amaranthine

by captainheiichou

Summary:

After coming back from Marley, Eren and Levi spend their respective rut and heat together, mating and bonding to each other. It's everything Eren's ever wanted, except that Levi's heat is coming to end, and his plans to enact the rumbling are coming closer and closer.

How will Levi react when he learns of what his mate has to do? Will he stay by Eren's side, or will their bond break?

Notes:

thank you for the love for part 1! you can technically read this as a stand-alone if you haven't read part 1, all that essentially happens in part 1 is levi finds eren in rut after they bring him back from marley, which triggers levi's heat, and they mate & bond (yes a lot of smut) 🥰 this second part has more plot & feels, but still a side of smut ;)

Levi’s heat is coming to an end, and Eren dreads it.

He knows that once Levi’s heat is over, reality will set in and Eren will have no choice but to tell Levi the truth about his plan. Of course, there’s always the option of Eren leaving as planned and going through with the rumbling without telling a soul, but the thought of leaving Levi twists his chest painfully.

They’re bonded, now. Leaving Levi the first time around was hard enough as it was, but now? His instincts won’t let him. 

Eren doesn’t know if he cursed himself with this, or if it will save him. 

What will Levi think of his plan, of the rumbling? Eren’s sure he won’t like it. Will he try to talk him out of it? Probably. Will he tell the others and side with them instead? 

Fuck, maybe Levi is the one who’ll leave him, when he learns of everyone Eren has to kill. 

The thought feels like a knife stabbing him through the heart, but he supposes he deserves that, for all the atrocities he’s done and the ones he’ll do soon enough. 

He sighs, burying his nose in Levi’s hair. He holds him tightly, though not tight enough to wake him. Eren wants these few moments of peace to last, moments when Levi is still his and nothing else matters.

Maybe he should take him and get the hell away from here. Run away from it all. Build a nice cabin in the middle of the woods, and spend the rest of his days with Levi. To hell with Paradis, to hell with Marley, and to hell with the rest of the world.

The thought is tempting. And if Eren could live a long life, he’d selfishly do it without a second thought. But if he gives up, if he does nothing, what happens to Levi once he’s gone?

“Ugh, I can hear you thinking,” Levi groans, shifting against Eren and staring up at him, half asleep. “What’s got you twisted at this hour…whatever hour it is.” 

Eren smiles. “Nothing,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to Levi’s forehead. “You can sleep some more.”

“Don’t do that,” Levi sighs, lifting his hand to gently cup Eren’s cheek. “You think I don’t know you by now? As if I could sleep…” he leans closer, gently kissing Eren, “we’re bonded. That’ll make it harder for you to keep shit from me.”

Yes, he knows.

“I think soldiers will be here soon,” Eren says, grimacing a little at the thought. Soldiers came by daily to bring them food, and every time, Eren nearly killed them for daring coming close to his omega in heat. It didn’t matter that they were all betas, Eren was out for blood.

Surprisingly enough, Hanji hadn’t come. Perhaps out of respect for Levi. Who knows. Eren sure expected them to come soon, though.

Levi sighs, slumping against Eren. “I don’t wanna think about that…” he mumbles, burying his face in Eren’s neck. But after a moment he does pull away, rolling onto his back. “Moving will be a bitch. Hanji will have questions…will you be as evasive with them as you’ve been with me?”

Eren smiles. “Worse.”

Levi shakes his head but the smile on his face is fond as he leans over to press another kiss to Eren’s lips. “Don’t be insufferable. They could’ve interrupted us at any time but they didn’t. Behave. You’ll be rewarded if you do.”

“Oh?” Eren brings his hand to Levi’s cheek, stroking it softly. “And what will be my reward?”

“You should know by now,” Levi places a hand on top of Eren’s, turning his head to kiss the inside of his palm softly. “Not getting tired of me yet?”

“I would never get tired of you,” Eren says honestly, bringing his free hand to cup Levi’s face before he gently kisses him. 

Levi hums, leaning into the kiss and wrapping an arm loosely around Eren’s neck. Only when the sound of someone clearing their throat echoes in the cell does Levi pull away from Eren abruptly, his scent shifting into something hostile and threatening.

“Hi,” Hanji waves at them, a hesitant grin on their face. “My. You two. No wonder no one else wanted to come down here…”

“They wouldn’t have had to, if you hadn’t locked me in here,” Eren points out.

“Oh don’t be like that!” Hanji says. “I had no choice. You’re all…. grr. You made a big ol’ mess for us.”

“Please can we not talk about this right now…” Levi hisses, reaching blindly for the floor and hurriedly grabbing what looks like his shirt and quickly tugging it on.

Hanji covers their eyes, but still peaks through. “Uh, once you two are decent…Levi, can I trust that you’ll come see me? Can you walk?”

Levi scowls, his scent souring with murderous intent. “I can walk just fine.”

“Eren,” Hanji’s eyes are now on him, “can I trust that you’ll follow?”

“I’m not letting him out of my sight,” Eren answers.

Hanji grins. “Perfect! We’ll talk soon then!” They rush away hurriedly.

Levi sighs and falls back onto the bed, his scent finally starting to shift back to normal. “There goes our peace. We should run away.”

Eren eyes him. Does Levi truly mean that? Probably not. Although Eren was just thinking about that earlier…

“We can stay here for a bit longer,” Eren suggests, resting his hand on Levi’s hip. “We don’t have to go now.”

“Yes. Come.” Levi reaches over, tugging Eren closer. “I need more of this before we go face every fucking soldier who heard and smelled us. Half of them probably wish they were down here instead of me.” A bitter smile flashes over Levi’s face. “I forgot to mention the copious fans you have demanding your release.”

“What?” Eren chuckles. “What are you talking about?”

“You don’t hear the screaming fans?” Levi rolls his eyes. “Some people are demanding your execution and the other half are demanding you run the country…” he sighs, reaching for Eren’s hand. “I’m assuming Hanji will keep this quiet. Or try to. But no one likes to gossip more than soldiers…”

“You don’t want people to know you’re mine?” Eren asks, trying to mask the hurt in his scent. With the crimes he’s committed and will continue to commit, it’s better if Levi isn’t associated with him at all. Still, his inner alpha hates it.

