He's fussier than usual as he dresses her, retying the bow at the back of the powder blue dress, adjusting the petticoats (she has never worn petticoats before; who wears petticoats?) beneath the skirt. "You need to be good for me, you understand?" Levi strokes her collarbone with his thumb. He's just finished securing her hair in two neat braids.
She nods.
He's stressed. Gilda has no idea why he's stressed. Is something going on?
It's also earlier than he usually has her getting ready, and he has a pack to the side
Levi rubs circles into the back of her hand as he walks her through the building, down to the entry hall. There stands Commander Smith, alert for the early hour. He must have just arrived at Trost, yet he bears no sign of the journey.
"Ah, there you are." The tall man favors the pair with his warm smile.
Levi stops a few paces away, nodding, then tugs her into his side. He takes her chin in hand and turns her face toward him. "I have to leave for a few days, so Erwin has agreed to watch you. You're to obey anything he tells you to do, do you understand?"
Her eyes flit toward the commander before meeting Levi's stone grey gaze again. "Yes, Levi." There are questions in her voice, layered and confused and tangled.
"He knows your routine, and he knows where the lines are. I trust Erwin to respect my rules for you." He sighs and pulls her into a tender kiss, then walks her the rest of the way to the other man.
Erwin places a hand on her shoulder, causing the girl to nearly jump out of her skin. He's touching her right in front of Levi, and Levi doesn't bat an eye. "She'll be fine, Levi."
"Tch." He cups her cheek. "You'll be good?" Her nod is shy, aware of the extra pair of eyes on them. "That's my girl." He lays one last kiss on her forehead before he's out the door, leaving the two alone.
Erwin rubs her shoulder in an attempt to be comforting. "You look lovely, my dear."
"Thank you." Her eyes burn and she doesn't know why.
Erwin leads her back up to Levi's quarters, taking the seat behind the desk. She stands static beside him, unsure of what he wants her to do. "Are you alright, love?"
"I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing."
"Well, what do you usually do?" the commander asks. "What does Levi have you do?"
Her fingers dance over the cotton of her dress, but she stops her fidgeting once she realizes what she's doing. "Sometimes I sit on the coach, or read in the room, or sit on Levi's… lap." Her cheeks flush, but Erwin doesn't react as though she's said anything unusual.
"Yes, he told me to provide you with affection. I was quite surprised that he's so doting; he's never seemed the sort." He sets his hands on her waist, easily lifting her and placing her on one thigh.
He's massive; it's nothing like sitting with Levi, who isn't much larger than she is despite his strength. Erwin is tall and broad and she feels that she has shrunken to the size of a doll.
Breakfast comes to the office and she starts to think Erwin is enjoying taking care of her since he insists on cutting her food for her, bringing the fork to her lips for every bite.
"Such a good girl," he commends once they have finished, the hand still on her waist squeezing gently. "Levi chose well when he chose you."
The words are like a slap to her cheek, making her flinch against his chest. The old spark of outrage, the one Levi always easily smothered, flared hot against her ribs.
"What's the matter, love?"
Gilda's fists curl tight. "You just gave him to me, like a pet or a toy."
"Ah." Erwin taps his fingers, which still have not moved from her side. "It is better this way." She gives her best Levi scoff. "You won't end up being eaten by a Titan, and Levi has a way to ease his stress."
"No one asked me," she murmurs, staring down at the desk.
He pulls her against him, suddenly cradling her like she's a child; to him, she may as well be. "Oh, my dear girl, I know." He strokes her head and she can hear the steady rhythm of his heart. "Levi is not one to ask when he wants something. He wanted you, and the contract you signed stipulates that you will go where we need you most."
She frowns against his shoulder. "This is where I'm needed?"
"Nearly anyone can be Titan feed. As far as I know, you are the only one Levi has ever desired to protect in such a way."
Her words are bitter shards in her throat. "The only one who hurts me now is Levi himself."
Erwin leans back and surveys her form anew. Her dress is immaculate and pretty, matching ribbons tying off her braids. Her hair shines, and she's clean-scented, vaguely warm and floral on skin and hair. Leather slippers adorn her feet, not a scuff on them. She is rested, her limbs soft and smooth.
He looks closer, focusing on the skin that shows. There is a discoloration low on her throat, and a few more that take the shape and spacing of fingertips on one bicep. He cannot see her legs, but wonders if there are matching marks there, and on her stomach, her breasts, all the other bits of flesh out of sight. He takes a deep breath through flared nostrils, releases it as his fingers skim the love bite on her throat.
"Is he often rough with you?" It's not Erwin's place to know, not really. Still, Levi bade him look after his girl, and he would do it to the best of his abilities. Asking after her experiences is part of that. Later, when Levi returns, he can discuss the girl's complaints with him.
She bites the inner meat of her lip. "Not often, no." Her words are careful. "But sometimes, when he's feeling especially possessive."
That sounds like Levi to him; he remembers the way the shorter man had nearly worn through the floor in front of his office when he'd come to discuss the girl, how fevered he had been when he talked about the soft, young, lovely little creature he had compared to a doll.
Looking at her now, Erwin could see the resemblance, though that could be her current dressing.
"He is otherwise gentle?" Erwin presses.
"I—" Her cheeks are heated as she tries to think through her words. "I do not know if being gentle is in his nature, but he is not always violent, no."
There is something wrong with the parsing of her words, and Erwin uses his forefinger to turn her face to him. "There is a difference between rough and violent. Has Levi been violent with you?"
The girl flinches back, eyes widening. The finger still on her chin can feel the thumping of her pulse.
Does Erwin want the answer to that question? Would it change anything? A lance of guilt spears through him as he realizes that, no, it would change nothing. She doesn't answer anyway.
Dinner and lunch are taken in the same quiet way as breakfast, and then they move toward the bedroom. Levi insisted Erwin stay in his quarters as he doesn't want any part of the girl's routine upset. He is mostly fine with this arrangement; Levi is fastidious, so he hardly has to worry about dirty linens or bed lice. There is only one part of his instructions that has given him pause, and he studies the girl while contemplating what to do about it.
He cannot deny that a part of him enjoys this caretaking far more than he'd allowed himself to think. The girl is pretty and soft and it is easy to imagine her slipping into other roles. Levi has teased him about his romantic ideas on family plenty enough that he wonders if his friend guessed he'd take to it like he has. Still, Gilda is not a child, whatever their relative age and size differences might imply, and he isn't paying her to indulge him in any other flights of fancy he might have.
"Levi provided specific instructions for your care," he says to the girl who is drawing at the desk. "However, you and I might both be more comfortable if you shower yourself." She pauses, setting aside the charcoal stick. He can practically feel her cheeks heating from where he stands. "Would that be alright, Gilda?"
"Yes, sir."
He smiles and pats her head affectionately. She's a polite young lady, has always been according to her file, which Erwin read after Levi expressed interest in her. It's no wonder the girl caught his eye, sweet-faced and mild as a lamb. She stood apart from the usual rascals who joined; even the blonde little Lens girl had a vivacity to her Gilda lacked. It makes him wonder why exactly she chose to join. Surely there are other jobs for a pretty young lady.
Erwin peers through the sketchbook the girl set aside when she went to bathe. The pages are full of dilapidated buildings, profiles, rough and quick figures, weeds making space for themselves in the streets. She draws what she sees, though there are the occasional bits of fantasy included, and there's a face that repeats throughout, from different angles and wearing different expressions every time. It must be her brother, since he has a similar button nose and small chin. He's a cute child, and his smile is bright despite growing up as an orphan most of his life.
"His name is Gilbert." Erwin turns to face the girl who now has a towel over her shoulders to protect the pale nightgown from her dripping hair. "Our mother called us both Gil, but we always knew which one she meant. She had a strange sense of humor."
"What do you call one another?" he asks, warmed by the fondness in her voice.
Her smile is infectious. "Gil."
