Hey there folks! Sorry I didn't update last week, just life getting in the way tbh. Things are a bit hectic. But! I have an extra chonky chapter for you this week, nearly 8k! Enjoy!

NOTE: EXPLICIT shenanigans ahead, ye be warned.

We launched.

Get to the wall. Nothing fancy. Thin the herd a bit.

Me and Petra took down three of the beasts and Gunter and Eld assisted our Captain with another four. Some were left steaming, recovering slowly for other squads to mop up in our wake. But it was enough. We were helping thin the numbers. The fact there wasn't any cannon fire worried me. No defences? Already dead? I looked up, launching onto the wall itself, and saw a great scarred trench running along the top. How had… Wait, only something like the Colossal could have done that kind of damage. Did that mean the Colossal had known to do that? To take out our defences?

Shit. Stop thinking. Move.

First things first, try to help save Trost.

I zipped up alongside my Captain and Petra, and as we landed atop the slightly buggered wall, we saw the city in partial ruins. But at least it was only partial. Considering what we might have returned to, that seemed like a mercy. And from what we could see, the inner gate remained intact.

My Captain, phased or not, got straight to business of course. "Get down to that broken gate and ensure there's space for the horses and–"

"Nope." I shook my head and pointed. A Titan sat slumped by the gate, facing it, steaming away in front of some kind of massive boulder. A blockage?

"The fuck…" My Captain cursed under his breath. Glad to know I wasn't alone in my bamboozlement.

Petra swallowed. "Uh… Someone's… plugged the breach?"

"We can't see a damn thing from up here." Captain Levi cursed. "C'mon. I think I see Cadets. We'll find out the details as we go. Commander Erwin will see that shit clearer from where he was, and the rest of the Scouts will get their asses up here on wires. Go."

We nodded and descended.

Madness surrounded us. Titans lolled around the streets drunkenly, swaying to and fro as they sought their next unneeded meal. Soldiers fought everywhere, zipping along rooftops, launching on and off the walls. Everything they had to use, they did. That would be the biggest difference I guess, at least now, no one was particularly complacent once they donned the uniform. The threat wasn't 100 years old, it was fresh and still bruising. How many squads were still in the streets was hard to see, but some kind of commotion was happening on the other side of town, like a gathering, but of distraction rather than celebration. They were drawing the Titans in that direction? Why? Nevermind, at least that meant numbers were slightly contained.

Which meant someone had taken charge and got some organisation going.

After helping dislodge someone from inside a jaw, I swooped towards the gate walkway where a few Titans were slowly approaching. I cut one down and dodged the other's grabbing hand. My Captain took Mr Grabby down, and then he ran towards the Cadets by the gate. I concentrated on cleaning up in the immediate area. I whipped from team to team, getting a couple soldiers out of the firing line, hauling a few more towards supply sergeants. Their gas was spent. Their bodies were broken. Whatever it was, whatever someone needed, me and my fellow Scouts helped however we could.

Slowly the streets were cleared of anyone at risk.

Now to find out what the hell was actually happening.

Landing on top of the wall again, after a few hours of solid adrenaline, I sank to my knees and flopped onto my back. Everything burned. Like we had taken part in an entire fresh mission in the past few hours. A bruise formed over my right eye, but otherwise I only had a few scrapes. Staring up at the sky I just tried to breathe evenly, dusk started to peel across the light blue, burning it to a dull orange. Breaths panted out of me, tasting vaguely of iron, but I think I'd just bitten my tongue. No broken bones. No disasters. And thus far, it seemed like no breach had occurred on the inner gate. And the one here, on the outer gate, it had been fixed. Somehow.

My mind fizzed as much as my spent muscles, but answers would come later.

"You all good, Robyn?" Petra knelt by me and I gave a thumbs up. "You did good work out there today, though that last one nearly got your damn leg I hope you know."

"I do now." I chuckled and she helped me sit up. "So… What the fuck is happening?"

And that was when I saw Eren.

He was slumped in Armin's arms, wrapped in a cloak, completely comatose. Weird lines stretched away from his closed eyes, one arm of his uniform torn, like it had been ripped clean off, but the arm underneath looked pristine. What the hell? He looked fine, and yet, completely drained and out of it. I tried to get up, to call out to them, but Petra just put a hand on my shoulder.

"Give them some time, Robyn. Things are… Complicated."

"The fuck does that mean?"

"Supposedly that boy over there has something to do with that boulder blocking the breach. The details are real foggy right now though. We'll know more as soon as the Captain does, I'm sure."

"R-Right." I frowned, something in my gut telling me this day was only going to get weirder.

