Chapter Text
Dragon’s Lullaby
IV
“What kind of proposal are we talking about?” The hunter asked.
“We have a common goal Levi, and an enemy that seeks to assassinate us both. I propose that we join forces to eliminate them. We will use our skills and my knowledge about them, I am sure if we do so, we will achieve our goal in less time than we would if we continue acting on our own." The hybrid proposed to him seriously.
“You're right. But, I still don’t trust you. What if this is just another trap?" The human found meaning in Erwin's words, yet he still did not quite trust him, after all he was still partly dragon.
"If I had wanted to, I would have killed you in battle, or when you were unconscious. Even now, I could become a dragon and murder you, you are weak and unarmed." Levi only remained silent, he had no way to refute everything Erwin told him, it was true, if he had wanted to, the half-dragon had already ended his life long before. Besides, it would not make sense to take the trouble to explain the whole story of what happened in the past. "Look, Levi, now that I have lost an arm, it will be much harder for me to fight. Dragons sent you to me, but I have always liked to think that everything happens for a reason, and that destiny is the one who has decided that we met. Now I ask you again: Will you join me in this battle?" The golden being pierced the hunter with his intimidating gaze, waiting for an answer.
"I think I'd be an idiot if I don’t accept. After all, I just want to get rid of all those beasts, no matter the method." Levi resigned himself to the idea that joining forces with Erwin was in the best interest of both. He would not trust him at all, but something in those deep blue eyes told him that the hybrid was telling him the truth.
"I am glad you made that decision. Being so, I will train you so that you can improve your abilities.” Erwin again wore a warm smile on his face, which made a chill run down the hunter's spine, who wondered why the creature made him feel so many new sensations.
"It's a deal, dragon." Levi reached out his hand to seal the deal with a handshake. The hybrid, widening his smile corresponded to the gesture and firmly grasped the hunter's hand, in sign of approval to the deal.
"We better go rest for the day. We shall start the training tomorrow." Erwin showed Levi again the way to the bed where he had placed him earlier, and the hunter, having understood that it was better not to contradict him, and even though he was very tired, obeyed him, and immediately went to bed.
Erwin then took care to extinguish one by one, the torches that illuminated his lair, except for one. It was important to always keep some light, even though he could see almost perfectly in the dark, he knew that the sight of the human was much less powerful. The hybrid finally took place on the cold, hard floor of the cave, at the foot of the bed, ready to sleep.
"Are you going to sleep on the floor?" Levi asked when he realized so.
"Please do not mind, as a dragon I have often had to sleep like this, a bed is a whim reserved exclusively for humans." In the dim light of the torch, Levi could discern the sweet expression of the half-dragon, who was smiling kindly.
"I think you're quite human." Levi sat up. "Come, sleep in your bed, I can sleep on the floor." He offered.
"No way. I would never allow you to be cold and uncomfortable, after all you are my guest." Erwin refused, standing up to reinforce his authority.
"And I'm not going to sleep placidly in someone else's bed, knowing that the person doesn’t have a place to rest." The hunter also did not bend his arm.
"It seems to me that I have a solution that would put an end to this dispute. But only in case you agree. Would you let me sleep next to you?" Erwin suggested, still smiling at him.
The hunter looked at him for a moment without saying anything, it would be rather strange, but after all, he would let him to sleep on the floor, being comfortably in an alien bed, and apparently that was the only feasible solution to their problem. He clucked his tongue and sighed resignedly, before pulling away, to make room for the hybrid, so that he could climb onto the bed.
Erwin did not wait, and went into bed, which was not very wide. Immediately, Levi lay down again, turning his back on him, since if they stayed face-to-face, it would be a very uncomfortable situation for him. The half-dragon imitated him, so they remained back to back. Then, Levi noticed that Erwin's body was very warm, and as far as he could feel, the skin on his back was nothing like a dragon's.
"Hey, those scales, they don’t feel as such." He could not help letting out what he was thinking.
"Only in appearance." Admitted the hybrid. "You can touch them if you want." He offered to satisfy the human's curiosity.
