AN: oh darlings, I'm so sorry, for such updating after almost a month! I'm terribly busy with uni and part-time job right now… I wrote most of this chapter on the train or during my lunch time, so sorry for my English once again…. Um… enjoy?
Levi was wriggling in the armor. He'd never been a fan of the armor – it slowed him down and with Levi's height, he could only count on his agility, speed and endurance; and moreover he had never worn one. Of course he had seen it, but he never had enough money to actually afford armor. Most of Gauls didn't wear armor, only the leaders of villages or raiders whose work wasn't anything else than killing and plundering.
"Does it fit you well?" Petra asked kindly and straightened up to look at her work.
"No." Levi murmured.
"No?" Petra frowned. "Is it too tight? Well, we can lose the buckles a bit and-"
"That's not it." Levi looked into her eyes. "I don't wanna wear it. I've never fought in armor."
Petra looked at him nervously. According to Levi's height, it had been very difficult to find a suitable armor. They had to contact a smith in Rome and he had to make the armor and, because of the hurry Erwin was in, the blond also had to pay larger amount of money on it.
"This is not about what you want and what you don't want." in the arch of the door was standing Erwin. "This is about your and thus mine safety. You'll wear it."
Levi looked at the blond. He was wearing a tunic, but it wasn't made of any special material. The shorter man assumed Erwin was also preparing for leaving.
"Yes." Levi said finally.
Erwin smiled. "Good." and then he looked at Petra. "Could you please help me after you finish?"
"Of course, master." She bowed her head, before Erwin left them alone.
"So, you'll stay here." Levi asked.
"Yes." Petra nodded, controlling Levi's armor from all sides.
Levi hesitated a little before he asked: "May I ask you for a favor?"
The young woman smiled. "Of course, you may."
"Take care of Armin, Eren and Mikasa." Levi sounded somehow hollow.
Petra smiled kindly at him a nodded. "Don't worry. They'll be alright here waiting for your and master's return."
The short man only nodded, somehow still feeling unsure.
Then she watched going out of the villa. "Take care, Levi." she smiled at him one last time. He turned around, probably not knowing what to say, and then he only slowly nodded and stepped out of the villa.
Erwin felt much better in the armor than he felt in a tunic or toga. He felt somehow glad he was going back on the battlefield even though he hoped there wouldn't be any unnecessary battle; after all, it wasn't only his life at stake but also his legionaries'. Unlike Erwin, they had families.
He didn't lie back on his laurels; he knew he had to be responsible and careful. War, or in this care rebellion, was not a child's play. It was a very serious situation and if Erwin learned something during his days as a commander, it was that every man could die any moment, no matter how strong or invincible he seemed to be. After all, a stab in the back could kill any man.
Erwin let Petra check his armor for a last time before he turned to her. "Hannes will take of this place for now." he said. "Make sure everybody takes good care about anything. Watch out Armin, Mikasa and Eren. I'd be very disappointed if they escaped."
"Of course, master." Petra said and walked with him to the door. "I'll pray for your safe returning."
"I know you will." Erwin smiled. "Good bye." and went out of the villa.
In front of his home were waiting, Erd, Auruo and Gunther. And Levi of course. Erwin really liked the black sheet of steel with a silver line on the back in shape of wings. Erwin special soldiers, his personal guard had this armor so they would be different from the rest of the army. It also gave them some privileges – they could give or change orders of almost all the ranks.
Erwin himself had a very similar armor – his was white with black wings. Erwin never admitted it but he was a man who loved to make stylish and well-looking things.
Levi was looking at him with his piercing grey eyes, still with his stoic expression. Erwin looked behind him on the black horse that Hannes chose for the short man yesterday. A little maliciously Erwin thought if Levi was even able to get on the horse on his own due to his height but he had enough of sense to not to telling it out loud.
"You've already ride a horse, right?" Erwin assured as he was getting on his own horse.
"Yes." was Levi's flat answer.
Erwin nodded and watched him how he was getting on the animal. He had been a bit disappointed when Levi had no difficult to do it.
