Levi was at the door before any of the officers, before Erwin or Willy. He had heard a giant, titanic crash as they pulled up. The sound of that hangar, at least part of it, splitting. Right now, he was trying to keep himself from feeling anything. A sword. He would need a sword if he had to put down—
No. He couldn't. He could never…
Levi felt himself unraveling as he went up to the hangar's entrance and kicked down the door. In his fury, the damn thing splintered apart. He entered, staring ahead into the dim light.
At the titan.
Levi made a noise deep in his throat. He collapsed to his knees, all energy out of him.
Oh fuck…
"Kuchel!" Petra screamed and reached for her baby as Eren finished injecting her and then moved out of the way. Petra screamed from the root of her being as she waited for the lightning to begin, and for her baby to be transformed into a giant, ravenous monster. For her innocent little girl to be taken from her. Forever.
She was useless. A terrible bitch of a mother.
She stared at Kuchel, who lay there stunned. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm a bad Mama. I'm sorry, my love.
Petra whimpered as…
Nothing happened.
Five seconds. Ten seconds. Fifteen. Petra pushed herself to a sitting position. Did it always take this long? She glanced at Eren, who was watching Kuchel with a furrowed brow.
The little girl climbed to her feet and wobbled. She stood fully upright.
"Kuchel?" Petra whispered.
Then the child looked up at Eren with narrowed eyes. Cold, furious eyes. And in that moment, she looked exactly like Levi.
Levi…
"Oh," Eren whispered. He seemed to pale. "Shit."
Kuchel ran at him. No, she didn't run; she sped. She went faster than Petra had ever imagined a child could run. And as Petra watched, mouth open, Kuchel turned a perfect somersault through the air, graceful as an acrobat.
She kicked Eren right in the stomach.
She sent him flying twenty feet. Kuchel landed well, rolling to a stop. She didn't hurt herself.
The Ackerman awakening. Levi said he experienced a moment of great stress, a life or death situation…
Kuchel ran after Eren as he tried to get up. She was only a very little girl, but her movements were frighteningly perfect. They had weight to them. As Eren tried to stand, she jumped and kicked him square in the face. She shattered his mouth, his teeth flying in every direction. As Eren cried out in pain, Kuchel began stomping on his hand. Petra heard the bones shatter.
She got to her feet in a daze. It was…over.
An awakened Ackerman could never become a titan. Kuchel must have had her power activated mere seconds before it was too late. Petra could have sobbed with gratitude.
But her baby looked so fearsome as she attacked Eren.
"Kuchel!" she cried. "Stop!"
Petra knew that Eren would not hurt them now. He had never desired harm. And while it'd give Petra pleasure to see him dead after what he'd tried to do, she knew that they couldn't lose the Founder. Not like this.
The little girl stopped kicking and looked at her mother. That dead-eyed, too-old look vanished from Kuchel. She sat down, collapsing like the little girl she was.
"Mamaaaaa." She wailed and held out her arms. She needed comfort. Petra swept in and picked the child up, holding Kuchel tight to her chest. She rocked her baby, tears streaming down her cheeks. Oh, thank god. Thank god for the Ackerman power. Petra hugged Kuchel tight.
"Baby, are you okay?"
"Uh huh. Uh…uh uh." Kuchel kept blubbering, but she was entirely herself again. Petra almost fell down in relief. She'd been afraid that activating the genes would mean that Kuchel would become just like Levi and Mikasa, stoic and emotionless. While she loved those two, she did not want her happy little girl to become a shadow of her former self. But it seemed that wouldn't happen. Kuchel kept giving huge, heaving sobs as Petra shushed her and kissed her. Eren managed to stand up, wavering on his feet. His face was a mass of bruises; his damaged hand hung at his side. Petra sneered at him.
"You bastard."
"Too late." He sounded dizzy. He shook his head. "The Ackermans…are all free."
Yes. Eren had seen the future, but when Kuchel awoke she took control of it for herself. As Levi had when he fell in love all those years ago. Petra kept rocking the frightened girl.
"Levi's going to kill you," she snarled.
Eren fell to his knees. He bowed his back, hung his head so that his long brown hair fell into his face.
He…laughed.
The fuck?
"Soon it'll be over," Eren said to the floor. He sat up, looked at Petra. "At least for now. For a little while. But I'm sorry, Petra. Kuchel was the second chance we had to get it right." He shook his head. "The third and final chance is the one that'll be truly painful. But don't worry. I'll help you when the time comes."
"I have had enough of your crazy shit!" she snarled. Kuchel was sniffling and weeping now; she'd cried herself mostly out.
"But my part right now is done. The rest is going to be up to you."
Eren stood. Would he attack her?
Then she heard them. Sirens. They were getting closer.
Levi? Oh, please god.
"Petra?" Eren looked her right in the eyes. "Don't tell Erwin where I am."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Then, beside the hangar, a great burst of orange lightning crackled. She saw it through the high window. It was a titan transformation. Petra winced and crouched as the impact exploded the glass. Kuchel squealed in terror at the loud noise.
