Archive of Our Own ^beta

Finding happiness is easier said than done.

Eren has learned that being in love doesn’t automatically equate to being happy. Happiness isn’t grand gestures or triumphant events with strings playing lovely melodies in the backdrop.

It’s a hard lesson to learn. But happiness is small moments of life and existence that make living worth it. Sometimes the air smells a little crisper in the dawn when the doors are open to air out the Library. The way fog halos when the moon shines through the trees. Birds chirping after hibernation season. Laughter from down the hall.

Eren had passingly noticed that he was wasting away but had made no change his routine. Sadness is a lot more difficult to bear when he knows what joy feels like. Caught between humans and creatures. Caught between sadness and joy. Each day he learns that he doesn’t have to choose. That he can live it all.

He is still missing distinct human experiences. But Levi has taken him to concerts in basement venues and watched as he drank his first beer in the hazy neon lights. It hadn’t been the best taste, but he was surrounded by other human who were laughing and joking and living.

There are museums that Eren had never even heard of in Shiganshina, hidden in residential areas and parks, nestled between towering sycamore trees and sagging firs. Eren learns that he really loves circular windows and climbing ivy on old buildings. He loves how sunlight reflects off of glass skyscrapers and casts light into the shadows of alleys and narrow streets.

There are things to love.

One day, there’s a busker playing the violin in the subway and he stops Levi before they board their train to watch her play. Her fingers dance up and down the fingerboard with certain movements. They miss their ride, but it’s worth it to watch as she closes her eyes and plays music that echoes through the concrete tunnel. Her bow moves slowly through each note, but her resonance hits him with its richness.

According to Levi, the piece she’s playing is Romance by Amy Beach. It sounds like romance.

Eren hates that his pockets are empty, but Levi tosses a few bills into her violin case that’s laid at her feet. She doesn’t notice, too involved in her music.

It’s no coincidence the next week that Levi moves a piano into the solarium.

It’s a new addition that the creatures love. Included in the usual chatter and laughter now…is music. To Eren’s immense surprise, Jean is a passable pianist, playing snippets of Beethoven and Chopin before he loses track of what comes next. Levi rolls his eyes at his poor attempts at seduction and plays the entirety of Rachmaninoff’s second piano concerto. The solarium isn’t necessarily close to the main part of the Library and he can just barely be heard over the din.

It’s haunting and beautiful and complex and Levi plays each crescendo and dimuendo with care and each note is played with careful precision. The climax of the first movement is a harsh march and it ends in dissonant arpeggios. The second movement is a far cry from the first, calm and sad and exposed. The final movement is Eren’s favourite. It’s melodic and distinctly Russian and the recurring theme is so beautiful. Levi plays the solo piano part as well as the orchestral accompaniment flawlessly.

When he comes back to the front, he’s flexing his hands and complaining about not being able to stretch more than a tenth and curses “Sergei” under his breath. Like he knew him personally. Which…maybe he did.

The creatures clap when they see him and Levi makes a face that is distinctly horrified.

Eren learns that he loves music.

He also learns that Levi has no idea what to do with attention. But they’re both making friends. Levi and Erwin sit in the reference section together, talking in a dialect of English that Eren doesn’t recognise, but it seems to flow from both of their mouths naturally.

One morning after closing the Library, Eren bumps into Mikasa in a coffeeshop. She’s dressed in normal human attire, her hair loose around her shoulders. She smiles when she sees Eren and invites him to sit with her.

It’s an incredible interaction.

While Mikasa is the least rowdy out of the witches, she speaks quickly and softly. They talk about everything. And it is, for all intents and purposes, a normal human conversation. She doesn’t talk about magic or witchcraft or mention the Library. Eren asks about her job and she says that she’s a scientist. When she doesn’t elaborate, Eren raises his eyebrows and she blushes and looks at the table. She specifies, “a rocket scientist, I specialise in propulsion.”

Eren claps his hands. “That’s fucking cool!” Is the only thing he can think to say. She smiles and hides in her scarf. She does concede that it’s cool, but admits that she had wanted to be a baker. She bakes in her free time and uses Sasha as her guinea pig because apparently Sasha will eat anything.

Mikasa holds her coffee between both of her hands and tilts her head at Eren curiously when he asks cautiously if they can be friends. She looks confused and states that she already thought that they were friends which makes him feel a little silly. As they leave, she smiles and tells him she looks forward to seeing him that evening and she’ll make something for him and his mate.

True to her word, that night, she arrives with mochi. Levi’s eyes immediately light up as he takes them. He bows to Mikasa and she hastily curtsies back. It’s just the perfect amount of sweetness and they’re filled with a matcha paste that Eren likes a lot. He isn’t generally one for sweets, but these are delicious.

Levi eats them, one after the other, indiscrimately until they’re gone. He frowns at the empty tupperware and then looks at Eren in shock. “Why did you eat all of them?”

Eren could only blink and then shake his head. “I had two.”

“Fuck off.” Levi had grumbled, pouting at the empty container, waving it back and forth before he goes up the belltower.

As an unspoken rule, no one goes to the belltower when the witches are up there. And when the door opens, a bright light floods the Library and all the creatures shield their eyes, Eren included and then the door closes and it’s back to the usual cosy luminance.

Approximately three minutes later, the door opens again and everyone groans as they’re blinded. The glow halos Levi as the door closes and he looks inordinately pleased even though the container is gone.

Every Saturday night, Mikasa brings semi-sweet desserts that Levi holds in his lap and munches on with careful, messless bites. Eren is amazed that Mikasa is bringing him things and even more amazed when Levi gives her potions and rare magical components.

When asked, all he has to say is, “balance,” and Mikasa nods her head.

Whatever is happening, Eren welcomes it with open arms. The Library, especially since he started breaking curses, has been feeling more like home, but now it’s starting to feel like a community. More creatures sit in the foyer near Eren and hold idle conversation and ask him about how his day’s going and what he’ll be doing his next day off. He always says he doesn’t know and he’ll follow whatever Levi has planned.

Levi is thawing too and on more than one occasion, Levi can be seen hanging out with the younger patrons of the Library, reading them stories while their parents peruse the shelves.

It’s fucking cute.

Eren, while he’s never considered himself super paternal, thinks that having a couple adopted kids with Levi would be really nice one day.

But not all good things are meant to last.

One morning after all of the creatures have left, Levi included, a raven sweeps through the doors of the Library and drops a small scroll on Eren’s desk. A missive written in tight, messy letters.

To the Librarian of Shiganshina,

Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the state of your Library, the Head of the Foundation will be visiting on 03 June 2026 at 0530 EST. Please anticipate their arrival.

The Foundation

Fuck.

That’s tomorrow.

&&&

Eren is running back and forth through the Library, casting cleaning spells left and right. Every creature is aware that Eren keeps it very nice and organised here and watching him clean like this is very upsetting. All the books are pulled to exactly 3 centimetres away from the edge of the bookshelves. Books that he would usually restore by hand are restored by magic. His movements are clean and precise, and the creatures watch with nervous energy as he frets around the Library.

He sings One Day More from Les Misérables under his breath to keep himself grounded.

Ironically.

Eren has borrowed one of the witch’s brooms, Historia’s, she had been too surprised to even think of saying no. He’s standing on it like a surfboard, one hand clearing cobwebs with bright zaps of light, the other hand organising books.

When Levi arrives that night, there’s a collective sigh of relief.

“Eren!” Levi is standing in the foyer, hands outspread in surprise. “What the fuck are you doing?”

“Levi!” Eren’s expression immediately clears, a bright smile on his face. He swoops down, hopping off the broom and holding it in his hand as he presses a quick kiss to Levi’s cheek. “You’re here! Help me clean!”

A dark look passes over Levi’s face and Eren thinks that maybe he’s misstepped.

“You want me to help you clean?”

Eren smiles nervously, shifting on his feet from side to side. “Maaaaaybe.”

Levi fists a hand in Eren’s shirt and pulls him down for a searing kiss. “I thought you’d never fucking ask.”

The relief that the creatures had been feeling vanishes in an instant. It’s hard enough to call out Eren since it feels like berating sunshine incarnate, but going heads against to Levi is idiotic.

It takes all night and, once they accept that this is how it’s gonna be, it’s okay. The creatures relax and find some solace in watching what used to be their very lonely Librarian, flirt and banter with a very rude, very short incubus.

Towards dawn, Levi and Eren finish up and they’re sitting behind Eren’s desk. Levi looks pleased at their cleaning job.

“So, what’s all this for anyways?”

“The Head of the Foundation is visiting today. I received a missive yesterday.” Eren looks down at his lap. “They don’t visit very often, but they heard about…well, me.”

Levi’s eyebrows raise in surprise and he takes Eren’s hand in his. “Hange’s coming? Do you want me to leave?”

“We haven’t broken any rules yet.” Eren pouts, stomach twisting at the thought of having bent the rules too much. “But, also, if you don’t want to be here, don’t worry about it.”

With a small tilt of his head, Levi regards Eren for a long moment. The sun begins to rise and the sunlight shines through the freshly cleaned stained glass windows of the foyer, casting a kaleidoscope of colours across the white marble flooring.

“I’ll be here. It’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”

Eren nods, his relief eclipsed by his nerves. “They’ll probably be here soon.”

“I think they’re known to be punctual.” Levi does not sit in Eren’s lap as he seems like he wants to. Instead, he sits across from his desk in the little wooden chair that he’s basically made his own. Eren had to pull up another chair because all of the other creatures don’t want to put their smells on Levi’s stuff. Even though it’s definitely supposed to be public property.

Eren glances at the time. It’s almost time.

The doors slam open and the wildest person Eren has ever seen in his life bursts in. Fresh air floods through the foyer and the floor that Eren so painstakingly cleaned is immediately covered in fresh foliage.

“Eren!” They’re openly pleased to see him.

“Chairman Zoe,” Eren greets, standing from his desk, “it’s good to see you again. “

“Just call me Hange, we’ve gone over this!” They’re a perfect bundle of energy, fresh flowers sprouting from each of their steps. When they notice Levi, their eyes widen comically. “Levi!”

And then to Eren’s great surprise, Hange bows in clear reverence and respect.

“Hey, fuckin’ stop that.” Levi looks uncomfortable.

“Asmodai, it’s been a long time.” Hange grins brightly as they straighten up. “What are you doing here?”

“Hanging out.” Levi shrugs, the picture of grace. “And don’t call me that. I haven’t gone by that name in a long time.” He’s looking at Hange with an expression that Eren has never seen on him before. A cross between annoyance and fondness. Like how one would look at a sibling.

Eren is wholly lost. “I thought your name was Levi.”

“It is Levi.”

“It can also be Asmodai. Or Asmodeus?” Hange says.

“Or it’s just Levi.” Levi’s eyes flash with irritation and Hange laughs explosively and wraps an arm around Levi’s shoulders.

It’s so weird seeing someone not be at least a little intimidated by Levi. Levi, who has made himself a permanent fixture in the Library. All the other creatures steer clear of him when he’s near Eren, though they all know him as kind underneath his gruff exterior. And Levi does not shirk away from being hugged and that’s even weirder. And he even looks a little pleased.

“You’re right, you’re right. Levi.” Hange smiles. “But what are you doing here? It’s against the rules for you to be here while the sun is up.”

Their eyes fix on Eren and, while there’s nothing but curiosity in them, Eren is still nervous to answer.

“‘Creatures of darkness must not appear to the Library before the last rays of sunlight.’ And if he’s still here from the night before…”

“Then it’s okay.” Hange sits down in the chair next to Levi and their expression becomes more sombre. “Eren, Levi, what is the nature of your relationship?”

Eren’s not stupid, he knows that Hange has seen the bite marks on his neck, no matter how high he tries to pull up his cravat.

“Levi is my mate.” Eren is amazed that he’s managed to keep his voice steady, but he’s sure that they can both hear the wild beat of his heart in his chest.

“Oh?” Hange leans forward and takes a deep sniff. “Oh! You smell like you’re in love.”

Levi bristles but stays silent.

“It isn’t against the rules.” Eren protests. And very suddenly is afraid of losing his position as a Librarian. He doesn’t really have anywhere else to go. This is his home, it’s everything he’s known for over a decade, and he’s done his best to make it the best Library in the Foundation.

Hange blinks. “Of course it isn’t against the rules.” Says it like it’s obvious. “Do you know the point of this visit?”

Eren looks down at his desk. “I’ve been breaking curses.”

“Yes.”

There’s tense silence. And eventually, Levi sits up and looks directly at Hange. “So what if he’s breaking curses?”

“Levi!” Hange is delighted. “You have no sense of flair!”

A glare settles across Levi’s face and he aims it as seethingly as he can at Hange. “I don’t care for shit like that.”

Hange throws their hands up in the air. “Fine! Eren,” Hange fully addresses, “while there’s nothing strictly prohibiting you from breaking curses, your primary occupation is Librarian. And I had to talk some of the board down when they said that we should remove you–”

“--What!” Eren stands from his seat, losing all sense of decorum. “You can’t remove me! I take good care of the Library.”

Hange reaches across the desk and takes Eren by the hand. “I know, please, sit down, let’s talk.”

He sinks back into his seat and pulls his hands into his lap. He feels young and foolish, even in his thirties, he feels chastised like a child. Levi moves his chair to sit closer to Eren. They don’t touch, but his presence is fully appreciated, especially now that they’re on the same side of his desk.

Eren likes Hange well enough, though he’s also always thought they were a little eccentric. But at this moment, his feelings towards them are neutral to negative.

“Eren, listen to me very carefully.” Hange says very kindly and very patiently. “I have no intention of removing you from this branch for as long as you live. I’ve been to all of the Libraries and none of them even come close to yours. The wards are so strong and there’s only love and affection flowing through here. You have to know that the creatures who pass through here love you.”

