Disclaimer I don't own Attack On Titan or anything else exciting. Of course since Levi is in it has a high rating. There are a ton of spoilers about the Birth of Levi manga. Please read that one first if you like.

Shonen ai, ErwinXLevi, ERURI, Levi-centric fic

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Chapter Three

Levi felt better after a shower. He felt like he could finally think clearly. The barracks were empty by the time he returned. Even the most exhausted Corps member got up the strength to get off base. Levi neatly stored his bath supplies. He brushed a hand over Farlan's messy bath kit. He would have to get into the women's barracks before he left to pick up Isabel's possessions. There wouldn't be much, but he didn't want them to lay their filthy hands on Isabel's things. Suddenly, barrack door was thrown open. Levi released a sigh. This idiot again.

"Levi," said Hange. "Come out with me." Hange bounced down the aisle to his bunk.

"Why are you here?"

"I promised you a meal didn't I? And besides…" Hange's voice took on a somber tone. "We need to celebrate our fallen."

"Fine then."

000

All the way to the tavern Hange told a boring life story. Farlan would have told him to be social, so instead of commenting on how boring Hange's life was he fingered the coins in his pocket. This was the first time he had money in his pocket and no one was robbed or killed. It felt good; different, but good. When they arrived at the tavern a few of their comrades cheered making Levi jump.

"Welcome to the Survey Corps rookie!" One of the vets patted him on the back. "Barkeep, two more mugs." As if by magic a mug was forced into Levi's hands. "A toast to the new recruits," continued the veteran. "Rookies no more welcome to the Survey Corps!" The soldiers lifted their mugs in salute before drinking.

"And to our comrades who gave their lives," the same veteran said. "They died for humanity." This toast was given a few moments of respectful silence before the merrymakers started again. No wonder the barracks where empty. Levi wasn't the only rookie pulled off base. The somber veterans came to life in the tavern. Their goal was to strip the rookies of their sadness for the night. It appeared Hange's job was to draw Levi out. The moment the mug was in his hands Hange gave Levi a pat on the shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

After the first few toasts Levi slipped into the shadows. All taverns were the same either above or below. Once the liquor starts to flow everyone feels good and then the fights began. Levi wasn't worried about holding his own; he just did not want to fight if he could help it.

Levi chose an empty stool against a wall. From his perch he could watch the room. Levi wasn't much of a drinker. Underground, you never knew what the barkeep put into your mug. It was rare that anything other than tea passed his lips. He looked down at the mug in his hands. Tonight he would make an exception.

He was drinking from his mug when he spotted the tall blonde captain enter the tavern. It actually surprised him to see the straight laced leader. Erwin was even out of uniform. The second part shouldn't have surprised him. None of the military folks were in their uniforms. The white cotton shirt and coal gray trousers he wore were neatly pressed. Impressive, Levi thought. Tagging behind him like a dog was Mike. Levi rolled his eyes. He huffed and took another drink.

Erwin was like a beacon of light. The moment he stepped through the door he was swarmed by the off duty personnel. A mug was quickly forced into his hands as well but he didn't drink. Levi noticed that Erwin's serious face would bend this way or that to reflect what emotion his current conversation required. Levi's eyes trailed down Erwin's throat to his broad chest. Shit. He stared too long. Bright blue eyes looked back at him. For a moment Levi felt embarrassed but stared at the man nonetheless. His eyes full of defiance before he looked away to drink from his beer.

"You're Levi, right?" One of the Corps members approached him. Levi sighed and looked at him. Why won't these people leave me alone? "You saved my life. Thank you."

Levi looked at man confused. He killed the titans out of rage. Honestly, Levi didn't remember the people around him while he was killing them.

"Come on," the man patted him on the shoulder. "Mug's empty." Levi allowed himself to be pulled into the gaiety. He quickly learned that in his suicidal rage he ended up saving many of his comrades' lives. Along with their thanks they also bombarded him with drinks.

By the time Levi made it back to his stool his head was spinning. He sloppily gazed over the room. Blue eyes met gray. This time, Levi gave him a thin line smile. They watched each other until Erwin found his way to the stools. Levi sighed. Even when seated the blonde towered over him.

"So this is the Survey Corps?" Levi said slowly. Erwin laughed.

