Hey guys. Welcome back to HSF. I hope you're enjoying yourselves so far. I'd like to know if I've introduced the characters well. By the way, instead of a normal salute, characters return the anime salute. Anyways, on with the story.

"Hange Zoe," Levi said as the woman rushed over and hugged him. He couldn't help but groan because of how bad she smelt to him. She then pulled out of the hug and looked at Mikasa, Junior, and Marie.

"Mikasa Ackerman in the flesh," Hange greeted while saluting her. Mikasa couldn't return it because she had Marie in her hands but she still regarded her with a smile. "I was once a soldier like you and I was used together with Levi but I decided to quit in order to pursue science." She then looked at the children, "and this must be the new Levi Squad."

Hange sure was quite the eccentric person. Judging by the way she closely examined them. She then spoke up, "you know, judging by how much power you both have, I expected you to have like ten kids by now."

"Tch! There's actually two more of them," Levi scoffed before grabbing Hange by the collar, "Erwin advised me to come here to settle after this crazy monster shit happened. Where is he?" Hange had known Levi from the beginning and knew how aggressive he could be but that never frightened her.

Hange escaped his grasp and dusted herself off. She was in a black long-sleeved crew-neck under a grey utility vest and grey camouflage pants. On her waist were the same contraptions much like the guards except she had a pair of visors on face. "Commander Erwin is in his office. I can take you to him," she offered before looking at their son, "meanwhile, he can wait in the nearby cafeteria."

The couple nodded before their son understood and walked off. They then proceeded to follow Hange deeper into the building. It had the setup of a regular city hall with a bunch of offices and people moving up and about with piles of paper.

Eventually, they stopped outside a door that read, "Commander Erwin" Hange then knocked a few times before a voice called from the inside signalling them to enter. Hange opened the door to reveal the blonde gentlemen seated at a desk. He then stood to greet them.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman," Erwin said as he offered them a seat which they took. Hange then went to lean against the wall. "I'm glad you could make it," Erwin said calmly.

"Yeah, it was a crazy drive but we're still kicking," Levi said before he noticed, "I'm guessing you're the top dog around here, judging by the fact that you have your own office."

"Not exactly. The town has official leaders but I still am a military official," he explained before interlocking his fingers and starting, "you finally saw them with your own eyes."

"Yeah, those monsters almost killed us on our way here," Levi commented. With a scowl, "can't believe you were right."

Hange was the next to speak, "Those creatures aren't monsters," she said with sympathy, "they're just large human-looking creatures that don't even think as far as I know…for now. I prefer to call them… titans—yeah, that's a suitable name."

"Whatever," he rolled his eyes before looking back at Erwin, "so when do we get our own place so we can settle down already?" he asked, hoping they could go back to their normal lives.

Erwin then shook his head, "actually there's room for you in the barracks." He looked at the shorter man who glared back at him.

"I'm done with military work," Levi said very sternly, "how many times do I have to tell you that?"

"Levi. Now that the Titans have proven to be real, we can't just settle down like we always have," Erwin said with his default expressionless face.

"Yeah," Hange added from where she stood, "my lookouts said that even more titans have started to show up in town. They're eating every person on sight."

"Yeah so…" Levi started, "this fort is supposed to keep us safe from them right? Then why can't we just live on like we used to when we thought they never existed?" Levi persisted.

Erwin then stood from his seat, "let's take a look outside," he suggested as he walked towards the door. He was intent on showing Levi instead of just talking about it. Everyone left the room with him. They all walked through the busy workspace until they stepped out.

People were moving all over the place with more cars entering and people being ushered in by security guards. "This is more crowded that I remember," Levi said while looking around along with his wife who was holding their now sleeping daughter.

"This is exactly why I need you back on the force," Erwin started, "before the titan reared its face, we were just a small community that lived under the security of the walls, expecting that one day, man-kind would face its first threat. We began to work on ways to sustain ourselves like farming and building shelters and workspaces."

"So, you're just like those assholes from Doomsday Preppers?" he asked with a bored expression on his face.

"Precisely," Hange added. She then glanced at Erwin as though asking for permission to complete and he nodded, "now that a lot of people have come to live in the fort, resources won't last forever. That's why we need to create a team of soldiers that can combat the titans in order for us to try and take back the city." She then put her hands on his shoulders, "we need your help training the soldiers."

