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Levi hates Christmas.
Not because of the event itself – although god knows neon lights, plastic trees and tacky decorations are bad enough.
No. Levi has another reason to dread the festive season...
He rings the doorbell, shivering against the stinging wind. The door opens. His two favourite people exclaim over his reddened cheeks and pull him inside. It’s blessedly toasty in their apartment.
"Happy birthday Levi!" Mikasa and Erwin chime together. They sort of match - Mikasa with her crimson scarf, and Erwin wearing a bright red apron reminiscent of a Santa outfit.
"Bah humbug," Levi grumbles. Why was he cursed to have his birthday on Christmas Day?
The couple engulfs him in an embrace – Erwin's strong arms around both of them, and Mikasa's soft hair tickling his face.
He’d never admit it out loud. But at times like this, he doesn’t mind being the short one of the trio.
And perhaps birthdays aren’t so bad if they involve group hugs like this.
As they troop into the sitting room, heavenly scents of cinnamon, clove, and citrus waft in the air. Levi approves of their tasteful decorations. Most impressive is the table centrepiece created by Mikasa herself – a winter wreath of holly leaves, fir sprigs, pine cones and gold ribbon.
Erwin dashes off into the kitchen to check on dinner.
“Can I help with anything?” Levi asks.
Mikasa halts him with a hand on his chest. Fuck, that woman is strong.
“No. It’s your birthday, Captain Grumpy. So get comfortable on the couch and I’ll make you something to drink.”
Levi grumbles some more before giving in. He accepts a glass of mulled wine, and even tolerates Coconut when he jumps onto his lap. His tension ebbs away as the cat’s rumbling purr vibrates through him.
The couple announce that dinner’s ready. Levi tries to stand but the fluffy brat digs his claws in. He brushes off the cat (as well as the fur left behind on his clothes) and heads into the kitchen.
The dinner looks delicious – a variety of colourful root vegetables, crispy golden stuffing, buttery mashed potatoes sprinkled with chives, and a homemade nut roast.
It’s not exactly a traditional turkey Christmas dinner, but Erwin and Mikasa aren’t ones to follow convention. And neither is Levi.
After dinner, they pile onto the couch to watch crappy Christmas films. Levi usually hates these. But he finds himself laughing along with the couple. They have a magical ability to spark joy in him at the simplest of things.
“Should we do presents before dessert?” Mikasa asks, dark eyes gleaming.
They exchange gifts. Levi is thrilled they like his presents, especially his homemade tea blends. He spent the last few months experimenting with flavours – using ingredients like lavender, rosehip, linden flower and various types of mint to create interesting new results.
Levi is less enthused by the jumper Mikasa gives him with a picture of a grumpy-faced cat wearing a Santa hat. But he discards his jacket and pulls it on.
“Oh, and here’s your birthday present.” Mikasa’s lips curve as she hands him a paper bag.
“Wait, I said no birthday gifts!” Levi had been very clear on the matter.
Erwin wears a matching smirk to Mikasa now. “I think you’ll like this one.”
Levi digs into the bag, retrieving a small gift box. It’s the sort of thing that usually contains jewellery.
Fuck. What is this? How much did they spend on it?
“Well? Hurry up and open it!” Mikasa urges, interrupting his racing thoughts.
He takes a breath. Huffs it out. Then opens the box with a creak of the lid.
Inside is a key.
It takes Levi a moment to puzzle out the meaning. Then everything clicks into place.
“Wait… is this…?”
“A key to our apartment,” they confirm together.
Levi stares at it. He plucks the key out of the velvet lined box, watches it glint in the soft lamplight.
“You stay here so often, we thought it was time you got a key.” Mikasa squeezes his hand in both of hers. “Now you can come over whenever you like.”
Levi’s throat tightens. This is… he wasn’t expecting this. How can he possibly express what it means to him?
He wraps his arms around the two of them, pulling them close. Erwin’s spiced cologne and Mikasa’s floral perfume infuse his senses.
“I love you both,” he croaks. “Fuck, I even love your hairy furball of a cat!”
The couple laughs, the vibration echoing right down to his core.
“We’ve got another present for you… but we’ll have to give it to you in the bedroom.” Mikasa stands, keeping a grip on his hand.
“You sneaky brats! I told you both no birthday presents and you go and ignore me.” He hopes they mistake the heat on his cheeks for indignation, rather than the flush of excitement.
“Technically, you said, ‘don’t buy me anything for my birthday.’” Erwin’s voice brims with merriment. “And we didn’t. That key was a spare we had lying around.”
“What we’ve got planned next doesn’t cost anything either. So come on, Captain Grumpy.” Mikasa tugs at his arm, and he’s powerless to do anything but obey her.
Erwin takes his other hand. Together, they lead him into their spacious bedroom.
The couple doesn’t rush their reverent ravishment. They lavish him with their love, luring him closer and closer to the brink of ecstasy. After Levi plunges over the edge, he sprawls in a cosy haze between them.
Later, they return to the sitting room. They drink tea and munch on Mikasa’s homemade spiced cookies, watching even more cheesy Christmas crap.
“You should have let me help today,” Levi grumbles.
“This year was an exception,” Erwin smiles. “Next year, you’ll definitely have to help out.”
Levi’s heart flutters. “So… there’ll be a next year?”
Mikasa shares a knowing look with Erwin. “Yes, and hopefully many more. But only if you want that too.”
Warmth saturates Levi. He huddles closer to his new family.