Archive of Our Own

“Order for Mr. Kruger!”

“Thank you,” Eren said before turning on his heel. Coffee in one hand and burner phone in the other, he headed out into the bustling streets.

Compared to a year ago, this life was a simple one. Walking to and from work. Spending his free time reading. Saving up for his end-game plan of traveling the world. He didn't make much and didn't need much. Clothes were plain. Hobbies quiet. Even his apartment was small, humble, and most importantly: under someone else's name.

While he'd undertaken a new identity as Eren Kruger, he'd once been Eren Yeager. Aspiring photographer. Modest socialite. Lover to Levi Ackerman. It was a polar opposite to who he'd resigned to becoming in order to get away from the man. Their relationship had bloomed out of pure curiosity; at least on Eren's part. What he inevitably discovered was that Levi's interest had been anything but casual. It was passionate. Obsessive. Toxic. It scared the hell out of Eren.

And it scared him even more to realize just how bad he wanted it.

That was why he ran. Eren didn't want attachments. They led to pain and disappointment. Emotional dependencies were nothing but a burden in a world that never stopped moving. He'd lost his parents and sister to a car accident. Tragic and sudden; Eren was the sole survivor.

Survivor's guilt was a hell of a thing. Eren lived hard and fast and he paid no mind to any casualties of that behavior. Did that make him a bad person? Maybe. But what did that matter in the grand scheme of things? The only person he was really close to didn't seem to judge him for it either. Armin was the one who helped him take on a new identity. Benefits of being buddies with a government agent, he supposed. He never questioned why Eren suddenly wanted to up and run, only guided him. Eren was thankful. It would have hurt his pride for his friend to find out that he was running from love, of all things. Especially when that love was for a known man such as Levi.

It was a name undoubtedly known to even Armin. Especially Armin. Ackerman’s alleged crimes never stuck and any cases that were brought against him were inevitably dismissed. Records destroyed. He was a ghost among men. Untouchable. That was what had initially drawn Eren to him. He was everything Eren wanted to be. Unreachable and uncaring. Well, that was how he'd seemed anyways. The uncaring part proved false eventually. The man was ruled by emotion where Eren was involved. He cared too much. And if he ever found Eren, he'd probably ‘care’ his ass six feet deep. The thought was less than comforting.

The night Eren left was a meticulously planned one. He'd fucked him good first. Demanded dick until his ass could take no more. Exhausted Levi to the best of his ability–no easy task given the amount of stamina the man had for his age–and convinced him to down some champagne. Of course, the champagne alone wouldn't be enough to keep a man such as him down. Eren had to play dirty. Add something a little special to the bottle to make sure he was just tired enough to hit the sack without resistance. It wasn't like Eren had given Levi any reason not to trust him at that point and he hadn't let on that anything was wrong. Now, the hard part was fooling him into thinking Eren was also drinking the champagne. Took a lot of sleight of hand and bathroom breaks, but he'd been successful. Levi's security detail was no problem, given Eren could come and go as he pleased. It wasn't like he was locked away. He just had to be present for their date nights. Which were frequent and increased in frequency as time went on. He eventually slept more nights at Levi's place than his own.

He left no note and said no goodbyes apart from leaving his gifted car key on Levi's kitchen counter. He knew it probably tracked his location and the model was far too conspicuous for the life he'd be adopting. However, he did want to make it clear that he was gone for good and of his own free will. Eren would feel bad if Levi wasted time and resources searching for kidnappers or a dead body. So he cleaned out his apartment, sold the contents, and ended any memberships or subscriptions. Destroyed his phone and any gifts he'd received. No trail and no trace. Ghost. He learned from the best. Armin sent someone to pick Eren up in a common car without tags or identifying marks. Windows tinted so that the driver was well-hidden. Just in case. They chose a route with back roads; no cameras or tolls. Only a satellite would've been able to get images of them. And he didn't think Levi had those connections. He hoped anyway. The plane out of the country was privately owned and subsequently put out of commission.

Eren was glad he hadn't informed Levi of his friendship with Armin. He'd always had a feeling that it'd be his trump card. Security blanket, even. Such restraint came in handy and was why he was able to live carefree at this point. Now, it wasn't like he didn't worry occasionally. Especially in big crowds when he felt as if someone was watching him. Seeing him. Who wouldn't be paranoid with an ex that essentially had an entire continent of resources at his disposal? But Armin promised that everything was entirely off-record. Even if someone went looking through the database, there'd be no connection between Eren Yeager and Eren Kruger. His intelligent friend had forged an entire life history for his new identity. It would look suspicious that this identity popped up when Eren fell off of the face of the Earth. It wasn't amateur night. Armin took care of everything. He'd even warned Eren against faking his death as that made things far too complicated and it was easier to just make him disappear. He was out of reach, even for Levi fucking Ackerman. Something about that made his stomach flutter. Gave him a kind of adrenaline rush. He enjoyed running, deep down. Enjoyed the risk and knowledge that there was always a possibility, no matter how small, that he'd be found. And what would Levi do to him then? Would he really kill him?

“Glad you're here today, Kruger. It's an absolute shit-show,” Jean sighed.

“Yeah? What's the drama?” Eren walked around the cubicle, getting his files adjusted on his desk.

“There's another representative here trying to push for some kind of merger. It's a foreign company this time,” Jean explained as he spun around in his chair.

“Bunch of vultures. Just because the company has a little trouble they're trying to dissolve us under the guise of a merger. Big boss isn't too happy today then?” Eren looked over at his coworker who confirmed his suspicion. It wasn't really a big deal for Eren. Armin would find him something else. But he did feel a little bad for everyone else. This was their livelihood. They didn't have the benefit of a ‘higher power' providing them with a brand new career.

“I put the data you asked for on your desk, left side. I don't know how much longer it'll be important…but y’know.” Jean nodded over to the pile of research he'd kindly organized. Whether or not the company was going down, they still had duties to attend to. Eren sorted through and prepared the breakdown the boss had asked for. Pixis wasn't a particularly picky man. He'd built the company from the ground up and never let it get to his head. He retained humility and humanity all while climbing up the tax brackets. Eren liked him as a person and subsequently, as a boss.

Whoever Pixis was meeting with was apparently very persistent. The meeting had surpassed three hours and still, it had not ended. Eren had finished the report and debated if he should interrupt or just send it by email. Pixis didn't like emails. And the information could be relevant to their predicament. Favorably so.