As he showers, Erwin contemplates the life she must have had that this is preferable; she had not fought with Levi, despite the way she spoke of him earlier. Perhaps he should ask after her situation, see what makes being the grumpy captain's pet bearable.
"She asked if she'd still be able to send money to her brother." Levi snorted. "I told her she'd still get paid and I'd let her see her brother. Damn kid sends pretty much everything to her brother, buys herself shitty secondhand clothes even."
"Wearing old clothes is hardly the worst thing she has experienced, I'm sure," he countered. Though she had grown up above ground, Erwin figured there was much she had in common with Levi from her upbringing. No doubt she had seen the evils of humanity, the cruelties of poverty, and the depths of desperation.
The small man refilled his tumbler. "Well, she won't be doing that anymore. I sent Petra to get new clothes for her. She's got decent enough taste."
"She really is your little doll, isn't she?" He was amused, though he tried to suppress the smirk even as Levi's pale cheeks flushed.
"You may read for a bit, if you like."
The girl sits at the edge of the bed, her hair dry and brushed and her feet dangling toward the floor. She nods, plucking a book from the shelf and opening to a spot somewhere a third of the way in, curling her legs to the side as she delves into the story.
Bereft the ribbons that had adorned her hair, she looks older, especially considering the light material over her body. It drapes thinly enough he sees the lack of anything else covering her chest, the outlines of nipples as apparent as the lace along the bottom hem.
"Why did you join the military?" he says after long moments of quiet. "You're a pretty, hardworking young girl. There must be other work for you."
Gilda tips her head and peers at him curiously. "I helped out at a bar in exchange for a backroom for my brother and I to sleep. I got tips sometimes, too, but it wasn't really enough." Her eyes were faraway as though remembering things better left unsaid. "My brother is very intelligent, so I have made sure he's enrolled in school. Any other job where I might be able to take care of him so well… I am not meant for those professions. This was the best I could do for him."
Erwin nods at her explanation, though she must be leaving things out. Still, it isn't for him to know.
When she is around the middle of the book, he tells her it's time for sleep. He turns out the light, watching her small form adjust in the silver moonlight through the window. She looks so alone, and he reaches out instinctively, wrapping his arms around her. Levi's right; there's something fragile about her, beyond mere appearance, that makes him want to protect her.
"Levi, welcome back."
He smirks at the sight that greets him as he walks into his office. His girl is sitting across Erwin's lap, feet dangling off the floor and a book falling shut in her hands. He knew Erwin would jump at the chance to play doting daddy. In another life, he'd have a barefoot wife and several gap-toothed brats. "Come here, sweetheart." Gilda slips from the commander's lap and steps shyly across the room to him, and Levi immediately pulls her into his arms. The fresh, clean, feminine scent of her pervades his nose, and the softness of her body sets his mind more at ease than it has been since before he left. He tips up her chin, smoothing his thumb over her lips. "Did Erwin take good care of you?"
"Yes, Levi."
"What do we say when someone does something nice for us?" he asks.
Gilda turns, her back still flush against him. "Thank you for taking care of me, commander."
Levi tuts. "Use his name, sweetheart."
"Th-thank you, Erwin."
The blond man grins, sauntering across the room to cup her cheek fondly. "You're quite welcome, little one."
"Let's go shower, hm?" Levi kisses her temple and the two men nod to one another before he guides her away.
He's aware that he stinks of sweat and blood and horse, but he is about to take care of that problem. Moreover, he's going to do it while being able to run his hands over his girl's silken skin.
He undresses her with an urgency he tries to smother beneath hard-won discipline, drinking in every new bit of flesh revealed. Many of the love bites he's left on her skin have healed, and he can't wait to paint her anew. "I missed you, you know." The words feel strange in his wry voice, but they're true; he sleeps so much better with her beside him.
Levi flips on the water, turning it warm, and strips down quickly. He grabs her arms and pulls her in behind him, once more enveloping her in his embrace. She feels so damn perfect. He kisses her throat, her shoulder, pushing her against the wall in his eagerness to touch everywhere.
"My perfect girl. Missed you so damned much." He's painfully hard, having been parted from her body for several long days. He grinds against her soft stomach, thumb and forefinger of one hand rolling one of her nipples. "You're so beautiful, so good for me." His tongue invades her mouth, tasting the sweetness of her breakfast tea. He nudges a thigh between her own, rubbing against her core. "Did you miss me, sweetheart?"
His mouth is on hers again before she can answer, and he slips his fingers down to find a sheen of wetness between her legs. He groans at the find, plying her with his fingers until she's ready for him and he can ease inside of her.
"Wrap your legs around me," Levi commands, taking her weight between himself and the wall. It's nothing to hold her like that, and he's in heaven with her sweet thighs squeezing his hips. "Good girl." She's hot and tight and perfect, and he struggles to bring her to completion before emptying inside of her. "Good girl," he repeats, pressing his forehead against hers. Levi holds her there, soaps her upper body and her outer legs, then gently sets her back down to clean away his seed and the rest of her body, then himself.
Once they're both dry, he pulls her to the bed. Petra has already been in here to change the linen, bless her. She's always doing things like that and he knows why, though the two of them are content not to speak about it. There's heartbreak in her eyes whenever she sees Gilda, but she has never said anything against his taking her. She's still friendly with his girl, even.
"The squad has the rest of the day free," he says, fingers exploring her dips and curves. "What did you do while I was away?"
She takes a moment to gather her words, something he appreciates about her. "I finished reading your books. Erwin leant me the one I'm reading now. And I drew a bit."
"Erwin seems to have followed my instructions well. Is there anything he did differently?"
"He liked to feed me." There's amusement lacing her voice. "Cut up my food himself and everything."
Levi chuckles. "I always figured him as the fatherly sort. Not surprised he enjoyed himself. The two of you looked cute when I came in."
She eyes him speculatively. "You're not upset he was touching me?"
"Not at all. I knew Erwin would take care of you properly, and he's nothing like those dirty brats." He sneers the last, momentarily forgetting that the last 'dirty brat' to touch her is a member of his own squad. The thought is like imagining someone drinking from his teacup. Levi shudders at the thought.
Gilda hums. "You trust him?"
"Yes." He strokes her damp hair, enjoying the feel of it between his fingers. "Did you enjoy your time spent with him?"
"It was pleasant."
He wonders what that means, if she preferred Erwin's company to her own. A lance of envy sparks through him, but Levi shoves it away. It doesn't matter if she would rather be with the other man; Levi is the one with her. Still, it niggles at him as they lie together. Was it the respite from sex? Levi's appetite is admittedly higher than he'd expected. Before, he'd only acted on the urges when the right combination of opportunity, desire, and decent partner all lined up. The latter two have often been impacted by imbibing alcohol, which he does sparingly.
Having her at hand increases opportunity tenfold, and the sight of her, their dynamic, incites his lust. He has tried to ignore it, but it's ever-present even when he confines it to the back of his mind. And times are stressful.
He sighs, shaking himself from his ponderings, and pets down her side. She's asleep. He should do the same.
Levi and Erwin are both on a short expedition, so she's alone in his quarters when there's a knock at the door. Gilda sets aside her book— another one of Erwin's that the commander lent her after a meeting where Levi had to be present— and answers reluctantly.
It's Nanaba, one of her previous squadmates, and the blonde looks surprised to find Gilda at the door. "Oh, it's you."
"Yes. Were you looking for Captain Levi?"
"No, actually." The blonde rubs at an overgrown nape. "There are some people here wanting to see you."
Gilda hadn't expected that. "Really? Did they give you a name?"
"No, but they insisted it's urgent, that it's something to do with your brother." Everyone who knows Gilda has heard about Gil. He's everything to her. She nods. Levi won't like this if he finds out (and she's fairly certain her will), but she has to go.
