Disclaimer: I own none of the characters!

Note: Long chapter

The first snowfall left Eren awestruck. He had seen snow on plenty of occasions. He had gone out with Armin and Mikasa to throw snow at Jean or cut down trees for firewood. They even went hunting in the snow a few times. But from his bedroom terrace, he saw more of it from up high.

It blanketed the castle grounds in solid white. Even the evergreens surrounding the grounds were coated in snow and the dead trees closer to the castle held snow on their thin branches. The afternoon sun made the white snow look soft and sparkly and sweet. Icicles hung from the trees and the castle, catching the sunlight as well.

Eren woke up early, just to see how beautiful the fresh snow looked in the daylight. He sighed longingly at the ethereal sight. He ran his fingers over the terrace railing, brushing away the thick snow. It left his fingers wet and numb but he could not hold back a smile.

He ran back into his room and excitedly threw on his clothes. He wrapped his red cloak around his shoulders and hurried out of the room. He walked down the stairs and stopped by the kitchen, grabbing a small basket-full of seeds. He left the kitchen and walked up to the castle's entrance and pulled the door open.

Cool air stung his face and he shielded his eyes from the bright sunlight. There was a freshness to the air and he shivered, stepping out into the thick snow. It crunched under his boots and he relished in the satisfying sound it made.

He could hear branches cracking the distance. Birds chirped nearby.

Eren stopped walking and dipped his hand into the basket, grabbing a fistful of seeds. He threw them onto the snow and sat down, waiting patiently. It took a few minutes, but birds finally started to settle into the snow, picking at the scattered seeds. He sprinkled a few more seeds onto the snow. The birds jumped back before picking at them more.

It was nostalgic, feeding the birds. He couldn't count the times he had gone out with Mikasa and Armin to do the very same. He smiled at the thought and wondered what Armin and Mikasa were actually doing. He assumed fine—seeing as Levi had given them so much money. But it was still unsettling. He still wasn't for sure. He had no way to know; no way to contact him. Was he even allowed to?

And if he could write to them, how would he? He would have to dictate his words to Petra or Hanji, and as kind as they were, he was not fond of the idea. It destroyed any sense of privacy he could share with them.

Eren sighed, making a trail of seeds. The birds fluttered closer and he smiled a little. Suddenly, the birds flew away, kicking up snow. Eren gasped and watched them fly away, leaving the seed in the snow. His shoulders dropped and he pulled his basket close to his chest.

A short wind picked up, snow swirling circles around where Eren sat. He watched it, and noticed, the solid white clumps mixed in. He tilted his head and reached out, snatching the white from the air. It was cold, but still soft on his fingers. He rubbed it on the pads of his fingertips and realized it was the velvety petal of a white rose.

But where would it come from? Where could there be a rose in the middle of winter?

Eren looked around at the castle curiously. Surely not. But then again, it was Levi's castle. And nothing was ever really normal or made sense—

A black shadow caught Eren's eye. It was not against the snow on the grounds; it was lingering on a terrace on the castle. It kicked snow off the balcony as it disappeared inside, the glass doors slamming shut.

A chill set over Eren, one not caused from the weather. It was unsettling, what he saw. And he could not stop seeing the image playing over and over in his mind. That terrifying black shadow dancing in the window, hiding somewhere in the castle.

He turned away, trying to catch his breath as his heart raced. He was frozen. Terrified. Everything around him suddenly felt numb.

"You haven't said a word, Eren," Levi said over his meal. "Are you ill again?"

Eren looked up from his plate. He shook his head firmly. "No, sir. I'm fine."

Levi raised an eyebrow, disbelief all over his face. Eren half-smiled and gave a little shrug, tapping his fork against his plate.

"Eren."

"I'm fine," Eren said. "Really. Just…tired."

"Hm?"

"I woke up early," Eren replied. "That's all."

"Tch, brat."

