Aubrey tried to stand from her seat, but, before she could make any real progress, Levi's arm tightened around her waist, holding her in place. He obviously didn't want her moving more than an inch away from him right now.

Aubrey's brows furrowed. She knew he was worried and she knew that he was right to be worried… but she still had to do this. In fact, she wanted to do this. It was childish, but she had an aching desire to prove to her father that leaving him hadn't made her forget anything or made her weaker. If anything, she was stronger. So, any test he threw at her, including playing the piano, would be aced and thrown in his face. It was petty. But Aubrey didn't really care.

So, she took a risk and let her eyes leave her father for just a moment as she turned to Levi. His eyes were staring straight ahead, still glaring at her father and making him look like he was ready to throw a knife at his head as soon as the opportunity presented itself. At this rate, he'd never let her go. But Aubrey would just have to hope that a few reassuring whispers would make him ease up a little.

She leaned closer to him, her mouth hovering near his ear as she spoke quietly enough that only he would be able to hear.

"It's alright, Levi. I'll be okay. He's not going to hurt me. I promise, Levi. I promise."

Aubrey felt his arm tighten even further around her waist and she knew he wasn't quite convinced yet. She'd have to keep trying. She raised a hand to his chest again and continued to whisper.

"You'll be right next to me, Levi. Come on. You know we have to go along with him right now. It's alright. We'll be okay. I'll be okay."

Aubrey suddenly saw his brows twitch and then, just a few seconds later, his arm loosed around her and fell away only to immediately lace his fingers with hers.

Aubrey didn't mind that one bit. She still wanted him as close as possible. Even if she was the one insisting that she go… she still needed him.

So, slowly, she stood and let out a tiny exhale when Levi stood next to her, squeezing her hand a little more tightly as he continued to glare at her father… who now had an expression somewhere between bitterness and anger. But it was gone in a flash.

Suddenly, all traces of prior annoyance were replaced with the smirk that Aubrey had already come to hate. The fact that he looked so smug made her clench her jaw.

"Shall we?"

Her father gestured toward the piano and Aubrey narrowed her eyes at him before shooting a glance at Hange. It was a silent order to tell them to stay where they were. Hange could watch their backs while Aubrey played.

Hange gave a subtle nod when they realized what Aubrey wanted and then Aubrey turned her eyes forward. And walked toward the piano.

She tugged Levi around the edge of the seating area, being sure to keep a safe distance from her father, and then walked closer to the piano. Her heels clacked lightly on the wooden floors and Levi stayed as close to her as ever, squeezing her hand until the very second she decided to let go. Which, unfortunately for him, was only a moment later.

As they finally approached the piano, Aubrey stopped in front of the bench, giving Levi one last comforting look before unlocking their fingers. She could feel that he didn't want to let her go, but he would have to. He could stand an inch away from her while she played, but she'd still need both hands.

So, even as his brows remained furrowed in concentration and worry, Aubrey turned her attention to the piano bench. Carefully, she reached out, tugging lightly on the edge of the seat. It lifted and Aubrey's eyes landed on all of the neat and organized stacks of sheet music within.

For just a second, she paused. It had been so long since she'd played. And while she still felt like she could play, she knew she probably wasn't anywhere near as polished as when she'd left her father. And… he would notice. He noticed everything. A single wrong note used to result in a slap on the wrist hard enough to leave a bruise and a command to start at the beginning and go again. Her father would notice if she messed up. And that thought sent waves of anger throughout Aubrey's entire body.

But, even if she knew she probably wasn't perfect anymore, she still had to do this. Both for her father… and herself.

So, with a steady hand, Aubrey reached inside the bench and pulled out a stack of sheet music. She started flipping through the pages, reading familiar titles that she'd practically memorized as a child. But it was her father who'd asked her to play, so he could be the one to decide what she played.

"What would you like to hear?"

Aubrey watched as her father appeared in her peripheral vision, leaning against the side of the piano as another smirk covered his lips.

"How about… Nocturne in E-Flat…"

Aubrey let out a humorless laugh as she continued to flip through the sheet music, now with a title in mind. A title that she'd heard and seen many times before. Of course he would pick that piece… it was one of his favorites. And it was one of the hardest pieces he'd ever had her play.

"Your favorite."

Aubrey continued to flip through the titles, one after another, looking for the piece he'd requested.

"It was your mother's favorite."

