A/N: Well here we are, team. The end of Eren's education. It's been 100,000 words, 30 chapters, and over 2 years. If you've been here since the beginning, thank you. And no matter when you joined us, thank you so much for reading to the very end, no matter how long it had been since I updated. This chapter was hard to write, and harder to finish writing. It's a big chapter, so enjoy. And follow me to my next project, 'Hills Alive'! For now though – so much love. Enjoy.

"God, this is so sad," Mikasa muses quietly as she looks around the empty room.

Eren straightens up from packing yet another cardboard box. "Yeah," he agrees wistfully. "It is."

The last few weeks have been a blur of sunshine, beer gardens, and packing. The flat which had spent 3 years accumulating things was now almost empty. There are cardboard boxes stacked in the hall and the living room, and with everyone's duvets and books packed, the rooms echoed with a loneliness and starkness.

Jean wanders in. "You all packed up then?"

Eren and Mikasa turn to look at him as he comes to stand by them, hands in his pockets.

"Yeah, pretty much," Eren says. "Still got the stuff in the kitchen to pack but that can wait until we properly move out in two days. Levi said I can sleep at his for the next few nights."

"You can always cuddle in with Armin after a night out if you need to," Jean says.

"No he absolutely cannot," Armin says from behind them. "God, Eren, you've done a good job in here. It looks so … different."

They all go quiet for a few moments, taking in the finality.

Mikasa sighs. "I can't believe this is it," she says, leaning her head on Jean's shoulder. He stiffens at first but then visibly relaxes.

"It's been an amazing few years," Jean says, putting an arm around her.

"It really has," Eren agrees. "Do I get a hug, too, Kirstein?"

"Shove off, Yeager."

The quiet lull has come over them all again, a cloud of premature nostalgia descending.

It's Jean who rouses them all out of it. "Come on, you lot," he says finally. He clears his throat and drops his arm from around Mikasa's shoulder and she straightens up, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's over 30 degrees out there and we're inside Yeager's room getting sentimental over 70s print curtains and misty eyed over magnolia."

"You're right," Armin says. "Let's go for a walk or something."

"It's so hot," Mikasa groans, wandering over to the window and pushing it open. "God, that makes no difference." She fans her face with her hand, a fine film of perspiration glittering on her forehead.

"Shall we get out of here?" Jean offers.

"Please," Mikasa says, moving past him into the hallway and of the building complex into the small courtyard.

The boys have followed her out in the wake of her flowing skirt, the same pale yellow colour as the sun above them.

"It's well weird to see you in a dress, Mika," Eren comments. Mikasa rolls her eyes and takes her sunglasses from off her head where they had been holding her hair back and puts them on.

"Cheers," she mutters, smoothing the skirt down self-consciously.

"No, you look fine," Eren insists.
"Shut up, Eren," she tells him.

"Noted."

"Where shall we go?" Armin asks.

Jean shrugs. "The Mailbox?" He suggests.

Eren shakes his head. "Nah," he says. "That's in the middle of the city, it'll be packed. We should go further out. How about heading along the canal for a bit?"

"Sounds good to me," Mikasa says and everyone else nods in agreement.

They start walking, Mikasa and Jean automatically pairing together in front and leaving Eren and Armin a few paces back.

"You, uh," Jean starts awkwardly. "You look nice. In that, uh. Dress."

Eren rolls his eyes behind Jean's back. "Jesus Christ," he mutters to Armin. "You'd think he'd never spoken to a girl before the way he acts with her."

"He clearly still likes her," Armin notes.
"Yeah obviously. But d'you reckon Mika feels the same?" Eren muses. "I can never really tell with her."

Armin studies them.

Mikasa turns her head towards Jean and quickly turns it away when Jean turns to look at her. Mikasa looks back at him and they catch eyes, giggling nervously.

"Mhm," Armin says. "She definitely likes him."

Eren groans. "God, I can't go through another three years of will-they-won't-they. It's exhausting."

Armin laughs. "Just because you don't think he's good enough for her."

"It's nothing personal to him," Eren shrugs. "I don't think anyone's good enough for her. She's my sister."

