This chapter is a bit of a swing between slightly angst and humor (mostly people squabbling with each other). It's a pretty odd atmosphere, because this story isn't really leaning towards either genre. An angsty humor, perhaps? I'm not too sure myself xD

Do keep in mind that this is three years ahead of whatever has happened in the animanga. So it's probably in your best interest to take my characterisation with a pinch of salt. Orz... They're not the best, but it's really what I think the people will end up turning out giving the circumstances and what they've been through. So yes, potential OOC-warning.

Warning: self-musings, and blitzing through :v straight to the major events and points. typos maybe

Chapter 2

"Say ah," Christa sang out as she held the small spoon close to the baby's mouth. Next to her, Sasha mimicked the child, hoping for a spoonful of baby gruel when Ymir gave the woman a bump with her hip, sending her stumbling away.

"Not you," the dark-haired woman seethed out as Sasha regained her footing. She pouted at Ymir, who took a seat next to her partner.

"You're the one to say," the brunette pointed out when she witnessed Ymir opening her own mouth and pointing into it.

"That's 'cuz I've a privilege."

"Mou, the food's for Elliot, not anyone else," the blond sighed out with a laugh. She carefully fed the boy, and after every mouthful Elliot would resume curiously glancing about in the different surrounding. The other two gave in and Sasha sat on the other side of Christa, taking a quick glance at Elliot sitting on the table before flopping her body over it.

"So boring... All the guys have been dragged to heavy duty and we're stuck here baby-sitting."

"It isn't that bad," Christa gave a nervous chuckle. She knew Ymir only decided to remain behind because she was. "Besides, we're not totally leaving the job to them. Eren and the corporal are attending a meeting with the commander, and we happened to be having a break. And honestly, I'd prefer baby-sitting Elliot than carrying artillery."

"Ho... so you'd rather be a mom, aye?" Ymir teased, watching the other's face turn a cute shade of red.

"That's not what I mean! I'm just saying that with my size, things like carrying heavy stuff isn't my forte." Christa flickered her gaze back to Elliot, who took to fiddling with his toes. "Oh, speaking of mom. Eren told me that if we had the time to, we should try to teach Elliot to speak."

Ymir's eyebrow raised. "He's not mute, is he?"

"Don't say that. He does make noises, and he's capable of imitating people. See." To prove her point, Christa placed the items she held aside, and after getting Elliot's attention, made him do a clap with her. The baby did it fine, with a few babbles and a giggle.

"So why isn't he speaking? By this age, usually it'll take a miracle for them to keep quiet," Ymir snorted. She leaned forward on a crossed arm, while the other hand reached out and prodded Elliot's cheek. Elliot looked over, made a squeal and grabbed the offending finger. The woman retracted her hand when her appendage was nearly placed in a yucky environment called a mouth.

"Who knows. I don't think it takes him a long time to learn things."

"Maybe he's just being lazy," Sasha drawled out in a bored tone.

"Maybe," Christa laughed. She turned to Elliot and caught his attention with a few small claps. "Elliot? Try saying 'mom'. Maa-mm," the blond tried to articulate her words as slowly as possible, and the sounds of it merely caused stifled giggles from the other two females. "Don't laugh! I'm trying!"

"Come on. You sound like a sheep," Ymir teased, and heard Sasha breaking out into a bigger laugh.

"Give it here." The dark-haired woman wagged her finger, to which Elliot responded quick to, grabbing it with a stubby hand. "Say 'mom'."

"That's not helpful, Ymir," Sasha shook her head and gave a shrug. The smug look on her face had Ymir scowling in her direction, challenging.

"Oh? You act as if you're experienced with handling children," Ymir, now standing, glowered down at the person sitting opposite her. Had it been the meek Sasha from years ago, she would've cowered. But as a veteran, a six foot tall woman was hardly anything scary. Sasha was on her feet as well, chest raised proudly.

"Ma village 'az heaps o' children. Hence in 'zat aspect, you betcha' I'm experienced," Sasha fell back into her old accent, only doing so when she was serious about something.

"Greedy nanny."

"Old hag."

Sparks flew. The atmosphere in the room became awfully tensed as the two women glared daggers at each other, Christa caught in the middle and clueless to what she should do to appease the two. Elliot didn't seem the least bit bothered by the dark looks exchanged just above his head. Instead, he giggled. Christa would've thought that the baby was adding fuel to the fire, until Elliot reached a hand out towards the doorway, his excited laughs increasing in volume.