“You think I should hand this to him now?” Eren waved the packet in the air. Jean looked thoughtful for a moment and shrugged.

“He'd probably thank you if you gave him a break from whatever bullshit he's dealing with.” Despite Jean’s words, Eren hesitated. Ultimately, he sealed it up in a Manila envelope and headed to the meeting room. He'd barely finished knocking when Pixis called him into the room. Immediately, he could feel the tension was so thick that it actually made it difficult to move through the room. But Jean was right. Pixis did look very relieved to see Eren.

“This is the updated monthly report. It's not urgent, but I thought maybe it'd help with your current…discussion,” Eren whispered. Pixis nodded and then gestured to the people opposite of them that Eren hadn't spared a glance.

“These are some members of the board at Mitras. This is my subordinate, Mr. Kruger.” Eren bowed in greeting but gave no effort to hide his displeasure on his face. He hadn't heard of the company and didn't recognize any of their faces. It must not have been a well-established company yet. Most of the people returned his greeting with more enthusiasm than he himself offered, save for one person who seemed to be studying him with an odd expression. Eren didn't quite care for it. It gave him a sense of unease.

“Something wrong, Eld?” One of the strangers spoke.

“No, nothing.” He finally looked away, ending the strange interaction. Eren dismissed himself without looking back. As he walked back to his desk, he could see Jean peeking over his cubicle.

“Well? What's going on in there?”

“I don't think Pixis is budging,” Eren answered.

“Thank fuck. Praise his bald ass head. The first thing to happen if a merger goes through is lay-offs. And uh, well, I'm not exactly a top performer. I don't even know why Pixis keeps me on, to be honest.” Jean stuck a pencil above his lip, puckering to keep it balanced against his nose.

“You? Not getting top-notch performance reviews? I'm shocked.”

“Shut up, you bastard. Not everyone can be Mr. Perfect,” he scoffed.

“Aw, you think I'm perfect? I had no clue you felt that way about me Jean,” Eren batted his eyelashes at the man. Teasing was fun. Flirting was fun. Though he'd yet to be brave enough to take another man into his bed. Whether that be for his safety or theirs.

“Get away from me, cocksucker. You're not my type,” Jean threw a crumpled paper at Eren. Then he checked his watch and shot out of his chair, excitedly jumping over to Eren.

“Wanna get lunch? I'm starving.” Eren hummed in agreement before logging out of his computer and packing away any of his notes. It was unlikely anyone was currently out for the company's secrets, but still. Better safe than sorry. The two men headed down to the lobby and then the parking garage. Jean offered to drive since Eren had no car.

“Anything sound good?” Jean asked as he buckled up.

“As long as I can get a coffee, I don't care.”

“Okay, caffeine addiction. I guess we can try that new place on the strip,” Jean said before entering the name into his GPS. Eren pumped out a quick text to Armin, asking for information on Mitras. The strange look he'd received from that man left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

Their lunch break was mostly spent with Eren coaching Jean regarding relationships and seduction. He'd been crushing on a guy in another department. A new employee named Marco who seemed too good for this world at times. Eren couldn't say he wasn't a bit jealous. He missed having someone's attention. But too much of a good thing was what had Eren running in the first place. Levi's love was suffocating. It felt like a threat to his freedom. That just wouldn't do.

Eren was nothing if not a slave to freedom.

That night in his apartment, Eren curled up with a blanket in his bay window. It was the one aspect of the apartment that won his affections. The spot was his favorite place to read. It made him feel safe and cozy, if not a bit romantic at times. Who'd pass up the opportunity to feel like the main character of a romcom? Certainly not Eren. He'd fully embraced his new identity and personality. The rain softly falling against the glass definitely didn't hurt the feeling of whimsicality it gave him.

He'd fully relaxed after receiving the information from Armin. Eren hadn't asked for anything specific, but there was enough there to show that the company was not owned by Ackerman or Smith, his ex’s closest friend. And that was enough to bring Eren comfort. Perhaps that man, Eld as he recalled, was just taken with Eren's striking good looks. He may have an ego the size of Europe, but he at least had the face card to back it up.

Yet, even with this reassurance, he found his mind drifting away from the book in his hands. Somehow, his thoughts always led back to piercing silver eyes. Fucking hell, he thought. Eren Yeager was not a yearner. And he most definitely would not let Eren Kruger be one. He wondered why he'd even bothered chatting that man up in the first place. If he could go back, would he do things differently?

“I didn't order this,” Eren said as he pushed the drink back over the bar top.

“Martini courtesy of that gentleman there in VIP,” the bartender explained. He'd nodded upwards and Eren followed his eyes until he found a shadowed figure watching him from behind foggy glass. Well, Eren never minded a free drink. Nor did he mind attention. Though typically he preferred to keep men on their toes. He didn't give it out so easily. Not that he judged those who did. Hell, Eren would be quick to fuck someone if he didn't enjoy seeing the disappointment and desire in their eyes when he prematurely ended their budding entanglements. It was just far too entertaining.

Which was why Eren didn't spare the VIP section another look after downing his martini. No. He returned to the dance floor with a buzz and determination. Eren let a random paw at him to some bass-filled song that he didn't know. And when he felt that he killed enough time, he returned to the bar top and flirted with the closest person. It came as no surprise that he received another drink. This time it was a glass of red wine that was far too expensive of a brand for Eren to have heard of.

“Same gentleman, you don't want to head up and try your luck?”

“And why would I waste my time going to him?” Eren gave a cunning smile. The bartender only laughed at his antics. Thomas had seen this many times. He was no stranger to Eren's methods. After sipping but not finishing the wine, he returned to the dance floor with a new partner and bolder moves. He didn't have to look up to know the stranger was watching him. Maybe he knew what Eren was doing. He hoped the stranger knew what he was doing. It would make it all the more satisfying when the man made the trek down to the peasant section to vie for Eren's attention. Beauty did things to men. Made them pathetic. Eren would have it no other way.

Upon returning to the bar a third time, he was supplied with three new beverages. A shot, a draft beer, and a margarita. It took all of his willpower to suppress a laugh. He couldn't be seen like that; not yet anyways. Eren downed the shot and passed the beer over to Thomas. It wasn't like the man couldn't have a light drink on the job and he didn't want it to go to waste. The margarita, well, that would have to get dumped. Just like this desperate gentleman would at the end of the night. Eren relaxed back against the counter, indicating he had no intention of moving from his spot. He was all too pleased when he saw movement from the stairway.

