Chapter 8: A Talk between Brothers

Ai and the children were terrified right now.

Ai didn't understand why Eren was so hostile towards his brother. She expected any number of emotions, such as maybe sadness or happiness. Zeke did say they parted on bad terms, so maybe even anger or distrust.

But Eren was showing clear lethal intent towards Zeke and was even showing that he was worried or even scared. Ai remembers seeing Eren fight those Yakuza thugs. She remembered him on the stage or in the ship she was held in and remembered either anger or a generally neutral emotion. Like he wasn't scared at all.

So how is it, that one man terrified her husband more than an entire Yakuza group?

Aqua had a similar thought. Although he knew that Zeke was probably from Eren's world as well, he didn't know exactly what that meant. What was Zeke in Eren's world? Eren was very secretive of his world, only giving very basic information about the names of a few countries. Was there more to it that would scare a man who could easily take down an entire Yakuza gang?

Ruby was terrified. It reminded her of when they were held hostage in that ship. How she felt scared and as if her or her mother could die at any moment. She didn't understand why Eren was so hostile right now, but she trusted him since he did always protect them.

Kawachi and Mikasa had no idea what was going on, only that their father was preparing to fight someone and that could imply that they were in danger as well. They didn't understand why their papa was so hostile towards his brother. What could make siblings be so angry at each other, aren't they family?

Mikasa was still holding onto Eren's waist, afraid of the situation. Eren gently but firmly grabbed that back of her shirt and puller her off of him, which and her struggle a bit, and pushed her over towards Ai who reached out and held both of her youngest children to her. Mikasa grabbed onto Ai tightly, similar to how she held Eren. Aqua stood off to the side as well as Ruby, almost as a show of protecting the youngest twins.

"Zeke." Eren began. "What are your intentions?" He said in English.

A simple sentence, one that could imply so many things. Did Zeke have any intention of harming Eren or the family?

"Well, if I had any intention of harming your family, believe me you'd come home to a very different sight." Zeke said, holding up both hands with his palm out, showing he didn't intend to fight.

"How are you here?" Eren asked.

How? Not what or why, but how? What does that mean?

"Good question." Zeke said. "I assume you don't know how you arrived here either?"

What does that mean? How does Eren not know how he came to Japan?

"Listen, Eren, I'm here to talk and not to fight." Zeke said.

"After what happened in Shiganshina?" Eren asked.

Shingashina? Where was that?

"Well, if anyone should be angry it should be me, wouldn't it?" Zeke asked. "After all, you were the one to lie to me and betray me in the paths."

Paths? Was that a location?

"That's why I'm concerned." Eren said. "Do you intend to take revenge?"

Revenge for what? What exactly happened between Eren and his bother where there was a possibility of Zeke harming her or the children in an attempt for revenge?

"Honestly, since I came to this place, the thought of revenge has been far from my mind." Zeke said.

"Has it?" Eren asked, unconvinced.

"What reason should I take revenge?" Zeke asked. "There's no war here, no Marley, no Eldia, no Titans, and no hatred."

"No Titans?" Eren asked, his tone made it sound like he wasn't convinced.

"Well, for the moment anyway." He said. "But that's not why I'm here little brother."

"Then why are you here?" Eren asked, his voice full of anger.

"Because I'm here to make things right between us." He said. "Despite what you did to me in the paths and the lies you told; I did truly wish to save you from what I thought was our father's brainwashing."

"Are you still fixated on that?" Eren asked.

"I made peace with Grisha that day in the paths, after he killed the king of the walls and took the founders power." Zeke said. "While I still have little love for the man, I can see he tried to make things right as best as he could."

What were they talking about? They were throwing around words that had no context to them. Eren's father killed a king? Zeke said he was potentially brainwashed? And he mentioned these paths again. What was going on?

"So, why are you here?" Eren asked again.

"Simple Eren. I want to talk. That's all." Zeke said. "So, I'd like you to at least put down the gun."

"I'd rather keep it trained on your head, in case you have any ideas." Eren said.

"You think that'll be enough?" Zeke asked, genuinely confused.

Why was he confused? A bullet to the head will kill anyone.

