The next few months were not easy for what remained of the Maria pack. When Eren and Levi were taken to the makeshift camp that the survivors had hastily created, way out in the forest on the very borders of the old Maria territory, they finally saw just what a toll the battle had taken. In many aspects, they had been lucky. Because of their early intervention, well over a thousand people had been able to escape the sinking ship of the Maria camp and several of them had managed to sneak out food and supplies to help the rest of the pack survive. However, many more had suffered injuries in the battle and all of them knew there were dozens of others who had either been lost in the fighting or hadn't been able to get out of the camp at all. So many people were unable to find friends or family in the mass of people that had spilled out into the forest and when Eren and Levi had arrived, a sea of heads had lifted up in hope, only to droop again like wilting flowers when they realised it wasn't their loved ones. With each passing hour, fewer survivors were trickling into the camp and the number of bodies found in the forest were rising as people went out seeking familiar faces on the battlefield. All of them knew that their home had long since been decimated and, at first, when they were all at their absolute lowest, it looked like the history books would consider this a victory for the Survey Corps.

"This is a fucking nightmare." Levi had whispered to Hanji as they had entered the camp under the gaze of hundreds of tired empty eyes. It had been like walking into a camp of ghosts and the gloomy air had felt like it was tar sticking in his lungs. "How the hell are we supposed to pull this back together?"

"I don't know." Hanji had admitted but her voice was still hopeful. "But if anyone can do it, it's your boy and his friends."

It hadn't taken long for her to be proved right. As Eren was led off to finally get his blood transfusion and Hanji started to tend to the wounded, Armin had taken charge of the camp. Levi had been impressed with the young blond man as he quickly got people making temporary shelters and gathering more supplies from the woods around them. It was good not just for helping them all in the next few days but it also distracted them from the horrors of the morning. He organised where the shelters would be, who would be on lookout at what times and, even going into the small hours of the next day, he began working on his maps again to try and work out where they could all go, with the help of Mikasa and Levi. It wouldn't be easy carving out a new territory among the hard-fought barriers of the other packs but he was sure they could do it.

"We just need to make it clear we're not interested in fighting." He told them all firmly the next day as he discussed his new plans. "All we want is a small bit of land where we can survive and finally have some peace. Surely some packs will understand that."

It was a hard decision but a few days later, the choice was made to move away from the Maria territory and find somewhere new to settle. It was clear that the survivors felt restless perched at the very edge of their old home and many were fearful that the Survey Corps would return. However, despite knowing that they needed to move on, the atmosphere was heavy on the day they all finally packed up and set off. Eren had set off very slowly on account of his healing body, needing to be helped by his friends and, even he found it difficult to move on. It was funny in a strange way, he had thought with an ironic chuckle as they passed the border for good. He had spent so many years desperate to escape from his camp and now, he was sad to be leaving it for good.

Eventually, after a few long days of travelling, the new pack found a place to finally put down roots. It was a spot high up in the hills, far away from the memories of the Maria pack, with a river for water, plenty of space for growing food and forests for hunting. Eren was relieved when they had finally stopped to settle; because his injuries were still so severe and Hanji had recommended he rest as much as possible, he had spent most of the journey being carried by Levi in some way or another. Despite his protests about Levi's weakened leg and his insistence that he could still walk, Levi hadn't budged at all and for the others walking with them, it had felt like the two of them had bickered the entire way like an old married couple.

"Levi, put me down! I've told you before, I feel fine! I don't need to be carried like I'm a baby!"

"I'm not taking any chances. I'm not having you forcing yourself forwards just to make a point and then kneeling over in exhaustion. Or have you forgotten you nearly died a few days ago?"

"Have you forgotten you're the one with the injured leg? You shouldn't be picking anything up, least of all me!"

"Eren, if you don't stop struggling, I'm going to-"

"If you two don't shut up, I'm going to cut both of your legs off so you can both crawl the rest of the way!" Jean had finally snapped at them, causing Levi to nearly drop a shocked Eren.

"Fucking horse face." Eren had muttered after him as he strode off but he was quieter after that and they reached their new spot thankfully without incident. Levi had grumbled about seeing who could really chop who's legs off but Eren had managed to calm him down.

"He was only trying to help." He had told him afterwards with a laugh and a cuddle. "We were probably getting on everyone's nerves."