They walk about twenty minutes out of the city after stopping at the local superstore to buy some journey beers (Eren finally putting the bottle opener on his key chain to good use) and sunscreen which they haphazardly apply on their arms, necks and shoulders.

It's a pleasant walk even in the heat, and walking along the side of the water keeps them cool. They eventually find a small pub with a nice garden outside to watch the canals passing by.

"God, this was needed," Mikasa groans appreciatively into her cider.

"Absolutely," Eren agrees.

"Cheers, guys," Armin holds up his pint, droplets of icy condensation running over his fingers and dropping to the wood of the picnic table beneath.

"Cheers," they chorus and clink glasses together.

"The final end," Jean says.

"Don't," Mikasa says quickly. "I don't want to talk about leaving or graduation or anything like that. I just want to pretend, just for a while longer, that this isn't our final year of university."

"Agreed," Armin nods. "Are we allowed to ask Eren what his plans are with Levi?"

Mikasa considers this for a moment and takes another sip of her cider. "One question is permitted."

"Right you are," he says and then turns to Eren. "So. You and Levi. Plan?"

Eren stalls by taking a long drink. "Not sure. I considered a Master's but I honestly think I'd end it all if I put myself through another year."

"You could do it," Mikasa frowns. "You got a First on your diss!"

Eren shrugs. "Yeah, but do I want to?"

"Do any of us really know what we want to do?" Jean asks. "I don't. We're young. We're in our prime time of life! Let's just relax and enjoy things."

"Jean, I don't think I've ever agreed with you before, but I have to say: that's the best thing that's ever come out of your mouth," Eren clinks his glass with him.

They spend a few hours sat at the picnic table together, soaking up the sunshine and getting happily tipsy on IPAs and sticky sweet strawberry cider. Since handing in her dissertation, Mikasa was like a completely new woman, and her laughter was infectious.
On the walk home, Eren links arms with her. "It's so nice to see you happy again," he says.

"It's nice to feel as if the walls of my existence aren't closing in on me," she replies.

"You'll have done amazing," Eren assures her. "Race you back to the flat? And … GO!" Eren starts off at a sprint.

"BASTARD!" Mikasa yells, laughing. She turns to Jean. "Jean, hold my sunglasses and my bag!" She shoves her things into his arms and begins tearing after her brother, surprisingly fast despite his advantage of height.

Jean and Armin watch the Yeager siblings as they level up with each other, the yellow fabric of Mikasa's dress whipping round her thighs as she succeeds in overtaking him.

By the time Jean and Armin are at the flat, Eren and Mikasa have already poured four glasses of gin and tonic and are both still slightly out of breath in recovery.

"I can't believe you beat me," Eren nurses the stitch in his side.

Mikasa grins. "I'm small and scrappy," she says, her dark hair ruffled and cheeks flushed.

"Not wrong," Jean mutters under his breath.

…

"WHY IS CHRISTA CRYING?" Eren asks Ymir over the thumping music of the club.

Ymir waves a hand. "SHE'S SAD THAT WE'RE ALL LEAVING."

"Awwww CHRISTA," Eren throws his arms around her and pulls her into a hug.

Christa is ceaselessly sobbing into the front of his shirt. And drunk girls are famously impossible to console. "I'M SO SAD," she wails.

"I know," Eren says, rubbing her back. "Me too."

Mikasa joins in the hug, tears threatening to overspill her eyes.

"Don't you start," Eren warns her.

Jean wraps an arm around Mika and pulls her against him. Eren doesn't even bat an eyelid.

"Can we talk?" Jean asks her. Mikasa nods and they disappear to the side of the club.

It's one of their last nights out in the city and the gang has drunk enough vodka to hospitalise a small army. They started the night in Club Maria for old time's sake, and spent hours tracking each other down over three floors and five different internal bars. It was a maze in there, especially when intoxicated.

But Club Maria had closed at 3am leaving the gang with a lot of energy to burn. So they'd gone to the only other place open: the infamous Fever.

They crowd around each other now, sharing fishbowls full of brightly coloured alcohol, with intermittent dance breaks, and now apparently, intermittent crying breaks.

