CHAPTER 36

The Sina Daily
Havoc tears through Trost District

A quiet weekday was abruptly brought to an end when an unknown militia tore through the Trost District. Many people were injured, some of which so badly wounded that external resources were called in to assist with the damages.

The unknown group of vagrants used equipment reminiscent of the regiments who protect the lands although it was clear with the lack of badges or emblems which identify the enforcements, they were not government issued men.

As the battle rendered several main streets a mess, the infamous Scout, Captain and appropriately labelled 'Humanity's Strongest', Levi Ackerman easily shredded through the attack and brought down many of the assailants. It was immensely clear that the attackers were narrowed in on Levi Ackerman and who some bystanders assumed were out-of-uniform Survey Corp soldiers, thus resulting in a stand-off in the much-loved local tavern, 'Barney's Ale'.

The stand-off lasted a few minutes before a man wearing a broad-brimmed hat abruptly attacked Ackerman, who with bated breath, managed to escape and discharge the assailants with a pocketknife as his only weapon.

With the political onslaught ravaging through the three major regiments, the community are forever left in the wake of political attack. The attack on Trost arrives only several days after the abrupt and exclusive explosion which rendered a large area of The Underground into rubble.

Questionably, the woman dubbed the 'Foreigner' was not seen with Levi as the Trost attacked unraveled.

Astronomical damages were left through several main streets of Trost, many of which are questioning when the lower-middle class District will have a break from the constant economical issues.

Entry #325

Journal, I honestly thought I would not be here another day to write this but here I am, amazed and in complete awe of what occurred only a mere day ago.

I had been sent to care for Mike or well, to be more precise, I went of my own will to see how the giant moron was fairing. He seemed in good moods, sitting upright and finishing a large bowl of oatmeal. To the right on his bedside table were three other bowls, licked clean. I guess it's safe to say that with such a huge body to fuel, Mike needs as much as he can get.

We spoke of the attack on the filthy bordello on the Underground but I won't disclose what occurred within these papers in case it falls within the wrong hands. But I will mention that once I told the story in its full entirety, he seemed to mull over the information for longer than I anticipated and soon, we fell into a silence.

I studied his rugged face, chiseled and for someone who had spent many years out on the field, surprisingly still youthful. Mike's hair had grown a few inches as well, something I assume was due to his priorities being in the right order and a haircut somewhere near the end.

He was lacking a limb, was still slightly off in colour and perhaps had lost some muscle mass yet he was alive, healing and I was certain with an appetite like that, Mike would be up and moving in no time; leg or no leg.

But more to the point, I am writing this entry because after the Underground, I didn't think Juno could pull another stunt. I didn't think she could create hell fire larger than what we had already witnessed with our own eyes.

Juno did. She was fire itself.

As I recount this moment, imagine that I am telling this to Mike because this is how I want to paint the picture.

The Garrison had begun the faux safety drill yet suspicions rose quickly. Shortly after, the smoke of Titan Rod Reiss could be seen over the Wall, where I stood watching the entire ordeal. I had just left Mike once I caught wind of the situation, immediately heading to Pixis but instead, stood mindless at the top of the Wall.

Someone had told me to move but without a beat, I was able to shrug them off. My eyes didn't register who had spoken to me because I was now by the cannons, peering off into the distance at the grotesque, fiery lump which was hobbling towards us.

It was ablaze, naked, raw, bones and flesh. The thing was so large, it was unable to lift itself using measly arms, legs and a neck so frail, it's face was permanently pressed into the soil.

"Well, fuck," a soft, familiar voice said with mild sarcasm to my right. Startled to turned sharply to a sun-kissed profile staring at the same danger I had been a moment before. Juno was squared to my right, her large canine dawdling around her knees as she added, "Levi told me to stay here but how could I ignore this crap?"

I frowned and replied with slight concern, "You're pregnant. I can see why he asked you to stay here."

Juno flickered those mahogany orbs to me, a thin brow raising as she said sharply, "Those cannons – " several were fired and she stopped, waiting for the sound to taper off before continuing, " – They're pebbles. Won't do anything."

Panic bubbled in my gut. I knew what she was going to do and if Levi, Sasha, Hange, anyone who held her dearly, knew I had let her off into the battle field while she was with child, I was certain I'd never live it down.

