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“I’m not sure how else we’re going to form relationships with the world if everyone believes we’re all devils,” Hange groaned, running their hands down their face as they walked down a Marleyan street with Levi and Onyankopon in tow. It had been a rather discouraging night, as their conversation with the Azumabito’s about Paradis’ future place in the world didn’t go as they hoped it would’ve. “It’s times like these where I wish we still had Erwin. He would’ve known what to do. It seemed like he always did.”
Levi stopped in his tracks at Hange’s solemn statement. Would it be any different if Erwin were here? Would he be able to convince the world that we aren’t the people their history books made us out to be just like he convinced so many others to ride to their deaths against the titans? Just like he was able to convince me to stay in the Survey Corps after Isabel and Furlan’s deaths? A frown graced his lips as an answer to those questions that formed in his mind. Yes. He would absolutely be able to convince them. He always knew what to say at the right time. Cunning bastard. If only I had been paying attention that day, you’d still be here. Maybe then Armin’s death wouldn’t be in vain.
“He would’ve been here if it weren’t for me.” Levi replied in a voice that was barely loud enough for his two comrades to hear. His eyes were locked on the ground as he shook his head. “If only I-”
“Levi.” The commanding tone Hange seemed to have mastered after they became the Scout’s 14th Commander caused Levi’s gaze to meet theirs. Hange’s eyes were filled with a mix of frustration at Paradis’s current ordeal, and concern for him. “It’s not your fault. We didn’t know Zeke would come back for him. We all went through a lot that day and we weren’t paying very much attention.”
Though he wouldn’t admit it, he knew they were right. Like always.
“Right,” Levi nodded absentmindedly before walking forward and past Hange. “I’m going for a walk. I need to clear my head. I’ll meet you back at the camp later.” He told them, shooting them a quick glance from over his shoulder.
“Okay. Just- be careful, Levi.” He could hear a fleeting breath escape them before theirs and Onyankopon’s footsteps faded in the distance.
For a while, Levi walked in silence, letting the flickering glow of lamp posts and the silvery yet hazy light of the moon light his path down the cobblestone road. Turning a corner, Levi paused in his steps before glancing up into the star filled sky above. It reminded him of that night before his first expedition outside the Walls when he, Isabel, and Furlan all looked to the sky as each of them wondered what their lives on the surface would be like after they killed Erwin and got the document they needed off of his corpse. Back then, Levi would’ve done anything to see Erwin dead at his feet after he basically forced him to join the Scouts. But now, he would do anything to have Erwin here with him and the Scouts that made the journey to Marley. He would do anything to go back in time and save Erwin from ending up in Zeke’s hands, and ultimately Marley’s hands.
Oftentimes when he was left to his own devices like he was now, Levi wondered what became of Erwin after he was taken. He assumed he must’ve been brought to Marley- but what happened after that? Did the Marleyans torture him for information about the Scouts and Paradis? Did they immediately feed him to some unsuspecting Warrior candidate like what they most likely did with that girl Ymir? Or did they leave him to rot in a cell somewhere? He didn’t know. Part of him didn’t even want to know. But the part of him that did want to know, hoped that for Erwin’s sake- and to calm Levi’s own conscience- that Erwin was given a painless end if that’s what it came down to.
Levi sighed, casting the images of Erwin’s possible fates from his head as he made a move to continue down the street, until something caught his eye. In a darkened alleyway, off to his left, a broad figure who was engulfed in shadows leaned casually against a wall. The only thing Levi could make out about them, however, were the figure’s eyes- the bright blue irises gleaming in the glare of a lit lamp post as they bored into the Captain with an emotion that Levi couldn’t place.
It felt like all the oxygen was punched from Levi’s lungs by an invisible force as a wave of recognition washed over him. He didn’t need to see the figure’s entire face to know who it was. But that was impossible, right? Marley wouldn’t just let him go without reason, right? But in that moment, it didn’t matter to him as his legs seemed to move on their own accord to where his former flame stood. Though as Levi passed the threshold of the alleyway, Erwin pushed himself off of the wall and headed deeper into the alley.
Levi’s brows knitted together in confusion, holding out a hand to him, as if it would stop him from walking away. “Erwin! Wait! Where are you-” A sudden prick of pain began to bloom in Levi’s neck mid-sentence. Reaching up, Levi’s fingers brushed against the feathered end of a slim object as he went to pull it out. His eyes widened as he realized what it was, but he knew it was too late. He could already feel the tranquilizer doing its job. Within seconds of throwing the dart to the side, his vision began to grow fuzzy and his legs soon gave out from under him, sending him plummeting into the cobblestone path with a grunt.
“I’m sorry, Levi.” Erwin finally said just as Levi’s vision went completely dark. “This is just how it has to be.”
