[ Erwin, he is literally next door. Walking over and back would take almost no time.
He can’t be mad at him but really. ] Why did you need to— alright, understood.
[ He’s really just immediately hanging up and going next door. He’ll even let himself in at this point if he has to because what are boundaries? There’s obviously something he’s needed for, though whether Levi will ultimately agree with that priority is questionable. ]
Reporting for duty, Erwin. [ Yes, he’s teasing a little. No, it never quite sounds like it. If it were that serious, Erwin wouldn’t be having fun with this. Probably. ]
[Could he have gone over there to get Levi? Yes, absolutely. But that would have involved leaving his set-up behind, and Erwin is way too excited about it to do that. He doesn't even consider that Cassandra or Falco might not like Levi just letting himself in, because his sense of boundaries when it comes to Levi isn't the greatest either.]
Look at this!
[Erwin has been busy today, and he stands next to the fruit of his labors and preens. He's got a camera, set up on a tripod and pointed towards the couch. It has a long cord attached to it, which Erwin is holding in his hand.]
I got my camera set up! I can take our pictures now!
[Sorry, Levi, it's already been decided: you're having your picture taken.]
Hey. Hey, hey, back it up... [ He can appreciate Erwin has been enjoying all the new technology, and he really does. Still, this is a lot coming at him very quickly. He waves a hand at the camera set up, somewhere between displeased and confused. ]
Wait up, you don't need to start taking pictures of my ugly face.
[Said casually, as Erwin tweaks the camera a millimeter to the left.]
Look! I got my first roll of film developed.
[He guides Levi to an array of photographs, splayed out on the dining room table. Quite a few of them are absolute garbage: too blurry, out of focus, unclear on what Erwin was trying to capture. But, between the wasted ones, Erwin managed to get a few good ones: there's a picture of Sans's and Papyrus's houses at night, all lit up with decorations; the reading room in the library, empty and peaceful, with a book spread open across a table; Erwin's backyard, covered under a heavy layer of snow, with more flakes drifting down.]
I read that I'm supposed to take pictures of things that are important to me.
[Thus, Levi is getting bullied towards the couch, in front of the camera.]
[ The pictures are somewhat interesting if only because he'd like to know why Erwin selected precisely what he did. A variety of subjects, so maybe just testing things out? ]
You're wasting your film. [ It's a rough protest, but it's not hard to guide him. He doesn't have a good reason to dig his heels in for all he wants to. He couldn't exactly explain why, but it was absurd to go around taking pictures of him. He turns his face up to look at him more directly, frowning openly. ] Since we're stuck here, I'm not saying something to pass the time is worthless, but...
[Most of these early attempts were selected because they couldn't move, once Erwin figured out that capturing moving things on film is hard. But he did definitely select places he has warmer associations towards.]
I'm not just passing the time. [Once Levi lets himself be guided, Erwin gets him situated on the couch, carefully and gently manhandling him into position before going back behind the camera.] I want to start taking pictures of different places, and then photograph them every month, so we have a record of if and how they change. Don't make that face.
This is just-- [ Now he's indignant, but who could blame him? He's not actively making a face here. Looking bitchy is just kind of a default.
But now he's interested, and suspicious but in a way that eases some of his irritation. ] Even if the rest of it's strategic, my face doesn't have shit to do with that.
[He was frowning! Now he's making his standard resting bitch face, which is better.]
I'm practicing. [Snap! Another picture taken, and Erwin steps out from behind the camera, holding up the cord he has.] Look, I can trigger it remotely. And the cord is long enough for me to come join you on the couch.
We can have a picture of the two of us together.
[Which they've never had before! It would have been impossible to get a portrait of the two of them done back home, and the pictures Santa Rosita provided them with are all of times and places Erwin doesn't remember. Despite that, he's found that he likes having pictures of Levi around, and he wants more.]
You're already just doing whatever you want to over there. [ And he's just letting him here, not resisting in the slightest.
It'd take more than this to get him riled, but he's certainly not playing along wholeheartedly just then. It's just awkward to be the subject of this shitty experiment or practice or whatever it is. ]
[Levi might not be cooperating, exactly, but he's not resisting this either, which Erwin counts as a win. He crosses in front of the camera and settles in on the couch beside Levi.]
