FULL SUMMARY: Before Erwin, Levi "bonded" with someone else. She will always be Erwin's little sister first, and anyone else second. She is troublemaker, a daredevil, chaos made flesh. She is not for the faint of heart. And her smile−oh her smile−dares Levi to fall in love with her. It is a madness, a terrifying feeling of devotion, a forbidden pleasure all at once−yet there is always a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably and painfully desirable. [Eventual smut]

Chapter 01

Erwin I – My Recruits

Erwin Smith has never been in a principal's office before.

He is not even here for his bad behavior, but someone else's. He feels more like a parent called on to the office for their child's crimes, and he has to receive the brunt of the principal's temper.

He stands before the mahogany desk, his back perfectly straight, hands behind him, no hair out of place. His brown jacket and inner white shirt have been washed and ironed, his black boots polished to perfection. On his back, he proudly displays the Wings of Freedom.

The instructor has a thick document laid ready.

"Have a seat, Squad Leader Smith."

"Thank you, Instructor Roth."

"Do you know why you're summoned here?"

"I believe it has something to do with one of your subordinate instructors."

"Ah, then you're aware." Roth seems pleased, flipping to the first page of the document. He puts the paper flat on the table so that Erwin could see, even upside-down, the profile of their subject. Even in this strange angle, Erwin sees the familiar hair and face. Roth's beady dark eyes squint at the younger man.

The Head Instructor clears his throat and starts reading from the file: "Enlisted for military training in year 838 and graduated with the 95th Training Corps batch in year 841, then served as combat instructor for the next three years." He glances up at Erwin's stoic face, before continuing: "My evaluation: a severe 'get-it-done' mindset−"

"An admirable trait in any soldier," Erwin points out.

"Has trouble operating with others−"

"She's independent."

"Too focused and not considering other's perspectives−"

"Which implies decisiveness."

"And too focused on doing their way−"

"A determined individual, for sure."

Roth shoots him a deadpan look. "She had a fistfight with one of the other instructors."

Erwin takes it all in stride. "Disciplinary measures can be implemented."

The older man sighs and leans closer to the table. He looks immensely weary, like an old man in the brink of collapse. Just how much of a headache could one subordinate give this man? "A combat instructor who encourages their students to use knives−real knives−during training? There were three injured!"

"Pain is temporary. Pride is forever," Erwin counters smoothly. As resolute and dauntless he has been all his life. "Additionally, a combat expert should be an invaluable asset in the field."

"Sure," Roth scoffs. "She can start a fight in an empty room and still manage to walk out with bruises!"

Erwin offers a small smile.

Roth slams his hands on the table, rattling the vase on the corner and stirring his otherwise medium-sized and quiet office. His dark eyes try to bore through the younger man's hard demeanor, but there is nothing that fazes Erwin Smith. Those cold blue eyes stare right through his own. Stiffening, he backs down from his little outburst and heaves a tired sigh.

"In any case, I summoned you here so you could take over," Roth says as he rubs the bridge of his nose.

"I would be glad to. In fact, I've been looking forward for this. Would this be all, Instructor?"

"Here." Roth hands him an envelope. "An endorsement letter from the Training Corps to the Survey Corps. Commander Shadis can handle this, I hope."

"Thank you." Erwin hides a small smile as he heads for the door. "Oh," he says, one hand around the doorknob, as if a new thought strikes him. "Where is the forge?"

"Forge?"

"A workshop."

"Oh. That old shack, you mean?" The instructor waves his hand, dismissive. "Eastern barracks, behind the ration stores, I think."

As the soldier is leaving, Roth calls out again with a cheeky smile. "Living up to the Smith name, eh?"

Erwin merely glances over his shoulder, observing the way Roth smiles from ear-to-ear, and then walks out of the office and back into the sun-kissed field of the Southern Division of the Training Corps. Out here, the wind is warm and the sun a constant reminder of the spring season.

He turns around the corner and meets up with his Team Leader.

"Well, that was faster than I expected," Mike says by way of greeting.

"Yeah, I expected him to berate me for at least an hour."

"Good thing he didn't." Mike walks with his friend, as he sniffs around the vicinity.

Erwin knows the taller man could smell the faint wildflowers growing behind the fences. He himself finds that he likes the warmth of the place, the bits of grass accompanying the warm breeze, unlike in the walled cities and their constant dust.

Mike looks down on the envelope. "So, the ticket out of here?"

"Definitely." Erwin chuckles.

The two Survey Corps soldiers wound their way through the expansive compound, losing their way twice and having to resort to asking directions, twice. They could lead expeditions outside the Walls and pinpoint three-meter Titans from a bleak horizon, but could not tell where east and west in this damned place. One of the trainees is kind enough to point them to the shortcut.

