Oh yes, how he makes you suffer. Poor Levi, eternally subjected to Erwin's antics and madcappery.
Erwin is completely unfazed by the look, and just smiles back cheerfully. "If we sell coffee too, we'll get more people in. Besides, if I'm manning the coffee machine, that will leave you more time to talk to people about tea."
The blue sweater looks good on Levi. It's not quite a replica of the one from home that he stole from Erwin's closet years ago, but it's close. Erwin, for his part, is wearing a white, bulky-knit cable sweater, which hides his metal arm quite nicely. If no one looks at his hand, they'd never know he lost it.
"Oh, there are a lot of different steps. We have to start by..." And Erwin is off and away, rattling off all the things he's learned and the plans he's started making. For someone who only really considered this seriously a few hours ago, he's already put a fair amount of footwork into it.
He knows what he signed up for (this goes both ways).
"Hm," he muses, sounding not entirely convinced at the coffee pitch still, but listens...mostly attentively as Erwin rambles on about all the things they'd need to do and the ideas he has. And Levi is paying attention, but he's also thinking about how it already seems to be good for Erwin - to have something to plan, a puzzle to work out and to make reality. Things he's always been good at, but now instead of working out how to out maneuver political foes or reduce casualties to Titans, it's things like location and supplies and menus (logistically, not so far different from taking care of scores of people).
It's also always just...nice, to listen to people he loves talk about something that excites them.
After a few minutes, he finishes preparing the tea as Erwin continues, adding in a little bit of cream, the tiniest bit of sugar to his own cup, and a little more to Erwin's. He's been experimenting with different brew times and preparation styles a bit, even if the idea of putting anything in black tea before would have been strange to him. But it's undeniable that some flavors just come out better with a little extra help.
Finished, Levi hands off the mug to Erwin, resumes his spot leaning against the counter with his own in hand sipping every so often. His eyes trace the cable pattern of the sweater as he listens, but after a little while realizes he hasn't heard a word out of the man's mouth for probably the last two minutes, too busy thinking about how soft the sweater would probably feel if he just faceplanted directly into Erwin's chest.
Erwin can tell that Levi isn't really listening to him after a few minutes, but that's okay. Talking about things with Levi has long been a way for him to sort out his own thoughts and feelings, giving form to ideas that had been swirling and nebulous until he vocalises them. He's confident that if he says anything too outlandish or ridiculous, that'll be the exact moment that Levi happens to be listening carefully, and he'll call him out on it. Experience has proven that Levi has a very keen ear for when Erwin gets too bullshitty, and has no qualms about reining him in.
It's one of the many reasons they're so good together.
Erwin takes the mug of tea without breaking his patter, only pausing to insert a thank you in the middle of a sentence about zoning permits. He wraps his hands around the mug and lets it warm them for a few moments. The metallic hand doesn't feel heat the same way his real one does, but it can feel heat, and Erwin thinks it works a little better, a little faster, when the gears inside it are warm. That's mostly theory for now, as he hasn't had the heart to really test it yet. Testing the hand and arm would feel too much like trying to break it, and Erwin couldn't bear to lose it again.
He eventually pauses to take a sip of tea, and his eyes widen when he does. "Levi, this is really good." He lowers the mug and smiles. "I can really taste the... the walnuts? When you added the milk and sugar. There are nuts in this one, right?"
It's true, Levi does have a talent for letting Erwin chatter at him to think out loud, listening with one ear for any bullshit ideas and countering them. He doesn't always need to understand the details of whatever problem Erwin's working through, although he can come up with a decent strategy on his own, if pressed. But his particular talents lie more in adaptability, reacting in the moment.
It's the pause that pulls him out of his unfocused (or perhaps too-focused) stare, when Erwin finally takes a drink. A pleasurable little warmth unfurls in his chest at the praise and the smile, and Levi shifts a bit on his feet, chin lifting a little to soak it in, pleased that his efforts seem to be paying off.
"Yeah. S'just a mild black with a few walnut pieces in the cup." Nothing particularly elaborate. He's not going to go crazy with the wild blends, but experimenting a little didn't hurt.
He pauses, head tilting a little, unsure. "Is the balance right? You put a fuckload of sugar in that beanwater, but this doesn't taste like shit to start, so..."
"The balance is perfect." Erwin pats the table across from himself. Come on, Levi, stop lingering at the counter, come sit with him. "I can taste the tea and the nuts, and the milk softens the tea taste enough for the walnut taste to come through. But it's not too strong. I still know I'm drinking tea."
Erwin will openly admit he's not the best person for tea taste-testing. Many of the subtleties have, no doubt, been lost on him. But Levi has brewed it carefully enough that even he can pick out the different flavours.
