its-zur1

[its-zur1]

The horses gallop through the newly discovered land. The wind shoots the soldiers right in the face, hitting them with a familiar scent of salt.

They've seen salt before, they know the smell of it, but this is different. The salty aroma is much more stronger, more than they've ever felt before.

And there, they see it. The sea, the giant, never-ending pool of water - the reason they traveled all the way there.

The reason behind so many dedicated hearts.. Now they are finally worth the sacrifice.

They arrive, still on their horses, and stare. It's so beautiful, gorgeous, breathtaking even. And it's real, it isn't any story from an old book full of fairy tales, it's all real, right in front of them.

Connie and Sasha are the first ones to get off of their horses, dragging Jean with them. Slowly, most of the soldiers who've survived get off too and approach it. The kids run around, screaming, giggling, laughing, splashing the water on themselves.

Yet, there are some who are still taken aback by the sight of it. As smart as Erwin may be, his mind can't quite catch up. He's done it, he realises.

A smile, a big one appears on his face, he looks like a child who was just given the finest candy, and Levi sees it. He doesn't think the man has ever looked so happy in front of others. Here, he isn't a commander. Here he is a human, just a person.

Erwin jumps right off of his horse, with Levi copying him. The blonde man then breaks into a run, out of nowhere, just sprinting down to the beach, waving his arms around in pure joy and happiness.

How childish of him, Levi thinks, even though he runs right after him, and they both go straight into the water. Erwin gasps at how cold it is, but they both quickly take their shoes off, walking right into it once again.

The sand under their feet shifts with each step they take, and Erwin can't help but feel even more excited, giggling at it. He watches small fish swim right by his feet. He looks at all the seashells, trying not to step on any.

When the water reaches his ankles, he stops, and turns around, staring right at Levi. His teeth still shine bright at him, and Levi returns the smile. Even if it is a small one, it still says everything it wants to, which is enought for Erwin.

He grabs Levi's hand, and begins walking further into the sea. He stops only when accidentally stepping on a shell, almost falling.

If it wasn't for Levi catching him, he'd be wet from head to toe. Levi's always there when Erwin needs him, and Erwin adores that so much.

They're close now, so close. The feelings, the passion, it's all there. Erwin looks around; the other scouts aren't close, not that they would be paying any attention to their captain or commander anyway, they're too busy playing, having fun.

The blonde picks up a shell, admiring how colorful it is. His sleeve is now wet, but he doesn't mind.

Levi stares at the object in Erwin's hands, at his face, and the way he observes it. Seeing Erwin this happy makes his heart flutter in his chest, makes him feel butterflies in his stomach, as if he was a teenager, falling in love for the first time.

Which he is. Although, he's fallen for Erwin long ago, but it looks like this might just be the right moment to act on it, as it finally feels like the hell they've gone through will get easier.

And perhaps one day, the two of them will get out of the hell completely, settle somewhere where the flames won't reach them. This looks like a good place. The house could be on the hill..

_____

Yes, I'm alive. I apologize for any mistakes.

[its-zur1]

"You have a body I don't deserve having the privilege to touch... Why have you allowed me to do so?"

He asks, holding Levi by the waist, looking down at him. It's the first time he's been able to wrap his arms around his captain, and he's acting like he doesn't want it. He has to act that way.

Levi doesn't answer with words. He stands up on his tiptoes and shifts closer to Erwin. His hand moves to the back of Erwin's head as he makes him lean closer.

Their lips brush, both of them enjoying the sensation, before Erwin pulls away.

He wants it, god he does. But he can't. He feels unworthy. He shouldn't dare have a single romantic thought about Levi, yet he does. He shouldn't dare want to touch him, yet here he is.

"..."

Levi doesn't say a single thing when Erwin brushes his hand away. He stands there silently, looking down in disappointment.

If only they were different people. If only they didn't have to fight. If only they could've lived somewhere, away from everything, just by themselves.

Then Erwin wouldn't have to brush Levi's hand away. Then the kiss could've been returned. Then Erwin wouldn't have to leave Levi the way he had.

[its-zur1]

Erwin has many names.

Most people call him the Commander of the Survey Corps, of the Scouts. A hope for humanity, a better future, perhaps.

The rich call him Smith. He doesn't mind they never use his first name, that's rarely used in business after all.

His closest ones say Erwin, which is the one he likes the most, for it is a name his father had given him.