"You were at any rate." Levi had murmured but he had grown a new respect for Jean after that day. He had quickly taken on the role of instructing many of the other young members of the pack in combat, just in case they ever needed it again. Although he was young and didn't have a wealth of experience, he was a firm but fair teacher who his students could relate to and Jean's popularity in the camp was matched only by the adoration of Marco who occasionally assisted him in lessons and frequently had to shoo away other young pack members who developed crushes on their new teacher. It became normal for Jean to ask Levi for advice on certain training methods and, even though Jean was very wary of Levi at first, they both eventually warmed up to each other. Eren and Jean even stopped antagonising each other, which was a great relief to everyone. Many members of the Maria pack had been convinced that one of them would eventually annoy the other into murder and their newfound friendship seemed to mark the new beginning that they all so desperately wanted.

Once they had reached their new camp, Armin had yet again taken charge. He organised groups to cut down trees to build new cabins, sent others out to hunt for meat with Mikasa and had others who were still recovering from the battle doing lighter tasks such as helping him draw his maps or planning new fields for their crops and herbs. The only exception to that rule was Eren who was put on strict bed rest. Hanji had initially thought he would be there for a couple of months as he would always fight to get up and try to help with the making of their new camp but with both Levi and Mikasa keeping a close eye on him, he had managed to spend two weeks without moving from their new medical hut and was then deemed well enough to help Armin in his tasks. It was clear to everyone that Armin would be their new pack leader and both Eren and Mikasa couldn't have been prouder of their friend. He had proved to everyone that not only was he a great tactician and planner but also that he listened to his people and worked hard to make sure everyone was happy. After the suffocating dictatorship of the Maria pack, it was a refreshing change and, as the months passed, people started to smile more as the old days of Maria and the horrifying battle they had fought in slowly grew further and further away.

Armin, in his first meeting as the new pack leader, had asked for suggestions for a new pack name and the one they eventually settled on was the Rose pack. However, he had also made it clear that he wanted to do things differently.

"I don't want our pack to become as oppressive and restricting as our old one," he had stated and his next words took everyone by surprise. "I don't want people to think that they are trapped here, that they are forced to stay here just because of a name. I want our pack to thrive because people want to be here, not because they are being kept here against their will. So, I have decided that with our new camp, there will be no walls keeping you all here. I won't build prison gates pretending they are for your own safety and I won't lie to keep you stuck here. I want everyone to know that if you feel like you don't want to be here, you can go of your own free will. I won't stop anyone who wants to leave and I won't turn away anyone who wants to join our pack. I don't want there to be any secrets, any lies, any wars that I keep hidden from you. I may be your leader but I refuse to be your jailor as well."

This had been shocking at first as no one knew quite how to react to it. The idea of being able to get up and leave a pack any time you wanted was so alien and so against what had been ingrained in all of them since they were born that many people initially recoiled at it. A few people had tried leaving, expecting to be punished when they came back but when they weren't and it was clear that Armin was being serious, the whole pack seemed to relax. Over the months, this news spread and a few outsiders who had been exiled from their own packs came to join them. The Rose pack flourished under Armin's open style of leadership and it was clear everyone had a great respect for him. He had his own office in one of the larger cabins that they built but it wasn't a forbidden area with guards permanently at the door. Instead, anyone could come and go as they wished and many did, either to discuss a problem with Armin or to look at his new vast collection of maps which he had eagerly drawn of their new territory. His maps, previously locked away from everyone, could now be accessed at any time and, although Armin would have never voiced it aloud, he took a great deal of pride in the number of people who came to look at them.

Mikasa went on to become a key part of Armin's council and she also took on the role of negotiating with other packs. The other pack leaders in the area at first had been wary of her, thinking she would be too young and inexperienced but she quickly earned their respect and they learned not to underestimate her. She proved instrumental in allowing them to settle in the corners of these other pack's territories; when some threatened violence against the Rose pack, she only had to glare at them and draw her blades for them to pale and quickly backtrack. Her reputation grew fast and Armin put the fact they hadn't been attacked and driven out fully down to her. It was also through Mikasa's new connections to the other packs that they learnt of the sorry state of the Survey Corps months after the battle.

"Apparently, they've almost fallen apart," she explained in one meeting, not even trying to hide how pleased she was at the news. "It's true they've won all our old territory but once they saw what had happened to their leader, they lost all their drive and they went back to their old camp with their tails between their legs. And now there's no Erwin and the next two senior members of their pack are gone…" She gestured towards Levi and Hanji who responded with a grunt and a wave in turn. "They don't have anyone to fill the vacuum. There's been lots of infighting and factions have been formed and now other packs who've realised they are weak, have started squabbling over their borders which they can't protect anymore. The vast territory they now have is practically impossible to maintain and it is going to destroy them from the inside."

