Chapter Four

A week passed during which Levi and Erwin's secret relationship continued without change. They met each night in Levi's room, exhausted each other, and then Erwin would leave without a word while Levi was nearly passed out in his own bed. Levi still woke every morning alone. In reality, Levi was beginning to lose his initial confidence. As much as Erwin didn't seem to mind this arrangement, the wall he kept between them was as steadfast as ever. Leave it to Erwin Smith to be good at protecting walls.

Then there was the other thing. Levi had never had any kind of relationship with another man before, but he wasn't stupid. He knew that there was a male version of the kind of sex he was familiar with, and he roughly understood the mechanics. At any rate, he was sure it was more than just touching or sucking. But that was all Erwin would do with him. It was possible of course that Erwin was just as ignorant and inexperienced in the area as Levi, but somehow Levi got the impression that wasn't the case.

Levi started to wonder if Erwin just couldn't open himself up that much to another person. It might be that unless it was this true love of his, Erwin's stupid backward morality would make such meaningless acts for the sake of pleasure impossible. There was also the possibility, and this seemed conceivable to someone as easily disgusted as Levi, that even if Erwin could get hard over Levi, he might find the act of going inside him to be disgusting.

Levi bit the inside of his cheek as his tension grew, doubts swimming through his head. He was sitting with his squad in the mess hall, barely touched coffee gently wafting steam before him. Petra, Eld and Gunter were sensitive enough to Levi's moods to know to tread softly in times like these, but Oluo had started a tirade about some disrespectful upstart or other. Fortunately Levi was tuning it out, but that wouldn't last.

Finally, Petra interrupted the rambling complaint and said, "Oluo. I'm done eating. You are too, right? Let's go clear our trays and you can finish your story." Her enthusiasm tailed off toward the end of this suggestion, but she tried to maintain her smile.

Oluo scoffed. "Women. You can't do anything alone, can you?" He ran a hand through his hair with an overly confident air.

"I can smack you all by myself," Petra muttered through gritted teeth as they both rose and took their trays toward the kitchen. She turned briefly and caught Eld's eye with a bob of her head toward Levi. Eld nodded.

Eld hesitantly turned to his captain. "Heichō. Is anything disturbing you?"

Levi's face remained unchangingly dark as if he hadn't heard, but finally his black eyes flicked to his second in command. "Two men can have sex, right?"

Gunter, who had been taking a drink of coffee, promptly choked on it. Eld managed to hold back his surprise, but to the shock of the other subordinate, his cheeks took on a slightly pink hue. Apparently the suggestion was not entirely unwanted.

"Heichō…" Eld murmured. "I'm flattered, but as it happens, I have someone-"

Levi's expression intensified and Eld promptly shut his mouth. In a rumbling, devilish undertone, Levi muttered into his coffee, "Shouldn't be that difficult. Yeah. So basically it's like that. In other words he's just being a giant chicken-shit. Hm. In that case it's the same as usual. I'll have to do what he doesn't have the balls to do. I'm pretty sure I could take him if I get him by surprise. Have to make sure I have a strong enough rope, in case he fights…"

All color promptly drained from the faces of Levi's two subordinates. Without saying another word, they both quickly finished their breakfast and excused themselves. Petra asked them later what had happened, but both were too scared to talk about it.

Levi could have waited for Erwin to come to him that night, but decided to beat him to the punch. He knocked on Erwin's door just after sunset. When the door opened, Erwin gave him that same blank, unsurprised look he'd had each time they met this way and silently let him in.

As soon as the door was closed, Levi easily jumped up and wrapped his legs around Erwin's waist, bringing their faces nearly level. Erwin's eyebrows twitched in what might have been annoyance, but the next moment he shoved Levi up against the door and attacked him with kisses.

Levi gasped for breath. He never got used to Erwin's intensity during these times, such a mismatch with his normal façade. However, this time the kiss didn't last very long. After a moment, Erwin stopped and drew back slightly. Levi opened his eyes to find Erwin staring at him with a disapproving brow raised.

Erwin reached behind Levi, to the rope tucked between his jacket and trousers, and drew it out to hold up for Levi to see.

"Levi. What's this?"

Levi clicked his tongue angrily. "Damn it."

"Not 'damn it'. What were you planning to do?" Erwin asked steadily.

Levi rolled his eyes. There wasn't much point in hiding it now. "Just the usual. Me taking charge when you need me to. Seems like you have a fear of intimacy. I was going to help you get over it."

