Context: Emiko's decided her relationship is ready for her to bring him home to meet her parents. It goes about how you'd expect. Or does it?

(Requested by: FuckablePanCakes

Part I of Request.

---

When Emi fished her spare key out of her pocket, it was with shaky hands and an unsettled heart. The keys, once free from her pocket, jingled with the force of her shaking. She held her wrist with her free hand. She had to get a hold of herself!

Goodness. When did she ever get this nervous? She could count on one hand how many times she'd gotten this nervous. She could count on fewer fingers how many times she'd let those nerves show in her movements and in her face. The instances were so few and far between that she always forgot how strange it made her feel.

She hated it. How did she have the strongest parents in this damned world and yet she still had the ability to get nervous?

Ridiculous. Completely, utterly ridiculous.

Emiko took a deep breath in and released it slowly through her mouth. She raised the correct key to the door and unlocked it, stepping inside as soon as she was able. This part she wasn't nervous about. It was what was to come later that she was nervous about.

She slipped her feet from their shoes and left them in the entryway before venturing further into the apartment. "Elias?"

"I'm in the bedroom," Elias called back. He didn't even need to specify that much. Just saying hello would clue her in to which direction his voice came from and let her know exactly where he was. A smile found her face as she made her way to the room that she'd spent quite a bit of time in.

She and Elias had met at school, funnily enough. As students, they'd been little more than just acquaintances and classmates. At graduation, they were each merely simple "goodbye, and good luck's" that they said in passing while they went on to meet with their respective friends.

Only a few short months later, they'd bumped into each other – quite literally – while one was on their way to work while the other was rushing to get home one morning. Elias had been the one on the way to work. Emi technically was, if running errands for the shop counted as working.

She'd been off to get ingredients but had gotten caught up at the grocer after seeing one of her friends. She'd been rushing home, turned a corner, and... bumped right into Elias.

Perhaps it was simply the unfortunate result of momentum, or perhaps it was fate running its course, but Emi had fallen. And Elias, though it certainly wasn't his fault, had apologized profusely and hurried to help her up.

When they looked each other in the eyes and recognized each other, smiles bloomed on their faces and they got to talking about this, that, and the other thing. They talked about nothing in particular and yet somehow, they went on and on and on, catching up and having a good time.

They hadn't been friendly in school, not more than was necessary, but after that...

Well, love blossomed in a natural, perfect kind of way. Innocent dates rose in frequency, getting adventurous and carefree once the initial awkwardness faded away. It didn't matter what they did, because they clicked so naturally and beautifully that they had a good time no matter the occasion, no matter the setback.

That led to now. Their relationship was trusting and loving and strong, and now that things were getting more serious, as in they'd been dating for many months and neither could picture themselves with anyone else, they decided that maybe it was a good time to meet each other's family.

Well, it was a great idea in theory.

In practice, though...

Emiko was incredibly nervous. Her mother, while personable when in the presence of others, had quite the stubborn streak. If she didn't like somebody, she would make it known rather subtly. And Emi didn't want for her mother to drop hints that Elias wasn't good in her books.

Of course, she knew her mother, and she knew that if she was convinced that she truly was in love with Elias, which she was, her mother would accept it, no matter how much she might dislike a person. The good of others came before her own wants and needs, always. That's how Amaya was.

And then there was her father.

Oh, boy.

That was a different can of worms altogether. Her father was far more obvious in whether or not he liked a person. Once again, Levi would likely accept him if Emi plead her case, but... she was just so scared that they wouldn't like Elias but would hide it for her sake. She truly wanted them to love Elias like a son, because...

Well, that was a matter for another day.

Today's matter was the meeting. It was to be a simple dinner. It was easy enough, but her nerves had gotten the better of her.

She realized, upon stepping foot into the bedroom, how silly it was to be nervous. Elias was great. He was a gentleman, he was funny, and he was endlessly kind. He was loving, too, incredibly so. He'd get along with Amaya so well.

Unless her mother would be standoffish and aloof when confronted with the man who wanted to steal her only daughter away? No, she wouldn't act like that. Her mother? The Amaya Ackerman? Please. It was a silly thought.

That only left her father. But Emiko had a feeling that Amaya make sure Levi was well-behaved.