Levi frowns, sitting up. “That’s not what I said. Of course I want people to know. I just don’t want you facing more scrutiny than necessary. Eren…” Levi slips closer, cupping Eren’s cheek. “I don’t want them using me to spin some false story. What we have, what we shared…it was all my choice.” He presses his forehead to Eren’s. “I’m yours. I’m not ashamed of that.”

Eren smiles, if only slightly. “I know,” he says, tilting his head and kissing Levi’s palm. “But I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t want to be associated with me.”

“Don’t start with that,” Levi gives Eren a disapproving look. “You’re mine. For better or for worse.” His expression suddenly morphs into that of embarrassment, his face flushing. “I mean…well. You know what I mean. We’re bonded. We’re as good as married, so.”

The smile only grows on Eren’s lips, shifting to something very fond. “You’re so cute,” he coos, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. 

I love you, Eren thinks, but holds it back, much like he’s done the entire week. He’s not sure why. They’re bonded; it wouldn’t be a surprise to Levi if Eren confessed his love. Still…

Levi’s face grows progressively redder. “I’m too old to be cute.” He scoffs, but still reaches out to cup the back of Eren’s head and guide him into a deep kiss. “I’m going to miss this,” he whispers against Eren’s lips. 

“You won’t have to miss it for long,” Eren tells him, playfully biting down Levi’s lip. “I plan to be very handsy and annoying.”

Levi smiles against Eren’s lips with a low chuckle. “Of course you will. I expect nothing less from the resident rebel. I’ll ask…no, demand that Hanji place you with me until things settle down.” 

Eren hums, trailing soft kisses to Levi’s neck until he reaches his scent gland and licks over it. Levi shudders. “Think they’ll allow it?”

There’s an immediate scowl to Levi’s face. Eren doesn’t have to look up to feel it. His scent also gives away his dissatisfaction. “I’d like to see them refuse my request. Hanji wouldn’t. They’d probably argue but they’d ultimately give in. You’re my mate, I need you with me.”

Oh, how Eren likes the sound of that…

“Say that again,” Eren says, a fond smile on his lips.

“You heard me just fine the first time…” Levi looks away, his face still a bright shade of red. All the way down to his neck. But he relents, giving Eren a pointed look. “I need you…you should know this by now.”

“I do,” Eren kisses Levi’s cheek. “But I’m a stupid alpha. I like to hear it.”

Levi smiles, stroking Eren’s cheek lightly. “You’re my stupid alpha. That’s why I won’t take no for an answer…you’re either with me or they’ll have to arrest me, too. I know Hanji won’t go to those lengths.”

Eren hums. “Maybe they’ll ask you to keep me on a leash.”

“Oh?” Levi smirks, his hand falling from Eren’s cheek and to his throat. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you? You’d look pretty with a collar.”

“As long as it gets me out of here and next to you, I’d wear anything,” Eren says.

“Right, definitely not for kinky reasons.” Levi gives Eren another amused look before slipping off the bed and grabbing the rest of his clothes. “I don’t think it’ll come to that but…I’d still get you a collar. For recreational use.”

Eren gets up, wrapping his arms around Levi from behind before he rests his chin on his head. “You want your alpha in a collar?”

“It would get in the way of your neck,” Levi muses, resting his hands over Eren’s arms. “But holding it while you fuck me would be hot…” he trails off, inhaling sharply. “No. I’m getting dressed. You’re being a distraction.”

“Sorry,” Eren chuckles, kissing the top of Levi’s head. He’s not sorry in the slightest.

“You gonna get dressed or walk up there with everything hanging out?” Levi turns around in Eren’s hold, loosely wrapping his arms around his neck. “As much as I love seeing you like this, it’s for my eyes only.”

“Possessive,” Eren teases, resting his hands on Levi’s waist. “I’ll get dressed, don’t worry.”

“Of course I’m possessive.” Levi gently brushes his fingers over the mating mark on Eren’s neck, his eyes getting darker. His scent takes on a sweeter srawberry undertone as well before he drops his gaze. “You’re mine,” he continues, “when I first walked in here, I couldn’t believe that someone else might’ve seen you like that…”

Eren doesn’t have the heart to say that it was supposed to be Hanji. In his vision of the future, that’s who came to meet him, not Levi. Eren wonders why things played out differently; it’s rare that it does. Could it mean other events might happen differently in the future, too? 

Probably. Eren didn’t have Levi as his mate in any of the flashes from the future, and now, he does. It changes things. It changes everything, in fact. Eren’s simply not sure how, yet.

“No one else is gonna see me like this,” Eren assures, picking up his pants. He doesn’t put them on yet though, and leans down to press a kiss to Levi’s forehead first. “Don’t worry.”

Levi hums noncommittally, continuing to pull his clothes on. Eren does the same. “You make me worry when you make faces like that…I know you’re hiding something from me. I won’t force you to tell me but I expect answers eventually. Just tell me this,” Levi stops buttoning his shirt, regarding Eren, “did you mean it when you said you’d stay? That wasn’t your rut talking?”

“I meant it,” Eren promises. He brings his hand to Levi’s cheek, stroking it softly. “I probably won’t stay,” he then admits, “but that doesn’t mean I’ll leave you. I’ll take you with me.”

Levi exhales, looking relieved and places his hand gently on top of Eren’s. “Good. I’d go anywhere with you. Just…don’t keep me out of the loop. I’ll fight for you, I won’t side against you so…” he meets Eren’s gaze, “trust your mate.”

Would Levi still side with him if he knew Eren was going to kill all the population outside of Paradis Island? Or worse, would he reluctantly side with him because they’re bonded, only to resent him?

Eren shudders at the thought. 

“Where are you right now?” Levi whispers, squeezing Eren’s hand firmly and kissing the inside of his palm. “Your scent’s…off.” He slips closer to Eren, leaning in to brush his lips against the bite mark. “What’s on your mind?”

