Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/1031387.

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M/M
Shingeki no Kyojin | Attack on Titan
Levi/Erwin Smith
Levi (Shingeki no Kyojin), Erwin Smith, Mike Zacharias, Petra Ral,
Hange Zo
Alternate Universe - Medieval, From children to the grave, Alternate
Universe - Royalty, Fluff, Smut, Tragedy, Angst, Violence
Published: 2013-11-04 Updated: 2013-11-17 Chapters: 4/? Words:
19502

A Prince and His Shadow

by 13th
Summary

"From where I stood, when I watched you, it was as if you were flying--as if nothing
could hold you back. It's selfish, but that's why I wanted to be your friend. It's because I
want to fly with you. Will you teach me how to fly, Levi?"

Notes

This story is consuming my life and I haven't even finished the second chapter yet, god
help me. Rating may change to E once we actually get to the smut/violent parts. So, here
you go. I don't know what to make of this since I'm a perfectionist to the point of idiotic
insecurity, so feedback would be most kind! Hope you enjoy it!

Black Little Bird

The first time Erwin saw him, he was flying.
They were the movements of someone intimately familiar with the filth-covered streets around
him, someone who had seen and touched those dark stone walls countless of times, knew exactly
where they started and how high they reached, could predict with flawless precision where his feet
would touch the ground. Erwin watched him--what else could the young prince do but watch as
deceptively slender hands hooked to the edge of a wall, pushing nimble feet up over the bricks as
if gravity had no pull on him? How could anyone tear their gaze away from such a spectacle?
Mid-flight--one soaring through the sky and one chained to the ground--their eyes met, and that's
where it began, and that's where it would end, years and years later, following a chain of
extraordinary events neither would be able to predict. Fate was not something either soul believed
in, but once their story had been written to completion, perhaps, the concept would be worth
pondering.
Jealousy was what came to mind for the aristocrat boy then, as his soft, sky blue eyes were opened
wide and tried to capture even the smallest of motions while the black little bird flew away,
dropping out of sight on the other side of the wall. Complete freedom, something his heart burned
for--yet he found his jealousy to be childish at the same time. He was fully aware of how fortunate
he was to be born to wealth and power, knew very well most people would kill to be in his
position. Still, it gnawed at him; the need for a taste of life without the shackles nobility brought
with it.
The merchant that had been chasing the small thief for stealing a piece of bread was left to stew in
his own ire, while the prince was left breathless.
"Milord, it is most unwise to stay here--if your curiosity has been sated, let us return to the castle,"
the knight that accompanied him advised gently. The still-dazed youth turned to look up at the--in
his opinion--dull adult who'd been assigned as his bodyguard, wearing a full body-armor suit
including a helmet that covered his face, as if he were going to war. Fourteen winters was still not
old enough for Erwin to be wandering about among the commoners on his own, was what his
parents had decided for him, and as such he needed protection.
This, of course, proved a problem whenever there was something interesting he wanted to
explore. In this case, it was the black little bird that had escaped his view earlier, slipping away
and vanishing behind the walls. Erwin stared up at the grizzled soldier, contemplating how
humiliating it must be for the man who'd no doubt survived countless of battles to be assigned as a
babysitter to some spoiled little brat. He smiled in amusement at the thought, wondering how he
could get rid of the man when his eye caught something glimmering from his peripheral vision.
Turning his head towards it and looking it over, his smile grew wider.
"I'd like to visit that place, please." Erwin said politely. There was no need for him to address
someone from lower rank with such polite terms, but he took etiquette very seriously as he turned
to the blacksmith on the corner of the street. Weapons on display outside glinted in the dimming
sunlight as night approached. The knight grimaced, knowing he'd be scolded if he let the prince
get anywhere near such a dangerous place. But at the same time, a gleam of interest flickered in
his eyes. Erwin had guessed correctly then that the man would enjoy weaponry like most veteran
soldiers did.
"If that is what the young lord desires, though I do not see why. There's a blacksmith at the castle-" the knight started in a halfhearted little protest, which Erwin quickly shot down.

"I'm curious. Humor me." It was said as a command, one which someone of lower rank, older or
not, had no choice but to heed. The knight inclined his head and led the way towards the
blacksmith.
People passing them by shot them curious glances every now and then, but they'd become used to
Erwin's daily visits to the city by now. Of course they were still in the upper parts of town, but
even those streets were still recovering from a tyrannical rule that had left the whole kingdom in
poverty for decades. Things had begun a steady climb to improvement ever since Erwin's father
had taken the throne, but the road to complete restoration would be a long one.
The blacksmith came out of the shop as they approached, the knight standing solidly between
Erwin and the weapons' master, exchanging a few words of interest in some merchandise. When
his bodyguard glanced over his shoulder to look at the prince for a moment, Erwin took that
opportunity without a second to spare.
"I won't go inside, I might get hurt with all those sharp objects lying around. Why don't you get
some for me? I'll stay and wait here." he suggested like a good little boy, the knight nodding
approvingly and retreating with the blacksmith inside.
Erwin waited patiently until he was certain the knight had gone far enough into the store for him
to slip away, a few locals around him snickering at this typical behavior; it wasn't the first time
he'd gotten rid of his babysitters and had run off somewhere else, often leaving his guards in
panic.
He quickly returned to the wall where he'd seen the black little bird from before. There was a road
around it, but it was a long-winded one, and he ran the risk of never seeing the quick-footed
stranger again if he stalled any longer. Taking a few steps back as he looked the wall over, Erwin
ran up and jumped, mimicking what the thief from before had done, though with less grace as he
pulled himself over the wall and landed with a sharp thud on his feet on the other side.
Looking around he found himself in a small alleyway covered by the shadows of the buildings
around it. Walking through it quickly and paying no mind to the filth and garbage that littered the
ground--though the almost acrid, vile stench nearly made him gag--he ended up in a wide street
similar to the one he'd been in before.
'Now, if I were a thief and I needed to hide, where would I go to eat my dinner in peace?'
A building that looked completely desolate caught his eye, near the end of the street--windows
were broken and the walls looked like they were about to crumble and turn into dust. Walking
over to it curiously though staying alert of his surroundings, Erwin saw that the door had been
broken down and blocked by old furniture. Figuring there had to be a backdoor, he slipped into
the small street around it, ending up behind the building though finding nothing, not until he saw
the window that had been completely stripped clean off its glass, with small footprints on its sill.
With a satisfied little smile he climbed through it, ending up inside the dusty old house.
Floorboards creaked heavily under his feet as he walked around, the sounds echoing against the
thin walls stained with dark smudges of something he could not identify. He was in a living room
that seemed mostly empty aside from the large closet blocking the entrance--as he turned a corner
and headed to what he figured was the kitchen, he suddenly felt someone's leg swipe from under
him, knocking him off his feet.
He landed on his back with a surprised gasp, seconds later finding himself staring into hardened
charcoal grey eyes, something cold and sharp pressed against his neck. Fear crawled down his
spine as he held his breath, recognizing the person as the black little bird from earlier.

"What are you doing here?" the boy with a cold, silver gleam in his eyes hissed, evidently upset
his hiding spot had been discovered. Erwin relaxed slightly, as it seemed the other hadn't decided
to kill him immediately, which is what he'd initially thought.
"I wanted to meet you." the prince replied simply, finding blunt honesty was often what
commoners preferred when talking to them. The boy on top of him was puzzled while Erwin took
that moment to study his face, noting the still soft features--he had to be at least three years
younger, and yet there they were, a child pressing a dagger to the neck of another child. Not to
mention that he looked woefully underfed, clothes--or rather, rags-- hanging off his small frame as
if he were made of nothing but bones.
"Why? What do you want from me?" the black-haired thief demanded to know, the pressure of his
knife against Erwin's throat increasing. The prince stared calmly into the boy's eyes, having
already concluded that despite the threat of the weapon, this little bird had no intention on actually
committing murder.
"You impressed me. I want to be friends."
The boy stared at him as if Erwin had just grown a second head, slowly pulling his knife back
though not getting up. The prince supposed it would be quite startling; usually one wasn't so
blatant as to say they wanted to be friends. It was something that naturally occurred, but having a
dagger against his neck had changed circumstances somewhat.
"Is this a plan to get me captured, or are you just crazy?"
It was a fair question, Erwin supposed as he laughed, shifting to sit up a little, leaning back on his
elbows. "I don't have many friends at all, you see. It gets lonely where I live, and you look like
you know how to have fun. Is it so strange I'd want to get to know you?"
The boy eyed him with skepticism, sliding his knife back into the small sheath, attached to the old
belt around his pants. "I'm a thief, not a court-jester. If you want to be entertained go somewhere
else and leave me alone." With that the boy stood up, turning his back on the blond aristocrat and
made way to leave the room. Erwin quickly scrambled up from the ground.
"Wait--I didn't mean it that way! I meant we could have fun together." he quickly clarified, giving
the other reason for pause as he halted and glanced over his shoulder to Erwin. "I've never
actually been to other parts of town, let alone outside this city--"
The thief turned towards him with raised eyebrows. "Not even to Harrison Forest?" Erwin shook
his head. "Were you locked up in a dungeon or something? Everyone's been to Harrison Forest, at
least to see the lake." There was a popular old myth that, at the break of dawn or the setting of the
sun, you could hear the songs of nymphs dwelling in the often fog-covered lake, singing of love
and heartache, death and life, of all things human and all things not.
Erwin had never bought into it, but he had heard that when the fog was--on rare occasion--lifted
from the lake and the sun shone down, you could see right through the water with extraordinary
clarity as the light glinted off the surface in bright sparkles. It was no doubt a sight to behold, but
he'd never been allowed to go.
"Would you like to take me there, then, sometime?" Erwin offered, more than interested in going,
though the boy seemed less excited.
"You realize that's at least half an hour on foot?"
"Then I'll bring my horse, and we'll--"

