Chapter Four - Departure
Erwin and the others were more than capable of taking care of things and Levi's only concern was getting Eren back to the cabin. He didn't speak a word to anyone as he carried the boy to his horse, holding him close as they rode back. Levi was going to take Eren home, home to his country where he would be safe. They would leave as soon as Eren was able and he wasn't taking no for an answer. He didn't even allow Hanji to touch Eren when they returned and insisted on treating Eren himself. Poison was one thing, but wounds like these Levi was all too familiar with.
He brought Eren to his bathroom while Hanji left ointments and bandages in his room. He made sure to memorize every cut, every bruise, every mark on Eren's body so he would never forget. So he would never allow something like this to happen again. Levi washed the brunette with a gentle hand in the warm water of a bath, supporting his weight with an arm around his lean frame. Eren simply watched him with what Levi hoped wasn't resentment. In truth this never should have happened in the first place, but it seemed that no matter how careful he was, Levi always got those closest to him hurt. He always fucked up.
After Eren was dried, he began treating his wounds with gentle fingers before tucking Eren in his softest robes. The process wasn't nearly as painless as he tried to make it, but at least Eren was breathing easily once it was all over. When he had him laid down and under the covers, Levi slipped in beside him and took him in his arms, careful not to hold on too tight. Even now his anger hadn't dissipated, but now the only outlet was inward. The only piece of shit around here was himself.
"I'm so sorry." He whispered into Eren's hair. "So fucking sorry."
Eren didn't want Levi to be upset or blame himself for what had happened when in reality, it was only his own fault. Nobody else could be blamed. He still wasn't back to himself, the effects of the drugs were still affecting him, but not as much now. He felt a lot better after Levi's care, but the pain he felt all over his body was enough to make him want to cry again, he wouldn't though.
"Levi," He croaked, voice a raspy whisper and Levi's name slurred on his tongue.
"Don't speak." Levi told him, knowing by the bruises on his neck that it was painful.
Eren nodded, tears pricking at his eyes, but not from the pain, only from how appreciative he was for this man. He was nothing like the rest and for once… Eren was glad Levi had bought him. He just wanted to thank him from the bottom of his heart, but he would save the words for later. For now, he just moved his weak, trembling hand to Levi's head, resting it there as he pressed his face against his. He couldn't help being emotional. He couldn't help how he felt.
"I wanted to protect you." Levi continued on in a hushed tone. "I thought that I could. I was so sure that . . . never again. I swear to you on my life. You'll never have to suffer such things again."
Eren nodded again, because somehow, he believed every word. He trusted that Levi would protect him as long as he allowed it. His fingers curled in Levi's hair and he snuggled closer, not caring how much it hurt.
"My beautiful Eren . . ." Levi breathed and kissed his forehead. "My strong and brave darling . . . for as long as you want me, I'll always be by your side."
Eren whimpered at Levi's words, tears spilling down his cheeks. Nobody had ever spoken so sweetly to him before… but now… Eren was damaged goods. Once Levi found out, he probably wouldn't want him around anymore. Still, for now, he held tighter to the man and prayed he would never have to let go.
It didn't matter what was right or expected. It didn't matter what was smart and what was 'safe'. Levi wouldn't be letting go of Eren, there wasn't a force in existence that could make him. He was thankful for whatever it was that pushed him to fight for Eren at the auction in the first place, but he suspected it was simply the boy's charms. Was it possible to grow so close to someone in less than two months? Under hellish conditions like these anything was, but a part of him sensed it was something more than that.
Levi held Eren all throughout the night, whispering sweet nothings and showering him in gentle caresses and soft kisses. He was taken by relief once the brunette was finally able to fall asleep and he stayed close, hoping to drive the nightmares away. Levi gave Eren the utmost care as he recovered, bringing his food to him and redressing his bandages. It was another week before he was cleared for long travel by Hanji and Levi had admittingly gotten restless. He was more eager than ever to make the journey home, but Eren came first.
The final arrangements had been made when Levi asked the question he dreaded. It wasn't that knowing the extent of Eren's torment would change how Levi saw him, it was more a matter of atonement. He needed to know how bad it was and reflect on the matter as a whole, so his apologies were more than just words. He sat on the mattress facing Eren, hand holding fast to the other man's as he spoke.
"I'd like to know what happened." He said carefully. "If you'll tell me."
Eren wasn't prepared for that. He was honestly hoping that it wouldn't matter. But of course it did. Levi needed to know and Eren wasn't going to lie about it. "He did a lot… but the worst part was when he fucked my mouth." He might not have been raped in the traditional sense, but it was just as violating.
Levi squeezed Eren's hand, but kept his face blank. He knew he should have tortured the bastard. "Thank you for telling me."
