Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sorry if this took too long. I was trying to put the rest of the first episode into this one chapter. I had some writer's block, but I managed to overcome that.

The walk back to the Forger's home was a tiring one. From Anya's complaining to Eren wanting to be let go from Loid's grip on his wrist. Once they were in, Loid sat on the chair in the living room, recalling everything that had led to this.

Flashback

Having one child is enough for a person who has never had any experience in raising one; it is a steep learning curve, but to raise two children?!

Loid, 'I'm feeling my old friend anxiety calling.'

Loid, "Look, Anya..."

Anya, "Big brother doesn't have a home! Please? Anya wants a strong and protective brother!"

Eren, "Hey! Don't go making decisions for me!"

Loid thought for a moment.

Loid, 'It's true that he is strong; he managed to hold his own against two grown adults. And the woman with her daughter thought that he was mine... But I only need one child, but is one child even enough? Having a backup child could make this mission a little quicker and easier... However, there's something about this boy that has me on edge for some reason.'

It appears that parenting has become more challenging than it was before.

Anya, "If Anya doesn't get a big brother, then Anya's not going to study!"

The two boys look at Anya with different expressions. Eren looks at her with confusion, while Loid had a look of shock and panic, but hides it at the last second.

Loid, 'If she does that, then the whole mission will fail! Guess I have no choice, what a mess this mission is becoming.'

Anya, 'The mission is a mess?'

Letting out a mental sigh, Loid turns his attention back to Eren.

Loid, "Eren, I want to hear from you. Do you want to live with us?"

Eren gave him a look that said he was done with his B.S.

Eren, "Are you fucking serious?"

Loid, "Language."

But Eren ignores Loid's scolding.

Eren, "Why should I go anywhere with you? I don't even know you."

Loid, "That's not completely true, you know that I am a psychiatrist, a father, and the man who rescued you not too long ago. Besides, no child should live off the streets all alone."

There was something in Loid's eyes that made Eren think over his options. On one hand, he can leave this place and slowly die as he originally planned to do. However, a chance of redemption and having a place to call a temporary home could help him.

And the words that Ymir said to him that this world was on the edge of maintaining peace or going back to war, got him wondering if this man, with the eyes that have seen hell, could this man be the one to help him, to truly live?

Eren, "I don't really have much of a choice, do I? Fine, but if I'm going to be staying with you and her, I have some conditions."

Loid, "And we will hear those conditions when we're at home."

End Flashback

After getting settled in and getting Anya to bed, Eren started the "Meeting".

Eren, "As I've mentioned earlier, I have some conditions if I were to live with you and your daughter."

Seeing a six-year-old giving off an intense stare that most spies will use when doing interrogations. Set off one or two red flags in Twilight's head.

Twilight, 'Eren is no ordinary boy. Just now, he has the same look that Handler would use before and after interrogating people close to the targets for information. A promising death by our own hands.'

Loid reached for his coffee mug to take a sip.

Loid, "What are your conditions?"

Eren, "First. No lies or betrayals. I've been lied to before, and it cost the lives of most of my family and friends, all done by the very people who ruled over my country and those I once considered them to be friends."

Eren leans over the table a little.

Eren, "That means telling me what your real job is, because you are not a doctor. You fought those animals like a former soldier from a war, and you carry the same look when seeing death and destruction, even now. If I had to guess, you are either a spy or an assassin for hire."

No matter how much he tried to keep his composure, Loid/Twilight stared at Eren in complete shock. So much so that he didn't realize that he let go of his grip on his coffee mug. His coffee might have spilled, but at least he didn't spit it out like he did on the train earlier today.

Loid/Twilight, 'He figured me out that quickly!?'

Eren, "Judging by your reaction, I'm correct on one of those, am I right? Just tell me why you are doing this, and I won't say a word to anyone. Because there is no one to tell it to, hell, I don't even give a shit about the government or their police."

Twilight, 'Am I really slacking off? No, that's not completely it. I've stated that Eren is no ordinary child; he's smarter than he appears, and the way he talked about witnessing death and destruction was like he had experienced it. More so than any normal soldier. Did his home country use younger children in the war? No, they could have used them in secret training facilities. Damn it! If I tell him everything, then this mission is over. Then again, he said he has no one to give it to, meaning he has no loyalty to any organization or to the Ostanian government.'

Loid reached for the tablecloth to clean up his spilled coffee.

Twilight, 'If I do tell him everything, I have no choice but to make him a spy to make sure that this mission will succeed.'

Loid, "You are very observant for a young boy."

Eren, "I was never a normal person. Aside from the compliment, does that mean you are one of those two?"

Loid did not say anything, but gave the six-year-old boy a nod.

Loid, "I am a spy to prevent another war from breaking out. But before we continue this talk, there's an important matter we need to discuss."

Eren, "What is it?"

Loid, "I want to make a deal with you."

Eren, "Funny, I was thinking the same thing."

