Levi and Historia had finished their meeting a while ago, deciding it was best to hire more staff and even add more facilities to the castle as it was filling up too quickly. There wasn't a day that went by without finding another kid in the underground, it was as though they were reemerging from their hiding spots, seeking hope. It made the queen tired, way too tired to be juggling humanity and a castle full of starving children.

So the two of them took the time to watch Carmen from afar. While Historia was doing it to catch a break, Levi was a lot more interested in watching how Carmen acted around them. He expected her to do as ordered and stand in the field until they'd gotten back, which meant that when he saw her making daisy chains and carrying people on her shoulders, he was given quite the shock. He never expected her to be able to relax around them, let alone laugh with them and play games.

"This is new." Historia commented as she sat out of her chair and looked at Carmen. "She's with Greta, the girl who hasn't spoken since she's arrived. How did she manage to pull that off?" The queen questioned, it had taken her months to get most of the kids to open up, but Greta seemed to be an impossible child. Yet Carmen had done it in under an hour.

"Greta's the one with the scar isn't she?" Levi questioned, beginning to understand what may have played a role in Carmen's victory.

"Yeah." Historia nodded, seeing what he meant but still being confused at the same time. "I thought you said Carmen didn't want to come?" She accused him.

"She didn't."

"Well, I'm glad she changed her mind." Historia smiled, looking at Levi to see his reaction. "She'd make a great mother."

Levi hadn't actually considered it before now, seeing her so happy. He had to admit that Historia was right, regardless if she understood little about being raised and her own childhood being a mess. It was difficult to believe Carmen could be bad at anything, she always managed to excel at any challenge that crossed her path. She never ceased to amaze him.

Responding to Historia's statement, Levi hummed. "She said she'd visit more often if it benefitted the kids." He revealed, forgetting to mention that her promise was contingent on the fat she came back from Shignashina alive - which he hoped was the case.

"That'd be a great help." Historia recognised. Perhaps Carmen would be good for the kids, she was headstrong, empathetic and knew the hardships that each of them endured. It would make her day to see those kids smiling and thanking her. "But someone ought to tell her that those kids need to get to bed soon." She said, saddened that she had to be the one to ruin the moment.

Levi nodded and began walking across the field. His gaze met Carmen's as she smiled at him and turned back to the group of girls, who all cheered at whatever she'd told them. The next thing he knew, Greta was hoisted upon Carmen's shoulders, cheering joyfully and holding on tight.

The group all began to walk towards him, meeting him halfway across the field. He instantly noticed all the flower crowns on their heads, noticing Carmen had a daisy necklace and her hair had also been braided in certain places. It was strange, he'd rarely ever seen her with her hair out of a ponytail, other than when she conversed with Sannes, but that was far from her choice.

"Mr Levi!" One of the girls, Doris as Carmen recalled, quickly yelled and sprinted towards him. She briefly stopped in front of him, confusing the man as Carmen lightly laughed. "Damn it, I didn't grow enough." She said quite disappointedly, making the Captain keep a straight face at her antics.

"Don't worry, you'll get there one day." Carmen ruffled the girls hair. "In fact, you might even be taller than me." Doris smiled at the challenge and tried to fix her messy hair.

"I hate to cut this short, but you know what time it is." Levi said, his tone soft like he actually seemed disappointed by what he had to say.

All the girls groaned at his words, but the one who looked the saddest of the bunch, was definitely Greta. Due to her solitude, she was the only one of them who had a room to herself, utterly alone. It was no wonder she had a hard time fitting in when she'd been so isolated.

"Carmen," Someone asked, it was Lita, the most nervous of them. "Can Greta stay in our room now? There's a spare bunk underneath me." It was odd to hear Lita talk to her after being quiet any wary most the night, that only made her words matter all the more.

Greta's face lit up as she began to nod her head, hoping Carmen would agree to the suggestion. Carmen turned to Levi. "Hm, we'll have to ask Levi, he knows this place a lot better than I do."

The man looked shocked that she bothered asking him, especially when knowing she had about as much authority as him at the orphanage. However, he appreciated the sentiment. "Okay, but under one condition." He said as he slightly knelt down to eye level. The girls looked confused, wondering what he could possible have in store for them. "Next time I'm here, I expect one of those crowns." He said playfully, as Carmen smiled.

She never expected him to be good with kids, he was easy to talk to, yes, but when they'd first met, he'd was closed off and even quite cold. It came as a shock when that nature didn't transfer to his duty at the orphanage.

"You heard him." Carmen laughed. "Maybe he'd even let us braid his hair?" She added, looking at Levi, who was slightly smiling.

"Yes!"

"Please Mr Levi!?"

Everyone seemed to enjoy the idea, but that didn't change the fact that each of them had to go to bed before it got dark. "As long as you keep it a secret." He said, many of them responding happily. "But you girls ought to head inside now, Historia will be looking for you." He suggested. "Make sure to say your goodbyes to Carmen." He advised.

"Bye Carmen." A few of them said at once.

"You'll come back right?" Greta asked as she was being lowered from Carmen's shoulders.