It was expected from the army to show up in Rome before leaving so the citizens could bid them farewell. It was like a parade during one of the festivals – people throw flowers on them and cheered for them, like they would already be the heroes coming back.
Erwin couldn't help but bitter recall his return from the first expedition. They were coming back from Germania – and it was a failure. True, that time Erwin wasn't commander; he was actually a bit more than an ordinary legionary but he felt like he was carrying the weight of their defeat on his shoulders. Only a third of them returned and the blond was sure he was never going to forget it; the disappointed and judging look in the eyes of people around them. Erwin'd rather die than to feel such a shame again.
Erwin looked at Levi and noticed how the shorter man looked like he was on tenterhooks. He probably didn't like the crowds. And Erwin didn't blame him for that; he himself wasn't exactly a fan of them. It gave anybody good opportunity to sneak behind him and stab him in the back. The blond knew he was a bit paranoid but he couldn't help himself. He always wanted to be prepared for the worst.
Erwin was really glad he almost every day (if he had time for it) was riding his horse for at least two hours because they were in hurry to get to Gallia and there was almost none time for rest during the day.
Usually, they would have stopped for every night, but Zacklay made himself clear – Erwin had to come back to Rome as soon as possible, so the commander decided they should stop after two days and one night for the rest. He knew it had been tough but it was also a necessity.
After these two days weren't almost able to walk because they spent more than two days on their horses with only few breaks to feed the horses and legionaries. These lieutenants were younger than Erwin and when they got off their horses, it was shown how they grew lazy during their time in Rome. It made Erwin almost angry.
And then there was Levi. He was almost the worst case. Erwin never let him ride a horse during his time in villa and even when they were heading to the arena; it was a tradition to transport the gladiators in a cage. He also very doubted Levi had been on a horse since he was captured.
So, when the second day Erwin ordered to stop and make a camp, he carefully watched as the men around him awkwardly were getting down off their horses. And then his gaze fell on the short Gaul.
Levi's face was without any emotions as always while he was getting down. Well, that was until his feet got on the ground. He didn't scream or anything so dramatic but his eyes widened a little and he had to grab the saddle, otherwise he'd probably fell on his ass.
Erwin didn't offer any help (Levi would never accepted that) and rather turned around so Levi couldn't see how his lips curved up a little.
Erwin's tent was in the middle of the camp. After all, he was the commander and it was the safest place in the camp. The tent of Erd, Auruo and Gunther was right next to his, if he'd needed something. Levi should be sleeping with them but Erwin felt somehow uneasy with that thought. Not like he would feel any easier if Levi would sleep with him either. But Erwin was still afraid that the Gaul would escape.
While others were building his tent or preparing the camp, he decided.
"Levi." he said after everything was finished. The Gaul turned to him at the sound of his name. Erwin almost admired how strongly Levi looked like even though his buttocks muscles had to hurt like hell. "Come with me."
And with that, Erwin entered his tent. Unlike the legionaries, he had a small bed he could sleep on, and for now one desk where he could drop his armor and where Auruo left him a jug of wine.
Levi entered the tent few seconds after Erwin.
"Could you please undress me?" Erwin didn't know why he chose Levi when he could let Auruo or Erd do that.
Levi carefully watched Erwin's face and when he was sure the blond didn't ask for this to mock him, he moved behind him and started to release the armor buckles. Erwin's shoulders tensed up for a second before he made his muscles relax; he truly disliked having someone behind his back, he felt too… exposed.
Whether or not Levi noticed that, Erwin didn't know, anyway the shorter man didn't comment it.
"How are you feeling after the ride?" Erwin asked to interrupt the silence.
Levi didn't answer right away; he was probably thinking if he should answer truthfully. "I'm a bit sore but I bet that's most of your warriors."
Erwin really like the way Levi said 'warriors', it sounded nobler than 'legionaries'.
"So, you noticed." Erwin smiled a bit.
"I think that's a problem most of Romans have, you seek way too much luxury."
This was actually something Erwin already thought about. Most of the consuls and senators had forgotten how cruel the world outside of their beloved Rome was, how wild the tribes could be. They were lazy and Erwin had no doubt, most of them forgot how to hold a sword.