"You own a horse?" Suspicion seeped into the thief's gaze, eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms
over his chest. Erwin was reluctant to admit his heritage this early on, thinking it would no doubt
change things if the other knew he was the prince. He didn't want to risk being taken advantage of
for his standing or his wealth.
"My family runs a stable." Erwin replied smoothly--it wasn't entirely a lie, as his family did own a
large stable as part of the castle, though they had servants taking care of it for them. When the
other remained silent, a scowl pulling at his features, Erwin knew he had to do something to win
him over. "My name is Erwin, if you were wondering." He was lucky his name was a common
one or he would've been forced to pick an alias.
The thief regarded him for a long moment, internal conflicted reflected in his eyes, before his stiff
posture relaxed just the slightest bit. "Levi," was all he said, not adding anything else. The prince
considered the name, and the elegance of it as it rolled off his tongue like a melody.
"Levi," His lips curved into a smile. "Pleasure to meet you, Levi." At this, the little bird--Levi-regarded him with a strange kind of curiosity; a mixture of incomprehension and mild bemusement
coloring his eyes.
"Why are you saying it like that?" he questioned as he walked closer and around Erwin towards
the glassless window, though he kept the young prince in his sight. Erwin wasn't sure what to do
with the question at first. Was the boy talking about the manner in which he'd said it, or was he
mispronouncing it somehow? He was fairly certain he'd said it the way he'd heard it. Was it the
emphasis on it that bothered the thief, then?
"I like it." He shrugged as he watched Levi climb through the window to the outside, following
him while he noticed it had somewhat darker. Due to it being summer, the sun would still be up
for a while longer, giving him more time to get to know this newfound friend. "I like your name. It
suits you; it's elegant." Erwin added as he too climbed through the window, walking after Levi
who scoffed at him, shoving his hands in the pockets of his pants.
"I'm not really elegant."
"I would beg to differ."
Levi stared with mild frustration showing from the crease of his brows as Erwin walked next to
him and they wandered through the street, no particular destination in sight. "You must have shit
in your eyes if you think I have the slightest bit of elegance." The younger boy kicked a rock,
watched it roll over the ground and lightly hit the leg of a beggar sitting against a wall. The
haggard man barely looked up as they passed him, Erwin looking at the poor soul with pity-"Don't make eye-contact." Levi hissed at him in warning. "They'll rob you blind."
Listening to the thief's advice, Erwin tried keeping his eyes aimed in front of him, returning to the
earlier topic. "You didn't see what you looked like when you ran and jumped over that wall
earlier." the blond youth remarked, a certain spark in his eye as he recalled the breathtaking scene
and drew Levi's gaze on him. "From where I stood, when I watched you, it was as if you were
flying--as if nothing could hold you back. It's selfish, but that's why I want to be your friend. It's
because I want to fly with you."
Levi was taken aback by the sheer honesty in Erwin's tone, regarding the prince with uncertainty,
seeming to doubt his words. "You... you really mean that?"
"I've no reason to lie." He didn't receive a reply--only a deep silence as Levi stared down at the
ground, seeming unable to find a proper response. Erwin stood still, prompting the thief to stand
still as well and shoot him a questioning gaze for it, no doubt wondering why the prince had

stopped walking--eyes widening in an even greater surprise when Erwin reached out his hand to
him with a smile. "Will you teach me how to fly, Levi?"
For a while, the thief simply stared--stared as if he was seeing Erwin properly for the first time,
eyes fixated on him as if he were the only other person in the entire world, or rather, the only
person that mattered at that moment. His eyes flitted down to the prince's extended hand back up
to his face with a befuddled expression bordering on sheer astonishment, leaving Erwin with a
sense of almost cruel delight at perplexing him to such an extent.
But the fluster melted into something warmer, the first positive feeling Erwin had gotten from the
thief in the short few minutes they'd met. Still children--easy to trust.
"What do I get in return?" Levi finally answered with a smirk, clearly not about to make this 'deal'
so easily. Erwin hummed thoughtfully, rubbing his chin in mild dramatics as he did.
"How about this," he proposed with a smile not quite a grin. "If you ever lose your wings, I'll
return them to you."
"You really like poetic things, huh?" Levi derided his prose with a mocking look. "Does that
mean you'll help me out when I need it?"
"Yes, that's what it means."
"Then you have a deal." They shook on it, Erwin noting how slender and small Levi's hand was
in his own, bony fingers pressing around his hand for a brief moment that left the prince feeling
strangely gleeful. The first friend he'd made outside the castle, all on his own--the thought made
him giddy with excitement as he imagined all the adventures they'd have. On the other hand, it
also made him feel unsettled with how malnourished the other was, making a mental note to buy
him some food. By this time Levi had already moved on, not a daydreamer like Erwin was, and
turned around to call him.
Erwin followed quickly, asking where Levi was taking him. At this the small thief scratched the
back of his head for a moment, a gesture that eyed awkward--almost embarrassed. "Well, I guess,
since we're friends, I might as well show you my favorite spot. I think thats what friends do." The
prince's eyes widened minutely before he beamed, a wide smile flourishing on his face.
"Great! Where is it? Is it close by?"
"Just follow." Levi didn't say anything else about the matter and Erwin did as the other told him,
very much interested in seeing where the boy's preferred hide-out place was. He had no such
places for his own in the castle, as he was constantly surrounded by other people. The thought of
having a little spot all for ones self seemed like a dream to him, and it only made him happier
knowing that Levi was willing to share it with him.
They wandered through several streets and night began to fall--Erwin did not at all pay mind to
the fact that his guard was no doubt having a panic attack at his absence, far more concerned with
his new friend as Levi led him through alleyways he'd never known were there before and
towards the lowest pars of town where the poor gathered and made their homes. The poverty
wasn't anything new to Erwin, though the terrible shape of the houses and streets was. At this rate,
with even the capital of their kingdom in such a shape, recovery was moving far too slowly.
They'd be consumed by disease before theyd have a chance to rebuild everything the previous
king--the tyrant--had destroyed.
Levi stopped in front of an old, abandoned church, one that looked entirely unstable with the roof
seeming to have collapsed entirely, mold and plants growing up and around the walls, as if no one

had visited for decades. Levi seemed to have a preference for abandoned buildings like these as he
led Erwin inside through the backdoor, the inside surprisingly less filthy than the prince had
expected. Did Levi clean up around the place?
"This way," Levi called before Erwin had the chance to get lost in observing his surroundings;
statues of saints crumbled and cracked, mosaics broken, colorful glass shards collected neatly on a
bench, sorted by color--no doubt Levi's doing. Erwin followed the thief up old stairs--reluctant as
he felt the steps may give at any moment while they ascended.
Upstairs, where the roof had collapsed into the attic, there was an opening to slip through the
debris, Levi crawling through effortlessly while Erwin had some trouble with his larger frame.
When he did manage to wriggle his way through the fallen wooden panels from the ceiling,
however, he found himself right below the gap in the roof, on a clean spot covered in blankets.
Levi lied down, Erwin joining him with some hesitance, which quickly vanished as he stared up
through the gap at the sky.
It was a perfect view, as if looking at the heavens through a window. Erwin took a deep breath,
relaxing into the silence while he gazed up, watching the cool blue hues being pulled into warm
oranges and yellows by the sun as it sank down below the horizon, steadily setting the world in its
nightly slumber as stars were left behind, shimmering silently--far out of reach. There was no one
else around them, and they were shielded off from the cruel outside world by the broken parts of
the ceiling; their own little bubble, them and the stars, and nothing--no one--else.
"It's not fair."
Erwin turned his head at the soft murmur from beside him, looking at Levi who in turn looked up
at the sky with the most woeful frown only a child could make, face painted into an innocent kind
of envy.
"What isn't?" the prince asked softly, hands folded on his stomach--though the ground wasn't all
that comfortable, even with the thin blankets, the stiffness of the floor was worth the moment.
Levi shifted his head as well, meeting Erwin's gaze. "Why do they get to be beautiful up there
when everything is so ugly down here?"
Erwin didn't have an answer, instead looking back up at the stars. "My mother told me, when
grandmother passed away, that stars are little holes in the sky to heaven--and that grandmother
would be watching over us from there."
"Do you believe that?"
"No," Erwin answered with a smile. "I always thought, how boring it must be to be a star. Stuck
in one place and looking down on the world, seeing us as nothing but little grains of sand. There's
nothing beautiful about that." He felt Levi's gaze lingering on him for a moment longer, before the
thief looked back up as well.
"Erwin?"
"Hmm?"
"If I teach you how to fly, and we fly together, you have to promise me something."
Briefly startled by the other's request, Erwin glanced at him again--and found that those grey eyes
that had been so cold before suddenly burned with a certain sadness, and a desperation too deep
for him to fathom--a soul too scarred for him to ever truly understand, being born so privileged as
he was. "Sure, what is it?"

In the instant their eyes met for a second time, there were sparks. "Promise me we'll reach the
stars."
Sparks, shooting right through his chest. "We will." This was the only answer he could ever give.
Even if he broke it, even if it was a lie, even if he knew this boy that had grown up in the slums
didn't stand a chance to rise up from the filth he'd been born in, Erwin could not refuse. For the
life of him, he could not refuse--because they were the same; though for different reasons, they
still wanted to fly, they wanted to escape.
"We'll reach the stars."

Of Kings and Criminals

Chapter Summary

'Did I just fall in love with a criminal?'

Chapter Notes

Woah I did NOT expect the response I got, I'm just utterly and completely shocked
by your kindness, holy fuck you guys. I'm just... I'm really glad you liked it so much!
Enjoy the cute while it lasts because I plan to wreck it soon enough.
Dedicating this chapter to a certain someone (you know who you are, I told you I had
a surprise for you). It isn't much, but I hope you like it.

"Your recklessness could have put you in grave danger, do you understand?"
It was a sentence uttered not so much out of the condescension it implied, but out of a genuine
concern so rarely seen from the otherwise cold monarch. Erwin knew this very well, but he could
not suppress the pang of agitation that wormed its way through his composure as his eyes
regarded his father with mild indifference. It was a meaningless lecture, a pointless reprimanding,
a trifling scolding; they both knew very well that history would repeat itself. The young prince
was too stubborn for it not to.
In the dim candlelight of the King's study, the shadow cast over the weary man's face made him
eye far older than time would actually tell you. The blue in his eyes--the identical color he shared
with his son--had lost its sharp edge a long time ago, dulled to a misty hue. Grey bangs that had
once been dark brown framed a wizened face, the expression tugging on its features one of pure
exhaustion. The King sighed over the recalcitrant youth who refused to heed his warnings--the
boy had taken far too much after his mother, in the end.
"I am perfectly aware of the consequences my actions could've had, as I have been the countless
of other occassions," Erwin replied in an even, almost monotonous tone. It was something he'd
had to explain to his father many times before to the point where it had become a mere spiel which
he played off out of habit. "But I've never gotten injured or been in any danger. I understand your
concerns, father, but I think I've proven myself completely capable of managing outside the
castle."
He would never be so naive to think that there weren't people out there willing to risk execution
by kidnapping him and taking him hostage. The outside world wasn't a kind or pretty place--his
history lessons had taught him that much, and it had prompted him to became far more self-aware
than his peers. Carefree children they were, bathing in their family's wealth, gullible and naive, as
well as completely clueless to their country's state. Erwin, on the other hand, was far more savvy.
He knew to hide his clothes under a thick cloak when he went downtown, he knew to act with the
utmost caution at all times and blend into the crowd even with a bodyguard by his side.

