Chapter Text
He’s there again.
Behind the gardens of the Ackerman estate, there was a tall hedge maze that led to a magnificent fountain in the center. A young omega maid made his way out of the structure, his slender hands supporting an empty wicker basket.
Levi’s eyes followed the figure tirelessly as it glided towards the neatly pruned rose bushes. He quietly set his book down on the gazebo table. This was the only place that allowed him a view of every corner of the garden. It was also the place Levi spent most of his ‘reading’ in.
The maid leaned down and revealed a beautiful face. Youthful, delicate features and flawless skin. Levi bit his bottom lip to stop himself when his gaze travelled down to the youth’s unmarred neck. Unmated—a golden prize.
The pretty little thing was Eren, the only son of their previous housekeeper, now Levi’s current personal maid after her passing. Young masters like Levi weren’t supposed to have omegas as their closest servant, but the Madam permitted it because he was still a boy.
It probably also helped that Levi acted despondent for weeks upon having his initial ‘request’ rejected.
Eren kneeled beside the flowers and began tending to the roses. From the distance, Levi admired the arch of his brows over those beautiful cat eyes. The bridge of his nose reminded him of the paintings of Goddess Rose in their main hall. Even though Eren was but a servant, he had the haughty good looks of a proud noble.
The faint rustling of the trees shook Levi out of his reverie. The sky was darkening, and the leaves were jostling—it might rain soon.
Levi looked back up for Eren, only to find that the young maid was already making his way towards the marble gazebo, anxiety etched on his face.
“Young Master!”
He pretended not to notice the small slit of exposed skin revealed by Eren’s hitched skirt. Without letting him finish, he gestured for the older boy to forgo the formalities.
“Young Master, we should return now. If it rains on you, you might get sick again.”
Again.
Levi scrunched his nose in obvious displeasure at Eren’s words. He still doesn’t think of him as an alpha. Maybe to Eren, he’d always be the frail little 5-year-old master who clung to the housekeeper's son for comfort and company.
“I don’t want to. I’ll stay here and finish my book while it rains. That’s what this roof is for isn’t it?”
At a loss, Eren furrowed his brows and stepped back a little. Levi suppressed the heat pooling in his gut when he saw his face. He liked this helpless expression of his the most. Even though Eren was almost a whole decade older, he still had to demurely bow his head and submit to his Young Master.
“But Young Master, if I get wet as well, I’ll certainly be sick. You’ll have to have someone else attend to you then.”
Any desire to gloat vanished without a trace when Eren opened his mouth to reason. Levi clenched his teeth, indignant that Eren would use himself as leverage so soon. It was embarrassing how quickly he’d concede when it came to Eren’s health.
“... Come along. It’s almost time for supper anyway.”
Eren’s face eased into one of relief, the fondness spilling into his eyes as he held out his hand for Levi to hold. It obviously made him happy that Levi still treated him with such affection after all these years.
At supper, Levi’s mother, Lady Kuchel dismissed all the maids-in-waiting after they sat down. Uncle Kenny was away for business, so it was up to him to engage in small talk.
The meal was a peaceful, almost mundane affair. His mother asked about how his lessons were coming along, the way she always would, and he responded positively, the way he always did. About halfway through, she suddenly said something interesting.
“Did Eren ever mention anything about having someone he likes?”
The hand holding his spoon paused, and Levi slowly turned his head towards his mother to make sure he heard right.
“Someone he likes?”
“Yes, darling.” Lady Kuchel met his gaze, her intelligent eyes seeming to want to gouge his reaction, “As in someone he wants to marry. Eren won’t stay young forever, but you know how shy he is. If we don’t look out for him and match him off soon, he might end up a spinster in his old age.”
Match him off. As in marry him to someone else?
Levi didn’t notice how hard he was shaking until something wet splashed his slacks. He waved for the remaining servants to stay put, not wanting to pause the conversation just yet.
“Why does he have to marry? We can take care of him forever, he’ll never have to be slighted for staying unmarried.”
