.˜"*°• L I T T L E M O N S T E R •°*"˜.

          Missy's head snapped up at the sound of Levi's voice. He was stood before them, cold eyes glued to where her father's hand was enclosed around her bicep. He wore a black, three-piece suit, fitted against his muscular build.

"Ackerman," Alec snarled, immediately releasing Missy's arm. "As a matter of a fact, you are".

Missy stepped away from her father, her hand reaching up to rub the spot on her arm where he had grasped her. Levi watched her movements for a moment with a hard expression before turning his head towards Alec.

"My deepest apologies, but I knew if I didn't come and steal your daughter now, I may not get a chance for the rest of the night," Levi spoke, jerking his head towards the crowded hall behind him. "It seems half the men in this hall have been awaiting their moment to approach her. I thought it was only fair that as her squad leader, I get the first dance".

Artemis and Alec both averted their attention to the hall around them, noticing several eyes cast in their direction. The corner of Levi's mouth twitched upward slightly as he watched Alec's face fall. He wouldn't dare do anything to her knowing that people were watching, he wasn't quite that stupid.

"Well, I'm not surprised they're so eager to have her attention," Alec muttered distastefully. "A dress like that doesn't leave much to the imagination for all these young men".

Missy's eyes fell to the floor, her fathers words chipping away a notch in her previous confidence.

"I'm sure it's not every day that these men get to see such a beautiful young woman," Levi replied coldly.

"Ah, I suppose that makes you a lucky man then," Alec smirked, looking between his daughter and the Captain. "You get to see her every day, after all".

Missy remained silent as the two men conversed in front of her. She had never felt so awkward in her entire life. She had never seen her father and Levi interact before, but it was very clear to her now that the two did not like each other one bit.

"Indeed, and as much as it's always a pleasure talking to you, I'm going to have to steal her away before the other men around this room gain too much liquid confidence," Levi muttered, taking the champagne glass out of Missy's hands and placing it down on one of the tables to their left so that both her hands were free.

He turned back to her and held his hand out, which Missy took without hesitation. As the two turned to walk away, Alec opened his mouth once more. "Enjoy her, Levi".

Levi rolled his eyes, leading Artemis away from the man and towards the dance floor as a slower tune began to play. He turned to face her, his eyes searching her face for any sign of discomfort. "Are you alright?".

"I'm fine," She nodded. "Thanks for saving me".

Levi just grunted in response, placing both his hands on her waist and pulling her closer to him. The scent of vanilla and sandalwood shot through her senses like a smack in the face, her body tensing up at the sudden display of physical contact.

"I'm not going to bite you," He mumbled close to her ear.

"I know that," She whispered with a roll of her eyes. "It's just- well, it's you".

"I'm not sure whether to be offended or not," Levi replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't mean it like that," She replied, lifting her arms to wrap loosely around his neck. "I'm just used to you throwing me around, not this".

"We're not at work," He pointed out, pulling her even closer so that their bodies were touching. "I won't be throwing you around tonight, unfortunately".

Missy ignored his hidden innuendo, narrowing her eyes as they began to sway to the music echoing through the hall.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked quietly.

Missy knew he was referring to the situation that had just occurred with her father. She took a moment to sweep the room over Levi's shoulder with her eyes, spotting Alec now sat down next to the King at the main table.

Strange.

"He mentioned how I left with Apollo that night, after he had beaten him".

Levi had guessed that would have been the case. "I told you to tell him that I'd sent for you early".

"I know," She replied quietly, tightening her arms around his neck absentmindedly. "I just freeze up when I'm in front of him".

Levi nodded. "Understandable. Perhaps you should refrain from anymore visits home for a while".

"I just worry for my little brother," Missy whispered. "I like to check that he's okay".

Levi's eyebrows furrowed. "Little brother? I thought you and Apollo were the youngest".

"We have a 12 year old brother," Missy replied. "Acrisius".

"He kept that one quiet," Levi said through an irritable sigh. "I noticed your mother isn't here tonight".

Missy's mind flashed with an image of her mother, frail and broken. Of course Alec would have kept her home, he wouldn't have wanted anyone to question the state of his wife.

"I guess not," Missy replied shortly.

A few beats of silence passed between them as they continued to sway to the music. Missy found that dancing with her Captain wasn't as awkward as she thought it might be. His hands were uncharacteristically gentle as they held her waist, his chest pressed close to hers as their scents intertwined. His head was beside hers, wisps of her curled hair tickling his cheek as he kept watch over her shoulder. As the song ended, Levi's hands remained at her sides as he pulled back enough to look at her. "Come with me".

She nodded as he shifted one of his hands to the small of her back, guiding her from the dance floor and through the white-clothed tables. He led her to the far end of the room, where Hange was waiting for them with a grin.

"Saved another one aye, Levi?" Hange laughed, clapping Levi on the back as he passed her.

Missy raised an eyebrow but soon dropped her face back to a neutral expression as she found herself in front of a table occupied by her siblings.

"Hange and I have been trailing your father since he got here," Levi explained. "You aren't the only one he's targeted tonight".

The walls around Missy's heart throbbed as she sat down at the table, her features softening slightly as she blinked up at her brothers and sisters.

"You getting yourself into trouble?" Hades smirked, stirring the drink in front of him with a metal straw.

Missy pressed her lips into a thin line, glaring at her older brother.

"He tried digging his claws into you too," Circe scoffed, mirroring Missy's glare towards him.