The two security guards stepped aside to allow a surprisingly smaller man through. Eren couldn't see much from his peripheral vision, especially in the club lighting, but he could see that the man was heading directly for him. It took all of his strength to hold back the smug expression threatening to take over.

“You're quite pretty, but clearly don't have the brains to match,” a deep voice came from beside him. Eren spared him a side-eye, without even bothering to turn his head.

“I could say the same to you, shitstain. Minus the pretty part. Learn to take a fucking hint,” Eren sighed. It was a lie. The man was gorgeous. Otherworldly sexy, if he was being honest. But Eren wasn't feeling generous with his compliments this evening. It was with the strength of a titan that he resisted staring at the open button-up revealing a partial preview of a tattoo on prominent pectorals. The stranger seemed to call his bluff anyways if his smirk was any indication.

“That's quite a mouth on you. Didn't realize today's whores were quite so feisty,” he chuckled. Eren didn't bother showing his anger at the obvious instigation.

“Let's say I was a whore. A few drinks isn't going to buy this,” he gestured to his body.

“Oh, so a prude with an ego then. Come here to dangle yourself like bait on a line for the attention?” If he wasn't mad about the initial insult, he was definitely mad about being caught redhanded. Who the fuck was this guy to psychoanalyze him anyways?

“Whatever, little puppy. All bark and no bite. Keep up your incessant yipping and I'll have to call animal control,” Eren yawned. The stranger's eyes narrowed. Then he leaned over the bar to catch Thomas’s attention.

“Open a tab for the princess over here. Whatever he wants, on me.”

“Of course, Mr. Ackerman.” Thomas swiped the man's card and handed it back. Then the compelling stranger walked away with one last lingering look at Eren.

“You know that cocky son of a bitch?” Thomas slowly nodded.

“You probably do too, by name. His face isn't common knowledge,” Thomas gestured to Eren's phone. So he did a quick search for ‘Ackerman’ and sure enough, he was bombarded with all kinds of familiar corporate operations. Eren had also lived locally long enough to know what kind of shit that guy got up to in the shadows. None of it was good.

“So he's loaded. Obscenely. No wonder he's so damn sure of himself,” Eren mumbled while scrolling.

“Please. Even without the checking account balance, I'd eat him up.” Thomas said while polishing a glass. Eren would be lying if he said wasn't a little curious about the guy. Someone who could be called a dog to his face and still pay for a date he wasn't having. He knew the tables had turned and now Eren was the one being baited to make a trip up the stairs.

“I get the vibe that he'd be the one doing the eating,” Eren dismissed.

“I'm a vers, soooo…”

“You want me to pass on your number?”

“Fuck no. I'm obviously not his type. He likes pretty-boy twinks,” Thomas looked Eren up and down for good measure.

“What twink has this much muscle?”

“The muscular twinks.” Eren rolled his eyes instead of continuing the pointless argument. Besides, now he had other things on his mind. A decision to make. Was he prideful enough to deny himself such a delicacy? It would just be one night, and then he'd never have to bear the shame of giving in to that man again.

He decided his lust outweighed his pride. At least for that evening.

Thomas snickered when Eren rose from his seat and headed opposite of the dance floor. He shouldn't have been surprised when the security guards allowed him through without a second look. He had to physically shake off his inhibitions to make it up the stairs. But when he did make it up to the VIP room, any doubts he had dissolved at the sight of the man smoking a cigar, shirt now fully unbuttoned. He stared at Eren, expression passive and unmoving. He was smart. Eren would have run off at the first sign of arrogance in response to his arrival.

He didn't care to look at the man's acquaintances, though they themselves seemed to have a keen interest in the current situation. Eren sauntered over slowly, chuckling when the man patted his lap. But he obeyed nonetheless.

“I didn't imagine I'd find myself straddling such a small dude,” Eren said just loud enough for the stranger to hear. He puffed on his cigar, blowing the smoke away from Eren's face.

“Ever imagine yourself getting railed by one?” Eren's eyebrows shot up into his hairline and he scoffed at the suggestion, though that was exactly what he came to do.

“Don't look so shocked. You came to me, little rabbit. Now you're not getting out of my bed until I say I'm satisfied,” the man gripped onto Eren's hip to show he could physically keep him in place should there be any argument.

“Okay, tough guy. How about a name first? Ever heard of a goddamn introduction?” The stranger exhaled through his nose in some kind of dry laugh.

“Levi.”

“Eren,” he responded with the same curtness.

“Charmed, I'm sure.” Then the man grabbed the back of Eren's neck and forced him down into a kiss. It was a violent kiss. Not quite what he was used to. Though Levi didn't seem to give a fuck one way or the other the way he was relentlessly tonguing him.

“Now. Shall we introduce my dick to your ass?” It was not a question that begetted an answer, apparently. Given that Levi threw him off while keeping a hold on his wrist to drag him out of the room. He smothered his cigar into an ashtray on the way out of the door. One man who had been standing in the corner followed the two out of the room and out of the club. Eren couldn't believe how difficult it was to keep up with someone with such tiny legs.

“Get in,” Levi demanded when they approached a blacked-out jeep. But he was shoving the youth in without a moment's hesitation.

“What a gentleman,” Eren sighed as he picked himself up from where he'd flopped onto the seat.

“You don't want nor need a gentleman,” Levi stated as he pulled out his phone and began typing. He barked out a quick instruction to the driver and then they were off.

“You think you know what I want? Let alone need?”

“I know exactly what a little fucking brat like you needs. And I'm going to give it to you,” he responded calmly.

“You're so damn presumptuous. You don't know shit about me,” Eren crossed his arms. The slight smile on Levi's face gave the feeling that he knew something Eren didn't.

“I know you're about ten minutes away from crying and choking on my cock.”

“Maybe I'll make you choke on mine.”

“You want me to suck you off? That's fine, you'll still end up crying. Just for a different reason.”

