We were quite a way into our journey when Magath got to complaining about the Azumabito again. I tuned out most of what he said and instead gazed out at the landscape as we neared the coast. Once we got to the base, I'd change Levi's bandages again, maybe nab a clean uniform, and hell, maybe I'd be able to sneak in a shower. I could sure use one.

It was a shame that Magath felt the need to complain because really, we'd been having quite a lovely conversation before he started on his tangent.

We'd been speaking on all kinds of things, ranging from the terror of the Rumbling to where we thought Eren might be headed. Ok, so maybe we weren't speaking on all kinds of things. But we had a job to do, and we couldn't divert from it. And these were pressing matters anyway.

Then, the topic of the Yeagerists came up. I was munching on some dry rations that I had passed up earlier when Hange started talking about them.

"It might be important to bring up that I informally joined them," I piped up after quickly swallowing down the food.

"You did?" Hange asked, turning to face me. "When?"

"Right after the Rumbling," I answered. "When everything settled down, Floch approached me. He offered me a position alongside him, telling me that my leadership experience would be appreciated and put to good use."

Hange scoffed. "Put to good use, my ass," she muttered. "It's more likely that he'd just leave the heavy lifting to you and put the blame on you if anything went wrong because you're a higher rank than him."

"That's about what I figured," I said. "I didn't expect much more than just becoming a scapegoat, but that's not why I joined."

"Why did you?"

"I figured it'd be a good way to get information," I said honestly. "After being left out of... well, everything, I needed an in. And that was the only way I could think of."

It wasn't lost on me that Hange looked away, but it didn't seem to be in a pointed manner; rather, her eyes seemed to drift away as she took my words in. she blinked once, then refocused all at once, her eyes finding my own once more.

Knowing that she was partially to blame, it was obvious she seemed remorseful; but seeing in my eyes that I did not blame her nor hold it against her, her eyes softened and for now, she looked like she wanted to believe me.

"At any rate," I continued, "I didn't sign anything. So, technically, I'm not really one of them. I was never in in the first place, I don't think. I wasn't involved in anything, either. But before I sneaked away with you guys, news of me joining had reached the regular members. They all seemed to accept me with open arms. They seemed excited to have me, anyway."

"He does have a big mouth," Hange said, rolling her eyes as she referred to Floch. "Of course he would want people to hear that the Captain Amaya Ackerman had joined them."

"I'm sure it's less about me and more about the fact that I was the last commanding officer around," I considered, and immediately, Hange looked as though she was going to protest, so I continued. "Though I guess Anka is still around."

Dropping whatever it was she was going to say before I added the last part on, Hange said, "Anka never wanted to lead. I doubt she would change her mind about that now, considering how close she was to Pixis. I don't think that's changed, even now that he's... no, especially now."

"I agree," I said. "With his support, maybe she would have accepted a higher position. But on her own..." I shook my head rather ruefully as Hange continued.

"I'm surprised she didn't have any of the wine, as much as she was around him."

I shrugged. "Anka was never a heavy drinker, and of everything, that likely won't change now, given what's happened. She liked to avoid it as much as she could. Even at the usual military balls she would stay sober, just so she could watch over the old man."

"I never really connected with him," Hange admitted. "Even after stepping into this position. I think maybe he felt I was a fraud."

"No," I answered for her. "He didn't. He thought you were a good fit for the position. He said so long before Erwin died, actually. Though he did admit that with Moblit's support, you could do anything."

"I think he's right," Hange said quietly. "I wonder what he'd think of all of this."

"He'd be right here beside you if he were," I reminded Hange.

"Right," she agreed, "but is that because he'd think we were right, or because he always blindly followed me?"

I smiled. "You knew him better than anyone, Hange. I should think you would know that he didn't follow you because he had to - he did it because he wanted you to succeed. He wanted to help you. And... he believed in you, and the cause you fought for, because he believed in it, too."

Hange seemed to think it over for a moment, and in the sudden silence, Onyankopon piped up. "Floch leads the faction, doesn't he?"

I nodded in answer.

"Then he must have told you something important, regarding his plans," Magath said decidedly, looking over at me with his steely eyes.

"You'd think so," I sighed, shaking my head. "And honestly, so did I. But no. He didn't tell me anything. Then again, I was busy grieving for a while after accepting his proposition. I'm sure he didn't come to seek me out because he respected my boundaries and wanted to give me room to grieve, but because he figured I'd be useless while I was."

"So, we've got nothing then," Magath said.

"Not necessarily," I provided. "If the Yeagerists come to the coast after us, I can use my position with them to our advantage. I can't guarantee that you guys will be safe coming out into open view, considering that half of you were prisoners under the Yeagerists, but they should still trust me."

"Even after coming with us?" Hange asked.

"They don't know that it was on purpose," I said. "At least, they shouldn't. Honestly, I didn't know that jumping into Pieck's mouth would bring me here but it was all I could do to try to save Jean and Onyankopon. But as far as they know, I'm one of them and I'm on their side."

"As far as they know," Yelena repeated, and I rolled my eyes. Honestly. Leave it to her to try to instigate something. Magath's eyes narrowed at me, as though Yelena's words made him have a revelation.

"How do we know that you're not going to give us up as soon as we get there, should these Yeagerists arrive?"

