#leaves for a moment and returns to levi climbed into his bed and snuggling his pillow

[maegalkarven]

No, but all the implications!!!

Gortash starting to treat Durge's wounds as a mere way of ensuring his ally doesn't die while he still needs them.

Durge begrudgingly allowing it bc fighting against it is more trouble than it's worth, though they're a little peeved by the idea first. Letting others treat their wounds feels too vulnerable, too...intimate.

Gortash slowly establishing that as the means of control because well-treated dog is a loyal dog and he needs Durge loyal to him.

Durge getting used to that because for the first time ever they're offered comfort, for the first time ever their pain eases, even if only the physical one. Learning they don't have to bear pain, what they can simply go to Gortash and he'll make the best healers take it away. Or better yet, would bandage their cuts himself, almost as if he cares.

This gradually turning into routine to the point where Durge once gets hurt Badly, blacks out and drags their uncooperative body to Gortash's house bc subconscious is a bitch and connected Gortash = comfort/relief/no pain/etc.

Gortash being met with the bloody unconscious body of his ally on the floor of his bedroom and being both annoyed and, strangely, relieved, because his plan of leashing Bhaalspawn is working and because he'd prefer to know if Durge is hurt and be in control of their healing.

[smellsfaintlyofvanilla]

author-chan!! can i have angst of annie leonhardt' s/o leaving her after she confesses that she's the female titan:(((

also i wish you luck with your blog ٩( ᐛ )و

tHIS HURT ME TO WRITE, ANNIE DESERVES HAPPINESS!

On another note though, thank you! I’m having fun so far ᕕ( ᐛ )ᕗ

Oh, and to preface, this turned out a lot more angsty and violent than I had sort of planned in my head, so if you want something changed, I can easily go back and edit it.

Monster

(Annie Leonhart x Reader)

AU: Canon

Warnings: Slight violence, season 3 spoilers

Category: Angst

Summary: After finding out she is the Female Titan, Annie’s s/o leaves her, leaving her heartbroken and angry.

Words: 2.0K

The most recent scouting expedition was an absolute disaster.

You thought things were going well. One of your first scouting missions, and you had made it far into titan territory without much trouble.

But then, she appeared.

An abnormal for sure. Shown to be fast and agile, plus very intelligent, the Scouts stood no chance. She mindlessly ripped through your comrades in search of Eren, pushing all the way up to the forest, and wiping out almost all of the Levi squad.

Luckily, you were able to make it out of the mission relatively unscathed, physically anyway. Mentally, you were a mess. The experience messed you up for sure, you had never been more terrified of a titan before then. The fear of death that she instilled in you had shaken you to your core, and as soon as you were allowed to leave, you ran to the interior to find solace in your girlfriend, Annie.

Sneaking into the military police dormitories, as you had done many times before, you quietly pushed to the door open, poking your head in in search of the blonde.

You found her alone in bed, staring at the ceiling wordlessly. Her roommate, Hitch, was strangely absent. You wondered if she was getting ready for bed. It was a bit early, as the sun had just began to set, but you figured she may have just been tired.

She didn’t seem to notice you at first, which was unnatural of the usually extremely observant soldier. Still you paid no mind to it, calling out her name.

“Annie?”

She turned to face you, and a small smile graced her lips. But something was very off about it. The smile looked so... pained. Not fake, but pained. Like it hurt her just to smile.

“Can I come in?” You asked, just out of courtesy, since she looked like she had something on her mind.

She nodded, sitting up in her bed and patting the space next to her.

You climbed onto her bed, and the two of your shared a chaste kiss before you hugged her, burying your head in her shoulder. You inhaled slowly, taking in her calming, slightly sweet scent.

“I missed you...” You muttered.

She chuckled just a little, before wrapping her arms around you and falling backwards, pulling you with her so you were tucked into her side. “I missed you too...”

You snuggled closer into her chest, taking deep, relaxed breaths for the first time in days.

You laid in comfortable silence for a few minutes, before you finally started to talk about what had really been bugging you.

“The scouting mission was a disaster.” You said, slightly muffled into her chest. You could’ve swore you felt her breathing hitch and her muscles tense up at the mention of it.

You pulled your head out of her chest, not even waiting for her to beckon you to continue, deciding to keep talking anyway.

“There was this huge abnormal, and she was faster and smarter than any one I’ve ever seen before!” You cried out, not even bothering you control your voice. You needed this experience off of your chest as soon as possible. “She killed so many Scouts! I saw it all with my own two eyes, I thought for sure I was gonna die!” Tears formed in your eyes as you recounted the experience, images flashing through your head and screams ringing in your ears.

Your hands covered your eyes, eyes squeezing shut so tightly that bright colors seemed to flash over your vision as your eyebrows furrowed. Quiet sobs and sniffles escaped your lips.

After a moment, you realized Annie still hadn’t moved an inch. The Annie you know would’ve been shushing your cries and petting your hair, as she’s done so many times before, but right now, she didn’t move a muscle.

Your eyes fluttered wide open, and you bit your bottom lip to suppress your sobs. You shakily moved your head up to look at her. She was completely frozen, even her breathing had stopped momentarily, as she stared at the wall with wide, unmoving eyes. Her expression looked so mortified.

You gasped out loud as it finally clicked, your hands moving from your ears to cover your mouth, and your pure shock immediately stopped the flowing tears. All the pieces fell into place in your mind at once.

The expression on her face was recognizable anywhere. God, how did you not notice it before?!

Guilt.

Confused and panicked, you sat up and scampered to the opposite side of the bed, still in disbelief.

“A... Annie?” Your whisper was barely audible, but compared to the tense stillness of the room, she heard you perfectly. “Tell me it isn’t true...”

You had ignored it. You didn’t want to think about any of it. You didn’t want to think about how similar the female titan looked to her, or how the female titan had the same martial arts technique as her, or how strange she had been acting lately, especially now after the attack. You still clung to hope that, maybe, just maybe, you were wrong.

She finally sucked in a breath harshly through her clenched teeth, lowering her head in shame and hiding her eyes from yours.

“I...” She whispered. The tone in her voice almost made you pity her. She sounded so sad, like a kicked puppy. The furrow in your brow softened, but you remained on guard until she finished her sentence.

“I’m so sorry... Y/n...”

At that moment, you felt a switch flip in your mind. This was no longer the Annie you knew. She wasn’t the Annie that would lean on you silently during mealtimes, or the Annie that would kiss you on the forehead when you woke up together, or the Annie that smiled lovingly whenever you told her that you loved her.

No, not anymore. This was a monster. She was a monster.

Burning rage and heartbreak coursed through your veins, taking over your body as you lost any control you may have had. She didn’t need to try to apologize. She didn’t deserve forgiveness.

You grabbed her by the shoulders, and before she even had the chance to react, you tackled her off of the bed and onto the creaky wooden floors of the dorm, landing on top of her with a loud thud.

She shut her eyes and winced in pain for a moment, but she opened them to look at you. As soon as her eyes met yours, you saw them widen with fear. Not fear for her safety, she could easily beat you in a fight if she wanted to. No, this fear was different, it was something she had feared since she first started to fall for you. And right now, it seems that fear was becoming reality.

“WHY?!” You screamed, still hovering over her. Despite your anger, your face appeared distraught, tears falling from your eyes and onto her cheeks. The tears she usually wiped away endearingly were now flowing from your eyes, and it was all because of her.

“This whole time, you pretended to love me, while you were really just our enemy? Do you have any idea how many died because of you?! What are you doing this for?! WHY, ANNIE, WHY?!”

Tears fell from Annie’s eyes as she struggled to form a coherent sentence.

You remained on top of her, waiting impatiently for an answer. “Well?!”

“I... Y/N please... I’m sorr-” Her sentence was cut off as you raised your fist and struck her in the nose with all your might. Her head flung to the side, blood already spurting from her face.

“Don’t give me that sorry bullshit! You aren’t sorry at all! You just want to save your hide!”

You sat up from your previous position, but your knees stayed grounded on the floor to either side of her. You stared at her, your expression broken and unremorseful.

“You’re a traitor...” Your voice dropped to a solemnly low pitch, and a pained, almost hysterical laugh ripped through your throat. You calmed down within moments, however, and stared into her eyes. If looks could kill right now, she would be dead on the floor in an instant.

“You stood there with us and swore to fight against the titans... and then you went on to kill your own comrades... do you feel no remorse?” You shook your head, looking away as if she didn’t even deserve your acknowledgement. “You never deserved to wear the uniform. You should never have joined the ranks.”

You stood up, heading for the door. You turned to look at her once again, only to see that she hadn’t moved an inch, her head still facing to the side, looking away from you.

“Tch.” You turned around, twisting the doorknob and pushing the door open slowly.

“I can’t believe I thought I loved you,” You took a step out of the door. “You monster.”

---

Annie panted in front of the mirror, gripping the sides of the porcelain for support. The blood still leaked from her nose, the metallic taste making its way into her mouth and coating her tongue.

She looked at the mirror, and a stranger stared back. A stranger whose faced was still stained with tears. A stranger who was afraid. A stranger who, deep down, ached for her lover to return.

She should’ve known. Hell, Reiner warned her several times.

“I know you care about her, Annie, but you can’t get attached to, let alone involved with Y/N. It sacrifices the integrity of our mission as warriors.”

She winced at the memory, closing her eyes and trying to block it out. Still, his words wrapped itself around her brain.

“Besides, you know it well. We’re sinners, Annie. Monsters. We have a duty to serve, but that’s it. People will hate us simply for being born into this program, for inheriting our titans. Y/N is no different.”

She stared back into the mirror. The stranger who looked back had really believed that she could do it. That Y/N wouldn’t hate her when she inevitably found out her secret. How foolish, believing that she could be forgiven.

A sudden rush of anger and frustration washed over her, and her hand left the sink and struck the mirror in front of her. The reflection shattered, and the glass fell to the ground.

She didn’t bother to wash the blood off of her hand, or even pick the tiny shards of glass out of her hand before she punched the empty wall where the mirror used to be.

*POW*

She knew it, she always knew it, years before even being given her orders.

*POW*

Of course she knew it, how could she not?

*POW*

But she didn’t want to be reminded of it.

*POW*

She didn’t even want to think about it.

*POW*

She didn’t want it to be told to her face like that.

*POW*

And especially not by her.

*POW*

No matter how she faced it, she was just...

...

A monster.

---

She huffed in the midnight air as she ran, holding her limp right hand. It wouldn’t take a genius to look at it and tell immediately that she had shattered many of the bones in her fingers, but that didn’t matter right now. You knew her secret, and it wouldn’t be much time before you told the others.

She ran as fast as she could, skidding to a halt in front of the cabin that she unfortunately knew all too well.

---

Reiner awoke with a start, a painful sensation covering his chest. As he opened his eyes slowly, the blurry silhouette in front of him delivered another swift kick to his ribs. He groaned painfully as the silhouette began to clear.

“Annie?” Confusion and fatigue laced his speech heavily. Across the room, Bertholdt began to stir awake.

“Reiner,” She spoke. His eyes widened as he gazed into her eyes. The icy blue orbs appeared as though no one was behind them. She looked broken, as if a painful realization had shattered her entire world. “Get up. Now.”

“Huh?” He sat up, noticing her battered and bruised hand, only heightening his confusion.

“We’re going to go get Eren.” She spoke, an eerie monotony to her voice.

“Whether you like it or not,” She continued. “This mission ends today.”

SAAHFKSJHLDFSKHACKJH I NEVER WANT TO WRITE ANNIE IN PAIN AGAIN I FEEL SO BAD AAAAAAAAAAA

also, i put so much effort into this, but it feels really bad for some reason :|

Also I couldn’t write Annie punching the wall without comparing her to a Kyle™ lol.

Well, still, I hope you enjoyed it! Let me know if I should change anything.

[spacebunnysstars]

Can I please request a scenario with the Bois helping mc sleep? (It's 3 am and I cannot for the life of me fall asleep 😭😭😭) thank you bby 🥺💕

Of course honey 🥺💗 I understand I have such a hard time sleeping so this was nice to write I hope it’s okay that I smooshed Beel and Belphie together and I hope you enjoy them (and I hope you get a better nights sleep soon)💗✨🌸

Platonic sleeping scenarios for the bros UwU

Lucifer

This man has a hard tome sleeping too;; even though he’s one of the most powerful demons in all the devildom he is still haunted by the paperwork on his desk.

He is pleasantly surprised by your knocking on his bedroom door (he’s more so glad that it isn’t because mammon, being the chaotic ass hat he is, has caused trouble again)

He invites you in and offers you some warm tea as you sit on the sofa both in you pyjamas discussing your stay in the devildom so far.

When a small yawn escapes your lips that’s when lucifer decides it is time for the both of of you to get to bed.

He invites you to stay in his bed as he did offer to help you fall asleep it’s not like you haven’t napped on his bed when you wanted to get away from his brothers for a bit.

As the two of you where laying down he’d trace patterns on your back, his touch was surprisingly gentle and even through the fabric of your pyjamas his fingers felt like they where leaving silk trailing behind them.

You soon drifted of to dream land his fingers slowly coming to a stop as he realises you fallen into a deep slumber whispering to himself “works every time.” Proceeding to turn over reminded of sweet memories of helping his younger siblings fall to sleep whenever they where unable to fall asleep on their own.

Mammon

Being the cheeky ass that he is, he was originally intending on plotting out his new money making scheme with you to patch up the holes that his brain left open for disaster to fill.

But seeing the tired look that dawned his humans features filled his heart with overwhelming sadness; knowing he was the cause of their current state.

“Tonight the great mammon is here to lull ya to sleep! Now ain’t you a lucky little human!” Mammon stated in a softer version of his usually snarky tone as a small smile adorned your features.

Mammon leaped onto your bed next to you, rolling around causing the bed to creak as he got comfortable on his side resting his chin on one of his hands wiggling his eyebrows at you.

A soft laugh escapes your lips as you playfully push his chest. “Ya stupid human I came here to help ya sleep not keep ya awake” he mumbled lightly flicking your head.

After a while of your sleepy eyes staring into his blue ones he started to run his fingers through your hair gently scraping at your scalp as he did so. Sinking into the feeling you began to feel even drowsier until you eventually settled into a deep slumber.

Mammon’s face almost angelic as he looked over you sleeping form as he gently ruffled your hair and softly smoothing it back down. Leaning down pressing a kiss as light as a feather to your hair. He then proceeded to get up to return to his room (knowing full well that he is a fidget and will likely wake you) whispering to you as he left “sweet dreams MC see ya tomorrow.”

Levi

Having forgotten how human his true friend is he was upset when you got up to leave to tired to explain yourself “we haven’t finished all 50 episodes yet!! You can’t go!” Levi whined at you having paused the anime the two of you where watching.

After explaining that you needed to sleep Levi understood,, your a human after all you need you sleep to function. You end up walking back over to where the two of you where sat and plonked down resting your head on Levi’s thigh.

“W-w-what are you doing!?” Levi was panicked by you action “I’m gonna sleep here so when the anime is over you can wake me up and tell me all about it” you smiled at him.

Your warm smile relaxed him instantly and he turned the anime back on and continued watching the soft sound of your breathing was the soundtrack the anime needed.

The anime eventually finished and as the credits where rolling he looked over your sleeping form desiring to let you sleep “I’ll tell you all about the ending when you wake up but ahh it was amazing... thank you for staying with me.”

Satan

You where hanging out with Satan in his room, it was late and you where watching a murder mystery documentary. It’s not that it wasn’t interesting you where just tired but with the complete inability to sleep.

Satan quickly caught wind of your tired eyes and turned off the tv getting up and grabbing his jacket whilst tossing one of his jumpers at you. “Come on let’s go out for a walk” he smiles at you.

You climb off of his bed almost tumbling over a stack of books followed by Satan’s soft laughter reminding you to be careful. You both leave his room and head towards the front door. You both popped on your shoes and out the door you went (luckily for the both of you lucifer was too busy with paperwork to even realise you had left.)

The nights in the devildom are surprisingly quiet only the soft sound of the cool breeze and yours and Satan’s feet could be heard, it was a comfortable silence with no need for conversation.

You found really relaxing just to walk at the side of the blond demon letting the wind blow your worries away. The two of you ended up waking into a field of soft grass and small wild flowers, it was beautiful.

Both you and Satan stopped knowing you had found the perfect place to rest your legs. You laid down on the grass staring up at the sky sparkling with stars. Satan watched over you for a moment before joining you.

Being the avatar of wrath you’d never expect his presence to be so comforting and calm, it was one of the qualities you admired about him. Lost in thought about the calm demon laying next to you, your eyes grew hazy with sleep as you felt yourself drifting off.

Satan soon realised the rise and fall of your chest had slowed knowing full well you had fallen asleep. He moved over to you and lifted your sleeping figure in his arms and took you back home.

He took you back to your room and removed your shoes before tucking you into your bed. He sat down on the floor leaning against your bed frame an arm and his head rested on your mattress as he slowly dozed off beside you.

Asmo

It had been a long exhausting day at RAD and you just wanted go to bed; you had stayed late to help lucifer with some student council stuff and it ended up running until quite late. You walk home seemed to take forever; trudging along you felt as though the weight of the world was on your shoulders just to spite you.

Your limbs where achey and sore by the time you reached the front door, with an exasperated sigh you used up the last of your energy to push open the unusually heavy door. On the other side of the door was the usually chirpy Asmodeus tapping his foot with an irritated frown planted on his still beautiful face.

“MC you’re late” he whined turning to look at you the irritation leaving his face to be replaced by a look of sympathy. “Oh honey bunny you look exhausted” he stated as he wrapped his arms around your head pulling your face into his chest as his fingers stroked through your hair.

“Come, let’s fix you up” he smiled taking your hand in his own and slowly walking you to his room. He sat you down on the edge of his bed and like a burst pipe your emotions all exploded at once tears streaming down your face.

He pulled you further onto the bed cradling you and stroking you hair until you wave of emotions had slowed. He gently wiped away the stray tears stuck to your face knowing full well how delicate a tear stained face could be.

“Do you want to talk about it;; I could paint your nails for you?” He offered wanting to help in any way he could. You shook your head and told him you just wanted to rest, and that is what the two of you did as his manicured nail massaged your scalp.

Rather quickly you found asmo’s gentle touch working you into a deep slumber. He eventually removed is fingers and sighed “I guess I should tell lucifer off on your behalf. You really shouldn’t over work yourself even if you are just trying to help.” He gently pet your hair before leaving to give lucifer a piece of his mind.

Beel & Belphie

It was quite late and Beel invited you to the his and Belphie’s room to have some pizza with them. Although it being quite late you happily obliged making your way to the twins room with your blanket wrapped around your shoulders and a pillow in your arms you knock on their door opened very quickly by Beel smiling holding a whole slice of pizza in his mouth.

You step inside to find both of their beds had been pushed together to make a giant extra comfy bed for the three of you to enjoy pizza and each others company of course. You dived on the giant bed and greeted Belphie with a smile, none of you had to say anything mostly because you didn’t have anything to talk about you just enjoyed the pizza and the twins presence.

Being with the two of them was always warm and cozy you felt so lucky to have two absolute sweethearts as your best friends. The three of you ended up having mindless conversation about the most random things and the three of you would laugh together.

You eventually started do feel really sleepy as did Belphie and Beel. You all snuggled up together running you fingers through both boy’s hair. Beel was surprisingly the first to fall asleep, a puddle of drool forming on his pillow. Belphie ended up wrapping his entire body around you resting his head on your chest as he slept.

You felt so at peace with the two of them and you fell asleep shortly after the twins. Little did you know you’d wake up with Beel sucking your thumb and Belphie’s legs on your face. Not that you mind it was always rather funny to wake up to.

There you go! UwU I hope you liked that and if you have any other requests or suggestions/comments don’t be afraid to pop an ask I hope you have an amazing day/night! Stay safe 💗✨🌸

[obeyme-kaidii-writes]

Beginnings (7/9)

Mammon x ace gn!MC x ace!Leviathan

NOTE - read the content warnings listed in Part 1

[ AO3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 ]

It had been several weeks now since you had made up with Mammon and worked out the details of your relationship with him and Levi. And much to your surprise, things were going rather smoothly. Better than you had imagined, that’s for sure. The bickering, for one, had decreased considerably, which you could only attribute to the fact that Levi was no longer constantly simmering with jealousy and that Mammon no longer felt threatened by him.

Levi in particular had surprised you one day by suggesting the two of you take a bath together. The first couple of times you both were wrapped in towels. But it didn’t take him long to get comfortable enough that he didn’t feel that was necessary either. And while he still got embarrassed and blushy every time he asked if you wanted to sit with him in the bath, he was also quicker to relax with each attempt.

These private moments together were usually quiet ones, just enjoying the warmth of the water, and the skin to skin contact. But it wasn’t unusual either for them to be full of fun and laughter, like that time Levi had special ordered Ruri-chan themed bubble bath and water squirters shaped like magical girl wands.

Mammon though was starting to feel a little insecure. Partly due to the fact that he frequently got to watch how you’d light up when Levi would enter the room, completely unaware of how you also did the same whenever you saw him from a distance. And partly due to the fact that he hadn’t been able to spend a lot of quality time with you this week.

After arguing back and forth with himself, he finally decided he was going to talk to you about it. He absolutely did not want a repeat of what happened last time. You had reassured him several times that all he had to do was talk with you if something was bothering him, and today was the day he was going to take you up on that offer.

One evening, after a long day at RAD, Mammon had managed to drag you to bed early for some good quality snuggles. Staying up late with him wasn’t uncommon, but today he was pretty exhausted, and he had something to talk to you about.

With your head resting on his chest, Mammon started playing with your hair while he worked up the courage to talk. You could feel the way he would periodically tense, then breathe deeply before relaxing again, and knew there was something on his mind. You weren’t going to point it out though, not wanting to discourage Mammon from opening up, so you continued to play with his other hand as you cuddled against him.

“So...erm...I wanted ta...talk to ya…” he finally mumbled out. You had to bite back a laugh at the weird way his voice cracked in his nervousness, thankful that he couldn’t see your face right now, probably just as thankful as he was that you couldn’t see his.

“Sure, what’s up babe?”

“It’s just well...ya know…you always look so happy with Levi around,” he said, crossing and uncrossing his legs as he fidgeted, trying to find some outlet for his anxiety.

“And I’m...I’m just sayin’ that ya better look like that when you’re with me is all,” Mammon grimaced. That had come out a bit more aggressive than he had meant it to. He wasn’t trying to boss you around! He was supposed to be telling you how he felt!

“Of course I do, Mammon. I’m always happy to see you,” you replied, adjusting your position to smile up at him. He was blushing heavily now, and you wiggled upwards to give him a soft kiss on the cheek. He averted his gaze when you pulled back, but tightened his hold around your waist to prevent you from going too far, which only made you smile more.

“W-well so long as you understand.”

You laughed softly at his response, nuzzling against his neck in return, giving him yet another sweet kiss, this time on the skin there.

“We haven’t had a lot of time alone together this week, have we?” you asked.

“...nah, we haven’t…” Mammon relaxed, resting his cheek against your head, grateful that you were now leading this conversation and not leaving him to flounder about.

“Maybe we can do something this weekend? I’m with Levi tomorrow, but the day after we could do whatever you want?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, stay in, go out. Whatever you want.”

“I guess I can make time for ya,” he teased, eliciting another laugh from you.

“I’m honored the Great Mammon would even consider spending time with a simple human,” you joked in return.

“Now ya just bein’ a brat.”

You laughed again, snuggling closer to Mammon, enjoying the feeling of warmth and safety at being wrapped up in his arms.

“Umm, did I say somethin’?” Mammon asked, tensing up beside you when he realized how quiet you had suddenly gotten.

“Oh! Sorry. Not really. It’s just…I remembered that there was something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“Uhh…”

“It’s nothing bad! I swear. At least I don’t think it is.

You know how I seem to have a pretty low libido? Sex drive,” you clarified, just as Mammon was about to ask, “Well, I think that might not really be the case. I think I’m asexual, actually.”

“A what now?”

“I’m not really good at explaining it, I’m still learning about it myself, but it basically means, for me at least, that I’m not all that interested in sex? I mean, I still like it sometimes, don’t get me wrong. I have fun with you. But like, I could just as easily go without and spend time with you like this,” you explained, giving Mammon a firm squeeze around the waist and pressing your forehead against his neck.

Mammon felt something in his chest constrict. He loved having sex with you, he’d do it every day if he could. He liked the physical contact, and he craved that emotional intimacy he felt in the afterglow. The thought that you didn’t feel the same way was a huge blow to his self confidence. Had he been pressuring you too much? Did you not want to do it at all? Had he hurt you?

“...does Levi know?” he finally asked.

“Yeah, he was the one that helped me figure it out actually.”

“Why didn’t ya come to me? Doncha trust me?” Mammon asked, hurt.

“No, Mammon,” you sat up so that you could turn to face him, “That’s not what happened at all.”

“What did he do for ya, that I couldn’t?”

“That’s...that’s something you’ll have to ask Levi,” you replied.

“...you’re keepin’ secrets now too…?” he could feel his eyes starting to burn as he fought off his tears. He had been so angry just a moment ago, but now he just felt sad. Sad that you didn’t feel safe enough with him to discuss something so personal. Sad that you would rather talk to Levi.