Eren felt that arguing with this man was the equivalent of arguing with an echo. Tossing the same bullshit back and forth. So he stayed quiet the rest of the way to Levi's home. He couldn't get a good look at it from the outside with how dark it was, but it was gated in on a solitary plot of land. The garage itself may as well have been a guesthouse. Just remove the numerous cars lining the room and it was plenty large for a family to live in. Eren was busy looking at the area in disbelief when he was yanked out of the car and thrown over Levi's shoulder.

“Christ! My legs work perfectly fucking fine!”

“They won't very soon. You need to save up your energy. The night is long and we'll need all the time we can get.” Eren huffed at the man.

“Big claim for such a little guy. You sure you're packing enough to render me incapable of walking?”

Famous last words.

The monster was longer than Eren's face and damn near as thick as his wrist. Green eyes were enraptured by Levi's full back tattoo when he turned around and essentially threatened Eren’s life with the weapon between his legs.

Levi had been right. He cried and choked on the damn thing until his voice was hoarse. Then he spent the rest of the night calling out the psycho’s name and begging for mercy until he lost his voice completely. Eren was afraid to go out in public. Not only because he clearly needed physical therapy to walk again, but the amount of marks and bruises left by the man could be used as evidence in an assault case. Which Eren was pretty sure was what happened. Levi didn't ask for consent for the ridiculously kinky shit he did to Eren. He wasn't entirely sure that some of it was legal even in a consensual setting.

Levi gave good head though.

Eren snuck out the morning after with such urgency that he probably looked like a cartoon character. Levi had been in the shower and Eren hadn't left a note or number. Which was why we couldn't believe it when they had a second encounter in the wild. It was just a couple of weeks later when Eren had gone out to take some commissioned photos. He never paid much attention to his surroundings on a normal day but put a camera in his hands and you may as well consider any life outside of the lens as good as gone. He was crouched down on the ground adjusting the shutter speed just before he went back in for another photo. Though, there was now something blocking his view of the lake.

“The hell…” Eren grumbled as he pulled the camera away from his face. The last thing he was expecting was for the obstruction to be Levi Ackerman.

“Well, well. If it isn't the little shit that snuck out without a word.” Eren felt fear course through him at the confrontation.

“I don't owe you anything, asshole. You think you're my boyfriend now?” He directed his attention back to his camera, pretending to adjust it again.

“I just don't like my toys thinking they have autonomy,” Levi hissed.

“And when did I agree to that?”

“I told you. A little rabbit walked into the wolf's den of its own volition. You'll be done when I say I'm satisfied. And I'd say we're far from that.”

“There's no way in hell I'm sleeping with you again,” Eren sat his camera in his lap and crossed his arms.

“It's cute you think you get to decide. Besides, don't pretend you didn't enjoy it. Some luminol and a blacklight in my room would prove otherwise.”

“Look, man. I won't lie. You're fucking hung. I cannot handle that again. I'm still sore. Shit basically just falls out of my ass now.” Levi knelt down in front of him with a look of amusement.

“My poor little brat. I would've taken care of you had you stuck around instead of treating me like a cheap hooker.”

“Of the two of us, I think it's clear who treats who like a cheap hooker. Fuck, did you have any regard for whether I'd live or die?”

“Don't be so hard on yourself. You can handle a lot more than you think. And you were so damn good for me,” Levi whispered like he was some kind of demonic snake-charmer. If the snake were Eren. The way he sat up straighter at the praise did not go unnoticed. Levi reached into Eren's pocket despite his protests and pulled out his phone. He regretted not putting a lock on it. It was handed back to him after a few moments.

“Ignore my calls and I'll cut off your dick. Not like you'll need it with me anyways.”

It wasn't even an hour later that he'd received the first call. But with no previous outgoing calls or texts to Levi, he had to wonder…how had he gotten Eren's number?

Pixis had given a firm rejection to Mitras. They hadn't taken it well. Nor did the other two companies he'd given the same response to. But Pixis seemed in high spirits. Eren wasn't sure why. The report he'd turned in showed they were no longer in a decline of profit but it was far from their original glory. He couldn't fault the man for his cheery disposition. Even if sometimes that disposition came from a flask.

There wasn't much work that week for Eren and his coworkers. In contrast, Pixis and his secretary seemed to be swamped in work. They declined assistance when asked. Eren was curious what they were doing but his paycheck forbade him from speaking out of turn. There were also other things for him to worry about. Like his new stalker.

Eren was very familiar with cameras. Loved them. He probably would have fucked one if it came to life. But it was this familiarity and love that gave him a sort of sixth sense. He could feel that someone was following him and taking photos. It was confirmed when he was out with Jean on a late night after work and caught a flash in the distance.

“I need you to act normal,” Eren told Jean.

“Normal how? Someone just took a photo of us,” Jean argued but obeyed and held a bluff of an expression.

“I'm going to hand you a paper. It's useless and you can toss it when you get home. But act like it matters.” Eren bent down and pulled a paper out of his work bag. Jean accepted it, pretending to read it over carefully.

“Good. Now shake my hand and drive home like nothing happened. Don't look back at me. Not once.” Eren could see the concern in his coworker’s eyes, but now wasn't the time for comfort. He wasn't sure who was following him. But on the off chance it was someone sent by his ex, he didn't want to make Jean a target. It wouldn't have been the first time someone was killed over Eren. Jean gave a firm handshake as instructed and left in his car. A wonderful performance. His stalker would be none the wiser.

Stalkers were not an uncommon occurrence for Eren. Though during his time with Levi, it was less of an issue. He didn't want to imagine why. But this now unfortunately meant he'd need curtains for his beautiful bay window. No more dreamy view. With a forlorn sigh, he called Armin on his way up to his apartment.

“Eren?”

“Hey, Armin.”

“You don't sound as happy as the last time we spoke.”

“Well, I'm not. I've got an undercover fan. A super-secret admirer.”

“Again? Good Lord, are you emitting some kind of chemical?”

“It damn well feels like it.”

“I'll take care of it. Ignore Annie if you see her.”

“See her? If I see that chameleon, hell hath frozen over.” He heard Armin laugh.

“She is one of our best. But if the stalker approaches you, she'll have to reveal herself. Just go on about your business.”

“Roger that. Thanks Armin,” Eren massaged his forehead.

“Anything for you.”

“Stop that sweet talk before I suck your dick.”

“Been too long?”

“You have no idea.”

