#angelanimedesaray

[l3visthighs]

Thank you for the tag @yunjitsu 🫶 this is such a cute little quiz. I love my result!

no pressure: @romantichomicide95 @ackerbootytobbi @kikarou @topaz-carbuncle @captainleviswifee @levi-ackerman-ds @ohmypawsandwhiskers @an-ever-angry-bi @angelanimedesaray + anyone else

i made a quiz: what does your soul smell like? (friendship/ relationship compatibility in the results!)

[ayatosmlktea]

𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒚 𝒏𝒂𝒎𝒆

A/N: wow after two thousand years I’ve finally written a second chapter! After posting the first one I got really discouraged becauseeeee I waited too long to write down my ideas and lost ALL of them SO here we are. It’s going to stick pretty close with the themes in supernatural but I’m going to add my own twists here and there because I can. I also haven’t watched supernatural in like...5 years so I mostly going off things from like season 1-7. For those of you who are still interested in this, thank you for your support! It means a lot to me. If you would like to be tagged in this series leave it in the comments! I hope you enjoy this next chapter :)

Tag list: @angelanimedesaray, @regalillegal

Previous Chapter

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 2

♡    ♡    ♡ 

“You’re weak Y/N” Grisha’s words ring loudly in her ears, repeating over and over like an endless broken record. Slowly they mix in with Eren’s voice, taunting her for being so useless.

“You’re pathetic, You should have kept her safe! I’m ashamed to call you my daughter” Y/N covers her ears with her palms squeezing her eyes shut.

“Shut up!” she yells but their voices only grow louder, new unfamiliar ones danced around her head but she refused to open her eyes. The air was becoming increasingly hot, and the longer she stayed there unmoving the more her skin began to burn unbearably. Turning her body away from the distorted image of her father, she wills her eyes to open and runs from the trail of flames that were inching closer to her body with every second she remained unmoving.

 The sounds of blood curdling screams makes her blood run cold, bodies littered the corner of her vision but Y/N couldn’t bear to look. The smell of burnt flesh and blood was enough to make her throat burn with bile but she forced herself not to vomit. It was the same story every time, she would run until her legs were so stiff she couldn’t move anymore. The bright light calling out to her like a siren always just out of her grasp, the exit was so close but she always lost. Her lungs burned for oxygen, the muscles in her legs aching with the need for rest. Distant barking makes her heart jump into her throat, she couldn’t stop now. If the hellhounds caught up to her it would be futile.

“Better hurry up sweetheart” an all too familiar sickly sweet voice drawled, he felt too close to her body and Y/N could practically feel his breath at the back of her neck. The hellhounds were going to catch up to her, there was nothing else she could do anymore. Her mind was screaming relentlessly to get up, keep going. Her body collapsed onto the dirty wet ground, chest heaving as she gasped for air. Zeke’s smile was anything but warm, his eyes always twinkling with the same sadistic expression he always wore. It made all the hairs on her arms stand up, no matter how many times she experienced this nightmare Y/N still couldn’t fight the trembling that overtook her body.

“Such a shame doll, I really thought you were gonna make it this time” his sinister smile made her want to punch him in the throat. Crouching down to her level his hands tilt her chin up.

“Time is ticking Y/N. I suggest you hurry up, I’m not a patient man” She can see the hounds of the corner of her eye, the sheer size of them alone made her freeze up. It was a losing fight, she was nothing more than a weak mortal and Zeke didn’t have to use a quarter of his strength to easily overpower her.

“I’m thinking tonight we take it a little slower, what do you think? My hounds aren’t patient either but I think we’ll all enjoy watching you bleed out.” Her body suddenly feels as though it’s being weighed down by an anchor. The tightening pressure against her chest is agonizing and causes her to draw in uneven gasps of air.

“Be a good girl and let me hear those screams yeah?” Y/N squeezes her eyes shut bracing herself for the feeling of dagger like teeth digging into her skin but it never comes. 

Cold pellets of rain beat down on her skin as her body is slammed unceremoniously onto muddy grass. The pressure that was there moments ago finally released, the rain a welcome sensation against her reddened skin. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness, the heavy downpour making it difficult to see anything more than a few feet away. A flash of lightning illuminates a figure standing in front of her. His pale grey eyes quickly captured her attention. His presence didn’t make Y/N anxious, in fact it was comforting and almost...familiar.

Crouching down to her level his hand brushes wet hair from her forehead.

“What am I going to do with you Y/N?” He asks, the smooth baritone of his voice gliding over her senses like silk.

“Who are you? What the hell is going on?” The rawness of her throat makes her voice painfully raspy. His touch is gone as quickly as it had come, her skin already missing his touch. The man leans forward, his lips just barely grazing her ear lobe.

“Time is running out. Now wake up and find me”

 ♡    ♡    ♡ 

“Y/N! Wake up goddammit!” Her eyes shoot open, Mike’s concerned eyes are the first thing she sees. Her head felt like it was swimming, her body was shivering uncontrollably under her drenched clothes.

“What the hell are you doing out here?” Mike’s firm voice helps bring her consciousness back to reality.

“Huh?” Blinking slowly she realizes that she’s standing in the middle of  an open field, her bare feet are covered in mud. Grabbing her arm gently Mike leads her back to his truck, opening the passenger side door he helps her in, covering her with a thick blanket before sliding into the driver’s seat. The sound of rain beating against the roof of the car pulls her barely conscious mind towards sleep. Snapping his fingers in front of her face Mike forces her to look at him.

“Sorry but you can’t go to sleep yet hun.” Y/N groans through chattering teeth. Her body was shaking so hard it almost hurt.

“We’ll be home soon and then you’ll have some nice hot chocolate. How does that sound? Can you stay awake for me Y/N?” She could barely understand anything he was saying, but could make out enough to grunt in response. The promise of her favourite hot beverage gave her something to focus on as she visualized the pleasant feeling of warmth sliding down her throat. Before she knew it they were back at the house, Mike  scooped her into his arms and ran inside where Mikasa was already shuffling around the kitchen. Her head whipped around at the sound of the door slamming shut.

“Get her out of those wet clothes, I’m going to get more blankets” Mike instructs setting Y/N down in front of the fireplace. Her eyes are glued to the orange flames, the way they danced along the burnt wood captivating her attention.

“Y/N can you lift your arms for me?” Mikasa’s voice was so soft, Y/N couldn’t help but comply with her sister’s simple demand even if her arms felt like lead. The feeling of warm dry clothes made her sigh in content. The hot chocolate had tasted even better than she imagined and it wasn’t long before Y/N had fallen asleep again on the couch.

“What the fuck is going on? This is the fourth time this has happened!” Mikasa sighed, her heart felt heavy. Something was wrong with Y/N, ever since they had gotten to Mike’s after leaving the hospital she had started sleep walking. Questioning her after the fact was pointless, Y/N couldn’t remember anything that had happened after waking up.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s residual stress from your hunt.”  Mike mused, green eyes trained on her sleeping form. It had been a little over a month since the girls had shown up at his doorstep. Y/N had confessed everything the night they’d shown up after Mikasa had gone to bed, he knew about the deal she’d made to save her sister.

“Please don’t tell Mikasa! I can handle this on my own but she can’t find out that I sold my soul” Y/N pleaded with him, tears slowly streaming down her cheeks. Mike’s heart ached for them, he’d been hunting long enough to know that their lives were never destined for happy endings.

“You don’t think she’s going to notice when your ass gets dragged to hell by hounds?” He retorted harsher than intended. Y/N bites her lip nervously, of course she’d thought about it.

“I’ll...I’ll tell her in my own time. But I need your help finding Levi, whoever the fuck he is” Mike didn’t want to have to lie to the younger girl but he knew that Y/N needed all the help she could get. He’d heard of Zeke before, his status as a high level demon had made him infamous among hunters. The fact that they’d both managed to get away unscathed meant that Levi was a major player in whatever plan Zeke had in mind.

