Levi looked up expectantly when the door to his quarters opened, but found not the one who most commonly visited him, only two larger men bringing in another, smaller male- who was also unconscious. "Who are you?" he snarled.
"Relax, ya little slut; we ain't stupid enough to touch the king's property," one of them said. "Unless we're deliverin' it!" he added with a laugh, the other setting the passed out guy on the bed next to Levi. Kid couldn't be more than twenty.
"Then what the hell is going on here?" he demanded.
"We were told to bring 'im here. Maybe he's your replacement," the same one laughed again, only to shut the door and leave him alone with the brunet.
Levi looked the newcomer over. Replacement? Possible, he supposed, but very not likely. Steel eyes stayed on the newcomer as he himself sat up and put his book aside. Erwin wasn't getting sick of him, was he? Not after everything he himself had sacrificed and put up with daily just so they could be together. The king wouldn't just trade him out for someone younger, would he?
The thought was horrifying.
"The fuck?" came a groggy tone as hazy green eyes forced themselves open, pushing himself up. "Who're you?"
"My name is Levi," the raven head stated calmly. If the guy didn't know what was going on, this was going to get complicated. "I am a concubine to the king. His favorite, in fact," he added with a touch of pride.
"Concu-?" Those vibrant green eyes widened, he flew to the door, but was met by a guard.
"I wouldn't do that, Kid," the armored man advised.
Swallowing hard, he closed the door again, looking over his shoulder to Levi, who laughed. "Don't look so frightened, Clover; the king is not a cruel man. He doesn't delight in pain. There's nothing to be frightened of here."
"Nothing?! Maybe not, but some of us like being able to pick who we fuck for ourselves and not have them picked out for us. I was just supposed to work the lord's fields; I have no idea what the hell I'm doing here."
So he fell for the oldest trick in the book. Great. "Is there someone you have that's special to you?"
"That's not the point!"
"And that's a 'no.' Look Brat, this place can be a haven or a hellhole, it's all what you make of it. I'm guessing your lord took one look at your pretty face and saw a perfect present for his boss."
"I'm not a fucking present!"
There was a solid knock on the door. When it opened, Levi bowed low. "Your Highness," he spoke.
"Now, now, I've told you not to do that in your own quarters, Levi," the king reminded him.
"Didn't want Clover here getting the wrong idea."
"Yes, I see he's arrived already. I had meant-"
"Why am I here?!" the brunet growled, not showing any sign of respect. Erwin seemed amused by it. He probably was.
"The lord of your land sent you this way, probably trying to get in my good graces so I don't have his son executed."
"That piece of shit? Hang him."
Erwin laughed.
"What's so funny? He dances the fact he has money and privilege around the rest of us, and at least once a week picks a woman to drag into the shed and rape. Sometimes even guys," he added quietly. "Only he doesn't do them himself. Picks some random thing to do it with."
"Is that so?" Erwin asked, his concern genuine.
"That jerk wouldn't know decency if it shat on his head. Hadn't heard that someone important finally called him on it."
"That's good to know, but makes your presence here seem pointless."
"So I can leave?"
The king smiled. Levi knew that smile- kid wasn't going anywhere. "Show him around, won't you, Levi? I'll see you tonight," he said, and was gone again.
Those emeralds were on him again. "What was that? He never answered me."
"He does that."
"…I'm stuck here, aren't I?"
"There are worse places to be stuck."
He didn't look convinced, but muttered, "I guess."
"I never caught your name."
"Eren Jeager," he replied, holding out his hand. It seemed just an automatic thing, habit. He was still pissed. "Levi, right?"
"Yes," the older man confirmed as he shook it. "I'll show you around, but despite that it's a castle, there really isn't much to see."
"You're… really… You talk like nobles do. But… weird. And you don't dress like a, um…"
"Concubine. I was born to nobility, and in a different country, hence the accent- a suffocating lifestyle. I am the shame of my family for this- note I didn't give you a last name; I'm forbidden to associate myself with them. But Erwin has enough pride in me that it doesn't really bother me."
"You'd prefer being held up in your room all day to life as a noble?"
"Going where I'm told, when I'm told, with who I'm told, and you said something about being with who you wanted? After one night with him, that was Erwin. This is the only way that could happen, and I enjoy much more freedom now than I did then. The clothes are more comfortable too," he added of his baggy and sparse attire- pants and shirt. That was it. Much like the newcomer's attire, only cleaner.
"Wow," Eren breathed, following him down the hall. "So, so you're not just at his beck and call?"
"Oh no, I very much am, but people have patterns. During the day I usually do as I like, and he usually spends one or two nights a week checking in on his children or with his wife. They aren't really attracted to each other, but it's kind of bewildering what good friends they are. And I enjoy the time I spend with him, so it really isn't all that bad a life."
