The Negotiator

BACK TO TRAINING

I got out of the small bed of my small room, rolling my shoulders to try and relax the tense muscles. I put my long black hair up into a messy bun and walked into the bathroom that was joined to my bedroom, having a quick shower, still trying to wash off the feeling of all the men's hands off of me. I felt a tear roll down my face but I quickly wiped it away. I refused to show weakness. I got out of the shower, dressing in my usual scout uniform and suddenly someone was knocking intensely on my door.

I sighed, I wasn't meant to have any appointments today, it was meant to be my day off after all. I quickly put on a fake smile and opened my bedroom door, being treated by the familiar sight of a brunette with glasses in their scout uniform.

I gave a genuine smile as I pulled Hanji into a hug. "Hanji! I'm so happy to see you!"

She laughed slightly and returned the hug. "Well, you ran off so quickly last night that I didn't even get the chance to say goodbye."

I sighed slightly and pulled away from the woman. "I'm sorry, Hanji. I didn't want to leave, but..." I trailed off, not knowing where to finish that sentence.

"But your job is to sleep with noblemen in order to gain funding for the scouts," she stated.

My eyes widened slightly when she found out, and then my expression became neutral. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She scoffed. "Please, Anna. Erwin all but confirmed it when Levi and I confronted him about it."

"Levi?" I questioned.

"Short-stack with black hair that was with us last night," she explained quickly, "anywho, I convinced him to let you come back and come on our next expedition with us."

I beamed at her and hugged her tightly. "How on earth did you manage that?"

She shrugged. "It was easy. I just reminded him that we would probably benefit from having one of our strongest soldiers actually fighting for us rather than just being in the capital, entertaining noblemen."

I sighed. "Thank you, Hanji. It will be nice to have a break from everything here."

"The fact that you think fighting titans is a vacation is enough evidence that I need that I need to put a stop to all of this permanently," Hanji said, passion in her voice.

I gave her a smile, hugging the woman a little bit tighter.

~LEVI'S POV~

I was waiting at the carriage for Hanji to return with the girl. She had somehow convinced Erwin to let his daughter come with us. The said man was also waiting next to me, glowering slightly.

"What's up your ass?" I questioned, no emotion showing in my voice.

"Nothing of your concern, Levi," Erwin answered.

I scoffed, turning my head slightly to look at the taller man. "She deserves a break from the torture you have her in here, Erwin."

He looked at me puzzled. "And why do you care so much? It's not like you to show so much obvious emotion."

I clicked my tongue, annoyed and turned my head to look straight ahead again. "I may not care about a lot of people, Erwin. But even I know that what you've been doing to your daughter is disgraceful."

Before the man could answer, Hanji came into view with her usual crazed smile on her face, dragging the raven-haired girl behind her.

"Levi! Erwin!" Hanji exclaimed, waving her hand in the air at us.

They came to a stop in front of us, Annabelle seemingly showing no emotion towards any of us.

Erwin nodded at her. "Annabelle."