Tadaaa! Your tumultuous waiting is all over! I'm finally back and settled and regular updates will now resume
We're nearing the end so prepare your hearts :) In other exciting news though, Ghosties and I will likely be making an extension of this story when it's done that will continue Eren and Levi's venture in parenthood! Yayyyy more Riren family things
Disclaimer: We do not own Attack on Titan or the characters belonging thusly. If we did, it would be in danger of becoming a yaoi anime.
Enjoy~
~Aria
-GhostiesandGhoulies
Eren let out a long sigh as he woke from sleep, rolling his head some on his pillow. He peeled open his eyes in search of his lover. It was still rather early in the morning, so it was unlikely that Levi had gone anywhere yet. Especially since Hanji had practically ordered him to take things easy as he was still healing.
His sleep filled eyes found the raven sitting at the desk he had ordered be brought in; and unsurprisingly there was a small stack of paperwork placed neatly before him.
"Just can't get enough of that crap can you?" he teased, rolling onto his side to face the man.
Levi paused and looked over at him with distaste, "Don't make it sound like I enjoy this, brat." He turned back to his work as if to continue, but he didn't. "You didn't throw up this morning," he pointed out.
The brunette gave a noncommittal shrug, "I almost did but then I decided I didn't want to get up so I just forced it down."
His senior wrinkled his nose, "That is disgusting."
Eren laughed lightly in return. He turned onto his back with the intent to get up but when he tried the first time to sit up, he just plopped back onto the bed. The titan shifter grunted as he tried again, getting further up this time… only to fall back onto the bed. His large stomach was doing a good job at preventing him from getting up.
At that point Levi had looked over at him with mild curiosity.
He took a few breaths and tried again and he was almost up when he fell back against the bed. Eren groaned in exasperation, "This is hopeless!" A small sound came from his left, he glanced over to his lover who was obviously stifling laughter. He pouted, "Don't laugh at me! This is hard okay?!"
Amusement had lit up those gray eyes in a beautiful way, Eren found himself smitten just by the sight of it.
He flushed and smiled sheepishly, "I guess that did look a little ridiculous, huh…"
"You have no idea," came the reply, fondness evident in Levi's tone. He stood carefully and went to the brunette's side, offering a hand. "Come on shithead, up we go."
Eren rolled his eyes but took the hand and hefted himself up thanks to the other's strength. He wobbled a bit upon halting, a bout of dizziness suddenly hitting him. "Whoa whoa…" he breathed unsteadily.
Levi kept a vice grip on his shoulders, "Eren?"
"Just dizzy," he replied eventually. He gave another sheepish smile, "Sorry, babe."
The raven haired Corporal took his hands away like they had been burned, "Stop calling me that, brat."
"Never."
A knock sounded at their door. It was Erwin who called to them, "Might I enter for a moment?"
"Knock yourself out," came Levi's sarcastic reply.
The door opened to reveal their Commander looking surprisingly casual. He entered with presence, arms crossing over his chest. "How are you doing, Eren?"
"Just fine," he replied a bit shyly, "baby has been pretty docile today. I've also got a bit more energy than I usually do around this time."
He smiled in a friendly manner, "That's good to hear.
Levi was gone for a few minutes, talking with Erwin about some sort of official Scout business. It didn't take long-but still, that little chat time had Eren snoozing again as he waited for his spouse to return. He only woke when he heard a soft call of his name. He opened his eyes and found Levi before him. There was an unusual tender edge to the other's gaze as he looked down at him. His hand came up and brushed against his cheek softly.
Brilliant green eyes sought out his face with acute shock, "L-Levi…?" Suddenly there were lips on his. He let his eyes falls shut easily, leaning in to deepen the kiss.
The older pulled back after a moment, but lingered nearby.
Eren looked imploringly to his love, trying to decipher the meaning behind his actions. He would never complain about Levi being affectionate, but usually there was cause for it. He reached up a hand to the raven's pale cheek in a vague attempt to draw an answer from him.
"Le-"
"I love you, Eren," he interrupted softly, burying his face in the younger's neck.
