His palms were sweating as he rolled the piece of paper up, and clutched it tightly in an act of nervousness. Levi's office door was slightly ajar, and Eren could hear the faint noise of keys clicking on a keyboard. He breathed in deeply, and then tapped his knuckle against the door, "Knock knock?"

"Who's there?" Levi asked jokingly, looking at Eren out of the corner of his eye.

Eren said with a smile, "It's just me," and walked into the office. Levi had old coffee cups and granola bar wrappers cluttered around his desk, which wasn't a good sign considering the prince's reputation for keeping a tight ship.

"It's just me, who?" Levi joked, and Eren gave a huff of amusement. "How'd the interview go?"

"Scary." Eren sat in the chair across his desk. "I wanted you there instead. I'm pretty sure the interviewers did too."

"You've become a media sensation recently; this is just all that comes with it," He brushed a couple coffee cups into the trash, "I'm sure you did fantastic."

Eren snorted, "As if." He rolled the paper between his hands, "Um, there was actually something I wanted to talk to you about."

Levi closed his laptop, giving Eren his full attention, "Yes?"

Eren's mouth turned dry as Levi's piercing eyes stared almost through him. He rubbed his nose and stared down at the paper again, "I uh…" Breathe in. Breathe out. "I want to go to school."

Levi's naturally narrowed eyes opened wider by a fraction. "You…do?"

The surprised look on the prince's face made Eren's heart skip a beat and he spat out words in a panic, "Ah! I know it's going to cost a lot, and I'm totally prepared to work for it. I worked it all out, uh…" He unrolled the paper in his hands, "…here! I did the math and if I give you half of all my wages for the next ten years I'll be able to cover-"

Levi let out a laugh- a mixed one of unbelief and happiness. He shook his head, "No way. No way! That's incredible!"

"W…what?" Eren sat up a little straighter, and he felt his face heat up. "In…in ten years…"

Levi smiled, showing straight white teeth, "I'm so proud of you, Eren. It takes guts to want to go back to school."

"I'm going to be…older than all the other freshmen…but I want a degree. I want to be a teacher." Eren spoke with determination.

Levi walked around the desk and stood in front of Eren. He reached down, pulled the younger man to his feet, and wrapped his arms around him in a strong hug. Eren fumbled to wrap his arms around Levi to return the hug. "Eren, you are smart and strong and determined, and you have all the power to control your own future. You have my support every step of the way. Of course I'll cover the expenses."

Eren pulled away, bracing his hands on Levi's strong forearms, "And I'll pay you back."

A familiar glint appeared in Levi's eyes, and he replied monotone, "No. You won't. This is only a small step towards repaying you in everything you've done for me."

Eren felt his nose burning, and his eyes sting, and he huffed, "There is no way I could ever-"

"Eren." Levi smiled again- twice in one day is really a new record, "It's nothing. I bought a car the other day worth probably more than your college will cost. Don't worry, I love you."

The stinging turned to real tears, and Levi was suddenly smothered in a hug so tight he felt his lungs burn.

"So, for dinner, I was thinking we should make beef wellington. It's elegant and tasteful; if we get the right type of wine to serve with it." Connie tapped his finger against his chin.

"But…" Sasha crossed her arms, "I thought we decided on Mushroom Risotto!"

"Yeah, but nobody likes mushrooms anymore Sasha. They're out of style."

Reiner laughed, "Out of style?"

"Like fashion?" Bertholt blinked.

"Yes! Exactly like fashion." Connie tilted his head like a dog, "Come on guys; get with the program."

Sasha glared, "But the boss loves mushroom risotto."

"We think he likes it because he hasn't complained about it. That doesn't mean he loves it."

"Fight fight fight! " Reiner chanted. Eren, whom sat on the kitchen counter, slapped his arm in amusement.

"Fine, what do you guys think?" Sasha huffed. "Risotto or wellington."

Reiner nodded, "Wellington. It sounds fancy."

"I actually quite like mushrooms…" Bertholt muttered.

"Can I vote for fried chicken?" Eren rubbed the back of his neck. "I want some KFC."