“Fine but you have to promise me you’re going to fight like hell to undo this. I don’t care how dirty you have to play, you make sure your soul stays on this goddamn Earth”

“Get some sleep kid, I’ll stay up and watch her.” Mike pats Mikasa on the shoulder before settling in the armchair in the corner of the living room. Mikasa curls up on the sofa next to Y/N, the fear of constantly waking up to find her sister missing was making her increasingly paranoid about leaving her side. Losing Eren had been hard enough but she refused to lose Y/N too.

Mike waited until he was sure the younger girl was sleeping before pulling out his cell phone to make a call.

“Yeah Hange, it’s Mike. I’m gonna be calling in that favour now.”

Masterlist

[angeldesaray]

I just Made A New Blog: AngelAnimeDesaray

I'm moving all my anime and otome content over there, namely SAO, AOT, MLQC, and Devils' Line. so if you're here for that content, it's going to be at @angelanimedesaray I've also opened writing requests for those fandoms over there, especially since I'm in a fan fever for them right now and the muse should come easily, so go ahead and reblog to spread the news.

[humanitys-strongest-bamf]

ty for tags!!! @kikarouflames @dreamtuna @topaz-carbuncle

3 ships you like: uhhh probably ghoulcy, captain swan, and maybe stilydia? first ship ever: delena lol last song you heard: currently have my playlist on repeat because i'm trying to work (unsuccessful)

favorite childhood book: oh geez idk? probably the percy jackson series, that series took over my life from like the age of 10-14 currently reading: uhhhhh i recently bought no regrets so i guess i'm technically reading that? other than that, there are some self-help books lol currently watching: i'm rewatching fallout with my husband after binge-watching all of it in like two days last week LMAO currently consuming: this earl grey tea :3 i need my caffeine and can't do coffee anymore :( currently craving: this korean-mexican fusion food from Seoul Taco! i'm gonna get one of their burrito bowls and i've been craving it since last night ksdjflskf

no pressure #'s: @flametrashira @moonchild-angel @ackerbootytobbi @humanitys-strongest-brat @yoongikapi @postwarlevi @angelanimedesaray + anyone else! :3

Thank you for the tag @thistlecatfics :D

3 ships you like: Sirius/Severs is a very loved favourite. Fenrir/Alphard is a personal headcanon, and for some non-Harry Potter: Niki/Joe from The Old Guard will always have my heart

First ship ever: Niki/Joe brought me to writing fanfic, before them I mostly did OCs.

Last song you heard: I'm all shook up from Elvis. We are in our "teach the kids some good music fundamentals"phase.

Favourite childhood book: Astrid Lindgren's Ronia, the Robber's Daughter - such a beautiful book to teach kids about tolerance, acceptance and about making their own decisions

Currently reading: Terry Pratchett - the collected books :)

Currently watching: I am a bit in between because I just finished "The law according to Lidia Poet" a beautiful Italian series - obscure but absolutely worth it (give it a try if you can)

Currently consuming: lemon white chocolate cookie, super unhealthy but good for the soul

Currently craving: the next ball room dance. I will have to wait a whole year and it was so perfect yesterday

I tag @squintclover , @soloorganaas, @tracingpatternswrites, @metalomagnetic AND @meteoralinart

[ayatosmlktea]

Tagged by the beautiful @yuueimagines

bold your answers

↣ appearance

i am over 5’5 // i wear glasses/contacts // i have blonde hair // i prefer loose clothing over tight clothing // i have one or more piercings // i have at least one tattoo // i have blue eyes // i have dyed or highlighted my hair // i have gotten plastic surgery // i have or had braces // i sunburn easily // i have freckles // i paint my nails // i typically wear makeup // i don’t often smile // i am pleased with how i look // i prefer nike to adidas // i wear baseball caps backwards (but only ironically)

↣ hobbies and interests

i play a sport // i can play an instrument // i am artistic // i know more than one language // i have won a trophy in some sort of competition // i can cook or bake without a recipe // i know how to swim // i enjoy writing // i can do origami // i prefer movies to tv shows // i can execute a perfect somersault // i enjoy singing // i could survive in the wild on my own // i have read a new book series this year // i enjoy spending time with my friends // i travel during school or work breaks // i can do a handstand

↣ relationships

i am in a relationship // i have been single for over a year // i have a crush // i have a best friend i have known for ten years // my parents are together // i have hooked up with my best friend // i am adopted // my crush has confessed to me // i have had a long-distance relationship // i am an only child // i give advice to my friends // i have made an online friend // i met up with someone i have met online

↣ aesthetic

i have heard the ocean in a conch shell // i have watched the sunrise// i enjoy rainy days // i have slept under the stars // i meditate outside // the sound of chirping calms me // i enjoy the smell of the beach // i know what snow tastes like // i listen to music to fall asleep // i enjoy thunderstorms // i enjoy cloud watching // i have attended a bonfire // i pay close attention to colours // i find mystery in the ocean // i enjoy hiking on nature paths // autumn is my favourite season

↣ miscellaneous

i can fall asleep in moving vehicles // i am the mom friend // i live by certain quote // i like the smell of sharpies // i am involved in extracurricular activities // i enjoy mexican food // i can drive a stick-shift // i believe in true love // i make up scenarios to fall asleep // i sing in the shower // i wish i lived in a video game // i have a canopy above my bed // i am multiracial // i am a redhead // i own at least 3 dogs

You’re not obligated to do these so don’t feel pressured, also my brain is a burning pile of trash rn so if I forgot someone I apologize! And if u wanna do this and I didn’t mention you, you’re tagged by me!

Tags: @suckersuki @guavadance @sondering-thoughts @lovingshoto @thesecretnerd27 @xoxo-dede @sxnrisewrites @what-a-creative-username @thesilencebeforeastorm @mysteriousmagicx @angelanimedesaray @theiryoongi @svndazing @bakugoustanaccount @k-atsukidayo @bnhatrashh @sunshhinnee @final-fantasy-xv-nut @huntersbunker

[ayatosmlktea]

What good Levi fiction blogs do you recommend? I hope you're having a nice day/night 🙂

Hello! I'm okay, going through it rn but it’s chill. I hope you’re having a good day/night!

uhh well my main ones right now are @mysteriousmagicx, @duker42 - their stuff is addictive, probably more than my addiction to caffeine. 

@erwinsmithh writes some hella good angst with Levi and erwin 

@thesilencebeforeastorm has really cute Levi fluff, also writes amazing jean Marco fics, you should read them because they give me life

@angelanimedesaray has a couple really amazing projects that are out! I especially love a quest for gods! 

@svndazing just started out but her work is really cute and I’m looking forward to more from her! 

Edit: I also forgot to add @final-fantasy-xv-nut !! For her fantasy smutty eren au’s 👌🏼

I hope this helps! 

[amywritesthings]

scout services hotline tag list 📲

@youre-ackermine @skelkitty @skadivalholl @peanutbuttermoony @peachdues

@scopyroris @humanitys-strongest-brat @nube55 @sixpennydame

@witch-works @jrreigns @attendezlacrem3 @ghostkennedy @kglebis

@lyis @comidacorunda @writing-wh0re @katestrophes @thebobaprincess

@powercloud @chrismustdie @sleazymac-n-cheesy

@howabouticallyou @happywednessday @axkermanrenn @ddsayu @elloboflor-blog

@mostlilo @abeitriz @leviackermansfavwifey @thechaoticarchivist @captainleviswifee

@angelanimedesaray @ang3lgvts @acey-acey-acey0 @admirxation @dilflove23

@luvolani @hyunlixie143 @daisiesfor-mylove @ceriserose13 @darkstarlight82

@chaotic-on-main @venus1224idkpleaze @peepeepoopooharrie @visenyareads @thesparkisnearlygone

@hitmehrd @allthoughtsmindfull @spookysofi @delirious-donna @stayvic

@arminsbf @dannul @fr0mthefires @ssetsuka @yannvi

@pickledpedro @minminroie @moonys0chocolate @gryffindorqueensworld @baekxo07

press four for more options. | part four.