Nanaba leads the way, through the main entrance and a little to the side. Two men stand there talking, gesticulating with clear irritation. She recognizes one and her heart sinks in her chest. This isn't strictly about Gil, but it's important all the same. She is grateful that her keeper (?) is gone, otherwise she's sure there would be violence.
"Mister Schult," Gilda murmurs politely when she's in conversational range. "What brings you to the Scout Regiment's HQ?"
The stalwart man grants her a sharp grin that instantly puts her on edge. "Well, look at you, little Gilda." His dark eyes flash over her. "All relaxed and prettied up in the middle of the day. Your new position seems to favor you."
Her face drains of blood. "I— I don't really have a new rank or anything," she posits.
"Still, the little pet of Captain Levi sounds like a promotion to me, doesn't it, Fish?" He throws a chuckle toward the even broader man, who nods in agreement and returns the laugh. "I'm sure if you asked for a little raise he'd give it to you."
Edgar Schult's voice drops suggestively at the last few words, and the blood returns to her cheeks tenfold.
"Why are you here, Schult?" Gilda decides to get straight to the point as she can feel Nanaba watching from a polite distance. She doesn't know what the other scout can hear.
He considers again, the glint in his eye full of unspoken avarice. "Interest has gone up, so you need to increase your payments."
"What?" A part of her had suspected, but hearing it churns her gut.
"Interest tends to increase yearly with debt like this; I've been kind to you because you and your brother were just pathetic kids. But now you're a grown woman, so time's come to start acting like it."
Her lips part in astonishment. He'd been kind to take money from orphaned children? Hells, she had joined the military because he'd increased payments back then with the reasoning that the two of them could take on harder labor. She couldn't let Gil give up his education, not then, not ever.
"Gil! Look. Looook. Youre not looking," the boy thrusted the paper in her face, his grin saying enough that she hadn't needed to read he'd gotten full marks again to know. He was a good student, and nearing the end of primary school. She'd already discussed the possibility of higher education with his teacher, and the grey-haired man had agreed to provide recommendations.
"You did great," she said, smiling at the boy, who then set it on the desk and started changing out of his school clothes. "Mister von Auren told me he would like to talk to you tomorrow."
She nodded and set about putting his things away. "Greg is washing dishes tonight if you want to help." That was his best friend, though Gregor was nearly twice his age. The two had the same taste in stories, and would often exchange those they'd heard, or those they'd made up in the meantime. Epic adventures, sword fights, the sorts of things that could never happen within the walls so they were always set in some nameless elsewhere.
Tonight's tale was about a boy set adrift in an endless lake, a small cat his only company.
"That's one of the craziest ones yet," Gregor said as he handed the smaller boy a dish to dry. "A lake that big? How was it made? With the tears of a thousand weeping women?"
"Maybe." Gil shrugged.
Watching him like this always made her feel warm, hopeful. She stood just inside the kitchen for a moment, smiling at the pair, then went back to her tables.
The smile fell upon sight of Edgar Schult sitting at a table all by himself. He waved her over and she knew better than to delay.
"What can I get for you?"
The man eyed her toothily, greedy gaze doing mental mathematics she could nearly see reflected in his pupils. "I shouldn't be here long. Just wanted to let you know we'll be upping the amount due every month from here on out."
Gilda scoffed incredulously. "You must be joking. We're barely scraping by as it is."
"That little brother of yours is getting bigger, right? And you, you're practically grown. How old are you now? Fifteen?"
"Fourteen, and Gil is still in primary school," she said evenly, trying to keep her temper below boiling. "We can't afford more. I skip as many meals as I eat."
His brows rose. "You should fix that, then. You can start doing real work soon, and you'll make a hell of a lot more if you fill out a bit."
"Yes, let me get right on that with all the tips I'm already making."
"It wasn't tips I was talking about. You're a bit young, but there are those who like that kinda thing." Schult's smile sent the bile in her stomach bubbling.
"No, I think I'll stay here serving alcohol, thanks."
The smile became a sneer. "You won't have a choice if you don't pay us what we want. We can find you a nice, new home where all you have to do is stay in bed."
Gilda shuddered. "I'll figure out how to get the money."
"See that you do." He stood, stretched, began to walk away, then stopped and turned back to her. "Oh, and it's fifty more per month. Realized I hadn't told you the amount yet."
When he was out of sight, she rushed out the back and heaved onto the dirt. There was nothing but bile, burning her throat as hotly as the tears obscuring her vision; she hadn't eaten since the previous afternoon.
With the amount Schult was demanding, she'd have to cut back even further on meals. Gilda would have to take in her clothes again; there was no way her bottoms would stay up if she lost more weight.
She scrubbed her forearm across her face before lifting some water from the back well and rinsing both cheeks and mouth, then readied herself to get back to work. She would need every coin to survive.
It was a week later that she'd signed up for the military, desperate for any way to bring in money. She'd worked out a budget with Gil's teacher beforehand, figuring out exactly how much she could afford to send Gil after his tuition costs and the debt installments. It wasn't much, but the man had offered to take Gil in while he was studying, asking only that she pay for his necessities as able. If it weren't for von Auren, she very well may have wound up in a brothel at the tender age of fourteen. This is far preferable; providing for her brother in a way that means he doesn't have to work had pushed him leaps and bounds beyond his former academic success. According to his letters, the university in Wall Sina is considering early admittance.
Gilda can't let anything stand in his way now. "I'll do what I can."
"See that you do. Money's due next week as usual. Fisher will be by to collect in person." He's satisfied by her nod of agreement and bids the other man to follow him away, waving cheerily to the girl before he's gone.
"Everything okay?" Nanaba is beside her again, having approached while Gilda was watching the pair walk away.
She blinks back her worry. "Yes, of course."
Nanaba doesn't press, but walks with her back to Levi's quarters. It's barely after the lunch hour, but she's exhausted. Gilda throws herself on the bed and falls asleep curled tightly in on herself.
The bed is still cold when she wakes early the next morning, Levi's side neatly made. He's left that chore to her recently, since he always woke before she did. She didn't expect the expedition to take so long. Levi had indicated it should be quick, mostly training Eren and the newer scouts.
She wonders if she should wander down to breakfast by herself. This is unexplored territory. However, he had told her to go ahead and eat in the mess hall while he was gone, so she figures it must be alright.
Gilda gets ready for the day, dressing in a light blue dress perfect for the balmy weather, then descends to the mess.
There are faces of some of the new scouts at the tables, which confuses her. Why hasn't Levi returned with them? She gathers her breakfast and slides into place beside Jean. His eyes are red, heavy, bruised purple bags beneath his eyes.
"What's going on?" She has picked up on the tense atmosphere, even the usually quiet Bertholdt more downcast than usual.
Jean scrubs a hand over his exhausted features. "There was an incident. An abnormal, and there were a lot of casualties."
Her eyes skim the tables as she tries to do mental mathematics on who is missing. Someone would have come to tell her if Levi had died, right? He's nearly super-human, so there's no way he's among the casualties.
It almost seems like the scouts who trained with Eren are the only ones still here. She can't find Petra or Oluo or Ness or…
Gilda pushes aside her food, no longer hungry. "Where is Levi?"
"I think the captain is talking to Commander Erwin." The young man stirs his oats, long cold from his own lacking appetite.
Whether he notices when she leaves, Gilda doesn't know.
She has to restrain herself from running down the halls, taking the stairs as quickly as her short legs will take her, which is admittedly slower than she'd like in the face of her reduced physical activity. She needs to talk to Levi about that; perhaps she can take walks or something.
Gilda is panting when she finally leans against the wall outside the commander's office. She can hear vague voices from beyond the doors, but can't make out individuals. She waits there until the doors burst open and Eren and his friend Armin leave.
She catches the door before it shuts, but freezes when she sees Hange, Miche, Levi, and Erwin all staring at her. "Oh, I—"
Levi strides across the small office and pulls her to him. He smells of blood and sweat and the outdoors, but she wraps her arms around him and leans in enough to get a whiff of the familiar scent that's just him.
