Ratings: M
Warnings: N/A
Genre: Alt. Universe, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Holiday.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story: living (or passed) human beings or fictional characters. These events never happened, according to history or as the original author intended them. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to offend. For entertainment purposes only. Thanks.


Chapter 5:

Erwin pulled into the parking lot of the same hotel that he had spend the first week and a half at when Levi had first asked him to leave. The woman was all giggles, clearly intoxicated and excited to get to spend an evening with the handsome blonde businessman. She couldn't seem to wait for him to get out of the car before she began to put her hands on him, immediately leaning over the gearshift and beginning to kiss his cheek as he put the car in park. Erwin pulled up the emergency brake and then leaned across the gearshift to kiss her back, his hands reaching out caress her shoulders, and he moaned softly in relief. It felt so good to be accepted, to be wanted, to be loved again.

Erwin pulled away, flashing her a daredevil smile, then got out of the car and began to head around it to take her into his arms. She climbed out of the car, equally intoxicated, and stumbled into his arms. He caught her and helped her regain her balance, losing his own as she pulled on his arm, so that he fell against her, pinning her to the car. She giggled and he giggle back, drunk on alcohol and delirious with desire. He felt her arms reach up and wrap around his neck and he rubbed himself against her, pressing his crotch against her hip as he pushed her against his car.

He let his hands trace her slender shoulders, feeling the straps of her bra under her shirt, and he felt a shiver of excitement run through him as he heard her gasp. For the first time in a long time, he felt another person shiver at his touch, gasp in pleasure at the sensations he caused. He wanted to feel someone quiver and convulse and contract around him, cry out loudly in pleasure as he buried himself six inches deep. He wanted to hear more, wanted to feel more, wanted… more.

He shifted closer, intending to slide his tongue into his small, moist mouth, intent to capture his slim wrists and feel the fine hairs on his forearms, needed to hear the soft gasps that escaped his slender, tall throat. He wanted to nuzzle the tip of his nose against his Adam's apple and feel the soft scratch of his clean shave, inhale his musky scent mixed with the freshness of lemon or lavender from the cleaning chemicals he used. Instead he smelt overwhelming amounts of roses and lilacs, heard a high-pitched moan, and felt sharp nails scratch lightly over the back of his neck. He pulled away from the woman, gasping, and suddenly feeling horrible. He wanted Levi, not this strange lady he picked up in a bar.

"I'm sorry," he gasped, then suddenly began to cry. "I can't do this. I want… I didn't know what I wanted, but now I do and… I'm so sorry."

The woman stayed leaning against Erwin's car, completely stunned. Her mouth hung open in shock and she stayed silent as she watched the handsome blonde break down into tears in front of her. "I'm… sorry." She replied, "I… I don't know what to say."

"It isn't you." Erwin gasped out, then wiped away his tears and tried to compose himself again. "It isn't you, you're a doll." He replied, "I'm just… I'm… I miss my spouse. That's all. I… I miss them like crazy."

The woman bit her lower lip, trying her hardest not to cry. Despite her silence, tears slid down her face and she nodded as well. "I miss my husband too." She whispered.

Erwin's mouth dropped open in surprise and he gave his head a shake as he tried to find the words to express himself. He had nearly ruined someone else's marriage in an attempt to get over the potential failure of his own. "God, I'm so sorry." He began, "I didn't know you were married. I-"

"My husband just got so consumed with work this year." The woman began, wiping her tears from under her eyes and looking up at Erwin with a wounded expression. "He left me home alone with three kids all day, every day, for months. All for some stupid promotion at work."

Erwin stilled completely, suddenly feeling as though the universe was sending him a major message. This woman was sobbing her eyes out to a stranger who she had let pick her up in a trashy bar and had been willing to let have his way with her all because she felt neglected by her husband and overwhelmed with their children. And somehow - despite the woman's obvious tragedy - all Erwin could focus on was the fact that she could be Levi and he could be any other man, any other blonde man that - and it was painfully obvious - might not be going through the same thing as he was and therefore might not have stopped when he did.

"Your- your husband- " He began, trying to make sense of what was happening right now.

