Erwin looked around the apartment. It seemed stupid after all that had happened, but he looked forward to bringing Levi home here and starting a life together, no longer just being alive for the corps, but for each other, being together and real peace.
It wasn't a big apartment, the apartment on the first floor of the building. It seemed the best option considering what state Levi was in. Even though Erwin knew he would recover further, he still wasn't sure how much he would recover.
Entering through the kitchen that had a kitchen table, there was a small living room, bordered by hallway that lead to a small bedroom, a slighter bigger one and the bathroom. It wasn't big and it wasn't much, but it would be a home that he would have with Levi that he had never ever dared to dream of having.
Well, actually, he had dreamed off it before - but had never dared to think of actually having a home to share with Levi. He had dreamed off it, but never had hoped for it, knowing that both of their lives could end any day. Besides, they had never thought of stopping their service in the Corps so it was also something he had never even thought could possibly happen.
Looking out of the window, he looked at the buildings, the park nearby. It was so different from Trost, so much prettier, so much warmer. As much as he wanted to hate it here, he did hope he could make a home here with Levi.
It would never be easy to know what they had gotten done to them by the Marleyans, nor who they had lost because of the Nation they would now call home.
But he wanted to build a new life with Levi. After all, he hoped they finally would find some happiness too.
He thought they deserved it after all of these years too.
'So, you interested?' the man that had let him in asked him, 'rent is 500 a month,'
'Yeah, I will take it,' Erwin smiled.
Levi laid on the bed, reading one of the books Erwin had brought him. As much as he wanted to keep reading and enjoying the book, it being one of the few things he could do to kill time and keep his mind of things, he didn't manage to read for long. One of the things he struggled with was having to take a break every now and then because of his head. Somehow, only focusing his one eye gave him a splitting headache after a bit.
He had manage to dress himself though and although it had taken him more than a half hour, it felt like an achievement, as it meant it would at least be one thing Erwin didn't need to help him with anymore.
He knew that Erwin wouldn't complain, but he hated the feeling of Erwin needing to help him with everything. Even if Erwin wasn't his commander anymore, he needed his lover back, not a caregiver.
It wasn't long before Erwin walked into the room, triumphantly waving a set of keys in his hand.
'You got the apartment,' Levi smile in awe, smiling.
'Of course!' Erwin smiled. It was amazing, only having looked for a few days and already having found a place. Kissing Levi, he was so happy to know they would have their own home when Levi got to leave, hopefully in a few days.
'There is two bedrooms – I uh, want to ask Falco if he would like to live with us,' Erwin said as he sat down on the bed beside Levi, ready for Levi's opinion. The man didn't respond though. Erwin was ready for Levi to blast his idea down. But didn't happen.
'Figured it may be helpful to have somebody help you out around the house while I am not there,'
'I am not some geriatric that needs a caregiver,' Levi complained now.
'I know, but it is going to be a while before you are back on your feet – and Falco needs a home,'
Levi still looked doubtful, finally realizing that it was not just because of him needing the boys help an dhe had nowhere to go. Feeling his stomach sink, he thought of all the times he had wished somebody would have welcomed him into his home. That somebody would have been this sweet welcoming and gentle with him as he knew Erwin was with Falco.
'Fine with me,' Levi finally smiled. He had to admit it would be nice to have somebody around now that Erwin would soon be gone most of the day. Besides, being orphaned himself once and living onto the street when Kenny left him, he didn't want the same to happen to Falco.
'I will ask him tonight. He can stay with Onyan too, but I figured it might be nice for him to have you home too – since Onyan will be gone a lot too.'
'So I am going to be his babysitter?' Levi asked a little snarky, although he knew Erwin meant well. Allowing Flaco to live their home now also meant that he had to allow somebody into his inner circle, something he didn't enjoy.
'He fought in 2 wars, I think he will manage,' Erwin told him, 'he ehm – he struggles Levi and I don't think Onyan can help him. He has nowhere to go.'
'I know – just – not great with kids,'
'The kids love you – Gabi might look up to you even more than I do,' Erwin smiled at him.