( Read on AO3 )

Pairing: levi ackerman x f!reader (attack on titan / shingeki no kyojin) Word Count: 4.6k Summary: After seeing your ex with his new girl at a work party, you take the not-so-smart advice from a friend to call a sex hotline to get over him. Your match? A baritone bossy dom named Levi.

Warnings: 18+ MINORS DNI - alternate universe (modern), sex work, pet names, alcohol, mentions of drugs, jokes about death Credits: dividers by @saradika-graphics

part three. / return to part one. | masterlist

Night comes around.

You do not call.

In fact, you don't call the Scout Services Hotline a single time that whole weekend.

As you scroll mindlessly through social media in your bed, fluttering between apps without retaining a single word or meme, your cell phone weighs heavily in your hand.

Don't call.

Just don't call.

It isn't like you're devoid of things to do.

Going out is an option.

Being around people may help your mood — but you don’t feel like unearthing from your snuggie poncho.

Putting on a movie can be a great distraction — but you know your attention span would barely last through the opening credits.

It was him.

Right there.

Right in front of you.

Levi from Scout Services, alive and in the flesh, holding your phone.

No amount of mental gymnastics can make you doubt otherwise. 

He has a voice like no other; one that haunts your day dreams and soothes your nightmares, one that brings this sudden urge to do better for yourself—

Ironically, to be independent and strong on your own.

Which, actually, really fucking sucks now that you’re stuck with the decision to totally disappear from the gym, too.

(Kind of thwarts the whole ‘new me’ chest-puffing you’d started Friday with.)

So you make a final decision:

You still have to go to the gym Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Even if you say nothing, keep to yourself, remain a shadow, you have to go.

(There’s a fragile line drawn in the sands of reality. You can toe the edge, but you refuse to. This is his livelihood. You’re not delusional to believe you’re a main character exception.)

Coincidentally, Levi goes every day, too. 

Your stomach flip-flops with the unsettling realization that your perch on a treadmill actually gives you a perfect vantage point to watch him as he sets his station up every morning.

Meticulously he sets towels down to place his shaker bottle and water thermos down, as if worried the ground hadn’t been cleaned overnight.

He even takes the disinfectant cloths and cleans every dumbbell he lines up neatly before starting his workout.

The dark-haired man truly is less-than-average in height, which isn’t a turn-off to you in the slightest, but his arms — his goddamn arms.

Levi wasn’t kidding when he told you that he could pick you up.

He could probably pick two of you up, one arm each.

They’re so toned, his forearms veiny from morning dehydration.

Training vigorously in his own world, not once does he notice that you’re the bumbling idiot that’s tripped on the treadmill (see: a few times) from dissociating.

Hell, he hasn’t a single fucking clue that you’re close enough to yell across the room to him.

Would he know?

That you’re Scarlet.

His, in some made-up world.

(Does your voice stand out in a sea of lonely people?)

The cleaning ritual extends to his cooldown, where he properly cleans each piece of equipment before nestling it back in its place.

Levi sits on his phone for a second, dropping down to a bench to scroll — text messages.

(Damn it, have you really resorted to minor stalking?)

As soon as he stands, though, you drop your chin to watch your sneakers rhythmically pass one another on the treadmill belt.

He passes like a ghost, evaporating into the men’s locker room without a word.

This is torture.

You miss him.

But you still refuse to call.

Can't — because in another world you may be his, but in this world, he is not yours.

.

.

— —

.

.

    Tuesday night rolls around and you decide you hate life.

Annie, Eren, Reiner, and Mikasa are already there by the time you walk into the downtown hotspot.

The boys as well as Mikasa are still in their suit attire from work, their ties loosened at their necks. Annie’s in a hoodie and jeans, clearly much more interested in having a comfortable evening.

If the emptied shot glasses are any indicator of the plans for this evening, then you steel yourself for one hell of a Wednesday.

You glide through the busy crowds of the bar towards the group.

Bodies upon bodies crowd this place — it’s never not a zoo at this hour, no matter the day. Saying excuse me would only waste breath. 

A live band croons on the far end of the smoky bar, forcing everyone to talk ten decibels higher just to hear the conversation.

(Can’t you turn around and go home while you’re ahead?)

In the sea of people, a pair of emerald green eyes over by a cluster of tables in the right-hand corner catch your movement. They widen, recognizing your face, and a lopsided grin of surprise follows.

“Holy shit, she left her cave!” Eren yells, holding up a cheap beer in salute to your arrival.

(Thanks Jeager, you little fuck.)

You don’t hear what she says, but you can see Mikasa’s lips part in tandem with a sharp elbow jab straight to his ribs.

Eren instantly falters his salute, souring in pain.

“I know. Don’t be so shocked,” you state to your colleagues, leaning up against the circular high-top table. ���Am I the last to show?”

“Nah, you’re right on time. Armin and Jean’re on their way,” Reiner grunts, holding onto a comically small cosmopolitan in his rather large hand. “Sasha’s on babysitting duty with Nicco.”

You look around the bar for any other familiar faces.

“And Connie?”

“Passed out,” Mikasa supplies. “Took edibles after work.”

“There’s no chance in hell anyone’s waking him,” Eren snorts. “Fucker’s toast.”

Reiner sighs. “For what it’s worth, Jean tried.”

“No, Armin tried,” Annie corrects, finally piping up. She holds something on the rocks — brandy? Whiskey? You can’t tell. “Jean just laughed and kept trying to draw shit on his face.”

“You didn’t see the Snapchat he sent?” Eren asks after a gulp of his beer.

You shake your head, knowing damn well you’ve avoided using your phone for the last several days. 

Missed texts, abandoned tagged tweets, your streak in your mobile game ruined — anything so you wouldn’t be tempted to click that little number.

Damn it.

Enough wallowing.

“I’m gonna go grab a drink,” you state, disengaging with the table. “Anyone need anything?”

From your peripheral, you see a familiar mop of blonde hair walking towards your group. At his side is a much taller man sliding through the crowd, navigating the shorter one to the tiny table you’ve commandeered from the masses.

Armin and Jean.

Reiner and Annie shake their heads.

“Nope, I’m solid.”

“Good here.”

“Eren’s got the next round of shots,” Mikasa flatly states. “You’re fine.”

“Ha, hell yeah!” Eren exclaims, before he settles into a confused pause of silence. His head whips to Mikasa, blinking twice. “Wait, what?”

You don’t stick around for that aftermath.

Squeezing back into the lion’s den of people, you try not to get hit with any too-full beverages or waving hands.

You manage to weave and duck, eventually finding a small empty corner at the edge of the bar.

Success.

You rush to claim it before someone else can, your forearm on the wooden surface. 

Holding up two fingers to get the one of the three bartender’s attention, she nods once to acknowledge she sees you — she’ll get there eventually.

Two empty stools are available, so you scoot onto the one closest to the wall while waiting for your turn and drop your purse onto the other while you situate yourself. 

It’ll likely take a while if the busyness of the staff has anything to say about it.

An hour.

All you need to do is last one whole hour.

Chat a bit, mingle a little so everyone at work doesn’t think you’re a total goddamn recluse, then you can go—

“Is this seat taken?”

A question sounding to your left breaks your train of thought.

The seat.

The one next to you, where your purse lay.

Way to go, dumbass.

You answer on autopilot, not thinking twice about it.

“Oh — shit, yeah. I mean, no! No it’s not. I’m sorry.”

As your torso turns to grab your purse off of the deep red stool, your eyes drop to make sure nothing spills out of it.

“Hold on, let me just move—”

Your chin lifts to find yourself staring eye to eye with Levi.

Wait.

Levi?!

His cheekbones look even sharper under the warm hue of the bar lights overhead, lips parted like he was interrupted in asking a question.

The whites of his eyes grow more prominent with every passing second, making the blue-gray color of them stand out in stark contrast to the black curtain of fringe falling against his temples.