His mother looked at him with a complicated gaze. She didn’t seem pleased to be having this discussion, but then that begged the question. Why had she initiated?
“Darling—”
“Mother, please. He’s happy enough with how things are.”
“You don’t know that, dearest. It’s not up to us whether or not he gets married. Wouldn’t it be unfair if we forbid him from having his own family while making him take care of ours forever?”
Eren’s own… family? Without him?
The silverware on his hand dropped briskly on the table. No one moved to stop him when Levi suddenly stood from his seat.
“I just remembered that I have an urgent assignment to complete, Mother. May I be excused?”
His mother nodded, and without checking her expression, Levi brusquely left the room, head pounding.
Why did his mother have to bring this up? Why now? When Eren couldn’t even be considered to be on the verge of becoming too old for marriage? Did Eren say something to her? Did Eren… really have someone he likes?
This wasn’t supposed to happen, Levi thought heartbrokenly. They were supposed to be together their whole lives. Levi thought he’d accomplish that when he succeeded in making Eren his personal maid. Uncle Kenny was right, he was still far too simple and naive.
But who could it be? Who seduced Eren away from right under his nose?
The sadness quickly morphed into rage when Levi thought of all the unsavory possibilities that led to their current predicament. He had his suspicions on the head kitchen maid’s horsey looking boy.
Levi had always thought that Eren and Jean hated each other, but Uncle Kenny also said that sometimes, that’s just how ‘passionate’ relationships are. Was that it then? Was Eren ‘passionate’ about Jean?
His steps hastened. When he got to his room, Levi was relieved to find Eren still in there. He looked a little surprised by his untimely return, but said nothing of it as he beckoned for his Young Master to come change.
“Eren, draw me a bath.”
The soft hands on his buttons halted, and Levi savoured the rosy scent on his skin while Eren remained kneeling to match his height.
“So soon? But you just ate!”
“I barely ate. I want to turn in early.”
Eren looked concerned, his charming eyes softening as he gently pressed his hand to the side of his Young Master's face. Levi leaned into the familiar touch. It was inappropriate, given their stations, but behind the gates of the Ackerman estate, no sane person would dare to point it out.
“What’s wrong, Young Master? Are you feeling unwell?”
Levi shook his head mutely, but still reached to grab Eren’s hand from under his sleeve. His beloved maid understood immediately. He wanted comfort, not a solution.
Later, after Eren rinsed the suds out from his hair, Levi turned to face the window as Eren did his back.
“Have you ever thought about getting married?”
The motion on his back stilled. Without giving away any emotion, Eren replied slowly, “Everyone has to get married someday. When it’ll happen for me doesn’t really matter.”
He didn’t answer the question.
“Won’t it really? What if you have someone you like? Wouldn’t you want to make it official as soon as possible?”
“Hn, I suppose so. Please turn over, Young Master.”
Avoidant. He’s doing it on purpose.
“... So what about you, Eren. Do you have someone you like?”
“...”
“...”
“No.”
Liar .
The hands on the edge of the tub tensed, but Levi quickly recomposed himself.
“Mmh. Me neither, Eren.”
The hands on his body seemed to tremble a little, but the feeling faded as soon as it came. Eren stopped talking, and Levi stopped prying.
Eren dried his hair and dressed him carefully. Always so thoughtful, so considerate. But not considerate enough—no. If he really did have feelings for someone else, Levi was going to take whatever chance Eren and his secret lover thought they had and crush it. Eren belonged to him. No social conventions or clandestine affairs could ever hope to change that.
Levi slipped into bed, keeping his eyes glued to Eren as the dark haired omega tucked him in. He kissed his temple before he left, the way he always did, the way Levi always wanted him to. He would fight tooth and nail to protect this little bit of sanctuary in his grasp.
When Eren came to open the drapes the next morning, Levi was already awake and sitting up straight. The older boy looked pleased, probably because he assumed Levi was well-rested from turning in early the night before.