But that afternoon, as he loooked back on it, had been rather a preposterous one. A knight
completely clad in armor shadowing him would do the opposite of keeping him safe; it would
only direct more attention towards him, and point him out as a person worth something. He would
be far more secure on his own, under the guise of being another street rat among the heaps of
garbage piling in the streets, than with a seasoned soldier who looked as if he were ready for a
battle to the death. The few more observant locals were already under the impression he was some
nobleman's son because of it. That along might prove incentive enough for criminals to keep their
eye on him and possibly even strike, but god forbid anyone finding out Erwin was the prince.
His father's fingers trailed over the white quill he held in his other hand with a slight frown, as if
considering its softness before putting it away on the corner of his desk. The desk itself--wide,
ebony wooden table it was--was filled with thick parchment. Envelopes, papers, a few select
books and a large map of the kingdom on the bottom of it all; Erwin couldn't remember a time
he'd seen the desk empty or even remotely orderly for that matter.
"Nevertheless, you have disregarded my warnings and in turn have shown me disrespect--I cannot
let that go unpunished, even if it was unintentional." the King decided with a resolute tone,
effectively putting a period behind the argument. Erwin knew then that his fate had been sealed,
lowering his head as he stared at the legs of the desk while he waited to hear what his father had
decided. It wasn't a pleasant prospect but he knew he'd deserved it with his blatant disobedience
for the rules his parents had set up for him. It wasn't anything new, however, as the obstinate
youth had always shown to have a firm will of his own. Aside from his incompliance, he also
possessed a manipulative streak that bordered on dangerous and would no doubt cross over that
same border in the future, were the boy left unchecked.
The King knew there were precious few things his son ever showed any interest in and that going
outside of castle grounds was one of those things. In light of it, he and his wife had decided to
grant the prince some freedom, but perhaps a taste of it had only made Erwin greedier for more.
The prince himself was entirely unsurprised by the extent of his punishment, though his father's
willingness to give his words some thought had startled him somewhat. Perhaps it shouldn't be
that great of a shock--Erwin had turned into a resourceful young man who only became wiser and
more resilient over the years and no doubt his father had noticed this as well. Yet, he found the
change in the King's mindset to be rather sudden considering their past quarrels, and it left him
wondering what could've caused it as he gazed upon the elder man in slight suspicion.
"Thank you, father. I fully accept my punishment and you have my sincerest apologies for my
insolence." Erwin eventually replied with a small bow of his head, obscuring the somewhat
puzzled and curious glint in his eyes. "I promise you it will not happen again."
The King seemed satisfied enough with this, allowing him to take his leave. Closing the study's
doors behind him, Erwin leaned back against the hard wood for a second, exhaling quietly as he
stared through the corridor. Sunlight fell through the windows, illuminating the dust that floated in
the air which gave the hallway a strangely tranquil atmosphere--soon interrupted by the prince's
sharp footsteps as he walked through it without destination.
He dreaded the coming week as he knew it would be a boring one, and boredom was one thing he
could not stand. Turning around the corner and heading downstairs to the royal gardens, passing
servants in the corridors, he wondered how he could best waste away his time. Naturally there
would be more books for him to read and more skills with the sword for him to learn, but he didn't
see the fun in any of that. True enjoyment came from the real thing. Reading about the most
magnificent landscapes and thrilling adventures was fine, but experiencing it was so much more
exhilarating.
Erwin's thought drifted off to Levi as he stepped foot outside into the night, a fresh breeze blowing

through his hair as he shivered slightly from the cold, though he wasn't particularly bothered by it.
Would the small thief be sleeping in one of his old hide-outs? The prince imagined him curled up
on his side, covered only by a thin blanket while sleeping under the stars. That's where Erwin had
left him, anyhow; under the gap in the roof inside of that old church.
The aristocrat boy wandered off the path that meandered through the large gardens rich with all
sorts of flowers, maintained impeccably by the castle's servants. His mother did love taking
walking through here whenever she needed a moment of calm, and often took him with her as
well. Those were the only moments of comfort he had in an existence so lonely otherwise, and as
he gazed up at the stars, the thought that he was looking at the same sky Levi was felt oddly
soothing.
"I figured you'd be out here." a voice called to him from behind, footsteps on the grain-covered
path approaching slowly in a rhythm familiar to the prince's ears. Turning his head and
interrupting his walk he saw his closest friend, waving at him as he approached, and he blinked
for a moment in bemusement.
"Mike!" he greeted, his surprised look quickly turning into a smile as the son of the Duke of
Arbos joined him, standing by his side. Arbos was the largest region in the entire kingdom of
Marlais; the Duke and the King were very close friends, having survived countless of battles
together. Usually their sons would've exchanged pleasantries according to social etiquette, but
Erwin didn't think it necessary with someone he knew so well.
"I didn't think you'd arrive for another two days."
They'd practically grown up together, the demure boy being the only one of his peers Erwin could
actually stand. Unlike other children of nobility, Mike didn't act spoiled or threw temper tantrums,
nor seemed to have any sense of entitlement. He was calm and behaved with a natural poise, this
often coming off towards others as either timidity or apathy, though in truth he was merely
cautious of his words.
Mike granted him a faint smile in return, towering over Erwin for a good few inches as he'd
always been taller than him despite them being the same age, even as small children. They started
walking together, through the grass instead of following a path--the green of it eyed almost like a
pitch-black blanket spread out over the area in the absence of daylight.
"My father said His Majesty had urgent business to discuss with him, concerning some rebels near
the northern border." Mike elucidated, though this left Erwin with even more questions. At the
prince's confounded look, the other boy raised his eyebrows. "You weren't informed?"
"No, I wasn't." Erwin furrowed his brows slightly, shifting his gaze back onto the grass in front of
them as they walked the length of the garden. Why had his father not told him of this? Usually he
was always let in on what his meetings were about, even attending them at times to prepare him
for his future as the next King of Marlais.
"Well, I don't know the exact details of it either," his friend added, probably in an attempt to put
him at ease him. "Just, you know, another fight with the rebels." These rebels were the handful of
people who'd been left of the previous ruler's tyrannical era, stubbornly continuing to fight the
new King. Their numbers had dwindled significantly but they were quite the hardheaded bunch.
Now Erwin thought about it, he'd never been allowed much information on that previous
monarch's time. His tutors assured him it would all be explained when he was ready to move onto
more advanced history lessons, but he got the sense there was more behind it.
"How much do you know of the rebels? And the previous King?" Erwin inquired in a casual

tone, the darkness hiding the gleam in his eyes. Mike shrugged as a placid response.
"Not much more than you do. Apparently he oppressed the people, and the taxes back then were
outrageously high. He didn't seem to care for anything but his own wealth and family. Then your
father, who was a minor nobleman at the time, eventually organized a rebellion and staged a coup.
That's all I know."
Erwin remained silent for a moment, prompting Mike to giving him a questioning gaze which he
answered shortly after. "That King was hanged, wasn't he? Along with the rest of his family?"
"Yes, he was, as well as--er..." Mike blinked, brushing a hand through his hair for a moment as he
frowned. "I don't know, actually. My father never said what happened to that King. Only that he
lost the throne." Looking over at Erwin his frown deepened at seeing the other's pondering
expression. "You don't think he's still alive?"
The prince shook his head. "I don't have the faintest clue, Mike. Though if he is alive, somehow,
that would explain why no one ever told us the details of his death. Perhaps he escaped, and it's
too embarrassing for them to admit it."
"Ah, then, he could be the one who's controlling the rebels, right?"
"Exactly what I was thinking. Maybe that's why father didn't inform me of the meeting tonight
and you coming over early."
These were, of course, mere speculations, but they took up the rest of their walk as they talked
about the previous ruler and his faint influence in the present. The chat distracted Erwin from the
fact he was shackled to the castle for the next week, which he informed Mike of as they walked
back inside as well. After explaining the whole ordeal with Levi to him, Mike seemed mostly
amused at his typically unruly behavior, which always brewed under the surface of his smoothly
composed mask.
At least with his best friend now present, Erwin figured he'd have some company during his
punishment and things might not be that bad after all.
As it turned out, though, Mike's stay was only for about four days. In those days they'd managed
well enough around the castle with friendly spars here and there, and trivial games they'd played
to pass time. Then, however, it was time for his friend to leave again after the rebels near the
border had been dealt with, and Erwin was left the remaining three days alone. He trudged around
the castle grounds, his boredom coming to the point where he started messing with the guards in
the castle just to get some form of entertainment. Most of the servants and guards in the castle
didn't much like him because of his shrewd nature, often trying their best to steer clear of him lest
they be taken advantage of.
After Mike had left and could no longer provide him with sufficient distraction, he started thinking
about Levi again. He couldn't help but try and speculate what the boy was doing while Erwin was
chained to the castle. Stealing things to survive, no doubt. With a tinge of concern, he considered
the possibility of Levi getting caught, but quickly discarded it. The thief was too agile and swift to
be captured so easily.
The day his punishment was finished, his father called him to his study again, and told him that
from now on he was free to visit the town by himself, on the condition that he return before
nightfall. Erwin, of course, accepted this condition in a heartbeat, and that left in a hurry that same
afternoon, for the excitement he felt at meeting his new delinquent friend again could barely be
contained. He raced down to the town on his own horse, though he left it at a stable right outside
of town since a fourteen year old with his own, speckless white steed would stand out.

Erwin didn't know if he would find Levi to begin with, but at least he knew where to start.
Visiting the old abandoned building wherein he'd first met the boy, he wasn't surprised to see it
empty. Moving on from there to the church, he did feel a tad bit disappointed at not finding him
there since he had no other leads. So he started asking the merchants, particularly the shopowners
that sold food--had they seen the thief? Had they perhaps even been stolen from?
With that method it didn't take him long to find that Levi had stolen some meat from the local
butcher, and the man had chased him several blocks with his knife before he'd grown tired and
had given up. Taking the butcher's directions, Erwin quickly headed out through the streets,
growing edgy as the sun started moving down, closer to the horizon. He had precious little time
and he needed to find Levi before nightfall, otherwise the entire day would've gone to waste.
The further he walked the slower his pace became as the streets became grittier and dirtier, people
eyeing less friendly as they glared at him when he passed them by. A cold chill travelled down his
spine and something told him he shouldn't be in such a part of town where the buildings looked
like they were about to collapse and where the stench of piss and alcohol was so foul he had to
pinch his nose--breathing through his mouth nearly made him keel over.
Coming to a slow stop on the corner of the street and looking around, he realized the whole thing
was going nowhere. Levi could be hiding in any of these buildings, and his search had become a
wild goose chase at this point. As much as the prince despised giving up, there wasn't any other
option.
"Lookin' fer someone, boy?" The rough baritones of a man's voice from close behind him made
him freeze up. Erwin turned around to face the man with instinctive fear tensing up his muscles,
telling him to get out of there immediately. The man in front of him, clothed in thick rags and
reeking of something that smelled like a dead animal, leered down at him with a wide grin, putting
his crooked teeth on display.
"I'll be fine on my own, thank you." Erwin replied as calmly as he could, coldness seeping into his
tone though it was only to try and chase the man away--his insides buzzed with anxiety as he
quickly glanced around, wondering whether the stranger would chase him if he broke out into a
sprint.
"Can't 'ave a young lad like you wanderin' on his own, yeah? Why dontcha come with me?"
Erwin glanced to the street on his left without thinking--it gave him away before he had even
started running. When he did eventually move to make his escape the stranger knew exactly
which direction he'd be bolting towards, his hand quickly shooting forward and clutching Erwin's
wrist in an iron tight grip, jerking the boy towards him.
The prince grimaced in revulsion as an arm was wrapped around him and a filthy hand pressed on
his mouth to keep him from crying out for help, back pressing against the stranger's chest. This
was the absolute worst case scenario turning into reality; he should've turned back and never gone
looking for Levi in the first place.
Erwin only then noticed three others he hadn't spotted before standing next to a nearby alleyway,
watching intently. No doubt these were the kidnapper's accomplices.
"Stay still now, yer gonna fetch a great price on the market--" the man holding him murmured in
his ear. He didn't know what kind of market the man was talking about specifically, but all the
options that came to mind nauseated him all the same as he struggled even more violently to break
free. Managing to shift his head, he bit down on the man's hand, making him briefly yelp in
surprise before he kicked back as hard as he could, hitting the kidnapper's shins.

