It was strange, how often he found his steps falling into rhythm with yours. You weren’t meant to be part of his world—Suguru Geto knew that better than anyone. He reminded himself constantly. You were powerless, unaware of the endless tide of curses pressing against the corners of reality. To him, you were supposed to be nothing more than a bystander. A monkey.
And yet, every time you looked at him—without fear, without judgment—he felt the gnawing edges of his convictions falter.
You had a way of speaking that made him listen longer than he should. A way of laughing that carved through the shadows he carried. He hated it. He hated how much he didn’t hate you.
One evening, when the last embers of sunset bled violet across the sky, you found him sitting beneath the awning of a shrine. His robe slipped slightly off his shoulder, hair tied but loose, as though he had been carrying a storm inside him all day. You approached quietly, and still, he noticed you. He always did.
“You shouldn’t come here so often,” he said without looking at you.
“Why?” you asked, taking a careful step closer.
His lips twisted into something sharp, humorless. “Because you’ll get used to me. And that’s… dangerous.”
You frowned, sitting beside him despite the warning. “Dangerous? You haven’t hurt me.”
“Not yet.” The words dropped heavy, laced with venom meant for himself, not you. He turned finally, and his eyes—dark and restless—locked onto yours. “Don’t you see what I am? What I believe?” His tone cracked on the edge of anger, but beneath it was desperation. “I hate non-sorcerers. I hate everything about them. I think they’re weak, pathetic… useless. And you—”
He stopped, chest heaving as though the next words would strangle him. “…You’re one of them.”
The silence stretched, thick and unrelenting. But you didn’t pull away. You didn’t recoil. You just held his gaze, steady, patient.
“And yet,” he whispered, voice trembling, “I can’t stop thinking about you. Every time you smile, it feels like betrayal. Every time you speak my name, it feels like I’m being pulled apart. I shouldn’t want you. I shouldn’t love you.”
Your breath caught at his confession, the weight of it pressing deep into your chest.
Suguru reached for you then, his hand trembling as it hovered above your cheek. He didn’t touch—he couldn’t—not fully. His fingers shook like the act itself was tearing him apart. “You make me doubt myself,” he said, the words ragged. “You make me want things I can’t have. And worse…” His throat closed, but he forced the words through. “You make me weak. If anyone knew, if you stayed near me, you’d be swallowed by the very curse that is my life. I can’t let that happen.”
You leaned into his touch anyway, closing the impossible distance he tried to maintain. His breath hitched. His whole body trembled.
For the first time, Suguru Geto looked like a man unraveling.
His forehead pressed against yours, eyes squeezed shut as his composure cracked. His shoulders shook, and his voice came out hoarse, almost broken. “Why you? Why do I love you, of all people?” His grip on your face tightened, not in force but in desperation, as if he needed to hold you there to keep himself from shattering.
And then, in the silence of the fading night, he held you—shakily, almost in tears—like you were both the curse he couldn’t rid himself of and the only salvation he had left.
After that night, Suguru changed.
At first, it was subtle. He kept you close when you were together—his presence hovering, watchful. His eyes always seemed to find you, tracking you in every room, every courtyard, as if ensuring you didn’t stray too far. But soon, it became something more than vigilance.
It was possession.
Wherever Suguru was, you were. He began inviting you into places he once kept private—his quarters, his long hours in the temple library, even the gardens where he often wandered in silence. At first, you thought it was chance. Then you realized: he wasn’t asking. He was keeping you near.
And yet… he was so gentle with you, it was almost unbearable.
When you walked together, his hand would brush yours—not quite holding, but guiding, as though afraid of startling you. If you were tired, he was quick to notice, insisting you rest, pressing tea into your hands before you could even protest. When he touched you, it was always careful, reverent, as if you were something delicate enough to break beneath the weight of his fingers.
One evening, as you sat together in the quiet, you finally asked, “Why do you look at me like that?”
Suguru’s eyes flicked to yours, and for once, he didn’t look away. “Like what?”
“Like I’ll disappear if you blink.”
His lips curved, but it wasn’t a smile. “Because you might.”
You frowned softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He shook his head slowly, leaning forward, his hand cupping your face with a touch so feather-light it made your chest ache. “You don’t understand,” he murmured. His thumb traced the line of your cheek as though committing it to memory. “This world… it’s vile. Full of curses, cruelty, weakness. You’re untouched by it, and that terrifies me. You’re too good for this filth. Too good for me.”
You opened your mouth to protest, but he silenced you with a soft press of his forehead against yours. His voice dropped lower, trembling but steady in its conviction.
“I can’t let anything touch you. Not the curses. Not the world. Not even me, if I lose myself.” His hand slid down, holding yours, his fingers intertwining so carefully it was like he feared the slightest pressure might shatter you. “You don’t know what it does to me. I think about you constantly. When you’re gone, I feel… unmoored. When you’re here, I’m terrified I’ll ruin you.”
You squeezed his hand gently. “You won’t ruin me, Suguru.”
But he only gave a small, broken laugh. “You don’t see it. I’m already obsessed with you. I can’t stop wanting you near me, can’t stop touching you, can’t stop protecting you even when you don’t need me to.” His grip on your hand tightened just slightly, shaking. “I should push you away, but I can’t. You’re mine. You don’t even know it, but you are.”
There was no malice in his tone, only desperate reverence—as though he were confessing a truth that frightened him more than it frightened you.
And when he finally pulled you into his arms, holding you against his chest, it was with a tenderness that bordered on worship. He stroked your hair as if you were spun glass, his lips brushing the crown of your head in a kiss so fleeting, you almost wondered if you imagined it.
“Stay with me,” he whispered shakily, almost pleading. “Even if it’s wrong. Even if I don’t deserve it. Just… stay.”
And in that moment, wrapped in his arms, you realized Suguru Geto wasn’t just in love with you—he was consumed by you. Completely, irreversibly, and with a devotion so gentle it ached to feel it.
• Would play track and be SO fit and toned just from that
• Favorite class is history obviously and he majors in it
• Hopes to become a history teacher or professor one day
• Genuinely such a nerd and super dedicated to school with PERFECT attendance too (like unless he’s dying he’s showing up to school)
• A+ in every class and every teacher literally adores him because he’s super sweet, smart, and answers every question they ask
• Definitely the type to teach you instead of do your homework
•Would probably work at a bookstore/library or do tutoring outside of school
• Wouldn’t date in highschool but would be open to a relationship in college
• Pretty popular because he’s nice to everyone and everyone goes to him for help with their work but his actual friend group is pretty small
• Best friends with Hange and Levi throughout highschool and college
• Studies SO MUCH like even though he doesn’t need to because he’s naturally smart he still studies and has so many books for every class
• Messy room with books, notebooks, pencils, etc. everywhere
•When his dad died around middle school he became very quiet and closed off but learned to be more confident in highschool
• He would silently crush on you
• Like he would become friends with you and use small, calculated ways to get closer to you (tutoring you or attending any sports games or school events you’re in)
• He would be soo friendly and always ask about your day and your classes and overall just how you’re doing and he would genuinely be interested and listen intently to everything you say
• Rejects literally every girl that asks him out (and it’s a lot) for your sake
Warnings: none needed
Synopsis: A late night, a curtsy, and a bad memory.
