Invariable Truth

Levi looks down at his hand, wondering why it hurt. Too his surprise he hadn't realized that he had been clutching his hand so tightly that he was cutting off the flow of blood. He releases his hands trying to recollect it. He stares into the glowing fire, with his mind trailing away to those distant memories. He stood there recalling those images and piercing screams again. That was certainly a day of reckoning that Levi would never forgot. But, what was bothering him the most wasn't so much the terror but that he wasn't supposed to live. Nonetheless, he miraculously made a full recovery from those horrific injuries.

Even still, none of his recovery would have been possible if not for the help and guidance of Commander Pixis. The man who took care of him raising him like his own son. No amount of gratitude could express how grateful Levi was for his tender, love and care, but it still didn't change the fact that he had lost his dear friend. Every chance he got, he would return to her place or what was left of it.

Even after all those years it was left in the same condition, as it fell during the titan attack, burned, littered with the debris splatted blood. But, nothing was as jarring as seeing the blood spattered remains of his dear friend covering the empty corridor that was once a bustling street that Levi loved to visit. The walls of the some of the nearby houses were splashed with both her blood and remains along with many other deceased residents. Ironically, enough the scene stood silent and still confined in time like some bloody, engraved memorial.

Throughout the 3 ½ years that he spent with Commander Pixis, Levi started training under his command. Once Levi reached the age of 15, they asked him to join the Scout Regiment. But, too everyone's surprise Levi initially declined the offer. It didn't seem worth his time or nor his interest to get involved in any of the titan affairs seeing how all that had come of was the death of his family and Celeste. That was until one day a tall, and broodingly handsome blonde named Erwin Smith somehow persuaded him the stoic, and unassuming teenager to come and join his Scout Regiment under his command.

Shifting his thoughts, Levi no longer wanted to revel in the past…after-all there was nothing he would do to change it. Levi glances over at his pocket watch. It was time. He walks over to his bed, reaching for the small container of salve. Retrieving the medicine, Levi slowly starts unbuttoning his shirt, slipping out of it. Levi made his way over to the full-length mirror staring at his torn, burnt flesh, rubbing his hands across his neck for some reason his hands were shaking.

Why?

Where were the nerves coming from?

This was something he had spent the past couple of years doing, tending to his scars.

Then Levi sensed something… a presence nearby.

"Whose there?"

"Only me." An all-too familiar voice replies.

Levi, turned his attention back over to the mirror and out of the shadow Erwin emerges. Swallowing hard, he watched the brooding blonde slowly inch his way towards him. Reaching for his shirt, Levi quickly tries placing it back over his exposed torso.

"Erwin…how long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough…"

Rattled by Erwin's sudden presence Levi proceeds to button up his shirt. If there was anyone that he didn't want to see his scars…it was Erwin. He stopped, looking over his shoulders and saw his Commander standing very close behind him. They locked eyes, with Levi trying to turn away but for some reason he couldn't seem to break their stare. He continues his stare taking notice of the way light of the fire was reflecting in his deep blue eyes.

"Erwin…you still didn't answer my question."

"What would that be?"

"How long had you been standing there in the darkness?"

"As I told you long enough."

Levi sighs finally breaking free of Erwin's piercing glare. Two of them remain quiet…with the hushed silence echoing throughout the loft. Levi, flinched a sharp pain began grinding against his skin. He could feel the heat rising against his scarred flesh. Levi could feel the anger growing inside, of all the times, why had Erwin chose now to come to his quarters. It was time for his medicine, and his body was aching for the remedy to soothing his festering wounds.

"Erwin, I hate to be rude, but is there something you want?"

Erwin remains mute shifting his attention back over to Levi.

"Erwin," he repeats rising his tone.

"Levi."

"Yes?"

"It's okay."

"What's okay?"

"I know your secret."

"Erwin…what are you talking about?"

Confused Levi switched his attention away from the pain handing it over to his Commander wondering what he was getting at.

"Those wounds."

"What wounds?!" Levi shifts peering at Erwin.

"The ones you received from the fire."

Levi felt his heart sink into his stomach. "Erwin."

His commander inevitable caught his fall as his legs somehow buckled beneath him. Levi jerks away turning to Erwin.