Mikasa silently watched her husband. Despite having his default expression, she knew he was processing it. In her opinion, it seemed like a fair idea. Getting back her home would be great. Though, the town did look quite peaceful. She heard a little moan escape her daughter as she slept on her. She still hadn't said a word to anyone. It was heart-breaking to see her like that.

"I don't know Erwin…" Levi started before Mikasa cut in.

"Levi, I think it's a noble cause," she said, finally offering her input. "this could help a lot of people get back their homes. It can even help stranded survivors if there are any." She hoped her reasoning would help change his mind.

"What about my leg. It was the reason I left the military," Levi tried to defend, "I can't do much anymore."

"Levi, you work out more than any of the guys at the gym," his wife exposed him. "seriously, this is when you want to be honest about the reason for your dismissal?"

"But the kids will need to be looked after. Who's going to clean the house?" he tried again, this time he made eye contact with her but no way in hell could he ever make a face that could ignite sympathy in anyone. he just looked as cold as usual.

"Levi, you act like you're a single mom named Karen, or something," Mikasa pointed out before poking at his toned chest, "I can look after the home just as much as you can. You should join the military and help out. I'll look after everyone. Quit making excuses." She hoped this would change his mind.

"Actually Mrs. Ackerman," Erwin started while looking down at her, "we need you in the force as well. You were known for your exceptional skills while you were serving duty and we believe that would be high value to the little army we wish to form."

"Yeah, and don't worry about your mini Levi squad," Hange butt in while throwing her arm over Mikasa's shoulder, "there's a day care near the barracks so while you're busy, the kids can be watched over until 5PM if you like."

Mikasa began to think. It was a great deal actually. Maybe if she agreed, Levi would be willing to do it as well. "I'll do it," Mikasa said. Everyone then turned to face the shortest among them. All were expecting his answer.

Levi finally groaned, "fine, I'll do it," he agreed before Mikasa ruffled his hair ignoring the mumbles of protest. She knew he hated that but still did it anyways.

"Excellent. I'm glad to have you on the force again," Erwin said with his smile.

"Fuck you," the shorter man grumbled before he was nudged in the ribcage.

"Now, Levi, do you remember how to use an ODM gear?" Erwin asked.

How could he forget? that's what he used to use to avoid police back when he was still a gangbanger in the streets of the darker side of Sina Town, also known as the Underground. Though no time for backstories, "I do remember." Was all he responded.

"ODM gear?" Mikasa asked. She had never heard of such an equipment. Was it some new military weapon?

"Let's go to the labs," Hange said before leading them away.


Junior made his way around the cafeteria still bitterly mumbling about his laptop. It had a lot of his work on it including college essays and his game data. It was his life right after his phone and before his console. He then remembered the reason why he didn't have it, "ugh, stupid little man," he grumbled before walking up to a table where a blonde girl sat, sketching something. She hadn't noticed him standing there.

"Ahem," he cleared his throat, causing her to raise her blue eyes and look at him. They had a short staring contest before he decided to break the silence, "I-Is anyone seated here?"

The girl quickly shook her head before Junior too a seat. She continued to sketch while occasionally sneaking glances at him.

Junior sat there watching her. He could tell that she was painfully shy and barely had any friends. Away from that, he still didn't have his laptop and it made him mad. He now felt like venting out to someone, "hey, have you ever been so angry at someone before?"

The girl lowered the sketch pad, revealing a pretty face, "well, not really." Was all she said in response.

Junior then had a sight blush before saying, "I'm Levi Ackerman Jr.—but most people just call me Junior," he said while stretching out his hand and she shook it.

"I'm Irene Smith. Nice to meet you," she flashed him a simple but cute smile before their hands separated.

"Nice to meet you too."

"… why don't you tell me what's bothering you?" she asked. A few moments ago she was some shy kid but now she led the conversation like she was some natural leader.

"Well, when my family was about to leave for here, I forgot my laptop and decided to go retrieve it but then some dwarf just wouldn't let me through. Doesn't he know how much valuable information is in a laptop?" he explained with the frustration evident in his tone.

Irene had to admit, this boy seemed like a total moody nerd but then, Erwin had told her to make friends. "So… where did you leave it?" she asked, in order to keep the conversation going, "hah, it's funny that I'm asking after all, it's not like you'll go back to get it anyway," she chuckled while scratching her head. She quieted down when she realised that she was the only one laughing. She then looked at him and noticed him sitting there contemplatively. He wasn't actually considering it, was he?

