Hey guys. I hope you're doing good. I just really felt the need to adjust this chapter a bit because well... this wasn't so...yeah. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying the story and please drop a review and tell me what you think. Most of the new stuff comes at the end but I don't mind you re-reading through.
The night was moonless, only lit by several floodlights in a straight line, showing the group of recruits standing in order, all saluting fiercely
A year had passed and the recruits were finally having their graduation. Their training had finally come to an end.
"It has been a long and strenuous year, filled with so much training and work that I'm sure we can all gladly agree to have concluded," Erwin spoke, from the front of the crowd, clad in an all-new uniform that consisted of a black Jacket, three medals on the left side of his torso below the insignia while a bandolier crossed over his chest and a utility belt around his waist over the jacket. Underneath his jacket he wore a white shirt and black tie. The rest of the outfit consisted of a pair of black breeches and combat boots, while a visor cap with the Wings of Freedom emblem rested on his head.
Behind him stood, Hange, Levi, Sadies alongside other military officials adorning similar uniforms minus the cap and also had the emblems on their chests and shoulders, holding the salute while the commander spoke.
"You all have come very far in this journey," he continued setting his eyes upon the graduating class. "I remember standing in this very park, addressing a large group of people, asking them to join the cause, the cause for a better future, the cause to take what was taken away from us, the cause to bring the titans to their knees, the cause to ensure humanity's victory!" he shouted, "many left, afraid of death, believing that their lives were better off away from the titans. I respected them and I still respect their decision. It was wise, it was realistic."
He then inhaled, "but we are not here because of them. We are here because of those that stayed. Those that made the decision to fight. Those that were willing to give it their all so that they would make an effort to ensure the brightness of the future of their descendants," he started, keeping his straight face, "I will admit, though, that at first we were worried. Worried that things would not fall into place."
The atmosphere was filled with so many emotions. The seriousness in everyone made everything seem somewhat dramatic, "you all came in as recruits, with little to no experience, having doubts in your ability, leaving your comfortable lives, wondering if you had made the right choice," he pointed out, "we moulded you. From defenceless civilians into the powerful men and women you are today. I assure you that I can no longer call you recruits because you are now soldiers!"
"Wearing the Wings of Freedom on your uniform. That symbol is a part of you. A part of you that shows the world that you are fighting not for yourselves, but for them. To show them that you have chosen to rise above the crowd and take back what's yours!" he said, as the soldiers took in their uniform (basically a recoloured version of the anime uniform with black where there was brown). Many of them never believed they had reached this far.
He then turned around, his subordinates doing likewise as they came to face a stage where ten soldiers stood, "Some of you have risen above the others, having shown great drive and ability in your training, giving us hope of the greater future in store for us," he said, his eyes soaring all of them.
"Wow, look at them, they look so... powerful," Junior said to Armin from his position on the ground, looking at the soldiers on the stage. The blonde man only nodded in agreement.
"The ten of you, Blouse, Springer, Kirschtein, Jaeger, Leonhart, Hoover, Braun, Smith, Meyer and Ackerman," he said, addressing each of the soldiers on the stage, "you all showed great promise to both me, and my colleagues. Therefore, we expect you to do everything to the best of your ability, taking those titans alongside us," he said before saluting, "congratulations!"
"Sir!" they all responded, stiff in their positions.
Erwin then let out a sigh as a small smile plastered his face, "At ease!" he shouted before the soldiers relaxed their positions, "now, I encourage all of you to make the most of tonight, enjoy yourselves because you have earned the right to celebrate. Dismissed!" he said before the soldiers began to leave.
"Are you showing up for the party?" Levi asked, looking up at the commander.
"Yes, I am," Erwin responded, "but not for long, I have to finish works on the expedition formation." He admitted, his mind more focused on work as usual.
"Just make sure you're there for Irene," Levi said, adjusting his cravat, "she's done really well."
"Of course I'll be there," Erwin responded, "I'm actually very proud of her," he smiled before realising, "I'm surprised Meyer proved to be a very skilled combatant. I never saw him as second place material, honestly."
"Neither did we," Levi responded before turning around, "see you there, Erwin."
"There's my number one," Levi smiled as he watched his wife step out of the bathroom, wearing a lace long-sleeved grey dress that had a round neck collar and lace top half that hugged her torso. Gold patterns carefully decorating the front, hiding what was meant to be hidden. The bottom half slightly flared with gathers guiding it all the way to her knees. On her feet she wore low gold heels, "you look beautiful."
