Chapter Text
The rumbling of boots against hardwood wakes Eren from his peaceful sleep. He lifts his tired head a few inches off of his bed, his eyes opening lazily as they rove around the sunlit room.
He’s curled up on his plush bed in the meeting room—Levi’s meeting room. His bed stays placed next to the Corporal’s large wooden desk and that’s where the chain is tethered—the one latched onto his collar. He doesn’t get free roam, not when they’re at HQ but he doesn’t mind, he doesn’t want to stray far from Levi’s side.
His muzzle is on, latched with a lock behind his head, holding his hair out of his face. He lounges, body exposed, knee, hand and feet-pads adorning him as the men of the Marleyan army sit themselves around the large round meeting table.
Levi stands from behind his desk and Eren perks up, following the man with his eyes as he takes his seat at the head.
Even this short distance between them makes Eren feel uneasy, especially when his brother enters the room who pointedly avoids any and all eye contact. Eren knows these men are about to discuss things that have nothing to do with him; war plans, strategies and government approvals.
He continues his watching for a moment before all of the men are settled and he’s satisfied with the slack of Levi’s shoulders. He rests his head back on his crossed wrists, letting out a soft huff. One of the men turns to look at him, Eren’s eyes glance in his direction and he must make a comment to Levi because those strong pale fingers snap once and Eren is up on his knees without a second to spare.
Levi wants me.
The plug inside of him shifts from side to side as he saunters over, his tail swaying to and fro. It matches his hair color, auburn brown, light and fluffy. It’s a newer addition to his ensemble, one that was fairly uncomfortable to get used to but Levi had made it easy with his stern nature and loving rewards. Now, it’s just a part of him like everything else.
Eren takes his place at Levi’s side, sitting on his padded knees. The Corporal’s hand rests naturally on Eren’s head, stroking over his hair and the leather straps of his muzzle. He stops himself from leaning into it, not in front of important company.
“You’ve trained him well.” The man who’d given him the glance makes a comment. He’s a large man, one with a balding head and an unkept uniform. Levi wouldn’t be caught dead looking the way this man does.
“Are you surprised, Major?” Levi asks, his tone is relaxed, seeming un-offended by the comment. Eren’s good at picking up on Levi’s tells, his body language.
“Surprised wouldn’t be the word, no. Perplexed, maybe.” The Major eyes Eren once more and it makes him shift slightly under Levi’s touch. He doesn’t like the man’s hungry eyes—his severe nature. It’s like the man wants to devour him whole.
Levi is silent for a moment, his rhythmic stroking has stopped. It has Eren turning his head, meeting his owner’s gaze. Gunmetal grey, always half lidded and stern. He feels a whine growing in his throat, holds it in without being told. He has to be good in here, has to be good in front of them.
He waits. He’s a good boy—he waits.
“Have you asked the General for your own?” Levi asks, his eyes moving back to the balding man. Eren drops his head onto the armrest, eyeing the Corporal's clothed crotch. How badly he wants to crawl into his lap, feel the rough fabric across his skin. “A dog.” Levi clarifies.
The Major seems taken aback by the question like no one else had dared to breach the topic with whoever this General is. Eren bats his heavy lashes, looking up at Levi, round eyes pleading for something—anything. A touch, a hand to lick, a toy or to be sent back to his bed. He hates sitting here with that man watching him.
“Me? Ask the General for a—one of those?” The Major speaks of Eren like he’s a thing—an object and it grates his nerves again. He grits his teeth behind his metal muzzle, his jaw clenching tight over the armrest. Eren decides to shut his eyes, to try and think of other things; running outside with Levi, playing fetch, laying in bed cuddled close to Levi’s chest.
“A dog.” Levi corrects him but there’s no ire there, not a tinge of anything other than nonchalance, like they’re speaking about the weather or what they’ll eat for dinner tonight.
A hand, warm and, though calloused, is soft against Eren’s cheek. Levi has pushed his way past the muzzle and started stroking his skin with his thumb. Eren leans into it this time, his head tilted just slightly, letting the Corporal’s hand cup his face. He needs this—he wants that man to know that Levi touches him this way.
Eren wants to lick him, wants to feel the flat of his tongue lap at Levi’s warm skin, salted from a day of work, in between the webbing of his fingers and feel the beat of his heart at his wrist. He wants to mark him with his saliva, small bites of affection where his newly filed canines leave puncture marks for days to come.
“If you must call it that—yes, a dog.” He mumbles something indiscernible under his breath—something Eren can’t quite catch and frankly he’s too preoccupied to care.
“I’ll talk to the General. Even train one for you.” Levi says, his low timbre vibrating through the chair and into the room. It shocks Eren out of his stupor, his head shooting upright and if he had large fluffy ears, they’d be sticking straight up—completely alert.
The table laughs at the sight of Eren’s distress.
What does he mean ‘train one for you’? Another dog? Eren—Eren is the only dog. Eren is Levi’s only dog. His eyebrows draw together, tight in the middle, full of nothing but concern.
“Your dog seems jealous, Ackerman.” A booming voice startles Eren.
Jealous?
“Don’t you know dogs don’t like to share?” Another chimes in and the men chuckle around the table again.
But Eren doesn’t think this is funny at all. He doesn’t want to share his house with another dog, doesn’t want to share his toys, his food, his bed—his Levi. They’re right; dogs don’t like to share.
“Eren.” A snap of Levi’s fingers.
He’s sitting at attention, his eyebrows still worried together but he will listen regardless. He’s a good dog and now he feels he needs to prove it.
“Place.” Levi commands and Eren listens, his eyes holding Levi’s for a moment more before dropping to the worn hardwood beneath him, crawling on all fours back to his bed.
