»I came as fast as I could,« Erwin announced when he entered the patient room, where a white sheet had already been draped over the dead body.

»Ah, Detective,« the voice of the nurse he'd encountered the other day reached him as she tied up a garbage bag. Round face, brown-yellowish eyes.

»What happened?« he asked her, to which the woman shook her head in dismay.

»Flatlined like half an hour ago,« she muttered, the enthusiasm over the »miracle« gone, all of a sudden. Understandably so.

Reiner Braun had died. Erwin had staked everything on him breaking during another interrogation and blurting out the truth, hints on the motive or the bigger picture, who was behind all this, maybe arrange a plea bargain, but of course he wasn't that lucky. Erwin was never lucky.

Since he still stood there, speechless, she continued, »Doctor said it was a septic shock.« She pointed her head at an turned-off EKG. »A blood infection caused it. It was already too late when she came in.«

»But he was steady all this time.«

»That's the thing with blood infections. You cannot always predict them,« she told him with a rather pathetic attempt at an encouraging smile. »We did everything we could to save him, Detective.«

Erwin nodded. There was nothing else to do. They couldn't bring him back.

He'd involuntarily started to scratch off the skin surrounding his nails again.

»But I have another, more pleasant message,« she told him and went over to the second bed, next to Braun's, stripping off the bedding. »Isabelle Magnolia is released tomorrow, I believe. Her parents have wanted to pick her up already.«

»I'm glad to hear that,« he told her, involuntarily letting his eyes wander through the room, stopping at Braun's bed.

»What trouble it was to get her blood samples.«

»What seemed to be the problem?«

»Should've seen us the other day. Three nurses with years of experience, and none of them managed to puncture the vein.« She threw the used linen in a plastic bag with a snort. »Only Doctor Teiber was able to do it.«

»Should've asked a junkie on the street. You have no idea how precise they can be.« The nurse laughed at his pitiable excuse for humour. »You probably just had a bad day. I mean, there was a lot going on, right?«

»I guess so,« she agreed. »Very scary, what happened down there. The poor child.«

»It is a tragedy. I hope it doesn't worry you too much, however,« he reassured her, raising his gaze towards her height again. »We are protecting the city as much as we can. And we're good at it.«

The woman halted, the corners of her mouth lifting to give him a tender smile. »You are so nice.«

Erwin waved her off.

»No, you have listened to me bend your ears when you probably have somewhere else to be.«

»Oh, please,« he shook his head, »believe me, my work life isn't as exciting as you think it is.«

She nodded. »Well, well.«

Once she'd put fresh linen on the bed, the now full plastic bag in hand to leave the room, Erwin asked, »Actually, can I stay here? I just ... need a moment.«

Her gaze softened. »Of course. I understand.« She pointed out, »Cleaning service will be here in a bit, though.«

Once she'd exited, Erwin stepped toward the bed, inspecting it for signs of exerted force. The metal brackets had fingerprints on them, but neither notches or blood splodges on them.

After looking over his shoulder, he gently lifted the blanket and unveiled Braun's face, who looked pretty much alive apart from the absence of discernible breathing. His messy, blond hair hung loose, eyes closed, mouth shut.

Erwin let his eyes trail over to his arms, unharmed. No bruising around the neck. If there were something alarming that he should know, it had to be less obvious.

If Braun was ─ let's say, attacked ─, he might've struggled. If he had a claw just like Levi and had been able to resist, there would be signs of a fight, right? Or was Erwin just being paranoid, now? Delusional, even. Looking for a crime where there was none.

Erwin bent down and tried to peep at the linen beneath Braun's body to see if it had ripped or been cut.

The bedding was indeed, not the newest. It had a few, tiny holes in it, but that didn't prove anything. When Erwin brushed his fingertips over the white fabric, it felt threadbare. A hospital stay wasn't supposed to be a vacation. Of course, not all of the resources were of high quality.

But Erwin couldn't help but wonder, why didn't Braun struggle?

Or it was actually just coincidence. Bad luck. Because Erwin always had bad luck.

Maybe he should still take a closer look at the body, though. He wished Hange were here.

»Defiling a dead person now, are we?«

Erwin jerked at the sound of Dr. Teiber's stern voice. Once he'd turned around, he found that she'd crept up on him again. Her tourmaline eyes studied him with distance and strict professionalism, but beneath he could discern her distaste. For either him or his job. Erwin didn't know which he preferred.

»I'm sorry,« he replied with genuine regret, however rather over the fact that she'd caught him off-guard again.

»Do you have a court order?«

»I'm not here as a police officer. Moreso, a concerned citizen.«

»I see. So, you want me to just allow anybody to come here and show their ›concern‹?«

Since Erwin figured, it was a rhetorical question, he remained silent.

»Listen, I respect your work and proficiency. I really do,« she started off with a more conciliable tone this time, gaze forgiving, searching compromise. »But I want order in my hospital. Is that too much to ask for?«

»No, Ma'am.«

»Get a court order, then we'll see,« she requested, though it came out more as a demand.

Erwin decided it was wiser to yield. »You're right,« he answered, flashing a polite smile. »I overstepped. Have a nice day, Doctor Teiber.«

•  •  •

With the night approaching, Erwin drove back to the department, still having learnt nothing. He wondered if he should ask Levi about Braun's death.

Erwin was told that the delay of Fragon W.'s body being delivered to Hange's lab was due to confusion over jurisdiction. No signs of the blond woman. Still no new witnesses, or only ones that talked gibberish or pretended to have caught attention of something interesting during that terrible night.

Erwin hadn't watched the news. When a big case came up, he usually didn't. Not only because he might be subconsciously prejudiced, but also because he didn't want to hear anchors and experts comment on the tragedy, like it's not burdening enough.

Despite being unaware of the deeper dimensions of the case, he was glad that they had someone to blame, at least. There was nothing worse than a homicide case ─ and this one involved both terrorists and a child! ─ without anyone to send to jail. The media would tear the police apart.

