Archive of Our Own

one.

Levi never cared much for what his squad did in their free time. Usually, he kept to himself when they weren't training, cleaning, or on expeditions. But that didn't stop him from knowing everyones' business.

That's because his squad was probably the loudest in the entire military. If Eren and Jean weren't yelling at each other, Sasha and Connie were screeching like banshees. Armin and Mikasa were the only ones that were ever quiet, but when everyone was together, they, too, ended up joining in on the raucous.

Normally, Levi didn't care. He kept his distance, idly listened to their banter and scandalous gossip, drank his tea, and read one of the many books Hange gave him. They always promised it would be the best book he'd ever read (spoiler: it never was). Still, he supposed they were better than some of the boring shit Erwin used to give him to teach him how to read.

Today, his subordinates were especially loud. And incredibly annoying as (once again) Jean was giving Eren shit over something Levi simply couldn't ignore.

"What do you mean you're dating someone!" Jean yelled so loud the people in Sina could probably hear him.

"Means I got a girlfriend, so get off my back!" Eren screamed back, clearly irritated (once again) with Jean.

"Well, who is it?"

"None of your fucking business."

"C'mon, tell me. I need to know who's dumb enough to date an idiot like you."

"Your mom," Eren spat, getting up in Jean's face.

"Oh, fuck you!" Jean pushed him hard, and just as was expected of them, fists started flying seconds later.

But their petty and childish fighting was not what had Levi's blood burning.

Since when is Jaeger dating someone?

Truth be told, Levi wasn't aware Eren was even interested in dating. Especially since girls were always batting their lashes at him, blushing and flirting in a vain attempt to get his attention. Mikasa and Historia were the worst culprits of them all. And in all the time Levi's known Eren, he'd never looked twice at any woman that threw attention his way.

What changed?

Better yet, why did Levi care ?

Pushing that thought away, he snapped his book shut and tossed it on the blanket beneath him before storming across the courtyard.

"Oi, save the fighting for training," Levi barked, stepping between them and pushing them apart.

They growled and grunted as Levi fought with them to separate. And then realization slapped them in the face, and they both went rigid like tall ass trees.

"Yes, sir," they both said simultaneously, bowing their heads as if they were shamed for getting caught fighting for the fifth time that week.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting, Jaeger? The fuck you picking fights for?" 

Eren sheepishly rubbed the back of his head, his fingers ruffling his unruly hair. It'd grown to his shoulders, and he still hadn't cut it despite Levi telling him to do so.

"Sorry, sir. I was just on my way out when Jean stopped to harass me."

"Is that right?" Levi glared at Jean.

"Hey!" Jean held up his hands in a ploy to appear innocent. "I didn't do anything!"

"Kierstein, aren't you supposed to be mucking the stables?" Levi asked.

"What? I thought it was my day off."

"Not anymore. Get to it."

"Yes, sir," he grumbled, clearly displeased but unwilling to argue. He threw Eren a sharp look before stomping away.

"Where are you heading out to, Eren?" Levi asked once Jean was out of earshot.

He shrugged and looked down at his feet. "Just going for a walk."

"Oh? So you're not going to go see a girl?" he asked, those words tasting like venom on his tongue. Just the thought of Eren walking through the city, hand and hand with a pretty girl, made Levi's stomach churn. Would this new girlfriend of his understand Eren as Levi did? Would she know how to care for him? Guide him? Offer him comfort when things got hard?

Levi severely doubted it.

"Oh, uh, you heard that, huh?" Eren fidgeted, and his cheeks burned a pretty pink.

"Tch. Pretty sure all of HQ heard that conversation of yours."

"It's nothing serious."

"Right." Levi narrowed his eyes. "Don't be an idiot. Make sure to wear a condom, got it? We don't need another dumbass Jaeger running around here."

If Eren's face was pink before, it was bright red now. "I—I'm not," he laughed awkwardly. "I swear, it's not like that."

Better not be.

"Fine," Levi huffed, secretly pleased that Eren wouldn't be doing that . "Be back before sunfall or I'll kick your ass."

