A/N: Hey guys I'm not dead. It's been a year since i've touched this story. Trying to work on this for the past few nanowrimo was so draining, which was the reason why I usually stopped writing on it all together. I got burned out. I want to say thank you for all of you that are still reading and supporting me. I really appreciate it! The recent comments I got asking me to continue writing were really motivating as it's really nice to know that people still like this story. I found that I completed the draft of the chapter so I did some quick edits. Sorry this has been such a slow burn, after the engagement announcement the plot will thicken I promise.

Please read and review!

Disclaimer: This story is a complete work of fiction and not done for profit. The snk characters belong to their respected owners. I own nothing.

Eight: Horse Shit Holidays

The slow brushing sound of the broom on the stone floor reached Eren's ears as the pile of trash grew at his feet. A metal dustpan clanked down in front of him and her looked up to see Petra giving him a gentle smile.

"No one likes dealing with horse shit. It's a crap job." Oluo said, the slight scowl embedded on his face, coming back from the stables.

"That was a shitty joke." Gunther quipped as he clapped him soundly on the back, obviously making the smaller man falter.

Petra scoffed.

Eren smiled slightly as he watched the group. Their interactions seemed to be so easy going. Though he missed his friends, it was interesting to spend time with Levi's squad.

"Welp," Eld said stretching, "The horses and riding equipment has all been checked. We'll be ready to go whenever we get the order to head back towards the main city in Wall Sina."

"Wall Sina?" Eren asked dumping the pile in the waste bin.

"Captain says that we be moving out within the next week. The titans are going dormant with the cold so there's no use staying out here close to their territory."

"We'll just go back to the central HQ."

"Oh."

Eren hadn't thought about it, but since the Battle of Trost he hadn't spent much time inside the city of Wall Sina. He would probably end up staying in the headquarters there when the rest of the squad went back to their homes for a while. It had been 6 years but he still kinda missed the simple idea of going home. But at least he would have Mikasa and Armin, just like always. And the rest of the 104th group. They were his family now.

-/-/-/-

Levi walked into his squad's usual meeting room. It was drafty but a small fire glowed in the fireplace. The members of his squad sat around the wooden table in the center talking and laughing occasionally. Their coats slung over the backs of their chairs. Levi quietly took his place at the head of the table watching them for a moment.

"Heichou." Eren said.

The others around the table easily incorporated him into the the conversation about a shitty jokes, that all derived from Oluo's unfortunate mishaps with mucking out the horse stalls.

After a beat Levi asked, "Where's Petra?" He'd noticed her absence as soon as he had looked over the table. Her strawberry blonde head missing from the others.

"She went to her room in the middle of inventory. She had a headache and wanted to lay down." Guther responded.

Levi didn't respond, just accepted the information with a slight nod.

He turned his sharp eyes towards Eren. "Eren." His voice making the boy jump slightly. He almost wanted to smirk. The boy was almost always obedient of his commands. True he could be insubordinate in battle but just casually Eren almost reminded him of a trained puppy. "If you're done with the cleaning here, you're dismissed."

"Sir?" He thought Heichou was about to address them.

"Go pack your shit. There's a chance that we'll be moving out in a few days."

Standing Eren compiled, it seemed odd that Levi had kicked him out but the man had kept things from him before. If it was true that they would be leaving the castle soon, then he definitely looked forward to being able to use his free time to his advantage. Civilian clothes and spending time with the rest of his friends. It would be nice to not always be on duty, monitored and tested on.

Speaking of which he had some free time now. It was midday, if her was lucky he could probably still meet Mikasa and Armin the small library. Smiling he broke into a run, blowing past a started Petra.

"Eren!"

"Hi Petra! Sorry there's somewhere I have to be."

The blonde blinked before continuing her walk to the usual meeting room. She'd laid down for an hour and only a slight presence of her headache still lingered.

She couldn't find the rest of the squad so she assumed they were in their usual spot. She had hoped that they didn't mind completing their task without her. Eld had said they'd be fine without her as he knew she could get terrible migraines. She had felt bad about leaving, but resting had done her some good. Brushing her hair out of her face she turned the doorknob slowly, not wanting to just burst in in case Levi was giving more orders. Perhaps he was giving the remaining details about returning to the main city-

"...I'm marrying her."

-/-/-/-

MIkasa stired her tea absentmindedly as she talked with Armin. It was the first time she had truely smiled in weeks he was telling her excitedly about the several winter holidays that use to be celebrated in books he'd read. They were full of times where various candles were lit, garlands and wreaths of pine were crafted and hung on doors and storefronts. Times of festivities and "carols." Large meals with friends and family.