"Do you think it would work with different types of nuts?"
Levi drifts over to the table after a moment, dropping himself sedately into the chair across from Erwin and leaning back. It's a small table, enough for the three of them to sit together cozily. He leans back in the chair, slouching a little so he can find Erwin's foot with his own and casually hook his ankle around it.
Erwin might not have the most discerning palate when it comes to tea, but that doesn't mean Levi won't spend the time to make something he might like. If anything, it just makes him easy to please, but still - the feedback is nice, and he's clearly pleased by it, eyes softening.
He shrugs though, taking a delicate sip himself. Hm. It's not his preference, but it wouldn't be bad a little sweeter.
"Pecans, maybe. Happy with this one, though." Let's not go crazy, Erwin.
When Levi hooks their ankles together, Erwin shifts his foot so the top of it is touching Levi's calf. It's mostly just so they're touching more, almost like an affectionate touch to the arm but with a foot.
"Pecans would be nice." Erwin thinks on it for a moment. "But maybe with one of the other types of tea? That red one, the roo-bose; do you think pecans would work in that?"
Maybe he should start adding nuts to his coffee. It's an idea worth considering!
Playing footsie under their own table, how cute. Maybe Levi will just put his other foot up on Erwin's knee.
"Rooibos." It took him several times to practice saying it to get it. He frowns a bit. "Maybe...haven't tried that one much yet." It's a little spicy, almost. He's starting to develop a taste for it.
Oh, what's this, a foot on his knee? Erwin reaches under the table to loosely circle Levi's ankle with his hand, his thumb rubbing along the bone where it connects to his foot.
"Yes, rooibos." Erwin nods, making a mental note of the correction. "I like it because I can drink it at night and still be able to sleep later."
He likes other herbal teas too, but the spiciness of rooibos appeals to him.
"I haven't tried it with milk, though. No sugar; sugar would change the taste too much, I think."
Oh...that feels nice, actually. His toes point and flex a bit in reflex when Erwin traces over a sensitive spot, but Levi doesn't make any motion to move away, seeming content.
Having pretty much zero sensitivity to things with caffeine in them, it's not something Levi really thinks about for himself. But he'd caught on to when Erwin's cutoff for black tea is years ago, having attempted to chase the man to bed many times only to realize he just couldn't sleep because he'd had tea way too late in the day.
"Yeah, probably." Maybe he is learning, after all? "Okay, we can try that next. Someone probably gave me some in that pile." People had given him so much tea.
He's probably about halfway through it already though.
The embarrassing thing is that Levi figured out Erwin's caffeine sensitivity long before Erwin himself did. He just thought there were some nights when he couldn't sleep and his mind was racing more than usual, never making the connection to the teas Levi would bring him during the afternoon.
"Thank you, that sounds lovely." The tea mountain, while impressive, has been slowly whittled down. Erwin caresses Levi's ankle again, just enjoying the quiet for a moment.
"Did you get anything new that you particularly liked at the holidays?" Everyone brought Levi tea, cooperating with Erwin's scheme spectacularly, and Erwin has noticed some changes in their usual drinking habits. "I liked the green one that we had a few mornings ago."
Honestly, it was probably Hange who clued him into the concept of black tea being a stimulant. He'd never had to think about it otherwise, so Erwin had been a bit of an experiment to see if it was true - Levi had started swapping their late afternoon black tea for mint instead, and Erwin had seemed to fall asleep more easily (not that it meant he tried to go to bed any sooner, sometimes, so Levi never quite lost the need to go chase his Commander away from paperwork late at night). Unfortunately, nothing seemed to change for his own mangled sleeping habits. Oh well.
He feels his toes curl a little for that touch, and briefly he can't help remembering the handful of times Erwin had helped wrap his ankle after his injury to capture the Female Titan. Being out of commission for weeks had been fucking miserable, but that had made it a little more bearable, before things got busy again.
And then he'd come back without an arm.
He sets the thought aside, sipping at his tea again, thinking. "Reiner gave me something called 'gingerbread spice.' Mostly ginger, but it's got some other stuff in it. It's not bad."
Erwin will forever be someone who needs to be chased to bed some nights. It's just a little easier for everyone involved if he isn't wired and jittery with caffeine when the chase begins.
He feels Levi moving his foot, and Erwin slips his other hand under the table to gently coax Levi's foot further up Erwin's thigh. Once he's got it in position, Erwin starts gently massaging Levi's ankle. It's been a long time since Levi's injury, but Erwin knows how old wounds can act up, and how soothing touch can keep them from getting angry all over again.
