seasonsrpg | Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

Doctor Why Instead of Who
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Sawyer's Return

Sawyer, the Autumn Guild Leader, addresses the network on noon on the 19th. He's back from wherever he has been since disappearing in November. The message goes as follows.

Click for a Gif

"This is Sawyer. I lead the Autumn Guild as the last Autumn Power Holder native to this world. I was accused of crimes relating to the portal mysteries and sabotage in the Research Center in November. Well, I guess I still am.

I managed to track down the real culprit, but couldn't capture them. Instead, I got the device they used just before they disappeared into yet another portal. The device still has the coordinates to the location they went to. Instead of pursuing them myself, I'm asking for everyone's help, since I got injured fighting them. I'm leaving the device to Olwen, along with a file on another incident, and letting Harrison put me in jail until the real culprit is captured. Hopefully after Jade looks me over.

Anyway, I'm counting on all of you to capture the bastard. They go by the name "The Doctor".

Harrison, I'm waiting behind the Amberfall Guild."

Any inquiries about the video will be met with a "We are forming a plan of action, please wait" for the first few days after. But everyone will be assures that Sawyer did get medical attention before taken away! (Handwaved) Visitations are permitted while he's in custody.

Color Me Inked
(Duration: Whole month)

Part 1

There is some really good news following the slightly worrying news from before: The Fairy Queen has reacquired all of her powers! That's why anyone who is interested is invited to Amberfall to gain an upgrade for their seasonal powers. This upgrade comes in the form of a magical tattoo. These tattoos not only give boosts but it can also move around one's body (for example, if someone's tattoo is a bird, the bird can fly around, especially when powers are activated).

These tattoos are permanent by default, but they can also be temporary should the person wish so. Temporary tattoos will wear out in a month (or earlier, if the tattoo is in constant use).

The basic effect of the tattoo is simple: seasonal powers stronger against the dark energy, meaning everyone will be able to fight creatures coated in it easier. That is, however, not the only effect; two more effects can be chosen when the tattoo is made, from a pool of choices provided.

Tattoo extra effects
• Danger Sense (gives an ability to sense danger in the surroundings)
• Door Creation (lets the user create a temporary fake door to pass through walls and other obstacles)
• Elemental Resistance (one element) (can be chosen twice)
• Enhanced Sense (choose one of the basic senses) (can be chosen twice)
• Guardian Spirit (summons an astral being to physically protect them, in the shape of something important to them - stays for an hour per summon)
• Mermaid Song (gives an ability to be able to heal minor injuries with singing)
• Minor Regeneration Powers (automatically heal minor injuries)
• New Element creation and manipulation (choose from electricity, light, neutral) (can be chosen twice)
• Retrocognition (able to see an item's past by touching it (does not work on living things))
• X-Ray Vision (lets user see through walls and other objects by touching them (does not work on living things))

All extra effects of the tattoo drain magical energy just like any other abilities do. If someone is low on magical powers, the tattoo will look like it's faded out (animal based tattoos may even start sleeping). No one automatically masters these abilities, so it might take some time to get used to them and properly use them in a fight.

Part 2

Various booths have been set all around Nightwake that let people test their new abilities. Most of the booths utilize just one ability (like being attacked by a water balloon with a blindfold on to test danger sense or test their enhanced senses) but some of them have several ways to complete them. They vary from obstacle courses to target shooting. These are mostly fun, harmless things

There's also just general fighting areas set up for people to just fight it out with their new abilities (they know by now that otherworlders love their fights). There are also robots that are installed with various martial arts to use as opponents, for those who prefer not to fight other people.

Bigger on the Inside

(Duration: January 22nd -> 26th)

Part 1

Olwen, the Winter Guild Leader, is the next one to address everyone through a message sent to all devices. It's an invitation to join him in tracking down and capturing The Doctor, but also for anyone who wishes to join the support side of things. The team will be gathering in Blossomcrown Park, on the 22nd of January at noon, where he will explain the plan.

The park has several tents set up. All of them are somehow related to aiding the fighters who will be entering the portals, so all non-combatants will be asked to man them. There are healing, food and even touch energy tents. After an analyzation done on the portal device, it seems that touch energy will drain faster inside the portals than they do normally.

