I was just as tense on this mission as I was on my first.

I rode steadily, watching the backs of my teammates protectively as I glanced around for any sign of danger. We'd been riding only for about fifteen minutes, and yet the emptiness of the planes unnerved me. We should have seen something by now.

As if on cue, Levi's blank voice called back for Dia to fire off a flare. She didn't hesitate in shooting off her red cap. Levi gave his orders, sending Jax and Fran off to handle the threat. I furrowed my brows in confusion. Fighting in the plains was never a good bet, seeing as it was the absolute worst environment for 3DMG. I rode a bit to the left, wanting to catch a glimpse of the Titan that had him so worried. There were two, both appearing to be around ten meters. One was standing still, gazing up at the sun with a dopey grin, while the other was walking quickly at a diagonal to us. Understanding, I moved back into position. If we were to leave the advancing Titan alive, there was a chance it could wander past us and into the formation.

Dia glanced back at me. "What about the second one?"

"No," I called up firmly. "That one isn't an immediate threat. We could sneak by it without any issues. Fighting it without full use of our gear is more dangerous than it's worth."

If it were just Harold on my team, I could have left it at the 'No,' and we'd have been fine. Apparently, though, even my explanation wasn't enough for Dia.

She shook her head and drew her blades, throwing me a half-assed glance before positioning for battle. "That's bull. I'm taking it down."

Anger and panic tightened my chest. "No, Dia! Do not leave your spot, that is an order!"

She ignored me, riding towards the second Titan. I let out a shout of frustration and chased after her, shouting out a minimally worded explanation to Levi. Dia grappled into the Ten's shoulder, swinging up to put it down.

"Dia! Dia you can't approach from that side!"

Either she was ignoring me or the wind was drowning out my warnings. I expect it was the former. To my prediction, the Titan turned its head just as she neared it and opened its mouth wide. Dia's movements froze, her line still swinging her forward and on a straight path into the Titan's waiting mouth.

Fuck it.

I balanced on two feet on my horse's back and leaped into the air before firing a grapple up and into the Titan's far shoulder. I aimed my swing just right in order to snatch Dia from the air. Her line unhooked and I used the momentum to drop down onto the Ten's head. I dropped Dia into a shaking heap before stepping off the blonde Titan's head and yanking my blades up and through its nape.

Before it tipped, I hauled Dia over my shoulder and flew back in the direction of the squad. Levi had halted their movement, awaiting our return with an unreadable expression. I landed at a jog and ran right up into the center of my team, harshly dropping Dia onto the grass. Her eyes were still clouded in fear, her body trembling. She looked over at me and blinked. The sight of my enraged scowl must have cleared her head, because she immediately scrunched her face up in realization.

"What the fuck was that, Frosche?" Levi growled lowly.

She glanced at him and faltered, a red flush creeping up her neck. She turned back to me, glaring defensively. "I had it under control."

I clenched my fists. How could someone be so stubborn. "Under control?! If anyone was in control, it was the fucking Ten that, if not for me, would be shitting your 'valedictorian' ass out by tomorrow's breakfast!" I scoffed and turned. "You deal with this, Ackerman. I'm going to get the horses."

I turned back to where we had left our rides, fuming. Once I was a safe distance away, I let out a shaky breath, raising my trembling hand to my face. What the fuck was Erwin thinking. I never wanted to be in charge of this girl. I knew right from the start that she wasn't right for this. And now, I had another out of place soldier to deal with.

If Dia died, it was on me.

Just like she was.

The ride back was fairly quiet, but the Legion was in much higher spirits than was usual for mission returns. The mission had gone well this time, our casualties at a record low.

Speaking of casualties, Dia hadn't said much of anything the whole ride home, only responding when addressed by Levi; even then, she only used a word or two. I, having returned to my usual cheery self, found this to be a blessing, however.

As we passed the gates, Jax rode up beside me. "Hey, Nyx. Some of the guys from MHB are gonna try and stop by the gates to greet us. A friend of mine said they were gonna bring Asi by."

I beamed at him. "Wait, but isn't he supposed to be in physical therapy?"

Jax shrugged. "I don't know, I guess they got permission from Dr. Jeager; decided to bring him by to see us come back."