“Nothing,” Eren brushes him off, plastering a reassuring smile on his lips. “We can go, if you’re ready.”

“You’re such a shitty goddamn liar.” Levi sighs, pulling away from Eren and moving toward the cell to unlock it, a measure he had taken in case any of the soldiers tried entering. He steps past it and holds it open for Eren. “We’ll meet with Hanji first. After, we’re bathing. Nonnegotiable.”

Eren smirks. “Bathing, huh? A lot of nice things can happen in a bath…”

“Don’t start…” Levi mumbles, his face turning a light shade of pink that’s more visible when they step out of the basement. And yet, his sweet, strawberry scent is saying a different story. “I’ll consider it if you behave…”

Eren hums, gently taking Levi’s hand into his own. “And if I don’t?”

Levi exhales heavily, giving Eren a look. “Do you have any impulse control whatsoever or was Mikasa the entirety of it?” He shakes his head, but still squeezes Eren’s hand. “I’ll give you shit but I’ll inevitably let you fuck me. So. I guess you win regardless.”

Eren chuckles, bringing Levi’s hand to his lips before he presses a soft kiss to his knuckles. “That’s what I thought.”

“Don’t look so smug about it.” 

Even though Levi looks away from Eren, the slight upwards tilt to his lips is as clear as day. When they come outside Hanji’s office, Levi’s scent becomes more muted. He turns to Eren, his eyes lingering on the bite mark. 

“Let’s get this over with.” Levi pulls the doors open, tugging Eren inside with him. 

Hanji doesn’t give them a second before they shriek, pointing at their necks. “You two bonded? Oh god, I didn’t see that. Levi,” they gasp, staring at Levi like some parent, “I said talk to him, not fuck him and mark him.”

“Must’ve gotten lost in translation,” Levi mumbles dryly.

Eren squints, his scent wrapping around Levi possessively. “Is there a problem?”

Hanji groans dramatically, flopping onto their desk before gasping and jumping up. “Wait! No! This is perfect!” They nod enthusiastically. “This definitely works in our favor. You two being mated means you’ll always be kept under control!” Then they look at Eren apologetically. “No offense. But no one will doubt Levi’s ability to handle you! This is great.” Then they pause, groaning again. “I sound like a politician ….”

Eren tries not to grimace. He doesn’t have the heart to point out that many, many people will not think an omega would be able to control their alpha, even if that omega is Levi Ackerman. Hanji’s always been more on the progressive side, and although Eren is definitely weak for Levi and would do anything to please him, he also knows he’ll probably have to go against his omega’s wishes to start the rumbling. 

As much as that thought twists his insides… he won’t have a choice. 

He can’t say any of that, though. 

Levi sighs, running a hand through his hair. “So, what? Is he…still under arrest or…?”

“Officially, yes. Unofficially…” they trail off, “nothing I can say to a well-decorated soldier such as yourself if you felt inclined to take your mate with you everywhere…”

A look passes between Levi and Hanji.

“I see. And the MPs?”

Hanji sighs. “Divided. Just like this whole damn place.” They give Eren a look. “You really forced our hand with what you pulled in Marley. What exactly was the plan?“

“I already told you in the letters,” Eren replies, tone firm. He doesn’t want to go in depth about it. “They declared war.”

Hanji sighs heavily, falling down into the seat. “Right, and now here we are. I take it that you won’t be riding out with Zeke?” Hanji’s question is direction to Levi.

Levi looks to Eren before shaking his head. “No. I wanted to, but I’ll probably be a hindrance if anything. There’s plenty of other capable soldiers. Anyone from my squad would be able to handle this better than I could right now.”

“I’d prefer it if you did, safer that way,” Hanji starts but then sighs, their eyes landing on Eren, “but it’s better if you two stay together. Think you can keep quiet and lay low for a few weeks?”

“Yes,” Eren says, and it’s not a lie. He’s not supposed to meet with Zeke for another couple of weeks anyway. 

“Great. Are we done here?” Levi breaks the silence before Hanji can get a word in. His scent is starting to shift from something muted to sharp and bitter.

Hanji nods slowly. “Sure yeah. Just…try to avoid the public if you can. Eren, disguise yourself if you have to. I’ll see you two later. I expect check-in’s everyday if you’ll be running amok, Eren.”

“Sure. Yes.” Levi blurts out, grabbing Eren’s hand again and tugging him out of the office. “Sorry. I just want to get clean and grab a change of clothes,” Levi mumbles, giving Eren an apologetic look. 

Eren smiles. “I don’t know if I should be offended you want to clean my cum off of you that badly.”

“It’s not that…” Levi stops when they reach a secluded part of the building. “Talking about Marley, Zeke…. I don’t want to hear about it or think about it. It just reminds me of how much I want to fucking kill him and…” he takes a deep breath, “I’d rather focus on better things right now. Nothing I can do about Zeke. He’s a military asset now.”

Is he?

If they knew what Zeke plans on doing…

Not that Eren will ever let him, but still.

“You were supposed to be the one to look after him?” 

“Yes.” Levi sighs, his scent becoming more agitated. “We were supposed to ride out the moment we had you in custody to put as much distance between the two of you. The forest would give us an advantage over him if he chose to transform. Away from the population. But I can’t leave you.” He shakes his head stubbornly. “Hanji knows it’ll be better if we stay together.”

Eren hums in agreement. Yes, it’ll definitely be better that way, even if it honestly just delays the inevitable. In his memories, he gets his own head shot off and Zeke catches him, effectively connecting them in the Paths. 

He wonders if that’s truly how it’ll play off…

“Who are they going to send, then?”

Levi shrugs, sighing. “I trust Jean. He’s strong. Mikasa is a good option too. Neither of them get distracted and they’d be able to handle Zeke. If he transforms…” he trails off, shaking his head. “I know Mikasa will be fine, Jean? I’m not sure. But they’ll have the thunderspears and about thirty other soldiers.” He pauses, giving Eren a look. “You’re asking a lot of questions.”

Eren shrugs. “I’m curious.”

“Do you care for him?” Levi asks, eyeing Eren. “He’s your brother after all and I’m determined to kill him. Does that upset you?”