The grip around him loosened enough for him to worm his way out and slip away, hearing the
footsteps of the stranger's comrades close behind him. First he'd been chasing for Levi, now he
was the one being chased--Erwin would've laughed had it not been such a serious situation. He
didn't know the streets around here either. Continuing to run would get him nowhere-Just as the thought that a hand darted out of the shadows of an alleyway and grasped his own,
pulling him away off the street. Erwin's breath hitched as he thought one of the men had caught
him, but it took only a single glance and his mind was completely set at ease.
Levi did not look at him, did not even speak a word as he guided the prince through the narrow
alley, away from the men chasing him. They didn't stop running for several minutes, until they
were back in streets that were more crowded and familiar to Erwin, where they took a moment to
catch their breath. Erwin's otherwise neatly combed hair had been completely ruffled now, and he
furiously wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his cloak, feeling dirty himself after having bitten into
the hand of that disgusting man. He leaned with a hand against the wall, eyes aimed on the dirt
road with a scowl as he panted.
"What the hell were you doing down there?" Levi snapped at him suddenly, prompting the prince
to look up in befuddlement. "Didn't you think anyone would notice your pretty blond head down
there, you idiot?" Erwin could only laugh in response, mostly to relieve the tension that had built
up in his body at the experience. He'd never been in such direct danger before, and while
frightening, it was also rather exciting.
"I was looking for you." Erwin answered cheerfully, the thief gazing at him as if he were a lunatic
at the response he got. A warmth around his hand distracted the prince for a moment, however,
and he looked down, noticing the other had never let go of his hand. The realization shot a jolt
through his arm from the point where their skin met, and he suddenly felt the blood rushing to his
head, nearly making him dizzy. "Ah... you're still holding my hand." he pointed out quietly,
looking away from their hands and not meeting Levi's eyes either.
The fair-skinned fingers around his own shot back as if they'd been stung, and the silence that
followed was awkward to say the least.
"So... why were you looking for me, anyway?" Levi huffed, leaning back against the wall with
his arms crossed, eyebrows in a scowl. Erwin straightened his back, faintly missing the warmth of
Levi's hand as he stared down at his palm.
"Why wouldn't I?" He worked up the courage to look at the other again, though his sudden
shyness irritated him. Why was he suddenly behaving like a lovestruck dolt? They'd merely been
holding hands, nothing more, so it shouldn't be an issue. "We're friends, aren't we? Friends go
looking for each other. I wanted to spend time with you." Even his words sounded strange to his
ears now, but he pushed those thoughts aside.
'Stop being so ridiculous,' he scolded himself sternly, watching Levi's eyes stare back at him,
widened slightly in a seeming bemusement. The thief seemed about equally unsure what to do
with their situation, scratching the back of his head as he looked away.
"Okay, well, you've found me. What now?"
Erwin couldn't help but grin then, as he reached under his cloak. The soft rattling of coins instantly
pulled Levi's attention as the prince took out a small, brown pouch. "Let me buy you something."
Food was obviously the first thing on the thief's mind, though Erwin took him to get him some
new clothes as well. Levi did not protest any of this at all, which the prince found a little
remarkable. He would've imagined the thief to be the prideful type, what with his cold and distant

demeanor. At Erwin asking him why he accepted his money so easily, the black-haired youth only
mocked him for it.
"Aren't you confusing pride with stupidity?" He took a large bite out of the fresh, red apple the
prince had bought for him--though he was hungry, he was wise enough not to wolf everything
down immediately. Erwin observed him with interest, otherwise remaining silent. "I'm not so daft
that I would reject food or clothes. I can't afford to reject it."
"Is your situation so serious, then? How did you end up like this in the first place?" the prince
asked as they turned a corner and walked towards the outer edges of the city, near the stables
where Erwin had left his horse. Levi glared down at the apple in his hand for a moment before
breathing a sigh and turning his head to look at Erwin.
"My entire family was murdered when I was younger. I lived with another family for a while until
they kicked me out two years ago and I ended up on the streets."
Erwin was momentarily stunned at hearing something so grueling. To have all your loved ones
like that wiped out in an instant, ultimately ending up on the streets with no one else to care about
you--it was a fate far too cruel for a child, or for anyone, really.
"What's with that look? Don't you dare start pitying me." Levi snarled at him in a burst of cold
anger, before he tore his gaze away and stared down at the road, jaw clenched slightly. Erwin
didn't look away himself though he did not say anything either as there was nothing he could say
that wouldn't tick the other off. "I'm going to survive, I'm going to train, and I'm going to kill the
people that murdered my family. I don't need your worthless pity for that."
"Is it really so infuriating to know that someone feels bad for you?" Erwin questioned, not
understanding why it had angered the thief. "Maybe I could even help, if you told me more about-" He was cut off brusquely. A half-eaten apple fell down on the ground and the prince's back met
a wall. Even though he was taller than the boy, Levi knew how to handle himself, fingers gripping
the front of Erwin's cloak and keeping him pushed against the wall with a furious look in his
silver-gleaming eyes.
"You're looking down on me; you've been looking down on me the whole time! You keep
rambling about us being friends, but to you I'm just a charity case--does it make you sleep better at
night in your cozy little castle? Knowing you helped out a poor orphan like me? Do you think
something like that is enough to wipe away all your sins?!" Levi's hands started trembling, eyes
wide in rage before his gaze briefly dulled to something far more agonizing--he backed away
suddenly. Erwin hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until then, remaining unblinking as
he exhaled, all the while gaze transfixed on the other. What was with that look? That brief flicker
of pure ache?
Levi turned his head away from him, fingers clenched in fists. What he'd said just then would've
certainly been true, had it been anyone else but Erwin. As it was, the young prince did not get
offended or angry at Levi's actions. Instead he, very calmly, started to speak, drawing the thief's
stare back on him again.
"You're giving me too much credit. I'm far more selfish than that." He offered a small, wry smile
as he straightened out his cloak, dusting it off with his hands. "I already told you, the only reason I
ever wanted to meet you was so we could have fun, so I could see and do new things. While you
may not be a court-jester as you said last time, I still befriended you because it would be
entertaining, or it might lead me to an adventure. You being poor, orphaned and your family
having been murdered is of no concern to me." He had felt a fleeting sense of pity for the boy, of
course, but he wasn't going to pretend he could actually ever understand him on that level. So he
wasn't going to pretend, he was not even going to try and put up the charades he did with other

nobility, because with Levi, he had that freedom. With Levi, he could be as blunt as he wanted to
be, and there were no restrictions, and it delighted him to know that.
The boy in question was staring at him as if he were presented with an enigma, and perhaps he
was. Even while still a child, Erwin was hard to figure out as his thought process could very rarely
be fathomed by someone burrowed in traditions and societal pressure. Luckily, Levi was none of
those things.
"Alright," The hesitation and doubt was clear in his tone and his eyes, but he gave in nonetheless,
making the prince smile. "I'll believe you. I guess if this is only about having fun, I won't mind."
"Good, I'm glad you understand." Erwin glanced up at the sky, noting time for him here was
running out. It wouldn't be soon until he had to return to the castle. Looking back down at Levi,
the suspicious look on the smaller boy's face only increased at seeing the mischievous glint in
Erwin's eyes, the prince came up with something to do. "Say, remember how I mentioned I had a
horse?"
Several minutes later and they were near the stables--he'd successfully coaxed Levi into going on
a short ride with him. Apparently the boy had never been on a horse before, which made it all the
more fun for Erwin. Levi seemed a bit unsure on mounting the horse as Erwin brought it out the
stables, the size probably not all that pleasant for someone that small. The prince mounted first,
stretching out his hand to the other boy, who frowned up at him.
"Come on, don't you want to know what it's like?" the blond asked at the reluctant look Levi shot
at the steed, who was completely calm and fully under Erwin's control. "I promise I won't drop
you, as long as you hang on tight."
"You'd better not," Levi grumbled, taking his hand and somewhat awkwardly getting on the
horse. Erwin felt the boy stiffen behind him one he was seated. They were a bit pressed together
on the saddle, little tingles forming where the other's chest met Erwin's back--he nearly flinched
when he felt two small hands on his sides, holding on rather loosely.
Sucking in a deep breath and trying to calm his heart which had inexplicably started racing, Erwin
pulled on the reins, making his horse start walking. He felt Levi cling to him more tightly at the
sudden movement, fingers digging into his waist almost painfully.
"Take it easy, you'll get used to it eventually." Erwin mused, trying to keep cool as he guided his
horse towards the meadows surrounding the town, over the grass and avoiding the road. Levi
didn't reply, still feeling as stiff as a rock behind him. "Levi?"
"Shut up, I'm trying not to fall off."
The vibration of the other's voice against his back made him tense as well, though mostly because
of the sudden fluttery feeling in the pit of his stomach and the fact that the temperature seemed to
have risen drastically. The sudden sensations swarming his body threw Erwin off to the point
where he couldn't even poke fun at Levi's nervosity. Instead he cleared his throat for a moment
before speaking. "If it really bothers you, we could switch places?"
"What? I don't know to--"
"You don't have to ride, you'll just sit up front."
"Oh," Levi remained silent for a moment longer, considering it for several seconds before
deciding it was probably a better idea. Indeed, when they'd switched and Levi was in the confines
of Erwin's arms stretching out from behind him to pull on the reins, he seemed a lot more

comfortable. Erwin glanced down at the mop of soft black hair, entertaining the thought of leaning
his chin down on top though Levi would no doubt shove him off the horse if he did that.
The sky by this time had faded into sunset colors as they talked about trivial things like the state of
the town in general or the gossip Levi had picked up from the locals--it was the most relaxing ride
Erwin had ever had, and he hardly wanted it to end even as the night drew closer. As the prince
went on to tell Levi about the rebels near the north, he suddenly felt the boy lean back against his
chest and he stopped talking mid-sentence--his heart had skipped a beat at the movement and it left
him flustered and confused.
"Levi?" he asked softly, at a loss on what to do in this situation. This was something that
happened with a girl, wasn't it? He'd heard of sappy, romantic moments like these from other boys
around his age or slightly older, but he'd never heard of it happening with another boy. It struck
him as a little strange, but he didn't spare it much thought--if that was how his body responded,
then it was what it was. A natural reaction and something he couldn't help.
"Hmm?" The thief sounded a bit sleepy as he leaned further back against Erwin. His warmth
wasn't unpleasant, just odd. The blond didn't have any experience in things like these, so he was
unsure on what to do.
"Should we head back? You seem tired."
"Yeah," Levi mumbled, for the first time seeming like a typical child as he let out a yawn, the soft
sound leaving Erwin in a daze.
'Cute....'
"Hey, aren't we turning back?" Levi questioned after several more seconds of heading in the same
direction, snapping Erwin out of it as the prince blinked for a moment.
"Right," He steered his horse back the way they came, though Levi did not shift, seeming
perfectly fine with leaning against Erwin. The other tried to keep his mouth shut about it, but as
they neared the town it was impossible to keep quiet. "Comfortable?" he teased with a light smile,
making the thief quickly pull back and glower at him, at the same time seeming rather startled.
"I was..." Erwin kept smiling and Levi's ears turned red, the boy quickly looking away again. "I...
I didn't get enough sleep last night."
"It's okay, I don't mind."
Despite that, Levi did not lean back again for the rest of the ride, leaving Erwin bitter at himself
for ever opening his mouth about it. Either way, the other boy's company was enough to satisfy
him for the precious few minutes they had left together before they reached the town again. Erwin
helped Levi off the horse, not at all looking forward to returning to the castle; this time he and the
thief decided on a place and time to meet tomorrow, so Erwin wouldn't end up having to look for
him again. Before Levi could leave though-"By the way," the prince said nonchalantly as he mounted his horse again after helping Levi get
off. "I'd like to know more about your family, if you wouldn't mind, that is. Just out of curiosity."
The shorter one eyed him with narrowed eyes, seeming a bit unsure.
"Only if you tell me about yours." This didn't really surprise Erwin, as he'd expected there would
have to be some sort of exchange. "I know you're some rich kid, but I don't know anything
beyond that, either." But was it really okay to tell Levi about who he was? Was the thief the type
that would take advantage of it? For some reason, Erwin got the impression he wasn't. He'd saved

