Redemption Song | Levi & Eren

Chapter 5: 9 to 5

      Levi retrieved his phone from his pocket, checking the time on the screen that flashed to life. He sighed through clenched teeth and pocketed his device. The officer leaned back, bumping against the multi-coloured door, folding his arms over his chest as he did so.

He stared into the distance, observing the relatively empty police parking lot. His pupils were so beady even the light from the sun above didn't alter them.

His body felt sluggish due to another sleepless night of insomnia and night terrors. His fingers twitched so he kept his fists closed. The constant headaches tugged at his mental endurance and overall patience but he resisted their painful pull.

He diverted his mind to wondering what caused them. Was it the tea overconsumption or the imperfect sleep schedule?

Quick and erratic footsteps caught his focus. He scanned the rear exit, seeing a young man with spiked light ash-brown hair and trimmed sides. His face was long, horse-like. Levi held back a scowl as the newcomer's height increased with every step.

The young officer, with one arm being awkwardly shuffled into his sleeve whilst holding an unlidded cup of coffee, approached Levi with a half-eaten breakfast bar in his mouth. He accidentally made eye contact with Levi's intense stare and Levi saw the expression "a deer caught in headlights" in the flesh.

"O-officer, Levi! Sir!" he exclaimed, nearly dropping the coffee cup as lowered it down and removed the chocolate cereal bar from his mouth. "I'm officer Kirschtein. Uhh, Jean... It's a pleasure to meet you..."

Levi's lack of words and his empty glare made Jean swallow a lump he hadn't realised had formed. He swiftly put his hands together in front of him, standing up straight. Regret moulded promptly when he had to lower his head even more to make eye contact with his designated superior.

Levi felt like he was in the presence of a toddler. His uniform suffered from wrinkles and he pondered if his hair was unkempt or supposed to look like that. When he introduced himself, there was chocolate stuck to his teeth. His neck began to strain from looking up but he wouldn't turn away first.

"So..." Jean scratched his neck with chocolate stained fingertips. "I guess we're riding together today."

"No," Levi finally spoke. "Only for the prisoner escort. Standard procedure says an officer shouldn't escort a prisoner van without backup."

"I remember that in the manual. It's-"

"If you quote the police manual to me before it's even midday, you and I are gonna stop being so friendly."

His threat carried weight but Jean wondered if the guy had any friends to compare his so-called 'friendly' attitude too.

"Get in the car. We're nearly ten minutes behind thanks to you. You did pass the police academy didn't you, Kirschtein?" Levi questioned, his tone lifeless.

"Yes, sir. I ranked sixth in my class," he replied with a proud smirk.

"Erwin should've given me the fifth guy then. Maybe he was taught about the importance of punctuality."

His proud smile faded. He observed Levi's hollow expression remain consistent as he pulled open the drivers' side door. "Umm," Jean interrupted the man's action. "The last officer I road with said he liked to make the newbie's drive..."

Levi's head slowly craned around and eventually, narrow eyes met fearful brown ones. An unspoken response traded between them. Jean bowed his head and looked at the ground.

Levi wondered if he was about to take a knee like he'd insulted the Queen of England. Jean reclaimed his breakfast from the asphalt, shuffling around the car to the passengers' side until Levi stopped him.