Levi contemplates his new role as Mikasa's guardian and how he will do raising her

Fluff ensues so get tissues

Please review, follow and favourite

Darkpheonix666

Levi sat in the coach quietly Mikasa sat beside him. They had left the Yeager household just a little while earlier and were now on their way to the base where Levi was currently residing.

It would be a long trip and she would have to sleep in the carriage overnight. They would not arrive until at least tomorrow morning which would be risky. However if need be he was willing to fight tooth and bone to protect her.

She was now under his care and once she was old enough would be enrolled in the military. However, until that happened he wanted her to have a semi normal childhood at least. He had no idea of what she liked or what her hobbies were; but he would do his best.

He wanted her to at least enjoy some form of kid like activities before she had to start her training to become a soldier. After all she deserved some form of happiness before she joined the war.

Mikasa was now wrapped up in a blanket her black eyes still blank and empty. She had said nothing since they had left the Yeager household. She had simply sat there her eyes pinned to the floor.

Flashback

"Thank you for your hospitality" Levi said gratefully. He would look forward to seeing Carla and her family again. They were good people; warm and welcoming. Truly kind souls inside and outside; the fact they had taken in Mikasa even if it was a whim showed that.

"It's not a problem; I hope Mikasa and yourself have a good life" Carla said politely. She felt worried about giving Mikasa up but she seemed comfortable with her decision.

Levi smiled warmly; he had never been a parent or a guardian before up until this point. He had lived alone for a large period of his life after his uncle abandoned him.

Kenny had left him when he was still a teenager; unable to control him or deal with his rage. Instead he just gave up and abandoned him leaving Levi to fend for himself. He had no idea of whether or not Kenny was even alive. Or that he had a great niece at all; hell, if he knew about Mikasa would he even come and see her?

Mikasa then exited the door following Levi but turned to Eren quietly a small smile on her face. He was the first person next to his parents to show her such kindness. "Thank you Eren; I'll treasure this" she said quietly.

She would make sure this scarf was preserved and well cared for. He had saved her life after she just lost her parents in such a short period of time. She had just lost everything and he had helped comfort her and welcome her into his home.

God knows what would have happened to her if he hadn't come along and saved her when he had. Her skin crawled at the endless possibilities. The nightmarish visions swirling around her mind like smoke.

Eren nodded but pointed at Levi and frowned fiercely "You better look after her! I won't forgive you if you don't!" he snapped angrily. Mikasa was his friend and someone he cared about a great deal; though they hadn't known each other long he felt a strong sense of protectiveness towards her.

"EREN!" Carla scolded sharply. She knew Eren wasn't happy about Mikasa leaving but he didn't need to be so rude. This man was Mikasa's family and he was going to take care of her.

Grisha simply smiled in amusement; in his own way Eren was showing he cared about Mikasa. Eren never had been good at conveying his feelings. He was brash and often hot headed but he meant well deep down.

Levi smirked in amusement; this kid certainly was a fiery one. He would certainly make an interesting soldier one day. "You got it kid; I'll do my best to see she turns out right" he replied teasingly.

This kid seemed to have a soft spot for Mikasa; however, whether it was platonic, sibling like or romantic was yet to be known. They were too young for such things yet after all.

He then led Mikasa out of the door in front of him but was careful not to knock her over. The Yeager's watched them leave quietly before heading inside. Their hearts wavering with uncertainty and yet comfort.

Now

Levi peered at Mikasa quietly; he could only imagine how she must be feeling right now. She had the same look on her face he had when his mother had died. Empty hollow eyes and an expressionless face; but so full of complicated emotions kept hidden under the surface. Unable to express herself clearly.

Levi hesitated then reached out to cup his hand atop her small head. Her hair was soft and silky; yet he could feel the dirt in her hair. She was so fragile, broken and lost inside; it would be a while before she learned how to convey her emotions clearly again.

She was hauntingly beautiful; broken and traumatized and yet still able to have a beauty about her. A ghostly angel haunted by her past demons that she now carried. A terrifyingly angelic sight.

Mikasa stiffened in surprise at his hand placing itself atop her head. However, she didn't push him away or tell him to stop; she just sat there quietly. The hand felt nice, comforting even. She hadn't felt something so soothing since her mother had put her to bed just the other night.

For the first time in what felt like hours she was safe again; to feel reassured and somewhat at peace. That hand told her everything was ok and she wasn't in harm's way anymore.

"Mikasa…." He began slowly. He was never good at conveying himself much like his niece; but he would do his best. He would show her in some awkward way he cared about her.

Mikasa blinked and peered at him quietly; her dark eyes showing it was ok to speak. She was patiently waiting to hear what he needed to say to her. Whatever he wanted to say she would listen.

Levi took a deep breath and sighed "I don't know how good I'll be as a parent. Truth be told my own mother died when I was your age…." he trailed off. He could still remember being but 7 years old; 4 years younger than she was now.

