Weiss
[After the fall, training.]

Commander Erwin Smith was the only person, so far, to have visited Weiss. Others that tried to visit the poor boy had been ordered not to or they would suffer consequences. Naturally, this limitation was given to his fellow recruits. Officials, however, did not bother to see the boy. Reasons being that they were busy trying to keep the unexpected breach of security under wraps. From what he could perceive so far, was that a prisoner who had been caught in a black market exchange escaped some time ago after the assault on Wall Maria. This knowledge had been relatively unknown until the attack when a barrack man, under suspicion of having been intoxicated, barely realized that an inmate was missing.

The Commander inquired Weiss about the attacker, despite the fact he had claimed in already knowing who the person was, but Weiss realized after a time that Erwin Smith hoped to be wrong in his conclusion.

He was about this tall, he wore this, he had a peculiar accent common among these people… et cetera, et cetera.

These descriptive words the boy elicited after each session of questioning had become an affair worthy of being the most contributing factors of his nightmares each night he slept. Being forced to remain in the infirmary hadn't helped either. Each day Weiss was ordered to remain stationary in bed until night time, the usual period when Erwin would come visit him for either further questioning or giving therapy.

So far, Weiss remained competent physically, emotionally, but not so much mentally. He maintained very well to keep his cool, but there was a noticeable decline in maintaining the longevity. Erwin noted one night that Weiss would shut down when pressures got too deep. This was probably the reason why the Commander didn't bother in mentioning their previous tension-filled encounters.

However, when the therapy began a month ago, the boy felt more like himself again. Unfortunately, this positive change would slowly decline when Erwin felt Weiss was able enough to deal with their previous affairs.

"Do you want to remove the bandages yourself or shall I?" the blond asked, sitting beside Weiss' bed.

He visited Weiss earlier than anticipated. The silver-haired boy was reading when Erwin came and ironically at the most opportune time. A villain entered the picture as the hero was at his more vulnerable, taking advantage in hopes of derailing the leading man so the villain could proceed with his plans. Now this wasn't to say that Weiss suspected Erwin of being evil, the man did come to his aid after all, but the Commander's presence remained a harbinger over the boy's livelihood.

Weiss closed the book and placed it aside once Erwin took his usual place, beside his bed. He said nothing as he could feel the man's piercing blue eyes examine him. The day was relatively young, with a hint of tangerine and lavender in the depths of the skies. It would still be sometime until the stars would appear.

"You, Commander Smith, I fear I'm still afraid of removing them myself," he replied in a dull tone.

He balled his hands into fists.

Erwin appeared to be unperturbed as always, his face akin to a statue.

"I'm sure it's not so bad, Weiss, if anything I'm sure it'll make you appear more distinguished,"

Weiss gave a sideway glance at the older man, remaining silent while pressing a hand against the thick bandages. Just touching it was stress-inducing.

"Distinguished?" he replied after a while, unconvinced, "If it turns out that this eye is blind, I'll be unfit to contribute. A liability and worthy only to be ridiculed…" his words lowered in intonation, becoming incoherent once he felt anxiety run his blood cold.

Erwin hushed him with a wave. "Don't be so negative, Weiss, attending military school alone is quite the feat, at least you're not dead,"

"I would have died anyway, still will, one way or another,"

Erwin's eyes narrowed. "There is no need—"

"I don't mean to be curt, Commander, but please be quick and remove these bandages," Weiss interjected, turning in bed so as to have his legs hang off the side and lowered his head for better reach.

The Commander breathed in deep and nodded.

His hands were strong and gentle, yet Weiss still felt acrimony towards the man. As he felt the loosening sensation of the bandages, they slipped down his neck and hung on his shoulders while he watched Erwin's face for any reaction. When he found nothing in the man's usual stoic eyes, Weiss dared to hope.

Opening his mouth, the words came out in a tremulous manner.
"…Am I still handsome?"

The man said nothing for a time, appearing as though he tried to come to a sugarcoated conclusion.

"It'd help if you opened your eyes,"

That reply alone said it all. Weiss felt stupid for thinking otherwise.

Reluctant, he opened his scarred eye, wincing as he felt it sting from not having received light in such a long time. Initially, everything was a blur; at least there was some sight, after a time the eye began to register its surroundings, identifying shapes and colors. Before long he could see everything, as though nothing happened at all. It hurt to blink, but in time all would be fine. For the eye, that is.

