Saph's PoV

"When one of the people of Ymir breathes in even a tiny bit… They become rigid, unable to move, and then lose consciousness," Zeke explained once again.

Shielding my eyes from the smoke from the crackling fire, I pondered switching my seat to a different wooden box. Thankfully, the breeze switched directions, leaving me to continue with my knitting work. I'd hate to be bothered to drag my chair somewhere else, interrupting a new favorite pastime. Helped me pass the time while Levi, I, and quite a few other soldiers guarded Zeke. The rest of his Marley followers were separated and spread out to different houses, and Eren had been locked away underground.

"Those Titans are then connected through my Beast Titan to the Path," he continued to drone on.

It'd been interesting to hear the first time, but with this being the third or fourth, I'd rather put my focus elsewhere. Over a week has passed since we came back to Paradise. While most of my time after the attack has been spent guarding Zeke, I've made 4 trips home to spend the evening with Chaco until tucking him into bed, after a story of course. Levi went once, waiting until Zeke fell dead asleep to the world before hurrying over while I stood at attention. He said that he needed to explain why he'll be absent to Chaco himself. It greatly pained him to be away from our son, but as Levi explained, he needed to keep a promise.

"That village," Levi interrupted, snagging my concentration, "was called Ragako Village. Take a note to remember the name of the village whose entire population you murdered in cold blood, shit-beard."

Zeke let out a long sigh, low and dragged out. "Yeah… If there was anything I could have done to avoid doing what I did, I would have… but it had to be done. If the Marleyans had discovered my real intentions, I would not have been able to bring hope to the island, now would I."

The whistle of boiling water interrupted their conversation. Planting his hands on his knees, Levi hoisted himself up, carefully grabbing the teapot swinging over the fire. "Would you like any?" he asked me.

I hated the slimy feel of Zeke's gaze on me. He'd taken to studying Levi the majority of the time, but whenever he did find me worthy of a glance, it was one full of amused disdain. "Yes, please." The warmth from the cup pressed into the frigid center of my hand. "It smells wonderful."

"This is the one you said is your favorite," he said with an undertone of fondness. That quickly changed once he turned back to Zeke. "I know that you don't feel even one bit of remorse for what you did. I don't know if the salvation of Eldians is really what you're after, but one thing is for sure. You don't give a rat's ass about the lives of the people that are here right now."

Smooth floral liquid poured down my throat as I sipped on the tea, a small reminder of the peace we'd experienced before all this madness. "You still haven't given us any hints as to what this plan of yours is. You both went through so much trouble to have you come back."

"When will Eren and I finally meet and begin experimenting?"

"Not our call," Levi said. "We will wait here until there are orders from HQ."

Hunching forward, Zeke stared us down, his glass sliding to rest on the tip of his nose. "Let me be clear on something… We don't have all the time in the world."

What an arrogant personality. "Everyone is feeling the pressure, Zeke. We are all aware that Marley will retaliate once they've regained their strength."

"I have less than 2 years left to fulfill my obligations to my parents and the rest of the Eldian Restoration Movement. How many years do you have left, Saph?"

"Don't talk to her," Levi demanded, bristling at the question.

The wisp of bangs curling on Zeke's forehead trembled as he shook his head, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "So controlling. You shouldn't speak for your girlfriend like that."

Gritting his teeth, Levi's eyes flashed with anger. "She's not my girlfriend."

"Even worst! You must not be very popular with the ladies if you're assuming to know what they want." That smirk always teasing at the edges of his expression finally made a full appearance. "If you start following me instead, Saph, then I promise I'll treat you better than this midget."

Shooting his feet, Levi's blade gleaned in the light of the flames as he pointed it in Zeke's direction. "I told you not to talk to her. I won't warn you again."

Tension stiffened my shoulders as I glanced between the two of them. I didn't have any desire to converse with Zeke about the details of my life, but I'd already pointed out to Levi that he only engaged with me to irritate him. Zeke enjoyed working people up for his own amusement, especially Levi. Must nag at that bearded fool, a human being stronger than him. That his Beast Titan and royal blood don't truly measure up in the end. Despite the appreciation and love felt when Levi acted protectively, I didn't want anyone triggering those instincts to be manipulative and to only satisfy their own ego. "I'm going to take a short walk."

