AN: Its about time I posted this to tumblr. It starts out as ereri, but quickly turns to eruri so don’t worry.
Can also be found here.
Levi is in his late twenties, working as an architect for a demanding, yet high paying firm. While dating an eighteen year old who's cute but has no job, he meets Erwin Smith through work. His tastes begin to run more mature after spending more time with his new boss.
"Levi! Look what I got!"
Levi looked in Eren's direction and saw what he was holding up proudly on display. A bottle of vodka. Levi rose a thin eyebrow. "Who bought that for you?"
"Jean did. I bugged him for three weeks. Even after he turned twenty one he still won't buy me any booze but I convinced him I'd be responsible with it." Eren's smile was excited and a little nervous at the same time. It was obvious that he had never held a bottle before. There was a gleam in his eye showing how eager he was for his first drink. "Wanna drink with me? Help me put a dent in this."
"It's Tuesday. I have work tomorrow."
"Oh come on. Have a little fun for once. It won't be that bad. We'll only have a little."
"You're not old enough to drink." Levi's voice was reprimanding, but he was slowly bending. He had been feeling the need to drink lately and hadn't indulged in awhile. Work was getting more stressful, among other things. It could be relaxing. Just something to soothe his frayed nerves. Except Eren was not the person he wanted to drink with. Levi wanted to drown his troubles alone.
Eren's lower lip pushed out childishly and those big green eyes were puppy-like. "Levi. Come on." The teenager scooted closer to him, leaning against Levi's arm. "We don't have to drink that much. We won't go all out or anything."
With a heavy sigh, Levi gave in. "Fine. Go get glasses and something to mix it with."
He could tell that Eren was cheering internally, but was concealing the feeling with a casual expression. "Cool. I'll get stuff." Levi watched as he rose and went to the kitchen and rummaged through the cupboards.
How did he end up with Eren? He was twenty seven and Eren was eighteen. People said that age didn't matter, and attraction was attraction, but at times Eren's youth was very apparent. At first Levi liked that he was younger, someone to liven up his life a little and to have a bit of fun with, but sometimes...
Eren came back with a jug of orange juice and two cups. He set them down on the shabby coffee table in front of them. Of course he didn't know what he was doing and poured the mixer in first, then eyeballed the vodka as he poured it in. Levi resisted the urge to take over and let the boy explore on his own. His excited green eyes shone as Eren lifted one of the two glasses and took a sip.
"Oh-fuck. That's a little strong. Sorry."
Levi took his own glass and took a drink. It wasn't that strong. "Have you found a job yet?"
Eren took another, longer drink and looked away. So that was a no. Levi sighed.
"Armin is going to try and get a job for me soon. Something part time."
"Ah."
There was a silence between them. Eren folded his arms and Levi could tell he was uncomfortable, but it made him uncomfortable to date someone who didn't work. He had a high paying, demanding, nine to five job and Eren had never worked in his life. Just like this drinking thing, there were things about working that Eren just didn't understand. Did that make Levi shallow? That he thought less of him for not working? He brushed the idea off. It was more of an irritation. A sign of immaturity. Hopefully, Eren would get a good job and get the hell out of this shitty apartment. Levi had his fair share of shitty apartments in his youth too. Now that he was thinking of apartments...
"So is your rent covered this month?" Levi asked, looking down into his glass.
"About that..." Eren gulped and ran a hand through his hair. Levi was asking all the wrong questions today. "I don't want to have to ask Jean to cover me again-"
"Then don't. I'll do it." Levi was already reaching for his wallet. Although Eren annoyed him, he was a really good guy. He just needed to learn money management. That would come in time. With age.
"Levi, you don't have to. I was going to ask my dad." Eren's lips drew into a thin line and Levi shook his head.
"Don't ask that fuck up." Eren hadn't talked to his dad since he walked out, and Levi didn't like what he heard about him. The man seemed like a creep and Eren was better off without him. He handed Eren what he had on him. "I'll get the rest tomorrow. That's a fourth of it there."
Hesitantly, Eren took the money and transferred it to his own wallet, which Levi noticed was bare save for an old receipt or two. "Levi. I'll pay you back. I promise." Eren's tone was serious.
