Quick author's notes, every chapter the character's pov changes. For example today's chapter will be about Levi's perspective and his only and the next is someone else's and theirs only. However, I can be lazy, so there might be third person's pov depending on how I see the story. That's all, jump in and see if you like the story, and if you do, enjoy lmao.

Levi’s pov !

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Another expedition. Another day to see bloodshed. Another day of titan killing. Another day of losing some of their comrades.

Just another day in the survey corps-

Levi Ackerman for one is just a scout following Erwin. But the way his skills are used to kill titans are just so extraordinary, to the point he's rising to the ranks faster than expected.

Keith Shadis eventually resigned from his position as the Commander of the Survey Corps and handed the baton to Erwin Smith. Fortunately the male did not create any fuss or refuse and willingly accepted the promotion.

Erwin already had decided to promote Levi, but he had to wait on a few more expeditions for that to happen. A few more expeditions and Levi would be promoted to Captain with his own squad. Not that the Ackerman wouldn't be glad to take the promotion, but the man had been dull ever since. Just stoic and grumpy to everyone else, yet serious and focused on missions and had been killing a lot more titans than before.

Whatever just happened to his fate as a member of the survey corps and slowly becoming humanity's strongest weapon, it seemed it took a turn for this next expedition.

Seconds became minutes, and minutes became hours, it had been more than three hours since their expedition started, and they were to return in less than an hour and a half.

Erwin called for the scouts to regroup, right at the front of the gates and Levi was the farthest from them, who was surveying the area he and his squad last came from for the last time.

But before even turning away, his sight caught a glimpse of a child with a spotted hat rubbing its eyes from the sunlight while walking out of the forest, almost cautious to be out in the open.

Just when it could get worse, a titan wandering nearby appeared and managed to catch a whiff of human scents, its target seemingly after the boy that had its front facing the man mounting his horse. Levi's face paled.

The child doesn't seem to understand the horrified look on Levi, and almost immediately the short man had sprung into action and killed the titan in front of the boy before it could get closer to the innocent child, who seemed to be unfazed of the scenario and even been slightly bathed in titan blood it doesn't even seem to freak out of it.

But the moment Levi had glanced down on the child, he noticed it having felt its hat damp with blood, and that's when it freaked.

As the scout member observed the boy, the child seemed to be so different and unique. Its skin was slightly dark and its raven hair had been unkempt, unruly.

Levi narrowed his eyes, squinting to get a closer look at the child's hands. The boy seemed to have scribbles on its knuckles of his fists which Levi cannot make out of the letters.

As the boy stared up at the man, he saw how dull and tired they looked. Just like Levi's, as if the child had gone through a horrifying experience (trauma) and had barely gotten a wink of sleep for years.

The only thing the boy had brought with it was its spotted hat and unusual clothing. Levi cringed at the red moist covering the jacket.

It was dirtied with blood, but the color of the child's clothing is originally coloured brown, and it, well, fit him. The moment the boy turned around was when there were so many different things printed on the back of its coat.

For example, a circle which is crossed out, along with a smiley face above and the top of it were finally words written 'CORAZON'.

Looking up to observe the hat, it was white with black spots around it, along with a few drops of blood around it and it's the only thing the child had let out a freaked reaction out of things it witnessed today.

Interesting. Levi thought.

"Oi.. Brat." Levi finally called out and the boy raised its head, blinking a few times before meeting each other's eyes.

For some reason Levi had seen those eyes before. Those eyes that usually a war veteran holds. It shouldn't be what a kid like it should hold who looked about nine years old. There was barely anything bad happening inside the walls. Or unless the boy had escaped the walls in secrecy and had been living outside ever since. It would explain the eyes the child holds. But how, is what Levi cannot understand.

"What?" the boy replied, snapping out of the soldier's trance. That slightly high-pitched raspy voice responding to his calls, it almost sounded like himself when he was little.

Although the man swore the boy's piercing gaze almost sent shivers down his spine.

There was definitely something wrong with the kid. Levi internally shook his head from the thoughts, his gaze finally clear and down again on the child. "What the hell are you doing outside the walls?" he questioned, only to receive a shrug as an answer.

And yet again the child's focus is back to its hat, frowning immensely as if imitating Levi whenever he found an empty room which was recently used by other soldiers, dirty.

The future captain of the survey corps narrowed his eyes, then grit his teeth, almost about to angrily scold the boy for being outside and could have gotten itself killed.

"I don't know.." the child finally added to its gesture, it's soft tone was probably the only reason Levi hadn't lashed out on the kid for being reckless and shit.