WC: 1793
Chp 1 - Chp 2 - Chp 3
Masterlist here
Nanami sighs and shrugs out of his clothes, pinching the bridge of his nose. It was half past 3, not a shockingly late hour for a ball, but too late for him. He retrieves the small device from his pants pocket before putting his clothes away.
As entertaining as these balls were, Nanami always felt like they were an obligation more than a casual invitation. He and Shoko had spent most of the night catching up, with Shoko bragging about how much extra commission she’d made thanks to the influx of patients with curse related injuries. Nanami didn’t do poorly himself. The only thing that made his job worth doing was the money; curse hunting paid handsomely and he’d made some wise investments with his gold to allow himself a life of reasonable comfort. However, the problem seemed to be that there were limited avenues to spend the money, and that’s why he had rented the space that was now his workshop.
The sorcerer population was not huge, and with the frequency of sorcerer deaths that seemed to be occurring, Nanami enjoyed tinkering with rare and unique objects that he’d paid a pretty penny for to be imported from different parts of the world. His gadgets were not cheap, but they helped sorcerers on their missions and also deterred curses from engaging with them at close range. He was proud of his collection; rare gemstones with strange inscriptions, suits of armor that had contained spells cast onto them to prevent the curse from wandering free, varied swords and axes, all hung neatly on the wall or kept in glass cabinets for safe keeping.
As he sat on the edge of his bed, Nanami fiddled with the device as he recalled the details of the night. He and Shoko had hoped to have a word with Gojo but his attention had been firmly occupied by Lady Ravenshire, her giggling becoming increasingly frivolous as she downed glass after glass of honeyed wine.
Gojo was the unofficial representative for Nulling Row, their main coordinator and resource for missions, and anything sorcery related. It was procedure to report all curse related matters to him, and Nanami’s latest creation was no exception.
Spontaneously, Nanami pries open the lid of the instrument and remembers tonight’s events. Instantly, your face swims into focus under the glass, crumbs of lemon tart clinging to your lips and Nanami’s face softens at the image.
He’d never admit the highlight of tonight had been his brief interaction with you. Your look of indignation, coupled with the ruffles on your dress only cemented his imaginings of you as a bird, feathers puffed up in anger as you defended your territory from a much larger predator. He watched in amusement as the image of you grew progressively redder as you flushed from the conversation, eyes growing sulky at the exchanges. As you accepted a dance from one of the men who had been waiting for you to leave the refreshment table, triumph gleamed on your face. Almost as if you had really believed him when he had said you’d scared off all your suitors, and this was irrefutable proof that he was wrong.
The glass then becomes cloudy as the mysterious substance inside it swirls, and Nanami watches himself bid good night to Shoko several hours later, before exiting through one of the large doors that led into the courtyard. A perfect replica of tonight hovers in shades of silver over the glass; The large neatly trimmed hedges, and Nanami humming to himself as he walks away. But there in the upper shadow of the tree…Nanami squinted and tried to make out what the glass was showing him. A window, dimly illuminated by half melted candles, and a small figure leaning outside the opened glass pane talking to a -
Nanami’s stomach lurched as he saw glimpses of the ugly disfigured curse sitting on a branch closest to the small form talking to it from the window. Bringing the glass closer to his face until it was almost touching his nose, Nanami discerns that it is a child, a small boy, to be more precise. The glass didn’t recreate sound, but the child is laughing, and the curse looks sinisterly amused. Before anything else could be observed, the device goes blank, the fog turning back to an opaque gray and Nanami is left blinking in befuddlement.
Heart hammering, he realizes that had he lingered a moment longer, the device would have picked up more details. For the first time in his life, being in a hurry to go home had not been a wise choice. The curse itself wasn’t the problem; it didn’t appear to be advanced, possibly not higher than a grade 2.
The bigger conundrum was the child.
The next day found Nanami banging urgently on Gojo’s door during the wee hours of the morning. Bleary-eyed, Gojo wrapped a robe around himself as he answered the door.
“Nanamin?” he asks hoarsely as he cracks open the door, squinting in the bright light. Nanami merely raises an eyebrow before squeezing in through the narrow opening.
“I didn’t say come in!”
Impatiently, Nanami clicks his tongue and wanders into the sitting room, Gojo trailing behind him torpidly. He doesn’t bat an eyelid when Nanami settles down on the couch, drumming his fingers impatiently on the armrest as though he was the master of the house, but he couldn’t resist the bubble of sarcasm that escaped his tongue.
“Milord!” Gojo curtsies mockingly, and Nanami rolls his eyes. “It’s a bit early, but I can get the tea started! Would you like buttered crumpets with that? The berries are out of season, but I can forage for some in the woods if you have the patience!”
“Oh, stop it, Gojo!” Nanami snaps, and Gojo cackles at the severe look on Nanami’s face before sitting on a comfy armchair.
“Serves you right for barging in here when none of the staff are awake yet.” Noticing the weary look on the blond man’s face, Gojo leans towards him, elbows on his knees. “You didn’t leave that late last night. What’s got your knickers in a bunch?”
Nanami gives Gojo a measured look and hedges on. “You’re well acquainted with Lady Ravenshire, are you not?”
Gojo’s snowy eyebrows shoot up towards his hairline before a mischievous grin forms on his face. “Has Nanamin finally found a woman deemed worthy of his attention? Although…you’re aware she’s not a sorcerer, correct?”
“That’s hardly relevant.” Nanami ignores Gojo’s comment. “I’m here to inquire about her child. She has a son, correct?”
“Yes.” Confused, Gojo settles back into the armchair, frowning. “Why the sudden interest?”
Nanami sighs. “There are no sorcerers at all in the family?”
Gojo chortles at this. “Not a one! The Ravenshire family made sure of that when they approved of all the matches! And most of high society has gone to great lengths to ensure there was no mixing in the lineages. They’ve practically bred out sorcerer blood.” He runs a hand through his disheveled hair. “Why do you ask?”
Nanami clears his throat, knowing there is no going back once he divulged this information. Taking a breath, he says plainly, “I have reason to believe her son may have some jujutsu abilities.”
