#that about sums up Mikasa's sense of humour

[moonspirit]

colossal titan isn’t the only thing colossal about armin… 😏

he also has a colossal personality 😙

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰👑⚔️🐲 79 update

When morning came, it was to the sound of tolling bells. Exhausted from Viren's cries, Eren had tried everything he could think of to hush his unhappy pup, yet nothing had seemed to work. Levi looked just as frazzled, having too tried to lure the pup to sleep only for it to have failed. Now the constant ringing had ruined his last hope that Viren would finally drift off from crying himself to sleep. Sighing deeply, Eren rocked Viren as he paced back and forth. He couldn't remember a morning when the town's bells had rung so insistently. Did they even have a reason to be ringing? Levi looked ready to find whoever was responsible for the racket and throw them off the bell tower. The poor alpha had decided that if Eren was staying awake with Viren, he should too... which ruined Eren's plan of swapping roles if Viren failed to calm. It wasn't their first sleepless night due to Viren's lack of lyrical talents since becoming parents but in the castle there was always someone to swap with, namely Armin, who was happy for cuddles even with the crying. In this city, and in this inn, he didn't feel comfortable enough to let his son out of his sight or Levi's hold. Eren's internal musings were disturbed by a crashing noise coming from the room next door. The sound accompanied by Armin swearing, Mikasa scolding, another loud thud then footsteps, before ending with a knock on their bedroom door. Levi's groan as he climbed off their bed summed up Eren's feelings over the morning, he didn't even have the energy to tell his mate that it was only Mikasa and Armin on the other side of their door. Crying even louder, Eren hushed his pup... not that worked, but at least he was trying, while having a whole new appreciation for what his mother had gone through when he was a child. Letting Armin and Mikasa into the room, Levi retook his place on the bed next to the blanket shaped lump that was Luca. Their son really didn't appreciate Viren's strong lungs. Turning face his friends tiredly, Eren smiled thinly, knowing that he had to human now they had visitors in their room. Walking over to them, Armin smiled at Viren as he wiggled his fingers towards him despite the pup's eyes being tightly scrunched closed "How's my favourite little man?" "Unhappy" "Awww... do you want me to hold him? How long's he been crying?" Had Armin really not heard? Eren could have murdered him on the spot "All night. At least 6 hours..." "Have you tried feeding him?" No. He hadn't tried anything of the sort. He hadn't tried feeding him. He hadn't tried bath time. He hadn't tried exercises in case Viren had to poop and was struggling. He'd tried skin to skin contact, and double checked that his son wasn't suffering nappy rash. He's even tried a little healing magic but there was nothing there to heal. The poor pup had exhausted himself into the point of "hysteria". He hadn't tried anything of the sort "Yeah... pretty much everything. The bells aren't helping either" "They woke me up... let me take him. I'm sure he'll settle for Uncle Armin" Not really wanting to hand his pup over, Levi was quick to agree before calling Eren over to sit in his lap. Viren continuing to cry as Armin hushed and rocked him. Eren letting his head drop against Levi's shoulder as he internally smirked. It was relieving that Viren hadn't settled immediately, not that he didn't want his son to rest, as it showed it wasn't anything he'd done or hadn't done "Armin, you're not settling him" Glaring at Mikasa, Armin moved Viren to his shoulder "He won't settle. This is the unhappiest I've seen him since he was reunited with Eren and Levi" "Let me try" "No. I've got him. Besides, you don't deserve cuddles. Do you know what she did this morning? I woke up to find a sword at my throat. Apparently I lack special awareness, then, when she finally goes to help me up she trips me. Hear what your Aunty did to me Viren?" Mikasa snorted, smiling too widely for the hour of the morning. Closing his eyes Eren let Levi wrap his arms around his waist as the alpha's before the alpha's hands settled to rest on his own. Levi's pain bled through their bond, Eren sure the man was sporting a headache at least the size of his own "It wasn't that bad. He was already mumbling in his sleep before the bells started. I simply thought it'd be interesting to see how he reacted" "You try waking to a sword to your throat... How long do you think these bells are going to keep ringing? And why are they ringing? Is it some kind of custom here? To annoy visitors with a million bells the moment the sun rises?" Levi's breath was warm against his neck as the alpha replied "I don't think so. To toll the bells this many times is either in celebration, which I think we would have heard about ahead of time, or something major has happened" Groaning as his brain tried to kick in, Eren pinched the bridge of his nose. It was far too tempting to sleep, and now his eyes didn't want to open again "You think something's happened?" "I'm not sure. It was rare for the bells of Mitras to ring. Erwin found the noise grating after the first half dozen or so rings. Eventually he managed to have the bell ringing cancelled for the most part. So yes, I do think something has happened" Kissing his temple, Levi's left hand soon abandoned his to move to his forehead "You're warm" "It's nothing. Just a lack of sleep" "I'm grateful he doesn't have the same issues with his lungs as you do, but he is just as tone deaf as you are. And he only seems to know one song" Growling, Eren didn't care if Levi was joking. He wasn't in the mood for humour "Don't be a dick to our baby. You might have your alpha senses, but I have dragon senses remember" "I know. You really should rest. Let us take care of..." "No. I'm his mother. I should be awake too" "Armin and Mikasa are here now..." Really? He didn't notice the presence or scent of his two friends... Levi was lucky he was too tired to snap at him "If you're staying awake, I'm staying awake. Luca probably needs to go to the bathroom too" "I'll take him. I assume he's the bundle in the bed?" Hearing he was talked about, Luca climbed out from under the sheets. His son looked miserable as he slunk across the bed to Mikasa. Reaching down she lifted him into her hold. It really wouldn't be long until he couldn't ask for cuddles anymore. Each time Eren thought that, he couldn't bring himself to stop trying. Luca was still a baby. His baby... His baby the size of a large dog now. God. He was growing up too fast "I'll take him to the bathroom. Maybe see about getting something to eat? How does that sound?" Luca chirped his agreement. Far too easily bought by food. Eren didn't want him out of his sights, but now Mikasa had promised food he couldn't say no "Thanks, Mikasa" Viren was still crying when Mikasa came back with Luca half an hour later. Accompanied by Freya and Steege, Levi tapped his arm then resorted to shaking him until Eren groaned at him "I'm sorry to disturb you. Especially after last night, and with your son being so upset, but there's been an incident. There are guards on the front step to take you both to the court" Last night? Did she mean Viren crying all night? "Did they say what happened?" "No. It seems to be something significant. The old man downstairs isn't happy, they threatened to come up and get you. He tried to explain you were a lovely young couple with your children... then had a shock when they informed him Eren was a prince" That sounded about right. The man was forgetful, but he was also a crack whip when it came to gossip. He would have fitted in rather nicely at the castle, and Eren couldn't deny he wouldn't mind bringing him back to Eldia. The man had children, but they'd all left to make their own way in life and never seemed to come back to visit him. It was all rather sad. He didn't live this long to be left alone at the end "I don't think Eren is in any condition to be up and walking around" If they court wanted them there, then there was no other choice "I'll be fine" "You're hardly fine" "Then what am I supposed to do, Levi? The world doesn't stop because Viren cried all night. It doesn't stop because my head feels like it's about to explode. If something's happened and they want us there, then we go. We go because that's what expected of us" "You're sick" "It doesn't matter how I feel. Viren needs to be dressed. We need to get dressed. Freya, can you please inform them that we're getting dressed and will be down shortly? I'll be bringing the children with me" "We'll be leaving the children here" Levi grabbed for his hip as Eren started sliding out his slap "We're not leaving then here" "Eren" "Don't fight me on this Levi" "Viren's upset. Luca has had enough. You're sick. And we're both exhausted. Mikasa and Armin can handle this for a few hours while we sort whatever they want out" "Of course we can. We don't mind" Armin's words betrayed the look of rising panic on his face given Viren hadn't settled "If something's happened, I want the kids with me. Now let me get up, we need to get ready to go. I don't want to cause a scene in front of the boys. I don't want them coming up here to drag us down there, and the longer you keep me in your hold, the angrier they're all going to be. So let me go" "Eren..." Taking Levi's hands off him, Eren