"Christa, seriously, it's okay!" Marco tries his hand at consoling her now, turning her from Eren to face him. He wipes away her tears. "Don't cry away the glitter on your face!"

Christa gives a watery giggle and amazingly begins to calm down. "I'm going to miss this shit place."

"Here here," Reiner says.
"Me too," Bertl smiles.

"Why are we acting as if we're all being sent to prisoner camps when we leave?" Ymir says.

"We are," Jean says, suddenly appearing with Mikasa again. "It's called 'adult life'."

"No but seriously," Ymir drapes her arms over Armin and Sasha either side of her. "We're all going to still see each other. And let's face it; we'll reunite at Jean and Mikasa's inevitable wedding anyway."

"Mir," Mikasa reprimands going red.

Everyone laughs and there's suddenly an entanglement of twelve pairs of arms wrapping around each other.

"I LOVE YOU LOSERS," Annie says.

"Don't get emotional, Leonhart," Reiner says in a gruff voice.

"CAN WE JUST DANCE NOW?" Connie says eventually.

"Absolutely," Jean says. "Let's pull it together, you lot!"

"AYE AYE, CAPTAIN," Eren salutes him and they laugh. Even Christa giggles, wiping her eyes.

"Let's go!" She cheers.

They head back into the dance floor with a newly reawakened energy and enthusiasm for the gratuitous grime music now being played. They burn away the last of the hours until Fever switches the lights on leaving them blinking and bleary eyed.

"Kebab?" Sasha asks.

"Of course," Jean nods.

Leaving the club, they gather in their favourite kebab shop and reminisce the time Eren almost got kicked out of there for loudly announcing that the meat used was pigeon (it wasn't). In a chorus of laughter and raucous conversation, the gang devours their kebabs and chips.

But there's a finality and a sadness that presses heavily on the atmosphere. All of them can feel it, but no one addresses it.

Until finally, someone does.

"I can't believe this is our –" Connie starts tentatively.

"SHUT UP!" The girls all shriek in unison and Sasha presses a hand firmly over his mouth.

"We've got to admit it sometime," Armin says sadly.

Mikasa sighs. She's back to leaning against Jean. The two of them have barely left each other's side all night. "I guess you're right," she says.

"Fuck that dampened the mood," Bert comments.

"I'll say," Reiner chimes in. "Everyone stop moping and eat your food."

"Eren, where are you staying tonight?" Ymir asks.

"Levi's," Eren replies. "I packed my room up and Armin said I can't snuggle with him tonight so I guess I'm being cast out into the cold, dark night." He sighs theatrically as Armin rolls his eyes.

"You want to shag Ackerman, Eren, don't try to dress it up," Armin quips.

Eren pretends to think. "Nah, you're right," he says. "I gotta stock up on bedroom appointments before we leave here."

Jean pretends to gag on his chips.

"And with that," Eren says, standing up. "I bid you all goodnight."

He swoops low into a dramatic bow and exits the kebab shop into the balmy summer night. The walk to Levi's is pleasant. At this time of year it feels like it's never truly dark, and Eren basks in the dusky light of 5am as the sun begins to peep over the tops of the horizon. He breathes in deep. Warm air fills his lungs and the reminder of their last summer together in the city tugs at his heart again.

Eren eventually rounds the corner to the apartment block and rings the buzzer. Levi presses the door release without even asking who it is and after a few minutes, Eren is inside the apartment.
"Very unsafe, Dr Ackerman," Eren shakes his head solemnly. "I could have been anyone."

"True," Levi sighs in mock disappointment. "You could have been Tom Hardy."

Eren pretends to look wounded. "I am far better than Tom Hardy."

Levi cocks an eyebrow. "You're drowning in your overdraft, drunk from blue VKs and I can smell kebab shop on you."

"See," Eren says. "Tom Hardy wouldn't offer you that."

"Tea?" Levi plants a kiss on Eren's neck.

"Please, babe," he flops on the sofa, kicking his shoes off.

"How was your night?" Levi raises his voice over the sound of the kettle beginning to boil.

"Yeah alright," Eren says. "The girls are bursting into tears about leaving every other sentence but tequila shots and chips usually distract them."

Levi comes back into the living room with two cups of tea and Eren yawns widely.