the aristocrat when he didn't have to, and he seemed like the honest type.
"Alright. I'll tell you once I'm ready." He'd still have to sleep over it and think about it a day or
two, but for now, he didn't mind considering it. He was rather interested in learning more about
Levi as well, after all.
"We have a deal then. See you around, blondie." Erwin offered an amused smile while Levi
offered a small wave of the hand, before turning around and walking off into town with his new
clothes and his stomach full. The prince sighed, instantly missing the other's presence as the thief
disappeared into town, but he had no choice. He had to return to the castle before nightfall.
The entire ride towards it, though, he couldn't help but think about the day's events. It was quite
obvious to him he was experiencing certain feelings that were normal for a boy his age, but to
have it happen with Levi, another boy who lived on the streets as an orphan and a thief, was
baffling to say the least. He'd always figured he'd fall in love with a princess if anything else, as
was destined for him, but this?
'Did I just fall in love with a criminal?'

A Prince
Chapter Summary

He should've never pursued him. He should've never befriended him. He should've

never let it get this far.
"Are you going to kill me, Levi?"
Levi's hand had stopped shaking.

Chapter Notes

Ah, I'm still absolutely astonished whenever I receive a comment on this. I honestly
didn't expect this to get this much attention this soon! I hope you won't hate me after
this next chapter as I decide to tear things apart. Enjoy!

His visits to town had become an essential part of his life before he'd even realized it. The frequent
trips became so regular that they threatened to devour him entirely--he didn't mind. Even if he'd
begun to neglect his studies and his daily combat training, Erwin's attention had been consumed
by a single person who refused to leave his thoughts. His entire world, which had used to
encompass a whole kingdom, had shifted to focus on one boy that haunted him every other night
in his dreams. Comparing him to people around him had turned the prince's life awfully dull; no
soldier's movements eyed as graceful as the thief's, no woman's hair seemed as soft as the orphan's
raven locks and no one's thoughts and opinions were as interesting as Levi's--he had no equal.
Erwin realized very well that this was merely his own affection distorting his mind, skewing his
view of the other and making him seem far more flawless than he actually was. If this was what
love did, then he wasn't so certain he enjoyed its influence. While it was true that he felt
immeasurable joy and his usually lethargic mood was lifted to mirth when he was in the presence
of his new friend, when they were apart, his feelings shifted and became a nuisance. His appetite
had become minimal, the grandness of the castle invoked a greater loneliness than before, and
nights were spent tossing and turning restlessly in a bed already too big for one person.
At times he could not even bring up the energy or the willpower to put up the facade of a
charming young prince who was perfectly content with life--thus his gloomy mood quickly drew
the attention and worry of everyone else around him. He talked around their questions for his
seemingly sudden depression, avoiding the subject entirely as thinking about it only made him feel
worse. While he saw Levi almost every other day, he knew it wasn't enough and he knew they
wouldn't be able to keep it up forever. Erwin was a prince, Levi a criminal, they were both male
and he did not even know whether his feelings were returned. Evidently, they had no future.
The knowledge of their inevitable separation weighed down on him whenever he returned to the
castle, but during his time in town, all those concerns were quickly forgotten. Erwin still had not
revealed his identity to Levi, but despite that he felt like they were growing closer every day, at
least on a platonic level. Levi would walk through town with him, knowing the streets like the

back of his hand, and in turn Erwin would buy him whatever he wished. They were chased by
merchants who recognized the thief on numerous occasions--the blond aristocrat only saw it as a
fun past-time, and soon, even Levi seemed to become amused with it.
In general, they did not discuss their past or their family. They stuck to more relevant topics such
as recent happenings in town; whenever Levi brought up the nobility or the royal family Erwin
would subtly divert his attention to something else. He'd quickly discovered that the orphan held a
deep-rooted grudge towards his relatives and a revulsion that went far beyond a mere
dissatisfaction of the state of the country, almost as if it were personal. Erwin wondered about this
often, and supposed it had something to do with Levi's background, though he couldn't ask. He
knew that if he wanted to find out what it was that made those eyes gleam with pure malice, what
it was that had created this enmity inside of Levi towards the crown, that he'd have to reveal
himself. Yet, he'd only become more reluctant to tell his friend the truth after hearing how lowly
he thought of the aristocracy.
It was strange for him, considering the fact that Erwin was not someone who often cared what
people thought of him--he only tried to gain the sympathy of others because it would be useful to
have allies in the future. He had nothing to gain from befriending Levi aside from some
entertainment to distract him with, yet the thought of the boy ever loathing him as much as he
loathed the rest of the nobility made the prince cringe and his stomach twist in unpleasant knots.
No, he certainly didn't want to be hated by Levi. The prospect of it actually frightened him, and he
could not recall the last time he'd feared something to such an extent.
As days turned into weeks, Erwin tried to suppress all his worries for the two of them, though they
only grew stronger as the boys grew closer with the passing of time. On a particular Saturday
morning, they finally came to the brink of being torn apart when Erwin was summoned to see his
parents--both of whom were outside in the gardens, drinking tea with their guests.
The prince had met these foreign nobles before; the King and Queen of Ordova, together with
their daughter who was only two years younger than he was. They came from a cold country up
north in the continent, one that had been prospering while Marlais had gone through a devastating
civil war. As Erwin's thoughts had been mostly occupied by Levi--lovestruck child that he still
was--he had not paid much attention to these people nor the reason for them being here. Not until
he was forced to spend more time with them, or specifically, the princess.
She was a stiff young girl named Rico who did not seem to enjoy much of anything. When she
talked it was usually with a heavy undertone of wry sarcasm, and her remarks, more often than
not, were trivial and easily forgotten. She did not possess neither the mien nor the poise of a
proper princess, and Erwin quickly found her to be rather boring after his mother had practically
pushed him into showing the girl around in the royal gardens.
He plucked a flower for her and the countenance she wore at seeing the thing was less than
pleased. "I'm allergic," she only said, grimacing and looking away as Erwin tucked the flower
under his belt.
"My apologies, I wasn't aware." he replied, though his tone was much more pleasant as he tried to
win her favor--though that proved quite the task. Erwin figured having a good relationship with
foreign royalty could only work in his benefit in the long run, but princess Rico seemed entirely
disinterested in his efforts.
"Why don't you drop the act? We both know you'd much rather be up there in your room than
wasting your time with me." she said after a while, seeming to have become frustrated with his
civilities. Her bluntness did bring a smile to his face, though he did not respond to her remark and
guided her back towards the table where their parents were seeming to have a serious conversation
instead. The chatter quickly halted as the two drew closer, Rico's arm linked around Erwin's.

"You seem to enjoy each other's company," Rico's father noted with a wide smile--the man was
either lying through his teeth or had no powers of observation whatsoever.
"We get along well," Erwin replied for the sake of humoring the monarch, gaining an approving
little smile from his mother. "Your daughter is quite charming."
"Ah, such a gentleman!" the Ordovian Queen exclaimed with a pleased sigh. Though their
daughter did not seem very fond of him, at least Erwin had won over her parents. "Well, I am glad
that this went so smoothly. This makes our decision much easier."
Alarmed, though he did not show it, Erwin gave a questioning gaze to his parents, who both
seemed as satisfied as Rico's. The princess herself seemed just as confused though did a much
poorer job in hiding it--and both of them shared another similar reaction when their parents then
informed them they'd decided to arrange a marriage for them. A reaction of shock and mild
disgust.
Rico tried to keep herself calm, but couldn't help but raise questions at the sudden arrangement
which had been made without either of their consent. While the practice was quite common,
usually the individuals involved would at least be informed of it beforehand. Apparently no one
thought it necessary in this case. The princess was obviously frustrated, but her feelings could not
compare to the pure dread that sucked all color out of Erwin's face.
Suddenly his father's leniency to let the prince wander off on his own and granting him more
freedom made sense--he'd been planning to rip it all away from him again later. Getting married
would no doubt destroy the bond between him and Levi, as the prince no longer would be able to
escape to town and meet with his friend. The other side of it was that he felt absolutely nothing for
the princess while his chest could only ache as he thought about the thief who had so skillfully
snatched his heart away from him. It felt wrong on all fronts, but Erwin could not protest. He had
no reason to. This was what the King had decided and he had no choice but to accept his decision.
As per Marleisian tradition, the both of them were given identical necklaces. Erwin's had a golden
pendant in the form of the sun and Rico's had a silver crescent moon shaped thusly that it fit
perfectly around Erwin's. It was one of the few traditions left of the previous royal family, whose
long bloodline had upheld that custom for decades. Apparently, the wedding would take place in
Ordova, and he would be leaving for it within three days. Their engagement would be announced
publically that same afternoon, sealing their fate.
The necklace felt like it weighed a thousand ton as Erwin retreated inside after that, excusing
himself quietly and spending the rest of the day in an even worse mood than before. How could
he possibly face Levi now? He'd be whisked away to marry a girl who was practically a complete
stranger and would never be able to meet with him again.
Was it already time to say their goodbyes? Was it time to reveal himself before he left and their
bond was forever broken?
Whichever the case, the next day would be the last time they'd see each other, as the day after that
Erwin would be too busy with preparations for his departure to Ordova. The prince wanted to
scream his lungs out at the unfairness of the entire process, but there was nothing he could do to
change the situation. Resolving himself to his fate, he was kept awake the entire night as he waited
for the morning--immediately rushing off to town right after breakfast, not even giving his father
some sort of excuse as he left Rico by herself in the castle. At that moment, Levi was far more
important.
He was early at their usual meeting spot, which was in front of the old church Levi often slept in

