Warning: This chapter may give you cavities, because it is hella sweet! Yayy! New chapter!

Disclaimer: We do not own Attack on Titan or any of the characters belonging thusly. If I did, Riren would be cannon.

ENJOY OUR DALRINGS!

~Aria

-Ghosties

Hanji knocked softly on Eren and Levi's bedroom door. She had been waiting patiently in her lab, after having gotten breakfast, for them to arrive for Eren's usual check up. But surprisingly, neither had showed and it was becoming late morning. She stood there a few moments, brow furrowing when she didn't receive an answer. Surely they weren't still asleep.

Deciding to chance it, she slid the honorary key she had been given into the lock and opened the door ever so quietly. To her relief, Levi was sitting up in bed; fully clothed, one might add. He had a book in one hand, his other hand was placed around Eren who was curled up into his side, still fast asleep.

Levi looked up as she entered further into the room, "Hanji."

"I didn't think he'd still be asleep," she whispered, looking at the other brunette with fondness. "I guess I should have figured when you guys didn't show."

"It was a bit of a rough night," the Corporal admitted quietly.

"That's okay," Hanji said with a wave, "I can come back in the next hour or two and do my checkup. Or if he wakes up sooner, have someone come get me."

"Fine, now get out of here shitty glasses," he said with annoyance.

She stuck her tongue out at him before slipping out the door and relocking it.

True to her word, she returned an hour and fifteen minutes after her initial visit. Luckily by that time, Eren was sitting up in bed. Although he was admittedly still tired looking.

"Hello my little titan," she greeted warmly.

Eren gave a small smile, "Hey Hanji. Sorry I woke up so late."

Hanji shook her head, "Don't worry about it! You needed the sleep evidently. Besides, it'll help the time you're in bed pass quicker."

Levi, who had been in the bathroom, entered the room then. "I'm going to get us food, what do you want brat?"

The teen's nose wrinkled in response, "Do I have to eat anything? It'll probably come right back up…"

"Yes," his spouse said firmly, "you haven't eaten all day, shithead."

Eren's face was still one of distaste.

Hanji rolled her eyes, "Get him a slice of bread, some fruit and some kind of veggie."

Levi nodded, "Fine. I'll be back then." He left without another word.

The eccentric brunette remained silent for awhile, checking her patient's vitals and such as she normally did. "Sooo Levi mentioned you had a bad time last night?"

Eren blinked in surprise but then gave a noncommittal shrug, "I guess… I don't remember a lot of it."

"Memory lapses and nausea, huh," she observed, "okay how about your fever?" Her hand easily found his forehead, "Still lingering just a hair. Not enough that I want to declare it a problem. How does your body feel? Any aches or pains anywhere?"

He again shrugged, "Nowhere new, just my heels and my lower back as usual."

"Okay," she jotted down some quick notes on her notepad, "how about baby movements?"

Eren smiled at that question, "Active - very active. More than usual for sure. Part of what kept me up I think." One of his hands instinctively reached for his growing bump at the mere mention of it.

Hanji smiled as well, never getting tired of the peacefulness that took over the boy when he gazed down at his baby. "You'll be a good mommy, Eren."

His head shot up at that, his smile turning into an exasperated smirk, "Daddy, Hanji. I'll be a good daddy. And thank you for thinking so."

"So wait, if you're going to be daddy, what will Levi be?"

"Papa," he said definitively.

The woman snorted and then laughed, "Ohhh Eren you're so cute."

Levi strode in then with a tray of food, he threw a muffin at Hanji as he walked to the bed.

She actually caught it and almost drooled at the sight. "Praise the heavens for friends like you, shorty!"

The raven's face twisted with disgust, "Don't call me that."

Hanji and Eren laughed in return.

Eren ate and to his surprise, kept everything down. At least to that point, he had.

Now the three lounged about the room. Neither Levi nor Hanji too intent on leaving. Especially with Eren's newly established fragility.

As she sat watching them, she couldn't help but notice the amount of lingering touches they gave to one another - almost as though they knew they would be separated soon and were relishing in the moment to see one another.

Hanji frowned, with all the other stress going on for Eren, it simply wouldn't do to have him anxious about getting to see Levi. They needed a chance to talk and sort everything out; to just be together without interruptions.

"You two should take the day off," she said finally.

Both looked at her incredulously. Eren then gave a weary sigh, interlocking his hand with his lover's. Levi, meanwhile, let out a dry and sarcastic chuckle.