"Serves them right really." Levi said unsympathetically with a curl of his lip. "They've really bitten off more than they can chew. They are going to be fighting to protect that huge territory with dwindling numbers and no real leader… it's almost pitiful. And I bet you more people will be deserting them each day."

"And if they come here, we will still accept them." Armin had told them, earning a look from Levi that he ignored. "If they have left the Survey Corps, that means they are sick of the fighting too. We need to become a safe haven from that."

However, even though Armin made it clear to everyone that any Survey Corps would be welcome, none ever stumbled into the new camp. Maybe they were worried about retaliation, Eren had pondered, or maybe they too were ashamed of what had happened. Even though he was trying his hardest to forgive them, Eren still couldn't forget that final battle at the west gate. He couldn't forget how scared and panicked people had been as the Survey Corps emerged over the hill. He couldn't forget how they had all run scrambling for their lives and he couldn't forget how many people had been lost. The camp had set up a little memorial for the family and friends they had all lost in the fight, which they had called the Battle of Maria. It was one large stone stood upright, with names carved all over its smooth surface and flowers growing generously at its feet. Smaller flatter stones had been placed around it like footprints on a beach, winding their way towards the centre of the camp and each one of them had a rose carved into it, the symbol of their new pack. Eren had helped to create it and he sat under it often, allowing himself to finally enjoy the peace his packmates had earned. It finally felt like he was living in the world his mother had dreamed of, one where they didn't have to fight just to survive.

It had taken a long time for Eren to heal from all his wounds but some of the traumas he had faced still haunted him. There were still nights where he woke up screaming and clutching his head, crying out that he could feel Erwin's hand there crushing his skull. He would sob as he remembered being tied up in the Survey Corps main hall, being whipped in front of a crowd baying for his blood and Levi would have to pull him close and hold him tightly just to remind him that he wasn't back there, that it was just another horrible memory. Levi had lost count of the hours he had spent just holding him, stroking his soft brown hair and murmuring words of comfort into his ear. He wished he could take the pain away but he was just as bitterly trapped by that encounter with Erwin in the forest. Some nights he would be the one waking up in a cold sweat, his leg searing with pain like it had been freshly cut by Erwin's blades. Sometimes he would dream that he was back there in that forest clearing, with Erwin bearing down on him and Eren's limp body laying lifeless in front of his eyes. It was on those nights that Eren was the one soothing him with gentle words and soft touches, carefully luring them both back to sleep in each other's arms. It was moments like those that they both cherished because that's what they had been fighting for. For months, they had had to hide these precious minutes from everyone else for fear of their lives but now, they shared their own cabin and no one in their camp even blinked at it. They could walk around with their hands clasped together without fear and nobody cared if they were affectionate in public. At last, it didn't matter that they were originally from different packs. That, to them, was paradise.

They had both taken on more senior roles in the Rose pack as they both advised Armin on his council but most of the time, they were happy to take more of a backseat when it came to leadership. Although most of the camp was fine with Levi, there were still quite a few people who were wary of him and of Eren too, because he was the one who had brought him into their camp. Over time, that bad feeling had waned but Eren and Levi found that they were fine with having less responsibilities. Both of them had been burned by leaders in the past and the idea of getting too close to the fire again was not appealing. They still went on hunts and would both lead scouting missions but the thing they most wanted was peace. The little things that so many other couples took for granted like being able to make each other breakfast, walk around holding hands and getting to sleep next to each other at night, were things that they cherished. There was still a part of Levi that couldn't believe it was real; every time he and Eren were outside and the younger man would put his arm around him, part of him still expected the Survey Corps to jump out from the trees around them. Sometimes, they would reach for each other and hesitate, as if brushing the other's skin would wake them from the dream they were in. It took them a few weeks but they slowly relaxed into their new lives together and what made it especially real for them was their mating ceremony.

Eren and Levi were the first couple to mate in the new pack. They were swiftly followed by Jean and Marco a few weeks later but everyone silently agreed that since it was their love affair that had started it all, they should be the first to have their mating ceremony. It just felt right and the whole pack attended, even the ones who still didn't fully trust Levi. It had been held on a beautiful day in the height of summer and it couldn't have been more perfect.

