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[ The last few days have been...something. Levi can't help but wonder if this is some kind of weird thing going on like with the ghosts, making everyone just so fucking strung out and weird and upset. But it's not like he can ignore any of these things, either, even though he feels like he doesn't quite understand everything that's going on with Erwin and the brats, so it's left him feeling vaguely irritated at all of them. ]
You sound like shit. [ Helpful, Levi. ]
Where do you want to meet?
You sound like shit. [ Helpful, Levi. ]
Where do you want to meet?
[ A dry laugh. ] Thanks, Captain.
[ Where do they want to meet? Jean should get out of the house for a bit, that much is obvious to him. He doesn't just want to end up in another house so: ]
The Stone Dragon?
[ The little bakery they like to frequent. ]
[ Where do they want to meet? Jean should get out of the house for a bit, that much is obvious to him. He doesn't just want to end up in another house so: ]
The Stone Dragon?
[ The little bakery they like to frequent. ]
[ Jean puts himself together enough to be present in public and heads out to meet Levi. He's clearly not a hundred percent okay when he steps in; his hair is fine, but his eyes have that red look that indicates you've been crying, and his shoulders are held a little lower. He's bundled in the green jacket that isn't quite the same as the Survey Corps uniform.
He spots Levi and waves, ordering two teas when he doesn't seen any at Levi's table (flavor of the day, some kind of rose-peach combination) and brings them over with him, dropping one off at Levi's side and keeping the other close to himself. ]
Thanks for coming out.
He spots Levi and waves, ordering two teas when he doesn't seen any at Levi's table (flavor of the day, some kind of rose-peach combination) and brings them over with him, dropping one off at Levi's side and keeping the other close to himself. ]
Thanks for coming out.
[ He mutters a thanks when Jean brings the tea over (fruit and herbals aren't his favorite, but he's starting to appreciate them more), and pushes the cake towards him. He's wearing a dark gray sweater, black pants and black loafers today. Sharp gray eyes pick up on all those little signs, and he holds in a sigh, glances around briefly. ]
Yeah.
...sure you wanna do this here?
[ In public?? ]
Yeah.
...sure you wanna do this here?
[ In public?? ]
[ Jean seems surprised when the cake is pushed towards him, but murmurs another thanks as he takes it and the fork on the plate. Levi's words make him pause, and he waves the fork through the air. ]
It's fine. This is - it wasn't about that.
[ It was, kind of, but telling him what happened shouldn't get him crying. He takes a moment to gather his words before he looks at Levi. ]
I know Hange filled you guys in on what happens in the future, and I told Erwin what happened after ... that.
[ He doesn't like thinking about Hange dying, and he assumed Erwin likely filled Levi in since Jean didn't forbid him. ]
He and Eren got to talking before Vaeros's little party happened. Apparently Eren made it clear he wanted to fight Vaeros to 'free everyone' here. Erwin was afraid of Eren going down the same path, so he talked to him in private and ... told him what he does in the future.
It's fine. This is - it wasn't about that.
[ It was, kind of, but telling him what happened shouldn't get him crying. He takes a moment to gather his words before he looks at Levi. ]
I know Hange filled you guys in on what happens in the future, and I told Erwin what happened after ... that.
[ He doesn't like thinking about Hange dying, and he assumed Erwin likely filled Levi in since Jean didn't forbid him. ]
He and Eren got to talking before Vaeros's little party happened. Apparently Eren made it clear he wanted to fight Vaeros to 'free everyone' here. Erwin was afraid of Eren going down the same path, so he talked to him in private and ... told him what he does in the future.
Oh.
[ Well fine...that makes sense. And he guess he'll just have to help Erwin out with that lotion, huh? How terrible, rubbing his hands over Erwin's chest and back perhaps nightly. How will he ever cope.
Levi's a little distracted by the thought when Erwin holds out the hand to him, and he's not quite able to hold down the unsure look that appears on his face.
I'll be able to feel you with it. There's something oddly intimate about that, because in truth he hadn't expected that to be true. But there's also some amount of...trepidation of being touched by an artificial contraption.
Get over yourself, he thinks, and reaches out to trace fingertips over the palm. ]
[ Well fine...that makes sense. And he guess he'll just have to help Erwin out with that lotion, huh? How terrible, rubbing his hands over Erwin's chest and back perhaps nightly. How will he ever cope.
Levi's a little distracted by the thought when Erwin holds out the hand to him, and he's not quite able to hold down the unsure look that appears on his face.