"I see," Erwin replied dubiously, glancing at the rope. "So this is…therapy?"

"You could say that."

"Hm." Erwin sighed. He observed the rope for a moment before calmly hanging it on the coatrack beside them. Then he took Levi under his arms – his hands so large in comparison that they nearly encircled Levi's narrow chest – until Levi's legs reluctantly released him and Erwin could place him on the ground.

The commander turned away, removing his bolo tie and placing it on his nightstand. But somehow, it didn't seem like he was in the mood anymore. He took a seat on his bed with a firm expression.

"Levi. I think you should go back for tonight," Erwin said. Despite the outward calm of his words, Levi thought there was regret or even sadness furrowing Erwin's brow.

Levi was taken aback. "Do what?"

Erwin rubbed the crease between his brows tiredly. "You're over-excited. And I don't exactly want to encourage this criminal instinct of yours."

"Oh. So you've lost your balls again," Levi murmured in a dangerous growl.

Erwin glanced at his expression but merely closed his eyes with a sigh. "Whatever reason satisfies you."

The next moment, Levi planted a well-shaped leg in the center of Erwin's chest, hard enough to bruise. He twisted his booted heel into Erwin's chest and enjoyed the wince of pain from the giant. The two locked eyes and neither was willing to give a single inch, despite the constant pressure Levi's incredibly strong leg laid on Erwin to push him back.

"Time to come clean, Erwin Danchō," Levi growled, his arms folded and eyes cast in shadow. "One question. After humiliating me like this, the least you could do is answer it."

Erwin's icy blue eyes narrowed. "If I can answer, I will," he replied enigmatically.

Levi's eyebrow twitched at his infuriating ambiguity, but nevertheless the question had to be asked. Despite the pain that flickered through his heart from just imagining what the answer might be, Levi took a breath and asked it. "You won't fuck me. Why?"

Erwin seemed surprised by the question. That fact in itself was a shock to Levi; normally Erwin was the guy who predicted everything. Levi was sure that during dull conversations, Erwin filled up the time by anticipating every single person's response to everything that might be said, the way chess masters predicted the moves of a game in advance. He certainly behaved as if he already knew what everyone around him was going to say. But apparently, Levi had caught him by surprise.

"That's what you're worried about?" Erwin asked finally.

"That's what I said. I won't say it again," Levi snarled.

Erwin sighed, nodding. "All right, I hear you." He contemplated for a while, and during this time Levi reluctantly lowered his leg. There it was again: Levi was sure he saw pain crossing Erwin's face. But what a ridiculous idea. What could possibly cause this monstrous man to feel human emotion?

At length, Erwin closed his eyes. "I'm not sure what I was hoping for. I think I wanted something to change, but I didn't know how to do it myself."

Levi frowned sharply. "What are you babbling about now?"

Erwin shook his head. "Just a romantic ideal I guess. You'll laugh if I tell you."

Levi raised his leg again, intending to beat it out of him if necessary.

"All right, all right," Erwin said, raising his hands in defense. He sighed. "I wanted…my first time to be with someone I loved. And who loved me in return."

Levi blinked. He stood there for a moment with a blank expression, his brain having short-circuited during Erwin's previous statement. It took a while for Levi to process the words he thought he heard, parse them out into their most basic meanings and then combine them back into a sentence and analyze their intended connotative value. Once he had done this, he had another moment to stand there in utter bewilderment. Then, against his will, his face went bright red.

"F-…first…?" he mumbled.

Erwin glanced up at him, gauging his expression. He crossed his arms and closed his eyes again. "I expected laughter. I suppose this is marginally better."

"Your…first?"

"First sex partner, yes."

"You've…never…?"

Erwin simply shook his head.

"You are…" Levi finally regained his composure and gritted his teeth in rage. "…so full of shit!" He stomped on Erwin's toe in frustration, causing Erwin to tense his jaw again. "You…nobody has technique like that without experience! You're just trying to manipulate me again, you shitty liar!"

"Technique?" Erwin asked with a raised brow.

Levi's flush deepened in shame and anger. "I didn't say that. Forget it."

Erwin actually chuckled a little, though he tried to hide it by turning away. "I'm glad you liked it."

"Shut the fuck up!"

"I went to a brothel once or twice, that's true," Erwin continued softly, and Levi clammed up to listen. "Mostly at the insistence of my superiors. The ladies there were kind enough to teach me the basics, but in the end I never wanted to do any more than that. Are you satisfied with this explanation?"