Yet, some call him The Devil.

Is he that cruel to be worthy of holding the title of The Devil himself?

He thinks he is. He is sure he is.

He's selfish, stuck chasing a childish dream of his. He's cold, doesn't show any emotions when his men die.

He is cruel, yes.

But he isn't any devil.

A devil wouldn't care about humanity.

A devil wouldn't be willing to sacrifice himself if things didn't go well.

A devil wouldn't have fallen for his captain.

A devil wouldn't have asked for permission.

"Please, let me love you."

He asked.

A devil wouldn't have waited for an answer.

He isn't a devil then, is he?

He is just a man.

He was just a man.

A man who had willingly sacrificed his humanity to become the devil.

[its-zur1]

[its-zur1]

How I imagine afterwar Eruri

Erwin and Levi parted ways for some time,

Erwin left to be alone, basically being hit with 'survivors guilt' after being the one whose sent so many people, even children to their deaths, and feeling like it wasn't fair for him to relax while his comrades died for the cause.

He thought about commiting suicide a couple of times, but silenced the thoughts by telling himself their sacrifices were the reason he's able to still breathe right now, and he should be grateful for that.

Levi, on the other hand, felt empty, and, he hated to admit it but he did, feel lonely. At first, he helped some citizens around, he was humanity's strongest, after all. Unfortunately for him, he grew weaker and weaker without Erwin's presence, and he didn't realise the reason behind it was his ackerbond. 'It's just old age finally catching up' he thought to himself. Then, he opened up a teashop.

A few months, maybe a halfyear later, Erwin decided to stop by. He hated that he had to bother Levi, thinking he might make him uncomfortable, that Levi wouldn't enjoy his presence, but he did, more than he thought he would. He even moved in.

They lived in a house with a built in teashop, one that's got books in it - which Erwin insisted on getting, and they were happy.

they also had a cat, that just happened to wander in their house, and they took it in.

Yet they still thought of eachother as friends, close friends, comrades, nothing more.

They lived together, yet slept in seperate rooms, helped eachother out, looking like a married couple. Only if they'd realised that's what the future held for them.

As a few weeks passed from Erwin's arrival / moving in to Levi's house, they both began feeling something more than a friendship. Best friends? They could've been, but this was more.

One day, Levi was shopping as Erwin was taking care of the teashop. He trusted him so much that he'd entrusted him his teashop for a couple of minutes, which he wouldn't let anyone do.

In the shop, he'd started realising, all the times there was tension between them, romantic tension, and it clicked. He stopped moving for a moment, before thinking more into it.

He'd been living with a man he'd loved most of his life without realising it.

And so did Erwin, except he had realised sooner, like always. However, he didnt want to make levi uncomfortable, as well as he felt like he didn't deserve to receive love after all he's done till now. Levi thought so similarly.

One evening, they closed the shop early, and went for a walk. They walked away from the city, admiring the view without the walls blocking it. They sat down on a bench infront of a lake, looking at it.

Then it happened, they both knew what to do, they talked, it got quiet, and they finally pressed their lips together, as if they'd done that a milion times before.

Then, they talked about their feelings, realising they were mutual, and both just relaxed together. For the first time ever, Levi felt like he'd be able to sleep soundly, without his insomnia bothering him.

After returning from their walk they had dinner in mostly silence, just appreciating eachothers company. As they finished eating, Levi finally spoke, inviting Erwin to his bedroom.

He never would've thought he'd be comfortable with sharing a bed, but it felt just right with Erwin. At first, it was awkward. Then Erwin shifted closer to Levi, placing a hand around his beloved, and they cuddled.

Neither of them had ever expected they'd do such thing, cuddling felt childish, yet it felt as such a right thing for them to do.

They haven't even expected that they'd both end up having sex. None of them had ever done that, for different reasons. Levi found it disgusting, and Erwin never needed to do such thing, he felt like he didn't deserve to be loved and to be the one to love Levi especially. yet they both did it, feeling satisfied, for once not thinking about anything but one another. It felt nice for both of them.

They then dated openly, even had a small wedding, their friends were invited, the ones that have survived at least. Everyone enjoyed it, even Levi, who hated loud parties yet laughed and smiled when Hange splashed wine on themseves and Moblit had to clean it, when Miche and Nanaba had to go outside, Miche claiming it was the smell, when Erwin and Levi kissed infront of everyone, when what used to be Levi's squad brought expensive gifts from foreign places.

