[ The hand at his cheek is somehow unexpected, but Levi leans into it anyway, like something he's long yearned for. Having them here has made him realize what it was that's felt off for some time, a discomfort that's lived awkwardly under his skin that he couldn't quite understand. He'd had Erwin, and while that has been amazing and wonderful and more than he ever thought he'd had, there were more people that had made up his world, their world, than just each other.
He's missed Hange. Achingly. The only other person he'd ever really let close, in his own way. For years, it'll just be the two of them, navigating a whole new world without Erwin. Just the thought of it twists an unpleasant mix of despair and confusion and anxiety in his chest; he can't even imagine it, but Hange's lived it, and eventually sacrificed their life in the end, too.
One day, he'll be without either of them. But for now, he has them both. Real, right now.
Erwin joins them, and Levi curls an arm around Hange's shoulders to draw them close and leans them both into the larger man, practically sandwiching Hange between their chests. His hand there gropes for some part of Erwin to touch or grab onto, just needing to feel them both right now. ]
Just do it, if you need to. [ he mutters the words, soft, without any real bite. His own eyes seem a little too wet, and he twines his fingers with theirs when they reach for his hand and tucks his face along the slope of their neck and shoulder. They've spent long enough holding back tears. Now especially, after everything, in this place, there's no reason to try to be strong.
Part of him doesn't want to ask, but he at least wants to know if Hange understood his decision. ]
no subject
He's missed Hange. Achingly. The only other person he'd ever really let close, in his own way. For years, it'll just be the two of them, navigating a whole new world without Erwin. Just the thought of it twists an unpleasant mix of despair and confusion and anxiety in his chest; he can't even imagine it, but Hange's lived it, and eventually sacrificed their life in the end, too.
One day, he'll be without either of them. But for now, he has them both. Real, right now.
Erwin joins them, and Levi curls an arm around Hange's shoulders to draw them close and leans them both into the larger man, practically sandwiching Hange between their chests. His hand there gropes for some part of Erwin to touch or grab onto, just needing to feel them both right now. ]
Just do it, if you need to. [ he mutters the words, soft, without any real bite. His own eyes seem a little too wet, and he twines his fingers with theirs when they reach for his hand and tucks his face along the slope of their neck and shoulder. They've spent long enough holding back tears. Now especially, after everything, in this place, there's no reason to try to be strong.
Part of him doesn't want to ask, but he at least wants to know if Hange understood his decision. ]
...did I...say why?