Erwin crystal blue eyes flickered over to his old friend as he followed him out of the cave. He watched the older dragon shift into his familiar human form before sitting on a large rock by the riverside.

Levi rested his forehead in a hand as his shoulders slumped forward. A deep sigh escaped his slightly parted lips as he heard Erwin's footsteps coming closer to him from behind.

"If this about my nightmares... I can take care of it myself." He hissed slightly, "I know that's what Eren was talking about in there."

Erwin's jaw slacked open a bit when Levi interrupted him before he could even speak. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he marched to his friend's side. He could see Levi's eyelids were heavy from lack of sleep as he sat next to him. He let out his own sigh when the older dragon had turned his back to him.

"Obviously you can't." Erwin started, "Can't you see Eren's worried about you?"

"Of course I can!" Levi hissed back, "But can't you see that I don't want your help?"

Erwin glared at Levi for a second before the dragon continued.

"I can handle it without you! I don't need your damn help. Not yours. Not anyone's!"

That was the final straw for Erwin. He knew Levi was stubborn but this was getting ridiculous. He grabbed the other male by the collar of his shirt and yanked it forward so that he was nose-to-nose with Levi. His hard crystal blue gaze matched the other's narrow metallic grey one.

"I've gotten by on my own without you and I can continue that way." Levi spat in Erwin's face as a small growl ripped from deep within his throat.

"You may be able to continue that way but your family can't Levi." Erwin snapped back, not even flinching when he saw the other's fangs appear.

Levi's bangs cast a shadow over his eyes when he heard Erwin say this. He gripped Erwin's wrist tightly and spoke in an icy tone of voice as his talons dug into the blond man's wrist.

"Don't you think I know that? Do you take me as a fool, Erwin? Because I'm not...! These dreams are the reason why I have to protect my family... From everything..."

Erwin was relieved when he was granted access to his wrist once again. He glanced at Levi as he rubbed his wrist, checking the deep claw marks the dragon had left.

"I think it'd be best if you took your leave now, Erwin." Levi said as he remained perched on his rock.

Erwin nodded in agreement as he stood up, watching the dragon carefully as he walked towards the cave.

"He won't listen to me but... I did manage to find out one thing..." He stated, looking at Eren as he entered the cavern.

Eren looked up from watching the five hatchlings play around with Jean, Marco, and Armin when he heard this. His ears pricked up in curiosity as he faced Erwin, tilted his head a bit as he did.

"Find out what exactly?" He asked.

"Apparently these dreams seem so real to Levi that he thinks he has to protect the six of you from it." Erwin answered, "It worries me..."

Eren lowered his head somewhat and nodded in agreement.

"His maternal instincts are to blame for that..." He said with a slight chuckle, "I just hope they go away soon with Jasper, Petra, Samson, Carla, and Eric around..."

Erwin nodded in agreement before looking closely at the five little ones.

"Eric looks just like his father... Acts like him too by the looks of it..." He said, watching the little dark colored dragon sneaking around his siblings.

Eren smiled slightly as he watched the little mini version of his mate mess around with his siblings. He looked back to see Levi; his back to cave entrance with his head hanging down on his hands. The brown dragon's heart pricked with slight worry and sorrow. What was happening to his beloved dark colored dragon?