In which an unexpected titan appears.

Hope you enjoy!

If someone had told Rose that she would end up marrying, having kids and living her life with one of her most favorite anime characters, she would have thought them crazy or even laughed at the idea, however, that's exactly what happened and she couldn't be happier.

Her twin babies, one boy, Ichiro and one girl, Kaori, were now three years old, in full walking and talking mode. Their vocabulary was still very much limited, but it was growing every day and Rose was so proud of her intelligent babies. They're growing so quickly and part of you really wished they would stop growing and just stay this age forever. Levi is having a harder time with this than Rose was. In just two years time, their babies with be starting kindergarten and Levi is already dreading that day, he's told her himself. Both of them are so used to having their babies around all the time that not having them with them for several hours so suddenly will feel lonely.

Ever since that titan showed up a year and a half ago, Levi has been more cautious and has been wearing his 3D Manuevaur Gear belts from morning til night. Rose has questioned him about it and his answer was basically that he can never be too careful, that since one titan showed up, there's a chance that another can appear at any given time. She understood and still felt bad that he had to relive this experience again after he had escaped it and was living a normal life. He's had to remind her a handful of times this past year and a half that this isn't in any way her fault, she had absolutely nothing to do with the titan's appearance, but there was a tiny piece in the back of her mind that made her think maybe she did jinx it. Every time he's reassured her, and each time she's believed him, but that worry always came back.

Rose was in the living room, playing with her babies on the blanket she had set on the floor. Levi had the T.V on and was watching it until she started playing with their children. The T.V was now forgotten as he instead watched his wife and his children. Levi had never thought he could be this happy, he's glad that he's waited to settle down. The expression on his face was so pure and unadulterated that it made her blush when she glanced at him. Seeing his wife blush had his fingers itching, he would have led her to the bedroom if their kids weren't right there.

Suddenly, something seemed to shift and it made Levi fidget. Something was about to happen, he can feel it in his bones. Listening to the open windows, the birds that he has been hearing every now and then had gone completely silent. The very air outside seemed to be frozen. Glancing at Rose, he noticed that even the babies feel this sudden shift and had started to fuss and she was trying to calm them the best she could. Levi got up and reached for his 3D Maneuver Gear. Something's happening and he's not about to not be ready. Once he was, he turned to his wife, opening his mouth to let her know that he was about to go onto the roof when a sudden strong earthquake shook the entirety of the house. Rose let out a cry of surprise that set Levi into overdrive. He launched himself to her side, holding one of the babies as Rose had done and he placed a frantic hand on her back to keep her low with him. He was on super alert, making sure that nothing was about to come flying towards his family and/or come crashing down. After what seemed like hours, which was actually minutes, the quake finally settled down, a shaky exhale escaping Rose's lips as she slowly straightened up. She was quick to start to once again try and calm her babies who have started to wail out of fear. Levi stayed by her side, helping her as best he can, but he can still feel as though something wasn't quite right. In the next moment, the loudest, most horrifying crash ripped through the silence, followed by a familiar shout so loud that Rose had to cover her ears. She instead covered Kaori's ears and Levi covered the Ichiro's, as their crying started up again. That shout...she knows she's heard it before.

"Levi..." Rose started, but he was already on his way out toward the balcony. "Was that—"

"Yeager." he finished. "I have to get to him before he destroys something...or something tries to destroy him."

Taking her still upset baby with her, Rose hurried over to him just as he hoisted himself to stand on one the the rails of the balcony.

"Levi!" she called to him. "Please be careful..."

He motioned for her to get closer and she quickly obliged, leaning in and giving him a kiss. He pulled back fairly quickly, not wanting to use too much more time, nodded, then let himself fall, expertly use his gear to propel him to where he needs to go. She watched him until he disappeared with an impressed expression. Rose doesn't think she will ever not be impressed by him.

Levi used his flight and roofs of tall buildings to his advantage to locate Eren. It took him a while, despite Eren being a towering titan, but he eventually found him. Judging on the smoking skeleton laying by Eren's feet, Levi guessed he passed through just as he was killing a titan. He couldn't guess at what point in time Eren came from, but he hoped he can still get through to him. It shouldn't be too hard, Eren was simply standing there, seemingly stunned. Thankfully, the boy-turned-titan managed to land in a large, very open, very empty parking lot.