If Eren closed his eyes, he could still picture the entire day, as clear and focused as a photograph. He could see the wooden arch adorned with creeping white flowers that he and Levi had stood under as they made their vows to each other. He could feel the warmth of the sun on his cheeks and Levi gently squeezing his hands as they had faced each other, both of them staring like they couldn't believe this day was finally here. Hanji had been the one to officiate and she had only just managed to make it through the ceremony without crying. Armin was close to sobbing when Eren made his vows and even Mikasa was a little teary-eyed when the two of them were finally able to seal their union with a kiss. Eren could recall exactly how Levi's warm hands had cupped his face and drawn him closer, kissing him with such tenderness that it had brought tears to his own eyes. Even though it had been small, with none of the grand trimmings that some people expected from their special days, it had been absolutely perfect and he would not have had it any other way.

After spending the rest of the day celebrating with their friends, eating and talking long into the night, the two of them had gone home and finally given each other their bonding marks. These marks were considered almost sacred and making them on another person would ensure that you would be connected for life. They were very important for mated couples and where you chose to have them on your body was a very important decision as they were there for life. Usually, people would choose to have them on their torsos, so that they would be hidden most of the time and only seen by their mate but once again, Eren and Levi flouted tradition by having them in very visible places. Eren chose to have Levi mark his neck with his wolf teeth, which had caused many members of the pack to raise an eyebrow. The bold red mark was in such a visible place that it was considered very risqué and even Levi had had his doubts when Eren had told him that's where he wanted it.

"Are you sure about that brat? You know it's going to make a few people unhappy."

"I don't care." Eren had proudly declared with a wide smile on his face. "I don't want to hide anymore, Levi, we've been doing it for so long now and I'm sick of it. I didn't think that we would ever get to be mates and I'm so fucking proud of it. Why wouldn't I show it off?"

Levi had been wary but he couldn't deny Eren's logic. There was also a large purring part of him that loved seeing his mark on Eren wherever they went. Anyone who saw Eren's neck would know that he was taken and his new favourite thing was to slowly drag his fingers across the scarred skin and feel the indents of his own teeth. He too had wanted to proudly show off his mark but he had asked Eren to mark the inside of his left wrist with his human teeth instead, making his mark much smaller and softer in comparison. It may not have been as daring but he loved it all the same. He loved the fact that, whenever he was having a bad day and feeling particularly grumpy, he could just pull back his sleeve and glance down at his wrist to make himself feel better. The pinkish-red teeth marks were like a bracelet on his thin blue veins and it gave him a warm feeling in his chest that he had never had before. He had never felt this loved before.

Everyone in camp noticed how over time, Levi had become a little softer around the edges. Most of the camp, who had at first been nervous around him, soon started to smile at him in greeting when he passed and Hanji was being far more affectionate with him than she had ever dared before.

"Look at you, you're like a big teddy bear now!" She had said once after the mating ceremony as she had ruffled his hair and almost jumped on him with one of her bear hugs. "See? If I had done this before, you would have murdered me!"

"Be careful what you wish for." Levi had growled back at her but both of them had known his heart wasn't really in it. Although he was still widely considered a bit of a grump and people knew not to antagonise him, Levi had noticed a big difference in himself. It felt like a great stone weight had been taken off of him and his chest was suddenly light as a cloud. He smiled more now, even if it was just a smirk at Jean when he was training and he didn't feel the need to wander away from camp and be isolated like he had before. His pack no longer felt like a restricting cage closing in around him and he knew deep down that he hadn't been this happy in years, not since the days when he had been living in the forest with his mother and his friends. What made it even sweeter was seeing just how happy Hanji also was in their new pack. She had proved herself essential in the first few days after the battle as a doctor and in the few months afterwards, she had quickly become the second person you went to in camp if you had a problem, after Armin. She was always willing to listen, always had some kind of treat on her person for the children of the camp and, even though some of her solutions were a little bat-shit insane, people soon grew to rely on her. She was especially popular with those who wanted someone to talk to about their experiences in the Battle of Maria and before long, she was the camp's unofficial therapist. She had also been instrumental in helping Levi become more accepted in the pack. After all, if he was Hanji's best friend, people reasoned, he couldn't be that bad after all.

The Rose pack soon began to thrive and, in what seemed like almost no time at all, it was suddenly January again. The air was very different from the air of the previous anxious and battle-soaked summer. The camp was much more assured, much more confident in its presence and that new contentment was obvious one cold evening as the camp settled in for the night. The sky was a chilly icy blue that was slowly fading into an even colder night but, as most of the camp went inside their log cabins to warm up, one couple sat on the steps outside their own home, looking up at the tiny glittering dots of stars that were starting to emerge. Eren had his head resting on Levi's bony shoulder and the older man's cloak, long since removed of its Survey Corps insignia, was draped around their shoulders. It was peaceful and quiet and both of them were softly smiling.

