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Pretty faces always get me. You should know that by now.
[He teases. Levi has seen him with customers. He's a huge flirt, though he always knows how to toe the line of keeping it work-appropriate. Somehow charming and professional, even when he's hitting on someone.
Though he butters up old ladies just as much as anyone he's actually into.]
Maybe they do. Or maybe they fight them off somehow, I dunno. They must have some defenses figured out against whatever is in there.
[He teases. Levi has seen him with customers. He's a huge flirt, though he always knows how to toe the line of keeping it work-appropriate. Somehow charming and professional, even when he's hitting on someone.
Though he butters up old ladies just as much as anyone he's actually into.]
Maybe they do. Or maybe they fight them off somehow, I dunno. They must have some defenses figured out against whatever is in there.
[ That earns a soft noise that Finnick has probably learned by now is a chuckle, a little quick exhale, amused. ]
Yeah. I do.
[ Finnick is quite good with people, much better than Levi could ever be. If nothing else, that alone made it a good decision to invite him to work at the shop. Between him and Erwin, there's always someone around people can go to if Levi's grumpy face is too intimidating or something.
Mostly, he wants people to be comfortable and welcome. Other people are better at making that obvious than he is. ]
Should ask. Bet you could fish circles around them. Fish in circles around them.
However it works.
Yeah. I do.
[ Finnick is quite good with people, much better than Levi could ever be. If nothing else, that alone made it a good decision to invite him to work at the shop. Between him and Erwin, there's always someone around people can go to if Levi's grumpy face is too intimidating or something.
Mostly, he wants people to be comfortable and welcome. Other people are better at making that obvious than he is. ]
Should ask. Bet you could fish circles around them. Fish in circles around them.
However it works.
[ He chuckles again. Sure, Finnick has it bad for Levi which leads to a bit more giggling than usual, but Levi's also just very funny in his deadpan way. ]
I probably could. I might inquire with them about doing it on the side. Wouldn't want it to interfere with my work at the shop, though.
I probably could. I might inquire with them about doing it on the side. Wouldn't want it to interfere with my work at the shop, though.
[ He does actually try sometimes. Not often, but sometimes. ]
Yeah...would be sad to lose you to goblins and fish.
But if that ends up being what you'd rather do instead, well...that'd be fine, as long as it's what you want.
[ There's only sincerity in what he says; no judgment, just a plain wish for Finnick to do what makes him happy. ]
Would have to find other ways to see you, though.
Yeah...would be sad to lose you to goblins and fish.
But if that ends up being what you'd rather do instead, well...that'd be fine, as long as it's what you want.
[ There's only sincerity in what he says; no judgment, just a plain wish for Finnick to do what makes him happy. ]
Would have to find other ways to see you, though.
[ Finnick smiles softly. It's sweet that Levi wants to keep him around but wouldn't ultimately want to hold him back from pursuing something he's passionate about. ]
I doubt you'll be rid of me that easily. I really enjoy being at the shop. It makes me happy.
[ Not just because of Levi either, though that helps. He also likes Erwin a lot, likes the general atmosphere, the social interaction, and likes being helpful and useful. ]
Besides, the guy who runs those docks is weird. Weirder than you, if you can believe it.
I doubt you'll be rid of me that easily. I really enjoy being at the shop. It makes me happy.
[ Not just because of Levi either, though that helps. He also likes Erwin a lot, likes the general atmosphere, the social interaction, and likes being helpful and useful. ]
Besides, the guy who runs those docks is weird. Weirder than you, if you can believe it.
[ No point in making people feel like they're obligated to stay, especially here. But Levi has also always been a proponent of free choice. Still, hearing that he can give someone a place that makes them happy to be...that hits in his chest.
He takes a soft breath, holds onto that feeling a moment. There's a small hint of emotion in his voice, if Finnick listens for it. ]
Good...I'm glad. [ Really glad. ]
[ He'll click his tongue at that last bit, though. ]
Ch. Guess I'll have to do something about that.
