Hanji knows how to manipulate Levi

And Petra judges Levi's poor choice of clothes

0o0o0o0o0o

"Whose kid is that?"

"Isn't he kinda cute?"

"I guess even with a scary face, someone like Levi can have a kid."

With that not so subtle whisper, Levi shut his textbook with a sharp snap, leveling a glare towards the women crowded around a nearby shelf. They immediately scattered and continued to gossip amongst themselves away from earshot. Levi sighed, massaging the bridge of his nose.

It wasn't like him to be affected by their senseless comments but the daycare was closed for the summer so he had to bring Eren along with him to his classes and work. And with the finals a week away, he was feeling slightly more drained than usual. Levi wasn't worried about passing his actual courses. More like, he was anxious to have the whole spring semester done with.

Eren sat beside him, playing a game on Levi's iPad. He started to open his textbook, with the full intention of continuing his studies, but his concentration was ruined. Four hours of study was enough for one day either way.

He gathered his textbook and placed it inside his messenger bag along with his notebook and pen. Noticing his movement, Eren set the iPad on the table.

"Are you done?"

Levi nodded, "Let's go grab lunch."

Eren nodded and stuffed the iPad into his own little bag. He held Levi's hand as they walked out the library. Despite it being late may, the sun was making damn sure it blazed the ground it shone upon. Most of the students on campus dressed in short shorts and tank tops. The weather in Trost was fickle and considering finals were approaching, it was understandable that they wanted to take advantage of the beautiful weather.

And that included everybody, Levi noted as he spotted Hanji waving towards them. She sported the short shorts with a beige short sleeve button up and had a rather devious grin plastered on her face.

A chill ran down Levi's spine. That grin meant trouble.

"Hanji!" Eren waved madly. Levi calculated how much effort it would take to pick Eren up and run the opposite way. As it was, there was still time before he got too close.

"Levi~!" She shouted, hands positioned on her hips.

Eren was still light enough to haul away at the speed of light.

"Hanji, you're reminding me of Erwin." Levi said as he got closer.

"Eh, that's rude. I got a suggestion for you."

"Whatever you're plotting can't be good."

"You haven't even heard of my plan!"

Levi shifted his weight to one foot, crossed his arms across his chest, and blatantly stared. "So what is this suggestion?"

Hanji grinned and she knelt in front of Eren, to Levi's surprise. "Hey Eren, what are you doing this summer?"

Eren shrug, "I dunno."

"Do you want to come with me on a fun trip?"

"What trip?" Eren asked, already captivated. Levi watched and he could tell this wasn't going to go his way.

"I have this super big house out by the beach with its very own pool and the beach real close!" She spread out her arms, emphasizing her words. "I want to invite you and Levi when Levi's done with classes but I think Levi might say no because he's a big grumpy dork."

"Hanji…"

Before he could get another word in, Eren turned towards him with hopeful eyes. Levi froze and he could see the want and excitement already bubbling within Eren. He glared at Hanji whom had the most shit-eating grin as she watched, clearly enjoying his dilemma.

"Do you want to go to Hanji's summer house, Eren?" He asked, already knowing his response. Sure enough, Eren nodded.

He suppressed a groan and nodded. Hanji shouted in victory, getting to her feet again. "It's settled! We're leaving on the Friday after the finals are done next week. And since you're coming, Erwin's sure to come."

"Hanji!" Levi and Eren turned back to see a man running towards them.

"Whoops, gotta go. See you later!" She ran away the opposite way with a laugh. Levi stepped aside as the guy stopped in front of him to catch his breath.

"Molbit, I see you're still working with her."

The brunet nodded, straightening up. "We're almost done with our final lab report but Hanji decided to run off at the last minute."

"She tends to do that when it sunny like this. Or when she feels like it really. Why bother?"

"She's a really good scientist. I learn a lot just by watching her in the lab. But if she could just focus on lab work more…"

"Color me surprised. Here I thought you liked her." The man sputtered, nervously running his hand though his hair as he looked at everywhere but Levi. His face and the tips of his ears were turning red.