»Hey, Erwin,« Mike addressed him as he approached him at his desk. »Have you heard? Braun died.«

»Yeah.«

Since Erwin remained silent afterwards, he questioned, »And regarding that, you don't have to tell me anything?«

»For example?«

»I heard that Dr. Teiber was not excited to see you there,« he told him, crossing his arms in front of his chest with obvious accusation.

Erwin rubbed the back of his neck. »She doesn't like me very much.«

»He died in the presence of a medical professional. They have a clear diagnosis. What were you thinking?« Since Erwin didn't answer, he asked, »Why'd you go without me?«

»It was on my way.«

»Erwin, this has to stop. You can't always strike out on your own and not tell me.«

»I know. It will not happen again.«

»No, I can't hear it anymore,« he countered with a newly found definitiveness, knocking his index finger against his desk. »We're friends, and you're using that against me. You only do this stuff with me, and it's unprofessional. You're not ready to have a partner.«

»Michael.«

»Next time you do this, I'll report you to the commissioner. This was the last time.«

Erwin knew he was right, and still, he felt betrayed. Sure, Erwin had a way with talking others into things or getting his way with his stubbornness, but Mike was implicating that he was not doing his job. That he was not sticking to the rules. And that hurt.

»Erwin, it doesn't have to be like this,« he assured, his gaze was more forgiving now, yet still determined. »But I need to know what it is that you're keeping from me.«

»I've just been so caught up in this case, that's all.«

Michael compressed his lips into a fine, unsatisfied line. »Alright.«

It was quiet between them for a handful of seconds, and Erwin hated that Mike was right. He had been taking advantage of the fact that Mike was the only one who would put up with his bullshit. He shouldn't have. But with all the information he'd gained, he knew it wasn't all for nothing. If he could only let Mike in on what he'd found out.

But then again, Michael would be furious if he knew Erwin was cooperating with some random, violent prick he'd picked up from the streets. Who was most likely a criminal. Or not? But that was nothing new, anyways, was it?

The amount of times Erwin had offered a drug dealer immunity in exchange for information about their supplier was astonishing. Nothing new. However, in that case he'd spoken to a colleague, the DA, or the commissioner, it had always been official.

This was different.

»I'm sorry,« Erwin admitted finally.

When he glanced up, Mike leaned against his desk. »Well, this sucks, right?«

»It is ... unfortunate.«

With a shake of his head, he mused, »Why do you think did he try to kill himself? Just because he couldn't take it?«

Erwin shrugged. »Maybe he was afraid of something.«

»Such as?«

»Monsters.« Since Mike commented on the idea with another annoyed eyeroll, Erwin immediately sent after, »Do you really find it so absurd that ... there might be something out there that we don't know of?«

»I don't know, it's just ... All of this seems so convenient, doesn't it? You finally being able to solve that mystery, after fourteen years. That just seems highly unlikely.«

Erwin remembered that him finding out about ghoulkind and their scheming in the human world didn't mean he would learn about the true identities of the murderers of his father. It only meant he would gather information about their race and goals, but not specifically about that exact case.

»I guess you're right,« he gave in, and with that, the conversation was over.

During his break and after downing his coffee, he finally brought up the courage to phone Levi in private. When he picked up, Erwin brought out, »Hey.«

»What?« it grumbled on the other side.

»Humans usually start a conversation with some sort of greeting, Levi.«

There was shuffling on the other side of the line. Erwin only then remembered it was three o'clock in the morning. »Don't you have to piss off somebody else?« Levi asked.

»Sorry. Lost sense of time. Night shift.« Since Levi still wasn't up for much chitchat, Erwin continued, »I have good and bad news. Which one first?«

»Bad news first.«

»I figured. One of the suspects, Reiner Braun, has died.«

»Who?«

»One of the abductors.«

»That's bad news? I'll dance on his grave. That fucker can go to wherever Old Dina's body is rotting.«

Erwin frowned. »It's bad news for me because I can't put him behind bars,« he told him, frustrated. »Shot himself down in Höchst. I saw it with my own eyes. But he was sent to hospital and survived.«

»And then?«

»A septic shock, apparently.«

»And you actually believe that?« Erwin shrugged automatically despite knowing Levi couldn't see it. The pause that followed made him feel as though Levi wanted to add something, but he refrained from doing so. »What's the good news?«

»Isabelle has been released from the hospital. Maybe you can actually see her at her parents' home.«

Levi mulled that over for a moment. »I need her address.«

»You don't know where she lives?«

»I've never visited her. We used to live together. In boarding school.«

»I see. You really grew up like siblings then, didn't you?«

Erwin could hear Levi snort on the other side. »Yeah. Pretty much.«

»How come? That the two of you came together, I mean.«

Levi let out a deep sigh, he sounded drained. He was most likely not getting enough sleep. Which made sense, given the circumstances.

Erwin considered leaving him alone, but then, Levi started off, »I was new at the academy when I started my studies. She was my only friend back then.« Levi pondered his explanation, as if about to say something graver, more profound in a moment of weakness. »She was the only one who trusted me.« He interrupted himself. »Hey, is that really important now?«

»I was just wondering.«

But he didn't continue. Erwin thought about whether this was all Levi was going to tell him. For some reason, he wished Levi would entrust him with more of his relationship with Isabelle, but he figured, it was just his curiosity.

»So, do you have a plan? For when you see her.«

»I'm going to talk to her first.«

Since Levi didn't elaborate, Erwin asked, »About what? Leaving?«

Silence.

»You can't tear her from her family, Levi.«

»I know.«

»You could see her and let the prosecution do the rest.«

»I don't have the nerve for this sort of conversation, Erwin.«

Erwin only then realised Levi had never used his name. He didn't know whether he liked the sound of it. Sharp and relentless.

»At least let me join you.«

»Is that a demand?«

»It is an offer.«

»I thought we wanted to trust one another?«

»It wouldn't hurt to have someone objective be in attendance.«

Only the sound of the static filled the line for a moment, tense noise scratching Erwin's ears.

