When Levi hooks their ankles together, Erwin shifts his foot so the top of it is touching Levi's calf. It's mostly just so they're touching more, almost like an affectionate touch to the arm but with a foot.
"Pecans would be nice." Erwin thinks on it for a moment. "But maybe with one of the other types of tea? That red one, the roo-bose; do you think pecans would work in that?"
Maybe he should start adding nuts to his coffee. It's an idea worth considering!
Playing footsie under their own table, how cute. Maybe Levi will just put his other foot up on Erwin's knee.
"Rooibos." It took him several times to practice saying it to get it. He frowns a bit. "Maybe...haven't tried that one much yet." It's a little spicy, almost. He's starting to develop a taste for it.
Oh, what's this, a foot on his knee? Erwin reaches under the table to loosely circle Levi's ankle with his hand, his thumb rubbing along the bone where it connects to his foot.
"Yes, rooibos." Erwin nods, making a mental note of the correction. "I like it because I can drink it at night and still be able to sleep later."
He likes other herbal teas too, but the spiciness of rooibos appeals to him.
"I haven't tried it with milk, though. No sugar; sugar would change the taste too much, I think."
Oh...that feels nice, actually. His toes point and flex a bit in reflex when Erwin traces over a sensitive spot, but Levi doesn't make any motion to move away, seeming content.
Having pretty much zero sensitivity to things with caffeine in them, it's not something Levi really thinks about for himself. But he'd caught on to when Erwin's cutoff for black tea is years ago, having attempted to chase the man to bed many times only to realize he just couldn't sleep because he'd had tea way too late in the day.
"Yeah, probably." Maybe he is learning, after all? "Okay, we can try that next. Someone probably gave me some in that pile." People had given him so much tea.
He's probably about halfway through it already though.
The embarrassing thing is that Levi figured out Erwin's caffeine sensitivity long before Erwin himself did. He just thought there were some nights when he couldn't sleep and his mind was racing more than usual, never making the connection to the teas Levi would bring him during the afternoon.
"Thank you, that sounds lovely." The tea mountain, while impressive, has been slowly whittled down. Erwin caresses Levi's ankle again, just enjoying the quiet for a moment.
"Did you get anything new that you particularly liked at the holidays?" Everyone brought Levi tea, cooperating with Erwin's scheme spectacularly, and Erwin has noticed some changes in their usual drinking habits. "I liked the green one that we had a few mornings ago."
Honestly, it was probably Hange who clued him into the concept of black tea being a stimulant. He'd never had to think about it otherwise, so Erwin had been a bit of an experiment to see if it was true - Levi had started swapping their late afternoon black tea for mint instead, and Erwin had seemed to fall asleep more easily (not that it meant he tried to go to bed any sooner, sometimes, so Levi never quite lost the need to go chase his Commander away from paperwork late at night). Unfortunately, nothing seemed to change for his own mangled sleeping habits. Oh well.
He feels his toes curl a little for that touch, and briefly he can't help remembering the handful of times Erwin had helped wrap his ankle after his injury to capture the Female Titan. Being out of commission for weeks had been fucking miserable, but that had made it a little more bearable, before things got busy again.
And then he'd come back without an arm.
He sets the thought aside, sipping at his tea again, thinking. "Reiner gave me something called 'gingerbread spice.' Mostly ginger, but it's got some other stuff in it. It's not bad."
Erwin will forever be someone who needs to be chased to bed some nights. It's just a little easier for everyone involved if he isn't wired and jittery with caffeine when the chase begins.
He feels Levi moving his foot, and Erwin slips his other hand under the table to gently coax Levi's foot further up Erwin's thigh. Once he's got it in position, Erwin starts gently massaging Levi's ankle. It's been a long time since Levi's injury, but Erwin knows how old wounds can act up, and how soothing touch can keep them from getting angry all over again.
"We'll have to look for more of that one, then." Erwin keeps up his gentle caresses, his living hand sliding up the back of Levi's leg to work at his calf muscle. "Would you like me to ask Reiner where he found it?"
It's just a time honored tradition at this point, one he extends to Hange at times, too. It must be a Survey Corps Commander requirement.
He slouches a little more to extend his leg. It hasn't hurt for a long time, but it can still get stiff on occasion, particularly from under or over use. The touch is soothing, but Levi feels his pulse kick up a notch anyway, for reasons he can't quite articulate. The easy sweetness of Erwin's care will probably never not cause a fluttering in his chest.
"If you want, think I might have found it already, though." There's not many options in Somnius, after all. "But sure."
Some tension drains away, and he seems to finally fully relax his foot as Erwin continues massaging up his leg. Levi feels his eyes unfocus briefly, lids blinking slowly a few times. "...that feels good," he admits quietly.
"It never hurts to be sure. And who knows, maybe he found a seller that you haven't."
Unlikely, but possible.
With Levi's lower leg fully in his lap, Erwin has much better access to the muscles of his calf. He's careful, using his real hand for the massage and his metal one mostly to support and adjust Levi's leg as needed. He's gotten much more confident with the new hand, but it's still not the same as using his real one, and he doesn't want to accidentally squeeze Levi and hurt him. Probing metal fingers probably won't feel as nice as real ones, either.