Gojo blinks, clearly not expecting these words, then shakes his head. “Not a chance, Nanamin! I would have sensed something if that were the case. I rescued him when he was just shy of a year old from a curse! Curses don’t willingly go out seeking sorcerers, you know!” He laughs at the absurdity.
“I’m not saying he’s a sorcerer. I’m saying he at least has some cursed energy. Maybe not enough to develop a technique, but enough to sense a curse’s presence.”
“And where did you get this crazy idea from, Nanamin?” Gojo crosses his arms as he leans back against the cushions, eyeing him with interest.
Resigned, Nanami digs into his pocket and pulls out the device. Gojo looks at it curiously and waits for an explanation.
“My latest project.” Nanami murmurs, stretching his hand and dropping it into Gojo’s palm. “I call it the Spirit Glass.”
“Oh, is this what you’ve been dabbling with for the last few months?” Gojo examines the Spirit Glass with enthusiasm. “I’ve been waiting to see what you’ll make this time, Nanamin. Your creations are invaluable to us.” He pries open the lid, eyes widening in wonder as he sees the encased silver fog behind the glass. “How does it work?” Gojo tears his gaze away from the gadget back to Nanami. “And what does it have to do with the Ravenshire boy?”
“It’s like a memory recorder. If you focus on a past memory, it’ll appear here, a miniature recollection. Useful to scope out cursed areas and hiding spots that we might miss when surveying.”
“Any memory?” Gojo’s brow creases, then he gasps in awe as the silvery substance begins to move, and a projection of an abandoned village forms on the surface. “I was here a few weeks ago! And here-” Gojo points to a blindspot, “- is where I was ambushed! I didn’t even realize it was there.”
“Precisely.” Nanami relinquishes the instrument from Gojo. “Last night, after getting home from the ball, I happened to remember the ball and opened the Spirit Glass on a whim. I saw something concerning. The Ravenshire boy, talking to a curse from his bedroom window.”
Gojo gives Nanami a sharp look, clearly troubled. “You’re positive?”
“It had to be him. Who else would have a room at the Ravenshire estate?” Nanami snaps the Spirit Glass closed. “How old is the boy?”
“5 years or so?” Gojo is alert and awake now, all traces of sleepiness gone from his face.
“The typical age at which most children start seeing curses.” Nanami scratches his chin, deep in thought.
“This is a very serious topic, Nanamin.” Gojo’s voice suddenly sounded tactful. “A child of a high society family having cursed abilities…We could be arrested just for suggesting it. They could exile us from Nulling Row if Lord Ravenshire declares it so.” Considering the matter, Gojo sighs heavily.
“I should have known nothing good would come of you knocking on my door at 7 in the morn.” Gojo attempts a feeble try at humor. “Now what?”
“For now, nothing. Not until we can prove it for certain.” Nanami checks his watch. “I’ll be leaving now. Ino is probably already waiting outside the workshop wanting details about the ball.”
“Was there anything apart from your discovery worth mentioning?” Gojo cocks his head questioningly.
A dry smile touches Nanami’s lips. “Yes. A vulture that enjoyed eating lemon tarts.”
He turns and leaves, laughing silently at Gojo’s bewildered face.
Why the hell was Erwin seen as selfish and as a bad person for wanting to know the truth? Why was it kinda implied to be a moral failure of his to prioritize wanting knowledge on the outside world over “humanity’s best interests”
Theyre the same fucking thing!! How is new knowledge not what’s best for humanity?? It literally is! Is knowledge not freedom?
Why the narrative pretend they are two completely separate irreconcilable things??
Warnings: none needed
Synopsis: A ball, an unexpected insult, and a lack of suitors.
WC: 1660
Chp 1 - Chp 2
Masterlist here
The large manor built on Ravenshire was aglow, lights everywhere, a quartet in the corner playing lively tunes as the ballroom swirled and billowed in dizzying colors from the dancers. Uninterestedly, you took a sip of your cider, eyes flicking from the throng to the open doors of the ballroom, hoping to seek an escape route. Like a mind reader, Shoko steps into your line of view and hooks her arm into yours.
“Don’t even think about it,” she chides playfully, and you tsk at her, draining your glass.
“I’m bored, Sho.” You whine and the brunette chuckles before jerking her chin towards a group of men observing you from the opposite corner of the room.
“I talked you up to them. One of them should get the courage to come over here soon and ask for a dance.”
“You didn’t!” You only half-heartedly scold her, and Shoko pats your gloved hand.
“It’ll do you some good. You need to relax. Besides, it’s so rare to get a day off like this where I can mingle.”
You glance at Shoko sympathetically as the weight of her words washes over you. Unlike most sorcerers, Shoko was not as ostracized since her ability had medical applications. She certainly enjoyed more freedom than the exorcists who wielded strange and eerie powers to contain and kill curses. However, lately, more and more curses had been making their way into society, and Shoko’s case load kept her in the hospital for lengthy periods. Despite her reputation and being well-liked by most, she was still confined to Nulling Row like the rest of the sorcerers, and you hadn’t seen her in weeks.
“Very well. Just don’t go off with the first man who offers you a tryst in his country home.” Shoko rolls her eyes at you and flicks your arm, and you glare at her as you rub at the unwanted pain.
“It’ll take more than a country home to convince me. Now a cadaver that’s been cursed…If a man can get me one of those, I’m his. Well, for a while anyway. Shoko winks and gives you a push. “Now go out and socialize. The night is young.”
You stumble slightly in your heels, then huff and straighten, deciding you needed another drink before you could even qualify to be in a socializing state. You make your way to the refreshment table and pick up a flute of champagne, inconspicuously shoving a small lemon tart into your mouth as you do so. Covering your lips with your hand to hide the fact that you were snacking like an uncouth warthog, you turn and nearly crash into a tall gentleman who had clearly been waiting for you to move away from the table.
Mortified, you quickly swallow the tart and are relieved to see the stranger had a firm grip on the champagne flute and none had spilled onto his clothes.
“I’m so sorry! Clumsy me.” You apologize and look up, and the man merely quirks his lips in response. Eyes the color of rich whiskey regard you coolly as he releases your wrist, and you step backwards, trying to regain your composure.
“No worries.” The man bows his head, full of lush golden locks covered by a black tophat, and you hastily step to the side.
Trying to divert the awkward situation, you point at the tray of lemon tarts. “You should try one. They’re delicious.”
“As evidenced by the crumbs on your face,” the man quips, and you blush, fiddling around for a handkerchief in your tiny bag. The man looks greatly amused and smoothly pulls one from his pocket, offering it graciously, and you avert your eyes as you accept it from him, dabbing at the corners of your mouth.
“Keep it.” He says as he selects a raspberry tart instead and takes a delicate bite. “God forbid you get ravenous again. It may be the only thing keeping your dignity intact."
