Chapter 9:
Never Too Late
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Levi's POV
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Kicking the sheets of my bed, I woke up to the day where every hours are very much special and are counted carefully before my very date of birth. I stood up, my chest bare and stand against my room's window. It sure is my birthday for me to celebrate but it is also the day that most people were waiting for, Christmas day. I am sure it'll turn out pretty much the same for me like any other years does.
I walked over my bed and fixed it, took the sheets and folded them nicely and tucked the others properly on it. I fixed hit my pillows and properly placed them back to where they are supposed to be. Not long after, I took a bath, fixed my hair and dashed off to get myself some breakfast. As I passed by the hallways, I get to see some brats cleaning and adjusting the decorations placed there.
I snorted. My birthday was never meant for me anyway. I may sound like some pathetic brat but I grew up being neglected with all the people around me and even just to my very own birthday, I am still neglected. It's just a fucking birthday, not meant to be celebrated.
I took breakfast on my own since my squad is no longer around since they were all gone to their respective families and the ones left in the HQ were basically like me, no families left and are still busying themselves for tonight's Christmas Eve party. I could clearly see them all rushing and roaming around the hallways, others still catching up and bidding their goodbyes to their comrades before going back to their families while the others preparing the entire HQ for tonight's Christmas Eve party.
I was stunned to see Hanji being one of those people who looked like a complete in such a fine morning, I wonder who she doesn't have a gift yet to have herself look like a total wreck?
Once I was done, I placed my plates away and went to help the kids assigned in cleaning the HQ and give them instructions of what must be done today and for tonight, I don't want to see any trash lying around the floor or any kind of liquor spread all over the floor tonight. I must also remind those brats of what to do just in case someone might throw up, I just don't want tonight to be very filthy compared to last year.
Somehow, I am glad that I get to be assigned for the cleaning purposes of tonight's party, something I know I can handle pretty well, all thanks to Erwin, maybe this is his birthday gift for me, assigning me to cleaning duties.
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Hanji's POV
I totally forgot about my wine!
After having my breakfast, I quickly dashed off towards the town and bought some wine for me tonight. The thick snow in the road gave me a bit of a hard time going to the store and buy my wine. The snow sure is getting thicker and thicker everyday, gah it's so cold! As I reached the usual winery, I bought the usual wine that I buy every year for me to celebrate every Christmas Eve. Before getting back to the HQ, I glanced over the shop where I am supposed to pick up my gift for Levi tonight, hoping if there's any chance I could get it now.
I sighed and fixed my scarf along my neck and dashed off towards the HQ and to my room. I forgot to take a bath so I should get one now since tonight at midnight will be officially Levi's birthday and I feel so excited to greet him and have his birthday be acknowledge with a gift from me!
After taking a bath, I finished a couple of things that has to be one my gifts for Levi tonight and thought clearly of what I need to do tonight as well for my surprise for him.
Afterwards, I went to the kitchen to see Connie being busy around the dining area this time, carefully telling his other mates about the place where specific food should be placed and I was surprised to see Sasha still around the HQ.
"Sasha," I called out and she excitedly came before me. "You're not going to celebrate Christmas with your father?" I asked.
Sasha just smiled at me first. "I will Hanji-san but father allowed me to celebrate Christmas eve here first then I could go there at our home in Christmas morning" she says, eyes reflecting her excitement.
"That's really nice Sasha" I said and ruffles her hair. "Say, the cake that we baked yesterday, are they all safe?"
"Yes they still are and no one has laid a finger on them yet" she says proudly and I just grinned at her.
"Very well then, you better start cooking again for tonight. I bet your hunting yesterday was great"
"Yes it was Hanji-san! And thanks for taking my place in baking the cakes! I won't be able to hunt yesterday if you're not there" her voice was rather too loud for me to handle. I hope I have any kind of food to give her so she would keep quite or even lower voice at least.
"I think father is also hunting right now and prepared late that's why he allowed me to celebrate here first"
"Or maybe he just wanted you to have some fun" I tell her. I have heard from her before how kind and nice hear father is so maybe he just wanted his daughter to have some fun with her friends first.
"hey Sasha! Are you going to give a hand or what? We still need to cook you know!?" It was Connie and he is starting to look extremely worried. "You know that we need to finish cooking today if we want all the menus planned for tonight to be cooked Sasha" he calls out and Sasha jumped in surprise in the balls of her feet.
"Coming!" she yells back. "See yah later Hanji-san! You can just get the cake for your friend from the pantry, it's just in there" she says before she runs off towards Connie and to the kitchen and start working.
I smiled as to how busy everyone was in settling and preparing for tonight's party but somehow, a part of me wonders how it feels for Levi's part. Seeing everyone busying themselves preparing for a very special occasion and not remembering your important day at all, how was it for him? Knowing Levi, I know he doesn't care but I just can't help myself wanting him to feel acknowledge on his own birthday as well. I bet no one has ever acknowledge the 25th of December to be his birthday and prepare themselves for his birthday as well.
Poor Levi.
I swear tonight, I have to make him smile.
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I have been told that Armin was the one in charge of the party tonight, as Mikasa and Eren gives their best to help him out and have the Recon Corps' party be executed well and I can't help but to feel excited as well. Armin went to me first to have the program of the party double checked before even showing and discussing it with Erwin.
"The games are great, Armin. Just make sure that the instructions are to be given out well by Eren" I tell him after skimming across the sheet of paper he wrote his plans in with.
"I have already told him of what to do, Hanji-san and Mikasa is helping too so I am hoping everything's going to be alright" he says, eyes shy but twinkling in excitement.
"That's nice, having people to help you out. Just make sure that you can manage everything from start to finish" I tell him. He's a smart kid, I know he don't mess up quickly most especially when it is about parties.
"Of course Hanji-san, thank you so much" he smiles and he is just so cute I want to pinch his cheeks, but he might just cry if I do so.
"You're welcome. You may want to let Erwin Danchou to see your plans for tonight's party you know? He is too excited and even readied his santa costume for tonight" I remember how Erwin tries his best to bring out the Christmas spirit for everyone in the Corps but I just can't stop laughing when I remember that fake moustache of his, it was just epic.
After Armin had left my room, I double checked all the gifts that I would be giving for everyone and had them placed on the Christmas tree one by one, going back and forth where the rest of the gifts are settled as well. Too bad Moblit is no longer around to give me a hand with these gifts to be brought under the tree since he had already went over to his family already. Wish he will have a great celebration as well. I can just give my gift to him after he goes back here too.
After I placed all my gifts under the tree, I anxiously looked at the time, and it was just only two in the afternoon. The place has been already a bit quite and the soldiers outside their rooms had lessen, most were still preparing for tonight's party. From Armin's copy of tonight's party time, there would be some singing, a bunch of games, eating of course, and Santa Erwin's gift giving and then drinking of wine and liquor. He would be the one distributing the gifts under the Christmas tree. I bet the party later tonight will, as always be, exciting as ever.
But I have other plans.
Levi would be definitely be in there and that'll be my chance to go and prepare inside his room. With Moblit teaching me his skills of unlocking the doors with some clip, I will manage to open it and surprise him. I feel so excited and can't wait to see how he would react!
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Levi's POV
The smell of the brats' cooking has been deeply roaming around the HQ and it sure made my stomach grumble. I wonder what food it is that they are going to prepare tonight. Whatever it may be, I am pretty sure it's going to be fucking delicious since the smell alone was enough to fill my stomach.
After giving out instructions to the brats of how to clean during a party, which ones are to be thrown away and what to clean during, before and after the arty was done, I went inside my room and lay flatly on my back to my bed and looked at the ceiling.
Looking at it, I remember how everyone seems to be so determined on just how to make one fucking party be so special and worth remembering. I wonder, if they'll know that the day of Christmas is also my birthday, would they give out the same amount of effort and time to celebrate it together with Christmas?
Nah, who am I kidding? They'd prefer that than celebrating my birthday. I can perfectly imagine how awkward they could be once they have thought of celebrating my birthday as well so for tonight, might as well just be with the them all and celebrate and when the exact midnight comes where everyone would start drinking their ass off, I'll go to my room and doze off already.
