The Ereri Project!

Cottage

As a child, Levi never knew if he'd ever even see outside the walls.

But then he joined the Survey Corps. And then he saw outside for the first time.

And then he met Eren.

And then Eren gave him dreams of this thing called the ocean, then he severed his spine.

There was a time when he knew he'd never see outside the walls again.

But then Eren gave him dream about that too.

There are still days when he wonders why he's still alive; how he could be a survivor when so many of his friends and comrades have fallen.

Especially because there's so little he can do now with his legs useless as they are. He asked Hanji to cut them off for him once, it's not like he can feel them anyway.

She refused though, told him he would be at too high of a risk of infection with two giant open wounds on a part of his body he couldn't feel.

He thought about cutting them off himself but decided he couldn't do it.

Any day without Eren is a day guaranteed to be centered around morbid thoughts like that.

He hates feeling like he needs to rely on anyway, especially for emotional support, but the more he sees Erwin losing his mind, the more he's glad he has someone to lean on.

It hurts, thinking about how many lives he was responsible for, and the hurt is almost ever-present.

"Hey Levi?" Eren asks.

Levi feels Eren rest his head on his shoulder. Their on a horse together, Eren sitting behind Levi to make sure the older man doesn't fall off. "Yeah?" he asks.

"What're you thinking about?"

Levi glances around at the other horses and their riders in their group. Armin is leading them with Mikasa, Hanji, Erwin, Jean, a cart that is nearly out of supplies, and themselves behind him.

"You still haven't told me where we're going," Levi replies.

"We're close now," Eren replies. "Just be patient."

"Sure, sure," Levi replies, leaning back on Eren and closing his eyes. "Whatever you say."

Levi would never admit it, but he's actually more relaxed around Eren than he's even been with anyone or by himself sometimes.

He must have fallen asleep but Eren is shaking him awake. "Levi?" he says. "Levi, we're here."

Levi notices first the very nice breeze in his hair. Second, a salty smell. He opens his eye and his jaw drops. He nearly cries.

The ocean.

Eren smiles and taps his arm. "And that's our house over there."

Levi looks up to see Eren pointing to one of three little cottages on the edge of the beach.

"The settlement is just through the woods here so we're still close to other people but just far enough away you can still keep to yourself."

The tears do start falling, he still can't speak.

Eren looks at him with concern. "What's the matter?" he asks.

"Idiot," Levi say, turning to hug Eren around his obnoxiously broad shoulders. "Thank you."

Eren hugs him back and helps him off the horse. "One of the villagers in the settlement has been a longtime fan of yours," Eren says, carrying Levi over so he can sit on the porch of their tiny house.

"He's been developing these metal limbs for people who lost theirs so they can move again, he called it Automail I think, and he wants you to test a set of legs."

Levi's eyes widen. "I might be able to walk again?"

"He said they still don't move too well but it's better than nothing."

Levi cries harder. "I can't believe this."

Eren grins and kisses all over his face. "So is all of this okay?"

"Are you kidding?" Levi asks. "This is perfect."

Eren's smile softens. "I already gave my letter of resignation to Armin so now I'm free to learn a trade and stay with you for good," he says. "If that's what you want, I mean. I can find somewhere else to-"

"Shut up," Levi says and kisses him. "Of course I want you with me."

Eren hugs him again. "Welcome home Levi."

Levi pets Eren's hair. He could really get used to the sound of that.

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A/N: Sorry guys, I'm going to Canada for awhile and I reach the limit of chapters on The Ereri Project, and the only way to update is to use my computer (because that has no limits)... I couldn't bring it with me to Canada.

Sorry I should make an update on um... July 2(?).