three

"She's always been the one to care about the children in this city."

Levi stood in front of the office door, his knuckles rapping against the hardwood door as he knocked for the entrance. Earning permission from the man inside, Levi entered the room. Acknowledging Erwin and Hange's presence as his superiors, he informed them of the reason he asked to meet, regarding you. 

"She has a request," Levi informed respectfully. 

"Eh? A request? Hehe, let me guess, she doesn't want anything to do with you?" Hange teased, laughing slightly, causing them to earn a sharp glare from the Captain. 

"Why would you say that, Hange?" Erwin questioned, confused by the situation. 

"Oh, didn't I tell you? It seems that they have some history and she totally hates his guts," Hange gossiped. 

"Oi, shitty glasses, shut up," Levi warned bitterly. 

"Uh-oh, someone's angry," Hange teased, running to hide behind Erwin. "Someone save me," they dramatically gasped. 

"Enough, enough, Hange," Erwin shook his head with a slight laugh, amused by the scientist's humored nature. "Now, what is it she wants, Levi?" 

"To visit the children at the farmhouse," he informed. 

Erwin and Hange had their eyes widened. Turning their heads to look at each other, they shared a look of shock and confusion. Erwin wasn't sure what he expected Levi to say but the truth was certainly not something he expected. 

"That's it?" Erwin asked, lines forming on his forehead. 

"Yes," Levi nodded. 

"Hmm, I didn't expect that," Hange hummed, pursing their lips. 

"She's always been caring," Levi added, earning understanding nods from his friends. "She was the one who often saved the children in the Underground. I think after I left, she took it upon herself to take care of the children-"

"Consider it done," Erwin spoke. 

"So easy? Don't you have to discuss it with the Military Police?" Hange looked over his shoulders to his desk. 

"Don't worry about the details, I'll get it done," he informed firmly. 

"Thank you," Levi bowed before leaving the room. 

Hange and Erwin watched as the raven-haired man left the room. They waited until the sound of his footsteps was distant, an indication that he was walking further and further away from the room. 

"I want you to bring her in," Erwin instructed Hange. 

They decided not to question the Commander as they had full faith in the man's decisions. Plus, it's not like anything bad could happen if the two were to finally have an alone conversation. Along with that, Erwin had also commanded Hange to relay a message to the Queen of Paradis, Historia Reiss. The scientist bowed respectfully before leaving the room to complete their tasks. 

⤱

"What surprises me is how serious he is about adhering to the higher-ups' arrangement."

You followed as Hange guided you through the slightly familiar yet completely confusing hallways towards the office that belonged to Commander Smith. Although you hadn't spent much time with Hange, you found yourself not minding their presence. 

At least they were a better companion that didn't remind you of the feeling of abandonment, something you'd surely receive if your company was Levi. Entering the room, you watched as the Commander instructed Hange to leave, the latter giving a bow before heeding their superior's wishes. 

"Please, sit," the Commander gestured with a smile before standing up from his chair. "May I offer you a drink?" He suggested kindly as he made his way towards the drinks cart. 

"If you have tea, that would suffice. If not, I decline alternatives," you replied blankly. 

"Tea," he mused with a grin. "Reminds me of-"

"Levi?" You scoffed with a questioning tone. 

"Yes," he nodded, bringing two teacups to place on his desk. 

"A lot of people drink tea," you plainly stated. 

"Yes, I'm aware," he chuckled a little. "You remind me a lot of Levi when we first met."

"I was there when you first met," you grinned slightly, causing the man in front of you to raise his brows while pursing his lips in understanding. "I made sure to stay out of your vision, you added. "I hid in an alley nearby, careful not to let any of you see me. And I watched as Levi, Isabel and Furlan fought you all in an attempt to be clueless about your arrival."

"So you were aware of all their plans?" Erwin raised a curious brow. 

Wearing an amused grin, you leaned forward across the desk, your voice low in a whisper. "I was the one who came up with all the plans, Commander." 

"Then more than beauty and brawn, you have brains," he nodded slowly with a smile. 

"Hmm, you should ask Levi to teach you how to make tea, Commander," you frowned after taking a sip of the not-well-made tea. 

"Ah, right," he laughed. "Levi makes good tea, doesn't he?" 

"Did you call me in here to talk about tea?" You interrupted, eyebrows raised smugly. 

"I'm sure you know the answer to that."

"Yes, I do. But what you want to talk about, now that's a little beyond me," you smiled. 

"He does not have the privilege to have a say in this matter but Levi was against you joining the Scouts but he was even more against the idea of you getting locked up," he explained, maintaining eye contact. "But then again, I don't think anyone would want to see their first love trapped behind bars," he nonchalantly said as he took a sip of his tea. 

His sharp blue gaze towered over the teacup. He was studying and examining your reactions. Your body language assisted him in getting the conclusion to his theories. He noticed everything. 

He noticed how your body tensed up at the mention of Levi wanting to protect you. He noticed how your eyes widened slightly at the mention of you being Levi's first love. Everything that he noticed about you helped him understand that he was right. 

You and Levi were indeed each other's first loves. More than family, you two cared for each other as romantic couples would. 

But he was only interested to find that truth because he had seen how Levi had been extremely unfocused since the topic of you was brought up. Erwin wasn't much too interested in hearing the story between you and Levi. After all, Levi was a private man, and Erwin's observation that you were a lot like Levi gave him the impression that you, too, were a private woman. 

"I'm not interested in that, professionally speaking," he cleared his throat, providing you relief. 

"Then why am I here?" 

"I've relayed a message to the Queen," he explained. "She will be waiting for you at the farmhouse, at 11 am sharp. Captain Levi and Section Commander Hange will accompany you to meet with the Queen as we fulfill your request. Captian Levi's squad will also be there so you can get to know them as well since they will be your comrades."

"If you dare put me in Levi's squad once I join the Scouts, I swear to God, I wi-"

"Then how about Section Commander Hange's squad?" He inquired sincerely. 

"That's better," you nodded. 

'Anyone is better than Levi,' you thought. 

"We will present you with a change of clothes since you will need to look presentable in front of the Queen," Erwin added, causing you to nod in understanding. "And once you have spent the day with her and the children at the orphanage, you will return back here to report to me as your Commander." 

"I understand," you gave him a firm nod.