The Alpha and his Omega

Key to my heart [Work/Life 4]

"...so yeah, that's my shitty life." There was a bark of something that seemed self-ruinous as Levi finished his story.

Not knowing the appropriate response, Eren simply nestled closer to his mate. They had changed positions as the morning wore on, and now the omega was resting his head against Levi's shoulder. He hoped his actions had lent a modicum of comfort to his alpha as he slowly drew circles over his mate's chest. Levi hadn't said anything about it yet, so he continued the gesture even if it was only making him think he was comforting his mate. Eren just wanted to hold on and cry for his alpha. There had been multiple times during the story that he felt like weeping, but held it in, not wanting to distract or distress Levi further.

The younger man knew that the older man had had a troubled past, there were times when Levi would mention names, but never explain what he meant. Eren had not, however, known the extent of what his mate had buried.

He still had some difficulties getting over his surprise that Levi and Mikasa were related to one another, but he could see the similarities in their appearance and protectiveness. Eren wasn't sure how his childhood friend would react to knowing Levi was her cousin. Maybe it would lessen the lingering animosity she still held for his mate, but Mikasa was sometimes as stubborn as he was.

The thing that had stunned him the most, however, was Levi telling him all of it without sparing any details, while holding onto him for comfort. Eren had never known the alpha to be good at exposing himself, particularly things that Levi had avoided talking about for such a long time. Nor was Levi normally a physically affectionate person. Yet right now, it seemed like Levi sought out the warmth of his touch. Eren had never seen his mate seem so broken down and vulnerable. It was unusual, but also made him feel much closer to and sympathetic towards the man he loved.

It also amazed him how Levi had made something out of his life after being dealt such a terrible hand of cards. Not everyone would have been able to pull themselves out of such a deep mire, but Levi had succeeded. Even if he hadn't been mated to or in love with the older man, Eren would have respected Levi for what he had achieved. As he was mated to the man, however, knowing the truth made him swell with pride.

Eren could tell that Levi's façade was still up from the way he hadn't said a word. He knew that Levi was used to and afraid of people judging him. Isabel's and Farlan's parents were a prime example. The alpha didn't want to hurt anymore and every fiber of Eren's being burned with a fierce desire to take away that pain. It was difficult to tell what the alpha was thinking or feeling, but he could feel the trepidation from how stiff Levi's posture was. It had taken great courage to reveal such things; Eren didn't know if he would have had the same type of strength if their roles were reversed. Right now there wasn't much he could do now but listen.

The man was like a vase, fractured and leaking water, but fixable. The cracks would stay and be a reminder of the past – both good and bad – and Eren could be the glue to make it all better. He could imagine the spidery veins running across the marred pale porcelain surface, but those minor imperfections were what made it so much more beautiful. They were what made his mate so achingly human.

Running his fingers soothingly over his mate's heart, Eren opened his mouth.

"I'm sorry that all that happened to you. I... I can't imagine what it must have felt like..." He felt the sting of tears forming in his eyes yet again at the reminder of all the things that had happened. Just the thought of what Levi had gone through made him wish there was a time machine that could erase all the bad from the alpha's life. But the past could not be changed.

Gathering his thoughts once more, Eren switched tack. He had to be the strong one this time.

This was not the time to commiserate 'what ifs' or 'maybes.' The regrets one had in life were innumerable and the past was immutable. What Levi needed right now wasn't someone to ply him with false pity – though Eren's feelings were genuine – but rather someone to talk about all the good that had happened.