A/N: Hey hey - Thank you all once again for the reviews, favourites and follows! You guys honestly make my day every time I get a little email notification - seriously, I still get so excited every single time one pops into my inbox! I'm going to stop apologising for the slow updates because ... well, I'm just a bit rubbish at getting things done in a timely manner.

It's a short one, but it needed to stand alone. Was going to wait until I had the next one finished up, too, but I realise it won't be done tonight, and I hate letting these sit there for long unpublished haha! Especially when it's a chapter I have been waiting to write for a looong time.

Interested to hear your thoughts on this one ...

ARC 4: REVELATION

'The act of making something known that was a secret, or a fact that is made known.'

CHAPTER 39: George's Tale

George Wagner had never thought of himself as a bad person.

Sure, he wasn't that heroic sort of brave, like his brothers. He didn't have it in him to give up his life to the cause; to join the military and fight for humanity in whatever capacity, as they had. Perhaps he could even be called a coward for opting to follow in his grandparent's footsteps and tend to the land at their farm in Orvud, leaving his brothers behind in Trost to follow their father as soldiers.

Both his father and one of his younger brothers had been made martyrs in their hometown.

George had wondered how exactly Thomas had met his end for a long time - in the chaos of Trost that day, with so much death, the most the family had been given was that his brother had been eaten by a Titan. He hadn't even been assigned to a division - but George liked to think he knew which he would have picked. He'd wondered whether he'd been as brave as George always envisioned in his last moments.

It was such a gift, to finally be told the truth of his demise in a little bar in Orvud District on a day which had begun like any other. That day, however, turned out to be quite extraordinary, in the end. It was the day George finally found out that in actual fact, he could be just as brave as either of his brothers.

Provided he had something to fight for. Or, someone.

The bravery required of George was just a different kind - it wasn't going to war with monsters like his brother Thomas, or defending the walls from danger like his brother Edward. Rather, George's bravery was a subtle affair. It came in the form of an act of deception - deception of friends, soldiers, and Captain Levi Ackerman - Humanity's Strongest himself; the most dangerous man in the military.

No. George had never thought of himself as a bad person for the path he'd chosen. Just someone willing to do whatever it took to protect those that he loved. He hoped wherever he might be now, Thomas would be proud of him. His brother had fought alongside Eren Jaeger, after all. If he was alive now, surely he would have declared himself a Jaegerist, too.

Eren shifted atop the bar stool.

The lights of the little Tavern in Orvud district were low, casting dark shadows everywhere in the periphery of his vision.

He replayed Historia's words over in his head as he sat with his jug of water, eyes narrowed and focused on a particularly dusty liquor bottle behind the bar. He pretended not to notice the odd glances cast his way by the barman.

He tends a farm close to the Orphanage. He had a brother in 104th Cadet Corps. Eren - do you remember Thomas Wagner?

Eren remembered him. How could he forget? That awful day in Trost. The first time he watched his comrades die at his side. The day he discovered his power.

The door to the tavern swung open with a groan which cut through the low hum of conversation. Eren peered past the edge of his hood subtly.

He recognised the fair hair and amicable features instantly. Thomas' brother looked a lot like him, although he was a little taller, and a light scattering of freckles and longer hair set them apart.

George Wagner arrived beside him at the bar. He stood for a moment with his palm resting on the wooden top, apparently unsure whether to address him or not.

Finally, he spoke. "Eren Jaeger?"

Eren didn't answer, just gestured for him to follow him over to a small table hidden away in shadow at the top corner of the room.

When both men were sat, he finally spoke.

"You got the message then. Thanks for coming at short notice."

"It's about the Queen?" Eren recognised the fondness in the way Historia's title rolled off George's tongue. Good. Unwavering loyalty was what this man was going to need.

