An update during the weekday! This is another short story that happens between the last chapter and the epilogue, and it centers around Petra's birth and the complications that came with it. It's more of a fluff story that shows how things are now with the other characters, and how they went on with their lives after the war.
Enjoy!
~*~
The squealing laughter of a child echoed in the empty halls of the mess. Eren’s chubby cheeks have turned red from all the laughter as Jean and Connie made faces at the boy, even the simplest raising of eye brows or the horse-face impressions that Jean entertained the boy. But before he ran out of breath or started coughing, Eren was taken by his grandfather from the two Squad Leaders, delighting the boy.
“If he throws up, you’ll be cleaning the mess,” Levi told them.
“He won’t throw up, Captain!” Connie said.
Taking his seat at the table, Levi had his grandson perched on his leg and reached for the half-eaten bowl of mush that Mikasa prepared for the one-year-old boy. “When you took him from my care, you promised to feed him. He barely finished his food and it’s almost his bedtime.”
The two Squad Leaders tried their hardest to stop their laughter. It was hard to watch the Lance Corporal act like a mother-hen by tending to his grandson. Levi Ackerman was someone feared and was Humanity’s Greatest Soldier, now – while he was still considered by those traits – he was homey. No one ever imagined the man who wielded swords like it was childsplay to change nappies and prepare bottles of milk, or take the time to spoon feed a child mush fruit.
The Captain was far from how they first met him years ago.
Joining their table, Mikasa sat beside Levi and handed Eren a toy horse that the boy happily played with as he ate his mush food.
“Armin and Iris are going to kill you for getting him another one,” Levi told Mikasa.
“There’s no harm with giving him some toys, he is a child after all.” Mikasa said as she shook Eren’s tiny hands and asked if she could hold him. Seeing that the boy have eaten more than half of his dinner, Levi lets him join his godmother and play with her. “Besides, it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”
Levi shook his head in amusement. “You won’t be the one who will get an earful from his mother when she sees the toy. Iris has been accusing me of spoiling Eren.”
“Because you are,” Hange joined their table, she was about to take a seat beside Eren but Levi grabbed her by the collar and had her sit at his other side. Away from his grandson. The last time Eren was left with Hange, the woman brought him to her lab where different kinds of knives and needles were present. Armin was quick to get Eren from the Commander, and Levi did not hold back in scolding Hange for bringing Eren in such a room.
“But it’s understandable for a grandfather to spoil their grandchildren,” Hange continued.
Whilst Jean and Connie snickered at the title, Levi glared at Hange. Ever since Eren was born, he have been teaching the boy to call him “Levi” than “grandpa”, which Hange has been adamant to teaching the boy to do so. He was only in his late thirties, too young to be a grandfather, while he is one now, it was hard to accept the facts.
“I’m not spoiling him,” Levi told Hange. “If anyone is spoiling Eren it’s this one –” he pointed at Mikasa “-- and Leon and Sofia.”
“So, how long will Eren be staying with us?” Jean asked as he teased the boy by taking the toy horse. Eren whined and tried reaching for his toy but Jean only kept it away.
“Only until tomorrow morning.” Mikasa answered. “Iris and Armin will be picking him up here just before lunch.”
“Any reason why they let us borrow their kid?”
“Other than so Levi can have some time with his grandson,” Hange grinned mischievously, “I believe it is their anniversary.”
Connie and Jean’s heads perked up and mischievous smirks appeared on their faces. “Oh ho ho!” Connie grinned. “It’s their anniversary, so Armin is getting some action, huh?”
“Enough!” Levi hit his fist on the table. “I’m right here, you know, and so is Eren.” Levi took his grandson from Mikasa and then the toy from Jean.
“Right, sorry Captain,” Connie sheepishly said.
Not long, Eren yawned and snuggled in his grandfather’s embrace, trying to fight his sleepy eyes as he played with his new toy, but after a while he lost the fight in keeping awake.
“Alright, time for bed,” Levi said as he got up with Eren in his arms. “And how about instead of you two talking about Iris and Armin, you go out and meet some people. From everyone, it seems it’s Leon and Armin who have settled down.”
“Leon doesn’t count, he’s already settled down even before he got Sofia pregnant,” Connie said.