"We'll have to look for more of that one, then." Erwin keeps up his gentle caresses, his living hand sliding up the back of Levi's leg to work at his calf muscle. "Would you like me to ask Reiner where he found it?"
It's just a time honored tradition at this point, one he extends to Hange at times, too. It must be a Survey Corps Commander requirement.
He slouches a little more to extend his leg. It hasn't hurt for a long time, but it can still get stiff on occasion, particularly from under or over use. The touch is soothing, but Levi feels his pulse kick up a notch anyway, for reasons he can't quite articulate. The easy sweetness of Erwin's care will probably never not cause a fluttering in his chest.
"If you want, think I might have found it already, though." There's not many options in Somnius, after all. "But sure."
Some tension drains away, and he seems to finally fully relax his foot as Erwin continues massaging up his leg. Levi feels his eyes unfocus briefly, lids blinking slowly a few times. "...that feels good," he admits quietly.
"It never hurts to be sure. And who knows, maybe he found a seller that you haven't."
Unlikely, but possible.
With Levi's lower leg fully in his lap, Erwin has much better access to the muscles of his calf. He's careful, using his real hand for the massage and his metal one mostly to support and adjust Levi's leg as needed. He's gotten much more confident with the new hand, but it's still not the same as using his real one, and he doesn't want to accidentally squeeze Levi and hurt him. Probing metal fingers probably won't feel as nice as real ones, either.
"Good, I'm glad." Erwin keeps up the massage, slowly working his way up to the heaviest part of Levi's calf. "If you want me to get your thigh, though, we're going to have to relocate."
He's grown more accustomed to the feeling of the metal hand. Occasionally it still is a little bit of a surprise, particularly against his skin. But at least it's warm, usually, and the fact that Erwin actually has sensation in it, can actually feel him, too, makes it easier. Honestly, the more forceful dig of a metal hand might feel good in a massage, but Levi's not about to discourage or interrupt, as Erwin's doing a fine job already as it is.
Especially as he finds a particularly tense spot, and Levi tries unsuccessfully to hold in a soft groan, lashes dipping as he exhales. As touch-averse as he can be, with the right person....the right kind of touch can be...really nice, actually. Unable to watch Erwin's hands, he watches his face, relaxing a little further into the chair even as he somehow feels very aware of his own pulse.
...Thigh? Levi feels his thoughts suddenly cartwheel in a dozen different directions. There's nothing wrong with his thigh - is there meant to be some other meaning beyond what Erwin's suggesting, or if that's all it is really just more of this? He tries not to think about it too hard, to just...stay here, in this moment, instead of letting his mind spiral too soon, too quickly.
Right now, he just wants Erwin to keep touching him.
"Yeah," he says, wetting his lips briefly, taking another sip of tea. "...yeah, okay."
For the time being, Erwin still tries to make it very clear when he's using the metal hand rather than the flesh one. He doesn't just do that for Levi, but for everyone. He knows it probably feels weird to be suddenly touched by something metal, and so does what he can to broadcast his intentions with his right hand. As times goes on, he might lose some of his self-consciousness about it, but for now, he lets people know.
Erwin looks up when Levi moans; he hadn't expected that, but definitely likes the feedback. Was Levi trying to suggest something, or did that just slip out? He watches Levi through his eyelashes for a few moments as he really digs into that sore spot, trying to open up the muscle and let out all the tension. Seems like it was accidental, but Erwin would be lying if he said he didn't like hearing it. He also only suggested massaging Levi's thigh because he thought it might be tight too; there was no subterfuge at play with the idea, but now... well, he's definitely paying closer attention than he was a few moments ago.
"All right." Erwin smiles, and digs at that sore spot again. "Finish your tea, and then we'll go to the bedroom and I can get the rest of your leg."
This might not lead to anything, and that would be fine. Worst case scenario, Erwin gets to run his hands over Levi's legs for awhile and admire the muscles on them, and Levi gets a leg massage. It's really a no-lose kind of situation for them both.
...it's a safe assumption. He does carry a lot of tension in him, even if it is a little bit less these days.
The continued digging gets more of a grunt this time, now that it's less of a surprise. His toes curl a little bit, then flex again, feels the movement of his muscle against Erwin's hands. There might be the faintest, slightest hint at a flush coloring his skin high on his cheekbones, or it could be that he's warming up from the tea. Erwin passes over a spot on his ankle again that sends pleasurable little tingles along his nerves, makes his calf tense briefly to keep from shivering.
Levi inclines his chin a bit, forces his shoulders to relax.
"...all right." He takes a bit of a longer sip this time.
It's the muscles down near his ankle that really are what need the most work, and Erwin gets a few more soft noises for his trouble.