I'll be able to feel you with it. There's something oddly intimate about that, because in truth he hadn't expected that to be true. But there's also some amount of...trepidation of being touched by an artificial contraption.
Get over yourself, he thinks, and reaches out to trace fingertips over the palm. ]
[ Hange's death has likewise weighed on him heavily since learning of it, since having visions and then finally having them show up and confirm it...even if they're here now, it still fucking hurts.
This is all more or less what he's pieced together, but it's nice to hear a more straightforward sequence of events, and to finally hear Jean's thoughts on the whole fucking mess as well. Erwin will be the last piece.
Levi listens quietly, taking up the teacup. The scent is quite pleasant, actually. ]
I've heard. Go on.
This is all more or less what he's pieced together, but it's nice to hear a more straightforward sequence of events, and to finally hear Jean's thoughts on the whole fucking mess as well. Erwin will be the last piece.
Levi listens quietly, taking up the teacup. The scent is quite pleasant, actually. ]
I've heard. Go on.
[ Jean nods a bit, sticking his fork into the cake. He's not really terribly hungry, but like anyone from their world, he's not the type to let food go to waste if it's in front of him. ]
Eren didn't take it well, unsurprisingly. He actually... he hasn't done anything, but he said he didn't even want to live with the knowledge.
[ Which is the first time he's admitted to anyone what Eren said about that. ]
He hasn't said anything like that since the party at the castle, though.
[ Maybe something happened that changed his mind. ]
Mikasa wanted to confront Erwin the day she found out, but I asked her to hold off. We talked to him earlier, though. It went about as well as you'd expect. Mikasa doesn't want anything to do with Erwin anymore; she said it wasn't his place to tell Eren.
[ Here he sighs. He and Erwin are still on good terms, thankfully. ]
I agree with her on that, but I agree with him that we also needed to tell him more than we'd been.
Eren didn't take it well, unsurprisingly. He actually... he hasn't done anything, but he said he didn't even want to live with the knowledge.
[ Which is the first time he's admitted to anyone what Eren said about that. ]
He hasn't said anything like that since the party at the castle, though.
[ Maybe something happened that changed his mind. ]
Mikasa wanted to confront Erwin the day she found out, but I asked her to hold off. We talked to him earlier, though. It went about as well as you'd expect. Mikasa doesn't want anything to do with Erwin anymore; she said it wasn't his place to tell Eren.
[ Here he sighs. He and Erwin are still on good terms, thankfully. ]
I agree with her on that, but I agree with him that we also needed to tell him more than we'd been.
[ He said he didn't even want to live with the knowledge. Levi just closes his eyes for a moment at that, though it appears more as a slow blink as he takes a breath. It's not the first time he's heard similar words from Eren, remembering his wailing as the crystal caves began to crumble around them. It'd been one of his lowest moments since Levi had taken charge of him, and it'd been in the middle of a fucking crisis. He'd ended up saving them all.
Levi would like to think he could bounce back again. Eren had been pretty downtrodden when they'd been all whisked away to the party, but...better, maybe.
This situation with Erwin and Mikasa, though, is giving him a fucking headache. So that's why Erwin chased him and Hange out of the house earlier. He sets the teacup down, pinching the bridge of his nose. Fucking dumbass blonde fucking asshole-
He fucking sighs. ]
Look, we all fucked up. You're right - you and Mikasa should have been allowed to take the lead, or at least have been there. I don't know what exactly Erwin was thinking, but he wouldn't have done it if he didn't think it was necessary. We should have all talked about this, but we didn't, and Eren's the one suffering the most because of it.
What did they say to each other? Mikasa and Erwin.
[ He'll talk to them both, but he wants to know how bad the damage actually is. ]
Levi would like to think he could bounce back again. Eren had been pretty downtrodden when they'd been all whisked away to the party, but...better, maybe.
This situation with Erwin and Mikasa, though, is giving him a fucking headache. So that's why Erwin chased him and Hange out of the house earlier. He sets the teacup down, pinching the bridge of his nose. Fucking dumbass blonde fucking asshole-
He fucking sighs. ]
Look, we all fucked up. You're right - you and Mikasa should have been allowed to take the lead, or at least have been there. I don't know what exactly Erwin was thinking, but he wouldn't have done it if he didn't think it was necessary. We should have all talked about this, but we didn't, and Eren's the one suffering the most because of it.
What did they say to each other? Mikasa and Erwin.
