Ratings: R/NC17+
Warnings: Violence/Gore, Sex.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters in this story, living (or passed) human beings or fictional characters. These events never happened, according to history or as the original author intended them. This is a work of fiction and is not intended to offend. For entertainment purposes only. Thanks.

Author's Notes: Finally this story has come to an end! I feel overwhelmed with the finish. I really hope my readers have enjoyed the little tale that I spun. Erwin and Levi are really very deserving of their own little fairy tale, and I tried my best to give them that little piece of heaven.

March 30th - Evening

The events after the wedding had been festive and full of sentimental moments. Erwin had lifted Levi up and into his arms on top of the wall to a cheer of approval from their citizens. In turn, Levi lifted Erwin's skirt, holding up the dress a foot above the ground so the blonde wouldn't trip over it when he moved. Miche picked up the small train of Erwin's gown, and the king led the wedding party into the castle, carrying Levi over the threshold. The wedding party erupted into cheers behind them, and further cheers were heard following the wedding party's from the citizens celebrating outside. Levi kissed Erwin again, then the pair headed inside the throne room for their dinner celebration. The guests gathered around the large table, with Levi and Erwin side by side at the middle of the table today.

"This is how I want to sit from now on." Erwin declared, informing Miche and Carolina. "I'm not like my father, I don't want to sit across the length of this table from my bride at each meal."

Levi blushed and covered Erwin's hand with his own, recalling how Erwin's father had sat with the guards on one end of the table and his wife had sat all the way down at the other with her ladies-in-waiting.

They had a wedding feast of the simplest but most elegant foods: fire roasted salmon with lemon dressing; wheat noodle stir-fry with colourful fresh peppers, green beans, and ocean-caught mussels; corn on the cob; green peas; a winter salad of ice lettuce, snow peas, baby tomatoes, green onions, pecans, and vinegrette dressing; a summer garden salad with pineapple and pears; soft warm dinner buns; mashed potatoes with carrots, herbs, and black pepper; and grilled wild mushrooms stuffed with crab meat and seaweed. For drinks they enjoyed sparkling champagne and sparkling strawberry juice, and as a special treat for the newly weds, a pitcher of ice water from the mountain glaciers.

After dinner, the castle staff directed the wedding party into the grand hall, where an orchestra of seventy musicians was set up. They began to play their first song, and the guests all cleared a space in the center of the room, waiting for the king and his bride to make their first dance together as husband and husband. Erwin offered his hand to Levi and smiled as the smaller man blushed and accepted, before holding up his dress with one hand and leading him out onto the dance floor. Levi was vaguely reminded of the night they danced at the royal ball, the night they both let their emotions truly be felt by the other. He let Erwin lead him in a small circle, spinning them around at a slow and steady pace, showing him off to the entire room. He lifted their arms and spun Levi under them, then pulled him in gently and dipped him over his knee. The audience had applauded and then Carolina had stepped in and asked Erwin for a dance, and Levi realized she was standing in for his mother. Kenny stepped forwards and offered his hand to Levi, stepping in for his own absent parents, and the pair awkwardly held each other's shoulders and swayed to the music, self-conscious and not at all trained for the art of dancing in front of many royal people. Carolina soon after requested to dance with Levi, Carla asked to dance with Erwin, and surprisingly Miche found himself asking Kenny to join him for a dance as well. As the party progressed, Levi had found he had been asked to dance by many of the guests and castle staff, and he was happy to sway, spin, and twirl with all of them. Erwin never let the crowd carry him too far away, which some of their friends teased him about, but Levi couldn't have felt happier about it.

When they were all thoroughly exhausted, they were led back into the throne room where the castle staff had already cleared up the dinner mess and arranged for the wedding cake to be cut. The cake was a large, traditionally three-tier strawberry cake, with vanilla frosting in between the many layers. Red roses had been placed along the various levels, and at the top was two roses that they had handed Hanji at the start of their ceremony. Levi blushed and pointed out the roses to Erwin, and his husband smiled down at him and kissed his head. Their hands were wrapped together again in the white cloth before they were allowed to pick up the knife together and then cut into the cake. They cut each other a bite-size piece, which they fed to their partner in front of everyone. Then the cake was divided by the chef and handed out to the guests sitting around the table. There was also fruit salad of peaches, strawberries, cherries, apples, pears, and wildberries, as well as fresh whipped cream, sponge cake, and chocolate squares.

Levi and Erwin had left the table earlier than their guests, retreating to the gardens to walk in the early evening air. The sun was setting in the distance, descending below the horizon line, and the sky was set ablaze in the most astonishing colours of red and orange.

"Red sun in the morning, sailor's warning. Red sun at night, sailor's delight." Erwin murmured, holding Levi close to him, his arm around the smaller man's shoulder.