It all sounded so nice. While in their small town in wall Maria, they hadn't really had seen such lavish decor or festivals but perhaps the way things were done in Wall Sina was different. She remembered the way her own mother had walked with her through the streets, seeing snow and the sweet smells of fresh bread and rare pastries filling her nose. It was only during the winter months that her mother and father would spare a bit more to allow her to have a warm pretzel or a small sweet cake near her birthday. She loved it. Those four months of the year where things felt special.

"I wonder what types of festivals they have in Wall Sina. Do you think they have some type of winter holiday celebration?" Armin asked.

Mikasa just shrugged. "I don't know."

"We could ask Hanji." He said standing.

"If she's busy we shouldn't bother her."

"It's fine, they're actually packing up most of the supplies anyway, so there's not much work to do. Come on." Armin said smiling and holding the book in his arms.

Mikasa smiled slightly and finished the last of her tea, standing to follow him. She noticed the several boxes around the lab. Stacks of paper and scientific instruments were all being carefully packed away. Some said 'fragile" or 'Warning: Flammable.' or simply 'explosive, DO NOT SHAKE.' She wondered how those things survived the bumpy wagon rides. Even if they were

packed away securely, she would definitely avoid being around those crates.

Armin knocked on Hanji's office door. "Hanji?"

They could hear footsteps approaching. The door opened by a concern Moblit. He held papers in his hand and gave a quick nod to them before scurrying out.

"Come in." Hanji's voice said. The woman stood at her desk turning her attention to them with a slight smile. "Armin, Mikasa."

She motioned to Mike who they hadn't realized stood off to the side. "We can talk more later Mike."

The tall man just gave a grunt in acknowledgement before walking out.

"Sorry to bother you Hanji.' Mikasa started.

"No, no not at all. Sit! Sit!" she said taking her own seat. "What do you need?" she said chipper as usual.

"We were wondering if you knew about Wall Sina. If they have any type of winter holidays?" Armin asked showing her the book.

Mikasa just sits and waits. It seems odd to ask her about something so trivial but it is nice to just have the simple conversation.

"Oh!" Hanji immediately lights up, a grin splitting her face. "Yes. The city is so pretty during the winter months. There use to the a holiday called Christmas and both the cities in Wall Sina and Rose would be decorated with holly and pine garlands as some remnants of that. At times it would seem like everyone was just out in the streets shopping and enjoying. With all the snow it would look so lovely." the woman seemed dreamy eyed as she talked. A smile constantly on her face as she continued on and on. "The last time I went was a number of years ago. It was around Levi's birthday at the time you see and…"

Levi's birthday? Now that Mikasa thought about it, she didn't know his birthday was in December. Well she didn't know when his birthday was at all. In the back of her mind part of her thought great now he's just gonna get older. But it was interesting that he had a winter birthday like her. "...He was grumbling something or other about being out in the cold and I wasn't going to let him leave until I found the things I needed and his birthday gift. Getting him a tart was the only way to shut him up-"

Quick footsteps rounded the corner as they entered the office. "Armin! Mikasa!"

"Eren!" Armin said smiling standing immediately. Mikasa found herself springing up too, smiling before she paused. She still hasn't told him and the announcement was surely coming any day now. Armin and Eren had been chatting quickly for a moment before the noticed Hanji smiling at the three of them.

Eren spoke "I'm sorry to burst in Major Zoe, I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Quite alright, Eren. I hope that I answered all your questions."

Mikasa answered before armin could "You did. Thank you very much." she said being polite and urgent. "Eren, can I talk to you for a moment." She asked turning to him.

"Yeah sure." he said shrugging and following her outside.

Her palms were sweating and to be honest she couldn't really think what to say. She hoped that it wouldn't be too awkward for Armin since she just left him with Hanji, but knowing those two they could easily fall into another conversation.

She and Eren stood outside the labs. He looked different, a little taller, his hair cut short again.

"What is it you wanted to talk about?" he asked completely unsuspecting. She just needed to come out with it.

"Listen Eren...I don't know how to explain this but, there's something you need to know."

He just raised an eyebrow at her.

"I-"

"Cadets!" Mikasa turned to see a soldier walking towards them. "The commander is making an announcement. He wants everyone in the square."

Her stomach dropped then.

"Come on Mikasa let's go." She turned to him again

He cocked his head a little when he saw her face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." she said swallowing roughly.

"Was it that you wanted to tell me?"

"...It's nothing" You'll find out soon anyway.

Please let me know what you think. Comments are greatly appreciated!