"Do it when you can. Don't worry about it until then." Although Levi wasn't made of money, he could cover his boyfriends rent for a month. Levi had held a nice job and knew how to budget and handle his money.
"Levi, I-" Eren was blushing and seemed at a loss for words. The teen moved in to kiss him and Levi let him, leaning back into the couch and letting him lead. The kiss didn't last long as the apartment door opened.
"Oh uh- hey guys." Levi opened his eyes and Eren moved away to see Jean in the doorway, holding a bag of groceries. His back was stiff and so was his wave. "I'll just um-"
Eren gave him a smirk as he leaned back and reached for his glass. "You want a drink? I made them strong." Eren raised the glass and finished it off, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Gross. "Unless you don't think you can handle it, Jean."
Jean looked like he wanted to run. "I can handle it, but I can't tonight I have to study. Don't mind me, I'm just going to go to bed early yeah."
My god was he eloquent when he spoke. Levi kept himself from rolling his eyes. This guy was something else. Jean waved again and dashed into his room, keeping his groceries in hand. Hopefully he didn't have any perishables.
"Is it that awkward to walk in on two people kissing?" Levi commented once he heard the bedroom door shut. "We weren't even using tongue yet."
Eren chuckled as he poured a second drink, just as strong as the first. Come to think of it, where did he get the money for vodka if he had no income? "I could use tongue if you want me to." Levi's train of thought halted and he caught Eren's eyes and his eyebrows rose.
"Since when did you get so suave?" He asked as he watched Eren down his second drink. His green eyes were turning glassy, already drunk.
"Shut up and kiss me." Levi complied and was reminded just why he was dating Eren.
The sex was pretty alright for both of them being intoxicated. In the beginning of their relationship Eren was terrible, too quick and too much fumbling, but Levi was fast to show Eren what he liked. Sometimes he still didn't pick up on his wants, but he was young, he could learn. Eren seemed to look up to Levi and took his advice for everything. That stroke of ego did wonders in the bedroom. They haven't tried anything too kinky yet, but he had a feeling Eren wouldn't be into it. The boy was too inexperienced to know what he wanted.
Levi tied the condom and stood to throw it in the trash, not shy about walking through the living room naked. "We should move to the bedroom."
"Mmmmm..." Eren remained sprawled out on the couch and reached for the bottle of vodka, taking a swig. "Not yet- hey don't take that!"
"You've had more than enough. Can you even walk?" Levi pulled his boxers back on. "Come on. Get up drunkie."
"Don't call me that..." Eren pouted and looked to the floor and Levi sighed. Of course Eren would be an emotional drunk. It was kinda cute.
"Just come on." He wrapped an arm around his shoulder and helped him stand, guiding him to the bedroom.
Once Eren was in bed, Levi had no choice but to join him because the boy decided to cling to his arm. He wanted to take a quick shower, but Eren made him unable. He laid down in bed and set an alarm on his phone for tomorrow before drawing the blankets over them. He rolled to his back and sighed. There were posters on the wall, of different bands. Suddenly he felt like some sort of pervert, sleeping with a teenager.
What was said next caught him completely off guard.
"Levi. I love you." Eren mumbled sleepily as he nuzzled his arm.
Loved him?
Eren loved him?
Levi grew tense.
Eren continued hold onto him. Levi wanted to run. He felt sick. Did he love him back? He answer was clear and burning in his mind. No. No he didn't love Eren back. The thought of hearing those three words again made his stomach turn. Those words shouldn't make someone feel like that. Eren loved him? The kid didn't even know what love was. He was drunk. He was stupid. He was young.
Levi carefully removed Eren's arm and slipped from bed. He couldn't stay here with him anymore. It made him feel uneasy. It didn't feel right He tugged on his clothes and coat and left the small apartment. He checked his watch. 1 am. Fuck. He had work the next day. The alcohol was still in his system so driving was questionable.
The wind was cold and blew straight through the wool coat he wore. January was freezing this time of year. The vodka from earlier kept him warm enough.