Loid, "I don't like this option, but it's the only way. I want you to work for me and my agency."

Eren's eyes harden with anger.

Eren, "You want me as a tool or weapon? For whatever mission you're on!?"

Loid, 'From his gaze alone, Eren was used before. Best not to make him anymore angry than he already is.'

Loid, "I hate this as much as you do. No child should be used like this. Anyone who's been exposed will either be sent away, recruit those who had our agents exposed, or be exiled. We don't have much of a choice, especially when there's a possibility that war will restart if the target is considered a threat or not."

Eren's gaze softened a little, but still held the anger burning behind those eyes.

Loid, "I'll make you a deal. I want you to help me establish peace between here and Westalia. I won't have you be used as a tool, but as an ally. I can't guarantee what the hirer-ups will say, but I'll do whatever I can to make sure that you are free to choose how you want to live."

Eren stayed quiet for a moment, thinking over what Loid had told him. After two minutes of silence, Eren spoke up.

Eren, "If you want my trust and for me to trust you, you will swear on your very life that you will never betray me. If you do, I won't hesitate to take away your freedom."

Remembering how Eren was close to taking the lives of those thugs made Twilight believe that he was dead serious.

Loid, "I won't go back on my words."

Eren, "Now about that trust. I know about your secret and that you don't exactly trust me with it, so here's my deal. I'll tell you my secret, and I trust you not to tell your commanders or whoever's in charge about it in exchange for helping you with your mission. Okay?"

Loid, 'Is he really going to tell me his secret? This is definitely a test for me to earn his trust. Well, we've gotten this far, so there's no point in turning back. I'm sure it's nothing too big.'

Eren, "Just so you know, this may sound like a make-believe story. But it's the truth."

Loid, "I'm listening."

Eren, "Would you believe me if I told you that I'm from a different world where humanity lives within cities surrounded by massive walls to protect themselves from giant humanoid creatures called titans that devour humans and can regenerate lost limbs. Only to realize that there are other humans outside those walls that want one entire race to be erased into nothing for the wars and bloodshed of what their ancestors had done two thousand years ago? And that nine people of that same race can turn into those titans?"

Whatever words Loid/Twilight was going to say, they vanish as he stares at Eren with a confused look. Seeing his expression, Eren got up and walked to the kitchen, pulled out one of the knives from the drawers.

Seeing Eren aiming the knife's blade at his arm, Loid's eyes widened in shock, and he quickly got up and ran to stop Eren.

Loid, "Eren, stop!"

But Eren was quicker; he slashed the skin off his arm, not too deep, but not enough to leave a scar. After taking the knife out of his hands, Loid scolded him.

Loid, "Why in the world would you-"

His words died when he saw steam coming out from Eren's cut; not only that, but the wound was healing itself back up so quickly.

Eren, "If I didn't do this, you wouldn't believe me."

For the next four hours, Eren told Twilight every single detail about his life before coming to this world at the dining table.

How his home was like a caged, how he track down and killed two of the three kidnappers to save one person who killed the third kidnapper, how the callosal titan broke down the walls that surrounded his hometown, how his mother was eaten, his training to join the scouts to slaughter all the titans, how he was a titan shifter, how it was his father who gave him that power, the trail, the scouts, the female titan, the three people he thought were his friends, the false king, the lies about their home, the lies about what he and his people to believe that they were the last of humanity, Where his father orgininated from, his half brother and stepmother, Paradize Island, Eldian, Marley, the declaration of war, the paths, his half brother's euthanization plan, the story of Ymir Fritz the first titan shifter and founder, how he was the one who started it all, The Rumbling, his death, every thing.

Loid/Twilight's face went through a mix of all emotions when hearing Eren's tale. Anger, sadness, shock, fear, and disgust are the main heavy emotions. But the strangest thing he felt when hearing this was how he connected with Eren. That feeling of being powerless, alone, and the anger to fight back. He couldn't help but see a little bit of himself in the boy.

Eren, "Now that you know, are you going to treat me like another monster, and have me-"

Eren didn't hear the chair being scraped on the hard wooden floor, not even the footsteps coming towards him. The only thing that Eren noticed was that he felt the arms of Loid Forger holding him in a tight hug, and that his body was shaking.

Loid/Twilight, "No. You were never a monster. Don't ever call yourself a monster! Ever again! You did what you could to protect everyone and everything you cared about. You didn't deserve to be treated like one; you shouldn't hold the weight of everyone's burden."

Eren didn't want to listen to Loid's words; he tried so hard to deny all of it. But his next words broke him.

Loid, "Villains are never born, they are made. The world that you lived in has forced you to become a villain, but for a good reason."

Tears start to well up in Eren's eyes.

Eren, "I wish you were in my world, you probably would be more helpful to get that point to everyone."

Loid, "Sometimes adults don't know everything. They would let their fears control them, and do terrible things that would harm either themselves or even everyone around."