Look at the camera, please. I'm going to take a few of them.
[Snap! The first photo will be a total wash; they'll somehow both have their eyes closed. Snap! The second one will be better, at least for Erwin; in an event that surprises no one, he's fairly photogenic. Their positioning is awkward, though, too far apart and too rigid. Snap! The third photo will be much like the second; decent enough, but without any real chemistry between them.]
Okay.
[Erwin gets up to go adjust the camera, moving it closer.]
I'm going to learn how to develop the film on my own. Peter says you can do that, if you have something called a dark room. Then I can take pictures of whatever I want, and not have to worry about anyone seeing them when they're developed.
[ Levi very clearly doesn't know what to do with himself when photographed, and it's going to show. Some people aren't inherently at their best in front of a camera, and it isn't shocking that Levi certainly isn't. He's never had even the slightest inkling of that sort of charisma. ]
So you can be as suspicious as you want. I get it. [ He eases somewhat as they talk. It's pretty clear that Erwin's going to take more pictures, but he's not getting out of this any time soon. ]
[With the camera closer, Erwin sits closer to Levi on the couch. He tucks his right side in behind Levi's shoulder, to disguise his missing arm. Unconsciously, he tilts his head in Levi's direction.]
I wouldn't call it suspicious, but yes.
[Levi gets him; this has all the trademarks of a patented Erwin Smith Scheme(tm), which is why he's practicing with it today. He has another reason, but that's a more minor scheme that he's going to keep close to the vest for now.]
I also want to make sure that the photos I take are the ones I get back.
[ That's not something he'd ever considered. There's a reason that Erwin's the thinker here, though, and that head of his was good at this kind of sneaky bullshit. It'd be a lie to say he wasn't at least a little impressed, and glances over at Erwin briefly. ]
You think they're getting censored? Or altered? [ Maybe that explains this bullshit. He can't say he's getting it entirely, but he thinks he can work with it. Some of the rigidity in his posture eases for all that being in a photograph is still distinctly uncomfortable. ] Huh. Alright.
[Snap! It's pure luck that Erwin happens to hit the shutter when Levi looks over at him, and it will end up being one of the cuter shots he takes today; he's smiling at the camera, while Levi is looking at him with one eyebrow slightly raised.]
I don't know. [Erwin glances at Levi, but regrettably doesn't click the shutter.] I think everything I have is just as I took it, but I can't tell on some of the blurrier ones. If I can learn to develop it myself, I'd rather do that. Then I know they weren't altered in any way.
[Snap! For all that their discussion is serious, this one will turn out cute too; they're slightly turned towards each other, and while Levi isn't smiling, some of the tension has eased from his shoulders.]
[ There would have been no reason for Levi to think of something like that, but it makes sense. Always thinking a few steps ahead of everyone. Erwin could be able to tell if he'd actually fucked up a shot or not, he supposes, instead of wondering if something he'd caught on film without realizing it got censored on them. ]
And just how many of these do you plan on doing? Practice all you want, but they're going to look shitty.
I've only got one more picture left on the roll of film, so we're almost done.
[He's almost done torturing you, Levi, with all this evil picture taking!]
Here, switch spots with me.
[Erwin is going to fuss more with this setup than he did with any of the other photos. Really, the other ones had just been practice for getting this bad boy set up. With Levi on his left side now, Erwin is able to get his arm around Levi's waist, after carefully making sure the cord to the camera isn't tangled. He leans in close, the side of his jaw almost touching Levi's head, and smiles brightly for the camera.]
Say 'rich bitch soap.'
[In the split second before Erwin presses the button to release the shutter, he tightens his arm around Levi in a hug. Snap! This picture is either going to be the absolute winner, or an absolute disaster; there will be no middle ground.]
[ Levi wouldn’t have the first clue how the picture might turn out. He’s caught off guard regardless, the entire set up a obviously planned to get him to throw him off. Erwin’s arm is strong around him, startling enough that he loses his faint scowl Erwin had earned from all the rearranging. Getting much more out of him would have been a near impossible feat. ]
Don’t throw my own words at me like that. [ Did Erwin just keep a list of random bullshit He’s said just to ambush him with it later? He’d clearly been scheming here to some end. He twists in his hold, looking up at him to scold. ] Now you’re being self-indulgent.