I chuckled. Asi's admiration for the Survey Corps had only grown as he got older. Since I'd made my deal with Erwin in order to pay for his care, I had taken to making monthly visits to see how my brother was doing. It wasn't much, but a day or two every few weeks was the most I could afford to take off.

Asi had still been able to come visit me every so often (He had quickly become the main object of affection for all of the women at HQ) but, when he was about seven, his health had declined to the point that Dr. Jeager insisted he stay stationary. It hadn't been difficult to convince me. Even with the treatment Asi was receiving, his legs had begun to lose mobility as his blood began to clot.

My last visit to him had me glowing in pride, though. Finally allowed out of bed, the eight year old had surprised me at the door in his wheelchair, even going so far as to challenge me to a race (which I had "accidentally" tripped at the end of, ending in his victory). The thought that my baby brother was strong enough to make a trip like this made me happier than I could express.

Wall Maria came into view as I sped up to ride beside Erwin at the front. He chuckled at my eagerness as we waited for the gates to rise. "Impatient, are we?"

I smiled brightly, shrugging. I didn't have to say anything. There was only one thing in the world that could make me this happy. A thing that, as we passed through the wall and into the streets, was plopped onto a crate stacked high above the crowds and waving wildly at me from afar. I laughed in pride to see him there and sped up my horse to a light trot.

Jumping off of my steed, I reached up and plucked my brother from his seat, swinging him around in the air before settling him on my shoulders. He laughed and latched himself onto my head to keep from falling. Asi leaned over my head, facing me upside down and pecked me on the cheek. "Welcome home, big sis."

I almost started bawling right then and there, but pinched myself sharply to keep it together. "Good to be back." I smiled, blowing a kiss up at where he was situated on my shoulders.

He scrunched up his nose, leaning back. "Eeeww! You smell nasty!"

I feigned offense. "Nasty, huh?" I pulled him off of my shoulders and carried him under one arm like a sack of potatoes. "That's pretty rude, man. Maybe you should apologize."

He struggled, laughing."NEVER!"

I reached my other hand over to tickle him, walking to where Fran was greeting her son, who had joined the Garrison a few years back. "Oh, well. I guess I'll just have to torture it out of you."

Fran and her son turned my way as Asi let out a shriek, both of them grinning along with me. "Okay! I'm sorry!"

"Sorry for what?"

"I'm sorry - EEEEK - I'm sorry for calling you gross!"

"And..."

"And it won't happen again!"

"Because..."

"EEEEEK! Because you're a beautiful lady that should be treated with respect!"

I chuckled, setting him down on the bench by the wall. "Good enough."

He sighed in relief before smirking up at me. "Heh, not!"

I shook my head fondly, sitting down beside him and ruffling his hair. My squad was stopped a few yards away waiting for me and Fran to finish saying hello to our families. I turned back to Asi with a smile. "So, what's up man? I was gonna ride out to see you first thing in the morning. How come you decided to come here this time around?"

Asi's head shot up. "I-I still want you to come tomorrow!" He said quickly. At my raised eyebrow, he looked down and nodded before meeting my eyes once more, determined. "I came to ask you something. And to show you that I can do it."

I tilted my head. "Well, what did you want to ask me?"

He took a deep breath. "I just turned eight, right?"

"Right." I nodded.

"And when I'm eight, I'm not counted as a little kid anymore."

I sighed at him lightly. "Come on, Asi, stop being around the bush."

Asikah swallowed and set his face in determination. "I want to start pre-training drills."

I blinked. "What?"

"When you turn eight, the man who owns MHB-"

"Commander Shadis,"

"-will let you into a pre-training program that teaches you the...basics."

I hummed thoughtfully. "The basics of what?"

Asi shifted, flicking his eyes down.

Oh. He didn't want me to ask that.

"Like procedures and flare meanings and things...written stuff."

I frowned deeply. "Asikah."

He flinched and looked up. "Yeah?"

"Do not lie to me."

Asi sighed, looking away guiltily. "It teaches how to fight..like the basics of the wirey-thing-"

"3DM Gear,"

"-and how to balance in it..."

I sighed as his voice trailed off quietly. I placed my hands on his shoulders to turn him towards me. "Asi. I know how important this is to you," His eyes lit up in hope. "But, you just got out of your wheelchair this month. You need to give it more time."

