The Caretaker | Levi x OC

Chapter 1

The old strings could never quite hold their tune.

It was an antique piano, dating from the time the Eldians were sent to Paradis. Hand-carved paneling and original ivory and ebony keys. Ribbed legs and brass knobs and scuffed foot pedals.

Sometimes Karma would close her eyes and envision herself playing a sleek concert grand, but that resounding vintage quality always cut through her fantasies. The creaking of the foot pedals and warble of the worn strings were as familiar as her own pink-cheeked reflection.

The bench groaned as she stretched toward the upper keys. She could imagine this tinkling melody playing from the spinning ballerina music box on the dusty end table. The yellow lamp shade beside it had dangling tassels that Granny Angie's naughtiest cat, Jean, liked to swat at. Jean was also the fattest of the dozen plus felines that roamed the one-bedroom home. The taupe-coated cat had just enough athleticism to hop onto the dining table to steal a mouthful of food, but otherwise was loath to do much more than nap and crap.

Twitchy-eared, diabetic Jean. Similar in name only to the war hero, who headlined the rubberband-rolled Marley Today on the artificial grass doormat. Black and white celebrity gossip disguised as news as per usual.

Our Titan War Heroes: the Loved and the Lost

June 1st, Adalia May

In New Marley Town Square under May's final blanket of stars, Jean Kirstein popped the highly anticipated question. To our delight, Mikasa Ackerman replied with the most emphatic, "Yes!"

It seemed the whole town was there to celebrate, though a notable guest has continued his streak of absence. Marley awaits, some in fear, some in anticipation, for the infamous Levi Ackerman to return to the public eye. How cold-hearted can an Eldian be to miss out on the engagement of two dear friends?

Apparently, very cold-hearted, according to an anonymous source who claims, "I only lasted two days. Since when is 'blinking too damn much' a fireable offense? I hear the record is two weeks, but that's only because he forgot about [them] while he left for a business trip. Fired [them] the second he got back. The man's impossible. We should count our lucky stars he doesn't leave Marble Estates."

While the business savvy veteran bachelor keeps to himself, speculations of an appearance stirred eight months ago, though reporters were not brave enough to investigate. If you do catch the disfigured founder of Ackerman Enterprises out and about, try not to run. He's scary on the outside, but, as far as we know, only kills Titans. You should be safe.

As for the beautiful Mikasa Ackerman and her magical proposal, Marley Today will have the inside scoop on all wedding updates—

"Hey! Knock if off, Jean." The fat taupe cat bearing Kirstein's mighty name nipped at Karma's ankles, determined to throw off her music, Granny Angie's preferred alarm clock. "Calm down. I'll feed you again at lunch time."

But Jean persisted and even resorted to using his claws.

Karma's song ended with a splattering chord that certainly woke the neighbors as well as Granny Angie. "You really think you're gonna get a treat now?" Karma glowered at Jean as she rubbed the scratch on her shin that was dotted with balls of blood.

The cat yawled.

"You are such a weirdo today. Fine, come here." She scooped him up, but he didn't settle in her lap like usual. He pawed the buttons of her blouse like a screen door. "The hell are you trying to tell me?"

Karma glanced around the dowdy home. There was nothing out of place in the clashing floral wallpaper and curtains. The porcelain cherubs on the dusty fireplace were naked as ever. The strolling cats seemed content. The potted plants dangling in macrame sacks had already been watered.