Aubrey's fingers froze and her eyes widened immediately. She felt her heart start beating a tiny bit faster and suddenly Levi's hand was on her waist. He knew that her mother was a sensitive topic and he also must have seen her reaction.

Aubrey was grateful for his touch. If her father was trying to jar her, he was doing a good job. She hadn't been expecting that… especially after she'd played this very song for years and he'd always failed to mention that little detail.

"You've never told me that before."

Aubrey turned to look at her father, trying her hardest to keep a neutral expression even as she was reeling on the inside.

Her father only shrugged, the smirk on his lips never fading.

"You never asked."

Aubrey narrowed her eyes at him. More like he never cared to tell her.

But she let it go. She couldn't afford to be flustered right now. She had to play.

Aubrey turned her attention back to the stack of sheet music in her hands, flicking through the pages as she scanned the titles. She was going to find the damn piece of music and sit down and play it perfectly. It didn't matter if she hadn't practiced in years… she was going to play it perfectly.

And then she found it. Her fingers stilled as she stared at the title she'd seen so many times. Her father had forced her to play this piece so many times that she was sure she'd never forget a single note. And right now, that was certainly playing to her advantage.

Aubrey pulled the music out of the pile before placing the rest of the stack back inside the piano bench. She was going to do this… perfectly.

She placed the music on the music rack and settled it so that it wouldn't fall as she was playing… and then she took her seat.

For a moment, Aubrey only stared at the keys, refamiliarizing herself with what felt like to sit at a piano. She hadn't done it in so long… and yet it was oddly comforting to be sitting here again. She had never liked her father's lessons… but she'd always liked the piano. There was something so soothing about being able to lose herself when playing. Something comforting about knowing a piece so well that she no longer had to worry about the notes and could solely focus on playing.

And, today, she was simply going to play. This was not going to be a lesson. And she was going to make that abundantly clear.

Aubrey turned to her father, glaring at him as she spoke.

"Know that if you so much as touch my hands if I miss a note… I'll hit you so hard you won't be able to get back up… If Levi doesn't kill you first, that is."

There was a beat of silence as Aubrey stared at him and he stared back. His smirk stayed put, but Aubrey saw his eyes flash cold for a second. And then he laughed.

"I asked you to play. I'm not giving you a lesson."

Aubrey glared at him for a few moments longer, making sure that what he was saying was true. Levi must have been doing the same because she felt his arm tighten around her waist, pulling her closer and sending a silent warning to her father.

But nobody said anything more. So, Aubrey spoke up.

"Good."

She turned her eyes to Levi, seeing that he was still glaring at her father. She expected he'd be glaring for the entirety of the time her father was in sight. But… she didn't really mind. Her father deserved much more than a glare.

Aubrey brought her hand to Levi's where it was resting on her waist. She gave him a steady glance and squeezed his fingers in hers. He had to let go of her now.

She watched as he hesitated for a moment, his eyes flashing through phases of anger, worry, and panic. But, eventually, he let her go… and Aubrey took her seat.

Her eyes fell on the keys of the piano once again and she was amazed by how the sight could feel so familiar and so foreign at the same time. But she'd have to push that foreign feeling to the side for now. It was time to play.

Aubrey raised her fingers to the keys, looking at the music to see what position she needed to start in. She remembered this particular piece extremely well, so it only took a second to find the right notes.

She stared at the sheet music for just a few more moments, looking ahead at the notes to come, and then… she began to play.

When the first note sounded through the air, Aubrey had to work to keep going. Just the sound of the piano was taking her through memories she'd long since buried. Some good, most bad. But, for the first time in a long time, she allowed herself to actually remember. Instead of ignoring her past and pushing it away… she thought about it. And, as the song continued, she only remembered more.

But that didn't mean she wasn't conscious of her surroundings. Her father was still on her left, leaning against the side of the piano. Levi was still on her right, his body nearly pressed up against her back. A part of her wished she could see his face, just to know his reaction. She'd never played for him before. Only because she'd never had the opportunity. But she could imagine that seeing her sit down and play such a complex piece without any hesitation… was a bit shocking. Even for him.

And it was.

