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Levi wasn’t sure what had happened. He was standing over somebody, but he couldn’t discern who it was. The world around him wavered, flickering between different times in his life like pages on a book.
Reality faded in and out. He alternated between the present and a distant memory. Everything was hazy, and he couldn't tell if he was dreaming or hallucinating.
He could smell blood's metallic sharpness. He could smell the almost suffocating scent of the rain. Different people in his life ran through his mind, but he couldn’t give a name to any of them. His clothes felt too heavy, and the very air he assumed he was breathing felt like inhaling smoke.
“—tain Levi!” He caught the tail end of someone calling his name, but it seemed to come from every direction. Had he really heard it in the first place? His hand twitched as he raised it to look. There was blood on it, blood that he didn’t know was his or somebody else’s.
Levi's mind felt dizzy and confused. He tried to recall what had happened, but his memories were fragmented and disoriented. The world around him distorted and shifted like a kaleidoscope of broken shards. The rain seemed to fall both gently and violently at the same time, its pattering echoing in his ears. The scent of blood clung heavily to the air.
There it was again. Someone was calling his name. He turned around, slowly turning in a full circle as he tried to pinpoint the direction of the voice. It was overwhelming; he could see so many people but absolutely no one at all at the same time. Someone was crying—at least, Levi thought he heard crying.
The world spun as Levi turned, images and sensations assaulting his senses and confusing him further. People came in and out of focus like fleeting apparitions; there was one moment and gone the next. He heard the faint sound of sobbing, but it was so ephemeral that he couldn't be sure if it was real or a manifestation of his disoriented mind. The more he tried to remember, the more the memories eluded him. There was a sense of urgency, but he couldn't grasp why.
Somebody grabbed at his shoulders. “Levi!” They shouted, causing Levi’s mind to finally snap back into the present. It wasn’t raining. He wasn’t even outside. He was in one of the barracks, and it was Erwin who was calling his name. He looked to the side, seeing Mikasa standing there with a bloody nose, looking furious. Armin was beside her, holding onto her arm to hold her back. "What—what happened?" Levi mumbled, his mind still foggy and disoriented.
“You know what happened, you bastard!” Mikasa shouted, and Armin quickly tightened his hold on her arm. “What the fuck is wrong with you!?” She was angry; that much was obvious, but Levi didn’t know why. He didn’t know what happened.
Levi looked bewildered at Mikasa's fiery outburst, struggling to piece together the events that had led to this moment. "Calm down, Mikasa," Armin said gently yet firmly. "He's not acting right."
Levi's eyes darted between them, a mixture of confusion and guilt on his face. "I..." He tried to speak, but the words lodged in his throat. "I don't remember."
That seemed to make Mikasa absolutely livid, shoving Armin back and going for Levi. She tackled him right out of Erwin’s grip, knocking him to the floor. The only thing keeping her from attacking further was Erwin taking hold of her.
Levi hit the floor with a thud, the air leaving his lungs in a sharp gasp. Erwin's strong grip prevented Mikasa from lunging forward and continuing her assault.
"Ackerman, stop!" Erwin commanded, his voice stern and authoritative.
Mikasa glared down at Levi, her eyes burning with pent-up anger and frustration. "You don't remember? Bullshit!"
He didn’t know what to do. Levi felt uncharacteristically weak, so uncharacteristically feeling. He couldn’t recall anything that had happened for the last three days, at the very least.
Erwin watched Levi with both frustration and concern. He had been brought to the barracks by Armin, who was frantically rambling about how Mikasa and Levi got into a fight. It was absurd. Erwin knew Levi used quite intense physical discipline, but he fought a scout? Armin said Mikasa had said something that seemed to irritate Levi, who told her to shut it. It somehow escalated until Mikasa slapped Levi, and Levi punched Mikasa in the face, causing her nose to bleed.
Erwin's frustration and concern were evident on his face as he held onto Mikasa, restraining her anger. He observed Levi lying on the floor, his expression a mix of vulnerability and confusion.
