Levi makes dinner for Eren. Things get romantic AF.

There is mild implicit sexual content in this. If you'd like to skip it, you can jump between the double horizontal lines.

Thanks to CFFA for helping me out with this one!

September 17th, 853

Cooking may be one of Levi's lesser known talents, but anyone lucky enough to have a meal he's prepared would sing its praises. Levi doesn't do anything halfway, and he puts as much dedication and passion into his meals as he does his training. It takes a special occasion for him to put those skills to use - like the time he made a cake to celebrate Hanji and Moblit's union ceremony, or when he made a week's worth of casseroles and had them sent to Erwin each night after his mate died. Tonight is no exception - he's cooking this meal for what he hopes will one day be looked back on as a special occasion. The thing is, Levi finally admitted to himself (and Hanji, inadvertently) that he loves Eren. He finally admitted out loud that he is in love with Eren, his soulmate. And maybe it's just because he's stubborn, but as much as he wanted a soulmate, he hated the idea that it was instant and he had no say in how he felt. Maybe that's why he had fought those feelings for so long, how he'd suppressed a connection between them in a way that's scientifically impossible. If anyone could find a way to tell the soulmate gods to fuck off, it was Levi. But now that's he's accepted his feelings, now that he's decided for himself that he is very much in love with the brunette man, now that he knows that man is very much in love with him, well now he thinks he might be ready to give in to his more primal desires. There's only one thing still between them, one thing that the bond keeps pulling them towards, one thing left to do before they have a complete connection, before they're truly whole.

The thing is, they've only been together for a few months, but they've felt the pull for the past six, and Levi is pretty sure he was in love with the brat before any mystic connection got involved anyway. He's never waited more than a few weeks from meeting someone he wanted to fuck and following through with the act, let alone months, so he's got no clue what the right pacing is for this. And don't even get him started on the months of fighting his romantic feelings - the months of pining after the kid - even though the only thing standing in his way was his own fears and insecurities. So here he is, 33 years old, and for the first time in his life, he's experiencing the internal struggle to balance his sexual desire and his craving for romantic intimacy. He's pretty sure Eren also wants more now, especially since he hasn't slept in his own bed since the first night they spent together, and their make-out sessions always leave them both hard and wanting more. He's gotten better at kissing - determined to find every spot that drives Levi mad, to discover every place he's sensitive and assaulting it - which only adds fuel to the already raging fire Levi feels burn inside him when they're together. In fact, he's certain Eren also wants more because every time they find themselves alone they end up attacking each other with kisses and bites, rutting against each other like sex-starved teens (which to be fair, Eren is). But Levi is always the one to pull away and keep them from crossing that last boundary, breaking down that last wall. It isn't that Levi doesn't want him, he wants to fucking devour him, but he loves this man, this insufferable brat, and that is still foreign territory. Levi has had a lot of sex, but he's never made love. Just thinking the words makes him cringe and want to punch things.

And that's why he's in the kitchen, preparing his favorite stew - the one his mother made on Christmas once a year when she was able to hunt down meat - to share with Eren tonight. That's why he searched for the least damaged plates, why he washed the linens himself to make sure they were properly cleaned. It's why there's a bottle of wine he bought in town sitting on the table, two glasses waiting patiently beside it. Levi's never made love to someone, but he knows how to show his love through food and he knows how to fuck like a pro, so he hopes doing those two things back to back is close enough.

Just as he's finishing up the last few touches, there's a quiet gasp and the wave of emotions pour over him. He feels drunk on the love and adoration and joy pouring off his mate, and he nearly burns the dish he'd spent hours preparing.

"Levi, why did you... how did you... is this all for me?" Eren's bright green eyes are wide and shining, sweeping back and forth over the scene in front of him.

"Sit. It's almost done. Obviously, it's for both of us." Levi tries to hide his giddy excitement, tries to play it cool even though the look Eren is giving him makes his heart race and his stomach flutter and his breath hitch. He lets his resting bitch face take over to hide the small smile, to mask the fondness creeping into his features.