He plops down onto the cushion once more, a huff pushed out through his nose in a sigh as he lays on his side, his arms and legs out in front of him. This is what he wanted a short while ago, to be sent back to his bed where he could relax while the large men argue and jest about walls-know-what. Now? Now he lays here with nothing but fear building inside of him for the first time in a long, long time. Since Levi had first rescued him, he hasn’t felt this type of dread.
Levi said he was special—different. He treated him as such and now he will be tossed to the side, thrown away for something new and shiny. All because of that—that—Major. Eren hates that Major.
His anxiety and the din of resonant voices lulls Eren to sleep at some point. He has terrible dreams—dreams of being locked back in the prison cell, of being dragged away from his Levi and given to someone new. He twitches and cries in his slumber, a fitful sleep until Levi wakes him several hours later.
The sun has already begun to set and the room is empty. He's grateful to be left alone with his owner again. Today was too much and his nap didn’t restore him.
Levi unlatches his chain, hooking a lather strap to him as a replacement. “We’re heading home, Eren. Come on.” He tugs lightly on the leash and Eren lazily stands, his knees starting to ache, following Levi out of the door and to the car waiting for them. The driver says nothing when they get inside, just nods and starts the drive back to their house.
Eren rests his head in Levi’s lap but he doesn’t nuzzle close, doesn’t rub his cheek against his thigh or nose at his crotch like he normally would. If Levi notices, he doesn’t mention it, doesn’t seem any different than usual, even as they step out of the car and into the house.
Their routine goes as usual; Levi bathes Eren, washing away the days worth of crawling on dirt and muck. He showers while Eren is eating his dinner and then they crawl into bed. There’s no time for lounging in front of the fire or outside in the summer air after a long day of meetings.
Eren is exhausted—emotionally, physically. He almost thinks he might crawl into his crate but that would surely alarm Levi to Eren’s distress and he doesn’t want to talk about it. Not now.
He’s curled up by the pillows, partially under the blankets, waiting for Levi to enter the bedroom. His hair is still damp, goosebumps forming across his skin from the breeze blowing in through the open window.
The Corporal saunters into the room, he’s in only his black-mandated briefs as he climbs into bed, his black hair pushed back out of his face, wet from his shower. He pulls the sheet back and slides in. Eren shifts to accommodate him until he’s tucked under Levi’s chin, that hand he’s come to associate with home—with comfort—rubs in small circles over his exposed back.
“Eren.” Levi speaks, quieter than he has all day in the silence of the room.
Eren lets out a soft whine to show he’s listening, high pitched and more worried than sweet.
“Are you going to be honest with me if I ask you a question?”
Eren nods against Levi’s muscled chest. He pulls back from the pup, holding Eren at arms length, looking him in the eye. The moon shines in through the window, a long white-glowing stripe of light illuminating the Corporal's face, all of his hard and soft edges.
“Are you upset with me?” His tone doesn’t dictate that of a question but his inflection never really changes. This isn’t the question Eren was expecting either and he isn’t sure if being honest is the right thing to do. Is he upset with Levi? Why does Levi want another dog? He isn’t sure if he can be upset with him—maybe he’s just upset with himself for—for not being good enough.
Eren shakes his head no.
Levi stares at him for a long moment, scrutinizing and stern but eventually he accepts Eren’s answer. He releases Eren’s shoulders, one hand coming to rest on his chin, tilting it back and Eren lets him—he’s malleable under Levi’s hands. Eren’s heart speeds up, his chest fluttering at what’s to come as Levi leans forward, pressing their lips together, warm and soft. Eren melts into him, letting out a long exhale through his nose.
His tail twitches inside of him, his groin tightening as Levi licks twice at his lip for access and Eren eagerly grants it. He waits for Levi’s tongue to explore his mouth, every tooth, every divot and bump. He’s slow and calculated, loves to take his time with Eren and focus on his body before Eren pushes back, his tongue finding his way into the Corporal's hot, wet mouth. He can’t control himself as he laps up every bit of saliva he can, tongue, tooth, cheek, pushing his face as close to Levi as he can. His hand grips at Levi’s chest, searching for purchase as his tongue explores him.
Eren whines, high and loud—wanting—and it drives Levi to pull apart with a loud panting, his chest rising and falling with each breath. Eren whines again, trying to chase his mouth with his own but a hand flat to his chest stops him.
“Slow—Eren. Calm down.” A constant reminder for Eren to relax, to slow down, to take his time but he doesn’t want to do those things. “Be good.” And those words knock some sense into him, they always do.
Levi shifts them until Eren is laying with his knees underneath him, his face flat on the bed and his bottom in the air, his tail on full display. He feels a hot hand on his back, pressing low until his knees are spread.
“Good.” Levi praises and his tail twitches again, his cock lays hard and heavy against the mattress, not fully trapped yet where he’s arched his back.
He can feel the Corporal’s body heat behind him, his briefs pressed against his skin, brushing against his tail and the hardness held beneath them. It makes him want—all he ever does is want.
He reaches around Eren’s body, grasping Eren fully in his palm and Eren can’t help but cry out. Levi strokes him, base to tip, collecting the pre-cum settling at the tip and it makes Eren shiver, his tail wagging.
“My puppy will have to learn to share.” Levi speaks behind him, his hand still pumping over every vein, slow and tantalizing. When he reaches the tip he gives it a light squeeze causing Eren’s knees to involuntarily dig into the mattress. “My puppy will have to learn to play nice with others.”
Eren doesn’t know why Levi is saying these things. Can he really read Eren’s mind? He’s thought some—some—nasty things that might get him in trouble. His panic comes and goes so quickly, he can’t think straight. That hand wrapped around him squeezing and pulling is too much for him to hold onto a single thought.
While one hand pumps him, another hand slowly removes his tail, twisting and wriggling it free. He whines into the mattress, drool already pooling at the corner of his mouth. The hands switch and he feels Levi rubbing himself with the pre-cum he had collected in his hand.