Before the portal is opened, Olwen greets and thanks everyone for coming. He will explain that their primary goal is to find The Doctor, but also prevent monsters from entering Nightwake while the portal is open (it cannot be shut while someone is inside, unless you're someone like The Doctor). He explains that the nature of this portal is otherwise still unknown and he advises anyone who starts feeling bad in any way to return to Nightwake right away.

Once everyone is done with preparations Olwen activates the portal device and leads the way inside, holding a sword and shield in hand.

Part 2

When people first enter the portal they are met with a breathtaking view. It looks as if the water surface and the sky melt together, as the water reflects the starry sky. On the water there are several rowing boats. Once at least two people are inside a boat it will start moving across the surface of water and will eventually disappear into a mist (all except for Olwen, who disappears alone for some reason, who tells everyone to stay focused on the mission before the mist takes him).

The boats take people into sceneries that reflect their seasons. If there's more than one season on the same boat the scenery will be a mix of them.

• Winter is a cave of ice and water, filled with monsters named Glaciduets (Rock monsters with various animal bodies that shoot ice and rocks as weapons)
• Spring is a place among the clouds, filled with monsters named Galeduets (Birds that are partially fishes, that use sharp winds and icicles as weapons and dive among the clouds)
• Summer is a village that is burning, filled with monsters named Flameduets (Various dinosaurs with wings that use fire and wind as their weapons)
• Autumn is a rainy forest filled with monsters named Terraduets (Skeletons with fiery armor that use earth and fire as their weapons)

All of the monsters are far sturdier than they look and can provide to be difficult opponents. To proceed, they all (at least five monsters, can be more) have to be defeated and if any of them get past them into the mist the people entered from they will attempt to enter the portal into Nightwake. The mist is also the way to escape and return to regroup if needed.

Part 3

Defeating enough monsters will destroy the space they entered. Once enough spaces are destroyed, one final space is revealed (this will take a few days, there are a lot of these spaces). It's where Olwen can be seen fighting a masked, hooded person. Olwen is using his sword, water and ice - while the other figure uses force fields to protect themselves from magic and two swords. From the looks of it, the fight is rather even.

Those who try to help Olwen will be met with another force field around the area, preventing anyone from entering. Destroying the devices making the field will help Olwen get past the villain's defenses, but they're guarded by shadow monsters called Shadow Moths (This creature takes the shadows of people to become bigger and faster. It usually takes the form of a giant mothman that has shadowy vines as its weapons. If hit by the vines, characters would start doing everything backwards).

Once the devices have been destroyed, Olwen manages to encase the figure in ice before collapsing on the ground himself from exhaustion. All that's left now is to get both the ice covered villain and Olwen out of the portal and closing the portal - but with that, it's mission accomplished.

The masked villain (still frozen) will be taken by the Law Enforcement into custody to be questioned while Olwen gets Jade (Spring Guild Leader) to look after him right away. Olwen is tired, but thanks everyone who came to help with the mission (whether fighting or supporting) with a healthy sum of 20,000 Moon Coins.

Epilogue

With The Doctor in custody, Sawyer is free. Harrison makes a public apology, which Sawyer accepts and a viral video can be seen of all the guild leaders hugging him and telling him how they always believed in him. Are those tears in Sawyer's eyes? You must be seeing things!

Information about the villain will be given at a later date, once they manage to interrogate them. Meanwhile Sawyer will return to his guild duties. This time actually doing them without (as many) complaints.

Waiting in the Shadows
(Duration: January 28th - 31st)

Part 1

The Research Center Leader, Helene, and the Fairy Queen have been working on a project while the Portal fight has been going on. They send a message that there's another mission to take to those who are interested, with a 50,000 moon coins reward because of how dangerous and important this mission is.

Those who agree to take on the mission are asked to take at least a temporary magical tattoo. Those who already have a tattoo (permanent or temporary) will have theirs temporarily enhanced. This is the only requirement to participate in the mission. The enhancements for the tattoo are to protect the user from what they are about to face and make magic work against it - as well as work as an emergency exit if all else fails.