“Woah! Mammon! Listen to me. Please,” but when he refused to look at you, you climbed into his lap, straddling his thighs, and placing your hands on his cheeks so you could turn his face to look at you. He resisted at first, but finally made eye contact, his eyes glossy with tears.

“I would NEVER keep secrets from you. Never,” you said, keeping your tone firm and even, emphasizing each word. “But this? This is not MY secret. Ok? It’s Levi’s. So you need to talk to him.”

You continued to scan his face, looking for any indication that he was understanding what you were saying, as you began to gently caress his cheeks with your thumbs. Finally, Mammon lifted his own hands, holding yours in place as he nodded slowly in agreement.

“I promise, Mammon. I won’t keep secrets from you, ok? I’ll always come to you.”

You leaned forward, closing your eyes and resting your forehead against his, “I love you,” you whispered.

Mammon released your hands, only to wrap his arms tightly around your waist, pulling you to him. You pressed a kiss to his cheek before returning the gesture, hugging him back as he buried his face in your neck. Holding him close, you ran your fingers through the hair at his nape, making sure to tell him how much you loved him, over and over again.

[girlwiththeblueblood]

Human/Demon/Angel family road trip!

Melaina and Lily purchase a camper van, hoping for some sister bounding time on the road, then the rest of their odd family members show up. They were a little put out, but after a promise of a worldwide trip and some (TARDIS) magic placed of the van, they decided what the hell having everyone around should be entertaining. And off they go!

Lucifer:

Would be to only one Melaina trusts to drive while she’s taking a break or sleeping.

Can’t help but watch Melaina with an amused smile when her road rage comes out to play. 

Is low-key aroused when she yells out the window at the dumb ass drivers to “GET OUT THE FAST LANE!”

Warns her when her still small horns are showing.

He would take the task of driving the behemoth of a camper van very seriously; and would have Melaina sitting at the passenger seat next to him for company, if she wasn’t already spending time with Lily.

Would look over at his sleeping wife any chance he got, and smile softly. He will remove his cloak and use it to cover her when no one is looking.

Thinks Lily is a nice human and is happy to get to know his sister-in-law, but no one compares to his wife.

“Don’t make me turn this van around!”

“And put on your seat-belt!”

“No, we’re not stopping again!”

“You should have gone before we left!”

“Stop fighting back there!”

“Damn it, Mammon!”

Mammon:

Would want the passenger seat all to himself.

Will ask if he can drive. 

Sulks when Melaina said “No.”

Blasting his music and screaming the lyrics. 

Sulks when Melaina turns off the music.

Will be sent to the back of the van if he keeps asking “are we there yet?”

Would, somehow, get the van pulled over by the police and panic about hiding his weed.

Sulks in the time out corner at the back of the van for nearly getting himself and other’s arrested.

Whines to Melaina about visiting Vegas. 

Can’t believe a sweet wall-flower like Lily is related to a snarky and defiant person (now demon) like Melaina.

Wonder if they have other siblings, but keeps that thought to himself.  

Will be buying stuff (that’s not too expensive) for Lily to welcome her to the family.

Wants to hear stories about the sisters’s childhood. 

Doesn’t want to push them to talk about it since their pasts aren’t all sunshin’ and roses.

Levi:

Will be sitting nearest to the outlet to power his phone and other devices. Has took everything but his desktop with him, but only because there was already one on the magically effected van.

In his happy little gaming bubble for most of the journey.

Is happy to play some board games with the others at times.

Gets excited when Lily takes out a DS and wants to play some multi player games and in-game trading with her.

Will be posting about everything the happens as it plays out.

When he’s in the passenger seat, he and Melaina sing to anime intro music. No one knows what they are saying.

Likes the English covers Melaina puts on and the effort other fans have put into making the song!

Will beg Melaina to stop at some pokestops and gyms.

Any arcades will be also be stopped at.

Also, can we go to Japan!? Pleeeeeeeeease?

Satan:

Will be taking a demon load of books with him.

Quietly reading most of the time.

Will pick up travel pamphlets at each stop they visit. More reading material!

Will also buy more books along the way.

When he isn’t reading, he’s doing a mini book club with Simeon, Melaina (when she’s taking a break) and Lily.

Would sneak in his pet kitten, the one Melaina gifted him in front of Lucifer after he said no last week.

When it’s his turn in the passenger seat, he reads to Melaina with the kitten purring away on his lap.

Knows Lucifer is glaring at him, but won’t do or say anything while Satan in under Melaina’s protection, and it’s just the best thing ever.

Would also be reading to Lily, before his sister-in-law goes to sleep.

Amso:

Photographs everything! Selfies at every stop.

He’ll be doing everyone’s nails at his corner of the table.

Will insist on doing Melaina’s and Lily’s hair.

Dramatic shocked noise when he finds out that Melaina “blow-dried” her hair by lowing the window all the way, letting the wind blowing her hair all over the place as she drives. 

He really adores the bathroom on the van, it’s so cute and cosy but not too small to be cramped, and there’s a bath tub!?

Will offer to have a bubble bath for two with, well everyone.

If he gets a turn in the passenger seat, you know he was get Melaina to singing along with him. Has picked a lot of ABBA and other chick-bands songs for them to sing to.

“That sign said that there’s a spa nearby! Oh Mel-Mel can we stop at the spa!?”

...they’re stopping at the spa. No one regrets stopping at that spa, everyone’s back pain is gone now!

Will be trying out perfumes that each stop has and buying a select few.

Paris👏shopping👏trip👏

He’ll be buying gifts for everyone for sure!

Beel:

Is the one who did most of the heavy lifting when loading up everyone’s stuff. 

Beams with happiness at the size of the kitchen. 

And the fridge!

Is the reason the van stops at most of the fast food places they find.

Worries about Lily’s constant red face and is concerned that she’s sick.

Gets a bit too close when taking her temperature.

“Lily are you ill?! You’re burning up!”

Will be upset when Lily locks herself in the bath room, not knowing that she’s overloaded and flustered.

Thinks he’s upset her and gets upset himself.

It takes half an hour for Bephie to spell it out for him. 

“Dude, she’s got a crush on you” 

“......wait what?”

Ends up getting flustered himself and hides in a cupboard.

It takes another hour for Bephie to get him to leave the cupboard.

When he does he starts to think about Melaina’s reaction to him and her little sister dating.

He goes back in the cupboard.

“Mel’s going to kill me!”

“..Dude, she’s not going to kill you..”

It’s another hour before the situation get’s Melaina’s attention and tries to help coax him out the cupboard.

“I’m not going to kill you, Beel. I think you’d be good for her.”

It’s twenty minutes later when Beel leaves the cupboard and gives both Bephie and Mel a big bear hug.

Beel offers Lily to share some food with him. They are both a blushing mess while sharing a bag of chips together. 

Bephie: 

Claims one of the buck-beds.

When in the passenger seat, he and Mel talk about nothing and everything. Or he’s asleep, wrapped up in one of his blankets.

Will be hanging out with Beel and Lily most of the time.

Likes the idea of Lily being a sister-in-law, via Lucifer/Melaina and Beel/Lily.

Falls asleep on both of them while watching films.

Would climb into Melaina’s bed and snuggle with her.

Flips off Lucifer when he gets glared at for doing so.

Will buy more pillows, blankets and stuff animals at the stops he’s awake for.

Sometimes wakes up to a parked and empty van.

Will be grumpy at everyone when they return.

“...fuck you guys...”

Will lighten up when he’s give a gift from where ever they’ve been.

“Ok, you get to live”

Checks the cinemas nearby for newly released films for them to go and watch.

Will also go to DVD stores and picks a few “So bad they’re good” film for everyone to watch. 

Diavolo:

Is the ultimate Dad on holiday. Constantly has a camera around his neck.

He’s ecstatic for family time and getting to know Lily.

In the passenger seat he switches between quietly watching the world go by and asking a seemingly unending string of questions.

“Those kids are waving at us Mel!”

“They’re playing ‘good car, bad car’.”

“Really? What does game in tale?”

“Well, they wave at other people in different cars, if they get a wave back it’s a ‘good car’, if not it’s a ‘bad car’.”

“Fascinating!”

He waves with both hands. Has the biggest grin on his face when the kids react by cheering.

Will want to know other travel games and might get on his adopted daughter’s nerves just a little bit.

Takes all the photos at every stop.

Fatherly teasing when he catches Lucifer and Melaina holding hands.

Takes photos of them when they have loving moments without them knowing.

It’s the best day ever when Lily (accidentally) calls him dad.

He picks her up in a big Dad hug.

“Look Barbatos! I have another daughter!”

Barbatos: 

Spends most of the time waiting on everyone out of habit. 

Seems to always have some tea ready.

Can tell when Diavolo’s questions are starting to annoy Mel and diverts his Lord’s attention else where.

Is the keeper of the maps and only sits at the passenger seat to help navigate when lost.

He disappears into an unknown rooms in the van and no one knows where the rooms are, how to get there or what the rooms are for.

When asked about it, he just smiles and walks away to fetch more tea.

Makes sure that the humans take their medication/travel sickness tablets.

Keeps the van spotless, snacks on the table and cups full, despite Melaina telling him to stop and relax for a while.

Bakes some cupcakes special for Lily after Lord Diavolo “adopts” her.

Solomon: 

Constantly doing narrating pranks on camera.

“And that’s when they became horrible lost.”

“Are we lost?”

“No.”

“She lied”

“Stop it.”

Keeps making “Married Couple” jokes at Lucifer and Melaina.

Would attempt to prank Lily, but the burning feeling of Melaina glaring at him stops him.

Spends a lot of time exploring the van and all the rooms.

Refuses to admit that he got lost.

Sneaks off from the group when they’ve stopped to visit somewhere.

Keeps everyone waiting to for him to come back before they can leave.

When asked wear the fuck he was, he’d only ever say he was on a hunt for knowledge.

Translation: He’s been finding more magical knowledge with questionable means.

Is banned from the passenger seat, for recording Melaina while narrating everything she does. 

Simeon:

Absolutely adores Lily and decides for himself to be a guardian angel to both sisters.

Every time Lily does something that’s adorable he wraps his arms around her and snuggles her; his wings circle both of them as if protecting her.

“By my Lord, you are so adorable!”

“Melaina, help!”

“Hey, turtle dove, ease it back a bit please.”

He will be interested in Lily’s story, since gender identities work very differently for Angels and Demons, he’d be very interested in the subject. 

Plus, knowing what he does about their birth parents from Melaina; Simeon is concerned about the difficulties the poor thing faced trying to figure out her identity. 

Simeon makes sure that Lily does want to talk about it, he really doesn’t want to push her if she’s uncomfortable.

He ends up learning a lot about the subject from Lily, maybe there’s a new book to be written in the future.

Will be playing board games and card games, that he’s learned from the humans, with Luke and anyone else would like to join.

Can’t help but ship Beel and Lily after seeing them blushing like idiots at each other. 

He actually tears up a little, he’s so happy.

Then he looks toward the front of the van at the other couple. Melaina is asleep and he’s caught Lucifer laying his cloak over her.

Simeon smiles wide, he’s so happy for both the humans and his old friends. 

He feels nice and warm inside.

He’ll request to stop at a church now and then so he can pray for his friends’s happiness. 

He also requests to visit Venice Italy.

Will have his turn in the fabled passenger seat. He had fun picking songs to play... until one started playing that wasn’t his cup of tea.

He slowly looked at Melaina, trying to not judge.

Mel’s lips were pressed together and trying to not laugh.

Simeon then got up and left to sit back down with Luke.

“I’m sorry!”

“.....”

“Simeon?”

“.....”

“Turle Dove?”

“..I need time to forgive you, friend.”

Luke: 

Will be both excited for a road trip with the human sisters and annoyed that the demons are also tagging along.

Low-key is enjoying everyone’s company.

Is either by Simeon side or in the kitchen baking sweats.

Don’t really understand the concept of being transgender, but supports Lily all the way!

Really, really wants to play card games with Melaina, but she’s driving most of the time.

Isn’t aloud at the passenger seat. because they were pulled over by the police about letting a child in the front seat without a booster seat.

He is very, very sulky afterwards. 

[fic-ify]

Pocket Beel! (part 2 of 2)

Welcome back! Here continues the dorkiness of my OC Max while trying to keep an eye on miniaturized Beel. Big thank you again to @boxbusiness for inspiring this fic and @thatfanfictionchick for hyping me to write it.

Warnings: none, it’s fluff

She was warm, very warm, and there was a weird pressure against the base of her throat that she couldn’t identify in her half-sleep. A low grumble escaped her before a yawn pressed against her lips and escaped. She blinked sleepy eyes open, slowly focusing on Belphie’s sleeping face in front of her and finally noticing the arm wrapped over her waist.

A soft huff left her as she raised a hand and ran her fingers through her bed invader’s hair, briefly wondering how he’d made it through the locked door. A matter she wasn’t entirely surprised over if she thought about it. One sleep hazed eye opened to look at her, watching her smile in greeting. That gaze flickered down and the soft grunt of discontent he gave made her glance down as well.

“Cheeky.” She chuckled as she looked down at Beel where his head was poking out the neck of her sweatshirt, the rest of him hidden under the fabric against her chest. In his sleep he looked so happy and peaceful she couldn’t be mad. She was just glad he wasn’t in his demon form. Even at this size, his horns would be a pain against the sensitive skin of her neck.

“Asmo figured out a trick for his clothes.” Belphie’s low voice said to her, his arm tightening around her and drawing her attention back to him. “Not sure we can get them back to normal, but at least he’ll be comfy.”

“Thank you Belphie.” She gave him a chaste peck against his lips. To which he frowned, looking for all the world like she’d flicked him in the forehead instead.

“Kiss me properly.”

“Why don’t you do it yourself?” She giggled, earning a playful growl before he leaned forward to do just so. His lips captured hers fully as his hand guided her onto her back so he could lean over her. She hummed against his mouth, opening for him to let his tongue lazily explore her own.

“Oi! No lip mackin’ on the human’s bed!” The door slammed open, barely preceding Mammon’s shouting. Belphie pulled away lazily and glared over his shoulder at his brother. “Get yer butts outta bed. Dinner’s almost done.” Though the message the second born had been given had been delivered, he refused to leave the doorway, glaring back at his youngest brother with his arms crossed.

“Alright alright, we’re up.” She shoved lightly against Belphie, rolling him off her so she could sit up. She looked down at Beel, still dozing in her shirt. “Beel baby, time to wake up. Dinner is ready.” Ignoring Mammon’s indignant squawk and stammering at seeing the little demon in her clothing, she watched Beel wake up slowly. His eyes brightened at the recognition of talk of food.

“Here.” A small bundle landed on her lap from Belphie while Beel climbed out of her top. She looked down to see what looked to be shrunken versions of Beel’s casual clothing. The little demon hopped down onto her lap and grabbed them before ducking behind her for some attempt at privacy. Not that his she or his twin hadn’t seen him in much less, but with Mammon still playing watchdog and the already present humiliation of his size, he clearly wanted a moment.

“Ready!” He popped back out, dressed up in his sweatpants and t-shirt looking much more comfortable. Belphie lowered a hand to him before raising him and sliding him into his breast pocket on his jacket. Max giggled at the sight of Beel’s head and arms hanging out of the pocket, perfectly content in his spot.

Dinner passed without too much fuss that evening, or at least no more than usual. Beel stood anywhere from his plate to various spots on the table, sneaking bite-sized servings from the dishes. Levi and Asmo took various pictures and recordings of the whole ordeal, the latter making cooing and squealing noises at the cuteness of his little brother. Mammon moaned and griped about how it wasn’t a big deal and ‘how could someone so small be more interesting than THE Great Mammon?’ Or at least he did until he talked himself into the idea of either selling Beel or selling pictures of him. Both ideas were shot down immediately by Belphie and Max.

Eventually, Beel hopped down into Max’s lap and snuggled down to take what seemed to be a food-induced nap. It was the first time in weeks that they had plenty of leftovers to get them each through lunch the next day if they wanted. Lucifer and Satan both dismissed themselves as the table was being cleared, not surprising anyone since they had been the least involved in the dinner antics. With Beel slipped into her sweatshirt pocket, Max followed Belphie and Levi into the kitchen with the intent of finding some dessert.

“Movie night?” Her question was answered by a grunt from where Belphie had hunched over the table to sleep, and an affirmative from Levi washing the dishes. She set about making popcorn and snacks, giggling a bit when Beel flew from her sweatshirt and out onto the counter to pilfer through said snacks. The mood was comfortable between the four of them, rather, three and a tenth of them. She and Levi discussed the possible movie options, eventually narrowing it down to a psychological thriller from the human realm. When she turned back around to check on Beel and the snacks, she could have cried.

“He may be the size of a sulfur rat but he still eats like a boar,” Belphie commented as he spoonfed his twin pudding. Two empty pudding cups sat beside them on the table and the one they were working on was about half empty. The spoon was nearly the size of Beel’s face, but he didn’t seem to mind as he gobbled it down happily. “I’m never going to let you live this down.” He told Beel, who very much ignored him in favor of another mouthful. Levi and Max exchanged a glance before whipping out their D.D.Ds and snapping a photo of the pair.

“Alright! Movie time!” She announced, gathering the bowls of popcorn and several bags of snacks in her arms. Levi led the way and Belphie trailed with Beel once again in the breast pocket of his jacket. The two of them were discussing something but their voices were too low for her to make out. Not that she needed to listen, she was just curious.

By the time they had settled in in the movie room, Mammon and Satan had both joined. The former talking himself up to show that he wasn’t scared even as he insisted on sitting next to Max on the couch. The latter settled into an armchair a little behind the rest with a book, but she had a feeling he would end up paying attention to the movie in the end. Belphie laid across the rest of the couch with his head in her lap and Levi made himself comfortable on the floor with some pillows. The last one to get settled was Beel, who dove quite literally into the bowl of popcorn in her hands and vanished amongst the kernels.

“Have you seen this already Max?” Satan asked while the movie started and trailers rolled.

“I saw the original when I was younger, my dad was big into suspense and action movies.” She laughed a little as a thought came to mind. “That honestly explains a lot about myself now.” The comment earned her a few chuckles before they settled down.

Levi and Satan were both quickly enthralled, Belphie had fallen asleep and she wondered if he had been awake at all since he’d laid down. Mammon was trying very hard not to seem like he was curling into her side but she could tell by his fidgeting feet and grip on her arm that he wasn’t doing so hot with the movie. To better anchor and distract him she pulled her arm free from his grasp and wrapped it behind him around his waist. The touch seemed to do the trick when he relaxed into it and his feet stopped moving.

“Beel you have butter and salt in your hair.” She whispered when the little redhead poked his head out of the popcorn again. He grinned up at her playfully, shoving an entire piece into his mouth instead of replying. She just shook her head and smiled in return before focusing again on the movie, vaguely aware of the soft crunches coming from the snack in her hands.

-

“Max, sleep!” Beel’s tiny voice called out to her from his spot on Belphie’s head as they walked from the movie room to their respective bedrooms. When she looked up at him and raised an eyebrow, he pointed to the bedroom door they were now in front of. It was the twin’s room.

“He wants you to spend the night with us.” Belphie translated for her. She hesitated for a moment, thinking of the homework she wanted to get a head start on that was waiting for her in her room. When the twins didn’t immediately receive an answer, Beel turned on his stupid puppy dog pout that, at any other time was already effective. At his current size, it was practically fatal.

“Fine, fine! Let me just go change and I’ll come over.” Both looked ready to insist she could wear some of their clothes to sleep but she was already walking away to her room. At least this way she could take care of her nightly routine before being commandeered away in their room. She just hoped Belphie would let her get out of bed at a reasonable time this time.

“Where’s Beel at?” Max asked curiously when she walked into the twins’ room twenty minutes later. Belphie was laid flat on his stomach on his bed but the smaller brother was nowhere to be seen.

“Bath,” He snorted at her utterly horrified look. “He’s in the sink, don't worry. I’m not too fond of drowning my brother. Not terribly satisfying when he’s so small.” While he might have had a point there, it didn’t mean she was overly fond of it. Instead of responding she walked over to the bathroom door and gave it a light knock.

“You doin’ okay in there Babs?” She listened carefully and relaxed when she heard an ‘I’m okay!’ in affirmation. A huff from Belphie alerted her to the youngest brother’s discontent. Though if it was due to her disbelief in his honesty or the fact that she still hadn’t cuddled up to him, she wasn’t quite sure.

“I’m going to fall asleep without you if you don’t hurry up.” Belphie threatened, rolling onto his side to face and glare at her.

“You’d do that no matter what pace I moved at.” She pointed out but yielded by approaching his bed anyway. She slid in under the covers and under his offered arm, settling in in front of him with a warm smile. “There, happy now? Needy demon boy.” That earned her a playfully light bite to the tip of her nose before he used his arm around her waist to draw her closer. Before he could start anymore mischief that would end in a much longer night than she needed at the moment, she turned onto her other side, forcing him to be her big spoon.

A low growl was muffled into the back of her neck when he begrudgingly pulled her close against him. It was a noise that said he knew what she was doing and a change of positions wasn’t going to stop him. She knew it wouldn’t but it would give Beel more time to leave the bathroom. And about a minute later, as the sloth demon’s hands had started to caress and wander, the bathroom door finally opened.

Pocket demon-form Beel hovered out of the doorway and across the room to them eagerly. His hair was still a little damp but was clearly much cleaner from his adventures in the popcorn bowl. She blew on his head gently, causing him to squawk indignantly and giggle before attempting to hide under the pillow.

“You’re both disgusting.” Belphie said, his tone displaying the eye roll she was sure was occurring at the back of her head. She ignored him in favor of reaching for Beel and coaxing him out to nestle against her neck under her chin. A happy hum escaped him, sounding much like what she remembered a kitten’s purr to be like.

“Night you two.”

“Night! Love you Max!” Beel called out, breaking off with a yawn before going silent again. Belphie echoed him though his words were lost as a mumble as he fell asleep quickly before either of them. Not that she was far behind him, she noted as her eyes drew heavy and her body finally relaxed after the long day.

-

For the first time in a while, the overbearing heat of a demon body beside her was not the source to wake her up. Nor was the monstrous growling that seemed to reverberate through her bones. Rather it was the fact that she was currently being suffocated beneath whatever, or whoever, was the cause of those two factors.

“Beel!” She squealed, wiggling under the once again fully grown gluttony demon to no avail, no matter how much she jabbed at him with her fingers. “Beeeeeel! You’re crushing me Babs.” Finally she felt him stirring, a heavy sigh focused on the crook of her neck that caused her to shudder, and his arms further wrapping around her.

“You’re pokey.” He complained, rolling over onto his back and effectively pulling her on top of him. This she could handle. “Five more minutes.”

“I thought I was supposed to be the Avatar of Sloth.” A second voice teased with a sleep filled voice. A third arm wrapped around her where Beel’s arms didn’t cover as Belphie snuggled into his brother’s side and half splayed his limbs over her.

Sloth indeed. She thought affectionately, relaxing into their cuddles once again to drift back asleep. She could enjoy Beel being fully grown later, for now it seemed she was being held hostage in the bed once again.

Not that she was complaining.

[dragonwithapenoffire]

My Heart or My People: Chapter 9

Natsu and I stayed on the road until it began to start getting dark again, trying to get as much distance between us and the eventual royal search party.                  When I was about to collapse from exhaustion, we came across a quaint inn on the road. It was just outside of a small village, and looked unassuming enough.

Natsu bargained with the innkeeper and eventually got us a room on the top floor. Apparently, we were not the only runaways who wanted a bed for the night.

We went straight up to our room and I collapsed onto the bed, feeling my bones sink into the mattress in relief.

"You doing ok Luce?" Natsu asked, setting down our bags before exploring the furniture in our room.

"Yes. I just need sleep." I pulled off my shoes and outer layer of clothes and climbed under the covers. "You coming in?"

"Just a minute." Natsu was rifling through one of the wooden draws in the room, seeming to be struggling pulling something up. I heard a crack and Natsu fell back a few steps catching his breath.

"What the heck did you just do?" Natsu turned around with a shit eating grin on his face and a small chest in his hands. "What is that?"

"A chest." I just looked at him.

Natsu sat on the bed and started to pull at the lid. After a few moments of struggle, the lid popped, revealing jewels and coins inside. My jaw dropped to the bed and I looked at him again.

"What? I didn’t survive on my own so long for no good reason. This is on a popular bandit route, they stash things in the rooms they use so that aren’t caught with it and then they always have money when they come back." I nodded slightly impressed. This money should last us a good while, definitely for food and lodgings, maybe even for a ship off of this country. I yawned and snuggled my way back under the covers. Natsu put the box on the bedside table, before turning off the light and joining me.

                                                             …

When we woke up at noon the following day, we ventured downstairs to see what quality of food they served before beginning again with our travels. To our surprise, the dining room in this shabby place was packed with other travellers. Not a spare table in sight. We ordered food regardless, and sat down awkwardly at the end of a table with one other couple on, choosing not to talk unless word of our disappearance had already hit the towns, and occasionally smiled at each other from across the table.                                                                                    The other couple were bickering softly and I smiled at their domesticness. Would Natsu and I learn to bicker with each other like that, only to make up with stolen kisses and soft promises?