Levi's glare had faltered and he struggled to keep his eyes on her father and not on Aubrey. Out of the corner of his eyes he could see the way her fingers were flitting across the entire expanse of the keys. And the music… it was astounding. She didn't even look like she was struggling. He could neither hear nor see any pauses in her performance and… it took his breath away. He'd always known she could play the piano, but he'd never known she could play the piano like this. It was beautiful. The way the notes seemed to effortlessly fill the air, every single one perfectly timed and played… he could hardly believe she'd had this skill for so long and never made an effort to show him. And, despite their dangerous and desperate situation, he made a silent promise to buy her a piano for the cabin if she wanted one. He didn't care how expensive it was. If she would play like this for him every day, and she wanted to play like this for him every day, he'd buy her the most expensive piano there was.

Aubrey kept her eyes on the music… but she soon found that she didn't really need it. Her fingers were moving on their own as muscle memory took over. She didn't need to read the music and she didn't need to look at the keys. She was playing perfectly without even thinking about it.

She raised her eyes to her father. He was watching her carefully, his eyes flitting from her hands to her face, but settling on her face when he saw her staring at him. A smile came to his lips and it sent a jolt on anger and frustration through Aubrey's body. She knew that look. He was proud. But not of her. He was proud of himself. He was proud that he'd managed to drill this piece into her so deep that she couldn't possibly forget, even if she hadn't touched a piano in fifteen years. It made her insides twist. But she pushed it down. Now that she'd found out she didn't need to think about playing… her mind was free to think of questions. And she had plenty. But she'd save them for a moment. It would be hard to speak over the piano. Especially since the song was now coming to an end with a crescendo.

Aubrey turned her eyes back to the keys. She couldn't bear to look at the proud expression on her father's face for a second longer.

So, as the song entered its final measures, Aubrey kept her attention on the piano and made sure to finish without a single mistake. She did.

As the final note rang through the air, she finally leaned back and turned to her father again. He still had the proud look on his face and she had to stop herself from grimacing at him. Somehow, she was successful and she just raised a brow as she asked her first question.

"Well?"

Her father stared at her for just a second longer and then he hummed lightly before answering.

"It wasn't horrible, but your tempo was too slow and you were still a half-beat off in measure 65. You never could get that right."

Aubrey fought the urge to either roll her eyes or slap him. She did neither. Instead, she just scoffed.

"The tempo is a matter of opinion and as for the half-beat… I suppose you're right. I never could get it right. But maybe I would have gotten it right if you'd actually let me practice rather than bruising my hands."

Her father had the now expected reaction and smirked.

"Maybe if you'd gotten that measure right, I wouldn't have bruised your hands. You'd think you'd learn after a couple dozen hits."

Aubrey felt Levi's hand on her waist again and without even looking at his face she knew that he was probably angry enough to kill. Just the mention of her being hit would be enough to make his blood boil with rage. But she couldn't let him lose control. There was still so much more that she needed to know.

So, she kept calm and stood. Levi's arm wrapped her instantly and she grabbed the sheet music from the music shelf before carefully placing it back inside the piano bench. Levi pulled her close as soon as she was done and Aubrey gave him just one look.

There was still a bit of shock on his face, probably lingering from when she'd been playing, but there was mostly anger. And he was still glaring.

Aubrey found his hand with hers and gently squeezed. She knew the gentle touches she'd been giving him weren't nearly enough to calm him down, but that was all she could do for now.

So, reluctantly, she turned back to her father, raising a brow when her eyes met his. He'd gotten to hear her play… but she was sure there was more he'd want to see from her.

"So… you've confirmed I still speak our language, you've heard me play… what next, Father?

Aubrey watched him carefully, waiting to hear what skill he would test next, what criticism he'd try to damage her with. Whatever it was, she'd show him that leaving him was the best choice she'd ever made and that she'd only grown stronger.

But, her eyes widened when her father's hand came to rest on the handle of the blade at his hip. And he spoke.

"Let's see how rusty your combat skills are…"

Aubrey was sure she'd only ever seen Levi move so fast on the battlefield. Suddenly, she found herself behind him, his body crouched and his feet spread as his hands rested on the handles of his gear.

"Draw that blade and I'll kill you."

For a moment, Aubrey was too shocked to even speak. All she could do was stare over Levi's shoulder. Her father was eyeing him, yet he didn't look even slightly worried. He should've been. But, before Aubrey could find her voice to tell him that, he spoke.

"You'd kill your father-in-law?" His voice was slightly amused and eerily calm.

Levi didn't hesitate to respond, though.

"Without hesitation."

