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Shiganshina: 845

The gates of Shiganshina come closer as the carriage moves along the road. A young soldier looks ahead excitingly, almost eager enough to jump off the sluggish cart. Short black hair with lively hazel eyes, he wears the regular troop uniform given from the military, a symbol of a shield with two roses at the back of his brown top. Garrus Gatling has come home.

Completing his four years of training, he luckily gets enlisted to serve in his hometown as a member of the local cannon regiment. It is odd for someone in top ten to take a position in the garrison. Most of them either are smart enough to join the military police, or filled with passion to serve the scouting legion. Yet here is the 9th placer of the 99th training squad appearing sentenced to clean cannons for the rest of his prime life. Truthfully, Garrus couldn't care less with what jabs people say about his job. He gets to live near his family, the opportunity to kill titans from afar, if needed, and to fulfill his duty in serving humanity. And cannon duty wasn't so bad. He gained the rare opportunity to man, and fire, a wall cannon with some of his classmates during temporary duty at a Marian wall fort. Sure, the round missed the titan by a few meters at first, but what would one expect from a crew full of rookies.

After spending a few more months in cannon training and aiming, he was assigned to be a cannon operator by wall Maria since that is where any action for the cannons go on these days.

As the cart passes through the gates, life around the district goes on as it does every day. Children playing on the streets, merchants attracting the eyes of the market's visitors with their goods, a couple courting by the canal side. As he stepped off the wooden contraption he has been stuck on for hours, he took a big breath of air, relishing the smell of village. It felt great to be back.

Garrus began to walk towards the farther skirts of town. It would be a while before he would need to report in at the local barracks for his assignment. But before he got any further, an arm snagged across his shoulder, almost causing him to lose his balance.

"Hey, Gary! Where you heading off to? We have so much time to kill before we get our assignments. You could introduce your great and lonely friend to some of the locals around here. I might as well know some of the townsfolk." Another young man with a shaven head, wearing the same uniform, grinned while pointing towards a small restaurant, particularly at a table with a few girls their age.

Garrus gave a small smile before lifting the arm intruding arm of him and slightly smacking him on the head.

"Exactly, Paul. I haven't seen my family since I left. My parents and sister may be dying to see me, but I don't think my brother even knows who I am!" Paul Skillen, a fellow 99th training squad graduate and a good friend of his, was a flirt. Everything one could expect from a flirt. But he wasn't necessarily a heartbreaker. How he managed to graduate with all the warnings he got for giving "compliments" to their female classmates and instructors was something that mystified Garrus up to this day. Paul came from a town inside Wall Rose and this was quite his first time in a district.

"Whoa, dude. You have a sister?" This time, Garrus smacked him hard on the head.

"She's ten, moron!" He laughed "I told you that for so many times, yet you keep forgetting! Show some restraint."

"Alright! Alright. I was just kidding. I knew that but the reaction you have is always worth it. You go ahead and catch up with Mom and Pops. I'll start to get myself acquainted with these beautiful ladies" Garrus rolled his eyes as Paul strolled toward the restaurant. The latter stopped halfway and turned to his friend. "Catch you later in this spot before we head to the barracks? I'll be here as long as time lets me any way." Giving his signature grin while Garrus gave a wave and a similar smile.

"Sure thing. Will be away for an hour or two anyway."

As Garrus walked through the familiar neighborhood, memories refreshed his mind on how far he has gone at this point. His parents were young and not so well-off when he was born, his father a blacksmith's apprentice while his mother was a small-business herb farmer. Even with these hardships, both his parents worked hard as they can to give Garrus a chance to survive and sacrificed time for sleep to be with him. These appearingly small sacrifices brought Garrus an incredibly large affection for his parents that soon became his affection for his family when his sister was born.