Hang on, maybe I could consider drinking some wine with Hanji. At least she wouldn't be alone, even I and we could celebrate Christmas eve in a whole different way this time.
Yeah, that could be fun.
I look at the gift that was left on the other side of the room and it was the remaining gift that I haven't placed yet under the Christmas tree. I am not really sure aout it being given to Hanji, but I guess I could explain it to her if she asks why I gave her such a thing. No matter, if she asks or not, I'll still explain and tell her the reason why. Most importantly, I just hoped that she loves it once she gets my gift.
I sighed, this is just really shitty.
It's just really annoying to have nothing to do for the day and the party is still a few hours to go and got nothing to do but to lay here and try to sleep. It was just plainly weird that after imaging Hanji's wide smiles and holding some wine with the glass that I help her pick up with helped me have a deep and long nap for the day.
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I woke up at exactly dinner time, where the party is about to start. Eating usually is being done first then whatever follows next like some kind of fucking games or whatever activity where everyone could join. Trust me, it will last like thousands of years before it finally ends and have Erwin, who wears a santa costume will distribute the gifts under the Christmas tree and have their most awaited part of drinks and get drunk where Dot Pixis surely will be participating in.
Before I leave my room for dinner, I took one last glance over the gift that I would be giving for Hanji. That shitty woman could be so unpreditacble sometimes and for this year, I really had a hard time finding a gift for her. Still, a huge part of me is sure of her likeness towards the gift that I would be giving to her.
I didn't brought the gift for her with me since if she would realize that she didn't not received any gift from me, she would approach me and ask me about it endlessly, that would be the perfect time to ask her to drink with me some of her wine and have some chat.
Yeah, that's a fucking great idea. Can't believe I could be a fucking genius like her too.
Just have a different celebration this year as well too, I am sure she doesn't mind at all.
I hope she does doesn't mind at all.
I would definitely wanted to hear how her holidays is going so far and what were the gifts that she received and if she liked them or not. I would want to know what are her other plans as new year is about to come any time soon. Does she wanted to have her hair cut or throw some of her books out? Who knows of what her plans are, she can really be unpredictable at times but seriously interesting at the same time.
Yeah, that'll be nice, over some nice glass of wine, just me and her.
We had been comrades for more than five years already and it'll be pretty nice, something new to be done for my birthday as well.
Somehow, I can't help myself thinking of Hanji's gift for me this year, I wonder what it'll be this time. I shuddered. Whatever her gift may be, I'm sure I'll use it somehow, even if I'll might see it a bit adequate really.
But for this time, I gotta get my ass down there and check the party that is now starting. The kids who can play instruments surely might be starting, I can hear a couple of drum beatings and some string ringing in my ears as well. Looking at the clock, it's only five more hours before Christmas- before my birthday, where no one will even know or feel that it's the very of my descendant to another olivion year, another year to death, as though I care at all. Besides, I'd like to have those hot chocolate drinks that those brats yearly prepares during this time of the year, and only during this time of the year and it's really great. I bet Erwin is already down there, not sure yet if he's wearing his trademark santa costume.
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Hanji's POV
Oh crap.
I'm feeling really intense right now because I still don't have my birthday gift for Levi yet. This late afternoon, I have already dropped by the shop and asked Old Zach if it's already ready but he said "not yet bontaichou, I promise, by ten in the evening you can already get your order" he calmly tells me. My lips were shaking as I give him a smile and then nodded in defeat, promising to get back at the promised pick up time.
I just really hope that it'll turn out alright.
As I travelled through the thick covered snow path, I shakily placed a finger under my chin and thought carefully of my plan, and it starts at this very moment. I want my first ever birthday surprise for Levi to be great and I don't want to screw this one up. I owe him a lot and being neglected every damn year for his birthday is so not fair for him, so I better make this one great for him.
As I try to calm down here as the party is about to start with dinner, then followed later by some games and singing, I better work inside Levi's room with my surprise. Speaking of the little devil, where is that little man? There were a lot of people, though still less compared to the total number of the Corps and the roaming kids who offers drinks and a bit of fast munching foods are adding to my crazy vision tonight.
I sip on my glass of orange juice that I took from one of these kiddos who roams around with trays on their hands as my eyes roam from every inch of the place. With my poor eyesight, I still need to roam around to have a clear view of everyone's faces. When my glass of orange juice is about to be empty, I went back to the table to grab something to eat. Ah, some scrumptious salad, I forgot that Sasha thought of serving the appetizers first so the deserts and the main course meals won't easily ran out just like last year, totally run out of control. I thought it's a brilliant idea after all, now that she is learning how to manage and control of crowds. If she wanted to become leaders like us, her taking a step in managing crowds like this a great step indeed.
I took a third fork full of leaves from my salad and dipped it on with very few little sauce on it to make it taste great. I bit my lips and swallowed hard, this sure is great, I wonder if Connie was the one did this? But as I took a glance over the kitchen area just moments ago, there were already a lot of kiddos working on the kitchen, not just Connie and Sasha. I think it's great that they have a lot of people to help them out.
Then, that soft black hair of Levi suddenly appeared, walking on the other side of the room, walking over to some brats who greets him and he did greets them back with his notable deadly blank glare. So cute, it even makes me laugh as to how they would look terrified. Levi sure can't even smile during Christmas eh?
Oh, he grabs some chocolate milk from the other table and walked towards Mike. This is great, I bet he would be very busy talking with other people as well and just stick his ass as much as he could throughout the whole party, as I recall the previous year's parties as well where he would just sat on a chair and watch at the kids.
Looks like he was done leaving his gifts under the Christmas tree as well, since he no longer has one on his hands. I wonder what gift it is that I will receive this year from him? I certainly hope it is something I would really cherish.
I looked over my plate of salad and saw that it's almost finished, and it'll be after another hour before Sasha would let the main course be served. I pouted, somehow I am already looking forward for the main course as well.
Armin suddenly approached me out of nowhere, looking pale but is still up to giving me a warm smile. "Hey Armin, you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost" I joked and he shuddered his shoulders a bit. I bet he is a bit nervous for leading the entire party and didn't want anything but to not screw up tonight as well. I bet he is best to have that role and Erwin is wise enough to choose him, as well as the other soldiers into what they are needed to do for the party as well.
"I, ahm, I'm okay Hanji-san." He says and beamed at me. He is just so cute I want to pinch his face a thousand times.
"You ready to host the party?" I asked and he nodded clumsily.
I grinned at him and looked around. "So where's Mikasa and Eren?"
Armin seemed to relaxed a bit when I said the names of his friends. "Mikasa was drag around by Historia and helped her with looking great for tonight's party"
"And Eren?"
"He just took a quick roam around I guess, maybe looking for some food to fill up his stomach I guess" he said calmly. I slowly find myself smiling warm at him and pats his head.
"You better get yourself ready Armin, you don't want to piss your commander now are we?" Suddenly his color faded once again and panicked lightly. Now I suddenly felt guilty about that so I wished her good luck.
"You'll do just fine Armin, everyone will participate on the games and singings as well. Look, the band is already playing perfectly well, you can already manage to do this, most importantly with your friends around? You'll do perfectly better" I said, hoping of reaching out on him.
He nodded despite the shaky smile he just gave me and thanks me, before Eren even pulls him out right in front of me. Right even before I could return my dirty plate of finished salad, Mike arrived right before me tugging Nanaba beside him. Mike was holding a nicely wrapped on a plastic with a red ribbon, inside was a gingerbread. I smiled and stretched out my hand.
"Is this for me?" I asked, eyes widened.
Nanaba chuckled and slid her hand behind Mike's waist. They sure are my favorite couple around. "We baked them together, doing our best to make them look like everyone else."
I took the wrapped gingerbread from Mike's hand and looked at it closely. It sure do looks like me, complete with an eye glass and wide smile. It made me laugh and hug them both separately and broke off to get back to my post.
