COMMANDER.

"They're dead because of you!" (Thinking about this being long before they become bffs and Erwin's still a squad leader 🥰)

A charged silence descends upon them after the accusation is spat from his lips. Erwin looks down at him, face unreadable. His recent recruit built up his own walls around himself, desiring to be a mystery. Yet-- the young squad leader saw past the facade, saw how he wore his heart on his sleeve. Even if it was not evident to anyone else. Erwin saw. To that end, lying or stretching the truth here would not work with Levi. Erwin knew that in order to gain his trust completely, he needed to be honest with him.

“Yes. That is correct. I made a judgement call. It proved to be the wrong one. I take full responsibility for their deaths. The fault lies with me alone. I won’t disagree with you, Levi. It is an indisputable fact.”

tagged by: no one. i literally stole it from my other blo g tagging: you i guess

APHRODITE:     laughter-loving,     sweet  smiles,     dressed  in  silk  and  satin,    flower  in  their  hair,     sees  the  world  as  a  runway,     unapologetically  sexual,     the  sea  washing  their  ankles,      in  love  with  love,      stirrer  of  passion,      cunning  concealed  by  painted  lips,     secret  daggers,   doves,    revolution  in  their  kiss,     delighting  in  the  waves,   flirtatious  winks,     strolling  along  the  beach,      staring  wistfully  from  a  balcony,     this  is  how  to  be  a  heartbreaker,      wants  to  be  adored,     gets  turned  on  by  danger.

APOLLO:       glitz  and  glamour,     art  galleries,     turning  the  volume  up,     being  made  of  gold,     neatly-organized  music  sheets,      notebooks  filled  with  poetry,    bathing  in  the  sunlight,   the  powerful  urge  to  create,    collecting  vinyl  records,    beautiful  cover  of  Wonderwall,     playing  multiple  instruments,     tasting  like  sunshine,   healing  touch,     speaking  in  prophecies,     smile  mingled  with  wrath,    shunning  lies,     sporting  shades,     hanging  out  at  music  festivals  with  their  friends,     sleeps  naked,     arrow  to  the  heart,     paint  brushes,      probably  has  a  Tinder  account.

ARES:       armed  for  battle,     wants  to  raise  a  dog  with  their  significant  other,      soft  spot  for  children,      gives  piggyback  rides,    scarred  body,      blood  on  their   hands  and  face,     willing  to  fight  the  world  for  the  ones  they  love,      fights  against  injustice,     warm  hugs,      well-worn  combat  boots,     boxing gloves,    bandages  wrapped  around  bruised  knuckles,      fist  raised  in  protest,      ignites  revolutions,     fear  is  a  prison,      more  sensitive  than  what  their  tough  shell   would  have  you  think,     exhausted,      damaged  goods,      force  to  be  reckoned  with,      red  roses,     curses  under  their  breath.

ARTEMIS:     keen  sense  of  a  hunter,       freckles  like  constellations  on  their  skin,      piercing  eyes,      disheveled  braid,      moonlight  peeking  through  the  shadows,       the  calm  of  the  forest  at  night,    lying  on  the  grass  and staring  at  the  stars,      mother  doe  and  her  fawn,     protecting  their  kin,    the  moon  shimmering  on  a  still  lake,      quiver  full  of  arrows  resting  against  the  bark  of  a  tree,     running  with  wolves,      bonding  while  circled  around  a  campfire,     not  being  much  of  a  people  person,      arrow  hitting  a  target,      popping  egos,      patience  on  3%,     touches  heaven  and  returns  howling.

ATHENA:      discerning  gaze,      unreadable  face,      quiet  museums,    owl  perched  on  their  finger,     armor  that  intimidates,     eye  for  architecture,     plays  the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose of  building   houses,     studied  the  blade  while  everyone  else  was  busy  getting  laid,     big  fan  of  logic,     loves  brain  teasers,  ancient  buildings,     sweaters  in  neutrals  and  cool  colors,     hair  done  up,   can  kill  you  with  their  brain,    heads  to  the  library  often  to  research,     sharpened  pencils,     abs  that  can  cut  steel,   stoic  statues,     pottery classes.