Eren dipped his spoon into his soup and flicked it in Levi's direction. The prince's eyes shot up and he glared. Eren tried to hold back a little grin but the more he stretched his cheeks the wider his smile became. When he looked to Levi, he saw the same big smile on his face too.

"You're such a brat," Levi laughed.

"And you're not?" Eren teased back.

"Not as much as you."

Eren dared to stick his tongue out at Levi. And the prince reached over and playfully pinched him on the cheek. Levi's firm fingers felt like ice on his rosy skin and Eren gasped. He grabbed Levi's hand between his own and rubbed it gently.

"You're so cold…"

"It's a cold castle and it's winter. That's expected," Levi defended, pressing his other hand to the bridge of his nose. He shuddered, and not from the simple touch of Eren's warm hand.

"Are you alright?" Eren whispered, massaging Levi's fingers. "Do you need to go lie down for a while?"

Levi shook his head. "I'll be fine."

"He just needs his tea!"

Eren jumped, looking around until he finally leaned back. Hovering over their heads, sitting on her broom, was Hanji. She had a book open in her lap, scribbling away with a tattered quill. Her cat was draped across her shoulders, lazily sleeping, and her six rats were all curled up on the brim of her hat. Floating next to her, and stirring itself, was a cup of steaming tea.

"What the fuck Hanji?" Levi hissed. "How long have you been there?"

Hanji sat up straight, adjusting her glasses. "For a while."

"What are you doing up there…?" Eren asked cautiously, pulling his hands away from Levi's.

"Taking notes," Hanji hummed, floating lower to the ground. She tapped the cup of tea and it glided over to Levi's spot on the table, settling in front of him.

Levi picked up the cup and blew on it. "Finally."

"What are you taking notes on, Hanji?" Eren asked curiously as the cat, Moblit, stirred a little. Hanji patted him on the head.

"A few things," she replied. "For research. On spells and curses and things of that nature."

She held out her book to Eren, as if he could actually read it or make sense of her scattered handwriting. But he looked over the wild scribbles and nodded.

"That's fascinating…"

"Eren can't read," Levi said, sipping his tea. "There's no point in showing him."

"Levi!"

"Oh, you can't read?" Hanji asked, holding her book to her chest. "But you always go to the library."

Eren ruffled his own hair and hid his face in his hands, his cheeks a furious shade of red.

"I just like the smell of books! They remind me of home!" Eren shouted. "And I just like being read to, too!"

At this Hanji's eyes widened and she leaned in closer. One of the shiny black rats fell from her hat and onto Eren's lap.

"Who reads to you?" she whispered.

"I think that's enough questions," Levi heavily sighed, finishing his tea. There was suddenly more color in his face; a slight pink tinge to his cheeks and nose and lips. And his eyes looked a tad brighter too.

"Levi reads to me," Eren said, ignoring the prince.

Hanji's face lit up and she spun away on her broom, her book flying open again as she started to hastily scribble away. She swung her feet back and forth, giggling wildly to herself.

"You had to say it," Levi mumbled.

"You told her I couldn't read!"

"But she won't bother you with—"

"So Levi, you should show Eren your rose garden," Hanji interrupted. Again, Levi groaned but Eren had heard it.

"You grow roses? But…it's winter! How? I want to see!"

"It's an enchanted rose garden," Hanji hummed, mock-dreamily, just to get the most out of Levi's unhappiness of the topic. "The roses grow year round."

"Levi! Please, may I see? Will you show me?" Eren pleaded, clasping his hands together. "I haven't seen any flowers in so long…"

Which was a partial lie, he realized. He hadn't really seen any flowers; just a few petals.

Levi exhaled, exasperated by Hanji's mentioning of it and Eren's pleading. He eventually nodded.

"It's a very private garden. But…I suppose…"

Eren smiled big, excitement all over his face. He grabbed Levi's hand again, holding it tight.

"Thank you Levi! I look forward to it."

