He'll glare extra hard at you. Those steel grey eyes digging into your back when you train, spar, clean, eat. Watching, mesmerised, the way you move with such assuredness, such strength, muscles rippling beneath your uniform, the way you execute titan kills with such perfection that it might as well be an artform. Hange calls him a pervert, but Levi calls it observing. Appreciating. In his own silent way.
He'll always make sure to give you extra cleaning duties. He doesn't really know how else to talk to you, if it's not to give you orders. Besides, he can't deny how damn hot you look with sleeves rolled up to your elbows, brows furrowed and biting your lip as you meticulously scrub stains from the dining table, only leaving sparkling clean surfaces in your wake.
He'll stand awkwardly close to you whenever he has the chance. Trying not to make it too damn obvious that he's secretly sniffing your scent. You just smell so fucking good. Clean, like the soap provided as part of the monthly allowance from the Survey Corps, but also faintly of metal and gunpowder, testament to your time in the military. And so fucking sweet. He always walks away drunk after such an encounter.
He'll never go easy on you when you spar. That would just be to insult you. No, instead, he gives it his all. Because you deserve his all. He wants to give you his all. That might mean that you lose every damn time and end up pinned beneath him, breathless and writhing as you try to push him off. And before anyone asks, then no, that's not one of the reasons why he doesn't go easy on you. Not at all.
He'll always make sure to provide you with anything you need. But God forbid that you ever find out it's him. He won't ask. Somehow, he just knows. Maybe, from all that glaring. He notices you shivering? Next thing, a warm cloak is draped over your shoulders, its owner gone like a shadow in the night as soon as you lift your head to see who it is. He notices you cough during breakfast? He'll leave steaming mugs of tea, made with the precious dairy and honey only available to the higher-ups in the military, outside your room at headquarters. With just a knock on your door to alert you of his gift even if the sender himself is gone as soon as you open it. He notices the way your ODM gear whirs and complains from lack of oiling? He'll clean it for you, oil it, polish it, until it's so silent and shiny that you could hang it on your wall to use as a mirror. And you'll never know how you fell asleep one night after a gruelling training session, only to wake up the next day with your ODM gear propped against the wall exactly where you placed it the night before, but somehow magically fixed.
If someone asks how he feels about you, he'll deny it. Without second thought. "It wasn't you I saw coming out of their room last night, right?" No. "Admit it, you think they look hot when you're sparring, right?" Tch, no. "Aww, did I just see you smile at them? Did I? Did I?" No, for fuck's sake. "You're sure you don't have a thing for them?" No. And Levi doesn't even realise what he just admitted until much later, when he sees Four-Eyes whispering something in your ear and your eyes widen with shock, just before they seek his across the training grounds, your cheeks flushing a pretty pink. Tch. Why do you have to look so damn cute??
lmaoo these were originally inspired by the quote I put in my Levi moodbard (Love language: Glaring), and then the snowball rolled from there😂😂 And I promise, he's not a pervert, just...emotionally constipated...
Imagine realizing he was clingier than you initially thought,
with Levi Ackerman.
levi x gn reader
Genre||Vibe; fluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuffy, love language, soft physical touch, snuggles, cat, i feel warm
Summary; On your first date, you asked Levi what his love language was and he'd answered with something expected—not physical touch. Lately, you can't help but look back at the memory and come to realize how fucking wrong he was.
🗡tags; sfw || modern au || soft levi || early relationship || warm romance || fluff || bed snuggles
🗡word count; 715
🗡a/n; i couldn't help it, i was giggling writing the end bits of this one. i just cannot see Levi as any other animal. can you? if so im curious, TELL ME!
You see, Levi isn't the kind of guy who likes being touchy.
You remembered asking him something you read in an article called conversation-starters-for-the-first-date—on the topic of love languages. You already knew which ones he'd say now, not a surprise, of course back then you didn’t. But even so, you kind of have gotten enough of a vibe during that first date that made you not consider physical touch to be one of the probable options.
Now that you’ve been together for about three months, the memory of it somehow found its way back up from the depths of your temporal lobe and into the front of your mind—made you ponder on it.
The more you think about it, the more it slowly begins to become funny since you realize that you never questioned it either.