"You know what," he started. He had a mischievous look in his eyes, "I think you have an idea, Irene. I'll go get my laptop back."

"Whoa," she panicked. She didn't mean to encourage something like this, "that's crazy, you'll get eaten by the titans out there."

Junior raised his eyebrows at the name they were given but smirked while crossing his arms, "please, there's only like, two of those titans out there so I bet we could totally go there unnoticed," he started as Irene question the use of 'we', "plus, I'm a smart kid. If anything goes wrong, we could totally outsmart those jackasses."

Irene had to admit, he had a cute smirk and it made her blush a little. She still had to question him, "wait, we?"

"Yes, we," he confirmed while looking back at her, "I can't go back on my own and I know my parents would freak out at me if I asked. Therefore, you will be my escort." He smiled so much that most people would fail to believe he was Levi's child but then, he got his smile from his mother.

Irene looked at him. A large part of her was yelling at her to deny while a smaller part was begging her to agree. "Okay, Levi, I'll go with you."

"Thanks," he said nervously before looking down at the table. Did she make him nervous?"

"Did I say anything?" Irene asked before he shook his head.

"No, it's just that…" he started before lifting his eyes to meet hers, "no one ever agrees to my ideas. I really appreciate you… I mean it."

The two sat in silence before the doors to the cafeteria opened, revealing a security guard, "Attention everyone!" he yelled, causing the whole place to go silent, "if there are any volunteers that are willing to fight the titans, report to the park tomorrow at noon. Commander Smith would like to address you all. All those that have even minimal combat ability are encouraged to attend." He then mumbled something about low pay before walking out and the cafeteria went back to being noisy.

"Who the hell's stupid enough to fight those things?" Junior asked before looking at Irene, who looked enthusiastic, "wait, you'd like to?"

The blonde girl nodded enthusiastically, "I've always wanted to be in the military like my dad. I bet he'll be excited when I tell him." She said that with so much excitement, Junior found it ridiculous, "we should join together. Don't you think?"

Junior was at a loss for words. He found it stupid but then, Irene agreed to escort him back to town. He may as well pay her back, "I'll do it," he said before she squealed. This was getting crazy but she still looked cute. He decided to change the topics, "you live here and like to draw right?"

"Yes, to both of them," she nodded before looking at him curiously, "why?"

"I was thinking you could give me a little tour while you show me some of your work."


"Hey kiddo, why don't I tell you a little story?" Levi asked his daughter as they sat on his and Mikasa's bed. Levi was already established as a Captain and hence got a personal room hat he shared with his wife instead of sleeping in the boys' dormitories. It was a pretty nice room with a desk, bathroom, and a bookshelf. Of course when they were given the room, he went into cleaning mode and made it spotless. Even though he agreed to re-joining the force, there was no way he would live in a dirty environment.

Marie still hadn't spoken since they had gotten there and it was worrying her parents. Maybe that's an exaggeration. Marie hadn't spoken unless to ask about the bathroom and it was worrying her parents. Their normally jolly bundle of joy was now quiet with a miserable look on her cute face. He sighed before asking, "Marie, what's wrong? You still haven't spoken to mommy and I."

The girl stayed silent as the door to his office swung open, revealing his wife who walked in and joined them on the bed. She saw her depressed daughter and looked back at her husband, "did she say anything?" she asked to which he shook his head.

"I've never seen her so sad before," Levi started, "she even refused to eat dinner." He then felt an aching sensation in his chest as he began to drown in thoughts.

Mikasa also started to think a lot while looking at the young girl. She felt her throat tighten and her eyes sting. Her breathing started to destabilise.

Levi noticed and pulled her into an embrace, "I know how painful it is to see her like this but if we let ourselves get depressed too…" he started before taking a deep breath, "we may never help her smile. Let's be strong for not only her, but for all our kids." The two then sat in silence, stroking each other's backs for comfort.

Suddenly, the door swung open, revealing the twins, "mom, dad?" Daniel started before the adults separated.

"What is it, boys?" Mikasa asked while looking at them, masking her previously emotional state.

"Are the older boys making fun of your 'jamies'?" Levi asked while putting emphasis on the last word. He was mocking them.

"Junior's missing."

Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed that. That was chapter 3. Not that many changes but that's what I could do. Please feel free to tell me what you think.