Eren didn't say anything but hummed in agreement. They stayed there for another moment before Loid/Twilight broke away from the hug.

Loid, "It's getting late, you should get to bed. We'll continue with our deal tomorrow, okay?"

Eren, "That sounds fair. I don't want to stay up like last time."

Loid, "Was that when you listened to Hange's studies on Titans or the missions that led you through the entire night into the morning?"

Eren, "Both, but mostly Hange."

Loid held back a soft chuckle as he guided Eren to his bedroom, wishing him goodnight. Once Eren was in bed, Loid went back to the living room, where all of the books he found at the library on how to be a parent were, and looked over each one of them at a ridiculous fast pace, reading.

Loid, "The key to raising a child is trust. Rather than scolding them, try to understand things from their perspective.' I've already earned Eren's trust so far, and I believe I'm starting to understand him more than he understands himself."

Loid continues to read, picking up sentences that will maybe be helpful in the future, such as: 'Children are not very good at putting how they're feeling into words, so try to understand them more.' and 'Nurture their self-esteem to give them a better future. By giving them the ability to think for themselves, their future...'

Before he could grab another book, Loid paused as he thought about what would happen to Eren and Anya once the mission was over.

Loid, 'I know Eren will most likely be coming with me to become a spy for WISE, but Anya... I'll most likely be sending her back to the orphanage, but with two kids and having one sent away won't do any good.'

Recalling how he hugged and spoke to Eren made him realize something.

Twilight/Loid, 'Why did I do that? I never let my emotions get the better of me, but I let it happen, and I didn't even stop myself or even bring myself to care about my cover or the mission. The only thing I could have been thinking at that moment was to never let this boy suffer anymore.'

It was really getting late, and Twilight didn't have the energy to continue to read or even think.

Twilight/Loid, "I feel exhausted."

The Next Morning

Life in the Forger's household was... something to say the least. The first thing was when Loid went to wake Eren up for breakfast, he noticed the tear marks on his face. Remembering last night's events made him think that this was perhaps the first in a long time that Eren got to sleep in an actual bed in a room to call his own, and not in the dungeon cells with chains attached to his wrists and ankles.

The second was the study to get into Eden's Academy entrance exams. Loid briefly summarizes it to Eren, explaining how it's connected to his mission and how he can help. The idea of going to an upper-class school gives a foul taste in Eren's mouth. But if it's for peace and freedom, then he might as well swallow his pride and give it a try.

And finally is what's currently happening at the moment. Anya crying out, "I don't want to study!" and Eren trying to read, keyword trying. Because when Eren saw the papers this morning, he and Loid discovered that they can speak the same language, but they cannot exactly read or write it the same way. Loid was helping Eren to spell out the words correctly with an alphabet chart and a guiding sheet. By having Eren use his world's language letters line up underneath the letters in English as a quicker way to help him with his reading and spelling.

However, the argument between the father and daughter was starting to get to Eren.

Loid, "I need to know how smart you and Eren are for this exam."

Anya, "I don't need to study to do any tests! If I just read other people's..."

Anya almost gave away her secret.

Loid, "Are you planning on cheating? Listen. If you don't get into this school..."

And so did Loid.

Setting the book onto the living room table, Loid leans over Anya, his hands on his hips as he grunts in frustration. After what seemed like forever, the tense seconds pass before Loid turns and begins walking away.

Loid, "Fine, then."

Looking up from his work, Eren asks.

Eren, "Are you heading out?"

Loid slips on his suit jacket swiftly, adjusting it to rest perfectly to fit his body.

Loid, "Yes. I need to make a quick errand run. I'll be back soon, and that means you are in charge of Anya while I'm gone, Eren."

Anya, "What?"

Eren, "You heard him."

Anya begins to step towards him, and he swiftly places his hat on his head and turns to point at her.

Loid, "You're not coming with me today. No matter what. You're staying home with your brother."

Anya made a shocked expression as Loid had already closed the front door. Anya immediately runs over to open it. Seeing movement at the corner of his eye, Eren quickly set his reading and spelling aside to stop her, but it was too late. Anya already opened the door.

Loid, "Hey!"

Hearing both her brother's and papa's voices, Anya shuts the door, only for Loid to forcefully open it again.

And at the same time, both Eren and Loid scolded Anya.

Eren, "He said, You're staying here!"

Loid, "I told you; you're not coming!"

After what looked like a game of hide and seek between a father and his kids, but to Loid and Eren, it was to keep the youngest in the "Family" from getting out. In the end, Loid ended up barricading the door as Eren managed to get Anya to play a different game. One that evolves with learning, imagination, and fun.

Basically, he made up a spy mission game for Anya to solve some easy math and word problem puzzles in order to rescue Mr. Chimera from the Enemy.

Time Skip

Franky, "So that's why you were late. I pray you don't get reported for child abuse."

Loid places his hat on the counter of the tobacco stand and crosses his arms.