After leaving the circle of guards I found a tall established tree, its dark branches cradling the moon. My fingers curled into the fabric of my socks to rip them down, I took them off along with my boots. Cold dirt pressed between my toes intermixed with the poking of dry grass. Crickets chirped their soothing song as I dodged around the large bases of the trunks. The muscles in my arms started to simmer under the pressure of their hurried pumping. I said a walk but a run is always more my speed. Sure-footed and as fast as a rabbit, the way I can weave towards my goal has been a point of pride since I've lived in the Underground. It felt so freeing to stretch my legs underneath the beams of light. I'd started to feel cagey being near Zeke constantly due to his chiding and pestering. Piece of shit.

Camping outside in these woods is reminiscent of the time I was pregnant with Chaco. I'm thankful to have Levi's arm for a pillow this time around. The smell of pine smacked into my nostrils with every inhale. I'd always treasured the wilderness because it's so unlike the Underground. Space and silence. Amazing smells and earthy textures surround me. There's no filth… just a natural home of abundance. Though, the winter months can be harsh. My stays in various abandoned houses had been quite comfortable except for those chillier nights.

I'm in the mood to push myself and really soar. There's been too much sitting and waiting for me to be truly settled in my soles. Gathering my gear at my hips, I shot up into the branches, twisting in the air to land vertically against the stump. Feathers fluttered around me from the birds beating their wings near my ears, my propelling getting in their line of flight. Giving a yip of joy, I bent my knees and shot up higher. Leaping between the branches using only my strength, I somersaulted and flipped at a speed even dangerous for me. The wind whistled and coldness greeted me as I ascended upward in the atmosphere. Tips of my fingers now numb, I grinned at the thrill of dancing in the sky.

Veering to the side, I decided the only way this experience could become better is with the addition of Levi. Speeding back to the campsite, it was only when I began to smell smoke did I start to relax my pace. Dropping lower, I angled myself above Zeke's head, it'd be the perfect position to catch my love's attention. Waving my hand, I continued the motion until Levi peeked up at me.

An eyebrow raised quizzically. 'What are you doing?' He mouthed.

'Come up here!'

After tilting his head for a mere moment, Levi announced, "I'm going to go take a shit. I'll decapitate you," he said, pointing the blade at Zeke, "if you move."

Giggling, I followed him overhead. Not one to shirk his duties, Levi stayed close to the outer rim of the guard circle. "Why?" he asked once he'd tucked himself out of view.

"It's fun!"

Levi scowled. "We're not here for that."

"Shhh, don't be such a bore. You have been sitting out here for over a week, and a break is necessary once in a while." Motioning for him to come over, I grinned. "The sight is beautiful up here, please let me share it with you."

I felt the spark of his fingers grazing my hip bone before I realized that he'd popped up. "Well…if you're going to put it like that."

Heat began to simmer in the core of my stomach, it'd been a while since we had a chance to be alone together. A groan echoed into the air as I pressed Levi against the rough bark. Dipping my head down, I nibbled on his collarbone while I folded my hand into his. "Maybe we should go up a little higher, so nobody will find us in a compromising position? I know you don't like PDA."

"I'm not one to give anyone a show," he said, swallowing hard. Without another word, Levi shot straight up. Needles dipped downwards in front of me, the small remainders of his climb.

Skirting upwards myself, I laughed seeing the small shadow in front of me. Ink black by the roots of these massive trees, the branches thinning out allowed lovely moonlight began to blanket the surrounding area. Stars twinkled in clusters high above us. Taking in the majestic scene in front of me, I felt grateful to be alive. The short individual by my side sweetened the deal. "Thank you for being here." Lifting my arms above, I twirled around on my tippy toes. "What a gorgeous night." Not watching what direction I happened to be spinning in, I crashed into Levi's chest. Gleeful laughter spilled out of my lips before I sealed them shut with his own.

"Don't get dizzy and accidentally fall off," he said with concern, leaning back to take in my expression. "You're acting a bit drunk."

"No. I'm enjoying the night while you're being stiff," I said, allowing myself to tip backward. After giving him a cheeky wink, I let myself drop off. Craning my neck to watch the fast-approaching ground, I searched for the perfect branch for my daredevil endeavor. Seeing a lonely branch, I shot a line towards it and began to be tugged forward. Just in time too as the line straightened. Using it as a makeshift swing, my toes grazed over a bush, causing the leaves to be ruffled by the accompanying whoosh of air. I fought the urge to shriek in glee as I clenched my teeth while reaching the highest point in my tether. Feeling the tension begin to build that eventually result in me being jerked backward, I quickly retracted the connector. Hurtling through the canopy, I felt my eyes begin to water from the speed and chill, but I wanted to keep them open as I reached heights I'd never reached before.

