This chapter I really like, so I hope you do too! Enjoy :)

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Many days had gone by before Erwin could even propose if he could see Eren Jaeger. But in his mind he had been busy with the conversation for days. The things he wanted to ask, things he needed to know. Who was this kid? Where had he come from? That information was clear by now. A survivor of the Shiganshina nightmare. Someone who had seen death up close, much like the Scouting Legion. But on a personal level Erwin had no idea who he was. And that was the most important part. How did the kid feel about mankind? Titans?

But the Military had done its best to keep the Scouting Legion away from Eren. Erwin had not been surprised. They had no interest in the boy and probably just wanted to get rid of the titan-shifter and not even bother with his story. But now that Erwin had taken an interest, they had to as well. It was a constant struggle between the two and Erwin knew Nile was not very fond of him, but this was not about personal things. This was about sentencing a fifteen year old to death.

So Erwin had sent letter after letter to the government, asking for permission to see the boy and finally he had gotten a letter back, telling him it was okay. It had been a struggle, but Erwin needed this conversation. And now it had been all about planning this meeting.

He hadn't even asked Levi if he wanted to join. The corporal had insisted already that he was coming and that Erwin better include him in his plans. He didn't really have a choice and Erwin knew that Levi coming with him could be beneficial. It all depended on if Levi was interested in Eren or not. It could go two ways. Of course they both didn't really trust the boy, even if he had helped them take back Trost. He was still a titan-shifter and didn't have complete control from what they had heard. So either Levi wanted to make sure he could kill Eren before he even thought about shifting or Levi wanted to see what kind of benefit he could get out of this. Because a titan shifter could do a lot for them. It could help them win this war, if that was what you wanted to call it.

Sitting behind his desk, as usual, Erwin was still working on his strategy. On how to approach the boy and get the right answers. But there were too many variables. He had no idea how it was going to happen. If there would be guards, then he wouldn't be able to say everything, afraid the information would be spread towards the wrong crowd.

Someone knocked on the door, disturbing him in the midst of forming a plan. Yes, Erwin was still delusional enough to believe he would come up with a strategy. It was too late already for that. The meeting with Eren was in a few hours and coming up with something in this little time… Normally he would be able to, but this was just… How could he come up with a plan when he didn't fully understand what this all meant?

Without getting permission to enter, this person knowing he wouldn't get it anyway. Erwin wasn't planning on letting anyone in at this point and other soldiers would've known that this wasn't the right time. But this wasn't the case for the short corporal. It had been a miracle he had knocked in the first place. But it was all about feeling the right moment and right now Erwin was busy with something very important and the fact that he wasn't done yet was worrisome on its own.

"You should stop working already. We both know it's better to just see where the situation takes us. You can think on the spot, so stop stressing.' Levi was still standing in the doorway, arms crossed and gaze focused on Erwin.

The commander was still looking down at his desk, but hadn't been reading the papers anymore. He sighed softly as he lifted his head to stare back at Levi. He knew the corporal was right and he could come up with a plan on the spot. As soon as his doubts were gone about the situation, then he could decide on which side to take this. "And what should I be doing these last few hours then?" he questioned the corporal, because if Erwin wasn't working, then he had no idea what he was supposed to do. Erwin had never had any hobbies and if they were there, ultimately they would still revolve around work. Practising his sword skills, horseback riding, training with the troops to stay fit. He lived a sad existence.

Clacking his tongue against the roof of his mouth Levi let Erwin know it was a silly question, but didn't comment on it. Instead he walked over to his desk and leaned both hands on the rough top of the wooden surface. It was no longer smooth, the many scratches of words written on reports, notes, letters, damaging the wood in its process. It showed off how much work Erwin really did, much like his predecessors. Everyone who had once owned this office had been as much of a workaholic as Erwin was, but none were as committed to the job as he was. It was hard to say that Erwin loved his job. Levi expected that Erwin loved the responsibility and the trust people put him in, even if it did came with the downside that he was to blame in the end. The Scouting Legion was hated, but not its soldiers. Only Erwin, only the commander was attacked daily, and still he worked as hard as he could and showed how much he truly cared for the people.

"Well, there is something I want to discuss with you before we go," Levi spoke up and pushed himself of the desk again to take a seat in the chair opposite of Erwin. The commander now expected this would be about his meeting and he would eagerly talk about this. But the lazy stance Levi took on, leaning one leg over the armrest and the rest of his body against the other, showed that this was not going to be a very serious conversation. "Remember how we were able to catch two titans in Trost during the takeover?"

Of course Erwin knew that, but that wasn't the point to Levi asking. It had been a way to make this the subject of their conversation and Erwin wondered why. Had something gone wrong? No, Hanji was the one taking care for everything and if he trusted anyone with titans, it was her. Although she could be more careful sometimes… Still, he nodded at Levi, urging him on to continue.

