Chapter Text
Athena stirred as the sun from the window blared into her face. Her jerked to move away from the glare of the sun and that’s when she heard a familiar groan. Shocked, she looked over to find Levi sleeping next to her, his face scrunched up from the change in position. It had to have been early, he was always gone when she woke up fulfilling his duties as Captain. She chuckled to herrself, Captain Levi Ackerman, it seemed like not to long ago he was Cadet Levi the trouble maker. Times seemed simpler then. Back then she was just cadet Athena Ral from Shiganshina, about ten years before the town had been wiped out when the Colossal titan broke through the wall, killing almost everyone. But now she was Athena Ackerman, second in command of Squad Levi and spouse of the infamous captain. She had a title now, a title she wasn’t sure she really deserved.
Athena was pulled out of her thoughts by the feeling of soft lips grazing her cheek. She looked over and smiled at the raven haired man looking at her through beautiful grey, sleepy eyes. He had an annoyed expression on his face no doubt from her earlier movement, she ran a hand up his back, past his neck, before entangling her fingers in his hair as an effort to soothe him.
“Why are you up so early, Athena? We have a mission today. You need to be rested.” He said with a hint of annoyance in his voice as he wrapped his arms around her .
“I know, but it wasn’t my choice to be up right now, My love. The fucking sun blaring through our window woke me up.” Athena said with a slight growl
He chuckles before rolling over with her still in his arms causing her to land in the warm spot he had been in. She cocked an eyebrow as she looked at him, confused at what he was doing. But then it hit her, he sleeps against the wall where the suns glow doesn’t reach, this was his way of telling her to go back to sleep without actually telling her. She smiled before leaning in and giving him a quick peck on the lips.
“I love you, Levi.” She said softly
“I love you, too. Now shut up and go to sleep.” He said before nuzzling back into her neck.
Not long after, she heard the sweet sounds of Levi’s light snoring. She gave in to the warmth and eventually she too had drifted into the darkness of sleep.
Eventually, Athenawoke up again. But this time, Levi wasn’t sleeping next to her , as sgeyfigured. They had a routine. One that they had developed when she originally started her relationship with Levi. She’d go to sleep with him and wake up alone, Levi already out either training with Eren, dodging Mikasa’s advances towards him, or doing paperwork in his office. But he’d always meet her in the dining hall for breakfast. No matter how busy he was or how behind he was on paperwork, he’d always make time to sit and have breakfast with his wife .
Athena stretched before getting up, showering and putting her uniform on. The straps on her thighs giving her much more trouble than normal. After 10 minutes and a few explicit words, they were on and she was ready to go. She sauntered down to the mess hall in search of her husband and the rest of the squad. When she finally spot him she quickly go grab your food and make a beeline towards him. But she’s stopped.
“Athena! Sissy! There you are.” Petra practically yelled at you
“Petra, what do you need?” Athena asked lovingly.
”Come on! I need the details!” She whined, “has she said anything about me??”
Athena roll her eyes with a sigh, “No, Petra. Hange has not mentioned you. This little crush of yours is getting really intense. You know that right?”
Petra gasps dramatically,” How dare you. That happens to be the love of my life.” She said folding her arms, “not just a little crush.”
”Then fucking tell her.” Athena said with a slight chuckle.
”No way.” Petra said as she turned around and ran back to her seat with the rest of the squad.
Athena rolled her eyes and just stood there for a moment. Levi caught her eye, cocking a brow at her and gesturing towards the seat next to him. She quickly walked over and say her tray down before taking a seat next to her husband. Conveniently, Petra sat right next to her.
”What was that about?” Levi chuckled, wrapping an arm around Athena’s shoulder
”Nothing.” Petra said quickly, “Just a friendly sisterly chat.” She said before taking a big sip of her drink
Levi turned to look at Athena with a smirk, “Another chat about how she’s pussywhipped by Hange?”
Petra spit out her drink and coughed. Athena’s eyes widened as Petra shot her a mean glare. The rest of the squad broke out into a fit of laughter.
