Ackerman's Sister || Levi x Sister Reader x Erwin

Chapter 16 || Tensions Among Comrades

If Levi had to pick a favorite season, he'd be tempted to say winter. It's a terribly messy season that leads to slushy snow-mixed-mud being tracked throughout the barracks and the air is always frigid yet the Survey Corps unfortunately suffers a lack of fireplaces on base, only one in the dinning hall and a few in the higher ups' offices. Winter lasts for a miserable few months, but it's Levi's favorite because it's the only time of year expeditions are put on guaranteed pause. No missions means no deaths. No deaths means he doesn't have to worry about his friends or sister; he'll deal with all the slushy mud in the world to have that kind of peace of mind (not that he still won't pout and try to clean it anyways).

The Underground isn't known to get any warmer than 15°C on the best of summer days, so it's safe to say Levi had been accustomed to cold weather for most of his life, but things have changed since coming to the surface. Spending most of his days out on expeditions, cleaning inside by an open window, or sitting outside in the grass with you if the weather's really nice, he's slowly grown to enjoy the sun's warm rays. With that said, he has unfortunately lost some of his tolerance for biting breezes which now leaves his cheeks and nose burning red much to his dismay. It's nothing too serious, although he won't turn down a seat by a crackling fire either which leads to his current predicament.

When you came to his room offering him sanctuary in front of a fireplace, he had been skeptical. The fireplace in the dining hall is flocked to by all soldiers who huddle together within close proximity - not a space Levi wants to be squished in. Even once you specified the location, it led to more hesitation from your brother.

Yes, the blurring snow storm raging outside has left his room feeling particularly cold and he desired some better warmth compared to his thin blankets, but at the cost of being stuck in a room with just Erwin and you where he would suffer as the audience of your maddening forms of flirting? He might like sitting in the ice cellar better...

Thankfully for Levi's mental health, the three of you haven't been alone as he had worried. Mike, Nanaba, Moblit, and Hanji joined as well. It turns out none of you really felt like huddling together in the dining hall, so someone (Levi would guess to be you) convinced Erwin to have a little gathering in his office.

It isn't much, mostly just friendly chatter among close friends as they take refuge from the cold, although Erwin had broken out a bottle of wine to share; nothing fancy or expensive, but good nonetheless. Since then, Levi has sat by himself in front of the fire, nursing his wine glass while keeping an eye on everyone with silent enjoyment he'd never admit aloud.

There aren't many seats in the office, but it doesn't seem to be an issue. Mike is leaning against the wall, nodding along wordlessly to a story Nanaba is telling him. Meanwhile, Moblit and Hanji sit in the wooden chairs placed in front of the desk, Hanji dominating the conversation there while you sit on the desk itself in front of them.

You seem to be enjoying yourself from what Levi can tell. You show no boredom towards whatever Hanji's ranting about and you must be keeping track of the topic since you add in your own replies whenever prompted. Sometimes you laugh and your eyes maintain a nice glitter to them, only leaving your friend's excitement for a second to check on Erwin from where he sits appropriately in his chair behind the desk.

The lingering glances, the softness in your expression, and the slight red to your cheeks when Erwin meets your eyes before you quickly turn back to Hanji...You think you're real smooth, don't you? You've said nothing to your brother about the matter of course, not that he's bothered asking, but it's not like he needs to; he already knows the answer.

You've always behaved bashfully around Erwin, yet you changed suddenly. Nothing too crazy, however Levi's noticed that you don't blush quite as often nor do you seem as terribly flustered as before. If anything, he would dare say you seem more confident around Erwin, in fact just last week he caught the two of you walking down the hall with your pinkie fingers twisted together - like any pair of 'friends' would.