aslantes

[aslantes]

AoT Short Stories Vol. 4: The Dusty Library- Hange & Levi:

And once again, another story highlighting Levi's exceptional kindness.

This one's well known among the community, obviously. But basically, it revolves around Levi searching Hange out to ask them about being able to let Eren out of his cell, from the previous story, and having to rescue Hange from being crushed by a pile of books that begin to fall from a shelf after they try extracting a single tome.

"Levi just barely managed to grab the collar of Hange's jacket and pull the away from the pile of books that fell in the ensuing avalanche.

'Man, you really saved me there, Levi. I might've gotten brain damage if that many books hit me.'

'Don't worry, you can't get any worse than you already are. You really need to be more aware of your surroundings, you know.'

'How rude,' Hange said as they put their goggles back on, 'I am aware.' Hange then brushed the dust off the book they removed.

'Take the books here. This castle is inside the walls, but it's full of books and stockpiled goods that use letters we can't read. The area inside the Walls is dotted with ruins like these, almost as if civilization itself went extinct once-'

'I'm not talking about your intellectual horizons. Even I know how sharp your mind is. I'm saying that exactly why you need to value your own life more. If I wasn't around just now, you could've broken your neck if a book landed wrong.'

'Oh, you're so kind.'

Levi huffed, his expression souring even further. He hated being described with words like those.

'... You said that on purpose, didn't you?'

'Hah, so you knew?'

This entire exchange is so sweet, and really exemplifies Levi's kindness. The fact he gets embarrassed at Hange pointing that kindness out really speaks to the fact that Levi isn't at all used to it. Some people are keenly aware of who Levi really is, but he's used to being treated like the opposite, like he's some sort of bad or unkind person, again, because he doesn't know how to properly express his actual feelings. So he gets flustered at Hange basically teasing him here, pointing out that he can't fool them, that they know he saved them from the falling books because he cares deeply about their life, and everyone's lives in general. Levi points out before that Hange needs to value their own life more, and he sells it to them on the basis that humanity needs them for their intellectual prowess, but Hange sees through that and knows what Levi actually means. He's trying to get Hange to be more careful because he doesn't want them to die or be hurt, whether they're valuable to the cause of humanity or not, but he thinks it'll be easier to convince them to take more caution if he frames it as them being indispensable to humanity. I think this really goes back to Levi's final, few exchanges with Hange, before their great sacrifice in the final arc, with him telling Hange that they "sound like him", meaning Erwin, and Levi's obvious dismay at that realization, knowing what Hange is planning, to give themselves up to the duty of their role as Commander. I don't think anything hurts Levi more than losing his comrades to something as abstract as an ideology. To their having a sense of obligation or duty to their position, or their chosen path. I think Levi wishes he could convince all of them to forego that duty and to keep living, but he knows he can't, because it's what they've chosen for themselves and he has too much respect for people's agencies to ever impose himself and his desires on them. And so he can only support it, even as it destroys him inside. He's basically begging Hange in this story to stay alive, the way he orders his comrades multiple times in the story to do the same. To Levi, it's their individual lives that matter most of all, that are more important than any dream.

Later in the story, Hange asks Levi what he came to see them about:

"'Right. About Eren... I want to give him permission to walk freely around here. I know the Corps must want to stick him underground, but...'

Hange tells him it's fine, that the walls of the castle are sturdy enough to withstand a transformation, and that there are plenty of high towers for them to use their ODM gear on.

"'Okay. I'm glad to hear that... Also...'

'Hm?'

'At least dry yourself off before scouring this place. I can see through your shirt. It's indecent.'

Levi glared at Hange like he would a pile of garbage as he pointed at the fireplace that Moblit must have lit out of consideration for his drenched superior."

Again, we see Levi's kindness, in his relief at being able to help Eren by letting him out of his cell, and also in the way he tries to help Hange again, by pointing out that he can see through their wet shirt. As always with Levi, it comes out harshly, like he's disgusted, but the truth is, Levi just doesn't want Hange being exposed to prying eyes, and also, he assuredly wants them to get dry so they don't end up getting sick. It's his way of trying to protect them from embarrassment or humiliation, and also his way of trying to get them to take better care of themselves. That's just how Levi expresses himself. But once you realize that about him, that he has difficulty saying what he really means, you can see he's truly, endlessly kind and caring. It's not hyperbole to say Levi is the most compassionate and kind character in SnK. It's so incredibly obvious when you actually understand how he operates. If one isn't able to pick up on it from Levi's actions alone, the fact it gets pointed out by multiple characters should clue them in, too.

[aslantes]

happy early birthday to my favorite shitty christmas baby

[aslantes]

Just... covering Levi in kisses.

He's on his back, bed hair sticking up all over the place, still a little soft and sleepy as you cup his face between your hands and kiss him over and over. His forehead, the little crease between his brows, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes, his silver temples, the scar running down the side of his face, the lid of his blind eye and then his good one. His cupid's bow, his soft cheeks, his sharp jawline and his chin with its coarse coat of overnight stubble. And he just lies there and takes it.

He strokes your lower back, then up the path of your spine, hands far softer in the years since he set down his blades. His lips curve into the subtlest of smiles.

"Think you're done?" he asks when you finally pull back to admire the faint pink tinge on his cheeks.

"Hm, no, I think I missed a spot," you reply leaning down once more to kiss the tip of his nose.

"You missed two," he says, his hand sliding up to cradle the back of your head, gently urging you down toward his lips.

[aslantes]

happy birthday levi;

levi ackerman x reader

summary: you make levi tea and toast for his birthday and he’s a dunce and doesn’t know why you’d go out of your way for him. fluffy birthday stuff. releasing a day early :).

you had been planning this day for weeks, a celebration for a man who rarely allowed himself any form of indulgence.

today was levi’s birthday. right now you were setting up the table with two porcelain cups as the small pot of freshly brewed tea simmered on the low flame, you’d searched for a long time for this particular tea. one of levi’s favorites that you’d had to pay a hefty price to acquire. it was worth it of course and your heart raced with a mix of excitement and nerves. you wanted this day to be special, even if levi said you didn’t have to do anything; he deserved it.

a soft creak echoed from the door as levi stepped in, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with the familiar thin line etched upon his lips. his eyes swept over the various birthday decorations all around the small kitchen and you noticed the slight raise of his brow as they landed on the spread in the middle of the table. “what’s all this?” he asked, his voice low yet lacking the usual growl he’d use when speaking to the cadets.

