Chapter 35

Eren

Grisha narrowed his eyes, staring furiously at the small, round shape, which was lying directly in front of him on the grass. It was as if he concentrated all his anger, all his worst emotions on that little object, as if this thing was responsible for all the misfortunes had happened to him recently.

The dealers being detained, their stuff taken over by the police along with cash, the loss of one of the laboratories... Fortunately, thanks to Reiner, they managed to arrive at place right before the detectives did, to start a fire that destroyed all evidence.

Grisha suddenly swung with all his might, he hit the ball and it sped into the distance. They were at the rear of the Yaeger mansion, on a small golf course. Eren watched his father's movements in silence. His demeanor indicated that he could barely control his anger. Usually he reached for golf when he had to unload his fury over something.

"How's that even possible?!" Grisha suddenly blurted out, turning to face them.

He looked at Eren, Zeke and Reiner standing side by side. The Yaeger brothers glanced briefly at each other, then looked at the detective, who felt compelled to answer.

"Gelgar and I were in charge of the interrogations at first" Reiner said calmly. For some reason, he was staring at the golf club with a faint apprehension, as if he had unpleasant memories connected to this item. "It was like that until that idiot got fed up and asked Ackerman to switch. Shadis agreed to it".

Eren listened to Reiner's words, slowly drawing the whole situation through his mind. He could have guessed earlier that there was only one person who could thwart their plans. He knew that only Ackerman would be able to do the impossible, to get information from a bribed dealer right in front of Braun's nose, who had been given clear instructions beforehand.

Not so long ago he would have smiled to himself at the thought, but now he wondered what he should do to soothe his father. Angry Grisha heralded trouble.

"So, what? Ackerman just started asking questions and our man spilled the beans?" The oldest Yaeger wanted to know. His voice was seemingly low and calm, yet it was the same calm that one can sense just before the storm.

Reiner shook his head.

"Not completely. Ackerman somehow came into possession of a camera footage of Waltz during a heist. Without thinking, he admitted that it was him. He completely panicked".

Eren watched his father tighten his fingers around the golf club until his knuckles turned white.

"Where the hell did he get this video from? From what you said, he found out that he was going to be questioning Waltz the day before! He is not a miracle worker, for fuck's sake".

Reiner sighed softly.

"Ackerman and Smith spent several hours browsing the descriptions and recordings of the Stohess heists from the period when Waltz lived there. Apparently they spent the whole night doing it, but managed to find what they were looking for".

Eren suddenly fixed Reiner with a slightly surprised look.

He knew he should focus his attention on everything Braun had just said. Although, he couldn't help it, he was most interested in only part of that statement.

They spent the whole night doing it.

Eren frowned slightly at the mixture of strange emotions. He shouldn't care, so why he felt so bothered? Why did this seemingly meaningless information hurt him so much? The boy felt senseless, unreasonable jealousy as he imagined Erwin and Levi sitting in the office, or perhaps in Ackerman's cabinet, leaning over the computer screen, right next to each other. In his mind's eye, he saw them together, working the whole night, shoulder to shoulder.

It was highly possible that at some point they felt tired. Maybe they decided to lie down, perhaps in one bed, next to each other. It was also possible that Erwin at one point moved closer to Levi, who was already falling asleep. It was possible that this time Levi also said the blond's name aloud and this time he wasn't wrong.

Eren felt his stomach twist. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, removing this image from under his eyelids.

"That Ackerman is starting to get on my nerves" Zeke said suddenly, gritting his teeth. "I think it's the right time to cancel this whole ceasefire...".

"Since they've taken over one lab, they'll be occupied with this. I don't think they will be disturbing us, at least for now" Eren interjected, taking a step toward Grisha. His father immediately looked at him. "They will be pleased with the success. Now is a good time for us to focus on production elsewhere".

"That's not all" Reiner muttered suddenly. His tone of voice heralded nothing good.

Eren exchanged a silent look with the detective, and he saw something in Reiner's eyes that he didn't like very much.

"Technicians found a safe. There were some papers inside and some cash. Nothing that could bring you down personally…" Braun said, looking at Grisha. Then he looked at Zeke. "But they did examine it carefully and they have your fingerprints, Zeke. Yours, the Gaillards and Xavier".