"Oh right, you don't know how to spread your consciousness." Zeke said, as if it was an obvious thing.

Eren raised his eyebrow, but reluctantly, he lowered his pistol. Ai was still concerned and held the two youngest children to her hips. She knew things were calming down slightly, but it didn't make her feel better at all.

"I'll ask again Zeke, what are your intentions?" Eren asked.

"I told you, just to talk." Zeke said.

"And if I'm not interested in hearing it?" Eren asked.

"Then I'll leave, but I will defend myself Eren." Zeke said. "If you attack me, I will fight back, and I don't want to be responsible for burying your family in rubble."

Burying them in rubble? What did that mean? Ai felt like she has been asking that question a lot since Eren came home. There's just a lot of words that the two brothers were saying that made no sense to her.

Did Zeke have a bomb? Did he intend to harm them, or her husband?

"Then talk." Eren said.

"After the battle in Shiganshina, I had a lot of time to think while I was in the paths." Zeke said. "I guess I came to terms with what happened. After coming here, I guess I just let go of the hate."

"So why seek me out after all these years?" Eren asked.

"Is it really so hard to believe that I would want to speak to my baby brother again, to maybe form a relationship, now that the war is over." Zeke said.

Eren thought for a moment, then turned around and glanced at Mikasa and Kawachi. There was a realization in his eyes, one that terrified Ai and made her hold them closer to her.

Mikasa and Kawachi didn't know why Eren looked at them, but it made them worry as well. Mikasa made a small noise that sounded like a whine, scared of whatever worried her father and scared why it involved her.

"Fine Zeke, we'll talk." Eren said.

"Thank you Eren." Zeke smiled.

"Ai." Eren turned to his wife.

"What is it?" She asked.

"Take the kids out somewhere." Eren said.

"But-" Ai tried to say.

"We're just going to talk, don't worry." He said. "Just please, go out and get some ice cream or something." Eren almost pleaded.

Ai wanted to stay with her husband. To stay and make sure he would be safe. But she knew that their children's safety came first, and whatever worried Eren, clearly involved the two youngest. She needed to listen to him and leave, though she was terrified of what could happen while she was gone.

"Don't call the police." Eren said.

Ai nodded, trusting his judgement. If Zeke did have a bomb, it would be better to just listen for now since he could set it off if he at all felt threatened or that the police would come. Ai knew she just needed to trust Eren for now.

"Come on kids." Ai said as she motioned for the kids to leave the house.

"But mama, what about papa." Mikasa asked.

"Don't worry, papa will be fine." Ai said. "He's just going to talk, now let's go get some ice cream." She smiled, trying to hide her own fear.

Aqua opened the door as the family left the house. Ai made sure they were seated in the back seat, with Ruby, Mikasa, and Kawachi taking the back seat and Aqua taking the front. Ai got into the drivers seat and started the car, backing up so she could go out of the gate and start heading... somewhere.

"So, who wants ice cream." She said in a happy voice, almost as if the past few minutes didn't happen.

"Okaasan, what's going on?" Kawachi asked.

"We're getting ice cream Kawa-Chan." Ai said, her smile not fading.

Aqua noticed she was adopting her motherly, yet idol like persona right now. She was trying hard to keep them focused on the ice cream and not the fact that their otosan was potentially in danger.

"I mean, what's going on back there?" He asked.

"Well, apparently papa and his niisan aren't on good terms." Ai said. "It's like how you and Mika-Chan sometimes fight."

"Mama, that wasn't normal." Ruby chimed in. "He was-"

"Your papa is being dramatic." Ai waved Ruby off, looking at her through the rear-view mirror and trying to wordlessly tell her to be quiet since she didn't want to worry the youngest twins.

"Yea, we sometimes argue like that too Ruby." Aqua said, making a mock agreement with Ai so as to not worry the two kids.

"Then why did we leave?" Mikasa asked.

"Because papa wanted some quality time with his niisan." Ai said.

Despite both children knowing English and being able to follow the conversation, they were confused on why their papa was so aggressive. Family always watched out for each other, so what were they talking about?

"Mama, what did he mean when he said papa was in a war." Kawachi asked.