"Because I'm no liar," I told him. "I told the Yeagerists I would join them. I did not lie to them exactly, I just chose not to tell them that it was only for recon's sake and to get what information they had. But I'm here now. I never was on the Yeagerists' side. I'd have killed you all in your sleep if I was."

"That's not very reassuring," he said sternly.

"The thing is," Hange said, "she very well has it in her to do that, if she willed it." Hange looked at Magath, something like a smile on her face. "But we're all alive and well. Honestly, in some of the present company," she said, glancing pointedly at Yelena, "I think she's shown incredible restraint. But at any rate, Amaya is one of my closest confidants and dearest friends. She isn't for genocide, I can promise you that. She's telling the truth."

"Forgive me if I don't believe the words of a criminal," he spat in my direction. "You admitted it last night, right?"

"Captain Amaya: former thief, current war criminal, murderer of many," Yelena said dryly, though an amused smirk laid on her lips. I fought the urge to scowl at her. Damn, maybe I shouldn't have shown such restraint, as Hange had noted. I could definitely do without that one's mouth.

"I did what I had to in order to survive and make sure I could feed myself and my family," I decided to say. "I don't see what that has to do with this, however. Even back then, I was never a liar. It's not how I was raised."

"If you can kill a man, you can tell a lie," Magath argued.

I opened my mouth to retort but Hange beat me to it. "If you can't believe her words, believe mine," Hange pleaded. "I trust her with my life. I always have, and I always will. She won't backstab us, I assure you."

Magath grumbled something under his breath and I bit back my retort. The man was a hardass. As much as I wanted to lay into him, I couldn't. It'd just be a bitch to work with him. Besides... I'm sure I wasn't always the easiest to work with, either. Though I'm certain I was better than him.

"For what it's worth, I trust her, too," Onyankopon said with a warm smile. "Never once has she given me the impression that she wasn't trustworthy. She's always been a great friend to me, ever since I arrived here."

"This is no less than the fate of the entire world," Magath countered. "Why are we risking a chance on her?"

"We're risking a chance on her because we've got no other choice," Onyankopon said. "And it's not exactly like she's not worth that kind of risk."

"And," Hange piped up, "because she's an incredible soldier and we need all the help we can get right now." She looked at me, smiling. "Everyone who meets her grows to love her. And besides, this isn't just anyone. This is my best friend. I know we can trust her, and she's never let me down before."

"Sheesh," I muttered sheepishly. "Way to lay it on thick, you two."

Hange laughed aloud, a jubilant look in her eye. "Well, it's the truth, right?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help but smile. Then it faded as I regarded Magath. "I know it's a hard thing to ask someone to trust you right after meeting them. But I assure you, this isn't the outcome I was hoping for, so I'm going to do all I can to fix things. You're a general, you know how it goes." I gestured towards the wagon following after ours with a slight movement of my head as another smile curled my lips. "Besides, those kids back there are my responsibility. Someone has to keep an eye on them."

"Not just the ones back there, cap," Connie said suddenly, turning from his spot guiding the horse along. There was a wide smile on his lips and mischief in his eyes.

"And of course, there's that handful there," I said with a laugh. "He's perhaps the most troublesome of them all."

"Well," Hange sighed, "maybe not. Eren takes that place."

"Fair point," I said, my own shoulders slumping as the joy left my face. Goodness. Eren...

"At least the city shouldn't be too worse for wear," Hange said. "It would've been out of the way of the Titans' paths. They've probably avoided the city altogether and just cut straight across the island to head to Marley."

"So the flying boat will be there, yes?" Onyankopon asked.

"Yes," Hange replied surely. "The Azumabito were going to use it to watch the test-run of the Rumbling. Hopefully they haven't taken off to watch the real thing."

"I doubt it," Onyankopon said. "They wouldn't leave like that. Especially not with Mikasa still on the island."

"True," I murmured. "And they'll know how to service it, correct?"

"Correct," Onyankopon said. "And I can help, if need be."

"We're placing a lot of faith in the unknown," Magath said. "Can we really rely on the Azumabito?"

"What other choice do we have?" Hange asked Magath.

Before anything more could be said, we could hear the familiar footfalls of Pieck's Cart Titan and we all turned to look at her as she crested over a hill and came skidding down the other side towards us. As she did, she pulled away from her Titan, her body coming into view as the steam dissipated into the air.

"The Cart," Connie said quietly.

"Stop," Magath commanded. "Seems like something happened."

"The harbor," Pieck called out hurriedly, "the Yeagerists have captured it. They must have gotten there first by steam engine. They were prepared for battle. The place was covered in soldiers with anti-titan gear. They've figured out we want to stop the Rumbling... and they plan to stop us before we can."

"What?" I gasped out. "Oh, shit."

Similar curses sprang up between the two carts. "We just can't get a break, can we," muttered Hange as she stood. "Alright! I'm off to gauge the situation. Everyone, prepare for combat... Well, except for Levi, Onyankopon, Gabi, and Falco."

"Pieck needs rest," Magath spoke up. "And I'm coming with you."

"Fine," Hange said quickly, because now certainly wasn't the time for arguing. "Amaya, oversee what's happening here. We'll be back."

