A Single Father {LeviHan}

Chapter 1: Bring Your Child to Work Day

Levi's POV

"Now listen- you have to behave today." Eren nodded his tiny head as I gripped his hand when we walked into the building. Thankfully, today was the day I could relieve a babysitter off of Eren and actually spend time with him. I haven't always had the time to be with him- only a babysitter took care of him. It felt so good to have him by my side. "Remember my rules when you're at work?"

"Y-Yes..."

"Good."

My office was on floor 29, and there was the usual chatter hitting my ears before I even grabbed my black tea. I sighed heavily, sending Eren to my office as I grabbed my drink. Usually, I tried to ignore it, but I wanted to listen in because we recently got a new CEO.

"So... Smith is going away? Who's replacing him?" Oluo says with a chuckle. In return, Eld sighed heavily, shaking his head. "What? Is it wrong to ask that kind of question?"

There was no response, but Gunther started to speak. "Hey Levi, you brought Eren today?"

I wanted to ignore it, but I nodded my head. "Yeah, he's in my office."

"I'll tell Petra to stop on by." Gunther chuckles softly. "Oh, maybe he'll want some hot chocolate or something? Petra can get it for you-".

"No, it's fine." Waving off the offer, I knew Eren would want it much more if I gave it. Besides, I don't want to give him hope for a mom. I don't want to give him any ideas about Petra being his mom. If an idea like that pops into his head, he's never gonna drop it. "I'll get it myself. No need for you to worry about it."

They all began to scatter, knowing well that there was no point in arguing against me. After I made Eren some hot chocolate, I went back to my office and saw an unexpected guest entertaining my son.

Her hair was all messy, yet was tied up in a ponytail. Her light brown-rimmed glasses was in front of her caramel-like eyes. She began to laugh with Eren as he went off about what dog he wanted in the future. They remained talking until the woman was aware of my presence when the door behind me closed. The woman brushed her black skirt and adjusted her white blouse before greeting me with a kind smile.

"Ah, you must be Levi Ackerman. Nice to meet you." She smiles gently, looking down to the giggling Eren. "Your son was... entertaining."

"Who are you?" I grumbled, handing Eren his hot chocolate as I kissed his forehead. "I wasn't aware that I had a meeting with someone like you."

She giggles as she adjusts her glasses. "About that... I just wanted to introduce myself to all other members. So silly of me to not say my name- I'm Hanji Zoe. And yes," a smug smirk appeared on her face, "I'm the new CEO."

Erwin always gave me the impression that the new CEO was gonna be a man- never a woman. "The new CEO?"

Hanji nods her head, looking at Eren. "Yes, I am. Confused, aren't you? Well don't be. I'm just knowing the place and knowing the other members. Sorry, did I startle you? I knocked and your son opened the door. He's a cutie."

Eren simply gave me an embarrassed smile, hiding his face from the guilt. "He should've known better to not open a door to a complete stranger... but he is safe in this workplace. I can't get mad at him for that."

Without a second passing, he then jumped over towards me, wrapping his arms around my leg. "S-Sorry, D-Dad..."

A small chuckle left my mouth as I held him close. "It's fine, Eren. You're fine. You're not in trouble. Go sit on the side now- I gotta do work." He nodded and took his little stuffed animal and played by himself.

"Such a lonely kid, isn't he?" Hanji sighs and knelt down next to him. "No siblings?"

I peered over the computer, seeing Hanji talking to my son about siblings. That's when there was this heavy guilt fell over me. Ever since Eren was born, his mother died as she gave birth to him. I had no choice but to keep Eren close to me. I couldn't tell him about his mother or anything about that. Siblings was a no-go.

As expected, Eren shook his head. "No... I don't have any..."

"What about your mom?"

"I don't have one..."

"But-". I then cut her off. I couldn't have Eren asking me those questions tonight. I've given up on everything for my son. I've given up finding a mother for him. I've came this far, I can't lose this streak I have.

"Hey, Hanji? Drop the subject."

She then looked over to me with curiosity growing in her eyes. "What? I'm just-".

Grunting, I got up from my seat and motioned her to come outside with me. She followed, and I saw my son looking through the window but his attention was pulled away to his stuffed animals. Hanji stared at me, like everything wasn't right.

"What? Levi, there's no harm in-".

"Let me stop you right now." I growled, pushing her gently. "Eren's mother died when he was born. If he asks questions, I don't have the answers to them. If you talk about siblings, he's gonna ask me for some, and that would either require me to do adoption or... find a girlfriend and go from there. Don't make this worse for me."

In response, Hanji nodded her head, sighing softly. "My condolences. I didn't realize.. if you ever need anything- I'll help. I'm great with kids. And with my job, I have much more time to spare to help with your son."

"Thanks for the offer, I'll consider it."

She nods her head and smiles gently. "I'll say goodbye to him then. Have a nice day, Levi." She then walks into the office to say her words to Eren. I sighed softly, shaking my head. There's no doubt that she sparked questions in Eren about family... I just had to deal with it.

*   *   *

"H-Hey Dad...?"

In his voice, I could hear a peak of curiosity. I sighed, taking my attention away from my work. "Yes?"

"M-Miss Hanji... she's nice..." He began to shuffle his feet. "R-Really nice..."

I nodded my head, "She is. What about her?"

"U-Um... d-do you like her?"

"She's my boss now. Don't know what else to say about it, Eren." I sighed, going back to clacking the keyboards. I knew exactly what he's going at. "Why do you ask?"

"C-Can she be like my mom...? Because I don't have one... almost every f-family has one, D-Dad." That was the thing that went around... every family had two parents. 2 moms, 2 dads, a mom and a dad, etc. "P-Please?"

I sighed heavily, motioning Eren to come to me. He looked at me with his emerald eyes, with a small flickering flame of hope. "Eren, it's just... difficult... she's in charge of me and I don't like her in that way."

"But you're Dad... no one controls you..."

Such innocence.. "I know, but she is in charge of me for now. Just know this, Eren... sometimes, there are people who don't like others in the way that makes them family. I don't like Hanji in that way. Don't think of it badly..."

"It's okay, Dad..." He smiles and hugs me. "You're always my dad..."