"Just a Mistake!" {LeviHan}

Chapter 18: Gray Area

Levi's POV

After helping Keith with the cadets, I rode back to HQ. I should've been with Hanji, but Erwin rather me to go back to Raven and take care of her. He said Hanji had enough bodyguards to study the titan, and that I should go back to spend time with Raven. I didn't argue with that.

According to my pocket watch, it was only 3 pm. Usually, Raven wakes up by now... why didn't I hear her crying now? Unless... the amateurs didn't put her for her nap. I thought Hanji had told Moblit everything? Like the long list of things they had to do? It's not usual for him to forget things such as that... so it only made me wonder... did something happen to Raven?

Quickly, I handed my horse to the nearest Scout and ran inside HQ to figure out where my daughter was. From the basement to all of the towers in this facility- I will find them and figure out where my daughter was.

*   *   *

Spending at least... how long was it? Maybe 10 minutes? I found out they were in the dining hall. Turns out that Raven was napping on the ground with pillows surrounding her. She was in this little nest of safety. It seemed my squad took turns to watch over the infant. Petra and Nanaba was up while the boys were... sleeping. Even Eren.

"Oh! Captain!" Petra wanted to shout, but she kept her voice low. So... I don't know how to say it. She shouted, but in a whispered tone... confusing. "Your daughter has been wonderful and-."

"Petra!" Nanaba hissed softly, looking away to avoid my gaze. "Sorry, Captain Levi. We kinda discussed about who the father of the section commander's baby was. Since no one was told about it, we decided to discuss... it. Raven didn't seem to have any of the section commander's features, so we thought of people fitting her description. As well as... well, in the end, we concluded the father was you."

"Who else knows of this?" My eyes directly went to Eren. I'm not too sure if he would say anything since he was one of the only ones who knew about Hanji and me before the baby was born. He knew for sure. But to the women here... "Who knew about this?"

"All of the boys seemed to be surprised. Honestly... Oluo didn't want to believe it was your baby in the first place." Petra sighed softly, stepping out of the way so I can retrieve my daughter. "I... I won't say a thing and-."

"Let me know when they wake up. I rather yell at them when my daughter is awake or with her mother." I scowled a bit as I gently picked up the young one. "I'll be in my quarters. When everyone wakes up, that's where you'll find me. Not a single word. I mean it."

The women nodded their heads. "Understood."

*   *   *

"I hate this so much..." I chuckled softly, cradling the sleeping Raven in my arms. "Maybe... it isn't bad to have kids like you. You'll be growing up to be with all of these strong people... you have a great mom who will always take care and love you... forever. And I... of course, I'll ensure you are safe... no one would lay a hand on you..."

In our rooms, we both had a crib. Sometimes, I would stay in Hanji's room. Sometimes Hanji sleeps in my room. And we thought it would've brought up suspicions if we had to transfer cribs back and forth. 

So then, I tucked Raven to sleep, watching her squirm as she left my arms. I caressed her soft cheek, whispering softly to her. "Sleep tight..."

A few minutes passed by, and a knock came at the door.  The clock read 3:49 pm. Hanji's not due to be back for another hour or two. At most, she would be gone for the rest of the night. I answered the door, seeing that it was none other than Erwin.

"Levi, is okay a good time?"

"It is. Just be quiet; Raven's sleeping right now. And I rather not have her cry after I just put her to sleep." Erwin walked inside, inhaling deeply. "What do you want?"

"I'm worried that once Raven grows older and if Hanji takes my place as-."

"Wait, you think Hanji will succeed you? Not on my watch. Being a commander, with respect to you, is not suitable for her. She hates-."

Erwin turned his gaze down to the stone floors. "She's the best one that I trust, Levi. I trust you too. But your... people skill is... rusty. And you are honest with your words. Sharp and cold. Being commander isn't just about representing the Survey Corps, but it's politics with the people in the Walls and the citizens. They need to support us. You're scaring them when you get angry. Just the honest truth."

With an eyeroll, I sighed. "So, Hanji... it's-."

"Yes, I will choose her as my successor in due time. But, that's not what I wanted to talk about, Levi. I wanted to talk about your relationship-."

"I'm not leaving her."

"I know you're not. I found a loophole." Erwin leaned close to me with his piercing my soul. "Marry her."

"Excuse me? Marry her?"

Erwin nodded his head. "There are rules about not being in a relationship with other Scout members. But there's nothing about being married to one. Sure, it counts as a relationship, but the rule about being allowed to marry a Scout is... it's a gray matter..."

"So if I marry her... we can still display our relationship, but we would be married, correct?"

"Exactly. And even so, we can argue that the other regiments are allowed to marry within their regiments, but not the Survey Corps. So, we deserve that same ability to marry other Scouts. Respectfully, I ask you to marry her. That's all."

Marriage...