-42-

Love

When the wake-up knock sounded at the door, it was still dark outside.

Levi stood first, hoping, by some miracle, his leg had healed enough for him to follow his Commander into battle. It was moving a bit better than the day before, but too weak. He swallowed against the lump in his throat and dressed, pulling Erwin 's black jacket around his shoulders.

They sat with Jean and Minister Nick at the breakfast table, along with the bulk of the improvised squad of MP who would be joining them. Levi expected things to be strained with Jean, but he was acting the same as ever 'standoffish, but polite enough. The minister was acting the same as ever, too; he sat staring down at his food, barely eating, his expression morose.

At the end of the meal, the MP Squad Leader, a man named Steinhart, sat across from them.