Thank you so much for reading. Of course I do not own SNK/AOT

Chapter 6

Levi waited in front of the commander's carriage like a prince the night of the ball. A scowling prince, but a prince none the less. His dress uniform was crisp enough to cut paper and every metal shined like a star. It even appeared that the laces on his polished boots were washed clean. Seeing him like this made Erwin question why he hadn't asked the little man to join him at other events.

"You look very handsome," said Erwin. His alpha escort grunted a response as he opened the carriage door. This gained him a soft pat on the shoulder from Erwin. The driver held it open for Levi then closed it behind him. Levi took a seat on the opposite side, farthest seat of the carriage in passive protest. It brought a grin to Erwin's lips. He was sure no one would believe him if he told them that Humanity's Strongest Alpha pouted. Still, Erwin respected Levi's wishes. They didn't require words to fill the space between them. All he had to do was wait for the other man become annoyed with his own annoyance.

"Do you know who sent you the letter?" Levi asked when they were a good distance from base. He still wouldn't look at Erwin and kept his arms crossed. Patience was a virtue that seemed to jump over most. Levi was no exception when it came to Erwin.

"I have a few guesses," the commander said easily. Being the commander of the Survey Corp came with threats. Erwin believed the Wallists wrote him hate mail to improve their penmanship. Letters from mourning families and disgruntled donors only added another layer to his numbness. Erwin prided himself on rising above his baser instincts when he sat on this throne of hate. If he were a normal omega he would have broken long ago. Levi knew this also which wore his patience thinner. How could he protect the big blonde idiot if he wouldn't tell him anything?

"Well? Are you going to tell me or not?" The only thing he gained was another winning smile.

"Tsk."

The ball was just like Levi imagined. Stuffy people wearing glitzy outfits talking about nothing important. The shiny pigs flitted around them like flies on shit. It didn't help that someone blabbed that Humanity's Strongest was coming to this particular event, bringing out even more overfed pigs to stare. The one saving grace was that Erwin didn't make him talk. Once Introductions were made, his commander would artfully lead the conversation away, only bringing Levi in to accent his point Erwin made. Even Levi couldn't fuck that up. The few persistent party goers who tried to draw Levi into some shitty conversation were pulled back by Erwin's social sniper tactics. It really was a sight to behold. He knew Erwin was good at spitting bullshit but this was prime form. At one point he managed to carry on three different conversations at once, one ending with check in hand.

Standing in Erwin's shadow felt natural. Levi didn't like to overthinks things and he decided not to overthink this. He always felt more comfortable taking care of someone: his mother, Isabel, and now Erwin. It was a soothing balm on his baser instincts but never scratched the itch that he kept in check. Kenny taught him to be an alpha meant to own, to possess things, other dynamics. That was why his mother was so popular, she was a pliant omega who could shake off her old patron's scent before the next one came along. Levi didn't want to be like those alphas. He didn't want to possess someone who would be able to wash him away with a bucket of dirty water. Kenny was long gone before Levi hit puberty so he kept true to what he knew. In order to not be washed away he bit back the selfish urges to take and protect those he cared about.

"Are you enjoying yourself?" Erwin asked during one of the rare moments of peace. Levi shrugged.

"You actually enjoy this stuff?" He waved his hand around at all the rich people.

"It is the best way to gather funds," Erwin said with an exhausted sigh. Usually by this time of the ball he would say polite goodbyes and make a graceful exit, but he couldn't rest just yet, there was still one person or persons he had to meet. Bright blue eyes scanned the crowd. Whoever they were, they would definitely not approach him with the world's best bodyguard beside him. "Levi, have you seen the wine, by chance? I'm a bit parched."

"I bet you are," Levi mumbled also scanning the room.

"I believe I saw a few glasses by the food table. Would you mind?" He nodded to the other side of the ballroom. Erwin rubbed his palm along his throat for good measure. The pack alpha wouldn't let him remain in pain, even if it was just a sore throat.

"Will you be alright here?" Levi asked. Erwin smiled. Levi also knew that Erwin never asked question if it only had one answer.

"Yes, thank you." Erwin smile remained intact until the little alpha was lost in the crowd. It only took a few moments for his stalker to approach.

"I was wondering if you would approach me." Erwin turned to his left. A tall nobleman stepped toward Erwin, a glass of white wine in hand. At first glance, he didn't recognize the nobleman. That meant that this one typically didn't run in the higher noble circles. If he had to guess, this man was more likely a wealthy land owner who snuck into tonight's events.

"Wine?" the man offered.

"No thank you," he politely declined. "My subordinate is bringing me something to drink. The man shrugged and took a long drink from the glass.

"Aw yes, one of the many alphas under your thumb," said the noble. "Not bad for an unmated omega."

Erwin chuckled. "So, you are the author of that interesting letter?" Erwin asked. The man gave a cocky smirk. Erwin's was better. He graced the noble with it as he continued.

"It is public knowledge that I am a beta."

It was the noble's turn to chuckle. "Do you believe you're the only omega lying to the system? You are simply the most problematic."

"Problematic?"

"Yes Commander Smith," continued the noble. "Because of your push for omegas in the Survey Corps the number of rogues increased."

"Perhaps they are tired of being locked away in rooms to die," Erwin responded.

"You will not drag innocent omegas on your heretic suicide missions." Now I see, Erwin thought.

"I can assure you, your pup will be well taken care of in the Survey Corps," he said. The noble grit his teeth.

"You will not make my son one of your pawns," the beta hissed. "He ran away and enlisted into the military on his wedding day. It is all your fault. You ruined him!" Erwin smiled brighter. Good for him, he thought.

"He sounds like a fine young man, we are happy to have him," Erwin could have purred at the utter rage on the other man's face. This man wasn't foolish enough to try and harm him in public. Such courtly events were meant for verbal battles. It still calmed him when he saw the underground assassin turned savior slip behind the noble.

"Erwin, your wine." Levi's dark voice was soft enough that only the other two men could feel the dangerous rumble. The beta noble whipped around to see the little alpha glaring up at him.

Not breaking eye contact, Levi walked to his leader offering a sparkling glass of wine.

"Thank you Levi," Erwin accepted it. The beta faltered under the alpha's gaze. When he heard that Commander Erwin was bringing Humanity's strongest to the event, he thought it might derail his plans but when he saw the small man it actually gave him courage. There was no way that the short man was the same person the paper's painted as a hero. Just to be safe, he stayed away from the couple waiting for the right moment. Surely, the undercover omega would be completely defenseless then. But now, looking into those endless silver pools that were this alpha's eyes, the noble knew he was wrong. This alpha was more powerful than any he'd ever met. If he were to give off his scent the noble was sure to submit. Still, he had to stay strong, he had to stand up to the man who took away his son.

"Understand this Commander Smith, if you do not make changes, you will not like the consequences."

"I love surprises," Levi dead panned. The man took a step back shocked.

"Aw, perhaps introductions are in order," Erwin interjected, his grin wide. "This is my subordinate, Captain Levi. Perhaps you've heard of him? He's considered Humanity's strongest." The beta's eyes widened. He took another step back before quickly walking away.

"Want me to follow him?" Levi asked. Erwin took a long drink from the glass.

"Not tonight, I'm tired," said Erwin. "Let's return to base."

Thanks again for reading? Has anyone been watching the second season? Let's chat!

/KounoUmi

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