Levi didn't know what to say. It now made sense that Erwin was such a good kisser, in spite of apparently being in love with the same woman for years. And despite a flicker of jealousy at whatever woman had taught him such things, the emotion now filling Levi's heart was sadness.

It was as he had thought, then. Sex meant nothing to Erwin if it couldn't be with the one he loved. That hurt a lot more than Levi had been expecting it to. Not just on his own behalf, either. Knowing how much it hurt now to love someone and not receive anything in return, he felt a stab of pain thinking about all these years Erwin had spent alone. First and foremost of course, Levi didn't want to give him up. But at that moment, his heart was swayed most by the desire to take Erwin's pain away. Could he do that?

Levi turned away, leaning a slender hip on Erwin's nightstand. "This romantic idea of yours. Is it one of your stupid rules, or just a passing fancy?"

Erwin smiled lightly. "More of a hope, really."

"Hm," Levi grunted. "So. Saving yourself for someone you know is out of reach. How's that going for you?"

Erwin chuckled again, surprisingly seeming in a better mood than before. "Could be going better, if I'm honest. Not that I'm complaining."

Levi considered this vague reply. He sighed. "If I were you, I'd be a little more opportunistic."

Erwin frowned at that. "Meaning?"

Levi shrugged. "As I see it, you don't have to break that rule to get some relief. You want your first woman to be someone you love." Levi bit back the pain that his own words caused him and continued expressionlessly, "Fair enough. The one standing here and asking for sex isn't a woman."

Erwin watched Levi silently as he said all this. Eventually, his eyes cast down to the ground, his thoughts lost to all but the wind once again.

Levi saw all this happen and felt nervous again that Erwin would tell him 'no'. He wasn't sure his heart could take that. But he had to try. Slowly, sensuously, he lifted his leg once again but this time placed it lightly beside Erwin on the bed, providing a seductive angle for Erwin's eyes.

"And it's just a guess, but whoever this woman is I'm going to say I look a little like her."

The slight widening of Erwin's eyes confirmed that this was true. Although it worked for his purposes now, that fact further stung at Levi's heart.

Calmly he continued, "So knowing you're not betraying any of your own stupid rules, there's just one question. Can you imagine that this lady you love is me?" Against his own better judgment, he added softly, "And that she loves you too?"

The expression of torment on Erwin's face at that moment nearly took Levi's breath away. He had a terrible moment where he thought he'd made a mistake. He'd hurt Erwin instead of helping him.

But then, with tender precision. Erwin raised a hand. He placed it gently on the upper curve of Levi's calf, the most sensitive part where it just met the back of his knee. Levi shivered. Erwin then raised his other hand and placed it on the inside of Levi's thigh. He turned his head. To Levi's shock, Erwin leaned down and placed the sweetest, softest kiss on Levi's calf.

Then he turned his face up. It was such a rainbow of emotion, relief and pain and happiness and sadness all together. Levi really couldn't breathe while Erwin looked at him like that.

Whether knowingly or not, Erwin's hold on Levi's leg tightened as his expression intensified. "Levi…" he whispered.

Shivers of heat and emotion flooded Levi's body and he felt he might burst. He couldn't stop himself from gently taking Erwin's face in his own shaking hands. He slowly leaned in and capture Erwin's lips. A moan escaped him unbidden. He couldn't help it; he'd never felt so much electricity through his body from a single kiss. And it seemed he wasn't the only one.

Erwin got to his feet, enveloping Levi tightly in his vast arms without breaking the kiss. Levi struggled to find breath, feeling his chest so tight with desire and affection. His hands wouldn't stop shaking. His heart sounded loud in his own ears and his whole body felt much hotter than usual. He lost the ability to think coherently as Erwin's lips and hands caressed him, pulling him ever more deeply into their passionate embrace.

Erwin picked Levi up and pushed him back on the bed, climbing over him and touching his cheek as if to kiss him again. At that moment though, he hesitated.

Though flushed and somewhat distracted, as well as embarrassed that Erwin was merely staring at him at a time like this, Levi grumbled, "What?"

"Nothing…I just expected you to…"

"What?" Levi barked.

"I don't know. Fight me a little more?"

Levi scowled. "You want me to hurt you? Don't forget those words came from your own mouth," he growled darkly, one leg wrapping around Erwin's waist to hold him steady and both hands wrapping determinedly around Erwin's throat.