Levi shrugged as his cheeks turned red, listening to Hanji's shrill laughter as she whizzed in circles on her broom again, scribbling away in her book.

Levi insisted that he be the one to guide Eren up to the top of the castle and to the garden. Eren suggested he go alone, but Levi was firm on his answer. Especially since they had to walk through his personal wing of the castle.

Eren stayed quiet as they walked, taking in the scenery. There was minimal décor on the walls and floor; nothing like the rest of the castle. It was clean, but it still felt terribly empty. The doors were closed shut and Eren could see, along the fine wood grain, scratch marks and broken hinges.

He thought about that shadowy creature he had seen. And a slow fear started to build in his chest.

"Oi, watch your step here," Levi instructed, walking up a set of spiral stairs.

Eren looked up at him, the candle in the prince's hand casting a low glow over his tired features. Tired but handsome. The feeling was terrifying. How someone could be so beautiful but fragile and cursed and still strike fear into his heart.

"I'll be careful," Eren said, taking a step forward. "I'm not clumsy—"

He stumbled and almost fell on the second step. Levi turned to catch him by the arm, keeping Eren on his feet. Eren clung tight onto him.

"Sorry…"

"Silly brat," Levi whispered, slipping his hand down Eren's arm. He slid his hand into Eren's and gave him a little tug. "Come on."

Eren looked away, still holding Levi's hand as they walked up the stairs. He knew they were close when he felt the cold air on his nose. Levi pushed the door open and lead Eren onto the castle rooftop.

The sight was breathtaking. The moon was full and bright, casting silver light onto the snow. Everything glittered around them, like beautiful white jewels. The sky was deep blue and stars twinkled. Eren's breath formed a little cloud at his lips and he shivered, but the cold couldn't compare to the view.

He shivered, pulling his red cloak closed as much as he could with one hand; since Levi still held the other. Levi gave him a tug and they walked over to a small glass house, the windows all stained with swirling designs on them.

Levi opened the door and guided him inside.

Roses seemed to fill every corner of the small area. Eren's eyes widened and he gasped, letting go of Levi's hand and running in between the two aisles. Every rose was white; as pure as the snow outside. They had a strong aroma, fresh and light. And despite the cold weather they were still growing so beautifully in the small greenhouse.

There was only one rose bush that lacked blossoms, he saw. All of the others were in full bloom with big, heavy flowers on them. He walked over to the empty bush, examining it closely.

"I wasn't sure what to expect, but this wasn't it. It's better," Eren said. Levi shrugged.

"I suppose."

"How long have you been growing them?"

Levi looked away, his eyes turned up to the glass ceiling. "Twenty of the bushes are now in full bloom. One for every year I've been alive. And next year will make twenty-one."

Eren swallowed hard, suddenly remembering that curse. He looked at the bush without any beautiful buds or blossoms on it. It was just leaves and thorns. But hidden in the leaves there was a tiny little red mark he had overlooked.

"Do they grow with your curse? Hanji said this garden was enchanted…" Eren muttered. He could hear Levi grunt uncomfortably and hesitate.

He remained silent and Eren waited, wondering. Were the roses counting down the years he had until he could break the curse?

"You…know about my curse?"

"I know that it exists," Eren whispered. "I don't know really what it is. Hanji…Hanji and Petra just mentioned it and that it has to be broken before your twenty-first birthday. I'm sorry…"

"I don't want your fucking apology," Levi snapped, pacing between the two aisles. "That's a private matter. Well…it was, everyone fucking knows now. But yes. They're a constant reminder that I'm cursed."

Eren bit his lip, hearing the bitterness in Levi's voice. He felt guilty for bringing up the curse. He curled into his cloak, rubbing his chilly nose on the sleeve of his shirt. Silence fell over them again as Levi ran his fingers over one of the white roses. Eren watched him, wanting to fix it. He actually wanted to get Levi's mind off the curse. He wanted him to smile…

"One of the roses is red."

"What?"