My Captain stood with the Commander, talking quickly and hushedly with Commander Pixis. What the fuck was going on? And then my Captain looked towards me, raising a brow before looking back to Eren. Armin was saying something, gesturing to me, looking like he was pleading. Mikasa nodded. What was happening?

"C'mon, there's still cleaning up to do on the other side of town. We should give them any energy we have left." Petra held her hand out and I took it, knowing she was right, despite how my curiosity had me wanting to stride over and simply stay with the kids. But for now, I was a Scout, not a comrade. Duty first.

It was a long ass evening.

An even longer night.

When no longer able to go down and slice the beasts due to a lack of light, we had to head for the quiet parts of town and start on the real clean up. Mentally, physically and emotionally I felt every sense of dog-tired. My bones ached from nearly five hours of solid hacking and slashing, only pausing to refuel or re-blade. But I kept going. We all did. The more we accomplished that evening, the less the kids had to do in the morning. Not to mention the less time anything had to become a health hazard. Names gathered. Bits of bodies piled high for fires. Rubble shifted to the sides to allow for supplies to be brought through, and waggons of bodies to be taken out. Sickening work, but not something we Scouts were particularly unused to. Admittedly not in such concentrated sessions, but familiar. I hated that. I almost wished it hurt more, it made me shake more, it made me want to vomit more.

Was I losing grasp on what it actually meant to be human? Surely seeing this kind of carnage first hand should turn your stomach? Right?

"Levi Squad. You're done."

Gunter scoffed. "Too fucking right! You shitheads take over god dammit."

We trudged into the make-shift barracks, knowing we'd be transferred to wherever the hell Eren, the Commander and our Captain had been whisked off to when things were dubbed as 'safe enough'. Showers. Food. Bunks. I don't think anyone even managed to put the lantern out before we were all unconscious in a deep, though not likely as restful as it should have been, sleep.

What the hell would tomorrow bring?

Bloody hell.

I was going to need something stronger in this tea.

Me and the rest of the squad had arrived early that morning, finding ourselves met by both the Commander and Captain. But the rest of Levi Squad were asked to follow the Commander for a more general breakdown of the day's happenings, whilst I was taken into a small room by my Captain to have something more 'delicate' spoken of. Had the air been less thick with total confusion and worry, I'd have suspected him of some cheeky intentions, but as it was, I sat down and waited for him to find the words. He kept glancing at me then pacing a little more. At least I had tea.

Eventually I just cleared my throat and gave a small smile. "Spit it out?"

He nodded, sat down and clasped his hands on the table. "Eren Jaeger turned into a Titan and blocked the breach with the boulder."

Well. Shit.

My mouth opened, but the questions all tried to escape at once and got stuck.

He nodded. "Sorry. That was perhaps too blunt."

I raised a finger for a moment to rearrange the questions into an orderly queue. But they kept stumbling about, bumping into each other and cutting the line. Dammit. Okay. Deep breath, try again.

"Clarify… Turned into a titan."

He cleared his throat. "Would if I could."

"Mm. Fair…"

"The kid is still unconscious and none of his little friends seem to have much idea what the hell happened or how. They claim he didn't know he could do it either."

I sipped my tea.

All right.

So for now, I just had to run with the concept of someone turning into a Titan. Fine. I could do that, I had an imagination, and let's face it they did resemble humans – except the size, endless grins and generally the lack of inner organs, but still. Fine. Fine. So Eren had turned into a Titan and helped seal the wall. He had saved a lot of people then. Done something good. Right?

I focused on the warmth of my tea. "So… Where's he been taken?"

"He's here, over at the courthouse, but being kept in the cells beneath. It's a small hope, but the theory is he wouldn't be able to shift and then get out of the rubble very easily."

I cupped the warmth closer. "So you expect an escape attempt?"

"At this point there's no telling what to expect, the kid turned into a Titan, we have little way of knowing where his true allegiances lie. Especially if he can't even explain the power."

I frowned. "So he's being treated like an enemy? Despite saving the city?"

My Captain raised a brow. "No, we're simply keeping it in mind that he may not–"

"He hates Titans." I set my cup down.

The idea of Eren being suspected as an enemy of Humanity was madness. I'd never seen someone so determined to defeat the Titans, to take back what had been stolen. And the higher ups thought… what? He was somehow on the Titan's side? Sure, turning into one was bizarre beyond anything else, but he blocked the breach. He had given Humanity its first real victory.

I took a long breath. "Look, I understand being cautious, sure. But that kid is hell bent on taking back what the Titans stole. He watched his own mother being eaten alive, Levi. He was there in Shiganshina when the wall fell. He–"

"I'm not the one who needs to be convinced." He sighed, glancing at the door. "Also, Captain, remember?"

I swallowed. "Right, of course. Sorry."