Petra jumped backwards as the eastern wall of the hangar was ripped apart.
The Armored Titan entered. Connie in his massive form looked down on them. He came forward.
And Eren went to meet him.
Is he going to transform? Fight Connie?
But Eren stood his ground and reached up. Connie reached down.
The Armored picked Eren up in his hand and…
Oh no.
Petra shielded Kuchel as the titan brought Eren to its mouth…and bit him in half. She gaped in horror as Connie ate Eren. One bite, and Eren's legs jerked in a final spasm of death. In two bites, Eren Jaeger was gone from the earth. There wasn't even blood or body parts left behind. He was absolutely gone.
Then the Armored Titan gazed down at Petra. Slowly, it got to a knee and loomed over her.
"What the…?"
Don't tell Erwin where I am.
She gazed up into the titan's eyes and could swear, somehow, that Eren Jaeger was looking back at her.
Maybe it was all the shock she'd endured this evening. But Petra felt herself become strangely calm.
Somehow, even though she didn't understand…she believed.
She swallowed and nodded.
Okay, Eren. I swear. You're a hateful bastard, but I swear.
And then the hangar door splintered as someone kicked it down. She whirled and saw Levi stagger inside, his expression breaking.
When he saw Petra with Kuchel in her arms, he collapsed to his knees, like all the wind had been knocked out of him.
And Petra ran to him.
"Papa!" Kuchel screamed as officers rushed inside the space, skirting around Levi. Her husband managed to get up and practically lunge at them. Kuchel leapt into his arms, bawling as he rocked her back and forth, hugging her tight, stroking her hair.
"Kuchel. Oh god."
Petra put her hands to her mouth. She watched Levi do everything within his power not to start weeping. His eyes were boiled red, but he fiercely refused to give in. He just squeezed their daughter tight as she sobbed.
"I got you, sweetheart. I got you. Fuck." Levi's voice broke. He looked at Petra, his war with himself evident. "What happened?"
"I'm so sorry. Eren injected her." She could tell by Levi's look and his reaction that he knew Eren's purpose. Petra saw Historia hovering nearby, looking shrunken in on herself. "The only thing that saved her was the Ackerman power."
"She…" Levi looked distant. "She awoke?"
"Yes. I'm sorry." Petra felt wretched. "I couldn't protect her. I'm too weak now, and sluggish. I—"
He grabbed her and pulled her against him as well. As Petra wound her arms around her husband, embracing him and their daughter, she recalled being nineteen and seeing the great Captain Levi running drills out in the field. How hard he had looked; how resolute. How distant. His every expression like it had been chiseled out of stone.
And now he was warm and human in her arms. She kissed his temple.
"I love you," she whispered.
"Yes. Fuck." He sniffed. Kuchel had started calming, too.
"Papa. Bad word." She sniffled.
"Yeah. Yeah, you're right." He gave her cheek a ferocious kiss. "It's all right. As long as you're both here."
He always, in some small way, expected to find the worst had happened. He expected Isabel and Furlan all over again. Their old squad. Petra saw then the unbearable strain this produced. He was always primed for tragedy. She kissed him again.
Finally, Petra took back Kuchel and they walked over to Connie's titan. Erwin and Willy strode up; Erwin looked upwards, fury in his eyes.
"Connie! Where is he?"
Petra gnawed her lip as the Armored Titan knelt and Connie emerged from the nape. He scratched his head.
"Thought he might be here in his titan form, so I came in prepared," he called. Connie glanced at Petra just once. "But he was gone."
"Is that right?" Willy turned to Petra. She nodded weakly.
Don't tell Erwin where I am.
"He tried to turn Kuchel into a titan," she croaked. "He only failed because her Ackerman genes were triggered. When he realized he couldn't use her anymore, he got furious and ran out. I don't know where he went." She looked at Connie again. "That was at least five minutes before you all got here."
Erwin swore colorfully as Willy frowned. "But why would he want to turn your child into a titan?"
Petra and Levi shared a look of understanding. There was going to be no way of keeping this secret.
"Because Eren found out who Levi's father was," she said softly.
They were all back at the Ackerman apartment soon after. Petra had put Kuchel to bed in her and Levi's room, promising to be in very shortly. She needed to finish with everyone first.
Willy, Historia, Connie and Erwin all sat around their dining room table. Considering Erwin's great, dramatic presence here mere hours before, it was kind of funny to find him sitting with his tie loosened and a bleary look on his face. He was stunned, truthfully.
Stunned at Levi's revealed parentage.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Willy said, wearing a smirk. "But if you're the direct descendent of the true king, Levi, that gives you a better claim to the throne than even Historia."
"No," Levi said bluntly. He kept glaring at Historia, who was sandwiched between Connie and Erwin. She stared at her cup of undrunk tea. She was not a Marleyan citizen, and would be returning with Erwin to Paradis tonight. Petra couldn't help it; despite what the queen had nearly done to her daughter, she pitied the girl. Trapped with Erwin Smith. A true nightmare. "The king or queen of Paradis is the one who holds the Founder. You know that shit. I can't ever be a titan because of the Ackerman power. I can't be the king."