»Fine, join me and play ref. But you'll wait outside.«

»Okay.«

»And Erwin,« he began to speak before hanging up, both distrust and a sudden finality swelling in his voice. »If you ask me, somebody paid Braun a visit and squeezed the life out of him with a pillow.«

»Two officers saw him daily. The doctor determined the cause of death.«

Levi halted. Almost sympathetically, he replied, »It might be mere coincidence, as well.«

•  •  •

Erwin pulled up in an old Mercedes, a matte-silver C-class that had probably been super-hip in the nineties and now looked like piece of junk to anyone with eyes. Levi didn't even want to know what the wastage was. Despite a loose lock on the passenger door, it was well-kept, though, not a single bump or visible scratch.

When he hopped onto the passenger's seat, he couldn't help but scrunch up his nose. »Ugh, it smells like kebab in here.«

»What?« Erwin returned, rather perplexed than offended.

»Do you ever clean this car?«

»Yes, of course.«

»Once a year?«

»Several times a year,« he argued and started the car. »There's no way you still smell anything. I ate here, like, two weeks ago.«

»Gross.«

»It was during an hour-long observation. What was I supposed to do?«

»Die. Or eat a salad.«

Erwin rolled his eyes and pulled out of the parking spot. So much for Hellos and Goodbyes. »Maybe you just have some sort of weird inhuman nose that picks up every single particle in the air.«

Levi nodded his head to the side. »I do,« he admitted. »I've also noticed that you wear women's deodorant.«

»Fine. Next time I'll put something on that says ›wood‹ or ›motorcycle‹ on it.«

»I never said I didn't like it.«

Erwin turned to look at him for a moment, but Levi was facing the window, examining himself in one of the side-way mirrors. Eyes blood-shot, hair messy, bruised lips. But he'd had the decency to shower and dress to look somewhat presentable. He couldn't let Isabelle see him as miserable as he'd been the last few days.

Erwin concentrated on the road ahead of him and remained silent for a moment.

»Lavender.«

»That's what it is,« Levi muttered, starting to tap his fingers against the car door.

Erwin cleared his throat. »You look like a zombie, by the way.«

»Thanks.«

»Are you okay?«

»I'm fine,« Levi told him, rubbing his nose. »A little tired, that's all.«

Although he didn't look at all convinced, he accepted Levi's reply with a nod, more or less. »Did you have breakfast, at least?«

»I don't need anything.«

»Have you been eating, at all?«

»Yeah.«

»It doesn't look like it,« he commented nonetheless. »Is it because of your sister? You can't help her if you starve yourself.«

»Erwin,« he cut him off, squeezing his eyes shut. »We're not friends.«

Erwin sent him an enervated glance before focusing on the traffic once more. »Jesus.«

And with that, he let it rest.

Despite his emotionless and gruff manner, Erwin believed there was something off about Levi, today specifically. It was in the way he couldn't keep his hands still, how he continued to squeeze his nose, how the thrum of his fingers against the window followed them around, a fearful anticipation, a sinister prophecy, as though he was standing in front of an inevitable fate.

Erwin was suddenly glad that he'd somehow talked Levi into visiting Isabelle together.

Isabelle's parents didn't live in the centre of the city but the suburbs, in Riedberg, to be specific. Riedberg was known for its thriving nature, lush meadows, and the infinite centre alameda, which was however bordered by two kilometres of endless white ─ a bunch of soulless, modern six-storey apartment bricks, looking like pale walls along orange and brown maples. The greenness contrasting practicality was a paradox in itself, an irony Erwin had always found somewhat dystopian.

To put it briefly: He didn't like it here.

When he glanced over at Levi, he found him mildly bemused, eyes glued to the windshield, head slightly bent to take the view in. Child-like wonder glimmering in silver hues.

»Never been here?«

Levi shook his head.

»It's not exactly my favourite part of the city.«

»Nothing to see here, I guess.«

Once Erwin caught his eyes another time, what he'd seen before had entirely vanished, matt graphite. He'd gone to that boarding school, as well, right? He must've missed out a lot.

Stopping at one of the blocks, Levi reiterated his demand that he wanted Erwin to stay outside. He didn't like the idea, but then also, he figured, what could possibly go wrong? Levi was reasonable enough to not rush in there, throw Isabelle in a sack, and carry her out on his shoulders. Or so, he hoped.

Was he being naive again?

Erwin thought about Mike's words once more. Was he being unprofessional? Yes, of course. But he was going out on his own, this time, so he wasn't abusing anyone's friendship or his badge.

He chose to believe that.

After a few minutes of waiting patiently in the car, Erwin grew agitated and stepped out, entering the stairwell. He listened out for movement.

»Outcast!« he heard Mrs. Magnolia's glass-shattering voice, thrilling the corridors. »I knew it! An Outcast, that's what you are! You have always been!«

Erwin could barely make out Levi's quiet voice, the echo of an apology.

»Don't step into this house ever again! Go! Leave!«

When Erwin heard what might be a physical fight ─ hasty footsteps, squeaking shoe soles, a loud thump ─, he hurried upstairs, but before he had even reached the first floor, the slam of a door jarred the stairwell and everything went quiet.

After halting for a moment, Erwin heard Levi go down a few stairs and stop again.

»I asked you to stay downstairs,« Levi's voice echoed all the way down, though it had lost its edge.

There was a tender vulnerability in the air now that Erwin had heard their argument. Levi couldn't pretend that nothing had happened.

Still hesitant, Erwin considered whether he should stay where he was, waiting for Levi to deal with this on his own. He decided against it.

Instead, he joined Levi on the third floor, where he sat on the stairs, arms crossed on his knees, resting his chin on them.

Erwin started off, »Hey, I didn't ...«

»How would you? I didn't tell you.«

This was not the time for Erwin to explain himself. He sat down a couple of stairs in front of Levi, trying not to push a boundary.

