"I want my father!" Erwin's outburst startled both adults. And before either of them could stop him, he ran from the room and vanished down the corridor. They later found him hiding in Hanji's lab (which was dangerous) and managed to coax him out to safety with a bowl of rice, roast chicken with bamboo strips. Now, the trio were back in Erwin's office. Erwin being in the bedroom section while Levi and Hanji fought in the across the desk.
"He's young," Hanji begged Levi to try and understand.
"He's also our commander," Levi smoothly countered.
"Not now," Hanji growled. "Right this instant and until he returns to normal he's in no shape to lead."
"Um hellooooo! The court? The King?"
"They're busy-"
Levi prided himself on being uncaring. Being detached enough to be an avid listener but not care much beyond that. But with Hanji's logic driving him up the wall he was this close to curb stomping her. "They want answers for the sudden disappearance of their kicking-bag."
Hanji's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "We could... keep him hidden?"
"You have ANY IDEA HOW THAT WILL LOOK IN COURT?" Levi exploded. "They'll hang every last one of us right before they kill Erwin. He's vulnerable, he's live bait in a sea of sharks that won't hesitate to tear him to literal pieces. Everything we've fought for... all this effort of trying to keep humanity alive will be for nothing because of YOUR STUPID EXPERIMENTS. THIS IS YOUR FAULT."
"...Levi..." Hanji whimpered.
"SHUT UP." Levi watched Hanji wither. He doesn't want to hurt her, but he needs her to stop daydreaming and buckle down. "We have one week, Zoe."
She gasped at the use of her first name. "I u-understand."
"Do you?"
"Yes Mr Ackerman, I understand. I'll try-"
"Don't try," Levi spat. "Do it." He threw the stack of Erwin's medical files on the desk, and was about to storm out when Erwin entered.
"W-wait!" Erwin called. Levi halted, but didn't turn around. "M-maybe... I was thinking-"
"Spit it out already!"
"Levi be patient."
"Zoe Hanji-"
"YOU COULD ADOPT ME," Erwin blurted. Levi's fist loosened a tad as he regarded the walking zit before him. Hanji's eyes were wide. "You could adopt me. I'm still a minor, and if you were my parents I'll be charged with softer consequences right?"
"I..." Hanji's eyes flickered to Levi and back. "I don't know? It could... work?"
"At least until a cure is found," Erwin supplied a hastily drawn up adoption form with three lines for signatures on the bottom. "Please, Levi?"
Levi's anger deflated. "Fine, but that doesn't mean you get to call me dad."
Erwin and Hanji grinned. "Yes sir!"