He choked on his words, eyes tearing up a bit. It was usually him who said it first, but those few times that Levi beat him to it always opened his eyes to the fact that it was true. Eren smiled up at him sweetly, "I love you too."
Levi quirked his own small smile, tugging his spouse to his feet gently. He said nothing as he led him towards the bathroom that adjoined their room.
The pregnant male followed without question, secretly amused by the sudden turn of events. He quirked a brow in curiosity as he was settled on the lid of the toilet and Levi began preparing a bath.
"Levi.." he called, "what are-?"
"Shh," Levi shushed him, "let me take care of you, shitface."
He stayed quiet after that, deciding to accept the uncommon romantic gesture from his husband.
Only once it was fully prepared did the shorter man turn back to Eren. He coaxed him to his feet and wordlessly eased his long shirt up and over his head. He took a moment to appreciate the teen's rounded stomach. He ran his hands over the delicate surface, quirking a small smile when a kick met his palm.
Every touch was tender and intimate in its own way. Eren found himself breathless from the complete change in character. There was rarely a time that his lover was so affectionate - and thinking back, he had drank in the intimacy like a drunkard all those times too.
He hadn't the slightest idea what had spurred it on, but he certainly wasn't complaining.
Levi then proceeded to guide him from his loose fitting pajama bottoms, leaving him nude and feeling a tad vulnerable. It didn't stay that way for long, as he was ushered into the bath that the man had prepared.
Eren couldn't stop his moan at the pleasant warmth of the bath water. Immediately he found himself mentally proclaiming his own stupidity for having not indulged in baths before. The soothing heat eased the stress from his muscles and had him totally relaxed. It was almost as good as Levi's godly hands giving him a backrub - almost as good as sex.
"Figured you would like a higher temperature on the water," the raven chuckled.
"God yes," he breathed, almost in another moan, "This is heaven." His bright eyes peered over at the other with a pleased glimmer, "Thanks, babe."
Amazingly enough, the Corporal let the nickname slide. He stripped out of his jacket and rolled up his sleeves, hands dipping into the water and dribbling some into Eren's hair.
Those fingers were gentle and comforting against his scalp, massaging it a bit as they went. He relaxed completely into the sensations, eyes falling shut of their own accord.
The whole moment was peaceful and teased with romance.
"Mmm Levi?" He asked at one point, mind hazy with contented pleasure.
"What, brat?" Came the soft reply. His dexterous fingers were working through his hair, thoroughly lathering it with a sweet scented shampoo.
Eren cracked open an eye, peering curiously to his lover, "What kind of dad do you think I'll be?"
The hands in his hair stilled for only a moment, "What kind of question is that?"
He pouted and looked away shyly, "..I'm just curious. I don't want to be a bad one."
"And you're not going to be, dumbass," Levi chided. "You'll be the best dad this kid could ask for - playful, friendly, loving - everything a good father should be."
The brunette flushed under the praise.
A moment of silence elapsed before the older continued, "Hell, you'll be such a good parent that they'll probably hate my guts." There was a bit of jest in his tone, and yet at the same time it sounded shockingly truth filled.
He didn't honestly believe that did he? Eren gave him a disappointed look, "Levi."
His gray eyes were focused on his task, unconsciously portraying his hidden insecurity. "I suck with kids, Eren," he muttered, "all I manage to do is make them cry."
"Then you can learn," the teen told him sincerely, "I'll make mistakes too. I definitely won't be their favorite - it'll be their papa. The one who is strong, orderly, tender, and attentive to them." He sat up a bit and placed his wet palm against a pale cheek, "We balance each other, Levi. It'll be a partnership, one that we'll have to settle into."
Levi appeared stunned, if momentarily, by his words.
Eren smiled to him, "This baby will spoiled rotten by our love for it, and I'd have it no other way. We both have learning and growing to do, but we can do it together."
Suddenly there was a set of lips against his own, kissing him sweetly. He sighed happily, leaning into it instinctively. A sense of pride welled within him as he realized that he had successfully comforted one of his spouse's fears.
They separated reluctantly, both having fallen back into the relaxing atmosphere.
