I Do (Levi X Reader)

“Levi. Ackerman,” an amused voice called out from the doorway. Said man didn’t need to turn around to know who it was and didn’t bother answering. It was Hanji, “Are you actually nervous right now?”

He didn’t respond to her. He just continued to adjust his signature cravat – the one (Name) had sewn for him a couple months ago after learning his other one had been torn on duty.

“Oh, Levi!” Hanji giggled, almost mockingly, as she clasped her hands together, “How uncharacteristically cute of you!”

“Shouldn’t you be elsewhere?” Levi growled, “Like, say, bothering the bride?”

Hanji just laughed her usual, obnoxious laugh as she strode closer to Levi.

“I can see your nervous expression from the mirror, shorty."

At Hanji’s confession, Levi pivots to the right, walking away from the mirror and towards the window. Hanji laughed again.

“You can’t escape from just hiding your face!”

“I can sure as hell try,” his voice was expressionless as he kept his back to Hanji, fixing his cravat to perfection with muscle memory. He wears a cravat daily, it’s only natural that he’d be able to put it on in his sleep, “Go bother her instead of me. I’m sure that she’s clumsily putting something on wrong.”

“Oh, that already happened,” Hanji waved her hand with a chuckle.

“Pft,” a small, amused sound escaped Levi’s lips, “That’s (Name) all right.”

“That’ll be MRS. ACKERMAN to you in a couple hours!”

Levi remained silent. He had only felt like this once before and that was when he first proposed to (Name). Now, here he was, about to get married. He loves her, that’s for certain, but he still had a swelling feeling in his chest.

Shit. He really was nervous.

“Y’know, I’m really happy for you, shortman,” Hanji waltzed over in her sleek, (f/c), ankle-length gown and looked at the side of his face, “Like, really.”

Without a second to spare, Levi’s hand grabbed a fist full of Hanji’s hair and brought her down to eye level with him. He stared into her eyes for a moment before opening his mouth.

“Go and make sure that my bride looks two hundred percent stunning.”

Hanji blinks for a moment before a smile breaks out on her face. She stood up straight, like a soldier, and saluted.

“Aye aye, Captain Levi!”

With that, the eccentric woman ran off. Now that Hanji was gone, Levi was able to let out a low sigh. Looking back into the mirror, Levi clipped on his military badge – the wings of freedom – on his black tuxedo and looked himself over in the mirror.

“Nervous?” another voice came into the room.

'For fuck’s sake', Levi thought, stopping himself from dragging his hand across his face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He stood there at the altar, awaiting the beginning of the ceremony.

“When is this damned thing going to start?” he growled. He sounded annoyed, but the twitch of his eyebrow betrayed him. Erwin chuckled by Levi’s side, his good arm behind his back.

“It’ll start soon, Levi,” Erwin attempted to ease his Captain’s nerves.

“It’s so goddamn hot in here,” Levi mumbled. Erwin stifled a laugh. He didn’t want to anger the man of whom he was posing as the “best man” to.

“Levi, you’ll be all right. You’re just nervous.”

Levi didn’t respond immediately. He took a moment to take in Erwin’s words, and then averted his gaze to the opposite direction of Erwin.

“Tch.”

It was then that the soft chords of an organ began to play gentle notes. It was the unmistakable tune of the wedding march. The bride would be coming now.

Levi snapped into attention, keeping his eyes on the entrance where his wife-to-be would appear from. You wanted a semi-outdoor wedding due to your deep love for nature. Levi wasn’t exactly all aboard with the plan, but...he would definitely make your wedding one you had always dreamed of. The cleanest green pastures in all of the wall, the most beautiful flowers surrounded the area in vivid colors of reds, yellows, purples, and blues. Levi could remember the look you had on your face when the two of you first came to view the site. You almost cried and Levi flicked your forehead while calling you a baby. Deep down, he was happy. He was happy to have made you happy. To have made you that happy. He was hoping to make you that happy again today.

The wedding guests – families, friends, fellow military soldiers, and other esteemed guests – all stood, facing the direction of the beautifully decorated, floral arc, where you would be walking in from.

Your silver slipper (no heels, of course hah) was finally seen, and that, alone, made Levi draw in a silent breath. The man who was posing as your father figure was none other than your own godfather. He had worn a dashing suit, fitting for the father of the bride, but his smile shown even prouder than that for a different reason. That reason being the beautiful woman he was carrying on his arm. Finally, walking past the arc, the bride was revealed as she slowly walked down the aisle.

