Art was not one of Historia's strengths after being a big reader growing up. But she stared admiringly at the ink-splotched paper before her, proud of her creation. She still couldn't believe that Mikasa was willing to help her do this after what she put her through over a year ago. What Levi did to put her through too. And everybody else.

The two women were seated at the kitchen table in Historia's country residence on a sunny spring afternoon, about a year after the Battle of Heaven and Earth. The tea kettle steamed and screeched to be removed from the stove. Mikasa was not one for tea, but any sense of normalcy in a quiet home was welcome to her after years of battle, and one that Historia herself had to adjust to much sooner than she expected with a child. Mikasa picked up the kettle and poured some tea for them both. She peered at the drawing.

"It looks rather complex, but I think I can do it."

"Good. I'd like you to do it rather than Kiyomi."

One of Historia's first orders as Queen was to provide protections to the family members of the Alliance after they fought hard and won the Battle of Heaven and Earth. The rest of the island didn't owe them anything with the predicament they faced as a people with the rest of the world that survived, but she didn't care. They were her friends. They hadn't been able to save her first love from training days all those years ago, but her second love still had a fighting chance across the sea to be reunited with her one day. And their child.

One year old Ymir Zoe Reiss was fast asleep in her crib in the adjoining living room. She was becoming quite a talker, unlike her father, and she loved toddling on her fat little legs through the mud and dirt. Her eyes were from her father though, that same intense gaze that could pierce your soul so coldly yet deeply. Historia loved her with all her heart as her pride and joy, the only thing keeping her up and alive other than Mikasa's company.

Even if Mikasa had wanted to throttle her for her silence, her complacency in this when Hizuru rescued her and brought her back, she would still have protected her anyways. They were both women of strong royal lineages- among the last few in the bloodstained world. They needed to stay strong and alive for their own sake and their lovers- and their memories of them, dead and alive. And they could do this together, because while very distant, they were relatives now.

"I wouldn't be bothered to ask Kiyomi in the first place. During some lessons, she was already trying to convince me to become an ambassador for the remnants of Hizuru at the first global conference after the Battle. I'm not going to be used as her puppet."

Historia only nodded and didn't reply. Some things never changed. Her royal blood had always made her one. Even now, the Jaegerist Military demanded her to take action at their disposal so they could be bigger, stronger, and faster than everybody else, all to survive. She would allow that only on her terms with the aid of her hand selected aids who work closely with her in secret against the regime.

These selected few knew the truth about her child's lineage. It had been the same prior under the old regime with Nile Dok as MP Commander. The lengths he took to protect her and her child from being turned into a Titan were not a very rational course of action, but something had opened that snobby rationalist's heart knowing that it was Levi's child. Maybe it was his relationship with Erwin from years ago that Levi wrote about in one of his letters. Sadly, even that had been his downfall in the end. He was confirmed to be one of the wine drinkers who turned into an ugly monster instead of her, although if she had been close enough in range, the consequence of her drinking with Levi that night at the banquet ten months prior to the Battle would have killed her ahead of time. All for the sake of some momentary pleasure with the man who loved her.

"Of course not. She's still my tool whether she cares or not. The only reason anybody from Hizuru is still alive here is because of supplies and money. She's better off than Yelena now only because she wanted you to be kept alive above all else." That blonde bitch was sitting in a cell in a dark, cold cellar somewhere where Wall Sina used to be. The Jaegerist regime had spilled all kinds of truths about the Volunteers and the wine and just what Zeke intended to really do to them all and most of all, to her own child. Kiyomi was quickly cleared of all suspicion, but they were about to execute Yelena before Historia, while still weak from a strenuous birth, granted her loose clemency to keep her alive for her own sufferings. And sometimes, Historia liked to have some fun with her.

Even so, it was not enough to provide true peace inside. Millions died for her desire to live for herself for once. Eren knew this and used this to his full advantage. He had also known all along that something was going to happen that night. He just had to follow these memories he rambled to her about to see exactly what the outcome would be.

