Dangerous Territory

Awakened By a Thunderstorm

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Alternatively, I made a custom ambient for this chapter, perhaps not as high quality, but I had fun: https://weather.ambient-mixer.com/awakened-by-a-thunderstorm

A storm rolled over Metz. The rain that had started up the previous afternoon gradually increased into a torrent, pattering the windows, wind howling through the streets, and in the distance a low rumble as flashes of light sparkled in the bubbling black clouds, like an army of gods led by Thor himself was preparing to descend on the French countryside.

Suddenly, a great flash filled the room with light, and thunder cracked so loud, both Levi and Eren leaped up, one with a gun out, the other reached under his pillow for a knife. In other rooms, they heard soldiers screaming from phantoms of past battles.

"Ein Gewittersturm," Eren muttered, relaxing out of his fright.

Levi also sank as his muscles loosened, realizing it was merely a thunderstorm. "It's like Nature is trying to give me a heart attack."

They both put away their weapons and fell back onto the pillows. However, with their hearts racing and adrenaline fueling them, neither could really sleep. More lightning flashed, more cracks of thunder pierced through the room, and Eren kept flinching.

He had heard sounds like this, flashes of explosions and shock waves that hit all the way to the core of his bones, but with them came the screams of the dying. He could almost hear them shrieking now, especially as someone down the hall was wailing in old terrors.

Beside him, Levi felt Eren shivering. Worried for him, Levi rolled over and stroked Eren's head to calm him back down.

Another flash burst through the window curtains, and two seconds later a shrill crack of thunder made Eren flinch. He tried to laugh it off.

"I swear, I've never been scared of thunder in my life."

Levi smoothed back his brow. "It's okay."

He looked up in surprise. "You're not going to say it's because I'm a child, or I'm acting like a scared little boy?"

"No," Levi whispered. "Not this time, at least."

Eren blushed and softly confessed, "I've grown a bit used to you saying things like that."

"I'd be a steaming pile of shit if I called you a child after last night."

Eren raised up slightly and leaned over Levi, gazing down at him with his messy black hair splayed across the pillows. "What would you call me now?"

"A pervert," he grumbled.

Eren's hand slid up Levi's chest. "I'm not the one who used my feet."

"You're the one who enjoyed it."

"You're the one who made it enjoyable." He leaned over and gave Levi a kiss. "So what does that make you?"

"It makes me French," he said haughtily. "We make everything enjoyable."

"You're right. Alles an dir ist angenehm, so schön, so magisch und männlich. Alles an dir ist so einfach zu lieben und wenn ich an dich denke, überwältigt es mich."

Levi pouted. "That's not fair. If you're going to say things, say it in a language I know."

"It sounds silly in English."

"Say it anyway."

Eren's hand stroked down Levi's night shirt, feeling his chest under the fabric. "Everything about you is enjoyable, so handsome, so magical and—what is a word for it—manly? Is that a word?" By the shocked eyes and blush on Levi's cheeks, he could tell he guessed right. "Everything about you is so easy to love, and when I think of you, it overwhelms me."