"Yes, sir."

two.

Levi wasn't jealous. Especially not over some brat and his prissy little girlfriend. No fucking way.

But he'd be lying to himself if he said it didn't bother him that Eren was romantically involved with someone. 

Why did it bother him? He didn't have a goddamn clue.

One evening, Levi was in the library in the quietest corner he could find. He finished all his tedious paperwork early and thought he'd treat himself to a cup of tea and a good book.

"Jean told me you have a girlfriend?" A familiar voice filtered through the wall of thick books coated in dust. Armin. Gonna make that little mushroom clean up all the dust if he doesn't shut up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I dunno. Didn't seem that important."

It was Eren. Fuck. This again? Levi didn't want to think about Eren and his damn girlfriend. The whole point of coming to the library and secluding himself in a quiet corner was to shut down all those pesky thoughts he was having over the damn brat. 

"But we've been friends since we were kids and you've never been interested in anyone before! This is a big deal!"

"Is it?" Eren didn't sound so sure.

"Yes!" Armin exclaimed, his enthusiasm making Levi's teeth grit. 

He had half a mind to storm over there and tell the two of them to shut the fuck up. But for some reason, he didn't. He simply sat there and perked his ears up, listening intently to Armin and Eren's conversation like a goddamn peeping Tom.

Who am I? A snot-nosed teenager?

"What's she like?" Armin asked in a much softer voice this time.

"Oh, uh…" Eren trailed off, and Levi could imagine his dopey face as he thought hard about it. Maybe he was even blushing a bit. "Well, she's got… black hair, stormy blue eyes and… I don't know. She's short, I guess?"

Black hair? Grey-blue eyes? Was he talking about Mikasa?

No, Mikasa wasn’t short. Or was she? Levi couldn't remember. If anything, she was shorter than Eren after his most recent growth spurt.

"Okay… but what's she like ?" Armin asked again.

"What do you mean?"

"Her personality, silly!"

"I don't know. She's cool, I guess."

"Cool? C'mon, Eren. Give me the details! Clearly there's something special about her if she caught your attention."

Eren sighed loudly, clearly done with the whole conversation. It made Levi wonder why he was being so stubborn. Was their relationship so serious that he didn't want to share it with anyone else? Or maybe it was Mikasa, and he didn't want anyone to know. After all, their friendship was a bit… different. It'd make sense why he'd be hesitant to tell Armin that he was dating his pseudo-step-sister.

"She's quiet but kind. Strong but soft, despite people thinking otherwise. She's just… really beautiful inside and out."

Quiet? Strong? Beautiful? Definitely Mikasa.

Fuck. Why did that piss Levi off so much? Who Eren dated was none of his goddamn business. And yet…

"Aw," Armin cooed. "She sounds really special."

"Yeah," Eren said, a smile in his soft voice. "She is."

Levi's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. Nobody had ever spoken about him like that—with whimsy and adoration pouring into their words. Love was never something Levi thought he needed. But now that he thought about it, being in love sounded quite nice.

three.

Levi hardly got any sleep. Though, he supposed that was pretty normal for him. Still, he felt more tired than usual, his mind heavy and sluggish, as if black tar was hardening in his skull. If there was a day he wished he could shirk his duties and stay in bed all day, today was it.

The sun was brighter than usual, the autumn air frigid on his cheeks. Every gust of wind had him shivering, despite his heavy cloak pulled tightly around his shoulders.

Fuck training, and fuck these brats.

Across the field, Jean and Connie sparred with one another while Sasha and Armin paired up to practice their hand-to-hand combat. Then, there was Mikasa and Eren, slacking off and laughing about god knows what.

Levi's stomach turned sour.

What the hell were they talking about that had Eren smiling so brightly? Usually, Eren seemed so annoyed by her presence, but today he was hanging on her arm, his cheeks rosy from laughter and wind.

Then Mikasa tenderly placed her hand on Eren's arm, her thumb slowly rubbing up and down his bicep. Seeing her adoring touch had something snap inside him. Without thinking, he stormed across the field, fists clenched at his side, blood boiling despite the cold air burning his lungs.