[Erwin is going to be completely delighted with the results of this photo. It was all one long-con scheme, and one that will pay off in the end; Levi losing his scowl is the best Erwin could have hoped for, and the tiny, miniscule little almost-smile in the resulting picture will be a total prize.]
Allow me some self-indulgence in my old age.
[Now that they're done with the pictures, Erwin carefully sets the cord aside, so he can keep his arm snugly around Levi's waist. Cassandra and Falco are out, and even if they were home, Erwin wouldn't care; Cassandra, at least, has gotten used to a certain amount of canoodling where Erwin and Levi are concerned.]
Thank you for your help.
[And for giving Erwin a chance to scheme something, and see it through to completion. He hasn't done much of that lately, and it feels good to pull of a victory, small though it may be.]
[ Levi does not canoodle. Sit too close and bitch at him and do little things like pour his tea, sure, but that only goes so far. Erwin might be more comfortable, but Levi certainly will been listening for any sign of anyone coming home. ]
Yeah, alright, I’ll give you that much, Erwin. [ He quirks an eyebrow up at him. ] I’m not complaining.
[ Except for the part where he certainly has been this entire time. Erwin knew what he could safely disregard. ]
[By now, Erwin is an expert at reading what is real complaining coming from Levi and how much of it is largely for show. This amount of bitching, while also being completely cooperative, is all for show.]
I'll make sure to show you the pictures once I get them developed. I hope I got at least one or two good ones.
[They are sitting right next to each other on the couch, with Erwin's arm around Levi's waist. They are totally canoodling.]
I’m sure they’ll come out clearly. [ Erwin had spent enough time on this project, it’s almost certainly going to be a success. However, it doesn’t change that the subject matter he’d been photographing has been Levi himself. ]
[Erwin is quickly learning that success in their world does not automatically translate to success with technology in this one, but he's game to try and learn. His new job at the high school has helped with that immensely, ironically; his students are only too happy to help get him up to speed with technology, accompanied by plenty of good-natured eyerolling and references to grandpas.]
If they turn out poorly, it will be because of operator error, and not subject matter, and that's my final word on the subject.
Just keep saying whatever you want to. [ If anyone is going to get the hang of all the technology available to him, it's certainly going to be Erwin. While Levi had something of a jump on him with exposure to many of the concepts behind everything here like photographs and wireless radio and the like, he'd never actually cared to understand the way that Erwin did.
[Levi has the heart and soul of an incorrigible old man, and Erwin knows he will only learn technology begrudgingly and spitefully. Just wait until he learns that using a dark room requires two hands, and that he'll be recruited into helping Erwin develop photos once Erwin has one set up!]
[One revelation at a time, though. Erwin has pushed his luck enough for one day.]
[ maybe it's best to say this in person too, so . . . here comes falco, even knocking on the door and waiting patiently in front of it, scarf around the lower half of his face and wearing a light green sweater. ]
[ Levi's moving stiffly when he goes to answer the door, but he can ignore the abuse he's suffered lately out of sheer stubbornness now that he's actually physically able to. He's dressed plainly, usually is, with the only features of interest being the handkerchief tied in his hair and a cardigan draped over his shoulders that's clearly several sizes too large. It probably ought to do something about his intimidation factor, but there's a good chance it really doesn't. ]
Come on. I'm dusting, so let's talk in there. [ He inclines his head towards the living room before leading the way towards it. ]
[ is that mister erwin’s cardigan or—? ah, no time to feed that thought. falco wastes little time in letting himself in once invited. he greets levi with an inclined head as he steps in and, before he goes any further, removes his shoes to leave at the door. defeats the purpose of cleaning if he walks in with them, he thinks.
next comes his scarf— the one he uses to mask the surgery, though he doesn’t feel so worried to keep it exposed with levi around. in fact, that’s why he was here in the first place. ]
[ It's never worth it to speculate about adults, Falco. It's fine. He doesn't particularly react to the boy's face anymore, hadn't since they'd been in those cages. It was what it was at this point, and he's not going to insult him with sympathy. ]
Sit down first. [ But he has to approve of the initiative. ] You've got something to tell me, don't you?