“Maybe I'll send Reiner and Bert instead…”

“Oh fuck please do, give them my address. I need no warning.” Eren could actually feel himself getting hard at the thought of it. He struggled to put the key in the lock of his apartment door.

“Yeah, yeah. I'll call you again when your super fan is taken care of.” They said their goodbyes and Eren groaned as he fell onto his couch.

He wondered why he always ended up in these situations. Even with Levi. He was addicted to their push-and-pull relationship. The toxicity was what kept him coming back. Levi did give him exactly what he needed. It was good. For a time. And then he'd been nosey on one particular day. Reality came crashing down on him a year into their relationship.

“Why the fuck did I even come here if you're just leaving?”

“My sweetheart doesn't want to be alone, huh. Daddy has important business to take care of. Don't worry, I'll let you use my cock however you want when I get home. So be a good boy and wait.” Levi was tucking his dress shirt into his slacks, eyeing his younger lover intensely through the mirror. Eren huffed and let his body fall on the bed.

“I'm gonna invite guys over. I won't need your stupid monster dick by the time you get home,” Eren threatened.

“Be my guest. Send me the number so I can have the graves dug ahead of time,” Levi began styling his hair.

“That's not funny,” Eren sat up and frowned. Levi regarded him for a moment before walking over to him, grabbing Eren's face with a bruising grip, and planting a deceivingly chaste kiss on his forehead.

“It wasn't meant to be, darling. Let another punk taste what's mine and the next thing he'll taste is a bullet.”

“How am I yours when you abandon me all the time?” It wasn't really meant for Levi's ears, rather as an angry remark to himself. But his lover heard it nonetheless and sighed.

“Look, brat. I'll make it up to you. There's a special toy for you on my desk if you want to start without me. I should only be gone for a couple of hours.”

“A toy?” His interest was piqued. Did he know Eren was looking to get a new console? There were so many exclusive games coming out this year.

“Yes. A toy. If you use it, send me a photo.” Eren had never fancied Levi for a gamer but maybe he was wrong. Oh, he hadn't even considered that it could be a new camera. Levi did call Eren's work equipment toys at one point. He was excited now. Even as Levi gave him a kiss goodbye and left him alone in the house.

He happily rushed to Levi's office, cheering when he saw the gift bag. It was lighter than he expected. A lot lighter. So it definitely wasn't a console. He dug through, tossing the tissue paper onto the ground without a second thought. Eren pulled out the box inside and groaned in disappointment before throwing the box across the room. Of course it was a sex toy.

“Old ass pervert,” he called out before settling in Levi's extravagant desk chair. It was one of those ridiculously plush leather spinning chairs. He spun around a few times before deciding to find something else to entertain himself. He began searching through the desk drawers, though most of it was rather tediously organized paperwork. He did find a gun, but he could only imagine what Levi would do to him if he found Eren playing with it. It didn't take a genius to figure out just where that gun would end up. With a shiver, he put the weapon back and finished rummaging through the drawers. He turned his attention to Levi's laptop and searched for the paint app. The boring old man didn't have it so Eren took the liberty of installing it.

He began his first masterpiece: a stick figure painting of Eren tying Levi to the bed. A welcome change to their usual activities. An hour or so later, he snickered at his work of art and saved it with the intention to email it to himself. Upon opening the email and preparing his attachment, he noticed an oddly titled folder. Just one letter. ‘E.’

Now, Eren was no scholar. Hardly even a detective on the best of days. But given his psycho-killer lover’s tendencies, he wondered if it was a folder of sex tapes. He wouldn't have put it past the man to record it and conveniently forget to alert Eren. With the curiosity gnawing at him, he minimized the email and located the folder. He was right, partially. It was a folder entirely dedicated to Eren. However, the majority of the files and documents were dated months upon months before the two met at the club. There were candid photos. Photos taken from a distance with Eren blissfully unaware. The documents listed his entire life history. His medical history. There were news articles about his family's accident. Yearbook photos from his schools. A list of names that Eren eventually recognized as men he had dated and/or slept with. Most were crossed off of the list.

There was no fucking way. No way he'd fallen into the hands of a man who was just another creep. He didn't know whether to be angry or afraid. And fuck, why was it getting him hard? He must've been as sick as Levi.

No. Levi was making him sick. Levi was the problem. Eren was just a victim of his crimes. He didn't think much when he started packing the few belongings he had at Levi's place. The only thing he knew was that he had to get away.

“And just what the fuck are you doing?” Eren jumped at Levi's voice. He hadn't heard him enter the home. But no matter. He couldn't hold Eren there.

“Leaving,” he sniffled as he zipped up his bag.

“Cut the drama. You're not going anywhere so sit your ass down and tell me what's got you bawling like a fucking child.”

“I'm. Leaving.” Eren tried to move past only to be shoved into the wall. He screamed as best as he could with the wind knocked out of him.

“Don't touch me!” He saw Levi clench his jaw shut, fingers closing into a fist like he was about to really lose his temper. Eren's body slid down the wall as defeat crept into his senses.

“Have you lost your mind? Just who do you think you're ordering around?” He slammed his foot against the wall next to Eren's head.

“I don't want to be here anymore, you're crazy!”

“If I'm crazy then you're entirely insane, kid.”

“...how long did you watch me? How long did you spend closing in on me before you approached me at the club that night?” Eren didn't lift up his head from his hands. But it was quiet. And it was not often that Levi Ackerman was rendered speechless. He heard the man curse under his breath.

“You're throwing a fit over that?”

“Fuck you! I feel tricked! Dirty. I feel defiled. It makes me sick,” Eren sobbed. Levi knelt down to his level, as he had many times before during their arguments.

“You were tricked. And defiled. And I wanted to do it. Want to do it still. Defile you over and over again. And you, Eren…you want me to do it. We were meant for each other."

“No! You're wrong!”

“You love it. Our little game.”

“Shut up!”

“You love me. And I love you.”

“It's not true, I don't!” Levi grabbed the long tresses of brown hair, forcing Eren to meet his eyes.

“Be honest with yourself and with me. There's no one else around to hear. Be good for me. Be sweet for me. I'll give you everything.”

It was those eyes that did it. Those eyes that compelled him to hang on the man's every word. To obey every command. It was those eyes he looked into when he finally did admit his feelings. And it was those eyes that haunted him still.