Grisha cursed under his breath, then swung with the stick he was still holding and slammed it against the ground. Something clicked at the moment of impact. The stick had broken due to the use of too much force. Grisha tossed it onto the grass, breathing quickly.

Zeke just shrugged, then looked at his brother with a broad smile on his lips.

"I don't understand what's with that gloomy faces. In my opinion, it's only just starting to get interesting!".

Levi

"To Levi!" Hanji exclaimed, raising a glass in a toast.

This caused happy cheers, and more people began to raise their glasses. Levi felt pats on his back and shoulders, and that made his eyes narrow in irritation. He hated being the center of attention.

He sat in a bar full of people from his team, also the members of the special division and technicians who helped them secure the destroyed lab. Even Keith Shadis was here, and that didn't happen often. They were in their favorite pub where Moblit worked. Thanks to the bartender, they had the place to themselves for the evening. Berner was eagerly serving them, every now and then sitting down next to Hanji to hold her hand, hug her, or kiss her when she wasn't talking to anyone.

At one point in the meeting, most people were already heavily intoxicated with alcohol. This made them lose interest in him, which Levi took with real relief.

Ackerman spotted a familiar figure in the crowd and started walking towards Erwin. He collapsed into the empty seat next to Smith and clinked their glasses to each other. Erwin smiled at him, and Levi noticed then that the blond's cheeks were slightly flushed from the alcohol.

Levi wasn't surprised to find that, apart from Moblit, he was the most sober person in the pub. Though he drank as much as everyone else in attendance, the alcohol was just beginning to have an influence on him.

"How do you like the celebration?" Erwin asked, leaning his left elbow on the table.

"I'm getting sick of it" Levi muttered, his gaze scanned across the bar. Finally he looked at Erwin again. "You?".

"I could get used to it" Smith replied, lifting his glass to his lips and taking a healthy sip. "I mean, I wish we had more opportunities to celebrate".

"If you put it this way… then I have to agree" Ackerman admitted, sighing softly.

They switched to less work-related topics. Levi liked these conversations. They were friends for so long and still weren't tired with each other. For someone who wasn't very social, Ackerman seemed very talkative and open while he was with Smith.

At one point, Levi noticed that Erwin's face turned a little pale.

It worried him that Smith hadn't recovered yet, and was getting tired very quickly during the long shifts.

"You know, I'll call a cab. I'm done here" Levi said, hoping he sounded exhausted. "Are you coming with me?".

"Right now?" Erwin was surprised, eyebrow raised high. "I thought we would drink one more round...".

"No way. It's enough for me" Levi said, then pulled out his phone. "I think it's enough for you, too".

He was deaf to Hanji's protests, who wanted them to stay longer. The man helped Erwin throw his jacket over his shoulders, then grabbed his friend's hand and pulled him out of the bar before Smith could change his mind. The taxi was waiting for them outside the building.

It took them a short while to get to Erwin's apartment. Smith lived only a few blocks away. Levi took it as a blessing, because his friend's face turned almost green, as if he was about to throw up.

Once they were at the spot, Erwin found it difficult to get out of the car, as well as to do such a common activity like walking. Levi sighed heavily, then asked the driver to wait for him. He escorted swaying Erwin to his apartment, and helped him open the door. Smith was so drunk he couldn't find the keys in his pocket, much less to put the key to the lock.

"Fuck… sorry for being so clumsy" Smith muttered, lifting the corner of his mouth. "Usually I don't have any problems with... putting in".

Erwin hiccupped deeply, probably unaware of what his words might have sounded like. Levi suppressed a burst of laughter and opened the door, then handed the key back to the man.

"Well, good you have me. Now get in, I have to go back, before the driver will leave without me. Lucky you didn't throw up in the car. I would never look at you the same way again".

Erwin chuckled softly, but suddenly he turned a little serious.

"I... um... Levi, I'm glad we finally made it. And espe… speci… especially you made it" Smith blurted out, leaning against the wall with his good hand. He stared at Levi as if seeing him for the first time that evening. "I told you you're the best".

Levi rolled his eyes, then reached out and patted Erwin on the shoulder.

"Yes, yes, Smith, I know that. You don't have to keep telling me this. Enough with this ass-kissing".

