"I'm not having it, Claire. These streets are dangerous. You come by the stall this afternoon and I'll come with you then Bran tomorrow."

"But-"

"No buts Claire! Your brother has a point," Marius scolded her then turned to the twins, "You both should have worked in the hospital instead!"

Agnes quickly stood up to intervene. It was too early in the morning and she felt her husband might just have one of his episodes of anger due to his worry.

While she worried for her youngest just as much, she has come to accept that Claire has to be able to be independent. Coddling her won't do her any good.

So for this matter, she chose to side with her daughter, sparing her sons from their father's wrath in the process.

"Marius, leave them be. I'm sure Claire has learned her lesson and she promised not to do anything silly, isn't that right, sweetie?"

The little girl nodded with pleading eyes, also feeling guilty her brothers had to be dragged into the consequences of her actions.

"I'm sorry, Papa. I know I made you all worry. I shouldn't have done that but how could we let them take the medicines away? And… You and Mama taught me that I should do my best to help if I believe there is something I can do so I couldn't just turn away…"

Marius' eyes softened, his daughter's words grounding him away from the merciless thoughts that have been plaguing him ever since coming to the Underground.

"What's so wrong with that?" She mumbled sadly but said no more, remembering her resolve when she woke up.

They all heard her and felt for the kindhearted little girl. But things are different in the Underground and she has to grasp that.

They have raised her well but she was still too naive of the world. "But never at the cost of your safety, not here in such place."

"I'm sorry too, Alec and Bran-onii…"

Alec's sigh of surrender was heard in the kitchen.

"Maybe you and Amon should stick together again?" Bran interjected with faux worry making his little sister whine in exasperation because it was only said to elicit an eager nod from Alec.

"But we split so we can get things done faster. I'm a big girl now!"

The twins snorted and Agnes tried to hide a smile. "Of course you are, my sweet girl."

"You better be back by your brothers' stall by 4. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Papa."

"Stop talking to strangers, alright?"

"Yes Alec-onii."

Claire turned to Bran expectedly but he only smiled and secured her beret on her head.

He may be a goof but he knows when to stop teasing or when a lecture is not needed - not that he bothers to give any.

When it was time for the deliveries of the day, Claire quickly dodged Amon having already suspecting him to insist accompanying her too.

She had awoken earlier that morning and sat for a while in bed, pondering the cautions she was told yesterday over her brothers' snores.

By the time her brothers stirred, she had decided to take heed of what everyone said, especially what Levi said. "This is a different place," she kept reminding herself.

Although she was hurt, she had overnight to think about it and figured he was right anyway.

Besides, the fact he even bothered to lecture her seems to her like he was coming from a good place, despite his approach or choice of words.

So naturally, Claire was astounded when Levi landed beside her as she turned down an alley for her first delivery. Silent as the wind and light as a cat.

Had Levi's reflexes been slow like typical mortal men, she would have fallen over in her bewildered stumbling, maybe toppling a few heavy crates on herself.

He had pulled her just in time as one crashed, missing her head by a few inches.

"Oi, are you always this clumsy?"

She hadn't spoken out of confusion and Levi thought he might have offended her once more.

"Tch." He grumbled to himself whilst letting go of her wrist.

Obviously things weren't going so well and he was starting to think maybe he should have thought this through.

Then again, it's not like he has had so many opportunities to make up to someone or try for the matter. Not that he even cared for anything before, right?

He tried to convince himself that was still the case now.

But her sad eyes haunted him and he felt an unease he could not shake. He had gone back to his lodging last night and felt an overwhelming urge to pull his hair out in frustration.

"Why did she have to look at me that way?"

Not even knowing what he was supposed to do, he decided to follow her as usual. He figured he'd have to approach her but he had no idea what he should say.

All he knows is that he could not sit still and that he just had to see her. Minus that look she gave him.

Before he knew what he was doing, he was jumping down from the roof when he saw her, having been waiting for her to pass by.

Claire eyed the now awkward boy in front of her, a hand shoved in his pocket and another running through his hair in obvious discontent.

Then her eyes travelled to the roof he came from, mentally gauging the distance, noting it was pretty high, "Levi, are you alr-?"

Her first instinct was to ask but stopped mid-sentence.

It was of course not unnoticed by Levi and he felt uneasy, so to say, seeing her being hesitant that way.

He knew he was at fault.