Our food soon arrived and I looked at the plate of food I had never eaten before. How could there be so much food I have never eaten before. I started on this pink piece of meat, and sat speechless when Natsu told me it was made out of the fatty part of the pig. How could something so bad for you taste so damn good?

"You look like you've never eaten fry up Blondie." It was the man on the other end of the table. He had long black hair and piercings all over his face. Natsu answered for me as I had just put the biggest forkful of food into my mouth. It was so freeing not having to eat all proper.

"Yea, I was as surprised as you are. She's had strict parents."

"Aw, at least you're free of them now right?" It was the lady now, who was sat at the same side of the table as me. Her hair was about the same length as mine, but blue.  I gently smiled at her and she moved in closer to me and offered me her hand. "I'm Levy, nice to meet you, and this brute is Gajeel." The man, Gajeel, feigned shock and looked around in bemusement.

"What brings you two to this neck of the woods?" Natsu said, who to my surprise had already finished all of his food.

"Well. I'm a little bit of an outcast, and I met little missy here on the road not too long ago. Apparently she really likes stories, and wanted to be a part of mine." Gajeel said, causing Levy's face to redden all over. "What about you."

"Same stuff really. Luce here fell head over heels in love with me and begged me to come work for her family. Then she begs me to help her leave them, and here we are." I glare at Natsu from across the table and he chuckles in response. He needs to be more careful, he's revealing too much.

"Your clothes are so fancy, where are you from?" Levy asks, tilting her head to the side.

"Just a rich family in Fiore, nothing special," I finally speak up. If she noticed my clothes, surely someone else would, so I ask, "would you perhaps know a place I could get some normal clothes so I don't stand out so much?"

"Around here, not a chance. No decent shops for hours, but," She looked me up and down, eyes slightly squinting, "give me a second." She stood up from the table and disappeared for a few minutes. When she returned, she was with a beautiful woman, about a head taller than her, with long flowing blue hair like a waterfall. Like Aquarius’s. "This is Juvia. She's going to let you borrow some of her clothes as you're about the same size."

"Juvia is pleased to meet you." The new woman said and bowed deeply at the waist. "Would you like to come with me?" I was so unsure what to do. These people are so generous, and I don't even know them. I stood up, and saw Natsu tense from across the table, I could tell he was concerned what their motives were but I felt like I could trust them, so gave him a reassuring look and followed Juvia.

She took me up to the room she must be staying in. It was a lot nicer than Natsu and I's room, with blue accents it looked like it was made for her. She opened up the wardrobe which was white, with delicately painted bluebells, it was overflowing with all sorts of clothes and she disappeared into the cacophony of fabrics for several moments.

"Levy told Juvia you are a runaway from a strict, rich family, these clothes should help you fit in a bit more so they don't find you." She pulled out a beautiful blue halter top, with buttons running down the middle, and a short white skirt. I blushed at the scandalousness of it, but put it on nonetheless. I could feel a chill on my legs I had never felt before. I tried to hide my body as much as I could, I have never felt so naked.

Juvia again rifled through her wardrobe and put a few more outfits in a bag that she then handed to me. "You can keep them, Juvia has so many already." I started to argue but she grabbed my hands. "We all have our stories to tell. Levy's life has not been as carefree as she is. You have lived someone else's story for so long, it is time for you to take something back and live how you want, do you understand." I nodded my head and muttered a thank you. I tear escaped down my face and she wiped it away. "Now, off you go on your adventure."

When we walked back to the table, Natsu's jaw hit the floor. He was staring at every curve I had as if he had never seen my body before.

"Whoop, there we go, Blondie has some legs on her," Gajeel hollered as I retook my seat. Natsu was in too much of a daze to tell him off.

"So, we have been talking, and we have decided to join your party. We're both wandering to nowhere so what do you say?" Levy had a hopeful smile on her face that I knew I couldn't deny.

"Sure, why not." Levy wriggled excitedly and her grin grew wider.

"Juvia, why don't you join us? You've been in this place too long. It's time for a fresh start for all of us."

"Juvia couldn't, what about my father, I couldn't leave him, and he's done so much for me."

"Juvia. You just told me to go on an adventure, why don't you go on one too?" Juvia looked down to the floor and took a deep sigh.

"Ok, Juvia agrees, Juvia will go." She said, and it looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

By the next hour, we were again on the road, but this time we were not alone. "Off we go to wherever the road takes us!" I excitedly exclaimed. In the first time in my life I was truly feeling free.

"Oh, the road is taking us somewhere." Natsu butted in, and I looked at him in confusion, I never thought he had a plan. "We're heading to an old friend of mines. Gray Fullbuster."

                                                       …

The door to the princess's room opened and her Lady in waiting Aquarius walked in. "Rise and shine princess, big day to-"

At the sight that greeted her she fell to her knees. The room was cold and empty. The princess was gone. A feeling in Aquarius's gut told her she hadn't just gone out for a morning walk. The princess had been kidnapped.

                                                        …

The Prince was next to enter the room, he had wanted to give her one last comforting talk before she met her King, as soon as he walked through the door, he froze in his tracks.

The Princess's Lady in Waiting was on her knees a few steps away, bawling her eyes out. No longer the strong woman she had always seemed to be. A chill slid its way down his spine as he looked at the vast room in front of him, empty of the essence that had always made it bright and cosy.

His sister was gone. The country was at war. And the King that could save them had just arrived.

[simplybuckley]

lucky dip 13 :)

13: “How did it end up like this?”

-

Nico couldn’t quite see how it was possible for one thing to be so tangled up in itself. It was extremely frustrating because no matter what he did, it just seemed to tangle even more than it already was. There was no use pulling on it, or trying to detangle it; it was a battle he just couldn’t win. 

It was late. Really late. Levi was asleep in the bedroom, exhausted from an extremely hectic day at work. A massive trauma had come in, multiple serious injuries. Levi had been whizzing between them all day, as both Qadri and Helm had called in sick, down with the flu that had been going around. Nico was pretty sure Levi had caught it too, as he came home sniffling, looking pretty under the weather. The fact that he was so tired probably didn’t help either. 

Nico needed to untangle his headphones but no matter how hard he tried, no matter which direction he tugged or pulled them in, they only knotted even more. If he couldn’t untangle them, it was inevitable the sound would wake Levi up. He desperately needed some sleep. 

Nico had planned to video call his family, as he hadn’t seen them in months and he was really missing them. However, due to conflicting time zones and schedules, they were never able to make it work. Video chatting was really the only way he could see them and talk to them for once. 

Nico sighed in frustration, unable to untangle them. Maybe he should just postpone their call, to a day where he would be able to actually talk without the possibility of waking Levi. He’d feel ever so guilty if he woke Levi. 

Suddenly, the shrill ringing of a video call echoed from the laptop in front of him. He startled, swiftly answering the call to be greeted with the image of his family gathered around the screen. He couldn’t help but smile. It made him feel a little homesick, in all honesty. How he wished he could see them again. 

“Hey!” He tried to speak in a hushed tone, though he was probably too thrilled to do that. He just wanted to tell his family everything. There wasn’t enough time in the world to catch them up on everything that had happened over the last year. “I didn’t know you’d all be here.”

“Of course, what else did you expect?” His mother’s voice rang through the speakers, causing Nico to turn the volume down a little. He glanced over his shoulder at the bedroom, bottom lip caught between his teeth, hoping the sudden noise hadn’t disturbed Levi. 

“Honestly,” Nico chuckled quietly as he turned his attention back to the screen. “Not this. It’s good to see you all again. There is so much I have to say. So much.”

“Well, get talking!” His youngest sister spoke up, causing them all to share a laugh. She was grinning brightly at the screen, overjoyed to see her brother, even if it wasn’t in person. She was still young- 17, to be exact- and would soon be leaving to go to college. 

“I don’t think I have enough time in the world to tell you guys everything that had happened,” Nico paused, linking his fingers together as he let out a deep sigh. “I’d need to tell you all face to face.”

“Well, we’ll save that for when we next see you then!” This time, his father spoke, his cheery tone echoing through the laptop. 

“You know, sometimes I have to stop and think,” Nico smiled sadly as he looked at the screen, watching his family. “How did it end up like this?”

“Nico, you’re a great surgeon. A brilliant one. No matter what. You have a great job, a great talent, a great place to stay. You’re so incredibly lucky. I mean, you even managed to find someone who you love dearly.” The mere mention of Levi caused Nico to grin madly, dipping his head to hide it from his family. He could hear them giggling at his reaction, which he didn’t mind at all. They had a little bit of a reputation for bugging family about their significant others. 

“Speaking of that, where is he?” Of course, they’d ask. Nico glanced over his shoulder yet again, once again checking on the bedroom for any sign of movement. There didn’t seem to be anything. Instead of verbally replying, he turned back to the screen, his finger pressed up against his lips, as if to hush his family. 

They all understood what he meant by that, nodding as they all hushed down a little. Nico grinned at the screen, taking a moment to appreciate this moment. It would probably be another few months before he got to speak to them again like this. 

Just as Nico was about to start chatting again, the bedroom door clicked open, grabbing his attention away from the laptop. Nico looked over, spotting a tired-looking Levi poking his head around the door. he had one of Nico’s hoodies on, which practically swamped him. His hair was a mess and he looked pretty under the weather. 

“Who are you talking to?” Levi asked, though his voice was hoarse and groggy. He sounded ill; Nico wasn’t really surprised at all. The lack of sleep and being so overworked was bound to do that, as was the flu that was going around. Nico quickly turned back to the screen, holding his finger up as if to say that he needed a moment. 

“My family. Are you alright? You sound sick.” Nico questioned, concern dripping from his tone. Levi shook his head in response, bringing his hand up to rub the sleep from his eyes. 

Nico let out a sigh as he pushed himself up from the couch, making his way over to Levi. His family could wait for a little whilst he made sure Levi was okay; he was sure they’d be looking on anyway, being the nosy people they were. 

“I feel awful. I was getting up to get a drink but I didn’t know you were talking to your family.” Levi sniffed harshly, leaning himself against the frame of the door, letting his head rest against his shoulder as he sighed. Nico glanced back at the laptop, where his family was still waiting for him to return. 

“Go back to bed, I’ll get you a drink and come join you.”

“But your family-”

“My family can wait,” Nico interrupted, a fond grin tugging at his lips. Levi just stared at him for a moment before sighing, knowing there was no point in arguing with Nico. When he had his mind set on something, he’d be sure to get it. “Go back to bed. I’ll be ten minutes, okay?”

Levi grumbled to himself as he disappeared back into the room, coughing as he went. Nico just chuckled to himself as he headed back to the couch. As he sat, his family looked ready to ask a million and one questions. However, he wasn’t going to let them get a word in. 

“I have to go. I’m really sorry, but Levi isn’t well at all. Can we-”

“We understand. Go take care of him. We’ll speak to you at another time, perhaps a time when we can finally meet him properly?” His mom’s tone was suggestive and teasing as she spoke, her eyebrows raising at her son. An amused grin played at Nico’s lips as he shook his head at her. 

“Yeah, of course. I’d love for you to meet him in person though. You’ll love him, trust me. He’s the absolute best,” Nico stopped himself, knowing he’d never shut up about Levi if no one stopped him. His family was all smiles as they listened to him. “Right, I have to go. I’ll speak to you all soon, I promise.”

They said their goodbyes to each other and Nico shut off the laptop, closing the lid down. With a sigh, he got up from the couch, making his way over to the kitchen to get some stuff ready for Levi. 

Within another five minutes, Nico had joined Levi in bed, having gotten him a hot drink, some water, and some medication to help relieve his symptoms. Levi was ever so grateful for Nico looking after him, though he felt a little guilty about taking him away from his family. 

Nico groaned as he climbed into bed next to Levi, snuggling down into the covers as best he could. 

“You didn’t have to do that,” Levi commented, taking a sip from his drink. Nico turned his head to look at Levi, brow raised. “You should have talked to your family more. I’m fine.”

“Babe, you’re not fine. They were completely okay with me coming to look after you. I like looking after you,” Nico propped himself up on his elbows, sighing as he did. “After all, it’s kind of something I’m good at.”

Levi just scoffed and rolled his eyes, placing his cup down on the bedside table. Nico grinned proudly, watching as Levi shifted himself so he was laying down. 

“You’re too good to me.”

“Hm, maybe,” Nico hummed, earning a small slap on his arm from Levi. “But you deserve it. I love you, so I get to spoil you.”

“Sure, okay.” Levi huffed jokingly, before sniffing loudly. Nico frowned a little, not enjoying seeing Levi look so ill and so down. Levi let out a frustrated sigh as he snuggled closer to Nico, wanting to be closer to him. 

Nico pulled Levi closer into his side, happy to finally be in bed with him. Now that he actually got to relax, sleep was really catching up to him. Levi had his head rested against Nico’s chest, using his finger to trace shapes against Nico’s stomach. 

Within a few minutes, both of them had fallen asleep, the day having completely exhausted them. Though he missed his family, Nico was glad he was able to take care of Levi and make him feel better. 

Even when he woke up the next day, feeling slightly under the weather, he didn’t care at all. As long as he got to take care of Levi, that was all that mattered.

[leal-5]

Tomb of Time and Destiny: Chapter 20

Erza POV

Much to our surprise, and relief, no one came barging in for the rest of the day. It wasn’t till several hours later that Mira returned with four servants each lugging a large trunk. They each set the trunks down on the edge of the room and left, never looking in our direction. Mira stood there grinning as she began to open the trunks. “Gifts, for you and your sisters.”

Lucy and Levy, who had been braiding our hair out of boredom, stopped and leaned over to see what it could possibly be. Mira flipped the brass latch on the first two trunks and opened it. She pulled from the first one a magnificent orange gown, embroidered with what looked like a silver thread. From the next trunk, she pulled out a majestic pink gown that was embroidered with gold thread. “For you, Miss Levy and Miss Lucy,” she said, dragging it across her arms and carrying it across the room.

“Oh, my word,” I breathed as I stared at it in awe. It was amazing. And it was literally their favorite colors. “With your hair… my goodness.” Juvia’s eyes sparkled, imagining them in the dresses.

“No one will be able to keep their eyes off of you.” I finished, mirroring her expression. Both Lucy and Levy were practically drooling as they ogled the dresses like little girls.

“I can’t argue with that, but they’ll have firm competitors in their sisters,” Mira said, going to the third and fourth trunks. From them, she pulled a ruby red silk gown, this one embedded with tiny rubies all across the bodice and the hem of the dress. Juvia gasped when she opened the last trunk and saw a blue dress that literally looked like flowing water that started light at the top then darkened as it neared the floor and was embroidered at the bodice and hem with- are those DIAMONDS?!

I gaped at her. “I can’t wear such a thing. It is way too beautiful.”

Juvia, Levy, and Lucy nodded frantically in agreement.

“It is only fitting for them to honor you so,” Mira said with a dismissive snort, “If not for you four, Phantom Lord would have never been destroyed.”

“But Juvia’s wound,” Juvia said, pouting, “She’ll never be able to wear that gown.”

“Nonsense,” Mira said. “ Gray has seen to every detail. He had the seamstresses cut it a couple of inches wider so that there will be plenty of room to bind your wound so it won’t chafe.”

Juvia stayed in shocked silence, her mouth hanging open at the announcement that Gray had been the one to order the dress for her.

I looked her in the eye. “This is a gift from Gray?”

“Juvia’s dress? Yes,” Mira said, smiling at me quizzically as if to say ‘Who else?’ “Your dress was from Jellal.”

I joined Juvia in her shocked expression.

Lucy and Levy turned to Mira. “Are our gowns from Jellal and Gray as well?”

“Actually, I think that was more of Natsu and Gajeel's doing,” she said with a tap to her chin and with that, she went out the door, closing it softly behind her. The silence stretched on before Lucy spoke up.

“Okay, I so wanna wear that gown.”

Levy immediately jumped a little on the bed, “Ha! I knew I wasn’t the only one! I’ve never seen anything so pretty. It’s like something out of a dream.” She went over to it, lifted it into her hands, and then draped it across her body.

I smiled and shook my head. “You’ll both look amazing in those.”

“You and Juvia be gorgeous in yours, too.”

Juvia looked giddy with excitement. I looked at my own and then back to her, hope lifting my heart. We don’t have to go. Yet. “So…we’ll try to get to the tomb after the feast?”

They didn’t answer me for a moment.

“What’s one or two more days?”  Lucy finally said, cracking a smile. “We don’t have to stay for the entire feast, right? And Juvia still needs a few more days to heal. Gildarts would freak if he saw those sinew stitches.”

Levy didn’t seem to disagree and Juvia squealed in excitement, begging us to show her the dress again. A knocked at the door interrupts our little dress up party

Lucy walks to the door and opens it a crack, Juvia whispers, “Who is it?”

“Simon,” she responds, opening the door a bit wider so we can see him at the doorway, leaning heavily on the arm of his servant.

“Simon,” I scolded while getting up to help him to a chair. “You shouldn’t have gone through the trouble of climbing all the way up here.”

His eyes, beneath concerned brows, he grinned and said: “I thought I’d come to save you from boredom and read you a book.”

This immediately got Levy’s attention. “Yes, please!”

Her eagerness made Simon laugh. “You must be Levy, your sisters have told me about you. You are quite smaller than I imagined though.”

Levy pouted at that.

“Juvia is so happy, you seem better than last time we saw you,” Juvia said.

He gave her a rueful smile. “I bear no wound of battle like you, just the ones I bear in my lungs.”

Juvia reached out and put a hand on his arm. “It is enough.”

He patted her hand and looked at all of us fondly. “You all have done so much for me, for Fairy Tail, for the town. We are eternally grateful to all of you.”

I smiled. “We only did what we could. Although honestly, we were mostly fighting to get Lucy and Levy free more than anything. ”

He raised the golden volume. “Shall we?”

We nodded and Juvia scooted over on the bed so Lucy, Levy, and I could all snuggle beside her, careful not to touch her wound. Simon sat at the foot of the bed and began to read. His voice was surprisingly strong, but he still paused often to catch his breath. About thirty minutes to the reading Levy jumped a bit, startling us since we were just a few pages from conking out.

“Please. Read that last line again.” She almost yelled while shaking Lucy and me.

“ 'To get back up to the shining world from there,’ ” Simon read again, “ 'They must go into that hidden tunnel; Where they will come forth, and once more see the stars.’ ” He lowered the book as we looked at each other with startled eyes. “What caught your attention?” He asked with a frown.

“May...May I see the cover of that book?” Lucy asked. Simon closed the book and turned it so we could see the old, worn hardback cover. It was so old that if you hadn’t seen the image before it would just look like a blob of dark patches. But we had seen the image before. It was four handprints, exactly like in the tombs.

“Who wrote this Simon?” Levy pressed, trying to hide just how visibly shaken she was.

“I don’t know, it was given to my late aunt from an old friend of hers. She cherished it greatly.” Simon stroked the worn cover of the book gently. “Oddly enough, she kept it in a wooden box hidden in the library, but my cousins followed her one day and saw where she hid it. My cousins have already read it but I’ve never read it until now, it's quite a remarkable story.”

“This friend,” I continued. “Are they still alive?”

Simon gave us a sad smile, “Unfortunately, she disappeared many months before my aunt's death.” He gave us a confused look. “Why the sudden interest?”

“Oh, umm, just curious if the author was one I had heard of in Bellum.” Levy stuttered. He didn’t seem all too convinced but he let the matter drop. He left about an hour later, leaving us more confused than ever before.

#################

Levy and Lucy insisted that I get some rest and they would take turns watching over Juvia at night. I had little strength to argue with so I let them have their way this time. Imagine my surprise when I wake up the next morning and find Jellal seated right beside my bed, staring down at me with such a soft expression that I panic and bolt upright and put as much distance between us as possible.

“Erza-”

“I’m sorry!” I repeated over and over again. “I’m sorry I lied! I’m sorry I almost got you and our brothers killed! I’m sorry that I’m one of the vile creatures that are responsible for your mothe-”

Jellal silenced me by reaching over and sealing his lips over mine. I made a surprised gasping noise and Jellal took that opportunity to deepen the kiss for a moment. Two seconds before I pass out- from shock or lack of air, whichever came first- he pulls away and gathers me in his arms. “You are nothing like the monster that killed my mother.” He said strongly.

“B-but-”

“Listen to me, Erza.” He said, absentmindedly stroking my hair. “The witch that killed my mother inherited dark magic. For as long as magic has existed in women, it has always been dark magic. But you,” He gently pushed me away and held me at arm’s length and stared at me with an intense look in his eye. “Your magic is unheard of, and it most definitely is not dark magic. You used your magic to protect your sisters and to protect us. I’ll admit, I did doubt you for a minute when I recognized the spell you had cast.” He gave me a guilty look. “But when you formed the protection field around us I lost all doubts. You are not a witch. You are a wizard, like me. The first female wizard.”

A wizard….

“I apologize for not visiting you sooner, Erza.” He drew me back into his arms and began to stroke my hair again and I was so relieved that he didn’t hate me that I let him. “I constantly thought of you, but there is so much to do with the feast happening so soon. My father wasn’t prepared for such a task so our days”- I assumed he was talking about him and his brothers- “have been spent with cooks, bakers, vintners, falconers, and dignitaries, all swirling in plans for the grand meals and festivities over the next days.”

I nodded, but I lifted my eyes to meet his. “‘Is all of this really necessary? Couldn’t Fairy Tail have this party in town?”

He smiled and shook his head. “This is a great deal to Fairy Tail, where better to celebrate it than here.”

He had me there. “Jellal, what happened to Jose?”

“He was captured by the town knights and is currently waiting to be transported to the Grand Council for judgment.” His eyes flicked away, to the window. “Given his actions, they won’t give him a light punishment.”

I nodded, silently mulling over that information. I’ll admit, I was a bit disappointed to hear he was still alive. A man like that could quickly gather a mini army and raise havoc against Fairy Tail. Not that I thought Fairy Tail could lose to him, but he could take innocent lives down with him. Also, if he was still alive that meant Juvia, Levy, Lucy and I were still in danger.

“Erza, we must speak of something else.”

My eyes moved to his.

“Carmen and Ava are arriving tomorrow. With their families.”

I studied him, waiting. Knowing I should tell him the truth, tell him I was on my way out and that it couldn’t work between the two of us.

“I’ll break our pledge, make it clear to both Carmen and her father that no union will be formed between our families.”

I frowned, even though my heart pounded with hope. It was not good for Jellal to end his plans with Carmen. She wouldn’t go down without a fight; she’d try to bring me down with her. She definitely had a ‘If I can’t have him, neither can you.’ vibe. We’d all suffer her wrath and her father’s wrath.

Jellal was feeling strong, invincible even, with the capture of Phantom Lord, their main threat. But didn’t Fairy Tail need every protection possible? I mean, they were on the border, if someone else was to attack, Fairy Tail needed to know they could rely on reinforcements from a family as powerful as Carmen’s.

Jellal was studying me. “Erza, do you doubt me? Doubt my feelings for you?” He leaned down and placed his forehead on mine, stroking my cheek as he stared into my eyes with such love, it set my heart pounding. “‘It’s not simply what I owe you as a man loyal to Fairy Tail, it’s what I owe you as a man. Erza,” he said, looking intensely into my eyes, “You own my heart. My life, and all I have in it. You have captured me, like no one else. My hours are spent absorbed in thoughts of you, dreams of you. I can’t imagine a life without you in it. Might I dare believe that you would leave Bellum for good? To remain here in Fairy Tail, with me?”

A/N: MAYDAY MAYDAY!!! ELLY HAS COLLAPSED FROM FANGIRLING!!!! CALL THE FANBULANCE!!!! I KID YOU NOT I WOKE UP PASSED OUT ON THE GROUND FROM THIS SCENE.

My heart pounded so hard I swear it was gonna break my ribs. For a moment I was filled with excitement and happiness but then my mind started working. Would his father approve of this? When there was not a single thing to gain from it? Unlikely. The only thing we had going for us was that his father seemed pretty out of it since Simons asthma attack- I doubt he’s even fully absorbed the victory over Phantom Lord- but if he comes to his senses, this news of Jellal breaking his marriage to Carmen to pursue me would truly send him over the edge.

“I don’t know, Jellal,” I said, pulling back a little. Stick to the truth, Erza. “I can’t deny that there is something here, between us.” I looked at him for a long moment. “But both your family looks to you and your brothers to sustain them into the future. They rely on you. Promises between us cannot yet be made.”

He frowned and looked at me as if he had not heard me right. “Are you saying… Erza, are you saying that you don’t want me to break my pledge to Carmen?”

It took me a long time, but I finally found the words to say it. “Honestly, no. I want you to break your pledge, but I cannot ask it of you. You and your brothers are a future of Fairy Tail and I do not know where my sisters and I belong, here or Bellum.”

“Here,” he said, squeezing my hands, “you belong here.”

I shook my head miserably. “I don’t know that. I wish I did. But I don’t. We have so many things tying us to Bellum, it’s all so different here in ways I can’t even explain.”

The sad look that settled in his eyes made my heart wrench painfully in my chest. “How can I prove it to you that you belong here?”

“It’s not up to you, Jellal,” I said, reaching up to cradle his cheek this time. “I understand your feelings for me, I have them too, but I need to know if what we are doing is right or not. I need more time.”

“We have no more time,” he said in desperation. “She arrives tomorrow.”

