Reader x Levi - Presents by the Fireplace

Reader x Levi - Presents by the Fireplace

Warning for language



Levi lifts his head from the paperwork on his desk and frowns when he sees the small pool of drool collected on the paper. “Fucking..”

         A knock on the door causes him to snap out of his train of thought. “State name and business. I requested complete and utter silence. Who dares disturb me?”

         He hears the person on the other side of the door shuffle their feet and sigh. “Um, it’s me, sir, Cadet (L/n). Squad Leader Hanji asked me to deliver a letter and your tea.”

         The corporal leans back in his chair and take a deep breath. Why did Shitty Glasses have to send her of all people? “Yes, come in.”

         You open the door and walk in with a tray with a closed envelope and a silver tea set. With a tap of your foot, you shut the door and walk forward towards Levi’s desk. “How are you today, sir?”

         Levi continues to breathe slowly. His eyes do not open and he is silent.

         Placing the tray on the desk, you take a step backwards. “Lance Corporal Ackerman?”

         When he still does not respond, you walk around his desk and tap him once on the shoulder. “Sir?” Another tap. “Sir?”

         He jolts awake and groans. “What are you doing, cadet?”

         “You fell asleep, sir. I tapped you so that you would wake up.”

         “Ah, yes.”

         You prep the tea by swirling the herbs a little more. “Sir, may I ask why you have chosen to stay indoors during the holidays? Everyone else of the Survey Corps is outside enjoying the snow and spending time with friends and family.”

         Levi picks up the letter from Hanji but does not meet your gaze. “I do not like my birthday coinciding with such a large day of faux celebration. It’s rather pathetic.”

         While adding a tad of lemon to the tea, you flinch. “How could you say something like that?”

         He glances at you for a moment.

         “Sir,” you add.

         “Why would people believe in something that they do not know has happened. We live in a world where the weak and dreamers do not live long to tell their stories of the past. One must be functional by paying attention to hard facts that are ever-present.” He takes a breath. “Anyways, it’s not even like I have anyone to spend the time with. Most of my family and friends are dead.”

         You pour some tea into the cup. “All due respect, sir, but do you believe that the people who have given their lives for the better of humanity are fake?”

         Levi stops moving. “What?”

         “They are not standing directly in front of you. But you feel their presence lingering despite their departing of this world.”

         Your eyes flicker away from his steel glare. “And hope isn’t something tangible, but it is something that we are forced to hang onto. Like love. And happiness. Imaginary items, if you will, but they are very real. Holidays are a time of gathering and sharing those feelings.”

         The dark-haired man sighs. “Well then, cadet, pray tell, why aren’t you out there with your friends? Why bother to bring me, a grumpy old man with a foul mouth, tea?”

         You glance down at the swirling brown liquid. “Merry Christmas, sir,” you say, handing the cup to Levi from the handle.

         While reading the letter from Hanji, Levi extends a hand for the teacup. As the container passes from your hands to his, it slips past Levi’s slender fingers and lands on the edge of the desk. Before you can catch the cup, it falls onto the floor and shatters. The tea seeps into the dark coloured rug and seems to disappear.

         Levi stands up in surprise while you cower back, away from the crime scene. You sputter apologies, but Levi seems to not be paying attention.

         “You brat! Get out of here!” he screams. “You come in here with your fancy words and break…” Levi looks at the pieces of the cup. You never realized the object was so important to him.

         Before running out of the room with tears in your eyes, you collect the shards.

         Levi stands from his desk and walks around his desk to clean the mess. All he finds left on the carpet is the handle to the teacup. Brat, come back please.




Hanji places a hand on Levi’s head. “Whatcha up to, Shorty?”

         “Just regretting everything.”

         “Ooohhh, that’s a new reason. What happened?”

         Levi sighs. “We were talking when she accidentally dropped The Cup and it broke. I screamed at her and fucked everything up.”

         “The Cup?” Hanji repeats.

         “The teacup from my childhood. It doesn’t matter now. I should have gotten rid of it years ago. It was purely sentimental value. Nothing more.”

