At Your Service || 𝕝𝕖𝕧𝕚 𝕩 𝕡𝕝𝕦𝕤 𝕤𝕚𝕫𝕖 𝕙𝕚𝕤𝕡𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕔 𝕠𝕔

Chapter Twenty Seven

The winter snow soon melted and spring had come. The air was crisp while the sun stayed high, making the temperature a perfect mix of cool and warm.

The scouts had cleared all the titans from the exterior, which allowed people to finally go back to their homes. Overcrowding wasn't so much of an issue anymore but that made my stealing habit much harder.

The day by day was usually the same: cleaning, dusting, laundry, keeping Sasha out of the kitchen. Tasks that weren't anything out of the norm. With the new weather came open windows, letting in fresh air.

And spring rain. I loved the spring rain. I had told the cadets how my mom would allow me and my brother to play in the rain, just like I had told Levi so many months ago. Suprisingly, Connie remembered, back when he was a kid, seeing me and Emilio run out of our house when the rain began to fall as everyone else ran in. Our best fishing was done in the rain.

Water pooled in the Scout's Headquarters' courtyard, almost like a shallow pond, as the rain fell. Connie and I immediately ran out, kicking and splashing the puddles that surrounded our bare feet.

Connie reminded me so much of my cousin, my best friend who I missed just as much as I missed my brother and father. It was nice to have Connie around, especially during spring rain showers.

Soon Sasha pulled Mikasa out with her, Sasha immediately getting the hang of the DelToro family tradition. Although awkward at first, Mikasa also had fun, Armin joining close behind.

Jean tried to act cool, like he was more mature than the rest of us, yet Connie and Sasha managed to drag him out.

Our laughs could be heard from miles away and caught the attention of Hange and Levi. Hange didn't hesitate one bit; instead, they ran out immediately, grabbing me for a rain soaked hug.

Hange pulled me in close by the waist, taking my hand with their other and began to dance with me to the tune of Sasha's singing and everyone else's clapping. Levi just watched from the doorway as we all danced and played.

All except Eren. Ever since that day, after the group returned from the ceremony that took place in the capitol, Eren didn't seem himself. I never pressed the matter, seeing he didn't seem to want anyone around him except for the comfort of his three friends.

Days went by and with the new spring weather, I found myself outside and going on picnics far more than I had ever been since I became the handmaiden.

Flowers danced in the breeze, the shadows from the trees almost seeming to dance with them while birds chirped happily through the sky. Mixed with the sound of laughter from the cadets (with the occasional yell from Connie) a few yards away made the ambiance a little interesting.

Hange thought that a picnic would be a nice break from all the hell everyone had been through the past few months and I had to admit, I enjoyed the change. It had been awhile since we had been on a picnic.

I was seated under a large tree, the shade keeping me cool from the sun above me. I looked away from my book, looking down to my berry pie that was resting on the blanket. I reached down, snagging a berry and plopping it in my mouth; sweet yet tart.

I looked back up and slowly examined each area around me, taking mental notes as to not forget a single detail in my surroundings:

Hange at the creek, peering in as if looking for something.

Connie and Jean trying to fight off Sasha for their food.

Mikasa, Armin and Eren in what seemed to be a deep conversation.

A smaller group of new recruits who I hadn't learned the names.

And right next to me, under the shade of the tree: Levi.