"He got so competitive with his colleagues for this promotion, he's been working since Spring to outdo the other two men in his department. When he was home - if ever - it was all ever spoke about. He'd come home late, he'd be aggressive, he became a completely different person, all because he wanted to beat Erwin and Dot, Erwin and Dot, they were the only names he seemed to recognize. I thought he was having some kind of gay affair until he told me they were his colleagues."

Erwin felt the blood drain from his face. If the man that was this woman's husband spoke about 'Erwin and Dot' and was going for a promotion at work, then the woman who he had picked up in the bar tonight was none other than Nile Dok's wife. Erwin felt his stomach flip, realizing just how fucked up his life had become since he became obsessed with the promotion at work. "I'm- I'm Erwin." He mumbled, "I know your husband, your husband, Nile."

The woman's mouth dropped open in surprise and she stopped attempting to explain her near-infidelity. "You're… you're Erwin?" She asked, completely surprised. "You… are Erwin?" She asked. "Why are you… out picking up women in bars… if you're competing with my husband for the job?" She asked suddenly, trying to put together a question from a state of utter confusion. "How come my husband doesn't have time to be with me but you're out here?"

Erwin gave his head a shake and tried to explain. "I… My husband kicked me out… was fed up with me overworking, like you are. I thought… I thought I would try moving on to see… if our relationship was over."

"But you still love him." The woman replied, "You still love your husband."

Erwin nodded, "Wholeheartedly, yes. And I'm sure you still love Nile…" He faltered, realizing he never knew Nile's wife's name.

"Maria." She replied, smiling at him even though tears ran down her face. "Maria Dok." She reached out to take his hand.

Erwin gasped, his eyes widening. "Maria… are you Maria… Thompson? You were studying medical administration-"

"How do you… have we met before?" Maria's eyes widened, surprised that Erwin seemed to recognize her. "Yeah, yeah, I met Nile at university. Right before I graduated. He was in his last term and was applying for the firm you two work at now."

Erwin looked away, counting the dates in his head. He had begun working at the firm a term before Nile, so that would mean he had met Levi around the time that Nile and Maria began dating. "That's… " he began, "That's funny." He finally stated. He felt a tear run down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away, before shaking his head and looking upwards. "I'm really sorry, about tonight, about everything Maria. I need to… I need to get home to my husband. Could I… give you a ride somewhere? Get you off the street, maybe back home?"

Maria nodded, thanking Erwin as she began to stumble back into his car. "Please," she whispered, "I think I need to have a long talk with my husband."

Erwin got back into his car and cranked up the heat. He rolled down the driver's side window to feel the cold air hit his face, then sped towards Nile's house. He dropped Maria off a block from her home, not wanting Nile to recognize his car and accuse them of anything that could of happened. As he drove past their house, passing by at a quick speed, he noticed that Nile's car wasn't parked in their driveway, as it sometimes was. Nile was still at work, and it was Christmas Eve.

Unable to resist keeping himself out of his colleague's business, Erwin hit the call function on his steering wheel and dialled Nile's cell phone number. The man answered tiredly on the fourth ring, two away from going to voice mail. "Dok." He answered, "What do you want, Smith?"

"Are you still at the office?" Erwin asked, cutting to the chase.

"Yeah, duh." Nile replied, "Why? Is there something you forgot?"

"Go home." Erwin hissed into the phone.

"Why? So you can steal the promo out from under me?" Nile replied, clearly defensive. "Like I'd fall for-"

"Nile, for fuck sake's, it's Christmas Eve! Go home to your wife and kids!" Erwin growled at him. "Trust me, you'll thank me later!"

Nile was silent for a moment, then he tried to speak. Erwin could hear him open and close his mouth on the other end of the phone. Finally, "Erwin… what's gotten into you?"

"The Christmas spirit!" Erwin replied, "Seriously, Nile. The office will be there a week from today, but your family might not be. Don't lose your family because you failed to prioritize them." With that, Erwin hung up, not letting Nile reply to him.

He turned onto his street and saw the orange glow from the living room of his own family's home. His three kids were still awake, he could see their silhouettes in the living room window. The tree was lit up and the TV appeared to be on, white light flashing from the large screen at the back of the room. Erwin pulled up into the driveway, dug the jewelry box out of the glove box, and turned the engine off in his car. He ran up the driveway and up the few porch steps, crossing the small front porch in two strides and then knocked on the door.