"For you." Eren's nose was scrunched. "I mean… with another guy…"
"It's actually very enjoyable. As I said, Erwin doesn't like people in pain. If it isn't something you can enjoy as well, if that's even his plan for you, I'm sure he'll find another use for you."
"…Yeah?"
"Yes."
"That'd… be nice."
Levi showed him all the important areas: where to bathe, where to eat, and where to shit. As they walked, one thing that became very clear to Eren very quickly- every time someone saw Levi, they looked away, sneered, or openly stared in disapproval. Levi didn't seem to notice, but the longer the newcomer watched him, listened to him, he realized that wasn't it at all- Levi was used to it, maybe had even come to expect it.
It was common knowledge Erwin Smith was a good, kind, and fair king, just as his father before him; be he must really be something special for anyone to put up with that kind of treatment.
That's not to say there weren't a few that greeted the man with a smile. Eren was surprised to find that Levi appeared to be friendly with the princesses, even the queen. One of the places they wandered to was the woman's own sitting room, she and her daughters working on their penmanship.
Princess Annie was nearly of age and she seemed to have just a little more patience for it than her sister, Mikasa, who was… ten, maybe? The older young lady was probably aware of how useful it would to her in the future, even if it was annoying now- whereas Mikasa was all kinds of not happy about it. But all in the room were very happy to see the raven head- at least, Eren was pretty sure it was happy. The youngest walked up to the man and held up her writing to him.
Levi smiled a smile so soft and gentle it looked nearly alien on his face, squatting down to her height. Taking the paper from her, he noted, "You're doing a lot better."
"The gaps are too big."
"You're still learning. It might help to pause the pen over the paper before you start the next sentence for a time."
"Ah," she agreed, and returning to her seat.
Levi looked up at Eren's slack-jawed stare. "What? Is it so hard to believe that I can be agreeable?"
"Levi," the queen smiled, from her rocking chair. "How good to see you. Who's your shadow?"
"This is my new friend Eren," he replied as the still-stunned brunet offered a bow to the royals.
"A new friend for you, or a new friend for my husband?" the woman asked.
"Remains to be seen. Your husband is playing games of his own again, my lady."
She laughed. "He does love a good intrigue."
"There you are!" a new voice sighed relief behind them in the hall. They turned to find a servant girl there. "Levi, His Highness would like you to see him in his office. He said he had a favor to ask."
The man rolled his steel eyes dramatically. "Gimme, gimme, gimme; typical. May I leave Eren here for a time, my lady?"
"It's fine," the queen told him. "Maybe Annie can spark his interest in finer arts as well."
"That would be very interesting," the other agreed. "Have fun, Clover," he added before leaving with the girl.
The girl who'd retrieved him didn't say anything more to him as he walked behind her, and he didn't expect her to. If what he was wasn't approved of, it was that he'd been disowned to be what he was. This was just a young thing though; she probably just had no idea what to say. She'd fetched him for Erwin a few times, always seemed exasperated when she found him, but wouldn't utter a vowel more. At least she used his name to address him. Once he'd told her she was free to, she hadn't been shy about it, but hadn't offered her own. "Here we are," she said now, at the king's door. She offered a little curtsy, and went on her way.
"Thank you," he called lowly after her. She didn't turn or even pause, Levi faced the door again and knocked.
"Come in," the distracted voice inside came. He had no doubt the other had forgotten he'd even sent for his lover; Erwin was busier than the cooks before a festival lately.
"Ah, Levi, good," the man said, looking up when the other entered. "I did mean to warn you Eren was coming; I am sorry I haven't had much time lately."
"It's fine."
"It's not fine," was the reply, concerned the with lack of interest on the newcomer's part. "Things have been intense lately, but I should know when to set them aside. Anyway, all you have to do is help him get settled in."
"And what do I get out of this? Besides retirement, apparently."
"Retirement?" That explained a few things. "Levi, never. I'll keep having you as long as you'll let me. I accepted Eren because, well, I thought you might be lonely. If you were, you'd never tell me- that much I did know. But I never thought you'd see him as a threat."
"…So he's not a playmate for you, he's a playmate for me?"
"I'd make his experiences ones he likes, Levi. And you won't find me objecting if you two decide you do want to get together with me some night. But it is entirely up to you what becomes of him."
"…Did not see that coming."
Erwin laughed, pulling the shorter man to his lap. "I'm sorry I worried you," he spoke, holding him close.
"How sorry?"
The larger man leaned back, kneading his hands into the other's upper thighs, rubbing his crotch against the ass he pressed to it.
"A-Ah! Here?"
