[ he leans into Levi when he sits, just sort of basking in being able to do this still. it's never going to feel real, but it's not going to waste whatever time they get here together. it's a little more odd now that they know they've been elsewhere before, though. levi will probably notice those kinds of thoughts percolating in erwin's head, but he doesn't seem too worried about it at this particular moment.
no, instead there's a surge of affection when levi snorts. ]
Remember that, that you're not worried. [ smaller, quieter, with a short-lived anxious jiggle of his knee: ] You might make me see how you think about me yet.
[ he's just going to shake his head at the mere mention of Erwin's hypothetical ego. ridiculous. he won't keep scolding him about it, though; it won't work, for one thing, and it's also probably a little bit hypocritical. he doesn't have the best opinion of himself, either.
not like this, though. he's never known anyone so inwardly brutal. he hates it.
but it does give him an idea. he tucks his head in against Erwin's shoulder—he just fits there perfectly somehow. it's very convenient. ]
Maybe I can give you an ego that way. I'll just start thinking the way I want you to think about yourself. Constantly. How's that?
[ he already does this, actually. it's a flawed plan. this is why he doesn't make the plans. ]
[ it could be there. someday. but yeah, scolding never really does it for him in the convincing him department. it's funny: he believes levi immediately on everything he says except for when he says erwin is worthwhile.
those thoughts don't linger.
what does linger is erwin's arm wrapping around levi tighter than before and holding him close and the way his head dips against levi's like they're the only things supporting each other. maybe that really is how it works, though. ]
You act like you're joking, but it's already been working some.
[ he DOES seem to have fewer spirals into self-loathing despair lately, which is probably great. but it's definitely better to know it's not because of some other thing, it's because, you know, some of that fog is clearing. ]
Oh, you think I'm joking? I can assure you I'm not joking.
[ well. his tone is light, so it's hard to say. but when it comes down to it, if it's a question of whether or not he'll think about how much he loves Erwin all day, it's pretty obvious what his intentions are.
the second part of what Erwin says catches him a little off-guard, though. for a moment he has to sit back up straight so he can look him in the eyes. ]
he blinks a couple times when levi sits up so abruptly, but the question makes him smile slightly, tilting his head the tiniest bit as he gazes back. ]
Have I ever lied to you about something like this?
[ owing to their early interactions, he can't claim he's never lied to him at all. or lied in his direction. either or. whatever. what matters is he's telling the truth. ]
[ of course he doesn't suspect Erwin is lying, ever, but the thought of him having literally any positive emotions about himself has always seemed so out of reach that it's hard to believe it may have finally happened.
You've certainly been working on it long enough. I've always trusted your judgment in everything else, can I really say that's valid if I don't trust you on this too?
[ gotten by his own logic. he kisses levi's smile and touches his side. ]
[ okay, that? that is the thing he's been wanting to hear forever. it's another thing he failed to accomplish before Erwin died: making Erwin see himself the way he sees him. even just a glimpse would have been so much more than Erwin ever saw in himself.
the fact that he got another chance is incredible enough. but to finally succeed? there's not much that makes him feel happier than this. Erwin will sense that easily.
he reaches up to hold Erwin's face where it is and look him in the eyes. he's still smiling. ]
That's what I've been trying to tell you all this time.
[ he does sense that happiness, how levi lights up emotionally just from a tiny admission like this from erwin. it makes him want to chase that joy even more, to dip into it more and more and make sure levi never stops smiling again.
he breathes out smoothly, looking right into levi's eyes as his face is cradled. ]
Even if not for the rest of it, I know you'd never give up and what you dedicate yourself to means so much to me.
[ another admission, since what levi dedicates himself to is erwin. ]
[ it's not until right then that he realizes Erwin seems to be breathing slow and steadily like this on purpose, like he's trying to calm himself down. why, though? did something happen?
he frowns at the thought, opening his eyes again. ]
[ wasted time... if anyone wasted time, it was him. he keeps that thought in his head though, not eager to revisit the end of Erwin's life for the thousandth time. he doesn't have to do that anymore.
[ listen, it's not really that he's stupid, it's just...
well. he's a little bit stupid.
but mostly it's just a thing that is not and has never been on his radar. it doesn't even occur to him what Erwin is suggesting, not really because he's dense but because marriage is a thing for other people. he's so happy to have Erwin in the first place that the notion of marrying him simply does not cross his mind at all.
it's quite literally beyond his wildest dreams. ]
Huh?
[ peak romance. he does squeeze Erwin's hand though, because he doesn't know what's happening. at this point, it's practically automatic. ]
[ to be fair to levi, even erwin didn't think of it until they were ...well, here, together, and knew they'd already done several blood bonds. marriage always has been a thing for other people for a multitude of reasons, but now...
well, they've been given the chance.
erwin takes a deep breath and, ever for the dramatics, slides down until he's resting on one knee, holding onto Levi's hands and grinning sheepishly up at him.
did he have to do the full kneel? no. was he always going to? absolutely. ]
Levi, will you marry me?