"You don't look bad yourself," Mikasa responded, as she pressed her palms on his hard chest. He was in a black suit, buttoned up to the point where his cravat hung free, "I thought I told you to get rid of that thing?" she said, flicking the cravat.
"I thought I told you to get rid of that nasty scarf," he pointed out.
"Touché…"
"Mom, you look great," Marie and the twins said from their parents' bed. They had grown quite a bit.
"Thank you kids," Mikasa smiled at them before saying, "you boys should look after your sister and do not leave the room unless it's an emergency," she instructed as the children nodded.
"No problem Mom. We'll be alright," Daniel assured.
"Well Mikasa, let's go," Levi said as he was already by the doorframe, looking expectant.
"Wow, Levi Ackerman," Mikasa started as she walked towards him, "you are the least romantic person I know."
"Sorry but I don't think I've ever come across as romantic," he responded as she rolled her eyes at him. He then extended a hand, "Tch, can't take a joke Mrs. Ackerman?"
"Not from you, Mr. Ackerman," she responded, entwining her fingers in his before linking their arms. She then looked back, "stay safe guys."
"Bye!" they responded before she closed the door and they started to walk through the halls of the barracks.
The walk was silent, unusually silent. Mikasa then looked down at her husband, his normally serious face present, with a small frown on his lips. He was thinking and so was she. She then decided to start conversation, "so, Erwin's working on those expeditions, huh?"
"Yeah," was all he said as he kept his eyes forward.
Mikasa then had to say it, "Levi, I'm worried about Junior."
"I hate to admit it but…" Levi started before throwing her a glance, "me too."
"I mean, he's so young. Yet he's already graduated from the training and he's a soldier now, about to go out on his first expedition," she started, her worries about their son flooding her mind. He was getting older and more mature. Becoming more independent of his parents and the feeling they had been avoiding had started to sink in, "Levi, I don't know if I can watch him go out there. I don't think he's ready yet."
"Mikasa…" Levi said, keeping his eyes forward, maintaining his composure while his wife started to break down.
"He's only seventeen. He still has a life to live," she continued, "he could get lost out there. H-he could be hurt."
"Mikasa, please…"
"Levi, those titans are deadly. You've seen that for yourself. Our son is going to be at the mercy of those things. Levi, what if he dies?" she started, her voice cracking.
"Come on, Mikasa…"
"Levi, your son could die," She started, a few stray tears rolling down her face, "Levi, not so long ago you held him in your arms, singing him lullabies every night and making sure to cuddle with him whenever you could and he's about to run off on his own."
"Mikasa please!" Levi snapped, a crack evident in his voice as well, "Junior is not going to die." Though he didn't show it, he too, was worried about his son and his anxieties only increased as the graduation date would approach and here he was, breaking down with his wife in the halls.
"Levi, I'm scared."
"I'm scared too, but I'm being strong," he started before looking up at her, "you have to be strong too. There's nothing I can do. This day was coming whether we liked it or not but we can't just be depressed about it. We should be proud of him. Mikasa, our son is a soldier now. A strong young man." he then placed his hands on her cheeks and pulled her head downwards so their foreheads would touch, blue eyes with grey ones, the former offering a comforting gaze.
"Besides, as long as we're still here, there's no way we'll let him die," he reassured her, "don't forget that there's nothing that can get passed us. Even if its life depended on it. Especially if our children's lives depended on it. So calm down okay," he said while offering her a small smile, "let's just celebrate tonight. After all, you were the first position so you deserve to have a good time."
Mikasa returned the smile before planting a kiss on his lips, "I love you so much."
"You too," he responded before taking her hand once again, "now let's go celebrate."
"Okay, you've got this," Junior said as he looked at himself in the mirror. Gussying up before going to the party. He was simply in a black suit with a white undershirt and red bow-tie. Today was his day, he had just graduated and had finally made a decision to tell a certain someone how he felt. "Alright, let's go."
He stepped out of the bathroom and back into the cafeteria hall where several people danced and mingled as music played. He looked around before stepping forward, eyes searching for the person he wanted.
"Wow Levi, you look great," Irene's voice came from behind him.
His heart jumped when he heard her voice. He then turned to face her and his jaw hung agape a bit as he took her in. She wore a strapless, pink dress that had was held below the breasts by a black belt and was flared right up to her mid-thigh. On her feet were a pair of black heels. Her blonde shoulder-length hair was curled towards the bottom and the light make up she wore made her look gorgeous, "you look… beautiful."
