"Loving you in this lifetime wasn't enough ... So I promise you to look for you in the next one and fall in love with you all over again."

Levi woke up with an exalted heartbeat. Wanting to throw up just a little because of his motion sickness, he looked outside the window, and to his disappointment, he found the forest of endless trees.

"Hey sleeping beauty, did you get enough rest?"

Levi still didn't know how in the world he was on his way to Nichola's old family house. Even when he red-haired told him that they were related, it wasn't much to his surprise. Well, actually it was.

Nicholas and he were very different. The only thing that was similar between the two was their dark blue eyes.

"I still can't believe you managed to convince me to do this," Levi says as he looks out the window again. He wasn't the best of friends and he wasn't particularly on Levi's good side either. Especially since knowing that you and Nicholas have been sleeping together ... multiple times.

"Because of the lifetime free supply of black tea at my bakery, remember?"

Oh, yes. That's why he was coming.

"And besides, you are part of the family. You are my cousin and you should be invited to all family gatherings," if Nicholas was being completely honest he didn't like to be alone in family gatherings. He was the youngest of the Ackermans that lived in the city. All of his other cousins were living in other countries and only came to visit once a year. He never had much contact with them and being the only child made him grow up lonely.

"I am sure your family hates me," Levi replied. "After all, after my mother died I was left alone ... Well, not like I knew she had family anyways."

It was quiet after that but Nicholas wasn't one to let the mood die quickly nor for it to get gloomy.

"Well, I can't lie that it took a lot of convincing so my mother could let me invite you," Nicholas said. "But I brought you here for another motive ... I want to show you something before dinner."

Levi wanted to ask many things. Especially about the situation between you and him, it wasn't his business but he still cared somehow.

"Are you and y/n in a relationship?"

"Nop, we are friends ... with benefits ... kind of," Nicholas made a turn as the GPS told him to. He was starting to remember the area as they passed a small village. "She is great and I would have loved to be a formal relationship with her but ... She was never fully into me."

The short man listens carefully as he enjoyed the view. Somehow, he felt some sort of deja vu as he watched the people in the village do their everyday thing.

"We did date back in high school and in college but we just wanted different things and drifted. I wouldn't mind going back with her but at this point, I have given up," the red hair had the sincerest of feelings when it came to you. He only wanted your happiness and would gladly let you go if that meant you will be happy.

"It seems like she is interested in someone else now."

"She told you about us?" Levi felt his cheeks get hot as he began to remember the night you both shared. "And you know ... about Erwin?"

"Yeah, she tells me everything," Nicholas said."We are best friends, don't worry my lips are sealed."

"Nonetheless, don't you think you are doing too much for Erwin?" the young Ackerman knew that he shouldn't meddle in other people's business. But seeing that he was starting to get Levi's trust, he decided to cross the line just a bit. "Don't get me wrong, he seems like a good guy but from what I know I don't think he deserves so much affection from you."

"Y/n is a great woman ... and she likes you a lot ... Don't you think having a relationship with her would be good for you?"

Levi knew this. He knew that you had a crush on him and he appreciated your feelings and cared for you. However, as he tried to return or feel something for you, he realized that at this moment he wasn't able to. He cared deeply for you but a sentiment as strong as love was still out of reach.

Maybe all of his feelings were mixed up, maybe what he felt for Erwin wasn't love but lust, and he was completely blinded by it.

At the moment he could only conclude that his feelings for you were different and he couldn't put a name to it at the moment.

"You do like women, right? As romantically?"

"Oh? Yes I do," Levi took a brief moment to look at Nicholas. "I honestly find women more attractive... They are pretty and smell good ... and they shower regularly than most men."

"Hygiene is attractive," Nicholas giggled a little as he found Levi's confession humourous. "Then why don't you date y/n?"

"... Because it will be cruel," Levi said. "If I date her without loving her or knowing how I actually feel ... It will only hurt her at the end."

Strangely enough, he felt that these words were said before. In another time, in another life and he couldn't it but feel a bit weird out and baffled at the moment. But still, he shook the feeling away.