“But you have to admit, Armin and Iris being together was quite a shock.” Jean chuckled. “Who knew the foul-mouthed, hot-tempered Iris would end up with a level-headed and calm Armin.”
Mikasa smiled as she thought back to the times where she saw Armin look at Iris from afar. From admiration for her skills, to being friends, respected comrades, Armin’s gaze at her changed to a romantic one after days of spending time together watching the stars, the sea, and talking about the Titans. But he never made a move though as they were too busy with the war, and also because Iris was still with Firo at that time. So, he stayed back, he kept his distance and was simply her loyal friend.
“It is a surprising pairing between them,” Mikasa agreed. Getting up from her seat, Mikasa went to Eren’s side and shook the boy’s hand to say goodnight, then left the mess.
“What’s up with her?” Connie asked.
Jean, who watched Mikasa leave the hall, sighed and drank the remaining contents of his goblet of ale. It’s been two years since Eren’s passing, but the wounds still felt raw; to make a move now did not feel right, especially when Mikasa was still healing from it. And it did not help that Armin and Iris named their son after Eren as well, now, it seems, the wound of the war will never heal.
“Do you know what’s unbelievable?” Connie spoke, breaking Jean’s reverie.
“What?”
“That Armin is getting more action than us.”
Jean blushed in embarrassment at Connie’s words. Just as he had hoped it would stop there, it didn’t: “I mean, we all know that Leon’s late night training at the shooting range was actually him heading to Sofia’s dorm.” he laughed. “Remember the times when we and Sasha would bet on the nights he would actually go training? If Leon had a skip in his walk, it means he visited Sofia.”
Hange burst out laughing. “Gosh, it’s hard to believe that the boy I watch grow up would be sneaking out at night to visit a girl.”
“Would you stop it!” Jean told Connie. It was embarrassing enough to talk about their friends sex-life, but to have the fact that their lives have just revolved around the Scouts was just… sad.
It was then that Jean realized that he needed to get out of the base more, or else he would die there. Alone.
Even Captain Levi had a life outside the Scouts!
~*~
Laying in bed, Armin couldn’t help but smile as he watched Iris’ naked form lay beside him, her ear pressed on his chest, listening to his heart, trying to catch her breath. After finishing just a few moments ago, Armin couldn’t help but blush at the sight of Iris. They have both seen each other naked, have touched each other’s bodies, kissed each other yet seeing her in that state still made him blush. Not from embarrassment, but yearning. The want to touch her again. To feel her.
The sudden kiss on his neck pulled him from his reverie, and as a response, Armin brought Iris closer to him to kiss her lips.
“Aren’t you tired?” He asked her as he felt her hands tracing the lines of his body.
“Of you? Never.” Iris smiled, cheekily. “Besides, with Eren with my father and the others, it’s best to make the most of these times.”
Laughing lightly, Armin brought her closer to him – if it were possible. He reached for her rough and callused hands and fit the gaps between with his fingers, clasing her tight. “And, after tomorrow, it’s back to the base for me.”
Iris pouted at that, she then got on top of him again, straddling his hips. “While I understand your duties as a Scout, and Hange’s Second in Command, I would still prefer if you stay here with Eren and me.”
“I know…” Armin ran his fingers through her black locks, the color of it reminded him of his son’s hair. He had no doubt that, one day, Eren would be donning the same hairstyle as Levi or maybe something that was a mix of the boy’s grandfather and his own. “You’re hair is longer now.” He murmured.
“Yeah…” Iris watched as Armin toyed with a few strands.
“I remember the last time you had long hair, it was when we were cadets.”
“Gosh, that’s a long time ago now… never thought I’d feel so old by just saying that.” Iris giggled. “Do I look like an old lady?”
Armin slightly frowned at the question. While it was just a joke, he wanted nothing more than to see Iris grow old. To have her beside him as they age and spend the rest of their lives in their home by the sea, watch as their children run around, visit if they already left home. The sudden touch on his cheek pulled him from his reverie. Armin blinked and saw Iris looking at him with a sad smile.
“Don’t think about that,” she whispered to him. “I’m sorry if I brought it up.”