“breakfast.” you flashed him a bright smile. “i thought, you know, maybe we could have a quiet morning together.” you motioned to the table, nervously adding. “i made your favorite tea.”

levi’s lips stayed pressed together in a thin line. he moved closer, glancing at the toast and jams as his eyes shot over to the teapot. “you made breakfast for me?”

“yes.” your voice was a bit shaky, not in a bad way, just in that way your voice shook because your heart was racing and you just wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for him.

he took the kettle, pouring himself some tea before inspecting it closely, the aroma wafting through the room. “how’d you find this?” his eyes met yours as he sipped it thoughtfully.

“well, it wasn’t easy. but i know it’s your favorite.”

he set the cup down. “you didn’t have to go to such lengths.” he stated, straightforward as always.

you shrugged. “i wanted to. you don’t take days off for yourself, levi. so I thought… maybe I could make today special. its your birthday after all.”

he raised a brow again; it was as if he couldn’t quite comprehend that someone would go to such lengths for him. like it was impossible for someone to love him so much that they’d treat him with such care and kindness. but, here you were; standing in front of him with that stupid smile on your face and god damn did it make something warm bubble up inside him. you could almost feel the weight of his silence pressing against you as he processed his thoughts.

you turned towards the spread on the table. “i have your favorite jam, homemade, and the toast is fresh.”

“why go through all this trouble?” he asked, his tone flat, but the scrutiny of his gaze has softened into something warmer then his usual stoicism.

“well, because you deserve it.” you say like it’s the most obvious thing in the world and your tone of voice makes him pause, you really did this just for him? just out of love? “you work hard levi.” you continue, “and… i just wanted you to know that somebody appreciates what you do. you deserve to be celebrated, if only for one day.”

levi’s gaze lingered on you, with an intensity that made your stomach flip. the kitchen, usually filled with the smell of iron and sweat, now felt warmer with the sweetness of the jam and the aroma of the tea. for the briefest of moments, the world beyond those walls faded, and it was just the two of you in this little bubble.

“you really put in all this work.” he took a step towards you, his face still almost impossible to decipher except for the softening of his brows and the way the tension in his shoulders began to relax.

it was always weird, absurd even, how just under the right circumstances, he could surprise you with glimpses of something so much deeper. “just sit down already,” you teased gently; your playful, yet impatient, tone breaking through the tension. “you’re making me nervous standing around like that.”

levi took another step toward you, and before you could decipher what was happening, he cupped your face with his hand, the touch unexpected. and without any hesitation, he leaned in and kissed you. it was a firm, brief press of his lips against yours, but no matter how brief it still managed to leave you breathless.

when he pulled back, there was the faintest shadow of a smile lingering on his lips. “thank you. ”he said simply. and with that levi sat down at the table, taking a piece of toast and spreading some jam. as he took a bite you noticed there was something there, something that suggested that he was, for once, savoring the moment.

[aslantes]

some winter veterans because I miss them guys...

[aslantes]

After a major shift, your life has become a series of monotonous routines. Eat, sleep, go to work, repeat. But when you find a man bleeding on the subway with no idea how he got there, things become anything but ordinary.

General content warnings: isekai/parallel universe, modern AU, mentions of blood and canon-typical violence, some light angst, eventual smut.

chapter warnings: mentions of blood/cleaning of wounds

word count: 3.2k

It’s just after midnight when you make it to the metro platform.

The descent underground is quiet. Below the bustling city streets, you go through the process of boarding a train back home in a bit of a mindless daze, having done this cycle of late night shifts at the hospital countless times before.

The carriage is empty when you walk on board, silent except for the pneumatic hiss of the doors that slide closed behind you. You fall into the nearest seat with a heavy sigh.

It’s the first time in thirteen hours you’ve really been able to get off your feet.

Working four 12 hour days in a row can be tiring, but it’s worth it most of the time for the following four days off that you’re able to get. Four days off of freedom—which usually means catching up on errands. Laundry, getting groceries, and cleaning.

It’s just you now, so things tend to pile up much more quickly.

As you feel the rumble of movement beneath you, the momentum causing you to sway a little in your seat, you stare unblinking at the opposite window. Flashes of advertisements and thick concrete tunnel walls speed by in a blur, and you allow your mind to wander.

Maybe you could go to that new cafe in the morning that opened up on College Street. It’s been a while since you’ve taken a moment just for yourself. Or maybe you could take a book to the park after cleaning your apartment. The weather was supposed to be nice, and that used to be your favorite thing to do before…

The train slows to a stop before you continue down that line of thinking. With a droning chime, the doors open to signal would-be passengers to either depart or climb aboard.

A pleasant female voice erupts from the intercom system. “This is Freedom Park Station. Please stand clear of the doors.”

It’s not unheard of for others to be out so late, particularly on a Friday night, so to see a man walk aboard doesn’t immediately surprise you.

What does cause you to do a double take is the state of him.

The first thing you see is the insignia of the wings of freedom, a symbol you immediately recognize on the back of the green cloak covering his upper half from one of your favorite shows, Attack on Titan.

The second thing you notice is that he’s soaked.

That’s odd. You don’t remember it raining earlier in the day, but it could have been a brief downpour in another part of the city. And he’s clearly coming from an anime convention. Those were usually held at the convention center on the other side of the city.

The man heavily slumps forward against the railing. His back is turned toward you, but you watch him thoughtfully, admiring the impressive handiwork of his costume. From under the cloak, you see the intricately wrapped belts of the omni-directional gear, as well as the boxes along his thighs that are used in the show to store blades. When you see a reflection of an advertisement briefly glimmer off of the surface, you realize that they’re actually metal.

Those must be heavy. Did he make them himself?