»Do you want to talk about it?«

Levi shook his head. »Nothing to say left.«

»I could intimidate them with my badge if you want.«

»You would do that for me?«

Erwin paused, rubbing the back of his neck. »No.«

Levi grasped at his own right upper arm with his left hand, squeezing it for a second before letting go again. »She's right.«

»What did she mean?«

»What could she possibly mean? I'm a traitor. Always been.« Before Erwin could propose another question, he said with urgency, »Erwin, I have to get her out of there.«

»Are you afraid ›they‹ will intervene?« Levi nodded. »She is the victim of a crime, which makes her a public figure. If they were keeping their heads low, wouldn't that be counterproductive?«

»They can make it look like an accident.«

Erwin had a feeling that if Levi took action, things would escalate. Although he truly cared for Isabelle, he'd proven to be an impulsive, ruthless creature, which didn't back away from using violence, even if he hadn't used deadly force yet. Or so, Erwin hoped.

Instead, he suggested to try and speak with them. When Mrs. Magnolia opened the door, having recognised him through the peephole, he said, »Frankfurt City Police, Detective Erwin Schmidt. Good day, Mrs. Magnolia.«

»Not you again.«

Seeing her forehead crease, Erwin bit his tongue. »I would like to speak with Isabelle.«

»Is this a demand?« she mirrored Levi. Was this how ghouls always acted around cops? Distrustful, secretive.

»It's not a demand, no. A very humble request, though.«

For a moment, it looked as though Mrs. Magnolia was about to close the door again, but instead, she left it ajar, keeping her hand on the handle. Erwin could not guess what was going on the other side, maybe she was mutely communicating with her husband.

Was she asking his permission? His advice? Given how impassive the investigation had left him at the department, Erwin found that to be unlikely. Not once had he interrupted her or hijacked the interrogation. In fact, he had barely spoken at all.

Or she was actually asking Isabelle to come.

A few seconds later, the door swung open, but it was still Mrs. Magnolia standing there. »What for?«

»I would like to know if Isabelle recognises an unofficial witness.«

»Levi?«

With another quick glimpse at the ghoul, still sitting in the stairway, he nodded.

»He is not exactly welcome here.« Erwin was looking expectantly at her, awaiting an explanation. »We have history. It's a long story.«

»I see. It would just really help me with the case.« Since she still hesitated, he added, »Because the next time she will see him, it might be in court.«

Mrs. Magnolia narrowed her eyes at him, not quite meeting his. Then, she turned away again for a while before appearing in the doorframe once again. »I will allow it.«

Hasty footsteps came closer, seemingly jolting the entire floor, and a blazing redhead rushed past Erwin, ivy in tears as she ran down the stairs, screaming out, »Levi!«

His head lifted, and when he started to stand up, Isabelle tackled him to the ground again by throwing herself at Levi with surprisingly immense force. She was now wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, and he held back for a moment before hugging her close to him, as well. With a protective hand, he covered her head, a spot where her hair was slightly shorter than the rest, as though shielding her from dropping concrete during an earthquake.

Isabelle was all warmth, she'd always been the light in his life. It was only in this moment that Levi realised how much he'd missed her. In the process of going crazy over where and how she was, he'd forgotten to care who she was.

»I'm so sorry,« he muttered against her hair, smelling of the sun.

»It's not your fault,« she brought out, even though it wasn't true.

»I'll get you out of here. Trust me.«

She buried her face deeper into his sweater. »I don't know whether I want to go, Levi.«

»Isi.«

Since she didn't look up, Levi gently helped her sit up, meeting her glossy eyes. »I'm fine, Levi,« she told him, her voice was neither weak nor hoarse. »I talked to my parents. I'm better off if I go back to the academy.«

»What about this?« he argued, lifting the short hair beneath her right ear that was still left. »This is a final warning, Isi. We have to flee.«

Her face became more serious now, new angles Levi hadn't seen before. »We're not alone, Levi.«

Levi halted. His stomach flipped.

»They won't do anything. They won't do it to avoid trouble. But if you try anything, they'll probably kill you both.«

»Is this a threat?«

»Just how it is.«

Levi clenched his hands into fists. Images started to form in his mind, of how he could possibly make his way out of this building with her before it came to an altercation. »Can I fight them?«

Isabelle shook her head. »Four.«

Biting his lower lip, he frantically tried to think of another way, another plan, a loophole of some sorts. »I can't just leave now. What do you expect from me?«

»I don't know. Travel the world. I'll be fine.«

»I can't. I would do everything to get you out of here.«

»But I don't want you to do that,« she pleaded, reaching for his veiny hands to hold them with her small, soft ones. »Why don't you understand? You don't have to save me.«

»I brought this upon you.«

»It was my decision.«

»I could've prevented it.«

»You can't go through life thinking you are a hundred percent responsible for me.«

Levi shook his head, he wouldn't accept that. Isabelle was his weakness. It would cost him ─ it had already cost him. Allowing himself to care about her. But he couldn't help it.

»I will live, Levi.« Isabelle cupped his face with her small hands, rubbing his thumbs against his cheekbones. »I'm still here for a reason. You are the one who has to think rationally this time.«

Watching the tears fade from her eyes, Levi found now only determination in them, a strong will to live behind bilious green. She was strong, stronger than ever. In his constant mothering of her, he hadn't noticed that she'd grown up and evolved into a young woman.

Levi nodded. She was right. They couldn't kill her. It was all a sham. Psychological warfare. To break him, hit him where it hurt. Isabelle was his weakness, and they knew it.

They were simply using her against him, hoping he would give in to his emotions, but he had to do as she said, think reasonably. Not letting any of it get too close to him. Because there was no way they could kill her, now that she was a public figure. Before anything else, he had to watch out for himself.

»We'll see each other again,« Levi said to her. »Don't give up on me, you hear me?«

Isabelle laughed. »Never.«

They didn't exchange goodbyes, Levi only hugged her tightly to his chest before letting her go back. With Erwin in tow, who looked more than relieved and thanked Mrs. Magnolia deeply, Levi finally left the building.

On their way back to Erwin's car, they didn't speak until they sat inside.

»So,« Erwin started off. »Do you feel better now?«

»Yes. I think so,« Levi muttered, still withdrawn, but definitely less on the edge.

