Levi could feel Eren's fear roll off of the poor boy in great waves as the young child trembled and drew closer to Levi as if the older man were his shield. Levi, in response, did nothing for he understood quite well the fear that such a heavily guarded place would exhibit. Eren, in turn, held onto Levi's hand even tighter.

The two had previously been sitting outside of a simple cafe on the outskirts of town when a small group of men in black, sent by Erwin no less, had arrived claiming to be their escorts, and Levi was left with no choice but to follow them blindly with Eren in tow. It was then that the two found themselves walking towards the grand structure of the Smith family estate. In other words, the end of the line.

Eren's fingers curled around Levi's in fear as the heavily stationed bodyguards near the front began closing the wrought iron gates of the large mansion and Levi, without his own consent, unconsciously tightened his fist around Eren's tiny hand as well.

The mansion had long ago seen the best of its days, and Erwin always insisted that the rustic age was what brought along the buildings remarkable beauty, something that Levi apparently had no eye for. In fact, Levi held little interest for such ridiculous things, yet as he stood in front of the large building with all of its looming glory, Levi suddenly began to have second doubts because there was no question in his mind that handing Eren over to Erwin would be the boy's death sentence.

Levi hesitantly glanced down at Eren as the boy continued to grip not only the teddy bear but also Levi's hand with great trust and determination in his eyes. Suddenly, Levi's hand began to burn in pain as he realized that he couldn't just simply leave the child. But he had to. So why did he still insist in his head that the answer is no?

Eren, noticing Levi's hesitation to continue following their strange guides in black suits, turned to Levi with a confused look.

"Are you scared?" he asked with a slight tilt of his head.

Levi said nothing in response as he continued to ponder over his sudden fear of bringing a child, this child, to his employer. Eren, however, took this as a yes.

"It's okay," the boy said confidently with a large grin in his eyes as he tried to, and failed absurdly, to cover his own fear. "I'm here so everything's fine."

Levi's face morphed angrily into a scowl because there was no way he would allow a child to protect him. He most certainly did not and would never need a brat's assistance, and yet, he worried. Not for himself, but for Eren. Who would protect him? For all the world knows the child most certainly needed it.

000

Erwin was standing over a large mahogany desk. His fingers lightly skimming over the many pages scattered across the stained wood of the table. His eyes staring intently at each page with intense concentration.

"Boss, the visitors are here," the guard said with a simple bow of his head.

Erwin didn't even look up from his work as he waved his hand nonchalantly in acknowledgment and quickly sent the guard away with a mere flick of his wrist. The guard then left the room in utter silence. Levi thus remained in the middle of the large round room with Eren right behind him. The only source of light being the sun streaming through the large window behind Erwin's desk. Two guards stood by at the only exit with their eyes covered through their thick, black shades. Arms folded neatly with hands curled behind their backs in what should have been considered a non-threatening gesture if it wasn't for the guns hidden within their holsters.

Erwin, however, still took little notice of his sudden intruders until Levi let out an annoyed cough and Erwin was then forced to look up with a somewhat apologetic face.

"So sorry to make you wait!" he greeted happily in a loud voice although his face obviously showed his lack of care. "So glad you could make it."

Levi frowned but nonetheless grabbed Eren from behind him and shoved the kid, rather harshly, towards the tall man who completely towered over the eight year old child. Eren let out a single squeak of surprise as Erwin stared at the boy intently, yet Eren's face continued to hold determination as he forced himself to hide his growing anxiety from the threatening presence that Erwin gave off.

"This is what you wanted, right? I still don't see what you can get out of him. It seems to me that the boy is just average and the poison doesn't seem to be doing anything to him at all," Levi sated calmly as Eren looked back at him in surprise and confusion.

Erwin glanced at the young boy one last time before turning to Levi with a slight quirk of his lips. "I must say, it almost sounds like your defending the boy."

Levi frowned in annoyance before letting out any angry huff of exasperation before speaking in an urgent tone. "I brought the child now give me the money." Before I change my mind Levi thought quietly.

Erwin let out a slightly amused laugh before snapping his fingers which immediately caused the two guards at the front door to snap into action. The two men had then grabbed one of Eren's arms and restrained the boy as he suddenly began to kick and cry out in surprise.

"What? What's going on?" Eren shouted in fear with his eyes wildly searching Levi's for an answer that the latter could not provide. Levi could only stare downward as he couldn't bear the thought of looking into the child's eyes. Not when they held so much trust.

"Levi?!" Eren yelled while trying to jerk away from the oncoming attackers and towards Levi in a desperate attempt to reach him. This, however, made Erwin laugh hysterically as the older man stepped towards Levi in a mocking manner. "Don't tell me the child has grown fond of you?" he chuckled out before letting out a slight frown. "No matter, we just need some samples. Perhaps when were done with him I can send the body back to you."

Levi's jaws locked in anger while his whole body tensed. Eren, however, suddenly began to realize the intense situation as he began to struggle even harder and turned to Levi was an intense gaze although his eyes were beginning to fill with tears.

"Levi!" he shouted in desperation almost angrily. "You promised you would bring me home!"

Levi refused to allow himself to flinch and continued to stare into Eren's eyes as tears streamed down the younger boy's face.

"Please," he chocked out desperately. "I want to see Mom and Dad."

Levi's whole body went rigid and against his will, tried to reach out towards the brat. Erwin was currently ignoring the small child and in turn had reached behind his desk to pull out an envelope which no doubt held thousands of dollars. He then turned to Levi with a small smirk before speaking, "Now I did say the money could be compromised."

However, even as Erwin spoke, Levi was not listening. His eyes continued to stare intently at Eren's until the boy could no longer hold the gaze and let his tear streaked face fall downward where it thumped his chest in defeat. It was only then that Levi turned to Erwin and acknowledged him.

Levi then quickly reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple, black pistol before turning the device towards Erwin's head.

"I change my mind. The deal's off."