Her face went a bright shade of pink, "thanks Levi, You, too," she responded before a silence befell them.
Hoping to escape the awkward silence, Irene spoke"I-I gotta go. My dad's waiting for me. We can chat a little later?" she suggested.
"I-Irene, I need to tell you something," Junior started, his own face getting red as he tried to gather the right words. This was the time he was waiting for. The moment he had waited months for but he failed to speak. He then shook his head, "it's alright, you can go over to your dad. We'll chat later."
"Okay," she said, slight disappointment evident in her furrowed brows, she then remembered something, herself, "there's actually something I wanted to tell you too."
"I guess we can tell each other then," he said.
"Yeah, that'd be great," she smiled before hugging him and walking off.
"Dammit, another screw up," he groaned before looking around. His eyes then stopped on his parents at one of the tables. He could go ask them for advice.
He wove his way across the dance floor, avoiding bumping into any of the drunken and excited party goers. His main aim was meeting up with his parents.
"There he is," Mikasa said before walking up to him and giving him a hug, "congratulations," she said after pulling away.
"You too, mom. You were top of the class," he congratulated before noticing his father, "hey dad," he greeted, the man nodding in acknowledgement.
"Why don't you sit with us?" Mikasa offered, allowing him to take a seat next to her at the table. She the noticed her son staring into the open space, "is everything okay, Junior?"
"Mom, I need advice," he started, aiming to make it known to his parents.
"What is it?" she asked, placing a hand on his knee, giving him all her attention.
Junior took in a deep breath. He never thought he saw this conversation coming but here it was, "mom, there's a girl I like."
"Irene?" she asked, her default expression on her face.
"How did you know?" he asked, surprised by the fact that it was an easy guess.
"My eyes are on you 80% of the time. Of course I'd notice any girl you're interested in."
Well, now he had to get to the point, "Okay, I'm planning on confessing to her but I don't know if I should do it," he started, "I'm scared she might reject me."
"Oh…" Mikasa's eyes widened slightly. She then looked back at her husband, "I think you should take this one."
"Really?" Both Levis asked in unison.
"You want dad, of all people, to give me dating advice?" Junior asked.
"Well honestly, I'm not much different from him," Mikasa confessed, "plus, it'd be a father-son thing. You know, passing down advice."
Both men glanced at the woman before looking at each other, entering a staring contest.
Junior was the first to break the ice, "so dad… what do you have to say?"
"All I can say is…" he started, maintaining his stare, "it's either you tell her, or you don't. She accepts you, good job. She rejects you, get over it."
"Wow…" Mikasa deadpanned, unimpressed by her husband.
"Tch, if you don't like my advice then too bad," he responded, "take it or leave it." With that, he took a sip of the beverage he had in his hand.
Mikasa then shared a look with their son before he got up, "leaving so soon?"
"Yeah," he responded, "I've gotta chat with her. Goodnight."
"Goodnight, all the best," Mikasa waved him off.
Junior stuffed his hands in his pockets, wondering if he'd do it or not. That terrible advice was all he could get so he had to appreciate it. Well, he'd decided later but he had to find the blonde. She had something to tell him. Perhaps she was going to confess, "don't get excited," he assured himself. He then realised something, "where's Doug?" he hadn't seen him all night which was strange considering he was literally his tail.
He then shook his head. He still had a main objective, Irene. He looked around the room and caught no sight of her. Where could she be?
As he walked around, he felt himself sadden when he failed to find her. He had done enough searching and his mood was too sour to stay for the rest of the party. He was just going to go to bed.
"Shit," he grunted as he walked through the barracks hallway, heading to the boys' dorm to fall asleep. At least he'd find that easily.
He reached the entrance and found the lights off. People had already snuck off to have their own little parties as he heard a few suggestive noises coming from different bunks while he walked. It hurt knowing that he could've been in that position. He then quickened his pace, rushing for his bed.
"What the…?" he started as he realised there were people on his bed. Why his bed? "Fucking…" he mumbled before pulling out his cell-phone and turning on the torch, his jaw nearly falling off at what he saw.
"What the hell bro?" Doug said, shielding his eyes. He then smiled when he saw who it was, "Junior, what's good?"
Doug, in his bed, wasn't what shocked him. It was the fact that Irene was there with him.
