It was a line to get through immigration. They moved at a crawl, the sun beating down on them from above. Unlike the last time they'd been to Valle, they didn't have falsified Marleyan passports; Kiyomi had only been able to give them applications for temporary visas, which she'd helped them fill out. Petra carried their small bag while Levi held Kuchel, who'd fallen asleep against him. The people around them were perspiring, and talking loudly. She knew it was too close for Levi's comfort, all these sweating bodies in such close proximity.

But it was freedom. True freedom. Petra smiled at her husband, and he smiled back. Well, Levi didn't smile so much as stop frowning. But it was enough. She kissed his cheek.

"Eh, not in public," he grumbled. But he held her to his side.

Petra presented their applications for asylum at the front of the line. A Marleyan officer looked the Ackermans up and down, and sneered.

"More refugees from that devil's island," he grumbled, stamping a couple of booklets. "World's gone to hell."

Levi made a move like he'd grab the man. Petra managed to catch his arm.

"If we start trouble, they might not let us through," she whispered. He sneered, but eased off. They accepted the officer's scowls and the paperwork. They'd been approved for temporary housing, and Levi was going to be put into a 'labor exchange program', which meant that he'd work for a year or more doing menial labor until their citizenship could be approved.

It wasn't a very fair program. Essentially, it was almost indentured servitude. No, that's exactly what it was. However, Petra couldn't exactly get mad at it. Erwin had instituted the program on Paradis first. Willy Tybur just made his own version.

They were approved—the Braun family. Kiyomi had changed their name to help them avoid detection.

Kuchel woke and started getting grouchy when they finally loaded onto the bus that would take them to their new assigned housing. Kuchel cried until Petra bounced her and sang a song. While they traveled, Petra looked out the window onto the highway. At least the housing was near the ocean. That'd be nice.

This was quite a change. One day, she'd been living in a palace, presented with jewels, told she'd be a queen. Today, she was on a bus that smelled like stale cigarette smoke, packed with other people like tinned fish, headed for life as the working class.

And she was happier here, with Levi at her side, than she ever would have been in that palace. She slipped her hand into his.

There was one and only one thing that marred her relief and newfound contentment. Armin…

The little sock was safe in Petra's pocket. Just thinking about the baby brought a lump to her throat.

I did the right thing for him. And for us.

But that didn't make it hurt less.

Still, she remained cool as the bus trundled into a gated area surrounded by square-shaped apartment buildings. The Ackermans got off, and presented their paperwork. They were instructed to head to the second floor, apartment 2F. Kuchel had fallen asleep again, and was drooling on Levi's shoulder. He looked pained. Petra laughed as they carried their meager belongings up the stairs. Her stomach ached a bit, but it wasn't as horribly painful as it had been days before.

They opened the door to their new home.

Petra bit her lip; she knew Levi's first mission would be to go and wrest as many cleaning supplies from the janitorial closets as he could. It was a small living room with a tiny stove and oven in the corner. There was also a single bedroom to the left, with a bathroom as well. The place smelled like cigarettes just as the bus had. They entered, and Levi shut the door with his foot. Petra looked overhead, and tugged on a ceiling fan's cord. The fan began to slowly spin, creaking with every third turn.

"Well. Shit," Levi said.

Petra took Kuchel and brought her into the bedroom. She laid her daughter on the bed and covered her with the thin blanket. She tucked in Gretel beside Kuchel, and the toy bear. Then she shut the door and returned to her husband. Levi looked jumpy as a cat; if he could have hovered above the floor, touching nothing, he'd have probably been happy.

"It'll be okay. It's temporary," Petra said.

"Tch." He frowned deeply. His thin eyes narrowed further. "Guess this is what choosing a shit like me gets you."

"No." She put her arms around his neck. "Choosing you gets me you. Which makes me happy."

"Damn brat." But he kissed her. He tucked himself into her embrace. They stood there, wrapped tight in each other's arms. She kissed his shoulder. "I'm gonna get a mop, a broom, a dustpan, some cloths, a bunch of soap and water, some detergent, some bleach…"

"I'll help."

"Nah. This'll give me something to do. My muscles are cramped since being on that boat for two days. Plus, you don't clean as well as me."

"Well. No one does."

"Go take a nap with Kuchel. I'll also see what I can do about food. They gave us some grocery vouchers."

"Let me do that part."

"Okay." He kissed her. "Go stay with the kid while I get all my supplies together."

"Levi?" She combed her fingers through his sleek black hair. There was now a visible, thin stripe of gray on the side of his head. Bags were starting to develop beneath his eyes, more pronounced than before. He was on the very threshold of middle age. He looked tired. She kissed him deeply. "I know this is hard. But our life is really starting now."

"Yeah." He gave a ghost of a smile. "You're all mine now."

