Chapter Text
The month passed quickly, time taken up with both titan and Gear training. Shifting into even a partial titan always wiped Eren out so they only worked on that a few times a week. The rest of the time Levi and Eren were out with the rest of the squad, in the forest with their gear, spiralling around the castle walls or practicing sword techniques in the courtyard.
Any time designated for rest had Eren in the back courtyard helping Hanji with the experiments on Bean and Sawney, and Levi up in the top tower with Erwin discussing his plans for their expedition beyond the wall. They had to plan and prepare everything so that when the new recruits arrived, they would be able to use the full remaining month to teach them the formations required before they had to head out into danger.
Each evening they ate together as a group, Levi often sitting quietly and listening to the conversations passed around the table. He had begun to talk to Eren more in the quiet evenings when they were curled up in bed but not yet ready to sleep, but Levi still rarely spoke unless required over meals. It was unnecessary for the most part; Eren talked enough for the both of them.
There was something about curling up in bed with Eren each night that made Levi feel closer to him, besides their obvious connection when they talked. Eren told Levi more about his time growing up, his family and friends and his time training after losing his home. Levi was still hesitant to divulge too much information and Eren didn’t push him, but Levi did slowly begin to offer up new stories about his past some evenings when he was feeling particularly warm and relaxed.
Levi’s affection for Eren had bloomed into something fully-fledged, though he didn’t often show any indication that his feelings had grown. He knew Hanji and Erwin could tell since they knew him best and often sent him knowing looks when Levi talked about Eren. Levi wasn’t sure if the rest of his squad guessed or if they just thought he was as protective as always, and he knew for a fact that Eren was as oblivious as always. Which was a relief, because after a month of murmured conversations in the dark and waking up with Eren beside him, Levi dreaded the possibility of Eren being disgusted by him and sending him away. Levi would survive, but it had gotten to the point that he would miss Eren.
Still, despite making a general effort to remain appropriate, Levi did allow himself a few liberties when alone with Eren since Eren never appeared upset or uncomfortable. Each time Eren managed to summon even a portion of a titan body he would always look sick and pale afterwards and end up on his knees as he tried to breathe through his nausea. Levi would step closer until Eren could rest against him and Levi slipped his fingers through Eren’s hair as he recovered. It seemed to help and it became a routine.
Levi’s touches also lingered anytime he was correcting one of Eren’s fighting postures, Eren always drawing him in. However, the nights were the only time Levi really let his guard down. Sometimes he would wrap his arms around Eren’s shoulders and other times he would hold Eren’s waist. And he never commented in the mornings when they woke up with their legs tangled together under the blankets.
He was trying to enjoy things while they lasted because Levi suspected things would change once the new trainees arrived. Eren had said that he was expecting at least some of the soldiers from his training group to join the Survey Corps, and Levi knew that would be the end of…whatever it was he and Eren were sharing. If Eren’s friends returned to him then he wouldn’t need to curl up with Levi, the quiet, unapproachable Captain who was already in over his head.
Levi knew his guess had been correct on the day when the trainees arrived at the castle, even though Levi had not seen any of them personally. Halfway through the day Levi ran into Auruo and asked where Eren was. He had been informed that Eren had seen some of his friends in the new trainee group and had asked permission to spend the day with them as they were shown around, given their uniforms and introduced to the area.
Levi spent the afternoon and the evening with Erwin, knowing he had to help finalize the plans anyway since Erwin would be speaking with the new recruits first thing in the morning. Dinner came and went with Levi absent-mindedly eating between long bouts of discussion and planning, but finally they were both yawning and it was time for bed. Levi bid farewell and headed down the stairs, stopping in his bedroom first to change. It took him a few minutes to make a decision but eventually he dragged his feet down to the basement and Eren’s room.
It was empty, which wasn’t surprising; Eren was likely in the dorm rooms set up for the new Survey Corps members. He was probably still chatting and catching up with his friends, swapping stories. There was a good chance that Eren would just stay there so late that he fell asleep, leaving the basement room alone for Levi. By this point Levi wasn’t sure if he could sleep alone; he hadn’t tried in a month. But he reminded himself that he had been through much worse than an empty bed and blew out all of the lanterns except for the one by the bed before lying down under the sheets.
It helped that they smelled of Eren, and after a little while Levi was feeling dozy. He lay there, half asleep, for what felt like a while, and then the sound of footsteps traveling down the stairs caught his attention. However, Levi remained curled up under the blankets facing the wall, wanting to assess the situation before he said or did anything.
The door was opened quietly and he heard a sigh of relief. “Oh good, you’re already here,” Eren said. Levi still didn’t respond but listened as Eren changed into his sleeping clothes and then moved over to the bed to crawl in. “Levi, are you awake? I have something I need to tell you,” Eren whispered. “I was talking with my friends all day and they called me a coward for not telling you sooner, but I’m still so scared that you’ll hate me.”
Levi clenched his eyes closed and kept his breathing slow and even, not wanting Eren to know that he was awake. Was Eren going to ask Levi to go back to his own bedroom? Eren's friends were probably confused and unimpressed hearing that Levi, over ten years Eren's senior, was curling up with him at night and were trying to rectify the situation now that they were here. Couldn't Levi have one more night of peace?
"Fuck, you're asleep," Eren laughed under his breath, sounding strained. "I build up my courage during the whole walk here and you're fucking asleep. Of course," Eren sighed. "I'm such an idiot. But maybe this is better." Levi had to make sure he didn't jump when he felt Eren's fingers skimming over his shoulder and bare arm, warm skin against skin. "I'll still tell you, because I want you to know so badly. But at least this way you won't hate me."
By now it was a challenge for Levi to keep his breathing regulated, and to refrain from rolling over and demanding an explanation immediately. Eren's voice was hushed but sincere and Levi was riveted as he listened. "You keep everyone out. I don't know why, but you do. And you're right; a lot of people see you as cold because of it. But honestly I'm glad because I'd never get to be this close to you if the rest of the world realized how incredible you are. I wouldn't be able to fight off all your admirers with all the swords left in the world."
Eren's hand skimmed down to gently hold Levi's hip under the blankets. "Yet somehow I'm lucky. It's just you and me lying here every night, telling stories or just staying close, and I—fuck," Eren cut himself off, tucking his face against the back of Levi's neck. "I love you so much that it hurts. I've never even felt this way before and I don't know what to do. I mean, how could you ever love me back? I'm a young screw-up who doesn't know what he's doing. I would've lost my sanity by now without you."
Levi's eyes were wide with shock, his heart thrumming in his chest and echoing in his ears. Yet before he could think of something to say Eren continued on, obviously spewing the speech he had prepared on the walk back to the room. "I just wanted to tell you. You need to know somewhere in your subconscious that you're loved. Because I don't know what's going to happen when we go beyond the wall, and I'm so scared. You put yourself in danger to protect everyone else and I can't imagine a world without you in it..."
Levi's heart was aching at Eren's words; he couldn't imagine living in a world without Eren either. He had seen many comrades die, all of which were a heavy hit to his heart. But it was the thought of the air clearing after a battle and Levi stumbling across Eren's lifeless body that ruined him. Unwilling to listen to more, Levi swiftly rolled over on top of Eren and pinned him to the bed, taking in Eren's squawk of surprise. "Hey Eren, do you ever shut up?"
Eren's face flushed red as his eyes widened. "You were awake the whole time?!"
Levi ducked down until his mouth was by Eren's ear. "It's hard to sleep when someone is whispering declarations of love in your ear." And then, before Eren could worry any further about rejection or a future neither of them could predict, Levi kissed Eren quiet. He could feel Eren jolt beneath him, his taller body pliant beneath Levi's weight.
Kissing Eren was like taking his first lungful of air after being submerged underwater to the point of drowning. As Levi locked their lips together and deepened the kiss he felt his body unwind in the most satisfied way. He never thought he would be allowed to do this, but now he could and it was everything he had wanted. Eren was moaning beneath him, his fingers digging into Levi's hair to hold him as close as he could manage.
Levi let the kiss linger before finally pulling back. He could feel that his lips were tingling from the pressure of their kiss as a smile slid onto his face. Eren was grinning up at him with a dazed sort of bliss, though that only lasted until Levi rolled himself back off Eren's body to rest on the mattress. Eren tracked Levi with his eyes. "Wait," he panted. "That's it?"
"Greedy," Levi chided and dragged Eren in for a second but shorter kiss. It was a challenge to catch his breath at the end of it. "We do need sleep," Levi reminded Eren, who still looked endearingly dazed. "And we should probably have this talk again when we're both fully awake."
"I'm fully awake now," Eren insisted, smiling when Levi snorted in amusement.
"Nonetheless, we'll have plenty of time tomorrow, and after that." Levi brushed some hair from Eren's face tenderly, disbelieving that this had all worked out. A few times he had wondered about Eren's feelings in return but had never let himself hope for something like this.
"What about when we go beyond the walls?" Eren worried aloud, moving his hand to grip Levi's hip in a tight grasp. "I can't lose you, especially not now."
"The fear is mutual," Levi promised. "We will fight together and protect one another when we must. But for now we are safe." He kissed Eren again, softer this time.
Eren's smile didn't fade this time when they separated. "I suppose I could wait until morning," he said, which was quickly followed by a sheepish yawn. "Yeah, now that my adrenaline is gone sleep sounds really good."
"Good," Levi said with genuine relief. Despite his eagerness to explore this new relationship, he really was exhausted. He rolled back onto his side facing the wall and gave a content hum when Eren moved closer immediately after blowing out the last lantern. Normally Levi wouldn't consider himself someone who enjoyed being on the receiving end of this sort of thing, but when Eren spooned him from behind and returned to tucking his face against Levi's neck, it felt perfect.
#
As he often did, Levi woke up with an erection the following morning. The difference was that this morning instead of slipping from the bed to deal with the situation before Eren woke up, Levi rolled out of Eren's grasp and then straddled him. Eren groaned and shifted beneath Levi but didn't fully wake, and Levi stole the opportunity to sneak his hands beneath Eren's shirt and explore his warm skin.
When Levi's fingers skimmed over Eren's nipples he heard Eren moan and finally saw those beautiful green eyes blink open. Levi paused, waiting for Eren to kick him off and tell him it had all been a mistake. But as Eren's eyes sharpened his mouth quirked up into a smile and Eren's hand pressed against the bulge in Levi's pants. Levi hissed and leaned into the touch. "I guess I don't need to worry about you regretting last night," Eren said teasingly, though Levi could see genuine relief on his face.
Levi's eyes dropped down to Eren's own crotch where he could see a similar erection beginning to tent Eren's pants. Levi moved one hand down Eren's stomach to grind the heel of his palm against Eren's erection in return. Eren gasped and threw his head back, the immediate flush on his cheeks making him look alive and beautiful. "Likewise."
"Can we talk about the details after?" Eren asked, looking equally sheepish and eager as his hips rose tentatively against Levi.
Levi smirked and ground his palm more heavily against Eren's clothed cock, dragging out a pleasing choked-off groan. "Yes. Though you do have to answer one thing." Eren looked up at him curiously, clearly trying to focus. "How do you feel about biting?" Eren's eyebrows furrowed with confusion so Levi elaborated, first by leaning down to nibble softly against his neck. He didn't bite hard enough to cause pain or draw blood, but he made his point clear. Then he sat back enough to catch Eren's gaze. "Will you turn into a titan?"
Eren was panting now and he shook his head frantically. "Definitely not. There's nothing sexy about being a titan so I wouldn't want to change," Eren explained. As he spoke his hands gripped the hem of Levi's shirt and pulled it over his head, and sat up long enough to allow Levi to free Eren of his own shirt. "Besides," Eren continued as he flopped back against the mattress. "How would you fuck me as a titan?"
"Just wanted to make sure," Levi rode the shock of arousal coursing through his body at Eren's words and ducked down a second time. He dug his fingers into Eren's hair to pull his head back and expose his neck before beginning to nip his skin teasingly. The marks would fade by the time they had to leave the bed, but for now Levi took in the growing trail of red love bites lining Eren's neck. Levi made sure to take time to soothe each bite with his tongue, licking the sensitive red skin he had marked.
Next Levi moved his mouth down to the skin below Eren's collarbone where his uniform would hide the deeper marks Levi bestowed to his skin with patient and careful teeth and lips. Eren was moaning openly below him, shifting beneath Levi's body until their cocks nudged together. Levi cursed under his breath and rocked back against Eren, matching the rhythm of his hips as he continued to mark and claim Eren as his own. It didn't matter that no one else would see these; Levi would know that they were there and Eren would feel his sensitive skin rubbing against the fabric of his uniform and remember this.
Eren's hands were traveling greedily, crossing the expanse of Levi's back while also taking turns gripping Levi's neck, hips or ass to drag him closer. At one point Eren knotted his fingers in Levi's own hair and dragged his mouth away from Eren's skin, drawing a warning growl from Levi's throat. Eren shivered at the sound but didn't retreat as their eyes met. "I wasn't kidding, you know. I want all of you."
"Tough shit," Levi lifted his body high enough that there was no longer any contact between their straining erections, but kept Eren pinned to the bed. "I'll fuck you when I choose and not before."
"Why not now?" Eren whined, lifting his hips in a failed effort to regain some form of friction. "Fuck, Levi, come on."
"It's my own fault," Levi put on a false tone of remorse. "I've let you get soft. You've forgotten your place with me allowing you to get close." He dented Eren's bottom lip with his thumb and gently pulled his mouth open, watching as Eren's tongue hesitantly darted out to tease Levi's thumb. Levi crowded Eren against the mattress, his eyes dark with desire. "You are mine, and I can take you when I desire it." Eren whimpered and greedily sucked Levi's thumb into his mouth even as he nodded his submission. Affection returning after his moment of possessiveness and Levi murmured against Eren's ear. "I also don't have lube and I won't hurt you. Be patient."
The smile Eren gave him then was awed and sweet and Levi kissed it away quickly before he could feel more embarrassed. However, what he wasn't expecting was Eren's breathy whisper. "Anything for you, Captain Levi."
"Brat," Levi muttered and then kissed Eren deeply again. He didn't fight it when Eren wrapped his arms around Levi and forced their bodies together again, immediately restarting the rhythm they had shared as soon as the friction returned. Levi thrust against him while kissing Eren until they were both out of breath and panting, which was when Levi sat back and pulled their waistbands down enough to free both of their leaking cocks.
"I'll teach you a thing or two," Levi promised Eren as he wrapped a hand around both of their cocks, squeezing them loosely. Once he got his hand coated in precome he began stroking them together, bucking up into the touch with the same sort of building frenzy that had Eren's eyes glassy and his fingers gripping the sheets for stability.
The noises Eren was making were addicting and Levi found himself forgetting his own pleasure for a moment and thrusting against Eren only to hear the kid's voice crack as he moaned and shouted and clenched his eyes closed. Eren was putty in Levi's hand and Levi was enjoying every second of it, turned on at seeing Eren sprawled out and eager to lean into the touch and take what Levi was willing to give him.
It was only so long before Levi lost control of himself as well, and soon he was tightening his fist and fucking his hand with demanding thrusts, the tightness in his groin spurring him on to seek out release. He wanted to continue kissing Eren but the angle was off so Levi simply studied the pattern of love bites his mouth had left littered across Eren's skin.
Eren was beginning to squirm and Levi could tell that he was close. The way Eren's hips lifted to slide his cock through Levi's grip was erratic and instinctive, and Levi took the hint to tighten his hold and fuck Eren to his completion. Eren was biting his bottom lip like he didn't want it, like he wanted it to last forever, but Levi was determined to watch Eren's face as he came and twisted his grip on each thrust to wring out Eren's pleasure.
All at once Eren arched off the bed with enough strength to lift Levi with him. A shudder rippled through his body and with a cry that echoed off the stone walls Eren spilled his seed across Levi's working hand. Immediately Eren's hot come coated Levi's fingers, making the glide of his fist smoother, and it only took a few more sharp ruts of his hips before Levi was groaning and streaking his own come across Eren's stomach.
When he was spent Levi only had enough energy to wipe his hand clean on Eren's pant leg before he collapsed beside Eren on the mattress. Immediately Eren rolled over and kissed Levi with such desperate strength that Levi saw stars behind his eyes. He met the kiss greedily as his fingers skidded across Eren's sweaty skin and then they curled up together to keep warm as their skin cooled and their hearts calmed.
"Wow," Eren said on a long exhale, his head on Levi's rising and falling chest. "You better get lube soon."
Levi chuckled tiredly, fingers brushing through Eren's hair as sleep threatened to reclaim him. "When I do I'll be sure to inform everyone that you've been ordered to stay in bed all day."
Eren stretched languidly and pulled the blankets up around them before moulding himself to Levi's side again. Levi knew it was morning but not exactly which hour, or if anyone would be wondering why they weren't out of bed yet. Deciding that he didn't care, Levi held Eren closer against him and let his eyes close as he listened to their mingled breathing.
#
An anguished scream was what jolted them out of bed, Levi and Eren's gazes locking for a split second before they were rushing to change their clothes. As soon as they were decent they raced up the stairs two at a time, joining the rush of other Survey Corps members pouring out into the back courtyard. The crowd parted for Levi when they saw him and Eren was on his heels, and together they made their way to the front of the group.
They found Hanji on zher knees, releasing another pained cry as zhe and the rest of the group watched the two deteriorating titan corpses of Bean and Sawney. Levi could tell by the pale morning light that it was still early; the attack must have been completed right before dawn. In another few minutes there would be nothing left of their two captive titans other than steam, and that would quickly be snatched away by the wind.
Levi was disappointed by their loss since they couldn't experiment on Eren the way they did tests on the other two titans, but he knew Hanji's pain ran deeper. Levi didn't feel as forgiving of the titans as zhe did, but he could respect Hanji for being brave and open enough to consider other perspectives and answers. And he knew zhe had grown attached to them, as zhe always did.
Levi didn't stop Eren when he pushed forward to kneel beside Hanji, resting a comforting hand on zher shoulder. Hanji wailed, covered zher face, and began shouting obscenities at whoever had done this. Erwin had arrived by this point, standing tall beside Levi and overlooking the scene. "It's not always good to be proven right," Erewin said under his breath.
Levi looked to him and then back to the remains of the two titans. He knew the fears Erwin had been hoping were incorrect, and that had now been proven true. "No, it isn't."
"Take care of him."
Levi's gaze was already resting on Eren's back. "I will."
They eventually got the crowd dispersed, Hanji's squad taking over to clean the remains while Eren pulled Hanji to zher feet. Eren led Hanji back into the castle until zhe took over and headed to zher room, Eren and Levi trailing behind zher. Hanji had a large table set up in the corner with a few chairs scattered around it, though books full of notes and drawings covered the majority of the table's surface. Hanji took one of the chairs and Levi took the other one, while Eren continued to stand beside Hanji and rest a warm hand on zher shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Hanji," Eren said, even though it wasn't his fault. Levi understood that Eren just didn't like to see Hanji so upset; they had developed a bond as well during the last month. They all had.
"Thanks, Eren," Hanji rested a hand on top of his. "At least we won't have to torture them any longer," zhe whispered, taking deep breaths to keep zherself calm. "I know it's a blow to our research and understanding, and they didn't deserve to be killed like that. They were tied down! They couldn't even do anything!" zhe ground zher teeth together. "But it means they're free."