Inside was suddenly quiet and he could hear Levi telling the kids to stay in the living room as he approached the front door. He opened it a small amount, meaning to peak out and check who it was, when Erwin reached inside and gently pushed Levi out of the way so he could throw the door open.

"Erwin?!" Levi gasped, amazed that he had just suddenly let himself in.

Erwin threw his arms around Levi, lifting him off his feet and spinning him around. "Merry Christmas, Levi!" He greeted him, then set the smaller man down on his feet.

Levi stared at Erwin with his mouth open in shock. "Erwin, you smell of booze." He complained, "Merry Christmas."

"I… I'm done, Levi." Erwin announced, "I'm done with work. I'm… I want to come home. I don't care about the promotion anymore."

Levi's mouth remained opened and his eyes were wide with surprise. "Er-win," He stammered his name, "Do you mean-"

"Daddy's home!" Armin shouted, rushing over from behind the couch in the front room to come over to Erwin. He reached up for his father, a big grin on his little pudgy face.

Erwin scooped Armin up in his arms and hugged him close to his chest. "Yea-ah," he hugged Armin, "I'm here, daddy's here." He whispered, then turned his attention to Mikasa and Eren as they approached him for a hug too. "What do you say, Levi?" Erwin asked, turning to face him. "Will you let me come home?" He asked.

Levi gazed at his kids and then at Erwin, immediately feeling bad that Erwin had asked for his permission in front of the kids. Erwin set Armin down on his feet, immediately understanding that Levi felt as though Erwin was using the kids as leverage to get back in on Christmas, but then he stayed down on one knee. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the jewelry box, lifting the lid and holding the ring out for Levi to see.

"It's a promise ring, Levi." He explained, "I know we're already married, but I want to promise you that… I'm done with work and the promotion and everything else. Nothing else is more important to me in the entire world than my family."

Levi's eyes filled with tears and he covered his mouth with his hands so Erwin could see his smile. Mikasa began to cry and Armin hugged Eren and began to chew on the corner of his blanket. Levi only nodded.

Erwin rose to his feet and put the ring on Levi's finger, before he wrapped his arms around Levi, lifted him up and kissed him passionately on the lips.

Eren stuck his tongue out and made a 'gross' comment, but Mikasa and Armin cheered. Erwin kicked the front door closed behind himself and the family gathered in the living room afterwards, content to have hot chocolate and cookies before heading to bed.

Erwin was true to his word about being done with work. He helped the kids put out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer, and then helped them get ready for bed. He tucked them in and read them Clement Moore's The Night Before Christmas, then wished them all sweet dreams and closed their room doors. As Levi put the presents under the tree for the kids, Erwin ate the cookies and drank all the milk, before he called Mike to let him know he was back home with his family.

"Where you belong." Mike replied, a relieved laugh in his voice. "I'm so glad to hear that Erwin."

"Thanks Mike. And really, I know you did give me some really shitty advice, but it did help. And it got me back on track."

"Well, what are friends for?" Mike replied, "Merry Christmas Erwin."

"Merry Chrismast Mike."

Erwin came up to bed to find Levi getting ready for bed. He chuckled and then recalled the blonde man, and once the thought entered his head, it was as he had predicted and the questions came tumbling out.

"Who was that blonde guy that came home with you?" He asked, pulling down the sheets to his own bed, excited to finally get to hold his husband once more as he slept.

"Who?" Levi asked, "When?"

"This blonde guy, slick black car, navy blue suit. About two weeks ago?"

"Flagon?" Levi asked, raising an eyebrow. "About two weeks ago, you say?"

"Yeah. Looked like you two had a pretty fancy night." Erwin replied, "You were wearing your baby-grey suit."

"Oh! Right, that!" Levi replied, understanding on his face. "Wait, did you think that was a date?" He asked, beginning to laugh.