Eren never wanted any part of his past to be known to his children. He was adament about it. Ai never fully understood why he was less ashamed of them knowing he was a criminal instead of something honorable like being a soldier, but she honored his wish.

"I'm sure we're just not understanding the context of their conversation." That as actually not a lie. "I'm sure if we did, it would make more sense." Ai said.

"I guess." Kawachi said, unsatisfied with the answer.

"Now, do you still want strawberry Kawa-Chan?" Ai asked. "What about you Mika-Chan, do you want vanilla?"

"Yes mama." Mikasa said, though not as energetic, the thought of ice cream did start to cheer her up.

After Ai and the family left, Eren stared at the door, though kept his attention on Zeke. He waited to make sure he could hear them drive away safely before interacting with Zeke. Eren had his hand up towards his chest, ready to transform if he heard anything happen outside.

"You don't need to worry." Zeke said. "As I stated before, I have no intention of harming your-"

BANG!

Zeke's head flew back after Eren shot him in the face. The bullet hit Zeke right in the forehead, which should have killed him instantly. He landed on the ground with a thud, the bullet going directly through his head and impacting the fridge in the kitchen. That way, it wouldn't over penetrate out of the house.

Zeke laid there for a moment, not moving. Eren wondered if he was dead, which would keep his family safe if there was a Shifter he didn't have to worry about.

However, Zeke's bullet hole started steaming, and after a moment, he sat himself up and shook his head. Dazed and a bit confused, but overall, completely fine once his head was fully healed.

"So, you weren't lying." Eren said to himself.

"You know, I've never actually ever lied to you." Zeke said in annoyance.

"That explains how Reiner survived getting stabbed in the neck by Captain Levi." Eren said to himself.

"Was that all just a test?" Zeke asked, his voice full of annoyance.

"Sort of, I figured if you were telling the truth you'd be fine. If you died, that's one less problem for me." Eren said. "Now I know if I do have to kill you, I'll need to be a Titan."

"And if I transformed just now?" Zeke said.

"We both know the Beast Titan is useless in a close fight." Eren said as he crossed his arms. "It would be difficult to explain, but I'll find a way to say it was my water heater exploding."

"Ignoring two giant monsters fighting in the street." Zeke countered.

"It wouldn't be a fight Zeke." Eren said confidently. "I'd kill you before anyone had a chance to record it."

Zeke stood up and wiped some of the dried blood on his forehead. He was still annoyed, but at least Eren seemed more interested in talking now that his family was safe. And Eren knew how to deal with Zeke if it came down to it.

"Seriously, that was too extreme." Zeke began.

"Next time, don't come into my home when I'm not around" Eren said as he narrowed his eyes.

"I did ask for you, I just figured I'd wait and maybe meet my niece and nephew." Zeke said.

"You should have known better." Eren said. "Don't ever put yourself near my family when I'm not here."

"Noted." Zeke said.

"Did you tell them anything about my past?" Eren asked.

"More so my relationship with Grisha." Zeke said, making Eren narrow his eyes again. "Modified to make more sense in this world, of course. I do respect other people's privacy."

"So, you wanted to talk. Talk." Eren said.

Zeke took a deep breath, knowing that it would be hard to convince Eren of his thoughts.

"I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to try again with our relationship." Zeke said. "I truly do want to put the past behind us and be brothers again."

"Then why wait?" Eren asked.

"I know you're history here Eren." Zeke said. "I was brought here, body and all as well. Wearing the same blown to pieces rags from when Captain Levi blew me to pieces. Luckily though, I was in America. It was actually easy to claim sanctuary status and get myself an identity."

"Lucky you." Eren said.

"It was fortunate." Zeke nodded. "After that, I went to college and even managed to get myself a scholarship. I didn't have the means to visit you sooner until I actually established myself."

"How'd you manage to adapt to the advanced knowledge here?" Eren asked.

"Luckily, the Beast Titan offers perfect clarity of past holders. Mr. Ksaver was a researcher since the Beast Titan had no practical combat abilities before I inherited it." Zeke explained. "Believe it or not, math has largely not changed in the one-hundred-year gap between our two worlds. I had to adapt to some things, but most I already knew."

"So, what are you now?" Eren asked.