Hange and Miche pass silently, and Levi holds her at arms' length to study her face. "I need you to stay with Erwin until I come get you."
"Okay," Gilda answers readily. He's tired in a way she's not used to seeing, his eyes red, his voice scratchy. He cups her cheeks, kisses her forehead, and stalks out the door before she can think to contradict him. He obviously needs rest, but whatever he's taking care of must be urgent if he isn't even showering first.
"Come here, little one." Her attention snaps back to Erwin and she does as bidden. He pulls her against him, inhaling as though recentering himself. He goes back to his paperwork, free hand wrapping around her waist to keep her secure against him.
It's paperwork regarding the fallen soldiers, and there is a heavy stack in front of the commander that is indicative of the number of deceased. How he can handle writing the bare details over and over, inputting names and dates to the faces he will never see again…, but Gilda supposes this is part of what it means to be the commander of the Scout Regiment.
After each set of papers to one scout is complete, he places a sheet in manilla folders on one side of his desk and the rest join a smaller stack opposite their origin. He finishes a few, then sighs and sets aside his pen, instead embracing her fully and laying his cheek against the crown of her head.
They sit like this for a long, silent moment before he finally breaks it.
"Levi is out informing the families. He makes a point to do so himself, says he owes them that much after failing to keep their loved one safe. And that it's the last kindness he can do for his scouts. And he always does so immediately upon return." Erwin's thumb strokes her side where his hand envelopes half her ribcage. "He will be exhausted if he takes no breaks, which I strongly suspect will be the case." He rubbed his temples, leaving her slightly cool where the press of the hand had covered.
"Were you up all night?" Concern laces her voice; he lifts his head, tips her cheek to see her face.
"Yes, as were Hange, Miche, and Levi. I'm sure we weren't alone."
His usually warm eyes are tired and flat, deep circles under his eyes, and he looks to have aged a decade since she saw him the day before last. Gilda lays a palm against his cheek, rubbing gently despite the scratch of scruff beneath her hand. She has not comforted a great many people in her life, just Gil, but she remembers how her brother took solace from physical affection.
Erwin's eyes flutter shut and he leans into her touch. When he peers out at her again, there's the slightest, saddest smile on his face. "Sweet girl." His lips brush her forehead. A moment longer, and he returns to his paperwork.
It isn't much later that Gilda gets the confirmation she was right, Erwin's neat script scrawling Petra's name. The small woman has always been kind to her, even after she began this strange relationship with Levi. It was no secret how Petra felt, but the redhead cared more about her comrades' happiness than any issues she might have.
And she had been one Hell of a scout, having more than ten solo Titan kills, some sixty team kills, and that is only what she had before they left yesterday morning. Perhaps she'd killed more before being taken out herself.
Oluo, Ness, Eld, Siss, Gunther.
"Sh. Hush, now." She doesn't know how long she's been crying when Erwin notices. He heard the hitched breaths of her silent sobs, turning her to lay her cheek against his chest, petting soothingly over her side. "I know, love."
She chokes on air, overrun by the tears obscuring her vision until she has to close her eyes. Gilda turns into Erwin's chest, allowing herself to break down as he rubs circles over her back. She had been friends with a few of them, and all had been kind to her after the transition to Levi's care.
Levi. He must be distraught.
Her sobs redouble at the thought, small hands clutching at the white button down. If any of this bothers Erwin, he keeps it to himself and focuses on comforting the poor creature in his arms, shushing noises meant to soothe, not chastise.
Gilda pulls back enough to scrub a forearm across her face. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to fall apart all over you."
"It's fine, little one. This is a lot to take in, after all." Erwin's chest rumbles slightly with the sounds of his deep voice.
A hiccoughing sob tries to work its way from her throat. "Did it h-have to be a-all of them?" Petra's face in particular swims up in her mind, and she covers her face to hide renewed tears.
"None of that." Erwin's large hands tug her wrists down, then press her closer to his chest again. "Yes, it was a rather brutal expedition."
"How can you stand it?"
Despite how quietly she speaks and that her words are further muffled against him, Erwin hears her question. "I don't know that I can, honestly. Tonight will probably find me trying to drown myself at the bottom of a bottle."
Gilda grimaces, but does not know what to say to that. The pair sits in silence until Erwin decides it's time to continue the paperwork, though he leaves her sitting curled up into his chest. By the time he's finished, he finds she's fallen asleep. Still, he does not move her.
"How long has she been out?"
"A few hours. She wore herself out with worry."
The world shifts around her and Gilda slowly raises her head from its firm, warm pillow. Her eyes bat open and she stares out blearily, meeting slate blue. Levi runs his knuckles down her cheek, smiling tiredly from beside Erwin.
"Hello, sweetheart."
"Levi." She reaches out for him and he takes her in his arms with no more effort than Erwin had, one arm behind her back and the other behind her knees. He trudges to the sitting area and sits back, Gilda now sprawled across his lap. "Did you have a good nap?"
She nods. "Are we not going to your room?"
"No. I'm not staying long. I still have more places to go." He runs a hand through greasy black hair. It's strange to see him such a mess, but he's putting his current mission ahead of even a shower.
"Can't you go in the morning?" she pleads, scanning over his lined features in concern.
Levi shakes his head. "I have to ride overnight for this last family. When I come back tomorrow, we can spend the rest of the day doing nothing. Sound good?"
"You need rest," she presses.
"And I'll get it, just not yet." He kisses her tenderly, though his mouth stays firmly shut, no doubt to save her from atrocious breath. "You're staying with Erwin tonight, alright?"
"Yes."
Levi holds her face, eyes flicking back and forth between her own. "You're to obey him as you would myself. And comfort him however you can."
She frowns at his wording, confusion stirring uncomfortably at the edges of her sleep-addled mind. Her lips part—
" However ," he emphasized. "I can't be there for either of you tonight, so do what you can. It's alright."
Gilda nods and he kisses her again, holding her close for a long moment. "Back to Erwin, sweetheart. C'mon." Hands entwined, he walks her over to his friend. "Follow all of my instructions this time, Erwin, not just the ones you're comfortable with. Take care of my girl for me."
"Get on with it so you'll be back sooner," the blond says, pulling Gilda back into his lap.
"Be good," he tells her.
"Be safe," she responds.
Levi nods to Erwin, then is gone again.
Erwin completes what paperwork he must late that evening, sending her down to eat when dinner comes. When she returns, she finds him on his small couch and sipping an amber drink from a crystal tumbler. "There she is. Did you eat well, little one?"
She did not, but he doesn't need to know that Gilda could hardly swallow down a handful of bites, so she nods and takes a seat beside him."
"Would you like some?"
"I haven't really had alcohol before," she admits.
One corner of his lips tugs mischievously as he holds out his glass. Gilda takes it between both hands and carefully brings it to her lips. The taste makes her wrinkle her nose.
"That's disgusting." And it burns.
"Let me get you something a bit easier for such a youthful palate." He strides across to the cabinet where he keeps his liquor and pulls out a clear bottle of velvety burgundy drink. It has almost a syrup consistency when he pours it into a glass smaller than his own and rounded. "Here you are."
"Thank you." While it still burns albeit less than the whiskey he'd had her try, it's sweet and delicious. "Oh."
Erwin watches with a keen eye as her expression switches from suspicion to enjoyment. "It's a blackberry cordial. I thought you might like it."
"Yes, my 'youthful palate' finds this quite pleasant, thank you, old man ," she teases.
"Ouch." He lays a hand over his chest.
Gilda giggles. "You're hardly that old."
"Just how old do you think I am, dear?" When she shrugs, he adds, "And how old do you suppose Levi is?"
"I'm not sure. I don't think I know either of your ages." She frowns in thought. "Older than I am, for sure."