The realization that you spoke — that he’s seen your face before — seems to be hitting him like a goddamn freight train.

Your blood runs cold as your own eyes round.

“...my stuff.”

Weakly you finish your thought, wishing for nothing but death right now. 

Maybe a stranger, like a secret agent with wicked strength, will simply rush the bar and put you in a headlock and knock you out. 

Maybe your drink will be poisoned. 

You’re happy for anything so long as it’s swift.

Levi grunts in acknowledgement, slowly finding a spot on the empty stool beside yours.

Both of you swivel towards the bar, staring ahead.

Silence.

For what feels like hours, neither of you speak. The noise of the bar becomes overwhelming.

Somehow the surrounding voices feel amplified when you’ve lost your own. 

It’s trapped between a thousand apologies and half a dozen explanations that sound worse than the one before it.

You need to get up.

Excuse yourself out. 

Leave.

You won’t get your damn drink, but that’s fine so long as you’re not here.

“How’s your phone?”

Eventually Levi speaks, and you find yourself wishing he hadn’t. 

The effect of his voice is even worse in person — so buttery smooth, the gravel much deeper in his chest now that there isn’t a phone receiver to dilute it.

“Not… damaged,” you reply cautiously.

“Good.”

Another stretch of silence passes, and you forget about ordering drinks altogether.

Your eyes drop to view his folded hands, how the veins protrude even when resting.

His fingers are slender, strong, and hate yourself for yearning.

You have to apologize.

This is crossing a line.

You need to—

“So—”

“I’m canceling my subscription.”

You blurt a fraction later than Levi, proclaiming your innocence before he can ever condemn it.

When you meet his steely eyes, they squint with curiosity.

From the crown of your head to your chin, he assesses in a serpentine pattern before eventually finding your eyes once more.

“How come?” he asks, leaning further against the bar top.

“I— how come?”

You repeat his question in surprise.

Wildly gesturing towards the space between you with your hand, you snort.

“Uh, because that’s the right thing to do in this circumstance? Because seeing you in person is borderline unethical?”

He hums at that, not giving you much to work with.

“And for the record, I did not stalk you to this bar.”

“Didn’t think you did.”

“I’m actually here with friends—”

“Why didn’t you say something?” 

Levi interrupts, seemingly unbothered by your rambling. 

“At the gym. I can make an educated guess and say you knew it was me from the second I opened my trap, but you didn’t say anything.”

Why isn’t he freaking out?

Shouldn’t he be freaking out?

Just as you open your mouth to continue professing your innocence, the bartender walks over and points to you.

“What can I get you?”

You blanch, no longer remember how to order drinks. 

“I—”

“I got her tab,” Levi interrupts casually, tapping his index finger into the counter. “Two hard seltzers.”

Then he has the audacity to glance your way.

“Pineapple, right?”

Holy shit, he remembers your favorite flavor?

Is this a flex?

(It kind of feels like a flex; a way to say I know you, I was there.)

“...pineapple’s fine,” you murmur in return, hesitant.

The bartender doesn’t waste another second to rummage in the mini fridge on the other side of the bar for two slim cans.

For another agonizing thirty seconds, neither of you say a word.

He raises his chin to watch whatever sport’s game is playing overhead on the television.

You stare at your mirrored reflection in the bar backsplash.

This is real life.

The man you’ve spent hours talking to over the phone to, getting off to, is sitting right beside you, yet he isn’t trying to create distance.

If anything, he’s buying you a damn drink and asking you why.

Why didn’t you say something?

“I didn’t say anything at the gym because that would have been extremely inappropriate,” you finally argue under your breath, keeping the conversation strictly between you. “What would I have said? ‘Oh hey, guy I've paid to talk to on the phone every single night for the past week. Isn’t it crazy that I actually go to the same gym as you?’ That’s so creepy.” 

When he says nothing, still staring at you, you continue to bury yourself into a deeper grave.

“I mean, I thought you lived, like… a billion miles from me. Maybe from another planet.”

His brows pinch with amusement. 

“On Mars, or…?”

Oh.

He’s joking.

He’s actually joking about this.

You turn your chin, brow furrowed. “This isn’t funny.”

“It’s a little funny.”

He crosses his arms over his chest, and you have to force yourself to maintain eye contact.

“I wondered why you looked so scared of me on Friday. Thought maybe I smelled like shit from my workout.”

No, you want to say. Unfortunately it was the goddamn opposite.

“So you’re not…”

“Worried you’re a stalker trying to dox me because of my job?”

Levi blatantly finishes, and you wince.

Clearly he notices your embarrassment, because he sighs and relaxes his shoulders.

“I’m more pissed that you didn’t call all weekend, but then again, that’s the nature of the job.”

You both watch each other for a moment as the bartender returns, passing you both pineapple hard seltzers to nurse.

He pushes your can to your hand, nudging the icy-cold aluminum against your thumb, then picks up his own.

“The nature of the job?” you repeat, and he nods.

“People get bored. Run out of funds. Novelty wears off fast.” 

Levi shrugs, sipping his drink. 

“Just because you like talking to someone doesn’t mean they stick around. Wouldn’t blame 'em — shit gets expensive quick.”

“I just…”

You trail off, fighting to find the correct words to say.

“...I thought it wasn’t right to call again, knowing I knew what you looked like, so I didn’t.” 

Explaining yourself makes your tongue feel sluggish, like you were caught red-handed in a crime you didn’t know you’d committed until hindsight.

“I can leave you alone,” you decide to add, holding your drink tighter. “Like I said, I’m here with my friends and… after all, you were doing your job. A great job. You’re kind of the reason I’m even here in the first place.”

Levi’s brow knits, and your eyes widen.

“Not like that!”

“Pretty shit at asserting yourself even in person,” he murmurs like it’s a cheeky inside joke, and he sips once more. “So how am I the reason?”

He’s not angry.

Hell, he’s conversational.

Not the least bit worried about how you’ve both managed to get here.

Might as well be honest.

“Because I decided to stop being a little less scared of the world,” you confess softly. “It— That’s why I got to the gym so early on Friday. I wanted to start doing strength training, like how you talk about how much you love it. And… I thought, maybe, I’d spend more time with friends. Get out there more. Be more assertive — beyond right now, obviously.”

The dark-haired man’s expression smooths at that in a mixture of recognition and surprise.

The slide of his brow is beautiful, and your heart squeezes at the sight of an animated Levi in the flesh, just as you pictured.

“Do you have to go back to your friends right now?”

At first you don’t quite register his question, but then it causes butterflies to flutter in your stomach.

He looks left to right, as if trying to find your troop of buddies, before returning his attention back to you.

“You don’t… want me to leave?”

Levi shakes his head.

You feel bolted to your stool, unable to move even if you wanted to.

Simultaneously you sip your drinks, keeping eye contact.

It feels intimate.

Too intimate.

“So, then…” You start slowly. “What does this mean?”

“Well,” Levi begins, mulling it over in his head. “Means the whole provider-client relationship has basically gone to shit. You know my face, now I know yours.”

“Right.”

“Then again, that professionalism was already well into a shit pile way before Friday morning.”

You blink, not following. “Huh?”

“There’s nothing in the company policy about what to do when you stumble into your client at the damn local gym, but there sure as hell wasn’t anything about…”

Levi trails off, clenching his jaw in debate.

“...about crossing the line I practically leapt over. I’m good at my job because of my detachment, but this was the only time I bordered on unethical myself. That wasn’t fair to you, and I’m sorry.”

Sorry.

Levi… was sorry?

The words blurt faster than you can stop yourself. “Why the hell are you sorry?”

His eyes widen with a budding uncertainty.

“I… just said I crossed the line?”

“When?”

“On the phone?”

“Okay, duh, but when?”

“Our last session.”

“So that was real.”

Levi actually got off to your voice.

If you weren’t in such shock about sitting here face-to-face with him at a local bar, then perhaps your ego would have, in fact, made a crash landing on Mars.