Your white gown was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous. Silver-like studs adorned your dress, giving it a special gleam from all angles. The sleeves were pure white and brought out the beautiful tone of your skin. A bow decorated the low cut of the back. You truly looked like a storybook princess who was becoming a queen. Your (h/c) hair was up in a neatly kept bun, pretty flowers all over, keeping a natural and sweet appearance. Your face was the last thing that left everyone wondering, hiding behind your long, white veil.

“She looks beautiful,” Erwin whispered behind Levi. Levi didn’t quite catch the sentence due to the sound of his beating heart ringing straight into his ears. His eyes just continued to follow you. He stared at the veil, as if staring at your face. He noticed your cheeks redden behind the veil and it relieved him in a way. You were nervous as well. He let a smirk penetrate his stonewall face as he stepped down the altar and received your hand from your godfather. You were a little surprised to see the smirk, but you knew that this was a special occasion, so even Levi was prone to doing something out of the usual. Led by the hand, you stepped up onto the altar and faced your husband-to-be. You could hear Hanji squealing behind, though she had just seen you about fifteen minutes ago. You saw Erwin smiling at you as he gave a small nod. Finally, you looked up at him. Your groom. Levi. He reached his hands over to you and flipped the veil over to reveal your face. Your beautiful face, your perfectly powdered cheeks and finely reddened lips, your precious, (e/c) eyes were accompanied with light eye shadow and mascara.

“You actually look decent.”

You laughed, gently slapping Levi’s chest. You knew he was just being Levi. You loved Levi.

He gazed at your smiling face. You truly looked beautiful. Not that he would be so honest as to saying it to your face in front of all the people you two had invited to the wedding. He had a bit of pride to uphold.

The wedding officiant gave a meaningful smile to Levi and yourself before looking out towards the attendees.

“Please be seated,” he spoke.

As they all sat, he looked over the entire room, towards everyone, then opened his arms up widely as if holding you and Levi within them.

“Welcome, family, friends and loved ones. We gather here today to celebrate the wedding of Levi Ackerman and (Name) (Last Name). You have come here to share in this formal commitment they make to one another, to offer your love and support to this union, and to allow Levi and (Name) to start their married life together surrounded by the people dearest and most important to them,” the officiant clasped his hands together, his jovial smile still on his lips, “So welcome to one and all, who have traveled from near and far, from Wall Sina to Wall Rose. Levi and (Name) thank you for your presence here today and now ask for your blessings, encouragement, and lifelong support, for their decision to be married.”

Giving a brief pause, he continues.

“Marriage. Marriage is perhaps the greatest and most challenging adventure of human relationships. No ceremony can create your marriage; only you can do that – through love and patience. Through dedication and perseverance, through talking and listening, helping and supporting and believing in each other. Through tenderness and laughter, through learning to forgive, learning to appreciate your differences, and by learning to make the important things matter, and to let go of the rest. What this ceremony can do is to witness and affirm the choice you make to stand together as lifemates and partners.”

As the officiant continued speaking and your closest and most trusted friends gave words of love, Levi gave a look of exasperation. You took notice of his expression and tried your best to contain your laughter. You couldn’t help but to think how very Levi the look was. You were pretty sure he just wanted to put the ring on your finger, kiss you, and then leave. Stifling your giggle, you shot Levi an expression of your own that he noticed.

‘Don’t be a sourpuss, this will be the only time you’ll hear this,’ your face told him.

He rolled his eyes, clearly saying 'Tch' in his own expression. You continued trying to hold in your laughter. It was totally wrong to not be paying attention to your own wedding ceremony, but Levi was just someone you couldn’t ignore. Not even for a moment. You heard the officiant clear his throat and you immediately brought your attention back to the service. You saw the ring bearer, your little nephew, approach with the rings on a beautifully crafted throw. You stooped down to the toddler, receiving Levi’s ring.

“Thank you, sweetie,” you leaned in and kissed your nephew’s forehead. Levi knelt next to you and picked up your ring. He gently tousled your nephew’s hair, almost making you slap his hand for messing it up, but you had a joy in your heart at seeing how Levi treated the boy. Like he was familiar.

“Thanks. You did a good job,” Levi whispered to him, not letting anyone outside of the wedding party hear. You smiled warmly and stood back up in your position, followed by Levi.

“Do you, Levi Ackerman,” the officiant looked towards Levi, “take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

Levi nodded once.

“I do.”

Those words were like a chorus to you. This was really happening. The officiant now faced you.

“Do you, (Name) (Last Name), take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

“I do,” you smiled brightly, excited to finally say those words. It took all of your self-control to not scream it out in joy.