When he spoke to her several times before leaving for Marley, he found out after their first conversation that she was pregnant with Levi's child. She really was the worst girl in the world, now afraid at the prospect that their child would have to become an ugly monster after she did and breed like a cow. It was easier said at the Hizuru meeting than to be done in real life. There were too many outcomes to consider if she spoke up that could jeopardize her family. As for Levi, he already had to make a promise to the MPs in highest command to have no interaction with Historia as part of the coverup they all suffered for, so he had no way of finding out about this secret meeting, although in one of Levi's letters to her, he did reveal that Eren claimed to him on the airship journey back after Liberio that his own "secret plan" with Zeke was one they devised to save the island and save Historia and their child from being sacrificed.

Once long ago, Eren was the hope of their island. Not her, not Levi. Eren. They put their trust in him so many times to save humanity. They thought that there had to be another way, but that was just not what happened. It was Eren's way. And now, the island was saved and the Alliance members were allowed refuge in Marley, but at a great cost. All for a royal child who would not be able to become a Titan anyways due to having the Ackerman mutation preventing Titan transformation.

If the Founder could do anything and rewrite biology of Eldians, why couldn't they have used this power to maintain the partial Titan strength but remove the forsaken curse?

These were questions both Mikasa and Historia struggled with. Levi had been right that Eren would not bow to anyone or let others control him. He wanted to be free of the restraints put upon him since birth behind the long-gone Walls. But he wanted everybody else he cared for to be free too. And those memories. He hadn't comprehended it all when he spoke with Historia. It was only in Marley that he realized that he could change the future thanks to Mikasa and live his final years in peace. But his desires reigned to lash back at the world which caused him so much ire.

So much pain. So much loss. So much selfishness.

Yet now they stood here, comforting each other as family, the remnants of the Ackerman clan. Their bloodlines meant nothing now without the curse, though even more so once Historia learned from Mikasa just what her own ancestor, the Founder Ymir Fritz, suffered in her lifetime. She was the last of the direct line of descendents. As her blood would no longer be necessary for anything, she wished to fully be recognized as an Ackerman one day by marriage, although for now, that would be almost impossible. If the Jaegerists found out that Ymir's father was a traitor to the island….

Not wanting to think about that, Historia turned her attention to the tools Mikasa set out as if she had done this many times before. In truth, this was her first time tattooing another person. There had never been a moment when Mikasa had time to practice what her mother taught her before she died over ten years back. Mikasa mumbled something under her breath.

"Don't feel nervous. Levi and I aren't concerned with it being perfect. This is all for our daughter's sake so she has something to feel proud of and a way to know her father."

Mikasa smiled. "I know." She rubbed the bandage on her wrist. "It's not easy when this is going to be your first family tattoo. It becomes a part of your life and then your children's. It needs to mean something." She sighed. "Even if you don't know how or when it will mean anything."

Ymir screeched in her crib, drawing her mother's attention. She was already starting to have tantrums like older toddlers. But before Historia could make her way, Mikasa had already picked her up. Ymir blinked and giggled. She loved her "auntie" Mikasa. She pulled tightly on the scarf around Mikasa's neck, which Mikasa pushed away. She began to rock the toddler back to sleep.

"The World Excavation and Recovery administration is being financed by Hizuru for an excavation in your mother's ancestors' lands." Historia stated. "They may be able to find something of meaning for your own children."

Mikasa nodded slightly. "That would be nice, but my mother's home was always here. She only ever spoke about this mark she gave me. Maybe that's my purpose and reason." She gazed admiringly upon Ymir. The girl was so beautiful and peaceful when she was asleep. Her wavy blonde hair already grew down to her neck. She would have to learn the truth one day about why the world was so cruel and how she caused it, but for now, just her mere presence was enough for both women, a respite from the sadness and loveless human nature that existed.

