Juniper pushes a cup in front of Levi. He looks at her in question. Juniper shrugs. "You're welcome." Juniper watches as Levi raises the cup to his lips. She didn't know how to act now that she was back in Wall Sina. Everything has changed, Juniper was now no longer a naive child trying to get her father to approve of her, she was a twenty-seven-year-old soldier who held the weight of the world on her shoulders. Kinda.

"You're oddly quiet," Levi observes sullenly.

Juniper shrugs again, "Wall Sina's effect, I guess." The hot plate of food sat in front of Juniper, untouched. It had been a long day, helping the displaced Trost population back into their homes after the cobblestone walls had been cleaned up. Within the rubble, Juniper had found a dust-covered teddy bear. Juniper didn't know why, but her heart stilled and memories flashed in front of her eyes.

"It's so corrupt here," Juniper complains quietly to her counterpart, "I hate it. Why do they want Eren to be executed? It's not like he was the one who caused the wall to fall."

"Power. They want power." Levi responds, "Wall Sina is full of powerful, corrupt, men who want the public's favor. Having someone like Eren exist within the public poses as a threat to their power and security."

Juniper's face matches Levi's sullen mood. She pushes her food around her plate and sighs frustratedly. "It's so stuffy in here. I can practically smell the money." Her eyes scan the room, looking at every man in the small dining area where she and Levi took their food. Juniper desperately wanted to get away from here.

Her eyes meet Levi's and she grins, "so? A night ride tonight?"

"No." Rejects Levi.

Juniper pouts, "you suck."

"I know." He pushes the cup back over to Juniper. "I'm done."

"Okay? What am I supposed to do with that information?"

"Get me another. It's the nice thing to do for your superior."

"I can't see Erwin?" Juniper teases, her sullen face peeling away, revealing her all-too jubilant smile.

"Brat," Levi mutters hotly.

Juniper grins and stands up, "since I'm nice, I'll get you another drink. I'm also your only friend too, just thought I should point that out. So, if you're not careful, I'll leave you to brood alone."

"You'd never do that, though," Levi responds.

"Never do what? Leave?" Juniper asks, leaning against the table with her hands firmly placed on the tabletop.

"Yes. You'd never leave me." Levi states, "I thought that was clear all those years ago."

Well shit, Levi had a point there. Juniper narrows her eyes, pushing herself upright and grabbing the cup off the table. "You're the brat in this friendship." She turns on her heel and walks over to refill Levi's cup, smiling as Petra appears next to her.

"I've been looking for you everywhere! Eldo and Oruo have been drinking, you should come and listen to them. It's hilarious! I'm sure Captain Levi won't mind you leaving his side for a moment."

Juniper laughs and finishes refilling Levi's cup. "I owe the Captain a drink, but I'll swing by later. Where's Gunther?"

Petra points to the corner of the small dining room where Gunther sat, a drink in his hands as he talked to other Survey Corps members. "Socializing with other members." Petra tells Juniper, "he likes to drink socially, whereas Eldo and Oruo drink for fun."

"What's the difference?" Juniper asks, slowly walking back to her table.

Petra shrugs. "I don't see any difference, but the boys certainly do. They always get upset whenever I imply there's no difference."

Juniper laughs again and slides into her seat across from Levi. She pushes his cup back over to him and glances back up at Petra. "I'll come by later, I promise."

Petra glows. "Don't worry about it, I don't want to interrupt anything." With a departing wink, Petra's gone and Juniper's left all alone with Levi once more. "Eldo and Oruo are drinking," Juniper explains. "Petra wanted me to join them."

"Why didn't you? It would be more peaceful without you here."

Juniper snorts. "You insult me only after telling me I'll never leave you? Where's the logic in that?"

"Who said it needed logic. Go away, brat, I need some time to myself." Levi demands, his cold eyes clashing with Juniper's bright eyes.