He didn't know what exactly he expected but when she didn't smile at him or when her eyes held a wary gaze in them he just felt like something dropped within him.

It was his heart but Levi is not really aware of it. Yet.

Her eyes then flitted to the shattered planks of wood, the resulting disarray of her uncoordinated momentary fright from his sudden presence.

"Uhm… what brings you here?"

"Tch, I was just passing by." He answered a little too quickly and Levi wanted to smack himself right there. Couldn't he think of anything better to say?

In reality however, he thought accompanying her would be a good place to start if anything? He could stop her from pulling stupid stunts.

But he couldn't say it out loud. More precisely, wouldn't. She might ask why - probably would - and he didn't have an answer to that.

"Ohhhh-kay… well uhm, take care. Goodbye then!" Claire politely bid, not really knowing what to say or how to act towards him before turning to walk away not really thinking he'd be following her like a pup.

Levi reached out instantly pulling her back by the strap of her bag.

A small squeal escaped from her. "Levi! What is it?"

"There was a rat."

"… A rat…"

"It just went that way," he said pointing nowhere in particular.

Claire's eyebrows furrowed finding the way he was acting as strange but knew better than to say anything.

She proceeded with her deliveries for the day as usual but this time she was completely aware of Levi trailing behind her.

Because of this, she wasn't able to stop by and have small talk with the homeless people she usually gave food to, feeling his sharp eyes boring into her head every time she tried to stop to interact with them.

Taking peaks behind her back every once in a while and resisting the urge to ask what he was doing.

Levi on the other hand would either glare at her or say, "Look at where you're going, brat."

By the time she arrived at the boundary of the market, she had been debating with herself if she'd ask if he'd like to come have some soup, for the sake of being polite.

She decided she would if his face was back to the bored expression and she wouldn't if he was glaring at her, not that she was scared.

However, he was gone much to her utter confusion.

This went on for two more days.

On the fourth day, they were both frustrated already.

"Tch, how can this brat run so damn fast?" Levi cursed under his breath as he chased her smaller figure.

She hadn't gone to her usual first stop today. The patient no longer in need of medicine and Levi didn't know that.

Instead, Claire had a new address on her list and she was too scared it would be an invitation for Amon to accompany her if she asked.

So here she was now: lost, panicking, and wallowing in regret.

It took a few minutes before Levi finally tracked her down.

When she had turned down a street that was supposedly leading to the brothels, he leapt down from the roofs with the intention of guiding her.

Unfortunately for him, he ended up spooking her.

She had broken into a run with his hands inches away from her, having sensed a presence too close to her in the unchartered paths she was currently taking.

His feet were light on the cobblestone ground but it seemed to thunder in her ears, further spurring her on out of fear.

He thought about just yelling at her to stop, call her out. But then that would invite attention and he was actively trying to lay low because she is involved, not exactly wanting another encounter.

Also because this wasn't a particularly good area of the Underground.

Besides, even if he didn't know shit about actually talking to someone, he did know somehow that if he yelled at her now it won't make things better.

The fact that someone is following her didn't exactly help things and in her distress she decided to just run, abandoning all sense or inhibition. Not caring where her feet were carrying her.

She just wanted to get away from whoever it was.

If only she knew it was Levi.

A yelp escaped her when she felt a hand on her shoulder as he finally caught her. He yanked her form behind a crate to face him, also physically hiding them from the eyes of the drunkards nearby.

He physically strained to reel his body from crashing hers to the hard wood. When he has controlled his momentum he placed a hand over her mouth.

Funny how it was reminiscent of the night they met but this time he has the mind to actually be cautious.

Claire's eyes were tightly shut and her breathing was hard.

Shaking arms held her bag to her chest whether it be a feeble attempt to put some distance between her and her pursuer or a stubborn will to prevent it from being taken from her.

She didn't know too.

"P-Please if you could tell me w-what you need I-I'd happily help i-if I can and be o-on my way. Just d-don't h-hurt me." She blurted out in a panicked muffle.

Though she was not really banking on the off chance her pursuer would actually leave her alone after getting what he/she wanted, she figured it was worth the try if it worked yesterday.

Then her mother's reprimand from before replayed in her mind. Oh boy was she in trouble.

"What the hell are you talking about, brat? Why did you even run?" Levi hissed.

He had half the mind to keep his mouth from saying something offensive and he actually wanted to say something along the lines of, "Do you always say stupid shit like that?"