"Hey, that's enough fucking around!" Levi barked, stopping and glaring at both of them, but mostly Mikasa.

"Sorry, Captain!" Eren was quick to say, his eyes wide and his stance rigid. Mikasa, however, looked completely unfazed. Even though it'd been more than a year since Levi beat the ever-loving shit out of Eren in the courtroom, Mikasa was renowned for holding grudges. And despite everything they've been through, she still had it out for him.

"If you two are just going to slack off, then I'll give you something else to do. Eren, give me ten laps around the field. Mikasa, you're on toilet duty. Training's over for you today. Get to scrubbing."

"What?" she balked, her jaw dropping. "Why can't I do laps?"

Levi narrowed his eyes. "Wanna do both ?"

"No, sir."

"Then get to work."

Her jaw flexed as if she were biting back venom and stomped away towards HQ, shoulders slumped in defeat.

Serves her right. Nobody touches Eren except for me.

Levi froze, staring after Mikasa. What kind of thought was that? Sure, Eren was his charge and responsibility, but that didn't mean he had the right to dictate what he did with other people.

Still, the thought of Eren being touched intimately by Mikasa's hands made his blood burn and his stomach clench. It was unlike anything he'd ever felt before.

"Captain?" Eren asked, his voice barely above a whisper. It was soft like a fur blanket in the middle of winter, wrapping around Levi and coaxing his muscles to relax. And when he looked at Eren's shining teal eyes, all his anger and frustration evaporated, and a fuzzy warmth filled his chest.

"Yes, Eren?" 

"Are you okay? You seem… more on edge lately."

"I'm fine."

"Are you not sleeping well again?"

Shit. Eren knew about that? "I said I'm fine."

"Would you like me to go make you some tea?"

The warmth in his chest flourished, spreading out to his fingertips. "I—" his voice caught, and he cleared his throat. "Sure, Eren."

A bright smile gleamed in his eyes, and Levi couldn't look away from his otherworldly beauty. "Anything for you, Captain."

Eren rushed off toward HQ, moving more quickly than he would have if he were properly training.

Shit. He was supposed to be running laps, not making him tea. Eren did that on purpose, didn't he?

Fuck, I'm going soft for this boy, aren't I?

four.

Now that the titans were supposedly eradicated, Levi's squad set out for an expedition to survey the rest of the island. It was their first time outside the walls without the fear of titans looming over their shoulders. It would be easy. And yet, Levi's never felt so unsettled.

When night fell, they set up camp and had stew for dinner. It'd been a while since they set out on a long journey, and after a hot and hearty meal warming their bellies, everyone was ready to settle down to sleep.

Levi remained by the fire, watching as his squad paired off into their usual groups and headed into their tents for the night. Levi couldn't help but notice Eren going off with Mikasa.

His fingernails bit into his pants, pinching his skin through the fabric. It wasn't right. Why did Mikasa get to enjoy Eren's company all the time while Levi spent night after night alone, tossing and turning with an uneasy darkness weighing down his stomach?

"Eren," Levi called out without realizing what he was doing.

Eren turned around, a confused expression on his face. "Captain?"

Shit. What am I doing? Levi's heart took off inside his chest, and he quickly looked away towards the fading fire at the center of the camp. What he really wanted was for Eren to come sleep in his tent with him. But that would be inappropriate, wouldn't it? Then again, if he said it was because he wanted to keep an eye on him, nobody would think it weird, right? After all, it was his job to look after Eren.

"Sir? Is everything okay?" Eren prompted when Levi didn't say anything.

"Yes," he said, clearing the nervous lump from his throat. If he could fight hordes of titans, surely asking Eren to sleep in his tent would be easy. So why did he feel so out of sorts? 

Taking a subtle yet deep breath, he gathered his meager courage to say what he wanted to say.

"You're sleeping in my tent tonight," Levi blurted out.

Eren's eyes widened, lips parting in surprise. "Sir?"

"To keep an eye on you," he added quickly. "In case there are still titans out here."

"Okay."

Oh. That was easy.