"A-Anyways, I need to go catch up to her. I'll see you later." Molbit ran off towards the direction Hanji had left. Levi watched Molbit run towards Hanji in the distance. Hanji was chatting up with another friend when Molbit approached. She ran around the friend she was talking to, laughing and dodging poor Molbit.

"Eren, I hope you turn out normal." He said, looking down at his tiny wild-haired child. For whatever reason, Eren really liked to spend time with Hanji. He hoped none of her behaviors became imprinted on Eren.

0o0o0o0o0o

Before he knew it, the weekend had passed and the finals for his classes were upon him. Levi talked to his professors beforehand about bringing Eren and assured them he wouldn't be a problem during the exams.

His exams, for the worst possible outcome, were held on the same day on Wednesday. The first one started at nine in the morning and the last one didn't end until eight at night. Each exam lasted three hours and there was an hour break in between each. On the bright side, at least they were all on the same day but that was a very tiny light in what was to be a long day.

He and Eren were okay with the first two exams. Eren had the iPad and a 3DS to keep him busy. They had lunch with Petra and Eld, both whom were chest high in highlighted notes and textbook. When they entered the room for the third exam, Eren was asleep as soon as he sat down.

Luckily, Levi was able to finish that exam an hour early and left with Eren.

When they arrived home, Levi immediately made a beeline to the bedroom. He dumped Eren on the bed and collapsed right next to him, falling asleep within seconds.

0o0o0o0o0o

The following day, Levi woke up once, to feed Eren breakfast, then went back to sleep until twelve. When he walked out the bedroom, Eren was where he was exactly five hours ago but with a new movie playing and his toys all strewn about in front of him.

"Good morning, Levi!"

"Anything happened while I was sleeping?"

"Hanji called a whole lot and said to make sure you pack up for tomorrow!"

Levi resisted the urge to go back to sleep and headed for the kitchen. He grabbed the carton of milk from the fridge, pouring himself a glass. With a box of Oreos in hand, he made his way to Eren and sat beside the boy. Eren immediately made a grab for the Oreos, setting it on his lap.

"We won't need much." He leaned back on the couch, resting his head back. He started to think of all the things they would need while Eren munched on some cookies. Levi grumbled as he realized Hanji didn't say how long they would be gone.

"Eren, where's my phone?" He asked, not bothering to lift his head. Eren scrambled off the couch then came back with Levi's phone in hand.

"Mmf!" He said through a mouthful of cookie. Levi lifted his head to text Hanji the question of how long she planned to take them away then rested his head back.

First thing to get were bathing suits. Eren didn't have any trunks. Or for that matter, he really didn't have any summer clothes. Nearly all of it was burned in the fire. That was a slight problem. If he didn't want Eren to run around with his winter clothes, he'd have to fix that problem soon. He needed shoes too. Socks, shorts, underwear…

The kid needed a whole damn wardrobe.

"Eren!"

The boy flinched and turned back, his cheeks puffed out and Oreo crumbs all around his mouth. He looked worried.

"Sorry, Eren, I didn't mean to yell. Finish your cookie." Eren nodded and continued to chew, swallowing it down with the glass of milk. "Let's get dressed. You need clothes."

Eren looked down at his shirt and tugged, gazing back at Levi. "New clothes, you smarta—" Levi stopped himself in time. Eren grabbed one more cookie from the bag before he ran off to his bedroom.

0o0o0o0o0o0

Trost was mainly a university town. Family homes, Trost's university dormitories, the university itself, the local junior and high school, and a few family run shops were the only things of interest within the town. There wasn't much to do if one wanted to look for entertainment. Luckily enough, the closest city with anything to do within it, Sina, was only a thirty minute drive away.

And that included the grand mall near the edge of the city.

Levi parked the car near the cinema entrance and held Eren's hand until they were inside. Thankfully, it wasn't crowded as it usually was, maybe due to the fact that it was 1am on a weekday. It was easier to shop with less people around so Levi appreciated that one small joy.