Erwin definitely notices that the ankle is where Levi needs the most attention, and he zeroes in on it. His massage technique is slow and gentle but relentless, working over the muscles and tendons over and over again until they're loose and pliable under his fingertips. Whenever Levi's calf tenses, Erwin makes a slight detour to rub that too, then back to the ankle.
He looks up when he hears the clink of an empty cup, and smiles. "What do you think? Adjourn to the bedroom so I can get the rest of your leg?"
And would sir like to be carried there? Erwin can do that now, with two arms.
Hopefully Erwin's remembered to drink his own tea during all of this - it would be a shame to heap all that praise on Levi's efforts and not get the chance to drink it.
The massage is...really nice, actually. In a way, Levi hadn't realized how stiff his ankle had actually become until now. It hasn't fully bothered him in a while, and he still trains with Jean and the others regularly, but it's not as rigorous as it was back home, and he's not always on his feet most of the day as often anymore, either. Erwin gets a few more groans for his trouble, a soft sigh of relief here and there as his muscles and tendons grow more pliable under his touch.
He tries to ignore the way his pulse flickers again at the suggestion, shifting to ease his leg down off of Erwin's lap.
"Yeah...soon as I peel my ass outta this chair." He's gotten very comfortable.
But manages after a moment, stretching a bit, popping his spine before getting to his feet.
"It feels a lot better." Like a lot better.
And while Levi is not gonna ask to be carried when he's perfectly capable of walking the few steps there himself, Erwin might have favorable results if he decides to do it, anyway. Weigh the risk, sir.
Erwin has drunk his tea! He grabbed quick sips between caresses, using the heat of the cup to keep his left hand limber and relaxed. He's also realised, from rubbing Levi's leg, that he really needs to light a fire under getting his own gear back and joining the training sessions. Levi's scars from the gear are still deep and present, while Erwin's have faded away over the months. If he goes much longer, he's going to lose them completely and have to start over.
"Good." And once Levi is standing, Erwin pounces. He knows trying to pick up Levi is a gamble, but never let it be said that Erwin Smith would see ridiculous, nigh-impossible odds and not think he should just make a play at them. Especially since he hasn't tried to pick Levi up since he got his new arm, and now feels like exactly the right time for testing how strong it really is.
He bends at the knees, and moves to scoop Levi up in a princess carry. This is either going to go swimmingly or he's going to suddenly be holding an enraged, soaked cat, and Erwin's pulse picks up as he waits to find out which.
The bruises still aren't as dark as they might have been before - Levi doesn't spend all day in the harness, has no need to wear it outside of training or the times he decides to go zipping around on his own occasional survey patrols, keeping an eye out for whatever thing Vaeros might decide to make them deal with next. But they're definitely still visible, permanent shadows on his skin.
Erwin starts to bend, and Levi could dodge out of the way if he really wanted, feeling a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses that something is coming for him - but he's relaxed and it's Erwin, so the next thing he knows he's being lifted from the floor--
"Oi-!"
It's more from surprise than protest, his arms flailing a little for balance and automatically settling around Erwin's broad shoulders.
What he hasn't noticed yet and definitely didn't account for is the way his face heats suddenly, a soft flush rising in seconds. Levi shifts, wriggling a little in Erwin's arms, but not making any actual effort to get free.
Still, some obligatory protesting is in order.
"What the hell are you-- I'm not actually injured, you big oaf-"
Erwin is too pleased with himself for getting away with this to notice how Levi is responding, beyond the fact that he's not actively trying to get away. That means he doesn't really mind being picked up, so Erwin is going to milk this for all it's worth.
"Let me have my fun." Which is, apparently, carrying Levi out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom, pushing doors open with one foot as he goes. "I haven't been able to do this before."
Back when he could've, he didn't, and then he was allowed, but didn't have the two arms necessary. Now he's both allowed and equipped with two arms, so he's going to take advantage where and when he can. Knowing that he can do this, that the robotic arm is strong enough to lift Levi, also helps ease a certain constant, aching worry in Erwin's chest: what if something happened to them, either in the Labyrinth or when something was attacking, and he wasn't able to carry an injured Levi to safety? He'd end up staying behind with him, he knows he would, but being able to get them both out of danger is the clearly preferable option. Knowing it's a possibility might make some of the nightmares go away.
Once in their bedroom, Erwin lays Levi down on the bed, then hovers over him, not straightening up immediately. "Would you like me to take care of your pants?"
No, he doesn't mind. At all, really. In fact it's...nice. Because as strong and dense as he is, that Erwin can so brazenly and so easily lift him, move him, sends his pulse racing a little. It could just as easily be soothing, to sink into the strength of his arms and just let go - let someone else be strong, for once, even just for the handful of strides to their bedroom.
