Updated the same day as first published? Rare for me. :)

I have gotten one review and that makes me excited, so, here you go!

Note: I'm assuming Levi to be 35 in the year 851 and have made Sven 29.

Chapter 02: Sven

18 years later . . .

Year 851 . . .

Secretive grey eyes haunt Sven's dreams, always forgotten upon consciousness, soothe Sven's mind and put him to ease long after being forgotten with the rising sun. A voice from a distant memory gives Sven strength when he felt weak, helping him through ever rough patch in his life. It is a voice that sounds strange, yet familiar, to Sven as it daily went about encouraging him, strengthening him, exciting him, and inspiring him to do better.

Ever since Sven was 12 years old, 18 years ago, he had made it his mission to be quiet and stealthy when he moved. He could no longer remember what it was that had inspired him to do so, only that it had been a very difficult period of time for him. His light-hearted and playful personality always kept him out of trouble with the other factory workers that he snuck up on unsuspectingly, scaring them on a daily basis. It was because of his skills that they had suggested it, the idea that haunts him now. They were the ones who had convinced him to do it, why did he agree?

He sighs and opens his eyes, having forgotten the eyes that made this easier on him. He smiles softly at the ceiling, feeling much better. It feels good for him to be back in his own bed, back at home now. He had been home for a few days now and every day he was grateful for it. He stands up and puts on his military uniform, the one he had been wearing for the past three years of training. He is allowed back at home due to his skills with blade making for being the only one in all of the human territory with such a low blade failure rate, the sharpest blades, the fastest at making them, and the strongest blades, all made his skills highly valued and him a huge asset which, coupled with a delay in graduation, had allowed for this special circumstance. While the others stressed over their decisions, Sven continued working on the blades that he had been designing for the past 12 years. They were inspired by someone Sven had long since forgotten. The only thing he remembered was the key points that inspired the different aspects of the blades, like their cleanliness. Though his superiors knew about the blades and hoped it would provide more money once he finished, they did not know who inspired them, only Tobi did and he had died when Sven turned 15.

Upon arriving at the factory in his military uniform which would allow him to just go straight to the graduation after work, he immediately sets to work on his special blades, having showed up early for that purpose. He is determined to finish them today. He starts on them, getting lost in the process as he applies the final touches to their production. When he finishes he begins to test them, first by applying paint to the bottom piece that snaps into place within the blade handles of the 3DMG. As he waits for it to dry he thinks about his choice to chose the Military Police tonight. Everything that had happened since 845 pushed him closer to enlisting until he finally did in 849. However, it was the appearance of the titan shifters that caused him to choose Military Police. He did not want to end up like his brother, nor work alongside the shifters; he just wants to be safe. But would he still be safe even with them? Of course not! The voice suddenly hisses to him in quiet indignation. Though he knows that it is from his memory, brought up by his sub consciousness, he decides to entertain himself while the paint dries. He argues with himself, not the voice, while he contemplates and questions his choice. In the end he chooses to go with his first choice, the choice he had chosen by gut instinct when he had first joined, not the Military Police. The tests start on all eight of the blades and prove to surprise Sven. He out did even his own expectations, it amazes him as he goes about the tests, getting excited by his success. The rest of the day proves to be fairly exciting and full of hope for Sven, he hasn't felt so happy for over 18 years now.

Sven's day brightens from its gloom as he receives his new uniform; the green cloak with the Wings of Freedom on the back and the Wings of Freedom patch to replace the two crossed swords of the training squad. Sven puts the cloak back on, feeling as excited as a little kid as he dons the uniform of his new regiment, the Scout Regiment. Though many factors had drawn Sven to this moment, he had always wanted to join them since he was little and his brother first joined. He had seen his brother once before he died, but that had never hindered Sven's desire, only his resolve.