"And you're all mine."

They kissed once more, so deeply Petra felt herself getting heavy and warm. She had to let him go; making love right now would be a bad idea, as Kuchel could wake at any moment. Levi had the same idea.

"Don't make me lose my mind, kid." He kissed her cheek. "Go rest up."

Then he left.

Petra snuggled with Kuchel and tried to nap, but every time she closed her eyes she saw Armin asleep against her, smiling as she cuddled him. She woke and buried her face in the pillow, trying not to make a sound as she let a few tears fall. Whenever she thought of her son, she felt a pain under her ribs. It felt like some part of her had fallen away.

But it was for her family. For the world. For Armin, and for Kuchel. For Levi.

She'd deal with it for their sakes. When Kuchel awoke, Petra sat up and pulled the child onto her lap. She recited stories from memory while Kuchel yawned and whimpered.

"I'm hungryyyy," she cried.

Levi returned soon after. Petra took the food vouchers and went out while her husband began cleaning and talking to their daughter. The immigrants weren't allowed off the camp's property, but there was a 'market' of sorts, where they could redeem their vouchers for food. Petra got milk, bread, eggs, and a little bit of butter. She could have gotten some fruit, but decided on tea instead. Levi needed something good. He deserved a few nice things after this nightmare.

When she presented the groceries, she saw his whole face light up at the canister of tea. Petra laughed, and kissed him. Levi picked her up by the waist and spun her. The tea made him happy; the freedom made him happier. Kuchel sat on the living room sofa, hugging Gretel and grinning as she watched her parents turn around and around, locked in each other's arms.

"It's so simple now," he whispered in Petra's hair. She kissed his cheek.

"It feels good."

"Better than good." They embraced, and Petra felt the space inside of her fill with his presence. She kissed the line of her husband's jaw and the lobe of his ear. With him, anywhere was home. Paradise. No matter what.

"Gotta be good in front of the kid," he muttered. Though he sounded regretful.

They made toast and eggs for dinner. Kuchel got sleepy soon after. Levi had scrubbed the bathroom, so they gave her a quick bath and then put her to bed. They'd been given parcels of clothes when they arrived, charity gifts for refugees and poor immigrants. None of the clothes fit perfectly, but they were better than nothing. They put Kuchel in a little blue nightdress. The Ackermans got into bed and turned off the lamp. They lay in the semi-darkness, as the window blinds didn't close perfectly and there was some shouted voices and music from a phonograph playing off in the dark, on the other side of the apartment complex. Petra sang lullabies until Kuchel nodded off to sleep. She petted the child's hair. Kuchel finally fell into a deep sleep. Petra and Levi lay on opposite sides of their daughter, staring at one another.

She still marveled at him. Every moment of being with him was a shock. How had she attained such a man?

But he looked tired. And she felt guilty for that.

"Are you okay?" she whispered to him.

"Yeah. I am." He sighed deeply. He reached out and stroked her cheek. "It's gonna be hard, though. Sharing a room."

Yes. Kuchel was going to make their love life difficult. Petra pressed her thumb to his lips.

"You know," she whispered, "we don't have to wait a whole other month."

"Huh?"

"The doctor only said you're not supposed to lie down on top of me because of the stitches. He said nothing about me…on top. And we have a sofa."

She wasn't sure if he'd go for it, since this place wasn't spotless. Making love was dirty business to begin with, and a less than clean environment made it all worse. But Levi's eyes seemed to glow in the dim light. The desire overcame the disgust.

"Come on." He got up, very careful not to wake Kuchel. Petra did the same. They went to the living room. She shut the bedroom door behind them, then put a kitchen chair in front of it just in case Kuchel tried opening it. The noise would alert them. Then she turned back to her husband.

The pain she'd been living with these last days diminished as they found each other again. They stood in the middle of the living room, kissing until she was almost breathless. Levi moaned softly. She guided him backwards, making him sit down on the sofa. With a tug, she removed his shirt. Petra wore a long, shapeless gown that fell to her knees. It buttoned down the front. Slowly, she unbuttoned it as she straddled him on the sofa. With a sigh, Petra settled into his lap as she shrugged the garment from her shoulders. Her breasts and stomach were on display for him. Levi's eyes became hazy with lust as he took her breasts in his hands and squeezed. She bit her lip, suppressing a lustful moan as he played with her tits. His thumbs stroked her nipples, hardening them into beads.

"I hate how soft I am now," she whispered. Her breasts were full, and her stomach flabbed a bit. But Levi's hands only stroked her breasts, and her stomach, careful to avoid the stitches.

"I love your body, no matter what," he whispered hoarsely. She felt how much he liked her through the thin cloth of his boxers. She shifted back and forth, seeing stars as his bulge rubbed against her. Levi leaned forward and sucked on one breast, then the other. Petra tilted her head back, her breath quickening as he licked, sucked, then grazed his teeth on the right, then the left, then the right again.

