
Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/8511703.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Graphic_Depictions_Of_Violence, Underage, Major_Character_Death
  Category:
      M/M, Other
  Fandom:
      Shingeki_no_Kyojin_|_Attack_on_Titan
  Relationship:
      Levi/Eren, Levi/Rogue_Eren, Furlan_Church_&_Isabel_Magnolia
  Character:
      Levi_ackerman, "Rogue"_Eren_Yeager, Isabel_Magnolia, Furlan_Church, Hanji
      Zoe, Erwin_Smith, Mike_Zacharias, Special_Operations_Squad_|_Squad_Levi,
      Basically_a_little_of_everyone_in_the_No_Regrets_ova, Kenny_Ackerman,
      Mentions_of_Kuchel_Ackerman, Mentions_of_Carla_Yeager, Mentions_of_Grisha
      Yeager
  Additional Tags:
      Rogue_is_badass_Eren, it's_Jaeger_not_Yaeger, I_don't_really_care_that
      much_though, BAMF_Eren, BAMF_levi, Younger_Levi_(Shingeki_no_Kyojin),
      Titan-Haired_Eren_Yeager, I'm_starting_to_notice_a_trend_with_the_Titan
      hair_thing, idk_how_to_tag, lots_of_smut, and_fluff, I'm_not_great_at
      writing_violence_but_I_shall_try, or_writing_at_all_really, sort_of_cute
      Levi, only_in_private_with_Eren, Tall_Eren_Yeager, like_6'0_as_usual,
      Based_loosely_off_of_other_fanwork, 'Humanities_Last_Hope'_by
      AwsomeKiller666, Also_dedicated_to_Edwardelrichistheawesomeness, for
      their_work_Hush_Now
  Stats:
      Published: 2016-11-09 Chapters: 11/? Words: 12313
****** Cyan ******
by Ari_to_Levi_Sama, Teal_Lein_(Lein_Honey)
Summary
     This is basically a story in the setting of the No Regrets ova, in
     which Eren is known as Rogue in the Underground, and he and Levi are
     two badasses in love.
     DISCONTINUED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. DO NOT COPY
     Will be re-made and posted on another account (name above).
Notes
     As usual, my writing skills suck, but I shall post what my eyes wish
     to read from better authors.
     I fucking love Rogue and Titan haired Eren, and there needs to be
     more of those types of fics
See the end of the work for more notes
***** Chapter 1 *****
"Rogue" was what people called him.
 
He guesses, considering what people have dubbed others here, in the
Underground, that it wasn't such a bad nickname. He kind of liked it. Had a
nice ring to it. And it didn't deharmonize with his appearance, either, which
was nice, he guesses.
 
Not as nice as just picking up what he had and just leaving, but you take what
you can get, he guesses. Plus, he imagines it'd be a slight problem for him to
roam around in a place he isn't familiar with, wearing no military uniform but
having 3DMG, and not drag attention towards yourself. Not like he doesn't,
already.
 
Not a lot of people knew that he was Rogue, but those who did tended to either
be dead, or not want anything to do with him. He was so enigmatic, though. He
had a sort of look to him. He was exotic looking to the people living in the
Underground, what with his dark skin, tall, lean muscles, and teal eyes with
gold swirling around his retinas. It got him a lot of stares, which he hated.
 
"Rogue" wasn't what people would call a social butterfly. At all. No, he had a
"if-you-so-much-as-look-at-wrong-I-will-end-you" look on his face. Or a deadly
calm (or very content) emotion, if you could call it that. He never had any
emotional attachment to anyone. He tried to keep as far from people as he
could.
 
People meant emotions, and emotions hadn't lead him anywhere good in his life
before. He wasn't willing to give up what could be his only life to try out and
see if he and a prostitute or a fellow thug could be the equivalent of a
married couple.
 
No, maybe in another life he could try that road out.
 
It didn't sound bad, per se. Being in love and having someone be as in love
with you as you are with them, it sounds nice. Having someone to fall back on,
to hold, to cherish. He wouldn't really mind it.
 
He just doesn't want someone he could end up cherishing, or at the very least
care for, end up getting hurt because of him. Whether it being a friend or a
lover, he knows that they would end up hurt one way or another. It's what
happened to his poor mother. Goddess forbid that feeling he went through
happens again.
 
He had felt enough of those emotions for just this life. He doesn't need to see
someone else he adores dead body lying in his arms.
 
 
 
 
 
It wasn't odd for him to see a bruised, battered body on a street corner, or in
an alleyway. In fact, it was almost odd to not see one. Or a drug dealer. Or a
prostitute. But this one was unmistakably beautiful underneath the bruises and
cuts and dirt.
 
It was a boy, who was rather feminine looking, despite the clothes he wore.
Black hair and pale skin could be seen underneath the ugly injuries. His head
was bent forwards on his bent knees, making him look even smaller and frailer,
a mistake that should not be made in the Underground.
 
He walks towards the boy, stopping in front of him. The figure in front of him
seems to realize someone is hovering over them, and sharply lifts his head and
hand, revealing a knife and a gorgeous face. Maybe "Rogue" should change that
whole 'no love for me' rule.
 
He has a dirty face, a large bruise on his left cheek, but that doesn't change
the fact that he is beautiful. Pale, soft looking skin. It compliments well
with his raven hair. And don't get "Rogue" started on his blueish-grey eyes.
 
"Rogue" bends down in front of the lad, locking his gold infused teal eyes with
the slanted, glaring orbs in front of him. His head tilts to the side, long
dark brown hair falling to the side. "Do you want help?" He asks, voice a
little gruff from not talking much. The boy's eyes narrow in what "Rogue"
guesses to be confusion and wariness.
 
His grip on the, rather sharp, knife tightens. "Who's asking?" He answers back.
His voice is smooth, deep and utterly wondrous. "Rogue" could bask in the
loveliness.
 
"People call me 'Rogue'," he says, moving slightly closer to the smaller male,
smirking down at the widened eyes of absolute youthful beauty.
***** Chapter 2 *****
Chapter Notes
     Again, if someone can find the fic that Eren's Doll is based on, I'd
     love to dedicate it to that author (thanks to the person who
     commented about that other one, tho) (loved your profile pic).
     I have a good idea of what I want in this fic, so I won't be one of
     those people who take other people's fics and basically just rewrite
     it in their own words, so if someone can suggest other works like
     this one, that'd be great
See the end of the chapter for more notes
'Rogue' stood up slowly from his crouch in front of the, seemingly younger,
male beauty.
 
He, for some reason, wished to know the other's name. He wanted to know
everything about the other person, everything he hated (other than the
obvious), everything he loved about life.
 
His favorite colour, if he had a middle name. His dreams, his aspirations. It
suprised 'Rogue' immensely how he felt from just looking at this person whom he
would've just walked on by without looking back at had it not been for his keen
eyesight for all things beautiful.
 
The boy didn't loosen his grip on the knife in his grasp, nor the fierce glare.
He has spunk, but he didn't hide his emotions very well. If he came with him,
'Rogue' would have to teach him better survival skills than what he had, quite
obviously, been taught.
 
No one here would wield a weapon like him and not be bluffing about knowing how
to use it.
 
'Rogue' saw the blue-grey eyes full of wariness look over him as quickly as he
could without giving 'Rogue' the chance to attack, which he could've either
way. 'Rogue' didn't receive the reputation he got from just his looks.
 
When the boy looked back into his  own teal-gold, he could see that the scrawny
little thing was giving him a chance to prove his trust right then.
 
'Rogue' bent down, handing him his own two knives he had stolen when he was
younger, sharpening and cleaning the blades every night before he had his one
to four hours of sleep.
 
Slanted orbs widened slightly, seeming to go as big as they could. 'Rogue' felt
as though the boy had the slightest bit of that dying Asian gene in him, but
his accent had undertones in the common one almost everyone had in the
Underground.
 
The boy slowly, but steadily, latched onto the knives, keeping perfect, non-
breaking eye contact with the larger man. He put them on the sides of his
drawstring pants, before 'Rogue' stopped him.
 
"It'd be very easy for me to get those back if you keep those there. You should
put them in those boots of yours, that's where they were meant to be carried,"
'Rogue' says, ghost of a smile on his face when he sees the boy blush then do
as he said, keeping his own blade securely in his hand.
 
The boy stood up, dusting himself off with a disgusted look on his face, then
turned to 'Rogue'. He saw the last two seconds of the almost smile, wishing he
could've seen the real thing on the gorgeous face before him.
 
He knew who "Rogue" was, even before he saw the face. It was just, seeing him
in person made him, well, real.
 
