Partners in Crime Fighting

2. The Officer

LEVI: The next morning, I found the brats trying to cook pancakes in the kitchen. They were making an absolute mess.

"Oi, brats," I said, "clean up your mess."

"Sorry Levi," Armin said, "we were just trying to make breakfast as a thank-you, but Eren burned his hand."

"INJURY?" Hanji yelled from the office, then scrambled to the kitchen to inspect Eren's burn.

Glasses askew, Hanji yanked Eren's hand under the cold water.

"Hanji!" Eren protested.

"I'll bandage you up later," Hanji said, dashing out of the room.

"Such a fucking hassle," I sighed.

"How did you two even become partners?" Armin asked.

"I don't want to remember," I said.

"Is Hanji a boy or a girl?" Eren asked.

"Hanji prefers Hanji," I say, "address my partner as such."

I went to the office and sat down at my desk. I thumbed through the paperwork.

A plate was set down in front of me, containing a stack of misshapen pancakes. Syrup oozed down the sides in pools, mixing with the pad of melting butter.

"Thanks for letting us stay," Eren mumbled.

"Hm? Oh..." I stabbed one of the pancakes with my fork and brought it to my lips. The brats were still here. "What?"

"You told us you'd teach us how to fight today," Eren said.

"Oh, right," I shoved my fork in my mouth. The pancakes were underdone, but I suppose they tried. I just hoped the kitchen was spotless. "I'll teach you when I'm done with my paperwork."

"Okay," Eren said.

They still didn't leave.

"What?" I demanded this time.

"Can we help?" Eren asked.

"You can help by getting out," I said.

"Right, sorry," Eren led Mikasa and Armin out of my office. I sighed.

"They're growing on you, aren't they?" Hanji asked, mouth stuffed with pancakes.

"Tch, chew with your mouth shut, Shit Glasses."

"Aww it's true!"

"Why don't you go shopping with them and get them new clothes? Their old ones are dirtying up my office," I said.

"Great idea! We'll use your credit card!" Hanji skipped out.

"Hanji!" I stood up, but I realized I'd never get my damn partner to listen to me. "Tch..."

Hanji left with the brats and I stayed to finish up my work.

There was a knock on the door. I suspected Hanji and the kids weren't back yet; besides, Hanji didn't usually knock, rather barged in.

I opened the door to find Officer Petra Ral.

"Good afternoon, Detective Ackerman," she said.

"Officer Ral," I replied.

"I've just received news that the Titans will be moving to new grounds by next Friday; they're headed for Trost Avenue." Officer Ral explained.

"Aren't you going to handle it?"

"We would, but we need to evacuate the avenue," she said.

"Alright, I'll see what I can do," I said.

Just as she left, Hanji returned with the kids. I was handed my credit card.

"How much did you spend?"

"I don't know, but they had fun; didn't you, kids?" Hanji grinned.

They had changed clothes entirely, however Mikasa still had her red scarf wrapped around her neck.

"Take them out back and teach them how to fight," I told her. "I'm not done with my work."

"More fun with the kids for me, then!" Hanji cheered. Dropping the shopping bags, Hanji led the kids outside.

I sat back down at my desk, but I was too distracted to sort my papers. The Titans were advancing to Trost Avenue? So many people lived there...