Twilight/Loid, "Who knows what children are thinking? Their method of always crying to get their way is truly annoying."

Franky, "Hate to tell you this, Twilight, but crying is their job. More importantly, here's what you asked for."

Franky pulls an envelope out from under the counter and places it down on the counter between him and Twilight/Loid.

Twilight/Loid, "An application, a ticket for the exam, and exam questions. I went through hell getting these for you."

Twilight picks up the envelope and tucks it into his jacket, turning around to face the sidewalk. "Thanks, Franky. I think we can make things work if we have her memorize everything. Have you found anything from the call last night?"

Franky, "I still can't believe you woke me up in the middle of the night. Even more so that you've adopted two kids."

Franky gave him an annoyed look before talking again.

Franky, "There was no information on this Eren Yeager kid. No families or anything. It's like he never existed."

Twilight/Loid, 'That's exactly how I want it to be.' "I see, thanks for trying. Do you think you can make up some documents?"

Franky, "For his background? That will take about a week with the info you've given me, and the adoption papers will be made after, which I'll have done in a day. Oh yeah. About your daughter... I dug up some records on her past that the orphanage didn't have."

Franky pulls out several folded-up papers and hands them over to Twilight, as he unfolds them to reveal a summary of information about his daughter, Anya.

Franky, "I couldn't find anything about her birth. No info on her age or parents, either. I could only find information from the last year, but she's been adopted four times and returned each time. She's also been to two other orphanages."

Twilight/Loid looks over the papers in his hand. "Anya Williams, Anya Levski, Anya Roche..."

Franky smiles at the spy, seeing how closely he and the kids are when it comes to using many names or staying hidden from the world.

Franky, "She changes names as much as you do. You guys are perfect for each other."

Glancing back, Twilight/Loid gave the informant a disapproving look.

Franky, "Hey, I'm kidding. This is for your mission, right? She may be a kid, but no good's gonna come out of getting too attached."

As Loid collects his hat, he places it on his head as he turns to leave. "Thanks for the concern."

Franky, "Hello? Where's my money?! Damn it... Who knows what spies are thinking, either?"

Meanwhile

Back at the Forger's home, Eren was looking in every room to find his "sister", but came up empty-handed.

Eren, "Damn, where the heck is she?!"

Suddenly, Eren heard beeping sounds coming from the only room he knew that neither he nor Anya was allowed in.

Loid's bedroom.

Eren knew that this world's time was something similar to his when he and his friends first journeyed outside of their island, but the technology here has improved more than what he knows of now.

But he did know during his time undercover in Marley that Anya was messing with Loid's transmitter. And knowing he's a spy means that he has enemies searching for him, and transmitters can be traced back to their location.

Eren, "F*ck, that dumb brat!"

But before Eren even had time to get to her, he heard the sound of the barricaded door being forced open.

With little time, Eren had to make a choice.

Time Skip

By the time Loid got home, he was reminded that he needed to remove the barricade he'd made. However, just when he was about to move the items out of the way, he noticed that the rope around the doorknob was loose.

That tiny detail is proof alone that someone did this, most likely went inside. And they are probably waiting for him.

Once the stuff was removed from blocking the door, Loid opened it and waited before stepping inside. With only taking two steps in a metal pipe was swung at him; if he hadn't dodged it, he would have been hit in the face. The same couldn't be said for the attacker, as Loid delivered an upper punch to his throat and jaw to knock him out.

The second person came out from behind the couch and aimed his silenced gun at him. Loid dodged the first shot, but the grocery bag got destroyed as he used a tuna can from the bag and threw it at the shooter, causing him to stumble. Giving Loid enough time to run, being the small, rounded kitchen table, pick up a chair, and slam it onto the shooter's head. Knocking him out cold.

Loid/Twilight, 'Who the hell are these guys?'

A dreaded feeling washed over him as he ran to see if Eren and Anya were safe.

Loid, "Eren! Anya!"

Checking every room in the house, Loid couldn't find the two children. The only thing he found in his bedroom was Anya's plush toy, and his transmitter was out of his secret safe.

Loid kneels down and grabs the toy, as he thinks about what he should do next. In his mind as a spy, it was to start over again, but there was something that was stopping him from doing that.

Lost in his thoughts, Loid didn't notice one of the men was about to split his head open with an axe.

That is, if he hadn't jumped out of the way in time. Before he could strike the guy again, he let out a grunting sound as he stumbled forward as his weight giving out, and he fell to the floor, bleeding from the back.

Standing behind the fallen man was Eren, holding a makeshift spear out of a broom, rope, and the kitchen knife he used to demonstrate his Titan powers.

Eren, "You're not taking anyone's life today, but I might be taking yours. If you don't tell us where you've taken the little pink-haired girl?"

Loid/Twilight, 'Eren...'

Meanwhile

In some isolated floor in a building, Anya was scared. She's tied up in a shopping cart, whimpering behind the tape over her mouth as the men around her talk to each other.

