STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 30 - YOURS FOREVER

The lake was at the bottom of a long valley and spread out as far as they could see, just a little farther than the glen they'd stopped at for Eren's "lesson." Levi brought them to an area of forest that was close to the edge of the water, but created enough cover in case they needed to make a quick exit. There was room for a small fire and plenty of fallen branches to fuel it.

Although the sun had dropped below the horizon, there was still enough light to set up camp and get the fire going. When they could barely see the outline of one another, they decided to bathe. Stripping down to their boxers, they waded slowly into the water holding hands.

A shiver shot up Eren's back as the water reached his waist. It wasn't freezing, but it sure as hell wasn't warm. Levi smiled at the way Eren gingerly moved, his arms stiff and his torso stretched, trying hard not to get more water on him than necessary.

The Captain plunged forward and sliced through the surface, completely submerging his body. He disappeared for a few seconds and came up on the other side of the boy, spewing water out of his mouth like a fountain.

"Come on, Yeager. Get it over with."

"Aaaahhh, it's too cold," he whined, crossing his arms high up on his chest.

Eren took a few more tentative steps into the depth of the lake. With a slight yelp, he slipped on a rock and slid right in, the water quickly covering his head. He shot up with arms flailing and water sputtering from his mouth. Instinctively, he threw his body into Levi's arms, kicking and wiping the water off his face. His arms snaked around the older man's neck and he clung to him like a child.

Levi shook his head and glared at him. "Tell me again how you're supposed to be our last hope?"

Eren smiled at him, embarrassed, but relieved that Levi was there to hold him. "I'm not crazy about the water."

Levi scoffed and shifted Eren's weight, lowering both of their bodies so that their shoulders were below the surface. The boy took a huge breath in case Levi decided to dunk them. Instead he felt kisses begin on his cheek and jawline.

"Okay," Eren whispered, "this isn't so bad."

The Captain smirked against his skin. "It can only get better, brat."

Shifting so that their chests were pressed together, Eren wrapped his legs around Levi's waist. His eyes grew wide when he felt his Captain's erection press confidently against his own.

Eren felt heat rise to his cheeks. The firelight reflected on Levi's perfect skin, allowing him to see the faint look of want in the Captain's eyes.

He wrapped his hands behind Levi's head and ran his fingers over the slick strands of ebony hair. Allowing himself to revel in the body that now, in fact, belonged to him, he ran his fingers down Levi's sculpted shoulders and arms. Eren could feel the muscles clench as his fingertips glided over them, and the man's stomach suck in when he pressed his palms over the smooth skin of his abdomen.

Levi watched the boy discover his body. He could sense his curiosity as his touch became bolder. Something as simple as another's touch...he thought it was probably commonplace to most, but most people hadn't spent an entire life denying themselves any touch that resembled affection. To have Eren run his fingers through his hair and across his skin without any demand or expectation other than to just love him...

He'd never been a religious man.

But, this boy...
If he never had sex with Eren, if it was only this, just kisses of the mouth and the hands, he'd be so grateful...so ready to raise his hands and worship anything that brought this love into the world.