"It looks great and delicious as well, Nana!" I said with a couple of laugh.
"We're glad. We baked for everyone who is around and hoped it was enough to be liked by everyone"
"As in everyone?" I asked, tone a bit high in bewilderment.
"Yeah, everyone" Nanaba says back.
"Who is around tonight" Mike adds and Nanaba and I laughed together.
"Alright, alright well I still want to thank you two for this" I said. We continued to talk and even joked about our gifts and not long after talking to the two, Erwin arrived now with his costume. I couldn't help but laugh at his fake moustache again that he kept on scrubbing and playing with all the time.
"Enjoying yourself, Danchou?" I asked, a bit teasing.
He laughed and patted my lightly. I always see Erwin as an older brother, even before I am a recruit for the Corps. Somehow, I won't deny that I did had a bit of childish crush on him before, and now I sure am laughing about that. Who wouldn't have a crush on this man? Handsome and just plainly intelligent and sure is a great leader as well, and is fully determined but right now, I am sure to myself that I feel nothing to him but an older brother. I sure am fortunate to have him around me as well to help and guide me. He is always the one as well to clarify everything to people about my state of mind, which people don't usually understand and I am grateful of him. So for this year, I hope my gift is enough to tell him how grateful I am for his doings for me this year.
We laughed in between our conversations, about how he looked like and how the evening could go on. We halted when Armin started to speak to gather everyone's attention and look at with proudly as well.
"You chose a well deserve to host the party tonight, Erwin" I said out to him first.
"Yes of course, compare to last year's party, I wanted to choose someone who I know could completely handle it better" I nodded in agreement. Eren has been giving him thumbs up and Mikasa nods at him with a smile, telling him that he's doing great and at the same time, making him feel better that he can handle being the host for tonight.
"I would like to call on for our ever compassionate commander, Erwin Danchou, to formally start our party for tonight" everyone clapped their hands and eyed Erwin beside me. Levi was glaring at us and did not even smiled nor had his eyes softened at all. Huh, typical Levi.
"I'll be back later, Hanji" and patted my head again.
"Good luck with your speech, Erwin Danchou" I said and he went on in the middle to speak finally.
Erwin settled in the middle, fixing himself and started talking. Most of the kids were laughing again but carefully not too loud or else they might not receive their gifts and had them all for Erwin himself.
"Good evening to everyone and in a few more hours, once the clock will hit the much awaited number is the very day that most of us has been preparing for for this week. As we wait for the clock to reach twelve, let us all participate and have fun as well. I am hoping for everyone to enjoy tonight and to have this night be memorable as ever." Erwin blabbered on his speech, showing his pearl white teeth. "I would also like to thank everyone involve to make this possible for tonight. Enjoy tonight" he ended his speech and glanced over Armin to resume his duty as the host for tonight.
Erwin is mostly known for his long and complicated speeches but for tonight, I guess he decided to give it a bit of a different way to drop the seriousness as well.
Once he came back to my side, we barely talked and he even had to excuse himself. "I think I had too much cheese" he said shyly and held onto his stomach. I laughed and gave him a soft embrace.
"Alright Danchou, go do whatever it is that you need to do" I said, can't stop laughing and hurting my tummy.
He bid farewell and I decided to look at the time just to see that it was already nine thirty, where in fact I was telling myself earlier that I need to go get my gift for Levi around nine since I will still need to walk for almost thirty minutes there, and the cold and darkness outside would be very much terrible as well.
I left the scene once the main course was already served and people were already dashing in and helping themselves out, dashing quickly, tightening my scarf and my robe. I had my lamp with me to light my way towards the store, hoping I can tolerate the cold and darkness better than I am actually thinking of.
Too bad I could taste that roast beef later when I come back.
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Levi's POV
What a fucking goon head Erwin could be during Christmas, I bet he will look ridiculous again once he started wearing his costume.
Once I got down to join everyone for the party, Mike was the first one to greet me and handed me a gingerbread that looks like me sealed on a plastic complete with a fucking ribbon. Once he handed it to me, a brow immediately raised from my face in question.
"Do I look like this to you?" I asked, as he tried to hide a laugh. "You didn't had my nose right Mike!"
Nanaba suddenly appeared who was holding another basket full of shit like the one that I am holding on my hand. "We made one to each and everyone to have, but this is not yet our gifts, it's just a treat" she says, her blonde locks flying across her eyes full of joy.
"A treat you say?" I said as I look at it even more closely. Yup, definitely not my nose.
"Yeah, me and Mike baked them all together for you guys so we hope you like it"
"He is complaining about his nose" Mike interrupted and Nanaba suddenly looked surprised.
"His nose? What about it?" she asks.
"I think we didn't had it right" Mike tells her.
Nanaba took the gingerbread me from my hand and examined it closely, looking back and forth from it to my face. Seriously now, so they really are serious about making these cookies look like us? I don't get it, this two really are weird at times.
"It's not flat, so I don't there's something wrong about it Levi" she tells me. I sighed, my nose is definitely not crooked, but in the cookie, it fucking looks more than crooked.
I snatched the cookie away from her and swayed it in front of their faces. "Whatever. I still have to say thanks for this though" I tell them and then I wondered how Hanji and Erwin looked like in their cookies.
"You're welcome" Nanaba tells me and Mike look at me for confirmation if I really am thankful. Even if they didn't got my nose right, I sure am still thankful for making me a cookie and tried their best to make it look like me. Hell I don't want to end up looking like that though, I'll look like a walking dead shit.
We did talked a few bit more about the holidays, about them going back to their families tomorrow and continue celebrating Christmas there altogether, about our gifts that we will receive this year, how the Corps, and a whole a lot of crap. We surely had to talk about.
Mike and Nanaba left after our long conversation and I find myself drinking my hot chocolate on my own when Armin started speaking and saw Hanji and Erwin, Hanji as always laughing her ass off from whatever Erwin is telling her, though my eye involuntarily twitched on its own whenever he pats her head.
At least I am sure that I am the only one who tugs on her ponytail.
I no longer saw Hanji around after Erwin started talking in front, telling us all to have fun and enjoy the party and he too disappeared afterwards. I bet he's out to take some shit, he could be a really weird man at times.
The main course was handed out and I took all liberty to fill my grumpy stomach some chicken, roast beef, steamed vegetables and some pasta. Gotta admit, these kids sure are a great cook, Erwin has chosen wisely to who will be the cooks for this year and it seems really great, even Armin who hosts the party for tonight is doing great. Everyone is having fun and who knew that this kid has some great sense of humor too? He got me snorting for many times trying to hide my laugh and shit.
Some brats also had some sing along and I am happy they know that I don't fucking sing so nobody pushed me to sing, even though this time it's as a group kind of singing shit and Armin states that after midnight, solo singing are to be done.
So it's already past ten in the evening eh?
The main course was being eaten and served for eating for what seemed like almost an hour or less, which I think is a bit late to be served, most probably because this is a party so food must be late being serve I guess. What a shitty reason, luckily the food was great. Guess they cooked and worked hard for it so they had it also served a bit late. Whatever the reason may be for serving the food late, all I care is that we have something to eat tonight.
It was in the middle of my eating spree that Erwin suddenly returned and approached me, the noise in background being a fucking wreck into my ears. The brats are having fun with the games and I swear if my squad were also here, their nose will add up. My squad are past time kids, if not wetting their pants on a mission, they'd enjoy having fun playing games in a party aside from boasting their records to each other like some pathetic kid. I wonder how they would mess up the party if they were here. Maybe once Petra gets to beat the boys again in the card games or any kind of game that is and Olou will cry like shit.
"How's your food, Heichou?" Erwin asks me as he approached me.
"Great as your shit" I tell him, mouth still fill with chicken.
He gave me a buzzed look at first but turned to have a laughing eyes and chuckled. "How'd you know?"
I snorted. "The way you walk and dashed out like you had are suffering from a limp, it's really obvious you are about to take a shit."
