EruRi Short Stories

Happy Birthday.

The evening was filled with laughter and joy in the corps. It was not very often they celebrated things but when they did it was marvelous, almost to marvelous.

December 25th, the day of Captain Levi's birthday. Everyone was happy, awaiting the time to give their gifts to the captain for a possibility to have him go easier on them in training, of course their gifts weren't just for that reason, everyone did truly care for the captain. He had become almost a father to the young cadets.

Everyone was trying to figure out where to put the gifts. They frantically pushed other gifts out of the way to make a spot for their own, where Levi would see it perfectly.

In the frantic movements of everyone, no one realized the captain didn't look that pleased with the presents, or the occasion at all. In fact, he had looked rather gloomy the entire day.

Of course no one noticed, although at the same time everyone attempted to make him their main focus. Helping him all day, volunteering to clean, doing extra hard in training, everything. Yet no one noticed the drooping look on his face the whole time.

"Captain! Is this a good place for the present!!" Eren yelled to Levi, standing in a corner.

Mikasa responded in the captains place with "It's next to a candle, Eren, it will burn in that spot."

Erens faced turned from realization, to a sad face that looked like it belonged on a young child's who just got told no.

Sasha took a swipe at the cake places neatly in the middle, before Jean swiftly swatted her hand away. Just then Connie snuck a part of the frosting while Jean yelled at Sasha, her teary eyes primarily due to the missed opportunity to taste the cake.

Commander Erwin walked in, he scanned the room until he found Levi in his corner. His present was already placed neatly on the table, it was the first one there. It was wrapped neatly in grey, and tied with an elegant black ribbon. Compared to the others it was quite nice, speaking as most of the presents had been wrapped quite quickly in not-so-fancy paper, as most everyone had spent most of their time trying to choose an original gift for the captain that he would actually enjoy.

Erwin walked to Levi, standing next to him. He noticed the gloomy look plastered on Levi's face as he stared blankly at the gifts and the cake, looking down from time to time.

Erwin put a hand on Levi's shoulder, causing him to look up so he could meet his eyes. Erwin smiled "Happy birthday, Captain."

Levi looked down, mumbling a "thanks" under his breath, just barely audible among the commotion.

Erwin frowned a slight bit, and shifted his sight to everyone else.

Erwin knew Levi's couldn't quite deal with his birthday. In all honesty Levi didn't even know his birthday. It was a day made up for him, primarily by Hange, possibly to have an excuse to buy more stuff.

So Levi dealt with knowing he had no true birthday. He would never know it. He was never told it, not even the man who raised him would know. He doubted there was a calendar where he used to live, there was no need for one, everyone there knew their days were numbered, and didn't want a countdown. That same fate was no different now that he was in the corps.

That's what birthdays were to Levi, a countdown. A countdown that you got older, a reminder another day passed by that you are inching your way towards the embrace of death.

Erwin nodded to himself, then he tapped Levi's shoulder, then signaled to his office door.

Levi nodded back in agreement and walked towards the door. Just then, Hange turned around.

"Levi! Where are you going! You need to open your presents! Speaking of presents, can I pretty please put my present on top of yours, Erwin!"

Erwin looked back at Hange and said "Just put yours on the floor, Hange." Before closing the door.

Levi slumped to the floor, sitting with his legs curled to his chest as he rested his hands on his knees, letting out a sigh.

Erwin followed Levi's movements, but instead he stared over at the other man sadly. He picked up his arm and rubbed Levi's shoulder soothingly. Levi didn't look back, he just stared at his feet.

Erwin brushed Levi's hair out of his face, glancing at Levi's eyes which were instead of glossy with tears, seemed dim. It's like he was drained from this repetition every year, he had gotten used to it.

Erwin scooted closer to Levi, closing the gap between them until he could feel the cloth of his jacket against him.

They sat there like that for a minute until Erwin spoke up.

"I'm really sorry, about this."

"Don't be."

"..."

"I know you guys worked hard trying to make me happy today, it isn't your fault, I'm glad you are all happy."

"But.."

"But what?"

"But you're not happy, Levi."

They paused for a second before continuing.

"It's like that sometimes, they wouldn't know what I had gone through and they wouldn't know it would do this. It isn't my fault for what I feel, and it isn't theirs either, it's just how things are, you should know this better than anyone."

"I know, but it doesn't stop me from worrying about you."

Levi sighed a bit before he put his hand on Erwin's wrist and inspected it gently, slowly moving his eyes to Erwin's hand where a scar lay across it.

"You still have that scar."

Erwin chuckled, "Well, it was either get a scar or get sliced in half by you."

Levi softly smiled, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Levi stared at Erwin's hand for a bit longer until taking it into his own, Erwin becoming a bit flustered at the touch.

Levi shifted his positions so he could be in front of Erwin. He got into a kneeled position while holding Erwin's hand, and kissed it.

Erwin's eyes gleamed a bit with surprise, confusion, and a tad bit of happiness with the action. He smiled.

"Why Levi, I didn't know you were such a charmer."

Levi smiled up at him. "It's the least I can do for giving you such a mark, Commander."

Erwin shook his head, "It isn't your fault for how you felt, and it might not be mine either, it's just how things were."

Levi smirked "Using my words against me, huh, Commander?"

"Stop with that formal use of words." Erwin laughed.

Seeing Erwin's face light up with laughter made him laugh too, to the point in which both men were holding each other and laughing as they held onto one another.

Soon the laughing died down and they looked at each other with teary eyes after laughing so much.

Erwin stood up first, "Well, captain, how about we go celebrate your birthday, huh?" He reached out a hand to the other man.

Levi smiled, he took Erwin's hand in his own, "I would love to, Erwin."