STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 17 - BUTTERFLIES FOR HEICHOU

"Eren," Levi called from the bathroom.

"Coming." He wobbled through the room, still feeling a little dizzy. He leaned on the door frame to find that Levi had filled the tub. It smelled like sandalwood and lavender. Just like the Captain, he realized.

He gestured to the bath. "It's not very warm. Shitty Glasses said it needed to be somewhat cool to help with the fever."

Eren nodded. He gripped the door to keep the room from spinning.

I've put clean towels here, along with another gown. He chuckled. "It will probably be a little short. I had to give you one of mine. I hope you don't-"

"It's really nice, Heichou. Thank you."

They looked at one another - awkwardly, but not willing to step away just yet. Crimson heat crept up Eren's neck and face. Levi smirked. "You should get in before it gets too cold, brat." He stepped to the side so Eren could move into the room.

Eren willed himself farther, but bounced off the wall in an effort to balance himself. Levi frowned, but moved out of the room. As he closed the door, he turned to see Eren just leaning against the wall, somewhat huddled over.

"Eren?"

"Hmm?"

"Is there something else you need?"

"Uh, no, everything's great." Eren turned towards the tub, his back pressed to the wall.

The Captain frowned and stepped back into the room. He placed his hand on Eren's shoulder and dipped his face down to look up into the boy's bowed face. The boy looked baffled and about to cry.

"C'mon, kid." Shaking his head, he moved Eren's body closer to the tub and faced him away from himself. Steadying the taller boy, Levi lifted his arms and quickly pulled the gown off of him. Eren's whole body seemed to flush, and he could see the flesh on his back prickle.

"You're fine...not the first time I've seen you naked."

Eren groaned. "Oh my God."

Levi laughed. "It's okay."

Taking his hand in one and placing his other on the boy's upper arm, he whispered, "Step in, Eren."

He let the older man guide him into the bath and lower him to the water. Eren sucked in a breath at how chilly the water was. Once he settled in though, it felt good on his feverish skin.

Eren watched the lantern light dance on the walls of the bathroom. It was quiet save for the dripping of water from his skin. He let his head lean back into the slope of the large tub.

Visions of being in this bath with Levi holding his body and washing his hair seeped into his vision. His breath hitched. He'd been naked in Levi's arms. He remembered the feeling of being held and a cloth moving slowly over him. Eren gasped and closed his eyes.

"Eren." A low voice interrupted his thoughts, as if he'd been summoned in Eren's mind.

"Heichou," he whispered.

Levi crouched down next to the tub, far enough to give Eren some privacy, but close enough to see his face. "You seem like you're not feeling well. Do you need me to help you?"

Eren whined, "It's embarrassing." He looked to the side at Levi's face to see if he was annoyed.

"That's ridiculous." Levi stood up and used a cup to wet the boy's hair. He emptied a bottle into his hand and began to lather his hair. "You would do the same for me."

"I would have that night I brought you down, but I was pretty sure you would have killed me."

"True." He worked his fingers from the nape of Eren's head to the crown, and listened to him purr. "Does that feel good, brat?"