Note: Hi everyone!

The story continues, thank you all for having read this far, I really hope everyone is enjoying it! I know it's a complete spinoff of the actual story, but I hope that you guys bear with me.

*Spoilers*

To give a complete background, basically I'm entailing that the titans have been more or less defeated and the survey corps are now responsible for exploring the new world outside of the walls as well as maintaining and experimenting on the surviving titans (courtesy of Hange). Additionally, I'm implying that the secret in Eren's basement had been disclosed to the survey corps (Levi) and they have injected other soldiers with the "titan virus", allowing the army to have several titan shifters on their side.

In this story, Bertolt, Annie, and Reiner have somehow been convinced of humanity's kindness through Eren and are no longer antagonists.

Sorry if this killed the manga or my story for anyone! Just wanted to clarify some things for anyone who was confused, or was unhappy with the non-cannon-ness of this story.

Either way, thank you again for taking the time to read my author's note!

I'm a little disappointed with this chapter, but nonetheless I hope you guys find it enjoyable!

Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman
Plushie

Chapter 3: Suddenly Lance Corporal Mikasa

Mikasa sat at the kitchen table, expression stoic as she stared at the plate of eggs and bacon before her. She glanced over to Levi, who again, stood at the sink and was doing the dishes.

It seemed whenever she looked at him, he was cleaning.

"You're welcome," he muttered, placing a frying pan into a cabinet and turning towards her.

Again, he wore a finely tailored suit and a white cravat. His black hair was neatly parted and combed, however Mikasa could not help but notice the dark circles around his onyx eyes. She felt a pang of guilt, despite herself. He must have not gotten any sleep. She inferred that somehow, it must have been because of her. Although she was not entirely sure of the fundamentals of marriage dynamics, she assumed that it would affect the husband quite a bit if his wife did not remember marrying him. In turn, Mikasa attempted her hardest to avoid being too withdrawn and… awkward.

"Sorry," Mikasa said softly, picking up her fork and cutting into the eggs. She took a bite.

She relished at how good it tasted.

Levi smirked, "Good?"

Mikasa nodded vaguely, continuing to eat quietly.

"You're unfit to work, so just stay home for today. Armin and Eren have a house key. They'll come by and check up on you."

"Do they still live in the walls?"

Levi scoffed, "No. No able-bodied soldier lives in the walls now. We all moved out, more or less."

"I can't believe we've built a town outside the walls…" Mikasa murmured, poking at her eggs and eating mechanically.

Levi regarded her, then exhaled, "Squad 104 busted their asses building this town from the ground up. Most of them actually settled here. You'll see them."

Levi wasted no more time with explanations.

Mikasa watched him as he straightened his necktie and proceeded out of sight. She listened to the sounds of rummaging and finally the sound of the front door closing, then a click as it locked.

Mikasa sighed heavily.

She had never felt such an immense lack of identity before. When she was fifteen and fresh from training, she was certain of her identity as a soldier, fighting for Eren's life as well as her own. Even before that, she struggled with whether she was Eren's sister, or if she was more than that to Eren. Regardless all she had longed for was to remain at his side, wanting nothing more than to repay the life debt that she owed. And before Eren, she was an ordinary daughter to her ordinary parents, living an ordinary life in the farmlands.

However, Eren was no longer the meaning of her life. He could not be.

Who was she?

Mikasa emptied her plate, placing it in the sink. She regarded the dirty dishes for a moment, then, with a defeated side, proceeded to wash them and put them away. She wanted to avoid any and all confrontation with Levi for as long as she could.

Afterwards, she decided she would explore the office.

Mikasa reached towards the handle, jangling it. It was locked. She frowned, eyes narrowing at the keyhole with dismay. Slowly, she turned from the door and spun around, facing the rest of the house. If she were Levi… where would she keep the keys?

Her reverie was interrupted by the unlatching of the door, and murmurs wafting from the front door. Mikasa stiffened, stepping away from the office and turning. Armin and Eren suddenly came into vision as they stepped into the hallway. Upon seeing her, both smiled.

