Christmas Special: Great Expectations Can Be More Than Just Great
Author's Notes:
This story is written mainly in the POV of Hanji and Levi. This is my first time to write a fic in a character's POV too so please bear with me and I hope this fic will turn out okay. (:
I have already listed a couple of my uploading dates for this fic (first time that I do such a thing too ^.^) that supposedly had started yesterday, which was Hanji's birthday until Levi's birthday of this year :)
I thought it'll be great to have this kind of story fic here that will focus about Christmas and of course, of Levi's birthday (: aside that because I uploaded this story right after Hanji's birthday (got delayed, which was originally planned to be in her exact birthday T.T Gomen Hanji-san!)
Chapter 1:
Beginnings
Christmas. A holiday that is yearly being observed in every street, in every corner, in every homes and by everyone. Colorful bright lights blink rapidly in the dark, stinging my eyes sometimes but does blend well with the mostly colored gold and green decorations hanging everywhere. Despite the poverty present within the walls, the people living within it surely are still capable of buying of such exquisite decorations. The music and songs that I've been hearing being played in every corner was also really pleasant to the ears. It makes me feel joyous over something that I don't even know. That's what the children say what as Christmas spirit, being happy and excited over something that you don't even really understand and you even share the same feeling with others, most people as well. The sound of bells chiming everywhere sure sends a sweet tingling feeling on my ears too.
Very little is known about Christmas. I for one only knew that it originated in one of the ancient religions called Christianity. I read it in an ancient book that I once found in our public library, stored and hidden away in the farthest and deepest corner, dirty and seemed to have never been touched for eons. Very few books nowadays tackles about the world before, leaving us knew nothing of what or even how the world may look like outside these huge walls. Now that also includes giving us knowledge about Christmas, about where it came from, its purpose and all kind of stuffs that you wanted to know more.
Fortunately, that book that I found that time was able to answer a number of my questions, making me more alive and happy whenever Christmas reaches the town. Still, I would be very delighted if I could get to read more about it though, just to unfold my still remaining questions in my head, just like how I can tell where Titans came from and their purpose in the world. Mysteries... sometimes they are driving me nuts. Or maybe all the time.
As much as Christmas is mysterious as that of the Titans who are still lurking behind the walls, I find Christmas and its mysteries an even more pleasant thing to uncover than that of the titans of course, since a different feeling runs into my veins whenever this holiday comes in time every single year. Also, we get to have a lot excitement and do things that we don't normally do too. My most favorite part aside from the parties is the gift giving! It's full of surprises and just really fun to do!
Speaking of gift giving, I realized I haven't thought of any gifts to be given yet this Christmas, and it'll be in a very few weeks. This. Is. Bad. I might have another horrible and crammed shopping experience this year again (as if I ever had a laid down Christmas shopping anyway) and I have to think plan properly of what gifts I have to prepare for everyone.
I do the usual gift giving every Christmas of course, giving gifts to Erwin, Moblit, Mike, Nanaba and to everyone I am exceptionally close with at the Corps. Eren and the other kids is on my list this year, and of course Levi. It was only him, me and Erwin left, one of the remaining 'oldest' as you may call it, in the Corps. They deserve an extra special gift from me. Mike would effortlessly sniff on every gift package that he receives before opening, making sure that he 'won't get something nasty' for Christmas. And I think I need to make my gift for Moblit a little extra special since he suffers too much in terms of being my assistant, sleeping late because of waiting for me to finish late at night, not until I dismissed him of course, keeping a close eye on me, following every command and favors that I ask of him (even if sometimes I can tell that he is already regretting being my personal assistant)
I thought of giving Erwin a gift this year that will perfectly show my gratitude towards him for bombarding him with lots of proposals for the Recon Corps, allowing me to yell at him where nobody does to him (except me), being too patient and all ears to me and acknowledging all my effort and studies for the titans and for allowing me to conduct research and experiments on them. Woah, so that was a lot, aside from knowing him for a couple of years already.
The kids, Nanaba and the other girls wouldn't be hard to find a gift, they're always too accepting and grateful for what I give to them so I guess I won't have a hard time looking for a gift for them this year too.
Levi will of course will receive something from me too, though it's really hard to tell whether he likes my gift or not with that expression of his. He always just nods and say 'thanks'. I'm not even sure if he uses the gifts that I give him every year.
No matter what was behind the traditional gift giving or its reasons, I suppose this is the time of the year where I should give gifts for them for everything, thanking them for the year's hard works and being with me at the same time, it makes everyone happy. Birthdays are the only days where you will receive gifts but in this season, it's like another special occasion to give gifts, it just feels so right. The cold weather itself makes it a lot better when gift giving is done. Right in front of the fire place, receiving all of those gifts and opening them all up together was something irreplaceable.