Levi struggled to remember what had happened in the last three days. The lack of recollection sent a wave of unease through him. "Commander," Levi managed, his voice somewhat dazed. "What day is it?"
“Fucking bullshit!” Mikasa yelled, her anger scratching each syllable. “You punch your inferior in the face and then act like you don’t know what happened!? Don’t play stupid!”
Getting back on his feet, Levi struggled between guilt and frustration. “I told you I don’t know what happened, brat,” he said, his tone beginning to take on its usual sharpness. “What the hell are you so damn worked up for?”
"Don't brat me, you bastard!" Mikasa retorted, her anger flaring. "You punch me in the face and then act like it's nothing!?”
Erwin held Mikasa back tightly, his grip unwavering. "Calm down."
Levi stood up, his expression shifting from guilt to irritation. "I told you, I don't remember," he snapped, “and will you stop yelling? You're giving me a headache."
Mikasa glared, almost contemplating defying the commander just to get at Levi again. “You’re just proving my point! You are a stuck-up, heartless asshole who has no idea what losing friends or family is like!” She spat, seemingly referring to the argument before the physical altercation.
Levi's irritation flared further at Mikasa's words. Her insinuations hit a nerve, and his gaze hardened. "Spare me the self-righteous bullshit.” He retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Wake up, brat. This is the Scouts, not a playground, so get your head out of your ass and focus on something other than your goddamn emotions.”
"How dare you!" Mikasa shot back, her face flushed with anger. "You have no right to belittle my feelings. You don't understand anything, you heartless prick!”
Her words hung heavy in the air, the tension nearly crackling with electricity. Erwin's expression hardened as he watched the exchange. "Both of you, that's enough.” He commanded, and his tone brooked no argument.
The moment Erwin released Mikasa, she turned around, grabbed Armin’s wrist, and walked out. On her way out the door, she shot a glare toward Levi and said, “You do nothing but hurt people; I’m not tolerating having a fucking murderer as my captain.” She stormed out before anyone could reply with another word, leaving the comment as the final statement.
The room fell silent, the echo of Mikasa's words still lingering in the air. Erwin turned to look at Levi; the room was now empty except for the two of them. His expression was a mix of concern and disapproval. Levi stood there, the sting of Mikasa's words echoing in his mind. The title of murderer clung to him like an unwanted shadow.
“Levi,” Erwin said, looking at Levi with an unreadable expression, “do you truly not remember what happened? Be honest with me, Levi.”
Levi's gaze met Erwin's, and for a moment, he couldn't bring himself to answer. "I..." he began, his voice somewhat shaky. "I can't recall anything clearly. It's all fuzzy. I remember the rain. And blood. A lot of it." His eyes darted between Erwin and the empty doorway Mikasa and Armin had just walked through. The tension was thick in the air.
Erwin narrowed his eyes. “You haven’t been sent on any expeditions in a week, and it hasn’t rained in nearly a month. What on earth are you talking about?” His voice was skeptical and commanding, but he was beginning to feel worried.
It was silent. Levi took a step back when he saw flashes of something in his mind. He could hear talking and himself screaming, but neither he nor Erwin were saying anything. As he stared at Erwin, the world around him kept switching between where they truly were—the barracks—and a field as the sun rose. The scene felt so familiar, but he couldn’t place why.
The flashes continued, the transition between the barracks and the field becoming more frequent and disorienting. The two images started blending together, creating a confusing sensory overload.
Levi felt his knees buckle, and he stumbled into the wall behind him, his fingers digging into the rough surface. His breathing grew shallow, his heart pounding in his chest. "I don't... understand," he managed, his voice shaking. "It's like I'm seeing two different places at once.”
“Levi?” Erwin asked, taking a cautious step toward him. Levi looked like a cornered rabbit, terrified out of his mind. Erwin didn’t know what was causing this or what was wrong, but he knew Levi was struggling with something.
Levi's eyes darted to the commander approaching, and his body tensed like a coiled spring. The scene around him kept shifting, but for some reason, he felt safe near Erwin. "I... I don't know what's happening," he said, his voice a whisper. "I keep seeing and hearing things." He closed his eyes, trying to shut out the visual and auditory hallucinations, but they persisted, the two scenes blending together and becoming more vivid as Erwin approached.
