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There had been many times causing Levi to spend nights with Erwin. Some because he would have hurt a bunkmate who had a big mouth. Others were simply to have a warm body next to them. And others were filled with the intent to make love. Tonight was such a night. It was rare to have a night with a perfect temperature without an expedition looming over it.
“Erwin,” Levi moaned into the blond’s mouth.
The taller man in question moved a hand from the shorter’s back to cup his head, deepening the kiss. Meanwhile the other found Levi’s shirt buttons. Erwin continued his mouth’s ministrations as buttons popped open one by one. The blond took both hands to push Levi’s shirt off his shoulders. Finally reaching the fruit of his labors, the blue eyes moved from the grey to a chiseled chest.
… Covered in bruises.
Erwin froze, unable to do anything but stare. Levi huffed, grabbing the front of the blond’s shirt.
“Tch. Why’d you stop, old man?”
Levi pulled in Erwin’s shirt, this time getting on his toes in an attempt to keep receiving the blond’s kisses. Erwin put his hands in Levi’s, effectively stilling the night’s planned activities.
“Don’t they hurt?” he asked.
Levi hadn’t given away that he had injuries, but Erwin needed to know. The bruises weren’t large, but they were dark. By the shape alone, the Commander knew exactly what had been the cause.
“No,” Levi answered in a tight voice, “Now can you keep kissing me?”
Erwin looked at the dark-haired man incredulously, “Levi, these are from constantly wearing ODM straps too tight!”
The short man seemed to realize the issue wasn’t going to get dropped and shuffled his feet, “Can’t feel it otherwise.”
“You’re not supposed to feel it,” Erwin tried to keep a patronizing tone out of his voice, but judging by Levi’s response, he failed.
“Well, sorry I never got formal training.”
Erwin’s heart stopped as it did every time Levi reminded him that nearly everything was a mystery to him.
“I’ll show you how to properly attach them tomorrow.”
Levi relaxed and Erwin dropped the issue in reply.
Blue eyes lowered to Levi’s pants, “Do you have more bruises?”
In lieu of answering, slender fingers pulled off pants revealing a swirl of purple and blue stripes around lean legs.
“Oh, Levi,” Erwin couldn’t stop himself from breathing out.
Levi shuffled self-consciously, “It doesn’t hurt.”
The blond didn’t know how to respond, so instead, “I’m going to get some lotion for them,” he replied.
The whole walk to the infirmary, gathering of things needed, and walk back to his room had Erwin’s mind holding the mottling bruises in front of his eyes. Of course Levi wouldn’t have known. Of course he would have grown comfortable with the feeling of the straps digging in. Erwin was filled with shame. He prided himself in remembering Levi’s past, but forgot it during all the important moments. All too soon, Erwin was back with Levi.
The dark-haired man was sitting on Erwin’s bed, in nothing but his underwear. The bruises were on full display, but Levi sat as regal as he could. Erwin knew that the shorter man wanted nothing more than to have the Commander forget that anything had happened. Instead of doing that, Erwin sat behind Levi. A towel was laid on the bed and Erwin’s strong fingers delicately grabbed a scoop of lotion. The blond started on Levi’s shoulders, massaging the cooling balm into the darkened skin. Erwin reached the large bruise covering every inch of the pale upper back. Levi winced.
Not in pain then, huh? Erwin thought to himself.
Keeping Levi’s dignity intact, there was no comment. The pale back followed the shoulders. Erwin could feel the muscles that Levi desperately wanted to keep still, knowing that the younger man didn’t want Erwin to be right. The blond held in a sigh, but steady rubbed his palms over Levi’s bruises until the lotion was absorbed. Erwin reached Levi’s waistband and paused.
“I’m finished with your back. Do you want me to do your chest or legs next?”
Levi answered by turning around, refusing to look Erwin in the eye. The blond hooked a finger under the small chin and brought the bowed head up.
“Please don’t be embarrassed,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to Levi’s lips.
The dark-haired man didn’t reply, but his body relaxed. Erwin didn’t let go or move.
“Are you ready for me to continue?” he breathed.
Levi nodded and Erwin released his chin, grabbing the tin of lotion.
Erwin continued slowly, getting down the mottled muscles. He started massaging the wide stripe sitting across Levi’s chest. Levi gasped loudly, startling Erwin. Hands immediately left the injured body and Levi fell back to lie down. Erwin looked up in surprise. He may have partially expected the show of pain, but he was even more surprised by the show of tears.
“Erwin, I can’t,” the younger man said, voice slightly wet.
The blond made to say something, anything, but was stopped by Levi.
“It hurts. It shouldn’t, but my whole back and chest feel like I got punched repeatedly. I can’t do it anymore.”
The raven wasn't crying or sobbing outright, but the presence of tears was partially unsettling. Erwin capped the balm and wiped his hands with the towel. He got up and grabbed a set of pants for Levi. He hesitated for a moment before grabbing a shirt as well. Erwin gently dressed Levi and laid the both of them down. The planned activities weren’t going to happen, but Erwin could attempt to soothe the pains that he had inadvertently made worse. Levi turned to bury himself into Erwin’s chest, tears still rolling down his face. The commander stayed silent, trying to tell himself that now was not the time for words.
He stayed like that until the sun came streaming through his window the next morning.