He considers his next words very carefully. 

“It wasn’t supposed to be.”

Then he sips more before shaking his head.

“Look. It’s… a job a friend of mine got me. I’m not a real-life Casanova or any of that shit. Hell, most of my time was spent training punks to fight in a boxing ring, so I never had the energy for relationships or dating.”

You can't hide your surprise. “You were a fighter?”

He makes a noncommittal face.

“Loosely. Personal trainer, training in general — fell into it after I got out of the service.”

“Right, you were in the army,” you murmur, and the edge of his lips upticks at your recollection.

“A couple of months ago the gym I worked for went under, money got tight, so I thought I’d try it out. Guess everyone says it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks, but bossing fighters around and fielding horny-ass callers ain't all that different."

Levi turns his chin just so to regard you under a wispy black fringe.

“I can usually predict what someone wants. The people that call this hotline shit, they’re in and out."

He takes a pause.

"You, though — the second I picked up your call, you threw me through a goddamn loop.”

You use your nail on your index finger to absently scratch the side of your thumb, attempting to process everything he’s telling you.

"First night we spoke, actually, I ended up at this very bar to contemplate why the fuck I wanted you to call back. Didn't want you blowing your money on it, obviously, it's overpriced and ridiculous, but — it clearly shook me up enough for me to take then ten-minute walk in the middle of the night in the first place."

Ten minutes.

That length of time strikes something in you.

“So, your… office building isn’t far?” you slowly ask.

Levi shakes his head. “No, no office. I work remotely. Kind of the reason why I took the gig in the first place. I wouldn’t do this shit if I had an audience in a damn two-by-four cube.”

You’re not sure what possesses you to confess it, but you point past your shoulder. 

“My apartment complex is actually six blocks down the street.”

Ten minutes away, is your implication.

His hand had raised to sip from his seltzer can, but it halts immediately.

His eyes narrow. 

“The complex on Junction Ave?”

“Yeah," you say.

“Right across from—”

“The Reiss deli.”

That narrowed gaze shoots wide. “You’re shitting me.”

“You say the word shit a lot.”

“Baby, I live there,” he blurts.

“Wait, what?”

Now it’s your turn for your eyes to nearly pop out of your skull.

(You’re too shocked to even process what he called you.)

He huffs in a brief laugh, shaking his head.

“You gotta be fucking with me.”

“I’m not! Wait, you live in the same building as me?”

“You said Thomas was your goddamn mailman,” Levi states. “Do you know how many fucking Thomas the Mailmen there are in this world? I didn’t think we’d have the same one.”

Holy shit.

Oh, holy shit.

You sit up taller in your seat. “Wait, what floor?”

“Sixteenth.”

“I’m on the tenth!” you exclaim in your shock. “Holy shit, so you…”

Have been right above me this entire time.

Your phone buzzes, ruining your train of thought. 

Reflexively you look down to see the preview of Annie’s message over your lock screen.

[A. LEONHART]: Did u die?

Right.

You’re here with friends.

“Friends wondering where you are?” Levi inquiries at the sight of your growing frown.

“Yeah, give me a sec.”

You swipe the screen north and type a reply.

[ME]: Talking to someone. Be over in a bit.

Annie’s reply is immediate, and you turn your phone from Levi’s view in mortification.

[A. LEONHART]: 🍆🍆🍆🍆🍆

[A. LEONHART]: WINGMAN??? NEED????

[ME]: NO! Do not come over here!

[A. LEONHART]: ok ok ok noted

[A. LEONHART]: i’ll keep jaeger to the left end of the bar

“Looks urgent.”

“Huh?” 

You shoot a glance back up to Levi, who’s now angled towards you with his cheek squished against his clenched fist. His elbow props him up on the bar top. 

“No! No. It’s just my friend Annie. She — is actually the one who gave me the number to that hotline in the first place,” you confess.

Levi hums in that delicious way you’ve come to crave. 

“I don’t want to derail your evening. I’ve already taken you away from them for a while.”

Your heart is hesitant, but it grows despite yourself. 

“If you want me to stay, then I’ll stay,” you quietly state. “I… liked talking to you. I mean, beyond the whole — you know.”

He nods once, setting his drink down. 

“For what it’s worth, I don’t want you to disappear, either. My job’s not exactly corporate. Not many people can separate fantasy from reality. With you, I never had to bullshit what it was, but…”

Levi trails off, sighing heavily.

“...but I also understand if it’s just a fantasy, for you.”

Something nestles itself between the lines of his words. 

Something he isn’t saying outright, sussing out if he has any right to try.

“Do you really mean that, Levi?”

That sigh turns into a curbed huff, smile fleeting but enough to bring your stomach butterflies. 

“Damn. Sounds nice, hearing my name in person.”

Oh, sweet Jesus.

You could scream into your damn seltzer, but you decide to play it as cool as you possibly can.

“So Levi’s your real name?”

He nods.

“Not creative enough to come up with an alias."

Levi shifts, rolling out a shoulder.

"But to answer your question, I’m saying I… yeah, I mean it. I wouldn’t mind asking you out for coffee sometime, given we seem to run on the same gym schedule as it is. Just didn’t know if you wanted to leave it at the hotline and call it a day — no pun intended.”

Are you seriously hearing what he’s saying right now?

Does Levi want to step out of a fantasy and into your reality?

Your lips part with a million questions only to end up blurting a very stupid one: 

“Are you single?”

That earns a bark of a laugh, causing his head to gloriously drop back, exposing his neck.

(All you want to do is sink your teeth into it.)

“Yes. Very,” he promises. “Are you, still?”

“Very,” you promise back.

“And my job doesn’t bother you?”

You haven't quite gotten that far, logistically, but it's only a coffee.

He isn't asking to marry you.

Besides, he talks about it like any other office job. You can't find any ill feeling toward it.

“Work is work,” you argue with a one-shoulder shrug. “Sure, it’s unconventional, but… I’m so used to not knowing what I want, or second-guessing what’s good for me, and I don’t think I’ve ever second guessed a damn thing with you.”

Bringing the seltzer back up to his mouth, Levi smirks against the can, mulling something over. 

You smile in return, sipping your drink.

It's the truth.

He may not really know you, but he knows you.

Just as you're beginning to think you know him.

“Well, if you don’t get too wasted with your friends tonight—”

He steals a ballpoint pen from a dampened closed check from his left side.

Then he snatches a napkin from one of the bartending stations with lemons, limes, and straws.

Hunching over, he scribbles on said napkin, before turning a cheek to you.

“—and you end up going to the gym tomorrow morning—”

Levi then sits up taller, folds the napkin, and reaches for your hand resting on the bar top. 

His skin is smooth. 

Heated. 

Your entire body melts to his whim as he turns your wrist over, palm facing up.

One by one his fingers unfurl your fingers, nestles the napkin in your hand, then closes your fist for safe keeping.

“—give me a call.”

Leaving a twenty on the bar counter, Levi lets go of your hand to slip off of his stool.

You say nothing as you watch him give you one last once-over, expression full of admiration, before turning into the sea of people.

A call.

Flexing your hand, you uncrinkle the napkin to read the number etched black on white.

Not the Scout Services Hotline.

No — his number.

Your attention flies back to the original spot where you've now properly abandoned your friends, but you know they'll forgive you for your absence.

Annie knows.

She'll cover for your abrupt disappearance.

On autopilot you yank out your phone, bypassing the texts from your friends, emails from work, and tap the little telephone icon.

Zero through nine appear.

Hastily you type the number, hesitation long gone, and press send.

One ring.

Two.

By the third, it abruptly cuts. You hear shuffling in the background. Cars beeping.

“Hello, Levi Ackerman speaking.”

Levi Ackerman.

Knowing his full name warms your heart.

Standing from your stool, you rise to your toes to search the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Levi stands there on the sidewalk, holding his phone up to his ear.

“Hi, Levi. It’s formerly Scarlet.”