[ He'll talk to them both, but he wants to know how bad the damage actually is. ]
[ Jean reaches for his tea to take a sip, to chase the taste of suddenly cloyingly sweet chocolate out of his mouth. Maybe he'll get this taken to go, since he's finding it hard to eat it right now. The tea is sweet, too, in the way that most fruit teas are, but it's different enough that it helps.
He listens to Levi and after a moment he nods in agreement with his words. It's a mess, and Eren's hurting because of it. ]
I know he wouldn't; he's not cruel.
[ At least so Levi knows Jean doesn't feel the same way.
Jean, at least, is able to relay what Mikasa and Erwin said to each other fairly word for word.
He doesn't mention what Erwin said to him about Mikasa loving Eren, but does add, with a wry tone, ]
He said it wasn't the first time an Ackerman threatened him.
He listens to Levi and after a moment he nods in agreement with his words. It's a mess, and Eren's hurting because of it. ]
I know he wouldn't; he's not cruel.
[ At least so Levi knows Jean doesn't feel the same way.
Jean, at least, is able to relay what Mikasa and Erwin said to each other fairly word for word.
He doesn't mention what Erwin said to him about Mikasa loving Eren, but does add, with a wry tone, ]
He said it wasn't the first time an Ackerman threatened him.
Edited 2023-12-18 07:24 (UTC)
[ Erwin may not be cruel, but it sounds like he certainly hadn't bothered to pull any punches. Levi was supposed to be the one bad at tact, but between Erwin and Mikasa, he's about ready to throttle them both. His gaze definitely sharpens when Jean gets to the part of her threatening to kill Erwin, staring at him intently. Of course, he can't even dismiss it as a bluff, because frankly Levi doubts Mikasa even understands the very concept of bluffing when it comes to Eren.
Fucking great. They'd managed to have an understanding and then she'd gone right back to being pissed at him. He'd just maybe managed to salvage that again, but now he gets to go and remind her that she can't just fucking kill Erwin because it would make her feel better.
Before he can formulate a response other than a string of muttered profanity, Jean leaves him with that last little comment. ]
...
[ Levi sucks at his teeth. Presses his lips together. Sips loudly at his tea. ]
Cocky fucker thinks he's funny.
[ Sounds like he also gets to have a conversation where he reminds Erwin that he's not immune to all Ackermans. ]
Fucking great. They'd managed to have an understanding and then she'd gone right back to being pissed at him. He'd just maybe managed to salvage that again, but now he gets to go and remind her that she can't just fucking kill Erwin because it would make her feel better.
Before he can formulate a response other than a string of muttered profanity, Jean leaves him with that last little comment. ]
...
[ Levi sucks at his teeth. Presses his lips together. Sips loudly at his tea. ]
Cocky fucker thinks he's funny.
[ Sounds like he also gets to have a conversation where he reminds Erwin that he's not immune to all Ackermans. ]
itt: two men being like "god damn it" at their significant others
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
neighsaying
2023-12-18 07:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ Likewise, Jean feels that Mikasa is a bit too blinded by her feelings for Eren to see the necessity of what Erwin did. Maybe that's just Jean's guilt talking, but there really had been no standing agreement the five of them and Reiner had agreed on. Reiner hadn't wanted to tell Eren anything period, after all.
Despite all that, Jean allows himself one small smile for Levi's comment. ]
That or he's got balls of steel. It could have gone much worse.
[ He could have actually had to try to stop Mikasa from hitting or harming Erwin. ]
Despite all that, Jean allows himself one small smile for Levi's comment. ]
That or he's got balls of steel. It could have gone much worse.
[ He could have actually had to try to stop Mikasa from hitting or harming Erwin. ]
It's both.
[ You don't go after a shifter just after having your arm bitten off or orchestrate a bloodless coups from your fucking jail cell without having steel balls.
Levi lets out an annoyed sigh, breaking off part of the scone to spread some jam on one end, but he doesn't eat it yet. ]
I'll talk to him. And Mikasa. [ because at the end of the day, he can't let that threat go. ] I don't expect them to start braiding each other's hair any time soon, but something better than this stupidity.
[ You don't go after a shifter just after having your arm bitten off or orchestrate a bloodless coups from your fucking jail cell without having steel balls.
Levi lets out an annoyed sigh, breaking off part of the scone to spread some jam on one end, but he doesn't eat it yet. ]
I'll talk to him. And Mikasa. [ because at the end of the day, he can't let that threat go. ] I don't expect them to start braiding each other's hair any time soon, but something better than this stupidity.
No, I think they made their feeling pretty clear. As long as they aren't going out of their way to mess with each other, I'd be happy.