It made Levi feel stupid, thinking such things, but feeling how his heart beat
had quickened more than when he was on a 'run' or was (trying to) getting
mugged, and what felt like his stomach itself trying to move like a baby in a
woman's stomach, made him wonder if he had a thing for powerful men.
 
Because the one in front of him looked immensely powerful. So tall, and all of
those lean muscles under soft looking tan skin, and having hair that looked so
long and wild...
 
Yeah, he was definitely gay. At least, he was feeling romantic towards "Rogue".
 
 
 
 
 
'Rogue' lead the younger lad towards his secluded home that was a little
farther out from the rest of the Underground residents. Neither talked, just
walked with each other side by side, as if almost waiting for the other to make
a move.
 
Levi's eyes widened again when he saw 'Rogue's' home. It looked quite
beautiful, possible the most beautiful things in the Underground he's seen
other than his mother. He looked up at 'Rogue' in surprise, wondering how he
would've been able to find such a place here.
 
"This is my families old home," the man said, walking forward, not waiting to
see if Levi would follow. He scampered to hurry towards the other's side,
feeling like a lost puppy.
 
The other seemed to notice the same as well, that ghost of a smile appearing
again. He opened the door to open a, basically, large one bedroom home, with a
large bed laying on the floor against the wall opposite the door, a fireplace
and pot holder two meters away from it, a door most likely leading to a
bathroom on the other side.
 
It looked comfy, but awfully lonely, Levi thought. He looked up to see 'Rogue'
taking off his boots, leaving them by the door, then walking into the bathroom
to wash his hands. Levi followed after the older's actions, walking slowly and
unsurely to where the other man was.
 
'Rogue' looked up at Levi, looking him up and down, then nodding to himself, as
if glad that Levi had taken off his footwear and went to wash his hands.
 
"You may take a shower, then a bath, not the other way, unless you want to sit
in your own filth. I'll give you a few towels and some clothes, but they'll be
big on you," he said, seeing Levi wash his hands thoroughly then hold onto his
knife again, although holding it slightly less tightly.
 
"Where's my knives?" 'Rogue' asked, head tilting slightly, eyebrows furrowing
slightly. Levi swallowed the lump suddenly in his throat, worried he'd
disappointed the man in front of him for some reason.
 
"I left them next to our shoes. I imagine you'd like to clean them, so I didn't
leave them anywhere that looked cleaner than the mat," Levi said, keeping his
eyes on the big, although half-lidded, eyes trained keenly on him, making him
feel self conscious.
 
That ghost of a smile appeared for the third time, making 'Rogue' slightly
worried about his rule about falling for someone. "Good, ..."
 
Levi didn't fill in the space intended for his name, so he bowed his head
forward ever so slightly, but 'Rogue' notices it, feeling suddenly warm inside
at the action.
 
He mimics it, then leaves the room to find clothes that would be small on him,
hoping that Levi wouldn't come to ever feel pain.
Chapter End Notes
     The thing is with this fic, I imagine Levi to be (right now) at the
     age of fifteen, and before people call out the pedo alarm, that age
     is the legal age in the aot verse, and in a lot of countries, so
     don't go all anon-Tumblr-hate on me, bcus I will not hesitate to spam
     you with Eren/Levi smut (the good, kinky kind, like the kind that
     will most /definitely/ be in here).
     Right now it's also before Levi met Isabel and Farlan, too.
     Here's the cottage I imagined would be perfect for my gay babies
     (http://cdn.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Cottage-in-
     forrest-house-hansel-and-Gretel.jpg)
***** Chapter 3 *****
Chapter Notes
     *receiving weird looks from family members because your listening to
     your k-pop playlist too loud*
     *sighs*
     Hope you enjoy, comments make my shitty days better
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Starting the shower, making sure the temperature wasn't too hot nor too cold,
"Rogue" looks behind him towards the younger male. 
 
He's just awkwardly standing in the bathroom doorway, twirling his long, black
fringe nervously with his long fingers. "Rogue" would have to cut his hair,
it's much too long, and the look doesn't suit him quite right...
 
When did he start to think the other male would want to stay with him? Fuck,
"Rogue" didn't even know the shitty brat's name! 
 
Sighing, before standing, hearing his bones crack and pop in a painfully
delicious relief, he turns to look at the smaller male face to face. 
 
"Are you going to stand there and dirty up my hallway and waste my hot water,
or are you going to wash your ass and put those towels and clothes I got you to
use?" He says, almost wincing at the sharp tone of his voice. He doesn't say
that the clothes were the smallest size he had, and yet they'd be far from a
perfect fit for the ravenette. 
 
He walks out of the bathroom at the jerky nod he receives, trying to ignore the
dejected face looking strictly at the floor. What the fuck is wrong with him?
Yelling at some poor boy that he was helping, just because he found him
attractive? 
 
He sighs, boiling water in the pot over the now roaring fire. After a few
minutes, he puts rice in, making a larger batch for the, "Rogue" is guessing,
starving boy. He doesn't try to listen to the sounds emitting from behind the
bathroom door. No need to go full pervert mode.
 
After the rice is finished cooking, he places the amount into one large bowl,
placing two smaller ones on opposite sides of the small table close to the
fireplace, placing chopsticks next to the bowls and glasses of water on the
opposite side. 
 
He feels ridiculous. Was he seriously starting to get so nervous because of
some brat that he started to get out the nicest china he had to serve said,
admittedly gorgeous, and seemingly perfect, brat? 
 
He sighed heavily, head hanging low, hands gripping his long hair rather
tightly. He heard the water in the shower stop, after a long time, the bathroom
going quiet. He had left lotion and face moisturizer he had found that he knew
was for the Royal family, smelling like what the bottle had described as
'petrichor'. 
 
He couldn't help but hope the boy liked it. He looked the type to smell like
'natural, real rain water'. 
 
Fuck, he needed to learn this kid's name. 
 
After an even longer time period, the small ravenette emerged out from the
bathroom, dressed in a white longsleeve shirt that reached his thighs, and
"Rogue's" only sweatpants, that were rolled up. His hair was still dripping,
but looked brushed (hopefully he saw the spare brush "Rogue" had left out on
the counter...), cheeks flushed adorably, and just looked even more pretty,
even with the stray faded bruises and cuts.
 
"Rogue" waved a hand towards the opposite side of the table, seeing blueish-
grey eyes widen at the large amount of white sticky rice and fresh water on
perfectly clean dishes. 
 
He sat on folded legs, thin black eyebrows furrowed in utter confusion. "Why
are you doing this for me?" He asked, voice sounding like it was on the verge
of breaking. "Rogue" wished to bring the younger in his arms to hold tightly. 
 
Because I desire to take care of you, he wished to say, but that would be
moving way too fast. 
 
"How old are you?" He says instead, head tilted to the side again. The other
looked wary, looking at each and every one of "Rogue's" features, before
looking like he just gave up. As if he accepted the idea of "Rogue" doing this
for his own dastardly intentions. 
 
He shruggs before saying in his quiet tone of voice, "Sixteen, if I'm guessing
the date right," but it sounded more like 'I have no actual idea how old I
am'. 
 
"Rogue" scowls before answering the other's question. "I can't let some kid
whose bruised and obviously starving be dirty and cold in some alleyway."
 
"You do this for every kid you see then?" The boy asks sarcastically, one
eyebrow raised high. 
 
"Rogue" rolls his eyes. "No, because usually I have food in a bag that I give
them, because I have a few regulars coming to me begging for food," he answers,
before pouring black, spicy smelling sauce over his rice, eating slowly as if
to savor the flavor. 
 
He looks over at the other whose looking at his own bowl awkwardly. "You going
to eat it with your mind?" He asks after swallowing his mouthful of flavored
rice, looking over at the sauce bottle. 
 
"Would you like some sauce before you finish your bowl?" He asks, continuing
his teasing. The boy scowls before he looks over at said bottle. 
 
"It smells familiar," he mutters, as if the scent reminds him of something. 
 
"Rogue" shrugs before pouring a little more into his bowl.
 
"Just fucking eat already before I get malnourished from looking at you, brat."
Chapter End Notes
     These two are so awkward... Like, I want the badass love story to
     move forward, get to the good part, but these two are like 'nooo, we
     want a slowbuuiiiild!'
     Whatever. I like leaving my chapters in the middle of conversations,
     I've noticed. If anyone has any requests for this or anything else,
     they're always welcome.
     'Till next time, darlings! ^^
***** Chapter 4 *****
After washing the dishes, "Rogue" thought about what the sleeping arrangements
would be.
 