"I don't know why you're surprised. It wouldn't be the first time. Get that beautiful ass naked and on my desk; stroke yourself for me, Levi."
The request sent a burning chill down his spine, legs already wobbling as he fulfilled the request, even discarding his shirt before climbing the furniture in front of the king. Already half-hard, his fingers ghosted himself until he was completely stiff, then gripped himself more tightly under the other man's smoldering gaze.
"Levi." His name was spoken with such adoring, such love…
"I'm so sorry I doubted you, mon cherie."
Erwin rose, but to trap their lips together. "It's all right; I didn't make time to warn you. Now, let me see you make yourself come; it will be that sight that will get me through the rest of the day."
"I c-can't… not by myself…"
"Was your body made so lewd by my touch you can't do it yourself anymore?"
"Y-Yes… I need you to come."
"Well then, I can certainly make myself of assistance to you."
"I need your cock. Please. It's been two long."
Erwin's sky blue gaze was diving into intense desire. "Three days, Levi? That's too long?"
He was still stroking himself, mind already half gone with that man watching him. "Three days is an eternity, mon cherie."
"Then I've been neglecting you," the larger man said, leaning forward to lap and kiss the insides of the other man's thighs. "I beg your forgiveness."
"I don't want apologizes," Levi told him in wanton need. "I want your cock."
"You know where the lubricant is. Prove it to me," the other man countered.
One hand keeping himself steady on the edge, the other reached over and pulled open the top side drawer, pulling a small flask from inside. He stopped pumping himself long enough to drizzle it on his fingers and started again as his slicked digits worked his entrance.
He'd fallen to his back by now, a ball of want on the desk surface, not bothering to control his cries. It was the guards' problem if they couldn't handle some moaning. "One hand around you, the other in you and just look at the mess you've become. Are you sure you need my help?"
"Yes!" Levi choked out. "I need your giant cock; fingers are nothing to it."
"All right." The man stood, disrobed what he had to, and sat back down. "Just look what your little display has done to me, Levi," Erwin told him, slicking up his throbbing member. "I'd be happy to let you take care of it."
That was all it took. The raven head freed his hands and pushed off the desk to settle over the larger man's lap, sinking down on him. He grasped unto what clothes remained on the king, accepting the length nearly taking him over the edge.
"Are you all right, Levi?"
"Perfect," he gasped, pulling himself up to loop his arms around the other's neck. "Like this… my- my legs don't touch the floor…"
"That's all right; I'll move you for you; penance for my behavior." The smaller man couldn't even ask what he meant before he'd gripped a cheek in each of his hands, guiding the other's midsection on his cock.
All Levi could focus on after that was the delicious assault on his body. Erwin moved him quickly and sharply, circling his hips on the cock he rode, hitting that perfect spot. If he was a mess before, he was a wreck now, gasping and grasping at whatever he could. He arched back, knowing he would come soon, wanting the mess to hit himself and not his partner.
Erwin took a stronger hold on his hips, grinding them on that blissful spot deep inside himself; his dick twitched and shot across his pale skin. "You… didn't…" he gasped when the larger man didn't continue pursuit of his own orgasm.
"You'll owe me double later," was the controlled reply- he had to be only within an inch of his sanity. "I don't want to send you back out trying to control dripping while you walk."
"I have rags," he replied, and using the desk as leverage, continued thrusting by his own power. Erwin let him, and was indeed only a minute more before the man filled him with warm cum. "I always have rags. You know that."
"I do. Just wanted to spare you having to use them."
"It's fine," he breathed, leaning forward again for a kiss. "I would never turn down an opportunity to be filled with your cum." He reached for one of the pieces of fabric now, fallen out of his pocket to the desk, wiping down his front before fitting their upper bodies together again and nuzzling the older man's neck.
"If we stay like this much longer I'll be tempted to take you again," the blond said after a few minutes.
"Take me then, mon cherie," Levi breathed.
"Sadly, this work needs to be looked to by the end of the day, and where did you leave Eren?"
"With your wife and daughters."
"…Was he upsetting you?"
The raven head snickered, propping himself back up. "He's fine. Still a little wide-eyed, but I doubt they'll do any permanent damage," was the add, standing and wiping himself clean before doing the same for his partner. "Princess Annie didn't say anything snide, so maybe she actually likes him."
"Levi, there is something I've meant to ask you. You mentioned before that Annie asked you once or twice about your family."
"Yeah; the whole reason we came here in the first place was because my parents were hoping you'd marry Annie to my brother. Then we pissed them off."
"Has she asked anything recently?"
"Not directly, no. But I don't have to tell you she hasn't given the time of day to any of the suitors that have come after Marco; they both seemed to enjoy each other's company a lot," he replied, getting redressed, and helping his lover do the same.