"For the past two years I've been a genetic researcher. It took some time to get used to the new information and technology, but I already had a base to start from." Zeke said. "Learning written English was the hardest thing honestly, but the US had programs to help with that my first year here."

"That's not the only reason you sought me out." Eren said, getting back on topic. "I'm not stupid Zeke."

"I never said you were." Zeke said.

"Let me make this clear, I don't give a damn if they are Eldians." Eren began. "If you make yourself a threat to Mikasa or Kawachi, I will kill you and devour your spine."

"I will admit, part of the reason I sought you out was about them." Zeke said, though quickly kept talking before Eren could react. "Make no mistake, I don't intend to hurt them. But it doesn't change the fact that we can still Shift, meaning, they could as well."

"I refuse to pass this on." Eren said.

"You may not have a choice." Zeke said. "Titan powers pass on even if the power isn't consumed. Even if it is their children, your lineage will one day become cursed as well."

"Then why are you here?" Eren asked.

"To help." Zeke said. "I want to use this modern technology to see if there's a way to prevent the spread of our curse."

"When did you learn you could still transform?" Eren asked.

Zeke thought for a moment, but then spoke with a bit of hesitation.

"When I first got here, I was scared of Shifting, so I never tested it." He said. "I thought I'd die after a year and my time was up, but after continuing to live, I assumed the powers were gone."

"But it wasn't." Eren said.

"Five years ago, I did a partial transformation when I broke my ankle and fell down the stairs." He said. "I had to blame an experiment we were doing; I was lucky I stayed late that day and was the only one in the building."

"So, the curse of Ymir is gone?" Eren asked out loud.

"Who knows." Zeke shrugged. "The curse existed because Ymir never let a shifter live past thirteen years. I assume in this world, perhaps she is gone."

"Or the counter restarted." Eren suggested.

"That's a terrible prospect." Zeke said. "That would mean we have three years."

"Or the counter started for me when I first transformed." Eren theorized.

"Which was yesterday in China, right?" Zeke asked, remembering watching the video that, while not trending, still was prevalent on the internet. Mostly people debunking it for how fake the physics looked.

"Yes, it was." Eren said. "I don't know why, but I have been unable to transform when I first got here."

"That doesn't surprise me." Zeke said as he sighed.

"Why?" Eren asked.

"Titan transformations can largely depend on the will and mental state of the user, if you remember."

Eren did remember. When they first learned that Annie was the female Titan, Eren was unable to transform at first because he didn't want to fight her.

"I assume that when you first got here, you lacked any focus or goal to transform, similar to how I actively avoided it." Zeke said.

Eren thought back to when he first arrived in Japan. Eren felt... lost, when he first came here. He was in a literal alien world, with no way to get a job or to live a life outside of crime. Eren remembered having no overall goal back then. Just keep moving forward and survive, no matter what happened.

"Is that really how it all works?" Eren said. "A bit of depression and I couldn't use it?"

"We don't have anything concrete." Zeke said. "But when you first were unable to use it, I assume you never tried again. So, it just never happened. And I assume recently, you thought about Shifting, leading you to transform in that life and death situation."

"So, you want to see if we can destroy this Titan?" Eren asked.

"Yes, and preferably not involve getting my head chopped off by an angry Ackerman." Zeke chuckled darkly.

Eren almost chuckled himself as well. Both Yeager brothers were decapitated by an Ackerman.

"So, are you the one who snuck into Japan from North Korea?" Eren asked.

"Come again?" Zeke asked.

"Did you sneak into the country?" Eren asked again. "We found Titan footprints on a beach, as well as reports of a thunderstorm that a Shifter could use to hide a transformation."

Zeke didn't say anything, but he reached into his back pocket to pull out a little blue book. It was a US Passport, the inside showing that Zeke had the inside stamped that showed him traveling to Japan.

"You're a US Citizen?" Eren asked.

"Only recently, it takes years to get a citizenship." Zeke said. "Wish I had a rich guy expedite the process for me. I was debating about joining the US Military since they prioritize their people getting citizenship. Though, I didn't want to go through that again."

"So, if you didn't arrive here, who did?" Eren asked.