He couldn't wrap his head around the thought of what if it had been another thug who was actually going to mug her or worse and those were the first things out her mouth.

She stilled and her eyes popped open in surprise the very moment he said his first word, instantly recognizing his voice. "L-Levi? What-?"

Levi felt a spark of relief bubble inside him when she reached out to him but it quickly dissipated as she awkwardly slipped out of his hold.

"Y-You scared me… I thought someone else was chasing me. What… what are you doing here?"

She had been acting off, for lack of a better term, the past few days which made him uneasy.

He a had been acting weird, so to say, the past few days which made her completely clueless.

They both bottled up frustrations over the other's behavior and it was about to reach the tipping point.

A look crossed her eyes and she bent down, hand to her chest as she tried to catch her breath once more.

Her body shook again at the thought of being chased by one of the terrifying men that lurked in the shadows.

A wave of disappointment washed over Levi, completely misunderstanding her general fear as one specifically towards him.

It was weird for him to be feeling such emotions, so new and unusual.

However looking at her that very moment he realized:

He didn't want her to be scared of him.

He didn't want her to look at him like that.

"You're lost." He pointed out.

Claire wanted to ask how he knows, feeling the restraints to all her questions dangerously close to snapping but decided against it, remembering his outburst before.

Levi felt something perk up inside him again when she appeared to briefly consider, her eyes lighting up with hope but then she looked away again.

"… stop being an inconvenience to others."

"I… It's fine I can find my own way back."

On the contrary to what he believed however, she felt relieved to see him.

She has somehow gotten used to his presence in her deliveries, the dark nooks and crannies no longer felt as ominous with him behind her.

That morning though, she was slightly disappointed to find that she wouldn't pass by her usual route that day.

It meant she wouldn't see him and maybe it was for the best.

But here they were. Levi always seemed to have a sense of her whereabouts.

Even though she politely declined, Claire's heart thumped wildly in her chest. She really wanted to ask for help but his words from that day rung in her ears.

Without another word she turned away only to be pulled back by the strap of her bag. Again.

"It's this way, idiot," navigating her away from the direction of the brothels by her bag.

She really wanted to slap his hand away, getting annoyed with his constant pulling.

Mumbling a thanks, she followed his directions but was intent on finding her own way from there.

Claire took out a paper from her pocket, looking troubled. She sighed loudly crumpling the sheet in her small hands out of frustration.

She stopped at an alley trying to discern which was the right turn. Choosing to go left, she was pulled back once more and a gasp came from her.

"This way."

"Levi! Can you not-?" She gently shrugged his hand off, "I'm not going back yet. I still have one more lodging on my list. You… you don't have to follow me," before walking away from him again.

She wouldn't even meet his eyes! Oh dear was Levi getting fed up. This has been going on for days.

Something about the way she was acting ticked him off. Although he is aware that he is not mad at her.

He wanted to punch himself because he knows it's his fault why he's in this situation but does he have to be so difficult?

She insisted on being friends and he was trying his best to be one.

In his own way.

They weren't exactly on the same page, were they?

Without even realizing, he has come to get used to how she treated him before but now that she acted differently, for the first time, he felt panicked.

She didn't smile, ask questions, or argue back like she used to. Hell, she didn't even mention anything about that day but it was obviously the reason for the change in her behavior.

Claire has been struggling about it but she was raised to know better than to throw someone's words back to them. Although she was really tempted.

Levi diligently endured about another hour of listening to her mumble about streets and alleys and repeatedly pulling her out of the way of drunkards or crates she didn't even see while she stuck her nose at her list.

Claire tried her best to thank him and apologize for the trouble before politely telling him repeatedly that she can do it on her own and that he can leave her but he wouldn't budge.

However, he finally snapped when she jumped in fright once more at the laughter of sleazy thugs echoing from windows above or narrow alleys to the side.

He didn't like the fear in her eyes, the way she tensed up, or the obvious way she was being rattled.

He snatched the paper from her and held her back with a hand to her shoulder when she tried to take it back.

"Levi! Please give it back…"

"Where are you even trying to get to, brat?"

"I-I can find it on my own."

"Shut up and stop wasting time. Where to?"

"Really, I've got this. It's a new address but I'm sure I'll find it."

"Where?"

"I said I can do it!" She exploded reaching to snatch her list back, angrily stomping away. Her mouth was set in a stubborn pout.