Juno took a deep breath, let it out just a lavishly and then clicked her tongue, "Right. Where's that horse you used to get Mike?"

"Juno Monroe, I swear to the Walls if you even think of –"

The person in question had now shifted her weight, now facing me with that scrutinizing expression as she declared, "I was told not to put too much pressure on myself –"

" – going out there! Levi will freakin' kill –"

"And I'm not scared of Levi, in fact he wouldn't even try it considering I'm carrying his bun –"

" – me and that thing is huge, how do we even know you can –"

"- in the oven, so he can sit the heck down –"

"- Juno, I can't let you get hurt –"

Her eyes narrowed for a fraction and for a moment, I swear, I swear I saw those rings appear within that warm brown of her eyes. But just as I had thought I'd seen it, they were gone and back was that welcoming expression. With a soft smile she said, "If we stand here doing nothing then I will get hurt. If we want to prevent mass murder, then help me get out there."

It was a huge risk and if Juno, possibly the only other being who could end the war on Titans besides Eren, was harmed in anyway, my neck would be on the chopping block. Yet, I had seen her power. Her strength. Juno was small, petite, a woman created to fit clothing I could never wear but I had seen how powerful she was, beneath her soft smiles and laughter like wind chimes.

We had barely moved as the remaining Scout's and Garrison made their way up onto the Wall with Eren, a plan clearly in action. Watching the soldiers clear the distance, I had only removed my eyes from the brunette for a moment but it had been a moment too long. Turning to face her once more, Juno was gone.

Even the damn dog had vanished.

The next twenty-five minutes was chaos. More than once I had passed by Squad Levi, my attention flying around the surrounding area in hopes that Juno was safe within one of their grasps. But no, not once did I see her.

Even when Eren transformed, I attempted to find a location which would allow me a clear view to make sure that damned woman was safe. I searched high and low, the side towers and in the stair wells, between the frantic soldiers and within the rows of canons.

And only when I saw them propel the first lot of gun-powder barrels into the Titans mouth did it occur to me; that woman, that clever, weasel, could not be found because she was inside of one of those god-damn barrels.

When I had realized this, it was too late. The netting of barrels was up and gone, propelling through the air.

My gaze shifted downwards to a set of piercing silver eyes searching my own expression before narrowing with concern.

Fuck. Fuck. He knew.

Levi turned his attention back up to the blubbering titan, pushing himself forward and within reach of danger. I couldn't keep sight of him because of the shrieks of panic which erupted below me. Soldiers pointing to the titan, I had no choice but to look up.

The gaping, malformed mouth of the titan was open, unable to function due to the mass of barrels wedged inside of his mouth and there, hanging languidly, almost too comfortably, a foot hooked into a loop and a hand gripping tightly above her, was Juno.

Her hair fluttered wildly around her, a shroud of dark brown that seemed to slither more than anything. It whipped quickly around her head suddenly, exposing eyes aflame and a wild, uncontrolled grin as she drew her free hand up like a claw and the limb caught ablaze in blue flames.

I didn't know where to look as she shot her glance suddenly to Levi, who was already preparing to fire his 3DMG. Batting one quick blink towards him, the otherworldly woman slammed her hand into the barrels. There was a beat before an explosion that could easily rival the one I had been a part of recently thrummed inwards for a moment before a boom rendered my eardrums useless.

Blue and white blinded my eyes as if we had been hit by a bomb.

Flesh began to fall.

"Go, go go!" Called Erwin and without a second thought, I was in the air with my blades exposed.

I had not initially anticipated being part of the attack yet with the possibility of Juno getting hurt, I had no choice.

The familiar twang of wires and the whistle of gas surrounded me as I sliced through chunks of meat, eyes searching frantically. The smoke was thick yet dissipated quickly and before my eyes, standing at the top of Rod's fleshy collarbones in a circle of blue and white hell flame, was Juno.

The intensity of the heat was enough to send me backing away, only to be shoved abruptly by a blur of ink black hair. Levi didn't bother peering back, his goal only to collect the female standing in the fleshy cavern of what was once a titan head.

I wanted to shout out to be careful of the heat but there was no point. The seasoned man had cleared the distance within moments, not bothering to consider the possibility of harm as he sharply fired by Juno, collecting her in an arm and immediately vacating the steaming giants figure.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't impressed by the pair. By the time he had made contact with her, Juno had already positioned her body to swing onto his back and clasp her arms around his neck as he traversed away from the danger at inhumane speed.