Racing over to him, Levi drove himself to land on the titan's face and Eren flinched, having been surprised by Levi's sudden appearance.

"Turn back, Eren." he firmly demanded. "We're not in a familiar place and you're drawing too much unwanted attention. And make sure you aren't seen exiting this thing."

Eren nodded, much to Levi's relief and the titan lowered himself to his knees, holding out his hands so Levi can land safely. As soon as the former captain did, the titan started to smoke, effectively making it difficult to tell what was happening. Levi made his way to Titan Eren's nape, getting there just in time to see the cadet freeing himself and start to gasp. Just as Levi thought, it was the same thing that happened to him. The air in this world is filled with so much crap, the boy's going to have trouble breathing. Taking advantage of the confusion and the still thick smoke coming off the titan, Levi held onto Eren, telling him to hold onto him as well and used his gear to ride off undetected back to his home. He needs to take Eren to the hospital, but first he needs to take off his gear. He can't show up at the hospital with it a second time.

Hearing a strange sound at the balcony, accompanied by the sound of wires quickly retracting, Rose approached the balcony to greet Levi, but stopped when she saw a gasping Eren barely hanging onto her husband. She quickly went to them to help Eren up, switching places with Levi. Her husband wouldn't have come home with Eren in this condition for no reason. She led Eren to the couch so he can lay down as Levi rushed about.

"I'm taking him to the hospital." Levi explained to her quickly as he rushed to take both his and Eren's 3D Maneuver Gear off. "I'll call you."

"OK." she nodded to him, then turned to the boy in front of her. "You're going to be OK, Eren. Levi will take care of everything."

Despite struggling to breath properly, Eren seemed relieved and made it a point to nod so that she understood. She helped Levi get him into the car and once again watched as Levi left again. She really hoped that Eren will be all right.

"Listen to me, Eren." Levi explained as he rushed to the hospital. "Don't psych people out by trying to explain where you're from. Tell them the truth, but keep it simple. The only lie that you will tell them is that we don't know each other. We met just now."

"C-Cap...tain..." Eren started, but Levi shushed him.

"Don't speak, save your strength. And don't call me captain."

As soon as they arrived, Levi got out of the car and got Eren on his back to piggy-back him into the emergency room. Once inside, he called for help, saying that he found this kid and he's not breathing properly. Eren got help almost immediately, but since they weren't related, Levi couldn't enter with him. Levi instead stayed behind and filled out as much information as he knew about Eren, which wasn't much. He put down his basic information, like name and age, but he feigned ignorant when it came to other simple, personal answers like birth date. After a long two hour wait, Levi was finally able to see Eren. The poor Titan shifter was hooked up to a nasal cannula, which was supplying him with clean oxygen and he seemed to be doing much better.

"How are you feeling?" Levi asked, pulling the extra chair in the room closer to the boy.

"Better. Um, Ca—" Eren caught himself, remembering that he shouldn't call Levi 'Captain'. "Where are we, Levi?"

The Golden Question.

"We're on the surface." Levi answered. "Nowhere near Paradise."

"But how is that possible? What happened, Levi? "

Hearing a knock on the closed door, the two watched as the doctor on duty opened the door and approached Eren's bed. "How are you feeling? Are you breathing better?"

"Yes. Thank you." Eren nodded.

"So." the doctor started, taking a seat near the bed. "We believe that you had been a victim of post-human trafficking."

"Human trafficking?" Eren couldn't believe his ears. That's nowhere close to what happened!

"Your writing is the exact same of a past victim and you seem to be unaware of the date. You also don't exist in our system. You have no fingerprints."

"That's what I thought." Levi piped up, going along with the doctor. Eren almost gaped at him, but caught himself in time. "It sounds exactly like what I went through."

"I knew I recognized you, Mr. Ackerman. You're doing well for yourself."

"Yes, good to see you again, doctor." He turned to Eren. "What was your name again?"

"Ah...Um..." Eren sputtered for a second. "Eren Yeager..."

"How old are you?"

"16...I don't understand where we are?"

"In the local hospital." Levi answered, then turned to the doctor before Eren had a chance to speak again. "I would like to be in charge of him when it's safe for him to leave."

"That's amicable of you. He's a minor and has told us he's alone. If not with you, he would go to an orphanage."

"Consider him adopted. Unless you have any objections." Levi once again turned to the forementioned minor.

"N-No...I'd like to stay with you." Eren confirmed.

