There Is A Wild Fire Inside You (Little Dream & {｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel)

[Little Dream]

Eren stood next to his horse, softly running the curry brush through the mane. It might be tedious work but he liked it, it allowed him to think. And he certainly had a lot to think about. He could feel the wary gazes of the The Special Operations Squad Commander Levi had picked to protect him boring into his back. It made him want to fidget. He knew why they were wary, he knew why everyone was wary. To them he was a ticking bomb, he could go off at any moment and they were just waiting for the explosion. He sighed quietly, hand pausing. I never wanted this! He wanted to yell at them. Did they think he chose to be able to turn into a Titan? He was as shocked as everyone else when they found out and frankly if he could pass on the ability to someone else he would do so.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

It really had been a long day. It was leisure, and tedious, and it was downright...dull.

It was one of those days where the trainees were just going around, cleaning up horse hair and dung, sipping ale, or just screwing around camp.

Though, Levi knew that he didn't get as much leisure time as everyone else did. He was in his office, trying to shut out the world as he was finishing some paper-work that Erwin had given him about an hour ago. Why couldn't the damn commander do his own work? Though Levi did notice that fact that Erwin had a lot of work to do, he still didn't appreciate part of it thrown on his desk.

Scribbling down letter upon letter, signing name after name onto the parchment, the urge to take a shower rang deep in his mind. He really needed to clean himself. Earlier today, him, Hange, and Eren were out questioning him about the depths of his skills in his titan form, trying to get more and more out of him... but, to Levi's misfortune, it was excruciatingly hot outside, and they got no results. He felt like a greasy scum-bag.

The dim candle in his office and his room flickered as he was trying to finish up, wanting to clean himself as soon as possible, and maybe get some rest for the night. He needed all the rest he could get if he had to deal with Jaegar again tomorrow...

[Little Dream]

Eren ran the brush one more time day the horses coat before he put the brush away and stepped away from the stables. He looked around the camp. Mostly the members were lazing around or doing chores they were assigned to. He watched one of them wipe the sweat from his brow and that made Eren think of his own sweatiness. Earlier that day Levi and Hange were questioning him nonstop about his Titan form. However, having just learned about said form recently Eren could offer no significant answer. He knew it appeared when he drew blood, mostly by biting his hand and while he was in the form he could easily loose himself. It had been hot as Hell outside and the combination of the heat and his own lack of answers had made him irritable and so that later found him brushing down his horses coat and trying to calm down. Now that was done Eren knew he would need find something else to occupy his mind but his state of cleanliness distracted him and he decided a bath was in order. He headed inside, idly wondering where the Commander had gone. He mentally shrugged as he grabbed some clothes from his room and headed to the showers. He stepped inside an unoccupied shower, glad that there was no one else taking a shower as well. He shut the shower curtain and stripped out of his clothes, turning on the water. He sighed, closing his eyes and he stepped under the spray and just let the water run over him. He grabbed the soap after a few moments and ran it over his body, softly singing.

 

"Our names won't be remembered If we die like trampled flowers I refuse to be forgotten Written off as less than worthless

Scream and cry But none will hear you Plead and beg But none will help you You no longer live as cattle Will you rise and join the battle?

There are beings that live off of fears And their words are like knives As they play with our lives

They'll try to control you As if they own you Will you let them steal your freedom?

Channel the anger swelling inside you Fighting the boundary 'till you break through Deep in your soul there's no hesitation So make yourself the one they all fear

There is a wild fire inside you Burning desire you can't extinguish Your crimson arrow Rips through the twilight This is the moment for war."

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi was obviously annoyed.... he was just scribbling with the feather faster and faster as he went along, getting ink on his fingers as he plunged the quill back into the ink jar. He was almost done...almost. This paper-work seemed rather unrequired. This wasn't about the titan Eren Jaegar. This wasn't about the welfare of the scouting legion in its' whole. No, this was some letters that people from the interior had, their questions about what happened in Trost, and their questions as to how it happened. Maybe if those idiots listened more often, maybe Levi wouldn't have all of this work to do.