'Brats,' Levi finally smiled, knew Erwin was right. Erwin caressed his hand, Levi pulling up his legs.
'Staff said I need to walk, had nobody available to help me though,' Levi admitted, annoyed. Not because the staff had not come to help him, but because he wanted to get up in walk. But as much as he tried, he hadn't been able to stand up.
'You feel up for it now?'
'Yeah,' Levi mumbled, moving towards the edge of the bed.
Erwin had his arm on his lower back, Levi holding onto his shoulders as Erwin helped him stand up, Levi immediately sitting down again as pain shot through his hip and ankle.
'It's okay-'
'I can do it,' Levi told Erwin, grabbing his arms around Erwin's shoulders again. Erwin didn't complain as he felt Levi's nails dig into his shoulders, instead gently laying his hand on Levi's lower back, guiding him as Levi lifted up his left leg, carefully putting his foot down again as Erwin held him, worried that he would fall.
Levi gritted his teeth as the lifted up his right leg, his hip aching and he held onto Erwin even tighter.
'Levi, if it hurts just say so, you shouldn't push through the pain,' Erwin said worried. He couldn't see his face, Levi looking at his feet as he tried to make a second step. But even though he couldn't see his face, he could see how tense his body was and the artery pop up he always see on Levi's neck when he clenched his jaw.
He heard Levi groan softly as he put his right foot down.
'You are doing well Levi, just don't push yourself, okay,' Erwin said gently, although he knew pushing himself would be exactly what Levi was doing.
Levi didn't answer them, only focusing on moving his left food forward again.
Managing to take a few more steps, he collapsed in Erwin's arm then, Erwin quickly helping him up.
'I got you,' Erwin said as he helped Levi sit on the back of the bed. Levi's bangs were stuck on his forehead, the man still panting slightly from the few steps he had made.
'You did really well,' Erwin said as he sat beside Levi. Levi seemingly wanted to argue, but let it go then, Erwin caressing over his back and finally laying his hand on his right thigh.
'Your leg and hip okay – no pain?' Erwin asked concerned.
'It's numb,' Levi admitted, not feeling Erwin's fingers on his thigh.
Caressing up over his thigh, finally up over his hip and onto his side, he heard Levi's breathing change, knew he was back to the point where he did have sensation, just above his hip.
'As long as you are not in any pain, you can manage – we can manage,' Erwin told him, kissing him on his temple, gentle.
He knew that Levi would finally get to leave this place soon, hoping that at least give him some comfort through the pain and struggle.
'I am so happy to finally be taking you home,' Erwin sighed he pulled Levi against him, holding him in his arm. It had been six long weeks since the battle of Heaven and Earth.
'Can we get one of those little signs at the door with our names?' Levi suddenly wondered after a few seconds, his head still against Erwin.
'We can get anything we want,' Erwin told him.
'The commander, the captain and the warrior,' Levi joked, Erwin laughing as always. It was always hilarious to him when Levi made joke, even when they were funny he barely ever smiled and somehow, to Erwin, it added to the joke.
'How about just Erwin and Levi and Falco,' Erwin chuckled then.
'I like the sound of that too,' Levi finally smiled.
'Just a few more days,'
'Better get the place cleaned well,' Levi said as he laid back on the bed again, exhausted from the few steps he had made.
'Better get that sign by the door in order too,' Erwin smiled, kissing Levi, his heart still fluttering from the idea they would soon really be living together in a house of their own.
Levi laid on Erwin's chest. They had spend the night together again. It was early in the morning. Erwin had slept, but Levi had been awake through most of the night. Instead he had taken one of the books from the shelves in Erwin's office, having read most of it after Erwin had fallen asleep and just laid in his arm then, listening to his heartbeat, to his breathing. Feeling the warmth of his body. It felt like coming home.
'Hmm, good morning,' he heard Erwin mumbled and felt a kiss on top of his head. He hated people touching his head, hating it since it made him feel small. But now when Erwin did it, it felt different.