“Will you be good, Eren?” Levi asks, his voice a little shakier than usual, lacking his normally stoic composure. Before he can answer, Levi drags himself, hot and throbbing over Eren’s hole—already stretched from wearing his tail daily. “Answer.” Levi commands.
Eren nods into the mattress frantically. “Yes, sir. Yes—Yes, sir!” He hadn’t used his voice all day, suddenly realizing it, it comes out far breathier, far higher than he was prepared for.
Levi presses into him, hot and full until his pelvis is resting against Eren completely. It sucks the air from his lungs, his hands have balled the white sheets into his fists as his mouth falls open, unable to suck in any air.
He doesn’t wait for Eren to adjust, doesn’t need to, doesn’t think to. He just starts thrusting—he’s slow at first, he always is. Eren thinks maybe the Corporal does like torturing him but then he’ll grip his waist, his fingers digging in to leave bruising fingerprints. He’ll pull out to the very tip and slam Eren’s body back into him with the strength of no man he’s ever seen before and that’s when Eren knows he’s not torturing him—he’s rewarding him.
The smacking of damp skin fills the room, the sweat on their bodies only heightened by that window’s breeze. He can hear Levi’s tense breathing, his low grunts and moans with each thrust. He’s always so quiet—never like Eren who can’t stop himself from mewling, whining and crying.
Eren reaches a hand back, letting go of the mattress and searching for Levi. He wants to touch him, to feel him. He’s a needy dog, he knows he is but he’s never scolded for it. A hand leaves his hip and wraps around his wrist, pulling his arm taut.
With no hand left to touch him, Levi gives instructions. “Eren.” He’s out of breath and it sends a shiver up his spine. “Touch yourself. Like I showed you.” Eren nods, smearing his saliva though Levi probably can’t even see his head from this angle.
He reaches his free hand down to his swollen length and tries to mimic Levi’s actions. It’s not as good—never as good but makes him huff out short little breaths, quick and timed with each of Levi’s thrusts.
“Fuck—“ Levi’s voice is tight, rough in his throat as his hips become erratic. Eren can feel him, the slide of him inside, every pulsing vein rubbing his clenching walls as he tries to keep the same rhythm with his hand.
He’s a good boy—he’ll keep going as long as Levi asks him to.
“Okay—Eren—“ Levi’s shaky words are a green light. They thrust and pump in time. Once more—twice more and then Eren is whining, a hot flash of light coursing through his veins. His ears are ringing, his body clenching tight as his release shoots onto the bed and into his hand, hot and sticky.
Levi’s thrusts are shallow, his breaths are loud as he finishes inside of Eren, slick and wet, dripping onto the mattress below.
He won’t let them sleep on this now and Eren dreads having to move. His body is exhausted—even more now than before as Levi lets go of him. He flops face first onto the bed, into his mess; saliva, semen and all, letting his body sink into the mattress. He can hear Levi tutting behind him but he doesn’t have the strength to turn his head.
There are strong arms wrapping around his body, maneuvering him into different positions and a wet washcloth running over his skin but he’s not coherent enough to care. He’s laid down on his pad, inside of his crate and then there’s shuffling around the room, foot steps, sheets rustling but it’s all a daze—a daze turned sleepy haze until he can’t keep his eyes open any longer and he drifts off to sleep.
When Eren wakes the next morning, he can hear the sound of shuffling coming from the living room. He shifts in his kennel, seeing the door is wide open. He crawls out and shimmies on his padding, putting in his tail and getting himself ready for the day just as usual.
He saunters out of the bedroom to the sight of Levi. He’s already dressed in his uniform, ironed creme and black. He notices Eren immediately, bringing his bowls over to his place-mat with breakfast inside and water.
“Good afternoon, tired pup.” Levi greats him, a softness to his usually harsh tone as Eren meets him at the bowls. A hand starts to smooth over his hair as he eats, running down the skin of his back, gliding over every bump of his spine.
It’s afternoon already? Levi must have already gone to his morning meetings then. Eren wonders what they might have discussed there and a small sadness forms within him knowing he was left behind.
Eren continues eating, trying his best to push his feelings to the side.
“I had a talk today.” Levi’s words make Eren lift his head from the bowl, his green eyes large and watching as he swallows down what was left in his mouth. “We’ll be spending some time at new part of head quarters. It’s a training center.”
A training center? For him? Does he need more training? The worried look on his face must alert Levi.
“Take a deep breath, Eren.” Levi stands, walking over to the couch. He sits, his legs separated just enough for Eren to sit between. He snaps those fingers and Eren comes, placing himself in between his knees, facing Levi’s groin. “Look at me.” He commands.
Eren does. He always does.
“We need to have a talk about what’s to come. Things will be changing around here and though you have no say in it, you—you’re important, Eren. You’re mine. It’s my job to care for you.” Levi’s tone is stern, it leaves no room for comment or push back. His hand rests against Eren’s cheek, holding his face at attention.
He doesn’t like these things Levi is saying. Things will be changing? He likes that he’s important, that he’s Levi’s but he doesn’t want things to change.
“It’s not permanent—these changes. But you’ll have to get used to sharing. Sharing me, sharing your space, sharing your toys, your food.” Eren’s heart starts to pound, his anxiety rising, his eyes starting to dart across Levi’s face, across the room around him. “You’ll do fine, Eren. I chose you for a reason—don’t make me regret it.”
Eren tries to breathe, tries to calm himself, lean into his master's touch but nothing seems to soothe the ache eating away at him knowing that another will be in this space with him, taking from him. It’s not fair.
He doesn’t have time to dwell on it, Levi is clipping a leash to his collar. “We’re going to take you to go meet your new kennel mate.” Levi doesn’t make it sound exciting, not like when he suggests they go play ball or go for a walk. No, this seems like a solemn event.
Eren lets out a soft whine, raising his hand and pawing at Levi’s thigh, flashing him his sad eyes.