"Tomorrow must be a good day to set sail." Levi replied, "If you'd want to take out the schooner."

"Are you offering to come sailing with me?" Erwin asked him, looking down at Levi with delight.

"Maybe." Levi shrugged, meeting Erwin's gaze. "Maybe I'm offering you to come sailing with me, if you let me sail."

Erwin lifted his eyebrows in surprise, then tilted his head. "I thought you were afraid of sailing." he replied, "Are you sure you can manage it?"

"With you by my side, I can manage anything." Levi replied, full of confidence.

"Alright then." Erwin grinned, "Tomorrow we go sailing. I'll inform Captain Kenneth to make sure the schooner is ready to depart after breakfast."

"Captain Kenneth?" Levi repeated, his voice a mocking tone of surprise. "You hired my uncle as captain?"

Erwin shrugged this time and smiled coyly, looking out to the sea. "He has an impressive resume." he replied, "I'm not surprised he was never there for you. Not that it's fair for you, but he did spend many years at sea."

Levi nodded, "I'd love to hear his stories." he replied, "Sail to some of those places, maybe?"

"We'll sail together." Erwin replied, "And he has all the time in the world to tell us his stories."

"What was he in jail for?" Levi asked suddenly, recalling he had met Kenny in the castle dungeons.

Erwin chuckled, "Food theft." he replied, "After he was involved in a fist fight in the pub. He never paid since he was arrested for the fight. And then there's the matter of the fight."

Levi chuckled and rolled his eyes. "That's understandable I presume."

"Oh, we would have just fined him anyways." Erwin replied, rolling his eyes. "I'm sure he was only in there as long as he was because of the whole Sina children problem."

"'Problem?'" Levi repeated, this time surprised.

"Well, you weren't a problem but the others dying were."

Levi laughed, then sighed heavily. He wanted to ask about the ruling of the kingdom, confess to Erwin that he was afraid he would get in the way of any real progression towards peace for all the kingdoms, when Erwin took his hand and began to lead him through the gardens. They walked in silence, happy to simply be together, and after some time of just strolling past all the flowers and streams of water, they had come to sit on the bench in front of Erwin's parent's graves. They were silent for a time, even the tree that held all the wind chimes not making a sound, and then Erwin pointed out a small plot of land on the other side of the tree. "I decided to put a stone there for your mother." he informed Levi, "So you and Kenneth can mourn her in peace."

"Erwin," Levi gasped, "That's kind of you. But my mother wasn't a royal, and she certainly shouldn't infringe on your parents space. I'm sure a small plaque somewhere in the common grounds would be fine."

"Nonsense." Erwin replied, waving Levi's concerns off. "I already spoke to the blacksmith about it. It won't be anything fancy, but it will have her name and an engraving of an angel. I figured that since my mother and you would have gotten along, then surely your mother and I would have gotten along as well."

Levi blushed, knowing that there was no convincing Erwin otherwise now. "Thank you." He replied, leaning his head against Erwin's chest and letting the larger man hold him. "I know my mother would have adored you." he replied.

Erwin held Levi for a long time, staring at the graves as his bride leaned against his naked shoulder, Levi's slender hand resting on the bodice of his wedding gown.

"It's getting dark." he announced, "And we should be getting back."

Levi exhaled heavily and moved, pulling away from Erwin reluctantly before standing up. The blonde followed Levi's lead, then paused to gather the skirt of his dress in one hand. He pulled Levi close again, throwing an arm around his shoulder and hugging him close to his side, before leading the way back through the gardens to the castle. Levi threw an arm around Erwin's waist, noticing as they headed back that many lamps had been lit in the garden - just like the night of the ball - and many couples and small groups were strolling through, catching the last few rays of the sun.

"This is going to be our first night together in the king's chamber." Erwin grinned, "I'm so excited to wake up next to you in my bed, I'm not even sure this perfect day was real or if it was just a really good dream."

Levi chuckled and waved at Carolina as they passed by her, already heading up to their room. Carolina touched her daughters arm and Carla touched Miche's. The pair of young friends approached Levi and Erwin, intercepting them.

"We came to bid you goodnight." They informed them, "We will ensure the party guests are safe, and afterwards Miche will return to his quarters, next door to your room for you safety."

"Thank you, Carla." Erwin replied, "And of course, Miche, my dear friend." He released Levi to wrap his arms around Miche, holding him close. "And thank you, for bringing Levi to me. I cannot thank you enough."

"I'm happy for you Erwin," Miche replied, "You've always been like a brother to me. I couldn't be happier for you."

Erwin pulled away and took hold of Levi's hand. "We're going out sailing on the schooner tomorrow." He informed Miche, "Please let Kenneth know, and of course make sure you're well rested."

