Chapter 10

Author's notes: This week's chapter starts with a dream. Thank you for your continued support. As always, please review and such. And happy holidays

Sleep led Levi back to the first night he was taken by the Survey Corps. It all came back to that night; that was the night their dreams were supposed to come true. He sat on the stone pillars, facing away from the castle, looking up at the most beautiful stars he ever saw.

"Big Brother!" Isabel bounded over to him. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders. Levi placed his hand over hers. In life, there were a few moments like these. Isabel always knew how to bring him out of his dark places. She would say something foolish or tell a silly story and he no longer thought about the blood on his hands.

"Don't hide things so well that I can't find them," he scolded her. He gripped her fingers in his hand.

"I didn't mean too," Isabel pouted. Levi turned around to face her. Isabel stepped back but didn't release Levi's hand. Her short pig tails were replaced with free flowing locks that haloed her lovely face. Pig tails or not she still looked like a little kid to him. Isabel wore a white pants and a white men's shirt that seemed to glow in the moonlight.

"You look pretty with your hair down," Levi said. She blushed.

"Stop being weird," Isabel replied. She pulled her hand from his to punch him in the arm.

"Yo!" Levi turned his head to see Farlan approach. He was also dressed in a radiating white. He stood in that stupid cocky stance he took when he thought he bested Levi. His hands hung lazily his pockets.

"Yo!"

"So you decided to stick it out." Farlan nodded to Levi's clothes. Levi looked down to see that he wore his Survey Corps' uniform. He shrugged.

"I'm happy that you stayed," said Isabel. He looked up at her surprised. "With Big Brother with them maybe they'll find what they're looking for." Levi looked down at his hands.

"I didn't get there in time…" he said. His eyes started to burn. "If I had just stuck with the plan…"

"You would have been eaten," said Farlan. "They came from nowhere. By the time you got back the fog started to clear. Even you can't fight in that." Levi looked up at his friend gape-mouthed.

"It wasn't such a bad gig," Farlan said light-hearted. He looked past Levi to the twinkling stars. "We got to eat every day, had clean clothes, and," Farlan stressed the last part, "We didn't die in the underground. What I'm trying to say is… I'm happy you came back." He placed his hand on Levi's shoulder.

"I…"

"Stop," said Farlan. He took his hand off of Levi's shoulder to wag his finger at his old friend. "Levi the invincible doesn't apologize. No regrets right? So stop it."

"Right!" Isabel said triumphantly.

"And since you're not going to kill him," Farlan continued, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Try being a bit nicer to the blonde. "

"Yea, no biting," said Isabel. Levi looked from one to the other.

"You saw that?" Levi asked.

"Oh yea," said Isabel.

"Since when does Levi the Invincible bite?" teased Farlan.

"It was a stupid move," he muttered.

"I don't think he minded," Isabel laughed. She took a seat on the stones. "The blonde isn't so bad," she continued. She crossed her arms over her chest. "He fooled Farlan and he's the smartest guy we know!"

"He didn't fool me," Farlan snapped. His friends stared at him blankly. "Fine. He's pretty smart."

"I approve of him," Isabel said with a nod. "Big Brother can run away with him."

"Whoa, what a minute," Levi barked.

"Levi the housewife," said Farlan.

"Oi!" Levi looked from one to the other. "Why am I the housewife?"

"Big brother can cook," offered Isabel.

"Are there aprons big enough for the blonde?" Farlan said in thought.

"Erwin," Levi said softly. Farlan raised an eyebrow.

"And Big brother's good at cleaning and he's kind. Oh, and Big brother loves kids."

"I hate kids."

"You raised me," Isabel offered.

"You're different dummy," Levi said. Isabel stuck out her tongue. Suddenly she and Farlan looked to the sky.

"It's almost time to wake up," said Isabel. In the blink of an eye Levi's friends wore their Survey Corps' uniforms. Levi had to admit they looked good in them.

"Be kind, Big brother," said Isabel.

"And try to be social," said Farlan.

The chiming of the morning bell stirred Erwin to consciousness. He rolled onto his back only to be pushed away by the growling lump beside him. Erwin's eyes shot open as he realized where he slept. Erwin turned so he lay on his stomach.