Levi thought about it before proceeding, but finally he turned and placed one of his hands on the wide back of Erwin, which at first sight was plagued by those scales characteristic of the dragons. However, the hunter was surprised at how soft and smooth that skin was to the touch. The texture was similar to the skin of a snake, although it could be said that it was quite silky to feel it and also very warm.
"It's incredibly soft!" Exclaimed the astonished human. Then, for the first time after getting out of the shock of meeting Erwin and his story, Levi noticed the bandaged arm stump. "I'm sorry," he said, crestfallen.
"About what? I'm afraid I do not understand." Erwin could not understand the reason for Hunter's sudden change of mood. He turned to look at him questioningly, and as they were both facing each other, dragon identified the repentance in the silver eyes, which gleamed in the faint light of the fire.
"Your arm. If I'd known who you were before, I’d never have done it. I wish there was a way for you to get it back." In total sincerity, the hunter expressed his true feelings at that moment.
"It was your duty. Please do not let this make you feel guilty. In fact, it was what made me decide to propose you to join forces. I had never been wounded in this way, and is proof of your great abilities." Erwin once again gave him an affable expression, and ventured to take his only hand into the face of the hunter. "Never regret a decision, unless it does not serve you to take others in the future." He advised him wisely.
In a normal situation, Levi would never have let anyone touch him with such confidence, but that charming man, since seeing him for the first time, had made him experience sensations very different from the ones he used to. He felt the warm, soft touch of his hand on his face, and he was flooded with the peace that the creature emanated.
"Even so, I'm sorry. If at any point I can do anything to compensate, tell me."
“I will do so. Come on! It is time to rest." And without further ado, they both took up their positions, turning their backs on each other. But with everything that had happened, despite being rather tired, Levi could not fall asleep.
The hybrid noticed Levi's insomnia, understanding that the human had been through many emotions that day, and it was probably difficult for him to sleep. So, without commenting on anything previously, he began to sing again with that glorious and sweet voice, however instead of doing it strongly as he previously did, his voice was tenuous, almost a whisper.
Levi was surprised to hear it, but he could not help being captivated by that beautiful voice, and the song that was in an unknown language, even if he could not understand it, relaxed him. Little by little, lulled by that melody, his eyelids began to close and finally managed to fall asleep.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
That was the way in which Erwin the last of the hybrids, and Levi Ackerman, the last of the dragon hunters, began to live together, and they united to declare the final battle to the race of beings that had decided to take the wrong way, leading them almost to the extinction of their species; and by way of eliminating Erwin’s people completely. The half-dragon, driven by the duty of correcting what his brothers had done, and the hunter with the feeling of revenge rooted within him, combined forces and being the most powerful beings of their respective races, they had a great advantage.
Erwin, began training Levi in the difficult task of eliminating the dragons. He noticed that the human was already an expert, not for nothing was the only survivor of those who once engaged in the dangerous profession. However, he still lacked much. Erwin knew that it would be impossible for Levi to defeat him, and that he could have done him harm only because he had not taken his battle seriously and did not want to confront it, lowering his guard in the process. But if Erwin had really wanted it, he would have easily eliminated the hunter.
The hybrid thought, that out there could be dragons as powerful as himself was, so Levi must be prepared to face them. The training was hard, Erwin transformed into a dragon, and fought against Levi, always trying not to hurt him too much. Although on many occasions, Levi was injured so badly that he had to rest for several days, time during which Erwin patiently and why not? affectionately, took care of him.
The more they lived together, the more they fought together, the more they became attached to each other. At first, the semi-dragon did not think about getting involved on a sentimental level with Levi, he joined him believing it would be a merely ‘working’ relationship. But in the millennia that he had existed, he had never been the victim of a spell such as the one Levi had placed on him. His determination, his courage, his desire to continue living, his sense of justice; were captivating. Erwin had never met a human being who seemed or behaved ‘so alive.’ For him, humans were similar to cattle: animals that deserved to live, which had the right to continue existing, but too stupid, too fragile and too boring. They were all the same, living day by day, with no fixed goal, with no purpose other than to continue living an empty life until death knocked on their doors. But Levi, he was different from all the others.
