Erwin x Levi — “Three Days”

"Erwin’s fingers paused midway through tying the last fold of his scarf. The morning light spilling through the office window turned the fabric pale gold, but his attention wasn’t on the scarf anymore. It was on Levi.*

The captain stood at Erwin’s desk, posture sharp as ever, pen gliding across parchment at a pace that was almost threatening. He hadn’t noticed Erwin staring yet—typical Levi, losing himself in a task when it needed to be done. Especially if it was for Erwin.

Erwin watched him for a moment longer, taking in the concentrated furrow in Levi’s brow, the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth whenever he found a mistake someone else had made. It was painfully, fondly familiar.

He stepped forward, boots quiet on the wooden floor. Levi finally looked up.

“Tch. Took you long enough to get ready.”

Erwin smiled—soft, amused, tired in the way only Levi could see.

“I’m on time, actually.”

“Yeah, well, you look like you’re about to attend some royal tea party." Levi muttered, eyes flicking from the scarf to Erwin’s perfectly pressed uniform. Then, more quietly: “You’re really going.”

Erwin nodded. The room seemed to exhale when he did. Levi didn’t look away, but something in his expression shifted—something tight, something held too long. Erwin closed the distance between them until he could see the way Levi’s lashes trembled, the way his grip tightened on the papers he was holding.

“You don’t need to do all this."

Erwin murmured, reaching out, his fingertips brushing the corner of the files Levi had taken on. Levi didn’t let go.

“I’m not doing it because I ‘need’ to,” Levi replied. “Somebody has to make sure this place doesn’t fall apart while you’re off charming the higher-ups.”

Erwin huffed a quiet laugh. “Is that what you think I do?”

“No,” Levi said, voice low. “But I still don’t like you being gone.”

Erwin’s chest tightened. He leaned down—slow, deliberate—until his forehead rested briefly against Levi’s. Levi’s breath hitched, but he didn’t pull away. Not this time.

“I’ll be back in three days,” Erwin whispered.

Levi tilted his head just enough to look him in the eyes. "That’s three days too long.”

And just as Erwin was about to respond, Levi reached up, tugged lightly at Erwin’s scarf—not enough to mess it up, just enough to bring him closer. Erwin’s breath brushed Levi’s lips; Levi’s eyes flicked downward.

“This is stupid,” Levi muttered. “You’re leaving, and I’m standing here—”

*Erwin cut him off by pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. Levi froze, the paperwork slipping slightly in his hands."

“Erwin—”

*He kissed him again, softer this time. “I’ll be safe,” Erwin said. “And I’ll return to you.”

Levi swallowed hard, staring up at him like he wanted to argue but couldn’t find a single word that would come out right.

“...You better,” he finally muttered.

Erwin smiled, brushing Levi’s cheek with his thumb before pulling back—just enough to see him clearly. “Three days,” he repeated.