"No, no, absolutely my fault for being unclear, a misunderstanding. Yes, no need to demonstrate, Levi," he added since Levi's grip on his throat had failed to lessen as he spoke.

Finally Levi reluctantly let him go. He noticed that his nails had made light red marks in the skin of Erwin's neck. He flushed while looking at them, partly feeling guilty for hurting him but honestly a little turned on. He propped himself up on his elbows and kissed the marks individually.

Erwin closed his eyes, gently touching Levi's back as he enjoyed the sensation of Levi's lips on his neck. Levi loved breathing in Erwin's skin from right at this point, where his hairline met his neck. He would die before ever telling him this, but Erwin's musky and heavy scent was a major turn-on for him.

He nuzzled Erwin's ear a little and felt the huge man shiver. He kissed his neck a few more times before his own animal instinct kicked in and he sank his teeth into the place where his nails had marked him.

"Ngh!" Erwin grunted, his fingers digging into Levi's back.

Levi's eyes fluttered; he loved it when Erwin held him so tight it hurt. Before he could think of another way to tease the steadfast Erwin, the other man seemed to lose his patience. He pushed Levi back down into the bed. Levi opened his mouth to protest but Erwin immediately silenced him with a brutal kiss.

Levi moaned. Somehow even though animal Erwin was back, Levi didn't feel afraid or empty as he had before. Even if his touch might hurt, Levi could feel gentleness and love radiating from Erwin's hands and lips. So, he thought, this is what it feels like to be loved by Erwin Smith. At that moment, Levi forgot his pain and honestly thought he could have died happy.

With no care for precision, Erwin quickly slipped off Levi's cravat, jacket and shirt, tossing them on the floor. Levi barely noticed (not until later anyway). Erwin grabbed him in his arms again and kissed his chest hard.

"Ah!" Levi grunted, gripping Erwin's hair. The sensation from that move was so intense he nearly came.

Erwin enjoyed the taste of Levi's skin before sitting up and practically ripping off most of his own clothes. Levi sat up to unbutton his own pants, but Erwin immediately forced him back down with another kiss.

"Levi…" he said, hands around Levi's head possessively. "You meant it, didn't you? It's okay to think of you as…her tonight?"

Levi swallowed, captured once again by the burning passion behind Erwin's chilling eyes. "Whatever. I just want to feel good. You better deliver, muscle head."

Erwin took in a breath to reply, then seemed to hesitate. "Then, Levi…can you tell me something? Just once is enough."

Levi was starting to blush under Erwin's persistent stare. "Say it. I'll think about it."

Erwin's eyes softened and Levi felt his chest tighten under that intensely sweet expression. " 'I love you'," Erwin murmured.

Levi's cheeks felt on fire. His brain completely skipped the happiness he should have felt and instead went straight to panic mode. He shoved Erwin back, little good though it did with Erwin's bulk.

"Fuck off! I'm not telling you that-" Levi muttered, struggling to get up.

But Erwin took his arm and pinned him there. His grip was so strong it made Levi wince, and he hesitantly looked back up in spite of his embarrassment. Erwin's gaze was pleading. Levi had never once imagined that Erwin Smith could make a face like that. It caused Levi's heart to do summersaults and he was unable to keep up the fight.

"Levi…" Erwin whispered. He larger man leaned in close. He drew Levi into his arms and whispered into his hair, "I love you."

Levi's eyes stung. His heart ached so badly, plunged suddenly from reluctant happiness into crushing heartbreak. The moment he heard them, he remembered that those words weren't for him. This embrace was meant for someone else. The sweet breath on his hair and the heat encasing his body was all a lie. Even so…he couldn't let them go.

With shaking hands, Levi reached up to wrap his arms around Erwin's neck. With a gentle squeeze of his hair, Levi murmured, "Me too…Erwin."

Levi saw the barest expression of tormented happiness cross Erwin's face as he drew back to look at him, then Erwin renewed his kisses more deeply than ever. Levi squirmed beneath him, longing to feel more. He couldn't think about anything but Erwin's touch.

When Erwin finally stopped to take a breath, he kissed Levi on the cheek and said in a husky murmur, "Turn over."

Levi balked. "Why?"

"So I can get you ready."

Levi's eyes widened and his face went red. "Ready?" Suddenly it clicked in his head what Erwin is going to do. "Oh no. No way am I getting in that position, you fucker. Do something else."