"Good, I'm glad." Erwin keeps up the massage, slowly working his way up to the heaviest part of Levi's calf. "If you want me to get your thigh, though, we're going to have to relocate."
He's grown more accustomed to the feeling of the metal hand. Occasionally it still is a little bit of a surprise, particularly against his skin. But at least it's warm, usually, and the fact that Erwin actually has sensation in it, can actually feel him, too, makes it easier. Honestly, the more forceful dig of a metal hand might feel good in a massage, but Levi's not about to discourage or interrupt, as Erwin's doing a fine job already as it is.
Especially as he finds a particularly tense spot, and Levi tries unsuccessfully to hold in a soft groan, lashes dipping as he exhales. As touch-averse as he can be, with the right person....the right kind of touch can be...really nice, actually. Unable to watch Erwin's hands, he watches his face, relaxing a little further into the chair even as he somehow feels very aware of his own pulse.
...Thigh? Levi feels his thoughts suddenly cartwheel in a dozen different directions. There's nothing wrong with his thigh - is there meant to be some other meaning beyond what Erwin's suggesting, or if that's all it is really just more of this? He tries not to think about it too hard, to just...stay here, in this moment, instead of letting his mind spiral too soon, too quickly.
Right now, he just wants Erwin to keep touching him.
"Yeah," he says, wetting his lips briefly, taking another sip of tea. "...yeah, okay."
For the time being, Erwin still tries to make it very clear when he's using the metal hand rather than the flesh one. He doesn't just do that for Levi, but for everyone. He knows it probably feels weird to be suddenly touched by something metal, and so does what he can to broadcast his intentions with his right hand. As times goes on, he might lose some of his self-consciousness about it, but for now, he lets people know.
Erwin looks up when Levi moans; he hadn't expected that, but definitely likes the feedback. Was Levi trying to suggest something, or did that just slip out? He watches Levi through his eyelashes for a few moments as he really digs into that sore spot, trying to open up the muscle and let out all the tension. Seems like it was accidental, but Erwin would be lying if he said he didn't like hearing it. He also only suggested massaging Levi's thigh because he thought it might be tight too; there was no subterfuge at play with the idea, but now... well, he's definitely paying closer attention than he was a few moments ago.
"All right." Erwin smiles, and digs at that sore spot again. "Finish your tea, and then we'll go to the bedroom and I can get the rest of your leg."
This might not lead to anything, and that would be fine. Worst case scenario, Erwin gets to run his hands over Levi's legs for awhile and admire the muscles on them, and Levi gets a leg massage. It's really a no-lose kind of situation for them both.
...it's a safe assumption. He does carry a lot of tension in him, even if it is a little bit less these days.
The continued digging gets more of a grunt this time, now that it's less of a surprise. His toes curl a little bit, then flex again, feels the movement of his muscle against Erwin's hands. There might be the faintest, slightest hint at a flush coloring his skin high on his cheekbones, or it could be that he's warming up from the tea. Erwin passes over a spot on his ankle again that sends pleasurable little tingles along his nerves, makes his calf tense briefly to keep from shivering.
Levi inclines his chin a bit, forces his shoulders to relax.
"...all right." He takes a bit of a longer sip this time.
It's the muscles down near his ankle that really are what need the most work, and Erwin gets a few more soft noises for his trouble.
Erwin definitely notices that the ankle is where Levi needs the most attention, and he zeroes in on it. His massage technique is slow and gentle but relentless, working over the muscles and tendons over and over again until they're loose and pliable under his fingertips. Whenever Levi's calf tenses, Erwin makes a slight detour to rub that too, then back to the ankle.
He looks up when he hears the clink of an empty cup, and smiles. "What do you think? Adjourn to the bedroom so I can get the rest of your leg?"
And would sir like to be carried there? Erwin can do that now, with two arms.
Hopefully Erwin's remembered to drink his own tea during all of this - it would be a shame to heap all that praise on Levi's efforts and not get the chance to drink it.
The massage is...really nice, actually. In a way, Levi hadn't realized how stiff his ankle had actually become until now. It hasn't fully bothered him in a while, and he still trains with Jean and the others regularly, but it's not as rigorous as it was back home, and he's not always on his feet most of the day as often anymore, either. Erwin gets a few more groans for his trouble, a soft sigh of relief here and there as his muscles and tendons grow more pliable under his touch.
He tries to ignore the way his pulse flickers again at the suggestion, shifting to ease his leg down off of Erwin's lap.
"Yeah...soon as I peel my ass outta this chair." He's gotten very comfortable.
But manages after a moment, stretching a bit, popping his spine before getting to his feet.
"It feels a lot better." Like a lot better.
And while Levi is not gonna ask to be carried when he's perfectly capable of walking the few steps there himself, Erwin might have favorable results if he decides to do it, anyway. Weigh the risk, sir.
Erwin has drunk his tea! He grabbed quick sips between caresses, using the heat of the cup to keep his left hand limber and relaxed. He's also realised, from rubbing Levi's leg, that he really needs to light a fire under getting his own gear back and joining the training sessions. Levi's scars from the gear are still deep and present, while Erwin's have faded away over the months. If he goes much longer, he's going to lose them completely and have to start over.