A part of him wanted to suggest that they sleep together, but then the rational
part of his brain said no, fucktard. 
 
Another part didn't want the boy to let him sleep on his, rather comfortable,
mattress, but "Rogue" wasn't a complete asshole; his mother instilled manners
in his system before she died when he was a child. 
 
The boy just sat awkwardly at the small table like before, fingering his long
fringe like before in the bathroom, probably coming to terms with what has
happened. "Rogue" wishes to know if it was just today or his whole life that he
was reminiscing at this moment.
 
"Brat," "Rogue" so lovingly calls out, the boy showing an expression that said
he thought the same. 
 
"Would you like to sleep on the bed?" He asks, pointing a finger lazily behind
the small ravenette when he was met with a confused stare from silver orbs. 
 
"..."
 
"What, you thought I'd kick you out as soon as you finished digesting your meal
that rivals the Capital's?" "Rogue" asks, annoyance creeping into his voice.
The boy flinches slightly, the second time the man before him has had actual
emotion thread with his words. 
 
"I don't know...," the boy mutters. "Rogue" wants to be annoyed by the
mumbling, but the male in front of him resembles a kitten too much for his own
good. 
 
"How have you survived this long?" "Rogue" asks, not really meaning to say that
outloud. Blue tinted silver eyes widen, before looking down again rejectedly. 
 
Fucking shit, stop doing that! 
 
He sighs, bringing a hand to run through dark brown locks, before thinking his
actions through. 
 
"How about we start with a name so I don't keep thinking 'boy'?" He says,
crossing arms over his broad chest, eyebrow raised high. 
 
The younger looks over him, up and down, looking closely at his covered ears,
having not seen them the whole time he's been in "Rogue's" presence.
 
His eyes soften slightly, before meeting teal-gold.
 
"Levi."
 
"Name would suit you better if you cut that hair," "Rogue" says. Levi wants to
say it back, but the hair does fit with the nickname. 
 
He brings slender fingers to his now, blackberry smelling, soft hair, feeling
silky for probably the first time in his life. 
 
"Would it?" He whispers. His mother never got the chance to cut either of their
hair.
 
"Rogue" nods slightly, watching the bo---Levi, "Rogue" reminds himself, wistful
expression. 
 
Levi thinks about his mother, what he can remember, before looking up at
"Rogue".
 
"What's your name?" Levi asks. "I'm sure 'Rogue' isn't your real name." "Rogue"
knew the question was bound to come up, but he wasn't sure he wanted his real
name to be known, especially considering his rapid liking to Levi. 
 
"Why do you want to know?" He asks instead. Levi gives him a 'what-do-you-
fucking-think' look that makes "Rogue" want to laugh, smirking instead. 
 
Levi notices the smirk, blushing slightly. "It's common courtesy, isn't it, to
exchange names?" Is all he can come up with, but he still feels like it's a
lame excuse. 
 
"Rogue" hums like he agrees---he thinks it sounds like something a low-life
thug would say, but he sees the self-depreciating look in silver eyes, so he
keeps his mouth shut. 
 
"If you stay, then can you handle learning my name?" He asks, chin resting in
his palm. He starts to feel slightly reluctant to cut the other's hair so
quick---if he stays, he'll cut it, free of charge, like everything else. 
 
Levi looks up, shock evident on his face, looking only slightly reluctant. He's
heard things about "Rogue", like everyone else in the Underground, but he's
never heard anything about him raping anyone or hurting kids---it was mostly
him protecting them, and just not giving a fuck when he wasn't in a rage. 
 
He blinks slowly before nodding, saying a soft "Yes," wondering why his heart
was pounding so fast. 
 
 
 
 
 
"Rogue" made a little nest near the bed, knowing there was an even lower chance
of sleeping with Levi here than usual. 
 
He moves his head to the side of his pillow, keeping the wince from the rustle
being made from the move, sounding like utensils cluttering in the otherwise
silent night, save for the fire dying. 
 
He closes his eyes, images of the day, mostly Levi, playing in his mind. 
 
He's hopeless, it seems. 
 
He hears an almost inaudible sigh coming from the bed, the rustle of limbs
moving restlessly under the covers. 
 
"Can't sleep, kid?" He asks quietly. He hears a hum, smiling at the quiet hey
when Levi seems to realize the 'kid'.
 
"It's comfortable," Levi leaves it at that, as if that's explanation enough. 
 
And it is.
 
"Rogue" remembers when he first lived here, having a place to rest his head at
night. It was still lonely as fuck, but years of being alone at night had made
it seem normal.
 
But having another person, a person who he, as far as he's concerned, wouldn't
mind seeing in the following mornings (mornings, you hear that brain?
Mornings). 
 
"Do you...need something specific?" "Rogue" asks, feeling extremely awkward. He
doesn't know what to do in this sort of situation. The closest his mother had
told him to do in this situation is 'scream and thrash around' or 'make sure
you know the person, please'. 
 
He feels like the latter was more of a personal one. 
 
The pregnant silence is deafening, heavy in "Rogue's" lungs. Fuck, what doe-
 
"I'm not sure what I want, Rogue," Levi says quietly. "Rogue" feels the same.
 
"Well, if your not sure of something, it's probably best you don't do whatever
your not sure of," he says, more to himself than the other. He almost instantly
regrets it, but then Levi turns it right around when he says,
 
"But what if I really want it to happen?" 
 
Fuck. 
 
"Rogue" tightens his grip on his pillow, before letting out a slow breath. 
 
"What exactly is it that you really want to happen?" 
 
The silence lasts long enough for "Rogue" to understand the meaning for it. 
 
"You don't know my real name."
 
"I don't even know my own last name. And it's your own damned fault for not
telling me your name. If you don't want me, then fucking say so," Levi says,
sounding bitter. "Rogue" winces, would probably laugh if it were someone else. 
 
He sits up, blanket pooling at his waist. He turns, hearing his back pop, then
gets up, walking toward the side of the bed Levi is facing. Resting a knee on
it, dropping his hands on either side of the male's face, meeting blue-tinted
silver with gold-tinted teal. 
 
"My name is Eren."
 
Levi continues to look up, before reaching up, brushing fingers into long, dark
brown locks, seeing pointed ears. 
 
He's shocked, yes, but he's seen a lot of things in his life, and "Ro"---Eren,
has been nothing but honest; kind, even. 
 
He looks back into half-lidded teal eyes, the gold melding beautifully with the
deep green and pretty blue. 
 
"Have you ever had so big a secret, one that you wish to both scream out, and
stash it away, so far away it disappears from existence?" He whispers, hot
breath on Levi's cheeks, Levi's lips. 
 
He licks them, before nodding. 
 
"Once. It wasn't that big, but wearing girl's makeup and liking it as a child
is hardly a secret worth keeping hidden like what you're implying," he whispers
back. 
 
Eren lets out a huff of a laugh, letting a small smile slip onto his face. Levi
is suprised by how much he is pleased by the sight before him. 
 
"I can turn into one of those monsters the people above have to deal with."
 
"Titans?" Levi asks, eyebrows furrowing together.
 
Eren nods, bringing his hair back to show his ears fully, then showing how
blunt his teeth is more than the average human.
 
"I can heal from any wound," he says, and Levi thinks about earlier today, when
Eren gave him his two knives, and how that was more of a bluff than anything. 
 
He isn't that angry, surprisingly. He's more emotional about the part what
happened today---it feels like years ago. 
 
"Well, you don't eat people, do you?" Levi asks. Eren gives him a 'what-the-
fucking-hell-do-you-think?' look. 
 
"Don't go around raping people? Hurting those helpless and innocent?" He
continues, Eren saying a 'no, of course not.'
 
"Then, you're not a monster; you're just not completely human," he says,
running fingers through dark brown hair again. Eren gives him a look Levi can't
describe, but it looks hungry in an utterly delectable way. 
 
"You're more human than most, it sounds. I can tell, from what I've been
experiencing today; from what I've heard," he whispers. 
 
"Aren't you talkative today?" Eren asks, shifting his arms when Levi moves to
lay on his back. 
 
Levi shrugs, before bringing his gaze back up to Eren's eyes from his collar
bones that look yummy. 
 
Maybe he's a Titan shifter, too? 
 
"I'm just awkward; no ones ever been nice to me before, other than my mother,
and she's dead," he says. Eren nods and hums in agreement. 
 
They stare at each other before Eren lays down beside Levi on the bed. 
 
"You're helping me wash the sheets on the floor tomorrow---and the bathroom."
 
Levi nods, before moving as close to the other as he could, wishing he could
just jump into those arms already.
***** Chapter 5 *****
Chapter Notes
See the end of the chapter for notes
They slept that night back to back, the first time for each of them. 
 
