Eh, better late than never.

Chapter 14

The three stared at Petra briefly, each showing surprise mixed with concern and in the two shifters' case growing anxiety.

_What?! How can he know Eren's identity?! -the Armored nearly shouted, getting a shocked glance from the other two.

_Oruo. -Petra said with a sigh- He was in charge of bringing the food to his cell, and apparently Zeke asked him if you were around while making small talk.

_What does that have to do with my identity? -the green eyed scout asked, frowning.

_Zeke asked about you using your last name, which that dumbass didn't realize until it was too late and he had answered. -the woman pinched the bridge of her nose- Erwin said nothing to him, but the look he gave Bozado was more than enough.

_And now what? -the shifter said looking at Eren- If we don't let him talk to you, he could try something but...

_What has Erwin decided? -Hange asked suddenly, eyes sharp.

_He told me to bring you to HQ where you'll have a meeting with him, all the four shifters as well as you, Levi and Armin. He told Zeke Eren would be too tired after today's experiment to earn some time... i guess you'll be deciding what you'll tell him tomorrow.

_Understood. -Zoe said with a nod- Let's hurry back to base.

They started moving when Eren turned to Petra, giving her a curious look.

_Only Armin? Won't Commander call Mikasa?

_He decided it's best to let her know whatever he decides through Armin while leaving her out of the meeting.

Jaeger nodded, feeling a bit of guilt at his sister being left aside. But thinking it through, perhaps Mikasa would be against letting him talk to his newfound brother and while he didn't believe she'd go as far as to take actions against Smith's decision she might behave unnecessarily hostile out of her wish to protect him.

They arrived as the sun was disappearing on the horizon and headed immediately for Smith's office: once there they saw the other two shifters and Levi already waiting.

_Welcome back. -Erwin said with calm- Let's not delay the meeting any further: Zeke has found out who you are, or rather confirmed it; i'm sure he suspected of your identity since some time ago after your first meeting.

_Wonder how he came to that conclusion. -Hange said taking a seat- Maybe it's related to your bloodline...

_The reason does not matter now. -Smith cut her- He knows about your background which means he could discern in time what we've been hiding so far: your father's inheritance of the Founder titan. It's not so much of a stretch given the fact anyone with some knowledge of the eldian's capabilities can guess Grisha must have possessed a titan's power to survive the trip and the fact the king's family is still unable to use their influence because of the current situation means they have lost power, something only possible after losing something precious enough to shake their authority over us, namely the Royal Titan.

_If that's the case, what are we going to do with him? -Levi asked, arms crossed- Given the state of things, killing him is the most sensible thing to do, right?

_It's not so easy. -Annie said shaking her head- Zeke could have tried escaping any time he wanted to, so that means he has some kind of commitment to our truce. Besides, if he doesn't return in time the marleyans could resort to extreme measures to avoid conflict or at least make the most damage to enemy countries.

_Such as a massive use of mindless titans? -Erwin asked.

Leonhardt nodded with an anguished expression, while Zoe looked from one blonde to the other shaking her head.

_But without the means to control them, wouldn't that be way too dangerous?

_Only if done in great numbers. -the girl answered- With the firepower other nations have they can take down titans, but it takes time and effort; that is one of the reasons they haven't attacked yet.

_Marley has many zones with plenty of resources, most of which were taken from one country or another. -the Armored added- While this has earnt them enemies all over the world, it also means their foes can't ally without colliding on who takes what and eventually begin fighting each other; Marley has resorted to aiding one side or another of the conflict to avoid having to battle themselves until their rivals are weakened.

_Let's get back to the main problem. -Ymir said, leaning on the table and gazing over the people gathered- Are we going to let Eren talk to that bastard? I mean, he betrayed his own father! How can we trust him?

_He was only a kid. -Hange pointed- He probably thought he was saving his grandparents, given the indoctrination he had and... Armin?

Arlert jolted a bit at her call, caught deep in thought, but nodded and faced his friend carefully thinking his words.

