After work, Mike took Levi to Moblit's place. "He's not home yet, he's working late on some realtor shit. He gave me a key to give you."

"He's giving me a key to his house?"

Mike looked startled that he would ask. "Sure. So you can come and go as you want. You're not a closet klepto or something, are you?"

"No!"

Mike laughed. "OK, then. Here's the key. Mobes said to help yourself to anything in the fridge and make yourself at home. He's got a kick-ass TV, takes up half a goddamned wall and a pool out back. Basically as long as you clean up after yourself and don't do anything like sunbathe nude in the backyard, he's cool with it."

"Well, fuck, there go my plans for the evening," Levi said with a straight face. Mike roared out a laugh and slapped him on the back again.

"Ow, Jesus, you titan, you're gonna break my shoulder doing that."

"Whatever you say … Buddy."

Mike sprinted for his truck.

Moblit's house was just two doors down and across the street from Erwin's but was smaller. It also didn't have the beach house look. It looked more like a rustic cabin in the woods with its brown exterior. It was set back on it's lot, toward the back, and a lot of trees had been left on the site, adding to the effect. Like Erwin's house, it had three bedrooms and he and Erwin had both converted one bedroom into a home office or study. The third bedroom in Erwin's house was Eren's, the third bedroom in Moblit's was a guest room.

Levi found everything easily, he'd accidentally peeked in Moblit's room (every door in the place was wide open) before finding the guest bedroom. Moblit had come home at some point in the day and had thoughtfully left a fluffy green bath towel, hand towel, and a washcloth on the bed.

Levi tossed his stuff down next to the bed and prowled around the house, carefully avoiding Moblit's room and his study. The TV was indeed impressive and the furniture looked plain but comfortable. The whole house was done in greens and browns and had the distinct air of a place that had been decorated by a man.

The kitchen was plain and low-tech compared to Erwin's stainless steel showplace of a kitchen and was spotlessly clean. Levi noted, with sadness, several pictures of Hange, and Moblit and Hange together stuck to the fridge.

The refrigerator was also neat and clean and Levi put his beer inside before noting the vast array of sandwich making ingredients. Had he actually stopped by the store to stock up for Levi? That was sweet and so typically Moblit. How in the world had he fallen in with such nice guys?

Levi took one of his beers and headed for the couch.

The back wall, to the left of the TV was taken up by large sliding glass doors that let out onto a nice deck and overlooked the pool. Levi would have to get a swimsuit. Mike had suggested several times a dip in the lake and was stunned to find out that Levi actually didn't own a swimsuit. Apparently it was de rigueur in the South and Mike carried one and a towel in a bag in his truck.

Levi popped open his beer then changed his mind about watching the TV. He needed a shower and he was starving. He wandered back into the guest bedroom and grabbed his towels and washcloth.

He inspected the bathroom critically and decided that it passed muster enough for him to bathe although he'd clean it when he got done. He took a long draught of his beer and set it next to his towel on the sink.

Moblit got home at ten and looked utterly drained. Levi, his hair still damp, sat on the couch watching TV and drinking beer. Moblit waved and disappeared into his study to put down his briefcase and some papers. He stopped by his room to take off his jacket and tie and noted on his way out that the bathroom absolutely shone and smelled faintly of bleach. Well, he'd not have any problems with Levi being clean.

He went straight into the kitchen—Levi's clean plate was set neatly in the drain board—and poured himself a glass of tequila then headed out to the living room. He sat heavily in his chair.

"You holding up OK?" Levi asked.

"As well as can be expected. Any news?"

Levi shook his head. "Nothing since this morning. They haven't contacted me."

They both stared at the television, neither of them really seeing it.

Moblit drained his glass shockingly quickly and heaved himself up to get more.

"You should eat something," Levi said tentatively when he sat down again.

Moblit didn't reply.

"Do you think they're having sex?" he asked suddenly. He looked so hard, so hurtingly at Levi that Levi squirmed.

"I don't know."

Moblit nodded and tipped the glass back.

As the two of them drank and watched they got progressively drunker and Levi began to open up about Hange's past relationship with Chloe. Distantly, Levi knew it wasn't his place to tell Moblit but at the same time, he had gone through it as well. He was telling his experiences, basically.