"Whatever you say, Captain." Pushing herself away from the table and giving Levi a two-fingered salute, she leaves the stuffy room and into the cold Sina night. Her breath appears in front of her and Juniper stuffs her hands into her pockets, wandering down the smooth paved pathways throughout Sina.

Her mind was busy. It was working in overdrive. There were so many things to think about--like Eren Jaeger. And so, Juniper wound up outside Eren's confinement, after bribing the guards into thinking she was let down here to assess Eren's state. It was all a lie though. Juniper hopes Levi doesn't find out. And Erwin. She doesn't want to be reprimanded by the pair of them.

"Hello, Eren." Juniper greets, her gentle face appearing between the bars. "Nice to see you again. How are you? The news of your Titan being has reached the papers."

"When are they going to let me go?" Eren asks, pulling on his chains for emphasis, "I have to see Mikasa and Armin. I have to explain things to them." His bright green eyes plead with Juniper, who resists the temptation stirring in her to break out Eren.

Juniper's eyes focus on the floor, refusing to look at Eren's pleading eyes. "They're still deciding on what to do with you. I don't know how long you'll be down here, Eren."

There's a long silence.

"I wish there was more I could do, Eren. I'm powerless here in Sina. We all are, but we're doing our best. I meant what I said when we first met," Juniper's eyes trail up to Eren, "I'm going to give you hope to survive."

There's more silence.

"What's Captain Levi like, Juniper?" Eren's small voice asks, breaking the silence between the pair. Juniper grins and runs a hand through her short, brown, hair. "He's just as bad as he seems, if not, worse." A paralyzing look of terror passes over Eren's face and Juniper chuckles. "You get used to it, though. If he's ever rude to you, just tell me and I'll sort him out."

"Do you. . .Promise?"

Juniper's smile widens, "yes. I promise. He does have this thing for cleaning though, so I probably won't be able to help you there, but anything else, I can promise I'll be there to give Levi a fist to the cheek."

"Do you promise to protect me?" Eren asks.

A knowing look spreads across Juniper's face. "I keep my promises, Eren Jaeger. Once we get you out of this hell," the guard across the room coughs, "I'll lay down my life if I have to, just so you can survive."

"Why?"

"Because you're humanity's last hope, Eren. You have the weight of our survival on your shoulders now. But the question is, can you handle it?"

◾◾◾

It's the day. Eren's fate will be decided today. Beside Levi, Juniper scratches the back of her neck impatiently. Juniper doesn't fare well with stress, she gets an uneasy feeling in her stomach that makes her feel like puking, but thankfully she hasn't. Yet.

Levi shifts beside Juniper. "You're annoying me, Juniper."

"Sorry." Juniper brings her hand back down from her neck and stuffs it into her pocket, waiting for Eren's entrance into the courtroom. Warmth appears around Juniper's wrist, she glances down at the hand that wasn't in her pocket, finding Levi's fingers delicately wrapped around her wrist for a fleeting moment.

"Eren will be fine," Levi tells Juniper sharply, his cold eyes survey Juniper's wary face. "Control your emotions."

The warmth disappears and Juniper sharply inhales, her mind wandering to foreign ideas that Juniper knows she will never the chance to act out. The doors open and Juniper's attention is drawn to the teenage figure walking to the center of the room. Juniper can't breathe. Eren looks so much like him in this moment.

They shackle him to a pole in the center of the room. Silence holds the courtroom for a few moments, then Dhalis Zachary enters, taking his place as the judge of this trial. "Well then, let us begin."

Juniper can't breathe anymore. Eren's fate will be decided now. She hopes destiny is fighting on her side as she stands alongside Levi and Erwin. Surely, they'll win over the court, surely, Juniper will have this anxiety for nothing.

"Eren Jaeger, yes? You are a soldier, sworn to sacrifice your life for the public good. Is that correct?" Dhalis Zachary began, reading off the paper he held.

"Yes sir." Eren responds quietly.