If Levi hadn't been on edge the past few days, he would have been amused at the fact this girl was acting tough despite the numerous times he has watched her get lost.

Never has he been so wrong when he thought it was annoying enough when she clung to him. This was way worse.

He easily caught up to her and grabbed her wrist to drag her back to the direction of the hospital. "You might as well just go back."

"What-? No! Let go, Levi!"

"Where are you off to?"

"I said I can find it on my own."

"Back to the hospital you go."

"Levi!"

He stopped and sharply turned to face her, trying to catch her eyes to glare at her.

"Where, brat?!"

She adamantly refused to meet his eyes or say a word.

"I'll drag you back to the hospital."

"Fine! I need to get to the lodging of a merchant named Merrick Solda!"

"Follow me, brat." But he didn't really give her a choice because he started to pull her again by her wrist.

Claire wiggled out of his grasp, "Just tell me where to go and I can handle it on my own…"

"You can't! Tch, you took the wrong turn since the bar by the smith shop."

Before she could protest more he was already dragging her to her destination. Not too long after she was counting the coins to check the merchant's payment.

"Can… can you point me to the direction back to the market?" Claire hesitantly asked Levi, already too tired of today's excursion to be stubborn.

The only answer he gave her was to pull her by the wrist again but gentler this time.

"Levi-"

"Just stay close, brat." There was a different tone in his voice.

She did as told despite her confusion. The loud rumble of laughter she soon heard enlightened her.

A gang of 9 maybe 10 men were drinking up ahead. Some were leaning on the wall, some were seated around a small square table.

Her heart was beating in her ears and she clutched her bag closer.

"They won't be after your bag if they notice you're a girl. So don't say a word and keep your head down." Levi said calmly but his eyes were alert and his stance vigilant.

He didn't have to explain further, chills went down Claire's spine and she tried her hardest to conceal the shiver that vibrated her body.

She felt his hand tighten as they passed and the men quieted down making her more nervous.

Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a man do a double take and Levi turned to fix him with a glare while still walking.

He has no problem taking care of the sleazy bastards should they try something funny but it didn't sit right with him to make Claire witness another exhibit of violence.

The man was unwilling to back down and was about to stand but two others stopped him, whispering something in his ear.

Levi eyed the others recognizing some to be ones he has already handled before and he smugly smiled internally. "Cowards," he thought.

As they neared the market, Claire started making a fuzz about how she has to buy something and that she can get back on her own now.

He thought it was suspicious how she was suddenly turning left and right, as if searching. Her eyes settled on a lone figure by a stall, obviously recognizing the person.

"Has this brat been meeting with this bastard before going back to her brothers?"

He glared at her, realizing what she has been up to every time he slipped away for the past three days when he was sure she could get back on her own.

He should have seen this coming from her.

She started pulling away again but Levi kept his grip firm. "You're up to something stupid again," tilting his head to the direction of the man.

It was the brother of the sick girl Claire checked up on that day. One of those that tried to steal from her and Amon.

"N-No I'm not!"

Off all the days, why did he have to stay today?

He narrowed his eyes at her taking note of her defensiveness and the way her ears were starting to redden.

"Damn right you aren't because I'm taking you back to your brothers right now."

"Levi! I said I know my way from here."

He let her go only to dare her, "Start walking, brat."

Claire hesitated, eyes flitting back and forth between the man and Levi. If the man came here, there must be a problem. Maybe Isabel needs more medicine or her fever still hasn't broken.

"Well?"

"Why-, why do you even follow me?!"

"Because I know you're going to do some idiotic shit like this!"

"What do you care? Just go and uhm, uh, do your thing! …That way I won't be an inconvenience to you!" She blurted out, unable to hold back.

Claire fumed, arms determinedly crossed on her chest and the way she pouted finally revealed just exactly why she was acting the way she was, proving Levi's suspicion right.

However he was rendered silent.

Levi could admit that there was a certain maturity in the way she acted or talked sometimes. A wisdom behind her general dispositions especially in the way she interacted with people.

But times like this moment made the child in her obvious just like when she insisted on being friends or her stubborn resistance against him.

He could have found it cute has he ever before encountered anything to apply the word to but there was none.

Until he met Claire.

He knows he has a sharp tongue and he has never had to care about the things that comes out his mouth but with her, it was just different.

His conscience won't even let him rest about it that's why he's been persisting for days now.

