Ok, so Author's note time. SO SO SO sorry it's taken me so long to fix these chappys, I'm just a lazy nerd that procrastinates. I'm doing it now though! Better late then never! P.s. don't own AOT

(Marzia POV)

Today was the day. Our first recon mission outside Wall Rose. This time, we're trying to secure a new, safe path to get to the other side of the wall. Apparently, they've started being extra careful, with reported sightings of hairy, intelligent titans. To be honest, I was a little scared...okay, I was completely terrified. But I shouldn't be. All I had to do was run into a titan. Then, this would be over, and I'd be With Marco, and Mom and Dad... I'd tried to join them earlier this year, but I was too much of a coward to do it myself. So this was what I decided to do. Hoping I'd be part of Commander Erwin's little statistic. Or Commander Eyebrows, as Connie, Sasha and I had taken to calling him.

I smiled remembering the laughs I'd shared with this crew over that past month. I really didn't want to go, but I'd already made up my mind. I'd committed to this. I can't just keep them waiting for me. The horse under me seemed to sense my unease and started to snort and dig its hoof in the dirt. "Easy, boy." I cooed, petting its neck. The horse let out a little whinny in response. "You nervous?" I heard from behind me. My heart began to skip. Jean. "A little." I admitted sheepishly. "Don't worry. We'll be here to make sure you're safe." "We?" I asked curiously. "Of course. All of us will be looking out for you. Even Captain Levi." He responded, smiling at me. "We're your family now." My... family. A tear fell down my cheek. Of course. How stupid of me.

"Marzia, are you okay? Why are you crying?" Jean asked, concerned. "It's nothing." I smiled, whipping away my tears. When he wasn't convinced, I reached across the space between our horses and touched his hand "Really, it's nothing. I'm just... so happy." A blush is creeping up on his face, but I don't notice it. I start to ride ahead, busy with my own thoughts. How silly of me. All this time, I'd been so focused on reuniting and being with my family, that I didn't realize, I was already with them. I'd made a new home, and a new family with these people. I'd be stupid to give it all away. I'd changed my mind. I wasn't just going to give up, and hand myself over to the titans. I was going to fight, to keep this new life I have. The life Marco wanted me to have. The one he should have had. For the first time in more than a year, I was actually happy.

(Jean POV)

I had to get a hold of myself. I was supposed to be her brother, damn it. This is stupid. All of this, it isn't real. All these feelings are just me, being flattered that she likes me in that way. Nothing more. I have to get her off my mind. Maybe if I devote less time to watching out for her, and more time perusing Mikasa, this will go away, and we can pretend that this little thing never happened. Yeah... that's a good idea. I congratulate myself on the good plan. As Levi calls us around, to let us in on where we'll be positioned.

I noted how perfect it was to my plan. Levi and Eren were upfront (no surprise there. Get a room, you two... gross.) Historia and Armin on the left, Connie and Sasha on the right, and me, Mikasa and Marzia in the center of the back. This way, I could pursue Mikasa, and look after Marzia. Two birds, one stone. Marzia and Mikasa were both adamant against the idea, though. "Sir, with all due respect, don't you think I'd be better suited at the front of the formation, protecting Eren?" Mikasa protested. "I agree, Captain. Eren is much more important to the squad then I am." Marzia pipped up. This made Levi uncomfortable.

Whenever we did battle practice at the base, Levi always pairs himself alone with Eren, and Mikasa with me and Marzia. Mikasa usually wants to be with Eren, and will protest about being away from him. Seeing as how Eren and I don't usually get along, he's usually far away from me. Which is where Marzia wants Mikasa to be. Together, they make a very formidable foe for Levi. "Usually I would agree with you, but seeing as if we get into trouble, Eren can always assume Titan from, and Marzia is still new to the scouts, don't you think it's smarter for you to be helping Jean look after her for a while?" Smooth Levi.

Mikasa grumbled to herself, but made no further protests. In any other circumstance, I'm sure Mikasa would have been happy to be accompanying Marzia. The two girls get along really well. But seeing as Eren was going to be at least a mile away in a spread-out formation alone with Levi, she wasn't all too happy. Neither was Marzia. "Oh come on, I'm not that bad, am I?" I joked to try and lighten the mood. Both girl gave me a dirty look. It hurt my heart to see her look at me like that...Mikasa, I mean. I tried to tell myself. But it was becoming increasingly more difficult to lie about this shit. Marco, if you're haunting me from beyond the grave, this isn't a funny way of doing it.

Another Author's Note

Things are getting interesting, no? Next chapter, it's going to get complicated, so hold on to your butts, everyone.