"Mikasa, nice to see you're up and about," Armin greeted her warmly, jogging up to her. Eren stretched, coming up behind him and giving her a once-over.

"Seems normal," Eren observed. "You seem fine, I mean."

Mikasa narrowed her eyes, lips tightening, "I'm not fine."

Both blinked widely at this. Armin laughed nervously, "What do you mean?"

"All of it. I don't understand. I know that I must accept this, however… I must at least know why."

"Such a fatalist, as always," Eren chided. He glanced behind her into the kitchen. "Did he make extra?"

Armin ignored him, "Anyway, we wanted to check how your memory was coming along… I guess not so good."

"Not that Levi really cares," Eren muttered. "He's probably glad she's just at home."

"Please explain," Mikasa cut in impatiently. She narrowed her eyes at them, "I want to understand my situation."

"Situation? Mikasa, Levi's your husband. He has Hange as acting Lance Corporal in your place"—

"Lance Corporal?" Mikasa's eyes widened. "As in… me?"

Armin smiled apologetically, "I understand this must come as a surprise to you, Mikasa."

"Obviously. I'm not sure that I believe all of this," she looked towards the ground, "I… don't know what to do."

"Let's sit," Eren suggested.

Mikasa watched incredulously as both men strode past her, down the hall and towards the living room. The two of them plopped themselves down on the couch. Eren even went as far as to throw his socked feet on the coffee table. Mikasa watched as they settled in comfortably, vaguely impressed at their ease. How different were things, now?

She glanced towards the lone armchair, deciding to sit there. Awkwardly, she settled into the cushions, shifting uncomfortably and running her hands over the silk skirt of the nightgown. For a while, she stared at her hands, particularly her ring finger.

When she was in the bathroom that morning, she had noticed a jewelry box on the counter by the sink. When Mikasa opened it, she discovered a simple gold band. She identified it as a wedding ring—hers, supposedly. She hadn't worn it.

"Where should we start…" Armin trailed, leaning back slightly and looking towards the ceiling. He sighed, "I'm not sure how to say this. We aren't quite certain of all the details of how you and Commander Levi began your relationship…"

"That mission where you found the trench, you guys came back and started dating," Eren mentioned. "Two months later, engaged. A week after that, married. Not a big wedding either. A quick binding ceremony performed by Chief Erwin."

Mikasa absorbed their words with growing dismay. "Was it… forced?"

Eren snorted and Armin paled.

"Uh, no, nothing like that. You actually… both wanted to get married," Armin struggled with his phrasing, looking towards Eren who looked incredibly amused.

"You could ask Levi, if you're really worried," Eren suggested.

"I don't feel comfortable approaching him."

Armin sighed, and Eren chortled.

Annoyed, Mikasa stood.

"You're both talking in circles. I need answers."

"Where are you going?"

"If I must ask Commander Levi, then I will," Mikasa said simply. She started towards the stairs. Armin stood, but Eren stopped him.

"Let her be. I mean, this is Mikasa we're talking about."

Armin's shoulders slackened as he sat. He looked to Eren, concern marring his features.

"Eren, I hope her memory returns soon."

Mikasa walked purposefully until she was out of earshot of her two childhood friends, who continued their banter the floor below. She barged into the master bedroom, dropping onto her knees before the bureau and pulling the drawers. In each drawer, clothes—all hers, she surmised—were folded in the exact same way, put in some specific order. Mikasa scowled at the clothes, as they reminded her of the clean freak that was now her husband. She yanked at the piles of garments, finally pulling out a dress and a sweater.

She dressed swiftly, then drew the curtains and looked outside.

What awaited her was a view of a medium-sized community. Civilians and soldiers were scattered in the streets, merchants had their carts and stands set up and were shouting at each passerby, advertising their sales. Children ran around in circles, chasing chickens and goats across the stone streets. Woman stood in circles, laughing carelessly. Men crowded around the town bar, even though it was only the afternoon. Grey clouds were suspended in the dim sky, but no one seemed to mind the gloom.

Everyone was… happy.

Mikasa suddenly felt yanked back to her childhood, remembering how carefree Armin, Eren, and herself were at that young age. They dreamed of a world without the walls and grew up hoping they would live to see the day that humans would finally defeat the titan empire.

