I haven't abandoned this story yay! I just had a total loss of inspiration on it for a long time. Trying to find it again to finish things out. Sorry for the abrupt hiatus.

SnK / AoT belongs to Hajime Isayama, not me.

Eren opened his eyes blearily, the light of morning peaking in through the large bay window. The room was bathed in the pale tones of dawn. He raised himself up onto an elbow, blinking heavily.

"Mmmm," came a low groan beside him.

He followed the sound, finding his lover lying there beside him. A choked gasp left his lips. The marks he just barely remembered making on the raven's neck the night before, were visible, standing out prominently against the male's pale skin.

It was then that a heavy pain spiked its way up his backside, he gasped again and fell back onto the bed. Is this really happening..? Is Levi really..?

Levi jolted awake at the movement, eyes snapping open to peer over at him. "Eren?"

The brunette looked back at him with an expression of subdued shock. Despite the words he very clearly remembered coming from Levi's mouth the night before, he was so used to waking alone that he had thought for sure…

"Dumbass," came the tired scoff, "I told you that last night was real."

He stared for a moment more before breaking into a tearful smile, a hand reaching out to cup his spouse's cheek. He lay there for a few moments in utter silence, relishing in the feeling of warm flesh beneath his palm - flesh that marked that Levi was unmistakably there.

"My ass hurts," he breathed, "like really hurts."

Levi grunted faintly and gathered him in his arms, "Warm bath later then, sleep now."

Eren nestled his head under Levi's chin, humming as their legs tangled under the sheets.

It didn't take long for the ex-Corporal to settle back into sleep. Eren, on the other hand, struggled a bit. Eventually the strong and even beating of his lover's heart lulled him back into the waiting arms of slumber.

They didn't wake until much later, near noon. This time it was Levi who awakened first and incidentally woke his slumbering love with gentle caresses.

One of those brilliantly colored eyes peeked open and peered up at him.

A low chuckle escaped him as he bent down and planted a kiss on the brunette's temple.

"Mmmm Levi.." came the content murmur.

"I'll get a bath ready," he stated with authority, "I'll be back for you."

"'Kay," was his only reply.

Eren couldn't help but see the angry red scratch marks that littered his spouse's shoulders. He flushed a deep red and hid under the blankets with embarrassment. He had completely lost himself during their numerous escapades last night, though based on the pain in his backside, he knew Levi had done so similarly. He had nearly forgotten how easy it was to be overwhelmed with such sensations.

"What are you thinking about?" Came a husky whisper.

He smiled, "You."

Levi quirked a brow, "What about me?"

"You are perfect," he said matter-of-factly. "I have lost myself in you so many times, and it's still not enough."

A pleased hum escaped Levi at that, as he bent down and stole a kiss. "You know it's the same for me," were his lowly spoken words.

"Now come on," he said with a small push, "the bath will get cold if we wait too long."

Eren sat up with a wince, "You'll have to carry me there."

The raven huffed but easily lifted his lithe form into his arms. "Spoiled little shit," he grumbled.

"This world owes me," he declared, settling against his lover comfortably.

Levi said nothing, silently agreeing with the sentiment. It was hardly fair that Eren had been made to suffer through so much in his life, especially when it hadn't even been his choice to have the titan serum mixed into his blood.

His movements were careful and comforting as he lowered the brunette into the large tub. He smirked when Eren moaned almost instantly.

"I'm so spoiled," he agreed, "but I don't give a shit."

He rolled his eyes as he sunk down alongside him, one of his hands going to the small of the other's back. His deft fingers began kneading at the flesh there, slowly working lower to where Eren oftentimes had complained of having pain after their lovemaking.

Eren was surprisingly quiet as he accepted the impromptu massage. He seemed content to merely sit in silence and lounge against his lover.

"You're thinking again," Levi commented lightly.

"Hmm? Oh.." he gave a dry chuckle. "I'm used to being on my own… so force of habit I guess. I'll try to work on that."

Despite the light way in which he had responded, Levi knew he was feeling self conscious about the fact. "We both have shit to work out, don't worry about it."

The shifter heaved a ragged sigh, "But I do worry about it. What if time has made me too different? What if you decide not to stay?" His head lowered as he presented his vulnerability, "I could never make you stay, but losing you again would break me."

"You won't lose me, you idiot," he said firmly. "I broke our vow last time, I'm not doing that again. Whatever issues there may be, we'll work through them."

He wanted to believe him, he wanted to so bad, but there was an evil voice in the back of his mind that was bringing him doubt. He hated the feeling - he had never doubted Levi before. But nothing felt certain anymore, it hadn't for a long time.

The sudden realization hit him then. Levi was just as human as he had been in the last life. Which meant he had about one hundred years to live, give or take.

Eren's heart sunk, tears welling up in his eyes. He's going to leave me again, but he won't be able to help it. Just like last time.

"Eren."

He hadn't even realized that Levi had turned him so that he was facing him. Not until there was a wet hand wiping at the tears tumbling down his cheeks. He took a shaky breath and leant forward, placing his face into his lover's neck.

"You think too much," Levi grumbled, "stay with me in the here and now. Don't worry so fucking much about the future."

"I'm s-sorry.."

He knew he was ruining the mood but he could hardly help it. His thoughts had been his only companion for a long time, until he had stumbled upon Historia and Ymir and eventually Moblit as well. So when they roused, he listened, even if he hated what his subconscious was thinking of.