"So who the hell is this kid? Could she be Twilight's?"

"No idea. She was in the room where the message came from, so we snatched her just in case."

Anya thinks back to what she was doing in her Papa's room, and realizes that this was her own fault.

Anya, 'Because of the transmission?'

"She was holed up inside the apartment with a barricade out front." The view changes to show that Anya's facing directly towards the boss, who glances at the man explaining her circumstances.

"Why out front?"

"Beats me."

The boss frowns, half-turning from the child as he comments.

Edgar, "Well, no matter. We might be able to use her as a hostage to force Twilight to steal the toupee off the foreign minister's head personally."

One of the men speaks up, feeling uncertain about this whole situation.

"Boss, I think we should just give up on the toupee."

As he finished his sentence. Edgar immediately whips out a handgun and shoots him in the head, ending his life right then and there in front of Anya's eyes.

Edgar, "Transparency is essential in government. Toupees are a no-go."

Anya stares at the smoking gun, horrified at what it can do to people.

Anya, 'A pistol with a silencer...'

Edgar, "Also, the minister's a traitor who's been secretly backing the West. Anyone who advocates for a traitor is also a traitor."

Slipping his pistol away, Edgar pulls out a cigarette and lights it. From all of the Spy Wars Anya had seen, she takes the moment to glance into the man's mind as the reality of the situation she's in really starts to sink in.

Anya, 'A real bad guy...'

Suddenly, a black van can be seen through a window, screeching to a halt outside the building. The watchman notices and turns to the rest of the criminal gang in the room.

"Boss! Nguyen and his guys are back from the apartment!"

One of the men entering the building was carrying someone over his shoulder, with a bag on their head.

"We captured him."

As he bends down to lay the tied-up person on the ground. The tied-up man struggles against his bindings as Edgar steps forward.

Edgar, "Well done."

With Twilight lying on the ground, Nguyen moves back, rubbing his throat where the spy struck him back in the apartment.

"Those weren't the moves of an amateur. He's the real deal."

Anya looks at Nguyen, and weirdly enough, she didn't whimper or cry, despite seeing her father tied up on the floor in front of her. Meanwhile, Edgar waves off Nguyen, seeing that he's still hurting from the fight.

Edgar, "Go rest over there."

Edgar gestures to the general direction where Anya is being held, before crouching down in front captured spy from the west.

Edgar, "Now then, Twilight... Let's have you return the photographs you stole from me."

He grabs the paper bag and removes it, revealing that the person tied up on the floor is, in fact, Nguyen, and not Twilight.

Edgar, "Nguyen!"

With everyone distracted, it was enough time for the Master of a Thousand Faces to slip away with the little girl in his hands. Soon, one of the guys turns around, confused at the situation.

"What's going on?! He was just-"

But as he steps away only finds that both "Nguyen" and Anya have disappeared.

"The kid's gone!"

"He got me again!"

Turns out their comrade Nguyen was actually Twilight/Loid disguised as him, who is currently carrying Anya as he shuts a massive door behind him. Hoping that will help to delay the pursuing Cronies.

Hearing the sound of rocks scraping against metal and concrete, Twilight/Loid knows that Eren has completed his task; now all he has to do is meet up with Anya outside and far away from this place. If he had stayed a little longer, he would have seen crystals covering the door, preventing anyone from leaving.

Twilight/Loid, 'This was a mistake. I risked everything by waltzing right into enemy territory. I'm a failure as a spy.'

Anya grips her father's shirt tightly as he carries her away from danger. Anya couldn't hold back anymore. Finally, she bursts into tears, crying over the whole ordeal, and the stress of the situation has caught up to her.

With Anya crying, Twilight/Loid is reminded of why he dislikes children, because whenever they cry, he thinks back to the time when he was a child and how the war lost everything. His home, his parents, his friends, all of it. He was all alone with no one.

The disguised father set Anya down and told her that this was a game of tag, and that her goal was to get as far away from this place as possible. Anya did just that, not even taking the paper that he was going to hand over to her to help her get into a better home for her.

Anya read his mind and knew that her papa was a liar, but still ran to safety. Once Anya was out, Twilight/Loid went back to make sure that Eren was okay and to stop Edgar from pursuing him.

After finding Eren, the two quickly set up a trap that will put not only them, but also Edgar and his goons' lives in danger. A trip wire to open up flour sacks above them, with how long they've been held up over the years, it can be extremely flammable.

With flour slipped everywhere, it's perfect to cover their presence and blind the enemies from finding them.

Twilight/Loid didn't want to admit it, but he felt a weird sense of joy in teaching Eren how to set up the trap. Even more so, when he told Eren about his idea of using the makeshift spear to strike at the non-lethal areas on the human body, but enough to keep them from down.

The sound of people slamming objects or themselves against the doors caught their attention. It was time to put this plan into action.

