And after the coronation was carried out, and the whole world cheered for their new Queen, the kids hurried right away to meet Historia back in the palace. Nathalie couldn't help it. She had to go there too. Levi nodded and joined her before the both of them set off to catch up to their brats. They found Historia inside. She had finally taken off the heavy silky clothes. She had untied the heavy bun and she had taken the crown off her head. Her golden hair, finally set loose.

When Levi and Nathalie got there, Historia was walking in full confidence towards their direction whilst the kids followed her from behind. She heard Eren's voice asking surprised.

"Wait! You're actually doing it?! For real?!"

"Yeah, I am," Historia said determinedly.

"C'mon! It was just a joke!" Eren said and then he turned at Mikasa. "Right, Mikasa?"

"After you've smacked him, you should tell him this: I dare you to hit me back," Mikasa said.

"Real helpful," Eren said sarcastically.

Everybody was smiling and Nathalie with Levi had almost caught the entire conversation as they waited for their brats to reach them.

"It's not a serious grudge, let it go!" Eren said worriedly. Of course, he'd be worried. After getting so thoroughly beaten by Levi, and so many times.

"If I can't even do this, then how can I call myself a Queen?" Historia asked.

"That's the spirit," Jean smirked. "Pound that rant!"

They finally reached Levi and Nathalie who were both standing at the end of the hall. Levi's hands were tucked in the pockets of his green, Survey Corps trench coat. Nathalie was wearing one of her own. But just seeing Levi, and that dead serious, frightening look on his face that scared everyone, it made Historia hesitate. Nathalie remembered it clearly. "Once you're Queen, you can punch that smug rat right in the face," Mikasa's words from before the fight with Rod Reiss's titan. And of course, Levi had heard it too.

Historia let out a large cry, as she finally mustered the courage to do it. She launched her attack towards her former Captain, and she punched him with all the strength that she had right on his hand. Of course, Historia's punch did him nothing, but Nathalie started laughing.

"That's my girl!"

The serious look on Levi's face scared everyone. And the fact that he didn't say anything, it scared them even more. But Nathalie snuck behind Historia and she passed her hands around the girl in a hug from behind. Historia's one hand found Nathalie's and the other pointed at Levi.

"Did that hurt?! Well too bad, cause I'm Queen now!" Historia cried out. "And as your Queen, I promise you: if you ever hurt Nat, I will personally make sure that you're beheaded…"

"Hell yeah!" Connie cried out and Nathalie's eyes widened. Oh dear.

"…so, if you have a problem-"

But then something cut her. Levi laughed. Levi… laughed. Those two words should be never put into the same sentence. But this time… Levi laughed. Nathalie's eyes widened and the kids gasped in surprise and they took a step back. That was even more terrifying than having him beating them up.

Aw, but Levi would never do that. They were his brats. He'd give his life for them. He'd give it all. And now, he gave them a smile. The largest smile that Nathalie had ever seen on his lips. She literally wanted to pull him into a tight hug and squeeze him to death.

"Thanks, you guys," He said. "I needed that,"

"Aww, sweetie," Nathalie approached him, placing a hand on her husband's chest. "If you needed a punch and a threat on your life to give us such smile, you only had to ask," She said teasingly. Levi's smile turned into a frown. He shot her a glare and the kids started laughing.

●▬▬▬▬▬๑۩۞۩๑▬▬▬▬▬●

The kids had practically begged to stay. The celebrations and the food that was offered, was enough to attract lots of people. There was lots of alcohol being served, and most importantly, lots of meat. Levi was about to say no and drag his brats back into training, but Nathalie jumped in and said yes. You guys go have some fun! And the kids had disappeared out of sight, before Levi even had the chance to part his lips and object. He just frowned in the end. No matter how much control he tried to have over her, he could never bring Nathalie down. Ever. The strongest woman he had ever known she was.

Night came quickly. Hange was all around flirting with whoever she could find. Men, women, it's all the same. Moblit was chasing after her, making sure she wasn't going to do anything stupid. Or just making sure she wasn't going to sleep with anybody tonight. Connie and Sasha were too busy attacking the buffet. Jean, Armin, Eren and Mikasa were talking with Historia, after Historia tried her best to talk with all the people that had crowded her the moment she walked out. There were lots of soldiers scattered around, making sure to keep their Queen safe.

