This time, Eren stayed asleep for three days.

The day of the nighttime titan, they took Eren back to the base. Levi never completely lost consciousness, but he was a little dizzy, so Hanji took him on the back of her horse. They laid Eren in the dungeon. This time, they shackled him to the wall. He laid among the shadows.

Then, the waiting began.

On the first day, Levi woke up with a shout. There were those walking by who swore he'd said "Eren". Regardless, the minute he woke up and got dressed, he was gone. Took a candle and some cleaning supplies to an unknown location, didn't come back until the afternoon. Well, maybe not completely unknown- everyone pretended not to know that he'd gone to the dungeon.

Day two was a little stranger. When Hanji walked into his room, it was perfectly organized. Well- it was always organized, of course- but now it sparkled. She frowned at the strong smell of soap.

"Oh." She sighed, shaking her head. "It's one of those days."

Levi had taken his supplies and was vigorously cleaning every inch of the base. Hanji approached him around noon. "Levi." She said. "This… isn't really a healthy coping method, is it?"

"Coping?" Levi said hollowly, wiping down the window in front of him. Soap trickled down the crystal-clear glass. "Coping with what?"

"Er- well, never mind. You can, uh, clean if you want. I just thought you might want to know something!" When it became clear that Levi wasn't listening, Hanji frowned. Her hand edged towards his shoulder, and she hesitated. "Levi, are you paying attention? It's important!"

"I'm listening."

"Well," Hanji began, "I was going to tell Eren this, but we were interrupted. And since I can't really- y'know- talk to him right now-"

Levi started scrubbing again.

"Levi! Are you listening?" She waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello?"

"Hanji- I'm right here. I can still hear you."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Sure about what?"

Levi paused. He seemed to think for a second, gently squeezing his sponge. Then- "I'm sure that it's fine."

"What?"

"What?"

"Ugh!" Hanji threw her hands up in frustration. "I'll tell you later! There's no reaching you when you're in super-cleaning mode." She turned and started walking away-

"No- tell me now. Hanji." He looked up. "Hanji. Hanji, that's an order!"

"Tell you what?" She called back.

"Hanji!"

She turned a corner and was gone.

Day three. Levi opened his eyes to find a note next to his bed.

"Clock tower. 8 P.M. Come alone. It's about Eren. –Mikasa"

He looked up at his clock. 6:45 A.M.

It was going to be a long day.

Though Levi wasn't entirely sure, he also had a feeling that Hanji was following him. Every time he turned, he thought he heard the squeak of her boots. Once, he saw a shadow shift across the floor. He tried looking for her, but when Hanji didn't want to be found, it was impossible to get to her.

When 7:30 came, Levi slipped into his room and locked the door. Then, he quietly slid the window open and clipped his 3DMG hook onto its sill. His curtains fluttered in the cold night air.

Mikasa was waiting for him. She was at the edge of the clock tower balcony, cloaked in shadow. The wind played at her hair, scattering it over her scarf.

When she heard footsteps, she turned. Her eyes caught a glint of moonlight.

"Corporal." She gave a short bow. "First, I just want to say thank you."

"Don't thank me yet." Levi warned. "I'm only here to hear you out."

"I'm not thanking you for coming." Mikasa said. She almost seemed to smile.

"Oh- then you're thanking me for my gracious hospitality." Levi said sarcastically, raising his eyebrows. "The base is a nice place, isn't it? Don't worry about it, it's my pleasure."

"You're in love with Eren."

Levi froze. Shit.

"Don't worry," Mikasa assured him, "It's not that obvious. I just keep a close eye on Eren. I notice things."

His eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Mikasa?"

"I already told you." Mikasa said. "I'm thanking you."

"For what?"

She took a few steps forward, lowering her voice. "I think we both have a common interest. Someone we'd like kept safe."

Levi's lips twisted.

"I'm thanking you for protecting him."

"I see." He turned. "But unfortunately, I think you're getting your hopes up. I won't always protect him. He's not my top priority-"

"Drop the act." Mikasa said. "It's fine to care."

