A/N: I am so sorry for the lack of updates. I have been working on original stuff lately. Writing is my main form of income now, so I hardly get time to write fanfic these days.

I haven't forgotten this fic, but I will be honest: the inspiration just isn't there for canon anymore. I have many ideas for RivaHisu in general, just nothing for canon. I love AUs and I personally feel that's where I shine with this ship. My silly sense of humour just doesn't mesh with the canonverse really

I am trying to get inspired again though. I have been watching the anime back (just finishing season 2), and the dub for No Regrets helped big time! Matt nailed it and I loved Ryan and Kristen as Furlan and Isabel. They sounded exactly like I pictured them to sound in English and I just... still starstruck! I remember what I loved about this ship the most though. Levi was the bad boy and Hisu was the sheltered princess, and I just can't get enough of them.

Well, here goes.

After years of planning and execution, the railroad is finally complete. And there will be a party to celebrate the momentous occasion.

The railroad is the bridge that will connect our island to the rest of the world, and it all seems too good to be true.

I still have to hold onto hope, after all. I still believe we can turn everything around and that we can convince the world that we are not a threat. Maybe then I won't have to inherit Zeke Jaeger's titan.

We still have options.

So long as I fall pregnant pretty soon, it will delay the MPs turning me before Zeke and Eren can enact their plans. Plus, it will ensure that my children won't have to grow up and inherit the beast since they will already be titan by default via their Ackerman bloodline.

I just never realised how hard it was to get pregnant. I've tried everything that can help with my fertility, from carbs, spinach, and even oysters, and I hate seafood.

The Opening Ceremony is going to be a big affair indeed. Even bigger than my masquerade ball, and I can't wait.

It will be a military ball rather than a high society gathering after all, and everyone will be dressing up.

Levi will dress up too, and I snigger at the thought of him in a suit. He didn't look comfortable either when he wore the mask and cape at my masquerade.

There will be no masks this time. Everyone will come as they are, which is a relief because Yelena will be there.

I still don't trust that woman. I haven't been in a room with her since my state visit to the shore last spring, and we are now in the middle of June.

The weather is scorching, and I can just picture Levi's grouchy face as he hates the heat.

I'm on my way to Trost, accompanied by Hans, my bodyguard.

The Opening Ceremony is one week away, and already the city of Trost is celebrating on the streets. I hear The Reeves Company are going all out since they will be providing the food, and I can just see Flagel's excited, freckled face.

His dad would be proud.

The carriage rides up to HQ where I will be staying for my duration in Trost. Hange and the rest of the scouts will stay at the barracks, which is a shame...

I was really looking forward to sleeping under the same roof as my white knight again.

It's as if Darius is onto us.

It looks like we really have our work cut out indeed. Hange has it all planned out. We have specific times when we will meet, and the anticipation is killing me.

This is it, after all. This is the week when I have to get pregnant. It's now or never. I did the math. My daughter should be conceived right about now.

I can't wait to meet her.

Our future children assured us we would be meeting her soon when they left that message in the path, hence why I am in such good spirits.

Levi has been down since we got the news back from Kiyomi, and I have tried my best to lift his spirits too.

We have been meeting in the path. He already told me that he and Hange had to tell Eren and the others, and I see a faint image of their heartbroken faces through Levi's memory.

A tear comes to my eye. Everyone cares so much about me, and I still don't feel deserving of their compassion. I spent so long being the little girl that no one loved, and now I have so many people fighting for my right to live a long, happy life.

The memory soon cuts off after Armin speaks, and I'm not sure why. There is something Levi doesn't want me to see, yet not to worry.

I'll find out. I always do.

I'm led up to my quarters in Trost HQ, and once I arrive, I gaze out the window, my eyes skimming over the tiled roofs of the city.

It takes me back to the time when we made our first victory in Trost, when Eren plugged the wall, and look how far we have come.

None of this would have been possible if not for Eren that day. Of course, it was a team effort, but my fellow comrades from the 104th really pulled through that day.

It's as if someone has dampened Eren's spark these days. He's not the same boy from our training days.

I first noticed it the day he kissed my hand at the medal ceremony to celebrate the scout's victory in Wall Maria.

There's a knock at the door, and I jerk my head around, gazing at the old mahogany. I'm not expecting any visitors. I was going to use this moment for downtime. Even Hans has taken the hour off just so I could have my privacy.

I'll be fine for one hour.

Wiping down my uniform, I approach the door, listening very carefully. No sounds come from the other side.

Taking a deep breath, I wrap my hand around the brass handle and open the door.

My eyes bug when I get a look at the tall, slouching figure on the other side. "Eren?"

He's wearing civilian clothes and a black cape, and he's the last person I expected to see today.

I suppose if he's here in Trost, then that means the rest of the scouts are here too.

That means Levi is here, and I try to hide my excitement.

Eren cocks a brow. "May I come in?"

I blink, stepping aside. "Sure..."

I make way for him, and he steps into the room. Once again, he's unreadable, and my heart goes out to poor Mikasa and Armin.

Even they can't read him lately, and the three of them have known each other since they were kids.

Ymir was always a closed book, and Levi too for that matter, and I can relate to their frustrations.

I clear my throat, putting on an air of professionalism. I don't know why. It's only Eren. We go way back.

We were never close during our training days, but ever since we faced my father in the Reiss Chapel, we've confided in each other.

And ever since Kiyomi gave us those three conditions, he has been very invested in my future.

He's always cared about us all, and he's determined that I don't inherit his brother's titan.

"No one should have to be bred and slaughtered like cattle..." he'd told Kiyomi, and the fire that burnt in his eyes still gives me goosebumps to this day.

"So, what brings you here, Eren? Does Hange know you're here? Does Levi?"