A soft sigh escaped his lips as he slid out from his chair, and began to take off his jacket, and the rest of his clothing. Lacerations coated his chest, stomach, and legs, along with various other scars. Many of them tended to be from his 3DMG, which left harsh, unruly cuts on his flesh. He wrapped a thin towel around his waist as he made his way down the hallway, making his way to the men's showering area. He really needed to wash up. He heard the shower running in one of the stalls, though ignored it, he also heard the noise of someone's voice... it was soothing, actually, though he didn't make a comment, nor did he complain. Sliding the towel off from around him, not really caring if anyone saw him naked, he made his way into the shower stall next to Eren's, and turned on the hot water. Levi enjoyed the showers where it was hot enough to make his flesh turn a slight pink color.

[Little Dream]

Eren was just washing the soap from his body and was in the process of rubbing shampoo into his hair when he heard the sound of bare feet slapping against the tile in the bathroom. He heard the shower next to his start up and his voice trailed to a close, embarrassment at being caught singing sweeping over him. He didn't mind singing for his friends but that fact that he had been caught singing in the shower made him embarrassed. His cheeks flushed and he furiously started scrubbing at his hair, wanting to get in and out before the other person next to him finished. He didn't know who it was but seeing as this was the men's shower area it did narrow it down to a few people.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi huffed softly as the water sprayed him in the face when he first turned it on... though he relished the fact that it was cleansing off his body. Water drenching his hair, he ran his lithe, pale fingers through his hair, and grabbed the soap and put it in his hair, scrubbing as his hair leisurely. It was one of the only things that he enjoyed doing here, so he relished it, he loved it...he'd take his time in here. Taking the soap in hand again, he rubbed it down against his body, his fingers cleansing every nook and cranny of his body, making sure that he was thoroughly cleansed. He let out a soft grunt when the soap fell to the corner of the shower. Once he grunted, it was obvious to tell that it was Levi taking a shower in the stall next to Eren. That noise was unmistakeable. It was the noise that Levi made every single time he was annoyed by something.

[Little Dream]

Eren froze, eyes widening. He knew that sound. He had heard that grunt before. Many many times as he, Levi and Hange were trying to find answers about his Titan form. So, not only had he been heard singing but he had been heard singing by Levi. He wondered if the Commander knew it was him but he sure as hell wasn't sticking around to find out. He quickly washed the soap from his hair and shut the water off. He towel off then slipped into his clothes. He grabbed his things and darted from the shower. However he was bare foot and the tile was wet. He slipped and tumbled to the floor with a yelp. He laid there, dazed before he scrambled to his feet and scurried from the showers. Only once he was safely in his room did he allow himself to lean against the wall and catch his breath. Once he could breath he then turned his attention to his body. His side hurt from where he had slammed it into metal that outlined the shower stall. His left elbow and knees stinged as well but he was relieved to see they weren't bleeding. He sighed and flopped onto his bed, his wet bangs falling into his eyes.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi murmured a few curses under his breath as he bent over and picked up the soap, though, was having issues doing so, because it kept flopping, and sliding out of his hands. When he bent over to pick it up once more, he glanced out of the shower curtain to see who it was... he wasn't too surprised, though he was a bit amused at the fact that it was the brat who was singing in the bathroom... he'd go and ask him about it, just for teasing sake.

Finishing up his shower, he rinsed out his jet black hair and turned the water off with a small sigh, shaking his head slightly, the water spraying from his hair. Walking out of the shower completely naked, the young commander grabbed his towel and wrapped it around his waist, calmly walking out of the shower stalls and and walking back to his office down the hallway. Once he got there, he went inside and locked the door.

The captain got into his leisure clothing, which was a black pair of loose slacks and a white button-down shirt, of which he tucked in his pants. Folding his towel, he placed it in the hamper, with the rest of his dirty pile of laundry. When he was finished getting dressed, the captain ran a hand through his damp hair and left the office, and going towards the boy's room.

"Oi, brat, open up."

[Little Dream]

Eren, still laying on top of his bed blinked open his eyes and looked up at his ceiling. He raised one of his hands up, palm upward and stared at the back of his hand. It was hard to believe that these hands, this body was capable of changing into something that could possible save his home. His mothers face flashed before his eyes and his hands balled into fists as anger swept through him. If he had known about this before he could have saved her! He gritted his teeth as tears filled his eyes and stubbornly blinked them back. A sudden voice outside his door made his jack-knife into an upright position. What was the Commander doing at his door? His eyes widened. Had he figured out it had been him in the shower? Eren contemplated escaping out the window before he mentally slapped himself. How can he say he's going to kill all of the Titans if he runs scared just because someone heard him singing?