"There are other Shifters here, I know of two now." Zeke said.

"You do?" Eren asked. "Who?"

"Reiner and Armin, though to be fair, they both didn't try to stay subtle. Just like you." Zeke said.

For a moment, Eren's heart stopped. Armin is here? His best friend is alive and well? There was an almost unspeakable happiness that made Eren actually smile.

"Armin... he's here." Eren said. "Where? And Reiner? Is he going to be a threat?"

"I'd say you should look that up, though they are different." Zeke said.

"Different?" Eren asked.

"Reiner and Armin are both turning sixteen tomorrow." Zeke said.

What?

"How is that possible?" Eren asked.

"As far as I can tell, both of them weren't brought here like we were. In fact, they arrived a few years before us since they were reborn." Zeke said.

"Are they really them?" Eren asked.

"I'd wager. The way they speak online implies they're much older than kids their age should be, meaning they should be reborn." Zeke said.

"That makes no sense." Eren said.

If that was the case, then the footprints had to be Reiner's. It wouldn't be surprising if the armor Titan could leave them, and despite the armor, the hardened flesh was still less dense than water and would allow him to swim.

"You said they're both online?" Eren asked.

"Yes." Zeke said. "Armin is here, he recently joined some dating show for money and he's implying that he's looking for you. Reiner... well, I'll leave you to find that out."

Eren found it odd how he said that but ignored it.

"Who else could be here?" Eren asked.

"Judging by how you failed to use the Warhammer's power, it's possible that Lara Tyber is here." Zeke assumed.

"Tyber, she was the woman I killed, right?" Eren asked.

"Yes, the younger sister to Willy Tyber." Zeke confirmed. "However, I have no idea. I don't even know if Reiner or Armin can still shift."

Knock. Knock.

Eren turned to the door, though cast a suspicious glare at Zeke.

"I didn't do anything." Zeke said, holding his hands up, not wanting to get shot again.

Eren walked by the door and opened it, not bothering to look through the peephole since he had his gun behind his back.

Eren saw a man in a light blue uniform and a dark blue vest, a simple police officer.

"Y-yeager-San..." He stuttered.

"Shinichi." Eren nodded at him, keeping his gun out of view.

Though Eren was allowed to have a pistol since he was with Naicho, he didn't want to let the cop see it.

"Your neighbors... eto... h-heard a gunshot. E-everything ok?" Eren noticed his eyes glanced inside and he saw Zeke.

"Just a blown pipe." Eren lied.

"R-right, have a nice day." He said.

Eren closed the door and the cop left, leaving Eren alone.

"You certainly have a reputation." Zeke said.

"Most people, even low-level police, leave me alone. Mostly rumors that I'll either make them disappear because of my old Yakuza connections or the Shinomiya Conglomerate." Eren stated. "It's honestly annoying, Gan'an hasn't done anything like that for me since I was arrested."

"Still the feared devil of Paradise, even here." Zeke commented.

"Regardless, I think we're done for now." Eren said.

Eren took out his phone and texted Ai that everything was fine and that she can return home. She replied immediately, letting him know that they just got ice cream and would be back in five minutes.

"We'll need to talk again to figure out where to go from here." Zeke said.

"Write down your phone number. I'll contact you." Eren said.

"Really, won't even let me see my-"

"I don't give a damn Zeke." Eren said. "For now, you will not go near my family. If you do, I will take the power of the Beast, consequences be damned on this one."

A small part of Eren wanted to trust Zeke and maybe have a relationship with him. Eren did somewhat enjoy the times they talked in the Internment Zone hospital. But right now, Eren refused to gamble the safety of his family.

"I guess that's fair Eren." Zeke relented.

Zeke took out a piece of paper and a pen from his breast pocket and wrote his phone number down. He gave the paper to Eren and started towards the door.

"Despite the hostility, it is good to see you again little brother." Zeke sounded genuine.

Eren said nothing as Zeke walked out the door. Eren followed, only to watch him go. Eren saw Zeke pass by Ai's car as she pulled into the driveway, giving the family a gentle wave as he left out of view.

Eren sighed, glad that he didn't need to transform, but he knew he needed to do the research Zeke was talking about. Armin was here, which made him happy. But so was Reiner, which worried Eren since he didn't know if Reiner was a threat or not.