Eren snorts. “No. I don’t care about Zeke.”

He doesn’t, which probably makes him sound like an asshole because the guy is technically his brother (half, anyway), but why would he care about someone who wants to sterilize all of his own people? 

“Good.” Levi reaches out and cups Eren’s face, bringing him down for a kiss. “I’m going to skin him alive. I don’t want to feel like shit about it because of you.” He presses another kiss to Eren’s cheek, his sweet strawberry scent shifting into something hostile and yet… soft. “Still in the mood to take a bath with me?”

“I’m always in the mood to take a bath with you,” Eren grins, hands resting on Levi’s waist. “If I’m not, then you’ll know it’s not me and someone took over my body.”

Levi gives Eren a fondly exasperated look. “What the fuck does that even mean? Should I be worried? Will that be something I need to worry about?”

“No,” Eren leans down, kissing Levi’s forehead. “But that’s how serious I am about getting you naked and wet.”

Finally, a smile lifts Levi’s lips and he steps away from Eren slowly. “Then why don’t we get started. I have a private bath in my room…think you can keep it in your pants until then?”

Eren smirks. “I’ll try.”

“Insatiable.” Levi reaches for Eren’s hand and grabs it, guiding him down the hall and up a staircase until they reach the top floor of the headquarters. He guides Eren into one of the rooms, quickly shutting and locking the door behind them. 

“Strip,” he demands, eyeing Eren up and down, “you look much better without anything on.”

Eren grins, taking his shirt off and tossing it on the floor. “You’re very hot when you’re bossy.”

“Uh huh, now the pants,” Levi crosses his arms, nodding his head at Eren, “Off. Then come over here and help me remove mine. It’s the least you can do for bruising the shit out of me.”

“Sorry,” Eren grins all the more. He’s not sorry at all. He does get rid of his pants though, kicking them aside before he closes the distance between him and Levi and starts undoing military uniform, slowly and methodically. 

Levi’s eyes follow every single one of Eren’s movements, his breaths quiet and his scent growing stronger with each passing moment. So much so that it fills the entire room in seconds, wrapping around Eren possessively.

“You’re taking your time,” he remarks, moving his arms to shrug off the coat and shirt. 

“Because I’m enjoying the show,” Eren says, eyes trailing down Levi’s chest. 

“I’m sure you are…” Levi mumbles, his face a light shade of red as he unbuckles his pants and lets them fall to the floor. He removes the boots carefully before stepping out of the pants, bringing himself closer to Eren. As he does, he wraps his arms loosely around Eren’s neck until they’re flush against each other. “I missed your skin…isn’t that ridiculous?”

“Nope,” Eren replies, hands finding Levi’s waist. His thumbs brush against the soft skin, fingers digging at his sides as he squeezes . “I missed yours too.”

Levi leans in, brushing his lips against Eren’s bite mark. “I can’t get enough of you.” He squeezes Eren before releasing him, a disgruntled look on his face. “Bath. I’m getting distracted…” he takes Eren’s hand, pulling him into a separated off room. “Headquarter’s got an upgrade,” Levi explains, releasing Eren’s hand to get the water running, “I demanded for a room with a private bath. Sick of seeing everyone’s parts flying around in a communal bath…”

Eren hums, wrapping his arms around Levi from behind. “You shouldn’t be looking at anyone’s parts but mine anyway.”

“I don’t want to look at anyone,” Levi chuckles, tapping Eren lightly to move to grab a vial of something by the sink. He pours some of it into the water before turning it off. “You’re the only one I want to look at,” he finally turns to face Eren, reaching up to cup his face and bring him in for a light kiss. “Now get your ass in the water.”

“Yes, sir,” Eren teases, doing as he’s told and slipping in the warm bath. He leans against the tub, beckoning Levi to join him with scent alone.

Levi wordlessly complies, slipping into the tub between Eren’s legs. He leans back against Eren’s chest, sighing quietly. “This feels good…” he mumbles quietly, lifting his head to meet Eren’s gaze, “How are you feeling? You smelled off when we spoke to Hanji.”

“I’m fine,” Eren says, wrapping his arms around Levi’s waist. “I just have nothing to say to them.”

Nothing they want to hear, anyway.

Levi hums, pressing a light kiss to Eren’s neck. “Well I agree with staying away from everyone and everything. I don’t think I’m ready to be away from you. I’ve never…had this.” He frowns, his hand finding Eren’s and squeezing gently. “A heat like this…or effects that lasted this long. It’s strange. Not bad…just strange.”

“I’m glad it was with me, then,” Eren smiles, kissing Levi’s shoulder. “Though it was probably my rut that triggered it…”

“Definitely,” Levi scoffs, “that’s never happened of its own accord.” He gives Eren a look. “You and your scent…” he shifts against Eren, breathing in deeply, “you’re turning me on just being here. It’s not fair.”

“Sorry,” Eren chuckles, his hand moving to Levi’s stomach until it slowly slides down, loosely wrapping around Levi’s erection. “I can take care of you,” he says, kissing Levi’s shoulder once more. 

Levi inhales sharply, his hips immediately thrusting up into Eren’s hand. “Fuck,” he hisses, resting his head back against Eren’s shoulder, “I wanted to get cum off of me, not bathe in cum water…” he groans, grinding into Eren’s hand despite his words, “don’t stop.”

Eren hums. “You can cum in my mouth if you don’t want it in the water,” he tells him, pressing steamy kisses to his neck. 

“Is that just an excuse to get your mouth on me?” Levi teases with a breathy moan, tilting his neck to the side to give Eren better access. “You don’t fool me.”

“Maybe it is,” Eren murmurs, teeth teasingly grazing against Levi’s soft skin. 

Levi hums quietly. “You don’t need an excuse. If my mate wants something…all he has to do is ask.” He reaches down into the water, wrapping his hand around Eren’s length. “For example…I want to get you off. Would you like that?” His eyes meet Eren’s, teasing and filled with lust.

“You know I would,” Eren tells him, mirroring the look in Levi’s eyes. 