Levi huffs, the annoyed sound at odds with the way he relaxes, leans his head against Erwin's. "Fine..."
He's completely oblivious to this worry; but since finally having an operable replacement for his arm, there's been a noticeable change in Erwin that makes him quietly relieved, considering it felt like there was little he could do otherwise. Seeing the return of his confidence has likewise lifted his own spirits.
It's also apparently becoming something of a different problem.
Or maybe it's not a problem.
For some reason, his brain is apparently in the gutter today. There's something about the way Erwin leans over him, taking up the whole of his vision, blue eyes inches from his own and hands still on him, and the quality of his voice asking to remove his pants that just sends a ripple of something through his body. He feels his brain stutter to a halt, staring at Erwin for a moment or two.
If you wanted to fuck just say so-
Is the thought on the tip of his tongue, to try to cover up the rush of -- what? embarrassment? that's not quite it -- ...whatever it is. But for once, he holds it in. Because - Erwin isn't usually that ridiculously roundabout for this sort of thing. So...massage.
On his thigh.
...right.
Right.
Erwin's probably waiting on an answer, and he's just staring at him like a fucking idiot.
Erwin is not, and never has been, a stupid man. Nor is he someone who can't read another person, usually so he can use that information to his own advantage. With Levi, though, there's an odd amount of blindspot, particularly when it comes to certain topics and activities. They've fooled around since that first time, each time successfully and to Erwin's great enjoyment, but Levi has never been either vocal or insistent on his own wants or needs. Erwin always makes sure to check in on him, and if Levi says he's enjoying himself, Erwin takes him at his word. He figures Levi, of all people, would know exactly what to say or do to get Erwin off him if he wasn't having fun or suddenly changed his mind about whatever they were doing. But taking his own initiative, or actively pursuing his own pleasure? No. That doesn't seem to be anything on Levi's radar, and so Erwin has stopped expecting it.
To put it another way, he would have noticed on anyone else that his presence and touch was having such an effect. But considering that it never has on Levi in the past, Erwin stopped expecting and looking for it, and is thus unaware of Levi getting wound up.
He starts to get an inkling, though, when Levi doesn't answer him right away. Erwin was half-expecting a hand to his face or a shit joke, not that odd silence and Levi staring at him like he's taken a header off a horse and rung his bell. Interesting...
"All right." Erwin leans back enough to get his hands between them, and makes a silly, over-exaggerated little show of undoing Levi's belt. He can take off a belt with one hand, but it's much easier with two, and it's also more fun. If this doesn't get Levi complaining, nothing will, and then the only logical conclusion left will be that Levi is into this, and that knowledge? That knowledge will get Erwin cranked from two to a thousand in a fraction of a second, and everything about this will change.
If, however, Levi bitches about Erwin showing off, then he'll get a leg massage and nothing more.
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Erwin is completely unfazed by the look, and just smiles back cheerfully. "If we sell coffee too, we'll get more people in. Besides, if I'm manning the coffee machine, that will leave you more time to talk to people about tea."
The blue sweater looks good on Levi. It's not quite a replica of the one from home that he stole from Erwin's closet years ago, but it's close. Erwin, for his part, is wearing a white, bulky-knit cable sweater, which hides his metal arm quite nicely. If no one looks at his hand, they'd never know he lost it.
"Oh, there are a lot of different steps. We have to start by..." And Erwin is off and away, rattling off all the things he's learned and the plans he's started making. For someone who only really considered this seriously a few hours ago, he's already put a fair amount of footwork into it.
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"Hm," he muses, sounding not entirely convinced at the coffee pitch still, but listens...mostly attentively as Erwin rambles on about all the things they'd need to do and the ideas he has. And Levi is paying attention, but he's also thinking about how it already seems to be good for Erwin - to have something to plan, a puzzle to work out and to make reality. Things he's always been good at, but now instead of working out how to out maneuver political foes or reduce casualties to Titans, it's things like location and supplies and menus (logistically, not so far different from taking care of scores of people).
It's also always just...nice, to listen to people he loves talk about something that excites them.
After a few minutes, he finishes preparing the tea as Erwin continues, adding in a little bit of cream, the tiniest bit of sugar to his own cup, and a little more to Erwin's. He's been experimenting with different brew times and preparation styles a bit, even if the idea of putting anything in black tea before would have been strange to him. But it's undeniable that some flavors just come out better with a little extra help.
