Levi had to direct some of the recruits to their rooms, although he was able to stick one of them with the job of taking his plate back to the dining hall. He could return to his room now, but he didn't really have time to relax, after all he had to attend dinner. Thankfully he got his report done earlier, and could rest for a little while, but he was surprised to find a note on his bed when he did return, opening it to read it.

As Eren lay on his bed in the dungeon he remembered what the note had said down to the word, hoping that they were the right ones for Levi. It had said: "Levi. I'm sorry if my actions weren't what you wanted, but in my mind all I cared about was helping you. If I crossed a line, and made you feel useless or anything I'm sorry. I wanted to make sure you didn't have to worry about anything so that you could rest, something you needed more than I did. The whole time you were gone I was worried, and I couldn't have you come back to me only to die of something like infection or blood loss. I care about you, very much so, and I'm sorry if my caring seemed condescending. I know my place, in this military, and in life, and I won't over step my bounds again. Eren" It had been simple, and Eren only hoped that it would help Levi see that he had meant no harm. If Eren were to be completely honest with himself he would have to say that he loved Levi, honestly and truly.

Levi just sighed after reading the note, turning to lie on his back on his bed, the note falling onto his chest. He had Eren worrying about something that he wasn't even mad at him for. How many things could he fuck up in one day? He didn't have time to talk to the younger boy about it right now, he didn't really know if he even wanted to really discuss it.

He'd probably just apologize and hope Eren would let it go, but for now he'd close his eyes and just rest, hoping his wounds would stop aching soon and he wouldn't feel as tired. Then it was on to handle dinner.

Eren got up to go to dinner, finding Mikasa in the dining hall and sitting down with her to eat. He could see Levi at the head of the table, eating slowly and wincing every now and then as he moved about. Eren hoped that the older man had gotten his note by now, and he decided to visit the man tonight using the secret passage to his room. Eren had never really felt mad about Levi's behavior, he was just confused and wanted to fix this as soon as possible.

The corporal was barely paying much attention to the dinner, his brain was elsewhere. His expression was its usual bored self though, so it was probably hard to tell. He had the mission now on his brain, and how much prepping they still had to do. These new recruits needed to start learning their plan. His old team had been briefed by now, well, except for Eren.

His thought process stopped there, wanting the younger boy out his head. No matter what he seemed to do though Eren always kept popped up into his mind. The corporal remembered then he had some papers to sort in his room, and he wanted it done before he went to bed. Standing up, and ignoring the looks of his team (new and old), he'd start heading back to his room. That would signal the end of the dinner, and those done eating could leave. Levi would preoccupy himself then with shuffling about his room, once he got there anyway. Once everything was done though, all he really wanted to do was pass out in his bed and sleep.

The Titan shifter waited but as soon as he heard Levi walked into his room, he quickly opened the secret door in the wall, facing his superior and looking him up and down. He didn't look too good, and his face was still whiter than usual.

Eren walked up and gave him a hug quickly, before he could protest. "I'm sorry for angering you," he said feeling terrible.

Levi jumped, and then winced. That wasn't good for his wounds, but he hadn't been expecting the younger boy to just show up and hug him either. He had almost forgotten about the secret passage.

" . . . No, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I'm at fault not you." He'd lean back into Eren, half because he wanted to and half because he was tired. "I didn't mean any of that, I was just angry, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

Eren just kissed his neck lightly, "Okay thank you. But you really shouldn't be up and about with your wounds. How about you let me take care of you for the time being." Eren just ushered Levi to the bed, pushing him down and making him stay that way.

The corporal didn't protest at all, he wanted nothing more than to just lie down right now. He was also very pleased that Eren hadn't pressed on the matter of his temper, well, so far.

"Thank you, I'm so tired . . . " He mumbled. He would have never laid down on his own since he did have things to do, he needed a push.

Eren sat down next to him on the bed, brushing hair out of Levi's face as he went. "You seem to be more agitated than usual. Care to tell me why?" Eren was just curious on the matter, and he figured that asking couldn't hurt. He needed to get to the root of the problem if they were ever going to try and fix it.