He nodded. "All good. Understandable that things are a bit blurry right now."

"Yeah." I nudged his foot with mine. "But seriously, who is it that needs convinced? I'll talk to anyone I have to."

"So you'd say you built a bit of a rapport with the kid?"

"Sure, him and the rest of the 104th. Good kids."

"That was what we thought." He ran a hand through his hair. "The two kids Jaeger is close to were mentioning you as a character witness potential. And now essentially Dawk has suggested you be questioned about Jaeger prior to the kid's trial."

"Questioned?" I leaned back. Had my Captain taken me aside to fool me into thinking this was just a conversation between us? And now he's brought the Captain angle back in. Shit. Had I been played? "Is that what you're doing now, sir?"

"I'm filling you in on the situation so you're not blindsided, don't go turning me into the enemy because I gave the message." He glared and I winced, feeling very foolish.

"Sorry. Shit, sorry that was unfair of me." I put my head in my hands.

"I get it, you'll be feeling pretty cornered right now."

"Mm, a bit. Crap, I can't stand, Dawk. Bloody Unicorn."

"The whole situation is a shitshow." His chair scraped back and he tapped my shoulder once he was at my side of the table. "Hey."

"Hi." I smiled up at him, turning in my seat as he placed a hand to my cheek, lightly cupping my jaw. Again he glanced at the door, before leaning in and chastely kissing me. My chest warmed in a worrying manner, but I pushed the concern away. Just enjoy it you idiot.

He leaned back and lightly brushed my nose with his. "You did good work on the mission."

"Glad to please my Captain."

"Mm. Any panic? I didn't spot any problems, but I can't claim to have been entirely focused on you either." He smirked.

"Good, I don't want you to be." I grinned and he straightened up, hand only falling away then. "I felt good, no wobbles other than when we lost that last Scout."

"He seemed calmed by whatever you'd been saying to him."

I shrugged. "Nothing but nonsense to try and make him smile or laugh."

"Well, it worked." He tucked my hair back and footsteps approached along the corridor. He returned to his seat. "Don't worry, I won't let Dawk twist things."

"Twist things?"

"Y'know what those MP bastards are like."

Ah. So if they didn't like my answers to their questions, it might be suggested that I was in on Eren Jaeger's master plan. Which involved helping Humanity before destroying it? Bloody MPs. I got comfy and enjoyed my tea. The door to our small interview room was flung open and in blustered Nile Dawk and a couple other MPs whose names alluded me.

"Cadet Robyn Sanshi?" Dawk barked, knowing full well who I was.

I gave a wave and sipped my tea.

He glared. "You will respond properly to a superior officer."

Superior to fucking what? The crap I scraped off my shoe last night?

I stood, saluted and spoke a little too loudly. "Yes, sir! Cadet Robyn Sanshi of the Scouting Regiment, sir! How can I help you today, sir?"

He rolled his eyes. "At ease."

I slumped back into the seat.

He presented papers that I didn't bother to read. "You are to be questioned on the matter of Eren Jaeger and his affiliations with humanity, the Titans and anything else."

"Well there's some broad terminology. Pull up a stool though, I'm an open book."

"We will move to a more appropriate venue."

"Such as? You're not going to whack me on a wrack are you?" I bit my lip and he huffed. "Or do you just mean somewhere a bit bigger?"

To fit your massive ego issues with ease.

"The latter is what I meant, yes. Follow."

"Sir!" I chirped, hopping up and giving another entirely sincere salute. I respected the military, and I respected authority when it was earned, but when an MP came sniffing around trying to suggest their shitshow of a job was somehow on par with that of the Scouts, I had a hard time containing the sass. Well done, you repressed another old woman from free speech. Want another medal tucked between your buttocks?

We walked along a couple of corridors until we entered a plush room with enormous windows, comfy sofas and plenty of wasted space. How luxurious. How pretentious. How exactly what I expected.

When my Captain followed us in, Dawk held up a hand. "Captain Levi, you are not required to attend this interview."

"Fascinating." Captain Levi sat down beside me at the enormous mahogany table. "Get on with it."

"Your presence may well alter how the cadet answer–"

"I assure you no one could alter how Robyn Sanshi answers a question. Good luck to them if they try." He straightened his perfect cravat. "Got any tea in this ridiculous room?"

Dawk nodded to one of the MPs and they scuttled off. I touched my knee against my Captain's and he gave a small nod, pressing back for a moment. The backup was appreciated, even if not fully required.

Dawk sat and fiddled with his pointless papers, before bringing out a quill and fresh parchment.

I raised a brow. "I assume we'll be given copies of those?"

"Of course, are you suggesting we would–"

"Just checking, sir." I smiled sweetly. "Now then, what did you want to know?"

