Reupload and reworked. Sorry for deleting it before...

i. The Beginning of the Beginning

Hardened eyes much too jaded and lifeless for a kid—that's what Erwin sees the first time he meets Levi. What is a kid doing here anyway? This is a criminal smuggling line and the greatest one around at that. These traffickers are no joke. Because of them, the inner wall's gross income has been quite disturbed and it has to stop before the entire economy collapses.

Erwin and the rest of the Stationary Guard have been searching for the mastermind behind this thieving and conniving for months but it seems that he's always a few steps ahead and slips right through their fingers. But not this time. They've got him cornered to just this area and now, all Erwin has to do is find him. Which sounds easy, but since no one has a clue what the bastard looks like, it's proving to be quite a challenge.

"Kid, you need to get out of here."

The boy with the jaded eyes just stares at him. He looks to be maybe fourteen or fifteen. He's small and his body is just beginning to show the signs of becoming a man.

"There are dangerous criminals here. We're infiltrating their hideout as we speak. All hell is about to break loose."

At that the kid's eyes narrow. "That's not going to happen."

Erwin is taken aback by the ferocity in his voice. Someone as young as him shouldn't be able to sound that daunting. "What? Look, kid—"

A solid knee connects with Erwin's gut and the breath is knocked out of him. A moment too late, he realizes the kid is attacking him. And he's strong. Much stronger than any kid his size and age should be. He throws Erwin on his back and straddles his chest. Something cold and metal is pressed threateningly over his throat.

"Call off your people." The kid's eyes are shadowed and merciless and there is no hesitation in his movements.

"Who are you?"

"I'm in charge around here."

Erwin's eyes narrow. "Impossible. How old are you?"

The pressure at Erwin's throat becomes firmer and the blade of the knife presses down uncomfortably against his adam's apple.

"I told you to call off your people," he coolly repeats, rebuffing the question.

Erwin raises his palms defensively. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. They're already on the move."

The kid's eyes widen and he curses. "Damn you!" he spits through grit teeth. "I'm going to kill you now."

Erwin doesn't doubt this kid's intent to kill. His voice is disturbingly strong and not once does it shake. The knife is wound back and is about to plunge into Erwin's chest but right before the tip can slice through him, Erwin catches the blade and twists the kid around. Erwin is twice the size of him. The only reason he succeeded in tackling him to the ground before was due to Erwin's utter shock, but now that he's recovered, his superior strength and size reigns.

After knocking the knife away, he holds the kid in a loose chokehold. He doesn't have to apply much force because the boy doesn't struggle. He knows he's lost.

"You fight well," Erwin praises. "But why are you fighting as a criminal?"

The reply is sharp. "My reasons are none of your concern."

"Actually it is of my concern. I'm a Stationary Guard. It's my job to take care of problems like you."

"Then go ahead and 'take care' of me," is his quick reply, "You're supposed to kill me, right?"

Erwin's jaw tightens. The moment he figured out who the leader was he was expected to kill him on sight without any mercy—that was his order.

"Can't you do it?" the kid says. There is no emotion and there's no spite either. It's merely a question. Can Erwin kill a kid? Will he kill him?

Erwin hesitates and then, "Come back with me and learn to be a soldier." Erwin surprises himself with his sudden offer but he doesn't take it back and waits for the kid's answer.

There's a beat of silence before the kid gives a bitter scoff. "Not interested."

"Why not? You would make a great fighter and you could do something better with your life." Erwin can almost feel the buzzing irritation building inside the kid under his arms.

"I fight only for myself."

"Isn't that selfish of you?"

"Yes," he dully agrees. "I'm a selfish person."

Erwin heaves an exasperated sigh. "Look, if you don't come back with me, I'll have to kill you," and he means it. He won't have any other choice—orders are orders. The kid tenses under his arms. It seems the resolute finality of Erwin's words has sunk in.

"I don't want to kill a kid but I will if I have to. The choice is yours."

