Chapter 12:

Father!Levi x Original Character

Well look at this guys, my first story past ten chapters! I have other stories than this one, so be sure to check those out. I promise this one is my main story though, the others will be getting updated yes, but this is the back-to-go-to story. Anyways, on my daily bulletin board of news, I've been pretty good… shot a golf ball into my neighbor's back yard… that settled well, luckily they're really nice folks. Yes, I do play golf… But, enough about me, I know you all just want to read (or you just skip my author note in the beginning and just get to the good stuff) so as always, I don't own anything from SnK and I just thought this would be a cute idea. Oh and just to let you know; I also started another story between Ensrahi and Levi… you might want to go read that one. It's the third and final book, and it's going to have a lot of feels… just a warning.

-Levi-

Levi was absolutely spent by the time December 24th came around as he was laying on the couch drifting off to sleep with Eren chasing Ensrahi in the finished studio upstairs, when a curious thought came to his mind. His birthday was tomorrow, and he had no idea when Ensrahi's was, nor was she going to remember what it was anytime soon. He would be turning 34 tomorrow, and already Levi felt like by the time Ensrahi was able to go to a scholar's school, he'd be an old man… or dead. He huffed on the couch, staring at the ceiling at the sudden predicament that had begun to plague his mind before Levi found Mikasa hovering over him with that neutral look of hers that tended to look bored half of the time and uncaring the other.
"You should celebrate Ensrahi's birthday tomorrow, on yours. So she doesn't feel so alone." She murmured, as Levi looked at her with a skeptical look. Mikasa shrugged at this, and just walked off, causing Levi to really think about what and how to celebrate her birthday tomorrow. The idea wasn't bad itself, but Levi had no idea on how to celebrate it, had he never celebrated his birthday ever… in Levi's life, he found himself fretting over tiny things that he never thought he would do. It was a bothersome thought indeed.

"Daddy!" a sudden shrill voice cried, and Levi was met with a light seven year-old on his stomach in an instant, practically flying down the staircase. Levi grunted at her landing on his stomach, as he wasn't prepared to catch her and wrapped his arms around her anyways. She cuddled into him happily, as Levi knew she hadn't lost her memory in over a month. Including what had happened with Arthur, she still knew who and where and what she was relative to all of them. Which meant significant signs of recovery mentally on her part. Levi was relieved, but didn't let himself fall in this self-security. He hugged her tightly, as Eren came running down, blue paint splattered all over his pants in tiny little hand prints… which meant… Levi slowly peeled off Ensrahi's hands of his arms, and indeed there were now two little tiny handprints of blue imprinted on him.
"Why you little…!" He growled and rolled, throwing her on the couch and throwing her into a tickle fit. Her laughter could be heard through-out the house as Levi smiled, seeing Ensrahi so happy. When everything finally calmed down, Levi was back on the couch with Ensrahi sitting on his chest reading the black book from all the other times, if anything, she was reading some certain pages again. He could tell this by the fact that she was rubbing the back of her head in hopes that it might help her remember. That black book has been the most confusing thing Ensrahi had ever read in her life, knowing that this was her, and who she was, but yet she just couldn't recall what exactly happen… for Ensrahi, Levi knew, she just felt like she wanted to belong.

"Ensrahi? When do you want to celebrate your birthday?" Levi asked, as his little girl lay down on his chest. Ensrahi looked at Levi with a curious face.
"I dunno; I've never had a birthday before… what is that?" She asked lightly as Levi glared at the girl with a skeptical look. She hid lightly behind his arms as Levi sat up to hold her in his lap.
"It's when someone celebrates a year after being born." Levi growled as Ensrahi nodded in understanding.
"Then when is yours Daddy?" she asked lightly as Levi shook his head sighing.
"Tomorrow." He murmured as Ensrahi smiled.
"Than we'll have to celebrate yours tomorrow!" she laughed, jumping off his lap and running upstairs as he could hear her little footsteps going about in excitement. Levi groaned, standing up and went into the bathroom to wipe all of the blue paint off. Looking outside the window into the dark overcast, he could see the snow falling down quickly. The hot water ran over Levi's skin as he rubbed to get the little handprints off of his pale skin. Taking a nearby towel and turning the sink off, Levi wiped his arms dry as he looked at himself in the mirror… he looked sickly for a 29 year old man. Sure Eren was 17 right now, but jeez, turning thirty tomorrow… that was a sure scary thought to Levi as he wondered who would take care of Ensrahi if he ever died. Shaking his head and growling in the ridiculousness of his thoughts, he walked outside into the living room to see Ensrahi and Eren getting dressed in heavy snow clothing.
"Where do you think you're going brat?" he demanded as Eren smiled.
"Oh come on, your birthday and Christmas is tomorrow! Ensrahi wants to go out and find you a present. We'll be back alright?" Eren smiled as Levi glared at him.

Taking it as a yes, Eren ushered Ensrahi out the door quickly before he could argue as they were left alone. Mikasa came down stairs with Armin with a couple boxes filled with ordainments, and colorful garments. Levi sighed, he had never actually celebrated Christmas, or even his birthday for that matter. With the two gone, Mikasa was the one who brought the tree in, as Armin began to dust off the fireplace and create room for the tree. They set it up, as they put a dark blue circular rug around it, and began to hang up darker blue balls on the tree's branches. Levi was the one going around the house, putting stuffed snowman here and there in a clean manor, as they took the time to hang up garlands around the house as interestingly enough, Levi knew that it was becoming more festive… yet even he knew that he would have to go out and get something for Ensrahi.

