It was difficult to discern where the water stopped and the sky began. White birds with long yellow beaks squawked in the distance. The endless body of water slithering up the sand with foam and tiny pebbles in tow left toes going numb from the cold. Objects of varying size and color underfoot looked similar to the shells snails carried on their backs. Faces puckered when they scooped up the water in their hands and attempted to take a drink.

All of this information and more was carefully being documented. One of the soldiers assigned to this duty gazed out over the water. Their work for the day had been completed some hours past. At the moment their main task was to wait alone along the beach.

"Sorry that took some time," a voice said.

Celine looked at Moblit when he stopped at her side. His left shoulder was still in a sling, but it seemed to do little detracting from the fascination spilling forth when he scanned the ocean.

"It'll be a while until I tire of this," he said. "I'm afraid I'm going to fall behind in my responsibilities for all the times I've been coming out here. Have you seen it at sunset? It's like nothing I've ever experienced."

Celine smiled. "You'll hate me for saying this – but it's already lost its novelty for me. I can't deny the ocean is beautiful, however there's only so long I can stare at water before I lose interest."

"You and the Captain …" Moblit said with a sigh. "I can never understand how you two can hate it outside the cities so much. The Captain especially – he's a member of the Scouts, for goodness sake."

The conversation shifted into a comfortable silence. Moblit glanced over his shoulder. "Where is he, anyway?"

"I'm sure he'll be here soon," Celine said. Her smile fell away. "I told him he didn't have to come. I'm worried it will be too hard on him."

"What about you?" Moblit asked, glancing at Celine. "You don't have to go along with my suggestion if it would make you uncomfortable."

Celine shook her head. "No, this is good," she said. She reached into her jacket, producing a small leather-bound notebook. "Even though it's not official, we need the closure."

Moblit's shoulders dipped. Celine was aware he knew the question which was coming.

"Has anyone seen her?"

"No," Moblit said. The dejected nature falling over Celine prompted him to step around to her other side so his uninjured arm could lift a hand to her shoulder. "Nothing is definite until we search the entire land mass," he continued. "Even so, if we come across the former Commander, we'll have to act in a way to keep everyone safe. I know she would condone that plan of action."

"I'm aware," Celine said, her voice growing stern. "I only want to remind you again of the property I've purchased within Wall Maria. An afternoon of Eren's time will result in an enclosure more than suitable enough to keep a Titan under observation without it being a threat. Please keep that thought in the forefront of your mind."

Moblit smiled. "Of course." He reached into his pocket to produce a pair of square goggles. "As for why we're here … these are what I brought. I was given this pair of goggles at the time I was assigned to be in Hange's service. They were useless since they were specifically designed to correct her eyesight. I don't know what her reasoning was when she gave these to me, but I couldn't find myself able to throw them out."

The notebook in Celine's grasp cracked open; worn pages fluttered in the breeze. "Everything here are the records I took from our first meetings while I was in the Engineering Corps," she said, her eyes roving over the glimpses of sketches and scattered notes. "I sought out her company back then out of morbid curiosity. I laughed at her behind her back; she was like a clown that had been sent for my amusement. I was fascinated to meet someone so oblivious to their whole life being a joke."

Celine closed the notebook with a snap. "I was insufferable," she whispered. "I don't know how Hange was able to stand me. She's the reason I've attained everything I have now. There's nothing I ever could have done in this or any other life to deserve having her at my side."

The notebook pressed against Celine's chest as she held it close. She did her best to smile as she looked up at Moblit. "You've inherited the title of being the friend I've had the longest. Let's look after each other, okay?"

"We've been doing an alright job of that so far," Moblit said with a grin. "I don't think there should be a problem continuing on as we have."

The smile on Celine's face shifted into something more genuine. "Thank you, Commander."

Moblit chuckled. "You're welcome, Unit Captain."

"I don't know if we can really use that joke anymore," Celine said, wiping away the wetness in the corner of her eye. "I really do have to kiss your ass now since you're so much higher than I am in rank."

"Well, you're part of a more prestigious branch," Moblit said. "So, I guess we can call it even."

Celine's smile turned sly. "I'm up for a promotion, if the rumors I've heard about my asshole of a boss getting demoted are true," she said. "You better watch out – I might be in a position someday where I can really make you my assistant."

