Keith was stripped of everything. He wore no uniform and wasn't even given a new pair of glasses. He sat in a cold cell with rags on chained to a bed. He felt like an animal in a cage. Although the feeling wasn't as bad as the feeling of regret he had. Lana had every right to be angry with him. The entire time he was a pure blooded titan and he watched her struggle and go through the things that she went through. He tried to be there for her the best that he could, but his best wasn't good enough. If only he had revealed his powers to her sooner, then things would have turned out differently for both of them.
His first night down in the cell wasn't a lonely one. Boots could be heard on the cobble stone as he awaited for his visitor. When they finally approached, he was relieved to see Lucas standing at the cell gate.
"Are you just going to sit there and sulk the entire time?" he asked with a warm smile. He reached into the cell and passed Keith a new pair of glasses.
Keith was eager to grab them and put them on his face to be able to see a lot better.
"I can't help it. I feel terrible."
"But you had a reason, and a good one if I might add," Lucas stated pulling a chair that was nearby and sitting in it in front of the cell.
"I'm not so sure if I did."
"You refused to inform anyone about your powers because it was putting your own life at risk. Just the mere fact that you were alive was putting you in danger. If the Crovus Clan had known that you were alive, I'm sure that you would've wound up on that chopping block years ago. Your life is a valid reason for keeping it a secret."
"But I could have at least told all of you sooner."
"And then what. Have Nina and Jack get to you first. Shit happens Keith. When are you going to stop being so hard on yourself."
Keith only smiled and didn't say anything in response.
The following day, Keith was brought before an audience. Darius, Nile, Historia, Hange, and Doc, were all present to hear what he had to say. Lucas was present at the time to confirm the truth. Keith came clean with everything. He informed them about how he was a pure blooded titan from Rhea. He explained that he was a member of a notorious clan and how his parents were executed. He explained to him about his life with the circus and how the travelled to Paradis to live within the walls. He even came clean with the fact that he had forged all of their documents in order to join the military and gain citizenship. It was at this time that Keith was prepared for anything that they were going to through at him. He was even preparing himself as far as to being executed. Lucas in return shared his experiences on Rhea and with Keith.
Through his words and his history as a soldier, his charges were dropped. Once he informed everyone about the secondary uprising that was being conducted by Jack and Nina, his actions then were even thought of as just. Recently, letters between both Jack and Nina had been found which was evident that Keith was telling the truth. When Jack couldn't get access to more of the serum, they decided to try and make their own and kidnap either one of the Survey Crops titan shifters.
While Keith was pardoned for all of his actions he was ordered to have the medical team examine him to gather any data that they may find useful. Keith couldn't argue with the logic and was happy to oblige, even going far as to share the reports that Isaac had given him.
Even after hearing that Lucas was involved with everything, he too didn't receive any penalties. They were let out as free men. Lana had given her statement and she too returned to her regular duties. In the excitement, Keith was even reinstated as Captain. He was able to return home safe and sound.
A ceremony was held in honor of the bravery of the Survey Corps. Each one of the soldiers was to receive a medal for their success. With the reclamation of Wall Maria, this reinstated the prosperous future for those within the walls. Plans were to be drawn to recolonize within the walls once more and to cultivate the land again.
It wouldn't end there. The next step was to see what would lie beyond the walls. As there were many citizens of Rhea evident that there are life beyond the walls along with the books that had been discovered, everyone was eager more than ever to put a stop to things. To be able to expand and move beyond the walls and see what was out there. Keith was looking forward to this future. He had dreamt of being able to show his family the world he knows. However, the world is a harsh and a cruel one. In order to achieve the dream, they needed to be prepared to face the warriors of Marley, the very same who had plotted the destruction of the citizens who lived on the island of Paradis.
Before the ceremony could take place, Keith had come across Hange who was in search of him. They had an eye patch covering their eye underneath their glasses showing that they had officially lost their eye during the battle.
"Keith, I'm glad to have found you. How have you been?" Hange asked.
"Just great thanks. Hey, I've been meaning to officially congratulate you and the success of the Survey Corps."
"Thank you. I've been meaning to ask you something ever since your fight with Lana."
"Oh?" Keith was curious as to what Hange could possibly want to know.
"During your audience with the officials, he stated that it has now become your goal to have a normal and honest life and to be able to show your family the world you once knew."
Keith recollected on his statements he made the other day, "Yeah, I did say something along the lines of that."
"Have you ever thought about joining the Survey Corps?" Hange asked.