Eren looks at his hands, wringing his fingers together. Sometimes he messes around with the bracelet from Annie and right now as he runs his fingers along the curve of it, he thinks that he could wish to always be a Librarian.

He looks up at Hange.

“I love it here and it’s my home and I–I hope others feel the same too.”

Hange smiles. “They do. Which is why we have to change the rules.”

Levi is very still next to him. But Eren’s heart is pounding and he can’t concentrate. “Change?”

There’s a sadness in Hange’s eyes and they lightly touch the rule sign on Eren’s desk.

1. No harm must befall the Librarian.
2. The Librarian must wear a neck covering.
3. Creatures of darkness must not appear to the Library before the last rays of sunlight.
4. The Librarian must not disclose the existence of the creatures of darkness.
5. Reference books must not leave the Library.
6. Books may be check out from the Library for two weeks, otherwise there is a late fee* that must be paid.

*three years.

“You only removed the first one.” Eren says distantly.

Levi reaches over and takes Eren’s hand in his. “This doesn’t change anything for me.”

“What?” Eren looks down at their hands and his head is spinning.

“We found your father.” Hange says. And while Eren can hear them clearly, it doesn’t matter because it sounds like they’re millions of miles apart.

Father.

Grisha has always been a mystery. Eren has never met him and Carla had only mentioned his name once in passing. But Eren had clung to the small scrap of information that he had received.

Grisha, your father, it seemed like he was running to…or from something.

Eren never understood what that meant and still doesn’t even now. He’s never so much as even seen a picture of his dad or knows even basic information about him.

Eren can’t breathe.

He stands and rips his hand away from Levi.

“I have to go.” He says and runs back towards the solarium.

He hears voices calling after him, but he doesn’t pay them any mind. There’s nothing that they can say that he would comprehend.

He hears footsteps coming after him and he doesn’t care who it is, he wants to be alone. Eren turns towards the doors of the solarium, sees Levi’s shocked face. He’s so beautiful even through his tears.

Eren waves a hand and casts up wards: a solid black wall that no one can get through. He’s no longer ignorant of how much power he possesses. And maybe it’s because he apparently isn’t human.

There’s silence in the room and it’s deafening. His wards are so strong that he can’t hear the wind outside or the birds chirping or even the echo of his own breath.

Something tears its way out of his throat.

It is soundless and painful and he feels raw and alone.

Eren falls to his knees, hands pressed into the chequered marbling of the floor.

He screams again and hears nothing.

Not his choked sobs that he can feel wracking his body.

Nor his ragged breaths as he heaves for air.

He cries until he has no tears left. His eyes heavy and cheeks saturated. The sky is still bright when he casts a larger ward to close the Library for the night.

Teleportation is difficult magic, especially when emotionally compromised, but Eren figures his bed is familiar enough to him that he can teleport there with little incident.

He is proven right. He folds space and curls up between his sheets.

And he falls asleep.

&&&

Levi is sitting on the edge of his bed when he wakes.

“How did you get in here?” Eren asks and pulls his blankets up to his face to cover his sleep mouth.

“You didn’t make it easy.” Levi looks exhausted and Eren feels some weird satisfaction for just a flash before he remembers that there’s no one to blame for this. “I’m sorry you had to find out that way.”

“Did you know?”

“No.” Levi sighs.

Eren takes Levi by the hand. “Please lie down.”

Levi does. And immediately he pushes himself into Eren’s arms. “I love you so much. Breaking your wards was more energy than I’ve expended in fucking centuries.”

“Was it just you?”

“Yes.”

“And…Hange?”

“Hange is gone, don’t worry.”

“They called you–”

“I promise you I will tell you everything. I just…I need to rest, Eren.”

Eren has been the victim of magical exhaustion many times. He tucks Levi under his chin. “Sleep, Levi.”

That’s all it takes for Levi to promptly pass out. Eren knows how strong his wards were and he can only imagine how much Levi pulled from himself to tear them down. He snuffles softly in his sleep, breaths deep and even. But Eren stays awake.

He can’t stop thinking about all of it.

In the dark quiet of his bedroom, Levi pulled tight to his body, Eren cries until he falls asleep.

&&&

They’re sitting on Eren’s couch, the sun beginning to rise, teacups in both of their hands. A weird silence hangs between them, neither knows who should start. Eren is a-okay keeping the focus off of himself for a few extra minutes, so he looks at Levi expectantly.

“Humans have given me many names, but the one that is most well-known is Asmodeus, King of Demons.” Levi scowls. “I don’t love the concept of demons. Souls that are twisted or that have succumbed to curses are not bad, they simply are what they are, but human minds are so short-sighted. I kept them in my care. Sometimes in hopes of rehabilitation. Other times, usually, just to give them a home.”

Eren doesn’t think that this is a story that he’s allowed to interject in, so he stays silent.

“I’ve been alive for a long time and humans have been making up their own idea of me this whole time.” Levi looks off into the distance. “I wanted only to give them a home, but I was seen as evil and unrepentant, first by humans, and then by those I sought to care for. And eventually, all those that I cared for died and no one else came and I was alone.”

Eren sets down his and Levi’s tea and pulls him into a hug. “I’m sorry, Levi.”

“It was thousands of years ago.” Levi responds, but he sinks deeper into Eren’s arms. “I changed my name and roamed around earth and met all sorts of people who eventually became gods and daemons and spectres to the humans. I watched reputations get destroyed by human selfishness and it took a long time for me to come back.”

“Why did you?”

Levi is quiet a moment. And then, “The New World.” He scoffs at himself. “It was nothing but a wet dream for white imperialism, but at first…there was something appealing about being somewhere else. And with diaspora, what was another new place?”

“Levi…”

“You’ll laugh, but you know what got me to move here?”

“What’s that?”

“Dvorak wrote his ninth symphony and I happened upon it in London in 1894.”

Eren does not laugh. “You bailed on society for that long?”

Levi nods against Eren’s neck. “About two thousand years. And when I came to the states, I met the Foundation by chance.”

Eren’s eyes widen. “You must have been so lonely.”

Levi is quiet for a long time. “Yes.” He works his jaw. “But…some people are familiar to me. Their names are the same and they are…alive again.”

“Reincarnated?” Eren, somehow, is surprised. After all of the things that he has learned and seen, reincarnation wasn’t something he expected to be real. But he isn’t dismissive at all. “Who?”

Levi pulls back and holds Eren’s hands, a small smile playing on his lips. “Hange.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I met them initially in what’s considered Turkey now. It’s unclear how much they remember from the life I knew them in before, but we have talked about it.” Levi hesitates. “I learned a term during my travels. It’s a Chinese word that does not have an English translation: zhī jǐ. The closest approximation in English is soulmate, but I’ve always treated it as ‘someone I have a home in’, and I—” Levi stops and it’s weird because he doesn’t start sentences he won’t finish. “Hange meant everything to me when we first met. And when they died, I couldn’t accept it. And now…they’re back.”

There’s a lot to unpack and Eren’s head is reeling with all of this new information.

“When did you find them again?”

“About twelve years ago. Right before you became the Librarian here.”

Levi gets a distant look on his face as he looks out towards the sunshine.

“They said…I’m not…human.” The words hurt him to get out.

Levi looks back at him, face still angled towards the windows. “No.”

Eren licks his dry lips. “Did they…tell you what I am?”

“Yes.”

Levi isn’t in the business of offering more information than asked. And even now he seems to be treading even more carefully.

“Will you tell me?”

Levi nods.

“Grisha was born Cronus, the Titan of Time, son of Uranus and Gaia.”

Eren shakes his head. “No…wait…” He squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head again. “That would make me…Poseidon’s…cousin?”

A pause.

“Try…half-brother.”

“I’m just a guy!” He immediately argues. “I’m just—” He stops and heaves in a breath and looks at Levi, trying to get him to understand. “I’m just a guy.”

“You are many things, Eren. ‘Just’ isn’t one of them. But your parentage does not define you.”

Eren hates this. He hates it. A demi-god. That’s what he is. He isn’t just a human and his mother never told him. He wonders if Carla knew and that’s why she didn’t let him get close to the creatures. Or maybe she really didn’t know and she chose to keep her distance from them professionally. And Eren hates that too. Hates that she didn’t get close to the patrons of the Library. He thinks of Annie and how she had been ripped from the Library once before and he knew that Carla knew how to save her, but she let her get dropped off in some fucking trinket shop until she granted three wishes of some fucking stranger.

And Eren was going to do the same because that was what he was taught.

Eren stands and presses the balls of his palms into his eyes.

“Eren.” Levi says from his spot on the couch. “What do you need?”

“Asmodeus is kind.” Eren says, his voice soft. “I’m the bastard son of a Titan. What could I possibly need right now?”

Eren feels wild, untethered. He can’t even begin to parse his thoughts.

“Levi…I…just wanted to be a human. I just wanted…to be a human.”

He wonders what this means for him. What it means for either of them.

“You are more than your ancestry.” Levi says and looks down at his lap. “I am more than what the humans made me to be. And you are everything that you want to be. Like magic, you are anything you want to be.”

Eren blinks.

And then blinks again.

Levi isn’t a particularly sappy person but hearing him toss Eren’s words back in his face in the most meaningful way that he could makes Eren’s heart pound painfully in his chest.

“Levi…”

“Yeah, yeah. Just don’t forget that you’re a person with thoughts and feelings too.”

“You really are incredible.”

“I’m pretty fuckin’ rad.” Levi replies.

Eren flops back down on his couch and feels drained and tired. “What do I do now?”

“What do you want to do?”

Eren thinks about all of his desires and everything he’s ever wanted.

“Keep on going, I guess. I guess…I should just keep going. I’m not any different. I just now have information about myself that I didn’t have before. I used to think I was an only child. I guess that’s not true. I guess…Zeus is my half-brother. And I have…fucking a lot of cousins. My mom was an only child and her parents were both only children and bloodline ends with me, but my dad’s bloodline just keeps on fucking going and oh my god there’s a lot of incest in there too! Levi! The incest!”

“You haven’t fucked anyone you’re related to.”

Eren pushes his face into his hands. “There’s a whole new family tree that I have to learn.”

“Lucky for you, this one is available on google. Search Hesiod’s version, because he was the most correct.”

Eren looks at Levi. “You’re being really calm.”

“Here I was thinking that you’d appreciate it if I wasn’t freaking out with you.”

Eren thinks about that for a moment. “You’re right. I…don’t want you freaking out too. I would be so stressed.”

“I know.” Levi places a hand on Eren’s knee. “Besides, I had my freak out with Hange while your wards were up.”

“I’m sorry about that.”

Levi shakes his head. “You were experiencing something new and you handled it the only way you knew how.”

Eren frowns. “I wanted you there with me, but I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“I’m here now.”

“You are.” Eren sighs heavily and leans backwards until his head is resting on the back of his couch and he’s looking out past the domed ceiling into the sunshine. “I guess I don’t have to choose between lives anymore.” That’s kind of a relief. “I always felt like I didn’t belong in human society or creature society. I guess I’m a creature.”

“And how does that make you feel?” Levi asks and Eren laughs a little and then laughs a little harder until he can’t stop. “I didn’t mean to ask it like that.” Levi argues over Eren’s laughter.

“Like a fuckin’ therapist.” Eren blows out a breath. “I don’t know how I feel about it. I guess it’ll take a long time to process.”

“And that’s okay.”

“What does this mean for like…passports and stuff. How will I prove my identity?” Eren sits up straight and stares at Levi.

“Creatures are everywhere, kid. Including government.”

Eren nods sagely. “I always thought the president was a vampire.”

“The president is three gnomes in a trench coat.” Levi mutters and stands up. “Let me make you dinner at least.”

Eren thinks about yesterday and how he’s feeling about how he received the news.

“We should have Hange over for dinner.”

“Now?”

Eren swallows thickly. “Sure.” There’s a knock at his door and Eren blinks dumbly at it. “Uhh…”

Levi is purposefully not looking at him.

When he answers the door, Hange bursts in, a bright smile on their face. “Hi, Eren. Levi.” They pull him in a for a tight hug.

“How long have you been out there?” Eren says surprised.

“I have portals all over the place. Easier than teleporting which is apparently something you can do.”

Levi comes back into the living room and points and Hange’s feet. “Take your shoes off, fuckin’ dirt monster.” He goes into the kitchen where he belongs. Feminism.

Hange laughs and kicks their shoes off towards the door. They land haphazardly with a bang against the floor, but miraculously, nothing gets knocked over.

Eren blinks. “You’re a mess.”

“Yeah, I am!” Hange seems proud and sits on Eren’s couch and immediately is comfortable. “This is a lot cuter than how Carla had it setup. She had mom energy.”

“She was a mom.”

“Even before she was a mom.” Hange says.

“How did she become a Librarian?” Eren doesn’t know this story and it’ll be good to talk about not himself right now.

Hange beams and claps their hands together. “She just walked right in here one day. Said she was looking for a book.”

“She got through the wards?”

“Yep! Didn’t even realise it either.” Hange sighs and looks at the sunshine spilling across the dark hardwood of Eren’s living room. “She had a knack for magic, but never even tried to explore it. It used to bother me. But then I noticed all of the other Librarians were like that too. And I realised it was something about maintaining some sense of humanity. For your mother and the others, exploring magic feels too much like sacrificing themselves to the creatures.”

Eren’s heart is pounding.

He’d never thought of it this way before. Or maybe he had. Eren has always had two minds of who he is and who he wants to be. And now he’s so confused that it doesn’t matter anymore who he wanted to be. That choice has been ripped from him. He will never be human. Now he’s certain he’ll never experience regular human things like getting his card declined on a 5$ coffee or having his grocery bag rip because it was overloaded.

