Hi! Thank you so much if you are returning to this story. I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. I wanted to update this chapter this soon since the first was very short. I hope you are enjoying this story so far and would love to hear what you think! Also looking at going to a weekly update schedule now that the chapters will be longer, but also thining of doing two chapters a week. Any input is welcome! Please let me know.

Chapter 2

Erwin hadn't slept as the sun was rising outside. Groaning he got up for a second, walking towards the window and moving the sheet aside. His hand felt bare as he let go of Levi's hand for the first time in hours. The puddles caused by the heavy rain hadn't dried, but there was no sign of the men that had been following them.

Looking at the mess on the floor, dressings, sheets and the tools sprawled on the floor where he had left them. He tried not to look to long at the dried blood on the floor. He made a mental note to clean it up before Levi would wake, he knew how much Levi would complain about the mess and the dirty floor.

Not that he was sure Levi would wake any time soon. He hadn't given any sign of life for the last few hours. If it wasn't for the pulse Erwin kept on checking, he wouldn't even be sure if he was still alive.

As worried as he was that Levi hadn't woken, he just hoped it meant that he was healing. Although he didn't know much about the Ackerman powers, he just hoped that it was helping him. He figured it already had though, he wasn't sure if anybody else would survive a thunderspear explosion from so close.

Looking at Levi in the bed, almost peaceful, a rare moment where he was asleep. Chuckling a little, he thought of the first morning he had ever woken up next to him, the steel blue eyes peering into his eyes as soon as he had opened them. Levi hadn't slept and told him that he had been looking at him all night. He had insisted it was meant sweet, as a compliment and Erwin had asked him to never say anything like that again. Later they had laughed over it together. It was the first of many disastrous attempts from Levi to compliment him, or flirt. But it was endearing to Erwin and it melted his sternness each and every time.

Closing his eyes, if only for a minute, still not daring to go to sleep, he thought back of that night in his office only a few nights ago.

Levi was sitting on the edge of his desk, his arms around his neck as Erwin sat in his chair, one leg on either side of him.

'Lemon tea this time,' Erwin smiled as he looked at the two cups steeping on the desk beside Levi. As Erwin had been finishing his reports, Levi had gone to the market downtown in Trost, picking up some more tea leaves that were too expensive to order within the Survey Corps. Levi just nodded, kissing Erwin on his forehead before leaning back to check up on the cups.

'Any new stuff?' Erwin enquired. Now that a lot of the land had been won back in the past four years, he had seen Levi excited over new types of tea so often.

'There was lavender, from Hizuru – too expensive though,' Levi said as he carefully inspected the cups, Erwin smiling as he thought it was adorable when he got this immersed into something as simple a cup of tea.

'Next time I am in the market I will pick that up for us,' Erwin promised him.

'You don't need to do that,' Levi argued.

'I want to, you have been treating me,' Erwin insisted.

'I like having someone to share my tea with – someone that appreciates it,' Levi smiled as he pulled the little net with the leaves out.

'You know I really appreciate you doing this – I love spending this time with you,' Erwin said, thought it was so sweet he used his Captains salary to enjoy this together. He knew he would make it up to him sometime.

They had laughed about Levi finally being eye level with him, the stern look in Erwin's eye and the uncaring look in Levi's eyes softening as they looked in each other's eyes. Moving closer, slowly, their lips almost touched. As much as they didn't want to admit how much they cared about each other, they didn't want to give a name to what was going on between them, they couldn't let go of each other or stop looking at each other.

There was a knock on the door and swiftly Levi swung his leg over Erwin, swinging both legs towards the other side of the desk and before Hange could open the door, Levi was sitting in the chair across from Erwin, the cup of tea in his hand.

'Hange,' he greeted them, Erwin still in awe with the speed he had made it to the chair, looking so calm and composed with his legs crossed and the cup of tea in his hands.

'Got anything I can help you with, Hange?' Erwin enquired.

'Young cadets are being rowdy in the buffet hall but they can't handle their drinks, not much fun to hang out with,' Hange said as they crunched up their nose and collapsed in the seat beside Levi, nearly kicking the cup of tea out of his hand.

'So what are you two up to?' Hange asked as they swung their leg over the side of the chair, nearly knocking into Levi again and with a disgusted face he pushed their muddy boot aside. Much to the entertainment of Erwin, but he kept himself from laughing.