Explanation of what they are about to face is a dangerous entity once faced by two otherworlders. It has been named the All-Consuming Darkness: an experiment made by the Doctor that was meant to be unleashed to destroy the barriers around Ellipsa. Under normal circumstances it would eat any attacks delivered at it. But with the Fairy Queens magic tattoo boosts that danger will be out of the way.

After all the preparations and explanations, they are advised to take the new, temporary teleport crystal out to the Autumn Segment, straight to the Abandoned Mansion.

Part 2

The Abandoned Mansion is a creepy, old two story building that looks quite rundown. It's surrounded by mist that expands into the forest. There's not much to look at on the outside, other than two tombstones with the names of Kamisato Ayato and Kaveh on them. Anyone who has previously visited the mansion might remember they definitely weren't there before June, when the place was sealed.

Magical tattoos let everyone pass through the barrier and into the house. The strategy is simple: find all the arms of the monster, spread out to the mansions every room, and destroy them. With the boost from the tattoos all attacks can now deal damage, but the monster can still inflict status effects (silence, stun, burn, poison) and the air around it generally feels poisoned.

The being itself has no actual figure. It's a shapeless blob of mass that attacks people relentlessly with its arms. It will also try to capture anyone it can and eat them to make itself bigger, since it no longer can consume attacks to do so. Even with the magical tattoo boost it's still a difficult opponent to face.

Those that do get eaten will receive their own tombstone outside. It seems it appears automatically after death.

Everyone is also advised to retreat if they need to, which they can do by passing the barrier out of the house. With how many arms the being has the fight may take a while.

Part 3

Once all the arms are destroyed, the shadow blob will evaporate and the eerie feeling that was all over the place will vanish. The spirits that were guarding the doors will open the windows and doors, relieved that the danger was now gone. It's almost as if the nature was celebrating too, as sun beams start to fill the mansion as well.

The teleport crystals will take them back, but there's also a promise of a free luxury airship ride back for those who want to pamper themselves for a job well done. The airship is parked at the Autumn Airship Station.

OOC TIPS

• Ask Event-related questions here!

• Smut is not allowed on the event post, so if your thread is heading that way, please move it to a private entry of your own (your own entry or a new locked post on the comms).

• Remember to content and spoiler warn as necessary!

• Characters are responsible for coming up with their designs for the tattoos or at least ideas for them (the fairies doing the tattoos can offer options). As a bonus, there's no healing time for the tattoos, as they are completely magical! It also doesn't hurt (unless the person is very sensitive to it, then it might. Player's choice). Everyone is also allowed to get temporary tattoos first before committing to a permanent one (the limit is one permanent tattoo per character).

• Those with special skin (mechanical or otherwise) will still be able to get a tattoo, as they are magical. Even those whose skin would normally regenerate (like titan shifters) can have a tattoo stay permanently. These tattoos will also be available as "aesthetic only" ones after the event.

• Neutral Element is what it says on the tin. It's a shapeless energy that usually takes a blank, white form (but can be different colored, too). No creature is super weak against the element, but none of them resist it either; it's the element that will always deal damage, no matter what.

• Reminder that this month does not have Activity Check-in!

code bases by tricklet

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It feels good - really good - to be touched like this. While life here is incredibly sedate compared to the world they come from, it's hard to convince your body to let go of long-held tension. There's...a lot of it yet, frankly, so Levi has his work cut out for him. But even if he can't manage to knead all of it out, it's a start, and much better than it's been in a long, long time.

Erwin can't help but hold himself carefully still as fingers work toward the stump of his missing arm. It isn't shame or embarrassment; Levi's seen the ragged flesh on him plenty of times, though by now it actually looks more healed than ever. It had still been relatively new when he'd died, after all. But the sensations are still...strange, sometimes, and shadows of guilt and worry still manage to whisper at the back of his mind briefly.

But they're quickly chased away as strong fingers move onto other places. Erwin isn't shy about sighs of relief, or soft little groans of encouragement when Levi finds a particularly good spot there, that's good. Minute by minute, he relaxes more and more, the heat of the water soaking into his muscles, the massage unwinding others, and Levi's presence, comforting and familiar.