"Oh," she whispered. She hoisted herself up as his hand tracked down her body and disappeared between her legs. He moaned when he slipped a finger into her. She was so wet.

"I'd kill for this," he whispered against the base of her throat. She shifted her hips as his fingers slid in and out of her. She loved the wet sounds, how ready they signified she was. Levi nipped at her throat as Petra whimpered, hips bucking as he pressed a thumb to her clit.

"Stop," she hissed as she was about to climax. He did. "I want to come with you inside me."

"Yes, ma'am." Levi rumbled in his throat as she reached down and pulled his boxers off. Petra grinned to see his erection in the dim light. It pointed so starkly upward, surrounded by that thatch of dark hair. It was so…enthusiastic. She took his cock in her hand.

"I love this. It's so cute," she whispered.

"Hmmph." Levi scowled. "Think cute's really the right word?"

He lost some gruffness as she started to stroke him. His eyes shut.

"It's so happy to see me. And it's so thick, and hard, and hot," she whispered in his ear. Levi's breathing became shaky.

"It doesn't want your hand."

Yes. Petra positioned him and gave a long, soft gasp as she took him inside. She settled all the way down, until he was in as deep as he could get at this angle. She kissed Levi for a minute, kissed passionately as he throbbed inside of her.

"I want you to fuck me," he whispered.

"Yes, sir."

She rocked back and forth, up and down as he kept sucking at her tit. Petra whimpered; she'd still been breastfeeding when they left, and him sucking on her nipple activated…well. Levi grunted when he tasted some of the milk. He didn't seem to mind. He just buried his face between her breasts, breathed on her, kissed her.

They had slow, sweaty sex. As the music throbbed outside, they lost themselves in each other's bodies. Petra felt sweat drip down her back to the base of her spine. Levi's breath heated every inch of her. She lifted her arms over her head and bit her lip so as not to make a noise as she rode him rough. His breath came in short, hushed gasps.

"That's right, baby," he whispered, kissing beneath her breasts. "Fuck me good."

"Oh yes." She felt herself approaching the climax. She loved the butterfly sensation in her stomach as it arrived. "You're a god. You're so good. Mmm. I want to fuck you all day. All night."

"So. Sweet."

His hips thrust as he came in her. She came soon after, following him down into the blissful oblivion of orgasm.

Then they held each other, damp and breathing as the music pulsed outside the window. Petra wiped her face, looked down on Levi as he reclined against the sofa. He breathed gently, his eyes shut. She sat beside him, hooked a leg over his. They luxuriated in the neon darkness together.

His fingers played up and down the soft expanse of her thigh.

"I love you. Fuck. I love you," he whispered.

She'd die without him. Without this. She cuddled next to him on the couch and whispered that in his ear. Levi held her close.

A little while later, when he was hard again and she was sore with wanting, she got on her hands and knees and panted as he took her from behind. Feeling him come in her was the most heavenly sensation.

When they were done, he kissed the whole length of her back. He told her that she was a goddess.

They crept past Kuchel into the bathroom. They were afraid the shower would wake her, but she was knocked out entirely. Petra stood in Levi's arms, luxuriating in the cool water. With their naked bodies pressed together, she knew utter peace.

Armin…

Thought of her son was a quick dagger right beneath her heart. Her tears melded with the shower water. Levi kissed her forehead when he saw her start to cry. He didn't need to speak. He just understood.

They turned off the water, dried themselves. They lay together with Kuchel in bed. They looked at one another in the darkness, and Petra smiled. She traced her fingers along his lips, and found he was smiling, too.

For one month, this was their life. Levi went to work five days a week, breaking rocks or pouring tar on the highway. He never complained, and Petra heard murmurs from the other guys when they came home in the evening. They'd never seen anybody as strong as 'the little grouch.' Petra grinned when she learned that nickname.

As a woman with a child under six, she wasn't required to work outside the home. But she was required to take older children in and look after them for shifts while their mothers were at work. It was okay, really. Kuchel loved having new friends. Petra was a good caretaker. When Levi came home in the evening, they'd make dinner and she'd brew tea for him. She learned how to make iced tea, and would run him a bath and let him soak and relax after work, bring him a frosty drink. Levi's face was getting perpetually sunburned from all the outdoors labor, but he never complained.

"You spoil me, brat," he'd murmur when she let him soak, brought him tea. She knelt beside the tub and kissed him.

"You went from being a lord to working construction for my sake. Spoiling you is the least I can do."

"I'm happier this way than I was back there." He'd kiss her nose. Sometimes, if Kuchel was playing next door with her new friend, Petra would join him in the bath.