"Well you sure do have weird way of knowing when I am taking one or not. Really amazing talent of yours, Levi" he smiled, his annoying pearl white teeth showing and thick ass brows going together on his eyes as he laugh.
"Fuck you" I said, voice broke since I am busy eating and he laughed harder. This sure is another weird guy around the Corps, a commander who loves to take shit a lot.
"Seriously, this Santa costume that you are wearing is weird as you" I muttered. "I hate the fake moustache" though it looks well on him, it makes the brats feel more comfortable with him and is dropping his seriousness for once.
"Thank you for your compliment, Levi. I'd say you'd look pretty well as one my elves" he responded back.
I almost had my food come out of my nose all of a sudden if I was not able to stop my laugh.
"So you are being serious being a Santa for tonight huh?" I asked, eating a couple of vegetables, popping them all inside my mouth.
Erwin chuckled. "Yeah I will but first, I'd really like to have a taste of the food they have prepared. I heard that the kids really cooked hard for tonight's party"
"you betcha, the food really taste great"
"I know, I heard a lot of people saying that the food was brilliant. Sasha and Connie also told me that Hanji helped them greatly" he says, scooping some food into his plate.
"Yeah, that's what they said. I passed by the kitchen first before going here"
"Oh" I muttered. What is she up to this time? I never knew she could cook in the kitchen but only her lab when she burns and looked like cooking with fire inside her laboratory. That woman sure do has some weird secrets. I never knew she could be that womanly enough too.
Conversation with Erwin as usual is always long and fun, full of crap and shit. We watched over the games being done and hosted by Armin and Mikasa looks funny giving terrorizing glares when Armin calls out name if there's no one to play and they would be forced because of her glare. Shitty kids, funny as hell.
"So, while everyone is waiting and are having fun before the clock strikes midnight, which is also your birthday, I bet you'll just end up cleaning your room again, right?" he tells me as he bit a few chunks of his food and swallowed.
I looked away since I have a different plan tonight, something I really didn't plan and just popped out of my head a few days ago and hoped it'll go as planned. I saw Erwin chuckled when I no longer gave him an answer and he continued eating.
Too bad he is the only one who knows about my birthday and wonder how would everyone react if they too also know of the possibility of me having birthdays to celebrate as well. Will they act like Erwin or will they be even more excited than I do?
Hmph. Who cares about birthdays, it's just a step of getting old and getting close to duller lives and death.
I figured that I could still have fun and manage to deal with for a couple of more hours, two hours is not that long then I could go and retreat back to my room and ask or join Hanji for some wine tonight. Besides, the games and all shit that Armin and his friends has prepared were all entertaining and fun to watch and now that the dessert is right on time, a few minutes after I have finished my meal has been served.
I just hope that she's just around so I could get to have some wine tonight because I haven't seen her in a while which is really odd because she loves to eat and have fun. I just wanted to try something new and different even for once so I won't end up cleaning my room again and see if it's possible to do something different and break the usual routine yearly.
Something new for my birthday, just like what Erwin has mentioned in his shitty speech earlier, have some fun and hoping this year would be memorable as well.
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Hanji's POV
It's really, really cold and dark outside.
Even if the store is not that far from the headquarters, it took me for more than thirty minutes even in horseback to just get in there and claim my gift for Levi where I walk for it in the same minutes on foot.
If only that man doesn't matter to me that much, then I won't be doing this.
I freeze and hugged myself tighter, trying my best to keep myself warm from this very, very cold night. I could feel my jaw shaking rapidly and fear that my teeth might bite my tongue unexpectedly if I don't stop from shaking.
I patted my horse and muttered encouraging horse as I did my best to hold on the rope tightly as I could since she has been unstable due to the cold, kept on horsing around like there's a nearby titan.
After what seemed like eternity of endless struggle under this cold and dark night, I saw the lights of the store shop and had my horse stay on its stable. Good thing there is a stable nearby.
I entered the store and the bell rang, scared that door is already locked. I quickly saw Old Zach on the table and brushing the precious gift that I bought for Levi. I can't help but smile as it shown brightly and he leans up to look at me clearly.
"Bontaichou, just in time. I have finished what you have asked of me" he tells me and hands it to me.
I was in great awe as I examine it. It was perfect and I feel so warm all of a sudden. I fingered it and traced the outer part of it, I really hope Levi will use and adore it as much as I do too.
"Oh thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you Old Zach" I embraced him so tight that he was not able to hug me back but only scrub my back in return.
"My pleasure, bontaichou" he says and I pulled back to look at it again, it was just amazing.
"Here, please take these" I gave him the payment for his hard work and the gift I brought for him. Seriously, if it's not for him, I won't be able to have anything great to give to Levi and make his birthday wonderful.
"You really shouldn't have, Hanji-san" he says, shaking his head back and forth.
"No, please do take it. If it's not for you, I won't have anything to give to that guy" I said shyly
"Heichou, I know he will like it so don't worry" he says and gave me a reassuring smile. "I fear I will have to send to off now, my family is waiting for me and I don't want them to keep worried about me"
I gasped, I had totally caused him too much. "I'm so sorry Old Zach, if only I know tha-"
"Don't worry, it's alright. Besides, the lights in the village lamps are still lit up and my house is just close by. It is you who needs to hurry before an unexpected snow storm may occur or your horse might get too cold or you and get sick or something worse out there if you delay yourself further" he says and I nodded right away.
"Please do tell him I wish him a very happy birthday" he says and waves goodbye at me.
"Sure do! Thanks again for everything Old Zach" and I bid farewell and hurried back to the nearby stable to get my horse.
I quickly hopped around my horse, careful of the precious gift on my breast pocket and hurried back to the headquarters. I feel so determined to get back in there and surprise Levi finally. I alternately rub myself and my horse so we both can feel warm and she could get us back there quick.
Unfortunately, it took me another set of more or less thirty minutes to get back to the headquarters and it's already almost eleven in the evening. I returned my horse to the stable, fed it and brushed her hair, thanking her for being a ride for tonight.
Once I got back inside the headquarters, I picked in the huge hall where the party is going on and it seemed like that it was not only the main course was already served but also the deserts as well. I shook my head and focused on my goal for tonight and headed to the pantry to get the cake that we've baked for Levi and brought it with me to his room.
Carefully, I peaked at the hall again before continuing inside my room to make sure that Levi is still preoccupied and fortunately, he is still preoccupied. He's talking with Erwin and is absently watching the games and activities of the party, where the 'awards' are being held out now to those who won before resuming to games and singing.
I hope I won't get any rewards so he won't notice me being gone.
I went to open my room's door first and place there the cake then went to Levi's and open it myself. It was a success though and I am pretty happy about it, feeling giddy and had myself bouncing like some wide smiling kid. Afterwards, I went back to my room and took all the things I needed to place to Levi's room and be surprised for his birthday.
I am so lucky to have his room clean and tidy so there was no problem placing everything where they are supposed to be placed. I had his birthday cake ready on his working table where nothing was placed on top, and I hope he doesn't mind, placed my gifts for him which are now in their respective boxes at the left side of the cake and some cookies that we baked earlier and for the desert of the party. I took a few to place them on a little plate for Levi so he could chew something while taking a sip of his tea, which I think is a great partner other than having cookies partnered with milk all the time.
So cake is placed as well as gifts and then I backed away a few steps and looked at it, stretching my hands and formed it into a square to see if they're balanced. I scratch my head, there's something missing in here. Then like a gust of wind, it came into my head.
I took one clean sheet of paper from his drawers and wrote a Happy Birthday Clean Freak! On it and stacked it right above part of the cake, leaning the wall, balancing the poor thin paper on its own from the table. I no longer added my name or any indication that it came from me so he would just think that the entire Survey Corps prepared it for him. With one last look and I guess I am satisfied, I hugged myself completely and smiled.
I hope this birthday of Levi this year would be better than before.
Before he even busted through his doors and I feel so fucked all of a sudden.
-x-
Levi's POV
I really didn't expected this.
