An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan
Rating: Teen And Up Audiences
Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply
Relationships: Levi Ackerman/Erwin Smith
Characters: Levi Ackerman, Erwin Smith
Additional Tags: eruri - Freeform, Eruri Week 2017, Titanwin, Canon Divergence, titan!erwin, Angst
Summary:
It was the biggest decision Levi had to make.
~*~*~*~
Reuploaded after orphaning...originally from Eruri Week 2017.
“Sure did,” Erwin replies casually, then smirks, “Wanna see what else grew?”
Levi gawks at him, “If you get any bigger, you’re gonna impale me the next time we have sex,” and Erwin only laughs, “You say that like it’s a bad thing,” not missing the way Levi’s eyes travel slyly down Erwin’s body…
Half-arsed summary: Events from chapter 84 had Erwin been given the serum. Soft and obsessive Levi, Erwin struggles with guilt from those he sent to die for a selfish dream, and everything with Zeke-Marley will be far different under Erwin’s leadership.
Erwin’s hands slowly went up and down, up and down—intertwined on his stomach, moving along with his soft breathing. He was dressed in all white, his blond hair layered to the front.
After a few moments, he slowly opened his eyes.
He felt warm grains underneath him, and his brows furrowed slightly in confusion. It was like laying on soil, but… somehow, it felt different.
He sat up, arms on his sides. He clenched his fists and grazed the grain, feeling it accumulate between his fingers. He looked to his sides and saw some sort of yellow, powdery soil. He cupped a fistful on both hands, and brought them to his chest. He observed it, sniffed it—it seemed to be nothing out of the ordinary, yet it looked and felt so different.
He slowly stood up, producing a grunt as he did so.
He scanned the area in both directions, and what he took in was the yellow, powdery grain, and what appeared to be a massive lake with… waves? Waves washing up every now and then.
His brows furrowed and mouth hung in awe.
The lake was incredible. It was multiple shades of blue he would’ve never deemed possible had he not seen them himself. Even the sky appeared to mimic it, blending the same colours.
Like a beautiful mirage.
To his right, several feet away, he noted a figure. He couldn’t make out if it was male or female, but they were slumped forward, hugging their knees.
He approached them, fascinated by the sound the lake made every time the waves seemed to wash up the powdery grain.
Seeing the figure more clearly, it was a well-built person, covered in a beige cardigan. Their hair danced to the wind, and they rested their chin on their knees.
“Hello?” Erwin said.
It took the person several seconds to slowly turn their head, shooting Erwin a backwards glance.
Erwin’s eyes widened.
“Hello,” the person responded.
Erwin, reflexively, took a step back. “… Bertolt?”
“Mm,” he nodded.
He looked forward again, and Erwin had no idea what to do.
“May I sit with you?”
Bertolt looked back at him, shrugging. “Sure, Commander.” His brows rose at his words. “No,” he regretted. “Erwin. Just Erwin.”
Erwin advanced, sitting right next to him. “You know,” he sat cross-legged, “It’s still the norm for enemies to address each other with the appropriate titles,” he jested, for no reason in particular.
“You’re right,” Bertolt tilted his head, resting it on his knees. He closed his eyes as a gust of wind ruffled his hair. “But here, titles don’t matter. I guess we’re equals now.”
Erwin observed every inch of Bertolt’s body, wary. Why wasn’t the enemy preparing for battle when Erwin was right there?
Then again, what could Bertolt do?
And the same question applied to Erwin. Why was his first instinct to politely ask if he could sit with him, and engage in conversation?
He didn’t have a blade to take his head, but as long as he had his limbs, he could still fight.
“… Where are we, anyway?” Erwin asked. His eyes never left Bertolt, but Bertolt’s never met his.
“This is a landform surrounded by water… what you see before you is called the ocean. This,” he cupped a fistful of the powdery grain, “is called sand. It’s the result of the disintegration of rocks. These two things form what is called a beach.”
Bertolt stretched his legs, leaning back on his hands, and the movement made Erwin flinch in caution.
Bertolt noticed, and still looking forward, his eyes darted to Erwin. “You don’t need to be so wary, Commander. Can’t you see I’m completely defenseless?” his eyes narrowed sadly. “Besides, someone like you… shouldn’t even be afraid of a person like me…”
“I thought you said titles didn’t matter.”
“Old habits die hard, I guess.”
They were in silence for too long.
“Beach, huh…”
Erwin observed Bertolt intently, noticing how he deliberately avoided looking at Erwin.
“Bertolt,” Erwin said. “Why are you here?”
“Beats me,” he tucked his head between his knees. “I’m stuck here.”
“But… I…”
“Ate me?” Bertolt finally looked at him.
Erwin brushed his hair back. “I must be dreaming.”
“Not really.”
“Huh?”
“I’m as real as you are, Commander.”
I’m just dreaming, Erwin thought to himself. He’s dead…
“You’re wrong,” Bertolt said.
Erwin’s brows creased. He looked at Bertolt, alarmed.
“You’re not dreaming. I’m as real as you are, Commander,” he reiterated.
For the first time, Bertolt held eye contact. His emerald eyes pierced the Commander’s icy blue ones.
They were silent, and despite the soothing sound of the waves hitting the shore, the tension between them only grew.
Eventually, Bertolt gave in and broke the eye contact, drop of sweat forming on his forehead.
Erwin looked forward at the waves, tense.
He didn’t know how much time had passed when he quickly hurtled at Bertolt, striking him right in the face. Bertolt’s head snapped to the side, eyes widening immensely at the unforeseen hit.
