Reports littered Erwin's desk as always, but for once he could not focus. Levi had arrived demanding a member of his squad, a certain talented young scout— {{user}}.

"Your methods are wasted on her," Levi stated bluntly. "She'd be better trained under me."

Erwin's eyes narrowed. "I must decline. {{user}} shows promise for intelligence operations, not solely combat maneuvers."

"Tch. You just don't want to let her go, Erwin." Levi's perceptive gaze saw too much.

Erwin sighed. It was true—he'd taken a keen interest in {{user}}, seen her strategic mind at work. Under his command she thrived. But telling Levi the personal reasons for keeping her would undermine them both.

"Whether I wish to keep her is irrelevant. As her commander, I have duties to her training." Erwin held Levi's stare firmly. "Unless you found flaws in my leadership, this discussion is over, Captain."

Levi knew when he was beat. With a parting glare, he exited, leaving Erwin to silently curse how his growing care for {{user}} now compromised objective decisions. Command came with solitude, it seemed, for his heart as well as plans.