Work Text:
To fortify both their parents' companies, Eren Yeager, a seventeen-year-old and engaged to his childhood best friend. Eren’s birthday was in a few days. He feels giddy at the prospect of being an adult and moving in with his fiancé. Eren has the nicest people around him. Well, not all, but yeah, there are a few exceptions...
Eren flinches, his hands shooting up to cover his face from the blow. The blow never came. He opens his eyes slowly to peek at his bully. Eren's body relaxes as a handsome familiar figure stands in front of him, blocking his bully from hitting him. He stands up, dusting his trousers to get a better glance at the boy. Eren’s eyes widened when he remembered the last time, he had to see him. It was during their engagement dinner. What was he doing in Eren’s school?
“Who are you, punk?” His bully spat at the raven, lunging at the short boy. He gets blocked and pushed away. Rum glares at the short raven with loathing. He spat on the floor.
“My name’s Levi, Eren is my fiancé. Next time you try to throw a punch at him, I will have to knock your teeth out.” Levi threatens him, ignoring the gasps in the corridor. Eren hides his face and flushes like a crimson flower.
“Levi, let’s go, please?” As Eren tugs on Levi’s sleeves, he feels multiple pairs of eyes fixed on them, judging them with various levels of subtlety. Levi throws a withering look in Eren’s direction and takes off. Eren follows behind him, eyes downcast, as they reach the terrace of Eren’s senior high school building. Levi leans against the wall and stares ahead.
“Are you upset with me?” Eren says quietly as he stands beside him, looking down to see students milling about and a large group seated by the tree conversing and playing card games. Eren only has two classmates: Armin and Jean.
Rum has never liked him; ever since he joined their class that year, he has relentlessly pushed and bullied Eren. He never told his parents about it. He didn't want to bother them with trivial matters, so whenever Jean or Armin was nearby, Rum left him alone. Unfortunately, Eren was alone taking books from his locker when Rum noticed him. Eren's fiancée rescued him.
“What brings you here today?” Eren stares at Levi’s side profile. Levi was always good-looking. And he was kind to Eren ever since they were kids.
“I noticed the wounds on your hand the other day we met,” Levi growls, his countenance sad and enraged. Levi's anger on his behalf relaxes all of his muscles. Eren sighs contentedly as he slowly takes Levi's hand in his own, intertwining their fingers. Their parents decided to arrange their marriages. Their wedding would commence when they turned eighteen. Eren and Levi were both born into wealthy families. It was fairly common for them to marry at a young age to secure company shares. Eren will turn eighteen in a few days. Levi was already eighteen years old. Another reason Eren and Levi are getting married so young was that only a few people were fully aware of Eren's medical condition.
“Do you still want to marry a pathetic kid like me?” Eren slowly pries open the issue at hand. He never asked Levi if he was interested in him. Levi never showed any anger or resentment when their parents broached the topic of marriage a few months ago.
“Yes. Who else can protect a prat like you? Only your husband Levi can.” Levi huffs and puffs his chest in pride. Eren smiles.
“I want it to be with you too, Levi. You are my best friend. You have known me ever since we were babies. You never resented me for my weakness.” Eren enjoys the smug look Levi sports. Levi was easy to satisfy. Eren will never take advantage of his kindness.
“It is not a weakness, Eren. You will get well soon, with proper care. I love taking care of you. Being there for you.” Levi corrects him, cupping Eren's cheeks and brushing his thumb across the tender rosy cheek.
“Did you tell mom and dad about my bruises?” Eren is curious. He hopes and prays that they have not been informed. Eren sighs with relief as Levi shakes his head. “Thank you very much, Levi.”
“I am enough for you. I will protect you.” Levi knew the cheesiest things to say, leaving Eren to blush and sputter in response.
“When are your classes going to end? I'd like to take you home before the sun sets.” His firm albeit tender tone warmed Eren's insides.
“We can leave right now. I have one more class, but Armin will give me notes next week.” Eren informs him as he brushes his hair. Levi nods. He has some important stuff to take care of. He was preparing a surprise for Eren.
He drops Eren off at home and takes off, but not before a tender kiss on Eren’s closed eyelids. “I will see you on Monday, Eren.” Eren nods and gives him a goodbye hug.
Eren puts on his glasses and picks up his college brochures to apply for. His eyes are still a mess and he can barely see the contents of the sheets. Heaving a forlorn sigh, he drops them dejectedly. He would have to check them in the morning when his sight was in better condition. His school life was finally coming to an end. Eren was worried about getting into a reputed university. They both have applied for quite a few. He wants to enjoy his university life with Levi. At the same time, he wants Levi to willingly join the same university as him.