Miche nodded and rolled his eyes, "Of course. I'll let Ken know. Rest well you two."

Erwin nodded and led Levi back into the castle and up the stairs towards the grand bedroom at the back of the castle. From their room, they could oversee the gardens and the cemetary, with a clear view of the tree near Eleanor's grave and all the way down to the harbour. Erwin closed the double-doors behind themselves and Levi stepped out of his shoes, placing them on a small rack between their bedroom door and a large mirror, surprised to notice that several of his shoes had been placed there already.

"When was all this changed?" He asked, curious about the whole castle's inner workings.

"Probably around the same time the kitchens were cleaned and the guests were fed and the ceremony was over." Erwin shrugged, "They probably wouldn't have done it before we were wed. Traditions." He rolled his eyes.

Levi chuckled, "Oh." He replied simply. "This is a beautiful room." he commented, gazing around.

The large bed was in the center of the room, with space to walk entirely around it. It was on a raised platform, a slight step up from the rest of the room. The room appeared circular as well, and Levi realised that it felt that was because the back wall was rounded to give them a fuller view of the back of the castle; from here one could see the field they rode horses in the east all the way to the sea in the west. There was no bedside tables, no vanities, and no hutches, nothing that would indicate they were living there except the bed, two large mirrors on either side of the doors, and the shoe rack that let them put their shoes and slippers away. Beside the shoe rack was a low table. On either side of the window was a small, closed door, that appeared to blend into the wall. Overall it was large, spacious, and clean.

"You think?" Erwin asked, surprised. "I'm glad you like it. That means we don't have to decorate it."

Levi raised an eyebrow and looked around. "Decorate it with what?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," Erwin shrugged. "My dad requested a table of flowers on either side every day. My grandfather always wanted his fishing trophies mounted on the walls. I'm not sure what we'd put up." he shrugged. "I was going to ask you tomorrow, but-"

"I like it plain." Levi shrugged. "Pictures seem rather pointless. I'd only want to see you or the ships or the horses or outside; all of which I have access to already. And flowers wiit. Trophies are to show off to others, not yourself. It's clean and spacious. I like it this way."

Erwin smiled, surprised. "Well, there is one thing...I would want."

Levi's only response was to raise one eyebrow.

"I...have a carving, that I hung up in my room."

Levi licked his lower lip, eager to learn about Erwin's possessions. He hadn't seen much of Erwin's room as a prince, having only been in it to save his life, but he did recall that the walls had been quite bare as well, that the prince-at-the-time had no desire for very many things to be everywhere. "Isn't there anything from your room previously...that you would want?" Levi asked.

"Nothing. Just the carving." Erwin replied easily. "I only had a map up on my room wall, and the rest were letters from my mom. I put them in a book now, since I figured they would be too easy to sun-bleach if I left them up on the walls now."

Levi nodded, "That makes sense."

"Besides, I- we- have more space now." He pointed at the door to the east and then the door to the west, "That leads up to the private study. And that leads up to the closet. Both in the turrets; but the closet can also lead to the bathrooms, it is all very confusing for a while."

Levi laughed as Erwin joked, and then stepped closer to him, watching him as he reached under the pillow and produced a small wooden carving. It had the likeness of a face, and when Levi was close enough realized that it was a carving of himself, turning back to face the viewer, his hand on the railing of what appeared to be a ship. "Erwin," he breathed his name, "When did you-"

"I had Furlan, my sailor, carve it the day we first went sailing." Erwin confessed. "I was afraid that you would leave to Sina Kingdom and that this is all that I would have in your absence."

Levi blushed and reached out to touch the carving, stroking his own cheek with the pad of his index finger. "It's remarkable." He replied, "Sad that it isn't a pair."

Erwin blushed this time. "Maybe another sailing." he replied, taking the carving and hanging it on a small hook in the wall above his shoe rack.

"Husband," Levi called out to him, smiling coyly as the blonde turned to face him, "I loved seeing you in your dress today." he teased him, changing the subject. "I was quite surprised."

Erwin's smiled at Levi, glad that he was happy. "I thought that after all the traditionals and customs we put the bride through, I should get to wear something that matches the formality of it all." he shrugged.

Levi came closer to Erwin and placed a hand on his bare shoulder, "I think this dress really suits you." He replied, "It really compliments your figure."

Both Erwin and Levi gazed into each other's eyes for a moment, sharing a smile, before they burst out laughing.

"I really hoped you'd like it." Erwin confessed, catching Levi in his arms and leaning down to kiss him. Levi moaned and let Erwin deepen the kiss, leaning his cheek against the man's palm. Erwin blushed and pulled away, then began to undress Levi. "Let me take you to bed." he whispered, his voice low and smooth.