When the meal is finally ready Levi scoops it onto the plates and sets one in front of each of them. He grabs the bottle of wine, uncorks it, and starts to fill the two glasses to the brim. He isn't trying to get Eren drunk, but he needs the liquid courage himself if he's going to pull this off. He's been preparing this speech all day, playing it over and over in his mind, saying the words silently to feel how they roll off his tongue. It's not the most eloquent declaration of love, but it's honest and it's unfiltered and very much Levi, and he knows that's what Eren wants to hear most.

When he finally moves to place the glass in front of his mate and say the words he's been fretting over all day, he catches sight of Eren, plate nearly empty, shoveling food into his mouth like a rabid bear.

The stew is good - incredibly good. It might even be the best thing Eren's ever eaten. He doesn't even remember the last time he had meat - real chunks of meat, not just thin cuts - and it's rich and salty and he can't help himself from stuffing spoonful after spoonful into his mouth. He's so intent on the flavors dancing in his mouth and finding a way to get more of it or make it last longer, that he doesn't even realize he's made a mess of his face and the table. What finally does bring him out of his frenzy is the pulsing on his arm, and the frustration and disappointment tied to the words he finds there.

Feral Beast

He's embarrassed that he's nearly finished his portion when Levi clearly hasn't had a bite of his own. The older man is sitting across from him, a frown set deep across his face, two full wine glasses still clasped in his hands. It's an unnerving sensation, experiencing directly and indirectly negative emotions that are aimed at yourself. Between his own shame and the dismay coming from Levi, he wants nothing more than to crawl into a hole and hide. He sets the spoon down gently, grabbing at the napkin discarded to his side, lifting it to wipe his face clean and hide his frown. They've never had an awkward tension like this between them, and Eren doesn't know how to diffuse it. What he does know, is that Levi just made him an amazing meal, just doted on him for no reason at all, and all he wants to do is praise the man in return. He flashes Levi his biggest grin and tilts his head to look up through those sinfully long eyelashes, leveraging his charm to his advantage.

"Lee, that was the best thing I've ever eaten. And knowing how hard you must have worked on it, how much you must have spent to get the ingredients, and the fact you did it all just for us to share it together... I'm just so lucky. What did I ever do to deserve you as my soulmate?" He can feel the irritation still, but it's lessened, and there's an overwhelming sense of relief flooding into him. When he reaches out for one of the wine glasses Levi hands it to him without a second thought before taking a large drink of his own.

Levi isn't happy his plan was thwarted, is still a bit pissed that Eren just mauled the meal he made and ruined the romantic setting he'd tried to create, but he can't keep himself from preening at the compliment, can't contain the joy he feels at his soulmate's approval. Because there it is again, that damn fondness, that damn syrupy sweet feeling that pours over him, drowns him when he looks into those sparkling eyes. "Tch, you're still a beast. I'm glad you liked it though, it's an old recipe, one of my favorites."

Eren doesn't miss a beat, just takes another drink before placing his face in his hands and leaning across the table, batting those lashes and giving Levi his best bedroom eyes. "Well, now it's one of mine."

Eren's just finished cleaning up the last evidence of their meal, placing the dishes back in their cupboards, when he realizes what this was all about. "Levi, can I come up to bed with you?"

The request feels oddly formal - he hasn't asked Levi to stay over once since the first time, they'd both assumed it was just the new arrangement and never felt the need to voice it. "Why are you asking, you haven't slept in your own bed in a month. Besides, it's pretty early still."

Eren looks shy and unsure, but there's that determined glint in his eye, the one he has before he's about to try something new. "I wasn't planning on going to bed right away."

If the suggestive tone wasn't enough, the teen's arousal hits Levi like a ton of bricks and he's suddenly very certain of Eren's intentions. "Oh."

"You did so much for me tonight, let me show you how much I appreciate it." Eren turns and leads the way down the hall, moving rhythmically, a cross between a skip and dance. Levi isn't sure why, but they both realize they want to be the first to get there, and an impromptu race begins. Levi Ackerman does not fucking skip. He might, however, have sped up to a light jog to keep up.

