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Eren's titan form dropped to the ground, unmoving, and steam filled the air. They watched with uncertainty as minutes passed, and Eren still didn't come out.
They were out to experiment with how many transformations Eren could perform and for how long he could stay in his Titan shifter form with his awareness intact.
They had barely started the experiment when something seemed to go wrong. The moment Eren bit into the flesh of his thumb, a hot burst of steam burst forth, hiding Eren from sight within it.
Yet despite the steam and the heat, the sound of rushing wind as something large formed out of nothing and the earth-shaking roar that usually followed didn’t happen. Hanji and Levi exchanged a concerned glance.
Before Hanji could signal for Levi to go check the situation out, the steam finally parted, only to leave those present in shock.
Because, instead of the fifteen-year-old Eren whom they had grown to know and expected to see coming out of the disintegrating titan form, a two-year-old child stood in his place.
Even though he didn't look the way he had before the experiment started, they could tell right away that it was Eren.
The same messy mop of brown hair, identical ocean colored eyes.
There was no mistaking it; that was definitely Eren.
Just… Much younger.
From the looks of it, he was about two years of age.
Everyone held their breath with anxious anticipation as they waited to see what would happen.
Eren opened his eyes and looked up, his curious, questioning teal eyes full of questioning. The moment he looked up, he found himself surrounded by a group of scary-looking strangers.
The next thing they knew, tears were filling his eyes and his face scrunched up as he burst into tears.
They didn't need to ask whether he remembered them or not, it was clear he didn't.
Before panic could spread through the group, Levi threw his cloak on Eren and scooped him up under one arm. “Go back to training,” He commanded with barely a backward glance before he took off, Hanji and his squad following on his heels.
Hanji closed the door while Levi set Eren, cloak and all, on the couch. Petra reached out carefully and pulled the captain’s cloak off Eren’s head. The others gathered around to watch while Levi watched from the side, leaning against the wall, his arms crossed against his chest.
Bright teal eyes stared up at them, his cheeks flushed bright red from his earlier cry, clearly still upset, but now also confused.
One glance at that little face, and Petra’s heart melted. She scooped little Eren up into her arms and cooed. “Aren’t you the cutest little thing,” Making funny faces at him.
Eren’s brow smoothed out, and he stared at Petra with curiosity, his eyes blinking up at her rapidly.
Hanji reached out and poked one of Eren’s chubby cheeks with an amused expression on their face. “Well,” They started. “This is a problem.”
“Is he going to return to normal?” Levi asked from his place by the wall.
“I don’t know,” Hanji admitted. “We don’t know much about titan shifters yet. It could be a temporary thing or…” At the squad’s anxious expressions, they stopped what they were about to say. “Either way, all we can do right now is wait.”
“We have duties to get to.” Oluo huffed with a click of his tongue. “What do we do about the brat in the meantime?” Oluo asked, giving Eren the stink eye.
Hanji hummed thoughtfully. “Levi shouldn’t be busy at the moment,” They pointed out. “Petra could take off from training today and help look after him. I’ll write her a doctor’s note so Erwin doesn’t complain.”
Petra nodded, running her fingers through Eren’s short hair. “We will look after him properly,” She promised. “Right, Captain?” She asked, turning her head to glance at Captain Levi, her hand distractedly rubbing Eren’s cheek.
“Sure,” Levi said, flicking up a brow as he gazed down at Eren, who was looking back at him. “The rest should go back and do their chores for the day.”
“I should stay and help-” Oluo started.
“No,” Levi rejected. “You should leave,” He added bluntly, barely glancing Oluo’s way.
Oluo didn’t dare complain. “Yes, Captain,” He said finally before he turned around and left the room, Gunther and Eld following him out.
“What should we do now?” Levi asked, unsure how to care for a child, having never done it before.
Petra made a thoughtful sound. “For now, the important part is to keep him clean, fed, and make sure he expands his energy,” She suggested. “Children are pretty active and filled with energy. If you don’t help him expel it, he will have trouble sleeping later.”
“We will need to go pick up some cloth diapers,” Levi said, making a face that made Eren giggle. What does a child this young eat?”
“He looks around two,” Petra said, examining Eren’s features. “He should be able to eat solids at this point. I’ll just make him some oatmeal porridge with dried fruits at lunch time.”
“Let’s hope this is temporary and he isn’t stuck in this state for long.”
Petra nodded in agreement. “I’m not sure we can keep this hidden from the military police for long.”
“I’m sure Hanji will order all the witnesses to keep silent on the way to their lab,” Levi sighed, poking Eren’s cheek.
Petra sat down and then snorted.
“What?”
“I was just thinking that if his adoptive sister whom we saw at the trial found out about this, she would throw a fit. She seemed overprotective.” Petra made a face.
Levi’s brow furrowed as he tried to recall who that was before he seemed to remember. It must be that Mikasa girl who had given him a familiar vibe during the trial. “Either way, we can’t do anything about it now. All we can do is look after him in the meantime. I hope this is temporary and won’t last long.”
“True.” Petra rubbed her cheek against Eren’s. “Nothing we can do about it now, so how about we take Eren to play in the backyard?”
Levi looked at Eren, who seemed about to get restless. “Let’s go.”