Shake It Out Little Lion Man/ Shake It Out for 500 Miles

Unlike a majority of the working class, Levi actually enjoyed his job. He simply managed to look like he hated it so he wouldn't frighten off new recruits with his smile.

As a criminal investigator, he excelled. He performed his job so well that he was practically famous across the West coast. His colleagues admired him, though he would never speak of this aloud, and he was well respected in his workplace.

Which was why when he came through the slide doors, tail of his trench coat billowing behind him, a chorus of good mornings flew at him. For most, he gave an uninterested grunt in reply but when he passed the third to last desk, he paused.

Without looking down, he pressed his hand against the head of the man sprawled on his desk.

"Go home." He ordered. Erd Gin scrambled to look up.

"C-Captain Levi!"

There was that title again. He wasn't Senior Special Agent anymore, but the name stuck to him like a leech. Levi withdrew his hand, staring down at the stack of papers on the man's desk.

"You've been doing my work all week. I hope you didn't fuck it up."

"I did my best sir! I could never ruin such a thing."

Erd stared up at him, awe hiding behind a professional calm in the depths eyes. Levi gave an approving nod as he scanned over the first page.

"You did well. The reports on the evidence for the Maria Trost case are well-written. Thank you."

The man reddened, stammering something unintelligible as Levi stared him down.

There were tired bags under the man's eyes. The rims of the whites were red and bloodshot. He was obviously fatigued. Or hungover. One could never tell with Erd.

But with the stack of papers next to him, Levi assumed that the first solution was correct.

"Go home." He repeated. "You look like shit. Get some sleep and come in tomorrow."

"But, Mr. Lordes might-."

"That was an order."

Thanks rushing out of his mouth, Erd quickly gathered his things and departed. Levi lifted the papers by the tray, and continued on his rounds.

"Gunter,"

A young, dark haired male looked up from his desk, sporting a tired grin.

"Captain Levi. Good morning sir. Has the sudden family issue ended?"

"Something like that." Levi didn't go into details. He was still trying to work them out himself. He didn't want his entire crew in on it if he could help it.

"You look bored sir. Is detective work too dull for you?"

"It's interesting. Not as much fighting, but it's interesting."

"You'll always be one of us special agents."

Levi scoffed, turning away. "You and Bossard remind me daily. 'Come back to us Captain.' 'We need you captain.'"

Gunter reddened, coughing into his fist.

"I-I don't actually sound like that do I?"

Levi remained silent. Desperately grasping for a new subject, Gunter looked around. His eyes remained fixed on the investigator's hands for a few moments.

"You get into a tussel Captain? Those look pretty bad."

Ah yes. That fight with the demon really did a number on his knuckles. They were still sore from all the punches he threw. She was made of rock, that thing. The bruises on his chest were a hideous violet as well.

"Just a little alleyway fight. I saw worse when I was 10."

"Even so, you should go to Nanaba. She'll patch you up."

"I'm sure he will."

Nanaba was their top Operations Manager, despite having a degree in the Medical field. He had gone all the way to Harvard on full-scholarship. Levi would be lying if he said that he didn't find the man impressive.

"Go home. You and Bossard are as tired as hell. You two will only fuck things up if you try working."

Gunter gave his captain a weary smile, clapping a hand on the shorter man's shoulder in farewell before departing.

After this meeting, Levi spoke to no one else. He stopped at his neat, spotless desk simply to place the papers down. A light brush across the desk allowed a nice coolness to sink into his palm. Facial expression impassive, he looked at his dustless finger.

Someone had been cleaning up for him. He had trained his crew well.

A small throb of pain tingled in his fingers as he flexed his hand. A short trip to the second floor wouldn't hurt. He would just run up before sitting down to do his work.

"Good morning Captain. I haven't seen you in hear in…a year I think it's been?"

Levi took a seat, extending his hands out towards the blond.

"Yes. It'll be a year tomorrow."

His room was neat. Just like how he remembered. He had received many injuries back in his special agent days. The only person with enough medical experience to take care of him was the caring human before him.

Petite hands worked fast as they reached into drawers, pulling out bandages and antiseptics.

"Just like old times." Levi said monotonously. The man opposite him grinned, dabbing alcohol on any open wounds.

"If I correctly recall, you would sit there in silence as I told you all my problems. How embarrassing."

"Not really." Levi said dully, looking down as the other did his work. "I needed someone to dress my wounds and you needed someone to listen to your problems. Equivalent trade at its finest…Your binding needs adjusting."

Nanaba glanced down, let out an annoyed mutter, and adjusting the clothing article.

"It's been doing that all day." He said with a groan.

"Then get a new one."

"I don't have that kind of money."

Levi raised a brow.

"The perils of being a transgender." Nanaba rolled his eyes with a small grin. Levi cocked his head to the right as he gazed at the manager.