 

Eren squared his shoulders and stood from his bed, walking over to his door. He opened it. "Yes Commander?"

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Why was the brat taking such a long time to answer the door? He felt like he'd freeze out there if he stood there any longer. Really, it was quite drafty in these buildings. Though, when he heard the doorknob turn, the commander stood firmly, like he always did, the same, intimidating look in his eyes as he usually had when the brat was around.

"Oi, brat." Levi poked the other's chest with one of his fingers, his height only allowing him to poke the other in the chest to not make it awkward, "You have a nice singing voice."

Levi wasn't the type of guy to give out compliments, especially to Eren. Levi was thought by everyone else to hate Eren, based on the fact that he'd beat him up and throw him to the ground, or he'd call him "shitty-paws". Though, Levi did have a shred of respect for Eren. A shred. Nothing more, nothing less.

Though... Levi was curious about his voice. He wanted to listen to it again... it was calming, and Levi usually had frayed nerves... the idea of Eren's soothing voice sounded like the best treatment for it.. but Levi was too prideful to ask. He'd take the chance if Eren offered.

[Little Dream]

Eren stared at Levi's usual menacing expression, tensed in preparation for some kind of biting comment. It was something he had come to expect from the Commander; you could always a retort of some kind, or in Eren's case, a beat down to the ground. Most of his bruises had come from the man in front of him, though Eren knew that Levi could beat him much, much worse so he guess he could count his lucky stars. He felt Levi poke his chest and waited for it.

 

"You have a nice singing voice."

 

...

.....

 

Wait, what?!

 

Eren blinked then blinked again, floored. Did...Did Levi just pay him a compliment?! Eren gaped for a few seconds, brain too shocked to come up with a reply. Was he dreaming? He sneakily pinched himself.

 

Nope, he was definitely awake. That theory was out the window. It was a good thing he was too shocked to say anything because he honestly, flat-out would have asked the Commander if he was drunk or something. But...Levi didn't smell like Rum or alcohol. So all that was left that the Commander was sober and yes, had actually said something that wasn't degrading or harsh.

 

His brain finally managed to come alive and he realized that for the last few moments he had been staring at the slightly shorter male with a bewildered expression. "T-Thank you.." Eren stammered, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi, despite holding his front like he usually did... was internally screaming at himself. Did he just praise the brat? Did he just cross the line and say something? Shit... was he going to start acting even more annoying and start teasing him for giving him a compliment? Levi was more stressed than he was before he even got here.

 

Levi had been staring at Eren while Eren was staring at him...and to anyone walking past them, it was one of the most awkward sights to ever be seen in those cabins. Levi actually looking someone dead in the eye? That someone being Eren? That was ludicrous.

 

After this was over, he was definitely going to need a drink, just something to make him forget this happened.

 

When the younger male talked back to him, Levi blinked a few times, a rather soft, hardly noticeable, pink color stained his cheeks, trying not to break the eye-contact, trying to show Eren who was in charge.

 

"That's the only thing I like about you, shitty-paws."

 

He was obviously just trying to cover up the fact that he complimented him. Maybe he should go... he didn't want to look weak...

 

But the idea of Eren's singing was just too tempting.

[Little Dream]

"That's the only thing I like about you, shitty-paws."

 

Ahhh. There was the Levi he was familiar with. He examined his Commanders face, wondering just why in the world Levi had actually paid him a compliment. It was way off from the man's normal behavior. Was he sick or something. His cheeks did look like they were slightly pink so maybe he was. As they continued standing there awkwardly Eren blushed harder. He tilted his head down, trying to hide behind his bangs. "Er...W-Was there something else you needed Commander?" He inquired, having no other explanation as to why Levi was still standing there. Did he want to say something else?

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

"Yes, there actually is something that I need from you..." murmured Levi quietly as he glanced at Eren, almost as if he were sad, "Knock the goofy blush off of your face, it makes you look hideous, brat. It pisses me off."

 

The insult fell out of his mouth quickly. He wasn't used to holding a conversation with others, especially Eren. He didn't really know how to be nice to the boy, even though he wanted to be. Actually, he wished he was nice towards a lot of people in life, but he just didn't know how to.

 

"Night', brat."

 

Levi turned on his heel as he walked off. When he turned around, his face turned brighter than a tomato, the color putting red roses to shame easily. He really needed a drink, and some sleep.