It was a more frugal life. A harder one, in some respects. But Petra was happier than she could have imagined.

The only snag was when the sun started going down, and, like clockwork, the gray weight of Armin's absence would settle on her shoulders. Then she'd take out the little sock, go into the bedroom, lie on the bed and hug the sock and cry for fifteen minutes. Levi never let Kuchel go inside when that happened. 'Mama needs her privacy' he said. When Petra had finished, she'd open the door and find him standing there. She'd lean against him, and he'd hold her. Never said a word, but he was there in the way that mattered.

Kuchel was also a problem. As time passed, she grew weary of the novelty of her new surroundings. She missed her room. She missed her toys. She missed her grandparents and 'Misa.'

And she missed her brother most of all.

"When's Armin coming? I want Armin! I wan' him!" She started screeching and sobbing one night as Petra made dinner. Levi picked the child up and carried her to the couch. He sat with her on his knee.

"Armin's with Uncle Erwin," Levi said. He sounded pained. Kuchel usually was a doll for her father, but she stood on the sofa and jumped up and down in her fury.

"But he's my brother! My dolly! I miss him!"

"Kuchel, stop."

But the child kept crying and started kicking her father. And that was it. Levi rose up, stared down at her.

"We don't kick people to get what we want!" he barked. It was a lesson he himself had learned far too late, and he'd see to it Kuchel didn't follow his path.

"I wan' Armin! I wanna go hoooome!" Kuchel bawled and kicked at Levi again. Snarling, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. He placed her on the bed, and Petra heard him shout. She'd never heard him shout at Kuchel before.

"You're being punished for being a brat. You sit in here until I tell you to come out. Got it?"

Kuchel had never experienced her father's anger before. She started screaming at a level that could probably shatter glass. Petra rushed into the bedroom. Kuchel was having a fit on the bed, while Levi looked shellshocked. She grabbed her husband's arm.

"Levi. Go stir the pot. I've got this," she whispered. Levi just kept staring at Kuchel like he didn't know her. Or maybe it was that he didn't know himself. He left, shut the door, and Petra sat on the bed. Kuchel had her face buried in the blankets, and was squalling and kicking and sobbing. "Kuchel. Sit up. Come on, honey."

Gently, Petra lifted the child. Kuchel sniffled and wiped her nose. She was four years old next month. They hadn't been disciplining her enough. Petra took a handkerchief and wiped her face.

"Mama. Where's Armin?" She whimpered. Petra understood then that this would only get worse unless she was honest.

"Okay. I'm going to tell you what's going on." She stroked Kuchel's cheek. "You know how I'm your Mama and Armin's Mama?"

"Uh huh."

"Well, you know how Papa is your Papa?" Kuchel nodded. "Well…Uncle Erwin is Armin's Papa."

"Oh." She nodded, accepting it fully. She did not yet understand what all of that meant. Kuchel probably thought both Levi and Erwin had given Petra an egg to hatch, like a faerie tale. "S-So Unwin wants to be Armin's Papa?"

"Yes. Like Papa would always want to be with you, no matter what."

"Okay." She frowned. "But, but why can't we all be together then?"

Erwin would entirely agree. Petra kissed Kuchel's little hands.

"Uncle Erwin…wanted to take me away from you and Papa and have me be with him. Like how I'm married to your Papa. That's what he wanted."

Kuchel gasped. "But you're not…"

"No. I'm married to your Papa. But Uncle Erwin…it's complicated. But he's the one who had those men take me and Armin away. That's why we left Paradis and changed our name. It's sort of like a big hiding game; we don't want Uncle Erwin to find us for a while. And the only way we could get him to let us leave at all was to let Armin stay with him."

"So…we'll never see Armin again?" Her chin wobbled. Petra hugged her.

"We will. It may take a while, but we will. And we'll see Grandma and Grandpa and Mikasa. And Auntie. Okay?"

Kuchel sniffled. "Okay."

And she accepted it. Children were as resilient as they were fragile.

"Now you do have to stay here for a while. Do you understand why?"

Kuchel sulked. "'Cause I kicked Papa."

"That's right. We use our words when we're angry."

"Papa doesn't."

Petra's blood chilled. She kissed the top of Kuchel's head.

"He's changing. He doesn't want you to do what he does. Okay?"

"Okay. Sorry, Mama." Her little eyes filled with tears again. "B-but I still miss Armin."

"Me too, baby." She hugged Kuchel tight. "We'll see him one day. One day."

And so another month passed.

It was May. Kuchel turned four. There wasn't much of a cake for her birthday, but the woman next door, mother of Kuchel's friend, donated a food voucher to help get some sugar and flour. They baked a little vanilla cake together, and sang happy birthday. Kuchel had no presents, but she didn't seem to mind. So long as she had people to love her, Kuchel was happy. In that way, she wasn't spoiled.

