Not The One Who Dies ⇀ Attack on Titan *Original*

Part 46: Sunsets

THREE MONTHS LATER

Logan leaned against the front doorframe of his home, Cloud hugging him as he shoved his face into Logan's side. Logan sighed as he felt tears wet his dress shirt, Cloud trying his best to stop crying. Logan placed his hand on his head, trying his best to comfort his son.

Arthur jogged down the steps, holding a bag of clothes and essentials. Logan looked at his older brother, raising his eyebrows at the man before looking down at his son. Arthur sighed, putting his bag down and making his way over to his sobbing nephew, kneeling down to his level.

"Hey, bud." Arthur said, his face falling as Cloud pulled his head from his fathers side and looked to his uncle.

"Why do I need to do this alone?! Jean? You? Dad? You all need to go?" Cloud asked, tears rolling down his cheeks causing Arthur to grasp the boy, pulling him into a hug.

"Don't worry kiddo, you're gonna do amazing! Plus... you know that we have a promise don't we?" Arthur asked, grasping the boy by his shoulders and staring him in the eyes. Cloud sniffled as he nodded, staring into his uncles grizzled green eyes.

"Alright then, little warrior..." Arthur said, a smirk on his face as he ruffled his hair, standing up from his spot to look at his younger brother.

"Well then, don't you three look fancy." A voice spoke, approaching the house causing Arthur's smile to widen, looking to his left to find his 'dwarf boyfriend' as he so lovingly called Levi.

"What, we not good enough for you to show up on time, shortstop?" Arthur teased causing Levi to roll his eyes, looking at his son who smiled at him, slightly tilting his head up as a greeting.

"How ya doing, old man?" Logan asked, pushing his way off of the doorframe and hugging the man. Levi hugged him back, patting him on the back proudly before letting go and side stepping the boy, looking towards Cloud who still had tear-stains on his cheeks. He sighed, looking at Logan who nodded, telling him it was okay to go to him.

Logan made his way onto his front deck, leaning forwards on the banister as he coughed, pulling a small napkin from his pocket to catch the blood coming from his mouth. The boy sighed as his cough calmed down, not wanting the inevitable consequences of the sickness to ruin his day.

"You nervous?" Arthur asked his little brother, leaning next to him while Levi tried to assure Cloud that he could handle it. Logan let out a breath as he felt a smile rise to his face, thinking about the events of the day before shaking his head.

"Nervous? Nah. Just- Happy. It's weird you know? These past four years, I feel like all I am anymore is happy. Sure, there's been a ton of rough patches, but for the first time in my life... I can say, overall? I'm happy." Logan said causing Arthur to chuckle, throwing his arm over his brothers shoulders.

"You deserve it, kiddo. More than anyone I know- And don't worry. We're gonna go and take care of that thing later, yeah?" Arthur said causing Logan to nod, thinking about the events that were about to unfold. If their plan worked and they could actually get Eren back without him starting a war as his letters said, everything would be perfect.

"Oi, you two ready? Everyone's waiting on ya." Hange asked, peaking their head around the corner of the house. Logan sighed, smiling to himself as he ran a hand through his hair before remembering that Sasha said she would kill him if he messed it up. The boy nodded, walking towards his son as he saw Levi pat the boy on his head, giving him a small smile and head nod. Over the past year, he'd caught his father smiling more than he'd ever seen him smile.

After Erwin and Arthur passed, Levi was in a dark place. He didn't eat, he didn't talk to anyone except Logan, he just threw himself into his work, mumbling that he'd promised Erwin, that he'd avenge Arthur. Then, Levi started coming over, seeing Logan and Cloud. That evolved to watching Cloud some nights. Even before the older Castle brother returned, Cloud and Logan were the two lights that Levi needed to keep on moving.