The train begins to move again and your thoughts are stopped short when the man stumbles, nearly falling. That’s when he turns and you notice the blood.

His face is covered in it.

You’re on your feet before you even realize it. “Excuse me.”

He turns at the sound of your voice and you see the source: a rough cut just above his right eyebrow.

The man sways unsteadily on his feet against the movement of the train. The look he gives you is immediately distrusting, but he doesn’t back away.

You stop a few feet from him. “Sir, are you okay?” When his eyes narrow, you point to the badge pinned to your work scrubs. “I’m a nurse, see?”

You wait as his eyes study your hospital badge for a moment.

“Where the hell am I?”

Okay, that’s potentially a cause for concern. “Uh.” You try to remember what stop he got on from. “Freedom Park.” The look on his face doesn’t resemble recognition. “You’re not from around here?”

For a moment, he seems to think. “No.”

There’s a sharp jolt from the train car and you both sway a little, him more than you.

You gesture to the empty seat next to him. “Here. You should probably sit down.”

He doesn’t argue as he takes a seat.

Looking him over, you consider your options. It isn’t too late to take him back to the hospital, but you don’t exactly want to after spending the entire day there already. From the looks of it, it doesn’t look like he’ll need stitches, but it doesn’t feel right to leave him alone in the state he’s in either.

“Can you tell me what happened?” you ask.

The man looks around for a moment. The look on his face turns apprehensive. “I don’t remember. There was a flash… and then I just woke up here.”

You raise your brows. Something about the way he says it feels like he isn’t being completely honest, but you suppose the bleeding itself is a more pressing concern right now anyway.

“Okay,” you say. “Well, that cut doesn’t look too deep, but you should get it cleaned.” You pause for a moment, debating. “My apartment is at the next stop.”

You had meant it as a suggestion, but the man doesn’t seem to follow.

“I can look at it for you,” you add. “Maybe help you find wherever you were supposed to stay.”

He seems to consider it for a long moment, looking from you to around the empty train car and then back to your badge.

“Alright,” he says as the train begins to slow. When it comes to a stop and the doors open with their loud hydraulic hiss, he follows you back out onto the platform.

It’s quiet for most of the walk back. You go through the motions of exiting the station—swiping your pass and leading the way up the winding corridors to street level while the man follows, watching your movements and your surroundings with a puzzled sort of awe.

It isn’t until you’re pulling out the keys to your place before you turn to him again.

“So, what’s your name?”

He gives you a subdued look. “Levi.”

You smile.

“No, really…” you press, looking over his clothes again. It’s obvious that’s what he’s going for now that you see him up close—the scout uniform and the way he’s styled his hair. Come to think of it, he has Levi’s frame as well. And his eyes.

It’s a damn good cosplay actually. If Levi Ackerman were to magically come out of the television screen as a flesh and blood person, he’d look exactly like this guy.

But judging by his expression and the complete lack of response, he isn’t interested in giving you any sort of real information.

You turn then, your smile dropping, and lead the way into the apartment building. “O-kay.”

It’s possible, you guess, that his name really is Levi. Just a very bizarre coincidence that he happens to look and act exactly like your favorite character from an anime and also likes the anime as well. There are billions of people in the world though. Stranger things happen all the time.

Reluctant to piss him off further, the rest of the walk up to the second floor is done in more silence. You unlock your front door and lead the way inside, smiling when you hear the telltale trill of your cat greeting you at the door.

“Hello, Luna,” you greet, bending down to run your hand between the shorthair’s ears. She pushes herself up into your hand a little further with a chirp.

Still at the door, the man—Levi—watches.

“Luna?” he asks in a flat tone.

You straighten back up, noting his hesitancy to walk forward. “You’re not allergic, are you?” That would be some cosmic bad luck on his part to deal with a head wound and an allergic reaction in one night.

But thankfully, he shakes his head.

“Don’t worry about her, she’s affectionate but she’s harmless,” you say, sidestepping around your cat to walk further into your living room. When Levi joins you, you gesture to the sofa. “Have a seat there. I’ll be right back with some supplies.”

You don’t wait around to see if he does what you say, instead dipping down the hall toward a small office. It’s mostly just a place for all of your trinkets—a desk filled with a few figures and a computer. Some bookshelves line the walls, collecting dust. It’s been months since you’ve picked up a good book or did much of anything in this room, really. But you know exactly where to look for the supply kits you’ve managed to stock up on from the hospital.

After you find the suture thread and some wound wash, you grab a towel from the bathroom next door and return to the living room.

Levi is there, sitting on the edge of the sofa as if he’s afraid to get comfortable. His gaze keeps jumping around the room, taking in the layout and decor, and his fists rest stiffly on his knees. Luna is next to him, tentatively sniffing at his knuckles with a curious stretch of her neck.

You shoo her away gently and take her place on the sofa. The angle of light allows you to see the source of the drying blood on his face a bit better.

Quietly, you look him over. “How are you feeling?”

He watches as you slip on a pair of gloves. “I’ve had worse.”

You snort lightly and begin to prep the fresh towel with wound wash.

“Do you have stuff like this happen to you often?” you ask, now reaching to press the towel to his face.

At your question, he pulls his one uncovered eye from you, surveying the room again. “Nothing quite like this.”

“What happened?”

Levi is quiet for a moment before he says, “It was nothing. I fell.”

You pause your movements, frowning. “This doesn’t look like the kind of cut you’d get from a fall.”

“Why does it matter?”

Judging by his defensive tone, he knows more than he’s letting on, but you can’t figure out why he isn’t being honest.

But with him already in your apartment, you don’t want to do anything to unnecessarily antagonize him. Even in his current state, he looks strong and capable enough to hurt you.

Probably best to just change the subject.

“Did you have somewhere you were staying?” you ask, returning to your task.

You gently dab the towel down the curve of his jaw and feel the muscle tense beneath your touch.

“No,” he finally says.

“You came all the way here for a convention and didn’t book a hotel?”

“A convention?”

“Yeah,” you nod, gesturing to his clothes. “You’re a scout, right?”

At your words, his expression becomes a bit more relieved. He nods. “Yes. I got onto that... train thing because I hoped it might take me to headquarters.”