He noticed that the Commander's mouth was a tight line until Weiss prompted him with a forced cough.

"It's not horrible, if anything, you might scare some people," Erwin confessed.

Weiss' nostrils flared from a deep sigh.

"Anyway, we have other matters to deal in," he heard him say, already knowing where this would lead to.

In his mind he could imagine the painting all snug beneath the floorboards of his dorm.

"You're a man of your word, are you not? You need to catch me, Commander,"

Following something that sounded like a scoff, Weiss noticed a shift in the man's face when he turned to look him in the eye.

Maybe it was the hint of a smile, but before the Commander could open his mouth to speak, someone Weiss hadn't seen in a long time entered the infirmary.

Despite not having seen him, Weiss felt both relief and sudden fear the second he took in the expressionless eyes of Levi Rivaille.

It didn't take very long until the short man noticed Weiss' face, but similar to Erwin Smith, there was hardly a hint of the shock in seeing the scar. If anything, there was a brief hesitance in Levi's stride once he came close enough.

"You look well," said Levi, stiff.

He was adorned in the uniform of the Scouting Legion, with the exception of the jacket which held the embroidery of his branch.

"I'm glad you think so," Weiss replied, "I hope I can say the same when I look into a mirror,"

All three were silent for a time. If it weren't for their obligations, Weiss would have wondered what kind of argument would commence, if the silent exchanges between Levi and Erwin were anything to go by.

This was probably the first he had seen Levi show any open acrimony toward the Commander, however, it appeared as though this was nothing particularly new. The Commander only gave a benign smile and bade both Weiss and Levi a pleasant evening and left without another word.

"I need to talk you, Weiss," said Levi, taking occupation of Erwin's previous seat. He lounged against the support, letting his toned arms to drape as far as they could while he crossed his legs. Lowering his chin near his chest, the look Weiss received became all the more intimidating.

Weiss leaned further into the pillows, holding tight to the ends of the blankets.

"Of course, sir,"

"I understand you're under extreme stress, but I want to know of your reasons joining the military?"

Brows furrowed from confusion, the boy went ahead and grabbed the loosen bandages to study, to distract himself before he replied.

"I know this might sound bad, but my goal is the same as everyone else,"

"To reach the top ten and stay away from the Titans?"

"Not for my benefit, but in hopes that I can move the orphanage there,"

Levi's dark eyes flickered at that.

He was a hard man to read, indeed, Weiss thought nervously. When the captain said nothing for a time, Weiss spoke up instead.

Maybe he's waiting for my reasons.

"Y'see, captain… The former owners were horrible people, never using the funds supported by the crown for the children's benefits. Needless to say, it wasn't much to begin with. We were starving and incapable of doing much… until a woman volunteered to assist the owners. She couldn't stand for their abuse and sought food for us through means that would sentence her…"

A deep sigh came from Levi. For a brief moment the boy swore he saw something akin to anxiety in Levi's eyes.

"I found out one evening when I caught her coming in through the back. We thought she had money, but I realized then she was a thief. For a time I thought she was only here to steal from the owners, however, she confided in me about redemption. Since then, she taught me all she knew. Sadly, my incompetence kept me from mastering what she taught me, but I took pride in the climbing part. It's exhilarating to scale walls, jump rooftops to rooftops, evading guards with ease…"

"I knew a man long ago who enjoyed such things," said Levi.

Weiss nodded, running his hands through his silver-blond hair. At this point he felt his chest tighten.

"I spent a lot of time with her and then…"

"And then…?"

"I learned she was under a lot of stress. She'd spend time sharpening a dagger on her own time, but most often I'd see her playing with fire. She had a queer habit of letting the flames burn her inner forearms. I knew she had burned scars, but I didn't think she would keep them fresh. Anyway, after an assault on the orphanage, I decided to take the soldier's cloak and promised myself to bring the orphanage and her into Wall Sina, where she wouldn't need to worry and perhaps relent in her self-harm…"

"I need to excuse myself, Wrage," said Levi, standing from his seat.

Weiss looked up then. A tinge of green seemed to tint the captain's face. Surprised, he tried to sit up in bed, but the captain dismissed the notion with a wave.

"Rivaille?"

His voice came out hoarse when he spoke. "It's nothing, Wrage, I just…"

"Bad breakfast this morning, sir?" Weiss asked, alarmed.