Levi sighed, feeling his body begin to break out in a rush of excitement. Similar to the nights they spent together on the boat, he felt warm and charged with energy. "I'd like that." he replied, "Let me help you out of your dress."

Erwin smirked and picked Levi up easily, discarding his blazer on the on the low table beside the mirror. Levi moaned, leaning up to kiss Erwin and then unclipped the back of his dress, before running his fingers along his broad shoulders, tracing the skin of his back. Erwin sighed, opening Levi shirt and belt, and beginning to quickly undress his bride.

"I missed sleeping beside you." Erwin confessed, "I missed listening to your breath."

Levi blushed, "I missed your warmth." he murmured between kisses, "Your body next to mine."

Erwin's kisses became more urgent, his tongue beginning to lick at Levi's lips, venture into his mouth where Levi's tongue was ready to tangle with it. Erwin fumbled with the ties on Levi's pants, unlacing them at the same time Levi fumbled with the buttons that held together Erwin's dress at the back. They both managed to somehow undo the other's fastenings at the same time, and then push the material down. Under his pants Levi had been given an underwear made of lace to wear, which he found hadn't been as uncomfortable as he had initially thought they would be, and his corset had garter extensions that slipped down his legs to hold up his sheer, white stockings. Under Erwin's dress, he had had boldly worn nothing but the traditional white garter belt around the left thigh.

Levi began to laugh as Erwin's dress fell away. Heat rushed into his cheeks and Erwin smiled at his reaction, touching his blushing face. "My blushing bride," he teased Levi, then guided Levi to lay on the bed, pulling the sheets down so he could rest on the soft warm insides. "Careful of your veil." he reminded him, "I don't want to take that off you just yet."

Levi blushed again, his body warm and energized and excited to couple with Erwin. They would finally be able to become one in body, as they had been so tempted to in the past. "Is this all that you plan to take off of me?" Levi asked, surprised that Erwin was fully naked before him and he still was not.

"I'm enjoying the wrappings on my gift." Erwin replied teasingly, "Except this one that seems to be in the way." He reached down and delicately stroked his fingers along the front of Levi's underwear, boldly teasing his bride's erection.

Levi moaned, his voice escaping him as he felt his cock stir. "Oh!" He gasped, "Erwin!"

Erwin bit his lower lip, enjoying the sound of his name from his prince's lips. He knelt before Levi, beginning to kiss his naked thighs. "Yes, say my name again." he commanded him.

"Er-win!" Levi swooned, obeying. His hands came to hold Erwin's, which were resting on his thighs and gently guiding his legs apart.

Erwin inhaled in a hiss, breathing in Levi's scent as he kiss his quivering thighs. "You are so beautiful." he whispered, before removing one hand from Levi's thigh and tracing up his crotch, feeling his scrotum through the underwear. "So beautiful." He whispered, leaning in to kiss the outline of his erection through the lace.

"Ohh, husband!" Levi gasped, his hand jumping to the back of Erwin's head, his fingers tangling in his blonde hair.

Erwin felt proud as Levi called him by the title husband again, and in response he leaned in to press a kiss to his cock in the lacy underwear. Levi rewarded him with a loud moan of arousal, which only aroused Erwin further. He grasped Levi's thighs and pushed them open further, then leaned in the catch the waist of the lacy underwear in his teeth. "I've waited," he began, then pulled sharply, and let the tear of the fabric resonate loudly in the room, "so long to have you as my own." he moaned, taking the fabric off Levi and discarding it off the edge of the bed.

Levi gasped, surprised by Erwin's dominant behaviour, and felt a thrill of excitement run up his spine. Erwin didn't give him a moment to recover, leaning in and licked down Levi's shaft from tip to base. Levi moaned, his back arching off the bed slightly, and his legs pressed against the mattress. Erwin exhaled heavily, kissed at Levi's scrotum, and then guided his legs so they rested against his own shoulders. "Up, up." he guided him, lifting Levi slightly so that his entrance was exposed to him. "I promise I'm going to make you feel as good as you made me feel before." He groaned, before beginning to kiss at Levi's entrance.

Levi gasped and moaned, shivering at Erwin's sudden touches. His hands could barely reach him now, so he gave up and grasped handfuls of the sheets beside himself. Erwin kissed at his body, then began to lick over his entrance with his tongue, coaxing his body into relaxing for him. He licked him several times, stroking over him with his tongue, then began to suck. Levi attempted to hold back his voice, afraid the entire castle would hear him crying out Erwin's name in the endless amounts of pleasure he was feeling, and then the blonde pulled away. He returned to kiss Levi's thighs, lick down his cock, suck on his balls, before he returned to his entrance. He continued this cycle until Levi felt dizzy with excitement and his cock was wet with precum dripping down it.

"Erwin," He moaned, beginning to squirm, "Oh, oh, I can't take it anymore!" he gasped.

