May the King Live Forever On

Pairing: Erwin Smith / Levi Ackerman 

Rating: Everyone 

Summary: King Erwin sits in his cell, listening to the trumpets and drums announcing the coronation of the new King. His execution is quickly coming yet he feels no fear - only a deeply rooted grief that he'll never see his beloved Levi again. Little does he know, his life ends not this day. 

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For the commoners, the cacophony of blaring trumpets and thundering drums was the signal that the coronation was commencing. Best they leave their work, their homes and gather into the kingdom’s square, where the new King would be inaugurated and the previous King, currently sitting alone in a small, cold cell deep in the castle, staring blankly at the heavy door of his cell, ears trained for the sound of approaching footsteps, heavy shackles around his hands and ankles, would be executed in front of the people of his home, his Kingdom. They had not called for it – his death would not be met with cheers but the silence of those suffocated by sorrow yet unable to openly weep, out of fear that they’ll be accused of being sympathetic towards the previous reign.

Erwin sighed heavily, his head falling back against the rough stone. His hands and feet had gone numb from the cold. His stomach had been replaced by a pit of gnawing pain, aggravated by how many days it had been since he’d eaten. The small cell stunk of his unwashed body, though that was only something he knew of due to passing comments made by the guards. Torn, ragged clothes hung from his body. A mirthless smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He knew he had to make a sorry sight. No doubt the guards would only make him look more pathetic before they hauled him out to be executed. That new pig oaf of a King wouldn’t be satisfied unless they stripped every ounce of his pride, which meant that it was all the more important to go to his death with a grace that would haunt that miserable sentient pile of smegma.

It would be easy enough – death did not frighten him. It was an inevitably that no one could avoid. Though…he would be lying if he said he was going to his death with no regrets. There were many…more than he could possibly count but one…one dogged him like no other. Erwin reached to his throat, his fingers instinctively searching for the smooth cord that normally hung there. When he found nothing, a swell of cold bloomed in his chest. His throat tightened. Pulling in a deep, shaky breath, he closed his eyes, dropping his hands back into his lap.

“Levi…” Erwin whispered.

That despicable ogre could hold any other regret over his head and he was confident in his ability to remain steadfast through all the jabs and insults…but if that bastard made one mention of his Levi…the likelihood of him being able to remain calm was slim to none. Even thinking of that deformed eunuch saying Levi’s name brought a wave of bile bubbling up his throat. His hands curled into loose fists. Levi…where was he right now? Was he safe? Still sleeping as the sun continued to rise above the horizon? Doubtful. It was a new day and while his involvement in the never-ending march towards bettering their country via removal of all the despicable dastards who’d see the world burn if it meant they had an ounce more power was ending, Levi would keep striving forward. That, at least, could bring him some comfort. His Levi…his beloved, beautiful Levi continuing to live…it was selfish but if the Gods could grant him the smallest trickle of mercy, he would hope…no, wish…wish with every iota of his being that Levi…his Levi would find happiness.

Knowing that his happiness would be separated from him, that he would never get to see Levi at peace, warm and comfortable in the home he had always longed to give him…he always knew that the chance of being forced to leave Levi behind was high and had thought he’d be ready to accept it but know that he was faced with such an inevitability…

The grief was to be expected. It was something he could stomach without a hint of it showing on his face. If it was just the grief, he would be able to walk to his death with his head held high…but grief was not all there was building inside him. This fear…this wasn’t something he had prepared himself for. It writhed and wailed inside his mind, clawing at the interior of his skull, scraping bloody fingers against the bone. A lump rose up to the back of his throat. A tremble visibly settled into his hands. The temperature in the cell decreased even further. When he let out a shaky exhale, he half-expected to see a puff of steam float around his face. The corners of his eyes burned with traitorous tears. Erwin choked out a wet, pathetic gurgle of a chuckle. When was the last time he cried? Ah…that was right…it was the morning after he held Levi for the first time, squeezing his significantly smaller body close, his face buried in his hair, holding onto him for dear life before the sun rose and duty called for them to separate.

It was in that one brief, fleeting moment that he wept – quietly, so as not to disturb his sleeping love…wept for the love he never thought he would have, wept for the happiness coursing through his nerves, wept out of gratitude that after so much hardship, so much desire, a man he loved and cherished more than this world was wrapped up in his arms. Levi hadn’t seen those tears. He had been quick to compose himself, quick to hide the evidence of that one allowed moment of weakness. Though…the way Levi had looked up at him as they were readying themselves for another arduous day, it felt like he knew something had happened. Nothing was said about it but the extra affection he was allowed that day did seem to indicate that Levi understood what he was feeling nonetheless.

Another brittle chuckle tumbled free from his lips. He couldn’t recall weeping any other time than that. How ironic – for both times to be interwoven with Levi. Erwin scrubbed a hand over his face, swallowing hard against the lump in his throat. He wanted to see him. He wanted to be with him. He…he didn’t want to leave him. His Levi…he had already suffered so much. Erwin knew what his death would do to him, how much it would hurt him. He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving him alone once more!