When she came into the bedroom, the first thing Emiko noticed was that Elias was reaching into the closet, going through articles of clothing quickly, muttering under his breath. Emi came up behind him, winding her arms around his torso and resting her chin on his shoulder.

At the gentle contact, Elias' movements slowed, and he seemed to visibly relax. "You're worried," Emiko mused.

"Yeah," he confirmed, his voice quiet.

"You have no reason to be," she said, knowing damn well that until she'd stepped into this room, those words would have made her a hypocrite. She was only free from nerves now because she'd reminded herself of what her parents were like. Really, she had no reason to worry. But Elias...

"I know," Elias said, trying to reason with himself. "I can't help it, though."

"Well, worrying yourself into a tizzy over what to wear won't help," she said. "Anything you wear will be fine."

"Really," he said, his voice bordering on teasing now, "even that shirt that you like me wearing so much because it shows my muscles in all the right ways?"

"No," she said, cheeks flaring with heat now, "absolutely not. I don't want my mother getting jealous, now."

Elias chuckled. "Go sit. I'll find something to wear that'll charm the pants right off them. Er, maybe not that far. But you get the point."

"They'll love you," Emi assured him, pressing a kiss to his shoulder before making her way to wait on the edge of the bed. "And if not, we can just elope."

That got a laugh out of him. "Yeah, right. My mom would never forgive me if I did that."

"Just pick something," Emi pressed. "We'll be late at this rate."

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, something similar was happening, though the roles were reversed.

Amaya Ackerman stood in front of the closet, going over her choices with an attentive, judgmental eye.

No, that sweater was too formal. Made her feel like a teacher wearing it, too. She didn't want that, to seem like an authority figure here. She was in charge, yes, and wanted respect, but not in the way a schoolteacher would.

That shirt was pretty, but one she only wore on dates with Levi. It showed off far too much of her shoulder to be appropriate for something like this, right? And she didn't want to distract him too much, not today. She enjoyed his attention but today was about Emi and... what was his name?

Elian? Elijah. No, that wasn't right either. Eli...zabeth? No, not Elizabeth either. Eli something. Or so she thought. Well, now she was confusing herself.

"Maya," Levi said, capturing her attention easily.

After the war, he'd taken to almost exclusively calling her Maya, as opposed to her full name. Though the loss of only one letter wasn't too monumental, it was simply the fact that the nickname was only used by those she cherished and loved – namely, of course, El and Caden obviously, and now Levi – that was what gave it special meaning.

Levi used to only call her by that name on special occasions. It was a nickname, after all, and one doesn't always refer to someone by their nickname. But calling her Maya just seemed right. Back then, he only used it when they were sharing a loving moment, delivering big news, or when he truly wanted to just convey how much he loved her.

Nowadays, well, he used it whenever he'd otherwise say her name. Now that their lives weren't at risk constantly, though their paranoid minds might make them think otherwise, it just felt right to treat every moment as though it was something as special as it really was.

Because really, every moment they shared together was special, but wartime wasn't the time to really indulge in something like that. Even when they'd gotten married, it was right before that huge battle for Wall Maria... and what a mess that was.

Indulging, and living without fear of fighting for their lives, was something neither one was used to, but they were getting there slowly. And they were getting there together, which was perhaps the best part.

Sad, really, that even now, when Emi was already an adult, that they were still learning how to live and love unapologetically. But they'd lived full lives and had fought for what they believed in. So if this remained their only consequence, to slowly learn how to behave as though a normal couple would, well... they got off rather easily.

"Maya," Levi called again after the first time got resolutely ignored.

"Sorry," she mumbled, only turning to glance back at him for a brief moment before returning her gaze to the clothes.

"Why is this taking so long? Just pick something, you damn woman."

He couldn't see it, but his wife rolled her eyes. "Oh, please," she huffed. "Leave me be, you cranky old man."

"You're nervous, aren't you?"

"Sure," she replied. "Probably not for the reason you think."

"What, you're not nervous to meet this brat?"

With a grunt, Levi stood. He could feel in his bones that this was likely a situation where he'd need to reassure her, to comfort her in some way. He knew how she worked, and what this was all likely leading to, though it's not like she'd ever ask for that reassurance from him aloud. It was always about his own needs, never her own. At least he knew how best to handle her by now.

"Maybe a bit," she relented, "but I'm mostly nervous to see how he'll react to... us."

"What do you mean?"

