After I died

64

Anastasia

A lot of tears were shed that day. The nurse almost didn't get through to me between all the people in my room. it was the whole pack. Armin, Jean, Connie, Gabi, Flaco. Even Annie, Reiner and Pieck had come. And of course, my family. Maggie, Hanji and Levi. My vitals were checked, the nurse put a new IV stand up but said I was doing good for someone who was out that long.

My left ear was gone and I couldn't hear anything on that side anymore, but other than that, everything had healed. The doctors said the brain injury that put me in the coma had been on the lighter side therefore I would probably need only about a week to recover.

The others told me stories, things that had happened, Maggie talked the most. About school, about rebuilding the world, planting trees with Gabi and Falco, staying in contact with some people from the island through letters. There was a house by the coast, a small city that had remained unharmed. Levi and Maggie lived there, Hanji was just next door as well as Gabi and Falco. 

Eventho he'd been the one to talk the least, Levi stayed the longest. Hanji brought Maggie home somewhen around the evening but Levi refused to leave. "You told me to be careful.", I mumbled. "I missed another 3 years with you two..." "Don't... we're safe now. All of us, we're okay. You did just what you had to, survived against all odds and came back to us. No one blames you for this coma thing."

He held my hand. "How is it... not having to be the strongest person in the room anymore?", I asked, looking over at him. "Felt weird at first. Relying on people, letting them help me." "Not exactly your strong suit.", I said, smiling slightly. "No... not at all. But I got used to it and.... it's relaxing. Feels good." "I'm glad."

Levi looked over at the tulips. "Those are from Maggie. She loves them. You could tell who was the last person that visited by looking which flowers were in the glass. Armin always brought brought daisies. Jean lillies, and Connie and four eyes some mix that didn't always fit together." I chuckled, exactly what I'd imagened.

"And you?", I asked. "Those frizzy red-white ones, uhm... something with a 'c' I think... coro.. corn-" "Carnations?", I asked, chuckling. "Yeah, those." "What happened to paradise?" He went quiet for a bit. "What was left of the Yeagerists built a military and they're building it up more every day, ready for another war. Some of the others are leaving next week to negotiate. Trying to avoid another war."

"Is Hanji going to?" He shook his head. "No, four eyes ain't in military nor politics anymore. She's studying fish now, or stuff like that." "She's a marine biologist?", I asked letting out another chuckle. This fit her so well. "I'm not sure if she calls it that but yes."

"I'm glad... about all this... not having to fight anymore. All of you guys still alive. I just.... don't know if I deserve this yet-" "No, shut up. You're not here to male up for what you did. You're here cuz whatever sent you knew that dying wasn't the kind of fake piece shit you deserved after all that.", Levi said, looking straight again me. Not a hint of doubt in his expression.

"How do you know?", I asked. "I just do.... had 3 and a half years to think about it." I looked at him, really looked, seeing the relief on his face. "How often were you here?", I asked. "Every day.", he replied. "Damn, Levi." He rolled his eyes slightly at my comment. "But you better take some time for yourself to heal now, idiot." Tho there was the slightest hint of a smile on his face. "I got more than enough time now." We sat in a comfortable silence for a while. I was still taking in my surroundings. What time it correctly was.

"I'm pretty hungry, is it dinner time soon?" Levi raised an eyebrow at me for the change of subject but then followed my gaze to the clock. "Yeah, they should be here anytime.", he replied "The food here isn't even that bad." "I hope, they better not disappoint me, I'm so hungry I coukd eat those tulips." "They don't look like they're very filling tho." He gave the flowers a sceptical look as he said this. "Are you actually considering it?", I asked, chuckled. "What? Of course not."

"Ana?" "Yeah?" "I love you." "I love you too."

70 years later

Narrator

"Your majesty Reiss, what is this?", the young woman asked, looking at a small photograph on the wall. Historia walked up next to her, old bones protesting every step but she was still sharp at mind. She smiled when seeing what the ambassador had found. "The first photograph taken on this island. The wedding of two people I deeply trusted. Levi Ackermann, captain of the survey corps and Anastasia Ackermann, back then Srijokowitsc. Also a high ranking member. This ceremony was our light in the midst of war as Paradise almost ripped itself apart."

Historia smiled as she remembered that day. "I was the officiate that wed them." "Are they still alive?", the young woman asked. "Sadly not. They passed of old age. 10 or 15 years ago. But peacefully, both of them. I remember getting a letter from their daughter after it happened. It was a bad hit at the time. I like to remember them. All of them. But well, no one lives forever. I'm just glad they found their peace."