7 Days Before the Wedding of Armin Arlert & Annie Leonhardt
"Oh my goooddd" Sarina whined, looking at the brick building in front of her. "As if that fucking train ride wasn't enough? Now we have to wait out here. Ugh" she complained, looking at Hitch with annoyance not only in her voice, but also in her eyes. "Should we really have let Connie take the lead on the first one?"
Hitch nodded. "I think Connie is more than capable of leading those two into this, and getting them out safely". Suddenly, they saw three figures running towards them before ducking next to them.
"That was close!" Connie exclaimed as he panted, and quickly took off the Yeagerist jacket he was wearing. "We need to get out of here though!"
Gabi and Falco followed suit, removing the jackets and replacing them with oversized, long, black leather coats that covered their pants. The Jackets were bundled up and thrown into Sarina's bag, and as soon as they looked well enough they stood up and walked through the alleyway.
Sarina turned around when she reached the end of the alleyway - "Wait!" she called out, "I wanna watch" she grinned, and only 30 seconds later she could hear a loud bang, followed by the screams of people as they scattered, and a flume of black smoke escaping the building. Seconds later, three more bangs followed, and the entire Yeagerist base was up in flames.
"1 down, 5 to go!" Sarina exclaimed as she took Hitch's hand and skipped to the stables where their horses were waiting for them.
4 Days Before the Wedding of Armin Arlert & Annie Leonhardt
"What?" Historia asked in disbelief, "How...How many?" she asked, needing clarification form her advisor
The advisor sighed. "All of them, your majesty," he repeated himself. "Every Yeagerist base was blown to bits. We don't know who arsonists are, but clearly they have an agenda."
Levi scoffed, sitting in a chair at the edge of the room while Anya sat in his lap with one arm around her neck. "They deserve it" he grumbled as he ran his fingers through Anya's hair, now cut so short because of those scum that dared lay a hand on her.
"In addition," the second advisor spoke up, "there have been reports of Yeagerists who were off base at the time being assaulted and even murdered."
Historia rolled her eyes. "Murdered?" she repeated, a grim look growing on her face. "What are we going to do?" she asked, looking at Levi and Anya.
The first advisor cleared his throat, "What's more, according to law enforcement reports, all of the murders had a clear pattern in body disposal... Akin to..." he paused, clearing his throat and swallowing before reading the rest. "Kenny the Ripper"
Anya let out a giggle, and Levi couldn't help but smile. Historia shot them both a knowing look. "And for the assaults, was there any description of the assailants?" she asked, still looking at the couple.
"Actually yes!" the second advisor perked up. "The reports had a few commonalities. In every case it was reported there were two men and three women who attacked!"
Anya perked up, and looked at Levi. Almost in unison, they shouted. "Call off the search!" Levi shot Historia a knowing look, and Anya smiled.
Historia rolled her eyes and shook her head. "Right, call off the investigations. It seems they're doing a favor to the capital and the people of Paradis. However, if any civilians are injured that aren't affiliated with the Yeagerists, tell me right away" she ordered, "if that's all, please leave"
The two advisors gathered their documents and left, looking at each other and trying to figure out why the Queen would call off the search. As soon as the door was closed, an eruption of laughter could be heard from Anya.
"Seriously Sarina?" Historia grumbled as she looked out the window, while Levi stifled back a laugh. "Do they know what kind of shit they could have started?"
Levi couldn't stifle back the laugh anymore. "I mean, historically speaking, they are the ones to start the most shit..." he said as he let out a small laugh, holding onto Anya's body and bringing it closer to him. She had finally calmed her laughter down.
"Oh my god, this is great" Anya said as she caught her breath from laughing. "When they said they were gonna help you save the kingdom even if it meant blowing it up, they meant it"
"THEY SET OFF EXPLOSIONS" Historia screamed as she turned to face the two. "They are literally killing people!"
Anya shrugged, "I mean..." she started, being interrupted by roaring laughter from Historia.
The three sat there, celebrating Paradis' win from the Yeagerists by the hands of the ones they love.
2 Days Before the Wedding of Armin Arlert & Annie Leonhardt
"Fuck!" Sarina exclaimed as she jumped out of the carriage, "We're going to be late!" She was carrying her heels in one hand, and hiked up her dress with the other while she ran to the palace doors. Behind her, Gabi and Hitch were repeating the same actions while Falco and Connie ran to catch up with them. They made it to the doors, and upon opening the door the first thing they saw was Anya pushing Levi in his wheelchair and making their way to a small event hall.
"Hell yeah! We're not late!" Connie exclaimed, tossing his dress shoes to the ground as he pushed off his boots.
Anya turned around with a sigh, "Ah, you're back" she cooed, a smile on her face. "And actually, we're late so.. You are too." She turned her back to them and continued making her way to the event hall.
Gabi huffed, "like I would believe Levi would be late to anything, ever!" she said as she pulled on her heels, looking up at Falco who was adjusting his tie.
Levi turned his head to call out to them, "Oi, Where were you brats anyway?" he asked, having a good idea of who was behind the recent activity on the island that sent Historia into a craze about what to do with her political ties.