Nathalie had no idea where Levi was. She had tried looking around for him, but she just ended up grabbing a beer and staring at the couples that danced at the rhythm of the music that the orchestra played. That music must've been a number of traditional waltzes. Nathalie recognised they were waltzes from the beat of three quarters. She barely knew anything on music, but she had gotten her hands on a lot of music books and of course she had absorbed all the knowledge she could get. Most of their previous HQs held large libraries, and she never missed the chance to get all the knowledge that she could.

Nathalie had no idea why she liked reading so much. She could sit for hours and hours, just allowing a book to take her far and far away from reality. Not that she was complaining about her reality. She'd never complain. She had a good life. She was married to a wonderful husband. She had her brats and she could see them right now running all around and having fun.

The sky was clear. The stars shined bright above. The chattering of people dancing and laughing and having fun reached her ears. Nathalie just stared at the couples as they danced to the sounds that the orchestra played and they enjoyed each other's company.

Nathalie had taken off the trench coat, and she was in her black skirt and her white shirt and she just stared around her and enjoyed the music. It wasn't a frequent occasion being able to listen to music. It soothed her. Her eyes snapped open when she felt an all too familiar hand slipping around her waist possessively. She looked up and she saw Levi. Nathalie felt instant relief from just the thought of him being there. A smile spread across her lips.

"Where have you been?" She asked, almost complainingly. He leaned in, greeting her with a soft kiss on her forehead that made her sigh.

"Historia wanted to talk. She wants to open orphanages and she needs our help to spot and obtain the orphans living in the Underground," Levi explained.

Her face brightened. Her hands reached for his black jacket. He had taken off his trench coat too. "That's a wonderful idea!" She grinned. "I know some pretty good places to look at,"

"Me too," The one corner of his lips slightly curled up.

Levi's hands slipped around her waist and he brought her close. Nathalie's hands slipped around his shoulders and she buried her face in his neck. He knew she'd like the idea. Just the thought of watching her taking care of little children was enough to spread an incredible warmth beneath his chest. Still, he was only gone for just a few minutes, and he had already missed her. He noticed her as she closed her eyes and she snuggled closer to him, letting him know that she had missed him too. He sighed. They were both so damn in need of each other. What was he going to do without her?

A moment without her… that moment was never going come. They were married now. She was his, and everybody knew that. "I saw you staring at the couples…" Levi looked up at the people who danced in the beat of the music. She was indeed staring at them before he got there. She probably wanted to dance. She was probably waiting for him. "…wanna dance?"

Nathalie pulled back. Cheeks flushed in bright red. "I- I- I'm not sure I know how to -not to mention I'll probably step on your toes way too many times!"

It was the exact reaction that he expected from her. His Nathalie never quite believed in herself. Always so insecure. But he was always there to change that. He cupped her cheek. A rough thumb brushed warm across her soft skin.

"And do you think that'll hurt me?" Levi raised an eyebrow.

"I- w- well, I do wear heels…" She knew her efforts to avoid a dance were going to be useless. If Levi wanted to dance, then that's what they were going to do. It wasn't fair, and she knew it, but she knew that would come along when she married him. She didn't mind. She didn't mind at all actually. She had succumbed to him, utterly and willingly.

Levi only leaned closer. His hands tightened around her. The tip of his nose brushed gently on her own. His breath met her lips. Those beautiful, sharp, grey eyes caught her own and she forgot immediately what she was trying to say. Her Captain. Her husband. So damn captivating. So perfect. She was nowhere near that. She didn't regret succumbing to him one bit.

"Mrs. Ackerman," Levi leaned closer till he started dragging his lips from her cheek, to her cheekbone, to her chin. "I married you yesterday…" His lips ghosted above her own. "…I owe you a dance,"

She was so beautiful. When they left HQ in the morning, and he saw her in that black skirt that reached her ankles, the white buttoned shirt that was stuffed beneath. Her brown, short hair, that for once weren't a mess and they were tucked in waves, one of which landed on the right side of her forehead. Her lips, painted in red. The only trace of makeup that she would ever put on her face. He wanted to smear the colour off her lips with his own, but he knew she wouldn't appreciate that. Not in front of all these people. But she was perfect. Just perfect. All the men were staring at her and it only made him tighten his arms around her. Mine.