Erwin looks away and chuckles before facing her again. "I am old enough to be your father." He turns thoughtful. "Levi might be as well, depending on when he started being sexually active. It'd be a bit more difficult on his part, but—"
"Stop, please." She tries to smother the aghast laughter his statements pull forth. "I don't want to think about that. Besides, my father was an older man. He'd be fifty by now."
He swigs his drink as she mirrors the action. "That's a relief. I would feel like a dirty old man if he would be my age. I'm thirty-seven, and Levi is thirty-two."
"Oh." Whatever Gilda had expected, hearing the true numbers is still a surprise. Erwin, while younger than her father had been when he died, is indeed old enough that he could have children her age. Levi… she doesn't want to venture down that path, so she pushes the thought away and instead sips her drink.
Unpracticed in drinking, she is soon warm and fuzzy from the alcohol. Once Erwin finishes his, he takes her glass and sets everything away. "Come, love." He reaches a hand for her, which she takes gratefully, letting him help her to her feet and guide her into his bedroom.
It's larger than Levi's, but not by much, and his furniture is all of a pale wood. The bed, however, is the biggest she's ever seen. That makes sense, given Erwin is nearly a foot taller than Levi.
"You know," says the big man as he begins removing his uniform. When he starts unbuttoning the white shirt, she blushes and looks away. "Levi was quite amused that I didn't bathe you, though he also chastised me for not following his directives."
"I didn't tell him."
He's quick to assure her. "I know. He guessed it." Drawers open and close, then she startles when warm hands lay over her shoulders. "However, he insisted I not repeat that behavior." Gilda trembles as grasps the hem of her blouse to tug it over her head, arms instinctively rising to help in spite of her nerves.
He makes quick work of the rest of it, then guides her to his shower. "Does he always wash you?" The water warms to an acceptable temperature, and he tugs the girl below the stream and immediately steps in behind her.
"He enjoys it," she answers simply.
Soapy cloth runs across her shoulders; he draws her hair over her shoulder and washes her throat, too. "I never thought he would enjoy caretaking."
"He says it's different with me, that he likes taking care of his things." The old wound stings a bit at the reminder. "But he knew you'd like it."
"Oh?" Both of her arms follow her back, then he reaches around to wash her stomach, up to her breasts.
"Yes. He called you the 'fatherly sort.'"
Erwin's snort startles her in it's sharpness. "I wouldn't quite put it that way." Thumbs smooth over her nipples and she sucks the meat of her bottom lip between her teeth. "Too much?"
She shakes her head. "N-no." Was this what Levi meant? She's burning down to her toes with mortification, though there's lust mixed in there, too.
Erwin hums and turns her to face him, a finger beneath her chin lifting reluctant eyes to meet his own. "It's alright to tell me no."
"I know." Her voice is nearly a whisper and she isn't really sure, but she knows he wouldn't tell Levi if she refused. She's almost shocked the small man has allowed this.
"You can also look at me." She nods, eyes finally locked on his, though they keep wanting to drift aside.
Erwin takes to his knees, near her own height until he sits back on his heels. Large hands nudge her thighs apart, cleaning each foot and then up the length of her thighs until he's staring at her apex. His fingers spread her there and he stares with a dark fascination that causes warmth to flare across her cheeks, and Gilda looks away.
Wet heat strokes her there and she jolts, one hand nestling in Erwin's damp blonde hair to keep her steady. He's eating at her core like she's his last meal, and the girl has never felt anything quite like it. Levi has done similar, but never this voraciously. It's like he's hoping to devour her with hour his mouth engulfs the sensitive flesh, how his flesh seeks out her taste, his teeth adding delicious sensation in gentle nibbles.
"Too much," she breathes, knees struggling to hold firm. "Please, Erwin."
He pulls away, slickness shinier than water clinging luridly to his face. "You can take it, little one."
She shakes her head in denial, pushing back at him when he dips toward her again. One thick finger runs over her folds and she shudders, legs trembling. "I can't. I'll- I'll fall over or—"
"Let daddy take care of everything. You just focus on enjoying yourself, hm?" She whimpers as he pushes her against the tiled wall. Erwin eases her legs over his shoulders, his arms hooking under her thighs and big hands engulfing her waist. Then he dives back in and she is lost to sensation.
A little suction and his skilled tongue send her spiraling over the edge in minutes, but he doesn't let up, so she stays there too long, until it's painful. Gilda tries to pull his mouth away, but her fists in his hair only seem to spur him onward. She knows she's begging, and tears overflow and fall down her cheeks to mix with the water of the shower. She doesn't know how long she's crying out against him when he finally eases back, but it could have been hours for how out of breath she is.
He licks his lips and lets her gently down on the lip of the shower so he can wash her hair and then himself.
"You did so well for me, love," he murmurs as he shuts off the water. Once they are both dry, he forgoes clothes completely and picks her up in bridal carry, laying her in the center of his bed.
He is a large man in every aspect, and she doesn't know where to look when he climbs on the bed to fill her vision. If the smile on his lips is any indication, he must be well aware of the effect he has on women, which she supposes is a given at his age. As fit as Levi, though bulkier in build, and even larger than the surprisingly endowed smaller man in the one area where it frightens her most.
Erwin lays with his head between her legs, reaching up to cup her cheek when she leans on her elbows and looks down at him in alarm. "I wouldn't enter you without properly preparing you, little one, don't worry." He plants a tender kiss on her hip, hands knead her breasts, and then his mouth is on her again. It's slower this time, less maddening. A finger soon eases inside of her, searching around for those sweet spots, then another. Once he's set a steady pace, his thumb replaces his tongue and smiles up at her. "Do you think you can come for me again?"
Words fail her as she meets his gaze. She swallows, licks her lips, and tries again. "I don't know."
"Will you be a good girl and try for me?" Gilda nods. "Say it for me, darling."
"Yes."
"'Yes' what?"
Her heavy mind fumbles about until she thinks she knows what he wants, but it's mortifying, so she starts to look away. A hand on her cheek guides her back to where he patiently waits. "Yes, daddy."
"Good girl." He returns his tongue to its place between her thighs, fingers pumping until a third entering her nearly makes her back arch off the bed. A firm palm on her stomach holds her in place. It also somehow adds to the building pleasure, and the combination soon barrels her over, the waves even stronger than the last.
Erwin slowly removes his fingers and sucks them clean, then kneels, pulling her thighs over his own. Before she has completely come down, he enters her in a series of languid strokes.
She's full, so full she feels like her skin is stretched taut around him, like she couldn't possibly stretch any more. Her jaw drops, lips parted in shock at the feeling. Erwin is still as he lets her adjust to his full length inside, dipping down to ply her open mouth gentle kisses. His tongue laps at the inside of her lips, massages the length of her own before she begins to return the kiss. Then he's moving inside her and as overwhelming as it is, it doesn't quite hurt.
When they pull apart to breathe, he begins murmuring dirty things in her ear, breath scaldingly hot. "You feel so good, sweetheart. Such a pretty, tight little cunt." His hands explore over her body as he rocks into her, one of them pressing against her belly to feel his length through her flesh. "Can you feel me here?" he asks, palm firm against her. "Such a little thing, I fear I might break you in half if I fuck you too hard."
She whimpers when his fingers dip between them to play with her again.
"Aw, poor little girl. Is daddy too much for you?" He chuckles when she nods and starts kissing her again. "Will you let me fill you up? I want to see my seed dripping out of you."
She nods to that, to his question of whether he's too much for her, to everything, her small hands scrabbling for purchase on his back until she can grip him tightly enough to feel grounded.
"That's it, love." His fingers pick up speed, and he adjusts his hips to hit that spot over and over until she cries out. "Squeezing me so tight, good girl. So good. Fuck." And then his thrusts quicken and he's following her down, spilling inside her, forehead pressed to her own as the pair of them pant.
He slows, then stills before rolling onto his back and laying her across his chest, her cheek against his sweating torso and a hand smoothing down her sweating spine.