Aubrey's eyes widened even further. It wasn't that she'd expected Levi to say anything else, it was just that… she was convinced he'd actually do it if her father so much as moved another inch. And even her father didn't stand a chance against Levi. He truly was 'Humanity's Strongest Soldier'.

So, Aubrey knew she had to ask fast.

"I'm not going to fight you, Father." Aubrey waited, but neither he nor Levi moved. They simply continued to stare each other down, their eyes flashing and bodies tensing. "So, you can take your hand off that knife. He's not joking, Father. And, I hate to hurt your pride, but his reputation isn't false."

There were several more seconds of silence and both Levi and her father continued to stare each other down, neither of them moving. Aubrey was starting to panic. Her words didn't seem to be diffusing the situation at all. So, she'd have to do more.

But, just as she was going to step forward, her father relaxed, his hand falling away from the handle of his knife. Instead, he crossed his arms over his chest. Levi didn't relax one bit, but Aubrey knew the worst was over. Her father wasn't going to fight her physically, but she had a feeling he wasn't done hurting her with words. She was right.

Aubrey saw Levi tense even more, if that was even possible, and her father raised his eyes to meet hers as he spoke.

"Fine, we won't fight." Aubrey let out a tiny breath and saw Levi shift slightly. But her father wasn't done yet. "But, tell me, will you not fight me because you're out of practice, because your overprotective husband won't let you lift a finger, or because you're injured?"

Aubrey couldn't help the way her eyes widened. The first two options were somewhat reasonable, but… injured?

She felt Levi move back, pressing into her lightly as his wariness grew again. How did her father know she was injured?

But, Aubrey never got the chance to ask. Her father answered before she could even get the words out.

"Based on your reaction, I'd guess it's the latter." Aubrey could only continue to stare at him. But, once again, he spoke before she could find the will to ask any kind of question. "These two have straps and gear on. You don't." She watched as her father gestured to both Levi and Hange. "I assume that you know coming here without your most used weapon as a soldier is a bad decision. So, I think I can assume that there's no way you could use your gear even if you wanted to, which leads me to believe that you're injured in some way."

There was silence for a few long moments. Aubrey couldn't believe he'd come to such a solid conclusion simply from her absence of gear. But her father had even more reasoning.

"And, unless your husband has absolutely no faith in your skills at all, I can't imagine that he's this aggressive all the time. You're weak and hurt, which means you're in need of protection. And he's certainly providing it."

Aubrey watched as her father's eyes shifted back to Levi for just a second, narrowing as he scanned his hostile stance. Levi had yet to even stand straight or take his hands away from the handles of his gear. He wasn't letting his guard down one bit.

"So… am I right?"

His eyes snapped back to Aubrey's and she felt like she could hardly breathe. He'd analyzed them so quickly. He'd probably suspected her injury after looking at her for only a few seconds. And that thought… was disturbing. He was truly a dangerous man… in more ways than one.

Aubrey continued to stare at him, but she knew she needed to answer him. If she didn't he'd just move closer and Levi would get antsy. Maybe even more than antsy.

So, somehow, Aubrey found her voice.

"Yes, Father. You are correct. But don't think that I still couldn't throw you across the room. I can assure you that I'm perfectly capable of fighting through the pain and I'm certainly not rusty."

His eyebrows raised ever so slightly, a look of amusement and satisfaction spreading over his features.

"You've kept up with your practice then, hm?"

Aubrey saw the expression on his face and she couldn't help herself. She smirked. She didn't think about the consequences, she only knew that she had an opportunity to get under his skin. And the opportunity was so rare that she simply couldn't pass it up.

"Actually, I've more than kept up with my practice. In fact, I spent all of those 'useless years' in that castle not only practicing, but teaching."

Aubrey saw the shift instantly. His eyes went hard and the smirk fell away from his lips. Her blood ran cold and suddenly she was reaching for Levi, her arms pulling him back and away. She was afraid of what her father might do next. If it was aggressive in any way, there was no doubt in her mind that Levi would have his blades drawn in the blink of an eye.

She was slightly surprised when Levi moved with her, though she figured he probably had his own goals in mind. Moving her away from her father was safer… for the most part.

But, her father made no movement. All he did was glare at her, his eyes glazed over as his hand gripped the wood of the piano… and he spat at her.

"What did you just say?"