As they travelled into the blue-grey smoke emitting from the body, a shade of colour and heat I had never seen on a titan before, the blue-white glow surrounding Juno had enveloped Levi as well. Their faint glow became a beacon in the smoke for several moments before disappearing altogether.

It wasn't until we entered damage control well into the later hours of the day did I witness Levi giving Juno a stern talking. She stood before him, arms crossed over her chest as he hissed at her, brow knitted and eyes narrowed. This went on for some time, the woman patiently allowing the man to express how irrational, how dangerous it was for her to act on her own. He indicated to her lower stomach before pinching the bridge of his nose, eyes squeezing tightly before looking at her once more.

She whispered back to him, soft fingers collecting his war-torn fingertips and holding them tightly. Juno was so much smaller than him and even so in her large shirt, Levi's shirt no doubt, giving him the most understanding and sincere expression as she explained her reasons.

They appeared to be relieved to be with one another. Although Levi looked he wanted to give her a few more words.

I could have sworn I'd seen her giggle and then prod the crease between his brows before planting a kiss on the enraged soldiers lips.

At this point, Levi had simmered down and at the touch of her lips, her skin, reached out to press a dirtied hand against her stomach. He took a deep breath before pulling the woman to him, pressing her tightly within his arms and burying his face into the junction between her neck and shoulder.

"Hm," a hum began next to me. Turning, Jean stood to my side, oak eyes watching the pair just as intently as I had. He sighed and said, "There's not really anyone here who looks at their significant other the way those two do."

"I guess," I considered my response, observing the somber expression on the young man's face. "But I suppose no one else has confirmation that it was universal law that they were meant to be together."

Jean, in turn, considered his response before turning to me with a now neutral expression as he said, "I was so involved with her life and then everything… happened. I was there and then I wasn't because of all this shit. Now, I'm a no one," another moment passed and he let out a sharp intake of air and said under his breath, "It could have been me."

Timidly, I rose my hand and placed it on his shoulder. Perhaps an act of comfort or because I felt awkward not doing anything at all. "Look, Jean, you need to accept the fact that those two – well, you just need to accept it," I pursed my lips, keeping my gaze steady on the young man who only increasingly appeared somewhere between perplexed and defiant. "It'll get easier, I promise. What about that Mikasa girl?"

Damage control went on for several days. I soon found myself sitting by the infamous pair during lunch one day, sadly directly across from a scowling Levi who refused to look away. Juno had lightly slapped his arm, urging him to stop glaring at me yet the silver-eyed male was relentless.

"Stop it," Juno hissed, glancing to her right before returning to her loaded plate of food. Levi had shoved almost half of his food onto her own meal as her appetite was growing with every passing day. "It wasn't her fault."

"Pati knows what she should have done," Levi replied, stare as steady as his tone. "Pati is aware that she should have taken you to me."

"Pati's not a dog, Levi." I deadpanned, one eye twitching a fraction of his odd use of me name.

"Yeah, Levi." Juno fired off, smirk on her full lips before shoveling more food in her mouth.

And for the first time in thirty-five minutes, Levi looked away and to the ethereal creature to his side. Sliding a hand over his elbow, he grasped Juno's hand and watched her demolish the food in front of her.

When I told Mike what had happened over the past few days, he could only stare at me in response. I allowed him the time to digest the information and then he said, "Pati, would you want to accompany me on my first outing this coming weekend?"

I'd be lying if I said I didn't smile.

Everything was okay.

A night (not) like any other…

"Water! I need water!"

A shrill yelp was the initial response followed by a manic, "But what kind of water? Warm, cold, cool, room temperature –"

Hange swung around sharply, gritting her teeth as she shouted, "Sasha, I swear to the titan gods if you don't high tail out of here, Levi is going to kill you! I need water now!" The door slammed in her face.

The skittish female jumped between the balls of her feet, stumbling backwards into Connie who was clearly just as nervous. Turning her large brown orbs to her partner in crime, Sasha Braus shouted loudly, "Connie, we gotta get water! What's closest, the bathrooms or the kitchen?"

Connie, eyes wide yet pupils even wider, lip quivered as he said, "I can – I can hear her screaming behind the door – that – that baby is –"

SLAP!