"Yes. And besides, now the Founder is on the lam once more," Erwin growled.
Petra made sure not to look at Connie.
Don't tell Erwin where I am. In a way, Eren Jaeger was seated at this table with all of them right now. Wearing the perfect disguise.
"Maybe it's best the Founder is lost, anyway," Willy said. "That kind of power in the wrong hands could be dangerous. Extremely dangerous."
Everyone avoided looking at Erwin, but they all thought the same thing.
"The point," Erwin muttered, "is that the people of Paradis don't give a shit about all of that."
"Vulgarity doesn't become you," Petra muttered. He glared. She grinned.
"I mean that it's what you said years ago, Willy." He sneered. "People follow a good story."
They all understood. A true king, a war hero, rising up to take back his birthright from the usurper? Nice tale. A story people could get behind.
"What're you saying, Erwin?" Levi had taken off his coat and tie. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, glaring down his nose at the Paradisian king. Petra thought about how once they all would have gathered around a table and talked well into the night. Laughed. Shared wine, or tea. And now it was this.
Whenever she felt the urge for pity, she thought of her son's photograph and hardened her heart.
"Willy Tybur now holds the true heir to Paradis. I doubt he'll want to keep that ace up his sleeve."
"Are you suggesting I'd want to overthrow you, Erwin?" Willy wasn't smiling now. He looked utterly blank. "That would destabilize one third of the Alliance. Two thirds, if Hizuru wasn't behind me. At the moment, there's nothing happening between our nations that makes me think we should install a new ruler in Paradis."
At the moment. Petra was clever enough to know that those words were loaded. So long as Erwin behaved, Willy would not consider moving against him.
Erwin and Levi just continued to stare at one another. Even now, their friendship shattered beyond repair, Petra could feel that impossible tension between them. Would it always be there? Probably.
"I got no reason to want to be king," Levi said. "I'm a soldier. A thug. People like you, Willy, and Kiyomi are rulers. Leave me the hell alone."
"You have no reason," Erwin said. He frowned. "Now."
Petra didn't want this to turn into hours of glaring and pissing, so she thrust herself into the conversation.
"Are you going to try to extradite us, Erwin? Are you going to try to kill Levi? Or are you going to accept what we tell you? Because only one of those options means Willy won't have to consider going against you."
The table grew silent. Willy gave a nod, as if tipping her.
"The lady speaks true. This is where faith in the Alliance comes in, Erwin. Are you one of us?" His voice grew soft. Deadly. "Or do you want to stand alone?"
Erwin considered them. He tapped a finger on the table. He made a decision.
"Returning with the queen will be enough. Her presence will stabilize the island and calm the international press."
Historia said nothing. She seemed oddly serene. As if she had already made peace with what was going to happen to her.
Or as if…she already knew what would happen.
Eren…
"Then in that case, and I don't mean to be rude, but I need all of you to leave right now. My daughter needs to be looked after." Petra got up from the table.
"Ball buster." Levi sounded proud. "She's right. I'll walk you out."
Petra watched the kings get up from the table. Willy gave her a smile as he left, and Erwin studiously ignored her. Bitch. Historia walked behind her husband, all tension out of her body. She did not seem like a scared little girl. She was a woman. Every inch of her.
Petra hoped it would be enough to help her.
As Connie passed, she snagged his arm. She pulled the boy in for a hug. It was a natural motion—he'd once been a fixture in their family home. She felt a sisterly love for him. As she hugged him, she whispered in his ear.
"Was it on the paper?"
Throughout the night, ever since seeing Connie walk in and devour Eren, she'd been trying to puzzle it out. How it had happened. How Eren had known it would happen. And then she remembered: years ago, before Connie ate Reiner, Eren had visited the boy for a final talk. He had given Reiner a letter, which Reiner had read…and then eaten.
Connie, as the inheritor of Reiner's memories, would have seen that note. Internalized what Reiner had been told.
What else had been on that paper?
"Can't," he whispered back. She could hear Eren in that one word. Then Connie kissed her cheek, and that was all the gangly, sweet Springer boy. She let him go. Petra understood.
If Erwin ever found out Connie's secret, the boy would be eaten in under five minutes.
But based on the slight nod he gave her, she knew she'd been correct.
She saw them all out. Erwin put a hand on Historia's back, guiding her where he'd lead. Connie followed. Willy and Levi spoke quietly together, and then the Tybur king left. Petra shut and locked the door.
Levi looked so worn. His flesh was colorless. The stress had almost broken him.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
He didn't speak. He just kissed her. She clung to him, kissed him back with equal passion. They held tight to each other.
"I'm too slow now." She winced. "I'm too weak. I haven't been training."
"He'd have killed you," Levi said. "It's good you didn't go all out against him."
"The old me would've given him a better fight. I failed her." Petra finally broke again. She wept against his shoulder. "I'm a shitty mother."