That request takes no extra convincing.

Erwin just glances back briefly, judging the distance between them, and then carefully lowers himself back...settling with his head to Levi's left shoulder, to stay within his field of vision. A new wave of contentment unfurls through him as he carefully leans his weight against Levi's chest. This closeness, yes - this is where he belongs.

His left hand finds Levi's leg under the water, just gently resting there, fingers curling around his calf to have more contact.

Erwin turns his head a little towards Levi's, nose bare millimeters from his jaw. "...is this all right?" he murmurs softly.

Is he crushing you with his weight yet?

Levi hopes the touches to the missing arm are reassuring. That Levi isn't afraid of it, or looking down on Erwin for this limitation; that he accepts it as part of him, equally worthy of love just like the rest of him.

He doesn't know if it's coming through, but at least it seems to be giving Erwin some respite; he's growing gradually more pliant in Levi's grip, and the little sounds he makes say plenty, too. He almost feels bad to not have offered him a massage earlier; the man must have been walking around with all this for months.

Well, at least they get to work it out now; that is what matters.

Erwin leans against him and all is right in the world. This is, actually, just as uncomfortable as it was before to get any work done on his shoulders, but it's also what Levi has been hoping for the last hour, so he's not going to correct him. Levi still kneads at his neck a little longer just to keep up pretense -- and hopefully put an end to another knot or two in the man's muscles -- but his movements slow gradually, stilling when Erwin's hand finds his calf and he can feel his breath under his jaw.

He thinks his heart stutters a little bit right there.

"Yeah," he says gently back. He's tempted to turn his head and press his lips to that large nose, but all of the sudden, with how close and very much skin to skin they are at the moment, he feels a little shy. Instead he cants his head slightly so his cheek rests against Erwin's ~~eyebrow~~ temple, and lets his hands slowly slide away from the man's neck, wrapping his arms loosely around him instead.

It's more than alright. It's perfect.

Levi doesn't mind the weight, either. He's strong, and while he'd definitely feel it if Erwin decided to lie on him out on land, he'd still most likely be fine. Here in the tub, most of their weight offset by the water, the weight feels comforting rather than oppressive. Just another proof that this existence which he's lost, which he's buried under the weeping rains of fall, which he's mourned for four years, which he's holding carefully right now, is real.

He's not sure if he even needs to ask, and at the same time, feels oddly terrified to.

"...Can we stay like this, for a little while?"

It is reassuring; because that is what Levi always has been for him. When doubts nipped at his heels or sunk teeth into his flesh, Levi was there to pull them away, to lift him up, away. In so many ways that have nothing to do with his strength, Erwin would never have gotten as far without him.

As the massage turns into a light embrace, as Levi leans their heads together, a gentle, wonderful feeling settles over them. Erwin feels his eyes slip shut, feels some remaining tension in his shoulders melt away. There's a tingling at the missing stump of his arm, as he imagines lifting his right hand to curl softly over Levi's wrist, just to hold him there.

His heartbeat and breath slow as a relaxation and contentment wend through his body, made possible only because it is Levi's arms around him, Levi's chest at his back, Levi's voice asking if they can hold onto this.

Is this...peace? It must be. Erwin can't imagine anything else coming close.

It is perfect.

"Yes, please," he answers softly, simply, not moving at all except to draw little circles with his thumb against Levi's leg, just to touch. "As long as you want, Levi."

It's alright. Even if he doesn't hold him there, Levi has no intention of moving away any time soon. Especially as Erwin confirms that he's okay with it, with this, and Levi feels his own doubts start melting away, relaxing under the comfortable weight of the other man.

If anybody had told him he could live like this, he could have this, just a year ago, he would have laughed in their face-- well, no, he would have just stared at them, though there might have been a deal of a bitter, hysterical laughter on the inside. But it's real, and he doesn't know if he'll ever be able to have enough of it.

His grip tightens just a little, securing Erwin close, though still leaving him enough freedom to move away if he decides to. He's happy that he doesn't.

As long as he wants? Those are dangerous words, though. He wants this to last forever. He wants to never see another titan, to never think of bones rotting in the ground, burnt up wings, ash and soil filling spaced that used to hold life.

