Title: The Moonlight That Night
Iāve thought about writing a post-ACWNR ficlet for some time so I took this opportunity. Hope you like it!
Erwin found Levi on the roof that night. The moment he opened the heavy wooden door, Leviās head turned towards him. He was sitting on the edge, one leg bent at the knee, the other dangling down. A half-empty bottle of cheap alcohol in his hand. The moonlight was reflecting in his dark hair.
āOh, itās you.ā Levi sounded disappointed.
Erwin wondered whether he wanted it to be someone else with whom he couldāve started a fight. His rage born of grief had not found an outlet yet. Erwin had stopped it cold with his speech. A speech that had a surprisingly effective result on Levi.
āI wondered whether you wanted some company.ā Erwin said and stepped closer to the edge, peering down at Levi.
Levi shrugged, then added. āIf youāre here to make sure I donāt throw myself off the rooftop, donāt bother. Iām not suicidal.ā
Erwin found it amusing. A Survey Corp member saying they werenāt suicidal when everyone else inside the Walls were so sure all Corpsāmembers were exactly that.
āI didnāt think you were. But you have halved a whole bottle by yourself. Your balance is usually great but-ā
āI donāt get drunk.ā Levi interrupted him. āI wish I could though.ā
A lot of people turned to alcohol on the first night of losing dear friends. Erwin had witnessed that often enough. He did drink as well, occasionally. And he felt like drinking now as well. He sat down near Levi.
āWell, if you canāt get drunk, would you mind sharing your drink?ā
Levi stared at him emotionless, his eyes boring into Erwinās.
āWhy do you need it?ā Levi finally asked, referring to the alcohol.
āI⦠do you think the deaths of your friends have no effect on me? That I donāt feel bad about what happened?ā Erwin asked and Leviās eyes flared with rage. Erwin thought it best to put that fire down as soon as possible. āAs I said, I didnāt kill your friends. And you didnāt either. But on the path to truth and humanityās freedom, a lot of people will lose their lives. And every death which Iāve had a part in weights on me. The bigger the part,the heavier the weight. Iāve made my resolve long ago. But make no mistake, I am capable of feeling guilt and sadness.ā
Ah, heād shared too much. Erwin berated himself. He shared so much with this total stranger. Why? Perhaps because he felt Levi would understand. Perhaps it was the late hour that has untied his tongue.
āYou should be the Commander.ā Leviās said firmly.
Erwinās faced him, surprised. Heād heard other people whisper it among themselves. He planned on becoming the Commander, of course.But hearing someone say that to him was so validating. He liked Leviās frankness.
āI hate the way they died.ā Levi continued. āHow preventable their deaths were. But at least they felt what itās like to be free. Really free. Free from that hellhole in the ground, free from these stinking walls.Even for a little while.ā
Levi tipped his head back and the moonlight shone on his face. Erwin watched, mesmerized. A tightness in his chest alerted him to a feeling he had managed to repress since the first time heād seen Levi fly.Attraction. Ah, wellā¦
Levi fixed him with his eyes again and Erwin found himself immobile.
āDo you think weāll live to witness that? Walking out of these walls free? No titans left?ā Leviās voice had equal amount hope and disbelief in it.
And Erwin wanted so badly to promise him that they would. Together.