Eren fell asleep wondering what exactly he was doing, awake for what felt like
forever but was only an hour, much shorter than how late into the early morning
he usual he stayed up. Levi fell asleep much earlier than Eren, wondering if he
should stay with the mysterious man, wondering if it was attraction making him
want to or his natural survival instincts. 
 
Eren woke up later than he usually did, having the best sleep he's ever had,
even better than when his mother was alive.
 
'Oh goddess, don't start thinking about her.'
 
He sat up slowly, trying not to wake the still sleeping bundle of skin, bones,
and soft looking hair beside him. He stretches his arms above his head, feeling
more than hearing his bones creaking, smothering his yawn. He feels wide awake,
but more relaxed. 
 
Fuck, if having the little shit next to him as he sleeps makes his nights
easier to keep his eyes closed in a dreamless sleep, he'll deal with a teenager
for as long as that snark will last. 
 
He looks back at said little shit (fuck is he short), seeing only the back of
him, ravenette on his side, hair pooling around his head, in quite a craze. 
 
'He looks like the type to have an undercut.'
 
Well, if he decides to stay, Eren would gladly give him one. Although, now that
the idea might become a real-life act, he thinks he'll miss the long hair---it
isn't such a bad look on the youngster.
 
'Don't use the word youngster---you're not that old, and you're not that
creepy, no matter how much you think the little twerp is attractive.'
 
Eren groans softly, blowing at a long strand of dark brown hair falling in
front of his face, it coming back to the place it resides on moments before,
annoyingly. Fuck, even his own hair wants to fuck with him. 
 
He starts when Levi (such a nice name, his mother chose wisely) breath skips,
the room going almost completely quiet, save for the small 3-foot grandfather
clock in the corner of the room. 
 
Levi breathes a slow breath in, then relaxes, breathing in deeply, in and out. 
 
He's cute. Too cute to keep around and not end up liking, especially if he's as
much of a jackass and clean freak as Eren. His mother taught him that
cleanliness was some times the only thing you had, and that you cherish what
you had and worked for the things you don't yet. 
 
She often emphasized 'yet'.
 
Eren looks back at the grandfather clock, having not actually looked at the
time 'dumb fuck', seeing it was still early in the morning. He gets up slowly,
making sure the blanket around Levi was still wrapped around him comfortably. 
 
He walks over to the fireplace, starting to fill the pot he had washed the
night before with water from the jug he kept inside, making a mental note to go
outside and fill it up again with the water in the wishing well a few feet from
behind the little cottage he called home. 
 
He starts making tea, getting out the bread he had made not long ago, and the
marmalade that was being kept cool in a small ice box near the fireplace. A
breakfast his mother would make him, when she could, making sausages and eggs,
a fruity jam instead of marmalade. When cooler weather came drafting into the
Underground and she had more money, she'd make hot chocolate.
 
Traditional to their heritage, she had said. His father was the race his
mother's family moved to, being a part of both of their cultures, Carla trying
to give Eren a piece of her family's homeland food and her second home's. 
 
While he had a few good memories of his father, the man had left him, and he
never heard of him again after his mother had died of a sickness no one would
grant a cure for anybody in the Underground. 
 
He hears a quiet yawn from the direction of the bed, turning his head slightly
to see Levi stretch his skinny body, looking similar to a cat; lithe and
graceful, despite the ragged hair and unhealthy skinny form. 
 
He needed more bread than Eren did. 
 
"I'm not going to even ask if you're hungry; you look like you haven't eaten a
damn thing in weeks. When you're awake enough to stand, there's tea here," Eren
calls out, voice cutting through the quiet morning air, though his voice is
actually pretty quiet. 
 
He wished he could open the shutters to see the morning sun his mother told him
about, but he didn't have windows---or access to sunlight. 
 
He puts the heated bread onto a plate, placing the marmalade onto the table by
the bread with a knife. If Levi used it against him, Eren thinks that he
wouldn't mind dying from a being so beautiful. 
 
And that's when he stops with the crazy thoughts and start thinking rationally.
 
"When you're done we're cleaning this place up, then you can clean yourself up;
I know you bathed yesterday, but I feel like your germs spread before I could
contain them," he continues, Levi sitting on the pillow in front of the table
opposite him, going straight for the black tea Eren made.
 
"That's hot, and strong. If you've never had it before, I'd suggest having
small sips to get used to the flavor." 
 
Levi finally looks up at Eren, glaring with tires grey eyes, the fire
reflecting in his eyes, blue swirling in the grey beautifully. 
 
Carla would've called those eyes everlasting. Eternal, timeless. Gorgeous in an
ethereal, exotic way not common in the Underground, where everyone either had
blue or brown eyes. 
 
Eren would agree tremendously. 
 
They eat together, the silence between comfortable in an utterly awkward way,
the atmosphere slowly but surely suffocating Eren. He doesn't wish to rush the
boy before him, but he needs to decide if living with Eren was something he
wished to do, having the man train him, cook for him. Teach him life skills he
learned from both his own parents and his own experiences. 
 
Levi finished his second piece of bread, leaving all of his crumbs on the plate
(oh thank Goddess), drinking the last bit of his lukewarm tea. He drank it like
a champ, making Eren wonder if he had drank the tea before. 
 
He sees those pretty, half-lidded light blue eyes, bow lips frowning. 
 
What, what does he want?
 
"I've decided that I want to stay with you, and become stronger," Levi says in
one breath. Eren keeps quiet, more to look over Levi's face for what must be
the twentieth time in the last five minutes, and to create unneeded suspense. 
 
He then shruggs, just to piss Levi off, saying a loose "Okay."
 
"Th-that's it---'okay?'" Levi asks, voice incredulous. Eren looks back up into
grey-blue orbs, face and voice unemotional, calm. 
 
"Yeah, that's it. I asked you, and you agreed. You're what, fifteen? Sixteen?
You're an adult, you can make you're own decisions, I'm not you're master. And
I'm not going to throw a damned party; I'm the best at stealing, but fuck if
I'm going to waste that on a party for two," he says, taking his last bite of
bread, wiping his face and hands, before starting to wash the dishes in his pot
meant for cleaning dirty dishes. 
 
"Go clean your hair and face, then help me clean this place up. I haven't in
two days, I can practically hear the dust piling up."
Chapter End Notes
     I need a beta...
     Any suggestions for this or any other work is welcome, or something
     new.
***** Chapter 6 *****
Chapter Notes
     I like, DeSpeRatElY need a Beta. And not just for editing, but to get
     me out of these writer's block...funks(?)
     Anyways, y'know the drill. Requests or whatever is welcome, don't
     like, I don't give a fuck. You do, imagine a short person giving you
     a hug magically, I don't fucking know.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
It was approximately, Eren guessed, two weeks later, that
their....relationship, if you could call it that, moved forward. 
 
Well, more like an old man with a stump for one of his legs trying to skip, was
better. 
 
Eren never quite realized how bad at human interaction he was until he met
Levi. Fuck, the realization hadn't quite crept in until two days into living
with the other male. 
 
For the two weeks, all they've done is clean, Eren train Levi like the true
warrior Eren knew Levi was inside, and sleep in the same bed. Oddly enough, it
wasn't awkward, and as tempting as the idea was, they didn't do anything
sexual. 
 
At this point, their whole relationship was platonic in a sense that the both
of them was starting to care for the other on a personal level rather than a
sexual one. While both Levi and Eren had feelings for each other, only growing
more and more intense the longer the two was near the other, they were both
awkward, and it'd be the first ever relationship the two would have. If either
of them tried to pursue the other. 
 
While Eren silently berated himself to just grow a pair of balls already, Levi
chastised himself for bothering the mystery of a man, for becoming more and
more infatuated with him every day he was near him. 
 
Eren had noticed, though, how quickly Levi was to learn and master things.
While his Achilles heel would always, in Eren's mind, would be drawing (which
he found cute, for some odd reason) he was a master at everything else, it
seemed. 
 
Eren had heard, while out on runs, taking Levi with him, that recently men and
women from the military started to take interests in the people in the
Underground. Eren speculated with Levi that it was probably for recruits, most
likely for the Survey Corps. And while he could see how that would work, and
why the military would do such a thing, it still disgusted him. 
 
To prey on those that have basically no other choice, leading them to their
ultimate demise... It broke down a lot of what little hope he had for humanity.
And while he could imagine and hope that the world would, one day, become a
better place to live in like his mother had, he knew that there was little
chance of that. 
 