"True, true."
"…Why? Are they coming back?"
"Perhaps. I promise to give you warning."
"And here I thought my father could hold a grudge for eternity. Or he's hoping Marco will make up for my failings."
"You didn't fail, Levi; I did. I never should have called you to my room."
The shorter man straddled his lap again, both now fully clothed, looping his arms around the other's neck. "But I couldn't be happier you did. I would've been a terrible husband; this life, dishonorable as it appears to be, suits me perfectly. I like it, and I love you. It's not something I regret."
Erwin's face had been unreadable, and softened at the words. He raised a hand to Levi's jaw, giving him another kiss. "Thank you, Levi. You know I love you too."
"Oui."
"Oh, no; don't you start talking like that. Save it for tonight."
"Erwin," he continued innocently. "Bien dans-"
"No. Go play with Eren."
"Non. Je t'aime, Erwin."
"I love you too, but if you'd think I've been busy the past few weeks, that will be nothing compared to what will happen if I do nothing except you for the rest of the afternoon."
"A ce soir, donc."
"I don't know that one, but it sounded like agreement."
Levi smiled, gave his lover a quick kiss, and left him to finish his work. He'd been here almost five years; he knew his way back.
"Wow," Eren said when the raven head rejoined them. Annie had pulled him over to try his hand at letters. Levi wondered briefly if the guy was literate before it was added, "You're a mess."
The raven head didn't doubt it, but drawled back, "Yeah, that kind of what happens when the person you sleep with decides you need a good mauling."
"The middle of the day?" the queen asked. "That's unusual for him."
"He felt bad; I thought Eren was gonna replace me."
"What?!" the brunet squeaked as the woman giggled.
"Oh, stop," the other man said, taking him by the arm. "Come on; I have to talk to you."
Surprisingly, Eren let himself be dragged to the shorter man's room. He didn't even comment or yell or fight back. Just let himself be dragged. Adjusting already, or still that stunned?
"It seems I owe you an apology," Levi told him, sitting on his bed and brushing out what he knew was a tangled mop. "It seems Erwin did accept you because, he… thought I was lonely."
"Not… for him?"
"No."
"So I don't have to-?"
"Not if you don't want to. You don't even have to stay. But I'd…"
"Like it if I did?" the other dared.
"Yes."
"With that, I guess I really don't mind, but, what would I be doing then?"
"There's me," Levi offered, sitting back on his hands. "But why don't you get used to the place? Dinner will be soon, I'm sure we'll both want a bath after, and then we can both get some sleep. Start new in the morning."
"Sounds good, but, um…"
"But what?"
"That bath place, it was j-just a giant lake and no privacy-"
"It's a penis, Eren, it's not gonna astonish anyone." He sighed, the other still red. He had no doubt the younger man done so before, but that had been around people he'd grown up with. "Look, by that time, there won't be many people, if any at all, so it's really the best I have at the moment. You don't have to worry about me- there's nothing there I haven't seen. Okay?"
"…Okay."
"Good."
Eren expected that Levi probably ate in his room by himself, but it seemed they had to travel for meals to a building separate from the castle. He was only confused until they entered it.
Harem. Of course.
There were females (and a few men) everywhere, some dressed as a concubine traditionally would be, with flowing fabrics and painted faces, others as plain as Levi. And just under half of them greeted him like he was their favorite puppy, something he was clearly not a fan of. To his credit, he did tolerate the cooing and hugging until one of them noticed his companion and exclaimed, "Ah! Who's he?! He's adorable!"
Eren felt a level of fear he hadn't known existed, and Levi smirked. "This is Eren. He's new to the castle, so make him feel welcome, okay?"
The young women were happy to oblige.
"Oh, his hair's so soft!"
A finger dipped his shirt back. "Wow, that nice tan's his actual skin color- look!"
"Never mind that, look at his eyes; they're like gems- no wonder he was sent up here."
"LEVI!"
The raven head continued to snicker, now seated at the long table laden with food, but did say, "How about letting him breathe, you lot? You won't get to fawn over him if he suffocates."
"We wouldn't do that!" the blonde who liked his hair snapped.
"Aw, but I bet he's hungry," the petite girl who admired his eyes realized. "Are you, Sweetie?"
"Um, yeah," he managed. He wasn't sure when he'd eaten last, but it had to have been at least a day to get here.
"Right this way!" she chirped, leading him by the hands. He was starting to feel embarrassed, especially since Levi insisted on snickering at him like that, but did his best to go with it, letting them sit him down next to the older man.