Eren rolled over on the couch, finding himself unbearably hard and needing relief. He removed his belt and freed his erection from the confines of his slacks with a shaky breath. He grabbed a handful of his dick, threw an arm over his eyes and began pumping. There was no scenario in particular. Just Levi. He'd only imagined the man as he once knew him, and already he was fucking into his hand with pitiful want. Eren pictured his abs that led up to the winged tattoo on his chest. He pictured his arms, strong and restrictive. Holding Eren down while he tore him apart. His broad back, veiled by a distinctive dragon tattoo. Tense and damp with his desire for Eren.

His balls tightened up at the thought of dragging his tongue across Levi's neck tattoo. The tattoo of Eren's name just below his jaw. The tattoo that marked him as Eren's man. And Eren's alone.

“Mmfuuuck, Levi…” he gasped out as he spilled his completion across his hand and stomach. His chest stuttered for what felt like minutes as he caught his breath. Eventually, he looked down in disgust at the evidence of his weakness.

Who was the pathetic one now?

“Wow. Never thought I'd see the day you'd be late to work,” Jean remarked as he eyed the coffee in Eren's hand. Eren raised it up in mock cheers. If he was going to be late, he definitely wasn't going to rush and deprive himself of coffee. If you're going to be late, do it thoroughly.

“Rough night,” was all he said in response before taking a sip.

“Speaking of, what was the deal with the paparazzi?”

“Just some guy following me. I reported it already but you should probably keep your distance for now,” Eren explained.

“You expect me to leave you alone while knowing you're being followed by some weirdo? Are you suicidal or just plain stupid?”

“I can handle myself, I promise.”

“Do you have some form of self-defense, at least?” Eren nodded in confirmation. Armin had supplied him with a gun and a membership to the shooting range. Eren was plenty able to hit a target. Though if he had the guts to pull the trigger on a person…that had yet to be seen.

Eren looked up when he saw a stranger leaving Pixis’ office, concluding their meeting with a firm handshake. Pixis looked positively pleased. It was a curious sight.

“Who's that guy?” He asked Jean.

“I've heard through the grapevine that Pixis gained some kind of backer for the company. Like a partner or something. No clue how that works but at least we're no longer in danger of being bought out,” Jean explained.

“It means we gained an investor. But who the fuck would invest in us now?”

“It's some bored tycoon type. Apparently runs a few different companies. I think the primary company of operations was like–”

“Kruger!” Pixis suddenly called out.

“Yes, boss?” He stood and walked over to the man's office.

“I've got a big meeting today, could you throw together a PowerPoint for me? Just a summary of that report you made last week.”

“I’ll get it done, sir.”

“Also, if you'd stick around a bit later to help out with the presentation, I'd appreciate it. Your paycheck will reflect the appreciation, of course.” Eren nodded and dismissed himself to begin his task. It wasn't like he had anything better to do after work, but he'd definitely need more caffeine. Regardless, Eren got started. He hadn't been given any specific instructions for an expected outcome, so he compiled the data into graphs and added slides regarding projections and patterns.

It was nearing the end of the work day; most people had started leaving the office for the weekend. Eren had received a call from Armin informing him that his stalker was no longer an issue. Which was why he felt comfortable accepting Jean's offer for a coffee before he went home for the day.

“Do you want me to set up in the conference room?”

“No need, we'll be heading to the Rosewall Hotel. I forwarded the employees the PowerPoint for you so it'll be set up in one of their conference rooms,” Pixis responded.

“A meeting at a hotel?”

“It's not uncommon for larger corporations to do so, especially when meeting abroad,” Pixis pointed out. They'd started packing up whatever they needed when Jean came strolling back in.

“Coffee for one suicidal bastard,” he offered it up. Eren accepted it with a smile.

“You're just in time, we're apparently going to the Rosewall.”

“No shit? You want a ride there? I've always wondered what the inside looked like,” Jean admitted.

“Yeah, why not. Less awkward than riding with the big boss.”

“Kirstein? I thought you'd gone home,” Pixis said, observing their interaction.

“Your number one minion needed some more caffeine,” Jean nudged Eren's shoulder. He rolled his eyes at the comment.

“I see.” Pixis was clearly tense, but Eren couldn't understand why. He'd never behaved this way around either of them before. It was almost like he was nervous. He looked between the two of them with something resembling suspicion.

“I'll go ahead and drive him over to the hotel,” Jean said to break the strange silence. The moment the two were out of earshot, they started going back and forth about how weird that got. Neither man knew what it was about. Choosing to ignore it, they moved on to other things. Like Jean finally asking Marco out on a date. Eren was happy for them both. He hoped a relationship would make Jean lock in and get serious with his life. Not that Eren really had any room to speak on such a topic. Not when he'd up and left his previous life on a whim.

The Rosewall was fairly similar to the one Eren had stayed in previously, when Levi would take him on weekend trips. It was one of the man's particular favorite hotel chains as he'd approved of the cleanliness. It'd been some of their better times together, given that Levi actually withheld his dry humping long enough to take Eren sight-seeing with his camera. It was a strange sensation, walking into the lobby with Jean. It was even worse when his body reacted to it like Pavlov's hound; damn near conditioned to get excited at the location. For all the times Levi went on and on about training Eren, he'd thought it was antagonistic drivel meant to humiliate. But it seemed his words were not empty threats. He really had trained him.

“Is it strangely…empty here to you?” Eren looked around, noting that there were hardly any guests about. In fact, the only people he could locate were employed by the hotel.

“Definitely. I'm getting The Shining vibes, let's just find the conference room.” Jean agreed and the two followed the directory to the second floor. They avoided employees like the plague. The two almost treated it like a game, as if the employees were body snatchers.

The conference room was nothing short of luxurious. It made Eren feel even more out of place coming from the small company that he did. They were the first two to arrive and the screen had been set up as Pixis said it would. There were buckets of champagne chilling on ice and glasses set up around the table. A female employee that had been on standby came over and filled their glasses. It tasted good, at least. But there was this looming sense of doom as he downed the beverage. He felt his fight or flight instincts kicking in and he really wanted to bail. This job wasn't that important. The urge was so bad, in fact, that he excused himself to the hallway while Jean looked around. He'd barely heard the dial tone when Armin picked up.

“Back so soon? Miss me?”

“If I wanted to leave, like, now…could you make it happen?”