"You know how we are," she said, sighing almost wistfully once he crossed the room with slow steps and wound his arms around her midsection. His fingers linked together over her stomach, and she leaned back against him gently.

Levi relished in the way she leaned against him; it gave his body another reason to stay strong. His body had regained his strength slowly but surely over the years, sure, but he was still suffering from that injury, that bite he'd suffered from that last battle.

Even now it hurt sometimes to stand against it. On cold, dreary mornings, there would sometimes be lingering soreness, more than usual. The scar was still present, but his wife had – when they were younger, of course – had pressed so many loving kisses to it, assuring him that his strength was not lost, that he was still capable and loved, so loved.

Through therapy and the wonders of modern medicine, he could now walk, though carefully and not for long at a time, or pain would resurface. Not a day went by that he didn't regret getting that damn bite. Not that it was on purpose, but...

That entire day was horrible. There were no two ways about it.

Regardless...

Right now, he had to deal with it. But he had a purpose now, and that was letting his wife, who was in dire need of comfort, lean against him. It was the least he could do against the long list of things she'd done for him, some of them unknowingly.

"Remind me," he said. "How are we?"

"We're old soldiers, love," she replied. "There's no getting around that. And we're not exactly the most normal parents."

"But we're damn good ones," Levi assured her. "In case you haven't noticed, Emi turned out pretty well."

"I know that," Amaya said, "but I just worry about how the boy might see us. We're her parents, we raised her, and how we act reflects on her. I don't want to get in the way of-"

"Of what?" He interjected lightly. "Of their relationship? If this kid is worth a damn as a man, it doesn't matter if we're the worst parents in the world or don't approve of him because he'll still love her. Right?"

"Right," she said, relenting reluctantly, her voice conveying exactly that. She needed more convincing, then. That was fine. He was prepared for that.

"I mean, you met my uncle," Levi reminded her, "and that didn't exactly go well, now did it?"

That got a quiet laugh out of her. "He called me a whore, if I remember right," she said.

He winced slightly at that. "He just didn't know who you were. When I went to see him, he actually apologized for that."

She turned her head slightly to see him, to look him in the eyes, the surprise evident in her own. "You never told me that."

"I didn't exactly want to remind you that he called you what he had," he said. Then he clicked his tongue in an irritated way. "The point is, your only encounter with my family wasn't great."

"My encounters with Mikasa were actually fine," she said cheekily, earning her a slight pinch. She laughed, the sound light and happy and free of the worries she'd been harboring only moments ago. Levi let the smallest of smiles find his lips. He'd done his job.

---

When at last Elias was dressed, he joined Emi at the bed, sitting next to her. Despite finally finding something suitable to wear, he still seemed so nervous. "Elias," Emi said gently, taking his hands into her own, "what's wrong? Why are you so nervous?"

"Are you kidding?" He asked incredulously. "I'm terrified to meet your parents."

"Really? Terrified?"

He nodded. "Yeah, of course," he answered honestly. "From what you've told me, your dad sounds like a hard-ass and... oh, shit, I'm sorry!"

Emi laughed, despite the seriousness of the situation. "Don't be sorry," she said, "because he is. I wasn't lying about that."

"Honestly," Elias sighed, his gaze lowering to watch as her thumbs gently rubbed against his knuckles in an attempt to make him feel better, "I just don't want to mess this up."

"I see," she replied quickly. "Well, in the interest of being honest, there's something you should know about my family."

His eyes lifted to meet her eyes. "Alright," he said, his eyes alight now with interest, likely thinking this was something that would help him in his soon-to-come meeting with them. "Go ahead."

"It helps understand why they are the way they are," Emi explained, "and why I am the way I am."

"They're the reason you are the way you are," Elias said, smiling now, "which means they can't be all that bad, right?"

"I never said they were bad," Emi said, planting a quick kiss to his nose. She cleared her throat. "They were soldiers, for many years."

"Oh, were they? My uncle was in the navy. So, what were they? Army, air force...?"

"Neither," she said. "We're not from here, or anywhere with a traditional military."

"Where are you from, then? I thought you were raised here."

"I was," she clarified. "But it's not where my parents grew up, and it's not where I was born."

"So, where then? If not here?"

