Jennifer100

Chapter 7

Pair; Levi x Eren

Beta; Patolemus

I know people not reading this, but I don't care.

Chapter 7

Hange, Levi and Eren moved to the living room so they could talk properly. They wanted to find a way to get Eren out of Zeke's control and back to normal, and a countermeasure for Zeke's power, so he wouldn't be able to take control of Eren again.

"Here, let me take him," Hange took Leo from Levi's arm. "What do you say we go say hi to you Daddy, hm?"

"Yes!" Leo said. Hange smiled and winked at Levi before she took his son down to the kitchen.

It had been six years. Leo was seven years old now. In all that time, despite their worries, Zeke hadn't gone back to take control of Eren. He and Levi had been able to live peacefully with their son, enjoying watching him grow.

Eren was happy and relieved, knowing his brother had probably given up on taking their son from them. He would protect Leo with his life, and he knew Levi would too, but it was nice to be able to live without that worry.

When Levi got down, already in full uniform, Eren was finishing up with breakfast in the kitchen. He was also in uniform, though he had left his jacket hanging from a chair so he wouldn't ruin it while cooking. Leo was already sitting at the table, kicking his little legs from underneath the table and drinking from a glass of milk as he waited for his toast. Hange was already gone, her plates in the sink. She'd had an early start of the day, and had left for headquarters to see the rest of the Scouts and give out the itinerary for the day to the Squad Leaders, before having a meeting with their intelligence unit, as per usual. Then, she'd meet up with Levi.

Levi was supposed to go with her, since he sat in all the meetings she did, but that day he was planning on spending some time with Eren and Leo, before he could take their son back to headquarters. He wanted to know whether Leo had inherited Eren's Titan genes, or Levi's Ackerman ones.

Eren didn't know. Neither Hange nor Levi wanted to tell him, knowing he'd freak out at the thought of his son going through tests like the ones he had gone through when he'd first joined the Scouts.

"This food is great, Daddy," Leo said as he started eating the plate of toast Eren put in front of him. Smiling fondly, Eren kissed the crown of his head. "Once I finish eating, can I fight Titans too? I want to be a scout like you and father!"

Leo got up and stood on top of his chair, doing a childish representation of fighting a Titan. Then, as any seven year old ought to do, he lost his balance, and started to fall off.

"Leo!" Eren dropped the pan he was holding on the stove when he noticed Leo was about to fall. He went to grab him, but Levi was faster and caught him just in time.

"How many times have we told you, Leo, don't stand up on your chair?!" Levi said in a stern tone, worried and upset that his son had almost fallen.

"I'm sorry, Papa," Leo said wobbly, lower lip quivering as his eyes watered.

Levi sighed, sitting Leo down on his chair again before kneeling in front of him. He wiped the tear that fell down Leo's chubby cheek.

"Don't cry, little scout, it's okay. Listen to your parents, that's how you can become a great scout soldier like us. Alright, little scout?" Leo nodded, and Levi caressed his cheek. "Now finish your breakfast."

Levi then stood up and helped Eren bring the rest of the food to the table. Eren had already brewed him some tea, and poured him a cup without asking if he wanted one, knowing his husband always liked to drink one before leaving for work.

"Do you want some toast before we head out?" he asked, also knowing there were mornings where Levi didn't feel like eating.

"Yeah, I'll eat," he said, and Eren smiled, pleased. He handed him a basket with toast. "Are you feeling okay?"
The question was deceptively innocent, a show of concern. But both he and Eren knew better.

Eren sighed, smile dropping. "I'm fine," he said, waiting until Leo left to go brush his teeth before continuing. "You don't have to always ask me about it."

"I just have to make sure," Levi tried to make Eren understand, like he had for the past six years.

"If you're so worried about Zeke taking control of me again, then just kill me and get it over with. You've been on edge every day, and it hurts to see you like that," Eren said with a sad look.

"I'd never kill you. You know that," Levi said with a pained expression. He knew he'd been tasked with finishing Eren off if he were ever to go rough, but he knew, in his heart, that he wouldn't be able to do it. He loved Eren too much. "I— I know. And I'm sorry. I have to ask, so you and Leo can be safe," Levi took a hold of Eren's hand, gently caressing his knuckles. "I don't know what the future has in store for us, but I will protect our family. I promise," Levi kissed Eren's cheek, letting his lips rest a second longer before pulling away. "I'll go make sure Leo is brushing his teeth right."

