swordlux

[swordlux]

Wishing everyone love today. 🖤

[swordlux]

"It Was Always You." | Erwin / Levi x Reader ~ Chapter 4 (Levi SMUT 18+)

Hey all, this scene happens after the events in chapter 3. If you're choosing our dear Levi, then read ahead! (Note: you could also read this as a standalone Levi piece) A short Erwin ending will be to follow. Enjoy~

Chapter index: Chapter One, Chapter Two ~ Erwin SMUT 18+, Chapter Three, Chapter Four ~ Levi Ending SMUT 18+  

***

Chapter Four - Levi

"It's Always Been You."

The entire scouts were gathered at the banquet hall, everybody prepared to drink their tensions away before the upcoming battle. The night had just started but it was already loud with the sound of pre-battle excitement.

A quick scan of the crowd told you that the blonde commander of the scouts, Erwin, hadn’t decided to show.

Who you did see though, standing off to the side trying to stay out of the action, was your squad captain and best friend.

Levi stood against a post watching the scene. His sharp brows were narrowed in their usual scowl. His dark good looks made even more dashing by the shadows that surrounded him.

Levi met your eyes not a moment after you noticed him, a proof of your telepathic connection. You watched his eyebrows soften in recognition. You thought you’d decided what you felt for Levi was friendship, but in that moment, as you felt your heart jump into your throat with hope and longing at the sight of seeing him, you realized that you were already on the way to the other side of love.

You headed toward him, despite the regret twisting your gut.

“Hey,” he said as you approached. The soft caring tone of his voice washed over you, melting you down to your essence.

“Enjoying the party?” you said, doing your best to force your lips into a grin.

In response, he looked you up and down. His eyes lingered on your hips where the high cut of your jeans accentuated your curves. “I wasn’t,” he said. “You know I never enjoy these things. I only came here for you.” His eyes met yours once again.

You knew he was part bluffing. Despite his catlike disinterest in everything, he really did like showing up for his team. It was another thing you admired about him.

“Levi, we—”

“We need to talk,” he finished your sentence for you. “Do you still remember your promise to spend some time with me?” His eyebrow tilted in the way it did when he was being half sarcastic.

You felt yourself blushing as you looked away. “Of course, whenever you’re ready.”

“Good, I was getting impatient. Shall we get out of here, then?” Awareness flashed in his eyes when you didn’t take his outstretched hand. “This isn’t going to be easy, is it?” He sighed. “Come on.” He guided his hand to the small of your back instead. You headed out into the night air.

The quiet of your surroundings amplified the awkward tension between you. You watched as Levi paused for a moment to stare at the moon.

It’s so nice to be with him. The thought struck you, and you realized you could spend an eternity like this, just standing next to him watching him gaze into the distance. You noticed the smoothness of his cheeks, the kindness of his eyes, the softness of the dark hair that fell against his face. “Levi, I—” you started.

“—Before you continue on, there’s something I want to tell you first.” The depth of Levi's voice made the words hang in the air for an extra few seconds after he said them.

You met his eyes, despite the nervous butterflies dancing in your tummy. “Yes, what is it?” As you stared at him, a slow passionate flame started to swirl through his steel gaze.

“I’m not satisfied being just your friend,” he said.

The air took on a vibrant pulse. Like a sleeping dragon made itself present in the sky, the particles around you took on a charge, and the ground suddenly felt very unsteady.

“What do you mean?” you said, taking a step back, even though his meaning was obvious from his statement.

He stepped toward you. “I know I probably shouldn’t be saying this, I understand you have your own things going on but, I want you to know something…” He stepped closer, but this time you stopped yourself from stepping back. You allowed him to approach until his hand gently touched your elbow. “These feelings shouldn’t be possible for someone like me,” he said. “And because of that, I can’t ignore them.” The full moon in the night sky lifted the colour of Levi’s eyes to a light silver. As he leaned in close the dragon in the sky awoke and began wrapping itself around your limbs.

“I… I don’t understand,” you said.

“What I’m saying is, (M/C), that I want you to give me a chance. I want you to pretend that what you and Erwin have isn’t relevant, and how would you feel if it was just me and you.”

Your heart melted. The dragon loosened its hold just slightly, and you felt yourself subconsciously reaching for Levi.

“I don’t need to know if you feel the same way right now,” he continued. “But I want to at least know if I have a chance.” Levi looked at you, his kindness melting through you. “I love you, (M/C).”

There it was. The dragon broke and suddenly you were free again. You wanted to touch him. To feel the brush of friction where you and Levi’s skin made contact. You didn’t even have to think of your answer, it was already there, painted in the honest night sky behind him.

At the last minute, you brought your hands back.

“Dammit,” you said, curling your fists. Tears pressed against your eyes. “I have my answer, but Levi, last night…”

Levi’s hand shushed over your lips. “I know. Erwin told me.”

You blinked. He knew?  Then what was he doing? Saying these things? Standing here with you? Shouldn’t he be avoiding you? Or looking at you with disgust?

Then you realized something you knew all along. Levi was the kindest person you knew.

The realization crumbled any last defenses you would’ve had. “And you’re still here?” you said quietly.

Levi reached for your cheek. “Whatever happened between you and Erwin doesn’t change my feelings for you. I just want to know if from now on, you’ll choose me over him.”

“But Levi—”

His free hand caught your wrist, and he pulled you closer. “Forget about Erwin, (M/C), tell me that I am the one you’ve been wanting this whole time.” His eyes were practically burning. He bit his lip. “Forget I said that. It sounds petty. I don’t care if you’ve never thought about me like that before, but tell me that you will now. Tell me you’ll choose me from now on,” he said again.

His vulnerability and the weight of his emotions crushed into you. It was a pressure you wanted to accept so bad.

“Levi..” The tears spilled from your eyes. You let him pull you that final distance until your bodies touched. You looked up at him. Everything was so obvious. All you could see was the man in front of you. The man who made you feel brighter than any star could. “Of course, Levi. I love you. I love you so much.”

Levi’s lips melted against yours as he pulled you into the kiss. His warm hand guided on your back, holding you in place with compassion. He kissed you like you were the only source of oxygen left in this apocalyptic universe. “Say it again,” he said.

“Levi, I choose you. Please be mine.”

Levi lifted you up bridal style and locked you in his grip. His arms that had fought in so many battles now offered you sanctuary and security.

You kissed him again. Each taste of his soft lips opened up new sensations. Each sensation carrying promise, and possibilities.

“Good,” he said. “Then I’m taking you home.”

“Okay, take me home.”

***

Levi’s kissed you all the way home. When the door closed behind you, he slipped his tongue in your mouth.

Warm, sensual, notes played as his tongue swirled against yours. He explored your mouth with a passion that said he would get revenge for every sexy thing you’d done to him. You tasted every zing of wit and sarcasm that had ever left his lips, and words and sentences that had yet to be said. You wanted all of him. You wanted to know parts of Levi he’d never shown to anyone else.

As if tasting your thoughts, he pressed your back against the door and resumed exploring your mouth with renewed vigor. Every time his tongue brushed yours you became more aware of his hand brushing against the bare of your back. The silence of the house was a presence above you. It was you and him alone for the rest of the night.

 “Levi, I’m yours.” You repeated. You leaned your hip into him, arching your back, wanting him to know how badly you wanted him. “I’m sorry. I should’ve waited—”

“Shhh,” he kissed the apology out of your mouth. “Don’t worry about it. The past is the past.”

You curled your hand against his as you looked up at him. “Can I show you how much you mean to me?”

His smile was gentle, but it caused tingles to travel up and down your whole body. “That’s my line,” he said. He hiked you up, then carried you to the stairs.

On the way up, you became aware of his warmth and how comfortably the two of you fit together.

Levi was home, how could you ever be with anyone else?

When you got into his room, he dropped you onto the bed. The softness of his mattress accepted you as if you were always meant to be there. Levi’s attentive eyes undressed you.

You noted the space—the cleanliness and exact placement of the dark brown furniture around you, all representative of who Levi was.

You opened your arms for him. Levi stepped toward you, placing his hand behind your neck, and looking at you with all the love of a caring partner. “Shh,” he said. He was gentle all the way until he found your lips again.

His soft, clean smell coloured your nostrils, as he kissed you. You drank in Levi’s spice, which was now amplified by the scent of him in the air around you. He ran his other hand up the front of your thighs, pressing hard against your jeans. You felt at the linen of his shirt until you felt his hard biceps under his sleeves.

Levi attended to you with the same expertise he wielded swords, yet where on the field he was vicious, cold, and ruthless, here he was gentle, slow, passionate. He kissed your neck, every breath releasing a thundercore of emotions.

He leaned you back against the bed. “I’ve been holding back for so long. I’m going to take my time with you.” He slipped your shirt off, then kissed your collarbone, spreading a tickling sensation down your neck as he traced the outline of your bra. He tugged at your pants. “I’ll have to get you back for wearing this outfit. Seriously, how could you expect me to want to stay friends when you look so good.” Though his words were teasing, his voice was warm and spoke of how much he truly cared for you.

His finger hooked into the belt of your jeans. First, he pulled you against him, kissing you deeply. Then with the same pressure at which he kissed you he pulled off your jeans.

You stretched yourself out on the bed and allowed Levi to finish undressing you.

When you were left in just your undergarments, Levi ran his hand up your thigh and lovingly stroked the material of your panties.