"Elliot?" Christa asked, looking over her shoulder. Elliot had his arm out in the direction of the wooden door. Finally annoyed by the antics of the other two, her voice snapped at them to cut it out. "Elliot, what's wrong?" She wasn't quite expecting a reply, but tried anyway. As she was about to speak again, the wooden door swung open, followed by the voice of a male.

"Ah, there you guys are! I've been searching high and low," Eren heaved, catching his breath. He raked his hair to the back, wiping the sweat from the side of his face. "I didn't know which room you were having a break in, and had to sweep through the entire building."

"Oh," Christa responded with a slight gasp. "Sorry, Eren! We were going to the food hall but it was being cleaned. I thought the weather outside was a little too chilly for Elliot, so we found this empty room to sit in."

Eren shook his head with a smile, walking over to the table. "It's fine. Someone said he saw one of you passing around here and that I ought to check it out." He gave a wide smile down at Elliot who was squealing in delight upon seeing his father, and Eren picked him up. "Have you been good? I bet you were enjoying it more, being surrounded by all these ladies."

"Elliot's always been a good boy," Christa smiled. "We were trying to get him to speak."

"I see," the brunette looked over his shoulder where Elliot was draped over, his similar green eyes focused somewhere else. "Levi and I had been trying for a while now, but he still refuses to say a single word. He usually just babbles."

"Give it some time. Maybe he just likes a slow start," Sasha offered.

"Yeah, that's what Levi said too. Well, no matter," Eren nuzzled against the side of Elliot's neck, and the baby laughed. "Thanks for today. There's a formal briefing in the evening, at the main hall. If you see anyone, just pass the message around?"

"Sure," the girls replied. "I'm going to bring Elliot back to Levi, now. He isn't too happy about the meeting because it's one with the Stationary Guards and Military Police, but more so because we can't take Elliot with us." Had it only been with the Scout Legion, everyone would've welcomed the baby with open arms.

"Did you manage to find someone to take care of him?" Ymir questioned before the other two could.

"Yeah. The stable-keepers, Charles and Mandy, offered to take care of Elliot for us. The briefing would last around two hours, and we can pick Elliot up from them after," Eren nodded.

"That's good then." Relief was evident, and the brunette couldn't help but feel glad that everyone else were also adamant about a child who wasn't even theirs. Elliot was no doubt popular among the girls, but even the self-proclaimed monkey's uncle, Erwin, was highly defensive of Elliot (Levi had a tiff with the commander when the 'monkey' was obviously referring to his child)

"I'll see you guys later," Eren gave a wave of a hand. "Have a nice break, and thanks a lot!"

"Anytime," Christa waved back. The wooden door shut behind the male, and the room fell silent.

"That's rather peculiar," the blond said out loud.

"What is?" Ymir raised a brow.

"Even before Eren stepped into the room, Elliot seemed to have heard him coming."

"Huh?" The other two returned puzzled gazes. Christa shook her head a little, not quite expecting them to realise the issue right away. "Over all the noise you two made, it was hard to hear him coming, but Elliot did."

"Really?" Sasha tilted her head, puzzled. Ymir, on the other hand, merely narrowed her gaze.

XXXXX

Eren found his spouse sulking in the commander's room, with the exact same expression when he left fifteen minutes ago. Levi tossed a brief look of acknowledgement to his partner's arrival as Eren took a seat beside him on the couch provided.

"Again, with that face."

"I always have this face."

"Levi-"

"Shut up. I'm not in the mood." Eren mentally sighed.

Levi was unusually snappy with a shorter fuse ever since Erwin informed them of the formal briefing for the three squads in Shiganshina that morning, courtesy of Chief Zacklay. He knew the corporal's dislike for the Military Police especially, but they weren't so bad now that proper and efficient leaders have been appointed. They hardly stuck their noses into the business of the Scout Legion's, and Erwin kept most of them at bay. Maybe he was upset about being unable to take Elliot along? But it shouldn't have been the case. The Scout Legion had gone on missions and escorts that would take the entire day, and he was fine with leaving Elliot with a nanny. In fact, he was the one who was quick to organise Elliot's care for this evening when the nanny was unavailable. So what exactly was he unhappy with?

The brunette was mildly startled when a head plopped itself onto his chest.