"Oi, Armin and Mikasa. I'm going out for a bit. Finish up while I'm gone." Levi grumbled as Armin and Mikasa nodded, going back to their festive decorating. Snow was falling down harder now as he waslked the streets of Sina… enjoying the loneliness that he had so much of before he had to worry about someone else. Levi took in walking alone; shops were now closing more indoors so that way their booths wouldn't be blown away by the cold. Levi walked into one quickly, kicking the snow off of his boots as the shop keeper smiled at him lightly. He waved at her in gratidude for letting someone like him indoors when the weather was so bad. He wasn't too concerned about Eren and Ensrahi, knowing that the brats would be home before it got too serious.
"How can I help you today sir?" she asked, as Levi looked around the store. There were mostly kids toys, a rack of kids clothing but what struck his eye was a bookshelf in the very back. Walking slowly to the shelves, he saw that there was a book full of fairy tales about the outside world beyond the walls.
"How much is this book?" Levi asked as the shop clerk smiled.
"It's on the house sir, since I'm not allowed to carry books like those anymore. Since Christmas is tomorrow, do you want me to wrap it up?" she asked as Levi stopped to look at a small Christmas dress meant for a young girl. It was a dark blood red, but the way the lace cascaded around the end made Levi consider taking it. The shop keeper picked it up, and smiled.
"Sir, I've seen you around. Are you with the Survey Corps?" she asked as Levi looked at her confused. Had he ever met this woman before?
"My name's June sir. June Ral." June smiled, as Levi nodded his head politely. He thought for a moment though, thinking that he had heard that name before somewhere.
"Levi Ackerman." He stated bluntly, as his cold glare looked over the shopkeeper as she shifted from foot to foot nervously.
"So is the dress for your daughter?" she asked, and gently took the book out from Levi's hands. Her fingertips brushed against the back of his palms as shivers were sent down his spine. It had been a while since he'd had the nice company of a woman… but he rather not risk it considering the factor of which he could be killed at any moment what so ever… The thought caused his eyes to darken at the thought of leaving Ensrahi alone.
"It is. She's young, and this is her first Christmas." Levi explained as June smiled softy, her peach tan colored skin glowing dimly in the light of the shop. It was mainly her near orange hair that drew him in, mainly, before a rustle was heard in the back as a young woman who looked about three years younger than himself and much like her mother came out with a stack of books near toppling.
"Mom, stop flirting with the Survey Corps! That's my superior that you're talking to!" a familiar voice rang, as Levi looked curiously at the daughter. She seemed strong built, and determined, and most of all, loyal. Petra Ral, that was her name, and that's where Levi remembered her from. Out of all the cadets that were applying to be in his squad, she was among them. Petra smiled at Levi gently, putting the books on the shelf.
"Is that for Ensrahi sir?" she asked, as Levi nodded again… he'd been doing that a lot lately he'd noticed.
"It is. I didn't know this was your mother's shop. I thought you lived with your father." Levi pointed out as Petra obviously became slightly flustered as Levi set the red dress on the counter, and shifted through his coat for some change.
"Oh don't worry about it hun. It's on the house. It's all I can do to thank you for protecting my little girl." June smiled as Petra blushed even harder.
"Mom! I can protect myself and he knows that!" She grumbled as Levi watched June wrap up the presents, and Petra held out the boxes to him. Levi took them and put them underneath his arm.
"…Petra, would you like to come with me to watch Ensrahi? I have a lot of paperwork to catch up on and she needs a new friend." Levi asked quietly as Petra barely caught what he said.
"U-um… sure sir. I'd love to… Not th-that I love to hang out with you-you sir but it's not like I don't lo-lov~"

"That's enough Petra, just a yes will surface." Levi snapped as Petra jumped lightly.
"Yes sir! I'd like to!" Petra sighed, as she followed Levi out of the shop as soon as she grabbed a coat and said good-bye to her mother.

Back home, Levi shuffled for the keys to the house as the door opened to Levi looking down at a little girl who was barely able to reach the doorknob as it was. Her eyes widened, seeing her father with another woman; or rather someone other than her female status in the company of someone close to her.
"Who's this little shit head?" Were the first words out of her mouth as Levi's face became distorted with a mixture of shock and amusement.
"A friend you brat, watch your language." He commanded as Ensrahi raised an eyebrow in skepticism towards Petra as she uncomfortably shifted back and forth before entering the house. She was welcomed warmly by Eren and Armin but Mikasa and Ensrahi watched with distaste as she was talking to them. Levi put the boxes underneath the tree, noticing that there were some for all of them and a small one with his name was crudely wrapped in the far back. Ensrahi was crafty for sure, wanting to hide Levi's present as he couldn't help but smile and chuckle at her reaction to Petra… was that a hint of jealousy he could feel coming from her? Levi shut the door and sat down on the couch. Ensrahi was quick to follow, and sat next to him with a rather blank look on her face as Levi just couldn't pinpoint what exactly she was feeling.
"Why did you come home with her?" Ensrahi asked finally after about five minutes of sitting there, as Levi put a arm around her and his hand on her head.
"She's come to help me watch you. So when I'm not there, she's there… kind of like a mother or a sitter of some sorts." Levi explained, as Ensrahi looked up at him with wide eyes full of genuine shock.
"W…What does that mean daddy?" she asked, as Levi gave her a rare heartwarming smile.
"She's an early Christmas present Rahi." He answered as Ensrahi ran to Petra, hugging the side of her leg.

"You're the best Christmas present ever mommy!" she cried loudly, sobbing into her leg.