Another woman leaned forward between them, dressed comfortably, filling the cups in front of them. "Help yourself," the raven head said to him, and for the first time, Eren had enough attention to spare for the layout of sustenance on the long table. Breads, meats, fruits, cheeses… it looked like every food under the sun was set out in front of him. "Shit."
"It shouldn't surprise you that Erwin takes exceptional care of those around him," Levi stated.
"It doesn't. I just don't think I've ever seen this much food in one place before."
"You think this is great, you should see the main hall on a special occasion," the blonde from earlier laughed.
"He'd probably shit himself," the raven head agreed. "Eat something, Clover," he added, reaching to the layout himself.
Eren grabbed a piece of bread to pull at. "I'm not used to eating a lot at once," he defended himself to the other man's unimpressed stare.
"We'll have to do something about that," he replied.
"Like what, milord?" the one who'd filled their cups joked.
"I've told you to knock that shit off, Ymir."
"Why?" she persisted. "It's not like you-"
"Stop."
"Not like you're what?" Eren dared to ask.
"Never mind now," Levi told him, and no one spoke up otherwise.
The women who'd welcomed him (Christa, Maria, and Rose), kept Eren in conversation, wanting to know all about him- he couldn't help but notice Levi had an ear in the conversation as well. "It's pretty far South," he was explaining. "Compared to here, anyway."
"Yeah!" Christa chimed. "I think that's the farthest any of us have come."
"Except Levi," Ymir added, a sly grin on her face.
"Oh?" the younger man asked. "You did say you were from a different country."
"France," he replied only, and went back to chewing his food.
The women pressed on to Eren, wanting to know all about the area he was from, so he wasn't able to ask the other man why he looked so upset at the thought of his own home. Even if he asked now, he was sure the other wouldn't reply.
In any case, the raven head was right about bathing- not many were in or even around the river by the time they approached it. Levi picked a spot to discard his clothes away from those who were, pulling at his clothes as if the two had bathed together hundreds of times. Eren was grateful, it helped ease the mild awkwardness- right until the other stopped dead to stare at him. "Aw, what?"
"Remember when I said no one would be astonished by your penis? I lied."
"Huh?"
"Don't look so frightened. You could very nearly give Erwin a run."
"D-What? But he's-"
"Virtually a giant, yes."
"…Huh."
Levi forced himself not to laugh. The brat looked like he was having some sort of revelation. "Are you going to live?"
"Yeah. I just… I think I figured out why a lot of my friends started being assholes to me once we started growing up."
That did it. The raven head buckled over laughing. "Because the size of a man's penis surely has everything to do with how much of a man he is. That's found in actions, not dick size. Are you coming in or are you just going to stand there all night?"
Eren started to move forward, but asked, "Isn't it cold?"
"It's not bad, and the night's warm. I doubt you'll freeze."
The brunet gave a nod, stepping into the water. A little smile set on his lips when it contacted his skin. "Wow, that is nice," he finally said, wading in to his knees.
"There's something else pretty nice I could show you."
"Yeah?"
Those innocent eyes were too much. Levi joined their lips. Eren froze up in surprise, but relaxed when nothing more came, just that touch, and even started kissing back. The older man's tongue wet his lips, Eren did the same, and the kiss deepened.
Levi still kept his hands to himself, not wanting to scare the other man, but changed his mind when he felt a stiffening against his stomach. "What have we here?" he grinned, running a finger up the underside of Eren's hard member. He gasped. "I won't touch you again if you don't want me to, but you should know I am excellent at sucking dick."
A tiny whimper escaped the younger man.
"Was that consent?"
Eren nodded furiously. All right, so this he was fine with- probably because it didn't involve anything up his ass.
Levi dropped to his knees, the water splashing around him, and swallowed the other's man's thickness as far as he could, engulfing the rest in his hand. Eren become hotter, harder, as the other man as worked his mouth over him, and couldn't help but notice the other fisting his palms. Levi released him long enough to take those hands in his own and put them on his shoulders. "Don't want you to lose balance," he said.
Eren nodded again, but the haze on his features told the older man he wouldn't be lasting much longer.
Unknown to them, they did a have a spy. The king in his wife's bedroom window. "He better not be doing that on purpose," the man said.
"Doing wh- Oh. My goodness," the queen laughed. "He's probably just doing as you asked; helping Eren adjust."
"Levi doesn't do as I ask, Petra; he does as he pleases."
"And Eren does seem to please him."
Erwin chuckled at the comment, looking away from the scene as the woman resettled herself on the bed. "I have wanted to ask you something," she spoke.
"If it's in my power, it's yours, my lady, you know that."
"I do," she smiled back. "And it's not for me. I wanted to ask you before I become too old: Did you want to try again for a son?"