Caught off guard, you stare at him. “I beg your pardon?”
The man chuckles as he takes in your expression. “I mean, your appetite is positively inspiring. Somewhere, a duke just fainted. Keep it up, and you won’t have to worry about swatting away suitors the entire night."
Abashed, you stare at him then turn away dignifiedly with your nose in the air. “Presumptious of you to assume I’m hoping for a suitor tonight.”
“Not at all. I merely noted you’ve likely frightened them off, especially after devouring that tart like a vulture in lace.”
“A vulture in lace?!” The color in your cheeks rises, offense slapping you in the face. To top it all, this rogue had the gall to grin at you, like he hadn’t just insulted you.
“Should I have chosen a different bird?” His grin revealed even white teeth, and deepened the clefts in his cheeks. “A parrot perhaps? Since you seem to enjoy repeating things?”
His face was all sharp edges with a defined jawline, like he had been carved out of marble, and your irritation rose at the fact that he was inconveniently attractive, broad shouldered and muscular, with a tan that you didn’t normally see on high society men with their desk jobs and and office keepings. You found yourself lacking for a retort and firmly closed your jaw.
“It’s unladylike to engage in such conversations. Now if you’ll excuse me my friend-”
“The brunette?” the man interjects, and you turn around disconcertedly as Shoko comes into view, waving her hand and smiling.
“Nanamin!” she calls, and goes straight to the blond who politely pulls her into a brief hug.
Stunned at the exchange, all you could do is gape. “Shoko! You two know each other?” you ask as your head swivels between her and the man.
Shoko chuckles and genially pats the man’s shoulder. “Of course I do! We live about two streets away from each other in Nulling Row. We trained at the same jujutsu academy.”
And just like that, the tan and the well-built muscled body all made sense.
“You’re a sorcerer?” you ask, and the man’s lip curls as he offers you his hand.
“Kento Nanami at your service,” he says smoothly. If it hadn’t been for Shoko standing there, you would’ve ignored the handshake and rejoined the throng, but society women were taught manners first, so you delicately grasped his proffered hand, confused when tingles started running down your spine at the contact.
Shoko quickly introduces you, and Nanami nods before releasing your hand. For some reason, unease fills your belly and you take a step back. “I’ll see you out there,” you say to Shoko, gesturing at the dance floor before looking back briefly at Nanami. “It was nice to make your acquaintance,” you say magnanimously, infuriated when he merely smirks and tilts his head in acknowledgement.
As you walk away, you hear Shoko laugh and realize she wasn’t going to follow you. Not yet anyway. As you neared the dancefloor, one of the men Shoko had pointed out earlier came up to you and asked for a dance. Feeling snarky after being told you’d scared off the suitors, you accepted, and allowed the suitor to whisk you away. You followed the steps correctly and daintily, barely listening to what he was trying to say to you as you processed your earlier interaction with Nanami.
You’d never met any sorcerers save for Shoko, and were told to never get involved with one. Although they were crucial members for ensuring society wasn’t plagued by curses, one was always told to exercise caution around them for the fact that they possessed enormous amounts of power that could easily be used for sinister purposes. An air of death clung to them, almost like the somber feeling one gets from being in a graveyard, and were considered unlucky. While their efforts were appreciated there was a reason laws dictated where they could live, and why they couldn’t venture into balls such as these without an invitation.
The host of Ravenshire was a woman who married at a young age to an older man who now couldn’t perform his marital duties. She had a five-year-old, and that child had almost been lost to a curse just shortly after his first birthday. She had enlisted a sorcerer, a man named Gojo, to retrieve the child back. Society liked to joke that if the child hadn’t shown such a strong resemblance to Lord Ravenshire, then its parentage may have been thrown into question based on how Lady Ravenshire covetously looked at Gojo. Even today, after Lord Ravenshire had retired early to bed, claiming his joints were hurting him, Lady Ravenshire had drawn up a chair next to Gojo, giggling at his jokes and putting her hands on his shoulder and arm far too often to be considered innocent. It wasn’t too hard to see why she did so. Tall and broad shouldered, with his snowy locks and shockingly blue eyes, Gojo was indeed a treat for the eyes compared to the grumpy bag of wrinkles Lord Ravenshire was.
The Lady Ravenshire insisted she invited sorcerers to her balls out of gratitude to Gojo, but most insisted it was a cover; it would indeed look suspicious if Gojo was the only sorcerer who continued to attend these events, no matter how thankful she was for him retrieving her son from the clutches of a curse.
And Nanami…were all sorcerers so blunt? Your ire must have shown your face because your dance partner suddenly looks at you concernedly.
“Something wrong milady?” he asks and you shake your head, plastering a saccharine smile on your face.
“Not at all. I’m sorry. It appears I’m a little hot. So many people.” You fan your face with your hand and the suitor smiles sympathetically.
“Shall we get you some water then?”
You quickly look over at the refreshments table, relieved to see Nanami was no longer there.
words: 1k+ / Please refrain from stealing my work.
tag list: @frogtits1 @idontwannatalkrn1 , comment if you'd like to be added!
note: Maybe it's just me but how come Sukuna's face tattoos (nose streak forehead symbol) disappear in his Heian form? Was that explained???? They were so pretty I'm devastated.
In the southern portion of the Ryomen estate, Sukuna knelt with his eyes downcast and his arms raised. Upper arms only, because the lower ones were being firmly tied to his waist.
The routine had grown very familiar to him by now. Every morning, the servants would follow a few extra steps tailored specifically to conceal his ‘deformities’. One would cover the face with cloth, the other would tightly wrap his lower arms to his waist, dress him with multiple layers of robes, then wrap the heavy kimono with a fancy obi. Finally, complete it with a haori to conceal his wide waist.
Sukuna clenched his fists. His biceps ached from lifting his arms too long.
The sun invaded Sukuna’s room with one-sided familiarity. It lit up every portion of the area with its sickening yellow tint, swallowing any shadows, its heat pricking at his exposed skin.
The exit was too far away, but the paper walls were too close, and they exposed too much. The tatami mats were too stiff and didn’t bend beneath his weight. The servants’ hands noisily clawed at him. His organs and bones squeezed together with each wrap of the clo–
“Why must I cover my arms?”
…
Both servants paused.
His voice shattered the serene silence in the room, an unwelcome pebble hurled into an otherwise still pond.
The one brushing his hair stared worriedly at his scalp, and the one with the cloth held his breath. He had to pick his words carefully — as unwanted as Sukuna was, the deformed boy could still order their execution with a click of his tongue.
The servant’s fingers twitched around the cloth in both fear and discomfort.
“…I cannot disobey your father’s orders, Master Sukuna.”
“But four arms are more useful than two.”
