Those Three Words
Summary: All the three word phrases Eren and Levi said to/about each other as their relationship changes and gives them a whole new meaning.
31. I want you. (Not canon, Eren to Levi after the final peace treaty is officially signed) (Eren) (Levi POV)
That night, Eren insisted they make a feast, to celebrate, to honor their fallen comrades, to toast to the future. Levi had nothing against that, even if it meant he and Eren would be the two preparing said feast all alone. All things considered, it was modest, yet as soon as the others arrived and saw meat, roasted potatoes, fresh bread and vegetable soup, they all but cried. The Marlians were a bit confused by the reaction to such generally bland food, but the others greatly appreciated and Connie even pulled Eren into a hug, silently crying on his shoulder for all of ten seconds before he smiled and separated a serving for Sasha as though she were still with them. Jean did the same for Marco, even if he'd never been a Scout, and Reiner followed for Bertolt, understanding what was happening. Piack eventually caught up and set aside a dish for Porco. Levi followed their example and set aside two dishes for all of his fallen comrades, because they simply didn't have enough food for everyone he'd lost. Eren set aside a dish he never said who for and Armin and Mikasa did the same. Historia openly said she'd set aside hers for Ymir, obviously trying not to hard.
Onyankopon, Gabi and Falco had only been able to stare at them, confused, and Zeke had not dared try to join in because he'd caused a lot of the deaths that would be honored that night.
By the time they were done, it wasn't so much of a feast, even by Scout standards, and the former Scouts had all laughed until tears were falling down their cheeks from humor and sorrow, both, even Levi. But no one complained about the meager seconds or how 'Sasha's' plate received more seconds than a living person's.
They were all just as generous with Erwin's old liquor stash that had been saved for exactly a joyous, victorious day as that day and it wasn't long before all those lightweights got hammered. Levi had watched in amusement as Falco had mistaken Jean for a horse - probably Eren's influence on the pure boy - Reiner drunkenly pretend-flirted with Historia while calling her Krista and constantly looking around himself as if Ymir - the freckled, brunet one - would come back from the dead just to kick his ass for it. Jean almost kissed Pieck instead of Mikasa and Mikasa mistook Annie for Armin. Armin had faceplanted into the table again, still as bad with his alcohol as ever and Eren spent most of the night trying to fend off Zeke, only to dump him onto Connie, who clung to the monkey like an actual monkey. Onyankopon could only stare, unable to believe that these people were the saviors of the world while Levi and the kids, the only ones completely sober in the room despite the amount Levi had had to drink, only watched on in amusement as the antics got crazier and more absurd.
Eventually, when people started falling asleep - well, besides the already downed Armin - Eren and Levi, with Onyankopon's and the kids' help, wrangled everyone into one dormitory-styled room, piling them all together since they've reached the clingy stage of drunkenness. Then they led their helpers to other free rooms before moving to retire themselves.
Only neither was tired and Eren came up to Levi's quarters with a tray of tea. It was already four in the morning at that point and Eren wasn't sober, so it was a miracle he didn't spill or shatter anything on his way up. When Levi moved to help him set everything up, Eren didn't step away from him, instead staying in hi space. When the shorter male looked up, he wasn't surprised by the intense look he saw in Eren's eyes.
It's always been there, but Levi had waited for years for it to fade away, thinking it was just a crush or hero-worship. Really, he had just wasted both of their time. Eren Yeager never did, said or felt anything halfheartedly. But it's not like Levi could have let anything happen before, either, what with their rank and age gape, especially since he'd been assigned as Eren's executioner, not just as his protector. Eren's everything had been in Levi's hands and it would have been an abuse of power if he'd ever let something happen.
Now, it was different.
Eren was an adult, physically, mentally and legally.
They were both retired from the military.
And Eren was no longer being under threat to lose his life at any given moment, be it from his Titan powers' curse or from he government through a sword or bullet for a single misstep.
They were free to do whatever they wanted now and Levi had a feeling Eren had waited this long only to make sure he hadn't made the wrong decision by choosing to let Levi and the rest save him from his own sacrifice.
So Levi wasn't surprised when Eren took his face between his hands and drew him into a kiss that was too gentle for either of their nature, yet just perfect to convey the words Eren nor Levi were ready to bring out into this world.
Instead, Eren expressed another desire.
"I want you," he said, bold as you like, low and calm yet as passionate as anything Eren had ever said when his emotions overwhelmed him. Gentle and genuine, as wonderful to hear as it was to feel the careful way Eren traced his fingertips over Levi's scars, as if marveling at them. Levi closed his eyes and leaned into that lovely touch, enjoying the warmth and the care. When Eren finished kissing him a second time, still oh so gentle, he opened his eyes again to stare into those amazing green eyes the likes of which he'd never seen anywhere else.
They were searching for an answer, waiting patiently as Eren had waited to get this chance just to express even just the surface levels of his feelings for his former Captain.
Feeling as if he couldn't muster any words through his tight throat, Levi took one of Eren's hands and pressed a kiss to it before nodding and stirring Eren towards his bed, tea forgotten.
And if in the morning no one was surprised to see them walking around with intertwined hands or sitting closer to each other than ever before, they hid it well and said nothing about it, not even Zeke, which was the biggest surprise of all.
But, then again, people have probably been waiting for this to happen a lot longer than either Levi or Eren were aware of.
Levi was just glad he'll have to wait for death before Hange starts interrogating him about this.
That was his only saving grace for some peace and damned quiet.