[ Jean doesn't imagine either would, even now, but he's realistic about the kind of thing you can achieve with two stubborn individuals.
He feels a little bit more like having an appetite, so he resumes taking small bites of the cake. He's careful to make sure he's chewed and swallowed before he speaks again. ]
Sorry it took me a bit to catch you up. And thank you for being willing to talk to them.
[ Jean doesn't imagine either would, even now, but he's realistic about the kind of thing you can achieve with two stubborn individuals.
He feels a little bit more like having an appetite, so he resumes taking small bites of the cake. He's careful to make sure he's chewed and swallowed before he speaks again. ]
Sorry it took me a bit to catch you up. And thank you for being willing to talk to them.
[ Levi just mutters something under his breath that possibly sounds like 'stubborn assholes' and takes a bite of the scone. He's not much of one for pastries - most are too sweet, but this is more his speed. ]
It's fine. [ Frankly, Erwin should have let him and Hange stay for the meeting in the first place, but - whatever. It's done now. ]
Yeah. Thanks for your help.
It's fine. [ Frankly, Erwin should have let him and Hange stay for the meeting in the first place, but - whatever. It's done now. ]
Yeah. Thanks for your help.
[ Jean doesn't want to just get up and leave after Levi agreed to meet him out here, so he slowly eats the piece of cake between sips of his tea. The silence isn't exactly peaceful, seeing as they both have things to think over, but it is companionable, at the very least.
He doesn't have much appetite, but he does eventually finish the cake, and his tea, sitting there and watching Levi. After a moment, he clears his throat. ]
I'm going to try talking... wishing... whatever, to that crystal for my ODM gear. I'll keep up practice with it.
[ The unspoken invitation is Levi can join him, if he wants. ]
He doesn't have much appetite, but he does eventually finish the cake, and his tea, sitting there and watching Levi. After a moment, he clears his throat. ]
I'm going to try talking... wishing... whatever, to that crystal for my ODM gear. I'll keep up practice with it.
[ The unspoken invitation is Levi can join him, if he wants. ]
[ The week of 12/24, Levi will find a nicely wrapped, square box on his doorstep, along with gifts for Erwin and Hange.
Inside the box, there's a black tea that advertises itself as flavored with dark chocolate, and a mug that has a cat painted on it. The tail of the cat is also the handle. Jean has also commissioned a tiny replica of the Wings of Freedom, in pin form, that inside the cup.
Finally, there's a sealed, wrapped bag with pain au chocolate inside it, made with dark chocolate; they look to be hand made.
There's also a little handwritten note from Jean. ]
Captain Levi -
If the tea is bad, I'll get you a different kind, but you'll have to drink it out of the mug, too.
- Jean
Inside the box, there's a black tea that advertises itself as flavored with dark chocolate, and a mug that has a cat painted on it. The tail of the cat is also the handle. Jean has also commissioned a tiny replica of the Wings of Freedom, in pin form, that inside the cup.
Finally, there's a sealed, wrapped bag with pain au chocolate inside it, made with dark chocolate; they look to be hand made.
There's also a little handwritten note from Jean. ]
Captain Levi -
If the tea is bad, I'll get you a different kind, but you'll have to drink it out of the mug, too.
- Jean
Edited (I FORGOT THE PASTRIES) 2023-12-20 07:09 (UTC)
[Yes, Levi's life is truly suffering, having to be exposed to Erwin's chest and back and then putting his hands all over them. Erwin apologises for this egregious hardship he must endure.]
Oh...
[Erwin had watched as Levi reached out, and in a way, he'd been just as nervous. He already knows that he can feel many things with the new arm--the weight of a shirt over it, the metal elbow when he used it to open a door, the cottage doorknob when he turned it--but he hasn't touched another person yet. Part of him has been afraid that he won't be able to feel the lighter, softer touches the world has to offer.]
I felt that!
[It had been muffled, like Erwin had been wearing a glove when Levi touched him, but it had been there. He can feel Levi's fingertips on the metal hand, can even faintly feel the heat from them, and Erwin's face brightens like a rising sun.]
Levi, I can touch you again.
[It barely takes any concentration at all to make the metal hand turn, and gently wrap around Levi's.]
Oh...
[Erwin had watched as Levi reached out, and in a way, he'd been just as nervous. He already knows that he can feel many things with the new arm--the weight of a shirt over it, the metal elbow when he used it to open a door, the cottage doorknob when he turned it--but he hasn't touched another person yet. Part of him has been afraid that he won't be able to feel the lighter, softer touches the world has to offer.]