The discomfort settled in the room, and both servants returned to their work. He finished wrapping the cloth and gently nudged Sukuna to his feet.
“Curses are never to be used, Master Sukuna, only discarded.” He fixed the first layer’s collars before dressing Sukuna with the second. “No matter how tempting it is.”
The other servant tilted Sukuna’s chin upward for an easier angle while he brushed his soft pink hair. But as Sukuna listened to these words, his exposed crimson eye narrowed in annoyance, his other face twisting as it was tightly wrapped with more cloth.
“Please, don’t worry yourself, Master Sukuna. I’m confident you’ll grow out of this. Remember when you were younger? You spoke of grotesque creatures calling for you, but now they’re gone. And you’re not as violent as you used to be.”
Not true. Sukuna just learnt to shut up.
Finally, his appearance was completed by the large dark haori that swallowed his figure, giving him an aura of authority befitting the heir of the Ryomen clan.
The two servants stepped back with their heads down.
“Isn’t that much better, Master Sukuna?”
He gave him a mirror so he could admire himself. Sukuna stared at his reflection with utter annoyance.
The cloth on his face restricted his vision, each breath felt laboured from the cloth around his waist, his stiff lower arms ached, and he really wanted to open the smaller eye beneath his larger one.
“I can’t breathe in here.”
The servants jumped when Sukuna suddenly hurled the mirror away and stormed off, the extravagant shoji sliding open with a loud thunk.
Sukuna left the estate shortly afterwards.
Negotiation never worked; the only reason Sukuna was alive at all was because of his gender. Because the great Ryomen clan would tolerate having a violent deformed wretch of a child. As long as it meant having an heir, they would.
He took the newly discovered isolated path to school that day. And really, it was a gorgeous one — lined with vibrant, green trees on each side, they branched upwards and formed an arched 'ceiling' of leaves, allowing only bits of the gleaming sunlight to shine through. This made said leaves bear a bright green colour with golden undertones.
But he only took it to avoid the incessant staring from the others. And to think. Mainly about how much he loathed everything, but that was by the by. Sukuna headed towards the pitiful bridge built over a ravine; a conglomerate of planks held toge–
"Sukuna, Sukuna, wait!"
He stopped in his tracks and turned around. Immediately, like moths following light, his eyes were locked on the curses that were still on your head.
Sukuna blinked in surprise when you stopped in front of him.
"I– I brought you a gift."
You bowed and held out the present, and Sukuna was met with the sight of a basket of beautiful, pink peaches, ripe and ready to eat.
He was beyond amused.
"I picked these peaches this morning... I hope you like them."
"Thank you."
He took them from your hand with a brief, forced bow, performed only out of courtesy. The fingers of his lower arms twitched, but he’d gotten used to not using them.
You picking the peaches meant that a harvest has already occurred; he should expect to see you back at the market selling your goods.
Due to his utter disinterest, Sukuna already forgot your name. This forced him to word his next question carefully so as to avoid exposing that detail.
"Do you work alone?"
You shamefully nodded.
"Father isn't around, and Mother is sick. It's up to me."
"What about your brothers?"
"It's only me..."
"I see." He noted. "I have to go..."
Sukuna went to leave, but his eyes locked on your head once one of the creatures, the bright orange one, settled itself on the back of your head. It then slammed its blunt-ended 'fingernails' against your skull repeatedly... but why?
He noticed you clutch your left temple with a pained huff.
"Y/N?"
He asked in faux concern, earning a shake of your head in response.
"I'm– I'm okay! It's only a headache."
The orange curse kept hitting and hitting non-stop. In fact, the other curses swirled around the damaged site to observe what 'orange' was doing. Sukuna was just as intrigued at the sight as they were. He glanced up at you, a strange shimmer in his visible crimson eye.
Sukuna was suddenly very curious to see what those curses would do with you.
i cannot cognize why the dismissal of eren’s motivations is SO prevalent among those who claim to wholly understand him.
“he exclusively did it (in reference to the rumbling) for the sake of paradis, eren is a hero and therefore any moral wrongdoings cannot be attributed to him”
except eren himself acknowledges the fact that it IS an unjust and morally corrupt act with respect to those who weren’t the perpetrators of oppression and cyclical violence. hence he apologizes to ramzi with tears streaming down his face; he feels remorse for what’s yet to come, and unlike those who misinterpret the basis of the rumbling — he doesn’t dismiss its essence.
yes, the future of paradis and eldians was indubitably paramount to eren, and he DID care and carry out actions in the favor thereof, including opposing zeke’s euthanization plan, but the rumbling — on the scale that he executed it — wasn’t ineluctable.
in his paths conversation with armin, he divulges that he had a desire to witness “that sight” when they are situated in a sea of blood. he mentions prior that he felt disappointment upon discovering the existence of humanity outside the walls — and not only due to the fact that they victimized eldians. he wanted the outside world to accord to the pictures in armin’s book — vast spaces unoccupied and untainted by other people.
eren’s motivations were not limited to the surface-level explanations people devise for the rumbling (either it’s undivided and fervent hatred for *all* of humanity, or simply self-sacrifice for the sake of paradis). and he himself is extremely self-aware in the regard. aot characters’ complexity is precisely what makes them so compelling and brilliant, therefore trying to justify your favorite character’s actions and deliberately ignoring their flaws — which are part of them and are just as crucial — is nonsensical to me
ANSWERS Guidebook: The Man Who Couldn't Give Up On His Dream
Translation:
The man, who couldn't give up his dream
Middle monologue: "Even if the mission fails, I could make it before my death… to there."
Lower monologue: "… in my head flickers over and over again…"
"… the thought on this basement."
When he arrives in Shiganshina, Erwin focuses on the basement. When the Beast Titan and his kin block the way, he has to make huge sacrifices again. What will dictate Erwin’s decision, his sacrifice or his ego? The fight for Shiganshina becomes a fight that questions his true worth as a man and to prove his essence as a human being.
Answers Guidebook 149, German Version
It is important to note that ANSWERS was released before Volume 21. It uses vague language and questions instead of answers in some places to avoid spoilers. It also tries to avoid plot twists that are revealed in Volume 21, particularly Midnight Sun. The Character Encyclopedia was released after Volume 21 and is more accurate, as spoilers are not a concern. If there is a contradiction, The Character Encyclopedia would be the correct one.
This page was not marked as a contradiction, as Midnight Sun and The Character Encyclopedia clarify that Erwin will not, in fact, give up on his dream.
Levi blames himself for taking the love of your life away. But did he really?
* The reader is the same height as Levi.
"Well shit.." Nile tilted his head and sighed.
"Yeah! Eat dirt, Zacharias! Eat. It..!!"
A crowd of cadets watched you rub Miche's face into the soft dirt. Someone had bet that Miche was too much of a pussy to slap your ass during training. He wasn't one to back down from a dare.. He probably should have passed on this one though.