"You're not just thanking me." Levi realized, "You want to work together. So this is the 'Protect Eren' club, is it? When do I meet the rest of the members?"

She ignored him. "Eren's temperature is dropping. He's going to wake up soon."

Relief rushed through Levi's mind.

"I need to know you're with me." Mikasa went on, "Because I know that Eren can be reckless. There's a difference between fighting and throwing life away."

Levi nodded.

"Are you trying to keep him safe?"

Levi said nothing.

"There's no one here but us and the stars, Corporal."

"I can't guarantee anything."

"Do you love him?"

"I think we're done here." Levi said. He started walking away, towards the stairs that led downstairs-

"There's nothing wrong with it." He heard Mikasa say. He stopped. "Don't be ashamed. Caring is in our nature. It keeps us human."

"As opposed to what?"

"As opposed to pawns."

"Pawns?"

"Carelessly moved. Made of cold marble and sacrificed without a moment's doubt."

The question rose to Levi's lips before he could stop it. "And where would that leave Eren?"

Silence.

"Eren… doesn't really understand." Mikasa admitted, a trace of regret in her voice. "He's the king. The most important piece on the entire board, pivotal to success, yet also the most vulnerable. And at any time, if the player gets bored with protecting the king, they can forfeit. Then, the king no longer matters. The rules don't matter. That's where the game ends, and the fight begins. Do you understand?"

Levi paused for a second. Then, he started walking again.

"I've never really liked games."

"Good."

And with that, Mikasa walked to the edge of the balcony once more, gazing into the distance.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The minute Eren woke up, he could tell he'd been sleeping for a long time. Far too long.

His hands flew to his throat, and he gasped. It burned! His eyes swept the area around him, and then- oh! A glass of water. He grabbed it, upending it over his mouth.

He felt a little better after that- at least, until he became aware of the gnawing in his stomach. And then-

"Eren, you're awake!"

Eren looked up, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

Hanji grinned down at him, hands on her hips. "Hey!"

"Oh no."

"Don't worry! I'm not doing anything dangerous." Hanji smiled, taking something from the table beside her. "Plus, look what I've got!"

A tray piled high with food. Eren's mouth watered.

"Do you have a moment?" Hanji said, sitting cross-legged on the floor.

"I take back everything I've said about you." A grin spread across Eren's face. "Hanji, you're the best!"

Hanji nodded. "No problem!"

They stopped talking as Eren ate. After a little while, Eren paused between bites of chicken to look up at Hanji.

"So- what do you want to tell me?"

"Nothing!"

Eren swallowed. "Huh?"

"I'm going to sit here and watch you eat."

Eren slowly looked down at the food, then back at her, suddenly feeling sick. "This is an experiment, isn't it?"

"Don't worry. Only a very little one-"

"PLEASE don't tell me you put something in the food!"

"No, no, nothing like that!" Hanji scoffed. "Come on- eat! The soup's getting cold."

Eren was too hungry to argue. He ate in silence.

Once he finished, Hanji undid his chains and helped him up.

"That's it?" Eren said.

"That's it!" Hanji replied. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"

"I guess not." Eren stretched. "Anyway-"

"Oh yeah!" Hanji exclaimed. "Levi wants to see you. You've gotta go up to his room."

"Right now?"

"Yup! Quickly- you know how much he likes being kept waiting!"

"Thanks, Hanji!" Eren called. He bounded up the dungeon stairs.

"You're welcome." Hanji said cheerily to herself, pulling a clipboard from the bag across her shoulder. She waited until she heard his footsteps fade. Then, she started climbing the stairs. "But I should be the one thanking you, Eren."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Eren knocked on Levi's door.

He was nervous. He'd shifted, after all. Right there, when Levi had told him not to. True, he'd saved lives- but he'd still disobeyed direct orders. Well- sort of. The fact that it had been unintentional made it even worse.

"Come in."

The voice made Eren's insides twist. Well- here goes nothing. He gingerly opened the door-

Levi stood up instantly when he saw him. "Eren?"

"Yes, sir!"

Levi's head tilted. "What are you doing here?"

