"So I said 'sir, you cannot believe how much of an honour this is for me' and he goes 'you don't have to call me sir' to which I just sheepishly grinned and said, 'but sir, you are literally a Sir'. And he laughed! Terry Pratchett laughed at my stupid joke!"

"You had the worst puppy eyes; he laughed at your inane attempt at humour out of guilt probably."

Eren glared at Levi and pouted while Hanji flicked Levi's forehead causing him to mutter several threats of dismemberment to them.

"You're just jealous 'cause he didn't talk with you much…"

"I was only there because you dragged me, asshat. I don't even like Discworld series."

Eren and Hanji gasped in union and Moblit palmed his face, fully aware of the hell that was about to be let loose.

"I can't believe you!" Eren yelped and Hanji joined him, crying "Heresy! Heresy! Pure, pure heresy!"

"We should punish him." Eren declared, eyes narrowing in threat and Hanji paused for a second, then their eyes glinted with mischief.

"Oh I know what to do to him!"

"Huh?"

Eren was left speechless when Hanji hurled onto Levi and started… tickling him. Levi groaned and shrieked, trying to get Hanji off of him to no avail and soon, despite his best efforts to stifle them, stuttered sounds of laughter started erupting from his mouth.

Eren was flabbergasted.

"Is he… Are you—Levi are you—are you ticklish?! Oh God, he is cackling!"

"Jeez, you guys slept together for months and you never knew?!" Hanji snickered while their hands continued the relentless torture on Levi's sides, near his armpits and the man started choking amidst his laughter.

"Hanji, I think—I think that's enough. His face is really red. I think he's having a hard time breathing," Moblit tried to intervene but Hanji elbowed him away, their fingers never leaving Levi's struggling body.

"He always tries the same shit: fake choking and coughing. It takes at least five to six minutes of tickling for him to actually have a hard time breathing so no worries, it's been like what? Two? Three minutes now?"

"Wow. You actually know that he's ticklish and you also know how long he can stand it… Just Wow. I'm—yeah, wow."

Eren nodded his head stupidly while he continued sipping from his drink, complacently watching Levi's face contorted in a constant grin and chortling in spite of his efforts not to. Hanji's loud laughter mostly overcame the sweet sound of Levi's whimpers much to Eren's dissatisfaction though. Finally, five minutes must have been up that Hanji let Levi go and the man literally jumped away like a scared cat, falling on the other side of the booth they were occupying.

"Y—you…" he started but had to pause to catch his breath, "You… are… fuck—fuckin' crazy…"

"Well you started it! Talk shit, get hit. Or… well, talk shit, get tickled, I guess?"

Eren giggled and Levi rolled his eyes.

"Why are you laughing at that? How much did you drink?"

"Um… not too much?"

"Shit, you're drunk."

"Says the man who did… how many tequila shots again? You're the drunk one." Hanji helped as they downed their cocktail. As he scrutinised his manager's complexion, Eren thought that Levi was likely not drunk but almost there. Also, the tickle attack had led to a slightly miffed Levi with gorgeously red cheeks and slightly hoarse voice. God. I should not find this sexy. But it is sexy. It is sexy as hell.

"Well… not drunk… but yeah…" Levi grumbled, reluctantly admitting his lacking sobriety. He expectantly glanced at Moblit who sighed, "Yeah, I am the only truly sober one…"

"Yeah, kind of guessed that… How do you stand them sober anyway? You have nerves of steel."

"How does he stand me? How do we stand you?" Hanji interjected, shaking their finger accusatively towards Levi.

"Yeah, there's a reason we drink so often…" Eren confirmed and raised his bottle of beer to Hanji for a toast but they, now out of a drink of their own, looked around and grabbed Moblit's apple juice and returned the gesture with that instead, drawing more giggles from the both of them while Moblit sighed and Levi huffed in irritation.

"I think it's better we leave?" Moblit suggested and Levi seemed to agree, as he nodded his head decidedly. While Hanji moaned and refused to leave for a bit, Eren relented. He wouldn't mind leaving though he would actually enjoy drinking a bit more; he was more tipsy than drunk and could have a few more drinks. It was always fun teasing Levi while drinking with Hanji and Levi was much less grumpier when he was under the influence, so there was no imminent risk of death for amicably pestering him. However, he shared a room with Levi back at the hotel and he did not like the idea of a terrible hangover the next day; he was sure that if he vomited on the floors or something, god forbid, Levi would make him clean the whole room with bleach.

After fifteen minutes of begging Hanji and finally making them agree, which Eren thought was a talent special to Levi and Moblit alone in the world, Moblit drove them back to the hotel.