Sasha withdrew her stinging palm, shot her hands forward to straighten Connie back upright and said, "I'll go to bathrooms, you go to the kitchen!"

"Right!" He nodded indignantly. "But what temperature water?"

Another pained howled erupted from within the closed off room and suddenly both Connie and Sasha were dancing nervously on the balls of their feet. There was an abrupt thud followed by the muffled shout of, 'Four-Eyes, fucking sort this out now or I'll make you feel the same way!'

'Acker – ahhh! Do not talk to her like that, she is twel – argh, mother fu – she is just as preg –"

'Levi, I'm not sure how you can induce contractions in another person –'

"Three buckets each, three different temperatures," Connie indicated.

Sasha grinned in understanding and with a resounding clap of two palms slapping together, the pair parted.

Connie went for the bathrooms as from his position in the hallway, it made sense for him to turn on heel and make a break towards that direction. As his feet pounded on the cold, stone floor, he realised it really made no difference had he turned or ran straight ahead as the distance was relatively similar but thankfully, Sasha had gone in the other direction.

They had done the opposite of what Sasha had instructed but the task would be complete anyways.

With bated breath and a level of stress much more supreme than coming face to face with a titan, Connie bolted down the cool hallway and down the same set of stairs that less than two years ago, he watched Jean assist a newly arrived Juno down into the bathrooms. He had traversed the same set of stairs more times than he could count; on days where he was ready to take a shower and relax or play cards, sometimes he would head down here because he had returned from a long Scout, covered in mud and grim but dashing down the stairs with legs made of jelly because he needed to retrieve water if varying temperatures because his friend was giving birth? This was a new.

Sliding haphazardly through the doorway, slipping a little further than intended and accidentally kicking a partially naked male was also not on the immediate list of things he needed to make note of.

"Onion Head, what the actual –" Jean spluttered, tugging his towel closely to his waist as the offending friend had almost swiftly karate-kicked it fresh off his body.

"Juno is giving birth, no time for your annoying face!" Connie belted out, regaining his composure and searching frantically for buckets, containers, something he could carry the water back.

Jean, in his now paled expression and somewhat shocked response, almost released the towel as he gawked at Connie. "Jun – Juno is in labour? What… What are you -?"

"Water!" Connie shrieked, diving for a small station of amenities and throwing items through the stone room. "I need three buckets or something to carry three different temperatures back to Hange or Levi is going to kill me and probably –"

Jean cleared his throat, his brow setting with determination as he turned on heel, collected his trouser pants and with speed that neither of them knew he had, shoved his legs into either leg hole and miraculously zipped up the crotch without creating any damage. Standing with a confident grin, Jean said proudly, "Buckets are in the next cupboard over. Get them and I'll help you."

On the other side of the building, Sasha was knee deep in metal pots and pans. In her mad rush to collect the water (specifically, much to her minds repetitive and stressful rhythm, three different temperatures), Sasha had blindly thrown herself into the pantry with the expectation that locating appropriate 'water holders' would be an easy find.

"Hnnn, what the hell!" She whined loudly, picking up what could only be described as a metal soup bowl.

As far as Sasha was concerned, she needed to return with at least three modestly sized buckets, pans or pales which could hold three very distinctive temperatures of water. There was no if's, but's or maybe's – this was their plan, this was what they were asked to do. And besides, there was no way she would miss the birth of her friends child.

Diving head first into the array of kitchen items, it would seem the brunette would have a fast grasp on finding at least one large pan but it wasn't until a soft knock at the door that would allow the ex-forest dweller to achieve her goal.

"Um, Miss Braus?" A soft hue of peach-blond hair slipped into the pantry room, illuminated by the yellow whispers of a lantern threatening to extinguish just to get away from Sasha. "I heard you screeching from the hallway, are you okay?"

Sasha was crouched, shoulders pulled forward, knees to her chest and sides as her flaming, manic attention was situated on what she only concluded as a newbie scout. She stood idly in the doorway, slightly dusty from either on-site chores or perhaps a return from a half-day scout.

Her question and tone had not been in ridicule at the sight of the feral woman, clenching a frying pan in one hand and breathing heavily. It had been a genuine question.