Her lips were still parted, but she didn't say what she had in mind. Just one look at him was enough to enslave her. "Alright then, I'll offer you this one dance, Mr. Ackerman,"

A small smirk spread upon his lips. His hand reached for her own. She let her fingers sink in his. He pressed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. Eyes remained locked. "You'll offer me all your dances, Mrs. Ackerman," He said, and he wasn't taking a no for an answer. She wasn't getting a say in this. It wasn't a question. It wasn't a request. It was an order. One that she was more than willing to comply.

He held her hand in his own. The other arm remained tight around her waist, and her free hand rested on his shoulder. He walked forwards and she walked backwards, allowing him to guide her with the rest of the couples.

The next piece was slow and Nathalie thanked the heavens for that. It wasn't a waltz, because if it was, she'd step on his toes way too many times and she'd probably ridicule herself in front of all those people. Who am I kidding? She knew how to dance. Nobody had ever taught her, but she knew, just like how she knew writing and reading. But she couldn't handle having people watching her. She was antisocial. She had always been. She could take down the most abnormal of titans, but she could not handle unwanted attention. Levi too was on the same page, but he knew how to deal with it far better than she could ever hope to.

"Focus on me,"

It wasn't until he said that, that she realised she was staring around at the crowd of people who were staring, and murmuring at each other, and commenting, and gossiping. The famous Captain of the Survey Corps, Humanity's Strongest Soldier, finally married and dancing with his Lieutenant, his wife. Nathalie knew how many women would hate her guts for being the handsome Captain's wife. Suddenly, she was so glad they were married. He was hers. No one else's. Levi wanted everyone to see them. He wanted everyone to know that Nathalie Burgess was his and his alone.

She immediately did as her husband had asked. Her eyes met his own, and she didn't want to look anywhere else. They moved at the slow rhythm of the piece. Bodies in sync just like they were when they fought together. Nathalie realised, she indeed wanted to dance, and of course, he had noticed it, and that was why he had insisted.

Giving her what she wanted, so long as it brought a smile to her face, that was his duty as her husband. And he always knew what she wanted. He knew it better than herself. Nathalie gave him a smile, and he returned it, gladly. And she couldn't look anywhere but his smile and at how well it suited him. And suddenly, there were no people around. Just him, her, and the music.

Nathalie buried her face in his neck. Their legs were moving in sync, even blindly. She didn't have to worry. She just had to let him guide her. Her cheek pressed on top of his white shirt on his chest, and she could feel the weight of his own cheek pressing on her temple. He brought her hand so that her palm pressed flat on his chest, on his heart, but his fingers did not let go of her own.

Nathalie smiled and she closed her eyes. Her mind, completely at peace. Her body relaxed. Nothing, but thoughts of how their future together was going to be. She never thought one person could make her so damn happy. She sighed contently. "Have I told you today how much I love you?"

A small chuckle burst from his chest, that one would have to be too close to catch. His thumb brushed tender on the back of her palm. "You haven't. I might start complaining,"

She grinned as she pulled back to look at him. "You haven't told me either, so I might start complaining too,"

His hand let go of her own. Now both her palms rested flat on his chest, and his thumb found her cheek. His eyes met her own. "I love you, Nathalie Ackerman,"

She giggled and slightly drew on her lower lip with her upper teeth. After all those times that he had told her, she was still blushing. "I love you too, Levi Ackerman,"

The couple was too absorbed into each other to notice Erwin standing in the midst of the crowd. His eyes, on them, on the smile on her face. Beautiful. He could never bring such smile on her face no matter how much he'd try. But Levi could, and that was enough for him. Erwin was glad she was happy. He was glad they were both happy. He'd curse himself if he ever tried to break that.

