The One (EruRi SNK fannon-verse AU)

IV (Levi's POV)

I pulled on the reins, stopping Noir in his tracks. He halted and I patted his neck, assuring him he'd done well. In response he then turned to face me and rubbed his chin on my knee. It's a special bond you can have with animals, and I treasure it with all I have. Without Noir and Rook, I definitely wouldn't be the same person.

The dirt around us stilled and I decided to go around the hall again. All I saw were flashes of brick and paint because the decisions I had to make were so quick and so accurate. And for these competitions, they weren't to be taken lightly. I took a deep breath and stood on my haunches, using the whip to tap him on the rump, and then I contracted and pulled my body closer to his, preparing for another stomach lurching jump.

For years I'd trained myself, physically pushing myself and mentally to all my limits. Something that I'm good with. Noir was about to halt, and be hesitant about a jump, but I spurred him on, and enjoyed the adrenaline I got along with it. And then my whole body jarred with his from the impact. What a rush it was.

When you don't know if you're going to make it, or when you make it, or when you fall, you get a lurch in your core, and then the rush, and then the pride you feel, when you succeed. It's amazing. It's just as good as an orgasm when you haven't had sex in a month and you're craving the touch of someone who knows the ins and outs of your body.

"Shitty fu-" a loud huff and a bump was heard, and that echoed around the hall. Noir's eyes showed white. He was terrified. I tried calming him gently, kissing his nose and standing to face him. He wasn't at all good around people and having Hanji surprise him before a jump like that would have been terrifying.

"He doesn't like apples?"
Grimacing apologetically, she looked at the dirt and played with her feet, clearly regretting her choice. God knows she could have given either Noir or me a heart attack.
"Sorry Lee, it's just I needed to know if you wanted to go to Petra's party with me. Of course you're invited, and I mean, since Erwin and your date last week, I thought you could go with him?"
"No."
"Leeee~ why not? He's been pining after you all the time, but you're never around."
"It's because I'm busy. Is that so wrong of me?" I raised a brow and lead the scared horse out of the hall, forcing Hange to trot after me.
"I mean, no, however he clearly likes you and you could do with a change from your regular... type... don't scoff at me! I'm just suggesting it because I know him and I know he's nice."
"He's not even gay."
"How do you know!?" High pitched and annoyed was that voice, because I assumed something "I'm pretty sure he is Levi! I've known Erwin for years, and so what if he came out late?" There was a moment of quiet, and she piped up again, this time was more mischievous, though. "You could take him to the party~ anddd, you know, do what you do best!"
"And what's that?"
"Give him a little drink and seduce him, then he can't deny being weak!" She winked "It's fool proof!"
"It's stupid."
"Fool proof!"
"Stupid."
"Fool proof!"
"Stupid."
"Fine whatever, just let another perfectly good man wal-" now, I didn't ordinarily get mad, but what she was talking about was a very specific ex-lover, so losing my temper wasn't even the way to describe this. It's more like when someone in my conscious is holding a flame over gasoline and someone just came over and pushed my and then flame into the fluid, making a raging monster out of us both.
"Walk out of my life again hmm?" I sneered, closing Noir's stable door and approaching her with such a stiff walk and a fire in my eyes. "You-" a finger hit her sternum "know exactly why I don't get into relationships and you know exactly why I stay fucking distant." Choosing to fight the situation, she removed my hand and held me further away "and you know you can't be alone forever Levi! You know it damn well. You want a family. And the thing is you can, the only person stopping you is yourself. Stop being so goddamn selfish and hurting every man who falls for you."

And now the element in my head has grown a sizeable amount, consuming me until I wanted to give in, since she picked at my weak spots. I wanted a family. I wanted a husband. I wanted a normal life. And she knew that. She went after that, trying to get me to agree to dating Erwin. How pathetic. And I was struggling not to suffocate with the overwhelming primal urge that I'd battled with my whole life.