"Did you ever get that book written? Correct me if I'm wrong, but binders being expensive was Peril number-."

"89." The two said in unison. Nanaba's grin widened into a broad smile.

"You remembered."

"You talked about the same perils every day. It would be hard to forget."

The other only hummed happily, reaching for Levi's other hand. A lurid thought suddenly passed through his mind, making him frown. Levelly, he looked at the blond behind the desk.

"Nanaba."

"Yes sir?"

"You're alright now?"

A flash of knowing crossed sky blue eyes, before they softened fondly.

"Yes Captain. Thank you for your concern. Everyone's been very kind."

He nodded, falling silent as he was told the updates in the manager's life.

It really was like old times. Nanaba's personality hadn't changed much. He was still the level-headed, intelligent person he was a year ago that Levi went to when he needed a smart conversation. The fact that his work relationships had improved was a relief. It was one of the worries he had when he had switched jobs. Despite him being in the office more, as a detective, he never really had an excuse to visit Nanaba. They hadn't properly spoken in a long time.

It was necessary though. As a special agent, he would spend too much time in a dangerous field. He was capable of handling himself. He was the most skilled fighter in their department. But the battlefield was full of surprises.

If he died, he wouldn't be able to solve his parents' murder. Being a detective allowed him access to much more information than before, along with time to follow up on it.

This seemed to be useless, however, since he wasn't any closer than he was before. The only information he had was an alias.

Apparently, his father had been close to a man who called himself 'Titan'. This man resided in California for a long period of time, but after his father's death, he had vanished. No traces of him anywhere. The number 'Titan' had used to call his father was disconnected the same day they died.

"Captain Levi." Nanaba's voice shocked him out of his reverie. A twinge of guilt coursed through him as he realized he wasn't pay his companion the attention he deserved. He pulled his hand away, staring down at the bandage.

"I didn't get to say this before you switched jobs but…Thank You."

Shocked, Levi looked up to find the other with a ghost of red on his cheeks.

"You were really the first one to accept me. All the other referred to me as a girl even when I asked them not to and you were the only one who supported me through the whole self-realization and transition stuff. You even helped me pay for the first binder. S-So, thanks for being there for me I guess…"

Nanaba looked up at the ceiling towards the end of his speech, lips pursed as a bashful blush spread down his slender neck.

Levi had never really seen his actions as anything out of the ordinary. They came naturally. He was liberal by nature, though most liked assuming the opposite. So when Nanaba asked to be referred to as a male, he believed it to be common sense to abide to his wishes and do as such. It wasn't a huge issue to him.

He only really cared for the brain in that blond head.

But, if he was to be thanked for it, then he might as well accept it graciously.

Levi stood. With three quick strides, he was in front of his companion, ruffling short blond hair.

"Tch. Don't think too much. You'll get wrinkles quicker. I'm gonna go take a piss."

Yep. Gracious as fuck.

"Ah! Wait! Director Lordes was looking for you."

Balto Lordes was his boss and, to be blunt, the most annoying man Levi had ever had the misfortune of coming across. He was a selfish, conceited bastard with a complete disregard for his subordinates. Levi despised the man and preferred to avoid him when he could.

In this situation he was directly summoned. He had no choice but to go to the tech room.

"Aurou's not in today?" He asked the brunette sitting at the main computer.

"He had a date with his girlfriend."

Oh. That's right. Auruo and Petra. They hooked up.

His day was just getting worse by the minute.

"Pull Lordes up." Levi said stoically. It didn't take much effort to pull his face into neutrality at first; when the balding man came up on screen was a completely different story.

He struggled not to glare as the man stared down at him condescendingly, stuffing chocolates into his mouth.

He was so disgusting. Who honestly smeared chocolate all over their mouths without cleaning it up? His oral cavity resembled a friggin' turd. For fuck's sake did he not care about how he looked in front of his subordinates? Who gave him that position any-?

"Oh, you're making quite the face Captain."

"I was born this way sir. I believe I'm on the right track."

"You were born with a permanent look of constipation?" The plump man raised a brow on the digital screen, popping another chocolate into his mouth. "No wonder Petra left you for Auruo."

"At least she agreed me in the first place. Shit, you ain't even got a girl to brag about."

The silence was deafening. The brunette from before, held a hand to her mouth, eyes wide and tearing up from mirth. She hid under the table to try and calm herself as Director Lordes turned red.

"Such insolence! Your mother would be ashamed!"

"I ain't got a mama." Levi replied. Throughout the conversation, his face remained apathetic. He was bored, completely disinterested in the trade-off of thinly veiled insults.

"Oh that's right. You're an orphan. Well, Mr. Smith, seeing as how you can't keep any woman in your life,"

Levi winced. Lordes didn't notice.