The raven-haired kid ran its head through its unruly hair, eyes widening as if it had gone through a phase of realization. "I don't.. I- I don't remember." it responded vaguely.

Levi furrowed his brow and lifted the other as he stared suspiciously at the stammering boy, but seeing it drop its hat and glance at it's palms seemed enough proof the boy wasn't lying.

Worse, it began to hyperventilate.

And how the fuck did Levi even realize the kid wasn't lying? It's odd.

Levi knelt down, sheathing his weapon and gestured to the boy to come close. The kid managed to calm down as he glanced up at him and understood Levi's gesture.

Warily, he began to approach the man hesitantly, hands kept closer to his chest as it trembled and his expression nervous.

The member of the survey corps could understand his wariness, since most of the time Levi lived most of his childhood to understand that not all villagers, nobles, or even scouts/soldiers/police such as himself are to be trusted.

"Let's get you back inside." Levi reassured gently, wrapping his arms around the child and the boy seemed to lean closer, his trust for him increasing and laid his head on the older male's shoulder.

The brat can be adorable.

Unbeknownst to Levi, the man's lips curved upwards and his brows furrowed. It had been a while since he was able to hug somebody physically.

He didn't even notice he'd stopped referring to him as 'it'.

Hoisting himself up, Levi held the child tighter before carrying him (and his hat which he plans to clean later on) and held him up so he could mount the horse.

But before the soldier could even climb, the boy began to whine and frown. "What the hell's wrong with you?" the man questioned in an irritated tone, eyebrows furrowing even more. "I'm not alone. I need to get back to them, they're waiting for me, I have to get back to them..”

Levi blinked. There's more of them? Great. The scout rolled his eyes and sighed.

Nudging his horse, Levi glanced up at the boy sitting on the saddle who had worried look. "Show me the way, I don't have time for this." he hissed.

Eventually they found the child the other with a spotted hat was worried about, but Levi glanced around for another child's presence, recalling the raven-haired boy's mentioning there was another one.

Instead, his eyes laid back to the child they encountered, snoozing comfortably on a wooden plank. As they walked closer, Levi managed to figure out the child's appearance.

Ragged blue jacket with the sleeves rolled up, with a dirty cravat, a white plain shirt underneath his jacket, blue pants with black shoes that ultimately fit him.

Beside him was a pipe for him to grab in case of incoming danger, which isn't really helpful against titans. Levi wondered how these two had survived for long before he found them. And a top hat with a pair of blue goggles strapped around it on the other side of the unconscious boy.

"Sabo-ya!" the boy called out, attempting to dismount the horse but Levi caught him before he could hit the ground.

The most noticeable between these boys was they had different hair colours. The boy curled up on the ground asleep had dirty blonde hair, short but there were curls of locks and the other, raven haired like Levi's.

'Sabo', who seemed to be the name of the little blondie yawned awake at the mention of his name, groggily blinking to make out of the figures in front of him.

He perked up at the raven-haired boy approaching him, almost spilling his name out loud but tensed up the moment he laid his eyes on the man behind the spotted hat boy.

On instinct, the little blonde's hand made it's way to his pipe in a frenzy and pointed it at Levi. "Who are you!?" he asked frantically and Levi was amused by the boy's reaction.

As the scout observed the boy's face however, he had a nasty scar over his left eye.

Levi wondered how he got a scar in such a young age. But then again, who is he to ask? He's just a stranger to them.

Impassively, the soldier placed his hands up to show no threats. "He saved me." The raven-haired reassured and Sabo contemplated, before making up his mind and slowly drop his weapon.

Silence fell over then and it seemed the other began to glance around the room as if looking for something, or someone.

"Where's Koby?" the raven-haired finally popped the question, eyeing around the room and Levi did too. Sabo laid his back on the ground.

"Mmh," he lazily hummed, still groggy as ever. "M' don't know. Was watching over him and the next I fell asleep."

The boy's face paled, clutching his spotted hat he almost lunged at the blonde. "I told you to watch over him, he's younger than us!!".

The blonde frowned and crossed his arms, "You know how I don't like taking orders! And I just really passed out asleep! Even I hoped he hadn't gone far from us!" he countered and the boys were about to bicker when Levi cleared his throat, his eyes catching sight of pink locks of hair peeking out of the closet door and moving.

"He's inside the closet." he informed the boys and as if on cue, the boy hiding behind a closet squeaked, scrambling and the closet doors open, revealing a pink-haired boy falling off and crashed to the ground, letting out a pained whine.

