****

A/N: 

This is a oneshot I've wanted to do since chapter since I started writing for Rivamika but I never felt brave enough to try and bring this Oneshot to life until now. 

I've always wanted to do an Oneshot where Mikasa was taken in by Dimo Reeves. I like that in the small and very limited scenes together that both Dimo and Mikasa seemed to have that bratty/irritated bond between them. Mikasa is that one student that messes with that one teacher that no one ever dares to mess with and somehow never gains detention from said teacher who is past furious with the student and counts down the days until they leave the school for good. 

I might be wrong but I personally felt that neither Dimo nor Mikasa would put up with each others bullshit. And that's always made me want to write a oneshot over Dimo taking Mikasa in after her parents deaths. Leaving Mikasa to grow up as an Reeves merchant. 

I was re-inspired to try writing something like this when Chapter 54 of the manga had came out and it showed Mikasa and Dimo dealing with one another once more. 

****

HOPE YOU ENJOY 

PLEASE VOTE

Side Note: Mikasa still gains a red scarf, it just wouldn't have belonged to Eren first. I felt like once the colder seasons hit and all the winter clothing being sold, Mikasa would still end up with a scarf that she grows attached too. She'd also cut her hair during her teen years, trying to commit crimes with long hair is a pain. 

Side Note 2: Dimo Reeves mentions being married and having a daughter. But unlike his son who's named as Flegel Reeves. The wife and daughter is never named. So, I've decided to name them both. Not sure if they'd be mentioned in this oneshot but I want to give t hem names just in case. 

Dimo wife - Camellia.

Dimo Daughter - Rumelia. 

https://youtu.be/ptJVWT6Oco4

Mikasa wasn't sure over how many days had passed since she was stolen from her home. She knew it couldn't have been too long since she still saw the fresh details over her parents bodies whenever she closed her eyes. 

She'd already grieved for her parents, cried as any child would once losing their loving and caring parents. Her nightdress was stained and smelled, the filth of the streets had slowly replaced the smell of woods and blood in the air. 

Her grief turning her numb and soon enough she was only cold. Having accepted her new fate and hated it. She at least knew she was somewhere in Wall Rose. Her kidnappers had managed to travel to the next wall without being caught or at least having enough Garrison soldiers bought over to let them slip past without trouble. 

She wasn't sure when she had just stopped caring, had decided that if she was going to have her life ruined and her original future that involved loving parents than she'd take down as many of her kidnappers as possible. If they were allowed to change the fate she had dreamed over as an innocent child, then she'd change the fate of those who had wronged her family. 

Her parents wouldn't have approved, their hearts would have broken for her that night. 

But Mikasa felt the impulse to live all of a sudden. 

Having grabbed one of the kidnappers knife's left carelessly dropped on an mattress free bed within the room they kept her imprisoned with. All three having grown carelessly as they assumed she was an empty doll, an puppet they could easily control. They weren't expected her to suddenly fill with a fight once more. 

So, she took their lives. 

Moved fast and killed harder. 

Her nightdress was still dirty.

But the smell of blood filled the air once more and she glanced down to the new stains left splattered over her sleepwear. 

Her parents wouldn't be pleased to know she had taken three lives tonight.

But she just couldn't allow herself to be forced into a new fate without making a stand just the once. 

She just didn't expect to be the last past standing after her final fight. 

And that's when the man who'd change her life entered the poor and mostly emptied out home being used by the kidnappers. Stepping inside and freezing at the sight of the scene left inside. More surprised over the precious cargo he had meant to collect from this place and pass on to the agreed seller. 

He was never told it was a little girl, a living person. 

And by the broken and damaged glint to the girl's eyes, she no longer had a home to return too.

Dimo didn't like hurting kids or involving them past the point of acting as spies on the streets. He paid kids to tell him important gossip, to past on real intel that he could use. He never allowed kids to be placed in any real danger. 

He never sold kids. 

Sure, he's gathered a few people being hunted down that would pay him a huge reward once he passed them over by their tractors. And he did always happily pass over adults to bad people. Adults knew how dangerous their world was, knew that if they played the game of life like a fool than you'd die an idiots death. 

"My daughter had been begging for a big sister. She's upset she only has an big brother. She's four but she's decided she wants a big sister by her next birthday or she's going to run away apparently. Fancy being a middle child?" Dimo huffs out as he stands with his hands on his hips and knowing he couldn't just leave the girl before him on her own to survive Trost. 

Mikasa simply stayed silent, staring towards the round and short man. Trying to get a read on him and wondering why he'd want to adopt a random eight year old covered in three grown men's blood. 

"Lend me your strength with my business as you grow older and I'll make sure you're never forced to be owned by somebody again. I'd never allow any of those sick bastards hoping to buy you tonight to ever gain a second chance to try and take you as their own again. Only ever let you marry if you find someone you've chosen to stay with. Sounds like a fair deal?" Dimo offers up as he holds out a sweaty hand towards her, knowing she'd most likely want a safe location to call home where she still holds some control over her life still. 

Mikasa thought over it for a second before walking over, knife still in hand but took Dimo's offered hand with her free one. Shaking his hand and accepting his offer on the spot. Both adult and child knew she was most likely too young to understand the deal but at least knew she'd be safe for as long as Dimo could protect her from the world. 

Ten Years Later...

Levi only had a few quick seconds to glance around the pub he had came crashing through, looking around in quick and desperate glances once he finished rolling in his landing. Ignoring the startled yells and yelps as costumers started racing out of the place as they all knew it was about to become a war zone. 

Leaping over the bar and hiding underneath while the bar tender dressed in a smart suit stayed trembling just a few feet away beside him. The place for public drinking for most work folk around soon had it's doors kicked in by no other than Kenny Ackerman himself. Guns held in hands and he started calling for his nephew to stop playing cat and mouse already. 

Levi wasn't foolish enough to leave his hiding place, not while he was loading the shotgun kept underneath the serving bar. He knew the moment he showed himself, his uncle would start shooting at him again. This time, Levi was prepared to shoot back. 

