Family Ties(Erwin x Levi)

Words and Steps

"Come on. Dad-da. Say Dad-da."

Erwin's head leaned against the back of the couch. His large, careful hands were underneath Mikasa's arms and he was lifting her slightly into the air, though the brunt of her body was leaning against Erwin's bended knees. Her beautiful brown eyes were gazing at him with more focus. Some hair dared to obstruct them but it wasn't quite long enough to do that, yet. Erwin had always marveled at how much hair the ten-month old had. From his own baby pictures, he'd had very fair blonde hair but it was hard to tell if it was even there. Levi had very few baby pictures to reference but he supposed it didn't matter. Mikasa wasn't theirs by blood, unless one was to count the distant blood relation between Levi and Mikasa. Erwin could see the resemblance the more the baby girl grew. While Mikasa was a happy baby, her neutral face held the same stoicism as Levi's did. Many of their features, in fact, were the same. It garnered Levi many compliments when they were out in public; compliments which Levi never knew how to take. Nevertheless, it was nice to have their status as a family reaffirmed.

Mikasa's back was supported by Erwin's knees and thighs. Her head was inclined forward toward Erwin, utterly engaged in her father's words and his kind tone. She was smiling and trying to mimic the movements of his mouth. She'd always babbled but was now starting to mimic word sounds. It had been about a month since she'd started making little noises to echo the speech patterns and words of the adults around her. It utterly delighted their friends. Hanji had spent hours the other weekend holding Mikasa and talking to her about everything and anything, beaming and thrilled when Mikasa would crack a smile and say something completely unintelligible. Levi had made an off-handed joke that at least someone would listen to Hanji's scientific ramblings now.

Now that Mikasa was starting to get better at mimicking sounds, Erwin was determined to have her get as close as possible to her first words. He knew she could do it. According to the pediatrician, Mikasa's growth was in the top percentiles and she was even advancing through her milestones. Just as she was getting comfortable with mimicking words, she was starting to consider walking as well. She was doing exceptionally at crawling and even was getting brave at climbing up the first sets of stairs in the house. The pediatrician said he wouldn't be surprised if she was walking before her first birthday.

"Dad-da," Erwin repeated, smiling when Mikasa waved her hands. He leaned in and kissed her cheek, blowing a raspberry on her skin. He felt her turn her head toward his and giggle that rare, blissful giggle. "Come on, sweetheart. Dad-da."

"Ah!" Mikasa replied, her voice hitching into almost a chirp. Her little hands swatted her father's face. "Ah, ah, ah!"

"Wrong vowel, but close." Erwin tickled her chin, bringing forth more giggles. "Dad-da."

Mikasa's head shook in a wild "no", surprising Erwin. "Hey," he scolded playfully. He watched as Mikasa's smile lit up her whole face and she leaned against him, turning her head to the side. Her little body shook with another giggle. Erwin rubbed her back. "You absolutely know what you're doing, don't you?"

The front door opened and shut, drawing Erwin's attention. Mikasa still laid against his chest though her eyes widened at the sound of someone new coming in. Levi soon appeared in the living room, throwing his keys on the coffee table. His face was reddened and damp with sweat. He exhaled and braced his hands on his lower back, opening his lungs. He lifted his chin and momentarily frowned. "Thought you were grading papers."

"I decided to take a break." Erwin had been going at grading midterm papers all morning. He'd made a place in his office for Mikasa to play so he could keep an eye on her while Levi was at the gym. He rubbed his daughter's back and said, "Say hi to Dad."

"Have we decided what she's going to call us? Because if she calls both of us Dad, it'll be confusing. Won't know who the hell she's talking to." Levi stretched his arms above his head. His fingers waggled when Mikasa looked at him. "Comfy there, kid?"