Perhaps it helps that Levi doesn't see Erwin as a monster. He's come to see Erwin as the man he is in the world he exists and the role he's chosen to inhabit. At first he was that lofty, untouchable figure, as brilliant as the sun, too bright to see directly or past, too scorching to get close enough to touch. But after a lifetime in the dark and the damp, he'd been drawn to that sunlight and warmth, and discovered that underneath is just a man who'd broken off pieces off his heart bit by bit just to see something through. Even if it was out of grief or love rather than truly for the sake of humanity, the outcome is the same.
For all that he's tried to cast it off, let others scrape away pieces of it, Erwin Smith is still human, and Levi will hold fast to that for him if need be, for however long he has to.
Because Erwin, too, is worthy of love.
That's always what he wants to show him when they touch, when they kiss, when they're close. That here, especially, he can just be the man he is, rather than the commander everyone expects.
...and yes, that time, it's definitely more noticeable. Levi stills nearly the same time Erwin does, fingers curling in at his shirt. His pulse has jumped a little again, a flush creeping up from his chest toward his throat, but he's still trying to sort out what he wants.
Still, there's a smoldering heat in his eyes when he catches that brief glance. Levi shifts a little on the counter, thighs flexing again as he hooks one ankle around the back of Erwin's leg, just in case he was thinking of going somewhere. The corner of his lip twitches a bit at that comment, though.
"...looks like he's reporting for duty, Commander," he drawls dryly, sliding the hand on Erwin's chest up to join the other, looping both arms loosely around his neck. Fingertips brush through the soft peachfuzz there, almost like he's fidgeting. It's only then that he realizes this is the first time it's happened -- that he knows of, anyway, and from Erwin's comment, it probably is.
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For all that he's tried to cast it off, let others scrape away pieces of it, Erwin Smith is still human, and Levi will hold fast to that for him if need be, for however long he has to.
Because Erwin, too, is worthy of love.
That's always what he wants to show him when they touch, when they kiss, when they're close. That here, especially, he can just be the man he is, rather than the commander everyone expects.
...and yes, that time, it's definitely more noticeable. Levi stills nearly the same time Erwin does, fingers curling in at his shirt. His pulse has jumped a little again, a flush creeping up from his chest toward his throat, but he's still trying to sort out what he wants.
Still, there's a smoldering heat in his eyes when he catches that brief glance. Levi shifts a little on the counter, thighs flexing again as he hooks one ankle around the back of Erwin's leg, just in case he was thinking of going somewhere. The corner of his lip twitches a bit at that comment, though.
"...looks like he's reporting for duty, Commander," he drawls dryly, sliding the hand on Erwin's chest up to join the other, looping both arms loosely around his neck. Fingertips brush through the soft peachfuzz there, almost like he's fidgeting. It's only then that he realizes this is the first time it's happened -- that he knows of, anyway, and from Erwin's comment, it probably is.
"That...uh-...didn't take much."