Levi was already on his way out before he told him he would see to him later.

Door closed, Weiss dropped back into his pillows, staring at some point on the wall. Just what in the blazes was going on?

He hesitated in touching his ruined eye and flinched when his fingertips felt rough protrusions.

"Why is this happening to me?"

At least Levi made no mention of missing possessions. Remembering it made Weiss anxious, but there wasn't much he could do at this point. Erwin Smith was onto him and he needed to get to the picture before anything bad happened.

On the following days, Levi did not show up like he said he would. The military doctor informed Weiss he was ready to go whenever he felt up to it. Needless to say, being stuck here for over a month was sufficient rest.

The doctor's assistant was a homely girl. Short brown hair, freckle skinned, and had a lisp when she spoke. She laid out fresh clothing for him and bade him a farewell. Suited up in his military garb, Weiss felt good and proper again. Passing through a long hall he hesitated before the door, wondering how the others would receive him with his change.

I doubt it'll matter much.

But when he entered the commons for breakfast, a few people stared wide-eyed at him. His group of friends hardly recognized him, but upon further inspection, they welcomed him. They were warm, of course, but there was a detached feeling to it.

"That's quite the cut, Weiss," one boy observed.

Weiss pressed a finger against the rough skin. It pained him a little.

"Now girls can't fall for my charming stare, instead they'll be frightened and think me a rogue," he forced a laugh.

"Maybe you'll be able to pass off as a veteran, then you can smuggle some ale for us all," one of the daring boys pointed out.

The silver-haired boy grinned, genuinely.

"Good way to make this a positive, we'll see."

Training went about as well as he imagined. Instructor Keith Shadis welcomed him in the best way possible: cursing the boy. Right away he took well to the hand-to-hand combat sessions. The scar made him intimidating enough to make his opponents nervous. Many had not known what happened to Weiss, much less know him. The injury changed his appearance to that of an older person than the boy he was. Even when crossed paths with Crista, she had some difficulty in discerning Weiss' identity. When she did recognize him, she explained that he didn't look as innocent.

"Innocent? What's that supposed to mean? I'm still handsome though, right?"

His forward inquiry sent her into a fit of blushes and stutters. It took the arrival of Ymir to set the two of them straight and make them carry on their day.

He encountered Armin Arlert, but he was the only one to recognize him right away. The young blond greeted him and was quick to ask what happened.

"I was playing a game of tag with an official and had an accident,"

Armin seemed to understand what he meant therefore he relented in further inquiry on the subject.

"It looks like your eye could have been popped out, can you still see well?"

"Actually, my eyesight improved a bit," Weiss pointed to a corner ceiling, "I can even see the spider making his web,"

Armin's mouth dropped a little and looked over his shoulder. Weiss broke out into laughter when the blond realized he was tricked.

"Hey, that's not fair," he said, crossing his arms while his face reddened. The boy could resemble an apple if he blushed any harder.

"A small jest, Armin, it's good to see you again."

Later, when evening fell and the sconces were set alight, Weiss became nervous to walk alone. He almost forgot his dorm due to having to check every shadow and whenever he heard whispers, he found his fists already clenched.

The dorm remained the same as he left it. Luckily, none of his roommates were already asleep and still remained outside. He lit the candle on the table so light could illuminate the darkness.

Right away he went on his knees and loosened some planks. It came as a wave of relief to find the folded paper, albeit covered in a layer of dust. He entered a fit of coughing as he blew away the layer, waving the motes away so they wouldn't enter his eye and the last thing he needed was to have his scar tissue set aflame by irritation.

The picture remained in good condition, the colors as vibrant as the day they it was painted. Or at least he hoped so. He put the floorboards back to their original place. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he brought the candle nearer so he could further examine the portrait.

Levi had certainly grown from when this painting was made. His face was reasonably plump for a child at his age. His caretaker maintained her youthful appearance, but of course she thinned and as he remembered her face, there was a melancholy in her eyes that replaced the look of determination that her portrait-self showed.

From what he knew of the two, they were certainly much different than the children they had been. Now, they all stressed him. The caretaker was upset with his decision, Levi quite possibly suspected him, and Erwin wanted this painting.

The thought engendered a sickly feeling to slowly overwhelm his senses. He could feel his heart pounding, chills breaking out all over his body, and his knees shook.