""Take the day off", she says," he scoffed, "as if it were that easy."

The woman raised a brow at them, "Isn't it? I mean, just go ask Erwin."

Eren shook his head, "We're already asking too much of the Commander, anymore and he won't be able to assist us. I'm technically on a medical leave of absence right now, but I want to be useful still so I insisted on getting light jobs."

Hanji didn't miss the sadness in the teen's bright eyes. Her gut coiled at the sight. Even she could admit, she had gotten a bit protective of the titan shifter - so seeing him upset aggravated the motherly instincts she hadn't known she had. A sudden bout of determination hit her, "Fine, then I'll go talk to Erwin."

Levi rolled his eyes and sat down on the bed beside his spouse, "Yeah I'm sure that will go well."

She winked at them both, "I'll be back soon with the good news my sweets!"

"Don't fucking call me that, you bitch."

Eren smacked his hand, "Be nice."

The only thing she heard as she closed the door was a muffled squeak and Levi muttering:

"I'll show you nice."

A part of her died, she loved those two so much.

Per her usual habit, Hanji entered the man's office without so much as a knock.

Erwin, on the other hand, had long since grown used to her antics and didn't look surprised. "Hanji," he greeted, "to what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Just wanting to chat a bit is all," she replied, sitting at the chair before his desk.

He stared at her for a moment, obviously not believing her.

She laughed at his reaction, "Okay fine.. I want you to give Eren and Levi the day off."

The large man released a small sigh, "I can't do that."

Hanji raised a brow, "And why's that?"

He merely held up a paper in response.

The researched cocked her head to the side in confusion.

Erwin resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "This is a request for a three month leave of absence from Levi that will be in effect once his and Eren's child is born. And this-" He pulled up another slip of paper, "is the document that lists Eren as on a leave of absence until he can be cleared for training by you."

"And this relates to them not getting the day off how?"

This time, the blonde rubbed at the bridge of his nose, "They both have a lot of time off and it's going to look suspicious if I keep giving them days. Plus, the Supreme Commander suggested they lay low to avoid anymore.. incidents."

"Now who said they wouldn't lay low?" Hanji challenged. "I just want them to have a day to be lovey dovey with each other and express their concerns and just… have time for one another. They need it."

"Didn't they have that opportunity for Eren's birthday?" He shot back.

She pouted at him, "Of course not! Everyone was celebrating his birthday so they didn't really have a chance to talk over things. Plus Levi was more focused on pampering my little titan."

He looked a bit unsettled, "Do I even want to know how you know so much about things like that?" Her mischievous grin was answer enough. Erwin just barely suppressed a shudder at the look.

"Come on, Erwin," she said seriously, "what's one day? You don't even have to document it."

"I can't, they have too much time off as it is," he replied firmly, "I can't play favoritism just because they're having a child."

A plan suddenly entered the woman's sporadic mind. She allowed herself to slump in her chair, looking disappointed. Hanji let out a drawn out sigh before speaking. "Alright… guess I'll go tell Eren… he'll be pretty unhappy."

Out of the corner of her eye, she noted that his posture had stiffened just slightly.

"Hopefully he won't bring things out on you," she continued as she rose and faced towards the door. A smirk slid onto her face, "I would hate to see you on the receiving end of his wrath."

Was that a nervous swallow she heard? Her smirk widened, "Well see you, Erwin. And if Eren shows, nice knowing you."

"Hanji."

She straightened her face and turned her head, "Yes?"

Erwin's face had paled just enough that she noticed, "Tell them they have the day off."

"Oh really," the woman exclaimed.

He gave her a look of strong disapproval, "Just go before I change my mind." His demeanor changed suddenly, "Also, I should tell you that there's an expedition coming up. I'm not entirely sure of the date but we'll be going in the next couple of weeks."

Hanji sobered as well, "Are you going to need Levi?"

"He is Humanity's Strongest," was his only response.

A small break of silence took the room.

She looked away, "Guess I'll try and secure someone to stay behind for Eren. I won't leave him on his own."

"I wouldn't expect you to," Erwin agreed, "just let me know who will be staying."

There was a bit of discontent in the air as she left.

"W-Wait what?"

She beamed at the titan shifter, though it was admittedly weaker than usual. "That's right! He gave the go ahead."

Levi narrowed his eyes at her. The fact that she was forcing herself to be as happy as she normally was didn't get past him. Something was amiss. "Did he really or are you just giving us your blessing on this?"