But Levi halted in standing as a quiet thud filled the room and Kenny's footsteps came to a sudden halt in his stalking. Someone else's foot was tapping against the wooden foot from where they still sat at their chair by whatever knocked over table that had been using before all the chaos forced it's way inside. 

Levi was ready to fight his uncle but he was left hesitating at the news over a complete stranger having stayed sitting in place during all this mess. That they had been stupid enough to stay seated instead of making their escape to safety like every other customer had done already. 

"You're playing a dangerous game, little lady" Kenny warns as his gazes move from the knife wedged into the flooring very close to his foot to the late teen sitting calmly in her chair still. 

The table she had been sitting under was knocked over as well as the second chair that had been used by a second person she was meeting with. Her right leg had been crossed over her left, her left foot had been tapping before she finally threw the knife towards the man who had disturbed her day when he shouldn't have. 

"You interrupted my business. You're lucky I didn't throw it into your foot as payment for ruining business" Mikasa simply stated with harden and dangerously shining silver eyes staring towards the middle aged man. She wasn't acting out by her displeasure but she was making it clear that she held it towards him. 

"Do you really want to try barking back. You know where your people stand with us currently. I wouldn't risk rocking the boat too much otherwise you'd be watching them all drown soon enough" Kenny shot back with an sly smirk, knowing the Reeves had no choice but to do as he requests unless they want to find themselves dead or left dying on the streets with no help. 

"You broke our agreement. We follow our orders and you leave our business alone. You don't ruin our business while you run playing games. I almost had an agreement settled before you're lost bird came swooping in and causing a panic. Keep your birds caged if you can't control them" Mikasa told with an cold expression as she pushes herself to stand, heading towards the doors and purposely leaving her knife behind. She knew if the captain was smart and as good of a dirty fighter as rumours spoke over, he'd use it for his own sake. 

"Get lost" Kenny snaps back, watching her leave and making sure she won't get in his way again today. 

"I've delayed your hunt as planned. Let's call us even now. Good luck, shorty. Make sure to leave him real sore for me" Mikasa confesses with an tiny smirk pulling at her lips, having gotten her own form of payback against the man for ruining a business deal for her today. 

And Levi had leaped to his feet before the doors even finished swinging closed properly. Shooting at his uncle without any hesitation and throwing his punches as soon as he jumped over the serving bar. Fighting his way towards his own escape and rather enjoying the fact that his uncle hasn't gotten every townsfolk frighten off him just yet. 

Seems the Military Police didn't hold everyone's loyalty completely. And a few of those people were willing to bite instead of just barking back now. Levi wasn't sure who the unknow women was but she had lowered her uncles defences down by distracting him with conversation. It left him so easily wide open for Levi to attack. 

And he mentally promises to repay her if he ever crosses path with her again someday in the future. 

Mikasa ignored the fight happening behind her and around the rest of the town as she headed back to Trost. Heading home for the day as she had no other reasons for being out and knew the walls had grown too dangerous to casually take a stroll now. 

Plus, Mikasa knew that her uncle had wanted to go out in the evening but never liked leaving her auntie or little cousin home alone without any form of protection. And with all the guys in their group having loves ones or friends they were rooming with now, not many were free to act as full time bodyguards for  the Reeves. 

Mikasa didn't mind staying in tonight, she had promised to help finish sewing up Rumelia's new dress. Her old one had grown a bit too sort and started to rip in places. Camellia wouldn't allow her daughter to leave their home in such state, fearing for her daughter's safety around anyone nowadays, soldiers weren't the only bad people out in the open anymore. Dimo had practically thrown his own shirts and coat towards his wife, hoping a dress could be made from them as he never wanted his daughter to live without anything while growing up nor did he ever wish for his daughter to be dressed in such a poor state. 

Poor. 

It had hit Trost hard and Reeves Company was the only thing keeping the people fed and the homes barely standing. Dimo being the only one who gave a damn for his home and his people, working hard to protect them all and desperately keeping as many as alive as he could. 

And in payment, Mikasa had gained a few free rolls of fabric to make Rumelia's new dress with. Leaving most of the dress making to camellia but having promised to do some of the obvious sewing as Rumelia always adored the Ackerman handed down needle work style. 

Dimo had praised and complimented his youngest daughter the moment he saw her in her new dress. She had stayed up just to show it off to him once he had return from his work. Dimo had always been a decent parent to his children. Always adored them while being strict over helping t hem to survive the always changing world they lived in. 

But Mikasa knew something was troubling her uncle. She saw it in his eyes the moment he stepped in through the front door. Flegel, her older cousin, noticed his father's displeasure but didn't think over it for too long, not wanting to be pulled into bad news. 

Mikasa wasn't going to ask over it tonight but she'd be keeping an eye on her uncle figure and an ear out towards their people over any rumours going about. She knew her uncle most likely got new orders from the mp's or worse, Kenny had personally spoken with Dimo over her actions earlier in the day. Another threat spoken, obvious and clear enough to remind Dimo that all of Trost could be left to ruin if he mistepped. 

Mikasa just wished that Dimo allowed her to dip into her inner warrior once more and left dealing with Kenny and his chosen team by herself. She'd most likely die on her own but she knew she'd take down the worse lot of them. She'd bring down Kenny with her at least. 

But Dimo had never wanted his oldest daughter to grow to be a killer. A ruthless and bloodthirsty murderer. He made her promise to only kill in war and to save lives. To never kill and play as god like a fool. And Mikasa had promised him such a promise when he had asked her for it. 

It wasn't until weeks later when the orders came into light. 

Eren Yeager and Christa Lenz, or better known as Historia Reiss.

The Reeves Company, once just a merchant company, was ordered to kidnap the two for their MP's client. Mr Reiss. Dimo knew that if the survey corps lost their currently losing war, than he'd be killed for all the information he was already told by the MP's chosen unit by Reiss. 

Dimo knew too much and he'd be killed for it someday even if he's the perfect loyal dog to them. 

