“ᴡʜᴏ ɪꜱ ᴇʀᴡɪɴ ꜱᴍɪᴛʜ, ᴍʀ. ʟᴇᴠɪ?” - a short eruri thread fic in which Levi went with Falco and Gabi to the cemetery.
1 A year passed after the war, Levi is living freely and peacefully with Falco and Gabi, and sometimes, with Onyankopon as well. Due to his injuries from the war, Levi is no longer able to walk and he needs assistance for today’s occasion.
2 Today’s occasion? Erwin and the other scouts death anniversaries and the day they retook Wall Maria back. Levi is fine going alone but somehow— he wanted to bring Falco and Gabi with him.
3 “Are we going to Paradis, Mr. Levi?” Falco asked, pushing the wheelchair. “Yeah,” Levi answered while reading the newspaper he was holding. “Also, don’t call me that. Just call me ‘Levi’.” “Okay, Mr. Levi.” “Brat.”
4 “What about these flowers?” Gabi asked, holding a bunch of flowers around her arms. “What are we going to do about them?” “Offer them to the fallen soldiers.” Both went silent, realizing that they’ll be probably going to the cemetery at Paradis.
5 There are variety of flowers Gabi was holding and somehow, Edelweiss flowers caught her attention. “You also have these type of flowers at home, is it your favourite, Mr. Levi?” “Brat, I told you not to call me that.” “You told Falco, not me.” “Brat.”
6 Both kids chuckled. Gabi shook her head, “By the way, this type of flowers is not usually for the dead. Falco, do you know its meaning?” “Deep love and devotion? I guess it’s somewhere along those words.” Falco answered unsurely, seeing the port in front of him.
7 “It’s been a while since the last time I went to Paradis. It’s the same for you right, Mr. Levi?” Gabi asked, watching him staring the ocean for the entire time. “Yeah,” Levi answered nonchalantly, watching the deep blue ocean with longing eyes. ‘I’m coming home, Erwin.’
8 Upon reaching the island, they immediately went to the cemetery with a few hours ride. “I-It’s nice seeing the people here living so freely now.” Gabi watched the view, remembering what happened a year ago. “Thanks to the fallen soldiers dedicating their hearts.”
9 When they finally arrived, a huge logo of survey corpse are facing them. Levi was waiting for Falco to push the wheelchair yet somehow, both of his companions stopped their tracks, looking nervous with full of guilt. “Falco, Gabi, what are you both doing?”
10 “It’s nothing— It’s just—” “This is how many soldiers died because of us.” Falco said with guilt. “We have no rights to set foot on this place.” Levi looked at his two companions and sighed, “What happened already happened. Another era started. Let’s go.”
11 Thus, they went and placed a single flower on beside of each tombstones. Lucky for them, they bought a lot of flowers. “Furlan, Isabel… you would love to see the sea.” Levi said unconsciously placing two flowers beside their tombs. “And also these brats with me.”
12 “Who are they, Mr. Levi?” Falco unconsiously asked. “My bad, you don’t—” “They’re my first friends— siblings rather.” Levi answered, staring at their tombs before signing Falco to push the wheelchair. “Let’s go,” And then, they went to the huge memorial wall.
13 “Hange’s name is here.” Gabi said, seeing Hange’s name written on the wall. “Does that means that their body—” “It was burnt until there’s nothing left.” Levi answered. “They would love seeing the flying titan.” Falco looked down, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden.
14 After the memorial wall, it was kind of a sign that they already visited everyone— however, Gabi was searching for someone. “Gabi,” “Yes, Mr. Levi?” “You’re probably searching for her. You go ahead.” Levi said, pointing at someone’s grave. ‘Sasha Braus’
15 Not even a second after Gabi read the name, she bursted out into tears and knelt in front of Sasha’s grave. “I’m so sorry, Miss Sasha!” Gabi cried, bowing down, asking for forgiveness. “I know that I can’t bring you back but I can promise you that I’ll help my friend, Kaya!”
16 “Oi, Gabi, calm down.” Falco rushed to her, comforting her. “It’s okay, her family already forgave you. I think she also did.” “No, she won’t and that’s okay!” Gabi cried even harder. “After all, it’s my fault—” “It’s no one’s fault. We’re at war.”
17 “Mr. Levi…” “She died… for humanity.” Levi said, “All of these soldiers died for humanity. We already accepted the consequences when we decided to join the survey corps. This is part of the consequences.” “Calm down, Gabi.” Falco pleaded, hugging her gently.
18 “If you’d like to come back and visit her again,” Levi started, “bring potatoes. It’ll make her happy.” “Potatoes? That’s all?” “Yeah,” Levi nodded, “I’m not Sasha but, I just know that she already forgave you before everyone else did. She would like you.”
19 After Sasha’s grave, Falco and Gabi thought they’ll be going now— not until Gabi realized that Levi hasn’t offered those Edelweiss flowers yet. “Is there someone else left, Mr. Levi?” Gabi asked, “You still haven’t offered those flowers yet.” “Only one man.”