Levi stared at Eren, inspecting every inch of his face. He didn't seem put off by his command. In fact, he appeared… excited.

Then Levi spotted Mikasa looming behind Eren, watching closely with narrow eyes. Instead of saying anything, Levi stood up, stomped the fire out, and headed into his tent. Whether Eren looked longingly back at Mikasa or not, he didn't know. Nor did he want to. Tonight Eren was his.

Eren followed him inside the tent laying his bedroll next to Levi's. It was dark, and Levi wasn't quite ready to go to sleep yet (not that he'd be able to. Sleeping outside the walls was never easy for him since he was always on high alert), so he struck a match and lit an oil lamp, setting it down beside his bedroll.

A part of him wondered if he should try to say something to make things less awkward. But at the same time, Levi didn't know what to say. Conversation had never been his strong suit.

Instead of trying to fill the silence, Levi quietly took off his ODM gear, not even daring to look at Eren. He was afraid of how his heart would react if he did. It acted so strangely every time Eren was around, and it only seemed to worsen.

"Have you been sleeping better?" Eren asked, the clanging of his ODM belts abnormally loud in his ears. While he'd seen Eren naked in the showers before, their current setting felt oddly intimate, like two lovers lying down for bed. The thought of Eren undressing had his skin growing hot beneath his clothes. 

"Mhm," Levi hummed, not trusting his voice to speak.

"You're lying."

Levi threw a sharp look over his shoulder. Only a foot away, Eren stood with his shirt unbuttoned, his abs and flawless skin on full display. Catching his eye was a patch of dark, coarse hair trailing from his belly button down below his waistline, leading to his—

Swallowing down the thick lump in his throat, Levi turned back around. "Why so concerned with my sleeping habits?"

"You just always seem so tired. I worry. I guess."

"I'm fine, Eren."

"Okay," he whispered, sounding unconvinced.

Levi sighed, folding up his gear and setting it on top of his pack. Silence stretched out between them once again, but this time, Levi ignored the tension and slid into his bedroll, pulling the blanket tight around his already shivering body.

Sleeping outside sucks.

Next to him, Eren was crawling into his bedroll as well. Unlike Levi, who was still fully clothed, he was practically naked except for his underwear. 

"Aren't you cold?" Levi asked, unable to stop himself from checking Eren out. The way his tan skin rolled smoothly over lean and taut muscles as he gracefully laid down captivated him.

"No," he said with a sigh as he settled and rolled onto his side, facing Levi. "I don't really get cold anymore."

"Must be nice."

"Are you cold?"

"I'm fine."

Eren frowned. "You always say that."

"Say what?"

"That you're fine."

"Cause I am."

"Are you really?"

"Yes," Levi sighed, rolling on his back as Eren's persistence slowly chipped away at his resolve. 

Eren hummed, and he sounded utterly unconvinced. He could feel those beautiful and fiery eyes burning into the side of his face, but he didn't dare look over at him out of fear of what might slip from his mouth. 

"Captain?" Eren whispered, at long last breaking the silence.

"Hm?"

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"If I say no, are you going to ask me anyway?"

"Mhm."

Levi sighed. So stubborn. "What is it?"

"What would you do if you weren't in the Survey Corps?"

"Open a tea shop."

"You answered that quickly," Eren mused, a smile in his voice. Levi turned to find his eyes glittering with candlelight, a gentle curl to his pink lips. "You've thought about this before?"

"Hm. I guess so." He wasn't going to tell Eren it was something he thought of quite often. Even if living a life of peace, away from war and death, was his dream, he wasn't sure it was something he would ever achieve. 

It was precisely that. Just a dream.

"I can see it. You'd have the best tea shop in all of Paradis." Eren paused, his gaze seeming far off. "Perhaps one day, you'll be able to retire and open it."

"Maybe. Though, I've been fighting for my life for as long as I can remember. It's hard to imagine living a sedentary life like that."

Eren's eyes refocused on him, and his smile flipped into a frown. "After everything you've done, everything you've given this country, you deserve to enjoy some peace and happiness, Captain."