Eren shuddered at Levi's sudden snappy response. Levi rushed over and sat down by him, staring at the flowerless bush. Eren swallowed hard and reached into the bush, holding the tiny bud for Levi to see. Levi held the candle close, but was careful not to burn the leaves. The candle's light glowed on the bud and through the dark leaves, a bit of red was peeking out.

Levi's lips thinned as he looked at the small bud. Eren could not tell if it was in annoyance or fear or anything. He pulled his hand away from the flower, to let Levi look at it alone, when a thorn caught his skin. He jerked away his hand in pain and felt the skin tear.

"Ow…," Eren hissed, opening his hand. Blood dripped over his palm.

"Fuck, Eren, be careful," Levi snapped, catching Eren's wrist. "These thorns are sharper than other thorns. They're fucking enchanted."

"I know that now!" Eren cried, closing his hand as blood dripped to the ground.

Levi sneered and pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. He coaxed Eren's hand open and wrapped the white cloth over his finger.

"You're so fucking clumsy," Levi sighed, wiping away the blood with gentle care. "How did you manage to take care of yourself?"

"Just fine, actually," Eren said, bumping his head against Levi's. It was a light little bump, hard enough to be felt but not hurt. Levi held his wrist tighter when Eren knocked their heads together, staying away from his finger to prevent any more pain to it.

Eren didn't pull away. Levi's hand slipped from his wrist and back up to his hand, holding it gently. Eren bit his lip, looking away and giving Levi another light bump with his head. Levi nudged back, a slight smile on his face.

He knew they could have stayed like that all night. For once Eren wasn't concerned with trying to kiss him. He wanted to stay as they were, their heads pressed together, inhaling each other's scent and awkwardly gazing into each other's eyes.

It was Eren who pulled away first, his nose itching. He sneezed several times and wiped his nose on the end of his sleeve. He sniffled, his eyes watering, and looked to Levi, who had a disgusted expression on his face.

"I should get you inside," Levi sighed, wiping his own face, his brow furrowed more. "I don't want you to be a snottier brat."

"I'm fine," Eren gasped, sneezing again. Levi rolled his eyes, pulling off his own fur-lined cloak. He draped it over Eren's shoulders, pulling it closed around him.

"Quiet. Let's go," Levi demanded, getting to his feet.

It never really occurred to Eren that Levi may actually be cold, walking back into the castle. He was too consumed with the feeling of the black cloak over his shoulders. The outside was black velvet and it was lined with a soft, black fur. But it was the scent that was intoxicating. It still smelled like Levi. And it still held some of his warmth.

Eren sneezed as Levi opened the door to the castle. He hurried inside, wiping his nose on the sleeve of his shirt again.

"Fuck, Eren, you really are helpless, getting sick."

Eren groaned and threw his arms around Levi's shoulders as they walked.

"If I'm so helpless, take care of me."

Levi smirked as Eren buried his face into his dark hair. He held on to Eren's arms, keeping them pressed against his chest.

"I'm going to have to, apparently," Levi hummed. "Snotty brat."

Eren woke up early again, but he did not have the desire to run out into the snow. He stayed in bed, dreamily staring at the ceiling. Everything felt warm around him. His heart was a fluttering mess and his cheeks were already tinged pink from excitement. He was actually looking forward to seeing Levi again.

He never would have thought he would be happy to see the man who took him from his home. A part of him was still bitter. But the rest of him actually didn't mind Levi. The man wasn't half bad. Most of the time.

Eren pulled the fur cloak (the very one Levi had draped over him hours before) up around his neck, smelling the fine material. He smiled, relishing in how much it still smelled like Levi. He buried his face in the fur and his sigh turned into a moan.

He gasped, his eyes opening quickly. He had really just moaned, thinking about Levi. But it was only natural, since Levi's cloak was pressed against his face…

He sat up, threading his fingers through the long fur. Perhaps he should return it? That would be best.

And if I go now, I can take a better look in his quarters, Eren thought, chewing on his lip.

