Dangerous Territory

The Storm That Was the Calm

It was a warm dream. A happy dream. A park, maybe, or some other pristine natural setting, rolling green hills sparkling with rainbow flowers and a sapphire lake in front of him. Eren sat under a tree, sunlight filtering in with yellow and green from young leaves, and best of all, Levi in front of him, naked, partially submerged in the lake.

Eren had watched him bathe like this all through the summer, but it was different back then. He was a soldier, Levi was a prisoner, and there was the understanding that if Levi tried to leave, he might be forced to shoot him.

Not anymore.

The water gleamed on his skin—not scarred and bruised, but as smooth as cream. His wet, raven hair gleamed in the sunlight. Eren did not feel like he was on a knife's edge, holding back his attraction, fearing someone might question why his gaze drifted down to that tiny, firm ass.

Now, he could simply gaze at him, adore him, and smile that he was so lucky to have such a beautiful, powerful man all to himself.

Yet clouds moved in, massive and white, blocking the sun, slowly turning gray and darkening the fields. The flowers wilted, the lake turned black, and a wind pummeled Eren from the side, knocking him over. He pushed himself up and gazed at the lake, worried for Levi.

The black water was wild, frothing, like the worst storm hitting the North Sea. Levi still stood in the midst of the maelstrom, as if even a hurricane could not knock him over.

Eren cried out to him, but his voice was instantly carried away. He tried to scream, but the wind was louder. His hand reached out, fearing Levi might sink from view.

Levi began to turn around to him, looking over his left shoulder. He seemed unperturbed, only blandly realizing Eren was screaming for him. Slowly, his head turned more and more, until his right side was revealed.

The entire half of his face was covered in blood, dripping down to his chin and turning the black lake red. Eren stared in disbelief.

What happened? So much blood!

Then there was an explosion, like a torpedo went off in the water. Where Levi had been, there was only a red mist raining down into the lake.

Eren howled in horror. It was just like how Gunther had all but vanished into bloody mist right in front of him. Then the explosion created a fireball that hurtled toward Eren, burning his hair, his clothes, and melting his flesh.

Just like the flamethrower he used to kill Americans.

His cries of agony blended with those of his men as they burned to death.

Carried on the wind were the final pleas of his mother begging for Eren to be spared.

* * *

Eren bolted up screaming in terror. Just then, he saw a blinding flash, and seconds later a massive crackling boom rattled the windows.

Hands reached out to him, but Eren battled them. The enemy would not take him!

"Eren."

"Nein!" he screamed in rage.

"Takhshet."

That word jolted him. He looked over, but it was too dark to see anything. Then another flash of lightning lit the sky, and he briefly caught a glimpse of Levi beside him, his face pinched in worry. The crackling explosion of thunder that followed made Eren cringe, reaching for a gun that was not there. Levi took hold of his wrists.

"It's okay. It's the storm."

Eren suddenly reached forward and held Levi's face, feeling around his cheeks. No blood. No injuries. He ran his fingers through Levi's hair, but there was nothing amiss.