Erwin still often gets flashbacks, and Levi calms him down with tea and always tries to comfort him.

But overall, they're happy together. they smile more often than ever. The most they've smiled was when the Levi’s squad met up at their teashop for Levi's 45th birtday, bringing their kids as well as their partners as a surprise.

They read books and drink tea in the evenings after closing their shop and calling it yet another perfect day of not having to worry about more than accidentally spilling tea.

They grow old together, sometimes Aruannie, Eremika, Yumihisu, Jeamarco, Sasha x Nicollo, Connie, come to visit them, bringing their children too, and they both live peacefully, enjoying their happily ever after.

They lived long enought, Erwin died first, Levi about a week and a half later. Dying of old age was a luxory they never thought they'd be able to afford.

They were burried together. None of them would ever have expected that people would've showed up to their funerals, bringing flowers. Their teashop was given to Mikasa, as she was the closest relative to Levi, and Erwin had none. Eremika then used it to raise their children there in honor of Erwin and Levi.

They both made it to the history books.

- apologies for any mistakes

[its-zur1]

Headcanon: after they had lost Moblit and became the new commander, they got insomnia and often hallucinated hearing him / seeing him in nightmares

Story i wrote inspired by the heacanon:

The first few nights after reaclaiming Shiganshina were sleepless for them. They never were the type to feel guilty for something, but this was different. The guilt they felt for Moblit's death was there. They told themselves it wasn't their fault, even Levi explained that to them after noticing them sobbing in the corner of their room one night, but it was difficult to believe in that, knowing Moblit had sacrificed his life for theirs, and that he'd died such a terrible death too.

Their new role in the survey corps wasn't really helping as well. Or maybe it was? They couldn't tell. But, it did keep them up at night. Always signing important documents, going on meetings, and everything Erwin used to do before them. They did all the boring things if it kept their mind occupied, their thoughts away from their feelings.

Yet the feelings were still there.

The moment they closed their eyes, they'd start seeing it all over again. Any loud noise reminded them of Bertholdt's transformation, any campfire they passed by reminded them of how it must've felt for Moblit. How it must've felt to burn alive. They couldn't even imagine how painful it must've been. Or maybe it wasn't? Maybe it was quick? They knew they'd never know how it felt.

The third day going with no sleep must've been too noticable. They fell asleep during a meeting, where they were woken up immediately afterwards, in the end getting no things done.

They went back to their new office. Everything there reminded them of the past, and they hated it. They hated it so much.

They sat down on the chair, looking around the empty room, resting their head on the desk, which was followed by a loud sigh showing how tired they were, as well as silence after that.

The floor creaked as they heard a bunch of slow footsteps.

"Hange! Please, get some sleep!"

A voice said.

"Hm...?"

They tiredly responded, not recognising the voice at first.

"You're not getting enough sleep."

"...mhh....okay.."

They felt their heavy eyes close, the voice was soothing. They felt themselves relax, and eventually fall asleep.

However, they were soon disturbed by someone placing a hand on their shoulder.

"....hhhhhh.."

They groaned, waking up.

"....Mobliiit.."

"Eh..?"

"....not now.."

They sighed.

"Hange, wake up.."

"..ughhhh"

They let out another groan, lifting their head and opening their eyes, finally looking at the person infront of them.

"..heh?..."

They let out a confused sound, before their mind caught up.

"...it's dark you know."

"..Oh- ..yeah....

yeah."

Levi must've noticed, it's not the first time they've accidentally sleeptalked or have called someone a different name. Ever since the last mission, it's happened a lot more often.

They stood up, barely able to stand, their legs trembling.

"Shit, for how long have you not slept four eyes?"

"..."

They looked at their friend with a sad expression. Something that nobody, not even their beloved Moblit saw.

"What about you?"

"..."

Levi didn't reply to their question.

"Go take a bath and go to sleep, you'll need it."

"...."

"..sure."

Hange had changed.

They've gone from being their always smiling, always happy and silly self, to whatever they were now. They were tired, too tired. Yet they kept on going, they couldn't abandon everything just yet.

They really tried to enjoy the time they had left, but really, how could anyone do so after all that. Their new rank as the commander of the survey corps made it even worse.