"So… what will you do with me now?" Eren asked, not able to sit around and think about it anymore.
"What do you mean?" Levi frowned. "The same as before, I'm taking you with me."
"W-where are you taking me?... Will you… will you sell me to someone else or…"
Levi stared at him for a moment before putting Eren's hand on his chest. "I told you, as long as this beats I'll protect you. I'm taking you to my homeland." He explained. "I would never sell you, don't ever think of it."
"But… I'm not cute anymore." Eren pouted, not understanding why Levi would want to keep him.
"Who said that?" Levi asked seriously. He had plenty of anger to throw around.
Eren's eyes fell to his lap and he sulked. "I'm hideous."
Levi used his other hand to hold Eren's chin, raising his head up. "Nonsense. I'll be the judge of that, thank you."
"Stop." Eren whined, tears spilling from his eyes out of nowhere. "I know you hate me now."
"Darling." Levi called and pulled Eren against him. "I could never hate you, even when your eyes screamed bloody murder those firsts days you came here. In fact, I'm pretty sure you did threaten to kill me."
Eren made a choked sound between a laugh and a sob. "Y-yeah… But now… I'm no good anymore."
Levi wiped his troublemaker's tears away, looking down at him with an unguarded expression. "Listen here. No matter what he did, no matter what he could have done, I would never think that about you. I only asked for my own selfish reasons . . . though if it made you see yourself like that, I wish I hadn't asked."
"It wasn't the question." Eren mumbled. "But you can't tell me that every time you look at me, you won't think about what happened to me."
"The hell I can't." Levi said with confidence. "Sometimes I will, though certainly not every time. And what I see will always be the same. My own failure."
"Don't you start with that, it will make me mad. Really mad… I might even smack you."
"Well if you really must." Levi said, a small smile appearing on his lips for a moment. "I'll take anything over this. It pains me that you think this way."
Eren looked around at nothing and sighed. "Then you really… you still think I'm cute?"
Levi pulled his cheek. "I think you're a brat. A cute brat."
Eren's teal eyes widened as they looked back to Levi's and they sparkled in delight. He could tell Levi really meant that and it made his heart speed up. Before he could stop himself, he lunged forward, knocking Levi back onto his back and he kissed him, hard. Levi was more than happy to accept the surprise attack and threaded his fingers through his hair. He met Eren head on and took more when he opened his mouth, caressing Eren's tongue with his own.
The fact that Levi kissed him so passionately, without holding back, really relieved Eren. He was so afraid of being pushed away or turned down, but Levi was showing him that nothing had changed. Maybe… maybe he could still look at him the same. Eren certainly hoped so, but he didn't think much about it as his hands fisted Levi's shirt at his shoulders, and he tilted his head as he moved his tongue against the man he'd gotten so crazy over, despite not wanting to. When he pulled his tongue back, he tugged Levi's lower lip with his teeth, losing himself to the moment.
Levi groaned, tightening his hold in his hair. "You drive me around the fucking bend."
"I don't make you sick?" Eren questioned incredulously, heart swelling as he clung even tighter to Levi, lips trembling.
"Not even close." Levi answered, wanting to flip them over but thinking better of it. Eren still wasn't at a hundred percent. However, that didn't rule out everything. "Go ahead," He encouraged and brought one of Eren's hands down to his hip, "touch me. You have every right."
Eren gasped at being offered such a reward. He'd wanted to touch Levi so many times… he'd wanted so much from this man and he couldn't pass up such an opportunity. Eren sat up, eagerly pushing Levi's shirt up so he could admire his toned torso and then his hands drifted down, rubbing over his hardening member. Somehow, Eren was able to turn him on. Levi really wasn't disgusted by him. In just a few seconds, Levi's cock was rock hard and so much bigger than Eren expected. In his dazed state, drool slipped out of his mouth before he could catch it, dropping down and landing on Levi's abs.
"Eek!" Eren's face flamed and he pulled his hands away to hide his face instead. Never had he wanted to die like he did now. The embarrassment would be the end of him for sure.
"My sentiments exactly." Levi rumbled, his own eyes admiring Eren's form and wishing there weren't as many clothes in the way of his view.
Eren swallowed hard and peeped through his fingers. He was so hot thanks to his flushed skin and it only worsened when he noticed the way Levi's eyes raked over him hungrily. It was unbelievable. Levi… he actually wanted him.
"I'm sorry." He moaned, dropping his hands to wipe his drool off of Levi hurriedly. "I-I didn't mean to."
"I don't mind in the least." Levi had his moments when he wanted things a certain way at a certain standard, but cleanliness wasn't on his mind when it came to things like this. "You're free to do as you please." He said and brought his hand up to Eren's mouth, running the pad of his thumb over his bottom lip.