She didn't deserve to be told the things he said, even if they were true. At least not how he said them.

He was alerted by some shuffling behind her, eyes turning into a look that made the man approaching raise his hands up in nervous surrender.

"That's close enough," Levi warned pulling Claire behind him.

"What do you mean-?" Claire asked as she was spun, making her peek from his shoulder in confusion. Her eyes landed on Isabel's brother standing at least three feet away.

She almost wanted to roll her eyes at Levi's reaction.

"I mean no harm. I… just want to thank your friend…" The man addressed Levi, rushing to pull out something from behind him.

Levi was on edge, hand discreetly wrapping around the handle of his knife. However he halted when he felt Claire's hands tightly cover his.

"No, wait…"

The man presented an apple, eyeing Claire this time who has already started to move in front of Levi, to meet him.

He tried to pull her back but Claire quickly jogged closer to the man.

"Isabel's fever has broken a few hours after you left that night. She is doing much better now. Able to take some food down. My father and I can't thank you or apologize enough for all the trouble."

Claire stared in shock. She was relieved to hear about Isabel but she thinks she could not accept the apple. They might need it more.

"This is all I can give. I had to work two days just to buy this so I couldn't come to thank you sooner."

Levi knew full well what work mostly meant in the Underground but said nothing.

Upon hearing the man, Claire immediately reached out to politely push the man's hand back, "Please keep it, sir. While I appreciate it, you really didn't have to. It's enough for me to know that she's better now."

"… Thank you, child." The man tearfully replied body almost bending to a bow.

Levi observed in silence but he literally had to pull her away when she opened her mouth again.

"Should you need anything more, please do not hesitate-"

"Oi! Just get going already," he dismissed the man then tapped Claire's shoulder, "Start walking, brat."

"Levi, stop it!"

He ignored her focusing a harsh glare at the man, a silent threat brewing in his eyes, until the man finally turned to leave.

"What was that?"

Levi scoffed.

Claire closed her eyes trying to reign her emotions in.

Even in her anger or after the words he told her she chose to try and understand. Also tried to put up with his bizarre behavior the past few days.

But right now, he wasn't making things easy.

She was starting to think maybe he is just outright rude.

"I don't understand."

"What?"

"You told me we're not friends so what are you doing?"

"Making sure you don't do shit."

Claire rolled her eyes and started marching towards her brothers' stall.

"Oi!"

She childishly held her hands over her ears as she walked and Levi scoffed.

"You just never learn do you?"

"I'm sorry but I can't hear you. Bye!"

"That so? I'm sure your brothers would be thrilled to hear what you just pulled back there, huh?"

Claire whirled around, eyes wide in panic. Levi ignored her, walking past. He tried to hide the hint of smile when he felt her hand grab his arm.

"What-? Hey! Where are you going?"

"Oh but didn't you say we could have that soup you like last time? Maybe I should tell your mother a story over a bowl?"

"Levi!"

"You look like you're about to shit, brat. Let's hurry, your brothers are waiting." He nodded to the figures a few feet away.

Claire's eyes shifted to her brothers. She knew she was running late. When their eyes met hers she knew she was going to be in trouble if Levi said something.

"Please don't say anything…!"

"No? Oh wouldn't that make me a bad friend?" He said sarcastically.

"Alec, I think Claire has been into some trouble again." Bran spoked, eyes trained on the approaching pair.

A nervous laugh erupted from her.

She quickly glanced at Levi and mischief was in his eyes so she decided to beat him before he could even open his mouth.

"O-Of course not, onii. He was just leaving. Thank you for coming with me Levi." Practically trying her hardest to push him.

"Claire, now where are your manners? It's been a while, Levi. We were just about to head back. Why don't you come have dinner with us? As a token of gratitude. We heard you've been accompanying her." Alec said.

She told them he has been coming with her the past few days and they told her to invite him over for dinner but she said he always left before she could even.

Seeing Levi now and judging by the beads of sweat on Claire's forehead, the twins were certain something must have happened.

Claire just wanted to vanish into thin air that very moment.

She was beyond exhausted but now she had to be on her guard every second because of the ever-looming presence that threatened to sell her out.

Eyes sadistically taunting her in between glances as they helped Alec around the kitchen.

Barely chopping the vegetables right to the point Alec warned to kick her out of the kitchen making Levi smirk much to Claire's utter disbelief.

This couldn't possibly be happening.