»Do you think she's safe?«

»For now.«

Putting his hands on top of the steering wheel, he questioned, »Do you want me to drive you back home?«

»I don't know if I want that.«

 »Where do you want me to drop you off?«

»I don't know.«

Erwin turned toward him, but Levi was once again looking out the window, watching a little boy run after a football. »Even if I knew where you lived, what would I do with that information? You know I will not send a search party to your front door.«

»It's ... not that. I don't want to go back home. It's ... a mess.«

Erwin let out a laugh. He knew that too well. »Suggestion, clean it up.«

»It doesn't feel like a home, it's ...« He trailed off. »I don't know.«

»What do you mean?«

Erwin watched as Levi reached for the seam of his sweater, using his fingers to stretch the fabric distractedly. The dark blue colour was already washed-out.

A sudden frustration grew within Erwin, a feeling he'd put off for too long because he couldn't stand slipping, showing this side of him, impatience, annoyance, burdening others with his moods and anxieties, but everybody on this tiptoed around what the Hell was going on, and he couldn't take it anymore, it was killing him, he just needed to know.

Levi still didn't answer, so he said, »Well, I know I'll go now. But I don't know what to do with you.« Petty as he was, Erwin added, »We're not friends, remember?«

»They are coming for me, too.«

»Oh, I can't hear it anymore, what is it? Talk straight, Ackermann, who are they? Ghouls? What is it that you're all so afraid of?«

»The organisation,« Levi hissed back, eyes darkening with irritation. »We call it the PPO. It's ─ yeah, it's basically just us ghouls, but we're united by this entity. And to keep our race a secret, they do everything in their power to silence people like me. Traitors. I don't feel safe!«

Erwin was still stuck on the first part. »An organisation? As in organised crime? A gang?«

»No, Erwin, you're still thinking in your narrow cop brain,« he accused, smacking his palm against his own temple. »The main focus is not crime. It's living together and shaping the world to our ideals. It's a company above everything, but also a collective, you could not possibly understand because that's just how you are: Human.«

A collective.

Yes, Erwin could not possibly understand. Because he didn't know what he meant.

But what he'd understood, was that Levi didn't feel safe. He was afraid in his own home. And that was a terrifying feeling.

Maybe that's why he hadn't liked to bring it up.

»Are you sure you don't want the police involved?«

»No, I ... I just need a new place, that's all.«

Erwin bit his lower lip. His chest ached with guilt. »Okay, let's get your stuff. What you need is work and a new flat. I will help you.«

»You will?«

»But,« he demanded, »you have to tell me how you're in involved in this. Who these people are, and what they want.«

So, Levi did. On their way back to the city, he told Erwin about the organisation, covered as a multi-million dollar industry to support their goal ─ maintaining the status quo while expanding their power ─, about the Mediators, how they'd followed the two and Levi had had no choice but to escape through the tunnel and caused what the press now also referred to as the Train Wreck, how he would've been one of the PPO's hitmen if he hadn't left.

That they lived of off human flesh, Levi left out, though. He didn't know if Erwin could handle that information yet. No human could.

But Erwin was still pondering the rest of the information, eyes narrowed in concentration. Levi could hear the gears in his head rotate.

»Who killed the driver?« Erwin finally spoke up.

»One of the agents.«

»Which one?«

Levi halted. »His name was Wolf, I think.«

»And who killed him?«

»It was an accident,« he explained quickly. Erwin analysed him silently, like there were ciphers written all over Levi's face and he had to decode them. »He is of Us, though. If that makes it better.«

»Why would that make it better?«

»Don't act like you're not more protective of your own.«

»I don't ...«

»I'm a monster in your eyes, and you're prey in mine,« Levi argued. »There's no shame in that. I understand.«

Erwin saw Levi as an equal. Just like he made no difference between criminals and victims, thieves and murderers, first offenders and persistents, he would make no difference between ghouls and humans, no matter how hard it seemed at first. All of them were people, after all. It was not his job to judge, but to find out the truth.

But why was it that he'd felt relief upon hearing only a ghoul had died?

However, he reminded himself, it might be as simple as that he was biased because Fragon W. was not a good person. If what Levi said was true, he was a careless murderer. It was only logical that Erwin would have less empathy for him.

There was a difference between what happened on the inside ─ feelings towards cases and perps, his conscience, judgement ─, and what happened on the outside ─ strict formality and professionalism, not letting any of those thoughts seep through. The first one he could not control, the second though, he could.

Levi could think whatever he wanted. That Erwin was secretly prejudiced and just as full of contradictions, which he might be, but he would always decide to be better on the outside. That was what life was, after all, Erwin thought to himself. Your actions, not your hidden motivations.

•  •  •

»I'm normally very clean,« Levi defended himself as Erwin looked around the flat, finding it in utter chaos.

»Ah, yeah.«

All of the furniture in Levi's flat was old and made of wood, painted over with unmatching, pale colours. Clothes, towels, and all sorts of fabrics lay bare on the floor, torn carelessly out of cabinets and drawers. However, there was no dust nor dirt anywhere, the disorder was only superficial. As though it had been broken into.

Now that Erwin thought about it, that was what must've happened. He didn't ask, though.

Erwin couldn't believe he'd been unaware of the threat surrounding humanity, all this time. With ghouls living amongst them, he couldn't help but feel a certain apprehension coming onto him. Would he always ask himself if another person was a ghoul? What an odd sensation.

He pushed the thought aside. Now was not the time.

Joining Levi in the kitchen, trying to make himself useful. He opened the fridge, finding it resolutely empty. »So much for breakfast.«

Levi shrugged. »That's not for you to worry.«

»I see,« Erwin breathed out. »What do you want to take with you?«

»Only a few things. They all fit in here,« Levi explained, referring to a backpack hanging loosely from his shoulder. In an attempt to grab some cash and a passport from the highest cabinet, he'd raised himself on his tiptoes, stretching out his arm and flexing his fingers.

Erwin watched the scene for two more seconds until he approached the shelf himself. Before he could reach it though, Levi leapt and grabbed the two things in a swift move, making a smug face at Erwin.

Erwin rolled his eyes and leaned back against the counter.