You wanted him to know how much you felt for him.

You squeezed his head, attempting to pull him up, but he shushed aside your efforts.

Instead, he moved toward your middle. His hand still stroked your thigh, but now his breath came hot over the center of you. You shivered, as he pulled the cotton of your underwear to the side.

Levi licked you once up the center. Even that was enough to cause a riot of sensations.

His tongue was warm and wet as he tended to your clit. You could feel his sweetness traveling up your body.

Your body writhed as he picked up pace. He drank up your juices while holding you down by the hips. Your wetness dripped off the edge of the bed and down to the floor, causing Levi to lift his hand until his fingers found your wet opening.

He pressed them in, starting slow, matching his movements with the rhythm of his tongue.

Your nails dug into his shoulders.

He kept going, despite your protests.

“Levi—” you pleaded.

He licked your middle.

You rammed your head back against the bed. You were hit with a sudden vision of the two of you. You imagined yourselves coming home, sweaty from battle, and Levi secretly holding thoughts of wanting to pin you down and do something like this.

Your pussy pulsed. You wanted more. To feel him inside you.

“Levi—” you moaned more viciously. Your head tingling. The back of your neck burning with desire.

“What?” he said. “You don’t want to cum?”

“I want—you—I need you.”

He smirked. That dangerous smile you knew so well, looking even more intense. “I see, being impatient, are we?”

He kneeled up just enough so you could pull his shirt off. You felt down the smooth surface of his toned body, then fumbled with his pants.

Levi was at your side in an instant. Now as bare as you, his warm body pressed against you. You felt his hard member brush just where you were sensitive and wanting. He caught your wrist, then kissed the sensitive skin at the base of your thumb. “I told you, didn’t I?” he whispered. “I’m going to take my time with you.”

His hand ran up your thigh until it found your center again. Now with your back pressed against him, he worked circles around your clit. You moaned, having no choice but to give in to him.

Levi kissed the back of your neck as you came violently against his fingers.

“Good girl.” He said, giving you another kiss.

He released you momentarily, then adjusted himself so you felt his fullness pressing in between your thighs. He grabbed your thigh, then lifted you. You felt his hardness searching around your opening. You gasped, as he pressed into you.

“Relax..” he said.

You felt him squeeze in, slipping hard at first, you opened your legs and then he slipped inside you. His hard dick pushed your wetness out. “Ugh,” his head pressed against you. His fullness filled you. You couldn’t breathe, it felt so good.

You inhaled. His hand brushed over the front of your nipple where you were sensitive.

He rocked into you, his tense breath heated your neck. “You feel so good.”

Levi gave into his animal side, thrusting into you and feeling you until you came again. The silence in the house made you aware of your sounds as you moaned.

Though you were connected physically, you felt a connection way beyond that, and as he explored your depths you explored his soul. At one point you found yourself on top of him, pumping him, feeling his hard cock inside you.

Then you ended up on your knees, and Levi rammed relentlessly into you. “Fuck, you feel, so fucking good.”

Eventually, you ended up on your back again, allowing you to look at the beautiful man you loved as he gave into his desires. “(M/C), I don’t think I can hold on anymore,” Levi said, panting.

“It’s okay. Give yourself to me.” You locked your arms around his back. Even the feel of his sweat was sexy.

“Are you sure?”

You nodded.

Levi kissed you passionately, then braced himself above you. He fucked you senseless. Your eyes rolled to the back of your head as you were fucked harder than you’d ever been fucked before. Levi panted, displaying the full force of his athleticism. He drove into you, until at last his limbs started to shake.

“God—I’m cumming.” You locked your arms around Levi’s back as he released inside you. You felt his cum filling your walls, then locked your legs around him extra tight, accepting him fully.

When he finished, he pulled out of you then fell on the bed beside you.

The both of you were shaking and soaked with sweat.

You rolled over and brushed his perfect profile.

He smiled and held you tighter in his embrace.  “(M/C), I love you,” he said. “You know that?”

“Mmm, I know,” you said sleepily.

Levi laughed, then gently kissed the top of your head, showing his sweetness to you. “Good,” he said. “And now I have all night to show it to you.”

You pulled yourself into Levi's arms, bracing yourself so you could kiss him. You loved him so much. You wanted to spend the rest of your life embracing him. You thought about the wild night ahead of you, your soul and body already wanting him again.

“Levi, I love you,” you said. “It’s you. It’s always been you.”

[swordlux]

Hello How are you? Today marks one year since this magnificent work was released. I still adore it. I sincerely hope you can return. Write to me, you're the best. Take care. I hope everything goes well for you.

your work is magnificent

Hello again, you are amazing 🤍🤍 Thank you for reading my work, I hope you're taking care of yourself and random happy things are happening to you. You have brought me a smile until I find myself writing again. Wishing you all the best~

[swordlux]

💙HAPPY BIRTHDAY 2024💙

[swordlux]

Oh hell… ❤️‍🔥

beneath the mask

[swordlux]

[swordlux]

Can I request a fic where the reader would kiss Spike (Spiegel) every time they caught him smoking? even just holding it up is enough for the reader to give him a peck and stroll away with the cigarette they stole. P.s I love the way you write sm, you're my idol when it comes to writing<3

Cigarettes for Kisses (Spike Spiegel x Reader)

𝗔/𝗡: 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗺𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗟𝗠𝗔𝗢 𝗶 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝘄𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗼 𝗶 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆! 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗵𝗲

𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: @dogsandrocketsocks @pittbull-enthusiast @asuperconfusedgirl @rendartgrimson @abellaheart-blog

𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚? ⇒ 𝙈𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙩

𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙫𝙚𝙧?

𝙗𝙪𝙮 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙘𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚?

By the fourth time, he knew what you were doing. But by the fifth, he was more than ready.

He had suspected something up the third time you came around and pulled the same routine. At the time, he couldn’t put his finger on it. He couldn’t describe it. He was too wrapped up to really think about it until much, much later. Because the change was sudden. But not unwanted. Moreso desired than anything. But it was a change. A change that left him a little curious and a little breathless and a little lost in the following moments. Just long enough for you to saunter away with that swing in your hips that makes it impossible to be mad at you. Just long enough to make him realize that he’s down one cigarette and yet up one kiss. 

But he began to put together the pieces by the third time. And by the fourth time, he was able to pick apart your pattern and discern all the pieces. Then by the fifth time he tried to pull a cigarette out in front of you in the past three days, he made sure to wait until he could see you coming down the hall. And the second he knew you were close enough, he was shuffling one out of the box and leaning back into the couch. He made sure to take his sweet, sweet time with the lighter. Going nice and slow so he could drink you in in case you got close. And the second you saw him flick his lighter and the flame appear, you did. You got in close. Real close.

While Spike held the flame to the end of his cigarette, you walked up to him and went to the side of the couch like you were ready to watch whoever was going to show up on Big Shots right after the commercials started airing. Then just as he predicted, you didn’t go to sit down beside him. In fact, you didn’t sit down at all. Rather, you leaned down just as he got the flame that he needed. And you smiled at him- all soft and sweet as he took a drag and slipped his lighter back into his pants pocket.

And like clockwork, you went for his lips as he began to dispel the smoke he pulled into his lungs. And like clockwork, he let you.

He closed his eyes as your lips pressed against his. You start off slow and romantic because you’ve always been a little minx and nobody could tell him otherwise. But your kisses taste so sweet that he didn’t mind letting you take the lead. He didn’t mind letting your hands trail up his chest and shoulders and neck and face either. And he certainly didn’t mind letting your tongue brush against his as you worked on deepening the kiss.

But he wasn’t going to let you away with everything. He’s captured by you, sure. He’d kiss you all day if you’d let him.  But he won’t let you get the jump on him anymore than you already have. At least, not without getting a little bit of his own fun, of course.

So he was quickly about pulling a sleight of hand trick to move his lit cigarette between a different pair of fingers just as you began discreetly searching for it. And he relished in the soft sound of confusion that spilled from your mouth as your fingers reached out only to find nothing where they would usually find something. And when you pulled away to look for it, eyebrows all furrowed and that cute pout on your lips?

Well, he brought you back in for another kiss, of course. Only this time, he tugged you into his lap and pulled you nice and close. He swallowed up your yelp of surprise with his mouth as he kissed you harder than he even had before. And although you squirmed at first, you quickly found that the arm that he had wrapped around your waist and had just settled right on the curve on your backside wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Because you fit perfectly there. So perfectly that he couldn’t help but hold you tighter in hopes that it would cause another soft sound to be pulled from your pretty little mouth.

But you make out for a while. Probably far too long for the two of you to be in such an open, public spot in the Bebop but he couldn’t care less about that. It’s sloppy, heavy, and somehow all too sweet in its own way. Sometimes, he lets you take the lead. Sometimes, he lets your tongue do all the exploring if it means you’re good for him just a little while longer. Other times, he is too busy stealing the air from your lungs and nibbling at your bottom lip because he knows that’s what gets you to tighten your grip on his clothes and lean into him the way he likes it.

Soon enough though, he does have to let you go up for air. He’s better at holding his breath compared to you, and something about tilting your head back when he gets to kiss you and holding your body against his has him feeling just a little more breathless than he would have originally thought. But you? The pretty little thing settled in his lap right now? Well, you look a lot more flustered than he does, at least. And that was the goal all along. 

Catch you off guard. Kiss you the way he wants to. And enjoy you like the little tease you are. 