[ Sir?? ]
He takes a soft breath, holds onto that feeling a moment. There's a small hint of emotion in his voice, if Finnick listens for it. ]
Good...I'm glad. [ Really glad. ]
[ He'll click his tongue at that last bit, though. ]
Ch. Guess I'll have to do something about that.
[ Sir?? ]
[Captain Levi, ever concerned with cleanliness, mutters at the physical consequences of crying, wiping it all away with a handkerchief; just like that, he's strong again. Eren feels so grateful, and so ashamed. His Captain-- No, something else - family, maybe - asks him what he needs, and Eren knows that he doesn't have an answer.
[He has to give him some kind of answer.
[His jaw clenches with emotion, but not anger, this time.]
You. You're important to me.
If I lost you...I don't know what I'd do, so...
Just...you. That's all...
[He has to give him some kind of answer.
[His jaw clenches with emotion, but not anger, this time.]
You. You're important to me.
If I lost you...I don't know what I'd do, so...
Just...you. That's all...
Though Finnick sees Levi often, it's rare they see each other in private without too many others around. They're always at the tea shop, where understandably, Levi wants to keep a professional distance. All fine by Finnick, but he's such a touchy-feely person that sometimes the yearning gets to be a lot. He's been immensely looking forward to spending some quality time with Levi in a setting that the older man finds enjoyable and relaxing. As a bonus, this kind of place requires them to wear less clothing, so... That's nice too.
Finnick had recently wished at the crystal for a small motorboat, which he's been wanting for several months and finally had the means to get. He plans to meet Levi on the beach and boat them over to the island the hot springs are on. He arrives a bit earlier than they're set to meet in order to flip the boat over from its upside-down stored position on the side of the beach and haul it over to the water- the point of wishing for a small and lightweight watercraft was so he could handle it himself without a vehicle.
Finnick had recently wished at the crystal for a small motorboat, which he's been wanting for several months and finally had the means to get. He plans to meet Levi on the beach and boat them over to the island the hot springs are on. He arrives a bit earlier than they're set to meet in order to flip the boat over from its upside-down stored position on the side of the beach and haul it over to the water- the point of wishing for a small and lightweight watercraft was so he could handle it himself without a vehicle.
[ Just you. ]
[ It's such a simple answer. The only thing that keeps it from being as painful and sharp as everything else before it is the disbelief that his mere existence on its own is all that matters; it's certainly never been enough, but to an extent, Levi is usually well aware enough of his place in the order of things. He isn't so self-important as to believe he could prevent any one thing from happening, to convince anyone so determined on their own paths to change their mind. Most of the time, he's never wanted that. Erwin...Eren...Hange...they could all make their own choices.
All of this strength...all of this power, and they all manage to make him feel powerless in the face of their convictions. It's still true, now.
But at the same time, it means so much more than anything else Eren could have said. Levi understands what a family is; he's seen what they're meant to look like, and oh so briefly, preciously, felt the joy of his mother's love. Part of him has to wonder if this isn't something like that, maybe, if this is all that Eren wants from him.
It won't be enough. It was never meant to be. They may yet find themselves at odds with one another, if their future is anything to go by.
That doesn't mean it isn't worth giving. ]
[ Levi settles a hand on Eren's shoulder, looking down at the top of his head. ]
...you have me.
[ It's such a simple answer. The only thing that keeps it from being as painful and sharp as everything else before it is the disbelief that his mere existence on its own is all that matters; it's certainly never been enough, but to an extent, Levi is usually well aware enough of his place in the order of things. He isn't so self-important as to believe he could prevent any one thing from happening, to convince anyone so determined on their own paths to change their mind. Most of the time, he's never wanted that. Erwin...Eren...Hange...they could all make their own choices.
All of this strength...all of this power, and they all manage to make him feel powerless in the face of their convictions. It's still true, now.
But at the same time, it means so much more than anything else Eren could have said. Levi understands what a family is; he's seen what they're meant to look like, and oh so briefly, preciously, felt the joy of his mother's love. Part of him has to wonder if this isn't something like that, maybe, if this is all that Eren wants from him.