It felt like safety.
Levi looked surprised, their blissful lay in interrupted when Erwin suddenly popped up on his elbow, looking at Levi curious.
'When is your birthday?' Erwin asked, realized that it was something Levi had never told him. Even though they had been together for two years now, they had never celebrated his birthday, nor had he ever in the time he had known Levi before.
Levi went red, clearly not wanting to talk about it. To Erwin's surprise, he did finally answer after a few seconds, only moving to pop up on his elbow too.
'Don't have one,' Levi shrugged it off.
'Pretty sure you were born,' Erwin teased him, reaching his hand out to wipe the hair behind his ears.
'I am sure I have one, I just don't know when exactly,' Levi sighed annoyed, 'Just know my mom died when I was four so I just guessed since then,'
'Your birthday?'
'My age! I don't care about my birthday, usually just counted from the turn of the year,' Levi explained.
'So, you don't even really know if you are thirty-four?' Erwin wondered. Even though he knew Levi well after being his lover for 2 years, it still surprised him how odd the beginning of his life had been. Levi always said things like they were normal, but it was downright heartbreaking to hear how tragic the beginning of his life had been.
'I am, could be off by a few months, but who cares. Why do you suddenly care?' Levi sat up a bit annoyed.
'Just – just realized that we celebrated my birthday two times and we never celebrated yours,' Erwin told him as he pulled him closer again, thinking of the last 14th of October, Levi surprising him with a cake he made in his room that night.
'I don't care about my birthday, neither should you,' Levi told Erwin, laying down against him again.
Six weeks after they had arrived in Marley, Levi was finally allowed to leave the hospital.
He sat waiting for Erwin in the wheelchair they could take from the hospital, Onyankopon having taken care of it.
Falco had come with Erwin, having settled into the apartment as well. Erwin had warned him about keeping the apartment clean now that Levi was coming home, or endure the man's anger when it came to cleaning.
They had only been living here for three days and it was a welcome change to have Levi home now as well.
Erwin was so surprised by how fast and easy Falco had settled into the house as well. He was so polite, so sweet and so thoughtful for a boy his age.
It broke Erwin's heart even more how he had been treated in his early life by the Marleyans and how he had been used a child soldier.
'All good to go?' Erwin asked Levi as they got ready to leave, waking up his lover from his deep thoughts.
'For sure,' Levi just mumbled, wanting to feel excited, but he knew he still had a long way to go.
Levi wanted to thank the staff that had at least taken care of him these last weeks, but they quickly hid away as soon as he left.
The walk tot heir home wasn't long, only 15 minutes. Levi looked around, seeing Liberio for the first time in a year. Last time, they had only been here for a few days. Falco pointed out some things, Erwin listening, but Levi switched off mentally although Falco kept talking behind him as he pushed the chair. After the weeks spend in the coma and in bed, it was overwhelming and he was glad when they arrived at the apartment building.
Their neighbors looked at them angry, almost disgusted. As much as the peace talks were happening and it looked like Eldians would be more accepted in the city, probably even getting equal rights. It didn't mean the Marleyans already living here were happy with Eldians moving into their building.
'Carry you over the threshold?' Erwin tried to defuse the tension as they got to the door.
'We are not a married couple,' Levi huffed dryly, Falco laughing softly.
'Alright, here we are,' Erwin smiled at Levi.
'I will go to the market to get food for tonight, Erwin,' Falco said polite, letting the two men on their own, knew Erwin had been so excited to Levi to come home.
'It's not big, but-'
'It's a house, Erwin,' Levi said in disbelief as he looked around the small living room. It wasn't really decorated, only a little furniture around but his heart fluttered as he had never even dared to think of Erwin and him having their own house.
'It is not much-' Erwin wanted to say again but Levi just shook his head.
'It is perfect,' Levi smiled with tears in his eyes, so grateful to finally have place to call home with Erwin. Erwin leaned on the armrest, careful, kissing Levi on top of his head. He wanted to sit even closer to him, wishing he could sit on his lap, but he was worried that he would crush the small man.
