♡︎𝑨𝑶𝑻 𝑺𝑯𝑰𝑷 𝑶𝑵𝑬-𝑺𝑯𝑶𝑻𝑺♡︎

Erwin x Levi: Goodnight

Levi sits at the front of his bed under the covers, sitting up, directly up, as he is known to do when he can't seem to sleep. The room is black and dark until it begins to flood with light, the door of the room opening so slowly, like a crack every second. Erwin moves his head through the light breach at the front, his eyes catching Levi immediately.

"What is it?" asks Levi, his eyes narrowing.

"Get to sleep," Erwin tells him firmly.

"Can't sleep."

"Is that so? Have you tried?"

"Of course I've tried - I'm not a blathering infant. For someone who acts so smart, you can be pretty devoid of logic."

Erwin seems completely unbothered by the insult, stern expression never faltering for a second. He speaks as he walks through the room, "well, I can tell you're wide awake."

He sits at the side of the bed, turning so he's eye-to-eye with Levi. The latter's face is clearly annoyed. Erwin studies him for a few seconds, smiling to Levi genuinely as he looks over his many features. His sharp nose. His jawline. His dark eyes that seem devoid of any charisma. He's the type of man you'd use as a reference to paint, someone or something so perfect is unnatural.

"Come on, Levi-" Erwin begins. He takes his hand, nearing the brunette's face with it to brush hair from his eyes... when Levi grabs his hand mid-movement.

"Erwin..."

"They're clean."

His brows manage to lower even further. "Don't do anything you might regret."

"I won't hurt you. You know that."

Levi's brash expression weakens, showing seconds of genuine, human trust. His grip turns weak before moving his hand away. "Of course," he mumbles.

Erwin continues his movements, brushing a few imperfect locks from Levi's eyes before, just as gently, cupping his face with both hands. The dark rings around his eyes are noticeable immediately -clear signs of exhaustion.

"Eyebags," Erwin says, issuing an eyeroll from Levi. "So, what'll help you drift off to sleep?"

"Peace and quiet."

"That wasn't working before I came in," when Levi responds with nothing, Erwin continues, his voice more assertive now. "Listen Levi, your sleep matters more than you may think."

"Here goes..."

"We need you high and alert for tomorrow's recon mission. Know you are important on the battlefield whether you like it or not. A drowsy soldier is a burden out there, physically and mentally. Do you understand that?"

"Yes, sir," Levi notes sarcastically.

His eyes strangely start to dart away, which is noticeable with Erwin cupping his face - there's almost nowhere else to look. When he glances back at Erwin, he takes his hands and pulls them off of him. Levi shuffles to the side of the bed, puts his hand on the covers and moves his blanket over, gesturing Erwin to be beside him.

"Just... give me some company," he says, speaking gently. "Silent company. Don't make this embarrassing as you always do. Then, I'll do as you please."

Erwin manages to hide his smile, masking it with a straight expression and an approving head nod. There's nothing quite like having Levi ask for a cuddle in his most awkward of ways. He pushes over the blanket to give himself room and lays down beside Levi, pulling the rug on top of them both when settled.

Levi's got his back to Erwin as he lays on his side, hands clutching the blanket he's pulled on top of him. Unexpectedly, he feels the man's warmth against him, Erwin wrapping his arms around his waist to pull Levi in for a warm, settled hug.

"Promise me you'll be well rested tomorrow," says Erwin, his voice soft and calm.

"Why? Don't want me to die on you?"

Erwin chuckles in his ear. "Obviously not, Levi." He pauses. "I can't have humanity's strongest taking any hits."

"Good."

As if to reassure him, he adds to his statement after several seconds of silence. "And I would miss you."

Levi's cheeks redden from the affectionate sentiment. "Yeah. I know."