Work Text:
"I love you."
That was the last thing Erwin Smith thought before meeting his utter demise.
Death; it was an odd thing. Nothing like Erwin thought it would be like. After taking his final breath, he did not think he would be 'awake' so soon after. He thought he would fade back into his spirit, take in the fact that he was dead. BUt no, it was immediate-- Immediately he could see the battlefield around him, his comrades falling down in clumps. But most importantly, he could see Levi.
Levi had seen him die. Erwin watched as his eyes widened, and his jaw slightly slack. He knew Levi knew the day was coming, but still; to see his reaction twisted his gut into a knot. Levi did not make a sound, but Erwin knew how to read his face. It quickly shifted back to reality, but it was different-- In that instant, Levi had changed for good. He charged into battle again, dancing with the Titans as beautifully as he always had. But there was more intensity to it-- Anger. Hatred.
Erwin knew it was coming, but he had never expected to witness to watch his precious Levi's heart shatter beyond repair. He knew it was to come with his death-- it broke him. They were bonded to each other in a way that could not be replicated. They were more than lovers, more than friends, more than peers. More than two men should. They were each other-- Erwin the sun, Levi the moon. One could not operate without the other. And yet, he had just cursed his moon to eternal darkness.
Erwin watched as Levi continued to fight, fought until there was no one else left to fight. Once that was done with, he ran to the side of his dead star. Collapsed beside him, burying his face into his chest and holding onto him tightly. He could see Levi's lips moving,but could hear no sound-- or maybe, he selfishly chose not to listen. He knew what he would hear.
Levi had no clue Erwin was watching him as he stayed there, holding onto him. Tears spurred in Erwin's eyes when they had to pull Levi off of him-- he kicked and scratched to stay with his lover, but they pulled him away. Levi screamed-- he had not screamed before. Not when he had died, not when he fought, not when he held him, but when he was being separated. He yelled to be taken back, that no one else deserved to touch him. He cursed and spat when hands that were not his own touched Erwin's dead body, wrapped up like he was no one.
There was nothing Erwin wanted more than to be with Levi, trying to console him. He wanted to hold him, kiss him, promise that things would be alright-- But that was far from the truth.
Things would never be alright ever again for either of them.