And maybe he wanted those things. But now, almost cruelly, it’s been taken away from him.

But also, he no longer feels trapped between two worlds. He is a creature of darkness, just like the rest of them. And he can keep his station as a Librarian. Maybe it’s perfect. Maybe this is exactly what he’s always wanted.

Or maybe not.

It’s easy to cycle through these feelings while processing them. Eren knows that it’ll take him a decent amount of time before he fully accepts this new information and until then, he’ll feel off and wrong and bad.

Hange is kind and waits it out while Eren thinks about what they’ve said. He turns to them and frowns. “It’s sad that they think that way. But also, I get it. I think maybe I accepted that I just wouldn’t be a part of human society. I’ve always enjoyed being a Librarian.”

Hange smiles. “Me too. I first accepted this job because I think all of the creatures are fascinating, but I’ve since been discouraged from treating them as test subjects.”

Eren blinks and thinks carefully about how to respond. “They’re people.”

“Yes.”

“Test subjects?”

“Not anymore!” They grin, triumphant.

“Who got you to stop and see reason?”

“Levi.”

There’s a grumble from the kitchen that means that Levi has been listening in on this conversation (Eren isn’t surprised).

“When we met again in this life, I had been trying to figure out how the creatures evolved into what they are. I always had permission from the creatures I worked with, but it wasn’t until Levi said that it was done under duress that I realised the error of my ways.” Hange smiles.

They’re a bright and smiley person. Hange seems to be the only other Librarian that Eren has met that enjoys this life. Carla hadn’t really enjoyed it; she did it and carried her responsibilities as she needed to. The Trost Librarian, Rico, who Eren had met very briefly, carried out her duties similarly. But Hange exudes magic and joy and brilliance and now that Eren is able to spend time with them, he sees why Levi would miss them so much.

Eren understands now.

“Are you still researching?”

Hange grins.

Levi walks into the living room, a spoon in one hand and a towel slung over his shoulder. He makes eye contact with Hange and the two of them duke it out without saying a single word.

Eventually, Hange sighs heavily and leans back on the sofa dramatically. “Ah, I guess it’ll have to wait for another time then. Levi thinks I talk too much.”

“You do.” Levi says and goes back into the kitchen.

“Hey!” Hange laughs and then sighs. “You’ll be one less person who will die on him.”

Eren’s brain comes screeching to a halt.

He had felt Levi’s thoughts and feelings while dealing with the memory curse a year ago. He had been told the story of taking care of those overcome by curses and then subsequently abandoned due to fear mongering. Maybe it hadn’t really sunk in that Levi has watched everyone he has ever known die. Hange included. They’re back now, but it had taken thousands of years for them to return.

Eren stands and goes into the kitchen without saying anything. Levi is spreading mashed potatoes over the rest of the shepherd’s pie and acknowledges him with a small hum.

“You thought I was going to die.” Eren says.

“It doesn’t matter now.”

Eren ignores him. “And you pursued me as a mate anyways.”

Levi sighs. “What are you looking for me to say, Eren?”

“I don’t know. I just…why?”

Levi takes his time putting the shepherd’s pie in the over before turning around to face him. “I told you I was drawn to you immediately.”

“Like a soulmate?” Eren hazards and fully expects Levi to scoff at him.

Except he doesn’t.

“I don’t know.” He admits. “It’s a part of Greek mythos that we were both with four arms and four legs and two heads. And we were cast apart away from each other.” He is actively avoiding looking at Eren, busying himself putting the pie in the oven. “I don’t know anything about that though.”

“I’m pretty sure I’m immortal now.” Eren says and it’s slowly starting to sink in what he is.

Levi’s throat works as he takes a step towards Eren. “Yes.” He says so quietly.

The air between them is warm and silent and Eren can feel power radiating off of Levi in careful tendrils.

“I’ll be yours for eternity, Levi.” Eren says just to stoke the flames.

Levi looks up at him and his eyes are brighter then Eren has ever seen them. “For eternity.”

Levi has him back against the counter, lips pressed against his mating mark.

“Should I leave?” Hange is in the kitchen, smiling demurely at them. “As an asexual myself, I’m not really into sex happening right next to me.”

Eren blinks a few times and looks at them. “You don’t have to be ace to be uncomfortable with PDA.”

“Is it public?” Hange scrunches their face up as they think. “Or is this your home?”

“It’s the backroom in a public library.” Levi deadpans and pulls away from Eren carefully and goes to clean his dishes.

Eren is breathing in measured breaths, his fingertips hovering over his mating mark.

Hange hums and stands next to him. “Eren,” he looks at them, “the way I see it, there’s no such thing as good information or bad information. Information itself is neutral. It’s what you do with it.”

Eren nods and looks down at his socked feet. “Pretty sure your D&D alignment would be chaotic good.”

Levi snorts.

Hange bursts out laughing. “I would be chaotic good.”

“Levi would be true neutral.”

Levi casts a look over at Eren. “You would be lawful good. Fucking boring as shit.”

Hange smiles and presses the top of their head to Eren’s shoulder and sighs. “Is this what you both talk about when you’re together?”

Eren can’t see Levi’s face, but he can tell, somehow, that he’s rolling his eyes. “Eren always has some moronic fucking comment to say.”

“They’re a huge turn on for Levi.” Eren says without thinking.

“I’m gonna fucking kill you.” Levi says, elbow deep in soap and dirty dishes.

“I want you to.” Eren replies easily.

“Ooh, interesting foreplay.” Hange grins.

“We’re having shepherd’s pie for dinner.” Levi announces needlessly.

Eren laughs.

There’s still the tension of knowledge sitting in the pit of his stomach, but it feels muted somehow. He has Levi by his side and Hange, who apparently fought the board for him. Eren has friends and support, he just has to acknowledge it.

“Hange,” Levi starts, “could you cover for Eren in the Library for a few days? Also, can we use your portals?”

Hange hums. “Sure, but can I ask why?”

“Eren needs a vacation and I think he’d like to see some of the world.”

Eren sputters. “I don’t need a vacation. I’m fine to keep working. I’m fine.”

Levi turns and stares at him with A Look. “You’re being overruled. You’re taking a vacation.”

“It would be good for you to get outside for a bit.” Hange hums thoughtfully.

Eren flaps his mouth open and closed before huffing out a breath. “Fine.” It might be nice to be somewhere new. Know what life is like when he hasn’t dedicated 90% of his life to being in the building of his work.

Hange grins and claps their hands together. “Great!” They look at Levi. “Leviiii~! Feed me!”

Levi looks at Hange, looks at his hands covered in soap suds, then looks at the oven. “Not yet, it’s been baking for a solid minute and a half.”

Eren loves seeing Levi like this. Loves seeing that easy comfort. He wonders if there’s anyone else that Levi is like this with. He’s seen him talk with creatures before, but it seems like there’s something strained between them.

But he’s lonely. Different from how Eren is lonely, like he’s scared to get close to people v. not being able to make friends. The two of them work well together, but Eren thinks that now is as good a time as any for a transition period.

“Hange.” Eren starts, and he’s afraid of the words he’s about to say. “Have dinner with us sometimes.”

Levi stops cleaning the dishes and looks at Eren with surprise clear on his face. Hange blinks too, taken aback by the request. They look at Levi and then smile softly.

“It would be nice to be reacquainted with an old friend.” They hazard.

Levi clenches his jaw and nods once. “It would be.”

Hange’s smile is luminous.

When all of the dishes are washed, Levi loads them into the dishwasher to be sanitised. It’s a remarkable waste of water, but it’s the only way he accepts dishes as clean. Something about living through the plague, probably. Multiple plagues, if Eren thinks about it. There were three plagues that were Yersinia pestis alone.

Levi pulls out the shepherd’s pie a fifteen minutes later and sets it on the stove to cool.

Hange laughs. “Just so you know, my portals only go to Libraries.”

“That’s fine. That just means faster travel time.” Levi is thinking. “Eren, where in the world do you want to go?”

Eren blinks. “Uhhh…well, there’s that coffee shop uptown in Beaumont Square I’ve been dying to try.”

“Fuckin—” Levi looks like he’s physically restraining himself. “The world, Eren. There’s an entire planet that you haven’t seen.”

“I don’t know where the Libraries are…” Eren pouts.

Hange laughs. “You name a major city anywhere in the world and there’s a Library there.”

“Paris?”

“Yes.”

“Rome?”

“Yep.”

“Casablanca?”

“Yeah, again, any major city in the world.”

“Beirut?”

“Yes.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” Levi turns Eren towards him and squeezes his cheeks. “Anywhere in the world.” He punctuates his words as much as he can.

Eren’s mind is reeling. There are so many places that exist. “I don’t wanna look like a tourist.”

Levi blinks and squeezes Eren’s face even harder. “You look like a tourist in Shiganshina.”

“Mean.” Eren says. It’s probably true, it’s not like he’s been out and about like a normal person since he was in high school and it’s not like he’d consider high schoolers normal people. There’s so much learning that happens as an adult. “Hang on.”

Eren untangles himself from Levi and turns towards his counter. He thinks clearly of a world map and draws a circle with his finger. A small portal appears and he can hear Hange go, “ooooh!” behind him as he pulls it out. He unrolls it and lays it flat and whispers the Old Words.

The edges catch fire and he pulls his hands away as it burns.

“I’m not good at making choices.” Eren says. “Especially when I have so many.”

The burning stops and they all lean forwards.

Xiamen, Fujian, China.

“Oh, cool.” Hange says.

“Alright, we’ll leave after dinner.” Levi looks over at the living room and towards the sky. “It’s about 7pm there now. I’ll book us a place to stay. Start eating.” He leaves the room before either of them can say anything.

Hange whoops and immediately fills two plowls with shepherd’s pie. “Levi will serve himself when he’s back.”

“Is it really okay for me to take time off?” Eren asks as they move to his table.

Hange nods enthusiastically. “You’ll be taking a week off?” Hange asks. “Why not make it a whole month? Other Librarians have cashed in sick days and vacations. But you never have.”

Eren clicks his jaw shut.

“In fact, you were the only Library open every day of the week. Not even Carla did that.” Hange sounds like they’re giving it genuine thought, but there’s a specific kind of glint in their eyes that makes Eren think that maybe he should definitely take the month off. “It’s been unfair to you that you’ve been working this much. Please have a nice vacation.”

“Won’t the creatures be weird about me not being there?” Eren is floundering for excuses now.

“I’ll put up a sign that says, ‘Don’t worry, he’ll be back in a few weeks’, and I’m sure they’ll all be fine.”

“But curses…”

“I can figure out a few of them.” Hange says and then their expression sobers. “I’ve never thought to break a curse…or…help them…before I heard about what you were doing. I only ever interacted with them when I thought I could learn something, not the other way around. So…thank you.” Hange smiles. “I’ve been so wrong for so long and now I’ll do my best to encourage other Librarians.”

Eren feels flayed open. “I wanted to help.”

“You did. You are. But you also need rest.” Hange points at his meal with their fork. “And food. Eat.” The command.

And he starts eating. As it with all of Levi’s cooking, this is exceptional. Eren tears into it and realises that he hasn’t eaten in well-over 24 hours. This is hearty and heavy and salty and just so fuckin’ tasty.

Levi walks back into the room, Eren’s laptop tucked into his arm. “We’re staying in the Conrad in Xiamen.” He comes right up to Eren and presses his lips against the curve of his mandible and whispers words that he can’t catch. “Now you can understand and speak Hokkien.”

“What’s that?” Eren ask dumbly as Levi pulls away and, notably, does not give him a kiss.

“A language.” Levi is back in the kitchen, laptop still in his arms, as he fills a plowl for himself. “I’ve already packed for you and if I forgot something, we can just buy it.”

“I don’t make any money.” It feels like Eren should make a pretty solid attempt at protesting. But Levi kisses him on the cheek while he manages to stand while eating and holding open laptop. “Don’t break my laptop, I can’t afford another.”

“Again, I’m rich.”

“Sugar daddy.”

“Shut. The fuck. Up. Jesus hell, kid.”

Hange laughs, showing them both the half-chewed food in their mouth. “You’re both very funny. I’m excited to crash in on family dinners from now on.”

“Every week at least.” Levi says and he sounds just a little annoyed about it.

But Hange promises: “Every week.”

When they’re done eating, Levi takes the dishes into the kitchen and packs up the rest of the shepherd’s pie and gives it to Hange. “Don’t starve. If you need food, send a raven. I’ll cook for you.”

“You’ll be on vacation. In China.” Hange argues.

“Yeah, so I trust that you’ll tell me if you’re hungry.”

Hange leans over Levi where he’s cleaning the dishes and hugs him from behind. “You mean everything to me, Levi.” They kiss him on the back of his head. “I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

“Yeah yeah. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

Levi finishes up the dishes and does another pass on the apartment to make sure it’s clean.

Eren casts up spells to keep things from burning and double checks that the Library’s wards are still going strong. Levi is waiting by the door, sleeves rolled up to his elbow, shoes on, foot tapping impatiently, when Eren decides that he’s ready to leave.

“C’mon. We’re gonna miss our check in time.”

Eren laughs and pulls his shoes on too.

They all head down to the solarium and Hange pulls them each into a hug. “When you want to come back, just take this sigil,” they hand Levi a piece of paper, “and hold it in the middle of the solarium and you’ll be brought back here.”

“Thank you, Hange.” Levi says and shakes their hand.

Eren smiles and hugs Hange again. “Thank you.”

“I hope you get the rest that you deserve, Eren.” Hange squeezes him and as they pull away, a portal opens.

It’s a lot like the ones that Eren makes except bigger and he can see clearly to the other side. It’s darker on that side, which makes sense because it’s late there and all of the lights are out. But it’s also…another country just right there.