The brunette sucked in a breath before swallowing again, this damn man just made his mouth water. He couldn't help it so he was glad Levi didn't seem to mind. Eren pushed his embarrassment aside and looked back down to Levi's abs. Hell, he wanted his saliva all over that body. If he could do as he pleased, that's just what he would do.
"Take this off." He murmured, pulling at Levi's shirt.
Levi sat up, purposely leaning close enough to capture Eren's lips before he took his shirt off and laid back down. "Is this how you want me?"
Eren shuddered. "Yes. I like this." He admitted as he reached for the hem of his own shirt and then pulled it over his head, tossing it aside.
"I don't let people give me orders." Levi smirked and lightly ran his hands up Eren's thighs. "But perhaps you were right, you are the exception."
"Mm." Eren's cock responded to that and his stomach coiled. "Right. That's right." He grinned, everything else forgotten besides this moment and this man. "Good boy."
Levi raised an eyebrow before his head fell back and he chuckled. "Only for you, sir."
"Whoa." Eren whispered under his breath, feeling like a king. He moved his hips, resting his rear right over Levi's erection and grinding against it as he ran his hands up and down his chest and abs. Every inch of him was perfection. Eren wanted to do so many things to him. "Whatever I want…" He couldn't believe it.
"That's right, darling." Levi confirmed, thrusting his hips up. "But I won't be completely well behaved."
"Fuck, I don't want you to be." Eren admitted, eyes clouding with lust. The feel of that hard cock against his ass had his own twitching and he was thanking the heavens that he was wearing such loose pants.
Leaning down, Eren placed a kiss on Levi's chest and then skimmed his lips and tongue all over him. He licked and sucked every part of him that he wanted while rocking his hips, becoming more and more crazed with desire by the second. Soon enough, he was breathless, at a loss, unable to believe Levi was allowing this.
"I want you more than anything." Eren whimpered, moving his lips back to Levi's. "So bad." He whispered and then their lips connected in a deep and sensual kiss.
Levi ran his hands over Eren's body, mindful of his condition. "Soon." He spoke between kisses. "Very soon."
"Now." Eren demanded, fearing the thought of Levi not giving him everything he wanted. "Levi… make love to me."
"Damn it." Levi groaned and flexed his fingers. He shouldn't, he knew he shouldn't, but when Eren asked him like that . . . "Like this? Do you want to be on top, darling?"
"N-no… not this time. I want you on top of me." Eren told him, voice hushed and seductive, even without him trying.
Levi flipped them over, hand supporting Eren's back. "As you wish."
He freed Eren from the rest of his clothes and took off what remained of his own. His bruises had faded considerably, but there were still scars littered over his body that would forever remain. Levi dropped his head and went about kissing every single one. No matter what, Eren was still beautiful to him and he would show him as much. He went all the way up to his chest and then back down, hands ghosting along his sides. He had a good amount of self control, but he would really be put to the test here and now. Eren was laid out before him, eager and willing, and Levi had no intention of stopping.
He spared a moment to reach into his night stand and grabbed the tube of oil. Once again he was looking at everything Eren had to offer, pupils blown in desire. After he coated his fingers, Levi licked up the side of Eren's member and hummed at the moan he received. Levi was going to worship Eren for as long as he was able. He didn't tease the brunette and took him into his mouth, easing down on Eren's twitching erection. He sucked him gently as he traced over his rim with his finger. A long breath escaped them both as Levi slipped the digit inside, swirling the finger around purposely.
Eren couldn't believe it. He absolutely could not believe this was happening to him, that he had such a chance with such a man. To feel his mouth on him and his finger inside of him at the same time—it was amazing. It was crazy. It was too much. It wasn't enough. His breaths were shallow and labored, back arching and hips rolling. He couldn't keep still, he couldn't keep quiet. Fuck, he was actually… Eren was sure he was falling for Levi.
"Ah… that's… Levi…" He couldn't form a coherent sentence and his whole body was shaking in need. "Good. So good." He had to at least praise him, let Levi know that he was enjoying every second.
His words made Levi suck harder, focused on nothing but bringing Eren pleasure. Another finger was soon added and Levi spread them nice and wide, just barely pulling them in and out. Eren never failed to respond and clenched around him, hips flexing. He worked his mouth and tongue, searching for all of his sensitive spots and using them to his full advantage. He craved every whisper and whimper that left Eren's lips. He hummed at every squirt of precome that went down this throat. He really lived for that blissed out face, he drove him mad like nothing else could.