Erwin has already locked the kid up in the small prison cell where he'll stay until tomorrow, when a trial will be held to decide his fate. Now, Erwin is sitting in the small Stationary Guard lounge, writing up the report for this mission. The lounge isn't nice, the budget wouldn't allow for that, but it's the place where all the guards like to take breathers and Erwin is in need of a break. Today's mission had been more stressful than he'd anticipated. He's glad that kid decided to cooperate in the end; his day really wouldn't have ended well if he had chosen not to.

One of Erwin's comrades is sitting next to him, drinking something hot as he silently watches. Erwin can tell he wants to say something so he looks up.

"What do you want to ask me, Ian?"

Before Erwin is even finished speaking, Ian says, "Who's the boy?"

Erwin shrugs. "He refuses to tell me his name."

"And he's the one who was causing all that trouble underground?"

Erwin gives a confirming nod and Ian snorts. His hand reaches to the back of his head and he gives it a dubious scratch. Erwin knows how unbelievable the situation is. He'd felt the same thing the moment he learned the truth. How can a kid be the leader of such problematic trafficking?

"That's impressive."

"I think he has potential to be a great soldier."

Ian blinks. "Do you actually think they'll let a felon with such charges live?"

Erwin doesn't think they'll let him live on their own account but he will be there at the trial when they sentence him and he'll definitely persuade them.

"I'll convince the court to let me watch him."

Ian gives a doubtful shake of his head. "He's in too deep, Erwin."

It'll be difficult, Erwin knows, but he's not easily discouraged. He has faith in his ability of influence, whether it's by force or not. "We'll see."

The kid is alone at the stand, hands cuffed together in front of him with an expression wiped clean. He looks small with the large empty expanse around him. The jury glares and hiss angry curses. They have a right to be angry. This kid has cost people their money and precious goods. This single kid has flipped the entire gross revenue and the nobles are furious. Their money is being pumped into the outer walls now, away from themselves.

"Speak your name, boy," booms the round massive man that sits behind the judge's bureau.

"Levi." The name comes off strong and unafraid.

The judge leans forward, his beady eyes roving over every inch of Levi. "Last name?"

"Don't have one."

"Who are your parents?"

"Don't have any."

The judge unleashes a loud, exasperated scoff and leans back in his chair with his hands folded at the dip in his swollen stomach. "Then where the hell did you come from?"

Levi's shoulders lurch with a nonchalant shrug. "Nowhere I guess."

Now the judge is angry—there's a bulging vein in his temple and his ears redden. "Look you little piece of trash, do you understand the weight of the situation you're in right now? The consequence—"

"—is death. I already know that," and Levi's eyes are cold and hard, posture stoic and impassive, "I wouldn't have involved myself in something without knowing the possible outcomes of my choices. It was either death if I was caught or power and fortune if I succeeded. My only regret is being caught."

Levi's odd composure and detachment only acts as a catalyst for the judge's fury. He's red in the face and that bulbous vein at his temple bulges at a quick heated pace.

"Cheekiness won't get you anywhere here." He slams his mallet on the tabletop and looks to the jury. "What is your say?"

The courtroom erupts into angry shouts and accusations, fingers resentfully thrusting at Levi and he's just standing there, still and straightforward, without being penetrated by any of their words or insults. His eyes are jaded and lifeless just like they were when Erwin first found him. Finally, the judge slams the mallet and the room falls deafeningly silent. After clearing his throat, he addresses Levi.

"You will be gravely punished," he decrees. "But not by execution."

There are grumbles of discontent.

"A simple execution would be too merciful a fate for a criminal like you. I sentence you to fifty lashes."

Erwin's eyes widen. Fifty? On such a small kid? There's no way he'd survive such a brutal beating. "Wait!" he intercedes.

Every head in the room snaps in his direction but he ignores them all and addresses the judge directly. "Since he's caused so much trouble, why not force him to serve humanity for life. Make him into a soldier. He can atone for the sins he's committed and if he dies, an honorable soldier's life will be spared."

The judge takes some time to think this over. "Who says he'll cooperate?"

Erwin gazes at Levi. The kid is pointedly looking away from him. "I'll make sure he obeys. I'll break him in."