Eren steps through and the air tastes different and this Library smells different from his. Sterile, maybe.

And Levi steps up next to him, hands in his pockets.

“Smells weird.” Levi says and then makes his way to the front door.

The portal closes behind them with a quiet whooshing noise.

Eren follows and looks around, surprised by how different this set up is. The solarium is very similar to his, but there are no paintings of the Librarians hanging up, proudly displayed, instead it’s devoid of any art, of any personality. There are still three floors, but they are maintained just enough.

It’s hard to describe. But it just feels impersonal. Just like Trost had felt when he first visited. And just like Shiganshina had been when he first took over.

Eren is frowning by the time they get outside.

The air smells nice outside, floral and warm. It’s damp and heavy and Eren immediately wishes that he was wearing less layers. But Levi takes him by the hand and leads him somewhere.

“We aren’t too far from our hotel.”

Sure, but also, it’s really exciting to be in a new place! The signs are in a language that Eren doesn’t know but can read anyways. It’s approaching 9pm, but there are still lots of people in the streets, bustling and walking, heading home or heading to dinner or work or whatever. People who look like movie stars are on their phones, chatting quickly and animatedly. People dressed in suits are laughing with their friends. And Eren realises that while Shiganshina isn’t a bad place to be, they aren’t living in the same way that they’re living here.

Almost immediately, his world view is different and he understands the importance of learning about new cultures.

Eren has felt lonely his entire life, but here he already feels less alone because everyone is less alone.

Levi has their fingers intertwined, uncaring of what other people may think. And no one seems to care. Some people notice that they’re holding hands, but none of them move to do anything and their eyes pass over completely uninterested.

They’re walking through colourful neon streets and the air starts to taste saltier and saltier. Eren hums and turns his face towards the sky. It’s too bright to see any stars, but the moon is out and bright and beautiful and he smiles at her.

As they leave the marketplace, they get a clear view of their surroundings. It is mountainous and beautiful and the moon is reflecting against the waterway.

Levi points out towards the water. “That’s east. If we kept going that way, we’d eventually reach Taiwan. And if kept going east, Hawaii, and then back to the States.”

Eren stops walking and thinks about that for a moment. They’ve gone so far in such a short amount of time. They really are thousands of miles away from home. He’s squeezing Levi’s hand so hard.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” Levi says and stays by his side until he’s ready to start walking again.

True to his word, the hotel is not far, but it is so much nicer than Eren was expecting. And what’s even more unexpected is when they head all the way to the top floor and it opens up to the most extra fucking bougie ass penthouse suite he’s ever seen. It looks like he’s just stepped into a fucking HBO special.

His mouth is wide open, but Levi is walking around, checking for fucking bedbugs.

“Are you joking?”

“No, people are disgusting. Just because this place is nice doesn’t mean that they’re bedbug free.”

“No, I mean this room!” Eren is fucking floored. He walks into the living area and there are floor to ceiling windows and he can see the surrounding lands and the ocean or sea or whatever the fuck it is.

“I’ve never made a joke in my life.” Levi says as he comes to Eren’s side. “That’s Shuanyu Island. Zhangzhou Harbour. Xiamen Port and waterway.”

“How do you know all this?” Eren’s throat is dry.

“I’ve been here before.” Levi says like it’s easy.

Thousands of years old, of course he’s been here before. Eren frowns.

“You’ve travelled before.” Eren says slowly. “Is there anywhere you would want to show me?”

Levi takes his hand and grips it tightly. “I want to show you everywhere.”

“Then show me.” Eren smiles. “I want to see everything. I’ve never—” He swallows. “I’ve never really left Shiganshina.”

Levi nods. “We’ll start tomorrow after we rest.”

Eren nods back and, inexplicably, he feels tears fill his eyes. “There’s a whole world out there…and I was never going to see it.” Levi doesn’t say anything, just lets him cry and rub the tears away from his cheeks.

“We’re gonna explore tomorrow.” Eren declares.

“Yeah, we’ll go to the fish markets and you’ll have the best fucking seafood you’ve ever had in your fucking life.”

Levi pulls a bag of holding from his pocket and starts pulling things out. Clothes and toiletries. And…condoms?

“We don’t need those.” Eren says.

“We’re fucking in a bed while we’re here. We’ll both be wrapped. To avoid messes.”

Eren doesn’t laugh. “We can fuck in the shower.”

“You…” Levi’s jaw works and he continues to organise their stuff. “You have always wanted to have sex in a bed. This is a good place for it. They can change the sheets everyday if I ask them to.”

“We should get a sex tarp.” Eren says. “But like one of those soft ones. Or! Y’know, I’ve been thinking about getting a new mattress? We can have sex in my current one, get it all saturated and gooey,” Levi, very quietly says, ‘eww’, “and then set it on fire. I think that would be okay.”

“Let’s invest in tarps instead.” Levi is pleased but won’t show it outwardly. “You’re fucking ridiculous.”

“Harrumph.” Eren looks out the windows again and stares at the sea. “We’re gonna have a great vacation.”

“We are. Now go shower, we’ve spent the day travelling.”

“We walked a whole five blocks.” Eren laughs and grabs his shower things anyways. In the bathroom, he finds that the bathtub is fucking enormous. “Levi! We can fuck in his bathtub!”

“You’re so fucking horny, Eren.” Levi calls back from the bedroom.

Eren laughs and gets into the shower. There are about 3 more showerheads than necessary and he isn’t sure what to do with them, so he leaves them off for now. But over the next few weeks, he’s sure that he’ll try them out.

The water pressure is incredible. It bears down on his back and massages out all the kinks. And it’s hot. He forgets that he’s supposed to be cleaning himself, but Levi climbs in with him at some point and helps him get back on track.

As usual, Levi cleans him with that one-track single-mindedness he only shows when cleaning. They’re both pink and raw by the time Levi’s done cleaning them.

“We’re not having sex tonight?”

Levi huffs. “Ask me tomorrow.”

Eren tries to find a clock and fails. “Fine.”

They fall into bed, naked and exhausted, curl into each other, and fall asleep.

&&&

Eren’s dreams are weird.

A man he’s never seen before is saying his name with a gentle urgency. His hair is dark and long and his glasses are small, giving him an elegant and severe look.

He sees a flash of a young man with blue eyes and blonde hair. Zeus. Or…Zeke. Eren knows him to be his half-brother, though he doesn’t get a good look at him.

&&&

Eren blinks. The room is dark, but there is sunshine filtering through a small crack in the drapes in the corner. Levi is half-sprawled across his chest, snoring quietly.

They both had kind of an exhausting day yesterday, but it’s weird seeing him this open.

Usually, Eren hates being seen before his brushed his teeth, but a quick wave of his hand takes care of that. And Levi is right…it doesn’t feel as right as properly brushing. But he could never give up this moment.

Eren runs his fingers through those void-black locks and they’re soft as always. As slowly as he can, he sits up just enough so he can look at Levi in the dim light. He can just barely make out the freckles across his nose. Usually when he sleeps, Levi is as orderly as he is awake. And also, Eren doesn’t get to see him sleep. Ever. Levi falls asleep after him and wakes up before him on any other occasion.

This is the first time Eren has ever seen him asleep. Levi has always been a private person, but Eren has been soaking up all the little details that he can get. The slight part of Levi’s lips. The soft flutter of his eyelashes. The light curve of his brow. He’s so beautiful it’s almost painful. But Eren can gaze upon him for the rest of his life. For the rest of their lives. For hundreds of human lifetimes. For an eternity.

Eren doesn’t realise that he’s crying until a tear drops on Levi’s cheek. Eren gently wipes it away and breathes carefully through his nose. Miraculously, Levi doesn’t wake up.

They lay there for a while, Eren stroking through Levi’s hair, memorising his face in unconsciousness. And then he starts to stir. It’s interesting, watching someone wake up. Levi’s breath comes a little faster, his eyelashes flutter, his eyes open just a bit, not quite lucid yet. They close again. And then he blinks and looks up at Eren.

“You’re awake.” Before me, he doesn’t say. His voice is a little rough with sleep and speaks quieter than he usually does.

“Yes.” Eren murmurs back. “You’re lovely when you sleep.”

“Fuckin’ weird that you were watching me.” Levi doesn’t make a move to get up, though he does wave a quick little hand in front of his mouth to clear the night from himself.

Eren smiles. “You’ve watched me sleep before.”

When Levi doesn’t deny it, he laughs a little.

Slowly, Levi starts to sit up and pushes Eren flat on his back. “Good morning.” He says as he mouths gentle kisses down his jaw to his mating mark. “We’re in a bed.”

Eren smiles and wraps a bare leg around Levi’s waist. They’re both hard and Eren has yearned for sleepy morning sex in a bed and it’s finally happening. Three years of sex anywhere but on a bed.

Levi rocks against him, the blankets whispering sliding down his back. He moans quietly in the back of his throat, sinking his teeth lightly into Eren’s neck. His hands are hot and tight in his hair and on his hip and it feels so good. Eren can’t help but buck up against Levi, tossing his head back to give him more space.

“We are in a bed. Oh my god, won’t you fuck me like this. You can just stick it in.”

Levi hums thoughtfully, aligning their cocks and rubbing gently against him. “So romantic. ‘Just stick it in’, huh?”

“Yes, I’ll do anything.”

“You don’t have to do a thing.” Levi says and angles himself just so that the tip of his cock is pressed against Eren’s entrance.

He starts pushing in and pulling out and goes deeper with every thrust. The stretch is a lot. Even more so without any lube. But Levi is leaking, pouring out precum until it’s filling his tight hole.

Eren moans incoherently, squeezing his eyes shut against the burn. It’s so fucking good. “Fuck, Levi, oh please sir.”

Levi huffs out a heavy breath as he seats himself fully, his balls pressed against Eren’s ass. “You’re so fucking tight.” His voice is strained.

Eren’s back arches, trying to get Levi to hit that little spot in him. His mouth hangs open as Levi starts to thrust in and out of him. Levi gasps, his breath stuttering in his chest. He’s trying so hard to keep it together, but Eren can feel his control slipping.

“C’mon. I can take it.”

Levi whines and shakes his head, pressing his forehead against Eren’s collarbone. “I can’t. Fuck. It’s too good. You feel too good, baby.”

Eren tilts his head and smiles to himself. “Yeah, daddy? My omega pussy feels too good for you?” Levi moans, louder than he ever has, and latches his teeth into Eren’s shoulder. “You wanna stuff me full of your knot and breed me?”

Levi kisses him to shut him up, fingers tangling in his hair and yanking. Eren is delighted, moaning unabashed into Levi’s mouth.

It takes a few more thrusts before Levi starts to build up a good pace. The burn is still there and Eren know he’s gonna walk funny for a couple of days. He’s sore already and he can feel it in his back as Levi thrusts harder and harder, compressing his spine.

“Eren, c’mon. Keep talkin’. Didn’t know you practised.”

Eren tries to laugh, but the air is knocked out of his lungs on the next thrust. “You like when I talk about my pussy, daddy?” Levi tosses his head back, clearing his bangs from his eyes and looking down at Eren with a hunger that’s palpable. “Oh? You like being called daddy?”

“Yes.” Levi growls. “Didn’t know you were into that, baby girl.”

Eren clenches on the next thrust and moans. “Fuck…

Levi is pounding with abandon, sinking his teeth into Eren’s neck and it really doesn’t take long for him to cum. Eren moans loudly as he feels his hole filled. It feels so good.

Levi grabs his dick and it only takes a couple of strokes before he’s cumming too, splattering across his chest.

There’s nothing quite like collapsing back into the pillows after a good round of sex. Levi nestles on top of him to catch his breath like he always does, but for a significantly shorter amount of time.

He sits up and pulls out, eyes trained on the ceiling as Eren’s hole leaks.

“We gotta clean up.” He says, tight in the back of his throat.

A laugh bubbles out of Eren’s throat and he rolls out of bed. “Sure, sure.”

They strip the sheets and get washed up and ready for the day.

When they get outside, Eren immediately starts sweating. It’s a beautiful day. Sunny and warm but fucking humid.

“What the fuck.” He mutters and immediately casts a spell over himself to stay dry. “It’s so damp here.”

Levi pushes his sunglasses up his face. “Yeah, it’s tropical.” He says, gesturing out towards the ocean.

That’s fair.

It’s their first day in Xiamen. In a foreign place! Eren is in another country! He grins and takes Levi’s hand. “Thank you for suggesting this.”

“Stop. Stop thanking me.” Levi shudders. “I don’t know what to do with your gratitude.”

Eren smirks. “Insert sexual favour here.”

Levi furrows his brow and makes a show of looking up and down the crowded market street. “Here?”

“Obviously not here.” Eren laughs.

But Levi hums. “I know a cloaking spell. You could fuck my mouth in the middle of the street and no one would know.”

Eren trips. “Jesus fuck. Levi!” He chastises. “You can’t just say things like that.”

It’s not obvious through his sunglasses, but Levi is probably rolling his eyes. “It has never stopped you before.” He takes Eren by the hand and turns them onto a side street. “Now c’mon. I heard there’s a tiny place that sells roast duck and I am dying to try it.”

“You heard?” Eren is dubious. “From where?”

“Google.”

Eren laughs as he gets tugged into a small restaurant with roasted duck hanging in the window. There is a counter with stools and that is it for seating. It’s small and empty but has smells that Eren is obsessed with. Levi greets the woman behind the counter in Hokkien and plops down on a stool. She waves back at them both and gives them menus. She has kind eyes and smile lines and rough hands.

It’s a weird experience reading characters that he’s never seen before and turning them into words that he knows. But even with magic, he still doesn’t understand what a lot of it is. He must look puzzled because Levi looks at him.

“Is there anything that you refuse to eat?”

