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Falco proposed to Gabi on Levi’s birthday. It was humble, simple, yet it warmed Levi’s heart so much to the point that he smiled at them.
The birthday party, as always, was festive to Levi’s standards. Falco, Gabi, Mikasa, Armin, Jean, Reiner, Annie, and Connie were always present, and Onyankopon occasionally. These so-called brats are all there in every passing year in Levi’s life.
The raven basically raised them.
Levi was old. This adjective used to be a joke uttered by the brats back then, but today he was old. Having gray strands of hair and nonfunctional legs were among the other symptoms of being old, but they were the most apparent.
But, he was happy.
This was not the life he expected nor planned, but it was the life he was grateful for.
Gabi and Falco took care of him very well. Mikasa, Armin, Jean, and others visited him at least once a week. He was basically the grandfather of these brats’ spawns at this point, and he was fine with the title.
Levi no longer frowned upon the notion of having kids. The world changed, no more threats from absurd and gigantic creatures wanting to eat you alive whatsoever.
“Levi.” Gabi said softly right beside his ear.
Levi’s senses had weakened for the past few years. Falco first realized it when Levi asked him to turn up the volume of the radio when it was already loud enough the neighborhood might also hear it.
Gabi also frowned when he found out that Levi yelled at her for whispering, asking her to ‘speak the fuck up’. Falco only shook his head to her, motioning her to not get riled up over Levi’s anger.
“Hm?” He lifted his head from the notebook he was holding on his lap.
It was Moblit’s. It was pretty torn, but Levi took care of it just as well as he could.
Moblit was a good person, and a good artist too. He drew people’s potraits on his notes, including Levi.
There was only one page he frequented, though. It was the commander’s.
The whole page consisted of his portrait, unlike others who shared the sheet with scribbles of numbers or random sentences like ‘i am sleepy’ ‘lunchtime i miss u already’.
Gabi knew that Levi adored that page. She always saw many emotions in Levi’s gaze, pain, sadness, longing, and love. That was why she hired the best artist in town to remake the doodle and make it into a big frame of a painting of Erwin.
She got a lot of help from Armin and Jean for this project, for she had never met the commander, unlike the other two who kept insisting that ‘we are like his sons’.
Levi cried when he saw the painting. He never cried before, nobody had ever seen him cry before, but he cried. He cried at his birthday party exactly 2 years ago. He cried in front of everyone.
Armin, after contemplating for a minute, decided to take a few steps to engulf the raven into a hug. Once Levi accepted his embrace, Armin let out a sob. Never once did he imagine hugging Levi Ackerman. Mikasa smiled at them—eyes watering, and that made Armin cry harder.
“We are leaving in 20 minutes.”
“Okay.” Levi let Gabi push the wheelchair to the living room where Falco was organizing their bags.
Other than Falco and Gabi’s engagement, Levi requesting to visit Paradis was also a big surprise to everyone. Levi always refused to visit Paradis, despite people pointing out that he talked about his life as the soldier the most.
Connie once asked, “has anyone ever told you that you talk about Commander Erwin so m—“ Mikasa slapped his mouth.
“I find it adorable.” Armin chimed in.
Levi’s ears turned red at the exchange.
After his request, Mikasa, who still lived in Paradis, told him that the Scouts’ premises were finally turned into a museum, a very successful and famous one. Levi frowned at that, even though he knew from the beginning. He was the one who approved it.
She also told him to wait until February to avoid a snowy trip. Levi nodded, as much as he missed the snow in Paradis, he was in a wheelchair, and he was dependent on Falco and Gabi when it came to traveling.
“Then February it is!” Gabi grinned as Falco smiled at him.
—
He mostly slept throughout the ride to Paradis.
“You sleep a lot these days.” Gabi pointed out.
“I am just exhausted, Gabi.” He explained softly.
Despite being in his late 60s, Levi was healthy. The only sickness he had caught was getting hospitalized for an allergy reaction.
Levi was allergic to shrimps.
“It’s funny because you’re allergic to your own kind.” Levi smacked Gabi’s head for that remark, followed by Falco’s usual ‘are you okay’s.
After arriving in Rose, they immediately roamed the city to visit various places. The buildings were renewed, and there was even public transportations. Everything looked sophisticated. Levi was content.
The tea shop Levi used to visit was still there, he smiled at the memories. He smiled that the shop was named ‘Captain’s Favorite’.
Their tea was the best in Paradis, but he only visited there after a tad of saving up. Sometimes, though, it was Erwin’s treat.
Speaking of Erwin, Levi refused to visit the commander’s grave, or anything related to the Scouts even.
They had stayed in Paradis for 3 days and Levi still refused to relive the memories.
Gabi and Falco only nodded after Levi's refusals.
Until one afternoon. Levi, Gabi, and Falco were sitting together on their hotel suite’s balcony. The view was Rose’s city, the sun was setting, the cups of tea were almost empty, and the breeze was just perfect. He felt like it was the right time.
“I want to visit Erwin’s grave tomorrow.”
