WHEN IT RAINS [an eruri mafia au]

iiii. chapter 4

"Hello again, Levi."

"Long time no see." Levi rarely got nervous, but when he did, it resulted in dry humor.

The butler gave a short bow to Erwin and left, closing the door behind him.

"Have a seat." There was a polite and businesslike smile on Smith's face.

Levi did as he was told, and took a seat in the large, comfortable chair across from Erwin at the desk. The desk was made of smooth, dark, mahogany wood with carefully chiseled details, and the Eldia emblem on the front.

"I won't keep you long, as I'm sure you're eager to see your room and scout out the rest of the premises, but I do want you to go over a few contracts." Erwin lifted an obsidian-stone paperweight off of a few papers and slid them to Levi. He grabbed a pen encrusted in what seemed like gold detailing and handed it to him as well. As Levi reached for the pen, his fingertips slightly brushed Erwins, and Levi nervously grabbed it, noticing the cold feel of Erwins carefully manicured fingernails. Levi could almost see a slight smirk on Smith's face as he did it.

"You only have to sign the last document. The other two just explain that it's not my fault if you die, but we at Eldia will take care of you while you're alive. The contract states that unless you're away on a job, you'll live here, you can use our means of transportation, and all of our resources, and since you're an important asset to me, I will personally pay you. The most important rule, though, is that your allegiance lies with me. You will serve no one else, and you'll be on call whenever I need you. You're mine."

Levi swallowed down the lump in his throat. The things Smith was saying sounded so cruel on paper, yet so good coming from his lips. His voice sounded as smooth as the bottles of bourbon that lined the walls on racks behind him.

Levi's pulse quickened.

"So," Erwin sat back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other so that his foot was on his knee, "once you've read it over and you're ready, sign on the dotted line."

Levi placed the last paper on top of the others and grabbed the pen. A surge of adrenaline rushed through him as he clicked the pen and signed his name on the red dotted line.

It was done.

"Welcome to Eldia, Levi Ackerman."

"Thank you, sir."

Erwin extended his arm for a handshake, "I can truly say that I'm excited to work with you, Levi."

Levi accepted the handshake, immediately noticing the difference in the size of Erwin's and his, and the firm, professional handshake that he had.

"I'm looking forward to the job, sir."

Erwin leaned in over the desk, closing the gap between Levi's face and his.

"You're mine now, Ackerman." Levi could almost feel Erwin's breath on his ear as the taller man spoke with a whisper-like tone.

"Y-yes sir." Levi was clueless as to how to respond.

Erwin slowly pulled away, keeping strong eye contact between the two, and sat back in his chair. "Your room is down the hall and to the left, someone should be there to give you your room key and a tour of the place. If you need anything else, you know where to find me."

"Will do. Thank you again, sir."

Levi opened the grand doors to the office and slid out into the hallway.