-----
Heat pulsated against Levi’s face as he pried his eyes open, finding himself on his side and facing the warm orange glow of a lit hearth. Sitting up, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he did his best to ignore the throbbing headache that pounded at his skull. Glancing around at his surroundings, there was a leather couch to his right that faced the hearth, and a woven red rug that was sprawled out under him. In front of him, there was a window that was big enough so that he could see a sliver of the pale moon that remained in the night sky. So it hasn’t been too long that I’ve been here…wherever here is . Behind the couch, there was a small square table with a chair on each side. Then, to the right of that in the corner, there was a large cabinet that housed a mixture of alcohol and wine glasses that sat to the left of the door. There wasn’t any light in the room save for the fire, the small amount of moonlight, and a small amount of light from under the wooden door.
Pushing himself off the ground, Levi stumbled over to the window, keeping a hand on his head. The window looked out over a courtyard of sorts that had a statue in the center of it. The statue depicted a man- a soldier by the looks of it- driving a spear into the abnormally large head of another man. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what the story of the statue was, but he didn’t get the chance to think about it when the sound of heavy footfalls echoed outside the closed door behind him. Levi whipped his head around just in time to hear the click of a lock and see the door handle turn to allow Erwin to step in the room and close and relock the door behind him.
Levi glared daggers into the man he once considered both his friend and lover, his heart dropping to his stomach as he took in the pristine Marleyan military uniform that Erwin now wore.
“Traitor ,” Levi snarled, meeting Erwin’s piercing gaze. He didn’t miss the flash of what seemed like genuine hurt in the blue of his eyes, but honestly, he didn’t care. Because from what he could see, Erwin had abandoned his former life as a Scout.
“Levi-” Erwin began with a sigh.
Shaking his head, Levi stomped up to Erwin and grabbed him by his tie. “ No . I don’t want to hear it. You betrayed us all! You’re a fucking traitor and I can’t believe that you of all people would stoop to this level.”
Erwin wrapped his hand around Levi’s wrist, and yanked his hand away from his tie before forcefully turning him so that the smaller man’s back was pressed against his broad chest. Placing his hand on Levi’s waist to hold him still, Erwin leaned down to Levi’s ear, his breath caressing his cheek as he whispered, “I didn’t betray you, Levi. I can’t thoroughly explain my situation here, as I’m certain that the room is rigged with listening devices, but I need you to trust me.”
Levi’s eyes narrowed as he wrenched himself from Erwin’s hold to turn and look at him. “What the hell are you talking about?” How am I supposed to believe you?
The former Scout Commander seemed to understand the unasked question, as he mouthed: play along . The Captain’s eyes furrowed, in a mix of confusion and frustration, wondering where Erwin was going with this.
“You know, Levi, it was quite the surprise to see you here,” Erwin casually said, pulling out a folded piece of blank paper and a pen from his tan trench coat’s inner pocket. Walking over to the table, he placed both objects down before sitting in one of the chairs, moving to pick up the pen while he continued to talk. “I honestly thought you Island Devils wouldn’t dare step foot into enemy territory, and yet, here you are.” He scoffed. “I had assured my superiors that you Scouts were too smart to pull something as stupid as this, but I stand corrected.”
Hesitantly stepping over to the table where Erwin sat, Levi watched as he scribbled something down on the piece of paper before he pushed it over to him so he could read it.
I had to pretend that I sympathized with Marley’s cause to stay alive, The neat scripture read. I’ve been feeding them false information about us for the past few years, although it’s been hard to do so at times due to Reiner’s presence. However, you should know that Zeke’s planning something, and I have yet to figure out what it is. The prick’s more elusive than what I initially gave him credit for. But, I have reason to believe that his plan involves Eren.
“Here I am,” Levi replied through gritted teeth, reluctantly “playing along” as Erwin told him to do as he wrote down his reply. “Honestly, I’m surprised you didn’t think we’d do something like this. After all, the Scouts’ initial goal has always been to explore the world beyond the Walls.”
Conniving bastard. I should’ve expected you to pull something like this. What information have you been feeding them and has Reiner given you any shit? He knows who you are, and I wouldn’t put it past him to pick up on any lies you spill. And do you think that the mangy fur ball plans to somehow utilize the Founder in some way?
A huff of amusement slips from Erwin as he reads the message. “Indeed. But I wonder, how did you manage to get into the city without being stopped? Surely it would have looked suspicious if a big group of people who were fresh off a boat acted like fish out of water in the streets. How did you manage to pass yourselves off as Marleyans?”