Eren thinks about the list of foods that he thinks he wouldn’t be into and then thinks, I’m on vacation in a new country. I should experience their culture respectfully. He shakes his head. Levi raises an eyebrow and waves to the woman behind the counter. Eren is pretty sure she’s the only one here and also pretty sure she’s the owner.

Levi orders in rapid fire Hokkien and she answers back just as quickly. She laughs and looks between them, with a soft look in her eyes.

“Do you want tea, little one?” She asks and Levi smiles.

“Please, auntie.”

She smiles back and goes into the kitchen for a bit and returns with a light purple ceramic teapot and two small matching cups. Levi’s eyes light up and he inclines his head in thanks. Eren does the same, thanking her in Hokkien. It feels unnatural coming from his mouth, like a poorly dubbed movie. But she’s pleased all the same. She goes back into the kitchen to prepare their meals.

Levi turns on his stool and looks at Eren through his sunglasses and Eren has to laugh.

“I may not know much about human society, but I do know that it’s typically rude to wear sunglasses in doors.”

Levi scoffs and pushes them up his head, his bangs held back with a few strands falling elegantly over his forehead.

“I fuckin’ hate how effortlessly beautiful you are.” Eren mutters.

“Me?” Levi’s eyes widen. “The fuck are you talking about? You’re the one who puts absolutely no effort into your appearance and yet.” He gestures to all of Eren. “Fuckin’ ethereal. Suck my dick.”

Eren is horrified. “Here? She feels like my grandma, Levi.”

Levi rolls his eyes and pours their tea after it’s steeped long enough. “All body and no brains.”

“Mean.” Eren pouts and holds his tea in between his hands. Quite honestly, it’s too fucking hot outside for tea, but it’s weirdly cooling as he sips it.

Levi hums approvingly at his teacup. And finishes off his cup kind of in record time before pouring himself another serving. If Levi likes it this much, then this must be a pretty amazing tea. Honestly, Eren can’t tell.

“Do you like it?” Levi asks.

“Yes? It’s tea. I like all tea.”

Levi looks shocked. “Some teas are actually offensive to my tastebuds. You shouldn’t like those.”

Eren laughs and rolls his eyes. “I don’t have what they call ‘a trained palate’. I grew up on casseroles and potatoes made any way you could possibly imagine.”

“I keep forgetting that you’re basically a home-schooled adult.” Levi mutters. “You’re so well-adjusted.”

“Heck off.” Eren is offended. “I know enough about human society. I’ve seen all sorts of television shows.”

“That’s like a weeb saying that they know a lot about Japan from watching anime.” Levi says, grinning over the rim of his teacup.

Eren jumps and looks around. “You’ll offend someone with those words.”

“You’re right, I’ll amend: that’s like saying someone who reads a lot of manga and watches a lot of anime has a good grasp on Japanese culture.”

Eren is pouting. “I’ve been on the internet before; they can get scary.”

Levi raises his eyebrows. “My point, sweet one. You don’t know how to be a person and they don’t know how to be Japanese.”

“Sure. I still think it’s different. I’ve been outside before.”

Levi sighs despairingly. “The tea is really good, whether you realise it or not.”

Food comes out and Eren is so relieved. It looks and smells amazing! But Eren has no idea what he’s looking at. Because…potatoes.

Levi nods and points at each dish. “Gua bao – pork belly buns. Bǎnmiàn – egg noodle soup.” He points at the last one. “I’ll tell you what it is after you eat it.”

Eren immediately takes a bit. It’s cold and refreshing and gelatinous and so fucking tasty. He takes another bite, nodding enthusiastically. “What is it?”

“Tǔ sǔn dòng – worm jelly.”

“It’s amazing.” Eren keeps eating and then digs into everything else. He’s eaten out a lot with Levi, but Shiganshina doesn’t have a big Chinese population.

He looks at the owner. “It’s so good!”

She positively beams. “It’s a Xiamen staple, I’m glad you like it.”

When she goes back into the kitchen, Levi looks at Eren. “I’m surprised.”

“What?”

“Worms.”

Eren rolls his eyes. “It’s on the menu. It has to be good otherwise people wouldn’t eat it.”

“Proud of you.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

They finish off the three plates quickly and Eren starts going through the menu again to order more.

By the time they leave, Eren feels like he’s ready to pass out from overeating. He waves goodbye to the owner and she smiles back.

Levi is patting his belly happily. “Been a while since I’ve had Fujian style food. Can’t find it anywhere else but here.”

They walk through the streets. It’s modern and loud and there are neon signs everywhere. They pass by a shrine that has a KFC connected to it which is a little funny. Levi leads them to the bridge that crosses the South China Sea to the mainland. Eren has to stop and admire how fucking pretty it is partway across the bridge.

For the first time in his life, Eren wishes that he had a phone so he could at least take pictures.

Oh, an Idea.

He makes an L with both of his hands and holds his arms out like he’s framing a picture. A little bit of magic and he has an instant print of the scenery. The first one is small. Just a little clip of the sun beaming against the salt waters of the sea.

Then he turns to Levi. “Can I take a picture of you?”

Levi shrugs. “Sure.”

Eren frames it better this time because it is Levi. He moves around awkwardly on the bridge until he gets a good angle of Levi glowering at him, more beautiful than the sun. He spreads his hands out farther this time to get Levi and the city in the background.

It’s huge.

He did not think this through.

He feels the material. It’s solid. Kind of. Or…it’s anything that he wants it to be. He rolls his photo of Levi carefully.

“Bag of holding, pls.”

Levi takes it out and holds it open and Eren pops in his new pictures.

“A new skill.” Levi observes.

“Feels like there should be a little video game jingle in the background every time I do something new.” Eren hums a little tune. “Level up!”

“What’s your level now, then?”

“Idk like a three.”

“Out of what? Three?”

Eren laughs. “Like 50? Or 80. WoW rules.”

Levi grabs Eren by the scruff of his neck and kisses him rough and hard. “You’re so fucking weird.”

“Oh, no, babe. You.”

He laughs, but it feels like he’s trying too hard even to his ears. He shakes his head and grabs Levi’s hand. “Let’s go shopping!”

And shopping they do. Eren manages to sufficiently distract himself from yesterday’s feelings. But he should have known that it isn’t that easy.

Every step he’s reminded that he’s now, and forever, a visitor in human society. Both of them are. As perfectly acceptable as they look, it’s hard to forget that this is a life that Eren will never lead. Never work a retail job where he’s forced to be nice to people. He can see the tightness behind people’s eyes as they smile and placate difficult customers. Eren will never know the pain of losing his keys or locking them in his car. He’ll never have to call a locksmith and shell out hundreds of dollars.

Levi either.

But Levi has also lived thousands of years and Eren is so curious to learn how the world changed and what it felt like. Did it feel gradual? Or were some things more sudden? How will Eren feel the passage of time? Now, he marks each year by the cycles of the sun and moon. Will he lose count? Right now, he’s thirty-three. In twelve hundred years will he know that he’s one-thousand-two-hundred-and-thirty-three? Or will he hedge a year, ballpark in order of magnitude of tens, or forget completely?

Levi must notice his weird mood, but does not push. And Eren loves him for it. Loves that he’s allowed this time to process and figure out exactly how he’s feeling. Even when it’s so abstract.

It’s so fucking abstract.

Eren doesn’t feel any different. Nothing, really, has changed. How long will it take for him to notice? Will he age? Will he hit a point where he just stops aging biologically? Like Renesmee from The Twilight Series? Or maybe he already has and he hasn’t noticed yet.

They find a store that sells only black clothes and Levi lets himself get dragged inside. The appeal is that all garments are the Same Black.

In this moment, it occurs to Eren that he could have used magic on his clothes to keep them the same black.

But when he had first started wearing his usual garments, he was so strict about only using his magic for the Library. He had been living under his mother’s rules. Magic was for the Library or for witches and it was a fine line. And it took Luna, the certivaur who couldn’t feel heat, before he started using magic for other things. It was the most freeing moment of his life.

And he has Levi, the King of Demons, to hold his hand through all of these big changes.

Big changes like picking a new Librarian outfit?

Levi frowns and says something along the lines of buying more than one outfit. But Eren only needs one outfit. Otherwise it’s too much work to do laundry. Right now, laundry is just his underpants and socks. And if he were a more disgusting person, he wouldn’t wear either.

He finally settles on an elbow-length bishop sleeved shirt since he’s always pushing up his sleeves anyways, this just removes a step. And maybe he can get sigil tattoos? That’d be cool. And a new pair of pants. Levi said they made his ass look good and that’s enough of an endorsement for him to get them. He looks like a pirate, tbh, but it’s a good look that he can keep going for at least a couple of years. Last minute, he grabs a cardigan for cold days, and the sleeves are wide enough to accommodate his new shirt and that’s it. He did it.

Maybe he’ll get new accessories.

Who knows?

He has so many options now. Maybe he’ll switch from gold to silver? Or more black. He’s so creative.

They go for dinner, all their stuff and pictures tucked into Levi’s bag of holding, and then back to the hotel. They shower and tumble into bed together.

“I haven’t seen most of the shows that you talk about.” Levi confesses.

“No time like the present.” Says Eren and turns on The Owl House.

As he drifts off to sleep, he hears Levi mutter that it’s a ‘fucking weird show’.

&&&

A week passes.

It’s fucking dreamy.

Eren comes to wakefulness one random morning. It’s still dark outside. And he can’t quite figure out why he woke up. He blinks lazily into the darkness. He’s feeling hazy and fuzzy and he yawns.

“Go back to sleep.” Levi murmurs behind him.

And he falls back into his body.

Levi’s cock is buried deep in his ass, but he’s barely thrusting. Just grinding his hips into Eren’s slowly. Eren is hard and leaking wet all over the bedding.

“L-Levi…” Eren mumbles out, half-awake.

“Go to sleep, Eren. I’ll take care of you.” Levi whispers, kissing down his neck.

Eren is too sleepy and he hums and falls back asleep.

When he wakes up properly, however, he has cum wet around his hole and wet on his stomach where he came. Levi is idly tracing patterns on his hip.

“Tell me.” Eren demands, immediately erect. “You fucked me last night.” He wraps a hand around his length and slowly pumps himself.

“I did.” Levi is very proud. “I even made you cum.”

“Tell me.” Eren says again.”

Levi chuckles, a low, dark sound. “Yeah, you wanna know how I used your tight little hole while you were sleeping?” Eren whimpers. “I woke up to you grinding against me in your sleep, whimpering and moaning. It would have been cruel if I didn’t fuck you.”

Eren leans his head back against Levi’s shoulder and teases the head of his cock with his thumb.

“I barely needed to prep you, just rubbed my cock against your pussy a little and you sucked me right in. But I took it so, so slow.” He punctuates his words with a dirty grind of his cock between Eren’s cheeks. “I won’t fuck you now, I wanna see you fuck your hand, little boy.”

“I can have both.”

“You’re fucking greedy.” Levi hisses. “You’re always so ready to take me, you little slut. Bet you’d like it if I tied to you the bed and used you whenever I felt like it. Keep you full and dripping with my cum.” Eren moans, feeling more pre seep from his slit down his knuckles. “You would like that. You’d like being just a breeding whore for me. I’d keep you nice and round, Eren, just like you want.”

Eren pushes harder into his hand, tightening his grip. He hear Levi’s control slipping as he rubs harder against Eren’s ass. “I could use you all I want. Put your tiny, little cock in a cage so you never cum.” Orgasm denial, there’s a thought. “I wouldn’t even prep you first most of the time. I’d fuck you until I was satisfied and then leave.”

“L-Levi…” Eren moans, squeezing his balls with his other hand.

“Fuck, you seem close, Eren. Fucking pathetic.” Levi spits and it’s almost too much. “C’mon then. Cum all over yourself like the omega bitch that you are.”

Eren pumps once, twice and he’s shooting all over the blankets. He holds his breath through it, choking back noises until he’s shuddering full bodied. Levi sucks on his throat, humming sweetly in his ear.

“Fuuuuck me, oh my god.” Eren pants as he finally settles down. “Can’t believe you fucked me in my sleep.”

“It certainly will not be the last time.” Levi slaps him on the hip. “I had a good time.”

“You seem pretty content fucking in a bed.”

Levi is quiet for a moment. “Yeah, weirdly. But it’s not my bed. Or your bed.”

“See? In my mind, that’s worse. It’s worse that it’s not our bed.”

Levi grumbles in response. “We’ll just have to get a bed meant for just sex then.” And it doesn’t make a fucking lick of sense, but Eren loves this man, so he lets it go for now. “C’mon, get outta bed. I wanna see the sky today.”

“What about you?” Eren reaches back for Levi’s dick, but he’s rolling out of bed, totally evading him.

“I fucked you full of like three loads. Four orgasms is a lot in one morning is a lot even for me. Maybe later.” Levi stretches and pops his spine back into place. “Let’s shower.”

Most of their vacation has been spent showering.

But when they get outside, the sky is blue and the sun is shining. It’s so beautiful.

Eren gasps as an epiphany strikes him and he reaches out a hand blindly to pat at Levi’s arm. “We have to go.” And then he takes off.

“Eren!” Levi calls and runs after him. “We’re in a foreign country, you can’t just run off like that.”

“There’s water, Levi. Think of the magic.” Eren is power-walking towards the surf with single-minded intensity. “I gotta harness it.”

Levi takes him by the hand and forces him to slow down. “I obviously didn’t do a good enough job tiring you out this morning.” He huffs and Eren has to smile. “Fuck you.”

“You can again. My flaps are open for business any time.”

“Eww.”

Eren laughs and tugs them to the beach. It’s not too crowded considering it’s a Tuesday morning. Without a shred of hesitation, Eren walks into the ocean.