Ymir was fast asleep and placed in her crib. Mikasa headed back to the table to review Historia's drawing.

"What type of flower is this?" She had grown up in a forest with all kinds of botanical life, but she had never seen this type before.

"Oh, didn't you know? This is a lilac, a kind of flower that grows on a vine. We had some imported from the Eastern nations for the railroad banquet. Aren't they lovely?" Historia's eyes glowed with a touch of sadness.

The railroad banquet. Of course. Mikasa urged her on.

"When Levi and I snuck off together, one of the first places we visited were the gardens. We were all alone. Neither of us had much experience with gardens, but the sweet scent…" Historia trailed off in nostalgia. " They were so lovely. I just wanted to sit there for hours. There aren't many flowers with the shade of purple on the island. I wanted to take some to the Orphanage for the children. I was about to ask Levi if we could find the botanist who brought them to us-" she started to laugh.

"What?"

"And… he just pulled out a damn knife from his waistcoat and cut some of the flowerheads for me to take with. How did he even sneak one in is my guess- I'll have to ask him in my next letter- but he really wanted me to take something home that night, some good memories before the treaty began. And look where I am now. Maybe we both felt a little too good." She nodded in the direction of her sleeping daughter.

Mikasa chuckled. Captain Levi Ackerman, stealing flowers for his lover. She had never pictured him with such a soft side. And she had never pictured him being so passionate and thus putting everyone in this mess. Maybe it was just fate. A year ago, she would have been too horrified with herself to even smile again after seeing the world trampled underfoot. Yet with the great atrocities inflicted upon her Eldian ancestors… they were still here. Alive. They had to keep on living.

"And this is why I would like to have some of this purple dye made from the same vine in our family tattoo." Historia pointed at a small bottle filled with a light purple liquid. "Kiyomi has taught you how to do coloring, right?"

"Just the most basic. It's enough of a pain that I only asked her to teach me how to tattoo just to keep my mind off of the Battle and everyone except for Eren because... I'm… I'm not going to forget him… no matter what he did to us." She grasped her wrist as she sniffled. Historia reached over to hug her.

"Mikasa… you are going to pass your mark to your children. No matter how much pain you carry or how many wounds were inflicted, you are going to carry on your family name. My first love Ymir would tell you the same. And Levi."

"Th-thank you, Historia," Mikasa returned an embrace. "And little Ymir is going to meet her father someday. Her father who helped get rid of the Titans for her, which is why she's going to live a long, proud life."

Historia's eyes brimmed with tears. "Here, now. Let's start, shall we?"

After some painful strikes from the mallet, some breaks to tend to Ymir, and many hours later, the tattoo of the lilac on Historia's wrist was finished. The wound still stung, but it was perfect to Historia, no matter how much Mikasa would apologize for how disorganized it looked. The purple dye made it shine. The women gazed proudly upon their creation.

"There now. Do you want to wear a bandage to conceal it?"

Historia shook her head. "No. It's going to be my open secret. Nobody will fully understand it but us. If this is how I can live a life I am proud of with the world situation, I'll take it. But Mikasa… I want you to have this tattoo too."

She cocked her head."Didn't you just want this for you and Levi?"

"I did. But Levi won't mind. We are still a perfect match, after all." Historia fist-bumped Mikasa lightly in the stomach. Oh, to go back to one of the last happy days before true intentions behind dark curtains began to shine. "Always will be."

"Historia…." Mikasa mumbled fondly. "Alright. I will want to keep it a secret for me though." She looked at her bandaged right wrist. "I'll want it on my left wrist. I'll guide you through it."

Historia's eyes widened. "What? You want me to do it? But I don't know how!"

"Hey. You said it didn't have to be perfect as long as it was something to feel proud of." Her gaze was intense, just like Levi's, and her voice was steady like his. She really was family.

"Oh, alright. I'll try not to break your wrist with the mallet," she joked.

