The Shed

While most of his fellow soldiers fell asleep fairly quickly after a day's worth of hardcore training, Eren couldn't bring himself to shut his eyes and succumb to darkness. Even if he were to do so, the terrorizing image of his mother's gruesome death proved to be a rude awakening in the middle of the night. He found night time strolls along the training grounds to be soothing, so he partook in this, leaving his heavy 3dmg by his bedside. Walking alone, running his hand along the cold, chain-link fence, Eren felt free from his troubles. Anchors that weighed him down were cast adrift to sea as he paced along the dew-lit grass. Feeling rather fatigued, however, he chose to take a seat against a worn shed, located at the far back edge of the lot and facing east. The moist ground cushioned Eren's seat, and the grooves of the wooden walls provided a comfortable back and headrest. He looked up at the stars from this position, occasionally closing his eyes to embrace the subtle breeze that swirled around his cheeks and cradled his hair to one side. He had come to realize that this was the most peace he had felt in a long time, and with this thought, savored the tranquility even more so.

After some time had passed, Eren began to feel sleepy. He got to his feet and made an effort to leave when he heard a distant noise. It sounded muffled and subtle, yet breathy and choppy. Curiosity overcame him, so he turned and grabbed a hold of the door to the shed, attempting to opening it as slowly and quietly as possible. But it was is vain, for the door wouldn't open without a hardy pull. Eren spread his feet wider and pushed hard, sliding the door aside with a confirming bang, which directly revealed Captain Levi in a fit of sorrow on the shed floor. He sat sunken in the straw bed below him, his arms crossed over his head, which was wedged between his bent knees; his back hunched. Tears streamed down his face and dripped to the floor, and his quiet sobs quivered his shoulders. His head shot up from it's hidden position upon hearing the door and he faced Eren, who stood in the doorway with his mouth slightly ajar, speechless. Levi's eyes were sunken and sulky, but his expression was restless and startled as well as miserable. Eren was shocked: he had never seen Levi in such a vulnerable state.

"C-captain.." was all Eren could say.

Levi adjusted himself, pulling his undone cravat from around his neck in defeat.

"Well, I suppose you expect some sort of an explanation," he began. But Eren felt no desire to pry. Mainly in fear of angering the captain, but also out of respect. He approached Levi with caution, taking a seat beside him at a safe distance. Levi peered at him from the corners of his eyes, then back down at the floor. He collected a breath and let it out slowly, wiping remaining tears from his face. Eren couldn't pull his gaze from him. He was witnessing a new person. What once was a collected, unreadable man was now a seeping wound of emotion.

"Captain…" he repeated.

Levi closed his eyes as he shook his head. "I knew there would come a day in which the enemy overcame us. I knew I would lose those who were close to me. I pushed on, in spite of it all. Whether that was the cause of their deaths or not, I will never know." He paused to roll up his sleeves. "I do not fear being alone, not even in battle. But… I fear…"

Eren put a finger to Levi's lips. "Captain, you don't have to tell me your fears. I'm not the one who deserves to know." He looked into the captain's eyes with such sincerity that Levi felt a chill that sustained his next breath. Eren cradled the sides of his captain's face and continued with a soothing tone.

"You are the bravest man I know. I don't say this out of some act of kindness, but because it is one of the few things I can hold true to these days. In my eyes, I see a person who bears such responsibility and pain, I'm almost certain that you'll break. But you hold it all back… everything, everyone's wounds… even your own." He trailed off, then came to with a slight smile. "I can't help but to compare myself, some kid who still has nightmares over one death. A death that means everything to me but is just another name in the casualties list for everyone else. I wish… I wish I had your strength. Maybe not have yours, but know what it means to be strong."

Levi was overwhelmed by Eren's honesty and struggled for words, something that did not happen often. He felt compelled to feel closer to him; to strengthen their connection. Pausing for a thought, the captain rested a hand on Eren's shoulder.

"You say you desire strength, yet I see nothing but determination from you, a kind of determination of the likes I have never seen before. That is your strength, Jaeger, and with this strength, you will be able to conquer what no soldier has conquered before."

Eren still looked saddened. He looked into the captain's eyes and drew him closer.

"Levi," he cooed. His captain's eyes widened. "I want to take revenge on all those who have hurt you. I want to kill every titan that has caused you pain. I want the strength to bear the pain you are forced to carry… I never want to see you cry again…"

A single tear rolled down Eren's cheek as he gave Levi a tender smile.

"Eren…" Levi held his soldier's cheek and wiped the tear with his thumb. His hand was warm, with a slight rough texture. Eren let out a choppy breath as he succumbed to gazing at Levi with sunken eyelids. He brought his captain closer, brushing the tips of their noses, inhaling his smoky, warm exhales. Eren tilted his head with Levi's as their lips came in slow contact with each other. Eren traced the sharp contours of the captain's top lip with his own as his lips parted and gave way to a tender kiss. Levi ran one hand through Eren's hair; the other held his shirt loosely in his fist and pulled Eren closer. He brought his hand down to stroke Eren's cheek and jawline; he had never noticed how smooth his skin was. It felt vulnerable and supple against his rough fingertips.

Eren had his arms wrapped tightly around Levi, holding fistfuls of his shirt. He drew his hands around to the front of the captains chest, then up to grip his collar. He seized the dainty white flaps and tugged Levi closer. They both inhaled deeply, Eren's back arching, brushing against one another chest to chest, Levi guiding his hands up the back of Eren's neck to greet fistfuls of soft, brown hair. Their lips took turns pulling and nibbling on each other in an intricate, steady pattern, their heads tilting in rhythm. Levi pressed Eren against the shed wall and they sunk down into the straw. Eren took a hold of Levi's wrists and pinned him against the floor and sat on top of him, kissing him slowly and passionately.

"Levi…" Eren whispered through meddled breaths and lips.

Levi called back to him. "Eren…" he pulled back slightly to look into his eyes, their noses resting against one another. "I love you."

Tears welled in Eren's eyes. "I love you, Captain."

They embraced, Eren's tears trailed down Levi's chest beneath his unbuttoned shirt as he rested his cheek against the raised skin of Levi's collarbone, nestling his head under the captain's chin. Levi stroked Eren's head and traced his fingers in a lulling motion up and down his back. Eren closed his eyes, enveloping himself in the body warmth and straw, and finally got his first full night of sleep.