You blink as you listen to him. Did he hit his head hard enough for him to think that he is Levi Ackerman?

Maybe you should take him to the hospital anyway just to get him checked out. He seems perfectly lucid otherwise though, if a bit confused.

You reach forward and check his head wound again. Just like you thought, it’s too shallow to need stitches and isn’t bleeding anymore, so that’s a good sign. Maybe it could wait until morning.

“Do you feel sick?” you ask, searching his expression for any lack of focus or disorientation but find none. “Nauseated? Dizzy?”

“Other than the stabbing pain above my eye?” he deadpans, glaring at you. “No. I feel fine.”

You sigh. This is insane, considering letting a complete stranger stay in your apartment. But he doesn’t have anywhere else to go and he’s still soaking wet. You’d feel guilty if you just let him go and he got into trouble. At the very least, you could make sure he has somewhere to sleep. 

You get to your feet and look over his clothes once more. “You can stay here tonight if you’d like. I think I might have some old clothes you can sleep in, and there’s a shower down the hall.”

He gives you a distrustful look. “You’re putting a lot of faith in a stranger.”

You raise a brow. “I guess we both are. But if you’d rather sleep out in the cold, then be my guest.”

That seems to give him pause, and he looks around the room once more.

“Where did you say the shower was?”

“Down the hall, second door on the left,” you tell him. “I can get you a towel and some clothes.”

You dispose quickly of the bloodied towel in your kitchen trash along with your gloves and turn back down the hall again. When you return, Levi is standing awkwardly next to your sofa. He seems to be pointedly ignoring Luna, who is still curiously sniffing him from the armrest.

“These should fit,” you tell him, patting the folded up sweatpants and an oversized shirt tucked beneath your arm. “Just leave your things in the bathroom and I’ll make sure your clothes are washed in the morning.”

He takes the items from you with another skeptical glance. “You don’t have to do that.”

“I have to do laundry anyway,” you wave him off. “It’s no trouble.” Quickly, you point at him. “Just don’t scrub at that cut. You’ll just make it bleed again.”

He doesn’t move immediately when you back away to let him pass by, but the promise of a hot shower seems to eventually override whatever keeps him fixed in place. Without another word, he retreats down the hall, right to the second door on the left like you told him.

What a strange man.

It takes fifteen minutes before you hear the shower turn on.

In that time, you busy yourself with finding a spare blanket and a pillow and leave them on the sofa. You tidy up a little next, grabbing leftover drinking glasses off the table and discarded socks that had been pushed under the coffee table. It isn’t much, but you’re left feeling slightly less anxious about the state of your place by the time you’re finished. You like to keep things tidy to begin with, but the place certainly looks lived in right now.

Curious, you sink into a chair and pull out your phone while you’re waiting and click on the search engine, quickly typing in a few keywords to check on any local anime conventions happening in the area.

There are no ongoing events, and the next one isn’t happening until six months from now.

Well, that eliminates your theory. So then what the hell was he doing cosplaying on the street on a random Friday? If he was with someone, he wouldn’t have been wandering around alone and he said he wasn’t staying anywhere in the area.

The thought occurs to you that maybe this is some sort of trap to lure unsuspecting women into vulnerable positions, preying on a person’s compassion. But then, that was very real blood on his face and a very real wound, and he has had ample opportunities to attack and rob you if that was truly what he was after. He might look intimidating, but there’s nothing about him that screams that you’re in any sort of immediate danger either.

Maybe you can get some real answers out of him in the morning when he’s less grumpy.

You’re feeding Luna in the kitchen when Levi reappears.

With silent relief, you note that his wound seems to still be fine. He looks healthier in general after cleaning off, but he also looks… well, even more like Levi Ackerman. It’s kind of uncanny.

“What?”

You jump when you hear his voice. He’s watching you from the living room, looking about as confused as you feel.

Shit, have you been staring? “Nothing.” You sigh and rub at your eyes. It’s been too long of a day to start questioning your sanity. “Are you hungry or anything? I have some leftovers I can heat up really quick.”

“I’m fine.” He shakes his head and turns his attention to the blanket and pillow on the sofa. 

Carefully, he arranges it how he likes and sits down. He glances at the television on the other side of the room before looking around again, lingering at times on things like the lamps in the corners and over to the open kitchen.

His hands fidget in his lap.

“I’ll be out of here first thing in the morning.”

The sound of his voice surprises you.

“Where are you going to go?”

He shrugs. “I’ll figure it out.”

You chew on the inside of your cheek thoughtfully. He’s a grown man, so it shouldn’t concern you what he does. But his comments about not being from here, and the whole thing about him trying to find ‘headquarters’? You’d feel better knowing there isn’t anything you’ve missed.

“At least let me take you to the hospital to get that cut checked out,” you suggest. “We can go first thing while your clothes are drying.”

He scoffs but the sound is entirely devoid of humor. “I told you I’m fine.”

“So it’ll be a quick visit and you can be on your way in no time,” you reply. “One of the doctors I work with can look you over before we open. He won’t mind.”

“Or I could just leave in the middle of the night.”

“I guess.” You shrug. “I wouldn’t be able to stop you, but that’s your choice. My conscience can be clear as long as I’ve offered to help you. I can’t make you take it, but I think it’s a good idea.”

He glares at you from the sofa, but doesn’t reply.

You get the sense that he doesn’t want to be bothered anymore. With the night he’s had, he probably just wants some rest, and you’re more than willing to get some sleep yourself.

Now that the shock of the night has worn off a bit, your body feels heavy as you get to your feet.

Levi stays quiet as you move around the room, shutting off lights and locking your front door. He moves to lay down once he gathers what you’re doing.

“I’ll get you up in the morning,” you tell him from the hallway. “Get some sleep.”

That earns you little more than a grunt of acknowledgement.

When you get into your room, you make sure to lock the door and find a baseball bat from the depths of your closet to sit by your bed. You’ve always been a light sleeper, so you hope that you’ll be able to hear if he decides to try anything.

You go through your nightly routine and climb into bed, then send off a text before closing your eyes—a message to one of your friends and fellow co-workers at the hospital.