"Before I tell you that," she sighed, "please, know that I'm telling you this because I love you, and I trust you." His hold on her hands tightened at that, as though to reassure her that he felt the same. It worked, but only marginally. She lowered her eyes, avoiding his intent gaze. "I haven't told anyone this, because doing that would mean putting my family in a lot of danger if the wrong people found out. So, I just..."

"I get it," he said gently. "And I love you with my entire heart. There isn't anything that would ever change that. And if you're worried that I'll blab to others, I won't. Our business, er, your family's business, will remain that way. It doesn't matter what ever happens to us, because I wouldn't want to ever put you or them in danger. Ok?"

"And one more thing," she said, assured now that she could trust him. "Know that I want to tell you because I want to. I want to spend my life with you, and... this is just something that you deserve to know, in case you want to back out."

"I never will," he said. "I promise, I'll be with you forever, if you'll have me. Ok?"

"Ok," she replied. "Goddesses, I hope this doesn't make you hate me."

Goddesses, he thought. Which religion does she...? No matter.

"I could never," he said. "Where you're from doesn't make you who you are. And I love who you are. So, so much. It's part of you, but it's not the only think that makes you, you."

"You're sure?"

"Absolutely."

Well, if he was that sure, she could believe him, right? Right.

Time to say it, then. Just... rip off the bandage.

"We're from Paradis," she said once she finally steeled her nerves. And yet her voice remained small, quiet, as though she inwardly wanted him to miss it.

Elias, for a moment, was rendered speechless. Confusion found his eyes first, then recognition. Then, more confusion, and...

"Please," Emi plead, "say something."

Even if he were to say he hated her, that would be better than nothing. It was this silence that drove her mad.

"Paradis," he repeated. She nodded. "So you're... Eldian? Is that right?"

"Yes."

"I see."

That was as good a reaction as she could have hoped for. May as well keep going, then.

"There's something else you should know."

"Yeah," he murmured, "go ahead."

"My last name isn't really my last name," she told him.

"Ikeda isn't...?"

"That's right. It's our legal name now, yes, but it's not my original family name. Even on Paradis we went by the father's last name, and...if we're doing that, Ikeda isn't my last name."

"Ikeda was your mother's maiden name?"

"Mm-hm." She took a deep breath in. "Though, even that isn't really her maiden name. It was her adoptive father's name. Really, if we used her maiden name, it'd be Mercia, but she didn't learn that until she was, like, in her thirty's, and it was only because they went to visit her adoptive father Elwin in the underground city and my dad went to find her case file from when she was a kid and had to go to the Military Police because-"

"Emi, love," Elias said, "you're rambling. About a whole lot of stuff I don't understand."

"Oh," she said, "sorry." She cleared her throat. "I'm sure they'll tell you some stories later. But anyway... If we go by my father's last name, then... I'm an Ackerman."

A pause. Shock found his face.

"Wait," he said finally, "Ackerman, as in the Ackerman clan?"

"Yes."

"Then your father is, goodness, what's his name... He was the most dangerous soldier, right?"

Strange, Emi thought, that they referred to him in this way. It made sense, she supposed.

"The strongest soldier, folks back home called him. No, not home, but... well, you get it. Levi Ackerman is my father."

"Wow," Elias said. "Just... wow."

"Is that a good wow, or a bad wow?"

"Not sure, yet," Elias answered. "I think I'm more nervous to meet him, now."

Emi smiled. So, he still...?

"Oh, my god, will I seem too weak?"

"No, no," Emi said. "You're no soldier, they won't expect you to have a soldier's build. But it doesn't matter because it doesn't matter to them what you look like. They've met and worked with plenty of oddballs before. You won't be any more surprising than them."

"Alright," he accepted. "But still. I just..."

"It's not like they raised me to be a soldier, too. And honestly, they don't like talking about the things they did while in the military. So they probably won't even mention it, alright?"

Though her words were reassuring, he still wasn't entirely convinced. I mean, they were soldiers. And soldiers of the regime that had raised – and then defeated – Eren Yeager. That in itself was no small feat.

The world's armies wouldn't have been able to do that, not even if they all banded together. It was hard to exactly shake the kind of discipline that would assuredly have been drilled into them, right?

"You're still nervous," Emi said with a sigh. "Go ahead. Ask your questions."

Elias smiled. He wondered if it was due to her parents that she was so damn perceptive. But whatever it was, he was glad she was able to tell when he was even the slightest bit upset.