Don't get it wrong, he loves you. Too much sometimes. But ever since the very beginning of your little love story, it became harder to recall at least five times he’d held your hand in public and barely ten times at home.
So that kind of made it easy to pick out those small, cute moments, like wrapping his pinky to your pinky.
Even hugging you was a rare emote, or holding you for no fucking reason. It definitely wasn't because he didn't like touching you, god no. Levi once joked about you being the only other thing he liked the feeling of touching. With the sole exception of himself and his dick.
He brushed it off as a joke but you were sure there was some truth to it. Most of it.
Admittedly, you were clingy, so maybe you were just overthinking the lack of grand cuddles and overbearing-reciprocated clinginess. You also don't quite remember a time when you asked him about it along the lines of; "Don't you want to hold my hand?"—or say something like; "You act like I'm dirty with how little you touch me."
Intimately speaking, this—minimal-physical-touch-thing wasn't really a problem because fuck, Levi was good in bed—in you. Every other touch instance beyond that? You can count them with all twenty of your fingers. Yes, including feet fingers.
However...since you have been letting your brain be occupied by these thoughts, you eventually started seeing the minority you didn’t count. Especially that one little thing Levi does with you that your mind often lets slip from your memory.
Cats.
Cats have this thing they do—what was it called?
Ah,
Nuzzling.
When the idea first crossed your mind, best believe you crashed into your bed and smacked your laptop open to confirm something.
“...cat nuzzling...feline...f, e, l, i...” you mumbled as your fingers flew across your keyboard, typing the thought away before you forgot about it.
“AHA!...itisafelinebehaviorwhereacatgentlyrubstheirheadandfaceagainstyou—HAH!” You semi-rapped the definition part out of pure excitement. The aha and hah’s you’d yelled out had Levi poking his head into your room asking if the reaction came from you figuring out how to multiply his detergent stock without spending twice the money.
The way your eyes looked up to him slowly plus the growing grin of your face said otherwise. It made him recoil, “what?” his eyes narrowed, suspicious and well aware that you had that look that said you fucking-found-something-out.
“Nope. Nothing.” You sucked your lips in in an act of hiding the rest of the rise of a cheeky smile, “it’s nothing.” you added quickly, shutting the screen of your laptop with deliberate slowness.
Levi had to stare at you for another good minute, just to see if you’d spill. You didn’t, so he gave up and finally walked in, sinking into the space beside you on your bed, snug against your side.
You really didn’t tell him and you struggled not to giggle while he just now was doing the very thing you were refusing to tell him. Nuzzling his face against the ball of your shoulder, the motion soft, lighting up your heart in the warmest way possible.
At least now you knew that the instances of Levi and physical touch being under the same breathing space exceeded all twenty of your fingers. Now counting the small moments in the past you didn’t include, and the ones that’ll happen in the long future ahead of your relationship.
• Levi take things very seriously when you get sick, he would not let you work or go out and make sure you don't overwork your self even for small things.
•After an argument, Levi doesn't apologize directly with words, he is too stubborn, but he always comes back to you naturally.
• Levi's favorite person would be his wife, he is not really open up with people, but with her he would make an exception because he value family relationship which is unfamiliar to him .
• Levi has a dry sense of humor, he is sarcastic and love to make snarky comments to tease you, even if sometime he get too blunt he doesn't want to offended you accidentilly.
• He is brutally honest with you he rant and criticizes people he dislikes and sometimes gives them silly nicknames, but in a blunt calm way, without trying to be hurtful.
•He like quite moment with you, it's one of his favorite thing. To spend time with you without too much stimulation or noise. Just quiet entertaining time.
•Levi like to sleep spooning you, his favorite position. You wrapped in his arms and his chin in your head, make him look protective even in his sleep.
•At the end of the day he like to have you on his laps while he is laying and talking about his day, he would listen to what you say without jugement
•Levi love when you talk about your complaint to him, he doesn't admit it but it make him feel needed and trusted
• Levi somehow takes the role of a maid, he never lets you get overwhelmed he does things by instinct, cooking, doing household chores, picking up after you when you feel too tired or lazy.
•Levi would be your rational side,If you oversleep or feel too lazy to get up, he’s already awake. When you’re overwhelmed, he places a cup of tea in front of you and ask you to take a break.
