STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 16 - IT'S MORE THAN THAT, BRAT

As much as Levi could sit all day and look at Eren's sleeping face, he had mountains of paperwork to do. He would rather do it while he was sleeping than have it eat away at the rare time the two had together. He positioned himself so that he could see his bed from his desk.

Eren slept peacefully until the sun was in the late afternoon sky. His fever ebbed and flowed, but it didn't seem to make his dreams turn sour like before. When he could see that the boy was stirring, he got up and made a pot of tea.

He brought a small table into the room while Eren was in the washroom. He placed the tray of tea and biscuits on the table and waited in his chair. He had to admit to himself that he was happy to have Eren to himself, and that he looked forward to when he was awake.

Eren wobbled into the bedroom, stopping for a second when he saw Levi waiting for him. It was still a miracle that he was able to be here with the Captain when he always thought that they would be stuck in their awkward dance of isolation forever. He didn't know if there would ever be another opportunity like this, so he wanted to drink in every drop of its magic.

Levi watched the stumbling boy, wanting to stand up and help him, but not wanting to hurt his pride. He made it fine, after all. Levi wasn't accustomed to wanting to dote on anyone. Was this just guilt at the way he'd been treating him? What else could it be?

"I figured you'd be hungry still, so I made biscuits."

Eren blessed him with a beaming smile. He leaned forward and took a huge whiff of the biscuits. "I never imagined you'd be the type to know how to bake."

Levi smiled faintly and put his napkin in his lap. "There are many things that make a well-rounded man, aside from the obvious." He nodded his head at Eren's napkin, and the boy hesitantly draped it across his legs.

The Captain poured a cup of tea for Eren and handed him a tiny cup of ambrosia colored honey. "Don't gulp it, brat."

Eren sat with his hands in his lap, feasting on the Captain's small movements of delicate purpose. He traced the features of Levi's face as he concentrated on serving the boy.

Gazing at the Captain's face, he asked the question once more. "Why did you want to take care of me?"

He saw the obvious pause and the need to collect himself in Levi's stormy eyes. Eren didn't know a name for this. He didn't understand how this man could split his eyebrow in one moment and stir his tea the next. He'd never been more confused.

"Well," Levi sighed. "Do you remember what you said to me right before you passed out on the wall?"

Eren frowned and dug around in his memories. He remembered some, but no words. He looked at Levi and shook his head.

"It would be a lot better for me if you could remember this on your own," the Captain said, wryly.

"Sorry," Eren said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Levi crossed his legs and took a sip of his tea. "Well, um...you said that it was easier for me to beat the shit out of you than to admit that I was scared to lose you." He bit his lip and looked at Eren.

"Ouch."

"Tell me about it, brat."

"You were scared to lose me?"

"Tch, I would be scared to lose any of my soldiers, Eren," Levi lied.

Eren's eyes closed in frustration. He shook his head. "I thought we were past this."

Levi huffed. "I know. You're right."

Eren's mouth dropped open and he pinned Levi with an unwavering gaze.

"I care about you. I do." He said softly. "The thought of you going over that wall and not coming back up..."

Eren smiled proudly. "I care about you too, Heichou."

A smile spread across the Captain's face. The two sat quietly for a moment before Levi continued. "I wanted to take care of you to try and make how I treated you better."

"So, you felt guilty?"

Levi heard the disappointment in Eren's voice. His eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward to take Eren's hand. "It's more than that, brat."

Eren's breath hitched, and his smile returned. He leaned forward and kissed Levi's cheek. "Thank you, Heichou."

"You're welcome." He gently let go of Eren's hand and tried to ignore the tingling on his cheek from the boy's warm lips. "Finish your tea. It's time for you to take that bath. I can tell your fever has spiked again." Levi went into the bathroom to run the bath for him.

Eren nodded. He felt like he was floating on a wave of contentment. He meant more to Levi than just a soldier in his care. Not sure what that meant completely, but it was special. He drank his tea in two to three gulps this time, instead of the whole thing in one. The cups were so small though. Why not make them bigger?