Erwin blushed. "Well, what was it then?" He asked, feeling stupid for jumping to conclusions. "I drove by meaning to give you that ring, but…"

"Then you saw him driving me home." Levi finished. He laughed again and crawled into bed so Erwin followed his lead and turned off the lamp beside their bed. Levi gazed into Erwin's eyes in the semi-darkness of their bedroom. "That was our office Christmas party." Levi replied, "Flagon offered to drive me home because I had a few too many. I took an Uber there and had Isabella watch the kids."

Erwin began to laughed at how stupid he was. He had completely forgotten that Levi's dental office would have a Christmas party, especially since in their many years of marriage he had never attended a single one since he often stayed home to look after their kids.

"I… feel very foolish now." He replied with a laugh. He was suddenly washed with relieve that he had never taken things any further with Maria than a few drunken kisses. "But you kissed him." He began, "I saw you two kiss."

"I was drunk and Flagon has a thing for me." Levi replied, "But I promise you, I haven't seen him outside of work since. And honestly Erwin, I'm not interested in dentists. I have eyes only for you."

Erwin blushed, feeling much better. He wrapped his arms around Levi and hugged him close, enjoying how the smaller man fit into his arms and nestled against his chest. "Hey Levi," he began, then kissed his temple. The smaller man made a soft noise of interest as he closed his eyes and smiled in Erwin's arms, ready to fall asleep. "Do you think maybe… we should adopt just one more?" Erwin asked, earning only a playful giggle as Levi's reply.


Christmas morning in the Ackerman-Smith house was welcomed by a loud chorus of children knocking on their parents' bedroom door, calling out for them to come downstairs to see the tree and presents. Erwin and Levi got up and pulled on their house-robes, opening the door and greeting their children with hugs and kisses. Eren led the way down the stairs and Erwin and Levi followed, both carrying one of their younger children. The tree was loaded with presents, wrapped in an assortment of bright paper with shiny ribbons and bows. Levi and Erwin set Mikasa and Armin down, letting them race to the tree to begin finding their gifts.

"Look, the cookies are gone!" Armin exclaimed.

"And the milk too!" Mikasa added.

"Must've been Santa." Eren replied, "Look, he's left us gifts!" He handed one to Armin, proposing that the youngest would start.

As the kids began to open their gifts, Erwin wrapped an arm around his husband and kissed the top of his head. "I love you, Levi." He whispered, "Merry Christmas."

Levi blushed and stretched up on his tiptoes to catch Erwin's kiss on his lips, "I love you too, Erwin." He whispered. Then kissed him again.

Erwin smiled, but his smile dropped as a navy vehicle pulled up outside their home. He left Levi side to open the front door, heading to meet the driver of the vehicle before he got a chance to speak too loudly in front of his family.

"Nile!" Erwin greeted him, partly as a warning.

"Come here you, son-of-a-nutcracker." Nile growled, stepping up to Erwin and then wrapping his arms around him and pulling him into a hug. "Thank you!" He whispered into his ear.

Erwin hadn't been expecting the thanks from Nile, a little confused as to why he had come all this way to thank him.

"She was going to give me divorce papers for Christmas." Nile explained in a low voice, "But you tipped me off, got me home in time. You're right, Erwin. You're right. The promo isn't worth losing my family over."

Erwin glanced at Nile's car and caught sight of Maria inside. He raised a hand and politely waved at her, noting the three kids in the backseat. Then he turned his attention back to Nile. "Man, I'm glad you got home when you did."

"I am too! Really, I owe you one! How did you know?!" Nile asked, clearly genuinely grateful.

Erwin turned back to the doorway to catch sight of Levi gazing out at him and Nile, watching with an expression of concern as he ran his fingers through Eren's short brown hair. "Let's just say I was in a similar situation, Nile. I had a feeling that you might've been in the same trouble I found myself in. Just… don't want to see a good family hurt because of some corporate issues."

Nile nodded, "Thank you." He repeated. He turned to Levi and waved. "Hi, uh, Mr. Smith. Nothing about work here, just wishing Erwin a very Merry Christmas." He explained.

Levi nodded and smiled, glad to hear that work hadn't caught up to Erwin and impeded on their family day at home.

