#awkwardbertl

It had been years since Levi had been forced to join the Survey Corps, years since he had learned that being part feline would make his life more dangerous, and years since he had last smelt this distinct scent.

He perked up immediately, nose twitching as the rich smell of warm milk drifted into his room and through the barracks, teasing his senses. His ears stood straight on his head, his pupils slitting as he shuffled some of the documents on his desk into alphabetical order for later maintenance. 

The comforting smell was coming from a short distance away, from another higher-up’s personal study. With that thought in mind, Levi stood from his desk and produced an ear shattering screech of the wooden chair against the creaky floors. He was determined to find the source of the scent and either damn it from being produced ever again—Or give into instincts that told him to do anything to retrieve the treat.

He left his room hurriedly, following his nose down the dimly lit halls. The corridor was cold due to the late hour and gentle breeze racking the walls, but Levi paid it no heed. And, as he perceived the scent closer and closer, the partial-feline felt dread growing in his stomach with each step. He knew whose room the warm milk was being made in.

"Dirty old man and his bastardized tricks," Levi muttered, slowing his pace some, though not giving up on his pursuit. He reached the commander’s door and stood still for a few moments, a war raging in his head as to give into temptation or not. Surely, the golden-haired brute had some favor he needed done to be striking so low.

Then again, there was the off chance that Erwin Smith just liked warm milk as a rare midnight snack.

"As if," Levi scoffed to himself, not bothering to knock on Erwin’s door, but simply step inside. The smell was stronger now, and Levi found a pur threatening to escape his lips. He swallowed it down as he closed the door, leaning against the frame as he looked at Erwin coolly. 

The blond turned with a charming smile, eyes betraying mischievous intent and amusement, “Seems strays really do come when they smell milk, hm?”

Levi tilted his head in a superior fashion, trying to extend his pride and allow it to suffocate the room. Grey eyes narrowed some more, the permanent scowl looking less entertained by the second.

"What do you want?" 

Erwin blew out the flames of the stove, shifting the pot over to a cold burner. He slid over the wooden table a mug, waiting some moments before transferring the white liquid,

"Nothing, I merely wish to talk about some rather important things. I figured a treat for such serious discussion would be appreciated."

OH MY G-

          [♜] It was utter chaos backstage. Shouting. Heels clacking. Vanity lights humming with their blinding wattage. The dull thrumming of music. Articles of clothing strewn about, flying through the air. The aroma of a dozen different colognes and perfumes wafting through the throngs of models and stylists and helpers and managers and god knows whoever else, all churning, all yelling, all rushing about –

          It was… chaos.

          And Reiner… lived for it.

          Five minutes to show time. He lifted his magnificently toned arms over his head as he wriggled into a white dress shirt. As a relatively new model, he wasn’t afforded the luxury of a changing team, so he just had to make do with the resources afforded to him. The thin white fabric clung quite obviously to his strapping form; the buttons strained against their respective holes. A single flex might cause the entire article to come apart at the seams. With a frown, Reiner delicately unfastened the shirt, one button at a time, so it hung open around his wide frame. Much better. He moved with careful grace as he slipped into his dress pants, only to notice that someone was now standing close by.

          “Bertholdt! Hey!” he said loudly, grinning as he recognized his associate. He and Reiner would be walking the runway, side-by-side, in matching ensembles, just as they always did. The boys hardly knew each other, but for their past three shows, designers had booked the boys as a pair; they enjoyed the contrast between Reiner’s brawny physique and Bertholdt’s lanky yet confident build. Not to mention the palpable chemistry between the two of them. But Reiner knew next to nothing about the towering brunet. Part of him really wanted to change that… after all, he admired Bertholdt, in a way. He was great at what he did.