He wants to never have to make the choice to let go again. He wants to never let go again.

Eventually, though, perhaps no sooner than the water starts getting cooler against his skin, he figures that if they're going to nod off, they might as well do so in a nice dry bed. Plus, his skin might wrinkle up if he stays in much longer. So he shifts carefully, trying to see if Erwin is awake, and if his eyes are closed, well. He'll lift one hand from their shared embrace and lightly flick some water at him.

"Oi, Blondie. Still with me?"

The heat and steam had loosened whatever little gel may have remained in Erwin's hair after the shower, and it's all just soft and fluffy now. Levi cards a couple fingers through it fondly; he always thought it looked better that way, but of course the Commander had a public image to maintain.

Erwin rests, completely relaxed. They don't say anything to one another for a long while, and he perhaps dozes a little. It's not the right position to listen for Levi's heart, but Erwin is certain he can feel it all the same. The feeling of the rise and fall of his chest against his back as he breathes, the softness of his cheek, it's all precious and real, and maybe in some ways - in many ways - he doesn't deserve this, to have this peace and gentleness, this happiness when so many others are yet dead, floating in some unknown place without a second chance.

But he is here, with Levi. They're here together, and Erwin will do whatever he can to not leave him again.

The feeling of water against his face has him wrinkling his nose a bit before blue eyes blink slowly open, but he doesn't rouse from his spot just yet. In fact his eyes close again as those fingers slide through his hair, and he sighs softly, content. A smile warms onto his lips.

"Always," he murmurs, giving Levi's leg a gentle squeeze where his hand rests against it.

The water has cooled some, so they either need to refresh it, or get out.

Levi hasn't yet released him, so Erwin doesn't start to move from his arms.

"Are we getting out?"

Sure, it sucks. It's super fucking shitty that so many of their friends are dead and not here. But Erwin is here, and he'd better not waste their precious stolen time thinking about alternatives. He'd better enjoy every moment of it.

He'd better not leave Levi again. Not when they can finally be... something like happy.

He exhales softly against Erwin's forehead, an amused huff perhaps, and gives his fringe a few more strokes. Always. He squeezes him a little tighter one more time before letting his grip loosen. He makes no motion to push Erwin off, though.

"Yeah... I'm tired and I ain't sleeping in a tub."

He is absolutely enjoying every moment. Every beautiful, precious moment, especially these.

A soft chuckle rumbles in his chest before he says: "All right."

That moment of extra tightness gets a gentle squeeze against his leg in return, and when that embrace loosens a little more, Erwin slowly curls himself away, stretching a moment. He angles a glance backward briefly.

"Thank you for your efforts earlier...I don't think my shoulders have ever felt better."

And really, they haven't. Erwin leverages himself out of the tub then, letting some of the water run off his skin before he starts to carefully step out and reach for a towel. His back is mostly to Levi, and this time if he's looking, well - Erwin wouldn't mind. He'll start to dry off, and once Levi is out of the water as well (offering him a steadying hand, if he needs it), will pass him one of the big, fluffy towels with a smile.

All is right, then. And this mission was a step in the way of ensuring they could live the rest of their lives out here, so that feels right, too.

"Good," he says, and his mouth shifts into something almost like a smile for a moment. "My leg's feeling better than it has in a while, too. Guess we should do this more often."

He definitely watches the other man leave the bath -- and he'll take that steadying hand, just in case, as he heaves himself up and climbs out of the tub. He unplugs it and momentarily considers cleaning it, but for once decides against it -- as weird as it feels to consider, there's staff around to do it, and if they want to take it again before anyone gets to it he'll just do it then.

He takes the towel and wraps himself in it with a soft sigh. It's such a nice fabric. He wonders if it's available to buy in the city. He's quite sure he has more than enough money for something like this. Maybe even a bigger tub--

Ah, right.

He slowly dries himself off, then hangs the towel to dry, shrugging into the soft fuzzy bathrobe again. Guess that will serve as a bed outfit this time. Then he'll check how Erwin is doing, and help him dry whatever spots may be hard to reach with one hand if needed. There might be an unnecessary poke or tickle here and there, but overall, it goes calmly enough until he announces he needs to take a piss and goes to take care of that (as well as more hand ~~and dick~~ washing afterwards, because of course.) At least it seems he's able to handle that much himself.