Technically, we in the Survey Corps hosts a party every Christmas but I always leave half-way since the party will end up having most people drank like they never had before, maybe because they're grabbing the opportunity to calm down and relax, celebrating, being away for a while from the titan's wrath, away from death. As I leave and go to my room, it's either I read a book or work with a couple of things and drink a glass of wine in the lab, something I really rarely do that makes me relaxed and untroubled even for once in a while in my life.
I can get a peace of mind from that too, somehow Erwin is aware that I still succumb myself to work even if it's Christmas, unlike the others who are already taking a break, going back to their homes, families and celebrate Christmas with together. As for those who doesn't or no longer have a home to go celebrate the holidays with, stays in the HQ and do the usual stuffs. Knowing that, Erwin told me just yesterday after the meeting regarding this year's Christmas plans and partiesof the Survey Corps duties, he catch up to me after speaking with Moblit, telling me that "you should take a break and do something special this year, Hanji" something special, he says eh? Nothing even went to my brain when he said that.
"Why do you think is that Erwin?" trying to laugh out what he said.
"Well, you're always too preoccupied and busy during the holidays, which you should be relaxing instead of keeping yourself busy with your researches and work" he explains.
Knowing and being with Erwin for a long time now made me understand how much he actually cares for us all. Looking in his eyes, I can see the concern that he feels for me. I think I should find him a better gift this holiday.
"Well yeah," I started, trying to sound convincing. "I do something fun every holidays Erwin, just so you know" I smiled at him, but I am sure about that though. I just need to find a better bottle of wine to sip in.
"And working on research and experiments is not included in having fun during Christmas Hanji" he said as his expression shows that doing a few works during Christmas is a bad idea.
Argh. Some people. They just don't seem to understand the awesome feeling of being productive in the midst of holidays, it just so overwhelming to do. Most especially that I'll work with a hot chocolate or coffee beside me, now that's a sure thing to smile on with. I find myself being productive in the middle of celebrating the holidays a quite a big deal because if not, I won't be able to sleep well at night and cooperate with the joys around, just because I am trying to convince myself that not working on my research on the holidays is alright.
Erwin looked at me quizzically, and then looked at Moblit. "Just try to relax and get off work for the mean time this holiday" Erwin said as he placed a hand on my left shoulder and squeeze it lightly and gave me a warm smile.
He walked pass by me then turned to look at Moblit again.
"Make sure she rest and have fun on Christmas eve Mobs, it's an order." I groaned under my breath. Really nice Erwin, he's my assistant, not yours. He smiled and continued. "Remember, it's an order from me and I am in higher position than her so listen to me or else." Moblit nodded immediately and looked like he was shaken up entirely. I sighed. Erwin sure is a big bully sometimes.
I don't really quite understand why Erwin is forcing me to lie low this holiday but knowing him for years, he's just concerned for me I guess. He was like a big brother for me too, something that I kept for myself and never told anyone, finding it a bit personal really. But I see and felt it towards him, aside from being our commander who needs to be respected at all cost.
I was too much into my thoughts that I didn't notice Erwin yelled back at me cheerfully saying that "the brainiest in the survey corps also needs a holiday break and have some fun" then went out of the room. My eyes followed his disappearing figure then went to Moblits and we headed outside together as usual.
That reminds me. Brainiest eh? I remembered how I got that nickname from him. Me and Erwin were having a conversation about some non-stuffs in one Monday morning, where we had coffee together and some warm bread and cheese for breakfast. We were too early for the meeting with Pixis so we decided to eat instead. From the meeting's supposedly topics to the food that we're eating, we ended up talking about the members of the Survey Corps, the latest gossips like who's dating who and such. Erwin knows a lot more than what I've expected (and he doesn't look like the kind of guy who seem interested in some gossips) and sure is interested in talking about our members' lives too.
We talked a lot that time, talked over how we see Armin cares too much about Annie and Historia, as well as Connie, how we admire Sasha's archery skills and finding out the recipe of Sasha's archery skills and finding out the recipe of Sasha's world's greatest mashed potatoes. Thinking of that, I hope we have some of that on our Christmas party too.
Going back, Erwin suddenly stated during our conversation that time that he was the 'tactician of the Survey Corps' as I am the brain and Levi is the 'knight' in shining armor of the Survey Corps. Huh. I'll call him a munchkin knight on a shining armor instead. I was surprised but I also felt a sudden surge of bewilderment as I finally understand that Erwin is not just a serious face everytime but is also like a young struggling kid in the inside, determine to protect and nourish his family.