The judge's eyes taper cynically and he looks down the bridge of his crooked nose at him. "So you'll take responsibility over trash like him?"

Erwin's fist settles at his chest and his other arm bends behind his back in a strong salute. "Yes, I'll take full responsibility."

The judge's eyes zero-in on him as if trying to catch any faults or cracks in his stance. Erwin is firm. Without easing his hard look, the judge assents. "Very well. I put you in charge of him, however, I expect you to punish him thoroughly. Twelve lashings by your hand and a life of servitude."

No one in the jury objects and Erwin nods. "Yes sir."

Two other stationary guards appear by Levi's sides. They roughly shove him to his knees and tear open his shirt. They peel it down and over his scrawny shoulders, exposing his back. Slowly, and very much reluctantly, Erwin approaches the guards and one of them hands him the whip. He can't bring himself to take it and stares at it with a sinking feeling in his gut. The guard snorts and forces it into Erwin's palm.

"Let's not waste time," the judge says, and there are buzzing murmurs of agreement.

Erwin sighs and he stands a few meters away from Levi's small, kneeled form.

His stomach roils at the sight of Levi's bare back. It's smooth and unblemished. To mutilate young, innocent skin is wrong but he has no other choice. Erwin winds back his arm.

"Hurry up, Sergeant. We don't have all day."

Erwin growls under his breath and swiftly cracks the whip across Levi's back. A single red streak cuts into his flesh and blood beads at the gash. One down, eleven more to go. The whip pops against his back a second time. Levi's small body jolts from the impact and his muscles shake, but not a single sound is unleashed. He's completely quiet.

Once the lashings are finally over, the judge isn't satisfied but he's already decreed his judgment—he can't take it back. Levi had remained utterly silent. He never showed any weakness to the pain, exposing the judge as a fool. Erwin winds the bloodstained leather around his arm and sets it aside. He lowers into a crouch beside the bloodied, tattered mass of the kid. He reeks of blood and sweat, and his eyes are glazed over—the sign of barely holding onto consciousness. Erwin is impressed he hasn't already blacked out. Slowly, with careful deliberation, Erwin pulls his shirt back over his shoulders. Crimson quickly bleeds through the light material.

"He's mine now. Give me the keys to his cuffs."

A guard hands him the keys and Erwin immediately unlocks the shackles. The bony wrists are bruised and chafed from the heavy metal, and his arms fall loose at his sides.

"Levi, can you stand?"

Those dull eyes focus a moment on Erwin's and then he tilts forward, his body falling limp into Erwin's strong arms.

"That's alright. I'll carry you." He tucks an arm under Levi's knees and cradles him against his chest, careful not to irritate the gaping wounds that have yet to cease spilling blood.

Erwin draws the bath and once it's ready, he carefully sets Levi down in the water. He sits hunched over and unresponsive.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Erwin says as he runs lukewarm water over the bloodied wounds.

If Levi feels any pain, he doesn't openly react to it. At this point, his body is probably in too much shock to register any more pain. "Why would you be? It's not like you care about me. You don't even know me." He sounds drained and weak.

"You're right, I don't know you but you're my concern now. I'm responsible for your pain."

Levi turns to Erwin, eyes narrowed into a glare. "Do you expect gratitude from me?"

Erwin continues to clean out the wounds and answers honestly. "Of course not. I didn't act out of kindness. I'm not a kind person. I acted out of a sense of duty. You will be a soldier, and you'll either live to save another life or die in the place of one."

Levi continues to glare but no longer at Erwin. He's face forward, scowling indignantly at the wall. "I'm a slave to humanity then."

"Precisely," Erwin agrees.

"This is our room."

Levi's eyes roam the place and he doesn't say anything. Erwin gestures to the bunk beds against the wall.

"And those are our beds. You can choose which ever bunk you want."

Levi's eyes spark for a moment and then he looks at Erwin. "You'll let me choose?" And he sounds suspicious.

Erwin nods. "Take your pick."