Eren, "I know my hardening abilities are strong and unbreakable, but I'm impressed with how they are doing everything to break down the door."

Twilight/Loid, "Did you cover the entire door?"

Eren, "No. Just the lock and the handle. They might be stuck there for a while, and even if they somehow get out, the hardening around the lock and handle will still be intact."

BOOM!

CLANK!

That was the sound of the door finally giving way. And it wasn't long until one of the men triggered the trap. Once the flour was spilling, it was time to fight them off.

Edgar watches as the silhouettes of his men are taken out one after another; he tries to keep his pistol pointed in the direction of where the pained cries are coming from, but to no avail. As the dust settles, he is left with nothing but his unconscious thugs scattered around the room, which now stands in a state of disarray.

Edgar, "You've gotta be shitting me."

The barrel of a pistol is pressed against the back of his head, and a blade at the side of his neck, dangerously close to his apple.

Seeing no way out, Edgar raised his hands. Showing that he surrendered to Twilight, who was standing behind Edgar, and Eren, who was standing in Edgar's blind spot in his vision, both with a very serious expression on their faces.

Twilight/Loid, "Turn around, and I'll kill you."

Edgar, "Twilight..."

Twilight/Loid, "Good day, or perhaps, good evening, Edgar."

Eren knocks the gun from the boss's hand with one swoop from his micshapen spear, as it clatters to the ground. With coldness in his voice, Eren spoke.

Eren, "You have some nerve to kidnap children and then kill them later. You animal in human skin. I hate to think if you would do that to your own daughter, if she doesn't want to work with you."

Twilight/Loid, "Speaking of which, how's Karen doing?"

Edgar, "How do you know my daughter's name?"

Twilight/Loid, "Of course I know. That's what spies do. I know her height, weight, shoe size, her favorite foods, and even how many moles are on her body. Though it's nothing compared to your record, I know of her criminal activity, too."

The way Twilight spoke those words in a cold tone made Edgar very uneasy.

Edgar, "Absurd! My daughter would never-"

Eren, "Like father, like daughter. Both monsters wearing human skin, crimes against humanity don't deserve to live.'

Even Eren made his point very clear, by leaving a mark on his neck, it's not big enough to actually kill him, but it's enough to leave a scar.

Eren, "Consider this as me being generous, because the next time you try this again, I will make sure that you will no longer have your freedom. After all, anyone who tries to take away someone's freedom, I won't hesitate to take theirs first."

Edgar believed the boy. Seeing how his men were bleeding from their wounds and where the blood was coming from, they were only an inch away from death.

Edgar, 'Twilight and this brat got me on edge, are they really related!? Along with that other brat?!'

Twilight/Loid, "Edgar. I also know how much you care about your daughter. So listen carefully. If you wish for her to have any semblance of a normal life, you'll leave me the hell alone."

Proving that he wasn't messing around, Twilight aims his gut at Edgar's pistol on the ground and fires a round into it. Rendering it useless.

Twilight, "If you understand, go home right now."

With threats nailing Edgar in the head, he took their words to heart and bolted out of the building as fast as his legs could carry him back home to his daughter.

Once Twilight/Loid and Eren left the building, they were walking back only to see a certain little pink-haired girl waiting for them by some steps to someone's home.

Loid, "Anya?"

Looking up from her daydream, Anya looks to see both her father and big brother walking over to her. She gets up and runs to them.

Anya, "Papa! Big brother!"

As Anya gets close, she hugs her tiny body around her father's leg, happy to see him and her brother safe.

Eren, "You got away."

Anya, "More scary people came. It was a little scary. I wanna go home. To our home, Papa."

Twilight/Loid looks down at the child, his expression somewhat somber.

Twilight/Loid, "Are you sure?"

Anya, "If you leave me behind, I'm going to cry."

Twilight remembers what Franky had told him about Anya's previous families. Four times she's been adopted and was returned each time. Anya Williams... Anya Levski... Anya Roche... Making up his mind, Twilight slowly places a hand atop Anya's head and pets her comfortingly.

Twilight/Loid, "I see. Well, let's go home, then. All of us."

She looks up at her new father once more. However, her eyes are brimming with tears, and an expression of awe and wonder on her face. Seeing this made Eren's heart feel a little lighter and warmer, and a weird sense of longing to be with them in that form of comfort. That's when Eren took a quick moment to think back to what Loid/Twilight had said a few seconds ago.

Looking back at the two, Loid extended his hand to Eren, and without any hesitation, he gratefully took it.

The sunset's lights were radiating their glow in an embrace of safety as today's events were finally over.

Time Skip

Well, almost over. It wasn't until later that the family was riding in a trolley car that was moving through the streets of the city. After the kidnapping and rescue, it was clear that the family of three had to move.

Loid/Twilight, "But that apartment is far too dangerous, so let's move. After the two tugs from yesterday and spotting a poisonous snake on that same day, plus today's event. It's safe to move to a better area."