"Levi?" There, curled in a ball as peaceful as a lamb was the Invincible Levi. Seeing Levi like this Erwin almost forgot he was looking at a criminal. No, he was looking at a titan slayer. He reached out to brush away the raven hair that fell over Levi's face. The hair seemed to waterfall over Erwin's fingers. Wave after wave pulled him deeper. Before he knew it, Erwin's lips brushed Levi's eyelids.

Dark gray eyes fluttered open surprised. Erwin leaned down. His fingers cupped the back of Levi's head pushing him forward as he brushed his lips against Levi's. Rationally, Erwin knew that he should stop. It was unseemly and fraternization among squad members was frowned upon.

It was Erwin's turn to be surprised when Levi's hands reached up to cup around Erwin's face. Levi was as finicky as any stray so he didn't push. He would let Levi take the lead. Levi's lips parted followed by teeth nipping Erwin's lips. Erwin was ready for it this time. He leaned forward, gliding his tongue along the path Levi offered. This kiss, this fight, was just as important as the night they fought in Erwin's chambers. Their tongues danced a complicated dance for dominance. The smaller man wouldn't be taken so easily. He tangled his hands into Erwin's hair pulling him down. Erwin's hand moved from Levi's raven locks sliding to Levi's waist, his arm easily entrapping the slender frame. A moan passed Levi's lips.

I should still hate this man right? No, Isabel would get mad at me if I hated Erwin. Levi didn't fight when the bigger man pulled him beneath him. "You're heavy," Levi mumbled between their lips. Everything about this felt right. I can't give in so easily can I? Suddenly, Erwin sat up to sit cross legged on the bed. The blonde captain was sure that he saw disappointment in Levi's eyes.

"You went to the underground without me," said Erwin. Levi starts to sit up only to be pushed back down.

"Someone like you wouldn't understand," said Levi crossing his arms. Erwin took hold of Levi's hands, uncrossed his arms, then pinned them to the bed. Erwin caged the stray between his knees as he straddled Levi's hips

"You broke your word," said Erwin hovering over him. Bright blue eyes were as sharp as one of Levi's daggers.

"I never promised to wait," said Levi. Erwin sighed. He released Levi's hands. Erwin's palms trailed down Levi's sleeves as he sat up.

"You should trust me," Erwin implored.

"Because you say?" Levi barked as he sat up. "Why would I do that?" Erwin pulled Levi to him and kissed him again. This time Levi pushed him away. Levi's face was flushed and a shade of pink touched his ears. "Stop it." Erwin brought his hands back.

"Any fucker who has tried to control me comes back bloody." said Levi.

"Is what you think?" asked Erwin. "That I want to control you?"

"That's why you brought me to the surface right? To have your trained rat fight for humanity?" Levi waited for the lies to spew out. For Erwin to tell him that over this time he had fallen for him. Or that Levi was more than just a weapon.

"Why did you let me kiss you?" Erwin's smooth face became a calm mask. For all Levi's strength his eyes gave him away. His expression was firm but his gray eyes gave away the confusing thoughts hidden there. Honestly, Erwin was also confused. What possessed him to kiss Levi? Erwin reached out to stroke Levi's cheek. The finicky stray swatted it away. A bell tolled on base.

"It was almost time for breakfast. I'll see you downstairs," said Erwin. He untangled his long limbs from Levi's.

000

After a quick wash, Levi made his way down to the mess hall. The place looked more like a fancy restaurant than a place where military grunts were fed. The Military Police even had servants who had passed out the food. On the Survey Corps base it was up to rookies and junior officers to cook and hand out meals. This place is just as disgusting as I thought it would be, thought Levi. Wealth and corruption were everywhere. Of course, Levi was never allowed to see this part of the base. He only knew their dungeons. Since going underground Levi's stomach was a lot calmer. His appetite finally returned so would eat their fancy food.

Hange waved him over to their table. After getting his food, Levi walked over to sit beside Hange. Captain Erwin's mask was flawless once again. He even offered Levi a kind smile when he approached. A pang tugged at Levi's chest. He bit into the bread. It tasted fresh baked. Fucking Military Police, he thought. He couldn't look at his squad mates. He couldn't say that it was because if he looked at them they would see past his mask to the frustration hidden inside. It's Erwin's fault. No, thought Levi. It's my own fault for letting my guard down.

"As much as I hate them they know how to live," Clare sighed as she ate.

"They do have more resources," said Captain Erwin. "Don't forget why we are here. If we win the nobility will see the value of the Survey Corps."

"Then the commander can fund raise right?" said Clare. Erwin nodded.