Once he reached his apartment he drank half a glass of water and went straight to bed. If all went well, he wouldn't have a hangover the next morning.
----------
"Look who finally showed up!" Hanji's voice was kept low but teasing, not wanting to announce to the whole office that Levi had come in an hour late. "Hungover huh?"
With tired eyes, Levi glared up at her from his desk, his fingers rubbing his temples. "Can you fuck off?" He grumbled, turning back to his computer screen. Even though he had only come in an hour late, there was a stack of new designs in his inbox. Goddamn it. Just his fucking luck. Levi laid his head down on his desk, hiding in his cubicle.
He had never come into work hungover once before, couldn't he get a break? He felt embarrassed enough as it was. Men his age shouldn't be doing this. He was twenty seven, he was getting too old to get drunk on week nights.
Hanji ignored him. "I heard you're up for a promotion."
"What?" His head shot up. "You're shitting me."
"Jesus Levi. If you were nicer to people maybe you can actually stay in the loop." He gave him a judging look and folded her arms. Was she expecting him to beg her to tell him? Levi's eyes narrowed again.
"Just tell me."
"Fine fine fine. They hired an outside guy for the Skyline project. He's the head guy in charge now."
"He sounds like a dick."
"Shut up Levi, you haven't even met him. Anyway, he saw your work and wanted you to work with him. Asked for you by name and everything."
"Yeah. I think you're supposed to meet him sometime today."
"Shit, really?" Meeting his new boss while hungover may my leave the best first impression. Levi skimmed through his email and noticed one about a meeting. Quickly, he opened it and read through. Yadda yadda yadda, meeting with Erwin Smith at 10 am. He glanced to the clock on the computer. 10:15. "Fuck fuck fuck I'm supposed to be meeting him now. Right now." He checked the room number and scrambled to find his folder. Quickly, he stood from his desk, ignoring Hanji as she patted him on the back for good luck.
Of all days. Why did it have to be today? He was hungover as hell and late. He took sharp steps to the board room noticing that there were several people already in there. Fuck. They were probably waiting on him. He stopped before a paneled window to check his reflection, smoothing out his hair once more and straightening his tie. Goddamn he looked like hell. There were dark circles under his eyes and the corners of his lips drew down grumpily. He looked severe. Probably won't leave the best first impression, but whatever. His work and talent would prove he was worth it.
The meeting room was just down the hallway. Through the windows of the room, he could see his boss, his boss's secretary, and someone he didn't recognize-
And holy shit. He was hot.
Blond hair, immaculately groomed. Piercing blue eyes. His broad shoulders filled out the suit he was in. The man was effortlessly handsome. His suit was unbuttoned, but he looked professional. Businesslike, but approachable. Even when he was sitting, Levi could tell he was tall. He sat with a straight back, pen poised in hand as he waited for his boss to speak.
Levi slipped into the meeting room. Of course he was going to get noticed, but at least he could try. He was headed for a seat when the head boss stopped him.
"Levi, you're late."
Levi held back a cringe when his boss caught him and called him out. He wanted to reply with something like "I was taking a dump." But upon better judgement , he went with something more professional. "I apologize."
His boss gave a curt nod, "Don't be late next time."
Levi took his seat and gave no reply. There weren't any guarantees and he didn't want to draw any more attention to his terrible punctuality. His eyes glanced to the hot blond who seemed to be holding in a smile. Fucker thought this was funny, huh? Levi kept his hard stare on him as their goal was explained and a few details were polished out.
Who did this guy think he was? Sure, he was a great contractor, but it's not like he was the Jesus of architecture or something. He sure seemed to act like a polished specimen, since he took notes while unreseareched figures were thrown around. The guy looked up for a moment and caught Levi glaring at him. He blinked slowly, but Levi took his lack of fear as a sign of mocking him and his stone face didn't change. If anyone was going to be the intimidating one here, it wasn't going to be this big blond bimbo. Finally, his boss finished up and Levi felt the need to introduce himself.
Levi stood, the blond standing with him, and after a moment he held out his right hand confidently. "Levi Ackerman. Pleased to meet you."
