A/N: This takes place in Wall Sina a while after the breach in the Shiganshina District. The story revolves around Levi's back story and his days as a thug before enlisting in the military. Oh, and just to satisfy my urge to see Levi doing cute stuff like taking care of children, I made it so Eren and Mikasa went to look for their father instead of joining the military right away.

ErenxLevi will eventually become the main pairing, but currently he's too young in my story so that will come later on. For now, enjoy ErwinxLevi.

I tried. That was all I was able to say. I fucking tried. I tried to protect them. I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry that I failed. I repeated these words over and over again as I looked down at the stiff, lifeless bodies of my friends near my feet. Their eyes were set on me, but could no longer see; they would never see me again and after I walked away, I would never see them again either. The last image their eyes captured was this filthy hellhole—never to see a new shitty day. I didn't know if I was mournful or envious.

This world is bitter and held no place for people like us, but being together just made it that much more bearable. Waking up while knowing you had people you trust made it worth rising—otherwise I'd never leave my bed, maybe just to get myself intoxicated but that would be on a good day. Without them, life was going to get even shittier and in my state of shock, I couldn't even process that yet. And it was a good thing, because I probably would have lost my head if the realization hit right here on the spot.

What a shame. What a damn fucking shame. They deserved so much better, and I wanted to provide them with that. But now I'll never be given the chance. They were gone. I'll never see the light shine in those eyes again. I'll never hear their playful bickering amongst each other. It was over. I was alone. Why I haven't died with them was a mystery. I was clueless.

But I was glad to be alive—if I was still breathing, revenge was still possible.

And to think I was having a smoke with a drink in hand just a few hours prior while I listened to them debate some stupid, trivial matter. I wish I could recall what they were saying. I couldn't have known at the time, but it would be the last time I heard them speak. The memory, regrettably, failed to come back to me and their words were long since gone.

Our hideout—our safe haven from those crooked assholes that called themselves the Military Police—was calling for me, but when I remembered I'd be going back solo with no one there to welcome me, my feet changed direction. I needed a drink. Funny how I said a drink because by the time an hour past, I couldn't even stand up right on the stool. My body was hunched over, arms sprawled out on the counter as I nursed what was likely my twelfth beverage. Other big-ass morons could handle more liquor in one sitting, but I unfortunately had what would be considered a small body, and so I was honestly surprised I didn't get alcohol poisoning yet.

It was late. I would surely be thrown out soon, but I was too drunk to care. If they wanted me out badly enough, let them scoop up my ass and throw me to the curb. I was used to being thrown away like a filthy piece of trash anyways. It's what I deserved. I was trash. I couldn't protect them even after we all promised to look out for each other. They were gone and never coming back.

If I was capable of crying, I would; I would cry until there wasn't a drop of fucking moister left in this pathetic body. Hell, sobbing like a miserable drunk sounded like a good time right about now, but my eyes refused to free my tears.Heaven fucking forbid if some of this emotional weight was released from me—maybe it was all meant to be tucked away deep until the day I finally snapped.

Clumsily, I set the rim of the glass to my lips and prepared my stomach for the last toxic gulp that would pollute it. The liquor was crude, but it was cheap and made me forget who I was for a while. I wasn't complaining.

A few moments later I found myself sitting on the cold curb after being physically dragged out by the collar by a filthy hand. The nerve of some people. If they didn't want my not-so-hard-earned money, then fine. I'll find better places to drink. But that would have to be another day. I doubted highly that any other bars were open this late. Reluctantly, I settled for going back home.

Another time, I would throw a fit if I returned home to such an untidy sight—I would give out cleaning orders to all responsible for the mess. Even if they were nestled in their beds or busy with other matters, I'd still get them to clean up—but tonight, I let the mess remain. I couldn't bear to touch one of those dirty glasses that was being sipped off of happily a few hours ago and I couldn't find the will to scrub away all the stains they made while roughhousing.

The messes they left behind was the last of their existence in this place. Once it was gone, they would be too. Other than my own memories, there was nothing else to remember them by. No photos or important belongings other than a few second-hand clothing laying around.

It was a miracle I even found my way back to this shithole, never mind my own bed. I was blessed with yet another miracle when I fell asleep instantaneously, but the unpleasant dreams that came to me was the price I paid for such easily-obtained luxuries.

I woke with a start when loud bashing at the front door rescued me from my nightmares. Though, I wasn't being saved when I realized who could be on the other side of the door. Whoever was knocking definitely was not friendly.