Levi’s silent, watching Eren in a very curious way. But then he leans in and connects their lips into a hungry kiss, his tongue pushing past Eren’s lips and into his mouth. Hot and needy. He begins to move his wrist with more speed and force, their scents beginning to mingle and fill the air in the bathroom.

Eren groans. “Levi…” he says, biting down Levi’s lip hard. “I need to be inside you.”

Levi’s scent shifts into something sweeter, inviting and tempting. As if Eren’s not tempted enough as is.

Without wasting another moment, Levi shifts carefully in the small space that they have to face Eren, chest to chest and their hips flushed. He’s gentle as he adjusts Eren but there’s nothing gentle or slow when he seats himself down on Eren in one swift motion. 

“Fuck…” Levi buries his face in Eren’s neck, licking and biting at his scent gland, even though the bite mark is still there.

“You feel so good,” Eren’s voice comes out hoarse and raspy, his hands moving to rest on Levi’s hips, squeezing hard. “I fucking love being inside you.”

Levi only moans quietly in response, clenching around Eren. “I’m so close already…” he breathlessly whispers against Eren’s neck. When he lifts his head, he connects their lips into a light kiss as he begins to move, Eren’s hands on his hips guiding his movements. 

Something about the water sloshing around them makes Eren feel even more rabid, thrusting his hips up erratically to slide even deeper inside Levi. 

“Cum for me, my perfect omega,” Eren murmurs against Levi’s lips. “You’re so beautiful when you cum.”

Levi groans, breaking away from the kiss. His mouth falls open, quiet gasps and moans escaping him every time Eren slides back into him. On a particularly deep thrust, Levi suddenly clenches down on him, hard . 

“Fuck, I’m…” Levi starts, burying his face into Eren’s neck and biting hard as he cums.

“Beautiful,” Eren murmurs, kissing the side of Levi’s face. “You’re so tight.”

“Don’t…don’t stop,” Levi breathes out heavily, groaning and rolling his hips against Eren, “I want to feel you cum.” He draws back just enough to press lazy kisses along Eren’s jaw and to his lips. “I like how it feels,” he adds quietly.

Eren can’t help the smile that curves his lips, his scent wrapping around Levi possessively. His beautiful omega. His.  

“I like filling you with my cum,” Eren says, voice hoarse. He’s close. “And my knot. You clench so hard around it…”

“Why do you have to make it sound so lewd?” Levi groans, clenching around Eren instinctively despite his chastising words. His addictive strawberry scent grows thicker as well, meeting Eren’s just as possessively. He starts to move his hips quicker too, matching Eren’s erratic pace and digging his nails harshly into Eren’s shoulders.

Eren’s hand wraps around Levi’s erection, wrist moving in sync with his hips. “Are you gonna cum again?” he grins, leaning forward to lick over Levi’s lips. 

“Fuck…” Levi gasps, arching into Eren’s touch. “Yes…I am. What about it? It’s your damn fault…” he cups the back of Eren’s head, yanking him close and connecting their lips into a deep kiss. He then sucks on Eren’s tongue greedily, and whatever Eren was about to say becomes long forgotten, as Eren loses himself to those lips and that sinful, sinful tongue.

Familiar heat pools in his gut and he knows he’s close, but holds back for as long as he can. He wants to stretch out this moment, wants to keep feeling Levi bouncing on him with abandon, wants to keep hearing those sinful sounds his omega makes that send him closer to the edge, little by little.

It’s when Levi cums for a second time that Eren does too, at the mercy of the way Levi tightens around him once more. Eren comes with a loud groan, burying his face in Levi’s neck so he can bite over his scent gland, marking his omega even though he’s already marked. Although it isn’t as electrifying as when they bonded, the feeling is addictive and rich, leaving Eren sated and satisfied as his knot stretches Levi open.

“I love you,” Eren murmurs, the words tumbling past his lips before he can think better of it. Then again, he supposes holding on to his confession is silly in these times, even sillier since they’re bonded. Still, his cheeks warm at the admission, at the words he’s held close to his heart for all those years about his Captain.

For a moment he thinks Levi might’ve not heard him. His body’s limp against Eren’s, his face hidden in Eren’s neck and his breaths rapid but quiet.

It’s only when he lifts his head and meets Eren’s eyes that it becomes evident he definitely heard. There’s a bright flush to his face, which could be from what they’ve been doing and the hot water, but…

“Eren,” Levi breathes out, cupping his face and pressing the softest kisses to his lips. “I love you. My sweet Eren, my alpha.” He continues to pepper gentle kisses all over Eren’s lips and when he pulls back, there’s an unreadable expression on his face. Even his scent is heavier and thicker than before, but not because of lust, this time. “I love you so much…so fucking much.”

Eren smiles, though he’s not sure it reaches his eyes. Will Levi feel the same, once he learns what comes next? Will he still love Eren, when he’s slaughtered the entire world? 

Eren doesn’t deserve this love, but he doesn’t have it in him to reject it, either. He can’t. He wants it, needs it, even, and nothing could stop him from greedily taking any love Levi wants to give in.

He hopes to hold onto it for as long as he can.

 

---

 

The following days are quiet. It doesn’t seem Hanji told that many people that Eren is staying with Levi, which is just as well. Eren doesn’t want to see anyone anyway. He’s sure the rest of the squad will demand answers, answers he’s already given them in the Paths. Answers he can’t tell them now. 

Levi hasn’t interrogated him yet, but he knows it’s coming. Eren hasn’t decided what he’ll tell him yet, though he knows he won’t be able to evade his questions forever. There’s only so many times he can use his tongue to distract before Levi gets sick of his dodging ways.

Eren sighs at the thought, turning his head to face his sleeping omega. Eren always awakens before him, giving himself a few minutes to admire Levi with equal awe and sorrow — sorrow he hides the moment Levi’s eyes open. 

But Eren knows this can’t last, won’t last. Even if Levi isn’t disgusted with him by the end of the rumbling, will he still want to be associated with someone who committed genocide? Unlikely. Eren wouldn’t even blame him.