"Alright," he said, curiosity getting the better of him. "So, your parents. What rank were they?"

"Captains, both of them," Emi answered easily. "It's funny, actually, because my father refused to lead his own squad when offered. He only wanted to lead with my mother with him."

"So, did they meet at the military?"

"No," she said, "but my mother would be happy to tell you that story if you ask. She tells that story far better than I do."

"Ok," he said, preparing his next question. "Your mother, what's her name?"

"Amaya Ikeda Mercia Ackerman, if you want the full thing," Emi told him. "She'll probably just ask you to call her mom. It was how she was known in the Survey Corps."

"The Survey Corps?"

"The branch of the military they served."

"I don't know much about Paradis," Elias admitted. "No one does, really. We were only ever told that they were devils. Er, sorry."

"Don't be," Emi said. "I take no offense to it. I get why you'd think that, based on what I was told. Our military was split into three branches. The Military Police served the king and policed the people, the Garrison took care of the Walls' defenses, and the Survey Corps ventured beyond the Walls to fight titans in their own territory."

"That seems kind of..."

"Stupid? Well, it was. Most people in the towns though so, too. But my parents were never actually trainees, so it's not like... Ah, well, that's probably another story for them to tell you."

"They certainly sound interesting," Elias said. "I can't wait to meet them."

"There's some confidence," Emi said with a smile. "Come on, let's get going."

---

Elias had to be honest with himself. He was expecting someone... bigger. Buffer. Badder. Were these the right people? They certainly looked like they'd be Emiko's parents, considering the clear features she'd taken from both, but...

This was definitely not what he had in mind when he was told that they were soldiers. They'd all heard the stories of the Eldians, and while he'd never put too much stock into them, he still expected them to look... sinister, in a way.

And yet, Emi was certainly not sinister. Not in the slightest. She was a kind, gentle soul, and yet strong when she needed to be. She'd always said that she'd gotten that from her mother.

But even when Emi had told him that she was Paradisian, and of course that included her family as well, while he could never pinpoint the title devil on her, there was still this lingering bias. It was nothing more than the everlasting effect of a lifetime of being told that they were nothing but evil beings who wanted to destroy the world should they be freed of the shackles of their wall.

Paradisians were a constant threat. That's how everyone was raised to think.

But Emi... she was strong, that was indisputable, but... she was no devil. That was for sure. Even with that, though... he was expecting her parents to be conniving in their expression, menacing in their body language, with overbearing strength made evident by their posture, demanding respect with each uttered syllable...

This was just turning out to be a strange day.

Even surrounding just her father Levi Ackerman, there were even now traces of stories swirling around in his memories of that man so feared by the Marleyan military based on field reports provided by those who had infiltrated. That information had been leaked during the war, telling people who to be careful of, and who to report if spotted.

So, he... Well... was this who he'd been so scared of?

Thinking back now, there were even certain stories speaking not only on Levi who they were warned about, but of his partner as well. One report from Marley that had been leaked spoke of a duo, a powerful one, of that most dangerous soldier and his equally lethal wife.

Some took it as a joke. Oh, they'd said, she's only dangerous because she'd threaten bad things on who might fight her husband. Or who are they kidding, the most damage she can do is burn dinner.

Some took it at face value. He was one of them. A military report wouldn't declare someone dangerous unless they were.

But these two... they couldn't possibly...

They were so small. Perhaps even delicate.

They looked up at him now, curiosity displayed plainly in one set of eyes, and thinly veiled distrust set in the other. These were Emi's parents. Dangerous soldiers, of Paradisian lineage, of Eldian blood. Levi and Amaya Ackerman.

They... they're tiny!

"Come on in," Mrs. Ackerman said first, breaking the awkward silence that had encapsulated the scene. "Make yourself at home."

"Thank you," Elias said quietly. Emi's two parents backed away from the door, allowing him and Emi to step inside. Following Emi's lead, Elias took his shoes off, leaving them in the entryway for now. Then he accepted her hand and followed her into the living room where her parents had gone.

"Just be yourself," she said to him quietly. "They'll love you."

He was about to protest, but he had no time to before he found himself in front of her parents, settling onto the couch across from the loveseat where they'd taken their own seats. Elias did his best not to appear uncomfortable, but how was he supposed to navigate this?