Erwin chuckled darkly, amused by Levi's reaction. "Oh?" He asked, "I'm sure you can take much, much more." he seductively teased him, then began to lick his entrance again. On the third stroke with his tongue he applied pressure and pushed the tip of his tongue into Levi's entrance, beginning to stretch him out. Levi cried out from surprise, his hands curling into fist around the sheets and his back arching, rising his hips. "So good!" Erwin moaned, then resumed stretching Levi with his tongue. He entered him and then thrust his tongue inside several times, before wiggling it around. Levi squeezed his eyes shut and lay gasping before him, amazed by how much pleasure his body could hold. And then Erwin was gone again.

Weight shifted on the bed and Levi opened his eyes to find Erwin sitting up on the bed with him, between his open legs. "I'm going to take you now, Levi." Erwin stated, full of pride and affection. He reached down and wrapped an arm around Levi's shoulders, holding him in place, then gently pushed one of his legs wider before guiding his own cock to press against Levi's entrance. Levi was surprised to find that Erwin had already cum, having been stroking himself to Levi's moans of pleasure, and he used that cum to lubricate his own erection, which was thick and hot against his own lithe body.

"Erwin," He gasped, suddenly afraid.

"Don't be scared." Erwin replied, holding him and beginning to kiss the corners of his lips, "It's going to be alright. Trust me?"

Levi nodded, "I do." He gasped, then licked his lips, catching his breath.

Erwin nodded but said nothing in reply. He thrust his hips forward, pushing his cock into Levi with a firm force, feeling the smaller man's body initially resist his invasion and then give way, accepting his penetration slowly. He gasped, breathing out in surprise by how wet, hot, and tight Levi was around his member, and he stilled for a moment, not fully entering him. Levi took the moment to let himself adjust. He didn't scream or cry out, but exhaled rather slowly and shakily, accepting Erwin's body into his own with some difficulty. He shivered, inhaling and exhaling in gasps, and then cried out in pain as Erwin suddenly shifted, continuing to push into him, taking him fully in one long, slow thrust. Erwin groaned loudly, his arms holding Levi's shoulders and pulling the smaller man towards himself. Levi's eyes flew open and widened, his back arched and his cry of surprise and pain echoed throughout the room for a moment. Erwin paused, stilling once he was fully inside Levi. He could feel the slick wet tissues of Levi's insides quivering around his cock, the man's lithe body adjusting to his dramatic entrance. He gave him a moment to catch his breath, breathing heavy himself, trying to control himself so he didn't accidentally hurt Levi.

"I'm going to move now." Erwin told him after a few breaths, "It's going to feel better if I do."

He began to thrust his hips, dragging himself out of the smaller man by a fraction and then entering his fully again. He waited until his bride's gasps began to sound more like moans of pleasure and less of surprised pain before he began to pull further out with each stroke, so that only the tip of his erection was inside before he would thrust inside him again. As they began to find their rhythm in their new act of intimacy, their voices began to rise and mingle, just as their bodies did, and their pace began to increase. With time, their sweaty bodies began to rub against each other, the fabric on Levi's body and the sheets around them becoming damp with their body fluids. They caught each others' moans in their mouths as they kissed, struggling to breath around each others' tongues as they molded their bodies together over and over, until they couldn't take anymore and their excitement hit a climax.

Then they clung to each other, feeling wave after wave of euphoria travel through their pulsating bodies, feeling every nerve and fibre within themselves come alive. They lay gasping and catching their breath, tangle in each others' arms, not willing to move out of their position to separate their bodies. After several minutes, they felt the resonating echos of their excitement begin to fade enough to caress each others' body, attempting to break through the daze that their orgasms left them in. Erwin licked his lower lip, lifted himself off the smaller man and held his slender shoulders so he could brace the smaller man as he pulled out. Levi gasped, feeling his body suddenly empty and felt strangely hollow. He moaned, the warm sticky seed of his husband beginning to slip out of his body and down his legs. Erwin only adjusted Levi on the mattress, making him comfortable with the pillows and then pulling up the sheets around them. He lay on his side beside his bride, turning so he could gaze at him as they rested together.

"That was...more than I imagined it would be." he confessed.

Levi laughed as he gazed up at the ceiling, laying on his back. "You did imagine it at some point." He teased Erwin.

"I'm not shy to admit it." Erwin shrugged, "There were many nights that I would think of you."

Levi blushed. He had tried to control his sexual thoughts of Erwin, feeling like he was misbehaving if he attempted otherwise. He turned to lay on his side as well, tucking an arm under his head and resting his head on his elbow. "I'd be lying if I said I never thought of you as well."

Erwin grinned proudly, then reached out to caress Levi's cheek. "What was your favorite part of today?" he asked, genuinely curious. "I mean, asides from now."