was done. Something major was going on, they were being called in, and all Levi could think about was the fact he was a little feverish from a lack of sleep. There were more important things than his health. Like preventing his son's from having to suffer through another traumatic event. * The sight before then was absolutely revolting. Warned before they entered the room that it was best Luca didn't head in there with them, Eren brushed it off, and now his mate was severely regretting the decision. All it'd taken was look for Eren to be throwing up the dinner he'd eaten the night before while collapsing to the ground in a stunned heap. Laying on the cold stone slab, in one of the rooms deep beneath the courthouse, Willy's shirt was covered with blood which had gushed from man's mouth after having his tongue cut out and being left to bleed to death in the city's marketplace. He'd been found by one of the vendors preparing for the day ahead, hence the ringing of the town bells. In a similar state of shock, Levi wasn't completely sure what he felt at the sight. Three of the tribunal members had been waiting to show the unsuspecting pair the gruesome sight. It wasn't until they'd opened Willy's mouth to show them sight of the severed tongue that Eren had collapsed, and though he wanted to move to Eren's side to comfort him, he couldn't take his eyes off Willy's body. Surely Willy seeking them out, and this, couldn't be unrelated... He'd sought them out... If he hadn't been turned away, would Willy still be alive? He hadn't told Eren that Willy had visited. He hadn't had the chance, not with Viren crying all night. It'd been the last thing on his mind to tell him, and the last thing Eren needed after staying up with Viren. Whining for his alpha, Eren finally pulled his attention. Sinking down by his omega, Eren flinched when Levi's hand landed on his thigh, another small whine coming from between his parted lips. As tears rolled down Eren's cheeks, they shimmered with diamond shards. Willy wasn't worth Eren's tears. Let alone tears of such distress as to be diamond encrusted. Beginning to cough, his mate was working himself into internal panic "Come here, Sweet Boy" Levi couldn't gather him into his arms due to Viren on his shoulder, but Eren could move the few centimetres as Levi sat properly. Shaking like a leaf, Eren found his way into Levi's one armed hold. His breath hitching as he hid his face against Levi's shoulder "Is this my fault?" God. How could Eren think this was his fault? Fuck. He shouldn't have let "No. No, this is absolutely not your fault at all" "He... he's dead. They... cut out his tongue. I told him he needed to clean up his loose ends... They cut his tongue out!" "Eren, there's something I need to tell you. Willy came with a group of soldiers and money to see us last night. Freya woke me to tell me. He was put off by the innkeeper, and left. But she had the impression that there was something more to it all..." "He what?! Why didn't you tell me?" Cringing, Levi wished Eren hadn't yelled right in his ear "I was going to. Then Viren was upset, and we were called in here" "He... he wanted to see me? After I..." "Eren. The visit wasn't planned to be pleasant. The innkeeper told Freya as much. We think he intended to pay the old man off for access to our room, only he didn't count on him being scatter minded" "He might still be alive, if we'd... Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you? You were awake all night. You were right there... and you..." "I was going to tell you. I promise I was going to tell you" "He's dead and the last thing I did was yell at him. I told him to stay away..." "Eren, he was murdered. Probably by the people he betrayed. Probably by those very loose ends from his attempt on your life. He doesn't deserve your tears, not after he tried to kill you. Not after what he put our family through. It's disgusting, but he's the one who brought this on himself" "He was still a person. He still had a family. Who cuts out a tongue and leaves the person to die?! Why didn't he try to get help?!" Hushing Eren softly, his mate really needed to stop yelling "I don't know. I don't know, Sweet Boy. But you need to calm down for me" "Calm down?! Someone fucking murdered him! I wanted him arrested! I wanted him to admit what he did, not for him to be murdered! There's no justice in death! And there's... there's no atonement either" Atonement. How could Willy have ever possibly atoned for what he'd done? He'd caused Eren's death. He'd caused the omega to die in his arms, and the loss of their third mate, who both of them were still mourning and suffering symptoms over. Willy could never have atoned for his sins, even if he'd spent the rest of his life in penance. The man had played a dangerous game in attempting to play both sides of the war. He'd brought this on himself, and now Levi was stuck piecing Eren back together yet again, because his mate cared too fucking much. How was that fair? How was this shit his to deal with? Swept away in the moment, and foggy from Eren's pain, Levi hadn't forgotten he was in the bowels of the courthouse, he had however forgotten that they had an audience. When one of the males began to speak, he found himself growling in an attempt to warn him off. Instead it led to Eren pushing himself back. The omega looked distraught as he wiped at his teary face "Prince Eren, have you composed yourself enough to talk?" The man wanted to talk? Eren was crying. Viren was crying. Luca was huddled up near the pair of them, probably terrified from all the scents in the air "Yes, your honour" "We called you here to enquire into whether you knew anything pertaining to the death of William Tybur. It's exceedingly obvious that you played no hand in the man's demise, however, you were witnessed arguing with him a few days ago. You accused him of partaking in the attempt against your life, correct?" "Y-yes, sir" "Explain yourself" Eren nodded, pulling himself to sit with his knees up and elbows resting against them. Levi thanked god his omega was wearing pants, because otherwise his mate would be exposing far too much for him to handle "The day you asked Levi and I to act as bait... I watched him. I watched his face. It was subtle, but the moment I laid eyes upon him I knew that he was involved. He looked... Willy looked displeased to see both Levi and I alive. There was also the way that he was the only one to make a huge fuss. I mean, yes, Magath did. But Willy... Willy honestly thought we were dead and that that was how it should be. It was all over his face. I couldn't stomach him. I couldn't stomach standing there with the man that tried to kill my family, so I left. I'm sorry for seeing so rude as to walk out of your court, but I didn't trust myself not to lose control of your magic. It can be rather temperamental, and I was suffering from the loss of our third mate, Obsydin. Honestly, this whole trial has been far more than I expected. A few days passed and, Levi and I were shopping with our sons. Because my magic blew up half the city, a lot of storeowners turned us away because Luca is a dragon. Willy sought us out to enquire over our health, and all I wanted to do was... honestly, I wanted to punch him. I was so upset over the treatment of Luca that he copped my bad mood. I told him to clean up his loose ends or it was going to come back to haunt him. I mean, I knew he was attempting to play both Levi and I, as well as Marley. For someone who was Zeke's close friend, Zeke never actually talked about him. Our marriage wasn't perfect. But Zeke tried. He tried when he found out I was pregnant and in his own way, he tried to stop Dina coming after me by taking me back to Eldia. He was worried about the baby, which I didn't know wasn't his at the time. He was always smiling. He was always too nice about things, and I lost it at him. I struck him in the face and told him to face his own sins. I wanted him... I wanted him to admit to organising to have my papers stolen as he knew about them all. He knew there were piles of them in my room, then they went missing. He knew someone attempted to murder me, and he was acting as if he was best friends with Marley, despite everything he said about them. He was supposed to be helping me abdicate the throne. I never wanted to go against Dina to claim control of Marley. I wanted her to pay for her crimes legally. I wanted her to understand that she ruined her son, and her country, by her actions and words. I wanted the same for Willy. But... I'm so sick of death. I'm sick of people suffering. I just want peace between Eldia, Marley, Draecia and the rest of the world. Levi just told me that Willy sought us out last night. Our son Viren has been crying all night, refusing to settle, so he kept it from me. Now I can't help but feel this is all my fault. I told him to... to take responsibility and now someone's cut his tongue out and left him to bleed to death. We don't know what happened to the maid. We don't know what Marley has planned. Dina doesn't care for any of those loyal to her... and it's... it's too much. I'm sorry, Your Honour. I know this isn't how a prince should act. But I didn't want to be a prince. I didn't want to be a dragon. I just wanted to be a normal person like everyone else and now so many people have been hurt and are suffering because Dina had me kidnapped to start a war that both Erwin and Zeke never wanted to begin with" With Eren's fiery soul it was easy to forget he was only 21. 