[ anything to please uncle levi. but with that— permission to go forth with his thought, that is— falco does what he’s told: he sits down, lips tensing down and coming to a still. he was already planning to say it when they were done.
it takes a second; he’s already been playing in his head how to ask him, and now that Levi’s waiting for it, he feels briefly at a loss of words. briefly. ]
I was wondering if you’d . . . Help me, [ both hands come up to cup his cheeks— what should’ve been them, at least. ] to get these off.
[ Alright, that gets his full attention. His concern is immediately visible only in the way his expression tightens, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes growing more pronounced and the dark circles looking like they were carved there. The grotesque mutilation of Falco's face is something else, but--
Well, shit, now he's not getting back to the dusting. ]
If I'd help isn't a question. [ He needed to ask him alone. Him but not Erwin or Cassandra. ] How?
[ the grisly truth of what that entailed had been obvious but lacked the overall safety many of those around him would seek. hell, he thought about it. breaking into the hospital to steal drugs and such, but how much more danger did they need to scrape against and run getting caught when he technically didn’t need to, especially after that phone call on the television?
it was messed up, but. in compensation, no one else would need to get involved and it’ll be over in the same day. he could handle it, and swallows tight when he decides to skip the actual details with something easier to understand.
why he didn’t tell his pseudo-parents yet, well. levi will get it. ]
[ Falco's a good judge of just who he should turn to for this. Levi's better than most at certain brutal necessities, and he won't try to over-plan it. ]
You're certain. [ His eyes narrow further, assessing now. He just has to look at this sharp, obedient kid as if he were meat to cut and bone to break. At least he's small, that'd make it easier. The fact that it's his jaw means he has to be mindful, nothing as simple as cutting off a limb.
There's no leaving this to someone else. ] I can do it, but there's no going halfway on this.
[ he could show him to confirm (that getting a paper cut earlier in the morning from looking at his notes had made it steam closed), but falco is certain that his word right now is enough. he’s positive and he makes it show. he just has to steel himself— ]
If you need to knock me out, sir, that’s fine too.
[ save the rest for people who actually need it more than him. ]
CONTENT WARNING: MUTILATING A YOUNG CHILD SOON, ABANDON SHIP
[ Well, he'd know if this wasn't going to work before he did permanent damage, he thinks, but he can see the determination in his eyes. ]
I don't have anything to guarantee you'll stay out the entire time. [ Falco has to have already known that much, but he certainly can knock a child out without a problem. ] I've got what I need to remove that in the garage. If that's your decision, we should do it before something else goes to hell.
[ That earlier in the year he'd collected a few convenient tools meant he had what he needed at hand. He'd just thought he'd be using them on other people for very different reasons.
It's not much, not really. Cut through the skin. Break bone and pry away where that monstrosity was attached. He'd heal up quick, having had time to get his stamina back after the shit they'd been put through in captivity. ]
[ the jaws were very close to the cervical part of his spine, they both knew that and if falco were to be honest, no matter how much gall he gathered to go through with something this ludicrous and what he was entrusting levi with— it made the pit of his stomach go cold when he nods and prepares to follow him to the garage. there wasn’t a way in hell that this wasn’t scary and chances were he’d wake up right in the middle of something traumatic. perhaps not as much as getting these things screwed on were, or anything else he’d lived through.
make a conscious choice, and all that. ]
I’m ready.
[ his voice cracks just an inch at his second word, but he won’t be any more prepared the more he waited to consider the risks. ]
[ Levi first shrugs off the cardigan he'd been wearing, folding it neatly and laying it over the arm of a living room chair. Strange priorities, maybe, it would do Falco a disservice if he were anything but completely in control of the situation. Having sympathy for the obvious fear he feels doesn’t change that, and he won’t give him a reason to second guess himself. Making a potentially fatal call at that age isn’t easy. ] I can respect that. Let’s go.