Immediately he turns to the bar, searching the very same window.

Searching for you.

You smile to yourself.

"My schedule just opened up. I know it's a little late for some coffee, but..."

Trailing off, your teeth catch your bottom lip.

Be selfish.

"Are you free for some tea now?”

.

FIN

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

How are we feeling, Hotliner Nation? I teased that this may not be the end of this story. I'm not against writing a sequel, whether to continue the immediate story or time skip, but I wanted to see what people thought before I spoke too soon. Regardless, I hope you enjoyed our hotline journey together.

In the meantime I invite you to follow me here or subscribe to my AO3, as I have other projects in the works (including finishing the final chapters of my canon-based amnesia au with Levi, Silver Underground.)

The last two months have been such a wonderful journey, and I thank every single one of you for engaging the way you have. I never anticipated such a frenzy when I started P4, so sincerely, from the bottom of my heart - thank you for the kudos, bookmarks, comments, etc. Every comment gives this writer wings.

[darkskywishes]

Thanks for the tag @the-traveling-poet @youre-ackermine @dreamtuna @littlerequiem <3 I always appreciate being included in tag games, even if it takes me forever to respond sometimes. Speaking of which, sorry for my slow response time on this one! Haha. Been feeing under the weather! I enjoyed reading all of your answers and getting to know y'all a bit better :)

I actually did one of these not too long ago, so some of my answers will remain the same.

Last Song: "Space Bound" by Eminem

Favorite Color: Black, Red, Blue, and Purple. Specifically, the darker shades of red, blue, and purple.

Currently Watching: I'm watching the anime "Monster" for the first time, and it's phenomenal! I highly recommend it. I also saw the first episode of "The Apothecary Diaries" last night. It seems really good! Currently also re-watching the 2003 original FMA. I plan to re-watch Brotherhood after I'm done re-watching the original. Then, I’m always in a state of re-watching "Burn Notice". Thinking of starting yet another re-watch of "Attack on Titan" and "Code Geass" soon too.

Spicy/Savory/Sweet: Ohhh, this is difficult. I enjoy all three. I love spicy food! People are constantly in awe of my spice tolerance, haha. Then, I have a major sweet tooth; however, I don’t like it when things are too sweet. For example, dessert is my favorite part of a meal, but I usually think milk and white chocolate are too sweet. I prefer dark chocolate. Then, I adore pastries and croissants in general!

Relationship Status: I’ve been happily married for a bit over a year now :) Before getting married, I was with my partner for 7 years. So, we’ve been together 8 years total. Honestly, I never expected to fall in love. Before I met my partner, I fully expected to be single forever because I enjoyed being single and wasn’t interested in relationships.

Current Obsession: Too many! Lol. Psychology (good that I’m obsessed with it, since I’m doing a doctorate in it); always obsessed with cats; and always obsessed with Attack on Titan (Levi, specifically), Naruto (Sasuke, specifically), Banana Fish, Code Geass, Burn Notice, and BrBa/BCS. Those are the consistent obsessions. I have transient obsessions—like certain comic book characters (Tony Stark, Wade Wilson, Matt Murdock), certain manga whenever they update (Talentless Nana), or just random TV shows (Dark, House, etc.).

Last Thing I Googled: The health portal for my local university health system to check up on some of my test results

Some people I'd like to get to know more (including some new mutuals): @nuri148 @chaosisbeauty23 @lightsaber-dreams @missnobodymadness @angelanimedesaray @theysangastheyslew @roseofdarknessblog @mossgh0st @skylar-loves-to-party @hip-nautics @aesztik @levisbrat25 @foxcakesandstories @xxcherrydevilxx @thehangetomylevi @chaotically-rem + anyone who sees this and would like to participate.

Sorry if any of y’all have been tagged already (I tried not to tag if I already saw your name), and please don’t feel forced to participate if you don’t want to :) And, I'm sorry if you would have liked to have been tagged and I didn't tag you! I get super nervous tagging people, and I overthink it. I always love seeing responses to these things, so please participate if you want to <3

Nine People I'd Like to Know Better

@lenniedoesthings tagged me in this, tysm 🥹

Last Song I Listened to: I think it was Spanish or Vanish from that new duolingo musical lol... If not probably Army by Ben Folds.

Currently Watching: So many things (mostly rewatches). Includes Anne with an E, the Good Doctor, MHA, and the Saw Franchise.

Sweet/Savoury/Spicy?: I love them all 💀, but probably spicy mostly!

Relationship Status: Single and probably for a while yet!

Current Obsession: Probably the Batfamily atm... trying to work my way through the comics is hard, though!

Gentle tagging (no pressure <3)

@snowy-astrophile @lavender-115 @studyblrspace @ros3ybabe @lintroller777 @study-diaries

(Don't think I'm mutuals with anymore people, so instead of 9, 6 I guess lol)

[thesilencebeforeastorm]

Y'all, give me some tropes to write about when I get back to writing lmaoo it seems fun @humanitys-hottestsoldier @angelanimedesaray @mysteriousmagicx @huntersbunker

[thesilencebeforeastorm]

Does anybody have any limits as to what they wont read in a angst fic?

@humanitys-hottestsoldier @angelanimedesaray @mysteriousmagicx

[cosmicjoke]

I totally get what you're saying @angelanimedesaray and once again, thank you for your contribution!

That's the thing about Levi, and you conveyed it perfectly here, is that he doesn't try to moralize or give a decisive answer on the moral rightness or wrongness of killing to anyone, he doesn't try to give a definitive judgement on the question, but simply states what he DOES know, which is that they would be dead if, as you said, the ones who made the choice to kill hadn't done so. That's not a moral judgment or statement, that's just a fact. An undeniable, immutable fact. They were being attacked, with the attacking party clear in their intent to kill them, and if Levi and the others hadn't killed them first, they would now be dead. Levi alone was shot at multiple times by the members of Kenny's squad and by Kenny himself, and the only reason he didn't die immediately was because of his exceptional physical abilities in alluding their bullets. They were trying and intended to kill him. They chased after him, pursuing him doggedly in the attempt to kill him. They had no intention of just letting him escape. They wanted him dead, and if Levi hadn't managed to avoid all of their attacks and kill them first, he wouldn't have made it past that situation. Neither would any of the other members of his squad. They would all be dead. Again, that isn't a statement as to the moral correctness of Levi's actions, it's simply a stated, factual reality.

This idea that the act of killing itself can't be justified or that it's always wrong, no matter what, depends on having a belief in the immutability of morality, which is absurd, because morality itself is a man-made concept. It isn't preordained or dictated to us by some higher power. It's a set of rules man up by people to better their own chances at survival. Nature itself is predicated and operates on the functional reality of killing to survive. Entire ecosystems can only thrive and be maintained on that very premise. Something has to die in order for something else to live. Again, morality isn't part of the equation. It's not a philosophy or set of moral principles which governs that reality. That's just an objective truth of our world.

This person that's been going around saying Levi is a bad person, or at least, can't be stated to be a good person, because he's killed, also claims that they don't like moralizing, or moral justification being applied to any action, because, they claim, it's moral justification of "wrong acts" that eventually leads to atrocities being committed.

But what they don't seem to understand is that, stating that killing is always wrong is itself an application of moral judgment. It's the very definition of moralization. Because it presupposes that the act of killing is incontrovertibly, universally wrong, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the act, and therefor, under that assumption, it's right to condemn any act of killing, no matter the reason for it, and in turn, condemn the character of the person who's committed the act. And stating that killing is morally wrong, regardless of circumstance, and using that principle to condemn the character of a person who's killed, is itself a moral justification. You're justifying your negative opinion on the character of this person using your own, personal standard of morality. Because they fail to meet the criteria of what you judge to be morally correct and true.