21 and he'd already lost a clutch, lost a husband, lost a mate, lost his blood family, been cursed, been abandoned by Levi for months and forced into bed with another, and suffered through a hard birth that left him magicless until someone tried to kill him... oh, and of course, he'd been imprisoned in the one place he'd come to call home for weeks without proper care or treatment... and his lungs were fucked. He was also a prince, with two sons and an alpha with a memory problem that he was still to confess in full, worrying about the people of three nations, and in a foreign land where he didn't feel safe. His best friend was now prince and his sister refused to give him enough breathing space to grow into his own person. It was a ridiculous amount to be going on. Levi was sure that every single aspect of it all never left his mate's mind. He was so fucking strong to still be standing, in this case sitting, and being completely honest over the fact he'd run away because he needed to do what was right for him. Levi was falling in love with him all over again, even with the smell of blood and vomit in the room. He had the strongest and most passionate omega he'd ever met for his mate. Never could he love another like Eren. There could never be another like Eren. Clearing his throat, the man nodded towards the other two tribunal members "We believed Willy to be conspiring with Marley before this incident occurred. While investigating the Tybur family, we found large payments being made to them by the royal household to secure trade deals across the mainland continent. We also found claims that the Tybur family in fact controls more of Marley than Queen Dina herself did" Eren simply blinked at the man, Levi however nearly went him. It was as good as confessing that they knew Willy wanted Eren dead, and that the Tybur's had plans of their own to rule Marley. Having been labeled interim leader, the only thing stopping Willy from taking the throne once Dina was imprisoned, or executed, was Eren's legal claim as Zeke's husband "Do you understand me, Prince Eren?" Eren bit his lip. The omega looking down to his lap "Eren, he's saying that Willy wanted the throne for himself. They knew he was playing both sides, only they didn't account for Willy being murdered" The omega's head shot up, looking from Levi to the tribunal judge in angered confusion "You knew?! You knew and you let him walk around, to get himself killed! Why didn't you protect him? Surely if he was being watched, then you have to know who he was with. What he was up to. Who tried to kill me and what happened to that maid! You... you used him as bait too... I can't believe this. You would stoop so low. You've already dragged Dina's trial out. She should have been sentenced to a life where she's forced to give back to people. Where she's forced to realise what a real day's work is like. And that she can't always buy her way out of things. Willy should have been made to do the same. Helping people. Helping rebuild. Something more than... than him being butchered for you!" "We didn't know this would happen so soon. We thought..." "You thought wrong! You're a tribunal! You're supposed to be made up of individuals who think that way! You're not all the same. You're supposed to be open minded and fair. This isn't fair! I'm done. I'm so beyond done. My life is in pieces! Eldia needs its prince. Draecia needs its princess. Both are stuck here because you can't rule that Dina is guilty. Magath is guilty. Willy was guilty. Almost every single person in a position of power is guilty. I'm fucking guilty for taking lives. None of those lives should have been taken, and there's nothing that can bring them back. Everyone thinks people's lives are all a game, but they're not. There's no magical time connecting web or thing. We can't go back in time to before all this happened. And now it seems like the same mistakes are being made all over again. I'm done. I'm done with all of this. I want to go home. I want to be a mum. I want to live in a place where war isn't constantly feared..." Digging the heels of his palms into his eyes, Eren shook his head "I'm sorry, but this wasn't the right way to go about any of this. You made a mistake. You let him die. Levi, we're going back to the hotel" "Prince Eren" "No. I had so much faith in your judgment. I let you rip my life to shreds. I let you hurt the people I love with your questions. I know you didn't know any of us. I know our small issues probably don't matter to you, but Dina is guilty. She needs to be punished legally. Marley is suffering and needs so much help. So many people are dying and those who could help simply trample over them. Marley should just... it should be returned to its people. Let the countries reform themselves with support from the rest of the world... or let them form a government of their own where instead of listening to a ruling monarch because of their bloodline, have the people elect their own leaders. I don't want to be prince. I don't want any of this" Gathering himself up, Eren had the grace of a newborn foal as he found his legs beneath him. Patting Luca on the head, their son gently took Eren's hand in his mouth to lead to him towards the door. The three tribunal members didn't look impressed over Eren's frank words. Levi feeling his mate had pissed all over their pride and plans, and held no sympathy for them at all. They'd upset Eren, and they deserved to suffer his wrath. No one did sass like a pissy Eren did.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

👑🏰⚔️🐲 DMODT 79 - update

When morning came, it was to the sound of tolling bells. Exhausted from Viren's cries, Eren had tried everything he could think of to hush his unhappy pup, yet nothing had seemed to work. Levi looked just as frazzled, having too tried to lure the pup to sleep only for it to have failed. Now the constant ringing had ruined his last hope that Viren would finally drift off from crying himself to sleep. Sighing deeply, Eren rocked Viren as he paced back and forth. He couldn't remember a morning when the town's bells had rung so insistently. Did they even have a reason to be ringing? Levi looked ready to find whoever was responsible for the racket and throw them off the bell tower. The poor alpha had decided that if Eren was staying awake with Viren, he should too... which ruined Eren's plan of swapping roles if Viren failed to calm. It wasn't their first sleepless night due to Viren's lack of lyrical talents since becoming parents but in the castle there was always someone to swap with, namely Armin, who was happy for cuddles even with the crying. In this city, and in this inn, he didn't feel comfortable enough to let his son out of his sight or Levi's hold. Eren's internal musings were disturbed by a crashing noise coming from the room next door. The sound accompanied by Armin swearing, Mikasa scolding, another loud thud then footsteps, before ending with a knock on their bedroom door. Levi's groan as he climbed off their bed summed up Eren's feelings over the morning, he didn't even have the energy to tell his mate that it was only Mikasa and Armin on the other side of their door. Crying even louder, Eren hushed his pup... not that worked, but at least he was trying, while having a whole new appreciation for what his mother had gone through when he was a child. Letting Armin and Mikasa into the room, Levi retook his place on the bed next to the blanket shaped lump that was Luca. Their son really didn't appreciate Viren's strong lungs. Turning face his friends tiredly, Eren smiled thinly, knowing that he had to human now they had visitors in their room. Walking over to them, Armin smiled at Viren as he wiggled his fingers towards him despite the pup's eyes being tightly scrunched closed "How's my favourite little man?" "Unhappy" "Awww... do you want me to hold him? How long's he been crying?" Had Armin really not heard? Eren could have murdered him on the spot "All night. At least 6 hours..." "Have you tried feeding him?" No. He hadn't tried anything of the sort. He hadn't tried feeding him. He hadn't tried bath time. He hadn't tried exercises in case Viren had to poop and was struggling. He'd tried skin to skin contact, and double checked that his son wasn't suffering nappy rash. He's even tried a little healing magic but there was nothing there to heal. The poor pup had exhausted himself into the point of "hysteria". He hadn't tried anything of the sort "Yeah... pretty much everything. The bells aren't helping either" "They woke me up... let me take him. I'm sure he'll settle for Uncle Armin" Not really wanting to hand his pup over, Levi was quick to agree before calling Eren over to sit in his lap. Viren continuing to cry as Armin hushed and rocked him. Eren letting his head drop against Levi's shoulder as he internally smirked. It was relieving that Viren hadn't settled immediately, not that he didn't want his son to rest, as it showed it wasn't anything he'd done or hadn't done "Armin, you're not settling him" Glaring at Mikasa, Armin moved Viren to his shoulder "He won't settle. This is the unhappiest I've seen him since he was reunited with Eren and Levi" "Let me try" "No. I've got him. Besides, you don't deserve cuddles. Do you know what she did this morning? I woke up to find a sword at my throat. Apparently I lack special awareness, then, when she finally goes to help me up she trips me. Hear what your Aunty did to me Viren?" Mikasa snorted, smiling too widely for the hour of the