Chapter Text
Levi’s POV
“Oi, come here, Mika.”
Head whipping up at the familiar deep tone, Mikasa turned to face the entrance where her father Levi stood, arms crossed and watching her with silent amusement. Her dad was here. Big grey eyes immediately lit up with fond recognition at the sight of her guardian. As always, Mikasa looked forward to seeing her father and finally being able to drive home together at the end of the day. Not wasting another minute, the small girl stood up and gingerly brushed off her frilled dress.
Running over quietly, her excitement at the sight of her father was apparent through her quick speed and delighted look despite her quietness. A firm pale hand came down on the child’s head as soon as she crossed the distance, fingers tenderly running through long black strands.
A few mothers stood to the side, intentionally delaying their own pickups to eye the incredibly attractive father with awe. It had been internal chaos amongst mothers when they first found out the handsome stoic male was divorced and single. Unfortunately after countless invites for coffee and attempts for dates by multiple women, it was learned rather quickly that the striking father was not looking for a relationship. Wanting to focus all his attention on raising Mikasa, Levi Ackerman didn’t have the time for dating around and his daughter wasn’t avidly seeking a mother figure either.
Levi questioned his daughter in a low voice.
“How was daycare? Nobody dared to pick on you, right brat?”
Shaking her head no, Mikasa reached up and grabbed the cuff of Levi’s sleeve. The smallest hint of a smile slipped onto Levi’s face at the action. Steel grey eyes softened the slightest bit, causing all the women around to quietly fawn. It was a fatal attraction when cold, composed men displayed rare signs of fondness and affection. At least that seemed to be the case for Mikasa’s father.
“Oh- Mr. Ackerman!”
Lifting his head up at the cheery voice, grey eyes moved from his daughter, interlocking with pools of caribbean green. Jogging over to Levi was none other than Eren Jaeger who also happened to be Mikasa’s favorite caregiver at the daycare. Levi straightened his back to greet Eren as soon as the other came to a stop in front of him, flashing the older man a bright smile. Levi almost caught himself smiling back the slightest bit with how charismatically contagious the other’s flashed pearly whites were.
Eren patted down his red apron as the other watched silently. Levi took note of how similar the manner was to the habit Mikasa had now picked up. It was likely copied by the child from none other than Eren. As soon as Eren was there, Mikasa latched onto him, tiny hands tightly clutching onto the scarlet fabric. Levi simply raised an eyebrow at his daughter’s behavior but didn’t comment on it. At first a bit miffed when it started, he had gotten used to it over time. Begrudgingly, he could now see himself why Mikasa liked Eren so much. Still, if Levi dared to hear a single comment from his daughter about wanting to marry Eren Jaeger like those shitty television subplots, he wouldn’t hesitate to slice down the caregiver in less than a second. Regardless of the man’s abnormally vibrant ocean eyes or his stupidly charming smile. Gunmetal irises trailed up to Eren’s face as he spoke up coolly.
“Good evening, Jaeger. Keeping up the grades at university?”
Eren beamed at the question, nodding earnestly.
"Of course! I have all As except for health..but it’s getting there, sir! I’m at an 88% currently."
It was no secret that Eren looked up to Levi. He never exactly understood why but he wasn’t oblivious to it. After all, Levi would be blind not to see those emerald irises follow every action he made with blatant awe. If he hadn’t known better, Levi would have thought the caregiver was staring at a fucking slice of heaven rather than an older, irate man with scarce social skills. The blatant idolization put off Levi slightly in the beginning but now it just made him feel nothing short of a bit awkward. It wasn’t a bad feeling however. Just...different.
Levi was used to keeping conversation curt and responses brief. However, Eren slowly wore him down with each of Mikasa’s pickups, relentlessly asking questions with that nervously innocent smile and forward attitude. Before the father knew it, talks with the caregiver were a part of his weekday routines. Levi didn’t even know how Eren managed to do it. It was likely his vibrant personality that sucked people in like a whirlpool. By the time one realized what was happening, it would be too late to escape. At times, Levi found it was almost too unrealistic how unjaded of a man Eren was for his age.
“How about you Mr. Ackerman? Any plans this weekend?”
Really? Levi internally ridiculed the repetitive inquiry. Every week, Eren would ask Levi the same question regarding his weekend and every time, Levi gave the same answer— taking care of Mikasa. Levi couldn’t fathom why Eren kept asking when each of his responses were identical to the last. However, for once, this time was an exception. A proper, genuine response left thin lips before Levi could stop himself. As proper and genuine as Levi could be, that is.
“Drinks with an old friend. We try to keep in touch every now and then.”
Eren beamed at the answer, tan digits stroking through Mikasa’s hair as she hugged his waist. The father couldn’t help but think the sight of them two together was...cute. Like those shitty puppy calendars people got all soppy over.
“Sounds great! Must be nice to look forward to that! But where will Mikasa be? Last time I checked, the drinking age is not as low as 8 years old.”
Grinning wolfishly, Eren cocked his head. Levi simply clicked his tongue in response before bringing up the question he had in mind.
“I was wondering if you had room for one more on Sunday.”