The moment Levi entered their room, he made a beeline to the bathroom and locked the door, loudly complaining about how awful he smelled and how much he hated bars and drinking and alcohol and shitty four-eyed bastards who tickled him till he sweated like a gross wrestler. Eren found it unbearably cute and tried his best to keep himself from snickering, lest Levi heard him and got even more furious.

He threw himself onto the queen size bed and cuddled with the quilt and pillows, still chipper with the daze of their outing and the overall experience; visiting the company's London office, meeting many new people, attending LBF, leading their group of interns from the local branch at the fair, visiting museums and tourist attractions whenever he had the chance… It had been a mirthful experience if a little tiring. They would be returning back home evening of the morrow and he thought what else he could do during the day, hoping he would not be so sick that he would spend his last day in London cooped up in a hotel room.

His vagrant thoughts came to an abrupt halt the moment Levi entered the room, his head mostly covered with a small white towel that he was irately drying his hair with, while his naked body was only partially covered with a medium size towel that rested snuggly around his waist and only reached till his knees. Eren gasped unconsciously.

God. Sweet baby Jesus. Fuck.

Levi did not realise the interest he was attracting, it seemed, as he hunched over his half open luggage and tried to rummage some clothes. Eren felt his mouth run dry and his insides constrict in fever. Oh, how would he love to run his fingers on the alabaster skin that looked so irresistibly smooth… He recalled the many times he had left bite marks all around Levi's shoulders and neck, the older chiding him for it, again and again; "are you a fucking werewolf or a vampire or something?!"

As his gaze descended on the near-nude body before him, committing to memory the enticing curves of Levi's abs and bulging biceps, he realised the heat pooling in the pit of his stomach; and in that instant he realised that it was wrong ogling the man like this.

There must have been a reason why, after all, Levi had never walked around half naked in Eren's presence throughout their stay till then. Probably, he realised how much Eren pined after him and it was a message. A sign. A warning.

The idea changed the yearning inside him into a miserable mourning and dreadful grief that he shuffled on the bed, burying his face on the pillow determinedly and willing away any and all thoughts of desire from his mind, drowning in the guilt of his mental transgressions.

You're not a fucking teenager anymore, for god's sake, control yourself.

A few minutes later he felt his bed slowly dip near the end and a calm voice that was obviously fatigued reach for him;

"Eren? Are you okay? Are you feeling ill?"

God, no. Not this. Please, not this.

He inhaled and dug his face deeper onto the pillow, his hands tightly gripping its sides as if the object was a shield against Levi… Again, why did he need a shield against Levi?

"Eren?" the voice was a tad bit gentler now and it clutched his heart; why? Why are you being so nice to me? Stop being so nice to me. Or shit, I'll get hopeful and I'll think that—

"Eren?" just as the last syllable was heard, he felt the familiar hand, calloused from years of menial work during youth, kindly petting his head. It was too much. It was just too much. This is too much. I cannot…

He moved so suddenly that Levi was clearly surprised, his lips slightly apart and eyes wide, Eren grasped him on the shoulders and leaned in, his forehead touching Levi's, the tips of their noses almost rubbing, their lips so close… Just a breath away. Just a single breath away.

In a second of silence that lasted both too long and too short, he looked deep into the eyes just mere centimetres away from his and searched for the answer to the question that was stuck in his throat, not vocalised but apparent. And simply stared back, softly, kindly…

Then Eren moved again, softly, kindly, slowly, and Levi was not surprised this time and instead closed his eyes as he opened his mouth and leaned in.

It felt… similar to the many kisses they had had before, but at the same time it was peculiarly different. How? Eren couldn't fathom.

He lost himself in the rapture instead, his passion rising exponentially with every fraction of a second, his tongue in frenzy and his mouth ecstatic, wanting more, always more, more of that sweet, sweet ambrosia. His hands drifted, caressing over the t-shirt that was covering the stunning torso he had caught a glimpse of only moments ago and with need, as if acting on their own, his fingers moved, gliding down to the hem and sneaking underneath. He needed – he needed to touch, to know that this was real, that his lips were indeed brushing Levi's own lips, that his arms were embracing Levi, and that he was being allowed, that he was equally desired, that he was needed, just as well. He needed to touch to that alluring skin and confirm—

That was when Levi seemed to comprehend the position they were in and flinched, quickly separating his body and putting his hands on Eren's chest in determination to stop them from going any further.

Eren was confused but immediately ripped away his covetous hands from Levi's body, as if they were burnt; afraid that he had crossed a boundary he should not have.

