"Erwin told me this could work one of two ways, Levi." Hanji struggled to maintain contact with the boredom in her friend's eyes. Levi sat with his legs propped up on her desk, to which she feigned disregard, and his arms crossed tightly about his chest. "Initially, I was just supposed to run a DNA test to see if the boy might have any relation to the royal bloodline. The only way that would happen was if Rachel found an illegitimate child in the castle, or if the child was hers..." She delicately peered over her glasses to see if Levi had an adverse reaction to her proposal. "If that were the case, we could have Mikey formally returned to the castle under Rachel's direct care. On the other hand if he wasn't of royal blood, we would have to lie in order to keep him out of headquarters, which would be easy enough considering how foolish those people can be."
"Go on…" Levi put just enough effort into the words to make them audible. His nightmares had been increasingly troublesome the past few nights and his sleep was suffering. He hated everything about the situation. He knew there was a reason Rachel sent the boy here. She knew the dangers he faced, but took the liberty of sending him to live at Headquarters anyway.
"Now, Commander Erwin said that since there is the probability we would have to lie to the Imperial Family anyway, he thought the DNA test could be avoided altogether, to keep the boy's anonymity."
"What difference does it make?" He didn't try to stop his eyes from rolling as his gaze shifted from her.
"He suggested it to protect you, Levi…" She tried to look for understanding.
"So what? They're married now. Isn't it expected they'd have a kid?" To this, Hanji simply nodded her head slowly left and right as if to say 'that's not what I mean.'
"He's about the right age, Levi… Don't you think the Prince's child would be in better shape?" The implications of her words were beginning to dawn on him. He hadn't even considered the possibility before. He remained silent as his eyes fell and the air in the room grew heavy. After a few minutes, he silently rose to his feet and made his way towards the door. He considered stopping to get the last word in, but decided to save his energy for the actual target of his anger.
…
"That was cowardly of you, Commander." Levi's respect was laced with sarcasm as he leaned against the doorframe. "Using Hanji as a middle man? Does that mean you were afraid of my reaction?" Erwin let out a sigh before continuing.
"I just thought that Hanji would be a bit more… delicate." To this Levi let out an abrupt laugh.
"Shitty glasses is anything but. She's an animal. Although, I guess you're no better… Look blondie, I don't care how many tests you run or lies you come up with. The boy isn't going back to the Inner City… He's either in danger of the titans here or tormented by the greed and ignorance of those fools in the city. At least here, I can protect him… You can play diplomat all you want. I'm bringing her back, with or without your help."
"…Levi, it's late. You haven't slept well in days, and you're being irrational." Commander's words weren't reaching the weary man. Levis pained gaze had fallen to the floor as he struggled to grasp the flurry of emotions he was suffering from.
"When have I ever been rational, Erwin?" Lids fell over the aqua eyes as he considered his response.
"Levi… you've always been introverted, and that makes people think you're impenetrable or invincible… But I know better… Get some rest and I promise I will do whatever I can to help you. Not as your Commander, but as your friend." Levi's eyes had already glazed over to hide his weak spirit.
"Hmph. D'you read that in some gay novel?" Levi smirked before heading down the corridor.
He went out onto the rooftop in order to gather himself. He unknowingly gnawed at his lower lip until he tasted blood. There was no way he could sleep, not now. Not without knowing the truth.
He made a detour to the west wing of the castle on his way to his quarters. He quietly opened the door just enough to peer his head into the boy's room. As he saw the sleeping child, he realized it didn't matter who his parents were. No DNA test could change the unusual bond the two of them shared, and as he gently shut the door, he couldn't prevent the smile from altering his typically weary features.
For the first night in months, Levi slept a dreamless sleep that carried long into the afternoon hours. No one bothered to share the name of the person who snuck into his room that evening to turn off the alarm. And he didn't bother to ask.
AN Thank you guys so much for reading! I'd love to hear any comments or ideas you guys have about directon or characterizaton or anything! Sorry this one took a while.