“You shouldn’t apologize. You were only joking, and to answer that question, you don’t look like an old lady.” Armin sat up, his nose touching Iris’, his lips teasing her own as he said, “If you’re worried about how you look – don’t.”
Giving in to his teasing, Iris kissed Armin deeply. Her arms looping around his neck to bring him close as she opened her lips for him. After their first time together, the two only had the chance to explore sex rarely with them being parents, and with Armin still being a Scout. Each time they had their intimate moments, they both learn new things that pleased one another, and to Iris’ surprise, Armin had a side that he only shows her when they were alone… in bed.
His arms wrapped around her body and brought her close to him. So close that she was pressed against his sex, and she could feel the effect of their kisses. It made her smile to know the effect she had on him, to know that he still found her attractive.
“Aren’t you tired?” She mocked, using his own words against him.
“No.” He grinned. In a swift movement, Armin flipped them over, caging Iris in bed with his arms and knees at each side of her. She let out a squeal of surprise at the sudden act. Laughter erupted from the couple, but that laughter was soon silenced as Armin kissed her feverishly.
Every kiss, every touch they shared, Armin made sure to imbed it in his mind. He wanted to memorize every detail of Iris, gather as much as his mind can remember so when the time comes, he would still have her with him. From the simple things they share together, their every waking morning, their meals with their son, their time fishing and farming, and their favorite one of all, him reading to her and Eren aloud. He would savor those moments with Iris, promising to always, always be present at the moment, to live the lives they had now. It was a lesson they both learned from their parents – with the mysterious death of Armin’s parents, and from the tragic story of Levi and Maria.
Though both lived different lives, had different up bringings, there was one thing similar with Armin and Iris’ families. Both had little time to be with them. The death of Armin’s parents were sudden and mysterious at first, but with the secrets of the MPs, the Government, and the Reiss and Reed family, it was revealed that they were killed by the MPs after trying to go beyond the Walls with an air balloon. Losing their chance to be with her, Iris’ parents were both absent in most of her time growing up brought by complications, and for a long time she hated her father. And just as they thought everything was going to be okay, tragedy struck again and again and again, and even with the war over, she has little time left to be with her father.
This time, Iris and Armin wanted to be there for Eren in every moment there was… even if it meant it was only for a little time on Iris' part.
As things started to escalate, the call of his name had Armin stop his kisses and look up to her. “What’s wrong?” He asked.
“I want another one,” Iris said in a whisper. “Another baby.”
Armin froze, and seeing the stunned look in his eyes, Iris cursed herself at how she just said it out loud. Sitting up, she took Armin’s hands with hers and held them tight. “I know that it’s selfish of me to ask – to actually want another child with the little time I have left, but… growing up with Jack and then with Leon and Sofia, I knew how it was to have siblings… they helped me get through the times that I missed my mother and father. And, I know how fun it was to have a brother that I could mess with.
“But I understand if you don’t want another one, after all, after five years it’ll be just you then… and I know the pain of having to raise a kid all on your own.” Iris said. “I just wanted you to know what’s been going on in my mind, that’s all.”
“Is that the only reason why you want to have another kid?” Armin asked. “So, Eren won’t be alone?”
“Not really,” Iris blushed deeply, she tried to hide her face from him but Armin could see how red her cheeks, ears, adn neck were with what she was about to say. Spending the rest of his childhood at the Kirch farm, Armin was able to grow up with Iris, they were not close then as their group of friends were different, and because Iris slept at the Kirch house while he and his friends were at the refugee homes that were built in the area, but he knew that she had a hard time saying what she felt. Especially if it were something affectionate.
He found it adorable that, even now, Iris would have the mannerism of looking away with a pout as she tried to avoid telling him what it was she really wanted.
After years of being her close friend, after fighting beside her, sharing a few drinks with her, he can now read what it was in her mind with her simple acts. The message was clear, and he did not need to ask the “what” and why”.
Taking her by the chin, Armin had Iris look at him and said, “I want another baby with you, Iris, not just so Eren can have a sibling, or so we wouldn’t be alone. I want another baby with you because… well… I love you. It’s just sad that you won’t be there long enough to see them grow up.”
“I know… so, we can just forget about it.”