And they did, though once Levi was placed on a picnic blanket in front of a gravestone of ‘Our Beloved Commander, Erwin Smith’, he thanked Falco before the two decided to leave him be and sat on a bench a few meters away to give him some time alone.
Falco rested his head on Gabi’s shoulder as they sat on the bench, both eyes stayed on the sitting raven from the distance.
Levi turned his head towards them a few times and Gabi swore she saw the prettiest smile that ever appeared on Levi’s face. He smiled more often after the war, after everything, he showed more of his emotions more in general. But today, Gabi never saw Levi smile that wide before, his eye formed a tiny crescent as he did so. Gabi smiled back, and she could hear Falco let out a soft giggle.
“You saw it too?” Falco lifted his head.
Gabi sighed, head turning to meet Falco’s soft expression.
“Yeah.”
“Levi is probably the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”
“He says the same thing about the commander.” Gabi reminded him, earning a nod from her fiancé.
“Armin and the others were lucky to be able to see two most beautiful men ever.” Falco’s smile widened. Gabi arched a brow.
“Should I be jealous?”
They both giggled and Falco returned to place his cheek above Gabi’s shoulder.
Once Levi motioned them that he was done, Gabi realized the raven had become even calmer than ever. Levi was a very nice man, his scowls were long gone, but he was still demanding at times. Not today, though.
After visiting the cemetery, Levi just became silent, but Falco and Gabi knew he was perfectly fine—despite his reddened and swollen eye, so the two decided to not ask about it.
On their way out, they passed the monument of the scouts’ names. Levi held up a hand, motioning them to stop.
He read every name on the monument.
Every name he read brought a wave of memories in his head. His eyes started to sting again.
Mike Zacharias,
Petra Ral,
Oluo Bozado,
Sasha Braus,
.
.
.
Hange Zoë.
Levi let out a sob. Gabi hurriedly offered him her napkin, he accepted it willingly.
Among all of the veterans and aside from the commander, Levi spent most of his days with Hange.
Hange and him were like two puzzle pieces that fit each other perfectly, though he never wanted to admit it.
Hange was the one who handed him Moblit’s notebook after Erwin’s burial. They did not want anyone to touch the said notebook, but they believed it would at least comfort Levi’s longing for the commander. They were right, he never let go of that thing ever since his eyes landed upon it.
There were doodles of Hange’s portraits in many pages. Levi smiled at Moblit’s adoration towards his eccentric friend. If he could draw, he would probably draw Erwin on every surface he could reach.
Levi leaned on Hange the most ever since the passing of their beloved commander. Hange was a good distraction, but not until the past few years before their death.
Hange was loud, annoyingly, but Hange did not really speak about their feelings. But in some years, Hange could not stop telling him that they were tired. Levi could not grasp what they were tired of.
If only he knew better.
His heart hurt.
“Shall we go?” Falco put his hands on Levi’s shoulders as he whispered beside the raven’s ear.
Levi nodded. He just remembered that he also asked to visit the museum.
“Are you tired, Levi?” Falco continued, he pulled another napkin to wipe Levi’s face softly, “do you want to go tomorrow instead?”
Levi shook his head, gaze lingered on the big monument.
Gabi started pushing his wheelchair slowly after muttering a ‘let’s go’.
The ride to the scout’s headquarters was silent.
Falco was getting restless when Levi kept closing his eyes throughout the ride, as if he was refusing to nap.
“I will wake you up when we’re there, Levi.” He offered.
Levi shook his head.
Gabi only stared at the men, not saying anything.
—
The building was bigger than he remembered. The paint was obviously renewed. The building looked alive, it did not look as depressing as he recalled, too. Levi felt overwhelmed, neither in a bad or a good way, just overwhelmed.
Too many emotions.
Too many memories.
He felt so full.
No visitors that day, since the people closed the whole premise after getting the information of Levi’s visit.
Gabi started pushing his wheelchair.
They visited Levi’s first room after getting scouted, the mass hall, the shared kitchen, and many more. It was a massive building.
Every place had its own label at the front. Levi felt beyond ancient because of it, especially when they passed the table where he, Erwin, and Hange would eat or hang out together.
‘The Greatest Trinity’s Designated Table’
Levi assumed the brats helped the writing of these descriptions, which soon was confirmed that in fact, this museum was built, supervised, and taken care of by the joint foundation established by Armin, Mikasa, Jean, Connie, and the others.
Everyone who worked in the building took good care of it. Everything was clean, even for Levi’s standards.
They spent a few hours roaming around the building, only three of them. Only a few of the attendants passed by them to superview just in case the former captain needed something.
“Let’s go,” Levi finally said. That was the first full sentence he said after the whole day of silence, “... please.”
Falco and Gabi, who were immersed in reading all of the museum labels, finally gave their attention to Levi, giving him a nod.
Falco then pushed Levi’s wheelchair towards a long hallway.
There was a big door with barriers around it, keeping people away from coming in. Nonetheless, Levi was not a mere people.