I retreated back to my room when Erwin had already started with the gift giving and saw the time that it was exactly twelve in the morning, or midnight, or whatever you fucking call it. And sighed from my seat and decided to go inside my room just to see Hanji standing inside, back facing me.
She turned around with a huge surprise on her face, lips parting and eyes widened in surprise. The way she had turned caught me off guard as my eyes fell into hers, and I am mesmerized by them. She has some serious mindboggling eyes.
No words came into her mouth and she looked damn fucked. What has happened to her and why is she inside my room?
"How did you get in here four eyes?" I asked and searched my door for any indication of being forced opened, though I didn't found anything wrong about it. So my gaze went back to her shivering figure in the middle of my room, looking like some kind of animal to be slaughtered. Do I even look scary or she is just up into some shit tonight?
"I, well, Lev-"
I saw something from her back, on my desk. What was she doing here? I pushed her lightly away and was surprised to see a cake, two boxes carefully wrapped and some cookies on the side. I blink many times before storing into my mind what I was seeing, is this even real?
It even says a Happy Birthday on the cake and I touched at the boxes, carefully traced a finger on them. The box was smooth with a ribbon on it that made me feel itchy, I was really surprised and moved. Is this why she was here? I'm not stupid, of course she is! Why would she even be here looking nervous and shit like she would shit her pants if she didn't prepared this?
"Shitty Glasses," I muttered as I slowly turned on my back and face her. She gasped and seemed like she is almost near crying herself out. "Erwin told you huh?" She just nodded slowly and clasped her fist on her lips.
She looks cute like that.
I smirked and she seemed to ease a little, her shaking seemed to stop. "I am really sorry Levi but I really just didn't take or move anything here" she said, her voice apologetically. I didn't say anything and took the boxes and hold on them tightly.
"Is that why you are not in there in the party where I am sticking my ass there, doing my best to be around while you goof around other's room?" Two, there's two, and she normally gives only one every year. This definitely came from her and her brilliant mind.
"The smaller one is the birthday gift and the bigger one is the Christmas gift." She says shyly and I looked at her a bit questioningly. She tried to smile but I didn't changed my expression.
I shuddered and looked at her first before I opened my gifts. I opened the bigger one to see a towel with my face, I really know it's my face, embroided in there and my name in cursive. I touched the embroidery and felt it sending shivers along my spine.
"Did you made this?" I asked her, showing her the towel with my embroided face on it and she nodded shyly, eyes focused on the floor. So she does have a few more talents than I knew she could actually possess eh? Though my embroided face looks like it's going to fart or something, it's smiling a bit which I don't really do often. It's as though some people recently has a thing for adding faces of their comrades into their gifts. Nevertheless, her gift was like my cookie that I just ate out of boredom. I have to admit it does taste good too and this one looks great. I'm not even sure if I could use this, I don't want to lose it during a mission or getting it filthy and won't be able to remove it.
"You can open the next present, Levi" Hanji says now her fist is out of her face and her tense aura is gone, getting back to her own self.
I opened the box carefully as I could and was deeply moved and mesmerized of what I saw, it was a silver pocket watch with my name attached to it in its right part, good enough to be read. It looks classic and something that you spend a huge amount of bucks for. I looked at her with softer eyes this time and damn she was just smiling at me, searching my face.
"Did you like it?"
"I more than like it Shitty Glasses, this is great." I tell her and immediately looked for its clip to pinch to my pocket so it won't get lost so easily. Then I took it out again and opened it, no picture inside but only a watch.
I look at her as she watches me, damn I wanted to give her a kiss right now. She looks like she needed one from me.
I turned to look at the cake and read the note, she really did prepared for this. No one would even dare to even think of something this stupid- even if it's a really sweet kind of shitty stupid.
"So you did all this?" I asked her and took a cookie and ate it. She nodded lightly again and barely even looked straight into my eyes, definitely guilty.
"Well I appreciate it, you Shitty Four Eyes." I took one last bite of my cookie and swallowed it when she rushed into me, arms instantly embracing her tightly, feeling her very cold skin along to mine. What had happened to her and what did she do to feel this cold?
"Happy birthday, Levi" she whispers into my ear. My fingers tightened its hold into her shirt. No one ever showed this amount of kindness or thoughtfulness ever in my entire life. No one even dared to ask me when my birthday was and here she is, even if she didn't asked nor she shouldn't had, she really made me feel special tonight, on the very first minute of my birthday.
For the first time, someone remembered this day as my birthday, not Christmas, and my heart is pathetically melting right now and I could feel my cheeks burning. I scrubbed my nose into her cheek, tempted to plant a kiss on her face.
"I should have gone earlier and didn't know of the time and that I took that long, but I'm really happy that you like it Levi" she whispers into my ear again and her voice sounds really soothing. I closed my eyes as she whispers into me.
"It's alright" I muttered back and tug my hand onto her hair like I have wanted to do moments ago.
When she pulled away, our arms still onto each other, I felt a sudden lump on my throat and pain on my chest. I want to feel more of her, she was just too sweet.
"It's alright you idiot, you shouldn't even bothered. It's just my birthday" I sound convincing.
She reluctantly looked alarmed on what I said and I myself was surprised of she reacted too. "No! No one had ever even bothered about your birthday and for a man who is very dedicated in giving his life for humanity, you deserved to be acknowledge in your own birthday and forget Christmas even just for a single moment Levi. You deserved to be greeted a 'happy birthday' just like we all do!" Okay, so she definitely knew that I am being neglected during my birthdays, my smart woman indeed.
I accidentally bit my tongue on that, I am actually trying to claim her all of a sudden.
I gave her the best small smile that I could and she embraced me harder this time. "Merry Christmas as well Levi, and a very happy birthday to you" suddenly, she gave my cheek a warm wet kiss, not really wet but just, a bit moist on my skin. I touched it, feeling so surprised and did not know what to do but just stand there and had my hand stuck on my cheek.
I never knew it could feel that… pleasant.
She went out of my room afterwards, mumbling about something going out on the snow and feeling cold and not feeling right. When I dashed to find Erwin still not yet done with the gift giving, my foot stamped on the floor impatiently, wanted to both kill and thank Erwin for telling Hanji about my birthday. After a few minutes of waiting, he is still not yet done.
Great, just great. I wanted to show off my first ever birthday gift that I just received which is so bad ass not only that it was given by Hanji but is also an expensive, good looking and rare gift to be given for birthdays. I'd definitely use this most importantly during our missions as well.
But Hanji suddenly crept out of nowhere, a disheveled smile on her face and her eyes looks tired. I wanted to carry her and put her into sleep, if only I could.
Then the gift giving was all over and the brats started having the mistletoe game and placed it on top of Erwin's head, shaking it and Eren pushed Hanji towards Erwin, shouting for them to kiss. She looks like she's about to crawl anytime and I knew that she just wanted to get her presents from the tree like I do but seeing how they push her into kissing Erwin, why him? I am here since a while ago and nobody even seemed to notice me!?
Fuck with that.
I went towards their direction, absently pushing the brats out of my way. They sure are like a hell of zombies hording around some food. I am nearer to her and they teases her to Erwin? Now that's not a pretty good shit for tonight.
"Why kiss him when I am here all along?" and I abruptly pulled Hanji's chin towards my face and kiss those lips that has been begging me to do. I didn't know what has gotten into me but what I saw irritated the hell out of me. So I quickly dove in but didn't do it quickly and massaged it as much as I could, moisturizing it with my own. She feels tired and her lips trembled on mine so I lift my hand and caressed it on her face.
The kiss was intoxicating, even if I am not a passionate kisser but hell her lips, her mouth is making my legs pass out. Her scent coming out from a hot bath, her skin so warm on my own, I just wanted to consume her and thank her properly but seeing these brats tease her with Erwin as mostly as they do and not to me?
The hell I am a man too! And I am the only one who fucking deserves her tonight for myself! For thinking too much to make me feel appreciated, most especially on my birthday!?