"On it," I replied. Hange and Magath started up the same rocky cliff that Pieck had skidded down while everyone on the carts sprang into action. I stood as everyone else did, but before anything could be unloaded, I held up a hand. "Slow it down, guys," I told them. "We have to find a place to hide the carts, first. We can't stay on the road like this. Connie, Armin?"

"Yes, ma'am," they called. I stepped across the cart, setting a hand on Connie's shoulder to help guide him into a secluded spot for us to leave the carts and horses.

If the Yeagerists had the port, it was all too possible that they'd be expecting us to show up. As such, we couldn't neglect the possibility of patrols being sent out along the roads. We had several people unarmed and unable to fight right now. If they were found, they'd be defenseless while we secured the port.

...Because really, that was the only way I could see to be allowed to leave on that flying boat. We had to capture the port. The Yeagerists wouldn't have come here just to let us be on our merry way. There was no way. There was going to be a fight, whether we liked it or not.

It didn't take us long to find a small ditch situated between the rocky hills lining our coastline. It was far from the road, and so it was tough getting there, but it offered a good view for Magath and Hange to scout and a good hiding spot for those not fighting.

The gear was unloaded and those of us that were able-bodied began putting it all on, double and triple checking that everything was secure. I went around and helped check that everyone was good and ready. Because I was still wearing an older set of gear, it took a bit of work to secure the blades and gas, but like before I managed to make it work. I could always resort to my knife of course and pick up whatever I could get from whatever unlucky soul had the misfortune of fighting me first.

I laid a blanket over Levi and glanced up only to see Falco and Gabi scrambling up the side of the rock face opposite the one Hange and Magath were atop as they continued to scout and hopefully formulate some kind of plan.

"Those little brats," I hissed. "Hey! You two be careful!"

Levi began to stir, and I directed my attention back to him. His unbandaged eye was just barely open due to the bright light of day but I could tell he was awake. I knelt beside him in the cart, running a hand through his hair.

"Go back to sleep, love," I said soothingly.

"What's happening," I heard him mumble quietly.

"We're by the port," I told him, "but the Yeagerists got here first." His brow furrowed and I knew what he was about to say. "It'll be alright, Levi. You'll be staying put with Pieck and the others, ok? The flying boat is in the harbor, we need it to get to Eren. So we'll secure the port and be on our way again." Groggy but definitely getting more frustrated by the second, he shook his head. "Levi, honey, it'll be ok."

"We'll use our power of all our Titans as well as all of your weapons to do just that," Annie said to the group. "Ok?"

Shit. How do I always miss the start of these conversations?

"Hey," Connie said, "wait a second..."

"Why?"

"An indiscriminate attack on the harbor will even cause the Azumabito to get caught in the crossfire," Mikasa said.

"Yeah!" Connie agreed.

"You might call them distant relatives, but to us they're enemies who attacked our homeland," Annie countered.

"No," Pieck piped up, "it'll be a problem if we let the Azumabito die, Annie."

Levi started to sit up and I wheeled around to face him, easing him to his back again. "Head back to sleep, Levi. We're talking over the plan now." A hesitant look into my eye and Levi relented, laying back against the bedroll. I took the chance to look back at the group.

"I see," Annie was saying, "so we need to protect the flying boat and the Azumabito while also buying enough time for the ship to be serviced. But also... you don't want to kill any of the Yeagerists who will try to stop us from doing that. Is that what you're telling me?"

"No, I don't want to kill them," Jean said. "We've known some of them since the Training Corps."

"So? What're we going to do? Think you could tell me? How exactly are we going to keep any harm from coming to the flying boat and the Azumabito while not turning any of our attackers into casualties as we buy time for the ship to be serviced? Tell me. Armin."

I let out a low whistle as she questioned him. It was a tall ask. It was a terribly tricky situation of course, but my mind was made up already. As hard as it would be, I was prepared to cut down those I'd helped train, if it came to it. They were fighting for the mass genocide of millions of innocent people. I could not stand by and let them do it just because I knew who they were.

I'd already done enough in my life to ensure that I was not a good person. I was a criminal, became a soldier, became a terrorist and by now I was effectively a war criminal. There wasn't much worse for me to go from here. I could ignore the faces of those I killed as it happened.

There was already a long enough line of faces permanently etched into my memory. I always remembered who I killed. My guilt was immense enough as it was. A few familiar faces added to the pile wouldn't kill me.

...I hoped.

"That plan doesn't exist," Pieck said, making me realize I'd missed more of the conversation. Shit. Pay some attention, Amaya. "Either we settle this in one go, or we mess up and lose the flying boat."

I stood. "It doesn't matter if we know them or not," I spoke. "If they attack you, you fight back. That was the very first lesson I learned when I was on my own in the Underground City. If their interests go against yours, especially something of this scale, then why do you hesitate? Don't you believe the world is worth saving? If it's this tiny island versus the entire rest of the world, it's a no-brainer for me."

"This is your home," Pieck said quietly, surprised.

"I can live anywhere," I said, looking at her. "The land means little to me. All I care about are the people. That's what I'm fighting to protect. Right now, I see only one way of doing that."

"Wait," Connie said desperately, "you know we're here in order to save people, right? So why are you making it sound like we're going to have to slaughter all these people on the island? How did it turn into this?!"

Yelena's words from before came to mind. "Saving the world. Are there any words sweeter and more alluring?"

No, surely not. And yet...