He's barely got the door shut and locked when Eren is on him, pressing every inch of his back against the wooden planking. He's struggling to make contact in as many places as possible because despite his best efforts he can't get quite close enough to satisfy that need that's burning deep and hot inside him. Eren's everywhere and nowhere at once, leaving a trail of wet open mouth kisses along his neck. Every few seconds he lets his teeth graze along the skin, not enough to cause pain, just enough to suggest his dominance in that moment. Levi isn't sure where the hell the brat learned to do this because a month ago he was still a blushing virgin, but Eren's always been a fast learner. Maybe too fast.

"Eren, slow down, we don't have to ahhhh shit " Levi is far from inexperienced, but no one has ever had the balls to take over with him the way Eren is right now, and when the shifter bites down on the skin between his neck and his shoulder, it unearths a breathy whine Levi is too embarrassed to own up to. "I'm not a kid Lee, I'm an adult and your soul mate and I want this with you."

His hands have found their way up under the casual shirt he wore to dinner, leaving light scratches up and down along his abs and his back. Every place those fingers make contact with his skin burns, leaving trails of fire in their wake. When they pull away he whimpers at the loss despite his best efforts to control himself. They aren't gone for long, quickly gripping the edges of his shirt and ripping it up and over his head in one quick motion before returning to the assault on his neck.

"Come on babe, let me show you how much I want you. Let me make you feel good." Eren's kissing down his chest, lingering over his abs, sinking lower with every lick and caress. Levi's too blissed out, too turned on to stop him, but when his hands dip into the waistband of his pants he knows he has to act fast before he completely loses his ability to speak.

"Dammit, Eren sit your ass down before I knock you flat on it." The command comes out stronger than he'd expected, and he silently celebrates his ability to have some semblance of control when it comes to his desire for his mate. But the teen doesn't relent, doesn't head the warning. He's crouching in front of Levi, fingers dipping into his pants, balancing on the balls of his feet just inches off the floor. Levi gives him one last look of warning but instead of stopping Eren palms at the erection formed beneath Levi's pants - it doesn't take much more than a swift shove in response to send the brunette backward, stumbling until he's sitting flat on his butt, legs flung out in front of him. He looks like a kicked puppy, but Levi knows it's the right call. "Levi what the-"

"I told you to sit your ass down." He takes a few moments to collect his breath, to clear the fog of lust from his mind. When he feels like he's back in control, he reaches a hand out to help Eren off the floor.

"Now, don't get me wrong, that was great, really fucking great, but you're getting ahead of yourself and honestly, if I didn't stop you then I don't know if I would have been able to. Fuck I know I'm Humanity's Strongest, but I'm still just a man Eren." He takes it reluctantly, still frustrated that his plan was derailed. Levi walks them to the bed and sits down, turning to face Eren. Levi's never been great with words, even worse with feelings, but saying the right words to convey those feelings? That was by far the greatest challenge he'd ever faced.

"Look, I don't want you to feel obligated. I know the universe decided we were supposed to be together, but I want you to know that I don't take this for granted. I want you to know that I chose you, that I am choosing you every single day. And I hope that you continue to choose me day after day as well. But if there's ever a point that you think I'm not the person you want, you need to tell me. I don't expect anything to be given to me Eren, and I want to work to earn you and your love." He's said the entire confession to the floor, unable to meet Eren's gaze. When he finally looks up, he's met with those bewitching green orbs, glistening with tears on the precipice of falling.

Understanding dawns on Eren as Levi speaks, and while the lust isn't gone, it's buried under the thick blanket of love and joy he feels knowing that Levi wants him, really wants him, and not just whoever was fated to him. "I chose you too Levi, every day I'll work to be the partner you deserve and I know you'll do the same."

"And you promise you'll be honest with me if that changes? Or if I do something you don't like? You have to promise to be upfront with me, just like you don't hold back on the battlefield you can't hold back on me in this either. I can take it - it might hurt, but I always want you to tell me the truth." Levi needs to know they're in this together, equal partners on steady footing. He loves Eren, he respects Eren, he fucking cherishes Eren, but he can't give himself fully to someone who isn't ready to give himself fully back.