He’s in waist-deep and he isn’t surprised to note that Levi is hanging out on the sand, hands in his pockets looking…very cool and very hot. Levi has always been very beautiful and also very distracting. Eren shakes his head to get his bearings back. He thinks of Poseidon.

Which is a bad thought.

A wrong thought.

He shakes his head again to stop thinking about his half-brother.

He tries to concentrate on harnessing the power of the ocean. His brother’s territory.

Eren is confused and angry and hurt. It feels like betrayal, what’s happened to him. He grits his teeth and squeezes his eyes shut and tries so hard not to think about it. He tries so hard. But all of his thoughts are a mess and jumbled and he can’t parse anything.

It’s been so nice being in Xiamen where he doesn’t see any of his patrons. It’s been easy thinking about himself and how he’s different now. But touching on family isn’t something he’s thought about yet. He thinks of his father: an unknown constant in his life. And his father was Uranus. And Eren is just related to a Greek Primordial. His grandfather is Uranus and he ruled the sky. Does Eren have some weird proclivity towards being able to control the sky? The ocean? Time? Space?

Is this why he can rip open the void? Is he Eren, the God of the Void?

He groans, screaming in his head, his confusion.

He’s still summoning his magic to try…something. But he has no intention and instead it’s just wild magic, powered by the ocean. He can feel the moment everything shifts. The waves crash into him and he centres himself against the current.

“EREN!” Levi’s voice cuts through the roar of the sea and the rush of the wind.

His eyes are squeezed shut and he can’t stop thinking about an entire family tree of people that shaped an entire society. People are obsessed with Greek Mythology on the internet and they would all lose their collective shit if they found out that Zeus had a bastard half-brother.

Gaia.

His grandmother.

Chaos.

His great-grandparent.

Eren feels the same pain he felt when he was in the Library last.

It’s so fucking stupid.

Why can’t he just be okay? Why can’t he just take this information in stride and fucking be okay?

The weather is torrential when Eren opens his eyes. The sky is dark. No trace left of the blue sky and fluffy clouds from a few minutes ago.

Eren is doing this.

Levi calls for him again, desperation clear in his voice.

The waves are pulling harder and harder at him. Eren is standing at the neck of a rip current that he’s created.

“Shit shit shit.” He made this. He can stop it. He’s a fucking god, he can stop a few waves.

Eren turns towards the shore and sees Levi spreading his wings out in the open for anyone to see. “Levi! No!” He pushes a hand out and forces Levi to stay grounded. Levi is struggling to get off the ground, muscles straining against Eren’s magic. His lips are moving, but Eren can’t hear him.

It takes monumental mental energy, but Eren parts the ocean. He steals power from the ocean and takes a step towards the shore. Avatar: The Last Airbender taught him how to move with water. He flows like Katara, moving his hands in sinuous, careful motions. The dry corridor that he’s made for himself is just barely wide enough for him to move through. The storm rages on around him, pea-sized hail falling from the sky.

He steps from the surf and with one wide, flourishing motion, he pushes the storm in the Pacific and falls to his knees.

He’s never been in sand before. It yields to his weight as he falls forward on to his elbows and heaves in breaths and gasps out sobs.

The sun is warm on his back.

Levi crouches next to him, but Eren doesn’t turn to look.

“You’re volatile.” Levi says, sounding tired. “No magic until you’ve dealt with your inner turmoil.”

Eren nods, tears falling in heavy droplets from his eyes.

Levi pulls at his arms until they’re facing each other. His sunglasses are pushed up his head along with some of his bangs, exposing his forehead. He’s back in human form, but his expression is dark.

“You listen to me right now, boy. If I can save your life, I will. And if you ever stop me again, there isn’t a force in the universe that’ll stop me from tearing you apart.” Levi’s voice cracks just a little and Eren cries harder. “You fucking idiot.” Levi pushes him backwards and stands up, his eyes trained on the horizon.

Eren stays sprawled in the sand. “Levi…”

“I don’t wanna hear it.”

“I didn’t want you to get caught—”

Levi is in his face in an instant, fingers clenched in his shirt. “Do you know what I’ve lived through? What I’ve seen? Do you think some little storm is going to end me? I lived through Vesuvius. The plagues. Genocides. I have seen the beginnings and ends of empires. Toppled kings and fed on their flesh. What do you think you can do to me that I won’t survive?”

Eren’s mouth is open. “Levi, I’m sorry.”

Levi lets him go. “Yeah. You are.” He blows out a breath and crosses his arms. “Let’s go back.” The line of his back is rigid as he walks away, not bothering to check if Eren is coming with him.

Eren climbs out of the sand, but he feels it cling to his wet clothes, weighing down each step he makes back to their hotel.

Eren knows he’s powerful. It’s clear that he is capable of anything he puts his mind to. And he has always had control. This is the first time that Eren has lost himself. He hates that he’s fallen this far. He’s heard of witches being consumed by their magic. Has heard of natural disasters caused by wild mages who have lost their control harnessing the power of their patrons to do earth magic.

Eren has never tried to manipulate anything about the planet before today.

And, looking at the sharp line of Levi’s shoulders, he didn’t do a very good job.

The ride in the elevator is fucking awkward. Levi stares straight ahead until the doors open and storms into their room.

“Talk to me.” Eren’s voice is weak.

Levi is pacing through the enormous living room, shaking his head. His jaw is grinding and his hands are flexing. Seeing Levi angry is a new experience. He’s full of restless energy, power and magic coming off of him in waves.

“Levi.” Eren comes to stand next to him and tries to take his hand.

Surprisingly, amazingly, Levi stops and lets him. “What do you want from me, Eren?”

Eren looks at their hands. It’s a win that they’re touching, but Levi is limp and refuses to look at him.

“Can we talk?” This is their first fight.

And it’s so fucking stupid, but Eren’s learned from countless television shows that misunderstandings are so fucking easy to clear up if they just fucking talk to each other and say what they’re thinking. But it has to be mutual. Otherwise, there’s no resolution. And he’s desperate to talk to Levi and hear him. Big blowout fights are not romantic at all actually.

Levi closes his eyes and sighs. “Fine.” He huffs out. “Fuck. Fine.”

Eren could cry.

And he does. Silent tears slip down his cheeks and Levi’s eyes widen when he finally looks at him.

Levi sighs again and tugs them to the couch. His fingers are tight around Eren’s just for a moment before they sit down and then Levi sits on the opposite end and they’re not in contact anymore and a whine builds in Eren’s throat and he stamps it down and pulls a pillow into his arms instead.

“I’m sorry.” Eren starts and tries to wipe his tears away.

Levi’s face gives nothing away. It’s perfectly neutral and it’s horrible.

It’s up to Eren.

“I want to protect you.” Eren starts and Levi’s jaw twitches in annoyance. “I know you don’t need it. You’re so strong and powerful and you’ve lived so long. But I keep thinking…about how lonely you’ve been—”

“What?” Levi hisses. “I’m not fucking lonely.” It’s defensive and also untrue and they both know it.

“I’m sorry.” Eren repeats, trying to backtrack.

“Shut up.” Levi drops his face into his hands. “Just stop apologising. Say what you wanna say.”

A spark of anger shoots up Eren’s chest. “It’s supposed to be a conversation.”

Levi does roll his eyes at this. “You wanna protect me? Because what? You pity me?”

Eren scoffs. “No, you fucking idiot, because I love you.” He says it out of anger and Levi throws a pillow at him and it flops harmlessly against his chest.

“Watch your fucking mouth with me, boy.”

Eren throws a pillow back and it hits Levi right in the face. It musses his hair and flings his sunglasses off of his head. “What? You can say whatever you want to me, but I’m not allowed to challenge you? I’m just supposed to take it and smile and be okay? You call me an idiot all the time!”

“Out of affection!” Levi argues. “You’ve always liked it.” His voice is noticeably softer and he squeezing the pillow.

Eren isn’t trying to be angry, isn’t trying to pick a fight. “When it’s done out of affection, I do, Levi! I love that you see me as a himbo prodigy! But sometimes you can be so fucking mean and I don’t know what to do with it. And I just want you to be there and listen and talk and-and love me.”

“I do love you!” Levi sits up and throws the pillow to the side, trying to close the gap between them. He stops about a foot away. “You are a himbo prodigy. You’re so smart but sometimes you make choices for me and I don’t even think that you realise it.”

Eren blinks.

He hadn’t.

Oh god.

“I—I d-didn’t—” Eren swallows.

He had made a choice for Levi on the beach. Wholly took away his autonomy.

“You can’t take that from me again.” Levi looks at his lap. “I don’t do anything I don’t want to do and you cannot take that choice from me.”

Eren nods. “I’m sorry. Fuck, Levi, I am. I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“I wanted to protect you.”

“So you said.”

“Because no one else has.”

Levi’s jaw works. “No.”

Eren nods. “I want you to be safe and comfortable and happy and it’s so awful that you haven’t been. And you’ve been so alone for so long and I just wanted to be that person that keeps you safe.”

Levi flips his hand on his knee and looks at Eren expectantly.

A choked sob leaves Eren’s throat and he takes the olive branch for what it is, intertwining their fingers and closing the space between them until they’re pressed tight together. Levi is still stiff, but it’s a good start. He’s squeezing Levi’s hand so hard like he’ll disappear any moment.

“We can do both, Eren. We can protect each other and allow us both to have choices. But make no mistake, I will choose your life over mine.”

“There’s no life worth living that you’re not in.” Eren immediately fights.

Levi smiles. “Maybe I’ll also be reincarnated. Who knows.”

“Don’t make me find out.” Eren says, desperate. “You wouldn’t want to find out about me, right? Just…I’ll stay safe. You stay safe. Neither of us dies and that’s cool.”

Levi scoffs. “I’m not saying we’re gonna die. Fuckin’ hell. So dramatic, Eren Jaeger.”

Eren laughs a little. “I know. I just really love you.”

Levi doesn’t laugh, but his expression is noticeably clearer. “For what it’s worth. I’m sorry too. I’ve never wanted to hurt you.”

“I know. You’re actually a really soft guy.”

“Don’t let that shit leak, damnit. Can’t let people find out I have feelings.”

Eren laughs and presses harder into Levi. And notices, for the first time, that he’s still damp and covered in sand. Levi doesn’t seem to care and pulls Eren more into his lap until they’re properly cuddling.

“I’m pretty sure all my regulars know you’re a soft-hearted guy. You marked me.”

Levi huffs. “Yeah, yeah. Because that one werewolf was gonna do it before I could.”

“Eww!” Eren is horrified. “He’s so gross though.”

“You always seem so desperate for a knot, I think eventually he would have tired you out.”

“I have standards, you know.”

Levi looks very pleased. “Yeah, I’m pretty hot.”

They lull into a silence and anxiety pierces through Eren again.

“We’re okay, right?” He says it so quietly that he almost thinks that Levi won’t hear him.

But Levi nods. “Yeah, we’re alright.” He kisses the top of Eren’s head. “It would take a lot more than that for me to abandon you.”

Eren laughs wetly and pushes more into Levi. “Cool.” He’s crying and snivelling.

“Oh my god. Did you think it would take just that?”

“It was a lot!” Eren protests and shoves his face into Levi’s neck. “I’ve never fought with anyone before.”

Levi rubs soothing circles on Eren’s back. “Okay, okay. C’mon, I’m still with you. Don’t be sad. We’re probably gonna have more fights in the future.” At Eren’s shocked expression, Levi amends, “statistically speaking.”

“You were so mad!” Eren wails and pushes back into Levi. Levi is laughing. Like this is funny. “Stop laughing at me!” He’s crying harder, tears leaking into Levi’s shirt.

“I’m really trying not to, but you’re making it so hard.” He takes a deep breath to calm himself. “Really? You’ve never been in a fight?”

“Fist fights! But I wasn’t gonna punch you in the fucking face!” Eren cries.

That sends Levi into another fit of giggles. “Oh, my, you really are too cute. Not like punching me in the face would have hurt.” He sighs. “Sometimes I just need to think. I’ll try to communicate that better in the future.” Levi promises.

“Okay.” Eren gets his breathing in check. “It could hurt, y’know. I am a god.”

“Wow.” Levi drags out sarcastically. “You’re a demi-god. And you’ve been living as the demi part for your entire life.”

“Maybe demi in more than one way.”

Levi pulls back and narrows his eyes at him. “So? What? You’re Levi-sexual and I’m morosexual?”

“Himbo prodigy.” Eren proudly declares.

Levi hums. “That’s a good term.”

“Thank you, I didn’t come up with it.” Say both Eren and I.

Levi blinks like his head hurts and Eren feels a shock through his temples. It passes quickly. Don’t worry about it, it isn’t relevant.

Eren’s pants are starting to become more and more uncomfortable and sand is starting to flake off onto the couch and carpet. He moves to stand up and watches in horrified fascination as the moves from him to literally everywhere else. His first instinct is to cast a spell to get rid of it. He doesn’t, remembering that Levi said no magic. He swallows and stares at it for a long time.

“I’ll leave a nice tip for the people who clean our room in the morning.”

Eren nods and gets them into the shower again.

The fall asleep in the middle of the day.

&&&

It takes another week before Eren feels comfortable enough to try magic again. And it comes unexpectedly.

Eren is running his fingers lightly through Levi’s hair as they watch the sunset on the couch in their room. Levi always feels like pure magic. But as Eren’s hands move, he can feel that it’s flowing from somewhere. He wonders if it’s the same for him and he reaches inwards. But all he feels is the usual thrum of everything being everywhere. Levi feels distinctly different, like something is clenching.

“I know…that I’ve made some weird decision vis a vis magic…recently.” Eren hesitates and shifts in his seat awkwardly.

Levi sighs. “Just say it.”

“I think you’re cursed.”

Levi is narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “What?”