"To save those we can," I said evenly, meeting Connie's eyes directly, "that often means getting our own hands dirty."

"So you say we have to kill people we trained with?"

"They're shitty circumstances," I reasoned, "but it's what we have. We can't change them now. But you don't need to go through with this if you don't want to, Connie."

"But..."

"You're right," Annie said quietly. "None of you ever had an obligation to do this with us. We don't have any right to force you to make this choice, either... I bet if it was up to you, you never would have destroyed the walls on that day. Unlike us..."

"You four," Reiner spoke up, referring to Mikasa, Armin, Jean, and Connie, "don't need to fight. Stay with Gabi and Falco. Watch from a safe location. You'll be forced to make a decision whether you want to or not if the Yeagerists find you. But don't interfere."

"So you just want us to watch you kill each other?" Connie asked almost incredulously. A sudden skid from above caught our attention. Hange and Magath were sliding down.

"I'm not interested in acting as a spectator here," Hange said. "We're already killed four Yeagerists anyway. Most of all, time is running out for humanity. I could see the titans moving forward off the shore as they gave off a massive amount of steam. Judging by their speed... they've already arrived on the continent of Marley. Marley's cities to the northeast, the ones closest to us, must have been annihilated by now. I didn't think they'd cross the ocean this fast... in this case, the other continents don't have long either. Who knows how many have been killed already..."

Quicker than a flash Magath lashed out, his hand slamming into Yelena's face. He shoved her to her back and slammed his foot down onto her arm, keeping her pinned down. Surprised shouts came from those of us watching but no one dared get in the way.

"Tell me where Eren Yeager is," he demanded, snapping her arm in an unnatural direction. Instinctively I clutched my own arm, wincing at the sight. It'd been a while since I'd seen torture. I couldn't say it was a sight that I missed. Though seeing it happen to her in particular was rather nice to see. Was that a bad thing to say? "Every time you don't tell me, you're discovering a new direction your arm can move in."

"Magath," Hange cried out.

"Don't be scared," Magath said patronizingly to Yelena, "I won't kill you."

A wicked smile found its way on Yelena's lips. "That's a relief," she said. "I've changed my mind. I don't want to die until I see what happens here. Take me with you... and I just might tell you where Eren went."

We don't have time for this. Every moment we waste is another moment the Yeagerists might be catching wind of us. We couldn't afford to risk a fight here. This is a gamble not worth taking, not with the kids and Levi still unable to fight being right here.

Hange must have had the same thought because she grabbed Magath's shoulder. "We need to secure the flying boat first," she reasoned gently with him - or tried, anyway.

"This is no time for torture," Onyankopon argued too, and there was an acute sense of urgency and almost fear in his voice that I did not hear often - and did not want to hear.

"Connie, Armin, Mikasa, Jean," Magath said, turning to them. "I want to apologize for my behavior last night."

I glanced over to see Onyankopon helping Yelena up, wincing at the pain in her now broken arm. There was regret and disdain in Magath's eyes as Onyankopon wandered over to the cart to grab what he needed to make a splint for her. I helped him, handing him some rags to use. He thanked me quietly and headed back over to where he'd left Yelena.

"We were mistaken," he continued. "I was being flippant when I spoke about justice. That was an unseemly attempt on my part to justify my actions, even now. I was afraid of having to look at myself because it'd mean seeing everything contemptible about Marley. This isn't your responsibility. It's wrong to place the sins of the past on your shoulders just because of your race."

He turned to his Warriors, and I had a feeling that he was feeling the same way that perhaps I felt about the kids. A sense of responsibility, in the way that we were higher-ups, and they were simply subordinates by rank but were far more than that in reality.

These soldiers were young. Adults by now, but still young, and they had been far too young when this whole thing began. Far too young to be exposed to this sort of thing. Children had no place in wars, and yet, young children fought to become Warriors to atone for the sins of those with our dirty blood. And it was our responsibility to give our all so that they might live.

He might have been an asshole, but we were very much alike.

Perhaps, I thought when our eyes met, he came to the same realization too. But of course, I wasn't an asshole.

There was love in my heart held for the kids, in these poor souls who didn't deserve the hand that they were dealt. We hadn't dealt with it as adults, and now they were burdened with our mistakes. Mistakes in the way that we hadn't done enough. We'd been just as ignorant as those who came before us, and it was all coming to a head now. And unfortunately for us, the kids were dragged into it as well.

It should just be us adults dealing with it. But we weren't. We hadn't. And that guilt was terrible to bear. Worst still was the guilt knowing that people much younger than myself with so much more life to live had died before I had.

More young people would die. Hell, even right now young people were dying. Fuck it, people of every age were dying. Babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, even the elderly. And then there were the animals, the crops, the homes, everything...

It was sickening. But that's why we needed to fight. So that this disgusting cycle could end with us.

"Pieck, Annie, Reiner. There's no reason for you to be burdened with this world's hatred, either... but we do have a responsibility to make sure that future generations learn about this foolish, bloodstained history of ours. Eren Yeager wants to erase everything, and that is unforgivable. This hell will never end so long as we keep pretending to ignore our foolish actions."

Then he bent at the hip. My eyes widened at the gesture. Magath was an honorable man, that was for sure.

"So please," he requested, "just for now, close your eyes to my own foolish acts."