That might've been the reason they were the one to go, the one to go and save what was now the alliance. They left so quickly, willingly sacrificing their life for the cause, like they all had. Like Moblit had too.

They did feel a bit selfish, and they might've been, leaving their last friend, Levi, all alone. Atleast he understood they couldn't continue going anymore. And this was a golden oportunity. A chance to feel what Moblit had.

Now they knew how the fire felt. It was hot, too hot, burning their skin. It hurt. Was that how Moblit felt too? They wondered in their last moments, when what was left of their body turned into ashes.

- thanks for reading!!♡

[its-zur1]

when tired, Levi lays down with his head on Erwin's lap. He never admits he's tired but Erwin always knows, yet never does anything about it, and they both keep it that way, unspoken of, something casual.

Once they both knew they started feeling something for one another, yet their relationship wasn't really official, they just knew and kept it unspoken, Erwin started stroking Levi's hair everytime he did that, and soon realised Levi always fell asleep when he did that.

In the mornings, Levi would swear he fell asleep cause he was tired, not cause he found it comforting. Of course, Erwin knew.

after Erwin's death, Levi can't sleep as much anymore, especially not on the couch where they used to rest so peacefully, without having to worry about anything.

As Levi grows older, he begins forgetting what it felt like to be held, to be calmly resting that way. Then, one night as he goes to sleep, he wakes up to the smell of tea, as well as something else. He's confused at first, as it gives him a sense of comfort, which he hasn't properly felt in a long while. Looking around, he realises his vision is blurry. He feels a hand on his shoulder, and it clicks what the other scent is. It's the smell of nature, a forest, a river, all mixed together, and a sense of nostalgia washes over him.

The hand drags him down, where he stays, not moving until his vision gets better. He blinks a couple of times before seeing that familiar face.

He feels his lips curl into a small smile. He can't remember the last time he's felt so calm, so relaxed, so.. at peace. He doesn't seem to remember how he even got here.

"..Erwin..?"

He asks in a tired voice, staring at him. His eyelids feel heavy, his body isn't moving, only his eyes are observing his surroundings. He realises he's in Erwin's office, on that couch, laying comfortably. He feels the urge to get up, but at the same time feels too lazy to do so. He lifts his head slowly, knowing the scars on his face will hurt when he moves too quickly.

But they don't. Nothing does. Nothing feels dangerous, nothing hurts, he feels safe.

Looking over at his body, he notices none of his fingers are missing. He doesn't react, he feels too tired to. He tries moving his legs as well; it doesn't hurt.

He feels just perfect.

He feels something on his forehead; a kiss. A gentle one.

He rests his head back onto Erwin's lap and lets out a sigh.

"...are you.. real?"

He asks his lover.

"..hm..?"

Erwin looks down at him.

"...it depends."

"..what..do you mean.?"

Levi replies tiredly.

"..would you wish to stay here?"

Erwin smiles down at him, his fingers running throught Levi's hair. Levi finds it soothing, and his eyes feel heavy again.

"..for how long can I?"

"as long as you wish. you've done so good, my love."

Levi feels another kiss on his forehead, and he closes his eyes.

"..Just us..?"

"Just us."

Levi smiles, letting himself relax onto Erwin's touch.

"Although, I'm sure Hange would show up too, they might bring Miche and Nanaba with them."

Erwin adds jokingly, and they both chuckle about it.

"I'm sure your other friends would like to see you too. Isabel and Furlan, am I correct?"

Levi's eyes shoot open once he hears they're names.

"..But they're..."

"Shhh... It's okay."

Levi calms down and feels his eyes close again.

"Yeah, I'd like that.."

He falls asleep for the last time as Erwin continues stroking his hair.

[its-zur1]

I write Erwin and Levi's names so much that it's the very first thing my keyboard recommends whenever I start writing something-

[its-zur1]

Eruri headcanon:

Levi thinks about Erwin every day, but as he grows older and older, the old age hits him and he starts forgetting things. One day, he realises he'd forgotten what Erwin's voice sounded like. He then had a panic attack cause of it, as he was slowly starting to forget. If it wasn't for the drawing of Erwin Jean had given him, he wouldn't be able to remember his face.

Levi now has drawings of Erwin, Hange, and a bunch of other survey corps members that Jean had given him as presents.

[its-zur1]

Finally joined tumblr; first ever fic I've posted on ao3 (eruri!)