“If you’re good, you’re always rewarded. You know this.” Levi pauses for a moment, watching Eren’s movements. “I know this will be hard for you.” His voice is quiet, leaning closer to the pup’s face until they’re nose to nose. It takes all of Eren’s inner strength to not lunge forward, tongue out, lapping at the exposed skin in front of him. “I’m sorry but it’ll be good for you. You know I would never put you in harms way.”
Eren whines again, pushing forward slightly, his nose brushing against Levi’s.
“Okay. Once and then we’re leaving.” Levi permits it and Eren takes it.
Tongue out and flat he lays a long lick against Levi’s face. He feels the Corporal fight a war within himself to not pull away on instinct, knowing it’ll only hurt Eren’s feelings more and right now all he needs is comfort. He savors the taste of him, the light salt from the day, the hint of tobacco after being in meeting rooms with men chain smoking cigars. He hums, bringing his tongue back into his mouth, nuzzling his cheek against Levi’s for a moment before pulling away with a soothed smile across his face.
“Better?” Levi asks, his hand reaching into his own pocket to grab his handkerchief. He wipes at his face, cleaning off the remaining saliva.
Eren just nods, feeling satisfied after marking and tasting Levi.
Levi stands, leash in hand and they finally head out the door.
The building is sterile, it reminds Eren of a hospital mixed with a jail cell—a really really clean jail cell. The place is cold, the tile floor sends shivers through him, his padding not giving much protection when the rest of him is exposed.
They walk down a large hallway accompanied by two tall guards carrying clanking guns, the sounds of them reverberating against the empty walls. He stays close to Levi’s side, keeping pace and the leash slack.
They take a turn and then another, walking the halls like a maze until they’re led to a large metal door. The guard knocks in a specific rhythm and the door is heard unlocking, they step aside and Levi grabs the handle, pushing it open for them to enter.
As they step inside, Eren takes in the view. A large blue mat lays in the center of the room, a kennel much larger than his own sits in the corner with something inside of it but there’s a blanket laid over top. There’s a counter top with a sink, lots of drawers and vials filled with who-knows-what sit on top of a rolling tray. The walls are painted with bones, grass and cartoon dogs frolicking about in pastel colors. There are an array of toys strewn about, beds here and there.
If doggy-daycare's existed, Eren would imagine this is what they would look like or something very similar. He feels himself getting excited at the thought of spending time here with Levi, playing and napping until his thoughts are cut short at the sound of shuffling coming from that covered crate.
Levi walks Eren to the blue mat, the far end, furthest from the crate.
“Sit.” Levi commands and Eren obeys. He watches as Levi tethers him to a metal loop drilled into the ground. Surprisingly, he doesn’t get muzzled today.
Levi leaves Eren there, taking measured steps toward the kennel. He lifts the blanket half way, his body obscuring the opening from Eren’s view. He watches the Corporal’s back, his strong shoulders, his bent knees as he unlocks it. Eren stays still, stays silent and good, always a reminder of the reward waiting for him at home.
There’s a frantic energy in the room suddenly, the kennel beggining to shake and move but Levi’s strength holds it still. A strangled sound emerges, startling Eren from across the room. It’s a painful sound, more like a muffled scratch of the throat and then a cough.
“Don’t try to speak. It won’t do you any good.” Levi says to the—whoever or whatever it is.
Another strangled noise and more frantic kennel noises until Levi pulls a syringe from his coat pocket. “Alright. Have it your way, mutt.” He sticks it with the syringe and a loud whine fills the room until it falls quiet again.
Levi shuffles some things around and starts pulling something heavy from the crate, dragging it out into the middle of the blue mat. It’s a person, naked just like Eren but no padding or tail yet. His head is facing away from him but he looks quite strong, pale with several moles and freckles here and there. He’s a lot larger than Levi, larger than Eren even.
Eren lets out a small whine, wanting to approach the being, wanting to sniff and greet them. Levi sighs, standing tall, looking down at the new pup, unconscious, legs and arms out in front of him. He steps back over to Eren, untying his leash. He tugs him close until Eren’s face is almost flush with his clothed thigh, the leash wrapped several times around his pale hand.
Levi leads him to the middle of the mat, directly to the laying dog and that’s when Eren sees it—sees him. He starts a low growl, deep in his chest, building into his throat.
No. No—this is not what he wants. This is not who he wants.
There, on the mat, lies Zeke. The man who seemed so disgusted by Eren, the man, his brother, who did absolutely nothing to save him from rotting in that cell for as long as he had. He doesn’t want to share anything with this dog—with this thing. He will not be sharing Levi with him, his food, his house, his safety, his space. It’s all Eren’s and Zeke is not deserving of it, not in the slightest.
Why does Levi want this? Why is he doing this to him? Does he really think Zeke deserves the luxury of Levi’s home? His food? Surely, not his rewards, Eren will see to that.
He feels a quick yank to his leash, righting him, pulling him back to Levi’s side; a correction. He yips at the slight pain in his neck, his growling ceasing.
“Behave, Eren.” Levi sounds unhappy and that makes Eren even more upset. He feels angered tears start to prick at the corners of his eyes. “This is it. He’ll be staying with us and I need you to teach him right and wrong, do you understand?” Levi doesn’t pay his tears any mind, not now.
Eren nods, a fresh tear trailing down his cheek. If this is what Levi wants, then Eren will do it. He’s a loyal dog, the best dog. He can’t let Zeke take his place—no matter what.
“It’ll take time for him to adjust, just like you had to. But he will and you’ll help him, won’t you?” Levi pauses, his hand finding purchase in Eren’s hair. “Because you’re good. You’re always good.”
Eren wishes he could feel excited at the praise, looking up at those gunmetal eyes he loves so dearly, all he can do is think about the traitor laying on the floor, inches away from them, going to steal his Levi out from under him, going to be wandering around his home, invading his space. He can't stand the thought of it and he's sure his face displays his utter disgust with the idea.