_Eren, what do you think of this? Would you meet Zeke? -at the other's surprise, he shrugged- Whatever we decide we must know how you feel. Please be honest.

The boy took a deep breath, looking at the wooden table while meditating his answer. After some moments of hesitation, he nodded slowly.

_I... i want to meet him. It's pointless to hide it now, and avoiding him would only worsen our situation. I think Zeke feels curiousity about me and my... our father, and i have to say the same. I need to know what Grisha was like before coming here, how he lived, or at least what little my brother saw back in Liberio. I could talk to him without revealing too much, if you help me.

_If you're willing, then what we must decide is when, where and how. -Levi said- We can't just invite him for tea and leave you two alone.

Everyone looked around in agreement, although no one spoke until Armin lifted a finger, eyeing the Commander for permission; Smith nodded and the boy relaxed a bit.

_I have a few suggestions about it. I began thinking about it before you came, but said nothing until i felt more or less sure about it.

As Armin spoke the others listened attentivelly, only stopping him briefly to ask about certain points or give a suggestion when he mentioned possible problems; soon they had decided on a plan, and Erwin dismissed them to prepare for the next day's meeting.

Timeskip.

Zeke slept soundly inside his cell when the sound of the door opening interrupted his slumber. He yawned and straightened looking for his glasses, and glanced at his visitor.

_Ah, Commander. -he said with a polite nod- I was hoping you'd come to see me and discuss my request.

_There's no need Zeke. -Smith answered with a faint smile- We decided you have the right to speak to Eren, under certain conditions.

Jaeger hummed as he dressed, not saying a word until he was ready and had washed his teeth and face.

_I'm all ears. -he said, turning around with a grin.

Erwin smiled back before calling for the door, and Oluo along with Eld and Gunther entered. Zeke raised an eyebrow when he saw the men carried bandages and chains.

_Don't worry about that. -Erwin said casually- It's nothing more than a precaution. I'll let you know the conditions of the meeting as we walk.

Zeke nodded in agreement as the others wrapped his hands completely, without hurting him but making sure he had no way to use them; then they put the chains on his wrists and held them as the shifter got out and walked beside the towering blonde.

_The meeting will be held in the courtyard. You'll be chained and watched over all the time. Also Eren has the right to refuse answering your questions, and you can't ask any kind of physical contact from him.

_Not even a hug? -Zeke asked playfully with a fake pout; Erwin hummed in amusement.

_We'll save that for you birthday.

Both men chuckled good heartedly, then Erwin told Zeke that even if he was to be in a vulnerable position, they wouldn't hesitate in striking him down should the need arise.

_Cautious but understanding. Ah, i wish there were more people like you Commander. -Zeke sighed- Life would be both easier and more interesting.

Smith smiled without a word as they arrived at the open place; the men took Zeke to a couple of small pillars near the entrance, where he was chained. Looking around, the shifter saw figures clad in the Corps' uniform and sporting cloaks and masks covering their faces up to their mouths spread on the roofs of the buildings, the nearest group on top of the building right behind him. Despite the initial tension, the Beast soon fixed his attention on the one walking towards him from the other side of the courtyard.

_Eren. -he greeted the younger- So, Grisha survived his trip to the walls. I must admit i'm really impressed... and intrigued.

_Zeke. -the green eyed Jaeger said- You wanted to speak to me. What do you want to tell me?

_Oh, i'm just trying to bond with my lost brother. -he replied nonchalantly- Sorry, i couldn't help it. I just want to ask a few things.

_Me too, but you first.

_Alright then. -the older man agreed glancing around briefly- Is the old man still alive?

_No. -Eren asnwered immediately- He died some years ago.

_That's too bad. I kind of wanted to know what had been of him... how he came to reach the walls.

_I think you can guess how.

_A titan power, of course. But as where and how he got him, that is the real mystery... after all the ship he came on never returned. -he tilted his head, staring at the boy with interest- Your turn.

Eren looked down, thinking about what they decided he should try to find out as well as what he wanted to know; Armin's advice had been to balance both, to let him gather information and satisfy his curiosity. Jaeger lifted his eyes, and Zeke felt slightly surprised by his determination.