That humans would ever stop being greedy, that there could be people out there
everywhere kind hearted and not starving.
 
Levi seemed to feel the same. It made a stormy look pass over his features, his
eyes looking gorgeous despite the angry look in his eyes. He was getting better
at masking his emotions, something he refrained from doing, most of the time,
whenever it was just the two of them in their little home. 
 
When Eren started to refer to it being their home, he doesn't remember, but he
doesn't correct his thoughts. It doesn't feel wrong, and Levi is looking more
healthy and, dare he say, happy the longer he stays by Eren's side.
 
It was night, right now, the grandfather clock across the room from their bed
indicating it to be past 11. Levi was laying on his side, facing away from
Eren, the outline of his body looking as shapely as always even in the dark.
Eren's... abilities, allowed for his senses to be probably ten times more
heightened than the average human. 
 
He didn't know if it was the same for actual Titans. Or, if there was others
out there like him (which he didn't doubt for a second that there was), if they
were as enhanced as his. 
 
He could hear Levi's heartbeat slowly get quicker, his breathing not as deep as
it was when he was asleep. His breath stutters, back moving with the big deep
breath he inhaled. 
 
Levi was still for a few minutes before he turned around, eyes even more narrow
then usual, looking into Eren's immediately. 
 
"Eren," he whispers, turning to his other side completely. His hair was a mess,
Eren thought fondly, wishing he could bring a hand up to stroke at the silky,
black locks. 
 
"Levi," he answers, low voice as quiet as Levi's. The younger has a light pink
tinge to his cheeks, his eyes burning a bright grey, the blue being swallowed
by the almost concrete colour. 
 
Levi stays quiet, his heart beat going faster, making his breath quicken, the
intakes hitching every so often. 
 
He slowly brings his body up from the waist up, hands holding him up from the
bed. He moves closer to Eren, moving so he was hovering above him. Eren looked
up at him from below almost expectantly, eyes with swirling green, blue and
gold moving from one of Levi's features to the other, mostly his eyes and
lips. 
 
He brings a tan hand up, larger than Levi's, to his pale cheek, the cheekbone
jutting out from above the still there baby fat. The skin is so soft and smooth
feeling, he can smell his scent from where he was. 
 
Levi's eyes can't seem to figure out where they want to stay, either. "I think
you understand how I feel by now, right?" He asks, his head tilting to the
side. 
 
Eren doesn't make any movement other than stroking his thumb against Levi's
cheek, but the stutter it makes at the younger's words is enough of an answer
for Levi. 
 
"And I suppose, that you don't feel the same?" He whispers, voice sounding
embarrassed and on the verge of tears. It breaks Eren's heart. And he isn't
quite sure what to do. 
 
He remembers, before he learned how to become stronger, that whenever he cried,
his mother would push his face into her neck, stroking the tips of his ears and
the top of his hands. She'd whisper her love for him, and sing in a foreign
language no one knew anymore, though the people around him have said words
similar to what his mother would say. 
 
So, Eren raises his other hand, to the back of Levi's head, lowering it and his
own eyelids until there is only a few centimeters between their lips. 
 
"You should allow me to speak for myself, Levi," he whispers before bringing
their lips together, in an almost ghost of a kiss. A tease as to what Levi
wishes, what Eren wishes. 
 
He pulls back, smiling ever so softly at Levi's slowly opening eyes, his now
bright pink blush. 
 
"We need to cut your hair, it makes you look ten," he teases, fingers tangling
themselves into the strands. Levi's eyes narrow in mock-annoyance, doing a
dramatic eyeroll.
 
"Well, excuse the fuck out of me," he mutters, looking to the side. Eren
breathes out a laugh before bringing their lips together again, making full
contact. 
 
He moves his hand down to Levi's back, making him lower himself to Eren's
body. 
 
They kiss for quite a long time before Eren makes him go to bed, with the
promise to cut his hair in the morning. 
Chapter End Notes
     You guys should listen to deathbeds by bring me the horizon, it fits
     what I think Levi feels about Eren.
     I'm thinking of doing a Tokyo ghoul/snk crossover,
     A mental institution one with a slice of supernatural and
     psychological aspects,
     A tribal au,
     And a kitsune!Levi au.
     Tell me what you think, because I'm not sure if I should do just one
     shots for some of them or make it into a story, so please review!
     And if anyone wants to be a Beta for me, please let me know asap.
***** Chapter 7 *****
Chapter Notes
     On Twitter, look up @unap and @sn_kaky, those two art styles is how I
     imagine Eren and Levi in this equally (though with Eren's rogue titan
     hair).
     Just FYI, if you read any of unap's fancomic's, you may come across
     past Levi/Erwin and/or Erwin/Levi/Eren, and in just Levi/Eren ones
     there is a sort of underlining weird father/son aspect with Erwin and
     Levi in them with Erwin being kind of creepy in my opinion, but
     whatever. I still love their art, I'm just an Erwin hater, and
     anyone's who've read the manga or at the very least have watched the
     No Regrets Ovas, you may or may not understand why he's not my
     favorite---hence why he isn't so fun in my works.
     Too much rambling on my part, hope you enjoy, I guess *shruggs*
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Levi sits on a stool in front of the bathroom mirror that wasn't here the whole
month, he estimates, he's been here with Eren. 
 
Eren is currently combing through his hair gently, slowly as if he's memorizing
the feeling. Levi doesn't mind, he's feeling slightly anxious; he's had this
long of hair since he was a child, and to see it being cut in a few moments
will probably give him flash backs of what he remembers of his mother. 
 
Eren seems to get out of whatever whirlwind of thoughts he was lost in, looking
in Levi's reflection to get an affirmation to continue on from the younger.
Levi nods once, looking at Eren's hands as he grabs the scissors---that look
kind of dull---seeing Eren run the comb through a certain lock of hair before
he hears, more so than feels, the strands being cut. 
 
Levi stays still, looking down at the sink unless Eren guides his head in a
different angle, this process going on for a while until the grandfather clock
in the other room rings it's low, dull drone. Levi wonders if someone would be
able to hear it from outdoors, but throws that thought away in his mental
wastebasket when he starts to get an anxious pain in his chest. 
 
He doesnt realize Eren is at the shaving part of doing his undercut until he
feels the razor at the back of his head, trying to not back away from the sharp
object. Eren stops every two swipes of shaving to wipe away the shaving cream
and hair off of the straight razor on a white rag, his face calm. 
 
It takes probably a half hour to finish the process until Eren is completely
satisfied with how his new hairdo looks, going so far as to run his hand
through Levi's hair, fingers straying at the buzz of the prickly hair on the
bottom. It makes Levi practically keen, wishing that Eren would do this
nonstop. 
 
Eren eventually backs away, looking at Levi in the mirror. "Well?" He asks, one
shapely dark brown eyebrow raised high. 
 
Levi turns around when he's done looking at himself in the mirror, feeling
self-conscious from how long he was staring at his reflection, something he's
never seen before he met Eren. 
 
"I love it," he says, bringing a hand to his hair, not being able to stop
touching it. Something akin to a smile graces Eren's face, his hand going to
Levi's neck. 
 
"Good, that's all I wanted," he leaves it at that, eyes not moving from Levi's.
Levi isn't sure if he should try to kiss him like he had the night before. He
wants to; fuck, he'd do it constantly if he could, but he isn't sure what
exactly Eren wants out of this. 
 
Eren seems to make the decision for him, though, bending down to met Levi's
gaze, hand moving from his pulse point on his neck to his chin to lift it up. 
 
"You're somehow more attractive with an undercut, and that seemed damn near
impossible an hour ago," he whispers, eyes on Levi's bow-shaped lips before
bringing his own to them lightly, tilting his head. 
 
Levi closes his eyes slowly, feeling all too serene for something as small as a
kiss. But it feels somehow right, in Levi's head, to do this. To not be doing
this at all sounds horrible. He doesn't really care, at the moment, about the
outside world. About anything but this moment, because it's just so precious
for him not to feel absolutely ecstatic about. 
 
So he leans in more to Eren's kiss, going so far as to wrap his arms around
Eren's neck, feeling hand grab his hips. And while Levi thinks that one day
maybe the two of them could take a kiss like this a step forward, going into
uncharted waters to something that would most likely give Levi complete
ecstasy, he's more than content with just this. And if wanting this was so bad,
he didn't mind being a bad guy at all.
 
 
 
 
 
By the time the end of that day, Eren and Levi can say that they are lovers and
not wonder if the word was an accurate term for the two of them. 
 
And as wonderful the feeling is to be able to call the other his, there are
other matters that need to be reviewed. 
 
