A.N: Last chapter for the NikoSashaWeek! Sorry, not exactly all that Christmassy, but maybe I can cook something up in a couple of days?

But yeah, this one's kind of a what if -AU.

Day 7: Free Choice

Year 854. Armin talks Eren out of attacking Marley, so Liberio never gets wrecked. Eren never gets the Warhammer.

Sasha doesn't die.

Year 855. With the help of their allies in Hizuru, Paradis Island scares the rest of the world in to staying away with the threat of the rumbling. Marley can no longer attack on its own and stays back.

Year 856. Paradis, now officially known as the nation of Eldia by the whole world, starts a rapid development and catching up with technology.

Year 860. Eldia and Hizuru become official allies.

Year 864. Eldia gets several more allies across the world.

Year 901. Peace negotiations with the rest of the world start.

Year 905. Marley attacks Eldia, but is quickly crushed by the country and its allies.

Year 906. Peace is finally officially forged. Officially, Eldia is no longer a nation of devils.

XXXXX

"So… peace, finally" Nikolo mutters after Sasha comes home, telling him the news.

"Yes!" Sasha cheers, taking him to a tight hug "I'm so glad we got to live long enough to see it…"

"Me too" Nikolo agrees, chuckling "And to think that I thought I wouldn't live to see the next day when I met captain Levi."

"I think many people thought that way when they first met him" Sasha says with a chuckle "And even after all these years, he's still scary."

"Tell that to our greatgrandchildren" Nikolo says with a scowl "They absolutely love their Uncle Cranky."

Sasha laughed.

"I know they learned the name from their grandma, but where she learned it is beyond me"

"Had to be either Commander Hanji or Mikasa" Nikolo says with a shrug "No one else would've had the guts to do it."

"Yeah…" Sasha trails off "I just wish Mikasa could've been here with us to see the peace."

Nikolo puts a hand on his wife's shoulder, not commenting on it. He'd never been close with Mikasa, but knew how much the woman had meant to his wife.

"Why couldn't she stay off the battlefield like we did? We were no longer the age fit for a soldier in the front lines…"

"Fighting was all that kept her together since Armin passed away, or so Jean said" Nikolo said with a sigh "Everyone needs something to hold on to… Mikasa didn't have that something."

"I suppose so…" Sasha said, smirking "So, what have you been holding on to all these years?"

"I wonder" Nikolo said, smirking back as he wrapped his arms around Sasha's waist "What could it have been?"

XXXXX

That night they both lay awake in their bed, and Sasha didn't need to wonder why her husband couldn't sleep.

"Are you thinking about visiting Marley?" she asked him quietly "Your parents and siblings?"

"My parents are very likely dead by now" Nikolo says with a sigh "But my siblings… well, I'm the middle one out of five, so at least one or two should still be alive. I really would like to go and see them…"

"Then go" Sasha said "It's not possible right now, but give it a few months to a year and we should be able to arrange it."

Nikolo looks at her in surprise, asking: "You aren't against it?"

He gets hit as a reply. Playfully, but Sasha is a recently retired soldier. Her punches hurt.

"You should know me better than that by now" she says "Family is important; it's understandable that you want a closure with yours."

Nikolo smiles, glad that his wife understood.

"Technically, they're our family" he said "Though they'll definitely have a hard time accepting that there are Eldians among us now."

"Are you saying you want me to come with you?" Sasha asks, her eyebrows shooting up. Nikolo frowns, asking: "Why not? It'll be safe with the peace and all; the only danger you'd have to face would be my bitchy family, but we can handle them together."

He reaches out to cup her face.

"Besides, I know everything about you and where you come from. I think it's a good time for you to learn these things about me too."

"I suppose you're right" Sasha said. In truth, she had always wished she could meet Nikolo's family one day, but had always kept the desire to herself since she didn't know how Nikolo would react, not to mention they couldn't know for sure if peace would be obtained in their lifetime. Even now that they did have it, it felt surreal "Do you think we should take the kids along, too?"

"The older ones can come if they want to" Nikolo said immediately, clearly having given it some thought "But I think we need to wait for things to settle down a bit more before even considering taking any of the younger ones outside Paradis."

Sasha didn't disagree, though she knew some of them wouldn't be happy about it. Their youngest grandchild especially was very keen on seeing grandpa's homeland one day.

"Armin would've liked to come along too I bet" Nikolo said suddenly, surprising Sasha "There would've been so much for him to see…"

"Yeah…" Sasha said, closing her eyes "He really would've…"

"Maybe we can bring Jean and Connie along instead?" Nikolo suggested "They'd probably like to see Marley too now that it's peaceful, not to mention they'll probably be against the idea of you going there alone with me."

"What are you talking about?" Sasha asked, looking at him with a frown again "They trust you!"

"They trust me not to cause you harm" Nikolo clarified with a sigh "But they don't trust my ability to keep you safe."

Sasha sweat dropped, realizing that it was true. Well, in all honesty, Sasha wasn't that trustful of his abilities, either. She was the protector of this family, not Nikolo. Even so, she knew he'd always do his best for her. Always.

"Well, maybe it'd be fun to have them along" Sasha paused "If Hitch lets Jean come, that is."

"I wouldn't count on it" Nikolo said, laughing "But knowing you and Connie, you might be able to convince him in to sneaking out."

Sasha snickered; they'd done that a lot in their younger days. Hitch was always pissed at them, sometimes she even complained to Nikolo about it and got Sasha in to trouble. Good times…

"We've had great lives" she mumbled softly.

"Don't talk like they're about to end" Nikolo scoffed "We're not that old."

"The kids would beg to differ" Sasha laughed "Think we'll live to be hundred?"

"Maybe" the man smirked, pinching his wife's cheek "If you cut the amount of meat in your diet."

"No way" Sasha flat out refused "You already regulate it anyway."

"That I do" Nikolo said, pulling his wife closer "Because I want us to live together for as long as possible."

Sasha smiled, snuggling closer to her husband and closing her eyes.

"Your wish is my command."

A.N: Then again, maybe peace is a little Christmassy?