Shifting a little in his seat, Levi brought a hand to his face and studied his nails for a moment. "You know I am not very fond of titans," he started and Erwin resisted the urge to roll his eyes. That was an understatement and it didn't need to be clarified. It was why Levi was such a good soldier. Of course he possessed some kind of talent as well that was very hard to ignore, but the fact that he wanted to eliminate as many titans as he could made him even stronger. He was referred to as humanity's strongest and it was a name fitting for him. "But I have been bothered several times by Hanji already to come help her out with the studies of her babies. I thought you had made it clear to her that I do not wish to help with her crazy experiments. I understand her job is important, but it is not mine."

Oh, it was about that… Indeed Erwin had a conversation with Hanji, telling her that the corporal did not want to help her out and had no new information for her, but it didn't seem to stick or maybe Hanji just didn't care and wanted Levi's help anyway. Or maybe it had been her way of making small talk, because she loved to talk about the titans. Erwin had been informed on their names, but had forgotten. It wasn't like he really cared about that anyway. Of course Erwin was also very aware of the fact that talking to Hanji about titans was a very annoying thing to do. This was actually a well-known fact and people tended to avoid her when she was on a talking spree again. "I will have another talk with her," he said with a sigh. "But I can't promise you anything. When she starts talking, we are all lost." Even he could not avoid her at those times.

Levi heaved a sigh, leaning his head back and staring at the ceiling. An expected answer, but it still annoyed him. That woman should be locked up in his opinion or at least be kept away from social interactions. She could do that with those beloved titans of hers. "It's futile anyway," he waved off, flicking his hand in his direction. "That woman will never listen to that. She will just act like you never said anything and still talk to me about it. I should probably just find a better hiding place."

"What has your hiding place been so far?" Erwin asked curiously. Levi should be able to find something good. He was trained to do so and if the corporal truly wanted to get away, then he could. But of course he shouldn't underestimate Hanji's intelligence. Or Mike's nose. If she got him involved, then no one was safe.

Holding his hand up Levi flipped one finger up, starting to number his hiding places so far. Apparently there had been more. "Cafeteria, my house, your house, kitchen and since recently your office. She figures out everything and just waits for me outside until I come out. Sometimes even knock excessively until I am forced to open the door and let her in. She causes a lot of disruptions around town."

Erwin wasn't sure how to answer this. His house… So that was why he couldn't find his favourite shoes. Levi must've thrown them out when he couldn't clean them. Closing his eyes, Erwin's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Of course Levi could still easily break into homes without being noticed and without leaving any trace, but the fact that his home was the one under attack didn't sit well. What could the corporal even be doing there? It wasn't like he owned anything interesting…

"I used your bathtub," Levi suddenly spoke up, immediately knowing what was on Erwin's mind. "I don't have one at home and you don't use yours, so see it like I'm doing you a favour. You bought something quite expensive and someone is actually enjoying it. Or should I say was…" Levi ended irritated. "Ever since that woman found out, I haven't had a peaceful bath since. And I actually really enjoyed that fancy shit you bought for it."

His bathtub? Well, it was true that Erwin hadn't used it once and only bought it, because the salesman had held a nice little talk about it. He just didn't really have the time or didn't give himself the time was more like it. He could not waste time in the water while he could be in the office. Usually he just bathed here in the building and then got back to work. He only went home to sleep.

And then suddenly Erwin understood why they had been talking about nonsense like this. Of course Levi had made use of his bathtub, but would not have told him if it hadn't been necessary. So he looked over at the corporal and locked gazes with him for a moment. Both their faces were void of an expression and still they could read the other perfectly. "Thank you," he murmured and it was Levi who eventually broke the eye contact, glancing of to the side.

"You have about two hours left. I suggest you get some lunch, because you need to be fit once we meet with the boy. Can't have your brain failing on us at that point. I will pick you up in about an hour and then we'll make our way to the underground dungeon. I'm sure they will feel the need to give us some kind of lecture on how to behave around titan-boy. As if we're going to provoke him or something," Levi said in a monotone. Pushing himself out of the chair Levi was ready to go again. He had done his deed here and he needed to get ready as well. Raising a hand and waving at Erwin behind him he walked to the door and left. But not before saying, "and you're welcome."

Erwin could only feel very grateful after that. He didn't mind it that Levi had practically ordered him around, because he had needed it. The corporal had emptied his mind and had made sure Erwin had not been thinking about Eren anymore. It had worked perfectly. He felt much more relaxed and was actually ready for his meeting with Eren.

It almost made him smile, almost.