neck on a delicate chain. But you didn't recall Hanji or Petra ever wearing jewellery.

"Ah!" You snapped your fingers as the realisation hit you. It was commander Smith's bolo tie.

You knocked fast and loud on the Commander's door. Your mind was whirling with questions of why the puzzles and what might the next clue be.

The door opened and there stood the blonde commander with an easy grin lighting up his face. The smile reached the twinkling blue eyes of his and he ushered you in.

"You're here sooner than expected young lady. Levi needs to work harder"

"I know right?" You swayed excitedly on the seat offered to you.

"Ready for the next task?"

"Yes sir" you reply without trying to hide the glee in your voice.

A mischievous smile graces the Commanders visage and he sweeps one hand past the office, gesturing to the room.

"Find a way out of my office without damaging anything. And oh the door is locked, don't even try it"

You glance at the door in surprise and try pushing the knob down but it doesn't budge.

The commander gives you an "I told you so" look and proceeds to work on his papers.

"Let me know if you need anything"

"Right" you answer.

The commanders silent presence makes you nervous and unable to think properly. The added pressure of wanting to solve it faster so you can please Erwin Smith, makes it even harder to focus.

"Is my presence a bother?" He questions you.

You're really sure the Commander has some 6th sense. He'd know if you lied right? So it's definitely bad to lie to the commander.

"No sir" you reply as earnestly as you can.

He gets back to his papers with a thoughtful nod.

The Windows were shut tight and the vents barred with iron grills, there was no way you'd be getting out without damaging something.

You try prying open the windows but there was something holding it closed.

"Remember, you damage anything, I'm not giving up the next hint" the commander cheerily informs you.

You sigh and sit back on the chair. The commander pours you a cup of tea and takes a sip from his own.

"Tea always helps" he adds.

"Danchou" you call out accusingly.

Amusement makes itself known in his expression as he answers, "yes (name)?"

You squint your eyes in suspicion at him.

"Is there a secret door or window here that I don't know about?"

The commander purses his lips and gazes around thoughtfully.

"I don't know, is there?"

"Danchou, you don't play fair. But you make wicked tea"

He raises his cup in acknowledgment and takes another sip, leaving you wondering on how to get out without breaking the window, the door or the wall.

"Define damage"

"And how will that help you?"

You sigh. The walls were solid, there were no secrets to find there. The Windows were shut tight and seemingly glued together. Nothing short of breaking them would pry open the windows. The vents weren't even an option, so that left the locked door.

You could have opened it if you had your lock picks on you. You looked at the door sadly wishing you'd carried your equipments on you.

"Can't you just give me the key?" You ask morosely. This was too difficult even for a sneak like you.

"Sure"

"Commander this is no time for sarcasm, I'm so sad over here"

He laughs to that and opens up his palm, "I wasn't being sarcastic"

You gape at him in suspicion and disbelief. "Is this a trick?"

"Take it" he encourages you.

You spend a second staring at the commanders face and then slowly extend your hand outward like you're about to handle a dangerous snake.

The key lands in your outstretched palm with nary a scratch on your beloved skin.

"I don't get it" you tell the commander.

He nudges you towards the door, "you will. Your next destination is Hanji's office. Good luck (name)" and Erwin shuts the door in your face with a wink.

"Ha ha ha come in, come in!" Hanji pushes you enthusiastically into her work place.

"What's going on Hanji?" You plead in hopes of getting a morsel of information from her.

Hanji crosses her arms and leans on the office desk. "It's a game" she grins, positively looking devilish. "Levi's best game yet, oh you don't want to know what your next task is."

"No, it can't, no!" You groan when she hands you a note with a familiar diagram and a long paragraph next to it.

"Why am I even doing this? Why am I playing along to the Captains crazy game? I mean, this takes the cake!"

"You like it, the fact that he has set these up personally just for you. Stop complaining when you like it so much, I can see the way your body vibrates with joy. It's disgusting!" She puts her nose up in the air and laughs.

"That obvious?" You bite your lip nervously and ask her.

She waves the question away with a flick of her hand like it's too stupid to answer. "Oh by the way, there's a timer on this one. You only have 10 minutes left" she remarks like she'd remembered something trivial on a shopping list.

"Hanji!" You exclaim in horror and grab the sheet, ready to start on the convoluted problem.

The diagram presented a beam attached to 2 points, A and B. It had varying loads applied in different positions. The paragraph explained these points in detail and asked you to write the shear and moment equations and draw the associated diagrams, at all change of loading positions and at points of zero shear while neglecting the mass of the beam.

"Hanji who set this question?" You chewed at the end of your pencil and racked your brains for the appropriate formulas.

"Beats me. Ask Levi. Tea?"

"No, I'll get back to this" and you quietly started working on the problem.

It was a strength of materials problem, nothing too complicated but it had been a while since you'd done any math of this sort. Levi was out to put your engineering reputation in trouble.

"Times up kiddo"

"Yeah I was just going through in case I made mistakes"

You handed the paper over feeling like you were still at the academy and this was a test. The place was enjoyable when you counted out memories of the dean and the other malicious students.

Hanji whistles in admiration, "there are more alphabets going on here than numbers"

You crack a smile at that, "yeah, numbers are the simple parts. Just basic math, it's the formulas and rules that are the complicated bits. I can't believe I still remember that stuff"

"Well then you pass. Here's your next task"

"So no ones going to check if it's correct?" You ask with disbelief colouring your voice.

"I could have just handed in a blank sheet and I'd pass?"

Hanji shrugs and hands you another note.

"I don't believe this, Levi is out to waste my time!"

You open the note and find a riddle.

"As destructive as life,

As healing as death;

An institutioner of strife,

Just as prone to bless.

It is all that is good,

Yet with an evil trend;

As it was the beginning of things,

It can also be the end.