When Roth described it as an old shack, he is not wrong. Erwin and Mike are surprised to see a rundown cottage with poorly nailed wooden roof, and a door hanging slightly ajar from its rusting hinges.

"Are we in the right place?" Erwin mumbles to his companion.

"Well, I smell coal dust and molten iron," Mike says. "If that's any help."

Erwin sighs and sets his shoulders. He approaches the shack carefully, like a predator stalking its prey, and raps his knuckles on the door. Knowing the place, it could be beset with traps−a bucket of nails on top, a quick knife slashing down from the doorframe. Anything might happen. He hasn't been around her for some time, but he knows her well enough. He glances once at Mike behind him, who shrugs uselessly. Erwin makes a face and puts his head round the door.

"Hello? Anyone here?"

Cue the hiss of a heated iron dipped into cold waters.

"Ah. There you are." Erwin steps into the shack. "I missed you," he adds casually.

"Bold of you to assume that I missed you, too."

The person behind the forge straightens and walks into view.

Erwin's cold demeanor melts at once. He steps forward and opens his arms. She shoots him a pointed glare as she wipes her calloused hands on her soot-covered apron. The Squad Leader just chuckles at her display or temper−genuine or not−and puts a large hand over her head instead, petting her as he has always done. At once, the temper subsides and she smiles up at him.

She reaches him only to the chest, her petite build contrasting his large and muscled physique. Her long silver hair is tied up into an unkempt bun, with strands falling messily over her forehead and to the sides of her face. She sighs in satisfaction at his attention.

"What brings Squad Leader Tall, Hot and Handsome all the way in Wall Maria?"

"You−" Erwin feels his cheeks grow warm. "Don't call me that."

She just laughs.

Mike also pokes around the door, his nose up in the air. "Oh, well, look who's here."

In an instant, she grabs something from her workstation and beelines towards the taller man. "Look, look, Mike! I designed this gauntlet so that it has a hidden blade from the inside!" she gushes over to him like an excited puppy−Erwin and Mike could almost imagine a tail wagging excitedly. "It's only a prototype now, but when I finish it, will you use it on the next expedition?"

Erwin's shoulders drop. Why does she look and sound happier when Mike appeared?

Mike notices his friend's dilemma and laughs, placing a hand on her head, calming her a little. "Sure, whirlwind, I can test it out for you. Are you sure you don't want to try it for yourself though? It might prove useful for our expeditions."

The taller soldier doesn't miss Erwin's quick knowing glance.

"In that case, I should make sure this is expedition-ready when the time comes," she says, cradling the gauntlet to her chest. Then she blinks up at them and notices the sudden silence. She coughs to gain their attentions. "So, to whom do I owe the pleasure of having tall and handsome young men in my workshop? Certainly, I didn't earn this treat for nothing."

"Roth gave you honorable discharge from the Training Corps despite your bad record," Erwin tells her. He waves the envelope for her to see.

"It wasn't my fault his combat training curriculum is crap."

"He told me there were three injured trainees."

"Did he expect enemies to come at you with a wooden knife, screaming their lungs out? I think not."

"What kind of curriculum did you even implement?" He raises his eyebrow at her.

"Just defensive tactics," she says, shrugging. She puts one hand on her hip. "Anyway, now that I am excused from the Training Corps, what now?"

"You get to join us in the Survey Corps," Mike answers.

"The Survey Corps−finally!"

"We're not returning yet," Erwin interrupts her celebration.

"Oh? Why not?"

"We have one more stop. Take only the important stuff."

She disappears behind the forge, and returns a minute later with a large sack over her shoulder. The metal and iron parts clink and clank with every step she takes. She slips on the gauntlet prototype around her wrists and catches Erwin's look of disapproval. The Squad Leader says nothing and moves on.

She follows them, walking in-between the soldiers. "Where to, Erwin?"

"To the Underground City."

After stopping by the Training Corps, two more soldiers from Erwin's Squad join them. A young man and a woman with a wagon strapped to their horses. Their little group passes through Wall Rose to enter the territory of Wall Sheena. No one but Erwin and Mike know the exact reason of their excursion, and none of the newcomers are daring to ask questions.

The checkpoint at Wall Sheena immediately recognizes the crest emblazoned on the four soldiers' uniforms. The blue-and-white insignia. The Wings of Freedom. It is everything that Erwin and the Survey Corps soldiers believe in. To take humanity beyond the Walls−and further.

But that dream can wait. For now, instead of beyond the Walls, they are going beneath the ground−where the ceilings are the skies, and the streets are forever shrouded in shadows and corruption.

Erwin and his group stop before a small company of Military Police officers. "We have permission from the higher-ups to conduct business here," he tells them in his usual stoic voice.

"Hmph. Never got the memo," one of the officers shoots back.