"This is an exceptional situation. This tribunal will be held under military, not civilian, law. The final decision rests entirely in my hands. Your fate will be decided here."

Juniper steals a glance at the two men standing beside her. Neither of them looked fazed. They stood proudly, their arms behind their backs and a sense of authority resided over their faces. Juniper felt small compared to them. Her eyes are drawn back to Eren, the pained memory of him appearing, kneeling in the same position as Eren is.

"Do you have any objections?" Dhalis Zachary asks Eren.

"No sir."

"I appreciate your perception. I will be direct, as anticipated, concealing your existence has proved impossible. We must make your existence public in some form, or a threat to humanity other than Titans may arise. What I will decide today is which force will have custody of you," Dhalis Zachary explains loudly to Eren and the rest of the audience that has gathered into the courtroom for Eren's trial. "The Military Police? Or the Survey Corps?"

"Now, I ask the Military Police for their proposal."

Great. Here it goes. Juniper's going to do her best to listen! Even though listening to the Military Police makes Juniper want to cut off her ears because their voices and arguments are some of the worst things Juniper's ever had the courtesy of listening to. And she's a part of Squad Levi.

"I, Commander of the Military Police, Nile Dawk, will present my proposal. After a thorough investigation of Eren's body, we believe he should be eliminated immediately. It's certainly true that his Titan power overcame our previous peril, however, now his existence threatens to spark a civil war. So, we ask him to die for humanity's sake, leaving behind all the information he can."

(there is no need for that")

Juniper's eyes burn and her hands curl into visits. What a bunch of pretentious assholes. They don't understand what having someone like Eren can do for humanity. Juniper wants to scream; she wants to rip into Commander Nile, try to get him to understand the importance of Eren--and if that doesn't work, she'll let them know they are going to sentence a fifteen-year-old to death. If that doesn't wake them up, then who knows what will.

(Remember? Age doesn't matter to the higher-ups.)

"There is no need for that!" A new voice rings out loud. "He is an invasive pest, he has deceived the walls that embody God's wisdom!" Great, just what we needed. A Wall worshipper--or whatever they call themselves. "He must be killed at once!"

Commander Nile calls for the Priest to control his emotions, and the trial continues. "We'll hear the Survey Corps's proposal next." Dhalis Zachary announces, his body shifting to face Juniper and everyone else on her side.

Juniper stands up straighter, her chin raised and her sharp, narrow, eyes pinning down every member of the Military Police who dares to glance her way.

"I, 13th Commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith, will present my proposal." Began Commander Erwin, "we could welcome Eren as an official member of our forces, and use his power to retake Wall Maria. That is all."

At first, Juniper smirks. Take that, she thinks, and then--wait, what. That was it? Juniper blanches and glances over at Erwin and Levi. She was certain there would be more to their proposal. What were they playing at here? This was someone's life in danger.

"That's all?" Dhalis Zachary asks.

"Yes, sir." Erwin responds. "With his power, we can retake Wall Maria. We believe it is clear what our priorities should be."

"I see," responds Dhalis Zachary, "and where do you plan to begin this mission? Pixis, the Trost wall has been completely sealed, correct?"

"Yes, it can never be opened again." Pixis affirms.

"We would like to set out from Karanes, in the east. From there, we will proceed to Shiganshina. We will determine the route as we go." Commander Erwin spoke up, a clear vision of a plan was already formed in his head. Juniper's still wary though, this trial could go either way.

"Wait a minute! Shouldn't we seal all the wall gates once and for all?" A new voice exclaims loudly. It was some resident from Wall Sina. Juniper scowls. She hates all the residents that reside in Sina. They're all cowards, to her. "The Colossal Titan can only destroy the gates. If we can strengthen them, we needn't endure further attacks!"

"Shut up, merchant dog!" A new voice calls from Juniper's--the Survey Corps--side. "With that Titan's power, we can return to Wall Maria!"