'Levi brought some tea from the market,' Erwin said as he took the cup from his desk, smiling.

'Ugh, you two are just boring!' Hange complained.

'I am 34 – Erwin is 38,' Levi stated, 'In Survey Corps years that means I am old and he is ancient,'

'Wow, thanks for calling me old,' Erwin chuckled.

'Or that makes me old, Levi nearly ancient and you very ancient Erwin,'

'Not making it any better for me Hange,' Erwin laughed as he took another sip of the tea. It was amazing, much better than anything he could order for the Survey Corps.

Sitting together, laughing at some of the things the cadets had done they finished their tea, Hange getting up soon to let them know they was going to see how bad things had gotten out of hand in the buffet hall.

'I'm go to bed,' Levi said. Erwin couldn't speak up his disappointment, just giving him a small nod as Levi left the room with Hange. Picking up the cups, he put them away before walking to the bedroom that bordered his office. Getting undressed, he laid down onto the bed, the bed feeling empty without Levi beside him. The book Levi had been reading was near his head, he usually kept it under the extra pillow. Erwin always said he kept the pillow there because it helped when he suffered phantom pains at night, but it was usually there for Levi. Especially lately, the last few weeks, Levi had been here almost every night.

He had only laid down for a few minutes when he heard the door to his office creak, the familiar sound of two small feet making its way towards his bedroom door. It was opened just as quietly as Levi snuck into the room.

'Wasn't sure if you would come back,' Erwin smiled as Levi walked. He had laid down on his bed in his underwear, Levi smiling as he was already looking forward to laying sprawled on his chest as Erwin slept. Even though he didn't manage to sleep himself, it brought him peace and rest.

'Don't want Hange to start thinking things and starting rumors,' Levi explained.

'I don't think they would care or spread rumors – would you mind? '

'Still have my book to finish so figured I would come over,' He pointed at the book that was very poorly hidden under the other pillow.

'You could try to sleep you know,' Erwin told him.

'Never works,' Levi said as he started undoing his shirt.

'Let me do that?' Erwin

'Why do I help you most mornings if you can just do it yourself?' Levi complained as he walked towards the bed.

'I can undo them, not do them up,' Erwin winked as he sat on the edge of the bed. Moving closer to him, he sat down on Erwin's knees, Erwin opening the buttons of his shirt. He wanted to throw it aside, on the ground, but knew Levi wouldn't be happy with that. Instead he hung it off the back of the bed. His hand between his shoulders now, moving up his neck now, he pulled Levi closer, their lips pressed together now. Falling back onto the bed and pulling Levi with him, the short man barely weighing anything to him.

'Hmm, you smell good – washed up and brushed your teeth?' Erwin mumbled between their kisses.

'You didn't?' Levi said as he pulled his face away from Erwin.

'Not yet, no, you got back here so quickly – and I didn't think you would.'

'You're gross sometimes you know,' Levi said, a remark that – like usually – came out much ruder than he intended it to be. Erwin chuckled, letting go of him.

'Fine, fine, I'll go brush my teeth,' Erwin said as he got up, Levi teasingly pushing him out of bed with one leg. Each time he did that, it surprised Erwin how strong he was compared to his length – no matter how long he had known him it still surprised him.

'Get back in here soon, okay? I'll take my pants of in the meantime' Levi said now, popped up on his elbow.

'Just a minute,' Erwin told him with a smile, wanting to get back just as soon as Levi wanted him back.

He sat on the ground next to the bed again, taking his hand again. Although it wouldn't help Levi, it brought him some support. As tired as he was, he was still not ready to go to sleep. He was scared that they would be found.

Even more so, he was scared Levi would take a turn for the worst. Even after these hours of rest, he only seemed to become paler. Erwin had inspected his body again, his body becoming bruised now and he hoped it was just the fall after the explosion or the shockwave.

Feeling Levi's hand shake in his for a second as Erwin had taken it again and breath rattle, Erwin moved closer.

'Levi?'

It sounded like another soft rattle or groan.

'Hey,' he said gently as he looked at Levi opening his eye. His heart fluttered as he finally seemed to wake. As much as Erwin wanted him to rest, he had worried about Levi not waking up, not even sure what the explosion had done to his head and any internal damage it may have caused.

Levi tried to cough, struggling to do so as he couldn't seem to find any power in his body. Worried, but careful, Erwin put his arm under his armpit, sitting up a little more, stuffing his cape in Levi's back and neck.

