Author's Note: I picked a specific age for Levi's canon age for writing convenience. Edit: Although I intended it to be a single one, I've decided to now split this fic into chapters.

Kenny's part is referenced from my 'Loss' fic - so if you want to read Kenny's version of this, please go to that fic. I don't believe there's Christmas in SNK so I never portray Levi's birthday in that context.

'Bring Me Back to Life' by Extreme Music and several nightcored/antinightcored musics helped this through.

Disclaimer: Don't own Shingeki no Kyojin, obviously.

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4 years old

Levi woke up with a soft rustling on his forehead that made him giggle when he immediately recognized it. He curled around himself and covered his face with his thinny arms, trying and failing to prevent Kuchel from landing more kisses on his face.

"It tickles, mom!"

"Good morning, my love! My boy is so grown up!" As if to show him what tickles felt like, she started to poke him all around, making him squeal loudly and try to roll away as his breathing grew quickly puffy from laughter. "You were such a small baby just yesterday! No no, I want my little baby back!"

"I'm almost a grown up man now, mom, you can't tickle me like that!" he argumented in the height of his now four years of age and with his voice cracking from laughter.

Kuchel let out a laugh, jestful tone in her voice. "Oh yes, I do apologize! How could I call you a baby just now! No, you're a grown up already, sure, sure."

He managed to flee from the wicked ticklish grasp of his mother, clasping a hand on the long bangs of hair over his eyes to push them away when he caught a glimpse of their bedside table. There was a strange brown-wrapped package right next to the candles.

"What's that? Did you get a present?"

"No, silly, it's not my birthday today, is it?"

Levi's eyes widened and his mouth fell open a little bit from disbelief.

"Are you serious?" He wanted to jump right at it, but ackwardly fell down his step. "Wasn't it too expensive?"

"It's your birthday. It's the most important day! You deserve a present," Kuchel replied instead, and Levi smiled widely.

It was the happiest day of his life, spent with the person he loved the most, and he wished every birthday from there on would always be so.

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Author's Note: I'll now list my final comment and music recs at the final chapter.

Thanks for reading, reviews are appreciated if you find anything to say. Please point out mistakes.