"I need to rest," he whispered to himself.

Weiss slipped the paper beneath his pillow and laid his head to rest. Slowly, he closed his eyes, hoping for good dreams to come.

The moment sleep seemed to take him, the door creaked open. A wind entered the room, setting the candle out. Weiss steeled himself when the recognizable shadow stretched itself across the walls.

"Are you awake, Weiss? How's your eye?"

"I am now, Captain Rivaille, and fine," Weiss muttered.

"You don't have to get up, just listen," Levi ordered him when he saw Weiss' lack of movement. Instead of seeing the lack of notion as a slight, he ignored it.

"I've been busy talking to Commander Smith. I told him of what you told me, your desire that is,"

Weiss could suddenly feel his pillow become hot. If he moved, the thick paper would crinkle.

"Oh?" he replied. He couldn't see Levi's face due to the darkness, but he assumed whatever expression the captain wore, it would be the same one he always wore. Indifferent.

"If you decide to join the Survey Corps, Commander Smith will arrange for the orphanage to be moved about the time of your graduation."

Ignoring the portrait beneath his pillow, the shock made him sit up. He nearly bumped his head on the bed above him.

"Forgive me, captain, but what did you just say?"

You assumed he frowned. Or rather, frowned deeper. If it were possible.

"Must I repeat myself?" he replied in a terse tone. "Join the Survey Corps and your damn orphanage will be moved into Sina with enough funds to school the children so they may have an education and become whatever they desire, soldier, priest, doctor, whatever. Make your choice, Wrage!"

Weiss sighed.

"I'll join."

You

"I'm going to die, I swear to the goddesses and the three bloody hells, my goodness Erwin, just what have you concocted?" Your mind reeled when the blond had awakened you this morning. He dragged you from his bed and took you down to the lower floors where a private room was secured. Within was a table filled with all sorts of food.

You looked to the older man, mouth agape. He responded to your shock with a shrug.

"The girl saw it fitting to feed us three..."

You knew right away that this Petra was not the third.

At once you dropped a hand to your flat stomach and seethed internally.

Erwin took notice, placing his atop yours reassuringly.

You stepped away in disgust.

There was a queer smile on his face, you saw, and you desperately wanted to tear it off.

"I'm sorry, milady, I could not resist,"

"I fucking hate you, so much; I should have killed you five years ago. That should have been our last encounter," you threatened, taking a seat.

"If Levi was incapable of killing me, what makes you think you could have?"

You took the placed utensils and held them firmly. Right away you focused on the knives; however, since this was breakfast, the only knives had blunt ends.

"It'll take a whole lot of force to shove that into my belly," Said Erwin, already breaking his fast.

You glared at him.

"Why did you do this to me?" Your voice fell several notches.

"My love, my men know how the other branches love me not. If they were to know of your existence, these men would hang you just so I could lose my resolve,"

A light dawned upon you.

His men believe in him and would never betray him. If they thought me a lover, they would be more inclined to keep me secret.

The whole charade still made you bristled. Given further contemplation while you finally stuffed food into your mouth, you realized that this lie benefitted the Commander more than yourself.

If his men believed him to have a lover and child on the way, then they would focus all the more harder to keep him safe while they went outside the walls.

That left a bitter taste in your mouth, no matter how good the meal was prepared.

"If only I had wine..." You grumbled.

"Not good for the child," he inserted.

You slammed a utensil hard against the table.

"Of course..."

You yanked the cowl over your nose so as to obscure your eyes. There was an inkling of an idea that they would betray you.

I just want to go home.

After the quiet morning meal, you slid your arms into either sleeves, maintained intimate proximity to Erwin. For most of the morning stroll that the man insisted in having, you kept your head low. He took you to see the inner yard, where a garden took residence and in the center displaying a sculptor of the goddesses. The three had their backs together as their heads looked to the skies while they outstretched their arms.

"Quite the sight, is it not?" Erwin asked. He took you to a nearby bench.

You only grunted in response. The statue had not mattered so much. If anything, you took well to the flowers. You had never seen such exotic plants before, except for the few you recognized in the times where you managed to sneak in a few noble houses.

"Not very ladylike, didn't you lead many to believe you a proper lady before?" Erwin noted.