"Levi...?"

"I'm annoyed."

"That much I can tell. But to what it is, I won't know until you tell me." Levi reached out and brushed Elliot's cheek. The baby was seated in his husband's lap, contentedly staring back at the two of them.

"I hate how they might bring up the topic of human-titans in court on purpose. Too much doubt coarse through their thick heads. Especially with Elliot, they're secretly questioning the motive of the Scout Legion. It's like they're suspecting us of running a criminal organisation."

Eren shuffled his arm out from under Levi and hugged the smaller form close. Elliot chose to scuttle to his birth parent's lap, cooing out incoherent words. Levi stared back at the boy that was part of his flesh and blood, and couldn't help but... fear.

"Three years and they still treat you all like rabid monsters." Ah, so this was the issue... Eren thought to himself. Levi, though seemingly apathic, was awfully defensive about things he truly cherished.

"We all took our chances staying. We've had this conversation with them before; no matter what others say or do, we're going to protect humanity. Even if it comes to a day where they turn their backs on us."

"It's not fair to you." 'You', being the titans of the Scout Legion.

The brunette conveniently placed his chin on the head of the smaller male. He gently squeezed Levi's shoulder, assuring. "No, it isn't, but I don't care if it's fair or not. Each of us have someone we want to protect, and that's all it matters. As long as I have you and Elliot, and all the friends we've got, I'll never leave."

Levi glanced upwards at the brunette. Over the years, it was a wonder how the bratty kid had matured so much. The moment he was found out to be carrying, Eren's attitude towards responsibility changed for the better. His cheekiness remained, however, but that was what made him a great father. Not the best, of course, but who was he to judge. Levi didn't even know if he himself made a good 'mother'.

Eren's reason was just as good as his; neither of them wanted Elliot to grow up with a childhood that mirrored theirs. Not like Eren's, where he had lost his parents to the titans, and definitely not like he who held an even darker past. It took a moment, but Levi's face suddenly scrunched up as he inched away from the other.

"You stink." Eren chuckled at the irony of the words. On other certain occasions, Levi would actually like his smell.

"That's because I had to run to five different levels of the building looking for Elliot, unlike someone who was simply sulking here." The corporal threw a scowl upwards, and that was the only warning Eren had when the familiar sensation of a pointy elbow dug into his ribs. He twitched upon the contact, but used to it after all these times, he only took the action as an encouragement for a kiss.

Disregarding the fact that Elliot was right before them, but distracted with his scarf, Eren captured Levi's lips with his. Levi hadn't been impressed with the chance Eren sneakily took, but gave in anyway. This particular kiss had been gentle, with careful movement of lips and tongue. Levi hadn't seemed to be in a mood to be aggressive this time, hence Eren took the lead. He nipped his partner's bottom lip slightly, before giving it a suggestive lick. After all these years, Levi knew what the teen had been up to, and was going to return a bite to put him in place when he received an invasion in his mouth. Eren's tongue carressed his, disallowing Levi to close his jaw and refuse. With their height difference, Eren had fully angled Levi's face perpendicular to his. At this rate, the brunette would soon literally have his tongue throat-deep in the corporal.

The titan winced slightly when a small bite was delivered onto his muscle belly. Levi gave him a warning to back off and they pulled apart slightly, but still breathing each other's air. Their eyes met. Eren took the chance to thumb away a stray trail of dribble that went down the corner of Levi's mouth, knowing how the other hated the mess their kisses always made. The corporal held a slightly gentle gaze, before averting it slighty.

"Hey Eren, I have something to tell you."

"Mm?"

"I-"

"Get a room, please. And preferably, not my office," a loud voice cleared its throat. Two out of three individuals at the couch looked over at the open door, one seemingly apologetic and the other not quite so (scowling, actually). The last one merely continued his baby talk in the direction of the arrival.

Erwin entered his working quarters, taking a seat behind a large wooden desk where contents were neatly piled. He opened picked up his reading glasses from the drawer next to him, putting them on.

"As if you really work in here, anyway. Isn't the room with a bed and two morsels good enough for you?" Levi snorted out loud, leaning back and crossing his legs. "It's a wonder how you get shit done when you're rolling about with your bed partners. Do you guy strategise while being tangled?"