"I need time to figure out how I feel."

Nicholas understood that and slightly nodded. Levi was right, it was better to know one's feelings first and heal oneself before sharing your life with someone else. It was quite tragic too, ever since he knows you, you were satisfied with your life. Nor with men for that matter.

"Y/n is a very charming woman, she could really have any man she wants," Nicholas said as he finally reached his destination, his childhood home. "But wow ... She's terrible at picking man."

When Nicholas told Levi that he wanted to take him to his childhood home, he was expecting a home. Not a mansion.

The short man gulped saliva as he took another quick glance at Nicholas. He was tall and very handsome and apparently rich too.

Just why and how in the world you decided to be with Levi over Nicholas was a mystery to him.

"Yes," Levi whispered. "She is terrible at it."

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"Welcome to the Ackerman mansion," Nicholas said. "This is where all the Ackermans have lived since ... A very very long time ago."

Levi didn't believe such a place could exist. Marble walls and red carpets, hand-made statues of the past, and large paintings of families plastered on the walls. He wasn't used to such bright lights but as his eyes adjusted he realized that maybe it was better to keep his eyes close. A quick thought crossed his mind, that you being an art teacher, would love this place.

It was a beautiful place filled with the things you like and the more he thought about it, the more he would love to see the look on your face.

"But this ain't the good stuff, let's go to the library," Nicholas said, and almost instantly one of the older maids that were following them looks displeased.

"But master Flaherty," she said. "Only descendants of Ackermans are allowed in the library."

The red hair looks back at the maid and then looks at Levi who wasn't bothered at all.

"But he is an Ackerman," he says. "A very special one too."

There was no much impediment coming from the maids after that. All of them actually were quite shocked at the revelation but after taking a better look at Levi they realized that his genes were very predominant. Looking a lot like his mother, Kutchel Ackerman.

As he looks through the books, Levi could only wonder just how big this mansion was. Probably the sense of a castle or two but looking at the dusty bookshelves made him believe that one in this place cared to clean.

"Are you familiar with the Great Titan War?" Nicholas asked as passed by his ancestor's works. He remembers playing hide and seeks in this library when he was a child. Although the maids were always nice to him, he sometimes wished he had a brother or someone his age to play with during that time.

"The myth? I just know about it," Levi watched Nicholas and his mannerisms changed. His eyes were soft and even nostalgic and he could only wonder what kinda things he went through while he lived here.

"Around 2000 years ago ... the Great Titan War started and-"

"Yeah, yeah humanity's strongest soldier helped defeat the titans and whatnot," Levi felt a bit offended at the thought that Nicholas was telling him the story in a sense to educate him. "I don't need a re-telling of a child's story."

That wasn't the only reason, listening to the story reminded Levi of the times his mother was alive and she would tell him that same bedtime story. Also that he was getting uncomfortable, so many reaches and knowledge were making him uncomfortable. He was out of his comfort zone.

"Well, there's more to that. Humanity's strongest soldier was the one who started our name and clan ... The first Ackerman," Nicholas looked around the bookshelf and then he went back to the wooden desk he was sitting on earlier. He faced Levi and a little bit of puzzlement decorated his pale face. "But he was deeply in love with a woman ... but she died."

"... Why are you telling me this? Besides, how do you know it's not a fake story? There's a bunch of tales like that."

Nicholas chucked a little as he takes a few steps closer to Levi on the dimly lighted library.

"Because this is the story that has been passed by the Ackermans through the generations," Nicholas says. "It's my story but ... mostly it's yours."

The short man took a moment to look around the room. Although he had the Ackerman last name he never knew about these people. He probably would have gone through his life without knowing them if it wasn't for Nicholas.

"No, look I appreciate you trying to 're-integrate me to your family but it's too late, I-"

"Levi," Nicholas interrupts him. "On these last couple of years, the Ackerman clan has declined greatly ... I only have a few cousins, and all of them are engaged and soon to lose their last name. Just like me, I lost the Ackerman last name ... but you Levi? You still have your mother's last name."