So, when the attendants saw his wheelchair coming closer to the door, they immediately hurried over to open the sacred door for him.
It was the commander’s office.
When Armin asked for his approval on the idea of turning the whole establishment into a museum, he contemplated it for a few months. He said no at first, snapping at the blonde.
Despite being the nicest and softest man among his friends, Armin was also persistent. He kept telling Levi that everyone did not want the memories to die in vain, they wanted to keep it all alive.
“Painful memories you mean.” Levi scoffed at one of the meetings with Armin and Jean.
“Well, it is history, captain.”
“I think the commander would’ve loved the idea.” Jean shrugged.
Armin’s eyes widened at him.
Nobody really brought Erwin’s name into any serious conversation when Levi was in the room, unless it was initiated by Levi himself.
But Jean was the one who made Levi change his mind. Other than Armin, Jean also reminded him of Erwin, so much. Who would have thought?
If Jean thought that Erwin might like the idea, then Levi trusted him. The commander loved history more than anything.
More than Levi, perhaps. He would never know.
The word ‘love’ was never used throughout the years Levi spent with Erwin.
They never talked about their feelings for each other, but they kept getting drawn into each other in every chance they had.
Levi knew Erwin loved him, and vice versa.
They just knew, hence they did not need more clarity by merely saying it.
Until the evening after Erwin insisted on going to the battle in Shiganshina.
The evening after Levi gave Erwin silent treatment for the whole day.
Levi was already under the blanket when Erwin returned to his chamber that is now shared with the captain.
After cleaning himself up and joining Levi in the bed, Erwin scooted closer to plant a soft kiss on Levi’s exposed temple.
“No matter what happens tomorrow, you know I love you, right?” Erwin whispered.
No response.
Both know Levi was only pretending to sleep, he was still upset.
No longer angry, but upset and anxious. He felt sick at the thought of Erwin getting injured again.
Unlike the usual evenings where arms and legs got tangled, that night they went to bed with backs pressing each other.
The commander told him to never regret anything.
He regretted not responding to Erwin that night.
That regret lived within him until today.
His hands squeezed the arm-rest of his wheelchair when he entered Erwin’s office.
Everything was left like the last time he was here, but everything was cleaned, for obvious reasons.
Even after Erwin’s death, Levi and Hange still hung out in this room almost every time. This place held the most memories for Levi.
“Gabi…”
“Yes, Levi? Are you okay?”
“I want to sit on the couch, please.” He said weakly.
He guided Gabi to his usual spot on the couch.
“Do you want to drink someth–”
“I want to close my eyes for a bit,” Gabi and Falco, who was on his way to grab Levi’s thermos in their bag, froze when Levi lifted his head to meet Gabi’s eyes. She was still standing close to him after carrying him to the couch, “may I?”
“Of course, Levi. Do you wanna lie down?” Levi only shook his head.
From his seat, Levi could see Hange sitting right on the couch across him and Erwin right beside him. They would be speaking about everything, be it serious matters like expedition strategies or even the debate whether there was a rat under Hange’s bed or not.
Gabi was still in her standing position. This made Falco confused.
Everything went silent until Falco let out a gasp.
Gabi bent down to give a kiss on Levi’s forehead.
“We will be waiting outside, okay?”
Levi hummed, already resting on the back of the couch, making himself comfortable.
She only smiled and motioned for Falco to follow her outside.
Once the attendant closed the door, they both went to the nearest bench to sit. Falco felt restless, Gabi never once showed affection towards Levi.
“Gabi, what is happening?”
“Falco…”
—
After 10 minutes of full explanation, Gabi and a sobbing Falco went back into the room Levi was in.
They found the raven was still in the same position they left him.
She moved closer, leaving Falco on the door.
Gabi jutted her hand to stroke Levi’s hair. He did not move an inch, and Levi was a light sleeper.
She stared at the man who she admired the most in such a peaceful state. His wrinkles seemed to disappear, replaced by a small dimple from a tiny smile plastered on his face. Gabi returned the smile at him as a tear fell down on her cheek.
She bent down once again to kiss Levi’s temple, more tears strolling down her face.
“You have done your best, captain. Thank you for everything.”
Levi was gone.
—
“Levi wishes to die at the place where he felt the happiest.” Gabi told Falco at the bench.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you realize how wide his smiles are whenever he tells the memories that he had in the commander's office?”
“Are you saying he is dying right now!?” Falco whisper-shouted.
“Falco, please!” Gabi tightened her hands around his when Falco almost stood up.
“We should call someone, Gabi!”
“Mikasa and the others are already here. They all knew about his wish, Falco. They’ve been in Paradis this whole time.”
“Oh, and not me?” His voice was already shaking, this has passed 6 minutes after leaving Levi alone in that room. What if he needed to go to the bathroom? What if he was hungry? What if h–
“Well, you get overly worried sometimes.” He sobbed.
Gabi only chuckled at her crybaby of a fiance before she pulled Falco’s nape to put their foreheads together.
“Now, please let him rest.”
Falco nodded.