In the days that followed the return of the scouts to Trost, Levi was rushed to a hospital and immediately looked after. His bones were finally given proper treatment, and he was told by a very angry doctor that his ribs had sustained more damage since he'd broken them, due to moving around too much. However, they would still be able to be mended. His ankle wasn't much of a problem; he hadn't moved it too much so it was just a normal break. Erwin had given Levi permission to return as soon as he had all his injuries checked out and treated, which was frowned upon but allowed nonetheless by the hospital.

Levi was in the hospital for a total of 3 days, and, during that time, Erwin didn't stop thinking about him. He worried about him at all hours of the day and night. He couldn't stop thinking about the look on his face when he was about to get eaten, and how that caused him to feel.

Erwin truly meant what he said almost a week ago in that castle: he really would've never forgive himself if Levi died. Not just because humanity needed him, but because he needed him. Erwin found himself, yet again, thinking selfishly.

•=•=•=•

Erwin stood in front of his bedroom mirror on the day that marked 10 days since Levi had almost died. He was going to announce when the next mission was to the scouts and new recruits. It was quick, but this operation was going to be one for research, one lead by Hange, and if things were going to work in an orderly fashion, preparations needed to start now, knowing them.

He was no less then five seconds away from turning to leave his room when a knock took him by surprise. Erwin opened the door to find Finn Webber standing outside. He had cut his hair, so he could see his eyes now. Something had changed in that young man in the short amount of time that he'd been in the scouts. The first time they met, he was a nervous wreck who addressed his commander with his eyes closed. Today, however, they were wide open, he wasn't shaking and he spoke without a stutter.

"Sir! Just letting you know that there's a carriage outside. It's from the hospital, sir. Captain Levi is in there!" The new scout saluted as he spoke clearly and loudly.

"What?!" Erwin replied, shocked. "Levi's back already?!"

"Yes sir! The doctors say his injuries only need time to heal, and you said that once he was checked over, he should return to the scout's base in Trost, sir!" Finn recalled.

Erwin smiled.

"Thank you, Webber. Tell Nanaba and Gelgar to bring him to his room. Also, tell Miche to gather everyone outside. I'm going to announce when our next mission will be." Erwin commanded. Webber didn't question anything, instead nodded and ran of to fitful his orders.

A loyal, good hearted scout. He has potential. Erwin thought to himself. As for Levi, I'll have to talk to him about the mission later. Erwin adjusted his emerald green bolo tie, a symbol and a curse of the man he was. One who lead soldier to their deaths.

Enough of that. Think about it like that and you'll start to regret. You can't be a hypocrite. He scolded himself before heading downstairs to greet his soldiers.

•=•=•=•

Levi had had enough. Over the last few days he had been pampered and fussed over by so many different people, most of which he didn't even know. He pretended to be thankful (in his usual grumpy way, of course) but he wasn't really. They all just annoyed him.

When he returned to the scout base, Nanaba and Gelgar from Miche's squad immediately took him upstairs to his room, where he was left in silence for around an hour. The bed was considerably more comfortable than the one at the castle and the hospital. The pillows and sheets felt like heaven. He didn't even realise how much he missed this place.

Levi was just closing his eyes to fall asleep when he heard a knock at the door. He was getting frustrated at the sound of knuckles knocking on wood.

"Whoever it is, piss off. I need sleep." Levi yelled out.

"Now Levi, that's no way to talk to your Commander!" A voice he recognised came from the doorway. Levi turned his head to see a large blonde man standing beside and open door with a smile.

"Erwin!" Levi gasped. Erwin's smile grew when Levi said his name.

"Hey. How are you? Did they take care of you over there?"

"Better than you did, old man." Levi joked but didn't crack a smile.

"I tried ok?" Erwin responded, faking a hurt tone of voice. "You've wounded me, Levi."

"Whatever." Was not the response Erwin was looking for. Does he seriously hate me because I couldn't offer him proper care?

"What are you here for, Erwin?" Levi asked impatiently.

"Oh, Right. Yes." Erwin stepped forward to stand beside Levi's bed. "I wanted to let you know that there shall be a new mission taking place in five days."

Levi's eyes widened. Five days...?!

Erwin slumped down on the side of the bed Levi wasn't lying on. He stared straight ahead while Levi stared into his back. He couldn't bring himself to face Levi's expression as he spoke his next words.

"As you may have guessed, you won't be in any condition to come along. So, you shall stay here."