Everything clicked suddenly. Levi knew what he was remembering. His first expedition outside the walls. The rain, the blood, and his own screaming echoing in his ears—it was all part of his first expedition. He left Farlan and Isabel alone, only for him to notice a titan had most definitely gone in their direction.
“The footprints... they’re headed where I came from.” He whispered as he relived how frantic he was as he rode his horse through the rain to find Farlan and Isabel. Flickers of them went through his head, of their time together underground. He saw Isabel’s disembodied head at his feet and that abnormal splitting Farlan’s body in half. The screams he was hearing were him remembering how viciously he had attacked the titan that killed them.
The flood of memories washed over him, each one more vivid and traumatic than the last. He relived the horror of discovering the footprints, the frenzied ride through the rain, and the sight of Farlan and Isabel, lifeless, killed by the abnormal titan he couldn't protect them from.
Levi's hand clenched into a fist, his body trembling as the memories assaulted him. He could hear his own screams; the sounds of pain and loss were echoing in his ears. He felt his legs give way under the weight of the memories, and he collapsed against the wall.
Levi was overcome by the force of the memories, reliving the trauma of that horrific moment—his panic, his grief, and his rage. The images of Farlan and Isabel's lifeless bodies haunted him, and the sound of his own screams filled his ears.
Erwin, alarmed by the state Levi was in, immediately kneeled down beside him, his expression filled with concern. "Levi, breathe," he instructed, his voice calm but firm. "Just focus on your breathing. In and out. Slow, deep breaths."
When Levi looked up at Erwin, his mind continued to relive everything. The rising sun—the steam of the titan dissolving after death. Suddenly he was on that field again in the aftermath of killing the titan that took away Farlan and Isabel. The memory of how Erwin had found him, how Levi had lashed out and lunged for Erwin, and how all Erwin did was keep him back despite the blade cutting into his hand. He felt sick, his breathing only becoming more erratic the more he tried to calm it.
The memories overwhelmed Levi. He felt disoriented, as if he were no longer in the present but caught in a storm of past trauma that washed over him like a tidal wave. As he looked at Erwin, he remembered how he had lunged at him with his blade, the cold steel slicing into Erwin's hand. That moment of blind rage and grief echoed in his mind—a shameful moment he could never forget. "No, no," he gasped, trying to control his breathing but failing. "I remember…”
Erwin's eyes widened as he began to understand the severity of Levi's condition. Whatever memories were flooding Levi's mind were not just traumatic; they were causing him to relive them with such intensity that he was having a panic attack.
He quickly grabbed hold of Levi's shoulders, trying to ground him in the present. "Levi, look at me," he commanded. “You're not there anymore. You're here, in the barracks at the headquarters. You're safe."
Levi looked at Erwin as he was told, but all he could see was that day. The memories he had repressed for so long were returning, and all he could feel was guilt, agony, and helplessness. The survivors guilt and self-blame were eating him alive as he tried to convince his own mind that he was in the present.
"Levi," Erwin repeated, his voice more insistent, "focus on me. Listen to my voice. You're in the barracks, in the present. You're not on a mission outside the walls. You're here, with me. You're safe."
He tried to hold Levi's gaze to make sure the man was looking at him, grounding himself in the present. But the memories were so intense that Levi's mind seemed lost in the past.
Levi grabbed onto Erwin’s uniform jacket in a desperate attempt to make himself believe he was here, that Erwin was here. “Farlan, Isabel—“ He choked out, his voice broken despite the lack of tears. “Erwin. Erwin, please.”
Erwin's heart twisted when he saw the desperation in Levi's eyes. He could practically see the ghosts of Levi's past tormenting him. "Levi," he said, his voice firm yet somewhat tender, "focus on my voice. I'm right here; I'm real. You're with me, in the barracks. Focus on the feel of my jacket, the texture." He placed his hand over Levi's.