“If you wanna bum a smoke off of me, you could just ask,” He remarks with a half-smirk playing at his lips. You frown and puff out your cheeks with a huff. Frustration dances around in your eyes as you realize you’ve been all figured out and there’s nothing you can do about it. But you’re quick to perk up as he brings the cigarette lit cigarette to your lips and lets you take a drag. “S’long as you don’t run away afterward.”

You don’t respond at first- too busy inhaling the smoke with a pleased look on your face. And he can’t help but smile as he watches. It’s no wonder he let you get the jump on him four times before this. It’s cute. Or rather, you’re cute about it. You clearly haven’t been smoking for as long as he has, but you’re settling into the taste of nicotine quite nicely. It subdues you. Sweetens you up and softens you out in a way Spike couldn’t help but wish that only his kisses could do.

But then you laugh and you smile as you look at him and suddenly he’s just calling himself lucky to be the sole witness of this.

Still, it’s not fair. He was itching for a smoke. He was itching for his smoke. After all, you haven’t been letting him have his way all the time. You’ve been stopping him from getting his fill from the past four cigarettes you’ve successfully slipped out of his fingers. But now that he’s watching you smoke cigarette number five in his lap like you were meant to be there, part of him wonders if you’ll end up being the reason he quits one day. Not because he wants to. No, because he knows he should. 

“Hmmm…no promises~”

But because the thought of trading every cigarette he’ll ever smoke with another one of your kisses is a little more tempting than he’d like to admit.

[swordlux]

SPIKE

カウボーイビバップ Ep.19: Wild Horses

[swordlux]

Spark

[swordlux]

A Light in the Shadows | Xiao x Reader Lantern Rite (Comfort)

A retelling of the first year's lantern rite in a romantic light. Featuring scenes from Of the Land Amidst Monoliths, Butterfly's Dream. Enjoy~ <3

Happy Lantern Rite |

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

He saw you one day, walking into Wangshu Inn.

You were lost on your travels, sent on a mission to find Liyue Harbor through a dark undiscovered section of your map when you happened to stumble there.

He, this mystery Adeptus of the shadows, wasn’t used to getting himself emotionally involved with the mortal world, but there was something about your presence that had him instantly intrigued. Perhaps it was the unique, bright nature of your spirit and the way you ran around so unaware of the power you possessed. Or perhaps it was something deeper, something about souls being connected through lifetimes that not even he could explain.

He watched you, as you temporarily forgot about your mission to explore the place he called home. He never planned to interact. He had learned through all his years of suffering that beautiful things were best appreciated from afar.

And so, when you left—taking your bright spirit with you into the night—he didn’t grieve. He didn’t even wonder if he would see you again.

It was a few weeks later when he sensed it—your presence coming his way.

His first reaction was to ignore it; to write it off as pure coincidence. But there was something different about you this time that made that much more difficult to do.

Yes, he could feel it—you were now as aware of him as he was of you.

He tried his best to avoid the inevitable, but as it were, not even an Adeptus could toy with the plans of fate. And so, the next thing he knew there you were in front of him, addressing him with that kind voice that had caught his attention a few weeks before.

He struggled to wrap his head around how this was happening. He’d spent so many years building impenetrable walls to put up against the lovely; to shade himself from those things which should not be tainted. And yet there you were—one of the most lovely things of which his eyes had ever laid upon—reaching out to him.

It took him a moment to realize just what it was you were asking. He stared at your Sigil of Permission for a long time, and when it came his turn to respond he did so sharply and dismissively. He tried his best during your interaction to keep his walls up, to “shoo” you away as quickly as possible. But you were persistent, and when you brought him a bowl of Almond Tofu he found it very hard to remain impartial. He agreed to listen to what you had to say.

It turned out to be a less painful experience than he had imagined. You actually had some important news to share with him, and only wanted him to hear you out. Once you got the results you had come for, you left him alone.

After your departure, he found himself doing a lot of pondering. Maybe, it wasn’t so bad to interact with the lovely every once in a while. No harm had come out of your interaction, after all, and he was finding himself feeling unusually light. He resolved to be kinder to you upon your next meeting, if fate would have you meet again.

And as fate would have it, you did.

It was only a few days later. He was out slaying some hilichurls that had gone feral when you came up behind him. He remembered his vow to himself and approached you with kindness.

Surprisingly, speaking to you this way was much easier, more natural, and the practiced recluse found himself rather enjoying your little encounter. Perhaps that was why, after much prodding on your part, he agreed to let you help him with the rest of his venture. ***

You were shocked. This man who had seemed so hard to get to know was being kind to you, letting you in on a little bit of his world. You weren’t sure what to make of the Vigilant Yaksha upon your first meeting. He was an odd mix-up of personalities placed under one heavy mask of unconcern. You hadn’t planned to pry too much. Xiao was a divine being, and probably not easily tempted by your mundane ways, but upon seeing that slip of kindness, you couldn’t let it go.

For you, the kindness of the Yaksha was the most magnificent thing. Unlike the kindness you’d received a few times from strangers and friends, this was pure, true, untainted by the hidden desires of the human ego. You wanted to say that you were special, that there was a reason you felt it so strongly, but you knew, that such a power, such a brilliance would touch everyone in the same way. For there was no hiding your true spirit in the light of the Yaksha’s kindness.

Once you realized this, you resolved to cherish every moment you spent together. Such a gentleness was not to be taken for granted. You would make sure that each time Xiao opened up, every time he let a little bit more of his true spirit show, he would be met with an equal amount of loving acceptance. Being around him became a comfort, and as the moments got longer and longer, you began to appreciate them more and more.

The true luminescence of his kindness shone through on the day he agreed to help you with the dream ritual. The whole process was magical, like something out of a fairy tale, and not just because of the witchy ritual you were performing. No, the most dreamlike part of it all was the fact that Xiao was there supporting you, lending you his wisdom.

However, not all wonderful things last forever. Shortly after that, you said goodbye to Xiao, leaving him in a state of hazy reminiscence over a Grilled Tiger Fish.

You couldn’t stop thinking about him after that. You wondered in every moment of the day what it must be like for him, what it must be like to carry around all those years of karma feeling like he was responsible for it. You wondered how he spent his time, how he managed to remain so anonymous to the rest of the world. And then, most persistently, you found yourself wondering if you would ever see him again. Fortunately for you, it wasn’t long.

You heard about Lantern Rite from some passing travelers, and since you were experiencing a slow dip in your missions, you decided to check it out. You had no clue that upon receiving the official explanation of the event, you would hear Xiao’s name come up a million and one times. It certainly did nothing to help the thoughts that were already running through your mind about the Vigilant Yaksha.

Every time his name came up you found your heart growing warmer and warmer. The sweetness of the whole thing was really too much. The fact that all these people came together to show their respects, a week where everyone opened up their hearts to the hope and magic of the world. Even more than that was the fact that Xiao deserved it. He deserved a whole festival dedicated to him.

You wondered what he thought of it all. Did he spend the night sitting on his balcony, admiring the lanterns from a distance and taking a small, humble moment to recognize himself? Did it for but a moment lighten the weight he carried so heavily on his heart?

You got the idea to make him a lantern as soon as you knew it was possible. If the little gesture would brighten his day, you would make it your life mission. Unfortunately, you got tasked with many other things that week, and by the time fate had you meet again, you hadn’t gotten the chance to make him one yet.

He was standing on the dock when you ran into him– a quiet, majestic, shadow. Your heart flipped upside down when you saw him. You didn’t expect the man in question to turn up so easily. So out of the blue too. Turns out he had been investigating something suspicious that had also caught your eye. Upon seeing you there, he decided to leave the matter in your hands. You were grateful for the faith he’d put in you, but a little bit bummed that you wouldn’t be working together on this one. You decided to take this chance to ask him his feelings about Lantern Rite.

After he explained you immediately felt embarrassed. His feelings for the event were not what you had imagined. Actually, they were rather… harsh. In that moment, you felt trivial, human. Distant from him in a way that you couldn’t explain. You realized that perhaps you were wrong for being concerned about him. Here was a man who had walked this world for so many years. Surely he had thought of all these things before, and surely he was right in the emotions he’d settled on.

But still, the fact that you wanted to make him a lantern remained. Even if he thought it was silly, even if it made him think lesser of you, you wanted to show him your appreciation the way humans did. And so, you found time in between your various missions, and this new task you he had trusted you with, to do so.

When it was time to return to Wangshu to give Xiao the results of your findings, you arrived with tingles in your stomach. You had brought the lantern you made for him, and you were beginning to question if it was the right decision or not. You eventually sucked it up and decided to go through with your plan.

You found Xiao on the balcony, updated him on the situation, and then proceeded with the embarrassing task of giving him the lantern.

He stared at the lantern with a very unreadable expression. After what felt like a lifetime, he sighed and said, “Don’t you have better things to be doing with your time?”

That stung, and after he saw the expression on your face, he gave you a huffed, but somewhat sincere “thank you.”

You continued on with your quests, but the whole time you couldn’t stop thinking about Xiao. What exactly was it that you were feeling for him? Was it worship? Or something else? And were you wrong to let your feelings get away with you? ***

Meanwhile, Xiao sat in his room experiencing a very similar dilemma. The lantern was on the floor in front of him, and he couldn’t bring himself to tear his eyes from it. On the outside, he remained as composed as ever, but on the inside he was battling a handful of new, conflicting feelings.