"Well there is one thing…" Eren shuffles anxiously in his spot on the bed. Levi can't help but remember the first time they'd sat on this bed together, Eren silently panicking about the expectation of sex with Levi. The older man is so thankful they hadn't gone through with it that night: they've come a long way together, and now he's certain his heart is aligned with desires, now he's certain this isn't a mistake. Despite the teen's bravado earlier, he's still the least experienced of the two, and even if he's ready for this and they're both sure the timing is right, he's going to have some residual nerves.

"What if… I mean, sometimes you feel so good and it's overwhelming and I feel myself losing control. And what if that happened, what if I was too far gone and you bit me and I uh, you know…" His hands are clasped, fingers wringing together over and over, back and forth in a constant pattern, dissipating his nerves through physical movement. He finally turns to meet his soulmate's gaze, green eyes boring into steel gray. "What if I shifted while we were having sex?"

'Well shit.' Levi certainly hadn't expected that. Sure, the thought had crossed his mind, but Eren had been more or less in complete control of his Titan form for years. Then again, this was something new, something entirely different, and the stimulation paired with any sort of physical pain - even a love bite - could be enough to send him over the edge. Levi wasn't sure what to do - he didn't want to spook Eren, but he didn't feel capable of assuaging his fears either. Hell, it wasn't every day that shifters had soulmates and sex lives. And even if there was a precedence, there wasn't anyone who would know anything about it.

Except maybe there was…

"Wait here, I'll be back. Don't do anything stupid." Eren didn't have any time to protest before Levi had pushed off the bed, thrown his cloak on over his bare chest and ran out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Ten minutes and an anxious jog later, Levi finds himself outside Hanji and Moblit's quarters. He pounds on the door with three swift knocks, but there's no response. "Hanji dammit I know you're not sleeping, I need you to get your ass out here right now."

There's a quiet shuffling on the other side of the door, and when Hanji finally moves to open it Levi can see piles of books and paperwork lining the two desks in their room, Moblit seated dutifully at one of them. "Levi what in the name of the sisters has you so riled up? We were in the middle of a very important-"

"We both know you've been studying Titans and shifters and I know you must have considered their reproductive traits..." The words are half shouted half mumbled, stumbling out of his mouth too fast but not fast enough to keep the blush from rising up his cheeks.

Everyone knows Hanji is brilliant - even Levi will reluctantly admit it - and she catches onto his deeper meaning instantly. There's that cheshire cat grin spreading across her face, and he can see the wheels turning in her mind, already knows he's in trouble before she speaks. "Are you asking me if you can have sex with your foxy little mate without him shifting during it?" If her phrasing isn't enough to shame him, her subtle wink and not so subtle rib jab do the job just fine.

"Dammit Shitty Glasses if you tell ANYONE-" Levi spent the entire week planning this night, spent the entire day cooking, and just left his very aroused mate half naked in his room - the last thing he needs is Hanji giving him shit for being worried about the one thing that might keep them from consummating their relationship tonight.

"Calm down pipsqueak. There's always a chance Eren could shift, but he's been in control for years now, and he knows that shifting during THAT would be very dangerous for his beloved soulmate, so I think it's a safe bet that won't happen. Besides, there's a fail safe: just don't bite him too hard." Levi wants to slap the grin off her face, wants to cover her mouth to muffle the cackle leaving it. But he's got his answer and Eren is waiting, and that is infinitely more important than his own embarrassment.

"Okay good. And Hanji - this never happened." He gives her his best death glare before turning and marching down the hall. Levi is Humanity's Strongest, and he does not handle jokes at his expense well. He barely lets Eren get away with them, and that's his soulmate. Hanji may be his best friend, but he doesn't want to give her any more material to work with than necessary. Unfortunately, Levi is also not a very lucky man, and a breeze comes in just as he passes one of the open windows, pulling his cloak up with it. He does his best to grasp it and pull it tight around himself once more, but he knows it's too late - Hanji's already seen his half naked form.

Levi can hear the gasp and the breathless laughing behind him, but he walks on as fast as his legs will carry him without giving it any attention. Hanji yells after him, gasping the words out between fits of giggles. "Oh my stars... were you two in the middle of doing it when-" Levi turns the corner as fast as he can, leaving Hanji and her questions behind him.