"I am the tactician" he says proudly, "as you are the brain, Hanji" He looked at me with bright blue eyes of his, feeling I can perfectly execute and do my duties in the Corps. "With my tactics, I can perfectly execute them through the corps with your intelligence, helps and supports of your researches and studies. I wouldn't understand and know more about the mysteries revolving the titans if it's not because of your dedication for your hard work". I blushed. I cannot help myself on what he had said. He mostly seemed irritated when I push things that I believe he should hear and do, most especially when I yell at him because of that. As I struggle to find an answer, he calmly sipped on his cup of coffee.
His face looks flawlessly calm that time, and his words, I cannot deny, is really touching. I never thought he sees me that way, which really made my heart kinda stop one beat.
"And how did Levi became the mighty knight in shining armor of the Corps?" I asked as I choked and smiled dumbly. I know the answer to that it's just that, I wanted to know his side of the story.
"Well," he started, looking as confident as usual and continue to sip on his coffee. "We all know he's the world's strongest soldier right?" Well, I didn't said anything after, feeling more stupid as of why I even asked. Then, he sounded even more interesting.
"He bears the spear and shield that will keep the corps secured and protected, not just the Corps but also the entire humanity as well." He smiled back at me.
"He doesn't even need any spear or sword or shield to be a knight, he alone is already a powerful weapon already anyway." I let out a laugh and I was happy to see Erwin did the same.
"I just can't seem to see him as might knight though, he looks like a ten year old kid at the top of a horse with a fake sword!" I laughed hard this time, but it really is funny. Erwin also joined my laughing session. What we're talking about that time seems like a bit childish, but it actually is true. Then I remembered. "And Mike is the nose of the Recon Corps" I said cheerfully as Erwin accidentally snorted his coffee out his nose. Now that made me laugh even harder as he did too while trying to clean his nose.
"We can also consider Levi as the Recon Corp's official janitor!"
"Or maid."
"Maybe a house keeper too!" We exchanged glances and hope that Levi was not anywhere around that time, or we might get minced into pieces.
We had that conversation about last year I guess, and yet I can still recall it smoothly on my head and just feels like it was just yesterday. It makes my lips turn into an involuntary smile.
While walking our way back to my lab to finish a couple of things, I bounced on the balls of my feet and hummed to myself. I wonder what gift it is I could give this year, and I hope everyone will like the presents that I am going to give to them. As I succumb into my thought, I accidentally bumped myself on a hard surface.
I was surprised that it was actually Levi, not some damn hard wall or even door.
I felt his head bumped on my chin I accidentally bit a tiny part of my mouth's insides and I quickly let my tongue taste the scrumptious taste of blood. It was light, nothing to worry about. But bumping on Levi was really quite a bothersome since he shouldn't be as hard as that.
"Watch we're you're going, Shitty Four Eyes." He didn't moved in front of me, and he didn't even seem shaken when I, the taller one was badly injured and he didn't seem to have felt me bumping on him entirely. Moblit let a sudden shock of gasped as I bumped on Levi and let out his famous nickname on me like some mad dragon.
I didn't respond of course, since I tried to feel my lips and he seemed to have notice that. "I hope you're okay four eyes" and he went on his way, totally ignoring me right after.
Really now, just some moments ago I thought of my past conversation with Erwin of how we made fun of Levi and speaking of the devil, I just bumped on him and can't even do any torture to him at least. Some kind of bully I was.
When we got back to the lab, I suddenly wondered how Levi celebrates Christmas. He's too expressionless and shows very minimal excitement that I don't even remember him feeling utter the same joyous expression that most of us have. He does give gift, which something I don't expect from someone who seems to not celebrate such joyous celebrations, and greets us back and joins the party as well. But, thus he also do something else when everyone is being plying pranks, hanging around as much as they can with each other as I in the other side, sip on some glass of wine. I'm having the feeling of curiousity over the wrong time, but Levi is as mysterious as Christmas, making me want to know more.
And I will find out more.
-x-
Author's Notes:
I am not really quite sure if they really still observe Christmas in their present time that time. At the same time, if they do, most probably they celebrate it like the way we do today. If in any case that you don't seem to agree with the story (I hope no one though T.T) please do tell me (:
I am not much pleased with this chapter too, as much as I wanted it to be. I've been caught up with other things to do and other fics that I've prioritized to finish first so I was not able to totally focus on this chapter and have to rush myself to try and complete this first chapter too. I hope it's still alright though.
Hope you enjoyed reading and see you in the next chapter!
Xoxo
ladyinblack