Keith was take back a little. He had thought about joining a while back but it was only for a brief moment in time. He never thought about joining since. He was happy with his position and didn't want to give that up.
"As much as it would be nice, I'm going to have to say no."
Like a flip of a switch Hange was distraught by his answer, "Oh come on! You have to join! Just think of the possibilities! We'll have four titan shifters it just makes perfect sense!"
Through Hange's yelling, he was able to break through. "Hange, please! I won't deny the fact that I would be beneficial to the Corps. It's just that, I belong here within the walls. I am to guard the Queen, it is my sworn duty. Besides, my family is here and I don't want to leave them. I'm an Aberdeen the knight so to speak. If something were to happen to any of you guys, we are next in line. The Military Police Brigade could use that kind of firepower now that I've been granted the authority to use my powers."
Hange hung their head low in defeat for a brief moment. When they quickly snapped back up they lurched themselves forward and grabbed Keith's formal jacket. They pulled him in to the point where their noses were almost touching.
"You will at least let us take a look at you for research right!"
Keith smiled and relaxed, "Of course."
"Speaking of which, that reminds me of something. I'm not sure if she has informed you already, but in case she hasn't, Lana plans on resigning from the Survey Corps."
"Wait, she wants to resign?"
"Yes. She claims that she wants to no longer pursue the research of her history and to strive and live a normal life."
"Normal…" Keith replied with a chuckle.
He looked over Hange's shoulder and could see her interacting with the others in her squadron. Her smile was big and her eyes were bright. It was good to see her this happy once more. However, as she stood there, he couldn't help but wonder what more she wanted in her life.
Before the ceremony, Keith was lucky enough to confront Lana. He questioned why she wanted to leave but only got the same statement that Hange had told him already. When he asked her what her plans were for the future, it was clear to him that she didn't think that one through. Almost as if she had a feeling that she wasn't going to make it back from the Shiganshina expedition. Lana was horror stricken at the thought of being homeless. Keith saw her as a little bit on the hopeless side of things and offered a place for her to stay at his home.
It was decided that once Lana had fully been discharged, she was going to live with him and Robin until she was able to find a place of her own. At first Robin was a little skeptical of having her around, but she began to warm up to the idea quickly. Sebastian was excited to get a larger room and started calling himself a big boy because of it. Keith didn't mind and enjoyed the thrill of having a new member of the household.
During Keith's detainment, Robin had a meeting with Lana. It was at this time that she shared what she knew about Keith's history. Anything else, she felt that it was Keith's responsibility to share. At first Keith was a little annoyed with the idea that she withheld information, but respected her decision.
On the night of Lana's arrival, they all sat at the table and enjoyed the meal that Robin had prepared. Keith was anxious for what was about to occur before them. He wasn't sure what Lana had already learnt and what was left to tell her. He decided to back track things right to the very beginning. Right to when he was a child.
Keith Thomas Aberdeen was the son of Sebastian and Valerie Aberdeen. Both Sebastian and Valerie grew up in hiding. They were pure blooded titans who lived in constant fear of being detained. There was a small coalition of pure blooded titans that consisted of four different families. They raised their children to fight and be strong in the hopes of the survival of their kind. Sebastian and Valerie worked hard every day to hone their skills and strengthen their bodies.
As young adults they were able to leave home and live their life to the fullest that they could. They decided to become hired mercenaries to make money but soon found themselves wanted. However, they were not just wanted by the Royal Knights. They came across the Crovus Clan in their travels after the two had wed. They knew of the treachery that the Crovus Clan was to their kind. After discussing with one another, they decided to put themselves at risk by accepting an invitation for membership of the clan. It was believed that they would hide right under their nose.
Not long afterwards, Keith was born. He grew up with his mother and father and trained just like they had at a very young age. Off to the side and away from other Crovus Clan members, Keith also developed his titan abilities.
Keith would travel with his parents on smaller missions. He would assist them in any way that he could being exposed to murder and thievery at a very young age. It was something he had grown used to and figured it was a normal part of his life.
However, on one of his parent's missions, Keith was left in the hands of Carl McGill. Keith remembered that night that his mother and father returned home. His mother was injured and was visibly giving off steam as she healed.
A few days had gone by. One day Carl had locked Keith in the bedroom as he and his father spoke to one another. Not long afterwards Keith recognized the voices of several Crovus Clan members. They were angry and threatening. Keith tried to get out but was stopped by Carl. Carl grabbed a hold of Keith and placed his hand over Keith's mouth to prevent him from screaming. Carl was much stronger than he was easily subduing him from running after his parents as a brawl was taking place in the other room. Keith tried to scream but it only came out as muffles that were barely audible. Keith remembered Carl saying "I'm so sorry" over and over again until the sounds had finally stopped.