"I don't understand."

"You are the last Ackerman," Nicholas places a hand on Levi's right shoulder and then he goes back to look at the vastity of the library.

"All of this rightfully belongs to you."

Levi wanted to say something but at the moment he was feeling many things. One of the many things he wanted was to leave or that you were here. Because he knew that seeing you would absolutely calm him down.

But before Levi could respond, one of the many maids entered the library and interrupted the two cousins.

"Master Flaherty, your family is here and dinner is ready."

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The air was heavy and the only reason why Levi wasn't leaving was that the thought of everyone looking at him gave him anxiety. He didn't know what he hated the most. The fact that the silverware wasn't cleaned properly or that the full table was filled with people who utterly despise him.

"So, Levi how did you meet my son? It's so strange to me that I never knew about you even though we are family."

Well maybe not everyone hated him. Mr. Flaherty, Nicholas' dad, didn't seem bothered and he even looked just as uncomfortable as Levi.

"We have a common friend who introduced us," Levi replies softly as he watched a maid placed a plate of food in front of him. A piece of meat, mash potatoes and some type of vegetable Levi didn't know what it was.

"Yeah! Dad, do you remember y/n?" Nicholas tried to lift up the mood. "She works as an art teacher with Levi."

"Yes, I remember her, she was a really nice lady. We should invite her to dinner sometime-"

"Only Ackermans and the families they married into can come to the house."

Ms. Ackerman or at least that's what she used to be, now she is Mrs. Flaherty. And although Levi didn't want to admit it, she shared an uncanny appearance with his deceased mother.

"Well, we don't have to eat here. It can be in our home next time ... Would like to join us next time Levi?" Mr. Flaherty asked.

"Yes, Levi please do join us," Mrs. Flaherty changed suddenly. It seems as long as she followed the rules implemented by her family, she was alright with anything. She even smiled at him, and Levi could feel his heartbreak down a little, a smile that was just like his mother's.

"Also, do you happen to be single? I know a few ladies that might be suitable for you."

And everything clicks to Levi. At the moment he felt disgusted. Although the dining table was large, only a few seats were taken. Faces he didn't know, a few women around his age that were probably Nichola's cousins. Other seats were taken by their finances and all of them smiled at him.

Smiling out of compromise.

"Please stop acting nice ... You and I know very well that you don't like me," Levi says and everyone reminds silent.

Even Mrs. Flaherty was quiet, just staring at Levi. His eyes and personality just like his mother, just like his sister. But she tried again, smiling.

"That's not true, you know you are a part of the family, we are here for you-"

"Family? Then when was my family when my mom was in the hospital and we couldn't pay the bills?" Levi says as he drops the silverware on his plate full of food. "When was my family when I was sent to the orphanage?"

And Levi felt rage over take him. He remembers how much pain his mother was in in the hospital. How Levi tried to reach his 'family' but they never picked up the phone. If they had only showed a little bit more kindness ... maybe his mother wouldn't have died.

"The only reason why you even allowed Nicholas to invite me here was to use me ... You only want me here because you want me to keep up a last name alive?"

His aunt also dropped the silverware, forgetting about all formality. Everyone was in an awkward position and but even Nicholas knew that this was the moment to let things come to light.

"Your mother brought dishonor to this family the moment she ran away with a man ... the moment she became a prostitute and had you! A bastard!" She lost control of her words but she didn't regret them. "Now, you have to clean her name and if you want to do that, you must marry and have children with someone of my liking."

"You are insane!" Levi stands up from the table and slams his hands against the table.

"Come one! It's not such a bad idea! You will have all of this to yourself!" "It's quite an honor! You don't have to be a bastard anymore!

He couldn't take it anymore and with much embarrassment in his heart, Levi decided to walk out. He didn't know where he was going nor he cared, he just wanted to leave this place that simulates hell.

It didn't take him long to reach the exit door and as soon he opened it he felt a cold breeze touch his face. His heartbeat was accelerating and for a moment he thought he was going to have a panic attack.