"I was supposed to protect you both," he whispered in her ear. "I'm the asshole."
She denied it, kissed him. He denied her belief that she was weak. They started to soothe each other. Petra kissed the tip of his nose.
"Tell me, though." He looked serious. "What really happened to Eren?"
She told him everything. He looked green by the end of it.
"He said there's one more chance. It'll hurt the worst, or something. I don't remember. Levi. We're so fucked."
Not the most eloquent speech. And punctuated by her daughter's started cries, it felt that much more nightmarish.
"Mama? Papaaaa." Kuchel whimpered from their bedroom.
"Everything Eren said is coming true," she murmured.
"Oi. He said there was no saving Kuchel. But she's saved. Because of her Ackerman power or whatever the shit it is." He looked fearsome. Determined. "We beat it before. We can do it again."
"But…" She was torn, wanting to go to her daughter and wanting to spit it out. "But if this last chance passes, reality… He said it would unravel. The universe would…"
Levi took her hands and pressed his lips to her knuckles.
"We're going to solve this. Somehow. I got you, brat. That's all I need." He shrugged. "Though Hange'd help."
She choked on a laugh. "It's going to come back to us at some point."
The darkness. The strife. He just nodded.
"Now Erwin knows about me… At least me and Kuchel can't access the Founder."
"But the baby could."
Petra touched her stomach. So did he. Levi worked his jaw, deep in thought.
"Sooner or later, he'll make a move on us again."
"What do we do in the meantime?"
"Get stronger." He looked at her. He stroked her cheek. "But also…fuck it. I keep almost losing you, or her. I always spent my life obsessing over the next loss I'd have to suffer. I'm done with that shit. While I have you, I'm going to really have you. No matter what. No regrets."
She blinked back tears. "Levi Ackerman. You're a very wise man."
"Nah. Just dumb and slow to learn." He kissed her.
"I'm going to get Kuchel a snack. She's more than earned it."
Petra poured a glass of milk and took a Macademia nut cookie. She brought in the plate and glass to find Kuchel snuggled up with Levi. She huddled close to him, looking at him with those adoring eyes.
"So you understand, Kuchel?" He petted her hair. He looked so softly at her. Petra realized that he was more tender now than he had even been after his "death." He had nearly lost her. Lived without her. "That strength you feel's a good thing. But you have to make sure you control it."
"Uh huh." She brightened at the sight of her snack. "Mama!"
"Because you're such a good, brave girl." Petra and Levi petted and fussed over the child as she drank her milk and ate her cookie. Levi didn't even get mad about crumbs. At least, not too much. Petra just kept staring at her daughter, adoring the girl. Already, the panic of the evening was wearing off, though Kuchel still looked worn. The poor baby.
Then again, she now had her father's power. Mikasa's power. Petra knew Levi had wanted Kuchel to live life as a normal girl, but in a world like this, that strength meant Kuchel would not need to fear much. She'd also be faster, and heal better than most. The power kept her safe. Petra was grateful.
"Willy gave me the rest of the week off," Levi said. He pinched Kuchel's cheek. "Thought you and me could practice a little tomorrow."
"Yeah!" Kuchel beamed, the idea of time with her father lighting her like a candle. Petra kissed the top of her head.
When Kuchel was finished, Petra cleared the plate and glass and returned to find the child snoozing, thumb in her mouth. Petra got into bed and looked at Levi across their sleeping daughter.
"Do you think it'll be dangerous? I mean, she has so much strength and she's so young."
"The power, it's weird. You feel like you always know just what to do. You only ever get as out of control as you want. But yeah, it's a little scary. We'll work on it."
They looked down at Kuchel with her little rosy cheeks. Petra stroked her hair.
"At least she's safe now."
"If she'd been a titan, I would've died." Levi had never spoken like that before. He looked so distant. "I would've stopped breathing. Just fuckin' stopped."
"I know." She kissed him tenderly. "That's the price of having her. That feeling."
"But it's worth it," he growled. "Can't believe it's true, but it is."
"I don't know what Eren's plan is." She sighed. "But I know one thing; he's still carrying it out."
"Hey. As long as it doesn't involve our children, I'm fine with any plan that shitcans Erwin at this point." He still flinched when he said it. Likely he always would. But he was steadfast.
Petra touched her belly again. Another baby so soon after Armin was…just a lot of hormones. And she felt so soft. So doughy.
"Oi," he whispered. "When the kid's born, we'll train you up again. We'll get you strong. Ready to fight."
She sighed in relief. "I love being their mother. I just don't want to be…"
"Not yourself," he finished. "Baby. You're gonna be as much you as you want to be."
She kissed him, this gruff, utterly sweet man. They lay down and slept, holding their little girl. Holding each other. Knowing how fast it could all go away.
Pushing forward anyway.
Cherishing what they got, as much as they got.
Three months later
"Looks like a rainy day." Petra looked out the kitchen window at the cloudy skies above. She liked autumn in Valle. The heat subsided, and the days became cool and gray every once in a while. The city streets glimmered under the ripples of rain.
