They say that all gay people will get this new disease but Erwin knew that wasn't true. Levi was sick and he wasn't. Erwin wished he was the sick one. He saw Levi struggle so much doing the simplest of tasks. He couldn't even walk upstairs without having to sit down. It was painful to watch. The man he loved more than anything was dying and he couldn't do anything to help. It just made him shrivel up inside just thinking about it.

The worst thing was Erwin couldn't tell people about his problem without being hated or judged. Being gay meant God would punish you but having a lover with this new cancer, he might as well die now because he had no chance of finding any peace in heaven. He wished it didn't have to be this way but what could he do about it?

Erwin had another reason to keep Levi hidden from society. Erwin was a commander in the army and he didn't want to lose the income that kept them alive. Levi was a military man too but dropped out because he got too sick to battle. After he left the army he disappeared from the public and no one has seen much of him. (Besides Dr. Zoë.)

...

Erwin took his lover to the doctor for his weekly check up on Thursday, just like every other Thursday. The appointment was at 1:20pm but Levi had so much trouble getting ready in the morning they had to start getting up at 9:00am. Erwin was always willing to help Levi with anything so he didn't mind too much.

Levi hated the doctors'. He always got bad news while there. He knew he was sick but would some good news just go his way?

Dr. Hange Zoe was their physician and she was wonderful. She always knew what she was doing and she was supportive towards every patient. She wasn't like the other doctors. She wanted to help these people and wasn't afraid of anything. All she was interested in was the science.

Levi stared up at the flickering lights on the ceiling. "Annoying. Fix them."

Dr. Zoe wheeled to Levi in her doctor's chair. "I told you, we can't. The pussy electricians won't set foot in this room. They don't wanna catch the sick."

"Tch," Levi rolled his eyes.

"I know right?" she stuck a needle in Levi's forearm. "So how're things at home? Any improvement you've noticed?"

"Nope, just gettin' worse," Levi said.

"Erwin, have you noticed anything new?"

Erwin nodded. "There are some new lesions on his thighs."

"Is that it?"

"He's had some trouble walking up and down the stairs. He also falls more often."

"I see…" she removed the needle from Levi's arm. "You may need a wheelchair."

"No," Levi deadpanned.

"Levi-"

"I would rather walk than anything else."

Dr. Zoe took off her glasses. "Listen, you're current condition makes you extremely fragile in every way. A fall from this table to the floor can easily cause some internal bleeding and major bruising."

"I'll take my chances."

"Mr. Smith."

"On it," Erwin picked Levi up like a baby and said, "Without a wheelchair I'm gonna carry you."

"Oh my fucking god Erwin, no. Gimme the chair."

"One moment," Dr. Zoe left to sign out a chair.

Erwin set Levi down, watching him struggle to find a comfortable sitting position. As he watched he began to notice that it was starting. Levi was becoming the poster.

Lesions covered his flesh, his ribs stuck out (it looked almost like he could stab someone with them), and his eyes were tired and dreary like he had been awake for years with little to no sleep. Erwin still saw nothing but beauty though.

"Levi…" Erwin took his boyfriend's hand and could feel every bone inside. "You know how much I love you, right?"

"Don't do this to me Erwin."

"Don't do what?"

"This. You say all these things about how much you love me and it makes me feel bad about

being sick. It also makes me feel guilty about the thought of death."

"I'm sorry… I don't want you to feel uneasy but I just… Love you so much."

Levi leaned back and groaned. "Erwin stop…"

"But-"

"No. No more talking."

Dr. Zoe returned with a black and silver wheelchair. "You can rent this until you buy one. Sound groovy?"

"Yes. Thank you doctor."

"Also I have something to tell you. I don't want the two of you engaging in any sexual activities. That's one way the disease can spread. We are studying other possible ways but for now avoid sex and making out."

"You're kidding me, right?" Levi worked himself into the wheelchair.

"No. Avoid those things and Erwin should be safe."

Levi groaned and crossed his arms. "Fine."

Erwin was a little upset about cutting off sex for good but he was okay with it. He would rather that he and Levi be happy together than the both of them being sick.

"Good. Sign out at the front."

They both gave Dr. Zoe a 'thank you' and left.

Erwin wheeled Levi to the front desk and signed some forms.

"We aren't really gonna stop doing it, right?" Levi touched Erwin's thigh as they left the building.

"Levi, you heard her. No more sex."

"Oh come on. She's crazy. Probably doesn't want others to be fucking if she ain't gettin any."

"Levi. Please."

"Daddy, come on."

Erwin got to his car and brushed some sweat off of his brow. "Stop. You need to get better and I can't afford to get sick." He helped Levi into the passenger seat and put the wheelchair in the back.

Levi watched Erwin get into the car and start the engine. "Hey. Promise me something."

"Of course. What is it?"

"When I die-"

"Levi. No-"

"Let me finish. When I die, I want you to cremate me and put my ashes next to your bed. I want my soul to be with you in your dreams. Got it?"

Erwin hated these conversations. He didn't want Levi to die any time soon. He had always imagined he and Levi would grow old together, get a nice country home, and maybe adopt a few kids along the way. And one day, when everyone recognizes their love, they'd get married. They wouldn't have to hide away from society ever again. They would be free to love each other with no embarrassment.

"Hey."

"Yeah. I got it."