"Good." And once Levi is standing, Erwin pounces. He knows trying to pick up Levi is a gamble, but never let it be said that Erwin Smith would see ridiculous, nigh-impossible odds and not think he should just make a play at them. Especially since he hasn't tried to pick Levi up since he got his new arm, and now feels like exactly the right time for testing how strong it really is.
He bends at the knees, and moves to scoop Levi up in a princess carry. This is either going to go swimmingly or he's going to suddenly be holding an enraged, soaked cat, and Erwin's pulse picks up as he waits to find out which.
The bruises still aren't as dark as they might have been before - Levi doesn't spend all day in the harness, has no need to wear it outside of training or the times he decides to go zipping around on his own occasional survey patrols, keeping an eye out for whatever thing Vaeros might decide to make them deal with next. But they're definitely still visible, permanent shadows on his skin.
Erwin starts to bend, and Levi could dodge out of the way if he really wanted, feeling a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses that something is coming for him - but he's relaxed and it's Erwin, so the next thing he knows he's being lifted from the floor--
"Oi-!"
It's more from surprise than protest, his arms flailing a little for balance and automatically settling around Erwin's broad shoulders.
What he hasn't noticed yet and definitely didn't account for is the way his face heats suddenly, a soft flush rising in seconds. Levi shifts, wriggling a little in Erwin's arms, but not making any actual effort to get free.
Still, some obligatory protesting is in order.
"What the hell are you-- I'm not actually injured, you big oaf-"
Erwin is too pleased with himself for getting away with this to notice how Levi is responding, beyond the fact that he's not actively trying to get away. That means he doesn't really mind being picked up, so Erwin is going to milk this for all it's worth.
"Let me have my fun." Which is, apparently, carrying Levi out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom, pushing doors open with one foot as he goes. "I haven't been able to do this before."
Back when he could've, he didn't, and then he was allowed, but didn't have the two arms necessary. Now he's both allowed and equipped with two arms, so he's going to take advantage where and when he can. Knowing that he can do this, that the robotic arm is strong enough to lift Levi, also helps ease a certain constant, aching worry in Erwin's chest: what if something happened to them, either in the Labyrinth or when something was attacking, and he wasn't able to carry an injured Levi to safety? He'd end up staying behind with him, he knows he would, but being able to get them both out of danger is the clearly preferable option. Knowing it's a possibility might make some of the nightmares go away.
Once in their bedroom, Erwin lays Levi down on the bed, then hovers over him, not straightening up immediately. "Would you like me to take care of your pants?"
No, he doesn't mind. At all, really. In fact it's...nice. Because as strong and dense as he is, that Erwin can so brazenly and so easily lift him, move him, sends his pulse racing a little. It could just as easily be soothing, to sink into the strength of his arms and just let go - let someone else be strong, for once, even just for the handful of strides to their bedroom.
Levi huffs, the annoyed sound at odds with the way he relaxes, leans his head against Erwin's. "Fine..."
He's completely oblivious to this worry; but since finally having an operable replacement for his arm, there's been a noticeable change in Erwin that makes him quietly relieved, considering it felt like there was little he could do otherwise. Seeing the return of his confidence has likewise lifted his own spirits.
It's also apparently becoming something of a different problem.
Or maybe it's not a problem.
For some reason, his brain is apparently in the gutter today. There's something about the way Erwin leans over him, taking up the whole of his vision, blue eyes inches from his own and hands still on him, and the quality of his voice asking to remove his pants that just sends a ripple of something through his body. He feels his brain stutter to a halt, staring at Erwin for a moment or two.
If you wanted to fuck just say so-
Is the thought on the tip of his tongue, to try to cover up the rush of -- what? embarrassment? that's not quite it -- ...whatever it is. But for once, he holds it in. Because - Erwin isn't usually that ridiculously roundabout for this sort of thing. So...massage.
On his thigh.
...right.
Right.
Erwin's probably waiting on an answer, and he's just staring at him like a fucking idiot.
Erwin is not, and never has been, a stupid man. Nor is he someone who can't read another person, usually so he can use that information to his own advantage. With Levi, though, there's an odd amount of blindspot, particularly when it comes to certain topics and activities. They've fooled around since that first time, each time successfully and to Erwin's great enjoyment, but Levi has never been either vocal or insistent on his own wants or needs. Erwin always makes sure to check in on him, and if Levi says he's enjoying himself, Erwin takes him at his word. He figures Levi, of all people, would know exactly what to say or do to get Erwin off him if he wasn't having fun or suddenly changed his mind about whatever they were doing. But taking his own initiative, or actively pursuing his own pleasure? No. That doesn't seem to be anything on Levi's radar, and so Erwin has stopped expecting it.
To put it another way, he would have noticed on anyone else that his presence and touch was having such an effect. But considering that it never has on Levi in the past, Erwin stopped expecting and looking for it, and is thus unaware of Levi getting wound up.
He starts to get an inkling, though, when Levi doesn't answer him right away. Erwin was half-expecting a hand to his face or a shit joke, not that odd silence and Levi staring at him like he's taken a header off a horse and rung his bell. Interesting...
"All right." Erwin leans back enough to get his hands between them, and makes a silly, over-exaggerated little show of undoing Levi's belt. He can take off a belt with one hand, but it's much easier with two, and it's also more fun. If this doesn't get Levi complaining, nothing will, and then the only logical conclusion left will be that Levi is into this, and that knowledge? That knowledge will get Erwin cranked from two to a thousand in a fraction of a second, and everything about this will change.