He shouldn’t have bitten him. Shouldn’t have tied Levi to the monster he is, the monster he’ll become. It was selfish, and yet, Eren can’t bring himself to regret it. His greed won’t let him. He wants Levi to be his forever, no matter what happens next. 

What a terrible alpha he is.

He extends his hand to Levi’s cheek, his knuckles brushing against the soft skin. Levi stirs, though he doesn’t wake. In yet another fit of selfishness, Eren moves closer and presses his lips against Levi’s, his scent wrapping around him possessively.

Levi moans quietly against Eren’s lips, his eyes fluttering open slowly and sleepily. Silently he extends a hand to thread his fingers through Eren’s hair, holding him close. His scent intensifies to meet Eren’s before he breaks from the kiss and trails his lips toward Eren’s scent gland.

“What’s wrong?” He asks quietly, wrapping his other arm around Eren. “And don’t say it’s nothing…”

“I missed you,” Eren says, gently kissing his cheek. It’s not a lie, but definitely not the whole truth either. 

“I was only asleep, not dead,” Levi mutters, rubbing his eyes with a small sigh. “Come here…you look like someone took a shit in your breakfast.” 

Levi pushes himself up into a seated position and reaches out, tugging Eren closer and holding him tightly. His scent steadily grows stronger until it’s permeating the air, wrapping around Eren. 

Eren wraps his arms around Levi and sighs, dropping his head in the crook of his omega’s neck. His strawberry scent is stronger when he’s awake, and Eren revels in it. “Did you sleep well?” he asks, voice muffled.

“You know I don’t…” Levi buries his nose into Eren’s hair, breathing in deeply. “It’s been better. With you here. But I…” he sighs, shaking his head. “It doesn’t matter.” He starts to brush his fingers through Eren’s hair, pressing the occasional kiss to the top of his head. “What about you?”

“It matters to me,” Eren points out, pressing a gentle kiss to Levi’s scent gland. “I slept fine.”

A lie. Eren’s sleep has been torture ever since he’s started having memories of the future years ago. 

“If you’re going to lie, I’d rather you say nothing,” Levi murmurs, continuing to card his fingers through Eren’s hair despite his scent becoming muted. “You think I don’t feel you tossing and turning? Talking in your sleep?”

“Sorry. Does it bother you?”

Levi scoffs, lightly pinching Eren’s ear. “Why would it bother me? What a silly thing to say. Of course it doesn’t. It’s a reminder you’re still there. Sometimes holding you helps, other times scent marking you does…you eventually relax.” Levi pauses, pressing another kiss to Eren’s head. “It makes me feel useful for being able to comfort you. At least in your sleep.”

Eren pulls his head up, staring into Levi’s eyes. “You comfort me when I’m awake too.”

Levi hums, cupping Eren’s chin. “Right, and that’s why you keep things from me and lie.” Despite the cutting words, Levi caresses Eren’s cheek. “Do you regret the bite?”

“No.”

Not a lie, at least. 

Levi stares at him silently, brushing hair behind Eren’s ear before he breaks eye contact, staring off toward the window. “I feel closer to you through it, the bite…but also very far. You go very far from me sometimes and I don’t know how to bring you back. You still want to leave, don’t you?”

“I have to,” Eren says with a heavy heart. “I don’t belong here anymore.”

“You say it like it’s so final. Have to,” Levi looks to him again, “and me? Do I belong in this world of yours or do I have to stay here? I told you I’m not letting you out of my sight. I meant it.”

“I know,” Eren offers him a smile full of sorrows, bringing his hand to gently rest on Levi’s cheek. His thumb brushes against the soft skin, and he adds, “I told you I’d take you with me. I meant that too.”

“Eren.” Levi leans back, taking Eren’s hand gently and holding it to his chest. “If you leave me, I will hunt you down. Even if it kills me.” He brings Eren’s hand to his lips, kissing his knuckles gently. “I love you too much to let you walk away from me again.”

“You say that,” Eren lets out, regretting the words before they’re even out of his mouth, “but you don’t know what I have to do.”

“How could I possibly know when you don’t tell me anything? You’ve been shutting me out.” Levi squeezes Eren’s hand. “You keep…talking in riddles, telling me about obscure things you have to do…is someone making you do it? I don’t understand.”

Eren sighs. So they are finally talking about it. Eren supposes he walked right into that one, but…

Fuck.

Is this really the beginning of the end? Already?

“The Attack Titan has a special ability,” Eren starts, bile rising in his throat. He wants to stop, he wants to kiss Levi and make him forget this conversation before it even happened. But he carries on, because he knows he has to. “It can see memories of the future. Or, I guess you can call them visions. But really, they’re memories. Of things that’ll happen.”

Levi frowns, leaning back against the pillows, a contemplative look on his face. “I see. That…can’t be easy. Fuck.” He gently runs his fingers through Eren’s hair once more, stroking his cheek in the process. “That’s why you…think everything is final?” Silence follows, until: “is that why you expected Hanji that day instead of me?”

“Yes,” Eren replies. “Although technically they were supposed to come just before my rut started.”

“If…that can change, it must…have an effect on the future, yes?” Levi sighs, his scent edging to frustration. “I’m…not good at this sort of thing. Hanji would be much better. But they’d agree with me, I think. These visions aren’t final, are they? If something like…you and Hanji meeting can change, so can other things. But you’ve…” he trails off, “you’re afraid. You’ve seen something in these visions.”

Eren shakes his head. “I’ve accepted what I have to do. The only thing I’m afraid of is losing you.”

“What do you have to do?” Levi frowns. “There you go again. Why would you lose me? Am I…not there in your visions?”

Eren lets out a shaky breath. “No. You’re not.”

“Fuck that.” Levi cups Eren’s chin. “You and me. We’re making it out of this together, or not at all. Visions don’t account for everything…right? They can be misinterpreted, false, tampered with, there’s no telling what else. I’m telling you right here and now, I’m with you. We’ll rewrite our future, right?” His scent wraps around Eren, desperate and possessive. “That’s what being bonded means.”

“You still don’t know what I’ll do,” Eren points out. 

