Chapter 2

The next morning was lively. The team the scout regiment selected to perform the mission was energized and in high spirits. Their checkpoint wasn't too far from Karanese, where they planned to depart into Wall Maria from, only about four hours in on horseback, but still, they couldn't be too careful. Levi had to remind the team that this was a serious mission and that they should be on their toes. Levi scanned the crowd, taking in their faces—they seemed calm, but still eager, then he saw Eren… staring at him intently… again. Levi almost blushed thinking of the way Eren had called out his name last night, but he kept his composure and steadied himself on his horse. They had a while's trip to the Karanese gate, but they'd be within the safety of the walls until late afternoon.

Just then, Commander Erwin approached on his own horse. It was time to move out.

…

Eren had only been admiring the way Levi had looked so regal on horseback. Levi's horse was large, making him look even shorter. Eren wanted to giggle to himself about it. He liked Levi's shortness. If anything it was the only thing that kept Eren from being completely overwhelmed by the man, he was intimidating enough as it was. However, Eren had noticed when Levi had very quickly moved his eyes off him, as if he was avoiding eye contact. Was there something wrong? Eren smoothed his hair down, maybe he was unsightly?

There wasn't much time for him to worry about it, so Eren instead saddled his horse and moved into formation. The group was able to travel close together and converse easily without having to worry. Eren was able to talk with Armin and Mikasa about what things they might find beyond the wall now. They knew it was crowded with titans.

"I hope we don't run into unique variants…" Armin had just spoken his thoughts out loud, not realizing the potential danger of even using that word.

"Variants…" A voice from just ahead of them sounded obscenely engrossed in the word. Eren felt a shiver go up his spine as Hanji slowed her horse to fall into their conversation. "Just imagine…" The look in Hanji's eyes was near mad. "If I managed to get my hands on one of those. Oh, the possibilities." Mikasa drifted her horse away to seclude herself from what would be Hanji's next over-enthused monologue of the sublimity of titans and what she'd love to learn from them. Eren gave his horse a kick to trot faster and catch up with the rest of Levi's grouping that Hanji had fallen back from.

Armin reached out to Eren, "Don't leave me with her!"

"Sorry! You said the magic word!" Eren joked as he sped away. He looked back at Hanji, who seemed to be closing in on him, practically falling off her horse just to hold a lengthy discussion.

Levi looked back questioningly at Eren who had caught up with them. "Hanji's at it again." He laughed out, scratching the back of his head.

"Haha! Who's the unlucky one?" Commander Erwin responded.

"Armin said variant, so he gets the brunt of it." Eren explained.

"Poor soul." Was all Levi added to the conversation. Eren took this chance to stare at Levi. He wanted to hear him talk some more, but he didn't know how to start a good conversation.

"Uh—" Eren started, feeling his face heat up. He already knew he was just going to start rambling.

To his surprise however, Erwin spoke up. "I think I'll go save you friend. Or at least redirect her." He fell back, leaving Eren practically alone with Levi. Which was ideal, but at the same time, so incredibly nerve-wrecking.

"Uh…" Suddenly an idea came to Eren's mind. "Levi-Heichou," He began, but immediately, Levi seemed to look away. Determined, Eren sped up his mare to trot beside his Corporal. "Levi-Heichou," This time Levi looked at him, paying attention, but his mind seemed to be slightly elsewhere. "Our checkpoint. What's it going to be like? How do we fortify such an area?"

…

Every time that damn brat said his name, it's all his mind could conjure now. It sounded in his tone as Levi had watched him touch himself, moaning his name. It didn't help that Levi hadn't… well, hadn't let loose in a while, but he felt like the brat was teasing him. Eren was cute—beyond cute, but Levi hadn't even considered the dirty thoughts that were swimming through his head until recently. Levi was thankful for Eren's choice of conversation. The mission was something he could focus on. He responded in kind, reiterating some of what Eren should already know and also adding in detail of what he knew himself. It was a large castle, built sturdy with stone walls and passageways. There were underground tunnels, large enough for a horse and wagon, but too small for most titans. They'd be taking a back door entrance that was just far enough from the castle to not attract attention to the building itself. Their goal was to ensure the castle interior was clear, drop off supplies, and clear as much of the surrounding area as they could. It was in an ideal location too: surrounded by tall trees, perfect for their 3D maneuvering gear.

Eren seemed enthusiastic about their approach. His confidence was contagious. Levi felt better about the mission himself. Stupid brat. Stop smiling. Don't you know what could go wrong? He didn't say it out loud though. Eren shouldn't doubt himself. It was important that he didn't. They needed him.

Levi let Eren lead the next discussion. The boy was ambitious about the outside world, heartbreakingly so. There was a chance that he would never live to see those mountains of fire or endless waters. But maybe, just maybe, with Eren, humanity would pull through. Maybe he could achieve his dream. Levi felt his own heart throb. He had so much hope. He made Levi want to hope.

Ironically, and to his own irritation, Levi found himself sneaking glances at the boy. He was much more discreet about it though, not like Eren's open staring and semi-drooling. Levi felt embarrassed that this was the person he was developing feelings for.

Eren had quieted down after a while and instead soaked in the scenery. Levi had, unfortunately for him, gotten lost in thought… Eren called his name too much, it sounded almost the same as before. The gentle stride of his horse didn't help either, it massaged his seated area too much. His pants were feeling a little tight. And it didn't help for him to be recalling that particular dream he had last night.

The mud Eren had tracked into his room was disgusting. This time when Levi went to fetch Eren, he found Eren perfectly decent—not that he'd stay decent for long.

"Clean it." Levi ordered.

Eren's wide green eyes stared at him. "Hai, Levi-Heichou." His voice was too sultry. Eren, with a new look in his eyes that flared with mischief, slowly brought himself to his hands and knees. He picked the cleaning rag out of the soap bucket and squeezed the dripping water over his chest. Then he traced the rag over his body from his chest to his crotch, where he cupped it over his bulge and pressed against himself. He stared at Levi from the floor, covered in wet, soapy water, eyes glazed over as he parted his lips to elicit a low-pitched "Oh, Levi-Heichou... Heichou. O—oh." He tilted his head backwards and closed his eyes as he started to rut against his own hands. "I'm so dirty, Levi-Heichou. Won't you help me?"

Levi had woken from his dream before anything else had happened, but that didn't stop him from imagining what happened next. Filthy little brat. But it wasn't Eren's fault Levi was being a pervert… or yeah, it was kind of Eren's fault, but it's not like he could punish him for it… yet.

Levi was pulled from his perverse thoughts when they arrived at the Karanese gate. It was close to two in the afternoon. They were on schedule to depart at four and arrive at sundown, when the titans were least active, so they could set up and fortify.

…