Chapter 13:

"You wanted to see me, Erwin?" Levi asked as he entered the Commander's office.

"Yes. I thought you should know, a couple in Wall Rose answered our notice about Isabel. They want to adopt her."

Levi froze. Not his little girl. Not so soon. Especially not after everything that has happened. She needed him. They all needed her.

"But...is it really the best time?" Levi asked.

"Levi, Isabel needs a proper home. We can't provide that for her. The sooner we find a safe place for her, the sooner she can live a normal life."

Levi remained silent.

Erwin sighed. "Look, I know this is hard. I'll miss her too. We all will. However, we have to think about what is best for Isabel. Do you really think that growing up in the Survey Corps is the best way to live? She needs a stable life."

"I know that! It's just...no one understands the extent of her grief. She just lost the squad, along with her parents and her aunt. I don't know how much more she could take if she lost us so soon." Levi muttered.

Erwin sighed. "That's why I want you to help me conduct the interview. You know Isabel the most, so you'll be a valuable asset during this process. Just...keep your emotions under control. I know how much you care about her."

"That won't be an issue. When are they coming?"

"They actually could meet this morning, so they should be here in about an hour or so. I will alert you when they arrive."

"Thanks," Levi said, exiting the office.

…

One of the cadets entered his office an hour later, and Levi had to prepare himself. Isabel sat on the floor, fixated on drawing another picture. He quickly scooped her up in his arms along with the drawing.

"I need you to stay with Aunt Hange for a while. I have something I need to do." Levi said, walking towards Hange's lab. He hoped that she wasn't too busy.

He entered the messy lab (he really needed to teach Four-Eyes how to clean) and set Isabel down. "Hange, I need you to watch Isabel for a bit. Erwin asked me to help him with an assignment."

"Of course! How could I say no?" Hange cooed as she squatted next to Isabel, examining her drawing. Levi exited quickly, hoping that his absence wouldn't be noticed by the three-year-old until he was far away.

He walked through the corridors, trying to calm the anxiety rising inside of him. Someone wanted to take her away. Someone thought they could give her a better life than he could. Did they even know how to deal with children?

He entered Erwin's office to see a couple sitting in front of Erwin's desk. Another chair had been placed beside the Commander, meant for Levi. He walked in with his most stoic expression and sat down.

"Levi, this is the Brownings. They are the ones that want to adopt Isabel." Erwin said.

Levi looked the couple up and down. They seemed to be in their late 20s or early 30s. They wore happy expressions; maybe a little too happy. They didn't seem to be mass murderers or anything, so he simply nodded, letting the interview continue.

"It's an honor meeting you, Captain Levi. It's not every day that you have the chance to meet Humanity's Strongest Soldier!" The woman gushed. "My name is Jane. This is my husband, Mortimer."

Levi nodded again.

"What brings him to the interview, if you don't mind me asking." Mr. Browning asked Erwin, seeming to ignore Levi completely.

"He is the one who has kept the girl in his care. I'd tread very carefully during this interview." Levi scowled, making Mr. Browning avert his gaze in embarrassment.

Erwin cleared his throat. "Anyway, what brings you here? Why did you decide to answer our notice?"

Mrs. Browning spoke up first. "Well, we have a few children of our own, so we thought that adding another wouldn't be a problem. I initially grew up in Trost before moving to Karanes. I felt like we could be kindred spirits." She smiled brightly at the two soldiers.

"And what about you, Mr. Browning?" Erwin continued.

"Well...our children have always wanted another sibling, so we thought she would be a nice addition to our family. We have kids around her age, so she would fit in no problem." Mr. Browning stated.

"And how would you deal with her trauma?" Levi interjected.

"Trauma?" Mrs. Browning's eyebrows rose.

"She saw her parents die right before her eyes; that information was definitely in the notice. She has frequent nightmares and panic attacks. Do you really think you are fit to take care of her needs? Have you ever seen a titan before? Do you even know how you would take care of her?" Levi snarled.

"Captain, enough," Erwin growled. "So sorry about that."