         Hanji frowns. “So you didn’t confess, as it sounds.”

         He throws a pillow at her face. “Fuck off. I was too busy breaking her spirit.”

         “Well, if it makes you feel any better, since it’s the newest training group, the squad leaders and Erwin will be holding a small gathering for them. Hot chocolate around the fireplace. Present exchanging. You should come. Just show up and it’ll make things a little better.”

         Levi looks down at his ink-stained hands. Too much paperwork. He should tell Erwin to lighten the load during the end of the year. “I’ll think about it, Shitty Glasses.”

         Hanji has one foot out of the door when she tips her head back inside and adds some information to the conversation. “You know she’s an orphan just like most of them, right? She’s probably had the worst childhood out of all of the kids you see walking around the castle today. You two have more in common than you think.”

         The corporal is silent.

         “See you later, Levi.”




The chatter in the room grows loud when everyone laughs and exchanges colourfully-wrapped presents. You have already handed your small gifts to everyone and accepted some tokens of appreciation in return. But the two larger boxes sit at your feet, unopened and lonely. The person you wanted to give them to has not shown up.

         Hanji crouches next to you and smiles sadly. “Sorry, kid. I really thought he’d show.” She bites her lip when tears well up in your eyes.

         The moment you realize you have begun to cry softly, you wipe your cheeks and sniffle. “It’s fine. It’s my fault anyways.”

         Hanji frowns and looks back at Erwin for help. He tips his head towards the door where a shadow cowers in silence. “SHORTY!” her voice rings out, piercing the noise of the room. People quickly return to their conversations, trying to ignore Hanji literally dragging Levi into the room and forcing him to sit next to you.

         He holds a small golden-wrapped present under his arm and pretends to be very interested in the carpet detailing as you scoot forward a little.

         “Corporal?”

         Levi looks up and then back down. “Levi. We’re all on casual terms now.”

         You smile. “Right, Levi. I have two presents for you.” You hand out the present to your left. “This one is for the holidays.”

         He takes the present, fingers grazing yoru in the process. The both of you retract at the contact and blush momentarily afterwards. Levi is very careful with the wrapping and makes sure not to fray any edges of the paper. Under the layers is a white box. When Levi offers you a confused look, you simply smile in return.

         “Open it,” you whisper.

         Levi lifts the lid of the box and takes out the crisp white material. “A new cravat?”

         You nod. “I know it’s a long shot, but I thought you’re like a backup in case something ever happens to the one you are so fond of.” Reaching for the second present, you sigh. “And for your birthday. Even if you don’t like the day you were born.”

         This time, Levi opens the gift a little faster, eager to see what awaits him. “You fixed the teacup for me.” Levi marvels at the cup, completely fixed as if it were brand new. All that was missing was the handle.

         “I’m sorry I don’t have the handle. I tried my best though.”

         Levi shakes his hand and reaches for something in his pants pocket. “I found it after you.. Left.” The piece fits perfectly to the rest of the cup. “Thank… you. Really.”

         You smile. “I’ll glue the two pieces together tomorrow, sir-Levi.”

         He offers you a ghost of a smile in return. Then Levi remembers he has something for you. “Right, this is yours. If you want it, of course. Holiday present.”

         Though the box is small, inside is a beautiful necklace with a small, circular pendant hanging off the end. Engraved on the silver is hope. You love it.

         Forgetting that there were other people in the room, you throw yourself at Levi and hug him. “Thank you!”

         Levi freezes at your touch, but does not hesitate to embrace you in return.

         Behind the two of you, Hanji clears her throat. Her eyes flick to the small plant hanging off the fireplace edge. Mistletoe. Of course she put that there.

         Levi tips his head against yours and presses his lips gently against yours.

         As he kisses you softly, you can tell that all sense of hope and love have returned to make his heart warmer. And perhaps it will become even warmer as time progresses and the two of you become closer.

         You smile in the kiss and giggle slightly.

         “You’re going to kill her for this, aren’t you.”

         In all seriousness, Levi nods. “But first…” His hands wrap around you and pull you closer for another kiss.