Levi chuckled, finding Erwin's bedroom humour along his own lines of funny. "Hmm, that would be hard to say. The cake was amazing, all the food was. But the citizens, I can't get them out of my mind. They were so happy."

Erwin hummed in agreement, not fully understanding what Levi had meant. The people of Rose Kingdom - collectively - were always happy, and when they rarely were not, then his father had worked tirelessly until they were again. He intended to rule with the same main intent for his people. "Happier than usual?" He asked, taking Levi's perspective into account.

"Well, their acceptance was so readily granted to me." Levi mumbled, trying to find the right words to explain himself. "I just...I wasn't prepared."

"They heard what happened to the king, we didn't sugarcoat the details." Erwin replied.

"I'm aware of that." the dark-haired man replied, "I just-"

"Don't doubt yourself." Erwin cut him off. "You're questioning if you would be approved of to be their leader and the truth is that they wouldn't know the answer to that. I know, and you know, and the castle staff knows. And that's all that matters. The common folk don't know, and they don't want to know. They're content to be governors of their own lives, provided they follow the general rules of society, and even then that applies to all of us. You were raised side by side with a prince; I know you've had more than the necessary training to be an exemplary leader."

"By your side, I have no doubts." Levi replied, accepting the compliment without a fuss. "But despite all the extensive training and studies, aren't you nervous though?" he asked, meeting Erwin's eyes with an innocent curiosity.

"To rule?" Erwin shrugged, watching Levi nod. "Sure I am. I've just been landed the responsibility of an entire kingdom. All these lives now depend on what I say. The stroke of a pen can sign trade agreements that would provide all of them with many prosperous years ahead, or I could lead us into the darkest ages this kingdom has faced. But that's my charge in life and I'm willing to accept it. I am determined to make the best decisions and if some people die because of that, then I hope that I can honour them and...find a way to keep humanity strong. It's never easy to accept being responsible for so many lives, and one would never want to be the reason that someone loses there's, but sometimes - like in the case of Queen Zackly - it must be done for the greater good. If a sacrifice today means humanity's victory tomorrow, then that is, unfortunately, the price to be paid."

Levi listened to his husband's words, losing himself in the confidence he displayed. He himself was confident in his own skills, his own decisions. It was the responsibility over others that made him feel hesitant, and he admired Erwin's resolve towards the matter.

"No matter what, Levi, I will do what I have to to provide for my people." he smiled at him, caressing his cheek with his thumb, "And that is also my duty and promise to you, as your king and husband."

"We are blessed," Levi replied, "To have such a responsible king."

Erwin grinned and a faint blush appeared on his cheeks. "I suppose so." he replied.

They were silent, lying side by side, indulging in the moment. Their breathing had become steady and shallow, low and full breaths that didn't overwhelm them anymore. Their bodies were calm and quiet and at ease after being so wildly excited. Erwin reflected on Levi's emotions and the expressions he went through as they discussed ruling their kingdom together. Levi reflected on the townspeople, wondering about their expressions earlier today.

"What was with the murmuring when we exchanged rings?" Levi asked, breaking their silence and moving their conversation on. "Did I say the wrong thing?"

"No." Erwin chuckled at the memory, "You said the right thing."

Levi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Tradition?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"You guessed it." Erwin replied, then winked at Levi. "When a bride repeats the offer of the ring, it is seen as they are head over heels in love with the groom, so much so that they can't think straight." he smuggled explained, "And you repeated yourself twice, so you must really, really be in love with me."

Levi blushed, realizing how it must have appeared to the public. "Oh." he mumbled, "I can see why they were happy then." he replied.

"I was happy too." Erwin replied, leaning forwards to kiss Levi's cheek.

"I thought you weren't the traditional type." Levi teased him.

"I'm not." Erwin replied, "But I really liked that one."

Levi smiled, saying nothing in reply. He was enjoying the moment, focusing on remembering it, focusing on admiring Erwin in this moment. The blonde reached out and brushed the stray black strands that fell in Levi's face and covered his eyes.

"Can I ask you something...just to help me clear something up about that night...the raid?" he asked.

Levi's eyes narrowed for a moment and he was surprised by the way their conversation had turned. Still, he could tell it took Erwin a lot to ask him that question, and he was sure that Erwin didn't mean to hurt him in any way. "S-sure," he replied, "I'll try to give you a good answer."

"What did you ask her?" Erwin asked, his voice low and rough, strained with the emotions he was battling as he tried to force the words out in a gentle way. "Before you kil-stabbed her, Queen Zackly, what was it you asked her? I was...in and out of reality, but I could hear you. I just...couldn't understand you-"

"I was speaking our dialect." Levi cut his husband off, speaking softly but not yet meeting Erwin's curious blue eyes. He averted his gaze, staring at the man's chest instead. "The Sina dialect."