"Can you believe it's been a year?" Eren said, his breath warming the skin under Levi's chin. "It feels like forever ago now."

"I know what you mean." Levi replied with a chuckle, placing his hand over Eren's and squeezing it tightly. "So much has happened but it feels like yesterday sometimes." His eyes glanced over at Eren's smiling face and he smirked at him. "Do you remember what happened when we met? I told you off and you nearly shit your pants."

"I did not!" Eren's head shot up indignantly as he pouted at him. "You were just being mean, scaring me like that. I genuinely thought you were going to kill me when I saw you were Survey Corps."

"Like I would have wasted good blades on you." Levi laughed as Eren shoved him but he was quickly forgiven as he hugged his mate closer and nuzzled his head into his soft brown curls. "Still, I can remember just how annoying you were. After you realised I wasn't going to cut your head off, you wouldn't leave me alone."

"And aren't you glad I didn't?" Eren grinned back at him. "I remember you teaching me how to skim stones on the lake and how grumpy you were when I didn't get it right."

"Well, you were shit at it."

"I got better!"

"Only after I showed you how."

"You're unbelievable." Eren sighed as the two of them cuddled closer, a united front against the cold air. There was a small pause before Eren spoke again, his voice wistful. "I really miss that lake. The beach, the water, the trees, that patch of wildflowers…"

"Oh, I'm sure you miss those flowers." Levi said with a sly smile as he poked a smirking Eren in the side. "But I know what you mean. That spot was my safe haven for a really long time and then, it became ours. It holds a lot of happy memories…" He sighed. "I do wish sometimes that we could go back there, just once."

"Well, why don't we?"

"Is that even a question?" Levi stared at him with one eyebrow raised. Eren was looking eagerly back at him with a spark in his green eyes, something that Levi instinctively knew was dangerous. "You can't be serious."

"Why not?"

"Because that would be stupid. That lake is not only miles away, it's right in the middle of Survey Corps territory! Have you forgotten we are both practically public enemy number one over there? I killed their leader and you caused me to defect! If we got caught, who knows what terrible things they would do to us?"

"But we won't get caught!" Eren insisted. "You said it yourself Levi, their forces are dwindling and what is left is at breaking point. They can't patrol their entire territory, especially at night in the middle of winter. No one else in your old pack considers that place special, so why would there be anyone guarding it? Plus, if we were in our wolf forms, we could run there now and be back by morning easily." He was beaming now, his eyes glowing like emeralds under sunlight and Levi was finding it very difficult to come up with excuses. God, why could he never say no to those fucking eyes…

"Your sister would kill us if she found out."

"She never needs to know. And it would only be this once." Eren pressed himself against Levi's side, holding him tightly in his arms and giving him his best pouting face. "Please Levi? For our anniversary?"

Levi deeply sighed. He could already tell this was a battle he was going to lose. If he were being honest, there was a part of him that also wanted to return to the lake. It hadn't seen it for months now and he always felt a little bit of an ache when he thought about it. He knew Eren could feel it too and was using it against him but it was all too easy to let his own want creep in.

"Alright. But we need to be quick. I'm not having Mikasa cut me to pieces and use me as bunting just because you wanted to be sentimental."

"I knew you'd see it my way." Eren grinned unashamedly as he stood up, hauling Levi up with him so he could plant a kiss on his cheek. Levi pretended to try and push him away but he could tell from Eren's giant grin that he wasn't fooling anyone.

"OK brat, come on. If we're really going to do this, we need to head out now."

Eren nodded excitedly as he reached for Levi's hand and the two strolled off towards the forest. To everyone else, they looked like they were merely going for an evening stroll and no one even blinked as they headed through the camp and entered the woods. The moment they were deep enough into the trees, they both transformed into their wolf forms and set off, Eren howling with excitement as he did so.

"Will you be quiet? You'll get us caught!" Levi had snapped at him but he could feel the same thrill deep in his own chest. The element of risk had been absent in his life for the last few months and he hadn't realised how much he had missed it. They both ran like they were trying to keep up with the wind, spurring the other on as they raced through the trees. They were moving so quickly that it didn't take them long to reach familiar territory and they both slowed down as they took in the landscape they hadn't seen in months. Levi could feel Eren's excitement waning and his own exhilaration was beginning to wear off too. Even though the forest was familiar, there was something new and dark about it now that it was forbidden to them and Levi didn't like it one bit. It hung in the air like a bad smell and the shadows seemed to stick around them like molasses, ready to trap them both inside its clutches.