"Plus, what do you think you're doing, dragging down a civilian like this?" The second one sneers to the center of the group, where the new recruit is huddled between Erwin's subordinates.

She senses his sneering at her and draws herself to her tallest height−a mere five foot two−and comes stomping towards the police officer. Her rebellion comes short when she feels Mike's heavy hand upon her shoulder, keeping her in place while Erwin handles the negotiations.

In the end, the MPs agree to let them into the Underground City.

"Just so you know," the first one drawls, "there are troublesome brats stealing very recently. Watch out."

"We'll do our best," Erwin returns with a hint of sarcasm.

The officers lead them down the long staircase that connects the Underground City to Mitras. The place already reeks with something foul and corrupted, fitting the den of thieves and killers. Their boots resonate throughout the tunnel. The MPs stop at another checkpoint and inform the men there of their business. Whenever the Military Police is involved, anything goes smoothly.

Shrouded in darkness, Erwin feels a small hand on his forearm. He looks down on her.

"It's dark, Erwin," comes her small voice.

"The lights will be here soon," he assures her. "Just a few more yards."

They continue down the road, until they see the glittering lights of the city. It is a beautiful sight, despite the lingering shadows. Lights of green, yellow, and red twinkle light stars in the night skies. Instead of skies, the city has a stone ceiling and columns of rocks as their pillars.

Erwin gives out orders, hoping to lure their supposed targets. When he turns to his latest recruit, he sighs and tells her, "You're good as you are."

"Really? You don't want me chasing your criminals?"

"No, not in those civilian clothes." He points at her blouse and pants ensemble.

"Alright, then I'll wait for your return. I'll be around here somewhere," she singsongs, already looking around the new territory. Six years after Training Corps, the Underground must be like a new playground in her eyes. It's never a good sign for Erwin.

"Keep out of trouble. Don't make a scene," he reprimands as he leads his squad and the MPs to the city.

"Is it safe to let her wander on her own?" Mike whispers in Erwin's ear as they soar through the air using their vertical maneuvering equipment. He adds in a warning tone: "You know how she is."

"She's in the Underground. If there's one thing, she's in her natural habitat already."

If Erwin has to be honest, the plan could have gone worse for his team. Much to his luck, Mike subdued the leader of the thieves, allowing Erwin the chance to get in-between them and clash against the thief. He is quite strong and quick on his feet−this esteemed thief of theirs−and surprisingly, has a soft spot for his comrades. When Erwin threatened to turn them over to the MPs to live the rest of their lives in misery, the thief swallowed his pride and chose to join the Survey Corps instead.

Look at them now.

Three of them. A young man with light blond hair and grey eyes−he appears to be the voice of reason in this small group. Then a younger girl, with reddish-brown hair and fierce green eyes−she is the spirit of the group, the heart. Erwin's mind wonders where his latest recruit might be now.

The last member. Raven hair and intimidating blue-grey eyes. Even without words, the ambiance around him declares something authoritative and dangerous. An 'approach with caution' kind of man. Erwin knows this one would not disappoint.

Levi, isn't it?

"Should we be heading back?" Mike asks, casting their dubious recruits with a furtive expression. His olfactory skills could only do much, but near these three, he must smell the danger, especially from the dark-haired leader. That one keeps glaring daggers at him, even handcuffed.

"Yes." Erwin nods to his two other subordinates, who guide the recruits to their feet. He would not risk removing their handcuffs while they are still deep underground.

"Hey, hey, hey," the blond thief calls out. "Now that we're comrades, can you remove these cuffs now?"

"Not until we reach headquarters." Then Erwin turns over his shoulder, observing the thieves and meeting the leader's incessant glare. He ignores him and addresses the blond one. That one seems more friendly and approachable than the other two. "Where is the nearest blacksmith's shop here?"

"Blacksmith?"

"Or anything weapon-related? A forge, perhaps? Is there any place someone sells knives?"

"Ah! I know someone!" The red-haired girl beams. "There's old man Gingold who polishes knives!"

"Where is that?"

"About three blocks from here," the blond mumbles, quite confused. What do these arrogant Survey Corps soldiers need from an old man's shop anyway? He shrugs. "Make a left turn here and it should be three blocks away. It's a noisy place, you can't miss it."

Erwin nods and walks in pace with Mike. Not three minutes later, the taller man takes a sniff.

"Uh-huh," Mike says. "That's her alright."

Curiously, the three thieves-turned-recruits crane their necks to get a better view.

There, in front of Gingold's shop, is a young woman with a slight build and wearing a civilian's clothes. She is checking the large knife Gingold offered her, and makes comments on the blade's rusty edges, or the rickety hilt, or the poor condition of the blade's surface. The blond one and the red-haired girl blink in utter confusion, but not their leader. He is content with frowning and glaring.