"But how?"

"Levi, I was there when they rescued you."

"You were?" Levi stammered.

Erwin nods. Levi swallowed hard, scouring his mind for any evidence of his disclosure.

"You never saw me, when I came though you were unconscious barely clinging to life."

Levi flinches feeling the pain circulating around his back.

"Were you there in Klorva the entire time?"

"No, I was simply passing through town to rely a message to Commander Pixis."

Levi sighs, turning to Erwin, "so you were not only aware of my existence before joining the Scouting Regiment, you knew about my scars all this time?"

"Clever man, I suppose you're rousing is was what convinced me to join the Scouts," Levi continued.

"Yes, I was aware, and my rousing has helped you live up to your parents' reputations as one of humanity strongest opponents."

"So, you're going to take credit for my abilities, something that I never intended on pursing in the first place."

"Someone had to bring that spirit out you, otherwise what a waste it would have been to see you doing something otherwise."

Levi shifted his gaze meeting Erwin's. "If I didn't know any better it would seem that you were using my skills and strength to get closer to me…and if that's the case, then you should stay away…" he sneered darkly.

Levi felt a sense of anger coursing through his veins along with the torturous pain threatening to tear away at his flesh. There was certainly no room in his heart for someone else. Seeing how everyone that he loved perished a long time ago. Erwin steps closer, close enough for Levi to get a long whiff of his fresh, yet masculine scent. In that same regard his inviting scent started calming his growing anger. Levi shifts his troubled thoughts unable to understand how in one instance he was angry at the thought of Erwin knowing his secret only to feel at ease in the next instance.

As he stood there wrapped in Erwin's presence, Levi had taken notice that usually when he was around he felt at ease. Levi wasn't all that sure why he only felt this way around Erwin…but he had to admit that he did enjoy those moments seeing how far, and in between they were. In fact it was a welcomed relief…it gave Levi a slight bit of comfort, especially with all the violence, uncertainty and death constantly surrounding him.

Lost in his own tangled thoughts, Levi fails to notice, that his Commander had invaded more of his personal space.

"Erwin, what are you?" Levi trailed off.

"Perhaps it was selfish of me…" Erwin started reaching over unbuttoning his shirt, "to seek your company more for myself than the mission."

"Truth be told it wasn't only for my sake, but I knew that I needed you on my team as much as humanity needed a savior."

Levi froze staring at his Commander, trying to understand his admission of truth.

"I needed someone on my team, who was not only rational, and could follow direct orders but someone who could lead the team in my absence if necessary."

Levi remains mute peering at the brooding blonde.

"I wanted someone who was not going to allow themselves to get caught up in their emotions," Erwin continues.

Levi looks up catching Erwin's hypnotic gaze.

"I needed someone who wasn't afraid of…death."

Levi swallowed hard shifting his attention away from Erwin. If Erwin only knew that how much he feared death.

"Commander Pixis was the one who recommended you."

"Is that so?" Levi whispers.

"Yes."

"Curse him," Levi mutters handing Erwin's his attention.

He looked up noticing a small sheepish grin forming across Erwin's lips.

"Care telling me what's so funny?"

"You are."

Erwin slips open the last button, turning Levi back towards the mirror. Without a word or regard Erwin carefully slipped off his shirt. Never had there been a moment where Levi felt so…exposed. Despite the warmth he could feel the chilly winds vice-like grip seeping through the cracks of the shutters. Levi felt his body starting to shake, the frigid air was causing his wounds to flare up again. Unable to take any more agony Levi reaches for the salve.

"Here…allow me."

Before Levi could protest Erwin takes the small container from his hands. Levi didn't bother to protest…seeing how the pain was threatening to overtake him any moment now. He shut his eyes trying to find something else to focus on. Levi took in a deep breath, feeling the warm glaze being circulated over and around his shoulders. Levi chewed his bottom lip anticipating the normal swelling that would often come with salve treatment…too his surprise it was none of the sorts with the swelling being replaced by a tingling cool sensation.