He approached a small and humble cottage near the end of the road, his mother's herb farm glowing with vibrant colors at the side. As he approaches the door, he couldn't help but wonder how they will react? Will they be speechless at his presence? Will they be mad for writing less and less and graduation approached? His fist hovers over the door as he pondered this questions, staying motionless in the air. He told them that he was coming this week, he just didn't say when. He finally got his arm to move after a while. But as he was about to knock, the door opened and a rushing girl bumped into him. A bit of air was knocked out of him as she stepped back, stunned

"Oh, sorry, sir. I didn't see you-" Dark rose red eyes looked up past deep dark brown locks towards the familiar visitor. The look of surprise slowly became a beam of joy as she realized who it was.

"Gary!" She then gave a massive hug to his waist, her head buried in his chest. Gary gave a short laugh before returning the warm hug of his sister.

"Hey, Venus. I missed you too." Venus Gatling was a striking image of their mother. If it wasn't for the slightly tanner skin she inherited from their father, then the only thing that would distinguish both the daughter and the mother would be age. She began to write around the age of seven, so she was able to send letters to Garrus right after he left. She brought news that she, oddly for a girl, took an interest to smithing. It is even stranger news that she had a fascination with weapons. Quite a convenience for having a soldier for a brother.

"When did you get here? Does mama and papa know you're here? Do you have those two sword things that fly you everywhere? Where are the-" Her barrage of questions was cut off by a finger to the lips. She was also a very energetic girl.

"One at a time, one at a time. I got here this morning and I don't have the 3DMG yet. Mom and Dad know I am coming this week, so I would very much like to see them." They broke the hug as Venus dragged him inside by the hand. Her palms and fingers, contrary to her young face, felt a bit roughed and calloused. Despite that, it still had a similar gentle hold of a child. He was about to ask where their parents were when he heard a soothing voice.

"Garrus? Is that you?" He turned to where the kitchen was as he saw a stunning woman that looked like an aged Venus, with shoulder length hair that was shorter than the young girl's. Tears almost began filling her eyes as she reached a hand out to her son, almost as if she was trying to convince herself that this was not a dream.

Garrus gave a sheepish smile and walked towards his mother.

"Hi, mom. I'm sorry I wasn't able to- " His apology was cut short by the sudden wrapping of arms around his neck and the tears of joy falling on his shoulders as his mother covered her face in it. He then gave a reassuring hug back to sobbing woman, trying to reassure that he was not dead.

Venus' head straightened all a sudden as she remembered why she was going out on the first place, heading towards the front door.

"I was just about to go get Papa from the smithy for lunch. I'll bring him in right now to see you!" As she was about to leave, Garrus turned his head towards her to call out.

"Don't tell him I'm here but tell him there's a surprise back home!" Venus gave a nod as she stepped out and closed the door. His mother has stopped her tears from flowing, still hugging Garrus as if he would disappear in a moment. He decided to lighten the atmosphere of the house. He was back and it was a time to be happy.

"Mom, I'm fine. I still have all my limbs, you see." He felt his mother stiffen at his words. She then pulled herself away while grabbing his arms with her hands, giving a scolding yet pained glare. It was at this point that he realized that he had said something wrong.

"Do not ever make a joke like that!" Her rebuke, though usually filled with care and concern, was full of fear and dread. "The scouting legion returned today, full of dead men and people with missing hands and feet. The poor vendor by the outer gate area only had the arm of her son return to her! I dread the day you come home to me, not only in a casket, but as a piece!" She began to sob again, still not knowing how to handle what she was feeling since the legion returned that day.

Garrus sighed. It is true that the idea of joining the scouting legion entered his mind and he was really considering doing so. But he felt like his true calling was guarding the walls, giving hell to the titans through righteous firepower. He would actually be willing to fight the titans on their own turf, if the cannons were not so slow and inaccurate in the ground. Sure, 3DMG is still the best way to fight them, and though he could hold his own with them, he is pretty sure many of those who fell to the titans' teeth believed the same thing.

He pulled his mother into his chest as she cried on him again. This time, he would be cautious with what he says.

"Mama," Using the very name he used up until he was eleven. "I'm here. I'm fine. I'm in the garrison, not the legion. I'll be safe up on the walls. You know the titans can't do anything to us up there." He gave another warm squeeze before gently pulling his mother off him. She slowly regained her composure, still giving a sniff, before looking at him again with warm eyes.