Fuck.

"I—" he started, desperately in search of words to convey his feelings, but the words did not come to him. Fuck, you're supposed to be an English lit major you dumbshit.

He took a deep breath to calm his agitated nerves but he felt like throwing up. Was this real? Had he… Was it a mistake? But Levi looked so welcoming and he even opened his mouth—Fuck. It doesn't matter. Shit.

"I—I'm… Fuck. I'm just… really sorry. I thought you wanted it, too. I mean you let me kiss you and then kissed back so I thought… But then maybe you changed your mind…I guess? Did you? But why?"

Levi turned his gaze to the floor and after a second of silence, the unintentional shallowness of his rambling dawned upon Eren with a heavier layer of guilt. Shit. You shit for brains stupid shit. You shithead. As if he has to fucking explain it to you.

"Fuck. I'm… I'm sorry. Okay? I really am. It doesn't matter why… You don't owe me an explanation. I just thought—I mean… Never mind, okay? If you don't want to then you don't want to and I'm okay with that."

He wanted to get away, at all costs; just get away from Levi. The presence of the man who titillated him immensely just a few minutes ago was causing repulsion at his own pathetic self now. He could not even find the power within himself to look at Levi, too afraid to find any kind of hurt or disgust there. Why had he had to always rush into things? Why didn't he just think? He felt the bile rise up and swallowed with pain and revolt. It felt like a nightmare – he just… he really had to get away.

He wouldn't mind sleeping outside on a park bench or something as long as he wouldn't have to face Levi. Eventually, he would have to, but at least not that night, not like that. When he moved to stand up and leave, however, Levi's fingers on his chest curled and gripped tighter onto his shirt and kept him pinned on the sitting position.

"Levi… Can—can you please let go? I… I just need to clear my head a bit okay? I'll just go out for a bit."

"It…" Levi started, his eyes still trained on the ground and voice uncharacteristically tense and ragged, "it's not that."

"It's… not what?"

"It's not that I don't want it."

Huh?

"O-okay…"

They stayed for a few seconds in quiet, Eren baffled and unsure of what to do, Levi still avoiding facing him. Then Levi sighed, sounding a lot tired and frustrated, which both surprised and scared Eren. When Levi finally looked back at him, right into his eyes, he could see insecurity on the sharply beautiful features he had always associated with strength and confidence.

"I'm quite tipsy." Levi said and Eren nodded.

"You don't show it much, but you're very tipsy too." Levi added, to which Eren nodded again, his bemusement only increasing.

Levi exhaled and shook his head as if he was trying to explain a harsh dilemma to a naïve child. Perhaps he was.

"Fuck, we're not in our right mind is what I mean… Look, this will probably sound fucking ridiculous to a hot young'un like you but… I'm not into one-night stands anymore. I know that was how we started back then, but I just don't do that shit anymore. I'm thirty, Eren and I changed and I want different things now… I like different things… I mean I even like to…"

"You… you even like to what?"

"I even like to cuddle now, okay? I fucking cuddle. I like back rubs more than blowjobs. My dream date is watching a film at home in pyjamas while drinking tea. Damn. I can't… I can't fuck you just because you're goddamn hot and willing. Plus I'm too into you to be satisfied with only sex, so let's just stop, forget this, and move on."

"Wa—wait a second. You're into me?"

"I thought that was kind of obvious with all the flirting and petting on the damn plane and then the tea date?"

"I thought you just pitied me… Or like being kind. And wait—wait—the teahouse thing? It was a date?!"

"Why the fuck would I pity you?! And on which plane of reality I'm that kind? I don't even touch people if not necessary. And yes, it was a date, of fucking course it was a date. What the hell did you think it was?!"

"I—I don't know! I just didn't think it all as… God. You're weird! You do weird shit. Weird nice shit. I thought you were doing weird nice shit to me. You're so weird."

"Yeah well you were trying to get into the pants of this weirdo just a second ago."

Eren flushed in a mixture of anger and embarrassment. Five years ago, he would have cursed loudly, lashed at the man, and stomped out of the room. Now, he took a deep breath and then glared into the silver eyes that glared back at him.

"I like you too."

"Maybe. Or maybe you just like the idea of me. Or maybe the memories."

"No, I fuckin' like you. In the actual way you are. Here and now. All 160 centimetres of joy and sunshine and glitter and shit."