All that Levi could say were half-sentences and broken pleas, most of them involving Erwin’s name or to make something 'stop’. He could see Erwin, and he could feel himself holding onto Erwin’s uniform. He could feel Erwin’s hands over his, but he was struggling to believe it was real.
"That's right, focus on that feeling." Erwin repeated, keeping his voice slow and steady. "Focus on the texture of my jacket. The smoothness, the slight roughness around the edges. Focus on the weight of my hands over yours." He kept his hands over Levi's, gently anchoring him to the present and trying to counteract the power of the memories that were flooding his mind.
Slowly but surely, it was starting to ground Levi. He still looked horrified, and his breathing was still labored, but his eyes came slightly back into focus. “…Commander.” He whispered.
Erwin breathed a slight sigh of relief at Levi's slight improvement. He could see that the memories were still assaulting Levi's mind, but at least Levi was starting to respond. "I'm here, Levi," he assured gently. "You're in the barracks. Can you look around? Look at your surroundings. Describe them to me."
Levi shook his head, his grip on Erwin tightening. “I’m scared,” he admitted, refusing to take his eyes off of Erwin. “If I look away, then you’ll—you’ll go again.” Tears were starting to fall from his eyes, but Levi was unaware of them completely.
Erwin's heart ached at the sight of Levi, so terrified and vulnerable. He gently wiped a few tears off the man's face. "I'm right here, Levi. I won't disappear.” He reassured. "I promise, no matter what you see, I won't go anywhere. Even if you look away, I'll be right here," he took hold of Levi's hand and gently placed it on his chest. "Feel that? My heart is beating. I'm real. I'm here with you."
After a moment of silence, Levi’s pupils dilated as he felt Erwin’s heart beating. He still wouldn’t fully look away from Erwin, but he would occasionally quickly glance in another direction. Erwin watched Levi closely, noting the slight movements of his eyes. He knew Levi was struggling to break free from the past memories, but he was making progress.
"Good," Erwin said softly, "good. Keep focusing on my heartbeat. Feel the beat against your palm. Let it ground you." He kept Levi's hand against his chest, maintaining the connection and reassurance. Levi slowly started mimicking Erwin’s breathing, his body releasing some of the tension.
Erwin could feel the rhythm of his heartbeat underneath Levi's palm, a steady and reassuring beat that continued to ground the man. He noticed Levi's breathing starting to sync with his, and he spoke in a gentle voice. "That's it; keep focusing on my heartbeat. Breathe in with me, then out." He exaggerated each breath, breathing deeply and slowly, encouraging Levi to match his rhythm.
Levi stayed silent for a few minutes, focusing on Erwin’s heartbeat and breathing. “I—… I don’t know what to do. I’ve never… I’ve never cried before.”
Erwin was a little stunned at Levi's admission. He knew Levi was a stoic, private person, but he never knew the depth of it. "It's okay, Levi. You don't have to know what to do.” He said softly. "Just let it come out. Don't hold anything back. I'm here, and I won't judge you."
“How do I...” Levi trailed off, unsure of how to phrase his question. “How do I feel?” He asked quietly. Levi had always felt emotions; yes, everybody does. But he had never let himself feel anything other than anger. Every time he was upset or sad, it would turn into anger. And now he didn’t know how to handle the feeling of anything else.
Erwin had a feeling that Levi's stoicism wasn't just a facade; it was a part of who he was, a defense mechanism. He took a deep breath before responding. "You don't need to force anything, Levi," he said gently, “just feel whatever comes naturally. There's no right or wrong way. But I understand this might be unfamiliar—you're not used to feeling things like sadness or pain, not in a conscious way, at least."
Levi nodded, despite not fully understanding. His hands twitched, letting go of and gripping Erwin’s uniform repeatedly. “I feel like I need something, but I don’t know what it is.”
Seeing Levi’s confused and distressed state, Erwin wondered what would help him and provide him with a sense of safety and comfort. “Do you want...” Erwin paused for a moment, considering what to say. “Do you want me to hold you?”
Pausing for a moment, Levi slowly nodded. He didn’t say anything; even the nod of his head was apprehensive.