"L-Levi, I can explain." She started, blue eyes focused as she tried to come up with an explanation.
She then breathed, "Levi, Doug and I are in a relationship," she started, "that's what I wanted to tell you earlier."
Junior felt his whole world shatter before him. the girl he had wanted for the past year was on his bed, fooling around with Doug. Doug, of all people. He was going to confess to her. He was going to tell her how he felt.
"H-How long?"
"What?"
"How long have you two been dating?" he hissed, pain evident in his tone.
"About four months now," Irene said, Doug stroking her hair as she spoke, "I'm really sorry we didn't tell you earlier. I just didn't know how to go about it. I knew you liked me so I didn't want to hurt you."
"Well if you knew how I felt then you should've told me in the first place!" Junior spat before inhaling. His tone then became low as his gaze on her softened, "Irene, you and I have been friends for well over a year and all this time I trusted you."
His gaze then left her as he looked at the ground, "I trusted you with a lot of my personal problems and joys." He then clenched his fists, "yet, you went behind my back and started fooling around with...Doug while you knew how I felt. While you knew how much finding out would hurt me."
"Keep it down. We're trying to work around here!" a man shouted from the darkness.
"No, you keep it down!" Junior yelled before looking back at them, betrayal evident in his eyes, "Let me not disturb you. Finish what you're doing." With that, he stormed out of the room, leaving the couple alone together.
"Doug, I feel so guilty," Irene said, burying her face in his chest.
"I don't even get why he's mad," Doug started, "he told me you were just friends and I let him know I would make my move." The last part earned him a glare from Irene.
"Erwin, you in?" Levi asked as he opened the door to the Commander's room. He glanced around before he noticed the large man hunched over a table, suit jacket discarded on the office chair along with a tie. He walked over to the table and saw him with figurines placed on the table, "planning formations?"
"Yes, I am," Erwin nodded before standing straight and looking down at his comrade, "how was the party?"
"It was alright," he responded before leaning against the table. He then looked up at the man, "you came, right?"
Erwin the chuckled, "Of course I did. My daughter was graduating. I may not be father of the year but I still care," he then noticed the shorter man's sullen mood, "is there something you wanted to talk about?"
"Can't a guy just visit?"
"That's not why you're here," Erwin raised his eyebrow, catching the shorter man.
"Fine," he sighed, "I want you to put Junior in the centre," he said, noticing the man raise his eyebrows, asking him to elaborate, "I'm worried about him. I just want him somewhere where he's less likely to die on the expedition."
"Heh, Levi," Erwin started, "you'll have to trust your son. He can do much more than you think he can."
"Okay, Erwin," Levi started before looking at the table, "where are the Special Operations Squads?"
"In the centre, of course," Erwin answered while following his gaze to the table.
"Tch, you're calm because your kid's already the centre, aren't you?" he asked, glaring at him.
"Okay, I've been caught," Erwin sighed before allowing his lips to curve into a smile, "I'll admit that I am relieved Irene is in a safer position..."
"Exactly."
"But..." Erwin continued, "I still have to trust in her ability as a soldier. Even if she was put on the furthest part of the formation."
Levi arched an eyebrow, "so you're saying you'd be okay knowing your daughter would bite the dust at the hands of the Titans?"
"Don't say it like that," the blonde reprimanded, "I'm simply saying I'd feel great, knowing she's capable of taking on anything that comes her way. She did place highly though."
"In case you haven't noticed, my boy didn't make the top ten," Levi pointed out, ignoring the slight envy, brewing within him.
"But he did place in Hange's research team," Erwin reminded, "that's evidence enough that he's a very capable young man."
"Tch, of course he's capable," Levi started before glaring into the commander's eyes, "he's capable in a lab coat, in a lab, away from the battlefield, away from those fucking Titans!" He then sighed, "I just don't think he's cut out for this. Ugh! Why did he fucking join in the first place?"
Erwin looked down at the shorter man, feeling a wave of sympathy course through him. He then softened his gaze and rested a hand on his shoulder, "Levi, why don't we go talk outside? Enjoy the cool air."
The only response he got from the captain was a silent nod. He then took it as a signal and began to lead Levi over to the balcony of his quarters. Hopefully that would help relieve the stress he was under.
They stood on the surface, silently eyeing the town below them. Many people still active in the night, going about their business while others simply hung about.