20 ‘Only one man?’ Both Gabi and Falco were confused but still followed Levi as Falco was the one pushing the wheelchair. “Stop right here,” Levi simply said before standing up and simply fell down afterwards. “Mr. Levi!” Falco and Gabi shouted in unison and went over him.
21 “You should’ve told us that you’re planning to stand, we would assist you.” Falco said, supporting Levi’s arm. “You brats are overreacting.” Levi sighed, “I was planning to sit on the ground.” “But still!” Gabi insisted, “We should’ve assist you to sit carefully then!”
22 Levi sighed, ‘these brats are seriously—‘ “Fine, just let go of me. I’m on the ground now, by the way.” Levi said in annoyance. “I’ll just offer these flowers to him and we’ll be going afterwards.” “Um, take your time, Mr. Levi.” Falco said, smiling.
23 ‘I guess Mr. Levi took me seriously.’ Falco thought, realizing that the three of them were still in front of the only one man’s grave. “Falco, shouldn’t we get going? It’s getting dark.” Gabi whispered. “The sun will—” “The sun isn’t going to set for another few hours.”
24 “It wont?” Falco was confused, staring at the sky, seeing the sun still remained at its place. “Looks like you’re right, Mr. Levi.” “It’s amazing. How did you know?” Gabi asked. “The midnight sun occurs.” Levi simply said, “Just like him.” “Who?” “Him.”
25 Gabi didn’t ask any further, knowing that Levi was referring to the owner of the gravestone in front of him. “A sun that never sets…” Levi started, “Just like him, even after his death, he is still right there. I just know it.” “Mr. Levi?” “Hm?” “Who is Erwin Smith?”
26 Levi hasn’t heard that name in forever. “Who is Erwin Smith, Mr. Levi?” Falco asked as well, referring to the man who owned the tombstone Levi is sitting in front of. “Him? Haven’t heard his name in forever.” Levi said unconsciously. “It felt good hearing it.”
27 Falco and Gabi looked at each other for a second before they went to sit on the ground beside Levi. “It seems like you both were good friends.” “Yeah, good friends.” “Yeah, yeah, whatever you say.” Levi shrugged. “He’s a piece of shit, by the way.”
28 “Huh?” “A blondie.” “What blondie—” “An annoying blondie. That piece of shit.” “Are you insulting him—” “That’s what I thought of him before.”
29 Gabi chuckled, “You weren’t in good terms at first?” “I tried to kill him.” Levi said, “He and his squad caught us— me, Furlan, and Isabel. Instead of taking us to the prison, he offered us to join the Survey Corps.” “I-If it weren’t for him, you won’t be here?”
30 “Kind of? It seemed like that.” Levi said, “We were living underground— no sun and sky to see not until he also helped us get our citizenship from the above.” “So, it’s really thanks to him?” “He showed me what’s beyond those walls before. What a man he is.”
31 “So, that made your mind change about him.” Gabi said, getting interested in Levi’s story even if he’s just talking about another man. “Not long after my first expedition outside the walls— Furlan and Isabel were eatan by a titan. I blamed myself because of my damned pride.”
32 “I’m sorry—” “But he told me that it was the titans to blame. They’re our real enemies.” Levi said, “In the end, I chose to follow him with no regrets. I’ll follow him, even if he’ll lead me to hell. I’ll never regret.” “A choice with no regrets, huh?”
33 “Exactly, then years passed and he is the only man I trust.” Levi said, “He trusted and respected me as much as I did. That time, he was the commander.” “I thought it was Hange?” “Before Hange.” Levi corrected. “He was the one who always said to dedicate our hearts.”
34 “He must have been a great commander, Mr. Levi.” “The greatest.” “H-How did he die, Mr. Levi?” Gabi asked. “Oi, Gabi, I think that’s too much—” “It was my decision.”
35 Falco and Gabi had surprised look on their faces. Gabi said, “Y-Your decision…” “Wall Maria was taken from us and Eren, our hope that time, was there to sealed the wall.” Levi said. “How I wish I should’ve broken his legs, that blondie.” “Mr. Levi, please calm down.”
36 “I just didn’t went with him because he let me rest because of my ankle injury and then he returns with one arm missing. That bastard.” “W-Were you worried?” “He’s pitiful. That pitiful bastard who don’t want to rest.”
37 “Haha, Mr. Levi, it’s alright to admit that you are worried.” “I should’ve really broken his legs that time we decided to retake Wall Maria.” Levi tsked. “But that bastard told me that it was more important than his legs, humanity’s victory, and— no, nothing.”
38 ‘More important than… you? Perhaps?’ Falco thought, watching one of the rarest expression Levi made just now. “After that, we went to retake Wall Maria— However, that other bastard, that monke—” Falco and Gabi flinched, remembering that Levi wanted to kill Zeke so bad.
39 “I don’t want to mention his name, it boils me.” Levi sighed, “That bastard killed more than half of the scouts who went to retake the wall.” Both stayed quiet, Levi has the rights to talk about Zeke like that. Levi noticed both and he assured them, “Don’t be sorry.”
