#akarimarco

MERRY CHRISTMAS @akarimarco!!!! I was your secret santa! I hope you like this! It’s kinda fluffy and I tried to keep Levi and Hanji close to character too!!

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Levi wasn’t much of a religious person. He did not believe that the walls were sacred, nor was he able to understand how praying to a damn piece of rock was going to make his life better. He vaguely remembered his mother praying to a little drawing of a human like figure with wings. 

“Angels, Levi, angels protect us from all things harmful.” Levi rubbed his face, “They didn’t protect you, Mother.”

From his room, Levi could hear the plates clatter, doors being opned and closed, the soft drone of voices. It was the Day of the First Stone, the day some hundred of years ago, some idiot decided to build the three walls. For civilians everywhere it was a joyous day meant to be celebrated with family and friends. For the military it meant a day of rest and being grateful for another day of life.

A knock on his door signified it was time he got up. Levi groaned. He was a commanding officer. Not a cadet. He could wake up today whenever he wanted,  especially since today was his damn birthday.

With a heavy sigh, Levi swung his blanket off and got out of his bed.

– Once Hanji heard Levi get out of his bed and made a dash for the mess hall. She needed everything to be perfect. Levi was going to get the surprise of his life. –

Around the winter season, Hanji noticed Levi went from his serious self to a more stoic version. He put up with less things and always seemed to be dazed. Hanji had learned bits and pieces of his past through late night conversations with him. Or when he got drunk. Which wasn’t that often, but on those rare occasions, Hanji listened to him with the utmost attention, hanging on his every word, storing every detail in her mind. For example, one time after a grueling but successful mission, Erwin let them all celebrate their victory and brought out a bit of liquor. One too many cups led Levi into a tipsy rambling conversation and let his birth date slip out. This was very valuable information, but Hanji didn’t understand the connection of his birthday with his flippant behavior.

She deduced that perhaps as he was growing up his birthday was overlooked due to the celebration of the Day of the First Stone. Hanji wanted to make it up to him, even if he didn’t care much about his birthday, he still deserved a great day.

“Oops, I should’ve let him sleep in then. Most people are sleeping in today since we aren’t doing anything. Oh well!”

–

“I’m sorry Squad Leader, but we’ve ran out of black tea leaves!”

“What? But I specifically remember buying some last month!”

“There was a rat infestation last week and we had to clean out the small pantry. All the food and crates stocked there were thrown out.”

Hanji placed her hands on the young soldier’s shoulders, “Then what am I supposed to do now!”

The young soldier gulped as he began to  feel small under the towering height of his commanding officer.

“What do you mean?”

“Moblit, how come you never told me about the rat infestation!”

“You…I…I was just told about this today!”

“But a rat infestation is a big deal!”

“Rats? Hanji please, you’ve got at least ten of them in your hair.”

“Levi!”

Moblit cringed as Hanji cried out loudly. He never understood why she would act so jumpy around him.

“Moblit,” Levi addressed the young man with a curt nod.

“Good morning, sir. Happy Day of the-”

Levi held up his right hand and Moblit stopped talking.

“Please, cut the crap, no one here believes in that shit.”

“Right. Sorry sir.”

Moblit asked to be excused and both Hanji and Levi nodded.

Hanji bit her bottom lip, “So Levi, do want something to eat?”

“Sure.”

Hanji looked over to Levi, “You never like people talking about today’s holiday.”

Levi glanced back at Hanji, “No because it’s stupid.”

Hanji smiled, “I like it.”

“Then you’re an idiot.”

Hanji grabbed a bowl of hot oatmeal and a cup of coffee. Levi did the same and grabbed a pair of utensils for them both.

“After breakfast, do you want to go out?”

“I have to things to do.”

“Oh.”

“But…”

“It’s fine, four-eyes. I also have things to do.”

And with that, Levi left Hanji to eat her breakfast alone. She shook her head as she realized this was going to be a long day.

–

Hanji spent the morning locked up in her room trying to what to wear for the party later in the evening. A simple dress she figured would be alright. She wasn’t one for dressing up. With one problem out of the way, she could now fully focus on a more pressing issue: Levi’s gift.

A box of that damn tea he likes would be pretty neat, but pretty damn expensive. Plus she had already bought him a crate only to be thrown out. Hanji ran her hands through her hair.

“Hmm, what about a new cravat? Yes! That’s seems like a good idea!”

Beaming, Hanji quickly changed into a clean set of clothes, a blue shirt and tan pants, grabbed her satchel and raced out of her room.

“Oh this will be good! He’ll never guess!”

“Uff!”

Hanji hit something hard. Papers went flying everywhere.

“What the hell?! Hanji?!”

Hanji had ran into Levi and toppled over him, pinning him down with her weight.

“I’m sorry!”

“Shitty glasses, that’s what you have, and one pathetic excuse for eyesight!”

“I said I was sorry! Damn it Levi, give me a break!”

Hanji got up and helped Levi get back on his feet. She noticed a big, black stain on his white shirt.

“Um, Levi I’ve got to go.”

Levi noticed Hanji was staring at his chest and looked down at his shirt.

“Hanji, I’m going to…”

“Happy Day of the First Stone, Clean-freak!”

–

The town market was busier than ever, people haggling over prices and goods. Hanji maneuvered her way through the crowds until she found the shop she was looking for. To her dismay, the store had just run out of handkerchiefs and other accessories. She tried looking for black tea leaves, but the tea shop had none. Hanji found herself inside a strange little shop. It reminded her of her room, cluttered and damp. But there was nothing she could give Levi.

As Hanji turned to leave, a small framed drawing caught her eyes.

“How much for the frame?!”