"A couple of months ago, you attended the trainee camp, yes?"

"I did."

"As a result of you having been sexually viola–"

"As a favour to the Commander, and an opportunity for me to have recovery time after an incident with another Scout called Jack Sente."

Dawk nodded and scribbled. "That's what I said."

"No, you wanted to paint me as someone in a vulnerable position and therefore perhaps easily manipulated into trusting others. The wording here is important. I was sent off base to recover from the physical injuries Sente had given me, and some time to ensure I wasn't simply going to go down to the cells myself and castrate the shitbag." I leaned forward. "He hurt me, yes. But no, he didn't get the fucking chance to violate me or anyone else that night. Which you know, if you have actually read the reports. Or did you just skim for something useful?"

He blinked. "Perhaps I misread."

"Mm. So no, I was not vulnerable at this time. If anything I was more aware of how two-faced folks can be. Therefore, more alert to any questionable behaviour."

Dawk scribbled, though less enthusiastically. He dipped the quill. "Can you allow me to amend 'shitbag' to something less… colourful?"

"Cretin, all right?"

"Suitable." He nodded and continued.

Essentially his questions boiled down to desperately trying to find a thread to cling to, in order to paint Eren as some kind of terrible threat. Safe to say, I gave him very little. A diligent cadet, good learner, followed orders to the letter, and totally dedicated to the cause of eradicating the Titans. No, he never spoke of his powers. No, he never showed signs of having any powers. No, he never spoke of Titans in a favourable manner. Yes, he has shown great determination in learning how to kill Titans. No, he did not suggest that Titans could be useful to humanity.

By the end of it, we were four cups of tea down and almost all patience with existence extinguished. I rubbed my eyes and rolled my uniform sleeves up, shirt partially unbuttoned due to the stifling heat of this damned room, and coat left draped over the back of my chair. My straps were still on, but I could vent a little heat at least. Apparently those windows weren't authorised to be open. And my joke about it being potentially authorised for them to be broken, did not go well.

Finally Dawk set down his quill and sealed the ink.

Freedom? Is that you I hear?

Dawk smoothed his scraggly beard without success. "So… In your honest opinion Cadet Robyn Sanshi, Eren Jaeger of the 104th Cadets is not a threat to humanity?"

"He is not a threat, no. If anything, he's potentially a damn useful tool – though that's still a shitty word to use for a human being."

The entire time this nonsense had gone on, thankfully my Captain had not had to speak up on my behalf. For all his puffing and huffing, Dawk did eventually just get down to business and to his fairly straight forward questions. Was Dawk actually an alright human being, simply wrapped in the bullshit bureaucracy of the MPs? I had no idea. But maybe as he finally caved and opened three of the windows, I had a little hope.

"The trial will be in a few days. You may go and see the boy if you wish, but MP guards will be in attendance at all times." He stood and went to the opened windows, eyes trained in the direction of Trost. "I don't trust the prisoner, and the whole situation stinks of shit, but I can at least appreciate the fact things would have gone very different if he had not done what he did."

"Congratulations." I lounged back in my seat and stared down the disapproval of one of Dawk's minions. They hadn't said a damn word all day, they didn't outrank me, they could suck my tit for all I cared. "But even with that, you're still going to act like he's something to be studied in the trial, right?"

Dawk glanced back over his shoulder. "And you say that because…?"

"Because you're talking about him like he's some kind of new canon you can't figure out how to fire, rather than a fuckin' kid. And that's what he is. Fifteen years old, maybe? He's seen far more shit in this life than any of us had at that point, regardless of what human fuckery we had to endure. And even so, he wants to fight back. And even so… You're talking about him like pieces of a puzzle. He's a person, a kid. A fucking human."

He chuckled. "No need to get emotional."

"Why not? Should I not be a little invested in the fact the military is turning on a kid that helped them gain their first real victory ever against the Titans?"

"We're turning on no one."

"Huh, funny way of showing it."

"Look here, Sanshi–"

"I think we're done?" My Captain said, standing. "My Squad member has been thoroughly questioned since arriving here, after having done extensive work on the field of battle yesterday, as well as during the subsequent clean up. It's been hours. You can't have more questions, you sealed your little ink pot. And if you do require more information? You can ask later."

Dawk grumbled. "Very well, dismissed. For now."

I resisted doing a damn curtsey.

We headed out of the room, and whereas I was going to head to the courtyard to find out where I was meant to be headed now, my Captain had other ideas. With a gentle touch to the small of my back, he silently asked me to follow. I did so. I needed to vent, to do something other than be questioned by a bloody unicorn. My blood simmered with outrage. For both myself and Eren, the crap Dawk was suggesting barely managed to register in my head. The higher ups were sipping some special form of paranoia juice these days, that much was evident.