"I refuse," said Armin. "We're getting our hands dirty too."

I smiled at their courage. These kids have certainly grown up on me, haven't they? I only pray that they make it through today, even if it costs me my life.

"Your bravery is certainly appreciated," I said with a smile to Armin, hopping off the cart. "But we need a plan. If I had to guess, I'd say that Floch is wherever the Azumabito is. Miss Kiyomi is of too much importance for him to just leave her alone. And if they know we want to stop the Rumbling, they know that one of their vessels is our way out of here."

"We should assume he's found her," Hange said. "Knowing this, we must prioritize getting to her."

"Dividing their forces is a good place to start," Magath offered. "Divert their focus for even a second to give us an opening to rescue her."

"We need a distraction," Pieck said. "A loud and obvious one."

"I'll go," Armin said. "I'll take one of the horses. They don't know that we joined forces like this. If I tell Floch that we're going after the Warriors, he'll want to follow."

"Prioritize the flying boat," I mentioned. "If he falls for it, he might pressure the Azumabito to start preparations immediately and save us some time."

"What if he doesn't?" Pieck asked, looking at me.

"Then... well, preparations won't begin," I replied with a shrug. "But it won't matter if he does or not, because it won't take long for him to realize that it was a ruse anyway. Either way, taking his attention away for a moment might be just the opening we need."

"So, best case scenario, the Azumabito begins preparations," Jean said, crossing his arms. "Worst case, Floch sees through it from the beginning. What do we do then?"

"We fight," Hange offered. "Mikasa, prioritize the Azumabito. Kiyomi especially. Connie, go with Armin to make it more believable. Tell them that Jean and Onyankopon were killed by the Warriors on their way out. Jean, Magath, and Amaya will be with me. We'll go after the Azumabito and help get them to safety. As soon as we're out of the way, we'll have Amaya give the Titans a signal to transform. Annie, Reiner, stay hidden but close by and wait for her signal that we're safe."

"Roger," everyone said in unison.

"They saw that I was caught by Pieck too," I reminded Hange. "Would it be suspicious if only I survived?"

"Maybe," Hange said, "but if they have as much stock in you as we think, then they are likely waiting on pins and needles for your triumphant return. Besides, this is a strange world, isn't it? Certainly, stranger things have happened than just one person surviving something. Of them, you are the most talented Titan-fighter, are you not?"

"Fair enough," Jean noted with a shrug, and even Onyankopon found it in him to smile.

"Sure, but what about those who can't fight?" I asked. "They're staying out of the way, I hope."

"Pieck, how much more can you be in your Titan?" Magath asked.

"I can keep going," Pieck answered. "I'm fine."

"Stay in it, then," he advised. "When it gets safer, escort them down."

"Slow down," I said, raising a hand slightly. "I'm giving a signal to the shifters, yes?"

"Right," Hange confirmed.

"Right," I repeated slowly. "What then? I'll be in the open and it'd be obvious what side I'm on by then. Am I throwing myself right into the fighting?"

"Aside from Mikasa, you're the best fighter we've got right now," Hange explained. "You can assist Reiner and Annie."

And be in the middle of a hundred Yeagerists, two Titan transformations, and whatever else they have in store.

Hange continued. "And they think you're still on their side."

"Supposedly," I said. "They haven't seen Jean, Onyankopon, Yelena, or myself since Pieck picked us up. My sudden reappearance might throw them for a loop. They might just be suspicious of me."

"As I said, there's a chance that amidst the chaos, they'll be happy to see a leader," Hange said. "A real one. You're good with close-distance fighting. I think it's an advantageous spot for you to take care of them from the inside, so to speak."

"I think it's one hell of a gamble," I told her.

"I'm Erwin's successor," she reminded me. "I've picked up some of his tricks. So, those are your orders."

"Roger," I said. I looked at Annie, then at Reiner. "You two, just don't forget that we're on the same side now."

At their nod, I inhaled a deep breath and let it go in a huff through my nose. I had my work cut out for me, that was for damn certain.

"We fight until they surrender the port or they're all dead," Magath told us, his voice deep and strong, "or until the flying boat is ready. Be smart out there; smarter than the enemy. We'll have the element of surprise to our advantage. Use it."

"Yes, sir!"

"The fate of the world is in our hands," I spoke up. "No pressure, but we need to do this right. And don't be afraid to ask for help, got it? We're not losing anyone here: I forbid it."

"Yes, ma'am!"

"Everyone get ready," Hange commanded. "We move out in ten minutes."

Ten... shit!

With my gear already prepared, I had only one other thing on my mind, and that was to see Levi. I hopped back onto the cart and knelt at Levi's side, pausing only to quickly take the boxes off to be more comfortable.

He was still in the realm between being asleep and awake, and despite how adamant I'd been in him getting all the rest he possibly could last night, right now I wanted him bright-eyed and bushy tailed.

I'd barely set a hand on his arm when his eyes - though of course, I could see only one - fluttered open. A relieved smile curved my lips as I looked down at him. Immediately he seemed to know exactly what was happening because he began struggling to sit up. I helped him, guiding him to sit with his back to the cart wall to lean against.

The panic that had begun to bubble up in my chest eased away as I looked into his eye. I lowered myself to sit next to him but facing him so that my legs, tucked to one side, were parallel to his.