'I got you, I got you,' Erwin said as he held Levi's hand again, the man finally coughing.

His eye fluttered open again, meeting Erwin's as Levi didn't seem to realize where he was, or what had happened.

'Hey you,' Erwin just said softly not to disturb Levi, still holding his hand.

Levi just groaned now, closing his eye for just a second.

'Never seen you sleep this long,' Erwin said softly as he wiped the hair out of Levi's good eye. Every night they had spent together he had usually slept through the night, but no matter when he woke, Levi had already been awake. He knew he only slept two or three hours in a good night and often Erwin found him reading beside him.

'Don't think – I ever did,' Levi mumbled, barely audible as Erwin shifted to the edge of the bed, sitting closer to him. He was still holding his hand, gently caressing the back of his hand with his thumb, sighing with relief as Levi spoke to him and seemed pretty clear.

'That beast sack of shit,' Levi slurred as his eye was falling shut again. He wanted to stay awake, clear his head but he couldn't fight the haze that seemed to wash over him again. His body hurt, his face, his hand – everywhere. The only thing taking his mind of the pain was the caressing over his hand. Erwin's thumb as almost as big as his whole hand and he felt it move over the back of his hand.

He wanted to squeeze Erwin's hand, just the slightest gesture to let him know that he was going to be okay – he had seen Erwin's worried eyes and he didn't like the look of it.

But his hand wouldn't move, remaining limp in the giant hand that was holding it.

'Just take it easy, you have been through a lot,' Erwin said softly, concerned about Levi. His chest was rising rapidly and he wasn't sure what to do.

'Are you in pain?'

'Hurts to talk,' Levi admitted, not wanting to worry Erwin even more. His whole body hurt, but as much as his head felt a blur, he did realize that there was nothing to do be done to make him any more comfortable. Looking around, he knew they weren't back inside the walls.

'I stitched up your lip – well, your whole face, didn't do that good of a job with one hand,' Erwin admitted, 'don't talk – don't hurt yourself,'

He knew Levi wouldn't listen to him though and it wasn't long before the man groaned for a second, followed by swearing.

'Shit,' Levi sputtered out, wincing then as pain shot through his face. Black spots danced in his sight and he didn't want to go back to sleep, but knew he wasn't able to fight it much longer.

'Levi,' Erwin said worried, concerned about the already shoddy stitches. Levi's eye fell shut again and Erwin kissed the back of his hand.

'You rest up,'

Levi didn't hear him, even these few minutes had taken a toll on him and he lost consciousness, Erwin just glad that he was back asleep, knew it would make resting and healing easier. Making sure he was comfortable, Erwin knew that he had to start thinking of how they were going to stay here. There was no way he could move Levi any time soon.

Even though there wasn't any sign of internal injury, he did worry about it. Knowing the shock blast that came from the thunderspear, it was something he worried about. He wanted to trust that his injuries where just the visible injuries, he did worry.

Getting up, tucking the blanket in around Levi, he looked outside beside the sheet, still no sign of life and he snuck outside, back to the well. Taking out some more of the water, he tried not to curse out loud as it was nearly impossible with just his one arm.

Hauling up the water, he walked inside, checking on Levi and lighting the fire again to boil the water. The last thing he needed was for Levi to get ill from the water. He wished he had done this last night before washing his face with it.

It was another thing to beat himself up over. As much as he had tried to do right for Levi, he felt like he was constantly messing up. Staring into the flames as the water was boiling, he felt himself nodding off. But he couldn't, he couldn't go to sleep. As the water had boiled, he took the bucket from the flames and put some in in the flask he always carried with him.

The flask with clean water beside him, he hoped Levi would wake soon, to at least give him some of the water. Leaning against the bed, he struggled to keep his eyes open. He didn't want to fall asleep. He didn't want to think about it, but he did worry that when he would go to sleep, he would wake up to either Levi having taken a turn for the worst or not having been awake when Levi needed him. The only thing he could focus on now was making sure that he would drink some water.

Hearing Levi groan softly, coughing for a second Erwin sat on the edge of the bed, making sure to let Levi drink some of the water before he would fall unconscious again. Levi's eye was hardly open, Erwin not even sure if he was there.

'Levi?'

There was a soft mumble for just a second, but nothing Erwin could make out. Not wanting to wait, not knowing how long Levi had been in that field and how long he had had no water, he moved onto the bed, determined.

