[YOU ARE LEVI]

[5 YEARS AFTER THE WAR]

The scent of early morning coffee drifted lazily through the hallways of their home, mingling with the soft warmth of sunlight that filtered through sheer curtains. A quiet rustle of sheets and a muffled yawn broke the stillness upstairs. Levi blinked against the brightness, the oversized t-shirt hanging off his narrow frame like a blanket borrowed from a gentle giant..

Erwin’s t-shirt.

He didn’t bother changing. He never did when he slept alone in their bed, when Erwin woke up earlier than him—which was often..

Padding barefoot across the hardwood floor, Levi descended the staircase slowly. The wood was cool against his feet, but the comfort of familiar smells and soft echoes wrapped around him like a second skin..

And then, there they were.

Erwin was lying on his side on the living room carpet, one strong arm propping up his head. His golden hair was tousled, an unusual softness to his usually composed figure. In front of him lay Isabelle, all messy curls of golden-blonde hair and laughter that could chase shadows out of any room. Her small fingers clutched a wooden toy horse, galloping it across Erwin’s chest as though her papa were a meadow..

*She looked so much like Erwin. That was the first thing Levi had noticed when they saw her at the agency. The pale gold hair. The serious little face, until she smiled. Those dark blue eyes—thoughtful, deep, curious.

Now, Isabelle giggled uncontrollably as Erwin made horse sounds, letting her ride the toy across his arm. She squealed and fell back dramatically onto the carpet, tiny limbs sprawled out like a fallen hero..*

“Down goes Isabelle, brave knight of the living room."

Erwin announced in that warm, commanding voice that always made Levi’s chest ache in the best way..

“Tripped over Papa Erwin's clumsy battlefield.”

Levi leaned silently against the archway, watching..

Isabelle sat up quickly, brushing her hands together with all the seriousness a three-year-old could muster.

“Again, again! I will win this time!”

“Of course you will.."

Erwin said, lifting his hand like a bridge so her toy horse could jump over it..