[ Leading the way through into the garage, he secures the door behind them with a slide lock that’s installed on the wrong side on the door. Only then does he fold his sleeves up and head to a standing toolbox that hasn’t seen much in the way of use. None of the tools have, in fact, nor the neatly folded drop cloth resting on top. ]
Lay this out for me. [ He indicates the cloth with a nod of his head as he busies himself. He doesn’t plan on giving him a chance to complete the task, intending on distracting him before knocking him out. It’d be worse to let him see it coming. ]
[ innocently enough, falco obediently scurries over to the cloth to be diligent, but just as easily as he goes like a moth to fire, or a mouse to a freshly placed trap, he doesn’t suspect a thing.
the last thing he saw was his own hand reaching for the cloth and his jaws clattering out his voice: yes si—. with a measured hit over the head or behind it, the boy is out like a light and may very well topple onto the cool floor if left to gravity. ]
phone
[Oh gods, look out, he's using his excited voice, there is A Plan afoot.]
Levi, come over here. I have something to show you.
no subject
He can’t be mad at him but really. ] Why did you need to— alright, understood.
[ He’s really just immediately hanging up and going next door. He’ll even let himself in at this point if he has to because what are boundaries? There’s obviously something he’s needed for, though whether Levi will ultimately agree with that priority is questionable. ]
Reporting for duty, Erwin. [ Yes, he’s teasing a little. No, it never quite sounds like it. If it were that serious, Erwin wouldn’t be having fun with this. Probably. ]
no subject
He doesn't even consider that Cassandra or Falco might not like Levi just letting himself in, because his sense of boundaries when it comes to Levi isn't the greatest either.]
Look at this!
[Erwin has been busy today, and he stands next to the fruit of his labors and preens. He's got a camera, set up on a tripod and pointed towards the couch. It has a long cord attached to it, which Erwin is holding in his hand.]
I got my camera set up! I can take our pictures now!
[Sorry, Levi, it's already been decided: you're having your picture taken.]
no subject
Wait up, you don't need to start taking pictures of my ugly face.
no subject
[Said casually, as Erwin tweaks the camera a millimeter to the left.]
Look! I got my first roll of film developed.
[He guides Levi to an array of photographs, splayed out on the dining room table. Quite a few of them are absolute garbage: too blurry, out of focus, unclear on what Erwin was trying to capture. But, between the wasted ones, Erwin managed to get a few good ones: there's a picture of Sans's and Papyrus's houses at night, all lit up with decorations; the reading room in the library, empty and peaceful, with a book spread open across a table; Erwin's backyard, covered under a heavy layer of snow, with more flakes drifting down.]
I read that I'm supposed to take pictures of things that are important to me.
[Thus, Levi is getting bullied towards the couch, in front of the camera.]
no subject
You're wasting your film. [ It's a rough protest, but it's not hard to guide him. He doesn't have a good reason to dig his heels in for all he wants to. He couldn't exactly explain why, but it was absurd to go around taking pictures of him. He turns his face up to look at him more directly, frowning openly. ] Since we're stuck here, I'm not saying something to pass the time is worthless, but...
no subject
I'm not just passing the time. [Once Levi lets himself be guided, Erwin gets him situated on the couch, carefully and gently manhandling him into position before going back behind the camera.] I want to start taking pictures of different places, and then photograph them every month, so we have a record of if and how they change. Don't make that face.
[Snap! One picture of Levi taken!]
no subject
But now he's interested, and suspicious but in a way that eases some of his irritation. ] Even if the rest of it's strategic, my face doesn't have shit to do with that.
no subject
I'm practicing. [Snap! Another picture taken, and Erwin steps out from behind the camera, holding up the cord he has.] Look, I can trigger it remotely. And the cord is long enough for me to come join you on the couch.
We can have a picture of the two of us together.
[Which they've never had before! It would have been impossible to get a portrait of the two of them done back home, and the pictures Santa Rosita provided them with are all of times and places Erwin doesn't remember. Despite that, he's found that he likes having pictures of Levi around, and he wants more.]