Hanji chuckled, "Well I mean, you could go ask him yourself." Her face was alight with a playful smirk but her eyes were just noticeably dull and held a seriousness to them.

Something was definitely amiss.

"Perhaps I will," he replied, "wouldn't want him to shit himself because we went missing."

Eren smiled a bit towards his spouse from his lounged position on the bed. One of his hands was absently running over his enlarged stomach.

"Sit tight, shitface," Levi called, "I'll be back soon."

"Okay, hurry back," came the sweet send off.

Their eccentric comrade settled herself in a nearby chair, "I'll hang here until you get back, grumpy pants."

"Shitty glasses," was his only retort as he left the room.

Hanji looked to the teen with a sly smirk, "So what did you two do while I was gone hmm?"

The blush that took Eren's face made her genuinely laugh.

"...That's none of your concern," he said with embarrassment.

She shrugged, "Ehh that's okay, the mark on your neck tells all."

"WHAT?!" He immediately yanked at his shirt to try and see any marks.

Hanji fell out of her chair laughing, "O-Oh my god Eren your face!" She wiped at her eyes, "There's no mark silly, but that reaction was priceless."

Eren glared at her as he fixed his shirt, "Jerk."

"I don't really care what you two do as long as there's no sex as that could hurt the baby," she said after having calmed herself.

His cheeks were still flushed. He grumbled to himself, feeling completely humiliated by the current conversation.

The woman nudged his shoulder, "Calm down, my little titan. That means you can still suck your beloved hubby's face."

"Hanjiiiii," he whined, covering his ears.

"Is there any particular reason why Eren looks like he mated with a lobster?"

Eren shook his head and blushed furiously while Hanji was bent over laughing hysterically.

Levi stared at them both with a raised brow. Eventually he rolled his eyes at the two brunettes. "Whatever, I don't care to know. Brat, get your ass up. We're going out."

"Eh?"

"Seems that shitty glasses was telling the truth, we have the day off," he replied stoically.

Eren practically leapt from the bed, stumbling as his weakened body failed to adjust to the sudden difference. "Really?! I need to get dressed and I should shower and-"

"Eren."

He paused and looked to his raven haired lover, tilting his head with curiosity.

The shorter man approached and brought him down to his level. "Don't take too long," he purred, "I'm not a patient man."

With an undignified squeak, the teen half stumbled into the bathroom with a rumpled pile of clothing. Within moments of the door shutting, the sound of the shower turning on filled the room.

Hanji had sobered up and was looking to her friend with mild concern, "I assume Erwin told you?"

Levi spared her a glance, "Yes."

She let out a small sigh, "I'm thinking of having Armin stay behind with him. Mikasa is very skilled, like you, so we'll probably need her out there."

"Though that kid has a brilliant mind," Levi pointed out, "which we also might need."

"His strategies are good, but he can help out more before hand," she replied evenly. "Plus, he and Eren are close. I feel like he'll need someone he's familiar with to comfort him."

Those gray eyes looked to the woman with a calculating gaze, "How badly do you think he'll react?"

The researcher released a humorless laugh, "Depends… but how good are you at handling his sobbing sessions?"

"Fuck."

"Yeah…" she ran a hand through her bangs. "If he starts showing signs of severe anxiety, get someone to find me."

"I won't worry about it now," Levi said, "once we come back, I'll tell him."

"Probably for the best."

"What is?" Came a voice from the bathroom doorway. Eren was looking at them suspiciously, rubbing a towel through his wet hair.

Levi looked right back, mind momentarily frozen. Had Eren heard anything before that?

Hanji laughed lightly, "I was advising him against going near the flowers that are blooming in the gardens seeing as you both have terrible allergies."

As the suspicion melted away from the boy's face, Levi couldn't help but feel grateful for his lover's oblivious nature. He wasn't ready to spoil the good mood Eren had woken up with. Not that he wanted to anyway, but he knew the news of the expedition would do just that.

"Come on, brat," he said, further distracting the pregnant male, "let's go outside." Someone would've thought the world was finally free of titans with the smile Eren gave him. He moved closer when he noticed the slight wobble in the other's legs.

Levi rolled his eyes at the child-like innocence that had brightened those already stunning eyes. "Guess I'm carrying you, seeing as you're about to fall on your face," he said, lifting the brunette into his hold easily.

Eren latched his arms around his neck for stability as he pouted, "I was not."