Kuchel and Levi were at the breakfast table. It was one of Levi's days off, and he read the paper while Kuchel sang songs to her pancakes. Her father looked at her with a small smile every minute or so, as if just happy to see her there.
Petra's stomach was swelling now. It was the end of the second trimester. Her movement was about to become much more limited as she headed into the final three months of pregnancy. Oruo somersaulted and kicked in her belly. She sat down, rubbing her bump.
The radio played an upbeat song about a little bugle boy, or something. She never listened to lyrics especially hard.
Petra sipped her herbal tea. She wiped Kuchel's face, getting rid of the syrup.
"Had an idea." Levi folded the paper. "Want to go to a movie?"
Kuchel stood on her chair and shrieked gleefully. They'd been to the Crest a few times, and Petra had admittedly been spellbound. She had never imagined what it would be like, watching enormous moving images walk around. Speak. The silvery black and white photography lent everything a dreamy quality. She took Kuchel at least a couple of times a week for a matinee. The little girl couldn't get enough.
"Stop at a coffee shop, maybe look at some toys for midwinter. Just to get ideas."
Kuchel was now going absolutely mad with joy. She bounced off her chair, kissed her father, then her mother, then tore through the apartment making odd little hooting and whistling noises. Petra laughed and took Levi's hand.
"No training today?"
"She's really gotten the hang of it. Talented kid." He looked especially proud. He wasn't teaching Kuchel combat, but control. The girl was an adept student. Though Petra had found her carrying her whole dollhouse over her head a couple times, gleefully cheering at her own strength. And they'd had one bad incident the month before when Kuchel got temperamental about a time out. She'd put her foot through the wall.
Levi asked her how she'd feel if she did that to Mama or the baby, and Kuchel had never done it again. Levi took their empty cups to the sink and washed. "Besides, I feel like I never just spend the day with you both. Waste it, I mean."
"We can go to that new diner around the corner from the Crest. Maybe take a rainy day cab ride through the park." Petra grinned. "I like it."
"Pretty soon, it'll be a family of four thing." He kissed her cheek.
They both grew still a moment. Four. Not five. Levi only held her close as that common wave of grief passed over Petra.
Every night, she took up the box with Armin's photo and sock. She kissed them both, even tucked them in with a little handkerchief, like a blanket. Maybe a little crazy, but it was a way of staying sane.
He'd be eight months old now. She'd missed almost all of his babyhood.
But Petra had to put that away. Today, she was with Levi and Kuchel. She hugged her husband.
"We can also stop by that new tea shop and try some holiday blends," she whispered.
"I married the perfect woman."
Smiling, Petra went to get ready. The radio played merrily as she helped Kuchel put on her little cranberry dress and white, ribboned knee socks. Petra belted on her coat, put in her earrings, and Levi slipped into his overcoat and hat. They left the apartment, Petra's arm through her husband's, Kuchel prancing down the hall.
This was an utterly normal family moment on an utterly normal day.
She cherished every second.
Their first stop was to Valentino's, where they watched Kuchel run wildly through the dolls and stuffed animals. Petra had a good memory, and recalled every single bit of dollhouse furniture, every jump rope, every plush lion.
"Kid's gonna be spoiled," Levi said, but this time he didn't sound cross. He sounded happy.
Every second with Kuchel after That Night, well. It was a blessing.
"Mama! Mama, pleeeease?" Kuchel pouted as she came over, showing Petra a stuffed pig with a ribbon.
"Wait until midwinter," Petra said. Levi sniffed.
"Eh. One pig's not gonna put us on the street."
Petra tried to disagree, but she had to smile as Levi plucked the toy and went to pay, Kuchel clinging to his leg in gratitude.
These last months, Levi had been both softer and harder than she had ever seen him. When he was at home, he was the most tender he had ever been. The most attentive. He rubbed lotion onto her stomach, or even played dolls with Kuchel. He was always gruff and unsure what to say, but that was part of the charm.
When he went to work for Willy, he was icy. He carried out the king's every order with absolute precision.
He was building up Willy's loyalty to him in turn. Waiting for the day Erwin would turn his gaze to the Ackermans again. The true royal family.
Petra put that aside. For now, her daughter was pink with joy, squeezing her new stuffed animal. Her husband wore a small, genuine smile. She kissed his cheek as they stopped in to look at baby furniture. They'd bought a cradle a while ago, but Petra also needed a new changing table. A rocking chair.
She was, as always, excited for the new baby and heartsick for Armin.
But she put that aside for today, too.
They bought a new chair and paid to have it delivered the next day. They wandered down the street under an umbrella, stepping out of the rain and into the newest tea emporium. There, Levi sat Kuchel down and showed her all the different blends. Kuchel almost fell asleep from boredom. Petra waited until they'd been there half an hour, then gently suggested they get lunch. Levi left…after buying a few new tins of their green and white teas.
