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[Well this lucky guy isn't getting just one sword, but two swords! He caught wind that it was a birthday too and since he really only knows how to make one thing- it's swords. He does at least have the sense that one sword is small and easy to conceal if needed. The other matches the first he gave him, though perhaps a more comfortable fit for his arm size. Both swords have a little cat face carved on the sheath. No real reason. Cats are just nice.]
To Mr. Levi,
I heard that you were made on the day of a holiday, and that is a very nice day to be made. I have made you two gifts to celebrate. I am glad you were made.
-Kanoa
[ Companionable silence has always suited him fine; Levi is content to mull over some thoughts as he makes his way through scone and tea, chewing slowly. He needs to speak with Erwin. Maybe Mikasa, if for no other reason than to just make it Perfectly Clear that she can't actually kill Erwin if she manages to find a reason for it.
His focus returns when Jean finally speaks again. Levi just grunts, sets his cup down before wiping at his mouth with his napkin. ]
Just yell at it. [ That's always worked for him. ] When you get it, I can show you where I've been training.
You've had four extra years, Kirstein. I better be impressed.
His focus returns when Jean finally speaks again. Levi just grunts, sets his cup down before wiping at his mouth with his napkin. ]
Just yell at it. [ That's always worked for him. ] When you get it, I can show you where I've been training.
You've had four extra years, Kirstein. I better be impressed.
[ He's used to it. He took over Hange's job handling logistics and supplies; he liked when he handed paperwork to Levi, because it always came back signed and Levi never tried to make idle chatter with him.
He snorts a bit. ]
Should I try kicking it too?
[ Still, he's reassured that Levi seems convinced it'll work. He smiles wide despite his tired expression. ]
Wouldn't dream of disappointing you, Captain.
He snorts a bit. ]
Should I try kicking it too?
[ Still, he's reassured that Levi seems convinced it'll work. He smiles wide despite his tired expression. ]
Wouldn't dream of disappointing you, Captain.
[ The metal is...strange. It's slightly warm to the touch, where he'd expected it to be cool - he prefers that it's warm, though, because at least it's a little less jarring and less difficult to think of it as an extension of Erwin...but it's still...strange.
But Erwin's excitement causes a sudden surge of emotion in his chest that Levi only just manages to contain, jaw tightening briefly and blinking rapidly to clear the sudden cloudiness away from his eyes. There's an instinct to pull away when metal fingers close over his hand - a reflex to avoid capture that's been long ingrained into his bones - but it's Erwin, and it's gentle, and he manages to hold still, even as his breathing gets just a little harder, barely noticeable.
He looks up at Erwin, brows furrowed a little as he carefully folds his fingers back over the metal hand as he answer softly. ]
You could always touch me.
[ Of course that's not what Erwin meant, but - it's all that Levi can think to say in the moment. ]
But Erwin's excitement causes a sudden surge of emotion in his chest that Levi only just manages to contain, jaw tightening briefly and blinking rapidly to clear the sudden cloudiness away from his eyes. There's an instinct to pull away when metal fingers close over his hand - a reflex to avoid capture that's been long ingrained into his bones - but it's Erwin, and it's gentle, and he manages to hold still, even as his breathing gets just a little harder, barely noticeable.
He looks up at Erwin, brows furrowed a little as he carefully folds his fingers back over the metal hand as he answer softly. ]
You could always touch me.
[ Of course that's not what Erwin meant, but - it's all that Levi can think to say in the moment. ]
"Perhaps!"
Eilonwy notes the look and smiles. "With everything that happened with Winter Full-- sorry, with October, I figured it was needed. I think the ingredients are good enough, the shop owners were more excited than I was that they had cherry tea available." She giggles and nods.
"Yes, but I've settled in as much as I think that I can. I've been decorating and keeping house so that's helped it feel more comfortable than it did earlier in the year."