Levi had issues at work. He was the best man on the job, but he was solitary. Petra understood why—they didn't want Erwin to be able to trace them. They didn't want to get close to people, let them discover the family's secrets. Petra had to remind Kuchel that their last name wasn't Ackerman anymore. Kuchel remained grouchy on occasion, and still wanted Armin. Every time Petra heard that, her heart broke a little bit more.

But they kept going. She bought food, kept the place clean, looked after other people's children, and in her spare time tried to figure out the next step. Once their year was up and they were granted citizenship, they could go anywhere. Be anyone.

Petra tried to deduce what would be a good job for her to have. After all, Kuchel would be five in a year, ready to start preliminary schooling. They could use the extra money.

Though if Petra got pregnant again…

For the last two months, nearly every night, she and Levi had made quiet but frantic love after Kuchel went to sleep. Clinging to each other kept the desperation of their situation at bay. Petra's milk had dried up a month back—which had hurt, badly, a reminder that she wasn't feeding Armin, that he was gone.

But still.

This couldn't be a good time for a baby, but then again when would be a good time? And there was always Eren's voice in her ear: two boys in the same year.

Petra thought about this on the day she went with Kuchel to launder clothes in the communal washroom. She hung up sheets and shirts, pinned them, and thought. What was the rest of her life going to look like? Would she see her family again? If Erwin found her…what would he do?

Would he take her?

The thought made her drop a pillowcase. Cursing, she pinned it back up while Kuchel scampered around, playing and laughing with another child. She was faster than some of the kids three years older than her. Her father's daughter. Petra grinned.

She heard a bus rattle through the gate. Another convoy delivering more approved immigrants. Petra watched the bus pass, kicking up clouds of dust. She sighed, then looked again as she saw a sleek car follow behind the bus. Probably some high ranking general taking a tour of the place. Petra hummed as she laid one of Kuchel's dresses on a washboard and scrubbed hard. In truth, all the physical work helped a little. She preferred physical activity, being surrounded by other people who talked and laughed while going about their day. Petra had never been a great lady. She had no appetite for sitting around and being delicate. This was who she truly was.

No. Not really. She was truly a soldier, someone who lived free and wild in the open air.

Not anymore.

Petra winced as she felt her gut rumble a bit. She hurked, but mercifully didn't throw up. Shit. Shit, shit. She'd started feeling nauseated a few days ago. What if…

Two boys in one year…

"Mama!" Kuchel bounced up and down beside her, flailing her little arms. "Watch me. Watch, watch!"

"I'm watching, sweetheart." Petra smiled and sighed as her little girl turned in circles, spinning like a top until she collapsed to the floor, giggling. Petra grinned and picked Kuchel up as one of the 'camp guards' entered and called out in a booming voice.

"Visitors. Everyone, stand up."

Petra frowned. Sometimes they brought higher ups in for a full inspection. She didn't love this; it felt like being back in training all over again. Or like some sort of zoo animal. She stood, holding Kuchel's shoulders as she faced the doorway. A couple of military personnel entered in brown Marleyan uniform.

And then…

"Mama?" Kuchel sounded surprised as Petra shrank away. Shit. She tried to turn her head so that her hair shielded her face from…

Willy Tybur walked alongside the men, chatting amiably. He wore a light summer suit, and fanned himself with a hat. His hair was still blond, and hung to his shoulders in a sleek curtain.

No. No. If he saw her… Erwin had to have put out word to the other Alliance members. Willy would turn them over. He would—

Petra pulled Kuchel backwards, angling them both behind one of the taller women. Sheila looked surprised, but didn't say anything. Thank god. Petra hung back there, staring at the floor, waiting until Willy's shoes passed by. He passed Sheila and didn't look at the woman huddling behind her. He had no real interest in any of these people. Thank god.

The military men made their rounds, and then left the room. Petra let out a shuddering breath.

Sheila turned. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just…feeling a little sick. Didn't want to throw up in front of them."

If Sheila was still unsure of that explanation, she didn't say anything. Once the laundry was done, Petra grabbed her basket and rushed Kuchel up the stairs back to the apartment. She looked around, relieved when she didn't see Willy anywhere.

"We're gonna stay inside and be quiet the rest of the day, sweetie," Petra said, fumbling the key into the lock. Please, let Levi keep his head down. Her heart was loud in her ears as Petra opened the door.

Willy Tybur was seated at the kitchen table, chin in hand, drumming his fingers on the tabletop. He looked bored, but smiled when he saw Petra.

She dropped the basket. The clothes spilled onto the floor.

"Mrs. Braun?" Willy said. He stood, neatened his jacket. "I think we need to have a little talk."