The man stood with him to shake his hand, but didn't extend an arm. Levi frowned in confusion when the blond purposefully held out his left hand. The pissy expression Levi wore dropped when he saw something he completely overlooked before. The right arm of his suit was pinned to his shoulder. This man was missing an arm. Levi felt like a jackass for not noticing, and then for putting out the wrong hand. He switched hands immediately to shake his left, face flushed with embarrassment. His boss sighed and shook his head with disappointment.
"Erwin Smith. Likewise." The blond held his gaze for a moment, but a small smirk escaped. Levi's eyes narrowed again. Did he let him extend the wrong hand on purpose? Fucking asshole. He didn't care if he had one arm. Levi was going to kick his ass later. This is not the morning he needed when he was hungover. Not at all.
Mr. Smith rose an eyebrow. "Well, shall we get to work?" One handedly, he opened his briefcase and took out some designs.
"I'll leave you two for now." Levi's boss stood from the table, and with one last left handed handshake to Mr. Smith, he left.
The new consultant pointed to a blueprint he had drawn out "If you'd move a little closer, you can see-"
"You did that on purpose." Levi interjected, still standing on the opposite side of the table.
"Did what on purpose?" Those blue eyes were acting innocent, but Levi saw right past it.
"The hand thing. The handshake. You waited for me first. You did that on purpose." Levi's jaw clenched as he spoke, but Mr. Smith seemed to be unimpressed.
"You came in fifteen minutes late, then glared at me the entire duration of the meeting. I call us even."
"How professional." Levi's upper lip curled in distaste.
"Likewise." He replied cooly as Levi's face grew red with anger. "Now, if you'll come here and-"
"Fuck this." Levi interrupted a second time. "I'm outta here. Find yourself a new designer." He headed to the door.
"I asked for the best they had. They recommended you." The man's voice turned firm and his stare was commanding. "Do you consider yourself the best? Yes or no?"
Levi challenged him by lifting his chin and folding his arms. His mouth opened to say something biting, something sarcastic, but nothing came to mind. As much as this guy was a pain in the ass, he liked to hear that he was the best. Levi was eager to show off his work. His jaw clicked shut and matched that hard blue gaze. The missing arm didn't seem to hamper this guys confidence whatsoever. Although he was pissed off right now, Levi had to admire that. He must have some huge balls packed away or something.
Mr. Smith took his silence as a yes. "Now that we have figured that out, I'd like for you to look this over." He slid the paper across the table and leaned back in his chair, arm folded over his stomach as he waited for Levi's reaction.
Levi's eyes narrowed once more in suspicion. This guy really thought highly of him, didn't he? He wanted the best, but there were plenty of other designers that would be happy to work with a contractor like him. Levi looked at the design critically, lifting the paper with thin fingers and getting a better view. "Boring." He tossed the paper back to the table where it slid toward Mr. Smith. The man's thick eyebrows rose again and looked like he was about to say something, but Levi spoke first. "Don't fell me you were trying for 'minimalistic.' This building is just boring."
Mr. Smith remained silent as he took the paper back, cocking his head to the side as he looked it over once more. "I suppose you're right." Levi gave himself a point in on his imaginary scoreboard. "But that's why I asked for you. I've heard you're brutally honest, and that's what I need alongside your talent."
"You're not the type who likes bullshit either?" Levi's tense shoulders relaxed a fraction. One minute, this guy pissed him off, and the next he was relating to him.
"Not when it's about my job." Levi nodded slowly. Maybe he could earn Levi's respect. In time of course. Mr. Smith checked his watch. "I have an appointment with a concrete company. Our meeting will have to be cut off here. Next time don't be late." Levi bristled, but the man' stone wasn't reprimanding. He was teasing him again.
"Fine. I'll see you tomorrow?" Levi asked, unsure of their work schedule together.
"Actually, I'd prefer if we could meet later in the week. Would you like to discuss the design over dinner? How does Friday sound?"
Levi did a quick mental rundown of his schedule. "That works just fine."
"Wonderful. I'll reserve a spot for us at Salvitore's at seven. Bring your ideas with you." Mr. Smith shuffled his papers back into his suitcase and stood. He rounded the meeting table and extended his hand first this time with a hint of a smile. "I'm looking forward to working with you."
