"Name's Levi Ackerman, one room for one night only."

The receptionist smiled at him as she passed him his room key, and said something about newspapers, or whether he'd like croissants in the morning.

But Levi wasn't really listening. He was tired as hell, and right now all he wanted was to go to sleep. Unfortunately, his boss had other ideas.

"Is that all you will be needing?"

"Yeah, that's fine. Thanks."

"Have a nice night then."

"You too."

His bags fell to the floor with a soft thump as he flicked on the light. Levi stared at the room in distaste. Damn you, Erwin. I'd rather have paid for my own room than have to sleep for one night in this cupboard.

Sighing, he sat down on the tiny bed, which creaked in protest, and turned on the TV. Then he turned it off. It was all in French, of course. Despite spending most of his childhood in France, Levi had moved to England when he was around 13, so by now, at age 23, he was far from fluent.

Since, he had nothing better to do, Levi decided to go and find Erwin. Maybe, if he complained enough, Erwin would get him a bigger room. On the other hand, Erwin was known for his stinginess, and was in fact more than likely to ask Levi if he'd rather double up and sleep on the floor of his room. Forget that, then.

The lights in the hallway buzzed eerily as Levi headed down to the bar, the place he was almost certain Erwin would be.

Loud voices and the sound of drinks clinking on wooden stools was what guided Levi to the bar. Just as well they had. Any signs were all in French.

"I'm too damn tired for this." Levi grumbled as he entered the bar, and the sound of yelling and the bleeping of arcade games assaulted his ears.

"Levi!" A broad hand was clapped on his shoulder, and Levi turned to see Erwin, smiling at him, a pint of beer in the hand that wasn't currently on his shoulder.

"Erwin." He brushed Erwin's hand off his shoulder, and glared at him. "Nice of you to call me out here. Couldn't handle it by yourself?"

Erwin laughed loudly before replying. Drunk, probably. "Well, you know how it is. Besides"- Erwin leaned forward, sounding more serious, "You've not got anything better to do, have you? I heard about what happened. Are you okay?"

"I'm great, just brilliant. I love being called out to the middle of nowhere to help you run your own damn business." Levi wasn't usually one for sarcasm, but tonight, tonight, he was pissed, and he was going to direct that to Erwin.

"Tired, are we?" Erwin, to his disappointment, sounded amused.

"I'm going to buy a drink."

"One more for me while you're at it?" Erwin called, gesturing to his empty glass. "Thought I'd make the most of it. Don't get stuff like this back in England!"

Definitely drunk.

The bar itself was surprisingly empty, with only two girls managing it.

Levi took a seat, and one of them; the younger, glanced up at him before wiping her hands on her messy apron, and jogging over to where he sat.

She grinned widely. "What can I get for you? Beer? Wine? Or is it food you're after?" She said all this in a rush, her messy pigtails bouncing up and down with each word.

"Just a beer, thanks."

"Yessir, comin' right up!" Levi was intrigued by her accent. Irish maybe? Not French, that was for certain.

He was interrupted from his thoughts as he was hit, squarely in the face, with a jet of ice-cold, high quality, French beer.

Levi inhaled sharply, and looked up towards the perpetrator, who was drenched herself, and holding the beer pump, which so happened to be aimed directly at him.

The bar went silent, as people turned away from their drinks to stare at them. Well, at Levi.

Levi could practically feel Erwin's stare boring into the back of his head. This is your fault, Levi mentally accused.

"Isabel! Again?" A voice called over the crowd now surrounding them, tinged with frustration.

Levi looked over, and felt his pupils dilate. Pushing through the crowd, the second barrister was hurrying over, strands of red hair about her face as she proceeded to examine the mess caused by 'Isabel.'

"I'm sorry! It was an accident, I-" Isabel rambled, her face flushed in shame.

The older girl sighed, and turned to face Levi, an apologetic smile on her face. "I'm so sorry about this. If you like, I could give you some clothes? Then you won't have to go back up to your room in wet clothing?"

"Y-yeah." Levi very nearly clapped a hand over his mouth. He stuttered? He never stuttered! He looked back to the girl, who had cocked her head, and was looking at him quizzically, the same smile on her face.

"Follow me then." She swung open the bar door for him, smiling brightly, hazel eyes big and soft and warm.

"I have some clothes in the back you can use. They might be a little big, but they'll do for now, I hope!' She laughed, and Levi couldn't tear his eyes away.

She then proceeded to head into the back, and exited into a small apartment via the kitchens, closely followed by an anxious Isabel, and a tired, sodden Levi.

The hazel-eyed girl halted suddenly, and turned round to face him, looking slightly embarrassed. "My name's Petra, by the way. And this girl here is Isabel, in case you didn't already realise."

Isabel smiled weakly.

"Levi Ackerman. Nice to meet you."

Petra grinned. "Nice to meet you too. I'd shake your hand, but I think that can wait until you've dried off a bit."

"That'd probably be for the best, yes."

Flushing slightly, Petra gestured for him to enter first.

"This way then, Mr Ackerman." She stood back to let him past, and in the spilt-second of intimacy in the narrow doorframe, Levi could only think one thing.

You know what? Maybe he should thank Erwin instead.

A/N

This was originally going to be a oneshot, but it went funny and now I feel the need to make it multi-chaptered.

I included Izzy in this because I love her and she needs more attention.

Err, also my knowledge of France is limited, so if the way people act/the hotel setting seems a bit weird, just imagine it's set somewhere else ^_^