Work Text:
The crowds were pressed close together near the Gate to Shiganshina but there was still enough room to squeeze between legs if one was small enough. The young Omega fought his way through the forest of legs to manage breaking through to the front. Eren didn't pay attention to the grown-up talk about 'misused taxes', large shining eyes on the people returning with green cloaks fluttering in the wind.
Despite his age, the pup knew the scent of blood well and a soft whimper eased past his lips at the many injuries the Scouts wore.
They had fought hard.
Respect for those that wore the Wings of Freedom surged through his heart, a solemn frown on Eren's face as he looked up at each brave soul that had managed to return.
Eren caught his scent before the brunet pup saw him, even through the overbearing aroma of carnage.
Winter blackberries and lavender tea.
Such a soothing and pleasing scent, one that quieted his whimper and racing heart. Eren Yeager sniffed the air and wrung his hands together as he searched the forms more intently.
Verdant eyes managed to briefly lock with silver irises.
The pup's breath hitched and his own gaze widened as those eyes pierced right through him, as if looking right into his soul and seeing Eren exactly for what he was.
Alpha…
The man was astride a black stallion and his uniform bore damage and stains. However, he was uninjured. The Alpha had pale skin stretched over firm muscle, riddled with scars from previous battles he had walked away victorious. His hair was as dark as a moonless night and seemed to glow blue when the sunlight struck it. Immaculately kept despite being battleworn.
Strong…
The Alpha smelled so good, felt so calming and was so obviously strong. Even though the brunet was just a pup, his instincts were already purring in recognition. This man could take care of him, such good care of him.
Eren Yeager turned and gingerly tugged on a woman's skirt, who glanced down distractedly.
"Who's that?" The small pup questioned, pointing at the Alpha in question with rounded green eyes.
"That's Captain Levi Ackerman. Humanity's Strongest," the woman answered before fixing her gaze back on the procession of the Survey Corps. That was just as well, Eren wasn't paying attention to her anymore either.
Levi.
Humanity's Strongest.
Clenching his small fists against his rapidly beating heart, Eren Yeager felt love fill it. A feeling much different than the pup had for his parents. It dried his tongue, made his palms sweat and his heart beat against his ribs so hard it almost hurt. His tummy felt like he had swallowed butterflies.
Levi…
The Alpha must be meant for him if Eren felt this strongly.
It was then that the Omega pup decided he would follow Levi Ackerman anywhere. He would be a good pup and become strong. Join those wearing the Wings of Freedom and prove that he could be a perfect mate to Humanity's Strongest.
Fate was not that kind, however. Titans broke through the Wall and the terrified pup had to watch as one devoured his poor mother as he screamed out for her.
Too weak and too small.
Eren got to join the 104th Cadet Regiment but everything was a struggle. First, the mishap with the ODM harness and then a long two years only to be devoured himself.
Or, the Omega had thought that before fate threw yet another difficulty at him. He did his best even though people looked at him in fear, the brunet sealed the freshly punched hole through the Wall. Yet they still threw him in a cell and Eren feared what would happen to him.
Then his Alpha appeared for the first time since that day, all those sensations and feelings returned just as strongly. There was no time to do anything other than answer their questions and listen to their plan.
So the first touch of his Alpha caused necessary pain in order to save him. Eren lost a tooth, his nose pouring blood, lip splitting as he whimpered in submission to everything the Captain did to him.
The injuries steamed closed.
Eren Yeager was given to the Survey Corps as a tool, an experiment and a possibility to end the War against the Titans.
It wasn't how the Omega had wished it but he was finally where he had dreamed of being. Levi was appointed his keeper and despite the situation, Eren couldn't help still feeling that love and those butterflies.
Despite everything, Eren still loved the Alpha and desperately wanted to be near him.
Levi Ackerman was a blunt, crass and straightforward man with a penchant for cleaning and an adoration of tea. Something that made the Omega smile because it was heavy even in his fragrance.
He watched the Alpha with wide eyes and followed his every command, no matter how harsh it seemed. The Alpha was strict but not unfair and instead of putting the pup off, Eren's heart beat just as strongly with a deep longing.
The Omega smelled like honeysuckle and though the aroma of ozone was new upon gaining his Titan, Eren wondered if their scents would mingle into something lovely.
He did everything.
Clean the Headquarters. Stay in the dungeon. Go through every experiment demanded. Trusted his comrades…
How had it ended up like this?
Levi had told him to choose and Eren had fucked it all up. Even though he was told not to, he felt such deep regret and shame. He was the reason the people who were the Alpha's closest comrades were now dead. They hadn't even gotten the dignity of a burial!
China clinked on the table right in front of him and Eren blinked slowly at the sight of a steaming cup of tea. Lavender, just like-
"Are you not sleeping again, brat?"
Levi.
The Omega raised his teary viridian eyes from the cup to meet those silver irises he thought were so breathtaking. The butterflies felt like they were being strangled by guilt. His sour scent caused the Alpha to wrinkle his nose and sigh, taking a seat across from him.
"Eren."
It was too much. All of it too much to keep inside!
Tears spilled from his bright eyes and streamed down his face as the words slipped from his lips, thick and broken.
"I love you."
Silver eyes widened the barest amount before narrowing on Eren, staring right into him as his heart shook.
"What did you just say?"
A question asked in a low voice, one that was steady and strong. Everything that the Omega didn't feel right now, falling apart under the weight placed on his shoulders.
"I love you. I always have." Eren confessed into the quiet, silent tears slipping down his face. Levi tilted his head and continued to stare hard into his eyes but the Omega didn't look away. Even though his heart felt like it was going to break through his ribcage and shatter the moment his longed for Alpha rejected him. It would be alright.
Because Eren healed.
…Right?
"You're grieving."
He nodded. Yes, everything hurt but that didn't change how he felt.
"You're a pup."
Another nod. Of course he was but he felt like he had suddenly had to grow up so very quickly these past few months. A tool was a tool.
"Yet, you're certain."
It didn't sound like a question but Eren offered another firm nod as he swallowed down the whimper of misery that wanted to slip out. Levi uncrossed his legs and stood, rounding the table as the Omega's tear-filled eyes followed him.
Warmth caressing his face caused Eren to flinch, gaze widening as he looked up at the Captain in confusion. Calloused fingers smoothed over the tears, wiping them as they kept falling.
The Omega wasn't able to stifle his whine this time, the sound thready and questioning.
Then more warmth, rubbing into his short brunet hair and Eren shuddered, gasping. His hands reached out and gripped the back of Levi's uniform jacket as lavender blackberry tea filled his senses. It mixed with his scent which was becoming sweeter by the second.
Levi…
A strong jaw and cheek nuzzled into him as he shook, tipping his head until Levi had access to every inch of his throat. When their glands finally rubbed against each other, Eren whined again but it was needy and submissive.
Alpha!
They smelled so good combined together! Better than Eren had ever imagined. It was so calming that he hadn't realized his tears had stopped. Hadn't realized that he had chirruped in happiness.
Then the touch was gone but Levi's scent had been pushed deep. It lingered and soothed Eren as he watched the Alpha with startled verdant eyes.
Warm pools of silver stared down at him and there was the barest upward quirk of lips before he was left in the mess hall with a cooling cup of tea.
Eren blinked, absolutely mystified.
That hadn't been a rejection but it hadn't been a clear sign of acceptance. The Alpha hadn't said a word…
Yet, honeysuckle mixed with the other's scent had the Omega closing his eyes to savor it, a rumbling purr thrumming in his chest.