Hey, could you do me a huge favor tomorrow morning? It’ll be quick.

Hopefully, when you wake up, Levi will still be there.

[aslantes]

Postwar!Levi who still struggles to express his feelings openly in your relationship. So saying he loves you is still a challenge. Instead, he relies on small gestures—gentle touches, a protective presence, or acts of service—to show his affection.

But when he senses that you’re in a bad mood, stressed.. something shifts. In those moments he feels an undeniable need to remind you of what you mean to him. His warm breath caresses your skin as he leans in, murmuring in your ear the words that don’t come easily to him. “I love you, you know that?” The rare words filled with an honesty that always manages to soothe you.

[aslantes]

Have you ever thought how you would win post war levi over?

i think about this and sometimes i wonder if it would be impossible, or easier than when he was a soldier.

to explain - levi softens up some after the war is over and things have had time to settle down. not a lot, certainly not entirely, but some. he can now safely believe that someone he knows won’t die on him on most given days. for instance, he just grumbles one time when you comment he looks cool with his sunglasses (for his bad eye) instead of yanking them off and looking annoyed like he might’ve done before. he opens up with some abridged stories when asked.

but on the other hand, he’s what, in his 40s? after a life of doing nothing but contending with the cruelty of the world, and losing almost everything - over and over, he can’t (and maybe just won’t) be the conventional partner who dotes on you or shares much of the depth of his personal feelings.

levi sees himself as worthless in the romance department anyway. and he expresses that in the wrong way. like, a LOT. on purpose at first.

but all that considered - the best way to win him over isn’t complicated or particularly difficult. just be there with him, and be consistent. don’t turn him off by insisting on helping him with things - maybe that can come later. but with that, your relationship naturally blossoms over a decent period of time.

[aslantes]

who let him look this good 😩

THE FOREARM

THE JAWLINE

LOOK HOW FUCKING BORED HE LOOKS LOOK HOW CAVALIER HE IS ABOUT HIS STRENGTH

[aslantes]

Idk but i think levi is pretty self-conscious about his body.

He had a hard time walking shirtless even in the men's changing room. The other cadets would talk to each other as they stripped off their sweat soaked clothes, waiting for each other in ragged towels barely covering their private parts or not even covering at all.

Whenever Levi wanted to take a shower, he would clear his throat, suggesting that the cadets had been taking too long in the showers. He would only remove his clothing when the majority people had left, and he would 100% cover his private part immediately. He would use the shower furtherest away from the entrance and take the quickest shower ever.

He would always face the wall as he dried off, and turn around only after he wrapped the towel around his waist. He crossed his arms around his bare chest as he walked toward his locker.

Levi had one of the best bodies but he never thought of it that way. Almost all of his scars reminded him of a person he lost during the expeditions outside the walls or at battles. He tried to forget, but their faces were craved into his skin.

But when he was alone with you, your touch soothed his bad memories. "Like constellations," you once said as you traced his skin. He shivered under your touch. He felt safe under your gaze. He gave in when he was in your arms. Only with you, he removed his clothes to feel you more, to touch you more. When he held you tight, he felt your heart beating so close to his, your skin radiating warmth that he didn't realise he needed. Levi loved it when you looked at him and saw him.

[aslantes]

𓏲 ๋࣭  ࣪ ˖ LOVESICK ⸝⸝ levi ackerman

contents: angst, fluff, the most aggressive pining known to man, suggestive language | 1.1k word count . . .

synopsis: levi's been feeling under the weather lately, his symptoms somehow worsening whenever you're near. but it's completely normal that his heart races whenever you glance at him, right? it means absolutely nothing.

Levi is certain he is ill. Terribly, terribly ill.

In the past few days, he’s been finding himself in an unbearable state, and for no reason at all. It’s an illness, it must be. What else can explain this insistent discomfort within him? The pounding of his heart, the clenching of his stomach, the shortness of his breath? He has never experienced anything like it before, and it's driving him mad.

“You should visit the infirmary if you aren’t feeling too well,” Hange says, looking up from their meal to eye him curiously. “You look rather pale.”

Levi slaps their hand away when they reach out to touch his forehead. “I’m alright.” But at the unconvinced look on Hange’s face, he adds, “It’s probably just a cold.”

Hange frowns, taking a spoonful of stew into their mouth. They swallow, then say, “Have you been drinking enough water?”

Levi grunts dismissively and Hange shrugs, resuming their meal. His eyes then flit down to his own stew, and before he knows it, he's stirring the grey, watery mess absentmindedly.

“What about the tea I gave you? That was supposed to help with headaches, but maybe it helps with colds too…”

Levi tunes Hange out as they begin to ramble about herbs and medicinal plants. He can hardly pay attention to a thing these days, let alone Hange's mindless chatter. All he can think about is—

“Haven’t seen you in a while!” Hange calls out suddenly.

Levi blinks, looking up from his bowl.

Hange waves enthusiastically to someone across the room, and Levi follows their gaze to see you walking over, a soft smile on your face. Your eyes meet his briefly—it’s hardly a second long—but Levi feels his heart leap all the same.

He quickly looks back down at his untouched stew. He’s ill, very ill.

“How’s the training coming along?” Hange asks as you sit beside them. You greet Levi politely as you settle into your seat and he only nods in response. He doesn’t trust himself to speak just yet.

“Horrible,” you say, sighing wearily. “Cadets are always exhausting to deal with.”

Levi watches from the corner of his eye as you start eating. His eyes drift to your mouth and he imagines what it would feel like against his own. Soft, warm...perhaps even sweet? He wonders how it would taste—perhaps of the stew you're currently eating, or maybe something sweeter still.

Hange laughs at something you said, and Levi looks away when they gesture towards him.

“You should ask Levi for some advice,” they offer, grinning at you. “I bet he’d be great with the new recruits! Whip ‘em into shape, right, Levi?”

His eyes narrow. “I don’t have time to babysit.”

And then you laugh. A sweet, sweet thing that makes his attention return to you, drawn by it. Captured by it. He stares unabashedly, mesmerised by the way your lips curve upwards so beautifully.