Affection pulled his lips, brushing back her hair. "How kind of you to ask. But no. I'll not put you through that again. I understand why you don't care for sex about as well as you understand my preference for men, but I do know my heart broke for you every time."
"You're so good to me. But wouldn't it be better for the kingdom if-?"
"We have two brilliant and beautiful girls; we'll have to trust their choice in suitors. And since it will be overseen by myself, I think we will be safe in that endeavor."
Petra laughed. "Have you still been corresponding with Lord Ackerman?"
"Yes. He seems to be warming up to the idea of bringing Marco, at least, back here."
"I'm glad. Annie hasn't been herself since he left. She's tried to be, but-"
"My lady," the king smiled. "Do you really think me unaware that you assist the two of them in keeping in touch?"
The woman laughed again. "I didn't know you knew, but it doesn't surprise me you do. Go and reprimand Levi. Eren too, perhaps?"
"Well, going off that display, I'd say it's sex with another man and not sexual encounters in general that caused his initial reaction. Or maybe he just likes Levi more than me."
"That man can be disturbingly agreeable when it suits him."
"Oh, I am aware," the king chuckled with her. "I leave you to your night, my lady. Sleep well."
"Thank you. You as well, dear husband."
The man left the room, and to one of the two guards posted outside said, "Send someone after Levi and have him in my chambers within the hour. He's by the river."
"Yes, Sire."
Down in said river, Eren was gripping raven strands as he was trying to warn Levi how close he was, only to be cut off by more aggressive ministrations. He did need the balance of Levi's shoulders, his knees quaking and rippling the water, coming with a pleasured groan and nearly falling forward if not for the older man's reflexes. "Are you all right?" Levi asked.
"Yeah, but, n-need to sit."
The raven head snickered but helped ease him back into the cool water. "It wasn't too bad, then?"
"No, that was amazing. It's… other stuff I worry about," he said as a servant approached them from inside the castle. The two thought he was just going to be bathing himself, but stopped at the edge.
"The king requests your company for the evening," he stated only before turning on his heel and going back into the castle.
"It is me or was that really rude?" the brunet asked.
"It wasn't you, but nothing more than that is really required of him and really shouldn't be surprising you at this point," the older man told him, rising from the water to dry off and get dressed again.
"Still rude," was the reply, following suit. "The girl that got you earlier was nice."
"She usually is, to a point. I'm pretty sure I make her nervous rather than disgust her. Come on now; I don't like to keep Erwin waiting."
When they arrived back to Levi's room, there was a small box on his bed, topped with a little bow. The raven head made a straight line for it, opening the box like he expected to find ancient treasure inside. But whatever it actually was, apparently it was edible, because a bit of it went right in his mouth. Levi groaned contently, flopping to his back on the mattress.
"Someone leave your favorite snack or something?" Eren snickered at the sight.
The older man held out the box to him. Peering inside, all the other saw was what appeared to be chucks of dirt and mud. He was about to say there was no way he was sticking that in his mouth- then he caught a whiff of it. That… was delightful. And the only other thing Eren had seen make Levi that happy was the mention of Erwin… He reached inside.
It- whatever it was- was a chuck of heaven on his tongue, even melted in his mouth, cascading over every inch it could before he finally gave in and swallowed it. "What is that and is it legal?"
Levi chuckled. "Chocolate, and very legal. Erwin sends me some whenever he fucks up or is a special occasion. I'll have to let him know you like it too."
"How do you not like that?! I'm ready to start begging if it would get me another piece."
"Oh, you should be more careful with your words," Levi teased, but added, "Here. One more piece. I like to try and make it last awhile." Eren did, savoring it while the other man slid the box between a couple books on the shelves. "Now, are you staying or coming with me?"
"Huh?"
"I'm going to Erwin's room. Are you coming or staying?"
"I… didn't know coming was an option. Coming's an option?"
"Coming's always an option," Levi told him. "If you'd rather not, it's understandable. But know if you do, you will not be forced into any situation you don't want, and you can leave any time you want."
"…You sure you don't just don't want to leave me alone with the chocolate?"
"Positive, Clover," the older man replied, even as he snickered. "And too much will give you a stomachache. But I need an answer. I do not like keeping anyone, especially Erwin, waiting."
"Um… I am curious about Erwin, but… I don't want to mess with your time with him. And I know I don't want to… do stuff."
"Then you will not be asked to," Levi told him simply, taking his hand and walking long strides from the room. He really did not like keeping his lover in wait.
Eren recognized when they were reaching the better-maintained portion of the castle again- tapestries, rugs, drapes… One would think it would be cleaner too, but it was just as spotless here as down wherever Levi lived. There were two guards outside the king's door, but the two didn't even glance each other now; the raven head knocked twice before entering, and didn't wait for a reply.