Levi's chest tightened, and he had to look away from Eren's sincere expression so his mask wouldn't crack and expose the emotion bubbling behind it.

"What about you?" Levi asked, deflecting away from himself. "What would you do?"

"I haven't really thought about it. All I've ever wanted was to join the Survey Corps. And, well, I don't have long to live… but I guess if I could, I'd like to work at your tea shop."

"You could do anything and that's what you choose?"

"I like working with you."

That's a first. "Why?"

Eren shrugged one shoulder, eyes drooping, a coy smile on his lips. Levi could feel his body heat filling the small tent and seeping through his thin blanket. The strange feeling in Levi's heart made him shiver.

"Are you cold?"

"Yes," his body spoke before his mind could.

Then, much to his surprise, Eren closed the space between them. He reached across Levi to turn the oil lamp off, lifted the blanket, and pressed his warm, bare skin firmly against Levi's side. Instantly, his heavenly body heat seeped through his clothes and warmed his weary bones.

"What are you doing?" Levi whispered, too stunned to move, let alone breathe.

"Don't worry about it," Eren murmured, resting his arm across Levi's stomach. "Just get some rest."

As if those words held power over him, Levi's body sagged into Eren's. With their closeness, he could smell Eren's natural scent—pine and musk, with a hint of mint on his breath. It was the most heavenly aroma, and it took all his self-control not to lean into Eren and bury his nose into his chest.

Instead, he turned his back to Eren and pressed his face into the pillow, willing whatever bizarre thoughts he had rattling in his skull to go away. But as his eyes grew heavy and his mind became syrupy, all he could focus on was the heat at his back and a strange sense of comfort settling over him.

It was the first time in a long time that he slept peacefully through the night.

five.

Their intel had been wrong. There were still titans on the island. A whole horde of them. They caught Levi and his squad off guard as they stumbled upon them in the mountainside, hiding among trees and uneven terrain. It didn't take long to dispose of the titans, but somehow, Eren managed to come out of his titan worse for wear. Levi had foolishly been distracted with eliminating all the opposing titans that he didn't see what happened.

Mikasa, however, did. And she was right there by his side, helping him out of his titan.

Titan remains steamed and sizzled around him. Meanwhile, Sasha attended to Connie's meager wound while Armin and Jean inspected the area to see if more threats were lurking around the corner.

Levi simply stood in the titan graveyard, watching Mikasa tend to Eren, her touch tender yet purposeful as she wiped Eren's hair off his brow. She cradled him to her plump chest, his eyes far off—dazed and clouded—completely unaware of his surroundings. And yet, he curled into Mikasa regardless, as if it were his instinct to do so.

Levi's hands shook at his side. That should be him at Eren's side, mending his wounds and nursing him back to health. It should be him holding Eren to his chest and ensuring he was okay. It should've been his hands wiping away the sweat and grime on his face while reverently brushing back his unruly hair that desperately needed a haircut, but the damn brat wouldn't listen to him.

Never in a million years had Levi expected to be jealous of Eren's girlfriend. And yet, here he was, silently seething across the field as he watched Mikasa care for Eren in a way a lover would. And oh, how he wished he was in her shoes. 

What an idiotic notion. To think that such tender love was ever something he could have. Love just wasn't in his cards. In fact, everyone he'd ever loved had died (except for Hange, not that he'd admit that he loved them), and Eren only had a couple more years to live. So what the hell was the point of allowing himself to feel this way? It was idiotic. Insane. Juvenile. And yet, he couldn't stop the way his heart throbbed when he thought about what he couldn't have.

All it took was for Eren to slip through his fingers and into somebody else's hands to realize how much he wanted Eren for himself. 

truth.

Levi kept his distance. After witnessing how much Mikasa and Eren cared for each other, he decided to let his childish dreams of ever being with Eren wither away and die. It was better that way.

He closed himself off for the rest of the expedition, retiring to his tent early each night, not asking Eren to join him again. Perhaps Eren noticed a change in his demeanor. But if he did, he didn't say anything.