Aubrey's backward movement finally came to halt when her back hit the wall. Her suspicions about Levi having had his own goals were confirmed when he pressed her up against the wood with his own back, keeping her restrained from any irrational action while still being able to keep an eye on her father.

But she didn't really have much time to fight back against Levi's decision. She had to respond to her father.

She wiggled her way to the side, moving more to Levi's side than directly behind him. She could tell he wasn't all too happy about that, but he'd have to deal with it.

Aubrey stared back at her father, trying her best to match his cold glare. She was sure she didn't look nearly as menacing as he did… but she would try.

"You heard me, Father. I was teaching them."

There was barely even a second before her father answered, his voice raising and his hand gripping the piano so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"You taught the family style to those useless little soldiers?"

Aubrey had the sudden urge to rush forward and knock him across the room. How dare he call them useless. They were her friends, and some of them were her family.

But she didn't run at him. She kept her feet planted to the ground and spat back at him.

"Every. Single. One."

His eyes widened immediately and the muscles in his jaw flexed… before he started yelling.

"That style is sacred! You know that! It has been in this family for generations!"

Aubrey bit back her own urge to yell and instead she kept her voice fairly calm.

"I don't give a shit about your 'sacred family style'. Maybe you should have thought twice about teaching it to me and then torturing me to the point that I ran away."

Aubrey saw his jaw clench again and his grip tightened even further on the wood of the piano. She was starting to think he might actually crush it.

"You mean to tell me… that the entire Scout Regiment knows the family style?"

Aubrey stared back at him. She didn't know if the truth or a lie would serve her better. But, in the moment, all she could think of was the truth… so that was what came out.

She scoffed at him, gripping Levi's shirt as she spoke.

"Well, that would be ideal, but, fortunately for you, it's not the whole regiment. Only the soldiers that I trained here in the north know it." His stance and expression didn't change in the slightest, but Aubrey still felt the need to drive the knife home. He'd brought out her anger. "But your secret is out, Father. And I'll teach the family style to whomever I want."

Silence filled the room. Her father was only glaring at her and Aubrey was glaring back. Levi was glaring, too, and all of them were just a triangle of loaded stares and angry glances.

Aubrey wasn't sure how long they stood there. It could have been just a few seconds, but it seemed like forever. Whenever her father got that icy look in his eyes, it was like she couldn't focus on anything else. It was when he was the most dangerous, when he was the most threatening. And it sent chills through her entire body.

So, they stood there. Waiting. For what, Aubrey wasn't sure, but, eventually, an end came. Unexpectedly, her father's eyes softened again, the ice melting away and the tension disappearing. His grip on the edge of the piano loosened and his arms fell to his sides. Aubrey could only continue to stare at him. Was his anger gone? How? Surely, he was still upset. But, why had he relaxed?

Aubrey kept watching. She didn't know what else to do. But her father spoke up, his voice somehow calm and collected.

"Come here."

Aubrey watched with wide eyes as he extended a hand toward her, acting like she would simply follow his command.

But, not only was Aubrey unwilling to do as he said, Levi was even more unwilling.

Suddenly, Aubrey felt his arm around her waist. His hold was almost uncomfortably tight, but he was still being conscious of her ribs. Even so, Aubrey flashed her eyes to him, trying to tell him that she didn't need to be restrained. He didn't seem to care.

Aubrey gave him a small glare and then turned her attention back to her father's outstretched hand. She wasn't going to go near him. Especially after he'd been so obviously angered just a few seconds ago. But she could still ask him what the hell was going through his head.

"Do you really think I'd actually do that?"

Her father's expression remained calm and completely unbothered as he answered her.

"You're injured. Let me look at it."

Aubrey grit her teeth and Levi's hold on her waist tightened even further, though she had a feeling that was less a way to restrain her and more a way for him to control his anger.

She paid him no mind and instead spat back at her father.

"You're not getting anywhere near my injury. Especially after your little conniption there."

Aubrey was shocked when he only extended his hand further, a huff of laughter leaving his lips as he spoke.

"You know, I've thought it over and I've decided that there's absolutely nothing I can do." Aubrey was absolutely stunned. Her father had decided that there was nothing he could do? Questions raced through her mind, but her father kept on before any words left her mouth. "I suppose I could try to slaughter all of the soldiers you've taught, but I have no way of distinguishing them from those you haven't taught. Which means I'd simply have to slaughter the entire regiment. And, even I couldn't get away with that." Aubrey had to work to keep her mouth closed. "I suppose I could punish you, but just from your husband's stance I can tell that what you've said about his reputation being true… is, in fact, true. He'd likely kill me if I laid a hand on you, so that rules out that option." His hand extended even further as he reached for her. "Which leaves me with only the option to move on. Now, come here."

