The Ereri Project (#2)

Big Brother (Werewolf)

A/N: And thus, as we reach the end of this rotation around the sun, so too do we reach the end of the werewolf universe.

Happy New Years Eve everyone! :)

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Levi wasn't sure what to expect from Mikasa when Eren started planning to have their friends over for New Year's. She seemed okay when Eren was telling her about how many people were coming, even if she's taken to carrying around the red teddy bear Eren gave her much more often since the planning started.

Levi sat with her on the couch while everyone started coming in since Eren was busy cooking. "Happy New Year, everyone!" Hanji shouts as she walks inside.

Mikasa flinches and pulls Levi's short to try hiding behind. He pets between her ears gently. "That's Hanji," he says. "Sorry she's so loud, she's usually very nice."

Hanji grins and kneels in front of Mikasa. "Nice to meet you," she says, holding out her hand.

Mikasa looks up at Levi for guidance. Levi looks at Hanji. "She needs to warm up to you a bit before she'll touch you, four eyes."

Hanji is still smiling as she gets back up, holding up a short bottle. "I brought sparkling cider so she can toast with us later like you asked," she says.

"Thanks Hanji, I think Petra would rather toast with that too since she's been trying to get pregnant."

Hanji smacks her forehead. "I didn't even think about that, nice catch Levi."

"Yeah, yeah," he replies, waving his hand noncommittally. "Go take that bottle to the kitchen before you drop it."

She salutes and takes the bottle to Eren in the kitchen. Levi looks down at Mikasa. "We're gonna play card games later, will you play with us?"

"Go fish?" she asks.

"If you ask nicely we might consider it."

She gives him a small smile. "Please?"

He nods, petting her between the ears. "Just gotta wait for Erwin to get here, okay?"

She moves to she can sit on his lap instead when Petra comes back from taking her phonecall. "Is he still at work?"

She makes a face. "Yeah, they won't let any of them off duty until after midnight."

"Damn," Levi says.

Petra shakes her head, sitting beside Levi. "Such is the life of the wife of a cop, I guess. They do need people out watching for drunks. Better it be Auruo and the guys than the older members or ones who're out with their kids right now."

Erwin comes in then. "Sorry I'm late," he says.

Mikasa hides behind Levi again. "Mikasa, this is Erwin," Levi says.

"Big," she replies.

Levi laughs. "Just say hi," he says.

She shakes her head. Eren walks out from the kitchen. "Erwin's here? C'mon then, let's play some cards."

Isabel, Farlan, and Hanji are already seated at the table, munching on snacks. Petra and Erwin go in as well while Levi gets up. Mikasa grabs his shirt. He looks down at her, then kneels when he sees how nervous she looks. "It's okay," he tells her quietly. "You can sit with me or Eren. If it get overwhelming you can just go sit in your room, okay?"

She nods and picks up her teddy off the couch, holding Levi's hand as they walk to the kitchen. She sits with Eren, of course, her "big brother" spoils her so much Levi's not surprised she prefers him, but when she's starts getting tired it's Levi she gets to help her turn on her TV when she goes to sit in her room for a while.

She gets in her bed while she waits for Balto to start. "Want me to wake you up before midnight?" Levi asks.

She nods silently.

"Okay. Sleep well, kid."

"I love you, Levi," she says quietly, hugging her teddy.

Levi hopes she doesn't mean it the way Eren did way back when, but something in his gut tells him she thinks of him like a big brother the same way she does Eren. "Love you, too," he says and closes her door, going back to the party.