[ logically he knows the answer is yes, but he can still hear his pulse pounding in his ears. ]
[ Levi's quick reaction time has contributed to his lofty title and also saved quite a few lives, including his own on many occasions. frankly, it's almost inhuman.
that shit is nowhere to be found right now.
several seconds go by before he appears to even comprehend what's happening. why is Erwin on the floor? why is he smiling at him like that? why is he acting like he's proposing or something?
hmm.
he breathes out suddenly once he finally realizes that's what's happening. his eyes sting and he hates it but there's nothing he can do about it. he's always prided himself on being prepared for anything, but he wasn't prepared for this in the slightest. how could he have been?
the thought of being able to call Erwin his husband alone knocks the wind out of him.
but as blindsided as he was by all this, he's always thinking of Erwin first. he seemed nervous just before this, so he's probably still feeling that way now. with that in mind, he shoves his own heavy emotional bullshit aside. the last thing he wants to come off as right now is hesitant.
there's no question, after all.
he doesn't say anything at first. instead, he slides down onto the floor, too. once they're back on the same level, he uses Erwin's grip on his hands to pull him into an embrace.
he holds onto him as tight as he can without hurting him, burying his face in Erwin's shoulder. ]
Of course I will.
[ he sounds like he might cry. he totally won't, though. nope. no way. ]
[ he's actually not entirely sure what to expect. or, well, he figured levi will say yes. that's pretty well grounded in reality. despite his nervousness, he doesn't think levi will say no.
it's just still a big step despite everything, and he just... wants to do everything right.
he always wants to do everything right.
so now levi's on the floor with him, which technically isn't how this is supposed to go, but the embrace certainly is, as is levi's answer.
erwin breathes out slow, almost shaking, and turns his head to press a kiss to levi's temple even as he draws him in a little closer as though that's even possible. ]
[ he doesn't think it's a stupid thing to say, so it's fine.
his hands clutch at the back of Erwin's shirt and he sniffs a little suspiciously. it's true that there was never a chance he'd say no; the weight of such a decision has nothing to do with how overwhelmed he feels.
it's just not something he ever would have imagined for himself. Erwin, maybe—if they managed to live through everything somehow—but him? he wouldn't have been interested. he only ever had eyes for one person, and that obviously wasn't gonna happen. right?
he sniffs again. ]
I never—
[ fuck. he doesn't even know what to do with himself. ]
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good one. ]
Oh, right. Your ego.
[ he moves to sit next to Erwin rather than stand there, even if it is nice to have the high ground for a moment every once in awhile. ]
I can't say I'm worried about you having too many positive thoughts about yourself.
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[ he leans into Levi when he sits, just sort of basking in being able to do this still. it's never going to feel real, but it's not going to waste whatever time they get here together. it's a little more odd now that they know they've been elsewhere before, though. levi will probably notice those kinds of thoughts percolating in erwin's head, but he doesn't seem too worried about it at this particular moment.
no, instead there's a surge of affection when levi snorts. ]
Remember that, that you're not worried. [ smaller, quieter, with a short-lived anxious jiggle of his knee: ] You might make me see how you think about me yet.
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not like this, though. he's never known anyone so inwardly brutal. he hates it.
but it does give him an idea. he tucks his head in against Erwin's shoulder—he just fits there perfectly somehow. it's very convenient. ]
Maybe I can give you an ego that way. I'll just start thinking the way I want you to think about yourself. Constantly. How's that?
[ he already does this, actually. it's a flawed plan. this is why he doesn't make the plans. ]
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those thoughts don't linger.
what does linger is erwin's arm wrapping around levi tighter than before and holding him close and the way his head dips against levi's like they're the only things supporting each other. maybe that really is how it works, though. ]
You act like you're joking, but it's already been working some.
[ he DOES seem to have fewer spirals into self-loathing despair lately, which is probably great. but it's definitely better to know it's not because of some other thing, it's because, you know, some of that fog is clearing. ]
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[ well. his tone is light, so it's hard to say. but when it comes down to it, if it's a question of whether or not he'll think about how much he loves Erwin all day, it's pretty obvious what his intentions are.
the second part of what Erwin says catches him a little off-guard, though. for a moment he has to sit back up straight so he can look him in the eyes. ]
Wait, really?
[ success?!? ]
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[ the erwin growing an ego bit.
he blinks a couple times when levi sits up so abruptly, but the question makes him smile slightly, tilting his head the tiniest bit as he gazes back. ]
Have I ever lied to you about something like this?
[ owing to their early interactions, he can't claim he's never lied to him at all. or lied in his direction. either or. whatever. what matters is he's telling the truth. ]
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holy shit.
he smiles back at him. ]
Well. It's about time.
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[ gotten by his own logic. he kisses levi's smile and touches his side. ]
If you believe it, it's true.
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the fact that he got another chance is incredible enough. but to finally succeed? there's not much that makes him feel happier than this. Erwin will sense that easily.
he reaches up to hold Erwin's face where it is and look him in the eyes. he's still smiling. ]
That's what I've been trying to tell you all this time.
