The rain danced on the window pane, filling the silent room with the gentle pitter-patter melody it composed. Rivaille sat next to the window on a bare, wooden chair and stared quietly out the window into the muddled outside world.

He bit his lips nervously.

It wasn't like him to be so concerned.

Eren had been out a mission for four days now, and Rivaille hadn't heard from him since he left. There were no letters from him, no updates…And…Rivaille was actually scared. Eren had delved into the den of Titans, but would he be alright? He could certainly battle well enough and use his Titan form in a pinch, but would he be okay…?

Rivaille shook his head.

Stop, you're being childish, he inwardly chided. Eren is a soldier; he's been trained for this. That brat won't die so easily.

But a worm of doubt still wriggled into his mind.

What if Eren died? He would feel so lonely, so alone on that battlefield. If Rivaille was there he could save him. He could prevent Eren from leaving him.

…Rivaille didn't want to lose Eren. He didn't want to lose the one person in his life who could make him smile, who could comfort him, who could make him feel important…

What?

Rivaille suddenly felt a tear roll down his cheek and froze. Was he…crying? Did that brat actually mean that much to him? Yes…Yes he did.

"Dammit," Rivaille whispered, placing his head in his hands. "I miss him…I miss him."

His solemn thoughts were interrupted by a sudden knocking on the door. His head shot up automatically and for a split second the foolish hope that someone would be there with news about Eren entered his mind.

But that thought immediately was erased. No, it had been so long…it was better not to get his hopes up.

Rivaille slowly walked to the door and opened it.

"Hello…," he began before trailing off.

Eren was standing in the doorway, looking down at glimmering teal eyes. He was holding a bouquet of the most beautiful purple lilies Rivaille had ever seen. Eren's hair was disheveled and soaking wet, causing it to stick to his face. His cheeks and forehead were covered in bruises, as well. But to Rivaille this was perhaps the most beautiful sight he ever beheld.

"Eren," Rivaille breathed.

Eren smiled gently. "Hello…I'm sorry I was gone for so long. We got a little held up, but it's okay now." He held the flowers out to the Corporal. "These are for you. I'm sorry I worried you."

"You…didn't worry me, brat," Rivaille lied, accepting the flowers.

Eren chuckled. "If you say so." He paused. "Wait, Corporal, were you crying?"

"I certainly was not, brat!" Rivaille declared, quickly wiping away any vestige of the tears he had shed.

Eren grinned. Ah, Rivaille could be so cute!

"But, anyway, you have to take responsibility for being away for so long," Rivaille continued, placing the flowers on the ground.

"Alright, what do you want me to do?"

Rivaille didn't answer, but instead slowly shuffled towards Eren and wrapped his arms around his waist. The shorter Corporal placed his head on Eren's chest and shut his eyes, feeling his body rise and fall.

"Just…stay with me for a while, okay?" Rivaille murmured. "It's an order."

Eren smiled and gently placed a kiss on Rivaille's head. "I'll be here for as long as you want," he whispered, pulling the smaller man into a tight embrace. "I'm not going anywhere."