"You're probably right." Erwin admitted with a sigh. "After you finish, could you go for a jug of water. I'm thirsty."
Levi didn't answer but Erwin knew he heard him and was going to do what Erwin asked him to.
It took Levi almost twice as long as it took Petra to undress Erwin. Levi put the last piece of armor on the destk and without a single glance on the blonde commander in the tunic; he headed out of the tent.
It was almost impossible not to notice how Levi walked with a slight limp few steps before he took full control of his body and wasn't showing any pain anymore.
Erwin tiredly sat down on his bed and stretched his, a bit sore, muscles.
He waited about half an hour before he got impatient. Levi should be back already. "Commander." Auruo entered the tent suddenly.
Erwin had to struggle not to sigh. "Levi?" he asked before Auruo could continue. Auruo only nodded.
The blond got on his feet and left the tent, following Auruo. They didn't have to go far, soon enough, Erwin saw a small crowd. Two legionaries were struggling with bunch of men who were trying to hold them and calm them.
Everybody moved out of his way and the legionaries stopped struggling.
"What has happened?" Erwin looked first at Levi and them at the two legionaries. He noticed how one of them was bleeding from nose and the other one was missing few teeth.
"He attacked us!" the one with broken nose said and pointed at Levi.
The Gaul rolled his eyes and calmly said: "He's lying."
"What did you say you fuc-"
The legionary shut up when he noticed Erwin's threating look. Then the blond slowly turned back to Levi. "Tell me, what has happened, Levi."
There was a strange expression on Levi's face but before Erwin could realize what kind it was, any evidence of emotion disappeared from his face and he had his typical, indifferent expression. "While I was passing by with that jug of yours, one of them squeezed my ass and the other put his arm around my shoulders. So I punched them."
"Is that true?" Erwin raised his eyebrows, looking back at the legionaries.
Before they could say something, someone in the crowd said loudly: "Yes, I saw it."
Erwin was looking in the legionaries' eyes and they instinctively lowered their eyes, looking at the ground. "Do you think it's polite to touch someone who doesn't belong to you?"
"No, sir, we-"
Erwin interrupted him, not interested in his excuses. "If anything like this happens again, I'll cut off your hands. Am I clear?"
The men gulped: "Yes, sir."
"Good." Erwin said and went in the direction of his tent. "Let's go, Levi."
He didn't look at Levi to see if the Gaul followed him; he knew he did. And soon, he heard Levi's footsteps.
"You were threatening them." the Gaul stated when they were far enough and the legionaries couldn't to hear them.
"Yes." Erwin looked down at him and Levi looked back.
"They are your warriors."
"So?" the blond raised his eyebrows, truly curious about meaning of this conversation.
They were entering the tent, when Levi said: "You chose a slave upon your legionaries. Why?"
Erwin slowly sat down on his bed, truly hoping he wouldn't say the 'wrong' answer because, with Levi, one could never be sure enough: "Because they had no right to touch you and also because you are more valuable than they'll ever be to me."
"Because you spent so much money on me?" Levi raised his eyebrow a little.
"No. Even if I didn't spend a single coin on you, I'd still choose you over them." Erwin said honestly. "As I said – you are more valuable."
Levi was just looking at him for few seconds before he looked around the room. Erwin already knew that this way, Levi let him know he was no longer interested in the discussion about this topic.
"Where do I sleep?" he asked instead.
Where indeed… "You can sleep here with me or with the other slaves."
Levi's lips curled upwards a little. "I'm lucky that the ground here is softer than the bed I usually sleep in."
Erwin smirked a bit. "If everything goes well, I'll get you more comfortable room." Then he leaned for a jug of wine on his desk and the goblet. He would prefer the water but since Levi didn't bring it…
He poured a little into a goblet and drank, before pouring again and offering it to Levi. "Do you want some?"
Levi watched it carefully before taking it and drinking. It never stopped fascinating Erwin, how much was Levi suspicious about everything. But he couldn't blame him – if he was in his position, Erwin would probably be even more suspicious.