It's why Mikasa knew over all the secrets as well. Her uncle told them to her in private, knowing his oldest child, his son wasn't ready to be burned with so many secrets and lift danger-ing information. Knew his son was too scared over their current enemy to ever keep anything from them for long. 

"Let me come with you" Mikasa asked from where she's stayed standing with her back to the wall, arms left dangling by her sides but her hands left in tight fists. She didn't like these orders, didn't like the job. 

"No. It's not safe" Dimo firmly told her as he carried on slipping his jacket on, both tucked away at the Reeves Company building, a small building wedged between two apartment blocks.

"You're going" Mikasa pointed out with an frown, she knew his men would look out for him but she still didn't feel good over these orders. 

"I'm the boss. I must go. I don't want you caught up with that titan lad. No one but us would care if you ended up dead during the crossfire" Dimo sighed as he glanced to his oldest daughter and not wanting her to be pulled into this mess too much. He knew that only the Reeves would care if any of their family or people were killed in the crossfires. 

"I'm your strongest fighter. Most skilled ally" Mikasa argued back, trying to reason with why she should be on the job with him. 

"And you are also my daughter. I've tried protecting you as much as I have my son and younger daughter. Allow me to protect you today by leaving you to look after our turf while I'm away" Dimo huffs out in annoyance as he was trying to protect her as much as he tries to protect the rest of his family. 

"The Survey Corps won't stand down without an fight. They're not our enemy" Mikasa warned as she looked to her uncle, knowing the Scout Regiment wasn't known for backing down so easily. They did chose to fight titans after all. 

"And they're not powerful enough to stop what's coming either. No one cared for us before this sour business began and no one will care for us afterwards. It's up to me to keep Trost standing and stop our people's numbers from dropping again. If playing the bad guy means helping us all survive this current war, so be it" Dimo mumbles back with a small shake of his head as he heads towards the front door and knowing he'd rather stick with the winning side since his people would most likely survive better that way. 

"If I hear no word from you within two days, I'll be coming after you" Mikasa reminds him as she glances to the side, not willing to lose a second family. 

"You'll hear from me. I don't think even humanity strongest could survive your wrath" Dimo happily joked as he headed out of the door, knowing how many people his oldest daughter has frighten to death by her awoken wrath in the past. 

And it was later that day that Mikasa lifted her gaze from the company's shady paperwork to the door from where she sat behind the counter and heard the bell dingle. Raising an eyebrow towards the short man stepping inside, someone who had no real reason to be at Reeves Company. 

Not when he's being hunted down by everyone else within the walls. 

But Mikasa still collected the shady paperwork, Dimo always keeping a paper trial over the legal, illegal and military orders jobs they've done. Normally keeping it hidden from sight but always ready to bring down their masters with them if they ever get left for dead. Tucking all the paperwork back into a box for now as the man finally came to a stop between the counter and the door. 

She didn't bother to speak a word, waiting for him to explain himself first instead or just leave without speaking a word. He simply took a look around the room from where he stood before taking her in last. 

She stood unimpressed, grabbing her red scarf and tying it around her exposed neck once more. She never liked dealing with anything new without her comfort item. It helped to ground her when she needed grounding. 

"Reeves will be working with us from now on" The man stated as he looked straight at her, his expression seemed cold but she knew he was just being serious. 

"Should you be spreading such gossip around when we both know how easily it could get him killed, Captain Levi" Mikasa replies with a small frown as she rests her hands on top of the counter, showing she held no weapon but making it clear she knew who he was. 

"He sent me to collect you. Said you'd be the only one around here at this time. But I feel at an disadvantage when you clearly know over me and yet, I hold no name to your face" Levi admits his reasoning for being here, tilting his head to the side ever so slightly as he questions for her name. 

"Mikasa Reeves. Dimo niece" Mikasa answers, knowing there was no point trying to hide who she was. He'd find out one way or another.  

The captain merely raised his eyebrow for half a second before giving a small nod, accepting her answer. Clearly wasn't going to question her family bloodlines, not when he's grown up with a family that held no blood ties after he lost his mother and his father left. Furlan and Isabel were good friends but they were also his family. He understood most families weren't always linked by blood now. 

"I see. You've got an skilled throw, Miss Reeves. Been meaning to return this since our first crossing of paths" Levi gently says, a glint of pride and amusement in his eyes as he lays down a knife on the counter. One that had belonged to her and showing that he hadn't forgotten her voice. 

"I only helped you to cause trouble for Kenny. He's grown too big for that hat of his" Mikasa confesses as she takes back her knife, making it clear she wasn't openly helping him in the moment. She just saw a chance to make trouble for Kenny, that's all. 

"I'm planning to make sure he'd never be able to cause trouble for anyone again" Levi firmly states, his eyes honest and showing he means to deal with Kenny properly. 

"You really shouldn't be telling a complete stranger that" Mikasa warns with a small frown. 

"We both know you won't hand me in. You're one of the few who'd actual bite back at Kenny. Not many would, they fear him too much. You'll cheer for a chance for someone else to deal with Kenny for you and I'm that man" Levi simply replies as he looks to her, already knowing she wouldn't give him or his men up to Kenny of all people. Not when she openly wanted Kenny's downfall too. 

The two didn't talk much more while Mikasa locked up the company and the pair started heading out to one of of the Reeves Company owned buildings that acted as a safe house. An old bakery that never did sell much before Reeves took ownership and simply kept it looking closed to keep it a safe place for anyone to rush and recover within in after a failed nasty job. 

Mikasa knew the place, took lead in taking the captain there. Asking a few questions and letting him give her as much of a run down as he could over their current situation. Mikasa didn't grow furious over parts the captain was clearly keeping, she was keeping things from him after all. 

But Mikasa still wondered over her uncle, hoping he hasn't been harmed by the Scout Regimen during their crossing in paths. As well as the men he was meant to work the job with. She really did feel like she was in a losing battle sometimes.

She did take the chance to gain a better look at the shorter man beside her while they walked. Enough daylight was still feeling the skies and giving her a chance to see the man clearly. He was as handsome as she's heard the others speak over and understood why some of the women wished to marry him. He was on the short side but he clearly held some brute strength with his toned muscles. And why he looked slightly scary, she knew him to be kind deep down. 