"You're still a soldier. That fact alone would make any caring mother pray to the heavens every night for their child." She did one final wipe on her eyes before the joy of his visit returned.

"But let's not mind that now! You are here! And I bet there is someone here who would want to see you." She then looked at the doorway of the kitchen, where a small, shy head was peeping through the side, watching them both closely.

"Matthias! Come meet your brother." The short, young boy then slowly revealed himself. He had the black raven hair of their father and the rose red eyes of their mother. His head reaches only up to the waist of Garrus and his face brings a mixture of both curiosity and shyness. The thought of his younger brother afraid of him both melted and shook Garrus. He knelt down so that he can be at eye-level with Matthias, who has hiding behind the leg of their mother.

By the time Matthias was born, the Gatlings where more financially stable since his father was able to build their own forge, or what they usually call the smithy. Even so, the youngest child was born into the world weak and was not expected to survive the first six months. Matthias was a fighter and reached the age of one with the help of the whole family. Even so, his condition did not improve and what extra money they had they saved up to one day afford the prescriptions given to them by their good friend Dr. Yaeger. Garrus's parents already saved enough for Garrus higher education, but the eldest wouldn't give up his only brother's life for a high class paper with his name on it. He was thirteen around this time and told his parents about his decision to join the military.

This choice brought worry to his mother and his father asked him if he has considered the dangers of doing so. Garrus remained firmed on his decision to both serve his brother and humanity, telling them that they had done their part in caring for him and he wants to give back what he can. He also promised to return when he becomes a soldier so they can all be together again. Despite the distress and anxiety they felt, his parents were proud of his decision and supported him by buying tickets to Trost to enlist in the military.

And here he was 4 years later, the fruits of his sacrifice staring at him with living, sparkling eyes.

"Hey, buddy. It's me, Gary." Garrus said reassuringly as he held out his arms. The fear in Matthias almost disappeared, replaced by a sense of happiness that was still accompanied by curiosity. Garrus then thought of another way for him to lessen his concern about him, sitting on the ground while holding one hand out. Matthias then stared even more curiously at his older brother before copying what he did and touched the much smaller palm of his hand to Garrus' palm.

Garrus closed his fingers slightly, embracing the tips of the small fingers of his brother while he ruffled his hair with the other hand. Matthias giggled as he tried to sway away the intruding hand and hugged Garrus for a few seconds before looking at the clock nearby and headed towards the dining table. Needless to say, Garrus was a bit confused by the actions before him while his mother gave a soft laugh.

"Matthias is a very different child." She said this as she was bringing the food into the table, shortly assisted by Garrus after he steps up from the ground.

"He rarely talks at all, showing everything by expression. I only heard him say mama or papa twice since he first spoke. He tends to stare outside the window when in the house, or look at the plants and bugs up close when in the garden. He has a few friends around town but sometimes he gets bullied by other kids his age because he is quiet." That last statement made Garrus' blood almost boil. Despite having only interacted with his brother for just this one time, he felt a strong sense to protect him. Perhaps it was both being a soldier and his older brother that brought it. His mother saw the change in expression in her eldest son and lay a hand on his should to get his attention.

"Do not worry about it. The few friends he has are the sweetest things. They always defend him. Them and Venus. When that girl starts forging and carrying her own weapons, it won't only be the death of me, that's for sure. She cares very deeply for him." She sighs as she puts down a pot of vegetable stew on the table.

"Wait, she's learning to forge? Right now? Not that I am being sexist or anything, but a little girl hammering hot metal?" Garrus questioned as he took a seat by the wooden square table. True that he did not mean anything chauvinistic. The Top 1st, 4th, and 6th placers of the 99th training squad were also women. That may not have deterred Paul from trying a move on each one, but it further established an already present mindset in Garrus' mind that women were not as low as the high classes tend to say they are. (Although it was funny seeing Top 4 "Harbinger" Hannah blush like a shy school girl from the flattery at first.) It was just that the forge was… a forge. That kind of work looked ill-suited for a 10 year old girl.