 

Though, one noticeable fact was, when he was standing at the door of Eren's room... Levi was wearing his pajamas. He never wore them around anyone, nobody else had ever seen the commander dress down right before he was going to sleep.

 

As Levi's face heated up more, he felt like he was going to be sick. He felt like he should be repulsed by his own kindness. It made him want to gag.

 

But why did he love Eren's voice so much?

[Little Dream]

(I thought he was wearing black slacks and a white button down shirt?)

 

Eren blinked as Levi took his leave. How exactly was he supposed to control something that was involuntary like blushing? It wasn't like he could tell it stop. Well, he could but it wouldn't make any difference. As the boy watched his Commander retreated down the hall he came to the decision that whatever illness that made Levi delirious enough to say something nice to him had left him because he was back to the harsh, intimidating man Eren had come to know in the short time he had been with the squad. Eren stepped back into his room and shut the door. He flopped onto his bed with a sigh, wiggling until he was under the blankets. He laid there for a few moments before finally decided he should get some sleep and closed his eyes.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi huffed quietly to himself as he locked the door behind him to his office. He started to lock the door in his office ever since the new batch of scouts came in. They thought that it would be funny to dirty up his room in the middle of the night, and Levi didn't really appreciate that.

 

Finally isolated, the older man made his way over to his bed, sighing lightly. The stinging from the 3DMG had been something that he was so used that he didn't know how much pain his body was actually in, he couldn't feel it anymore..as if his body were numb, almost. He was used to injury and getting hurt, so it wasn't that big of a deal for him.

 

Laying down in his bed, the commander huffed as he tangled himself up in the sheets, creating a small cocoon around himself. That cocoon...it was like the barrier that Levi had with people, that kept him from communicating properly. He was actually...just too scared to. Scared that others would judge him. He was such a strong commander, yet was weak to the point where he couldn't simply ask a simple request from the brat...

 

Rolling on his bed, he rolled up against the wall, pressing himself in between the bed and the wall, finding it more comfortable to sleep that way. His head rested on the single pillow on his bed, that he kept tucked near the wall so he could sleep the way he liked to. He enjoyed the warmth around him, it gave him comfort. It gave him the comfort that nobody else bothered to give him.

[Little Dream]

Eren rubbed his eyes as he trudged down to corridor to the breakfast hall. He grabbed a tray with breakfast and sat down at one of the tables. He took a sip of water, glancing around the hall. It seemed most of the squad was there though they sat at another table. Eren would have joined them but...he just didn't know how to approach them. Yes, they had agreed to protect him but that didn't mean they had to like it. He sighed and took a bite out of his apple, staring down at the table.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

 

Levi had gotten up surprisingly late that morning. It took him forever to finally fall asleep... he probably only had a few hours of sleep that night.

 

When he walked into the cafeteria, he noticed that everyone else had gotten food. With a small sigh, he went up to where the food was, seeing as there was no point, since the person who got there was bound to get the last piece of food. Grabbing the piece of bread that was left, the commander simply took it and left, unable to look at Eren and the rest of his squad, not too comfortable with the idea.

 

Of course, his team, the advanced team, stared at him, pretty surprised that he didn't sat down. Petra, and the other three men in his team... they all cared about Levi greatly, and often showed their concern, and Levi usually just ignored it.

 

Sitting outside of the cafeteria on the edge of the deck, he ate his bread quietly, staring down at his feet quietly as he heard some trainees walk out of the mess hall.

 

Why couldn't he be social like everyone else?

[Little Dream]

Eren soon finished his breakfast and left the dining hall. He spotted Levi sitting on the deck and paused, wondering why he was out here and sitting with his advanced team. He mentally shrugged; maybe he just wanted to be alone. Eren quietly continued on his way and went outside. He stopped by to greet his horse, brush her down then wandered over to one of the tables. He sat down, staring down at his hands. Why was he like this? How did this happen? He needed answers and he knew the key to those answers lies in the basement of his destroyed house. His hands clenched. He was going to get into that basement or die trying.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Nibbling on his bread, Levi found that he didn't have much of an appetite this morning. His stomach couldn't hold down the food, if he kept eating, he'd probably vomit it all up later. Throwing the piece of bread on the ground with a huff, he wiped his hands against his pants. Despite the fact he hated crumbs, there wasn't much he could do about it.