He reminded her more over the cold but charming knights from Rumelia's book. He wasn't a prince charming but a strong and protective knight that seemed to save the day in the background while the prince would take all the glory. 

"You better not be going into fucking heat around me" Levi hisses out as he stares at her, starting to get fed up with her staring at him for the past five minutes without speaking a word to him. 

And Mikasa shook such silly thoughts over knights away from that sentence alone. The Captain was a short pig with no manners in the end. No wonder he never got to marry any of his many fans in the past, they all went running as soon as he opened his mouth. 

"I'm merely surprised your titan's kill count is as high as it is since you can't use your stepping stool to reach their napes" Mikasa muttered back without any care over the irritation feeling the shorter man's eyes from her own comment.  

The two allowed themselves to glare at one another for a few extra minutes before purposely not looking at the other. Keeping silent and merely planning to beat the other up when they're not in such dangerous times. Both assuming they'd win that fight. 

"Uncle, I found this missing child at the company" Mikasa called out, pointing a thumb over her shoulder towards the captain following in behind her. 

"Tsk, damn mouthy brat" Levi grumbled back as he closed the door behind him. Starting to rethink if they actual need Reeves company or not if it means being stuck with her. 

"Shorty" Mikasa commented under her breath, earning the shorter man to glare up towards her. 

"Glad to see you're getting along better with this captain than the others" Dimo cheered with a bright smile as he rubbed his hands togehter. Having feared his daughter wouldn't get along with the captain at all. He was grateful to see no broken bones or a beaten given to the man in the short time he's been with his oldest daughter. 

"I haven't known him long enough to hate him on their level.. yet"  Mikasa admitted with a light shrug, purposely looking towards the captain when she mentions the "yet" part. 

"Hopefully we'll rarely be around the other during all this mess. Otherwise I might just throw myself at Kenny so I won't have to deal with you're attitude" Levi grits back, showing his own displeasure over having to deal with her. 

"At least I'm not acting out like an teenage girl fresh in puberty" Mikasa scoffed back as she placed her hands on her hips. She's faced women and girls less moody when on their period compared to the captain. 

"It's nice to see you making friends again. Camellia will be so happy once I tell her the news. Thought Rumelia might be a little jealous that you've gotten to meet humanity's strongest before she had a chance to marry him" Dimo admits with an gleeful shine to his eyes and an face splitting smile. His smile growing a little worried as he scratches his chin over the thought of his youngest daughter's reaction once she hears over them meeting the great Captain Levi before she ever did. 

"I'd say she could keep him but she deserves a better husband" Mikasa replies with an frown, never once planning for her youngest cousin to meet the captain until he learnt some damn manners around women. 

"You really aren't the sweetest lady I've ever met" Levi grumbled back as he shoved his hands into his pocket and wondering if he collected the wrong daughter after all. 

"Maybe if you were a real gentlemen, you wouldn't care that I wasn't a real lady" Mikasa argued back with an low growl as she tugs on her scarf a little. Knowing she was getting a bit too worked up by the man. 

"Now should I bring my son into this now or wait until another day? I don't think he'd take our newest partnership well" Dimo perked up with speaking his thoughts out loud, interrupting the grumbling pair. 

"Want me to keep an eye on him?" Mikasa offered up as she nodded back to the door, ready to keep an eye on her older cousin and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid behind their backs. They all love Flegel but he's always been a bit of a scary-cat that acts before thinking. Always trying to survive but never planning ahead over what the aftermath might bring him.

"No. That won't be needed. Maybe this is the perfect chance to get him involved with all sides of the business better. He needs to be able to chose for himself and take risks" Dimo mumbled back with an small frown, his eyes serious as he knew this was the perfect chance to get his son involved with all sides of their company business. 

"Can your son be trusted?" Levi questions, lips drawn into an tensed line as he wondered if Flegel would be a threat to them all. 

"You'll know if he's about to break down" Mikasa confesses with an grimace, knowing that she couldn't completely trust her cousin but at least knew he was so easy to read that everyone knew he was about to stab them in the back. Most of them time they're able to stop him from being an idiot by his early warning signs. 

"So we'd at least see the clues before he sells us out, nice to know" Levi deadpanned, not at all impressed over this turn of events. 

"He won't sell you out. Not if he wants to bring Reeves company down with you" Dimo admits with an stressed smile, knowing his son wouldn't risk losing the only home he has now. He's at least smart enough to keep the company going. 

"Any chance you'll be the future mastermind of the company, for all our sakes?" Levi whispers, feeling a bit desperate as he hasn't met the son yet and didn't hold much faith in him.  

"He's the heir" Mikasa tells the captain with an apologetic glint to her eyes. Not many of Trost held much faith in Flegel as the future boss but out of respect to Dimo, none have acted so far. All hoping that Flegel would change for the good and grow to be a good boss like Dimo is. 

Mikasa and Levi shared a look while Dimo was lost in his thoughts. Both understanding the other's concerns and now added stress due to Flegel. Pity shared between them both for a single second. 

Any silent conversation happening between them both was soon stopped as a new voice called out, having not gotten a clear look at Mikasa until Dimo started to pace and stopped blocking her from the others as much. Leaving Mikasa to focus her attention on the soldiers gathered further into the room. 

"Mikasa?" Armin questioned in surprise, a smile soon taking over his face as he spotted his friend and overjoyed to see her again. 

"Mikasa! She's here!" Jean perked up, cheeks growing rosy as he snapped his full attention towards her. 

"What the heck are you doing here Mikasa?" Eren blurted out without a second thought, pointing an accusing finger towards her. 

"Why aren't you in uniform? Are you one of Mr Reeves inside spies?" Sasha asked next, growing more excited with each passing second as she assumed her friend was a double agent and on their side. She's always wanted a cool spy friend. 

"You know over the Levi squad?" Dimo asked a little shocked over his daughter knowing the squad members he was currently helping to hide. 