"How's Mika?"

Eren pulls a face. "Emotional and clinging to Jean. God, I hope they don't get back together."

"Drink your tea and don't get wound up."

Scowling, Eren reaches for his mug. "What've you been doing?"

"Essay marking," Levi sighs. "This year's Freshers are thick as two short planks."

Eren coughs into his tea with a laugh. "Levi!" He admonishes.

"What? They are. This uni really does just accept anyone."

Draining his tea, Eren yawns again. "Sleep time!" He announces.

"You head in, I'll be there in a minute."

Eren heaves himself up and slinks into the bedroom to brush his teeth and strip to his boxers before collapsing into bed and relishing in the comfort of being horizontal for the first time in almost 36 hours. Despite the exhaustion, when Levi slide into the bed alongside him, Eren pulls him into a deep kiss.

Levi sighs and pulls him closer until their bodies are flush together, hands tugging at skin and the fabric of each other's underwear.

"Please," Eren whimpers quietly.

Levi doesn't make him wait.

…

Eren wasn't sure he'd ever been this stressed in his life.

Writing a dissertation was a walk in the park compared to this.

It's July. The summer was passing in a blur of sunshine days, working as a waiter in the city, and basically moving in with Levi. They'd also spent a lot of time at the Yeager household, and even some dinners and nights out with the gang. But graduation had crept up on all of them.

He looks around now at the milling crowds of parents and students, dressed in their black gowns, caps and cowls with the vibrant jewel colours of the university: emerald and gold.

Eren had spent the morning in a series of jittery nerves with his mother driving him absolutely insane. Carla didn't realise it, but with every question she asked, Eren was getting closer and closer to matricide.

"She's doing my head in," Jean mutters, coming up to Eren. They give each other a one armed hug of solidarity. "My mother is literally doing my head in."

"Same here," Eren replies, leading them away from where both of their mothers are now locked in conversation. "Thank God that Mikasa and my dad are here as buffer zones else I'd absolutely be in prison right now."

"I'm nervous enough as it is," Jean admits.

"Let's have a drink," Eren says. "Oi, Mika," he calls over his shoulder. "You coming?"

"Absolutely," she says coming over to them and rolling her eyes. "I don't understand why she's being so high maintenance. You'd have thought she'd never been allowed out of the house before the way she's acting."

Jean snorts in laughter. "I know how you feel."

They duck into the large wooden pop-up tipi tent and head over to the bar. Mikasa orders a glass of prosecco and the boys order bottle of beer which they empty astonishingly quickly. It's clear that they're trying to drink their nerves away and it's only when they've drained their second pint that Mikasa gently intervenes.

"Maybe don't get a third," she says softly, putting her hand on Jean's wrist.

"It's the only way I'm getting through today," Eren says.

"Yes," Mikasa says patiently. "But neither of you have had anything to eat today and you're both already a little giggly."

Jean and Eren certainly seem to have adopted a lighter outlook in the short space of time. Their cheeks are pink and they've spent the last five minutes laughing about some girl from Media tripping over her gown.

"Is Levi here?" Grisha asks, joining them with Carla in tow.

"Yeah," Eren pulls out his phone and reads his last message from him. "He's with Erwin and the rest of the department in the Cathedral so I'll see him after."

"Oooh will he be all dressed up?" Carla asks excitedly.

Eren steels himself. "Yes. He'll be in his doctoral dress or whatever they call it."

"And a stupid hat," Jean adds with a grin.

"Shut up," Eren growls, flicking the tip of Jean's cap making it slip off.

"Hey!"

"Will you two pack it in," Mikasa hisses. The boys scowl at each other.

Before either of them can say anything else, Eren hears his name being called, turning around to see Hange waddling towards them.

"Hange!" He says, immediately feeling himself relax. "You look great!"

They hug and Hange sighs. "I feel huge," she says miserably, running her hands over the belly which seems to be expanding by the minute beneath her pale green dress. She hugs Mikasa, too. "Hi Mika! Jean! You nervous?"

"You could say that," he says. "Good to see you though, Hange."