"I – I need three large buckets or pan for three different temperate waters!" Sasha huffed loudly, almost forgetting how to speak properly. The young scout remained still, peering curiously at the brunette.

"Um, I can help you?" As the words left the young womans lips, she stepped into the pantry and Sasha could now see the delicate features of her face.

Gentle maple-leaf eyes watched her curiously, wary perhaps, unsure if it were safe to stand too close to the frying-pan wielding older scout. She sunk her weight into one hip and then said with a faint chuckle, "The pans are on that shelf."

Without another word, Sasha dropped the frying pan and went for the shelf. Various metal cooking items fell to the floor once more, metallic whelps ringing loudly throughout the small room. Both Sasha and the girl cringed, pulling their shoulders up to their ears.

After the ringing subsided, they both opened their eyes and the green-eyed girl smiled, knelt to the ground and collected two large pans. Sasha was holding the third and the pair headed to the faucet.

"Why do you need three pans of three very different temperatures?" The younger of the pair asked.

Sasha moved one pan over to the stove, immediately lighting a flame and then meeting her gaze, "Juno is giving birth. Hange was yelling, Levi was threatening everyone, Connie and I were too nervous to ask so we decided on three…"

The young woman smiled, a slight excited jolt reverberating through her body as she said, "Wow, that's so exciting! I always liked Juno… and Levi. Although I haven't really spoken to either since onboarding."

Sasha met the girls gaze once more, studying her friendly features. Had she seen her before? Most likely. They went through new recruits like fresh air, it wouldn't be a surprise if Sasha had passed her multiple times on a scout or just on site. The girl smiled once more before turning her head slightly to check the level of the water in one of the pans and a memory flashed through Sasha's mind.

Sasha scoffed down her meal, lifting her gaze suddenly to see if anyone had forgotten about their own food (so she could steal it) or perhaps they just didn't finish it (so, in lesser thievery, she could steal it). Wiping her mouth, unsatisfied lids blinked hungrily before catching a familiar, caramel-kissed brunette pass by her table.

Juno paused, her once composed stare falling onto a table of senior officers with a blend of shock and… irritation? Her feline-graced mahogany orbs pierced heavily into the Captain's face as he shot a stare back at her. To his side sat a young cadet, a new girl that Sasha had never really paid attention to. Maybe she had seen the cadet speaking, gossiping, giggling in the hallway when Levi would pass by?

The cadet turned slightly, the light catching her peach-blond hair with a shine of innocence as she asked the Captain a question, only to have his piercing stonewall eyes ignore her and watch the rigid new-comer leave the mess hall with equally as stiff shoulders.

"I'm sorry, I don't know your name?" Sasha asked as she removed the pan from the stove.

"Miriam," she introduced, hauling the second pan onto the dying fire. "I'm a second year. I was originally assigned to Squad Leader Mike's group but after his incident, I now help with the factory."

Sasha nodded in understanding, now recollecting that she had seen Miriam wandering the halls more than once, carrying piles of materials such as leathers, threads, chainmail and more. Miriam had grown significantly since her childish years, most likely weathered by what was truly beyond the Wall and if she was working in Mike's factory, then she had also seen The Underground.

Reality forced them to mature faster.

"Are they in Hange's room?" Miriam began as she lifted the pan with one hand and collected the other with her free hand. The pair now stood facing each other, three pans of water between them. Sasha nodded, both their feet already heading towards the door.

It didn't take long for the young women to make their way back to Hange's door just as Connie and Jean appeared in sight. They paused suddenly, awkwardly attempting to not spill their most prized variety of liquids on the floor because god-forbid, Levi would have their necks.

Connie warily glanced at Sasha as they both stood by the door, shuddering as another pained screamed pierced through the wood.

"Where the hell are those morons –"

Miriam pushed past the pair and abruptly entered the room, locating the trio on by a bed of pristine white sheets. Clearly Levi had prepared the most clinically hygienic location for the birth of his child, there was no other option. At the sound of the door hitting the wall loudly, the three soldiers turned towards the four guests.

Levi's brow furrowed, the faintest of stress-sweat glistening on his porcelain skin.

Hange frowned while reaching for the water in Miriam's tight, small hands. "Um, it's Miriam right? Mike's helper?"