Meanwhile, Levi meets with Eren’s friend, Armin and obtains the item he requested from him. The first surprise was done. Then he decides to go ring shopping. There was one more thing to confirm. But that won't happen until next week.
^^^
When Eren reaches his school on Monday, his final week as a high school senior, he gets a pleasant surprise. Rum stands before him, his head held low, and apologises to him. “What?” Eren guffaws at him, unable to believe, his eyes.
“I said, I’m sorry. We should move past this. Forget all of this.” Rum mutters, his head still hung low.
“Look me in the eyes and apologise.” Eren spat, anger bubbling in his chest. When Rum did look up, his face was a mess. He’s got a black eye and a bruised cheek.
“Who did this to you?” Eren enquires. He knew it already, but he wanted Rum to confirm it for him.
“Your fiancé,” Rum confesses as he turns and walks away, limping the whole time. Eren’s heart soars and sinks at the same time. Eren needs to talk to Levi.
Eren texts Levi, that Armin is dropping him off at home. Eren requests Levi to come over.
When Levi arrives, the entire house is quiet and dark. He frowns. “Eren?” Levi searches inside the dark room for him.
“Where have you gone?” There is still no response. Fear causes his heart to race. Eren's parents, as well as his parents, were out of town planning their wedding. He should never have left Eren alone. He should have kicked Rum even harder.
“Eren, are you there?” he tries to calm himself. He hears a sudden sniff and sob.
“Baby?” Levi turns on the nightlight and frantically searches the room. The small sob comes from inside the closet. He opens the closet door and takes a look inside. Eren is huddled in the corner, his face flushed with tears.
“Did that jerk ever hurt you again?” Levi spits angrily, crouching down to cup Eren's face. Eren sighs and shakes his head.
“You did,” Eren admits, bursting into another small sob. Levi becomes catatonic.
“Eren-” When Levi starts. Eren abruptly shuts him down with a hug. Levi leans in and wraps his arms around Eren's trembling frame. Warm hands caress Eren's back, relaxing his muscles and mind. Eren decides to talk.
“You shouldn’t have done that.” His chin rests on Levi’s shoulder as he stares at the dimly lit room. Making sure the sudden brightness wouldn’t harm Eren’s eyes. Levi has always been thoughtful like this. But Eren needs to know something. Something that’s been on his mind for a while.
“He'll never bother you again. Armin was helpful. In the video I obtained, we have proof of him harassing you,” Levi says gleefully, an evil glint in his eyes. Eren was tempted to laugh, but he restrains himself. More pressing matters were at stake. His heart sinks at the thought of what Levi’s response might be, but he refuses to draw any conclusions. He wants to listen to what Levi has to say.
“Levi, please answer me honestly.” His lips wobble, and he continues with a tender quivering tone, “Do you help me out of pity?”
Levi remains motionless, and when he does move, he faces Eren, their faces inches apart, his lips caressing Eren’s wet lips tenderly. “Pity? Eren, Eren, Eren. I am mad at you right now for the insinuation. If I wasn't in love with you, you'd be on the receiving end of a hissy fit,” Levi spoke slowly, his eyes remaining shut. Eren can barely see his face, blurriness ruins it. But when Levi leans closer, Eren notices his tender visage. Levi’s fizzog was pitiful albeit sincere. He realises what Levi had just admitted.
When he doesn't get a response, Levi opens his eyes to see Eren, who is doe-eyed and pink, sniffing loudly. Why was his brat crying once more? Didn't he say he was in love and it wasn't a pity?
“What now, Eren?”, Levi turned around his expression hardening. He glances around the dark room. No one was around, they were safe, and Eren was safe. Levi sighed in exasperation. Eren's eyes were still wide and fixed on him.
“What is the matter with you? You act like you saw a ghost.” Levi looked at his childhood best friend and fiancé.
“You said you love me!” Eren gasps, eyes still wide as saucers. “This is the first time in all these years.”
Levi chuckles and shrugs, “Yes, I did. I do not want you to mistake my love for you as pity, Eren.”
“So, you’re not helping me because of my night blindness. But because you love me?” Eren asks again.
“I am helping you because I care for you. It hurts me to see you looking down on yourself. You’re so beautiful Eren. And you’ve got the most gorgeous pair of green eyes I’ve ever seen. I’m the lucky one here. I will take good care of you until your sight gets better.” Levi corrects Eren’s doubt and makes a promise he was adamant about fulfilling.
“You've always been good with words.” Eren flushes and hides his face in Levi's neck crook. Levi holds him for a while.
“I've got a few surprises for you,” Levi says as he helps Eren sit on his bed. Levi picks up Eren's glasses and places them on his nose while Eren beams and waits for him. “Better?” he asks as he kisses the tip of his nose. Eren smiles brightly and nods.