Of all the Shifters, Armin was the only one who would be on his side. All the rest were Marleyan. Plus, he didn't know who inherited some of them. Was the Jaws held by Falco or... huh... come to think of it, Eren never actually knew who the Jaws was. He may have heard Falco utter his name once at the hospital, but Eren didn't think he ever got a good look at him in his human form.

The previous Jaws was either in Titan form or at a distance. Sometimes covered in blood. Though, what if Ymir had been reborn, the Cadet Ymir.

Eren lost his train of thought as three blues slammed into him in a huge hug. He looked down and saw Mikasa, ruby, and Ai hugging him after the ordeal, though Mikasa only had one arm around her papa since her other one had a half-eaten ice cream cup.

"Are you ok papa?" Mikasa asked.

when they let go of him, Eren bent down and scooped his youngest daughter up in his arms, wrapping his arms around her and holding her tightly.

"I'm ok Mikasa." Eren said in a low and calming voice. "I just had an argument with my oniisan."

"Mama said you were being overdramatic." She said.

"Yea, I was." Eren said, going with Ai's lie.

"Don't you love your oniisan?" She asked.

"It's complicated Mikasa." Eren said.

Eren felt another body hug him and looked down at Kawachi, who was less affectionate than the others, but he wanted a hug too.

Kawachi was terrified. This wasn't like a bully at school or something. Kawachi saw his otosan fight before, but he never saw his otosan draw a gun and think about killing someone before. He didn't know what to think. He just got scared and let his okaasan hold him like a defenseless little child.

Kawachi wanted to get stronger, like his otosan. He wanted to have no fear, just like Eren.

"Come on, let's get to bed." Ai said as she took Mikasa from Eren's arms.

Ai almost fell at her nine-year-old daughter's weight. Despite being small and skinny for her age, Mikasa was still heavy to Ai. Especially since Ai herself was so short naturally.

Ai lead Kawachi and Mikasa upstairs and got them ready for bed. Ruby gave Eren one last hug before she too went upstairs. Eren knew they would struggle to sleep with the adrenalin, but he wanted to get them asleep so he could have some time to himself.

"Everything ok?" Aqua asked, referring to the incident.

"We need to talk Aqua tomorrow Aqua." Eren said.

"He's from your world, isn't he?" Aqua asked.

"Him, and a few others." Eren said.

"I'm assuming Marleyans?" Aqua asked.

"What makes you think that?" Eren asked.

"I remember you mentioned they were an enemy nation from your home world. It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together to explain why you're so wound up." Aqua explained.

"We'll talk tomorrow." Eren said. "Get some sleep."

Aqua nodded, knowing that Eren needed some time to rest as well after the ordeal. Eren looked more terrified in the past hour than he ever was when he fought the Yakuza.

Eren went over to the couch and sat down, putting his face in his hands and taking a few deep breaths. Eren knew he was letting himself get emotional and had to control it. He had to calm himself, or else he'll do something reckless like he used to.

Every single fiber of his being wanted to just go out into the world, transform, and kill the Shifters that could harm his family. But that wasn't who he was now. He learned to control his emotions and think rationally.

Eren had trouble admitting it to himself, but the encounter with Zeke terrified him.

Not because Zeke was a physical threat, or even a threat to his family. Eren had confidence in his abilities to protect his family, especially now that he was a Titan Shifter again. Eren knew he'd overcome these battles the same way he overcame all the other ones.

No, what scared him is what Zeke could have said. Zeke could have told his family everything. Even if they wouldn't believe it, Eren never wanted them to even hear it.

He imagined Ai's beautiful face, contorted in horror and disgust if she ever learned that the man she loved killed eighty percent of humanity. How she would leave him and hate him for all the people he killed.

He imagined Kawachi, looking at him in fear and disappointment. Eren always felt pride that he was his son's biggest hero, and to see those feelings turn to horror terrified Eren. He never wanted his son to learn what he did.

Mikasa, his innocent little daughter. The image of her looking at him with fear and sadness would haunt his dreams. He could almost see her crying in disgust, terrified at the man who wiped out the world.