Levi shows his care through actions rather than dramatic words. Instead of saying ‘I love you’ he will adjust your clothing and hair if either goes askew, take care of the household cleaning, drape a blanket over you when you fall asleep at your desk, and make two cups of tea instead of one, claiming it was “leftover” despite it being brewed exactly how you like it.
When you two are walking through busy crowds, Levi will either step in front of you to walk (while glaring at anyone who almost bumps into you). But sometimes he will remain behind you and place one hand on the small of your back to quietly guide you through the crowd.
Levi can be physically affectionate. Not in any overzealous way, and definitely not PDA. However, he does prefer silent, physical expressions of love over words. Small, lingering touches to your back, shoulder, thighs and arms always ground him and remind him that he won’t lose you the way he has with so many others. Other examples include stroking/tousling your hair, wiping your face if there is something on it, or even a hand settling on your waist while you're standing at the kitchen counter or something.
He remembers everything you’ve said. Seriously, that man will forget nothing even if you only mentioned it once in passing. He takes the smallest of preferences into account when buying you things like flowers, clothes, food and gifts you’d like. Sometimes there is no occasion, he just enjoys spoiling you. But getting him to admit that would be absolutely impossible.
When there is an occasion however…is when you are obviously taken care of well. Levi never forgets occasions; anniversaries, birthdays, achievements, difficult days, holidays. Anything really. You mention something is important to you once and it goes in his brain forever, he’s kinda like a human encyclopaedia when it comes to you. He spoils you on those days (appropriate for the occasion, of course). Relationship anniverseries? He’s already made reservations, bought flowers and clothes for you, cleaned the house, and made breakfast in bed. Death anniversaries? He is much softer and gentler with you on those days, not overtly or uncharacteristically, but the difference is there. He is patient and makes sure the day goes as smoothly as possible for you whilst also giving you time, and someone to speak to (or a shoulder to cry on).
He is your biggest supporter at any sporting or academic events you choose to participate in. The man may be compact, but that has never stopped him from being your most loyal enthusiast. It is almost comical, especially because he is so gruff about it. Not being all warm and gushy, he actively tries to play things off and rationalise/justify his behavior to you if you tease him for saying that another opponent was stupid anyway, or that you were the most competent there, or simply that you did a good job.
Though Levi is not always the biggest initiator of affection, both physically and verbally, he always reciprocates or at least allowsyou to comfortably show your love for him. Whether that’s when you hug him and he decides to hug you back with one hand on the back of your head or your upper back, or when you tell him that you love him and he says ‘you too’. Albeit while avoiding all eye contact and sounding grumpy about it, especially if he says ‘Love you too’. He goes visibly pink then, more so in a domestic moment.
Constantly admires you when you are not looking. Although he would never admit it, he thinks you’re the most beautiful person on this earth. Finding beauty in everything you might hate about yourself, peace in parts of you others would rather stay clear of.
General dynamics:
Rarely calls you pet names or nicknames. He will almost always address you using your real name, no matter the situation. Don’t get it wrong though, it’s not because he doesn’t love you. Not at all. He simply just chooses not to use nicknames. However, the sound of him saying your name (specifically during protective or heated moments) is enough to make your face heat or for heat to pool in your stomach. Especially when it is breathy and rough during the latter.
He’s immensely observant, years of survival have taught him to pick up on seemingly insignificant details. Meaning he will pick up on imperceptible shifts in your mood, body language or facial expressions. However, he is never demanding when he realises that something isn’t quite right with you. He is patient, and waits for an opening to offer conversation without forcing it.
Protective without being overbearing, like when he ensures that you walk on the inner side of the pavement away from the road or during the crowded sidewalk situation where he would step in front of you.
Levi never raises his voice, especially not at you. Even during a stressful situation or an argument, he has never once raised his voice. Not when you’ve raised your voice and gotten emotional. Not ever. And when he feels like he might lose composure, he chooses silence or simply takes a deep breath instead. Though he never dismisses how you feel or makes you feel small when you do express those feelings. He just has a harder time having those conversations.
Levi dislikes or at least takes a while to adjust when you change prominent parts of your physical appearance suddenly. Though others may find it endearing, it is surprisingly deep rooted. Since you became his only constant; one of the few people in his orbit who have never left or died. Seeing you suddenly change stirs up uncomfortable feelings for him. Nonetheless, Levi will always make an effort to adjust as quickly as possible without making it obvious.