"Levi! Where are we going?"

Eren was bouncing up and down, his hand clutching Levi's.

"We're getting your clothes for the summer."

"Just clothes?" He asked with a hopeful expression.

Levi nodded as they walked. "Just clothes." Levi led Eren to the first kids' store he saw, browsing the collection of summer clothes they've had. Eren walked around Levi, slowly wandering towards the toy section.

"Eren, come here." Levi called out. Eren longingly stared at the toys as he trudged back to Levi's side. Levi looked through the shirts, checking the size against Eren's chest. He picked a few light colored shirts and a couple of denim shorts then made his way to the dresser.

"Here." He said, pulling out a white short sleeve button down and a pair of shorts. "Put these on and come out." Eren nodded and disappeared behind the door. Levi sat down on a bench with the other clothes as he waited. Eren came out a minute later, looking down at the shirt.

"I know you can do better than this, Levi."

Levi looked beside him. Petra was shaking her head slightly as she noticed the clothes he held in his arms. He noticed she was wearing the stores shirt. "When did you start working here?"

"Two month ago," She replied. "Are you really going to get Eren these clothes?"

"What are wrong with these?"

She shook her head, grabbing the clothes from his arms. "What size is Eren?"

"A small." He answered. Petra nodded and walked back out to the front. Eren stared at Levi, wondering what just happened. Levi shrugged and told Eren to change back to his old clothes. When they walked back out, Petra was already walking back towards them with more vibrant and a variety of different shirts and shorts than he had previously picked out.

"He should try these instead." She said, handing the bundle of clothes to Levi. She pulled out a light green t-shirt with the silhouette of a shark and white plaid shorts. "Here, Eren, can you put these one?"

Eren nodded as he grabbed the clothes and went back inside the dressing room. Levi glanced at the smile on Petra's face.

"You're having fun." He noted.

Petra grinned. "It'd be a shame to have Eren dress in plain clothes." Eren stepped back out, happily patting the shirt. Petra's smile became gentler as she knelt in front of Eren, fixing the hem of his shirt. "What else are you going to get?"

Levi looked down at the clothes in his arms. There were about 4 complete outfits. "Four more outfits and I guess underwear and socks since we're here. I'm gonna get his shoes at another store." Her smile brightened and she went back out front to gather more outfits for Eren.

"Levi, can I get a toy, please?" Eren said, giving him the best puppy eyes he could muster. Levi stared at him but Eren was completely indifferent to his stare. By now, Eren could differentiate between Levi normal stare and his actual serious glare. It might've been Levi's imagination but he could've sworn Eren was using that face more and more against him. Either way, Levi wasn't winning this contest.

"Change back to your old clothes and we'll wait for Petra to come back. Think you can wait?"

"Yes!" He excitable replied, rushing back into the dressing room. When Eren stepped back out and handed the new clothes back to Levi, they went back out to the store front. Levi picked up a new packet of socks and underwear while Petra finished picking out the other outfits. He made the line as Petra handed the rest of the clothes to him. She went to the other register and flagged him over.

"I'll give you the employee discount." She said as he reached the register.

"You didn't hold back at all, did you." He said as she rung up the clothes. Petra blushed and sheepishly grinned.

"Don't tell anyone at all," She said as she leaned slightly forward. "But I want to have a child one day. I mean, my education degree comes first then marriage, but having kids is something I've always thought about." She started to bag his items into bags while she hummed happily. Eren bounced on his feet beside Levi, eyes trained on the airplane toy he picked out. Petra placed it in its own bag and handed it to Eren.

"Thank you, Petra." Levi said, grabbing the rest.

"No problem. And next time, call me if you're going shopping for Eren! You don't have as much taste as you think you do."

"So dressing Eren in a little biker outfit is something I shouldn't do?" He asked.

Petra laughed and shook her head. "Just… call me, 'kay?"