Levi goes to the beds and automatically crawls to the top bunk. He sits with his legs spread out in front of him, his palms slowly roving over the sheets.

"This place is nice," he quietly says and then adds, "Clean too."

Erwin sits down on the edge of his bunk. He wonders if Levi has ever slept in a real bed before. Always on the run, travelling from place to place, he probably doesn't know what a proper bed feels like.

"I'm glad you like it."

They're silent for a long time, and then Erwin hears a low, soft sound come from the top bunk. He stands and peers over the edge. Levi is curled on his side, head pillowed by his folded arm, fast asleep. All of Levi's walls are down and he appears his own age for once. He looks like a normal, innocent, vulnerable kid. A smile makes its way on Erwin's face without his knowledge, and he sweeps the hair from out of Levi's peaceful face.

"You're…kind of charming in your own way."

"This is Commander Keith, he's the 12th commander of the Scouting Legion. You'll be training under his supervision during the day."

Dark circles are cut under severe eyes and shaggy, light hair frames his sharp face. He has a strong air about him that commands respect and fear from others. And his commanding eyes home in on Levi, but Levi isn't easily deterred.

"How old are you?" questions Commander Keith.

Levi looks away and doesn't reply.

"I asked you a question."

Levi's gaze returns to Keith and he appears a little reluctant. "…I don't know how old I am," he mutters.

Keith eyes him for a moment. "No matter. You're a runt in any case."

Levi doesn't react to the insult. Keith leans a bit closer and looks him dead in the eye. And Levi duly counters the stare, undaunted. After a long stare down, Keith straightens up and regards Erwin.

"He can start training tomorrow. The trainees are working on hand-to-hand combat."

"Great." That'll be perfect for Levi since that's exactly what he excels in the most.

Keith peers down at him from the corner of his eye. "But be warned little runt, if you step one foot out of line, you'll face dire consequences."

Levi doesn't reply.

"He'll be here bright and early tomorrow morning."

They start to walk away but Commander Keith says something more.

"Hey, Erwin, haven't you joined the Scouting Legion yet?"

The corner of Erwin's mouth pulls up slightly into a small humored smirk and he looks over his shoulder. "Aren't you growing tired of always trying to get me to transfer?"

Keith sighs. "I'm getting old, who else will be able to take my position once I retire?"

"There are plenty of other sergeants out there who'll gladly relieve you."

Keith scowls. "I don't trust anyone else's strategic mind. Just think about it."

"Of course."

They leave to return to headquarters and walk in silence until surprisingly, Levi is the one to break it.

"The Scouting Legion has a survival rate of less than fifty percent. Wouldn't it be stupid to join that branch?"

Erwin observes Levi from the corner of his eye. Levi isn't looking at him, his eyes are straightforward and he wears an impassive mask.

"Are you worried about me?"

Levi's head whirls in Erwin's direction, his eyes a fraction wider than they were a moment ago. And then they're hardened again. "Tch. No, I'm questioning your intelligence."

"I see. So you think going outside the walls is suicide."

There's no response.

"Tell me, are you content living as cattle restricted by boundaries?"

Levi regards him with a contemplative look. "No…that's not it." And he glances away. "Living like livestock isn't something I'm comfortable with, but who exactly is the real enemy?"

Erwin doesn't really understand. "What do you mean?"

Levi takes a moment to reply, eyes searching the empty air for the right words. "Titans are monsters and they need to be annihilated, but what about humans? They're cruel too."

And then Erwin understands. "You're very right. Even if humanity conquers the titan menace, the war won't be over. We'll continue to struggle as long as we exist. But that's life." Erwin knows Levi fully understands this; he's experienced it first-hand. Life is a constant struggle. It's a battle for survival and only the strongest will prevail in the end. And Erwin thinks Levi has exactly what it takes to prevail.

"Levi, try your best, alright?"

As Erwin had expected, Levi doesn't respond and he heads straight into the training grounds without sparing a second glance Erwin's way. Erwin silently watches. He'd felt Levi's tension the entire way here, but once they arrived, he didn't even hesitate to walk through the gates. This kid impresses Erwin more and more each day.