morning. Closing his eyes Eren let Levi wrap his arms around his waist as the alpha's before the alpha's hands settled to rest on his own. Levi's pain bled through their bond, Eren sure the man was sporting a headache at least the size of his own "It wasn't that bad. He was already mumbling in his sleep before the bells started. I simply thought it'd be interesting to see how he reacted" "You try waking to a sword to your throat... How long do you think these bells are going to keep ringing? And why are they ringing? Is it some kind of custom here? To annoy visitors with a million bells the moment the sun rises?" Levi's breath was warm against his neck as the alpha replied "I don't think so. To toll the bells this many times is either in celebration, which I think we would have heard about ahead of time, or something major has happened" Groaning as his brain tried to kick in, Eren pinched the bridge of his nose. It was far too tempting to sleep, and now his eyes didn't want to open again "You think something's happened?" "I'm not sure. It was rare for the bells of Mitras to ring. Erwin found the noise grating after the first half dozen or so rings. Eventually he managed to have the bell ringing cancelled for the most part. So yes, I do think something has happened" Kissing his temple, Levi's left hand soon abandoned his to move to his forehead "You're warm" "It's nothing. Just a lack of sleep" "I'm grateful he doesn't have the same issues with his lungs as you do, but he is just as tone deaf as you are. And he only seems to know one song" Growling, Eren didn't care if Levi was joking. He wasn't in the mood for humour "Don't be a dick to our baby. You might have your alpha senses, but I have dragon senses remember" "I know. You really should rest. Let us take care of..." "No. I'm his mother. I should be awake too" "Armin and Mikasa are here now..." Really? He didn't notice the presence or scent of his two friends... Levi was lucky he was too tired to snap at him "If you're staying awake, I'm staying awake. Luca probably needs to go to the bathroom too" "I'll take him. I assume he's the bundle in the bed?" Hearing he was talked about, Luca climbed out from under the sheets. His son looked miserable as he slunk across the bed to Mikasa. Reaching down she lifted him into her hold. It really wouldn't be long until he couldn't ask for cuddles anymore. Each time Eren thought that, he couldn't bring himself to stop trying. Luca was still a baby. His baby... His baby the size of a large dog now. God. He was growing up too fast "I'll take him to the bathroom. Maybe see about getting something to eat? How does that sound?" Luca chirped his agreement. Far too easily bought by food. Eren didn't want him out of his sights, but now Mikasa had promised food he couldn't say no "Thanks, Mikasa" Viren was still crying when Mikasa came back with Luca half an hour later. Accompanied by Freya and Steege, Levi tapped his arm then resorted to shaking him until Eren groaned at him "I'm sorry to disturb you. Especially after last night, and with your son being so upset, but there's been an incident. There are guards on the front step to take you both to the court" Last night? Did she mean Viren crying all night? "Did they say what happened?" "No. It seems to be something significant. The old man downstairs isn't happy, they threatened to come up and get you. He tried to explain you were a lovely young couple with your children... then had a shock when they informed him Eren was a prince" That sounded about right. The man was forgetful, but he was also a crack whip when it came to gossip. He would have fitted in rather nicely at the castle, and Eren couldn't deny he wouldn't mind bringing him back to Eldia. The man had children, but they'd all left to make their own way in life and never seemed to come back to visit him. It was all rather sad. He didn't live this long to be left alone at the end "I don't think Eren is in any condition to be up and walking around" If they court wanted them there, then there was no other choice "I'll be fine" "You're hardly fine" "Then what am I supposed to do, Levi? The world doesn't stop because Viren cried all night. It doesn't stop because my head feels like it's about to explode. If something's happened and they want us there, then we go. We go because that's what expected of us" "You're sick" "It doesn't matter how I feel. Viren needs to be dressed. We need to get dressed. Freya, can you please inform them that we're getting dressed and will be down shortly? I'll be bringing the children with me" "We'll be leaving the children here" Levi grabbed for his hip as Eren started sliding out his slap "We're not leaving then here" "Eren" "Don't fight me on this Levi" "Viren's upset. Luca has had enough. You're sick. And we're both exhausted. Mikasa and Armin can handle this for a few hours while we sort whatever they want out" "Of course we can. We don't mind" Armin's words betrayed the look of rising panic on his face given Viren hadn't settled "If something's happened, I want the kids with me. Now let me get up, we need to get ready to go. I don't want to cause a scene in front of the boys. I don't want them coming up here to drag us down there, and the longer you keep me in your hold, the angrier they're all going to be. So let me go" "Eren..." Taking Levi's hands off him, Eren was done. Something major was going on, they were being called in, and all Levi could think about was the fact he was a little feverish from a lack of sleep. There were more important things than his health. Like preventing his son's from having to suffer through another traumatic event. * The sight before then was absolutely revolting. Warned before they entered the room that it was best Luca didn't head in there with them, Eren brushed it off, and now his mate was severely regretting the decision. All it'd taken was look for Eren to be throwing up the dinner he'd eaten the night before while collapsing to the ground in a stunned heap. Laying on the cold stone slab, in one of the rooms deep beneath the courthouse, Willy's shirt was covered with blood which had gushed from man's mouth after having his tongue cut out and being left to bleed to death in the city's marketplace. He'd been found by one of the vendors preparing for the day ahead, hence the ringing of the town bells. In a similar state of shock, Levi wasn't completely sure what he felt at the sight. Three of the tribunal members had been waiting to show the unsuspecting pair the gruesome sight. It wasn't until they'd opened Willy's mouth to show them sight of the severed tongue that Eren had collapsed, and though he wanted to move to Eren's side to comfort him, he couldn't take his eyes off Willy's body. Surely Willy seeking them out, and this, couldn't be unrelated... He'd sought them out... If he hadn't been turned away, would Willy still be alive? He hadn't told Eren that Willy had visited. He hadn't had the chance, not with Viren crying all night. It'd been the last thing on his mind to tell him, and the last thing Eren needed after staying up with Viren. Whining for his alpha, Eren finally pulled his attention. Sinking down by his omega, Eren flinched when Levi's hand landed on his thigh, another small whine coming from between his parted lips. As tears rolled down Eren's cheeks, they shimmered with diamond shards. Willy wasn't worth Eren's tears. Let alone tears of such distress as to be diamond encrusted. Beginning to cough, his mate was working himself into internal panic "Come here, Sweet Boy" Levi couldn't gather him into his arms due to Viren on his shoulder, but Eren could move the few centimetres as Levi sat properly. Shaking like a leaf, Eren found his way into Levi's one armed hold. His breath hitching as he hid his face against Levi's shoulder "Is this my fault?" God. How could Eren think this was his fault? Fuck. He shouldn't have let "No. No, this is absolutely not your fault at all" "He... he's dead. They... cut out his tongue. I told him he needed to clean up his loose ends... They cut his tongue out!" "Eren, there's something I need to tell you. Willy came with a group of soldiers and money to see us last night. Freya woke me to tell me. He was put off by the innkeeper, and left. But she had the impression that there was something more to it all..." "He what?! Why didn't you tell me?" Cringing, Levi wished Eren hadn't yelled right in his ear "I was going to. Then Viren was upset, and we were called in here" "He... he wanted to see me? After I..." "Eren. The visit wasn't planned to be pleasant. The innkeeper told Freya as much. We think he intended to pay the old man off for access to our room, only he didn't count on him being scatter minded" "He might still be alive, if we'd... Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you? You were awake all night. You were right there... and you..." "I was going to tell you. I promise I was going to tell you" "He's dead and the last thing I did was yell at him. I told him to stay away..." "Eren, he was murdered. Probably by the people he betrayed. Probably by those very loose ends from his attempt on your life. He doesn't deserve your tears, not after he tried to kill you. Not after what he put our family through. It's disgusting, but he's the one who brought this on himself" "He was still a person. He still had a family. Who cuts out a tongue and leaves the person to die?! Why didn't he try to get help?!" Hushing Eren softly, his mate really needed to stop yelling "I don't know. I don't know, Sweet Boy. But you need to calm down for me" "Calm down?! Someone fucking murdered him! I wanted him arrested! I wanted him to admit what he did, not for him to be murdered! There's no justice in death! And there's... there's no atonement either" Atonement. How could Willy have ever possibly atoned for what he'd done? He'd caused Eren's death. He'd caused the omega to die in his arms, and the loss of their third mate, who both of them were still mourning and suffering symptoms over. Willy could never have atoned for his sins, even if he'd spent the rest of his life in penance. The man had played a dangerous game in attempting to play both sides of the war. He'd brought this on himself, and now Levi was stuck piecing Eren back together yet again, because his mate cared too fucking much. How was that fair? How was this shit his to deal with? Swept away in the moment, and foggy from Eren's pain, Levi hadn't forgotten he was in the bowels of the courthouse, he had however forgotten that they had an audience. When one of the males began to speak, he found himself growling in an attempt to warn him off. Instead it led to Eren pushing himself back. The omega looked distraught as he wiped at his teary face "Prince Eren, have you composed yourself enough to talk?" The man wanted to talk? Eren was crying. Viren was crying. Luca was huddled up near the pair of them, probably terrified from all the scents in the air "Yes, your honour" "We called you here to enquire into whether you knew anything pertaining to the death of William Tybur. It's exceedingly obvious that you played no hand in the man's demise, however, you were witnessed arguing with him a few days ago. You accused him of partaking in the attempt against your life, correct?" "Y-yes, sir" "Explain yourself" Eren nodded, pulling himself to sit with his knees up and elbows resting against them. Levi thanked god his omega was wearing pants, because otherwise his mate would be exposing far too much for him to handle "The day you asked Levi and I to act as bait... I watched him. I watched his face. It was subtle, but the moment I laid eyes upon him I knew that he was involved. He looked... Willy looked displeased to see both Levi and I alive. There was also the way that he was the only one to make a huge fuss. I mean, yes, Magath did. But Willy... Willy honestly thought we were dead and that that was how it should be. It was all over his face. I couldn't stomach him. I couldn't stomach standing there with the man that tried to kill my family, so I left. I'm sorry for seeing so rude as to walk out of your court, but I didn't trust myself not to lose control of your magic. It can be rather temperamental, and I was suffering from the loss of our third mate, Obsydin. Honestly, this whole trial has been far more than I expected. A few days passed and, Levi and I were shopping with our sons. Because my magic blew up half the city, a lot of storeowners turned us away because Luca is a dragon. Willy sought us out to enquire over our health, and all I wanted to do was... honestly, I wanted to punch him. I was so upset over the treatment of Luca that he copped my bad mood. I told him to clean up his loose ends or it was going to come back to haunt him. I mean, I knew he was attempting to play both Levi and I, as well as Marley. For someone who was Zeke's close friend, Zeke never actually talked about him. Our marriage wasn't perfect. But Zeke tried. He tried when he found out I was pregnant and in his own way, he tried to stop Dina coming after me by taking me back to Eldia. He was worried about the baby, which I didn't know wasn't his at the time. He was always smiling. He was always too nice about things, and I lost it at him. I struck him in the face and told him to face his own sins. I wanted him... I wanted him to admit to organising to have my papers stolen as he knew about them all. He knew there were piles of them in my room, then they went missing. He knew someone attempted to murder me, and he was acting as if he was best friends with Marley, despite everything he said about them. He was supposed to be helping me abdicate the throne. I never wanted to go against Dina to claim control of Marley. I wanted her to pay for her crimes legally. I wanted her to understand that she ruined her son, and her country, by her actions and words. I wanted the same for Willy. But... I'm so sick of death. I'm sick of people suffering. I just want peace between Eldia, Marley, Draecia and the rest of the world. Levi just told me that Willy sought us out last night. Our son Viren has been crying all night, refusing to settle, so he kept it from me. Now I can't help but feel this is all my fault. I told him to... to take responsibility and now someone's cut his tongue out and left him to bleed to death. We don't know what happened to the maid. We don't know what Marley has planned. Dina doesn't care for any of those loyal to her... and it's... it's too much. I'm sorry, Your Honour. I know this isn't how a prince should act. But I didn't want to be a prince. I didn't want to be a dragon. I just wanted to be a normal person like everyone else and now so many people have been hurt and are suffering because Dina had me kidnapped to start a war that both Erwin and Zeke never wanted to begin with" With Eren's fiery soul it was easy to forget he was only 21. 21 and he'd already lost a clutch, lost a husband, lost a mate, lost his blood family, been cursed, been abandoned by Levi for months and forced into bed with another, and suffered through a hard birth that left him magicless until someone tried to kill him... oh, and of course, he'd been imprisoned in the one place he'd come to call home for weeks without proper care or treatment... and his lungs were fucked. He was also a prince, with two sons and an alpha with a memory problem that he was still to confess in full, worrying about the people of three nations, and in a foreign land where he didn't feel safe. His best friend was now prince and his sister refused to give him enough breathing space to grow into his own person. It was a ridiculous amount to be going on. Levi was sure that every single aspect of it all never left his mate's mind. He was so fucking strong to still be standing, in this case sitting, and being completely honest over the fact he'd run away because he needed to do what was right for him. Levi was falling in love with him all over again, even with the smell of blood and vomit in the room. He had the strongest and most passionate omega he'd ever met for his mate. Never could he love another like Eren. There could never be another like Eren. Clearing his throat, the man nodded towards the other two tribunal members "We believed Willy to be conspiring with Marley before this incident occurred. While investigating the Tybur family, we found large payments being made to them by the royal household to secure trade deals across the mainland continent. We also found claims that the Tybur family in fact controls more of Marley than Queen Dina herself did" Eren simply blinked at the man, Levi however nearly went him. It was as good as confessing that they knew Willy wanted Eren dead, and that the Tybur's had plans of their own to rule Marley. Having been labeled interim leader, the only thing stopping Willy from taking the throne once Dina was imprisoned, or executed, was Eren's legal claim as Zeke's husband "Do you understand me, Prince Eren?" Eren bit his lip. The omega looking down to his lap "Eren, he's saying that Willy wanted the throne for himself. They knew he was playing both sides, only they didn't account for Willy being murdered" The omega's head shot up, looking from Levi to the tribunal judge in angered confusion "You knew?! You knew and you let him walk around, to get himself killed! Why didn't you protect him? Surely if he was being watched, then you have to know who he was with. What he was up to. Who tried to kill me and what happened to that maid! You... you used him as bait too... I can't believe this. You would stoop so low. You've already dragged Dina's trial out. She should have been sentenced to a life where she's forced to give back to people. Where she's forced to realise what a real day's work is like. And that she can't always buy her way out of things. Willy should have been made to do the same. Helping people. Helping rebuild. Something more than... than him being butchered for you!" "We didn't know this would happen so soon. We thought..." "You thought wrong! You're a tribunal! You're supposed to be made up of individuals who think that way! You're not all the same. You're supposed to be open minded and fair. This isn't fair! I'm done. I'm so beyond done. My life is in pieces! Eldia needs its prince. Draecia needs its princess. Both are stuck here because you can't rule that Dina is guilty. Magath is guilty. Willy was guilty. Almost every single person in a position of power is guilty. I'm fucking guilty for taking lives. None of those lives should have been taken, and there's nothing that can bring them back. Everyone thinks people's lives are all a game, but they're not. There's no magical time connecting web or thing. We can't go back in time to before all this happened. And now it seems like the same mistakes are being made all over again. I'm done. I'm done with all of this. I want to go home. I want to be a mum. I want to live in a place where war isn't constantly feared..." Digging the heels of his palms into his eyes, Eren shook his head "I'm sorry, but this