Chapter Thirteen: The Confrontation - Part 1
"Claire are you ready to go?" Levi called from the front entrance.
"Yes, I'm coming!" the girl shouted from the cracked guest bedroom.
After a few moments, Levi watched her dart out of the room, towards him and the doorway. He double checked to make sure her jacket was buttoned up properly and that each of her boots were on the right foot.
"Uncle, are we going to get Miss Eren again?"
Levi nodded and took her gloved hand in his as they walked down the stairwell together. "That's right. Her foot is still hurt, so we have to help her as much as we can."
"Do I get to spend the day with her again too?" the young girl chimed excitedly, bouncing about as much as Levi's firm grip would allow. Within minutes, they were in his car and heading towards Eren's apartment on that bright but cold Wednesday morning.
"You'll have to ask her when we pick her up. If she isn't able to watch you, then you'll have to sit quietly in my office and behave yourself while I'm lecturing, understand?"
"Yes sir!" Levi smiled into the rearview mirror as he continued down the street, he stopped at the stop sign then turned right, into the complex's main grounds. He made a left, then another immediate and smooth right before reaching the entrance to Eren's building. He heard shuffling in the back seat and he turned to see Claire digging around in her little backpack. She pulled out a few thin books, a bag of colors, and small games to show Levi, "See look, I brought stuff to keep busy," Levi reached back and patted her head and she smiled as wide as her little mouth would allow.
"Good girl, now make sure you put all that back in your bag." Claire nodded enthusiastically and began replacing her crafts and games into her backpack.
Levi sent Eren a quick text and stalled the car at the nearest exit to wait for her. After three minutes passed, he saw the door open, revealing a heavily grinning Eren with less of a limp in her walk. He unlocked the door as she approached and she plopped down in the front passenger seat.
"Morning," Levi said, reaching over to run his fingers through Eren's hair, "you wore it down today, it looks nice." She smiled shyly and stared into his eyes for a moment. She started to lean forward, intent on meeting his lips with her own for a quick kiss.
"Good morning Miss Eren! You look pretty today!" the little girl in the back bounced up from her seat and latched onto Eren's shoulder, in a awkwardly positioned hug, completely catching Eren off guard and causing her to jump in her seat from the surprise.
"G-good morning Claire," Eren tried to hide her embarrassment with a forced smile, "you look cute today too."
Claire's half-hug attack ended when Levi gently pushed her back into her seat, and instructed her to buckle back up before he shifted to drive and started towards the street. When the awkward air began to clear, Levi spoke to Claire, while keeping his eyes on the road as he merged onto the highway. "Didn't you have something you wanted to ask Eren?"
Eren turned to look into the backseat with a smile on her face, while she waited for the child to speak.
"Can you play with me again today? Monday and Tuesday were fun, I like spending time with you!"
Eren laughed and nodded, "Of course, I had fun too sweetie. My first class was canceled so we can spend even more time together."
Levi quirked his brow at the last statement, he signaled to exit off the highway and merged onto the service road, then turned down the main street that the campus called home, "What class was that?"
"Intro to Psych," she stated, thumbing through her phone to check the rest of her emails, "My professor sent out an email this morning saying that he wasn't feeling well, so class is canceled for the rest of the week until further notice."
"Oh. When is your next class?" He pulled into the faculty lot and parked as close as he could to the nearest building.
"I usually have lunch with my friends after that, and then I have my Stats class at 1."
"I lecture through 1, so text me and let me know where you are and I'll come to get Claire."
"Okay, will do." She smiled and unbuckled her belt, then stepped out of the coupe. She pulled the seat forward to let Claire out, and then offered her hand, which the girl gladly took, smiling and swinging the whole walk towards Levi's office.
He unlocked the door and let them in, "Feel free to leave whatever you want in here," he turned to Eren, "Claire has a quite a selection of activities to keep her busy if you need time to yourself, you're welcome to sit at my desk and do your homework, there are drinks here," he set his leather bag down and turned to point at the small black mini-fridge, "and if either of you get hungry," he searched in his bag and pulled out his wallet, he grabbed two twenties and handed them both to Eren, "then feel free to get yourselves something."
Eren frowned at the bills, "You know I have money right," she held up her hand in protest.
"I'm well aware, but she is my responsibility until this weekend and you're doing me a huge favor by watching her. The least I can do is pay for a meal." He pushed past her hand and slipped the bills into the side of her bag.
"My class is starting soon, so I'm going to head that direction. Text me if you need anything and call me if it's an emergency." He walked over to Claire and pat her head, "Be good and listen to Eren alright?"
"Yes sir!" he smiled and turned to leave, he shut his office door and headed towards the front of the building to exit and make his way to the lecture hall that he'd be spending the next two hours of his life in.
The girls stayed in his office for the first hour, Eren worked on an essay while Claire colored through one of the coloring books she'd brought with her. After another ten minutes of this, Eren felt her stomach growl and confirmed that Claire was hungry as well. They left their belongings in Levi's office and Eren led them down to the lounge to grab a quick bite to eat.
