Notes :
I wanted to try to write something on a Marleyan!Erwin and Paradise!Levi, so here I am.
It was supposed to be a three shot, but it appears I've got inspiration so this first chapter is only the intro. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm having fun. I hope you'll have too.
/!\ English isn't my native langage and I'm my own beta, so do not hesitate to leave me a comment if you see any misspelling mistake or whatsoever that make your eyes bleed. I'll be happy to improve my writing, and make your reading pleasant.
(French translation will follow at some point.)
Enjoy!
I. THROUGH DARKNESS.
No sound, no light, nothing solid to be seen.
It's only him walking in the middle of nowhere, blindly. He can't see shit. It's pitch black. It's empty. And it's playing with his nerves.
It's nor cold nor warm but it does give him cold sweat along his spine and his temples.
Levi doesn't fear the lack of light. He was used to it when he was in the Underground. But this? This is terrifying.
He has no control here. He feels powerless.
He does his best to keep his breath steady, pushing his terror away while continuing moving forward, in order to escape the hell of this place. But this area seems infinite. There's no door, no wall, nothing to stop him from going straight ahead. It's like there's no end, no exit either.
He's traped, he realizes.
The dark-haired man is alone and doesn't hear anything but trusts his survival instinct when he feels, deep in his guts, that there's something. Something bad and dangerous, crawling not far, certainly watching him at this very moment.
Maybe it's the place itself which is alive.
The darkness surrounding him seems to have eaten all things alive in here. And it's coming closer, closer, closer, each time Levi doesn't look, ready to trap him in its claws and swallow him when he'll stop paying attention. So he quickens cautiously his pace, mindful to his blind spots.
It doesn't look to work though, as the vice is progressingly thightening on him, and he feels he'd soon suffocate.
His heart races.
Thankfully, his eyes finally catch something in the distance. A tiny little color dot, hanging in the middle of this nothingness. He goes straight towards it.
Coming closer, he identifies it as a piece of white cream fabric.
A shirt? A jacket?
He's close enough now to realize it's an arm, a human right arm. He can see the strong bicep underneath the fabric, a calloused hand at the end of the sleeve. It belongs to someone tall and broady. But he can't see the rest of his body nor his face, because they're caught in this disturbing darkness.
Levi's heart misses a beat.
''Erwin?''
His call echoes in the nothingness.
The arm doesn't move. He tends his hand in order to reach him, hoping to find the rest of his missing body, attached to his arm. Perhaps he has to tear him away from the void in order to make him appear and bring him back in the land of the livings?
His fingers grab the stiff hand by the sleeve, pull a little.
''Erw-''
All of a sudden, a second arm emerges from the darkness to seize his wirst firmly. The hand is hot against his skin, so hot it's burning him.
Levi jolts and tries to free himself but his grip is so tight around his wrist, it's almost painfull.
The entire shape of the man's body begins to appear into view and the Paradise's soldier lifts his head to see a familiar face bends over him. His eyes widen when they meet with his gaze.
Two ocean blue eyes stares at him.
Knots are forming in Levi's belly.
Something's wrong.
His look his hard. Burning. Feroscious.
Levi pulls on his wrist with more strength. Erwin tightens his strong grip and smirks at him, his free hand closing around Levi's slim waist. It makes the smaller man uncomfortable and his blood runs cold as he can see it now, pinned on the blonde's sleeve.
Marley's warrior armband.
''Levi.''
His deep husky voice, disgustingly soft, sends vibrations in Levi's veins.
Like ice, the surroundings shatters, and everything falls apart.
II. BETWEEN STRONG ARMS.
Levi finds himself sitting on the bed, heart racing, short on breath, sweating after waking up abruptly.
There's a roaring storm outside. An heavy rain is loudly hitting the window panes.
Lost and panicking, he looks for something familiar in the dark to cling to. When a thunder strickes and lights the room for a second, his eyes fall on Erwin's frame at his right side. The man is lying under the sheets and sleeps deeply, unbothered by Levi's brutal awakening or the chaotic weather outside.
Levi relaxes, releasing the tension of his body.
He sighs, breath shaky.
Great. A nightmare.
He inhales and exhales deeply for a long time to slow down his frantic heart beats.
When he feels composed again, he quietly lies down, sliding under the sheets and turns on his side to stares at his Commander's back.