"Who's the new guy?"

"He's so short!"

A few snickers. "He'll be eaten by titans for sure!"

"If he even makes it that far."

More snickers.

Levi doesn't let their pointless whispering bother him. They're all just titan fodder anyway. Levi might not be here by choice but he will survive. That's what he's best at—surviving no matter what. Levi won't die for anyone. He won't die for humanity and he definitely won't die for any of these idiots around him.

"Runt," calls Commander Keith. "You're supposed to spar with your squad members, not just stand there."

Levi sighs and walks to where the rest of the trainees are. Levi watches as two guys fight, only halfway paying attention. He lost interest the moment he saw their stances, being that they were mediocre at best. A crowd is drawn to this particular bout. The other trainees ogle in awe, and there are low murmurs of amazement. Levi can't believe that these idiots are actually impressed by these two amateurs.

Finally, one of them lands the other on his back and wins the spar. There's an eruption of cheers and whoops of approval from the spectators. Levi rolls his eyes and snorts. This had been a waste of his time. He turns on his heel and starts to walk away.

"Hold it, new guy," comes a voice from behind him.

Levi pauses and looks over his shoulder. The guy who just won the spar he'd been watching breaks through the crowd of people and approaches him. His eyes are narrowed and his lip is curled up into a scowl.

"What's with that bored look of yours? Think you can do better?" he growls.

"I know I can," Levi blandly replies.

He keeps walking and there's a viscous grip on his shoulder. "What did you say?"

"You're deaf and can't fight? How pitiful."

He's jerked around and is face to face with a blackened glare. "That was an incredibly stupid thing to say. I challenge you."

Levi just stares at him with unwavering blank eyes. "You're wasting my time," he finally says. And he turns to leave.

The grip is on his shoulder again and he's shoved forward. Levi stumbles and there are a few gasps from the people watching.

"Just as I thought, you're all bark and no bite."

Levi straightens up and slowly turns to face him. There's a feral gleam to his eye as he mutters, "Fine. I'll make this quick."

And the asshole laughs without humor. "You plan on losing quickly then?"

Levi doesn't respond, instead, he stands there with his arms held loosely at his sides. The guy spreads his feet and holds his fists in front of his face. They scrutinize each other in complete silence. The crowd around them collectively holds their breath until the guy finally lunges and swings his fist with all of his might at Levi. Levi easily ducks out of the way and thrusts his knee into the side of the guy's leg, and he staggers to the side, thrown completely off balance.

Levi coolly watches as he regains his poise and quickly rebounds with another punch. Levi catches his arm, twists him around, and hurls him over his shoulder. The movement had been so fast that it'd been a dizzying blur to the watching eye. The breath is knocked from the trainee and he groans in pain. Without another glance his way, Levi turns his back and begins walking away.

"Bastard! I'm not through with you!"

Levi is jumped from behind and the guy has him around the neck in a tight chokehold. What a cheap move, Levi thinks bitterly. He slams the back of his head against the guy's face and there's a sickening crunch. The guy howls and releases him. Levi then turns and lands a fist to his gut. The guy falls to his knees, blood streaming from his nose and holding tight to his stomach. He screams in agony.

Commander Keith is there and the guy resentfully points at Levi. "That guy suddenly hit me! I wasn't even looking!"

Levi freezes. What? This guy has no shame. Just because he lost the fight he's going to spout lies and get Levi punished?

"Is this true?" Commander Keith asks the other trainees standing around them.

They all avert their eyes and don't respond. Slowly, Keith turns around to Levi. "Think that you don't need to play fairly because you're a criminal, is that it?"

Levi doesn't answer. It won't do any good to deny it. He won't believe him anyway. Keith gets right in front of Levi and raises a backhand. Levi remains completely still, eyes falling shut as that hand comes at him. But when he doesn't feel the sting of a whack across the cheek, he blinks. Keith hadn't hit him. Instead, he pats him on the top of his head.