The hunter was an anomaly. He had a rather sad story, and Erwin understood that he had been moved by anger and vengeance all his life, but he thought that it was not a bad thing after all. Levi had a great dream, which was what set him apart from the rest of humans. Also, he had traveled so much, that despite having lived only for little more than a couple of decades, he already had knowledge and wisdom, besides maturity; which some men did not acquire during their entire lives. Levi was a man who knew how to suppress his feelings, and who never lost his temper, he was able to leave his mind blank and concentrate on the fight if he required it.
And even so, Erwin had discovered that Levi's heart was like a chest, which, upon opening, revealed a myriad of unimaginable treasures to whoever was fortunate enough to find it. And Erwin was grateful to have been him the one who revealed it. The hunter managed to open himself to Erwin in ways he had never done with anyone, not even to himself. And so the hybrid knew his laughter and his kindness, it was how he tasted his sweetness, his patience, his bliss, and his happiness. Because even if it was too little, Levi could also experience joy from time to time.
The first time Erwin saw him smile, it was an occasion he would keep forever in his memory. It was after his first fight against a dragon, only a month after Levi had begun training with him. The beast, having heard the rumors that the hybrid and the hunter had joined forces, thought that his reputation would rise if he managed to eliminate them both at once. The young, naive dragon was confident that his strength would be sufficient to assassinate them, and so, perhaps, he would be named the new leader of his race. So he lost no time and went to meet them, entering the deep mountain that served as a lair to the gigantic golden dragon
But the confidence of that dragon, whose scales were as blue as the deep sea, did not last long. Already by themselves, Erwin and Levi were powerful, but together, they were a lethal combination. Erwin took his animal form, and the hunter rode on his back, throwing himself into battle. Levi's rapid movements served as a distraction so that Erwin could attack the weak spots of the blue reptile as he tried unsuccessfully to catch Levi in his jaws. In a short time, they managed to defeat him and without too much effort, even though the creature was huge and very fierce.
It was on that occasion, when seeing how quickly they had finished with the animal, Levi smiled for the first time, congratulating Erwin and showing him confidence and companionship. The hybrid was enchanted with that dramatic expression, and the real joy emanating from every pore of the hunter, who continued showing his white teeth that contrasted beautifully with the carmine that covered his pale cheeks, in a sign of victory. Breath of breath made his chest move gracefully in a state of glory and pride, and his forehead was beaded with sweat that ran down his face and neck until it disappeared into his attire. It was at this moment, with the fury of the battle and the new visions that Levi gave him, that the hybrid felt his heart throb with force, it was then when he thought how wonderful that creature, who had come to his lair just a few weeks ago was. But Erwin had lived for thousands of years already, and had never experienced such sensations before. Only a month took that human, to take possession of the dormant heart of the half-dragon. Erwin did not need explanations, since he could understand it immediately.
For his part, Levi as the human he was, went through a much longer process, but with the same result. Erwin was the best teacher he could find, and he was extremely wise. During the day, he taught him a lot about combat, and how to harm dragons. During the night, he entertained him with one of his thousands of stories and anecdotes. Sometimes it was difficult for Levi to assimilate that Erwin had inhabited for thousands of years, and he was fascinated by everything he told him. Little by little, the hunter realized that Erwin had been sincere from the beginning, and that he could trust him.
And since the beginning, Levi had been intrigued by all the new sensations that the hybrid made him feel, but what really moved his cold heart was the sharing of his first victory together. The human was accustomed to fighting alone, but to have won so easily that blue dragon, in perfect combination of skills with his golden companion, had never been experienced by him. Emotion, glory, victory. Erwin had given him all that, and Levi smiled, smiled like he had never done before in his life. Not even when he was just a child, cradled in the bosom of his beloved mother, had been able to smile so openly, experiencing true happiness. And he owed everything to Erwin.