If, however, Levi bitches about Erwin showing off, then he'll get a leg massage and nothing more.
It isn't necessarily that Levi has been entirely cool to Erwin's touch in the past, even when they started going down that road more often. Arousal isn't entirely foreign to him, but his body and mind seem rarely on the same page. Even if he started to feel his pulse run faster, hotter, feel something stirring between his legs, when it came for the effort to be reciprocated, he just...didn't want anything.
Maybe there's things to unpack there, if he wanted - some sort of weird deep-seated shame or trauma or whatever other baggage he carries. But getting Erwin off has been satisfaction enough, genuinely pleased to be wanted, to help him unravel for a little while away from whatever is going on in his head. As long as they were both happy at the end of it, that's what mattered, right? Erwin, sweet and patient, still asks, still offers, but so far, Levi's turned him down every time.
Bodies are funny things, as it turns out. So often, Erwin's touch registers to him as more soothing than arousing. So what fucking gives now? One leg massage and he's suddenly thinking about what it might be like if Erwin did touch his dick, and maybe that wouldn't be so fucking bad after all? Does he have some kind of weird fetish or something? Ugh.
It doesn't help that the man is now making a production out of undoing his belt. Fucking damn him, has he given himself away already?
The problem, of course, is that Levi tends to bitch to cover up when he's feeling out of his element, regardless of whether or not he's fine with it. So he grumbles something under his breath that sounds something like hurry the fuck up already, and then swallowing thickly whenever Erwin finally makes it to the button and fly.
Fuck, he just wants to drag him up by the hair and stick his tongue down his throat.
Somehow he manages to keep that particular urge in check, lifting his hips to help get the pants down off his ass. It's definitely not the first time Erwin's seen him in a similar state of undress, given that they often shower and dress together. But the anticipation of touch combined with the stirrings of arousal somehow make it seem like it is the first time. There's not much to note about his state yet, at least not beneath dark fabric that still covers him (black boxer brief, thank you). But his breath is definitely coming a little harder, a little faster, and his eyes are getting darker.
As is, probably, that little flush on his face.
Pantsless, he stares at Erwin in a mixture of expectation and anticipation, waiting.
If Levi wants to grab Erwin's hair and start dragging him around, he should act on that impulse. Erwin wouldn't complain one bit; if anything, Levi would be in danger of awakening something in him, and then be required to start tugging his husband around by the hair whenever it was sexy time.
Still, the absolutely minor amount of bitching Levi does about the belt buckle show is enough to let Erwin know he's on the right track with things. So this is turning into more than a simple massage, an idea confirmed by the faint flush on Levi's cheeks and the way his pupils are dilating wide. Erwin has to bite the inside of his cheek to hide how delighted this whole thing has made him. It's no secret that Levi can turn Erwin on pretty easily these days; turning Levi on, though, has proven a tougher nut to crack, and Erwin is all too eager to capitalise on any level of success he's had in this department.
But he also knows that if he comes in like a hurricane of pheromones and tongue, he's going to have Levi skittering off like a frightened kitten. Better to play this cool, at least for now. So once Levi's pants are off--and carefully folded and set aside neatly so they don't wrinkle--Erwin's hands return to Levi's ankle, giving it another once-over, making sure it rolls smoothly in his hands.
It's only when his hands start moving up, caressing Levi's calf again, that Erwin bows his head and presses his lips to the thin, fine bone on the inside of Levi's ankle.
Eventually, maybe - right now he runs the risk of starting something he won't finish, and he just...doesn't want to disappoint Erwin like that (or ever, if he can help it). Even if it seems like he might actually be ready for something more this go around, it's entirely possible he'll change his mind at the last second.
So Erwin taking it slow, and at least pretending not to notice seems to be working well in his favor.
...or maybe he has noticed. Of course he has, because by now Levi can't deny that his face feels hot, so it probably looks embarrassingly red. Fuck. What a fucking fool.
But as Erwin continues to touch him, tenderly working his ankle, working those touches more freely over his skin, Levi can't help but melt a little back against the pillows. That feels...really nice. To just be touched and handled with care. Of course, it's not as if they aren't used to touching each other now, not as if Erwin hasn't ever been gentle with him. But there's something...different, this time, in the intention, that Levi can't quite pick out, even if he wanted to.
Maybe he just is finally fucking horny.
Either way, it makes his chest do a funny little flutter when lips caress over his ankle and the soft, thin skin there. His toes curl briefly, the muscle in his calf tensing and releasing beneath Erwin's hands as he tries and mostly fails to hold in a soft sound.
He swallows, wets his lips with the tip of his tongue, watches Erwin through half-lidded eyes. Is he supposed to say something? do something? fuck.
Well, he hasn't said anything, hasn't squirmed out of Erwin's grasp, so it's probably fine to continue, right?
Sorry, Levi; Erwin has cottoned on to what's going on here, and it is taking all the restraint he has to keep from just pouncing on the bed. Now that he knows what to look for--those soft sounds, the way Levi's muscle moves and flexes in his hands, the way Levi watches him through half-lidded eyes--it's impossible to miss.