The smile wasn't returned, but Levi didn't hesitate to take his hand this time. "I'll see you Friday."
And with that Mr. Smith left the office. Levi remained rooted to the spot. This Erwin Smith person was interesting. Attractive, smart, mildly funny, but he was still an enigma. What happened to his arm? He watched through the hallway window until he was gone, finding himself looking forward to Friday.
AN: I took a short break from writing some other things in order to do something a little different. After this short introduction, things start to get more interesting.
Can also be found here.
The titans are gone. To fill a void, the 104th head out on their last expedition to explore the ocean.
If the beauty of truth were quick,
I would stand immortally at Sea,
Gazing for eternity at Sea
Eternity At Sea - by Annie Cordelia Adams
The titans were gone. All of them.
At first Armin felt victory. Blissful, painful, satisfying victory.
And then there was a nothing. A vacuum. Before, there was a vast valley of purpose, filled to the brim with blood. Now the war against the titans was over and Armin ached with emptiness.
Since he was fifteen he had trained to fight the titans. Now that it was over, what did he do with his life now?
The ocean, he had whispered to Eren. They could see the ocean now. Once they reached it, he saw another void. Just like it was described in the books, the water stretched wide toward the horizon. A bottomless, dark, open mouth. He couldn’t see the the end. There was nothing on the surface but white waves slicing against grey water.
The ocean didn’t fill the hollowness.
They all just stood there in silence. Just watching the waves. Not everyone was here.
Eren spoke first. “Well, what's on the other side?”
“What is on the other side?” Hanji tilted her head to the side to look at Eren, a smile slipping across her face. A new frontier. There was still something to accomplish. A light waited on the other side of the ocean.
So the scouts headed back.
---
It was Erwin’s idea to lead the expedition. Expedition 91. They were going to survey what was beyond the sea. Although the threat of titans was gone, there was still much to do beyond the walls. People were expanding civilization. There was a spike in birth rate and new towns were rising. Farms were cultivating crops feed the hungry population. There were plenty of jobs that veterans could have done, but nothing left anyone satisfied.
Erwin only asked the 104th. They were all young soldiers who still needed direction.
“Nope.” Connie was the first to speak, raising his glass and taking a sip after his answer. Erwin decided to ask informally, gathering the group at a bar. The expedition was to be personally funded by him, since the government was more concerned about domestic issues than exploration.
“Understandable. If anyone does not want to be involved for whatever reason, that is up to them.” Erwin regarded Connie with a respectful nod and straightened his back, placing both hands on the table. “You have all worked hard and have earned the right to lead a peaceful civilian life. If that is the path you want to follow, you have my blessing.” He paused for a moment, individually making eye contact with each person in the group. “But if you still yearn for something bigger to fight for, to discover, then consider my offer.”
Erwin stood, followed by Hanji, and then Levi, who downed a half glass of whiskey before the three of them left.
As soon as they were out of the bar, the group began talking immediately.
“So you’re not going to go?” Eren asked.
“No, I wanna stay here.” Connie explained with a half smile. “All that water freaks me out a little. It’s so deep. I couldn’t imagine being surrounded by it.”
“But what about the prospect of finding something new?” Armin asked, leaning forward on his elbows. “You’re not curious about someplace we haven't discovered yet? You don’t want to know what's out there?”
“I want to know.” Mikasa’s voice was soft, but firm. “What if there are more people?”
“Exactly.” Eren’s smile was excited. There was a spark in his expression, in his eyes. Armin hadn’t seen him like this in a long time. It was refreshing. A raven spreading its wings when winter thawed. “I wanna go. Who else is with us?”
Armin was the only one who raised his hand.
---
It took a couple days, but eventually Jean came around.
“What changed your mind?” Armin asked as he flipped through a book. There were so many he wanted to take with him, but his focus was on astronomy and cartography. Although Erwin only expected them as crew, Armin wanted to contribute more.