“I don’t want to know,” Levi shakes his head, “I don’t need to know. It might not even happen. Not if we leave. You and me, we leave all of this behind…can’t we do that?”

Eren wants to. So terribly. These past few days have shown him what a quiet, peaceful life could be with Levi, and he loves it. He wants nothing more than to fuck off far away from here with Levi and live the rest of his days with him. But…

“What happens when I die?” Eren asks with a sad smile, bringing his hands to cup Levi’s cheeks. “You’ll be alone in the middle of a warzone. That’s if Marley and the rest of the world don’t completely destroy Paradis by then. I don’t want that. If I don’t fight now… they’ll come. And then it’ll be too late.”

Levi stares at him silently. “I don’t intend on living in a world you’re not a part of,” he whispers, bringing a hand up to rest gently on top of Eren’s. “We’ve always known you’re on…a limited time, Hanji’s been working on the side on some experiments. I’m not giving up on finding a cure or at the very least some temporary measure. I don’t care about the rest of the world, my priority is you.”

“And mine is you,” Eren says, brushing his thumbs against Levi’s cheeks. “I want you to live a long, happy life away from this war.”

“With you,” Levi insists firmly. “Together or not at all. I mean it.” He reaches over, his fingers gently brushing over Eren’s bitten scent gland. “You’re mine. I’m not losing more to this senseless war.”

Eren smiles. He’s sure it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Even if there wasn’t a war, I only have four years left to live.”

“Until we figure something out,” Levi frowns, cupping the back of Eren’s neck, “I’m not letting you die.” He brings Eren closer, pressing their foreheads together. “It’s not enough…four years. It’s more than what I thought I’d have with you but I want more.”

“Me too,” Eren admits. Even a lifetime with Levi wouldn’t be enough, his greed would follow him in the next. Still, he knows he’s living on borrowed time. His memories end during the rumbling — no, they end even before he’s done and only has decimated 80% of the population. He can’t know for sure what happens, but he’s pretty convinced that’s when he dies.

Who kills him? Is it one of them? Is it Levi? Fuck, Eren really hopes it isn’t.

“I know you don’t believe me,” Levi mumbles, pressing a kiss to the corner of Eren’s lips, “and it’s okay. I’ll make it happen. You’re my alpha, I’ll take care of you.”

“You’re very confident,” Eren smiles, stroking Levi’s cheek. “But I don’t want you to be disappointed if it doesn’t work out.”

“I have to be confident. What’s my alternative? Accepting you’ll die in four years? I can’t do that.” He shakes his head stubbornly, pressing a kiss to Eren’s hand. “I’ll believe for the both of us. Wouldn’t you? If it was me?”

“I would,” Eren says. “I’d tear the world apart for you.”

“Exactly.” Levi presses another kiss to Eren’s lips, slow and soft. “I’m not giving up on you…I intend to have thousands of mornings like this one, waking up next to you, sharing meals, going to bed together…I want it all.”

“Me too,” Eren confesses, his voice low and barely audible. He stares down, letting out a shaky breath. Levi said he didn’t need to know what Eren had to do, didn’t want to, even, but… he wants something Eren will likely not be able to give him. He wants more than four years, and four years is more than what Eren can give. If his memories will play out the way Eren has seen they will… Eren has weeks, not years. 

Before he was mated to Levi, he had accepted his fate, but now…

“Your scent’s all off again,” Levi murmurs gently, brushing hair behind Eren’s ear. “Do you want to talk about it?” He pulls Eren close, holding him to his chest. “I know I said I didn’t need to know…certain details about your visions, but if you think there’s something I need to know…I will listen.”

“I’m afraid you’ll hate me,” Eren admits. If not for the rumbling, then for dying so soon. 

Levi hums, brushing his fingers through Eren’s hair. “I’m too tired for hate,” he admits quietly, “I’d rather you tell me. The sooner you do, the sooner we might put together a solution…we’re in this together, aren’t we?”

“What if there’s no solution?” Eren asks. 

“Then…” Levi takes a deep breath, “fuck it all, right? I’ve lived longer than I thought I would. I’ve considered all of this borrowed time. We fuck off and live to our fullest. But we’re not there yet…we haven’t exhausted all our options enough to reach a point of no solution. But you’re going to have to tell me what you think there isn’t a solution to…”

“We’re stuck in a shitty situation,” Eren says, jaw clenched. “The rest of the world hates us, and they won’t change their minds. They’ve even managed to get Eldians outside of Paradis to hate us, hate their own kind. There’s no avoiding this war, and the plans Hanji and the others have made are all… useless. Futile. Naive, even. Armin’s worse, thinking he can just talk his way out of this…” Eren shakes his head, avoiding Levi’s gaze for what comes next. “There’s only one way out. Us, or them. I choose us, I choose Paradis. Or, I guess I already chose it, given the memories… I saw myself destroying the rest of the world. I almost succeed, too. I think. The memories end before I destroy everything.”

Levi’s silent. A minute passes, and then another…and then another. 

His scent shifts, from muted to wrapping around Eren to intensifying until…nothing. 

“I see.”

More silence follows. But he continues to hold Eren, brushing his fingers through Eren’s hair until he breaks the silence yet again. 

“I’m not surprised you’d choose the rumbling,” Levi continues. “The very same nine year old who chose to kill grown men instead of getting an adult. The very same one who crawled out of a Titan’s mouth as one. You’ve made…plenty of choices, questionable ones but choices nonetheless. I told you before that whatever you decide, make it the choice you’ll regret the least.” He stops stroking Eren’s hair. “Is this the one for you? Is this what you’ll regret the least?”

“It doesn’t feel like I have a choice if I want to protect you, protect Paradis,” Eren admits, though he knows that a part of him, deep down, a very vengeful part, really does want to see the world burn just for the sake of it burning to the ground. 

“There’s always a choice, Eren.” Levi sighs heavily. “There’s a choice to leave, tonight. Get away from all of this. We’ve given enough to this fight, it’d be selfish but…I’m past the point of caring.”