"I can borrow you one of my blankets." he offered. "I'd sleep with only one anyway."
Levi nodded.
Then, before asking permission, he sat on Erwin's bed. The blond would never say it out loud (well, maybe to Hanji) but he liked the way Levi acted impropriety more than a man of Erwin's position should have.
After few minutes of silence, Erwin started conversation because he didn't feel asleep yet.
Subjects of their conversation were changing and Erwin managed to relax himself a little. Levi sat on the edge of the bed, not close enough to actually be in Erwin's personal space.
It was Erwin who talked the most but it was not because Levi didn't want to – Erwin realized long time ago that the other man simply wasn't very talkative.
While they were talking, Erwin helped Levi to take off his armour.
The subjects of their conversation were changing. They talked about battle strategies, about others nations, about everything. During it, they were drinking the wine but neither of them was really drunk.
Erwin also helped Levi to take off his armour.
"How old were you when your mother died?" Levi asked all of sudden, when
Erwin put a goblet on the ground next to the bed and looked into Levi's eyes. "Twelve. I was almost a man already." After few seconds of silence, he asked: "What about your mother? How old were you when she died?"
Levi gave Erwin a strange look. "Seven." he said.
"How did it happen?" Erwin drank the wine again.
Levi's eyes darkened. "She was killed."
The Gaul reached for the goblet before he continued. "She found a husband. Not a good one but she thought she couldn't be picky with a child. He was a drunkard and often was… angry in his drunken state. And one day, he had an axe near his hand."
Levi gulped and then drank his goblet in one breath.
"Was he punished?" Erwin asked.
Levi shook his head. "Nobody in the village cared."
Erwin fascinatedly watched how Levi's Adam's apple moved as he drank. And before the blond could stop himself, he leaned for the goblet.
The raven stared at him back, his eyes looking like two silver coins in the light of the candle. The blond slowly put the goblet away.
They stared at each other. Erwin saw the fire in Levi's eyes and he felt fascinated by it, he wanted to touch it even if it meant he'd get burnt.
Erwin tried to calm himself before he would do something stupid, but it was like every part of his body was telling him that he was alone for too long and this was a perfect opportunity.
So, he leaned into Levi's personal space and pressed his lips against the Gaul's.
At first, the smaller male didn't respond at all but after few seconds he relaxed into the kiss and hesitantly touched Erwin's shoulders with his hands.
They were so hot.
The blond grunted into the kiss, approvingly, and put his hands around Levi's waist, pulling him closer. This way, Levi was on Erwin's lap, their chests were touching. Erwin wanted to take his tunic off so he would feel how warm Levi's skin was on his own but there was no reason to hurry.
Levi softly moaned and opened his mouth, just a little bit. That was enough for the blond to hungrily entered Levi's mouth with his tongue. Finally, he tasted him.
Without breaking the kiss, Erwin rolled them over, so Levi was now right beneath him. The blond loved harmless Levi felt under him, even though the other male was actually well-muscled and anything but harmless. He loved their size difference and according to Levi's loud moan, he enjoyed it too.
Erwin's hand ran under Levi's tunic, stroking his side. His skin was mostly smooth but he had few scars. It made him even more attractive.
The blond squeezed Levi's nipple roughly.
Levi grunted and pulled away from the kiss only to bite Erwin's lower lip with the same roughness.
Their eyes met again, blurred with lust and something wild. Their breaths were heavy.
Erwin leaned down again and first kissed and then bitted Levi's neck aggressively, feeling how Levi tilted his head back to give Erwin better access to his neck. When Erwin bitted especially hard, a loud moan escaped through his lips.
Then, Erwin put his hand on Levi's ass and the body under him tensed up immediately.
"Wait!" Levi said and pushed Erwin away.
The blond pulled away, looking down at Levi. "Is there any problem?" he asked, trying to keep calm voice.
And then it hit him before Levi said: "I spent two days on a horse. And it's only a start."
Erwin nodded. The silence between them was a bit awkward after that. "Al right."
