[ Levi meets that look easily, holding it with his usual blank expression though there's a hint of a smile in the way his eyes narrow just slightly. ]
That's right.
[ He doesn't intend to ever take it back, either. Even if Eren's steps falter, even if he betrays them again, he had always been Survey Corps' responsibility, Levi's responsibility since the day they took him in. They all had a part in failing him; they might as well own up to it. ]
[ Of course, that doesn't mean that he doesn't want to see him do better this time. Quite the opposite. He knows to temper his expectations, but he does hope that it may be another gentle push, an encouragement, in the right direction. If even once it makes Eren stop and consider whether whatever he's about to do is compatible with the Scout ideal, it will already be more than worth it -- and it honestly is for the look on his face now. Levi gestures dismissively with his good hand. ]
;w;
That's right.
[ He doesn't intend to ever take it back, either. Even if Eren's steps falter, even if he betrays them again, he had always been Survey Corps' responsibility, Levi's responsibility since the day they took him in. They all had a part in failing him; they might as well own up to it. ]
[ Of course, that doesn't mean that he doesn't want to see him do better this time. Quite the opposite. He knows to temper his expectations, but he does hope that it may be another gentle push, an encouragement, in the right direction. If even once it makes Eren stop and consider whether whatever he's about to do is compatible with the Scout ideal, it will already be more than worth it -- and it honestly is for the look on his face now. Levi gestures dismissively with his good hand. ]
Treat it well.