We rounded another corner, entering a seemingly empty part of the building. Oh, is my Captain intending a little panted debrief? Can't say it was the worst idea, a great form of stress relief if ever there was one. Perfect. My Captain stopped and opened a door. A door to a supply cupboard. He smirked and tilted his head, and I grinned.

Then a voice called out.

"Captain Levi!"

Petra, normally I adore you, but right now I wanna stuff your mouth with hay.

I pursed my lips against the laughter as my Captain gave a tiny sigh, closed the door and stepped aside to address the oncoming footsteps of our comrade. "Ral?"

"The Commander would like to see you, you and Robyn. He just got word that he has permission to go and see Jaeger, but he's keen to talk to the rest of the 104th first. Figured it would be good to have you there so you're on the same page, and Robyn as she has some connection with the kids." She panted a little. "Couldn't find you two anywhere!"

"My fault!" I laughed. "I needed a walk to calm down after Dawk's crap."

She rolled her eyes. "No wonder, he was grilling you for hours. Hopefully this chat is a bit more cordial. C'mon."

Our Captain stepped in line with us, walking beside me. "Are we meeting him at the barracks, Ral?"

"Yes, sir. Two of the 104th were brought here from the clean up in Trost specially."

"From one shitshow to another. Lucky kids."

It was a guess, but I figured we'd head into the barracks and find Mikasa and Armin. After all, they were Eren's childhood friends, they had known him the longest. The sun was high in the sky, and bless her heart, Petra went to get me and Captain Levi some lunch as we had been questioned by Dawk all the way through to the afternoon. The barracks mess hall was quiet after the meal rush, and a table to the far side was the only one with folks sat there. One, very tall, blonde and rigid. The other two were a bit shorter, blonde and brunette, equally rigid but more in fear than formality. A merry bunch.

"Afternoon, Commander." Captain Levi murmured, taking a seat to the side, leaving my place open next to the Commander, opposite the kids. "You'll be glad to know Sanshi isn't being dragged into the MP nonsense any more than we suspected."

Oh, so they genuinely wondered if I might end up with charges? Good to know.

I draped my jacket over the back of my chair and cracked my neck. "Heya Armin, Mikasa, it's been a little while. How you two holding up?"

They looked amongst themselves and then to the Commander.

He chuckled. "You may speak freely."

Oh, made sense, he was pretty intimidating.

Armin dipped his head. "Thank you, sir. It's good to see you, Robyn. Gotta say I was pleased to hear you were around to defend Eren as well. I mean uh… Assuming that was your uh… stance?"

"Of course it bloody was, twit." I leaned over to ruffle his hair. "Eren's no more a threat to humanity than I am in a height contest. I told Dawk exactly where to go. Dunno how much it'll actually help in the long run but–"

"What's he being accused of?" Mikasa blurted out, eyes shining and hands clenched tightly.

I closed my mouth and glanced to my Commander. He was… Reserved.

I shrugged. "At this point I'm not likely allowed to go into specifics. But rest assured, I won't be letting anything happen to him without a damn good fight. He's a good kid, and deserves to fulfil his dream of serving Humanity on the front lines."

The Commander cleared his throat. "Well, as much as is possible."

"Uh… Right. Have you two been questioned?"

They nodded, both glancing at the Commander again before down at the table. Oh. He'd already done that bit in our absence? I thought my rapport was oh-so-important?

The Commander clasped his hands under his chin. "I wanted to know more about Jaeger's home. You are his sister, yes, Mikasa?"

She blushed. "Eren's parents took me in after my own died when I was young, sir."

"Adopted sister then, very well. What can you tell me about this?"

In his hand, dangling and catching in the dim sunlight through murky windows, was a key. Not a particularly interesting one, but both Armin and Mikasa leaned forward, as if a diamond had just been produced. I glanced at Captain Levi, but he just shrugged. As clueless as myself, presumably.

The commander continued. "Jaeger had this around his neck when he was apprehended. Seems like it was important to him if he had it on his person under his uniform, and seems like it would be a key to… perhaps a secret?"

I did not like his tone. Not at all.

It was just like Dawk, talking about Eren like he was a puzzle in a box, waiting to be poured out, sorted and figured out. Not a person. I held my tongue for the time being, but my temper was hardly recovered after Dawk's crap. How much of the Commander's could I endure?

Neither Armin or Mikasa looked keen to answer. But they also looked like they knew the truth, and as the silence stretched onwards the Commander's patience thinned. I didn't need to even look at him, I could feel it. Like sand running down the back of my neck.

I met Armin's gaze and gave a small nod. It really would be easier to just tell him. Better him than the MPs, though I could easily see why both options looked like a damn noose to them at that point.