"We can no longer indulge in your delusions of grandeur!" The so-called 'merchant dog' responds, spit flying everywhere. Juniper wants to punch this bastard in the face.

"You talk a lot, pig," Levi speaks up, his voice was simple enough for the merchant dog to fall silent. "Where is your proof? That the Titans will wait while we seal the gates? The 'we' you speak of are only those you wish to protect, your 'friends' who help line your pockets. The people who starve because there isn't enough land to sow don't even figure into the thoughts of you pigs."

Juniper wants to say something desperately, but this was Levi and Erwin's battle. Not hers. She has to let her anger boil and die out. She can waste all this anger on killing Titans.

"We just thought that we could survive by sealing the wall gates--"

"Silence!" Priest Nick shouts, interjecting into the merchant dog's tyrant. "Impious traitor! Mere humans altering Wall Rose, walls that were a gift from God? Can you truly see those walls, God's work far beyond human capabilities, and not understand? Humanity is not fit to lay a single finger on those walls!"

Five years ago, no one would've cared for what the Wallists had to say, but now, people find assurance within their words. They were given so much power, it makes Juniper angry. Warmth floods through Juniper's veins as Levi's fingers curl around her wrists again, delicate as ever. "Your emotions, Juniper." He hisses quietly.

Dhalis Zachary slaps the table with his hand, calling for silence from the fighting merchant pig and Priest. "You may discuss your personal philosophies and opinions elsewhere. Jaeger, I wish to confirm something," his attention was now on Eren. Juniper's struggling to keep her emotions in check--why is she like this all of a sudden? Her emotions were never like this before, and now, with Eren existing within her life and stupid butterflies appearing in her stomach whenever Levi shows the slightest bit of attention to her, Juniper's emotions shine through.

"Can you continue to serve as a soldier, using your Titan powers to benefit humanity?"

"Yes, I can!" Eren answers.

"Oh? But the report on Trost's defense says this; 'immediately after turning into a Titan, he swung his fist at Mikasa Ackerman.'" Dhalis Zachary reads off a piece of paper. Once he's finished with the statement, Eren's head swings to focus his attention on someone within the Survey Corps standings.

"Is Mikasa Ackerman present?" Asks Dhalis Zachary.

"Yes. That's me," a raven-haired girl spoke up. Juniper adjusts her position to get a good view of the girl named Mikasa. Eren constantly mentioned her and a boy named Armin to Juniper whenever she visited him.

"You are Ackerman? Is it true that, as a Titan, Jaeger attacked you?"

A heated pause and then Mikasa answers him. "Yes, it's true."

Juniper releases a breath she didn't know she was holding. This was a revelation that Juniper had no clue about. This wasn't going to help their case. Damnit.

"But on two previous occasions, Eren saved my life in his Titan form," Mikasa spoke up loudly, determined to defend her friend. "The first time, mere seconds before a Titan would have had me in his grasp, he stood between us, protecting me. The second time, he saved Armin and me from an HE shell. I would like these facts to be considered, as well."

"I object!" Calls out Commander Nile and Juniper gives in to her urge. She blocks out Commander Nile, watching his mouth move soundlessly. This was much better. His voice was giving her a headache. She could tell by the reactions around her, whatever he was saying wasn't too good. Juniper can't help but stress out. She feels anxiety pushing her deeper into the ground.

It's Eren's voice that breaks Juniper out of the beginnings of her panic attack. "No!" He shouts, his voice vibrating around the room. "I mean, you are wrong. But you're simply coming up with theories that fit whatever it suits you to think."

"What did you say?" Commander Nile asks, horrified.

"Besides, all of you people. . . You've never seen a Titan! What are you so afraid of? What is the point of those with the means and power do not fight? If you're afraid to fight for survival, then help me! You. . Cowards! Just shut up and bet everything you have on me!" Eren's screams hold the room in silence--and then, like any other pussy, weapons are drawn.