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he breathes out smoothly, looking right into levi's eyes as his face is cradled. ]
Even if not for the rest of it, I know you'd never give up and what you dedicate yourself to means so much to me.
[ another admission, since what levi dedicates himself to is erwin. ]
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good thing doesn't care. Erwin would know the truth, and that's really all he cares about. ]
Well, good. Because that's been you for a long time.
[ even after Erwin was gone.
he's well aware he doesn't need to tell him this, but he's going to do it anyway. ]
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I know. I knew all along, but somehow it didn't translate into actually thinking I was worth that devotion.
[ he considers. he doesn't need to say this out loud either, but he will anyway. ]
Even before... this, for lack of a better way to put it, I could never understand how I deserved it, but I'll try.
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[ he slides his hand back to tip Erwin's head forward and leans in to rest his own forehead against Erwin's. after a moment, he closes his eyes. ]
You know how I feel. I want you to know why.
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[ his eyes are also closed; he's breathing in and out slowly, evenly. ]
You make me see a lot of things differently, Levi.
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he frowns at the thought, opening his eyes again. ]
Hey, are you all right?
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I'm fine. I'm just keeping your opinion of me in mind when it comes to realizing I've been so slow to pick up on something so important to you.
[ a beat. ]
So, the usual.
[ wry. ]
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wait, what? ]
I dunno if I'd call it "the usual." I think you know me better than I do.
[ it just... took Erwin dying and resurrecting in another universe before he finally realized Levi was in love with him. it's fine.
he tucks himself back in against Erwin's chest. ]
Just accept that you're amazing and brilliant and beautiful already.
[ it's kind of a joke because he knows it's not that easy, but it's also a true statement. ]
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Mm. I just feel like I wasted time.
[ so they're on the same page about that part. he holds levi closer though, closing his eyes and pressing a kiss into his hair. ]
Too late for that now, best to focus on the present and future, right?
[ right. that's accepting his worth, right? ]
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plus, that's what nightmares are for.
he holds Erwin a little tighter, too. ]
Yeah. Let's just not look back.
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About looking forward.
[ he's leaning into him a little, gripping one of levi's hands. ]
We've already agreed it's forever, that much is a given. We've already made it official in many ways.
[ his fingertips brush along the base of levi's ring finger, just barely there. ]
What do you think about making it official in another way?
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well. he's a little bit stupid.
but mostly it's just a thing that is not and has never been on his radar. it doesn't even occur to him what Erwin is suggesting, not really because he's dense but because marriage is a thing for other people. he's so happy to have Erwin in the first place that the notion of marrying him simply does not cross his mind at all.
it's quite literally beyond his wildest dreams. ]
Huh?
[ peak romance. he does squeeze Erwin's hand though, because he doesn't know what's happening. at this point, it's practically automatic. ]
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well, they've been given the chance.
erwin takes a deep breath and, ever for the dramatics, slides down until he's resting on one knee, holding onto Levi's hands and grinning sheepishly up at him.
did he have to do the full kneel? no. was he always going to? absolutely. ]
Levi, will you marry me?
[ logically he knows the answer is yes, but he can still hear his pulse pounding in his ears. ]
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that shit is nowhere to be found right now.
several seconds go by before he appears to even comprehend what's happening. why is Erwin on the floor? why is he smiling at him like that? why is he acting like he's proposing or something?
hmm.
he breathes out suddenly once he finally realizes that's what's happening. his eyes sting and he hates it but there's nothing he can do about it. he's always prided himself on being prepared for anything, but he wasn't prepared for this in the slightest. how could he have been?
the thought of being able to call Erwin his husband alone knocks the wind out of him.
but as blindsided as he was by all this, he's always thinking of Erwin first. he seemed nervous just before this, so he's probably still feeling that way now. with that in mind, he shoves his own heavy emotional bullshit aside. the last thing he wants to come off as right now is hesitant.
there's no question, after all.
he doesn't say anything at first. instead, he slides down onto the floor, too. once they're back on the same level, he uses Erwin's grip on his hands to pull him into an embrace.
he holds onto him as tight as he can without hurting him, burying his face in Erwin's shoulder. ]
Of course I will.
[ he sounds like he might cry. he totally won't, though. nope. no way. ]
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it's just still a big step despite everything, and he just... wants to do everything right.
he always wants to do everything right.
so now levi's on the floor with him, which technically isn't how this is supposed to go, but the embrace certainly is, as is levi's answer.
erwin breathes out slow, almost shaking, and turns his head to press a kiss to levi's temple even as he draws him in a little closer as though that's even possible. ]
I'm so glad.
[ what a stupid thing to say. but he is. ]
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his hands clutch at the back of Erwin's shirt and he sniffs a little suspiciously. it's true that there was never a chance he'd say no; the weight of such a decision has nothing to do with how overwhelmed he feels.
it's just not something he ever would have imagined for himself. Erwin, maybe—if they managed to live through everything somehow—but him? he wouldn't have been interested. he only ever had eyes for one person, and that obviously wasn't gonna happen. right?
he sniffs again. ]
I never—
[ fuck. he doesn't even know what to do with himself. ]
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