Eilonwy notes the look and smiles. "With everything that happened with Winter Full-- sorry, with October, I figured it was needed. I think the ingredients are good enough, the shop owners were more excited than I was that they had cherry tea available." She giggles and nods.
"Yes, but I've settled in as much as I think that I can. I've been decorating and keeping house so that's helped it feel more comfortable than it did earlier in the year."
I can touch you with both hands again.
[Erwin drops his left hand over both of theirs, cradling Levi's hand between his two.]
I can hold you.
[With two arms! Which they've never gotten to do, realising what they were to each other only after Erwin lost his right arm. Erwin lets go of Levi's hand and spreads his arms wide.]
Please, come here.
[He knows the metal arm is weird. He knows it's going to take some getting used to. But he wants to hold his husband with two arms for the first time, and there's a faint note of pleading in his eyes when he asks Levi to step in. Please, let him do this. Let him feel whole, with his husband, for the first time.]
[Erwin drops his left hand over both of theirs, cradling Levi's hand between his two.]
I can hold you.
[With two arms! Which they've never gotten to do, realising what they were to each other only after Erwin lost his right arm. Erwin lets go of Levi's hand and spreads his arms wide.]
Please, come here.
[He knows the metal arm is weird. He knows it's going to take some getting used to. But he wants to hold his husband with two arms for the first time, and there's a faint note of pleading in his eyes when he asks Levi to step in. Please, let him do this. Let him feel whole, with his husband, for the first time.]
[ Fuck. Damn it, fuck, shit - just - how fucking dare he, really. Erwin really knows what to say to make it all hit home, doesn't he? He always has, the bastard, even for something like this. Something that seems so simple but makes his chest ache. The look in Erwin's eyes echoes a longing in his heart, a small, inconsequential wish that they hadn't taken his fucking long to be together. He's never thought any part of the man insufficient, no matter his insecurities and doubts. Erwin has always, always been enough, but that didn't mean Levi was unaware of the struggles he yet carried, like the loss of his arm. Seeing him now, how could he do anything but fling himself into that embrace?
Levi doesn't quite fling, but he doesn't hesitate this time, either, stepping into that awaiting circle. His own arms slip around Erwin's waist, palms pressing to warm skin as he rests his cheek against that broad chest (out of the way of the straps, hopefully, otherwise he might fling the damn thing off after all), and just - sinks into him, feeling his heartbeat. ]
Levi doesn't quite fling, but he doesn't hesitate this time, either, stepping into that awaiting circle. His own arms slip around Erwin's waist, palms pressing to warm skin as he rests his cheek against that broad chest (out of the way of the straps, hopefully, otherwise he might fling the damn thing off after all), and just - sinks into him, feeling his heartbeat. ]
[The straps are, fortunately, mostly on the right side, so as long as Levi errs towards the left, he won't run into any of them.]
[Erwin lets out a great, sighing breath that's almost a sob when Levi steps into the circle of his arms. He wraps both of them around him, for the very first time, and he's able to feel Levi inside the ring he's created. He's warm and solid and breathing softly, and Erwin can feel all of that, every bit of Levi against him and in his arms, and it is the single most amazing thing he's ever felt.]
[He drops his forehead down against Levi's head and just stands there, holding him like a real, whole person, swaying minutely from side to side.]
[Erwin lets out a great, sighing breath that's almost a sob when Levi steps into the circle of his arms. He wraps both of them around him, for the very first time, and he's able to feel Levi inside the ring he's created. He's warm and solid and breathing softly, and Erwin can feel all of that, every bit of Levi against him and in his arms, and it is the single most amazing thing he's ever felt.]
[He drops his forehead down against Levi's head and just stands there, holding him like a real, whole person, swaying minutely from side to side.]
[ A day or two later, a note is delivered, in very neat, precise lettering. A gift from Reiner is probably the most surprising, but at least someone had thought to give him something to store all of the tea he's received. ]
Reiner,
Thank you.
Erwin likes the coffee. Glad to have something to keep all the tea in.