Levi didn't own many things. Most of the stuff in the flat »had been here before«, whatever that meant, but he thought having too much stuff was more a burden than a blessing, where he wasn't entirely wrong. It reminded Erwin of all the useless stuff he horded in his shelves and couldn't throw out either because they had sentimental value, or he refused to let go of something he'd paid his hard-earned money for.

»You need more clothes,« Erwin observed.

»Probably.«

»So, where are you gonna go until you find something new?«

»I don't know.«

»What do you know?«

Levi frowned. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw how Erwin put his flat hand on the counter without looking. »Erwin!«

As a stinging pain set in, Erwin gasped and snatched his hand off the counter like it was piping hot lava. Once he looked at his hand, he found blood streaming from his palm. Two small cuts had formed there, in one of them stuck a purple shard.

»Oh, why are there shards here?«

»I dropped something. Obviously,« Levi returned, more annoyed than concerned.

»Fuck,« he muttered under his breath, holding on to his wrist. »It's bleeding.«

Levi approached him and gestured for him to come over. »Let me see.«

»Do you have anything here to treat this?« Erwin questioned, holding out his hand to him. »You know how to disinfect a wound, right?«

»Yeah. I've studied the human body for years,« Levi replied, wrapping his hand around Erwin's wrist and lifting it slightly to analyse the cuts. »You'll need ...« Levi trailed off, his eyes trained on a thin stream of crimson dripping from his palm.

His thumb rubbed gently over his wrist, which sent a shiver down Erwin's spine. In contrast to his stern gaze, Levi's touch was unexpectedly soft.

»What did you mean to say?« Erwin asked quietly.

Levi's other hand hovered over the cut before slowly pulling the shard out with a wet sound, whereupon Erwin's face contorted with pain. He set the vermilion-drowned shard aside, but he kept his gaze fixated on Erwin's hand.

His pupils dilated.

Without further ado, Levi brought his hand to his mouth, making Erwin wince when he felt his wet tongue against the pulsing wound.

»Levi, what the Hell!« Erwin cursed and pushed him off by his jaw, to which Levi let out a pained hiss, nose wrinkled like a shark who'd been kicked in the face. »Seriously, what's wrong with you?«

The moment he looked up at Erwin again, his eyes narrowed with irritation. Darkness had eaten away the silver of his eyes, erasing everything human and leaving nothing but mere instinct.

»Oh no.«

Within seconds, Levi went for his throat, pushing Erwin to the ground and fixating him on the cold floor, a pair of crimson wings springing out of his spine. Tableware and kitchen furniture spilled all over the floor, overwhelmed by the force of his claw.

»No!« Erwin shouted and managed to grab Levi's wrists before they could wrap around his neck, holding him off. »Hey, stop that! What's up with you?«

Levi pushed himself forward, his jaws snapping with a sharp sound that pierced marrow and bone. Was Levi trying to ... bite him?

He must've totally lost his mind.

Erwin had two options now: Either, he talked sense into Levi, or he defeated him in a physical fight ─ which was impossible. He needed to find a way to startle or distract him, so he'd have a chance on knocking Levi out. Perfect, that almost sounded like an actual plan.

»Levi, listen,« Erwin called out, struggling against his grip. »You need to calm down. We're friends, remember?«

Only a frustrated grunt followed. When Erwin lifted his leg to try and kick him, he felt a sudden sharp heat pressing against his calf. Levi's claw was cutting into his leg, shimmering angry red in the dim light as though made of ruby.

Stinging heat rose to the centre of Erwin's spine, prickling there, forcing a whimper out of him. Scarlet trickled down his skin and dripped onto the floor.

»Levi, you know you need me,« he forced out, his heartbeat thundering in his ears. »We have a deal. And that deal is only beneficial to you if I'm alive.«

Levi twisted Erwin's arm and forced him onto his stomach, pinning his wrist against his back. Then, he slowly bent over him, Erwin already felt Levi's breath in his neck. His teeth brushed against his skin, making him shiver as he tried to strain his neck out of Levi's reach. That was when Erwin suddenly realised: Levi was about to eat him.

And then, it all clicked.

Prey.

That is what Levi had called humanity. At first, despite finding the expression odd, he'd taken it for a mere matter of speech, but Levi had meant it quite literally:

Humans were prey, and ghouls were predators.

Could it possibly be?

The two races were counterparts, or moreso, ghouls were one category up in the food chain. Like wolf and deer, lion and antelope.

Why would Erwin have this epiphany only then, now that he was about to die? Hange would only know when it was already too late.

He couldn't die. It was information. He couldn't die before anyone had that information.

Isabelle.

He had to use Isabelle against him, somehow. He'd seen how gentle Levi had acted in her presence, how the usual darkness in his eyes had dissolved, softened by care and love.

»What about Isabelle?« Erwin yelled over his shoulder, oh dear God, what had he done to deserve this?

But Levi didn't react.

»Levi, remember what you're here for!« He strained his neck to avoid Levi's teeth touching his skin. »Do you want her to die? Is that what you want?«

He hesitated.

»I can help you get your sister back. Don't you want to have her back, your sister Isi?«

»Isi?«

»Yes, your sister Isi. You want to save her, don't you?«

»O-Of course ...« he muttered, his grasp at Erwin's arm loosening.

»You're going to kill her this way. If you want to save her, you have to let me go. Let me live so we can help her, alright?«

Since Levi didn't answer, freed his arm and rammed his elbow into his face, taking advantage of his absentmindedness, and grabbed the first thing he saw ─ a rolling pin ─, turned and smashed it against his head with all the strength he had left.

Erwin tried to escape from underneath Levi, but his claw came to his help, hovering above Erwin's throat. However, the structure of Levi's claw was ... thin and fragile. There was a hollow sheen to Levi's eyes, the violent, dark flame in them tired and drained from energy, each breath heavy, his muscles shaking.

Exhaustion.

That was it. Exhaustion. Exhaustion was Levi's weakness. Nobody could maintain a rate of cell division as high as Levi's without using countless amounts of energy. Levi was exhausted, he was exhausted and hungry, and therefore, weak.

Erwin grabbed the edge of his claw, ignoring how it cut into his palm like a razor blade, and pushed, pushed as hard as he could. Despite his strength, Levi couldn't hold him off long enough, and soon helplessly watched as Erwin pressed his own weapon closer to his throat.