“I’ve never cared for these things, so why?” he thought to himself. “Why do I feel this way? So… happy.”

The truth was, he had been finding himself becoming continuously more happy the more time he spent with you. It was like each time you met, another weight was lifted from his soul. He didn’t like it, because it happened so subtly that he didn’t have the chance to stop it. He worried what it may mean, for if that load was no longer on him then who had it been transferred to?

He clutched at his warming heart. That tingle within him began to stir more violently, getting all the more difficult to ignore. He knew what that feeling was. He wanted to see you, and he was just beginning to accept that.

He left the lantern and moved out onto the balcony, where he stared out at the surrounding hills. He could sense you. In this vast, wide land he could pick up your presence anywhere. It seemed to him that you were out confronting some Treasure Hoarders, and you were about to get yourself into some trouble.

He didn’t even have to think about it, he was there in a flash, saying the words that he knew would save your butt. He handled the situation with grace and was about to leave when you stopped him.

“What is it?” he asked.

You looked conflicted, as if you weren’t sure if the words you were thinking were the right ones to say. Eventually, you said it. “The next time we meet, can it be somewhere with a view of the Mingxiao Lantern?”

He realized at that moment, that you too shared the same feelings for him. A rush of emotions seized him at once, and his instant response was to fight against them.

“I’m not a fan of crowds,” he said. It was the truth, but not the whole of it.

The look on your face moved him to compromise.

“When this matter is resolved,” he said, “Come to Wangshu Inn. In the past, the Mingxiao Lantern has been visible even from there.” ***

Xiao disappeared just like that, but you held on dearly to his words.

He was giving you another chance, a big one.

You rushed through the rest of your tasks, excited for this rare opportunity to spend time with Xiao. ***

Meanwhile, Xiao was having a rough time. He paced around the Inn, attempting to suffocate the feelings of anticipation that threatened to arise. He hoped you would come tonight, but he knew better than to give in to that little bit of excitement. You were human, these little things like festivals were important to you. He was just him. He would let you down.

With not much to do, Xiao became uncharacteristically bored. At one point, he went out to slay some demons, but even that didn’t do much to settle his increasing anxiety. Eventually, he settled on the thought that you weren’t coming. That you would get caught up in the trivial beauty of the thing and decide to stay. It gave him some peace to think this, for he didn’t want to deal with these feelings anyway.

Unfortunately for him, you didn’t just come, but you showed up hours early.

“You came after all,” he said, sighing at your stubborn resilience. “Though I can’t say I know why you made this decision.”

It dawned on him—you were probably just there to give him the news of your last quest. There was still a high chance you wanted to go into the city to view the lantern properly, and here he was embarrassing himself.

He recovered quickly. “So, is the matter resolved?”

You blinked. Your expression watered over, as if you'd completely forgotten about the matter he referred to. “Yes, but…” you said. “You sure you don’t want to come? To see the Mingxiao Lantern?”

He drew in a breath. He knew it. The festival was all you cared about. You weren't here for him after all. “As I said," he started. "I am not partial to crowded areas. So if you really are concerned about this short-lived spectacle, I suggest you head off now.”

“It’s not that,” you struggled, “It’s you I’m concerned about. I think you should enjoy yourself every once in a while. You deserve it more than anyone, Xiao… to be happy.”

A bolt of lightning shocked through his heart. Once again, he was caught off-guard by your words. He felt his pulse pick up pace, reaching a quickness it hadn't in centuries. “Happiness is an illusion of the human mind,” he retaliated. And with that, he hoped you would leave him alone. ***

The moment Xiao said those words, you realized it—Xiao, the all-knowing being that he was, was wrong about one thing. And it was the one thing you would not let him be right about.

You left him standing on the balcony to come up with a plan. With the unlikely help of Verr Goldet and Huai’an, you thought of it. It was risky, to attempt to bring the festival to him, but it would give him a sense of what he was missing out on. And maybe, just maybe, you could convince him to go to the real thing.

When you went back to find Xiao he was still standing on the balcony where you left him.

“You’re still here?” he snapped.

“Come with me, to Lantern Rite.”

He almost let it slip then, the tiniest bit of emotion. “We’ve had this talk. Don’t make me repeat myself. It’s best you go alone.”

You ignored his sharp tone and proceeded to tell him about what you’d set up for him. His reaction was the same as when you gave him the lantern–obstinate, devoid of any emotions, but you didn’t let it discourage you.

You dragged him down to the bottom of the inn, where he eventually agreed to partake in your little experiment.

During your meal, Xiao watched you closely. He wondered why you were still trying, still being kind to him. You perplexed him. Not just because you were human, but because you were you, and he was learning that you were even more peculiar than he had first gathered.

Eventually, you asked him the question he knew you were going to ask.

“Will you accompany me to the city?”

He sighed. He could see right through your plot, but the structure that held him together had been falling apart, rock by rock, since the moment he’d met you.

“Fine,” he said after you pleaded him further. “I’ll accompany you. But… I’ll only go as far as the city.”

You tried not to show the excitement on your face. You knew better than to get your hopes up just yet. This was just one step, one step closer to showing him the truth about happiness, and you were grateful you were able to move him this far.

You took off together into the fading daylight.

When you arrived at the final hill leading into Liyue Harbor, Xiao paused. “This is as far as I will go,” he said. “Please see yourself into the city.”

You decided to give it one last shot. “You sure? Everyone in the city really appreciates you. I saw it while I was traveling around. It can’t hurt to get a little bit involved...”

He shook his head and proceeded to give his explanation of why he never got involved—how he could never interact with all of those carefree people.

While he talked you began to understand why Xiao was the way he was—left to his own defenses he became swallowed by the darkness. Worse than that, he convinced himself he deserved it, that it was his duty to lug all this unnecessary karma around.

All he needed was someone to show him to the light, someone to show him the kindness he’d shown you, and to show him that he deserved it too.

You didn’t know if that person would be you, but you had to at least try. Besides, you had no intention of watching the lanterns without Xiao anyway.

“Well,” you said, “This is the perfect view anyway. Let’s leave those trivial people to their trivia.”

“Huh?” He watched you, with a look of complete bewilderment on his face, as you walked over to the edge of the little grassy hillside and took a seat.

He didn’t understand. What was the point of coming all this way if you weren’t going into the city? Wasn’t that what you wanted? Which one was it?

He sighed, the last few rocks of his structure tumbling loose.

He joined you at the edge and sat down next to you. He didn’t say a word, but you smiled, knowing you had won.

The light show began. It was extraordinary, so extraordinary for a second you forgot to check to see if Xiao was enjoying himself.

You were not disappointed when you saw his face.

He looked up at the sky in awe, his normally tense expression relaxed into one of pure appreciation. His amber eyes shone with wonder, and the softest of smiles tugged at his lips. You weren’t sure which sight was more enchanting—the lanterns, or the look on Xiao’s breathless, unguarded face. Everything you wondered about him to be true, you could see it all there in that moment.

You looked back toward the sky, allowing yourself to also get lost in the moment.

All those people's hopes, dreams, lighting up the night. Each wish carried with it, the love and care of one soul, and each shined beautifully in its own way. Everyone on this planet had something they cared for. No matter how trivial, or ridiculous, if a person poured their love and attention into it, it became the most powerful thing. Such was the beauty of humanity.

“I get it now.” Xiao sighed, while placing his gentle hand atop of yours. “This is what it is to be human.”

He lifted your hands, intertwining your fingers together, watching as the motion stirred up emotions within him, allowing himself to feel each one that came up.

“Fine then,” he said. “Have it your way.”

He collapsed his head into your shoulder and let go of thousands of years of vigilance.

You let him rest there, as you watched the last of the lanterns float off into the distance.

Xiao realized something as he rested his head on your shoulder and allowed a tear to fall onto his cheek. At the end of the day, anyone can be vigilant, but it takes true strength, true courage to be vulnerable.

~ The End

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ More Readings: Xiao's Longing | Xiao x Reader, Xiao's Lust | Xiao x Reader 18+, The Balladeer | Scaramouche x Reader

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🤔🐙

[swordlux]