And they did.

Her heart throbbed. She clutched the fabric that covered her chest, lowering her gaze towards her hands.

Answers. She needed Levi to give her answers.

Armin was, as always, too worried to disclose any damaging information and Eren just found this all to be some sort of joke.

Earnestly, Mikasa descended the stairs. Upon seeing her changed, Armin was quick to intervene before she could reach the front door.

"Mikasa, Commander Levi told us to make sure you stay here"—

"We have a score to settle," Mikasa said darkly, stepping past Armin.

She grasped the doorknob, and Armin looked pleadingly to Eren, who had not moved from the couch.

Eren shrugged, and Armin gave a frustrated sigh as Mikasa flew out the door.

Levi leaned back in his office chair, basking in the silence that engulfed the room. The piles of papers that had haunted him all night were finally diminished to just a few sheets of proposals. Those along with neatly lined pens and a cup of black tea were all that remained on his desk. He had ordered most of the decisions and signed documents to be filed by none other than Hange, who attempted again to sway his decision against her project but failed.

Levi inhaled deeply before hunching forward again and reaching for next paper in the pile.

The door opened so suddenly that a gust of wind disturbed the neat stacks of documents on his desk, fanning them out and sending a few fluttering off of the surface of his desk and onto the floor. Levi glowered at the figure that stood at the door. It was none other than his amnesiac wife, Mikasa. Solemn as always she closed the door shut behind her and took a few paces towards the desk. Levi's finger twitched.

"I told you to stay home."

Mikasa spoke without thinking: "I had to meet with you."

At this, Levi quirked an interested brow, "Oh?"

"Eren and Armin are useless." She stated flatly. "They told me that I have been promoted to Lance Corporal. Is this true?"

Levi grimaced, scoffing, "Armin's a fucking blabbermouth."

"Answer me, sir."

"Go home," he ordered her, sternly. His dark eyes were fixed to hers, challenging her. "That's an order."

"I do not understand," Mikasa stated tonelessly. "I have been diagnosed with amnesia. If this is the case, I think that it's fair that you fill me in on everything that I'm missing."

"Mikasa"—

"Husbands tell their wives everything," Mikasa blurted. She instantly regretted the sentence. Although she was flustered, she continued earnestly, "Before my parents died, my father and mother would always tell each other every detail of their day. Even Yaegers would participate in a similar practice." Levi twitched slightly as she referred to marriage as a "similar practice". Mikasa ignored him. "I simply want to be told outright, everything that I am missing."

Levi was silent.

Moments passed. Mikasa held her ground, her expression inscrutable.

"You mentioned you remember our mission three years back. You fell into a ravine. I rescued you. I courted you after that. We dated for a few months, then got married."

Mikasa scowled. Eren had told her the exact same thing.

"You seem disappointed. Were you expecting more?" Levi rested his chin on his palm in a bored fashion, "If you were expecting some sappy bullshit, too bad."

When Mikasa remained silent, Levi exhaled softly, gesturing with his pen towards the seat in front of his desk. Noticing this motion, Mikasa compliantly took her place in the seat facing him. She sat with her hands folded on her lap. She was waiting.

"You are Lance Corporal. Armin and Eren both reported to you, but both received a promotion. Hence, you went to the training sites to pick out some fresh meat. You were demonstrating your expectations with Hange, even though I told you no. You made the choice to disobey me, and this is the result."

Mikasa bristled, but said nothing.

"As Lance Corporal, you're my assistant. You help me file shit, you report to me, and you make sure the brats don't kill themselves on their missions." Levi took a deliberate pause, as though checking to see if she was following. Mikasa hung on every word. "If you're expecting an explanation as to why we're married, don't. We're married. That's not going to change."

"You misunderstand me, sir."

Levi's eyes were cold.

"I don't know who I am." Mikasa's statement was blunt.

"You're my wife. You're Lance Corporal"—

"You misunderstand again," Mikasa interjected flatly. "Who am I. I don't know what kind of person I am anymore. Without Eren, titans, and the war, I'm"—

"You said something similar before we got engaged," Levi mused. "I understand more than you think."