They were cozy in the coffee shop when the storm really let loose for fifteen minutes. Rain poured down the window as they ordered hot sandwiches, fried potatoes, and, for Petra and Kuchel, a strawberry milkshake. They took turns sipping. Kuchel loved the whipped cream most of all, so Petra put a dollop on her nose. Levi sipped his black tea and shook his head in mock horror.
"Both such messy damn brats," he said.
Petra stuck her tongue out at him, which sent Kuchel into a riot of giggles.
After lunch, they got in a cab that took them across the park to the upper west side of the city, where they got out at the Crest. Kuchel pleaded for popcorn and soda.
"We just ate lunch!" Levi gaped at her. "Where do you put all of it? Got an extra stomach?"
"Pleeeeease Papa?"
"Tch. Spoilin' you."
But he bought her the treats. Kuchel cheered and tossed her pig, now named Porky, into the air. They walked through the brightly lit lobby into the theatre and took their seats. It was a double feature matinee, with cartoons and newsreels in between. They just arrived as the next cartoon came on, the adventures of Roberto Robin and some other woodland creatures. Kuchel bounced in her seat, loving the cartoons the best. She even stood on her chair at some point, laughing wildly and clapping.
"Hey! Tell your stupid kid to sit down," some man behind them snapped.
"Kuchel. Don't stand on the chairs," Levi said gently.
"Okay, Papa."
She obediently sat. Then Levi reached behind, grabbed the man by his collar, and about pulled him out of his seat.
"H-Hey!"
But Levi's grip was firm.
"Ask with better manners next time. Or I'll have to clean out your filthy mouth."
Petra put her face in her hand. The guy stammered, and did not bother them again.
The next newsreel started, showing the results of some beauty contest up near Liberio. Kuchel crunched her popcorn. Petra took Levi's hand. In the flickering lights of the projection, she saw him smiling a little.
"Happy?" he asked.
"Extremely."
He kissed her hand. "That's all I need."
She sat back, took a sip of soda as Oruo bounced. She was utterly peaceful in that moment. She had everything that she could possibly need.
Until the next newsreel.
"On Paradis Island, crowds gather in the capital of Mitras to witness the presentation of Prince Siegfried, son of King Erwin and Queen Historia."
Petra dropped the soda. It spilled on the ground. She cursed, but couldn't mop it up. She was frozen.
She saw the flickering images of Erwin and Historia side by side on the western balcony. The royal couple waved to the crowds, as a nurse held Armin. The baby stared out at camera, looking absolutely astonished. If babies were even capable of being astonished.
Petra felt that knife twist in her heart.
"Pet," Levi whispered. She didn't hear.
"The royal couple's formal introduction of their son marks the end of months of speculation as to the queen's whereabouts. Prince Siegfried is another child of royal blood, which increases the royal family's means of controlling the Founding Titan. Big news for a small island."
The scene changed to another story, but Petra's eyes stayed latched onto Armin until he finally disappeared.
He looked bigger. He'd probably be sitting up on his own now. Start crawling soon. She'd missed it. All of it.
"Ah." Petra shivered.
"Wazzat Unwin? Armin? Arrrmiin!" Kuchel shrieked. Petra heard Levi shush her.
"Pet," he said again.
"I'm sorry. I'll go get a new soda." She grabbed the empty cup and stood. Levi didn't try to stop her. He understood. She went to the concession and bought another cup. She barely heard anyone speak to her. When she returned to her seat, they watched the newest romantic drama, Vittoria, some Gothic romance by the sea. Kuchel fell asleep by the end, and they carried her out to the cab. When they got home, Petra laid her in bed and settled Porky beside her.
"She's knocked out," Levi said.
"Mmhmmm." Petra took his hand as they walked to the living room. They sat down.
She burst into tears. Wretched, heaving sobs. He let her bury herself against him. He kissed the crown of her head.
"I…I had a wonderful day," she said before disintegrating once more.
"I know you did, baby." He was firm, but gentle. "I know."
Three months later
Levi paced back and forth in front of the living room window. Outside, snow fell in flurries. He could hear horns honking in the street below, music whirling up to the penthouse. There were parties going on all over the building. But this New Year's Eve, the party was him, Kuchel, and the doctor. The doc was with Petra in their bedroom. Night had fallen fully about an hour ago. They had a few more hours to midnight.
The next year.
The kid hadn't been due for another week, but Petra's water had broken that morning. With all the concern they had about Erwin potentially sending assassins or shit for them—the birth of a new royal baby, after all—they opted for another home birth. The doctor this time was the type to look after the height of Marleyan society. There was also a nurse, so they were well covered.
Kuchel knelt on the rug before the fire, playing with her new toy car. She made whooshing noises as she ran it across the carpet. She made screeching sounds as it avoided hitting Porky.
Levi wasn't much of a drinking man, but he went to their small bar area and poured himself a tumbler of whiskey. After last time…
The kid isn't that big. It's my kid.
The radio was playing big band music. The midwinter tree was still up, candles twinkling in its branches.
Sometimes Levi would look in the mirror and see a forty year old man nervously awaiting the birth of his child. He was really forty now. Erwin had been right—forty was different. At thirty-nine, Levi had thought he was middle aged.