“You told him!” Petra snapped at her
“He’s my husband. I don’t keep secrets from him.” She threw her hands up in protest
Levi chuckles slightly, “Petra, you drama queen. Everyone at this table knows about your obsession with shitty glasses.”
She glared at her sister’s husband before crossing her arms and going silent.
“Eat up, cadets. We have a mission today.” Levi said removing his arm from Athena’s shoulder
”Yeah. Roaming around a field for hours.” Petra mumbled rolling her eyes
“Hey,” Arthe a said slapping the back of Petra’s head, “there could be titans crawling all over that field and the forest.” She said putting her hand on her younger sister’s shoulder, “you need to be careful.”
“Yeah. Yeah. I hear you, Mom.” she said sarcastically
Athena rolled her eyes and continued eating and laughing with the squad for a while. Listening to Eld get teased about loosing his spot as second in command to a girl, Gunther talk about how strong Mikasa was getting, and even Oluo admitted he fancied one of the girls in the survey corps. She enjoyed these talks with the squad, it gave her a chance to be normal people for a while.
After breakfast it was time to go back to her chambers and get ready for the mission. As she was putting on her ODM gear a frown made its way onto her face. A frown that didn’t go unnoticed by Levi. She felt his arms wrap around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder.
”Why the long face, My love?” He said softly into her neck
”I’m worried, Levi. Worried for my sister.” She admitted
“Athena, she’s done every drill. Passed all her training. She’s ready, baby. As ready as she’ll ever be.” He said softly as he stroked her stomach lightly, “Okay?”
“Okay.” She said with a smile
Athena mounted her horse and followed behind Levi to the field. She was riding along side him, Petra and the rest of the squad behind her along with Hange, when you heard screaming. They all stopped and looked behind them to where the screaming was. Athena’s eyes widened at the sight. A giant armored female Titan sprinting towards them. Running right past them into the forest.
“Oh shit! Le- Captain what the hell do we do?!” Athena started to panic, falling off her horse
”Fuckin’ Christ!” He said as he jumped off his horse and ran to her,helping her up, “the trees. Use the trees. Take the squad and take that bitch down.”
She shook her head as she looked up at him, her lip trembling. He rested his forehead against hers, his breath shaky.
”I have to help the others.” He said as he started walking away.
“No,” she said grabbing his hand, “Levi, don’t leave me, please.” She sobbed
“Hey,” he said as he wrapped his arms around her , “You are my strongest soldier. You got this.”
She nodded.
”I love you.” He said softly
“I love you, too.” She said through tears
He kissed her quickly before remounting his horse and racing off. The squad looked to her. She pulled yourself together and wiped her tears.
”You heard the captain. Let’s take this bitch down!”
“Good luck, my friends.” Hange said as she hugged Athena
Petra wasted no time wrapping her arms around Hange, “Zoe, I love you.”
Before Hange could even respond Petra was gone along with the rest of the group. Athena looked back to see Hange jump into the air with a squeal out of pure excitement.
But the squeals from Hange didn’t go unnoticed.
”Fucking finally.” Athena mutter to herself with a smile on her face looking at Petra, “I thought this torture would never end.”
Athena and her group followed the beast through the woods.
Snap.
She looked over to see Gunther dangling close to the ground, his gear had snapped. She went down to him quickly, his neck had snapped from hitting the ground. She froze there for a second looking down at her fallen brother. She took his emblem off his uniform and put it in her pocket before saluting him. A single tear fell from her face.
“Gunther!” Petra screamed out watching Athena salute him.
Athena watched as Oluo went to face the giant girl, he swung at her before she grabbed him and threw him into her mouth before biting down.
Chomp.
With one bite Oluo was cut in half. The sounds of his cracking bones rang in Athena’s head. She could feel her heart cracking just like the branches. She turned away as the blood gushed onto the ground. Tears streamed down her face.
Eld screamed before going to slice the nape of the titans neck. But when he did, she didn’t fall.
Her neck had somehow been protected.
