The morning light gleamed in through Levi's bedroom window. Levi's eyes fluttered open, feeling the warm light touching his eyelids. There was a slight wind, billowing his light curtains in big, dreamy circles. There was a sepia tone in his room, and there was a slight chill in the wind. But he turned his head to see a mat of brown, shaggy hair sleeping next to him. Levi found his hands were wrapped around Eren's bare chest, and he could feel Eren's subtle muscles beneath the covers. Levi nestled his head into the wad of brown hair, and smelled Eren's familiar scent. He smelled warm and comforting, and also a little bit childish. Levi felt calm with Eren, which was strange, because he was usually so distant from everyone else. Why this kid made him so vulnerable was a mystery to him- he couldn't believe he was thinking this, but he loved this brat. He really, truly loved him. Levi wasn't sure what he would do if he ever died. He felt Eren's steady, sleeping breath, and watched his shoulders rising and falling in a rhythmic pattern. The previous night, as he recalled, didn't go as he had expected. He didn't think he'd end up fucking Eren, but lo and behold, here he was.

Eren suddenly shifted in his sleep, and Levi gently untangled his arms from Eren to let him roll over. He faced Levi, his eyes squinted as he slowly woke up. Levi brushed his hand over Eren's bangs, lifting them away from his lover's eyes. Eren's eyes slowly opened, the sunlight reflecting inside of his irises. Eren looked at Levi, starting to remember where he was. Eren gave a sleeping smile to him.

"Levi," Eren whispered.

"'Morning," Levi kissed Eren's forehead softly, and Eren flushed, smiling in embarrassment. "What's the deal? Why're you so shy this morning?" Eren nestled his head into Levi's neck, resting on him. He's so warm, Levi thought to himself. His arm wrapped around Eren's shoulder, and held him closer. Meanwhile, Eren had mixed emotions. Was this really what he thought it was? Levi could physically love Eren- and very well, he wasn't complaining about that- but Eren had doubts about whether or not it was love, or merely lust. Eren tilted his head to look at Levi, who was staring off into space, clearly deep in his own thoughts.

"Do you love me?" Eren asked after a while. Levi looked down at Eren in surprise. His face looked worried- even upset.

"Eh? Where'd that come from?" Eren flushed, not meeting Levi's eyes. Eren pulled away and sat on the edge of the bed, his hand rubbing the back of his neck. He grabbed his boxers that were strewn on the wooden floor, slipping them on to cover himself. "Eren, where are you going?" Levi sat up, feeling around for his own boxers. They were all the way on the floor. Eren just stood there, his shoulders tensed. His arms crossed, and he was shivering a little bit. "What the fuck?"

"Do you love me?" Eren repeated, turning to look at Levi. His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked distressed. "Please, say that you do- and no lying!" Levi raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Of course I do," Levi assured him. "Otherwise I wouldn't have fucked you." Eren shook his head.

"No, I want you to say it," Eren stepped back, crossing his arms defensively. Levi threw back the blanket, uncovering his body. Eren flushed as Levi stood, getting closer to Eren. "Y-you're… um…" Eren looked to the side shyly. "You're not… you're nak-"

"Eren," Levi interrupted. He grabbed Eren's face with one hand and turned it to his own, looking Eren in his eyes. "Look me in the eyes." Eren closed his eyes tight, taking a breath before doing as he was asked. He looked into Levi's cold, silver eyes. They stood like that for a few seconds, but it seemed like forever. Eren wasn't used to making this much eye contact, and he felt fidgety and uncomfortable.

"Levi-"

"Shut up," Levi interrupted. "Eren, listen to me very carefully," Levi leaned in closer to Eren's face, as though he were about to kiss him. Eren's face was bright red, expecting to be kissed again. He felt his heart drop, knowing Levi was only going to be physical him, instead of giving him a genuine, heart-to-heart. He closed his eyes and started to cry. "Eren, I'm not using you. I swear I'm not. I don't just sleep around." Levi stared into Eren's eyes, not even blinking. Eren's tears slowly stopped as he listened. "You really think I would just fuck you for no reason? That's bullshit. Eren, you are the only person I want- you're the only person I need."

Eren pushed Levi away. He gave his heart and soul- even his body- to his commander, and he'd just felt as though he was only good for a good fuck. Eren started for the bedroom door, picking up his strewn clothes.

Levi called desperately, "Eren!" He didn't even acknowledge Levi. "Eren, I-"

"I love you, Levi." Eren's voice was shaking. "You can't even tell me you love me?"

"Because I don't want to-" Levi wasn't sure how to say it. He felt this fear that once he said those three words-those three little words- it would all be so real. And once it was real, he wouldn't want it to slip away. If Eren died, Levi wasn't sure he'd be able to move on. He's lost too many friends- too many lovers- and couldn't even imagine losing Eren. But if he lost him before he had a chance to say how he felt… That scared him even more. Eren turned and looked at Levi, waiting for him to explain himself. Eren could clearly see that Levi was having trouble speaking his mind. But Eren glanced down and saw-

Eren glanced away, blushing. He reached down to the floor, grabbing Levi's boxer shorts. He held them out shyly, his face bright red. Levi walked over to Eren, swatting the shorts away.

"Eren, I fucking love you," Levi confessed. Eren turned back to him. "I love you so much, Eren. I just- if you were ever killed in battle," Levi grabbed Eren's shoulders tightly, pleading for his belief. "I don't know if I can keep losing people. I've lost so many squad members, and I can't- I can't lose anyone else. If I lost you, I don't know I would be able to keep my sanity- what's left of it, anyway." Eren and Levi stood there for the longest time, both trying to think about what to say next. Neither of them even knew what to feel at that point. Eren sighed with relief. "Do you want me to say it again?" Eren giggled softly and nodded, crying slightly.

"Please just- just one more time."

"Eren," Levi tilted his face, leaning in close. He leaned into his ear and whispered gently, "I love you. I love you so much." Eren gave a sob, covering his face as Levi hugged him. Levi just kept repeating himself over and over, "I love you, I love you, I love you." Each time consoled Eren a little more. He hadn't heard those words in a long time- even from his sister. Hearing it just made him feel so insecure and secure at the same time. He could feel his heart warming with joy as Levi held him, stroking his soft brown hair as he sobbed into Levi's bare shoulder. "Now you have to say it again," Levi said once Eren stopped crying. Eren looked up at Levi, one eyebrow raised. Levi wiped Eren's tears gently.

"Huh?" Eren looked at Levi in confusion.

"You have to tell me now." Levi teased, tapping Eren's nose. "I've said it a million times. You better say it, or I'll kiss your neck until you do." Eren laughed, holding Levi's hand to his cheek.

"I love you," Eren wept. "I love you, I love, I love you…" Levi kissed Eren, holding his face gently. Eren wrapped his arms around Levi's shoulders, suddenly not feeling so shy about Levi's naked-ness.