Levi's shoulders square, his face just as neutral as ever as he snaps his fingers once and those two guards enter the room. He leaves Eren untethered while he speaks with them near the entrance, hushed and harsh voices filling the echoing space.
Eren is left alone with his upsetting thoughts and his worrying mind. The body of his older brother twitches on the mat in his odd form of sleep and it makes him uneasy. He can sense the large dog having some form of a nightmare, maybe brought on by the idea of being trapped like this—just like how Eren felt when he was first introduced to this life.
The thought of Levi comforting this—this beast—makes his blood boil but the idea of someone suffering all alone tugs at him. Eren's eyes flit to Levi who stands at the door, back facing the dogs, hands moving in an expressive manor. He's occupied, fully emersed in the tense conversation with the guards and won't be taking care of his new dog like Eren had perviously thought.
He takes a tentative padding forward on the mat, his head bowed, his hair falling loosely in his face. Levi hadn't had him wear his muzzle today and he wondered why, it was an unusual break in the ritual.
Another step forward and he's nearer to the man he called brother previously, his scent stronger now, sweat permeating his senses. He doesn't notice when the room falls silent, Levi's eyes watching him from the door, his chin poised high and knowing. Eren nudges Zeke's leg with the tanned, freckled tip of his nose—right on the knee. It's small, tentative, testing. Zeke doesn't respond, his eyes moving rapidly behind his eyelids.
Eren tries again, moving further up his body this time. He nudges his arm that is laid straight out on the mat. He presses with his nose harder this time, like he's trying to lift the arm off the ground. Zeke's face twists like he's experiencing pain, his eyes tight shut, light eyebrows furrowed and no glasses to obscure the view of it.
"Eren." It's not harsh or scolding. Just his name being spoken from the doorway, falling from the lips of his master. He lifts his head immediately at the call, his head twisting to make eye contact with Levi who had very obviously been watching the entire interaction. "We're leaving." He snaps once and Eren is already crawling over Zeke's body to reach him, not touching the writhing man on the floor.
He makes it to Levi's side, pressing himself close, feeling the heat radiating from his thigh and through his own cheek and shoulder—taking in as much comfort as possible. Levi nods once to the guards and then they're walking out, back into that hallway and on their way home.
Waking in the morning, tucked to Levi's chest feels like a reprieve from the world he'd been enduring the last two days. He expected to wake in his cage, Levi gone and needing to wait for his return but here they are.
The Corporal is awake, running his fingers through Eren's soft chocolate hair and down his muscled back. He seems to be lost in thought, staring out and over Eren's head toward the open window, unblinking eyes taking in the unobscured view of the ocean—the blue morning sky and boats floating on the bay.
Eren nudges Levi's chin with the top of his head, letting out a light whine, keeping his arms tucked in between their warm bodies. His owner sucks in a breath like he wasn't expecting Eren to be awake or wake up so soon.
Levi adjusts, pulling back to take in Eren completely, his hands moving to cup his pups face. He sighs deeply, a weary look on his face, something Eren isn't used to seeing on someone so sure of every decision they make.
"Can I be honest, Eren?" Levi speaks quietly between them. His eyes are soft and his face is still a little puffy and red from the morning.
Eren nods, nudging him to continue.
"I'm worried you two won't get along even if you only have to be around each other for a couple of weeks—months even. This—" He pauses. His vulnerability palpable as he speaks, almost so softly that if Eren breathes any louder he wouldn't be able to hear the confession from his Levi. "This is the first time I have ever felt like I could possibly fail at something. Like the outcome isn't completely in my hands."
He glances away from Eren like holding the contact is too much to bare after such a raw statement.
"And it's not just you that I'm worried about. You'll do what it takes to please me, I know this. You're good—so good for me, Eren." His thumbs begin to caress lightly, a subtlety the Corporal rarely ever shares and Eren takes it in stride, savoring this moment, breathing it in and capturing it whole for what it is. "He's going to be upset, defiant. He despises me and it's just a much different situation than ours was or will be."
"I'll—" Eren's voice cracks from misuse, his dry throat betraying him. He clears it and tries again, Levi waits patiently for Eren to speak his mind. "I'll help you." He says, almost excitedly, his eyes lighting up at the thought of making his owner's dreams become a reality, whatever they may be.
"My sweet puppy. So helpful, so willing." Levi leans forward, planting a warm kiss to Eren's exposed forehead. A flooding of fluttering relief is felt through Eren's body at the kind gesture. Why Levi is being so overtly sappy this morning, he doesn't know but he would never, ever complain. "You're integral to this—my plan."
Eren nods, showing he's listening and Levi sighs again like he's finally lifted the heaviest of weights off of his chest. Eren waits patiently for what comes next; getting up and ready for the day, waiting for his next order or falling back to sleep. Whatever Levi decides.
The Corporal leans forward again, closing the minimal gap between them, bringing their mouths together and tipping Eren's head back by the jaw. He guides them together, their mouths plush and soft in the morning heat as he moves against Eren's lips. It's slow and languid, like Levi is taking and taking—taking what he needs from Eren and it's a first.
Usually its Eren wanting so desperately that he can't contain himself, thrusting himself onto his master like a bitch in heat but now he stays still, feeling how Levi holds him so softly, so tender. He doesn't use his tongue to probe at Eren's lips, his hands don't travel to take care of the heavy, weighted throbbing between Eren's legs. They just—kiss. It's almost innocent.
Eren whines again, light and airy in his throat and another first—Levi moans back. He's vocal with him and the fluttering in Eren's chest makes him feel like he's going to explode. His chest cavity filling and filling, full to the brim with the fluttering of a thousand wings.
Levi's guttural, throaty vocalization sends Eren into pure bliss. If he had a real tail, it would surely wag. His hands can't help the pawing they do against Levi's bare chest, his fingers pressing to warm, pale skin.