Aubrey's eyes flashed to his hand and then back to his face. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She'd always known her father was a logical man, but he was also prideful. But, he always did put the family first. And slaughtering the Scout Regiment or getting himself killed wouldn't do the family any good… so… his analysis was correct. There was nothing he could do… except move on.

But Aubrey still couldn't understand why he could possibly want to look at her injury. He was going to help her? After already showing that he was still as bitter as the day she'd left?

She couldn't fathom it.

"Fine. Let's say you really have moved on. I'm still not coming near you. There's nothing you could do, anyway. It's my ribs."

Aubrey took the risk of revealing her injury to him. She knew it wasn't the smartest decision, but she still wanted to hear his answer.

"Your ribs, hm? Broken, fractured, or bruised?"

Aubrey narrowed her eyes at him and she felt Levi tugging on her waist, trying to tell her to stop talking. She ignored him.

"One broken, one fractured."

Her father kept his hand out as he spoke.

"Well, believe it or not, there actually is something I can do for that. Maybe if you'd stuck around a little longer we would've gotten to that lesson."

Aubrey's eyes widened ever so slightly. He could do something for her ribs? At this point, she'd do anything, absolutely anything to get back on the field sooner. She just needed to heal a tiny bit faster. She was already feeling trapped just watching Levi use his gear. She needed to heal. And… if her father could help her do that… she might just choose to trust him. With Levi there to kill him if he tried anything, of course.

Aubrey tried to step forward, but all she got was a panicked Levi tugging on her waist. She finally turned to look at him. His expression was horrified and angry at the same time. His eyes were flashing between herself and her father and his teeth were bared and gritted. He looked rabid.

"No."

He spoke to her through his teeth, tightening his hold on her waist. Aubrey knew she wouldn't be able to convince him that this was a good idea. Because… it wasn't. But she was desperate. If her father could help her, she was willing to take the risk. And she still had the sense that he wasn't going to hurt them. He'd already controlled his anger thus far and Aubrey knew that her father was smart enough to know that hurting them was a bad idea. If he hurt them, captured them, killed them, Erwin would send a force large enough that even her family would struggle. And her father didn't need that. He knew that, Aubrey knew that, everybody knew that. So, it would be best to keep this interaction peaceful for everyone's sake.

Aubrey looked straight into Levi's eyes and then lifted herself up on her toes to whisper in his ear.

"Please, Levi. Just stay close. If he tries something, you have my full permission to do anything you please. But… he could help me. I truly don't think he's lying. He's going to help me."

Aubrey felt him shift and his brows furrowed even further. She knew that he still wasn't convinced, but she had a final weapon. She knew there was one thing she could say that would make Levi crumble every time. "He could take away the pain."

Aubrey saw his eyes flash and she knew she'd won. He couldn't stand to see her in pain. She felt the same about him, but right now she was using that mutual feeling to her advantage. If there was even the slightest chance that her father could take away her pain, he'd give in. And he did.

Aubrey felt his arm loosen slowly around her waist and he leaned down to whisper back to her.

"Keep your guard up and do not go more than two feet away from me. Understand?"

Aubrey nodded. He was using that authoritative tone that had once been so jarring to her at the beginning of their relationship. Now, she heard it all the time when he worked with his soldiers, but it was much more rare that he used it with her. When he did, he meant business. And in this case, she had absolutely no issue with following his instructions.

Levi continued to flash his eyes between her and her father, but, eventually, he let go of her entirely. Aubrey gave him a comforting glance, nearly grimacing when she saw the expression of pure worry and anxiety on his face, but she kept on. She was desperate for this.

So, slowly, she stepped forward. Her walk was heavy and calculated as she waited to see what her father would do. Would he jump at her? Grab her?

He didn't.

All he did was stand there, eyes on hers and hand outstretched. So, cautiously, Aubrey made her way across the floor… and put her hand in his.

Aubrey nearly gasped when their hands finally touched. It made him seem so real, so dangerous. But she didn't get long to feel overwhelmed because her father pulled her closer, his body nearly pressed against hers as he stared down into her eyes.

"Which side?"