For a moment, both gentlemen forgot about everything they were enduring, just looking down at the community reminded them of the peaceful lives they lived before the Titan outbreak—peaceful mostly on Levi's part though.
Erwin glanced down at the captain and noticed the calmer expression he now wore. He took this as the right time to address the issue, "it's a nice town isn't it?"
"What are you getting at?"
Erwin couldn't help but roll his eyes at Levi's lack of flexibility, "You know, Junior's not the only son, or child in general, that'll be going on that expedition."
"I'm well aware."
"Great," the blonde acknowledged, "then you must also be well aware that other people's children will be risking their lives out there too."
"A lot of parents are just as worried about their child as you," he pointed out, "I understand how much stress this brings to you and I know it's not easy to watch as your child risks their life."
"Levi, I want you to trust your son," Erwin started, "he chose this path for a reason only known to him. A resolve that he himself wants to come to. A challenge he wishes to face. A doubt he wants to prove wrong. There are so many reasons why we do what we do."
The whole time, Levi stayed silent, listening to the commander's words while looking at the town.
"Your son wants to achieve something that he's probably been yearning for," Erwin continued, "I could tell by the determined look in his eyes everytime he'd train. There's a fire in that kid and I know it."
"Tch, you have eyes on my son now, paedophile?" Levi asked, looking up at him with his deadpan expression. His attempts at jokes couldn't come at a more inappropriate moment.
"Don't take things out of context here," Erwin added, forcing the shorter man to look away, "what I'm trying to say is that Junior has a goal and I don't think he'd want anyone or anything to get in his way." He said, "I know you didn't."
Levi sighed. He knew Erwin was right. Even when he, as irresponsible as he was, got Mikasa pregnant while on duty, he still made it his aim to make it up to her and their child. To prove all those that expected him to be lousy parent wrong. To prove to himself that he could be the man no one expected him to be. Even if it meant spending his entire times off duty with them, spending a truckload of cash in baby supplies while learning how to look after a child. Something he didn't know shit about.
Yet, here he was, trying to hold his son back from achieving whatever it was the blonde man in front of him mused about. Erwin was right, he needed to let go of this paranoia.
"Thanks, Erwin," Levi said, looking back at him, offering a small smile, "I needed that."
Erwin returned the smile, "Anytime."
"So Erwin," Levi decided to start a conversation, "other than Junior, have you set your eyes on anyone as of late?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... is there any lady that has caught your eye?"
Erwin raised his eyebrow. This wasn't something he expected someone like Levi to talk about but then, he needed an answer, "no, actually," he shook his head, "interestingly, I've had a lot of single moms approach me after Irene set up a dating account for me."
Levi glanced at the taller man as though examining him. He then looked back at the town, "You do look like the step-dad type."
Erwin rolled his eyes at this. He didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or an insult. Still, he did sometimes feel the need for a significant other here and there but he just hadn't the time—and confidence because of what happened with his previous wife.
"The fuck is that?" Levi asked, snapping the commander out of his thoughts.
A large rumbling could be heard. They both looked at each other, wondering what the source of this vibration was that was more powerful than any Titan.
Their eyes somehow both landed at a particular part of the fort wall. There was a multitude of steam coming from the other side of the wall.
"What the fuck is happening?" Levi asked, staring at the steam along with his comrade, who had offered him no response as he too, was shocked.
Their eyes widened in horror as a large shadow began to form in the steam until they could make out something.
It was a large head, looking down into the town from over the wall. It appeared to be an inside out version of a regular human head.
"A titan?" Erwin asked as they watched it. They had never seen anything like that before but that wasn't what irked them. It was the fact that it was ginormous.
Neither of them were prepared for what happened next.
The ground tumbled as several large chunks of the wall flew over the city, crushing a few buildings here and there.
The giant disappeared as soon as it came. Leaving them in shock at what was left.
A giant hole, right in the wall was left and the thought of how many Titans would be on their way to the fort alarmed them.
Erwin knew he had to act. And he had to act fast. He looked down at his comrade, "Levi."
"Yes?" He asked, instinctively waiting for an order.
"Order all the soldiers to gear up and the security to begin to take evacuation measures for the people immediately," he started, "I think our little expedition has come earlier than needed."
Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed this because I sure did. This was the edited version that I felt I needed to make and I hope you enjoyed it. Please tell me what you think in the reviews.
Anyway, thanks to all those that are still reading. I appreciate it and I hope you're all excited to see what happens next.
Bye!