As he moves his hands up the length of Levi's leg, Erwin chases their movement with his lips. He doesn't spend much time on the ankle or the calf, besides stopping to kiss his way further up. No, he told Levi he would work any tension out of his thighs, and that's what Erwin intends to do. To make it work, though, he climbs up onto the bed, getting himself between Levi's legs. By the time his lips have reached Levi's knee, Erwin is sprawled on his stomach, using his elbows to prop himself up, and has one hand on the inside of each thigh. He gets his thumbs down under Levi's legs, so he can at least pretend he's still thinking about a massage, and works them into Levi's hamstrings (which are actually pretty tight, he thinks; a real, proper massage later on might be in order).
As he starts kissing up onto Levi's thigh, Erwin glances up, trying to make eye contact. If Levi doesn't want this, now is the chance to say so, and Erwin will retreat immediately. If he's still game, though, Erwin has quite a few ideas about where to go next.
Getting tension out of his thighs seems to be the exact opposite of what he's managing to achieve. The trailing kisses do seem to send a spike of pleasure every time lips meet skin, sending his pulse just a little notch higher every time. But now Erwin's given up enough pretense that Levi's caught on to him catching on, and it's stirring up his head a little (because does he seriously expect him to think that he can do any kind of real massage at that angle? fucking please, sir).
It doesn't help that the apparently the insides of his thighs are overly sensitive, and the touches feel at once sensual and uncomfortable, sending confusing signals to his brain that cause his muscles to tense and shift. As Erwin presses in, Levi squirms a bit, legs going wider, brows knitting together.
He stares down at Erwin, all golden-haired and blue eyed and stupid fucking gorgeous chiseled features, between his legs. There's a trace of that skittish apprehension, somewhat unsure, but there's also still that faint flush on his cheeks, his gray eyes have grown even darker, and his breath comes in soft, slow pants. There is also, noticeably, a bulge growing beneath dark fabric.
A familiar, funny sort of panic makes his mouth move.
"Giving up on that massage already?" he drawls roughly, although there's not a hint of disappointment. If anything, it sounds like a challenge, and he definitely hasn't pushed Erwin away.
In all fairness, Erwin never said he was any good at giving massages! If he was doing this to anyone but Levi, they'd probably complain about him mauling their legs. If Levi genuinely wants a sports massage, Erwin would be happy to pay someone who knew what they were doing to deliver it to him, since he clearly doesn't. But then, Erwin is also quite sure that an actual sports massage doesn't involve what he's doing.
When Levi asks him about the massage, Erwin stops what he's doing and looks up at him. He doesn't move his mouth from where it's still pressed against Levi's thigh, and he needs to tilt his head back a little to see over the rising bulge in Levi's underwear. He doesn't smile, but the corners of his eyes crinkle, and his voice is warm and muffled when he speaks.
"Would you rather I go back to it?" Erwin traces one thumb up and down Levi's thigh as he asks, idly toying with the edge of Levi's boxers. He really doesn't want to stop what he's doing, and he doesn't think Levi does either, but he also knows not to push things too hard or too fast. Intimacy with Levi has always been a delicate balancing act, and Erwin is still learning how to not derail things.
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"Pecans would be nice." Erwin thinks on it for a moment. "But maybe with one of the other types of tea? That red one, the roo-bose; do you think pecans would work in that?"
Maybe he should start adding nuts to his coffee. It's an idea worth considering!
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"Rooibos." It took him several times to practice saying it to get it. He frowns a bit. "Maybe...haven't tried that one much yet." It's a little spicy, almost. He's starting to develop a taste for it.
"Do you like those?"
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"Yes, rooibos." Erwin nods, making a mental note of the correction. "I like it because I can drink it at night and still be able to sleep later."
He likes other herbal teas too, but the spiciness of rooibos appeals to him.
"I haven't tried it with milk, though. No sugar; sugar would change the taste too much, I think."
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Having pretty much zero sensitivity to things with caffeine in them, it's not something Levi really thinks about for himself. But he'd caught on to when Erwin's cutoff for black tea is years ago, having attempted to chase the man to bed many times only to realize he just couldn't sleep because he'd had tea way too late in the day.
"Yeah, probably." Maybe he is learning, after all? "Okay, we can try that next. Someone probably gave me some in that pile." People had given him so much tea.
He's probably about halfway through it already though.
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"Thank you, that sounds lovely." The tea mountain, while impressive, has been slowly whittled down. Erwin caresses Levi's ankle again, just enjoying the quiet for a moment.
"Did you get anything new that you particularly liked at the holidays?" Everyone brought Levi tea, cooperating with Erwin's scheme spectacularly, and Erwin has noticed some changes in their usual drinking habits. "I liked the green one that we had a few mornings ago."
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He feels his toes curl a little for that touch, and briefly he can't help remembering the handful of times Erwin had helped wrap his ankle after his injury to capture the Female Titan. Being out of commission for weeks had been fucking miserable, but that had made it a little more bearable, before things got busy again.
And then he'd come back without an arm.
He sets the thought aside, sipping at his tea again, thinking. "Reiner gave me something called 'gingerbread spice.' Mostly ginger, but it's got some other stuff in it. It's not bad."
It's almost gone already, but details.
no subject
He feels Levi moving his foot, and Erwin slips his other hand under the table to gently coax Levi's foot further up Erwin's thigh. Once he's got it in position, Erwin starts gently massaging Levi's ankle. It's been a long time since Levi's injury, but Erwin knows how old wounds can act up, and how soothing touch can keep them from getting angry all over again.