Miriam nodded, placing one of three pans on a table and rolling her sleeves up before promptly steeping out of the way. Connie, Sasha and Jean placed their variety-waters down on the table as well before becoming hypnotized by Juno, who grinned painfully at them before cringing and letting out a shrill scream.

"Levi, you did this! You did this to me!" She yelped sarcastically, pointing accusingly at the male who stood by her side. "Do something about this!"

Jean cringed at the level of her voice, stepping back into Connie and sending the stunned male into the door frame. The small yelp that escaped the smaller males throat seemed to capture Levi's attention as the seasoned man turned his head sharply, glaring at the two males and bellowing, "Get out if you're not going to help!"

"We'll help!" Jean exclaimed, unbalanced and pale in the face. "I – I don't know what to do! How can we hel –"

Hange had now positioned herself by Juno's bent legs, lifted the sheet and said, "Okay, let me get some of that water and some antiseptic. You could probably push now."

Upon stepping away, Hange was no longer a wall between Juno's birthing canal and the two men standing in the door way. Jean gulped, only to throw up in his mouth before wrenching forward and head-butting the door frame. Connie's eyes all but rolled into the back of their sockets as he hit the floor with his full body weight. Only Sasha stood, wide-eyed and stunned with both men at her feet.

Miriam turned to the brunette, a sad yet pitiful expression on her face as she said, "Here, let me help you get them outside."

It all but took several seconds before Miriam gave Hange a thumbs-up and closed the door behind her. Hange repositioned herself by Juno and after a quick inspection, a glance at a book she located at the library and a hesitant nod to Levi who was now having his hand broken by Juno, she locked Juno's legs into home-made stirrups and shouted, "Push!"

Jean, Connie, Sasha and Miriam all sat quietly on the hallway floor. The air was cool yet with every scream from first Hange then Juno, the air felt thicker. Miriam had disappeared for a few minutes only to return with a bucket and a scoop. She knelt to Sasha first, offering the cool water.

She drank hungrily, a soldier who had just witnessed something beyond the scope of anatomy knowledge she knew. After a few gulps, Sasha sighed and asked, "How are you okay? That was… that… "

There was a small whimper as Connie whispered, "How can… it was coming out like…"

Miriam's lips curled with amusement as she moved down to Connie, offering the scoop to the shuddering male. "I used to help birth the horses on my farm before… I became a scout. Before the famine."

"That would explain it," Sasha mumbled, resting her forehead onto her knees. "I don't think I've ever been this stressed in my entire life."

Miriam let a small, warm chuckle escape her lips as she now reached the last of the three. Kneeling down, she allowed a second to pass. The taller of the men had an ash-brown mop atop a fashionable buzz-cut around the sides. He rested his forehead on his knees, similar to Sasha, long arms and weathered hands clammy against his legs. Miriam noticed how his shoulders lifted with each steady breath, now realizing that he was only dressed in casual trouser pants and his hair very wet with moisture.

He took several deep breathes before raising his chin, exposing a slightly paled face and gaunt eyes. Mustard-brown orbs lifted to meet earthly green and Miriam felt the air slip from her lungs, tendrils of warm sugary mist as it ran across Jean's arms.

She lifted the scoop of water to him, her attention never leaving his face.

"I'm – I'm Jean," he muttered hoarsely, clearing his throat in the process as glassy eyes never left hers. "I don't think we've –"

"Miriam," she whispered in response, blinking quickly, a flutter of dark lashes draped over eyes as rich as gemstones. "You can call me Miriam."

"One more!"

"I swear to Baph, Hange – you're gonna hate this –" Juno growled, the faintest of fiery rings flickering in her orbs as she bit back another horrendous howl of pain. Levi sat dutifully by her side, his hand now a bright red yet not a sound escaped his lips.

"Come on, just one more –" Hange instructed as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Gritting her teeth, Juno clenched her eyes tightly and squeezed with what energy she had left. The pressure inside of her reached an apex, her spine finally popping against the otherworldly pain that raked through her tiny frame as the immensely small, fragile being was released from her body and into the arms of her best friend.

Juno sunk back into the bed, finally releasing Levi's hand as every muscle, joint, molecule in her body was flooded with adrenaline and a mild shock washed over damp skin. Levi lunged forward, checking that the light in Juno's eyes was still there, bright yet exhausted.

Silence pierced the room. For a moment.

