Hellfire • L.A.

Peace

"Are you coming with us to Trost to see Erwin?" Hanje asks me.

We're in her room, and I'm browsing around her shelves while she packs a bag. There's been no noise from Bran's room but there are two cadets acting as a guard outside of his door.

"I think I'll stay here tonight. Something could go wrong or something." I mumble in response while flipping through the pages of an old book. Hanje's messy handwriting litters the margins in notes about scientific terms and words I've never seen.

"That's probably wise. Levi offered to stay behind but Erwin needs his counsel. At least we have someone here for the cadets. Not that I don't think they can handle themselves. This group is...definitely stronger than they're given credit for." She smiles to herself as she buckles the bag straps closed.

"Hanje, do you think he's telling the truth?" I shut the book and put it back on the shelf, and turn to face her.

She hums. "Who? Bran? Possibly. There's only one other way he could know what Zackley and you discussed and that would be if you told him."

"I didn't mention a word about it," I mumble to myself.

Hanje sighs. "Well, looks like it's time for us to head out." She flings her bag over her shoulder and I follow her out of the room. We pass by the room Bran is being held in, and both cadets outside the door salute us. Hanje dismisses them casually and they go back to slouching against the wall.

In the kitchen, Eren and Armin are sitting at the table drinking what looks like coffee, and I laugh at them.

"Okay, you two are way too young to be drinking coffee last three in the afternoon." I reach and ruffle Eren's hair, to which he groans and shakes me off.

"We have a watch, tonight Commander. It's to help us stay awake." Armin looks up at me and takes a large sip of his coffee.

I was informed of the watch schedule, and in fact, I had to do a watch of my own. It wouldn't be an issue for me to stay awake, however.

"I don't remember seeing your name on the schedule Eren." I give him a pointed look.

"With Sasha and Connie gone to relay the message about Bran to Erwin, it leaves an open slot for both Mikasa's and Armin's watch partners. I volunteered for both."

"Yeah, that's not happening," Hanje speaks up from the kitchen counter. She's packing what looks like a couple of snacks. I nod in agreement with Hanje.

"I'm with her on this one Eren. After today's experiments, you need more rest than anyone. I'll take one of the open positions."

"Lux, no. You have to let me-"

"That's Commander to you, Jaeger. And they're right." Levi's voice speaks up from the doorway. He has suit attire back on, I'm guessing because he's going to see Erwin he feels the need to dress properly.

"I'll make you a deal, Eren. You can handle your watch with Armin. But once it's over I'm taking the one with Mikasa. You need to rest." I frown at him, almost pleading with him. Eren sighs and nods.

"You're right. It would be wise to only do one watch."

"Well then," Hanje claps her hands and throws her bag over her shoulder. "I'm off. Moblit and I will be back by tomorrow morning. Levi, are you leaving with us?" She fixes her gaze on him and I do too. Levi looks back at me and shakes his head.

"I'll leave in an hour or so. I still have some things to take care of around here before I head out."

"Alright then." Hanje salutes all of us and then walks out to where Moblit is waiting for her.