“I mean, technically it's within my ability. Can we, uh, start discussing what exactly you're running from?”

“...don't be mad.”

“There are very few things you could do to piss me off, Eren. What's the damage?” He was sure that being in a relationship with Levi Ackerman, one of the top-priority people on Armin's watchlist, qualified as one of those few things. But he told the truth. From start to finish. And included his paranoia with the current predicament that had his hair standing up on end.

“Damn it, Eren.”

“You said you wouldn't be mad!”

“You should have told me. Of all the people you could have after you, it had to be him? Fuck, it's a good thing I didn't do your identity swap by the book the first time. He clearly has a mole here since we had no intel on your relationship with him.”

“I don't know why I didn't. I guess I was just ashamed.”

“Ashamed of what?”

“It's…complicated.”

“Well, I don't know how reliable the information will be but I'll have someone from intelligence cross reference activity related to Ackerman with your locale. In the meantime, tell your boss you're sick. Go home. Do not stay for that meeting. If your gut is telling you something is wrong, listen to it. It hasn't failed you thus far.”

“Somehow I'm even more worried now.”

“Just do what I said.”

“Kruger?” A voice called from down the hallway. Eren tucked his phone into his pocket without ending the call.

“Pixis, I hate to do this to you, but I'm feeling very unwell. I'd hate to get sick in front of your business partners, I think I'll have to head home,” Eren explained in a strained voice. He hoped his act was convincing. His boss hummed for a moment.

“I understand, but here. I booked you a room in case negotiations were a bit prolonged.” Pixis handed him a room key.

“A…a room? I appreciate it…but I think I'd feel better in my own place,” Eren tried to return the key card.

“Nonsense. I can have room service delivered to you with any medication or care you need. I insist you stay.” This wasn't a tone that his boss had ever taken with him before. It was not a request and most certainly not a suggestion. Eren supposed he'd accept for now and leave when the coast was clear. Fuck a two-weeks resignation notice. He expressed his gratitude and allowed the man to escort him to his room on the next floor up. By the time he got to the room, he was starting to feel dizzy. His excuse about not feeling well was coming to fruition.

“Armin? You still there?”

“I'm here. If I heard correctly, you're still at the hotel?”

“Yes, my boss is being weird. He booked me a room,” Eren sighed and sat on the foot of the bed.

“I don't like this. I'm sending in a helicopter. It won't be very discreet, but I can at least have you picked up quickly. Can you get to the roof?”

“The roof? I don't know, I'm feeling really dizzy. I can barely see straight,” Eren slurred.

“Did you ingest anything strange in the past hour?”

“No I…I took a coffee from Jean and then…”

“Did you enjoy the champagne, little rabbit?”

The voice hit him like a freight train; pushing into him and tearing him apart upon impact. He didn't have to look up to see who'd be standing across the room.

“Hang up the phone.” Eren's grip tightened on the lifeline in his hand. But he couldn't disobey.

“I gotta…I gotta go, I'll call you back later,” he said in a shaky exhale.

“Eren? Who's there with you? Don't hang–”

“That's my good boy.” The phone was ripped from his hand and thrown against the wall. His legs were gently pushed apart as Levi knelt down between them.

“Why are you crying? I haven't even given you a reason to yet.” A pale hand reached out and wiped the hot tears away from his cheeks. Then his large palm came to rest against Eren's cheek affectionately. The same palm wound back and slapped him so hard he fell off of the bed. Eren cried out, clutching the stinging flesh of his cheek. Levi pulled out a cigarette and lit it. He took a deep drag as he looked anywhere but at Eren's shaking body on the ground.

“You made a damn fool of me, Eren. Are you proud of yourself?” He took another deep inhale of his cigarette.

“I'll admit I was caught off guard. Not something that many can say they've done. I had no clue you had friends in such high places. Friends that could hide you somewhere even I couldn't find. I definitely never thought you'd have the balls to drug me and throw me away like a used condom. Believe me when I say I won't underestimate you again, love.” Levi sat on the bed where Eren had previously been, legs spread wide as he let cigarette ash fall on the carpet.

“If you're gonna kill me, just do it.”

“Kill you? I considered it, however brief. Finding your phone number out of commission and an empty apartment with no forwarding address…I considered it. I really did. I fantasized many times about what I'd do when I got my hands on you again.”

“Then do it. Stop dragging this out. You're wasting our time,” Eren demanded. He hadn't moved from his fetal position on the floor. Levi tossed his cigarette onto the carpet and put it out with his shoe.

“C’mere baby.” Eren sighed before forcing himself upwards and crawled over to Levi. He was guided between the man's legs and received head rubs as a reward.

“You always did look perfect from this angle…” Levi reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out something Eren immediately recognized.

“Found this in your apartment. Hope you don't mind that I borrowed it.” He waved Eren's gun around with a mirthful expression.

“Imagine my surprise when I found my precious little cockslut hiding a gun. Very dangerous thing to carry. Do you even know how to use it?”

“Hand it over and find out.” Levi guffawed and looked back at the gun. Eren could see the wheels turning in his head.

“There's only one way you should be handling a gun, Eren. Open.” He didn't wait for him to follow the instruction and instead shoved his fingers into Eren's mouth to pry his jaw open. He pushed the cold metal past Eren's lips and began slowly thrusting it in and out. Eren tried to pull away but was held in place by Levi's boot pushing down on the back of his calf. He tried not to focus on the fact that he couldn't tell if the safety was on. Levi paid no mind to Eren's resistance and instead focused all of his attention on Eren's mouth. His face showed unwavering disinterest. But the tent in Levi's pants proved that to be a facade. It wasn't until Eren was pushing the line between gagging and vomiting that Levi finally relented.

“Strip and lay on the bed.” Levi sat back, leaning his upper weight on his hands as he watched Eren undress with an obvious reluctance. Eren teetered and nearly fell over, vision still spinning.

“Easy there. I forgot about the drug. I'll do the rest.” Levi pushed him down on the bed, ripping his clothes off without a care. Once Eren was stripped naked, bare and exposed to Levi's excruciatingly attentive stare, he couldn't help but to cover himself.

“You're so fuckin’ pretty,” he dragged his fingertips across Eren's abdomen. An involuntary whine slipped out of Eren's mouth and he covered his face in shame. Levi just chuckled at him.

