Work Text:
Twitter livestream transcript
Question: Where's Erwin?
Levi: He's currently in the process of dying in the bedroom.
[pause]
Levi: I'm kidding. He just got his second vaccine a few hours ago. The side effects are pretty bad for him.
Mikasa: Oh no! The side effects were pretty bad for Annie, too.
Q: What led the two of you to do a Q&A together?
L: Mikasa reached out to me and I didn't have anything else to do today.
M: I thought it would be fun. [laughs]
Q: How did Erwin lose his arm?
L: It's a long story that we don't have time for. I'll never forget how he drove a flaming motorcycle though.
M: Erwin can drive a motorcycle?
L: Yeah. It's pretty cool.
Q: Do you have any special interests?
L: Well… I mean, I have a few.
At this point Levi starts rubbing his wrists. He also smiles a bit, a fact that the chat fixates on.
L: I guess you could say Marvel and DC comics are one of my oldest ones. I first read one in 88, Semper Fi . One of Erwin's friends' dad had been a marine, so it'd been super big for the kid. He made all of us read each issue once they came out, and I just sort of… I don't know. I don't really give a shit about the movies though.
M: What do you think about Harlivy?
L: Good for them. Joker was a piece of shit.
M: [laughs] Levi, protector of lesbians.
L: Sure.
M: Historical linguistics has always been a big one for me! It started pretty early on because my household is bilingual? And then I had to take a foreign language class for school as well, and the similarities and differences in their sounds and structures was really interesting to learn more about.
Q: How did you become friends?
L: Are we friends?
M: I'm not sure. Do you want to be friends?
L: Sure, why not.
M: I think that answers that! [laughs]
L: We started talking originally though because Mikasa asked me about stunt work.
M: And also because you looked like you needed help.
Q: How do you stim?
M: I have a lot of different stims, but my main one is patting my lap!
L: I rub at my wrists, or… how to describe it? Bounce my tongue off the roof of my mouth?
M: Oh, that "te te te" sound you make sometimes?
L: ... People can hear that?
Q: When did you both realize the other was autistic?
L: Mikasa told me she was autistic when I briefly mentioned my diagnosis.
M: I figured out pretty early on that Levi's autistic. I didn't say anything because I didn't know if Levi knew, and older people can sometimes be a little… uh… a little weird about the topic?
L: I get it. Erwin actually didn't want me to get a diagnosis at first, neither did his parents. It's why I waited so long, actually.
Q: How much can you deadlift?
L: About 120kg.
M: Really? It's the same for me!
L: Powerful.
M: [laughs] Strong besties.
Q: Do you think you'll miss the show?
M: Mm… a little bit.
L: No. Now that it's done I can hopefully get back to what I'm used to.
M: So you don't like acting after all?
L: Not on such a big set. Interacting with all these people is exhausting.
M: Yeah, it can get draining. It's fun though!
Q: Did you enjoy your scenes together?
M: [laughs] In hindsight yes.
L: Only in hindsight?
M: I was supposed to be mad at you in almost every scene we had together! I was scared you'd think I hated you.
L: I work in an industry where I stage fights with my friends regularly. I thought you were pretty nice.
Q: Do you have any specific sensory issues?
L: The smell of coffee makes me want to die. It's the same with cheese sticks.
M: This one's super specific, but I can't deal with any textures that are similar to the inside of your mouth. It only comes up in a few situations, but…
L: 'A few'? I'd think it'd only come up when kissing or your own mouth right?
M: Oh! Yeah, I guess you wouldn't know Levi.
L: Can I please get an explanation?
M: I'll text you about it later.
Levi is visibly confused.
Q: Why doesn't Levi use pronouns?
L: Why do you use them?
M: You prefer people just call you by name, right?
L: Yeah. I don't really care what people use for me, but my name feels better overall.
Q: Which parent are you closer to?
M: Oh, I lived with my baba growing up, so neither!
L: I know more about my father, but I was never close with either of them. Between James and Evelyn though… I guess I'd say I'm closer with Evelyn.
Q: How long have you known about being autistic?
M: Almost my entire life! I got diagnosed at the age of 5 because my baba was worried about the fact that I wasn't talking yet.
L: I was diagnosed 6 years ago, but… I think I figured it out in junior high. I didn't have a name for it back then though, I just knew there was something wrong with me.
Q: What's your traditional love language, and what's your neurodivergent love language?
L: What the fuck is a neurodivergent love language?
M: Ahhh, they're ways that neurodivergent people show affection that neurotypical people usually don't! There's infodumping, parallel play, support swapping, crushing, and unconventional gift giving!
L: ... What?
M: [laughs] Which one do you need me to explain?
L: What's parallel play?
M: Hm, I guess you and Erwin wouldn't really do that; you don't seem like the types to play video games.
L: Erwin used to be obsessed with them when we were teenagers.
M: Parallel play is where you're both playing something independently, but still enjoying each other's company.
L: And crushing?
M: Pretty simple really, it's just having someone put a lot of pressure on your body. It can be pretty calming for s--
L: That one's mine.
M: [laughs] And your traditional one?
L: Touch.
M: My traditional one is acts of service, and I'd say my neurodivergent one is support swapping.
Levi is seen looking at something off screen, leaning back in the chair. He starts to stand.
L: Oh, Erwin's awake. I'm gonna go. I need to check on him.
M: Tell him I said hello, and feel better soon!
L: Right. I will.
Levi stands up completely and leaves.
M: I can't wait to do this again sometime. It's really fun answering questions with people!
Transcript ends.