"Once the races start I'm going to help his efforts," Erwin continued.

"Captain Handsome," teased Hange. Hange's glasses reflected the morning light. "The nobles won't know what hit them." Erwin smiled. Levi continued eating. Suddenly, the mess hall doors opened and in walked five armed Military Policemen. They circled the table pointing their guns at Levi.

"What is the meaning of this?" Erwin rose to his feet.

"Captain Smith," said one of the MPs. "We have it on good authority that one of your unit tried to rig today's race. Please move out of the way. "

"What proof do you have for these accusations?" demanded Erwin. Levi scoffed. The military police couldn't tell proof from a pile of shit. The same policeman who spoke tossed a dirty blue cloak on the table. Shit, Levi thought.

"Our guards spotted an individual in our storehouse messing with our equipment," said the military policeman. "The intruder was wearing this cloak."

"I am sure you are aware that the Survey Corps' cloaks are green," said Captain Erwin. Levi quickly finished the food on his plate. It was going to be a while before he would be able to eat again.

"We received word that it was one of the Survey Corps' team who stole the cloak. There is only one person on your team with a criminal history." The policeman looked at Levi. Levi finished drinking his tea.

"Who are you talking about?" Levi said. He rose to his feet to look at the policemen.

"You're under arrest for attempted murder," said the policeman.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Levi spat. Leave it to the Military Police to added charges on top of charges they already trumped.

"If someone used that equipment it would have exploded, killing wearer."

Levi crossed his arms. His fingertips slipped inside to brush the edge of his dagger. It might be a bit hard getting off base but he could do it.

"Stand down Levi," Captain Erwin said. His voice was that of one who expected to be obeyed. Levi glared at him. I can get out of here, Levi thought. I don't need his help.

"I will sort this out," said Erwin. This time his voice was calm. If Levi didn't know better it might have sounded pleading. The two locked eyes. Levi looked away. He released the dagger within in his jacket. He placed his hands behind his head. The policemen jerked Levi back from the table. They tied rope around his wrists before marching him out of the mess hall. Erwin's gaze followed the group.

"Sir," Clare found her voice. "They can't just take Levi right?"

"No, said Captain Erwin. "I will resolve this issue. The goal is still the same. We have to win today. Understood?" He walked away from the table.

"Yes sir," they said. It didn't make sense for Levi to rig the games. He could win all on his own. Erwin marched toward Nile's office. His old friend was reviewing papers when Erwin burst in to the room.

"Erwin?" Nile looked up at him surprised. It was rare that anything unnerved Erwin Smith. Even rarer was for it to show on his chiseled face.

"Levi was arrested for trying to rig the games," Erwin. "Did you know about this?"

"Oh, yea," said Nile. "I told you that he would go underground. The guards spotted him leaving last night and trailed him. Then this morning one of his cohorts ratted him out. It was probably a job from his old boss." It still didn't make sense to Erwin.

"His old boss?" asked Erwin.

"Kenny the ripper," said Nile. "The guy who ratted Levi out was from that gang too. "

"How do you know all this?"

"You have titans; I have underground scum." Nile leaned back in his chair.

"Do you have information on where I can find this man?" Erwin asked. Nile looked up at his old classmate.

"It won't change anything," said Nile. "Commander wants this cleaned up before the games start. Levi is going to be sentenced this afternoon."

"Who is presiding over the case?" asked Erwin. Nile shrugged.

"Some local judge."

"Not a military one?" asked Erwin

"No….." It took a few moments for realization to dawn behind Nile's eyes. "Erwin no! I told you the thug did it. Come on, you still have the other two. You brought your equipment right? Doesn't mess up the games like this?"

"Levi is a part of the Survey Corps," said Erwin. "He must be seen before a military council."

"Come on," said Nile rose to his feet. "You can just go down there and get another thug."

"Nile," Erwin said. His face was firm as chiseled marble. Nile sighed. It was always the same with Erwin Smith. He only played by the rules when it suited his ends. You're a dangerous man, Nile thought. Even when they were trainees Nile could never get the better of that man.

"Dammit," Nile sat back down. "I'll submit the request. Until then he remains in jail." Erwin nodded.

"Also, I need that information on the thug who came this morning."

Nile sat back down in his chair. "Would you like a map of the underground while I'm at it?" Nile's voice was rich with sarcasm.

"If you have one available," said Captain Handsome.