Can I come over?
no subject
It'd take more than this to get him riled, but he's certainly not playing along wholeheartedly just then. It's just awkward to be the subject of this shitty experiment or practice or whatever it is. ]
no subject
[Levi might not be cooperating, exactly, but he's not resisting this either, which Erwin counts as a win. He crosses in front of the camera and settles in on the couch beside Levi.]
Look at the camera, please. I'm going to take a few of them.
[Snap! The first photo will be a total wash; they'll somehow both have their eyes closed. Snap! The second one will be better, at least for Erwin; in an event that surprises no one, he's fairly photogenic. Their positioning is awkward, though, too far apart and too rigid. Snap! The third photo will be much like the second; decent enough, but without any real chemistry between them.]
Okay.
[Erwin gets up to go adjust the camera, moving it closer.]
I'm going to learn how to develop the film on my own. Peter says you can do that, if you have something called a dark room. Then I can take pictures of whatever I want, and not have to worry about anyone seeing them when they're developed.
[Dick pics??? Who can say??]
no subject
So you can be as suspicious as you want. I get it. [ He eases somewhat as they talk. It's pretty clear that Erwin's going to take more pictures, but he's not getting out of this any time soon. ]
no subject
I wouldn't call it suspicious, but yes.
[Levi gets him; this has all the trademarks of a patented Erwin Smith Scheme(tm), which is why he's practicing with it today. He has another reason, but that's a more minor scheme that he's going to keep close to the vest for now.]
I also want to make sure that the photos I take are the ones I get back.
[Snap!]
no subject
You think they're getting censored? Or altered? [ Maybe that explains this bullshit. He can't say he's getting it entirely, but he thinks he can work with it. Some of the rigidity in his posture eases for all that being in a photograph is still distinctly uncomfortable. ] Huh. Alright.
no subject
I don't know. [Erwin glances at Levi, but regrettably doesn't click the shutter.] I think everything I have is just as I took it, but I can't tell on some of the blurrier ones. If I can learn to develop it myself, I'd rather do that. Then I know they weren't altered in any way.
[Snap! For all that their discussion is serious, this one will turn out cute too; they're slightly turned towards each other, and while Levi isn't smiling, some of the tension has eased from his shoulders.]
no subject
And just how many of these do you plan on doing? Practice all you want, but they're going to look shitty.
living the dream here with this icon
[He's almost done torturing you, Levi, with all this evil picture taking!]
Here, switch spots with me.
[Erwin is going to fuss more with this setup than he did with any of the other photos. Really, the other ones had just been practice for getting this bad boy set up. With Levi on his left side now, Erwin is able to get his arm around Levi's waist, after carefully making sure the cord to the camera isn't tangled. He leans in close, the side of his jaw almost touching Levi's head, and smiles brightly for the camera.]
Say 'rich bitch soap.'
[In the split second before Erwin presses the button to release the shutter, he tightens his arm around Levi in a hug. Snap! This picture is either going to be the absolute winner, or an absolute disaster; there will be no middle ground.]
no subject
Don’t throw my own words at me like that. [ Did Erwin just keep a list of random bullshit He’s said just to ambush him with it later? He’d clearly been scheming here to some end. He twists in his hold, looking up at him to scold. ] Now you’re being self-indulgent.
no subject
Allow me some self-indulgence in my old age.
[Now that they're done with the pictures, Erwin carefully sets the cord aside, so he can keep his arm snugly around Levi's waist. Cassandra and Falco are out, and even if they were home, Erwin wouldn't care; Cassandra, at least, has gotten used to a certain amount of canoodling where Erwin and Levi are concerned.]
Thank you for your help.
[And for giving Erwin a chance to scheme something, and see it through to completion. He hasn't done much of that lately, and it feels good to pull of a victory, small though it may be.]
no subject
Yeah, alright, I’ll give you that much, Erwin. [ He quirks an eyebrow up at him. ] I’m not complaining.
[ Except for the part where he certainly has been this entire time. Erwin knew what he could safely disregard. ]
no subject
[By now, Erwin is an expert at reading what is real complaining coming from Levi and how much of it is largely for show. This amount of bitching, while also being completely cooperative, is all for show.]
I'll make sure to show you the pictures once I get them developed. I hope I got at least one or two good ones.