"It's settled." Levi double confirmed.

"It appears so." the doctor agreed. "We will keep him for another day to continue to help with his breathing and monitor him. Come by tomorrow to sign the paperwork you will need and you'll be all set."

"Sounds like a plan. We'll see each other again tomorrow, Eren."

Levi made to stand up and leave, but Eren seemed to panic. Levi was the only other person he recognized in this strange new world and he was leaving him all alone so soon? The boy reached out to him, calling out a strained, "Wait...!". Levi stopped in his tracks, looking at him. The poor kid's emotions were written all over his face and Levi felt bad. Eren couldn't leave the hospital yet, it's only been a couple of hours since he got here. He will literally be struggling to breathe again if he left this early.

"I will be back, Eren. As soon as I can tomorrow."

Levi's words didn't soothe Eren in the slightest, but he didn't argue, instead, he dropped it. He'll just have to clench his teeth and tough this out until tomorrow.

Shit. Eren looked like a kicked puppy; a lost and scared kicked puppy. Levi can't leave with him looking like that. Levi sat back down with a sigh, Eren now looking slightly relieved. Without another word, Levi pulled out his cellphone and rang his wife. She answered fairly quickly.

"Levi." she called. "How's Eren?"

"He's fine. He's been seen and they're giving him oxygen."

"Thank the Goddesses." she sighed in relief.

"I adopted Eren."

"Y-You what?!"

"He's a minor, it was either that or he goes to an orphanage. I would rather he be with me than with some stranger."

"Levi, you should've talked to me about that first!"

"Are you against it?"

"...No, but that's not the point! Adopting is a big decision, you can't just decide that without talking to me first!"

Levi let out a silent sigh of relief. For a second there he thought she was going to say yes.

"It's a good thing we moved to a three bedroom house...So what happens now?" she sighed.

"Tomorrow, I come back to sign the paperwork and pick him up."

"OK. But don't you dare do that without me!"

"I won't."

"Good."

"I'll be home soon." Eren watched as Levi bid his wife a goodbye before hanging up.

"What's that?" Eren asked, eyeing his cellphone.

"A compact communication device." Levi replied and demonstrated as he put it back in his pocket.

"That's used for communication?!"

"Did you not just see me talk into it?"

"I did...It's strange, but kind of cool."

Levi hummed, agreeing with him. There's a lot that Eren is going to have to get used to, just like he had to do.

After some small talk, Levi had to leave and return to his wife and kids. Eren didn't want to be left in the hospital, but he knew Levi couldn't stay with him, so they finally said their short goodbyes.

Rose walked into the hospital along side Levi after leaving the twins with a long time friend of hers, Leaya, who she had called last night after she got off the phone with Levi. It was a very last minute move and bless Leaya, she had no qualms about helping her friend out, explaining that she absolutely loved spending time with the babies. It helped that the kids also loved her.

Rose was honestly excited about formally meeting the young ex-cadet, Eren was barely all there the last time she saw him.

She and Levi were taken into a room where a social worker assigned to Eren's case explained the process, what was required of the both of them for a successful adoption and how they can go about moving forward. This was a special case, the social worker explained, seeing as he was a child of a victim of human trafficking, he knows nothing of "the surface". This was the story that had stuck with the information Eren was able to tell them. The boy refused to go with his social worker to wait for Levi at the local orphanage, he was adamant and stayed put at the hospital, the social worker explained. They brought him fresh clothes, seeing as he didn't have anything but the clothes on his back. Before going any further, the social worker also explained that they must see the living conditions that Eren will be surrounded in. Fine by Rose, she nor Levi had a problem with that. The couple thought it was a little annoying that they had to drive to the hospital, drive back home, then drive back to the hospital a second time, but if this is what it takes to take Eren in, then so be it. This is why this kind of decision should have been talked about first before coming to a decision, not that Rose was ever going to say no, but still! She would have done a better job of making her home more presentable, not that it was messy, just that Eren's room was the guest room and was very bland, it only had a bed and a dresser. She explained that she can always get more bedroom furniture should he need it, she had the money right now in fact. Other than the very bland room, after two hours, the inspection finished with a shiny Pass, so Rose and Levi signed even more legal papers, the actual foster documents, then it was explained that this was a process and that it will take time for everything to go through. Once everything finalizes, Eren would be free to join their family.