The sound of boots clumping against the wet stones outside his cell wrenched him back to the present moment. Erwin’s head fell away from his face. Already…huh? His exhausted gaze flickered over to the only window, placed high enough that he stood no chance of reaching it. The light was becoming stronger, sharper. The sounds of the trumpets and drums had died down, leaving behind a silence that made him itch. His people would be gathered in the square, somber and despondent. Were some of them already holding back tears? Was there anger evident on any of their faces? He hoped not. He would not want the axe to fall heavy on anyone else’s neck.

The footsteps drew closer. Erwin wiped a hand across his face, settling his expression into one of grim neutrality. The pain, the fear still lingered but now was not the time to show weakness. When Levi heard of his death, he would hear of him calmly striding to the chopping block, refusing to give that ogre even so much as a look. Nothing that beast said would disturb him. Nothing it said would dissuade him from his one last act as King: ensuring that the flaccid cretin earned no satisfaction from his death. That…and that alone would be the only thing that could ease him into death.

The footsteps stopped at his door. Erwin drew in a deep breath. He got to his feet, refusing to allow the guards to drag him out of there. There was a moment’s pause then the door flew open with enough force to send it bouncing off the cell wall. A large puff of dust was kicked up from the commotion. Erwin’s eyes widened. His lips parted in shock. For a moment, he thought that the combination of exhaustion, starvation and lack of water had conspired to torture him with a hallucination. Standing in the doorway, wearing his usual scowl, clad in the armor of that barbarian’s guards was Levi. Dark, hard eyes glared at him. Erwin gawked up, unable to move or say anything. The dust settled. He drew in a breath. As the realization that this was not some horrific vision, that Levi was truly here was dawning on him, Levi lunged forward. Thin cold hands clamped down on the sides of his head, yanking him down into a rough, desperate kiss.

A shudder rushed through his weary body. Relief as sweet and comforting as the first sip of water after being parched for so long washed over him. In that moment, why Levi was there, how he had gotten there didn’t matter. Erwin hungrily pushed back into him, devouring his mouth as though it had been years since he had last felt these lips on his own, rather than just days.

It was over far too soon. With a sharp exhale, Levi pulled away. He reached down to fumble something out of a pouch hanging from his belt: a key, one he used to unlock the shackles around Erwin’s wrists and ankles. The weight falling away from him brought the obvious question bubbling up to the surface.

“What’re you-“ Erwin started to ask, the beginnings of panic prickling at the back of his mind. Pressing his mouth into a thin line, his brows lowering, he snapped sternly, “I ordered you to stay away. If you’re caught, we’ll both-“

“Shut up.” Levi sighed irritably. He tucked the key back into his pouch then raised his head to glare once more at Erwin, “Are you truly so stupid to think that I would just sit quietly by and let you die? Everyone else might eat up this martyr complex you’ve got but I’m,” Erwin jumped a little when Levi lightly pushed his fist against the center of his chest, “not going to let you die for something stupid like this.”

Taking a step back, Levi held out a hand, “Now, are you coming or not?”

Erwin stared at him for a moment, eyes wide, his heart slamming hard against the confines of his ribs then, his shoulders relaxed. His mouth eased into a small smile. Lowering his head, he laughed softly. Yes, this…this should have been the outcome he was expecting. Levi…his Levi would never stand idle, even if it meant putting himself in perilous danger. This dedication, this loyalty…it frightened him, though he would be lying if he said that he wouldn’t do the same. If their positions were reversed, he would have thrown the Kingdom apart to get to him, to save him. To expect any differently from Levi…that was an insult that he knew he would spend a long time making up for. Sighing quietly, Erwin raised his head. He slipped his hand into Levi’s, a tingle of warmth radiating up his arm as their palms brushed together. Levi turned, obviously intending to lead them out of the cell but Erwin tightened his grip on his hand, stopping him. When Levi turned to glare up at him questioningly, he dipped down, cupping the curve of Levi’s cheek, and captured his mouth in another hungry kiss.

“We need to hurry.” Levi said sternly against his lips, though he made no move to pull away.

“I know.” Erwin whispered. He pressed his forehead to Levi’s, inhaling shakily, pulling his comforting scent into his lungs. Heat pricked at the corner of his eyes. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry…I promise…I’ll never leave you again.”

“No…” Levi said softly, then tilted his head back to settle a strong, determined glare on Erwin, “You won’t. Now, quit it with the sappy talk and let’s get the fuck out of here.”

“Yes.” Erwin replied firmly, straightening back up. He rolled his shoulders, lifted his head high and followed Levi out of the cell. His story had not come to a close yet. There was still much that he must do but first was escaping the castle…and finding somewhere safe to draw Levi back into his arms. Despite the urgency of combating this situation before it could get any worse, he was keen to drive away the cold of the cell clinging to his skin by holding close the man whom he would sacrifice this entire world for.