“I mean it!” Eren says and almost feels apprehensive. “Something…feels weird in you.”

“Like what?” Levi is as deadpan as he can be, but there’s a little flicker of something in his eyes.

Eren hesitates. “It feels like a shackle. I wanna try and remove it.”

Levi breathes, jaw clenched, eyes in the middle distance. “Fine, but if you do anything weird, I’m stopping you.”

“Yeah! Of course, totes.” Eren gasps. “Okay, okay. Cool. Can I touch you?”

At that, Levi does raise his eyes. “When have I ever denied you?”

“Right.” Eren takes a breath and takes Levi by the hand.

He closes his eyes and follows the smooth, gentle pulses of Levi’s magic. It moves lazily at its surface, deceptive, a strong current underneath. It feels like a river, but dangerous. Eren remembers reading about a small river in England called the Bolton Strid. The body of water with a 100% mortality rate. Eren will tread carefully.

But with that in mind, he follows the magic upstream to where it begins. And he finds it. A reservoir of magic held back by a dam. Eren does not know how dams work. But something about construction and deconstruction.

Miley Cyrus plays in the background.

Eren creates a wrecking ball.

With one fell swoop, he impacts the dam and magic comes rushing forth.

Levi gasps loud enough that Eren has his eyes snapping open.

And then immediately closing them again. A bright light is filling the room. And in the middle of it: Levi.

He’s breathing loud and laboured and Eren grips his hand harder.

“Eren, what the fuck?” Levi demands. “What did you do?”

“Uhhh!” Eren stutters. “You had a dam on your magic.”

“This is me?” Levi is groaning under the weight of his magic. “This is a lot. Fuck. Hang on.”

Eren tries to concentrate on Levi river of magic again. It’s overflowing at its banks, pushing the boundaries of where it’s been compartmentalised. Levi is so orderly in everything that he does. What if the streams were just a little bit wider? And a little bit deeper?

Eren stretches the banks higher and longer. Levi’s breathing starts to even out and the flow of magic is less torrential than it was when Eren first broke the dam.

“Probably should have done that first.” Eren mutters.

Levi scoffs. “Fucking Christ.”

When Eren opens his eyes again, Levi is still glowing, but a lot less intensely. He tosses his head back and falls against the sofa, boneless. Eren can’t stop staring at him. He’s so fucking perfect.

Levi cracks his eyes open and looks at Eren, lips parted as he pants.

“You look like…fucked, Levi.”

It’s so inappropriate.

But Levi swallows, adams apple bobbing. “Yeah?” His voice is rougher and Eren keens. “Gimme a few hours. I’m so exhausted.” He closes his eyes and tries to catch his breath. “What the fuck did you do to me?”

“In retrospect, making a stint probably would have made more sense. But I just broke the dam.” Eren says, nodding even though Levi can’t see him. “I’m so sorry.”

Levi shakes his head, groaning. “No. Don’t be. I feel more free than I’ve felt in a long time. Lighter, even. I didn’t realise how heavy I was.”

With a lazy, little movement, Levi conjures a ball of light and it is blinding. Eren yelps and covers his eyes.

“Too bright!”

Levi extinguishes it immediately. “Thousands of years of recalibration to go through.”

“Sorry.”

“Shh.” Levi shakes his head. “I’m tired, it’s bedtime.”

Levi moves to get up and then stays sitting on the couch with a shocked look on his face. Eren sucks in an excited breath and then heft Levi into his arms.

There’s a quiet moment. Eren has never picked Levi up before. He is very heavy. Levi, after a beat, starts squirming.

“You’re like a cat, Levi.”

“Say that again and I’ll fucking kill you.”

“You couldn’t even stand! Pretty sure I’ll be fine.”

Levi is moving more urgently and Eren picks up the pace. “You better watch yourself, Jaeger. This is temporary.”

Eren obediently snaps his mouth shut, but gets them to the bedroom. If looks could kill, Eren would absolutely be dead right now. When he sets down Levi, he gets a hiss in return. Like a fucking cat.

“Have you had cats before, Levi?”

Levi narrows his eyes. “Lie down, Eren. And get close enough so I can strangle you.”

“That’s okay.” Eren laughs nervously. “I will not be doing that.”

Levi rolls until he’s taken up all of the blankets and then looks up at Eren challengingly.

“I’ll order us some room service.” He hightails it out of the bedroom.

“Get those deep fried bean curd things. Like three orders of them.” Levi calls after him.

He orders only the deep fried bean curd things. Like eight orders of them. They lay in bed and eat which is heretical, but they’re also on vacation. On the television, The Magicians is playing. Levi hates most of the characters, but likes the story and their take on magic so he puts up with it. And also, he only has one hand free from the blankets so there isn’t much else he can do.

“Thank you, Eren, for freeing me.” He says partway through an episode.

Eren swallows thickly. “Thank you for trusting me. And for…” he sniffs. “For all of this. Thank you.”

Levi drops his chopsticks and takes Eren by the hands. “I love you.”

“I love you.”

&&&

It’s almost the end of the month and Eren Jaeger is staring at the sky. They’re walking through the marketplace. It’s a Sunday evening, but it’s still bustling with people who are so, so alive. Levi doesn’t comment on Eren’s strange behaviour as he peaks between buildings and rooftops. Always so patient to wait him out.

Levi furrows his eyebrows and seems to brace himself for whatever Eren is about to say, but otherwise remains silent.

“I…it’s a full moon tonight. And it’s been a while since I’ve done anything with that.”

Levi nods slowly. “Alright, but I’m staying with you.”

Eren blows out a breath, relieved. “Yes. Please.” He can’t believe how relieved he is. He takes Levi by the hand. “Hold on tight.”

Levi squeezes his hand so hard as Eren folds space and brings them to the rooftop of their hotel. Most of the rooftop is sloped, but there is a small flat area that they land on. Like this, they are noticeably closer to the moon and Eren breathes in its light as he sits down.

“Sit with me.”

Levi’s eyes are glowing the moonlight. It’s less rare to see Levi in the sunlight now but seeing him in the moonlight is its own gift. It takes a moment for Levi to nod in acquiescence. He sits down gingerly after a thorough inspection of the ground.

The moonlight is thin and watery and Eren cups his hands to catch it in his palms. It fills, first, the creases and wrinkles and then the rest of his hands up to his thumbs before it begins to spill over. It’s cold from space and Eren smiles.

If heat can be energy, why can’t cold?

The laws of thermodynamics state that there is an absolute zero; a temperature where there is no entropy. So technically, there’s no such thing as cold. There is only more heat and less heat.

In his time, Eren has made the temperature drop by removing heat from the world around him and he wonders how much it would take to a square centimetre of space to absolute zero. He voices this idea to Levi, moonlight in his hands, and Levi makes a disgruntled noise.

“And what happens to that cubic centimetre of space?”

“I will keep it.”

Levi narrows his eyes. “I’m curious, you’re curious. Let’s find out.”

Home is very far away.

Eren has several swing top glass bottles lining his kitchen counter. He thinks he can teleport this moonlight there.

He takes from a cubic centimetre of space and moves the full moon’s light from his hands into a bottle. He folds the space between him and his home and watches as bottle after bottle is filled.

The cube of space that he’s taking from turns white as the vapour within it freezes. And then, curiously, as it gets colder, becomes a sort of fluid as it raises to the bottom of the cube. Above that is vacuum. The fluid shakes and rolls on its own as Eren continuously pours more moonlight thousands of miles away.

“Holy shit.” Levi mutters. “Are you tired?”

Eren shakes his head. “No. I…I’m taking everything from this spot.”

And it’s a very important lesson that Eren is learning right now. This is energy he would have taken from himself. He could have died. He knows now why those earliest witches died ripping open the void. They took from themselves and from each other.

After this experiment is over, Eren thinks he may not ever try this again.

His home runs out of bottles just as the superfluid settles densely at the bottom of the cube. He unfolds space and that apparently takes a lot of energy too. The fluid begins to crystalise in a…very weird way. It’s hard to describe. But it looks almost too perfect.

Eren wonders what would happen if he pushed something celestial. Just a little nudge.

There are satellites in the sky.

He finds one. A moving blip in the sky. He catches it with a point of his finger, The crystal is still forming. And then he pushes it back a solid two-hundred feet more into the exosphere.

The crystalising stops and Eren feels magical exhaustion pull from him before he redirects to another cubic centimetre of space. It freezes immediately.

That could have been him. Wow.

Wow.

He stops magicking for a bit and heaves a breath.

Taking from the second cube, he casts a spell to hold the perfect crystal in a permanent stasis. Free of entropy. Free of temperature. That makes him think for a moment. He casts a second spell over it as a barrier of sorts. And now he just has to trust himself.

Eren takes a massive breath and releases the boundary.

The crystal fall into the space between him and Levi harmlessly. Nothing is immediately happening and he groans weakly as he reaches out a single finger to touch it.

It doesn’t feel like anything. No freezing pain shooting up his hand.

He picks it up.

It really is a perfect cube.

Clear with smooth facets. He looks through it and the world on the other side is barely distorted. He rotates it and watches how the light catches and refracts, a prism of colours dusting the inner skin of his thumb.

“Holy shit.”

He removes the boundary on the other cube and snow sprinkles out lightly and melts before it reaches the rooftop.

Eren chances a look at Levi.

Every time Eren does something beyond the boundary of magic, Levi gets this look on his face. Curious and apprehensive and proud all in one.

“There is…a lot of magical potential in there.” Levi mutters.

Eren nods. “I can’t imagine what I could do with this.”

Levi scoffs. “Jesus fuck.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “What will you do with it?”

Eren hums. “If I make a second one, I think they would make really beautiful cufflinks.”

A noise passes through Levi’s throat. And he’s on his knees, scooting towards Eren and grabbing him by the face and they’re getting closer and closer and when they kiss, it feels like electricity.

“A stupid fucking idea.” Levi murmurs against his lips like he can’t stand to part from him. “So fucking stupid. Oh my god.” He licks into Eren’s mouth, pressing their tongues together and it takes some concentration keeping up with him.

Eren’s free hand tangles in Levi’s hair. “I’d gift them to you.”

Levi groans, crawling into Eren’s lap, knees on either side of his hips. “I want you to fuck me.” He says heatedly against Eren’s lips. “Fuck, I do. Never wanted anything more. Tell me more about giving me a fucking bomb as a suit accessory.”

Eren bites Levi’s lip as a warning and pulls back a little. “Hang on, hang on. I gotta take care of it.”

Levi is impatient and his shirt is hanging off of one shoulder and Eren swallows at the sight of exposed collarbone.

He saw Kiyomi do that one thing that one time when he made her a metal sigil.

Creation magic.

Eren pulls from the moonlight again and presses the cube against the dip of Levi’s throat. When he lets it go, a string of light from the moon keeps it hanging just above his sternum. It’s subtle and barely noticeable in its translucence.

Eren looks up to gloat, but Levi is looking at him with wide eyes. “You were serious.”

“Yes.” Eren says like it’s obvious.

Levi moans weakly, hips bucking against the bottom of Eren’s stomach. “Fuck, oh my god. I’ve never been this fucking hard in my life.”

Eren does not want to waste time walking, not with Levi writhing in his lap like this. They could fuck on the roof, but he has an inkling of thought that Levi really would never forgive him for it.

It’s less effort than it’s been in the past.

Under the strength of the full moon, Eren teleports them back into their room. A few inches from the edge of the bed. A close call. Levi’s leg slips when it’s no longer on something solid. But foot pressed to the floor, he manages to roll them so Eren is on top of him between his thighs.

“So fucking strong, Eren.” Levi mutters.

Eren mouths down Levi’s flawless neck, sucking on his pulse point. “Fuck, I’d mark you if I could.”

“You can try.” Levi breathes. “I want you to try. Mark me, Eren.”

Eren swears under his breath and starts pulling his clothes off. Seeing Levi naked is always a religious experience. Seeing him naked and panting underneath him is heretical.

Eren’s hips buck involuntarily, the wet head of his cock grinding on the junction of Levi’s hip. “I’m gonna make this so good for you.” He mutters and conjures lube in his hand. Honestly, he could have just reached over to the side table, but it’s all the way over there and Levi is right underneath him right now and the idea of parting from him is unthinkable.

Eren rubs along the rim of Levi’s perineum and then pushes in as Levi’s hips rock down more to gain some friction.

“C’mon. I’m not gonna break.” Levi urges.

“It’s not about that.” Eren says, pressing gentle kisses down Levi’s neck. “I wanna savour this. Wanna feel you desperate underneath me, begging me to fuck you.”

Levi, in retribution, chomps down on the unmarked side of Eren’s neck.

“Be good.” Eren chastises, pushing a second finger into Levi’s tight hole.

Levi lets him go and pushes his head back into the pillows. “Fuck me.” He says urgently. “Eren, please.”

Eren sits up a little and looks down at Levi in poorly concealed shock. “I will. Fuck, I promise, I will.” He sinks a third finger in, twisting them in that way he knows drives him fucking crazy. Levi seems to like it too, passing his wrist over his mouth and biting down.

It sounds like he’s trying to hold back his moans, and Eren simply isn’t having that. He pushes his fingers in harder and deeper with each passing thrust, twisting as he goes. Levi’s mouth parts and he makes the most agonising sound.

“Eren…” He whimpers. “C’mon, please, it’s fine, I’ll be fine. Just get inside me. Wanna feel you cum in me. Don’t you wanna try and bitch your alpha?”

Oh my god.

That has Eren pulling his fingers out in record time and lining the tip of his cock against Levi’s entrance. He prods gently and slowly dips in.

“Yeah, alpha? You want your little omega to ruin you?”