Well. Now he knew better. It wasn't like he woke up on his birthday this year feeling old. But forty? There was no turning back.
You couldn't pretend to be young anymore.
He was a middle aged man now. Last week, he'd crossed the threshold.
And he was scared outta his mind. Petra…the baby…
He drank some more, watched Kuchel. Levi wished that the Rals could've been here. The Ackermans' one big problem was that they hadn't been able to get word through to Paradis since they arrived in Valle. Pieter and Ingrid didn't even know they had another grandchild on the way. And they didn't know what had happened to Pieter and Ingrid.
And Brigitta…
He hasn't done anything to Brigitta. Levi had to believe that.
"Papa?" Kuchel scampered over. "Is Mama okay?"
"Yeah. She's having the baby. It'll be here soon."
"Ba-by bro-ther," she sang, spinning around. She stopped. "I miss Armin."
Levi sighed. He picked her up and carried her to the couch, sat with her on his knee.
"Know what? I miss him, too."
He missed the boy for Petra and Kuchel's sake. And he hated to think of the kid in the fucked up environment of Erwin Smith's Crazy Asshole Palace.
The boy was Erwin's, but Erwin was the one who'd blown up all their lives. Levi pitied the child. He deserved his mother.
I sort of wish she'd brought him now. He was a good kid.
Fuck it. Kuchel cuddled next to him as they listened to a holiday radio program. Levi finished his drink, set down the glass on a coaster. Maybe he ought to go check on…
Then he heard it.
A baby's cry.
"Huh?" He stood. The doc had only gotten here a few hours ago. How could it be over?
But sure enough, he heard the bedroom door open.
"Mr. Ackerman?" The doctor stepped out, smiling. He was a man with thick gray hair and glasses. Very classic, rich person doctor. "Congratulations. It's a healthy boy."
A boy. Huh.
Levi had prepped for a long, grim night waiting, tension building, and now—
"That was quick," he said, dumbfounded. The doctor laughed.
"This is her third child? At this point, her body sort of knows what to do. Come on."
"Baby brother? Baaaaby brooooother," Kuchel sang, skipping ahead of Levi. He followed her, still shocked.
The nurse was at Petra's bedside, cleaning some things up. And Petra lay in bed, looking flushed but happy, reclining with a tiny baby lying against her breast.
Levi saw black hair, same as Kuchel's. The baby looked even smaller than she had been; some kids were just small. Petra grinned at him.
"Come see him." She kissed the tiny head. "Oruo Eld Gunther Ackerman," she whispered.
Maybe too many names, but the guys on their old squad deserved to be remembered. Every single one.
Levi sat on the edge of the bed. He stared. It was definitely his kid—a nice experience after the weirdness of Armin's birth. Petra and the nurse laid the tiny bundle into the crook of his arm. Levi stared down into his son's face.
His son.
He had a son now.
Kuchel was straining to get a look, but Levi took a moment for himself and the boy.
Oruo had a more smushed face than Kuchel had had, and a bit of redness on his cheek. Normal newborn stuff. The boy cracked his eyes open and looked at Levi. Levi looked back.
"Hey," he whispered.
The baby yawned wide. Oruo gave some grumbling sounds, then fell back asleep. He wasn't the fidgeter Kuchel had been. There was something in the pouting mouth that reminded Levi a lot of himself. On the kid, it was sort of endearing.
"Hey, little man." He kissed the baby's cheek. Oruo squirmed and whimpered a bit.
"He's perfect." Petra was trying not to cry. Levi scooted over so the parents could stare down at the new child together. She stroked his cheek.
"Looks just like me. Again." The eyes had been blue gray. "I want one to look like you."
"Well." She kissed him. "Maybe in a few years. It's been an active eleven months."
True. Two consecutive kids was a lot.
"Guess I can't help wanting more of you." He kissed her back. Oruo made a rattling, grumpy noise. Almost a cry.
"Can I see him? Can I?" Kuchel hopped up and down. Petra helped her onto the bed, and the girl squished Oruo's cheeks and tapped his nose. The baby frowned and sneezed. "He's grumpy," Kuchel said.
"He's my son." Levi couldn't help smiling. Already, he could sense that this kid was tough. Levi himself hadn't been born tough; he'd had it driven into him. Maybe a little of Kenny Ackerman lived in this new boy.
A little was fine. So long as it wasn't a lot.
My son. My son.
A grumpy boy that looked just like him…if Kuchel's birth had been like holding his mother in miniature, this was holding himself. And he would not fuck it up. Not a chance.
His heart expanded itself again, small, tight muscle that it was. He kissed the boy's forehead. He held Oruo tight.
I love you. I'll protect you. Swear to god I will.
"He's perfect," Petra sighed.
"Like I said." Levi gave a small smile. "He's my son."
Levi sat in the living room as the clock wound down to midnight. Petra was asleep. Kuchel had tried to stay up, but was sprawled out on the sofa, dead to the world. The lights were all off. It was warm and cozy in the near darkness.