As my speed decreased, I was left hanging in empty space for a split second. Up in the dust of clouds, I felt like I was floating among them. If it'd been daytime, I wonder how far I would've been able to see? Then I began to plummet. Just as I began to reach the tips of the trees, I twisted around to tentatively began to find a landing. I'd barely skimmed one, bark peeling at the force before someone collided with me.

"Ooof," I groaned at the impact. Blinking fervently, it took me a second before I realized that I'd been hoisted into Levi's arms. "Why'd you do that?" I asked with a pout.

He landed on one of the limbs with ease. "I thought you wanted to spend time just the two of us," he said, softly.

Looping my arms around his neck, I pulled him down into a long languid kiss, tasting each section of Levi's mouth slowly. He responded with force, our teeth almost clinking together as he deepened it. After I drank my fill, I pulled away for a much-needed inhale of air, uncurling myself out of Levi's hold while doing so. "I do. I want to have fun, be intimate, and do everything that we used to in our private little home. I'm tired of having to act distant."

"I don't want you to be targeted because of our relationship. Zeke detests me. I wouldn't put it past him to go after you.."

Chuckling, I gave him a peck on the cheek. "Cause he thinks I'm your girlfriend?" I asked, lightheartedly. The shaking of my shoulders stopped once I took note of the pinch in his brows.

"I wish you'd take this seriously. You're more than that," he sighed. "You're my partner; the mother of my child."

My heart squeezed at the sentiment. "He knows you're more than just my Captain. If you want to keep it a secret, you shouldn't let him get you so worked up. I've seen you ignore more annoying assholes than this bearded freak." Rubbing up and down on Levi's arms, I wanted to ease the tension out of from under his skin. "We could easily takeout him out together. Actually, you don't even need me, you could do it yourself."

Standing up on his tiptoes to level his gaze with mine, Levi trapped me with the tragedy in his stormcloud eyes. "Zeke slaughtered our comrades and commander. He almost took you away from me as well. The Cart might've been close to dealing with the finale blow, but it was that hairy bastard's plan." The pad of his thumb brushed my cheek back and forth, a soothing gesture.

Moving forward until I'd blocked Levi in once again, "he's not watching us right now," I quietly whispered into the soft skin of his neck. Hovering, I let the warmth from his body wash over me. Wisps of his soot-black hair tickled the end of my nose due to our proximity, lightheartedly tracing its curve. "I'm right here, safe and whole in front of you." Unlocking my gear, I carefully let it slide off, not wanting it to accidentally tumble to the ground instead. Hooking a finger into the belt of his 3DMG, I pulled Levi forward to do the same. Once rid of that obstacle, I hugged him tightly to myself.

"Yes, you are," his voice was ragged with tenderness, the beat of Levi's heart began to pick up speed, drumming against my own. Suddenly, he twisted us around, leaving my feet scrambling on the wood to find enough friction to recover. Clutching me to his muscular frame, Levi flipped us over until my back crashed into the spine of the tree. "I want to touch you, to remind myself of that."

Unbuttoning my top with one hand, I tugged Levi's open with the other, carefully handling the buttons to prevent them from tearing. Despite being gleeful about his disheveled state, I knew he wouldn't appreciate our actions being apparent when we returned. "I'm all yours," I murmured, letting go to shimmy out of my pants and underwear, "and there's nothing I'd like more." The small cloth had already been growing damp due to our flirtations, now nothing shielded my slickness from Levi's thick rod when he hoisted my legs to encircle his waist.

Slightly taller at this angle, the view from above left me breathless. Raised scars cut across the firm muscle, and various remnants of wounds stood out to me, some there for so long that I couldn't remember when he didn't bear that cross. Levi had obliged to the removal of his top, but his bottoms remained scrunched up at his ankles. I guess half of an outfit was attached to each of us. One stray anxious thought went towards the repercussions if one of the dismissed garments slid off the tree before my mind emptied altogether.

Pressed flat against the surface, my shirt and cloak offered little padding for my shoulder blades as I arched into Levi's touch. My hands involuntarily clenched as I stalled them near his face before deciding to dig my nails into the rugged rind of wood above my head instead. Closer, closer, closer. That's all I wanted to be. To remove as much distance as possible, I tightened my thighs around his waist, drawing us closer together. Bobbing up and down, I teased his cock against my wet slit.

