Our Memories

| 19. |

Shifting and turning, unable to find comfort in remaining to lay on the mattress, Levi blinked open his eyes and turned once again, facing Eren. The brunet was on his phone, but it didn't take him long to look over instinctively. Their gazes met, and immediately, a big smile appeared on the young man's face. Levi reciprocated it with a small, drowsy one of his own. It wasn't very common despite the amount of time they've been dating each other now, nor does it matter the way the raven has softened up around the male...it just, wasn't something Levi found himself very used to doing just yet.

Eren appreciated it though. He liked seeing the genuine reaction from the very man who was slowly opening himself up more and more. "You're so cute." The brunet whispered to his lover, who stared into his eyes with a hint of a glimmer of some sort. More than likely being affection that he has yet to learn to comfortably express better.

This attention prompted Eren to set his phone down and affectionately hug his lover, kissing his neck chastely. Typically, he likes to do this or show some kind of affection every morning or so. He's found that the more he gets Levi comfortable with love, affection, tender moments like these...he tends to find more regularity in it. It doesn't make him tense up that much anymore, nor too hesitant to show something in return as a response. However, he still gets very shy. That stops his full ability to express himself and open up his vulnerability.

Although the ticklish sensation of lips against his skin was enough to make the raven go from something more toned down to a full blown chuckle. His expression, the noise of his laughter was enough to make the moment even more special. Nostalgic, even. Eren ran his palm and fingertips over the man's clothed back, relishing in the feel of his physique and more so, the smell of his natural essence. With his lips on Levi's exposed neck, his smell, his taste, it was beautiful. Musky smell, lightly salty taste. He isn't as salty tasting as Eren, which was...another cute thing considering how much of opposites they are in many ways.

Their moment only lasted so long before it came to a halt, and the brunet kissed Levi's forehead before gazing into his blue-gray irises. Slightly flushed and moderately shy, Levi stared back, unsure about the strange sensation in his chest. It was like a feeling of exhilaration and blossoming.

"Gosh, I hate this feeling." Whispered Levi with a hint of frustration, his brows furrowing lightly. It was a contrast from the expression he just had a couple of seconds ago. But this sparked interest within Eren, who furrowed his eyebrows as well, but out of questioning and curiosity.

"What feeling?" He asked tenderly, his gaze not leaving the man who shifted a bit more, pushing aside his bang from his face and pausing momentarily—as if thinking how to word it—before parting his lips to reply.

"That feeling in my chest. It's like...a pleasant yet discomforting sensation. I can't differentiate between anxiousness and excitement every time I feel it...and it's overwhelming." He spoke with uncertainty, but also...with familiarity. The more he thought about it..the more he was connecting the dots to someone in his past. He looked..perplexed, but also...a little more frustrated.

His description of the sensation was enough for Eren to understand exactly what he meant. It was a giddy feeling, one where you feel so much contentment or affection that it becomes overwhelming, and can oftentimes come off as anxiety. To the brunet, however, he loves that feeling. He loves knowing how deeply in love he is with Levi, and is always reminded by the same sensation that occurs within his own chest.

"You're so adorable," he whispered, reaching out a hand to caress the man's cheek. "I want to hug you and stay like that forever." Eren spoke tenderly, his eyes full of fondness and pure adoration.

Levi stared back with a bit of shyness in his expression, the sensation in his chest having died down a couple of notches. "I'd die, surely."

"How funny... I love you." The brunet pulled him closer, and the raven only melted into his embrace; slowing himself to be thoroughly cherished, loved, and cared for. It was a change from the ways in which some of his past relationships went. While one of them does remind him a lot of the love he and Eren share...the rest were...lessons learned. Lessons that forced him to build up his walls after letting them down twice before. One with friends, the other with a former lover.