Epilogue

Levi pulled his street clothes from his pack neatly unfolding them on the bed. He was back in the Military Police housing for the last night. Tomorrow morning the Survey Corpsmen would return back to their normal lives; back to training and planning for the next expedition. It would probably be another year before he came back to Sina. A lot can happen in a year. He'd lost his family but it felt as if he was gaining another. With Kenny gone, there was no reason for him to go back underground anymore; that's okay, sunlight was a lot better than shadows. The Survey Corpsmen were going out on the town to celebrate their wins at a bar that Nile recommended. Levi still wasn't found of bars but he still had to beat Mike's ass at poker…and it wouldn't be so bad to celebrate with the others.

Looking at his street clothes, with a surface dweller's eye, he saw they were a step above rags. He noted the unraveling fabric at the ankles of his pants, the tops of his boots would cover it this time. Thankfully his white shirt still had a few months left in it. How long have I worn these clothes? He remembered saving up for months to pay for 'quality' fabric that wouldn't rip if you looked at it for too long. The seamstress' fees were paid by a particularly lucrative heist. That year he was able to pay for both his and Isabel's new clothes. He surprised her with them on the day that they called her birthday; that was the day that Levi found her on the street corner crying. Five years was a good run.

With the exception of a few toiletries Levi barely spent any of his pay, he saved more than enough money to commission new clothes. Hell, he could afford to commission a few sets of clothes. The former thief fingered the fraying edges at the bottom of his shirt. Since he joined the Survey Corp it was rare that he wore anything other than his uniform so there was no need for him to wear these clothes. The only reason he packed them was because Erwin told him to. Levi had to pull the dusty items under the small space where he put Farlan and Isabel's possessions; at the time he felt like they belonged there.

Levi looked over at the neatly folded uniforms by his pack. He couldn't wear either set; one reeked from the jail cell and his other one was cut up and bloody. Erwin promised to requisition a new uniform once they returned to headquarters. The blond captain hadn't pressed the issued about how the uniform was messed up but told Levi that it would be best that he burn it in the Military Policemen's furnace. The guy wasn't a total idiot. They had to have the angel of death or whatever he called himself by now. It wouldn't take anything for a guy like Erwin to put the pieces together. Levi turned his attention back to the clothes on the bed.

If he brought the shirt to his nose he could still smell the faint traces of the underground. It was a scent that he tried to wash away every time he bathed. What idiot would feel nostalgic over the smell of filth? But it was more than just the smell or the clothes. It was long nights talking about their future. It was eating at the best restaurant in the underground after a big score and having a full belly for once. It was Farlan and Isabel. There was no way he could let them go. He traced his finger across the worn pants. He would have to get new clothes but he wouldn't get rid of these. They would be a reminder of the man he was. He imagined if his friends were they would say they made it. Levi lived on the surface with money in his pocket, a full stomach, and if he was lucky not only would he die on the surface but outside the walls. Thank you, he told his friends. He finished putting on his old clothes and was tucking the frayed edge of his pants into his boots when there was a knock on the dorm room door. He knew who it was before he knocked by the sound of his commanding footsteps.

"Come in," said Levi. In stepped Erwin wearing a white button down, black slacks and matching shoes. He somehow managed to change into a white button shirt though the buttons were slightly off. The tall blonde's arm was still bandaged and hung in a sling across his shoulder. Levi couldn't imagine how much it must have hurt to put on that shirt.

"I came to check on you," said Erwin closing the door behind him. Not one to deal with a sloppy appearance, Levi walked over to his commanding officer and without a word started rebuttoning the shirt. He took care near the bandaged arm not bump it accidentally. When he was finished his smoothed out the shirt, making sure it was neatly tucked into Erwin's pants.

"Thank you." Captain Erwin said smiling down at the smaller man.

Levi shrugged.

"You're early," Levi said. He stepped back and crossed his arms over his chest, feeling the comforting weight of his daggers hidden within his sleeves.

"I know, "said Erwin "I wanted to give something before we went out tonight." He pulled out a small tin of tea. Levi recognized the container from the vender that day Erwin walked him around the bazaar. It was a rare tea that was far too expensive for him to buy when he lived underground but always wanted to try.

"What is this?" asked Levi. Erwin placed the tin in Levi's hands. The tin was red with gold writing and heavy in his hand so he knew it was full of leaves. Not like the half full metal boxes full of tasteless leaves they sold underground.

"It was supposed to be a congratulations for winning he Royal Games present," said Erwin with a smile

"Oh. " Levi extended his arms offering his commanding officer the tin. Erwin placed his larger hand over Levi's pressing the tin back in his direction.

"I'll pay you-." Before Levi could finish his sentence soft lips covered his. A soft moan passed his lips at the contact. He closed his eyes enjoying the feeling of the man above him.

"We're even," Erwin said against Levi's lips. Levi rose on tiptoes with to wrap his free hand around Erwin's shoulders to pull the taller into another dance. We'll never be even, Levi thought. He felt Erwin's good arm circle his waist. I'll always be in your debt, Erwin Smith.

End

Author Notes:

I just want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart of all of your taking the time to read these rambles. It has been a long but fulfilling journey to complete this story. For every comment, like and view thank you, thank you, thank you.