From that moment on, Levi only continued opening up more to the half-dragon. He was already able to tell him about his own past, about his life, about his dreams and hopes. It was possible for him to express his feelings, his joys and his fears, and give him a whole range of expressions that his face had never shown to anyone before. For years, Levi confounded all that ecstasy with the joy of having found a life and fighting partner. It never occurred to him that what had bloomed strongly in his heart was the unknown feeling of which some humans boasted: ‘love’
It was not until four years after Levi had begun to live with Erwin, at a time when he thought he would lose him, that he realized his feelings towards him. Several dragons had united to defeat the powerful pair, seeing that many had perished when trying alone. So they went to their lair with the confidence that this time they would win. Erwin and Levi in combination had managed to defeat several of them. But when they were ready to run out of power through the hard battle, the last of the dragons who remained alive, attacked Levi. Erwin reacted angrily, as he seldom showed himself and countered. It began a bloody battle one by one among the beasts, in which Erwin was in disadvantage. Levi horrified, watched as the enemy dragon was taking advantage, making deep wounds in the body of the golden dragon.
It was at that moment, in which the hunter thought he would lose his partner. He imagined what life would be like without him, and he could not bear the terrible idea of not being able to get lost in the precious sapphires of his eyes, or snuggling to his heat while he whispered his melody with that wonderful voice, to think that he would never fascinate himself with his stories, or entangle his fingers in the gold of his hair, or that he could never again caress his soft skin or breathe in his scent. Everything was too tragic, he could not allow it, and so drawing strength from not knowing where, Levi lunged at the enemy, just to keep him from ending Erwin's life.
They came out victorious from that hard battle, but what they gained was far more valuable than having defeated a horde of dragons on their own. Being able to remain alive had become a privilege, at the moment when they expressed the exciting feelings they kept in their hearts, which were well known and accepted by Erwin from the beginning; and newly discovered by Levi to the heat of the fight.
“Erwin I ... I couldn’t bear to lose you.” Expressed the hunter feeling his heart tear to see the terrible state in which the hybrid was left after the fight.
"My body is not the same as before Levi, and I have lived and fought for so long that I fear I cannot fight like I did years ago. But if in one of these battles I perish, you must promise that you will carry on with our mission until you finish it." In spite of the mortal wounds, Erwin kept smiling at him and talking to him in a sweet whisper.
"Don’t talk nonsense!" On an impulse, the hunter took the half-dragon in his arms and hugged him carefully not to hurt him. "You will live! You will live for thousands of years, even when I’m gone. I don’t allow you to die Erwin, you don’t have permission to die, because I love you." And having said that, Levi looked directly at him, and the dragon could read in the silver of those eyes, that his words were true and his feelings pure.
"I never imagined that such sweet words would come from your exquisite lips, my hunter." The hybrid commented seductively. "I must feel flattered and the one most fortunate of these lands, for having my feelings corresponded. I have loved you for years Levi, I have loved you since you came to me.” He finished confessing with joy.
At these words, both men melted into a passionate kiss, Erwin did not feel the pain of his wounds, only the warmth that overflowed his chest. It was the first time in all his millennia of life that he experienced what it really meant to love. The hunter was not left behind, in all his life he had only loved his mother, but it was a totally different feeling, the one he felt for the beautiful being that had captivated him.
From that moment on, after Erwin's wounds had been healed by the hunter's loving care, they became lovers. Expressing the passionate feeling both emotionally and physically. At some point, Levi regretted having wasted the first few years without realizing his true feelings for Erwin, but for the half-dragon, it was totally different. Those years were nothing compared to the thousands he had lived alone, and he never thought he would be reciprocated by the human. Erwin was content to fight at his side, and live together. But after having clarified their feelings, the lovers did not waste their time together. They loved each other with passion and despair, the bed they shared became a witness to the lust and love that professed each other.
They loved each other, and fought together for many years. The feelings they harbored for each other gave them the strength to continue, and little by little, they were reaching their goal, the interminable task was coming to an end; as well as the youth of the hunter.
Decades had passed, and even though Erwin looked exactly as when they met, Levi had grown old. His precious silver eyes had lost the youthful brilliance to be replaced with the gleam of maturity, some wrinkles had already populated his face, his hands had acquired an annoying shiver that appeared from time to time, his back had hunched a little and his muscles were not as strong as they used to be. Levi still had a lot of strength and agility, he was still young to be a human, and fifty years were not so many to be considered old, but at that moment, a fear that had gone unnoticed for him all those years, nested in his chest.
