Levi stared at the phone for a while not knowing how he would call his Uncle. It's not that he didn’t know how to use a phone but more because he didn't know his Uncle's phone number. And that alone was a problem more so than the fact that there was no one else he knew.

“Is there something wrong?” Erwin asked, noticing Levi’s hesitance with handling the phone.

“It’s just that I don’t know my Uncle's number. Is there a phone book? Mayhaps I can find a number in there.”

“Hold on. I’ll look around," Erwin instructed, beginning to look around the office in search of the book.

After poking around in all the nooks and crannies, an old and worn down phone book with dog ears turned up among some random magazines. Eagerly, he gave it to Levi who flipped through it with very little hope that he'd find what he needed. His Uncle wasn't the type of person to allow his contact in public possessions but boy did he feel a thrill when he found what he hoped was a contact for the elder Ackerman.

“Woah," Levi whispered appreciatively. "Looks like this thing actually has his number. It’s a surprise it is.”

Levi punched in the numbers with the very tip of his finger and placed the phone to his ear. Several buzzes later when Levi was growing impatient but thankfully, a few seconds after and a female answered the phone with an overly cheery voice.

“Good morning! Ackerman estate. How can I help you?”

“Uh, is my Uncle there?”

“Your what? Your uncle? I’m certain he doesn’t have any family members. Sorry but you have the wrong number.”

“Yes. Has he not mentioned he has a nephew?”

“No. I’ll ask him to make sure. What’s your name?”

“Levi Ackerman.”

Levi heard the woman scream for his Uncle, loud footsteps pounding rapidly in the distance. 

“What?! Why are you yelling for me?!” Levi heard his Uncle yell, a bit annoyed.

“Apparently someone by the name of Levi Ackerman is calling and says he’s your nephew. Shall I hang u-”

“Levi?! Don't you dare hang up on my nephew.”

Levi heard the phone being snatched away rather aggressively, the static frizz and thump of the phone against a head was enough to determine that and he laughed internally.

“Levi? Is it really you?”

“Yes Uncle, it’s really me," Levi greeted. "Why am I not surprised no one in your house knows I exist?”

“You've never called before. What do you need? Are you alright? Why'd you call now?”

“Don't worry, ’m fine but can you pick me up from school? I blacked out for a bit and I figured I could stay with you until after classes.”

“Of course! I’ll call a carriage for you so just wait a bit.”

“Okay, thanks.”

Levi hung up and turned to look at Erwin who was leaning beside the door, patiently, waiting for him to finish.

“You really don’t know anyone do you?” Erwin asked.

Levi couldn't tell if that was meant as genuine interest or disbelief and mock. It wasn't what he'd assumed Erwin to mock for, figuring as a teacher he'd heard much more stupidity than someone simply not knowing a lot of people. What could he even say? He wasn't a people person.

“Nope. I only know you and my Uncle. I guess I can count-in four eyes, Mike, and my grocery man but that’s all.”

"That's hardly anyone," Erwin breathed, seemingly calculating how someone could know so few people in such a populated world. It wasn’t his business but he was interested but that could wait for another time. Now he had to get the raven haired somewhere safer than a parasite filled school. "Will he come for you?”

“Said he’s gonna call a carriage so I assume I’ll be dropped off at his house," Levi shrugged.

He felt a wave of fatigue wash over him, nearly surprising him but he'd been feeling it build up steadily. Quickly, he walked to the wall where Erwin was leaning on to support himself but he didn’t even manage to make it before he collapsed onto Erwin’s chest with a rather undignified landing. 

Embarrassing. He wanted to move but he couldn’t and that was when he just allowed himself to just melt into Erwin for the moment. After three of the shortest yet longest seconds, Levi tried pushing himself away, failing when he felt Erwin wrap his arms around him.

“Don’t move,” Erwin whispered. “You must be tired and you need to rest.”

Levi only nodded silently and allowed himself to get comfortable while standing. Scandalous. The school’s favourite history teacher hugging someone in an office while he’s supposed to be in class. That someone being a male and wearing a dress like what society labelled as a girls set of clothes. People who weren’t keen on seeing the world change would have an absolute hissy fit if they were spotted. It didn’t matter though because they stayed there until Levi felt relaxed enough that he heard Erwin’s heartbeat in his ear. 

It was so comfortable but all good things must come to an end and that included a nice hug. Something Levi had truly never experienced in many, many years.

“I think we’ve waited long enough,” Levi mumbled, pulling away with a soft crease around his eyes, signaling a delicate smile. “The carriage is probably here now.”

“Let’s go check. Can’t have you waiting.”

Levi stood up properly and fixed his dress to void it of all and any wrinkles. Erwin opened the door, allowing Levi to head out first before falling into to step right beside the shorter as they headed out of the school where the carriage was just coming to a stop.

“I’ll be back in a few hours,” Levi said, turning to Erwin. “I’ll be resting because I want to shop later and I was hoping you wouldn’t mind coming with.”

“I’d gladly go,” Erwin stated with certainty. “Just eat if you can and don’t force yourself to do hard work. Especially cleaning.”

“Don’t worry,” Levi laughed, the concern directed at him warming him greatly. “I’ll leave my horse and get it later.”

“You have a horse?” Erwin asked, surprised since he didn’t see one the week before.

“Yeah. I got it yesterday. Well, I better not keep the carriage waiting.”

Levi waved goodbye and climbed into the awaiting carriage. He had barely taken a seat when it lurched forward without warning. Levi assumed the driver knew where to go and sat back into his seat with a feeling of happiness swarming his insides. Never did he think his time into town would be such a happy one.

The carriage arrived at his Uncle’s house several minutes later and before Levi could even say thank you, the ride was gone the moment he got off. It was strange.

“I didn’t even get to pay,” Levi mumbled.

He walked up the small pathway to the house and examined the mansion in front of him. That man was crazy.

“Uncle Kenny doesn’t need this big ass house. He has no one here and he’s hardly ever around,” Levi mumbled in disbelief as he walked up the front steps.

Here goes nothing. But before he could even knock, the door was pulled open by a seemingly young woman. She appeared to be as old as Levi or maybe younger and he wondered who she was until she spoke in that irking voice he had disliked for seemingly no reason but now it made sense.

“Oh, hello. You must be the Levi that we were expecting,” she said with a look of distaste on her face. “How dare you come dressed like that?!”