Xiao's Longing - Xiao x Reader

A short headcanon featuring our lovely adeptus. Originally posted on AO3

~~~

“Missed me…? Huh…” His thoughtful gaze explores the grass before returning back to you. “This feeling. Tell me more about it.” ~~~ Xiao's Longing

Xiao looked out at the rolling hills of Teyvat with a strange feeling in his chest. It was a feeling that had persisted ever since the day he’d met you. Xiao was used to battling intense, and often dark feelings, but something about this was different. It was as if his chest would burn up and devour him if he didn’t see you within a certain time frame. The more he tried to fight it, the more it seemed to grow.

He began to see your face everywhere he looked. In the blue waters of Liyue Harbor, in the valleys of Qingce Village, in the sweet fog of Qingyun Peak. Currently, it was projected in the sky like a second sun. He wondered what you were doing at the moment, if you were out getting yourself into trouble, or making new acquaintances as you so easily do. Part of him—a small part—hoped that the former was the case, because it meant he would have a reason to see you and to ease this unbearable ache in his chest.

It had been a few weeks since you’d last met, but those weeks had felt like months to the Vigilant Yaksha. The days between your meetings stretched longer and longer, and every day Xiao would try to think up an excuse to see you. He was never one to indulge in something just because it pleased him. Spending time with someone for the sake of spending time with them was something he couldn’t justify. And yet…

“Why do I still think about you every day?” He said. He sighed, letting the wave of emotions pass out and with the wind.

He stood up from the cliffside, deciding to take out his feelings at the nearest slime hotspot—and that was when he heard it.

It was the call he had been waiting for.

In reality, the sound was the gentlest of whispers, no more than that of the wind passing through the petals of a Qingxin flower. But to Xiao, it resonated across the land like thunder.

It was you. You were calling his name.

***

“Xiao.” The name falls out of your lips as natural as sap out of a tree. You can’t remember what made you say it, but you know you must’ve been thinking about him. You know because your chest hums with the same warmth as it always does when the great Adeptus comes to your mind.

The truth is, Xiao has never left your mind. Not since the moment you first saw those kind amber eyes.

Every day you spend apart feels like an eternity. And every day you wonder about throwing yourself into dangerous situations, just so you'll have a reason to call his name.

Today however, is different. Today you aren’t even thinking up ways to get the Adeptus to come. Today it just happens.

“Xiao.”

He is there not a second after the name leaves your lips. His strong form stands tense, his amber eyes glow with concern.

You blink in shock, and then you remember the promise he made to you—every time you call his name, he would appear.

The embarrassment you would normally feel in this moment is quickly overcome by the intense joy of seeing his face. No matter the reason, he’s here. Just as you’d been wishing for.

“Xiao,” you say, as if speaking to an apparition from a dream, “You’re here.”

His brow lowers at your obvious statement. “I promised I would come any time you called my name.” He sighs, letting the hidden tones of desperation slip out of his voice. “So, what is it? You don’t seem to be in any trouble.”

“Oh, right…” Just hearing the smooth tones of his voice has your head in a daze. It takes a moment for you to fully process his question, and then another to realize you don’t have an answer for it. “Uhm, it’s nothing really. I’m fine.”

He sighs deeper. The sound washes over your body like a sweet remedy for your heart.

Your moment of bliss only lasts a moment before you remember his tendency to disappear as quickly as he had come once he finds himself of no further use.

“Wait!” you cry, hoping to catch him before he has a chance to do that. “Don’t go yet!”

He seems to pause; the very particles of his body slowing. This subtle change in energy confirms your suspicions—he was preparing to make a quick dash before you stopped him.

Xiao studies your face for a moment and then sighs again. “If you have no urgent need of me, then I have other matters to—”

“This is urgent!”

Shock. It’s an expression you’d never imagine to see on Xiao’s face, but you get it now. His amber eyes open wide, and for a second you catch a bit of light behind those dark curtains. But it disappears in a flash, the curtains closing once more.

“Well, what is it then?” he says. Though still serious, his voice has softened a bit. It’s just enough to allow you to speak your thoughts honestly.

“Err– well…the truth is… I missed you.”

The moment the words are out you regret them. You’re sure you’ve done it now—you’ve found a way to send him off and ensure he never comes back again.

You prepare for the backlash comment, but instead of snapping, he just looks wistfully off to the side. “Missed me…? Huh…” His thoughtful gaze explores the grass before returning back to you. “This feeling. Tell me more about it.”

“What?“ For a second you’re sure he must be joking. But the look in his eye is simply inquisitive. “Oh…” you continue, “Well it’s like… like this feeling in my chest. This urge to see you that keeps getting stronger and stronger the more time we spend apart. And if I don’t, if I don’t see you it’s like my heart is going to explode. “

The explanation is mediocre at best, but he stirs over your words as if you just presented him with a complicated thesis.

You wonder if it was the explanation he was looking for, or if you just went and made a complete fool of yourself.

After considering your words for what seems like forever, he finally seems to come to terms with something. “This feeling,” he says, “I think I know it.”

“You… do?” Now it’s your turn to be shocked.

“Yes,” he sighs. “It’s quite frustrating, actually. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to shake it. But now I see that you are the cause.” He closes the distance faster than you can follow.

You see the bright jade glimmer of his spear as it swoops down behind you, hooking you behind the ankle and sending your feet out from under you.

You fall back onto the grass, but not before Xiao catches you, placing you down the rest of the way gently.

His strong arm is still wrapped around your waist as he looks into your eyes. “Am I correct to assume that you are the remedy?

“Xiao…” Desire overcomes you. Without thinking you reach for his neck, pull yourself up, and press your lips to his.

He startles at first, the last bit of wall still holding strong. But then finally, at last, it crumbles before you.

Xiao melts into you, leaning into the kiss with new hunger.

You feel a world open up. The world of Xiao. And it is bright and pink and wonderful.

You pull him closer, exploring this new, beautiful world with increasing curiosity.

“Why?” Xiao huffs into your lips. “Why do I… feel like this?”

You shut up his questions with more kisses.

He seems to gather the answer from your lips. He kisses you with such a passion that your head nearly spins off its axis.

The ache in your chest only seems to get stronger.

You grab him and pull him closer, desperate to have as much of him as you can.

You roll around in the grass—two undistinguishable forms, each attempting to fulfill their increasing desire.

Eventually, Xiao pulls back, placing his forehead against yours so he can look into your eyes once more.

“In all my years of existence,” he says, “Never has a human perplexed me the way you do.” He looks at you with tenderness as he strokes your cheek. “What can I do to make sure this feeling of ‘missing you’ never returns?”

“Stay,” you say, catching his hand. “Stay by my side, always.”

He sighs and looks at you once more with that sweetness. “Alright,” he says. He kisses you again and you surrender to eachother. Though Xiao has promised to stay, you say his name all night. ~~~

More Readings: Xiao's Lust | Xiao x Reader Smut, The Balladeer | Scaramouche x Reader, A Light in the Shadows | Lantern Rite Xiao x Reader Xiao is my favourite person to write <3

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[swordlux]

Black Butler, My Demon Saviour | Ciel & Sebastian

Summary: A reimagining of the aftermath of season 1 from both Ciel & Sebastian's perspectives. Mature content. Please tread lightly.

Note: I wrote this a long time ago after finishing the first season, when I was reeling from all the emotions this beautiful series gives you. The relationship between Ciel and Sebastian is intriguing and complex, and I wanted to explore it. By no way am I condoning any underage relationships. I believe the tension between these two comes from an unrealized love, and it doesn't necessarily have to be sexual.

(Originally posted on ao3 and because nobody killed me for it, I decided to post it here. Also decided to include a little amv I made at the end too)

Enjoy~

***

The young earl lay limp in the demon’s hand. His wispy black hair lay softly against his ivory skin—eyelids closed, highlighting the soft long eyelashes that tickled his skin. His mouth lay open in a silent sigh. A white glove lay discarded on the gravelled floor at his feet. The painted long fingers it belonged to were stretched coldly from the base of the lord’s neck to the top of his head. Those fingers revelled in the feel of the soft hair and the warmth that radiated so strongly from his innocent body.

The boy had given up his soul so willingly, yet there was a fierce pride that the young earl held onto, even as the demon moved his face in close and prepared to inhale the delectable soul out of his tiny form.

They had both been waiting for this moment—the boy in fear, hidden well by a mask of loathing—and the demon in excruciating anticipation. Every time the demon looked at the boy he could feel the boy's golden life force percolating his tongue. The bright purity and the fiery heat cursing through his body, tingling, and lighting up sensations that had been dormant for the past 200 years. A sensation finer than any orgasm, he knew this boy’s soul would provide. He could barely restrain the ravenous animal in him now, threatening to break his ever-composed grace. The boy had told him to have his way with him, to make it hurt, and one part of him wanted nothing more than to rip through that flesh and squeeze every drop of fearful agony out of him. Yet, looking at the boy lying so quaintly in his arms, so trusting until the last moment, there was an even bigger part of him that wanted something else...

To give this boy the happiest of last moments.

“It’s all over now my Lord, you don’t have to suffer anymore.” The demon brushed the bangs away from Ciel's moonlit forehead and stared adoringly at the boy one last time. He would savour this moment. The breath floating, warm and tenderly out of his soft, pink lips—lips that could say words both crude as reaper’s breath, and light as sunshine. Lips that had the capacity to grace the world with the most brilliant of smiles, but so often remained poised tight. When his lord was resting like this, he often thought him akin to a baby sheep. And if the Lord was the sheep, he was the wolf, and it was finally time for the wolf to move in.