"I'll have to ask you to keep an eye out for a man. He goes by the name of Dot Pixis. Pull up his image Ymir."

The brunette nodded, fingers rapidly tapping on the keyboard.

An elderly man smiled at Levi in a photo. His grin was cheery and kind, suiting his warm hazel eyes that were bright with a hint of mischief. He was like an old grandfather. He didn't look to be anything special.

"Is he an immediate threat? I'll arrange for my team to eradica-."

"No." The man intervened quickly. Cobalt eyes narrowed at this suspicious behavior. Lordes coughed into his fist, turning away from the screen.

"Just watch out for him and tell me if you see him. He should be harmless. I think he might have a lead on your parents' case."

Levi stiffened, mood turning dark. This old man knew what happened to his parents? Did he do it? Was he a friend of his fathers? Did he know what 'Titan' meant?

Lordes just continued to talk. He didn't give any useful information.

"Don't do anything to him unless he pulls a gun on you. You need to be armed at all times. Ymir!"

The woman approached him with a sinister smirk. Placing a hand on his shoulder, she handed him a black revolver with a wink.

"If it isn't The Colt," He muttered, attaching the holster to his waist.

"What?"

"I understand the task sir." Levi said loudly, sighing.

"Very well. As you were." Then the video call disconnected. Ymir turned to him, smirking.

"You're a funny guy."

The woman still hadn't taken her hand off his shoulder. Eyelashes fluttering, she bit her lower lip, bringing Levi's attention to how pale and dry they were.

"Maybe you could take me out for a drink?" She asked lowly, snaking her hand up to his neck.

Disgusted, Levi took a step back.

"The only place I'd take you is CVS. We'll get chapstick for your ashy, peeling lips, some Neutrogena for that zit on your nose and tweezers for your eyebrows. If you're still thirsty, I'll let you buy yourself a bottle of VitaminWater because you honestly do not need that sugary confection they call soda in your system." Placing a hand on her shoulder, he watched as her eyes widened out of shock and horror.

"Ymir, this has been an intervention. Check yourself because you will end up wrecking yourself."

Turning on the heel of his boots, he walked right out the way he came, ignoring the curses thrown at his back.

When he returned home, tired and slightly sweaty, the last thing he expected was to be wrapped in a tackle hug.

"Welcome home sir!"

"…Get off me Jaeger."

Frowning, the angel stepped back, uttering something under his breath. One sharp look from Levi had him standing at attention, wings shooting straight up.

"You need to stop that physical contact nonsense." He said, brushing imaginary dirt particles off his shoulders. Eren squirmed.

"It's how my people greet sir."

Levi removed his jacket and placed it on the rack. His boots were placed by the door next to Eren's.

"Well your people obviously don't know about direct disease transmission."

Eren wisely chose not to say anything, watching as the man walked around the house, analyzing every corner. Levi was impressed. It was relatively clean considering the two brats were there alone. Speaking of brats…

"Where's Sasha?"

"She had to…take care of some business." Eren hesitated to answer, looking at his feet.

"Sounds shady."

"She'll be fine. I know it."

The teen clenched his fist in resolution. The way he said that threw Levi off. In the back of his mind, a small worry grew for the girl's safety. It was Eren's curious sniffing that stopped this thought in its tracks.

"What's wrong with you? Are you a dog?"

"Your shoulder smells like…" Eren's eyes narrowed as he grabbed Levi, pulling him forward so he could take a long whiff.

"Daemon Malum." The angel said darkly. His expression contorted into one of unexplicable rage. Grasping at Levi's arm he took one long whiff and snarled.

"What's wrong boy? Did Sasha get stuck in a well?"

"Very funny." Eren took a step back, releasing Levi's wrist. Staring at Levi's shoulder warily, he questioned,

"Did anything touch you recently? Like on your way home recently?"

"Would I let anything that I didn't like touch me?"

"Invisible spirit then." Eren cautiously took a step forward, looking up at Levi shyly. "I-I kind of need to lick your shoulder."

…What?

Levi's reply came in the form of a kick to the shin and walking straight into the kitchen. Eren lifted himself into the air with his wings, clutching the leg.

"It'll be quick!"

"That's absolutely disgusting. Stay away from me."

"You have a malignant scent on you. Something tried to imprint on you. You could be in danger. Your life is in jeopardy!"

Levi paused. Picking up on this, Eren came closer, resting his head on the 'infected' shoulder.

"Don't you have goals you need to accomplish? This demon scent is strong. Almost as strong as an imprint. It'll attract demons from miles away. You'll be attacked and the sun is setting. I won't be able to defend you."

"I can help myself."

"Surrounded by a pack of the most powerful demons hell has to offer? Forgive me sir, but I don't think that'll end well for either of us."