He would become old, he would die, and Erwin would remain beautiful and splendid as the first day he had seen him. He would leave that world in a few years, and Erwin would have to live without him. It was not that he felt so important, but he could not bear the idea of knowing that his lover will be alone, in that desolate place, since being a hybrid, he could not live among humans without them attacking him when they found of his condition. But each time he expressed his concern to his lover, he only showed him that warm smile of his, and told him not to take any notice of the matter.
And that was not the hunter's only concern. Looking at the reflection of the lake, he watched the beauty of youth leave him, how the spots appeared on his skin and wrinkles deformed his face, as his hair no longer looked as healthy as in his best times. And as he bathed, as he traversed his body riddled with scars, he realized that he no longer exuded the same sensuality as a couple of decades ago.
"Doesn’t it bother you, Erwin? As I become a decrepit old man, you remain as perfect as ever, you look as stunning as ever, time has left no trace on your face. But I, every day lose youth. How can you still feel in love with this wrinkled face? How can you feel pleasure in taking this aged body? How can you want to keep combing these gray hairs?" Erwin just watched him with the same admiration and sweetness he always had.
"To my eyes, Levi, you are as beautiful as the day I met you. Every scar on your body reminds me of the times we fought together. Every wrinkle on your face is a smile that you gave me. Each reed of your hair is a minute that we passed side by side. The sensuality of your body remains the same, and the smell of your skin remains as sweet as ever. To my eyes Levi, you are as beautiful as the first time I saw you." The half-dragon took the face of his beloved in his hands, admiring it as if he were the most perfect being on earth, just to kiss him, with the same passion and love as the first time.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
When Levi reached his fifty-five years, and Erwin so many that he had already lost count a few hundred years ago; they confirmed that there was no longer a single dragon inhabiting the world. Their goal had been fulfilled years ago, but it took them quite a while to make sure that no one was hidden.
They had a long time not without seeing a dragon, they had even made excursions searching for them. But no matter how far they tried, as far as they went, in the villages the villagers confirmed to them that they had not seen any of these beasts in years. Erwin could not perceive the scent of any, or feel their presence, and if there were abandoned pups, they would probably die by not being able to take care of themselves. But as much as they searched and traveled, there was no trace of dragons. Finally, they were extinct.
The joy overflowed from Levi's heart, at last, after a lifetime, he had fulfilled the promise he had made to his mother, and her memory could rest in peace from that moment. The disappearance of the feeling of vengeance he had carried throughout his life was like taking a huge weight off from his back. Now he could live a quiet life, next to the one he loved, Levi was hopeful because he had enough time left to devote himself to Erwin. He thought that they could take advantage of what they had left of youth to travel together and explore the beautiful places that the land had to offer. And when he was very old, and could not travel at all, they could settle down again in their cave, ending his days living peacefully, loving Erwin until he breathed his last breath. It was a good way to live, now that they did not have to keep fighting.
But Erwin had other plans in mind. For a brief time, he let Levi dream of everything they could do in the future. He loved him, took every opportunity he had to kiss him, to caress him, to whisper sweet words in his ear. He took his body again and again, until exhaustion made him fall asleep on his chest. He loved him, loved him more than he had done all those years, preparing him for what he was going to ask of him shortly.
"Levi, my hunter, my love. Despite having inhabited this world for millennia, I knew what it was to truly live until you came into my life. Fate brought you to me and made me the most blissful being there, the happiness I felt at your side, the love so great that my heart feels for you, shall never be overcome. Levi, my love, I hope you can understand my request, if you really love me, you shall be able to fulfill the greatest longing in my heart." One of many days, after having made love last night, as if there were no tomorrow, Erwin made the decision that it would be the last day of his life.
"What are you talking about Erwin? I'm too old for you to give me that kind of scares." Levi tried to tease, as he stroked the golden strands of his lover's hair. But seeing the seriousness of his eyes, Levi swallowed thick, realizing that something bad was coming.