Eren blinked, confused. "Uh- Hanji said that you wanted to see me…?"

"Did she?"

Eren nodded.

"She must have made a mistake." Levi muttered. "Tch."

"Oh." Eren shrugged, a little embarrassed. "Then I guess I'll just-"

"No!" Levi said. Eren froze, confused. Levi cleared his throat. "I mean- no. I have things to discuss with you."

Eren's sighed.

"I shifted."

"I know."

Eren looked down, ashamed. "I didn't mean to shift."

"I know."

"You- know?" Eren looked up. "How-"

"I know you wouldn't disobey my orders."

"Oh." Well, at least he trusts me, right?

Eren realized that Levi was staring at him. It was an intense gaze, and Eren shivered. "Did you… want to tell me something, sir?"

Levi thought for a moment, one hand on his chair. He looked down.

"I used to be just like you, you know."

Levi walked to him. He started circling, much like a bird of prey. Eren stiffened, standing still. A tingle ran through his skin.

"Do you know why I joined the Scouting Legion, Eren?"

What? "Uh- no, sir."

"I joined," Levi said quietly, "Because I wanted to kill titans."

Eren was silent.

Levi stopped walking. "It didn't work out."

"But- you do kill titans!" Eren said, confused. "You're one of the best!"

"Of course I kill titans. But that's not why I'm in the Scouting Legion anymore. There are more important things. Lives at stake."

Eren glanced at him. "But that's the same thing, killing titans and saving lives- right?"

"No. They're very different."

Eren felt uneasy. "Why… why are you telling me this, sir?"

"Don't you understand?" Levi said. Eren could tell he was getting frustrated. He walked over to his desk. "Is killing titans all you understand? Not much in that little brain of yours, is there?

"No- I want to save lives!" Eren thumped his hand to his chest. "I do!"

"But you're not getting it." Levi turned away. "You don't understand. Eren. Why do you kill titans?"

"Because-" Eren's brow furrowed. "You know why. They killed my mother! I have to-"

"So it is revenge." Levi's voice grew, becoming louder. "Do you see all the lives being lost? Is it worth it, Eren?"

"Of COURSE it's worth it!"

"How?" Levi turned. "How could it ever be worth it? Are we all just machines?"

Eren swallowed. "Why are you saying this?"

"Why do you follow my orders, Eren?"

"Because I respect you!" Eren stepped forward, spreading his hands. "You're the best soldier there is!"

"Would it have been worth it if I'd died three days ago, Eren?"

Eren didn't know how to answer.

"Can you imagine the funeral?" Levi looked to the side. Was that- bitterness in his voice? ""He was a great soldier", they'll say. Who cares? They'll all miss my fighting. Who's going to miss me? Who cares about me?!"

"I would miss you!" Eren shouted

"Why?"

"Because- you're my friend!"

There was a pause.

And all of a sudden, it came down on Eren like a pile of bricks. The realization.

Oh.

Levi… is he…

He searched Levi's dark eyes. Levi met his gaze. Eren could see that he was regretting the conversation. The air boiled.

Eren strode over to Levi and grabbed him, clutched him to his chest. Though Levi didn't move, Eren heard his breath catch a little in surprise.

He's so small.

For some reason, that made him really sad. Just the one thing, how small Levi felt in his arms. How small he'd felt in his giant, titan hands. It would be so easy for one of them to snap him up. They could swallow him in one gulp. Would he scream as they ate him alive?

He squeezed Levi tighter, breathing in the strong smell of soap. His voice cracked as he spoke.

"How could losing you ever be worth it?"

Levi didn't move. Eren could feel his heartbeat through his chest.

Without warning, Levi's breathing sped up. Eren loosened his grip a little- and then Levi had lifted a knee to his chest. He planted the sole of his boot on Eren's chest and pushed. Eren fell to the edge of Levi's bed, on his back.

Levi leaned over, planting his hands on either side of Eren's neck. He straddled him. Eren's breath caught in his throat.

Levi looked steadily down at him.

"Are you lying to me?" he said quietly. His voice was so low that Eren could feel the vibrations.