“Why?” Armin raised a brow. “We never planned to have Eren, but when we found out that you were pregnant it was one of the happiest days of my life. And if we were to have another baby, it will be another gift from you.”
Smiling, Iris leaned close to him until their foreheads touched. “And it would be another gift from you too… I won’t take my special tea tomorrow, let’s see how it goes.”
Nodding, Armin finally closed the gap, kissed her deeply, and slowly had Iris laying back on the bed again. It was not the most practical decision they made – having Eren, and planning for another child – but they were tired of making practical decisions, for once they wanted to be selfish and give into their emotions. So, they did just that.
~*~
Eren clapped his hands and tried his hardest to get out of Levi’s hold to get to his parents. He tried his hardest to utter the words of “mama” and “papa”, but it only came out as garbled versions of it. When Iris took her son from her father’s hold, Eren squealed in delight and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
“Mama misses you too!” Iris kissed her son’s cheek. “Were you good to grandpa?”
“Call me that again and I’ll kick your ass.” Levi told his daughter.
“Come on, he’s your grandson! What else is he going to call you?”
“Levi.”
Iris rolled her eyes at her father’s stubbornness. As she spoke with Levi and Mikasa, Armin was approached by Connie and Jean who were both grinning like fools, and had their arms over the man’s shoulder.
“Someone has a little skip in their walk today,” Connie joked. “I guess someone had a good night.”
Armin blushed in embarrassment. “Come on, you two, it’s nothing like that.”
Jean barked a laugh. “You know what’s funny? Leon said the exact same thing after we found out about his little visits to the good Doctor Weaver. And you know what? He also had that skip in his walk, and he couldn’t wipe the smile on his face too.”
Armin tried his hardest to get out of their hold. Was he really that easy to read? He turned to Iris to see if she showed any signs that Jean and Connie said he was showing now, but nothing. She was the same Iris, or maybe her smile could be explained that she is reunited with Eren. Maybe he should have gone to get Eren so the others wouldn’t notice because last night was, indeed, something. Thinking back to what happened had him blushing, and not because of embarrassment.
Getting out of their hold, Armin went to Iris’ side so he could see their son. Just like with his mother, Eren clapped his hands in joy upon seeing his father, and the boy would not stop reaching for him until Armin took him from Iris’ arms.
“Hello, Eren,” Armin lets the boy kiss his cheek. “Were you good to grandpa?”
Levi sighed at that.
“How come you're not threatening him?” Iris pouted.
“Armin is my superior, don’t forget that.” Levi said.
“But I’m your daughter.”
Eren started saying things in gibberish, going on and on about something that neither of them understood, and Armin and Iris simply went on pretending they understood a word he was saying.
~*~
Her pregnancy now was far different from when she had Eren. Whether it was because of the pregnancy or the Curse of Ymir taking its toll on her body, she had no idea. Neither of them knew why. Since she hit the sixth month into her pregnancy, Iris has been feeling ill, she would often have fevers, her body weak, and blood would drip from her nose. It was similar to how her body would be after overusing her Titan abilities. Still, while it brought them worry, Iris did not regret having of wanting to have another one.
Since she had a fever, Leon and Sofia moved temporarily close to the Arlerts so they could help out with their chores, with looking after Eren, and so Sofia could also keep an eye on Iris as well. Levi and Mikasa were also present at the house often, with the latter taking on the heavier work of chopping wood and hunting food, Levi would be at his daughter’s and Armin’s side, trying to help them through these hard times.
“Your fever is going down,” Sofia sighed in relief.
“Are you sure the baby is still okay?” Iris asked.
“Don’t worry, they’re still fine. Get some rest.” After kissing Iris’ forehead, Sofia tucked her in and left the room. In the living room, Sofia was met by the sight of Levi looking after Eren and Sasha as they played on the ground, then by Leon who came to her side upon seeing the worried look on her face.
“How is she?” Leon asked.
Sofia pressed her lips together, trying to stop the trembling. Seeing the tears threatening to fall, Leon look his wife into Eren’s room and closed the door so she may let out the fear, the frustration, and the sadness she has been feeling since they came to their friends’ aid. Holding her close to her, Leon lets Sofia cry on his shoulder and waited until she could speak.
