Chapter 4: The New Ackerman (the first chapter I wrote a very long time ago..)

A week after Eren was found...

In the past week Eren had fully recovered, his severed leg included. It had grown back completely to its original state leaving only a light scar where it had been ripped off. Meanwhile Levi had bought him some new clothes as well as some toys and crayons to draw with-Crayons he used to "liven up" the man's office walls. Something Captain Levi appreciated very much. So much that he spent hours vigorously scrubbing them.

But even vandalizing Levi's walls eventually became tedious for the boy and so, the quest in search for excitement commenced. Unknown to him a certain scientist and special operations scout we're heading his way as they argued about Hange's 'experiments'...

"...All I'm saying woman is that you treat those things like badly behaved pets!"

"Because they are!"

The man groaned in frustration. He was just about to retort when a small figure at the end of the hall caught his eye. "HEY KID! How'd you get in here!"

Eren did not have any time to react.

"Awww! He's so cutttteeeeee!" The woman bolted to his side.

"Hange! What are you doing! How did he even get in here!" The man protested.

The woman, now identified as Hange, grabbed Eren and pulled him into a bone crushing hug, squashing his insides. Maybe he should have ran.

"Oh shush! Look at this adorable little face." She released him. "Hay there buddy! Are you lost?"

He shook his head. He didn't know where he was going, but he definitely wasn't lost.

"Well then are you looking for someone?"

"Levi."

"Levi!" The man, now referred to as 'Rat's nest' exclaimed. Eren didn't like him very much. He was too full of himself. "Sorry kid, but humanity's strongest soldier isn't all that he's cracked up to be. Who knows?- If he finds you here he might just eat you!"

"Oluo!"

"What?! He might!"

The bickering duo were far too distracted to notice the subject of their argument approaching them from behind.

"Eren."

At the sound of his name he perked up looking for the source.

"Levi!"

The boy wormed his way out of Hange's arms and shot over to his bigger brother. Levi placed him on his hip.

"Captain Levi! Sir-" Rat's nest flustered.

He silenced him with a gesture and looked down at the boy in his arms. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"Nightmares again?"

He buried his face in Rouge. Levi had made him the sock puppet shortly after he woke, using his limited knowledge of sewing and a few spare socks. How the thing didn't smell was a mystery. Then again he was Levi.

"Nightmares is nothing to be ashamed about Eren" He lifted the boy's chin so that he faced him, wiping away a stray tear from his cheek. "Nightmares tell us who we are and what we are afraid of. It gives you a chance to face your fears."

Eren's face turned into a small smile.

"And besides," He continued. "You have rouge to chase them away."

Levi grabbed the sock teddy and 'magically brought it to life, making him squeal in laughter. Levi smiled on the inside and put him back down. He ruffled his hair making Eren giggle. "Come on, I'll take you to your room."

Eren didn't like this idea one bit. "But I don' wanna go to my room. I wanna stay with you!"

Levi sighed. He should have known it was not going to be this easy. "Eren... I have a meeting to go to. You can't stay with me." He crouched down to his level, but Eren didn't want to hear it.

"Captain Levi sir, if you don't mind. I'm finished with all my duties. I can take him off of your hands for a while." He looked at Hange in surprise. Though he didn't show it. For a moment he debated whether or not it was a wise decision to allow her to take care of his little brother. He glanced at Eren. Still hiding behind his toy, refusing to make eye contact. Finally he made up his mind.

"Fine. If you don't want to go back to your room then you can go with miss Zoe here." He gestured to Hange.

"She's very uh-nice." He nearly choked on his words. As if to emphasize his point Hange sat down to his level. Trying very hard to smile non-threateningly and failing.

"...But I want to stay with you."

"I know Eren. But you can't right now. You and I can play all the games you want later."

"Promise?"

He nodded. "I promise."

"Okay!"

Levi hugged the boy, ruffled his hair again and turned to Hange. "Alright. Eren will stay with you for now."

"Yes sir." She did not need to hear his silent treat to know its there. 'Touch him, your dead.'

He turned on his heel to leave-

"Wait! Captain Levi-"

He stopped but did not turn around. "Yes Oulo"

"The kid sir. Who-"

"Everything will be explained later. Just don't let Hange tell him about her experiments. Kid's got enough trauma as it is." He gave one last goodbye to Eren along the lines of 'Be good' and left. Leaving the two scouts none the wiser about the Captain's apparent new ward.

BRAND NEW CHAPTER YEAH! I hoped you liked it. Granted it was very short but I'll see to updateing as soon as posible. Its vacation at the moment but with me being me I'm still studying...there must be something wrong with me...DX

Anyyyywwayyy...Feel free to Review! I might just get inspired to start writing on part 2 again...Who knows?

Until Next Time!

-Ziixx

(Updated: 13 December 2015)