Levi tried to prop himself up on his elbows to answer, but ended up just wincing and falling back on the bed. He enjoyed the feeling of Eren's fingers running through his hair though. "I . . . It's just that you're such a distraction . . . " He had his eyes closed as he spoke, his tone frustrated. "I can't help but feel that I failed the mission today because I couldn't get my mind off you. I couldn't focus and the costs were horrible . . . " He figured he wasn't going to get away without talking about this, it was better now than continuing to put it off.

Eren nodded, understanding the feeling of worry that pervaded his thoughts. He always thought about Levi, it was hard to get the other man out of his head. It had been terrible that morning, when Eren had been fretting about the emergency call.

"You know what I did this morning that let me get through until you came back. I told myself you were okay, and that you would be okay. We promised each other that we would come back, and I believed you. So you shouldn't worry about me when you go to fight Titan's because I will be fine." Eren kissed his forehead, hoping that his suggestion would be of some help to the older man.

The corporal would try and pull Eren on top of him when he leaned in to kiss his forehead, wrapping his arms around his back.

"But we don't ever really know that. We just told each other that." He'd whisper into the younger boy's ear, his tone solemn. "Besides I can't be chanting to myself when fighting Titans either . . . . I just can't get you out of my head and it's pathetic. I'm a corporal, I'm older, and I have a very clear job to do . . . " Levi sighed.

Eren sighed as well. "I can take care of myself Levi, I graduated in the top ten of my class. I could have joined the King's Guard, but I wanted this path. I wanted to be in the line of fire. And if I hadn't chosen this way I would have never met you. I know that you might die at any time, and I have to except that to do my job. And that's what you need to do. I'm not going to try to get killed, I promise you that, but no one can control everything. Focus on your job first, and when that's done then you can worry about me."

The younger soldier was trying to be serious, trying to stay as calm as possible. It was hard though, he felt the same way, and he knew that having these kinds of feelings for people was dangerous, but he couldn't help his love for the older man.

Levi held back a laugh. The way Eren talked was so naive and young, so idealistic. He should have been a speaker. The corporal found it both endearing and bittersweet.

"I get that Eren." He mumbled, narrowing his eyes. "But can you accept the fact that the person holding you right now could be the one who takes your life? Or what about your supposed comrades and friends? They could be ordered to take you down at any time. Dying from a Titan is one thing, but at you really okay with that?" His grip on the younger boy increased, straining his wounds a bit but he didn't care. "I could wake up tomorrow and my mission could be to kill you."

Eren kissed Levi again resting his body over the smaller male. "I know that you may have to kill me one day, and I've accepted that. I don't want to die, especially not by someone I care about, but because of what I am it might happen. I can't control fate. I can try to change it, try to turn the tables in my favor, and live in a world where I'm safe. I would hate to make you have to kill me, but by then I'll be a threat, and I never want to be a threat to you. I love you Levi, and I can't change that now." Eren was surprised that he'd said that, but he knew in his heart that he was right.

He had accepted long ago that he could die at any time, especially how his life worked. He only hoped that Levi wouldn't have to be the one to do it.

"You're very brave." Levi muttered, snuggling his head into the crook of Eren's neck. He didn't really react to the younger boy's confession, since he was afraid that he'd end up saying it back. He'd already broken down many walls and allowed Eren in, he wasn't ready to give that much away yet. His problem might only get worse if he admitted he loved the younger boy, especially to himself.

". . . You know Eren, for being a Titan, you're very human. Your emotions give you away." The corporal sounded very sleepy now, his breathing slow as he drew in Eren's scent.

Eren laid down next to Levi, pulling the older man to his chest and letting him rest his head. Running his fingers through Levi's hair he just smiled. "There is little difference between bravery and stupidity. I tend to think of myself as more of the latter. I guess being human is one of my many qualities." Eren was a little sad that Levi hadn't confessed his love, but he knew the older man would need more time to sort through his feelings. He hadn't really expected it, but he kind of already knew. He also knew that Levi was tired, his wounds taking their toll.

"Just rest now Levi, you deserve some sleep."

"You can't be that stupid. I mean you aren't dead." The corporal smiled against Eren's chest, struggling to stay awake. The younger boy's actions weren't helping, he was so comfortable right now. "I'm not sure I really . . . . deserve anything . . . But . . thank you . ."

Eren smiled as he felt Levi go to sleep, knowing that he wasn't long in following. The corporal really needed a day off, whether he wanted it or not. "Sleep well, my love." Eren mumbled into Levi's hair before letting himself drift off.