Levi was irritated, it was clear on his face. Why does this world makes things so complicated? The kid's alone, he found him and wants to take him in, what's with all the rules and the waiting? Just give him his kid already! Rose was disappointed, but mostly felt bad for Eren. The poor kid is going to have to wait Goddesses-only-knows-how-long to join them. In the meantime, he'll be confused as to why he's not being taken to Levi and instead to the closest orphanage. Rose and Levi took every possible step they needed to take to get Eren for the better half of four months. The two had kept in contact with his social worker and the orphanage and was told that Eren was getting antsy, constantly asking about Levi. If Levi knew anything about Eren, the boy wasn't just getting antsy, he was most likely causing a ruckus and if he wasn't yet, he will be. Finally, after every process and four months, the two were finally able to pick up their new teenager and headed out as soon as they were able to, leaving their babies with their friend. Rose was so happy to see Eren moving around freely now that he can breathe properly. Eren's face was absolutely glowing when he saw them walking towards him, although Rose had a feeling he was more happy to see Levi than anything else. He practically jumped out of his chair when Levi called him over.

"Let's go." Levi all but said and Eren happily rushed to follow him, taking a small suitcase of new clothes they provided him with.

Rose found it absolutely adorable. Of course he was happy to finally leave the orphanage. The drive home was filled with silent glee, coming from both the young woman and Eren, awe coming from Eren as well as he gazed out of the window.

"Home sweet home." Rose cheerfully said, holding the door open for Eren to enter first.

The boy walked in slowly, as if thinking he shouldn't. He stood near the doorway, scanning his surroundings. From where he stands, Eren saw that everything was very tidy and in order. When it comes to Levi, he's not surprised.

'Like a true army boy...' she smiled at him, remembering how Levi did the same thing the first time he entered their old home when he first started living with her.

"Let me show you to your new room, Eren." you called out to him with a smile.

He seemed bashful as he followed her, she had to hold yourself back from squealing. She opened the door to his room when she reached it.

"Here it is." she said as she entered the room to switch on the light and he followed her in. "I'm sorry it's kind of empty. If you need any more furniture, don't hesitate to let us know."

"Thank you." he replied, walking closer to the bed with relief clear on his face.

"You're welcome."

After a pause, she figured that would be it, so she prepared herself to leave when Eren spoke again.

"Um...Excuse me..."

"Yes?" she quickly answered.

"Where are the chains?"

"The chains?"

What an earth is he talking about? Why would he need—Ohhh...

"Yeah. Capt—Uh, Levi said it was a precautionary measure."

"In case you transformed while you were sleeping?"

Eren was surprised that she knew and she giggled at his expression. Perhaps Levi told her?

"I don't think I would be able to sleep at night knowing that you were forced to sleep in restraints in your own home. What kind of adoptive parents would we be?"

"Careful ones." Levi spoke up from behind her, making her jump in surprise.

"You startled me."

"It's not a bad idea." he continued.

"Levi. We are not restraining this boy." she said in a firm tone that left no room for argument.

"You said my home...?" Eren mirrored his adoptive mother's words and she sent him a soft expression with a patient smile.

"This is your home now, too, Eren Yeager. You'll need some time to get used it, I'm sure, but I would like for you to one day be confident that you are part of this household."

Eren seemed to pause for a moment and she noticed his eyes get significantly more watery. The young woman's heart went out to him and she took it upon herself to soothe the sixteen year old in the only way she knew how. She reached for him and pulled him to her, the both of them sitting on the bed. She didn't say a word, she simply rubbed his back soothingly and that seemed to be all it took. Even with his face buried in her shoulder, he seemed to be holding back, but he was definitely crying softly. She knows about the world he and Levi were from, it was extremely harsh, but the situation he's in now isn't easy either. To learn that you're far away from the only world you know is difficult to come to terms with. Rose waited patiently until he was ready, then pulled away and gave him another patient smile.

"I'll pick up the twins." Levi informed her as he headed out of the room.

Eren took this pause to wipe his face with the sleeve of the long sleeved shirt he was wearing, sniffling softly.

"Alright." she replied after him.

Eren watched as Levi turned and walked out of the room, leaving the door wide open.

"Twins?" Eren questioned.

"Levi and I have two children. They're identical, one boy and one girl. I wanted to follow Levi's heritage for them, so the boy is Ichiro and the girl is Kaori."