"They weren't his squad when we met. You've actual met two of them from a distance" Mikasa explained with a small grimace, knowing she's about to to be exposed. She knew her uncle would at least know over Eren and Armin, she met them during her uncle work in Wall Maria in the first year she joined his family. She's grown the two boys as her friends when she wasn't allowed to be apart of Dimo's work at first. He'd seen Eren and Armin from a distance whenever she'd say our goodbyes once spotting her uncle waiting for her in the distance. 

"From a distance? Oh! Are these the two lads you've been pen pals with since we stopped doing business in wall Maria" Dimo questioned at first before growing excited to finally meet his daughter's pen pals in person and actual get to meet them properly now. He knew his daughter had hold a few concerns over her pen pals friends when they had stopped writing some months back. Now he understood why they've stopped writing letters as well as why his daughter's kept an ear out for the Levi squad rumours. She's been making sure they've stayed alive during all this hunt down business. 

"We also ended up working together together during the lost of Trost. Mikasa saved a few of our comrades life that day" Armin admitted with an sweet smile, eyes full of gratitude over Mikasa's help during that day. 

"Trost.." Dimo repeated, growing thoughtful as he remembered the day the titans had gotten in and all the evacuations happening afterwards. 

"I barely got involved" Mikasa hurried to say before her uncle caught on to what she had done that day. But luck wasn't on her side and her dearest friend had decided to dig a grave for her instead. 

"Barely involved? Mikasa holds an real talent at titan killing, sir. She's a talented soldier" Armin proudly announced, filling with pride over his friend's abilities and praising her to her uncle. 

Not seeing as Mikasa's shoulders slumped and she ducked her head. Seeing her uncle starting to connect the dots and know what she's done behind his back that day. Levi actually stood with pity for the women, already connected the dots and knowing she was about to get into trouble thanks to her friends not keeping their mouths shut. 

"And she never stopped looking like an angel while taking down so many titans on her own" Jean perked up with an dreamy smile, his blush growing as he stares towards Mikasa like a love sick puppy. 

"Don't sound like an creep before her father, idiot" Connie scoffed back as he elbowed his friend in the ribs. 

"I knew I shouldn't have bought you that gear during your pre-teens. Nor should I have stolen that uniform for you either. You got yourself caught up in playing soldier, didn't you?" Dimo huffs back like an tired parent, hands on his hips as he turns his full attention towards his daughter. Knowing she had played being a soldier during that day and fought the Titan's with the soldiers. 

"Playing soldier.. isn't Mikasa apart of the 103rd cadet corps?" Historia questioned with clear puzzlement over Mikasa's background. Everyone assumed she had just passed as a soldier in the class before them all. 

"You can not even hold a say over fake covers" Mikasa dryly replied as she looked the shorter blonde dead in the eyes, already knowing the lady's own secret double life. 

"I was thinking over asking for tips. You fooled us all" Historia admitted rather impressed and wondering if she could get a few tips on how to do it better. 

"How long did you play soldier with these lot? Do my wife know? She can never know, she'll smack us all hard enough that we'd fly over the walls" Dimo started to firmly question before growing to freak out over the thought over his wife finding out about this. Knowing they'd all be doomed if she learnt over how their oldest daughter placed her life in danger as foolishly as she did with  fighting titans. 

"It was just the once. After I stood guard why you and the men got the products out of Trost. I planned to zip up to the wall and slip out of the uniform before catching up with Auntie and my cousins. But a titan got in the way and I dealt with it. I saw others struggling and stepped in. Trost was your home, I had to help defend it for as long as I could. To make sure that as many of our people got out with their lives as possible. To make sure Trost wasn't filled with the bodies of soldiers that never gained the promised back up. I wasn't planning to ever tell you, I knew you didn't want me to grow too involve with the soldiers" Mikasa reassured her uncle as she stepped over, taking hold of one of his hands with both of her own and showing she was just trying to protect his home. She's lost one home, she didn't want to lose a second nor have her second family lose their first home either. 

"I don't mind you breaking a few soldiers bones but fighting titans isn't safe for you. Might be more merciful in death to be eaten by one than be placed in the hands of men again but it's still not safe. Take better care next time. Or at least tell the family if you chose the silly hero road that the scouts seem to take beyond the walls" Dimo  rambled back as he lightly shook his head at her, lighting patting her hands still holding his other and knowing he couldn't be mad at her for long. Nor would he fool himself into assuming he could stop her from doing it all again someday in the future. He'd at least want to be told about it beforehand next time. 

"Mikasa you're linked to the Reeves company? You never mentioned being an merchant before.." Eren spoke up with furrowed eyebrows, still a bit confused over his friend's background and wondering who she really was all this time. 

"No one cares for Mikasa's lies anymore. I'm just pleased to be able to gain another hug from my friend again. I've dreadfully missed being able to carry on writing to you and reading your replying letters. It's good to see you again, Mikasa" Armin huff back as he happily hugs Mikasa as soon as she stepped away from her uncle. Just happy to see her well and alive again, he's missed her dearly and been longing to start writing to her again. 

"I've missed you too, old friend. You look well for what's expected. No serious harm given to you, I hope?" Mikasa softly says with a tiny but true smile as she gladly hugs her shorter friend back, having missed him greatly as well. 

Armin grips her a little tighter over her question. The past couple of months flashing through his mind as he remembered over everything he's witness and done. Mikasa feeling him tremble lightly and holds him just that bit tighter. Letting him melt into her protective and caring hold.

"A few close calls and a bit of emotional scarring but I've survived. We can be trauma buddies now" Armin muffled voice replies as he keeps his face buried into her shoulder. 

"Watch people you care for die by others hands? Check. Murdering bad people? Check. Living a bit on the borderline of good and bad? Check. We do have the same trauma now" Mikasa calmly mutters out the check list to be trauma buddies and letting her tone turn playful as she agrees over them being trauma buddies now. 

Armin snickers over their joke as he finally breaks from her hold, feeling much better now and knowing Mikasa's healing hugs would chase away all his fears like always. 

"You guys could be evil villains in another life sometimes. You're both as odd as you've always secretly been" Eren sighs with an worried look as he knew that the pair was secretly the mastermind villains in an alternate universe. 