Before she knew it the Titan had grabbed him and threw him into a tree, she gasped at the sound of his skull hitting the tree. She place her hand over her stomach, it felt like she had just received a blow to the gut. More tears streamed down her face, herheart was aching. She looked over at Petra and all she could see was the anger in her eyes.
“Petra. Don’t.” Athena pleaded as she reached for her
Before she could grab Petra, she was off. Athena knew she wasn’t going to make it, she had to help her. Without thinking she raced off towards her but before she could reach her, she was slammed into a tree.
Sgw looked up to meet Levi’s eyes. They were dark grey and angry as he huffed and glared at her.
”You are not going near that fucking thing.” He growled out as he held her tightly.
“No. Let go! I need to help her!” She struggled to get out of his grip
Athena looked over, watching her sister race towards the Titan. Petra was partially flying though the air, she was fast. But the female Titan was much faster.
She watched in terror as the Titan caught up to Petra and grabbed her. It was like the world was moving in slow motion as she watched the female titans reach out towards Petra.
Smack.
The female Titan caught up to Petra, before stomping her into the near by tree. Then continued running into the forest.
Athena let out a gasp, every memory she had with Petra floods her mind. Memories of laughter, love, and pure happiness causes her to shake with grief. It just kept building and building before she finally cried out, “Petra! No!” as she watched her baby sister’s lifeless body dangle from the tree.
Levi grimaced at the sound of Athena belting out in pain. That scream broke his heart, he held onto her tightly. Athena continued to struggle to get out of his grip.
“Baby, breathe,” he said as he caressed her face, “you’ve got to breathe, Athena.”
“Please,” she pleaded, “She’s my baby sister.”
He finally let her go. She rushed down to her sister. When she got her out of her harness she cling to her as she dropped to her knees and hold her. She wiped the blood off Petra’s face and caressed her cheek.
“Hey little sister,” she sobbed as she clung to her body.
Petra gagged and choked on the blood streaming down her throat and tears prickle in the corners of her eyes.
”I-i’m- “ she gasps trying to speak
“Shhh, don’t try and speak please. Keep your strength.” Athena said softly as tears roll down her face
She lifted her trembling hand covered in blood to cup the side of Athena’s face, blood smearing on her cheek, “I love you.”
“And I you.” Athena closed her eyes to revel in the feeling of her sister’s warm hand on her cheek. But in a flash the feeling was gone. She heard her hand hit the ground. When she opened her eyes all she saw was Petra’s face cold and pale.
“Petra?!” She panicked as she shook her, her eyes were open but liefeless.
“Oh Pet, I’m so sorry I couldn’t save you.” You said wiping the tears from your face and the snot from your nose, “I wanted to be there when you faced Hange after your confession today- god I wanted to see your face light up when she confessed she felt the same way. She loves you, Petra. I know she does. I just wish you could have seen it too. I would tease you about it for years and-“
She froze, reality smacking her in the face. It clicked.
Would.
She didn’t have a baby sister anymore, she were an only child. She was no longer the oldest child. The female Titan had ripped that title away from her. It had taken her baby sister away. Her Petra.
Atehna felt a pair of arms wrap around her, Levi’s arms. She gently laid Petra on the ground, unable to hold onto to her anymore. She cling to Levi as he cradled her. She is overcome with a wave of emotion and she start to shake, sobs racking through her body. He kissed her temple.
“We can’t stay here, Darling” He spoke softly, as if the words would break her heart even more.
Athena nodded but didn’t move- couldn’t move. Everything felt weighed down, heavy. She was almost begging Petra to take her with her to the other si-
No, she can’t do that! Petra wouldn’t want that. She’d want her to grow, live a long life with Levi, kick some Titan ass. Pop out a few babies, preferably in a world Titan free.
The rest of the night is a hazy blur. The only thing Athena could remember was being in bed hours later with Levi sleeping next to her.
How did she get here?
Sge don’t know. Her vision began to fade and all she could hear was the sweet laughter of her darling sister before falling into the blissfulness of sleep.