"I wasn't too rough, was I?" he asks once his breathing returns to normal.
Gilda had started nodding off, but her eyes bat open and she shakes her head. "No."
He hums. "I knew you could take me, since you're with Levi and he is not small himself, but that doesn't always make it enjoyable." His fingers comb through her hair before pulling it from her neck to cool the skin there. "I doubt he will ever be so generous again, so I wished to make the most of it. Not that I can blame him; you are a treasure." He leans up to kiss her crown, continuing to pet along her flesh soothingly. "Would you be terribly upset if we showered again in the morning rather than now? I'm enjoying holding you like this."
"That's fine," she responds, yawning on the tail of the second word. She adjusts a little for comfort, nuzzling into the warm body beneath her as her own temperature begins to plummet. It's a good thing he and Levi both hot, because she gets cold so easily after after sex. All she wants to do is burrow into him and let the stillness of her thoughts post-coitus guide her to sleep.
And she does.
Erwin sighs contentedly as the girl drifts off. He has no idea why his friend allowed this, given how possessive the man usually is, but he's grateful; he was not looking forward to drowning himself in liquor to keep from dreaming of the bloodbaths he's witnessed, nor of the consequent hangover. Instead, he will wake to soft limbs in his embrace.
It's no wonder Levi is infatuated with her. Were Erwin a lesser man, he might have been tempted to steal her for himself. However selfish though he may be, he would not do that to one of the only people he can name a friend.
No, he will return to flings and prostitutes to slake his touch hunger. Unlike Levi, he has no issue with either, as casual was what he preferred while young, and it is easy enough to deal with at his age. Prostitutes in particular have always been too happy for his patronage regardless of his kinks. He can't imagine that most of their clientele is as respectful.
Still, it was nice to pretend for a night.
She is curled up in one of the chairs when Levi bursts through the doors. Every head at the meeting table turns toward him, some visibly relaxing when they see it's only him.
"Levi, welcome back," Erwin says.
"Is there anything I'm needed for?" Levi responds, gesturing to the group. When Erwin tells him there is not, Levi says, "Good," then strides to Gilda.
She is already standing by the time he reaches her. "Thank you, Erwin." She smiles at the older man, who returns it and waves her off, then she and Levi are through the doors together and heading to his quarters.
"Get changed and wait for me in bed. You may read." Levi quickly strips out of his uniform to shower and she does as he bade. By the time he joins her, several pages have passed and she's in a pale blue nightgown.
He climbs into bed, slinging an arm across her waist and kissing her cheek.
"Tired?" she asks coyly.
He chuckles. "Don't be a brat. You know very well I haven't slept in days." Levi's eyes narrow as he studies her. "Did Erwin actually shower with you this time?"
"Yes."
"Good. I half expected him to refuse again. The man likes to pretend he's a saint, but I know him better than that." He yawns and moves down to lay his head on his pillow, one arm still clinging to her. "Go ahead and read as long as you want. I'm going to try this napping thing I keep hearing praised."
She hides her smile despite his closed eyes, running a hand over his forearm.
Gilda doesn't know how long it takes him to fall asleep, but when she next turns to him, she sees his breath is deep and even, his lashes still, his face relaxed as it could never be when he's awake. She strokes his dark hair back from his forehead and watches him for a moment before returning to her reading.
When did this fondness grow? It's still tinged by resentment, but that is longer the lingering taste in her mouth when she looks at him. She's now seen his dedication toward his squad, seen the toll his heavy burden bears. Perhaps that has given her more sympathy for the man, made her more willing to play the part which they'd cast her in.
Gilda shakes her head, deciding it doesn't really matter, except that her life is a little more bearable for it, and goes back to her reading.
It has been days since Levi returned and there's a sharp knock on the door.
"What?"
Nanaba peeks in, glancing to the captain, then to Gilda. "That big guy is here again," the scout informs the girl. "Asking for you."
"What 'big buy?'" He's staring coldly at Gilda, who realizes she never found an appropriate time to discuss her situation with Levi. How could she when the deaths of nearly all of his scouts was the foremost concern? It is petty in comparison.
She looks at the ground, guilt limning her features. "A debt collector." She hears the door slowly shut and knows Nanaba has left the pair of them alone to discuss this.
A firm hand clasps her jaw and tips her face. When he got up, she doesn't know. "Explain. Now."
"Levi—"
"No," he interrupts. "Don't 'Levi' me. Tell me before I decide to double your punishment."
Gilda flushes, eyes averting as she tries to gather herself, but Lev's grip tightens. Her vision blurs slightly as tears begin to well from a combination of shame and pain. "My father had a hefty debt that I inherited when he died."
"And the debt collector came here when?" Levi demands.
She tries to tug away again despite knowing it's futile, her voice small when she answers, "The day of the expedition. He and the man he works for came to tell me interest had gone up."
"What's his name?"
"The one here today should be Fisher, but he's a thug for Edgar Schult. Schult works for—"
"I know who he works for," Levi scoffs, pushing her face away from him as he releases her. "Stay here."
She stands to try something, anything, but the door slams before she can make an attempt.
Gilda sighs and sinks back onto the couch as dread stirs in her gut. She cannot remember Levi ever seeming so furious, not even when he'd seen Jean touching her. He'd been forceful in response, as though seeking to reclaim her from the innocent hand on her back. Whatever he does when he returns will pale that experience, she's sure.
Lunch passes and she stays rooted to the spot where Levi left her. If he is just talking to Fisher then he should have returned by now. Is he fighting the man? Did he demand to see Schult?
That wouldn't go well; Schult might be a pig, but he is well-protected enough on his own terf. If Levi's gone even higher up the chain, he could be in danger.
What am I thinking? If anything, she should be worried he'll be thrown in the brig on murder charges, not get hurt himself.
Gilda scrubs her hands over her face and leans against the cushions to stare up at the ceiling. She will need the toilet before too much longer, and after that will probably be thirsty.
Another hour passes and she shifts in discomfort, crossing one leg over the other and staring longingly at the door.
When the door finally swings open, she nearly leaps to her feet before remembering herself enough to stay firmly where he left her.
"Levi!" Relief is palpable in her voice. "I need—"
His eyes are sharp as knives through her. "I don't give a shit what you need. Quiet." He stalks back to his seat behind his desk.
"But I need—"
"What part of 'quiet' don't you understand?"
She chews her lips, frowning and wondering how she can get across what she wants without him snapping at her again. Usually she doesn't even need to ask him, can just cross to the other room of her own volition. Perhaps if he sees that's where she's going he'll let it go.
Her eyes dart toward him, then back again, and she decides to go for it. She makes it all of two steps before her neck jolts back sharply and she hisses through her teeth. Sometimes Gilda forgets how fast he is, and then Levi will do something like appear behind her before she can blink.
"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he growls into her ear, gooseflesh breaking out down her spine.
"Bathroom," she mutters hoarsely.
"Tch." Levi practically throws her toward the door. "You have thirty seconds."
Her eyes widen, but she doesn't take the allowance for granted, scrambling through the door and to relieve herself. Halfway through washing her hands it flings open, the short man seething from the doorway.
"Time's up." She shuts off the water and then he's wrapping a hand around her wrist and tugging her toward the bedroom. "You will remain in here for the rest of the day. If you so much as think of leaving this room for anything other than the toilet, you won't be able to sit for a week. Do you understand?"
She resists rubbing her wrist when he releases it. "Yes, Levi."
"Sit."
That's his last order before he leaves her again. Gilda sits in her chair and sighs, readying herself for more hours of nothing. She knows better than to draw or read; the mood Levi's in, he'll likely tear apart a book if he finds one in her hands.
She folds her arms on the desktop and stares at the wall.
A slam cuts through the silence and Gilda jerks up from where her head had laid on her arms. Levi crosses the room and pulls his own chair to face her. He's quiet as she slowly glances over at him, turning her chair toward him at a gesture.