The officiant faced the guests now.

“The bride and groom have their own vows to speak as they exchange their rings.”

You and Levi faced each other. You drew in a long breath, settling your nerves before you spoke the vow that you had ready for months. Except now, it felt as if you couldn’t remember a single thing you had rehearsed. Your heart pumped so hard, but the feeling faded as you looked up at him and realized: you didn’t need to remember any written vows. You knew in your heart why you loved Levi and what you would vow to him. At the officiant’s go ahead, Levi began first.

You could tell that he was a little fidgety when he adjusted his cravat. He wasn’t scared, but slightly nervous. Or maybe he was embarrassed with what he had to say. You expected Levi was going to recite the traditional vow: 'I, blah blah, take you blah blah, to be my lawfully wedded blah, to have and to hold blah blah blah blah blah until death do us part,' thinking he didn’t put much thought into it. However, you were wrong.

"(Name),” Levi began, his husky voice sending goosebumps down your spine. From just saying your name the way he did, you knew he wasn’t reciting the traditional vow – and you were surprised. After a brief inhale and exhale, Levi continued, “With all my love, I take you to be my wife.”

You were completely stunned. Levi said the word… “love”?! He actually put “my” and “love” within the same sentence? You heard someone gasp in surprise, but you didn’t take your attention away from Levi. His piercing, steel-gray eyes stared straight into your own (e/c) eyes as he placed his gloved left hand gently against your cheek. From the look in his eyes, you knew he was very serious. Your heart immediately began to pump faster, awaiting the rest.

“I will love you through the good and the bad, through joy and the sorrow. I will try to be understanding, and to trust in you completely. Together, we will face all of life's experiences and share one another's dreams and goals. I promise I will be your equal partner in a loving, honest relationship, for as long as we both shall live. Hmm... No, that isn’t right,” Levi shook his head once then looked back to you. You saw the faintest look of tenderness in his eyes, “For an eternity.”

Everyone was taken by surprise, but not you. You may have been initially surprised that Levi would speak so openly about this, but you knew he loved you. You knew he felt this way, even when he didn’t say it. The fact that he would let others know filled your heart with so much joy, tears built up at the corners of your eyes. Using his left hand, Levi wiped your tears before they could tarnish your perfect makeup.

“Don’t ruin your makeup, you brat.”

You just laughed. How very Levi.

He then used his left hand to lift your right hand. He showed you the ring in his right hand.

“Let this ring be a symbol of my promises to you and a reminder of my devotion to you. I choose you to be, and am honored to call you, my wife.”

With that, Levi slid the gorgeous, forged, wedding ring onto your slender finger. A perfect fit. You smiled at Levi, holding back your tears. It just took one look at your face to see how much you loved him and how much you adored his words. You inhaled and exhaled several times before beginning your vow.

“Levi Ackerman, today I become your wife and you become my husband. I will strive to give you the best of myself, while accepting you the way you are. I promise to respect you as a whole person with your own interests, desires, and needs, and to realize that those are sometimes different, but no less important than my own. I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you in to my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams. I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face changes as we both change, keeping our relationship alive and exciting. And finally, I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all that I am, in the only way I know how - completely and forever."

Feeling the intense emotions welling up in your chest, you raise the ring you held in your hand.

“I give you this ring as a symbol of my love and faithfulness. As I place it on your finger, I commit my heart and soul to you. As a ring has no end, neither shall my love for you. I choose you to be my husband this day and forevermore.”

The officiant stepped closer towards you and Levi as you gazed at each other. Who knew that Levi was capable of showing such an adoring expression – as adoring as an expression could look on him, at least.

“By the power of your love and commitment, and the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife – Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman,” the officiant’s jovial expression returned as he looked from you to Levi, “You may now kiss the bride.”

In one swift motion, Levi grabbed you into his arms and leaned his face close to yours.

“You hear that?” he asked you. You listened for a moment then looked back to him, a little dumbfounded. Levi swept you up into his arms and kissed you, passionately, in front of everyone. The cheers all around the field overpowered any thoughts you wanted to think. Levi parted his lips from yours, but remained close enough that you could feel his breath, “You are mine.”

You smiled brightly up at him, tossing your arms around his neck.

“Damn right, I am.”

With that, the two of you kissed once again. This was it. The beginning of your life together. The beginning of a new experience that the two of you would walk through together. Not just as Levi and (Name), but as Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman.

“I love you, Mr. Ackerman.”

“Tch. You brat... I love you too,” he paused, “Mrs. Ackerman.”













"Now, about our honeymoon - specifically, the evening of."