A/N) I really had a plan to update this, but I just kept going over it, and it didn't click. This is the best I could do, so sorry if it's not great. I am having a blast writing everyone, and adding my own little ideas and headcanons in here. Also over 100 favorites! You guys, I can't even begin to thank you all for the love and support. I feel so humbled. This story has grown in a way that was totally Unexpected (Haha) this is my longest story, but it doesn't feel drawn out. This is actually the story I am most proud of, and you guys make me happy and I just keep writing it! But I am just rambling on. Thank you guys, here is another chapter.
Levi awoke the next morning to the most delicious smell overloading his senses. He sat up, and rubbed his bleary eyes "Oh fuck. Is that pancakes?"
Eren yawned loudly "Yeah. Christmas pancakes. It's a tradition mom made. All these pancakes shaped like Christmas trees, ornaments, and candy canes. Even though we aren't kids anymore, mom still does it.
"Your mom a quickly making it onto my list of best friends. After all that shit I ate at the hospital, this is much needed."
Eren giggled as he sat up, and kissed Levi's cheek. "Throw on a shirt, no getting dressed. Family tradition. All day pajama day."
When they made it downstairs, everyone else was already at the table drinking coffee. Erwin looked at Levi "Pancakes?"
Levi nodded "Pancakes." Little known fact, that pancakes were number three on Levi's list of delicious breakfast item. Only ranked behind waffles at number two, and French toast at number one.
"Sit down, old man. I'll make you some tea. Is vanilla chai fine?" Eren asked.
"Yeah. Thanks." Levi took a seat next to Mikasa. Carla had a round kitchen table. She liked the closeness it brought.
"Morning Uncle Levi. How was sleeping in a bed?" Mikasa asked.
"Glorious. I never really realized how much the little things really matter. Privacy, your own bed or a real one at that, good food. You take this stuff for granted until you don't have it anymore."
It was weird for everyone to see Levi like this. Maybe he had injured his head. He was a little less cranky, and a lot more appreciative.
"Breakfast is done." Carla announced, setting down several plates on the table. True to Eren's word, they were all fun little Christmas shapes. "Merry Christmas everyone."
"Merry Christmas!" Everyone cheered.
Levi looked at them all weird "Starting early a tradition too?"
Eren giggled as he sat next to Levi, and handed him a tea cup "No, today is Christmas."
"Because tomorrow, it's your birthday." Hange said with a grin.
"What?" Levi asked, dumbfounded.
"We are celebrating Christmas today, so your birthday will be all about you tomorrow." Eren told him.
Levi couldn't help letting a stupid grin cover his face "Merry Christmas everyone."
"Well dig in! I have bottled syrup, real maple, and homemade. Also, Eren told me you like jam Levi, so I have some strawberry jam too." Carla told them.
"Oh. Thank you very much. Real perceptive, brat."
Eren gave a cheeky grin "I try!"
"Everyone finish eating! I want to do gifts." Armin said excitedly.
The pancakes disappeared very quickly. Everyone was talking and laughing, while stuffing their mouths with pancakes. It was amazing that Armin and Eren still ate like teenagers. It was probably because they didn't eat well at college, and with Levi in the hospital, everyone ate fast food, and no cooked meals.
When they finished, they all helped to clear the table, and do the dishes. Well, everyone except Levi. He sat there, grumpy as hell that he was useless.
"Hey there grumpy butt." Eren said, coming up to kiss Levi on the forehead. "You don't need to feel down. Want me to help you to the living room, and bring you more tea?"
Levi sighed "Yeah, sure." As Eren helped him up, Levi felt a slight fear grip his chest. He was virtually useless. He needed help with even little things. What if Eren got sick of helping him? What if he left because he got sick of Levi using him like a nurse?
Eren sat Levi down, and like a mind reader, smiled at his boyfriend "You know, I just love being able to help you. You always spoil and take care of me, both emotionally and physically. So I love being able to help you now. I know you feel worthless, and I feel a little guilty for delighting in this, but you'll get better soon. I know you, you're a fighter. You'll get better in the blink on an eye." With that, he went back to help.
Levi was left shaking his head in disbelief, at how lucky a man he really was.
"Go keep him company." Armin said, pushing Erwin out of the kitchen.
"But I'm helping with dishes!" Erwin replied
"I have it. Now go on! Relax. You are a guest."
Mikasa turned to Hange as Erwin was walking out "You too."
"I know better than to argue. I love you." Hange said, kissing Mikasa on the cheek and exiting. They passed by Eren as he came back into the kitchen.
Carla was giggling while putting dishes up "I'm so happy to see you all so comfortable with your partners. I was hoping time at your mom's place wouldn't make them feel uncomfortable, but they all seem to fit in quite well."