“Then you must carry on as before,” I said. “For the sake of your family, for the sake of Fairy Tail.” I shook my head. “I can’t break such a union. Not yet.”

“Not yet?” he asked, broken hopefulness in his voice.

“Not yet,” I said.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

👑🏰🐲⚔️😭 DMODT 73 full

Eren was nervous. He couldn't help but be nervous when facing the man who'd more than likely stolen his papers. Sure, there was the repeated fear he felt each time he laid eyes upon Dina, that somehow she'd break free of her restraints and go for his throat or for his children, yet while he feared Dina he could only say that Willy made his heart race with nerves. And not just nerves over why Willy had done what he'd done, but nerves over what came next. The hotel maid hadn't reappeared since the day the papers went missing. Marley wasn't talking to him. Willy kept giving him those same creepy smiles, and he was worried over not having heard anything from Historia since she'd left. The larger part of him wished to grab Willy by the shoulders and shake him senseless for information, yet they had absolutely no proof that he was responsible for his precious papers going missing. Nothing outside Levi's gut feeling, which he wasn't about to dismiss. Levi's gut feelings had proven right more often than not. With the theft of his papers on all their minds, Levi was nearly arrested by bringing Obsydin's sword to the courthouse with him. His mate waltzing right up to the burly man in charge of the armoury, to demand the sword be locked away due to security concerns. In a matter of moments the guard had drawn his own weapon on the alpha, only for Levi to drop him with a strategic blow to the groin, and called down the attention of the court guards who proceeded to hold him at blade point as Levi reiterated that their hotel rooms had been broken into and that they couldn't safely leave such a magical artefact where potentially any random stranger could lay hands upon it. It didn't matter to his mate at all, that he stopped Eren's heart when all those blades were pulled on them. Eren's knees had gone so weak that he'd half collapsed onto Armin in fear that one wrong move with those blades would leave Levi headless. Causing such a commotion that one of the tribunal judges was notified, it was the senior man of the panel who settled the situation, as Levi explained what had happened for a third time. By now his mate was visibly angry. Levi hadn't slept well the previous two nights, which tended to make him cranky. When they'd first met, Levi had barely slept a few hours each night, now... now he could rival Eren when it came to reluctance of climbing out of bed. Though that might be because the alpha loved to snuggle. Big spoon or little spoon, Levi lapped up the attention which Eren loved showering on him, especially when cuddles turned to long and slow sex that left them a tangle of limbs. His mate didn't ask for much from him, even when Eren would give him the world... something that wouldn't changed even when Levi managed to piss him off so badly he wanted to kick him out the room, or turn him into a frog. With how Levi was treated over declaring his sword, Eren didn't dare mention the blade hidden in his boot. Levi had insisted he keep it on him, even when the omega had wanted to obey the rules and speak of peace while weaponless. Somehow the small, slim weapon hadn't been noticed in the required pat down... which didn't sit well with Eren at all, however, he did have two innocent children to think of. Luca had killed once, something he never should have had to do. If it came down to him carrying a blade and being forced to take a life with it, in order to protect his sons, then he'd have to live with the outcome. That was no exaggeration, even before Historia sent his instincts into overdrive. Bundled up in his blanket that he refused to leave at the hotel, and gathered in Mikasa's arms with his face hidden against her neck, Luca deserved every happiness in the world. Besides, if things truly went to shit, Eren was safe with the promise he'd received from Levi. No matter what happened, their sons would be safe. So caught up in the imaginary scenarios playing in his mind, Eren's scent filled with anger. A silent warning to everyone close not to come too close, except for Armin who took his sparking hand in his, rubbing the back of it with his thumb "Eren, your magic's flaring. Levi's alright. Ok?" "Wha... oh. Right... sorry. My instincts are still off..." "It's alright. I know that, and to see Levi with all those blades pointed at him, I think I wet myself a little" With lowered blades, Levi was allowed to submit the sword to be locked away. Eren unable to pull his glare away from the guards doing this job. If they had hurt Levi, he was quite certain his magic would have gone out of control "I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse?" "Better? Hopefully better? You're not going to set anything on fire, are you?" "No. My magic still isn't up to scratch. I'm pretty much a normal person with sparkly fingers right now" Armin snorted, bumping him playfully "Didn't you always wish to be normal?" His best friend had a point there, yet, as much as he wished he could joke back, Eren couldn't even find the effort to try. Wearily, he nodded "Yeah... yeah. It's been a learning curve, but if Levi and I are to have more children in the future, I need to learn how to do more without relying on magic. I think it's maybe coming out of confinement with no magic, then right into another no magic situation that's made everything hard... I'm sorry. I'm kind of..." "I understand. You don't look like you got much sleep. I didn't either. I kept jumping at every noise. Mikasa got so sick of it that she threatened to stab me if I didn't sleep" "I'm sorry you guys have to go through this" "It's not your fault. Dina knew she was doing the wrong thing. She's the one to blame... and you know, it's been a lesson in what not to do" Still trying to inject humour into the conversation, Armin's comment fell flat all over again "You'd never be that bad. It's just not in you. You're the dawn of a new era for all of us" Groaning, Armin dropped his head against Eren's shoulder "Thanks. No pressure there, or anything" "Armin..." "Eren, it's ok. You don't need to explain. I was trying to make you feel better, but that's not working. What can I do to help?" "It's not you, it's me. I'm all over the place... and Levi..." "Levi is what you need" Especially now that Levi was free to return to his side "I'm sorry" "No need to be sorry" "I am though. I'm such a fucking mess right now" "For a mess, you look pretty good. At least better than I do in robes. I don't know how you manage" "That's my mate you're flirting with" Dropping Armin's hand, Eren was fast to latch himself onto Levi. Nuzzling at his mates neck as he breathed in his lover's scent "Not flirting. Armin was preventing me from losing my head over you being held at blade point" "Mhmm. His fingers were all tingly" Sighing, Levi wrapped an arm around his waist as his other hand went to rest on Viren "Better?" "I did feel like blowing them all up, but better like this" "I don't think I've won myself any favours with that guard" "No. I don't think you did. You're lucky you're not in trouble for assaulting him" "It was his shitty fault for not listening. It's time to head in" Yawning softly, Eren didn't want to move. So, he didn't until Levi started pulling him along "Eren, we can't stay here" "I know... My head's all over the place. I was too scared to sleep" "I was there, sweet boy. When we get back to the hotel, I promise you can sleep as much as you want" "Only if you do. You smell as tired as I feel" "I feel as tired as you smell" "You can't use my own words back at me" "I think I just did" "I noticed. We need to head in or we'll make a scene" "I'm moving..." "You're really not" "Oh... I thought it was" "No you didn't" "Shhhh. I'm sleeping" "You're a little shit" "But I'm your little shit" "Keep this up and I might upgrade you to a big shit" "What happened to the romance?" "I'll romance the hell out of you, but only once we get back to the hotel" Eren felt like head was in a fog. His eyes burned as he blinked repeatedly. Numbly he felt Levi talking, but the words didn't reach his ears. Though he knew he had to focus, it seemed the harder he tried, the more disconnected his mind became. First the judge was talking to Marley over the theft of Eren's papers, then that was it. He honestly couldn't remember what happened next, only that he was back in the hotel room with Luca in his arms. Everything else was a massive blank. * Having Eren faint in court wasn't expected by any of them. One moment Eren was pushing Viren into Levi's hold and the next his omega was dropping with all the grace of a sack of potatoes being dumped on the kitchen floor. The thud of Eren's unconscious body hitting the ground was loud enough that it seemed to echo in the space of the courtroom. As the room erupted in whispers Freya moved to Eren's side, healing the spot where Eren had struck his wrist against the lip of the stone galley when he'd fallen. Demanding an explanation, Freya was quick to assure the tribunal that Eren had fainted and though it seemed to be caused by exhaustion, she couldn't say for sure as her magic didn't lie in healing like Historia's did. Moving Eren to rest in one of the cooler rooms below the courtroom, his mate was still unconscious at the end of the day's testimonies. Levi had been called to explain himself in relation to bringing a weapon with him to the courthouse, given only one of the judges had been present despite the scene it had caused. It'd been that man who'd brought up the missing papers, and though the questions over them had been directed to Eren, Eren hadn't seemed to hear which had left Levi to answer. When he looked back at what had happened, the signs that Eren shouldn't attend in court had all been there. The fatigue. The issue with his instincts. The theft. The concerns over Willy, then having to stand across from him and his creepy arse smile. His mate needed time to take a breathe away from all of this. With a practiced hand, Levi had carried Eren back to the hotel. The steps nearly doing him as he tried not to let the strain show. He may be a prime alpha, and have the strength and stamina that came with it, but having carried Eren up the courthouse steps, then down the road to their hotel, and then up stairs... he was entitled to every bead of sweat rolling down his back and gathering on his brow. Eren took his sweet time waking. Mikasa narrowly beating Levi to Eren's side as Levi couldn't simply place Viren down. The pup had cried and cried since Eren fainted, as if he knew something was wrong with his mother. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Luca growled at Mikasa as Eren pushed himself up with a groan "Eren, you should rest" "'m ok. What happened?" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Eren didn't sound ok in the slightest "You fainted in court today. You've been out for several hours. Here, lay back down" "I, what?" "You fainted. How do you feel?" Trying to work over Luca, Mikasa gently pushed Eren down until he finally settled against the pillows "Tired..." "You're a little feverish. Freya diagnosed exhaustion, and I'm sure she's right. You gave me quite the scare" "'kasa, you can't get rid of me that easily. Levi?" Kneeling on the edge of the bed, Levi placed his hand on Eren's forehead "I'm here, brat. Mikasa's right, you need sleep" "Viren?" "He's ok" "Hungry..." "You're hungry?" Shaking his head, Eren let out another groan "He's probably hungry" "He's sleeping at the moment. Like you should be" "I feel like crap" Smiling down fondly, Levi could sympathise "I know. Get some sleep for me?" Working in the soft command, Eren probably didn't need it. Not with the way his eyelids were dropping "You're not leaving, are you?" "No. I'm here. You're stuck with me" "'K..." Mikasa didn't move until Eren was sleeping again. Climbing off the bed the bed to make space, the female alpha glared at him as she followed his lead. Seething, Mikasa crossed her arms as she turned on him, whisper yelling "You put a command on him!" She was actually mad over that? "Eren is exhausted" "You put a command on him. You know he's stressed and upset, and you put a fucking command on him?!" "He's my mate" "So that makes it alright? You're ok with forcing him into something he doesn't want?!" "Eren is so exhausted it's making him physically sick. Of course I'm putting a command on him. He needs to rest" "He would have..." "He would have insisted on making sure Viren was alright, then asked after all of you, before then asking what happened at the courthouse. He has a low grade fever, and instincts he's fighting to control. He needs rest" "You put a command on him, when you had no right to" "This is between my mate and myself. Not for you to stick your nose into. It's not the first command placed on Eren, and it probably won't be the last" "You put other commands on him?! Why? Just what are you forcing him to do? Stay with you?" Growling, Levi was done with Mikasa's attitude "I have a command on him that he'll ignore all other alpha commands while we are here. That he will tell me when everything is getting too much, and what's on his mind. So yes. He has another command on him, for his safety and protection. I don't need you making assumptions that I don't care for Eren, or would force things upon him that weren't in his best interests" "You have no..." "I have his permission. I don't make commands for him to suffer" "He lets you?" Mikasa sounded confused, while Levi was plain pissed. Taking her by the elbow, he dragged Mikasa over to the door "Yes. Because Eren trusts that I have his best interests in heart. I usually ask his permission, then we talk about it. However, he needs rest right now. When you find your own omega, then maybe you'll understand" Evicting Mikasa, Luca finally settled back into Eren. His whines and chirps his way of telling Levi something wasn't right with his mother. Joining Luca on the bed his son pawed at Levi's leg, distress clouding his brilliantly red eyes. Crooning softly, Levi rubbed the bottom of Luca's jaw "Mumma is going to be alright. He just needs some sleep right now" Chirping, Luca seemed to disagree "I'm watching over him. Viren's going to be fine too. Your baby brother's hungry, but Eren will feed him after he gets a few more hours sleep. Do you want to cuddle with both of us? Is that what you want baby boy?" Nuzzling at his palm, Levi took that to mean yes "Alright. Let me lay down properly. Your brother is going to start crying if he wakes up" Luca trilled softly "luuuu", as if hushing Levi so Viren wouldn't wake "Exactly. You're such a good boy" Beaming at him, Luca waiter patiently for Levi to settle down with Viren against his chest. In the free space, the dragon rested his own head. As Eren was going to be sleeping for some time, he may as well get some rest of his own. Doubly so given that he doubted Mikasa would stray far from Eren's room with Eren under a command to sleep. He couldn't deny it had stung that she didn't trust him to do what was right by the omega. Hadn't he shown how much his family meant to him? * Eren had slept like a log until dinner time. Feeding Viren, his mate was still groggy as Levi tried to get up him up and moving. He managed to get him to shower, eat half a plate of some weird potato dish that was as a staple food here, then back to bed where he fell back to sleep. Sleepy and cuddly, Eren reassured him he was fine, other than a pounding headache, as he nuzzled into Levi for more cuddles, peppering kisses to the alpha's neck as he purred softly. Still slightly feverish, Levi had intended to watch over his sleeping mate, yet found himself succumbing to his desire to sleep. Lulled by Eren's soft purrs and comforting weight against his body. His last thoughts of his mate as he held him tighter was that if Eren wasn't better by the morning, he'd have Freya check him over. It wasn't like his mate had eaten or drunken anything he hadn't, meaning this wasn't a case of poisoning. Nor had he left his side, so no one could have injured him without his knowledge. Roused in the middle of the night by Luca's foot to his face, Levi smacked away his son with a groan, only for Luca to whine loudly at him. Feeling around on the bed, Levi groaned again as he pushed himself up. Why was the bed devoid of Eren? "Luca, calm down..." Growling at him his son jumped off the bed, grabbing the blankets in his teeth, Luca pulled hard. His son wasn't acting normally... and where was Eren? "Eren?!" Climbing out of bed, Levi pulled the cloak off the rooms glowstone, illuminating the space. Standing at the balcony doors, Eren had his back towards him, but something didn't feel right "Eren?" Slowly turning to face him, Eren's hands were bloodied as he looked to the alpha. Tears glistened where they dried on his cheeks, but what held Levi's attention was Obsydin's sword in his mate's hands. Raising a hand, Levi slowly edged towards Eren "Eren. Put the sword down for me...." Jerking like a poorly wielded marionette, Eren dragged himself a step forward "L-Levi... I can't control... my body" "Ok... you're ok..." Taking a step forward, Eren raised the sword, angling the blade towards his stomach. If Levi hadn't already been in panic mode, he would have been now. His heart was racing. Who's blood was Eren covered in? Where was Viren? Had... Swallowing hard, Levi forced himself not to rush his mate and wrestle the sword from his hold "Luca, go get Freya... break down the door if you have to" Looking over his shoulder to make sure his son was doing as he was told, he found Luca huddled in the corner. His teeth bared, as he glared at Eren. At his feet was a bundle of something... Luca wasn't going anywhere "Ok... Eren, I need you to put that sword down for me" Rising his voice slightly, he hoped to god Freya or Steege could hear him "Freya! Something's wrong with Eren. I need help in here..." Jerking at Levi's raised tone, Eren grunted as the blade slid into his flesh. Blood blossoming across the omegas cream nightshirt as Eren's eyes widened "L-Levi... can't..." It felt as if time slowed. Plunging the sword deeper, Levi lunged as Eren fell. Catching his omega before he could hit the floor, his knees colliding hard against the rapidly bloodying floorboards. Laying him down... there was... so much blood... "Eren!" "Le... hurts..." Coughing, blood sprayed from Eren's lips. The wound wouldn't stop bleeding "You're going to be ok, sweet boy..." "Can't... can't... feel... anything..." That wasn't good "Freya!" Coughing hard, Eren gasped for breath. Tears filled Levi's eyes. He couldn't stop the bleeding. Each time he pushed down more blood coated his hands. The sword still embedded through the omega "Can't... can't..." "Baby... you're... going to be ok..." The wet gasps turned to rasps, Eren's body jolting hard as the sound grew further apart. His heart beat all he could hear as he tilted Eren back in his hold. Screaming his mates name, Levi was lost to his fear, ripping the sword out his omega without thinking about what he was doing. Pushing his hands to the wound, Eren twitched and seized beneath him as if he was having a fit. He... he'd never been so scared in his life... he couldn't think. He couldn't breathe. Blood... so much blood... Behind him, Levi was ripped back from Eren. The alpha staring down at his shaking hands. He could still feel Eren's warm blood oozing over his fingers. He could feel the sensation of the blade siding free of Eren's flesh... Eren... Eren was... Gripping his bloodied hands, Hanji stole away his view of Eren "Levi?! What happened?" Shaking his head, Levi couldn't breathe. It was that horrible sensation of not being able to breathe before vomiting... limply slumping sideways, wet sick filled his mouth, spilling down his lips and over Hanji's feet "Let it out. Ok. Let it out... what happened?" "Hanji, Eren has no pulse" No pulse... meant... meant... he was... Whooshing winds filled the room as the space turned an inky red, Levi snarling as he pushed Hanji back. The alpha's fingers extending into claws as his eyes blackened, scales erupting along his arms as he started screaming. Eren was dead. His reason for living was dead. If he... if he hadn't pulled the sword... Freya had healing magic... healing magic he... if they... had drawn it slowly... Freya... they'd killed Eren. He'd killed Eren... The alpha's broken mind filled with images, his fingers clawing the wooden floor, nails tearing through the wood as if made of paper. Eren. His Eren was dead... Screaming again, the scales spread up and across Levi's face, black blood pouring from the alpha's eyes in place of tears, also spilling from his ears as drew his body up like an animal about to spring forward. The wind only growing... ** From Eren's body raw magic burst forth, his black scales bubbling into pus filled sores as they ruptured and dislodged them. Beneath their feet the whole world rumbled, leaving the Eldia party scrambling for balance. Outside the hotel, a storm rushed to build. Thunder booming loud enough to resonate within the chests of those under its affects, pulsing through them like a heartbeat. One by one, the windows of the hotel blew out, Freya grabbing Armin, using her body to shield him from the flying shards of glass, as she was driven back from Eren's body. The female dragon screaming as chunks embedded themselves in her back. Faced with a less than human Levi, Armin was hurled towards Luca as Freya drew a blank of what to do. Grabbed by Steege, she was pulled back, Levi stumbling and staggering towards Eren's body. The alpha's form cracking with each step. Dropping down beside Eren, Levi cradled him his hold, a clawed hand tracing the wound left by Obsydin's sword. Levi had pulled on a diagonal, the tip ripping Eren's skin down his side towards his hip, running over the scars left from where the omega had been harpooned down. Dripping down against the wounds, Levi's black tears hissed as they hit the site, Eren's body was still convulsing despite the lack of pulse, his magic leaking, calling out to Levi as in its confusion. Gathering Eren to his chest, the Levi screamed, the floor beneath them cracking as the walls split. People already pouring from the hotel in panic. As black wings erupted from Eren's body, Levi's feral state dragged him forward through the hole where the door to the balcony used to exist. Clutching his lover's body, and battling the raw magic violently swirling between them. Desperately, the alpha pushed his lips to Eren's, licking and lapping at the blood as he tried to heal his mate's hurt. Alone in their own world, the balcony beneath them collapsed, swallowing the pair in rubble and rain.

[a-very-tail-wizard]

No Sleep Tonight

Rating: MA (smut)

Pairing: Gajevy/Gajeel x Levy

Disclaimer: I don’t own Fairy Tail.

Word Count: 2616

Title: No Sleep Tonight

Description: Gajevy One Shot

Sleepy Levy catches her second wind after a little encouragement from Gajeel. (Basically, smut with a side of romance.)

A/N: I’ve never written fanfiction for Fairy Tail before. Also, I haven’t quite finished the anime, and I haven’t started the manga, so bear with me . Comments are always appreciated. Enjoy!

ffn || ao3

follow up series

Levy

Turning off the light in the bathroom, I pad across the bedroom and climb onto the mattress where I immediately snuggle down under the covers. I’m not in the bed two seconds before Gajeel hooks a muscly arm around my waist and tugs me against him. Instantly, I curl my body into his, rubbing my cheek over his pec.

“Jesus, Levy, why are you so cold?”

“Mmm,” I mumble. “Dunno.”

“You’re like a freaking ice cube! Don’t tell me you were hanging out with Gray again.”

“No,” I tell him softly, my body begging for sleep. “I ran into Juvia while I was out today, but Gray wasn’t with her.”

I yawn, and he reaches over to brush some hair off of my forehead.

“I still can’t believe they’re actually a couple,” he says gruffly.

“I’m not surprised,” I answer drowsily. “Sure, she was a little over the top when you guys first joined the guild, but…she mellowed out after a while. And she’s a great person with a good heart; Gray is lucky to be with her.”

“I’m luckier,” his low voice rasps into my ear, and I feel butterflies erupt in my stomach.

I love seeing Gajeel’s sappy, romantic side. Nobody else would believe me, but he’s incredibly sweet when he wants to be.

“You seem really tired tonight, little bean,” he rumbles in that deep voice of his. “Did you do anything out of the ordinary?”

“No,” I murmur. “Just the usual. I don’t know why I’m so sleepy.”

“No book tonight?”

“I can’t keep my eyes open,” I say with a small whine. “And I’m at a really interesting part, too.”

“Poor Little Levy,” he chuckles softly. “You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow I guess.”

“Yeah…” I let my eyelids droop until I hear him let out a sigh. Instantly, I open my eyes to look up at him. “Was there some reason you wanted me to be awake?”

“Oh, you know…” he grunts. “Just wanted to talk to you.”

“Talk?” I blink.

Every once in a while, Gajeel springs these intense intimate conversations on me. At first, I wasn’t sure how I felt about them, but now we’re so close that nothing is a secret. I’ve shared more with him than I have with anyone, and I know he’s done the same with me. Somehow, though, I don’t think that’s what he has in mind.

“What did you want to talk about?” I ask gently.

“Well, see… I have this problem I thought you could help me with…” His large, rough fingers trail up my thigh, and I bite my lip.

“Oh, you do, do you?”

“Mm,” he hums.

“So, really, you just want to have sex?” I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Well, you don’t have to say it like that,” he growls. “I was trying to be classy about it.”

I giggle, and his arm around me tightens as he rolls me onto my back.

“God, Levy, why is it you can read me like one of your books?” he asks in a gravelly voice, his chest hovering over mine.

“Because you’re actually a big softie under all that hard exterior,” I whisper.

“Some parts of me are harder than others,” he counters with a sly grin. “And, at this particular moment, one of them is extremely hard.”

“I bet I can guess which one,” my reply comes out sounding breathy as my inner thigh comes in contact with the body part in question through the fabric of his underwear.

Oh God. It’s so hot.

I reach down and feel him through his boxers, suddenly feeling wide awake.

“Jesus, Levy,” he grunts at my touch, and I feel a rush of wet between my legs.

I move my hand up and then back down, sliding my fingers into his waistband. I let out a soft cry when I feel him, pulsing and rigid against my palm.

He lets out a growl above me, and I look up to see the veins in his neck throbbing from how tightly he’s clenching his jaw. My fingers move on their own, stroking around the tip only to travel down the shaft, rubbing over each tiny barbell in his Jacob’s ladder piercing that runs the length of him.

The first time we had sex, I wasn’t sure what to do with all the hardware down there, but once he slid in, the added rub and pull of it along my inner walls had me crying out in the best way. Now, I’m obsessed with his piercings. All of them, but the ones adorning his cock especially.

“Levy,” he grunts, his lips dropping to my ear. “You’re not playing fair.”

His long hair falls over his broad shoulder and lands on my chest, making my skin look even fairer than normal. I shiver as the silky strands tickle the flesh between my breasts.

“This was your idea,” I remind him, my hand in his pants continuing to squeeze and stroke him.

“Well, yeah, but you’re making it hard–”

“You were already hard,” I interrupt.

He makes a low noise in his throat, and then suddenly, his hand is sliding under the hem of my top and swiftly down into my panties. I let out a soft yelp as his fingers plunge into my slick folds. My body stiffens instantly as his large, calloused digits drag through my wetness.

“Gajeel,” I gasp, but he grins against my neck and rubs harder with his hand, spreading my sensitive lips and finding my clit with his thumb.

I whimper as my back bows off the bed, my legs going rigid. My hand around his dick flexes, and he jerks.

“Careful, little bean,” he rumbles. “I’m just returning the favor.”

I try to think of a response, but I’m panting too hard. His hand sets into a slow, torturous rhythm, moving up and back along my slit. My hand slips out of his boxers and reaches between my thighs to grab his wrist as he presses harder against me.

“Faster, Gajeel,” I plead, tugging on his arm. “Please, baby.”

“Patience.”

His teeth nip at the skin of my shoulder only for his tongue to lap over it, soothing the sting. I spread my legs, and he makes a rumbling sound that I feel everywhere.

Suddenly, two of his enormous fingers slide deep into my pussy, and I moan, burying my face in his neck, my free hand reaching up to grab a fistful of his dark hair.

“Ride my fingers, Levy,” he commands softly.

