A New Companion | Attack On Titan

1: Homecoming

Levi's POV

"Come on Levi, why can't you get a dog while we're here?!"

"Because four eyes, I don't want a dog. They're too messy and they shit everywhere."

"Not all dogs are like that!!"

"Yeah, they are." I rolled my eyes as Hanji takes me down the endless rows of animals in the shelter. Ever since I came back from the Marines, she has been breathing down my neck on getting a guard dog. According to the army doctors, I may have become schizophrenic from trauma and all that other shit they mentioned. And of course, I denied it, since my anger comes from that shitty woman dragging my ass around this stinky place. "Levi, don't be such a sour puss!! You'll only be here until New Year, and then it's back to Iran!!"

"So? And I may stay longer. The general was thinking of having me on temporary leave from the military anyways."

"Which is why you need a dog. They are loyal companions till the end!!"

"And they're dirty too."

"Not all of them are!!!"

"Can we just leave already? I'm hungry and tired." Hanji just chuckles and guides me to the front of the store and out into the parking lot. The wind blows right into my face, making us both shiver. "So um. . . How's your leg?"

"It's fine. A little more physical therapy and I'm good to go."

"Is that what the doctors said?"

"Yeah." By now, we're getting into Erwin's jeep and strapping ourselves in. "No luck?"

"Nope," I say while Hanji is blocking the warm air coming out the vent with her big hands. "You just don't want to choose from so many options~!!"

"I just don't want a dog. . ." I growled at her from the back seat and she cowards away. "Alright you two," Erwin pushes the keys into the ignition and shifts the gears. "Let's just calm down and go pick up Levi's meds, ok?"

20 Minutes Later

We pull up at a small apartment complex that was recently built two years before I left for the Marines. I stare at the light gray bricked building with solar panels on the rooftops in awe. "Well, here we are Levi, home sweet home," Erwin calls from the front seat. I slowly unbundled the seat belt and carefully stretched both legs.

It's been eight whole years since I've been home. . .

I opened the door and stepped out of the car. The cold winter air touches me softly, as my breath can be seen.

Wow, nostalgia is hitting me hard right now. . .

"Come on Levi, get in here, it's cold!!" Hanji calls from my apartment door and I turn to see Erwin grabbing my luggage from the trunk. I just head on without him, knowing he would tell me not to strain my leg any further. "You'll remember the old place like it was yesterday!!"

"The place isn't old Hanji."

"Well, I was exaggerating. . . A lot, but hey, that's ok." She gets the house keys out of her bag and quickly unlocks the door. Speaking in a mumbled gibberish, she lets herself in and leaves the door wide open. I slowly walk in, standing in the doorway.

Typical.

"Petra, I'm back!!!"

"Hanji, close the door, you'll let all the cold air in!!"

"Aww, don't worry, Shorty will close it!!" She heads towards the back of the apartment as I close the door behind me since the coldness of the outside was getting to me. And once I did, the smell of cooked rice and baked beans fills my nose, along with baked potatoes and gravy. "Hanji, can you help me out?!"

"Nah, I'm busy with Shorty!!"

"What do you mean by shorty?! Who are you talking about?!" I stepped into the open room and just took in what's there. My flat screen is still where it was, along with my black couch and armchairs. The soft tones of gray walls laced around the entire apartment while Petra is seen cooking in the kitchen. Pots and pans littered the countertops as she scrambled around to make food. "HANJI!!!"

"I TOLD YOU, I HAVE TO DEAL WITH SHORTY FIRST!!!"

"CAN YOU REWORD SHORTY INTO A NAME?! PLEASE?!" Hanji pokes her head around the corner in sudden realization. "Oh yeah, that was a surprise."

"What was?" I asked and all eyes fell on me.

"I wanted to surprise everyone, you know since you were coming home and all that business. . . ."

"HANJI, YOU DIDN'T TELL US LEVI WAS COMING HOME?!" Petra shouted as she ran up to me and engulfs me in a warm hug. "Welcome home." Happy to see her, I hug her in return. "I missed you, Levi, everyone did."

"So I heard. . ."