The horrified looks on the chefs' faces was priceless.

So that night they had fried chicken in an attempt to prove that KFC was for 'heartless peasants' and that their own cooking was 'completely superior.'

Everyone ate together in the dining hall that evening. There were two empty seats where Ymir and Christa belonged, but that was only because the couple was off on an all-expenses paid vacation via Levi. They just didn't know it was Levi. Let's just say the random lottery ticket they won wasn't so random and wasn't so lottery. When Eren found out he was sworn to secrecy by Levi.

Eren was drawn out of thought when there was a gentle nudge in his side. Armin was looking at him with big warm eyes. "So?"

"So, what?" Eren blinked.

"Did you ask?"

"Oh, ah," Eren smiled wide, "Yes. He said yes."

Armin bounced in his seat, "That's wonderful! How exciting!"

"He insists that he pays for everything." Eren looked down at his chicken, "I'll have to pay him back one day. There's no way I couldn't."

"Did you see how he handled the situation with Christa and Ymir? He's much sneakier than you ever will be." Armin laughed. "He'd never accept you paying him back."

"I'll just have to fight that battle when I get there." Eren looked across the table to the prince, and gave him a longing look. It was almost like the heir had a sixth sense, because he immediately turned to look at Eren; returning the same gentle gaze.

That night Levi was able to feel just how appreciative Eren was. There was a mouth on his throat, his Adams apple, and then his chin, sucking bruises and enthusiastically licking his ear; turning Levi's bones to raw jelly.

He had enough brain cells left to trail his fingers up and around Eren's sides, as the younger straddled his lap and licked every bit of bare skin Levi had. His shirt was gone, and then there were lips at his sternum, and his belly button, and then his hipbones. Levi didn't allow more than a grunt past his own lips, but he couldn't help but scrape his nails through Eren's scalp, and pull on his hair when Eren kissed somewhere sensitive.

Cold fingers slipped underneath the waist band of his pants, and pulled down. Levi jerked Eren forwards to meet for a kiss. Levi controlled the kiss; sucking on Eren's bottom lip and pulling in Eren's tongue between his own teeth. Eren let him, instead focusing on flicking open his pants button with one hand. When Eren pulled back to breathe Levi gasped, "Why now?"

"Why now what?" Eren yanked the heir's jeans down to his thighs.

"What made you decide to go back to college?"

Eren hummed, and rested his forehead against Levi's as he worked the prince between his forefinger and thumb, "Multiple things I think."

Levi panted, "Tell me."

"My 23rd birthday next week. The fact that all the other staff here are finding new things to do with their lives. All the recent media coverage. I love working for you, but I also need a job for myself, you know? I want to stand next to you and proudly say my profession. I don't know if any of this makes sense."

Levi ran his slender fingers through Erens moppy hair, and forced eye contact, "Of course I understand. You need to have goals; and something new. I told you I support you, didn't I?"

Eren laughed, and quickened his pace on Levi's member, "I remember."

The prince grunted, and pulled back, "But."

"But what?" Eren whined.

"Don't ever," He raised a hand to Eren's chin, and forced eye contact, "ever feel like you need to do this for some kind of social status. I love you the way you are."

Eren's green eyes glossed over for just a moment, before a look of determination settled in. He nodded, "I understand…" and slid off his lap to plant his face firmly in Levi's crotch.

Levi grunted as Eren grabbed the base of his cock with his right hand, and wet his lips before swallowing him whole. Eren moved up and down at a steady pace, and rested his left hand on the prince's thigh. Levi threw his head back and moaned. He huffed when he felt Eren smile against him.

"I'm not going to last long like that, ass."

Eren grinned, "Good."

The knock at their door was suspicious, considering that they weren't expecting company. Saturday was a home alone day; Levi was upstairs working furiously, and only Armin remained home, sleeping in the room they used to share.

The banging repeated, and so he walked over to the heavy metal door. He leaned down to see out of the peephole, as the door was made special to fit Levi's height. His jaw dropped.

The three beloved princes were all at the doorstep, hands behind their straight backs, and perfect hair combed. Eren felt his blood boil, thinking to himself how dare they. He yelled through the door, "Do you have an appointment?"