Finished, Levi hands off the mug to Erwin, resumes his spot leaning against the counter with his own in hand sipping every so often. His eyes trace the cable pattern of the sweater as he listens, but after a little while realizes he hasn't heard a word out of the man's mouth for probably the last two minutes, too busy thinking about how soft the sweater would probably feel if he just faceplanted directly into Erwin's chest.
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It's one of the many reasons they're so good together.
Erwin takes the mug of tea without breaking his patter, only pausing to insert a thank you in the middle of a sentence about zoning permits. He wraps his hands around the mug and lets it warm them for a few moments. The metallic hand doesn't feel heat the same way his real one does, but it can feel heat, and Erwin thinks it works a little better, a little faster, when the gears inside it are warm. That's mostly theory for now, as he hasn't had the heart to really test it yet. Testing the hand and arm would feel too much like trying to break it, and Erwin couldn't bear to lose it again.
He eventually pauses to take a sip of tea, and his eyes widen when he does. "Levi, this is really good." He lowers the mug and smiles. "I can really taste the... the walnuts? When you added the milk and sugar. There are nuts in this one, right?"
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It's the pause that pulls him out of his unfocused (or perhaps too-focused) stare, when Erwin finally takes a drink. A pleasurable little warmth unfurls in his chest at the praise and the smile, and Levi shifts a bit on his feet, chin lifting a little to soak it in, pleased that his efforts seem to be paying off.
"Yeah. S'just a mild black with a few walnut pieces in the cup." Nothing particularly elaborate. He's not going to go crazy with the wild blends, but experimenting a little didn't hurt.
He pauses, head tilting a little, unsure. "Is the balance right? You put a fuckload of sugar in that beanwater, but this doesn't taste like shit to start, so..."
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Erwin will openly admit he's not the best person for tea taste-testing. Many of the subtleties have, no doubt, been lost on him. But Levi has brewed it carefully enough that even he can pick out the different flavours.
"Do you think it would work with different types of nuts?"
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Erwin might not have the most discerning palate when it comes to tea, but that doesn't mean Levi won't spend the time to make something he might like. If anything, it just makes him easy to please, but still - the feedback is nice, and he's clearly pleased by it, eyes softening.
He shrugs though, taking a delicate sip himself. Hm. It's not his preference, but it wouldn't be bad a little sweeter.
"Pecans, maybe. Happy with this one, though." Let's not go crazy, Erwin.
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"Pecans would be nice." Erwin thinks on it for a moment. "But maybe with one of the other types of tea? That red one, the roo-bose; do you think pecans would work in that?"
Maybe he should start adding nuts to his coffee. It's an idea worth considering!
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"Rooibos." It took him several times to practice saying it to get it. He frowns a bit. "Maybe...haven't tried that one much yet." It's a little spicy, almost. He's starting to develop a taste for it.
"Do you like those?"
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"Yes, rooibos." Erwin nods, making a mental note of the correction. "I like it because I can drink it at night and still be able to sleep later."
He likes other herbal teas too, but the spiciness of rooibos appeals to him.
"I haven't tried it with milk, though. No sugar; sugar would change the taste too much, I think."
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Having pretty much zero sensitivity to things with caffeine in them, it's not something Levi really thinks about for himself. But he'd caught on to when Erwin's cutoff for black tea is years ago, having attempted to chase the man to bed many times only to realize he just couldn't sleep because he'd had tea way too late in the day.
"Yeah, probably." Maybe he is learning, after all? "Okay, we can try that next. Someone probably gave me some in that pile." People had given him so much tea.
He's probably about halfway through it already though.
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"Thank you, that sounds lovely." The tea mountain, while impressive, has been slowly whittled down. Erwin caresses Levi's ankle again, just enjoying the quiet for a moment.
"Did you get anything new that you particularly liked at the holidays?" Everyone brought Levi tea, cooperating with Erwin's scheme spectacularly, and Erwin has noticed some changes in their usual drinking habits. "I liked the green one that we had a few mornings ago."
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He feels his toes curl a little for that touch, and briefly he can't help remembering the handful of times Erwin had helped wrap his ankle after his injury to capture the Female Titan. Being out of commission for weeks had been fucking miserable, but that had made it a little more bearable, before things got busy again.
And then he'd come back without an arm.
He sets the thought aside, sipping at his tea again, thinking. "Reiner gave me something called 'gingerbread spice.' Mostly ginger, but it's got some other stuff in it. It's not bad."
It's almost gone already, but details.
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He feels Levi moving his foot, and Erwin slips his other hand under the table to gently coax Levi's foot further up Erwin's thigh. Once he's got it in position, Erwin starts gently massaging Levi's ankle. It's been a long time since Levi's injury, but Erwin knows how old wounds can act up, and how soothing touch can keep them from getting angry all over again.