Ruby would react the same way. Aqua would probably try to attack Eren. After all, Aqua was a grown man, and he would react as a grown man should if there was a threat to the family.

Eren jumped slightly as he felt a weight sit next to him. It was Ai, who sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder, wordlessly letting him know that she was here for him.

"Did you two fight each other in a war?" Ai asked.

Trust her to piece the conversation she heard together.

"Zeke said your father was arrested and had you shortly after he was released." Ai continued.

"My father did a poor job in raising Zeke." Eren said. "He was a nationalist, one who sought to undermine his home countries government. He raised Zeke more as a soldier than a son."

"A country you won't say." Ai said sadly.

"After he was arrested and his first wife died, he ended up in my country. He met my mother and had me." Eren continued, ignoring Ai's question. "I didn't even know Zeke was my brother until after we fought."

"Yet, your father treated you better. He mentioned he was a bit jealous of that." Ai said.

"Zeke is filled with regret over his lost childhood with his father. Opposing him was all he could ever do. He was always a sad man." Eren said brutally.

"And this war, between your countries... it's over?" Ai asked.

"Yes." Eren nodded. "Regardless, it doesn't matter. We're here now and no longer have ties to our old homes."

"Isn't that good?" Ai asked. "Can't you two put the past behind you and start a new relationship?"

"I don't trust Zeke." Eren said.

"Why not?" Ai asked.

"He'll do whatever it takes to accomplish his goals." Eren said. "No matter who it hurts or who gets in his way. He'll kill and lie and do whatever it takes."

"Sounds like you when you first arrived in Japan." Ai said, looking Eren in his eyes.

"Yea..." Eren said sadly. "I guess in that way, we are similar."

"And he was a Soldier too, right?" Ai asked.

"The Commander of a Warrior unit." Eren nodded. "He was responsible for nearly wiping out the Scouts during the first battle of Shiganshina."

"And he killed your friends too, right?" Ai asked.

"Yes." Eren nodded.

"But he said you two reconnected once." Ai said.

"We had a plan." Eren said. "A plan to end the war and the cycle of hatred. Though, it differed in its execution. I used him until the last minute, then betrayed him."

"In a place called paths?" Ai asked.

"Sure." Eren nodded.

"Do you think he'd want revenge?" Ai asked.

"I'm not worried about him taking revenge." Eren said. "I'm worried about what he'd be willing to do to accomplish his goals."

Like eradicating the titans from Earth.

"For now, we'll talk. But if he comes near you or the children, call me." Eren said.

"I will." Ai nodded and gave Eren a hug. "Please don't stay up late darin, I'll be waiting in bed for you." She giggled.

"Sure." Eren nodded.

"I just need to get a glass of water from the fridge, and I'll head up to bed." She said. "Don't forget the groceries in the car."

Right, he forgot about that. Some of the ice cream was probably melted by now.

Ai got up and went into the kitch-

"Eren!" She yelled.

"What?" Eren asked as she walked back in.

"Why is there a bullet hole in the fridge!?" She said in a panic.

There's no way Eren shot Zeke. Zeke passed by them and looked completely fine. So why was there a bullet hole in the fridge?

"Oh... right." Eren said after a moment. He completely forgot about that. "My gun went off by accident." Eren lied.

Ai knew it was a lie, she always knew when he lied. But she put her face in her hands and sighed.

"Fine, don't be honest." She grumbled. "But tomorrow, you're buying a new fridge and you're carrying it in here."

"Sure." Eren said with a slight chuckle. He was glad Ai was able to act like herself.

As ai went to bed, Eren needed to get the groceries and put them away. He also decided to clean up the mostly eaten dinner since it wasn't cleaned since he got home. It at least helped him take his mind off of the situation.

Tomorrow, he had to look online and see what Zeke meant about Armin and Reiner. He also needed to talk to Aqua about moving forward, since Aqua could actually help keep the family safe.

Plus, he needed to get a new fridge.

This was a fun one to write.

I hope Eren's reaction and his reason for being afraid made sense. He's more afraid of his family learning that truth than them being in danger. Enemies he can fight, the truth is something he can't fight.

Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed.