Chapter Text
It was cold.
Weird. It was the middle of July, how could it possibly be cold? Levi shivered, curling into himself, a tiny ball of wet clothes and deathly pale skin on the street corner. It had been raining for days now, but there was no way he was going to swallow his pride and go to a shelter. No fucking way. Going home would be even worse.
Without that, though, there was a chance that this was the end. He'd been sick for weeks now, getting weaker by the day, and being caught outside in this this weather could very possibly be the end of him.
"Are you all right?"
A voice through the rain, through the fog and lightheadedness, deep, soothing.
The voice of an angel?
Angel or not, he wasn't getting special treatment.
There was a glare, bleary gunmetal eyes meeting with -- Hell, he couldn't even tell what color they were. "Do I fucking look all right?" was the growled answer.
"Not at all, no."
Even when the figure knelt closer, an umbrella stopping the torrents of rain blasting down, brushing damp hair out of his face, all Levi could make out was a golden halo. Was he a blonde? There was no way to tell.
"Do you have a place I can take you?" the angel-voice asked, and Levi looked away, his shame apparent even in his current condition. There was a sigh, and the voice said, "I'll take that as a no."
There was a rustling of damp fabric, and the angel pulled a cell phone from his pocket -- An odd thing for such a being to possess -- and, from what Levi could tell, calling for a cab.
"Where the fuck are you taking me?" Try as he might, Levi's words came out as more of a rasping sound than anything intelligible.
Still, this angel, this man, seemed to understand. "I'm taking you to my apartment," he said, scooping the tiny, shivering brunette into his arms, ignoring the small protests it caused, the umbrella tucked against his shoulder, shielding the two of them from the frigid, stinging rain. "You can stay with me until we get you well. Is that all right?"
A weak nod of agreement: "Guess so." Accepting charity was better than seeking it out, Levi decided.
Judging by the man's suit, tailored and obviously of high quality beneath a well-fitted pea coat, Levi assumed that he was trustworthy. If not, oh, well. Things couldn't really get worse than they already were.
There was a screech, and Levi flinched, clinging tight to the blonde's coat as the noisy cab pulled up to the curb, chugging angrily as it idled.
Shifting, uncomfortable, and Levi found himself being slid into the taxi's open door, suddenly engulfed in warmth, in the scent of cigarette smoke and cheap air freshener. It was nice.
Sliding to the far wall, pressing himself to the driver's side door, he watched as the blonde climbed in beside him, giving the scruffy, sour-looking driver directions before leaning in to drape his arm over Levi's shoulders, holding him close.
Tensing, the little brunette came to peculiar realization that that gesture had been completely innocent. This man's hand was warm against his upper arm, holding tight, strong. He was well-built, from what Levi could tell, in the best possible way. A shiver, and that arm around him only tightened. Cute.
Several long, warm moments passed, the meter up front ticking away before Levi could bring himself to speak: "Who are you?" He winced; his voice was scratchy. That was definitely unattractive.
"Hmm?"
Rolling his eyes, Levi replied, his voice quiet, rough, "Your name?"
A smile, warm even in the balminess of the cab, lit the blonde's face, though, to Levi, the lines were still blurred. "Erwin." A hand, large and clad in soft-looking black leather, darted out, and, hesitantly Levi shook it. "My name is Erwin."
"Is there a last name that goes with that?"
That smile was still there when he answered, "Smith."
"Original."
There was a moment of silence, a quiet sort of awe, and then the blonde -- Erwin, apparently -- was smiling again. "There's a lot of fire in you, isn't there?" He sounded amused.
"I like to think so." Barely thinking, Levi leaned in to rest his head against a strong shoulder, somehow radiating warmth from under the confines of Erwin's coat and the suit beneath it. Strange. Nice, but strange. "I'm taking a nap."
A bemused chuckle came before, "You really trust me that much?"
"My life's in the shitter as it is," Levi said, curling close, nuzzling against the blonde's jaw, fully aware of the blush it was causing. "Believe me, there's nothing you could do to me that'd make it any worse."
There was another chuckle, then, "I'm glad you're so relaxed, but there isn't much of a point in trying to sleep. We'll be there in a few minutes."
"Ugh." Levi said it like a curse, but did nothing to pull away, noting with a silent smirk when Erwin swallowed nervously against him. Fucking adorable.
The ride passed quietly, the pair in the back seat tangled together, warm, Erwin completely ignorant of the daggers the driver was glaring at them. Levi, on the other hand, was well aware of it, glowering right back. Five minutes of scowling and the cab shrieked to a stop, the little brunette forcing himself to sit upright, Erwin quickly paying off the bill and sliding out onto the rain-soaked street, offering Levi a hand. He was a bit unsteady, yes, but the brunette took full advantage, taking it as an opportunity to hang onto the blonde's arm, glaring as the taxi sped off.
"Asshole."
"A bit."
Levi gave a shiver when the blonde's arm was pulled from his grasp, moving instead to loop around his shoulders, holding him close as they strode to front of the building, and, even though the haze in the brain and the pouring rain, Levi could see its appeal, all glass and polished metal, posh and luxurious.
"Evening, Mr. Smith."
"Evening."
"Nice weather we're having, huh?"
Erwin gave a brief smile in return, though the doorman flinched a bit when he caught sight of Levi, giving a minute nod of acknowledgment.
The doors parted and, only briefly hesitating, Levi allowed himself to be lead inside, though he cringed a bit when Erwin asked, quite playfully, "Come here often?"
"Occasionally."
As the door closed behind them, Erwin lead Levi over to a group of elevators off to the side of the lobby, the blonde looking curious as he pressed one of the light-up buttons lining the wall. "I've never seen you," he said, pausing a bit when the little brunette's grip on his arm tightened. "Are you friends with someone who lives here?"
"No." Levi kept his tone short, words clipped to sharp points. "Just here for work."
"Oh?" As the doors of the elevator slid closed behind them, Erwin's curiosity seemed to be growing. Fucking perfect. "And what, exactly do you do?"
There was a glare, then a sharp ringing. Saved by the bell.
"Do you mind?" It was a whisper, though it somehow managed to bounce off the elevator's walls, followed by the rustling of Erwin's coat as he dug his cellphone from the depths of his pocket, his umbrella set to rest in the corner.
Levi's only response was a shake of his head, inadvertently splattering dingy water across expensive-looking fabric.
Erwin just laughed, though it faded when he answered the phone, his breath escaping in a pained whisper: "Petra..." His voice was cold, pained, his face stony. There was a long pause, and Levi assumed this "Petra" was speaking. Nodding, Erwin replied, "I sent them off this morning, signatures and all. They should arrive within the week." Another pause, and Erwin sighed. "I'd rather it not come down to that, if we can avoid it." And then that ice was gone, melting away into anger, and Levi shivered, still clinging to the blonde's arm. It was a good look on him. "I'm not giving up the apartment." With that, he promptly hung up, shoving the sleek phone back into his pocket, heaving a heavy sigh and raking his free hand through his hair. "I'm sorry about that," was all he had to say for himself.
"Not a big deal." A pause, tense, before Levi asked, "Who was it?"
"My wife."
"Oh." There was another pause, this one heavier. "Getting a divorce?"
"Yes." Erwin sighed. "These things happen; Don't worry about it."
"I'm not worrying about it."
There was a bit of a smirk at the corners of Erwin's lips when he asked, "Are you always like this, or are you just grumpy because you don't feel well?"
"I'm always grumpy," was the answer, soft, honest. "Better get used to it now."
"Honestly, I think I like it." Erwin's smile was warm, and Levi shuddered, burrowing his face into the warmth of the blonde's chest.
"You wanna keep me?"
"Keep you?" That echo held an air of disbelief. "You aren't a pet." Though his vision was still blurry, Levi could easily see Erwin's eyes go wide, as well as the incredulous look that soon overtook the blonde's face. "I never got your name." He sounded oddly amused by that.
"'Bout time you asked." It came out as a growl. "It's Levi."
"No family name?" Erwin looked guilty, almost, concerned. "Just..."
"Just Levi."
And at long last, the elevator doors slid open. Third floor from the top. Not bad.
Finally escaping the grip around his shoulders, Levi strode out, surprised at how steady he felt. "Left or right?" was all he said, his body twisted just so. God, if only he were wearing heels, it would have been perfect.
"Right."
Ugh, right. Of course. Everything was right about him. Levi made a show of rolling his eyes before he stalked off, heavy boots clomping noisily against what looked like Italian marble. Swanky.
"Number?" he asked next, fully aware of Erwin's eyes sliding down his back. There was a sort of power in being looked at like that. Levi adored it.
There was a pause, a near stutter, before the answer came: "Six fifty."
A nod, nearly imperceptible, and Levi was on his way.
Until his legs decided to betray him and buckle, leaving him silently grateful for the strong arms he found suddenly wrapped about his waist.
"Easy..." How the fuck was he so sincere? "If you need help, all you need to do is ask, and I'll do whatever I can."
"I don't want help," was the hissed response, though Erwin didn't let go, instead helping the tiny brunette to his feet, winding one arm around his lithe waist, holding him close again.
"But you need it," was all the blonde had to say.
He was right, and reluctantly, Levi allowed himself to be walked down the hall, to the third and final door. "Just point me to the bathroom. I want a bath."
"I can do that." A lighthearted chuckle and the turn of a key, and they were inside.
The foyer was lovely, the white marble of the hall carried inside, though Levi quickly took note of the mud they were tracking in. That'd be hell once they hit the carpet of what looked like the living room, and the little brunette slid his boots and socks off, leaning onto Erwin for support.
"Can you take your clothes off on your own?"
A beat, silent. "...What?"
Erwin gave a somewhat forced-sounding chuckle at that, his face flushing in embarrassment. "You said you wanted a bath..."
"Oh." Moving to lean against the wall, Levi slid his hoodie off, the navy fabric clinging, leaving his skin clammy, paler than it already was. Gross. "I was hoping you would do it for me."
"I don't know you well enough for that." Rolling with the punches. Impressive. "But I can help you if you need it."
An eye roll, and Levi managed to force out, "Just show me to the bathroom and get my clothes washed."
"Can do." Taking the brunette's elbow, Erwin steered Levi to the end of the hall, to the door on the right, opening into the washroom. The white marble of the floor continued in, accented with silver and icy blue, cozy but still affording space for a large tub and a walk-in shower in addition to the necessary amenities. It was far nicer than the other rooms Levi had seen there.
"I'll just give you a minute."
Nodding his acknowledgement, Levi watched as the door clicked shut, sighing heavily and plopping down on the edge of the tub. What was he doing? Why the hell did he allow this Erwin person to bring him here? What was in it for the big idiot anyway? Another sigh, and Levi pulled his shirt off, careful to keep it from catching on his ribs. The bruises from the accident were still present, staining his chest and stomach varying shades of eggplant. Absolutely atrocious. The jeans came next, shredded very nearly to bits, followed by his boxers. Leaving his dirty clothes on the floor, he sat at the edge of the tub again, turning on the water, letting it run long enough to warm up before popping the stopper into the drain and slipping in.
It was wonderful, particularly once the water basin was full nearly to the rim, and the water was shut off, leaving Levi alone in the silence with naught but his thoughts. Absolutely wonderful.
It was soon interrupted.
"Did you get in all right?"
He didn't feel like answering.
"Levi?"
The brunette shivered, in spite of himself and in spite of the steam wafting on the air. It was clearing his head somehow.
The door cracked open, and a blonde head peeked inside, asking, "Are you all right?"
"Fine."
"I'm going to grab your clothes," Erwin said, sliding in, dressed now in a pair of silky-looking pajamas, the bottoms clearly more worn than the shirt. Levi assumed he didn't wear shirts often, at least around the house. He was handsome, Levi suddenly noticed, finally seeing clearly, all cheekbones and striking sapphire eyes. "I brought you a towel and a pair of my pajamas. They're going to drown you, though..."
"I can deal."
"I want you to be comfortable here," the blonde said, sounding completely sincere. "Help yourself to whatever you want. What's mine is yours."
Levi just nodded, wordless and a bit awe-struck.
There was a moment of silence, Erwin's eyes roving Levi's frame, his eyes trailing over thin arms and protruding collarbones. "We need to get you something to eat, too. You're too thin."
"Okay." There was no way Levi was going to turn down food, even leftovers. "This is nice," he said, a bit off-handedly, though it was an honest statement nonetheless. "I think I'm gonna stay here."
Erwin gave a little smirk at that, asking, "You're very forward, aren't you?"
There was a huff of what seemed to be laughter before Levi replied, "You have no idea."