He stops himself just outside his door, taking a moment to calm his breathing, to settle his heart. He knows that Eren is waiting on the other side of that door - knows that Eren is waiting to finally break down the last barrier between them. It's just a few planks of wood to anyone else, but to Levi it's the last barrier he'd built to protect himself from letting someone get too close, to protect himself from giving in completely, to protect himself from falling in love.

Levi swore after he lost his mother he would do whatever he had to in order to never feel that way again, and he built a wall around his heart, closed off the world and decided love wasn't something he wanted to feel again. But then Isabel and Farlan came along and broke down that wall, made him feel loved, gave him hope. When they died, Levi built two walls, one for his mother and one for his friends, and he swore he'd never feel that way again. He swore this time would be different - this time he'd be stronger, he'd find a way to make being alone work. But then Petra and the others stormed into his life, weaseled their way between the cracks and chiseled at the bricks. When they finally got to him, made him trust them, made him see they trusted him, it was something like love. So when he lost them, found their bodies littered across the forest floor, he built three walls, locked his heart in a steel cage and threw away the damn key. He swore to himself he'd never let all those barriers get torn down again, swore to himself he wouldn't ever feel anything like love again because it's never been worth the pain of loss.

But now those walls are gone, broken and cracked, left as nothing more than rubble. All that's left is that cage, and in this moment he's standing in front of the wooden door, head resting against it, hands scratching against the grains, feeling the last barrier crumble because Eren is on the other side, and Eren has the key. There is no going back once he opens the door, once he unlocks the cage. If something happens, he won't be able to rebuild those walls, won't be able to protect himself again. He'll be ruined, left bare and vulnerable, devastated. But even so, even knowing this is going to be the end of him, he still wants to go through with it because on the other side is Eren, and he's the only person worth the risk.

Levi isn't prepared for the site before him - Eren is naked in their bed (their bed, not his bed anymore) a blanket resting over his lap, his tan chest bare and shining in the moonlight. The only thing he has on is his key necklace. The breath he was holding is knocked from him at the sight. It isn't just that Eren's sexy, although he most certainly is, it's the mixture of the love he feels for this man, this brave man, who has his back on the battlefield and who knows him better than anyone else. This man who loves him and protects him and wants nothing more than to make him happy. He thinks back to Eren's words earlier that night and he can't help but shake his head in awe - Eren was wrong: he is the one who's lucky.

.

They don't say anything when Levi closes the door behind him, shedding his cloak and walking towards the man on the bed. There aren't any words spoken, only knowing looks and soft smiles. Levi crawls across the bed until he's straddling Eren's lap, arms wrapped around his neck, fingers scratching lightly at the back of his hair, tangling themselves in the long locks, memorizing the sensation. Their kisses are soft, timid, but it doesn't take long for them to get heated, for the gentleness to give way to lust.

Levi's never taken things slowly before, never experienced the gentle kisses or loving caresses they're sharing now. The older man has had a lot of partners over the years, and somewhere along the way sex became an itch you scratched, a means to an end. It isn't that he didn't give a shit about his partners, but he's always been his own first priority, has always cared more about getting off than making the other person feel good too. He's never felt this way before, and all he can think about is Eren and making him feel good, showing him how much he loves and appreciates him - with Eren he suddenly cares more about his experience, wants to take his time and explore every inch of his skin, make it last, make him feel loved.

Levi can tell Eren's getting restless, can sense his desire and lust taking over, making his head spin and his breathing shallow. He lets himself slide down the headboard until he's laying down properly, arms still wrapped around the man above him. Eren's eager, but he's still inexperienced. He's running on instinct, moving his hips seeking friction, rutting against anything to give him some relief from the coil tightening inside him. Levi on the other hand, well Levi's done most things at one point or another. Levi is used to being the one in control, the one calling the shots, the one setting the pace. Levi isn't a submissive guy, and he's definitely going to have to take the reins, but he wants to let Eren sit back and enjoy every kiss, every bite, every sensation. He isn't a submissive guy - but when he respects someone, when he loves someone - then maybe some exceptions can be made.