Levi wiggles his hips, trying to get Eren even deeper in him. But Eren takes is so slow, loving the feeling of Levi’s walls part to make room for him. It’s so fucking tight. He’s never felt anything like this and he knows now, in this moment, that his hand will never be a good enough substitute ever again.

The utter bliss he feels once he’s balls deep is nothing short of euphoric. Eren moans, pushing in just to feel that much deeper in Levi’s ass. He pulls out slowly, and that’s a new experience too, and then shoves back in. Someone is moaning. Probably both of them. But Eren is no longer able to form thoughts, not while he’s building up a rhythm, not while he’s experiencing real friction for the first time in his fucking life.

He grabs at parts of Levi’s body, pulling him tighter, closer, pounding steadily into his pliant willing hole.

“F-fuuuuck, Levi.” There are tears at the corners of his eyes it feels so good.

“Harder.” Levi demands and Eren could never deny him anything.

The bed is shaking with the force of Eren’s thrusts, hitting against the way, chipping at the paint. And Levi just lies there and takes it, his hands knotted painfully in Eren’s hair.

“E-Eren…mark me.” Levi huffs between moans and pants.

Without thinking, Eren bites into Levi’s neck. There’s a moment where it feels like he isn’t doing it right and then his teeth sink in just a little more and skin breaks.

Levi makes the most despairing sound and cums between them. His cock is pulsing and twitching with each rope of cum that spurts out of him. His torso is soaked by the time he’s done, but Eren doesn’t want this to end yet. Wants to see Levi drowning in his own spend.

He picks up his pace, pulling his teeth out of his pale neck and licks at the wound. He feels wild, thrusting harder and harder into Levi’s loose body.

“Want you to cum again.” Eren mutters into his ear.

“Oh, fuck.” Levi moans and drops his arms limply to the bedding. “I-I don’t know if I can.”

“You will if you want me to stuff this little hole of yours.” Eren growls.

“E-Eren!”

Eren leans back, hooking his elbows under Levi’s knees. Seeing him like this, limp and curled up on himself, is wild. His cock is an angry red, bobbing and dribbling viscous fluid. Eren has a better view of being able to watch his own cock disappear over and over into Levi’s ass.

Eren has full control like this and he rams into Levi as hard as he can. The room is filled with the wet squelching and slapping of rough coupling.

“When’s the last time someone had you, Levi?”

Levi manages a glare, but it’s ruined by his flushed cheeks and wet lips. “You want the real answer? What if it was the day before I met you?”

Eren thinks of the first time they met, Levi bowing with clear respect one moment and then flirting shamelessly the next.

“Probably the same day.” Levi muses, voice gruff.

Eren sinks his teeth back into Levi’s neck, feeling a sort of possession sneaking up on him. And he needs everyone to know that Levi is his. It’s a surprise when Levi cums again.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck…” Levi chants, his hips twitching feebly as if trying to get away from Eren’s rough thrusts.

Eren can barely hang on, heat coiling in his lower stomach. He chases it. And then he’s cumming, pushing as deep as he can into Levi, moaning pitifully into his bloodied neck. He can’t believe how good it feels to fill Levi with his cum. He can feel the way it fills the space and tightens the space around his cock. He feels how much wetter it gets. He wants to stay in Levi forever.

But first things first.

Eren lets go of Levi’s neck and looks at the wounds he’s inflicted. He casts a spell to stop the bleeding and disinfect, but he wants to keep his marks there. Wants the entire fucking universe to know that Levi is his and his alone.

He pulls back and leans over Levi. “I have no idea what just came over me.”

“I know what just came over me.”

“Yeah, you.” Eren snorts.

Levi rolls his eyes. “Something about people being more susceptible to pheromones when they’re in the throes of passion.”

“You did that to me?”

“Oh yeah!” Levi nods with vigour. “You wouldn’t have lasted a second without it. Didn’t think it was gonna turn you into a fuckin’ beast though.” He stretches, drying cum cracking on his torso. “And this is why I don’t like having sex in a bed. We’re sleeping on the floor tonight.”

Eren laughs. “No.” He watches as he pulls out and admires the mess that oozes out of Levi. Is this what Levi gets to see? Every other time they’ve fucked? Eren is helpless. He lowers himself and licks into Levi’s hole.

“Oh, fuck no.” Levi squirms away and pushes at Eren’s head. “That’s fucking disgusting.”

But Eren pins him down and sucks harder. Levi is still struggling, panting heavily, legs sprawled out. His cum is hot from Levi’s body and it’s bitter and mixed with the taste of Levi, it’s intoxicating.

“I wanna eat my cum out of you for the rest of my life.” Eren mutters. And then he licks up what’s left, sucking and slurping.

“You’re so gross.” Levi says, but he isn’t fighting back anymore.

“Mm, I am.” Eren moves up and starts lapping up at Levi’s cum on his stomach and chest. It’s a little tackier, but it tastes even better because it’s Levi’s and Levi cum is fucking incredible no matter what state it’s in.

“I’m never kissing you again.” Levi sighs. “Too bad, now that we’re mated for eternity.”

Eren smiles against Levi’s chest. “You’ll let me kiss you after I brush my teeth.”

“And gargle vodka.”

“And mix it with your cum. Like the most fucked up White Russian.”

“Eww. You’re done.” Without any kindness, Levi pushes Eren off of him. “Let’s go shower, you little freak.”

Eren laughs and follows Levi into the bathroom.

&&&

The day comes for them to leave.

Levi has been good about staying up to date on their reservation.

But it’s been almost an entire month and Eren wants to see his home again. Levi also seems pretty antsy to get home.

They do not go straight back to the Library on Friday. Instead, they go to Levi’s cottage. It’s daytime in Shiganshina which means no creatures, but Hange, presumably, is still there. And while Eren likes them enough, he isn’t sure he wants to have a conversation with anyone right now.

He makes a portal since it seems to be easier than doing anything with the fabric of space.

“I can’t believe I didn’t think about this earlier.” He laughs. He’s teleported how many fucking books.

They step through the portal straight into Levi’s living room. It’s a weird feeling going from moonlight to sunlight in an instant. The portal closes and Eren nods.

“Way easier than whatever the fuck I’ve been trying out.”

Levi rolls his eyes. “Morosexual.” He mutters as he inspects his home. It’s still tidy and there’s hardly any dust. But outside there’s a fallen tree branch that had narrowly missed Levi’s garden beds. He grumbles to himself and goes outside with a yawn.

Eren follows. This is as easy as traveling can get, but he’s so tired too. He yawns and goes out into the garden. The produce seems to be doing well. Their climate sigils are still going strong as he inspects.

Levi is rounding the fallen branch, making sure that it hadn’t hit anything on its way down. He picks it up and weighs it in his hands. It’s about seven feet long and about six inches in diameter and Levi nods approvingly.

“Eren, you should make a wand.”

Of all the things that could have come out of Levi’s mouth, that wasn’t even close to what Eren had in mind. He blinks, staring at the branch in Levi’s hand.

“A wand?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

Levi grins. “It’ll be a project. This fell from a paper birch.” To demonstrate, he peels off some of the bark and crushes it gently in his hands. It breezes away. “It’s nice and flexible, but durable and weather resistant. I think it would suit you quite nicely.”

Eren swallows. “I don’t need that whole thing, do I?”

Levi closes his eyes. “No, you don’t.”

“Phew! I think that could have been considered overcompensating.”

Levi closes his eyes even harder. “I’m too tired for whatever you’re saying right now.” He breaks off about a two-foot-long section and tosses it at Eren. “Make sure there aren’t any critters living in there before you start cutting, yeah?”

Eren catches it and it is heavier than he was expecting. But he holds in his hands and feels around for magical potential. There’s a lot. He smiles and thinks that this will be a lot of fun to work on. He pulls the leaves off while making sure he isn’t rendering any creatures homeless on accident.

Guess Eren gets to learn how to whittle.

He sets the log on the porch before going back inside where Levi is.

“Fuuuuck, let’s go so sleep.” Levi groans, stretching his arms above his head. “We’ll go back to your place before sunset.”

That sounds like a fucking dream. The shower (again) and then fall into bed, curled around each other.

Being on vacation had been really nice, but Eren is also so happy to be back home, buried in sheets that are familiar in a cottage that smells like his mate. It had been a good time and Eren learned a lot about himself—and also Levi—and he excited to see the Library tomorrow.

The sky is beautiful pink, stars twinkling harmlessly in the backdrop of space. Levi angles them and they land at the end of the block.

“I’ll come in once the sun sets.” Levi promises.

Eren nods and presses a kiss to his cheek. “See you soon.”

Eren has walked down this street often. Knows the cracks from the tree roots, knows the flows that grow in the grass. But it’s been an entire month. Longer than he’s ever left it. There’s new growth. Tulips and lavender. The air is perfumed and humid, but noticeably drier than Xiamen. There is an oil lamp outside of the Library’s gates.

He passes through the always-open wrought iron fence and magic shimmers around him, comforting and welcoming. If he didn’t know any better, it feels like the Library had missed him. There’s a short lawn with red oaks lining both sides and then the Library: a beautiful brick building with big gleaming stained-glass windows.

Eren walks to the large wood doors and places his hand on the knob.

“I’m home.” He says oh so quietly and then walks in.

It smells different.

This is the first time he’s seen it with fresh eyes.

It’s almost as he left it. It is a little messier than he would normally prefer. His book mending supplies are strewn haphazardly across his desk and there are books that look like they’ve seen better days.

Next to the rules, there’s a handwritten sign that says:

Please stop asking. Eren will be back on the 3rd of July. I’m sorry I’m here and not him. -H

He laughs a little. It is a little funny to think of the creatures walking in and being very confused and then demanding answers. It does make him feel very loved.

There’s a plant on Eren’s desk now. Nothing too crazy, just a green pothos. It looks happy and healthy. And Eren thinks, holy shit, I can have plants here? and makes a mental note to acquire many scent-free plants.

He walks towards the solarium and passes by the portraits of the Librarians. First one is his. Done in the style of Alphonse Mucha, all art deco and careful lines. He loves this portrait of himself. And in the bottom right hand corner is Levi’s signature: a perfect cursive L.

The next is his mother, Carla Jaeger. An enigma of a woman. Her eyes are soft brown, her ponytail pulled off to the side as she gazes demurely at the painter. Done in the style of Rembrandt, a triangle of light on the shadowed side of her face.

And the other Librarians that Eren doesn’t know. They date back to 1902, but this branch of the Library had been established years prior. This must have been the year that Levi decided to start doing their portraits.

Eren takes a deep breath and goes into the solarium and then up to his rooms.

Hange isn’t there. As promised, they hadn’t stayed in his apartment. He much prefers all of his colourful furniture to the minimalist décor or their hotel.

In his kitchen are his bottles of moonlight, illuminating his kitchen.

Never in his life has Eren appreciated being back in his own space this much. He loves it. He changes into his new Librarian garb from his bag of holding. His little accessories are right where he left them in the dish in his living room. He puts them on one-by-one. Cravat around his neck, ascot pin to keep it in place, collar chain. And finally, the first gift that Levi ever gave him: a feather.

It’s time.

He walks into the solarium and looks up through the domed windows. The sky is dimming rapidly and his heels echo against the marble. He walks up the long steps into the main Library.

Levi comes in first, big surprise there. His expression is unreadable as he looks over Eren.

Hange comes in next.

There’s something different about the way Hange moves as Eren observes them. They seem smoother, like they gained a better understanding of their body.

Eren opens his mouth to say something, but Levi is shoving past Eren and grabbing Hange by their collar.

They laugh loudly. “Nothing gets past you!”

Levi grabs their hair and yanks their head to the side. Over their left jugular are two healed over scabs. “What the fuck did you do?”

Hange waves Levi off of them. “Ah, I was so curious! And we changed the rules so it works out quite nicely.”

“You’re a vampire.” Levi says slowly.

“Yep! It was agonising!” They laugh again. “But! Now I’m immortal too.”

Eren can’t believe what he’s hearing. “You’re—you chose this?”

Hange looks at him and he notices that their eyes are red now instead of the light brown they were before. “Yep! It’s actually super cool. I can hear so well. And I’m never hungry.” They close an eye while they think about that. “Except for when I am. And then I’m really hungry. But there are a tonne of easy ways to get blood these days. Like blood banks. Aaaaand fetishists.”

Levi takes a step back and Eren can see his face now. He looks so sad.

“Hange,” Levi starts, “everyone you know will die.”

Hange nods slowly. “You won’t. Or Eren.”

“Eternity is a long time.” Levi says and Hange pulls him into a hug.

“I know. You spent a long time alone. But now you don’t have to.”

This feels like a private moment and Eren is an intruder.

But they pull apart a moment later. “I just wanted to welcome you both back and then skedaddle before any of the other creatures get here. I don’t think they liked me very much.” Hange laughs. “But I don’t think they would have liked anyone if it meant you not being here, Eren.”

Eren smiles haplessly. “They’re a possessive bunch.”

“Indeed!” Hange laughs. “Welcome back, Eren.” They bow reverently and Eren bows right back.

Hange holds Levi’s hand for a moment. “I’ll see you soon, Levi. For dinner next week or something.”

“Or something.” Levi says lowly.

Hange gives one last wave and then leaves.

Levi stares at the door for a long silent moment. “I’ll be upstairs.”

“For your me-time.” Eren says and carefully does not say anything about Hange’s new change.

Levi nods and makes his way upstairs.

Eren waves his hand carefully, opening the doors of the Library and allowing the summer air flow through the shelves. It feels fresher this way. He watches as the sky darkens more and more. He’s sure it won’t be long before the first creatures come in and he’s looking forward to seeing all of them again.

It’s late, about nine o’clock, when Eren sits at his desk and pushes his glasses onto his nose and begins his shift as the Librarian.

To Be Continued…