The excited buzz of his comrades changes to puzzlement then to surprise and suspicion. He looks at his campaigns around him before turning completely around to see what it is they are staring at. A male of average build and height, tan complexion, teal-green eyes, and dark brown hair is standing next to a shorter male that seems very faintly familiar to Sven, like someone he had known either long ago or only saw once in a brief glance. He looks really intimidating to Sven and he briefly imagines someone in the shadows, their face obscured, but really familiar. He knew it was a memory, this male in his mind that wears black, knee-high boots, black pants, and a white, long sleeved, button up, collared shirt. Sven shrugs off the image as unimportant as his new squad leader begins to introduce the 105th Trainee's Squad to the two people. The taller one he introduces as Eren Yeager, the titan shifter, member of the Special Operations Squad, and former member of the 104th Trainee's Squad. Sven realizes that Eren being a titan shifter is what had put people on edge. Sven had never kept up with politics so he had never known what Eren looked like, only that he existed. Sven had barely even known what his name was until this moment. He studies him intensely as he is introduced as Humanity's Hope. The shorter one is introduced as Captain Something Ackerman; Sven didn't catch his first name. He just caught that he is the squad leader of the Special Operations Squad and in charge of Eren. A recruit up ahead darkly mutters something about Eren under his breath that is caught by the Captain. Sven can't hear him and doesn't care; he's too busy studying the two and their close proximity to each other. If Sven didn't know better he might think that they were together.

"James Hightower," the recruit says with a salute. Sven hated Hightower; he is too arrogant in Sven's opinion. The Captain says something that seems to shock Hightower, much to Sven's happiness, and Sven decides that he is alright. Their squad leader goes to talk to the two as the recruits wait for orders, feeling uncomfortable about Eren's presence. He calls the recruits attention and they fall in line. He follows Eren and the Captain, who is leading a horse, as they head towards the stables.

When they get to the stables the group separates from Eren and the Captain. Excitement courses through Sven. A few years back he had found two escaped Survey Corps horses, as mother and her colt. He named the colt Gyro and raised it, teaching it all sorts of cool moves and tricks. When he found a Survey Corps member he returned the two horses. The member, Sven thinks he remembers their name to be Petra, had been impressed with what he had taught Gyro and promised to take care of him, even going so far as to promise the horse would be his if he joined the Scout Regiment.

She obviously kept her promise because he looks well groomed and is appointed to Sven. He feels playful and mischievous when they start to practice horseback riding, something a good portion of them had never done, and so he proceeds to show off with Gyro. He is so busy showing off and remembering all the tricks he taught Gyro that he never notices when Eren and Levi show up to watch them sometime later. Levi had his horse now, as he had been leading Eren's earlier, something Sven didn't know, just as he didn't know that it is Levi, the Levi. Levi hasn't recognized him yet, but is impressed by the youngster's ability and ease with his horse. When Sven gets bored, Levi tries to keep him showing off his skills by calling out pointers to him. Sven is surprised to see the Captain and feels like he's heard his voice before. He shrugs it off quickly, however, and proceeds to obey, executing the new maneuvers with ease. Levi begins to train him in special maneuvers in hopes of seeing how well the recruit does. Sven eventually spots how his friends are floundering with the basics and goes over to help them, leaving Levi behind. As soon as they master the basics, they no longer need his help, so Levi tries to take advantage of the opportunity. Sven hears the hoof steps of their approach and feels devious. He decides to race them so he whispers his secret word to Gyro, the one that tells him to stay ahead of their pursuers, not racing, just keeping out of reach. The horse looks back to see who they are running for and spies Levi heading towards them. Gyro dashes forward and away, matching their pace so that they are neither gaining nor losing distance.

Levi tries to tell Sven to stop but he is too far away. Sven directs Gyro to a densely packed portion of the forest that surrounds the castle, hoping to lose Levi in there. As they bound over undergrowth and through trees as though they spent their whole life there, Sven manages to lose Levi. He quickly uses his 3DMG to escape into the trees. He hears the sound of another 3DMG behind him and realizes what's going on. As he races away through the trees, Levi begins to rapidly catch up. He tries everything to lose him but does not manage it until he sneaks into a hollow within a nearby tree, hiding there. Along the way he had spied how mad Levi is about the little prank and it had scared Sven badly. He covers himself up with his cloak and hides in the shadows of the tree, hoping he isn't found. Through a small slit in the cloak he sees Levi heading away from him and feels lightly relieved. He gives it a full hour before he goes down to Gyro who had found him five minutes prior, just as he was trained to do. Sven returns to castle grounds slowly and sneaks his way back to his quarters, hoping he isn't noticed by anyone, especially Levi. He safely makes his way back to his quarters and settles down, passing out quickly.