Armin cleared his throat. "It's the key to his Father's basement, sir. Under the house at Shiganshina. Supposedly his f-father told him that once he got home, he would show him what was down there, a-and later that it was vital he got back there someday."

"Vital?" The Commander leaned in. "Why?"

"Eren was uh… He was kinda vague on that."

"But it seems like Doctor Jaeger had some fairly important work down there in the cellar?

It's all for the work… To finally find an answer to this mess.

I shivered and clenched my teeth as a pain bubbled behind my eyes.

The commander leaned forward again. "Well? Would you say that's a fair assumption?"

"Leading the witness, Commander?" My Captain drawled from where he sat, and he met the Commander's glare head on. "Whether that key is important for the big picture, or some kind of personal leverage, it'll be useful to you. I doubt these two know the inner workings of the Jaeger house, anymore than the kid himself will."

"Meaning?" The commander sat back, pocketing the key.

My Captain blinked. "They were how old when this shit hit the fan? Maybe ten? How much did your parents tell you about their secrets at that point?"

I felt something go unsaid between the two men. Both the cadets opposite were looking to me for help, but I was just as lost as they were. I cleared my throat and smiled at both Commander and Captain alike.

"So, is there anything else we actually need these two for? They'll have had a hellish few days, and could do with some sleep I reckon."

The Commander sighed and nodded. "You're right, Sanshi, of course. You two are dismissed for the time being. If you think of anything else, do let me know."

They nodded and scuttled off. Neither of them suited looking so down-trodden, but least of all Mikasa. That girl hadn't looked phased by anything at training, and from what Petra and the others had recounted from their talks with other superiors left from Trost, she had held her own during the battle as well. And yet now? Now she looked rattled. Likely because it was Eren at stake, and she could endure almost anything else. I understood. Were it John or Keza, I'd be the same. Perhaps even Levi, but I wasn't about to dive into that mess of feelings just now. The door closed behind them.

The Commander's eyes landed on me heavy, accusation burning bright as I had presumably not played my part as puppet to his liking. If he had expected anything else, then he clearly hadn't been paying attention.

"Sanshi." He began, all disappointment and disdain. "I asked you to be present to provide familiarity to the cadets, to give them a sense of calm."

"To lull them, you mean?" I gritted out and he blinked at me. "Sir, I appreciate being the one with a connection to this cadet class, I really do. But, I will not help you use them as pawns. Those are not just random kids, they are Eren Jaeger's childhood friends and so I can fully understand why they might be wary of handing out personal information to a man they just met."

"I'm trying to help the boy–"

"I know that. At least, I think I do." I added with a quick look over him, finding myself less sure each time I did.

It wasn't that I suddenly thought of the Commander as some scheming bastard, I was just fully aware of an obsession when I saw it. I couldn't really fault him there either. To think that there was potentially a real step forward to be made against the Titans. It was tantalising. But in that passion he had lost grip on the fact he was working with people, kids even. It wasn't all down to tactics when it came to that kind of problem. And if I had to be one of the people reminding the Commander of the human element to all this, then fine, I would be. But I refused to let another man be devoured by obsession. Beyond that, I refused to be pressed under any more obsessed boots.

Under my own accusatory gaze, he had wavered a little.

So I continued. "But those kids don't know you from any of the other superior officers they've met recently. Those gems including the likes of snivelling Nile Dawk and Pixis who, as charming as he is, is a tad on the eccentric side, to say the least."

He raised a brow. "You're saying they don't trust me."

"I'm saying you have no reason to think they do." I snapped at his disappointment. "If they outright trusted you, as useful as it would be to you now, you'd think them fools for it later. As it is, you may find yourself able to respect their savvy ways in a week or so, when this information has lost its zeal."

He glared. "Sanshi, mind your tongue. Seems like you're very close to suggesting I'm being obsessive."

"Seems very close to me, sir, like you are."

He stood and loomed over me. "This information could prove vital. We have a young soldier able to turn into a Titan in our ranks, and the possibility of using him to fight back against the enemy. To finally end this. So no, I will not play pretend and not act like time isn't against us."

I didn't move an inch. Few men intimidated me anymore, few could measure up to the nightmarish version of Vincent that lingered in my mind. But the Commander, when brimming with so-called passion, but better known as vehement outrage, came close. But I didn't even let myself lean away, despite how every fibre of my being was telling me to do so, to cower, to apologise and look down with guilt. No. I couldn't do that this time round. For one thing, this wasn't Vincent. For another, I truly didn't think that was what the Commander was wanting. Not really. He was passionate, determined, and a little lost.

My voice was calm. "Time has always been against us, sir. That hasn't suddenly changed. So pressuring children into betraying their friend isn't necessary. Nor do I think it'll speed things up."