"We'll have to look for more of that one, then." Erwin keeps up his gentle caresses, his living hand sliding up the back of Levi's leg to work at his calf muscle. "Would you like me to ask Reiner where he found it?"
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He slouches a little more to extend his leg. It hasn't hurt for a long time, but it can still get stiff on occasion, particularly from under or over use. The touch is soothing, but Levi feels his pulse kick up a notch anyway, for reasons he can't quite articulate. The easy sweetness of Erwin's care will probably never not cause a fluttering in his chest.
"If you want, think I might have found it already, though." There's not many options in Somnius, after all. "But sure."
Some tension drains away, and he seems to finally fully relax his foot as Erwin continues massaging up his leg. Levi feels his eyes unfocus briefly, lids blinking slowly a few times. "...that feels good," he admits quietly.
no subject
Unlikely, but possible.
With Levi's lower leg fully in his lap, Erwin has much better access to the muscles of his calf. He's careful, using his real hand for the massage and his metal one mostly to support and adjust Levi's leg as needed. He's gotten much more confident with the new hand, but it's still not the same as using his real one, and he doesn't want to accidentally squeeze Levi and hurt him. Probing metal fingers probably won't feel as nice as real ones, either.
"Good, I'm glad." Erwin keeps up the massage, slowly working his way up to the heaviest part of Levi's calf. "If you want me to get your thigh, though, we're going to have to relocate."
no subject
He's grown more accustomed to the feeling of the metal hand. Occasionally it still is a little bit of a surprise, particularly against his skin. But at least it's warm, usually, and the fact that Erwin actually has sensation in it, can actually feel him, too, makes it easier. Honestly, the more forceful dig of a metal hand might feel good in a massage, but Levi's not about to discourage or interrupt, as Erwin's doing a fine job already as it is.
Especially as he finds a particularly tense spot, and Levi tries unsuccessfully to hold in a soft groan, lashes dipping as he exhales. As touch-averse as he can be, with the right person....the right kind of touch can be...really nice, actually. Unable to watch Erwin's hands, he watches his face, relaxing a little further into the chair even as he somehow feels very aware of his own pulse.
...Thigh? Levi feels his thoughts suddenly cartwheel in a dozen different directions. There's nothing wrong with his thigh - is there meant to be some other meaning beyond what Erwin's suggesting, or if that's all it is really just more of this? He tries not to think about it too hard, to just...stay here, in this moment, instead of letting his mind spiral too soon, too quickly.
Right now, he just wants Erwin to keep touching him.
"Yeah," he says, wetting his lips briefly, taking another sip of tea. "...yeah, okay."
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Erwin looks up when Levi moans; he hadn't expected that, but definitely likes the feedback. Was Levi trying to suggest something, or did that just slip out? He watches Levi through his eyelashes for a few moments as he really digs into that sore spot, trying to open up the muscle and let out all the tension. Seems like it was accidental, but Erwin would be lying if he said he didn't like hearing it. He also only suggested massaging Levi's thigh because he thought it might be tight too; there was no subterfuge at play with the idea, but now... well, he's definitely paying closer attention than he was a few moments ago.
"All right." Erwin smiles, and digs at that sore spot again. "Finish your tea, and then we'll go to the bedroom and I can get the rest of your leg."
This might not lead to anything, and that would be fine. Worst case scenario, Erwin gets to run his hands over Levi's legs for awhile and admire the muscles on them, and Levi gets a leg massage. It's really a no-lose kind of situation for them both.
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The continued digging gets more of a grunt this time, now that it's less of a surprise. His toes curl a little bit, then flex again, feels the movement of his muscle against Erwin's hands. There might be the faintest, slightest hint at a flush coloring his skin high on his cheekbones, or it could be that he's warming up from the tea. Erwin passes over a spot on his ankle again that sends pleasurable little tingles along his nerves, makes his calf tense briefly to keep from shivering.
Levi inclines his chin a bit, forces his shoulders to relax.
"...all right." He takes a bit of a longer sip this time.
It's the muscles down near his ankle that really are what need the most work, and Erwin gets a few more soft noises for his trouble.
A few minutes later, the cup is empty.
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He looks up when he hears the clink of an empty cup, and smiles. "What do you think? Adjourn to the bedroom so I can get the rest of your leg?"
And would sir like to be carried there? Erwin can do that now, with two arms.
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The massage is...really nice, actually. In a way, Levi hadn't realized how stiff his ankle had actually become until now. It hasn't fully bothered him in a while, and he still trains with Jean and the others regularly, but it's not as rigorous as it was back home, and he's not always on his feet most of the day as often anymore, either. Erwin gets a few more groans for his trouble, a soft sigh of relief here and there as his muscles and tendons grow more pliable under his touch.
He tries to ignore the way his pulse flickers again at the suggestion, shifting to ease his leg down off of Erwin's lap.
"Yeah...soon as I peel my ass outta this chair." He's gotten very comfortable.
But manages after a moment, stretching a bit, popping his spine before getting to his feet.
"It feels a lot better." Like a lot better.