Eren wished that Levi hadn't mentioned about the commander's secret-no-longer secret. His mind started to swirl with thoughts and imagination that he could do without for the rest of his titan life. Finding out that Jean and Armin were getting engaged was one matter, but adding the 'secret lover' (also dubbed 'mastermind') into the mix sent Eren's brain into a minute's shock - it was always traumatic remembering thereafter.

Turns out that even though Jean and Armin were a proper couple, they hadn't refused the advance of a certain handsome and dashing individual who almost governed their lives. He wasn't going to be a mother hen on his best friend, but at the same time, because it was his best friend, he just couldn't quite... fathom.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the commander fixed his pair of reading glasses on the bridge of his nose. The glint of the lens hid the true expression behind them, and Levi gave a very unusual, wide grin.

"You're going to hell, you dirty adulterer."

"Language, Levi, language. The last thing I need is Elliot picking up your thug manner of speaking."

"Stupid monkey's uncle."

"Your monkey."

"Why you-"

Eren had to intercept before a war broke out, and effectively shut Levi up with a kiss. He hadn't missed the victorious grin coming from the sly commander.

XXXX

Just before sunset, Eren and Levi took Elliot to find his temporary caretakers at the stables. Charles was the stablekeeper's name, while Mandy was his wife. They've crossed paths multiple times before, and tended to them Eren needed a new horse. They were evidently of grandparent age but still healthy and active. Other assistants were also present, doing various tasks and taking care of the horses.

Eren and Levi noticed that rope harnesses were being prepared, as if the horses were about to be taken out of their stables. Upon questioning, one of the assistants explained that they were taking the horses out to open pastures for a feed, and that was usually done once every few days to reduce the usage of internal supplies. They were led to the stall Mandy was working in after.

"Miss Acron," Eren greeted, to which the lady stepped out of the stable she was in.

"Oh, stop that you. I'm not young anymore," a good, hard smack was delivered to Eren's arm, and the boy had winced. Yeah, definitely fitter than he had imagined. Dealing with horses everyday must've caused these oldies to pack a punch without meaning so. "Remember, just Mandy will do. Charles!" She yelled out.

Another man around the woman's age stepped out, leading Orie out of his stables by the reins.

"Ah, Corporal Levi'n Eren. Good to see ye 'gain! I just happened to be workin' on this baby's shoes," Charles gave the large horse a good pat on the neck. Orie seemed to recognise his owner, but as usual, seek out the baby first. "Seems like he loves the baby more 'n ye," the old man laughed.

Eren gave a shrug. "I might have to change horses soon because of this."

"'Ere were new foals last summa'. They're some toughies. I'm sure you'd get a good one outta those." Remembering something, Charles decided he ought to ask: "Orie's a good ol' toughy. I hope ye don't mind I have him carry some supplies out? We're gonna be hangin' out at the pastures for a graze. Ye know, water 'n stuff."

"No, of course not. Those things weigh a lot less than Levi and I combined, and he has no problems carrying us," the brunette smiled. He gave his horse a few strokes on his large forehead. "You be a good boy now. Take care of Elliot for us."

"In any case, sorry to trouble you," Levi said. "Elliot doesn't have a tendency to cry even when he's hungry, so we make it a point to feed him every four hours or so. His next meal's due after sundown. When he whines, it's usually because the scarf dropped from his hands, or wants to be carried. That's about it."

Mandy gave a small giggle to the information she had just heard, taking Elliot from Levi's arms. "Don't worry. He's in good hands. If you finish early, do drop by. We won't be far outside of Wall Maria."

Eren and Levi merely nodded, kissing Elliot's cheek a goodbye before leaving for their meeting.

XXX

Shortly after the Scout Legion members left, Charles, Mandy and the other stable assistants brought the horses out to the open land between Shiganshina and Trost. As the sun set, fire torches were planted in several locations as visual aids for night time.

The horses were let loose to roam about, although not staying far as grass was an abundance. Charles checked that his whistle was working. He had even tested it when he had water pails set up for the horses to drink, just to let them know a source of water was available.

While the animals were left to feed, the stablekeepers sat around, playing with the baby who was highly entertained by a small game.

Charles showed Elliot a small pebble clearly. He rubbed his palms together, before snatching it into one hand. Two fists were presented to the baby, and Elliot was made to choose by touching the one that he guessed would have the stone.

"Oh, ye got it!" Charles laughed when Elliot had picked the correct hand once again. He turned to Mandy. "He's a smart one! Five times 'n all right!" The other assistants all laughed, amused by the baby's antics.