Once Erwin has some manner of clothing on as well, Levi will loop his arm through his again so they can walk back to the bed.

It's... amazing how natural it feels, even if part of him is still upset he needs the help.

"I'm glad. And yes, we should." A little silly that they haven't tried it before, but - well, they know now.

If Levi was going to try to start cleaning the tub, Erwin would have gently nudged him to leave it, if possible. Thankfully he doesn't have to try to dissuade him from anything, but rather he gratefully accepts the help in drying off. He's managed most of it on his own for some time, now, but it's considerably more difficult to ensure one's back is fully dry without both hands. Besides which it's...easy, comforting, to have Levi help - even with the occasional poke to his ribs that Erwin can't help but laugh at, and silently promise to get him back for later.

Once he's shrugged into the towel, he spends a few minutes tidying up the rest of the bath as Levi finishes up, wiping down errant water droplets from surfaces and hanging the towels up to dry.

And when he's ready, Erwin will lead them both back to the bedroom. He might also just indulgently nuzzle at the top of Levi's head, leave a little press of lips there before they part for just a moment to pull down the covers. It's an absolutely huge bed, perhaps arguably too big for just the two of them, but it's very clean and very, very soft. A robe might not be the most ideal thing to sleep in, but all of their clothes are being laundered, so...it'll have to do.

...on the other hand, they had just laid together naked in the bath. Would naked in bed be much different?

Erwin decides not to push it, sliding in and holding out his hand toward Levi to join him.

"Come here..."

Levi has no complaints about the nuzzling, allowing his eyes to fall closed for a moment as he enjoys the sensation. Then he's crawling into bed, and he's glad he doesn't have to tell Erwin to join him. Them and Hange had probably slept with each other more than without at this point, but they tended to end up like that naturally, somehow; he's still not entirely sure how inviting either of them would be like.

Speaking of which, this bed was definitely big enough for three people, perhaps too big still, and once again he wonders if they could get something like that. Perhaps if they get a bigger place eventually...

The robe is soft like butter so it doesn't bother him, though it might end up slipping off at some point during the night. For now, he enjoys the little bit of decency it provides, but nonetheless, he quickly caterpillars his way over to Erwin's side of the bed and half-sits, half-lays propped on one elbow, waiting for the larger man to settle down so he can lean against him.

He feels the urge to say something about still lacking touch energy, a blatant lie, and an unnecessary one from the looks of it. It doesn't seem like Erwin minds at all; in fact he's invited him over, and Levi feels a little reassured again.

Maybe he's not reading into things that aren't there after all.

Good, because Erwin's probably going to fall asleep with his nose pressed into Levi's hair. But for now, he's very happy to have Levi curl up within the circle of his arm as before, to pull him close. It's safe to say that no, he isn't reading into anything.

He settles into the pillows. The bed is almost too soft, practically swallowing them both by the time the covers are pulled up. Not even the beds at the palace of Mitras had been so...plush. It feels as though they've been cocooned warmly in a cloud.

It's always wonderful, to see Levi so content that he smiles, even if it isn't for long. Erwin sighs, likewise content, strays fingers through dark hair a few times before his palm smooths over his shoulder, then in a wide circle against his back. Warm. Solid. Real.

"Comfortable?"

"Mhmm." Look at them, living like fucking kings. It's what they deserve, honestly, and as far as Levi can tell, most of all this fanciness is built by magic rather than shameless exploitation of the working class. But even all this wouldn't feel half as good and comfortable as it does if it weren't for the company.

He burrows a little closer, resting his head over Erwin's chest. Even over the bathrobe, he thinks he can hear his heart.

"...thanks. For coming to pick me up." Erwin had been tending fighters in the support tents, on the other side of the portals back in the city. He didn't have to take the trip all the way here just so he and Levi could come back together, but he did, and Levi's so grateful about it that he doesn't know what to do.

Well, actually, he has an idea.

He lifts his upper half slightly, just enough that he can lean over and press his lips to the crook of Erwin's nose.

