Levi
The silence in the room was screaming in his ears.
Levi drummed his fingers on the top of the desk. Their meetings with Keith Shadis usually consisted of loud and chaotic discussions, this time it was different. Right now, all of them, he, Erwin, Hanji and their supervisor weren't eager to take up the topic. Smith had just finished presenting the current situation and what they heard from Eren.
No one wanted to take any further action since Mike's funeral, but they had to. They had to do it, precisely because of his death.
That's why Levi cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Eren agrees with us. He also thinks that we need to get Xavier first. It would hurt Grisha the most. The boy claims that without the chemist, the production cannot be continued. Apparently Grisha has no one that qualified to replace him. Eren wants to help us with this matter".
Shadis sighed. The man was bald, he had dark circles under the brown eyes and a forehead full of wrinkles. Levi always wondered if he himself would also lose all his hair after working in the police force for so long. Shadis looked scary in appearance, had an equally tough character. Despite this, or maybe because of that, Levi respected him very much.
"Fine. Meet him and try to arrest Xavier. Did you talk with Ral? Are you sure you are ready?".
"We were ready last time" Hanji said, adjusting the glasses on her nose. "We can't arrest Xavier for working with Grisha because we don't have any evidence... But Levi and Petra found something else".
"Okay. That would be all. Except... We have to decide on what we are going to do with the man who is responsible for Mike's death" Shadis added.
Erwin winced a little at these words, and clenched his fists on his lap.
Levi, sitting next to Smith, was the only one who noticed this. After a moment, he reached out and surreptitiously placed his hand on Erwin's clenched fist. Smith glanced at the shorter man and met his eyes. His hand relaxed.
"Unfortunately, we have no evidence for him either. Eren cannot officially testify against him yet. Only Xavier can provide us with some information. We can only arrest Zeke for, I don't know, running a red light..." Levi said, taking his hand back after a while.
"I don't care. Just do it. Even if you'll do it only to keep this bastard in custody for at least two days. Maybe he'll make a mistake and say too much".
"Yes, sir" said Hanji.
The meeting ended, Shadis was the first to leave the room, followed by Levi and his team. When they returned to their desks, Petra Ral was waiting for them in their office. It was a short girl with red hair reaching down to the shoulders and large amber eyes. She was wearing a white blouse and a short black skirt. At the sight of the arriving detectives, she smiled gently, though her eyes looked sad. The moment Levi glanced at her, her cheeks flushed slightly.
She was holding several documents.
"Got what you asked for, Levi. I signed them with the current date".
Ackerman picked up the papers and looked at them carefully. He preferred to make sure that there weren't any mistakes. After a moment he nodded.
"Great. Well done" He replied, then returned to his desk. The girl said goodbye to them and left the room. She didn't start any conversation, she probably noticed that the detectives weren't in a mood.
Levi set the documents aside. His gaze went to the empty space next to Erwin's desk. If Mike were here with them now, he would definitely made some joking remark about Petra and her crush on Levi, that everyone on their team seemed to be aware of. Then he would make fun of Erwin's sketches that the man did in connection with their operation and finally he would persuade Hanji to order some pizza.
No, he shouldn't be thinking about it.
He had to focus on the case. Only doing that he would make Mike's death meaningful.
They had to arrest Xavier and Zeke at all costs.
"If I hadn't overslept that day, maybe he would still be alive" Hanji said suddenly. Both Levi and Erwin looked at her in surprise. The woman sat stiffly in the chair, staring at the empty seat.
Ackerman and Smith exchanged concerned glances.
"You must be kidding... You can't think that way" Erwin confessed, returning his gaze to Hanji. He reached out and touched her hand.
"You don't know what would happen" Levi muttered, getting up and walking over to Hanji. He leaned against the edge of her desk and looked at her closely. "Perhaps there would be two empty seats instead of one. Stop blaming yourself, Four Eyes".
Shiny tears appeared in Hanji's eyes. She nodded, then picked up the papers Petra had brought.
"Okay. Let's get those bastards".
Ymir
The bell above the door rang loudly as she opened the door.
Ymir entered the restaurant and looked around.
She wasn't hungry, she didn't like coffee, and she certainly hated crowded places... But for some reason she wanted to visit this spot. Besides, it was already evening, so there weren't so many people.