I release a soft whine as he begins pumping into me. My hips move against him, desperate not to lose his touch. At the same time that he fucks me with his fingers, his mouth begins moving across my skin. Over my collarbone and up my jaw. The studs below his lower lip send delicious chills down my spine as they brush against me. The tip of his nose brushes along the edge of mine, and I hold my breath in anticipation.

Finally, his lips press against the corner of my mouth. I gasp, and he shifts, his gorgeous lips covering mine in a long kiss. I sigh as his pierced tongue glides over mine, the taste of him flooding my mouth. Using my grip on his hair, I hold him against me, nipping his lower lip with my teeth. He grins against my mouth and returns the gesture. I never want to stop kissing him.

He surprises me when he moves again, taking control of the kiss and simultaneously increasing the speed and power of his thrusting fingers. My own clench tight in his hair, and I have to tear my mouth from his, desperately. My body feels feverish and out of control from everything he’s doing to me. The sensations coursing through me are overwhelming.

“Oh God. Oh God,” I choke as my legs begin to quiver.

“Are you close?” he murmurs.

“Mmm,” I whimper my confirmation, and his hand slows, gently pulling out.

My legs squeeze together in its absence, and I wince at the feeling of wet all down my thighs and on the sheet below me.

“Don’t stop,” I hiss at him, trying to pull on his studded forearm.

“You’re tired,” he says in a low tone. “I want to move on to the main event, so you can get some rest.”

“But–”

He cuts me off by forcing my top over my head. I gasp as the cool air of the room causes my already-tingling nipples to tighten into points. He shoves my bottoms off next, leaving me lying naked underneath him.

His hand, still glistening with my juices, drops to my left breast where he rubs his thumb over the swell before rolling the pointed bud between his fingers. I squirm under him, and he looks down at me and grins.

“Go ahead and take me out, Levy,” he says hoarsely.

With a shaky hand, I reach for his boxers again, quickly yanking them down, allowing his angry, red cock to spring free.

“Hurry,” I plead up at him. “I want it.”

“Fuck, Levy,” he laughs. “You’re cute when you’re horny.”

“Shut up, Gajeel,” I groan, reaching for him.

Before I can touch him, he sits back and grabs my knees, forcing them apart. Without hesitating, he shifts his large body between them, his throbbing erection swinging wildly with each of his movements.

He lowers back down until his solid pecs are teasing my painfully stiff nipples. My hands come up to his shoulders while one of his dives into the space between our hips.

I feel the bulging head of his shaft push between my lips, and I take a slow breath. He’s so insanely large…I don’t know if I can take it. He inches in more, and my fingers dig into his skin.

Did he get bigger since last time? And harder? Is he using his dragon slayer magic to alter the state of his cock? Is it actually made of iron?

“Levy…” He lifts his free hand to my face and strokes my cheek with his thumb, the look in his eyes so incredibly gentle.

“I want it,” I repeat on a whisper. “Now, Gajeel.”

He nods, and I grit my teeth as he sinks in.

“Oh! OH!” My eyes squeeze shut in pain and pleasure as the metal of his piercings drag against the tender flesh of my pussy.

“So fucking tight,” Gajeel grunts, and I take deep breaths as I adjust to his immense size.

God. He’s in so deep. Is it always like this? I can feel his balls against my ass. And his cock is so hard and heavy…and hot. It’s burning inside of me.

“I love this feeling,” I confess breathlessly. “You…It hurts so good.”

“Yeah,” he snarls, making it clear his control is slipping.

“I’m okay,” I murmur, sliding my fingers up into his hair. “Go ahead and fuck me.”

He releases an almost animalistic grunt and pulls out rapidly only to slam back into me. I let out a sharp cry and lock my arms around his neck. He continues thrusting fast and hard, his balls slapping against me. My body rocks with his rhythm causing my breasts to slide against his pecs, the friction sending tiny bursts of pleasure through my nipples. My moans get louder and longer each time his giant cock enters me. His own sounds are grunts and groans through gritted teeth. Hearing them only makes me wetter, and I steal a peek only to find the evidence of my arousal coating his hammering cock.

Suddenly, he shifts his weight to one arm planted in the pillow beside my head, and his free hand slides under my ass, lifting me, enabling me to take more of him.

“Gajeel!” I scream at the impossible fullness inside of me.

The friction he’s creating is so intense…like everywhere he touches is hyper-stimulated and pulsing with pleasure. I feel like my pussy is going to explode. And at the same time, my orgasm keeps slipping away. I need to come so bad it hurts, but I just…

I moan in frustration as the Jacob’s ladder grinds against me.

“Are you coming?” he asks sounding strangled.

“No,” I choke, tears forming along the edges of my eyes. “But I’m close.”

“You gotta come, Levy.”

“I…I can’t!” I cry out as the acute burning in my pussy increases.

A growl escapes from his throat, and his head drops to my breast. He begins pumping wildly with his hips, and my breath gets caught in my lungs.

“Come, little bean,” he grinds out as his lips lock around my aching peak, his teeth tugging at my erect nipple.

His cock slams in again, and the compiled sensations of his teeth and his tongue on top of his monster cock finally do it. I come screaming his name, my back arched off the bed, my fingers clenched so tight that I start to lose feeling, tears streaming down my face. All the while, Gajeel continues pounding into me, prolonging my climax. It lasts so long my entire body is trembling from it.

When my scream dies out into desperate whimpers, Gajeel’s thrusts get erratic and pick up in speed. Seconds later, his head flies back as he releases a long groan, and I feel his orgasm pouring into me. When he’s spent, he collapses on my chest, almost crushing me under his weight. However, since I’m still recovering from my own life-changing orgasm, I don’t have the energy to move.

After a few minutes, he rolls off of me, his semi-hard cock sliding out of my raw pussy, leaving me feeling empty. I try to push up on my elbows, but they instantly give out. Instead, I lay there, my legs parted, my pussy leaking a mixture of his come and my own onto the sheets, trying to catch my breath.

“I’ll clean you up,” he breaks the silence hoarsely. “In a minute.”

I give him a tiny nod and close my eyes. I feel him exit the bed and listen as he pulls on fresh boxers and goes into the bathroom where he turns on the tap. It goes off a minute later, and I take a deep breath before I roll onto my side.

“Here,” he rumbles, coming up to my side of the bed holding a wet rag. “Lift your leg.”

He has to help me in the end because my limbs feel like noodles, holding my knee up with one hand as his other wipes our combined wetness from my slit. When he’s finished, he scoops me up and carries me across the room to the futon where he sets me down. I instantly curl onto my side, releasing a slow breath to try to relieve some of the throbbing in my pussy.

“I’m going to change the sheets,” he tells me. “I’ll be fast.”

“Okay,” I whisper.

I feel his lips on my temple, and his hand squeeze my neck gently before he walks away. I must fall asleep because the next thing I remember, he’s helping me into my panties and nightie and carrying me back to our bed.

“Thank you for indulging me,” he murmurs gruffly into my ear.

“Mmm.”

He climbs in with me and pulls the clean sheets up over us.

“I love you, Levy.”

“I love you, too,” I mumble. “Go to sleep.”

I feel his chest move with soft laughter, but he doesn’t say anything else. Instead, he presses his lips to my head, and tucks me close to his side, where I instantly fall asleep.

[sunflowerheartwriting]

Dragonic 13

A/N: Thanks for your reviews you guys! :D I love reading them! Was going to post this tomorrow for July 4th, but I'm not really fond of the holiday, so meh! (The fireworks are cool, but I don't like loud noises or big crowds.) Since, i have the day off, I plan to have the next chapter for you guys very soon! ;) Don’t forget you can read more on FF.net or AO3! 

It didn’t take long for the pair to reach the dining room, where everyone was waiting. Levy somehow persuaded Gajeel to let her walk into the room instead of him carrying her to her chair, you could say it was her pouting or the puppy dog eyes or both. She smiled prettily to Wendy, Erza and Ms. Carrie as Gajeel pulled out her seat for her. Observing the food on the table, her mouth immediately started to water at the sight of all of it. There was a nice spread of roast beef, vegetables, potatoes, other sides and desserts on the table.

“Sorry it took us so long,” Levy greeted, as Gajeel took the seat to her right.

Wendy waved her hand dismissively with a smile. “No need to apologize, I’m just glad you’re here. Ms. Carrie made all my favorites, so let’s dig in.”

It didn’t take long for everyone to eat their fill, as they talked excitedly about old memories of their childhood. Gajeel groaned whenever Ms. Carrie or Erza brought up something embarrassing, that made Levy giggle with delight. The small woman was content with not sharing and instead relished in reliving every embarrassing moment Gajeel was a part of. Levy tried to help Ms. Carrie clear the table when dinner was over but was shooed away by the old woman. She attempted to reason with her but was immediately thrown over Gajeel’s shoulder without warning, a small yelp escaping her lips.

“She said no helping and you’re hurt, so you’re coming with me.” Gajeel announced, as he took long strides towards the dining room doors.

“Maybe next time, Levy!” The old woman shouted after them with mirth in her voice. Levy’s mouth was agape as the women laughed at their retreating forms, Wendy waving goodbye with a wide smile.

When they got back to his room, he placed her back on the ground, in which she immediately started punching his chest. “Gajeel, you idoit! Why did you do that? I didn’t need to be slung over your shoulder!” She shouted, as he took the hits with ease.

“You’re hurt, so you shouldn’t be doing unnecessary work.” He argued, grabbing her wrist to stop her assault. He wouldn’t admit it, but her hits were actually starting to sting a little. Ripping her hands away, she glared at him until a thought came to mind. “What are you thinking? I don’t like that look.” Gajeel frowned, as he observed the mischievous smile that replaced her pout.  

“I shouldn’t be doing unnecessary work, so let’s do some that is necessary. How about we continue your lessons instead.” She said, trying to contain the smirk that desperately wanted to crack wider at his expression.

“We can go back,” he said, quickly turning on his heels, only stopping when Levy grabbed him by the arm, pulling him back towards her.

“Nope, I’m injured remember, and with everything that’s been going on we haven’t had time to review. So, what’s a more perfect time then now?”

She watched as he sighed heavily with a drop of his shoulder as he sulked over to the couch, flopping down dramatically. He snatched the needed supplies that sat on table and placed them on his lap with a dissatisfied huff. He was opening the book when he received a sharp flick to the forehead that caused his head to shoot up and look at the small woman.

“Oi! What the hell, shorty?” he asked, rubbing the spot on his forehead, watching her place her hands on her hips with a satisfied smile on her face.

With a shrug of her shoulders, she simply said, “You were acting like big baby, so I stopped you.”

He glared her down as she took a seat next to him, shaking his head at her pleased smirk. He should’ve seen that coming.

Levy immersed them into their lesson with ease, trying to make up for lost time. The night drawn on with the two so engrossed in their roles of student and teacher that they didn’t notice Lily come back into the room to snuggle up in his broken box by the patio doors.

The next morning, Gajeel woke up to a beam of sunlight shining over his face, causing him to grunt and bury his face into the pillow. Content with his new position, he was ready to fall back asleep when he felt something shift beside him. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he tiredly looked down expecting Lily to be curled up next to him but was shocked to see wild blue hair. He froze instantly, his senses going into overdrive as he stared wide eyed at the blue mop. He was laying on his side with his left arm bent under his pillow and his right arm encasing the small woman around her waist. She had her face almost buried in his chest with her arm under his, slung around his waist, and with their legs tangled together.

When did this happen? How the hell did they end up like this? He thought back to last night, remembering that their tutoring sessions ended up with them both being mentally and physically drained. While Gajeel put away his supplies, Levy relaxed on his bed, deciding to rest her eyes before walking back her room. He remembered seeing her peaceful face as she slept, feeling bad about waking her so he just tucked her into his bed. He tried his best to be a gentleman and sleep on the couch, but it was way too small and uncomfortable for him, so he climbed into bed with her, promising to return to the couch when he woke up.  

After remembering last night, he tried his best to calm down, praying he didn’t wake her up by the sound of his heart nearly beating out of his chest. He need to keep his word and go back to the couch, before she wakes up. When he untangled himself from her and tried to scoot away, she only scooted closer, hugging him tighter a content sigh escaping her lips. If he could melt into a pile of putty he would’ve at the how adorable she looked.

‘Oh dear Mavis, please give me strength,’ he silently prayed.

Hearing a soft knock on the door, he cursed when he saw dark blue hair poke into the room. Wendy face split into a wide grin and she slapped her hand over her mouth as she desperately tried to hold in her giggles. “I can explain,” Gajeel whispered harshly, earning more stifled giggles.

“Meet me by the fountain,” she whispered, before disappearing behind the door. Gajeel, cursed under his breath, frowning deeply as he slowly slipped away from Levy. She let out a low whine as her heat source was stolen away from her, Gajeel desperately wanting to climb back into bed just to make her happy.

Instead he lightly shook Lily awake, the panther cracking an irritated eye up at his friend. “Keep Levy company for me, please.” Gajeel nodded, his head towards the bed. Lily quickly understood, standing up with a low stretch before making his way to the bed to curl up next to the woman.

Gajeel quickly changed into a new set of clothes and splashed some water on his face before heading out to the fountain. The castle was quiet as everyone slept in from last night’s feast, besides of course the two dragons. It didn’t take long for Gajeel to make his way to the familiar spot where Wendy and him would play and hide from their parents. The hedges opened up into a circled area, with a marbled dragon spewing water from its mouth. Wendy sat on one of the two benches that surrounded the fountain, swinging her legs as she hummed a familiar tune.

“You were always better at singing that song than us.” Gajeel grunted out, sleep still lacing his voice, attracting the little dragon’s attention.

“My voice is a lot lighter than you guys, but I do like it when you sing it.” She smiled as he took a seat next to her, rubbing his sweaty palms on his pants leg.

How was he going to explain this to her? He could try being straight forward like always, but for some reason it was harder to express that nothing was going on.

“Wendy, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me and Levy. What you saw earlier wasn’t what it looked like.”

Wendy stopped swinging her feet, to turn and look at Gajeel with an amused look in her eyes which confused him. “I think we should have a talk, Gajeel. The talk.” She put an extra emphasis on ‘the’ causing Gajeel’s heart to drop and his face go pale.

Rubbing the back of his neck nervously he stuttered out nervously, “I-I um, I’m not sure I’m the best suited to have this talk with you Wendy, I think-“

“Whoa! What?” Wendy interrupted, her hands flying up in a defense manner. “I’m not talking about that talk, plus Lucy and Erza already had that conversation with me.” Her cheeks dusted pink as she averted her eyes.

“Then what are you talking about?”

“Love.” Her face was as serious as she stared Gajeel down, both refusing to look away. “We need to have a talk about your feelings.”

“No we do not, I’m going back to bed.” He growled out as he stood up from his seat, ready to leave.

“Gajeel, I’m serious.”

“I am too!” He yelled, turning back to look at her. “Why do we need to talk about how I feel?”

“I care about you and Levy and I don’t want either of you too get hurt, because you’re not used to loving someone other than your family.”

Wendy watched him pace as he ran a hand through his bed head, mumbling under his breath about how stupid feelings are. “What makes you think I like her?” He asked, trying to diverge the subject onto her instead of him.

“When we first arrived, I expected you to roll your eyes and tell Elfman to shut up with his man talk, but instead you greeted him with a smile and let him hug you. You also are really protective of her, and you’re only like that with people you love.”

His pacing stopped as he stared at her with scrunch up eyebrows and a deep frown, searching her eyes for answers to his own question. She took his confusion as her chance to continue speaking.

“I know you like her, so tell me how she makes you feel.”

“I don’t know!” He growled out shaking his head, “happy, I guess? My hearts starts racing and I have this urge to pull her close to me. To keep her by my side as much as possible so I can keep her safe. And when she talks, I want to hear more. Especially when she gets really excited and little stars appear in her eyes and she has the biggest smile on her face.” He didn’t realize it, but he was smiling himself just talking about her as he stared down at his feet.

Wendy continued to ask him similar questions and he answered without hesitation, until she asked him, “So? Do you love her?”

His smile dropped as his mouth formed a perfect ‘o’ and his eyes grew wide. Wendy watched with pure bliss as Gajeel connected the dots and came to a conclusion. The man lifted his head up to the sky, running a hand down his face, muttering, “Holy shit, I’m an idiot.”

Giggling lightly, Wendy hopped off the bench to bounce to her dumbstruck cousin. “W-what do I do now, now that I know?” He asked hesitantly, looking down at the bright smile on the small girls face.

“You confess your feelings or you can just sulk in a corner. It’s really up to you.”

“But, what if she doesn’t feel the same way?” He spoke softly, lowering his head at the thought of rejection.

Wendy shot him a sympathetic smile, hugging him tightly. “You won’t know unless you ask.” She felt his arms wrap around her in response, before he patted her head gently, muttering his thanks. “No need to thank me, I’m always here to talk some sense into you.” she smiled, pulling away from him.

“Thanks for that, little dragon.”

“No problem. Erza and I are going to the hospital in few, so tell Levy she’s on harvesting duty and you and Elfman are still on laundry duty.” Wendy stated, waving bye as she skipped back into the gardens towards the castle. Gajeel stood there for a few minutes, before deciding to leave too.

His mind was a mess as he numbly walked back to his room. He loves her, he’s head over hills in love with Levy and he’s freaking the hell out. What should he say or do in order to confess his feelings? Is there like some etiquette to these things? Of course there is, he can’t just wake her up and say, ‘good morning and by the way I love you.’ He could do that, but who in their right mind would take him serious? Should he ask her out on a date or wait for the right moment? Or should he try to guess how she feels about him? Gajeel wanted to pull his hair out as he thought over what was the best way to do this.

Opening the door slowly, he let out a sigh of relief when he saw that Levy was still asleep. Lily and she were curled up together in an adorable mesh of black and blue hair. Stifling a yawn, he decided to get a few more minutes of sleep before thinking any further. He slipped in behind Levy, effectively throwing his arm over her and the big cat.

‘I guess I could get used to this,’ he thought, snuggling closer to Levy with a content sigh. He’ll figure out a way to tell her, but for now, this is just as good. 

[fallen029]

Baby Steps: Never Go Away

He was a brooding man. A brutish, fearful type that most would flee from, just at the sight. He was typically agitated and, even when he wasn't, was prone to outbursts and violence. His attitude was poor in nearly all situations, he hardly even was friendly towards those he would call friends and, even, at times said people would consider themselves better off with him and his sour disposition.

This was not the case for Gaia though. Not in the slightest.

She knew the man's many tempers and proneness to solitude. How much of a jerk he could be at times to others. That it was better, most of the time, to just leave the dragon alone.

She just didn't care.

Most people spying Gajeel sitting all alone in the early dusk hours of a summer night would leave him to whatever it was he was doing, out there on the back porch. Even Pantherlily and Levy found this to be the best scenario for whatever funk he'd come home with. He'd grumbled at all of them a bit before heading out there to sulk.

The sun was still setting in the sky though when Gaia decided to push through the back screen door and headed out there. The five year old had just finished her dinner and, considering her father was home from his job and not out training or something, that meant that she needed him to sing her to sleep. It was part of the deal. If he didn't want to do it then he shouldn't have come home!

He didn't even look away from his longing gaze up at the moon which had already started to show itself in the purple skies above, but at the feeling of soft hands shoving him gently in the back, he did shut his red eyes tightly.

"Ain't you got something else to do, baby?" he grumbled to her without a glance. "I'm busy."

"Liar."

"I ain't no liar. And I'm not gonna take well to being called one."

He got another shove, this time a bit harder. "Daddy, come sing."

"No."

"Please?"

This got him sometimes. She was a pro at drawing paternal responses from the man. Under another circumstance, there would have been a good chance that he'd jumped up and rushed to do whatever stupid thing it was that she wanted.

It was not the case this time, however.

"Gaia," Gajeel complained as, tilting his head back up, he only stared at the sky. "Go away."

Her face crumpled some and she thought about crying. That always did the trick. But, for some reason, instead she only moved to not shove at his back this time, but rather wrap her arms around his neck and rest against his back.

"What's wrong?" she asked softly as he didn't even reach a hand up to pat at where hers were clasped tightly around him. "Daddy?"

Grunting, Gajeel refused to answer. Gaia wasn't so easily done away with though. Not at all. While she was sweet and kind like her mother, she'd definitely inherited his stubbornness. She released her hold on the man (it wasn't no fun to hang from his neck if he wasn't running around at full speed pretending to be a dragon who she was slaying) and moved then to sit beside him on the porch. Tilting her head back, she stared up at the same sky as him, but didn't see anything of interest.

When she glanced at her father's face though, she saw a look that she couldn't quite figure out. He didn't seem angry and he didn't seem disinterested and, well, those were his two main expressions, she was a bit at a lost as to what was going on in his head at the moment.

That wasn't to say that she honestly knew for certain at any point, of course. Rather, she was just pretty good at telling when he was angry or when he couldn't care less about what was going on. Then there were the rare moments when he was actually happy and she liked those a bunch, sure, but didn't expect them too often. At the moment, it seemed like they weren't any in any of the three though and, unsure of what to do, she only continued to stare up at the sky and wait.

Her father never made her wait long.

"You know what I was doing when I was your age?" he asked as the crickets out in the yard started their chirping. "Gaia?"

She shook her head because the question, honestly, made little sense to her.

No way her father wasn't the exact age he was at that moment since the beginning of time.

No way.

"I wasn't sitting around, having other provide for me, that's for sure."

Again, his words were meaningless.

So she only said, "Oh."

Nodding his head a bit, he glanced down at her. "I was all alone. I didn't have a house or a mom or a dad or an Exceed. You get that? Didn't even have one of those, like some of those wannabes up at the hall."

"You got Lily."

"Yeah, a lot later!" Gajeel made a face as he glanced back up at the sky. "I guess the one that was supposed to be with me didn't even wanna stick around."

"What do you mean?"

"It doesn't matter," he told her then with a shrug. "I had Metalicana, anyways, eventually, and he looked out for me. He took care of me."

"That's your dragon," she said with confidence and, when he nodded his head, Gaia added, "but he went away."

"Everyone does. It's part of life."

Oh.

Oh.

Now she could tell what her father was experiencing. Or at least a very rudimentary version of it.

He was sad.

Wow.

That one felt pretty new.

Gaia wasn't prone to sadness. In any way. She had probably the happiest life one could, being the child of mages. She enjoyed the tales of their travels, played with Lily when he was home, got to travel with her mother sometimes, and even knew other powerful mages up at her parents work.

But that didn't mean that she didn't get sad sometimes.

There were days that it just didn't make sense to her that they both had to be gone or when Gajeel informed her he'd be gone for awhile, she'd get a bit upset, because that was upsetting. The whole thing was, really. She thought that she was more than ready to go everywhere with him and basically be a mage too, but he just didn't see it that way yet, it seemed. He said in another five years, maybe, but as someone who'd just lived a full five years, this sounded outrageous and unfair.

Her sadness always went away though, eventually. Usually before her parents even returned to her. Even if it didn't though, they always would do that. Return to her. She knew that. Though anecdotal evidence didn't hold up in the courts of science, Gaia was pretty certain she'd tested all the variables and yes, no matter what, they were coming back to her eventually.

It was a foregone conclusion.

This, however, wasn't the case with her father and his dragon, she knew. Or, well, he'd told her before, all that had happened, but none of it made too much sense to her other than the fact that, while he now knew what happened to Metalicana, it had never sat too right with him and that it was a sore subject with the man.

Sometimes, when he'd be telling her stories and she'd request one about when he lived with the dragon (his adventures back then were more relatable to her), he wouldn't be as willing to give it to her. He'd skirt around the idea and talk about something else instead. Or he'd get angry and tell her that they didn't need to hear about some damn dragon when he was right there! Him! Gajeel! Forget anyone else.

She wasn't old enough to understand the relation between her father and the famed dragon, much less the baggage that was ever present in his mind when he thought of him. She just knew that when he did tell her one about the closest thing to a father he'd ever had, he seemed to really enjoy it.

He was almost...happy. Or he sounded happy.

It's part of why she liked those stories the best.

She liked when her father was happy. Not to say that him being angry or disinterested weren't beneficial at other times (he was rarely angry at her and his disinterest in what she was doing typically led to her getting away with things she wouldn't with her mother). Still, his joy, though rare, was infectious and seemed to keep everyone in the house in high spirits.

Mostly though she just loved her father and hoped that he was always happy.

"I'm here," she complained then as she patted at his arm. "And I won't go away."

Gajeel seemed to consider this after she spoke, glancing down at the girl once more. As heavy as his red eyes felt to most people though, they were pretty normal to Gaia and she only stared right back up into them innocently. She was actually a bit perturbed that he would imply that she would eventually go away or that he would and bleh.

Who would even put that thought out into the universe?

He'd been clinching his fists before, but as they stared at one another, the one closest to her fell open and Gaia moved to lay her own hand in it, so that next time be balled it up, hers would be there too. This was striking to Gajeel as some sort of symbolic sign from powers from beyond, but Gaia actually did it because she really wanted to eventually wiggle her way into his lap and thought this was a nice first step.

He gave the best snuggles, her father did.

But you had to con him into giving them out sometimes.

In the moment though, all he could do was let out a bit of a breath before smirking. Then, "Gihi," before turning to look back up at the sky.