"It's pretty amazing. We've all grown closer and banded together even through tragedy and death. Instead of pulling apart, we relied more on one another. It's really a testament to our relationships." Armin said.
Carla grinned "So whose wedding bells are chiming first?"
Armin and Eren looked at each other, and then spoke in unison "Mikasa."
Mikasa dropped a plate, and it shattered, as her whole face went red. She turned around, and glared down her brothers. Though, it was much less intimidating with crimson cheeks "What? Why would you say that?"
Eren held his hands up defensively "Levi and I haven't been together long! It would be ridiculous to consider marriage."
Armin shook his head "I won't settle down until I've established myself in a career. Not like I'm in any rush to have kids!"
"I hate you both!" Mikasa said, while going to grab a broom. It was true that she already had a promise ring, and her and Hange had been together for four years. But to toss her under the bus like that, in front of their mom, was stone cold.
In the other room, the three older adults were looking curiously at the tree "There are significantly more presents here than there were before I went to bed." Erwin said.
"I thought that too. Good, I thought I might be going crazy!" Hange said.
"Oh you are going crazy, but not about the present situation." Levi told them.
"Maybe it's another family tradition?" Erwin offered "they seem to have quite a few of those."
The other two shrugged.
Erwin's theory proved correct, when Carla walked in and said "Oh my! I think Santa knew were having an early Christmas!"
Eren whispered on Levi's ear "Mom never wanted us to grow up. Can you tell?"
There wasn't much time for discussion, presents started getting tossed, ripped into, and set aside. Shouts of thanks and cheers of happiness filled up the living room.
Eren handed Levi two presents. One was medium, and the other very large. Levi opened the large one first "My wings of freedom. You finally did one!"
"More than one." Erwin said, holding up his own canvas.
"Three of them" Hange said, showing Levi theirs.
"I figured everyone needed a set." Eren said with a smile.
Levi nodded gratefully, and opened the medium one. It was framed up like a picture, and on the inside was a picture, drawn by Eren.
"This is a reconstruction of the picture I passed art class with, of us. It's done in a realistic style, and I used charcoal. It was what I worked on while you slept at the hospital. I figured you could put it on your desk at work."
Levi looked at the picture, and smiled "Eren, it's really beautiful. Thank you. I did need a picture of you and what better way to have one, that one you drew by hand."
Carla gasped loudly "All six of you all are dead! I can't possibly accept any of these! Spa trip, two tickets for a cruise to the Bahamas, and a maid for a week!"
"Mom! You deserve it! It's been a hard year. Reward yourself!" Eren protested.
"A week cruise to the Bahamas is just what you need to relax. Plus, I bet there will be some gorgeous guys on the island!" Armin told her.
"And while your out, the maid will keep the house spotless so you have no reason not to relax when you get home." Mikasa said.
Carla began to blubber "You kids...I just...you spoil me!"
"You took in two kids that weren't blood, and loved them. You raised them the best you could. You made them all very distinguished people. You suffered through a divorce, and lost your ex husband in a wreck. Carla, if anyone needs a vacation, and some time to feel appreciated, it's you." Erwin said.
Anything Carla said after that was indistinguishable through her sobs. After all the presents were opened, Carla refused to let anyone help her in the kitchen. She was going to start cooking, she promised one by one she would call someone in. It wasn't even five minutes, and the first one called was Levi. Eren helped Levi into the kitchen, and even though he was extremely curious, he left them to talk.
"Are you going to ask me what my intentions with your son are?" Levi asked.
Carla laughed so hard she snorted "I know quite well what your intentions are. It better be to love my son forever."
"They are."
"Good. Now, I know you can't get up and move, so I thought the best job would be to peel potatoes." She said setting down a peeler, knife, and bag of potatoes down in front of him.
"Oh joy. My favorite job. But I am glad to help in some way."
"Levi," Carla put a hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and was almost captivated from the pure warmth shown just in her eyes "you were very badly injured. It's amazing you are already out, and here with us. I wouldn't make you work at all, but I saw how much it hurt you. So, here is something you can do that I won't feel to guilty about."
He was shocked into silence, and just went to peeling. He felt a pain in his heart. He hadn't seen, or felt warmth like that, since his mother. "Carla, I hope you don't mind me saying this, I know we are close to the same age, but I just, I see you like my other mother sometimes. I lost my mom young, so having you around, makes me feel safe."
"That's so sweet of you Levi. I've always been a motherly type. So, I don't mind if you all see me as, or call me mom. You all might marry my kids, so might as well get used to it, right?"
Levi coughed and put his head down to hide his blush. He hadn't really considered marriage yet. He hadn't even told Eren that he loved him yet. After his wreck, and almost losing his life, Levi felt maybe it was time to lay out all his feelings. The thought made him incredibly nervous, but it was time that he told Eren exactly what he showed him everyday. He was madly in love with the boy, and he wasn't going to let go.