"That's how it sounds?" Erwin made a face, unseen by his bride, but his tone conveyed the dislike he expressed. "It was...harsh, very rigid and graceless. I think I picked up on it as an accent the first day we met, but I never really focused on it. Your common and your Rose are much sweeter."

Levi smirked, then nodded his agreement. "Thank you." he accepted the compliment, "I don't know why I spoke it, maybe out of habit from seeing her face, but I didn't mean to. I'm surprised you aren't well versed in it."

"It was the least focused on dialect I was taught, to be honest." Erwin chuckled, "And truth be told, not much of that night made much sense to me."

"Understandably." Levi replied. He was quiet for a minute, staring up at the ceiling as if he were viewing the memory projected on the flat, white wall. "I asked her why she did it, plan to kill you and your father, I mean." He paused, losing himself in the memory of Queen Zackly's face, the way her lips twisted up as she sneered, her cheek twitching with rage. His voice was low and quiet, each word chosen with care.

Erwin waited patiently, listening intently to every word his lover spoke. His concern grew as he watched the smaller man lose himself in the memory, so he moved closer and threw an arm around Levi's shoulders, pulling the smaller man against his own body. "What did she say Levi?" He asked him gently, attempting to bring him back to reality.

"'Quite simply, to rule.'" Levi replied, lifting his face up to meet Erwin's eyes. Initially his actions could be mistaken for arrogance, the way he tilted his chin up appearing mocking at first, and it took the king a moment to realize that Levi was directly quoting the Queen. "She said you would have married Lana and then she would have been able to kill you and your father. Since Lana was underage to rule, her brother Nile would take the throne as regent. But I had interfered and ruined her plan." He put the same emphasis on the words that she had, turning his face away from Erwin to hide the emotion in his eyes. He sighed heavily, exhaling his warm breath on Erwin's hands as the taller man attempted to coax him to meet his eyes again by caressing his chin. "So I asked her about the ambush," Levi continued, not allowing Erwin to speak despite hearing him open his mouth. "And why she planned it before the wedding-"

"And that's when she said it was to kill you." Erwin replied, "Carolina told me that much." He explained.

"Yeah, 'the bastard servant-son she was landed with all those years ago.'" Levi mumbled, once more repeating the queen's exact words, hearing her voice in his mind as if they were speaking a twisted duet. His voice wavered in likeness to her's when she had said the same words, and yet it was for entirely different reasons that his voice was so full of emotions. Unable to handle the recollection of several years worth of trauma and abuse, tears spilt down his cheeks without his permission to cry openly in front of his husband.

"Hey," Erwin began, wrapping his arms around Levi's shoulders and attempting to hug him. He carefully unpinned the veil from his head, taking care to not hurt him by pulling his hair or scratching him with the teeth of the hair combs. He took the jewelry off, then the crown and the veil, placing them behind himself on the bed to free Levi of any restraints or items that caused him to feel suffocated. The smaller man let him remove the items but pushed him away when the blonde made to cuddle him, attempting to explain himself.

"I couldn't believe someone could do that all for...for power." He mumbled, "End human lives, blame innocent people. And that's when she told me 'anyone would have done it, even you' and...and that I was similar, for pretending to be her son in some sick attempt to claim the throne."

Just as before, Levi's hands began to shake with overwhelming emotions, rage for being accused and misunderstood, but now grief and an ocean of sorrow as he remembered how close he had been to losing the man he loved forever. Erwin caressed his lover's cheek, then let his hands slid down his neck, past his shoulders, so he could rub his upper arms endearingly.

"'You - a servant boy that had no wealth or title to his name, a lowly sailor's bastard with a whore mother - you would definitely kill for power, even just a slice. How do we know you didn't kill my children in that ambush to take their place?'" Levi repeated the queen's words out loud, translating them for Erwin. He could feel a numbness begin to spread throughout his body, a chill that made him feel unwell. His body succumbed to the sobs he was holding back, and he reached an arm up to throw around Erwin's shoulder as he collapsed against his chest in tears. "I couldn't take her words anymore. I couldn't let her- I couldn't let her- not anymore-"

Erwin wrapped his arms around the man's shoulders, rubbing his back slowly and affectionately. He listened to him speak, hanging on to his every word, knowing that it was of vital importance that he was there to emotionally support Levi right now by listening to every word he had to say. He tightened his arms around him so that Levi could feel the pressure of the hug and feel secure against the warmth of his lover's chest. Held so closely against the blonde, Levi tilted his head, nuzzling his cheek against the taller man's sternum, and listened to the heavy, proud beating of his heart. A smile crept on his face despite his emotions, a smile that only his lover could bring to him to smile, and he sniffed as he fought his sobs to stabilize his breathing.