[They are sitting right next to each other on the couch, with Erwin's arm around Levi's waist. They are totally canoodling.]
no subject
That’s going to be the problem.
no subject
If they turn out poorly, it will be because of operator error, and not subject matter, and that's my final word on the subject.
no subject
It made it easy to assume his success. ]
no subject
[One revelation at a time, though. Erwin has pushed his luck enough for one day.]
You couldn't stop me if you tried.
un: FALCOGRICE
no subject
[ Sure, the kid obviously needs something, but that’s hardly the point. Levi’s finally able to dust his living room to his own satisfaction. ]
no subject
Of course.
[ maybe it's best to say this in person too, so . . . here comes falco, even knocking on the door and waiting patiently in front of it, scarf around the lower half of his face and wearing a light green sweater. ]
no subject
Come on. I'm dusting, so let's talk in there. [ He inclines his head towards the living room before leading the way towards it. ]
no subject
next comes his scarf— the one he uses to mask the surgery, though he doesn’t feel so worried to keep it exposed with levi around. in fact, that’s why he was here in the first place. ]
I can sweep the floors?
no subject
Sit down first. [ But he has to approve of the initiative. ] You've got something to tell me, don't you?
no subject
it takes a second; he’s already been playing in his head how to ask him, and now that Levi’s waiting for it, he feels briefly at a loss of words. briefly. ]
I was wondering if you’d . . . Help me, [ both hands come up to cup his cheeks— what should’ve been them, at least. ] to get these off.
no subject
Well, shit, now he's not getting back to the dusting. ]
If I'd help isn't a question. [ He needed to ask him alone. Him but not Erwin or Cassandra. ] How?
no subject
it was messed up, but. in compensation, no one else would need to get involved and it’ll be over in the same day. he could handle it, and swallows tight when he decides to skip the actual details with something easier to understand.
why he didn’t tell his pseudo-parents yet, well. levi will get it. ]
It’ll grow back.
no subject
You're certain. [ His eyes narrow further, assessing now. He just has to look at this sharp, obedient kid as if he were meat to cut and bone to break. At least he's small, that'd make it easier. The fact that it's his jaw means he has to be mindful, nothing as simple as cutting off a limb.
There's no leaving this to someone else. ] I can do it, but there's no going halfway on this.
no subject
If you need to knock me out, sir, that’s fine too.
[ save the rest for people who actually need it more than him. ]
CONTENT WARNING: MUTILATING A YOUNG CHILD SOON, ABANDON SHIP
I don't have anything to guarantee you'll stay out the entire time. [ Falco has to have already known that much, but he certainly can knock a child out without a problem. ] I've got what I need to remove that in the garage. If that's your decision, we should do it before something else goes to hell.
[ That earlier in the year he'd collected a few convenient tools meant he had what he needed at hand. He'd just thought he'd be using them on other people for very different reasons.
It's not much, not really. Cut through the skin. Break bone and pry away where that monstrosity was attached. He'd heal up quick, having had time to get his stamina back after the shit they'd been put through in captivity. ]
don’t try this at home 😳
make a conscious choice, and all that. ]
I’m ready.
[ his voice cracks just an inch at his second word, but he won’t be any more prepared the more he waited to consider the risks. ]
no subject
[ Leading the way through into the garage, he secures the door behind them with a slide lock that’s installed on the wrong side on the door. Only then does he fold his sleeves up and head to a standing toolbox that hasn’t seen much in the way of use. None of the tools have, in fact, nor the neatly folded drop cloth resting on top. ]
Lay this out for me. [ He indicates the cloth with a nod of his head as he busies himself. He doesn’t plan on giving him a chance to complete the task, intending on distracting him before knocking him out. It’d be worse to let him see it coming. ]
no subject
the last thing he saw was his own hand reaching for the cloth and his jaws clattering out his voice: yes si—. with a measured hit over the head or behind it, the boy is out like a light and may very well topple onto the cool floor if left to gravity. ]
phone
Hello? Levi? It's Cassandra.
no subject
no subject
Uh, you're taking it easy, I hope? You wouldn't happen to need anything, would you?