Erwin shut his eyes and looked the other way. Nanaba was right beside him, cheering you on.
Hange chuckled. "She's wild. Even the Commidan is scared of her."
A group of guys you hung with all crowded around you and dragged you off the giants back. You were too fast for Miche and brought him down fast, and for having such a little body, you were heavy as shit..
Such a wildcard...
That was Edwin's first impression of you. And it wasn't the last.
------------
You were a part of a rowdy bunch. You never really said much to him. You'd mostly talk to Nanaba or Hange, and if he was around, you usually just gave him a smile.. Nile tried to get your attention, but you always avoided him and his horrible pick-up lines. And Miche? Well, he was just plain scared of you.
You'd never give a bunch of losers like them the light of day..
Until one faithful afternoon.
Erwin sat by himself as he pushed around his sloppy lunch on his plate. A light tap got his attention-- he froze when he realized it was you.
You nodded at him. "Hey, beautiful. Are you using that?"
It took him a second to realize you were motioning to his tray.
"N-No. You can take it."
He hadn't noticed how pretty you were up close. Or how nice your smile was..
"Thanks!"
Suddenly, a large hand yanked his face down to the table. It was Miche-- "Hey!"
A fast *swoosh* unfurled his hair as you swung the tray over him, hitting another cadet in the face. It started a huge fight and by the end of the day you and a couple others were running laps til sundown.
(Miche) "I heard the guy had it coming."
They watched the few of you stagger along the running track. You bent over to vomit and continued running..
Nanaba hummed. " He did. The guy was trying to peek into the girls showers. She did us all a favor."
Nile nudge Erwin. "Too bad that little spit fire is aiming for the Garrison Regimen. What a waste of energy huh? She'd be perfect for that weird humanity dream you have."
The Garrison?! That was a horrible fit for you!
He waited for everyone to leave and gulped down his nervousness to approach you. Like a creep he followed behind you clutching his water canteen. You stumbled and laughed at yourself like a crazy drunk. Until your legs finally gave out and you fell to the ground. But you were still going? Dragging yourself to the nearest sleeping barracks and propping yourself against the side wall.
He could hear your heavy breathing, your lungs rattling with every exhale. When he approached you, your eyes were closed and your head thrown back. He watched your chest heave up and down as your hair stuck to your sweaty skin.
He has to shake his head to rid himself of silent thoughts. He was a teenager but he didn't have many of those hormonal teenage thoughts. Nile and Miche called him weird for it.. He didn't flirt, his eyes didn't wonder. He did as he was told and on his free time he kept his nose in a book or strategized about one thing or another.
"What's up Smith? That for me?"
He didn't mean for his mind to wonder! He looked down at his canteen and nodded. You gave him the softest thanks as he handed it to you. Watching the way the water ran down your neck as you drank for dear life.
He was surprised you even knew his name--
"You okay? You look constipated sweetheart?"
Oh right!!He was staring and getting off track!
He straightened his posture and put on his serious tone, "I heard you were aiming to join the Garrison? Is that tru--"
You cut him off with a snort. "Are you here to convince me to kill myself in the Scout Regiment? Your whole save humanity from the Titans and all that?"
He furrowed his bushy brows. "I--" he was speechless for once. How did you know?!
You smiled. "I hear Nile and his big mouth talking about it all the time. Sometimes I can hear him calling you crazy from across the training field."
Fucking Nile! He was about to give his whole speech he thought of just for you. But his words were stuck--
"I'm in."
His mouth hung open and closed like a fish. It made you giggle so hard that you almost choked on air.
"Are you-- Really? I had a whole rant for you.."
You gave him a little aww before handing him back his now empty canteen. "Save it. Honestly it's crazy but it makes sense. There has to be more outside of these damn walls. It would be nice to see what it is and to understand the mystery of where the man eating giants come from."
He scratched his head. "I didn't think you'd agree so fast. Wouldn't you want to notify your family-- They'll want to change your mind-"
You slowly tried to slide yourself up with the help of the wall. You fell back down and this time Erwin was by your side trying to help you up. He had you halfway up as he held you by the waist. Hopefully this was okay with you.. He was aiming to hold you by your underarms but panicked..
You laughed at how stupid you both must look. "No need. My family was tired of me always causing trouble for them. The second I turned the age limit my shit was packed and I was sent here. They don't care where I end up."
He wasn't going to pry, he wanted to but not yet it was too early to ask such personal questions.
"Y'know... You're kinda cute Erwin' Smith."
His eyes widened. "--- Thank you?" That's not what he wanted to say. He wanted to say you were cute also. That's what you're supposed to do.. right?
You snorted. "If I'm joining the Scouts then you need to do me a favor."
He looked at you. "What is the favor?"
Your smile made him feel a little dizzy. "You're my boyfriend now. Deal?"
He nearly dropped you. "Wha--? But--... okay?"
A breathless laugh from you made him smile. You were messing with him, right?
"Okay boyfriend. Carry me to my bed please. I'm not gonna make it on these legs."
Oh... He guessed you weren't kidding after all..
-----------------------------------
*Years later*
Erwin looked up from his desk and Levi over his shoulder. You stopped in your tracks. "Oop. Am I interrupting something?"
Levi answered for Erwin' as he got up from his seat. "Nope. But obviously I'm about to interrupt something."
You smiled at the grumpy Caption. "That's okay Levi. You can stay and watch if you want."
"Y/n. You know he doesn't like when you talk to him in such a manner."
You ignored the love of your life and felt accomplished at the way Levi's ears turned pink as he passed you. " You're a weird woman."
You didn't miss the way his voice shook just a little bit. You'd do anything just to see any other look on Levi's face. His grumpy one was soo boring..
You laughed and called over your shoulder as he walked out. "You can't look down on me Captain Levi! We're the same height!"
Erwin watched you walk over to the back of his chair. His eyes closing when you pressed down on his stressed muscles on his shoulders. The warmth of your lips on his neck as you loved on him like you always did.
"You look tired. Have you been sleeping?"
He hummed. "I've noticed it's hard to sleep when you aren't in bed with me."
You've noticed too.. You had been away with Levi watching after Eren. You missed Erwin' so much..
Even though you were now back at headquarters you still didn't get to see him much. It was chaos the second you came back. Intense training, planning, the works.. You found yourself falling asleep in Hange's office most nights as she ran experiments with Eren.
The expedition to reclaim Wall Maria was just a week away. You looked down at Erwin as your eyes traveled to his now missing arm. You cried like a baby when he was brought to you in that condition. But of course the devil himself could never stop Erwin' Smith..
"I'm guessing Levi was here trying to convince you to stay behind?"