He wants Erwin to face him. He wants to slips between his strong arms, curls against his chest, bathes in his warmth. Just to feel safe and find sleep easily.
Slowly, he extends his hand and touches by the fingertips the soft but firm skin of his broad shoulders.
Erwin stirs and lets a small groan escapes his mouth as he turns over to face him, eyes barely opened. Levi's palm follows the movement, traveling from his lovers' back to his pec, just above his heart, and lets it lay flat here.
His heart complies with the same speed as his reassuringly.
The blonde tucks his arm behind his companion's head and wraps it around his shoulders to bring him closer.
''What's wrong?'' Erwin whispers softly, voice hoarse from sleep.
''Nothing... Nightmare.'' The small man replies evasively.
He doesn't want to think about it anymore.
''Was it that bad?''
Levi bites on his lip and shifts uncomfortably under the covers, his legs intertwining with his companion's. He won't let him go before he spits it out, now he has fully awaken him, would he? He feels more than he could see Erwin's intense gaze in the dim light.
''I was...lost.'' He confesses while caressing tenderly his lover's chest. ''I found you but- it was you and not you at the same time.'' He whispers, confused, not knowing how to describe clearly what he's seen as the nightmare has already faded. He's not good with words let alone sharing his feelings.
''Really?''
''Yeah... I...saw your arm. Your right arm, hanging in there unmoving. And then you appear-''
The commander lays his left hand on Levi's cheek, caressing his lower lip with his thumb, twisting it a little while the captain's hand finds its way up to his shoulder then down, along his right arm.
Wait.
He frowns.
That's two arms. Not one. Two.
The Captain slowly freezes.
''Well, that's interesting. Do you like what you're touching?'' Asks the man at his side with some sorte of amusement in his voice.
A lightning strike reveales his icy blue eyes and a wicked smile.
The left hand leaves his cheek, going for his throat to hold him tight.
Levi eyes widens in shock.
''Shit-''
Levi hisses through his clenched teeth, heart pounding and muscles tensing, ready to fight back. But the blonde is faster, charging before his prey can make the first move, taking by surprise.
He throws all his weight above the small frame of Levi to straddle him and catches his wrists before he can punch him, pinning them to the mattress above his head. Then, he leans in, forcing a hard burning kiss on his mouth.
He moves away before Levi could bite him. The dark-haired man looks taken aback for a moment.
''Oh captain, my sweet, little, captain.'' He whispers gleefully, velvet on his tongue.
His tone, and the way he uses words arouses a feverish anger in Levi.
It's not Erwin. It's not his Erwin at all.
He would never act like that.
He starts struggling to free his hands and lower abdomen by pushing fiercely on his wrists and squirming his pelvis. The man holding him is too heavy and too strong though. He has trapped his hips between his stiff thighs so Levi couldn't kick him and slip out of his grasp. He can't make him move an inch in his position.
''Fuck off-'' Levi spits angrily, his breath erratic, his blood boiling.
In the dim light, the blonde can see his steel grey eyes gleaming with pure hatred.
If a glare could kill.
But Erwin- or however has taken his image- only offers him a sly smile.
''How rude. Yet you were so sweet to me just a few moments ago...'' He says offended and disappointed -or rather pretending to be, because he's obviously having fun right now.
Levi swallows hardly as the tall blonde applies a little more pressure on his throat and leans close -to close- to his face with a luscious look.
''Ssh darling, don't be so feral.'' The blonde murmurs while brushing his lips with his own.
The nickname makes Levi's back hair stand on end and he darts his head back, as far as he can.
''Tch- I'll cut your throat as soon as I'll free myself bastard-! Using my teeth...if I have to...'' The Paradisian soldier warns him, gasping.
''Is it a threat or a promise? I'm getting mixed signals here.'' The man asks with a raised eyebrow.
''Fuck you asshole.''
''Still my point. Mixed signals.'' He chuckles softly.
''Let me go and I'll show you what I meant.'' The small one offers with venom and a dark grin.
The blonde's expression darkens and his voice is dangerously lower when he starts talking again.
''Oh darling, you wanna play? Okay, let me begin first. Hold still...'' He orders.
''Wait- no-''
His eyes are so widened now, the horror's stricking him.
Erwin frees his neck and takes a full handful of his hair instead, before pulling back roughly, forcing Levi to tilt is head aback. It gives him full access to the delicate skin of his throat. The captain's adam apple startles, apprehension seeping.