wasn't the right way to go about any of this. You made a mistake. You let him die. Levi, we're going back to the hotel" "Prince Eren" "No. I had so much faith in your judgment. I let you rip my life to shreds. I let you hurt the people I love with your questions. I know you didn't know any of us. I know our small issues probably don't matter to you, but Dina is guilty. She needs to be punished legally. Marley is suffering and needs so much help. So many people are dying and those who could help simply trample over them. Marley should just... it should be returned to its people. Let the countries reform themselves with support from the rest of the world... or let them form a government of their own where instead of listening to a ruling monarch because of their bloodline, have the people elect their own leaders. I don't want to be prince. I don't want any of this" Gathering himself up, Eren had the grace of a newborn foal as he found his legs beneath him. Patting Luca on the head, their son gently took Eren's hand in his mouth to lead to him towards the door. The three tribunal members didn't look impressed over Eren's frank words. Levi feeling his mate had pissed all over their pride and plans, and held no sympathy for them at all. They'd upset Eren, and they deserved to suffer his wrath. No one did sass like a pissy Eren did. Reaching the outside of the courthouse, Eren turned to look back at him. His omega had strode through the place too fast for someone ill. Shaking his head, the omega simply waited for Levi to join him as Luca released the omega's hand, licking at the few drops of blood drawn by his teeth accidentally. Taking the few steps, Eren started walking towards the inn instead of talking to him, letting a strained silence fall between them, though Levi wasn't sure why they weren't talking. Unable to understand just what was going through Eren's mind. Reaching out, Eren came to a stop as Levi's fingers brushed down his arm. Closing his eyes, Eren took a deep breath before opening his eyes and releasing it "You're mad, aren't you?" His mate was an idiot. A gorgeous, strong, idiot "Why would you think that?" "You didn't say anything" "I was trying to give you space. Though I'm not sure why" "I lost my temper" "And said what needed to be said" "My mouth moved on its own" "You had a shock. It was disgusting that they didn't warn you" "The needed to see our honest reactions" Eren was more understanding than he was. An honest reaction didn't need the corpse being exposed. Simply telling them Willy had died would have been plenty. Eren had fucking fallen apart in shock. It wasn't like Levi wasn't as equally disgusted, he'd simply seen worse living underground and in war. Even hunting trips gone wrong where soldiers had been gored by boar tusks, unable to be healed as their organs spilt from their abdomens. Eren wasn't like that. They should have all known this, yet... "I shouldn't have lost my temper" "No. That's where you're wrong. Everything you said was correct. They should have acted sooner. They should have prevented this from happening. I know you think you constantly need to follow this unwritten rule of always carrying yourself with composure, but you don't. These moments when you let your emotions show, those are the most honest and pure moments. When you let your real self show. When you stand up for yourself, you make stupidly proud. I fall in love with you all over again when you let yourself be you" Eren groaned at him, pinching the bridge of his nose "You're an idiot" "You're the idiot. You need to stop apologising for everything. If you fuck up, I'll tell you. Like I expect you to tell me when I fuck up" "Did you see them. They looked ready to arrest me for my words" "Because they didn't like the fact they were wrong being pointed out. I'm sure they knew they'd fucked up the moment they saw Willy's body. They failed to protect him, despite their suspicions. His death is on their hands" "I still feel like if we'd talked with him, this might have been prevented" "Or, he might have gone after you. There was a reason he had a large sum of money on him. There was a reason he was accompanied by Marley soldiers" "Because he was going to die..." Dropping his hand, Eren shook his head, before suddenly turning and striking the stone wall closest to them. Levi had thought they were simply walking close to the wall because Eren was dead on his feet, not because his omega planned on attacking it for no reason. It only took a few moments for Eren's hand to heal as if nothing had happened, but it didn't make what had happened alright "Feeling better?" "Not really" "Good. You had no reason to do that" "I know. I'm... I'm done. I've had enough. Dina probably won't even receive a sentence worthy of her crimes. I had so much faith in them Levi. I truly believed that they'd handle this case properly and professionally. That those questions were only to reconfirm the truths we already know. That we nearly died but those responsible would be held responsible. I'm done, Levi. I want to go home" Mentally sighing, the alpha knew what would happen if they left. Eren would be mad at himself for not seeing things through, then upset over not knowing what happened with his ex-mother in law. Carefully, he picked his words "Then we'll leave. If you truly want to leave before the verdict is handed down, we'll leave. I think they know that you won't be returning to court. Willy is gone now, taking his secrets with him to the grave" Rubbing at his hand, his fiancé sighed at him in annoyance "I hate when you do that" "Do what?" Feigning innocence Levi smiled. He didn't like that Eren had lashed out, but he did like the fact his mate knew that he knew he what he really wanted down deep "It's like you reach into my mind and know what I'm thinking" "I think you're thinking that we should stay, even though you're done with court you don't want to leave without knowing the verdict" "I said I hate when you do this to me" "I know. And I know you're stressed. Why don't we let Mikasa watch the children? I know you said you can't handle them being out of your sight, but you're exhausted. You threw up and you collapsed" "I'm well aware of that fact, but I'm his mother" Viren was still crying. Not the same constant cries, more like every few minutes he let out a loud cry and then lulling for half a moment, fighting to stay awake like his mother was "Levi" "Eren, please. If you keep stressing like this, you'll only feel worse" "I don't think I can sleep" "Then rest. I'm worried for you" A fever from lack of sleep was bad enough, but now Eren was shaking with effort to remain standing "I'm his mother. I can't pass him over to someone else each time he cries all night. What about when we move? Who do I pass him over to then? Or are you planning on bringing all our friends with us?" "It doesn't make you any less of a mother to make use of the people we have with us. This isn't an ideal circumstance" "They're our sons. I can't not be with them" "They'll be in the room next to ours" "Why don't you get it!? I don't trust letting them out of our sights. I don't trust that Marley won't go after them. That someone want go after them" Willy was dead. Dina was arrested. Levi doubted anyone would try go after them now that their own loose end was taken care of. Willy was their scapegoat "Why don't you get that you don't have to do this alone!? Do you think I would let them out of our sights if I believed they'd be hurt? They watched over the boys while we recovered. Luca's upset. You're upset. Viren is upset. You need rest. You need to get out of your own head for a while" "I don't want to be that kind of mother" "The kind of mother who admits he needs a little help?" "The kind of mother who can't deal with his own pup" He wasn't being a bad mother. He was being a stubborn shit. The moment the others saw him they'd be fussing. Mikasa would probably have worn a hole in the floor worrying over why it was just the two of them requested at the courthouse "Eren, I don't want to use a command to have you rest, but you need rest" "Then don't use a command. Let me lay in bed with Viren and Luca. I won't do anything strenuous. I won't even move. Please..." Viren's crying was the issue. Eren had already admitted it was worse for him with acute senses. Now he had his mate nearly in tears all over again, accidentally making him feel like a bad mother "One hour. If Viren doesn't fall asleep within an hour, Mikasa and Armin can watch him while we rest" Not impressed, Eren worried his bottom lip before realising his big green eyes weren't working against Levi's worry "Ok..." "Good. Let's get back to the inn" As predicted Mikasa was waiting for them. Armin was in his room with Hanji, and Moblit, going over the correspondence from the castle. Standing in the hall, she rushed to throw her arms around Eren once they'd cleared the staircase to the second floor. Catching him off guard, Eren slammed it to the wall due to the force of the impact. Snarling at the female alpha, Levi was slightly more forceful than he meant to be as he pulled her off his mate. Eren whimpering in confusion over what the hell had happened "I was so worried! What happened?! You look ill... are you sick? Sicker than you let on? What did they want? Why did they only want to talk to the two of you?" "Shit happened" "It's ok, Mikasa. I'm fine" "You're not fine. You're as a pale as Levi. Here, you need to rest" "Mikasa..." Taking his arm, Eren shrunk back from the touch "Really. I'm