"We'll have to look for more of that one, then." Erwin keeps up his gentle caresses, his living hand sliding up the back of Levi's leg to work at his calf muscle. "Would you like me to ask Reiner where he found it?"
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He slouches a little more to extend his leg. It hasn't hurt for a long time, but it can still get stiff on occasion, particularly from under or over use. The touch is soothing, but Levi feels his pulse kick up a notch anyway, for reasons he can't quite articulate. The easy sweetness of Erwin's care will probably never not cause a fluttering in his chest.
"If you want, think I might have found it already, though." There's not many options in Somnius, after all. "But sure."
Some tension drains away, and he seems to finally fully relax his foot as Erwin continues massaging up his leg. Levi feels his eyes unfocus briefly, lids blinking slowly a few times. "...that feels good," he admits quietly.
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Unlikely, but possible.
With Levi's lower leg fully in his lap, Erwin has much better access to the muscles of his calf. He's careful, using his real hand for the massage and his metal one mostly to support and adjust Levi's leg as needed. He's gotten much more confident with the new hand, but it's still not the same as using his real one, and he doesn't want to accidentally squeeze Levi and hurt him. Probing metal fingers probably won't feel as nice as real ones, either.
"Good, I'm glad." Erwin keeps up the massage, slowly working his way up to the heaviest part of Levi's calf. "If you want me to get your thigh, though, we're going to have to relocate."
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He's grown more accustomed to the feeling of the metal hand. Occasionally it still is a little bit of a surprise, particularly against his skin. But at least it's warm, usually, and the fact that Erwin actually has sensation in it, can actually feel him, too, makes it easier. Honestly, the more forceful dig of a metal hand might feel good in a massage, but Levi's not about to discourage or interrupt, as Erwin's doing a fine job already as it is.
Especially as he finds a particularly tense spot, and Levi tries unsuccessfully to hold in a soft groan, lashes dipping as he exhales. As touch-averse as he can be, with the right person....the right kind of touch can be...really nice, actually. Unable to watch Erwin's hands, he watches his face, relaxing a little further into the chair even as he somehow feels very aware of his own pulse.
...Thigh? Levi feels his thoughts suddenly cartwheel in a dozen different directions. There's nothing wrong with his thigh - is there meant to be some other meaning beyond what Erwin's suggesting, or if that's all it is really just more of this? He tries not to think about it too hard, to just...stay here, in this moment, instead of letting his mind spiral too soon, too quickly.
Right now, he just wants Erwin to keep touching him.
"Yeah," he says, wetting his lips briefly, taking another sip of tea. "...yeah, okay."
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Erwin looks up when Levi moans; he hadn't expected that, but definitely likes the feedback. Was Levi trying to suggest something, or did that just slip out? He watches Levi through his eyelashes for a few moments as he really digs into that sore spot, trying to open up the muscle and let out all the tension. Seems like it was accidental, but Erwin would be lying if he said he didn't like hearing it. He also only suggested massaging Levi's thigh because he thought it might be tight too; there was no subterfuge at play with the idea, but now... well, he's definitely paying closer attention than he was a few moments ago.
"All right." Erwin smiles, and digs at that sore spot again. "Finish your tea, and then we'll go to the bedroom and I can get the rest of your leg."
This might not lead to anything, and that would be fine. Worst case scenario, Erwin gets to run his hands over Levi's legs for awhile and admire the muscles on them, and Levi gets a leg massage. It's really a no-lose kind of situation for them both.
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The continued digging gets more of a grunt this time, now that it's less of a surprise. His toes curl a little bit, then flex again, feels the movement of his muscle against Erwin's hands. There might be the faintest, slightest hint at a flush coloring his skin high on his cheekbones, or it could be that he's warming up from the tea. Erwin passes over a spot on his ankle again that sends pleasurable little tingles along his nerves, makes his calf tense briefly to keep from shivering.
Levi inclines his chin a bit, forces his shoulders to relax.
"...all right." He takes a bit of a longer sip this time.
It's the muscles down near his ankle that really are what need the most work, and Erwin gets a few more soft noises for his trouble.
A few minutes later, the cup is empty.
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He looks up when he hears the clink of an empty cup, and smiles. "What do you think? Adjourn to the bedroom so I can get the rest of your leg?"
And would sir like to be carried there? Erwin can do that now, with two arms.
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The massage is...really nice, actually. In a way, Levi hadn't realized how stiff his ankle had actually become until now. It hasn't fully bothered him in a while, and he still trains with Jean and the others regularly, but it's not as rigorous as it was back home, and he's not always on his feet most of the day as often anymore, either. Erwin gets a few more groans for his trouble, a soft sigh of relief here and there as his muscles and tendons grow more pliable under his touch.