***

“Where are we?” Ciel Phantomhive barked. The cold fear in his voice was just barely contained by his sharp angry tones. He was aware of himself, he recognized his own voice, but besides that he was in a maze of darkness. He felt weightless. Ethereal.

At once he felt an overwhelming familiar presence slide in beside him. One that had remained loyal and made the past 3 long years somewhat bearable. It was that of a dark, sultry presence, one with unsurmountable elegance and wicked beauty. He was supposed to be an insipid creature of nonsubstance, but his sarcastic personality had slowly trickled through over the years. Ciel was angered at how much the presence warmed his body and made his intangible muscles relax. He ignored the fireball that blazed deep in his chest. A feeling that had become increasingly harder to ignore over the years.

Ciel began to see form taking shape around him. It started with the demon, and his breath caught in his throat. Sebastian had always begged him to look away whenever he took on his true form, saying he didn’t want to disgrace his master’s presence with his horrid appearance. But Ciel had snuck a few glances on the separate occasions, and he always found the opposite was true. It was dreadfully hard to look away. To Ciel, the demon was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen. It was so beautiful in fact, that it made the rest of the world utterly dull and senile in comparison, and he often found himself yearning for another look, throwing himself into dangerous situations that would force the demon to bring out his true form. The last fight on the bridge with the angel had been exquisite. Ciel watched from the slanting crane, ignoring his servant’s orders. It was why he had been caught off guard when the angel caused a rupture that made the whole structure shake, sending him flying across the platform and to his ultimate death. He didn’t hold back now. If Sebastian had dragged him from death and into this place, he deserved to get a good look.

The demon was more beautiful than ever. His body was that of curling and evolving strands of black smoke. If you could call it black. It was deeper than any black that Ciel had seen, and had seemed to acquire a sort of untraceable glow around it’s edges. His ardent eyes were the most striking. They burned a brilliant mix between bright fuchsia and red, and seemed to leave a trail of hunger everywhere they went. He held the air of the inner earth. Like an obsidian rock that had formed over the past 200 centuries. Every curl of smoke held a secret about the world, and his total presence alone proclaimed that everything you ever knew about the world was a lie. He was a long swirling path into the deepest of nightmares. A lurking knowing silence that waited in empty alleys. He was God’s shadow.

The heat in Ciel’s chest flushed to his cheeks. He was glad it was dark, and that the demon couldn’t see them, and that wherever they were seemed to be some sort of spiritual world, though he had no doubt that the demon could sense the boy’s admiration.

“Just relax and watch my lord,” Sebastian purred.

Around them, images began to pop out of the blackness and swirl in a tornado like formation, enclosing them in their center. Flashes of cobblestone, ornate desserts, and untimely late nights. It was a kaleidoscope of memories.

Ciel breathed in a sharp sigh as he watched the past 3 years of his life circling around him.

“So this is it then. This is my reel of memories. I have to say, I wasn’t expecting a demon like you to take such a reaperly route.”

“That’s not exactly it my lord. Look closer.”

He did, and a single image came into focus. At once, it thrust toward him, hitting the young lord with an incredible wave of vertigo, and the next moment he was thrust into a landscape of serenity. He watched as the most pleasant moments of his life went by—moments he had forgotten himself when he was living. Taking his first steps, strolling through the fields with his mother—all these little things that made him realize that life was never really as bad as he’d made it. He felt a sensation he hadn’t had for a long time in those last years of his life—happiness. And as the memories played, he found himself making peace with everything that transpired.

It was as he was fading away, about to surrender to his ending, that something pulled at him, ripping him from both death and life.

***

Sebastian gasped and pulled out of the scene as he released hold of the boy’s soul. His immortal heart was racing. His body danced between his cold, eternal skin, and the warm trails of the Ciel’s soul that he had ingested. He had been enjoying himself so thoroughly, feeding off the sublime emotions of bliss as he played his lord his most pleasant memories. So why had he stopped? And why was there this deep fear in the pit of his stomach? He choked on an unfamiliar feeling. He looked down at the boy, and gasped. Ciel Phantomhive was never one to be loved much by the sun, but never had he been as pale as he was now. His skin had almost gone translucent, showing bright blue veins where blood struggled to keep on flowing. And he was cold to the touch. As cold as the demon himself.

“My little lord,” he gasped.

Ice-cold panic filled the pit of his stomach, and Sebastian began to remember why had pulled his divine feast to an abrupt stop. As they walked through the memories together, Sebastian could no longer doubt the feelings that had haunted him over the past 3 years.

In some way, or another, he had loved the boy.

He couldn’t imagine the world without his fervent presence. However human he was, he seemed to understand the demon in a sense that no other ever could. Sebastian had  spent all his immortal life walking these impassionate streets century after century, never to find a kindred soul; yet here was one right in front of him. And he was about to devour it.

Sebastian couldn’t deny that him and the young lord shared the same mind. Every time the lord made a decision, he felt a surge of surprise and pride. He always seemed to do exactly what the demon was thinking. They were kindred spirits, and perhaps in another life when he was human, or the boy was a demon, they could be the best of friends. He had felt that even more as the boy’s soul began to merge within his. There was great havoc to be wreaked on this earth that only such a boy as him could bring. This realization threatened to pull Sebastian back to the moment he became a demon all those years ago.

The boy didn’t breathe, but Sebastian knew there was still life in him, still some of his soul to be saved, and it was risky but Sebastian knew of a way.

He hoisted the boy over his shoulder and leapt into the night.

He was going to do something no demon had ever done before.

He was going to break his contract, because the boy, he realized, deserved to live.

The End

***

True Form (amv)

Song: Mark by SHAHMEN

Thank you for reading! I am so captivated by the darkness and depth of emotion in Kuroshitsuji, honestly anytime I get to interact with it is a pleasure. I may continue this piece after I rewatch the series, but for now I think I shall leave it as is. In the meantime, please enjoy this crappy quality amv I made while trying to explore these feelings more.

Much love~

[swordlux]

The Balladeer | Scaramouche x Reader

You could say it was a split-minute decision.

You could say it had been building up over time.

But that one moment changed everything.

Summary: My alternate ending to the Sumeru Archon quest. Mild romance and emotional tension.

***

You leapt across the breaking platform, the gargantuan construction of the false god crumbling like a broken thundercloud above you.

Your sights were locked on one thing—

The Balladeer.

As his doll-like figure descended toward the earth, one thought rang through your mind. Don’t let him fall. Don’t let him fall. Don’t let him fall.

His trajectory increased. You eyeballed the distance between his head and the ground, the quick calculations in your mind telling you you weren’t going to make it.

You pulled from a source higher than yourself and leapt. You were sure of one thing at that moment—if Scaramouche’s head made contact with that ground, the world would lose a very bright star.

You took that last leap, airborne for longer than should have been possible, and felt a lump land in your arms. With no time to check, you ducked and rolled, shielding whatever you caught. You came to a stop in the dust.

One glance down at the soft, dark hair and the warmth radiating against you is enough to confirm—you caught your star.

Relief surged through you. This was the closest you’d ever been to the Balladeer, and the delicateness of his features struck you. His eyes were closed, and dust fell on his perfect face. He looked as innocent as a doll that had yet to be removed from the box. You knew then that whatever it took, whatever happened next, you would have to protect him.

You felt Nahida descending from the sky above you—from where she’d ripped your delicate doll from his entrapment. The question on the God of Wisdom’s mind permeated through the collapsing space.

In that moment of heightened awareness, you saw a vision of the array of guards waiting outside, your assembly of friends you had worked this mission with, Cyno’s cold, non-forgiving stare—all of them waiting to condemn this god you now held in your hands—and you knew exactly what you had to do.

You took off, ignoring the throbbing in your legs and the pounding of injuries that would make themselves known later.

Paimon’s questioning screams chased you. You ignored even those. For now, you were existing in a space where only one person in this world mattered.

The Balladeer lay unconscious in your arms; when you looked down at him, your legs pumped faster.

You found a small opening in the wall and leapt. Sunlight hit you as you escaped from the collapsing building right into the light of the academia.

You didn’t stop. A quick look around at the guards standing at their posts was enough to keep your adrenaline going. You had the lead—they were yet to be notified of the situation, but it wouldn’t be long.

You took off. Running down the streets of Sumeru, until you got to the fields outside the city. Then you kept running. You ran until your lungs burned like sand in the desert sun.

When you finally reached the building you had scouted on your travels a while back, your whole body was burning like a campfire on a summer night, and your limbs trembled with exhaustion. But it was worth it. You looked down to see Scaramouche resting peacefully.

Your star was safe.

***

The Balladeer was feeling warm. Like he was caressed in a sun made of the ocean waves, or ocean waves made of the sun, he wasn’t sure. Either way, there was a strange lightness in his chest that tried to drown out the throbbing in his head. He felt weighted and weightless at the same time.

Is this death? He thought. Me, one who was fated to be immortal? Could I really die..?

Scaramouche heard a rustling next to him, and a smell entered his nostrils. Though it was not of Teyvat origins, he associated it with the electric charge of Inazuma soil and the breeze flowing through the open fields of Mondstadt.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

In that brief moment of clarity when one has not yet been released from the world of dreams, he saw you not as an enemy but a close, dear friend.

You were leaning over him, looking at him with concern. The radiance of you made him want to close his eyes again.