It wasn't something that he had worried about before. Although Levi was small, he had always been strong, not struggling to hold Erwin's weight. But with all the muscle mass, strength and weight he had lost, he was barely a shadow of himself.
'I love you so much,' Erwin said softly, caressing through his hair again, kissing him on his cheek.
'I can't believe we have a home Erwin,' Levi mumbled, tears in his eyes, 'I love you too'
'Do you like it,'
'It's my first real home, ever,' Levi admitted, his voice breaking. Erwin bit his lip, realizing again how heartbreaking Levi's life had been although he never complained or sulked about it.
A little later, as they had sat in the living room, reading and Erwin catching Levi napping shortly in the chair by the window, Levi insisted on helping him up since he wanted to make his own tea. He walked slowly, carefully and Erwin knew he was pushing himself. He also knew that telling Levi to stop that wasn't going to change anything.
The walk to the kitchen wasn't far but Erwin knew it was further than Levi had managed to walk so far. Holding him carefully, he hoped the cane the therapist from the hospital had recommend would help. He had asked Onyankopon about it, but knew very well that they would have to find one that would work for Levi. They would check some out soon, a day Erwin was not looking forward too as he knew Levi would insist he didn't need it.
Erwin looked every tiny move his body made, still worried his legs were going to give in, even if he was supporting himself with his hands on the countertop.
'You can sit down while the water boils,' Erwin pointed out
'I'm fine,' Levi just mumbled.
He stood even closer as Levi took the kettle from the stove a little later, the water boiling now.
He looked at the concentration on his lovers face, it was clear Levi struggled even lifting up the kettle.
'Need a-' Erwin wanted to ask worried, seeing the frown in Levi's eyebrows. He knew that frown, he knew that frown very well, that frown one of the few signs Levi was frustrated or angry.
'No,' Levi told him, wanting to pour the water in the cups. But with his depth perception a mess since losing sight in his eye and the thunderspear explosion, he poured at least an inch away from the closest cup.
'Fuck!' Levi angrily shouted as the water poured beside the cup, Erwin quickly helping him sit down by the table, away from the boiling water.
'Just let me do it!' Levi told Erwin, angry. He wanted to get up, his body not cooperating as he pushed Erwin away.
'Shhhh,' Erwin he said as he stood against Levi, pulling his head against his chest as he felt Levi grip his arm, clearly so angered by what had just happened. He knew this rage was inside Levi, a helpful thing when it came to fighting, but not great when he was frustrated.
'I got you, you're okay,' Erwin tried to comfort him as he caressing through his hair, planting a kiss on top of his head then.
Wiping his hand over Levi's cheek, wiping away the tears of frustration, he just held him close, waiting till he finally calmed down.
'Come on, just tell me how I should make it,' Erwin said gently, just wanting him to make happy.
'No – just gonna, gonna nap again,' Levi mumbled, sounding so disheartened it broke Erwin's hart, especially also hearing he was going to nap again, while he had barely slept before.
Erwin kept an eye on him as Levi slept in the chair by the window again, making dinner together with Falco a while later.
'You picked out some great tomatoes,' Erwin smiled, the produce so much nicer than all that was sold on Paradis. As he prepped the pot to go on the water to boil the potatoes, Falco cut the vegetables.
'Thank you – I hope you will like it,'
'I am sure it is going to be great,' Erwin smiled at Falco.
Erwin looked as Falco was meticulous cutting the tomatoes.
'It must be hard to see him like this – Levi I mean,' Falco suddenly said to Erwin as he looked at Levi.
'Yeah, but he is strong. I know he will get better – and I still have him, that is most important,' Erwin said Falco, surprised again how mature and thoughtful the boy was.
Both of them looked as Levi yawned, waking up from his nap. Without Erwin saying something, Falco slowly walked his way.
'Can I get you some tea?' Falco asked Levi, worried to the disturb the man.
'I am okay, but thank you Falco,' Levi said friendly, Erwin glad to see that at least, he seemed a little less frustrated.