“I don’t know what to do – I’m a doctor yet I don’t know what to do!” Sofia sobbed. “If it were a normal pregnancy, I could help her but it’s not. There’s this Curse to think about, and even when I studied Titan anatomy, it’s still a mystery to me.”
“I know,” Leon whispered in her hair.
Having enough of her tears, Sofia pulled away from her husband and wiped them away. She took a few deep breaths to compose herself before speaking. It was one of the things he admired Sofia for: the ability to put up a face before facing people, even when she was crumbling inside. As a Scout he too had to do that, but it was so he could fight and survive another battle. For her, Sofia’s battle is to keep people alive, and if she was not able to fulfil that duty… it was like losing a comrade in war.
“Where’s Armin?” Sofia asked.
“He and Mikasa went out to get some food. It’s crazy, Iris developed this fishing net that would always have a catch even when she’s not there.” Leon said, trying to lighten up the mood. But it didn’t. “I wish things were different.”
“I know…”
Just as they returned to the living room, Armin and Mikasa came back with baskets of fish and vegetables. Neither of them bought those ingredients, it all came from the garden that Iris and Armin made, and from the net she set up at the sea. Seeing them emerge from the hall, Armin took it a sign that he could see Iris and walked pass them to check on her, and following after him was Eren who waddled towards Leon and Sofia with his big blue eyes.
“Mama?” Eren pointed at the closed door.
Picking him up, Leon said, “Your mom is still asleep.”
“Papa?”
“He just went to see how she is.”
“Do you want to see them, Eren?” Sofia asked, taking the boy’s tiny hand with her fingers. Eren nodded and pointed to the direction of the room. “I’ll go help Mikasa with lunch, you take him inside.” Leon nodded. “Sasha, why don’t you help as well.”
The little girl dropped her toys and went with her mother, leaving Levi in the living room.
Returning from Iris and Armin’s quarters, Leon went to Levi’s side and sighed deeply. Seeing the small family in there, all cuddled in bed with Death looming over them, and Armin trying his hardest to keep it at bay, Leon couldn’t find the strength to stay there to talk to Iris.
“What are they doing inside?” Levi asked.
“Thinking of baby names,” Leon answered.
“And what have they come up with?”
“If it’s a boy they have Mike and Farlan.”
Levi smiled. “And if it’s a girl?”
“Petra. Armin suggested her mother’s name, but Iris said that it was best to let the memory of her mother be with her and you…”
Unintentionally, Levi reached for the necklace that hung around his neck for the past decade. Only twice did he remove it, and it was when he was supposed to give it to his daughter and when he lost it in the blast of the thunderspear. He could remember the time he found himself swimming through memories or was it through time? He found his mother, Kenny, Farlan and Isabel, Iris, and Maria.
Iris was right, it was best to not have a walking memory of Maria. He wasn’t sure how he would take it if he was to utter that name again.
“If complications came with the birth, what’s going to happen?” Levi asked.
“Well, we don’t have to fear any bleeding since her Titan abilities could heal that… Sofia is just worried with Iris’ health and how it would affect her and the baby.”
“But there is a possibility of death, right?”
The topic was morbid, but being Scouts for so long, the talk of death was a common thing between them. Even if it was about someone they loved.
“We don’t know… we’re going in blind here. Sofia’s scared because even she doesn’t know how it would affect Iris. Her body is getting weaker as the years pass.”
Levi could only let out a deep breath. He got up from his seat, and left the house through the back door, heading to the the lone tree not far, where a stone was placed. The name Maria was carved on the stone’s surface, with the poem she would always tell Iris about the blue sky and the flight of freedom.
Soon, Iris’ name would also be placed on a stone. It would be the only place for him to see his daughter. The only place for Armin and Iris’ children to see their mother.
“I know you must be tired of me asking for advice,” Levi spoke to the memory of his wife. “But this time, it’s not the advice that I want.” He knelt down before the stone, begging to it, as if the memory of his wife could do anything for him. “You need to help her. Eren and that baby still needs her. I don’t know how, but just pull some miraculous shit and do something to help her. Please.”
He knew it was foolish, that he looked insane to be begging to a stone, but he was desperate. They all were.