He looked at Erwin and was able to dodge another hit, just in time. He stood up and kicked Erwin’s stomach, stumbling him back, knocking the air out of him. Erwin was quick to react and held onto Bertolt’s leg before he could let go, surprising him. Bertolt tried to pull his leg back, but Erwin held it tighter against him.
He brought his knee up to support Bertolt’s leg, and brought down his elbow to try to break it.
Bertolt was able to see right through him in time, and managed to jump and kick Erwin in the face.
Bertolt fell, and tried to stand up to run away.
Erwin recovered and held on to Bertolt’s ankle and pulled him, making the two of them fall on the sand.
They rolled around several times, grunting, until Erwin managed to position himself on top of Bertolt, holding him tightly in place with his knees. He struck him in the face several times, snapping his head to the sides over and over again, until he spurted blood.
Bertolt was so taken aback by the sudden outburst, he had barely been able to fight back.
Erwin then wrapped his hands around his neck, choking him. His jaw was clenched so tightly he swore his teeth would shatter.
He leaned forward, so close to Bertolt their noses almost touched.
“Tell me everything you know!”
Bertolt coughed, panting for air as the blood clogged his nose.
Erwin impatiently clutched the flannel of his shirt, shaking him. “Tell me everything you know! Tell me!”
Bertolt growled at him, baring his bloodied teeth.
“Where do you come from!? Why do you want the people in the walls to die!?”
Bertolt spat blood on his face, making Erwin flinch.
Bertolt took advantage of his second’s hesitation and head-butt him square in the nose, breaking it. Erwin stumbled back, and Bertolt kicked him away.
Erwin rolled backwards to the waves, and breathed in the salty water.
He got on all fours, coughing. He felt a tug on his hair, and saw a bloodied Bertolt, furious eyes, formerly emerald now nearly black. Bertolt pushed him into the water. Erwin tried to hold his breath, but the severity of the situation had left him nearly breathless and gasping for air. The salt water burned his lungs.
He used all his strength to pull back, but Bertolt had one hand firmly placed on his nape, the other on his hair.
Erwin submerged his hand and brought it to his mouth, ready to bite it.
Bertolt noticed and tugged his head back, pulling him out of the water.
Erwin took a violent inhale, hand on his chest as he had a coughing fit.
He violently cleared his throat and sniffled, a mixture of blood and salt water running down his nose.
His head then forcefully snapped to the side, and two molars were sent flying as Bertolt’s foot met his cheek. He fell on his chin, and remained still.
“Ugh…” he groaned, vision blurry.
He was rolled on his back, and he looked up at a panting Bertolt. He looked down at him, wiping the blood off his nose with his sleeve.
“You spawn of the devil,” he panted.
Erwin tried to move, but couldn’t.
Bertolt got on top of him, and wrapped his hands around Erwin’s neck. He began choking him, and Erwin gripped his wrists as tightly as he could, squirming underneath him.
Bertolt felt his ulna was about to snap, but he didn’t waver.
Erwin felt drops on his face, and he initially thought it was blood, but it was tears. As angry as he looked, Bertolt was crying. He also looked remorseful—broken. For a moment, this made Erwin hesitate, and he loosened his grip on Bertolt’s wrists.
But Bertolt’s painfully tight grasp didn’t waver, and Erwin felt himself slowly lose consciousness.
Bertolt, exhausted, collapsed on top of Erwin, panting since he was barely able to breathe properly. Arms shaking, he was able to bring himself up. He looked at a slowly fainting Erwin. “Looks like you won’t remember this one either, Commander. I’ll see you again soon.”
“Erwin!” Hange frantically shook Erwin for what seemed to be the fiftieth time, and Levi’s concern had been growing immensely. He asked Hange whether he should bring in a nurse, and Hange took a few seconds to contemplate.
And then, Erwin gasped violently, slamming his palms against the desk, startling both Levi and Hange.
Erwin’s deranged eyes scanned the room, trying to look for the person he just dreamt of.
He stood up, hazy, stumbling back and falling against the window, hitting his head. The window quickly vibrated from the brunt of the hit.
“Erwin!” Levi ran to his aid, but Erwin pushed him, tipsily walking past him.
“Where is he!?” he yelled.
“What?” Hange said. “Where’s who?”
Erwin continued looking around the room, holding his neck.
He walked around his office, then opened his room’s door. Hange and Levi followed him, immensely worried.
“Where is he!?” he shrieked at them. “Show yourself!” he scoured the office, opening his closet, moving his bookshelves.
“Where’s who!?” they simultaneously asked.
“The coated man! Where is he!?”
“What man!?” Hange yelled. “What are you talking about?”
Erwin walked towards the office door to open it, to go outside and see if he could find any answers. He was too hazy, however, and tripped.
He landed on his right cheek. Despite the pain, he welcomed the floor, and panted quietly, breathing gradually stabilising. He slowly closed his eyes, exhausted.
Levi got on his knees behind him. He pulled Erwin back, holding him close. He looked up at Hange in absolute confusion.
“L-let’s put him in bed,” she suggested, equally confused.
“He’s burning up,” Levi said as he carried him. “Should we take off his clothes?”
“Yeah,” she nodded. “You take off the lower straps, I’ll take off the upper ones and his harness.”
They lay him on the bed and tried to unbuckle his belts, but Erwin was heavy and as stiff as a board.
“Okay, um…” Hange said, scratching her head. “Hold him for me and I’ll unstrap them.”
Levi frowned, wanting to refuse. He wanted to be the one to strip Erwin, but he also didn’t want Hange holding him. “Tch…” he complied. He sat behind Erwin, holding him in place as Hange knelt in front of him, unbuckling the straps.
Levi closed his eyes, distraught. He unconsciously, gradually shifted his hold to a warm, backwards hug.