They do their little routine like usual, but upon receiving word that Levi’s tutor couldn’t make it that morning, they got to take the day off.
Levi noted with deep displeasure that Eren was heading into the maze with a basket full of roses again. He hadn’t thought much of it before, seeing how Eren liked to collect flowers to brighten up the rooms they frequented, but perhaps these particular flowers weren’t just for decorating.
Slowly, quietly, he put his book down. Levi made his way to the entrance of the maze, and after determining that Eren was far enough to not notice someone tailing him, he slipped through as well.
Other than Eren, the only person who Levi was aware would visit the maze was the head gardener. But the head gardener was middle-aged and mated—there was no way Eren would be interested in him, right?
Maybe Horseface also frequented the gardens, unbeknownst to the future Lord of the House. Levi gritted his teeth as he imagined the scene that might await him. Eren, his darling precious Eren, tenderly embraced by another—or perhaps worse. Maybe he’d be disheveled, bent over, skirt hiked to his waist and face full of wanton bliss.
The thought sent blood down his groins yet filled his heart with rage.
Levi was 14 this year—old enough to know what transpired between people of the opposing dynamics and yet, still a bit too young to have his own mistress. The older high society boys would sometimes brag about their latest conquests in their gatherings, but Levi never thought to pay them any heed.
Until he projected those debauched thoughts onto Eren.
Fuck.
Stay calm. Levi was assuming the worst, probably in a pathetic attempt to mentally prepare himself for what he might find. Still, the thoughts didn't make him feel better, and every step he took in the direction of Eren’s dull click-clacks filled him with dread and nausea.
They’d been walking for a while, and just when Levi feared that he’d lost him, he heard the sound of flowing water and birds chirping.
The fountain.
Eren had led them to the center of the maze. Levi hastily hid behind a different hedge when he heard the footsteps approach, tensing up. The sounds stopped on the other side, and then drifted.
What was he doing?
Judging from the clicks, Eren was the only person in the opening. Levi stepped back a little, wanting to peer back in again when he noticed something.
A hole. In the hedges.
It was about an arm’s width in diameter—totally not just a tiny mistake. How did such a jarring imperfection get glossed over by the gardener? He’ll have to inform someone. Eventually.
Levi crept closer, slowly using the opening as a sort of window to see what was—
Ah.
Eren was still so cute.
Levi watched as Eren leaned over the sculpture in the middle of the fountain. The marble statue was a depiction of Sina, Goddess of the Inner Wall. In her arms, an empty embezzled vase was being filled with freshly picked roses, courtesy of Eren.
The young omega finished arranging the flowers before setting the basket down to sit beside the water. He clasped his hands together in a prayer, eyes closed as though wishing for something.
What was he wishing for?
Levi seethed, jealousy choking him up as he went through the worst outcomes in his head. Was eren wishing for his little love to bear fruit? Or is it a family that didn’t consist of Levi?
Fucking dream on.
Crack!
… Just his luck, he snapped a twig.
Eren suddenly turned his head in his direction. Levi barely reacted in time to duck below the hole. He considered staying there, but then Eren’s footsteps hastened towards him.
“Is anyone there?”
Should he come out? Yes he should, shouldn’t he? For crying out loud this was his own fucking family’s estate, why should he have to hide behind a stupid bush?
“Come out, creep. I saw you there.”
Creep. Levi almost withered up like a dying flower. If he revealed himself now, the one that Eren thought of as a creep would be him. No way. He’s not coming out.
Levi dashed away at the same time that a hand suddenly came through the hole. He panicked. A dark-stranded bun had also begun to rear out of the leaves. Was Eren trying to catch his stalker by going through the hole?
He wasn’t too familiar with the maze, but Levi knew some routes close to the middle and edges of the structure. If Eren was going to come out through there, Levi might as well run back to where he wouldn’t be looking anymore—the fountain.
It didn’t take long to get back there, because luckily enough, there were no dead ends. But then Levi realized with a gut-wrenching jolt that Eren was still there.
Oh wait. Not really.
