Eren POV
Erwin was the one to usher them out of the room, telling them that Armin and the boy – who's name was Lio, as they gathered from his words – needed rest. Mikasa dragged her brother out of the room when Eren was about to start a fight with the Commander and together they headed for Pixi's room.
But when they stepped into the room, glancing at the few birds and owls sitting in their cages, the man was obviously elsewhere and so they were left alone in the silence of the room – safe for the screeching of the animals.
Eren pressed his hands up against his face.
"This is a mess.", he muttered through his fingers, eyes too tired to stay open any longer.
"He is safe. Both of them are."
"I could care less about the Commander and you know it."
Mikasa stayed back and gave him some space. Space that he desperately needed to sort out his thoughts. Armin was safe. The Commander had brought him back, just like Eren had expected. He pinched the bridge of his nose.
This is all...wrong. Too many variables. And Grisha has yet to return my favor of ruining his plans.
"We can't wait anymore.", he finally said and opened his eyes to Raes' curious and calm gaze, trained on him. The midnightdancer sat across the room on a chair, claws sunken deep in the furniture. Eren shuddered when he thought back to the pain of his transformation and wondered what it would be like to stay that...something forever. "We need to take action."
"You need to meet the Queen again.", Mikasa pointed out. "Her support is necessary for our plans to succeed."
"We can't reveal our final weapon until the palace is in my control." Eren narrowed his eyes in concentration and folded his hands behind his back. He sent Mikasa a sharp glare. "Armin and the Commander. Tell me what you're thinking."
It was unusual to see Mikasa hesitating and Eren raised an eyebrow at her.
"Armin is back. Safe. And Erwin is the one who made that possible.", she started slowly. "You wanted to strengthen the connection between the two of them and it worked. I don't think Erwin will object to anything Armin wants from him."
"Same goes for my lunatic father."
"It's different."
"How?"
"They share a connection of a different kind. And now there's also Lio..."
Eren frowned and turned around until his back was facing Mikasa, hands clenched and back upright.
"Why should that child matter in any way?"
"It's the way Erwin treats him. Both of them. I can't say how they came together nor do I wish to know what hardships Armin had to face in our absence. But-"
"You think this child is important to Erwin."
He knew she nodded even without looking at her. He sighed and lowered his head down until his chin was resting on his chest. A hum rumbled in his chest as he thought her words over.
The Commander cares about Armin. About that child. And about this girl father mentioned. All of them are targets for him should he need something from Erwin.
"This could become a problem for us.", he drawled and walked over to Raes, raising his hand high enough for the midnightdancer to properly see. He waited for the animal to allow his touch and did so when he bowed his head. "My father won't hesitate to use them against Erwin whenever he wishes to avenge his arm."
A broken arm. Destroyed. Battered. Useless.
The servants talked about a rock that had fallen on the king's arm and some loyal soldiers who had stayed and rescued him. Eren had known that it was possible for his father to escape mainly unscathed but a prince could dream...
"What is our next step?"
Eren met Raes' eyes and something in them locked with the feeling of lighting flashing through his arm. Then he chuckled darkly.
"It is time for me to concentrate on our second target since the Commander is now a secure pawn on my plate."
"You will seek Levi out?" Mikasa's voice, tho bored, wasn't void of the tiniest hint of amusement. "What will you tell him?"
He smirked.
"Whatever he wants to hear."
- - -
Wandering through the palace, Eren kept out of people's way. He wasn't overly fond of their attention after the many kicks and blows he had suffered through the hands of those bastards. But as a servant, head low and gaze even lower, he went unnoticed in their eyes.
A mouse among blind snakes.
It didn't take him long to figure out where Levi was. Izzy's joyful barking led him to the library where the man stood next to a shelf, some kind of report in hand with his forehead knitted in concentration.
"Izzy. Down.", he commanded when the beast started to whine and grovel at Eren's arrival. He couldn't help the nervous smile on his lips and adjusted his blond wig, careful to hide even the last brown strand of hair beneath it. It tickled him and he couldn't wait to change back.
Huh.
Changing back. Somehow Faris had become his second persona. Through him he was protected. Safe from his father. Safer than he would ever be with the appearance of his mother and her features all over him.
"I do appreciate her liking me.", Eren said now and the corners of his mouth quirked up in an honest smile when Levi raised his gaze and met his eyes with stoic silver. He made a gesture with his chin in the younger one's direction.
"Must have fallen quite badly." The comment was dry and too well placed for Eren not to notice the intent behind it. But he smiled anyway while keeping the tension off his face at the prospect of Levi having figured out that he had lied to him.
Eren was unsure how to proceed and instead knelt down on the floor with his hand outstretched so Izzy would come closer to him, offering him an excuse as to why he wasn't answering the unspoken question.
"Your Commander is back. You must be relieved."
Levi snorted and put the piece of paper in his hands back to where it belonged.