DEMETER:      soil-covered  hands,    smile  that  can  bloom  flowers,     skin  loved  by  the  sun,     being  the  mom-friend,    can  lift  you  and  your  friends,   flowers  kept  in  the  pockets  of  overalls,     takes  pride  in their  beautiful  garden,     speaks  to  their  plants,    leaves rustling  in  the  wind,     stalks  of  wheat,   picking  fruit,    greenhouses,    heart  as  strong  as  a  mountain,    values simplicity,     daisies  dotted  across  a  collarbone,     curls crowned  with  flowers,     folded  pile  of  sweaters  in  warm  hues,     pulling  out  fresh-baked  bread  out  of  the  oven  and  the smell  wafting  through  the  air.

DIONYSUS:     drunk  shitposter,     on  their  sixth  glass  of  wine  before  you’ve  even  finished  your  second,     seductive  smirks,     untamed curls,       rich  fabrics  on  dark  skin,      sleek-furred  panthers,     theater  masks,    stage  productions,   receiving  a  standing  ovation,     rose  caught  between  their  teeth,      being  the  baby  of  the bunch,     wild  parties  that  last  from  sundown  to  sunup,     creeping  vines,     inspiring  loyalty,   grand  opera  houses,   masquerade  balls,    rolls  of  film,    shattered  chandeliers  with  broken glass  scattered  across  the  wine-spilled  floor,    pouring  champagne  into  flutes,     lives  for  the   applause.

HEPHAESTUS:     the  calloused  hands  of  someone  who  knows  labor,     sweaty  brow,    flame  burning  in  their  eyes,   inventive  mind,   broad  shoulders,    steampunk  goggles,    nuts  and  bolts stored  away  in  little  boxes,    ashes,    striking  a  match,     blueprints  for  future  projects,     fixing  up  a  busted  up  car and  giving  it  cool  upgrades,     wrestles  with  bitterness,    work  boots  have  seen  better  years,    wrinkled  plaid  shirts,     iron  melted  in  blazing  fire,     huge  jackets,     crafting masterpieces,     greased-stained  overalls,     fascination  with robotics,     pain  is  fuel,    stack  of  weaponry,     even  their  muscles  have  muscles.

HERA:       resting  bitch  face,    dressed  to  the  nines,   cows  grazing  on  a  pasture,     cool  rain,   loving  and  hating  fiercely,    hand  clutching  a  string  of pearls,     large  chandelier  with  glittering  crystals,     plays  the  sims  for  the  sole  purpose  of  killing  off  their  sims,    romance  to  realism,     pictures  of  the  sky  while  flying  on  a  plane,    files  that  under  fuck  it,     downs  glasses  of  wine  as  they  relax  with  a  scented  bubble  bath  and  netflix,   like  their  selfie  or  you’re  grounded,     knows  57  convenient  ways  to  murder  a  man,     dark  eyes  that  penetrate  your  soul,      marble  and  gold.

HERMES:     devil-may-care  smile,  always  up-to-date  on  the  latest  technology,     will  steal your  french  fries,   does  it  for  the vine,     shitposter,     puts  googly  eyes  on  everything,     meme  hoarder,    long  drives on  the  highway,    ma  and  pop  diners,     spontaneous road trips,     folded  maps,    fingers  dancing  across  the keyboard  of  a  laptop,      shooting  hoops  on  the  basketball court,    chatting  up  strangers  as  you  all  journey  to  your  own  destinations,  goes  jogging  in  the  morning,      mixes  redbull  with  coffee,     menace  on  april fool’s,   hoodies  and  sneakers.    

POSEIDON:      storm  with  skin,     colorful  coral  reefs,     waves  crashing  against  the  shore,     stroking  the  soft  fur  of  a  cat,   their  heart  pounding  as  their  horse’s  gentle  trot  speeds  into  a  gallop,   tousled  locks,  clothes  smeared  with  paint,     owns  several  sketchbooks  yet  always  yearns  to  own  more,     leather  jackets,     fondness  for  diy  projects,  handwriting  that  flows  across  the  page,   nimble  fingers  playing  the  strings  of  a  violin,   velvety singing  voice  that  haunts  your  dreams,     mood  as  ever-changing  as  the  sea,     the  roar  of  a  motorcycle,     compass  with  a  spinning arrow.

     Even when he had money to purchase a meal, Levi avoided restaurants. Most denied him service at the sight of his worn, ill-fitting clothing and dark cloak around his shoulders— he lacked the appearance of a wealthy Stohess civilian— and so he was briefly surprised by the warm greeting they received before being seated at a table.       Tired eyes skimmed over the menu held in his hand, then glanced up as he was addressed. What was he thinking ? He stared at the soldier in front of him, observing the neatly combed hair behind his ears, the prim shirt, the way the servers smiled at him as they walked by. I think I should have dug my knife deeper into your leg.      “ How are you healing ? ” he said instead. 