Sarina pulled out her flask, and walked up to Levi, putting up her hand for Anya to stop. "You already know" she grinned, as she enjoyed the looks of contentment and satisfaction on both Levi and Anya's faces. Anya stepped out from behind Levi, and wrapped her arms around Sarina.
"I was so worried about you!" she exclaimed as she let out a sob, tears now running out of her eyes and staining her face, "what if Historia hadn't called off the search!?"
Sarina scoffed. "Why do you think we did it like that, dear sister? So that one of you two idiots would figure it out." she took another swig from her flask, and let go of her sister. She reached her hand up and cupped her face. "Anya, are you... feeling better?" she asked with genuine concern as she brushed away the tears.
Anya smiled, and nodded. "I'm feeling great! Also, those two pests in the basement, they've been..." she looked to Levi, "exterminated" she said the last word with a smile, and Sarina knew it was genuine. She was so proud of her, for just a moment, before she felt Hitch's hand in hers. Sarina leaned over and gave Hitch a peck on the lips, bringing a blush to the girl's cheeks.
Party After the Rehearsal Dinner
Levi sighed as he watched Anya and Sarina dance. Finally, his sweet Anya was regaining some of her happiness. She was shining, out there dancing with her drunken sister like they were children - spinning each other around, dipping each other almost into the floor, and laughing the whole time. For a moment, he caught a glimpse of what they must have been like in their older teenage years. Just as she danced and smiled, so had everyone else. The rehearsal dinner had gone perfectly, and everyone was in high spirits.
He admired seeing her like this, she was smiling, she was happy. She looked stunning - the way her hair cascaded around her face, the way the dress hugged her curves in the right places while she danced, the smile on her face reflecting in her eyes. Her laugh was a melody to his ears, and he couldn't help but let his mind wander to when they would dance in the living room of his and Furlan's apartment. He smiled at the memory, almost not noticing the little body running towards him with her arms outstretched.
"Uncle Levi!" the little princess exclaimed as she motioned for him to pull her up into his lap. "Uncle Levi! Mommy said you needed to talk to me," She was smiling, so bright and happy.
"Frieda, dearest, I need your help with something very, very important" Levi started, "You know I love Miss Anya very very much right?" he asked, eliciting an energetic nod from the little girl. "What would you think if I married Miss Anya?"
"Yay!" she exclaimed, laughing and throwing her arms around Levi's neck. "Can I throw the flowers? Like I'm gonna do for Annie?" she asked, giggling and looking excited at the thought.
Levi smiled, his heart swelled with joy and skipped a beat at the thought of her skipping down the aisle tossing flower petals around before his Anya walked down a wedding aisle towards him. "Yes of course my dear little princess. But I need you to help me with something." She nodded, still giggling. "Now this is very, very important. Uncle Levi wants you to help him propose to Anya."
The little girl's eyes lit up as Levi pulled the ring box out of his pocket, opening it just enough for her to peek inside. "Pretty!" she exclaimed. "Can I tell Miss Anya?!" and before Levi could respond, the little girl shouted and flailed her arms -"MISS ANYA" to which Levi quickly put the ring away, stuffing it inside his jacket pocket while trying to shush the little girl.
"Shhh! No no no sweetie, it has to be a surprise!" He exclaimed as Anya came skipping towards him from across the room, excited and a little drunk. "You can't tell Anya anything about it!"
"Tell me anything about what?" Anya asked, finally within earshot of the two. Frieda hopped off of Levi's lap and put up her arms, her signal that she wanted Anya to hold her, which Anya happily obliged. "Tell me about what?" she asked again as she leaned down and gave Levi a peck on the lips.
"FLOWERS!" the little girl laughed as she wriggled in Anya's arms, almost falling to the ground. "Miss Anya I'm gonna get to throw flowers!?" she asked excitedly.
Anya nodded her head with a smile. "Yes sweetie! That's what we practiced earlier, remember?" She placed the little girl down gently, "Why don't you go get the extra flowers and show Uncle Levi how good you throw them?" she asked, secretly just wanting a moment alone. The little girl nodded and took off running, grabbing a basket from across the room and tossing the remaining flowers in the air.
Anya smiled as she looked down at Levi, pretending she didn't see the slight blush on his face. "So, tell me what?" she asked again.
"You'll see," he grumbled, as Anya leaned down to look into his eyes. He could see the faint blush of her intoxication on her cheeks, and smell the tinges of wine on her breath.
"But I hate surprises" she pouted, giving him a peck on the cheek as she nuzzled her nose into his face, he cupped her face with one hand and brought her into a kiss. "But I love you!" she exclaimed with excitement as their lips broke the kiss, "I love you so so so much!" she said as tears started forming in her eyes, letting out a soft sob "I thought I was gonna lose you again"
Levi wiped the tears from her eyes, knowing that she had too much to drink. "I love you too baby, let's go upstairs" he suggested with a smile, as she nodded and they made their way to their bedroom.