"You too! And you must be Eren's parents!" Hange beams. "I'm Dr Hange Zoe. I work at the university. My partner is Erwin Smith – head of the history department. I'm also Levi's best friend although he'd never admit it."

"I've heard so much about you from Eren! So lovely to finally meet you. I'm Carla," she holds out her hand to Hange who shakes it and smiles warmly. "And this is my husband Grisha."

"A pleasure," Grisha says.

"So great to finally meet you both!"

"Thank you so much for keeping Eren on the straight and narrow," Carla gushes. "It's been so nice to know that Eren had your support."

"Oh it was nothing," Hange puts her arm around Eren. "He's a great kid."

"You're the size of Jupiter," Eren says. "Can I touch it?"

"You don't need to keep asking," Hange says with a laugh.

Eren puts a hand on her belly. There's something so comforting and enchanting about a pregnant woman's stomach, and the concept of her growing a little baby human in there blows Eren's mind. During the evenings the four of them spent together, Eren would always sit on the sofa beside Hange who would grab his hand so he could feel when the baby was kicking.

"When are you due?" Carla asks.

"Within a month," Hange says making a face. "I literally feel like I could go at any minute."

Carla laughs. "I remember the feeling. Eren was the most fidgety baby – always used my bladder as a football –"

"Mum," Eren says sharply, blushing a furious shade of pink whilst Jean snickers. "D'you want anything, Hange? Alcohol-free beer? Juice?"

"The beer, please," Hange says. "Thanks, Rogue."

He heads to the bar and orders her drink, returning in the middle of a conversation about childbirth where Mikasa looks unfazed but Jean looks white.

Mikasa's graduation wasn't until the next morning with the rest of the gang having had theirs the day before, earlier today or the next day as well. Reiner and Ymir had graduated yesterday and spent the night mercilessly winding up Eren and Jean, taking a sadistic glee in watching them become more and more nervous.

It's not long until it's time for Eren and Jean to congregate at the side of the cathedral with the rest of their cohort. Before they leave, Hange pulls Eren into a hard hug.

"Good luck," she whispers. "You'll be great and I am so proud of you." She kisses his cheek and releases him, cap askew and cheeks flushed.

Mikasa hugs Jean and Carla pulls both boys into a hug.

"Right, let's get this over with," Eren says gruffly, straightening his cap for what feels like the millionth time.

"Good luck, boys," Grisha says, smiling. "I promise it's not as bad as it seems."

"See you on the other side!" Mikasa hugs her brother. "And don't trip!" she calls to their retreating backs.

The boys join their classmates at the side door of the cathedral and file in, finding their seats. Eren ends up two rows behind Jean on the aisle end of the row where he sits jiggling his leg up and down. He's worried about his cap which keeps working its way off his head, and his cowl is heavy. Eren didn't think that polystyrene robes would feel so weighty on his shoulders. He can't wait to get them off.

Despite this, the cathedral looks truly stunning. The huge stone columns have been lit up with the university colours, and the setting sun streams through the stained glass windows, illuminating the paved floor with jewel toned light. The stage in front of them has tiered seats for the Principle and the members of the department.

Organ music begins and everyone stands and turns to watch the staff enter. Erwin and Levi walk together dressed in their full attire. Eren catches his boyfriend's eye and winks, smiling as Levi struggles to keep a straight face. Looking behind him into the crowd, Eren spots his parents, Mikasa and a very pregnant Hange who gives him a little wave of support.

The process begins. There are brief speeches from members of the alumni and then the name calling begins, row by row. When Jean's name is called, Eren cheers the loudest and Jean blushes but smiles, collecting his degree and shaking hands with Principle Zackley. By the time Eren is queuing for his name, he feels like he's going to throw up. His stomach is in knots and he focuses on making sure his feet don't end up tripping.

"Eren Yeager," the spokesperson announces and Eren steps onto the stage. Levi and Erwin smile at him and clap. From the crowd, Eren hears Jean and Hange's cheering and he grins, shaking Zackley's hand and collecting his degree before sitting in his seat.

It's all over so fast.

Eren feels relieved and … sad. It's officially over now. Three years have come to an end and when he looks up to find Levi looking right back at him, he knows that Levi is thinking the same.