The military, garbed in mostly Survey Corps uniforms, have been seen more and
more recently. While the sources Eren had that were loyal to him (for
protection and food) said that they haven't been anywhere out of the range of
the opening to the Underground, it still worried Eren. 
 
What, or when, exactly would they meet and ultimately capture him and Levi.
They have, in the short time they've been spotted and been around each other in
the Underground, gained the reputation of the two strongest in the whole place.
And Eren wouldn't be surprised if the Survey Corps hadn't not heard of them
yet. Granted, when they did, they'd definitely want them to join, and if Levi
and Eren agreed to it willingly the first time or not most likely did not
matter to them. 
 
Rumor has been going around that the Commander of the Survey Corps, a man
supposedly bigger than Eren, has been trying to find Levi and him. And that
pissed Eren off beyond belief. Not so much about him, but more that he wanted
Levi. 
 
Fuck, as if he'd let some man take Levi away from him. He wouldn't let Levi
touch the Commander with a ten-foot pole if he could help it. Call him a
possessive monster, but that man was an unknown threat, and he would not let
his lover---no matter how strong he was, and he was; he rivaled Eren's
strength, and that said something---be thrown into the mess above ground. The
closest he wanted Levi to be near a Titan was with him. 
 
And he said so to Levi, who just shrugged and said 'alright.'
 
Ah, how he adored the little man. 
 
Eren shook his head, feeling the straps on the 3dmg to make sure they were
sorted correctly. This wouldn't be the first time the two of them would have
trained with the militaries gear, but Eren could never say he was completely
satisfied with Levi and his training until they could do this crap with the
both of their eyes closed; which would probably never happen, of Eren could
help it. 
 
Maybe he was being overprotective, but Levi was someone he has come to care so
much for in so little of time, and whether that was because the two of them
have been lonely for a long time or not was something Eren could go over
later. 
 
Levi was looking down at Eren, seeming to find no other thing to do but finding
pleasure in it. It was enough to make Eren blush if his skin tone was a few
shades lighter, similar to Levi's no longer sickly looking tone. Levi meets
Eren's eyes, a small smile forming on his face, one that others would barely be
able to place, but for Eren was enough for him to see his whole being basically
brightened up. 
 
Eren returned the sentiment, grabbing the younger's hand to kiss his knuckles
gently, biting the tip of his middle finger. Levi visibly shudders, a light
blush forming on his face. "You're quite cute like that, but we need to do
this. Later I can kiss the shit out of you," Eren whispers softly enough for
Levi only to hear, never feeling safe enough unless they were in their cabin. 
 
They start to stretch again, this time with the maneuver gear on. Eren wasn't
able to get one with a blade cartridge, but the gas tanks were plenty enough;
they've been doing great on their runs, whether it was for food or to get
something for a measly merchant who wanted more than what their hands could
carry. 
 
They continued until Eren deemed them ready enough to actually go on their run
now. They start out with a few simple twists and turns in the air until people
look up at them, getting their eyeful until they seem to stop caring, going
through their day once more. Eren is only a few feet from Levi, keeping him in
his view clearly. They were to get a few papers for a merchant, getting in
return soaps and teas meant for the royal family. While Levi thought that maybe
it was a bit of an unfair trade; risking their lives for maybe five dishes of
soaps and two leaf bags, but Eren assured the younger that he'd make sure it
was worth the risk. 
 
And if the merchant or any one else made this more trouble than it was worth,
hurting Levi, he'd make them pay. 
Chapter End Notes
     Ha hAHA! Cliffhanger!
     I /suppose/ I'll make Farlan in the next chapter. Who knows *shruggs*
     Hoped you enjoyed this crap, because my arthritis is kicking in for
     the third time today.
***** Chapter 8 *****
Chapter Notes
     God... I was in such a rut of a writer's block with this that I was
     like ,,,,,,, um, what even is my life anymore.
     Anyways, any requests for this or other stories are always open. And
     your comments are always so nice and amazing to read, they make my
     day, so thank you to those who read my work and kudos them and shit.
     It's... appreciated, to say the least.
See the end of the chapter for more notes
Levi couldn't help but to roll his eyes, his strain to make it all the more
dramatic-looking making his eyeballs hurt, earning Eren's own eyeroll and
silent scoff. 
 
The military were at it again, the 'patrolling' of the neighborhoods in the
Underground, picking at people or taking them from here to the world above.
Speculations and gossipers were saying that it was to recruit them into the
military, willing or not. 
 
People were also saying that they were looking for Levi and Eren, considering
how they must've found out one way or another that they were stronger than
everyone here and had access to 3D Maneuvering Gear. While Levi had  put on a
nonchalant face on when this information first came forward to him and his...
lover?
 
Okay, not the time, Levi.
 
Anyways, he seemed to be calm and able to take in the news, but inside he was
in an incredible whirlwind of worry and turmoil. 
 
Eren and him were just starting to get this whole thing going---though it
didn't take that long---, living together and knowing that the other had
feelings for him. It was stable and calm, unlike anything Levi's had in his
life before. 
 
The closest thing to this he had was when he was under Kenny's care, but he was
pretty shit at taking care of the small boy at the time, and he often
disappeared until one day when he just up and left and Levi never saw him
again. 
 
He kind of hopes that he will never see that fucking ugly mug again. 
 
As of right now, Eren and Levi were overlooking a group of thugs follow a
blonde boy that couldn't be any older than Levi, who looked to be more of the
smart type instead of strong. 
 
Eren hated it when people preyed on others---said often when it came up that
they had Titans for that---but they both had a sense of understanding when it
happened down here. 
 
People were desperate for food and shelter, to be clean and have a steady
income. Hardly anybody here could trust any other person, though Levi had
quickly earned Eren's and vice versa, it wasn't always the same for others.
Hardly happened. 
 
Though, it still disappointed Levi when this sort of thing happened, robbing
and possibly (more often than not) hurting someone to gain what you didn't have
but needed. He was in such a position not that long ago, though he only took
from merchants and those who had more than they needed when they came down
below. 
 
"What are we gonna do, Er- Rogue," Levi asked, almost blurting out Eren's name.
Eren didn't like the idea of people knowing more about him then they should,
another thing he said. 
 
"Nothing, if those shitty, dirtbags do so as well. If the other little shit
needs the help, maybe we'll help. You can't judge a book by its cover," Eren
hums, looking around them like a man on the run, which they were.
 
Levi wouldn't even had known what a book was had it not been for Eren. He had
even told the younger man that he'd teach him to read and write when they got
the chance. He felt so greatful, though it'd probably take an eternity to
express to the tall brunnette how much he and everything he had done for him
had meant to Levi. 
 
Levi just nods and continues to watch the boy and the group he had trailing
him. The boy seemed to be carrying something, and by the way the men behind him
were tailing him and for how long, it was important. The blonde was doing a
terrible job of hiding the fact he was doing so, even with how high up Eren and
him were up on the crumbling building's rooftop. 
 
At the touch of Eren's large, warm hand on his shoulder, he looked up from his
perch to see Eren nod towards a set of military personnel below, not that far
behind the boy and the group of thugs. 
 
"It seems Blondie has something everyone wants a piece of."
 
Levi sighs, already feeling drained from the whole of this situation, despite
his veins being filled with adrenalin from all of this and being so close to
Eren. 
 
Why couldn't they just lay about like they did the night before and so on? 
 
Eren seemed to be able to guess what he was thinking, laughing on his breath,
and yet it was still the most beautiful sound Levi has ever heard other than
his mother's own laughter.
 
"I feel the same, little one, but we have things to do and settle. When this is
all over, I'll make you a nice dinner, you can take a bath, and we'll just lay
in bed together, alright?" Eren comforted him, a soft, yet small, smile on his
face. 
 
Beautiful. Just... Beautiful.
 
Levi nodded, feeling comfort, determination and a surge of hope swell inside of
him at Eren's words. They both looked down at the group of people, Levi still
feeling that twinge of slight fear, for Eren and himself. 
 
"Let's go, dear."
Chapter End Notes
     Thank you to Awsomekiller666 for kind of collaborating with me and
     supporting me on this work and other things, it was incredibly nice
     and very awesome (see what I did there) to speak with you.
     I also wanted to dedicate this work to another writer on here,
     'edwardelrichistheawesomeness'. They make great Eren/Levi stories,
     and other works for different ships, and they made this one story
     called 'Hush Now' that has a few aspects at the end I wanted to use
     for this, since it was very interesting and altogether beautiful for
     the storyline. The work also has a continuation called 'A Dance
     Amongst Demons', I'm sure it's called---you'll see it on their works
     page.
***** Chapter 9 *****
Chapter Notes
     It's like I don't know whether or not to do a time skip to where
     they're (Eren and Levi, if that wasn't obvious) in an intimate
     relationship or to just keep it at this pace or not, it's making me
     go insane.
     And I'm sorry for the wait, I'm finding I have quite the writer's
     block with this work...
See the end of the chapter for more notes
"Alright, see, you're better at this than you said you'd be; you already know
the difference between diphthongs and digraphs. I didn't know until maybe two
weeks into learning all of this shit."
 