I’ve told them that Paradis is too primitive to launch any counter attacks against Marley. Therefore, the scouting vessels that disappeared while docking at the island must have vanished due to an old legend I made up and claimed it was a story my father told to me as a child. They seemed hesitant to buy it, but they did after some convincing. It was funny as hell to see the confused look on Reiner’s face. And no, Reiner hasn’t said anything. I’ve been giving them half truths whenever he was in the room, so he couldn’t refute anything I said. As for Zeke’s plan, yes, I do think he’s planning to somehow use the Founder. But if I’m correct, he’ll need someone with royal blood, which means he’d need Historia.
“I guess we were good at playing our parts,” Levi replied, shooting Erwin a knowing look and a small, amused smile as he took the paper from him. “Blended in with the crowd and didn’t put ourselves in the spotlight.”
Then I’ll send a message back to Premier Zachary to keep a close eye on her. For now at least, we have some time to spare thanks to the war that’s going on which will hopefully keep Zeke occupied. Speaking of which, why haven’t they shipped you off to the front lines?
Erwin hummed, taking the paper from Levi and flipping it over once he had read the Captain’s message to continue their silent conversation. “To think Hange of all people wouldn’t be even slightly enamored with the sight of an airship or even a car doesn’t seem very believable, Levi.”
They’ve had to a few times. They haven’t had much use for the Colossal unless they wanted to completely decimate a fort. Now, I’m sure you’ll be missed sooner or later, and we’re beginning to run out of space here. How do we continue to communicate from here?
“Don’t worry, I kept them in check for the most part. Besides, it’s not like you would care anyways. Isn’t that right, Erwin? I mean, you could’ve always come back, but you chose to stay here and feed our enemies information about us like the deserter you are.”
There’s a summit tomorrow. After that, we’re congregating back at Kiyomi Azumabito’s house. Meet us there. Levi paused, sighing before he wrote, I really hope what your telling me is true, Erwin. I don’t like imagining you as my enemy. One more thing: who tranquilized me? I know it wasn’t you.
“Now, now, Levi. That’s not very nice,” Erwin tutted, rising from his seat as he tucked the pen back into his pocket before rounding the couch, throwing the piece of paper into the flames before taking a seat, the leather couch squeaking beneath his weight as he gestured for the Captain to follow.
“I don’t care,” Levi replied. When Levi obeyed his command and rounded the couch as well, Erwin patted his lap in silent invitation. Again, Levi obeyed, climbing on top of the taller man’s lap and straddling him. “You don’t deserve my niceties for what you’ve done.”
“Is that so?” Erwin asked, resting his hands on Levi’s waist while Levi cupped Erwin’s cheeks. The Captain only hummed in response as he ran his thumbs along the blonde’s cheekbones. Leaning in so that their lips were only centimeters apart, Erwin whispered, “I’ll meet you there. Also, it was a Marleyan Volunteer who tranquilized you. I ordered them not to say a word about it. And honestly, I don’t like imagining you as my enemy either, Levi. It killed me to have listened to all that bullshit propaganda for the past few years, knowing that none of it was true. Knowing that somewhere out across the sea, you and the other Eldians were fighting to get a foothold in the politics of this world.”
“I get it. I still can’t believe that the people here would just assume the worst about us without sitting down and having a conversation with us first. And I can’t believe you bullshitted your way into staying alive…” Levi paused for a moment before adding, “again.” with a soft, yet knowing smile.
A grin curled at Erwin’s lips, understanding that Levi was referencing his execution trial that ended up turning into a coup d'état. Levi was grateful that the Warriors who infiltrated Paradis were either gone, or out of commission when that trial happened. Because if they were to catch wind of the coup, he doubted that Erwin would’ve been able to convince the Marleyans of his supposed desertion if they found out that he manipulated his way out of an execution once before. “I missed you, Levi.”
Levi let out a huff of laughter. “I missed you too, Erwin.”
Sliding his hands to the back of his head, and letting his fingers feel the softness of the blond strands of hair, Levi closed the distance between them, his lips meeting Erwin’s gingerly at first before Erwin kissed him back with a passion he hadn’t felt since before the retaking of Wall Maria. He could feel Erwin’s hands trail up and down Levi’s sides, as if the blond was reassuring himself that his lover was really there, before his hands finally rested on Levi’s ass, pulling him closer so that the smaller man sat on top of the erection that he could feel was slowly beginning to grow in Erwin’s pants.
When Levi came up for breath, Erwin began to trail kisses down Levi’s jaw and to his neck, settling on a spot on the side of his neck to mark as he brought his hands up to help him out of the navy suit jacket that the Captain had worn, letting it fall to the floor. Tilting his head, Levi gave Erwin more access to the column of his neck, a soft moan escaping his lips. He could feel the larger man’s smile against his skin as he hummed.
“Always so vocal, aren’t you Levi?” The sound of Erwin’s gruff voice that was laced with lust sent Levi’s blood rushing down to his dick.
“Only for you,” He answered breathlessly as he ground his own growing erection against Erwin’s.