Eren sighed fondly, knowing how strict his husband was about cleanliness. He finished up his own breakfast, before getting all the dishes into the sink and starting to wash everything. It didn't take him long, since it had long become a task he enjoyed. He went up to quickly brush his teeth, passing by Leo's bedroom, where Levi was helping their son get dressed. The three of them met downstairs again.

"Were are we going today, Papa? I want to play with Daddy this time," Leo pouted. "I always have to be with you Papa, why can't I be with Daddy too?"

Eren and Levi shared a look. Eren raised an eyebrow, challenging. Levi sighed.

"I'd love to spend time with my own son Levi. Alone, without you interfering."

"We've talked about this Eren. You can't be alone with him until we've figured out a way for you to be permanently out of Zeke's control," Levi's words were harsh, forgetting for a moment that their son was with them in the room, unlike most of the times they had this discussion. "I'm taking Leo with me today, anyway. Hange is expecting us both," he turned to look at his son. "Are you ready to go?"

"I really can't be with Daddy today?" and oh, his son's voice sounded so small, it made Levi's heart squeeze inside his chest.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart, but not right now. Later, okay?" Levi opened the door and held out a hand for Leo to take.

Leo didn't take it. Tears had started falling down his cheeks again, his fists balled up as he went to start a tantrum. Eren, noticing this, quickly kneeled down and hugged his son tightly.

"Do not worry, my love. We'll spend all the time in the world together once you get home, how does that sound? I'll read you a bedtime story, too," Eren promised before kissing both of his son's cheeks and then his forehead,
"Really? You'll read me a story? Can it be about how you defeated the titans?" Leo said with hope in his eyes.

"Whatever you want, my son," Leo cheered, and went to take Levi's hand. "You two have a good day, alright?" Levi settled Leo on top of his horse. "Aren't you forgetting something, Levi?"

Huffing out a laugh, Levi turned around and kissed Eren on the lips. He felt Eren smile against him, and he sneaked an arm around Eren's waist to get him closer.

"Ugh, that's gross!" Leo said behind them, causing them to separate. "Papa and Daddy are kissing, that's gross."
"You'll like it when you're older," Levi said as he got on his horse behind Leo before looking at Eren. "Have a safe trip to base. And say hi to Armin and the Squad."

They all said their goodbyes, and soon Levi and Leo were riding towards the Scout's main headquarters. Eren left soon after, riding instead to their secondary headquarters, where Armin and the others were waiting.

Hange was already waiting for them in the clearing when they got there. She was sitting on the grass, looking at the bugs and hearing the sounds of nature.

"Oi, Four Eyes, we're here," as Hange got up, Levi dismounted before helping Leo do the same.

"Hey-o Levi, Leo," she opened up her arms and Leo jumped into them, and then she squeezed.

"Auntie Hange, you're hugging me too much!" Leo complained, but he was laughing, so he wasn't really bothered. Hange laughed as well, but let him go after a moment.

"Sorry, munchkin, I couldn't help myself. You're just so huggable," she says as she grabbed his cheeks, and Leo laughed some more. Hange looked at Levi, and bit her lip in worry before looking back at Leo. "How about you go get me some flowers from that bush over there? It would make Auntie Hange very happy."

Leo complied right away, going to pick up some flowers. It was close enough that Levi and Hange could still see him, but far enough so they could talk without him hearing.

"Are you sure about this Levi? I mean, is it really that important that we find out if he's got the Titan genes or not?" she looked at her nephew, the one she had watched grown up, and worried, "You'll mess up his childhood, Levi. He might even grow to hate you for this."

Levi sighed. He was also worried about that, but the need to know was greater. Even if his son hated him, he wanted him to be safe.

"I know, but… I have to know. So we can all be safe," he said quietly, sure about his choice.

Soon, Leo came back with a small bouquet of flowers. Hange took them, praising him for his efforts, and telling him they looked wonderful.

"Papa, are we going camping?" Leo asked then, looking around. "It's scary out here."

Above them, the sky was getting busy with dark clouds. It would start raining soon.

Hange soon left, leaving Levi and Leo alone. Levi clinged to his father, scared in a place he didn't know. Levi hugged his son tightly, kissing his forehead as he tried to reassure him.