"Levi, I am afraid our mission is not over yet. There is still a dragon alive, flying over the skies of this blessed land. We cannot allow one to ever tread on those heavens. "
"You mean yourself? Erwin, don’t say more bullshit, you know that you're different. You look completely human to me."
"But I am not. Levi, I charge with a curse, the curse of my race, of my people, and it is my duty to end it, the only way is to leave this world. I have never seen any of my brothers die of old age, I do not know how many years shall take to me to grow old, Levi. It could be millennia before my body begins to get older, and the only way I can die now, or at any time, is if you kill me. "
"What?! Close that mouth of yours for once at all, Erwin! I'm not going to kill you. Have you considered my feelings? How do you want me to snatch the life of the person I love more than myself? How do you expect me to go on living the years I have left without you?" The man was already desperate, he had not lost his temper in that way for many years.
"Levi." Erwin spoke with an even greater calm than usual. "It is my duty to destroy my race, to the last of them. And my desire is to die in the hands of the person I love, the only being I have loved in all these centuries. I know it is a selfish request" With that said, Erwin came to kiss the corner of the man's eyes, since they had begun to shed tears. "But Levi, if you do not do it now that you have the strength, you shall condemn me to live hundreds or thousands of years without you. I shall see you grow old and die, in what shall feel like a blink to me, but every second that has to exist after your death, shall be an eternity. "
Then Levi realized that he was the one who was being selfish. There were no longer dragons or hunters, no one could end Erwin's life, no one but him. And Levi loved Erwin so much that he could not condemn him to an eternity in solitude, much less being a thought that had tormented him for years, even though Erwin always told him that it was a matter that he should not worry about.
"I will ..." Weeping intensified, the last time Levi had cried, he was still a child and had lost his mother in the fierce jaws of a dragon, and he cried again decades later because he must lose the only one person he had loved in his life, and his own sword should take care of the task. "I will, but first, take me for the last time Erwin, inebriate me with your passion, engrave your footprint all over my body, so that I can never forget you."
And so he did, the half-dragon, made love to him for one last time, caressing him with delicacy like fragile glass that could break at the slightest touch. But burying himself inside him at the same time. Love and passion, lust and sweetness, in a farewell dance that Levi could never forget.
*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*
Levi insisted to Erwin that it was the only way to end his life, he would not be able to wield his sword against him, his hand would not move to nail the blade into his bowels, the man had never in his life had frightened, until that moment. Then, he arranged everything to end the life of his beloved. The old hunter would do his duty for the last time, and finish with the last remaining dragon on earth.
With Erwin's help, they nailed Levi’ sword into the hard rock of the cave that served as home for so many years to them, the dragon's deathbed, would be the same place where they had seen born and grow their love, the place that was full of memories of how much they had loved each other.
So, as the hilt of the sword was buried in the stone, and the blade peering dangerously, ready to fulfill its purpose for the last time, Erwin was positioned back to it, feeling the cold metal tip in his back. Levi started to cry once more, just had to push it, strong enough for the sword to bury itself in his body. Then, seeing the tears of his beloved, Erwin began to sing. That beautiful song, played by his melodious voice, which had so often brought peace to the hunter.
Levi looked at him, gave him a last look of love and a last sincere smile, before throwing himself to his body with force, catching him in his arms, getting the sword buried not only in Erwin's body, but crossed his own bowels. Erwin looked at him in surprise, ignoring the sharp pain of his wound, which slowly stolen his life.
"I always said to myself that if I were to die, it would be an honor to do it by exercising my profession." The hunter could say, before spitting blood on his lover's chest. I love you Erwin, in this and any other life, I will always love you." And Erwin smiled at him, though his eyesight clouded and life slowly left his body, he continued faintly toning his melody, until he could do no more.
In that cave, the two lovers lay nailed to the cold rock, but their bodies to the last moment were flooded with the heat of their love; and their hearts were synchronized to the last beat. That day, the last of the dragons died satisfied in the hands of the only being he loved in his long life, and Levi the hunter, left the world comforted by the dragon’s lullaby.
~The End~