Ackerman stopped speaking and wanted to step back. Erwin, however, stopped him from doing this. He reached out his left hand and grabbed the man's arm, holding him in place. Smith looked him straight in the eye, and there was an unusual tenderness in his gaze that made Levi weak at his knees.

He suddenly realized what Erwin wanted to do, and wasn't sure how to react.

Before he could make up his mind, the man leaned down and kissed him softly. Levi felt Erwin's warm lips against his own. He also felt Smith put a hand to his neck, then carefully deepen the kiss. Ackerman sighed softly as Erwin's tongue slid inside his mouth. The man was kissing him greedily, holding him in a strong embrace from which Levi wouldn't be able to break free even if he wanted to. He couldn't help it, the moment they touched he started getting hard. Lust filled his body literally in seconds.

But he broke away from Erwin's lips, feeling the weird thought that he had been in this situation before. Smith kissed him a few months ago while they were in Ackerman's house. Ironically, Erwin was drunk back then, too, it was right after Mike died after all...

The thought made Levi unable to continue kissing. Erwin also stepped back a little and looked at Levi.

"Is something wrong?" The blond asked with a gentle tone.

Ackerman looked up at him with a calm, if a little sad, gaze.

"Yes. It's the fact that you only kiss me when you're drunk".

Erwin widened his eyes, then laughed softly, with the same sadness that was evident in Levi's gaze. After a while he nodded.

"You're right. I promise I'll be sober next time".

Levi blinked with a slight puzzlement. He slowly parted his lips, while watching the taller man. He knew heave to answer... Before he spoke, he thought about the words that were unspoken, wanting to make sure that they would sound the way they were supposed to. It would be the first time he would finally get it off his chest.

"You must know that... I have feelings for someone else".

This time it was Erwin who looked surprised. He quickly replied, smiling gently.

"Well, I didn't expect that. Who is he? Do I know him?".

Ackerman sighed inwardly.

"You could say that... But there's nothing to talk about. I just need some time to forget about him".

Erwin nodded, never taking his blue eyes away from Levi.

"It can be difficult, but I hope you'll make it".

They exchanged glances for a moment longer, then Levi nodded to his friend, turned around and started slowly down the stairs. He heard the door close behind him.

He walked outside with his heart beating rapidly. The taxi driver was still waiting for him. Levi got in, gave the man the address, then looked at the window.

He could still feel the taste of Erwin's lips on his own. This unexpected kiss surprised him, but only a little. For some time now, there have been more unspoken words and stealthy gestures between him and Smith than ever before. Levi tried not to pay attention to it, because it wasn't really anything new. He was used to the idea that he will always have feelings for Erwin. But he never thought that they could get back to each other after such a time.

He knew he didn't get over Mike's death, the wound in his heart hadn't healed yet. He had no idea if it would ever heal. He couldn't even imagine how Erwin must've felt, who, apart from friendship, was connected with Mike due to an even stronger feeling. Smith had lost not only a friend but also a partner, and that must have hurt twice.

Today's kiss only meant that there still were sentiment between them, and that it would never fade away. It also meant that Erwin still felt the void after Mike, and apparently he wanted to fill that void with a living, real feeling. Levi knew perfectly well that this void couldn't be filled.

Ackerman realized also something else that evening.

He had thought of Erwin for years. He dreamed of his touch, kisses, closeness, although he knew that they were no longer together and what happened between them was now long gone. He accepted that Smith fell in love with someone else. Even so, all these years he had constantly sought for his attention. Until now, he had thought he would be the luckiest guy in the world if they somehow got back together.

And because of that Levi completely couldn't understand what was happening to him at that moment - why, after the kiss he had been waiting for so long, his thoughts turned to someone else. Instead of dwelling on a moment from before, he thought of the young man who had severed all contact with them.

Levi closed his eyes.

He kept wondering what was going on in Eren's life right now. He didn't know if the boy was safe, he didn't know if Eren was happy. He didn't even know if he was still alive. Anything could happen to him during those couple of months. Levi still remembered the boy's sad smile on the day they last saw each other.

Levi suddenly thought that he would have given almost anything to just make sure young Yaeger was alive and well. He could do anything only to see him, even for a while.

All, for so little.