Levi smiled and nodded. Eren waved goodbye as they left towards the shoe store. Sneakers were much easier things to shop for and the pair was in and out of that store in less than twenty minutes. They made it back home by noon, picking up pizza on their way back. While Eren ate his 2ndand 3rd slice, Levi packed their clothes for the upcoming trip Hanji had so thoughtfully planned.

0o0o0o0o0o

"I don't think.."

"Shh…."

"Hanji, he's going to murder you."

"Don't care."

"Jee, what're you doing?"

"Something fun." Hanji replied as she gently grabbed the doorknob to Levi's room.

It was 12am and Levi had gone to bed early. Eren was in the living room, watching a movie while he played with his blocks and an airplane toy. Using Erwin's spare key, Hanji and Erwin walked into the apartment. Hanji had shushed Eren quickly as she slinked towards the bedroom. Erwin merely stood to the side as he watched her.

Hanji slowly opened the door and crept in. Eren made to follow but Erwin held him back. He knelt beside him and shook his head. "It's going to get ugly in there so stay out here."

Eren nodded and they watched.

It was quiet in the room. Erwin and Eren were both straining to hear what was happening in the room without actually getting near the door. Erwin knew from experience never to be by the door and Eren just instinctively knew. There was a soft intake of breath as Hanji suddenly screamed. Followed by a barrage of swears foul enough to have Erwin hastily cover Eren's ears. Hanji skidded out the room, a pillow flinging past her and smacking the wall.

"You SHITTY NERD!" He ran out in his boxers, running after her. He landed a solid kick across her ass, causing her to fall and topple over the sofa. She was laughing, her breathe coming out as wheezing. Eren stared wide-eyed at Levi, hands covering his mouth. Levi's head snapped towards Erwin, a heated soul crushing glare aimed at the older man.

Erwin picked Eren up and held him in front of his face. "Language." He said behind Eren's body.

Levi placed his hands over Eren's ears and very quietly muttered, "What the fuck are you shit stains doing here at this goddamn hour?"

"Our trip starts now!" Hanji replied, spying the packed suitcases Levi had left out in the living room. Without waiting for his reply, she grabbed them both and hauled them away. This left Erwin the dangerous task of explaining. Levi grabbed Eren and settled his glare at Erwin.

"You won't have to drive at all." Erwin bartered. Levi kept staring murder at the blond until he eventually relaxed.

"I don't even want to look at the wheel." Levi said after a pause. Erwin nodded and Levi set Eren down on the floor. He went back into the bedroom to put on actual clothes, grabbed his keys and wallet, and the small backpack he had prepared with Eren's extra clothes and snacks. With Eren in tow, Levi followed Erwin out the apartment, locking the doors behind him.

Out on the street were two parked cars. Hanji was in the driver seat of a dark blue jeep wrangler with Petra in the passenger seat and a sleeping Molbit in the back. The other car was Erwin's; a silver altima Nissan. Eren slipped into the back seat and Levi took the passenger seat, immediately reclining back the seat. With Erwin in the passenger seat, Hanji started her car and Erwin followed.

0o0o0o0o0o0o

The drive to Hanji's house by the beach was six hours away from Trost. True to Erwin's word, Levi slept throughout the entire trip, not even waking up when Molbit switched with Erwin halfway out the countryside. It wasn't until the car took a turn down a hill, the road leading to a driveway that lead to a 2-story tan building with large windows. A balcony jutted out from the second floor, looking over the patio and pool below. The beach was right behind the house at the base of the small hill. And further along, past the driveway, the road continued to what appeared to be a small town further in the distance.

Hanji's jeep took a turn on the driveway, driving close to the front door. Molbit, currently driving the Nissan, followed and parked right aside the jeep. Hanji jumped out of her car, a grin plastered on her face. She proudly stared at her home and faced the parked cars and their sleepy inhabitants.

"Welcome to the best relaxing two weeks you'll ever have!"

"God, I regret this already." Levi mumbled, glaring at her through the windshield.