He had no place to go, he was in an unknown place and he hated how much he wanted to die at the moment. Maybe if he jumped off the cliff, this will end. And he stood there, really contemplating the idea of doing so. If he just kept walking.

"Levi, wait!"

He heard Nicholas's voice but Levi didn't stop, he wasn't on the best terms with Nicholas either and he didn't want to look at him either.

"Levi, please ... let's talk this out-"

"No, you are just like them," Levi said as he began to make his way down the road. The forest surrounding him and he had to admit that he was even a bit scared of the coyotes howling at night.

"You only brought me here because of your mom, you only want me so I can keep the Ackerman the last name alive, right?"

"No! Of course not, I don't care about such stupid things," Nicholas says as he finally reaches Levi. "I brought you here because I wanted to tell you the story of the first Ackerman."

The janitor was baffled. Did Nicholas honestly think that he was going to believe such lies?

"Do you think I am stupid?"

"No, Levi ..." Nicholas sighed in disbelief, he wanted to lay out the news delicately but it seems that Levi just understands the hard way.

"Do you believe in reincarnation or in alternative universes?"

"No," he simply replied with the thought that Nicholas might just be going crazy for asking such a random question.

"Well, what would say if I tell you ... that ever since I met y/n ... I've been getting ... these visions ... and dreams?"

That made Levi stop in his tracks and he slowly turned to look at Nicholas. His face was sincere, with a small frown on his face and an upside-down smile.

"Especially about a woman ... Someone named Maria."

Levi forgets to breathe for a second as his heart began to accelerate. His hands began to sweat and he thought that was going to get sick because it was so cold but he felt fire on the tip of his fingertips.

Seeing that Levi was speechless, Nicholas took the opportunity to keep talking. He took a few steps closer and he reached out the pocket of his jacket. It was a paper, so thing a delicate because of the passing of time. But he held it dearly knowing that this was probably his only clue.

"These last couple of years, I've been doing my research on the Great Titan War story," the red-haired man said. "I researched every book on my ancestor's library ... and I discovered something."

Nicholas hands out the piece of paper to Levi who he took reluctantly. His hands began to shake even more as he realized that this was an old portrait drawing. Small to carry anywhere and the details were amazing, and just looking at it made his legs feel tired. As if he was the one who waited three hours standing just for this picture to be drawn.

But that wasn't what amused him the most. It was the man who was in the drawing. His face looks tired and like he didn't have any friends. His dark blue eyes and short black hair. His pale skin matched that of his white shirt. This was a drawing of-

"This is the first Ackerman ... it's the only drawing portrait I could find and tragically, it's torn apart," Nicholas says as he pointed at the drawing's rough edges, the paper was torn but that didn't stop Nicholas from concluding. He felt like he already knew who was supposed to be in the other half of the drawing.

"But as you can see ... The first Ackerman looks exactly like you."

Looking at Levi's eyes, Nicholas knew that Levi was just as disbelief as he was when he first met Levi in the football game.

"Have you ever felt ... Like you are looking for something or someone? Nicholas asked. "And you feel terrible for making them wait so long?"

Although Levi felt overwhelmed he slightly nodded understanding completely that feeling. For forever, he had seen Maria as something symbolic and nonexistent. But Nicholas was giving him the hope that she could exist and if she did maybe ... then maybe ...

He could feel some type of happiness after all.

"Please Levi ... I need you," his cousin said. "Help me find her."

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You drop the brown book in front of him and sat at the other end of the table, facing the blond man.

"You know why I invited you here ... now start talking," you say as you cross your arms in front of your chest.

Erwin looks down at the book in front of him and he recognized it perfectly. 'One Last Time' was his favorite book for many reasons but it was the mystery behind it that made it special.

He took the moment to look around the cafe and then back at you. At first, he thought about commenting how this place wasn't the best to talk about this book. Not that it was bad, but because he was scared about you making a scene.

"What do you want to know?" Erwin asks as he takes a sip of his tea.

"The characters on his book ... it was everyone's name and even their description fits with Nicholas, Levi, you ... Everyone and even ... her."