Come by sometime for a cup.
Levi
Reiner,
Thank you.
Erwin likes the coffee. Glad to have something to keep all the tea in.
Come by sometime for a cup.
Levi
[ she receives a note (probably delivered along with two others) a day or two later, lettered in very neat handwriting: ]
Mikasa,
Thanks for the scarf, the color is nice. Soap and tea are good too.
Let me know when you're ready to have your ass kicked by an old man.
Levi
Mikasa,
Thanks for the scarf, the color is nice. Soap and tea are good too.
Let me know when you're ready to have your ass kicked by an old man.
Levi
[ Eren receives a note delivered along with two others, written in precise, neat letters: ]
Eren,
Hope I won't have to use the sword, but glad to have it, anyway.
Thanks for the tea. Come over and help me drink some of it.
Here if you need something.
Levi
Eren,
Hope I won't have to use the sword, but glad to have it, anyway.
Thanks for the tea. Come over and help me drink some of it.
Here if you need something.
Levi
[ Getting gifts from his kids is one thing; Levi is surprised to have received any from anyone he didn't know from home. It's touching, really, but it might not come through in his response back. A day or so later, Alice will receive a handwritten note in kind. The lettering is very neat and precise print, almost like out of a newspaper: ]
Alice,
Cookies were good, Erwin and Hange ate most of them.
Not sure what the other stuff is, but it's nice.
Hope you had a good time too.
Thank you for thinking of me.
Levi
Alice,
Cookies were good, Erwin and Hange ate most of them.
Not sure what the other stuff is, but it's nice.
Hope you had a good time too.
Thank you for thinking of me.
Levi
[ Levi is drowning in swords and tea, apparently, but there are worse things to be associated with. The small sword is one he actually starts carrying regularly, even if there isn't much actual danger to be had most days, the fact that things have been...relatively peaceful lately makes him that much more anxious that something especially bad is going to drop at any moment. So: good to be prepared.
The note is...sweet, actually.
Kanoa receives a handwritten reply a couple days later, in very neat, printed text: ]
Kanoa,
The blades are beautiful. I've been needing something small to carry with me.
I'm glad you were made, too.
Thank you,
Levi
The note is...sweet, actually.
Kanoa receives a handwritten reply a couple days later, in very neat, printed text: ]
Kanoa,
The blades are beautiful. I've been needing something small to carry with me.
I'm glad you were made, too.
Thank you,
Levi
[ That sound nearly breaks his own composure, and instead he just tightens his own arms a little around Erwin, anchoring them both. Even with one made out of metal, it does feel good...really good...to be encircled like this. Shielded, secure, safe, his face pressed into Erwin's chest, breathing him in. He smells of clean skin and leather, and he's solid and real and...whole, again.
The longer they stand there, basking quietly in such a longed-for sensation, the more Levi feels himself relaxing. The ever-present tightness between his shoulders unwinds a little, his body becoming a little heavier as he leans into his husband. Husband.
Erwin.
After several long, uncounted moments, he presses fingertips into Erwin's back, and lifts his head gently, tilting his face upward as he raises himself up onto tiptoes to join their lips in a soft, sweet kiss. ]
The longer they stand there, basking quietly in such a longed-for sensation, the more Levi feels himself relaxing. The ever-present tightness between his shoulders unwinds a little, his body becoming a little heavier as he leans into his husband. Husband.
Erwin.
After several long, uncounted moments, he presses fingertips into Erwin's back, and lifts his head gently, tilting his face upward as he raises himself up onto tiptoes to join their lips in a soft, sweet kiss. ]
[Erwin could stand like this all day. He damn well might have, if Levi didn't eventually pull him out of his happy daze. And for what a lovely reason; he dips his head down gladly to kiss Levi back.]