"Wait," I said, stalling my movements at my own behest, "we need protection."

Levi growled into my chest. "Fuck. I don't have anything.."

I tapped him on the shoulder. "I do. Grab it from my pocket real quick." Fidgeting in place, I hated how stretched out time felt in that space between him leaving and returning. "Do you need help?" I asked, eventually.

"No. No. I got it." Levi placed himself back firmly in between my legs. "I'm glad you remembered."

Humming in pleasure, I returned to grinding myself against him in a heavy daze of friction and heat. Lolling my head back, I let myself be on the receiving end of his attention to my breasts. Sparks of ecstasy lit my nerves on fire as he rolled my hardened nipple between his thumb and forefinger while nipping and sucking a trail of love marks on the other; I had to press my knuckles against my lips in an effort not to keep silent as the pressure continued to build.

Sensing that I had a firm grasp on his waist, Levi removed the hand on my butt that he had been supporting me to slip it between the two of us instead. Sliding a finger inside of me, Levi curled it just enough to graze all my sweet spots, causing tremor after tremor to resonate from my core. Fiercely pumping the digit in and out of my folds, Levi's forehead crashed onto the top of my shoulder as he concentrated on his efforts, still barely in control from the sound of his gritting teeth.

Within the throes of such destabilizing want and need, much less being able to tell the difference, there was little I could do to reciprocate in my position. Instead, Levi's name fell off my tongue like a prayer each time his finger intimately rammed my core with an expertise that came with experience. How many times have we tasted and detailed every inch of one another? The maps of our bodies might be familiar, but I still haven't grown satiated of exploring his.

"Please," I whispered, glancing off to the side. In the fog of night, I couldn't see all the way down to the mossy forest floor below us, but the feeling of being so high up didn't scare me, it only added to the titillation. "Please," I repeated myself with additional urgency. I want all of him, not just bits and pieces. Stretched out with Levi's previous delectable efforts, he slid into me with ease.

Faltering, Levi paused once we'd become conjoined as close as possible. "Damn it, Saph. You feel so fucking good." We both heaved for breath, needing a break from the frantic desperation plaguing our movements.

Rejoicing at the feel of him, I bent forward to lay a scattering of kisses on both of his cheeks. My affection for this man before me always helps lead to my undoing. "Thank you. I love you. Thank you. Keep going. I need you, please," I mumbled in between each delicate touch.

Snickering, Levi glanced up at me, eyes black. "I like hearing you beg."

"Only for you," I drawled with lust, "now shut up and fuck me." Words were becoming difficult for me to concentrate on forming. They became distorted within the rupturing of my exhales and moans. Panting hard at the tension encumbering my bones and muscles, a fever accompanied the zealous thrusting of our hips together. With my top starting to become drenched in sweat, I fumbled slightly as I took it off. Now entirely in the nude, every passionate push into my quaking body left scratches up and down my back. At least they'd heal quickly.

The sweet pinch of Levi's nails dug into my waist as his pace increased yet still held the same rhythm of unrelenting passion. I held no such grace, squirming for a release just out of my reach, causing Levi to have to tighten his hold so I might not slip away altogether. Each thrust was laced with explosive pleasure and ended with the slapping of skin together. Relentless, Levi dragged me to the edge of bliss and shoved me off without concern.

Tilting my head back, a silent scream erupted from my parted lips. Lost in the wave of euphoria, all I could focus on was Levi's continued assault. Silently screaming as Levi continued to gratify all of my senses, a full minute passed before I was forced to gasp for precious breath. "Levi," I whimpered in defeat at the prolonged pleasure causing me to quiver.

Sinking his teeth into the juncture of my neck and shoulder, Levi snarled while finally relenting to the furious tide of his own ecstasy. We both vibrated violently under the rolling tides of gratification. Not budging in the slightest, Levi's powerful body shuddered against mine. As the cacophony of our orgasms eased, we slowly melded into one. After holding the two of us still for a bit, Levi slowly pulled out. His steady warm palms on my ribs prevented me from crumbling as he set me down. "I didn't know much I needed that," he said once I was back on my feet.