"Maybe we should head back." He suggested, suddenly feeling like the dark forest was closing in on him. "There's still plenty of time for us to get back and have no one realise we were gone…"

"But we are so close now! I can feel it!" Eren looked at him beseechingly, like a puppy who had just been kicked. "Let's jut try a little bit further… if we don't find it or we run into someone, I promise you we'll turn around."

Levi grunted but the two of them continued pressing forwards, Levi sticking close to Eren's side like he was waiting for something to jump out of the shadows at them. However, the night was almost silent around them and they didn't even hear the sounds of animals as they moved through the forest. It was so quiet that when Eren gave a sudden yap of surprise, Levi nearly jumped up into the nearest tree and, when he realised that there was no threat and Eren's tail was wagging, he swore very loudly.

"Fucking hell Eren! Are you trying to give me a heart attack!?"

"Levi, look!" Eren's eyes were glowing as he jabbed at the dirt path in front of him. He was so excited that he was almost bouncing on all four of his paws and Levi could feel it in his own chest, like there were thousands of butterflies swooping around inside his ribcage. "That's the path I used to take! I'd know it any day! If we follow it, we'll get to the lake! We found it!"

Eren suddenly bounded ahead and Levi had to run to keep up with him as he sped down the path, running like the lake would disappear if he didn't get to it fast enough. "Be careful!" He snapped at him as he was still keeping a careful watch on the trees around them but he couldn't deny that he was just as excited to see the lake as Eren was. It held so many positive memories for him, not just from his relationship with Eren but from his whole time as a member of the Survey Corps and there was a part of him that worried that it wouldn't be the same. What if the magic had gone? What if the Survey Corps, knowing it was the place associated with their packs biggest traitor, had done something to it? What if he saw the beach and the water and felt nothing? What if it was completely destroyed? Would he be able to hide his disappointment? He didn't think it was likely; from the way he could feel Eren's own eager heartbeat almost beating alongside his own deep in his chest, there wasn't much chance that he could conceal his own negative emotions. Damn it, he thought whilst gritting his teeth. I really hope this is all worth it.

Then, out of seemingly nowhere, Eren came to a halt that was so abrupt, his claws had to dug themselves into the mud to stop his face from diving into the ground and his paws left long trenches in the dirt. Levi, who had been keeping his eyes on the darkness around them, nearly crashing into his back and he only avoided an accident by swerving to the side and falling into a patch of grass. After crash-landing, he jerked himself back upright, with blades of grass sticking out of his mouth and mud smeared into his fur. He turned back at a dumbstruck Eren and glared at him furiously.

"What the fuck was that?! You could have at least warned me!"

"Levi, look… we made it. We're really here."

Levi turned his head and all of the angry words he had been holding back slipped away from his mind as he stared at the scene in front of him. To his delight and relief, the lake was exactly as he remembered, exactly as he had last left it. The curved beach that hugged the edge of the water was still as smooth as perfect as ever and the rocks he had used to sit on were still in place, standing by the water's edge like a guardian watching over it. The trees around them were untouched and there was no sign that anyone else had been there for months. It was like a small forgotten oasis in the forest and Levi got the strangest sense that the place had been waiting for them to return, like it knew they one day would. You're getting sentimental, you old bastard, he told himself firmly, but he still couldn't shake the feeling away. Eren seemed to feel the exact same way as he slowly stepped forwards onto the beach like he was walking into a church, his movements slow and hushed like he was scared to disturb it.

"This is amazing." He breathed out, transforming back into his human form as he turned back to Levi and grinned. "It doesn't look like anyone else is here."

"We don't know that yet." Levi said but he could feel his initial wariness beginning to fade away as he also transformed and walked across the beach. He was surprised to find that the lake was having the same calming effect on him, even after all this time, and he was smiling as he ran a hand over the round surface of the rocks, just for old time's sake. Beside him, Eren couldn't keep still; his eyes were round and wide like a child's as they drank in everything around him and he was practically spinning on the spot as he tried to look everywhere at once.

"I can't believe it still looks exactly the same."

"It's a lake Eren, they don't tend to disappear overnight."

