[ 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. ]
[ 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: ]
[ Levi leaves immediately, orders a scone with jam for himself and one of those cakes he's seen the remnants of at their house for Jean, and finds a table in a corner to wait. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
itt: two men being like "god damn it" at their significant others
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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.
[ 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. ]
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You sound like shit. [ Helpful, Levi. ]
Where do you want to meet?
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[ 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. ]
audio > action
[ Levi leaves immediately, orders a scone with jam for himself and one of those cakes he's seen the remnants of at their house for Jean, and finds a table in a corner to wait. ]
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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.
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Yeah.
...sure you wanna do this here?
[ In public?? ]
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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.
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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.
cw: talk of suicidal ideation
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.
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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. ]
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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.
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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
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. ]
the wives gotta fix everything smh
[ 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.
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[ 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.
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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.
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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. ]
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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.
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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.
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[ That's a better expression. His own eyes narrow a little, crinkling at the edges that seems to often substitute for satisfaction. ]
Good.