When the clock strikes twelve o'clock, “Happy birthday, love,” Levi says as he holds Eren's chin. Eren thanks him and giggles. It was a beautiful sound. Levi’s favourite music.
Levi was not finished; he continued, “Eren, do you want to marry me right now?”
Eren bit his lower lip. “What about the one our parents are arranging?” His face scrunched, his brows knitted into a frown.
“It'll be very formal.” “I want to marry you right now.” Levi brushes off his question.
“I can't even see you properly, Levi.” Eren bemoans, tugging on Levi's shirt.
“We'll turn on all the lights in the room, and you can wear your glasses when we exchange rings,” Levi says as he kneels on the floor. Eren exhales, hands crunching his bed duvet. Without their parents' presence. This was very personal and romantic.
“I've always been by your side, Eren Yeager, from the first day we met until now. I want to be more than just a friend or a childhood crush; I want to be someone on whom you can rely, love, and trust. Someone you consider your own. I want to be yours.” Levi puts the ring on Eren's right ring finger. Levi's expression was full of sincerity and love. Eren starts crying. Eren’s glasses are smudged from his tears.
“Yes! A thousand times, yes. And I'd like to be yours. Levi, thank you for accepting me for who I am, flaws and all. You have only shown me love and loyalty. You could have anyone, but here you are, kneeling beside my bed, willing to marry me. I love you, Levi. You are it for me.” As he slips the other ring from the box onto Levi's ring finger, Eren confesses. Eren leaps from his bed and presses his lips against Levi's, kissing him more passionately and deeply. Levi grunts in pain and takes Eren's glasses off. Eren apologises with a giggle. They kiss again and hold each other, caressing and tasting every part of each other until they need to breathe.
“Mom is going to be upset,” Eren says, gasping for air. Levi gives him a casual wink. “They should be relieved that we are making their lives easier. We are marrying for love, not money, as they desired.” Levi reminds him of their original marriage agreement.
“I’ve got one more surprise Eren. I got into Cambridge, and so have you. I wanted to wait until next week and announce it during our wedding. But this feels like the right time.”
“WAIT? HOW!”
“I got my mail today, and yours must’ve arrived as well. My mom got a call from your mom. The mail arrived yesterday.”
Eren unlocks his phone and logs into his mail, frantically checking, and yes, he was indeed accepted. How did he miss it? Rum his mind reminds him. That Bastard spoiled his mood. Now all is well. Levi and Eren could go together.
“Levi, are you okay with attending the same university as me? I do not want to stifle you.”
Levi raises a brow and leans in to kiss his husband. “Enough with the low self-esteem. I want to be with you, pretty prat.”
“When did I get so lucky?” Eren wonders, tracing lazy patterns on Levi’s shirt. Levi grasps his soft fingers, kissing each of them tenderly he replies, “I’m the lucky one here, you’re so beautiful Eren.”
Five years later
“Levi! Hurry up!” Eren yells, excitement thrumming in his blood.
“I had to pack our food, Eren.” Levi shows him the big basket full of fruits, sandwiches, and various other of Eren’s favourite dishes. Eren grabs him by his collar to peck his lips. Levi clinches and kisses back, tasting Eren, relishing in their morning bliss.
They were on their way to a picnic with Armin’s family. Armin married Levi’s best friend, Erwin, a year ago. Ever since Eren’s eyes had gotten better, the couples had been planning a double date.
“We are here!” He laughs delightfully at Eren. His laughter is a piece of music to Levi’s soul. He smiles at Eren. Together, they walk hand in hand to see the blond pair seated on a large picnic blanket, kissing each other.
“Happy Wedding Anniversary!” Armin yells when he sees them approaching. Eren runs towards his friend and engulfs him in a warm hug.
“Happy fifth anniversary, Eren and Levi,” Erwin says, holding a gift. Eren grabs the gift and tears it open, excitement thrumming in his blood.
“Two tickets!” He squeals, showing it to Levi, who thanks Erwin for the gift. “They got us a trip to Paris for our anniversary, Levi.” Eren jumps, and Levi is oddly reminded of an excited puppy.
They spend the whole day enjoying the pleasant climate. Eren and Armin reminisce about their school days. Armin informs Eren that Jean has got a job as a chef at a famous hotel in London.
As the azure rolls away and the sky darkens, Eren holds Levi’s hands and stares into its wide expanse “It’s beautiful!” He exclaims, pointing at a constellation, “That one looks like a cat! I’m going to name it Levi,” Levi chuckles and kisses Eren’s kiss in response.
“I love you,” Levi says, tightening his hold in Eren’s hand. Eren hums and turns to face Levi. His face split into a bright smile. “I love you too.”
They will be there for each other in sickness and in health because love brought them together.