Half an hour later, dinner was on the table, Falco putting the plates down as Erwin helped Levi to the table.
'Smells good, Falco,' Levi said tired, Erwin still surprised by how careful the man was around the kids. Surprised as he had been so rude and sometimes downright awful to the recruits.
'It's a Marleyan dish,' Falco smiled proud.
'It looks great, Falco,' Erwin said as he sat down as well. Falco smiled, so grateful he had ended up this warm home. The commander and captain that had been his enemy before, had made him feel so welcome.
After dinner, Erwin took out the playing cards. Playing a few games, they were soon playing through the evening.
It was Levi's turn, he struggled even looking at the cards in his hands. His eye struggled focusing, his head throbbing and he was so tired he wasn't even sure what he was supposed to be doing anymore.
Erwin noticed Levi was struggling to hold the cards, his hands trembling.
'Hey, come on, we can go to bed,' Erwin said as he handed the cards back to Falco, kissing Levi on top of his head as he gently took the cards from his hands. Falco collected them, nodding.
'We can clean up tomorrow,'
'I can do it now,' Falco smiled, starting to carry the cups to the countertop. Erwin felt Levi's hands wrap around his arm as he pulled himself onto his feet.
'It's okay, don't feel like you have to Falco,' Erwin assured him, holding Levi close as the man had slumped against him.
'It's fine, I am not tired yet – I will lock the front door, is it okay if I read a little longer here at the table?'
'Ofcourse Falco, this is your home too,' Erwin smiled warmly, 'Goodnight'
Holding Levi close, levi held one hand against the wall as he walked, finding just a little bit of support doing so.
Erwin made sure he wouldn't fall over, but he could see Levi's legs trembling.
Quickly Erwin pulled him into his arm, lifting him up and holding him against him as he carried him to the bedroom. Sitting him down on the edge of the bed, he kissed Levi on his forehead again.
'You okay?'
'I am sorry about getting so frustrated today,' Levi answered him, Erwin not having him heard apologize that often before – and especially this apology was not necessary. He could imagine Levi was frustrated.
'It's okay, you have every right to frustrated – thank you for not taking it out on Falco, you have been nice to him,' Erwin told him as he hugged Levi, surprised by his apology.
'He is a nice kid and I am not that awful of a person,'
'Ofcourse not,' Erwin smiled at Levi.
'What?' Levi asked tired.
'Nothing, just so happy to have you home – our home,' Erwin told Levi.
'Did you even manage getting this?' Levi wondered.
'Historia and some of the others on Paradis helped with getting our money this way, besides, we are getting a pension now through Marley. Like the Marleyan veterans. At least until we are back on our feet and settled in,'
Levi huffed, never even having thought of having a pension. There was no way on Paradis, people dying way before ever reaching it and retiring.
'I am getting a job again,' he insisted, tired.
'Sure, but it will help tide you over,' Erwin told him. Walking to the set of drawers he had picked out for their bedroom, he opened the top drawer, neat rows of clothes stacked up that he had gotten for Levi since all he had when they had arrived in Liberio were the clothes on his body.
He picked up the cotton shirt and pajama pants he had bought for Levi.
'You got me a whole wardrobe,' Levi said in disbelief.
'I don't mind you walking around naked but I don't think other people will be pleased,' Erwin smiled as he helped Levi into the pajamas and up to the bathroom to brush their teeth.
They laid for minutes in silence in the bed, just enjoying each other's company. Levi couldn't wait to tear the pajamas off Erwin's body again eventually, drag his hands all over his body, get pounded into and pound into Erwin, leave hickeys in his neck.
But he was so tired now, just grateful to be here with him.
He couldn't help but think back about the boat, thinking of them sitting on the boat, having been so sure that it would be their last moments together.
Erwin wrapped his arm around Levi, holding him close, so grateful to finally lay with him again. He had never seen Levi fall asleep this fast , the man clearly wiped out by the long day and the excitement of leaving the hospital.