After weeks of traversing the island and ensuring the titans were no more, they returned to Trost HQ. When Levi stabled his horse, he grabbed his things and went straight to the showers to clean off the muck of their month-long travels. He kept it short, like he always did, and hurried back to his quarters to finally be alone and process his feelings. But when he got to the officer's floor, he spotted someone standing outside his door, leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

Eren.

Taking a deep breath, Levi steeled himself and approached the door, which inadvertently meant approaching Eren. However, he tried not to look at the boy. Ever since he realized how much he wanted Eren for himself, looking at him made him nervous in a way nothing else could.

"What are you doing here, Eren?" Levi asked, making brief eye contact to show he wasn't fazed by him, even if it was a lie.

"I was hoping we could talk, Captain," he responded. Much to Levi's surprise, he actually sounded kind of nervous too. And when he really looked at him for more than two seconds, he noticed his fingernails were steaming from the way he'd been anxiously picking at his cuticles.

"Fine," Levi grumbled. What Eren wanted to talk about, he didn't have a damn clue. But he'd be lying to himself if he said he didn't want to spend some alone time with Eren like they used to before he got himself a girlfriend. Nights spent hunched over paperwork, the sound of a quill scratching parchment the only sound filtering between them as they enjoyed a freshly brewed cup of tea. Even when they didn't say anything, it was comforting to have Eren's company through those tedious hours.

Levi pushed open the door to his room and gestured for Eren to step instead. He did so, clasping his hands behind his back and turning around to face Levi.

"What's on your mind?" Levi asked, paying Eren little mind as he went about his business and put away his things from the expedition. 

"Well…" He took a deep and unsteady breath. "I was wondering if you were mad at me?"

Levi stopped what he was doing and glanced over his shoulder at Eren. His eyes were swimming with such uncertainty. Huh. Always so easy to read. There was no doubt in Levi's mind that he was genuinely upset.

"Why would I be mad at you, Eren?"

"I—I don't know, sir." He dug the toe of his boot into the hardwood floors, refusing to make eye contact. "I just…thought after I spent the night in your tent—" He finally looked up and met Levi's gaze. "If I did something stupid, just tell me. I can take it. Mikasa calls me stupid all the time."

Levi scoffed. "You should find a girlfriend that doesn't call you stupid."

"What?" He blinked, seemingly confused. "Mikasa's not my girlfriend."

"Could've fooled me."

"She's not!" A fire lit up his eyes, and an undeniable heat rolled off him in waves. 

"Then who is ?"

"I don't have a girlfriend! I never have. I only made one up to get Jean and everyone off my fucking back about being single. And I'm single because I only want one person and that person is you!"

Levi's heart skidded to a halt. "What?"

"I…" He swallowed hard and looked down at his feet again. "I've been in love with you for years, Captain. It's why I've never been interested in anyone else. You're the only person who seems to understand me. And you're the only person I want."

"Eren…" Levi started to say, his voice getting stuck in his throat. Was Eren being serious? Or was he playing some kind of sick joke on him right now? After all, why would someone so fiercely beautiful and strong love an old, grumpy man like him? It didn't make sense.

"I know," Eren sighed. "You don't have to say anything. I know my feelings are inappropriate. I just…want you to talk to me again."

"Eren."

"Yes, Captain?"

"Come here."

Doing as he was told, Eren crossed the room and stood before Levi.

"When we're alone like this…don't call me Captain."

"Sir?"

Levi shook his head and took a step closer as he stared into the fiery depths of Eren's soul. It called to him, his cold heart drawn to the heat pouring from his fearsome heart. Closing the space between them, Levi tentatively reached out to brush Eren's unruly hair from his face, just like Mikasa had so many times before.

Eren sucked in a breath, his eyes going wide. Was he doing it right? Levi didn't have a clue.

"Call me Levi," he breathed, his fingers drifting to Eren's nape, tangling into his long, silken hair and pulling him closer. Without any resistance, Eren came easily, his darkening eyes flicking down to Levi's mouth.

“Levi…is this…?” Eren whispered.

"Shh." Levi pushed himself onto his tip-toes, chest pressing against Eren's, their bodies closing together as their lips hovered an inch apart, quietly breathing each other's air. And then, without thinking, Levi closed the remaining distance, their lips coming together in a question.