"Yes. She's going to ask you to do something for her - something which might seem a little crazy. But you need to help her. I was beside your brother the day he died in the battle for Trost. If Thomas's death isn't to have been in vain - you need to do this, George. Do this, and not only will your debts to the Queen be repaid, but your brother's death will be given meaning."

Floch strolled along the dusty road, a little further back from Fredrick and Henrietta as they chatted and laughed about the children's antics at the Orphanage.

What a crappy assignment, having to watch over a horde of screaming brats. Weren't they all supposed to be soldiers? He was glad it hadn't been him stuck out here for the past few days.

He kept his gaze peeled as he scanned the surrounding countryside. The new recruit that Eren had told him about should be on his way over by now, providing Eren's meeting with him had gone to plan.

Eren had told him it was integral they had someone situated with the Queen at all times - someone with no ties to the Scouts. They couldn't risk conflicting orders from the Commander. He really had thought of everything. They had to ensure their takeover went smoothly, when the time eventually came. Patience wasn't one of Floch's strongest qualities, as it went. But the idea of having someone as decisive and visionary as Eren Jaeger leading Paradis towards victory and a New Eldian Empire was tempting enough to make him hold his nerve for as long as needed. Eren truly was the devil they needed to win this war - Floch could see that now. When the time came to strike, it would be magnificent.

Suddenly, Floch caught sight of a figure emerging over the lip of the hill they were ascending. The lanky figure paused to greet Fredrick and Henrietta. His body language was one of familiarity. This had to be the guy Eren had told him about.

Floch felt his heart quicken in anticipation. Now was the moment he would find out whether this man had been successfully converted to their cause.

The man began to descend the hill towards him. Floch caught his eye as he drew alongside him. He paused step momentarily, and, his voice low, spoke that familiar greeting.

"Dedicate your heart."

The words alone would have been enough, but the new recruit raised his fist to cover his heart in salute as he nodded in recognition.

Floch smiled. They had their man.

The pregnancy was integral to the survival of Paradis, Eren had said. But the fact that Historia was choosing Captain Levi Ackerman as the father - well, that was a little concerning. If George could talk her out of it, he should.

It hadn't taken George long to realise that Historia was absolutely not going to be swayed.

He told Eren as much, the day he came with the Commander to the Orphanage.

"Where're the Captain and Commander?" Eren asked as he strode back into the dining room. George still sat beside the table, frowning at the grain of the wood as he mulled over Historia's words about the Captain being a good man. He wondered what she'd said to Eren when she'd gone to talk with him.

"Out back. Seemed Commander Hange wanted to ask him some questions."

Eren shrugged.

"Historia's not for moving - on the idea of it being the Captain, you know …" George met Eren's gaze, and it occurred to him how focused he looked. Something about the emerald of his eyes burned with great vision. Or great foreboding. George wasn't exactly sure which, but under the circumstances, neither would be out of place.

"I know. She's just told me as much. It's fine - we move forwards anyway." Eren swept past him. "Keep me in the loop, George."

When Commander Hange broke the news of Historia's pregnancy to him, Eren already knew.

The crumpled letter was still shoved in his jacket pocket - the words in George's untidy scrawl telling him how Historia had, for some reason, resolved not to tell Levi immediately of the news. Although, if Hange knew now, chances were, the Queen had reneged on that decision.

It was certainly strange that she'd had the thought initially, though. Perhaps she wasn't as loyal to the Captain as Eren had first thought … That certainly gave him a few more options. If he could trust her with at least some of his intentions, that would work in his favour when it came to keeping her on side. She was integral to the overarching plan, as was her child.

Captain Levi's attachment to her, on the other hand, was a complication he hadn't foreseen, much to his annoyance. It wasn't even just the usual protectiveness stirred by his bloodline - it was something deeper.

A vision of Eren Kruger atop a wall had begun to haunt him, whenever he thought of them both - Captain and Queen. Words echoed on a loop, and they awoke a fear in him he couldn't shake; a fear which cut through all of the other voices in his head urging him onwards, making him cold, shutting him down.

