Who Put Those Two In Charge of Children?!
By Rubadub
Chapter 1: In Which Mikasa takes the plot by the throat
Eren gave a low whistle.
The build before him sparkled. Pale rose brick glittered in the full morning light, and there wasn't even a hint of a smudge on those green-tinted windows. Even the walkway looked unusually clean - Eren's sharp green eyes couldn't locate a single unwanted speck. Given how the lawn was manicured with military precision, there should have been at least a stray blade of grass.
Was this right place? Eren rechecked the slip of paper that held the address.
Survey Day Care Center
Wing Park Way 100
Eren laughed. So this was how the rich lived. Even a holding cell for screaming, snotty children was so classed up it looked like a salon.
"Eren?" Mikasa tugged at his hand, peering up at him with solemn dark eyes. Her expression was blank, but he felt the tightness of her grip. He kneeled down and readjusted the crimson scarf around her face.
"Don't worry, Mikasa," he soothed the five-year-old. "Dad knew someone here, so he'll get us a job. We'll be alright."
His little sister nodded, and bowed her head. His little worrywart. He scooped her in his arms, delighting in the muted squeak of displeasure, and strode into the center with long, sure steps. A cheery little jingle played when he entered.
"Welcome to the Trost Day Care Center. How may I help you today?" a young woman from behind a counter to his right. She brushed back her short strawberry-red bangs and gave him a pleasant smile.
Eren didn't hear her. "Is this really a day care center?" he muttered as he squinted against the gleam of the marbled floors. Whomever waxed these floors must be very motivated...guiltily, Eren glanced back at the black streaks he'd left at the entryway.
The young woman laughed. Eren whipped around, his cheeks reddening. "Uh, sorry. I was surprised by...by the…"
"It's a common reaction. Our manager has strict standards for cleanliness, as children tend to get sick very often."
"Makes sense."
"I'm Petra Ral, by the way," she said. "Are you here to enroll your...daughter?"
Eren shook his head with a chuckle. "Ah, no. Mikasa is my little sister. My name is Eren Jaeger." He stepped forward and shook the receptionist's hand. "I'm actually here because of Hange Zoe's instructions...my parents recently passed away and I just turned eighteen. Hange is a colleague of my father's."
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Eren" Petra said with genuine sympathy. Eren managed a grimace of thanks. It was better than the blank condolences he usually received. "And you want to keep your little sister with you that's why you are here."
"Yeah." Eren looked down and squeezed Mikasa's hand.
With the whirlwind of family affairs to settle after the ill-fated car crash, Eren hadn't had to time to let it sink it. It remained a numb, cumbersome mass in his chest, unwieldy, but also not directly impeding his ability to function. Eren preferred to keep it that way for now, at least until everything was settled. He'll have time to cry later.
"Professor Zoe was correct - we've been expecting you. She called our director a few days ago and he gave the okay to find you something here. Unfortunately, the director isn't in right now, but Levi can take care of you and get you settled in. Follow me."
Petra stepped out from behind the counter and led them down a long hallway. Just when Eren was beginning to suspect that she was leading them in circles past the same three rooms, Petra halted and knocked on an unlabeled door.
"Levi?"
"Come in," was the faint reply. Petra obeyed, twisting the handle and gestured for them to file in after her.
A man with small, fine features frowned at them from behind his desk. Hooded eyes seared into Eren, and the boy found himself resisting the urge to look away. But Eren was always one for a challenge, and he met the pale glare with one of his own.
"Who the hell are these brats?"
"Eren Jaeger and his little sister, Mikasa," Petra said calmly. As if Levi hadn't just cursed in front of a child. "I'll see you later." She closed the door behind her when she exited. Eren debated running after her.
"Shitty glasses' brats, huh?" Levi stood and and walked until he was only a few steps from them. Eren gaped at him even as he tried to cover Mikasa's ears. One, this...imbecile had a potty mouth.
Two, he was clearly making up for a complex of some sort because he was really short. Like potentially legally recognized midget kind of short.
Three, somehow, Levi's miniature size made him every more terrifying. Smaller meant harder to keep track of off should he decide to go for the throat.
"Shut your mouth, Jaeger. I can smell your disgusting breath from here. If we're going to allow you to stay here, you'll need to brush your teeth regularly."
Eren shut his mouth with a click of teeth. "I brush," he gritted out.
Before Levi could reply, Mikasa approached him and tugged at his pant leg. She gave him a displeased look. "Mean shorty. Eren's not stinky."
Levi ignored her insult and looked expectantly at Eren. One fine brow lifted, as if to say well, aren't you going to retrieve your brat? Normally, Eren had a problem of having too much to say and not enough of a filter, but his tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth under the narrow, steely gaze of the older man.
He managed a glare at Levi as he picked up Mikasa. The short man was unimpressed.
"Tch. We have dorms down the street for the caretakers here. You'll be working on the lowest level salary for now until you learn not to drop all the babies like eggs."
"I don't dr-" Eren muttered, but Levi took a long step forward, forcing Eren scrambling backwards. His back hit the door with a dull thud.
"I'm not finished," Levi hissed. Even though his head barely cleared Eren's chin, his presence seemed to loom over them. Eren clutched Mikasa closer to his chest as Levi leaned forward. "We don't have the budget for the janitors to pick up after dirty, shitty brats so you will keep your room clean - that means dusting and vacuuming, and I will be checking. Furthermore -"
Levi broke off with a choking sound when Mikasa reach out and grabbed a fistful of his cravat. Eren stared in horror as she gave it a vicious tug, enough to unravel it and pull Levi forward. Levi was forced to catch himself by putting both hands on Eren's chest. The excess weight was too much (and Levi was much heavier than he appeared) and the three of them toppled to the ground, with Eren at the bottom of a very strange, angry dogpile.
Eren groaned, his ribs protested. He still clutched Mikasa in one arm, but at some point, he had automatically thrown an arm around Levi's waist. Levi shifted, and Eren's physical awareness moved lower. One muscled thigh slid between his legs and 'down boy' this is so wrong because he was still holding his little sister.
"Mean shorty," Mikasa grumbled, still refusing to release Levi's cravat. Eren silently thanked her for her diversion. He would simply die if Levi noticed the uncomfortable tightness of his pants.
Levi extracted himself from Eren's hold and jerked his cravat out of Mikasa's hand. Shadows fell over his eyes, making his eyes more piercing.
"Get. Out."
Eren did not need to be told twice.