Asi stomped his foot. "But, I don't have more time! I'm eight right now! I'm not gonna be eight again!"

I crossed my arms. "What did Dr. Jeager say about this?"

He shrugged, looking down sadly. "He said to talk to you. It's your permission I need, anyhow..."

I took in his crestfallen expression and sighed. "Look, froggie," He relaxed a bit at the old nickname. "I know you want to become a soldier, and you don't know how incredibly proud I am of you for that, but you have to give these things time."

He glared at me, jumping to his feet. "Well, you'd know all about time!"

I paused. Dread crept up my stomach. "What does that mean?"

Resentment flashed in his eyes as he stomped his feet. "It's been so long since you've even come to see me! Why should you get any say in this?!"

I stood as well, placing my hands on my hips. "Because I'm your sister and your guardian."

"Some sister! Dr. Jeager's been there more than you ever have!"

Ouch. Low blow.

I pursed my lips. "Asi, you know I've done as much as I can-"

"Since when?!"

His shout called the attention of some of the crowd. In the corner of my eye, I saw my squad looking over curiously. I really needed to calm this situation down.

I dropped onto one knee, kneeling down to his height. "Asi," I started soothingly. "We need to just give your body a little more time to heal. The Commander doesn't know your limits. If I gave my permission and you got hurt, I would never forgive myself."

"Yourself! That's all you think about!" He wailed.

I bit my lip, blocking out the pain those words caused in my chest. "Once you're a bit healthier, I'll even take some time off and come teach you myself. That way, you get to learn, I know you're safe, and we get to spend some time together." It sounded like a fair compromise to me.

"No! I don't even want to see you!"

"Asi-"

"You know, you claim to hate mom so much and yet," Asi cried harder, screaming in my face. "You look like her! You act like her!

You leave like her."

The air was sucked from my lungs, leaving me floundering for a way to speak. Dots of color danced in my vision as I struggled to raise my eyes back up to meet his. He stood there expectantly, waiting for my response.

"Go with Fran. Go home. You aren't doing this."

"Why can't I just-"

"GO!"

Asi let out an angry whine, turning and storming off into the crowd. Fran glanced at me in concern, but quickly followed after him, trailed closely by her son.

The crowd had gone quiet, staring as The Legacy made a complete fool of herself. Dia made a disgusted cough, glaring in my direction. "Fucking bitch. Who treats their kid that way?"

I took two steps back, numbly turning and getting onto the first horse I came to, not caring who's it was.

I kept my head bowed as I rode out of town and to HQ, leaving behind a trail of tears rather than breadcrumbs.

3rd Person

Levi was sitting absolutely still, staring a hole through the paperwork on his desk. They'd gotten back to Headquarters four or five hours ago. By now, the sun had gone down and the building had gone quiet.

Finally fed up with the ache in his pen hand, Levi pushed out of his chair and grabbed the stack of papers. If he had to worry about this half of the job, so did Bently. Even if he had to drag her ass out of bed.

Levi left his office and trudged grumpily outside to the women's cabins. Her cabin had definitely seen better days, the boards appearing aged and splintered. He made a mental note to make Bently clean it up sometime.

The stoic soldier stomped up the stairs, hoping the sound would wake her lazy ass up to save him the trouble, and headed for the door. When he reached it, he paused. On the door, hung a list. The paper was weatherworn and faded, barely readable. If Levi didn't recognize the words, he couldn't have understood it. But, he never forgot a soldier's name. Not when he was the one writing the death certificates.

Cabin 2

Harlie Amberson - Lyra Stenzon

Natsu Arc - Mindley Worring

Trea Figgly - Gemmabell Miaha

Onyx Bently - Emilee Mora

Estefania Delores - Noel Hickory

Levi studied the names. Something seemed to shift in him as he recognized each one. They were good soldiers, most of them anyway. And he remembered the exact day that each one of them died.

Shaking it off, he threw open the door, letting it bang against the back wall.

"Oi, Bently. Wake the fuck up."

An empty cabin greeted him.

