Dangerous Territory

Pakt Mit Dem Teufel

Eren woke to the sound of creaking and opened his eyes. It was early morning still, but he saw Levi slowly opening the attic door. He smiled at getting to see him first thing in the morning. It was always a good way to start the day.

"Guten Morgen," he whispered.

"Bonjour," Levi whispered, slipping the rope ladder down so he could climb out. "I tried to scratch on the door, but you didn't answer. I wasn't sure if you were asleep or already gone."

Eren yawned and rubbed his eyes. "Sorry. I must have been deeply in sleep. Is everything okay?"

"I just really need to take a piss. You still haven't gotten me a bucket."

"Sorry," whispered Eren. He stretched out his limbs, but a sharp suck of air hissed between his teeth as he moved his left leg.

Levi walked over to the bed first and put a hand over the blankets covering Eren's thighs. "Is it still bad?"

"I'm off for a week," he mumbled, and flashed Levi a sleepy smile. "I can spend more time with you."

Levi grunted, but Eren saw a shadow of a smile on his face. Then he turned into the bathroom.

Eren finished stretching out the stiffness of sleep, and he felt the leg. The heat of an infection was at least gone. With any luck, the medications would help the gash to heal quickly. He dropped his long johns and looked at the bandage. No blood soaking through; that was an improvement. He also had to admire Louise's work. While she was a little rough—she was used to dealing with animals, not people—the bandage was not sloppily wrapped around like Eren normally did it. The precision of the layers was almost artistic. It felt like a shame to unravel it.

He heard the toilet flush, hands being washed, and Levi stepped out. The Jew jolted at first, seeing Eren with the pale long johns down around his ankles and the loose sleeping shirt only partially covering his genitals. He gulped hard, shoved down some naughtier thoughts, and came forward.

"It looks better."

"Ja, still hurts." Eren suddenly realized his exposed state and gasped. "Oh! I'm sorry." He yanked the long johns back up, and Levi politely glanced aside as he fixed himself.

"Did you happen to squirrel away some food last night?"

"Squirrel?" Eren asked in confusion.

"Hiding food? You know, so I can eat."

Eren gasped as he realized, he had forgotten. "I'm so sorry! You didn't get any dinner."

Levi shrugged and sat on the bed next to Eren. "It's fine. I've been rationing out what food you gave me before. I had enough, but it would be nice to have some breakfast."

"I'll call it in. The hotel can deliver food right to our rooms."

Eren went over to the telephone, called up the operator, and put in an order for room service. While he spoke in German, Levi glanced around. He caught sight of a piece of paper on the nightstand and picked it up. As soon as he read the name, address, and a sentence in French, his face turned into a fierce scowl.

Eren hung up, and immediately Levi jabbed the paper into his face.

"What the fuck is this?"

It took Eren a moment to recall the note. "Oh, right! The lady last night, um ... Bordellwirtin. You called it something."

"Brothel madam."

"Yes! I told you, she wants me to help Louise to escape."

"Louise is the whore you took last night, yes?"