Erwin opened his eyes. "And you're here to do the same? I'm assuming you know my answer is set in stone."
You hummed and leaned against him. "As much as I wish you would consider it.. I know better. And I don't want to fight. Especially on what could be our last week together.."
It was a truth you both talked about. And as much as Erwin pushed for you to love but not miss him if anything were to ever happen... He knew you hated the thought.
The room became silent and he hated it. A sharp pain always grew in his chest when you were quiet. That wasn't you and he didn't like it at all.
"Come here."
Even with a missing arm he was still able to pull you around and handle you the way he always did. Over the years he had gotten brave when it came to touching you, he had a map of your body burned into his mind. Every dip, curve, and mark. The places you loved the most when he bit or licked at your skin.
He'd grown addicted to the way you moaned his name as he was inching himself into your cunt, the way your walls squeezed around his cock and tried to milk him for everything he's got.
How when you were close your lips smashed against his. Muffled moans and groans filled his office and seeped into the stone walls. His arm wrapped around your small waist keeping you tight against him as you both chase your highs.
Desk quickies were normal these days, but you both tried to savor every minute. And during this week he was racking his brain on how to fit as many of them as he could into his and your busy schedule.
Because.. Just in case.. this may be your last week together...
-----------------------
Levi watched you with a heavy heart as you ran to Erwin's side. Floch had just brought his broken body back and you were already a mess.
"Erwin.. What have you done to yourself."
Your uninjured eye traveled up and down his body, hands trying to stop the bleeding. He was slipping away fast and you were frantic. You didn't care about your own broken body when the love of your life was falling through your fingers like sand. You didn't care that half your body had gotten second degree burns from one of Bertholts blasts. The pain of seeing Erwin like this hurts you more.
"I'm so sorry, Y/n. But you understand.. I'm doing the right thing.... Right?"
You watched him with a blank stare as he gave the injection that was meant for Erwin to Armin. You just stared and cradled Erwin's head against your chest, listening to his short shallow breathing becoming silent. Not knowing that your heartbeat made his forever sleep come quicker... Easier... Painless.
You didn't say a word to him or anyone for weeks. It worried many, so much that it even brought a letter from your parents your way. You never opened it.. and eventually you had to start speaking again.. But it wasn't the same, everyone could feel it.
But everyone needed to move on. The truth was known and Erwin's dream was still carried out. There was another world behind the walls and it was everyone's right to see it.
But Levi still held on.. You were somewhere in that husk of a body you had now. And he missed it..
He didn't admit it to anyone but he missed you. The woman who got under his skin, the woman who made him flustered and tried to make him smile with her shitty jokes.. He missed his annoying friend..
Though could he really call you that? He was the reason you were broken. He loves you.. He didn't mean for it to happen, he knew you were off limits..
But he'll admit, he was a little disappointed when he, Furlan, and Isabel were first brought into the Scouts and he found out you belonged to Erwin. He swore love at first sight was bullshit-- just made up crap meant for fairytales. It took you yelling in his face for giving Erwin an attitude to prove him wrong.
He was going to fix this. He had to..
---------------------
It was a quiet night out in the forest and only a few soldiers roamed around and talked amongst themselves. Then there was you..
You sat in front of a low campfire while using a lantern to light the pages of the book you were reading. Hange had tasked you both with keeping guard of the beast Titans holder, Zeke Yeager. You took turns watching him as the bastard slept. Levi could imagine the old you wanting to smother him with a pillow as he slept. But when you met the man who killed your beloved... All you did was walk past him and continued on with your day.
"Y/n?"
You hummed but didn't bother to look up at him, "This book is something else. Wanna read it when I'm done?"
He didn't.. "Can we talk for a minute?"
You looked up and furrowed your brows. The light making your old burn scars visible. They had slightly faded with time but still left their mark. Your entire left side was covered. And even though you tried to hide your face more often with your hair.. Everyone could still see them, a reminder of that day. But to Levi? You were still beautiful as ever, they were a reminder that you were strong, that you survived..
"Something wrong?" You looked back at the tent. "I swear this son of a bitch is still sleeping inside.."
Levi shook his head. "No. This is something.. Personal."
You set your book down and called a few men over to keep watch. For a while now Levi has tried everything he could think of to bring you back. He even went as far as traveling back to Shiganshina to bring Erwin's bones back to be properly buried for you. Of course you were grateful but you still haven't fully returned.
He led you deeper into the forest and watched you wrap your cloak around you a little tighter. A cloak that was two sizes too big for you.
"Levi? Are you going to kill me out here? With how stiff the mats that we're sleeping on are.. I welcome it."
He could hear the playfulness in your voice but it wasn't loud enough. The moon was bright and found its way through the thick leaves of the giant trees. He stopped further away from camp. Far enough for privacy but close enough to see if anything were to happen.
He finally stopped and turned to you.. with the most serious voice you ever heard. "Fuck me up."
You blinked. "Huh?"
He tapped his cheek. "Give me all you got. As hard as you can.. No slapping. I want your hardest hit."
Has he fucking lost it. You put your hands on your hip. "Now Levi... Did you sneak a drink when I wasn't looking? For shame."
He scoffed. "I'm serious Y/n. Kick my stomach in till I puke blood, pull out my hair out till I'm bald, break my bones, anything. Please."
You tilted your head. "Why would I want to do that? Are you okay?"
He was getting pissed. "Are you okay? You act like you are but I can tell-- I can tell you blame me! You blame me for not saving him. You blame me and torture me by walking around with this bullshit mask. You aren't the same anymore. You don't smile like you used to, you don't joke around like you used to, you don't bother me like you used to. The woman I can't stand to be around or to be apart from is gone and I miss her!-- What-- What the fuck are you smiling at?"
You snorted and folded your arms. "Oh? Are you done Princess? Geez and I thought Eren was the cry baby."
Levi gritted his teeth. "Fuck you."
You threw your head back and laughed.. a genuine laugh finally left your mouth. But he was too pissed to appreciate it--
You took off your cloak and set it on a low hanging branch. You sighed and cracked your knuckles. "Put your fist up Levi. Get in the correct stance."
His anger fizzled. "Huh?"
You got into your fighting stance and held up your fist. "You want me to beat your ass black and blue while you stand there and take it? Nah. We're doing this the right way. Fight back you little bitch."
You were smiling the entire time, but he could feel the sting in your words. He shook his head. "I'm not going to hit you,"
You stuck out your bottom lip. "Aww." Fake sympathy melted away as your smile dropped. "Tough shit. You want me to forgive you so bad? Then put up your fucking fist. If not, then tuck in your balls and deal with me the way I am rat."
You weren't going to let this go. This was a mistake on his part..But maybe you needed this? Plus that mouth of yours was making his skin burn with irritation... Almost like old times.