Still living in that hell that was the underground. Barely having enough to eat and being a skinny, malnourished little runt. Being filthy, cold and starving; constantly in the dark.

The smell of his mother's rotting corpse, filth, blood and faeces everywhere. Just thinking about it made his skin crawl and bile burn his throat. Not long after he would be raised by Kenny who taught him to fight and hold a knife. Once he became too much for the older male he was abandoned at the age of 12.

He then went onto meet Furlan who became his closest friend and confidant. They were friends for a good 18 years before they both met Isabel. Then he lost them too; within a lifetime of knowing Furlan and a few months of knowing Isabel he lost her too. He lost his family again and it hurt.

A year later at the age of 30 it still hurt; the pain burning inside him like a hot iron. Begging and screaming to come out so he could sob into his pillow until his throat was hoarse.

However, he kept those feelings that tormented him resided within his heart. Locked away behind a steel door and hung up the key. Deep down in his heart hiding away from the rest of the world.

It was ironic how he could see himself in Mikasa now. The same scared and yet emotionless face begging for help and attention. Surrounded by her parent's bodies and being sold as no doubt a prostitute because of her Asian blood. Like hell would he let them do that to her.

She was pale, shaken and covered in blood and filth. Her dress ripped and ruined; covered in the proof of all she had endured up until now. Mikasa had nobody but him now; he was her role model and the person she would rely on. He would do his damn hardest not to be like Kenny; to raise her better.

Mikasa's eyes widened in awe and hope; a small sliver of light coming back into her eyes. She almost looked like a child again despite the sadness surrounding her. Showing she could still be saved from her demons.

"…As you know I'm a soldier and I have to fight. I will be away a lot and you will have to spend time with other people while I'm away" he explained. He hated the idea of leaving her alone and scared; but he would always return to her that much he did know. Even if he had to tear apart an army of titans.

Hanji would love her and be an amazing mother figure. She would teach Mikasa all she knew and help bring a smile back to her face. She would smother her with affection and spoil her rotten.

He had no idea of what Erwin would think of her or how he would act around Mikasa. Truth be told he didn't even know what Mikasa would think of the latter. Most likely they would simply share stares and odd comments.

Mikasa looked a little disheartened but didn't cry; instead she simply nodded in understanding. I mean he had his own life before he found her after all. But she was glad to not be alone anymore; to know that she had someone to rely on.

Someone to take care of her and someone she could look up to; someone who wouldn't leave her no matter what. She could have a family again; even if that family would be far from perfect.

Suddenly Levi pulled her closer to him her face hitting his body abruptly without warning. His hand still softly gripping her head his face looking out of the carriage window.

She could feel the warmth of his skin and his heart beating within him. It was racing rather fast meaning he was as nervous and awkward as she felt. Despite his appearance he was obviously shaken himself about all this.

His grip on her head softened and he stroked her hair a little in a comforting manner. "It must have been scary; watching them die and being kidnapped like that. You were very brave Mikasa" he said gently.

Watching the two people who gave birth to her; who raised her and taught her everything she knew. To be brutally killed in front of her by merchants who planned on selling her.

The confusion, fear, anger and sadness she must have felt. The dread of contemplating her fate; god knows how she must have felt upon meeting him. Wondering how to act or how to respond about her long lost estranged family.

Mikasa stiffened suddenly she began to shake. The emotions she had kept hidden all this time welling up. The tears she had released when Eren gave her that scarf surfacing once more.

Her body began to tremble and she was blinded by the tears in her eyes. They spilled over like a waterfall soaking Levi's shirt a little and her dress. Her body arching as sobs escaped her throat; voicing all the emotions she was feeling. Her relief to be safe and have a family again; she was no longer alone.

"Thank you…. thank you…. thank you…" she sobbed tearfully her voice hoarse. He didn't have to come and see her, he didn't have to come and find her. He wasn't obliged to adopt her. To come and find her, to be part of her life or even come all that way. He could have continued his life without having to even consider it.

But he did; he travelled to Shiganshina, he made himself known, he explained who he was and now he was giving her a home again. She had no words to describe how grateful she was apart from the sobs she was now making and the few words she could muster.

Levi smiled softly and lowered his hand to her shoulder. He gripped it softly and stroked her back gently. She had been through a lot tonight; more than any girl her age should.

She had endured well and been very brave indeed; her parents would indeed be proud of her. She had been very strong and now it was her turn to cry. She was safe now and he would make sure that she would always be safe. He would keep protecting and watching over her until he was sure she no longer needed him.

He would always be there; whether she needed him to be or not. Making sure she was out of harm's way and where his eyes could see her. "I won't leave you; I won't ever leave you. I'll keep you safe that I swear, Mikasa" he swore mentally.