Erwin lay across his bed, smiling at his ceiling like an idiot. 

Levi was interesting to say the least. The kind of interesting where he hoped they’d remain in contact to get to know each other better. 

He let out a sigh, remembering he had missed class and that meant assigning homework for the next class although it was his preference to do so. Damn him for getting lost. He hated giving homework anyway but sometimes being a teacher meant doing what you normally wouldn’t do. It didn’t help that all his life liked learning but hated the work and that alone was what made him believe that students needed a break too. 

“I wonder which topic we should-” Erwin trailed off. “Maybe I can do World War II or something.”

War. Everyone experienced a form of war whether it be small or large. War came in different forms from fighting with your siblings to the battle for life in the animal kingdom. Hunting, for example, was war between humans and the animals who lived peacefully in the forest. Most people never saw it like that, instead focusing on the fact that war was normally classified as country against country but nothing has to be one orderly way because after all, there is never one correct answer.

Erwin prepared his lesson, reminiscing in the thought of what it’d be like to have a friend that wasn’t from his childhood. It was exciting in a way yet utterly terrifying. Was that how children made friends? Just bump into a random person one day and automatically be attached within seconds? Children were something else. They had the youthful innocence and mind process that no one else could simply have. It was scary in a way because once a certain age is met, your child-like state and mentality vanish, leaving you to fend for yourself without the optimistic thoughts keeping you bouncing on the balls of your feet.

But the life of an adult didn’t give Erwin the luxury to ponder over such thoughts and that's when he found himself heading right to bed to try and sleep off his weariness and rather interesting weekend. 

The next day, he skipped his usual jog, opting to head to school instead of consuming more time at home. 

The lovely sight of a large building housing rooms specifically designed to contain children met him as he smiled walking up the path. He was glad to be back in his second home.

“Erwin!” Erwin turned to find the familiar semi-high pitch voice, smiling at the blond that ran up to him and hugged him tightly. “You’re safe! We were so worried and you didn’t even tell us when you got back!”

Erwin laughed softly, hugging his baby brother back tightly.

“Good morning, Armin. It slipped my mind.”

Walking up the front of the school Erwin thought. What would it have been like if his Father was still alive and with his Mother? He wouldn’t have his baby brother and thinking of it, he couldn’t see it any other way. Of course, he missed his dad immensely but he would’ve been lonely without someone to play with and distract him when he was younger. Although Armin’s father was no longer in their life, leaving when the boy was little, they had their Mother and that was enough.

“There’s a weird man over there,” Armin whispered, discreetly signing to the side.

Erwin glanced where he was told, indeed noticing someone he hadn’t seen before. He didn’t look too suspicious but he also didn’t fit in with his surroundings, making him stand out. It was until later during the day when the principal walked into the class with the strange man tailing behind.

“Hello students, this is Mr. William. He’s visiting from another town so be on your best behaviour so you don’t embarrass yourselves,” the principal said. “Mr William, this is Erwin Smith, the history teacher.”

Erwin left the chalkboard, shaking hands with the guest in order to show some form of manners. In all honesty, the man was still a bit sketchy.

“Erwin Smith? I’ve heard about you,” William said, a thoughtful look on his shadowed face. 

“You have?” Erwin asked, surprised, not expecting that to be said. “From whom, may I ask?”

“I know someone that has met you. He spoke the world of you.”

“And who might that be?” Erwin asked, getting curious who this man was and which of friends spoke of him. Surely not Hanji.

“That is something I can’t tell you,” Mr William said slowly, not giving any hint of who he could possibly speak of. “Well, I can’t stay long, I must get going. Have a good day.”

“Same to you.”

The principal and Mr. William left the class, leaving Erwin stayed in the spot he was standing in bit longer to see if he could think of anyone that would have spoken of him. Not to mention the secrecy that man held.

“Sir?”

Erwin turned to see which one of his students had called on him, already knowing just by the overly familiar voice that constantly disrupted his classes.

“Yes Mr Jäger?”

“I’ve seen that man before. I think he’s my sister's uncle or something.” 

“What do you mean, Eren? If he’s your sister’s uncle wouldn't you know him?”

“No, my adoptive sister. So I’m not associated with him.”

“I see. Well, is there something about him that you needed to mention?”

“Yeah. He's gotta be a serial killer.”

“Mr. Jäger, that isn’t something to joke about. Why would you assume that anyway?" Erwin asked with furrowed eyebrows. “Anyway, that isn’t a class discussion so we’ll go back to our lesson.”

Erwin continued his lesson but every now and then his mind would drift to the visitor and wonder who he was. Something about him seemed familiar but no matter how hard he thought about it, he couldn’t come to a conclusion. It didn't help that Eren's unnecessary remark distracted him more. 

So he decided it would be best to forget for the time being.