STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 19 - INTERRUPTIONS

Eren became conscious of the sounds of birds outside the window. There was a chill in the air, but he felt encased in warmth.

Opening his eyes, he came nose to nose with his stunning Captain. Sucking in a breath, Eren tried to stay completely still. He scanned the perfection of the man's face: his porcelain skin, the cut of his cheekbones, the point of his nose and chin. His dark, long lashes swept over the hollow that perpetually darkened the tender flesh under his eyes, and, of course, his lips...the top thin, but shapely, and the bottom...the stuff of dreams...that begged to be sucked and bruised with passion.

Eren had to let his breath out or he'd certainly faint. Levi's eyes opened ever so slightly, half-lidded with sleep. He gazed at his boy, content to dream.

Eren lifted his fingers to move the silken strands, falling over his forehead, then cupped his cheek in his palm. He parted his lips and kissed the Captain's mouth. When he didn't move, Eren tilted his head ever so slightly and kissed him again, softly.

Levi closed his eyes and brought his hands against the boy's back, pulling Eren closer to him, as the boy brushed his tongue across that bottom lip, causing Levi to sigh and open his lips more, letting the boy find his way into and around his mouth.

Levi tightened his grip on Eren and pushed into the kiss, moving his head to deepen it. Their bodies melded into one another, their legs tangling, hands grasping, fingers pulling and eyes gazing. There was no way to tell whose body started and ended where.

Without sacrificing their embrace, the two lifted their heads just enough to gasp for air. Smiling at one another, they gazed into each other's eyes.

Leaning in for more, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Levi tch'd and pressed his lips to Eren's temple.

Another knock on the door made Eren growl in frustration.

Levi launched off of the bed, yelling, "I'm fucking coming!" He opened the door just as Hange was about to barrel in.

They stumbled through the door and took one look at the two men, only to start screeching and fist pumping the air.

Eren face planted into the bed and covered his head with the pillow.

Levi's face was livid. "This better be good, Shitty Glasses. You've never been so close to death!"

Hange howled and did a little victory dance. "Have you two gotten it on yet?!"

Eren squealed in embarrassment and Levi scowled. Grabbing their jacket, he began to escort them out the door.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Hange yelled. "I get it. I get it! I'll be good!"

The Captain shook his head and let them go with a shove. "Last chance. What the fuck do you want?"

Taking the pillow away from his face, Eren sat up straight. "What is it, Hange?" he asked impatiently.

"Well," they huffed. "When was the last time you had a fever?"

The men looked at one another. "Night before last?" Levi asked.

Eren nodded. "Yeah, about 36 hours."

"Ahhh, excellent!" Hange walked over and grabbed Eren's face. Eren tried to extract himself from their grip, but they jerked his face around in search of marks and bruises. "Very good! It looks like your skin has cleared up. What about your ribs?"

Eren backed up towards the wall as Hange grabbed the hem of his night gown in an attempt to lift it. "No, no!"

Hange tugged hard enough to drag him back towards them. Eren tried to slap their hands away, but they giggled like they were being tickled. "Haaaange, stop!"

"Oi, shit-for-brains! Leave my brat alone." Levi shook his head immediately and opened his mouth to correct his sentence, but Hange ran over to him and jumped on his back.

"My brat, my brat!" They cackled and wrapped their arm around his neck, nearly choking him.

"We're done," Levi said, walking to the door. "You can ask your questions through the fucking door." He heaved them through the door and slammed it. Gasping for air, he waited for the freak to speak.

Meekly, Hange's voice came through the door. "Are his ribs healed?"

Eren nodded.

"Yes," Levi said.

"How is his memory?"

Levi looked at Eren and he gave him a thumbs up. "Fine," he said."

"Okay, well, he needs some fresh air. Can you take him out for an hour or so, but away from anyone?"

"Yes! Wrap it up!"

"Um, in case he still has weakness or dizziness, you may need to stay for another few days just to make sure."

Levi and Eren looked at one another in silence. Biting his lip, Eren raised his eyebrows, questioning.

"Okay," Levi said quickly through the door in a low voice.

It was so quiet that they thought the mad scientist had gone. Levi cracked the door slowly, only to see the idiot writhing on the floor with a bloody nose. A cackle bubbled up from their throat, only to get louder and louder. "Haaaaaaa!"

The Captain jumped and slammed the door again. "Jesus!" He looked back at Eren and shook his head.

Eren laughed and shrugged his shoulders. "Where will we go that's away from everyone?"

"Get dressed, brat. I know just the place."