The Wounded Warrior Project

I'm Alive

"Don't tell such shitty stories about us." Levi's head snapped up.

"Erwin!" He was on his knees beside the commander immediately. Erwin chuckled.

"So how long have I been asleep?" He looked over at Levi who hesitated.

"A week." He mumbled. Erwin sighed and moved his right shoulder before his brow furrowed and he looked down at the missing limb.

"What the hell?" He scrabbled to sit up, wincing at the pain but managed to sit up and grasp at his missing arm.

"Commander please calm down!" Levi tried but Erwin pushed him off.

"What happened-oh." Erwin's face scrunched up in pain at the memory. "I was hoping it was all a dream." He whispered.

"I'm sorry." Levi whispered. "This is all my fault-"

"No." Levi met Erwin's furious eyes. "Don't you dare think that way Levi.

"But-"

"Stop it. You-" Erwin grabbed Levi's collar roughly with his remaining arm before his eyes drifted to the priest. "Would you mind stepping outside?" Nick stood awkwardly and hurried out the door.

"Erwin get off-"

"No Levi!" He shook the smaller man and raised him up to his face. Levi had one knee on the bed and besides Erwin's strong grip, it was the only thing keeping him from falling. "I need you to understand that none of this has anything to do with you."

"But if I had been there-"

"Nothing would have changed Levi! The only thing that would have happened is you being in danger and I could never live with myself if you got hurt."

"And you think I can?" Levi choked, failing to hold back the tears now streaming down his face. Erwin's expression softened and he pulled Levi into a strong embrace, but Levi couldn't help noticing the missing half.

"I'm sorry." Erwin whispered. "I was being selfish." Levi shook his head.

"I thought I had lost you." He sobbed, clutching at Erwin's chest.

"Levi it's okay. I'm here. I'm alive." He pulled Levi onto his lap and held him as if he were comforting a child. "Levi please don't cry." He whispered, entwining his fingers with Levi's dark hair and kissing it. "Levi please look at me." Levi pulled back slightly, trying to blink away the tears that wouldn't stop streaming down his face. "Oh Levi..." He whispered, kissing his face, his neck, his lips, anywhere his lips could find.

"Erwin." Levi whimpered, trying to hold back his tears.

"It's okay." Erwin said. "I'm alive. I'm alive." He kept repeating the simple phrase and he held and kissed the captain, almost as if he were really convincing himself.