'You should drink some water,' Erwin said as he held the flask near Levi's mouth, his shoulder in Levi's neck as he supported his head. Pouring some of the water between his lips, he felt how hot Levi's neck was. Worried he laid his hand on his forehead, gasping as he felt his raging fever.

'Levi?'

His eye rolled back again, closing, the water spilling from his mouth and Erwin groaned, upset that he had still not drank any water.

Taking the blanket off him to let it dry, he looked worried at the bruises that had formed around his body. A nasty, very dark one was on his lower back and hip and Erwin hoped it where he had crashed down after the explosion. Laying his cape over him again, he felt tears well up in his eyes and it wasn't long before he sunk down on the ground. He hated to see Levi hurt and he worried about him so much. He didn't even care about his own live anymore at this point, he didn't feel tired and hungry anymore. All he needed was for Levi to be okay.

It hurt seeing the strongest person he knew so fragile, helpless.

Grabbing the first aid kit, he looked hopeful if he had missed antibiotics, or even painkillers yesterday. Especially antibiotics. He wanted to think the fever was just an Ackerman thing, but he was well aware it was much more likely to be blamed on the dirty water he had used to wash his face, or the open wounds on his face in general.

There was nothing there though to help Levi and he felt tears well up again. They burned his eyes, feeling tired suddenly again. Sinking down on the ground, his back against the bed opposite of the one Levi was in, he let out a tired sigh, trying to let the tears disappear. Behind the sheet, he was darkness was falling and he was scared for the night to come. Grabbing one of the bowls in the kitchen, one of the few items left, he poured some of the clean water in, grabbing a ripped piece of the cape that seemed clean and dunking it in as he sat beside Levi, cleaning the sweat of his forehead.

'Wha-' he was surprised as he heard Levi mumble, smiling at him as the man opened his good eye.

'You have a bad fever, probably the wounds that got infected already – I'm sorr-'

'Don't – you did your best,' Levi mumbled, trying not to move his lip too much as he spoke. The cold wet cloth on his forehead brought him some comfort, soothing the searing pain in his head.

'Drink some water for me, please,' Erwin said again as he took the flask in his hand.

'Not thirsty,' Levi mumbled.

'You need it, please,' Erwin told him and finally Levi didn't protest as he sat on the edge of the bed again, gently laying his head against shoulder so he could support his head while drinking. Finally he drank some of the water.

'You need to take care of yourself too,' Levi said softly, his voice cracking.

Taking a swig as well, Erwin carefully laid him down again, putting the water aside. Taking the cloth from the bowl again, he laid it back down on Levi's forehead.

'Got any medication in that first aid kit?' Levi enquired, looking at the bag on the floor.

'Usually people don't survive anyway – so no,' Erwin admitted. There was not much in the first aid kit as usually it wasn't much use when people got shredded and eaten by the Titans and even now it hadn't been expanded to take care of people with the current treats.

'Good thing I am an Ackerman then,' Levi just mumbled, Erwin smiling.

'Probably wouldn't have survived it without your healing abilities,' Erwin nodded, thinking off the time he had injured his ankle fighting Annie. Even though he had been out of commission for a few weeks, he had been back on his feet a lot sooner than any other men.

'Not as great as they used to be,' Levi admitted, the visible corner of his mouth pulling into a wry smile. Thinking off how easily Kenny had died after the injuries he sustained, he had had a feeling that their powers were wavering, the older they got.

'Why didn't you tell me?'

'Didn't want to worry you,' Levi explained, Erwin putting the cloth down for a second, biting his lip.

'You should have told me,'

'Didn't want to worry you,' Levi just repeated himself.

'As your commander?' Erwin enquired.

'As somebody that cares and worries about me,' Levi admitted; 'somebody I care about too,'

Erwin smiled for a second, taking his hand and squeezing it. Feeling levi's fingers wrap around his for a second, he smiled.

'Help me sit up?' Levi said finally, Erwin helping him sit up. Seeing his hand in his lap, tears welled up in his eye as he spotted the fingers missing.

'Levi-' Erwin said concerned as he saw his face. Holding him close, he was not sure what to say. Squeezing his hand, he wanted to peck Levi on his cheek, hoping it would bring him some comfort, but Levi moved his head away.

'Still have more fingers than you,' Levi finally mumbled. At first, Erwin's chest tightened, hating to see him so hurt but finally he chuckled.