"I know that! It's just I expected the Survey Corps to have done something to this place. I thought maybe after what happened…"

Both of them went quiet as they recalled what had happened the last time they were both there. Eren had arrived at the lakeside expecting to see Levi, only to be met by two of Erwin's hulking guards that had knocked him out and dragged him back to their camp to be tortured. Levi then had spent ages waiting by the lake impatiently, not realising that Eren was in the heart of his own camp being whipped until his back was just a mass of blood. The memories of that night still made Levi feel sick and a shudder passed through Eren's body as he stepped closer to his mate like he was seeking protection. Levi pulled him into a hug and they stayed like that for a long moment, just swaying in each other's arms and thinking about what might have been. It felt like hours before Eren pulled away slightly, just enough to rest his forehead on Levi's and sigh.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine brat." Levi answered with a rough voice. "I guess it feels a little weird being back. It feels like no time has passed since we were last here but at the same time, so much has changed."

"I know what you mean." Eren said with a chuckle. "It feels like we're such different people now. But it's nice, in a strange way." His eyes darted to the spot just behind Levi's head and he ginned again. "I can still picture you sitting grumpily on the top of that rock when I was trying to get your attention. Your face was so funny, I really thought you were going to explode with irritation at one point."

"Look at you using big words." Levi replied snarkily before Eren untangling himself from their tight hug to give him a playful shove. "I know what you mean. Over there was where I first saw you, staring at the water like a gormless idiot-"

"Hey!"

"And over there," Levi continued smoothly, turning to point at the spot where the large rock met the sand of the beach. "Is where we had our first kiss."

"I remember." Eren said, hugging Levi from behind and burying his face in his hair. "I don't think I've ever seen you so lost for words."

"You certainly weren't." Levi said and the two of them laughed before Eren squeezed him tightly again and sighed.

"You know, when I was back in camp doing my jobs and waiting to see you again, I used to daydream about us having our mating ceremony on this beach."

"You did?"

"Yeah." Eren replied wistfully. "I'm not saying that ours wasn't great, I wouldn't change a thing about it, but I always used to think that if we could have done it at any spot in the world, I would have wanted it here. Think about how romantic that would have been, us getting mated in the place where we first met."

"Hmmm." Levi leaned his head back so that it was resting against Eren's shoulder. "That would have been nice. It could never have happened with all the tensions still in our old packs and whatever but it's a nice thought."

The two of them were quiet for a few seconds, just staring out over the water, when Eren's head suddenly jerked up as he was struck with an idea.

"Wait there!"

"What?" Levi could only stare as Eren unwrapped his arms from around his shoulders and bolted to the other side of the beach with the energy of a hyper puppy. He disappeared into the undergrowth and Levi could hear him running around and grinning like a fool as he continued to gaze at the water. The surface was so still that it looked like a mirror, reflecting the moon and stars above them and he could have stared at it for hours. A few minutes went by and, just at the point when Levi was getting worried and thought he should start to look for his mate, Eren emerged from behind the rocks and trees with a giant grin on his shining face and an armful of wildflowers.

"Look!" He beamed, almost jumping up and down in his excitement. "The flowers are all still there, they're a bit overgrown but I got all of these. We could have our own ceremony here, just the two of us! It'll be our own little vow renewal!"

Levi looked back at the horizon with a frown. In the distance, the inky night sky was already starting to fade above the treetops as dawn was slowly approaching. "I think we might have to leave soon Eren… it's going to be light in a couple of hours and if we're not back in camp, people will think something is up…"

"They won't miss us for a while yet!" Eren insisted, pleading with the biggest saddest eyes he could muster. "If they do, we can just say we had a morning walk in the woods, they won't suspect a thing. Please Levi… this might be our only chance of getting to do something like this… and here too, at the lake where we first met…"

He looked so pleased with himself and so excited at the prospect that Levi couldn't have said no if he tried. "OK fine." He sighed as Eren whooped loudly and rushed over to lead him to the water's edge. "But be quiet! I don't want the Survey Corps to hear you and swarm the place."

"Sorry." Eren said but he was smiling too much for it to sound sincere. Taking both of Levi's hands, he positioned them so that they were facing each other right at the edge of the lake, so close that the water was almost kissing their boots. He laid the wildflowers at their feet, taking a few of them and gently crushing them so that the petals fell loosely into his hand. He then straightened up and faced his mate, his green eyes dazzling in the meagre light.

"OK, I'll start." He said, his voice sounding nervous just like it had at their original mating ceremony. "Levi, when I first met you, I didn't know much about the world. I had never been outside the territory of the Maria pack and I had been sheltered for so long, without fully realising it. I was young, I was stubborn and I was desperate for adventure and when I first escaped my camp and found myself here, I didn't realise just what an adventure I would have when I met you. You changed everything that I thought I knew and challenged me every single day. Under normal circumstances, we never would have met but I'm so glad we did. I still truly believe that it was fate that guided me here, to this lake, to your side, and I could not be happier and more thankful for it. I love you so much Levi and tonight, under this moon and by this lake, I vow to be always by your side and always yours."