Levi had the brunette well on his way to coming by the time he was up to three fingers and thrusting them in and out at a steady pace. He wouldn't make him come this way, not this time, but he would get him damn near close. His head bobbed in time with Eren's movements and only brushed the tips of his fingers against his prostate. Levi wasn't exceptional at giving head, but he was more than adequate to make it enjoyable. Ignoring his own need wasn't a problem either, but Eren was making it really difficult today. That voice of his was louder than ever and every moan went right to his dick. Eren's cock began throbbing as he was on the verge, hands fisting the sheets. Levi pulled off and removed his fingers before it was too late and hovered over a panting Eren.
"You have no idea what you look like right now." Levi told him. "So fucking sexy."
"N-no… you are." Eren breathed, wrapping his arms around Levi's neck and leaning up to give him a sloppy kiss. "You… make me feel so good."
Levi connected their lips in another kiss and then lined himself up. "I'll make you feel even better, Eren."
Eren moaned a long and sweet moan, his body rolling still. "Yes. Please, Levi. Please give it to me." He couldn't wait another second.
"I'll give you the stars, darling. Whatever you wish for." Levi promised before starting to press his hips forward.
Eren spread his legs even further, breath held as he moaned and whimpered. "Yes, Levi… fuck." Eren started panting again when Levi was halfway in. He was so big, but he felt so good. Eren felt so good. His hands gripped tight to Levi's hair and he brought his head down so that their lips were almost touching. "You're everything to me… a-all I have in this world."
Levi smiled warmly at him, the back of his hand running along his jaw. "Here's me looking at you." He whispered. "And it's how I'll always look at you."
Yet again, Eren shuddered and moaned before leaning up the last breath to kiss this man who'd somehow stolen his heart. Or maybe… Eren just gave it to him. Levi met his kisses, patient in the way he slowly inched his way into Eren, but that didn't make it any less intense for either of them.
The younger of the two was blinded by the emotions and sensations he was feeling. His own cock was still throbbing, he was still so close to coming. Only Levi could make him feel so good. Only Levi would ever be able to have this side of him. When he couldn't take it any longer, Eren thrusted his hips upward and was rewarded with the remainder of Levi's cock.
"God… shit…" Eren ranted out different words, some unintelligible. He held tight to this man… his lover. Yes, his lover. He wouldn't let anyone else have Levi. Levi belonged to him and him alone.
"Eren." Levi growled, dropping his head. "Fuck."
Body quaking even worse than it ever had, Eren whined. "I just… so close… feels good. Want more." Eren cried as he hugged Levi's head and continued to move his hips.
Levi peeked out, searching for Eren's lips and nipped the top one when he finally thrusted. "Oh, darling . . ." Levi had never felt so overwhelmed.
"Levi… you're gonna… make me…" Eren could say no more, his breathing erratic.
"Show me everything." Levi's low timber demanded as his eyes sharpened, focused solely on Eren. He began snapping his hips in earnest, ready to fall right along with him. "Come."
"Ye—ahh." Eren tried to speak out only to be cut off by a wail as his orgasm came over him.
Eventually his screams turned silent, but it seemed as if he was coming forever, Levi's perfect movements dragging it on and on. And then the feel of Levi coming inside of him—the sight of his mouth forming a perfect O shape, the way those blue-grey eyes darkened. It was a fact… Eren was unconditionally, irrevocably in love with this man. Levi had never come so quickly in his life, much less in a way that took his strength away. He managed not to flatten Eren, but his body was still trembling. He watched teal eyes stare back at him with an emotion that easily reflected in his own eyes. He rested on his forearms and touched their foreheads together, breath mingling.
"Beautiful." He breathed when he was able to form the word. "Absolutely beautiful."
Eren was still trying to catch his breath but a grin spread across his face. "Mine." He hummed, hands stroking Levi's cheek. "Completely mine."
Levi returned his grin, there's my cheeky brat. "Damn straight." He was practically a slave to Eren at this point and he would admit it full heartedly.
"Glad you know." Eren giggled and patted Levi's head. "I won't be letting you go."
"Am I your captive?" Levi teased.
"If that's what I want." Eren shot back and licked his lips. "But I don't think I'll have to tie you up to keep you."
Levi hummed. "Not likely, I wouldn't dream of running."
"You sure wouldn't get far." Eren scoffed, a spark of his attitude returning.
This time Levi laughed, a quiet and deep sound that purred in Eren's ear. "Certainly not. I would miss you too much."
"Yeah… that's right… so don't you forget it."
The pair basked in their afterglow and each other's company, Levi taking Eren to the bathroom where they shared a bath. Then they snuggled up to each other in bed and slept their last night in the cabin. The women, children and staff were all ready by the afternoon and the line of carriages was off. Levi rode with Eren in the front carriage for the beginning of their long journey, but it wasn't time for peace and relaxation yet. There was more to come, Levi's mission wasn't nearly over. He would bring everyone home and give them their freedom. Then he would take action against the kingdom that had taken Eren's homeland away.