The raven-haired boy and Sabo both sighed in relief, but they continued to glare at one another.

Busy with their competitive glaring, Levi approached the timid pinkie, glancing up at Levi with fear in his eyes as he scooted backwards from the man.

The boy who was dubbed 'Koby' wore a white jacket with blue lines connected from the neck, shoulders and down the sleeves on the sides, blue pants that resembled the color of his neckerchief as well as a brightly green and yellow patterned bandanna worn tied across his forehead.

He wore a pair of round purple glasses over his eyes and a small but noticeable X shaped scar in the middle of his forehead.

Irritatingly enough these children reminded him of his dead friends. At least the blondie and the pinkie. If Isabel was alive she would have been squealing in excitement from how adorable they all are and beg Levi to adopt them.

Frankly enough, they would have to split the kids and each of them would take care of one of them as their own, for example, Farlan would be taking Sabo, Isabel taking care of Koby and Levi with the raven-haired boy. Come to think of it, he's never knew the name of the boy with his spotted hat.

Levi cursed himself mentally. There's no time to be thinking of his dead friends. "Hello?" the little boy in front of him called out softly, meekly staring up at Levi with, well, still fear in his eyes. The soldier sighed.

"I don't know how the hell you three got outside but we have to get you back inside the walls now." he demanded sternly, not just to Koby but the rest of them.

Eventually they all agreed to come along the soldier because of the raven-haired's reassurance.

Carrying them so they could mount the horse, Levi felt they were light, suppose their lack of food in their bodies but the blondie was the most light, and warmer than the rest of the boys.

Not long Levi shook off his thoughts and was the last to mount his horse, sitting right far behind.

He was already fifteen minutes late from regrouping and the scouts must have probably given up on him and headed back to the walls.

But hopefully not considering Commander Erwin wouldn't want to lose their soon to be strongest weapon of humanity because he was a bit late from meeting up with everyone.

Throughout the trip the four of them were all silent. Awkward even.

Nobody would pipe up a conversation and surprisingly enough, the blondie that seemed to be the loudest, wasn't so loudest right now, but unexpectedly, the quietest was the one that spoke up. "M-Mister..? We, we haven't gotten to know your name.."

Koby squeaked out awkwardly and Levi blinked. That ought to swat off the silence hovering them.

Grunting in annoyance, Levi glanced down at the children who were suddenly looking up at him, anticipating his answer.

Even the raven-haired was intrigued. "Levi." the man responded gruffly.

"I'm Koby.. Nice to meet you mister Levi.." the pinkie smiled as he shyly lowered his head.

"I'm Sabo!" the blonde finally perked up with the biggest grin there is plastered on his face.

"Law." the raven-haired with his dirty spotted hat huffed out, avoiding eye contact for some reason.

Koby, Sabo, and Law. Got it.

"So, do you brats have any recollection why you're all out here in the open or do you all not remember anything like Law over here?" Levi finally asked, filling in to avoid the awkward silence and the blondie along with pinkie frowned.

"We don't remember at all." they shook their heads. "We just, woke up in the same place and barely remembered anything other than our names.." Sabo explained.

“Do you remember how old you three are then?” and surprisingly they do. “Koby’s the youngest out of all of us. He's 6, Sabo’s 10, and I'm 13.” Law spoke for them. The soldier hummed in response, giving reassurance to the children that he understood.

He isn't heartless anyway.

Eventually they managed to hear faint voices calling out for the last survey corps member from afar.

"Levi-san!" Young Petra called out for the man in worry, but sighed in relief as his figure riding on a horse appear. "Levi-san we were so worried!" she exclaimed but only heard a grunt from the man, he was rolling his eyes knowing he's already strong enough to fend for himself from the titans.

But he decided not to stray from the main topic he's about to say. "Found three brats wandering outside in the open area. They're all amnesiac and doesn't remember how and why they were out here in the first place. I need to get to Erwin."

Levi demanded sternly, showing the children who were all fluttering their irritating big eyes up at Petra.

Unsurprisingly, the woman was melting at their gaze and Levi scoffed, crossing his arms as he waited for Petra to come back to her senses and lead him the way to their newly appointed commander of the survey corps.

"Awww!" he heard her squeal. "They're all so adorable!" she exclaimed and Levi sighed in annoyance. "Petra, focus." he called out to her, glaring at the woman and she flinched at his gaze.

"Yes sir!" she saluted and used her horse to move back to the gates, whereas Erwin awaits for his scouts to completely regroup and gather the dead bodies of their comrades to bury them.