Moblit listened with alternating faces of horror and concern. Levi could see that it really really hurt him that Hange had gone through all of that and that Hange was choosing this person again, despite it all, over him.

In the end, he cried. He sobbed and hid his face and apologized over and over to Levi. Levi, who had grown used to Erwin's wide open emotions and his crying, rose to the occasion. He even got up from the couch and consoled the man as best he could, patting his back and murmuring reassurances. After a while, Moblit got hold of himself.

"I'm so sorry, Levi. You've been put right in the middle of this and you don't deserve it."

Levi recalled Mike's frequent "you're a friend" comments and quoted them back to him.

"It's OK, Mobes, we're friends. That's what friends do."

Moblit cried afresh. It was the first time Levi had called him 'Mobes'.

The next night, the gang was going to eat at Erwin's diner and Levi took an Uber there. When he got there, Mike and Nanaba were in a booth on the same side holding hands and talking. Mike waved Levi over-enthusiastically.

Levi sat opposite them and Erwin walked up with their menus.

"Sit down, Erwin, for a minute," Mike said.

Levi eyeballed the two of them. They seemed to be barely containing some news.

"What's up with you two?" Levi asked suspiciously, "You look like the cats who swallowed the cream."

They both grinned.

"Well, we have some news," Mike said. He looked about fit to bust.

Erwin slid into the booth with Levi who scooted way over. He wasn't sure about being in physical contact with the guy. Fuck. He wasn't sure he could take it. He tried to focus on Mike and Nanaba and not Erwin's big, solid body next to him.

"We're moving in together!" Nanaba squealed.

"Oh my god!" Erwin said. "That's awesome!"

"It gets better," Nanaba said looking shyly at Mike.

Everyone stared at Mike and he took a big breath. "Nan thinks she might be pregnant!"

"Oh my god!" Erwin almost came out of his seat. "That's amazing! Congratulations!"

Levi didn't know how to react. Every time his acquaintances and co-workers had had an unplanned pregnancy they'd been scared and upset. He'd even accompanied a few to planned parenthood for their abortion appointment and comforted them afterwards. He was stunned.

Everyone was staring at him as he hesitated. Oh fuck. What did he do now? This was a good thing, a happy thing. And he was a part of it.

Things got more awkward as he processed everything.

"Levi?" Mike asked, "You OK?"

Levi swallowed with difficulty. "Yeah … yeah … I just … you blind-sided me."

Erwin, of course, was the first to react. "I know it's sudden. I take it you've not been around pregnancy or kids very much?"

"No … no, not at all."

Levi looked up and took in Mike's and Nanaba's faces. Mike was pensive and Nanaba looked about ready to cry.

"It's … it's wonderful, of course!" Levi babbled. "I'm just … you know … I just …"

Levi got a grip on himself. "I just didn't expect it, is all. I knew you two were doing the horizontal mambo but … wow, that was quick!"

Harmony was reestablished. Mike smiled like the sun and Nanaba blushed deeply. Mike looked down at Nanaba fondly.

"Yeah. We were taking precautions then we decided to get serious and just … went with it! Threw the condoms away!"

"Eww, TMI, dude!" Levi had never had sex without a condom in his life.

Erwin laughed. "Daddy Mike!"

It was Mike's turn to blush. "It's not certain yet! Don't get too excited."

Nanaba touched her belly. "Yeah, it's really really early yet. It may be a false alarm."

"If it is, then we'll get it next time." Mike said confidently.

Levi was watching in wonder. A wanted baby. Holy cow. It was amazing, fabulous, and scary at the same time.

Erwin scooted out of the booth. "Let me get back to work. Oh my god I'm going to be in a good mood for the rest of the day! I'll be back to get your orders!" He walked off, whistling.

Mike picked up his menu. "So what are you getting, Uncle Levi?"

"Jesus christ, dude! I'm still processing it!"

But secretly, deep down in his heart, Levi was thrilled. Uncle Levi.

A tiny smile crept onto his face as he studied the menu and Mike and Nanaba looked at each other knowingly.