He waited.

I stared.

My Captain remained pointedly quiet, but I felt his gaze burning into me. Did he agree? Disagree? Did he think I was a fool to stand in the Commander's way? No doubt I'd find out soon enough.

The Commander blinked first. He shook his head. "Perhaps I have been too hasty."

"Thank you, sir."

He pursed his lips. "Sanshi, I want you to stay close to Jaeger, if things go the way we wish them to. Understood?"

"Depends on which way you want them to go."

He glared but I just stayed blank. Evidently he was grasping at his last threads of patience with me, but if I was integral to his plans, I could make some demands. And I wasn't about to sign a blank promise.

He cleared his throat. "To get Jaeger into our custody rather than that of the MPs. Sound all right to you?"

"I'm not trying to be difficult, sir."

"And yet you're succeeding."

For fuck's sake.

I drew a long breath through my nose. "Sir, why did you ask me to attend? For my personal stake in things? Yes?"

He nodded.

I continued. "Then at least allow me to be myself. Otherwise get a fucking plank of wood and put some red wool on the top. You're well aware of what I'm like, I won't apologise for that now that it doesn't suit."

His eyes blazed. "No one is irreplaceable."

"Well aware, sir. You're the one who has made it clear I'm needed here for this. I'm not being arrogant, simply observant."

For a split second, or even a split second within a split second, I thought he wanted to slap me. I doubt he would, he wasn't that sort, but I was seriously pushing buttons. But so was he. How dare he try to use me as a mindless pawn? I was many things, but not mindless, and he bloody well knew that. My own glare had fallen into place without me realising, and yet I couldn't scrape it off. My temper flared under my skin. I had a lot of respect for Commander Erwin. The way he was dragged through the mud by people annoyed me to no end, but I would not allow him to use that respect to make me pliable. Bugger that. He wanted me for this, so that came with my stubborn bullshit at the same time.

I spoke between my teeth. "May I go, sir?"

"You may." He looked me over once more before he turned and walked away as well, muttering to himself as he went. The door slammed behind him, leaving me alone with my Captain.

I stood, hands clenched, heart hammering, nerves on edge. "Captain?"

"Mm?"

"Find another cupboard."

"Mm."

We marched with purpose, no one came near, no one dared. We turned maybe three corners before Levi had spotted a suitable housing spot, dragging me inside and closing the door.

"All right, think we're good." He said. "Now then you–"

I cut him off by pressing him to the door, lips insistent, hands clasping at his shirt. With no outlet for my fury, it seemed healthier to use it for something far more pleasant. I deepened the kiss and he groaned, gripping the back of my neck. More. My nails caught along his undercut, his other hand made short work of my shirt buttons. My hands palmed him through his trousers and he growled, shifting forward, spinning me to forward face the shelves and pressed me there.

"Nngh… Levi…"

"Mm, yes Robyn?" He whispered, rolling his hips against my ass, his hands immediately on my hips, nose running along the shell of my ear. "You were incredible in there."

Oh. I hadn't been the only one riled up? Good to know. Good to find that I'm on the same page as him. Though admittedly it was tantalising to consider how long he had been staring at me, undressing me in his mind. Tut tut tut Captain, you should have also been paying attention to the meetings.

"Liked seeing me being oh-so-troublesome?"I teased, looking back over my shoulder, noting how his eyes simmered.

He kissed along my neck. "I thought you were going to scare Dawk to death. You know right where to hit a man, eh? Love of the military? Let me show you how shitty they're being." He nibbled under my ear. "And calling Erwin out on his bullshit. Fuck. You're brave."

I bit my lip and angled my head to give him more access, reaching with my hand to thread my fingers into his soft hair. "This you hinting at a punishment kink, sir?"

"Mm, maybe at some point brat, something to try. Right now, I just had to get my hands on you, if that's all right?"

"Thought I was the one demanding we find a cupboard?"

"You said it out loud, that's all."

"Fine by me." I sighed, leaning back into the hold as I gripped his wrist and led his wandering hand up my ribs and into my opened shirt.

I turned my head and licked into his mouth, capturing him in a soft moan that we shared. He pushed me harder into the shelves, his hips grinding against my ass, making it more than evident just how much I'd managed to rile the man. I couldn't help the smile. Some might have been intimidated, others may have wanted to ensure their own dominance was intact. Not my Captain. Seemed like he was more keen to worship me instead. So like I said, fine by me. As long as I get to have my own fun with him too…

LEVI POV

Everytime she said yes. Every time she agreed to the tangle of their limbs, sharing of breaths or desperate clasping of hands, relief washed over him. Like he kept expecting to be refused, like she would have woken up and realised how much it was all a big mistake. Get off me. Go away. But no. She smiled, she sighed, she pressed those lips to his and invited him inside with a swipe of her magical tongue. He couldn't get enough. Every handful, every taste, it just made him want more. Greed wasn't something he was used to, but he had a feeling he might have to try and become accustomed.

