He didn't lose his mind. Erwin has been the only thing he's ever been so sure about in his entire chaotic existence. Levi tethered himself to his cause, but through it came to understand the man. It isn't just that Erwin turned him into more than he could have hoped to be on his own, but also that Erwin has never once degraded him, never derided his origins or his intelligence or his experience. Even in those early days when Levi acted out, still had so much difficulty navigating a new set of seemingly inexplicable and unspoken social rules, Erwin never once made him feel lesser. After scraping to survive in the bottom dregs of society for most of his life, how could Levi not love him for that?

Their bond didn't spring inexplicably from nowhere.

The kiss is slow, but heated. He strokes thumbs over Erwin's cheekbones, delves deeply into his mouth with tongue and teeth, as though he could fill him up with all that he means to him from between his lips. The hand on his back is wide and warm, and Levi allows himself to be pressed close, making a soft noise at the back of his throat to encourage more touches to his skin.