[ Levi hadn't asked Eren to stop crying. Through all of the shitty circumstances they ended up finding him in, he'd never once asked Eren or anyone else to stop crying. It's a natural, human response to the horror and loss they all feel; to the trauma of watching people die in brutal ways; to being a killer. Crying openly is a luxury that Eren could still afford, but something Levi has forgotten how to do.
But here, right before his eyes, he watches the teen quell that part of his humanity. Levi watches Eren go quiet, his emotions slipping away moment by moment to let an eerie calm take over.
His heart fractures a little at the wrongness of it. It was Eren's passion that had first caught his attention. No matter what he was doing, he had pushed hard and tried and was always so fierce and alive.
But what is this?
There's a different sort of concern in his eyes now, a soft confusion tinged with sorrow. It's not disappointment, because Eren hasn't disappointed him. If anything, it's just a cautious...hope. ]
...yeah. Make sure you do.
And drink your tea. You might be sixteen now, but you're still just a brat. Don't go getting all weird and moody on me.
[ A couple of blinks are all that show of his surprise that Eren didn't even realize. Then again, that isn't very surprising. His tone doesn't change much, but there's a hint of softness in it. ]
Yeah, it is.
Happy Birthday, Eren.
lmk if u wanna wrap or if u had other plans I'm good with anything o7
[That's right. Hadn't he only been thinking about today's date a few moments ago? His head still feels so scrambled. It's been impossible to explain to anyone just how long those few hours in the labyrinth really felt...
[Levi's is the first "Happy Birthday" of the day, and Eren hopes he doesn't hear a single other one. He can't paint a happy expression on his face. His lips are tight; his eyes give nothing.]
Yeah. I remember now...
Thanks, Captain Levi. [He never did stop thinking of him as "Captain Levi"; he'll hold onto that as long as he can, he decides. Maybe it's the only sure thing he can hang onto.]
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no subject
But here, right before his eyes, he watches the teen quell that part of his humanity. Levi watches Eren go quiet, his emotions slipping away moment by moment to let an eerie calm take over.
His heart fractures a little at the wrongness of it. It was Eren's passion that had first caught his attention. No matter what he was doing, he had pushed hard and tried and was always so fierce and alive.
But what is this?
There's a different sort of concern in his eyes now, a soft confusion tinged with sorrow. It's not disappointment, because Eren hasn't disappointed him. If anything, it's just a cautious...hope. ]
...yeah. Make sure you do.
And drink your tea. You might be sixteen now, but you're still just a brat. Don't go getting all weird and moody on me.
no subject
[Already?]
Is that today...?
no subject
Yeah, it is.
Happy Birthday, Eren.
lmk if u wanna wrap or if u had other plans I'm good with anything o7
[Levi's is the first "Happy Birthday" of the day, and Eren hopes he doesn't hear a single other one. He can't paint a happy expression on his face. His lips are tight; his eyes give nothing.]
Yeah. I remember now...
Thanks, Captain Levi. [He never did stop thinking of him as "Captain Levi"; he'll hold onto that as long as he can, he decides. Maybe it's the only sure thing he can hang onto.]