Ereri Oneshots

Part 15

The frown on Levi's face made Eren's heart clench. It wasn't his normal "I hate everyone" frown, it was a "I can't do this anymore" kind of frown. It had good reason to be there, the expedition went horribly wrong, half their troops were lost, too many other wounded to be grateful for, it was all a mess and Levi had seen it too many times.

Eren had thought maybe he'd want some space, but the slight inclination of his head urged Eren to follow after him instead. He did so silently, he didn't know what to say, sorry always felt cliche, are you okay would have been stupid, and he wasn't going to say everything was okay because Levi hated lying. So he just trailed Levi up into his room, even as Levi stopped near the door he walked further into the room.

He expected him to say something as he shut the door behind him, go on to spill all his feelings and whatnot, instead he walked to his bed, sad, sad frown still in place, and plopped down heavily at the foot of it. Eren shifted from foot to foot, unsure of what was expected of him, Levi hadn't said a word since they'd returned to HQ and still hand't said anything now. The boy got his answer when Levi silently held out his arms to him,

"I need a hug." He said. Eren let a small smile grace his lips and quickly flung himself into Levi's body, making him flop back onto the mattress. He buried his face into his chest, sighing deeply in contentment. Levi nuzzled the side of his neck and ran his hands through his hair, the two just lay there in one another's embrace, taking comfort in the other's presence and safety.

Eren pretended he didn't feel his captain's body shaking with quiet sobs or his salty tears seeping into his shoulder, he didn't say a word. He just kept holding him, rubbed his back comfortingly and kept his own tears at bay.

"Never end up like them Eren." Levi sniffled,

"I won't captain, I never will." He promised.