Levi is not the overly jealous type, but if he sees you speaking to someone else and they’re getting just a little too comfortable, he will glare from where he was standing a few paces behind you. A quiet warning to back off. No more than that. He respects your independence too much, he knows you can handle things yourself. But when you genuinely look uncomfortable and aren’t able to speak up about it is when he will physically interject with quiet lethality. Your boundaries are something that Levi does not play about.
Random attractive things:
While speaking to you or listening to you speak this man will not break eye contact. It is his way of showing he is listening to you, giving you his undivided attention no matter how busy he might be. Seriously, he does not even look away or look phased when you yourself do. Hardly acknowledging it, save for when he may raise an eyebrow slightly when you look visibly flustered. It does not help. Both are incredibly attractive and leave you squirming.
Regarding eye contact, he also maintains eye contact when he is loosening his tie, discarding his jacket or unbuttoning his shirt buttons after a long day at work. Not to be provocative, well, not entirely anyway.
When he is speaking to you while you are sat down on a sofa or something, if he is standing up, he will almost always walk over and plant a hand on the arm of the sofa closest to you, leaning his weight on it. So he’s essentially leaning over you slightly. His strong forearms showed the clear definition and power that you knew all too well.
Sometimes, before an occasion or simply to treat you, Levi will take you out clothes shopping for a new outfit like a suit or dress or whatever you choose. He likes seeing you try them on, giving honest feedback on all of them. Never insulting. In fact, you can clearly see his eyes raking across your frame with something less decent than his expression would ever dare to give away. If he got caught staring too long, it was him who was flustered this time. He’d clear his throat and look away, while insisting you get that one. Hastily standing up to pay for it, and sort out whatever reactions he may have had.
His grip is incredibly strong and steady, not painful but definitely powerful. The veins on his hands shift and his knuckles become attractively prominent.
When you are standing where he needs to walk, instead of just asking you to move, he will simply place a hand on your side or shoulder and gently move you to the side without saying a word. Same for if you are using the wrong technique to cut vegetables or something, he will place his hands over yours whilst standing right behind you/by your side and guide them. No shaming you, just a quiet ‘like this’ at most.
Levi isn’t particularly opposed to bathing or showering together. Sometimes he even times his washing schedules around yours, so that you two end up in there together. It isn’t always sexual to him, it’s a form of intimacy and trust which he would rarely allow himself around anyone else. He never makes you feel exposed or vulnerable in your nudity, and you do the same with him also. It may be domestic but the composure and respect he shows is undeniably incredibly attractive.
Even during heated moments of intercouse, Levi will ensure that you are okay. Not ruining the moment, but ensuring you are not struggling, in too much pain, or uncomfortable. His observation allows him to check those things simultaneously without ruining the moment. And when you are exhausted and recovering, his thumb brushes over your cheek, and he mumbles ‘you still with me?’. Or something along those lines.
NSFW headcanons (warning):
During the intimacy preparations, when you two are undressing, he is the one who takes off your clothes. Unbuttoning your shirt, taking off your trousers/skirt and pushing undergarments out of the way while performing his ministrations (kissing you, necking you or rubbing his hands over the increasingly exposed patches of skin). If you weren’t already, once you were completely bare, he carries you with his hands under your thighs over to the bed then pushes you to lay down.
Not particularly loud during sex. His breathing turns ragged and heavy, occasionally followed by an occasional low grunt or cuss during climaxes. When he finishes sometimes he will let a moan slip quietly before collapsing on the bed beside you.
He isn’t particularly vocal during it, so does not praise you much or anything. However, during the rest periods in between rounds he will quietly tell you that you did good, stroke your hair, check you over and ask if you were uncomfortable during it. He would always make sure that you were okay before himself.
Intercourse is probably the only time Levi does not feel the need to make sure everything is clean. He won’t ruin the moment by picking discarded clothes from the floor or picking stuff up when they fall. Despite that, true to nature, he will always clean with a warm, damp towel after you after you finish. Not necessarily to satisfy his compulsive cleanliness, but to make sure, yet again, that you are okay and don’t have to focus on the messiness of it all. He is careful where you are sensitive down there afterwards. And will always be the one to clean the stained bedsheets in the morning.