“I can’t let Eren go and have all the fun.” Jean leaned back in the wooden chair, tipping the front two legs into the air. He shouldn’t be doing that in the library. “There's nothing for me to do here anymore. I mean, it’s all done. The titans are gone.”
Armin added the book to the pile he was making and reached for another. “What about the military police?”
Jean shook his head and folded his arms. “That's not- I don’t want to do that. That's not what I want anymore, not for a long time.”
“Well, there's a new limit, if you can call it that.” A closed lipped smile worked it’s way over Armin’s face. He was anxious and thrilled about the prospect of searching the ocean for something foreign. “It seems limitless. The ocean.”
“What if there's nothing on the other side?” The chair legs hit the ground with a thump. “What if it's just endless water?”
Armin rose a brow. “Then we’ll go out as far as we can, then turn around.” Erwin wouldn’t steer them into danger. Not when humanity’s sake was no longer on the line.
“That's what Sasha is afraid of.” Jean shrugged. “She told me she had a bad feeling about this whole thing. She told me not to do it. All that emptiness…”
“It can’t be completely empty.” Armin reached for another book, keeping his tone casual. “Are you worried about it?”
“No.” Jean’s answer came too quickly and he crossed his arms again. “Even if I was, it’s nothing compared to titans.”
---
It took weeks to build the ship. It wasn’t too big, seven fit comfortably. There was a wide main deck. On one end there was a modest captain’s cabin, and on the other end were the crews cabin. Four beds were enough to accommodate, since Levi and Hanji each got their own private quarters below deck in the hold. Hanji needed space for research, and Levi just needed his own space.
After construction came practice. They constructed a small dock and sailed along the shoreline. The first few times were shaky, since all they had to learn from were books, but eventually they were really doing it.
Sailing.
Erwin was at the helm, steering the boat as the rest of the crew adjusted sails and fiddled with compasses. Armin practiced drawing the shoreline on a piece of thin stretched white leather.
Calluses grew on his palms from pulling in the sails, the rope rough on his skin. They crept along the shore, yet he yearned for the ship to turn and for the tide to pull them to sea. They were brushing their fingertips along the unexplored.
Armin loved the wind in his hair, the smell of salt and freedom.
Underneath that was a lingering sense of worry. It was just the fear of the unknown, he kept telling himself, telling the others. They didn’t know what was out there, or what was underneath the waves.
When he leaned over the side of the boat and peered into the depth, he couldn’t see the bottom. Just empty shadows.
---
It was six months since Erwin first proposed the expedition and now they were ready to go. There were a group of people lined up at the gates to watch them leave. In the months following the discovery of the ocean, a string of tiny settlements stretched toward the sea. The shoreline was only an hours walk from the nearest village.
Connie and Sasha were there to wave them off, Sasha’s shaky smile was unnerving.
After unloading the last of the supplies, the group boarded the ship, climbing up a rope ladder on the side. Hanji was the first to head up, the most excited of the group, followed by Erwin, then Levi and the rest.
The loose sails flapped empty in the wind. The sky was grey and threatening rain, but there was a good rush of wind that would easily take them out to sea. They pulled the sails tight.
“Goodbye land.” Jean mumbled as the wind caught the sails and began to move the boat.
“Are you gonna get seasick?” Eren nudged him with his elbow and Jean nudged back harder, causing him to wince.
“No.”
Armin exchanged a look with Mikasa and they both rolled their eyes. “Three months of this.” He brought a small smile to her face.
“Three months of babysitting children.” Levi muttered. They weren’t children any longer, but Armin took the insult as a term of endearment at this point.
Erwin wore smirk at the helm, close enough to hear them. He seemed to be amused in his choice of crew. Although there was banter, they all worked well together through a bond of trust.
His eyes were on the horizon, but Armin’s turned to shore, watching as green land became smaller and smaller. A sliver on the skyline. The sea was surrounding them, sweeping, swallowing them whole.
AN: This is older, but I don’t think I ever posted it to tumblr.
Can also be found here.
Squeeze until that pink flush to his face turned deep red and the blood rushing through his veins would ebb to a stop.
No one warned him that tea was hot. His first sample was a big sip. He immediately spit it back out, but his tongue and lips were already scalded and numb with pain. It was a long while until Levi drank tea again.