When they'd nearly finished their meal, Eren felt her phone buzz and she checked her message.
[Received 11:56 AM] Armin: Hey, are you eating in the lounge again? Mikasa and I are headed that way, we got out of class late, we had a few questions about the next exam. I think Jean and the guys are coming too.
Eren sighed, 'oh Armin,' she sent her response and then gathered up her and Claire's trash to dispose of it and prepare to head back to Levi's office.
[Sent 11:57 AM] I already finished eating, but thanks though. I'm still busy so I'll have to catch up with you guys later.
She took a hold of Claire's hand and led her out of the back entrance, towards nearest entrance to the next building. They walked up two flights of stairs then headed down the hall and into his private space. She let the large wooden door shut and settled in his cushioned swivel chair behind his desk. Claire returned to drawing and playing cards while Eren started back on her essay. She stopped again when she heard the phone vibrate against his glass topped desk, then sent her quick response.
[Sent 12:47 PM] We're still in your office.
About five minutes had passed before Levi was back in his office and relieving Eren from Claire-watching duty.
"Thank you again. Were you able to get any work done?"
"It's no problem, she's honestly an angel," she closed her laptop and put it away in her bag, "Yes actually, I got a good majority of my essay done. Your office is like magic, I should work here more often." She smiled and laughed jokingly.
"Why don't you then," he stated, setting his papers on his desk, "You're more than welcome to study here, as long as I'm not having a meeting with any faculty members or a student. All you have to do is ask Eren."
"Right, I…I think I'll take you up on that offer then. Especially during exam week…I love studying with my friends at the dorm, but I'm not sure I'm really supposed to enjoy it as much as do…"
"You love studying… or spending time with your friends while they study and take frequent, unearned breaks to gossip about nothing?" Levi smirked and sat down in his, still warm, chair.
"L-like I said! I'll be here around exam time." She offered him a sheepish grin and circled around the table. She kneeled and hugged Claire, "See you later sweetie," then stood and headed towards the door to leave. She waved a quick goodbye to Levi as she opened the door and exited.
As soon as she closed the door behind her, Eren turned and walked, nose first, into Jean's chin. She quickly retreated but was stopped by the wooden door that she rammed herself back against.
"Eren? What are you doing here?" he quickly asked, closing the space between them to keep their conversation as private as possible.
"W-what am I doing here? What about you? Why are you here Jean?" she nearly spat, holding her hand over her nose and covering her mouth to protect it from unwanted advances.
"I," he started, with more pomp that necessary in his words, "am here to talk to my professor." He stared down at her, with an expectant expression, waiting for her to explain her presence outside Professor Ackerman's office, though he was certain he knew the answer, no matter how much he didn't want to accept it.
"I-I," Eren stuttered, backing into the door like a rabbit cornered by a hunter, "I was just-"
"What's going on out here?" she was cut off by Levi's deep melodic voice, full of authority and demanding respect. She fell backwards as the door she'd been leaning her weight on was opened, but was steadied by Levi's hand. He caught her by the middle of her back, and pushed her forward to help her stabilize herself. "Eren? I thought you had class, why are you still here?"
He walked fully out of his office and stepped to the side of Eren, "Is there a problem Mr. Kirstein?" he directed his sharp gaze to Jean, who had stepped back about a foot from where he'd previously been in Eren's close personal space.
"N-no sir, I just needed to speak with you about something."
"Very well then," Levi's hold on Eren's back loosened and he pushed her forward, "Hurry to class or you'll be late." Without another word to her, he directed his attention to the young man standing in front of him.
Eren nodded and moved in between the two men, who were staring each other down, much like they had been at the start of the week, on the Sunday that she was hurt. The stinging pain she'd felt when she put weight or pressure on her foot no longer bothered her, the skin was scaly and unpleasant to look at, and she had an uncomfortable itch that couldn't be scratched from time to time, but overall, it was healing nicely and she was told it wouldn't scar. Monday morning, Levi, accompanied of course by his niece, had picked her up a couple hours early so he could take her to Dr. Zoe, one of Levi's close personal friends and a fellow faculty member at Rose University. Eren remembered meeting her at Dr. Pixis' holiday party, and was glad to see her again, though Hange, as Levi called her, seemed much more interested in learning why Levi had taken the responsibility of bussing her around.
She slipped through the lecture hall doors just as the campus clock tolled, signaling the start of the next hour and Eren's, nearly tardy arrival to class.
Levi invited Jean into his office; he offered him a seat across from his desk while he sat in his, now cold, swivel chair. He noticed Jean look over to the girl who was still coloring on the floor and his brow twitched in irritation.
"Please pay her no mind, she's my sister's child, I'm watching her while she is away on business." Levi shot Claire a look that meant she was to sit quietly in the corner and not interrupt him. She immediately cleaned up her area and moved to sit in the corner, pulling out a slim book to occupy her time with.
"R-right." Jean stuttered out, looking warily at the girl then back to up to Levi.
"So you have business with me Kirstein?"
"Yes sir, that's right. I wanted to ask you a few things..." he trailed off and look to the side, feeling intimidated by Levi's intense, steel gaze.