Levi could see the conflict on Eren's face, similar to the one in Levi's own mind. He hated titans with a passion, and yet he also hated to see something suffer, and the injustice of something being killed without even having the chance to defend itself. "Is there anything I can do?" Eren asked after a moment. "We can do more experiments on me to keep learning."
Levi didn't manage to mute his displeased growl, drawing both of their eyes. Hanji seemed to perk up slightly. "There are a lot of hypotheses I can continue to test with you, Eren," zhe said. "Especially with you and Levi together."
Eren immediately pulled his hand away, looking flustered as he fidgeted with the cuff of his jacket. "What do you mean?"
Hanji was still staring directly at Levi and Levi didn't bother looking away. "Oh, please. I see both of you every single day. It's pretty obvious that you two are a pair. And it'll give me a great chance to see if titans have any ability to experience arousal or affection." By now Eren was blushing furiously and although Levi felt uncomfortable, he didn't shift his weight in the chair. "Especially since you seem to have desired to be physically close to Levi ever since you met him and had physical contact, Eren."
"Do you think that's why we couldn't sleep separately later?" Levi mused, admittedly curious despite the fact that he was hypothesising about himself and his relationship with Eren.
"Definitely possible," Hanji nodded eagerly. "Even in full titan form Eren has never even shown an inclination of violence towards you. In fact, he often ends up standing between you and us since he perceives us as a threat." Hanji looked up at Eren, who looked like he was trying to piece together a puzzle. They always told Eren what happened when he shifted into a titan since Eren's memories were usually wiped when he changed back; perhaps his thoughts and memories from his titan form were returning.
Eren left Hanji's side and walked towards Levi, slow but determined. Levi looked up and tensed when Eren held his face between his palms and kissed him with such deep intensity that Levi's heart stilled for an instant. "I remember," Eren murmured after the kiss ended. "Even if I change for some other reason, the goal to protect you is always there. I don't think Hanji is right about the arousal, but I definitely think I remember affection."
"You felt affection in titan form?" Hanji exclaimed, jumping to zher feet. "Eren, we must explore this further! This could be groundbreaking! I wonder if you could stave off shifting when you bit yourself if Levi was nearby..."
"Actually, we've already tested that," Eren said with a chuckle. "I want to keep Levi safe, so I don't change."
Hanji's eyes sharpened. "What do you think would happen if Levi was the one to bite you and inflict pain? Can you try it now?"
Eren shifted his weight from one foot to the other but Levi spoke bluntly. "We've already tested that too." Eren hesitantly pulled down his collar to reveal the highest of many bite marks left on his skin from their coupling only a short while earlier in bed. "Nothing happened. Well," Levi smirked slightly. "He didn't change into a titan, at least."
Hanji gaped. "And you kept all this from me?! Oh, there's so much more we can test!" zhe turned to begin digging through zher pile of notebooks, muttering under zher breath. "I remember once seeing two titans who died side by side, and watching them move closer to each other before they deteriorated. It made me wonder if titans might make connections or find a mate..."
A mate. It was a scary and exciting concept all at once. Eren was still looking down at him, looking similarly intrigued and nervous. How could they commit themselves to this relationship when they knew how likely it was that they could die in the next battle? Even if they survived, there would be countless other battles to come, and they could only be so skilled and lucky. And yet Levi wasn't willing to give this up, whatever it was.
"We'll fight and protect each other," Levi promised Eren, hand on his narrow hip. "We'll make it work. We're both too stubborn to give in just because something won't be easy."
"Absolutely," Eren grinned and hooked a hand on the back of Levi's neck.
They met halfway for the kiss, holding each other close as their lips locked. Hanji made an excited squawking noise. "Fuck, slow down! I need to document all this!" Eren and Levi both chuckled but otherwise ignored zher as they leaned into a deeper kiss.