"You've done well." Then he whirls on his heel and frowns at the rest of the recruits. "As for the rest of you, I'm greatly disappointed. You knew the truth and refused to stand up for your comrade. As for you," he addresses the asshole that's still on the ground with a bloody nose, "You aren't soldier material. If you can't lose with dignity then you shouldn't be here."

The guy's eyes fall and his teeth clench tight.

Levi walks in the direction of the Stationary Guard headquarters. It's late and the streets are empty. He walks without really paying attention to where he's going. His feet seem to know the way. He walks for a while more and then pauses.

"I know you're following me, what do you want?" He doesn't turn around to look at the person tailing him. He already knows who it is—actually who they are because there's more than one of them.

"Guess you're not clueless after all."

The asshole he'd fought earlier is there with a small group of some other trainees he vaguely recognizes but hadn't cared enough to learn their names. They surround him. Levi folds his arms over his chest and lazily rolls his head to the side, a disgusted look etching into his face.

"Huh, and you're the people who are supposed to save humanity? For some reason, I thought you'd be better than me. Guess we're all just trash then."

"No, we're not like you," the asshole says.

"Clearly," Levi coolly replies. "If you were, you wouldn't be so pathetic."

The asshole's fists are in front of his face and he's in that amateurish battle stance of his. The other recruits ready themselves too. Fine, if these idiots want a fight, they'll get one. The asshole is the first to attack and Levi isn't at all surprised. The guy is too impulsive.

Levi ducks and kicks the guy's legs out from under him while twisting out of another person's reach. He elbows a person behind him in the gut and jerks someone else's arm, quickly throwing him to the side. Limbs and fists wildly and unsystematically without any kind of refinement sling at Levi, and he counters each one with deliberate, proficient movements and bouts. But he's outnumbered and these kids are infinitely pissed off now, and he doesn't see the knife that the asshole has clutched in his hand. Levi freezes when he feels the familiar cold point of a blade at his back.

"You've lost, you bastard," the asshole growls.

Levi glimpses over his shoulder at him with a deadpan. "You only pull knives on people if you intend to kill them," he remarks. "Do you intend to kill me?"

The kid falters at the chilling detachment in Levi's tone.

"I've killed people. So, I know when someone is bluffing."

And fear flickers in the guy's eyes. For a long time none of them speak, no one moves, no one even dares to breathe.

"Hey! What's going on here?" comes a deep, authoritative voice.

The trainees' heads snap in the direction and they see Erwin as he quickly approaches. They gasp and bolt, leaving Levi alone in the alley. Levi watches as Erwin comes closer.

"What the hell happened? Was that a knife?" Erwin demands. His eyes are on the empty alley where the kids ran down as if they'll suddenly reappear if he looks hard enough.

Levi ignores the questions. "I had it under control."

Erwin's eyes return to Levi and his brow twitches. "Yeah, it sure looked that way," he retorts, tone heavy with sarcasm.

Levi scowls. "I can handle my own problems," he snaps bitterly.

"Your problems are my problems. You're under my custody now."

A moment of tense, angry silence ensues, and then Erwin clutches Levi's jaw and inspects his face, tilting it from side to side. "Did they hurt you?"

Levi knocks his hand away with a scoff. "As if any of those idiots could actually lay a hand on me."

Erwin nods. He already knew Levi would be too strong for the other recruits. He didn't have any reason to worry about him being overwhelmed but… "Did you hurt any of them?"

Levi doesn't answer right away.

"Levi…" Erwin slowly draws out with growing apprehension.

Levi crosses his arms over his chest and turns a cheek. "I didn't hurt any of them too badly. Just a few bruises."

"Good."

"But I wanted to," he adds, the muscle in his jaw tightening.

Erwin can practically feel the volatile bloodlust radiating off Levi. This part of this kid…his bloodlust and rage—in the future he can put it to good use when fighting titans.

That's why Erwin repeats, "Good," and means it. He wants to cultivate that part of Levi. But he also has to put a cap on it. It wouldn't be wise to let this kid's rage run rampant. Levi shoots him a bewildered look. Clearly, he hadn't thought Erwin would approve of his blatant savagery.