The blonde runs onto his neck and bites him here, hard. Levi whimpers.
He grits his teeth and closes his eyes, his body tensing as the pain sets in and spreads through his body.
The blonde sucks the bruised skin between his teeth, causing more strangled groans to escape Levi's mouth.
He's marking him, and the bastard is fucking enjoying it.
''You're mine now.'' He states accordingly to his thoughts.
Chills run up Levi's spine as the blonde takes possession of his lips anew.
This time, Levi doesn't fight back though. His lips are pliant under his hot mouth. They part without resistance when the blonde's tongue attempts to push his way in.
And Levi hates himself for liking it. But he misses Erwin's awfully.
There's a soft sound of sheets shifting when the tall blonde moves above him, leaning in to be chest to chest and so cover his whole body with his.
Levi's cock stirs against his will when the other's lower abdomen rubs against it.
He can't let him, right? He doesn't want to.
It's not Erwin, he repeats to himself endlessly. Yet his body doesn't respond to his commands.
Storm keeps roaring outside and rain's hammering nonstop against the window glasses.
He lets go.
III. TAKING CONTROL.
His head is spinning and his body is aching. He's on his knees and it hurts. The position is uncomfortable, his tensed muscles screaming to be unbend. He tries to move but his legs are heavy and numb. He stirs his arms raised above his head but can't bring them down or closer to his body. As he insists by putting a little more strength, he hears a sound of chains rattling. It seems his hands are restrained.
Levi forces himself to crack an eye open.
He doesn't recognize anything at first as the room is dark and empty. There's only three cold grey walls surrounding him and iron bars for as a fourth in front of him.
He doesn't know where he is, how he got here and how long he has passed out.
For now he only understands he's chained to cold steel handcuffs.
He slowly rises his head and perceives the two Marleyan soldiers who are guarding his jail, rifles laid on their shoulder.
Well, that's no good news.
He stays still and silent for the time being not to attract attention, slowly collecting his thoughts and any information he can glean.
There's nothing more in here though that can give him a clue to what's going on.
But soon enough, a door opens and light floods the place. A tall blonde man emerges, wearing a beige jacket, a black tie, medals on his chest and a red armband on his left arm sleeve.
His frame comes off the light, like a divine appearance. The soldiers stir and stand straight.
As the man comes closer, Levi can take a better look at his face and what he sees strikes him down.
No. It can't be-
He freezes, lips parted, breath short, eyes widened, as he stares with bewilderment at Erwin who is walking towards his cell.
It's coming back to him now. He remembers seeing him during the last fight. He wasn't sure what he has seen at that time. He thought he only had an hallucination. The battle was pretty chaotic and he only took a glimps at the man with bright golden blonde strends, characteristic thick brown eyebrows, broad shoulders...
An explosion diverted him from his observation and then... it's a blackout.
He must have hit something and fallen before passing out.
But he's real. He's standing right in front of him.
The man has the same hypnotising ocean eyes, the same rectangular chin, the same imposing presence.
Unfortunately Levi also knows, deep inside him, it's not him. His Erwin is dead. He's burried him himself, years ago. Who he's looking at is a Marleyan warrior. An ennemy to Paradise.
It doesn't remove the fact that it's higlhly unsettling him in anyway though. It only make his heart tightens painfully at the remembrance of his Commander.
In order to not show he's destabilized, he buries deep inside him his emotions, forbids himself to think about his lost Commander.
''Let me in.'' Demands the tall blonde man to the guards.
''Sir! Be careful, this one is a fiercy devil.''
''It's alright. I got him.'' He tells them, voice confident.
It upsets Levi the second he hears it. He got him?
No one will get him. Ever.
His eyes darken.
Head lowered, black hair strands falling in front of his face, he stares mistrustful at the man approaching him.
The Marleyan stops and stands before the prisonner, looking down at him with a straight face but a spark of curiosity in the eyes.
He crouches down at his height, to better study the Paradise inhabitant. It seems Levi has tickled his interested because a small smile lifts the corner of his lips.
''So, you're the Paradisian's Strongest.''
When the soldier doesn't respond, he proceeds.
''Quite a title, for such a small man like you.'' He says, impressed. ''But you seems to live up to your reputation... I've heard you were pretty tough when they brought you there.''
Levi doesn't even blink, glaring at the Marleyan with a stern look. He must have hit his head badly because he doesn't remember struggling against his jailors. He doesn't question it however. He would have never made his capture easier.