The first thing Eren saw when he was pulled in was the bed. It was giant, laden with pillows and blankets and he was sure he could pass out for a week on it. Dresser, candles, and at the other side of the wide room was a large desk, and at that desk sat Erwin Smith, King of England, contently reading. He looked up at their entry, a smile forming immediately. "Levi, good- and Eren too, what a nice surprise." The man swallowed then- Eren saw now how the blond looked at Levi; he wanted to maul the other man, but was unsure what the third man's presence meant.
Levi seemed intent on putting them both at ease, kissing Eren's hand before letting go and settling himself across Erwin's lap. "Well," the larger man laughed. "I'm clear on your intentions, but I feel I should ask anyhow."
"I told Eren nothing would happen that he didn't want, and he could go anytime," the raven head replied. "He said he was curious about you."
"Well, Levi's right; neither of us would ask for something you weren't ready to give and- What is it?" the king asked, seeing a soft smile grace the other's lips.
"You two look really happy over there."
"The last five years have been the happiest of my life," Levi replied, curling even closer against the larger man.
Erwin kissed his head, and wrapped his arms more tightly around his lover. "And I'm the selfish bastard that keeps such a sarcastic and thoughtful creature locked up and close by."
"You can't imprison the willing."
Eren laughed, and the envy lacing the sound was almost tangible. "I was wondering what could be so great that you'd put up with all that crap from everyone else; I think I got my answer."
Erwin tilted Levi's head to look up at him. "What crap?"
He was waved off. "Just the same old shit. Clover's still acclimating."
"Even gifted with a nickname. Levi must think a lot of you, Eren."
"And here I thought he was teasing me," the brunet laughed again as said man pushed at his lover's face, getting up to walk over to the bed and lie down. He looked really comfortable.
"Teasing people, especially people he likes, is one of his favorite hobbies," the king agreed, azure eyes on the other man stretching out on the thick blankets. "I swear, sometimes all you need is a pair of furry ears and a tail and you'd be the perfect cat."
"Maybe, but you wouldn't fuck a cat," came the lazy reply.
"And as I have told you many times, we do not fuck. There is a difference between that and having sex."
"There is?" Eren asked before be could stop himself. "S-sorry, that probably wasn't-"
"I do not stand on ceremony in this room, Eren; if there is something on your mind, speak it," Erwin told him. "And yes. Fucking is a quick, sometimes painful rut where there is little or no affection. Sex is the opposite." The larger man's brow furrowed then, studying the other's expression after the explanation. "You look as if the concept is foreign to you."
"Yes… and no," he muttered, arms crossed, but didn't offer anything more.
The other two men exchanged a glance. "We could offer a demonstration," Levi suggested after a pause. "Purely to clear up any confusion, of course."
"Oh, yeah." Green eyes rolled. "No other motives at all, I'm sure."
"None," he replied, and his own stormy orbs were serious. Huh.
"O-Okay."
Erwin stood. By the time he'd walked to the bed and seated himself on the sea of comfort, Levi was already writhing, trembling even. There was no fear in him, Eren saw immediately. That reaction was only made of anticipation.
The larger man leaned over the raven head, his palm against the other's cheek, pulling him in for a kiss. "You still stretched from earlier?" his asked, voice low and husky.
"Yes, but show Clover that right way to do things, will you?"
"Of course." Erwin didn't look over to the third man, the poor thing probably felt awkward enough, but melded his mouth to the smaller man's neck. Levi responded instantly, he always did, arching into the king's touch and moaning for more.
Kissing pale flesh as it was revealed to him, Erwin pulled off the other's sparse clothing. His lover was already hard and wanton, hooking a leg around the blond's waist. He reached to the bedside table for the lubrication to prepare the precious form writhing beneath him, relishing the cries elicited when his slicked fingers entered him. Levi wouldn't need much preparation, but went slowly all the same, showing rather than telling how these things should be played out- that Eren didn't know that difference worried him more than he let on.
Levi's hand shot out from nowhere, palm flat and straight in front of Erwin's face. The larger man looked and saw his gray gaze trained to the left. Why was he-? Eren. His own head turned.
Eren was balled up against the wall, hiding his head behind his knees. Now knowing Erwin wouldn't be startled, Levi took two long strides to the younger man, kneeling beside him on the floor but not touching him. "Eren?" he asked in a tone so soft and gentle Erwin almost didn't recognize it. "Are you all right?"
His head nodded, but didn't rise. "It's not you two," his muffled voice did come. "It's really not. Just started thinking- thinking stuff. Dunno why. Not you two," he repeated. And sniffled.