With Levi's nod, Erwin carefully maneuvered him, shifting their positions so that Levi's head rested against his chest, just above his heart. He looped an arm around Levi so that the man was safely wrapped against him. “Like this?” He asked, his voice low.
“I think so.” Levi whispered, staying completely still. His body was tense, but he leaned into Erwin a bit.
Erwin felt Levi's tension, his body taut like a bowstring. He kept his arm around Levi, gently rubbing soothing circles into his back, trying to help ease some of the tension. "Try to relax." He said softly. "You're safe. You can relax against me. I'm here. I've got you."
Levi considered Erwin’s words for a moment. Hesitantly, he slowly went limp in Erwin’s hold. He couldn’t tell what he was feeling, but it was comforting. Swallowing thickly, Levi turned his head, burying his face in Erwin’s chest.
Erwin felt Levi's hesitation melt away as the man went limp in his arms. He could feel Levi's face pressed against his chest, and a pang of empathy hit him. He knew Levi had rarely—if ever—been comforted like this before. "It's okay," he murmured, his hand continuing the soft, soothing circles against Levi's back. "Just let yourself feel. You don't have to understand or name the emotions right now. Just feel them."
They stayed like that for awhile, in silence. Levi slowly and carefully put his arms around Erwin, firmly holding onto the fabric of his uniform. It was silent for a few more minutes before Levi spoke. “I think I need to tell you something.”
Erwin paused his hand as Levi spoke, sensing the gravity and seriousness in his voice. "Yes?" He replied. "You can tell me anything, Levi."
Levi nodded against Erwin’s chest, but fell silent. Erwin was about to ask Levi what he had wanted to say when Levi suddenly spoke again. “I’m pretty sure I have feelings for you.” He whispered.
Erwin's breath caught in his throat for a moment as he processed Levi's words. His heart skipped a beat, and he froze for a moment. He had harbored his own feelings for Levi for quite some time, but he had never dared express them, keeping up the professional facade. And now, here was Levi, confessing his own feelings. Erwin felt a strange mixture of surprise, affection, and determination. He let out a shaky breath before responding. "Levi…"
“I think I have for awhile,” Levi admitted, sounding a bit frustrated. “I’m pretty sure I have since I officially joined the scouts.”
Erwin's mind swirled, trying to process the revelation. "That long, and you never said anything?" He asked with a note of disbelief in his voice. He gently shifted so that he could see Levi's face better.
Levi stayed quiet for a moment. “I’ve never been in love before, and...” He seemed a bit apprehensive to admit this, but he sighed. “I was scared you wouldn’t need me anymore, I guess.” He strained.
Erwin's heart ached as Levi admitted his fears. "Levi, you’re much more than just someone I’m in need of," he said gently, his hand coming up to brush Levi’s hair back from his forehead. "I want you. Not just because of how well you complete missions or how well you manage the new recruits. I want you because of you, not your abilities. Do you understand?"
“I think so.” Levi mumbled, turning his head so his cheek was resting on Erwin’s chest. “Do you also...” He trailed off, too nervous to say the rest.
Erwin’s heart skipped a beat, knowing what Levi was trying to ask. He continued stroking his hair, taking a breath before answering. “Yes,” he said simply, but firmly. “I have feelings for you as well. Strong feelings. I’ve been holding them back, out of, well, professional decency, I suppose. And respect for you. I didn’t want to overstep.”
Levi nodded in understanding. “Does this…are we?” He whispered.
Erwin smiled slightly at Levi's question, his hand still buried in the man's hair. "What do you want us to be, Levi?" He asked softly. "I won't make assumptions, nor will I presume that you're comfortable with anything."
He paused, considering his words for a moment. "But I can tell you how I feel, if it helps. I care deeply about you. More than I probably should. The thought of hurting you—physically or emotionally—makes me feel nauseous."
“I’ve never been in a relationship before... of most kinds. What do I want us to be?” Levi echoed, considering Erwin’s words. “I care about you, too. More than I’ve cared about anybody. I get angry when I see you hurt. I’m constantly feeling this overwhelming need to protect you.”