And while Levi is not gonna ask to be carried when he's perfectly capable of walking the few steps there himself, Erwin might have favorable results if he decides to do it, anyway. Weigh the risk, sir.
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"Good." And once Levi is standing, Erwin pounces. He knows trying to pick up Levi is a gamble, but never let it be said that Erwin Smith would see ridiculous, nigh-impossible odds and not think he should just make a play at them. Especially since he hasn't tried to pick Levi up since he got his new arm, and now feels like exactly the right time for testing how strong it really is.
He bends at the knees, and moves to scoop Levi up in a princess carry. This is either going to go swimmingly or he's going to suddenly be holding an enraged, soaked cat, and Erwin's pulse picks up as he waits to find out which.
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Erwin starts to bend, and Levi could dodge out of the way if he really wanted, feeling a familiar prickling at the edge of his senses that something is coming for him - but he's relaxed and it's Erwin, so the next thing he knows he's being lifted from the floor--
"Oi-!"
It's more from surprise than protest, his arms flailing a little for balance and automatically settling around Erwin's broad shoulders.
What he hasn't noticed yet and definitely didn't account for is the way his face heats suddenly, a soft flush rising in seconds. Levi shifts, wriggling a little in Erwin's arms, but not making any actual effort to get free.
Still, some obligatory protesting is in order.
"What the hell are you-- I'm not actually injured, you big oaf-"
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"Let me have my fun." Which is, apparently, carrying Levi out of the kitchen and towards their bedroom, pushing doors open with one foot as he goes. "I haven't been able to do this before."
Back when he could've, he didn't, and then he was allowed, but didn't have the two arms necessary. Now he's both allowed and equipped with two arms, so he's going to take advantage where and when he can. Knowing that he can do this, that the robotic arm is strong enough to lift Levi, also helps ease a certain constant, aching worry in Erwin's chest: what if something happened to them, either in the Labyrinth or when something was attacking, and he wasn't able to carry an injured Levi to safety? He'd end up staying behind with him, he knows he would, but being able to get them both out of danger is the clearly preferable option. Knowing it's a possibility might make some of the nightmares go away.
Once in their bedroom, Erwin lays Levi down on the bed, then hovers over him, not straightening up immediately. "Would you like me to take care of your pants?"
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Levi huffs, the annoyed sound at odds with the way he relaxes, leans his head against Erwin's. "Fine..."
He's completely oblivious to this worry; but since finally having an operable replacement for his arm, there's been a noticeable change in Erwin that makes him quietly relieved, considering it felt like there was little he could do otherwise. Seeing the return of his confidence has likewise lifted his own spirits.
It's also apparently becoming something of a different problem.
Or maybe it's not a problem.
For some reason, his brain is apparently in the gutter today. There's something about the way Erwin leans over him, taking up the whole of his vision, blue eyes inches from his own and hands still on him, and the quality of his voice asking to remove his pants that just sends a ripple of something through his body. He feels his brain stutter to a halt, staring at Erwin for a moment or two.
If you wanted to fuck just say so-
Is the thought on the tip of his tongue, to try to cover up the rush of -- what? embarrassment? that's not quite it -- ...whatever it is. But for once, he holds it in. Because - Erwin isn't usually that ridiculously roundabout for this sort of thing. So...massage.
On his thigh.
...right.
Right.
Erwin's probably waiting on an answer, and he's just staring at him like a fucking idiot.
"...sure."
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To put it another way, he would have noticed on anyone else that his presence and touch was having such an effect. But considering that it never has on Levi in the past, Erwin stopped expecting and looking for it, and is thus unaware of Levi getting wound up.
He starts to get an inkling, though, when Levi doesn't answer him right away. Erwin was half-expecting a hand to his face or a shit joke, not that odd silence and Levi staring at him like he's taken a header off a horse and rung his bell. Interesting...
"All right." Erwin leans back enough to get his hands between them, and makes a silly, over-exaggerated little show of undoing Levi's belt. He can take off a belt with one hand, but it's much easier with two, and it's also more fun. If this doesn't get Levi complaining, nothing will, and then the only logical conclusion left will be that Levi is into this, and that knowledge? That knowledge will get Erwin cranked from two to a thousand in a fraction of a second, and everything about this will change.
If, however, Levi bitches about Erwin showing off, then he'll get a leg massage and nothing more.
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Maybe there's things to unpack there, if he wanted - some sort of weird deep-seated shame or trauma or whatever other baggage he carries. But getting Erwin off has been satisfaction enough, genuinely pleased to be wanted, to help him unravel for a little while away from whatever is going on in his head. As long as they were both happy at the end of it, that's what mattered, right? Erwin, sweet and patient, still asks, still offers, but so far, Levi's turned him down every time.
Bodies are funny things, as it turns out. So often, Erwin's touch registers to him as more soothing than arousing. So what fucking gives now? One leg massage and he's suddenly thinking about what it might be like if Erwin did touch his dick, and maybe that wouldn't be so fucking bad after all? Does he have some kind of weird fetish or something? Ugh.
It doesn't help that the man is now making a production out of undoing his belt. Fucking damn him, has he given himself away already?
The problem, of course, is that Levi tends to bitch to cover up when he's feeling out of his element, regardless of whether or not he's fine with it. So he grumbles something under his breath that sounds something like hurry the fuck up already, and then swallowing thickly whenever Erwin finally makes it to the button and fly.