What am I?

Find me and you will have your answer"

"You are fucking kidding me" you scrub your face in naked frustration.

Hanji just seems to find humour in your suffering.

"What? I'm terrible at riddles. I don't even understand what it's trying to say. Institutioner of strife? What?"

Hanji clicks her tongue, "to think Levi trusted you to solve this and you're giving up without even trying."

"Look here Hanji, look at this" you jab a finger into the paper. "Riddle. I suck at riddles. There are some things people are just terrible at and this here is my weakness"

"But this was your last task. Levi has a prize waiting for you, tailored specifically to your tastes"

Those tantalising words increase the suffering in your heart.

"What is it? You know what the prize is don't you?!"

You grab onto Hanji's hands and pitifully beg her. "Please tell me! I'll do whatever you ask" the magic words. Hanji's eyes shine and she exposes white canines. "Anything?"

A silent war takes place within you. Should you? Is it worth it? You contemplate.

Gulp, you swallow and utter the words that indicate your acceptance to selling your soul to the devil himself. "Anything" you almost waver but the temptation wins.

"Levi wants to officially integrate you back into the survey corps with a new identity. They've made up a backstory and everything for you, with Zackleys permission of course. We all contributed and got you a new-"

"Shh" you press your fingers to Hanji's lips. "Let that be a surprise!"

You pump a fist in the air, "yessss! Yes! Oh my god yes! I'm finally going to be back with all of you. Isn't it wonderful Hanji?" You throw your arms around her neck.

"Easy there! Yes, really glad to have you back." She pushes her glasses back onto her nose.

"So these tasks?"

"An initiation. Remember the bonfire we had when the Commander gave his pep talk to attract cadets into the survey corps?"

Hanji rolls her eyes at that and you know why. The "pep talk" was more like a speech to discourage and scare the pants of any potential members.

"So I'm gonna get to see the present after this?" You excitedly ask her.

"Yes and please act appropriately surprised. They'll have my head for revealing this to you. Especially Levi, he'll throw me off wall Maria"

"I'll try" you shrug and tell her.

"By the way kid, the answer to the riddle is fire"

"Why are you telling it to me?" You ask her.

"Because Levi told me you are terrible at riddles"

You salute playfully and run to the forest, back to the bonfire where it all started.

The bonfire still burns bright. But this time, there's a familiar figure leaning against the tree trunk where you'd found the note.

"Levi" you walk upto him shyly. Your nerves were jangling because you had to act surprised. You wondered if people were going to pop out of the jungle and congratulate you.

"Why are you looking around warily like that?"

The bonfire casts a golden glow to Levi's lightly tanned skin. His hair looked freshly washed and you could see glistening drops of water rolling down his neck from the dark strands of hair. His uniform was even more perfect than it normally was. The moon was doing weird things to your brain because, well, Levi looked like dinner.

He noticed your perusal and you could see a faint flush forming on his cheeks. Levi being embarrassed had to be the best thing that had ever happened to you.

"Come here" he extends one hand out to you.

You breathe in the piney scent of the forest and leaves crunch under you feet. Levi's hands are warm in yours.

"I passed everything you set for me"

"Even the riddle?" He smiles lazily at you and puts his hand around your waist, pulling you closer.

You peek guiltily at him, "not the riddle"

Levi shakes his head and you notice the flecks of grey in his eyes fringed by dark lashes.

"Are you even listening to what I'm saying?"

"Huh?" You are snapped back into reality. "Sorry heichou you're just so beautiful, I got distracted a bit"

Levi laughs softly and cups your cheek with one hand. "How lucky you are then"

"Eat humble pie you geezer"

"That's really rude (name)!"

"Eh like I care"

"We always fight"

"Yeah, now will you please explain why you've sent me romping half the jungle on odd tasks?"

You try to put on an expression that shows interest knowing you'll have to act surprised.

"For this"

Levi magics forth a perfect red rose he'd hidden somewhere.

The first thing that popped into your mind was, "that's what the survey corps paid for?"

And then you pushed it out of your mind because it was absurd.

A pretty smile found its way back onto your face, "it's beautiful, thank you heichou"

Just as you your finger brushed past the velvet petals, a glint from between the red caught your eyes. You pulled it out in wonder and stared at the gold band for what felt like a million years.

"Hey"

You choke down the bubble of hysteria and jerk your head up to look into the eyes of a very amused Captain.

"Is it that bad? The thought of marrying me?"

Words would betray you so you shake your head. No one in their right mind would ever think it anything but amazing to be given a ring by Levi. He wanted to marry you. Levi wanted to marry you.

"Really" you choke out.

"(Name), i'm not perfect, but for you I'll try to be the best. Would you do me the Honor of becoming-" and before Levi knew what had hit him, he heard a loud yes and he felt his lips being assaulted by a pair of soft and plump ones.

"(Name), you need to get ready" Levi pulls away laughing and informs you. "I'd love to kiss you all night but there's a marriage that needs to happen soon"

"What?" You exclaim. "We're getting married tonight? Like now? Is that even possible?"

"We were busy setting things up while we sent you on a wild goose chase"

Levi looked pretty proud of how they'd all fooled you. A panicked expression grew on Levi's face as he noticed your tears. "What's wrong? Are you worried? If you don't want to marry me tonight, it's alright!" He hurriedly blurted out.

You thwacked him on the shoulder. "It's just I'm so moved. No one has ever done something like this for me. I'm just.." Fresh tears streaked a path down your face and Levi enveloped you into a secure embrace.

Life was bloody perfect. The day had started out normal enough and right now you were Levi's fiancé. And in an hour you'd be Mrs Ackerman. If it was a dream, the sandman was santa clause.

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I'm already working on the marriage. Expect it soon :)