"What are you doing here, Kenny?" Levi stepped closer, the knife pointed at the older man, the handle near his chest.

"I had to see for myself if the rumors were true, you see I had a hard time believing you were alive."

"Yeah, I'm sorry to break it to you-"

"And you're respectable, too!" Kenny exaggerated the tone to make it sound like a joke. "That is rich." He snorted as he looked around as if studying his nephew's environment. "When I heard the rumors that you were alive, I did my research. Then I came across another Ackerman – That Asian beauty – and she confirmed you worked at her university."

"Stop following me and my students" The grip tightened around the knife. His jaw started to hurt from clenching.

"Your students…" the taller let out in a mumble as if inquiring. "Was that boy you were with a student?" He really had been following Levi, he realized, and he hadn't even noticed or feel observed. He had let down his guard. "Is that really how a student is supposed to act around his teacher? Seems to me you-"

"You have too much time on your hands." Levi didn't let him finish. "Why do you care if I'm dead or alive, Kenny? What do you want for me?" Kenny's gaze softened, it almost resembled regret. His hands landed on his hips revealing the revolver previously hidden by his leather coat. "I told you," he said in a small voice, "I wanted to confirm the rumors." As he finished the sentence, Levi had already pulled him down against his chest pushing the blade onto the left side of Kenny's neck. The sight of the weapon had triggered him, and his body responded involuntarily, like muscle memory. Why would a criminal who was wanted by the police risk his freedom to 'confirm if the rumors were true'? A shallow laugh resonated in the man's throat. "Oh Levi" he smiled, "what do you think it's quicker, your knife or my bullet?" The younger felt then, through the back side of Kenny's coat, the barrel of the gun pressing onto his stomach. "You are such a bore… You used to be way cleverer." Levi loosened his grip and the man stood in front of him. "I'm disappointed in you. The only thing that gives me peace of mind is that no one can change this much. You'll show your true colors eventually."

"Fuck you."

"See? You didn't change much after all, you're still the same rude, despicable, hot-headed brat you've always been… and you didn't grow an inch either." He headed for the door as he threw his hand in the air in an indifferent goodbye.

Levi was left alone with his own thoughts. His mind was racing, he couldn't understand why that man came back all of a sudden. It had been almost 15 years since he left him alone in the street with no food, water, or money. As fourteen-year-old boy he didn't understand what he'd done to deserve being left behind to survive on his own. He blamed himself without ever knowing the real reason. Weeks later Farlan, who was 26 at the time, took him in. He worked two jobs to provide for both and made sure Levi finished school. He taught him what was good and bad, he showed him honesty and hard work would get him a long way, he gave him life goals, and once he heard of Levi's story, he made sure the younger boy understood it hadn't been his fault. Levi looked up to him like he was his big brother, he owed him his life and promised himself to make him proud no matter what. As soon as he could, he got a part time job to help his brother and he worked hard in school to apply for a university scholarship.

Before Levi turned 18, Farlan took in another orphan, Isabel. She was reckless and strong-minded, and when things didn't go her way, she would throw a tantrum or silently murder everyone in her mind. Like Farlan had done with the raven boy, he devoted himself to Isabel. She was only 3 years younger than Levi, but she made sure to follow his example and get into university with a scholarship. In fact, she looked up to Levi more than anyone else.

He yanked his phone out of his pocket and twitchily dialed a number. "Hello?" Erwin's voice sounded calm as ever.

"I need a drink."

"Meet me at the bar"

He glanced over the river before entering the bar, it reflected the lights from the towns across the water. The chilly wind prickled his stiff neck. Inside was warm and quiet; not many tourists were around at that time of the year. The bar was small, only three booths and a few seats at the counter. Erwin sat on one of those making conversation with the bartender. In front of him two caramel-colored drinks waited patiently as their ice cubes melted and stained the dark green napkins underneath the glasses. He sat on the free stool greeting his friend and the bartender, who gave him a small nod and dispersed. Clearly, he wasn't a fan of the short man.

"Kenny broke into my house." Levi shot, he stared vacantly ahead at the bottles of liquor shelved on the wall behind the counter.

"The Kenny?" Levi nodded at the question. "Well, what did he want?" Erwin asked pushing one of the glasses in front of his friend. Levi told him about the events that had taken place in his apartment earlier that evening. "It seems to me he's regretted abandoning you," the blond rose the glass, but didn't reach the mouth "or wanted to finish you." He said in a teasing tone, hearing a "tch, as if…" in return. "Why would he think you were dead in the first place?" The raven-haired man shrugged his shoulders as he brought his drink to his lips finishing it in two gulps. Erwin wanted to add some comforting words, but a high pitched voiced called their names before he could even come up with some. With her hand in the air in an exaggerate wave, Hange squinted her eyes at the two men sitting at the counter. The taller pointed to his own head with his finger and her eyes widened in acknowledgment: the gesture meant her glasses were on her head, that was why she could barely see them from the door, which was not that far from their seats. Behind the brunette, Moblit followed, a shy smile on his lips.

"I had a feeling I'd find you here" she wrapped her arms over the two friends who remained seated but leaned forward giving in to her weight and momentum.

"And unfortunately, you were right, four-eyes." Levi spat. "Hey, Moblit, your students missed you today"

"I had an emergency," he clarified. Erwin's eyes turned to him with concern. "I had to pick her up" he nodded in Hange's direction. The men seemed confused, their eyebrows furrowed. "She was arrested" Moblit explained in a disappointed sigh. Erwin immediately asked "what for?" whilst Levi laughed quietly into his hand. "Trespassing."

"I had no idea it was private property" the indignant woman opened her chest.

"It had a sign… and an electric fence, Hange" The man closed his eyes in desperation.

"What were you doing, you fucking idiot?" Levi's voice was harsh, but he looked amused.

Moblit let out in a sound that resembled a cry, "she saw a rare bird, or something-"

"It was a mushroom!"