Giggling as well, Gaia felt like she was one step closer to get her bedtime singing session...until she heard from inside the house, her mother calling out to her.

"Gaia, where did you go? You're supposed to be getting ready for bed," Levy was complaining from inside and, quickly, the little girl abandoned any sort of devious plan and just climbed right into her father's lap, hoping to hide from the woman.

"What are you doing?" he grumbled though he didn't move her. Yet. "Gaia? Levy's callin' for you so-"

"I don't wanna go," she complained as she snuggled into his chest. Then, peeking up at him from where her head was buried in his shirt, she added, "Until you sing to me."

Making a face, he finally picked her up and sat her back on her own feet. Over the sound of her whining, he said, "Go inside, to your mother. I'll be there soon. To sing to ya."

And that was enough to get her to jump up and rush off to whatever punishment her mother would dole out for going outside when she was told not to bother the man. But he didn't join her immediately. He sat out there for a bit longer, glaring up at the moon.

It was only once, from behind him, he heard the backdoor creak open once more and someone speak softly to him.

"She's waiting for you, you know," he heard his wife tell him as she stood there, not taking a step onto the porch. "She won't go to sleep until you come."

Finally, looking away from the moon, he glared down at his once more empty hands before clinching them tightly and whispering, "I know."

"You actually have someone that tolerates your guitar playing," Levy went on. "I don't think you should squander-"

"I'll be there in a second."

"Gajeel," she whispered then as he started to push up. "She just loves."

"Yeah." As he turned to face the woman, he even nodded a bit. "I know."

Full Series

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰👑🐲⚔️ DMODT 73 update

Eren was nervous. He couldn't help but be nervous when facing the man who'd more than likely stolen his papers. Sure, there was the repeated fear he felt each time he laid eyes upon Dina, that somehow she'd break free of her restraints and go for his throat or for his children, yet while he feared Dina he could only say that Willy made his heart race with nerves. And not just nerves over why Willy had done what he'd done, but nerves over what came next. The hotel maid hadn't reappeared since the day the papers went missing. Marley wasn't talking to him. Willy kept giving him those same creepy smiles, and he was worried over not having heard anything from Historia since she'd left. The larger part of him wished to grab Willy by the shoulders and shake him senseless for information, yet they had absolutely no proof that he was responsible for his precious papers going missing. Nothing outside Levi's gut feeling, which he wasn't about to dismiss. Levi's gut feelings had proven right more often than not. With the theft of his papers on all their minds, Levi was nearly arrested by bringing Obsydin's sword to the courthouse with him. His mate waltzing right up to the burly man in charge of the armoury, to demand the sword be locked away due to security concerns. In a matter of moments the guard had drawn his own weapon on the alpha, only for Levi to drop him with a strategic blow to the groin, and called down the attention of the court guards who proceeded to hold him at blade point as Levi reiterated that their hotel rooms had been broken into and that they couldn't safely leave such a magical artefact where potentially any random stranger could lay hands upon it. It didn't matter to his mate at all, that he stopped Eren's heart when all those blades were pulled on them. Eren's knees had gone so weak that he'd half collapsed onto Armin in fear that one wrong move with those blades would leave Levi headless. Causing such a commotion that one of the tribunal judges was notified, it was the senior man of the panel who settled the situation, as Levi explained what had happened for a third time. By now his mate was visibly angry. Levi hadn't slept well the previous two nights, which tended to make him cranky. When they'd first met, Levi had barely slept a few hours each night, now... now he could rival Eren when it came to reluctance of climbing out of bed. Though that might be because the alpha loved to snuggle. Big spoon or little spoon, Levi lapped up the attention which Eren loved showering on him, especially when cuddles turned to long and slow sex that left them a tangle of limbs. His mate didn't ask for much from him, even when Eren would give him the world... something that wouldn't changed even when Levi managed to piss him off so badly he wanted to kick him out the room, or turn him into a frog. With how Levi was treated over declaring his sword, Eren didn't dare mention the blade hidden in his boot. Levi had insisted he keep it on him, even when the omega had wanted to obey the rules and speak of peace while weaponless. Somehow the small, slim weapon hadn't been noticed in the required pat down... which didn't sit well with Eren at all, however, he did have two innocent children to think of. Luca had killed once, something he never should have had to do. If it came down to him carrying a blade and being forced to take a life with it, in order to protect his sons, then he'd have to live with the outcome. That was no exaggeration, even before Historia sent his instincts into overdrive. Bundled up in his blanket that he refused to leave at the hotel, and gathered in Mikasa's arms with his face hidden against her neck, Luca deserved every happiness in the world. Besides, if things truly went to shit, Eren was safe with the promise he'd received from Levi. No matter what happened, their sons would be safe. So caught up in the imaginary scenarios playing in his mind, Eren's scent filled with anger. A silent warning to everyone close not to come too close, except for Armin who took his sparking hand in his, rubbing the back of it with his thumb "Eren, your magic's flaring. Levi's alright. Ok?" "Wha... oh. Right... sorry. My instincts are still off..." "It's alright. I know that, and to see Levi with all those blades pointed at him, I think I wet myself a little" With lowered blades, Levi was allowed to submit the sword to be locked away. Eren unable to pull his glare away from the guards doing this job. If they had hurt Levi, he was quite certain his magic would have gone out of control "I don't know if that makes me feel better or worse?" "Better? Hopefully better? You're not going to set anything on fire, are you?" "No. My magic still isn't up to scratch. I'm pretty much a normal person with sparkly fingers right now" Armin snorted, bumping him playfully "Didn't you always wish to be normal?" His best friend had a point there, yet, as much as he wished he could joke back, Eren couldn't even find the effort to try. Wearily, he nodded "Yeah... yeah. It's been a learning curve, but if Levi and I are to have more children in the future, I need to learn how to do more without relying on magic. I think it's maybe coming out of confinement with no magic, then right into another no magic situation that's made everything hard... I'm sorry. I'm kind of..." "I understand. You don't look like you got much sleep. I didn't either. I kept jumping at every noise. Mikasa got so sick of it that she threatened to stab me if I didn't sleep" "I'm sorry you guys have to go through this" "It's not your fault. Dina knew she was doing the wrong thing. She's the one to blame... and you know, it's been a lesson in what not to do" Still trying to inject humour into the conversation, Armin's comment fell flat all over again "You'd never be that bad. It's just not in you. You're the dawn of a new era for all of us" Groaning, Armin dropped his head against Eren's shoulder "Thanks. No pressure there, or anything" "Armin..." "Eren, it's ok. You don't need to explain. I was trying to make you feel better, but that's not working. What can I do to help?" "It's not you, it's me. I'm all over the place... and Levi..." "Levi is what you need" Especially now that Levi was free to return to his side "I'm sorry" "No need to be sorry" "I am though. I'm such a fucking mess right now" "For a mess, you look pretty good. At least better than I do in robes. I don't know how you manage" "That's my mate you're flirting with" Dropping Armin's hand, Eren was fast to latch himself onto Levi. Nuzzling at his mates neck as he breathed in his lover's scent "Not flirting. Armin was preventing me from losing my head over you being held at blade point" "Mhmm. His fingers were all tingly" Sighing, Levi wrapped an arm around his waist as his other hand went to rest on Viren "Better?" "I did feel like blowing them all up, but better like this" "I don't think I've won myself any favours with that guard" "No. I don't think you did. You're lucky you're not in trouble for assaulting him" "It was his shitty fault for not listening. It's time to head in" Yawning softly, Eren didn't want to move. So, he didn't until Levi started pulling him along "Eren, we can't stay here" "I know... My head's all over the place. I was too scared to sleep" "I was there, sweet boy. When we get back to the hotel, I promise you can sleep as much as you want" "Only if you do. You smell as tired as I feel" "I feel as tired as you smell" "You can't use my own words back at me" "I think I just did" "I noticed. We need to head in or we'll make a scene" "I'm moving..." "You're really not" "Oh... I thought it was" "No you didn't" "Shhhh. I'm sleeping" "You're a little shit" "But I'm your little shit" "Keep this up and I might upgrade you to a big shit" "What happened to the romance?" "I'll romance the hell out of you, but only once we get back to the hotel" Eren felt like head was in a fog. His eyes burned as he blinked repeatedly. Numbly he felt Levi talking, but the words didn't reach his ears. Though he knew he had to focus, it seemed the harder he tried, the more disconnected his mind became. First the judge was talking to Marley over the theft of Eren's papers, then that was it. He honestly couldn't remember what happened next, only that he was back in the hotel room with Luca in his arms. Everything else was a massive blank. * Having Eren faint in court wasn't expected by any of them. One moment Eren was pushing Viren into Levi's hold and the next his omega was dropping with all the grace of a sack of potatoes being dumped on the kitchen floor. The thud of Eren's unconscious body hitting the ground was loud enough that it seemed to echo in the space of the courtroom. As the room erupted in whispers Freya moved to Eren's side, healing the spot where Eren had struck his wrist against the lip of the stone galley when he'd fallen. Demanding an explanation, Freya was quick to assure the tribunal that Eren had fainted and though it seemed to be caused by exhaustion, she couldn't say for sure as her magic didn't lie in healing like Historia's did. Moving Eren to rest in one of the cooler rooms below the courtroom, his mate was still unconscious at the end of the day's testimonies. Levi had been called to explain himself in relation to bringing a weapon with him to the courthouse, given only one of the judges had been present despite the scene it had caused. It'd been that man who'd brought up the missing papers, and though the questions over them had been directed to Eren, Eren hadn't seemed to hear which had left Levi to answer. When he looked back at what had happened, the signs that Eren shouldn't attend in court had all been there. The fatigue. The issue with his instincts. The theft. The concerns over Willy, then having to stand across from him and his creepy arse smile. His mate needed time to take a breathe away from all of this. With a practiced hand, Levi had carried Eren back to the hotel. The steps nearly doing him as he tried not to let the strain show. He may be a prime alpha, and have the strength and stamina that came with it, but having carried Eren up the courthouse steps, then down the road to their hotel, and then up stairs... he was entitled to every bead of sweat rolling down his back and gathering on his brow. Eren took his sweet time waking. Mikasa narrowly beating Levi to Eren's side as Levi couldn't simply place Viren down. The pup had cried and cried since Eren fainted, as if he knew something was wrong with his mother. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Luca growled at Mikasa as Eren pushed himself up with a groan "Eren, you should rest" "'m ok. What happened?" Pinching the bridge of his nose, Eren didn't sound ok in the slightest "You fainted in court today. You've been out for several hours. Here, lay back down" "I, what?" "You fainted. How do you feel?" Trying to work over Luca, Mikasa gently pushed Eren down until he finally settled against the pillows "Tired..." "You're a little feverish. Freya diagnosed exhaustion, and I'm sure she's right. You gave me quite the scare" "'kasa, you can't get rid of me that easily. Levi?" Kneeling on the edge of the bed, Levi placed his hand on Eren's forehead "I'm here, brat. Mikasa's right, you need sleep" "Viren?" "He's ok" "Hungry..." "You're hungry?" Shaking his head, Eren let out another groan "He's probably hungry" "He's sleeping at the moment. Like you should be" "I feel like crap" Smiling down fondly, Levi could sympathise "I know. Get some sleep for me?" Working in the soft command, Eren probably didn't need it. Not with the way his eyelids were dropping "You're not leaving, are you?" "No. I'm here. You're stuck with me" "'K..." Mikasa didn't move until Eren was sleeping again. Climbing off the bed the bed to make space, the female alpha glared at him as she followed his lead. Seething, Mikasa crossed her arms as she turned on him, whisper yelling "You put a command on him!" She was actually mad over that? "Eren is exhausted" "You put a command on him. You know he's stressed and upset, and you put a fucking command on him?!" "He's my mate" "So that makes it alright? You're ok with forcing him into something he doesn't want?!" "Eren is so exhausted it's making him physically sick. Of course I'm putting a command on him. He needs to rest" "He would have..." "He would have insisted on making sure Viren was alright, then asked after all of you, before then asking what happened at the courthouse. He has a low grade fever, and instincts he's fighting to control. He needs rest" "You put a command on him, when you had no right to" "This is between my mate and myself. Not for you to stick your nose into. It's not the first command placed on Eren, and it probably won't be the last" "You put other commands on him?! Why? Just what are you forcing him to do? Stay with you?" Growling, Levi was done with Mikasa's attitude "I have a command on him that he'll ignore all other alpha commands while we are here. That he will tell me when everything is getting too much, and what's on his mind. So yes. He has another command on him, for his safety and protection. I don't need you making assumptions that I don't care for Eren, or would force things upon him that weren't in his best interests" "You have no..." "I have his permission. I don't make commands for him to suffer" "He lets you?" Mikasa sounded confused, while Levi was plain pissed. Taking her by the elbow, he dragged Mikasa over to the door "Yes. Because Eren trusts that I have his best interests in heart. I usually ask his permission, then we talk about it. However, he needs rest right now. When you find your own omega, then maybe you'll understand" Evicting Mikasa, Luca finally settled back into Eren. His whines and chirps his way of telling Levi something wasn't right with his mother. Joining Luca on the bed his son pawed at Levi's leg, distress clouding his brilliantly red eyes. Crooning softly, Levi rubbed the bottom of Luca's jaw "Mumma is going to be alright. He just needs some sleep right now" Chirping, Luca seemed to disagree "I'm watching over him. Viren's going to be fine too. Your baby brother's hungry, but Eren will feed him after he gets a few more hours sleep. Do you want to cuddle with both of us? Is that what you want baby boy?" Nuzzling at his palm, Levi took that to mean yes "Alright. Let me lay down properly. Your brother is going to start crying if he wakes up" Luca trilled softly "luuuu", as if hushing Levi so Viren wouldn't wake "Exactly. You're such a good boy" Beaming at him, Luca waiter patiently for Levi to settle down with Viren against his chest. In the free space, the dragon rested his own head. As Eren was going to be sleeping for some time, he may as well get some rest of his own. Doubly so given that he doubted Mikasa would stray far from Eren's room with Eren under a command to sleep. He couldn't deny it had stung that she didn't trust him to do what was right by the omega. Hadn't he shown how much his family meant to him? * Eren had slept like a log until dinner time. Feeding Viren, his mate was still groggy as Levi tried to get up him up and moving. He managed to get him to shower, eat half a plate of some weird potato dish that was as a staple food here, then back to bed where he fell back to sleep. Sleepy and cuddly, Eren reassured him he was fine, other than a pounding headache, as he nuzzled into Levi for more cuddles, peppering kisses to the alpha's neck as he purred softly. Still slightly feverish, Levi had intended to watch over his sleeping mate, yet found himself succumbing to his desire to sleep. Lulled by Eren's soft purrs and comforting weight against his body. His last thoughts of his mate as he held him tighter was that if Eren wasn't better by the morning, he'd have Freya check him over. It wasn't like his mate had eaten or drunken anything he hadn't, meaning this wasn't a case of poisoning. Nor had he left his side, so no one could have injured him without his knowledge. Roused in the middle of the night by Luca's foot to his face, Levi smacked away his son with a groan, only for Luca to whine loudly at him. Feeling around on the bed, Levi groaned again as he pushed himself up. Why was the bed devoid of Eren? "Luca, calm down..." Growling at him his son jumped off the bed, grabbing the blankets in his teeth, Luca pulled hard. His son wasn't acting normally... and where was Eren? "Eren?!" Climbing out of bed, Levi pulled the cloak off the rooms glowstone, illuminating the space. Standing at the balcony doors, Eren had his back towards him, but something didn't feel right "Eren?" Slowly turning to face him, Eren's hands were bloodied as he looked to the alpha. Tears glistened where they dried on his cheeks, but what held Levi's attention was Obsydin's sword in his mate's hands. Raising a hand, Levi slowly edged towards Eren "Eren. Put the sword down for me...." Jerking like a poorly wielded marionette, Eren dragged himself a step forward "L-Levi... I can't control... my body" "Ok... you're ok..." Taking a step forward, Eren raised the sword, angling the blade towards his stomach. If Levi hadn't already been in panic mode, he would have been now. His heart was racing. Who's blood was Eren covered in? Where was Viren? Had... Swallowing hard, Levi forced himself not to rush his mate and wrestle the sword from his hold "Luca, go get Freya... break down the door if you have to" Looking over his shoulder to make sure his son was doing as he was told, he found Luca huddled in the corner. His teeth bared, as he glared at Eren. At his feet was a bundle of something... Luca wasn't going anywhere "Ok... Eren, I need you to put that sword down for me" Rising his voice slightly, he hoped to god Freya or Steege could hear him "Freya! Something's wrong with Eren. I need help in here..." Jerking at Levi's raised tone, Eren grunted as the blade slid into his flesh. Blood blossoming across the omegas cream nightshirt as Eren's eyes widened "L-Levi... can't..." It felt as if time slowed. Plunging the sword deeper, Levi lunged as Eren fell. Catching his omega before he could hit the floor, his knees colliding hard against the rapidly bloodying floorboards. Laying him down... there was... so much blood... "Eren!" His heart beat all he could hear as he titled Eren back in his hold. Screaming his mates name, Levi was lost to his fear, ripping the sword out his omega without thinking about what he was doing. Pushing his hands to the wound, Eren twitched and seized beneath him as if he was having a fit. He... he'd never been so scared in his life... he couldn't think. He couldn't breathe. Blood... so much blood... Behind him, Levi was ripped back from Eren. The alpha staring down at his shaking hands. He could still feel Eren's warm blood oozing over his fingers. He could feel the sensation of the blade siding free of Eren's flesh... Eren... Eren was...