Eyes lighting up with realization, Eren paused before grimacing at the request. He cast Levi a sheepish look.
“Ahh..actually, we don’t stay open on weekends...I wouldn’t have expected you to know since you only have Mikasa here on weekdays..”
“I see..”
Trailing off with indifference, Levi supposed he’d have to cancel on Mike. After all, there was no way he was going to bring Mikasa much less leave her at home unattended. Eren couldn’t help but feel a bit bad about the other’s dilemma. Fidgeting slightly, he spoke up before he could stop himself.
“Uh- well, sometimes the daycare workers and I babysit outside of Shiganshina Daycare..!”
Mikasa’s father arched a brow at the claim.
“..Oh? That’s the first time I heard of this.”
Questioning the caregiver slowly, Levi had a suspicion that the other was fibbing slightly in order to help him out. Sometimes, it felt like Eren’s admiration for Levi got the best of the caregiver at times. Nonetheless, Levi didn’t call Eren out on it. Of course the other would do something like this. Eren was a good-natured kid. The younger man nodded a bit too eagerly in response.
“Yeah..! I mean, I just finished some exams today so I’m free on Sunday to come over! Or Historia could maybe if you’d prefer that?”
Ah, Historia. Levi’s eyes flickered over to the mentioned woman. She was currently reading a book to the other children, a serene expression on her face. Levi always saw the pretty blonde woman laughing and chatting with Eren, aquamarine irises going wide and lighting up at his words. The two caregivers had managed to retain both a steady relationship and a job together. It was good that Eren was able to balance both studying and a stable companionship with his girlfriend.
Pausing, Levi thought it through. Although he felt slightly bad about taking advantage of Eren’s kindness and admiration, he also didn’t want to flake out on Mike after so long.
As if Eren could read his thoughts, he spoke up again with a small smile.
“Levi, I’m sure you could spare yourself one outing. I’ve seen how much you work and spend time with your daughter. Besides, I’m sure Mikasa would like to hang out with the best caregiver on Sunday, right?”
Smiling wide as he turned to Mikasa, Levi’s daughter flushed as she meekly nodded. She then turned to her father, eyes hopeful. Levi could already feel himself wavering.
Ah fuck.
His daughter never asked for anything and wasn’t even doing so now. But he knew that hopeful look in her eyes and Levi was a sucker for it. Restraint crumbling down, Levi cursed under his breath before turning to Eren and looking him up and down. Grey eyes narrowed as Eren gulped under the father's scrutinization.
It wasn’t like he didn’t know Jaeger. The boy shined brighter than fucking sunshine. He couldn’t imagine the other spontaneously robbing him or doing anything outlandish even if he tried..
..he supposed it wouldn’t hurt.
The father conceded, giving the two his allowance for Sunday.
“...you’ll suffice. Besides, I’m sure Mikasa would like you over more than the blonde princess over there.”
“..princess?”
Echoing Levi with raised eyebrows, Eren cocked his head in amusement. Mikasa’s father stiffened, realizing the other might not be fond of the idea of the older man addressing Eren’s girlfriend in such a way, even if jokingly.
“Just a joke. Didn’t mean to offend.”
Snickering at Levi, Eren then shook his head.
“None taken...anyways, I’ll see you on Sunday..! Here’s my personal phone number so you can text me the details whenever you’re able to!”
Eren rattled out the digits as a large tan hand absentmindedly patted Mikasa on the shoulder. Recording Eren’s name to his contacts, Levi curtly nodded.
Levi then held out a hand which his daughter eventually took before he looked back up and began silently staring at Eren. The young man stared back with big teal eyes, eventually cocking his head in confusion. Eventually the curiosity turned to slight nervousness for Eren as the second passed. Realizing Levi wasn’t speaking up first, the caregiver nervously laughed before doing so himself.
“Ah...is there anything you need Mr. Ackerman..?”
Levi replied swiftly, a hint of amusement in his tone.
“Aren’t you going to charge me, Jaeger? You know, for watching my daughter?”
Realization slowly dawning over him, Eren flushed in embarrassment with wide eyes.
“Oh- Yeah, I was going to do that- I just..uh..just forgot. But we can just go over it through text!”
Deciding to not mess with the university student any longer, Levi replied smoothly.
“Alright. I’ll see you then. Hopefully your babysitting abilities are as good as at daycare. Wouldn’t want to come back to a burnt down apartment.”
Face slightly flushing in horror, Eren vigorously shook his head at the joked idea. Long tan fingers clutched the apron nervously.
“Oh god- Of course not, Mr. Ackerman..! You can trust me..”
Levi simply hummed in response. What an endearing response. It was funny how a 20 year old man who was taller than himself possessed so much..cleanly righteousness.
“Don’t shit yourself, Jaeger. See you Sunday.”
Giving the caregiver a firm nod, Eren simply smiled back. He then began waving as Levi walked away with his daughter in tow.
“I’ll see you two! Bye Mikasa!”
Nodding, Mikasa waved back as the two took their leave. Glancing back, Levi already saw Eren rushing over to help a child who had tripped. Time and time again, Levi repeated the same thought when it came to the passionate caregiver.
What a good kid.
The door closed behind them.