His eyes were wide. "N-no." he stammered. "I-" Stop talking, Eren. "I- I respect you, sir."

"Respect?" Levi's voice was empty.

"Well- sort of." Eren said. He slowly turned pink. "I mean- I also like you. As a person."

Levi blinked. A look of confusion came over his face.

"I- I mean-" Eren struggled to put it into words. It didn't help that Levi was staring intensely into his eyes. "You act sort of scary sometimes. But- you also think! You can keep calm. You didn't think I was a monster."

A pause.

"Even- when I thought I was a monster."

Levi lowered his head.

His hair tickled Eren's neck as he pressed his lips to his collarbone.

Eren's eyes widened. "L-Levi-?"

But he had no time to think. Levi's lips were cool and soft against his skin, and now they were moving up the side of his neck in little kisses.

Now Eren's mind was spinning. I- I didn't think he- His hands curled into the bedsheet, face flushed crimson. Breaths became ragged, shallow.

When Levi's lips reached the corner of his jaw, right under his ear, Eren squeezed his eyes shut. He twisted, letting out a soft noise. "Mmmm-" Levi shifted, sinking his hands into Eren's raven-black hair. His lips pecked at the edge of his jaw as he made his way towards his chin-

And suddenly, just after a particularly delicate kiss, Eren was overwhelmed. He shuddered, rolling over and pushing Levi onto his back.

Eren looked into Levi's eyes. They were wide and surprised, sparkling in the candlelight.

"Open your mouth." Eren breathed. Levi obeyed, closing his eyes, and Eren turned his head, crushing his lips to Levi's. His fingers threaded into Levi's hair, and Levi clutched at his jacket. Eren turned his head again as he pushed at Levi's sweet-tasting lips. Levi's toes curled, cheeks flushing strawberry-red.

Suddenly, Eren realized how fast Levi was breathing. He pulled away, a little worried. "Levi- are you okay?"

Levi nodded weakly. His breathing was still heavy, eyes glistening feverishly. Eren couldn't believe it- this was Levi. Levi. He looked so vulnerable. He'd never seen this side of him. It almost looked like he was going to faint.

"You sure?" Eren said. He gently smoothed Levi's damp hair back from his face.

Levi shivered at his cool touch, nodding.

"Are you cold?" Eren said. He enveloped Levi in his arms, ducking his head, and Levi arched his neck willingly as Eren gave him a big, slow kiss on the underside of his jaw-

Levi moaned, and Eren almost jumped in surprise. Loud-!

BAM

The door was flung open. Hanji stood silhouetted in the entrance, a mighty look of purpose on her face.

Eren scrambled off to the side, sucking in a breath. Levi weakly turned his head, still panting and flushed. His skin shone with sweat.

Hanji took in the sight. A look of recognition dawned on her face- to their horror, followed by a grin.

"OHHHHHHHHHHHH!" she yelled, clapping her hands to her head. "OH!" She grabbed fistfuls of notes from her shoulder bag, turning to run back as if she'd discovered the secret to life itself. "OH OH OHHHH!"

"Hanji!" Eren called after her. "Hanji, wait!"

Hanji's cries of "OHHHHHHHHHHHHH" echoed in the distance.

The pair looked at each other.

"Hah- hah- L-lock the door." Levi managed to say through labored breaths.

Eren ran to the door, pushing in the lock. He tiptoed back to the bed.

"I'll wait until the danger's past." Eren said, sitting on the edge. "Then, I'll…" He trailed off, looking at Levi.

"You're still bright red. Like a cherry." He smiled, leaning a little closer. "If I kissed you, would you taste like one?"

Levi swallowed. "We have to be quiet." He said reluctantly, "Or else- she'll know we're still in here."

At that very moment, Hanji charged past the door. "EREN!" she shouted. "WAIT UP! I NEED TO ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS!"

Once she was gone, Eren breathed a sigh of relief. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his sleeve.

"Can I get that kiss now?"

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Hanji excitedly worked over her notes for hours upon hours that night, taking her time. She didn't think she'd need them very soon, after all.

She was wrong.