𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙤𝙧 |AotxMaleOc

The Ocean

Ari walked quietly down the pathway to his childhood home. He was alone at the moment, everyone else was sent to Eren's home. Everything was overgrown, worn down, damaged or destroyed, even still Ari recognized everything. He used to play in these streets, alleys, and rooftops all the time.

Eren: Seems like 100 years ago when we all used to come this direction for a sleepover, dinner, or a playdate.

Ari turned around and saw Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Andrew, and Katelynn.

Ari: You guys...what are you doing here? You're supposed to be heading to Erens.

Andrew: We couldn't let you do this alone.

Ari smiled at their thoughtfulness.

Ari: Thanks, c'mon, I'm sure you know we are close.

When they arrived they found his old house in decent condition, or at least in as decent a condition it could have been. When they walked in they saw a lot of familiar sights. The kitchen where they used to eat together sometimes, the living room where they used to play for hours until they dropped, and the books that Ari loved.

Ari: They are upstairs, this way.

The three followed him upstairs to his old childhood bedroom, Ari never knew if he would see it again. Everything in there was dusty, his old toys that he used to play with, sheets and everything else. From the ceiling still hung the rope pulley system he used to open his windows every morning. Ari smiled a little when he saw it and gave the rope above his bed a tug, to his surprise and joy it still worked.

Mikasa: I remember that thing, you, your mom and dad all worked together with ladders to build it.

Armin: You were so happy when it finally worked.

Ari: Yeah, that was so much fun.

Eren: Guess you did a good job with it if it still works.

Ari kelt down next to his bed after his small nostalgia trip and reached under. He grabbed a book that was hidden under it, a book on titan physiology that included his own. Ari dusted it off and then opened it up and skimmed it a little.

Ari: This is the only one my parents would let me keep in my room. I read this thing dozens of times, it's how I learned the basics of my titan.

Eren: Anything in there about mine?

Ari: Yeah, but I've taught it to you all already.

They all spent some time going through Ari's stuff to ensure there wasn't anything they missed. They ended up grabbing an old engineering book as well. And Katelynn found a book on fighting styles.

Katelynn: Hey, Ari, maybe you should take Shadis's job when this is all done, you're a great teacher. Hell you got Historia in the top ten.

They all laughed a little at the pleasant memory.

Ari: I wish I could retire. Just settle down with Historia and our child.

Hange: Congratulations, Ari.

Everyone turned to see Hange and Levi in the doorway, Hange had a smile on her face upon learning the news. Ari had not yet told them Historia was pregnant. Hange then slightly elbowed Levi's side.

Levi: Congratulations.

Ari chuckled a little.

Ari: Thanks, both of you. Wait, what are you doing here?

Hange: Well, we finished with Erwin. He's in a better place now, when we went to Erens and found no one we knew you all would be here.

Levi: Did you find them?