He wants to touch them, run his thumb over them to feel that warmth and keep it for his lonesome. He wants to kiss them until his own mouth tingles, until he can no longer tell where yours begins and ends.

“I’m sure Levi couldn't help you much this week anyway,” Hange says with a shrug. “He’s been sick.”

Your brows furrow as you turn to face him fully. “You’re sick?”

“No.” He grunts.

Hange rolls their eyes. “Yes, he is. He’s been feeling ill for days now–”

“Shut up, Shitty Glasses,” Levi snaps, shooting them a withering glare. They only shrug as they bring their spoon to their lips.

“Just look at him,” they continue through mouthfuls. “His face is beet red!”

Levi glares at Hange again and they return his gaze, unfazed. When they notice your concerned expression, they nod emphatically and say, “See? He’s practically steaming!”

Levi turns away from your pensive stare, hating the worry he sees in your eyes. He doesn’t want you to waste any thought on him—not when you deserve to be thinking about more important things.

“I’m fine,” Levi mutters.

You hum thoughtfully before turning back to Hange. “Does he have a fever?” you ask.

They shake their head. “No, he claims he doesn’t, but I don’t believe him. He’s been acting strange lately, maybe it’s something contagious.”

You hum again. “Have you tried drinking anything that might help?” you ask Levi. “Some tea, perhaps?”

“He wouldn’t drink any of my herbal brews,” Hange interjects before he can respond. “Said they were weird.”

Levi scowls. “I said they tasted like shit,” he corrects. “Not that they were weird.”

“But they’re good for you!” Hange insists, their brows furrowed. “You should really give them another chance, Levi. I can brew you something different if you don’t like this last one–”

“I told you, I don’t need it—”

“Maybe some mint would help—”

“Hange—”

“Or maybe ginseng—”

“For fuck’s sake—”

“Oh! I know!” Hange exclaims suddenly, slamming their hands on the table in excitement. They grin at Levi. “Lemon balm would do wonders—”

“Enough,” he growls. “I don’t need your stupid teas–”

But Levi’s voice falters when you place the back of your hand against his forehead, knuckles brushing his bangs aside gently. The gesture is so unexpected that Levi forgets to breathe for a moment — forgets his frustration. Instead, he freezes, eyes wide as he stares at you.

“You do feel a bit warm,” you murmur. “Maybe you should rest.”

Levi swallows thickly. Your touch is featherlight and cool against his skin. It’s so soothing, and he leans into it before he can stop himself.

“I’m fine,” he repeats, but the words come out breathier than he intended.

You smile softly. “It’s alright to take care of yourself sometimes, Levi.”

He falls silent at that. He can’t bring himself to argue when you’re looking at him in such a way... When your hand is still pressed to his forehead, your fingers still twining through his hair…

“Besides,” you add with a small smirk. “You’ll never get better if you don’t rest.”

Levi scoffs, averting his gaze. He tells himself that the fluttering in his stomach is a result of your insistence and nothing more. “I’ve survived worse than a cold,” he says dismissively.

You chuckle. “True, but you won’t survive the week if you keep working yourself so hard.” You move to finish your stew, your touch disappearing in the process, and Levi nearly whimpers from the loss of contact.

He clears his throat, willing the sudden tightness there away. “Fine,” he forces out, “I’ll rest later today...after I finish some paperwork.”

“Really?” you ask, hopeful.

“Yes,” he lies.

“Promise?”

Levi looks back at you and your expectant stare. You’re looking at him so earnestly, your eyes bright with concern and relief. He can’t stand it.

He nods.

You smile, satisfied, and Levi looks away, unable to bear the sight of it any longer. He tells himself that the warmth in his chest is a result of the shitty stew.

He ignores the fluttering in his stomach as well.

[aslantes]

Hey guys !!

So sorry I haven't been active on this blog for such a long time, I've been pretty busy with personal life, and maybe had a new obsession with another fictional character 🤭

I promise I'm still seeing everyone interacting with my posts, and thank you so much for that 🖤

I'm not leaving you guys, just waiting for the obsession with Levi to kick in again ;)

[aslantes]

Hey, I dont know if you celebrate Valentine's Day but here's some wishes for you: may you have an amazing and lovely day today :) lots of love <3

Omg I'm so sorry I didn't see your ask 😭😭

I'm really late but I hope you had an amazing day and I apologise again for not answering you immediately

Lots of love to you too, you deserve it Moo ❤️

[aslantes]

Your kind heart and infectious smile never go unnoticed. And Levi's heart skipped a beat when you first said hi and smiled at him. An unfamiliar sensation steamed in his belly, something like flies swarming around, escaping from his grip as he tried to catch them and squish him in his palm. But that obnoxious tingling climbed to his cheeks, then to the tip of his ears.

And to abate that feeling, he avoided the source of his affliction. But as the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, his feelings for you began to intensify. Unwillingly. His heart betrayed him, and logic couldn't drill a way out. He finds himself captivated by your every word and gesture. Your presence brings him comfort and joy, and he yearns to be more than just a comrade. But fear holds him back. The fear of rejection, and worse, the fear of attaching to you and losing you.

In the quiet moments of solitude, Levi would often ponder the possibility of a future with you. He imagines holding your hand, sharing stolen glances, and experiencing the euphoria of love. But doubt would always creep in, reminding him of the risks involved. When he closes his eyes, the thought of losing you torments him.

“She likes you too!” Hange hooks an arm around his shoulders and squeezes him as they share the conclusion of their new research that has nothing to do with titans. Levi grumbles, and snaps them off him.

“What are you talking about?” Scowling to conceal the warmth on his cheeks, he dusts his jacket and turns away from the titan freak.

Hange shrugs, a grin forming on their lips as Levi storms out of the lab. But his vexation hits the wall when he bumps into you. Sweat soaks his palms; his heart drums; chaos unleashes in his head when his name drips from your lips, and he struggles to say hi. He fixes his cravat. You tilt your head to the side, by a fraction. “Are you alright?”

He nods, unable to coax a word.

