Despite returning to Stohess a week later, and the week after that, no dog owner stepped up to claim the disgusting beast Levi had started to call 'Dog.'

She'd follow him around his room, tongue lapping, tail wagging, every damn time he was in it! Though he was happy to see her eating and gaining some weight, he couldn't get a moment of peace in his own space.

"Go away Dog." He'd glare at her from his desk chair.

She would sit patiently, tongue out, ears perked, as if he was going to play with her or some silly notion like it.

That was ridiculous and completely beneath him.

He would roll his eyes at her, turning his chair around to deal with paperwork.

Five or so minutes later, after scratching his way through letter after letter, he'd glance back only to find her, that same stupid happy expression on her face. He'd roll his eyes again, ignoring her until the sun set and his back grew stiff against the padding. He'd arise from his chair to find her curled up on the floor, exact same spot, looking at him expectantly.

He stretched, letting out a yawn, feeling his age with every crack of his back. God, it must be past 2am again. One of these days, he really needed to take the day off and just try to sleep. Maybe he'd try to get drunk again just for the sake of passing out.

But Dog perked her head up, looking at him with those glassy orbs.

Can we play now? She seemed to say, and Levi had to scoff at himself. Now he was imagining a conversation between him and a dog he didn't even want.

"That's it." He decided. "We're going for a walk."

He shooed her towards the door, careful to not actually hit her with his wide sweeping leg.

"And remember, no one sees you. You don't exist." He warned her.

She padded out into the hallway, a small and undeniably cute sound of tiny paws against wood reaching his ears. She blended in well with the darkness, only the patches of white on her face and chest shining against it as she looked back at him expectantly. He sighed and followed her through the door.

Dog knew her way around HQ decently by now. Their nighttime walks had become common in the two weeks she'd been staying in his room. It was good for her. Good for him too, he thought begrudgingly. And besides, exercise that wasn't titan killing was always a welcome distraction from life.

They exited the building, heading out into the cool nighttime air. Careful to avoid all guard towers, Levi and Dog made their way to the small forest on the side of HQ. It was much too dark to see in there, so they opted to walk alongside it, enjoying what little moonlight illuminated their path.

Despite her small size, Dog forged ahead of him, fluffy, stumpy legs leaping with every step she took. Every five or so steps she took, she'd look back at him, making sure he followed close behind.

He stopped. She looked back instantly, ears perked. Why did he stop?

Crouching to her level, Levi extended a hand to her. "Come here Dog."

She looked at his hand, leaning forward ever so slightly to sniff at it. Nope. No food in there. She returned to looking at him.

He sighed, reaching into his coat. From within a small pouch, he withdrew one of the scraps of meat he'd scavenged from the kitchen. The cooks usually had some part of meat they couldn't use, and had happily given them to him upon his asking, though, he remembered, they had been suspicious when he refused to tell them why he needed it.

Holding the scrap out to her, he once again directed "Come here Dog."

This time, she gladly padded over to him, fluffy fur inches from the ground, and sniffed at his hand again. He gave her the food, watching her scarf it down in a second flat.

She returned her pure gaze to him, letting out a yawn that seemed to shake her whole body. Unexpectedly, she padded over to him, and turning in place a few times, settled herself on her paws up against his leg.

He stiffened. He could feel the soft pressure of her breathing, sort of comforting, in a weird way.

Reaching down a tentative hand, he brushed his fingertips against the soft dark fur on her back. He trailed them to her head, pausing before pushing his hand against her head in a gentle pet. She nuzzled into his touch. Her head was so small! The whole thing fit under his hand.

"Don't think this means anything." He muttered to her. "I'm still getting rid of you, first chance I get."

With a start, he realized, this was the first time he had pet her.