Hanji snorted from behind them, "Gotta go with Levi on this one, my little titan."

He peered over his husband's shoulder with a look of betrayal, "You too?"

She winked playfully at him, "Well someone has to keep you in check!"

Levi halted suddenly in his walking and wrinkled his nose.

The younger looked at him curiously, "Babe?"

"You need more layers," was his blunt response as he steered them back towards the room.

Levi then proceeded to force a few extra bundles of clothing onto Eren as-though spring was nearly upon them-the midday air was still a bit frigid.

"I don't want my baby to freeze to death inside you," was his morbid explanation.

Time off together was precious, and wasting any minute of it would be foolish. So when Eren again suggested they go outside and take a short walk, Levi obliged much more readily than he normally would.

Outside was filthy but at least he'd get to spend that time with his brat.

Once they had left the building, they strolled along the patchy trails in the surrounding area, another sweet peace filling the day. Eren couldn't help but sigh and lean further into his partner, poking him happily in the side.

Captain Levi jumped at the touch, a...strange sound escaping his stiff lips. Was that a laugh?

A blind grin spread across the young man's face, "Levi did you just laugh?"

He grunted disdainfully. His eyes refused to meet the other's.

"I did nothing of the sorts."

Eren splayed another toothy smile. A hint of a smirk lit up his oceanic eyes, "Are you ticklish Lance Corporal Levi?"

Levi seemed to growl a bit in his throat. "No. I am not, you dipshit."

But it was all too late for that excuse. Eren had heard his laughter and he was determined for more; he'd tickle his spouse to death to hear that sound repeated over and over.

And so, he reached out suddenly and teased his fingers across Levi's sides once more. Levi squirmed, pushing away his hands and choking on held back laughter.

Oh, it was on.

Eren became more forceful, getting up close and personal as he attacked Levi's side with tickles.

"E-Eren! Stop, you idiot!" he coughed through a barely concealed stutter of humor.

"No!" Eren shouted over his own laughter.

Levi was breaking; he couldn't even help himself. Hearing those wild, amused noises from his spouse as he forced amusement from his lover was overwhelming. Though he would never say it out loud, or really not even to himself, the only thing that could bring him to a chuckle was Eren's antics-and his sweet, songful laugh.

His teal eyes would brighten impossibly more, shining with a light happiness that should have been impossible for people in their tough situation. But not for Eren. Through thick and thin, he could always pull a smile.

Those childlike giggles surrounding him from all angles as Eren attacked him was just too much. His steel heart skipped a beat everytime he heard that sound. And when a smile finally slipped onto his face, the tickling fingers needed no more effort to drag out a laugh too.

Basically, Eren was his one and only weakness.

Damn him.

As Levi was assaulted he could think of no other way to escape but to run-it wasn't like he could hit Eren. Well, he wouldn't have hesitated in the past to slap him a bit, but when he was carrying his child he felt it wasn't the best thing to do.

So he pushed Eren's hands back again and ran to catch his composure behind a tree.

"Hey!" Eren shouted, already running forward to catch his lover.

Levi shook his head and scowled as Eren approached, eyes wild with excitement, hands posed before his extended belly to attack.

"Fucking shitty brat."

"Did you say something, babe?" the teen oozed as he approached, a slight giggle escaping his lips as he did.

Levi eyed him narrowly, "No. Just if you come and try to fucking tickle me again, I'll slit your throat."

Eren laughed again at his husband's empty threat.

And he lunged.

Not a smart move considering Levi's reflexes. He dodged his lover's strike easily, catching the younger by the wrists and swiping his feet from under him with a quick kick. Eren began to fall with a shout, but Levi carefully directed his descent so that his lover fell flat on his ass into a big bush. Levi smirked down at his assailant.

"Not so brash now are we, brat?" the captain teased, dropping down to trap Eren underneath him.

The latter squeaked and brought his hands round to try and tickle him again. But Levi had decided that this little game was over. He pinned the brat's hands to the ground with one of his own before tickling him back with his other.

Unlike Levi, Eren loved to be tickled. He would always fight it like he hated it, but Levi knew that was a big fat lie.

Levi attacked his weakest points; the points he had learned were the most sensitive to tickling in their time together. His neck and chin, his sides and a little portion of his under arm-Levi hit all of them in his strike of revenge.

"How do you like it now you little bastard?" he deadpanned, hands releasing Eren's since the brat was too incapacitated now with his laughter to fight back.