Kill him. He threatened to kill him only to receive a smile in return. His hands burned, longing to wrap around Erwin Smith's throat and squeeze. Squeeze until that pink flush to his face turned deep red and the blood rushing through his veins would ebb to a stop.
There was blood on his face, and hands, and neck, and boots and almost every inch of him. It was hot and evaporating off of his skin, but it was a stifling sticky blanket that made Levi feel disgusting and overheated and freezing all at once. Erwin was spotless, his uniform white as parchment. Levi watched as cool blue eyes tracked over his face. His commander used his thumb to swipe over his brow, catching the red drops that threatened to slide into his eyes. Erwin used his index finger to brush off the blood along his cheeks, a knuckle on his nose, and then his open palm along his jawline. Erwin looked down between them at his hands, covered in scarlet blood. It was then Levi realized he wasn't just a tool.
"That titan was so hot and big it set trees on fire as it walks!"
Levi took a long drink of his afternoon tea as he listened to the new recruits.
"Do you think there could be a bigger one out there? One that could scorch the ground by just being near?"
Overnight expeditions were dangerous, but necessary. Levi bathed with his blade close by. The commander was already in the stream. Levi kept his eyes away, but stole brief glances. Thick thighs. Strong, wide shoulders. Water dribbled down his spine. If he stared too long he'd never be able to look at anything again, but he wanted the image scorched into his retinas.
Replaceable. Erwin thought he was replaceable.
"You're a fucking idiot." Hanji would make a brilliant commander, but she would pale in comparison.
"Someone else can do my job if I'm killed-"
"That's not true and you know it." Not titans. Erwin would die by the hand of man, stifling out his life because they didn't understand his genius. Without Erwin they would melt in the flames of destruction.
"Levi, if it comes down to it-"
"Do you think the moon can replace the sun?" Hot coals tumbling through a hearth gate. As soon as it was out, Levi wanted to bite it back into his mouth, caged forever. Erwin's lips seared over his. Levi was engulfed in light. It was agonizing to be this close to something so intense.
AN: Reposting some Eruri week stuff to this blog to try and keep it organized
Written for Eruri Week 2015
Day four: Touch
Can also be found here.
There was so much he wanted to say. Unfold a million words. His heart felt like it was pouring itself out of his chest. I want to touch you one last time.
Every breath hurt. His chest rattled with each inhale. Where was he? His back was on solid ground. He could smell dirt and blood. Erwin’s eyes cracked open and he saw the sky. Orange.
The titans should be inactive soon, but he knew he probably wouldn’t be found, so he wouldn’t receive any medical help from the rest of the troops. If there were any troops left.
He was beyond saving at this point. They could find a new commander. He was replaceable. If they finished this mission successfully, things would turn out okay.
He felt sick, queasy. The last thing he was doing… Focus. Blunt force to the head, then the palm of a giant hand. He must have fallen… Twenty five meters or so? He was lucky to be alive since people can die from falling nine meters. There must be internal bleeding. He couldn’t move his legs. Spinal damage.
Erwin could feel blood trickling down his temple and into his hair. He tasted metal in his mouth. Gingerly, he turned his head sideways and spat out saliva and blood to make his airway a little clearer. Breathing was becoming more painful and Erwin had to tell himself to take slow controlled breaths. Otherwise he would panic, his heart rate would go up and he would die sooner. He was hurt, but he wanted to cling to the last few minutes of life he could. His head felt foggy.
Where were the rest of the team?
Where was Levi?
Worry had joined the blood in the pit of his stomach. Levi wasn’t one to let Erwin go down without a fight, but he heard no commotion above. No one around at all. He slowly let his head loll to the other side and when his eyes focused he felt his chest clench. His breathing stopped.
He was there, not too far away. He was on the ground face up. Red painted the grass below him, making it look slick.
His legs were gone. Severed-bitten off at the middle of his thighs. Levi was conscious and watching him, breathing shallowly. He looked calm.