 

Today, there was something they had to do. Today was the day that they went out on a recon mission to go into the titan's territory, trying to reclaim a forest that was once theirs'. He had his elite squad with him, they were going to be on the rear center position in their line-up today. Levi knew there was something about today's mission that Erwin wasn't telling him, he swore there was.... Especially since Jaegar was put in his advanced scouting group.

 

Walking over towards the stables to get his horse ready for today's mission, he walked up next to Eren, and pet his own horse's muzzle. Levi loved his horse, really. It was the only things that he was usually nice to. Pressing his nose genlty against the muzzle of his hose, Levi pressed a small kiss to it's muzzle, though he didn't smile like others did.

 

Opening the stable with a huff, he prepared the saddle and stir-ups, having a bit of a hard time doing so, given his height.

[Little Dream]

Eren glanced up when he heard movement and saw Levi was saddling up his horse. Eren sighed. He had been briefed about their mission though he wondered as to why he had been put in the advanced scouting group. Was it so Levi could keep a close eye on him and make sure he didn't do anything brave or foolish? The boy stood and walked over to the stables. He smiled at his horse and gently nuzzled his face against the beasts muzzle. He petted her for a few moments before he began to prepare as well.

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi sighed softly as he glanced at his shoes. He had his horse saddled up... but he couldn't get on it without that stupid step-bench... it was really degrading that he had to use it due to how short he was... it made him feel really insecure about himself, really, though he wasn't going to tell anyone that. Dragging the step-stool over, he stepped on it, and then hooked his foot in one of the stir-ups, and then swung over so that his foot would reach the other one, balancing himself with ease. Rubbing one of his eyes tiredly before grabbing the reigns and giving the horse a small nudge with his heel, he rode the horse out of the stable, waiting for Eren.

"Oi, brat, hurry up. We need to get to the fields as soon as possible. I'm going to wait for you, just so you don't fuck anything up, shitty-paws. But do hurry up, we can't be late for this. Sadly, you're required for this mission."

Levi was a bit grumpy today, and was tired. The fact that they had to fight titans wasn't really the issue in his mind. The real issue was having to deal with Eren all day on his squad.

[Little Dream]

Eren cursed softly to himself as his fingers fumbled on the buckles for the saddle. He had never saddled a horse before and Levi had given him a short explanation. And by that he mean't Levi told him as little as possible all the while calling him any number of names he could think of. Eren finally managed to get the damn saddle situated and placed a foot in the stirrup, swinging himself up into the saddle. Not used to riding on a horse he paused, making sure he had his balance before gently nudging his horse in her flanks and leading her out of the stables. By then the rest of the squad were perched on their steads and were waiting for himself. Eren stubbornly fought back the blush that wanted to surface. He was a man damn it! Not some blushing school girl. What was wrong with him?

[{｡^◕‿◕^｡}Ciel]

Levi nearly wanted to chuckle as he watched the titan-shifter try and saddle-up his horse. Really, it was amusing to watch him stumble and fumble with the straps and stir-ups... it was funny to him because Eren always argued about how he was going to kill them all, and tried to make it out how he was such a bad-ass..yet he couldn't do this one simple thing.

"Oi, shitty-paws lets get going before both of our asses get beat."

Levi's voice sounded rather dull and blunt today, not the nervous, yet firm voice he used last night to address Eren's singing... he didn't want to falter again like that today... not again, he was the corporal, he had to have more dignity than a trainee.

Pushing his heels lightly into the horse's sides, the corporal gently tugged the reins the slightest bit as he pulled the horse into a trot, and then slowly made his way to have the horse gallop... he couldn't allow themselves to be late for this, this was important, given it was an every squad operation... that must meant that Erwin was expecting deaths today.

[Little Dream]

Echo looked up from adjusting his reins as Levi spoke. He nodded and followed after the man, clumsy and awkward on the horse. Whatever had plagued Levi last night was well gone; he was back to his usual blunt self. Eren had to wonder at the randomness of it all though. He pushed the matter to the back of his mind. He needed all his focus today if they were going into Titan territory. He had a gut feeling something was going to go wrong but what didn't when dealing with these demons? However he pushed the negative thoughts aside; no use dwelling on them now. If it happened it happened. Death had become a regular part of his life. You couldn't become to attached to someone because there was always a chance you could loose them.