Work Text:
Eyes Across the Room
Erwin chuckled, swirling his wine glass.
“I agree,” he said, tilting his head toward a rich upperclassman. The fundraisers that the regiment held were locally despised by the scouts, but unfortunately necessary. They needed funding, and they had to get it somehow.
Hange trailed somewhat behind Erwin, sipping their own glass of whatever concoction they made for themselves. They’d seen Erwin use this tactic a million times before- Agree with everything the rich people say even though you damn well know my ideals do not align with yours whatsoever. But damn, it worked every time. Despite all the small talk they had to make, it always somehow profited them and the fundraiser was a success.
Hange laughed along with Erwin, stifling a groan. They took another sip of their drink, scanning the room around them as Erwin started wrapping up their conversation. It was most of the same- higher ranking regiment members chatting up with one another, idly sipping wine and watching things unfold.
Until something caught their eye.
Levi Ackerman himself, talking to a woman.
Hange snorted. Levi was typically the one to follow Erwin around these parties- or not attend at all. This was certainly a rare sight. Hange raised a brow, examining the conversation they were having. They couldn’t make out anything they were saying, but saw the woman twirl her hair with her finger as Levi nonchalantly leaned against a wall.
The strange thing, however, was that Levi appeared engaged in their conversation. He raised his brows, nodded, added little comments- Who was this man?
Hange smiled, tilting their head a little.
“Wonderful talking to you, Mr. Stewart, enjoy the rest of the party,” Erwin said, breaking Hange’s train of thought. The upperclassman dipped his head and pivoted on his feet, leaving the pair alone. Erwin ran a finger around the neck of his collared shirt, then peered down at Hange, who was still fixated on the other two across the room. He raised a brow.
“What are you..?” He followed Hange’s line of sight, then saw it.
“Ah. Interesting,” He said, putting a hand in his coat pocket. “Usually he’s lurking around at these parties.”
“Erwin, he’s flirting,” Hange blurted. In response, Erwin gave a confused look.
“...Pardon me?” Is all he could stifle.
“He’s flirting.” Erwin whipped his head back to the couple. Were they…?
“No no no,” Erwin remarked quickly. “He’s- He’s being flirted at.”
“Come on, you don’t think he’s dealing it back? That’s not his normal face,” Hange replied, pointing at them with their glass in hand. Erwin only stared.
“Look at his face, he’s like- doing something with his eyebrows,” Hange noticed.
“Mhm…” Erwin replied, shuffling his weight on his feet. Hange chuckled.
“He finally took a page out of your book,” they teased.
“What?”
“Oh, come on, Erwin, you flirt your way through all these fundraisers.” Erwin sighed.
“You know what? Yes. It’s a strategy that works. It’s…” He trailed off, glancing back over at Levi. Dear god, he was flirting. His mouth hung open for a moment.
“It’s a good move. It’s bold, and…” He nervously sipped his wine. “I don’t care.” Hange snorted.
“Seriously! I don’t,” Erwin said quickly, turning back to the couple.
What the hell?!
This woman was now tugging on his lapels, and all Levi did was look her intently in the eye. Erwin swallowed.
Hange looked up at him, anticipating what he was going to say.
“She’s got her hands all over him…” He mumbled.
“You gonna… Do anything about it?” Hange asked with a smile.
“Nothing, Hange, I’m fine,” he replied, still keeping an eye on Levi. The two seemed to be very engaged in their conversation, Levi making quips and the woman laughing. She leaned in a bit toward him, trailing her hand down the edge of his suit jacket.
Erwin inhaled sharply, handing his wine glass to Hange and promptly advancing across the room. Hange shook their head, laughing. As Erwin approached the couple, he caught the woman telling a story to Levi.
“So I said, ‘Do you want to find out for yourself?’”
“And did he?” Levi replied, tilting his head- rather seductively. Erwin appeared at his side.
“Captain! Sorry to interrupt, ma’am, Commander Smith.” He shook her hand.
“Pleasure,” the young woman replied, shaking it back.
“I’m afraid there’s business we have to attend to,” He spoke quickly.
“Is there?” Levi asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Yes.”
“Concerning what, exactly?”
The woman just glanced at the two of them, a little dumbfounded.
“The regiment, of course.” Erwin stared into Levi’s eyes intensely. Levi suddenly caught his motive and smirked.
“Alright then.” He turned to the woman. “Sorry about this.”
“No problem,” she said. “It was nice talking to you.”
The two of them gave each other a smile, and she departed. Levi sighed, turning to his commander. Erwin cleared his throat.
“...So?” Levi asked.
“I’m afraid it’s a private matter that we must discuss in my office.”
“Really? Right now?”
“It’s urgent, captain.” There was more of an emphasis on that last word, the kind of tone that made Levi’s spine tingle. He paused for just a moment, then smirked.
“Lead the way.” The pair of them trailed to a door in the corner that led upstairs. Before they disappeared behind the threshold, Levi caught Hange’s eye, who was giving a knowing smile. Levi simply held a finger to his lip, raising his brow with a grin. Then they vanished. Hange chortled.
“Couple of freaks.”
The two of them did not appear for the rest of the night.
- - -
The door shut with a small click.
“Want to tell me what that was?” Erwin started, turning his head to Levi, who leaned against his desk. Levi scoffed.
“What what was? You mean my conversation?” Levi retorted.
“I can guarantee that was not a conversation. I watched it all,” Erwin said, crossing his arms.
“That’s creepy.”
“What’s creepy is that woman laying her hands all over you.” His reply caused Levi to pause. He grinned, raising his brow.
“...What?” Erwin questioned. Levi shrugged.
“Nothing, just wondering if you’re scolding me as my commander or my lover here.” Levi stared up at Erwin, causing the blonde to swallow and approach the desk.
“Listen, captain,” Erwin began. “I don’t mind if you try and get a little social at these gatherings, I think it’s good for you. What I don’t appreciate is when people get a little too…” He paused.
“Close.”
Levi snorted.
“Sounds to me like you’re jealous is all.”
The air between them could be cut with a butterknife. Levi waited for his reply. After a long pause, it came.
“I’m not jealous, Levi.” Erwin placed a hand on the desk next to him, leaning in closer.
“I just want everyone to know that you’re unavailable.” This resulted in a small chuckle from Levi.
“So that’s it? I’m your pet, or something?” Levi replied slyly. Erwin backed up a bit.
“God, of course not.” He trailed a finger behind his ear.
“You’re my captain, my right-hand…” The blonde glanced into his partner’s gray eyes, like pools of silver moonlight. He opened his mouth to speak again, but was stopped by Levi pressing his lips into his.
They breathed into each other, parting their lips slightly to take in air. Erwin wrapped an arm around Levi and Levi placed a hand on the back of Erwin’s neck, They grow closer, tongues eventually meeting and Levi slid his hand up to Erwin’s head, gripping his hair ever so slightly. They pulled apart to meet each other’s eyes. Levi glanced at the door.
“Should we go back out there?” He questioned.
“What, so you can flirt some more?” Erwin replied.
“Says you,” Levi retorted with a playful shove.
They embraced, simply taking in each others’ presence. They stayed like that for a moment.
“Sorry I was too protective. I know you’re capable,” Erwin said, breaking the silence. Levi shook his head.
“You’re allowed to be,” Levi replied. “But I don’t think a girl like that would ever be on my radar,” he grinned up at Erwin. He snickered.
“Alright, that’s enough from you, captain.”
And they remained in his office for the rest of the night, finding solace in one another’s company as if the world outside never existed.