With her sandwiched between him and the shelves, he could feel the perfect swell of her ass pressing back against him, with her little wriggles only making it more delicious. He would have gone to his quarters, but in all honesty part of him feared being interrupted again. And the other part simply couldn't wait. More. Now. He spun her and pressed her back again, another kiss dragging a moan from both of them as she rolled her hips against his. Fuck. He wanted her so bad. Her voice rattled into him, shaking loose any kind of control. More. Her shirt buttons and gear straps yielded to his demands, falling open, allowing him to dip and kiss along her collarbones, being careful of any bruises she had picked up on the field. Then her chest, licking along the line of her bra, and then the indent of her muscled stomach.

Then she gripped his shirt and tugged him upright. For a moment he wondered if she had heard someone coming, but the grin he saw through the gloom told him otherwise. She had a plan. She turned them and pressed him to the shelves, making short work of his coat, cravat and shirt.

"My turn." She purred, licking down his throat. "And your turn to try and stay quiet…"

What did that mean?

Oh.

Oh.

He swallowed hard as she kissed down his throat, his chest and his stomach, her hands undoing his trousers and freeing his dick from his briefs. The release of pressure was welcome, but the long, slow stroke, even more so. He bit back a deep groan.

She sunk to her knees.

His hands clenched at his sides, unsure of where to land.

"Put them where you want, if I don't like it, I'll let you know." She whispered, kissing along the V line towards where he twitched at the sensation of her breath against his flushed skin. Closer. His hands landed. One in her hair, likely making a mess of it, the other propped against the shelves behind, in a vague attempt to eventually hinder himself thrusting. "Stay quiet, Levi."

Oh gods. She knew what her saying his name did to him.

And her chuckle only confirmed that she was toying with him, his retort died in his throat though, as she moved forward and swallowed him to the root. His head fell back against the shelf. Breath gusted out of him, every muscle tensed as she slowly glided back and forth. Those lips, silken and warm. That tongue, strong, wet and writhing. The shelf creaked under his grip and he resisted gripping her hair any tighter, denying himself the want to pull her closer and set the pace himself. No. Let her do it, no doubt she'd do it better anyway.

Then she moved a little faster, took him a little deeper and hollowed her cheeks.

"Oh... fuck." He groaned, rolling his hips just a little, being rewarded with more pressure as she sucked harder. "R-Robyn." He grunted, gritting his teeth against making any more noise.

She hummed around him, tongue dancing against the underside, as her lips glided back and forth, her hands bracing against his hip bones, nails digging in the perfect amount. This continued for a while, his mind swimming in just feeling.

Then he made the mistake of looking down.

She stared right at him. In the gloom her bright hazel eyes gleamed, her hair was perfectly mussed, and the smirk was evident despite how her red lips were stretched around his shaft. In such a position he would have guessed he would feel control, like the dominant partner, but no such luck. He was entirely at her mercy. Her alluring, beautiful and intoxicating mercy. Or lack of mercy rather. She blinked slow, moved in again and gave a low moan when her nose bumped against his stomach. He shuddered. The almost growl rumbled out of him before he could stop it and as she drew back, her tongue traced a pattern against him again and he knew he wasn't going to last.

"Nngh, y-you should move."

And then she swallowed him to the root again and he was lost. He grasped her hair tight and rolled his hips as the moment crashed over him, sweeping his breath from his lungs. She took it all and by the time the moment had passed, she was tucking him away and slowly kissing up his stomach again.

"You didn't have to…" He swallowed hard. "I mean you could've–"

"Now, now, can't go making a mess." She started doing up his shirt and winked, his knees wobbled. This woman was going to be the death of him, or at least any kind of composure he could ever claim to have. She kissed his cheek and he pulled her into a proper kiss, confused by how enthralling he found it to taste himself on her tongue, but unable to let that challenging look go wasted.

"You're impossible." He breathed and she laughed, doing up her own shirt.

"So you keep telling me."

And there we have it! Hope you enjoyed ^_^ should be back to normal uploads for now. But yeah, apologies again for a missed week. My bad! Thanks for reading, faving and following, and if you get the chance, pop me a review! Love to hear from folks, and respond when I can in the SHOUTOUTS!

SIDENOTE: If anyone's also interested in the MHA (My Hero Academia) fandom, I also have an ongoing MHA story, which is updated monthly. It'll be updated soon after this is uploaded ^-^ perhaps give it a look-see!