Juniper didn't even notice Levi leave her side until she watches as his knee flies into Eren's cheek. Hard. A tooth flies from Eren's mouth and Juniper can't help herself and gasps. She watches on, horrified, as Levi bashes Eren into a pulp, kneeling on the ground. Her hand flies out to hold onto something, finding Erwin's hand waiting for her to squeeze tightly.

"This is a personal opinion," Levi says, "but I believe pain to be the best way to train someone. What you need is to be trained like a dog, not a man. It's easier to kick you while you're kneeling, too." For effect, Levi kicks Eren around more, Juniper watching with disbelief painted across her face. She was going to punch Levi as soon as she made it out of the courtroom.

"Wait, Levi," Commander Nile says, making Captain Levi stop.

"What is it?"

"That's dangerous. What if he gets angry and turns into a Titan?"

Erwin squeezes Juniper's hand, grabbing her attention. She looks at the Commander, whose face grins down at her, can't you see? It says. Juniper's head connects the dots. Obviously, Levi was bashing Eren to a pulp for a reason. And this was the reason. She breathes shakily, releasing Erwin's hand and running a hand through her hair. She should really stop doubting Erwin and Levi, but yet, she doesn't like the way they handle things, sometimes.

"What are you saying?" Levi grabs Eren by his hair and lifts his head, "aren't you going to dissect him?" Levi drops Eren's head, staring down at the bruised and beaten boy. "When he turned into a Titan last time, he killed twenty other Titans before collapsing. If he is an enemy, his intelligence makes him a more formidable foe. Still no match for me, of course. But what will you do? Anyone persecuting him should also consider that fact. Do you really think you can kill him?"

If Levi gets killed, Juniper's going to laugh.

"Sir, I have a proposal." Erwin's hand is raised.

"What is it?" Dhalis Zachary asks.

"The details of Eren's Titan power remain uncertain, making it dangerous. Thus, I propose to have Squad Leader Levi take responsibility for Eren's control, and embark on an expedition outside the walls."

"With Eren in tow?" Dhalis Zachary asks.

"Yes, sir. Based on the expedition's results, I'd like you to judge whether Eren can control his Titan power and whether he is a boon or bane to humanity."

"Control Eren Jaeger. . . Can you do it, Levi?"

"I'm certain I can kill him. The only problem is I doubt I can do any less," his eyes travel over to Juniper. Her heart's still frozen. Levi's stare only intensifies the ice surrounding it. Juniper knows Levi will need her help for whatever reason, and, for whatever reason, Juniper will be there. Always.

"Then my decision is made," Dhalis Zachary announces.

Relief spreads throughout Juniper. Eren's alive. He's going to be okay. Juniper feels like crying, she feels like throwing her arms around Erwin and Levi and hugging them both tightly, before giving each of them a good, proper, punch.

After making it out of the courtroom and into the safety of a quiet room, Juniper found herself alone with Levi. Her anger was finally able to be unleashed. Juniper pounces on Levi with a loud cry, her legs wrapping around his waist as she pokes, punches, and pinches Levi all over.

"You fucking--fucking fuckface! Ahh! You are the worst! I hope you die! But don't actually die! I hate you! You're so ruthless! You didn't have to be that hard on the boy! He's only fifteen for God's sake, this is his first time seeing the sun in a while! Have some sympathy for him!"

The door swings open wildly, revealing Erwin, Hange, Mike, and Eren. They stare at the pair of them, surprise evident on their faces. Juniper didn't have time to be embarrassed as she zeroes in on Erwin.

"You!" She screeches, her index finger pointing at Erwin. "You blasted menace! I was about to die in that ugly courtroom! And that's the last place I want to die! God have some mercy on my forsaken heart! Next time, warn me about what's going to happen, would you? I was about to cry in front of everyone for a few moments in that death room!"