...Was it too late to reschedule this dinner?

He occupied his mind first by looking around. The apartment was located above the family tea shop. Elias had been by to visit, but apparently Emi had only invited him over when she was the only one in the shop working so there'd be no bumping into her parents.

He supposed that was a blessing in disguise, because now he felt like a deer suddenly in the line of sight of two expert hunters. His body was tense, his mind blank, his every instinct telling him to run or hide.

The apartment was decorated simply, in a charming kind of way. There were a few portraits on the mantle, along with other odds and ends he couldn't see from here. As his eyes settled on what looked like... was that a knife?!

"Mom," Emi hissed, "you couldn't put that away?"

"Not my idea," her mother admitted sheepishly.

"I wanted it close," came the barely concealed threat from her father.

Elias gulped. Oh, boy. Perhaps these were the people from those reports.

"I can be deadly with just about anything," Mr. Ackerman continued, his eyes remaining fixed on Elias. There was a deadly look to his narrowed, feline eyes. His eyes seemed to be of a gunmetal gray color, but maybe that was wrong. All he knew was that he wasn't getting any closer to check. "Your mother just prefers to keep things clean with her knife."

Yep, it was decided. Elias would die here, today.

"Levi," Mrs. Ackerman chided lightly. She looped her arm through her husband's, linking their fingers together. "We talked about this. No threatening the poor thing, right? He's nervous enough, just look at him."

Her eyes found his own then, and Elias gulped again. Her eyes were intense. Kind, sure, but intense. He couldn't help but feel as though she was looking right through him. Maybe she was.

"I'm Emi's mother, Amaya. You're Elijah, right?"

"That's exactly right," Elias said, not wanting to tell this woman that she had it wrong.

Emi whacked his arm gently. "His name is Elias, mom."

"Oh," Amaya chirped. "I'm so sorry! Elias, honey, it's great to finally meet you."

Elias found it in him to smile. "It's great to meet you as well," he responded.

"Do you want some tea?"

"I would love some, actually," he replied. "Do you perhaps have black tea?"

Amaya beamed as she stood, taking an old, worn crutch under her arm. "We do. Everyone sit tight, I'll have it right up." She took a few steps towards where he presumed the kitchen was, but she slowed to a stop. "Emi, darling, would you care to help me?"

"Sure," Emi said hesitantly before getting up and following her mother.

And that left the two men alone.

Great.

Levi's eyes had never left Elias', the intensity of them burning holes into him. Elias finally met his gaze, knowing that of all times, now was the time to buck up, to appear braver than he was.

"It's n-nice to meet you as w-well, sir," Elias managed to stammer out.

Smooth.

"I'm sure."

It was silent, after that.

Elias couldn't be sure if it was just Levi's face, or if Levi just really hated him, but that expression nearly made him shudder. He swallowed his fears down, and this time he hoped they'd stay down. If ever he needed to be courageous, it was now.

"If you shit yourself on my couch kid, you're buying a new one."

"Er, yes sir."

"Don't call me that," Levi said then, surprising him.

"What was that?"

"Sir," Levi repeated. "Don't call me that. I'm not a captain anymore. You're not a subordinate. You're my daughter's boyfriend, and... just don't call me that."

"Alright," Elias relented. "Then what shall I...?"

"Levi's fine," he answered. "Or-"

"Dad," Emi said, breezing into the living room, "your tea, made just how you like it."

"Did you make it?" Levi asked.

"No," Emi answered.

"Then it wasn't made right," Levi said with a sigh. Seeing his daughter's astonished look then, he smirked. "I'm only kidding. This is probably fine. Thanks, brat."

Amaya entered the living room next, setting a tray of treats on the coffee table. Levi set his tea aside and helped Amaya sit back down next to him as Emi sat at Elias' side once more. "I can't believe you like black tea," Emi muttered under her breath to him.

"What do you mean? I love it!"

"I don't know how," Emi said. "I detest the stuff."

Amaya sighed dramatically at that, patting Levi's thigh reassuringly. "She'll grow out of her rebellious face someday, love. Someday."

---

"Maybe I should mention it," Emi murmured. They were gathered at the dinner table now, plates littered with the remains of food left there. Emi was still picking at hers, the last person still eating. Or attempting to, anyway.

"Mention what, darling?" Asked her mother.

Emi met her mother's eyes directly. "I told him."

