Attachment

Author: Cigamina

Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin

Protagonists: Irvin Smith and Levi are the main focus

Part: 3/?

Warnings: violence , foul language

Rating: will be M

Disclaimer: Characters unfortunately aren't mine, therefore no money-making~ XDDD

Notes: Not too much yet, story starts a few years before the plot in the anime/manga evolves, in year 835.

Please forgive me for making so many mistakes, English is not my native language and I'm sure you will find plenty of mistakes in there! _

Songs I heard while writing the story below:

Flying Steps – In da arena

Music Instructor – Rock your body (Brainbug Remix)

Schiller – Schiller

Attachment– Chapter 3

############

"That… is a very unusual request I'll have you know, corporal."

It somehow seemed that 'unusual' had become the word of the hour, Irvin thought to himself. Everything that had happened after his leaving his father's house had been highly unusual – so maybe it was time for unusual actions.

He was seated in front of an old oaken desk, his arms resting on the arm braces of the chair he was sitting on. Sitting face to face with him was an older man who was looking at Irvin bemusedly. He had recently given up on shaving every morning and was slowly growing a beard, the graying hair was starting to cover his cheeks and the skin underneath his nose. It being unfamiliar to Irvin's eyes it suited him, though. Dallis Zacklay was by almost 20 years Irvin's elder and he hadn't met many people who he respected to the extent that he respected Zacklay. He was a brilliant strategist, patient, fair, charismatic, strong, brave, a lot of qualities that Irvin wished to achieve to a greater extent himself.

Reporting yesterday night's events to his commander was the first thing he was doing this morning. He was lucky to have caught the commander before the man had had a chance to leave the garrison and now he was seated in front of him, waiting for Zacklay to give him his opinion about it all. To say that he was relaxed and comfortable would have been a blatant lie although he knew that none of it showed on the outside. His deadpan face was quite good and he knew that he had to be souvereign in this conversation to make his plan rule out – or at least to create surroundings in which his plan as much as had a CHANCE to rule out.

He inclined his head and looked at his commander who had his hands crossed in front of his face and returned his gaze rather bewilderedly.

"I'm aware of that fact, commander. I know it's a rather questionable matter on the whole, that's why I came here first thing in the morning."

His commander nodded, leaning back in his chair and crossed his arms in front of his chest.

"The criminal the Military Police has been searching for for months… is a lad of little size…?"

Irvin nodded, crossing his hands in front of his stomach without lifting his elbows off the arm rests.

"He might be. After having seen him fight I have a strong feeling that it could be him they're searching for."

Zacklay nodded slowly, frowning at Irvin.

"Then why not handing him over? He murdered people, Irvin, I don't see the point in covering him up."

Irvin knew that the boy's fate was going to be decided here. Even though he didn't know his name or where he was to be found exactly Irvin had seen his face – and if his commander decided not to trust his judgment he would have to give it to the Military Police. As much as he wanted his plan to work he wouldn't risk his commanders trust – he knew his place in this system and he belonged with the Military, to serve his cause was still his top priority.

When he spoke, his voice was very serious and clear. He knew that he had his commander's full attention as Zacklay did value his opinion highly.

"He defended himself against people stealing from him and ended up killing them. The outcome is no difference but I need to point out that he's not evil. He didn't kill for fun or money, he killed for two pieces of bread. He's a kid that probably has been forced to become a criminal in order to stay alive."

Zacklay looked at him and sighed, shaking his head.

"That is a very sad picture indeed, but things like that happen every day. I still don't see the necessity to make such a fuss about an arbitrary boy. Taking him into Military training in the middle of a turn and never have him convicted for the crimes he has committed? That is very audacious, Irvin. Why do you go to such extents?"

Irvin looked at him, thinking about his words before mouthing them. He was aware of the fact that what he was doing could be negative to his authenticity and his reputation, but IF his plan worked… he was sure that his audacity wouldn't be in vain.

"Because I've seen the spirit of a warrior. I've seen his indestructible will to survive, I've seen stubbornness, his complete lack of fear, quick thinking, ability to adapt fast and cleverly. He possesses everything that would make him a great soldier. We need men like this, more than anything."

Zacklay looked at him, contemplating him and his words silently for several seconds. Irvin held his gaze, being fully convinced of what he had just said.

The other man finally reacted, leaning back in his chair.

"Irvin, you know that I genuinely trust your knowledge of human nature and your ability to read people, that is the only reason why I haven't informed the Military Police right away. But… isn't this all a little too vague? Did he say anything about even wanting to join?"

Irvin still looked at him steadily, he had no intention on backing down. He also had the strong urge to fight until he was sure there was no hope left.

"We didn't talk about it but I'm sure that he's thinking about a lot of things right now. All I know for sure is that it would be a waste of capability to just let him rot in prison. One criminal off the street and working for the cause of humanity sounds so much better to me."

Zacklay was silent again, watching him closely. Irvin endured it again, hoping intently that he was somehow reaching his commander.

"Did you… agree on meeting again or something? How is he supposed to join if you don't know where he is?"

Irvin smiled just a little bit.

"I think he will come to see me."

Zacklay stared at him for a second then shook his head and sighed.

"Irvin, I have no idea what it is that you're scheming in that clever head of yours but… I've trusted on your opinion so often before and have never been deceived. Whatever you think you will gain from all this, you've got my permission to try it."

A colossal wave of relief crashed through him when he heard those words and his smile brightened when his commander raised a hand.

"With certain conditions. I'll give you full responsibility for the boy, you arrange his getting into a trainee squad - and you report to me regularly, of course. If something goes terribly wrong it will fall back to me as the commander. I give him a little time to prove himself – and if he fails to live up to our expectations I'll hand him over to the Military Police for them to do whatever they want with him. Are you alright with this?"

Irvin didn't have to think about it for long, he nodded. It sounded fair – if the boy didn't turn out the way Irvin wanted him to then he was d'accord with him going to prison. He just wanted to have the boy given a chance – and he would see that he took it.

He got up from his chair and bowed to his commander.

"I am. I'm very grateful for your trust, I deeply appreciate it."

Zacklay nodded and for the first time since he had wished him a good morning the man smiled.

"I wouldn't have appointed you my corporal if I didn't feel ready to listen to your ideas and opinion, the great strategist that you are. I just hope that this boy is worth your trust, Irvin."

He returned his smile and saluted to his commander.

"Thank you, Dallis. I'll report to you as soon as I have news in that matter. I'll turn to my duties now, I've already cost you enough of your time."

Zacklay smiled and waved him off, also standing up to get his jacket as he was about to leave as well.

"I've always got time for the case of humanity." He winked at Irvin und he had to smile, knowing that his commander was taking him serious, "See you in the meeting later."

Irvin nodded and left his superiors office, feeling relieved and filled with a more positive kind of tension. That was done, surroundings were created – now it all depended on the boy – and the quality of the inception he had made.

I'm sorry that this chapter turned out to be so short but I rather portion the chapters because of its content and not the amount of words. The next will be longer, I promise! XD

Hope you enjoyed reading this!