After speaking those words, he held his hand up and sprinkled the flower petals over his head. Levi caught a sniff of their floral scent as they softly brushed his skin and fell into his hair like confetti. He had to gruffly hold back tears as he continued to look up at Eren's face with an expression akin to reverence. In that moment, it didn't seem real that this man, this sweet gentle man with a heart of gold and eyes like gemstones, was really his mate. It didn't seem real that this man loved him as much as he did and he didn't feel like he deserved it. He felt like a bitter old fool most of the time, stuck in the mud of the past and all the things he had done, but somehow, Eren, the mate he had never thought he would ever meet, thought that he was so much more than that, someone who was truly worthy of love. And sometimes, he even made him believe it himself.

"Here." Eren pressed some more flower petals in Levi's hand and he was suddenly lost for words. What could he say after that? He was sure any words he could come up with would sound stiff and unfeeling compared to Eren's but he knew he had to try. Eren was looking at him like he held the moon and the stars in his hands and so, still fighting to keep his emotions at the back of his throat, Levi started to speak.

"So… brat. I honestly can't believe it's been a year since we first met. It feels somehow like you've always been in my life, like I've always had you there to annoy me or make me smile. There have been a lot of times in my past where I felt like I would never find happiness, like I wasn't worthy of it. I had my life as an outsider, as a soldier and then as a member of the Survey Corps. I thought I was content with my lot, I thought I didn't need anything else until you came stumbling onto this beach. You came crashing into my life and I couldn't be more grateful for it. You made me take risks, you made me question everything I thought I knew and you showed me a happiness I didn't think was possible for me. This last year has made me feel freer than I have in ages and it's all because of you. I don't think I could ever show you how thankful I am and so, you'll just have to be content with me loving you for the rest of our lives. I vow to you that I will always be there for you and I will never stop adoring you. You are my forever."

Tears were pooling in Eren's eyes as Levi gently tipped flower petals over his head, letting them get caught in his mop of brown hair. As they cascaded over his skin, he pulled Levi close and kissed him like they were about to be forced apart all over again. Levi wrapped his own arms around him and for a few precious moments, time seemed to stop all over again, just like it had at their first ceremony. When they finally drew apart, both of them were crying and Eren had to giggle as Levi wiped his tears away with the corner of his cloak.

"I didn't know you had that in you, you old sap."

"Shut up." Levi smiled as Eren pulled him into another embrace and he buried his head in Eren's warm chest to hide more tears. The idea that he could have spent the rest of his life without knowing Eren and what this love felt like was almost too painful to bear and he had to hold him tighter to force it away. God, I am never going to take this for granted, he thought. I am never going to let myself forget how fucking lucky I am.

"Levi…" Eren said suddenly, his voice soft and muffled by their embrace. "I think it's starting to get light now. Should we head back?"

Levi lifted his head for a moment to stare at the slowly emerging peach sky before promptly letting it fall back down. "Probably. But… let's just have a few more minutes."

"Alright." Eren beamed happily as he held him even closer. The sun was slowly beginning to rise and he knew with every minute, he was getting closer to a loud telling off from Mikasa but he didn't really care. He found himself thinking back to that night when he had first escaped from camp, frustration ringing in his ears, and he had started to run, with nothing but wild energy and a need for adventure catapulting him forwards. If he had known what was going to happen, if he knew the events his one action would spark, would he do it all again?

He opened his eyes to glance down at the content man in his arms and all he could do was grin down at him. As they stood there by the lake, their boots now almost in the water and with the dawn almost over their heads, he knew the answer would always be yes. If he had the opportunity to pick Levi and their new pack, every single time the answer would be yes.

Every single time.

)))

I can't believe it, it's finished!

Honestly, I'm so happy that I got to finally write the ending that I've always imagined. 2020 has been a shitty year but at least I got this small thing done. I can really relate to this as I do feel like such a different person now to when I first started this. God, I was full of hope...

Anyway, I want to say a final thank you to everyone who is reading this. Every review and every favourite and follow brought this story just a little closer to completion and I never would have done it without so much encouragement. I hope it was everything you wanted and that you enjoyed it just as much as I did. I wish I could thank you all personally and please leave a comment if you want to let me know what you think!

Have a great rest of the year and bring on the next!