"Were you planning on telling me about this debt of yours?"
"I didn't—"
"Yes or no, Gilda. I didn't ask for an explanation."
His flat expression makes her tremble. "Yes."
"When?"
"I was going to tell you when you came back, but—"
"You should have told me ages ago. I imagine that's where most of your pay has been going," he huffs.
"Only half."
Levi chuckles humorlessly. "Only half, she says. And they were trying to up it to nearly two thirds."
She wants to look away, but Levi will be furious in that case. "I'm not the one who took out the loans."
"No," he agrees. "But you're one stupid enough to keep it from me. I'm guessing this is why you joined the scouts rather than finding safer work."
Gilda nods. "He said if I didn't start paying more he'd sell me to a brothel."
"I know. He told me he should've done it, since you wound up a whore anyway."
Gilda winces at the harsh truth.
"He won't be saying much for a white, given his jaw is broken and he's missing most of his teeth." Levi watches her brows rise at that. "And you won't be sending them money anymore."
"Levi—"
"You're still going to be punished, but I'll give you a choice on how to start. You can either take physical discipline, or you will stay in this room alone for the next week."
She swallows through the anxiety both ideas induce. "Ph-physical discipline, please."
"Are you sure? You won't be able to change your mind when we start," he warns, though he seems almost pleased that's what she chooses.
"I'm sure."
He nods, stands, and strips off his jacket. It goes over the back of his chair. "Strip," Levi says as he unbuttons his cuffs to roll his sleeves up.
In all the time she has been with him he has not allowed Gilda to change herself even once. That he's ordered her to do so now sends her heart racing. Shaking fingers set to work until she's bare and staring down at her toes.
Levi sits on the end of the bed and waves her to him. "Over my knees."
"What?"
He grabs her wrist and tugs her over his lap. "When I tell you to do something, you do it." The first blow is harder than she could have anticipated. "You know better. I know you know better, so why are you behaving so badly, hm?"
"I'm sorry, Le—"
Another smack cuts her apology short. "I didn't tell you to speak. From now until I give you leave to do otherwise, you are to do nothing without my permission. You will not eat, sleep, shit, so much as breathe unless I give you leave." He punctuates the sentences with more hits to her backside, and Gilda is grateful her face presses into the blanket to help muffle her cries. "I am disappointed in you, that you would think you're allowed to keep secrets, that you would think you can meet with these men and I wouldn't find out. Do you have any idea what could have happened to you? Do you?" He's nearly yelling and she turns her cheek to respond to his question lest her silence anger him further.
"I—"
Her scalp burns as he fists her hair to shove her face back into the mattress, holding her there while he continues the series of blows. "Do. Not. Speak."
How much longer it continues, she has no idea, just that Levi rants intermittently about the danger she put herself in, that the man Schult works for is known for sex trafficking in the underground and is not above kidnapping pretty girls if it suits his purpose, that she is lucky he interceded before anything happened to her…
He's breathing heavily when he stops, shoving her from his lap and onto the floor. Gilda doesn't move.
"You're not keeping any other secrets, are you?" Is she supposed to answer? "Well?"
"No, Levi," she says from her position by his feet.
"And will you ever do anything so stupid again?"
"No." Her voice cracks on the single word.
He pulls her up and into his lap, this time upright, her ass hanging over his thigh so the inflamed flesh isn't further irritated. "Go ahead," he murmurs as he begins to stroke her hair. "Let it out."
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, Levi." She starts sobbing into his neck, her chest hitching at each breath. "Please, I know it was wrong. I'll never, ever…"
He holds her close, kisses her temple. "I know you won't. You've learned your lesson, haven't you?"
"Yes." She clings to him despite the fact that he's the one who caused her tears.
Levi nudges her chin up from his shoulder, eyes studying her tear-worn features. She's a disaster, eyes red and puffy, hair a mess. He must see something different though, because he leans forward to meet her lips in a kiss. He can taste the tears, and when his hands move to cup her backside, her flesh there is heated.
She whimpers into his mouth; he groans, falling on his back and pulling her to straddle him, dragging her across the hardness she can feel through his pants.
There has always been an edge of violence to Levi. Any time they're intimate he leaves her covered in fingertip bruises and love bites, and he's had a hand around her throat more times than she can count. That's not including the time he was upset with her and was more forceful. Now she wonders if he's excited by it, since he's grinding her against an erection he's had since he started hitting her.
He pulls her from their kiss with a hand in her hair. "Get down between my legs."
Gilda slips down and watches as he unbuckles his belt, unbuttons his trousers, and pulls out his hardened length.
"Suck."
Her eyes widen and shift from where his hand holds himself up to his face. His own are half-lidded, dark with desire.
Gilda leans down and replaces his hand with her own, then licks timidly at the tip. Upon finding the taste fairly inoffensive, she starts to work her mouth down over him.
Levi guides her with a hand on the back of her head and words of praise and instruction, and she quickly finds a rhythm that pleases him.
"Fuck. Good girl." His hips jut into her, his length hitting the back of her throat. "That's it. Just relax, take it slow." He's patient despite curses as she figures out how to take him down her throat. Once she has the hang of that he's using her hair to pump himself into her throat, and he doesn't last long after that.
She swallows when he pulls her off of him, wiping away lines of drool. Levi tugs her upward, kissing her soundly, tongue roving her mouth with a groan. He wipes away spittle at the corner of her mouth when they part, staring up at her reverently. "Come on. Let's go take a shower."
He's every bit as tender as he washes her, taking her against the cool tiles after he catches sight of the blooming bruises. Once they're dry and in sleep clothes, he lays her head against his chest and they fall asleep like that.
"Isn't this a bit harsh?"
Levi rolls his eyes at his friend's concern. "She's fine, Erwin. Sitting quietly will hardly break her."
"Despite how you dress her, she is hardly a doll," the blond retorts, eyeing the girl where she sits on the couch, hands folded in her lap and staring ahead blankly.
"I'm aware. But actions have consequences, and she put herself in serious danger." Levi doesn't want to discuss this, a part of him still furious with Gilda, and with the scum who had threatened to steal her away to pay for her father's debt.
"She must be good if you're willing to go through all this effort, Levi. I don't think I've ever seen you so enamored."
He should have killed the bastard. Only his knowledge that someone even less honorable would pop up stayed his hand. Though he could have at least killed Schult.
"Then do something more severe and get it over with," the commander replies. "Why draw this out?"
"Her ass is already black and blue. What else should I do to her?"
Whatever his friend expected, that's not it. Erwin's eyes widen and he glances between Levi and his girl. "What did you use on her?"
"Just my hand," he says. "I'm not a complete monster. But I feel it doesn't hurt to reiterate her training. I've gotten lax, and I worry her behavior may be a result of that leniency."
Erwin shakes his head. "Only you would consider that 'lax.'"
"The man her father was in debt to is a known human trafficker in the underground. He's not above having pretty little things kidnapped and sold off if he sees that it'll profit him, not even from the scouts."
The blond's prodigious brows furrow at that, gaze darting toward the girl where she sits demurely in his office. She must hear them talking about her, but not a twitch indicates her awareness. "You think they would have done such a thing?"
"They threatened as much if she did not start making increased payments."
Levi notes how Erwin's jaw firms. "You would murder them all if they dared."
He nods. "And I'd be thrown in the brig for it, too. Sal has friends in high places. He caters to every taste, and those noble pricks are particular." The pair share a grimace of disgust. "We should go back to my office before the paperwork starts piling up again. Besides, I'm expecting some packages."
"I'll see you later, then." The two men exchange goodbyes before Levis strides to where Gilda awaits.
"Up." She stands silently. "Follow."
When she woke this morning Levi had informed her that he would be more strict for the foreseeable future. Like in her early days, she is to do nothing unless given explicit instructions. He even feeds her now, making her sit neatly as he brings fork or spoon to her mouth.