"Are you going?" He asked.

"I have to," I said with a nod. "We're rather short-handed right now." He glanced down, taking my hand into his. I clasped my free hand atop his, comfortably yet firmly, before looking back up into his eyes. "I'll be protecting the Azumabito, and only joining the fight once the Titans are there as well."

He looked at my gear. "Are you ready?"

As little as he could comfortably talk right now with the bandages wrapped around his entire head, I knew that he was picking and choosing what to say carefully. Still, I listened intently to each syllable that left his lips, drinking in his voice eagerly.

"I am," I said. "The gear is ready. I have new blades and plenty of gas. And I've always got my knife if things don't go according to plan."

"Good," he said quietly. "When do you...?"

"A few minutes," I answered. "The Yeagerists are swarming the port and we can't risk losing the flying boat. We're lucky Hange is even giving us this much time." I glanced over my shoulder. Hange was talking with Magath, but every few seconds her eyes would dart towards the two of us.

"I think she did that for us," he said. "Most useful thing shitty-glasses has done for me."

I batted his arm gently and playfully, returning my full attention to him. "She rescued you from Zeke and the Yeagerists. Shouldn't that count?"

"...Shut up."

I laughed lightly. "It was helpful to me, anyway. Kept you alive and well for me."

"Alive, anyway," Levi noted grimly.

"Alive," I echoed, "is enough for me." I glanced over him briefly, but my eyes caught on a small bit of white poking out from his jacket's chest pocket. "What's in your pocket?"

He looked down at it quickly, then met my eyes again. "The portrait of you and Emi, from my birthday years ago."

I looked skeptically back at him. "The pocket looks a bit fuller than that."

"Don't," he said. "It's embarrassing."

I smiled, leaning forward slightly. "Well, now I really want to know. What's in there? Come on, love, tell me."

He averted his eyes briefly but couldn't quite seem to be able to look away from me for long. "The letters you wrote." The way my eyes widened, and my smile grew must have flustered him because he clicked his tongue again. "I told you it's embarrassing. Asshole."

I'd have teased him; hell, I wanted to tease him, but I couldn't, not when his words were so genuine, and so sweet. My heart swelled and I suddenly felt full, complete. Goodness, I'd missed him. Far more than I'd originally thought. I was whipped. I hung off his every word and fell back in love with him with even the simplest gestures; like this, for example.

It was something so simple; all he was doing was keeping the letters I wrote to him while he was away, and keeping the portrait of his two girls close to his heart. And yet... I felt as I had all those years ago, just learning what love was. It was incredible.

He was incredible.

I took him by the shoulders, gently pulling him to me for a hug. My arms wound around his neck to hold him close and I buried my nose into his neck, squeezing my eyes shut. His hands found their way slowly to my waist, one sliding to the small of my back to pull me even closer.

"You're so sweet," I cooed gently. "I didn't realize you liked them so much."

"O-Of course I do," he muttered. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you're Levi Ackerman, the man who doesn't do feelings." I teased lightly, lifting my head to look at him. "Especially of the sappy and lovey-dovey variety. But since you like them so much, I'll write you as many as you want. I'll write you one a day, every day, once we're home. How does that sound?"

"Only if they have Emi's drawings on them," he said, and I could see the slight upturn in his cheek as a smirk appeared on his lips under the bandages. I cupped his cheek with one hand, nodding happily at him.

"Of course. And as soon as she learns to write, she'll write her own," I proposed.

"I'm going to need a bookshelf just for all these letters," he said quietly.

"We'll work on it once we're home," I assured him.

"Maya," he said quietly, calling my attention to him in a more serious manner. "I... promise me that you'll stay safe."

I smiled. Here was the man who didn't believe in promises, in silly words, asking me to promise him something. It was sweet, and just as he felt like coming home, promises were to me sacred vows that felt like true locks and keys to me; but there was something darker here, because it was like coming back to a home for the last time before a move, or after some big disaster.

Things were different, because this time, he wanted me to promise him. I did not promise him, nor did I ask him to.

"I will," I told him. "I promise. Just like always." There was a silent, hidden plea in his eye. I slid the hand on his cheek round to the back of his head, pulling him forward so our foreheads met. "I promise that I will return to you safe and sound."

His answer came in the form of a slight push to the small of my back, urging me ever closer. I obliged, setting a hand down on the cart to help ease myself into his lap. I hugged him properly again, clinging to his neck as he wrapped his arms around my waist again.

There was something strange about the look in his eyes today. It was one that I had once been so used to seeing but it had slowly faded from his eyes as our years of peace had gone on, uncertain though the peace had been. It was almost fearful, desperate, but understanding. He seemed reluctant to offer up any space between us right now.

...And it scared me.

This wasn't like when I suddenly appeared at the Raid of Liberio. He'd been worried for my well-being, yes, but now he seemed... sadder. As if he knew something that I didn't. I could only rationalize this strange feeling in my gut as just him being extra worried because he himself could not physically fight.

Even if he wanted to fight alongside me, he could not. And he hated being unable to fight alongside myself and the other scouts. Hell, when we'd fought Annie in Stohess, the damn man had showed up with his sprained ankle and had sliced Eren from his Titan before he could eat Annie or get trapped in the hardening crystal with her.