The sharp edge cut through Levi's skin, more easily and precisely than Erwin could've ever imagined, and dark red, almost black droplets of blood spread over Erwin's face.

His mouth wide open, struggling for air, Levi gripped Erwin's shirt, almost ripping it. A pair of glossy silver eyes were trained on him, begging his mercy, as though Erwin could donate some of his air to him.

»Shhh, I know.«

Levi mouthed an insult Erwin couldn't identify, his words nothing but a rattle.

»There, there,« Erwin whispered, allowing Levi to sink down against his chest as his body slowly gave in, yearning oxygen. »Calm. It's fine. Just sleep.«

Hasty, desperate gulps filled the kitchen, his lower lip trembling, and though Erwin sensed a spark of sympathy lighten up in his chest, he watched Levi suffocate to unconsciousness.

»Shhhh. Sleep.«

When Levi finally collapsed on top of him, Erwin closed his eyes and let out a deep breath. Then, he slowly draped Levi on the floor ─ trying his best to avoid the puddles of blood ─ and pushed himself onto his feet, ignoring his own injuries, looking for something like medical kit.

In one of the cabinets, he found a blue bag which contained nothing but bandages and a silver pair of scissors. It had to make do.

After limping back towards Levi, he first checked his pulse (there was one, thank God), then proceeded to use some thick paper towels to improvise a compressor dressing for his neck, as did he with the wound on his own leg and hand. When he'd finally fixed the bandage around his neck, Erwin took the entire scene in.

If it weren't for all the blood, Levi might've looked peaceful. Normally his forehead was always furrowed, like a curse followed him no matter where he went. Now, he was drained from all his energy and just lay there, almost like he'd found a soothing release in his defeat.

With the adrenaline levelling off, Erwin suddenly felt the stress and tension in his muscles, and his wounds ached and pounded, but he was still so glad that he'd survived. What a rush. He was a little proud of himself, even.

How childish. His own actions had almost killed him, and here he was, feeling proud of himself.

It was only a question of time until the wound healed, so Erwin needed to find something in his apartment to tie Levi up ─ a cable, for example.

For a while, Erwin searched through Levi's stuff, turning around every now and then to make sure he was still passed out. After a few minutes, he found a toaster and a kettle in one of the cabinets (how useless they now seemed). He cut the cables from the devices and wrapped them tightly around Levi's hands and legs, leaning him back against the fridge.

Erwin let out a deep breath and lied down on the other side of the room, making himself comfortable on the dusty floor.

He was just so fucking tired.

•  •  •

A few hours later, Erwin woke to the sound of something rattling against metal. When he opened his eyes, he found Levi pulling at the cables. His eyes were still matt with fatigue, he must've just woken up.

»Hey,« Erwin muttered, his voice raspy from drowsing.

Without acknowledging him, Levi said, »Hey.«

»You alright?«

»My head hurts,« he replied. »What happened?«

»You tried to kill me.«

»Oh.« He moved his tied arms. »Is that why ... ?«

»Yeah.«

»Kind of sexy.«

»Leave it.«

»No, I'm actually a little turned on right now.«

»It was very scary, thanks for asking.«

Levi wasn't listening, instead he sat up and started to chew on the cables like a small mouse.

»Stop that,« Erwin chastised him, »do you know how expensive it is to fix teeth?«

»My teeth don't break that easily,« Levi mumbled against the plastic, still pretty dedicated to the cables. »You know, this is how horror movies start.«

»You mean when a tiny man turns into a monster? Yeah.«

»I am not a monster.«

Erwin finally sat up, back in alert mode. »If I untie you, what exactly are you going to do?«

»Nothing.«

He arched an eyebrow.

»I had a malfunction. It happens.«

»And you ›fixed‹ it?«

»Yes.«

Erwin sighed. »I don't think this is how it works. You stay where you are for a moment.«

»Mother, you want to keep me like this forever?« Levi nagged.

»Until I know you're back to normal. Or whatever you are when you're not like this. Aggressive Level Easy.«

»I am back to normal. Let me go, you psycho,« he hissed, smacking his wrists against the cabinet. »I can't believe I lost a physical fight to a human.«

»To be fair, you were not really in shape.«

Making a small »Tsk«, he shook his head. »Furlan would make fun of me forever.«

»Who's Furlan?«

»Just a friend of mine.«

»Did he leave the organisation, too?«

Levi looked away. »No.«

»Did you want him to?«

»I ... would've preferred it that way, yeah.«

»I understand. He probably didn't think it was worth the risk.«

Levi bit the inside of his cheek. »Yeah.«

They fell quiet. Erwin opened the bandage around his own calf and inspected it. There was still a thick, red mark underneath, it hadn't closed properly. He most likely needed stitches.

»I know you think I'm a monster,« Levi tore him out of his thoughts when he caught sight of the wound.

»I don't think that.«

»You said it, though.«

»Yeah, after you attacked me,« he argued with a frown. »I feel like you should cut me some slack.«

»You'd be right though,« Levi muttered. »I always only ever hurt people.«

Erwin glanced up. »I don't believe that is true.«

»Yes, and before anyone always the people that just want to help me. You ... Furlan.« He lowered his gaze, down to the cables around his legs. »And Isabelle ... It's all my fault.«

»You are not responsible for what happened to her. You just wanted to do what's best for her.«

»Or did I just want to do what's best for me?«

Erwin figured there was no point in trying to lift the guilt off his shoulders. It was hard to ignore that Levi was partly responsible. He could either lie to himself, or accept what had happened and move on.

»Whatever choice you made, you can't change it.« Erwin moved towards him, still keeping Levi at an arm's length, though. »You have to look forward now.«

Levi let out a curt, sardonic laugh. When he looked up, there was something in his eyes Erwin couldn't identify, but it was rawer than the usual nothingness. »So, I should just not care? Act like nothing happened? Like I didn't literally ruin her life?«

»No, but it doesn't help her if you beat yourself up.« He shrugged. »You have to focus on getting her back.«

»I'll probably only make everything worse. Like I always do.«

With the bloody bandage around his neck, his face even paler than the day before, Levi looked so vulnerable, all of a sudden. Human.