"It was so long ago, I don't remember much... Wait; don't tell me I have a new background now,"

"Not necessarily," he admitted. "They just think you of high birth, with the cloak and all,"

"That makes sense, I guess,"

"If only I could gaze upon your face, milady..."

You felt the urge to move away when you noticed his hand trying to slip through the cowl so as to touch your face. It took all your strength to remain still despite your body wanting to move away.

His touch was hot, you realized. The warmth he radiated while the tips of his fingers ran down the line of your jaw was enough to make you sweat. Once more you felt your stomach light and fluttery.

In truth, you did find him attractive, even on the night you first met him, but never did your heart come to adore him. However, his presence alone made you nervous and uncertain.

Levi was the one prominent, you reminded yourself.

"You've had your mummer's show, Smith, let's carry on now," you whispered to him when his face hovered against yours.

Whenever soldiers passed, giving compulsory greetings, you simply nodded in acknowledgment. You remembered the courtesies you learned from long ago, when you posed to be of nobility and dedicated to the faith.

"May the goddesses grace you when you depart from the Walls, sir."

Occasionally, the Commander would insist in continuing to openly display affection. It took shape in either securing your waist, run his hand down your arm, or giving delicate pecks on the head.

He's quite the actor; he makes the displays feel genuine.

Upon return to the higher levels of the military headquarters, you took your place on the couch. Erwin idled by the window before taking his place.

Partaking in the usual silence which always befallen the two of you, it felt like hours until you heard a knock on the door.

Erwin sighed.

"I have forgotten, _," he said, scratching the paper with his quill.

"And that is, my dear?"
You flipped through a page of a book you took from his shelves. Nothing particularly interesting, it comprised nothing more than fabricated history.

"You'll see in a moment, come in!"

Erwin did not look up from his papers when he bid the person welcome.

The first to step in was the tall sandy blond with a conforming air. You recognized him as the one having speculated you a noble. Second to step in was the redheaded girl, the one to find you and Erwin the night before.

You did your best to avoid her eyes.

Third in tow was an older man, a peculiar one that nearly tumbled over the other two. For an instant you thought something amiss for the man to react in such a fashion until you heard him speak.

"I smell something... Ominous..."

At once, you felt all eyes on you.

Erwin intervened.

"I think you can smell the potential misfortune of my ball and chain, Mike." Your Commander regarded you softly. Everyone else laughed.

You son of a...

"Y-yes..." The man referred to as Mike responded.

"I apologize, milady, to have to leave you without telling you earlier… I've had my mind on other things." Erwin admitted.

"Petra, you wouldn't mind in attending milady?"

You held your breath. You're making things more difficult than it should.

The redhead shook her head. "Of course not, Commander, I would be pleased," There was genuine pleasure in her voice. You wondered how such a sweet girl was able to join the military and reach this far without becoming bitter.

Having been bid a brief farewell by Erwin, his entourage following in his wake, it was all you could do, but to smile. It occurred to you whatever face you made mattered little when the cloak shielded you. Without wasting a second, Petra offered to take you to the stables.

"How did you like breakfast?" she asked on the way. There was a winning smile on her youthful visage.

You scratched your throat. "Delightful, Petra, I thank you for having thought of us,"

She beamed as she straightened her body, showing pride of how her efforts were rewarded.

"How could I not? I have never seen the Commander so happy," she started to gush, "I promise you, milady, we'll keep the Commander safe when we leave the walls, I would not want you to deal with a child on your own."

You felt your eyes shut close on your own as your lips twisted in displeasure. You had forgotten about such detail, and surprisingly fast. You wondered why you needed to be reminded of it so soon. Surely, if you were able to forget about the lie easily before, you could once more.

"Again, I thank you for your dedication to Commander Smith, may the goddesses smile upon you and your squad in the venturing to come,"

You waited a comfortable distance from the stables when the two of you arrived. The girl explained how tame and calm the horses were. Gentle creatures bred by villagers in some district within Rose.

You watched her disappear into the stable, hearing the low whinnies from the horses and her giggles. When she reemerged, a chestnut brown palfrey followed behind her. The creatures dark black eyes gleamed beneath the light of the sun and the rest of the horse seemed to glimmer like rippling water. A beautiful creature, you thought.

"Are you sure you do not want to pet the horse, milady?" Petra asked when she noticed your reluctance.

"It's not that I don't want to, I just fear for…" you dropped your hand to your stomach.