"I love you," he said quietly.

"I love you so, so much," I replied. I released a puff of breath, less of a sigh and more of an exasperated huff. "Why did we waste time arguing?"

"I don't know," he responded, knowing what I was referring to. "But it might be the worst decision we've ever made."

I pulled him a little closer, drawing in a deep breath as tears formed, threatening to roll down my cheeks. I wasn't sure why tears were welling up in my eyes, but there were. My bottom lip quivered but I caught it between my teeth, trying not to sob. Why was I getting so emotional...?

"Amaya," Levi called gently, "are you crying?" I pulled away just enough to look him in the eye, nodding slightly.

"I'm sorry," I said, "I don't know why I am." Much to my surprise, his own eye was glassy as he regarded me. It'd been a long, long time since I'd seen him cry. I didn't want to see it now. I set a hand against his cheek, my thumb stroking gentle arcs into the skin of his cheek just under his uncovered eye. "Don't you start crying too," I pleaded. "Please."

"We're going home," he said in place of replying directly. "You said so, right?"

"That's right," I agreed. "And I'm always right, aren't I?"

I could tell that he was smirking lightly again, and I managed to smile at him even as a tear slipped down my cheek. He caught it in his hand, brushing it away softly with the pad of his thumb. "Of course."

"It's one more battle," I reasoned with myself more than with him. "We've gone through worse, right?"

"Definitely," he said. "You're going to keep an eye on the brats, aren't you?"

"We always get stuck as their babysitters, so I suppose so," I said with a faux sigh. "That is why we had them join our squad, after all." I leaned in and kissed his cheek lightly, my eyes closing as I did so.

"Hey," Levi called before my lips even left his face. I leaned back, meeting his eye again. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything," he said.

"Oh, love," I said gently. "Don't say things like that. It makes it sound like you'll never see me again." His lack of a reply sent my heart into my throat. I swallowed hard, forcing it down, a fresh wave of tears pooling in my eyes. "I'm not dying here, Levi. I won't. I promise."

Another promise.

"I know," he replied. He looked at me so reverently as he tucked some of my hair behind my ear. "I just wanted to say it. Thank you for loving me. For blessing us with a daughter. For being my wife. For just being in my life, and... Fuck... just, thank you, Amaya."

"You don't need to thank me for any of it," I told him. "I'd gladly do it all again, over and over. Falling in love with you was the best thing I've ever done. So, thank you. For everything that you've ever done for me. For loving me, for giving me the opportunity to love you back. And... for waiting for me." When he let his light laugh escape him, I let my own breathy laugh out as well.

"Imagine what we could've done if you hadn't wasted that time," he mused teasingly. "...And before you go, tie your hair back. It'll get in the way."

"Oh, shut up," I laughed openly. Another tear rolled down my cheek as I sobered up.

"Three minutes!" Magath called out to everyone.

"No," I protested weakly, glancing back at Magath.

"Maya," Levi said, trying to get me to look back at him. I did, but I was about to openly sob again. His eye widened. "Maya...?"

"I don't want to go yet," I mumbled, dropping my forehead onto his shoulder. "I just want to stay here with you. I want to be at home with you and Emi but that fucking kid is trying to destroy the world and I can't just let it happen but I... I just want to be with you, Levi. Goddesses, that's all I've ever wanted. That's not too much to ask, is it?"

"No," he answered. "Of course not. But right now all you need to focus on is the battle and staying safe. Above all else, just stay safe, Amaya, please." His voice cracked slightly through his words and I lifted my head, nodding at him as resolutely as I could.

"I will," was all I could manage to say.

I was breaking down by now, and I could feel the stares we were getting from around the camp, but I just couldn't care about that right now. All that mattered – all that had ever mattered – was this man in my arms. The man that I'd always felt safe with and always would feel safe with.

My husband, my love, my best friend, my Levi.

"My cloak," Levi said, looking at it. Recently he hadn't been wearing it; it was tattered and dirty, and mostly had been used as a pillow or blanket for him now that he was spending so much time resting. I glanced at it. "Take it."

I looked into his uncovered eye. Ignoring my look, he reached over, taking it into his hands. He unfolded it, wrapping it around my shoulders and clasping it in the front. He smoothed it out gently and all I could do was look up at him.

"I expect you to return it in perfect condition," he said quietly, though with an almost playful undertone. My eyes widened, and I nodded.

"Ok," I breathed out. "I can do that."

His eye met mine and his brow pinched slightly. "You're beautiful," he said quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face.

I laughed quietly. "Yeah? I'm a crying mess right now."

I wondered what I looked like to him, at that moment. Beautiful, so he said. Perhaps it had something to do with the way I was now in his cloak. Perhaps it was because I was smiling at him, the way I always did.

Or perhaps it had nothing to do with how I was, but how I always had been. I'd always been his. People in his life so often came and gone and yet a few of us had stuck around. I was one of them.

Just as he would always be the most handsome man I'd ever seen, maybe I'd always be beautiful in his eyes. If my heart could swell any more, it would. My entire body was warm from his love, his words.

He could be sweet, when he wanted to.

"I know what I said," he murmured. "You always are going to be the prettiest thing in the world to me. I just don't say it enough."

"There'll be plenty of time to," I reminded him assuredly, "when the war is over."