They then want to turn around and say that we can't make a judgment on the goodness of Levi's character based on the reasons for his acts of violence. We aren't allowed to say Levi is a good man because he only kills in self-defense, or in defense of others. We aren't allowed to say Levi's acts of violence are rooted in his genuine desire to keep others safe and to protect their lives, and therefor, he's a good man, regardless of whether his acts of violence are justified or not. We're just supposed to accept that, because he's killed or been violent, no matter the underlying reasons for it, he's now and will forever be a bad person.

They want to apply their moral standard to judge Levi's character, while denying anyone else the ability to do the same.

By my moral standard, and the moral standard of most judicial systems in the world, and most people, I suspect, Levi's acts of violence are both justified and correct. Killing is acceptable if it is done to secure either your own or someone else' survival or protection.

Our judgment on the goodness of Levi's character comes from what we can see is objectively true about him, which is that he cares about the well being of other people, he respects life and people's right to it, he's endlessly kind, compassionate and empathetic toward other people's circumstances and suffering, and wishes to alleviate that suffering and help them improve their circumstances in any way he can. He wants to support people in the realization of their dreams and for them to be allowed to live their lives how they choose. He values life above any other character in the story, and as you point out, this is evidenced by how enraged he becomes at anyone who actively enjoys and revels in the act of taking it. All of these things about Levi are objectively true. These are all qualities he possesses, without question. And we're allowed to then judge the worth of those qualities and whether we believe they render Levi a good person by applying our own moral standards.

Okay, this is a bit of a call-out post, which I don't like to engage in, but some of the stuff that's been brought to my attention, that's apparently been being said about me and, by extension, people who share my views, isn't really something I can let stand.

So apparently there's some blogs going around vague posting about Levi fans who dare (oh the horror) to call Levi a good man and a hero, saying stuff like doing so is how one treads down the path toward Nazism, because it's a "denial" of Levi's faults, and if we don't condemn his violence as outright bad or wrong, then we're liable to start making excuses for and justifying all forms of violence.

Do I even need to lay out why this argument is absurd and absolutely childish at its core? I don't think so, but I will anyway.

One of the overarching and main themes of AoT is that we shouldn't flatly condemn people for their actions without first understanding the context of those actions. That nothing is ever so simple as being flatly right or wrong, good or bad. That there can be and are complicating factors that might lead to any, given person's actions or behavior.

Levi himself is a prime example of this, and we see the error of flatly condemning and writing him off as "bad" in the form of Jean's and Mikasa's judgmental and dismissive attitude toward him after seeing him engage in acts of violence, only to themselves be forced into similar acts moments later.

The stupidity inherent to uniformly condemning all violence as bad or wrong lies in its total failure to consider any mitigating circumstances that might have lead to the violence in the first place, and, ironically, it's THAT sort of basic and simplistic thinking that leads toward the kind of fanatical, ideological foundations of Nazism and other, similar movements. Nuanced thought, consideration, empathy and critical thinking are never the things that lead down that road. Moralistic and generalized view points are what do that. To call Levi a "morally grey" character is to fundamentally misunderstand that morality itself is a "grey" concept. There's no such thing a black and white morality. Almost nothing is always right and always wrong, including violence. Very few things, if anything, can be definitely categorized as right and wrong in and of itself. The argument that some things need to be wholly condemned or eradicated is, for example, the same sort of logic that people who advocate for censorship apply. All pornography is bad or wrong? Better to just flatly condemn and ban all of it, then. Oh my, you're going to let two men marry each other? What if someone wants to marry an animal next? Better just make gay marriage illegal then, I guess. Many Jews are bankers, and banking is a corrupt business that preys on people's vulnerabilities, thus, all Jews are really just money launders and loan sharks and need to be stopped. Killing and violence is always wrong, and so people who kill or commit acts of violence are always criminals and bad people with malicious intent or who reveal in other people's pain. See how that works? All generalizations like that lead to is mass persecution, either of a concept or of a person/group of people, without taking into consideration the actual complexity or nuanced reasoning for why something or someone might be a certain way or do a certain thing. That's what's dangerous.

To deny Levi is a good man or a hero because he commits acts of violence is to totaly deny and strip him of all the many aspects and characteristics of his personality that makes him who he actually is. Levi's violence doesn't define him. It isn't who he is. Rather, it's a product of the world he lives in and the circumstances of his upbringing and life. It doesn't signify the person he is at his core. It doesn't negate the immense compassion, kindness, empathy and sensitivity with which he regards and treats other people. It doesn't render his heroism worthless or questionable. It doesn't undermine his intentions or motivations. It doesn't rob his many sacrifices of their selflessness. That's why I say Levi is a good man. Not because he's on the "good guy side" or because he holds a certain set of ideological beliefs, but because of those inherent qualities which define him as a good man. Compassion, kindness, empathy, emotional intelligence, and a genuine desire to help others for others sake. He's a good person because he actually, truly cares about other people. Is that assessment of him supposed to somehow lead down the road to fanaticism? How absurd.

That's not to say Levi doesn't have flaws. Of course he does. He's a human being, and all human's are flawed. Nobody ever said Levi was a "perfect" hero, just that he is a hero. Understanding Levi's violence and where it comes from and why he engages in it doesn't mean we're excusing it or calling it "good". It's simply an attempt to understand and acknowledge one of the main themes of AoT, which is that a person committing a "bad act" doesn't in and of itself make them a "bad person", and that certain actions and behaviors that are deemed "bad" by society can and often do have reasonable and justifiable explanations at their root. Does Levi resort to violence too often and too easily? Sure. I've said that and acknowledged it on multiple occasions. I've dedicated entire, long-winded analysis posts to exploring the duality of Levi's compassionate and empathetic nature with the fact that he's one of the most violent characters in AoT. His knee-jerk reaction and response to most situations is to apply physical force of one kind or another. Levi is also an extremely emotional character, and is given at times to bouts of emotionally excessive response. When he kicks Eren and Jean after his conversation with Erwin. When he manhandles Historia for her initial, flat refusal to take the throne. When he kicks Eren's teeth in during the RtS arc, or on the airship in Liberio. When he tortures Zeke in the cart on the way to the capital. These are all instances of Levi giving in to his emotion and responding violently. And no, it's not good, but it also doesn't make Levi bad. It doesn't make his intentions malicious or cruel in nature. In all of these instances of violence on Levi's part, it's driven by an intense emotional response, generally in regard to some traumatic event. Levi learning Erwin might not be the good man he thought he was. Levi having to torture a man for specific information, only to have the point of it threatened by Historia's self-pity. Eren interfering with Levi's direct command during a situation in which time was severely limited in making a decision. Eren slaughtering countless innocent people. Zeke forcing Levi to kill more than two dozen of his own soldiers. All of the examples one could point to of Levi being "unnecessarily" violent, meaning in a way that didn't further some larger goal or cause, were all moments of emotional reaction linked either to trauma or urgency or both. Most of these responses from Levi, in fact, came about because he was upset about someone else getting hurt, or at the possibility of people getting hurt. They're rooted, at their core, in Levi's compassion for others. They're emotional responses triggered by Levi's empathy and care. He gets angry because he's scared or grief stricken over someone else' suffering. And that's my and other fans' only point. Levi's violence might be considered bad by some, but the underlying reasons for it almost always prove Levi's goodness. He responds so strongly because he cares. So to refuse to acknowledge the circumstances and context surrounding those acts of violence and to refuse to acknowledge the influence of his upbringing in his inclination to respond with violence is grossly unjust and unfair to who Levi is as a person. To pretend that his very nature can't be contradictory to his actions and behavior is to deny, not just Levi's complexity as a person, but the complexity of people overall. Because Levi's nature is, much of the time, contradictory to his actions, especially when one only looks at his actions in a vacuum instead of in context. He's a violent man who also holds more kindness and compassion in his heart for people than any other character in the story. That's a contradiction. But it's true, nonetheless. You can be a good person who does bad things, or things deemed wrong by others and society.