Levi pulled him away from his shoulder and kissed him several times. "Stop apologizing too," came his low murmur.

Instinctively he went to apologize again, but stopped himself.

The raven took a firm hold of his shoulders and repositioned him, lathering his hair with one of the shampoos lying about the tub.

Eren let his eyes fall shut, giving a soft moan at the gentle kneading of his scalp. He ignored the nagging thoughts lingering in his mind, focusing instead on the sound of Levi's soft breathing, and the feeling of warmth from his skin.

It wasn't long before the former Corporal was leaning him back and washing the suds from his unruly hair.

He watched the man's face as he focused on his task. It brought him back to the first evening they had ever spent together. It had been a steamy session full of passion and lust, and ended in a similar manner. Levi had insisted they get clean before going to bed, even though he had had trouble staying awake after their rigorous lovemaking.

He smiled at the memory. Levi had been just as loving and gentle with him that time too, calling it aftercare.

"I love being able to see this side of you," he murmured warmly.

Those narrow eyes rolled in response. "I feel like you've said that every time we've ended up in this position."

Eren chuckled, "Probably. It always remains true. But I always feel bad that you're doing all the work, you deserve to have relaxation and satisfaction from this too.."

Levi looked at him then, his softened silver pools melting his lover from the inside out. "I've always told you, haven't I? This is just as pleasing as seeing you come undone beneath me." He quirked a half smirk, "I made a mess of you, so I have to clean you up too."

The raven lifted him back up and rubbed absently at his shoulders. "Being able to bring you pleasure gives me pleasure."

Eren pouted slightly, "Oh fine, be that way. I'm returning the favor though."

Levi chuckled lowly, it sent pleasant shivers down Eren's spine.

Gods I missed that sound.

"It's not like I'm going to refuse that," he pointed out.

So once Levi had deemed him clean, he quickly set about doing his best to replicate the pleasant sensations he had experienced. He coupled his work with kisses and gentle caresses, smiling widely when he received a pleased sigh for his efforts.

The water had just began to chill when they finished. Eren found it remarkable that it had stayed warm so long. He was also pleased to find that soaking in the warm depths so long had soothed the fierce ache in his backside to a more manageable level.

By that point it was two or so in the afternoon. Levi declared it was time for food.

So Eren rummaged through his bag until he found a pair of lounge pants which he slipped on with ease, though he didn't plan on putting on a shirt.

His lover, on the other hand, put on his outfit from the previous day, minus his trusty cravat and blazer.

Levi gave him a pointed look at the absence of a shirt. "Do you not realize how many marks I put on you?"

He shrugged with a pleased smile, "I really don't care. They're bound to know what we've been up to." When still he looked disapproving, Eren connected the dots.

"Ohhh.." He gave him a coy smile, "Feeling a bit possessive, Captain?"

The scathing glare he received by way of response was answer enough. He giggled and rose from the chair, grabbing a blanket that was laying on the couch near the TV.

"Fine," he breathed, making a show of slipping the blanket around his shoulders. He smirked to his lover who seemed entranced. "Better?"

Levi blinked and rolled his eyes, "You're a fucking tease, Eren Jaeger."

For some reason that little slip of name made his heart stop momentarily.

"And no," the other man huffed, "you can't have your old name back. You're an Ackerman until the day you die, shithead."

He flushed and looked away, mumbling something under his breath.

"Shut up, I know how your brain works."

He didn't dignify him with a reply as he sunk into the couch and huddled into the warm blanket.

The hotel crew was very swift to change the bed and clean the bathroom while the servers delivered their freshly cooked meal. The atmosphere was pleasant and professional with them around.

Eren had been dozing lightly since curling up on the couch. Levi acknowledged that if he was sleeping more it meant he needed the rest, and instead ate a bit of his meal while running his hands through those soft locks.

Eventually the motion woke the shifter. He blinked blearily and mentally cursed himself for falling back asleep, even if only for a bit. "Sorry," he spluttered as he straightened.

"It's fine," Levi said in a placating manner, "you needed to sleep."

He grunted and rubbed at his face, eyeing the silver trays laid on the table in front of them.

"Eat up."

Once they had finished, they lay back on the plush sofa, Levi's arms wrapped about him comfortably. Eren hummed and began pressing lazy kisses into the other's prominent collarbone.

"..This reminds me of back then," he said with a pause between his affections. "The days when we had nothing to do, no battles to fight, only each other to cherish and revel in."

Levi gave a light scoff, "Those days were fleeting, these days are not. Plus we don't have to charade around as captain and subordinate anymore."

He quirked a mischievous smile, "And here I kinda liked feeling powerless under your control." He squeaked when he got a pinch to his side.

"Watch it brat, I'll bed you again yet."

Eren have a soft laugh, snuggling back up against the man's warm frame. His eyes falling shut with content. The cadence of his lover's heartbeat remained his biggest comfort, serving as a form of proof that everything in that moment was real.

"I love you Levi."

He hummed in a pleased manner, a hand brushing against his face gently. "I love you too, Eren."

His stomach fluttered at how smoothly his name rolled off of Levi's tongue. For the first time in a long, long time, things finally seemed to be as they should.

I suppose I could've ended it there, but I have more I wish to write on this story, so we're going to endeavor to do so!

R&R to tell me your thoughts!

~Ghosties