'Haven't lost your wit,' Erwin smiled, gently caressing over the top of his hand with his thumb, Levi's hand tiny in his huge hand. Letting go of his hand to grab the cloth and wipe the sweat of his forehead again, he felt his stomach sink as Levi was burning up.

'Sorry about moving when you wanted to kiss me – just feel disgusting,' Levi eventually said, afraid he had hurt Erwin.

'That's okay, not forcing you to take any of my kisses,' Erwin told him as he gently wiped his hair away again, 'Wouldn't be very ethical either, being your commander and all – but I don't think you are disgusting,'

He saw Levi wanted to argue, but he seemed to let it go then.

'If you feel up for it tomorrow, we can see about getting you freshened up tomorrow, can get some nice warm water ready, there is a tub near the kitchen, get you some fresh sheets, there must be some more around here' Erwin said lovingly, hoping that it would make Levi feel a little better. He knew how particular he was about cleanliness and his hygiene and he would do anything to make him feel even the slightest bit better.

'Don't need to do that for me,' Levi said softly. As much as he trusted Erwin, he did feel vulnerable with this current state his body was in, feeling worse every time he opened his eyes. It was a feeling he wasn't used to, always being the strongest person anywhere he went.

'I'd do anything for you and you know that,' Erwin told him, 'A bath tomorrow, that lavender tea when we get back to Trost and anything you want,'

Levi wanted to argue he may not make it back, feeling his chest tighten as he felt some more coughs coming. He tried to keep it in, not wanting to cough now that his head was pounding with the fever.

'Thank you,' he instead just said.

'Drink some more water for me, please?'

'Only if you drink some more water too,' Levi mumbled. Even though his lip hurt each time he spoke, shooting pain through his face, he wanted to spend any time he could talking to Erwin – the only person he wanted to be talkative with.

Erwin wanted to hand him the flask to drink, but although he grabbed the flask from Erwin, he didn't have the power to lift it to his mouth, feeling even more sweat drip of his face. Without saying anything, Erwin sat him up against him, carefully pouring the water between his lips. The right sides of his lips were almost closed, tacked together by the blood but Erwin did manage, careful Levi wouldn't choke. Drinking the rest of the flask himself, Levi smiled at him.

'Good,'

'It is not tea, but still sharing drinks I guess,' Erwin smiled as he put the flask aside, there was more water in the bucket though.

As much as Levi was hot and sweating, he did feel him shivering as he had held him.

'Are you cold?'

He didn't say anything, but as Erwin saw him shiver, he took off his boots and shirt off and laid down beside him, pulling Levi against him. Careful, he pulled the blanket and cape over them and caressed Levi's upper arm as the man laid against him.

'At least I am useful as a heater,' Erwin said as he held Levi against him, hoping it would help warm him up. Pressing his face down in Levi's hair, he didn't mind the sweaty strands of hair in his face, just grateful that he was still alive and with him.

'You are always useful,' Levi slurred, softly, hardly audible.

Erwin couldn't help but smile. One of the first compliments that had come out of Levi's mouth that didn't sound ruder than it was meant.

Feeling Erwin's arm even tighter around him now, Levi didn't even mind the pain it caused in his bruised body. It's not like he had felt anything but pain these last hours. It brought him comfort instead, feeling his mind drift away again, as much as he tried to fight it.

For years he had cursed his inability to sleep, spending so many nights hoping to drift away. Now he was scared, scared that he wouldn't wake up if he closed his eyes now, feeling himself get weaker. Not once had he been scared of death, being the first to jump into danger if it meant protecting humanity. But he felt a fear now, worried that he would slip away like he had been feeling for the last few hours. It only seemed to get worse.

He didn't want to admit that to Erwin though, although he did see the worry in his eyes.

The one thing he did realize; he always expected that he could die any minute, just like most of his comrades before him. He had nearly been eaten, shredded to pieces and killed on numerous occasions.

But right now, he felt at peace. Laying against Erwin, his arm around him and feeling his nose burrow in his hair, a kiss planted on top of his head then, it became harder to keep his eye open.

The fact he felt himself slipping away, in a warm bed, comfortable in the arm of the person he cared most about, was actually one of the happiest thoughts he had had in this life and a happier death than he had ever dared to dream off for himself.

Thank you so much for reading, please let me know what you thought and hopefully till next chapter!