during good weather. Erwin remembered the boy telling him about being woken up by sudden
night storms and being soaked--how the blond youth wished he could whisk Levi away to his
castle and live together with him there, no one to disturb their peace. Setting aside the fact that he
wasn't even sure if Levi returned his feelings, he knew that men together was a taboo that was not
spoken of nor tolerated in public. They'd been doomed from the start.
Sitting on the steps of the old church as he stared down at the ground and pondered their
impending parting, a soft rhythm of quick footsteps made him look up. Levi approached with a
small wave as he always did--in the weeks they'd spent together the orphan had started looking far
healthier than before, getting frequent meals now thanks to Erwin and sleeping more regularly. It
was another thing to add to the pile of worries he already had. What would happen to Levi once
he was gone? He'd go back to stealing every day again to get by, and as skilled as he was, he
couldn't keep that up forever. Eventually he'd be caught.
"You look like shit," was the first thing Levi said as he sat down next to Erwin, who smiled
faintly at the other's brusque observation. "Did your castle catch on fire?"
"If only it were that trivial." Erwin responded quietly, lips evening out in a thin line as he thought
about how he'd have to leave in two days. Should he tell Levi now? It might ruin the rest of the
time they had left, so he decided against it. "Let's go to Harrison Forest."
This startled the other, eyebrows shooting up his forehead as his eyes widened slightly. "What,
right now?" The prince nodded, determined in his destination as it was the last chance he'd ever
get to see the lake. Levi observed him for a moment longer with a deep frown. "What happened?
Why this all of a sudden?"
"I'll tell you later." Erwin stood up, wrapping his cloak more tightly around him. "For now I just
want to enjoy the time we have left."
"The time we--what do you mean the time we have left? Oi! Erwin!" The prince had already
started walking back towards the stables before Levi could properly question him, leaving the thief
agitated as he followed but did not ask about it anymore. He didn't talk either, but Erwin could
feel the grey gaze boring holes in his back. At least the younger boy seemed aware that continuing
his inquiries would only sour the mood, so he'd decided to stay quiet altogether.
As they passed through town, they picked up some gossip along the way. Most of it made Erwin
want to start running or put his hands over his ears--talks about his engagement, of course. He
dared not to glance at Levi for his reaction, but he was certain the other was listening in on it too.
By god he really didn't want to get married. He knew he couldn't do anything to stop it, but the
thought of it made his chest tighten and nearly made him nauseous.
They neared the stables again and by this time Levi increased his pace and started walking next to
him, giving him a sideways glare. "You're acting strange, Erwin." The thief waited as Erwin went
to get his horse, at first not responding to him. They'd had a few rides now, so Levi had slowly
gotten used to the sensation and, to avoid the topic at hand, the prince decided to ask about it.
"Do you think you could sit behind me, now?" the blond asked with a smile, which faltered as the
younger averted his gaze and dodged any further eye-contact. "Is that a no?"
Levi brushed his hand through his hair, eyes flitting about over the ground and to the stables,
looking anywhere but at Erwin. It was a rare display of embarrassment, one that the aristocrat
found awfully adorable. "I'd rather sit up front." came the mumbling response.
"Why is that?" the blond questioned with an intrigued smile, his curiosity piqued at Levi's unusual
behavior. His question seemed to only heighten the awkward situation the thief found himself in

as his gaze was fixated firmly on the ground for a moment.

"It feels safer."
His heart skipped a beat at the words, fingers clutching tightly at the reins on his horse--Levi
glanced up to his face once and looked away again, ears turning red as they always did whenever
the other felt shy while a small frown pulled on his features. In essence, had the orphan not just
admitted he felt safer in Erwin's arms?
The urge to pull the small boy into an embrace gnawed at Erwin as he gazed at Levi with eyes
open wide, cheeks tinged with a blush as he felt the blood rush to his head. This wasn't something
to be laughed at; for Levi, who lived in an almost constant state of danger where he might be
caught at any moment, admitting safety and comfort around Erwin was huge. It indicated a deep
sense of trust the prince hadn't realized he'd managed to built up. Usually Levi was too stoic for
him to notice, but this made him think, if the other already trusted him to this extent, could his
feelings perhaps be returned?
A bitterness spiked through his initial joy as he realized that they'd only reached this point by the
end of their relationship. That trust would be destroyed when Erwin left him--no, when Erwin told
Levi about his real identity. Still, the blond did not want to ruin the moment by thinking about
such gloomy prospects, and instead waited silently for Levi to mount the horse, after which he
pulled himself up as well, sitting behind him. They didn't say another thing as they headed
towards the forest.
Because of what Levi had just admitted to, the proximity between them seemed all the more toxic
to the prince as he had a hard time to focus on the road and not on the boy sitting right in front of
him. He kept glancing down at the thief no matter how much he tried to concentrate on the path
ahead, and eventually decided he couldn't keep it up like this anymore. He needed Levi closer.
Wrapping an arm around his waist, he pulled the boy against his chest.
"What are you--" Levi's words were cut off as he was pressed against Erwin, instantly stilling
against him. Erwin felt his heart racing and he wondered if Levi could feel it as well, beating
against his back through their skin, his warmth seeping into Levi and vice versa. The prince heard
his companion exhale quietly, almost shakily, his shoulders tense and his head bowed down.
"It's more comfortable this way, isn't it?" Erwin murmured quietly, keeping his arm around him. If
these were the last moments they were going to share then he wanted them to mean something, to
be so vivid and so impactful that he would never forget them. Even when decades had passed, he
didn't want to forget Levi, but it seemed inevitable. How long would it take for him to forget the
other's voice? When would the other's face start to fade from his memory? The thought was an
agonizing one and an expression of sadness passed over his features. He could only be relieved
that Levi wasn't in a position to see it.
"What's going on, Erwin?"
The quietly uttered question was met with a wry smile. "I can't tell you. Not yet." If only he could
without having to worry about ruining the image Levi had of him forever. The rest of the ride
passed in silence--halfway there they'd starting going in a steady gallop to get there faster. Levi
had relaxed against Erwin by then, no further questions asked, but when the horse had started
galloping his hands had grasped at something to hold onto, thus ending up grasping onto Erwin's
upper legs. The blond flinched at the sudden contact; though it wasn't all that unpleasant, he'd
been surprised by it and could feel his body temperature skyrocket because of it.
A sense of relief washed over him as the large forest with its tall, thick trees coming into view,

dark green leaves a seemingly impenetrable canopy that hung over the ground like a large cloud.
Erwin decided to leave his horse tied right outside of the forest while Levi would lead the way to
the lake, but he could feel something had shifted between them and he wasn't sure how
comfortable he was with it. This was their last day. He wanted things to be like they always had
been, but it was impossible now.
"Do you know where the lake is from here?" Erwin asked as he tied the reins of his horse around
a more slender tree--he still hadn't named his steed. Usually you'd name a horse the moment you
got it, but Erwin hadn't decided on a name yet. A nameless horse. Perhaps he'd name it once he
turned King. That seemed fitting.
"Yeah, just follow me." Levi replied, not meeting his eyes. Something had definitely changed in
the short few minutes of their travel towards the forest. They entered the woods in an initial
silence, which was fine as Erwin was too busy taking in the scenery anyway. The trees were
tightly packed together in the beginning, making it difficult to walk freely and blocking out a lot of
sunlight until they got further in. The rich cacophony of birds chirping and leaves rustling with the
wind filled his ears, sunlight barely streaming through and coloring the green around them in an
even brighter shade. It was a beautiful place, making him wish he could live here instead of up in
a stone castle where everything seemed too big and everything left shadows.
Levi had moved ahead quite a bit by now, glancing over his shoulder with a scowl when Erwin
started falling behind. "Stick close or you'll get lost, idiot." Erwin merely smiled in response, but
he did heed the thief's warning as he quickly moved up and joined his side while they navigated
through the forest. They didn't talk much at all at first until the younger boy brought up a topic the
prince hadn't anticipated.
"Any news about the rebels?"
Erwin glanced over at him with furrowed brows. Ever since he'd first mentioned it, Levi had
shown a clear interest in what the rebels were up to, frequently asking for their whereabouts as
well. It made the prince wonder if the thief was considering joining them. With his hostility
towards the current rule it wouldn't be a surprise, but he prayed that wouldn't be the case. If Levi
ever joined the rebels they'd become enemies, which would be the absolute worst case scenario.
The thought of Levi getting killed-"I heard they were last seen in a village south from here, though I don't know how accurate that
information is. Either way, it seems they're planning something, though I can't say what." Erwin
replied nevertheless, if only to humor the other. Levi remained silent at the information, eyes
glazed over as he stared ahead of himself. "Are you planning on joining them, Levi?"
He didn't quite know why he asked it, but he felt like he had to know before he left. Levi's head
snapped up and he met his eyes, grey clashing with blue in a moment of tension and doubt. When
Levi looked away again, Erwin's heart sank--he already had his answer. Silence passed in
minutes.
"We're nearly there."
The air around them had become misty, fogging over each other's forms--so thick they could only
see the outlines of their bodies next to each other and vague features. Erwin reached over,
searching for Levi's hand lest they somehow lose each other in the mist. Their fingers touched and
it felt as if lightning shot through his arm, making the nerves buzz as his larger hand grabbed
Levi's, holding it tight. It seemed they were out of luck and the lake was foggy today as well. It
was a shame, but it could not be helped.
"Do you think we'll hear the nymphs sing?" Erwin asked as he let Levi guide him through the

trees, close yet not close enough. He didn't want to think about the looming future. He didn't want
to suffocate in anxiety of how their paths may cross again after years had passed and what he
would have to do then. If he was fortunate and Levi's mind was clear enough to reason without
this desire for vengeance he seemed to have, the thief would give up his poisonous aspirations and
let it go.
"They never sing," Levi replied, his voice barely above a mutter. "Not for me."
Erwin's fingers slipped in between Levi's smaller ones, intertwining them tightly. "I'd sing for you,
if I knew any songs." He turned his head and studied the contours of the thief's face, the other's
eyes hidden in the mist even though they stared right back at him.
"My mother used to sing for me, before she..." Levi's hand gave a brief squeeze, their arms
brushing against each other. Erwin could not imagine the sorrow that had been etched into the
other's heart, but he wished he could heal the scars. It was a ridiculous thought--could scars be
healed then they would've never been scars in the first place, and there were some things even
resistant to time itself. But he wished he could, oh how he wished he could.
Levi came to a halt, and the prince looked ahead. They'd arrived into a clearing in the forest, and
in front of them was nothingness. No, rather, it was a small lake with mist ghosting over it, but it
was as if they were staring into an endless grey that enveloped them and swallowed them whole.
The water was deceptively still, and it was hard to tell where it began and where the ground
ended. Erwin sighed quietly, thinking it wasn't so bad. Here he could forget, at least for a little
while.
Levi sat down, and he followed the other's example, sitting down next to him. The ground felt
cold, and the grass was dewy, as if it had just rained. Their hands remained linked together.
"She was beautiful, you know." Of course she had been beautiful--she was Levi's mother. There
was no doubt in Erwin's mind the woman had been something lovely. "Up until they burned her,
she was beautiful. I couldn't recognize her corpse after that." Sickness spread through his guts as
he imagined how the sheer horror and trauma of such a terrible scene must've forever tainted the
orphan. "I was lost, for a while. I couldn't understand why it had happened, why people were so
cruel towards us when we had done nothing wrong. How could a small child ever wrap his mind
around that?"
Erwin could barely bear to hear it. The words in and of themselves were bad enough, but the tone
in which they were spoken, the dead, monotonous voice that lacked its usual sharpness, it felt like
a dagger being slowly pushed into his chest. "Levi..."
It was as if the boy couldn't hear him, lost in the mist of his own memories. "I don't know what
happened to my father. Someone took me away and helped me escape, otherwise I would've
gotten killed too. They would've killed a child. A child. I still can't understand it, but I know I have
to survive, I have to find them and take them down, no matter what, I have to--"
The small boy's words died on his tongue as two arms snaked around his back and pulled him into
a tight embrace, something the prince had longed to do ever since come morning. An immense
sadness pressed down on him, and he was hurting for this youth that had suffered far too much,
too much for any human being. It was a miracle that he'd still turned out like this, so strong and
kind, even if it was buried under a thick, harsh outer shell.
"You don't have to," Erwin whispered, his chin resting on the other's bony shoulder, fingers
clutching at the fabric of Levi's clothes, hanging on as if he was afraid the other would slip
through his grasp like smoke if he let go even for a second. "You don't have to do anything, much
less do it alone. I'll help you, I'll do anything I can, I swear it on my life, but please don't do this