A black Cadillac pulled up in front of Erwin's home then, a newer vehicle that was slick and luxurious. Erwin and Nile gazed at it in confusion, then watched as the backdoor opened and Darius Zackly, their head boss, and Dot Pixis, their other competition, stepped out.

"Morning gentlemen." Zackly spoke to them in a loud, clear voice. "Dok, I didn't intend to find you here."

"Neither did I, sir." Nile replied.

"To what do we owe the visit?" Erwin asked, surprised to find his office had decided to have a meeting on his front lawn.

"I've reached a decision regarding the promotion." Zackly concluded. "And I think you're the best man for the job, Erwin. I want you to take over Keith's position of Commander-Of-Office."

Erwin exhaled, his breath a foggy cloud in the cool morning air. He huffed because he didn't know what to do or how to feel, no longer wanting the promotion. He turned to gaze at Levi and saw his face cross with worry once more, then he gazed at Eren, his eldest son. He turned to glance at Nile, then Maria through the windshield, then finally back at Zackly.

"I'm sorry, sir." He replied, "But I don't want the promotion."

All around him, eyes widened, jaws, fell, and silence descended.

"You… don't want… the promotion?" Zackly repeated, clearly surprised.

"No, sir." Erwin replied.

"But you put in all the work for it." Zackly pushed. "You spent months proving that you were the man for the job."

"I know. I did. But, I thought long and hard about it, and I don't want the position if it's going to keep me working those hours and missing out on… on what's important in my life, sir. With all due respect, I'm a husband, and father, first and foremost. My duty is here, at home." He turned and walked back onto his porch to pick up Eren and hold him close to his chest, standing beside his husband, Levi. "The only commander I need to be is the commander of my family. So, I respectfully decline the job, sir. I would be happy continuing in my current position."

Zackly looked as though he had been slapped. He turned to Nile, his mouth opening and closing several times before he began to speak again. "D-Dok?" He asked, "Would you… be interested?"

Nile turned to face his car, then Erwin, and finally Zackly again. "No, sir. I agree with Erwin, sir. I have to be there for my family, otherwise, what am I working for?"

Zackly turned his attention to the last man available. "Pixis?" He asked, "Would you-"

"I might be a boozer with no wife." Pixis began, "But I have a granddaughter that was just born, and kids of my own." He replied, "And I should be there with them this Christmas, not here at work. Sir."

Zackly turned to Pixis and then back to the three men. "Work load is the problem, is it?" He asked, understanding dawning on him. "Well then. I'll tell you what. How about I adjust the balance, give you all a raise, and have you divide the workload between the three of you? Would you all be interested in the position of Commander then?" Zackly asked.

Erwin turned to Nile and Pixis and the three of them turned back to face Zackly.

"Regular hours?" Erwin asked.

"No evenings and weekends?" Nile asked.

"Our own office spaces?" Pixis added.

"Done, done, and done." Zackly replied. "Just… please, I can't hire Keith back again. The job damn near killed him, twice."

"Then maybe that should have been a good indication that the job isn't worth it." Levi stated, coming forwards to wrap an arm around his husband's waist. "

"That's true." Zackly replied, noting Levi's bravery to stepping up to his husband's boss. "And, I do apologize, to you, and all of your families. I never meant for the work load to become so… such a problem."

"It's alright." Erwin replied, "If we can find a way to balance the job between the three of us, then I'll be glad to do what I can for the corporation."

As Zackly nodded and Dot climbed back into the Cadillac, Erwin turned to face Nile and nodded at him. "Merry Christmas." He smiled at him, glad that they could finally agree on something.

"And to you." Nile replied, then turned and headed back to his car. "We're heading out to see Maria's family." He explained, "I figured, I just stop by to say… well, thanks."

Erwin smiled, nodded, and raise one hand in a departing wave. He ushered Eren and his other children back inside, then paused to hold Levi's waist, keeping him from following their kids inside. "Hold on, my lovely." Erwin whispered in his ear, "Looks like our Christmas angels have spiked the door with some mistletoe."

From somewhere inside their home they could hear the faint laughter of Mikasa and Armin, followed by the word 'gross' from Eren. Erwin chuckled and Levi turned in his arms to face him, raising his chin so that his husband could press their lips together in a sweet, Christmas kiss.

The End.