fine. I'm not hurt, only a little tired from Viren's crying, but I'm going to lay down" "Then I'll watch the boys. You need to rest, this has all been so taxing for you..." "Taxing for me? It's been taxing for all of us. Not just me. Not just for the only omega in the group. I'm going to rest. I'm going to lay down with my boys. You'll find out what happened, but I don't want to talk about and I don't want you fussing over me" "Eren" "Leave it alone, Mikasa. I don't want to talk about it. Come on, Luca" Left with Mikasa in the hallway, Eren slammed the door hard enough for Levi to flinch. Any harder and the omega would have probably broken the antique piece of wood right off its hinges "What the hell happened?!" Scowling at him, Mikasa adjusted the red scarf around her neck "Don't give me that look. Willy was murdered something this morning before sunrise, and the tribunal wanted to make sure we had nothing to do with it" "Murdered?" "His tongue was cut out. He was left to bleed to death in the marketplace. We weren't told before being shown the body. Now he's going to rest, and you're going to let him" Leaving Mikasa with more questions than answers, Levi let himself into the room he shared with his fiancé. Eren was sitting on the bed with his head in his hands. Luca had dragged his blanket from their bed to set himself up on the floor in the sunlight streaming through the window. Closing and locking the door, Eren raised his head at the noise. His eyes red rimmed "I didn't mean to freak out" "I know" "She took me by surprise" "I know" "Is she mad?" "No. Confused, but not mad. I explained what happened" "I don't think I could have. I can't get the image out of my head" "No. It wasn't a terribly nice surprise" "How's Viren?" Still crying? How was supposed to be? Eren could hear how unhappy he was "I'll change him, then we'll settle him down. You're supposed to be resting" "I know" Gathering up everything, Levi went about laying Viren down on their bed in order to change him "What's going on in your mind? Talk to me" "I guess I'm in shock. When I was in Marley, I was threatened. I mean, I had death threats. There were some who threatened to cut my tongue out... and now... it's fucking gross" Luckily Viren's nappy wasn't. A little wet, but nothing like some of the presents he'd gifted them "It was. Is that why you don't want to sleep? You're scared of nightmares?" "Have I told you how much I hate when you're in my head?" "You've got nothing to fear with me here" "You can't control my magic" "No, but I can be with you when you need me. You don't need to be strong in front of me" "I know. I can't stop thinking though" "You think? Never" "God. I'm so done" "Then move your arse. If you want cuddles, you've got to get ready for them" "I can't move. My boots are too far from my hands" "Who's fault is that? You didn't need to grow so damn tall" Flopping back on the bed, Eren smiled softly at him. His hand reaching towards him to wave at him before dropping down on the bed "I'll keep that in mind. You know, you look good like that. You're a really good father to our sons" "You just want me to take your boots off for you" "Mmm. Maybe. I didn't think it was humanly possible to be this tired, yet awake at the same time" "That's because of all that thinking you're doing. Viren's changed, let me settle him then I'll help with your boots" "Thank you. When we get back to Eldia, I promise I'm going to do everything I can to be the best omega I can for you" "You already are" "Mmm... I want to be better. I really love you, you know" "I know" Settling Viren down on Eren's pillow there was a moment of silence, followed by a second and then a third. Kissing the pup's forehead, Levi thanked the gods as he pulled back, careful not to disturb the pup as he climbed off the bed. Whispering, he crouched to work on Eren's boots "Viren's finally sleeping" "Really?" "Yeah. I think he's finally going to stay asleep" "Thank god... I love him more than life, but my head is ringing" "You're next" "I don't want to" "You need to" "I have too many thoughts in my head" "I can help with that" Giving a weak laugh, Eren shook his head "I seriously doubt that we're thinking the same thing there" "I don't know. Maybe an orgasm is exactly what you need?" "Only if you can suck my brain" "I can try" Purely because Eren was thinking he was joking, Levi helped his omega out his pants. Both of them careful not to wake Viren, who'd now been quite for last 15 minutes. He hadn't been horny until he had Eren laying beneath him with the sweet smell of slick filling the space between them. Burying his face between his legs, Levi ran his tongue along Eren's shaft, the omega whining as he arched into the touch "Levi... I'm tired" "You don't need to do anything" "I don't know what to do" Sleepy Eren mumbled out the words softly, having already forgotten when Levi had literally just said "Let me take care of you" And orgasm was exactly what Eren needed. Coming hard, Levi swallowed what he could before catching the rest on his tongue. A smirk on his lips as he drank Eren's seed down, expecting to see Eren's blissed out expression, he looked up to find Eren's eyes closed. A few seconds passed as Levi reapplied himself between Eren's legs to lap as Eren's slick arse. Moaning at the contrasting tastes on his tongue, Levi was caught off guard as Eren let out a loud nasally snore. The little shit had cum, then fallen right to sleep with his dick out and legs over Levi's shoulders. Part of him wanted to laugh, while the other part of him had to deal with getting the pantsless omega up to lay next to their son without waking either of them... and the fact he was hard and definitely going to have severe case of blue balls.

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰👑⚔️🐲 DMODT 79 update...

When morning came, it was to the sound of tolling bells. Exhausted from Viren's cries, Eren had tried everything he could think of to hush his unhappy pup, yet nothing had seemed to work. Levi looked just as frazzled, having too tried to lure the pup to sleep only for it to have failed. Now the constant ringing had ruined his last hope that Viren would finally drift off from crying himself to sleep. Sighing deeply, Eren rocked Viren as he paced back and forth. He couldn't remember a morning when the town's bells had rung so insistently. Did they even have a reason to be ringing? Levi looked ready to find whoever was responsible for the racket and throw them off the bell tower. The poor alpha had decided that if Eren was staying awake with Viren, he should too... which ruined Eren's plan of swapping roles if Viren failed to calm. It wasn't their first sleepless night due to Viren's lack of lyrical talents since becoming parents but in the castle there was always someone to swap with, namely Armin, who was happy for cuddles even with the crying. In this city, and in this inn, he didn't feel comfortable enough to let his son out of his sight or Levi's hold. Eren's internal musings were disturbed by a crashing noise coming from the room next door. The sound accompanied by Armin swearing, Mikasa scolding, another loud thud then footsteps, before ending with a knock on their bedroom door. Levi's groan as he climbed off their bed summed up Eren's feelings over the morning, he didn't even have the energy to tell his mate that it was only Mikasa and Armin on the other side of their door. Crying even louder, Eren hushed his pup... not that worked, but at least he was trying, while having a whole new appreciation for what his mother had gone through when he was a child. Letting Armin and Mikasa into the room, Levi retook his place on the bed next to the blanket shaped lump that was Luca. Their son really didn't appreciate Viren's strong lungs. Turning face his friends tiredly, Eren smiled thinly, knowing that he had to human now they had visitors in their room. Walking over to them, Armin smiled at Viren as he wiggled his fingers towards him despite the pup's eyes being tightly scrunched closed "How's my favourite little man?" "Unhappy" "Awww... do you want me to hold him? How long's he been crying?" Had Armin really not heard? Eren could have murdered him on the spot "All night. At least 6 hours..." "Have you tried feeding him?" No. He hadn't tried anything of the sort. He hadn't tried feeding him. He hadn't tried bath time. He hadn't tried exercises in case Viren had to poop and was struggling. He'd tried skin to skin contact, and double checked that his son wasn't suffering nappy rash. He's even tried a little healing magic but there was nothing there to heal. The poor pup had exhausted himself into the point of "hysteria". He hadn't tried anything of the sort "Yeah... pretty much everything. The bells aren't helping either" "They woke me up... let me take him. I'm sure he'll settle for Uncle Armin" Not really wanting to hand his pup over, Levi was quick to agree before calling Eren over to sit in his lap. Viren continuing to cry as Armin hushed and rocked him. Eren letting his head drop against Levi's shoulder as he internally smirked. It was relieving that Viren hadn't settled immediately, not that he didn't want his son to rest, as it showed it wasn't anything he'd done or hadn't done "Armin, you're not settling him" Glaring at Mikasa, Armin moved Viren to his shoulder "He won't settle. This is the unhappiest I've seen him since he was reunited with Eren and Levi" "Let me try" "No. I've got him. Besides, you don't deserve cuddles. Do you know what she did this