There was a small pause, and Prince Erwin spoke, "Um…no, but-"

"Then go away." Eren spat. He continued to watch them through the peephole.

"Eren…please…"

"You have ten seconds before I call security." Eren shouted.

"Levi doesn't even have security." Nile folded his arms, and then looked at the peephole like he knew Eren was there.

The young man jumped back in surprise, and growled, "T-that's what we want you to think! You have two seconds-"

"Please, Eren!" Erwin held Mike back from banging on the metal door, "We want to apologize!"

Eren went silent before saying, "How…am I supposed to believe you?"

"You're not." Nile said, and looked away. "After what we've done to you." Mike nodded.

Eren huffed, and flipped the lock on the door with a loud clunk. He threw open the door, and scolded, "It's been over a year since I visited Stohess, and we haven't heard a word from any of you. I'm supposed to trust you guys, after you nearly molested me multiple times? I don't think so."

"Please." Mike spoke with a very deep voice, "We only did it to annoy Levi."

"That's supposed to make me feel better?"

"And we realize how childish we've been." Nile added.

Erwin bowed, "We want to be a family. Father wants us to be a family. We want you guys to come home."

"You've been assholes to me my entire life, and now you want to say 'I'm sorry', and move on?"

Eren turned to see Levi standing at his side, eyes glaring holes into his brothers.

"Well…when you put it that way…" Mike looked down.

"Goodbye." Levi began to shut the door, but Erwin daringly slid his fingers in between the door; he threw his body weight against it. Mike immediately jumped in to help stop the door to prevent it from chopping off Erwin's fingers.

Erwin pleaded, "Please! Brother, we've always been the closest. Through all these years, please, just one more chance!" It sounded odd to hear such a distinguished person beg. Levi hesitated, but said nothing. The prince continued, "Just…let us take you both out to lunch. We can talk, I promise, we wouldn't be standing here if we weren't sincere."

After a moment of silence, Levi looked to Eren, "What do you say?"

Eren looked at the disheveled princes. The earlier façade of perfection was gone, and now they looked like three desperate brothers. He turned to his lover and shrugged, "One lunch date won't kill us."

A wave of relief visibly passed the heirs. Nile spoke, "We promise we-"

"Yeah, whatever. Next week. Lunch. Bye."

Levi turned to shut the door again, and this time his brothers didn't interfere.

"These are weird times."

"Why do you say that?"

"It's just weird. Very weird."

Eren gave Levi a look, but shrugged it off. They were on the cushioned porch bench, with Levi's head in Eren's lap. Eren had his fingers woven throughout Levi's undercut, and constantly ran his thumbs over where the hair was shaven.

"Everything is changing, I guess." Levi looked up at Eren. The younger could see small wrinkles at the ends of Levi's eyes, and Eren thought to himself about how much he loved the little lines.

"Yeah, I guess. People are moving, I'm going to school, and your brothers want to be in your life again. Who knows what's next?"

"Hnn." Levi closed his eyes. "Reiner and Bertholt aren't moving far, though."

Eren smirked, "I can see the worry in your face."

"I'm not worried." Levi peeped open an eye. Eren smiled, and Levi growled, "I'm not!"

Eren let out a laugh, and tugged on his hair, "You're right. They're not moving far. Neither is Ymir and Christa."

"Yeah…"

"They just want spaces of their own…" Eren said happily.

"I could have bought them their own houses. I could have bought them three houses."

"They could never accept that Levi. They're adults who want to handle their adult problems."

Levi mumbled to himself, "Why won't people just let me take care of them."

Eren laughed, and leaned down to kiss his nose, "Momma Levi."

The prince leaned up and grabbed the back of Eren's head, growling into their kiss, "Asshole."

"Look, I hate to break up this beautiful moment here, but this is the last place I gotta clean today and I want to go to bed."

They looked up to see Armin sleepily grinning, and the three broke out into laughter.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Eren! Happy birthday to you!"

Eren hid his face in his hands as his friends stood around him, singing. Levi didn't sing, but stood in the corner of the room smiling.