“You always did like it when I called you pretty. My little brat needs his ego stroked often or he gets an attitude.”

“I'm not yours,” Eren said through gritted teeth. Levi gently stroked the tattoo of Eren's name on his neck.

“I guess you did feel that way,” Levi mumbled. He looked down at the evidence of Eren's excitement; the trail of precum from the tip of his cock to his stomach. He leaned down and kissed Eren softly before pulling away with one last wistful look. He stepped away from the bed, adjusting his clothes and tucking the gun into his pocket.

“You can go.”

“I–what?”

“Leave, Eren.” He would've thought it was a trap but the way Levi didn't look back again as he headed to the hotel door made him seem…serious.

“Why?”

“You don't want me. That's fine. There are plenty of holes for me fuck. So go.” Eren froze on the bed. He should feel relief. Overwhelming relief that he could leave without further consequence. But he didn't. He felt rejected.

“Go on, you little shit. Go live your normal life and find some nice guy to settle down with. Adopt some smaller shits and play house.” He raised an eyebrow at Eren when the youth made no move to redress.

“Oh, right. You probably need help.” Levi walked back over as he slipped on a pair of black gloves. The man reached over Eren to grab the littered clothing but was stopped by a hand on his shirt. He looked down at Eren whose bottom lip was now trembling.

“Alright, I'll send someone else in to help you.” The hand on his shirt tightened and Eren ducked his head down out of view.

“Please…stay,” he whispered.

“Hm? You want me to stay, sweetheart?” He brought his strong arms down to envelope Eren in a tight hug and buried his face in soft brown hair. Eren nodded.

“You didn't mean it, right?” Eren nodded again. Levi smiled deviously as he nuzzled further into Eren's hair. His teeth sunk into his bottom lip in excitement.

“You want to be mine. You love me.” Eren nodded once more.

“It's okay, I forgive you. I know my good boy. You just wanted me to chase you. Prove how much I love you. You weren't trying to be bad.” Levi ran his fingers through Eren's hair, combing through with the utmost tenderness. Eren's shoulders shook as he let out a weak cry and held tightly to Levi. He craved this. The praise. The validation.

“I know, baby. It was a cry for attention. I wasn't loving you hard enough. It'll be different this time. I'll never take my eyes off of you again.” He began kissing down Eren's body, biting every so often. Hard enough to draw blood. Eren squirmed in his hold unsure if he was enjoying it or not. But since Levi loved him again, it had to be good.

He watched dark hair descend between his legs and soon, hot breath ghosted over his erection. Levi took Eren into his mouth and allowed excess drool to drop down his length. At the same time, Eren felt wet fingers push into his ass. Levi must've come prepared with lube. Not that he really expected any less of the man. It was a rough initial penetration. Eren hadn't bottomed in a year and Levi hadn't hesitated to shove three fingers in. Patience was never a quality of Levi's.

He spent only a couple of minutes sucking Eren off and stretching his hole open before pulling away and wiping at his mouth.

“What do you want me to do?” It took a moment for Eren to realize Levi had spoken to him. He felt himself succumbing to the persistent dizziness in his head and feeling Levi's skilled throat clenching around his dick had not helped matters.

“Clothes…take ‘em off,” he finally said. Levi undressed slowly, feeling self-satisfied at the way his movements entranced Eren. When his briefs dropped to the floor he looked to Eren once again, stroking his own dick while he awaited further instruction.

“What now? You want me to hold you down and fuck your throat? Or should I wreck your ass and coat your insides with my cum?” Eren knew exactly what he wanted. Instead of answering verbally, he took to an action he knew Levi would appreciate far more. He rolled into his stomach and spread his hole open with his fingers while looking back over his shoulder. Levi reached down and grabbed something from his pile of clothes–lube–and then coated his dick. He lined up with Eren's entrance, massaging his hips in preparation.

“Oi, Eren,” Levi snapped to get his attention.

“Mm?” His eyes wandered to Levi's face. His expression was grave and he looked down at Eren with a coldness that rivaled his earlier anger.

“If you try to leave me again, I'll put a bullet in Agent Arlert’s head.” He sunk into Eren, groaning at the feeling and beginning an unforgiving pace as soon as his hips met Eren's ass cheeks. He didn't give him time to adjust. No time to breathe or think or react. Levi grabbed a hold of Eren's wrists and fucked into him using his lover's body as leverage.

Eren had forgotten the many layers of danger beneath this man's outer shell. Forgotten how painful the sex could be and how full he could feel. He'd forgotten that Levi wouldn't hesitate to go to hell in order to get what he wanted. The man could whisper sweet nothings while cutting someone's throat. And now he knew about Armin. Eren had walked right into his trap–and still somehow he managed to climax all over the bedsheets. But that didn't mean it was over.

It was never over until Levi felt he'd broken Eren completely. He loved taking him apart and building him back up just so he could do it all over again.

“Yesss, you feel so fuckin' good. So warm and tight,” Levi's head was thrown back as he continuously violated him. Eren whimpered and begged, though he didn't know what exactly he was begging for. It was ultimately too much and he fell prey to the substance fogging up his brain.

He came to numerous times only to find Levi still inside him, folding him over just to find a way to go deeper. Eren wasn't sure how long it went on. He wasn't sure what exactly was done to him while he was unconscious. But he eventually found himself on a private jet with Levi.

“Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?” The man hadn't looked up from his phone.

“Is this really necessary?” Eren raised his wrist that was handcuffed to the seat. Levi reached over and caressed the skin beneath the metal.

“I'm nervous. Real nervous, Eren. I'm not used to that feeling. I love you so much. I don't want you to slip through my fingers again,” he kissed Eren's restricted hand and flashed a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

“How long is it gonna be like this?” Levi turned away, carefully considering his answer.

“I've made lots of adjustments to our home…for your safety, of course. I just want you to feel loved. I know this is what you need to feel that. You need to be held down,” Levi patted Eren's thigh. Eren turned to look out of the plane window. He knew he fucked up. But why did he believe this man? His words felt true. They felt right. Eren's desire to escape felt wrong.

“You're feeling lonely, right? I know how needy my good boy is.” Levi stood and came to position himself right in front of Eren. He began unbuckling his belt.

“I have what you need, don't worry.” He pulled his hardening length out of his pants, pressing forward towards Eren's mouth.

“I'll take care of you.”