Chapter 3

The drive to Maria's Lounge is thankfully not too long and once again relatively silent, except for Annie's few enquiries on his time in the Military while studying the burn scars that frame the outer side of his left eye, the same radio station as before playing in the background.

Levi has managed to commit most of the route to memory by the time Annie pulls in to the lounge parking lot. The venue from the outside is not much to look at, but Levi can clearly see the attempts to wash off the "God hates faggots" and "Homos go to hell" written in white spray paint on the wall.

The large "Maria's" sign is currently un-lit, and the main entrance is barred from the outside, Annie informs him they'll enter through the backdoor, and Levi can't help but see the funny side to that statement.

The inside of the lounge in contrast, massive and practically screams old Hollywood glamour. The main lights are dimmed, and there are two large white spotlights pointing at the stage which is hidden by fine purple silk curtains. There are 3 large crystal chandeliers casting a heavenly glow of sparkles around the room and Levi feels the illusion of being transported back to the 1950s.

There are dark, wooden tables with high-backed stools, with a single candle in the middle. A cosy area for friends to chat and watch the show together with perfect views of the stage wherever they are situated. The bar has a large glass back panel lit with lime green and is stacked with bottles and bottles of liquor and wines that Levi has never even heard of, never mind seen all in the same room before.

With a loud clearing of her throat, Levi's attention is brought back to Annie.

"Eren will be backstage in the dressing room, you should come and meet him now. Don't worry, you'll back on this side of the stage later tonight, you can have a look around then." She says with a teasing glance, before walking towards what Levi assumes is the dressing room. Without a word, he follows her.

To put it lightly, the dressing room looks like someone has vomited rainbows all over the place, Levi can't bring himself to follow Annie all the way in.

There are masses of clothes and shoes EVERYWHERE, much to Levi's horror. There are racks of clothing literally spread out and thrown on to the floor, their hangers misshapen or broken. There are patches of glitter decorating the floor in no discernible pattern, as if bags of the stuff have randomly exploded in tandem and been forgotten about. There are singular high heels of all styles, colour and sizes scattered around the room, Levi would guess just by looking at them, that the owner had been rifling through some form of collection and throwing them aside when deemed unfit for purpose. The madness of fabric and make-up surrounds a massive dressing table with a large mirror blocking the view of the person currently sitting at it. A pair of long tan legs covered only in red, thigh high fishnets are visible to Levi.

Annie looks to be unphased by the chaos, as if this is an everyday occurrence, and going by her earlier description of Eren Jaeger, Levi supposes that it just in fact might be.

Suddenly, the person leans over, and a head appears next to the mirror. Whatever Levi had been expecting, it had certainly not been a young man with two different coloured eyes, wearing a wig cap with dark lines drawn all over his face.

"Annie! There you are my love, I can't find my red boots. You know the latex ones with the platform heels that make my ass look great?" The strange man says, grabbing a make-up brush and brushing the lines on his forehead vigorously.

"Can't help you Eren, I just got back from picking up your new security guy." Annie says, thumbing in Levi's general direction.

Eren leans over further spots Levi for the first time, his eyes brightening and thick lips forming into a genuine smile, "Oh hey handsome, didn't see you all the way over there." Eren sets the brush down and makes his way over to where Levi is standing. Levi notices Eren is not wearing shoes and already stands at least 3 inches taller than himself, he can't help but wonder how it'll feel when Eren/Rogue does finally settle on a pair of high heels for the evening.

"I'm Eren Jaeger, please excuse my nakedness, I forgot I was expecting company today." Eren says as he holds out a hand with a light nervous giggle, he is only wearing a fluffy pink dressing gown which reaches just above his thigh high stockings.

"Levi Ackerman" he responds taking Eren's hand with a firm shake and curt nod, Eren's fingernails are painted black.

"Ackerman huh? Just like my Mikasa. Anyway, you look something that's stepped straight out of a James Bond movie, where did we find you? Recon Corps, right? That's based not far from Trost. So, you'll have had to have moved here to Shiganshina recently? How are you finding it?" Eren rattles through his questions, leaving Levi no time to even ask who this 'Mikasa' is.

"Yes sir, I relocated just this morning. I'm still waiting for my things to be transferred, but I'm pretty much here to stay from today. Whatever you need, I'm at your service." Levi answers with perfect articulation and politeness.

Eren brushes Levi's shoulder lightly, "So formal, I almost creamed my panties! You don't have to call me sir you know, just Eren will do or Rogue while I'm working. I mean, unless you would rather call me sir. And at my service too? I think I could think of a few jobs for you to do." Eren winks and boops Levi on the nose. The last person that even attempted to do that in Levi's adult life, ended up with a broken finger…

"Oh believe me, SIR" Levi says pointedly, "I think I would much rather call you Eren, or perhaps Shitty Brat will do. And I retract my last statement, I will only carry out the jobs you assign, to the best of my abilities, when I deem them worthy of my time." He folds his arm as he ends his sentence with a scowl.