As she saw a tiny blonde in an apron bustling around the customers, she thought of what could be the "reason".
Ymir sat down at an empty table. She picked up a one-page laminated menu and went through it without much interest. Historia appeared next to her.
"Ymir! Hi, how nice to see you!" The girl said, smiling broadly.
Fritz raised one eyebrow.
"Sup, whats up?" She spoke that with an indifferent tone, but suddenly she widened her eyes. Without warning, Historia wrapped her arms around the taller girl and hugged her fondly. Ymir felt the same perfume scent, which she already knew.
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Historia closed her eyes, hugging Ymir with all her might. After a while she moved away and looked at the newcomer with a twinkle in her sight. "I got this job thanks to you. You have no idea how grateful I am".
Ymir tried as hard as she could to look like she didn't care, but then she felt her cheeks begin to burn. She cursed in her mind, then quickly reached for the menu.
"That's fucking great. Well... I'm hungry, what can you recommend?".
"Oh, it depends" History reached for a notebook that was tucked into the pocket of the brown apron she was wearing. Under the apron, the blonde was wearing a white buttoned shirt and a black skirt that reached the middle of her thighs. "We have delicious pancakes, served with fruits or maple syrup and butter. We also have cocktails and desserts with fruit mousse and chia pudding...".
"Okay, give me those pancakes" Ymir decided, then put the menu aside. "How long will I wait?".
"Just a moment! I'll be right back!" The blonde smiled widely, and then with a springy step walked away towards the ordering window.
Ymir looked at the girl. She didn't understand her own reaction that moment, when the girl hugged her. Until now, she could feel her heart racing. It had to be the nervousness, after all, she didn't allow anyone to cross her own personal space. Yes, it was the nervousness for sure.
The woman pulled out her phone and checked the latest messages. Meanwhile, Historia brought her order. The meal looked delicious enough to make Ymir really hungry. The blonde also gave her a cup of tea with honey, cloves and slices of orange.
When Ymir finished eating, Historia had her break, so she sat down next to the brunette.
"Are you okay?" The girl asked, looking at Ymir from across the table.
"Yeah, as always. Never been better".
"You look a little tired".
"It's that age, unfortunately. One day you'll understand" Ymir winked at the blonde.
"Come on, you're not that old! You are definitely not even thirty yet. I'd say you are… twenty-two?".
"Twenty-four. But I feel like I was older".
"You don't look older".
Ymir didn't answer. She looked out the window, propping her chin on her hand. Historia watched the woman from the other side of the table.
"Did you like it?".
Ymir looked at the blonde and nodded.
"Yes. You can bring me the bill".
"Oh, no way. It's my treat!" History waved her hand. "At least that's what I can do to thank you for everything".
"If you say so…" Ymir leaned back against the chair and lifted the corner of her mouth. "Maybe I should come here more often. I love free food."
"Is someone going to serve us, for fucks sake?" A voice boomed suddenly from a table from the other side of the restaurant. It belonged to a fair-haired, middle-aged man who was wearing a leather jacket.
"I'll be in a minute" Historia said to Ymir, then quickly got to her feet and walked over to the nervous client. He was sitting at a table with his three colleagues. They all had tattoos, leather jackets or vests, and one of them took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and lit one. Ymir frowned slightly, seeing all the men looking closely at Historia.
She didn't like it.
"So, gentlemen, do you know already what would you want? Coffee, tea? Or do you need help?" The girl asked, taking out her notebook and opening it on the empty page. Her gaze lingered on the man who had lit a cigarette. "I'm sorry, sir, but you can't smoke in here".
"Well, I know exactly what I would want…" The one with the cigarette muttered, looking at the waitress and blowing smoke right to her face. It caused a loud burst of laughter at the table. Ymir saw the consternation on the blonde's face. It took a moment for her to speak.
"If you are not ready to order, I can wait... But please, sir, put out your cigarette, otherwise I'll have to ask you to leave" Historia said, and put the notebook in her apron's pocket. The smile faded from her face.
"We're not going anywhere" Said the bald man. He was sitting next to the 'smoker'. He had tattoos all over his neck and face. Ymir would bet that all those tattoos were made in prison.