“Good.” You smile, making it all worse. He notices your thumbs fidgeting, a light blush grazing your cheeks. “I was wondering if you’re free this Saturday afternoon. Uh… there will a festival in town, and I’d like you to come with me.” You nibble on your bottom lip.

“S…sure.”

Your eyes light up. “Great! Three bells at the stables?”

“Uh-huh.”

And he smiles.

Maybe he should listen to shitty-glasses more.

No.

Definitely no.

[aslantes]

Some warm, fluffy thoughts tonight. Levi makes you soft and you make Levi gentle.

Before you dated Levi, you never knew you could be so soft. You were always standing straight, walking with purpose and had a professional smile for everybody. You liked to take things into your own hands and helped people solve problems. You had friends but they always keep a friendly distance, and you always felt like you had to be the lighthouse for everyone else.

But before Levi confessed his feelings for you when he was drunk, you never knew he saw you in other light. Levi said you were the most beautiful star he had ever seen. You shone despite the sun was right above your head, challenging the most powerful fire ball in the sky. And the way you always find ways to help those in need made him fell for you harder. He knew you always asked for laundry duty when you were not feeling your best and thr smell of clean laundry always lifted your mood. Levi also told you you made his palm sweat out of nowhere, and he was embarrassed to talk to you some time.

Your eyes gleamed with tears because you never knew someone could see your soft side despite your best effort to show that you were strong and reliable.

"You don't have to be tough all the time, Y/N. I want to be tough for you. I can be tough for both of us while you be mine."

Since then, your smiles turned into genuine grins. You walked with balls under your feet, slightly bouncing when you were in a good mood. And whenever you were with Levi, you would want to touch him. You would hold his hand and lean on his arm, resting your cheek on his shoulder. He would support your body weight by shifting his center of balance, resting his cheek on your head too.

And the way he looked at you was full of gentleness. His eyes softened at the sight of you, his shoulders dropped and the way he breathe changed too. He would have a small smile on his lips when your eyes met, and he couldn't help but reach out his hand toward you. As your fingers interlaced, he would pull you near to him. Sometimes he would pull you by your waist and kiss your hair, inhaling your scent into his lungs.

His love changed you into something you didn't know you were capable of.

[aslantes]

never gonna leave this bed

｡⁠*ﾟfluff, comfort, kisses, suggestive themes, gn!reader｡⁠*ﾟ

You were sure it was a one-night stand. It had to be one. Being completely honest, you weren't even looking for anything more than that. You bumped into him by chance on the way out of a bar not far from home. The pure coincidence that led to unforseen circumstances that's what it was. You saw Kento Nanami not only as the best candidate to pass the lonely night with, but also as a breathtakingly handsome young man whose shiny agates had been studying your figure for a long time already. A win-win situation for the both of you, right? As cliché as it might sound, you ended up in one bed that night, and the next one, and one more, and another one, and...

Carefully, as if not to disturb your sweet slumber, little golden sunbeams crept into the bedroom, glinting off the polished surfaces, jumping away, climbing up the cool floor and covering the soft peach walls. Some of them, the curious ones, trampled the white starched sheets to catch a glimpse of your face, making a quick run across your features and disappearing into the darkness of the hallway. Your lashes fluttered slightly and your nose wrinkled as you felt the cold slowly envelop your feet, peeking out from under the blanket. You frowned and cracked your eyes open, realizing once again that this wasn't your bedroom, and that underneath the blanket, which was halfway to the floor, was nothing but your naked body. You turned your head, hoping to see a familiar silhouette, but the spot next to you was empty and had long since lost the warmth of another body. You lifted yourself onto the bed and saw your clothes carefully folded on a nearby chair. So thoughtful, you smiled, wrapping yourself in the blanket and quietly creeping in its direction. He must have already left for work, and that definitely is the best outcome possible, ran through your head, yet somewhere in the back of your mind, you desperately hoped you were wrong. You didn't like the thoughts you started to have about him. You didn't like the way his words and actions started to fluster you. You didn't like the way the brief kisses here and there started to turn into more intimate, deep, devouring even. And as you almost reached your destination point your eyes were met with a pair of honeyed orbits peering out from behind the slightly ajar door, curiously watching every of your awkward moves.

Kento pressed his lips into a thin line, trying his best not to burst out laughing. The last thing he expected to see, carrying breakfast to your or rather his bed, was you wrapped up in a blanket, looking like a little marshmallow, your hair disheveled, poking out from under your made-up garment. A few strands covered your eyes and you vainly tried to blow them off your flushed face.

"Are you trying to sneak away, lil cloud?" Kento walked into the bedroom and carefully placed the tray on the nightstand. He wore nothing but a pair of linen slacks that hung on his hips. His tanned figure, illuminated by the rays of light, seemed to have just stepped out of some ancient frescoes. His hair was slightly mussed up from sleep, his glasses long forgotten somewhere. So homely, you dared to think, literally swooning just by looking at his gorgeous profile as your heart seemed to do a couple of somersaults.

"I hoped you're not at home," you mumbled, sitting up straight and wrapping yourself even tighter in the blanket, as if there was something underneath that his eyes hadn't seen and his thin long fingers hadn't touched.

"Why wouldn't I be at my own apartment?" he tilted his head to the side, gaze flickering from your big puppy eyes to your pink lips. You seemed different. Delicate. Fragile. Vulnerable. That feigned impregnability slowly dissolved right before his eyes, revealing the real you, with your cheeks slightly flushed, your lips puffy, a little swollen from the night before, and these sweet eyes of yours that glimmered not with lust as before, no, with unspeakable tenderness. He wouldn't have mistaken it for anything else, because he'd been looking at you that way for a long time, trying to put all those words that get lost without finding their way out into each kiss.

You shrugged and lowered your head, trying to avoid the intense stare that sent treacherous shivers down your spine. Kento smiled softly, sitting down beside you, gently tucking the strands behind your ear. Too intimate, you thought, yet on some instinctive level you leaned forward, letting yourself bask in his warmth. He slowly ran his thumb over your cheek, as if engraving your features in his memory. He could swear his heart got stuck in his throat when he saw the calm slowly spreading across your features, and the corners of your lips lifting into a small smile.

