There was little time for sentiment, for tenderness, or even just for a quiet moment of peace for members of the Scouts. But one such rare morning found Levi burrowed deep in the sheets of Erwin's bed. His body curled, instinctively seeking heat- heat whose increasingly fleeting presence made him restless. The first rays of dawn's light spread thin winter honey over the pillow. They crept closer, stealing the night from him, touching what little of his face wasn't covered by blankets. Levi's eyelids twitched. Cracked open slowly, one grey eye surveyed the room.
Erwin was nowhere to be seen.
Levi frowned, pulling the blankets around him, stretching out one leg and feeling for any patch of warmth still lingering from Erwin's body.
But he was already gone, the sheets cooling.
With a sigh, Levi shifted, contemplating getting out of bed. It was harder on mornings like this. Colder, lonelier, and he remembered why he preferred the fitful sleep in his own room on his small wooden chair.
No one to leave. No one to miss. No surprises when he woke up alone.
But the neverending duties of the day called, and they called no one more strongly than Commander Erwin Smith. His mind made up, Levi swung his legs over the side of the bed.
Erwin entered, already in his uniform, a large wooden tray in his hands. A steaming tea pot, two cups, and two plates of toast. The breakfast might have seemed meager at first glance, but Levi noticed every detail it hid. Real butter on white bread, berry jam, cream, and even sugar- not to mention the heavenly smell of strong black tea. Simple luxury.
Erwin sat on the side of the bed, pouring a cup and handing it to him. They savored their tea quietly. There was no need to break the morning's silence, no need for words when their fingers touched idly and their lips brushed. Levi chased a crumb of toast from Erwin's lip with his thumb, closing his eyes when the man leaned into the touch and their mouths met. Bitter and sweet, tea and jam.
"Levi, there's something I've been meaning to ask you," Erwin whispered into the angle of Levi's jaw.
"Mhmm?" Levi hummed the question, still reluctant to speak.
Erwin pulled back slowly and stood, a look of deep concentration on his face as he reached into his pocket. He fixed clear blue eyes on Levi's. Those eyes never once left Levi's face, even as he knelt. As he looked up, he opened his hand, offering up what he held. A ring.
"Yes," Levi smiled. "You know I will."
"I'll follow you... forever."
"Thank you, Levi," Erwin spoke, his voice cracking in the middle of Levi's name, his eyes shining. He took Levi's hand, sliding the silver ring onto his finger. While Levi admired it he reached back into his pocket, putting on a matching gold ring. Levi slid the metal around his finger, watching the light play on dancing feathers carved in its band. Their curve was elegant, their shapes smooth on the metal's surface. But something hidden rubbed against his skin as it moved. He slipped off the ring, inspecting the inside.
"Is this... A mix up?" Levi wondered aloud. "It says your name, not mine, but it fits..." He trailed off when he saw the smile playing around Erwin's eyes.
"It's no mistake. That ring is yours. And so am I." Erwin took Levi's hand, their rings lying side by side as their fingers twined. "This way we will never be alone. I'll always be with you, and you'll always be with me. Held close to my skin. Our fingers never having to reach to touch."
What words remained could only be expressed with kisses.