It was a bit disappointing but Erwin had to admit that Levi was right. Moreover, he didn't bother to bring any oils with him. Maybe he would later contact the doctors to give him something but right now…
Before he could change his mind, Erwin leaned down again into another kiss. Levi frowned confusingly but did nothing to stop him.
The blond deepened the kiss, exploring Levi's mouth once again and rubbed his sides with his hands.
Levi moaned and wrapped his arms around Erwin's neck and pulled him closer. Then, he ran his fingers through Erwin's soft hair. The blond grunted pleasantly and gently ran with the tips of his fingers along Levi's back.
Without stopping, Erwin lowered his head and gently bit Levi's neck. The smaller man whined as the blond licked and sucked his skin. During that, he took Levi's tunic and pulled it over his head, dropping it on the floor.
The blond looked at Levi, finally seeing all of him. Seriously with Levi's body-built, even gods would be jealous of him.
Erwin gave Levi one last kiss on his lips before he lowered his head and licked Levi's penis slowly, just to tease him. The male under him moaned loudly and ran his fingers into Erwin's hair.
The blond stroked Levi's right thigh and lowered his head to the base of Levi's cock, taking his whole length into his mouth.
The sound that Levi made sounded more like a cry than anything else and it turned Erwin on very much. He decided that he would make Levi do that again no matter what it'd coast and during it, he wrapped his fingers around his own hard penis.
Then, he started to move his head up and down with steady pace and Levi was like crazy. He moaned, grunted and breathed heavily with pleasure, his other hand restless in one moment in his hair and the other clenched in the blankets under them.
When he reached his climax, he clenched his jaw and a final cry escaped from his throat. Erwin swallowed all of his come and let go off Levi's, now soft, member with a silent pop.
Levi was panting, his eyes closed for few seconds. The blond took Levi's face in his hands and kissed him passionately, letting him taste himself. Levi was protesting on it, probably thinking it was disgusting, but Erwin was persistent and didn't stop kissing him until he relaxed into the kiss and let him to take control of the kiss.
When they broke the kiss, Levi asked breathlessly: "Where the hell did a Roman learn how to suck a cock like that?"
Erwin smiled. "There are many things you don't know about me."
Corners of Levi's mouth curved a little. "I see…" and then looked down at Erwin's erection under the tunic. "What about you?" he raised his eyebrows curiously.
The blond grinned, pulled tunic over his head and leaned to Levi, whispering: "Jerk me off." Erwin's lips softly touched his earlobe.
The sound Levi made sounded almost like a purr as he sat up. His hand ran along Erwin's muscled chest, before he spit on it and then he finally touched Erwin's penis. The blond groaned as he felt Levi wrapping his fingers around his hard cock and gently stroked.
Erwin saw a little hesitation in Levi's eyes before he gave him a really hard stroke. Erwin made a sound in the back of his throat and leaned to kiss Levi's sinful lips.
Levi set slow pace but it worked for Erwin, it'd been really long since he allowed himself such pleasure and if Levi moved any faster, Erwin wouldn't last for long.
Levi was surprisingly good, gently squeezing and rubbing Erwin's member. Soon they were kissing again, licking each other's neck, gently biting and sucking.
When Erwin came, he grunted and sucked on Levi's lower lip. The raven-haired man was simply waiting for him to catch his breath, his hand still on Erwin's penis.
As Erwin's breathing was slowing down, he kissed Levi's lips for one more time.
"This is gross." Levi commented Erwin's cum on his and the blond's abdomens.
Erwin looked around, then grabbed his expansive tunic and cleaned them.
"I suppose there won't be any bath any time soon, huh?" Levi asked, sounding somehow tiredly.
"The river is right round the corner, if you want." Erwin offered.
Levi only snorted and then lied down on Erwin's bed, closing his eyes.
The blond watched him for few seconds before he did the same and covered them with a blanket.
Erwin thought he would be able to sleep in any second but it took him some time before he could really relax with another body pressing against his. He wasn't used to that. And the blond knew that, although Levi's eyes were closed, he didn't sleep either.
It was like there was some kind of wall between them and both of them were afraid to climb it.