The Crovus Clan had managed to subdue Keith's parents and turned them in to the Royal Knights to receive a bounty. Keith remembers the words Carl had told him that night.
"It's not safe out there for people like you. They just don't understand and they fear you. Our old laws are what's preventing you from living your life the way you should be. By law, you are to be discriminated for your blood. Your parents were unfortunate enough to reveal that to us. Take what you will from this, but know that you are not like us. You are not human."
Keith had vowed to himself to never use his powers again. He wanted to prove that he was human just as much as anyone else was. He vowed to never use them because it was his own powers that had begun to scare him. He didn't want to end up like his parents.
He had escaped Carl fearing for what was going to happen to him. He survived the night on his own and made his way to the execution block in the morning. Keith watched as his parents were being dragged up to a scaffold. They were strong and didn't bother to shed a tear. Keith remembered seeing a smile on his father's face as the blades were raised high into the air. Before he could witness his parent's death Neal Sidonia had approached him and covered his eyes. He guided the boy away from the area and offered him a home among the circus
Keith had nowhere else to go and decided to accept the offer. He continued his life within the circus and eventually befriended the members. However, when he learned that the Sidonia Circus was involved with the Crovus Clan, he began to grow concern. He often hid as much as he could whenever he saw a member of the clan. As the years went on he had begun to realize that none of them had recognized him anymore. He continued his life within the circus with a little more ease.
Eventually the jobs started. Whatever the Crovus Clan didn't want to take on, went to the elite group of individuals within the circus. Keith was one of those individuals along with Jack, Nicholas, and Lucas. It was their job to take on these assignments and earn money for the circus. Keith withheld his history with the Corvus Clan from the others believing that it would harm him and the others in some way. He wanted to keep as much as he could a secret for the safety of everyone.
When Lana came into his life, he resented not being able to tell her right away. He saw her struggling with her powers. He wanted to help make her life easier by showing that she was not alone. But by doing this, he would be breaking his vow. He decided to hold back until many years later.
With the information that Keith shared everyone in the room was perplexed, amazed, concerned and more. The only person not affected by Keith's past was Sebastian who was eagerly eating his food that was before him. Keith sat at the table with his shirt unbuttoned revealing the Crovus Clan emblem on his collar bone and shoulder while holding onto the gun that was passed down to him.
"So you kept a vow to prove that you are just as human as everyone else?" Lana asked.
"You know, looking back on it now it's kind of funny. What does it really mean to be human? Biologically I'm not, it's just as simple as that. But my beliefs, my emotions, and everything else about me is what makes me a human. There are people out in this world who are ordinary humans, but their actions are what makes them the real monsters. These are the monsters that we are going to fight." Keith stated leaning back in his chair with a smile on his face.
After everything was cleaned up, it was decided that they would all turn in for the night. Keith stayed awake in the bed staring up at the ceiling. He felt good that he had finally come clean about everything to her and Robin. He can no longer say that he is hiding anything. There were no secrets between anyone anymore. In his moments of thought, he could hear the front door open and close.
Keith got up to investigate and found that it was Lana. He looked out the window in the back and could see her standing by a tree. She was slumped over and throwing up the food she had previously eaten. He felt that she must have eaten too fast or too much. He waited for her by the doorway as she approached.
"Are you alright?" he asked as she got closer to him.
"Just fine," she replied sharply towards him.
"Need a glass of water or anything?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I just need some rest."
Keith didn't think much of it and decided to leave it at that. He knew that if he were to try and pester her more, it would only lead to anger. He made sure she went to bed ok and had a glass of water ready for her. When Keith returned to bed Robin was awake.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
"Yeah, everything is fine. Lana doesn't feel very well at the moment," he replied getting back into the bed.
"I could hear. The poor girl, I wonder what it could be."
"No idea. It can't be anything she ate. At least I don't think so," Keith stated getting himself comfortable.
"It might be a little hard to try and adjust to everything. Just think, after all she has been through she is trying to live a normal life," Robin proclaimed resting her head on Keith's chest.
"She can do it. I mean, just think of all of the things I've had to go through and I seem to be making out ok?" Keith stated and kissed Robin's head.
"We have a good life don't we." Robin quietly stated.