She sat at their table, completely on edge, wanting to shove bread in Levi's mouth every time he opened it to put his spoon in.

The scrumptious soup Alec made unintentionally ignored as she focused all her attention on foiling Levi should he get an opportunity to rat her out.

"It's good to see you again, Levi. I heard what you've done for Claire and I'm thankful. Hopefully she isn't being too much of a handful?"

Claire choked on the water she was drinking and hurried to nudge Levi's knee with hers under the table in silent warning and whined, "Mama!"

The twins watched their sister closely, beyond positive she was hiding something.

Levi didn't even skip a beat, "She…" turning to Claire, a wicked look in his eyes that made her hold her breath as her hand wrapped around a mini loaf.

"… Got lost tracking down a merchant's lodging so I helped her today." Then just when Claire thought she could breathe in relief he added, "Almost when down the street leading to the brothels."

Agnes' worried gasp echoed around the small kitchen, Alec's face was in his hands, Bran was trying to stifle a laughter, while Marius' attention was on something else.

"Oh my goodness, my baby. Thank you so much for guiding her back, Levi."

"Claire that was a dangerous place, you should have asked if you didn't know the way."

"I-I noticed too late that there was a new address."

"Which merchant?" Marius asked, finding this information more important than his daughter's inability to navigate streets.

"Solda," Levi answered directly. "She also met with one of the thugs that tried to steal their supplies a while ago."

"Levi!" Claire desperately tried to silence him, small arms winding around the boy in an attempt to shove the bread in his mouth.

Bran whistled, "Looks like someone is in big trouble."

"Thank you for telling us, Levi, sweetheart."

"I'm glad we can trust you to tell us what she has been doing." Alec nodded in approval.

"I can't believe you said that."

"We're friends, remember?"

Claire scoffed and pinched Levi's thigh, "Friends aren't supposed to tell on their friends!"

"Claire!"

Although Levi hadn't really intended to get her in trouble and wanted to get on her good side again, but at least this produced results.

Agnes invited him to come over more often, even asking if he could accompany Claire on her rounds regularly now, offering to pay which he declined.

Marius had set him aside to ask about merchants and told him to come back tomorrow because there were things they "needed to discuss".

Levi watched as the twins hovered over Claire as she begrudgingly washed the dishes. Alec's arms crossed across his chest as he lectures her about manners and gratitude.

Bran on the other hand, could only laugh at his sister's fate, mocking her about wanting to see Levi in the past and being the complete opposite now.

Much to Claire's mortification because Bran wasn't exactly keeping his tone down.

The next morning, Levi was waiting by their doorstep, eyes visibly tired and the bags under them darker. Before she could ask, her father left with him.

She couldn't sit still the whole day at the hospital dreading her deliveries, expecting he'd show up again.

Claire had even resorted to asking Amon to accompany her but he bailed at the mention of Levi.

So there she was, an angry little thing marching around the streets of the Underground on her way to her rounds.

However, he was nowhere to be found and Claire felt disappointed but refused to admit it, convincing herself she was relieved instead.

Sadly though, she often caught herself peering up at roofs in hopes of seeing him leaping down or behind her glaring at her.

His absence soon became more apparent when she came down to the supposed last lodging, that of the merchant's; lost and panicking yet again but Levi isn't there to guide her.

With her heart beating in her ears once more, she looked around trying to spot of there was an MP nearby and was slightly startled when a voice spoke, "Where to child?"

She turned to her right, squinting towards an alley lit by a torch, "Ms. Makai, ma'am?" It was a middle-aged woman, one she always gave food to as well.

"Let me help you. You're friend said it's the least I can do."

"Friend?" Claire whispered to herself, absolutely confused. However, deciding now is not the time to ponder, she continued, "Uhm thank you, ma'am. I need to find the merchant Merrick Solda."

She pointed her away, telling her to keep left for three corners then a right.

After that she found another two people she has befriended before and was directed by them as well.

"Just how far have I come and what are they doing here? These aren't their usual spots or am I just not remembering it right?" She thought.

Soon enough, she found the merchant's lodging once more and was now trying to decipher how to get back.

Lost in her thoughts she almost didn't recognize she was being spoken to. Her boy's name not registering in her mind at the moment.

"Heading back to the hospital now, Charles?" An older boy who was about her brothers' age asked.

He was yet another one of the people she helped, once bandaging his sprained ankle.