"I wouldn't let her- take away what I wanted. Or make me the bad guy so she'd be forgiven. Not anymore." Levi gasped, his slender body shaking violently as he gasped for breath between sobs. "I didn't mean it," he mumbled, his voice muffled against Erwin's body. "I didn't mean to kill her, I didn't want to have to hurt anyone, let alone take a life-"

"Shh." Erwin whispered, hearing enough. He didn't want Levi to put the blame on himself, not for the abusive actions of others. "No one blames you, Levi."

"I- I can't get the image out of my head. Her lifeless eyes, all that blood-"

"It's alright, Levi. She's gone now. And, I'm glad you did it." Erwin confessed, holding Levi in his arms. "It let me keep you here with me."

Levi blushed, his hands curling into fists against Erwin's naked chest, feeling the soft, blonde hairs that covered the valley of his sternum and the plains of his pectorals. He nuzzled his cheek against his chest again, sighing softly against him, and affectionately pressing light kisses against the man's heated skin. "Thank you." He whispered, knowing that his soft voice would carry just far enough for Erwin to hear. "Thank you."

Erwin smiled, holding Levi tenderly and occasionally pressing kisses to his hair. "Mmh?" He hummed, prompting Levi to look up at him by shaking him gently against his shoulder. "I have one more question, my love." He began, rubbing his hand against the smaller man's back. He smiled down at Levi, leaning down to press a gentle kiss against his smooth lips after reading the curiosity in Levi's eyes.

"I love how expressive you are. It's like you amplify every emotion. You make everything so much more." Erwin mumbled, musing his confession as he lost himself in Levi's innocent curiosity. His fingertips brushed across Levi's cheek, softly caressing his cheekbone, as he watched the dark-haired man blush a faint rose colour. "I wanted to ask you...if you could forgive me? I know we've come so far...from-"

"I already do." Levi replied, then pressed himself against Erwin's chest so the king couldn't see the amplified sorrow in his eyes. "There's nothing for me to forgive you for."

"Then," Erwin rushed to take advantage of Levi's pause for breath, "I propose...that this be the first night of our new lives for the rest of our lives. And we aren't going to think about that night - that raid - ever again. It's in the past. And we both did what we had to do to survive. I just...wanted to know if she said anything of importance, but I'm not surprised she didn't."

"What about King Zackly?" Levi asked, realizing that the king of Sina was still in their dungeons.

Erwin sighed and shrugged, his eyes twinkling with adoration for Levi and amusement for his question. "I'll meet with him and we'll see where we stand. I might threaten to charge him, I might let him go. Either way, he'll be shamed for not attending the wedding and that gives me fair advantage. We have many witnesses for what happened the night of the raid. If he tries to blackmail us, we have more than enough proof for our case. Either way, how we handle it is ultimately up to him, whether he cooperates with us or not. And when I'm done with him and Sina Kingdom, then we will leave it all behind us. Where it belongs."

Levi chuckled, amused by Erwin's reply. The man's words did make him feel better, and he found himself hugging Erwin closer, feeling warm again. "I like that idea." he replied, "Leaving it all in the past."

"That's what we're going to do." Erwin confirmed, "We have new things to focus on, new responsibilities. We're not going to forget that it happened, that would be foolish. But we are going to learn from it and move on, leave it as it happened. No questions, no regrets. We won't allow ourselves to be blinded by things out of our complete control. We have a kingdom to rule, people to care for, a world to liberate. There's more important things to focus our energy on. The main thing is we faced difficult times together. We surpassed all the odds and beat every challenge. And there's going to be more, there's always going to be more. But whatever obstacles we have to face," he paused to look down at Levi, gazing into his silver eyes as he cupped his cheek in his hand, caressing his beautiful prince, "We're going to face them together."

Levi smiled up at Erwin, his hand on the blonde's bicep. He felt warm and loved, accepted and, for the first time in his life, he felt like he had come home. "Together." he whispered, repeating his husband, "I like that."

The king and his prince curled around each other, falling asleep amidst their tangled sheets, wedding attire, and crowns. To the,m the night sky outside was nothing more than the natural darkness that occured in the world, restoring balance to the universe. Tomorrow they would awake and have their portrait painted as king and prince, husband and husband, after their wedding. And afterwards they would go sailing. In the days following, they would walk through their kingdom and speak to their citizens, understand their concerns, and eventually they would find a way to end the political turmoil that was growing between the tri-kingdoms. But they were confident that they would achieve their dreams and promote a goodness in the world that was long overlooked. They had each other, and together they were capable of fighting off the darkness each day. Tomorrow, the sun would rise again and bring them a new day, and for the king and his prince, it would be a new beginning, a start for their happily ever after.

- The End -