But at this moment, as I closed my eyes and feel the fire and sensation into our lips, as my other hand held onto her waist so she won't squirm away, it makes me feel not stopping and just go further more. She was so sweet, and addictive. I swear she taste good and I fear that I wouldn't be able to forget how she taste like into my lips. She is so powerful, like I am magnetized and didn't want to pull apart. I wanted to consume her, all of her tonight. Her waist fits so well on my hands as our lips feels great with each other, exchanging salivas and she is just so lovely and pleasant to hold. Damn it, I am caressing her lips more than I really should I am having a hard time stopping myself, and I could tell my tnogue wanted to darth inside of her mouth, but she's not letting me.
I could definitely feel all shocked eyes on the two of us and those gasps that I hear made me smirk in the middle of our kiss. Damn right they're seeing a diffirent Levi tonight, all because of this Shitty thoughtful woman. Sadly, I need to pull away and when I did, she was so shocked, mouth open, eyes not blinking and silence filled the place, everyone also looking at us with surprised expression.
What? Think I can't kiss the woman I fancy?
I cleared my throat and took all the presents from Erwin's side which all read to be mine instead of showing him the birthday gift that Hanji gave me.
"Eren and Mikasa should go kissing next after I kissed Hanji" I said and smirked before going back to my room, leaving all the surprised brats behind me, as well as Hanji and Erwin, I bet even Mike and Nanaba were also surprised of what I've did. The silence was then filled with shouting and teasing of Mikasa and Eren. Hah. Serves him right after teasing Hanji to Erwin. Fuck the rumors that will spread right after, I could handle that pretty well, even more with Hanji.
I waited patiently inside my room, opening presents after presents from the brats but nothing was greater than the gifts that Hanji gave me. I was actually hoping that she would come knocking on my door, asking if I could join her with a glass of wine but nothing came.
I took out the watch and saw its hands at one so I impatiently went to her room, just to check her out will do. And there she was, lying on her table, sleeping, a wine glass and her bottle of wine near her. I'd swear that the moment she moves, everything will fall on the floor and wake her.
I just wanted to see her, hear her voice and what she thinks about the kiss. But now I am holding her, carrying her towards her bed. Without hesitation, I pulled her hair tie and remove her glasses from her and placed them on her nightstand.
Fuck, she's so beautiful in her sleep. I know I sound gay and soft but I guess seeing myself admiring her to sleep is just surreal. Slowly, I crept beside her and carefully pulled her into a tight embrace, not letting go of her and blew off the candles. I kissed her head, hear hair so soft after a warm bath and nuzzled my nose to hers. I felt a sudden tension but wanting to be with her tonight.
"Good night, Hanji" and I kissed her sweet lips one last time.
She'll definitely kill me in the morning.
-x-
Hanji's POV
I had such great sleep last night, hugging my ever so soft pillow.
I yawned and stretched my hands, scratching my head. Scrubbing my eye with my right hand, I decided to hug my pillow tighter to my chest and go back to sleep. The weather is so cold and great for pillow cuddles and I just wanted to have the sleep and rest that I needed and closed my eyes.
Then, I touched something wrong, something new to me.
My pillow never got broken or- was it a hair?
My eyes shot opened all of a sudden and I looked down into my chest. To my horror, it's not my ever loving pillow but a head, full of dark and soft hair. I panicked and grabbed the hair to look who it is. Whoever this person is, he's definitely toast, I swear.
My scared face changed into something weird to see it was Levi. He looks so... heavenly. His soft, pure white skin blends well with his black hair, eyes barely open, thin lips... those lips that had comquered mine last night. I know right now that I could just stare at him all day and touch those luscious lips with my own. They are so soft and taste really good into mine, and a really great massager on lips as well.
But wait, what is Levi doing on my bed? And why am I hugging him? His arms are even attached into my waist and his face was all over my breasts. Damn it, my cheeks feel so hot, this is not good.
I couldn't be falling for him all because of one stupid kiss under the mistletoe last night. He even just barged in and kissed me out of nowhere, being the weir Levi again.
Somehow, I let go of his hair and earnestly touched myself. My clothes are still on and I heard him groaned. I panicked, what should I do? What is he doing in here? Did he do something to me last night? I can't remember anything and held my head, I can't recall on how we ended up being on the same bed.
What the hell is going on in here?
The weird, birthdayman suddenly rose up, half sitting on his bed and looked at me with morning stare and hair flying everywhere.
Damn he looks sexy, I don't mind waking up to that every morning.
Instead of saying something as to why he ended up into my bed, where I don't even know as to how or where to start, my eyes focused on those lips of his. Then I realized his shirt was open, his chest and abs showing. Darn it, my cheeks are burning hard this time. His body sure is such a turn on for a woman like me, and to think of it, I just hugged that body last night. Oh damn, definitely not good.
"You woke up earlier than me, Shitty Glasses" he said as he yawn and cleaned his eyes out.
I managed to give him a shy, shaky smile and he smirked. It's not that I mind sleeping with him but I didn't really expect Levi wanting to share the bed and sleep with me, it just doesn't seem right. He always teases me about being and dirty and stuff and yet here he is, waking up beside me looking like some kind of Don Juan early in the morning.
And he even smirked. Gee, contolling my cheeks to quit burning sure is hard, but he is irresistably hot, after even kissing me like that last night like he was punishing me for surprising him for knowing his birthday.
"Stay on bed, I'll get you some breakfast." He suddenly muttered. He even looked like he too was having difficulty on how to explain his self into our situation at this moment, just by the way his eyes looks at me then wanders anywhere else.
I watched him walk out of the room, his thin shirt making hi muscles too obvious to see. When he closed the door, I hugged my knees and rested my chin above them, thinking how Levi acted so differently all of a sudden. Thinking about it, did I do something wrong? Or did he hated me more for knowing his birthday then surprising him that way?
I sighed, maybe he did. He didn't even thanked me for it or anything and now he is torturing me with his sexiness.
I suddenly came back to reality when he burst out of my door, pushing it open and on his hands were a tray with two slices of cake placed nicely on two different plates and two cups (which I pressume as teas, just from the smell of it and which Levi really adored).
He eyed me carefully when he handed me the cup of tea, and yes it is tea indeed when I took a look at it, and I was surprised to see that the cake he carefully handed me was his birthday cake from last night. "T-tthanks.." I muttered and tried to focus on the cake. I sipped on my tea first before I settle myself and spear my cake with my fork. I placed the cup of tea on my bedside table and stared onto my cake.
I just can't eat without asking Levi.
He started to eat even if I didn't glanced at him, hearing the sounds of his fork on his plate.
"Something you want to say, four eyes?" he asked me. I took a deep breath and looked at him, my eyes a bit worried, and I hope he can't see or feel that I am being nervous around him all of a sudden, this is just so confusing.
"Why... why did you kiss me last night Levi?" I asked, finally having the courage to look at him straight in the eye, feeling my hair brushing onto my shoulders, making me feel focused. "Then you started appearing here all of a sudden, sleeping beside me, what's all this about Levi?" I blink rather a bit fast that time, but I want to hear his answer.
He just gave me his blank dead look and then resumed to eat his cake and sip on his tea. "Because I wanted to"
I rolled my eyes, seriously?
"Give me a proper answer Levi" I tell him, my voice strong and serious.
"because they kept on forcing you to kiss Erwin when I am in there all along and I am closer to you at that moment, barely a meter away from you and then they'll all be fucked up brats pushing you to him? What the fuck was that for?"
wow, I find that odd.
I slid my head a bit lightly to the side. "And then when I was about to see if you were on your traditional wine sipping like you had said, about to ask you if I could join since you bothered yourself about surprising me all of a sudden for my birthday, I just saw you on your desk, head on the table, drooling like a fat kid." He continued to eat on his cake, eyes focusing on his food.
"I don't drool"
"Yes you do, and fucking disgusting too" he said wiith a voice neutral and looked at me straight in to my face this time. I quickly turned to look at different direction, just not into his face, please.
I didn't said anything, I just wanted him out of my room all of a sudden, I want him to throw out actually. "Are you going to eat that cake or not?" he asks me and pointing his fork onto my cake. I looked at it and realized that I haven't even touched it and yet he is almost done with his.
