Eren managed to slip Levi off his back and onto he cave floor. There he took off his cloak and wadded it so it could be used as a pillow. It would be wrinkled but it didn't really matter to him. Wrinkles would go away after a wash and tender care. He worked his hands gently in fear to wake Levi up. Inch by inch he managed to lay him down until his head rested on the makeshift pillow. Eren moved his hand to cup his head when his palm touched Levi's cheek. It took all he hand not to rip his hand away. It seemed just the touch of him would burn his skin. Once Levi was laying down he brought the back of his hand to the corporal's forehead.
" It's even worse than earlier." He mumbled. Then he glanced up at the sky. They still had quite a bit of time before the sun started to set. He'd have to wait it out and hope for the best. So he settled against the wall by Levi's head, leaning his head back against it. He pulled his boot off with a relieved sigh. He felt as if his ankle could breath.
He didn't know much on first aid but he did know that if he kept off of his foot for as long as he could then it should help ease the pain enough. His eyes fell down to Levi. He also knew that if he didn't get Levi home soon then things wouldn't turn out well. He needed a warm bed with medicine and food. All the things that he didn't have. He couldn't go out and hunt, he couldn't risk a fire and attract titans, he had no medicine. He sighed as he looked back up to the roof of the cave. The questions that they would get. He could only imagine what would be thrown their way. It wasn't like he didn't have enough time to think things out. That was one thing he did have enough of.
Levi groaned and opened his eyes. Luckily his headache had gotten better. But it seemed it was replaced with what seemed like a heat stroke. Piece by piece he ripped particle of clothing off, leaving him to lay in his unbuttoned shirt. He could care less about being dirty at the moment. He felt as if he would melt. In fact if melting meant it would end this damn suffering he'd do it.
He tried to sit up, burrowing his face into his hands. He peeked out from the side and spotted Eren sleeping soundly against the wall. So it seemed the brat found the cave after all. Not bad.
Then Levi coughed making Eren's ears perk up. He shot up, alert and ready to help.
" Captain you're awake." He reached out and placed a hand onto Levi's back as he coughed. His captain managed to choke a few words out in between his coughing.
" I'm sorry sir I don't know what you said."
" Levi. I said call me Levi."
Eren sat back in shock. Levi groaned slightly to himself and sat back against the cave wall, running a hand through his hair.
" It seems we are going to be in this situation for a while, might as well drop the formalities kid."
Eren swallowed as he ran his eyes over the man in front of him. Though he still had his trousers on his jacket had been removed and his shirt unbuttoned, revealing his bare chest. He found himself captivated as he watched it rise and fall as Levi's breaths grew heavy. He heard a 'tch' and instantly withdrew his eyes, worried he had been caught.
" This damn heat will be the death of me. I feel like every part of me is burning." Levi grumbled as he reached forward and began to slip off his boots. Eren watched in fascination as he gently set his boots besides him before folding up his jacket and cloak, placing them along with his boots. Why did his stomach make him feel sick? It was as if it were twisted in a ton of knots.
" Levi you'll make your fever worse if you undress even more." He rushed as he grabbed Levi's hand and stopped him from taking his shirt off completely. He licked his lips at the odd sensation of saying his captain's first name. He had done it before but he was much to focused on saving him to focus on it. Now, well now was a much different situation. Although he wasn't sure if he was desperate for Levi to keep his shirt on to stop his fever from getting worse. It was more like it stop the knots in his own stomach from getting worse.
Levi's eyes flickered up to him and he froze.
" It's going to get colder with the sun setting soon." He explained as he motioned to the entrance of the cave. Finally Levi sighed and let go of his shirt.
" Fine. If it'll stop you from whining."
Eren couldn't stop himself from frowning. " I'm not whining sir, I just care about you."
" What did I tell you about formalities?"
A chill of fear trickled down Eren's spine. No, he needed to show Levi he was just as capable of being just as strong. Eren forced himself to match gazes. He had to control himself. He caught his eyes drifting over Levi's chest then forced them back up. He had to control himself.