Fuck, he just wants to drag him up by the hair and stick his tongue down his throat.
Somehow he manages to keep that particular urge in check, lifting his hips to help get the pants down off his ass. It's definitely not the first time Erwin's seen him in a similar state of undress, given that they often shower and dress together. But the anticipation of touch combined with the stirrings of arousal somehow make it seem like it is the first time. There's not much to note about his state yet, at least not beneath dark fabric that still covers him (black boxer brief, thank you). But his breath is definitely coming a little harder, a little faster, and his eyes are getting darker.
As is, probably, that little flush on his face.
Pantsless, he stares at Erwin in a mixture of expectation and anticipation, waiting.
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Still, the absolutely minor amount of bitching Levi does about the belt buckle show is enough to let Erwin know he's on the right track with things. So this is turning into more than a simple massage, an idea confirmed by the faint flush on Levi's cheeks and the way his pupils are dilating wide. Erwin has to bite the inside of his cheek to hide how delighted this whole thing has made him. It's no secret that Levi can turn Erwin on pretty easily these days; turning Levi on, though, has proven a tougher nut to crack, and Erwin is all too eager to capitalise on any level of success he's had in this department.
But he also knows that if he comes in like a hurricane of pheromones and tongue, he's going to have Levi skittering off like a frightened kitten. Better to play this cool, at least for now. So once Levi's pants are off--and carefully folded and set aside neatly so they don't wrinkle--Erwin's hands return to Levi's ankle, giving it another once-over, making sure it rolls smoothly in his hands.
It's only when his hands start moving up, caressing Levi's calf again, that Erwin bows his head and presses his lips to the thin, fine bone on the inside of Levi's ankle.
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So Erwin taking it slow, and at least pretending not to notice seems to be working well in his favor.
...or maybe he has noticed. Of course he has, because by now Levi can't deny that his face feels hot, so it probably looks embarrassingly red. Fuck. What a fucking fool.
But as Erwin continues to touch him, tenderly working his ankle, working those touches more freely over his skin, Levi can't help but melt a little back against the pillows. That feels...really nice. To just be touched and handled with care. Of course, it's not as if they aren't used to touching each other now, not as if Erwin hasn't ever been gentle with him. But there's something...different, this time, in the intention, that Levi can't quite pick out, even if he wanted to.
Maybe he just is finally fucking horny.
Either way, it makes his chest do a funny little flutter when lips caress over his ankle and the soft, thin skin there. His toes curl briefly, the muscle in his calf tensing and releasing beneath Erwin's hands as he tries and mostly fails to hold in a soft sound.
He swallows, wets his lips with the tip of his tongue, watches Erwin through half-lidded eyes. Is he supposed to say something? do something? fuck.
Well, he hasn't said anything, hasn't squirmed out of Erwin's grasp, so it's probably fine to continue, right?
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As he moves his hands up the length of Levi's leg, Erwin chases their movement with his lips. He doesn't spend much time on the ankle or the calf, besides stopping to kiss his way further up. No, he told Levi he would work any tension out of his thighs, and that's what Erwin intends to do. To make it work, though, he climbs up onto the bed, getting himself between Levi's legs. By the time his lips have reached Levi's knee, Erwin is sprawled on his stomach, using his elbows to prop himself up, and has one hand on the inside of each thigh. He gets his thumbs down under Levi's legs, so he can at least pretend he's still thinking about a massage, and works them into Levi's hamstrings (which are actually pretty tight, he thinks; a real, proper massage later on might be in order).
As he starts kissing up onto Levi's thigh, Erwin glances up, trying to make eye contact. If Levi doesn't want this, now is the chance to say so, and Erwin will retreat immediately. If he's still game, though, Erwin has quite a few ideas about where to go next.
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It doesn't help that the apparently the insides of his thighs are overly sensitive, and the touches feel at once sensual and uncomfortable, sending confusing signals to his brain that cause his muscles to tense and shift. As Erwin presses in, Levi squirms a bit, legs going wider, brows knitting together.
He stares down at Erwin, all golden-haired and blue eyed and stupid fucking gorgeous chiseled features, between his legs. There's a trace of that skittish apprehension, somewhat unsure, but there's also still that faint flush on his cheeks, his gray eyes have grown even darker, and his breath comes in soft, slow pants. There is also, noticeably, a bulge growing beneath dark fabric.
A familiar, funny sort of panic makes his mouth move.
"Giving up on that massage already?" he drawls roughly, although there's not a hint of disappointment. If anything, it sounds like a challenge, and he definitely hasn't pushed Erwin away.
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When Levi asks him about the massage, Erwin stops what he's doing and looks up at him. He doesn't move his mouth from where it's still pressed against Levi's thigh, and he needs to tilt his head back a little to see over the rising bulge in Levi's underwear. He doesn't smile, but the corners of his eyes crinkle, and his voice is warm and muffled when he speaks.
"Would you rather I go back to it?" Erwin traces one thumb up and down Levi's thigh as he asks, idly toying with the edge of Levi's boxers. He really doesn't want to stop what he's doing, and he doesn't think Levi does either, but he also knows not to push things too hard or too fast. Intimacy with Levi has always been a delicate balancing act, and Erwin is still learning how to not derail things.
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