I sighed. "You can have it if you want, I'm not hungry."
"Early in the morning and not hungry?"
"Yes"
"yes my ass" he says. He really is getting on my nerves right now, he's messing up with my mind too.
I still didn't moved and watched him shook his head in annoyance and stood up. I was surprised when he took my cake and placed it on my bedside table with his. Then, what came up next surprised me badly.
He returned to my bed, sat beside closer to me and held my chin closer to his face. My heart beat so fast all of a sudden and I swear I could hear it on my ears. My hands started to sweat so it gripped on my bedsheets hard anxiously and I was forced to look into his grey eyes. When I was about to dwell peacefully into those peaceful grey orbs, I shook my head hardly on his hand that's holding my chin up to his face and shut my eyes. I could feel my body heating up, most importantly my cheeks and my sweat is cold and the-
He kissed me.
Rather, kissing me.
A soft, moist and chocolate taste lips were onto mine, massaging my lips, forcing it to open wide with his playful tongue. I sighed in our kiss and welcomed him inside my mouth, torturing me sweetly with his tongue, wandering inside and I am tempted to bite it, but I didn't, I'm not sure if it's a good idea. Instead, my hands crawled into his hands who are both in my face now, halting me from moving anywhere the other giving my cheek a soft massage.
I moaned uncontrollably and deepened the kiss, eyes closed, focusing on Levi's sweet torture. He pulled me closer to him, my chest into his and my hands made its way towards the back of his neck and pulled him closer to me. I don't really know if what I am doing is right or if this is still me, I feel possessed. I am not the type of person who will just kiss her comrades all of a sudden but I can't say no to this kiss, his kiss.
He pulls away and placed his forhead into mine, grey eyes meeting my brown ones. Just then I realized he is so darn handsome and I wanted to feel him on my lips again. I surely am being possessed by some maniac, demonic kissing fiend inside.
"You seemed to enjoy that" and he smirked at me again.
I looked away and shyly closed my eyes. "Silence means yes four eyes" and I felt his hand tugged on my fallen hair and gave my head a kiss.
Wow, I never knew Levi could get to be a crazy kiss maniac comrade.
I didn't said anything in annoyance and defeat, I did enjoyed his lips on mine and I am feeling that I wanted more, but I also am stopping myself.
"Levi" I breathlessly say his name, "w-wwhy are you doing this?" I asked like some kind of helpless prisoner. I still am confused anyway too.
He didn't answer me but instead, gave me a gift that he picked from the floor. It was huge and soft and I can't help but smile, all my worry suddenly going away.
"I believe I haven't given my gift to you yet so here, you shitty thoughtful woman" I smiled bigger this time and opened it.
I was stunned to see a teddy bear and I automatically hugged it hard on my chest and kissed the top of its head. "I saw you once staring at a shop of stuff toys and realized you were staring at this." He says and I had the heart to look at him this time. "I also remembered Isabel." He added and I knew what he meant. I was close to her as well when she was still alive and well and I know he loved her dearly like his very own little sister.
"I love it Levi, thank you" I whisper softly and smiled warmly at him, hugging my new stuffed doll on my chest.
"I'm glad you did" he whispers back.
I could see his lips turning upward and he leans closer into me, my lips parting apart, anxious of what will happen next.
"Since you have two gifts for me, something I cannot buy or find anywhere, I have another one for you" he tells me and held my left hand. My eyes didn't left his face at all, wondering what he meant.
"But it's your birthday. The one was as a Christmas gift and the other one as a birthday gift" I tell him, clarifying his messed up brain.
"I know, I'm not stupid. I just wanted to be even and be thankful"
"You don't have to Levi. You are a dear comrade to me an-"
"Just a comrade to you?" he raise his brow and looked at me uneasily. "Just shut up and let me finish or I'll make you shut up." So I did with no further ado, knowing what he meant, even if I wanted to be shut up by him.
"I don't really know if you will accept this but I wanted you to have my heart, starting from this day" he tells me and pulled my two hands this time into his chest, into his hard beating heart.
This is so sudden. All I did was just surprise him and greet him on his birthday and hand him a gift and now he is offering his heart to me? What the hell did he ate? The cake that I baked for him was clean, no love potion or something.
"A-are you telling me you want to..." I can't even say it. I don't know what you call it, I don't even think he loves me.
"be my woman Hanji" he tells me. When I didn't said anything, he looked away, hands still on mine, onto his chest and he is shaking. So he was nervous? So he is serious about asking me this? He was serious on me?
"But why? All I did was just give you a give on you birthday and greet you then now you are suddenly kissing me and wanted me to be yours?" I can't help but ask. I have to make sure I am not being delusional here.
"tsk"he lets go of my hand and started moving away. I panicked and held his hand and pulled him to me. I didn't notice that I pulled him rather a bit hard due to my panic and he landed on top of me, his hands cornering me in between, nose inches closer to mine.
I touched his cheek and he closes his eyes, he is so cute. "Are you serious Levi?" my voice a few octaves high.
"Yes" he whispers and kisses the hand that was caressing his cheek.
"I don't understand why" I tell him because I still am not yet convinced of his words. True enough we had been together, side by side, inside and outside the walls for years, through bad times and good times and he had been a part of me as I am to him but being romantically involved with him was impossible.
I have accepted the fact that I cannot be loved due to my weirdness and love for science, most especially Levi. We may be totally opposite but we had blended into each other perfectly well but that doesn't mean we are supposed to be in a serious relationship already, this is just insane.
"What you did last night and your kisses, proved me that I really am into you, Hanji" he whispers, eyes not opening. "So please, I am asking you, give me the very gift that I was yearning for and was confused for for years. What you did was the last straw of telling me that I don't want anyone to grab you away from me, that I don't want you parting away from me or being teased to someone else when I'm there and you look even eager enough to kiss Erwin instead of me, and that's not fucking happening Hanji, you fucking four eyes" he nuzzled his nose to mine, feeling his breath hot on my lips.
I closed my eyes and just feel him there so close to me, amazed of his words, surprised even. I never doubted Levi, and he never lied to me before. We are comfortable reaching out to each other, giving one another unlimited teasings and if he wanted me for himself, I think it's alright.
No, I am sure it's alright. It is him anyway, the man very close to me aside Erwin or Mike, the man who gave me that mindboggling kiss, who is now savoring my presence. Even if I am not sure if he loves me, I am sure that he cares about me a lot, and I guess that's enough. Feeling my heart beating hardly on my chest I leaned closer to him, knowing now that I am too, is falling hard on him. With our closeness, it's not hard to actually fall in love to him.
I searched for his hand and pulled it and placed it on my left breast, making him open his eyes all of a sudden. I laughed and he smirked. "I never knew you could be that selfish and that cheesy."
"Shut up" he chuckles and started to move to touch my left breast lightly. I fixed it just below my left breast and spoke with earnest. "If I say yes, you get to have my heart as well as I have yours"
He let out a small smile and gave my cheek a kiss. "I'll be fucking honored"
I laughed lightly and had my hands on the back of his head, pulling him for a deep strong kiss. I tasted his mouth again and lift my leg to his waist and he grabbed it, his hips deepening into mine. He sure is some kind of animal as well. This time, I was the one eager to explore his mouth, pulling away a bit so I can enter his mouth in a different angle and lick his tongue inside. He's making me dizzy but I feel warm and comfortable now than a while ago. He placed kisses on my cheek down to my neck and he setteled there as I caress his hair and placing my chin on the top of his head. He is like some kind of baby, I never knew he wanted to be caressed this way. But maybe being the world's strongest, he needed someone to hold on to as well, and I don't mind if that'll be me.
"I never got to say thank you, so thank you, for last night and for the gifts, Hanji" he says, voice a bit wobbly. "It was the best birthday I had so far" he tells me and I feel so happy about his compliment.
I let out a chuckle and lingered a finger on his cheek. "You're welcome, and happy birthday to you."
"Merry Christmas, Hanji"
"Merry Christmas to you too, Levi"
"I have never got any idea that you like me" I teased.