Eren is leaning close to Levi on the table, looking over Levi's handiwork. It's
only been two days since their short watching of sorts of 'Blondie,' as Eren
nicknamed him. 
 
Nothing really happened, and Levi wasn't sure how to feel about that. The guy
obviously had something of some importance, and those men were tailing him for
quite a long while before they just stopped. Eren and Levi had followed after
him afterwards, Eren saying it'd be best to know more about him to see if it
was even worth the effort of watching over him. 
 
Somehow, they lost him, and even with Eren's Titan-abilities giving him
heightened senses, his scent had been practically scratched out from his
presence as the blonde male went into a busy part of the Underground.
 
Eren, being bitter about the lost, decided that Levi's literacy was a bigger
deal than some schmuck (Levi needed to remember that word, cursed one or not).
 
Levi appreciated it, though, even if it kind of felt like Eren was doing so
just so he wouldn't keep trying to think up of ways to figure out what that
blonde guy had. Levi just tried even harder to take in what Eren taught him,
knowing that this was of great importance. 
 
Levi practically glowed from the praise, his face alight in a light blush,
though with the weight of the warm temperature his cheeks were giving off, he
suspects he is a brighter shade of red than he would hope for. 
 
Eren smiles ever so softly at him, making him turn even more red, bringing a
hand to the top of his head, fingers running through black strands of silky
hair. 
 
"I suppose it's time to eat, isn't it? I can't have you fall over because I'm
not feeding you regularly and correctly."
 
"You don't need to worry about me so much, I've been taking care of myself for
a while before you came along," Levi sasses back, knowing that he had the
biggest pout on his face by how Eren seems to take great pleasure in looking at
him. 
 
"Of course you did; your very smart and strong, don't ever think otherwise,
sweetheart. I just want to take care of you because your so cute," he teases,
his hand lowering to caress his flushed cheek. 
 
"And that ass is surprisingly full and supple, I'd love to see what it looks
like when you're eating healthy food."
 
"Eren!" Levi squeals, immediately he hadn't said anything with how high his
voice had gotten. Eren just laughs at him, bringing his practically steaming
head to kiss his hair. 
 
"So cute," he hears Eren mutter, getting up to get started on their food. 
 
That was the first time in two days that Eren had initiated contact---of that
kind of affection---between them. Levi had become worried that it was all in
his head, and he can't help but to wonder what was Eren doing, exactly. What he
was thinking. 
 
Because surely, when you are in a more-than-platonic-relationship, you don't
just go and be all sweet and lovey-dovey one day, and then be awkward and
uncooperative the next few. And while Eren hadn't been comforting or
respectful, he hadn't been... 
 
He hadn't shown that romantic interest towards Levi that he had that one night.
 
While Levi was going through his last few days' inner turmoil, taking a moment
to take in that these were his problems now, Eren stirs the food in the boiling
pot, eyes never leaving the contained mix of ingredients. 
 
The space between the small, malnutritioned ravenette and him was tense and
awkward at the moment, and no matter how many times he opens his mouth to say
something, all that makes its presence known is the flaming ember. 
 
He knew that, at some point, he was going to fuck up this relationship. He was
incredibly stupid as to think that this beautiful, strong person who has
obviously been through a lot despite his obvious young age (hopefully not too
young), would wish to be anything more than protector and protectee. It
was ludicrous at best. 
 
Trying not to growl out in frustration with himself and his stupidity, he
places the now fully-cooked food on the appropriate dishes, placing the smaller
portioned one in front of his would-be lover, if fate and life were kind to
him. 
 
Levi seems to be in a trance of sorts like he was, eyes coming into focus at
the small tap of the glass on the wood of the small table, looking from the
food to Eren. 
 
"Ah, sorry. Thank you, Eren... for everything, I don't deserve any of this."
 
What the fuck?
 
"What do you mean?" Eren inquires, brown eyebrows furrowing in slight
frustration and absolute confusion, luckily only the latter being evident in
his tone of voice. 
 
Levi seems to want to curl in on himself, though whether it was stubbornness or
sheer will, Eren was sure it was something the smaller male was full of as he
sat up straighter, seeming to accept something he had concocted up in that
beautiful head of his. 
 
"I've been through a lot, and have done horrible things, like a lot of people
have done here. But, there are others more in need than I am---was. And the
fact that you chose me to take care of...
 
"It's," he continues after taking a deep intake of breath. "I can't explain it.
I'm not the best at speaking, but I just want you to understand that no matter
what our relationship may be, that you have my indebtedness and absolute
respect. You're an amazing person, and... yeah."
 
Eren just blinks for a few moments. It's been so many years since someone's
said anything half as nice as that to him, and that was only his mother
speaking to him, filling him with praises and love. 
 
Oh, Levi...
 
"You shouldn't feel like that, you know," he says, not exactly knowing where he
was going with this, but felt the need to let Levi know that he deserved the
best. Sure, they haven't known each other for very long, but to Eren he was as
easy to read as it was for him to cur vegetables to make a stew. 
 
"I chose you for, somewhat selfish reasons. 'Chose' is a poor word choice in my
opinion, but I did so because I wanted to be close to you," he continued,
seeing Levi blush once more, looking as confused as Eren did moments before. 
 
"You're a beautiful, strong person, Levi; it's clear as rain water. You're
incredibly enigmatic, and I wanted to know why, and the more I learned about
you, the more I wanted of you. I want whatever you'll let me have, be near to."
 
He can't stop, a flood-gate of sorts opening and falling down to the seams from
his throat; and seeing Levi's sparkling blue-grey eyes and his expressions that
would seem bored to others, but showing a million and one feelings to Eren, he
lingers.
 
"If you'll let me, I wish to court you. I want to protect you in any way I can,
whether just teaching you things while we're in a platonic relationship or not,
I just want to be near you. I'm full of shit that's going to be hard to deal
with, but I'd wait on hands and feet to wait for your answer to this."
 
Levi just continues to stare at him, and Eren wonders if maybe he said the
wrong things, that dropping this type of bomb on the young man was too much too
soon. Levi just said he's been through tough shit, and Eren pours out his
feelings with his heart out on his sleeve just to see if he can snogg and maybe
in the future make love with this person who needs help in any way he can get
it.
 
But Levi just surprises him like he's been doing since he's met him only a few,
seemingly long, days ago. 
 
Smiling, the biggest and softest yet, he brings his hands to Eren's cheeks from
across the small table, leaning over it to kiss him. 
 
Eren's never felt so happy from such a simple act before. 
Chapter End Notes
     I'm so tempted to have smut in the next chapter or two...
***** Chapter 10 *****
Chapter Notes
     I get so confused as to what to write for this, but when I get the
     energy/courage to, I just say 'fuck it' and end up writing what I
     feel; so sorry if this feels forced, or awkward---I'm an awkward
     person with no romantic experience because of said awkwardness,
     so....
Eating the food was easier after that; the air was more clearer, the spices
Eren had used more tangy and ripe, the pillows they sat on more comfortable
under his legs. 
 
Levi was honestly scared when Eren had started to talk about how amazing he
thought he was. He didn't think he deserved the praise, these past few days'
experiences. And maybe they were moving a little too fast for how short of a
time they've known each other, but Levi's never been in contact with a greater
person. 
 
In the Underground, especially permanently and on the streets, you learn body
language and how to asses both a situation and a person's goals. What they
wanted, how they'd act, what they may be thinking. And with that came the
sometimes difficult task of reading an unreadable person's emotions. 
 
With Eren---Rogue, when they met---it was hard. All he saw was a large man with
pretty eyes and skin and an outstretched hand that screamed memories and
hardships. It wasn't that uncommon, either, for someone to have a tough life
here, but what Levi could decipher in the swirling unknown that was Eren's eyes
were filled with sadness and understanding.
 
Eren knew how and what Levi was feeling right now, right then. And it was so
weird and too healthy of a thing for him to handle. When he took that hand, he
felt so much more numb than before for a whole other reason. 
 