He kisses his way down his mate's torso, peppering it with love bites, leaving marks that will fade too quickly. He isn't usually on the giving end of things, but he's received enough times to know what feels good, and if the mewls and moans, the gasps and grunts coming from Eren are any indication, then he's doing a decent job. When Eren shifts onto his forearms and looks down at him, those ocean eyes glazed over with lust bore straight into his heart and he has to get away, has to put some barrier between them because it should be illegal for someone to express that much emotion just by staring at you. Levi reaches for the blanket discarded to the side of the bed and throws it over himself, shielding himself and Eren's lower half from his penetrating gaze. It's easier this way - he can still hear the shifters muffled sounds, every indication big or small that he's driving him crazy with every flick of his tongue, every clench of his fist.

He's not surprised when two hands find their way beneath the blanket, tangling in his hair and pulling his face back upwards to be met with feverish kisses. It's subtle, but he can sense the teen's hesitation as he moves his legs open, wrapping them around his torso. Eren's eager, but he's inexperienced, and Levi wants him to feel nothing but pleasure this time around. He places his hands on either tan knee, pushing them back down on the bed. Eren struggles briefly, unsure of his mate's actions, but Levi just guides him back down gently, holds him in place against the bed before moving to straddle his lap once again, ducking his head back down to leave a trail of kisses along his jaw, to whisper in his ear. "Trust me Eren, I'm going to make you feel good."

Levi has sex, he doesn't make love, but this is Eren: his comrade, his partner, his best friend, his soulmate. He doesn't make love, but for the first time in his life this isn't just sex and he can't come up with any better way to describe it. He doesn't make love, but it feels like love because Eren is his equal, Eren is someone he wants to hold onto the next day and the next day and the next. With Eren, Levi can't keep himself from leaving gentle caresses in response to his whispered declarations of love. Levi can't help the tears that form in his eyes because Eren is his and he finally has something like a home, finally feels whole. Levi can't help the joy he feels in his heart knowing Eren feels the same. Levi can't help the string of Eren's name as it floats off his tongue, repeating it like a mantra as they both find release. Levi has sex, but tonight he made love, and he thinks it's something he could get used to.

.

When their breathing evens out, when they've floated back down to the present, Levi is suddenly aware of the arm draped over him, of the firm chest pressed up against his back. Eren's leaving kisses on the back of his head, on his neck, behind his ear. He finally lets his head rest on top of Levis, nuzzling into his undercut, his cheek. Eren's mark is dark and proud, in stark contrast from the tan skin illuminated by the moonlight bathing the room.

Levi still hasn't said it out loud, hasn't formed the words verbally, but Eren knows he feels it now. Levi won't ever be one to say it frivolously. He won't be one to throw it out there unless he means it - unless he feels it merits being said. Levi won't ever be the one to declare his love excessively, and Eren wouldn't have it any other way. Levi loves Eren, and Eren loves Levi, and that's all that really matters.

Eren lets himself take one last look at his arm as sleep creeps up on him, let's the love he feels mingle with the joy and peace coming from the man in his arms. He isn't sure if all soulmates feel this way after, doesn't know if the soulbond is working its magic or if he's just that in love, but for the first time in his life he feels at ease, feels liberated from the trials of his life. For the first time in his life, he feels whole.

I love you shitty brat.

Levi can't help staring at it too, running his fingertips gingerly over his thoughts, tracing the words in awe of the thing. Levi can't see his own mark, but he feels it pulsing and he's pretty sure it says something similar. They may not have long to live, they may lose each other one day, but for now they have this , and as he drifts off to sleep Levi knows all the rest of the shit is worth it.

I'm not crying, you're crying.

Anyway it's been real, it's been fun, it's been real fun, but everything must come to an end eventually. I hope you guys felt you got the ending you wanted... I know it's cliche to end with them sleeping together and I'm sure it's not going to be everyone's favorite conclusion, but it just felt right for this?

IDK, it is what it is, but I'd love to hear if you guys liked it!

Mad love to everyone who stuck it through and stayed to the end and commented and kudoed. Y'all kept me going.

-Lo