She understood. "The horses are calm, far calmer than any horse you may have ridden, I assure you."

You sighed deeply through your nose. There was no excuse to stay away. Bracing yourself, you stepped closer to the horse with an opened hand outstretched so to stroke its face. Petra held the bridle tightly in case the horse was to react negatively, but you assumed the grip was not tight enough when it pulled away and whinnied in distress.

Horses don't take kindly to me.

"Whoa, stand back milady," she urged, alarmed. Her eyes glinted from the unexpected surprise.

"I apologize, I must have come too close too quickly," you said.

Petra shook her head. "No need to apologize. I have never seen them this riled up before. I swear, they are always calm."

I don't suspect you for a liar, Petra, it's just me.

When she was able to calm the creature, she urged you to try to stroke again. You entertained her by not refusing. Although you could smell the fear from the horse, you were able to run your hand down its face. Afterward, she asked if you wanted to ride the horse. You were about to refuse until the look in her pleading eyes brook no argument.

Very demanding, but for a girl to survive this long, she would need to be.

Despite your short size, you were able to climb over the horse. You felt the wind grace your arms when the sleeves slid back. In alarm, you were sure to keep the hood firmly over your nose.

A few minutes later, Petra joined you atop a horse of her own. You trotted about the yard, listening to her go off about her squad. Eventually she sighed from laughter and asked about how you felt about your future with Erwin.

"I cannot be certain, only the goddesses may say," you replied.

"You have the right of that, I hope to make it very far in time my here, perhaps get married like my father has always wanted,"

"Anyone in mind? The blond man with the cravat seems to take to you very well,"

The girl's face flushed, she shook her head adamantly. "Orulo? No, he's such an annoying sot, always tries to take after Levi, no matter what he says."

"So it's Levi you have eyes on?"

"N-no!" Her voice raised an octave, betraying her response.

What can I say? She'd probably fit him better than I could.

The thought was bitter; it made you feel sick to the very core. How could you ever face Levi again after what happened?

But what exactly happened? The event was foggy when you tried to remember, but all you gathered was a headache.

"Milady, I don't wish to pry, but what were you and Erwin fighting about the other night?"

"Um…"

"Apologies! Very bold of me to ask, forgive me… it's just…"

"There's nothing to apologize for, it was just a question. He worries for me due to being reckless is all,"

"I remember seeing marks on your arms, but just when you climbed the horse I saw nothing at all,"

The horse became distressed beneath you at once. It kicked up its hooves, throwing you back before you could gather yourself. You made sure to fall on your side so to mitigate the impact. You heard Petra hop off her horse. Before she could come to you, you checked your arms to realize she was right.

The marks were gone, as though the fire never burnt layers of your skin.

"Are you okay, milady?" Her arms slid behind you, lifting you to sit upright.

"I'm fine, Petra,"

"I need to take you to a doctor, what if the child—oh!" Her face neared the shade of her hair.

"There's no need to worry, it'll be alright," You gently shoved her away, standing on shaky legs. From afar you could see the palfrey stare at you, flicking its tail nervously.

Everything will be alright, surely.

Levi Rivaille

He struggled to stay awake during the meeting. The noblemen who contributed to the funds of the military kept prattling about how their investments amounted to nothing. Erwin, sitting at the head of the finely draped table, assured them otherwise. Honestly, Levi could have cared less about these meetings. They held no value and in fact were the true waste when these men dressed in their intricate garbs had the gall to disrespect them. If only they could see what lay outside, maybe they would have kept their gobs shut.

"We pay for you men to keep us safe, but Maria has fallen and the population is swelling. The Titans are lined up outside Rose, pounding their fists to have us all. Just what are you doing?"

Erwin maintained his composure, giving no hint of the slights they made at him. Levi, on the other hand, grounded his teeth.

"Our numbers are dwindling in terms of manpower, sirs, no one willingly joins the Survey Corps and I must make sure that the plans I make keep my strongest safe. How would you feel if I just went ahead every day to attack and, goddesses forbid, someone like Levi dies?"

The men grumbled amongst themselves, finding nothing to retort to the Commander's reasoning.

Levi flared his nostrils. As if.

But Erwin had the truth of it, as always. He knew what to say, something Levi lacked. If he were to have Erwin's position, he'd lose all support. He wasn't much of a talker, just the muscle.