Erwin raised a dubious brow. "What's wrong with that position?"

"You can see everything!"

Erwin nodded. "That is sort of the point."

"No!"

Erwin's expression clouded over and Levi shivered. "If we don't use that position, I can't be sure you're ready. We're doing it that way, or you're leaving now."

Levi gritted his teeth and hissed like an animal. He had to fight back his embarrassment if he wanted to continue, and for Levi that was a major blow. With great reluctance, he flipped himself over and grabbed onto Erwin's wrist.

"If you hurt me, or make any snide comments while you're back there," Levi grumbled, "I'll rip the flesh off your wrist and watch you bleed to death."

Erwin nodded and kissed the crook of Levi's neck, causing his rage to melt a little. "That's fair," Erwin said. "But wait here, I need something."

"Wait HERE you stupid piece of shit?" Levi snarled, still humiliated by being on all-fours on Erwin's bed.

"Mm-hm. Just a minute."

Erwin kissed his back, then got up off the bed and went to a high cupboard over his closet. He returned with a jar, opened it and place it on the bedside table. He dipped in two fingers and made sure they were well coated.

Levi frowned at all this. "What's that?"

"Lamp oil."

Levi made a face. "What the hell do you want lamp oil for?"

Erwin climbed back onto the bed and pressed his chest against Levi's back, using his free hand to caress Levi's chest and cause him to shiver pleasantly. "It's made from alcohol and minerals, it should be non-toxic. But tell me if you feel dizzy."

"Wh-…what?" Levi murmured.

He got a shock as something cold and wet touched him in a place he'd never been touched before. He gasped and bit his lip to stop from crying out in surprise.

"I'm sorry. It'll warm up soon," Erwin said.

Levi flicked a glare at him. "I'm easily embarrassed, but I'm not a little kid. I told you before, I can take whatever you can dish out."

Erwin smirked. "I'm pleased to hear that."

The next moment, Erwin's finger slipped deftly inside Levi's hole. Levi gasped. It was a strange sensation. Not unpleasant, but very odd. He was just getting used to it though when Erwin's finger ventured deeper and brushed a spot a few inches inside near his balls. Levi's hips shook and he nearly cried out. It felt like Erwin had flicked the tip of his cock, but he hadn't even touched him there yet.

"Ah. Hange mentioned this," Erwin said with his infuriating calm. "They said some men enjoy prostate stimulation more than others, but it looks like you're on the 'more' end of things."

Levi snarled at him. "I did warn you about commenting on things that aren't important," he snapped, his fingers tightening on Erwin's wrist.

Erwin smiled. "My apologies."

Instead, Erwin ruthlessly thrust his finger deep again and caused Levi to choke out a cry. Levi's cock was aching, even emitting a few drops of precum. He needed to cum. He would rather die than tell him this, but Erwin's finger felt way too good. He couldn't take much more of this.

Erwin continued bringing Levi ever closer to the edge of reason before he inserted a second finger. Levi actually sighed with relief at the changing sensation, since the slight discomfort distracted him from the need to cum. He closed his eyes and relaxed as Erwin slowly widened him.

But this time, when Erwin thrust deeply, the force of two fingers struck Levi's prostate and sent waves of electricity through his small body. He gritted his teeth, knowing full well he was drooling on Erwin's sheets but unable to move. If he moved at all he would cum. Erwin once again thrust in both fingers up to the knuckle and Levi cried out, etching his efforts to keep from cumming into the skin of Erwin's wrist.

Erwin didn't seem to care. Instead, he slowly inserted a third finger.

"Ah…no!" Levi grunted, reaching back to hesitantly touch Erwin's other hand, urging him to stop.

"What is it?"

"No…more. It's fine so just…put it in already," Levi grumbled, ready to die with shame.

Erwin considered this request for a moment. Then he merely said, "No." With his free hand, he took hold of Levi's wrist and slowly moved it down. "Have you forgotten? There's no way two fingers is enough to prepare you for this."

So saying, he brought Levi's hand down to touch the monster between Erwin's legs. Levi trembled. Though he couldn't see it from this angle, Erwin's cock felt even harder and hotter than usual, not to mention he could barely wrap his hand around it. He swallowed.

"Hang in there. Just a little more."

Levi gritted his teeth in shame and pressed his face to the sheets. Once again, Erwin's fingers took up their merciless stroking, each time sending waves of pleasure through Levi's struggling body. He couldn't take much more.