[He hadn't realised how broken he'd felt until he was made whole again. There hadn't been time, back home, to truly mourn the loss of his arm, and once they were here, he'd simply hadn't allowed himself the privilege. There was always too much to do, too many other things to occupy his attention. Now though, that it's replaced and he feels like a complete man again, Erwin can gently say goodbye to who he was, and welcome who he has become.]
The straps aren't bothering you?
[Because he's going to be doing this every chance he gets.]
[He hadn't realised how broken he'd felt until he was made whole again. There hadn't been time, back home, to truly mourn the loss of his arm, and once they were here, he'd simply hadn't allowed himself the privilege. There was always too much to do, too many other things to occupy his attention. Now though, that it's replaced and he feels like a complete man again, Erwin can gently say goodbye to who he was, and welcome who he has become.]
The straps aren't bothering you?
[Because he's going to be doing this every chance he gets.]
[ It's broken only for as long as that kiss. Because while Levi could just climb the man like a tree to get at a better kissing level, he's perfectly happy to settle back onto his heels and lay his cheek to Erwin's pillowy chest again and continue to be held like this. There's a feeling radiating from Erwin, a lightness he can't remember the last time he'd seen - before everything with Eren started, before the walls were kicked in again.
He wants to bask in it for as long as he can. ]
No. [ He murmurs softly, rubbing his face against soft skin, fingertips playing idly over a scar on Erwin's back. ]
S'fine.
He wants to bask in it for as long as he can. ]
No. [ He murmurs softly, rubbing his face against soft skin, fingertips playing idly over a scar on Erwin's back. ]
S'fine.
[The last time Erwin felt this light, it was... gods, he can't even remember. That probably says something about him and his lifestyle, that he can so easily pinpoint the dark times, but feeling good like this is much more rare. Even when Levi took Erwin's wedding band and put it on his finger, Erwin hadn't felt this at home in his own body.]
Good.
[Erwin kisses the top of Levi's head.]
Because I'm going to be doing this a lot.
Good.
[Erwin kisses the top of Levi's head.]
Because I'm going to be doing this a lot.
Hmm. You'd better.
[ Because this is...nice. Really nice. They've spent so many hours together by now, being close, curled up against each other and making up for all of the comfort they could have had. Levi thinks he'll never not crave it. But this feels so incredibly perfect, the moment more peaceful than anything he's ever experienced. And he'll do whatever is necessary to hang onto it, to hold onto Erwin, and Hange, and all of them already here, to protect these moments of happiness they could never have before.
Erwin's heartbeat is a familiar, soothing sound against his ear. Levi closes his eyes, follows that gentle sway as they stand together. ]
[ Because this is...nice. Really nice. They've spent so many hours together by now, being close, curled up against each other and making up for all of the comfort they could have had. Levi thinks he'll never not crave it. But this feels so incredibly perfect, the moment more peaceful than anything he's ever experienced. And he'll do whatever is necessary to hang onto it, to hold onto Erwin, and Hange, and all of them already here, to protect these moments of happiness they could never have before.
Erwin's heartbeat is a familiar, soothing sound against his ear. Levi closes his eyes, follows that gentle sway as they stand together. ]
It's the same day as this conversation, and Erwin is waiting for Levi when he gets home.
"Hello, Levi." He practically pounces on him as soon as Levi enters the cottage, taking his cloak from him so he can get his shoes off. "I have an idea for us."
No beating around the bush, no small talk. Erwin is excited about something, and he's going to make it Levi's problem.
"Hello, Levi." He practically pounces on him as soon as Levi enters the cottage, taking his cloak from him so he can get his shoes off. "I have an idea for us."
No beating around the bush, no small talk. Erwin is excited about something, and he's going to make it Levi's problem.
Oh, hello, a husband at the door, how nice. Levi bundles his cloak and a couple bags of groceries and another bag that seems to have books into those waiting arms before sitting down on the bench near the door to take off his shoes. He gives Erwin a quirk of an eyebrow briefly, undoing the laces. He's certainly excited about something.
"What is it?"
"What is it?"
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