Without a second thought, he jumped out of bed, dressing warmly. He picked the cloak up off his bed, folding it in his arms as he ran off. He tiptoed down the hallway, staying as quiet as possible as he passed by Hanji's and Irwin's rooms. Once he was clear, he started running again until he was across the castle and into Levi's personal area.

It was still. Everything was still and dead quiet after he walked through those doors. Cold and empty. It was nothing like his room where it was warm and welcoming and lively.

Eren walked up to the first door, and opened it, ignoring the scratches on the wood. It creaked against his weight and he peeked inside. There was nothing—absolutely nothing—inside the room. Barely a tattered rug but that was all.

He pulled the door shut and moved on to the next door. That one wouldn't even budge because of how destroyed the hinges were. The farther down the hallway Eren moved, the more he saw how beat up the rooms were; how neglected they were. This was no area for a man to live in.

At the end of the hallway, Eren pushed open the last door. He stumbled inside, not expecting it to budge so easily. He fell into the room and rubbed his head, looking up. And there, laying across the floor, was a shadow of a demon. Black, shaggy fur over large, wolf-like shoulders. The creature's ear twitched and its tail flopped at the noise but it never woke up. Eren recognized it, almost immediately, as the thing he saw that day in the forest. The monster that drove him off the road. And it was the thing he saw in the window only the day before.

It was the only clean, cared for room on the hallway too. There were paintings on the wall and the bed was neatly made. There were even flowers in a vase and the fire was dying, recently used.

It was Levi's room; his actual room. And Eren was sure of it. Which meant…

He gasped, sitting up quickly and knocking into a nearby table. He was too terrified to hear the vase rattle around. He was too stunned to stop the vase and table from falling over. Glass shattered, spilling water. Wood splintered on the floor.

The demon dog's head shot up and it growled, smelling the air. Eren's breathing grew ragged as he watched it.

"L-Levi…?" Eren whispered. The creature's ears perked up and it growled again. Eren got to his feet, dropping the cloak as he backed away. The creature—no, Levi—turned its head to stare at him.

Eren froze, his body numb. He could barely breathe. He wanted to cry, his heart racing viciously in his chest.

Levi snarled at him and Eren knew that Levi wasn't in control. He knew that whatever that curse was, it turned Levi into the monster before him.

Without thinking, Eren turned and ran as fast as he could. He slammed the door behind him, hoping that the nightmare would just go away. It would have to go away. He couldn't see it. And that was a rule; if he couldn't see it, it didn't exist and he could—

The door burst open, shards of wood going everywhere. Eren could hear it but he never looked back. He could hear the giant paws getting closer and louder and if he looked he was sure he would die.

He ran through the last set of doors, slamming them shut as well. He never stopped running, however. He ran right into his own side of the castle, screaming at the top of his lungs as those doors behind him were shattered too.

"IRWIN! HANJI! MIKE! PETRA!"

He slapped each door he ran up to, trying to make as much noise as possible. But when Levi ran around the corner, slipping and slamming into the wall, he was sure someone would wake up. He had stopped running, banging on Irwin's door as hard as he could, still yelling as loud as he could.

Eventually, the door opened and a sleepy Irwin appeared. Eren pushed passed him, falling on to the floor as Levi slid by in an attempt to attack him. That shook Irwin awake. He slammed the door, running to his bed and pulling his sword from under it.

Eren stayed on the floor, catching his breath and still shaking. Tears streaked down his cheeks. Uncontrollable tears of fear and terror. He watched Irwin throw the door open and step out into the hallway.

Eren screamed, covering his ears, when he heard Levi's vicious snarls. He jumped to his feet, running to the doorway. Through his wet lashes, vision blurred from the tears, he made out the scene before him.

