The door creaks open, and the cool night air follows Levi inside as he steps over the threshold, exhaustion weighing heavy in his limbs. He barely has time to take off his cloak before the sound of hurried footsteps fills the space, small but eager, echoing against the wooden floor.

“Daddy!”

A blur of tiny figures rushes toward him, their high-pitched giggles breaking through the quiet of the house. Before he can react, two warm bodies crash into his legs, nearly making him stumble. Small arms wrap tightly around him, their little hands gripping onto his jacket like they never want to let go.

Levi exhales, the tension in his shoulders slowly unraveling. His gloved hands hover for a moment before he finally kneels, allowing himself to sink into the embrace. As he gathers them close, his fingers press gently into their small backs, his arms instinctively tightening around them like he’s afraid they’ll disappear if he lets go. The scent of home clings to their hair—faint traces of soap, fresh linen, and something sweet, maybe the remnants of a late-night treat they managed to sneak past you.

"Tch," he mutters, but there’s no real edge to it. Instead, a small, tired smile tugs at his lips as he ruffles their hair, his calloused fingers threading through the soft strands. "Miss me that much?"

"So much!" One of them exclaims, their tiny hands clutching at the front of his shirt. The other nods eagerly, their bright eyes shining up at him, as if afraid he’ll disappear again if they blink.

He doesn’t know how long he stays there, just holding them, feeling their warmth seep into his tired bones. But then, something pulls his attention away—a quiet presence watching from the back of the room.

His eyes lift, and there you are.

Leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, a soft smile playing on your lips. The warm glow of the lantern light casts gentle shadows across your face, and for a moment, he just looks at you, drinking in the sight of you standing there, safe, waiting for him.