"It is impossible not to like when anyone will start meeting you" and he just laid his head on my chest and I kissed him on top of his head.
I don't mind spending more days like this with him.
-x-
Levi's POV
Damn she looks cute when she wakes up.
Her hair was all over her face, eyes warm, still looking dreamy, then she stared at me with unsure eyes.
Did I scare the shit out of her? Why does she need to give me that look? Probably the after shock that she gets after seeing and realizing I slept with her last night. I shook my head and told her to stay in bed and I'll go get some breakfast.
I went back to my room, took each of us a slice and some tea and brought it back inside her room. I kicked the door opened that lightly gave her a surprise. When I went back, she was hugging her knees and looking out to something, pretty much lost in her thoughts. I handed her her tea and slice of cake and she thanks me, though she didn't started eating even if I was already half of my cake.
Damn this cake really tastes great.
She was staring at me for all the time so I asked her what was her problem and she asks me two questions, of why I kissed her last night and what was I doing sleeping beside her.
"Because I wanted to" was all I told her while munching on with my cake. My answer was short but honest, no reason for me to lie. She didn't looked too please or didn't seemed to believe what I told her, she even told me to give her a proper answer. Isn't my answer that proper? What the hell was that for?
So I told her that I didn't like it when she was teased to Erwin giving her a nasty kiss when I was just near to her and not Erwin, though I didn't told her that I was really dying to give her a kiss all night, for being too damn shitty cute and thoughtful, for remembering my birthday and make it special. It was the first time that someone actually focused on my birthday and to greet me, and it's really making want to shit with glee.
But I did told her of my plan of joining her with her traidional wine sipping and that she was just sleeping so that's why I decided to sleep with her for the night. I didn't regret that, I actually like it and could do it for many more mornings as I can. Damn I won't feel shitty seeing her face first early in the morning.
"Are you going to eat that cake or not?" I asked because she doesn't seemed to be in the mood for taking breakfast. Instead, being all hard headed that she was, told me she isn't hungry and I can have it all I want for myself.
I shook my head and removed our plates, placing them in her bedside table and kissed her.
I want to end this thing, I want her finally mine, and I don't want to see her being teased to other man except to me. We have been each other's side for so long and I won't deny that I have already harbored feelings for her. She is one brilliant scientist and is greatly needed for the Survey Corps and together we were able to unlock many mysteries about the titans.
My tongue desperately wanted to enter her mouth and she welcomed me in. I tasted her sweetness and she sure does taste better than she looks like, I am just so lucky. Her kiss blows me away, though I feel like my brain is being spluttered into smaller pieces. Her touch was killing me as well, she was just so soft, a perfect fit for my hands and the way she moan was so sexy. I would want to hear her moan everyday because of me, only me so I pulled her closer to me, not releasing her mouth. Her mouth was just a perfect fit to mine. I never regretted kissing her first time last night, and it even urged me for more.
We were both panting when he gently pulls away and plants his forehead into mine, staring me deeply in the eyes with those warm brown orbs. Her eyes has always been so tantalizing and that had never failed to give me peace everytime I'll stare at it.
"You seemed to enjoy that" I tell her, breathless. She takes my breath away.
She didn't answered back and looked away, cheeks burning and looking shy, most especially that I teased her that 'silence means yes' and gave her head a kiss.
When she asked me why I was doing this to her, I suppose she already know the answer why. She was supposed to be smart and should know obvious answers so instead, I gave her my gift and she instantly loved it. The picture of her hugging the teddy bear, giving it a squeeze and a kiss made me feel like shouting outside. I know I shouldn't but she had always been the person who I confide my deepest sercets and told her that that bear reminds me of Isabel and her. Those moments and times where she would be very nice to Isabel and treat her like a normal teen, unlike the others who treated her like shit. I was very grateful for that. I also saw her one time that she was staring at a window shop for that so I decided to give it to her as a gift. I didn't cost much but I am glad she loved it.
I can't help but smile as she thanks me for the gift.
I told her that I have another gift to her since she gave me two but she insisted that it's because it was my birthday, but I just actually used that reason to tell my heart's painful screech. That I am offering her my heart and hoped she accepts it. I have never been the rosy or cheesy kind of man but I hope she's not too stupid to know what I was telling her.
I could tell that she was really surprise and didn't expected what I told her.
It made me feel very shitty when she kept on asking me why. Why, isn't it obvious that she is a perfect match for me? That we may be a huge opposite in some parts but that was the reason why we blend perfectly well for each other?
Damn she is too blind that is.
I wanted to give up all of a sudden and moved away from her but she grabeed my hand and pulled me on top of her. I had her cornered in between my arms, our nose barely touching. Her breath stricking on to my face was making me feel shiver so suddenly that I wanted to kiss her again.
When she asked me if I was serious, I whispered yes to her and when she asked me why, for the fucking nth time already, I though I had to say what was on my mind. If I would want her to love me, then I suppose I need to be more honest to her, most especially about my thoughts and how I feel for her.
"What you did last night and your kisses, proved me that I really am into you, Hanji" I whispered, eyes not opening. "So please, I am asking you, give me the very gift that I was yearning for and was confused for for years. What you did was the last straw of telling me that I don't want anyone to grab you away from me, that I don't want you parting away from me or being teased to someone else when I'm there and you look even eager enough to kiss Erwin instead of me, and that's not fucking happening Hanji, you fucking four eyes" there I said it finally. I don't want to be cheesy or sounding like shit but I do hope I didn't sound cheap and shit.
Her laugh changed the nervousness that I was feeling from the pit of my intestines. But my nervousness got worse when she pulls my hand and placed it on her left breast. I didn't know what to do so I gave it a light squeeze and gently stroked it. She chuckled and placed her hand with mine, settling it below her left breast. Shit. Her breast was just so smooth and got hardened when I caressed it, making me want to do more to it. I want to place kisses there as well.
"I never knew you could be that selfish and that cheesy." She tells me and I told her to shut up. I laughed a bit and she tells me really surprised me, I never really expected when I was about to give up already. I know I should have tried courting her way before but I got so contented with what we have until last night that I felt so pressured of losing her to another man, but this time, I know I shouldn't now.
"If I say yes, you get to have my heart as well as I have yours" I smirked, feeling happier than ever now. This is the best birthday ever, I swear. I smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek, telling her how honored I am to have her heart as well.
I kissed her again thoroughly this time, feeling her onto my grasps, not wanting to let her go. She makes heaven so real and forget all about the chaos that we are having now. I don't want to lose her, because I have already lost a bunch of people who I really cared about. My heart beats too loud for my ears to hear and for my ribcage to bear but I didn't stopped kissing her, consuming her mouth, exploring her, letting her determine the speed as I only just responded as agressive as I could be.
She had always told me that the world needs me, but I would need her and without her, I can't be the soldier that the world is expecting me to be. They would need me, but I would need her and right now, I want to secure her for myself for forever.
So I settled my head on her chest, hearing her fast heart beat along my ear, burying her with my weight. I love how she cradles my head and scratch it, and play her fingers along my hair as well. It's as though I should forget the world and for the first time, I feel safe, and away from any danger.
I told her that I didn't get the chance to thank her last night, thanks for her running away and wishes her a merry Christmas and she tells me the same.
Damn I just love this woman.
She's definitely the best gift that I got for my birthday and as a Christmas present, ever. And right now, I have her safely in my arms, to keep for the rest of my life.
-x-
OH YEAH!
I worked on this for four fucking days and wasn't able to do my lesson plan and other school duties forst for this T.T So I hope this chapter went well for you guys J and no edits as usual :3
I gotta say thank you so much for being with me throughout this fic :D
And wishing our dear Heichou a very happy birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVI :D
I started this fic last September 25th during Hanji's birthday and ended on Levi's birthday, though a bit late :/
Anyway, see yah around and thank you so much for reading!
P.S. I find it hard to type for Levi's POV -,- and this took me a total of 31 pages :| no crazy shit.
ladyinblack