And then he flops right back down into his earlier spot, cuddling against him.

It's certainly what Levi deserves, at least. All the comfort in the world.

Levi's head on his chest is already a familiar, pleasant weight. Erwin hums softly, curled lightly around the smaller man's waist, gives him a gentle squeeze. "Of course. I didn't want to wait to see you..."

While they of course don't spend every hour together during the course of most days, having to be away from each other for most of a day, several days, even, had been harder than he'd anticipated. The first touch since parting had been like quenching the deepest thirst with the most cool, refreshing water.

He might have been about to say more, when suddenly--

oh.

Erwin blinks a little bit, stunned for a few moments as Levi snuggles back in against him. Part of him wonders if that'd really just happened, but there's a tingling on his face (combined with a faint heat) that clues him in to yes, it really did.

His heart beats a little harder, which Levi can no doubt hear. Fingers curl a little against the soft robe, and Erwin ducks his head, putting their faces close.

"Levi," he calls softly, warmly, just to hopefully get him to look up.

None of that, now. Erwin absolutely deserves it, especially after sacrificing both his life and his dreams. Levi would argue Erwin has done more for humanity than Levi ever could. After all, most of the things Levi achieved had been on the trails of the path set for him by someone else.

Levi hadn't thought it anything particularly noteworthy -- they had kissed before, hadn't they? -- but hearing Erwin's increased heartbeat seems to fluster him a little in turn. He tucks his face into the other man's bathrobe more tightly at first, no doubt requiring the strength of ten titans to remove him from his hiding spot, but hearing his name said in that voice, and so softly... how could he possibly not respond?

He still lets his hand clutch at Erwin's robe harder than before, but does shift a slightly to turn his face up so he can glance at him. What is it?

The use of his other hand would have been...perfect, right now. He could have gently cupped Levi's cheek, traced it with his thumb, then his lips, just to give him...some better kind of hint of where his thoughts are. He could have made this moment all that it should have been, if he'd had the courage to do it sooner.

But there's no point in what-ifs, in beating himself up over the past for this. They're here now, missing pieces and all, but their hearts are whole once more.

For a moment, Erwin just gazes softly into gray eyes, full of warmth, love. There's still doubt in him, even after everything, after this evening, the last hour. Is it something Levi would even want? Would it still be too fast? But surely...even if he's wrong, such a small thing couldn't separate them?

...this is a risk worth taking.

Finally, he shifts them closer, leaning into touch their foreheads together. The tips of their noses brush, and his pulse is in his throat, their lips hovering just a breath away.

If he had his other arm, he could hold Levi in both of them for this.

In that small, private space between them, he whispers: "...may I...?"

And Levi could have looked at him with both eyes, which no doubt would have made the moment better, too, but they have what they have, and frankly, it is already perfect and irreplaceable. Because they get to be someone, do something that had been stolen from them. Because they're alive, they're together, and they get to hold each other like this.

Levi exhales softly, pretty much pliant in Erwin's arm, closing his eyes as their foreheads rest together. He feels warm, peaceful, content. As if he's bathing in sunlight for the first time again.

For a moment, he's suddenly conscious of his scars. They probably look pretty ugly up close like this, and he hopes that Erwin's eyes are closed, too.

Regardless, however, he doesn't seem to mind. The tips of their noses brush, slightly tickling, and he opens his eyes again, the gray one focusing on Erwin again, soft and perhaps a little questioning, anticipating, but welcoming nonetheless. Is he...?

Is he thinking what Levi thinks he's thinking?

Suddenly he's questioning the ease with which he'd just planted a kiss on Erwin's face. This feels big, somehow. Like maybe they should get married first big. ...No, that's silly. Ridiculous, even. What the fuck is wrong with him.

He feels a little heat coming to his cheeks.

"Yeah, okay," he mumbles ungracefully and stays still.

No part of Levi could ever be ugly. The scars are simply part of him now, and while Erwin might mourn the sacrifices that he had to make, that their fight took pieces of all of them, he could never flinch away from them, find them too difficult to look at. His eyes are closed merely to also bask in the sensation of this closeness, so dear and precious.