"I don't like snakes."

Anya smiles at Twilight/Loid as the vehicle carries them to their new neighborhood, where their new house is.

Anya, 'Papa is a huge liar... But he's such a cool liar.'

Anya, "I wanna live in a castle."

Loid/Twilight, "We'll see if one's listed."

Eren, "Just as long as I don't get to sleep in the dungeon or get attacked, or that I may have to destroy it."

Loid/Twilight, "You won't be doing either of that."

Anya, 'Big brother's is weird, but he's a cool big brother.'

As the ride continues on, Loid/Twilight reminded the kids that once they get to their new home, they'll have to continue where they left off in their studies.

Time Skip

The next day was the entrance exams for young students to get into Eden College. Inside one of the schools for the exam testing, dozens upon dozens of children were seated in a large auditorium. Every child has the test paper, a pencil, and an eraser in front of them on the table.

One of the adults, most likely a staff teacher, stands in front of them with a timer in his hand. Without missing a beat, he clicks his timer and announces to the kids to begin.

Meanwhile, outside of the auditorium, Loid sits on a bench waiting for the exam to be over.

Loid, 'I'm counting on you two, Eren. Anya. You can do it.'

In one row, Anya was struggling to read the other kids' minds because all of them were panicking like her to answer the questions on the sheet. Some were guessing, others were getting frustrated, and at least one or two were crying for their mothers or fathers.

Returning to her own paper, Anya felt completely hopeless, that is, until she imagined Loid/Twilight's hand pointing at one of the questions. She remembers him and her brother going over the questions back home and how to memorize the answers. Taking them one question at a time.

Feeling calmer and more relaxed, Anya begins to write down her answers with determination.

Meanwhile, in a different row, Eren wasn't having much trouble with the questions as he thought he would. Some of the problems were tricky, but when you were an adult now in a child's body. Some of the questions are easy to answer. Even if you are from a different world at a different time period.

Time Skip

Once the test was over, Loid, Eren, and Anya were standing outside with crowds of parents and their children searching to find their numbers on the display boards for those who had passed.

Loid, "K-212 and K-213... K-212 and K-213..."

After what seemed to be hopeless, Loid spotted the two tags he was looking for. His kids' tag numbers are on the board, meaning they passed.

Loid, "It's there! You passed! You guys did it!"

Eren, "I- We passed?!"

Anya, "Did I do a good job?"

Then the world's greatest spy did something that was completely unexpected. He bends down to lift his two children into the air with both of them in each arm. Anya cried in joyous laughter while Eren was taken aback by surprise.

Loid, "You bet you did! You-"

Suddenly, Loid/Twilight loses his balance and falls backwards, still holding Anya and Eren in his arms.

Anya, "Papa!"

Eren, "Whoa!"

As his back hits the ground, the burned-out spy lets go of his children as both of his arms fall completely limp at his side.

Anya, "Papa! Don't leave me!"

Twilight, 'I relaxed for a second and all my pent-up exhaustion hit me at once.'

As Anya tries to shake her father back up, Eren, meanwhile, took a moment to study his adoptive father's face to see what was wrong. It didn't take a genius to know that the heavy bags beneath his eyes were a sign of exhaustion.

Anya, "Papa! You're going to make me cry!"

Eren, "Wake up, old man!"

Loid, 'I... Relaxed?'

Anya, "I promise to be a good girl! Just come back to me!"

Eren, "He's not dead. Just tired. Wake up, we need you awake so that we can get back home!"

Loid/Twilight, 'What the hell is going on with me?'

Time Skip

Inside the new Forger residence, Twilight lies on the couch with a pillow under his head, looking completely catatonic. Anya stands in front of him, tears in her eyes.

Anya, "Papa died."

Eren, "I already told you, he's not dead."

The doorbell rings, hearing it, Anya turns away from Loid to hear a voice from the other side of the door.

"I've got some mail for you!"

Anya walks to the front door with Eren following behind her as she opens it, seeing that it was a mail deliveryman, Eren relaxed his shoulders a little.

Mailman, "Is this the Forger residence?"

Eren nodded his head while Anya spoke.

Anya, "I'm Anya Forger."

The mailman digs through his satchel and pulls out a letter, holding it towards the kids.

Mailman, "Could you give this to your mommy or daddy?"

Anya, "My mama doesn't exist."

Mailman, "Oh, really? I'm sorry..."

With nothing left to say, Eren took the letter and watched as the mailman left before closing the door. He then gave Anya a deadpan look.

Eren, "Was saying that really necessary?"

As if she didn't hear him, Anya trotted over back to the couch with the letter in her hands.

Anya, "Papa! The mailman came."

When Anya was at Loid by his bedside, seeing that he wasn't responding, Anya used the envelope to tap against his cheek a few times. Loid didn't even flinch.

