Recall || Levi Ackerman

【１３ － １】

K.C's birthday was approaching fast. All preparations were done and ready. I was ready to make her birthday absolutely perfect.

Her hair was in the box braids she wanted. I got her a present. We went shopping for her birthday outfit. Everything would be perfect.

The thought of that many little fuckers running around was terrifying but anything for K.C. It was her first birthday with me. She was turning nine. To think, she's had eight years on this Earth and I only knew she existed a few months ago.

I just watched as she used her switch to entertain herself. She wanted to stay up until midnight for her birthday.

She looked so much like her mother, but so much like me at the same time. I completely understand that K.C is her own person with her own feelings, thoughts, beliefs, life experiences, and desires and I acknowledge that. But that doesn't negate that she was mine.

(F/n) deserves all the credit don't get me wrong, but I just can't believe that someone like me could create something so beautiful. I wondered what it would have felt like to be there when she was born and hold her for the first time. I wondered what it would have felt like to hear her first words and call me for me for the first time. To watch her crawl to me. To watch her take her first steps. To take her to her first day of school. To be there, to be present. I missed out on so much. I knew that I want to be apart of it all from now on.

(F/n) was the greatest thing to happen to me, now that's over. But K.C... despite what happened between (F/n) and I, K.C is the greatest thing to happen to me. I can hardly recognize myself now.

Before it was all about me, I was only responsible for myself, which was fine, but the company was nice. Truth was I've always hated coming back to an empty home. It reminded me too much of my childhood which truthfully was very rough. The front that I like to be alone was to protect myself from feeling rejected or not enough. Who could leave me if I was alone?

But K.C she loves me. She loves me for who I am. And I love her. I love her so much.

She fell asleep before midnight on the couch. I guessed as much. I knew the brat couldn't do it, but I let her have her fun. I picked her up and carried her up to her room. I gently placed her in her bed, I pulled her covers up. I tucked her hair into her bonnet.

I looked over to the clock. It was midnight.

"Happy birthday, brat." I whispered. I kissed her forehead. I left her room, closing the door behind me.

In the morning, my doorbell rang and I already knew who it was. I washed my hands in the kitchen sink before answering the door. For once Hanji warned me that she was coming and with many people. By many people she meant everyone. Hanji, Moblit, Erwin, Mike, Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Connie, Sasha, Eld, Gunther, Oluo, even Petra came with balloons, flowers, and presents. They were all so excited to celebrate K.C's birthday. I looked at everyone disinterested.

I looked at the crowd of people with flowers and balloons and gift bags and wrapped presents. I clicked my tongue. I was about to open the door wider to let everyone.

"Damn, Captain, that smells good!" Connie exclaimed.

"Food!" Sasha cheered. They barged through the door, letting everyone in for me.

I was making K.C's favorite- waffles and chicken and I has cinnamon buns in the oven. Everyone got settled in a chair. Eventually, K.C woke up on her own and came down the stairs like she usually did. Upon seeing everyone her face lit up. Everyone began singing happy birthday to the birthday day girl. Applauses emerged from everyone after they finished singing.