Purely a fictional story of a fictional story (ha-ha). Featuring Levi x Eren/Rivaille x Eren either way! Anyways, they're shipped. Totally. That's how it is! Enjoy! C:

"… Eren."

No reply came from the huge titan meters high up from Levi.

"… Eren." He tried again, a bit more forcefully. Still, Eren showed no sign of returning to a human.

"Eren, it's enough." The Corporal's words sounded more like a plea rather than a command.

"…" Eren's eyes rolled to the corner, looking down at his higher-up. Levi's face was shaded by his hair, and he understood.

Unwillingly, Eren shifted back into a human, his skin burning with the regeneration of his partially missing face and arms. Overall, he was looking good. "Corporal…" he stepped up to Levi and saluted, placing his right hand over his heart. Like that, Eren fell into his arms.

The attack on titans had finally succeeded.

It was mankind's victory.

"… Huh?" Eren shot up and felt a sharp pain. It was his shoulder, still slightly cut. But he wasn't bleeding.

"Awake, I see."

"Yes, sir!" Upon natural reflex, he straightened and shouted his reply.

"… You seem to be doing just fine. We're reaching the Wall soon." Levi turned and so did Eren to face a horrible, familiar sight. Wall Rose was on the verge of collapsing. Only Eren's hardened skin was keeping it from toppling.

But… they won. They managed to claim back Wall Maria – everything. It was finally over.

Eren felt himself relax as he sunk into his seat. It was then that he finally grew aware that he was on a carriage with Levi. He looked around in all directions, but he didn't see other carriages or horses. A sense of dread suddenly dawned upon him. "C-corporal… the others…?"

For the first time since he awoke, Levi faced Eren in the eye. "… Oh, them? Commander Erwin has already left ahead with the rest of the squad. Since you were dirty, I requested to stay behind to clean you first." Out of nowhere, Levi picked up a cup of tea and drank it.

"A-ah, that's how it is…" Eren sighed in relief. Everyone's safe… this isn't… a dream, right? Suddenly, Eren flushed as the Corporal's words sank in.

"W-wait!" he shot up from his seat and cried out, shocking the horses. Their abrupt change in behavior shook the carriage, and Eren fell down on his ass. "Ouch…" he used one hand to support himself back up, the other rubbing his hot butt.

"What are you doing, fool? Your injuries have finally recovered; don't do stupid things that'd make you dirty again. Do you have any idea how tough it was to clean you? Tch."

Levi was seemingly not in a good mood and it was obvious why. He had serious eye bags and his eyes were probably only open due to sheer willpower. He was keeping watch… Eren realised, immediately forgetting the fact that Levi probably saw his…

"… Corporal Levi, you should rest… I'll take over from here."

"No."

"But you need rest."

"No. Not until everything is confirmed to be safe. It's the last thing I can do for them…" Levi's eyes were cloudy.

Guilt gushed over Eren all over again.

"I'm sorry…!" he bowed, shivering at the memory of what happened that day of the 57th expedition.

"It's all… my fault! If I had decided to transform into a titan earlier… nothing like that would've happened…! Petra-san, Gunter-san… none of them would've…!"

Eren felt tears brimming from his tightly shut eyes. He could not choke out the last word.

Died.

What a cruel word.

He clenched his cloak. He was a boy whose seniors sacrificed themselves for someone like him to escape, even though they could've chosen not to. Just because they trusted him, and he trusted them. That's why –

"Don't regret your choice."

Eren's eyes flew open as he felt the weight of Levi on his shoulder.

"They won't want that. So stop getting all pitiful, you stupid fool of a titan. I won't be able to get any rest if you keep ranting off that dirty mouth of yours." Levi folded his arms and begun breathing lightly. He seemed peaceful, nearly cute.

"… Yes, sir." Eren smiled and knocked his own forehead lightly onto Levi's.

Thank you, Corporal….

- And this is basically chapter 1! Please pardon me for any mistakes in my usage of words orz Please do look forward to the next chapter and do keep in mind - from the very first word to the last of this story is fictional and not related to the official Shingeki no Kyojin in any possible way! Have a great day, lovely readers!