–

Levi helped his squad decorate the mess hall. They didn’t have much, but at least the place looked nice.

“Oi, brats, don’t forget to wash up before the dinner. I don’t want any of your grubby hands ruining this evening.”

“Squad leader, will you be joining us tonight?”

“If you promise to leave me some food, I’ll come down, Braus.”

“I can’t promise you that,” Sasha muttered under her breath.

Levi faintly smiled, “Fine. I’ll come down and join you bastards.”

The group excused themselves and went upstairs to get ready.

“I want you all to shower! Especially you Yeager!” Levi shouted as his squad climbed up the stairs.

Levi caught sight of Moblit and walked over to him, “You’ve seen Shitty-glasses?”

“Squad leader Hanji?”

Levi only stared at him.

“She’s in her room, sir.”

“Thanks.”

Levi made his way to Hanji’s room. Her door was closed so he knocked twice. “Four-eyes?” Silence. 

“Look of you’re still pissed off about earlier, then I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped.”

Levi sighed, “December is always a hard month for me and no I won’t tell you why.”

“Hanji?”

Still silence. 

“Look if you’re angry at least tell me!”

Still silence.

“Fine be that way. I don’t know why I even try.”

Levi kicked her door, “Why are you so stubborn? Why do make me feel like an idiot? Why do make me feel like I can’t breath?”

“Umm…Levi?” Hanji spoke softly, “Can I help you with something?”

Levi turned and felt his stomach drop, “Hanji? I umm…Dinner starts in 30 minutes.”

Hanji nodded and made her way to her door, “Okay. I’ll see you downstairs then.”

She walked by him and opened her door, quickly slipping inside.

“Idiot, idiot!” Levi cursed at himself. He balled his hands into fists, “Moblit!”

–

Hanji spun around in her room, watching her dress twirl around her feet.

“I look very good.”

Her dress was a very simple blue dress with a flower print sewn at the hem. She tugged her sleeves recalling the words Levi had said. Did he really mean all of that? Did she mean so much to him?

“No, that can’t be right. Maybe he was just pissed off.”

Hanji fixed her hair before grabbing her present.

–

Levi didn’t show up at the mess hall. No, he had taken his meal and slipped outside. It was quite and the winter breeze made him forget where he was. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder.

He jumped up, “What?”

“Levi, it’s just me.”

Hanji sat down beside Levi. He grunted, “I should be known, I recognized your stench.”

She grinned, “Thanks!”

Levi sat down and looked out to the distance, “I thought you’d be inside.”

“Nah, they’re stared to sing, and Erwin’s voice is terrible.”

“You should join them.”

“Only if you get that stick out your ass.”

Levi rolled his eyes, “Shower first and then maybe I’ll change.”

Hanji shook her head, “Don’t change.”

Levi turned to her, “You drunk? Or is this your annual sappy talk?”

Hanji smirked, “You stared it. ‘Oh Hanji why do make me feel like an idiot?’ 'Why can’t I breath when you’re around?”

“Easy. You stench makes it hard to breathe.” Levi said without missing missing a beat.

Hanji nodded and took the present that she had placed beside her and handed it over to Levi.

“What’s this?” Levi hesitantly took the gift.

“For you, Levi. Happy birthday.”

“How the hell did you know it was my birthday?”

“You told me once.”

“No I didn’t!”

“Oh shut up and just open the damn thing!”

Levi obliged and slowly tore the paper, “It’s not a Titan’s heart right?”

Hanji laughed, “If you want one I have one stored in my room.”

Levi shivered, “Never mind.”

He finished unwrapping his present and gasped.

“Hanji, what…what is this?”

Hanji smoothed her dress, “One time you said your mother carried a little image of an angel. You said you lost once you left…that place.”

Levi ran his fingers over the framed drawing. He looked up, his silver grey eyes studying Hanji’s face. Her glasses covered her brown eyes. And even in the moonlight, he could see pink dusting her cheeks.

“I know you hate December, I know you hate your birthday and I always thought it was maybe because no one treated it like a birthday since we also celebrate a holiday. But you deserve to spend at least one happy birthday.”

Levi didn’t know what to say.

“How do you know all of this?” He whispered. 

Hanji looked up and grinned, “You got drunk once and told me. Right here in this exact spot.”

“I don’t get drunk.”

“That night you did.”

Hanji sighed, “This morning I wanted to surprise you with your favorite tea, but it was thrown out. I wanted to buy you a new cravat or maybe even a new shirt, but I found nothing worthy to give you.”

“Hanji, why go through all the trouble?”

She took a deep breath and willed herself to look him in the eyes. Those same silver grey eyes that made her fall in love long ago. If she was going to confess to him, he needed to know she was serious.

“Levi, I wanted to show you how much you mean to me.”

“And a creepy momento was going to prove that?”

“Yes?”

Levi smirked, “You’re so stupid.”

He looked at the drawing, “I guess I should also tell you how I feel.”

“Although you are a complete scatterbrain, you make me feel whole. I don’t know what it is about you Hanji, but you drive me crazy and in a good way. I can’t stop thinking about you and I hate you for that.”

Hanji gently kissed his cheek, “I’m glad I drive you crazy.”

Levi looked into her eyes and felt all his doubts melt away.

“How do you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Make me feel at peace?”

Levi brushed a stray strand of hair away from Hanji’s face. They slowly leaned in closer, their lips suddenly touching. It was a chaste kiss, Levi unsure of what to do.

“You know, the best birthday gift would’ve been you talking a bath.”

Hanji rolled her eyes and grabbed his shirt, pulling him for another kiss.

If you didn't clean the cookies and history, you may recover these open pages ^^U. I hope you can recover them!