Seeing this, Eren steps away and makes his way to the kitchen to either help wake his "Father" or himself. When Eren came back with a glass of water in his hand, he was taken aback at what his sister did next. She crawled onto the couch and cuddled up in Loid's arms, almost pretending to be asleep.

Eren, 'I wish I had a camera right now.'

As if on cue, Twilight/Loid suddenly wakes up, startled. He sits up, immediately recoiling away from Anya. His sudden recoil physically knocks Anya off the couch; luckily, she didn't hit her head.

Loid, "What do you think you're doing?! Are you trying to kill me?!"

Eren, "And here I was going to wake you up with some water."

Loid, "Do that, and you'll be grounded for a week."

Sitting back up, Loid rested his head in his hand as he mentally scolded himself for falling asleep in front of someone; it was unacceptable, and to pull himself together.

Picking herself up off the floor, Anya holds out the letter to her Papa.

Anya, "Mail!"

Taking the mail from Anya's little hands, Loid tore the envelope over the coffee table as he read the contents letter.

Loid, "It's a letter from Eden College."

But as Loid read, he came across a problem that made him flinch. A problem that made him grim as he stared at the paper in his hands.

Seeing Loid in this state meant trouble, as Eren had so many experiences of seeing others having that same grim, dark expression on their faces.

Eren, "What is it?"

Loid, "'The second phase of the admission process is a family interview. It is mandatory that the applicant attend with both parents. Absolutely no exceptions.'"

At his side, Eren and Anya both had the same expression.

Anya, "But Mama doesn't exist."

Eren, "One problem after another."

The sound of the clock chiming felt like an insult to their conundrum.

Time Skip. The next Day at dawn.

Yesterday and the two days before that were insane and intense. Which is putting it mildly.

Eren was already awake just before the sun rose. He had gotten out of bed and made his way up on the roof of the house, but how he did it without getting noticed would be a mystery if Loid hadn't heard him moving and followed him.

While looking out at the view of the city, Eren exhaled as he took in the sight around him, as the cool summer air felt a mix of warm and cold on his skin. Without even turning his head, Eren spoke.

Eren, "You can come out now. I know you were stalking me."

Loid, "I had to make sure that you didn't fall off."

Loid came out from behind the chimney and sat beside Eren on the roof, as the two watched the sun start to rise.

Loid, "Eren, what you did was both terrifying, reckless, and surprisingly smart. But you need to know how to pick your battles. Anya got taken because you didn't act quickly enough."

Eren, "I know."

Loid, "We're lucky that they didn't kill her, and we're also lucky that you didn't kill any of those guys in the house."

Eren, "They were animals wearing the skins of humans. I overheard them kidnapping and selling human bodies and organs to others. They don't deserve to even breathe the same air as us."

Loid took a moment to really look at Eren and saw that what he was saying was exactly what he said, similar to his father when they had that argument. Instead of violence, Loid talked to him gently, but firmly.

Loid, "It's true that people can be cruel and evil, but not all of them can be that bad. I saw how badly you wanted to end their lives, but you didn't. You've stabbed them close to their vital organs. You gave them a second chance to live. They might change their ways after that, if not, well, they can't run forever, sooner or later they'll be captured."

Eren, "By you? The police? The MP? Or some secret agency?"

Loid, "Both."

Eren let out a puff of air and through his hands up.

Eren, "I don't know if you're being serious or not. I give up."

Loid smiled and almost let out a small chuckle. Years of being the perfect spy were starting to crack. Wanting to change the subject, Loid coughed into his fist.

Loid, "I've spoken to my supervisor, and she wasn't happy with the changes, but was okay to have you with us."

Eren, "I still get to keep my freedom, right?"

Loid, "I had to pull a few strings, but yes, you will."

Eren, "Thank you. That's all I want."

Loid, "But we'll have to decide a codename for you."

Eren, "Titan. The codename I picked is Titan."

Loid, "Are you sure you want that? I think you should have one that speaks to you and doesn't hold you down."

Eren didn't say anything, as he had his head down and thought about what codename he wanted to be known for.

Loid/Twilight was also thinking of a name when something caught his eye. The rays of the sunlight rising up on the horizon as a single bird flies towards it, making the illusion of a mythical creature known for death, rebirth, and the sun.

Loid/Twilight, "Phoenix. You have the fire to rise up from the ashes and start a new life. Eren."

Eren, "Phoenix, huh? I like it."

Loid, "Now, let's head back down before the neighbors start to see us up here, and we don't want to worry Anya."

As the fake father and son head back down, Eren couldn't help but smile at what his new life will be like...

As a freelance spy.

And that's it! I finally finished this painfully long chapter!

References

Loid telling that Eren is in charge, Anya's reaction, and Eren's reply are a reference to Pixar's The Incredibles, when Helen said the same this to Violet and Dash.

I chose "Phoenix" as Eren's codename because of the meaning behind the mythical creature and how Eren wanted to be free like a bird, as it was shown heavily in the manga and anime.