Love someone within the walls. If you can't, we're doomed to repeat it all again. The same history. The same mistakes. Again and again.

Eren watched them as closely as he dared, wondering where and why exactly he'd gone wrong. He'd been so sure it would be him in the Captain's position right now … that he would be the one chosen by the Queen. Not that it really mattered who got her pregnant, in his plan. But there were Kruger's words, swirling around at the back of his conscience doggedly.

Love someone within the walls.

At times, in his more focused moments, he was glad it was the Captain instead of him. Levi was the most stoic and dedicated man he'd ever met, and yet even he was starting to make questionable judgements in the Queen's presence. They were flirting far too closely with revelation, their fondness for each other getting easier to spot. Eren couldn't afford to have that distraction right now. He needed to stay focused on his plan. He needed detachment.

Love someone within the walls.

But didn't love just make you weak?

The Banquet was particularly bad.

Their hands lingered too long on one another in public. They shared eye contact which seemed to suggest some hidden exchange. But perhaps it was just in Eren's head, because he knew what was going on behind closed doors. It was obvious to him, because he knew the truth.

When they left for a walk together, though, he knew they were taking risks none of them could afford. Zackley and the others could not find out what was going on between the Survey Corps and the Queen. He was a smart man - he'd put two and two together and conclude conspiracy. Eren didn't have enough support for a coup d-etat yet; they needed more time. Levi and Historia could not be allowed to tip the delicate balance of power in Paradis at this point.

It was easy to observe the pair from among the shrubbery. He'd had to leave his post earlier than intended, and he knew this would arouse suspicion, but he had to check what risks the Captain and Queen were willing to take before he left for his meeting with Yelena. He pulled the dark hoody he'd swapped for his corps dress jacket closer around his face as he listened to them talk. When Levi reached for her hand, he knew a line had been crossed.

It was time for Plan B. He'd get a message to George before leaving.

Floch splashed his face with water in the bathrooms.

Captain Levi. That bastard.

Floch had never liked him. Ever since he made that shitty decision in Shiganshina, he'd lost all respect for Humanity's Strongest. Who in their right mind would have chosen Armin - some nobody kid soldier just like Floch had been - over Commander Erwin Smith, the most brilliant and ruthless strategist the Corps had ever seen? It was madness.

And now he had the audacity to threaten Floch, with no proof to back up his accusations. In front of Queen Historia, of all people. At least she'd objected to the way he was treated. Even if she had seemed a little odd around the Captain ...

It was while he was glaring angrily at his reflection, thinking just what he'd like to do to Captain Levi if he ever found him in a situation where he was given the upper hand, when Eren appeared seemingly from nowhere.

He had no idea how the Titan Shifter managed to skulk around the Banquet without getting spotted when the Captain and Commander were suddenly losing their nut over him disappearing, but that was Eren Jaeger for you. Increasingly brilliant. Floch wondered why he hadn't revered him sooner.

"We need to move to Plan B. I need you to get that message to George."

Floch shook out his hands. "Plan B? Are you going to tell me what that means, yet?"

Eren's gaze was suddenly severe. "It doesn't matter, Floch. Just deliver the message."

It was unpleasant to be on the other end of that irritated glare. Floch straightened quickly. "Yeah … okay. I'll go find him."

Eren nodded. "Do it subtly." His eyes lingered on Floch's damp hands and glistening face. "You alright?"

"Uh - yeah. Captain Levi and the Queen … they questioned me. Outside. About your disappearance."

Eren gave the smallest of sighs. "Alright. You didn't tell them anything?"

"Of course not!" Floch felt offended that he even had to ask.

Eren nodded. "Tell George to do it quickly. It's for Historia's protection; it won't be dangerous. He'll understand."

Floch saluted. He had no idea what any of this meant, but he would do as he was told. His hand remained pressed to his chest for a moment, and he wondered whether he should voice what had been on his mind since leaving the Captain and Queen alone in the courtyard.