"Now turn so I can rinse this shit out of your hair," came the gruff order.
He couldn't help but laugh in response.
Eren leaned back again into his husband's embrace, allowing him to rinse away the shampoo with the warm water. The sudden rush of warmth down his back sent a shiver over his skin, one that made his spouse smirk as he leaned in and planted a kiss into Eren's freshly washed locks. His hot lips trailed close to his ear, making the brunette sigh.
"I love it when you tremble under me like that," Levi whispered to him.
Eren gagged a bit, cheeks heating up immediately. He smacked Levi's arm with a stern pout.
"D-don't tease me like that!" he grumbled.
Levi merely smirked and continued, washing Eren's back with a washcloth and pressing another kiss to his lips.
"When you stop being such an adorable brat, I'll stop teasing you."
After his nice and long bath, Levi helped Eren out of the tub, drying him vigorously with a towel and helping him to get dressed again. His extensive attentions made Eren smile, as his husband wrapped him tightly in his blankets and crawled next to him in the bed. Eren hummed as Levi held him, one of his hands rubbing over their baby's residence. He was clean and dressed in fresh clothing, resting against the love of his life - could things get any more perfect?
It was rare the his partner felt like pampering him in such a way; but as nice as it was, he knew there was an ulterior motive to it all.
"You haven't asked anything yet," Levi murmured into his hair.
He quirked a small smile in response. "I've been with you long enough to know that if you have something to say, you will. Besides," he sighed happily, "I'm quite enjoying all the attention."
The raven chuckled, "Sometimes it's nice to spoil you."
Just that small admission was enough to bring a slight flush to his face. "Well you won't hear me complaining," he said, leaning his head back to peer up into those silver orbs.
Levi planted a kiss on his brow, again surprising his lover with affection.
Eren observed him wordlessly for a bit. "Instincts are telling me I'm not going to like it, whatever it is."
"Your instincts aren't wrong," was the muttered reply.
A long moment of silence passed as Levi deliberated how best to spill the news. He gave a long sigh, continuously rubbing at Eren's enlarged stomach.
"There's another expedition coming up," he said finally, "Erwin has requested I be on it as Hanji gave me full clearance last week."
The information immediately had Eren sitting up on the bed, eyes full of worry. "B-But Levi-"
"Eren," he interrupted calmly, grabbing the other's shaking hands in his own.
The brunette's breathing had picked up a bit with fear.
"I already tried staying back," Levi continued in a leveled manner, "but Erwin pointed out that doing so might raise some red flags to the council." He raised his eyes to meet panicked green, "We don't need them sticking their noses into shit and finding out about the baby. We need to put that off for as long as possible."
Eren bit at his lip, shoulders trembling just enough to be noticed. He was afraid. Levi had been so badly injured on the last, he wouldn't be able to stand it if something like that happened again; especially with their child's due date quickly approaching.
He leaned forward into his captain's shoulder, a hand grasping tightly at the fabric of his shirt. "You have to come back to me in one piece," he breathed desperately, on the verge of breaking.
Levi was quiet for a moment. "I won't promise anything… but I'll do my best."
It helped, but his reassurance wasn't nearly enough. The mere thought of Levi going back out there and being injured again plagued him. His stomach flip flopped with anxiety - or perhaps it was their child reacting to his feelings of worry.
The immense amount of emotions hitting him all at once made him feel physically sick. He heaved a few breaths before unsteadily going for the adjoining bathroom where he promptly lost his food in the toilet. Tears prickled at his eyes.
"Eren…"
Levi's soft tone only made it worse. He was sick once more, slumping back against the tub when he had finished. His tears only multiplied at the feeling of two strong arms wrapping around his delicate form.
"I d-don't want you to go," he wept into his spouse's chest.
He grimaced but held his love close. "But I have to," he murmured, "and I fucking hate it."
IM SORRY. YOU THOUGHT THE TORMENT WAS OVER BUT IT NEVER IS.
Hey, good news though. Eren is almost due! So soon you will have happy baby times that will hopefully make you all forgive us for our endless torment ^ - ^
See ya next week - regular updates are back yay!
~Aria and the Ghosts