40 “B-But because of Mr. Zeke, your friend died. It’s okay, you have the right to be angry with us.” Gabi said, frowning. “He died because I told him so,” “Erwin Smith?” “I told him to give up his dreams and die for us.”
41 After Levi said those words, it felt like his voice cracked at the moment, which made the two worried. “H-He… trusted me and told me about his real intentions…” Levi said with a broken voice. “So, I made a promise with him that I’ll take the beast titan no matter what.”
42 “However, I had a serum. The only thing that could save him.” Levi said with a heavy voice, “But I chose to let him rest.” “You did?” “If I didn’t, Armin is the one who’ll die instead. But I never choose that brat as well. I decide what’s the best for that bastard.”
43 “But isn’t he the better option?” “At first I wanted to bring him back but he deserves to rest after what we’ve been through, I guess that was the best time to let him rest. He already felt guilt, pain and depressed.” “You chose his happiness over the humanity?”
44 “Who knows? I just know that he deserves to rest. Nothing more, nothing less. After all, no one was able to replace him. No one can and no one will.“ “Have you regret it? Even once? For not keeping him alive?”
45 “No, I have no regrets about that.” Levi said, “Not even during the war we had before. I’m glad he wasn’t there. It’s a pity he didn’t get to see his theory became true and the sea, which had the same color of his eyes.” “That’s why you kept staring at the sea the entire—”
46 “Gabi, shhh!” Falco shushed Gabi’s mouth. “That’s getting more personal.” “The sea indeed remind me of him. Never thought that I already saw the sea in his eyes already.” Levi smiled softly. “He has ocean eyes.” Gabi and Falco stared at him.
47 Falco and Gabi were surprised. It was the first time they saw Levi, smiling like this. They don’t understand but they knew that this Erwin Smith is very important to him. “T-Then, what is Mr. Erwin to you, Mr. Levi?” Gabi asked as Levi raised an eyebrow with that question.
48 “Even if I tell you, you won’t understand.” That was the moment, Falco and Gabi both realized that— Erwin Smith, for Levi, is someone he deeply had connection that they also couldn’t explain well.
49 “I’m glad that I was able to take your bones and gave you a proper burial.” Levi said softly, talking to the grave. “Deep love and devotion…” Falco unconsciously uttered, staring at the Edelweiss flowers that Levi offered. “Y-You feel deep love and devotion to him then?”
50 “What are you talking about? It’s not my fault that he’s the first one giving me this type of flower.” “H-He gives you flowers?” “And tea,” Levi added, “I prefer the tea leaves though, especially the ones from the military police he blackmailed a long time ago.”
51 “He also blackmails?” Falco asked, surprised “Those from military police are mostly shits so they deserve it.” Levi explained, “He is also the one who never complained of me being a clean freak and often helped me to clean quicker although he makes it even worse…”
52 Falco and Gabi were just listening to Levi the whole time. They never expected that Levi can get to be this chatty. But somehow, Falco came up with a conclusion— Levi is, in fact, in love with this Erwin Smith. Why he thinks so? Because it’s like him with Gabi.
53 “…I would learn everything about the outside world that he wanted to see and bring them back to him. If only he was alive—” “Did you get to see him one last time, Mr. Levi? When the war was over last year?” “I saw all of my comrades including my squad, Hange, and…”
54 Levi stopped momentarily, “E-Erwin.” Levi continued, “I saw them briefly and when they faded away, E-Erwin stayed a bit longer, saying something that I didn’t heard.” “You didn’t get to hear his words for you?” “No, I didn’t.” Lies.
55 Silent lies in their conversation as the three of them stared at the tombstone in front of them. They stayed for another hour. Even it’s already nighttime, the sun hasn’t set yet at all. “We’ll be going now, Erwin.” Falco took note that Levi didn’t stutter his name.
56 “W-We’ll be going now, Mr. Erwin. It’s nice meeting you.” Gabi bowed at the tombstone. “I’m Gabi and that’s Falco. We’ll be helping Levi till he’s back to you again.” Levi was suddenly speechless while Falco didn’t know if he felt embarrassed or proud of Gabi saying that.
57 “What are you saying to him, let’s go.” Levi said, “I think there’s an inn near the area, let’s just stay for a night before going back.” “Okay, let’s go.“ “Just show me the way, Mr. Levi.” “I wished I could meet Mr. Erwin in person.” “Same.” ‘Me as well, you brats’
58 Gabi and Falco faced ahead while Falco was still the one pushing his wheelchair, Levi looked back at Erwin’s grave as he was drifting away from him again every second. ‘Erwin, I lied…’ ‘Erwin, I lied that I haven’t heard your words back there…’
59 ‘You told me to live my life to the fullest with no regrets…’ ‘You bastard, I already did… with you… when you’re still alive…’ ‘Erwin, you’ll be waiting right?’ ‘You should be the one to pick me up when the time comes…’
60 ‘Right now… I’ll try living… with those two I am with right now…’ ‘I’ll try to be happy, Erwin…’ ‘I’ll live for myself, for you, Hange, and the others…’ ‘I’ll share your legacy to others and how you guys dedicate your hearts…’
61 — END ‘Erwin, thank you.’
