Chapter Text
Levi has never been a talkative man. Most assume, wrongly, that it is because he isn’t good with words, or just has trouble expressing himself. In truth, Levi always knows exactly what he wants to say in any situation, and simply chooses not to unless absolutely needed. Until today.
As he sits across from Erwin; who stares over his desk with a dead serious expression as if he hasn’t just spouted pure nonsense, Levi can honestly say he has no fucking clue how to respond. Because Seriously? Of all the things eyebrows could have called him into his office to ask. Levi blinks, gives up trying to find something intelligent to say, and finally mutters a single word.
“What?”
Erwin’s bushy eyebrows raise, and he stares at Levi reprovingly.
“I asked quite clearly. I didn’t think I’d have to repeat myself. Are you a virgin?”
Levi’s shock morphs into anger. Good. He can work with anger. His eyes narrow into a vicious glare that would put even the bravest men in their place. He keeps his tone even, but there’s no mistaking the promise of violence behind his words.
“Erwin. You pulled me out of the middle of training, said it was urgent, to ask me a stupid thing like that? Has all your scheming finally addled your brain?”
“I assure you it is quite urgent and my brain is perfectly intact. Just answer the question. That’s an order. Or am I to assume your hesitance means yes?”
Levi clenches his fist at his sides. He should have fucking killed Erwin when he had the chance. What the hell is he playing at?
“No. I’m not a damn virgin. Now will you tell me what that has to do with anything?”
Erwin sits back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest and a pleased smirk on his face. Ass.
“Very well. As I’m sure you are aware, public opinion of the scout regiment is at an all-time low. Subsequently, so is our funding. If we don’t do something soon, we face the possibility of being shut down completely.”
Levi resists the urge to roll his eyes at Erwin’s long winded, yet completely lacking explanation.
“And that has what to with my sexual experience exactly?”
“I’m getting there. If you’ll stop interrupting every two seconds.”
Levi huffs in annoyance, but gestures lazily with one hand for him to continue. He should know by now, after being a scout for just shy of six months, that Erwin always has a reason for his seemingly insane actions.
“Good. Now, as it so happens, I have come across the perfect opportunity to acquire the funding we need for our next year of operations. Are you familiar with a man by the name of Lord Arthur Hayes?”
“I know he’s one of those wealthy capitol pigs.”
Erwin laughs good naturedly at the insult, not disagreeing.
“One of the wealthiest and most prominent nobles in Mitras actually. Some even say he’s second only to the king.”
“And you think he’ll give us so much as a penny? Why?”
“He has a daughter; his only child. Her birthday is in four days’ time. There is to be a grand party in celebration. Apparently, her father gives her one gift each year, anything she wants. Word through the grape vine is she has yet to choose a gift this year.”
Levi crosses his arms over his chest, pinning the captain with an incredulous stare.
“Is this seriously what you do all day? Snoop around listening to idle gossip about some spoiled bitch getting everything she could ever want? How the hell is this—”
Levi falls silent at Erwin’s suddenly stony glare. He isn’t scared, but he has witnessed the unpleasantness that comes to those who push the man much further than that. He has no desire to find out what it feels like firsthand. He turns his head to one side; the closest to an apology eyebrows is gonna get.
“Thank you. I don’t normally pay attention to such frivolous rumors, but this knowledge will definitely help us get what we need. Because it also happens to be public knowledge that Lord Hayes’ daughter…is adamantly supportive of the scouts, and our cause.”
Someone in Mitras who approves of them? Well, that’s certainly a first. He is beginning to understand what Erwin is getting at.
“So, you want to convince her to ask her father to fund the scouts for another year as her gift. Not a bad idea. How do we do that?”
Erwin’s smirk is devious, and there is a dangerous twinkle in his eye that instantly sets Levi on edge.
“Not we, Levi, you.”
“Me? What, you want me to torture the girl?”
Erwin’s grin widens and Levi wishes he could smack it right off his smug face.
“No. I want you to seduce her.”
Levi’s eyes widen at Erwin’s reveal, once again at a loss for words. That is, until he realizes exactly what it is, he’s being asked to do. He bares his teeth and rises out of his chair. Slamming his hands down on the desk, he leans forward threateningly.
“So, basically, you want me to sleep with someone, for money.”
“I didn’t say you had to jump right into sleeping with her, but if that’s the only way to get the job done—”
“Fuck off.”
Levi shoves away from the desk and strides toward the door, not caring that he hasn’t been dismissed and Erwin will probably make him pay for the disrespect later. His hand is on the door knob when Erwin’s menacing command reaches him.
“I am not done with you.”
Levi turns to face the blonde, their glares matching in intensity. Levi’s reply is a low growl, full of acid.
“I’m not a fucking whore.”
Erwin rises from his seat, using his height to his advantage as he approaches, towering over Levi with a challenging stare.
“But you are a soldier. And I know you have come to care for your fellow scouts. Even more so, you care about the ones who die. We are running out of options, and Commander Shadis simply doesn’t have the capability to do anything about it. If we don’t secure funding before the end of the year, which is in four days, the government won’t hesitate to shut us down. If that happens, everyone who has ever died at the hands of the titans will have died for nothing. Is that what you want?”
Levi doesn’t back down, not intimidated in the slightest by Erwin’s massive frame.
“Why me? Why not you? Or Mike? The fate of the regiment is your responsibility, not mine.”
Erwin gives a heavy sigh, backing away from Levi and brushing a hand through his immaculate hair.
“I am well aware that it is my responsibility. But I am too highly ranked to be seen outright fraternizing. The same goes for Mike. It has to be someone low ranking, but who still has enough recognition to justify bringing to such a formal event. Whether you accept it or not, you have become quite famous amongst the general population. What is it they’re calling you? Humanities’ Strongest?”
Levi scoffs distastefully, but the white-hot rage he felt previously dissipates. He has murdered and tortured people in the past, for much less noble reasons. If this girl really is an avid fan of the scouts, he probably won’t even need to resort to sleeping with her. Unbidden, the faces of Furlan and Isabel flash in his mind. If the scouts are shut down, their deaths would be meaningless. He gives a frustrated sigh. Why does Erwin, the cunning bastard, always have to be right?
“How old is this girl? I have no intention of seducing a child.”
The smug grin returns to Erwin’s face.
“She’s hardly a girl, late twenties I believe? And she’s supposedly quite beautiful, though I’ve never seen her myself.”
Levi stares at Erwin for several minutes, purposefully wasting as much of his time as possible.
“Fine. What do you need me to do?”
“You’ll need to buy a formal suit, and also a gift to present to Miss Hayes. We will be leaving within the hour, as it is three days travel from here. Once we arrive, you can use the time before the party starts to acquire the items you need. How you go about convincing her is up to you.”
“Tch. A gift? Does she seriously need any more useless shit? What the hell am I even supposed to get her?”
“I’m sure you’ll find something. Women are easy to shop for. Jewelry, sweets, clothes; that sort of thing. For now, go get ready to leave, and meet me at the stables in an hour. You’re dismissed.”
Levi nods curtly and takes his leave. Instead of going straight to the barracks; he heads toward the kitchen. He is in desperate need of a strong cup of tea.