Again, eye contact is strong. One of the few times he will speak during sex is when he is telling you to look at him, even though he is actively thrusting into you. However, if you continue to look away, he will lightly but firmly hold your chin and keep your face turned towards him so that even if your eyes are closed he can still see the reactions you have. To see what to do to make it an even more pleasurable experience for you.
Surprisingly he is quite a tease, his hands will roam exactly but where you want him. Though he is not cruel with it, and doesn’t keep you waiting too long before touching you where you want. Sometimes you’ll see a very small smirk that only you can bring out of him when you're desperate.
An eater. No explanation. He will definitely keep eye contact while doing it, and expect you to do the same.
Levi is afraid to break you, at first. His hands have sown so much violence, have been stained with so much blood. It almost feels wrong that they should touch your face. But the way you look at him, the way you trust him, gives him the courage to try.
At night, in the merciful dark, he holds you gently, cradles you like something precious. He stares at your hands when they're linked, silently marveling at the fragility of your fingers folded between his, the furthest thing from the handle of a knife.
When he climbs over you, limbs planted in the mattress to keep his weight from your chest, he's afraid you might shatter, a thousand shards of glass he'll never be able to clean from his sheets.
When you offer him your body, willing and wanting, it feels like drowning. He gasps for air in the forgiving crook of your neck, hiding his crumpled face, pressing his lips to your pulse, clinging to the reminder that you're alive, you're alive and here with him, around him, taking him in like he isn't going to destroy you in the end.
Start Of Time – Levi Ackerman x Gender-Neutral Reader One Shot
Summary: After nearly losing you at Shiganshina, Levi finds himself standing at the edge of the sea with a second chance he never expected to have.
Word Count: 1k
Dividers by @deltamel
Read on AO3
I daydreamed this while listening to Start Of Time by Gabrielle Aplin. Just a little fluff with a hopeful ending, for once. Hope you enjoy our Levi being a sweetie♡
The sea was louder than Levi expected. Not deafening. Not violent. Just a constant noise. The sapphire waves rolled endlessly against the sandy shore, stretching farther than the eye could see. The scent of salt hung in the air, carried by a warm breeze that tugged at his clothes. Around him, the others celebrated.
Hange was jumping and splashing in the water excitedly. Jean was arguing with Connie about the water being drinkable. Sasha was trying to shout over them to find out if anything in the sea was edible. Armin stood knee-deep in the water, staring at a shell with wonder in his eyes. The dreams he'd carried since childhood finally coming true. Mikasa stood near Eren, who were both looking out to the horizon, the sun shining off the water around them.
For a moment, Levi watched them. His squad. They were survivors. They were dreamers. They were the fools who had somehow made it this far. His chest tightened. So many others should have been here. Every Scout who gave up their life for this moment. The ghosts followed him everywhere. Even now. Especially now. His gaze dropped to the golden sand beneath his boots. He should have felt relief. Victory. Something. Instead there was only a familiar ache. A weight he'd grown so accustomed to carrying that he barely noticed it anymore.
Then he heard your laugh. Soft. Bright. Levi looked up. You were standing a short distance away, the waves brushing against your ankles. Your boots abandoned on the shoreline and your trousers rolled to your knees. You were watching Jean and Connie tasting the salty water, then immediately spitting it out. The sunlight danced across the water around you, turning the sea into liquid gold. For a second, he couldn't breathe. Not because you looked beautiful. Though you did. It was because only weeks ago he thought he'd lost you. He could still remember the sight of your broken body among the rubble. The blood. The panic. The sick certainty settling in his stomach. Another one. Another person he'd failed to save. Another name to add to the endless list. Yet here you were. Alive. Laughing. Then, all of a sudden, looking back at him. The sunlight caught your eyes and something inside him cracked. Not painfully. Just quietly. Like ice thawing after a long winter.
You smiled. It was a warm, soft smile. The kind of smile that said 'there you are'. The same smile that had greeted him through countless mornings. The same smile that had stubbornly remained even when the world was falling apart.
"What?" you called.
Levi blinked. "What?"
"You're staring."