Levi continued glaring at him but the way his fine eyebrows pulled apart in surprise was telling enough for Eren. He scooted closer, carefully and slowly, as if approaching a stray cat, and leaned in again, ensuring that he was not pushing and that Levi was actually welcoming him; he rested his forehead on Levi's once more, his eyes too close to the intimidating gaze that always took his breath away… and it was rather uncomfortable at that moment, if he had to be honest. Still, he felt, he had to do this, and he had to do this as bluntly as he could.

"I like you. I like your grumbling over cold tea. I like your face being constantly expressionless but your eyes always in turmoil. I like how you lose your shit over dust on the desks or candy wrappers on the floor. I like how my body heats up whenever you smirk, even though it's usually you being a sarcastic a-hole. I like how you clean your own office yourself even though you're the manager and still wear that stupid bandana over your head while doing so. I like how you don't give a fuck about what others' titles are or what they say. I like how freely you use the word 'fuck'. I—"

Levi moved forward and caught Eren's lips between his teeth, biting instantly and drawing a whimper from his prey. Soon Levi's arms crawled up and wrapped around Eren's neck, pulling him closer as Eren's own arms hesitantly snaked around Levi's waist.

It was a rush. A rush of lips. A rush of emotions. A rush of breaths. A rush of lust. A rush of need. If he was actually sober, perhaps he would have felt intoxicated. Instead his inebriation was diluted as their kiss deepened even though he could taste the alcohol in Levi's mouth; the arms strongly holding him were yanking him closer and closer to Levi and as their bodies flushed against each other, it seemed both the tight hold around him and his own wish to be held were insatiable… His hazy mind morbidly wondered if he could be fully consumed by Levi; get under his skin and taken in completely—to be close—so close that they would be one and not two.

When they broke the kiss Levi sunk to rest his head on Eren's shoulder and Eren had to take a few seconds to himself just to catch his breath (and the stray thoughts and heartbeats).

Then once the oxygen had caught up to all his blood cells, he realised the predicament.

"So?"

"So: if you ever spout crap like that again, I'll maim you with the closest available sharp object."

"No need to be so embarrassed, Levi."

Levi raised his head and glowered at Eren's face to which Eren simply shrugged, which earned him a half-joking headbutt on the shoulder… He fell on his back to the bed unceremoniously but pulled Levi with him such that the shorter man ended up on top of him, almost straddling.

"I can't believe you… you headbutted me."

"It wasn't even for real."

"Whatever," Eren mused and his hands sneaked onto Levi's thighs, "does this mean we can now have sex?"

Levi rolled his eyes, momentarily staring up to the ceiling as if begging to an imaginary god above for mercy and patience, then peered down angrily,

"No."

"Why not?! I mean… you kissed me when I said I liked you and you said you were into me too, so I'm assuming… we're kind of a thing now? Right?"

"Right. Still, no."

"We don't have to go all the way you know, I mean if you don't have condoms, I sure don't."

"It's not about that you horny shit."

"What's it about then?!"

"Were you even listening to me? You're almost drunk. I'm almost drunk. We just sorted out the… the 'feelings' part a second ago. Hold your horses. You won't die of sexual frustration over a night."

"I know… I guess I just… missed it. A lot. And you're really hot. Can we do it tomorrow?"

"What are you? How old are you? Thirteen? We're flying out tomorrow night. I'm not making you a mile high member."

"I didn't mean on the plane and we don't have wait the night for it; we can still do it during the day? Before the flight?"

Levi gaped at Eren incredulously for a second and then let himself drop on the young man, burying his face on the pillow right above Eren's shoulder. Hence, his next words were muffled: "This was a bad idea."

"Are you kidding? This is the best decision I've made in months."

"No, it's the worst."

Eren chuckled, his hand sliding up Levi's body, caressing his sides and then his shoulders and finally resting over his head. He combed Levi's hair; inky locks between his fingers were still damp and smelled of the lavender shampoo that Levi always used, even carried around a sample for business trips, apparently.

He inhaled the scent and felt peace settle all over his being.

"I was just… kidding… you know that right? Like, I'd love you to fuck me. Or well to fuck you. Or anything in between, really. But only if you want and when you want."

"Shut up. I know."

"Okay… hey, Levi?"

"What?"

"Can we cuddle then? Because I've actually always liked cuddling a lot."

He heard Levi snort, which in that moment suspended in time sounded better than any music ever created to his ears. If he could, he would have wanted to freeze this particular moment or capture it somehow and just… relive it. Again and again. Whenever he felt insecure or depressed or defeated. Just relive this moment with Levi in his arms, snorting to an idea he probably found both childish and irresistible.

"Maybe…" was the muffled reply that came once the tittering subsided.