Sore and heavy with satisfaction, I wobbled as I slowly kneeled down to retrieve my clothes and get dressed. Settling my gear back on, I plopped down onto the branch, not yet ready to go back to Zeke and the others. "I told you a break was necessary. Come sit next to me," I said, patting the branch.

"I don't want to get my clothes dirty," Levi said, tucking his shirt in.

Fine. Not going to push my luck anyways. I'd hoped Levi wouldn't mind having a tangle outside, but I certainly hadn't been certain. "How come sex isn't dirty to you?"

"It would be if it wasn't with you."

"Awwww. That's one of the sweetest things I've ever heard you say."

"It's true. I don't like most people touching me in general. There have only been a few exceptions."

I gave a wide grin, "so I'm special?"

Squatting down, Levi's centered his gaze on me. "Yes," he said with a solemnness I hadn't expected. "Saph, I've been thinking about our previous conversation, and I wanted to answer questions."

Puzzled by what he could be talking about, I raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're referring to."

"When I… fell in love with you… and why."

Tingles shot through my nerves, including the most minuscule ones. I wanted to clap in excitement. "That's right! I want to hear it."

Despite my gleeful encouragement, Levi continued to speak in a somber timbre. "I know you said that you're tired of fighting, but you will. Nothing stops you from protecting the people you love because of your loyalty and dedication. You're the strongest person I know because you always get up, no matter how hard you've been hit down. There's nobody I trust more to have my back in battle." His words were soft like a breath shared between us. "It's more than that though. I feel… comfortable around you. You're my favorite person to talk with. The only one who makes me laugh."

Rolling his eyes, Levi scratched the back of his head. "I don't know when exactly my feelings for you changed from being annoyed. You'd started to grow on me over the years, over the course of our long conversations, probably. After we were kidnapped, laying in that shit cell, that's when I realized how much you'd matured since we first met. That we were both different people. You've said that I changed you for the better… I feel the same way." Levi swallowed hard. "I am sorry that I can't be as devoted to you as you are to me. Sometimes, I do wish we could just run away together. Travel around to try different teas and sweets, but that's not a reality I can live in knowing what everyone is fighting against."

Shaking my head, I silenced him with a finger to the lips. "Shush. You have nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for trying to make you stay behind instead of fighting the Marleyans; it wasn't fair of me to ask for that. I know how committed you are to your duties and fellow soldiers." Brushing aside a few stray strands of hair away from his face, I let my fingers linger. "However, I do have one request, you must let me live out my life purpose too." Heart heavy with what I'm about to ask of him, I cuddled closer. "If there's ever a need for a sacrifice. If someone has to stay behind for some reason, let me do it instead of you."

Withdrawing, Levi looked at me with horror. "Saph-"

Reflexively, I grabbed at his cheeks, cradling them to hold him steady. I didn't want Levi to move away much less avert his glare. I needed him to see how serious this is to me. "Levi. My Levi. You must understand that I fight for you, to protect you. That almost all my strength would leave me if you were gone."

"What about Chaco? There's no way you'd quit with him in the picture."

"You're right." I weakened my hold. "I'd stay alive for him, but I wouldn't be here." Glancing back towards the small glimmer of fire in the distance, with the asshole figure seated next to it, I felt confident that the last place I would want to be is here if Levi wasn't. Swiveling around to face him once again, I took in the borderline grief in his grey orbs. "I would be spending the last years of my life with our son, terrified of what will happen to him once I'm gone." How could he not see what is so clear to me? "Please. This is my duty to both of you. You'd be able to continue to fulfill your obligations as a soldier, and Chaco would have a parent who'd be able to see his 11th birthday."

It took a while before Levi acquiesced. "Fine, but that doesn't mean you're allowed to start throwing yourself headfirst into danger," he said gruffly. "Don't be a dumbass and get yourself needlessly killed."

"Of course not," I tried to reassure him. "I know how hard you work to protect me. I'm lucky to have someone so fearless by my side." Standing back up, I dusted myself off before giving Levi a tight squeeze. Enveloped in one another's arms, I felt we existed in a ring of peace. The warm light of protection and love. Not wanting to break it, we both forcefully hugged the other without breaking away. "I guess we should head back," I said after a bit of time had passed, still not moving a muscle.

Levi nodded, and yet, neither of us let go.