"Eren … Captain Levi and Queen Historia … they were acting sort of … odd, outside. Do you think there's anything, you know, going on …?"

Eren snorted. "More chance of her falling for George. You're pretty funny sometimes." He was gone before Floch could ask anything further. But really, Floch guessed he was right. The idea of that surly, miserable midget and the beautiful Queen …

Yeah. That was pretty funny.

George watched Historia as she lay curled up in her favourite armchair in the living room of the Orphanage. She looked so peaceful asleep, hands cradling her ever expanding bump. It was moments of quiet like this, when he was alone with his thoughts as she slept soundly in his presence, that George had begun to wrestle with his conscious.

The children had gone to bed hours ago. The candles danced around in pools of shiny wax, burning low in the late evening gloom. The dregs of his tea sat cold as a stone in the bottom of his cup. And Levi's knife hung from his belt, the blade heavy and cool against his thigh. It weighed him to the spot, somehow, as he stared at the sleeping girl and remembered the way she'd looked, crumpled on the marble dance floor those months ago.

He'd known Eren was heading to Marley to bring glory to Paradis. In the time that had passed since that first fateful meeting in the tavern, George was lucky enough to have been invited into the inner circle of the most trusted members of Eren's party. After all, he was responsible for the safety of Historia - the woman who was to be Queen of the New Eldian Empire. But he hadn't anticipated just how drastic Eren's actions were to be in Liberio. They deviated so much from those the Survey Corps would have taken.

He'd actually grown to like and respect Commander Hange, and despite his relationship with Captain Levi being often volatile, he could understand to some degree the man's discomfort in his presence. After all, George was claiming what was rightfully his. Even the Jaegerists believed him to be the father of Historia's child. Levi's words to him just before he left for Marley had almost made George want to cave - to at least give the man some sort of warning about what he was heading into …

But Eren had said even the slightest slip up would cost them all gravely. Thomas's face appeared to George frequently in his dreams, and he felt it could only be a sign that he was doing the right thing - following Eren, dedicating himself to the Jaegerists, keeping their secrets and keeping Historia safe.

Even if that meant slipping her spiked tea at Banquets. He tried to remind himself repeatedly that it had been for her own safety. She'd been far too handsy with the Captain. And now he was supposed to keep her practically prisoner at the Orphanage. She needed to stay here with him, because things were going to move rapidly when Eren and the Corps returned from Marley. He thought about his next orders, and the cold metal of the knife seemed to sear into his flesh through the material of his trousers. He swallowed, before blowing out the candles and rousing Historia awake.

George wasn't a bad person. He was doing all of this for Historia, and for Thomas. The New Eldian Empire would give meaning to everything they had all done. Their actions would be justified.

Blue eyes framed by rounded spectacles and bordered by deep, crimson grooves emanating outwards stared at her across the gap in the aircraft. Tendrils of titan steam snaked in the air from stunted limbs. Lips turned upwards at the corners, a sinister smirk curling beneath that thick, blonde beard.

"Why the long face, Levi?"

Historia's eyes shot open. George loomed above her, hand shaking her shoulder gently.

Air rushed laboredly in and out of lungs which felt too stiff to work properly, and Historia knew it was the fear of staring into the eyes of the man who had taken so much from them that had her frozen. The man who had killed so many at Shiganshina; robbed them of the most brilliant Commander to ever lead the Survey Corps. The man so many people wanted her to devour. The man with the power of The Beast Titan; the same blood as her running in his veins.

Paradis' biggest threat and greatest hope for salvation all at once, sat smirking across the way from the father of her child. The man she loved.

"Historia?"

She managed to choke out two words to her friend.

"He's coming."

So tell me - are you surprised? Did you see it coming? Shout out to Coconutarmin2018 who spotted the surname link back in February! Don't worry - our Captain and Queen will be back in all their glory next chapter. SR x