But then he quickly remembered his stature and, more importantly, the real source of the feeling of lightness in his chest: the Gnosis. His Gnosis had been stolen from him.

Like waking up from a sweet dream into a nightmare, he jolted forward.

“The Gnosis—!” he croaked, finding his voice uncharacteristically dry.

“Yes, yes, will get to that,” you said. The calmness in your voice spilled over Scaramouche like a sweet stream. “First, how are you feeling?”

He swatted your hand away. “I need to get to the Gnosis—that witch stole it from me.”

He made a move again; this time, you backed up, allowing him to get up.

He took one step off the bed when his knees wobbled and tumbled right back into your arms.

You looked at him again with concern in your eyes. “You have no time to think about anything right now besides getting better,” you said. “Whatever those sages did to you, it took a toll when you were separated. For now, drink this.” You shoved some sort of concoction in his face. “I wasn’t sure what you like to eat. If—ehem—dolls eat, but…”

“Enough, leave me. I don’t need your pity, especially you of all people. Aren’t you supposed to hate me?” Scaramouche tried to sound strong, but despite his best efforts, his voice was shaking.

The sincerity of your efforts scared him, and more so was the look in your eyes. It was almost like…

You stood, leaving him on the floor with the drink. “Chicken soup, or Adeptus Temptation? Which do you prefer?”

“Huh?” Scaramouche understood what you were saying, but your words didn’t make sense. Were you really asking him about soup right now?

“I’m giving you a choice,” you continued, propping your hands on your hips. “I’ve decided I don’t want to watch you starve.”

“You should just leave me be.”

“Yeah, too late for that. So? Chicken or Adeptus?”

Frustrated, Scaramouche tried to get up again. “I need… to get my Gnosis…”

“Gnosis soup?” You looked at him as if he’d just offered a perplexing puzzle. “I think I’m lacking on the key ingredients for that. Alright, Adeptus, it is then.”

You continued into the kitchen.

As the Balladeer watched you, a cool ripple of annoyance flowed through him. Did you not realize the urgency of the situation? What was even more annoying was your pity. Here he was in his weakest state in front of you, and there you were treating him like a puppy. It made him feel sick. After all the things he’d said to you, all the times he’d tried to kill you—you should be basking in his pain, leaving him to rot, or getting your revenge in some other way. But his…

“When I get my strength back,” he said. “I swear, I will make you regret this.” His words faded into the air. You were already in the kitchen, out of range.

Scaramouche sighed. Admittedly, sickness was taking over his body. He could barely keep his head up. He shuffled back into bed.

You came out with a steaming bowl in your hands only a few minutes later.

“What kind of magic is this?” Scaramouche asked as you placed the bowl beside him. He saw what looked like a beautiful medley of flavours, and the smell wafting out of it made even his usually quiet stomach growl.

You laughed. The sound rang in his ears. He realized it was the first time he’d heard you laugh. Most of your interactions in the past had been short, and he was usually the one directing them. Come to think of it, he’d barely heard you talk much.

“You learn to whip up things on the fly when you’re as mobile as I am,” you continued. “You also learn some of the best hiding spots.” You winked.

Scaramouche sat up and tried to relax. “Speaking of, where are we?” he said, looking around. You seemed to be in a small space, a warm house of sorts. Now that his initial rejection of the situation had warned off, he was becoming filled with questions.

“A spot I’d scouted on my travels a bit ago,” you said. “Thank god. We needed it.”

You looked relaxed as you pulled up a chair and sat across from him. You were acting incredibly casual for someone who was supposed to be his archenemy.

Scaramouche studied you closer. He’d always thought it, but…

Yes. Up close, you were quite attractive.

The Balladeer found himself blushing as he turned away. “Where is that pretending Dendro archon? And my Gnosis.”

“Woah, woah, woah,” you said. “Let’s not forget who the pretending archon is here.” The smirk hung on your face until Scaramouche looked at you again. “—But as for Nahida, I don’t know. On the hunt for us, probably.”

“Why did you...?” Scaramouche struggled to find the words to describe this situation and then let it go. “Nevermind. Listen, I don’t have time to be playing house here. Take me to where my Gnosis is, and I’ll let you come out of this alive. I bet all your little ‘friends’ are worried about you.”

You laughed again. This time, the sound bubbled his anger.

“Look, I don’t think you’re in any position to make threats here,” you said. “But don’t worry, I’ll help you get it back. As long as you tell me why it’s so important to you.” You stared at him.

He met your gaze for a moment, but when that look slipped back in, he had to turn away.

You sat back in your chair. “Do you ever feel like sometimes you’re running around playing a game only because there are no other options? I guess it was like that. Those— my ‘friends’ and I bonded over a common cause, I may have even agreed they were my friends at one time, but it’s like—when you’re presented with the truth of something, only then do you realize what the other was not, and never was.”

“Huh? Is that supposed to be some kind of riddle?”

“What I mean to say is, I never understood what it meant to deeply care for something until I saw you falling from that constructed god. And then I realized, it was never about saving Sumeru for me. The whole reason I went along with their plans was that… well, it was you.”

At that, a laugh took hold of Scaramouche, which he couldn’t control. “You’re telling me you paraded around with your little friends acting like a saint, attempting to save the world because of me..?”

You looked at him plainly. “Yes. It was you I was curious about. I didn’t really care what they were up to. I just wanted to get closer to you, to learn more about you.”

At this point, Scaramouche had to wipe tears from his eyes. “Oh, this is good. Next, you will tell me that you never cared about travelling. Or you’ve never tried to do one good thing for someone.”

“Maybe.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, I’m not buying it.”

“You don’t need to buy it. It’s the truth, and I’m giving it to you for free.”

He scowled. “Whatever. If you say you care about me so much, then leave me to rest. I’m starting to get a headache listening to your nonsense.”

“Fine, but I’ll make you see. It’s not nonsense. You’re not as heartless as you believe. And that Balladeer hiding under all those layers, I feel something for him. He is something special.”

He hated that your words had some resonance to them, and he hated that as he started to fall asleep, he was wishing they were true.

***

The Balladeer waited until nighttime before slipping out of bed.

You were passed out beside the bed. Scaramouche clicked his teeth. In annoyance, your words replayed in his mind. He’d learned that naivety would get you nowhere, but at least he could take advantage of your naivety in this situation.

He stepped around you quietly and made for the door, already imagining the Gnosis in his hand.

That was when there was a sword around his throat.

He laughed. You were sharper than he expected. “So I am your prisoner after all,” he said.

“Yes,” your voice came from behind him. “And I’m a very strict prison guard. I’m not letting you go until you explain what the deal with the Gnosis is.”

A current of rage took over his body. He never liked being given orders, and who the hell were you to stop him? Scaramouche still had a bit of strength left. He called the power of electricity to his hand, then turned and made for your wrist.

But you were quick. You moved before he could even touch you.

You brought the hilt of your sword to his stomach and jammed him between the ribs.

In his weak state, the blow winded him. He fell down to his knees.

“Psh, you haven’t even got half your strength. Just what was your plan? Walk out there and get captured again?”

That was when Scaramouche found a reserve of strength in him. He looked up and leapt at you. This time, he got a hold of you.

You wrestled. Scaramouche thought he had the advantage, but then you flipped him—taking out both his heels from under him and landing him on his back.

As you pinned him down his rage boiled into humiliation. He had never been so weak before in his life. He felt something he hadn’t in a while, terror. Vulnerability. Panic rose within him, but just as it was about to take over, you did something unexpected.

You leaned forward and pressed your forehead against his.

It was a simple action, but in it, he could feel all the compassion and gentleness you felt toward him.

Your warmth washed over him like the sunkissed ocean that it was. Despite his best efforts to block back the own tides of his vulnerability, he could hear, he could feel what you were saying to him in that moment. It’s okay. I am here for you.

He trembled, holding the last bits of his defences firm, and then you scooped him into your arms.

He broke.

He couldn’t stop the tears that came falling—and falling—tears at everything—his frustrations, his failures, his successes—pain that went back centuries. The frustration at losing a friend, at realizing there was no one to blame but the bitter forces of nature, the idea of his very creation being one of uselessness.

And you held him all throughout.

You must’ve been using magic, he thought later.

Eventually, exhausted, he resigned back to the bed.

You took up your post beside him, though it looked like you were also okay with giving him some space.

“The Gnosis,” the Balladeer began, “It was… my one connection to this world. It gave me a purpose. I suppose you don’t understand what it’s like to be looked at as a toy. Simply an inanimate object to be used for whatever gain. But with the Gnosis…”

“It made you feel human.” You finished.

He scowled. “Listen to me, I sound pathetic. It disturbs me to be talking about it, especially to you.”

“I get it, but Scaramouche,” you grabbed both his hands in yours. “I’ll say it again. I don’t see you as a doll. I see you as a person. A pretty cool person. Someone I’m very grateful to exist. And if anyone doesn’t think that way, well, screw them. They don’t deserve you.”

His eyes opened wide, and then he pulled away. “Your earnesty scares me.”

“It’s true.”

He sighed. “Thank you, (M/C). For what it’s worth, you’re actually not so bad yourself. Especially without that fairy floating around.”

You laughed. “Thank you, now rest. We can deal with our problems tomorrow.”

As you stood, Scaramouche grabbed your hand.

“(M/C), I think I like this. Spending time with you. I’m not sure what I’ll do next, but…”

“We’ll figure it out together.” You turned back to him and grabbed his hand with your other. “Maybe you need someone to say this to you, but I mean it. Scaramouche, I’ll never abandon you. You’ll never have to be alone again.”

He looked at you, wide eyes growing wider, but he turned away before you could see the tears pulling. “Whatever. If it’s with you, I’m sure it will never be boring.”

[swordlux]

Beautiful ♥️✨

[swordlux]