A hand clamps down on Sven's mouth and nose, suffocating him and waking him up at the same time, his eyes flying open. Shit! The Captain!

"You little shit," he hisses at Sven, "just who do you think you are, anyways?" He is very obviously furious with Sven so he complies by staying silent. "Why did you run away from me?"

Spots flick across Sven's vision and he gasps for breath when Levi lets go, coughing to regain his breath. When he does he squeaks out an answer, glad he has his own room inside the castle for what is not the first time. "I thought it would be fun to have a little race." He whimpers to the irate captain, "when I saw how angry you were I kept running because I was too afraid to approach you."

Surprise briefly flicks in the Captain's eyes before he bluntly asks, "what is your name?"

Feeling confused he replies, "Sven Kar'Dargo."

Shock fills Levi's face openly, "Sven?" He whispers like he's lost in a distant memory. Concern fills his face a few seconds later as he realizes what has happened. "Are you okay? Did I hurt you?" Sven just stared at him, he chokes him then he gets worried? Sven shakes his head; he doesn't understand this strange man. Levi takes his head shake to mean that he is okay and resumes his normal, unflappable composure. "Good, I would hate to hurt an old friend of mine."

Sven stares in confusion, old friend? Levi looks at him, furrowing his brow further, "you do remember me, don't you Sven? It's me, Levi, remember?"

Memories flood into Sven's mind as his eyes fly open in shock and his mouth drops open. He suddenly remembers everything that had happened, including how the voice that argued with him was Levi's, how the memory of his cold grey eyes inspired good days for Sven, and how the blades were meant for him. The blades! Sven jumps out of bed, pushing past Levi and rushes to his closet, tearing it open in search of his blades. Levi comes up behind him and watches, waiting. Sven pulls out the pack of blades and presents them to Levi. "I made these for you, Levi, I didn't think you would join the military, but figured you would enjoy them anyways.

Levi takes them with caution and looks them over. "Their different," he deadpans, stating the obvious.

"I spent the last 18 years designing them specifically for you. I knew you were fast and strong so I made them tougher and lighter. They are easier to clean then normal blades and are very easy to sharp. It's harder to dull these then it is normal blades and they are slightly more flexible. They are also easier to fix. They break evenly into the separate sections so that you don't have to worry about searching for a million little pieces. I didn't finish them until the very day of the Choosing Ceremony. I got special permission to go home since the graduation ceremonies were delayed. I went back and finished them. I finished them for you, Levi." Concern suddenly fills Sven as questions arise in his mind, blazing a scar of confusion deeply within his mind. Levi inspects the blades before wrapping them back up carefully. He looks Sven in the eyes before motioning for Sven to take a seat.

Sven sits down on his bed, leaning his back against the wall and Levi sits down next to him, with some distance between the two. Sven asks his first question, "are you and Eren close?" He suddenly wished Levi would say no, he didn't understand why but he felt something within him beg to hear they were just friends, to hear that Levi wanted to more than just friends with Sven. He immediately pushed that away, no, I do not love Levi that way. He scolds himself as Levi sighs quietly.

"Yes, we are," he murmurs quietly, "over the past year Eren and I have gotten along well and even moved closer to each other." He looks Sven in the eyes, "you are my greatest friend, Sven, and you deserve to know everything." He crosses his arms over his chest then his legs at the ankles and stares at his shoes, "I feel myself being drawn to Eren," he says, hushed, as if he's afraid of his feelings. "I think I'm falling in love with him, but I can't risk that." Pain enters his voice as he continues, he's a titan, and so young, but yet . . ." he lets out a soft sigh before looking up at Sven, who had managed to keep a calm, unrevealing expression through the whole thing. "I use to be in love with you, Sven," the younger one's eyes fly open and snap to stare at the older one with sharp, glinting eyes, "I think it is part of the reason why I hate myself for loving Eren."

