LOCATION: SHINGANSHINA - YEAR: 845

VASTATA HOUSEHOLD

Rex Luke was many things.

He had a short fuse, and tended to think things through very poorly, and couldn't easily admit he was wrong.

Probably a result of his upbringing, despite his attempts to not let it affect him.

But one thing he prided himself on? He was loyal to a fault.

If a friend needed help, he was there. If a friend wanted to hang out, he was there. If a friend needed something, he was there.

He wasn't some spoiled rich boy, who followed his parents' whims blindly, tried to get as many girls as possible, nor did he flaunt his cash in an effort to make friends. He preferred real friends.

His parents were two of the richest nobles in Wall Maria. Actually, make that any of the three walls.

Logan and Maria Vastata were two of the most influential nobles within the Walls, second only to the Reiss family.

Unfortunately, they were constantly trying to prep him up to be a "proper heir" as his dad called it.

To the point that he refuse to use his last name due to their influence. Hence, Rex Luke.

Suffice to say, they are still trying. And failing.

He and his parents hadn't had the best relationship, but it had gotten particularly bad after his mom had made a crack about his friend, Big John, to which his dad defended against Rex's complaints.

"You really should forget about that oversized peasant. You have much better, more appropriate friends waiting for you, rather than that hogwash."

"Excuse me? John's a far better friend than any of those hussies you keep trying to set me up with.

"No, your mother has a point. It's about time you start associating with those of a proper class."

"And it's about time you realize that I am not going to be a puppet who does what I can for an image. I want friends, who will actually be there for me, to help me when I need it. Not people who are only good for business deals."

"Business is the only thing that will get you through this world. Without it, you'd be a simple peasant. Much like that Gallagher boy."

"Dad, I'd rather have peasants for parents, because at least then they'd let me be me."

He had actually hurt his parents with that remark, and as much as he hated to admit it, his parents love him, and he them. But their views on this world conflicted way too much, and it strained their relationship.

He'd like to hope that one day, they could see his view, or at least, let him be himself, but until then, their relationship would remain strained.

One thing he could always thank John for, was talking to him the day the Scouts departed for their 54th expedition.

"Hey, you're Rex Vastata? Right?"

"I go by Rex Luke, to anyone with the balls to ask. Honestly, I'm surprised you spoke to me."

"Eh, rich or poor, big or small, we're all human, ain't nothing gonna change that."

"I wish most people would see it that way."

"Most people in Shinganshina do, but they'd rather not make enemies of two of the most infuental nobles in the Walls.

"I take it you don't fall in that category?"

"No, I do. But I don't let that stop me from talking to people. Like I said, everyone's human, and no one gets any special treatment."

"So why are you here, if you don't mind me asking, sir?"

"Sir? Man, don't let my height fool you. I'm only ten."

"Ten?! Jesus Christ you could be a human titan hybrid!"

"Haha! Every doctor I've seen has estimated that I'm gonna be about eight feet tall, or damn close to it when I'm done growing."

"Damn."

"Yeah. Anyway, I'm here with a couple buddies. My friend, Eren, has a deep love for the Survey Corps. What about you?"

"I respect them. They risk their lives all the time, trying to reclaim what Humanity has lost. And they keep pushing, despite what the public thinks of them. What do you think of them?"

"I'm about there with you, though I feel like we need more people in the Scouts for them to really make a difference."

"I agree."

"I'm John Gallagher, by the way. Though, my friends call me Big John."

"Gee, I wonder why."

"Ha! Anyway, me and my buddies are going down to the Maria Festival on Saturday. If you ain't busy, you wanna join us?"

"Are you serious?"

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise."

That was how he had met John. Which led to him meeting Eren, Armin, and Mikasa that same weekend. And Deacon about two months later.

And Rex would always appreciate all of them.

He better get going. He had that hike with John and Deacon.