~*~
It was morning when Petra was born. The girl was smaller than her older brother when he came out, and had a head full of hair. She was blonde, unlike Eren, but shared the same shade of blue eyes as him; and while her brother looked much like their mother, Petra was more like their father. Soft tones and of his face, and even how she was as a baby was like Armin. She was quiet and enjoyed the company of books, not that Eren did not like to read.
Petra had a way to brighten anyone’s mood. Her smiles were infectious and her laughter heartwarming. The girl had no trouble with meeting other people, in fact she liked meeting people, she rarely cried when others carried her. But there was one person she enjoyed having company aside from her parents and brother. And it was her grandfather.
Sitting on the sand, Levi happily held Petra in his arms, letting the infant’s tiny feet touch the sand and lift her up just her felt the odd texture of the ground. The girl would giggle every time she would feel the sand, and even more when Levi brought her up.
Though he loved both his grandchildren equally, Levi adored Petra. The girl had a way to melt his hard exterior. Maybe it was because she reminded him of Iris when she was a baby, or maybe Petra was just a ball of sunshine.
“This is a rare sight to see,” Iris took her place beside Levi, sitting on the sand with Eren standing between them. The boy happily waved at his sister’s way, and instantly, Petra made grabbing motions to her brother’s direction. “Captain Levi is sitting on the sand, barefoot, and not wearing his Scout uniform.” Iris gasped, teasingly. Her son followed her actions and then laughed.
“It’s my day off,” Levi shrugged and then let Petra play on the sand. “Where’s Armin?”
“Getting lunch ready.”
“And the Kirchs, when are they coming over?”
“The last I checked, Leon was on a train at Shinganshina heading here. That was hours ago, it won’t be long now. What about Mikasa and the others?”
“They’ll be here before sunset, they’re bringing your favorite dessert, too…” Levi adjusted his hold on Petra and fished something from his pocket. “While it’s just us and these little brats.” Iris snorted. “Here, Happy Birthday, Iris.”
It was an envelope that was the size of her hand, inside was hard as wood and had a complicated design. Taking it, Iris wrapped an arm around her son so she could open the packet. It was a frame painted in gold, then at the very center was a small portrait. A hand-painted, family portrait of –
“That’s us,” Iris traced the face of her mother. “That’s You and Mom,” she smiled at the sight of the height difference between her mother and father. “And that’s me.” she said to the toddler that was being held by Maria.
“I had a painter do that… It’s not the best work, but it’s close enough. We were not the best family there was, and your mother and I were far from getting a medal for being the best parents. We made a lot of mistakes, I’m surprised you even turned out okay after all that you had to go through, but I want you to remember that even when we were not the best family there was… we were still one. Before you came to the Kirchs, before Isabel and Farlan, there was us three.” Levi sighed.
“Thank you, Papa,” Iris said. “I’m glad that Eren and Petra would have something to know about Mom… and don’t be too hard on yourself – yeah, you and Mom were pretty messed up when I was growing up.” Levi chuckled. “But as I grow up, I understand why it happened… things were complicated then. You and Mom were not ready when you both had me, living in the Underground didn’t help with that, and then you became a Scout, and Mom died…” her smile faltered. “I want you to promise me something, though.”
“Anything.”
“Four years,” Iris said. “I have four years left… promise me that, no matter what happens, you will always be there for Eren and Petra, and Armin. Especially Armin. Eren and Petra will still be too young to remember me, but Armin – he will carry the pain, the burden, everything. Promise me that you will spend time with them here.”
Levi took her hand and squeezed it tight. “I promise, Iris. I will be here for Eren and Petra, and I will be there for Armin.”
“Good. It seems unfair that we never got to live peacefully with Mom, with us not having to worry about death… but this is our second chance to experience a family. Your second chance to live the dream that we all wanted when we were still in the Underground looking through the large hole that had a view of the sky.”
Levi didn’t know that tears were falling from his eye until Iris wiped them away. He took his daughter’s hand and brought it to his lips, kissing her knuckles, it was the only way to hide the sobs that were threatening to come out. But Eren and Petra could sense that he was upset.
“I promise.” Levi cried. “I promise that I’ll be here for them. That they will never forget about their mother. I swear.”
“Thank you, Papa.” Iris placed a kiss on his forehead.