Erwin felt a strange mix of affection and protectiveness hearing Levi's words. The man, who was usually cold and closed off, was opening up so openly about his emotions, and it was clear that what he felt was serious and sincere.
"Levi…" He said gently. He took a deep breath before continuing. "I'm assuming you're familiar with physical relationships, correct? I don't want to go too fast if you're not comfortable with certain things. I know the concept will be somewhat new for you." Carding gentle fingers through Levi’s hair, Erwin waited for his response.
Thinking over what Erwin had said, Levi shook his head. “The only physical contact I’ve had with people is nearly entirely through fighting, so no.”
Erwin frowned. The life Levi had led until now flashed before his mind, full of violence and pain, with no comfort or kindness. "I see," he said gently, his hand moving to cup the side of Levi's face. "You've never held hands or hugged someone?"
Levi shrugged. “I’m sure I have here and there,” he looked down, “but not enough to be familiar with any of it.” He said quietly.
Erwin's heart ached, seeing the vulnerability and defensiveness in Levi's expression and words. He used his thumb to gently brush Levi's cheek. "I understand," he said. "You've never had the opportunity to experience physical affection, comfort, and... love." He paused for a moment before continuing, his voice lowering to just above a whisper. "Do you want to experience those things with me?"
“Yes.” Levi nodded with no hesitation. His heart rate picked up a little, but he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. “I know I do.”
Smiling faintly, Erwin felt both surprised and happy by how quickly Levi had agreed. The knowledge that Levi trusted him enough for this was a bit overwhelming. "I'll do everything I can to make it good for you," he whispered. He gently tilted Levi's face up so that the man had to look at him. "Please tell me if I ever go too fast or do anything you're not okay with, alright?"
Levi opened his eyes and nodded. Despite his usual unexpressive face, his eyes looked notably softer, carrying less of the intimidation that they often did. “Alright. Thank you.” He said, looking off to the side.
Erwin couldn't help but stare for a moment, unused to seeing the man with such a soft and vulnerable expression. He'd grown so used to Levi's usual stoicism that this new, softer side of him was incredibly endearing. He smiled gently as Levi looked to the side, his thumb still creating soothing circles on Levi's cheek. "Will you look at me?" He requested gently.
Levi took a moment, thinking over everything that had happened up until now. Slowly, he looked back at Erwin. His expression became a little more guarded out of reflex. He stayed silent, waiting for Erwin to continue.
Erwin noticed the subtle change in Levi's expression as he looked back, but he didn't comment. He was just thankful that the vulnerable expression he'd seen just a moment ago hadn't fully disappeared. "There you are," he said softly, his eyes searching Levi's face. "I need a promise from you, Levi. An important one."
“What is it?” Levi asked, his body tensing slightly at the request.
Erwin noticed the slight tensing of Levi's body, and he gave a reassuring smile, his fingers gently moving back to the man's hair. "It's nothing bad," he said reassuringly. "Just a promise, a simple one." He paused for a moment, his hand still stroking through Levi's hair as he spoke. "Whenever we're doing something together, just the two of us... I need you to promise me that you'll be honest. No hiding your thoughts and feelings; no holding back. I need you to be completely open, okay?"
Levi tensed, his eyes widening subtly. He clenched his jaw, controlling his breathing to make him appear entirely still. The thought of opening up—to anybody—was terrifying. Every instance of emotional vulnerability in the past has led those close to him to die or leave. “I’ll try.” He forced out, trying to tell himself that nothing would happen.
Erwin could see the tension in every line of Levi's body, and he didn't miss the subtle widening of his eyes. The difficulty the man was having with the simple request was almost palpable, and it made Erwin's heart ache slightly.
He knew how uncomfortable this was for Levi, and he knew as well how much trust was needed to truly open up. "That's all I ask," he said quietly, his fingers continuing to move through Levi's hair. "Just try. I don't want you to ever feel like you have to put up a front with me."
“Okay.” Was all Levi said, but the tension gradually dissipated again over a few minutes. Contemplating his next move carefully, he slowly leaned back into Erwin, resting his head against his chest.