Still, there was that same bitterness in his chest. She wasn't his. And she could never be. And he had to live with that. It was alright, though. So long as she was happy. But her words the other day… I was terrified I might lose you. What could that mean? It almost felt like victory at some point. Like, she had chosen him. It almost felt like she wasn't going to walk into that chapel and down the aisle, and she wasn't going to take those vows and get married. He left hoping for that. But she did it anyway. Her love for Levi surpassed it all.

"Enjoying sweet defeat?"

Erwin felt the weight of Hange's elbow on his shoulder. He tried to fight back a frown, and he just gave her an unreadable smile. "I am a Scout. If there's something I know more than anything, it's defeat,"

"Cheers to that, Commander," Hange offered him a bottle of ale. "Here, you look like you could use some alcohol right now,"

"Hange!" Moblit's voice came from behind and Hange groaned. She had spent the past few hours trying to lose him in the crowd. Moblit hurried towards the two, breathlessly from running around the crowd, looking for her. "Please, Commander, excuse her if she's said anything inappropriate. She's been drinking," A hand reached for his temple, rubbing the insistent headache away.

"What do you mean?!" Hange cried out. "I'd never flirt with Erwin. He is not my type! I mean…" Hange leaned closer, getting a better look at Erwin's face and Erwin leaned back slightly, away from his crazy scientist friend. "Sure, he's… tall, and blonde, and blue-eyed and handsome and single- you know what, that's actually good idea!"

Erwin tried his best not to choke on the sip of beer that he had just taken. He couldn't tell he could bring himself to flirt with Hange. I don't even have time for this.

"No! It's a terrible idea! He's your Commander! Show some respect!" Moblit cried out. He had always been the voice of reason. And that was exactly why Erwin had assigned him to keep an eye on Hange at all times.

"Oh, c'mon, just admit it already, you're jealous!" Hange cried out as she turned at her friend with a sly smile on her face.

A bright blush spread across Moblit's face. "I- I'm not jealous!"

"You've been chasing me and ruining my attempts on some hot Garrison officers I found, ALL DAY!" Hange complained as she grabbed his shirt and she leaned close. "Just admit it, Mobby, you want me as your own,"

"I- I- N- No! Hange, you've drunk too much, you're being delusional!"

"AH! Delusional my ass! Just give me a kiss already and admit it, you like me, because why wouldn't you-" Hange stopped herself just in time. A hand reached for her mouth clamping tightly around her lips. Moblit's eyes widened. She was about to throw up.

Moblit tried to think quick until the idea struck him. The river! He grabbed her hand. A hand remained around her waist as he rushed her away from the crowd, and towards the river that passed through the centre of Mitras. Hange dropped on her knees and started puking. Moblit made sure to pull her goggles on her forehead and he knelt beside her holding her hair back. He sighed heavily and he shook his head in disappointment. His Section Commander had no idea on what the word restraint meant.

After she was done. He offered her his handkerchief and she wiped her mouth. "I- I think I drank too much," Hange said breathlessly. Her throat slightly hoarse from puking.

"You think?!" Moblit's nerves slightly twitched in frustration. She really made him want to pull his hair out sometimes. No- all times. He pulled out his pouch that was filled with water, and he handed it to her so that she could clean up her mouth. She handed it back to him when she was done and she gave him a smile.

"Aw, Mobby, you always take such good care of me…" she confessed. Her hands found his chest "…now shut up and gimme a hug," Hange groaned before she buried her face in his chest and she stuffed his handkerchief back in the pocket of his trench coat.

Moblit just sighed and he passed his arms around her, bringing her close. It was far nicer, away from the crowd and the endless chatter. Away from the many torchlights that had mainly gathered at the centre of the streets. Hange started snoring in his chest before he even knew it. Had she actually fallen asleep?! Moblit didn't know whether he should be frustrated or just… He sighed. She was always so cute and peaceful -and most importantly- quiet, when she was asleep.

He'd never blame her. There was just so much free ale to go around, and he too had had a bottle. Or maybe two… even three… But he knew better how to restrain himself than that. He picked her up and he started carrying her towards the stables. He may have been mildly drunk, but he could still ride a horse.

"Time to go to bed, Hange,"