Swaying in front of the door, I concentrated on the shuffling of my feet over knocking. I'd only meant to say hi to the kids at the orphanage, but I'd oddly felt bad at the thought of not seeing Auruo. The news would get back to him. While there have been quite a few adoptions that happened, Ollie and Kaya still lived there. Kaya could keep a secret, but Ollie didn't have any capacity to keep his mouth shut. It'd be pointless to ask because he'd forget the conversation the next day.

Too bad I couldn't bring Chaco to meet them. The only children he's ever met and played with have been Freud and Nolan. Hange assured me that she'd create a cover story for him to be able to go to school, but wouldn't Chaco have issues making friends if he's barely interacted with other kids? I don't want him to have socialization issues similar to mine. Ugh. I'm sure his parents being gone isn't helping with that. At least Hange relieved me of Zeke duty so I'll be able to spend the night with my little man, once this is over with that is.

Rapping my knuckles against the door, I steeled myself for a bombardment of verbal abuse. He'd probably be mad that Captain Levi isn't here, but I wanted to ensure that Auruo's intentions aren't to just ridicule the two of us.

"Come in," a raspy voice uttered from within.

Inhaling deeply, I pushed myself into the bedroom, surprised by how that small motion dried my tongue right up. My gaze lingered on the tops of my feet. Then I let it slide towards the open window, the wall, the other wall, and then finally to the foot of Auruo's bed. "Hi," I coughed out, finally focusing on his face. Positioned upwards in bed, Auruo had a book in his hands and his jaw on the floor. "Though I'd pop in since I heard you wanted to see us."

"Captain Levi isn't with you?"

Tilting my head, I leaned against the doorway, uncertain what his response will be to my answer. "No. What did you want to tell us? I'm here to hear it first since last time you weren't so kind." Curling a strand of hair around my finger, I let out a sigh. I'm already feeling more shaken than I wanted to, but the memories of our squad's violent death began to replay in the back of my head. "Not that I had the highest expectations when I saw you at the hospital last."

His eyes slid up and down my body. "A little possessive aren't you? Does he know you're here?"

"No, but as I previously said, I decided to pop in. This wasn't planned." Tense, I found it hard to relax. "Levi doesn't need to hear you shitting on him about Petra again." A breeze spilled into the room, rustling the curtains, the only sound as silence befell both of us. Maybe I should've given more warning before saying her name. What's the point of ignoring her absence though? Trying to brush past the awkwardness, I continued, "That's partially why I'm here. I am… curious as to what you want to say to me as well."

Auruo looked ancient. He'd already appeared older as a young adult due to the wrinkles cresting most of his features. I never knew what'd caused such stress for him to age, but the grief of losing the love of his life certainly deepened the damage. Flicking a glance towards the gap where the rest of his foot should've been, it hit me that the loss of his limb might've also worsened the situation. I know I'd be depressed if it'd happened to me. To think I'd never be able to run or fight effectively again, I'd be shattered with sadness.

Tucking his legs underneath him, Auruo sat up taller. "I've met quite a few kids from the Underground. They worship both of you, the ones who are old enough to know of the stories that is."

"Well, we both got out," I explained, a bit proud. Other citizens and soldiers don't understand how it shapes you to grow up in that environment. "We became successful Titan hunters, and everyone thinks Levi is amazing since he's Humanity's Strongest Soldier. They know about me because of Kenny the Ripper. He was a boogeyman to them since he kidnapped children from the Underground to turn them into his underlings in the Military Police."

Auruo sighed. "I know, but I never really saw what you did as anything besides selfish. Coming home bathed in human blood. You'd miss meetings and training routines sometimes; I'd be infuriated. Who were you to be in Levi's Squad after showing such irresponsibility? I never thought about your brother or Kenny."

Shrugging my shoulders, I plopped into the chair closest to the window. The bit of sunlight fell good. Talking about that dreary and disgusting place always made me take in a deep breath. Recall how sometimes I never thought I'd see the sky again. Maybe it's why I never took up cleaning, I missed the natural textures and wonders the most, like flowers. "Nobody on the surface thinks about those below."

"You've changed." Squirming in discomfort, Auruo refused to face me. "The reason I wanted you both to come here is that I wanted to say I'm not angry with either of you, well, mostly Captain." Auruo's shoulders caved inward as a quiver entered his tone. "I want to see him once in a while. To talk about her…Nobody else knew her the way we did, and it wasn't fair for me to blame him." Regarding me a bit more coldly once again, Auruo gave a dramatic heave. "That is, if you won't get jealous."