'Stay the night here?' Erwin asked Levi as the man laid beside him on the bed. Levi was surprised Erwin was still awake. Usually he fell asleep way before midnight, tired after the long days, especially now with everything going on with Marley.
'Thought you were tired,' Levi smiled. Tomorrow was the winter festival and Erwin had helped set up, insisting that he would help too.
'Just stay till midnight, okay?' Erwin finally persuaded him.
'Fine,' Levi just said, unsure what was going on. They laid together for a while, cuddling. Just before midnight, Erwin slipped into his office
Levi was curious what was going on with Erwin, he was clearly up to something. He couldn't hide it as much as he tried.
'Happy birthday to you – Happy birthday to you -' Erwin sung softly, walking out of the office, holding a small cake with a candle in it.
Levi looked at the door – the window then, not sure which was the closest and easiest to get away from what was happening. He was ready to make a break for the window, jump out of it in his underwear. Even though it was late December and horribly cold, it seemed a better option than staying here, even if he would freeze his balls off.
Anything to get away from here.
'Happy birthday my Captain-'
'Please stop,' Levi told him, mortified.
'Happy birthday to you!' Erwin finished the song, holding out the small cake to him.
Levi didn't say anything as he just looked at Erwin in disbelief, still so embarrassed by the singing.
'It's nearly the turn of the year, so I thought today might be a nice day to be your birthday,' Erwin explained.
'I don't need a -'
'You deserve a birthday and you deserved to be celebrated,' Erwin said stern.
'Fine, thank you,' levi finally smiled, blowing out the small candle.
'You made a wish?'
'Yeah, for you to never sing for me again,' Levi snarked with a smile.
'Screwed yourself over, shouldn't tell your wish. It's gonna happen again next year now,' Erwin teased him. Sitting on the bed, Erwin and Levi ate the cake together, Erwin not caring about the mess they made on his bed.
'I got you a present too,' Erwin said proud as they finished the cake, leaning over Levi as he took it from his nightstand, the present wrapped in beautiful light blue paper and a fabric bow wrapped around it. Levi's heart fluttered, he had never gotten a birthday gif and especially not one that was so beautifully wrapped.
He even felt bad about unwrapping it. He could tell it was a book, wondering what Erwin would get him. Carefully taking off the wrapping paper, Erwin looked at him eagerly to see what he thought of the gift.
Taking it out of the paper, it was a book on tea, Levi smiling. It was such a thoughtful gift.
'Thought it was something you might like to read while you wait for me to wake up,' Erwin smiled.
'Thanks, you dork, 'Levi smiled with a genuine smile as he carefully put the book away, on all fours on the bed as he moved towards Erwin, kissing him passionately. As awkward as the birthday singing had been, it was actually really nice to celebrate his birthday for the first time in his life.
'Anything else you want for your birthday?'
'It was already perfect – but I can think of a few things,' levi smiled as he pushed Erwin down against the pillows, kissing him again as he bend over Erwin then, blowing out some of the candles around the bed.
Levi woke up from Erwin moving in the bed beside him, shivering and tossing and turning.
Worried he was cold Levi wanted to pull the blanket up, but realized Erwin was still under it, sweating and had even stripped off his pajama top.
'Hey,' Levi said worried as he held him close, moving so he could sit up.
'Erwin!' he finally shook his shoulder, roughly realizing that the man was trapped in a nightmare. He opened his eyes, his eyes immediately filled with tears.
'I lost you Levi,' Erwin suddenly sobbed, grabbing Levi. Levi was not sure if he was still half asleep.
'No, I am still here,' Levi told Erwin, holding him.
Levi pulled Erwin towards him, laying his head down in his lap as he gently caressed over his hair.
'Shhhh, I got you,' he said softly, thinking of how Erwin had comforted him this afternoon.
'Sorry – I,' Erwin suddenly seemed to be pulled back into reality, looking at Levi with tired eyes.
'Shhh,' Levi held him, caressing his head, rocking him slightly until he fell asleep again, his face still red and puffy.