Gilda thought he might get irritated with the level of dependence he's foisted on her, but he is stoic in the face of it. Then again, this is only the first day of his renewed strictness.
There are parcels set on the coffee table in his office when they return, but he ignores them. "Stand here," Levi instructs, so she stops beside his chair as directed.
This is unusual. He's never just had her stand there like a statue, and Gilda wonders if this will become a habit.
"Hands to your sides, palms open. There. Just like that." He takes his seat and begins his paperwork.
When dinner arrives that evening, he removes them to his sitting area and feeds them both, alternating bites. "You may go to the bathroom. You have three minutes," Levi instructs her afterward. "Go to the bedroom and sit in your chair when you finish."
It's a few minutes later that Levi joins her, the stack of parcels in his arms. "I ordered these a while back, but they've arrived at the perfect time." A knife flicks apart the bindings, the brown paper following it to the ground.
If her current clothing is girly it is nothing to the absolutely ridiculous garments she glimpses from her peripheral vision. Lace and petticoats are the least of it.
Gilda knows corsets exist, but she never thought to own one herself. Why does anyone want to wear a cage that restricts their breathing?
Regardless, it seems the choice will be taken from her, like so many others.
Levi inspects each garment, fingering the material and setting it all out as he takes inventory.
"Stand here."
She takes up the position he indicated before and faces him. Levi uses his hands to direct her now, far enough from the bed that he could circle her, then begins undressing her.
"My mother was a prostitute." Gilda tries not to let her surprise show; luckily, Levi isn't looking at her face. "Most of her clients, as I'm sure you can imagine, were men. However, there was one woman that I can recall even after all this time. She was fairly wealthy, perhaps even a noble woman. My mother was beautiful, and had a few patrons among the peerage, my father included.
"This particular client preferred to be seen at her residence, even let my mother bring me along, though I was relegated to a little room far from their activities. Her home was the cleanest place I'd ever been. That, to my young mind, was far more impressive than the wealth it exuded from every aspect. Fresh-cut flowers, marble floors, a garden.
"Anyway, I spent hours in that room, sometimes even passed an entire night curled up on a settee. The room was fairly small, but housed the woman's doll collection. They were works of art, all smooth porcelain cheeks and glassy eyes. Their outfits alone were probably worth more than my entire pathetic existence. They wore silk and lace, cloth brilliantly colored. They were bedecked in ribbons, pearls, had little gold chain necklaces with gemstone pendants, hats and hair pins and cameos... Their hair felt like it was real, and was elegantly styled, often curled in perfect spirals. Each one was lovingly crafted and highly unique. One even looked like my mother, or so I liked to think.
"Eventually I knew every detail of those dolls. Imagine my shock when I came in one day to find them all in different rich garments for the winter. They had seasonal outfits, for fucks' sake. Didn't even have that, and I was a living boy.
"I came to correlate those dolls with wealth and power. How could I not? This was a woman who had people at her beck and call. My mother hated seeing her, but never thought of turning her down. Whatever the woman had her do left her exhausted for days afterward, but we always had food. When she died, I don't know if my mother was more relieved or worried that she would no longer number among her patrons. I was just sad I wouldn't get to see if those dolls had more changes they underwent."
During this speech, the longest Gilda has ever heard from her handler, Levi is dressing her. A corset cinches around her waist, rich burgundy cloth pulled over and laced to the center of her back where the hem of the gown sits. Black lace edges all of the hems, and black ribbons allow him to tighten the line of the sleeves along her arms.
He twists her hair into a bun and ties it atop her head, then steps back to inspect his work.
Gilda has never felt more like a doll to him than in this moment, tied up in this ridiculous gown and made to stand static before him as he looks on. Is she his replacement for the dolls of his childhood, proof of his own power by having a living, breathing girl doll rather than cold porcelain?
The thought chills her, though she suppresses the shiver.
"I think that's why I was so fascinated by you. It's not just that you're petite and pretty like a doll. I think—" he frowns and ponders his words. "I think you even look like one of them." He shakes his head and then begins undoing all of the hard work.
Their nightly routine continues after that with their shared shower, Levi putting her in a nightgown and brushing her hair, then bed.
He wakes her early the next morning and again dresses her in one a restrictive corset and gown. After a light breakfast, they go to his office where he directs her to stand in a corner facing out.
Captain Zacharius comes in at some point and does a double take when he sees his former scout standing pretty and dolled up. She feels her cheeks heating, knowing how ridiculous she must look. Thankfully, he says nothing about it and instead gets on with his business.
It is an insufferably long day. Gilda is unused to standing for long periods of standing or walking now, and the new shoes Levi has her wearing are about form, not function. When he finally directs her to the bedroom, she nearly sighs in relief, but she's not nearly foolish enough for that.
Upon entering the room, Levi picks her up and throws her onto the bed before climbing over her. The skirt and its many layers and pushed up, underwear pulled down, and he's entering her before she's caught up to events.
"So damn beautiful, you know that?" His lips are on her, tongue easing her own apart so he can claim ownership there, too. He thrusts inside of her so violently she wonders that he's not breaking her apart, sending cracks through the porcelain he's made of her flesh.
Tears stream down her cheeks and his lips move to kiss those away.
"Sh, sweetheart. I know. I'm sorry." He slows, a hand flitting down between them to stroke that bundle of nerves that soon has her squirming. "Feels good?"
Gilda nods and he groans, pace picking up again to coax them both over the edge. He's first, but while he's still hard he manages to tip her over, too, collapsing to press his forehead against hers.
"You were so good for me today," Levi tells her once he's extracted her from the many layers, leading her to the shower. She thinks the boning of the corset might have left bruises on her ribs. "Was it too much?"
Gilda blinks from her thoughts and frowns at him, confused. Is he asking her or just talking?
"Sweetheart?" He cups her cheek, stroking along a tear track. His eyes are bluer than she's ever seen them as they flick between hers in concern. "Despite how it might seem, I'm not trying to break you."
"I'm okay," she says at last.
His relief is obvious. Levi turns on the water and places her beneath the warming water, wetting her hair completely before turning it back off to begin scrubbing her down. "The shoes hurt, huh? I guess they're not really meant to be worn for long periods. I won't have you stand in them that long again." She hisses when the cloth reaches her folds. "I should have made sure you were prepared. I was impatient."
Levi kisses her thigh before moving on, and soon she's enjoying his fingers massaging fragrant shampoo through her scalp. The shampoo and the soap on her skin are all rinsed away and Levi washes himself. Once they're both dry, he leads her to lie on the bed, rubbing lotion into her skin.
"How are you feeling?"
"Tired," she admits.
He hums and kneads a sore foot with skilled fingers. "But you're alright? I haven't been too hard on you?"
The insecurity in his voice is unexpectedly endearing. She doesn't think anyone has heard this particular tone from him before. "I'm really okay, Levi." And she is. The whole arrangement is unusual, but she expects nothing else from him. "The whole outfit is a little uncomfortable, but it's hardly the worst thing I've experienced."
He lays a palm on her backside. "And your ass?"
"Sore."
He chuckles. "You must think I'm a monster. I pull you from your squad and turn you into my personal plaything, beat you, fuck you."
"I don't." She turns enough to see his face as she speaks. "I was afraid at first, but you've never actually harmed me, not any more than my three years of training did for sure. And I've heard more than one person talk about how much more rested you are now, so maybe this really is where I can do the most good."
For the first time, Gilda takes initiative. She sits on her knees and leans toward him, pressing her mouth to his. He melts into the kiss, pulling her across his lap to deepen it.
That night as they lay down to sleep is the first time she's ever felt completely comfortable in his presence. It's because, for the first time since she was a small child, she knows she's safe.
Notes:
I had planned on leaving this as a one-shot, but oh well. Now here's a second part. I have no plans to write another part, but who knows.
Anyway, yes, I *had* to include Daddy kink Erwin.