"Her?"

You always had missed feelings about Levi's feelings about Maria. But the thought of her not being real always calmed you down. Because even if Levi wanted her, it was an impossible dream.

"Maria ... The woman Levi likes or something like that."

Erwin was well aware of the name because in the days Levi would sleep on his bed, he would hear Levi whisper her name. Deep asleep and dreaming of her.

"The book was passed down through generations in my family. When it was given to me, I read it but never thought too much about it," Erwin says as he looks down to the book "And I thought that donating it to the highschool's library was a better option than for it to be left to dust on my apartment's bookshelf."

"But then I met Marie ... then Hange ... and Levi ... and slowly everything started to make sense," Erwin took the book in his hands and opened it. Feeling the same way when he first held the book in his hands. "And then I met you and Nicholas and I just knew it ... It had to be you."

You stay quiet and for a moment you saw sadness in Erwin's eyes. A certain pain but also a relief as his fingers touched every single piece of paper in the book.

"You are the person Levi has been waiting for all of his life and past lives too," he says. "It's always been you ... now, forever and always."

And now everything started to make sense to you too. Not only about Levi and you but about Erwin and the decisions he makes.

"That's why you were always so focused on making Levi and I pretend like we are dating?" you ask as demand for more answers. Still as confused. "You wanted to put us together because you think ... I am her? Wouldn't there have been a better way-"

"Levi is very much in love with me ... He wouldn't have fallen in love with you the old way. I had to ask him ... make him fall for you."

And again, you saw it. A hurt looks in his eyes and for a moment you pitied him and you could only conclude that Erwin also felt some type of love for Levi.

"If you love him ... then why did you paired me with him?"

"Because it was the right thing," Erwin knew that there was more to his answer. Because although he loved Levi he also loved Marie and he just knew that just like Levi, Erwin had a destiny to meet. "If time wasn't able to change the feelings Levi has for you then I can't either ... You two have been apart for so long now, it's time for you to enjoy the life that was taken away from you."

You knew what he meant, the book had many things and details. Unknown mysteries and it didn't help that the book was old and written by someone anonymous. But it was its ending that pained you and captivated you.

"The ending of this book ... I hate it," you say as you look at Erwin who closed the book and pushed it forwards to you. "What happened to Levi and Maria ... How she died ... Levi ... he suffered so much."

Erwin saw how tears were begging to come out of your eyes. But you fought against it and by taking a big gulp of air, you were able to calm yourself.

And suddenly, you feel a strong hand holds yours. It was Erwin who showed and shared your pain. It was as if he knew as if he was there and saw the pain Levi went through.

"It's alright, you are here now and nothing can stop you both from being together," Erwin says. "Maria, you may not know this but ... but Levi regrets it ... not being able to say it."

You are taken back a bit, disliking how Erwin used Maria's name to address you. And for a moment, you felt like you were already talking to a different man.

"But he hoped that you knew," he says. "And I think you do ... You do know, don't you? What he feels."

Taking a quick glance at the book and then at Erwin, you felt some sort of relief and pain you couldn't quite describe. After all of this time, after waiting for so long, you could finally understand what love is. You have been waiting for him. And although you weren't ready to confront him just yet, you knew that the time will come eventually.

"Yes," you say. "I know."

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A/n: The story has changed so much since I started it, it was a silly plot but now it was developed into something bigger. Not a lot of romance on this one but a lot of exposition as we are going down into this Alternative Universe. More romance and sexy scenes for the next chapter.

I want to say many things about the story but I feel like if I do I would end up just spoiling everything so I won't do that. The only thing I can say is that you shouldn't take everything I write as facts. Things change and will change.

As always, I apologize for the mistakes but I really don't bother to proof-read this lol

Ps. I am also looking for beta readers to proof read the sequel of One Last Time so if someone is interested, please comment or send me a message! 

Anyways, thank you so much for the lovely comments I received in the last chapter, they really motivate me to continue writing!

Thank you, everyone, and see you next week!