Armin merely grins at his childhood friend, not admitted or denying any of that. Knowing he'd make a rather good evil villain someday if needed. More so if he had Mikasa on his side. The brains and the brawns always work well together. And it'd be even better when Mikasa wasn't just muscle but smart enough to help him with his genus evil plans. They could overthrown the king if they felt like it and all three childhood friends knew it. 

"Now, where's my hug?" Eren grins out as he opens his arms for an hug, not wanting to miss out on an Mikasa healing hug either. He's faced a lot since becoming a titan shifter and he'd very much like to hide from the world in his friend's protective hold. 

"Not happening, titan lad. You bring death to those around you. My daughter is not being placed at  risk for you. She can chose her own path in life but I won't encourage death into her life either. Five meters away from her at all times, titan boy" Dimo snaps back, grabbing at Eren's collar and half strangling him as he drags him away from his daughter. 

Armin grows pales and chases after the pair, trying to help his best friend out. The others not really doing much help until Jean stupidly tries to compliment Mikasa, from a distance, but right beside her father figure. Dimo now locking onto two new targets to keep away from his daughter. 

"You're uncle seems a little overprotective of you" Levi points out as he comes to a stop beside the scarf wearing women, watching Dimo start dealing with Jean too. 

"He means well" Mikasa sighs, growing a little embarrassed over her uncle's protective nature. 

"I'm not complaining. I'd rather like him to send annoying headaches away from me more often. Think he'd be interested in such a job?" Levi admits with a smirk, glancing to her with amusement in his eyes. 

"You'd be stuck with me for the rest of your life if he did take such a job. He's only keeping his promise to me by keeping my fate out of mankind's hands" Mikasa warns with an raised eyebrow, knowing her uncle would only chase others away for her own sake. Meaning she'd be stuck with the captain none stop to gain the captain having her uncle chase others away for him. 

"So I'd be free from every other headache in my life but stuck with an stubborn headache for the rest of my life? That sounds a little unfair if you ask me. But it might be worth one headaches over hundreds of them" Levi muttered back with an defeated frown as he thought over the two options he was given with. Seeming to lean towards only dealing with her than everyone else. 

"If I didn't know you'd prefer to sucker punch me while my uncle isn't looking, I'd have almost thought over that as an proposal" Mikasa dryly replied as she rolled her eyes over the captain's difficult chose in life to be rid of annoying people while being trapped with her. 

"You aren't cute enough to get an proposal from me, damn brat. You'd probably dump my clean shirt into the mud the morning of our wedding just so you'd get a smile on your lips for the day" Levi huffs back with an eyeroll as he knew she wouldn't make his life any easier if he ended up marry to her. 

"That would sound fun" Mikasa confesses with an menacing smirk, keeping such an idea in mind for later. 

"Mikasa, your uncle is threatening to get his men to make a few of our male comrades to disappear for good" Armin called out in an panic as he tried calming Dimo down but was failing and the man seemed ready to actual make a few of their comrades vanish from the world. 

Mikasa lets a small sigh escape between her lips before walking over to deal with her uncle. Yanking him away from where he's cornered both Jean and Eren, deeming them as the most likely to be troublesome for her later on. More so when Jean seemed to have gained a huge onesided love towards her. Eren being clueless as always over personal space and how to talk about someone's daughter before their guardian. 

Sasha on the side-lines cheering on Dimo as she snacked on a slice of bread. Connie hiding up behind her and claimed protection from her from Dimo for now. Armin trying and failing to calm Dimo down and Historia happily staying sat on the bench tucked by one wall and enjoying how lively everyone seemed to be after weeks of stress and danger. 

Levi merely watched for a few seconds longer before stepping in and getting his own men behaving and apologizing where it was needed. Before bickering and teasing with Mikasa and earning his squad to try break the two up before they destroyed the walls between them fighting. Dimo watching the two bicker with an fond look, remembering his own early days of courting his wife and how she was always the only women to ever talk back at him and insult him as much as he would have insulted her. Now, all these years later she had blessed him with a happy marriage and two wonderful children. As well as being as welcoming to their second daughter he had randomly brought home all those years ago. 

Dimo wondered for a second that if he'd finally crossed paths with one man that he'd be able to leave his oldest daughter's safety too. To know that his daughter would have chosen him out of her own free will and be seen as herself and not a prize by the man. To know the captain would be strong enough to carry on keeping the promise he had once made to his daughter and never allow any man to claim her again. 

But than he had to hurry and step in before his daughter started strangling the captain who seemed all ready to throw the first punch. Maybe he had been too hopeful and looking to deep into a spark between them. Sometimes some people just didn't get along. 

With working together to try and bring the scouts own plan to light, it meant Levi and Mikasa often crossed paths together. Or Mikasa was the one walking with members of the squad during the day or in the middle of the night to whatever new location they were needed to be at. 

Working together didn't stop Mikasa and Levi from finding some form of reason to argue or insult the other. But they still did their given jobs and worked perfectly well together while planning each other's murder. 

It also left Levi keeping a bit of distance away during Mikasa's Reeve side of work and risks of bumping into Kenny or one of his squad members. Levi was never in the line of sight to Mikasa or anyone she was meeting but always close enough to hear trouble if it grows to happen. 

Levi didn't worry for her, he didn't care for her like that. He just knew she was rather useful and some of the biggest help they've had in some time. They needed her for their final stages of their plans while facing the Reiss family. And well, Levi didn't know Mikasa's full background but Dimo preparing to go to war to make sure Mikasa's fate is never chosen by men gave him enough of an hint that Mikasa had been seen as nothing but a treasure instead of a human being. 

Levi was an asshole but he wasn't going to let her be used a mere puppet by others. He'd rather her die by old ages or by an random accident. Not by someone else's hands. So, he'd sometimes hover close by when he knew she was at the highest risk of trouble from others. He was only helping her out like she's been helping him and his squad out. 