"She's much stronger than you think. And your father couldn't care less if she was his son or daughter, much to my dismay." She laughed as she took a seat her own seat, perpendicular to Garrus.

"When she first said that she wondered how the forge worked one night, your father went insane in details on how everything in the smithy went and promised to show her how they turn metal into tools and what not. As of now, she is his unofficial apprentice." The young soldier was about to respond but was interrupted by the opening of the front door.

Well, speak of the devil.

"Hurry, papa! You have to see this!" Venus excitingly came in, pulling a rather well-toned man with a sullied apron and large gloves. He had tinted goggles on top of his dusty black hair and light brown eyes. He also had a short goatee and a dirty looking face. He wipes a bit of grime from his forehead, revealing a light tanned skin. He gives a deep laugh as his daughter continued to bring him further into the house

"Calm yourself, Vivi. We're already in the house. What do you want to show me?" As he looked around, his eyes widened to see his eldest son, walking up to him from his chair. A smirk shown on the younger man's face as he stopped in-front of his father.

"How's it going, old man?" Garrus' father both gave a mix of both a glare in his eyes and a similar smirk in his mouth.

"Who are you calling old man, young boy? And is that how you treat your father after being away from the house for four years?" The two continued their staring contest before the Garrus chortled, causing both of them to laugh out loud before giving each other a rough but warm hug.

"I missed you, dad." Garrus still found it hard to believe that he was home. And that they were all here. All of them.

"I missed you too, Garrus." The old blacksmith broke the hug and put a hand on his son's shoulder. His previous sharp, competitive look was replaced with an expression full of warm pride and joy.

"And look at you, Gary. Top 9th place in this year's recruit batch and serving our king and town as a garrison soldier. I couldn't be more proud of you." His mother, carrying Matthias, joined them with her own expression of pride and relief. Venus also stepped into the family circle, her arms grabbing onto Garrus' side.

"We are all proud of you. And most of all, we are happy you are back." They all shared a large embrace, one with no tears but filled with peaceful smiles. Garrus' heart soared. He made his parents proud, he was back home, he saw his sister again, and finally established the beginning of who he was in his younger brother's life. Nothing can break this moment.

Except for the fact he had to report in to his superior officers in the afternoon.

Garrus gave a cough as he seperated the family hug. He all looked at them sheepishly.

"I hate to be the one to ruin this moment. I really do. But I have to form in with the districts officers in two hours. Sorry." His father gave a laugh as they all headed to the table. His mother grabbed two extra plates and set them down for both the blacksmith and blacksmith-in-training.

"That's fine! We will have plenty of times to get together again now that you will be stationed here. For now, let's eat lunch everyone!" The older man said as he took his seat, looking at both the delicious food and the one who they are celebrating with. As he was about to partake the stew, his wife blocked his hand with her own.

"After you wash up. You look like you were the one who has been training for four years in the wilderness to kill titans. And Garrus looks as clean as a whistle." The man gave me a mock pouting face and purposely grumbled about something that sounded like "my house" and "Yes, mother." as he took a jar of water by the basin and rinsed his arms and face before taking his seat back at the table. After sending a sarcastic "Can I eat now, please?" expression, his wife gave a smile like she hasn't noticed and waved for him to go.

It was all silent until everyone had something on their plate. Then they all started asking questions, all at once.

"What's it like to fly with maneuver gear? Have you killed a titan?"

"Well it's not flying, and not with- "

"And what of your friends, Garrus? Are some here with you?"

"I actually have a friend who is stationed with me in-

"Friends? I am more interested in whether my son has caught the eye of a lucky lady."

"Dad!"

"Christopher!"

"Hey, look at how handsome he's grown, Jayna. Who could resist those looks?"

"Your father has a point, dear."

"Mom, please."

"Can we eat now?"

Garrus, for hundredth time today, smiled. He was home.

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin. (duh)