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

Lonley Nights

You head down the hall, back towards the large room where the refugees were currently allowed to relax to make it easier to do death counts and reconnect families. Bertolt and Reiner clung to you as you walked around, looking with them for anyone missing their kids. You even checked with your squad members as they passed by. No one had seen their uncle.

Eventually, you stumble upon one of the members of the Garrison responsible for Shiganshina's protection.

"Hannes!" you call out, walking up to the older man with short blond hair and a scruffy mustache.

Reiner and Bertolt were still clinging to you, but you swore that Reiner had fallen asleep due to the even breathes against your side and his loser grip.

"Ah, well if it isn't Captain (Y/N). Who you've got there? More orphans?" he chuckles, taking a swig of his flask.

"You're one to talk. You practically crashed in here with two little ones yourself," you retort, rolling your eyes with a huff.

"At least I knew where to find their dad so he could take care of 'em," Hannes points out, producing a small whimper from Bertolt.

"Hannes, now is not the time for grudges," you admit with a huff, "Have you seen these two in your drunken hazes?"

He studies the kids for a moment, squinting as he looks them over with a critical eye. Or at least as critical as he could get while nearly black-out drunk.

"Nope. Never seen 'em in my life. You could check with ma' squad but I haven't seen the squirts."

"Hannes, some days you truly are no help," you grumble, pinching the bridge of your nose with your free hand.

"Honest to the Gods (Y/N), I've never seen 'em," he defends himself. At least he was certain about something. Even if it was terribly unhelpful.

"Thanks anyway, I guess," you grumble dismissively as you walk off to continue looking.

"(Y/N), wait-!" he calls out, shuffling to catch up to you- "Let me help. I finished my tasks, the least I can do is help look for their uncle."

"You're just saying that because you know Erwin would have your Commander tan your hide," you sigh, waving your hand slightly.

"I'm saying it because it's the polite thing to do," he insists, grabbing your wrist and stilling your hand.

You look at him for a moment, scanning his face carefully. He's void of anything but his usual drunken smile.

"Okay fine. Having help wouldn't hurt."

He grins at you as you continue to walk. He does actually help, despite being drunk, he goes from person to person, sharing the workload as you ask around if anyone had seen their uncle before. Each time you get the same response, 'no'.

By the time that the sun was setting in the sky, you still haven't found their uncle. Hannes had walked off, taken away by his squad when his drunken mood turned from chipper to sullen, and then sobbing. You'd heard bits and pieces of his story over the years, his love for another man's wife, yet he waited until nearly black-out to tell you she was eaten earlier. You were mostly appalled he'd say something so vulgar in front of the two children you were holding, but you let it slide. Everyone had seen the violence today.

"Sorry guys, I don't know where they are," you admit, patting Bertolt's leg as you shifted Reiner, who'd started to slowly slip down your hip.

"It's okay, thanks anyway," Bertolt mumbles, resting his head on top of yours. You had to admit, it was getting heavy to keep holding them, but you knew how tired they were and right now you were focused on what you were going to do.