Levi wiped sweat from his eyes when the whistle blew for the end of his shift. The back of his neck burned as he and the other workers got hauled onto the bus and driven back to the encampment. He hated the end of the work day, when he felt so covered in grime. Hopefully Petra'd have a cool bath drawn when he got in. She was so damn good about it. Perfect angel. He tried to think of things he could give her, treats to spoil her, but she always told him he was enough. Of course she said that. But she deserved more. Everything.

"Sometimes I don't think I can make it another ten months," Edgar groaned. He always sat next to Levi on the bus. Levi didn't talk much, but Edgar provided his own conversation. "Eh. Maybe I can."

"Yeah," Levi said. He looked out the window, saw the highways of Valle speed past. Where was he gonna take Petra and Kuchel when their time was up? Maybe to the country's midlands. Good farming communities out there. He liked farming and shit. A place to start, anyway.

They pulled through the gates, and Levi got off with the others. He wiped his face again as he trekked up the stairs. Damn. That bath was gonna be necessary. They were hitting summer now, and the days were gonna get even hotter. He was sticky with sweat. Disgusting.

Levi opened the door. He found Kuchel seated on the couch, playing with her doll and singing to herself.

He found Petra at the kitchen table.

With Willy Tybur.

"Hello, Levi." Willy gave a slick smile. He looked as blond and cool as ever. Petra gazed up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.

The yellow lightning told Levi to choke the man out. He and the girls could run. They could hide. Somehow, he'd get them out, even if he had to give his own fucking life to make it happen.

Levi shut the door, prepared to move. Prepared to take out Willy Tybur.

"Wait!" Petra held up a hand. She clearly saw where he was about to go with this. "Levi, just listen."

"Listen to who? Erwin's best fuckin' friend?" he growled. "Can't imagine that'll be worth my fucking time."

"Bad word," Kuchel sang, snuggling Gretel. He almost yelled at his daughter, but kept his cool.

"Believe me. I'm not Erwin's friend," Willy said coolly. "Between you and I, we've seen how he treats those he claims to care about."

"What do you want?" Levi approached the table.

"I want to offer you a job," Willy said simply. The two men stared each other down a minute. Levi heard a fly buzzing around the kitchen. He weighed what to do next. He made a decision.

"Petra. Could you take Kuchel in the bedroom?" he muttered.

"Sure." She picked up the child and carried her away. Shut the door.

"Now. What kind of job, and what kind of stupid do you think I am that I would ever trust you?" Levi growled. Willy fought a smile.

"You really are the man I met that first night at DeLuca's party. Surly and straightforward. You and Petra are both exactly yourselves. You always have been. It's Erwin who's the liar."

"How much do you know about my family?" Levi didn't sit. He stayed loose, ready to kill if need be.

"If I wanted to threaten you, I could have simply told the camp guard to take Petra and Kuchel while you were at work. But I wanted to see you as a friend. We have a common enemy, Levi."

"Erwin's not…" Well, Erwin was actually. Willy noticed his hesitation.

"I'm asking for something simple. I want you to come work for me as my personal bodyguard." Willy rubbed his chin. "These days, being a member of the Triple Alliance has its own special hazards."

"Sure. You want to keep me close and hand me and my family off to Erwin when you get the chance."

"I hate Erwin Smith," Willy said softly. He studied his pristine white hands. "You should know what's been going on these last two months. He's gone mad. Utterly mad. He wants your wife. He's ordered both Kiyomi and me to hand you all over the first chance we get, whenever we find you."

"So you'd risk his anger to employ me? That's pretty fucking dumb."

"Employing you gets me two things. One, it gets me your protection skills, which are extraordinary beyond any measure. I'd like that." Willy counted on his long, slim fingers. "Two, having you at my side means I have something that Erwin desperately wants."

"Yeah, and you can use us as leverage to get what you want outta him." Levi leaned forward, hands gripping the back of a chair. Willy watched him carefully.

"If you kill me, you'll die here," Willy said.

"I can buy my wife and daughter time to get away. That matters more than my shitty life."

Willy looked Levi in the eyes then. To Levi's surprise, Willy seemed…wistful.

"What's it like to truly love your spouse?"

"It's good. Good enough I'd happily get her out of here and swing for your murder rather than hand her over to Erwin Fucking Smith."

"He hasn't made his son's birth public yet," Willy murmured. His son. Levi flinched. "I know everything, Levi. He wants Petra. He's determined to have her as his queen, his wife. His son must be legitimate. This obsession with creating the perfect life for the boy…well. It's a true weakness, finally. One I can exploit."

"You will not put my wife in danger to win some shitty political game," Levi snarled.

"If you work for me, Levi, Petra will be safer than she could be anywhere else. With anyone else. I swear to you."