    “ Your leg. For a while there I wondered if I killed you. ” He set the menu down and reached for the basket of bread. However much his stomach begged for an ounce of food, the thief kept his movements composed, breaking apart a roll and spreading a butterball onto it. A voice in his head, slightly drunken and slurred, belonging to the uncle he once knew, echoed, “ never expect to eat tomorrow. Do what has to be done to survive, Levi. ” His mouth sunk into the soft, buttery roll ( the bread almost melting as soon as it came into contact with his tongue ) and the crust sticking sweetly onto his lips before he wiped it away with a napkin. Their order was taken, and the waiter returned with their food, placing a bowl of fish soup in front of Levi which he requested. The steam rose up ( the smell of broth, citrus, and butter with it ) as he took his spoon and split the fillet in two with hardly any pressure. He couldn’t remember the last time he had a meal as good as this.       It seemed he struck a nerve earlier. The unexpected surge of intensity from the squad leader shocked him a little, making Levi question his previous judgements. He was either wrong, or Erwin was a devoted actor to his part. Yet— Levi thought about the way those sharp blues had stared down at him just before they entered the restaurant. Freedom, he had said. How did Erwin believe in it ? The fact was, freedom has always been out of reach, and Erwin was yet another pawn of the military’s— spewing the same propaganda shit from his mouth as any other brainwashed puppet. Even so, Levi still had to play along.     “ All my life I never believed I’d live to see a brighter future for humanity. If you can promise me that’s what the Survey Corps is fighting for, I’ll join. ”

     ❝ im sure you noticed the limp. ❞ erwin reaches for the chilled bottle of wine , pouring them both a glass. he holds one out to levi , raising his own in a silent cheers before bringing it to his lips. the crisp , cool white refreshing on his tongue.

❝ hm. actually -- not bad. you did manage to steal a decent one , after all. ❞

sets his wine glass back down atop the table.

❝ i regret to inform you that i am expected to make a full recovery , in due time. ❞ fingers idly turn the glass by its stem , the liquid swirling. yet his steely , steady gaze remains on levi. 

❝ now , i know this world holds many mysteries & i do not pretend to know any of the answers. however — i do know that , if you had wanted to kill me , id be dead. of that i am certain. you do not strike me as a man who takes half measures. ❞

erwin refills his glass , considering levis words. ❝ it is the survey corps sole duty to to bring about this brighter future you mention. to eradicate the titan incursion that plague our lands. to live life beyond the walls— retake the land that was stolen from us. humanitys continued survival— that is the survey crops main objective. that is what we fight for. ❞

erwin offers him a rare prideful smile as he receipts the corps talking points. while they are true they are also tired & certainly a point of contention for a street thief & a criminal. he thinks me a fool. he does not know just how relentless i can be. very well. i can play along , let levi believe that he has the upper hand. that he is in control. that’s what he needs. control of the situation. so be it. i can be the enemy you need me to be. as long as you are listening. 

❝ -- i can promise you a brighter future , levi. i can show it to you myself. ❞ that wasn’t a lie , of that erwin was certain. ❝ all you have to do is say yes. put your faith in the survey corp , lend us your strength. humanity needs you. surely , there is no greater calling? no nobler cause? its a worthy one to devote your heart to. but i digress , let us enjoy our wine. do you have room for desert? coffee? tea? ❞ erwin refills their wine , raising his own to his lips once more. settling back into his chair, a small smile toying at his features , barely concealed by the mouth of the glass , blue eyes bright.

dinner unfolds with forced civility. the two men from different worlds speaking as two strangers brought together by circumstance. manufactured circumstances by erwin himself , but nonetheless. they stay until closing. afternoon sun turning into the soft red glow of evening & shadow , promses of the encroaching darkness. when erwin is presented with the bill , he retrieves several crisp bills from his leather wallet , hands them over without even so much as a glance at the total.

the streets are less crowded , most everyone at home with their families & friends for their evening meals. the unattached & the hungry young occupying the local taverns. the hunt for flesh & companionship , however fleeting , perhaps one of the most human emotion of them all.

standing under the streetlamp , its gas fed flame does not offer much light. his cloak billows behind him in the soft breeze. encroaching night shrouds his face in darkness , the streetlamp sending flickering shadows dancing across his features.

erwin stares down at the smaller man , eye bright.