One second and you were pinned to the bed by his strong body. "What are you doing?" you squealed, pressing your hands against his bare chest, "let me go!" He didn't move, shamelessly examining your startled face. You seemed to grasp the great mysteries of the universe, things concealed from the eyes of others, hidden- somewhere in the depths, only for your eyes to see them now when he was smiling oh so boyishly. Kento let his serious facade crumble before you, no longer hiding how utterly enamoured by you he was. Another second and his lips began to leave little kisses all over your face and his arms wrapped around your smaller figure.

"What are you doooooing" you laughed, trying to dodge his kisses and feeling your cheeks growing hotter.

"Just kissing you, you look so adorable like this it's hard to resist, y'know," he smiled, watching you squirm, trying to escape his tight embrace. One more second and his hands were already under the blanket, gently stroking your ribs only to begin ticking your sides in an absolutely merciless manner the moment later.

"Kentooo", you yelped, bursting into unstoppable laughter, frantically trying to push him away from you. "You have to go to work," you tried to crawl back, away from his long arms, but he only cradled you a little tighter, throwing the blanket over the two of you, "i'm not going, actually i never gonna leave this bed".

if you finished reading this, thank you so much, it truly means a lot to me! i'm trying to get back on track with writing, don't judge too harshly! anyway, thanks again 💛 comments and reblogs are always appreciated ✨

tags for my friends lol: @rossithepixie @a-nuisance-called-sam @vagabond-umlaut @daisynik7

[aslantes]

The Usual | Levi Week Day 1 - Teashop

tagging @leviweek2023 💕

✧ word count ➼ ~1k ✧ notes ➼ post-war canonverse, marleyan reader ✧ comments: listen, i know i'm late for levi week because i'm dumb and didn't realize that day 1 started yesterday kdjfkdsjf hope my submission still counts 🥹

The first few weeks after the war was hard. While Levi couldn't say that it got easy, it was certainly better than sitting around pretending to live happily in a peaceful world that was the complete opposite of what he had grown accustomed to.

Now that he didn't have to be a soldier, Levi was forced to find other things to take up his time. Naturally, he gravitated towards his love for making tea.

Marley was oddly devoid of quality teashops, so Levi found his own booming in popularity pretty soon after he opened it for business. It was mindless work that helped him relax, even when it was fast-paced due to a lunch hour rush.

Most people ordered the same thing. He still enjoyed it since making tea always helped him calm his mind without fail, but it did get bland having to repeatedly make matcha or chai tea lattes repeatedly for 8-10 hours straight.

Levi's eyes flashed up as he heard the bell attached onto the front door ring. It was only 11am, so it was still a little early for the 1-hour lunch rush.

His eyes immediately came into contact with yours as you gave him a shy smile and a wave. He didn't return the gesture, but his body posture did seem to relax after seeing that it was you.

You were one of his strangest customers.

He was shocked and honestly thought it was a distasteful joke when you had come into the shop one day and ordered one of his more obscure blends with an annoyingly complicated name that you horrifically mispronounced with confidence. You had looked so proud of the way that you said it that Levi didn't have the heart to correct you.

It was a bitter and tangy blend, unlike a lot of the other more standard teas. It was harder to brew and used more sophisticated leaves that Levi was rarely able to find within the Walls. Even in Marley, which had active trading routes, the leaves were hard to get ahold of, so he was more than surprised when you unironically ordered it. Jumping to that blend from your daily order of a chai tea latte was something that he never expected. Now it was all that you ever ordered.

"They give you a day off?"

You weren't usually here around this time otherwise he'd already have your drink ready for you. That was how predictable your schedule was and how often you found yourself in this specific tea shop.

"Lunch break," you responded with a shrug. "Figured I'd visit a certain grumpy barista."

"Baristas specialize in coffee," Levi immediately corrected. "Just Levi's fine."

You shot Levi a small smile. You didn't regret that one day in which you waltzed in and decided to be adventurous and order the one thing on the menu that no one else seemed to ever pay attention to. You didn't miss the way that Levi's eyes flashed up and how he seemed to prioritize your brew. He enjoyed making it.

You weren't a huge fan of the taste, however. It certainly wouldn't be your first choice in terms of teas.

However, after a few regular visits into his teashop, you noticed how his grumpy demeanor would fade whenever you put in an order for that obscure blend that made you tempted to scrunch your nose when you first sipped at it. You picked up that he liked making it significantly more than the other blends, so you just began ordering it. You eventually grew to like it.

"The usual?"

You nodded, looking directly into his normally intense gaze that always seemed to be a bit softer around you. Your eyes lingered on each other for a bit without any words being exchanged.

Levi eventually cleared his throat awkwardly and broke eye contact with you to walk off to make your brew, unsure how to address what was happening.

You followed suit and took a seat at your usual spot on the counter, watching him as he began working on your drink. You noticed his slight limp that resulted from his injured leg that had mostly healed, although it could still get painful to walk on. You also noticed that he was missing nearly half his fingers on his right hand, but still moved more elegantly than you've ever seen anyone move before, even for something as simple as brewing tea.

You knew that he was a veteran in the recent war, but barely knew anything else about him. You made it your personal goal to get to know him better one day.

Your eyes fell on his again as he brought your drink over to you. You saw that his right eye was clouded, indicating that it had been physically damaged and your eyes lingered on his scars. Even from just a glance, you could tell that Levi had more history behind him than all the people you knew combined. He was certainly more interesting than your mundane coworkers that had nothing to complain about other than minor inconveniences in their lives.

The corner of Levi's lips twitched up ever so slightly as he saw the curious look you were giving him. He wasn't the biggest fan of how he felt around you: you made blood rush to his head, and made his heart pound as fast as it did whenever he was actively fighting a Titan. He didn't like it, but he couldn't keep himself from seeing or being by you when he could, even when all he knew was your name and your favorite drink.

You noticed the small smile that he had sent you, but weren't able to say anything before he turned around to begin addressing the other customers that had wandered in as the lunch rush started.

You were so mesmerized and lost in his movements and presence that you didn't even have a chance to notice that he never charged you for your drink.