"When you're a soldier, I want you to channel all of your blood thirst and unleash it upon titans." He pauses. "But until that time, control it, understand?"

Levi stares at him unblinkingly. "Ditto."

Today's training is different. They aren't working on their hand-to-hand combating skills and they're not just practicing maneuvering around with their gear. They're going to be using their gear in an actual setting with a fixed goal. A portion of the town has been marked off and they're using it as a training course. They'll be able to use the buildings to grapple to and the expanse is large enough to mimic a real life situation.

Constructed objects of varying sizes are dispersed and hidden in different areas of the course and are supposed to represent titans. There is a firing mechanism triggered by nearby movement and red paint will shoot out toward the position of the movement. This is the titan's 'attack', and if even a drop of that paint stains a trainee's uniform, he or she is considered dead. The way to kill a 'titan' is to hit the target on the back of its neck and the firing mechanism will disengage.

"I'm going to split you off into teams and your goal is to retrieve the flag at the end of the course. You'll have to 'slay' the 'titans' in your path while avoiding their attacks, understand? Each team will go one at a time."

Levi is with a group of four other people—three guys and one girl. He doesn't know any of their names and doesn't care to know them either. One of the guys in the group had tried to make conversation, but Levi merely stared at him and walked off. He leans against the wall and waits patiently for their group to be called.

"Team 3 is up," announces Keith and Levi pushes off the wall.

His team lines up at the starting line on the rooftops and Levi's eyes scan the area. He immediately spots 'titans' to his right and left. He draws a path in his mind of the simplest and quickest route. And then a whistle blows—the starting signal—and he's off.

His teammates also zip ahead and one of them gets in Levi's way. There's a titan just ahead and his teammate doesn't see it. His motion activates it and paint is fired at them. Levi barely misses it as he leaps over his teammate's head. He whirls around and hits the target on the back of the 'titan', disabling it.

He bypasses his teammate and heads to the flag. More titans appear but he easily arcs around their attacks. Red paint splatters the walls around him and jet out in all directions but he's too quick for the fake titans to keep up with him. He grabs the flag then lands on the ground at the finish line. But Commander Keith isn't smiling. His expression is dark.

"You think you've done well, don't you?" he accuses.

Levi shrugs. "I retrieved the flag. That was the goal, wasn't it?"

"You've misunderstood the purpose of this drill. The true purpose of this exercise is to establish teamwork and trust between comrades, and devise strategies to accomplish the mission together. You've failed miserably."

Levi scowls. "Tch, why does that matter? I have the flag." And he thrusts it at Keith as if Keith doesn't already see it.

"But how many of your teammates are still alive?"

Levi turns to look at his team. All of them have been doused by the dark red paint that so closely resembles blood it churns Levi's stomach.

"If you can't work with others, then you'll be nothing but a burden on the battlefield."

Keith had found Erwin before Levi was released from training.

"Good evening, Commander."

Keith nodded as a greeting and didn't beat around the bush as he said, "Erwin, that runt you've taken under your wing doesn't work well with others, and that's greatly understated."

Erwin wasn't at all surprised. "I'll talk to him."

Erwin sits at the edge of his bunk with a towel draped over the back of his neck. It collects the water that drips down from his damp hair. The door opens and Levi files in with soaked hair and flushed cheeks, clothed in simple slacks paired with a thin shirt. He's climbing to the top bunk when Erwin stops him.

"Sit next to me," he says.

Levi hesitates with a questioning look and reluctantly does as he's told. The bed dips a little with Levi's added weight. He sits with his hands clutching the side of the mattress and stares off at the wall.

"I respect a man's privacy, that's why I haven't pushed you into telling me about your past." Erwin feels Levi grow rigid next to him. "And I'm still not going to push you," he quickly reassures him, "But I wonder how a kid can live the way you do—detached and alone. Aren't you tired?"

Levi's face is a blank and his only response is silence.

Erwin clears his throat. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. I want to talk about your training today. Keith says you refuse to work with your comrades."