"About?"
"About…well, Eren sir." Jean looked straight ahead, swallowing his nervousness and trying his best not to let his voice quiver.
Levi subtly raised his brow but his stoic, emotionally devoid face remained intact, he crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Go on."
"You two seem…very close and I just…I just wanted to know what exactly your relationship is." Jean paused and narrowed his eyes into the best intimidating glare he could muster, "I want to make sure that Eren is safe and that she's not being forced into anything."
"What makes you think she is being forced into something?"
"She…she's new here and…that night…at the holiday party, I saw the way she looked at you. And lately, it seems like she's been hiding something, like she's really careful, almost secretive. She's young and naïve sir, and I just want to make sure that you're not taking advantage of that."
"You're quite young yourself Kirstein. What, pray tell, gives you the authority to talk to me on her behalf and accuse me of taking advantage of her?"
"I-I didn't mean it like that sir. I'm just a concerned friend is all, I know I don't mean anything more to her than that…" Jean furrowed his brows and looked down in his lap as he clenched his fists tightly together.
"All you need to know about myself and Eren's relationship is that on campus, she is a student and I am a professor. You have no business prying into my private life, nor hers if she doesn't wish to share it with you. Understand? Now if you're done digging for dirt, and have no further questions regarding my last lecture, I'd like for you to leave. I have several essays to read, and quite a bit of grading that I would like to complete before the day is over."
"But she won't talk to me about anything, I know she won't." He looked up and locked Levi with a glare, nearly shouting, "She hates me and I don't understand why! That's why I came to you for answers. What the hell was that at the Café? What the hell did she mean that you were her boyfriend? If you really plan on trying to convince me that you just have a student –instructor relationship, then you're doing a really shitty job at it."
Levi narrowed his eyes then shot a swift look to the corner to see Claire curling in on herself and trembling. "Jean, you don't seem to understand what I'm trying to tell you. My private life is none of your concern, and I would highly recommend you watch your tone when you speak to me. This discussion won't affect how I grade your work or treat you in class, but do not expect me to treat you with even an ounce of respect beyond the classroom. That is all. "
"But Professor-"
"That. Is. All. You're dismissed Jean." Levi stood from chair and walked over to door, "Please see your way out."
Jean stared at him, stupefied at the fact that he was being kicked out of Levi's office. He slowly stood, and all but dragged his feet past the doorway and into the hall. Levi began to close the door then quickly whispered, "If you're not satisfied with my answers, then feel free to come by again to discuss this matter when I don't have company. Have a good day Jean." He closed the door then fast walked to pull Claire out of the corner.
When he reached her she was already crying, her hands thrown over her ears and her body shaking slightly.
"Shh, Claire it's alright. I'm sorry I raised my voice, it's okay honey." Levi pulled her into his lap and tried to calm her down. He gentle rocked her back and forth and lightly rubbed her back to soothe her temper.
She was never able to handle yelling or screaming. Caroline divorced her husband when Claire was five years old because ever since they'd said their "I do's" their home had been a battle ground. Caroline thought that having Claire would solve the problems of their rocky marriage, but she was gravely mistaken. Her ex-husband would stay out late, and come home in foul, combative moods, ready to throw his words around, but thankfully, never his fists. Claire became very sensitive to raised voices and screaming, even now, four years after her father was removed from her life, the yelling or frustrated voice of a man still made her cringe and sometimes cry.
He spent the next half hour trying to calm his niece and prayed that Eren would return from class soon. She was able to calm her down on the ride home from the Café and he could not be more thankful for it. After another fifteen minutes, her crying had finally stopped, but only because she'd tuckered herself out and fallen asleep.
He turned when he heard a gentle knock against his door. "Come in," he called over his shoulder, he looked back down to make sure he hadn't woken his niece while he slowly lifted her sleeping form and raised himself from his office floor.
Eren popped into his office and shut the door behind her. She set her bag down and walked over to them.
"What happened?" she whispered, sitting down in the chair that Jean had previously occupied, she lifted her arms and allowed Levi to rest the sleeping girl against her.
"I upset her because I raised my voice at Jean. I know I said we should give this a full week, but I think it's time we go and see the Dean, Eren."
She cradled the girl against her body to get her in a more comfortable position and allowed Claire's head to rest against her shoulder.
"I think so too, when were you thinking of going?"
"Actually, as soon as possible, but with Claire here, it complicates things a bit."
"If you set up the appointment, I can ask my friends to watch her for a little while, I'm sure they won't mind." She ran her fingers through Claire's silky, dark brown hair.
"Are you sure?" Levi sat at his desk and stared at the two of them, he rested his chin on his opened palm and let his eyes close for a moment.
"Yes, she'll be fine. They are really responsible and fantastic people, I'm sure you'd love them."
Levi smiled and opened his eyes to meet Eren's, "I'm sure I would. Alright then, I'll set up the appointment now."
"Sounds good." Eren nodded.
Levi pulled out his phone and dialed an all too familiar number. It rang a few times, then the line clicked open.
"Hello, Erwin…"