It won't be enough. It was never meant to be. They may yet find themselves at odds with one another, if their future is anything to go by.
That doesn't mean it isn't worth giving. ]
[ Levi settles a hand on Eren's shoulder, looking down at the top of his head. ]
...you have me.
They might sneak a little snog here and there, but overall Levi isn't much of one for a lot of "PDA", as the kids say, and definitely not in his own place of business. Perhaps every few days they find time for a little cuddle on the beach together, but it isn't quite the same as being fully alone together.
They do finally agree on a time to go out to the hot springs - few enough people seem to be interested in going very late at night, or have the means to, so it should be deserted, or at least large enough for them to find a little cove of their own away from anyone else.
Levi meets Finnick down at the beach - at this point, it's possible to deduce that he likely doesn't even own a pair of sandals, once again in his lace up boots rather than the comfy loafers he wears in the shop. His typical slacks make up the rest of his bottom half, but the shirt is just a short-sleeved v-neck that gives a nice little hint of his collar bones. There's a bag slung crosswise over his shoulder, and he picks his way across the sand. The moon is bright, and he doesn't seem to have any issue seeing in the dimmer light. He'd watched Finnick flip the boat from across the beach...and appreciated the display of strength.
"Hey," he greets softly, stepping up close to his side. "This looks new."
They do finally agree on a time to go out to the hot springs - few enough people seem to be interested in going very late at night, or have the means to, so it should be deserted, or at least large enough for them to find a little cove of their own away from anyone else.
Levi meets Finnick down at the beach - at this point, it's possible to deduce that he likely doesn't even own a pair of sandals, once again in his lace up boots rather than the comfy loafers he wears in the shop. His typical slacks make up the rest of his bottom half, but the shirt is just a short-sleeved v-neck that gives a nice little hint of his collar bones. There's a bag slung crosswise over his shoulder, and he picks his way across the sand. The moon is bright, and he doesn't seem to have any issue seeing in the dimmer light. He'd watched Finnick flip the boat from across the beach...and appreciated the display of strength.
"Hey," he greets softly, stepping up close to his side. "This looks new."
Finnick is wearing more clothing than he usually would at the beach; a loose long-sleeved shirt with the buttons open at the top and the sleeves rolled up, and long pants that are also rolled up, both pale linen in beige and earth tones. He knows it'll be cool on the water at night even in the dead of summer, so he also has a backpack with a towel and some warmer clothes in it, in case he or Levi need another layer.
He smiles as Levi gets close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and kissing the top of his head.
"It is! I just got it from the crystal a few days ago. Birthday present to myself, I guess." He's obviously very pleased and proud of this development. He looks down at Levi.
"You ever been on a boat?"
He smiles as Levi gets close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and kissing the top of his head.
"It is! I just got it from the crystal a few days ago. Birthday present to myself, I guess." He's obviously very pleased and proud of this development. He looks down at Levi.
"You ever been on a boat?"
There's a definite lean into Finnick, lifting his chin a bit as his eyes drift briefly closed at the kiss. One arm winds around his waist, holding just a moment as he eyes the boat itself.
"There were rivers that went between the walls, and ferries were used to move goods an people. They were wide and flat, sometimes they used animals or people to move it from shore. Been on those a couple times, but nothing like that."
He might be a mixture of curiosity and a touch of apprehension.
"There were rivers that went between the walls, and ferries were used to move goods an people. They were wide and flat, sometimes they used animals or people to move it from shore. Been on those a couple times, but nothing like that."
He might be a mixture of curiosity and a touch of apprehension.
Finnick hums, nods.
"A big boat and a small boat are very different experiences. This one will move a lot more with the waves. But it's calm tonight, so it'll be a safe ride."
He smiles, drifting toward the boat and pulling Levi with him by the hand. It's just a small, lightweight wooden rowboat with a motor attached to the back. The bow is on the shore still, so Levi can get in without stepping into the water. Truly the princess treatment.
"Hop in." He keeps his arm extended for Levi to use if needed.
"A big boat and a small boat are very different experiences. This one will move a lot more with the waves. But it's calm tonight, so it'll be a safe ride."