Levi glanced down at the brats for a brief second and followed Petra by horse, heading for Erwin.

"You're not so nice to the lady over there." Sabo suddenly spoke up and Levi grunted, giving the blondie a glare of his as well. "I'm not exactly nice to everyone, brat." he exclaimed.

Sabo puffed his cheeks and looked away, avoiding the man's angry gaze. “He’s mean, I don't like him.” the boy grumbled. Levi rolled his eyes before hearing a faint chuckle from the pinkette. “Well he's nice enough to bring us to a safe place, I like him.” Koby exclaimed innocently along with a smile.

Levi swore he saw Sabo whining as he shook Law about something on keeping Koby for himself before the man himself focused on Erwin as they met each other's eyes.

Hange’s horse approached them and smiled at the brats who seemed to get along with her.

Except for Law who just seemed so irritated and shutting himself away other than talking along to the other brats.

Soon, the decision was made clear.

They were keeping the children considering none of them liked the words 'being an orphan' and Sabo literally fought seven to being the whole survey corps members of the expedition (with the exception of Levi and Erwin) to avoid being put into the orphanage, or at least the brats themselves joined forces to avoid being put in the orphanage.

Worse however, they allowed them to take them in, with the condition that Levi was to be put in charge for taking care of the children for he was the one who found them.

Best day ever for Levi, isn't it?

--

But it was nice to have company in his room at least, although he would want hear those annoying cricket sounds when he slept rather than hearing the children’s noises.

“Take a bath you little shits, you all stink.” Levi pointed at the bathroom and Sabo grumbled at his rudeness while Koby chuckled nervously and the two of them complied to his simple order, both heading for the bathroom.

Law stood put however, watching the two other making their way to the other room.

Levi raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. “Aren’t you going to bathe as well?” he asked and Law shook his head.

“Not yet. My initial gut tells me I should bathe alone. My body tells me not to go until they're done.” the raven-haired boy exclaimed.

Levi nodded and walked away, only to come back with cleaning products and tossed it to Law. “Then clean the room with me while you wait for your turn.”

Law rolled his eyes but obeyed nonetheless and the moment the two others stepped out of the bathroom, the room was spot-on clean.

And soon Law was found heading for the bathroom. While they were looking for new and comfortable clothing, Levi glanced at the dirty hats.

“Put your hats on the dirty laundry basket.” Levi commanded but Sabo wasn't being cooperative. “How do we know you're not going to steal them?” he questioned the older male and Levi grunted in annoyance.

However, Law spoke for Levi instead as the boy walked out of the bathroom, fresh from his bath. That was fast if Levi was going to be honest. “Just put them in the basket. Why do you think the corps took us in? All we could do in return for their kindness thanks to your little scenario is to obey our guardian.”

Levi scowled at the last word but was bluntly ignored. But wait, if fighting seven to whole survey corps members weren't a big deal for them, then-

Koby tugged at Levi’s shirt. The man glanced down at now dressed Koby frowning at the two boys bickering, disliking the way they keep arguing at one another.

“Can you tell me a bedtime story?” he asked meekly, and the pinkette’s head lowered, as if anticipating for the negative answer and his grip on Levi’s shirt loosened.

For a moment, Levi was about to say no. But something stopped him and before he could realize it, he was already seeing the sparkled eyes coming from Koby right at him with a bright smile.

Levi managed to say yes without his consent. He wanted to punch himself. What was wrong with him today?

In the end, he managed to tuck in all three children in their own beds.

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AN: I made loads of changes so I hope you don't mind. Before the colossal titan appears, it'll take him 3 years, 3 years of the newest 'brats' of the survey corps to grow up and form a bond with peepaw Levi. I have a lot of changes, but I'll try not stray from the story.

I've already gotten 2-5 chapters finished, but I'll post them every Wednesday.

I'll come up with a better album cover, promise.

Few other changes/HCs I will share:

-Koby becomes a close friend of.. 👀 ?
(you'll find out in future chapters)

-Koby’s cowardice is back, but his body remembers his bravery however and often goes ahead and fight before thinking about it

-Sabo will be a little cheerful (and sadistic) much like Luffy but smarter, quicker and flexible, but still dumb

-Law becomes Levi jr. in the future

-They’re still children, their child body will often remember what it's like to be a child and often act (ooc) childish than ever. However, it doesn't change the fact the three of them are originally fighters. Koby's cowardice might have returned, but that doesn't mean he will stay put and not fight.

-The same goes for Law and Sabo. Also, their devil fruits are still intact in their bodies.