He was half-right. Eren was indeed still there—or at least, his lower half was. It had seemed that he’d gotten stuck trying to get through the hole. Levi noted with delight that this position gave him a spectacular view of Eren’s round ass.
“I-I know you’re still there! If you help me out, I won’t tell anyone what you did!”
What he did? Levi raised a brow at his tone, amused that Eren still had the gall to make threats at this point. He was acting like Levi had committed some sort of atrocity just by watching him play with his flowers.
Tell on him, tch.
Levi didn’t respond, not wanting to give himself away with his voice. Eren’s shapely hips began to fervently thrash around in a futile attempt to free himself. The hedges rustled, but ultimately, nothing came undone.
He walked closer to Eren, ghosting a hand over the curve of his ass, but then retracted it. He’s hesitant. Would Eren hate him if he knew? Would he accept his feelings or…
Levi swallowed. What if he really did have someone he liked. As long as Eren willed it, his mother would surely arrange something for them. It wouldn’t be long now. If nothing is done, a day will come when Levi loses all qualification to monopolize Eren’s time and attention.
The hand over Eren’s backside became resolute. His time was running out. Levi had to put a stop to Eren’s silly little fantasies.
“He-hey! What are you doing? Stop that—Ah!”
Eren’s skirt was promptly lifted up before being put to rest on his tapered waist. All his squirming had forced his frilly pink panties to ride up his hole, making for an erotic display. His distress sent intoxicating pheromones into the air. It was an omega’s most powerful biological defense. In dangerous situations, omegas could use their pheromones and sex appeal to entice alphas and betas into protecting them. In a case like this though…
The pheromones protected the omega by making them slick.
In nature, a distressed omega often meant one thing—forced mating. Alphas were built to overpower everyone else. If they wanted an omega, they were getting an omega. It didn’t matter if the latter was willing or not, because like with everything else, evolution favoured reproduction. The pheromones stimulated slick glands, lubricating the omega’s cunt to minimize injury during mating. A complication-free mating meant successful breeding.
Levi licked his lips, pants tenting. If he could breed Eren now, no decent alpha would come after him anymore. And Eren—well, Eren would have no one else to turn to. He could picture it now. His darling omega on his knees, naked as the day he was born, begging the Young Master to have mercy and take responsibility for him and his rounded belly.
The family elders would probably disapprove of them, of course. Hell, they might even try and send Eren away to protect their reputation. But Levi knew his mother. If she realized Eren had his pup, she would help him fight tooth and nail to keep his omega in the main residence. He could install Eren as his mistress, shower him in glory and luxury and raise their child like a rightful heir. Once death comes knocking for his wretched grandfather, no one can stand between him and elevating Eren to wife.
His hands became bolder. Fingers rubbed and kneaded the supple flesh of Eren’s ass, causing him to whimper and whine pathetically.
“Don’t—ah! I-I’m sorry! I’m sorry, please let me go! I won’t hold a grudge! If you leave no— Eugh !”
Levi thumbed the small bulge at the front of Eren’s panties, smirking from behind. He knew better than anyone that Eren was lying through his teeth. When they were younger, the omega boy used to get into all sorts of trouble for trying to settle old scores. He’d gotten a lot better at managing his impulses these past few years. Eren still acted on his rage, of course, but he was smart and discreet about it now.
But not smart and discreet enough to escape Levi’s notice.
His hand trailed up to the wet spot above Eren’s perineum. The scent of omega slick was slowly eroding Levi’s patience with lust, heat pooling in his groin as he salivated.
Eren cried out when his underwear was suddenly yanked off his perky butt, exposing him to the cold spring air. He tried to close his legs, probably aware of what his assaulter wanted to do to him.
Levi ignored the little pleas of “no’s” and “dont’s” to go ahead and have a little taste of his prize. He parted the perfect mounds, revealing a soft pink cunt glistening with fluid.
Sweet.
Eren tasted sweet. So unadulterated, dripping with innocence and inexperience. Levi greedily lapped up the slick, flicking his tongue over Eren’s little hole and occasionally slipping it in to tease him.