"Derry-ani? What are you doing here?"

The boy only smiled at her before leading her to a wider alley that went down some stairs before instructing her to take a right for two corners.

Claire followed and met another two people and found herself on the familiar path that led to the sewers, Levi's secret place.

"Wait inside, kid," said the sleeping man from the first time she passed here with Levi. She had left him an apple and a piece of bread back then.

"… Uhm, thank you."

She went inside and was about to sit on a rock formation when a voice echoed, "Oi, your shitty sense of direction at it again?"

"N-No, I uhm, I was led here."

"Exactly," then he mumbled almost to himself, "Looks like that Dory was good for something after all."

"It's Derry and what do you mean?"

He only fixed her with a bored look as if to say, "Figure it out."

Processing what was going on and putting the pieces together, her eyes narrowed at Levi who nonchalantly stood with his hands in his pocket.

"Did you… get those people to…?"

When he suddenly wouldn't look at her and cleared his throat, Claire's jaw was on the ground.

"If you're lost and I'm not there like today, those people you keep helping can point you to where you have to go, for free. Unlike the MPs."

Levi has surely been busy last night.

After getting her scolded, he knew she'd only grown angrier at him.

When he passed the homeless old woman near their lodging that she always gave apples to, an idea struck him.

He never liked going back to his lodging anyway so he was grateful to have something better to do that night.

The number of people Claire has aided was not small and he had not even realized just how much if it didn't take him till morning to situate them.

Thinking back to how he was acting the past few days, a spark lit up in her eyes as understanding dawned: he was trying to make it up to her.

And he finally did! With a special guide, just for her.

"What about-?"

"Just keep on the paths they're at, brat. I… made sure to put them on the safest route to your deliveries or here."

"So… I… can come and go here as much as I'd like?"

"Tch."

"Thank you, Levi but… why?"

"You can't remember where to turn for shit… You were being such a difficult brat and… I got you in trouble which serves you right… but-."

She almost wanted to laugh at how he struggled with his words but took pity on him.

Realizing these words were also the closest she'd get to an apology, Claire decided she was fine with that.

With a wide smile breaking across her face, she crossed the short distance towards the entrance to engulf him in a hug, "You're forgiven."

Levi was grateful she was hugging him so she couldn't see just how relieved he actually was, "Tch, troublesome brat."

"I think you said sheltered and spoiled before."

"You are."

She pulled back and playfully hit his arm. "Mean. Where have you been anyway?"

"I had to run an errand for your father."

"What for?"

"Enough with the questions already. Shouldn't you be back by now? You'd be in deep shit again. Come on," Levi said jutting his chin to the street outside.

She bounced to his side with a cheeky smile, "You'll walk me back again?"

"What's in it for me?"

Claire only turned her back at him.

"Oi!"

"Well I'm cooking tonight. Another one of Alec-onii's punishments…"

"The answer is no then."

"Hey!" She exclaimed grabbing unto his arm.

"How can I be sure you won't poison me?"

Claire's eyes widened in delight realizing Levi was teasing her. "You're giving me ideas but I shall spare you for now."

"Well it's not like you're giving me a choice when you're clinging that way to me already, idiot."

She let him go again, feigning being offended and Levi found himself longing for the contact. "I actually cook pretty well."

"Doubt it."

This only earned him a slap on the shoulder which he returned in kind with a glare.

"I was taught by the best. You'll see, Alec-onii would be proud."

As they headed back, they were back to their usual selves with Claire happily chattering about and Levi grumbling for her to shut up but patiently listened anyway.

Deep down, he acknowledged that this was something he would not mind getting used to.

Both children accepted the fact that try as they might, it was pointless to fight being drawn to each other.

Claire eagerly watched for his reaction at the table that night. "So?"

"Not bad."

"So who's better at it? Alec or Claire?" Bran asked.

Levi only shrugged and the siblings exclaimed in exasperation. If he was being honest though, her cooking was better than her brother's.

Or maybe he's just biased.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Yay! Finally these two cuties are getting along well.

Hope you guys are happy and healthy!

I am in a rollercoaster of emotions right now having lost my guinea pig, Snowy, this morning . He has been with us for almost 5 years.

Then there's med school and I am absolutely at my wits end with it but I shall power through.

Here's a chapter to celebrate Snowy's life and the small victory of making through my first week back! Cheers!

Also, here I am reminding you guys to get vaccinated and stay safe!