Erwin suppressed a smile as the tension in Levi's body gradually faded, replaced by a more relaxed position against his chest. He continued to card his fingers through the man's hair, the action having a soothing effect on both of them. "Comfortable?" He asked quietly, his free hand coming to rest on the small of Levi's back.
Nodding, Levi exhaled slowly. He felt comfortable. This was the most positive thing to happen to him in ages, and he wondered if he would be able to open up to Erwin like Erwin had suggested. The thought was both horrifying and frustrating; he was never one to lean on other people. He closed his eyes and breathed in, body relaxing as he took in Erwin’s scent.
Erwin was relieved to feel the tension completely leaving Levi's body. He continued to gently run his fingers through the man's hair, his other hand lightly rubbing soft circles on his back. He felt a strange sense of happiness and protectiveness at the sight of Levi completely relaxing against him, and he took a deep breath. "You look almost peaceful." He said, not quite able to keep the tone of affection out of his voice.
“I think this is the closest to it I’ve felt in my life.” Levi mumbled and opened his eyes, his arms slowly releasing Erwin as he fully relaxed against him.
Erwin chuckled softly at Levi's comment, the sound echoing through his chest as the other man laid against it. "I should feel honored then," he chuckled. "It's a good look on you, being peaceful." He continued to run his hands over Levi's hair and back, gently rubbing soothing lines up and down with the occasional circle. Every time he felt the man's body relax even further, he had to fight the urge to smile.
Levi just barely smiled, being so subtle that it was practically not there. “I think I should be the honored one; I don’t think you’re this soft with others, are you?” He mused.
Erwin paused his hand for a moment, thinking over what Levi had said. He felt a slight flush creeping up his cheeks, and he chuckled a bit awkwardly before answering. "Definitely not." He admitted. "If any of our squad members saw us like this, I'd never hear the end of it."
Nodding, Levi hummed in agreement. “I can already hear shitty-goggles going on and on about it.” He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, instead nestling his face against Erwin’s chest.
Erwin chuckled again, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated through his chest. "They would undoubtedly give me endless grief about it." He said. He allowed himself a small smile as Levi nuzzled his face into his chest, the gesture oddly cute. "You're very... physical, aren't you?" He noted, his hand still rubbing soft circles on the man's back.
“When I want to be.” Levi said, voice muffled against Erwin.
Erwin felt a warm sense of affection as Levi made himself comfortable against his chest. The man's face nuzzling into his shirt was almost endearing, and he smiled. "I've noticed," he said, his hand continuing to move in soft circles on Levi's back. "It's a strange contrast to your usual behavior." He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his tone becoming a bit more playful. "I'm starting to think the great, stoic Captain Levi is secretly a cuddler."
Levi made a noise resembling a grunt, unamused. “It shares body heat. It’s efficient.” He excused himself, denying the accusation.
Erwin chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest again. He could practically hear the defensiveness in Levi's voice. "Is that so?" He said, feigning skepticism. "Just for body heat, hm?" He continued to rub soft circles on Levi's back, his fingers tracing lightly over the man's skin beneath his shirt. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you just like having me close."
Adjusting slightly, Levi closed his eyes again. “Think what you will.” Was all he replied with, voice becoming more drowsy.
Erwin suppressed a smile, noticing the tiredness in Levi's voice. He continued to move his hand over the man's back, his touch gentle and soothing. "You're falling asleep on me, aren't you?" He teased lightly, his fingers continuing to trace random shapes on Levi's skin.
Levi grunted in disagreement, although the sound resembled more of a whine. There was no verbal response from him this time. His body slowly went entirely limp in Erwin’s hold, his breathing falling into a steady rhythm.
Erwin couldn't help but chuckle as Levi's weak protest turned into more of a whine. "That's what I thought.” He said, his tone gentle.
He continued to hold Levi against him, feeling the man's body go limp as he fell asleep. He could feel the steady rise and fall of Levi's chest against his own, and his hand slowed down from soft circles to slow, light rubbing on the man’s back.