"I would be even more relieved if I knew where he was all the time. He could have been dead and no one would have known."
"Sounds like you care a great deal about him.", Eren mumbled and scratched Izzy's ears, putting that fact aside for later considerations.
"I could say the same to you about Armin. Will he tell you what happened?"
"I won't ask him, if that's what you're playing on."
Levi made an uncommitted sound and for a while they stayed silent, each one busy with their own thoughts while the storm fought against the windows and the darkness lurked outside, waiting for someone to be dumb enough to face it.
"His Highness has sent me a message.", Eren said, drawing the words out. Levi's face was a mask, unmoving and hard against Eren's curious glances.
"What does he want?"
"He asked for you."
Levi turned his head until black hair was covering his cheeks and Eren couldn't catch a glimpse of his eyes anymore. Somehow, he didn't like that something was coming between them.
"Why would that royal brat ask for me?"
"He was worried Grisha might have heard of your involvement in the mysterious disappearance of the prince that night."
"No one knows I've even been away. Neither my soldiers nor my king."
Eren snorted and his expression tightened. He rose from the ground, letting go of Izzy's fur.
"You still call him your king."
"Because he is."
He couldn't help but wonder what would happen once he faced his father. And destroyed him bit by bit. Who would the General be loyal to? Eren wasn't naïve enough to think that Levi would simply throw yearlong loyalty overboard to serve a traitor of the crown, no matter if it was rightfully his.
"How is the boy?"
"Lio?", Levi echoed. "Brat's fine. Bit shaken but who wouldn't be. He got through a fucking snow storm with two strangers."
"Armin cares about him." It was a fact. He had seen the first glimmer of feelings for the small boy in his best friend's eyes. And if his goodhearted nature meant for Lio to be less alone than Eren had felt when he had lost everything, then he would support him all the way through.
"Erwin does too.", Levi admitted rather unwillingly and pressed his lips together. "Of course he won't admit it. But that's fucking Eyebrows for you."
"You're talkative today."
"Maybe I am waiting for you to be the one to talk to me."
"Ask your questions and see if I can answer them." Eren strode forward, coming closer to Levi until the man had to back off a bit. Eren followed him, eyes trained on the man. "You know what has to happen. I need to know where you stand."
"So you can report back to your precious prince?", Levi snarled.
"So I can..." He hesitated. "So I can protect you."
Levi went silent at that. Gave his words some thought. Then he replied with a raspy voice, silver eyes never leaving his: "What would happen should I defend my king?"
The word sounded wrong on Levi's tongue and Eren was sure that the General felt it. He leaned forward and a small smirk appeared on his mouth.
"I think you know the answer. And I think we both know what you will do when the time comes."
Levi tensed up. Eren stared at him. At his eyes. At what was behind them. This cold and ruthless loyalty and the strength of a soul ready to fight for what was right. Again he wondered what Zeke had done to make him so weary of the king's children.
Levi was just as absorbed in his appearance. In his wrong appearance. The thought irked Eren more than he'd like. He whirled around, breaking off the connection between them and no one would be the wiser if he denied that it was there in the first place.
As he stormed out of the library, determined to leave behind all the doubt and guilt.
Zeke...you must have had a reason for taking interest in him. Maybe...maybe I shouldn't use him...maybe there is a way to get to the army without his help.
- - -
Armin POV
It was only a few days later when the storm eventually subsided, leaving behind a hue of sunlight and a sky more grey than black. Armin stared out of Erwin's window.
Erwin's window.
He giggled softly at the thought for he had once again ended up in this room, in this wonderful bed with pillows and soft blankets and after changing in some more comfortable clothes he finally felt like a decent human being.
His hair was up in a messy bun, blond locks out of his face. Not for the first time he thought about cutting them.
"What's so funny?"
Lio's voice disrupted the calm and gentle atmosphere of the room, his tone curious and yet tired. The boy yawned and stretched on his small makeshift bed, blankets all around his small body.
Armin sent him a warm smile.
"I am happy that we are safe, is all."
The boy made a humming noise and fought his way out of the wrap of blankets to get over to him. Armin patted on the mattress and waited for Lio to crawl up on the bed. Smart eyes were in his face an instance later.
"I am bored.", came the complain and Lio pouted, crossing his thin arms in front of his chest. Armin had made it clear to Erwin, as soon as he had been clear enough in the head after waking up, that the boy needed food and plenty of it. The amount of bones he saw on the child's body hurt his eyes and his heart.
"Then why don't you go and ask the guards if they want to play with you?"
One thing Armin was delighted to learn was the guards friendly attitude towards Lio. They stood watch in front of the chamber after Erwin had made it clear that he would leave neither Armin nor Lio unprotected behind.
Armin didn't dare ask what the guards were supposed to protect them from.
Lio, who didn't notice the glum aura of Armin, nodded excitedly and jumped on the ground, running to the door.