Sven studies Levi harshly, considering him with dark eyes that hide all emotion. If Levi had loved me, why had he kept it a secret? Sven felt jealousy and anger flare within him as he realizes how much he loves Levi, and that no matter how much he fought it, it is there and always has been. He forgot about Levi because his love for the older man had threatened to rip him apart and so finding out that he returned that love so long ago pissed Sven off something horrible. He wants to punch someone, preferably Eren or Levi, but he doesn't dare. "Is he the reason you joined?" Sven dares to ask instead, letting his anger show only in the way that his eyes darken into a glare. He refused to let Levi have the satisfaction of finding out that Sven likes him back. His face remains calm and open while his voice is calm too, betraying nothing. Levi will see that he is hiding something, Sven realizes correctly, but he will not know what so long as Sven can manage to keep his swirling emotions hidden.

Levi shakes his head no. "Seven years ago, Farlan, Isabel and I were caught using 3DMG's we had . . . found. The Scout Regiment was the ones who found us. At the time, Keith Shadis was commander and Erwin Smith was just another member. They managed to capture us and Erwin blackmailed me into joining." He turns away from Sven, "I got Farlan and Isabel killed when I abandoned them to go and try to kill Erwin Smith. I got my last squad killed when I left them on their own as well." The last part was whispered so softly Sven began to wonder if he had even heard right. Part of him wants to give Levi a hug and tell him it is okay while another part of him despises him too much to care to pity him. Sven hates the divide within his heart that Levi has caused but he can't do anything about it. He's the one who asked the question after all. Levi looks up at Sven, "please don't hate me," he pleads softly, "you have the right too, it took me up until last year to realize that you loved me," Sven looks away, feeling weary and irritated, but calming down at the same time, "don't be mad at me about Eren, please, be upset with me, you have that right, but not mad, please. I was mad at Erwin and got my two, at the time, greatest friends killed. I didn't even realize how much they meant to me until they died. Please don't get mad at me and make my same mistake." His wounded voice broke through to Sven's forgiving side.

He sighs heavily before fixing Levi with depressed eyes, "I won't be mad at you, and I won't react as such, but I'm not talking to you," Levi tried to protest but Sven cut him off, "please, Levi just give me some time and space. I need some time to myself to gather my thoughts and feelings on these turn of events, it's a lot to take in." He smiles a true smile, a small one, but a true one, "I'm happy to see you again and I'm excited that we get to see each other again, I just need to adjust to realization of what this means."

Levi nods curtly in understanding, calming down to his normal, composed self, "I can do that," he says, "but I just need one thing from you, I need to know if friendship is possible between the two of us if I got together with Eren. He probably doesn't even like me back, but I need to know your feelings on the situation,"

Sven heaves a long sigh and looks away from Levi, standing up, "do whatever you want, Levi, as long as you're happy, I'm happy. It will hurt to see you with Eren, but it would be even worse to see you miserable without him. Do not let me influence your decision on love," his words flowed from memory now, he had told these same words to another girl he fell in love with at the factory, he didn't love her as much as he had loved Levi, but it was still enough to have made it painful, "just follow your heart to whomever it may lead, who knows, you might end up with someone completely different, same for me." He knew that the last part would only come true if he settled for someone as a consolation for losing Levi. Experience taught him that Levi is the only one for him. He had loved many people, but none of them had he loved more than Levi. Levi nods his head and gives Sven a brief smile, something that Sven had never seen before, which shocked him, before getting up and leaving the room. Sven stared after him, stunned, before curling upon his bed, his mind buzzing. This day had been good up until Levi showed up. He groaned, burring his face in his knees, silently begging the next day to not be any worse.