Levi felt even though he was physically broken, he was mentally strong. But he couldn't blame Erwin after all the crap they had been through.
Holding him close, he hated how the war seemed to have gotten to Erwin too after all these years, even though the war was finally over.
Relieved when Erwin fell asleep, Levi tried to as well. But he didn't manage to fall back asleep and knew he would have to get up to take a piss soon.
He slipped out from under Erwin's upper body, gently laying him down as he grabbed the bed. Holding the bed as he walked around it, he managed to make the one unaided step to the door, holding the wall of the hallway as he made it to the bathroom.
Holding himself onto the door, he finally managed to slip the underwear and pajama pants down, sitting down on the toilet and pushing the door close with his left leg.
Exhausted, he tilted his head against the cold tiles, it bringing some relief.
Fuck, he was so tired.
It took him minutes before he finally found the energy to get up and go back to their bedroom.
His heart still fluttered thinking about it, having a bedroom with Erwin, a real bedroom, for the first time. One where he didn't have to sneak in and out.
His happy thoughts didn't last long as he heard somebody crying again.
Standing by the door of their bedroom and looking inside, he realized it wasn't Erwin whom was crying, the blonde still asleep on the bed.
Worried, he grabbed the doorpost again, limping out into the hallway as he continued to Falco's door.
'Falco?' Levi asked softly, opening the door just slightly.
'Yeah?' He heard the boy answer, his voice chocked.
'Are you – are you crying?' Levi asked worried.
'I'm sorry if I disturbed you,' Falco sniffed softly.
'Don't be ridiculous,' Levi told him, his chest tightening. Shit, he was horrible at comforting people. Once, Isabel had broken down crying and he had sat there for a minute at least before he had finally even laid his hand on her shoulder. He had only gotten better at it since he had know Erwin, the man being a lot softer.
Shit, Erwin had even made him softer. And yet he was terrible at comforting people still.
Switching on the light in the bedroom before he would fall flat on his face, he made his way towards the bed, waving for Falco to stay in bed as he had wanted to jump up to help Levi. Sinking down on the edge of the bed with a loud groan, he laid his hand on Falco's shoulder.
'I am really sorry about everything that happened to you – you never deserved anything of it,' Levi told him, feeling so sorry for the boy, even though he wasn't greet at comforting anybody – especially kids.
'I just – I really miss my parents and brother – and I keep thinking about them – and the fighting,' Falco said, tears still streaming from his eyes.
'I know,' Levi sympathized with the boy.
'I just -' Falco choked on the tears again, Levi carefully reaching for the water on the nightstand, handing it to him.
'You can talk to me, okay? Always,' Levi finally said, 'I'm shit at talking, means I am a good listener.'
Falco chuckled just softly at Levi's remark.
'I am sorry about breaking down,'
'Please – stop apologizing Falco, you have nothing to apologize for. I think this war has left us all a little worse for wear,' Levi said with a sad smile.
Falco nodded just a bit, giving Levi a sad smile too.
'Thank you Levi,'
'Any time, Falco,' Levi told him, ruffling through his hair like he had done so many times with Isabel, grabbing the small set of drawers next to the bed to pull himself up.
'Do you need a hand getting back to bed?' Falco asked concerned.
'I can manage,' Levi told Falco, switching the light off on his way out. It took him minutes to get back to the bed, his hip having gone numb again and collapsing on the bed beside Erwin finally. Within seconds, the snoring man hooked his arm around him again, Levi not putting up a fight as Erwin pulled him against him again.
'You okay?' Erwin slurred.
'Fine, just taking a piss,' Levi said, not wanting to tell Erwin about Falco crying and talking to him just now.
'Hmm,' Erwin just hummed softly, sleepy as he buried his face in Levi's hair, snoring loudly soon again as if his sudden outburst after the nightmare had not happened just now.
Levi felt his chest tighten, not sure if any of them would ever be okay again.
They were three men, one of them barely even that, broken by war.
Thank you so much for reading. Please know I really appreciate your reads! Please let me know what you thought and hopefully till the next chapter! :)