Levi wasn't allowed to carry weapons anymore. His knives had been taken from him by the camp guard when they first got here, months ago. But his body was a weapon. He was in front of Willy so fast that Willy jerked in shock. Horror. Levi gripped the man by his shirtfront and hauled him out of the chair. Willy hissed, his dark eyes wide in terror. He gripped Levi's wrists, but he might as well have fought a bear, or a statue. Some inhuman creation.

"You expect me to trust you? You're Erwin's bitch," Levi snapped. Willy dangled in his grip.

"I want to stop being his bitch," Willy said. His black eyes glittered with fury. "If I have you working for me, Petra under my protection, Erwin loses two of his most important pieces."

"And you'll strike a good deal with him and give us over. You must think I'm such a fucking fool."

"I need you!" Willy barked. He sounded strangled; Levi loosened his grip. "Erwin has people coming for me. I feel the snare closing around my foot more and more every day. He's waiting for the right moment to take me out."

"Why would he?"

"Because he won't feel secure in Marley if he isn't ruling it himself! He'll go for Hizuru as well. He'll take over the world himself if he needs to!"

"Why? That's not Erwin. He's not greedy like that."

"Don't you see?" Willy whispered. "He's not a man now. He's a father. Think, Levi. The world hates Eldians in general, and him in particular. He'll die in a few years, leaving that vulnerable child alone. He won't let his son be in danger. He won't let any threat stand while he draws breath. He no longer trusts the Triple Alliance in the slightest. He knows Kiyomi and I are dangerous if we take the boy from him. He'll kill us. He'll take over the world. He'll…"

Willy abruptly stopped.

"What?" Levi muttered.

"I've heard rumors." Levi let him go. "They say there are experiments being conducted clandestinely on Paradis. They say Erwin is trying to find a way to break Ymir's curse. To save his life, to let him protect his son. They say he wants more than a full lifetime." Willy looked afraid now. Truly afraid. "They say he wants to live forever."

"That's impossible." Levi almost sat down. Erwin was…what? Experimenting with what? On who? All for the sake of that little boy…

You shouldn't have had the kid, Petra.

He shut that thought away. These were just rumors. Willy could be manipulating him.

"If you want to risk Erwin's wrath just to get me to shield your ass, you're either stupid or lying," Levi grunted.

"I'm neither. You are probably the only man on earth who can keep me alive if Erwin Smith wants me dead. And he does. Whether I help you or not, he wants me dead, Levi." And Willy was telling the truth. It was there, a sick gleam in his eye. "He wants my sister's titan power. He wants every titan power under his own control. You have to help me. Not just for my sake or my family's, but for Marley's. Erwin is asking me to ship Eldian prisoners to Paradis for his experiments. Those who go never come back. Soon he'll ask for more and more Eldians, normal, law-abiding Eldians. I need someone to help shield me and stand against him."

"I can't," Levi said. "I can't risk my wife or my daughter."

"If you don't help me, you'll condemn them."

"Why? 'Cause you'll snitch to Erwin?" Levi grabbed the guy's throat again, but Willy didn't fight. He shut his eyes, yielding himself like a damn martyr.

"If I die, I can't keep him from doing whatever he wants. So far I haven't allowed him to tear this country apart looking for you. When I'm gone, he will. Your family will suffer, as will millions of other families."

"Erwin's not…this nuts."

"You haven't seen him in two months. Believe me." Willy scowled. "He's a changed man."

I changed him. I ran. I…had to run.

"Say I work for you," Levi growled. "What're the perks?"

He released Willy.

"You and your family are under my protection. He has no power of extradition. Any move on you is a declaration of war, and he's still afraid enough of Marley's power that he won't risk it. He could crush us with the hyperfusion bomb, but the world's opinion would sour further. There'd be open rebellion. He's still too weak for that. The other countries in the Alliance would go against him. He needs to keep the peace. For now. So Petra stays here. I'll give you citizenship right now. Remember, until you're citizens he has a right to legally bring you back to Paradis. And I'm not the only one in the military who noticed Petra in the washroom today." Willy shook his head. "By the end of day today, Erwin will have gotten word."

Shit. Could he trust this asshole? Could he…?

"You'll also be given a nice salary, and fine living arrangements. Your daughter will be dressed and fed well. And Petra will be healthy when she delivers."

Levi blinked. "Delivers?"

"Forgive me. Perhaps I was mistaken. But she went into the bathroom an hour ago to vomit. Maybe it was just nerves. But something tells me it's more than that."

Levi's whole mind went blank. Was it possible?

Petra had told him Eren's prediction. Two kids in a year. All Eren's visions had come true so far.

It was June now, meaning she'd have to be…

Fuck.

"So. Citizenship. Safety. Money. Comfort. It's all yours, Levi Ackerman." Willy extended his pale hand.