"It Was Always You." | Erwin / Levi x Reader ~ Chapter 3

Chapter index: Chapter One, Chapter Two ~ Erwin SMUT 18+, Chapter Three, Chapter Four ~ Levi Ending SMUT 18+  

Chapter Three

The Reality

Erwin Smith never meant to indulge in his feelings for you.

Over this past year, he’d watched how Levi fell in love with you. The looks from his most talented recruit were obvious. Very early on, Erwin accepted that you were his. Anytime he interacted with you, he saw you as Levi’s girl. He was surprised when you came to him as yourself and started to show interest in the man he was. He was surprised by how natural he felt around you, by how amazed he was by your passion, the very thing that had led you to Levi’s team. Your strength and vigour in battle were awe-inspiring, but it was more than that. All of how you were in battle carried over to who you were as a woman, and it wasn’t long before that turned into Erwin starting to want you for himself.

At first, he tried to build his walls around you, especially when he noticed his feelings growing, but it turned out his walls were never that strong. It took just that one look—that one touch, to break them all down. You were even stronger than the armoured titan at that moment with your intensity. He was ultimately weak against the force of you. At first, he felt pain underneath all his passion every time he kissed you—the pain of wanting something he was not sure he could have.

Now lying here watching your resting form, he felt no regrets about what had transpired between you. In fact, his heart burned even harder for you than it did before. When he finally gave in and made love to you, all of his doubts evaporated. All clear, conscious, rational thought abandoned him, and he was a man left to his feelings.

If this were proof of how selfish he was, he knew now there was no situation where he would stop himself from having you.

He felt it as he lay there; this was more than a physical thing; he loved you with all of his being. He needed you in his arms—in his life. He’d never loved a woman the way he loved you, and now that he’d had you, he wanted you all the time, forever.

But the dark reality hung above him. This was just a night. He was just a stand-in. Your real affection was for Levi. He would have to give you up come morning.

When you turned and looked at him, that thought was nearly washed from his mind.

He kissed you on the forehead and turned you to sleep.

He would deal with those feelings in the morning.

For now, he would enjoy you.

***

The Commander

There was a hustle at Commander Erwin’s office that morning. Everyone had seen you go in last night and leave early in the morning.

The whispers spread quick.

“The juicy romance between the three continues!”

“I thought for sure she was going to pick Levi.”

“No, I told you from the start, Erwin was always the one!”

When the commander left his room looking dishevelled in his undershirt, they all looked at him.

“Commander,” they said through the salute.

They were aware of the way he tried to keep his expression neutral, but even the commander couldn’t hide the blush and the flushed look of a man in love.

“What’s on the schedule today?” he asked.

“Just some final checks on the new gear with Hange. Also, Levi requested to see you.”

“Levi?”

The scouts watched the look of panic flash across the commander’s face.

He settled, resolute. “Very well, send him in when he comes.”

The whispers continued.

***

The Stand-off

Levi entered Erwin’s office and stood across from his desk. His commander and long-time friend in this war for humanity looked different today. Dare Levi say, glowing? Something about the blonde leader of the scouts was definitely softer and, dare he say, flushed? And as the man shuffled about his papers, he avoided meeting Levi’s direct gaze.

It was kind of like the way (M/C) looked when she came in this morning.

Something was going on here, and Levi didn’t like it. Especially because of what he came here to say.

He sat down, hesitating. For some reason, his eyes looked over to the door to the left of the desk where the commander’s personal quarters were.

Levi knew when Erwin had something he wasn’t telling him, and right now, the man was glowing as if he had the secrets of the world under his fingertips. But if he did, certainly he would tell Levi first.

“Levi, what’s up?” Erwin met his young recruit’s gaze at last. If Levi had ever seen a perfect expression of guilt, it was plastered on the commander’s face.

Something had been building over the past few weeks, and Levi, though he once belonged to them, disliked things being left in the shadows. He wanted everything to be out in the light, and the man he needed to address at this moment was Erwin Smith.

But just what the heck was going on here? I came here to say this, and now…

Levi resolved himself. He came here to say what he was going to say. He wouldn’t hold back just because the commander was acting sketchy. “I’m here to confide in you about something,” he said, all too aware of his nerves riling up as he said it.

“Sure, what’s bothering you?” Erwin’s wide blue eyes looked at him, and if Levi didn’t know him, he’d say he looked similar to an angel at that moment.

“I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve been different lately,” Levi continued.

“Yes, I’ve noticed. You’ve been more relaxed about certain things.”

The buzz of discomfort in the air only grew. Levi hated it. “…And I’m sure you can guess the reason.”

“Of that, you’ll have to enlighten me.”

Every time the commander played dumb, Levi wanted to slap that stupid stoic expression off his face.

“Tsk, a man like you playing dumb only makes you more suspicious,” he voiced. He had to hold back notes of darkness that threatened to slip into his tone. Levi took a deep breath and then said what he came here to say. “I’ve fallen in love with (M/C).” What he thought would be a confession to a friend came out as a declaration of war.

He watched the commander’s face. The man, who was normally an expert at hiding his expressions, now let slip an undeniable blanket of dread. “I see…” he said, swallowing. “And why are you telling me this?” Erwin was as tense as if Levi had just read out his prison sentence.

Levi eyed him down. “Because I was hoping you could give me some advice. I’m going to confess to her tonight.”

“Oh—I see…” Now the commander’s gaze darkened, and in that brief second before he composed himself, Levi saw notes of the devil the man claimed to be.

Levi pushed his chair back and stood, fingers pressed into the desk as he leaned over. “I see? That’s it? Aren’t you going to say something else like—‘Love doesn’t fit in a world like ours, you’ll only be distracted. It’s not good to catch feelings when you don’t know how long they’ll last.’”

“Is that what you want me to say?”

Levi furrowed his eyebrows. His fingers dug into the desk as he bit back the urge to snap at him. “No. But now I want you to tell me what’s going on here. You’ve been acting weird since I set foot in the door. It’s not like you. Is something going on? Did I miss something?” Levi hated the desperation that slipped into his voice.

For a second, Levi saw an honestness in his friend’s eyes. But then Erwin’s expression washed over and landed on something Levi had never seen on the man’s face.

“No,” Erwin said softly. “I think you should tell (M/C). I think she’ll be happy to hear it.”

Levi’s sharp eyes narrowed. That foreign expression on his face told the truth more than the man would himself. “Are those your true feelings, Erwin?” he said.

Erwin was silent, just like in the midst of battle when Levi could never decipher what was going on in that brain of his before he gave his final orders. Then he began. “I…” he said. He closed his eyes. “I want to tell you things. Things I shouldn’t say to someone I respect. I want to tell you to back off, that (M/C) is mine.”

“Then why can’t you say it?”

“Because, Levi…” The commander looked at him again.

In his eyes, Levi saw pain, honesty, compassion, and…

“Tsk—wipe that passive expression off your face. It doesn’t suit you.”

Erwin sighed. “Do you want me to be honest with you?”

“Yes, you big idiot.” The truth was Levi already knew. He’d tried to ignore it, but he’d seen how you and the commander had been getting close over the weeks. Ever since the battle of Trost, Erwin had been looking at you with too much interest.

He knew that look because it was the way he looked at you himself.

Nonetheless, he was tired of waiting for the situation to resolve itself. He wanted to address it.

Erwin met his gaze. The truth watered in his eyes.

Oh… Levi was expecting something, but he wasn’t expecting to be winded like he was backhanded by a titan.

“The truth is,” Erwin continued. “Levi, last night. (M/C) and I…”

Understanding dawned on Levi. His stomach turned. He had to clench his teeth to keep the tears from coming to his eyes. “I see…” he said. He swallowed back his pain through a dry throat. “Do you love her?”

Erwin was quick to answer. “Yes. I do.” Because of the lies that had been coating this entire conversation, the truth came out even stronger.

A ringing began in Levi’s ears. “Good,” he said, still through clenched teeth. “Because if you didn’t, I’d have to kill you.” Levi sat down again. “I hope you know I’m not giving up.”

“What?” The shock on Erwin’s face was so plain, it almost made Levi laugh. “You mean.. hearing that I’ve been with her doesn’t deter you?”

Levi sneered. “Since when have you known me to give up? Of course not. Just because you cheated and got a head start doesn’t mean I’m taking myself out of the game. I’m still going to carry out my plan to confess to her tonight. And if all goes well…”

Now the commander’s knuckles settled into the desk. “You won’t.”

“You’ll stop me?”

Erwin’s jaw ground, then he relaxed, tension bred into his forehead. “I suppose that wouldn’t be fair, but…” he met Levi’s gaze, and the blue fire Levi was used to seeing in them had returned. “Don’t think it will be easy for you to get your way.”

“We’ll let the titans settle it. Whoever survives the battle for Wall Maria will have (M/C). Though I feel kind of silly saying that to a man with one arm.”

Erwin bristled. “What if we both survive?”

“Then we’ll fight to the death.”

Erwin laughed, but Levi could see the commander took his request seriously. “That’s good. Because now that I’ve had her, I can’t exist on this earth without burning for her.”

Levi felt a burning in his throat that made him want to jump over the desk and slap the commander. “I’ll try not to let that fuel my rage toward you right now,” he said. Levi glared as he headed for the door. “Tsk—you never were fair. And here I was, thinking I was getting the head start.”

“I am a selfish man,” Erwin said. He looked at Levi, curiosity glinting in those innocent blue eyes. “You’re less hurt than I imagined.”

“Don’t get me wrong, I am hurt. It will make it hard to watch you take your last breaths tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to cry and give up. You did what you had to, and now it’s my turn.” Levi was halfway out the door when he paused. “Besides, it’s a cruel world. This is nothing new. In fact, it makes sense.”

“Then may the best man win,” Erwin said.

And with that, Levi shut the door behind him.

***

Thank you for reading to the end of chapter three of this experimental work. If you're choosing Levi head on over to Chapter 4!

See you there :) Continue Reading...