But he does open them just enough to see that soft, awed expression. It's because of the ease with which Levi had given him that kiss that Erwin had nearly just kissed him back with similar ease, but - this...what he's really been thinking...seems like a step farther that at least requires permission.

Maybe he is making it too dramatic.

But that's how he is sometimes, isn't it?

And shouldn't this be something...important?

Erwin isn't sure if he hears reluctance in Levi's voice. But just in case...the kiss starts off as a gentle press of lips to Levi's forehead, then to the bridge of his nose, mimicking the one he'd received moments ago, then to the tip. He leaves a handful of heartbeats between each one, giving Levi the chance to change his mind.

...but in the event that he doesn't, Erwin will pull him a little closer, heart thumping a little harder, and tilt his head to leave the softest, tender kiss on his lips, almost chaste.

Well. Erwin certainly does have a flair for the dramatics, and isn't that just another part of him that Levi loves?

His choice works perfectly; Levi likes the forehead kiss, his eyelashes fluttering, his eyes barely staying open just enough to see Erwin, and he's pushing his face a little upwards, as if encouraging it, that easy expression erasing the usual hard lines of his mouth again. When Erwin kisses his nose, it's almost like he's laughing, even though no sound comes out. He just looks so damn happy, or perhaps a little ticklish. Maybe a bit of both.

After all that, he welcomes the kiss on the mouth, too, having apparently been buttered up properly for it; his eyes do open slightly wider at first, but then his calm expression returns. And then he's happily pursing his lips to press against Erwin's and make it a little firmer -- still nice and closed, of course, but it's a big step forward for them nonetheless, and he follows it up with a quick, likewise chaste peck to the corner of Erwin's lips.

Some part of him is still slightly embarrassed by this whole exchange, but he's just been showered by love so thoroughly that he can't help but stop questioning it, at least for now. After all, this is their second chance. They're supposed to leave no more regrets, right? And he's certainly not regretting this, save maybe for not letting themselves get lost in it sooner.

If he can, Erwin wants to find a way to make Levi look that like that at least once a day. The lightness, that smile...he'll do anything to see it as often as possible. To hold him like this, to feel this sweetness of love and peace and rest, is more than he ever thought they'd have. Nothing and no one will take it away.

Feeling Levi press back, and even bestow him with another soft kiss makes his heart soar higher than ever before.

It makes him smile in turn, touch their foreheads together together again for a few more heartbeats just to hold onto the moment a little longer. Erwin longs to hold Levi in both arms, to full envelop him so he may better feel wrapped and shrouded in all that he feels.

But even like this, curled close at his side and a kiss finally shared between them, surely, he knows.

Erwin sighs, happy and light, his arm curled securely around the man he's loved for so very long, and leans his cheek against silky dark hair.

"Good night, Levi."

If anybody can, it's probably him. Or at least he's one of the very limited amount of people capable of it. Levi's expression does smooth out into something more neutral after a little while, but it's still softer than usual, somehow. Perhaps it's just the lack of an actual frown that makes it look that way.

It's nice. It's good. It feels like sunshine and a bright sky with just curly wisps of clouds. Like a cozy campfire and warm tea. Like Erwin. Levi will stay still with their foreheads touching as long as Erwin wants, because he can't think of anything else that better expresses his feelings right now than this sort of a tender, accepting gesture. He's definitely not paying any attention to the number of arms involved; he's as happy as he can be, and for a little while, even that ever-present nagging in the back of his head that insists everything is about to go to shit any moment now seems to quiet down.

Yeah, Levi knows.

"Mm, night," he grumbles, already settling in comfortably against the other man again, face pressed to him. He does have both arms, and he curls one between them and wraps the other around Erwin, snuggled up close, and then his breaths even out.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Levi actually sleeps through most of the night this time. And depending how long the trip takes, once they wake up, they'll probably get to repeat the whole ritual again. Maybe even dress up and go play some old people cruise games on one of the decks, so Erwin can win them a fancy(er) dinner in Scrabble or something.

This trip finally, finally makes him feel at ease, if just for a few days.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Event #6: Doctor Why Instead of Who

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very much this face tbh

so cute-

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