So instead of making faces at what everyone said, the petite man leaned back in his seat. He let his eyes close briefly as sleep deprivation nagged at him. Occasionally he'd scratched the corners of his eyes so he would keep awake, but the temptation was strong.

The tedium the meeting provided was not the main source of his drowsiness. It was a close second, but not quite enough.

I kept seeing blood splattered on the ground. I heard their cries and it brings me back. She's standing there with a hand over her stomach and despite her best effort to keep her blood from spilling; it still oozes between her fingers.

Remembering the dream unsettled him. There was a knot of air in his stomach and he had no way of appeasing it.

He wasn't quite sure what started the dream, but after seeing Erwin with some woman ailed him. Normally he never cared. Women occasionally followed after him. However, the blond never really paid them much mind. He confided in Levi one time on the subject when they rode their palfreys.

They are warm and sweet, but I'd be cruel if I decided to let them warm my bed. I cannot promise them anything other than potential death.

So why is he towing this one around?

Levi tilted his head to one side, allowing the thought to take space while the meeting continued on.

I really need sleep, he thought, searching out the window to see the blue skies take on a different shade.

He drummed his hands against his thighs to keep himself from sleeping.

Erwin claimed the woman to be an old friend, a first love, but that was the first he heard of it. Then again, Erwin never allowed Levi to know anything, since the beginning. He could understand, if one exposed something as delicate as that, a man can become vulnerable.

But why now?

It hit him suddenly.

Maybe he's using her to make him more sympathetic.

Most of his men still maintained contact with their loved ones, yet no one really saw such sentimentality in the calculating Commander.

It could make an effect for his mortality rate, and it had for some people. One in particular was Petra, a subordinate in his squad. The sight impressed her, making her think of things he normally never bothered with.

I remember she died, or I thought she had... Was that the way of it?

A headache suddenly assaulted him.

The meeting ended far quicker than he had anticipated. He watched everyone stand all at once and amble out the door until they realized they needed to leave one at a time.

Idiots.

The only other person remaining seated was Erwin Smith. He focused on the papers before him, rearranging them in a meticulous manner that could rival Levi's.

It was only until the Commander rose than Levi followed suit. He could hear the gossip down the halls when he allowed his old companion to go before him.

"Is it true about what you said about this Deviant?" Erwin asked once they walked side by side.

"Yes,"

Their last expedition had only been reconnaissance, but what he and his men discovered stood out more than usual.

"You said it demonstrated intelligence?"

"Queer as it is, yes. I would even go as far as thinking it may have recognized what we were."

He watched the line on his lower face bend downward.

"I should have followed after you, but I placed myself farther behind when the other Titans came upon us."

"You'll have a chance to see the thing when we leave in the near future."

"Commander Smith!" a familiar voice shrieked from behind them.

Levi turned to look over his shoulder to find a recruit running.

"What is it you need?" he asked, his voice almost a growl.

The boy stopped short, kneeling over with his hands braced over his knees. Breathing deeply, he explained the situation to the both of them.

"Is she alright?" the Commander asked, a hint of alarm in his voice.

"Petra informed me that she has a limp, but your lady refuses to stay in bed. Petra thinks it best if you attended her."

There was a look the captain had never seen before. He supposed one would see it as concern, but Levi had come to know the man long enough to read what his Commander really thought.

There was an expression of annoyance in his bright blue eyes, but obligation shone in them. This was how he knew his assumptions were correct. Erwin was using this woman. She probably wasn't what he described her to be.

"I'll… see to her now. I'm afraid I can't stay with her for too long, which pains me."

The boy looked relieved. He showed more genuine concern than Erwin.

Levi regarded Erwin when the taller man turned to look down at him. "Will you see that the noblemen are reassured on the way out?"

"As hard as it is to be courteous to such pigs, I'll do my best not to screw it up. See to your lady, Commander, she seems lovely,"

Erwin's thick brows furrowed. "How would you come to think that, Rivaille?"

Something of smirk threatened to move his lips. "Haven't you seen how the cloak compliments her form?"

He left without hearing an answer and felt satisfied to see his Commander's pale face turn a shade of scarlet.

Perhaps the Commander didn't truly care for his lady, but he certainly had a physical attraction.

And for all you have given me, Erwin, the least I can do is pay you a small favor: which is to help this woman out.