Erwin had chosen not to go to the lantern festival, excusing himself by saying he has nothing he wants to wish for, he already has everything he needs. Which is true! But there's also the fact that lantern festivals memorialise the dead, and knowing that he'll be one of the remembered dead soon enough was what really kept him away.

It's fine. He's spent a calm, peaceful evening in the cottage, and when Levi returns, Erwin is settled on the couch, a book open in his lap and Burnt Rice snoozing beside him, fluffy white tummy turned towards the ceiling.

"Hello, Levi." He looks up from his book, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiles. "The kettle is full, if you'd like some tea."