The bang and rattle of a kennel startles Eren from his one-track mind. He pulls back, something he would never do, something Levi hasn't yet permitted but he doesn't scold Eren for it.
"It's alright, Eren." Levi soothes, his hands back to running through his hair. "It's just the new house guest—like we had discussed. He must be waking up."
Eren didn't have time to prepare—he didn't know that Zeke was going to be here today. Is this why Levi was being so sweet? Was he trying to butter him up? To soften the blow?
He stops his train of thought, scolding himself for thinking this way about his owner, his savior, his master. He has to be good, he has to help—be the most helpful. Levi's confession rings through his mind, the way he admitted his nervousness. Eren has to make sure he is successful, no matter how Eren feels about Zeke.
The kennel rattles again and Levi untangles from Eren. He watches the Corporal get dressed and then he offers to help Eren with his tail and padding. When they're finished, Eren's heart is beating rapidly—the swooshing loud in his ears as he follows Levi out of their bedroom door and into the living room. He isn't sure what to expect, what he will see or what kind of mood Zeke will be in but he has to steel himself, keep his emotions in check not only for Levi but because he knows Zeke will feed off of uneasy emotions.
They have to present as a team, a united front. Eren will show Zeke how it's done, how they live, what the rights and wrongs are. The quicker he learns, the sooner he'll leave.
A large kennel sits near the fireplace, it's cover sliding off due to Zeke's constant movement. Levi seems displeased by this, Eren will have to teach him how to curl into his bed properly—he takes a mental note of that.
"Eren, couch." Levi speaks his command and Eren listens, taking his spot in front of the couch where he would usually sit in between Levi's spread legs. He sits on his haunches while Levi inspects the cage, tutting at the disheveled covering. He removes it, pulling it back and folding it neatly before unlatching the kennel door. He perches in front of it, like he had yesterday.
Eren doesn't know what Levi is doing in front of that cage, his voice is too low for him to pick up but the rasping wheezes from inside don't sound very happy.
"Suit yourself." Levi says, louder than his previous conversation as he stands, hands on his knees. He leaves the door unlatched and wide open when he walks away and into the kitchen, leaving Eren and Zeke alone in the living room.
Eren's eyes hone in on the kennel, the darkness inside of it shows only the two blue eyes of the beast inside, staring out into the living room, right back at Eren who sits casually, his back against the couch, his hair hanging against his shoulders and collar.
He cocks his head to the side, wondering why Zeke hasn't emerged yet, why he hasn't spoken or yelled out for help with how defiant he usually is about things. How aggressive and adamant that he's always right. Eren blinks lazily, his heart beat calm now, knowing that the man won't have an outburst.
Levi reenters the room with two bowls in hand. Eren's name is etched on the stainless steel of one, Zeke etched on the other. They're filled with a chunky stew, bits of steak and creamy broth with vegetables. Eren's mouth waters at the sight of it, his tongue starting to hang out of his mouth when Levi sets it on the hardwood in front of the area rug.
The Corporal stands in front of the bowls that sit nearly touching each other. His arms crossed over his chest as he looks between the two pups. Eren isn't paying any mind to Zeke now that food has entered the room, his plan to help his owner accomplish his goal has completely skipped his mind.
"Time for breakfast." Levi announces, stepping aside as Eren approaches the bowls, leaving room for Zeke. He takes a bite and then another until he realizes he doesn't feel the presence of the other dog to his right. He swallows his bite, turning to look over his shoulder, his tail obscuring his view of the kennel slightly.
Eren looks up at Levi who is still standing next to the bowls, arms crossed. He wants to make Levi happy.
He huffs, annoyed his meal is interrupted by his stubborn older brother. He walks, all fours, over to the kennel and stops in front of it, a questioning look on his face, one eyebrow raised. He nods over to the bowls, a nudge, a 'come on'.
Zeke's eyebrows are drawn together, his mouth falls open a moment before he shuts it, a look of disgust flashes across his face, his beard slightly unruly from sleep.
"Come on, you have to eat. It's really good, I promise." Eren whispers into the kennel, thinking a kinder approach might work. "Do you want me to bring it to you?"
Zeke stares at him for a moment, his eyes wandering down to the collar around Eren's neck, black leather, comfortable and smooth, broken in from use. It feels like a part of him now—it moves with him. A tag hangs off of it, his name carved into it with 'Property of L. Ackerman' proudly on the back.
"You… want one?" Eren asks innocently. He glances over at Levi who continues to watch them.
The beast tries to speak then, like he tries to scream, his eyebrows drawn so tightly together and his mouth open wide, his face red as nothing but squeaks and gasps release from his throat. It scares Eren, causing him to jump back, stumbling over his knees and feet as he a cowers away from the strange, disembodied noises.
Levi immediately springs into action, coming to Eren's rescue. His arms wrapping around Eren's shivering frame as the pup digs his face into Levi's chest, letting out a pathetic whimper.
Why did Zeke sound like that? Why did he look so distressed? Like he was in pain, like—like Eren had never seen before or heard before. Especially not from him.
"It's alright, Eren." Levi shushes him, consoling, running his hands over his hair and down his back. "He had surgery, okay? To remove his voice. He can't speak. He's just frightened." Eren pulls back, looking Levi in the face.
He reaches a hand up for his own throat, feeling the tendons in his neck flex underneath his palm. Surgery? What kind of surgery? Why didn't Eren get this surgery… will he get it? His green eyes grow wide with panic.
"It's called de-vocalization. He's not completely silent, so, the sounds might startle you and him too. He's not used to it yet. I should have warned you, Eren, I'm sorry." Levi sincerely apologizes, his hands gripping Eren's shoulders a little tighter but Eren doesn't feel comforted.
"Are—Are you—" Eren stutters out, scared to finished the sentence—to even think it.
"No. No, absolutely not." Levi finishes it for him, knows his thoughts before he says them. "You're good, Eren. You're a good dog. You don't need that." He reassures.