"That's right. Relax and smile! Why won't you join us?" The fair-haired man asked. He was sitting closest to Historia and it was him who called her to the table in the first place. Suddenly he reached out and grabbed the girl's butt. Historia squealed and pushed his hand away, her face paled with fear.
The four men laughed out loud again.
"Relax, baby girl. They just released him from custody".
"What can I say? It's hard to keep your hands to yourself when you see a chick like that... What the hell?".
The fair-haired man didn't finish. Ymir appeared just in front of them, holding a silver tray in her hand, which she scooped from one table. She swung and slapped the man's face with the tray. The man groaned in pain, losing his balance and tumbling backwards with the chair.
Historia widened her eyes. She watched Ymir deliver similar blows to the other three men. They also tried to hit her, but she was faster and much better prepared for hand-to-hand combat. The smoker pulled a folding knife from his pocket, but he didn't have time to use it, Ymir knocked it out of his hand. Then she used his face like a punching bag, hitting him over and over and finally grabbing him by the collar.
"You should have put out that goddamn cigarette when you had a chance. Look, I'll show you how it's done" She murmured, reaching for the cig, which was still lying on the table. The girl picked it up and put it to the man's face. He groaned softly in pain. Then she stepped back. "Well, that's better. Do you know the group of "Titans"? If you come here again, I will ask my pals to pay you a visit".
The men quickly gathered themselves to leave. Each of them looked badly battered. The entire restaurant emptied up. All the customers who had been sitting in their seats a moment ago, quickly left the place when the fight began.
Historia stared at Ymir, still in shock, as did the two waitresses who were standing behind the bar.
The dark-haired woman brushed her hair back from her forehead, then glanced at her hands. There was blood on her knuckles.
Fifteen minutes later, Historia leaned over Ymir, washing the wounds on her hands with disinfectant.
"You didn't have to do this".
Ymir looked up at Historia. The girl was sitting across from her. They were in the back of the restaurant. The blonde informed her friends that she would close the place, so the other waitresses had already gone home. Then Historia led Ymir to this room to use the first aid kit.
"I would have manage this on my own" Historia added, setting the cotton pads away.
"Oh yeah, totally. I'm sure you would" Ymir sighed. "You would threaten with your finger at them and they would surely run away in panic".
"I manage somehow for my whole life! I don't need to be saved".
"Well, too bad, because I will never give up an opportunity to kick some ass, especially when someone is asking for it" Ymir said, rolling her eyes. "Okay, that's enough".
She took her hands away, just before Historia could stick the plaster on the wounds.
"But...".
"I'll be fine".
Historia packed all the equipment back into the first aid kit. All of a sudden, she seemed extremely sad and concerned. Ymir bit her lip.
"What are you doing after work?" She asked casually.
"I don't have any plans. I will close this place and go home" The girl replied. After a moment, however, she looked at the taller woman. "Why do you ask?".
"Would you like to go for a ride?".
Historia changed into her everyday clothes, locked the restaurant, and then got into Ymir's car. The night was warm. There were only a few stars on the sky, the city lights scattered most of them. Historia didn't say much, she enjoyed the ride as did Ymir.
"I didn't think I'd get in this car again" The girl said at one point, smiling at the woman next to her. Ymir lifted the corner of her mouth.
She stopped the car after about half an hour's drive. They were on a hill, surrounded by trees and moss. Ymir led Historia down a path that led to a small clearing. The place turned out to be an excellent spot. The city of Trost was down below, sparkling with thousands little lights. The moon hung low over the city, surrounded by an ocean of stars - now they were perfectly visible. Historia sat down on the grass, staring at the sight with wide eyes. Ymir lay down beside her. She picked one blade of grass and tucked it to her mouth, then folded her arms behind her head and stared at the dark sky.
"So beautiful" Historia said. She smiled gently, unable to take her eyes off the sight of the city.
Ymir looked at the girl, who was sitting next to her. The blond hair was falling over her shoulders. Her blue eyes were still wide with delight.
"Yeah" She murmured, looking at her companion for a moment longer. "It is".
After a while, Historia laid down next to Ymir and looked at her.
"Thank you for bringing me here. Even though, I don't understand why".
"I thought you might like it. Besides, I like your company".
