Once Hated - Levi Ackerman

As we approached the unknown waters, I was embracing the beautiful sun shining upon us. It was only the few of us left: Hanji, Jean, Mikasa, Armin, Sasha, Connie, Levi, and I. Though there were others, they didn't want to follow us.

My horse came to a halt, seeing the water for the first time ever. I swung my legs over, ripping off my cape so it can hang on the saddle.

"It's an ocean." Armin spoke, seeing it in shock.

"Eren would have loved to see this." Mikasa added, following Armin to the sandy beach.

I was still in shock that I even made it here by their sides. My body was frozen by my horse as the others began to walk forward.

"Nadette, c'mon." Levi said with a soft smile, intertwining his fingers with mine.

"Right." I snapped out of my frozen state. My hand gripped his as our boots dug into the sand of the beach.

"Hey! What if it's poisonous?" Levi asked as the other's immediately began to play in the salty water. Though he asked, everyone ignored him, laughing and smiling to this delight.

I dropped Levi's hand, taking a few steps towards the water. I wasn't scared of it, but I just didn't know what it'd be like. I pulled my boots and socks off, setting them aside as I slowly entered the water.

"Nadette." Levi whispered behind me. A grin plastered on my face from the touch of the chilling liquid covering so much of the land ahead.

"It's fine." I replied, looking back at him. Levi looked so confused, but proceeded to take off his boots and follow me. "It feels great." I acknowledged while dipping my callused hands into the cold liquid. It was a beautiful blue and was clear to our sight.

"It does feel nice." Levi whispered once more. When I lifted my body to see the distance in front of me, I felt Levi's arm snake around my torso.

"This is amazing." I sighed, placing my hands on his arms. "I feel free." An idea then popped in my head.

I gripped tightly on Levi's arms in such a way that I would be able to perform a move. Quickly, I pulled his arms down, arching my back for his body to fly over me. I could hear the water crash and ripple from his instant take down.

"Yea! Nadette!" Everyone cheered as I saluted to the sky.

"I have completed my victory over my love, Levi!" I shouted, laughing afterwards.

"Oh, no you didn't." His voice was sharp, ready to fight. Instantly I felt someone pull me under the water. As this has never happened before, I thought I was going to drown.

My arms flailed in search of help, but I was too far under for anyone to notice my struggle. Then, I felt lips press against mine. My eyes opened to see Levi kissing me under water. Our bodies floated up to the surface, our knees in the sediment beneath us. Both of our faces were still linked by the lips as our heads were the only thing showing.

"Damn it." I mumbled after pulling away. "I will get you."

"Mom!" I heard a shout, causing me to spin my head.

"Hey, Necro!" I smiled and waved to the young boy.

"Can you carry me out there with you and dad?" he asked, me nodding in reply. I left Levi to drift in the water as I approached Necro.

"Up you go." I said while lifting his small body into my arms. "Ready?" I asked, slowly entering the water once again.

"Yea." His face was full of determination. Seeing his smile was enough to make me proud.

Once I reached Levi, I passed Necro to his father, Levi carrying him in his arms.

"The water is nice." Necro spoke, smiling as his gaze trailed the ripples.

I wrapped my arm around Levi, leaning on him just slightly as the rest of my weight was on my knees.

"Well, we could teach you how to swim someday, though I'm sure your dad is bad at it." Levi gave me a scowl from my comment.

"Just because I lived underground all my life doesn't mean I'm a terrible swimmer." My son and I began to chuckle at Levi's remark.

"You're too funny." I continued to chuckle as Necro did the same.

This feeling of freedom was so large. I was no longer apart of the prison I was held in. I freed myself from my parents, freed myself from the titans. Though I have done guilty things, I felt free from them at this moment.

Apart of me has changed, or maybe more. I used to be a reckless teen who killed her father to get her mother thrown into a cell. I would constantly hate myself afterwards, but my anger and such would be taken out on others. One person I loathed, as well, was Levi. I hated him for him being a hero, someone I could never strive to be. I just felt the need to hate someone so I could take my anger out on him, but it changed. I changed to be someone more caring and less heartless. I grew to love Levi and eventually get married with our son being born. Seeing this sight of the ocean made us more closer as a family.

This felt like my life was at the end of it's journey, as this was the last thing to witness that was quite extraordinary. The fact is is that it's not. My life has truely just begun. Marrying and having a child was a fresh start from my previous life. This fresh start will branch off from my last life, not forgetting my past as it made me who I am today.

"I love you all for making me who I am." I whispered while gazing into Levi's eyes.

"We love you, too. I love you, too." Levi replied, gripping onto my hand.

-----------------------------------------------------------