"Of course I will. We're friends now." She replied, which ultimately caused Greta to wrap her tiny arms around her, trapping her lower body in a hug. Hesitantly, taken by back the contact, she hugged her back. "Now go on, you don't want to be late do you?" She said calmly. "I'll see you soon, and if I can't, then I'll write to you. So remember to stick in at school if you want to read my letters." She stated, giving each of them one last wave before they ran across the field and into the building.

Carmen didn't bother removing the flower crown after they'd left, she wasn't even too fussed about the fact that her hair was down and had loose braids in certain sections. Her day had been made by those girls, in addition to her date with Levi. She couldn't thank him enough for bringing her with him.

"I know you told me to just act as a presence, but I just couldn't help myself." She admitted, not regretting her actions at all. "I think I actually did well here."

Levi agreed wholeheartedly. She'd done more than just well, she'd helped children grow out of their shells, resolved months worth of conflicts, and gotten all of the kids infatuated with her instantly. He just knew they'd have to return together someday.

"You did more than well." He admitted, making the woman smile. "We should head back now too." He looked at the sky, seeing to moon hanging in the amber hues. "It'll be dark out soon."

Carmen nodded as she led the way to the stable and waited for Levi to get onto the horse before her. She was going to miss this place, and was certain she'd come back when she got the chance. "It's hard to believe I was so scared to come here." She said as the horse set off towards their home.

Levi nodded. His thoughts exactly. "Why were you nervous? I didn't know you were so good with kids." He asked her, curiosity blooming.

Carmen shrugged. "I guess all that time spent with people younger than me made it easier for me to communicate with the underground kids. I never knew I had it in me." She stated, amazed at her unknown skill. Levi took note of how she'd avoided his initial question, regardless, he was still interested in the truth. Besides, he wouldn't like her any less if she was honest with him.

"And your nerves?" He persisted, hearing the woman sigh as she rested her head on his shoulders. This time, Levi didn't look so tense at how close she was, he simply embraced how comfortable she was getting and assumed it was because her trust in him was growing.

"When I was kidnapped, I did everything in my power to escape." She revealed, not seeing Levi's eyes widen ever so slightly. He was shocked she was finally speaking out about the experience that rendered her sleepless and traumatised for months. "I always gave my foe an opportunity to give up, I offered them a way out. But each time, they always said one thing. Death is greater than failure."

Her voice shook as she repeated the line that she'd heard over and over, countless times before gut wrenching screams echoed. It was a horrible memory, one that she'd been burdened to carry alone. "They were all adults, all except for one." She took a deep breath, one that Levi heard and recognised. "I explained my plan to her, and I suggested that she came with me to find you. It took her a while, but she agreed and took my hand. I was so happy, that I didn't notice the knife up her sleeve." She stopped talking, tears welling in her eyes as she remembered the brutal scene.

"I'm sorry." Levi apologised, bringing one of his hands off the reigns and placing it upon Carmens head as he stroked her hair. "You tried your best." He acknowledged, trying to reassure her.

"You don't get it." She shook her head, so frustrated in herself. "What I did was despicable and now I have to pay the price. Every night, I'm forced to meet the same fate that I unleashed upon my enemies. I'm suffocated, stabbed, shot, beaten, and I deserve it."

Levi was astounded by what he was hearing, at a complete loss for words. Every night, she'd been going through that, and she didn't tell him? He knew she had nightmares, but this was a whole new level. But worst of all, it was heartbreaking to know that Carmen actually thought her experience was deserved. It wasn't, no one deserved that.

"Your actions when you were captured don't reflect who you are." He tried to comfort her. "If the circumstances were different, you would never have done that. I know you wouldn't. Just look at the kids you met today, none of them were scared of you. In fact, I'd say they like you more than me now." He tried to divert the conversation in attempts of lightening her spirits.

"You were good with them, don't discredit yourself." Carmen complimented, recalling his actions and the way that none of the kids were the slightest bit intimidated by him. His words seemed to put her slightly at ease. Perhaps she was a terrible person, perhaps she did dreadful things, but maybe there was still a glimmer of hope in her future. A brief chance of redemption. "I'll admit, I've always wanted a kid. The thought of settling down has always been appealing."

Levi nodded his head, understanding what she meant. It had been appealing to him too, but being a soldier was all he knew - settling down seemed impossible for him now. "Likewise, though I doubt I'll get the chance." He said, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Being humanities strongest had its chores, he didn't think he'd ever be able to escape his role.

Carmen knew what he meant, she knew better than anyone how it felt to have a duty and a dream. "I get it. Though, I can't have a kid of my own anyway." She sighed, clearly disappointed. "My womb was destroyed when I was younger, I guess they didn't want me to have any weaknesses."

Levi guessed as much, she'd given him a few hints since meeting him so he couldn't completely take credit for his  assumption. "You don't necessarily need to have a womb to be a mother." Levi said, giving her options if she was truly invested. "Think about those kids at the orphanage, any of them would be lucky to call you their family."

Smiling, Carmen wiped the tears from her eyes, still maintaining her hug around Levi as they reached the scouting base. "Maybe someday."