Frowning, he turned back the way he came, thinking up where the woman could be at this time of night. His irritation grew tenfold as he checked the bathrooms and even the stables without success. He was fuming by this point. Where the hell could she -

He thought back to that dramatic stunt from earlier, rolling his eyes. He didn't catch the entire story, finding the whole situation uninteresting. Just a couple brats throwing brat fits. Bently didn't show up for the debriefing with Erwin either, though.

Levi's scowl deepened. The brat was probably off pouting somewhere. He was way too tired to deal with that. Or so his mind said. As he was thinking these thoughts, though, his feet came to a stop at the base of a steep hill.

Levi looked up and sighed exasperatedly. Upon the hill were two square shadows (gravestones, his mind so helpfully supplied) and a slumped form of a person.

Levi marched up the hill, irritation growing with every step, but screeched to a stop as he took in the sight before him.

Bently was propped up against one of the graves, her eyes dazed and locked on the stars as a bottle hung loosely from her hand. Her skin was pale and covered in goosebumps from the chilled air of January. She didn't move a muscle as he approached.

"What are you doing up here?" Levi grunted.

She flicked her eyes over to him, smiling brightly. "Wha're you doing up here?"

"I asked you first."

"I asked you second."

"I'm your boss."

"You're an asshole."

"That's irrelevant; answer the question."

Bently threw her head back and roared with laughter, causing Levi to scowl once again. She raised the nearly empty bottle triumphantly. "Havin' a drink wissome friends!" She slurred.

Levi blinked boredly. "You don't drink."

She snorted and looked away. "Oh, yeah. Cause you know sooooo much 'bou me."

"I know you're a loudmouthed brat who needs to stop feeling sorry for herself."

Bently froze in surprise, glancing over at him. Seeing his regular disinterested scowl, she sighed and slumped back down into a ball, her voice growing quiet. "Maybe I don't wan' to."

Levi sighed. He normally would have turned around right then and there to leave the person to throw their pity party on their own. However, something kept him rooted to the spot. He looked down at her as she pulled absently on the ends of her sleeves, pain evident in her eyes and made his choice, lowering himself down to sit beside her.

She looked up at him in surprise but he didn't acknowledge her, instead choosing to sweep the bottle from her grasp and take a sip himself. He paused, recognizing the taste. "Where did you get this?"

She grinned. "From your office."

"Tch."

Silence passed between them as they both stared up at the sky.

Bently looked down at her lap. "My mom left. When I was nine." She muttered. Levi glanced at her as she paused. "My dad had died about...five or six months 'fore? They'd been super lovin' and all when they were together, but," Bently snatched the bottle back from him. "She was fuckin' around behind his back. I know it. Cause it was only a coupla weeks after she had Asi, tha' she up an' left." Bently took a swig, scrunching her face at the taste. "I freaked out. Didn't really know what to do. I raised that kid myself, stuck out on the streets." She shrunk in on herself, scratching absently at the label on the bottle. "I remember this one time. I was, like...eleven? Asi was real' little. We were hunkered down in this ol' shed out on the edge of some rich guy's estate. It was gettin' colder, an' I was worryin' about keepin' a roof over us." She scratched her forehead, an action Levi knew she'd do when she was feeling guilty. "There were these guys, couple years older than me, tryin'a break in. Probably gonna do something to us. Somethin' not good.

"I had boarded up all the windows an' things, tryin' to keep 'em out...but they just kept comin'. So I took off my jacket and put it over Asi, sang him to sleep real quick, an' met 'em outside. One of 'em pulled knife on me...I put it through his throat." Levi wan't so surprised. By the time he was eleven, he needed both hands to count the number of people he'd killed. "That was that. They ran away after. Asi and I lived there 'nother two months."

She fell silent, drawing Levi's eyes once more. Under the moonlight, she looked smaller, more fragile. He didn't like it, almost preferring it when she was being loud and angry.

He looked away from her, pretending to be interested in dusting off his sleeve cuff. "You're a pretty shitty sister," He announced. Her face fell even farther and her grip on the bottle tightened. "But, you aren't a bad mom."

Her eyes lit up. "Really?"

Levi rolled his eyes, standing and turning away from her. "Whatever. Just fucking go to sleep before you get constipated."

And, with that, he turned and left her beaming like an idiot on a hill, the papers in his hand entirely forgotten.