A/N: Please Review. Feedback would be much helpful.

Disclaimer: I own none of the characters related to Attack On Titan.

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Chapter 3

In the days following her alone time with Erwin, Anya tried her hardest to get back in the solitary routine of her life. But even that proved to be difficult those days. In a town where everyone seemed to know everyone's business, it was hard to avoid her boss. They weren't schedule to return to work for some time, and Anya decided that she wanted to spend her time away from her desk as productively as she could. And her goal was to start with things around her house. During publishing season, she neglected everything but her own personal health, meaning her home had accumulated things from so long ago they could very well throw themselves away.

Or at least it was until she realized Erwin frequented one of her favorite home décor stores.

And the local supermarket (not the one closest to his own home but instead the one close to hers).

The coffee shop…

The bookstore…

Erwin Smith seemed to be everywhere she turned.

And it pissed Anya off to no end.

After having dinner with the man, Anya had made it a number one task to avoid him with any means necessary. But Erwin was a persistent bastard and avoiding him proved difficult. It wasn't until she found herself out having brunch with Eren, Armin, and Mikasa that she had to confront the man. Erwin appeared to be a lot less strict considering they weren't at work, and his idea of laid back was more than enough for him to get along with her friends.

That's exactly what they were, her friends.

Now how he managed to infiltrate her circle of friends was beyond her, but if it didn't bother them then she supposed it didn't bother her as well. Though that didn't mean she had to like it.

"Oh lighten up, Anya." Armin said with a chuckle as he picked at what was left of his food.

The woman simply rolled her eyes. While everyone else busied themselves with sharing light conversation on what they'd been occupying themselves with, there was Anya… sitting in her awkward silence. Her legs were crossed, her phone in hand, her plate long since empty. She ran out of things to say a while ago. The dating scene wasn't her cup of tea, and since they were off work that's all her friends seemed to be doing- going on casual dates and bragging about who they slept with or wanted to sleep with.

"So Anya," Eren chirped suddenly. "I heard from Thomas that you and Erwin here went on a date. A date you told us nothing about, and here I thought we were friends." He gave a look of mock hurt.

"When will you be going on another date?" Questioned Armin. He was far more eager than he should've been, like always. The much smaller man knew everything about everyone, hence why the gossip column had his name on it.

"Yes Anya, when will we be having another?" There was a slight teasing in Erwin's tone as he finished the last of his cup's contents before returning it to its coaster with a light tap.

"It wasn't a date," Anya clarified. "And I don't plan on doing anything of the sort again."

"I just don't see why you won't' give the man a chance. He makes you head of one of his most popular columns, the least you could do is let him take you out."

"Yeah, we've been friends for a while now and we've never seen you with anyone. You're going to end up old and alone with that kinda attitude."

Of course they meant no harm, they were her friends after all and had her best interest at heart. But that didn't mean Anya didn't feel the sting of their words, or the truth behind them.

"I would rather take old and alone than beaten and bruised any day." Anya said. This caught their attention, needless to say. "Since you guys are just so interested in my love life, let me tell you all why I would rather be left the hell alone." Her hands went to untie the neat scarf around her neck, revealing to them a long pale scar that covered the length of the olive flesh. "The last guy was violent. Showed his love by hospital visits, so many bruises I lost count, and a broken arm with a tire iron. He would've killed me had he not have missed my carotid artery by an inch. So yes, trust me when I say I am perfectly fine on my own."

"Anya… we didn't know." Said Eren.

"No, you didn't… but now you do."

The atmosphere at the small table shifted, and Anya took that as her cue to leave. She mumbled her less than enthusiastic goodbyes and got to her feet, half expecting to leave the small bistro alone.

"Anya?" Erwin called as he followed out behind her.

"What do you want now?" Anya asked.

"I want to apologize for putting you on the spot like that; I meant nothing more but conversation." Said Erwin. "I had no idea you went through something so traumatic."

"Well I don't need your sympathy or your pity." Anya said. "What I need you to do is your job as my boss and that's it."

XXXX

His large hand pushed yet another empty bottle away, rubbing his brow in frustration. There was a lot Erwin could take, there was a lot he could endure, but this was proving to be far more difficult than he expected it to be. Being the man that he was, he had very little difficulty accruing a woman… or a partner in general. Handsome, well respected, and wealthy- who didn't want to be in his bed? Even if it was for only one night. But as he ordered yet another beer, an attempt to brighten his more than sour mood, the food at his side no longer a pleasing thought, bits and pieces of earlier that day came flooding back to him.

Erwin knew Anya didn't like him, but she didn't quite hate him either. She had more of a tolerance towards him, and that was better than nothing considering how she treated those she didn't care for. He didn't know what it was about the woman that made her so interesting. And it had been long while since he found someone interesting enough to catch even his attention. Her personality wasn't much to brag about, which he now had an explination for. And he wasn't one of those shallow guys that went solely on looks alone, not that Anya wasn't attractive enough. There was just something about her that surpassed what he saw, and the more he tried to figure it out? The more it eluded him. The more frustrated he became, the drunker he got.

"Mr. Smith?" Christa questioned. The small, petite blonde was the only person in town he trusted enough to serve his drinks, making him a regular at her bar. "How are you going to get home if you keep drinking like that?"

Erwin downed the last of his bottles contents before lifting his eyes to her. Her lithe arms rested crossed at her chest, her weight shifted to one leg as she waited for him to answer. It wasn't often that he got into emotional funks, and every time he did it left the blonde woman worried.

"Dear Christa," Erwin said as he got to his seat. "I have no plans of going home."

Christa watched as the man slipped into his blazer, stepping out into the cool night air of the small, bustling town.