Finally, it's done. They all file out of the cathedral into the warm evening in a crowd of excited chatter.

"WE DID IT!" Jean throws an arm around Eren's neck. "WE'RE OFFICIALLY GRADUATES!"

"So you are, Kirstein," comes Levi's drawl from behind them. "Congratulations." He turns to Eren. "And congratulations to you for not tripping over."

"Wasn't he marvellous?!" Hange gushes, entering the group with Carla, Grisha and Mikasa.

"You both did great," Grisha says. "Well done."

"Congratulations, boys!" Carla says looking a little teary.

Jean's mother hurries over and pulls her son down to her height and into a hug. "You were great, Jeany," she says.

"Agh, Mum," Jean pats her awkwardly and straightens up.

"Pictures!" Carla announces. "Boys, get over there and throw your caps."

Eren and Jean follow instructions.

"Three! Two! One!"

They toss their caps into the twilight.

*Epilogue*

"So you remember that convention?"

It's been a few months since graduation and Eren now has his own key to the apartment after accepting a fairly last minute decision to enrol for his Master's at the university. The first week of September had been blustery and brisk, a permanent raincloud hanging over the city. But here in the apartment, Levi had never felt so happy and hopeful.

Levi comes back into the bedroom now after having excused himself when his phone rang. He holds it tightly now as he hovers in the doorway.

Eren props himself up on one arm and rubs his eyes with the other hand, still tired from babysitting the night before. "The one you missed to take me to the hospital?"

"The very same."

"Yes."

"Well …" Levi wanders further into the room. "The university just called me."

Eren sits up completely, his eyes blown open in excitement and expectancy. "And?"

"And uh," Levi can't help the smile that comes to his face. "They've offered me the Head of History position after all. Apparently Erwin put in a good word for me and they want to meet me but the position is mine if I want it."

"Levi!" Eren jumps out of bed to hug him. "That's amazing!"

"Thank you," Levi says, kissing Eren. "Fuck, I can't believe it."

"You're amazing!" Eren says, holding his boyfriend at arm's length and looking down at him proudly. "They're so lucky to have you."

"I think I'd better call Eyebrows and thank him and file my notice then," Levi looks slightly dazed but the ghost of a smile hasn't left him.

"And I'll get some prosecco from the shop!"

"It's 11am."

"Then I'll get some orange juice and make Mimosas."

Levi laughs and Eren grabs a pair of jeans and a jumper, throwing them on and grabbing his wallet before bolting for the door. "Won't be long!" He calls as the door shuts.

Levi sits down in a daze and calls Erwin.

"Morning," Erwin picks up almost immediately.

"Good morning," Levi greets equally as cordial. It's now a game to see who will break first. "How is your morning treating you?"

Erwin laughs. "I've had more sleep in my life, but can't complain. How about you?"

"Perfectly fine," Levi isn't budging.

"Oh for God's sake," Levi hears Hange from the other end of the phone. "CONGRATULATIONS ON THE JOB!"

"Erwin … thank you." Levi says quietly. "I –"

"You deserve it," Erwin says firmly. "Congratulations, Levi. If you want, come over with Eren later and we can celebrate."

"Sounds great. See you later. Give my love to the scientist and your child."

They hang up just as the door unlocks to reveal Eren, out of breath with a bottle of prosecco in one hand and a carton of orange juice tucked under his arm.

"I'm back!" He announces.

"So I see," Levi stands to fetch the champagne glasses and Eren pops the cork.

Levi watches Eren pour the prosecco carefully as not to spill. His tongue peeps out of his lips in concentration and Levi feels a surge of affection. He steps over and turns Eren to face him, pulling him down to kiss him.

They pull away and Levi looks him in the eye. "I love you."

Eren smiles, cupping his hands around Levi's face. "I love you too," he says, kissing him.

"Let me finish that," Levi moves and tops up the prosecco with orange juice before handing one to Eren.

They face each other, holding up their glasses and smiling.

"Here's to new beginnings," Levi says.

"Here's to your new job," Eren says.

"Here's to you starting your Master's next week."

"And here's to us."

They clink glasses. "To us," Levi repeats.

They both take a long drink.