"This is…" Eren peaked through his fingers to look at the dining room, which had been completely decorated in ridiculous birthday decorations. Some were pink Barbie plates that said, "Hooray! You're five!" And others were balloons that said "Congrats on turning 60!" It was definitely the work of Reiner and Ymir.

Connie and Sasha had gone all out on the cake, of course. It was a triple tier with a figurine of Eren at the top, like a wedding cake.

It was all so comical, but so touching that Eren couldn't stop smiling.

"I wanted to get you an Elsa cake, but everyone else disagreed." Christa frowned, jokingly.

"Thank god." Eren laughed, and everyone else joined in too.

Connie carefully cut Eren a piece first. Eren took the plate and nodded his thanks, only to have a hand shove at the back of his head. He suddenly had a face full of chocolate cake, and a snickering best friend. Eren looked up at Armin, and smiled a threat, "Armin. You better run."

The blonde squeaked and bolted down the hallway. Eren wiped his face on his forearm and shot up out of his chair, leaving the laughing room behind him.

The rest of the day was very…sweet. They gathered in the theater for a movie night, everyone willing to watch whatever Eren wanted. Therefore, everyone gathered to watch High School Musical Three.

"I just don't get it." Shrugged Christa. "He's just a white boy. There's like, at least a million of those at whatever college she's going to."

Connie choked, and wiped away a stray tear, "Its true love Christa! You don't mess with true love!"

"I just don't understand why Troy is so whiny." Levi swallowed a piece of popcorn. "Oh, boo hoo you're attractive, a good singer, AND a great basketball player."

There were a few snickers in the room. Armin spoke up, "The biggest problem he has is that he's been accepted to too many colleges."

"Meanwhile in Africa…"

"But he has to leave Gabriella!" Eren defended.

"There's pussy at college too dude!"

Christa elbowed her girlfriend, "Ymir!"

There was more laughing, and Connie shushed everyone.

"This has been wonderful." Eren stood, running his fingers through the mane of one of the stable horses.

"I'm really glad you enjoyed your birthday." Levi sat on a barrel of hay.

Eren sighed, "It's amazing to have so many people…care about me. I was shocked by all the presents."

"Speaking off…" Levi fumbled with a piece of paper in his hands. "I didn't get to give you mine."

"Oh no…" Eren backed away, "No no, no. You're paying for my schooling! That's enough birthday presents for like," Eren pretended to count on his fingers, "like…the rest of my life!"

Levi shook his head, "Nope. You have to open it. No returns." The prince held out the envelope.

Eren hesitantly took the present, and looked it over in his hands. He slowly tore open the letter, and pulled out two slips of paper. He gasped, and nearly dropped them. "No way!"

Levi smiled, "Mhmm."

"No…no way. No, Levi I-"

"Come on, stiff." Levi walked over to Eren, and slipped an arm around his waist. "A vacation will be good for you."

He looked down at the tickets for a flight to Hawaii. Eren flung his arms around Levi's neck. "Thank you so much. You are incredible. You are absolutely incredible. "

Levi let a small laugh escape him, "Well. I am a prince I guess."

"I love you." Eren pressed both his hands to Levi's cheeks, "I love you so much."

"Wow, that's good. Otherwise this would be pretty awkward." Levi replied sarcastically, and pulled Eren's head towards him for a deep kiss.

That vacation wasn't the last proposal Levi would make, and it wouldn't be the last time Eren would say yes to something.

Eren realized his life seemed to lean on the edge of a fairy tale. Like a story from a book. It was a story he would tell his children, and his friends children, and the grocery checker at Smiths, and the mailman, and Oprah. It was a story of ups and downs, but like every good fairy tale, it had a happy ending.

wow, thank you all so much for following this and being so patient. My life has gotten a bit less insane, so I can begin writing again.
Also thanks for following this story for so long, it was just some dumb au i made up in my head a couple years ago

If you'd like to see more of my work, please go ahead and check out some of the other stuff i've written

and if you'd like to follow me on tumblr, you can check me out at . com
thanks again!