It took Aubrey a few seconds to recognize what he was asking. But she soon realized he was referring to her ribs and she glared up at him as she answered.

"Left."

Aubrey heard him hum and then she felt his hand pushing her left arm to the side. She panicked at first, but she recognized almost immediately what he was doing. He was trying to get a feel for the injury.

Aubrey hesitated. If he got his hand over her broken ribs, even the lightest hit would send her to the floor. This was where she would have to trust him.

She stared at him and he stared back. She searched his eyes for any hint of ill-will or malice… and she found none.
So, with great caution, Aubrey moved her arm.

Immediately, she felt her father's hand slide underneath the fabric of her jacket, his fingers trailing over the cloth of her shirt as he found the top of her ribcage.

His eyes never left hers and she stared straight back at him as his fingers slowly began to make their way down her ribcage, feeling for the break she'd already told him was there.

He went rib by rib and Aubrey could feel him getting closer every second. When he neared her injury, she braced herself. It was going to hurt like hell when he actually found her broken ribs… and it did.

Her father pressed lightly on her fractured rib and it took everything Aubrey had not to make any kind of noise. And while she didn't make any kind of noise, she wasn't as successful with controlling her expression.

Her brows furrowed and she bit her lip as she continued to stare her father down. Though, she figured she was probably far less threatening now that he had nearly full control over her. Just a little more pressure and she'd be screaming. It was a good thing Levi was still hovering nearby.

Aubrey saw her father raise a brow as he realized he'd found her injury. But, he also knew she'd hurt two ribs, not one. And, right now, he was only on the fractured rib. The next one would be even more painful.

So, Aubrey braced herself again as she felt his fingers sliding down. But, even after being prepared, she couldn't contain her gasp.

The pain was burning, searing, and it ran in jolts through her entire body. It was excruciating.

Instantly, she heard Levi growl behind her and then his hands were on her waist, trying to pull her away. But, Aubrey wasn't going to let him.

One of her hands found his wrist, squeezing lightly and silently telling him that she was alright. But her other hand reached out, gripping her father's shirt as she held onto him. It felt wrong and yet… it felt so… familiar.

"I'm fine, Levi. I'm fine."

Aubrey gave Levi's wrist another squeeze as she looked over her shoulder at him. He looked rabid again and like he was ready to tear her father's head off at any moment. But… she really was alright.

"Really, Levi. I'm fine."

She gave his wrist one more squeeze and then began to gently push his hand away from her waist. If he grabbed her every time she gasped, her father wouldn't be able to help her at all.

Levi still looked horrified, but his hands hesitantly fell away from her body. Aubrey felt absolutely horrible for telling him to let her go when she wanted nothing more than the comfort of his touch… but she had to do this.

So, with one last reassuringlook, Aubrey turned away from Levi and gazed up at her father. His expression was hard and unreadable but Aubrey only nodded at him, telling him to continue. She'd gasped and Levi had grabbed her before he'd even been able to feel around for the break, which she figured he'd need to gauge before he could tell her how he could help.

At her nod, her father continued.

Aubrey gasped again immediately as she felt the pressure on her broken rib and she heard Levi give a frustrated and helpless grunt behind her, but he didn't grab her again.

Aubrey felt like screaming as her father's fingers felt along her rib. Her breathing was erratic as he worked, which was only making the pain worse. But, she couldn't help it. Until she felt a hand wrap around her chin and her father's eyes were suddenly boring into hers.

"Do as I taught you."

For a moment, Aubrey's mind was too clouded by the pain to recognize what he was talking about and all she could do was continue to gasp. But, slowly, she remembered.

She nodded and brought her sleeve to her mouth, biting down on the fabric and screwing her eyes shut as she started to regulate her breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

Every touch of her father's fingers was hell and her breathing still wasn't steady… but it was steady enough.

Her father found the break and Aubrey bit down even harder on her jacket sleeve. It was agonizing. She'd pressed down hard enough on herself to identify whether or not her rib was broken, but her father was going further. He was feeling the injury intently, determining how bad the break was, how long it would take to heal, how affected the tissue and bones around it were. It hurt like a bitch.

But, just like that, it was over. Her father pulled his hand away from her body and leaned back.

With a sigh of relief, Aubrey let her jacket sleeve fall away from her mouth. She hoped the worst was over.

"That break is fresh. How long has it been since you hurt it?"