Eren Jaeger, a fifteen-year-old boy with Titan powers, doesn't know what to do or what to say as he watches Juniper scold her superiors. Her eyes were ablaze and her body was shaking with rage as she held onto Levi for dear life as her cries grew louder. Is this what she meant by handling Levi? It was oddly satisfying, seeing Levi uncomfortable and red from Juniper's punches.

Erwin chuckles, "alright Juniper, you can calm down now! Eren's going to be alive for a few more months!"

Juniper scowls. "You're going to be using him as bait during this expedition, Erwin, I'm not daft."

"Really?" Muses Levi.

Juniper kicks Levi. "Shut up fuckface."

"Get off me," growls Levi, "you're heavier than I expected."

"No, this is your punishment for almost sending me to the heavens above."

"I always thought you would go to the pits of hell below." Grumbles Levi, pushing Juniper off his back. Juniper lands on the floor with a loud thump and silence encases the room after.

"You brat!" Exclaims Juniper, lifting herself off the ground. She dusts off her hands and finally, her eyes land on Eren. Juniper's angry look disappears and her smile returns. Her face is a lot softer now. "Eren! I'm glad we can talk again, don't mind Levi or Erwin, they have no regard for human life, unlike me!"

"Oi!" Levi growls.

Juniper ignores the small Captain and grumbles to herself as Hange leads Eren over to sit on the couch. Juniper list cross-legged on the desk in the corner of the room, talking to herself. She thinking of ways to throw Levi to the Titans without him making it out alive.

Seeing Levi close to Eren on the couch, Juniper jumps off the table and walks over to the couch. "I understand why it was necessary," Eren was saying to Levi. "That's good," Levi responds. Juniper huffs and squishes herself between the pair of them, swatting Levi's arm away from the back of the couch and replacing it with her own arm.

"Don't forgive him Eren, he deserves to be put in his place. Levi's too narcissistic for his own good. You saying that boosts his disgusting ego." Juniper shivers and glares at the smirking Captain. "He has no boundaries when it comes to beating, maiming, and killing."

Levi makes a noise of disapproval.

"I have to agree with Juniper, you took it a little far," Hange pipes up. "You lost a tooth." She opens up a cloth, revealing the tooth Eren had lost from Levi's knee to the face. "See?"

"Don't pick that up. . It's creepy," Levi says.

Juniper snorts, "that's rich, coming from you."

"Even this is an important sample," Hange tells Eren, obviously looking forward to her experiments with the Titan-boy.

"Eren, it's still better than getting dissected by people like her, right?" Levi asks, earning a jab in the ribs from Juniper's elbow. "Oops, I slipped!" Juniper says, smiling politely.

"I'm not like them, I wouldn't kill him." Hange defends herself, "hey Eren, let me see the inside of your mouth!"

"You don't have to, Eren, you should still maintain some sense of privacy." Interjects Juniper, "if I had only known how little privacy I would get when I joined the Survey Corps, things would've been different." Juniper mutters to herself.

Eren opens his mouth, allowing Hange to have a look. Her happy face transforms into a disbelief look. "The tooth. . it's already grown back."

"Great! He's not missing a tooth! Now, I'm getting tired so we should all head back to our rooms, huh?" Juniper yawns for emphasis. Erwin rolls his eyes and so does Levi, but right now, they both don't dare to disobey Juniper. She's known to hold grudges for a long time.

Juniper helps Eren off the couch even though he doesn't need it, and without meaning to, she hugs him tightly. "Glad you're alive, Eren, now let's focus on keeping you alive, yeah?" She draws out of their embrace and smiles brightly. "Sleep well!"

"You two," Juniper says while grabbing Erwin and Levi by their arms and pulling them towards the door, "are going on a walk with me."

author's note,
juniper and eren my beloved <3

i wanna write season three so badly i
have so many ideas for that season🙏🙏

why r wall sina ppl so dumb?? they rlly wanted to kill eren for the better of humanity, what Idiots👍

also this is so unedited pls i know there are mistakes in this chapter pls i was meant to edit it but now idc