"You sound just like him." Mikasa rolled up her left sleeve and guided Historia using her right hand. She tried not to flinch when Historia struck too deep and praised her for her handiwork even if it was a bit sloppy. The hours passed by into the evening. Ymir was asleep for the night, and both women now proudly bore the new Ackerman family tattoo.

"There," Mikasa said, "our clan now has a symbol." She dug out a roll of bandages from the kitchen drawer and wrapped it around her left wrist to match the one on the right.

"Thank you, Mikasa," Historia said gratuitously. "Now we need to get this picture mailed."

…

A couple of weeks later, Historia's drawing was on Levi's apartment desk, freshly unfolded from the envelope. He didn't mind the crinkles in the paper, just like how Historia didn't mind how malformed he now looked in the pictures he exchanged with her due to his injuries. It was still something beautiful.

His apartment in Marley was small and suitable enough for him, but damn it. It just wasn't where he belonged. Nowhere really wanted to take him in, but this is where he was for now. At his desk, he read the accompanying letter. It all brought him back to almost two years prior to this.

She was so beautiful in her gown that brought out her round blue eyes, the image of a perfect woman. The evening was a bit chilly, so she donned Levi's own evening coat to keep warm. Neither of them felt a touch of sorrow or fear together despite the implications of the Hizuru treaty coming up and the pain of their own losses over Ymir and Erwin. It was that garden that brought them peace. They sat together for some time, admiring the scent before Historia spoke up.

"The lilacs are so beautiful. The children would love to see one of these. They are just starting to learn about people and things outside the Walls. Do you think we should ask if we can get some?"

"Tch. They're not going to spend all this money to bring flowers across the sea in waters in war stricken areas just to let some children see them."

Her eyes saddened. "I know."

"So we'll just have to take some for ourselves."

"Do you want me to find the botanist?" But before she could await a response, Levi had drawn out a knife from his waistcoat. Most of the MPs would have found him insane for keeping one on him in the presence of their Queen, and Historia almost felt the same. But then she started laughing, a glorious sound.

"Levi, what are you doing?" He was snipping some clusters of the purple vine flower down. If anybody was watching, they would be in trouble, but damn if he cared. She was his Queen. He just couldn't bring himself to refuse a request.

"Weren't you listening? I said we're taking some for ourselves." He handed her two clusters to hold. "Don't worry, they don't have thorns." Historia looked upon him in awe.

He began to cut a third cluster up when she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. Why did she always have this habit of kissing him when he was in the middle of something requiring the finest concentration? He flinched, and the knife nicked his palm. A faint line of blood painted his hand. He frowned.

Historia blushed, apologizing profusely, and dug out a handkerchief to control the bleeding.

"Just couldn't contain your excitement, couldn't you?" He dabbed his hand into the fine cloth until his wound started to clot. Then he finished the job cutting the third cluster. "But it's worth it for you." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips.

It was worth it after all. He still had something to live for, the two of them across the sea. Historia and Ymir were his only consolation now. Visits from the other Alliance members helped him on his darker days when considering how his own child put them into this situation, yet it was not the same as looking into the eyes of the little girl who had his features.

He still had nightmares about the explosion, all the people being trampled to death below the feet of many Titans as he stood by, unable to do anything. He couldn't stand to be by loud noises- difficult for a bustling city- and he could never help but feel a twinge of sadness seeing young children with their parents outside.

Yet now, he had something else to carry on him until the day they could be together again- not just with Historia and Ymir, but also Mikasa. And them, all those fallen before him that he dedicated his heart to. Just a small moment that gave meaning to why the world was the way it was now. It was so cruel, yet it gave birth to something special, just for him.

His good eye began to brim with tears. He turned away from the drawing to avoid soaking it. He had to keep this safe. He'd have to get Onyonkopon's help to find a place that would do ink tattoos around here. He wasn't going to live in sadness with regrets piling up like corpses. He was going to live on for the sake of others he loved so dearly.

And maybe one day, the Ackerman clan would be together again.