It Started With Cadet Training (Reader/Levi/Erwin/Hange/Mike)

Keep Me Close

"He's a natural," Mike whispers in agreement, causing you to turn your head quickly to him.

Mike stares back at you with a tired grin, unmoving so that he didn't disturb Annie.
"At least I'm not the last one yup," he jokes, pressing a kiss to your cheek.

"Oh-! Right! We brought breakfast!" Hange chirped happily, attempting to suppress their naturally loud behaviour as they motion towards the food on the coffee table while Levi bends down to get himself his cup of tea.

"Thank you Hange. Since we have the day off, why don't you climb back into bed and we'll worry about everything else later," you offer, waving your hand for both of them to come.

Levi shakes his head in bemusement, hiding a small smile behind his cup as he bends down to undo his boots.

Hange nearly tips overtaking their boots off, passing Mike the tray of cups before crashing down in front of you. Mike awkwardly balances the tray, still trying not to move so he didn't disturb Annie.

Levi gracefully sits down next to Erwin, resting his hand over Erwin's on Bertolt's back. The two of them exchange a worried look as they attempt to comfort the small boy, still lost in his nightmare.

"So? What should we do first?" Hange asked, leaning on their elbows as they open the bag of scones so that they could grab a butterscotch and vanilla-flavoured one.

"Eat, Hange," you chuckle, taking out a strawberry and a chocolate scone, breaking it in half. The chefs in the mess-hall always made fresh scones for the captains, some of the best scones you've ever had.

"Can I have some?" a small voice whispered. Your eyes find Annie rubbing her eyes with her fist as she sits up between Mike's legs.

"Of course, we got a few extra. Pick whichever one you want," Hange chirps happily, showing her the bag so she can choose.

Annies's eyes go wide as she looks at the other adults in the room. It doesn't take much to discern the level of distrust she had in you- in everyone. You nod your head as her eyes meet yours, silently telling her it was okay.

While she digs through the bag for a white and milk chocolate swirl, you sit up. Shifting to lean against the wall behind the bed. You make sure that Reiner is laying comfortable on your chest, his tiny fists balled in your shirt.

Reiner doesn't stir on your chest, but your attention does catch away from Mike shifting so that Annie can sit properly to your other side, as Bertolt lets out another whimper, curling closer to Erwin. You hear a small sniffle as Erwin looks down at the boy, his brow furrowing further.

"He does that sometimes," Annie says from her spot on the bed. You turn your head towards her, tilted slightly. "They both do."

"Do you know why?" you ask calmly, trying to not convey the level of worry you have.

She shrugs her shoulders.
"I'm not sure the exact reason. It started when Uncle took us."

"What do you mean 'took'? Didn't he take care of you after your parents died?" Mike questions, taking a scone from Hange- a blueberry and vanilla scone.

"Our parents didn't want us anymore," she mumbles, pulling her knees to her chest as she takes large bites from the scone as if someone would take it from her at any moment.

You look up to meet Hange's gaze, knowing that Erwin and Levi were sharing the same look, as Mike reaches down to place his hand on her back.

"What did- what did he do to you three?" he asks quietly, lowering himself to her level. He usually enjoys towering over people, there have only been rare occasions he's lowered himself, sensitive ones. Like when Levi had a breakdown about Kenny, or when Hange lost another one of her experiments.