"I wonder if he can speak yet. Can you say my name? M-an-dy," the woman tried slowly. Elliot merely looked at person who spoke, before turning away and babbling at the hand that held the stone. Mandy sighed out a little, looking up at her husband and shaking her head. "Eren's been telling me that he doesn't speak at all."

"That's unusual," her husband replied, letting Elliot pick his prize off his hand. "Well, 'bout time we be head'n back." Getting up, Charles held the whistle against his mouth and blew into it, hard. Immediately, several horses lifted their heads in response to the call, and it hadn't taken long before they trotted over to the one who summoned them.

All except one. It remained some yards away, head raised and seemingly alert. The darkness merely allowed the humans to see its silhouette in the distance, but which horse it was went unknown.

"I'll be gettin' him," Charles said, signalling for the rest of assistants to prepare for their return to Shiganshina. He appraoched the lone horse, a fire torch in hand. Carefully, he walked up to the animal in order not to startle him. When he was close enough, he could make out which steed it was, judging by its sheer size alone.

"Orie, ye colt. What you doin' boy," the stablekeeper sighed out. Orie didn't reacted negatively to Charle's approach, and had even let him take his rein. As an expert on horses, Charles could tell that Orie seemed nervous about something. The horse's ears were flicking, vigilant of its surroundings. Thinking that it might've been worried about a fox or something, Charles gave a few comforting words and led the stallion back to his crew.

When Charles and Orie had regrouped with the rest, Elliot started squealing upon the sight of Orie in recognition. The horse responded to the baby calls as well, released from Charle's leading. Orie greeted the baby with loud sniffs, and Elliot batted at the nose, before being interested in the brown, leather item hanging from the horse's side.

"Oh, you want to sit in there, do you?" Mandy laughed and placed Elliot in the bag strapped to the flanks of the horse. It was meant for supplies, and had been a deep pouch to prevent the items from falling out even when the horse ran. Mandy was careful to keep her hold on Elliot, lest he falls into it.

"'Ta!" Elliot suddenly piped up. Mandy had a surprise of her life when the boy finally spoke something that was clear for once, and not a babble.

"Elliot? Did you say something?" The woman prompted, excited. She couldn't wait to return to Shiganshina and tell Elliot's parents that the boy spoke his first word.

The baby was looking somewhere over her shoulder, arms reached out. "'Ta!" He went again, and all of a sudden, Orie reared up, forcing the shocked woman to release her grip on Elliot. The baby immediately slipped into the deep bag. Even before she could react, Orie had let out a sharp neigh, lunging forward and breaking into a dash.

"Charles!" Mandy almost screamed in horror as the horse started running away from them.

Charles, having witnessed it all, grabbed his whistle and frantically blew into it, bidding the horse to return. However, it had been to no avail, and he mounted the nearest steed. The more time he time he wasted on trying to call it back, the further the distance between them would increase. He steered his horse in the direction that Orie had fled in, spooked for whatever reason it may have been.

"Mandy, head back ta' Shiganshina first. I'll be gettin' that horse and-"

Thump.

Everyone on site froze upon hearing the sound. Now, all the horses were snorting loudly, and some clopped about where they stood. The horse Charles sat on tugged at the reins.

Thump.

The sound got louder, and the darkness of night shrouded the thing that was making those noises. It sounded like it could only be caused by something large. Very large.

Thump. Thump.

It was more evident now, and quicker. Charles felt his blood turn cold. After the multiple times he had taken the horses out here for a graze, this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

"Back to Shiganshina, NOW!" Charles shouted.

"Charles, what about Elliot!?" Mandy panicked as she mounted a horse as well. "We have to find him!"

"Ellio-"

Someone screaming tore the couple's attention away from their conversation, and they peered over in the darkness where a firetorch was being raised a good ten metres up into the air. The face of their assistant was barely visible, but their voice was giving a blood-curlding scream. Within the next second, though, both the sound and light disappeared.

Now for something exciting! I have another SnK merchandise giveaway in celebration of Eros Magna's successful-ness! Details are on my fb page, Yumiii! Be sure to check it out and get a chance at winning the items! And the best part? There's 4 sets of the merchandise to be won! The draw date will be done in mid december!

Don't forget to R and R for this X3 reviews are always appreciated!