Before, it was because he had to. If he felt what emotions were swirling in his
chest and in the back of his mind, he would've had a mental breakdown by now;
probably multiple ones. Whereas when he met Eren, he felt numb because what he
was feeling was so overwhelming and unknown to him that he didn't know how to
respond to it correctly. Suppress it or acknowledge it?
 
He kept up his guard, though. Just because someone was pretty and seemed to be
trustworthy didn't always mean that they were, despite how much that feeling
oozed off of Eren. He seemed so easy to fall into that way, though. He
practically screamed safety. 
 
It was what made Levi trust him, those eyes and hands. They were both big and
emotion-filled. Memories trying to break through and spill for the world to
see, but his mind not letting the man be vulnerable for once. 
 
Maybe he was, once, and that was why he was so emotionally constipated before.
Levi could relate on a spiritual level, almost. 
 
Which was what had made him so surprised and scared when he had practically
spilt his guts out onto the table between them for Levi to claw through on the
chance he'd like what he found. 
 
It was... weird. It was an insufficient word at best, but it was all Levi could
think of. His vocabulary wasn't top notch.
 
Now, they sat in silence, food finished and dishes washed, drying on a cloth
over a piece of wood nailed into the wall by the stove. Levi's heard that fire
and wood don't make a great mix, but somehow it was all the Underground was
available to other than bricks, which was more expensive and often had some
type of mold attached to it. 
 
At least wood was easy to replace. 
 
"What, exactly, do we both want from this?" Levi doesn't remember who had asked
that, but he knew it was important. It had been eating at his mind, what Eren
may want, what he was fishing for. 
 
"What do we need from this?" Was another question. It's all he feels like he
ever has, and it sucks on a tremendous level. 
 
"Better yet; what do we both plan to do?" 
 
After those three questions, they both sat still and stared at each other,
seeming to try and find the answers from body language itself, the light casted
from the dying fire all Levi would've been able to use to do so. He doesn't
know, really, if Eren has the ability to see in the dark, though he wouldn't
doubt it. Eren is a man of many capabilities and features---if seeing shit
clearly in complete darkness was a thing, then Levi just hoped he didn't look
stupid as he slept. 
 
"I want for us to be as happy as we can be together," Eren states, one cheek
rested in the palm of his hand. The action itself is full of boredom and being
absolutely done with something or someone, but Levi knows enough about Eren
that this means a lot to him, as well. 
 
"I do, too. If none of this works out, then I'd be crushed, but I want the best
for both of us. We should at least try to have this kind of relationship
instead of letting it tease us," Levi answers, being as truthful as he could
without getting overly romantic. That was all he needed; to be seen as some
sort of punk, girly-boy. Men who thought they were bigger and better than him
learned, in the end, how much of a 'girly-boy' he really was, as well as how
much it hurt when he punched and kicked at them until they were bloody and
bruised. 
 
Perhaps it was bad publicity or actions, but people had learned not to mess
with the Levi after the third time. 
 
"That's... good. That's great. I'm glad, I want the same. For however long, if
we're compatible that way, then I want... that," Eren stumbles, and it makes
Levi wonder just how much experience Eren has in these types of relationships.
He wonders if Eren has any sort of experience in any type of relationship---
platonic, romantic, sexual. 
 
"I just... want what's best for you. If you're uncomfortable or confused about
something, or upset, I want you to tell me, regardless if it hurts me or not. I
want complete honesty, because if I can't trust you with what you tell me about
how you feel, I can't trust you at all."
 
"Agreed," is all Levi says, and to be honest, it's all he really needs, right
now. He has a somewhat (what feels like) steady home, and someone he can
confide in and trust. Someone he may end up falling in love with. 
 
He doesn't know what that would feel like, or how he'd know should it happen,
but he feels like it's a valid possibility. With Eren, especially what he had
revealed to him days ago---what feels like years ago, in this timeless place---
anything seems to be possible. 
 
And so, he nods firmly, his hands that were caressing each other on top of the
table now laying by each side, almost calling out to Eren's to reach forward
and touch them. 
 
He gets a better answer when Eren moves around the table to sit beside him and
hugs him, larger body wrapped around his own, and he feels safe. 
 
He feels safe.
***** Chapter 11 *****
Chapter Summary
     Time skips and internal monologues in third person up ahead, so I'm
     sorry if this isn't as enjoyable as Levi riding Eren would be
     *shrugs*
Chapter Notes
     So, I've decided that this story shall come to its end rather
     quickly---smut will be in the fourteenth chapter (I'll put a warning
     on the chapter summary in case any of you forget), and fluff shall
     happen in the next and perhaps final chapter.
     Thank you for reading, and I hope as you (for everyone's case,
     enjoying what you're seeing) reading, your day/night is lovely and
     productive
See the end of the chapter for more notes
They slept that night peacefully, and the nights after that as well, the days
brighter despite the fact that the sun didn't shine in the Underground. Eren
was more apparent in his efforts to be affectionate, and Levi tried harder to
ease into the ministrations of being in an relationship. 
 
Its been weeks, and Eren's been busy teaching Levi how to work the stolen 3dmg
he has, and how to fight 'properly,' since apparently Kenny hadn't taught him
how to fight correctly. 
 
He thinks Eren is full of shit when he, even with his malnutrioned body, is
able to take down the taller male more than five times. 
 
When Eren isn't practically dueling with Levi, their 'days' are spent trying to
figure out what exactly that one blonde male had that had gained the attention
of both street thugs and the fucking military themself. He had left the
ravenette and brunette stumped, making the latter more irritated by the fact
that they couldn't find him after that. 
 
Levi tried to comfort him as best as he could, but he was feeling shitty about
it as well, and having someone who was hurt trying to make another hurt person
feel better was pretty shitty. They decided after a day filled with arguments
and awkward, tense silences that they shouldn't dwell on the mission of sorts. 
 
Levi's been staying in the cabin that was now both Eren and his home for what
Eren had assumed was five months, now, and he's never felt more healthy. Eren
fed him three, sometimes up to five times a day, made sure he had at the very
least washed himself once, and that his hair was regularly cut to his choice. 
 
It was... perfect, and as Levi laid in one of Eren's shirts and underwear,
feeling somehow more mature and definitely more happy than he's felt since---
since. 
 
Ever. He's never felt this happy before. Only sad and angry and numb. But Eren
filled with him with hope and happiness and warmth, and he didn't know how to
make Eren feel the same, but he hoped that what he has been doing is enough. 
 
It has to be. 
 
 
 
 
 
Levi shifted his bare legs languidly on the bed beneath the thin sheet, his
eyes its usual half-open. His breath came out in little sighs, and each intake
and out made Eren feel like both the luckiest person in the entire world and
the biggest piece of shit. 
 
He's yet to tell Levi the full truth of his being a Titan shifter, has yet to
tell him his full past. How his brain worked, what he wanted to do to Levi. And
somehow, the beautiful little brat was still here, still squeezed himself by
Eren's side, into his arms as they laid in bed to sleep. 
 
It was weird in a multitude of emotions that contradicted each other and fought
for dominance, all of which made him feel too much of one thing until a
tinkling of another emotion turned into the most domineering, in which the
cycle would then continue until he wished to shove a spoon so far into his eyes
that he'd stab his brain. 
 
Not possible, but the idea sounded a lot more pleasurable before Levi was in
his life, after his mother was no longer in it. 
 
Fuck emotions, Eren thinks as Levi shifts once more, breath hitching before he
once again calmed down, his chest moving a slow but meaningful up and down. He
was so beautiful, so special in Eren's eyes. 
 
So pale, he wanted to sink his tee-
 
'Damnit, not again,' he thinks as he shoves his face in his hands, the awful
feeling of self-centered anger and regret filling his chest until he felt as
though the outer walls 'upstairs' were on top of him. 
 
He felt his Titan instincts show themselves whenever he got too... aroused by
Levi. He felt the usual human reactions, but beneath it all was the need for
him to either make Levi his mate or his meal. Which was... quite the decision
to make, though it seemed obvious considering the choices. 
 
As he sat shirtless and Levi-less on the floor before the bed, his body shook
in an effort to not do something he may regret. 
 
What that was, he didn't know. 
Chapter End Notes
     I've been thinking of maybe doing a story that based off of Breaking
     Bad---like Grisha is Walter White and Levi is Jesse, and Eren is
     Grisha's son but he somehow knows Levi (I don't think he'd make a ton
     of appearances, but the ereri ship would still be there). Let me know
     if I should, thank you!
End Notes
     One last fic before I'm either deported for being half Mexican or
     sent into a concentration camp for being trans and pan cus of Trump
     Thanks to my readers, and to Trump voters
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