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The room is unfurnished, completely empty. That’s no problem for Levi, though. It’ll be easier to clean before he settles in. He plans to pick up a bed frame from Facebook Marketplace in the next few days. For now, he brought an air mattress for the first few nights. This afternoon’s plan also included buying a floor lamp at the nearby Target, since the room doesn’t have a ceiling light. He needs one before night falls.

Well, fuck the plan. Fuck the lamp. Erwin ruined all of it.

He ended up spending the entire afternoon in Erwin’s arms. The cinematic glow of sunset, the warmth, the softness. It was too dreamy, almost dizzying.

It wasn’t Levi’s fault that he forgot the plan. Who the hell worries about getting light when they’re busy getting kissed?

“Smith, I’m gonna grab some tacos and pick up a floor lamp. You want some?”

“Hey, Levi! I made dinner for you!”
It wasn’t Erwin answering, but Hange, their other roommate.

“Were you just standing there, listening in on us?!”

“Nah. I was just trying to steal Erwin from you so I could grab some seasoning off the shelf, and, well, I overheard.”

“I should’ve been in the kitchen helping with the welcome dinner. Sorry, Hange.”

“I still need that lamp, though. I guess I’ll get it later. Target closes at ten, right?” Levi asked.

“No need to rush. We have lamps here in...” Erwin began, but Levi cut him off.

“I’m not gonna do everything in the living room while you two sneak around.”

“I was trying to say in my room, darling.”

“Fuck off, Smith.” Goosebumps ran down Levi’s arms.

Levi ended up staying in Erwin’s room for the first three nights.

It was too dangerous, he thought. What he didn’t know was that this was only the beginning. He would fall into Erwin’s traps again and again in the days to come.