It was Christmas Day, a rare occasion for a moment of reprieve among the Scout Regiment, and though the Scouts were not in the habit of celebrating holidays, they’d made an exception. The mess hall was abuzz with camaraderie and laughter, a drinks party in full swing, with nearly the entire Regiment gathered to partake in the fleeting joy. Yet, conspicuously absent were two of the most renowned members—their esteemed Commander, Erwin Smith, and his ever-stoic Captain, Levi Ackerman.

This day held dual significance for Levi; it was not only Christmas but also his birthday. Yet, Levi never indulged in celebrations, nor did he expect others to mark the day with fanfare. He preferred his solitude, or at the very least, the company of Erwin.

With a slight smirk, Levi raised a half-full bottle of strong liquor he had swiped from the festivities, savoring the sharp burn as he took another swig. The warmth of the alcohol pulsed through him, lending an unusual buoyancy to his steps as he drifted around Erwin’s dimly lit office. From a record player on the desk, faint strains of holiday music filled the space—a quiet ambiance that mingled with the scratch of Erwin’s pen against paper as he diligently worked through yet another stack of reports.

Levi’s movements were uncharacteristically loose, almost whimsical as he paced, his eyes glinting with a mischievous spark. Despite the serious expression Erwin wore as he buried himself in his work, Levi found himself yearning for a flicker of attention, a break in Erwin's ever-composed demeanor.

“Oi, Erwin,” Levi drawled, his voice laced with a hint of a challenge as he took another swig and leaned against the desk, piercing Erwin with his gaze. “Entertain me.”