Levi still doesn't say anything so Erwin continues. "You have to trust your comrades."

Then Levi's head flicks in his direction, his bottom lip pulling down into a scowl. "They're not my comrades," he snaps.

"Why do you say that?"

Levi's shoulders expand with a long breath and his dull eyes are back on the wall. "They don't like me." His voice is neutral and low like he doesn't care, but for some reason, Erwin doubts that's true.

"That's because you frighten them. You never hold back."

Levi is slow to reply. "Do you think the world will show them mercy once they're soldiers?"

Erwin wonders if Levi is showing the other recruits compassion in his own way. His cruelty could be his way of preparing them for what he knows will come. But kids his age don't normally understand the reality of the world they live in. Levi is different; he's not really a kid at all, he just has the body of one.

"The world hasn't been kind to you, has it?"

Levi doesn't reply. His expression reveals nothing of what he's thinking or how he feels and he won't meet Erwin's gaze. Erwin extends a hand and rests it on Levi's small shoulder.

"The world is cruel, I think we can agree on that, but that doesn't mean we can't trust in others."

Levi doesn't respond right away then after shrugging off Erwin's grip, he finally mutters, "Fine, I'll try."

Another day of teamwork and when Levi approaches his teammates, they avoid his eyes and shift uncomfortably. Obviously, they don't want him there. They set up at the start line and the whistle blows.

"This time, I'll cover your backs and stay behind. Half of you should split right and the other half go left. There's a titan dead ahead and one to our left side. If the group on the right circles around, they should be able to sneak up on the one to our left and kill it, while the other group should take care of the one in front of us. Got it?"

His teammates gape at him in shock.

"What? Did I stutter?"

Then their eyes narrow with determination and they do exactly as Levi says. Levi holds back and watches. He's quick and will be able to get to his teammates' sides in a blink if they need him.

There's a small, hidden titan on the right—one Levi hadn't spotted earlier and one of his teammates is headed right towards it. Levi shoots over there and right before the titan can spray paint at her, Levi wrenches her out of the way, narrowly missing the shot. Her brown eyes are wide in shock, her mouth falling open.

"Y-You saved me," she breathlessly chokes, "Thank you."

Levi stiffens at the genuinely grateful look in her round eyes. "Sure."

The whistle blows announcing the end of the mission, and one of Levi's other teammates holds up the flag with a triumphant grin.

"Well done. It's a new record," Keith announces.

His teammates give each other high fives and congratulatory slaps on the backs. Levi turns away and heads off to the back of the grounds where he normally lingers.

"Hey, where you going?" There's a gentle hand on his wrist and he turns around. The girl with the dirty blonde hair that he saved is smiling at him. "Without your leadership we wouldn't have made it."

The other teammates overhear her and nod in agreement. "Yeah, you've got damn sharp eyes. I didn't see any of those titans."

Levi is stunned into silence. He's actually being praised by his teammates? They circle around him and the girl sticks out her hand.

"I'm Shanni," she says.

Levi hesitantly shakes her hand. He learns all of their names; there's Wesley, Rafael a.k.a Rafa, and Jan. They all shake hands and welcome him with warm smiles.

"Let's stick together," Rafa says. And they all eagerly nod in agreement; even Levi doesn't dislike the suggestion. He decides he probably wouldn't mind keeping the company of this particular crowd.

"So how'd training go?"

Levi is quiet so Erwin glances at him. The sharp features of his face have softened considerably. "I trusted my comrades," he quietly replies.

"And?"

"They don't hate me."

The corners of Erwin's mouth perk up a bit. "Well that's an improvement. How do you feel about them?"

Levi stiffens a little. "I… don't hate them either," he admits.

Erwin laughs. "I'm glad to hear that." There's a short comfortable silence and then Erwin murmurs, "I'm proud of you."

Levi gazes up at him with widened eyes.

"You've done well."

Levi's eyes dart away without saying anything. Erwin ruffles his hair and Levi doesn't flinch away from the physical contact like he normally does. If anything, he moves a little closer to Erwin's side.