His breathing starts to calm, his hand loosening from around his neck. His eyes jump to the kennel—to Zeke whose been watching their interaction from inside his crate.
"He won't eat." Eren says meekly, almost in defeat. "I wanted him to eat for you."
"That's not your job. If he chooses to starve then so be it." Levi's tone leaves no room for discussion, not that Eren would. "Now, eat."
Eren nods and Levi reaches out, giving a small tug to his collar for good measure. He returns to his bowl, the familiar metal cold against the sides of his face as he eats.
His brother remains silent the rest of the time. Eren is full from dinner, Levi having wiped his face clean and now letting Eren lounge on top of the couch—something rare but allowed after having a scare this morning.
He circles the cushion twice, pressing his palms into it several times until it's fluffed to his liking and then curls into himself, fitting perfectly on a single couch cushion for an after-breakfast nap. He can feel Zeke's eyes on him, watching as he settles into his place.
Levi is in the kitchen washing out Eren's dish, Zeke's still sits full on the floor. Eren lets out a small content huff, his eyes feeling heavier by the second with a full belly.
The Corporal enters the living room, taking his seat next to Eren on the couch, a stack of paperwork on the coffee table. He reaches his hand out, a warm hand begins to rub softly at Eren's stomach.
Eren scoots forward, almost unconsciously until his head falls into the Corporal's lap, his arms and hands bent, his round belly exposed, his knees pulled up. The hand continues to rub, large and small circles, soothing and smooth against his skin, lulling him to sleep, his mouth falling open until a bit of drool leaves a stain on his master's pants.
The first two days, Zeke doesn't leave his kennel. It starts to make Eren angry, he can't help Levi complete his goal if Zeke doesn't ever come out. He doesn't know why Levi doesn't just take the kennel away altogether.
He also doesn't understand why Zeke is so stubborn. He's done nothing but watch Eren every single second over the last two days. Every single interaction with Levi, every moment he's alone as if Eren will suddenly break and tell him this is all a facade, he's come up with a plan to break them out and they'll be on the next boat out and back to Paradis.
Zeke wouldn't like it there either, he didn't before. This isn't a joke to Eren, it's not a scheme or a play he's putting on. This is his life and one he enjoys endlessly and he won't let Zeke ruin it.
Today they're back at the doggy-daycare. The room has changed some with an added desk just like Levi's from his office placed in the corner, that's where he sits now. Eren assumes he's doing very official Corporal Marleyan work and has left Eren to deal with Zeke, to entertain him, to train him well—a silent job.
He'll do it. Whatever Levi asks of him.
Zeke stays laying in his kennel looking tired, dark circles under his eyes, skin looking paler than usual. He's probably hungry, thirsty. He needs something, Eren knows that much at least. He saunters around the playroom looking for something to entice the dog from his kennel and settles on one of Eren's favorites.
It's his own bowl and in it, his Levi has placed a nice large bone. It has bits of leftover meat on it from when he had used it in their stew this morning. It's for Eren, for his good boy to lick and gnaw on in his free time but he's feeling quite generous at the moment. Proudly he takes the bowl in his mouth and prances over to Zeke's hiding spot, standing directly in front of the opening.
He drops the bowl, the mat below his feet dampens the sound of the metal. Zeke watches him, of course, as he does. Eren pushes it forward with his nose—an offering. Zeke looks down at it, a worry between his blonde brows, like he's not sure what to do with it.
If he's unsure then Eren can show him, he's good at cleaning his bones, that's what Levi says.
Eren speaks and it's soft. He thinks Levi won't really mind as long as it's for teaching purposes—besides, Zeke can't respond anyway. "You want me to show you?"
Zeke looks at Eren like he's pained, opens his mouth once and remembers his predicament before shutting it again. Eren watches as Zeke glances to Levi who sits at his desk, he must feel their eyes on him because he lifts his head. "Be good." Is all Levi says before returning to his work.
Zeke looks like he's warring with himself before he finally relents and just nods.
Eren feels the pride well in his chest, he could run laps, he could jump, he could cry. Zeke is going to watch, he's going to really try and it's because Eren has offered him something—it's because of Eren, it's because he's good.
"Okay! Watch me." Eren says, excitedly, the tail inside of him sways back and forth as he leans forward, bending so that his bottom is in the air, his lower half is resting against his forearms on the mat. His two hands lay across the bone as his canines begin to grind into the bone, stripping a piece of meat from it.
He swallows, righting himself with a smile on his face. "See? Now you try."
Zeke doesn't have his canines shaved properly so it'll probably take him a lot longer to get it but Eren thinks it's worth the effort, especially if he's hungry and Eren thinks its fun anyway.
When Eren rights himself, he takes a step back from the bone and allows for Zeke to try. He's hesitant as he exits the crate. His body losing its regular definition from lack of food and working out, his arms and legs wobbling just slightly as he makes it to the bone.
The dirty blonde bends shakily at the elbows, mimicking the way Eren had been just moments ago. His eyes shifting unsure around the room and seeming to avoid Levi's desk completely.
His blunt teeth scrape against it, his hands holding it still. Eren watches on with pride, his chest and head held high as he watches his older brother bent on all fours, mouthing at the large bone.
Suddenly, Eren feels a soft hand in his hair—Levi. He stands tall at Eren's side, looking down over his nose at Eren's older brother learning to act properly and its all thanks to Eren. He hopes he'll be rewarded greatly for it.
"Good job, Eren." The Corporal speaks quietly as if he doesn't want to disturb Zeke, like any loud noise might send the man clambering back into his kennel. His low purr, his soft timbre enters Eren's mind and settles in his chest.
He leans into Levi's touch, as he always does.
It takes him a while but Zeke cleans the bone, finally having had something to eat. He raises his head and his face is smeared with mess.
Levi doesn't like mess.