For the first time in the two weeks of hell they had endured, they were both truly content. He watched as she slunk into bed, still fully clothed, and whined for him to join her. He admired the way her head lay on his still clothed chest when he complied with her request. He adored how she fell asleep there, safe in his arms, her breaths shallow and rhythmic. He loved everything about his sweet, precious Anya. His lover, his best friend, his everything. He knew he wanted to spend every day with her, he had given her his heart long before he even knew what it meant - long before he dedicated his heart to the Survey Corps. He knew this was the person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
He let his mind start to wander as he held her there, so sweet and serene in his arms. So in need of him, so in love with him. He wanted so badly to take back everything in that damn war, to not get that injury, so he could keep her safe. If he could, he would go back in time and tell himself exactly where she was - and just run off with her, because fuck saving humanity if he could have those 22 years back, with her, off somewhere raising their little brats and loving each and every moment of it. He could keep them safe on his own, he could have made her happy - made both of them happy. And now, not only could he not have that happiness, but he also couldn't protect her, protect them - if they ever came to be.
He couldn't now, he couldn't even keep her safe while she went to get a fucking glass of water. And because he couldn't keep her safe, they lost something so precious to them. For a moment he could have had all his dreams come true, but just a moment was enough to take it away. Ripped out of his hands, ripped out of her body. Ripped away from them both, in only one moment.
One moment, shattered his dreams. One moment was enough to take it all away from him, however briefly. He blamed himself for it all. It was easy to blame those now dead men, that he so easily tortured and sent to hell - but he still blamed himself.
He could feel the pain in his chest, the sob's about to erupt. He held it back as best he could, for fear of waking her feeling so safe in his arms. He let out the stifled sob, feeling tears starting to pour down his face. He couldn't hold it back anymore - he had been so strong for her, these last two weeks. He cried with her, but he didn't let out all of the pain he was feeling. How could he? He knew she had been through so much worse. As the warm, salty tears flowed from his eyes and down pat his cheeks as his chest heaved, he could feel her rustling beneath him. He did his best to silence himself, to no avail.
"... baby?" she said softly as she rubbed her own eyes, fluttering them open and seeing him in this state shocked her. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" she asked as she moved away from him, and wiped his tears away with her thumb. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, "You can tell me anything," she pleaded with him, he stuttered under her - unable to speak words for what he was feeling.
Levi tried to pull himself together, but it was too hard. He couldn't keep the mask of being so strong in front of her anymore. He had been through so much, he had seen so much, but this - this is what broke him. This is what he always knew would be the thing to break him - knowing he can't protect her, and that he can't protect their family, should they have one. He could feel her move off of his chest and start to wipe away his tears. He could feel her pressing a kiss to his forehead, he could feel her lips move to his closed eyelids and kiss the tears away. She brought him to her chest, and he gladly buried his face there as he continued to cry. She ran her fingers through his hair, and comforted him as he cried.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he looked up at her. "I-I'm.. I'm sorry" he mumbled before burying his head back in her chest. How could he even explain how he can't protect her? How he wouldn't be able to protect their family when they have one? "I-I can't..." He stumbled on his words, unsure of how to explain what he was feeling - "I can't protect you..." he said as he let out another sob, burying his face in her neck. He felt useless. He had helped save the entire world, and now he couldn't protect that one person that mattered so much to him. He should have just saved his strength, his body, his skill, just for her. Whether he knew she was alive or not, maybe he should have just abandoned the Scouts and focused more on finding her. Dammit. Dammit all. He had failed. He had failed to do that one thing that he was supposed to. To protect his precious Anya, and the precious little life that was growing inside of her only just a few days ago.
"Baby, there's nothing to be sorry for" She said as he tilted his head towards her. She understood what he was feeling, even if he wouldn't say it. She knew him inside and out, she could gather that this was his way of breaking down. It had all hit him, and it was too damn much. She knew he had been feeling guilty, and she would do anything to lift that burden off his shoulders. She would do anything to let him know he didn't have to be some strong protector. He didn't have to live up to a title that he was too tired to carry. She just wanted him to love her and be loved by her.
She kissed his forehead, his cheeks, his chin, making her way to his lips and planting a gentle peck there. "You don't need to protect me," She smiled as she cupped his face in her hands, "I just want you to love me," She looked into his eyes, shining from the tears. He looked so weak there in her arms, but she didn't care. He hadn't allowed anyone to see him like this. He'd only allow her. She was the only one who had seen him at his breaking point. For once, she could protect him. She could comfort him, and be there for him. He had been her rock to lean on so many times, for so many years, and it was her turn to be that for him. It was her turn to comfort, to console, to protect him - from the world, and from his own self-destruction. "I love you so much, I love you for who you are - I don't need you to protect me, or us...I need you to just be yourself"
He smiled at her words, he knew she loved him. He knew she would do anything for him, he knew she loved him not for being humanity's strongest but for just being Levi. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel guilty for not being able to protect her, but her comforting him - showing him that she was willing to protect him. "I love you" he mumbled as he nuzzled his head into her chest. He could feel her caressing his hair as she held him there, tightly to her chest. He felt like for once he was the one who was protected.
She held onto him tightly and hummed soft melodies to him until he fell asleep, there in her arms. Safe, in her arms.