Mikasa

She stopped in front of the door with the right number, then used the magnetic card to get inside. She entered the room and immediately kicked off the uncomfortable high heels. The door closed behind her, and the girl looked around the room. She smiled as she spotted the man sitting on the edge of the bed.

Jean smiled back. They were in one of the hotels in Trost, but not the one that belonged to Grisha. Mikasa preferred to meet the man on a neutral ground, although Carla had repeatedly encouraged her to use the bridal suite. However, Mikasa didn't accept the invitation.

Kirschtein rose to his feet and reached out towards her. Mikasa didn't need any more encouragement, she ran to him and fell into his arms. They collapsed onto the soft bed, kissing passionately. They were exchanging caresses for a moment longer, then looked at each other, flushed.

"Before we go any further, tell me everything" Jean whispered, rising up on his elbows. "How was your meeting with Eren? Did you manage to talk with him?".

Mikasa frowned slightly, then shook her head. She reached out to the buttons of the man's shirt.

"It doesn't matter now. Let's continue with what we were just doing...".

Jean must have noticed by her expression that something was wrong. He grabbed her wrists, very gently, and looked into her eyes.

"I can see that something's wrong. What happened?" Kirstein wanted to know. "Eren didn't come back from Marley yet? Or is it something else?".

Mikasa returned the man's gaze. She tried to keep appearances for a moment longer, but at one point she couldn't help it. She gasped as she tried to stifle a sob. Jean widened his eyes as Mikasa hid her face in her hands. The girl started to cry, not controlling the sudden sadness.

Jean hugged her quickly and started stroking her hair, whispering reassuringly. Mikasa began to quiet down after a while, she breathed loudly and wiped her eyes, which were wet from crying.

"Forgive me... I don't know what got into me. Forget about it" The girl whispered. Jean handed her a tissue, Mikasa blew her nose loudly.

"Hey, we're not done yet. Tell me what happened" Jean replied, also in a whisper. He was still hugging Mikasa, wanting her to feel safe.

The girl rested her head on his shoulder and after a while she opened her mouth.

"I think Eren hates us" .

It took Jean a good few seconds to process this statement.

"E-excuse me?" The man asked in a tone of disbelief.

"I'm saying that Eren hates me and Armin" Mikasa repeated in a grave tone. "Since he got back from Marley, he has been spending all his time with Zeke. He laughs at his stupid jokes, he drinks vodka with him, he even started smoking... Jean, I've never seen him like this".

"But how do you think he hates you? It's absurd" Jean said confidently. "You're talking about the guy who almost murdered me that time, when I dared to lay a finger at you when you passed out. Eren thinks the world of you, you know that. He would do anything for you".

"That's not true" Mikasa muttered, tears filling her eyes again. "He's not the same man he used to be. You don't know what he did at the welcome party".

"Okay. What did he do?" Jean looked at his girlfriend closely.

Mikasa clenched her fists on the fabric of the man's shirt.

"He... He beated Armin up. In front of everyone. He hit him with all his might, several times, until Armin started to bleed from his nose".

There was silence for a moment. Mikasa stared straight ahead, recalling that gloomy evening. Jean, in turn, studied her face thoughtfully, still stroking her dark strands.

"I don't recognize him at all" The girl said after a moment with a soft sigh. "It feels like my worst nightmare is coming true. Eren became so involved with Grisha's business, that now we're standing in his way. He's fed up with us. It's funny because he thinks he's helping us, but he doesn't really give us any choice. So please, don't say anymore that he would do anything for me".

Mikasa looked up at Jean. She was slightly surprised to see the same calmness and confidence in the man's eyes as she did see just moments ago.

"Depends on what do you mean by everything" Kirschtein replied, braiding his fingers through Mikasa's hair as he combed it gently. "Because I really meant everything. And I guess he doesn't hate you, quite contrary, he hates himself for what he's doing now".

Mikasa's eyes widened as she was listening attentively to Jean.

"What do you mean?".

"I think he became Grisha's right-hand man to have more influence over what happens to you and Armin. He delegated you to help Carla, in turn he made it possible for Armin to start his studies. And if it goes to the situation you just described…" Jean sighed softly. "Can you tell me the details? What exactly did Armin do?".

"Nothing special. I mean... The three of us were talking. Armin was a bit nervous because he found out that Eren was planning an ambush against some journalists. Eren handed him a drink and Armin knocked the glass from his hand. But such things happen, he was a bit drunk...".