“Levi.” Erwin choked and had to spit out another mouthful of blood to speak clearer. “Help should be coming, hold on-”
“Shut up.” Levi croaked out, teeth red and clenched. The line of worry that usually lay between his eyebrows was smoothed out.
The titan behind him was steaming and dissolving away. Erwin had no idea how Levi killed him, and that didn’t matter now.
His eyes fell back on Levi. With each beat of Levi’s heart, blood seeped from his legs in pulses. They locked eyes. Levi could always see straight through him. Help wasn’t coming, and they both knew it.
They didn’t have much time.
There was so much he wanted to say. Unfold a million words. His heart felt like it was pouring itself out of his chest. Erwin’s throat was tight and lined with blood. He opened his mouth to speak but couldn’t get anything out. Levi’s lips grew thin as he watched Erwin take another unsteady breath. Those blue grey eyes looked darker in the light of sunset. He dreaded when they would inevitably close. He could see longing in Levi’s eyes, even though they were growing dim.
They didn’t need words.
Erwin flung his arm to the side, palm up toward Levi.
I want to touch you. One last time.
Levi regarded his hand and his eyes flicked back to Erwin’s. His expression grew soft for a moment, then a spark of fire entered his dull eyes. Erwin had seen that expression a thousand times before. Determined.
Levi rolled to his side with a grunt, then let himself fall into his front. His forearms were under him. His chin rested on the ground and he looked up at Erwin.
“Levi, no.” Erwin gasped. He’d lose too much blood on the way to him.
Levi wasn’t listening. His elbows dug into the ground as he moved forward, fierce eyes locked onto his goal.
“Stay there. Don’t move, please-” Erwin’s voice was broken and desperate, but he was ignored. Levi was in agony, losing the last precious seconds of his life just to be nearer to him.
A trail of blood soaked the grass behind Levi as he dragged his lower half along. Helplessly, Erwin watched as Levi cried out when his open wounds were scraped along the ground. Levi’s breathing was becoming labored, deep and heaving. His hands savagely curled into fists, gripping the grass to pull him along, to keep him grounded and alive for a few more moments. His small frame looked to weighed a thousand pounds with the strain he put into his movements.
Erwin winced as he turned to his side. Levi wasn’t going to make it. Already, Erwin could see the flame in his eyes begin to flicker. “Levi wait-” his sentences were coming out half formed, but he couldn’t get a full breath like this. Not when he was laying on a broken rib and a punctured lung. “Wait-”
Could Levi even hear him anymore? Levi was shaking now. He wasn’t going to make it. His movements were jerky, animalistic and raw. Each pull and drag of his arms along the ground caused Levi to hiss and exhale with a shaky breath.
Erwin had only one arm, and he wasn’t sure if he could get to him. Levi was two meters away and dying in front of him. He took a breath and dug into the ground, using every angle in his body to try and get nearer. Erwin groaned as fire shot down his back, but he kept moving.
Levi’s skin was pale, dirt and blood covering his stomach and lower half. Sweat made his hair cling to his temples and forehead. It was unlike Levi to be so unkempt, but death was messy.
Erwin watched Levi as he flung an arm out, weakly trying to gain traction but unable to draw the strength. His breathing was rapid, hyperventilating.
He was dying of shock.
Erwin could feel his broken bones grinding against each other as he pulled himself bit by bit. Levi’s eyes stayed on him, but the closer he got, the more faded they looked.
Erwin was drowning. His lungs burned, he couldn’t take a steady breath, each one wheezing and gurgling, full of fluid. Without oxygen his arms felt weak and heavy. His torso throbbed and his eyes felt blurry, unable to focus on Levi anymore.
All he wanted was one last blissful breath of air.
His hand shot out, groping and praying until he felt a soft face under his palm. Levi’s upturned cheek. His breathing stopped. Levi felt cold. Erwin wasn’t sure if he was alive and could feel him. Blackness pricked the edges of his vision, moving in quickly. He wouldn’t have long to wait.
SO I made a blog specifically to talk about Eruri and stuff so please talk to me. I’m also going to repost some of my writing here to try and keep it organized in one area for reference.
gummygunk
kianamaiart
origamiaround
romaincrisis
andulkaphoto