And if Mikasa started casually slowing her pace, waiting for him to come out of his hiding spot and walk back with her. Then, the two would merely mention that they crossed paths while they were out and decided to head back togehter. They'd never admit to waiting for the other to catch up and walk with them. 

Once growing to walk together more and more often. They tried sparing together a few times and both feeling alive as they do. Both have had to hold back plenty of time in the past or never truly got to spar as much as they wanted with others in the past. It left neither of them holding back and they couldn't help the satisfised smiles filling their faces in the privacy of their spars. Shared laughs as they both took a beaten and slowly corrected each other during certain failed moves. 

Growing to learn each others body with subtle touches as they moved limbs or fingers brushing over skin as they missed a hit or tackle. Both keeping their dignity and honour, for ever the rare chance of marriage in the future.

But both knowing over beauty marks kept out of sight by clothing or scars hidden by clothing. Both learning over the body without ever once crossing over the deeply drawn line. 

"Maybe I should try kissing with her.." Flegel mindlessly says as he stays lost in thought over the girl he's been crushing on. He's recently asked to take her on an evening stroll and been trying to find a way to finish the night with his feelings being known. 

"Like hell you would. No child of mine would risk someone losing their honour before marriage" Dimo snapped back, finding his son's line of through unacceptable when he was a young man with sisters. 

"But-" Flegel started to argue back before being cut off yet again. 

"No buts. It only takes you bragging to the wrong person or being spotted by an third party for the lady to be labelled as a whore and left unwedded for the rest of her life. What if someone random man did that to any of your sisters, huh? Make them seen tainted even by a single kiss and have their chances at marriage mostly stolen from them for good. Only the few assuming they're whore-ish would wish to still marry them when they failed to marry another" Dimo lectures back from where he had been cleaning the odm swords that he's snuck in for the levi squad to use and replace their broken ones with. All the members of the squad should be out somewhere, checking things out for their next plan. 

"I wouldn't want Rumelia to ever lose her dignity nor her honour for a bit of fun for one idiotic man who couldn't wait for marriage" Flegel confesses with an worried frown, shoulders set in defeat as he'd never want such a fate to happen to his sister. Truly understanding what he was planning to do was wrong when he wasn't even sure if he'd marry the lady that he currently was crushing on. He hoped he would but he also knew he hasn't actual had a chance with her yet and things might not end well for them once they knew each other better. 

"Exactly. And don't forget Mikasa's dignity either" Dimo huffs back, relaxing now his son understood the real problem with his thoughts from before. Knowing he'd think things through better when it involves women from now on. 

"I've seen Mikasa beat up a bunch of soldiers on her own while lecturing me over not being careful during a job. I don't think anyone would dare to question her honour or purity without getting their bones broken afterwards. Plus, why so many men find her a rare beauty, they soon end up completely terrified by her once they get to know her better. I don't think Mikasa holds different difficulties in gaining a marriage someday" Flegel mumbled back with a flat look aimed towards his father over having to worry over Mikasa being wronged by a man. Heck, his own friends don't even dare to make direct eye contract with Mikasa out of fear over making her mad at them. 

"Mikasa can marry anyone she wishes to marry as long as she chose to give her heart to them. I'd never allow her to marry anyone she holds no love for. And I expect you to help with that if I'm not around when someone tries to force a marriage with her" Dimo firmly tells his son, his eyes kind and hopeful that his son would look out for his other sister if he's not around to do it anymore. 

"She'd have to find someone who can handle her first" Flegel snorts back, dodging the rag his father threw towards him over his comment. 

"I'd have time to find someone to marry if I didn't have to protect you all the time, cousin. How do you expect to find a wife if you'll be hiding under their skirts by every spooky shadow you past" Mikasa calmly said as she carried on with putting back the odm gear back together she'd pulled apart to clean.

"Hey! I'm now that much of a coward" Flegel yelled back, not even noticing he had nothing to do since he kept daydreaming, leaving the other two to take his share ages ago. 

Mikasa silently raises an eyebrow towards her older cousin in reply to that and merely catches the rag he throws at her before calmly passing it over to her uncle for him to carry on using. Sitting with a small smile on her lips as her cousin starts whining and sulking, trying to get his father to agree he's not that much of a scary-cat. 

"Mentions over marriage, found anyone you would be willing to give a chance to woo you? I won't mind giving my blessings to that captain once the Reiss business is over with. He's seem to have stayed dealing with you this long without a problem or any hints over him giving up his fights with you. Might be nice to take a scary risk and see if he'd try courting you someday" Dimo calmly asked his daughter with an fatherly smile, wondering if she was willing to open her heart and giving hints over the captain being someone of interest for her. 

"He's a captain. I'm an merchant. He'd have to arrest me or report me or worse, risk his reputation being spoiled by my doings. Plus, I'm rather certain we'd prefer to fight one on one then deal with romance. There's no future between us. We're merely learning to not kill each other while we're forced to work together to survive" Mikasa scoffs back with a shake of her head as she starts screwing the metal box together, the gears and wires all correctly placed inside. 

"I have a feeling he'd give no real shits over his reputation being ruined. I hear he's not over caring over what others think over him or how people view him. Seems to me he's actual fed up being held to a strangers standards. Heck, he might even laugh with you over a few of your victims pissing themselves after they learn to not mess with you a second time" Dimo confesses with an knowing glint to his eyes over the captain's thoughts on his reputation being in danger just for being with his daughter. 

"Marriage isn't on the table for either of us" Mikasa firmly tells her uncle, making clear this conversation was over. 

Dimo merely nodded to his daughter's thoughts on such a private and rare topic they talk over. He knew she had dreamed over marriage before her parents death and always wanted a family of her own. But she's given those dreams up long ago, rarely trusting anyone to truly love her as she stands or wants her as she is. Most only see her rare beauty, carelessly compliment her like she was a prize and not someone who was as much alive as they were. 

Dimo knew that Mikasa had grown fear by those with a brain and could handle herself in a fight just fine. She was worth an hundred men after all and she was seen more as a monster than a lady sometimes. Her women charms only noticed by silly fools who assume they could own her and brag over their grand jewel they've gained. Such fools often put in their place by both Mikasa and Dimo when they cross paths with them. 