"Maybe so, but since there were more people there, Eren must have taken care of his position. Anyway, tell me who would punch Armin harder? Eren or Zeke?".

Mikasa was speechless for a moment. She realized Jean was right.

"Zeke, of course" She finally replied, not very willingly, but she had no doubts about it.

"I think Eren did this to punish Armin for, let's call it, disobedience. He wanted to do it by himself. So when I say he would do anything for you, I really mean "everything".

"But it doesn't make any sense. I don't want it, neither do Armin!" Mikasa shook her head with sadness in her eyes. "I wish I could leave it all and run away, but I'm too afraid of Grisha's revenge. Armin said that Eren had somehow found a way out, but wouldn't tell me what was it. And now Eren doesn't want to talk to me about it anymore".

"Maybe he wanted to get you a false ID?" Jean wondered aloud. "If you pay enough money to someone who knows the stuff, you may disappear or even fake your own death, although it's not easy".

"You think it was about that?".

"I don't know" Jean shrugged. "Sometimes the police also can arrange new identities for their informants or for crown witnesses".

"The police?" Mikasa raised her eyebrows. "I don't know if Eren would risk everything just to become a snitch. If Grisha found out about this...".

"Yeah, you're right. So it's probably about the false IDs".

Jean leaned over and kissed her cheek, then hugged her tenderly. Mikasa returned the gesture by embracing his neck. As she did so, she looked ahead, thinking about the words of her partner.

Something was telling her Jean was right.

Annie

She waited for Eren in the empty parking lot, leaning against the hood of her car. Suddenly she felt the phone vibrate in her pocket. She reached for the device and looked at the display. Her face lit up in a subtle smile.

"I know we saw each other yesterday, but I already miss you. If you have time, you can drop by for a coffee today".

Annie put the cell phone back in her pocket, feeling a strange lightness in her chest. She had felt this way every time she was close to Armin or when she was just thinking about him. She had no idea how long this condition would last. She was a realistic type, she knew nothing lasts forever, especially in the dangerous world they lived in. But apart from that… She would like that what was between her and Armin to last as long as possible.

She looked up, seeing the vehicle come into view. Yaeger's car stopped right next to her. The driver's window opened, Eren nodded, then handed her the package. Annie felt there was money inside. Her paycheck, with a deduction, of course, of the amount her father owed Grisha. But she felt something else under her fingers.

"You got an info about that two journalists we need to deal with" Eren confessed with boredom. The boy was wearing a black long-sleeved shirt, and his hair was falling over his shoulders. "It's the same people we were talking about recently. Contact them and say that your name is Harriet Weber, the owner. Make an appointment with them at the indicated place, but it's me and Zeke who will meet them".

"As you wish" Annie muttered, tucking the package under her arm. She studied Eren's pale face for a moment. Then she asked: "Are you sure you want to do this?".

Eren looked at her instantly, there was a menacing gleam in his green eyes.

"I beg your pardon?" The boy asked in an icy tone. Annie wished she hadn't spoken at all.

"Nevermind. I'll do it" The girl replied quickly, averting her gaze to the side.

Eren drove off without a word. Annie got into the car and bit her lip. She didn't like it.

Sasha

"It's here, Connie!" Sasha called, stopping in front of a low building. "We're here".

The two journalists looked at the abandoned factory, which until recently housed a laundry. The door of the building was wrapped in yellow tape signifying bailiff seizure, but the tape was broken in several places. They were far from the city center, the sun was slowly setting over the rooftops of the buildings.

Connie looked around. There was a large video camera on his shoulder, and a rolled up tripod under his arm.

"I don't see this Harriet anywhere, or Thomas. They were supposed to be here".

"Maybe they're already in. Harriet said she might be late" Sasha said. She also looked around. "It's a little deserted place, don't you think...?"

"Well, now that we're here, let's go inside. I'll take a few shots, we'll talk to them and we can go back".

Connie walked to the door and gently opened it. The hinges crackled loudly and the door swung open. The inside looked like a regular establishment, a little run down due to the abrupt closure. There were large chemical washing machines against one wall.

"The office is upstairs, right?" Connie asked, looking around the room. He took the camera off his shoulder and set it on one of the washing machines.