"I'll do everything I can to put on an act of seeming threatened," Moblit said. He laughed when Celine smacked his arm with her notebook. The laugh morphed into a yelp when Celine switched her assault to his injured shoulder.

"You've already been court martialed twice," a stern voice said. The notebook coming down to land another strike on Moblit stilled when Levi's face appeared in its path. His eyes narrowed as he regarded Celine.

"If you go to prison for attacking a Commander," Levi said. "I'm doing nothing to help you get out of your sentence."

Celine put on a show of looking offended. "I'd never ask you to do something like that! Don't you dare assume I'd have a problem breaking out of prison on my own."

"That wasn't my point."

"I'm aware," Celine said, withdrawing the journal. The smile on her face shifted. "Did you end up bringing anything? It's fine if you didn't."

A moment of hesitation passed before Levi reached into his jacket. He produced a white handkerchief. Golden thread adorned the corner in a pair of stylized letters. The initials read 'H.Z.'

Celine ran a thumb over the letters with a tender expression. "It's beautiful."

"My work is childish compared to yours," Levi said. "There's no need to flatter me because of the context."

"Then I'll flatter you for no reason at all," Celine said, placing a hand on his. "I'll never say this handkerchief is anything short of wonderful. Hange would be thrilled beyond words to receive something like this from you."

Levi's features relaxed. He tucked the handkerchief back into his jacket. "Let's get started," he said. "I've been building myself up all day for this and I don't want to wait long enough to lose my conviction."

Fingers dug into the dirt atop the grassy ridge overlooking the beach. The notebook and goggles were then wrapped within the handkerchief and settled inside a small hole. Soil was pushed back into place; rocks of varying size were collected and stacked as a makeshift memorial marker. A marker more fitting of a former Scout commander was set to be designed by Celine and put in its place in near the future.

Cold water swept dirt from the hands of the small group as they knelt along the shoreline, Levi taking special care to scrub out the soil from beneath his nails. He'd previously asked about the use of shovels, although Moblit had countered they went 'against the point.' Their hands were in the process of drying when a Scout soldier appeared on the ridge.

"The squad surveying the western quadrant has returned, Commander," the soldier said. "Would you like me to send them to the meeting tent so you can hear their report?"

"Please," Moblit said. "Thank you – I'll be there in a moment." He turned to Levi and Celine. "You're both welcome to sit in on the meeting if you wish."

Celine nodded in thanks. "I appreciate it, but it doesn't have much to do with me until whatever samples they send back pop up with traces of a mineral deposit. I think I'll spend a little more time here talking to Hange."

Levi studied Celine for a moment before looking at Moblit. "I'll be staying as well. Let me know when I can come by later for a rundown, Commander."

"I'll be sure to," Moblit said. He offered a small wave in parting before turning and making his way across the sand.

"So," Levi said. He presented his hand. Fingers interlaced with his as Celine accepted the gesture. "What topic of conversation were you going to bring up with Hange?"

"Nothing very exciting," Celine said. Her grip on Levi's hand intensified to ward off the shake to her fingers that had nothing to do with the cold. "I wanted to let her know what was happening with the things in her apartment. I'm going to tell her about which libraries will be loaning her books, and how I'm still planning on burning those hideous chairs she picked out. I want to assure her that losing the apartment doesn't mean she won't have a home. There's an area of land in the country I'm planning on using to build an enclosure she could stay in. Constructing a house out there to live alongside her would take some getting used to, but I'd be willing to put up with the outdoors for her sake."

Celine closed her eyes. "Can you find it in your heart to forgive her if I cry?"

"Maybe in time," Levi said. "Even now, that damn four-eyes is making messes I have to clean up after."

A tear slid down Celine's cheek. "I think Hange would be happy to hear that. Getting on your nerves was something she always loved to do."

Levi made a tired sound. "I'll have some words to say as well when you're finished." His gaze turned toward the horizon. "They won't be as kind."

Sunlight warmed Celine's face. She savored the inviting feeling for a moment before opening her eyes. "Hange isn't overly sensitive, so she'll be alright. Keep in mind you'll have to be patient. The two of us used to chat for hours, so we may be here for some time."