"She means well." Erwin said from the back seat. Levi looked up at the rearview window, giving the blond a particularly nasty glare as well.

"…I know she does." He said, ending with a defeated sigh. His eyes flickered downwards to notice Eren completely sprawled all over Erwin's lap. "Did he wake up at all?"

"Once when Molbit came to take over the driving but he's been as passed out as you." Levi nodded and turned back towards the front, stepping out the car. Petra, Hanji, and Molbit were already heading inside. Erwin stepped out with Eren in his arms.

Inside the house, the 1st floor was one massive open space, with the kitchen towards the left and the living room towards the right. The stairs leading to the second floor was right across the front door. Wicker furniture complimented the white walls and beige curtains on the windows.

"The rooms are upstairs. Levi, you should take one of the master rooms, it has an extra bed for Eren. It'll be the last door on your right." Hanji said from the kitchen.

"Thanks." Levi said, as he made his way upstairs. Erwin followed behind. The second floor continued the color scheme of white and beige. Except for the floor, it was laid with carpet rather than the marble polished tiles downstairs. His room was right where Hanji said and true to her word, there was a twin-sized bed set across a king sized bed. The wall opposite the door was entirely made up of 3 large windows. The room even had its own bathroom.

"I forget how soft these beds are." Levi said as he threw himself on the king sized bed. Erwin gently laid Eren on his own bed and joined Levi.

"We're not doing anything." Levi said.

"I wasn't thinking of it." Erwin replied, almost immediately. He wrapped his arms around Levi's waist, pressing him closer to his chest. Levi didn't stop it, feeling Erwin rest his chin on top of his head. Levi would've protested further but he couldn't bring himself to do so. It has been a long time since he could be close to Erwin like this. He wasn't going to act coy now.

Levi turned around in Erwin's arm, pressing his body closer. He breathed in deeply and pressed his forehead against Erwin's chest. "I'm not going to continue classes," Levi said. "I'm thinking of opening the flower shop again."

"You're just going to stop?"

Levi nodded. "I know how to run the shop by myself. And being able to manage my own hours gives me more time to spend with Eren. I think that's more important right now."

"And your day job?"

"I've already quit. I have enough in my savings to last me a few months and the bribes I get from her will definitely help."

"Calling them bribes is a little much." Erwin said, brushing back Levi's hair. Levi scowled, thinking of his mother. After she had a child of her own when Levi was seventeen, she'd all but started to forget he even existed. With Erwin's help, he managed to convince her to provide Levi with a monthly allowance and paid for college until he turned 24. He'd saved a majority of those checks in the bank and was set for the next three years.

And he didn't want to see Carla's shop go to waste.

"Either way, it'll be easier for the both of us." He closed his eyes, feeling Erwin's hand slip underneath his shirt. He started to rub soothing circles against his lower back. Forgetting where he was, Levi moaned softly as Erwin kneaded his fingers harder against Levi's waist.

"Levi?"

Levi's eyes shot open and he all but punched Erwin off the bed, scrambling away from the bed itself. He straightened up, smoothing down his shirt. Erwin righted himself, sitting back on the bed, maintaining his usual poker face despite the fact he wanted to laugh at the concerned expression Levi wore.

Eren was yawning, rubbing his still closed eyes. "Levi, I'm hungry," He mumbled.

"Right," He hastily said, taking Eren's hand. "Let's go see what Hanji has downstairs."

Eren nodded slowly, yawning again as he followed Levi. Erwin walked out with them and very stealthily placed a hand on Levi's waist as Eren ran ahead towards the stairs. "Let's remember to relax while we're here."

Levi brushed off Erwin's hand, muttering a 'gross' underneath his breathe but wasn't able to stop the smirk from shaping his lips.

0o0o0o0o0o

Sorry for the late posting, I had this chapter up on Ao3 first but then Anime Boston happened then I had to not sleep in order to catch up with finals

I promise this is the only time this happens [maybe]