He nodded in agreement. Then his eye narrowed slightly at my nose and he reached into his inside jacket pocket, pulling out a handkerchief. "You've got a bit of..."

"Oh!" I chirped, taking it from him. I covered my nose as blush rushed to my cheeks. "Sorry." I smirked beneath the handkerchief, and I knew he could see it in the upturn of my cheeks and in my eyes. "And you still think I'm pretty?"

I blew my nose as he chuckled. "Prettiest thing I've ever seen. Didn't I just say it?"

I chuckled. "Sweet-talker."

"It works on you, doesn't it?"

"It does," I gave in with a light, breathy laugh, lowering the handkerchief.

"Everyone ready up!" Hange cried out.

"I love you," Levi said. "More than anything."

"And I love you more than you'll ever know," I replied.

I gently tugged the bandages over his lips down, glancing into his eye for any indication that he didn't want me to. There was none, so I continued until his lips were bare. They were dry and cracked and fragile, but I leaned in.

We shared a gentle kiss yet poured as much love as we physically could into it. The noise of the camp faded away into nothing and so did any worry leftover in my heart. Levi sighed against me, pressing further into me. I kissed back with the same enthusiasm, humming a little with contentment.

I pulled away when I could hear the horses being unhitched from the carts. My eyes fluttered open as his did, and I ran a loving hand through his hair then returned it to his cheek. "I love you so much, my darling Levi."

"I love you, Maya," he replied.

Unable to steal more time with him, I stood, then turned. I gathered my gear then hopped off the cart, then glanced back at him with a smile and a playful wink. "Did you notice how I didn't fall off the cart?"

"Go," Levi said, not even bothering to hide his chuckle, "you brat."

"Is everyone ready?" Hange asked once we'd all gathered up. She received affirmations from around the group. "No more wasting time, then. Let's go. Armin, Connie, you go first. Mikasa, go with them."

"Roger!"

"Good luck, everyone," she said. "If anyone gets into trouble, fall back. We don't need any martyrs today."

Connie and Armin mounted up on the horses, and those staying back started up the slight incline so they could see the port city to watch. I watched as Onyankopon escorted Levi up, and as if able to tell I was looking at him, Levi turned his head to look at me.

I flashed him a smile before following Hange and the others to the city. We did so quietly and carefully. Mikasa went ahead of us, with Pieck back in her Titan to prepare to escort those not fighting to the city when we held the focus of the Yeagerists.

The small group of us sneaked into the city, dashing through the alleyways and nearing the port steadily. At each noise we slowed, and we ducked into the shadows whenever we needed to. We couldn't start a fight yet. Not until the Yeagerists were distracted. Mikasa, far ahead of us, was ready to leap in to rescue the Azumabito, should she need it.

As far as the Yeagerists knew, I was still on their side. Floch had given them all word that I'd joined forces with them. My appearance today would take them by surprise, especially once I started fighting against them. At least then it would be made clear where my loyalties really led.

Leaning against a wall at the point of our small group, I checked if the coast was clear before dashing across the street, everyone following behind me. I had to smother a laugh as I remembered that the last time that I'd spoken to Floch, it'd been when I'd "accepted" his proposition.

He'd welcomed me heartily but hadn't been happy when I'd requested just a bit of time off to grieve. It was so fresh after the Rumbling started, of course, and I had believed that Levi was dead. I briefly entertained the idea that perhaps Floch had searched for me, maybe he'd asked around to see if anyone knew where I was.

Who the hell am I kidding? Of course he didn't.

Finally, I came to a stop at the end of one alleyway. Dead ahead of us was the ocean. I leaned forward to peek down the street. I could see Armin and Connie, and the two horses, standing before two soldiers on the dock by a large boat. Connected to it was the flying boat, laced with what looked like explosives.

"Hange," I called gently. Within a second she was at my side, leaning over to peer around me. "Explosives on the boat."

"Damn it," Hange hissed, standing up straight and setting a hand to her chin. "Amaya, you said you'd joined them, right? See if you can't-"

"Wait," I said. "They're taking them off."

I watched as the lines of explosives slid off the flying boat and into the water. That small victory was overshadowed immediately by the sound of gunshots. Almost immediately after the shot, I could see Mikasa swing around and crash through the window of a building.

"That's the one where the Azumabito are," I said, stepping out onto the street. "The Yeagerists are all on the roof. Everyone, go and secure the Azumabito. You two, wait for my signal."

I glanced briefly at Reiner and Annie who nodded and readied themselves. Then I took to the air, seeking to join my fellow Yeagerists as they leapt into the fight. Several of them swarmed the windows, firing off Thunderspears into the building, while others were waiting for their orders.

Several of them didn't have Thunderspears of their own, and as such were milling about on the roof of the large building the Azumabito were inside of. I could only trust that Mikasa had escorted Miss Kiyomi and the others from the room as smoke poured out of the windows.

Glancing below me, I could see the rest of the Alliance far below, racing into the building as well from a lower floor. I angled upwards, skidding to a stop atop the roof. Many expectant pairs of eyes turned my way and I took a deep, steadying breath as I stood before them, hoping to whatever higher power that be that they wouldn't shoot me down right here.

The battle, whether I liked it or not, had begun.

And my role as the esteemed actress, as Farlan had called me, was about to be reprised.