"That's fine. I won't tell him why you want to talk, but I do want to say that I hope he does start visiting." Easing backward, the legs tipped with my weight. "Most likely, there are sentiments he's not comfortable sharing with me, so I think it'd help Levi feel better too."

Surprise caused Auruo's mouth to hang wide open for a second. "I still don't think he'll ever love you as much as he loved her," he finally said in a defensive tone.

Flinching, I tried to remain calm and remind myself that I'd expected this sensitivity. "There's no way I'll live up to her in your mind, but Levi won't stand for it if these sessions turn into you shitting on me though."

"If he starts complaining, I'm not going to stop him." Raising his hands up, Auruo attempted to appear innocent.

A lump formed at the base of my throat. The image of Levi complaining to Auruo that I wasn't Petra stung. I knew he would never do it, but to think of Auruo encouraging him made my blood boil. "You know, I partially wanted to come here to apologize, but you're really making it that difficult."

"What did you want to say sorry for?"

Jumping to my feet, I began to pace back and forth, lingering at the exit. I'd grown tired of this conversation already, better to be with my son than with this asshole. "You're not very likable, but I treated you as if we were Underground, with distrust and hostility. There are times I could've been a better soldier and comrade to those in Levi's Squad."

Uncomfortable with Auruo's leveled stare, I fidgeted with my hair by putting it behind my ear over and over again as I offered my explanation. "I didn't plan on staying once I found Suzu. Fighting Titans, it was supposed to be temporary," laughter wheezed out of me. How long have I been doing this now? A fucking decade or something? Too long, that's what. "All I wanted was to live in peace with my brother. Not leave the Walls to fight monsters. Not be a weapon in a war we have almost no chance of winning, much less surviving," whipping my body around to face him, I slammed my hands on the end of the mattress, "but when I fell in love with Levi, you know I tried to do my best by him. I didn't interfere, nor did I talk bad about Petra." Easing up, fury continued to bubble in my chest. "You don't have to accept my apology, but I won't allow you to disrespect our relationship."

Exhaling in defeat, Auruo rubbed his thumb into his temple. A man who has always been short on patience, annoyance continued to fluster his words. "Fine. Stop lecturing me. I accept your shit apology. I'll try not to bring you up at all." Twiddling his thumbs for a moment, Auruo appeared to be in deep contemplation. "I don't like the idea of him moving on still, but I know Petra wouldn't be happy with me if I tried to ruin what you two have. I don't hate you, but I'm never going to like you either." He scoffed. "Now can you leave me alone? Your yelling is giving me a headache."

"With pleasure."

Scurrying out of the orphanage, I tried to remain unseen as I left. No more distractions or obstacles in my way of returning home. Leaping over the fence, I tilted my head back in glee. I felt lighter than I thought I would after speaking with Auruo. I'm glad we made peace, however tenuous.

After I left the vicinity, I ruptured into my Titan form. Claws ate up the green grass as I used them to propel me far and fast. I rarely felt thankful for this hideous form except in times of desperate measure, but when a stretch of land laid uninterrupted before me, a thrill lit up within at the prospect of sprinting without reservation. Nothing could beat me. Birds, horses, and other Titans always fell far behind. If running on the water was possible, I'd beat boats!

The approaching Wall didn't slow my progress, I only leapt onto the side without hesitation. My momentum helped carry me quickly over. With now only hills in my way, it'd be an easy lope to the house. Salt filled the air, coating my tongue and stinging my nose. Pink and red hues flooded the sky as the sun began to crest down over the ocean. What a gorgeous setting to be traveling in, but joy still filled me more once I spotted the roof of our home.

Lurching to a stop before getting too close to the porch, I wrenched myself out of the soft tissue. "Chaco," I shouted, "I'm home!"

Skipping to the front of the door, I paused once I noticed that it was slightly ajar. Freezing for a mere second, all cheer was replaced by a flood of fear. Grabbing the knife from my boot, I cautiously approached the building that'd appeared so welcoming at first. Now doom had instilled itself into the threads of my nerves. My blood turned to ice as I entered, having to step over Brogan's body sprawled in the entry, his throat slit.

Hello everyone! I finished the last chapter late at night, so I totally spaced writing an author's note before posting! Just wanted to thank all my readers as always. I'm immensely enjoying writing these last few chapters (despite them getting longer and longer each time somehow). Thanks again for being here, and I would love to hear any comments you guys might have!