"Wait…Er-…win…" he gasped, unconsciously lolling out his tongue.

But this time Erwin paid him no mind. All at once, he thrust in all three fingers up to the knuckle.

Levi's whole body jerked as a strangled cry rose from him. He tensed as an undeniable wave of passion swept his consciousness away and he came hard into Erwin's sheets. Levi lay there trembling for a time, unable to move from the intensity of his orgasm just now. He'd never in his life cum that hard before. Exhausted, he fell forward onto the bed and lay there gasping to restore his sanity.

He heard Erwin's breath quickening above him. "I'm sorry, Levi," Erwin muttered in barely more than a whisper. He sounded like he was almost in pain. "I can't wait any more. Hang on."

Levi didn't even have time to tense before he felt something massive pressing against his ass. He drew in a quick breath, eyes going wide, before Erwin slowly began to ease inside him.

"Ah…ngh!" Levi cried through brief flashes of pain. Erwin had been right, even three fingers wasn't enough. He felt himself being stretched as his insides reluctantly parted for Erwin to enter. Pleasure flickered in through the pain though, and the thought of Erwin inside him was almost enough to make him hard again in spite of the pain.

Erwin panted above him, slowly pushing deeper, deeper. The constant pressure against his prostate made Levi jump now and then with pleasure and soon the pain also faded to a vague numbness. Finally, as his hips lined up with Levi's, Erwin stopped.

Erwin rested his head tiredly against Levi's back. "It's all in. I can't believe it." He kissed Levi's back a few times, then grunted as if in pain. "Levi, can you try to relax? It feels good, but you're so tight I can barely move."

Levi found it fairly difficult to concentrate as he lay there panting under Erwin. Reluctantly, he attempted to relax his muscles, and almost at once he felt his cock spring back to life with the sensation of Erwin slowly moving inside him. It was intense, but he couldn't believe how good that felt.

Erwin's breathing intensified. "I'm going to move now. Are you ready?"

"Shut…up!" Levi panted.

Erwin heeded that advice by simply pulling out and thrusting deep inside Levi. Levi wailed as Erwin's cock shoved hard against his prostate. His cock had never felt his good. He didn't even mind the hint of pain. Erwin was touching the deepest part of him. It felt like he was claiming him, like a dog in heat. Steadily, he continued thrusting hard inside until Levi was close to reaching yet another peak of sensation.

"Er-…win…!" Levi cried, so overwhelmed he felt tears stinging his eyes. "Good…so…good!"

"Levi," Erwin grunted in a husky voice. He shifted his hips and increased the pace.

Levi cried out over and over, unable to hold back his voice. It felt so good to be taken like this, to be connected so deeply. It was so good he was starting to get a little dopey. He couldn't take much more of this.

"Levi…Levi…"

He just caught Erwin muttering his name near his ear. Levi shuddered and his cock twitched, dripping nonstop precum onto Erwin's bed.

"Levi…"

At that moment, Erwin's arms tightened around Levi's chest. He stopped thrusting for a moment to slowly caress one hand up Levi's neck, forcing him to arch it back and partly look up at Erwin. Thus, Levi was able to see the terrifying intensity that Erwin so rarely let show.

"You belong to me," Erwin murmured. He thrust into him again and Levi whimpered, so near to cumming again. "You're mine, Levi. I'll kill you before I give you to anyone else."

Levi's eyes widened. That should have frightened him. And it did a fair amount, as it was meant to. Most people would run from that intensity. But Levi clung to it. He shamelessly wrapped a hand around Erwin's nearest arm, propping him up over Levi. While arching his back like a cat to encourage Erwin deeper, Levi licked a sensuous trail up Erwin's bicep. Finally, he bit down possessively, leaving deep red marks.

Erwin growled. "Levi," he grunted. Then he grabbed Levi tightly and sank his teeth into his neck. Levi moaned.

"Er-…win…hurry…"

Erwin growled into his neck like an animal, but began thrusting again. Levi convulsed and cried out over and over, it felt so good he was close to passing out. Erwin's cock was so hot and hard it was taking up all his consciousness. He couldn't help wanting more, but he wasn't sure he could take it.

Finally, after a few more hard thrusts, Erwin's nails dug into Levi's chest and he pounded inside him one last time. Levi's eyes went wide as his stomach filled with heat. He twitched there for a moment before a massive and almost painfully pleasurable wave of sensation washed over him. His vision went black for a few seconds and he lost all strength in the arms holding him up. He collapsed, twitching, on the bed.

