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Fifteen years prior...Year 829...Thirteen year old Claire

Claire and Levi walked down the streets inside of Wall Maria just outside of the Shinganshina district. Levi had picked her up two hours prior and they had been walking around since.

"Levi, when I get older, can I live with you in the underground?" Claire asked as they walked past a group of children playing in the sand.

"No" he stated bluntly.

"What? Why not?"

"Because you're going to get adopted, and it's not fair if your parents always have to worry about you getting hurt"

Claire giggled, she knew that was his way of saying he didn't want her to get hurt.

"Levi, I'm thirteen years old. I'm not going to be adopted any time soon. If at all"

"Your sister was adopted and she was just barely younger than you now"

"So, she is a lot prettier than I am. She has darker eyes and her hair a lot shorter, where as, I'm stuck with this long ugly brown hair"

"Don't say that. I happen to like your long hair, I mean, I know my opinion probably doesn't matter much, but it's pretty" Levi stated slightly awkwardly, grabbing a lock of her hair and twirling it in his fingers.

Claire looked down, trying her best to hide the blush that crept up on her cheeks.

"Thank you"

"What for?"

"For knowing what to say and how to make me feel better" Claire replied, looking back up at him, the rosy color beginning to dim from her cheeks.

"I was only stating the truth. Besides, I should probably get you back now. They'll be serving dinner soon"

"You should stay and eat with us" Claire suggested as he lead the way to walk back to the orphanage that was located right outside of Shiganshina, "I'm sure Mrs. Porter would love to see you again. It's been months since you last stayed for dinner"

"No, I'll only drop you off. I don't belong there"

"Why not?"

"Because unlike them, I'm a criminal"

"But you're an orphan, Levi"

"Kid, there's a difference between being pushed away and running away"

"O-oh...okay"

"Let's drop the subject. I don't want you to be sad"

Claire nodded lightly, a hand reaching up and drying the small tears.

As they approached the tall building, Levi said goodbye and left Claire to walk in by herself. She walked in and was immediately greeted by Mrs. Porter.

"Claire! I have wonderful news!" she cried

"What is it?" Claire asked timidly.

"You've been adopted!"

"B-but, I haven't met any couples in nearly two months"

"I know, they came by earlier looking for a specific person. They didn't need to meet you. I don't know how to say this completely. It will take a lot of explaining"

Claire nodded before following the elder woman into her office. They each took a seat and there Mrs. Porter continued to tell Claire how the Mrs. Durant had been declared infertile. James and Elizabeth decided they would adopt a child to be a successor, but that they must look similar to the couple to be able to pull off being their child. They didn't want to announce the child as adopted. And out of all of the one hundred-fifty children the couple looked at, Claire looked closest.

"They're from Stohess, Claire. They promise to be good parents"

"Am I a replacement?" Claire asked quietly, her head drooping down and her eyes staring sadly at the hands in her lap.

"No, dear. They always wanted children. They'll love you as their own, but Claire," she hesitated, as if her words may upset the girl, "you may have to say goodbye to Levi"

This struck Claire's attention, causing her eyes to widen and her mouth to go slightly agape, "No. I can't!" she cried, looking up at the older woman.

"Claire, these people are from the highest ranks. They own many businesses and have a high reputation to keep up with. If they find you unfit to be hanging around that boy, you will listen and say goodbye. You and I both know what he has gotten himself into and it's not likely they won't begin to look into him as well. If he's lucky, they won't mind the connections, but don't get your hopes up"

Claire nodded, her head dropping again as tears welled in her eyes.

"They'll be here in two days. You have until then to pack your things and say good bye to your friends"

Later that evening she packed up her things, making sure she wouldn't forget anything. She planned to visit Levi the next morning before she left to tell him the news. The next morning was hectic. Mrs. Porter had a lot of filing to do which ended up delaying Claire's departure. She ended up leaving later in the evening after dinner.

Claire knocked quietly on the large wooded door. Her head hung glumly at the thought of saying goodbye, and this voided her from any other pestering thoughts of what was around her. Another moment passed before a blonde haired boy opened the door.

"Excuse me, you must be Farlan. I'm here to speak with Levi, if I may" Claire asked, looking up to the taller male.

"Ah, that must make you Claire. Levi is out at the moment, but he should be back soon, come on in"

Claire nodded before walking in to the tiny home and taking a seat on the couch. Farlan closed the door behind her and walked over to the kitchenette to make some tea. Once finished, he offered her a cup to which she agreed and thanked him for. Claire sat sipping her tea for nearly thirty minutes before Levi finally walked through the door. As soon as he saw Claire sitting on the couch, he knew something was wrong.

"Brat, how many times do I have to tell you not to come down here?" Levi asked in an annoyed tone.

"I'm sorry, Levi" she replied, setting her cup on the table and walking over to greet him, her eyes trained on the floor, "Actually, I came to say goodbye"

"That's an awful reason" he teased, although his voice sounded glum. He realized what had happened and hesitated before continuing, "Have you met them?"

"No, not yet, but they're coming for me in the morning"

"Are you sure this has to be goodbye?"

"They're from Sina. They're higher up and hold a high reputation" she said, looking up at him. She agreed with them. She knew what Levi did and how he earned his money. She knew it was the farthest thing from an honest living, but that didn't mean she wanted to say goodbye. He was her best friend, "Mrs. Porter doesn't know if they'll allow me to visit with you or not"

"Will you write me once you're settled? Let me know what happened and how it's going?" he asked, his usual cold voice now quiet and sentimental as he lifted her chin lightly to look into his eyes.

"I-I'll try" she uttered with a pitiful smile.

Levi nodded then pulled her into a hug in which she returned, wrapping her arms around his torso "I'm gonna miss you, Kid"

"I'll miss you, too"

They stayed there for several minutes, for they were not sure if they would ever get to feel this warmth from the other ever again.

"Come on, it's not safe here. I'll take you back" Levi said, pulling back from the embrace.

Claire nodded, grabbing hold of his hand as they walked towards the stairs that lead to the surface. On the way back, they spoke little, only bringing up topics if necessary; but what took the place of the silence was the enjoyment of each others company.

"Goodbye, Kid" Levi proclaimed as she began her walk back up the stairs and into the orphanage. She turned and paused a moment before running back to him and hugging him.

"Goodbye, Levi" she uttered, tears forming in her eyes.

"Now, go on"

Claire nodded before turning around and walking into the building. She waited until he started walking away before closing the door completely. Claire ascended the stairs that lead to her bedroom. She shared the room with three other girls, Naomi, Amanda, and Sophia. The other girls were already laying in bed asleep when she opened the door and walked in. Claire sat on her bed, holding the locket in her hand. It had always brought her comfort when she was sad or scared.

Claire sighed before laying back on her bed and covering herself with the thin blankets. Her bag was packed and sat right beside her bed and her fanciest outfit had been laid across the dresser for her to wear in the morning.

She fell asleep that night, dreaming of how she wished life could be and how she knew it was not.

A/N

Well? What do you think? Don't forget to vote for the chapter as well as comment on your opinion!

QOTD:

Which character do you think you are most like?

My Answer?

That's another toughy. I guess I could be like Armin for the fact that I'm a very curious person as well as I love to read, but I could be like Mikasa in the way her goal is to protect the people she loves. And I'm a little like Marco because I'm almost always smiling and positive (R.I.P. Marco Bott), then also like Bertold because I'm super shy around people I haven't met before. I guess there are relatable traits in almost all of the characters

Your answer? Reply in the comments!