Annie's eyes widen and Eren is silent for all of 3 seconds before cackling loudly, "Oh Levi, I think you and I are going to get on just fine. And don't worry, I know I can make my tasks worth your while." Eren says finally before sauntering off to complete his make-up.

Annie is shaking her head in exasperation and begins to sort through Eren's mass collection of shoes. Seriously, how can one person have so many? At the bottom of the pile, Levi spots the heel of a huge red boot that matches Eren's description and shortly finds the second one in less than a minute later.

He holds the boots up in Eren's view and the boy beams at him in delight "Yes! Perfect! Look at you earning your pay check already. I think I'll keep you around handsome."

"Well, it seems I'm not needed anymore, so if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go make some important and boring phone-calls." Annie says slightly amused before turning to leave the room.

"Annie sweetheart, you know you're the love of my life!" Eren shouts after her.

"Mhm" she deadpans back.

Eren grins at her back as she leaves.

"So Levi tell me, what experience do you have in the field? Annie and Mikasa tell me you're the best in the business. But I'd like to know for myself, enlighten me if you will." Eren requests while applying a thin layer of eyeliner to his water line. Levi is so focused on the precision Eren possesses that he almost misses the change in atmosphere at the enquiry.

Levi snaps out of his reverie, "I have 14 years military service, 10 of which I served as a Lance Corporal of my own team. We were specialist trained for hostage negotiation and survival. Since retiring from the forces, I have worked under my previous Commander Erwin Smith as a Contracted Security Specialist. I have had many contracts over the past 18 months, but none of which have remained permanent."

"Why do you think that is?" Eren asks, genuinely curious.

"I just haven't found the right job yet. The military was great, I spent an amazing time of my life there, I made lifelong friends, learned skills that have saved my life and countless other lives more times than I can count, and gained the confidence I had been lacking as a young man, but it was time to go and it was the right decision. Even so, I still haven't found the right path for my life moving forward."

"Wow! it sounds like you had such a fulfilling life as a Lance Corporal, and I have learned that in life one must do what makes them happiest in life regardless of what other people think. Which begs the question, why did you decide to leave?" Eren blinks at him with bright multi-coloured eyes burning with such curiosity, that Levi can't even think about denying them.

"There was an incident, a hostage situation where my team and I went to investigate thinking it would be easy to resolve, and that we would be done within the night. I was horribly wrong, and my mistake changed my life and the lives of my squad, in a terrible way. After it all, when I could review my choices of how to carry on, I decided I just couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't risk putting anybody through that again, I couldn't risk putting myself through that again. As selfish as that sounds." Levi looks at Eren once again, to find him staring, inquisitive and a hint of understanding showing on his face.

"Did that happen during the incident you mentioned?" Eren inquires, gesturing to Levi's burns with a highlighting brush.

Levi touches at the faded scarring on his face left what feels to be a lifetime ago by third degree burns and nods an affirmative. Eren gives him a soft smile that is without pity, much to Levi's relief.

"Why am I telling you all of this anyway?" Levi asks confused, "I don't talk about this shit with just anyone…"

"I don't know, but I don't mind listening, not at all. But don't look so worried now, here's what I'll do; you've shared quite a lot with me at my request, so I'll permit you to ask me a few questions too and I'll return the favour. I promise to be just as candid as you've been with me this evening."

Levi ponders Eren's offer with interest, feeling his own curiosity of the younger man building, "You'd do that? Tell me anything I'd ask of you? Why would you do that when your career is on the line, when your life is potentially in danger, and any leak of information could cost you dearly?"

"You've been very honest with me and believe me when I say I appreciate that shit more than anything anyone can offer. Honesty is what I value more than anything else in the world, so I fully intend to repay that." Eren says around applying a decent amount of red lipstick, "But unfortunately, it will have to wait for another day. I have to find a wig and decide on my dress for this evening." He grins cheekily, pearly white teeth poking out to chew lightly on his newly bright red lip.

"Understood, Mr Jaeger." Levi nods, moving to take his space back next to the door as Eren rolls his eyes at the title.

Just as Levi arrives at his spot, there is a deep voice coming from the hallway, chatting away with a much quieter crowd. Eren picks up on it also, and yells.

"REINER YOU COCKSUCKER! PUT YOUR SHITTY MOUTH TO BETTER USE AND CHECK MY FUCKING MIC ALREADY!"

The voice turns to booming laughter and Levi unwittingly lets out an incredibly attractive snort. Eren giggles as he picks up numerous dresses and goes to change behind a large blue curtain.

And for the first time, Levi questions the madness he's stepped in to, but is not at all certain that he completely hates it.