"You don't even know me..." Historia replied, her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Well, and you don't know me. And yet you came here with me, even though you saw with your own eyes how I beat the shit out of four guys. I thought you'd get scared and run away".
"I know why you did it" The girl replied. They were lying on their backs, side by side, with their hands along their bodies. Historia moved a little towards Ymir, their hands touched. "I have to admit it was quite impressive. And I understand what you meant the night we met... When you talked about how women can be dangerous too. I wish I could take care of myself. Maybe you can teach me?".
Ymir burst out laughing.
"Shit, better not. I'm not a good teacher. Find someone else. Or just avoid the suspicious people".
"I have the feeling that I attract them" History replied, sighing softly.
"Well, looking at who you're lying next to, that might be true" Ymir chuckled softly. Historia frowned, but at the same time she smiled a little.
"You're different" The blonde said, then moved even closer to the brown-haired woman. She put her head against Ymir's shoulder, then closed her eyes.
Ymir looked at the night sky, feeling the pleasant scent of perfume close to her, and a strange sense of lightness in her chest. Whatever it was, she wanted it to last as long as possible.
Mikasa
Eren smoothed the fabric of his black shirt, then looked at his friend.
"How do I look?" He asked and brushed his brown hair back. Mikasa looked at him and she had to admit to herself that the boy still seemed just as handsome as always... Although she was slowly getting used to the fact that he would remain only her friend.
She still felt a little ashamed of the fact that she really kissed him. However, Eren took it easy. Besides, he seemed to really care for her and did his best to make her feel comfortable and safe, given the circumstances. Even if he felt nothing more than friendship or brotherly love for her, she knew she was the most important person in his life now. She would be ungrateful if she would turn away from him only because of her unrequited affection. She had to be smarter.
"You look really good. Whoever you're meeting today, I'm sure everything will be fine".
"Thanks. I hope so. Okay, I have to go, Grisha is waiting for me... Take care of yourself, okay?" Eren asked, walking closer to her and looking at Mikasa with concern.
"Sure. You better go, you don't want your father to get angry".
"Just one thing… I wanted you to have this".
Eren walked over to a wide closet and took out of a drawer a small bundle. He handed it to Mikasa. The girl felt the weight of the item in her hand and her eyes widened as she realized what it was.
"Eren…".
"I know" The boy said quickly, shoving the bundle into Mikasa's hand and covering it with his fingers. "It has the safety on. You remember how to use it, right?".
"We had too many lessons at the shooting range for me to forget... But I don't understand why...".
"Just in case. If you're in danger, use this".
The girl finally nodded. Eren squeezed her hand gently, then left the room. Mikasa stared at the boy's broad back, wondering how much he had grown up over the last few months. She saw in his eyes completely new emotions that were once unknown to him. She felt that Eren wasn't telling her everything and that there was more going on in his life. She knew he wasn't telling her the truth because he wanted to protect her.
Mikasa returned to her bedroom, where she hid the gift from Eren under the mattress of her bed. She didn't want anyone to find out she had a gun. She also didn't want to keep it with her all the time.
She spent time in the garden, walking along alleys full of flowers, and she also fed the fish in the pond. Finally she sat down on the porch with some book when suddenly her peace was disturbed by Pieck. The woman came suddenly, her face strangely pale.
"What happened?" Mikasa asked, setting the book aside.
"We have uninvited guests. If I understand correctly, Tybur's sons are at the gate. They want to talk to Grisha. We informed them that he's not here at the moment, but they said they won't leave. If we don't let them in, they threaten to break down the gate. Zeke wants to start the shootout right now, but we currently have about ten people, the rest went with Grisha, or they are in the lab with Xavier right now… What do you think we should do?".
Mikasa widened her eyes. Her first instinct was to run away. She wanted to run up the stairs to her bedroom, slam the door shut and hide under the blanket, wrapped in a red scarf. But she knew that this way would not get rid of the danger. She had been doing this for months, ignoring what was going on around her, and yet she was still here.
Therefore, she stated that she would not hide this time.
She rose from the bench and looked at Pieck.
"Let them in. I'll meet with them, we'll talk. If something goes wrong, we will greet them as the Yaegers do".
Pieck raised her eyebrows slightly, clearly surprised by this turn of events. Then she smiled gently.
"As you command".