There's no denying the dread that creeps into my voice once I mention Levi. No doubt Levi will kick Eren's butt all the way to next Tuesday if he found out he was sneaking around like this.

For all the scouts know, Eren could be getting kidnapped again.

"No. I came of my own free will."

I sigh, closing my eyes. There he goes with his freedom talk again. He really does love his autonomy, this guy.

"Eren. You know that's not wise. You know how worried the others will be. The Volunteers have come to Trost, too, after all, and you know Levi doesn't like it when they get too close to you."

Eren shuts his eyes, and those vivid emeralds vanish. He has a permanent worry line etched between his brows, and he almost looks twenty years older.

I'm aware his term will be up in another five years, but he still shouldn't look so worn out yet.

Finally, he looks my way, and I meet the fire inside his green eyes. And just when I thought those flames had all been doused, yet there they are, burning brighter than ever.

They want to burn everything in their path, and I shiver, backing off a few steps.

"I wanted to talk to you in private. I... there's something I think you should know, Historia. That you have a right to know..."

My heart beats against my ribs, and all of a sudden, my mouth dries. What is he about to tell me?

"Yelena will be at the Railroad Ceremony."

I suck in a trembling breath. "Y-yes... she... she will..."

"And you already know she's my half-brother's most devout follower."

I nod. "I'm aware."

I'm not sure where he's going with this. Should I be afraid? Is something going to happen at the ceremony, something involving Yelena?

I know we're safe. Levi has been assigned to watch over Eren. I know he doesn't trust her any more than I do. With Levi keeping tabs on them both, there's no way that tall lady will get anywhere near Eren.

Eren draws a deep breath, and for a moment, something passes through his eyes. It's guilt, and I have no idea why.

What does he have to feel guilty of? He's done nothing wrong... yet.

Why did I say yet? My palms are sweaty all of a sudden.

He's acting odd again, and I don't like this side of him.

"Eren, speak up. You can tell me anything. It's as I told you back at my father's chapel. I'm your ally."

That seems to light another spark in him, and now the guilt vanishes from his eyes, replaced by hardened resolve.

"I'm going to—"

"Eren! Are you in there?!"

It's Hange, and Eren sighs, shutting his eyes. The moment's gone. Whatever it was he was about to confide will have to wait. It seems Hange and the others have finally caught him.

I roll my eyes and go to open the door. Only it's not Hange's eye I meet out in the hall, it's Levi's.

And he's pissed.

I can't even rejoice at seeing him again as I only worry about my poor friend now.

Levi really is going to kick his ass all the way to next Tuesday.

The captain of the scouts barges into the room, followed by Hange, Armin, and Mikasa.

"Eren..." Mikasa sighs when she sees him, and she couldn't be any more obvious.

I swear to God if she doesn't confess her love to him soon, then I'm going to eat my own head. Maybe we can hook them up at the ceremony somehow. There will be plenty of wine after all. Not the special wine the MPs get to drink, but still good wine.

Levi backs Eren up to the wall, yanking him by the collar of his shirt. "What have I told you about sneaking off, Jaeger?"

Eren gazes down at him deadpan, and he really has grown so tall. There was a time when he flinched around the captain, even dressing up and cleaning the house like him, yet not anymore.

Something really has died inside him.

"Go easy on him, Levi. We need him alive. He is the Founding Titan, after all," Hange says tiredly, and I can see they're both at their wit's end with him.

Levi grinds his teeth, pushing Eren against the wall further. "Well, that can always be rearranged. We could always find a new Founding Titan..."

I palm my face. Does he have to? I see Hange shares my sentiment as she rubs her temples.

Mikasa's eyes flash, and now she steps forward to protect her man. "You wouldn't dare—"

Armin reaches his arm out, stopping her progress, and he, too, looks like he's at his wit's end. "Mikasa, let it go..."

Mikasa glares at Levi for a few moments before she finally gives up, and now the room falls silent.

Hange glances at me at last, producing a short bow. "Sorry for the interruption, Your Grace."

She acts so formal when we're in the presence of company, but it's only Eren, Mikasa, and Armin. She doesn't have to try around them, but I guess she wants to maintain some decorum as their commander.

It's what Erwin would have done.

"Yeah, we'll keep a tighter leash on him next time..." Levi says.

"Levi!" Hange and I scold at the same time.

Levi throws me a sideways glance, and you wouldn't think we had a secret relationship. He still keeps his distance from me when he's around half of his squad, which is pointless since they all know about us.

"Sorry, Your Majesty."

I hold my tongue. That's not what I was mad about, but I will let him off.

"Thank you, Captain," I reply.

Another awkward pause. The six of us stand in silence, and I know they're all watching our small exchange.

Some reunion, hey?

Levi finally lets Eren go. Now he pushes him out the door, frogmarching him down the corridor, and it looks like Eren's grounded now.

Mikasa rushes after them, but Armin and Hange linger, watching me curiously. Hange's the first to talk.

"What was Eren doing here?"

I honestly don't know. It seems he was about to confide in me, but he never got the chance. Still... I won't tattletale on him.

I shrug. "Just reminiscing about the good old times."

Yeah, the good old times when his dad killed my entire family, but it's all water under the bridge now.

Besides, it's not like that was Eren's fault.

Hange exhales deeply, and now she and Armin leave at last.

Finally, peace and quiet.

I sit on a cushion by the windowsill next, smiling as I gaze out the window.

It's good to be back with my old squad again.

Besides, it's not like that was Eren's fault... *Shifts eyes*

Yeah, it was all Eren's fault why the Reiss family died. All Eren...

See you next upload. I will aim for another this week. There's an event going on on Twitter for RivaHisu, so go and check it out! I think the hashtag is #RivaHisuweek2022