One of Erwin’s hands was back on Levi’s ass, while the other trailed up and down his inner thigh, making Levi pause in his movements so that Erwin could touch him where he needed him most. When the feeling of the blonde's large hand brushed against his clothed cock, Levi let out another low moan, rolling his hips against his hand to gain friction.
“That’s right,” Erwin agreed with a tut, gripping Levi through his trousers, a sultry grin on his face as he pulled away from Levi’s neck. “Only for me . You’re such a good boy, Levi.”
Levi felt heat spread across his face at the praise, leaning back to meet Erwin’s gaze as he unbuckled his belt, tugging the leather out of the belt loops and setting it aside as he pulled down the zipper to his trousers and palmed the smaller man a few times through his boxers before pulling out his hard length.
“Fuck, Erwin,” Levi moaned, closing his eyes.
“Aht,” Erwin tutted, smacking Levi on the ass. “That’s not how you’re supposed to address me, Captain.”
“Yes, sir…Commander…”
“That’s better, Captain.” Erwin’s eyes crinkled with how wide he was grinning.
The Captain’s heart fluttered in his chest at Erwin’s use of his title. The use of it during intimate moments like this felt like nostalgia in Levi’s head, as they were often prone to using power dynamics back when Erwin was his Commander and when they knew little to nothing about what lay beyond the Walls.
Wrapping his hand around Levi’s cock, Erwin’s thumb caressed the slit, wiping away the precum that was leaking from it before moving his hand down to the base. Giving it a few experimental tugs, Levi’s breath hitched in his throat.
“Don’t tease me,” Levi grunted, his voice more whiny than he intended it to be.
Erwin chuckled darkly, moving his hand at a slow, languid pace as he leaned in so his breath brushed against the skin of his lover’s neck as he murmured, “C’mon, Levi. You can do better than that.” His voice was low, and gravelly, and the sound of it sent a shiver down Levi’s spine.
“Please, Commander ,” He whined, giving Erwin exactly what he wanted from the sound of him humming in approval against his shoulder.
“Good boy.”
Erwin’s languid strokes of Levi’s cock increased to fast paced movements that had Levi being hurdled over the edge of his orgasm in a matter of seconds. Levi’s fingers, which had remained in Erwin’s hair, tightened their hold on the golden strands. A moan escaped the Captain’s lips, and the blush on his face seemed to burn as waves of pleasure washed over him, his eyes rolling in the back of his head as his orgasm hit him harder than it had since the last time he and Erwin were together like this. By the Walls he missed this feeling. The feeling of Erwin’s warmth against him, and the pleasure the aforementioned man could always seem to bring him when they were in private.
“Shit ,” Levi panted, the haziness of his orgasm as well as the remnants of the tranquilizer in his system clouded his brain as he willed himself to focus on the man in front of him. Scooting back on Erwin’s thighs so he wasn’t sitting in his own cum that now stained Erwin’s khaki uniform coat, he brought one of his hands to the blonde's cheek, cupping it gently. “Sorry…I should have warned you. Do you want me to return the favor?”
“No, that’s alright. Look, I’m sorry that I ever made you doubt me,” Erwin whispered, leaning back so he could meet Levi’s gaze. “But please, Levi, never doubt my love for you, because that will never change.”
“I never did. Not for a second. I may have questioned it once or twice tonight, but I never doubted it. Now, can we please clean up? I’d rather not sit in a puddle of my cum, if that’s a possibility.”
“Sure,” Erwin chuckled, pulling out a handkerchief from his pocket. As Erwin did the best to clean them both up with the small handkerchief, Levi fiddled with Erwin’s tie absentmindedly.
“I’m glad I ran into you tonight,”
Erwin paused and casted the handkerchief aside before he answered. “Me too. But I think you already know that I planned it, right?”
“Yeah, I know. You always were planning things- like this little ruse that’s sure to have Hange and the others yelling at you tomorrow.”
The former Commander sighed, reaching down to his lap to help Levi tuck himself back into his pants. “I know. I have no excuses for my actions other than the need to survive, so I’ll gladly listen to whatever they have to say to me and take any punishment that’s thrown my way for deserting them in their time of need.”
“That’s probably for the best,” Levi replied with a nod of agreement. Climbing off of him, Levi picked up his suit jacket and belt, putting them back on, and dusting his jacket off before meeting Erwin’s gaze once more. “As much as I’d hate for this to end, I should probably go. Am I allowed to leave, or are you going to keep me prisoner here?”
“I wish I could,” He said, rising from his seat. “But you’re right. You need to get back. I’ll help you out of here, but don’t say a word when we’re out in the hallways. I don’t want to draw any attention. So, I uh- I’ll see you tomorrow?”
Levi nodded, the soft smile on his face turning into a playful smirk as he answered, “See you tomorrow…traitor.”