He got into his stance. " Fine. I don't want to hear you bitching because I hit you too har--"
His eyes widened when you swung his way. You caught him off guard and he was expecting a hit to the jaw. Only it wasn't until a sharp pain ran up his left leg that he realized what you had done.
You had knock him on his ass but made sure to kick under his jaw on his way down. He's never fought you before, but he's heard stories.. He didn't think they were actually true?
You straddled his chest and reached for his throat. "Y'know Levi.. I've loved that bushy eyebrowed freak since I was fifteen." You began to squeeze tighter and tighter. "He was my first everything.." Your hands began to shake and his vision doubled. "My first boyfriend, my first kiss, the first person to care about me! I even gave him my damn virginity the night we graduated from the cadet corp!"
He couldn't stay like this for long.. You wanted him to fight back right? Using a bit of his strength his body shot up and his head slammed into your face. He could hear the crack of your nose and the pop of your now busted lip.
Blood dripped down your face as you flew back. You tried to kick him, but he caught your ankle and twisted it. Not enough to break it, but enough to send a hot pain up your leg. The force made you half roll onto your stomach.
But that didn't mean he had won. You pulled a fast one and used your upper body strength to jerk yourself up and use your free ankle to send the tip of your boot into his eyebrow.
He could feel the fat of his eyebrow split, warmth rolled down his face and smeared on the front of your boot..
No words were said as the fight went on. He got a few hits in and so did you. Eventually your hits became sluggish and he quit fighting back. He let you punch and kick him to your heart desired. You needed this.. You've been holding on for too long, and her was here--
"Fuck, Levi-- time out!-- I'm going to puke!"
He caught his breath and waved you off from his place on the dirty ground. He was going to need a long bath after this.. The things he'd do for you were sickening.
He listened to you empty your stomach. And once you were done he heard you. "Why couldn't he just love me enough to stay Levi?"
He sat up from his spot.. You were leaning against a tree, eyes closed, head thrown back, chest heaving.
You swallowed the lump in your throat and chuckled to yourself. "Oh, this is bringing back memories... Is this your idea of a sick joke Erwin?"
You could hear footsteps stop beside you. Only this time when you opened your eyes it wasn't a nerdy blond with bushy eyebrows and the bluest eyes. It was a grumpy faced ravenette with cold grey eyes.
Levi crouched down and brought your head to face him. He had pulled some fabric from his pocket and began to clean up your face. His poor eye was swelling shut..
"Just so you know.. I was never mad at you Levi. And I never blamed you."
He looked at you and continued to clean you up. Now was his time to just listen.
You winced when he pressed on your nose a little too hard. Fucker got you good.
He gave you a small sorry as you hummed.
"I was really mad at myself. He always told me I can still love him in some way but I'm not allowed to miss him and hold myself back.-- I started to let go.. slowly. Until one day I didn't miss him anymore. That's when I began to hate myself.. I kept my promise but I didn't want to. I'm a bad person.. I wanted him to forget his dream and want me instead. I'm stupid to think he would.."
Levi sat next to you and sighed. "No. You're not a bad person. And no, you aren't stupid.. He did love you a lot. The man was just crazy-- if you ask me.. He was the stupid one."
You snorted then made a pained face. "Ow... But yeah... Dumbass left all this." You motioned to yourself and smiled.
Levi leaned back against the tree. "I wouldn't leave you."
You turned to him. "....... Is this a love confession? Cause if it is... You have horrible taste in women. I just kicked your ass pipsqueak."
He chuckled.... He fucking chuckled?!?! "I let you.-- and you can't look down on me Y/n.. We're the same height."
The soldiers who were keeping watch over Zeke all stood up and gasped when you and Levi returned. His eye was swollen shut, he was hunched over a little from a hard kick you sent to his back at one point. Your lip was busted and you were limping so bad that Levi had to help you walk.
Jensen, a new bright eyed recruit, gasped. "Captain! Squad leader! What happened?!"
You smiled and pointed behind you. "There's some big ass mosquitoes in the forest tonight. You all better stay out of there.."
A few older soldiers chuckled and stood up so you and Levi could get comfortable in your spots again. He poured you some tea as you sent your soldiers to bed.
"You looked back at the tent. "Do we really need to keep this waste of oxygen alive? I still have a itch to strangle someone.."
Zeke's voice came from the tent. "I'm still awake you know."
You threw a rock at the tents entrance. "Go to sleep bitch!"
Levi sipped his tea. "I can't wait to kill him either."
-------------------------
Though you never agreed to officially be his.. yet.
Levi kept his promise. He was always by your side and never left. He patiently waited, even after the war was over and he was sure you didn't want anything to do with his broken body and a face that belonged in a horror story.
But like he did for you... You stayed by his side.
Eventually you both married and built a home together. You both opened a small tea shop and spent endless nights repainting the damn walls. Eventually you both settled on a familiar shade of blue..
There was still a love for Erwin, the first loves are hard to forget. But it didn't compare to the love you and Levi shared.
He sat outside of your shared home and let the warmth of the sun take over. He just wanted to heard the sounds of his life surround him. A life he'd never imagined he'd be able to have.
He could hear you cooing at yours and his new grandchild. A baby girl that was born only three weeks ago. He could hear his oldest son tell you the story of his daughters birth. You making sure that your daughter in law was well taken care of and was getting plenty of sleep.
He couldn't believe it... Levi Ackerman was not only married to the woman he couldn't imagine his life without, but he was a father to not only one. Not only two, but a father to 8 kids (all who had the audacity to tower over himself and you.) and grandfather to 3 beautiful grandkids.
"Dad? What are you doing out here?"
"Crazy old man. Did mom throw you out?"
He looked up to see his second oldest daughter and third oldest son. By now his hair has grayed and he had crows feet around his eyes.. But one thing that was new.. that he was proud.. were the deep smile lines that sat beside his mouth.
"She hasn't yet. I'm just waiting for you all to show up. The new baby is already inside."
His daughter squealed and ran straight in. His son chuckled and sat next to him on the bench. Knocking on his leg braces that helped him walk again after being wheelchair bound for almost 5 years..
"I'll wait with you pops. I don't want to hear mom bug me and ask if I'm having a baby with my new wife yet. I just got married a month ago!"
Levi huffed out a laugh. "We made your brother after the " I do." kiss..The wheels on my chair almost fell off."
His son gagged. "Gross dad.. gross."
When the last of his children showed up he got up to follow them into the house. It was full of life once again..
He wasn't sure where to look.. Up at the sky or at the ground. He settled for the middle. "You really were the stupid one Erwin..." He closed his eyes when he heard you laugh. "When I meet you again.. we're going to have to fight for her.. because I'm not giving her up so easily."