And finally, as my knuckles we're turning white, I was moved from my place and enveloped in a cashmere sweater, the scent of fresh linen, flowers and citrus with it. Erwin. He was oddly comforting, considering he was a man I was trying to avoid. In his grip my body relaxed and even ever so slight huddled into him, almost as if he was a source of calm, of
Comforting. I saw some roses in his hand and didn't stop him as he ushered Hanji to leave. Grateful that he didn't force me to talk, I just grumbled about not needing to be babied.

He followed me in un-noted approval, shadowing me with great precision until I sat down in the stable office. Only then did he break the silence, his cool voice slicing through the awkward air professionally. "I was wondering if you were going to Petra's party, and if you wanted to go with me? Oh and these are for you." His hand held out the roses and when I didn't touch them he placed them on the oak table, the crinkle being the only thing heard for a minute or two.
"No. And I don't like flowers."
"You don't, well-"
"No I don't."
"Ah I'll remember that. Well, why not go with me, are you going at all?"
...
...
...
Nodding, I crossed my legs and gave him a cold, calculating glance. "If it's because of Eva, I ended things with her. I'm single Levi. Honestly. I wanted to see if maybe we could be a little more serious. It's early stages, but I you're cute and are.. a nice person. I like you I guess, so just a chance?"
"Ok."
"Okay?" He smiled and picked the flowers back up. He leaned in for a kiss, on the cheek, and I granted it, and then finally left the stables, accepting his gift.

----------

I rolled out of bed to a text notification on my Nokia, groaning as the grey block buzzed, irritating my adjusting ears. "Who the fuck at this time in the-oh, Erwin."
After I said yes to him taking me out, he's been being more courting-like. Not full on, just sweet, as Isabelle said. He was allowed to be a little more intimate with me too, like hugs were permitted and small kisses. I refused to get attached to this affection, or return it,however, since I assured myself it was only temporary.

'Morning Lee :). I hope you slept well, I have morning classes today, so I'm going to the café with Mike, are you coming too? x'

"Ugggghhhh." Of course I was going, it meant I could get out before either of my siblings woke up, so I didn't have to cook.

'Yeh. Pick me up in 20.'

Following the ordinary morning routine, I showered, slicked my hair back, but put a little more effort into my clothing choice, choosing to wear a crisp paisley shirt and freshly washed jeans. A knock at the door later and there was Erwin, looking flawless as usual. He never had any dark circles or acne. And he was always freshly shaven, his hair gelled to perfection. What kind of prestigious school did he go to before and what kind of money does he have? Not just anyone looks as presentable as that, especially not at 7:30am.

"You look beautiful, why don't you wear shirts more often?" I shrugged as he placed his hands on my waist and kissed my forehead. "You should wear them more often then, advice from me." He warmly smiled and gently let go, choosing to make his way to his car.

Once in his pristine Audi, he put music on and created useless small talk which was often brushed off. I again took note of his cars leather sets and silver rimmed radio, steering wheel and seats. Mike smiled at us as we pulled up and ushered us to hurry up. He'd probably picked up on some gossip or his freakish nose had smelt something.

"Hey guys, you know Annie?" He didn't even wait for a nod before continuing "rumours are that she's sleeping with that Jaeger boy, and honestly right she smells like him?"
"You have a creepy ass ability, Mike."
"You sure it's not Mikasa she smells like?"
"No way Levi-wait..." they both looked at each other with wide eyes and then at Annie "it makes sense, I mean, because Mikasa technically is a Jaeger."

The conversation didn't really change from university romances and Erwin occasionally brushed his thumb over my hand, and it was, well, breakfast, at the cute little café. Hange eventually turned up, and brought even more drama with her, stuff that she'd learned as the editor for the school paper. This was almost normal.

((Sorry I haven't updated in so long lmao but school was HECTIC. Now I have more time. Ay. Next chapter there'll be light smut, not really but like if you don't like kissing that's a warning))