"I don't trust kings," he rasped.

"I never wanted to be one. Erwin did." Willy narrowed his eyes. "I'm not the brave man the king of Paradis is. But in my own way, I've tried to be humane over the years. I value our way of life over greatness or personal gain. Decide for yourself which is the safer route."

Levi studied the hand. He hadn't wanted to get pulled back into Erwin's world, but if what Willy said was true then Levi would be pulled back whether he wanted it or not. He would die to defend his family. If he led them into a trap, he'd go ballistic. But if this was all true, not taking the job would leave them vulnerable. And he couldn't have that.

Especially not if Erwin had become what Willy said he'd become.

"Well?"

Levi sneered. "You say you got a better place for us to live?"

"I do." Willy stood. "Let me show you."

Levi stood in the space, dumbfounded. Willy's convoy had driven the Ackermans out of the encampment and into the heart of Valle. They'd gotten out before some swank apartment building, one with stone pillars and granite flowers adorning the exterior. They'd been whisked in a brass elevator up to the top floor, seventy feet above the ground.

The apartment consisted of fifteen rooms, including three bedrooms and a small guest chamber. The apartment was more like a penthouse, taking up half the top floor of the entire building. There was even a small staircase that led up to a study and a private balcony. Kuchel was running up and down the length of the hallways, squealing with delight. The floors were hardwood or plush carpet. The walls could be papered in silk, or painted. The windows were tall and arched.

Willy had left the Ackermans to get used to the space. Petra walked around and around the room—the master bedroom, if they took the place. She kept a hand to her stomach unconsciously. Levi noticed.

"Willy said he thinks you're pregnant," Levi murmured.

"I…" She rubbed her cheek. "I've been feeling sick. I remember what Eren said."

"Me too."

"I think…" She came over to him. His wife looked so pale now. Her hair was scraggly, her body thin from their newfound poverty. She looked tired in such splendid surroundings. She should never be tired or poor. She should live in beauty and splendor. He put his arms around her. "I should go to a doctor," she whispered. "Find out."

"What do you think?"

"I've been wrong before. But…" She turned her eyes down. "I think I am."

He looked down, looked at her stomach. A baby. His child this time, no doubt. Levi hadn't told Petra about Armin yet, or what Erwin was doing. He'd save that for later. He didn't want her to suffer too many shocks in one day.

"Should I take the offer?" he asked.

"Do you think Willy's right? Do you think Erwin might find us?"

"I think Willy's right that Erwin wants him dead." The lightning had agreed with Willy, and it was never wrong. "I think him dying would be bad for us, no matter what."

Petra nodded.

"What do you think I should do?"

"I know we wanted our own life." She sighed. "But I think we should take this offer. One day, when Erwin's gone, we'll be free. Not before."

He would tell her later that Erwin probably wanted to stick around for more than eight years. Maybe forever. But that was later. Now, he was with her. She was all he wanted. He kissed her, took comfort in her. She brushed her nose along his.

"I'm sorry I made a mess of our lives," she whispered.

"This is the only mess I don't hate." He smirked. She made a face of false outrage, then kissed him. They held each other as they heard Kuchel bashing up and down the hall outside, singing a happy nonsense song. The kid would be happy here. She'd be safe, and fed, and cared for. "But you're right, Petra. This is a bad time to be without powerful allies. We need Willy."

"Yes." She kissed his cheek. "Not as much as I need you, though."

"Same, brat." He kissed her forehead. He imagined the little life now growing inside of her. His little baby. "Same."

So when Levi met Willy in the front hall, Levi didn't stop scowling. But he nodded, just once.

"Okay. You've got me."

Willy Tybur had never looked happier. Least, not that Levi had seen.

"You won't regret this."

"Hey. I don't have regrets."

Not really.

They stood together side by side, looking up at the apartment window. It was rush hour, and the cars honked as they sped along the streets of Valle. The two wore cloaks with the hoods up, even though it was summer and the air was sweltering. He felt a drop of sweat trickle down his nose.

"How do you know they're in there?" Historia asked.

"I know." He had seen it. He had known where they would be, and when. He'd never have gotten access to them in the encampment, so he'd bided his time until they moved. Good. Very good.

Historia was satisfied with his answer. "Why don't we move now?"

"Because it isn't the right time. We have to wait one more month."

She groaned in frustration. He didn't blame her. They were still living rough. Even her delicate beauty was fading under the constant grime and strain. "Remind me again why another month?"

"Because," Eren said. "Plan B needs to be in place."

He turned away and walked down the street, Historia trailing in his wake. They pushed through the afternoon crowd. Eren barely noticed anyone else. He thought hard. He nodded to himself.

One more month, and then he would save them all.

Well. All except one.

There could be no saving Kuchel now.