Her father's voice was monotone and sought only information. His expression was still hard and he stared down at her with a serious and yet somehow blank expression. It was… eerie.

But Aubrey answered.

"Three days."

He nodded, her response was obviously similar to the answer he'd been expecting.

"Hm, well, at least you're here early on. I can treat it more effectively."

Aubrey looked up at him with the tiniest bit of hope in her eyes. For some reason, he was actually going to help her.

Suddenly, her father stepped back and started making his way across the room, calling over his shoulder.

"Follow me. I have the supplies back here." Aubrey saw him heading for the hallway at the back of the room and her eyes widened. "I'd prefer it was just you, but since your husband won't seem to let you out of his sight, I suppose he'll have to come, too."

Aubrey stared after him as he stopped in the entrance to the hallway and turned back to them.

"Well, are you coming?"

Aubrey flashed her eyes to Levi only to see that he was already reaching for her hand. Her eyes widened even further. She couldn't believe he was going to let her go so easily. But, then again, he probably knew she was going to go whether he wanted her to or not, so there was no point in fighting.

Aubrey met his eyes and saw that he still looked horrified and somewhat rabid, but there was no sign of reluctance or hesitancy. He was going to go with her.

Aubrey squeezed his hand and he squeezed back. They stared at each other for just a moment longer and then Aubrey turned her attention to Hange, who looked completely and utterly disappointed that they hadn't been invited, too.

Aubrey sent them a knowing glance and Hange just nodded, understanding that, despite their disappointment, they needed to stay back.

Aubrey was entirely grateful that Hange had accepted that fact so easily. Forcing them to stay back was a job she didn't need to deal with right now.

Aubrey looked away from them as soon as she was sure they'd gotten the message and then took Levi's hand… before following after her father.

She didn't know exactly what was about to happen, but she had a strange feeling that she was about to get the answers she's waited so long to know. Because, after years of waiting, she couldn't wait much longer.

A/N: Ayoooooooo! More dad convos. He's a scary man lol. There will be one more chapter with him and it will be the "reveal" chapter if you want to call it that lol. Aubrey's going to ask the big questions and she's finally going to get her answers.

Anyway, onto the actual chapter.

Sooooooooooo, I picked a real song for Aubrey to play lol. It's Chopin and it was one of my favorites as a kid. I used to listen to it all the time and I thought it was so pretty that I would cry lol. Eight-year-old me was so dramatic. Anyway, if anyone wants to listen to it, it's "Nocturne in E-Flat Major, Op. 9, No. 2 "Andante"". Otherwise, just imagine whatever song you want lol.

And, OOP, this girl really went and spread the ultra-top-secret-family-fighting-style all around the Scout Regiment. GIRL DID NOT CARE. Good for her. We love to see it.

ALSO, UM, PROTECTIVE LEVI? This man was in FULL Ackerman mode lol. Mans had Aubrey back up against a wall so her could decapitate her father. AND HE WOULDA DONE IT, TOO. No doubt. Levi HATES her father with a BURNING PASSION. As he should. That man has done some bad shit.

But her dad is going to help her with her injuryyyyyyyyy. Even after all these years and after torturing her for so long, I think he still sees Aubrey as his daughter. I think I might have said this in the last author's note, but I see her father a somewhat grey character. Obviously, what he did to her as a child is unforgiveable and this is NOT going to be a redemption arc because no one like him DESERVES a redemption arc, but the next chapter will go into more detail about WHY he did what he did.

Anyway, I loved the part when he told her "Do as I taught you" and Aubrey just knew what he meant. Those two have a very strange and yet somehow strong bond. It's not a loving bond between parent and child, but I see it as some kind of deep understanding that grew between them over the years. They UNDERSTAND each other and Aubrey, no matter how hard she tries to reject it, is a product of his training. She remembers all of it and it's second nature for her. Creepy lol.

Okay, that's all I have for today, but I DID want to let everyone know that my "Levi's Birthday" one shot is up in the One Shot Collection. I know a lot of you have read and commented already, but just in case somebody who would like to read it didn't know it was up, I thought I'd announce it. And, yes, I will be doing a Part 2 ;) Leave a comment on this chapter and let me know what you thought! I think the dynamic between Aubrey and her father is really fun to break down lol, so if you have thoughts about that or what you think might happen in the next chapter, let me know! Alrighty, thank you all for being the absolute best humans on the planet. Love y'all 333