Hades scrunched his face up. "You know, it's freaky how much you two look alike when you pull that face".

Circe and Missy turned to look at each other for a moment, before turning back to him. He wasn't exaggerating, the sisters were very similar in features. The only significant difference was that Circe's dark brown hair barely dusted her shoulders, curling inwards at the ends.

"Anyway, I'm used to Alec's claws," Apollo continued with a shrug. "If anything he needs to step up his game".

Typical Hades, Missy thought to herself as she took this moment to scan the rest of the table. Hera and Achilles were sat on Levi's other side, Cassius and Apollo directly in front of her. She caught Apollo's eye, earning a snarl from the boy.

"You two are still at each others throats I see," Hades grumbled, elbowing his little brother in the rib. "You're a stubborn little brat, you know that?".

"Like you're one to talk," Apollo spat back.

The hall bustled with noise and movement around their table, yet the siblings remained still, the only movement being an occasional sip from a glass. Missy drained her champagne before setting it back on the table, her eyes scanning the lipstick stain on the rim of the glass. She leaned in towards Levi a fraction, whispering a quiet, "I need fresh air".

Levi looked sideways at her, raising a questioning eyebrow. "And does the Princess need an escort to the balcony?".

Missy scowled, earning a soft chuckle from the older man before he stood up from his chair. "Don't look at me like that, you scary little witch".

Missy ignored the comment but took his outstretched hand, letting him pull her to her feet and lead her towards one of the large, glass balcony doors. Her shoulders relaxed as soon as the chilled air hit her skin, placing her hands on the balcony rail as she looked out into the darkness of the city. Levi was close beside her, his back leaning against the rail and his hands in the pockets of his dress pants as he stared back through the glass doors into the bustling ballroom.

"I didn't mean to overwhelm you with your siblings like that," He mumbled, the rumble of his deep voice filling the silent balcony.

Missy kept her gaze on the twinkling lights of the city below. "It's okay, I don't mind".

"Things seem a little tense," He pointed out, turning his chin to look at her lazily.

"We just aren't used to being all together," Missy replied. "I don't remember the last time we had all been in the same place at the same time".

"Are none of you close?" He questioned, turning his head back to stare into the ballroom, as if daring for Alec to walk through the door.

"Hera and Achilles are probably the closest," Missy shrugged, lacing her hands together over the rail. "Even then, it seems more like a work dynamic than anything else. None of us bonded when we were younger. Our father believed that love was a weakness and it would interrupt our progress as soldiers and get in the way of what is most important".

Levi let out an irritated snort. "He's worse than I remember".

At that, Missy finally turned her head towards him. "You told me a while ago that you knew my father, but you never told me how".

Levi pursed his lips, dragging his hands from his pockets and turning so he was also looking out into the darkened city. He could tell her the whole story, or he could tell her just enough to keep her satisfied. He opted for the latter.

"I knew him when he was an MP," He replied with a bored tone. "Before I was a Scout".

Missy nodded. She wanted more, but she knew better than to prod Levi for information about his past. "He doesn't seem to like you very much".

Levi's chest rumbled with a low chuckle. "The feeling is very mutual".

A content silence filled the cool air around them as they both stared out into the night, the golden glow of house lights twinkling like stars. She let out a soft sigh, leaning her chin on her upright hand. She much preferred it out here on the balcony where it was cool and quiet. The hustle and bustle of noise from the ballroom had subconsciously stiffened her already sore muscles. She wasn't a people person at the best of times, but the sheer amount of rich, stuck-up aristocrats in that hall had left her feeling extremely anxious.

"I like the dress," Levi stated quietly. "Red suits you".

Missy's cheeks warmed at the compliment, inclining her face away from him slightly. "Thanks".

Another few beats of silenced passed before Missy swallowed her awkwardness and spoke up again. "Thank you for what you and Hange have done for my family tonight".

Levi nodded. "We guessed he would try and approach you here. It was Hange's idea in the end. They said it would be like a fun little game of rounding up sheep".

Missy snorted, rolling her eyes playfully. "That does sound like something Hange would say".

She looked back out into the dead of night, studying the stars closely as a thought occurred to her. Apollo had said weeks ago that they were completely alone and that no one cared. He had said that when it came to Alec's abuse, people would always turn the other way, but tonight had proved him wrong. Levi and Hange had cared enough to spare them from their fathers torment.

Maybe they weren't so alone after all.

A gust of wind swept over her in that moment, causing goosebumps to rise on her bare arms. She sucked in a breath, crossing her arms over her chest in order to keep some of her body heat close.

"Back inside?" Levi suggested, watching her shiver.

Missy shook her head. "No. I want to stay out here".

He nodded, pressing his lips into a thin line but deciding to let her have her way. Of course, he had the power to order her inside. He knew her blood curse would obey it, but he knew how misuse of that authority felt, so he kept quiet.

Missy was glad he hadn't told her to go inside. She wasn't yet ready for the noise of the ballroom again. She clenched her teeth to stop them from chattering as another gust of wind circled around her, swirling her hair across her shoulder. A moment later she felt the weight of something on her shoulders, turning to see Levi placing his suit jacket around her. She blinked once, studying his face that held no emotion whatsoever. He returned to his place next to her, reaching out to grab her wrist and yank her towards him. She swallowed a yelp as he pulled her in front of him, her body now slotted between himself and the balcony rail. He placed a hand on the railing on either side of her, effectively shielding her from the wind.

"If you're cold then just say so, brat".