"You should really try a cream cleanser to remove all this rust," she is berating Gingold.

"But those cleansers are expensive," argues the bearded man. "Not to mention, it smells nasty!"

"Are you going to stab your opponent with a knife that smells like roses in springtime? No!"

"Yeah, yeah, I get your point, lady−but those cleansers are still expensive!"

"Or just put it in oil and leave for a few hours. Then scrub off the excess rust with steel wool."

"Even steel wool is expensive, you know…"

"Sandpaper, then?"

"Fine, I will do it−"

"Are we about done here?" Erwin interrupts, once again raising the eyebrow at her.

"I was just helping this poor man with his trade." She sighs, blue eyes flitting behind Erwin and Mike, noticing only then the three newest members of their little group. She turns for the old man and waves. "Thanks for this. See you next time, mister!"

Finally, with their group complete, Erwin leads them towards the staircase. His recruit hums as she walks beside him, before stealthily slowing her pace until she is walking beside Mike. Quieter still, she keeps humming and rounds towards the back of the group, then stepping forward so that she is walking in pace with the dark-haired thief, whose facial expression is still nowhere the range of amused.

Erwin watches the exchange from the corner of his eye.

Her deep blue eyes assess his stoic face, trace the curve of his jawline. Her attention is particularly glued to his haircut−undercut, with the strands of his black hair falling neatly to the sides of his face. She lets her eyes wander lower, from his turned-up collar, maroon vest, and black pants.

Observing his pants, she notices something and reaches out for him.

The thief freezes in his steps, side-eyeing her with seething hatred.

"I hope you don't mind if I borrow this," she says, twirling his knife between her fingers.

"Where did you get that?" Greta, one of Erwin's subordinates, asks.

"Hm? Oh, it was hidden there in his pants. It was making quite a bulge and it was distracting me."

Erwin feels the need to slap his forehead for her wrong choice of words.

On the other side of the group, Mike puts his hand over his mouth and chuckles. The recruit pouts, childish, unsure what it could be that made this thief a bit embarrassed and Mike grinning like an idiot.

Still pouting, she calls out to the front. "Erwin! Mike is laughing at me!"

"Mike−" Erwin says in a serious tone. "Stop laughing at Signe."

Author's Notes: Oh, wow! Never thought I'd be able to publish this story on Levi's birthday!

Hello, everyone! This will be my first ever Attack on Titan fanfic after getting hooked into the series just this year. To be honest, I didn't think I would get this addicted to the series−but here I am fangirling over the characters and weeping about them at the same time. I'm saying it now: I love Levi and Erwin to bits! Not as a romantic pairing, of course, but as characters of their own. Isayama did absolutely well with their characters; it's nothing like I've encountered before. I am still mourning over the serumbowl. 💔 I̶'̶m̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶c̶r̶y̶i̶n̶g̶,̶ ̶Y̶O̶U̶ ̶A̶R̶E̶!̶

On to this story! This is a slowburn Levi/OC fic, featuring our beloved Survey Corps soldiers−Erwin, Hange, Mike. Will mostly feature Survey Corps dynamics and personal relationships of the characters. This fic will be divided into three different long ass parts, so I hope you bear with me and stay with me until the end. Also, I will not be coverging this story with the series' main storyline, because that has been done so before so many times. Haha! This story will purely focus on the OC, Levi, and the Scouts.

I'll have to admit that writing a romance for Levi is very challenging. Let's face it: he's probably the last character in AOT to have a romance, but I here I am, enjoying the challenge! I'll also tell you now that this story will have mild to extreme sexual themes. Who doesn't want a Levi smut after all? *wink wonk*

The title, omake-pfadlib, is inspired from the last track from the "Attack on Titan" Original Soundtrack. It first came to my attention after watching A Choice With No Regrets. I remember hearing it from Episode 22. The track was used after Furlan and Isabel died, and again shortly after Levi's squad died. Thus, I came to associate the it as Levi's mourning song. The title seems random at most, but Hiroyuki Sawano (the composer) has also stated that he doesn't properly name his works because a song doesn't necessarily apply for a certain scene−so this doesn't only apply to Levi in my story, but to all characters involved. Sawano also provided lyrics for his masterpiece. It's very sad, emotional, and fits our brave Survey Corps soldiers.

Sorry for the long rant! I just wanted to get it all out so for the next chapters, we can solely focus on the story. Any reviews, comments, suggestions, or if you just wanna talk about the characters with me, feel free to leave them for me! I'll be happy to answer anyone's concerns.

Thank you very much for reading and giving this story (and me) a chance! Have a great day ahead and have a very merry Christmas! 🎄

P.S. Happy birthday, Levi! You deserve all the love from your fans! 💖