"No, it's fine. Of course, you would be worried about her. No, I haven't seen a titan, nor have I seen anyone die, but I'm sure it won't be a problem. We'll work it out." Mrs. Browning answered.

"You're telling me you're just going to play it by ear? With no experience whatsoever?" Levi had to resist the urge to smack some sense into the couple.

"The notice said she was only three. I doubt it will be that hard to help her." Mrs. Browning said.

Levi couldn't believe what she was saying. It wouldn't be hard to help her? Isabel almost came into his office every night, crying from some sort of terror she had seen in her dreams. If she was ever reminded of her family, the horrors she had seen during the invasion would flood back into her mind, taking over all senses of peace. How in the walls would that be easy to deal with?

"We also had some questions when it came to taking care of her." Mr. Browning said.

"Yes?" Erwin replied.

"How would we be supported...financially?" Mr. Browning asked.

Levi's eyes widened. His fighting sense kicked in. What did this man just say?

"I beg your pardon?" Erwin's eyebrows furrowed.

"Well, having another mouth to feed will be expensive. Besides, we have to pay for clothes, not to mention anything else she may want. Will we get any sort of compensation for adopting her?" Mr. Browning asked.

"You want a reward for adopting her?" Levi grimaced, his fury slowly rising.

"Not necessarily a reward. Just...something to help us along in our finances." Mr. Browning explained.

That was the last straw. Levi stood, a shadow of anger passing over his eyes. "So you're telling me that you want to adopt a kid when you aren't financially prepared?"

"No, that's not-" Mrs. Browning started.

"Shaddup. I heard what you said. You're trying to get money along with a traumatized little girl who just needs someone to love her. You do realize this is the Survey Corps, one of the most underfunded organizations in the walls? We shouldn't be obligated to give you anything! My little girl should be enough for you. You should want her just for the money. She's the best reward you could ever receive!"

"Captain, we-"

"Enough! I want you out of my sights right now. I may specialize in killing titans, but I know enough about the human body to make you suffer. Leave!" Levi spat.

The couple quickly scrambled to their feet, hustling out of the door.

"Levi, what in Maria was that for?" Erwin looked at his subordinate in shock.

"Did you not hear what that spineless excuse for a man said? He wanted my Isabel only for money! They downgraded her needs. Erwin, they are not fit to be her parents!"

"Even so, that was no way to react!"
"Do you think I care? Isabel deserves someone who will know how to take care of her. Someone that will make her a priority. Someone who will love her! I don't want those people anywhere near her." Levi exclaimed.

Erwin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I know that they were unfit for her. However, if you act like that again, you will no longer be allowed to assist in the search for her new family. Do you understand me, Captain?"

"But-"

"Do you understand me?" Erwin narrowed his eyes, looking down at Levi like he was a child.

"Fine," Levi growled.

"Good. You are dismissed." Erwin said.

Levi stormed out of the room, not even bothering to close the door behind him. Stupid Erwin with his stupid logic. He had every right to say those things. No one should downgrade a child like that. Isabel was one of the best children in the world, and he needed that couple to know that they were not worthy. They would never be worthy of her.

He opened the door to Hange's lab to see Isabel playing with her toys, deep in her make-believe storyline.

Levi rushed over and enveloped her in a hug. He didn't care that Hange was around to see it. He needed Isabel to know she was loved.

"Papa?" Isabel asked, her voice muffled against his chest.

"I love you, Isabel. I'll never let anything happen to you. I promise." Levi said, kissing the top of her auburn head.

Isabel smiled and returned his hug. "Love you, Papa."

Levi sat and held her, and it seemed like the entire world melted away. No one was worthy of the sweet little girl. He would protect her. He would love her. He would be the father that she deserved.

AN: Welcome to the beginning of the process to find parents for Isabel! I have a lot of the story already planned in my head, and this couple has been around since the beginning. Let me know if you have anything that you would like to see in this story or any suggestions you may have to make my writing better for y'all! I love hearing what you have to say!