Erwin seemed similarly exhausted, panting loudly over him. At length, the larger man reluctantly drew himself slowly out of Levi. His cock still twitched and spurted a few drops of cum onto Levi's back. Levi's hole twitched as it slowly returned to its normal shape, though still somewhat pink and moist. Erwin watched the scene admiringly for a time before he collapsed heavily beside Levi.

The two men lay there panting for a few moments. Eventually Levi managed to open his eyes. Erwin was lying beside him, eyes closed and still breathing heavily. Apparently the experience had been even harder on him than it was on Levi. Well, he had more bulk to move around, and he had been doing most of the work. Levi soon found himself lost in staring at the blond giant. For possibly the first time since they'd met, Erwin looked peaceful. Perhaps even happy, though it was hard to tell for he had soon fallen into a deep sleep.

When he had his strength again, Levi propped himself up on his elbows and watched Erwin a little closer. "I am yours," Levi murmured, barely even audible to himself. "And I'll kill you before I ever have to give you up."

He leaned in and place a soft kiss on Erwin's forehead. It tasted of salty sweat. Levi almost didn't mind.

He got up, with difficulty, and rummaged around to find something to clean up with. He found a handkerchief in Erwin's closet and decided he would wash it and return it to him later. In the meantime, he considered whether it would be better to get back in that bed and wake up with Erwin in his arms. It was tempting. In the end, though, he decided he really couldn't sleep in this sweaty, disgusting state.

He gingerly put on his clothes and slipped quietly out the door. He didn't expect anyone else to be there.

He turned and flinched as he realized Miké Zacharius was standing right outside the door with his arms folded. He didn't look surprised to see Levi sneaking out of Erwin's room hiding a wadded up handkerchief behind his back. Levi blinked at him, waiting for an explanation, but it didn't come.

Levi sighed. Simply out of boredom with waiting for Miké to explain himself he asked, "You need something from Erwin? Sorry, but I don't think he's up for a chat."

Miké shook his head calmly. "No. I actually came to talk to you."

Levi frowned coldly at him. "Why did you come here to look for me?"

Miké merely watched him impassively in reply to that, as if it was a question not worth answering. Eventually, he gave a large sniff. Levi's eyebrow twitched in irritation.

"All right, then. What do you want?" Levi demanded.

"Funny. That's just what I came to ask you," said Miké. He punctuated this softly significant statement with another sniff. He looked hard at Levi, one of the few people who was on nearly even footing with him in terms of strength. Levi was well aware that he could not afford to take anything Miké said lightly. "Levi. What is it you want from Erwin Danchō?"

"Mind your own business, sniffer dog."

Miké gave a half nod in acknowledgement, but then said, "Unfortunately, Danchō's ability to work is my business."

Levi narrowed his eyes up at the subordinate. "So, what? You want me to stick to oral when we have a mission coming up? Be more specific."

"Erwin Danchō has to have children."

A cold splash of ice water ran down Levi's spine at this soft statement. He stood in shock, completely caught off guard by Miké's simply clarity. He could say nothing in reply.

"You know he has to have a family, it's for the sake of our survival. For the human race." Miké sighed, casting his gaze away, though to Levi this show of reluctance was just a show. He had no interest in protecting a relationship between his two commanders. "Maybe he could handle being a father and Commander of the Survey Corps. But not if he has a lover. Not a lover who is of the same sex, in a position where they have to keep it secret. A lover who puts his life on the line every day, and could wind up titan food at any moment. Erwin Danchō is an amazing man, but no one can cope with that. You know that already, or you should."

Levi allowed the truth of this to wash over him in silence for a few moments. Pain began to well up with the despair and he tightened his fists.

"Who asked you? Fuck off, Miké," he grunted, and turned away to return to his room.

Miké watched after him for a time, but all he did in reply was merely sniff.

As Levi got out of sight, he clutched a hand to his chest, feeling his eyes growing hot. He was not a noble person, or so he told himself. He would put his own happiness above other peoples' without much thought. But Erwin's happiness…if he did manage to change Erwin's feelings, to love him instead of this woman he was obviously so crazy about…would that mean anything more than pain for him?

Levi took a long shower that night and slept restlessly with dreams of being eaten and watching Erwin standing over his grave.