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

DOTW 46 - update

Finding the cheapest and closest motel to the hospital meant a half hour drive out there. It'd neared midnight by the time Erwin finally arrived, dead on his feet from his shift. Erwin hadn't been impressed that he'd flown out on his own, or that he hadn't even asked for some kind of identity confirmation before he had. Thankfully his friend was too tired to give him the full lecture, though he did warn that Floch had been informed and wanted Eren's statement over what had happened as soon as possible. That wasn't happening. Leah had already explained how Eren had been found wandering half naked and bloody, knife in hand. He'd already stopped talking by the time he was found, and after four days in hospital, and being "physically" sound, and mentally not, he was transferred. The Karanes police had nothing to go on. Even though the lived in the same fucking country, their police database wasn't liked to Shinganshima, and no expected the wandering omega to be the missing omega from Shinganshima. Taking copies of Eren's ID, Levi organised everything else, including payment for Eren's short stay. Leah was helpful, more helpful than he'd expected. It'd still taken hours to get everything sorted so all that was left to do was collecting Eren. They'd given him suppressants, in addition to sedatives, but being pregnant, Eren hadn't gone into heat. He'd asked for all Eren's medical records to be forwarded to Shinganshima hospital and to Eren's doctor. Mike would be able to let him know what Eren had been doped up with, and be able to advise him about any withdrawal symptoms or possible side effects that may affect the... their pup. It was his. It had to be his. And even if it wasn't, he'd still love the child. If that was what Eren wanted. He may be short, but he was a big enough alpha to know the choice was Eren's to make, and his role to support his boyfriend through it all. He'd neglected to tell Erwin that Eren was pregnant, purely because he still needed to get his head around it all. He had no idea how things were going to work now. His apartment wasn't big enough for two alphas, a pregnant omega and fat, arsehole of a cat. Not when Eren needed to have his own room and have his own safe space he knew he wouldn't be disturbed in. Erwin was getting evicted. But the still needed space for a nursery. It was funny. Parents used to raise their children in tents, and now every child had to have their own room. They were kids. They were lucky enough to... No. Not all kids were lucky. Eren hadn't been lucky enough to have a loving home, and now that were making a family together, they had to do it right. The tea from the motel breakfast bar was like drinking weak piss. Weak piss that was lukewarm. Erwin fucking insisted on eating breakfast, while Levi couldn't help but turn his nose up at everything. He wouldn't have drunk the tea if he hadn't needed the wake up. Everything there was fucking filthy. He felt like he needed to shower, and he didn't know how Erwin could shovel down his breakfast like it wasn't cold slop. There was no fucking way he was bringing Eren back here for the night, even if the Karanes police wanted to talk to him. They could get off their fucking arses and drive. Shinganshima was only four and half hours away. Erwin had managed the drive just fine. He didn't even question when Levi told him to grab the first aid kit from the bathroom and to grab extra disposable vomit bags. The drive to the Institution was quiet. Levi knew what he had to do, and he was lucky Erwin would understand. When the alpha parked his Range Rover in the visitor parking area, Levi paused a moment before opening his door. Look to Erwin, Levi swallowed hard "I... uh. I know I've been an arsehole. So. Uh. Thanks for sticking around. It means... a lot" The end of his sentence sounded suspiciously like he was questioning his own words, rather than suffering from nerves "You are an arsehole. But when you lose your mate, it drives everyone a little crazy. I know Eren doesn't have your mark, but you two are intertwined on a level deep enough to be. Go get him, and bring him home already. You're better when you're with him" Levi raised an eyebrow. Since when did Erwin sing Eren's praises? He wasn't going to be impressed when he found Eren pregnant. Casting a glance to the back seat of the car, he hoped one blanket would be enough... he hadn't thought to ask Erwin to bring more. He fucking should have. Eren was going to be scared as it was. He already hadn't wanted him to leave last night, and that was overnight. How was he going to feel about being trapped in a car with Erwin? "Levi. It's alright. Just go get him. We'll figure out the rest on the drive home" Levi flashed a scowl, that Erwin completely ignored. Erwin was right. They needed Eren there to actually figure out the next move, and for that, he had to retrieve his boyfriend "Right. Right. I suppose he's waiting" It was only a little after 9. Levi had been up and read, sans breakfast, at 6. He'd wanted to leave at 8, but Erwin reminded him that these sorts of places tended not to open until later. Despite knowing Levi was coming for Eren, they'd drugged his omega. Eren barely able to sit upright as Levi was forced to swallow his temper. They'd label Eren as dangerous and mentally unbalanced, and from the words of the director it seemed that was purely because he was an omega. The man seemed quite happy to dust his hands of the whole Eren topic, with the whole meeting over before it ever really began. Then again, he'd been made to wait a full hour before being called through, and if he'd been forced to spend an hour in the company of the shitty director, he probably wouldn't have been able to tolerate the bullshit. Each time he looked to the man, he wanted to tear his throat out with his teeth, despite the mess it'd make across the fake green pleather of the room. Maybe a little blood would have served to improve the decor. Eren's three and a half day stay was already costing a fortune. Money was what it came down to. Eren was occupying a bed that a long term patient could use. It was revolting. When everything was signed, Levi lifted Eren into his arms. His omega immediately letting out a soft sigh as he tried his hardest to snuggle into Levi's shoulder. With nothing of his own, there was nothing to return to them, so he snubbed the reception staff and carried Eren straight out. Erwin was waiting by the car, several stubbed out cigarettes near his feet. Opening the door for him, Levi lifted Eren inside, before climbing up and nudging him along. Sighing softly, his boyfriend grabbed his blanket, trying to cover himself with it before Levi could even get his seatbelt organised. Omega's and their fucking blankets "You can have your blanket, but the seatbelt comes first" Giving him a pout, Eren still obliged his need for safety. Clicking Eren's seatbelt into place, then his own, he pulled his omega to his side. Where he belonged. Fuck. If Eren kept this wandering off shit up, he was going to have to get his boyfriend a collar and lead, or one of those straps parents used to wrangle in their wayward children. Humming, Eren rested his head on Levi's shoulder, his hand hovering slightly before Levi took it in his "I told you. I love you. You don't need to worry, ok. We'll get you back to Shinganshima. Erwin drove out so you wouldn't have to fly, and we can pick up your favourite snacks for the drive. I'm sure it's better than whatever they tried to give you for breakfast" Eren jumped as Erwin closed the car door, a whine of fear slipping from him "It's ok. It was just the door. Erwin was raised without the, so he's got no idea how not to fucking slam them" Nodding, Eren slowly relaxed against him. His boyfriend falling asleep against him in the time it took from Erwin to get from the rear passenger door to the driver's seat "Eren. It's great to see you" Levi let out an exhausted sigh, that was tinged around the edges with anger. Ok. So, maybe it was an angry sigh "They gave him medication this morning. The nurse said it was around 6, facility wake up time. It should wear off around lunch time" "Should we stop and pick up some snacks like you suggested?" "Yeah. That would be an idea. I have no idea what we have at home" "You're out of scotch" "I think I can live with that..." Smiling fondly at his boyfriend, Levi kissed Eren's hair. He didn't need the alcohol to fill the black hole that was his heart. Not when Eren was in his life. Sometime after picking up snacks, Levi had fallen asleep. Jerked awake by the sound of the car tyres on gravel, he blinked tiredly "What the fuck do you think you're doing? Fucking shitty Eyebrows" "Eren needs to pee" Looking to Eren, his boyfriend nodded quickly "How the fuck do you know that?" Eren couldn't talk at the moment. Had his omega broken his silence? Only for him to miss it? "No, but he's come back with a new trick" He was too tired for this. Eren was the only person he'd ever slept that deeply for. The weeks of self-neglect having caught up with him not that he was safe. Looking him in the eye, his boyfriend slowly moved his hands. It took Levi a moment and a half to realise Eren was signing at him. Because of his job, he'd learned sign language, but Erwin was miles better than him "You tapped on Erwin's shoulder... and tried signing?" He wasn't completely sure he got things right, but Eren nodded "And you weren't scared?" Rolling his eyes, Eren undid his seatbelt. His omega wasn't scared of Erwin... that was a start. "Don't worry, I have no idea what he wanted when he started signing either. I don't remember him being able to sign before" "He couldn't. We talked about it before. He saw someone signing in a cartoon and found it amazing. Then he wanted to know why not everyone did it. He had enough trouble with reading and writing as it was... his signing seems pretty..." "Rustic?" Levi snorted "Choppy. I was going to say choppy. I wonder how he learned it?" "I don't know. Why don't you ask him?" Opening the car door, Eren climbed back in "Wait" Confused, his omega sat still until Levi pulled out the hand sanitiser from his first aid kit. Washing his hands would have been preferable, but peeing by the side of the road didn't allow for that luxury, and having pee and penis handling hands touching everything. Not enough parents thought of that fact. Or the germs from touching rubbish bins. Or public rubbish bins. The touches spread the germs, a child throwing rubbish out then touching food and their mouths. That was a nope. He knew not everyone obsessed to that degree, and he had become better since living with Eren. Yet, if he was going to keep holding Eren's hand on the way home, he wasn't holding a pee hand. That was it. Making sure Eren carefully covered his hands thoroughly, Levi nodded, before pouring out a small amount for himself and dumping the bottle back over the back seat and into the medical kit "Sign Language?" Eren nodded quickly, spelling out the next word with his hands "Father" "Your father taught you?" For a moment, Levi thought he'd voiced his confusion, only to find Eren staring at Erwin "Yes" That made no sense. Grisha had killed Carla, before disappearing. Eren had mentioned him in his code, but Floch had found nothing. The man was legally dead and no one was looking for him. Tapping his leg, Eren caught his attention again. His hands moving slowly and a little clumsy "Levi?" "I'm ok. Sorry, brat. I was just thinking how proud of you I am" Eren's cheeks reddened as he ducked his head. His white lie had obviously pleased his omega "We'll talk about this when we get home. Now you're awake, you need to eat something and drink too" Eren shook his head, before signing again "Nauseous" Pregnancy would do that. So would not eating and whatever drugs Eren had in his system. His body needed the nutrients, as did his pup "Something salty should be ok. I think theirs plain rice crackers in the bag" Eren wrinkled his nose "Don't give me that look. You'll feel better once you eat. Erwin can you pass the bag back?" Erwin did as he asked, pulling the car back road and swerving like an idiot as he did while doing so. The alpha had grabbed some flavoured water and basic snacks. He knew Eren had a sweet tooth and a soft spot for chocolate and milk based drinks, but with so much sugar, they weren't exactly healthy. He'd have to take very careful control of Eren's diet if his lover was going to keep the pup. So many things could go wrong from nutrient deficiencies, especially a lack of folate. Over the counter pregnancy multi-vitamins would help a little, but what people didn't realise is that there was only so much of a vitamin a person could absorb. Finding the rice crackers at the bottom of the bag, Levi pulled them out "You don't have to eat them all and not all at once. Just take it slowly" He had no idea what Eren's diet had been like, it was very likely that he'd have to get used to processed foods again, but there wasn't a whole lot of options, nor was there any kind of self help book to guide him through what to do when his boyfriend returns from being kidnapped for a second time pregnant and mute. Just because Eren was relaxed now, didn't mean there weren't long nights of nightmares coming. And then there was the reality that Eren may keep whatever happened to himself. Like with Carla and with Zeke. He'd opened up, sure, but he'd taken a fucking long time to do so... and this time... Eren was pregnant... All this thoughts in his mind caused a slight tremor in his hands. Eren leaning back from him, looking like he feared him "It's ok. I was just thinking about food" Eren scrunched up his face and tapped the wrinkles between his eyebrows "I wasn't scowling" "Catfish Levi" Eren's signing seemed to "stutter" as he figured out his letters. Levi couldn't help but laugh lightly at the catfish reference "You're such a shit. Eat your snacks already" With exaggerated motions, Eren settled back into his seat properly, put his belt and blanket back around him, then opened his mouth "You want me to feed you. You're lucky I love you" "You should give him a general examination, now he's awake. Check his blood pressure..." Levi had been dying to strip Eren down ever since he'd laid eyes on him again. Purely to check his lover wasn't hurt, of course. But he didn't want to make Eren feelself conscious over his pregnancy, or risk upsetting him in such a confined space. Eren's muteness was likely psychological rather physical, without his voice, the ways he could last out were limited. Cutting Erwin short, he pulled out a cracker. They didn't even look appealing "Let him eat first. His blood sugar levels are probably rock bottom" Tapping Levi's leg, Eren still had his mouth open "Yes, I'm getting there. I had to explain to Shittybrows" "Hear how he talks to me. He's been an absolute arsehole without you" Feeding Eren the first cracker, Eren clearly didn't like them "Just eat a few, for me. It should settle your stomach" Choking down half a dozen of the crackers, Eren started shaking his head when Levi tried to feed him more. Half a dozen was jack shit, but it was a start. It would have been a better start if Eren didn't clamp his hand over his mouth the moment he opened the lemon and mint water Erwin had bought. Snatching up a vomit bag from the back of his car, he gracelessly shoved it to Eren's mouth, his omega throwing up, while Erwin let out a sigh "He ok?" "Yeah, just keep your eyes on the road" "Let me know if I need to pull over" "He's fine" Rubbing Eren's back, his boyfriend whined softly "Are you done?" Eren nodded, Levi twisting the bag closed "Erwin, back window" Rolling his window down for him, Levi threw the bag out, then back up. Someone else could deal with it. His priority was purely Eren. Eren who scowled at him "It's fine, someone else will deal with it. Can you handle some water? Or do you want to sleep?" Eren closed his eyes, sleep it was then. One hand grabbed for his, while the other went to his belly. Tugging gently, Eren placed his hand on his stomach, both hands holding it there as he hummed. It wasn't the best angle for belly rubs, and the job he was doing was very half hearted, once again he forced to swallow down what he was feeling for Eren's comfort... Maybe he really wasn't as comfortable with Eren's pregnancy as he was trying to tell himself. But in his defence, he hadn't even known for a full day. Dropping his head against Levi's shoulder, Eren pressed a kiss to the spot, before humming again. At least his boyfriend didn't seem to have noticed his discomfort "Get some sleep. We'll be home in a few hours" Eren slept until around half an hour out of Shinganshima, when his omega had woken in a panic. This time, Levi didn't make it time with a vomit bag, Eren throwing up in his lap, the majority caught by his blanket, while Erwin pulled off the road abruptly. The wet and watery sick stunk. Eren shivering violently as he slumped sideways. Grabbing him, Levi strangled himself as he tried to keep the blanket in Eren's lap and Eren upright "Levi?" "Help me with him" Getting Eren cleaned up, Levi stripped his soiled shirts off without thinking, exposing his small belly to Erwin. Opening his mouth, Levi shot his friend a glare. Now wasn't the time. Not when Eren had started crying over the mess he'd made, and was trying to fight Levi off "Well take him to hospital. I'll call Mike and see if he's on" "Don't mention... more than you have to for now" Erwin sighed, climbing out the backseat of the car, he took the soiled bundle with him. Undoing the belt strangling him, as well as Eren's, he lifted him omega into his lap "It's ok. I'm not mad. I've got you" Eren made a series of small squeaks as if trying to speak, before groaning "Don't force it. You've been gone for weeks, and you've been through a lot. Your voice will come back on it's own" Popping the boot open, Erwin rummaged through the bags Levi had brought out Karanes "Mike isn't on, but we both think he should go to hospital" Fuck "Is he on tomorrow?" "You want to wait the night?" Not particularly, but Eren was scared from vomiting. He needed to settle his frayed nerves first, before things could get any worse "For now. I'm not letting anyone who doesn't absolutely have to be near Eren, near him" Erwin gave him his "dad" look "No one is going to take Eren from you again" "He's fucking scared. The last thing he needs is someone unfamiliar running tests on him" "And what if it's related to complications from the pregnancy?" Eren went rigid. Fucking Erwin. Did he not just say not to say anything more than necessary "Eren, it's ok. He's just worried, in his way. I don't think there's anything to worry about. You've been through a lot, and I'll keep a close eye on you overnight. If you get worse, I'll take you in. I won't do anything to risk your pup" Eren gave a small nod, a measure of his trust in him "Levi, are you sure?" "Yeah. Just let him calm back down, and throw me a shirt for him, he's freezing" * Titan was all over Eren the moment Levi lead him through the door. The stubborn shit had insisted on walking mostly unaided, a limp clear in his step. Following him in, Erwin moved past them and straight to the laundry, while Levi stood there holding Eren's hand "Welcome home. Do you want to take a shower? Or a bath?" Leaning down, Eren gathered Titan up, nuzzling into his fur as the fat cat purred "Or cuddles with Titan. That works. I'll grab you some clean clothes. Your rooms the same as when you left it. I'll grab your phone too, it'll make it easier to talk" Kissing Titan, Eren walked away from him, placing the tom down on the arm of the sofa. With a small smile, his boyfriend turned to face him, signing "Shower" "Go ahead. I know you know how to take a shower, but if you need help, knock on the wall" Eren rolled his eyes "Don't get shitty with me. Just go get clean" Retrieving a set of sweats, underwear and plain shirt, Levi let himself into the bathroom. Eren oblivious as he rubbed his stomach under the running water. The sight hurt. Eren clearly loved the pup, that was probably not even Levi's. Did he also love the father? He'd said if someone appeared that Eren loved more, he'd step aside... but now he wasn't sure he could... and how was he supposed to ask him about what had happened? He hadn't seen a bonding mark on Eren's neck, but his long hair had covered the most of it... What if Eren now wore the mark of another? What if Eren had wanted to stay with them, yet couldn't? He'd been so full of love when Levi had picked him up, but was that how he really felt? Did he still love him? He couldn't fucking do this. Like a coward, he slipped back out the bathroom. Erwin was sitting on the sofa, Titan shunning him completely "Levi" "Don't. Just. Fucking don't" "He's pregnant" "I fucking noticed" "Was he pregnant when he left?" "Not that I know of... Did they take bloods after the attack?" "No. We didn't think it was necessary..." "So we don't fucking know" "What are you going to do?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "Well, is Eren going to keep it?" "When did we have time to discuss it? I'm not going to tell him to abort it. It's his body" "It's obviously upsetting you?" "You don't fucking say. Look. Don't say shit about it around him. He's only just shown up again, and I don't need him running" "Levi. I know you want to do the right thing by him..." "I'm not kicking him out" "If it's too much, send him to stay with Hanji" "He's not a dog. I'm not sending him to stay anywhere. This is his home. We'll fucking work something out. I need to make him appointments..." "If you need help..." "What I need is 5 fucking minutes to think" "He needs a doctor's appointment, and an ultrasound. It probably wouldn't hurt to book him an appointment with Krista. Hanji's going to want to know he's back" "He needs fucking food, water and good nights fucking sleep before Hanji comes round" And his room needed to be cleaned. It was dusty as fuck in there... and he had no idea if Eren wanted to share a bed with him, or was even up to sharing a bed with him. It would better to let Eren have his own space... but what if he took it the wrong way? "I'll try and get him an ultrasound appointment. You call his doctor and Krista" "Fine. Pick something for dinner while you're at it" "You're paying" "I've been fucking paying for it, since I met you" Erwin snorted at his bad joke, his friend moving to the kitchen, while Levi found himself shutting himself in his room. Eren came padding out the bathroom just as Levi finished up his calls. He couldn't get Eren a doctor's appointment for two fucking weeks, so it looked like a trip to the emergency department for him after all. It was the same with Krista. She's offered to see Eren after business hours, but Eren would feel bad about it all. Opening his bedroom door, the omega shyly stared at him. His bottom lip trapped in his teeth, while his wet hair was soaking his shirt "Everything alright?" Nodding, Eren looked to his phone on Levi's bedside table "Go ahead, it's your phone" Stumbling slightly, Eren was definitely favouring his right foot as he grabbed his phone "Does your left foot hurt?" Tapping on his phone, it was only seconds before Eren replied, looking pretty proud of himself as he did "Yeah. Can you take a look?" "Sure. Come sit up here" Limping over and climbing up, Eren placed both legs in his lap as he got comfortable "I just need the left one" Pouting, Eren pulled his right leg back. Taking his omega's left foot in his hold, he turned his lamp on with his free hand "You've got half a fucking tree in here. Didn't they take a look in hospital?" Eren took a few seconds to reply, Levi's phone pinging "They didn't want to touch me. Nasty omega germs" "Nasty fucking foot germs. Erwin!" Rather than appearing, Erwin yelled out "What?!" "I need the first aid kit!" "Ok!" Looking to Eren, he grumbled "You'd think he'd just come here. He's been insufferable since you left" Eren snorted, covering his mouth. Fuck. He wished his omega would just... speak. Grunts, growls, purrs, whimpers and whines. How was he supposed to get each meaning right each time? Popping his head around the corner, Erwin laughed "He's got you trained. Foot massage?" "He wishes. He's got a splinter the size of small tree in the ball of his foot" "Nature strikes again. Here, you hold his foot still and I'll extract it" "I do know how to remove a foreign mass" "And I'm the paramedic" Eren was straight onto that one. Levi's phone pinging again "Your job?" "I quit. It's fine. I'd intended to take time off, but yeah" "It's not fine. You loved your job" "I also loved you. If you hurt him, I'll punch you" Eren's face fell at the use of "loved" not love. He didn't mean he didn't love him, but as Erwin moved to come into their room, it felt like moment passed "Titan!" Coming running, the cat did as he hoped, serving as a distraction while Erwin gloved up "Can you move that lamp a little closer? The skins started growing over, so it's probably not going to feel great" "Then be careful" "I'm always careful" "Keep telling yourself that. Eren, kick him if it hurt too much" "Don't kick me. I'm the one with the scalpel" Eren ignored both of them, too wrapped up in Titan. It wasn't a splinter but a small stone that was lodged in Eren's foot. It angered him that hospital staff would ignore something so fucking obvious. They were lucky he wasn't fucking suing them. Omega's had every right to the same healthcare as everyone else, including prime alphas. Covering the wound, it was like Eren hadn't noticed anything happening. He was still fussing over Titan, the cat standing on his lap and leaning up with his front paws on Eren's face "Do you want a specimen container for it?" "Don't be gross" "It's pretty impressive. I can't imagine that was too comfortable" "And if the hospital missed that, I wonder what else they missed" "Any luck with his doctor's appointment?" "Two weeks. Ultrasound?" "A week. And that was with sweet talking. Mike might be able to do something" "Yeah. We'll head in tomorrow. What's for dinner?" "Pizza" "Really?" "Yep. Right. I'll leave you two alone for now" Eren pulled his foot back, moving Titan from his lap as he did. Taking up his phone again, Levi waited for the incoming message. He didn't know if he was ready for it... turning to face Eren, he watched him as he typed "You're not happy" "It's no your fault" "Should I go back to my room?" "You don't have to. How do you feel?" This texting thing was getting on his nerves faster than he thought it would "Tired. Really tired. Thank you for coming to get me" "I wasn't about to just leave you there" "I didn't know if you'd come" "Why wouldn't I?" "Because I left" "That wasn't your fault" No. That was Floch's "Your still mad" "It's you're, with an "re" on the end. And maybe. But not at you" "Is it the pup?" Levi went to object, but the words didn't come out "I didn't know about it. I'm sorry" "Eren..." "I get it. I won't say anything. I'm going to go to my room" "No. Stay here. I need to clean your room up" "It's fine. I can clean" "Eren" Ignoring him, Eren slipped off the bed and walked out the room, his phone left behind. A few moments later there was solid thud as his door closed, and most probably locked. Well. He'd fucked that right up.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