But Dimo has also noticed that his oldest daughter hasn't shied away from the captain as she has done with others. That she's mouthy, stubborn and happily picks a fight with the man instead of just keeping an distance and staying unreadable like most of the time. Mikasa's insulted the captain as much as he's insulted her and both were still breathing somehow. 

Dimo wouldn't dare say his daughter seemed happier but he knew she was showing the real her, the bashful and warmer side to the captain. Been clumsy around him without growing too embarrassed afterwards. She's merely carried on without a second thought and the captain still accepting her as she stood before him.

That the captain seemed a little more gentle towards her, shares private smiles with her when neither thinks anyone's taking notice over them. How they both stand much closer and the captain's eyes always landing on her whenever they're in the same room. The dejected set to the man's lips when he never finds her in a room he enters when meeting with Dimo. 

Dimo was going to pass on his blessing to the captain once the captain returns to his squad. The captain may stand clueless over why he was suddenly given blessing but Dimo wanted to give it. He knew how dangerous this war was with Kenny and Reiss involved. He wanted to be able to die in peace knowing that he's gave his one and only blessing over a man taking Mikasa as his wife to the right man who'd never see her as something to own but someone to cherish instead. 

Mikasa was prepared to walk home with her uncle and older cousin once the squad had returned safely. None of them seemed to be followed back thankfully. All seem rather grateful and a bit surprised over having their gear fixed up and new swords to use. Even the captain passed on his personal thanks to the three, Mikasa lightly nudging her older cousin who stood stunned over gaining person thanks from humanity strongest. 

Dimo waved the captain's thanks off, not seeing what they've done as anything big or important. He only cleaned up and did repairs to make sure none of the squad died by failed gear and having none useable swords. 

But as the three were starting to leave, Dimo mentioned over leaving his gift for Rumelia behind in the loft's table they had been sat working at earlier. Mikasa offered to quickly jog back up the staircase and grab it while the other two started heading out. 

That left with Mikasa heading back to the back door, ready to head home with the new gloves for Rumelia that Dimo had picked out for his daughter. They were well knitted in the warm spring colour of rosy pink. Daisy knitted into the pattern near the centre of the back of the hand and the gloves were a couple sizes bigger than Rumelia current size so she could grow into them as she ages. 

And as she turns into the kitchen, ready to slip out of the backdoor and lock up behind herself. She was met with Levi casually leaning up against the door, arms cross and clearly waiting for her. 

"You trust me with your odm gear but can't trust me to lock up after myself?" Mikasa questions with an raised eyebrow as she comes to a slow stop just before him. Knowing they've been too peaceful with each other to not expect him to start second guessing her again. 

"I trust you with my life for now. Hence I thought I'd try acting the part of a gentlemen and walk you home. People might get the wrong idea if they see you walking about in the early morning. Can't damage your honour otherwise Dimo might not carry on working with us" Levi said with such casual tone that Mikasa had thought she misheard the trust he held in her, feeling her breath hitch over it all. Almost never hearing the awkward rambles to cover up wanting to walk her home. 

"That afraid over my uncle protective nature?" Mikasa lightly jokes, knowing neither truly wanted to talk over the bond growing between them that was changing into something neither had experienced before. Something both was frighten over dealing with.

"I'd rather not have myself almost vanish if he assumes I've treated you wrong" Levi admits without any shame over holding concerns on her uncle trying to get rid of him at random. 

"I'll show mercy this once but allowing you to gain a few extra brownie points with my uncles" Mikasa says as if she was doing him a favour but the small smile pulled on her lips being more honest than her own heart in the moment. 

She was only left standing stunned for a few seconds over him offering his arm towards her. Soon slipping her arm into his offered one and heading out the door with him. Letting them feel the others body heat through their touching arms, feeling the heat even through their layer of clothing. 

Neither speaking but allowing the peace and beauty of the early morning to surround them instead. Mother nature coming to life in her own way and making their stroll both enjoyable and romantic. Though neither would ever admit to growing bashful over the butterflies filling their stomachs as they walked like a couple. 

Instead they just locked their arms together that slightly bit tighter to make sure they were stuck togehter. Feeling themselves more comfortable but even more exposed now then when they've spared together. 

This was a whole new game for them both and neither was certain if they wanted to try playing or just run away without ever looking back. 

And if Mikasa lead Levi the longer way to her home while keeping them both partly hidden by the shadows to not be spotted by any soldiers or intel gathers to the soldiers, Levi never mentioned that he noticed their longer route back. 

Instead, Levi may have slowed their pace as they took their sweet time in their stroll to her home. Taking in the real beauty that the slums hold and most would overlook. Focusing on their shared warmth coming from their link arms and trying to figure out if they could truly live without feeling the other's presence every single day of their lives. 

Only slowing once they reached one end of the road that held the Reeves home. All candle light blown out and proving the other four was in bed and sleeping soundly. Levi thinking over taking the risk of being spotted by walking her to her front door but was stopped by Mikasa. 

Mikasa gave him a warm smile, squeezing their joint arms before slipping her arm free. Walking the last bit on her way, knowing that a few extra seconds lost in their own moment wasn't worth him getting caught. Only half glancing over her shoulder before she enters her home and spots him staying hidden in the shadows waiting until she enters before daring to leave. 

Hiding her touched smile as she heads inside and closes the door. Locking up and keeping her back pressed to the door as she thinks over a future with Levi. Shaking her head like she was foolish little girl dreaming over fairy tales. 

She knew they wouldn't last.

They'd only end up hurting each other once  they returned to their normal lives once Reiss is finally dealt with beside Kenny. 

But it wouldn't harm to spend a night having sweet dreams over a future with the captain, no one else would know over such dreams after all. 

*******************************************

A/N: I've stopped this oneshot here for now due to reaching a word count of 10899. I know that when a single chapter's word count grows too large, it crashes the page often enough and sometimes skips out sections. So, I'll carry this oneshot into Part 2. 

Please comment your views over it so far.