Levi sat by the window, the city lights softly illuminating the baby in his arms. Oruo had woken a few times and gazed up at him. Levi felt a kind of quiet understanding between the two of them.
Both small, grumpy bastards. He chuckled a little as Oruo frowned, waved a defiant fist, and went back to sleep.
Outside, in the streets, Levi heard people shouting down the time.
"Ten! Nine! Eight!"
"You made it just in time for a new year," Levi whispered to the boy. He stood and looked out the window, Oruo held tight to his chest.
"Seven! Six! Five!"
Levi watched the falling snow. Who knew what the next year would bring? And if they were lucky, the year after that?
But…he had to stop looking to the future. Dwelling on the past. He'd been right, hadn't he? He had these people, this wife, these children, for at least a while. No guarantees.
He had always feared being happy. But finally, Levi Ackerman was going to conquer this fear.
"Four! Three! Two!"
"Thank you for showing up," he whispered. Oruo smiled in his sleep. A smile at last.
"One! Happy New Year!"
Father and son stood looking out on the city's bright lights. Levi had never called himself a lucky man. Anyone familiar with much of his history would agree.
But tonight, he was lucky. Lucky indeed.
In the sky outside, fireworks bloomed in red and blue.
"One! Happy New Year!"
Erwin stood before the terrace, the doors open to the cold winter air. He smiled as he watched the fireworks rocket across the sky.
"See? See those?" he asked the small boy perched on his arm. Siegfried was almost eleven months now. He was developing more and more shining blond hair with every passing day. The boy was dressed for bed in his blue pajamas, but he'd awoken just in time for the new year. Erwin bounced him and kissed his head. "Those are fireworks. Yes. Fireworks."
"Uh oooh ah la?"
"Close." Erwin laughed and kissed the boy's cheek. "Close enough."
Siegfried clapped his hands and giggled. Every time he looked at the boy, Erwin felt his entire life grow. How could anyone ever feel so proud? He beamed at the child.
My son.
Historia's return had been good for one thing, at least. His son was now a legitimate prince of the realm. The queen herself remained confined to her chambers upstairs. The best place for her since her return six months earlier.
"You are the most precious thing in this world to me." Erwin smiled lovingly at his son. "Those fireworks are all for you. This world is yours. I'll always be here for you."
He would see Siegfried grow to manhood. He would see Siegfried prepare to become a king.
This island was Erwin's. And his son's.
"Erwin?"
He turned. Every time he saw her now, he jolted. For one second he thought…
"Yes, Brigitta?"
She stood with her hands folded. She really did look so like Petra in a certain light. She was daintier than her older sister, but when the fire was lit and the lights low…
It also helped that she now ironed her hair straight, and had dyed it a bright red. Per his instructions.
"I should put him back to bed. It's late."
"Of course. Go with Auntie. I'll see you in the morning." He kissed Siegfried once more, then gave the child to Brigitta. She carried him off to the nursery, fussing over him quite happily. Erwin gazed out at the fireworks once more, while the servants cleared up around him. He'd had a few people over for the holiday. Pixis, Anka, Rico. Hange came, too, along with Pieck. They didn't dare refuse an invitation now.
Speaking of Hange, he ought to go down to the pits tomorrow. See how the latest experiments were going.
But that could wait.
Erwin would have time. His top scientist was working to crack the curse. He would have all the time in the world.
He walked the empty halls of his palace. He could still hear his people celebrating out in the streets. They were happy. Free. Safe.
He'd damned himself for their sake. It was, he felt, a fair trade. He smiled to imagine all the parties. Families.
One family in particular, across the sea in Valle…
He put Levi and Petra out of his mind as he loosened his collar and opened the door to his chamber.
He found her there. Just as he'd wanted.
Brigitta knelt before the fire. She was on her knees, her head bowed, her folded hands in her lap.
She had stripped down to only her underwear. Her breasts were smaller than her sister's. A bit more pert. Erwin shut the door.
Good. He hadn't needed to tell her. She always knew his desires so intuitively.
"Why are you here?" he asked. Erwin removed his coat and vest. His shirt. Bare chested, he went to a cabinet on the other side of the room.
"Because I've failed you," she said softly.
"Yes. You have." He opened the cupboard door, and chose a leather strap. He turned around. "What else?"
"Because I'm a horrible woman."
"And?"
"Because I'm a terrible mother."
"Get on your hands and knees."
She did. He gazed at the supple line of the young woman's back. As the firelight warped over her skin, in that moment, he saw her again. His grip on the strap tightened.
"You're a real bitch," he said as he walked over to her. He stopped, towering above the woman. "Petra."
"Yes, sir. I'm sorry."
She even sounded like her sister in that moment. Such good work.
Once, Erwin had been a good man. Once, he had loved people other than his son. But they had all betrayed him. They had asked him to be their monster, and then rejected him for it.
And poor Siegfried. That bitch of a mother…
"Take off your underwear," he whispered. His hand stroked the leather. "It's time to pay for what you did."
Again.