But then Eren's hands came to rest on Levi's hips, his fingers scrunching into his shirt, and he pressed his lips more firmly—more confidently—against Levi's mouth. In all his years, he'd never kissed anyone before. Was this how it was supposed to go? Was this how it was supposed to feel? Was his heart supposed to be racing? His skin warming? His lungs tightening? Was he supposed to feel so out of control?

Shit. He didn't know, and he didn't care. Instead of questioning it, he gave in to the instincts buried deep inside him and threw his arms around Eren's neck, holding onto him tightly as he kissed him back, matching the passion flowing from Eren's lips and doubling it. 

Eren gasped into him, his hands slithering around Levi's waist and hugging him hard to his chest, bodies crushed together, leaving no space in between. He could feel his abdomen tighten, could feel his cock getting hard, could feel his hands shaking as he held onto Eren like his life depended on it. A fire ignited in Levi's veins, and he kissed Eren again and again and again, unable to get enough of him. 

Suddenly Levi's back slammed into the wall, the nearby door rattling on its hinges. Eren pressed into him, and he felt something hot and hard pressing into his stomach, making Levi gasp in surprise. And with his mouth open as it was, Eren dove his tongue past his lips. The moment his silky tongue brushed up against Levi's, he felt his insides melt into lava and his stomach clenched, cock twitching inside his tight pants. Maybe he should've been disgusted by the idea of swapping spit with Eren. But it didn't gross him out like he thought it would. In fact, the very idea of it made him burn, and he craved infinitely more of it. 

Trapped between the wall and Eren, Levi gave in to the boy's whimsy, bringing their tongues together in languid embraces as they kissed.

The fire inside him raged, blazing hotter and hotter each time Eren's tongue grazed his own. He clung onto Eren's neck, wanting to be closer— so much closer —but no matter how hard he pressed himself against Eren's sturdy body, it wasn't enough.

"Eren." Levi broke their kiss, panting hard. "I don't know what I'm doing."

He pulled back, lips red and glistening, cheeks a pretty pink as he stared down at him in surprise. "I'm your first?"

Reluctantly, Levi nodded.

Eren's lip twitched ever so slightly. "Don't worry." He leaned back over and kissed up and down Levi's jaw and throat. "I don't know what I'm doing, either."

Thank fuck. He relaxed beneath Eren's hot and messy kisses, his body melting into him. Levi’s heart pounded in his chest as Eren trailed his lips down his neck and pulled back his shirt, sucking on his skin.

Fuck. That felt good too. Why did everything feel so damn good?

Levi's skin began to tingle as curious and soft hands ran up his stomach. Should he be touching Eren like that, too?

Following Eren's lead, Levi ran his hands down his back and up his chest, his mouth latching onto the sun-kissed skin stretching across his collarbone. It tasted hot and salty beneath his tongue, and for some reason, that made Levi's blood buzz with excitement. Especially since it made Eren groan, his head falling to the side as if to encourage Levi. Emboldened, he pushed Eren across the room, forcing him down on the bed. He crawled on top of him and sucked hungrily on Eren's neck.

Eren bucked into him, a moan falling from his lips as his cock pushed up against Levi's. The friction had pleasure igniting deep within him, and he chased after it, grinding down on Eren's erection with his own.

"Oh, shit," Eren breathed, cupping Levi's ass before giving it a firm squeeze. "That feels good."

Levi hummed against his neck in agreement as he sucked harshly on his skin, the red mark left by his mouth steaming away in an instant. Even Eren just palming his ass had him shaking with pleasure. It was incredible that one person could make him feel so wonderful.

"I—" Eren gasped, arching into Levi and pressing their cocks firmly together. "Want more."

Eren suddenly grabbed his hips and flipped them over, trapping him with his weight. He hovered over Levi, eyes pitch black and predatory, looming like a monster eyeing its prey, hungry. Feral. But Levi wasn't afraid. No. In fact, he wanted this beautiful monster to eat him alive and never leave his side.