A chirp, a soft, announcing chirp erupted from the bundle in Hange's arms. The now tainted blanket, wrapped so perfectly, softly in perfection, moved slightly and Hange gulped, goggles fogged with both heat and tears.

Levi glanced from Hange to Juno. Juno sniffed lightly, nodding with a faint smile.

The male gently released the brunette, wide-eyed and peering at Hange who held such a small bunch, a bundle, nothing that could possible be large enough to be considered even human. How?

The bundle moved again, another chirp and an equally as excited sob slipped past Hange's grin.

Levi's steps between the side of the bed to the end could have taken seconds but with shock running through his blood, he wasn't sure. He couldn't hear anything other than the soft, angelic chirps which so fondly called for him, for Juno, for them.

Hange chewed her lower lip, another happy sob escaping from her mouth as she now gently bounced from side to side. Levi was now in front of her, shaking as his comrade, his friend of more than ten years now nodded for him to replicate the placement of her arms. When Hange was satisfied, she bobbed the bundle once more before gently placing the singular most important thing in the world into the arms of Humanity's Strongest.

And as silvery orbs met the most perfect set of glimmering windows to a part of his soul he didn't even know he willing gave to another being, so perfect, so inquisitive as she wiggled lightly in his grasp, Levi could not recall anything more important than this very moment.

He held her close, following the same bobbing motion as Hange began to mend Juno to ensure there was no chance of infection. There was nothing around him that could possibly draw his attention away, nothing could pull him from that soft, sweet angelic creature who bubbled within his grasp.

Not a single cry but an announcement. I am here and I love you.

When Hange had made it clear that Juno was cleared up and now resting, she indicated for Levi to bring the newborn to Juno. He walked lightly, lighter than any time he could recall and upon sitting down in the old, wicker chair by the bed, he finally tore his gaze away and met Juno's stare.

"She is everything and more," Levi managed, voice hoarse as if he had not uttered a word in days, weeks even. "She is like you on every possibly level."

Although appearing as if Juno had crawled from the belly of a titan again, her attention was firm, wary and so very much centered on the moving bunch in her partners arms. She stared for a moment longer before glancing to Levi. Please.

No hesitation, no questioning of trust as he lifted slightly and gently placed the bundle within her arms. The second warm, supple skin pressed into her chest, Juno melted into the bub. A gulp, a sob of pure bliss rolled through her, trying her best to not squeeze her eyes shut from the onslaught of emotional tears from fear that she would miss even a second.

Honey-brewed skin, likely to be graced with a soft flutter of freckles when she grew and teased the sun. A gathering of dark, thick hair which could only be from both of them. Her tiny hand flickered out quickly, grasping Juno's thumb with a speed that both parents were immediately proud of.

Sleepy lids lifted slowly, meeting Juno's intense gaze with equally as involved interest, love, magic, destiny. One large orb was a deep chocolate with flickers of gold while the other, although almost identical, was sliced with a very clear gash of stone-cold grey.

"No," Juno whispered with a smile as Levi pressed his lips to her temple. "She is just like us."

A/N: FML, dudes. Dudes. I'm there... it's almost done.

Am I emotional? Yes. Do I feel a little sad that it's over? YES! Also, I have not had a beta reader for this entire journey and my poor, tired eyes miss a lot of mistakes.

A few reviews recently:

Pati - So amazing to hear from you. I hope you're well and I hope you liked your little entry :) I'm glad you liked the changing of scenes... I was worried it would be confusing as I tend to write like it's a tv show or movie, which doesn't always translate well.

Nina fo life - I am all tears.

Celline the Sleeping Beauty - Welcome to the party! Only that it's not a party and we just live for the relationship that is Leno/Juvi 3 I'm glad you're enjoying Levi. I've mentioned it previously but it is very hard to write an existing character. I sometimes look back and think 'WTF did you write him like that' but then I remember that had he been human, he's entitled to have those moments. In regards to Juno's eyes, they are a red-brown. When the light catches them, they appear more red in nature. In low light, more plain brown. I use a lot of brown based terms to describe her eyes, skin, hair etc because saying 'brown' over and over again is boring and brown is too generic for what I see in my minds eye. There are many shades of brown - her skin is caramel, her hair a deepened ash brown, soft freckles like a dusting of cinnamon and eyes that capture lava in the light and the sweet scents of wood mahogany during the day. See?