alone." Revenge colored the mind and was potent enough to completely destroy a person. He
didn't want that to happen to Levi, he didn't want to see him become obsessed with it and
consumed by it. Levi didn't move in his arms, did not return the hug but did not pull away from it
either.
"Why?" Levi's hot breath tickled his ear, a stark contrast against the cold air of the fog around
them. "Why do you care so much? Why would you go through so much effort to help scum like
me?"
Erwin flinched. "You're not scum. Don't call yourself that."
"Answer me, Erwin."
The prince felt his heart pounding like a wild animal in a cage, beating against his ribs in an insane
rhythm, thrumming through his head like drums. He pulled back slowly, his mouth dry as he kept
his arms around the other and gazed at him. He was so close he could clearly see every speck of
grey inside those irises of wide eyes staring back at him in genuine wonder--at the same time, they
were pained, glassy with unshed tears.
"Why?" Levi asked again, demanding an answer with his voice nearly cracking under the weight
of his emotions. The blond did not know what to do, didn't know how to answer himno, that
was a lie. He knew perfectly well how to answer, but it would mean no roads back. It was a risk,
and he did not yet know whether it was worth it, but he'd never get a chance like that again.
So he straightened his back, and pressed his lips on the pale, smooth skin of Levi's forehead which
felt far too cold. It was the most fleeting, chaste kiss but it electrified him, and he could not recall a
moment he'd felt more alive than he'd done then. Almost dazed by his own action, he glanced
back at Levi's expression, expecting to see surprise, or even disgust. He even figured this last
afternoon together could be spent in pure bliss after which they'd have to share a bittersweet
farewell--what he found instead was something else entirely.
Levi's eyes were glued to his chest, or rather, something on his chest. Erwin was puzzled for a
brief moment, until he noticed a soft, golden glinting.
The necklace.
The kiss was completely forgotten.
"That's... that's a betrothal necklace...." Levi looked up, eyes still wide but this time with fright--it
stunned Erwin. He'd never seen that look of fear on the other's face before, and it left him without
words. "You didn't have this two days ago. When were you engaged?" the thief asked in a soft
voice laced with an undertone of dread as he pulled away from Erwin, scrambling up from the
ground. The prince remained on the grass, feeling rather numb. "Erwin, when were you
engaged?!" He was shocked right out of that same numbness at the scream that echoed through
the forest, through his ears and piercing through his mind.
He stared up, barely being able to make out Levi's features now the other had pulled away, but his
tone of voice had told him enough. "Yesterday," he replied in a hoarse voice.
Had Levi realized?
"Yesterday..." the thief repeated softly.
Yes, he had.
Erwin was only met with silence at first--he heard a shaky inhale, heartbeats passing by, then a

sudden growl and without warning his back met the ground, the air knocked out of him by the
weight on top of him. Something icy cold pressed against his neck. It was a repeat of their first
meeting.
"All this time, you were... you were the prince..." The prince in question didn't understand the
suddenly hostile reaction, couldn't comprehend why Levi would lash out so violently; it was true
he harbored a deep hatred towards the nobility, but this murderous intent seemed to go much too
far. "Was this your plan all along? To gain my trust so you could stab me in the back later?! Did
the King put you up to this?!"
"Levi," Erwin tried, staring up at the fogged over features that were contorted into a pained scowl,
an intense glare burning through the mist into blue eyes that were wide with bewilderment. "I
don't understand--why would I ever try to hurt you?"
The hand gripping the handle of the dagger started shaking, Levi's teeth gritted, conflicted with
himself as he pressed the blade further down. Erwin felt a sharp cut, and blood welled up, starting
to drip down over his neck.
"Don't bullshit me!"
I dont understand, why?
"Tell me what's going on so I can understand what's wrong, what I've done to make you so angry
at me--"
Levi made a noise, somewhere between a hiss and a gasp, as Erwin tried desperately to grasp the
situation, tried to think of what had set the other off. Had he underestimated his hatred towards the
crown? Had it been worse than he'd feared?
"I trusted you, you piece of shit," The anger in the other's voice had faded to something far more
agonizing that made the prince's heart wrench as all he wanted was to make the object of his
affections feel better, but he could not, as he appeared to be the cause of the other's pain for a
reason he did not comprehend. "I called you my friend..."
"Levi, please--"
"You murdered my family!" The pieces fell into place, one by one, and his world fell apart, piece
by piece. Everything was obliterated with that single sentence, that single horrifying moment that
had seemed to shatter time itself. He felt something wet drip down on his cheek, but he was too
paralyzed to catch the sensation. "You burned my mother, you killed my father... and I called you
my friend..."
The realization of it all threatened to tear him to shreds as he gazed up at the orphan in complete
shock, terror seeping through his synapses as he finally understood that the two of them had not
only never stood a chance, but they'd been destined to destroy each other.
"You're..." Erwin could not even say it, feeling as though if he did all chances of fixing this would
be gone. That was just an illusion, of course; there was nothing left to be fixed. Levi straightened
his back, the agony and pain and fury in his eyes cooling down like the blade of a newly forged
sword.
"Seven years ago my father and mother, the King and Queen of Marlais, were murdered when
your family overthrew the throne. They meant to kill everyone, me included, but the Captain of
the Guard helped me escape." He didn't want to hear it. He couldn't bear to hear it--coup dtats
were always violent, but to hear this from Levi was too much for him to carry. Levi's eyes shone

with nothing but an icy rage. "I am the rightful prince, and the throne belongs to me. You are
nothing but liars, demons I vowed to kill."
Erwin could barely breathe, his head was aching and he wanted nothing more but to let the fog
swallow him whole and spare him of this grief. He stared up at Levi, eyes reflecting only regret.
He should've never pursued him. He should've never befriended him. He should've never let it get
this far.
"Are you going to kill me, Levi?"
Levi's hand had stopped shaking.

His Shadow
Chapter Summary

They had been friends, but now they were strangers.

Chapter Notes

I commend you if you're still keeping up with this story. Now, let's trade one
cliffhanger for another, shall we?

He'd never known fear until he'd met Levi. Before that point, he had always been sheltered from
the brutal realities of life--murder, rape, destruction, greed and general savagery were all things
which he'd only observed through the windows of his castle, from a safe distance. He'd always
regarded these very human cruelties with a detached fascination, fully understanding the process
and reasoning but never quite comprehending the consequences. He was an outsider, but he found
that term too cordial. Inhuman described him much better--indeed, he could not consider himself
fully human, not when the effects of such tragedies and injustices escaped him. He was only half a
human, had never truly experienced pain and therefore had never truly experienced happiness
either. He regarded himself as painfully underdeveloped.
Though, the blame wasn't entirely on him for his lack of perspective. After all, it was difficult to
empathize when he was locked away in a gilded cage, suspended above all the misery down
below where the common folk suffocated in poverty and sin as if it were put on display for his
entertainment, even though he was the one in the cage. Sometimes the flames of their destruction
and ruin licked at the bottom of his containment, and he felt the heat, but he'd never feared it, not
until a black little bird had opened the cage's door for him and had introduced him to the vastness
of the sky.
Then the possibilities had become endless, yet his capacities had remained finite. Experiencing a
sudden disorientation with all the paths paved for him at once, he'd found himself at a crossroads
without a map and for the life of him he could not figure out which one to take--how to fly.
Reluctance and apprehension had pressed down on him and while complete freedom had been a
tempting offer, the possibility of crashing and burning amongst the rest of humanity which was
rotting away on the ground had loomed in the back of his mind perpetually.
In the end Erwin had never quite left the cage until the very last second, lingering near its entrance
and hesitantly stretching his wings but not actually taking flight. It built up inside of him over
weeks; a faint stain growing darker and bigger as time had passed, a blot of black in the center of
his chest that made his skin crawl and his chest tighten as he gazed up into an endless and foreign
blue identical to his eyes. When the little bird, which soared so freely and so gracefully through
the sky, had finally coaxed him into a leap of faith the prince discovered his wings had never
learned how to fly, and he'd found himself falling towards the burning inferno down below. It was
then that he'd realized that the cold sensation that had ripped the air from his lungs, the stain that
had been growing for day and night, had been and was true fear.

For the first time in his life as his back pressed down on the cold, muddy ground while a blade
pressed against his throat, Erwin was truly afraid.
This wasn't a knife handled out of a need for self-defense nor was it a blade sharpened by an
instinctive reaction. Revenge was a different poison altogether and it had seeped into the orphan's
skin too deeply for Erwin to dissuade him from his goal with pretty words. He'd leapt and he was
falling. Levi was falling with him.
He knew his involvement with a commoner could've never resulted in a happy ending but the
young prince could've never anticipated this. He'd suspected, of course, that Levi had been done
wrong by the nobility, that they'd been the cause for all his suffering, but his own family? It was a
good thing that the blond youth was so quick to adapt as he processed this information within but
several seconds, heart pounding against his bones as his mind raced to find a way out of this
situation.
Levi was seated on top of him, straddling his waist. He could try to take the fog to his advantage,
but not while the boy was glaring down at him so intently. The light tremor Erwin had felt from
the blade still at his neck had subsided completely, and there was no more hesitation in the grey
eyes that blended almost perfectly with the mist surrounding them. Was this it, then? He'd die like
a dog and that would be the end of him?
"You don't have to kill me." Erwin spoke quietly in a desperate attempt to buy more time as he
tried to think of how to escape. The instinctive fear was clouding over his rational thought and it
was making him frustrated on top of already being highly distressed. He managed to keep his
voice in a steady, if not timid tone, at the very least.
Levi stared down at him with no further conflict about his goal visible in his expression. He'd
made his decision and Erwin would be worse off for it. "You know better than to spout such
bullshit," was the thief's only reply--a thief soon to be a murderer. The thought made the prince
nauseous for more than one reason. His fingers twitched at the agony his family had caused
someone whom he considered his friend, and he had precious few of those as it was. Regardless
of who his father had been, Levi hadn't deserved such a fate, and there was no justifiable excuse
to submitting an infant to such cruelty.
Even as this was certainly true, Erwin still wasn't willing to pay the price for the sins of his family.
In spite of how much he wished he could help, he realized full well that this friendship was broken
and nothing he could say or do would ever mend it. His mind raced to try and think of some sort
of resolution to this that did not end with him murdered. Erwin had always been exceptional at
devising plans and strategies, and even though he was frightened to near-death this situation was
no exception as he thought of something that could save his life. Or, at least, extend it by a few
years.
"You cannot possibly believe killing me will solve anything. I'm innocent in this matter; if you kill
me now, you're no better than my father, and if so, the justice you seek would be rendered
meaningless. No better than murder." Erwin paused for a moment as he watched Levi's stoic
features carefully, though the slightest twitch of his brows gave him away. "Do you think this is
what your family would have wanted?" Even in the cover of the mist he could see grey eyes
widen in fury, blade pressing further down on his throat with a sharp stinging that reverberated
through his entire neck.
"It doesn't matter, you're going to turn out just the same as the rest." Levi spat viciously, the
venom in his words seeping into Erwin's wound.
"You don't know that." His composure--even if it were a charade--was clearly starting to grind on
the orphan who no doubt wished nothing more but to see him quiver in fear and plead for mercy.