"You... told him." Her mother shook her head, not understanding. "What do you mean?"

"I told him about you," Emi said, and Elias wished she hadn't. The dinner had been going so well. They'd discussed their relationship, what Elias did at work, and easy things like that. The evening was almost over! Why bring this up now?!

"Oh," her mother said.

Elias didn't miss the way Amaya stiffened slightly. It seemed her husband didn't either, because he looked over at her, his sharp eyes softening only for her. He'd noticed that kind of thing a lot tonight.

Perhaps Emi's perceptiveness to even the slightest shifts in body language didn't only come from her mother, but from both parents. He noticed it nearly each time they picked up on each other's shifts in mood and reacted accordingly. It was incredible.

"Maya," Levi said quietly, as though to console her with only a word.

"I told him our last name," Emi continued fearlessly, "and where we're from."

"I see," Amaya said.

Strangely, there was no hesitance in her voice, and no fear. And even stranger, Emi's father locked eyes with him. "I trust you understand what this means for us," he said, "and for you."

"Of course," Elias said. "I know how much she risked by telling me even that much. But I love your daughter dearly and would never put her or her family at risk, no matter how things turn out. And... I'm not scared."

"Good answer," Levi said.

"Life certainly hasn't gone the way Levi or I had imagined," Amaya said, "but we've done our best by her. And we're very happy she's found you."

He was hit then by Amaya's genuine smile, and he could see the love and warmth filling her eyes. Or were those tears? Oh, they were tears!

"Sorry," she said, "I was so nervous about today. But you're an incredible man, Elias, and I've no doubt you and Emi are very happy together."

"We are," Emi assured her.

"Then I really had nothing to worry about," Amaya said happily.

"I told you," Levi snarked. "You never listen to me, you damn brat."

Shortly after that, Levi had gotten up, gathering the dishes, and heading to the sink to clean them, Emi offering to help him. Elias had assisted Amaya in clearing the table. To his surprise, it took Amaya no time at all to chat and be friendly with him.

She actually went right ahead and started a story, going on and on about... an underground city? That was strange. Confusing, too, but he did his best to listen along.

What was it Emi had said earlier? Her mom was like the mother of the branch they served? The Survey Corps, right? Regardless, he figured this was about what she meant.

Because honestly...

With Amaya speaking as though they'd known each other for years while he helped her clear away the dinner table, with his girlfriend helping her father do the dishes...

He felt like he was part of the family already.

Maybe had no reason to be nervous after all.

And maybe it wouldn't be so bad, asking Emi to take his last name.

NOTE: hello darlings! how have you been since last I updated? I hope things have been nothing but great for you all. I hope you enjoyed this request, it was a lot of fun to write and I think it turned out cute. I absolutely cannot wait to write the rest!

while I feel that Levi would absolutely be the father to declare how lethal he is, he also would be understanding enough to know that if his child brought someone home, it was because they loved and trusted that person. and that, I feel, would probably be good enough for him, though the threat would remain should that person ever do anything bad to his kid.

with all that said, well, amaya would just assume her role as the mom of literally everyone. so.

technically the request included grandparents as well, but I decided to do that in a separate one so I can flesh it out more!

once again, for those of you that have made requests, know that I will be doing all of them, but in the order of simply what I choose to write first. some I've already started, while others I've only got written down, but all of them will get done, I promise you that. don't expect another update for a few weeks however.

and fun fact, my original plan for B&W was for AMaya to go with the Yeagerists to the coast, perhaps be on the train of reinforcements that would eventually be blown up. but then it was getting more and more dire in the manga, and it looked like levi was gonna die, so the two would never reunite if I did that. however, it makes for great angst, so I think I'll end up making that a special to post eventually and show that angle.

in other news for me though, there's a listing for an incredibly adorable puppy at my local shelter named bentley so here's hoping I get the approval and go-ahead to adopt him because he had the most handsome little face and the listing says his to-do list is as follows: (1) finish learning his manners, (2) get lots of playtime and (3) find a forever home to help him become the best boy.

TL;DR: I would die for that dog.

ANYWAYS, I hope you enjoyed this update. I accept nearly any and all requests, so send them my way as you think of them. as always, thank you so much for reading, I appreciate the support I am still receiving for this story so, so much. I love you all, and will see you all in the next one! <3