Levi doesn't enjoy violence, and anyone who says he does or tries to claim he does is flatly wrong. To say, just because Levi is good at violence, that must mean he's somehow born to it, or that it's in his nature to want to commit it, is equally unjust and unfair in the way it dismisses the circumstances of his life and upbringing. A person can be forced into doing something that goes against their core temperament and personality due to forces outside of their control, and acknowledging that about Levi and his violence isn't the same as claiming him to be a "perfect hero". He's not perfect, but he is a hero. He's a hero because he's inherently selfless and kind and empathetic toward other people and their suffering, because he's willing to do all he can to help other people, despite an upbringing which forced violence and a familiarity with violence into his life, despite a childhood and young adulthood filled with deprivation and poverty. He wasn't born with a violent temperament, he was raised in an environment that necessitated a reliance on violence in order to survive, and so we see that manifest in Levi as an adult. A reliance on violence to survive. Again, to not acknowledge that and the impact it had on Levi's behavior and actions is unjust and unfair to him as a person. A stupid oversimplification of not just Levi as a character, but of people in general, and of the concept of justifiable violence too. Pacifism is an ideal, but one which doesn't and can't always coexist with reality. To judge someone and condemn then for engaging in violence, no matter the circumstances surrounding that violence, when nature itself is predicated on violence, is absurd.

Context matters. Circumstances matter. Intent matters. Levi's violence was never ideological in its reasoning. He never committed acts of violence in service to some abstract school of thought or philosophy. He never killed anyone because he thought they represented or symbolized some great evil or threat to the world and needed to be eradicated as a result. Levi's acts of violence have always been practical in nature. Defense of himself and others against people directly threatening their well being. And further, Levi has never, not once, tried to impose his way of thinking or doing on a single, other person. He's always, always, allowed everyone to decide for themselves. To come to their own conclusions of what they believe is right and wrong, good or bad. He's always allowed everyone their own agency. He's never manipulated or badgered or bullied anyone into agreeing with him or tried to brainwash anyone into a certain set of ideological beliefs. He's only ever wanted and tried to ensure people the freedom to make those decisions for themselves, and he's only ever tried to protect people, more often than not at great cost to himself.

He's the very definition of a hero, and to accuse people who call him that of exhibiting the kind of ideological thinking that leads to Nazism is not only absurd, but a massive insult, both to Levi's character and to the intelligence of his fans. As if they're incapable of understanding the nature of violence because they differentiate between acts of violence by applying critical thought to outside factors and mitigating circumstances. I guess our justice system is similarly incapable of understanding the nature of violence too, then, because it also dares to weigh outside factors and mitigating circumstances when judging a person's "crimes" or "guilt". It isn't the people who apply nuanced thought and consideration to Levi's actions who are susceptible to fanaticism, it's the people making those sorts of accusations who are, in exposing their total inability to divorce themselves from their black and white view of reality.

[thesilencebeforeastorm]

My brain isnt being cooperative with this fic idea I have so help me out

Top Jean or Top Marco??

@humanitys-hottestsoldier @mysteriousmagicx @angelanimedesaray @huntersbunker

[l3visthighs]

Thank you for the tag Bee! 🫶 not a big fan of the color but this is fine :’)

tagging: @kikarou @jayteacups @ackerbootytobbi @littlerequiem @captainleviswifee @topaz-carbuncle @ohmypawsandwhiskers @angelanimedesaray + anyone else

Tag game!! . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁ ✨

Birthday colour vs favourite character.

Link to birthday colour

Tagging: @white-flower-blooming // @shaxxophone // @queerferalgremlinnooneaskedfor // @31duskballs // @weepingpussywillowtree // @subtlybrilliant // @jadedzer0// @icarus-suraki // @oneiro-nautical // @fismoll7secinv // @princessofxianle // @quilleth //

૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა if you are not tagged but want to join, please feel free to reblog this post with your results and favourite character, I'd love to see it!!

[sixpennydame]

Thanks for the tag @peachdues 😘

This is from the upcoming chapter of dark side of the moon:

His gut told him there was more to you than meets the eye, and he wanted to know what that was.

Tagging @littlerequiem @youre-ackermine @dont-f-with-moogles @this-is-krikkit @wanderlustqueen-writes @angelanimedesaray @humanitys-strongest-bamf @urbandeity @bitchymanlet

Last sentence tag game

RULES: Post the last sentence you wrote (fanfic / original / anything) and tag as many people as there are words in the sentence.

Thanks for tagging me @mothboypoison!♥

“Every night he would do the same despite being tired from work and his own injuries.”

Tagging: @fyodorkitkat @frankenjoly @techni-kolor @anticidic @irritablepoe @pumpkinsinaugust and anyone who wants to♥

[humanitys-strongest-brat]

Thank you for the tag @sixpennydame 💗💗 love this ask

What first drew me to Levi? Honestly it’s hard for me to pinpoint, I admired his character throughout the show my first watch but my second watch was really when the obsession started, I remember feeling very intense empathy for him when he lost his squad s1 and from that point on I just built up a love for him entirely.

My favorite thing about him? Ahhh literally everything ☠️ I love his sarcasm, his dedication, the way he cares for his friends in that subtle way. He is my favorite thing about him 😂

My favorite look? I am a complete sucker for season 4 Levi from start to end.

Trying to tag people that weren’t already tagged: no pressure! @angelanimedesaray @topaz-carbuncle @crescentmoontsuki @the-traveling-poet

Hi my lovely Sailor 🤍 How are you?

To spread some Levi love around, I was wondering: what first drew you to Levi’s character? What is your favorite thing about him to this day? And what’s your favorite look of his? 😏

Hi my beloved Flo. I’m doing better now that you’ve dropped into my asks. 🤍

What first drew me to Levi was his strength, to be honest. He’s just so cool! Someone with that much strength and ability could (and often do) have an enormous ego, but he doesn’t. He cares for his comrades in the Survey Corps. And I love morally grey characters with sad back stories, haha.

My favorite thing about him to this day are his quirks. He could have easily been written as the idyllic, heroic character, but he wasn’t. He’s obsessed with cleaning and holds his tea cup in a strange manner. He has a potty mouth. His ‘imperfections’ make him perfect to me. 😌

My favorite look? Oof, there’s so many….the grey shirt in season 3 is so hot, but I really like him in the formal uniform too.

What about you? I’d love to know!

In fact, let’s make it a tag game! Let’s spread some positivity and Levi love!

Tagging @bitchymanlet @amywritesthings @nube55 @urbandeity @kikarouflames @l3visthighs @youre-ackermine @dont-f-with-moogles @humanitys-strongest-bamf @leviismybby @chaotic-on-main @humanitys-strongest-brat @dreamtuna @romantichomicide95 and anyone else who wants to join in!

[sixpennydame]

Thanks, Grace, for the tag! I haven’t done one of these in a while!

I literally just wrote these lines today for Dark Side of the Moon, inspired by a very hot commissioned art by @lucysarah-c that’ll be showed off soon!

A giant eagle, designed in the classical Japanese style, stretched across the length and width of his back; its wings outstretched and talons out, as if attacking prey. A moon shone from his right shoulder and clouds wrapped around his torso, swirling up his abs and around his pectoral muscles. Over his left pec was the Ackerman clan crest, the Japanese character for strong, 強, inside a circle.

Yakuza!Levi is making my brain short circuit!🥵

Tagging @urbandeity @romantichomicide95 @dont-f-with-moogles @this-is-krikkit @wanderlustqueen-writes @angelanimedesaray and anyone else that wants to join!

last line challenge

show the last line you wrote and tag as many people as there are words (or however many you’d like).

thank you for the tag @femalefemur 🧡

“Can’t be,” Simon repeats, grazing his teeth over his sergeant’s carotid. “That’s right.”  “I want to be.” It’s not a whine; it’s hardly a complaint. It’s a statement of fact delivered with resignation. So do I, he admits privately, before pressing his lips to Soap’s neck in a chaste kiss, then sinking to his knees. But you don’t need to know that.

no pressure tags: @gemmahale @adnauseum11 @stellewriites 😊