Erwin might've been harsh on him. For all he knew, Levi was all alone, missed his sister, had left a friend behind, supposedly, and now he'd lost his home, as well. Maybe, behind the facade, he was just a sad, helpless, young man who'd got involved in criminal machinations without asking and simply needed a way out.

»I think there's good in you, Levi,« Erwin reassured and placed one of his hands on top of Levi's forearm.

»You don't have to lie to me now.«

»Everyone has good in them, why shouldn't you?« he asked, his thumb rubbing over Levi's soft skin, still covered in dry blood. »I believe in you.«

Levi leaned forward. Erwin froze and watched him in mild confusion yet didn't stop him. Suddenly, Levi's jaws rushed to Erwin's arm.

»Gyah!« Erwin screeched in a rather effeminate manner, scooting back before Levi's teeth could dig into his skin. The moment Levi opened his eyes, they'd turned into an abyssal of deep, endless raven, a gaze full of violence swallowing him whole.

»You devious, little ...« Erwin cursed under his breath, rubbing the back of his hand, but Levi simply stared at him, unfazed, apathetic, like he hadn't put on a show five seconds ago.

»You're right, you're the absolute worst,« Erwin scolded him, rubbing the back of his hand. »I can't believe I fell for this.«

»I know. You humans only ever believe what you want to believe.«

Since Erwin only stared at him ─ he didn't know what to say, at this point ─ Levi added, »Also, you scream like a little girl.«

»Correction, I scream like Ryan Gosling.«

»Who?«

»Ryan Gosling? The actor? Have you never seen La La Land?«

»What is that?«

»Just the greatest film musical of all time. Seriously, you have to see La La Land.«

»Sure. If I haven't fileted you like a fish beforehand.«

»You've used all your stamina for the healing process, you're not going to filet anyone. Or am I wrong?«

Levi clenched his teeth and avoided his gaze.

»I think I know what's up with you.«

»Do you, now? Scooby-Doo, Officer.«

»You can't be too proud to say the ›dooby-dooby‹ now, as well.« Erwin remembered what he'd thought about Hange before. »I know a way to deal with this. It involves the medical examiner. I'm pretty sure you're relieved you made friends with her, now, aren't you?«

Levi nodded his head to the side. »Arguably.«

»In order to perform an obduction, some of the body parts are often removed. Normally they're put back inside the body, but I can ask if she ...« Erwin halted. »Which is somewhat ... illegal.«

»Illegal is not a problem for me.«

»But for me, genius. I will not lose my job and go to jail because you stumbled into my life.«

How much of his integrity was Erwin supposed to sacrifice for this man? For truth?

Erwin brushed the thought off. »But it's necessary, right? In order for you to not ...«

»Yeah.«

»But you have to control yourself,« he asked, to which Levi simply nodded, still distracted, appearing even paler than the day before. »Tomorrow morning, I'm going to attend an obduction, and I might be able to lay my hands on some organs.«

He made a sour face. »I don't like organs.«

»We can't make it look too obvious, Levi. You're reasonable, you know that.«

»I know that.«

»Will it do for a few days?«

Levi shrugged. »I guess.«

»You have to promise me you will control yourself until tomorrow. Can you do that?«

Troubled, he bit the inside of his cheek, meeting Erwin's eyes with sincere uncertainty, aluminium oxidising.

»Promise me,« Erwin demanded. »I know you can. Say it.«

Levi nodded, determination replacing the expression. »Yes. I promise.«

Erwin held his gaze for a moment longer, then focused on the cables. »I'm going to untie you now.«

»Can you take off the bandage, first? It itches.«

»Sure.«

Erwin lifted his hands to undo the bandage he'd wrapped around Levi's neck. He felt Levi's eyes resting on him as he undid the knot of the thin fabric.

»Erwin?«

»Yes?«

»I'm sorry I tried to eat you,« he said, it sounded oddly genuine. »If it makes you feel any better, you tasted really good.«

»Don't be creepy, now,« Erwin warned.

Levi leant back against the cabinet, blowing out a deep breath, as if in regret. Erwin looked up, then concentrated on the bandage again.

»You can't help it, right?« he asked.

Levi remained silent and watched Erwin remove the tainted fabric, his hands now cautious and patient like they hadn't fought him a moment ago. To his surprise, the wound on Levi's throat had healed mostly. Only a crescentic scab stretched below his Adam's apple, taunting him like a bloody grin.

»That is ... beyond impressive,« Erwin muttered, astonished.

An almost imperceptible smile lifted the corners of Levi's mouth, matching his wound. »Is it?«

Erwin couldn't quell his curiosity and stretched out his hand to touch Levi's neck. Though Levi winced at the unexpected physical contact, he allowed Erwin to probe his skin and frame the scab with his thumb.

Levi's body was surprisingly warm and soft, full of life. Apart from clear, smooth skin, he had a tiny mole underneath his Adam's apple. If Erwin looked close enough, he could even see his aorta pulse.

After a few seconds, Erwin noticed Levi's pointed gaze piercing through him. »Erwin, I'm going to tolerate this for two more seconds.«

Erwin retreated. »Sorry. No touching, I forgot.« He started taking off the cable around Levi's legs. »I accept your apology, by the way.«

»Are you scared of me, now?«

»Not more than before. It's not like you haven't tried to kill me before.«

You're just cleverer than I thought.

»Don't act all innocent. You had your fair share of murder attempts on me, as well.«

Erwin extended his hand to Levi. »Call it even?«

Levi stared at Erwin's hand for a moment. Then, he took it in his own and shook it.

They sat in silence for a while.

So, Levi could feign a bad conscience.

Or was it feigned? He had definitely used it against him.

Erwin had to remember that. In case a situation like this occurred ever again. Maybe he should have no sympathy for Levi. And maybe, he should be more afraid of Levi, as well.

The ghoul turned to him once more. »So, you said you wanted to see La La Land?«