Levi scowled at the cherry young adult. "And you licking my shoulder will accomplish what exactly?"

"My saliva is holy water."

Eren sounded proud of himself. The detective only rolled his eyes, drawing down his shirt.

"I should've known. Make it quick and do not spit on me."

Eren nodded. He looked down at the bare shoulder for a few moments, eyes narrowed in concentration. Levi assumed that he was looking for the worst spot as the other's nose lightly dragged up and down his skin.

The tip was cold against his warm skin. As light breaths collided, they seemed to burst on contact, sending electric sparks running from the area straight to the center of his being.

Quickly, the slim, wet muscle connected with his shoulder. Eren did something with the tip. He seemed to be making some kind of mark.

"What is that?"

And just like that, the contact disappeared.

"A rune." Eren replied. "The rune of purifying."

"Can I scrub it off now?" The wetness was getting uncomfortable really fast. Holy water or not, it came from Jaeger's mouth. "I hope you brushed your teeth today."

"Sasha brought my toothbrush down for me. And, no, the rune needs to set in. Suck it up and keep my mark there."

Ignoring the last bit, Levi focused on the first. He pointed up to the ceiling.

"So she's…"

"Yup. Not for long though. She'll be back."

"There goes all my hopes and dreams." Levi said dryly. He opened a pack of pasta. Eren leaned against the counter, arms crossed as he analyzed the elder man.

"You're really angry all the time. You need to lighten up."

He didn't reply, placing a pot on the stove. Eren took this as an invitation to continue talking.

"I mean, all humans are pretty grumpy lookin' but you seem to have it worst."

The elder man leaned back against the refrigerator, waiting for the pot to heat up. Turquoise eyes gazed down at him, accompanied by a pout, when suddenly something changed. The turquoise lightened until they were a bright amber, matching the glow around rising white wings. A toothy smile grew on the other's face as he jumped excitedly into the air. Levi could practically see the work of a new idea running its course in the others mind as he zipped all over the kitchen.

"You're grumpy because you're too close to the ground, even for human standards! You need to get up!"

Amber eyes turned to fix him with an excited gaze and grin.

"You need to fly!"

Without allowing Levi to protest, Eren grabbed the man, threw him over his shoulder, shut off the oven and ran through the back door.

"Jaeger."

"Hold onto me."

The setting sun brought out the brightness in the exhilarated ambers staring down at him. Any protests Levi had fled from his mouth as it turned dry.

Short life filled with new experiences, he reminded himself as he grasped onto the outstretched arm.

What he didn't expect was to shoot up into the air faster than he could let out a curse. Eren laughed, a light carefree jingle that was all too pleasing to the ear, as he clutched at the younger's shoulder like a lifeline.

They were well above the trees, simply hovering in space. The gentle beating of Eren's wings repeated steadily as the teen propelled them. Levi's breath was seized as he gazed about.

He could see everything. The way the sunset cast a blend of warm colors throughout the horizon, embedding them in a torrent of crimson and orange. How clouds dyed pink lazily drifted across the sky, their edges laced with light lavender shades. People small enough to be compared to insects went about their daily lives in the streets beyond the entry of his house. He looked down at them until a cotton veil obscured his view.

Secured only by the strong arm around his waist, he craned his head to see where the angel was looking.

Ambers were focused directly on the orb of orange before them. The colors cast over his skin seemed to make him appear ethereal. A dark auburn air-brushed his skin, lightening into a spot of orange on the tip of his nose.

"It's so beautiful." The teen whispered. His words swirled in the air for moment, lingering between the two, before a gentle gust swept them away.

Gunmetal blue eyes, hooded for fear of showing too much, remained stuck on the seraph before him.

"Yeah," He whispered back. As the words before, this murmured statement stayed, commemorating their mutual agreement before amber eyes drifted.

When their eyes met, he felt a jolt run down his spine. Once again, his chest threatened to burst and his throat grew constrained. Every single sensation was too intense. It was uncomfortable.

But he would never look away. Never.

"Let's fly," Eren's words were lost as they burst forward with a powerful thrust of his wings. They zipped through the air, wind whipping at their faces and mussing their hair.

They escalated higher, leaving all heavy thoughts and worries behind them. He felt light as they flew. It was as if the entire world was available to him, within the grasp of his outstretched fingertips.

And for once, his apathetic expression changed into one of wonder and amazement. Eren, with a wild laugh, spun them around and zipped them around the atmosphere. Then Levi was dropped. The world around him slowed as he twisted and turned. The thud of his heartbeat resounded in his ears as adrenaline coursed through his veins.

A brilliant skyfall.

Then those strong arms caught him, securing his waist in their hold.

It was strange because Levi had the felt the feeling of flying before. This was nothing new.

It was when he stared into deep amber that the sensation was born anew each and every time.