DOTW 46 - Full

Finding the cheapest and closest motel to the hospital meant a half hour drive out there. It'd neared midnight by the time Erwin finally arrived, dead on his feet from his shift. Erwin hadn't been impressed that he'd flown out on his own, or that he hadn't even asked for some kind of identity confirmation before he had. Thankfully his friend was too tired to give him the full lecture, though he did warn that Floch had been informed and wanted Eren's statement over what had happened as soon as possible. That wasn't happening. Leah had already explained how Eren had been found wandering half naked and bloody, knife in hand. He'd already stopped talking by the time he was found, and after four days in hospital, and being "physically" sound, and mentally not, he was transferred. The Karanes police had nothing to go on. Even though the lived in the same fucking country, their police database wasn't liked to Shinganshima, and no expected the wandering omega to be the missing omega from Shinganshima. Taking copies of Eren's ID, Levi organised everything else, including payment for Eren's short stay. Leah was helpful, more helpful than he'd expected. It'd still taken hours to get everything sorted so all that was left to do was collecting Eren. They'd given him suppressants, in addition to sedatives, but being pregnant, Eren hadn't gone into heat. He'd asked for all Eren's medical records to be forwarded to Shinganshima hospital and to Eren's doctor. Mike would be able to let him know what Eren had been doped up with, and be able to advise him about any withdrawal symptoms or possible side effects that may affect the... their pup. It was his. It had to be his. And even if it wasn't, he'd still love the child. If that was what Eren wanted. He may be short, but he was a big enough alpha to know the choice was Eren's to make, and his role to support his boyfriend through it all. He'd neglected to tell Erwin that Eren was pregnant, purely because he still needed to get his head around it all. He had no idea how things were going to work now. His apartment wasn't big enough for two alphas, a pregnant omega and fat, arsehole of a cat. Not when Eren needed to have his own room and have his own safe space he knew he wouldn't be disturbed in. Erwin was getting evicted. But the still needed space for a nursery. It was funny. Parents used to raise their children in tents, and now every child had to have their own room. They were kids. They were lucky enough to... No. Not all kids were lucky. Eren hadn't been lucky enough to have a loving home, and now that were making a family together, they had to do it right. The tea from the motel breakfast bar was like drinking weak piss. Weak piss that was lukewarm. Erwin fucking insisted on eating breakfast, while Levi couldn't help but turn his nose up at everything. He wouldn't have drunk the tea if he hadn't needed the wake up. Everything there was fucking filthy. He felt like he needed to shower, and he didn't know how Erwin could shovel down his breakfast like it wasn't cold slop. There was no fucking way he was bringing Eren back here for the night, even if the Karanes police wanted to talk to him. They could get off their fucking arses and drive. Shinganshima was only four and half hours away. Erwin had managed the drive just fine. He didn't even question when Levi told him to grab the first aid kit from the bathroom and to grab extra disposable vomit bags. The drive to the Institution was quiet. Levi knew what he had to do, and he was lucky Erwin would understand. When the alpha parked his Range Rover in the visitor parking area, Levi paused a moment before opening his door. Look to Erwin, Levi swallowed hard "I... uh. I know I've been an arsehole. So. Uh. Thanks for sticking around. It means... a lot" The end of his sentence sounded suspiciously like he was questioning his own words, rather than suffering from nerves "You are an arsehole. But when you lose your mate, it drives everyone a little crazy. I know Eren doesn't have your mark, but you two are intertwined on a level deep enough to be. Go get him, and bring him home already. You're better when you're with him" Levi raised an eyebrow. Since when did Erwin sing Eren's praises? He wasn't going to be impressed when he found Eren pregnant. Casting a glance to the back seat of the car, he hoped one blanket would be enough... he hadn't thought to ask Erwin to bring more. He fucking should have. Eren was going to be scared as it was. He already hadn't wanted him to leave last night, and that was overnight. How was he going to feel about being trapped in a car with Erwin? "Levi. It's alright. Just go get him. We'll figure out the rest on the drive home" Levi flashed a scowl, that Erwin completely ignored. Erwin was right. They needed Eren there to actually figure out the next move, and for that, he had to retrieve his boyfriend "Right. Right. I suppose he's waiting" It was only a little after 9. Levi had been up and read, sans breakfast, at 6. He'd wanted to leave at 8, but Erwin reminded him that these sorts of places tended not to open until later. Despite knowing Levi was coming for Eren, they'd drugged his omega. Eren barely able to sit upright as Levi was forced to swallow his temper. They'd label Eren as dangerous and mentally unbalanced, and from the words of the director it seemed that was purely because he was an omega. The man seemed quite happy to dust his hands of the whole Eren topic, with the whole meeting over before it ever really began. Then again, he'd been made to wait a full hour before being called through, and if he'd been forced to spend an hour in the company of the shitty director, he probably wouldn't have been able to tolerate the bullshit. Each time he looked to the man, he wanted to tear his throat out with his teeth, despite the mess it'd make across the fake green pleather of the room. Maybe a little blood would have served to improve the decor. Eren's three and a half day stay was already costing a fortune. Money was what it came down to. Eren was occupying a bed that a long term patient could use. It was revolting. When everything was signed, Levi lifted Eren into his arms. His omega immediately letting out a soft sigh as he tried his hardest to snuggle into Levi's shoulder. With nothing of his own, there was nothing to return to them, so he snubbed the reception staff and carried Eren straight out. Erwin was waiting by the car, several stubbed out cigarettes near his feet. Opening the door for him, Levi lifted Eren inside, before climbing up and nudging him along. Sighing softly, his boyfriend grabbed his blanket, trying to cover himself with it before Levi could even get his seatbelt organised. Omega's and their fucking blankets "You can have your blanket, but the seatbelt comes first" Giving him a pout, Eren still obliged his need for safety. Clicking Eren's seatbelt into place, then his own, he pulled his omega to his side. Where he belonged. Fuck. If Eren kept this wandering off shit up, he was going to have to get his boyfriend a collar and lead, or one of those straps parents used to wrangle in their wayward children. Humming, Eren rested his head on Levi's shoulder, his hand hovering slightly before Levi took it in his "I told you. I love you. You don't need to worry, ok. We'll get you back to Shinganshima. Erwin drove out so you wouldn't have to fly, and we can pick up your favourite snacks for the drive. I'm sure it's better than whatever they tried to give you for breakfast" Eren jumped as Erwin closed the car door, a whine of fear slipping from him "It's ok. It was just the door. Erwin was raised without the, so he's got no idea how not to fucking slam them" Nodding, Eren slowly relaxed against him. His boyfriend falling asleep against him in the time it took from Erwin to get from the rear passenger door to the driver's seat "Eren. It's great to see you" Levi let out an exhausted sigh, that was tinged around the edges with anger. Ok. So, maybe it was an angry sigh "They gave him medication this morning. The nurse said it was around 6, facility wake up time. It should wear off around lunch time" "Should we stop and pick up some snacks like you suggested?" "Yeah. That would be an idea. I have no idea what we have at home" "You're out of scotch" "I think I can live with that..." Smiling fondly at his boyfriend, Levi kissed Eren's hair. He didn't need the alcohol to fill the black hole that was his heart. Not when Eren was in his life. Sometime after picking up snacks, Levi had fallen asleep. Jerked awake by the sound of the car tyres on gravel, he blinked tiredly "What the fuck do you think you're doing? Fucking shitty Eyebrows" "Eren needs to pee" Looking to Eren, his boyfriend nodded quickly "How the fuck do you know that?" Eren couldn't talk at the moment. Had his omega broken his silence? Only for him to miss it? "No, but he's come back with a new trick" He was too tired for this. Eren was the only person he'd ever slept that deeply for. The weeks of self-neglect having caught up with him not that he was safe. Looking him in the eye, his boyfriend slowly moved his hands. It took Levi a moment and a half to realise Eren was signing at him. Because of his job, he'd learned sign language, but Erwin was miles better than him "You tapped on Erwin's shoulder... and tried signing?" He wasn't completely sure he got things right, but Eren nodded "And you weren't scared?" Rolling his eyes, Eren undid his seatbelt. His omega wasn't scared of Erwin... that was a start. "Don't worry, I have no idea what he wanted when he started signing either. I don't remember him being able to sign before" "He couldn't. We talked about it before. He saw someone signing in a cartoon and found it amazing. Then he wanted to know why not everyone did it. He had enough trouble with reading and writing as it was... his signing seems pretty..." "Rustic?" Levi snorted "Choppy. I was going to say choppy. I wonder how he learned it?" "I don't know. Why don't you ask him?" Opening the car door, Eren climbed back in "Wait" Confused, his omega sat still until Levi pulled out the hand sanitiser from his first aid kit. Washing his hands would have been preferable, but peeing by the side of the road didn't allow for that luxury, and having pee and penis handling hands touching everything. Not enough parents thought of that fact. Or the germs from touching rubbish bins. Or public rubbish bins. The touches spread the germs, a child throwing rubbish out then touching food and their mouths. That was a nope. He knew not everyone obsessed to that degree, and he had become better since living with Eren. Yet, if he was going to keep holding Eren's hand on the way home, he wasn't holding a pee hand. That was it. Making sure Eren carefully covered his hands thoroughly, Levi nodded, before pouring out a small amount for himself and dumping the bottle back over the back seat and into the medical kit "Sign Language?" Eren nodded quickly, spelling out the next word with his hands "Father" "Your father taught you?" For a moment, Levi thought he'd voiced his confusion, only to find Eren staring at Erwin "Yes" That made no sense. Grisha had killed Carla, before disappearing. Eren had mentioned him in his code, but Floch had found nothing. The man was legally dead and no one was looking for him. Tapping his leg, Eren caught his attention again. His hands moving slowly and a little clumsy "Levi?" "I'm ok. Sorry, brat. I was just thinking how proud of you I am" Eren's cheeks reddened as he ducked his head. His white lie had obviously pleased his omega "We'll talk about this when we get home. Now you're awake, you need to eat something and drink too" Eren shook his head, before signing again "Nauseous" Pregnancy would do that. So would not eating and whatever drugs Eren had in his system. His body needed the nutrients, as did his pup "Something salty should be ok. I think theirs plain rice crackers in the bag" Eren wrinkled his nose "Don't give me that look. You'll feel better once you eat. Erwin can you pass the bag back?" Erwin did as he asked, pulling the car back road and swerving like an idiot as he did while doing so. The alpha had grabbed some flavoured water and basic snacks. He knew Eren had a sweet tooth and a soft spot for chocolate and milk based drinks, but with so much sugar, they weren't exactly healthy. He'd have to take very careful control of Eren's diet if his lover was going to keep the pup. So many things could go wrong from nutrient deficiencies, especially a lack of folate. Over the counter pregnancy multi-vitamins would help a little, but what people didn't realise is that there was only so much of a vitamin a person could absorb. Finding the rice crackers at the bottom of the bag, Levi pulled them out "You don't have to eat them all and not all at once. Just take it slowly" He had no idea what Eren's diet had been like, it was very likely that he'd have to get used to processed foods again, but there wasn't a whole lot of options, nor was there any kind of self help book to guide him through what to do when his boyfriend returns from being kidnapped for a second time pregnant and mute. Just because Eren was relaxed now, didn't mean there weren't long nights of nightmares coming. And then there was the reality that Eren may keep whatever happened to himself. Like with Carla and with Zeke. He'd opened up, sure, but he'd taken a fucking long time to do so... and this time... Eren was pregnant... All this thoughts in his mind caused a slight tremor in his hands. Eren leaning back from him, looking like he feared him "It's ok. I was just thinking about food" Eren scrunched up his face and tapped the wrinkles between his eyebrows "I wasn't scowling" "Catfish Levi" Eren's signing seemed to "stutter" as he figured out his letters. Levi couldn't help but laugh lightly at the catfish reference "You're such a shit. Eat your snacks already" With exaggerated motions, Eren settled back into his seat properly, put his belt and blanket back around him, then opened his mouth "You want me to feed you. You're lucky I love you" "You should give him a general examination, now he's awake. Check his blood pressure..." Levi had been dying to strip Eren down ever since he'd laid eyes on him again. Purely to check his lover wasn't hurt, of course. But he didn't want to make Eren feelself conscious over his pregnancy, or risk upsetting him in such a confined space. Eren's muteness was likely psychological rather physical, without his voice, the ways he could last out were limited. Cutting Erwin short, he pulled out a cracker. They didn't even look appealing "Let him eat first. His blood sugar levels are probably rock bottom" Tapping Levi's leg, Eren still had his mouth open "Yes, I'm getting there. I had to explain to Shittybrows" "Hear how he talks to me. He's been an absolute arsehole without you" Feeding Eren the first cracker, Eren clearly didn't like them "Just eat a few, for me. It should settle your stomach" Choking down half a dozen of the crackers, Eren started shaking his head when Levi tried to feed him more. Half a dozen was jack shit, but it was a start. It would have been a better start if Eren didn't clamp his hand over his mouth the moment he opened the lemon and mint water Erwin had bought. Snatching up a vomit bag from the back of his car, he gracelessly shoved it to Eren's mouth, his omega throwing up, while Erwin let out a sigh "He ok?" "Yeah, just keep your eyes on the road" "Let me know if I need to pull over" "He's fine" Rubbing Eren's back, his boyfriend whined softly "Are you done?" Eren nodded, Levi twisting the bag closed "Erwin, back window" Rolling his window down for him, Levi threw the bag out, then back up. Someone else could deal with it. His priority was purely Eren. Eren who scowled at him "It's fine, someone else will deal with it. Can you handle some water? Or do you want to sleep?" Eren closed his eyes, sleep it was then. One hand grabbed for his, while the other went to his belly. Tugging gently, Eren placed his hand on his stomach, both hands holding it there as he hummed. It wasn't the best angle for belly rubs, and the job he was doing was very half hearted, once again he forced to swallow down what he was feeling for Eren's comfort... Maybe he really wasn't as comfortable with Eren's pregnancy as he was trying to tell himself. But in his defence, he hadn't even known for a full day. Dropping his head against Levi's shoulder, Eren pressed a kiss to the spot, before humming again. At least his boyfriend didn't seem to have noticed his discomfort "Get some sleep. We'll be home in a few hours" Eren slept until around half an hour out of Shinganshima, when his omega had woken in a panic. This time, Levi didn't make it time with a vomit bag, Eren throwing up in his lap, the majority caught by his blanket, while Erwin pulled off the road abruptly. The wet and watery sick stunk. Eren shivering violently as he slumped sideways. Grabbing him, Levi strangled himself as he tried to keep the blanket in Eren's lap and Eren upright "Levi?" "Help me with him" Getting Eren cleaned up, Levi stripped his soiled shirts off without thinking, exposing his small belly to Erwin. Opening his mouth, Levi shot his friend a glare. Now wasn't the time. Not when Eren had started crying over the mess he'd made, and was trying to fight Levi off "Well take him to hospital. I'll call Mike and see if he's on" "Don't mention... more than you have to for now" Erwin sighed, climbing out the backseat of the car, he took the soiled bundle with him. Undoing the belt strangling him, as well as Eren's, he lifted him omega into his lap "It's ok. I'm not mad. I've got you" Eren made a series of small squeaks as if trying to speak, before groaning "Don't force it. You've been gone for weeks, and you've been through a lot. Your voice will come back on it's own" Popping the boot open, Erwin rummaged through the bags Levi had brought out Karanes "Mike isn't on, but we both think he should go to hospital" Fuck "Is he on tomorrow?" "You want to wait the night?" Not particularly, but Eren was scared from vomiting. He needed to settle his frayed nerves first, before things could get any worse "For now. I'm not letting anyone who doesn't absolutely have to be near Eren, near him" Erwin gave him his "dad" look "No one is going to take Eren from you again" "He's fucking scared. The last thing he needs is someone unfamiliar running tests on him" "And what if it's related to complications from the pregnancy?" Eren went rigid. Fucking Erwin. Did he not just say not to say anything more than necessary "Eren, it's ok. He's just worried, in his way. I don't think there's anything to worry about. You've been through a lot, and I'll keep a close eye on you overnight. If you get worse, I'll take you in. I won't do anything to risk your pup" Eren gave a small nod, a measure of his trust in him "Levi, are you sure?" "Yeah. Just let him calm back down, and throw me a shirt for him, he's freezing" * Titan was all over Eren the moment Levi lead him through the door. The stubborn shit had insisted on walking mostly unaided, a limp clear in his step. Following him in, Erwin moved past them and straight to the laundry, while Levi stood there holding Eren's hand "Welcome home. Do you want to take a shower? Or a bath?" Leaning down, Eren gathered Titan up, nuzzling into his fur as the fat cat purred "Or cuddles with Titan. That works. I'll grab you some clean clothes. Your rooms the same as when you left it. I'll grab your phone too, it'll make it easier to talk" Kissing Titan, Eren walked away from him, placing the tom down on the arm of the sofa. With a small smile, his boyfriend turned to face him, signing "Shower" "Go ahead. I know you know how to take a shower, but if you need help, knock on the wall" Eren rolled his eyes "Don't get shitty with me. Just go get clean" Retrieving a set of sweats, underwear and plain shirt, Levi let himself into the bathroom. Eren oblivious as he rubbed his stomach under the running water. The sight hurt. Eren clearly loved the pup, that was probably not even Levi's. Did he also love the father? He'd said if someone appeared that Eren loved more, he'd step aside... but now he wasn't sure he could... and how was he supposed to ask him about what had happened? He hadn't seen a bonding mark on Eren's neck, but his long hair had covered the most of it... What if Eren now wore the mark of another? What if Eren had wanted to stay with them, yet couldn't? He'd been so full of love when Levi had picked him up, but was that how he really felt? Did he still love him? He couldn't fucking do this. Like a coward, he slipped back out the bathroom. Erwin was sitting on the sofa, Titan shunning him completely "Levi" "Don't. Just. Fucking don't" "He's pregnant" "I fucking noticed" "Was he pregnant when he left?" "Not that I know of... Did they take bloods after the attack?" "No. We didn't think it was necessary..." "So we don't fucking know" "What are you going to do?" "What's that supposed to mean?" "Well, is Eren going to keep it?" "When did we have time to discuss it? I'm not going to tell him to abort it. It's his body" "It's obviously upsetting you?" "You don't fucking say. Look. Don't say shit about it around him. He's only just shown up again, and I don't need him running" "Levi. I know you want to do the right thing by him..." "I'm not kicking him out" "If it's too much, send him to stay with Hanji" "He's not a dog. I'm not sending him to stay anywhere. This is his home. We'll fucking work something out. I need to make him appointments..." "If you need help..." "What I need is 5 fucking minutes to think" "He needs a doctor's appointment, and an ultrasound. It probably wouldn't hurt to book him an appointment with Krista. Hanji's going to want to know he's back" "He needs fucking food, water and good nights fucking sleep before Hanji comes round" And his room needed to be cleaned. It was dusty as fuck in there... and he had no idea if Eren wanted to share a bed with him, or was even up to sharing a bed with him. It would better to let Eren have his own space... but what if he took it the wrong way? "I'll try and get him an ultrasound appointment. You call his doctor and Krista" "Fine. Pick something for dinner while you're at it" "You're paying" "I've been fucking paying for it, since I met you" Erwin snorted at his bad joke, his friend moving to the kitchen, while Levi found himself shutting himself in his room. Eren came padding out the bathroom just as Levi finished up his calls. He couldn't get Eren a doctor's appointment for two fucking weeks, so it looked like a trip to the emergency department for him after all. It was the same with Krista. She's offered to see Eren after business hours, but Eren would feel bad about it all. Opening his bedroom door, the omega shyly stared at him. His bottom lip trapped in his teeth, while his wet hair was soaking his shirt "Everything alright?" Nodding, Eren looked to his phone on Levi's bedside table "Go ahead, it's your phone" Stumbling slightly, Eren was definitely favouring his right foot as he grabbed his phone "Does your left foot hurt?" Tapping on his phone, it was only seconds before Eren replied, looking pretty proud of himself as he did "Yeah. Can you take a look?" "Sure. Come sit up here" Limping over and climbing up, Eren placed both legs in his lap as he got comfortable "I just need the left one" Pouting, Eren pulled his right leg back. Taking his omega's left foot in his hold, he turned his lamp on with his free hand "You've got half a fucking tree in here. Didn't they take a look in hospital?" Eren took a few seconds to reply, Levi's phone pinging "They didn't want to touch me. Nasty omega germs" "Nasty fucking foot germs. Erwin!" Rather than appearing, Erwin yelled out "What?!" "I need the first aid kit!" "Ok!" Looking to Eren, he grumbled "You'd think he'd just come here. He's been insufferable since you left" Eren snorted, covering his mouth. Fuck. He wished his omega would just... speak. Grunts, growls, purrs, whimpers and whines. How was he supposed to get each meaning right each time? Popping his head around the corner, Erwin laughed "He's got you trained. Foot massage?" "He wishes. He's got a splinter the size of small tree in the ball of his foot" "Nature strikes again. Here, you hold his foot still and I'll extract it" "I do know how to remove a foreign mass" "And I'm the paramedic" Eren was straight onto that one. Levi's phone pinging again "Your job?" "I quit. It's fine. I'd intended to take time off, but yeah" "It's not fine. You loved your job" "I also loved you. If you hurt him, I'll punch you" Eren's face fell at the use of "loved" not love. He didn't mean he didn't love him, but as Erwin moved to come into their room, it felt like moment passed "Titan!" Coming running, the cat did as he hoped, serving as a distraction while Erwin gloved up "Can you move that lamp a little closer? The skins started growing over, so it's probably not going to feel great" "Then be careful" "I'm always careful" "Keep telling yourself that. Eren, kick him if it hurt too much" "Don't kick me. I'm the one with the scalpel" Eren ignored both of them, too wrapped up in Titan. It wasn't a splinter but a small stone that was lodged in Eren's foot. It angered him that hospital staff would ignore something so fucking obvious. They were lucky he wasn't fucking suing them. Omega's had every right to the same healthcare as everyone else, including prime alphas. Covering the wound, it was like Eren hadn't noticed anything happening. He was still fussing over Titan, the cat standing on his lap and leaning up with his front paws on Eren's face "Do you want a specimen container for it?" "Don't be gross" "It's pretty impressive. I can't imagine that was too comfortable" "And if the hospital missed that, I wonder what else they missed" "Any luck with his doctor's appointment?" "Two weeks. Ultrasound?" "A week. And that was with sweet talking. Mike might be able to do something" "Yeah. We'll head in tomorrow. What's for dinner?" "Pizza" "Really?" "Yep. Right. I'll leave you two alone for now" Eren pulled his foot back, moving Titan from his lap as he did. Taking up his phone again, Levi waited for the incoming message. He didn't know if he was ready for it... turning to face Eren, he watched him as he typed "You're not happy" "It's no your fault" "Should I go back to my room?" "You don't have to. How do you feel?" This texting thing was getting on his nerves faster than he thought it would "Tired. Really tired. Thank you for coming to get me" "I wasn't about to just leave you there" "I didn't know if you'd come" "Why wouldn't I?" "Because I left" "That wasn't your fault" No. That was Floch's fault... he didn't know what exactly had been happened "Your still mad" "It's you're, with an "re" on the end. And maybe. But not at you" "Is it the pup?" Levi went to object, but the words didn't come out "I didn't know about it. I'm sorry" "Eren..." "I get it. I won't say anything. I'm going to go to my room" "No. Stay here. I need to clean your room up" "It's fine. I can clean" "Eren" Ignoring him, Eren slipped off the bed and walked out the room, his phone left behind. A few moments later there was solid thud as his door closed, and most probably locked. Well. He'd fucked that right up. Eren got changed in his room, his boyfriend coming out for dinner in a set of yoga pants and a hoodie. Keeping to himself, he drew his knee up and sat half hunched over, hiding his stomach. Nibbling on a few bites of pizza, Eren grabbed a bottle of water before retreating back to his room. He'd hoped a few hours would calm Eren down, but he was still in the dog house. This wasn't the reunion or welcome home he'd wanted for his boyfriend, and knew he was going to need to sack up. He hadn't wanted to have this conversation so soon, not until they knew how far along Eren was. Trailing after Eren, he left Erwin eating dinner on his own, letting himself into Eren's room, where Eren curled up under the covers, crying softly. Walking over, Levi slid in behind the distressed omega, wrapping one arm around him "I know. I fucked up, and I need to explain myself. First off. I'm happy you're home. I'm happy you're here and I want you here. Now. This baby. I am not mad at you for falling pregnant. It was just a shock and I handled it badly. It doesn't make me love you less. I promise you that and I'll be here for you and your pup. I love you, brat. I'll this little brat too. This is your home. And you belong here, with me. I've really... I've really fucking missed you" Nuzzling into Eren's neck, tears filled his eyes. Taking his hand, Eren squeezed tightly, crying harder as he did. Initially his alpha was angered over Eren's lack of reply to his heartfelt words, before remembering he couldn't. It had to be frustrating as hell for his omega. Sure, Eren had his days and times when he was quiet, but his lover could also be loud. Like when he laughed. He'd missed Eren's laughter and energy. The way he made dinner and was always happy to wake up, no matter the odd hours, to eat with him. He missed him. He'd missed him so fucking much. Eren was plagued with nightmares, Levi unable to sleep because his love was so active in his sleep. The morning light came unwelcomed and with it, a morning spent with Eren in the bathroom. The omega vomiting while Levi sat behind him, massaging his shoulders the best he could. Titan sitting on the bathroom counter yowling at the pair of them, like he was yelling at Levi and demanding to know what was wrong with his human. With Erwin at work, they had the whole apartment to themselves. Moving from the toilet to the shower together, Eren exhausted against him as they showered. The first thing he did was check Eren's nape, in the guise of moving his loved hair out the way. He could have screamed in relief at the lack of a bonding mark. Kissing the spot, Eren groaned against him "Careful brat. I remember the last time a shower started like this, it ended with sex" Turning into his touch, Eren nuzzled into his cheek, one hand sliding down Levi's back "Brat..." Sliding one hand up to grab Levi's hair, Eren turned to face him completely, his lips pushing to Levi's hungrily. For someone who'd been throwing his guts up and was exhausted, his omega was now most definitely horny. Breaking the kiss, Levi stared up into his boyfriend's eyes. Fuck. He couldn't do this "Eren. We should wait. Until after you've been to see Mike" Eren's eyes filled with, his boyfriend trying to escape him "Wait. No. It's not what you're thinking. I just... I need to know you're ok. Ok. Hey. I don't want to risk hurting you or the pup. Ok. It's not because I don't want you" Eren glared, Levi tugging his hip "Now, come back here. Once I know you're ok and the pup's ok... you won't be able to walk for a week" Locking eyes with him, Eren held up two fingers "Two weeks? I think I can manage that" Letting himself be pulled back over, Levi wrapped his right arm around Eren's waist whilst his left the other slipped to Eren's groin, ignoring his own desire to be buried in his omega, and instead focusing on giving Eren release. Eren would need a full STI test, and they'd need to use condoms until the results returned... Slightly caught up in his own thoughts, the hand job he gave his lover was probably the worst one he'd ever given. Still, Eren came with an appreciative moan, and Levi decided shower time was over for both of them. He was such a fucking hypocrite... he couldn't even enjoy Eren being home completely, thanks to this whole baby issue. He needed to know, and until he did, he needed to figure out how to stop being a dick. Breakfast was the next problem. With a near empty fridge, he'd made scrambled eggs. Eren ran to the kitchen sink and started throwing up all over again as the smell wafted through the apartment. The eggs had to be evicted to the balcony, where Titan was happy to finish them, and the whole apartment aired. Plain toast had Eren frowning, but it stayed down, as did the tetra juice box he sipped down. It seemed like this pregnancy was going to be a steep learning curve for both of them. Hanji or Marco would be the best to talk to about the situation, but it was up to Eren when he told them, or if he even wanted to talk to Marco. Clinging to him after breakfast done, Levi got him dressed properly. He skipped shoes for now, so that Mike could check Eren's feet properly. Eren had acted like he hadn't felt the procedure at all, and that generally wasn't a good sign. Making sure Eren had his phone, he wondered if this what parenthood felt like? First you toilet the kid. Then you shower the kid. Then you feed the kid, and dress the kid, and get the kid out the door, without forgetting anything. Which he did. He forgot Eren's wallet, and it was too much effort to go back for. Eren didn't want to be out the apartment as it was, so if they turned back, he'd probably lock himself in his room. * Olou had been standoffish, almost to the point of cold as Levi informed him Mike had requested the come in. Eren was half hidden behind him, a hand covering his mouth with his thumb and pointer pinching his nose "I don't know if Erwin told Mike you're pregnant, so don't be surprised if he knows" Mike could probably smell it on Eren anyway. Though, with how scared Eren seemed to be, it was better to forewarn his boyfriend "I don't know he warned him you were also non-vocal at the moment. Just use your phone, or you can sign" Pulling his phone out, Eren used his left hand to type, while maintaining his right hand's crushing grip on Levi's left. Holding his phone up, Eren sighed "Only learned letters not words" "Then use your phone if it's easier. Mike won't mind. It's not like you're doing this for attention" Eren erased his message "Ok. Ultra sound?" "Ultrasound is one word. I don't know. Erwin booked you an appointment, next week was the soonest he could get. I tried to get you in to see your doctor, but that's a two week wait. The same with Krista" Eren erased back to "ok". Across the room, Mike opened the door and called Eren's name. Jumping, Eren yanked down hard on his hand "You're ok. It's just Mike. He might be huge, but he's not scary" Mike let them slip past him, taking a sniff of Eren as he did "Eren, it's nice to have you home. And congratulations on your pregnancy. Now, Erwin did mention that you're having some trouble with your words. Levi's going to be right by your side, but if you need to stop, or you're uncomfortable, do you think you can clap for me?" Clapping. That was new. Eren looked a little annoyed as he nodded "Excellent. If you'd like to follow me, I'll start by taking your vitals. Levi, do you have an ultrasound appointment booked?" "Next weeks. It was the soonest Erwin could get him in" "And a doctor's appointment?" "Two weeks" "Then we should get through everything we can today. Unfortunately, I don't think we can get an ultrasound in. But we should be able to do just about everything else. It's always strange when the ER is this quiet" No ultrasound. Fuck... "How's work been?" Mike shrugged, walking towards the nearest available cubicle "If you miss it so much, I'm sure they'd take you back" "Right now, I think I'd rather stay with Eren" "I don't blame you. Alright, Eren. Jump up on the bed for me" Letting go of Levi's hand, Eren climbed up on the examination bed "He needs a full examination. Erwin had to cut gravel out his left foot last night. Karanes didn't do him any favours" "I'll take a look at the too. Now, hoodie off for me. Blood pressure and temperature first" Levi was kicked out mid examination. Mike must have picked up the slight anger he felt in his scent, that arose over the sight of Eren's bare stomach. With blood and urine samples taken, they'd been working down to examining Eren's more intimate areas. Eren had said he didn't remember having sex, but not having sex and not remembering having sex were two completely different things. It was a long wait outside the curtain, before Mike finally drew them back. Eren was dressed again, with his knees up to his chest "Levi, can I have word?" Well, this wasn't going to be good. Following Mike away from Eren, they stopped a few metres away "Spit it out" "Right to the point. Eren is physically fine. The wound on his foot with heal by its self, just make sure it's kept clean. There was no sign of sexual trauma or infection. His weight is good, and there is nothing visibly wrong with his throat. He mentioned that he felt his muteness stemmed from psychological trauma rather than physical. The thing in worried about is the type of suppressant he was given while in care. While there are suppressants designed for pregnant omegas, the one he was given was more for general use. And the kind that would usual induced a heat for him. Now, while it won't affect the baby, it may cause Eren some discomfort. He may have days where he can't stand to talk about the pregnancy at all. The dose he was given was designed to last about two months, and from visual examination, I would say Eren is a little over two months. Meaning he'll be around 4 to 5 months when it starts to fade. Do you know if the pup is yours?" "I'm not sure. We had sex during Eren's post heat. I was hoping you'd be able to get him ultrasound. I love him... but it's thrown me for a fucking loop. I never imagined he'd turn up pregnant" "Have you discussed options?" Levi gave a dry laugh "Two days ago I get the call that he's in Karanes. Yesterday we drove back, and today he's here. No. He obviously fucking loves the pup. My alpha... we want the pup, and for Eren to be happy. I can't deny it's jealousy though" "I can give you a dose of suppressants" "No. No. I told Eren I'd be there both of them. I'm just trying not to get my hopes up" "Maybe you should? Eren knows it makes you uncomfortable. What he needs is as little stress as possible. Even if it's early in the pregnancy, let him nest if he needs to. Or even encourage it. He wouldn't tell me what happened, other than that he did receive professional care for a few weeks of his pregnancy. You had been talking about having a baby before Eren went missing" "No offence, Mike. But I don't think you get it. Eren went missing last time and nearly fucking died. This time he was found covered wandering around and covered in blood, as well as pregnant. I don't know what to think or say" "Tell him that" "Great lot of help you are" "I'm serious. He's going to be struggling knowing you're not happy he's pregnant. Either you accept the pup, or ask him to abort it, or you end your relationship. As for sex, you'll need to use protection until the results come back. That goes for both oral and anal. Most omegas find their sex drive skyrocketing while pregnant. Sex is fine, knotting will help with his emotions and anxieties, just be sure not to be too rough with him" "I didn't ask about sex" "No. Eren did" Levi internally groaned. Eren used to be so innocent "You don't need to look so disappointed. You have a healthy omega, who loves you. Plus, he's pretty easy on the eyes" "That's not the problem" "No. It's the pup. I can't smell another alpha on him. But you won't know for sure until the ultrasound. I've given him an injection for his nausea, and if his morning sickness hadn't passed by the time he sees his doctor, I'd recommend mentioning it then. Bring him back if he spikes a fever, has cramping or becomes dehydrated..." "And that's it?" "Yep. The drugs in system should be completely flushed within the week, other than the suppressant" "Thanks, Mike" Eren was playing with his phone when Levi walked back to him "Mike says it's home time. He'll let us know the results of your tests, but for now, it's a full bill of health. You ready to get out of here?" Eren nodded, the omega carefully climbing off the bed. Noticing that his foot had been bandaged, Levi lifted Eren off his feet and into his arms. His omega giving him an enquiring hum "We don't want your dressings getting dirty. Though, we do need to do food shopping on the way home. Erwin eats like a fucking horse" Hopefully there were shoes or at least a pair of socks Eren could wear, in the car. The dressing would probably be fine, thanks to the bandage around it, but that was beside the point "Food and then home. When you're up to it, we'll have Hanji over. Anna's grown so much" Eren nodded, wriggling in his hold so he could hide his face against Levi's neck. There was no way the position could be comfortable, but Eren stayed curled up like that all the way out to the car.