He prefers focusing on the present right now.
''I'm glad to finally meet you in person. So, what's your real name?'' The Marleyan asks him.
Levi stubbornly keeps his mouth shut.
The false Erwin sighs and tilts his head to look at him with a steady gaze, not ready to give up yet.
''Come on Captain, I'm trying to be polite here. Won't you introduce yourself?''
Still no answer.
They look at each other in the eyes for a long time in an heavy silence before the blonde glances at the soldiers who have remained at the gate. It seems they have no desire to come closer to this island devil.
And they would be right, Levi thinks.
The two guards which are looking at them uneased, guns in hand, jolt when Levi gives them a death stare.
The blonde stands up and lifts his hand in their direction, palm opened.
''The keys, please.''
''Wait- your not gonna- I mean, I don't recommend untiying him sir, he's dangero-'' One of the soldiers warns him, jittery.
The blonde interrupts him with an imperious tone.
''It was not a question. He's my responsability now, so I'll do whatever please me when it comes to him.'' He cuts to make them stop arguing his orders. ''Plus... He's unarmed and we're civilized gentlemen, devil or not. We'll behave as such, won't we?'' He stares at Levi with an harsh look.
Levi really wants to make him swallow his uppish air. He refrains himself from showing it though, wanting to be freed from his chackles.
The guards give the keys to the warrior. The latter opens the handcuffs, at Levi's relief.
He stumbles but is quick to recover and stands up straight before massaging his bruised wrists while holding the blonde's gaze.
''Better. Now-'' The tall blonde begins before being interrupted since Levi pounces on him.
Fast like the wind, Levi has grabbed his knife in his boot to press the sharp blade on the Marleyan's carotid and twisted his wrist behind his back. His left leg has burnt him when he has realized he was still feeling the weight of his knife strapped to it a minute ago. He's lucky they didn't found it.
Now that he has returned the situation to his advantage by attacking before the guards had time to react, he's the one in control.
''Drop your knife, devil! Or we'll shoot you!'' The soldiers shout, their rifles pointed towards him.
''Try and I cut his throat.'' Levi growls, threatening.
To prove he's not messing, he presses the blade further against the soft skin of the blonde's throat.
The guards are sweating but their warrior remains still and collected.
''Lower your weapons. We had enough blood on our hands those past days.'' He orders calmly to his soldiers.
The two men hesitate for a second before doing so when they meet the warrior's heavy look.
''Move.'' Levi hisses before pushing the man at his mercy forward by squeezing his wrist and pressing it against his back.
They exit the cell, the soldiers stepping aside to let them pass. Levi frees the wrist for a moment to slide one hand in the blonde's jacket pocket. He rummages, looking for the keys.
The man smirks. Levi notices.
''What you're smiling at?'' He grunts.
''Nothing. I think you're cute.'' The other admits shamelessly.
The Paradisian Captain frowns.
What's with his shitty flirty attitude?!
''Shut your mouth.''
Pissed off, the Ackerman hurries to seize the keys and locks the soldiers inside the cell before getting out with his captive.
They're now crossing a corridor, Levi's eyes frantically looking for an exit.
''If you want us to have a private talk, I can guide you to my room.'' The blonde suggests.
''Shut up. I'm not going anywhere with you.''
''What a pity. I'd love to get to know you.''
''Stop it.''
''Why ?'' Asks the Marleyan, playfull.
''I said stop.''
He squeezes his wrist to back his words. The blonde winces but doesn't reply.
After a few turns and being able to avoid the Marleyan soldiers, he finally manages to find an open door bathed in sunlight.
He urges the guy to pick up the pace. Soon enough, he's outside, breathing in fresh air. It smell like salt and iodine. He slows down, blinded by the sun ray. It takes him a moment to get used to the bright light but when he opens his eyes again, it's only deep blue, blue, blue as far as the eyes can see.
He stares, baffled, the calm and sparkling sea that stretches till the horizon.
His spinning head has stopped him to notice it.
He's on a Marleyan war boat. In the middle of the ocean. And there's no land in sight.
He's so fucked up.
The tall blonde turns his head slightly to take a look at Levi's reaction. He notes the concerned expression painted on his face.
He offers him an apologetic smile.
''I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier. We're going back home. And you're our war prisonner.''
To be continued...