"Please, Irwin, don't hurt him!" Eren shouted. "I'm sorry, Levi! I'm so sorry! But please Irwin, don't—"

Levi snapped at him and Eren fell back, barely out of reach. There was more commotion, as Levi lunged at Irwin. And even more commotion when the other doors on the hallway opened. Eren heard the light buzzing of wings and a second later, he could see blue fairy dust.

The snarling stopped and something big dropped to the ground. He crawled to the doorway, holding his sore arm, and looked at the collapsed demon Levi lying on the rug. Petra was breathing hard, a bag of something in her hand. Hanji and Mike were both leaning against the wall. Irwin still held his sword, a scratch on his arm.

They all turned to Eren, absolute terror and regret in their eyes. All Eren could do was start to cry, guilt swelling in his stomach.

Levi lived, Eren found out. It had only been a simple sleeping dust Petra used on him. And by the time the sun set, she explained, the effects of his curse would wear off and he would return to "normal". The dust would also wear off, allowing him to wake up.

With that still on his mind, Eren tended to Irwin's arm. He had offered to stitch the wound, using proper medical care, and dress it afterwards. It was in the evening when Eren insisted he take another look at it, just to apply fresh bandages.

He managed to drag Irwin to one of the parlor rooms, a bowl of hot water on the table alongside new bandages. Eren dabbed the stitched wound with the water, cleaning it again. The water turned a faint pink from the man's blood every time Eren dipped the rag into the bowl. Irwin breathed hard, holding in any pained cries.

Eren wiped his eyes. "Thank you again…"

"Hm?"

"For saving me," Eren said. "Without you…I…I know I would have…"

Irwin smiled gently, patting Eren on the leg. "You don't have to keep telling me."

"I-I know. But you still…," Eren bit his lip, tying the fresh bandage around Iriwn's muscled arm. He paused, his hands shaking, and Irwin pressed his finger under Eren's chin. He turned Eren's face up.

"Eren, it's fine."

Eren shuddered all over. He looked away, Irwin's hand still holding his face up. He didn't want to look up at him; he didn't want Irwin to see the color on his cheeks. He was embarrassed and snotty and it was an ugly combination.

There were voices outside the door and Irwin quickly dropped his hand. Levi walked through the opened door, Petra right behind him with a worried look on her face.

"Levi, don't—"

"What the fuck, Eren!?" Levi shouted.

Eren jumped back, still holding the tourniquet in his hands as if he could hide behind it. He pressed up against the back of the sofa, unable to run anywhere.

"W-What, Levi?"

"Why the fuck would you do that? Why the fuck would you come into my personal quarters without my fucking permission? After I told you not to go up there?"

"I…I…I was returning the cloak," Eren muttered. "I wanted to see you…"

"You couldn't have fucking waited until I woke up?! Until I wasn't a fucking monster?"

Eren flinched. He had been able to withstand Levi's outbursts and even sass him back. He could brush it off or even laugh at him. But now he was too scared to even look up at him. Now the prince's harsh voice truly frightened him.

"Sorry…"

"Sorry? Sorry! That's all you have to fucking say, brat?" Levi shouted, knocking a vase off the table with an angry slap. Eren flinched again, this time leaning against Irwin for protection. Even Petra seemed scared.

"Levi," Irwin sighed, "Please."

"You know what, that's fucking fine," Levi said, catching Eren's frightened green eyes again. "Just stay here, Eren. Stay here with him and let him protect you from me. I should have known better than to think you would be any different. You're just like any other peasant I've come across."

"Levi…," Eren whined.

"Shut up, brat!" Levi snapped, still loud. "Just…stay out of my sight. But make yourself useful, you little shit. Clean up this fucking castle. It looks like shit."

"You…you want me to clean the castle?" Eren asked in disbelief.

"Yes. Clean the fucking castle and do the fucking laundry, too. You're not going to be a little freeloader. Everyone does something productive around here."

"F-Fine…," Eren sighed. "I'll be your little cleaning slave."

Note: This marks the end of the "Beauty and the Beast" saga. BUT, mini chapter next and a new fairytale coming up~