The soft sobs from the other side became murderous again. Eren threw curse after curse and even tried to use his identity as the Young Master’s maid to scare him off. How crushed would he be if he knew? That his Young Master and his current nightmare were the very same person?
Clink.
Something dropped to the ground, and before Eren could even guess what it was, a hard object slipped past his asscheeks and invaded the entrance to his virgin cunt.
“O-Ah! Ah! No no no- no! Stop—Eugh—”
The alpha behind him grunted, trying hard not to move his hips.
He did it, he took Eren’s maidenhead. All Levi had to do now was put a baby in his omega, but he wanted to take his time and make him feel good too.
“Y-Young Master!”
Oh fuuuck . Did he kno—
“Help! Help me! Young Master, p-please! He— Ooh !”
This was Eren’s fault.
Levi lost control of his hips. The next thing he knew, he was ramming his pulsing cock into Eren’s reddening hole at a brutish pace, slick squirting everywhere.
Eren was cute, so so cute. Even at this time, he still thought of his Young Master first when looking for help. It’ll never come, of course, since Young Master was currently the one abusing his tender little pussy, but the sentiment excited Levi like nothing else.
The sobbing omega was quickly tiring, Levi could tell. He’d been trying to clench his cunt up till then to make things hard for Levi, but his strength had waned. His insides had become pliant and welcoming, the perfect little cockwarmer for an alpha like him.
If Levi wasn’t so distracted by how good it felt to despotically use Eren like a toy, he’d marvel at the state of his cunt. His omega’s face and body were beautiful, but his little pussy looked lewd and salacious. It was hot like a furnace, and softer and silkier than any pillow Levi had humped to the thought of him.
Blunt fingernails dug into the honeyed skin on Eren’s hips. A budding sensation was beginning to form at the base of Levi’s teenaged cock—the start of a knot.
Eren could probably feel it too, judging from how he’d suddenly mustered up the strength to try and kick him off again.
“No! Anything but that! Pull out! Please !”
The knot had already inflated halfway, but Levi didn’t stop thrusting. The bulbous lump would catch on Eren’s rim everytime he moved his hips back, eliciting screams of pain and begrudging pleasure.
“L-Levi! Lee! Where are you?! Save me, please! Help me!”
Oops.
The load of alpha cum flooded into Eren’s cervix like water from a broken dam. Eren accidentally let out a loud moan then and convulsed on the spot, probably having reached his peak as well.
Levi couldn’t hold it in anymore. Eren hadn't called him by that name since he himself was a child. A mantra of desperate “Eren’s” left his lips as he continued to chase his high. Fortunately enough, the body before him had gone limp, signaling that Eren had passed out from his struggle and exhaustion.
He panted hoarsely, leaning down to hug whatever part of Eren’s back he could find, thoroughly sated and unspeakably happy.
Levi pulled out carefully.
It wasn’t hard to free Eren from the hedges. It was just a bit of tangled branches and crooked twigs, though he supposed it’d still be a difficult feat to undo on one's own without knowing exactly where the problems were. Levi faintly wondered if he should arrange a raise for the gardener in thanks for his… contribution.
The sky was still bright, and the splashing from the fountain filled the air with a calming rhythm. When Levi turned his head, he happened to catch a glimpse of the bright red roses that Eren had left in the vase.
A memory suddenly flashed in his head.
When he was 9, his mother asked why it was that he felt so attached to Eren. Why it couldn't have been anyone else for him. Even though the boy was older, he was wild and rambunctious, nothing at all like the well-behaved future-Lord Ackerman. The other children of the household servants didn’t like him, but Levi found his quirks intriguing. The years passed, and like a domesticated wildflower, Eren’s thorns were gradually pruned, leaving only the most dazzling qualities.
Back then, what did his mother’s question make him think of?
"It's the time that you lavished on your rose that makes your rose so important. People have forgotten this truth,” the fox said, “But you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose…"