His first instinct was to deny it. Instead he found himself walking toward you. One step. Then another. Your smile faltered slightly. Not from fear. From curiosity. Your head tilted, questioning his movement. The expression on his face must have looked strange. It felt strange. Levi stopped in front of you. Close enough to see the freckles scattered across your cheeks and nose. Close enough to see the details of your face that most would miss. Close enough to reach out. Yet he hesitated because this was dangerous. Not Titans or war or blades and guns. This. Wanting someone. Needing them. Allowing himself to imagine a future that included them. His entire life had taught him that the things he loved didn't stay. That happiness was temporary. That people left or died. But standing there beneath the warmth of the sun, watching the waves stretch endlessly toward the horizon, he found himself tired of living by that rule. For once, just this once, he wanted to be selfish.
Your voice was gentle.
"Levi?"
The concern in your eyes nearly undid him. He let out a slow breath. Then, before he could convince himself otherwise, he lifted a hand and brushed a loose strand of hair from your face. The gesture was so careful almost as if you might disappear if he moved too quickly. Your eyes widened. The world seemed to still. The sea. The wind. The distant laughter and arguments. All of it faded away. There was only you. Alive. Here. With him.
Levi swallowed. His voice came out rough, raw with an emotion he never let himself feel.
"You scared the hell out of me."
You blinked. Then your expression softened.
"Oh."
Just one word because you understood everything he couldn't say. The fear and grief that he felt. The guilt he held on to. The affection he'd buried beneath duty and survival. So your hand found his, gently. Warm. Real. And suddenly the future didn't seem quite so impossible.
Levi looked from your face, to your intertwined hands and back to your face. That usual intense gaze replaced by a look that could only be described as relief. For the first time in a long time, it felt like there might be something waiting for him beyond the next battle. Something worth holding onto. You.
Levi's eyes drifted shut. His breath caught in his throat. He leaned forward at a painfully slow rate, like he expected you to take the chance to pull away. To run from him as far as you could. But you didn't. You moved closer.
The kiss was tender. Gentle like it was made of glass, a fragile thing in a cruel world. He was not demanding or desperate, it was a soft longing that couldn't have been described in words. The quiet collision of two people who had nearly lost the chance entirely. His hand found your cheek. Yours tightened around his. And for a brief, perfect moment, the weight he carried every day felt lighter. When he finally pulled away, his forehead rested against yours. His breath ghosted across your face. A content sigh left his lips.
The waves continued their endless song around you. The sunlight warmed his skin. And for the first time, in longer than he could remember, Levi allowed himself to hope.
The smell of cheap liquor filled the mess hall, Hange was ranting on about how titans would react under alcohol, they were clearly drunk, arms wobbling and voice slurred. Levi never took part in these events he only stood by in case any fights broke out.
He noticed you, sitting in a corner beside the very drunk Hange holding a mug of ale carefully. You looked exhausted, a sheen of tears rimmed your eyes. He saw you take a sip, then another until the mug was over. You then simply slumped your head on the table and fell asleep in an instant. Out like a light.
"Dammit" Now he was responsible for making sure you and Hange got to bed safely. To be fair you didn't really make it hard for him when you simply switched off and slept when you got overwhelmed. Of course you used poison to drown out your sadness. That meant you were hurting more than you let on. "Stupid" But he was really more worried that you'd take up this bad habit. At the same time he was almost jealous how you fell asleep so fast. With a grumble he shook your shoulders. "Don't pass out here like a damn drunkard." Hange then laughed loudly at their own drunken joke about force-feeding titans vegetables. He shot them a glare.
He then turned to you again. Noticing how your head stayed adamantly slumped. He shook you once again.
Nothing.
Not even a flinch.
"Tch Lightweight."
He sat beside you throughout the 'celebration' watching for fights. You were great company anyways since you were passed out, since the others were in a noisy drunken frenzy.
He then pulled you up by the shoulders, lifted you up like a sad sack of potatoes and carried you to bed. Despite his earlier gruffness he laid you gently on your bed. His hands pulled up your covers to your chin to keep you warm. "Don't make a habit of it." That's when you stirred a little, and spoke in a whiny, drunken tone. "Goodnight Captain" A tiny smirk formed on his face. "Goodnight, lieutenant."
Attack on Titan Masterlist
Levi has burrowed into my head and cured my writing slump.