_Why did you betray our father? -he asked with a harsh look.

_Because he was a fool. -the Beast shifter answered instantly- Thinking he could wrestle freedom from Marley with inspired speeches and doubtful information about a glorious past. History is written by winners, that is the only law, and the marleyans wrote theirs; if he wanted to change it he needed more than a little revolutionary group. I realized that the moment he showed his disappointment when i didn't meet his expectations... i realized i wasn't but a tool for him, and a defective one.

Zeke's tone grew bitter with every word, and Eren's expression became less distant as he spoke; the older Jaeger let out a little sigh, closed his eyes and continued in a calmer voice.

_That's why i told the authorities of his plan; i saw he was condemned to fail, planning a revolution fated to be crushed under Marley's heel as soon as it began. I did it to earn their favor, to look and sound as the blind idiot servant they wanted, because only from inside i could hope to break the government's spine and take what was rightfully ours; freedom ins't a right, it's a prize we must take and protect by force, something we won't achieve by facing them in a fair fight because there's no such thing.

The older brother looked down, his expression a mix of grim and resigned, and nodded to himself more than to Eren.

_I've seen what war looks like. -he said looking at the younger with harsh eyes- I've brought death and terror to the battlefield since i was a child, all in order to have the higher ups convinced of my loyalty, always waiting for the right moment. And... i did it to protect my grandparents too. -he added almost in a whisper, a sad look on his face- They too are my family, the ones who truly cared for me.

_Truly cared? -Eren asked- Didn't father...?

_No. -Zeke cut him with a sigh, still not looking at his brother- To him i was the meaning to an end, another member of his little revolution and a failure to boot. He never really treated me like a son.

The scout looked at the other with sadness despite part of his brain told him Zeke might be lying; yet he suddenly remembered how his father didn't speak of Zeke with anger at his betrayal in his memories. Instead Grisha spoke of Zeke with remorse, often wondering what had been of his older son, and now Eren saw why: the doctor realized at some point that his actions, his hollow treatment to his own family brought nothing but suffering to everyone.

_I think... -Eren said in a low voice- I think he felt guilty about it. I think father still thought about you.

_Seems to me he managed to move on, at least in part. -Zeke said rising an eyebrow- Was he a good father to you?

_Yes. I know it's what most sons would say, but it's true: he was always there for me and later for Mikasa, always had time for us. He must have learnt to... to be a better dad after what happened.

_Now you almost make me wish he was alive. -the older one said- Anyways, i asked last so now's your turn.

_Alright. -the green eyed boy frowned, choosing his next question- How do you plan to help us?

_I have a group of chosen people working for me in the shadows, making contact with groups willing to both fight Marley and help Eldia to a certain extent. People who can overlook the past if given a good prospect for the future, which is good as long as we can assure their position will grow stronger once Marley's power's been broken.

_For which you need to return. -Eren pointed- What about Pieck? Does she know anything about this?

_No, i'm afraid our dear friend has no idea of my plans. No warrior did, since i couldn't really trust any of them wasn't truly as brainwashed as i pretended to be. Reiner, for example, always was a mommy's boy. And she was firm on her spewing stuff about eldians in the island being man crushing devils.

Jaeger remained still, instructed by Armin and the Commander to give as little sign of emotion as possible if they ended up speaking about the four shifters to prevent his brother from deucing any facts; he played his poker face as strongly as he could and looked at Zeke in the eye, thinking about how he could divert the conversation back to track.

_But if you return with a message of us seeking peace. -he said after a bit of silence- Won't your allies distrust you? After all they'd only be strengthened by Marley's defeat.

_Losing so many shifters will be a devastating blow to the country's military power and international prestige. I won't return shouting your intentions, only make them known to the higher ups in secrecy so they can establish contact with you discreetly while i tell my contacts to prepare.

_Prepare for what? -the younger one asked, although he feared alredy knowing the answer; Zeke gave him a sly look.

_For Eldia's surprise attack on Marley.

End of chapter.