Never leave. Levi's heart sank. Another childish dream that would never come true. Why did everything good always have to be ripped away from his already bleeding heart?

As if sensing his thoughts, Eren leaned over and pressed a tender kiss onto his lips. "Let's just enjoy it while we can."

Then Eren began grinding against him, and pleasure sparked within him, burning away his dark thoughts. Losing himself to the sinful feeling of Eren's clothed and hard cock rubbing against his own, he threw his arms around Eren's neck. He forced their lips and tongue together in another heated kiss, imprinting the heavenly feeling of his mouth into memory, never wanting to forget what it was like to be loved.

Eren's elbows caged Levi in, his hands tangling into his hair. With each kiss, he poured affection from his mouth, coaxing soft moans from Levi's throat as they grinded their aching cocks together.

A mounting pressure tightened Levi's abdomen, and he could feel his cock straining inside his pants. His nails dug into Eren's back, and he moaned into his mouth as their tongues tangled together and they desperately swallowed each other's air. And as their bodies rocked to a hedonic rhythm, the bed squeaking a high-pitched harmony to their low moans, Levi felt his body tense, his cock swelling to the edge of bursting.

"Eren, I—" he sputtered against his lips. Their foreheads knocked together, and Levi stared into the dark pools of Eren's eyes, completely lost to the scorching desire burning in their depths.

The pressure in Levi's cock exploded, and hot cum filled his underwear as Eren grinded relentlessly against him. Levi clawed at his back, breathy moans escaping him before he could catch them with his teeth. Eren stared down at him unflinchingly, bottom lip trembling, cheeks a beautiful cherry red. And then, just like Levi, his body tensed and stilled as he came inside his pants, moans pouring out of him like a sweet melody.

"Holy shit," Eren breathed, finally collapsing on top of Levi and burying his face into the crook of his neck. "Did this really happen? Or am I dreaming?"

Levi pinched him hard on the back.

"Ow!" He shot back and scowled at him.

"Looks like you're not dreaming."

A smile lit up his eyes. "I didn't take you for the jealous type."

"What?" Levi scoffed. "I'm not jealous."

"Really? Your behavior says otherwise."

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"You stopped talking to me because you thought I was dating Mikasa."

"No. I stopped talking to you because you're annoying."

"If I'm so annoying then why did you kiss me?"

Levi clicked his tongue and glanced away. "Curiosity."

"Oh?" Eren nosed the side of Levi's face like a dog begging for his attention. "And what did you think?"

"It was okay."

"Just okay?"

Levi sighed. "Better than I thought it would be."

"Hmph. That's the best I'm going to get from you, huh?

"Yup."

"Fine. I'm happy with that."

"Good," Levi gruffed, shifting beneath Eren, the cum in his pants already drying and getting hard. "Though I'm not happy with the mess we made. I just showered, too."

"I can fix that," Eren said, standing up and holding out his hand.

Levi looked at it and then back up at Eren.

"I'll help you clean up, Ca—" his face flushed, and he cleared his throat. "Levi."

Hearing his name in Eren's smooth timber made his chest all tight and fuzzy. It was a strange feeling. Strange, but equally as lovely. 

"Okay," Levi murmured, grabbing Eren's hand and letting him pull him to his feet. 

Eren smiled shyly at him before entwining their fingers together and dragging Levi over to the door.

"Eren?"

"Yeah?" He stopped, one hand on the doorknob, the other tightening around Levi's fingers. 

"Don't tell anyone about this, okay? Let me just be your imaginary girlfriend."

A slow smile crept onto his face. "Girlfriend?"

"Boyfriend. Partner. Lover. Whatever you want to call it, I don't care. Just let people think that you're still dating that girlfriend of yours so they don't suspect us."

"That should be easy. I based her off of you."

"Oh." Black hair. Stormy eyes. Beautiful. Quiet but kind. Strong but soft. He was describing Levi, not Mikasa.

It all made so much sense now.

Eren truly thought of him like that. And, for some reason, knowing that made his heart soar from the confines of his ribcage. 

Nothing has ever made him happier.