Eren was curling in on himself, positively shrieking as he laughed uncontrollably. His body was writhing in the grass as he tried in vain to escape Levi's skilled hands. He couldn't even help himself, the man was too good at tickling for him to even try and control his reactions.

"Had enough yet, Eren?"

Tears were beginning to stream down his full cheeks he was laughing so hard.

"Y-yes! Ahahaha! Stop already I-I get it!" he cried.

"Are you going to stop calling me babe?" the man questioned, head tilting dangerously as he pinched Eren's sides.

"Aha! N-no! Hah, ahah, n-never!"

Levi scoffed and strengthened his attack.

"We'll see about that."

He kept up his torment a few minutes more before pulling away and looking down at his mess of a lover. A smirk came to his face as he beheld the brilliant smile still littering the other's face.

"O-Oh man," Eren breathed, wiping away his tears, "that was nice. I love your laugh, babe."

A small groan escaped him, "Dammit brat, let that stupid nickname go."

His ever dazzling eyes practically sparkled with mirth, "Not a chance."

"Brat."

"Asshole."

"Shitface."

"Shorty."

He got a pinch on the rear for that one, "Watch it."

A giggle was his only response.

The two continued on their short walk, hands interlocked comfortably. The sun had warmed things to a point where Eren shed some of the layers that his lover had insisted he wear.

He hummed quietly as they shuffled forward.

Levi remained silent, occasionally glancing over at the other for any signs of fatigue. Otherwise he was contented by the soft hums and commentary the other would do.

Eren eventually grew closer and rested his head on the shorter man's shoulder, eyes drooping a bit. "Mmm ready for a nap," he murmured.

His husband scoffed lightly, "Fine, we should go in then."

"Nooo," he drew out in a sort of whine. "Out here, it's warm and cozy."

"So is our bed, dumbass."

Those brilliant orbs peered up at him pleadingly.

A ragged sigh escaped the raven, "Fuck.. Alright already. Where? I'm not sitting on the goddamn ground. It's filthy."

"Oh hush, we can put down one of my shirts," Eren dismissed easily. He lifted his head from its reclined position and looked around with scrutiny.

They had managed to loop back around to the near edge of headquarters where various trees littered the grounds, which slowly morphed into a heavier density and then into a full fledged wooded area. The trees in said area were ideal for reclining against - also known as perfect for napping.

The teen easily singled out his favored tree and led his spouse towards it. He unfurled one of the shirts he had had on before and let it settle on the ground.

With effort, he managed to plop himself down onto the ground, and then gestured for his raven haired love to do likewise.

Levi made a face but reluctantly lowered himself down onto the shirt and back against the tree. He then opened his arms, knowing that his bright eyed brat would situate himself.

Eren released a long sigh as he nuzzled up against his favorite person. Nothing could compare with the comfortable feeling of those strong arms wrapped about him. His eyes dropped closed not long after.

When the brunette's breathing evened out with sleep, Levi couldn't help but roll his eyes at him. It never ceased to amaze him how easily and quickly the other could fall asleep at times.

In the moment of peace, he allowed himself to rest his head atop Eren's and let his eyes shut. His left hand moved to the enlarged belly between them, a series of movements from within greeting him.

There were only a few months to go until they could meet their child; their own honest to god offspring. It was a terrifying yet exhilarating prospect, one that Levi wasn't entirely sure either of them were quite ready for.

Hanji had once consoled his concern with a mention to the fact that hardly anyone was ever truly ready when it came to children. Time and personal experience with their child would help season them and then they could be considered ready. She had also then proceeded to tell him: "You'll be alright shorty, no need to look so scared shitless".

He shook his head lightly with a scowl, peering down at his sleeping lover.

The happy glow the boy had woke up with remained even in sleep. It was refreshing to see his brow smooth and relaxed, not distressed with the accompaniment of nightmares that had been plaguing him the past few months.

Seeing his lover so content in sleep encouraged his own eyes to fall shut once more. Then, slowly but surely, the ambient sounds of the outdoors lulled him off to an unexpected sleep.

After note:

Welp, I hope you guys enjoyed that tooth rotting fluff, and guess what...THERES MORE NEXT WEEK TOO. (WHATT?!)

Somehow Ghosties and I wrote so much fluff that we decided to split it into two chapters so hooray! Next week will continue this lovely fluffy day off.

As always, R&R, we love all of you who follow or favorite this story and your comments give us life. You are all beautiful people, have a nice week!

-you know who