"Yes, tomorrow will be a very slow day." Erwin focused his attention on Levi. His pale cheeks were flushed pink. The collar of his shirt was turned up and Erwin could see a hint of his collarbone. So far, for the most part, Erwin's gamble was paying off. If not for the rainstorm the formation would have been a success. Now, if he played his cards right he would also have a champion people could believe in. It seemed that members of the Survey Corps were able to get their hands on the small man. Rookies rarely made it sober the first night back from a trip out of the wall. It was an initiation of sorts.

"What do you think so far?" Erwin asked.

"It is a bunch a fools. What is there to celebrate? The fact they made it home alive?"

"Isn't that enough?" asked Erwin. Levi suddenly felt like an ass. He rose from his stool.

"I'm leaving."

"Wait," Erwin rose to stop him but Levi was an expert at slipping into a crowd. Even tipsy he used that skill to escape. He was out of the tavern before Erwin made it halfway.

The cool night air felt good on his warm skin. Levi was actually starting to have a good time. Stupid Erwin killed my mood. It didn't matter. I should have left earlier anyway. He didn't belong there with those crazy people. Only fools would put their trust in him. Look at what happened to Isabel and Farlan. And he actually tried to protect them. Levi breathed a long sigh.

"Oi, Levi," a gruff voice barked behind him. Shit. Levi turned to see five guys. This is all I need, he thought.

"Since when do you come to the surface, Jessie?" Levi turned to look at the rough men. These were men that he knew for most of his life. The ring leader had a cigar dangling from his lip. Levi knew that he stank of sweat, opium, and just filth of the underground.

"Boss wants to know when you're coming back. Where are the others?" Jessie looked around.

"Dead."

"Pity," said Jessie. "Are you coming back or are you still playing soldier?"

"Suck a dick Jessie,"

"Isabel did it better."

"Fucker," Levi growled. He lurched forward drawing his knife. His body felt sluggish from drinking earlier. He was still faster than the first two that rushed him. The next one got a solid hit that knocked him to the wall. Levi cursed. He shouldn't have gone down like that. Jessie and the other guy saw their opportunity. They piled on top of the smaller man using their bodies to pin him to the wall. Jessie slammed Levi's wrist against the wall until he dropped the knife.

"The Invincible Levi," scoffed Jessie. "More like Kenny's bitch-boy. What did you have to do for them to let you in?" Jessie's hot breathe made Levi's ear moist. Disgusting.

"Your brother screamed like a bitch when I killed him," Levi said calmly. Jessie's brother was one of the low-lifes who hurt Isabel. Levi made sure he never made that mistake again. Levi's head was spinning from being slammed against the wall. The punches came quick. Levi hissed as each one met their mark.

"What's going on here?" A deep voice boomed in the alley. Levi opened his eyes. His vision was still blurry; he could barely make out the figures. Was that blond hair?

"Move along," yelled Jessie. "This doesn't concern you."

"You are fighting one of my subordinates. It concerns me a great deal." Levi laughed bitterly. Fucking Erwin.

"Oh, you are quite mistaken," Jessie replied imitating Erwin's posh tone. "We are simply taking care of an underground rat."

"Release him," Erwin said smoothly. His voice was dangerously calm.

"Or what?" Jessie snarled. In his rant, he released his grip on Levi for a second. That was all he needed. He kicked the other man using the wall for leverage. Levi dropped to the ground and picked up his knife.

Erwin and the other Corpsman launched into action fighting the other three men. The fight was fast. The underground thugs had to make a decision. Did they want continue to fight the corpsman and try to bring Levi back or potentially get caught by the military police?

"Let's go," Jessie yelled after going a few rounds with Levi. "Fucking government dog." He spat at Levi. The men ran off into the night.

"Are you alright?" Erwin asked when they were sure the thugs were gone. Levi looked up at him. The neatly pressed clothes were rumpled and dirty. Such a shame, Levi thought. He opened his mouth to speak.

"Are you alright, Erwin?" Mike said. He entered Levi's line of sight standing beside Erwin. He was also dirty from fighting but Levi could care less. He frowned.

"I didn't need your help," Levi spat. He wiped off his knife before putting it away.

"The words are thank you," Erwin fumed. Levi rolled his eyes. "Who were those men?"

Levi turned and started walking out of the alley. His own clothes were in disarray. He would definitely need another shower before he left.

"Levi," Erwin barked again. Levi sighed and turned around.

"Thank you."