Levi let out a small of relief. This relief continues as he felt Erwin hands' cresting down the crevice of his spine with his hands coming to rest at the small of his back. The area that had taken the brunt of his injuries. The journey of his Erwin's soothing touch, along with the salve made his heart race. So much that so that feeling continued growing moving throughout his body. Levi could feel it approaching his loins. The sensation was so clear to the point where it was threatening to approach the tip of pants at a moment's notice.

Levi tried shifting his thoughts away from this unexpected whim of pleasure, but since he hadn't experienced anything of this magnitude in very long time he wrestled with the decision over whether or not to end his growing arousal. Then again Levi train of thoughts stalled, how could someone especially Erwin have the power to make him feel this way. He suspected that Erwin may have deeper feelings other than friendship for him, but never did he imagine that he harbored reciprocal feelings. It certainly would seem like so in this moment, where his body had taken over his sense of rationality.

"Levi?" calls a voice in the distant.

Levi manages to shake out of his stupor realizing it were only Erwin.

"Yes?!" Levi answers, as calmly as he could trying to hide his fluttered state.

"Something must be on your mind, I don't believe you heard a word I said."

"Of course I did."

Erwin chuckles, "Levi you know you're not that great at hiding your true feelings."

Levi narrows his eyes glaring at Erwin.

"At least from me that is."

He shifts turning his attention over to the glowing fire in the distance. Much to Levi's dismay, perhaps Erwin was right because for some odd reason no matter how hard he tried to distance himself from his emotions, Erwin always seem to know how he was truly feeling. He would often see beyond the obvious, it was as-if he were transparent as those two-way mirrors. Where one side could see in but yet the other couldn't. There were moments, were Levi wondered if Erwin understood his moods more so than he did.

"There all done."

Before Levi could react he stood there watching as Erwin slid the stark white shirt over his bruised torso.

"I suppose a thanks is in order." Levi slips his arms into the sleeves the crisp shirt which surprisingly felt both cool and refreshing against his raw, burnt flesh.

He turns to Erwin locking eyes with his Commander, but as he were preparing to give him thanks Erwin steps closer startling him. He stood there wondering what Erwin was preparing to do. The events seemed to occur in slow motion, as he watches Erwin cuffing his hands around his shoulders pulling him inside his personal space, planting a small kiss upon his forehead.

"There's no need to thank me."

"Erwin…" Levi whispers, pulling free from his grip.

"You should finish up the soup before it gets cold. It will help you sleep better and prepare for our departure in the morning."

Levi, quickly shifted his attention over to the ground feeling his face grow flush.

"I'll leave you be. If you need anything don't hesitate to find me."

Levi remains mute, it wasn't until he heard the door close when he bothered looking up.

"What the hell?!"

"That…Erwin..."

The confused, anger confined inside his heart that was waiting to escape began to deflate the longer Levi lingered in the moments that transpired. How could he be upset with the man who took him under his wings helping him control all that anger, and rage burning inside. Erwin was the one who taught him how to wrangle in all those emotions by channeling them into combat. He wasn't all that sure how, but Erwin had the uncanny ability to quell that swelling heartache that he had held too… given Levi renewed hope.

Hope, that someday not only would he be able to take average on the monsters that killed his loved ones, but gave Levi hope that he would be able to open up his heart to others. Levi, took in a long deep breath, gripping his fluttering heart.

In that moment, he realizes that perhaps Erwin was the one he loved.

Levi let out a long sigh not bothering to button up his shirt as he walked over to the small table. He took at seat picking up the spoon, slowly dipping it into the smooth, clear broth taking in a spoonful. Despite sitting out in the cold, the soup still maintained some warmth. This bought a smile upon Levi's lips. He was final able to enjoy the taste of the soup. Although the chilly air smelt of death, Levi felt grateful that he could find some enjoyment in one of his favorite dishes.

He had none other than Erwin to thank for that. It was amazing how such a simple gesture could invoke the truth inside his heart. Levi turns to the fire feeling the warmth from the soup calming his ailing thoughts. As his thoughts kept toiling away at the events that transpired today they kept stalling on his Commander. In that moment, flashes of their countless moments together appeared before his very eyes.

Levi grips his heart, could it be all this time that Erwin was the one that held that the key to unlocking those emotions he kept hidden inside.

"Damn you Erwin," Levi mutters, shifting his attention back over to the fire...