✓ Blood Lust (Levi Ackerman - Attack on Titan) #wattys2021

Chapter Thirty-One

"Another boarding house, Levi?" I grin, winking at him. He rolls his eyes, lighting a few lamps around the room so we can see better. On the bed there's a large box and my curiosity is getting the better of me.

"Well, open it brat," he finally orders and I nod, approaching the package. Opening it, I find a very familiar white dress, and all the air leaves my chest. How did he get this? My dress was left behind in my home.

"I explained the dress to Ginger and she made it. I know it's not exactly the same, but—"

I pull the awkward man into a hug, cutting off his rambling. "It's perfect, Levi. I can't believe you remembered the dress I wore from way back then." My hands hold the outfit against me, checking the fit without putting it on. Everything looks proportionate.

I start to fold it to put back in the box but Levi stops me.

"Put it on. I didn't give it to you for it to not be worn."

"Oh," I giggle awkwardly, trying to fight down my blush. With a flushed face, I unbutton my green trench coat, placing it onto the bed before taking the rest of my uniform off. My eyes look over at Levi bashfully. His own gaze seems smoldering as he stares at me with his arms crossed.

The dress slides down my body, fitting almost perfectly. Levi finally moves, taking his own clothes off, letting me get an eyeful myself. He puts on a suit, adjusting his cravat before heading over to where I'm standing. He hands me brown flats from the box for me to put on; his own feet slipping into black shoes.

"Where are we going?" I ask as we head back to the castle. He doesn't answer, continuing to pull me along. We go into the palace; it being eerily quiet as everyone is out celebrating, as we should be.

"Play something," Levi finally talks, gesturing to the piano that over eight years ago, I played on for the fake king.

"Levi, it's been too long. I wasn't even good still when the walls fell."

"You have muscle memory. Play for me."

I sigh, sitting down on the bench. He joins me. Ignoring the gaze burning into the side of my face, I start playing a different piece from the ball, this one called "Moonlight Sonata." My fingers fell in line and I'm able to look over at the dark-haired man, smiling to myself at his undivided attention. Eventually, his hand closes over one of mine, and he's pulling me away.

"Hum, Eliora, what you were just playing."

I start humming the melody, my arms wrapping around his shoulders. He sways us to the music I'm making, pulling me impossibly close.

"All those years ago, I knew I wanted you."

"I was so young back then," I remind him.

"I know. I knew I couldn't have you and thought I never would. Erwin was your father and you were too pure for me." He brushes a loose strange behind my ear.

"And what changed your mind?"

He smirks, his hands wandering lower, making heat rush to my cheeks. "I didn't care about the consequences. You have been the best decision of my life, El."

"I'm not a child anymore, am I?" I tease, grinning at him.

"I regret ever saying that to you. I also regret never doing this that night, too." His lips connect with mine, dominant like every other aspect of him. They move to my jawline, placing kisses from my ear to my chin. He pulls away, resting his forehead against mine.

"We'll have to continue this later. We definitely can't do that here," I tell him breathlessly.

"Tch. Everyone is gone. Who'd know?"

I smack him playfully. "I'd know. Plus, I'm hungry. We have to make up for the lack of food during our time on the run."

He rolls his eyes but nods with joy in his eyes. This memory won't leave us ever.

"Finally, you're here!" Jean slurs, running up to give me a hug. Levi kicks him straight in the stomach before he makes content, audibly knocking the wind out of him.

"Levi, that was rude," I admonish, helping the younger male up from the floor and back to his seat. Hange waves at us, getting the attention of my father who has his back to us. He turns to see who it is, grinning when he notices that it's us.

"Ellie!" he exclaims, pulling me into a hug. He also seems intoxicated. "My favorite daughter!"

"Only daughter, but nice to see you too, dad. I mean, it's only been a few hours since we last saw each other."

"Feels like a lifetime. Alcohol?" he asks, giving me a glass.

"Always." I drink the whiskey down quickly, sputtering a bit but holding my own against the warm liquid. Levi goes to get us more, despite my father and Hange both offering to share their glasses with him, met with disgust at the offer.

"I'm going to enjoy this brief break and sleep the whole time," I say, yawning loudly.

"Nope, no break for you. I'm still making you my assistant." The redhead pushes the glasses up her nose with a devious glint in her eyes.

"Mine, too. I'm so behind on paperwork," my father chimes in, now sipping on water.

"Oh c'mon, I just want to hibernate," I cry out. Levi returns, and I scoot to the middle between him and Hange.

"I'll need help with my paperwork, too." Levi holds from the top of his cup, as usual, sipping it delicately.

"You don't even sleep. You'll have plenty of time."

"True, but last I checked, you're still under me."

My father chokes on his drink while Hange whispers, "In more ways than one," under her breath. Levi's eyes widen at what he's said before he laughs for the second time today.

"Stop that, you're giving us all a heart attack," I say, knocking my knee against his.

"Tch. Don't ruin my good mood, brat."

The night continues on and I move over to the younger squad members, leaving the other three to converse. Historia gets endless jokes made about her new reign while Jean is past coherence. Finally, Levi shakes me awake as I'm starting to pass out in the booth.

"Here, I'll carry you," he says, lifting me bridal style. I want to protest, but my exhaustion is getting to me. I'm almost out when I'm laid onto the bed, my shoes being taken off. I sit up, my eyes still closed as he helps me take my dress off. Rolling over, I begin to fall asleep again without caring to put nightwear on. I'm sure I'm dreaming when I hear the third laugh for the day from him, feeling the blanket being pulled over me.

"Goodnight, Eliora. I love you."