Sniffled. That wasn't good. "Then what was it?" the raven head asked, still in that docile wavelength.
"Nothing. I'm fine."
"You're clearly not, Eren." His gray eyes turned to Erwin, begging for help; the man had no experience in situations like these.
"What would you want?" Erwin asked, his own voice a whisper.
Levi turned back to Eren. And embraced him. Eren leaned into the touch, forcing the raven head to fold his legs underneath himself to sit, and inadvertently revealing his tear-streaked face, which he immediately tried to wipe clean. "You've nothing to be ashamed of, Eren; everyone breaks sometimes."
"Y-You've gotta be confused."
"I don't need to know now- or ever. You don't have to tell us. But if this is something we can prevent in the future, please tell us how."
The brunet took a couple more minutes gathering himself. Heglanced up at the king, expecting hostility or at least irritation, but the man just sat on the edge of the bed… looking concerned. Both erections had to have been painful, even if they were now long forgotten and mostly gone.
Levi was barely keeping his shit together. Eren almost felt worse for him than himself. "First day, new friend, already broke him," he tried to joke. "It's not you two," he said again. "I was thinking how different it was, from- from another time, and I couldn't… I couldn't come back. I kept trying, but that bastard just kept ta-taking me-" He stopped talking in favor of deep breathing.
"Eren," the king asked slowly. "Were you one of the ones you told us about? That he wouldn't just-?"
"Yes," the brunet hissed, features burning. "Don't make me tell you with what."
"Of course not. Thank you for telling me," he said, and after pulling on his robe, left the room.
"Wh-What happened? Is he mad?"
"Not at you. I'd say Erwin just decided between life of hard labor and exceution for that piece of shit."
"Oh. Which…?"
"You want someone to suffer, you sentence them to hard labor. And the place Erwin sends prisoners, well, he'll be wishing he'd never been born right quick."
"That… guy's kinda scary, huh?"
"Only if you treat people like shit. Come up on the bed, hmm? The floor's cold," the raven head said, standing up with him.
"Wait- did you two stop because of me?"
"We can always start again, Eren, don't worry."
"He stopped? On his own?"
"Because I happened to look over and saw how you were. I asked him to. Words were difficult at the time, so I held out my hand. He got the message."
Levi had never seen such a bewildered expression. "And he just… stopped?"
"Of course."
"I… begged and begged… but he never…"
The older man managed a smile. "I keep telling you Erwin likes people happy, especially those close to him. He not only knows, but expects me to tell him to fuck off if he goes further than I want him to. Or if I see a matter that holds a higher priority than orgasming."
Eren snorted, whiping his hand on his sleeve.
"Aw, they're called rags, Clover; I have some here," Levi said as he retrieved them, laughing a little despite himself.
"So… Erwin's gonna sign some papers and come back?"
"Probably. He's definitely coming back, if that's what you mean."
"I'm… sorry I ruined everything."
"Delayed, yes. Ruined, no. Are you sure you're all right? I can take you back to my room if you'd prefer."
"No, it's okay. I know you guys are safe," he replied, relaxing against the shorter man's shoulder. There was a good few inches between them.
"That can't be comfortable," Levi chuckled, seeing the angle that brunet head was at. "Here, let's get under the covers."
"That's okay? There'll still be room for Erwin?"
"Look at the size of this thing. It's fine," the older man assured him, pulling back the blankets and crawling underneath them. "Come here, will you? I need someone for body warmth."
"Shit," the other cussed after a chuckle, joining him. "This this is amazing."
"It is," the raven head agreed, curling against his back. Eren stiffened, startled at the sudden proximity, but shifted, facing the other man and curling against his shoulder. "Get some rest now," Levi continued in a soothing tone.
Once he eased in to it, it felt really nice, Levi's arms around him. And the more Eren thought about it, the more he realized the other man really was lonely. There was only a few people he could speak to, and the king was probably the only one he could really talk to, maybe even the queen.
He needed a friend. Someone to talk to. Eren couldn't say he would mind that much either. He wasn't going to deny the high possibility of sex in their future, but Levi (and if he was being honest, Erwin) was willing to wait until he was ready for the time to make that a reality. They really weren't going to force anything on or from him, and he couldn't ask for anything else from another person.
'So I can be the friend he needs, if nothing else,' was the final decision, and began to nod off, Levi's breathing and heart beat lulling him to sleep.
It was some time before Erwin returned, smiling at the endearing sight that awaited him. Levi stirred slightly when the larger man slid in on the other side of the bed, molding his body against his lover's. "Sorry I took so long."
"'Sok. Sleep."
"Yes, Sir," the blond muttered, easing against the other two and the comfort of the bed, the two nodding off again grouped together in each other's warmth.