He smiles, drifting toward the boat and pulling Levi with him by the hand. It's just a small, lightweight wooden rowboat with a motor attached to the back. The bow is on the shore still, so Levi can get in without stepping into the water. Truly the princess treatment.
"Hop in." He keeps his arm extended for Levi to use if needed.
"Hope so, otherwise I'm counting on you to save my ass if I fall in."
It's not like he's worried about that...the water looked calm, just as Finnick said. But this isn't a meandering, slow moving river like the ones that moved between the walls. There aren't banks of land within seeming reasonable reach. All that's around is the boat itself. And Finnick, who could probably retrieve him before he sinks to the bottom like a stone.
...right?
...
Levi takes a careful step into the small boat - it sways a little, unfamiliarly, and while he could take a moment to work out his balance well enough to get in, he leans on Finnick's arm just in case. His movements are careful, almost calculating, and eventually he settles onto the wide bench near the center.
It's not like he's worried about that...the water looked calm, just as Finnick said. But this isn't a meandering, slow moving river like the ones that moved between the walls. There aren't banks of land within seeming reasonable reach. All that's around is the boat itself. And Finnick, who could probably retrieve him before he sinks to the bottom like a stone.
...right?
...
Levi takes a careful step into the small boat - it sways a little, unfamiliarly, and while he could take a moment to work out his balance well enough to get in, he leans on Finnick's arm just in case. His movements are careful, almost calculating, and eventually he settles onto the wide bench near the center.
"Yep, I'd dive in right after you, don't worry." He smiles encouragingly. He imagines it's a bit scary to get on a boat when you don't even know how to swim. He'll take this ride slow, for sure.
He watches Levi's careful movements with a slight amusement. Mostly he's just enraptured with anything Levi does, at this point.
"Good, right in the middle is perfect."
He pushes the boat into the water so it's floating unmoored. He wades into the shallows and hops in over the side with catlike agility. It doesn't rock too much, thanks to Levi acting as counterweight. He steps over the bench toward the stern, squeezing Levi's shoulder as he goes by, and settles by the motor. He takes an oar from the floor of the boat and paddles them out a little further before he starts up the motor with a strong pull on the ignition. It rumbles to life, and he guides them slowly outward, glancing at Levi to make sure he's alright.
He watches Levi's careful movements with a slight amusement. Mostly he's just enraptured with anything Levi does, at this point.
"Good, right in the middle is perfect."
He pushes the boat into the water so it's floating unmoored. He wades into the shallows and hops in over the side with catlike agility. It doesn't rock too much, thanks to Levi acting as counterweight. He steps over the bench toward the stern, squeezing Levi's shoulder as he goes by, and settles by the motor. He takes an oar from the floor of the boat and paddles them out a little further before he starts up the motor with a strong pull on the ignition. It rumbles to life, and he guides them slowly outward, glancing at Levi to make sure he's alright.
"Thanks," he mumbles, holding onto the sides of the small craft, watching Finnick. The hand to his shoulder, watching the younger man so confident and at ease moving around on just a floating pile of wood helps him settle. The moonlight moves over the highlights of Finnick's form as he rows, and Levi watches him openly. It's a nice view.
By the time he reaches for the motor and looks over, his attention wanders between Finnick and movement of water around them, glancing to see how far they are from land already, how far to go to their destination. Cautiously curious more than nervous, for now.
The abrupt sound of the motor doesn't quite make him jump, but the noise gets a slight wrinkle of his nose for ruining the quiet serenity of the night before he sits back again. The wind touseling through his hair, at least, is a welcome and familiar feeling.
By the time he reaches for the motor and looks over, his attention wanders between Finnick and movement of water around them, glancing to see how far they are from land already, how far to go to their destination. Cautiously curious more than nervous, for now.
The abrupt sound of the motor doesn't quite make him jump, but the noise gets a slight wrinkle of his nose for ruining the quiet serenity of the night before he sits back again. The wind touseling through his hair, at least, is a welcome and familiar feeling.
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