morning? I woke up to find a sword at my throat. Apparently I lack special awareness, then, when she finally goes to help me up she trips me. Hear what your Aunty did to me Viren?" Mikasa snorted, smiling too widely for the hour of the morning. Closing his eyes Eren let Levi wrap his arms around his waist as the alpha's before the alpha's hands settled to rest on his own. Levi's pain bled through their bond, Eren sure the man was sporting a headache at least the size of his own "It wasn't that bad. He was already mumbling in his sleep before the bells started. I simply thought it'd be interesting to see how he reacted" "You try waking to a sword to your throat... How long do you think these bells are going to keep ringing? And why are they ringing? Is it some kind of custom here? To annoy visitors with a million bells the moment the sun rises?" Levi's breath was warm against his neck as the alpha replied "I don't think so. To toll the bells this many times is either in celebration, which I think we would have heard about ahead of time, or something major has happened" Groaning as his brain tried to kick in, Eren pinched the bridge of his nose. It was far too tempting to sleep, and now his eyes didn't want to open again "You think something's happened?" "I'm not sure. It was rare for the bells of Mitras to ring. Erwin found the noise grating after the first half dozen or so rings. Eventually he managed to have the bell ringing cancelled for the most part. So yes, I do think something has happened" Kissing his temple, Levi's left hand soon abandoned his to move to his forehead "You're warm" "It's nothing. Just a lack of sleep" "I'm grateful he doesn't have the same issues with his lungs as you do, but he is just as tone deaf as you are. And he only seems to know one song" Growling, Eren didn't care if Levi was joking. He wasn't in the mood for humour "Don't be a dick to our baby. You might have your alpha senses, but I have dragon senses remember" "I know. You really should rest. Let us take care of..." "No. I'm his mother. I should be awake too" "Armin and Mikasa are here now..." Really? He didn't notice the presence or scent of his two friends... Levi was lucky he was too tired to snap at him "If you're staying awake, I'm staying awake. Luca probably needs to go to the bathroom too" "I'll take him. I assume he's the bundle in the bed?" Hearing he was talked about, Luca climbed out from under the sheets. His son looked miserable as he slunk across the bed to Mikasa. Reaching down she lifted him into her hold. It really wouldn't be long until he couldn't ask for cuddles anymore. Each time Eren thought that, he couldn't bring himself to stop trying. Luca was still a baby. His baby... His baby the size of a large dog now. God. He was growing up too fast "I'll take him to the bathroom. Maybe see about getting something to eat? How does that sound?" Luca chirped his agreement. Far too easily bought by food. Eren didn't want him out of his sights, but now Mikasa had promised food he couldn't say no "Thanks, Mikasa" Viren was still crying when Mikasa came back with Luca half an hour later. Accompanied by Freya and Steege, Levi tapped his arm then resorted to shaking him until Eren groaned at him "I'm sorry to disturb you. Especially after last night, and with your son being so upset, but there's been an incident. There are guards on the front step to take you both to the court" Last night? Did she mean Viren crying all night? "Did they say what happened?" "No. It seems to be something significant. The old man downstairs isn't happy, they threatened to come up and get you. He tried to explain you were a lovely young couple with your children... then had a shock when they informed him Eren was a prince" That sounded about right. The man was forgetful, but he was also a crack whip when it came to gossip. He would have fitted in rather nicely at the castle, and Eren couldn't deny he wouldn't mind bringing him back to Eldia. The man had children, but they'd all left to make their own way in life and never seemed to come back to visit him. It was all rather sad. He didn't live this long to be left alone at the end "I don't think Eren is in any condition to be up and walking around" If they court wanted them there, then there was no other choice "I'll be fine" "You're hardly fine" "Then what am I supposed to do, Levi? The world doesn't stop because Viren cried all night. It doesn't stop because my head feels like it's about to explode. If something's happened and they want us there, then we go. We go because that's what expected of us" "You're sick" "It doesn't matter how I feel. Viren needs to be dressed. We need to get dressed. Freya, can you please inform them that we're getting dressed and will be down shortly? I'll be bringing the children with me" "We'll be leaving the children here" Levi grabbed for his hip as Eren started sliding out his slap "We're not leaving then here" "Eren" "Don't fight me on this Levi" "Viren's upset. Luca has had enough. You're sick. And we're both exhausted. Mikasa and Armin can handle this for a few hours while we sort whatever they want out" "Of course we can. We don't mind" Armin's words betrayed the look of rising panic on his face given Viren hadn't settled "If something's happened, I want the kids with me. Now let me get up, we need to get ready to go. I don't want to cause a scene in front of the boys. I don't want them coming up here to drag us down there, and the longer you keep me in your hold, the angrier they're all going to be. So let me go" "Eren..." Taking Levi's hands off him, Eren was done. Something major was going on, they were being called in, and all Levi could think about was the fact he was a little feverish from a lack of sleep. There were more important things than his health. Like preventing his son's from having to suffer through another traumatic event. * The sight before then was absolutely revolting. Warned before they entered the room that it was best Luca didn't head in there with them, Eren brushed it off, and now his mate was severely regretting the decision. All it'd taken was look for Eren to be throwing up the dinner he'd eaten the night before while collapsing to the ground in a stunned heap. Laying on the cold stone slab, in one of the rooms deep beneath the courthouse, Willy's shirt was covered with blood which had gushed from man's mouth after having his tongue cut out and being left to bleed to death in the city's marketplace. He'd been found by one of the vendors preparing for the day ahead, hence the ringing of the town bells. In a similar state of shock, Levi wasn't completely sure what he felt at the sight. Three of the tribunal members had been waiting to show the unsuspecting pair the gruesome sight. It wasn't until they'd opened Willy's mouth to show them sight of the severed tongue that Eren had collapsed, and though he wanted to move to Eren's side to comfort him, he couldn't take his eyes off Willy's body. Surely Willy seeking them out, and this, couldn't be unrelated... He'd sought them out... If he hadn't been turned away, would Willy still be alive? He hadn't told Eren that Willy had visited. He hadn't had the chance, not with Viren crying all night. It'd been the last thing on his mind to tell him, and the last thing Eren needed after staying up with Viren. Whining for his alpha, Eren finally pulled his attention. Sinking down by his omega, Eren flinched when Levi's hand landed on his thigh, another small whine coming from between his parted lips. As tears rolled down Eren's cheeks, they shimmered with diamond shards. Willy wasn't worth Eren's tears. Let alone tears of such distress as to be diamond encrusted. Beginning to cough, his mate was working himself into internal panic "Come here, Sweet Boy" Levi couldn't gather him into his arms due to Viren on his shoulder, but Eren could move the few centimetres as Levi sat properly. Shaking like a leaf, Eren found his way into Levi's one armed hold. His breath hitching as he hid his face against Levi's shoulder "Is this my fault?" God. How could Eren think this was his fault? Fuck. He shouldn't have let "No. No, this is absolutely not your fault at all" "He... he's dead. They... cut out his tongue. I told him he needed to clean up his loose ends... They cut his tongue out!" "Eren, there's something I need to tell you. Willy came with a group of soldiers and money to see us last night. Freya woke me to tell me. He was put off by the innkeeper, and left. But she had the impression that there was something more to it all..." "He what?! Why didn't you tell me?" Cringing, Levi wished Eren hadn't yelled right in his ear "I was going to. Then Viren was upset, and we were called in here" "He... he wanted to see me? After I..." "Eren. The visit wasn't planned to be pleasant. The innkeeper told Freya as much. We think he intended to pay the old man off for access to our room, only he didn't count on him being scatter minded" "He might still be alive, if we'd... Why didn't she tell me? Why didn't you? You were awake all night. You were right there... and you..." "I was going to tell you. I promise I was going to tell you" "He's dead and the last thing I did was yell at him. I told him to stay away..." "Eren, he was murdered. Probably by the people he betrayed. Probably those very loose ends from his attempt on your life. He doesn't deserve your tears, not after he tried to kill you. Not after what he put our family through. It's disgusting, but he's the one who brought this on himself"