"I'm unsure what you mean."

"I'll ask you the same question I asked you before. One time in your life, did you ever feel awakened, as if a certain power was suddenly yours?"

"When I was younger, my parents"—

"Yes. Eren saved you, and you suddenly had control." Levi summarized in a brusque, impatient way. Mikasa frowned at this, but he paid her no mind, "Ackerman. That is your name. In fact, this is a name we shared."

Mikasa instantly paled, "You mean, we"—

"Let me finish, brat. We belong to the same clan, tribe, community… homeland."

Mikasa lowered her chin, suddenly fascinated with the floor.

She felt like an intruder in her own life.

"We live with purpose. With goals. Your target before was to protect Eren. When the war ended and Eren became independent, your target changed," he drawled.

"Why do you seem to know me so well?"

"You said it yourself, husbands and wives tell each other everything," Levi scoffed, leaning back in his chair.

"Maybe at some point I knew you well… now you're a stranger," Mikasa admitted. Her words were stark. Levi seemed momentarily disturbed by her statement, but remained calm, closing his eyes for a moment before reopening them again in a fixed stare.

"Listen closely, I'm not going to repeat myself," he said smoothly, "I am Levi Ackerman. I am the commander, my job is telling idiots what they can and can't do through use of legal documentation. Last year, our doctor told us I have obsessive compulsive disorder. You thought that was a life-threatening disease and cried."

Mikasa twitched, and she opened her mouth to speak.

He spoke first: "It's not a life threatening disease. It just means I hate it when someone fucks with my stuff. And my order. At home, I do all the cleaning. You usually cook. You're good at it."

He paused to sip at the cup of tea that was situated on his desk.

"I want to open a tea shop after I retire. I like tea, and I collect tea leaves. When you go on your missions, you bring herbs back and you make me different types of tea leaves. Apparently something your mother taught you how to do. When we attend parties, you let me dress you, otherwise you'll attend dressed like a fucking old lady. I hate it when you go against my instructions, but your bratty ass never listens to me. I separate the vegetables from the rest of my food and eat them first. I take three minute combat showers. I have never been drunk before, I average three hours of sleep per night, even less now that you've stolen my bed from me. I am thirty years old, you always mock my age."

Mikasa stared at him, speechless.

Levi took another sip from his cup.

"You're thirty?"

Levi snorted, "From everything that I said, that was the part you paid attention to?"

"It seems really old."

"It didn't stop you from marrying me, you cheeky shit," he retorted. "Are you satisfied?"

Mikasa looked up to him. His eyes were on her, icy and demanding as always. He lips were set in a line. Levi was seemingly unabashed by the entire situation. This bothered her.

Despite everything, Mikasa nodded.

"Good. Go home."

"No."

Levi's eyebrow twitched, "Ackerman"—

"I want to do my job."

For a few moments, Levi studied her. "Fuck that."

"I can't do nothing at home."

For a few moments, Levi gazed at her scathingly. He exhaled finally, apparently giving in, "Fine."

Mikasa brightened considerably. Levi observed this with guarded eyes. He noiselessly stood and rounded his desk, motioning towards the papers that had been scattered over its surface.

"Your first assignment is to sort these."

"These are…?"

"I lead the survey corps. Now that people are able to leave the walls, it is up to the survey corps to explore venture and do our research on the land. One of our first projects was this town. No one within the walls can leave until we delegate land to them accordingly. Land can only be distributed once the survey corps have inspected it. Leave those requests to me. There are other types of requests from the soldiers themselves, usually requests to do research outside the walls and lead troops… I'll leave those up to you. Remember that tax money pays for their expeditions, so don't approve anything stupid."

With that, Levi took his teacup and vanished from the office. The door swung shut behind him, and Mikasa remained where she sat, stunned.

It took a few minutes to psyche herself into getting up and sitting at Levi's desk. She inhaled deeply—she could distinctly smell Levi, more specifically, their home. She reached for the first paper on the pile and began to read.

End Chapter 3!
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