Without a second thought, Eren moves forward and begins to clean his big brother. It startles Zeke—Eren's flat, warm tongue on his cheek, so close to the corner of his mouth. The blonde flinches but when Eren doesn't stop because Levi would never stand a dirty pup, Zeke seems to accept his fate and let's Eren clean him.
Levi stands and watches, his arms crossed over his chest and Eren glances at him from his peripherals.
He laps at Zeke's salted skin as it mixes with the leftover meat. His tongue brushing over wiry beard and stubble. It's nothing like Levi's face whose skin is soft like a child, barely any stubble and usually tastes of tea leaves, ink or soap.
Zeke's face is scrunched by the end, his eyebrows drawn together and his eyes pinched slightly like he's just been scolded or touched something he didn't like but Eren is proud of himself once again, trotting back over to Levi's side with a job well done.
"Zeke, come." Levi commands, a finger pointed down in front of him.
Zeke hesitates, looking from the finger to Levi and then to Eren who just waits patiently for his brother to hopefully comply.
He doesn't know why he wouldn't, who wouldn't want to be graced with the presence of his Levi?
Zeke sighs, slumping forward and taking a few steps until he's on all fours in front of both Eren and Levi. The Corporal places a hand in Zeke's hair, just as he has one in Eren's and begins to pet them both.
"You've both been very good. I'm proud of you—both of you. My good dogs." Levi speaks low, his voice rumbling as his hands continue to rub at their scalps.
Eren watches Zeke's reaction. His face shows discomfort, the same as when Eren had cleaned him but his body leans into Levi's touch as if he craves it—craves affection. Like the blonde is lonely. Is he lonely?
Eren can sympathize with lonely.
Eren tries not to think too hard about it, instead choosing to focus on Levi and the hand caressing him.
They spend the next several hours in this place—the doggy-daycare. Zeke spends it sleeping or staring off at the wall while Eren stays close to Levi's desk for attention.
The time goes by quickly and before he realizes, they're headed back home and the sun has set. Zeke decides to finally eat a meal that night but refuses to do so next to Eren but that seemed to be fine for Levi who separated their bowls onto opposite sides of the living room.
When they were finished, Eren took his place on the sofa for his belly rubs and nap before his bath while Zeke decided to sit at Levi's feet.
Zeke had made a lot of progress today, more than Eren could have imagined and he'd like to think he was a helping hand in that.
Levi is a loving owner, one who will care and support you even if it's with tough love at times and Eren thinks Zeke is coming to understand that.
Levi is misunderstood, just as Eren was and maybe Zeke feels that way too.
Maybe, Eren thinks for the first time since this disaster was sprung on him, that they all might work well together in their own odd little way.
Zeke sleeps in his kennel that night and falls asleep before Eren is finished with his bath, obviously exhausted from the day. Something in Eren feels—off. Like not being able to keep an eye on his big brother while they're in the bedroom makes him… sad.
Will Zeke be lonely out there by himself? Eren would be lonely. Eren was lonely when he was in that cell.
Levi must notice Eren's hesitancy to go back into the bedroom, the way he's stopped in the doorway, his damp body glistening in the single lamplight of the bedroom coming through the door.
"Eren?" Levi asks and it's kind, though to others it might sound gruff.
Levi is worried about him.
Eren lets out a pitiful whine, something short and high pitched as his eyebrows come together in the middle, unsure of if he should speak or how he even wants to word his worries about his brother.
Levi wouldn't make fun, that's not what Eren is worried about. He just doesn't want to ruin Levi's plans or make his life any harder but the thought of leaving his brother alone out there feels cold. Especially after the progress they've made and the day they shared.
He turns his head and looks over his shoulder at the kennel with the blanket draped over the top before turning to look back at Levi.
"Mmm—your brother?"
Eren nods. He should have known he wouldn't need to speak. Levi knows him so well, knows him better than he knows himself.
"Do you want to sleep out there with him, Eren?" Levi asks the question that Eren hadn't even considered. He thought they'd drag the kennel into the bedroom with them but maybe waking Zeke isn't the best idea.
Levi is so smart.
But—then Eren is reminded that if he sleeps in the living room with Zeke then he wouldn't be sleeping in the bedroom with Levi and he starts to feel the panic rise all over again.
Levi sees the torment in Eren's face and behind his emerald orbs.
"Shh, shh. Calm down. I can leave the door open and you'll be able to see me, okay?" Levi runs his hand through Eren's damp hair. "You'll be alright. It's just one night." Levi reassures him but Eren is still a little shaky about it all.
He's never not slept next to Levi, felt the heat of his body, smelled his scent and felt his hands on him. He likes to sleep snuggled into his chest, his nose pressed into the Corporal's neck but the image of Levi sleeping alone in his large bed—it makes Eren even more sad than leaving his brother alone in the living room.
Eren whines again, his body daring to give out and collapse from right under him. How is he supposed to make a decision like this?
"Eren—Fuck—Fine." Levi stands, walking over to a trunk and grabbing a large blanket from inside. He marches passed Eren and over to the couch where he nods in its direction and Eren takes the hint.
If his tail was in, it would wag.
Eren hops up on the cushions and makes room for Levi who places himself between Eren's back and the back of the couch.
"If my neck and back hurt in the morning, I'm blaming you." Levi speaks softly into Eren's hair, his strong arms settling around the pups middle.
Eren snuggles back into him, adjusting his head and bottom, intertwining their legs underneath the soft blanket.
He faces his big brother's kennel and even though he can't see inside, he feels better knowing that if Zeke needs him, he's just a reach away. Zeke can't use his voice, what if he needed something? Now Eren can hear him.
He feels a soft kiss to his crown, a thumb rubbing softly against his bare stomach. He's warmed by Levi and the blanket as he drifts to sleep.
A light and distant voice before he falls away tells him that tomorrow they'll move Zeke's kennel into their bedroom and the thought makes him hum in contentment.