"Mrs. Harriet! Mr. Thomas! Are you hereeeee?" Sasha called. The two journalists slowly moved forward.

"Yes, upstairs" A man's voice suddenly sounded.

"It must be Thomas" Connie said, then picked up his gear and followed Sasha. They approached the stairs, a dozen steps were leading to a glass door that was open, but they saw no one at the top.

"Connie, watch out for that camera!" Sasha suddenly called as her friend shifted the equipment from one shoulder to the other.

"But I do! It's fucking heavy... Eh, go ahead and stop giving me orders".

"You're giving me orders, too!".

They started up the stairs, but suddenly stopped.

"Sasha? Why don't you move?".

"Connie..." The girl narrowed her eyes slightly. There was still no one in sight at the top of the stairs. If Harriet and Thomas were indeed here, they supposed to approach them already. "I have a bad feeling about this...".

"What?".

Finally, a male silhouette appeared at the top of the stairs. Sasha widened her eyes to see a tall, slender boy in dark pants and a black elegant shirt. His brown hair was tied up. The boy looked at them without smiling, then pointed the gun right at them.

"Shut up and move on" The boy ordered in a flat tone.

"And I suggest you to hurry the fuck up" Suddenly another voice was heard from behind them.

Blouse and Springer turned to see Zeke Yaeger a few steps behind them. So apparently Eren was the younger one... Sasha and Connie exchanged concerned looks. They were trapped.

"Let's go up!" Zeke called, waving his gun in front of their faces, then lowering the pistol and put his hands on his hips. Apparently he didn't think of them as a threat. "If you don't want to get shot right here and right now, I'd advise you to...".

Elder Yaeger didn't finish because something he clearly didn't expect had happened.

Sasha, who was standing a few steps higher than Zeke, took a small can from her purse in one agile movement and pushed it towards the menacing man. The blonde groaned in anger as pepper spray reached Zeke's face.

Before Yaeger could raise the gun and squeeze the trigger, something else happened: it was Connie who threw his camera and tripod at the man. Zeke gasped in surprise and stumbled back. He lost his balance and fell heavily on his buttocks. The weapon dropped from his hand and rolled across the floor.

"Sasha, run!" Springer called, grabbing his shocked friend's hand and dragging her down the stairs.

They passed a confused Zeke who was slowly rising from the floor, trying to locate the weapon. His eyelids were all red, and tears were streaming down his cheeks. After a while they heard several gun shots behind them. Connie gasped softly in pain, instantly catching Sasha's terrified gaze. Blood began to trickle from his calf.

"Connie... you're hurt!".

"I'm fine! Let's hurry!".

Sasha quickly grabbed her friend's arm to help him move, but it didn't help much. They limped towards the car parked several dozen meters away. This run seemed to last forever, and she hated running.

"I can't..." Connie gasped after a moment, groaning quietly in pain. "Maybe you should leave me here, and go without me..."

"What are you talking about, we're almost there! As always, you dramatize!" Sasha led Connie up a shortcut, squeezing between the two buildings. Earlier, they had not chosen this path, they were walking with heavy equipment, but now they needed to get to the parking lot faster. Unfortunately, there was not a living soul around… Most of the establishments were closed at this hour. Maybe that's why they were invited to this place...?

Sasha's eyes widened suddenly as she saw a slim figure jumped off the roof of the low-rise building to their left. She recognized the younger Yaeger. So the boy had to follow them. He wanted to finish the job and shoot them.

Despite such a clear specter of death, Sasha decided that she would try to run anyway. Being just a few meters from the car, she took the key from her pocket and pressed the button to open it. Then she heard shots behind her. She squeezed her eyes shut, but didn't stop. She felt Connie tremble with fear next to her, but the man also keep running.

They ran to the car, immediately opening the door and getting in. Sasha hadn't even thought about wearing a seat belt. She started the engine and floored it, making the car leap forward at dizzying speed. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the youngest Yaeger, he was so close… For some reason the shots still missed.

They drove out of the parking lot, leaving the boy behind.

They exchanged frightened glances only when they got closer to the center and could feel relatively safe. Sasha saw the same shock in her friend's eyes, the same fear she felt herself now, and the same thought crashing through her head: Did this really happen?