He tries to ignore the way his pulse flickers again at the suggestion, shifting to ease his leg down off of Erwin's lap.
"Yeah...soon as I peel my ass outta this chair." He's gotten very comfortable.
But manages after a moment, stretching a bit, popping his spine before getting to his feet.
"It feels a lot better." Like a lot better.
And while Levi is not gonna ask to be carried when he's perfectly capable of walking the few steps there himself, Erwin might have favorable results if he decides to do it, anyway. Weigh the risk, sir.
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"Good." And once Levi is standing, Erwin pounces. He knows trying to pick up Levi is a gamble, but never let it be said that Erwin Smith would see ridiculous, nigh-impossible odds and not think he should just make a play at them. Especially since he hasn't tried to pick Levi up since he got his new arm, and now feels like exactly the right time for testing how strong it really is.
He bends at the knees, and moves to scoop Levi up in a princess carry. This is either going to go swimmingly or he's going to suddenly be holding an enraged, soaked cat, and Erwin's pulse picks up as he waits to find out which.
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Erwin starts to bend, and Levi could dodge out of the way if he really wanted, feeling a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses that something is coming for him - but he's relaxed and it's Erwin, so the next thing he knows he's being lifted from the floor--
"Oi-!"
It's more from surprise than protest, his arms flailing a little for balance and automatically settling around Erwin's broad shoulders.
What he hasn't noticed yet and definitely didn't account for is the way his face heats suddenly, a soft flush rising in seconds. Levi shifts, wriggling a little in Erwin's arms, but not making any actual effort to get free.
Still, some obligatory protesting is in order.
"What the hell are you-- I'm not actually injured, you big oaf-"
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"Let me have my fun." Which is, apparently, carrying Levi out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom, pushing doors open with one foot as he goes. "I haven't been able to do this before."
Back when he could've, he didn't, and then he was allowed, but didn't have the two arms necessary. Now he's both allowed and equipped with two arms, so he's going to take advantage where and when he can. Knowing that he can do this, that the robotic arm is strong enough to lift Levi, also helps ease a certain constant, aching worry in Erwin's chest: what if something happened to them, either in the Labyrinth or when something was attacking, and he wasn't able to carry an injured Levi to safety? He'd end up staying behind with him, he knows he would, but being able to get them both out of danger is the clearly preferable option. Knowing it's a possibility might make some of the nightmares go away.
Once in their bedroom, Erwin lays Levi down on the bed, then hovers over him, not straightening up immediately. "Would you like me to take care of your pants?"
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Levi huffs, the annoyed sound at odds with the way he relaxes, leans his head against Erwin's. "Fine..."
He's completely oblivious to this worry; but since finally having an operable replacement for his arm, there's been a noticeable change in Erwin that makes him quietly relieved, considering it felt like there was little he could do otherwise. Seeing the return of his confidence has likewise lifted his own spirits.
It's also apparently becoming something of a different problem.
Or maybe it's not a problem.
For some reason, his brain is apparently in the gutter today. There's something about the way Erwin leans over him, taking up the whole of his vision, blue eyes inches from his own and hands still on him, and the quality of his voice asking to remove his pants that just sends a ripple of something through his body. He feels his brain stutter to a halt, staring at Erwin for a moment or two.
If you wanted to fuck just say so-
Is the thought on the tip of his tongue, to try to cover up the rush of -- what? embarrassment? that's not quite it -- ...whatever it is. But for once, he holds it in. Because - Erwin isn't usually that ridiculously roundabout for this sort of thing. So...massage.
On his thigh.
...right.
Right.
Erwin's probably waiting on an answer, and he's just staring at him like a fucking idiot.
"...sure."
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To put it another way, he would have noticed on anyone else that his presence and touch was having such an effect. But considering that it never has on Levi in the past, Erwin stopped expecting and looking for it, and is thus unaware of Levi getting wound up.
He starts to get an inkling, though, when Levi doesn't answer him right away. Erwin was half-expecting a hand to his face or a shit joke, not that odd silence and Levi staring at him like he's taken a header off a horse and rung his bell. Interesting...
"All right." Erwin leans back enough to get his hands between them, and makes a silly, over-exaggerated little show of undoing Levi's belt. He can take off a belt with one hand, but it's much easier with two, and it's also more fun. If this doesn't get Levi complaining, nothing will, and then the only logical conclusion left will be that Levi is into this, and that knowledge? That knowledge will get Erwin cranked from two to a thousand in a fraction of a second, and everything about this will change.
If, however, Levi bitches about Erwin showing off, then he'll get a leg massage and nothing more.
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