I felt that!
[It had been muffled, like Erwin had been wearing a glove when Levi touched him, but it had been there. He can feel Levi's fingertips on the metal hand, can even faintly feel the heat from them, and Erwin's face brightens like a rising sun.]
Levi, I can touch you again.
[It barely takes any concentration at all to make the metal hand turn, and gently wrap around Levi's.]
[ On the Solstice, a package appears on Levi's doorstep. Inside is a carved wooden standalone shelf/rack with glass containers to organize and store loose-leaf tea. There is a small package of gingerbread spice tea, plus a (smaller) package of pumpkin spice flavored coffee.
A note accompanies it, written in Reiner's neat (Eldian) script: ]
Captain Levi,
This looked like it would help keep tea organized. The gingerbread spice tea and pumpkin spice coffee are seasonal flavors. I don't know if you've tried coffee or not; it'll keep you awake, so don't drink it at night.
- Reiner
A note accompanies it, written in Reiner's neat (Eldian) script: ]
Captain Levi,
This looked like it would help keep tea organized. The gingerbread spice tea and pumpkin spice coffee are seasonal flavors. I don't know if you've tried coffee or not; it'll keep you awake, so don't drink it at night.
- Reiner
[ The package is wrapped professionally - the person in the store where she bought it clearly did it, and it's left with a little note that just says "M" on it.
Inside the package is a green scarf - it looks handmade from wherever she got it - and some tea (the kind she had seen him drink when she had visited), some soap (a simple, citrusy scent), and a carefully written offer to purchase him a weapon from the blacksmith whenever he'd like.
It is the only gift left at his house. ]
Inside the package is a green scarf - it looks handmade from wherever she got it - and some tea (the kind she had seen him drink when she had visited), some soap (a simple, citrusy scent), and a carefully written offer to purchase him a weapon from the blacksmith whenever he'd like.
It is the only gift left at his house. ]
[On December 25th, Levi will find an oblong package on his doorstep. It contains a custom-made sword from the local forge. Next to it is a box containing a variety of high quality teas, as well as croissants from the local bakery.]
Captain Levi,
Thanks for everything. The sword is custom made to fit your measurements. I figure it might be useful someday if you need it, but it's also just kind of cool. I heard it was your birthday too, so I got you some extra things. I hope you like the tea.
Thanks for everything.
- Eren
Thanks for everything. The sword is custom made to fit your measurements. I figure it might be useful someday if you need it, but it's also just kind of cool. I heard it was your birthday too, so I got you some extra things. I hope you like the tea.
Thanks for everything.
- Eren
[Delivered quite kindly by the mail mice to Levi's is a bag of homemade potpourri and a little handmade Christmas Pixie. Last but not least, there are some Christmas cookies (some are a little misshapen but it's clear they were made with care).
Attached is a card inside is delicate handwriting:]
MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LEVI!
OH! And Happy birthday!
I made the cookies myself with some help!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Again, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!
Love,
Alice Liddell
Attached is a card inside is delicate handwriting:]
MERRY CHRISTMAS MR. LEVI!
OH! And Happy birthday!
I made the cookies myself with some help!
Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.
Again, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday!
Love,
Alice Liddell
"Huh. Maybe that's it." It's definitely the mun just making shit up.
There's a small clock nearby. It's not a timer, just a regular clock, and Levi makes a note of when the water went in. He loosely folds his arms, leaning back against the counter as he looks at Eilonwy curiously. Did she know that he had trouble sleeping, or was it just a guess? Maybe Erwin told her? Either way, he has his doubts that it'll help put him to sleep, but it didn't help to have something to help wind down with, and Erwin certainly didn't need to be drinking anything with caffeine at night.
"As long as you used good ingredients, it'll be fine." His time for being forced to consume shitty tea is long over.
"You still live by yourself?"
There's a small clock nearby. It's not a timer, just a regular clock, and Levi makes a note of when the water went in. He loosely folds his arms, leaning back against the counter as he looks at Eilonwy curiously. Did she know that he had trouble sleeping, or was it just a guess? Maybe Erwin told her? Either way, he has his doubts that it'll help put him to sleep, but it didn't help to have something to help wind down with, and Erwin certainly didn't need to be drinking anything with caffeine at night.
"As long as you used good ingredients, it'll be fine." His time for being forced to consume shitty tea is long over.
"You still live by yourself?"
[Most likely dropped at the open house party. A box filled with various teabags of flavors, a one size poncho, and some chocolate fudge. There is a name from the sender at least.]
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