“What will happen to the world if I do nothing?” Eren asks, then realizes, he doesn’t even care for that as much as he cares for what happens to Levi. “What happens to you?”

“And…what happens to me in this new world of yours?” Levi sits up, facing Eren. “You can’t even see past that. Your visions end at a certain point. Either you die or the memories stop. You think I want to live in this world without you? I’ve already told you how I feel about that.”

“I know.”

Eren hates that he only has four years left to live, no matter what he chooses. If he had more time, the choice would be easy; he would run away with Levi now, without a doubt. He’d trust himself to protect Levi should anything come their way, and he’d choose to live with him in peace, away from everything.

But four years… the war will certainly not be over and Levi will be alone. Eren hates that. At least, if he does the rumbling and 80% of the population is gone, even if he does die… Levi will be safe. There won’t be enough people left to cause a war that could decimate Paradis. 

Still, Levi is right. Eren doesn’t know what happens to him past the last memory. Hell, he doesn’t even know what happens to Levi in his last moments. Does he get injured, trying to stop him? Does he die, too? 

No.

Eren would know if Levi died before him.

Still… the thought haunts him. 

“How ridiculous I must sound to you,” Levi mumbles absently. “I’ve been planning a future while you’ve been planning to die.” He sighs quietly, looking away from Eren. “The outcome is too uncertain for you to weigh everything on the rumbling. I still want to run away from all of this with you…I’m considering chaining you up and just taking you out of here but, you’d hate me for it.”

“I wouldn’t,” Eren assures, gently cupping Levi chin to meet his gaze. “I could never hate you.”

“You wouldn’t be at peace though, would you? Half of you would be here, wondering, dwelling, regretting…could you ever find peace with me?”

“I don’t think I was meant for peace,” Eren offers him a smile, thumb brushing across Levi’s chin. “I don’t think I deserve it.”

“What if I say you do? What if your place is with me?” Levi leans closer, brushing his lips against Eren’s. “Could I be enough for you?”

“Yes,” Eren whispers.

Levi’s scent bursts, sweet and inviting. He cups Eren’s face and connects their lips into a deeper kiss. 

“I’m selfish,” Levi mumbles against Eren’s lips, “I know I am. Asking you to leave your friends, to leave behind a fight when you have the spirit of a fighter but I…” he trails off, breathing heavily, “you’ve given enough. I want you all to myself. We deserve it.”

Eren knows he definitely doesn’t deserve it, but he also knows Levi does. And the truth is, as much as he believes the rumbling is the best way to protect Levi, he also knows that it isn’t a guarantee. Levi wasn’t at his side in his memories, but now, he would be. Would something happen to him? In his Founding Titan form, Eren wouldn’t have the same agility or ability to protect Levi. What if the best way to protect him is to get away from everything?

“Is this what you truly want?” Eren asks, cupping Levi’s face. He looks into his eyes, searching for any sign of hesitance. 

There isn’t any. Levi pulls Eren into another deep kiss, nodding. “To be with you until the end of our days whenever that might be? Yes. Of course I do. You know I do…” he sighs, “we fucking went and bit each other…I don’t want anything else but you. We’re bound.”

“Okay. Then that’s what we’ll do.” Eren lets out a shaky breath, part of him not believing this is the choice he’s making, that he’s giving up on the rumbling for running away. All these memories, everything he’s done that has led up to this point…

But it doesn’t matter. All that matters is Levi.

This has to be what's best for him. To get him away from all of this...

“But it’s important to me that this is what you want too.” Levi cups Eren’s cheek, gently caressing the skin below his eye. “Promise me that you’re not solely making this choice for me. I need to know that…you’re not going to regret this, that I won’t wake up one day and find you gone.”

“That won’t happen,” Eren assures. “I told you. Anywhere I go, I’d take you with me. I can’t… I can’t say I won’t be worried I made the wrong choice, that there won’t be times where I’ll have wondered if the rumbling would’ve been the best way to protect you, but… Levi, there’s nothing I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Levi exhales sharply, bringing Eren in for a deep kiss. As he does, he pushes Eren back down on the bed, climbing on top of him without breaking the kiss for even a moment. 

“And this is the only way I know how to protect you,” Levi whispers, pressing kiss after kiss to Eren’s lips, “stealing you away. They’ll understand. I need you more than the world does.”

Eren smiles, gently stroking Levi’s cheek. “Do you?”

“Yes. You should know this by now.” Levi breaks away from the kiss long enough to meet Eren’s gaze. “You’re my alpha, my fated. I get to be greedy with what’s mine.”

“Yes,” Eren smiles fondly, “you do.”

Levi hums, brushing his lips against Eren’s neck and lightly sucking on the bite mark. “The same goes to you. None of this nonsense about what you deserve or don’t. I’m yours.”

Eren slowly runs his fingers through Levi’s hair, unable to believe just how lucky he is that Levi has chosen him as his mate. “I love you. My perfect omega.”

Levi’s scent sweetens as he trails kisses back to Eren’s lips. “I love you. I assure you, I’m far from perfect. You’re biased.” He connects their lips into another kiss. “I’m willing to walk away from all of this just to be with you…neither of us is perfect. It’s why we work.”

Eren hums. “I still think you’re perfect for me.”

“I would hope so…” Levi’s eyes linger on Eren’s bite. “I enjoy being yours. I never thought I would…I always thought this would feel too heavy,” he reaches up, brushing his fingers over his own bite mark, “too much of a burden…but I feel whole.”

“Me too,” Eren admits, bringing his fingers over Levi’s, gently brushing at the bite. “You’re mine.”

Levi’s scent wraps around Eren as he leans in, connecting their lips into a soft kiss. “Wanna skip breakfast?” He murmurs against Eren’s lips. “I’d rather do something else.”

“Oh?” Eren grins. “Like what?”

“Well…” Levi pauses, trailing kisses down Eren’s neck and to his bare chest. “I’d like to show you just how much I need you. It might take a while.”

Well, now that Eren’s not going to do the rumbling…

He smiles, looking up at Levi. “We have all the time in the world.”

Well, almost.

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Series this work belongs to:

• Part 2 of guilty as sin