"Be careful!", Armin called after him, fondly shaking his head. It was a lucky coincidence that Erwin came into the room a second prior to Lio stumbling over his tiny feet and almost meeting the ground face-first.
"Woah, watch it, little guy.", Erwin laughed and caught him midair, helping Lio to find his balance once again. "We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself."
Lio nodded. Armin, a frown on his face, asked: "What do we say, Lio?"
"Thank you.", the child answered almost grumpy and was already gone, up and ready to annoy the guards who were more than happy to entertain him. Erwin came up to him, leaning down to capture Armin's lips in a soft kiss.
"Glad to see you're better.", he mumbled and sat down next to his young lover, who hummed approvingly. Erwin was wearing his black uniform, a belt tied around his waist and silver ornaments blinked in the sun. Armin felt color rise to his cheeks.
"Glad to have you here. Where have you been?" A shadow ran over Erwin's face and he sighed, tension visible on his face. Armin cupped the man's cheek in his hand and turned his gaze towards him. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
Armin kept his hand where it was, gently dragging his thumb across the small stubbles on the older one's skin. He let concern sicker through the look in his eyes when he met Erwin's.
"Hey, don't do that. Talk to me." He slowly pulled Erwin towards him, until the man wrapped an arm around him and put his chin on Armin's scalp; kissing his hair, playing with his fingers.
"I have to make a decision. A hard one." Erwin growled, the hidden anger not directed at Armin and he nuzzled his head against the man's chest in an attempt to comfort him. "No. It's not hard. But I fear that if I make the wrong one..." He sighed and involuntarily clenched his fingers around Armin's hand, who responded with putting his second hand on their intertwined ones.
"Apparently you have already decided on what to do."
"I have. But I fear it will hurt people."
Armin inhaled his comforting scent and imitated Erwin's breathing, listening to his heartbeat.
"We are in the middle of a war, Erwin. I might watch from the sidelines but I am not completely clueless.", he stated. "Remember when I asked you about the attack on Marley's sickbays?"
"You told me not to do it."
"Did you? In the end, did my opinion influence your decision?"
"Why are you asking me this?"
"Because I want you to remember that you are capable of making decisions with your heart.", he said gently. "You don't need to explain to anyone why you did it. As long as you can live with being the one who is responsible for the outcome."
Erwin buried his nose in Armin's hair, who giggled at the tickling sensation.
"You are amazing.", the man said and Armin felt him relax. "No. I did not attack the sickbays. Yes. You did influence my decision. Satisfied?"
"Kiss me and find out."
Erwin's lips were on his almost instantly, firmer than before and he slowly grabbed Armin by his waist, lifting him up so that the young servant was straddling him with a surprised squeak. Their gazes locked and Armin blushed at the storm of emotions running over Erwin's face.
"Am I hurting you?", Erwin breathed and Armin was quick to shake his head. He leaned downwards and captured Erwin's mouth with his, dragging his tongue across his lips. Erwin responded with holding on to his waist, letting out a dark growl that sent shivers down Armin's spine.
They kissed like that for what felt like eternity.
Slow. Deliberate. Armin dared to say loving.
They ended up in some sort of hug, cuddling on the bed with blankets on Armin and his head resting on Erwin's broad chest.
"I want to take Lio outside sometimes.", he muttered against the leathery scent of Erwin's uniform. "He's young. I can't keep him locked up in a room."
"You do that. I'm sure it'll benefit him to be outside for some time."
"And...you know...it's only a thought but..." Armin swallowed, moving around until he could look up into Erwin's face. "What about school?"
Erwin was dumbfounded for a moment, blinking at him without saying a word before repeating: "School?"
"Yeah...I mean, I grew up in a small village. We had school until our fifteenth year there. And Lio is...what? Five years? Six at most?" Armin had had enough time to think about Lio and what to do with him over the course of the last days. And even though his memories of school hadn't been the brightest ones, he wanted Lio to have some aspects of a normal childhood for as long as he'd stay with them.
The lump in his throat grew.
He didn't want to think about what would happen to Lio once they figured out where he belonged to.
Erwin stroked his thumb over Armin's arm, calming him down effectively.
"I'll see what I can do. Why don't you take him down to the library sometimes? I'm sure you will find many topics to teach him about."
"Me? As a teacher?" Armin giggled at the thought of being one of the adults Eren and the others had always annoyed with their deliberately stupid questions. "I love knowledge but I don't know if this would be the right thing for me."
Erwin leaned in and closed his eyes, his forehead on Armin's. They were in their small little bubble, safe from anything and anyone.
"I don't believe this..."
Armin's eyes shot open.
And met those of Marie. Who was standing right there and staring at them with an ashen face.
(I swear, I loved their cozy atmosphere so much. It was so relaxing to write this chapter. But what will Erwin tell Marie? And what will Erwin do with the coming attack? How will Armin react when he finds out? And could Eren possibly change his mind?)