Erwin paused to flick a speck of imaginary dust off of Levi's jacket. "You look perfect."

Levi stayed still. Head lifted, chin up. Hands behind his back at parade rest.

"You know what's expected of you, Levi."

"Of course," Levi replied tonelessly.

Erwin needlessly straightened his cravat. "I know you are capable."

Levi looked straight ahead. Over the last months, he'd done many things he'd never thought he was capable of.

Erwin—his superior—ran a hand through his freshly trimmed hair. Smoothing his bangs back from his forehead. His strong, thick fingers skimmed down Levi's cheek. "My perfect soldier."

Levi's heart squeezed and his breath caught.

.

"This?" The scruffy man with the Military Police logo on his jacket eyed Levi with incredulity and shock. "This is the Underground cutthroat?"

Levi did not respond. A thousand taunts ran effortlessly through his mind—how he'd hoped to never scorch his eyes by seeing that hideous green horse again, or how the man must have missed a spot shaving his beard, or how he could easily demonstrate his skills as a cutthroat.

But he'd promised Erwin. If the Military Police were paying a visit to the Survey Corps headquarters, then Levi—the result of the last bargain between the two branches—had to make a good impression.

So he held his tongue.

"Not anymore, Nile." Erwin's hands landed smartly on Levi's shoulders. Levi tried hard not to flinch. "This is Levi, one of the finest soldiers the Survey Corps has ever seen."

Erwin's fingers flexed. Signaling.

Levi snapped to attention, saluting crisply with his fist over his heart.

The scruffy man—Nile—didn't look convinced. "According to your commander, he came here a wild beast. Authority issues puts it mildly."

Erwin didn't miss a beat. "And what does Commander Shadis have to say about him now?"

"Well, I haven't yet spoken—"

"Even a wild beast can be tamed. It just needs a firm hand."

"You've certainly taken a vested interest in this, Erwin," commented Nile's companion, a long-nosed, brick-faced boulder of a man with a ridiculous bowl cut. "Made him your personal attack dog, have you?"

Heat coiled in Levi's stomach, hissing indignantly like a snake. A year ago, he would have insisted that he was no one's dog—he would never bear the indignity of belonging to someone like that. He still fought the urge to slice up the pig for even daring to imply it.

And yet.

The heat in his core was not only discomfort—there was pleasure there too. He liked the words, the insinuation, all the twisted-up ugliness that bound him to Erwin.

"Levi's success is vital to the success of the Survey Corps," Erwin replied smoothly. "He's one of humanity's strongest."

His wordplay was as skilled here as it was with Levi in the bedroom. Not denying the lazy accusation, but shifting the focus.

Bowl-cut grunted in response. "Well, if you maniacs are going to risk your lives outside the walls, you need the strongest. Even if he is a cutthroat."

"Levi, how many expeditions have you been on?"

Levi cleared his throat. Tried to keep any petulance or apathy out of his voice. "Twelve."

"And how many Titans have you killed in those twelve expeditions?"

"Seventy-nine." It was a low estimate. Sometimes he couldn't be bothered to keep track. Not when people's lives were at stake.

"Seventy-nine kills in twelve expeditions. In less than a year." Erwin was smiling now; Levi could hear it in his voice. "Most Scouts don't reach that count in a lifetime."

Because most of them get killed before that, Levi added silently.

"Well." Nile's brows rose. "I…suppose you've made a good find, then, Erwin."

"Indeed." Erwin's fingers flexed again on Levi's shoulders before releasing them. "I hope you'll remember that next time I come to you with a request, Nile."

"Don't get presumptuous. Now, where is the commander?"

"You are presumptuous," Levi muttered to Erwin as the two MPs made off to meet Shadis. "Big fancy word for a big fancy dick."

Erwin paced in front of him, hands clasped professionally behind his back. His head turned this way and that, scanning the entryway of headquarters.

Once he'd ascertained it was empty, that they were alone, he turned to Levi with a look of triumph in his eyes.

"Well done."

Levi's chest warmed. Why did such minuscule praise inspire such intense feelings in him?

Erwin tipped Levi's chin up. The pride was unmistakable in his haughty expression.

Levi huffed impatiently. "Proud of yourself, huh. You trained quite an attack dog."

"That I did. You've come a long way."

Levi didn't know what he'd been expecting. For Erwin to deny it? Reassure him? No, Levi, you're no one's dog.

Bullshit. He belonged to Erwin, and they both knew it.

Levi crossed his arms and glared at Erwin's left ear.

"One day." Erwin squeezed his chin. "One day, you'll be able to speak your mind." His fingers were strong yet gentle. "Once you've won the respect of the brass, you can say whatever you damn well please. You're too valuable—no one will be able to silence you."

"Except you," Levi retorted, low and only a little resentful.

Erwin tilted his head quizzically. Then he began to laugh, a rich baritone that filled the entryway and heated Levi's face.

"Levi. Oh, Levi."

He placed his palm on Levi's front, just over the collar of his shirt. His thumb and fingers lay over the shape of Levi's neck.

"Look at me."

Levi did. Those blue eyes were as steely as ever.

"Do you trust me?"

"Yes." Levi half hated how easily the word came.

"Then you're perfect just the way you are." He tweaked Levi's lower lip between his thumb and forefinger, pulling it down to reveal his teeth. "My perfect soldier."

Levi rolled his eyes. "Enough with the flattery. If you want to shove your dick in my mouth, just do it."

"Well, if you insist."

"I don't."

The corner of Erwin's mouth turned up in a small, sly smile. "Come." His hand moved to Levi's shoulder, shepherding him back upstairs with a grip that was just a little tighter than necessary.