Eren couldn't believe it. Captain Levi has settled down with a woman? The uninterested-in-woman Lance Corporal? That Levi?!

Reading Eren's expression, she chuckled again.

"It's not that surprising."

"Levi was never interested in woman in a romantic sense. He's told me before that he thought it was a waste of time." Eren explained.

"He was uninterested, but not because it was a waste of time like he wanted you to believe. It was because he was a soldier in the Scouts. That regiment wasn't exactly the safest."

Eren knows all too well of the amount of danger being in the Scouts generates for a person. Most people who do join don't make it past their first expedition. Eren was lucky that he did.

"Levi has told me that he didn't like the idea of leaving behind his partner, much less his family, should anything happen to him while on duty. That's why he made it seem like he was uninterested."

Eren nodded in response. That makes sense, Levi wasn't one to speak about his feelings, but Eren's not surprised that he told his wife. After a pause, she made to get up, then looked at Eren.

"I'm going to get started on lunch. Are you hungry?"

Now that Eren thinks about it,

"A little."

"When it's ready, I'll let you know. If you want to eat in here, it's fine, but only for today. Levi won't let you eat in the bedroom after that. Just a heads up." you smiled.

"Got it." Eren smiled back.

Aw, his first smile since he's got here. For his personal space, Rose resisted the urge to hug him as she made to leave the room. She had guessed that Eren would want to be left alone so that he can process everything, but it was actually the opposite. Eren instead followed her, standing in the kitchen with her while she flitted around, trying to get lunch finished before Levi got back home with the kids.

"How do sandwiches sound?"

"Sounds good."

She nodded with an approved hum and continued onward. Actually, all Eren's doing is watching her, perhaps he can help.

"Eren, can you be a dear and pass me the ham, cheese, butter and mayo from the refrigerator, please?" she pointed at the fridge.

Eren didn't waste time and immediately opened the fridge. She figured he wouldn't know what certain things would look like and she knew he can't read well, so she started describing the items.

"The butter is in a yellow container with some red lettering and the ham and cheese are at the door in separate small bags. The mayonnaise is in a white tub."

She heard him rummaging around for a bit before you heard, "These?"

Turning to look, she sent him a bright smile. "That's it exactly! Just place it on the counter right next to me. Thank you!"

"Yeah, no problem."

She made quick work of getting together the sandwiches. She wasn't sure which condiment Eren would like and when she asked him, he didn't know what mayo and butter was, so she just made him one of each and she'll remember which one he prefers when it tries it. The young woman had just enough time to cut off the crusts just like her twins like it, but not for Eren, since he was indifferent to either or. She was putting the crusts into a small bag that already had other crusts in it, then put it back in the fridge when Levi came through the front door with her twins in tow. She'll use the crusts later to make stuffing.

"Welcome home!" she called out.

She heard not-so-loud stomping heading in her direction with a small, "Don't run in the house." following. Her baby boy appeared in the kitchen a second later, most probably happy that he was home.

"Hi, Ichiro! How's my big man?" she happily said as she picked him up.

"Bic man." the toddler repeated her words and she chuckled, nuzzling her cheek against his.

"This is Eren, say 'Hi, Eren!'." she made a small wave with a hand and Ichiro emulated it with his one handed grabby hand version.

"Hi, 'ren."

Rose chuckled again, absolutely bursting with joy, which seemed to infect Eren and he chuckled along with her.

"Lunch is ready." she stated as Levi neared her with Kaori in his arms.

He gave her a sweet peck on the lips as a response.

"They ate?"

"Leaya gave them snacks, they haven't had a proper lunch."

She placed Ichiro in his highchair as Levi did the same for Kaori and gave them their portions for lunch. Half a sandwich and a baggy of baby carrots is usually good in keeping their hungers in check by the time dinner comes around. Eren ate silently and she watched as his face went from indifferent to curious to awe. Rose's smile widened.

"You like it?"

"It's good!" Eren happily replied.

"It gut!" Kaori repeated, interrupting her mother as she made to respond to Eren.

Levi let a small smile grow on his face as his eyes softened and he reached over to wipe Kaori's mouth.

"That's my girl."

Kaori swung her feet happily, bringing a baby carrot to her mouth and munching on it. Rose couldn't help the warmth that spread within her chest as she watched Levi and Kaori. She loved her family so much. It's going to be a bit different now that Eren's here, but she's happy that her small family has grown by one.