Erwin had no intentions on doing so. Instead he put his plan in motion. "I will make you a
proposition."
"What makes you think I--"
"I'll let you kill me." Levi's words of protest died on his tongue as the anger in his face subsided
and made way to bewilderment--his incomprehension would've amused the prince in any other
situation. "Of course there are certain conditions that need to be met. You can't kill me right now-leave this country first, seek refuge in Tion. The royal family there was always sympathetic
towards yours. I assume you have some proof left of your heritage?" Levi nodded slowly, the
wide-eyed look replaced with a scowl. "Good, then you will have no trouble convincing them.
They'll give you all you need to become stronger, like you always wanted. Once you think you're
ready, return to me. If you find my rule to be inadequate or unjust, I'll let you kill me. If you still
wish to take revenge upon my father then, I will not stop you."
The thief stared down at him in quiet disbelief, bordering on anger as he seemed to struggle
whether to believe him or not. Erwin waited for a response, feeling the pressure of the blade
against his throat, which was already red with his blood, alleviate slightly. "You're lying."
"Why would I be? I'll even let you take my horse and the money I have on me now. It should be
sufficient to take you across the border." Erwin replied matter-of-factly, feeling the fear that had
gripped his wildly beating heart slowly start to slink back as Levi's rage had melted into confusion.
"Do you know the route from here? Tion's capital is close to our border, so it shouldn't take more
than a few days of travel if you--"
"You're lying! Why would you be willing to let me do all that?! If I do get to Tion, and the royal
family takes me in, if I go after your head war will break out. Why would you..."
"Because I recognize the injustice that has been done to you. This is only what you deserve." His
tone was soft, slowly peeling Levi's guard down bit by bit to the point where the orphan pulled
away his knife from the prince's neck. But the tenderness did not last for long, as Erwin's eyes
froze over to ice, a detached look coloring his face as he continued. "Besides that, things have
been tense between Marlais and Tion for decades--the situation is bound to hit a boiling point
eventually. I'll prepare for it, and when the time comes, I'll crush them to assert Marleisian
dominance."
There was no doubt in his voice, not the slightest bit of hesitation or question. It was a cool
determination but with a tinge of nonchalance all the same, as if he were reciting his dinner plans
for tomorrow evening. Levi's eyes flickered with an emotion Erwin had not seen in them before-he was disturbed.
"You cant talk about that so casually, you bastard! You'd be risking thousands of lives, that is-that is insanity!"
"That is war." Erwin cut in with an apathetic statement that agreed with Levi yet seemed
unconcerned about its implications. It was one of the first things his father had drilled into him
from a very young age--war was an entirely natural occurrence and should not be feared, but
conquered.
"You would actually sacrifice... for what?! Shouldn't you be trying to avoid it instead of causing
it?! I don't understand--"
"I didn't expect you to. It is an inevitability. It would be better for me--for the entire kingdom--to
plan for it instead of letting it take us by surprise. You will leave to Tion, and you will return,
perhaps with an army at your back, and I will be waiting for you."

The orphan remained silent, but slowly stood up, taking his distance from the prince, thin brows
furrowed over large eyes that seemed incapable of following Erwin's logic. For all his stoic
mannerisms and demeanor that suggested he was indifferent towards everything else around him,
Levi was more empathetic towards such things than Erwin was. The disquietude on the younger
boy's face had morphed into downright revulsion as he gazed down at the blond who was still on
the ground and leaning back on his elbows. "You're a psychopath."
Erwin slowly stood up as well, careful with his movements in case he set off Levi again while a
faint but hollow smile curved his lips. "You're still very young, you'll understand once you're
older how one governs a kingdom. As I said--if, at your return, you find that my rule is not
satisfactory, I will personally hand you my head on a silver platter." He pulled out the sack of
coins he'd brought with him that day, throwing it over to Levi who snatched it out of the air as if
afraid it would disappear.
"You don't have to hand me anything. I'll come for it myself, you have my word on that." Grey
eyes gazed into blue for a moment longer before the black-haired boy turned his back on the other
and started to retreat the way they'd came. Erwin remained unmoving and quiet, until only a faint
silhouette of the thief was left.
"Levi," he called then, his lips moving on their own as his voice pushed through the mist and
reached the other's ears. The shadow halted, but did not turn around. The cold demeanor that had
overtaken Erwin's expression vanished, blue peering longingly through the fog as a heart throbbed
with sharp ache, bleeding quietly. "For what it's worth--we were friends, weren't we?"
Erwin imagined what Levi's face would show if he could see it. The corners of his mouth would
twitch slightly, hardened eyes would be downcast, replacing the glare with a glum look and a sad
crease in between two thin eyebrows. The silence was short-lived, filled only by a woeful
murmur.
"Yeah, we were."
The sound of feet shuffling through high grass was the only noise left for a while, until that
disappeared into an unreachable distance together with the voice and the shadow, and Erwin was
left alone. The soothing comfort of the mist that had sheltered them from the outside world now
only served to multiply the intense feeling of loneliness and grief, emotions that followed naturally
after losing a friend so precious and dear to his heart.
Erwin could only curse himself for such foolishness, for falling so hard, for leaping without
looking. It was his own fault for trusting his feelings over his rationality, for even entertaining the
thought that that shadow that had slipped through his grasp could've ever been his.
They had been friends, but now they were strangers.
By the time the prince had forced himself through the fog, wandering for quite some time though
he found the route back easy enough, his horse was gone. As he'd expected, Levi had taken it
with him as well. Perhaps it was a good thing, then, that Erwin had never named it and formed an
attachment to it.
'Ah, well. White steeds have been overused by royalty; perhaps it is better I get a new one,' At the
edge of the forest, he stared at the town in the distance and the large meadow stretching out in
front of him, knowing it would take at least two hours before he arrived back at the castle again. 'I
should get a black one, this time.'
After half an hour of walking the prince found himself back in the town again. There was no trace
of Levi, and though Erwin had foreseen it, he couldn't help the tug of disappointment that pulled

at his heartstrings and compelled him to make one last visit, before he left to return home. His feet
started hurting from the long walk, but he made a detour regardless of the mild ache in his heels,
trudging through familiarly filthy streets. It wasn't until he found himself in front of the old
abandoned church that he stopped. A newer, grander one had been built in the upper side of town,
having left this one desolate.
He hesitated in front of the church steps for a moment before resolving himself to saying this final
goodbye as he climbed up and entered through the gaping hole of the building, the doors having
been torn off and laid to the side. Erwin noted that, like always, everything had been dusted off as
much as it could, dirt swept outside, leaving only traces of irremovable stains and the passing of
time that had caused the building's ruin.
On the front bench sat the shards of glass from a broken window mosaic which Levi had so
meticulously lined up. Not once in all those weeks of visiting here had either he or the orphan
himself touched any of the pieces of the stained glass, instead often settling for admiring how the
sunlight falling from another window high up the wall made the colorful shards glint, as they were
aligned to resemble a rainbow.
There was one silver shard of glass on the very end of the old bench, sitting on the far left side,
that did not shine as beautifully as the others. Perhaps calling it silver was a long stretch of itself; it
was more of a murky, toned down grey shade, even less appealing than any regular glass as you
could not even see through it clearly. Everything about it was ugly, was what any other person
would perceive. But Erwin did not pay much attention to its color, nor to its shine.
Picking it up, his fingers carefully felt its sharp edges, far sharper than the other ones lined on the
bench next to it. He felt a jolt of pain and nearly dropped it, his finger having been cut open by the
glass though he did not drop it either. Despite its pointy ends it was shaped like a cross with four
points--peculiar in how it must've broken off the mosaic, but it would be quite easy to handle as a
weapon because of it.
Yes, if he were to have any kind of memento of Levi, this shard of glass which seemed almost
symbolic to the boy himself was a perfect reminder of him.
A choked sob echoed through the church, before it was silenced in an instant. After a moment's
pause, the echo was followed by the sound of quick footsteps heading for the entrance and leaving
the building in its decaying silence. All that gave any indication that anyone had been in the
church was the missing grey shard of glass, and the teardrops spread out like a trail on the wooden
floorboards.
Erwin was not punished, even though he came home with clothes covered in mud and soaked by
the rain, having the misfortune in getting caught in it--not to mention that he'd lost his horse and all
his money. Without flinching he effortlessly invented a smooth lie about being overtaken by
bandits who took all his belongings though had had no interest in him otherwise.
His father was hesitant to believe him, but he could say no more. Tomorrow his son would be
leaving to Ordova, and the King could only hope the young prince wouldn't find himself in similar
predicaments there--that would most certainly leave a terrible impression on the Ordovan
populace. They were rather fond of their princess after all, far fonder than Erwin was, and would
not enjoy seeing her married off to such a reckless and irresponsible youth.
After he'd taken a bath and had gotten cleaned up, he found himself just in time for dinner. The
glass shard he had hidden away in a small gift box usually used for small knives or daggers,
having decided to keep it with him at all times, until the day came where he could return it to Levi.

Rico was not at all impressed with his "little adventures", as she'd put it, when he recited over
dinner his outings to the town at her inquiries. Her father seemed much more amused, however,
questioning him about the plebeians, which left Erwin rather annoyed at his tone though none of
his internal agitation was shown on the outside. He was in far more turmoil than he let on, and he
was satisfied with keeping it that way.
In the next few days he would be married, soon he would be crowned King; he had no time to
pay mind to something as destructive as what he felt. Clearly he had made a grave mistake to ever
pay heed to what his heart longed from him--Levi had taught him that well. Giving in to what
desired above what was actually sensible had brought him only misery and pain, and he was sure
not to make that mistake again in the future. He could not afford such errors as a monarch.
As was decided then and there, Erwin would retreat into his cage, lock the door and throw the key
away. He would forget this foolish dream about flying, he would grow into a charming young
man so amiable but so terrifying at the same time, and his eyes would no longer reflect the sky, but
the depths of a frozen lake. He would be a prince, a husband, a King, a father, and he would live
the life expected of him. Yes, then and there, he made that decision for himself; he made a vow.
That was what his life would be, and he would never again be tempted by love. And yet-Seven years later, a black little bird came knocking on his cage door.

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