Levi stepped into the quiet coffee shop, the bell chiming slightly as the door was pushed open. He stepped inside and went to the counter. A woman came out from the kitchen wringing her hands in a small blue towel.
"How can I help you, young man?" She smiled her wrinkles, acquired with age, extending further.
"Just a house coffee" he said reaching in his back pocket, taking out a sleek black wallet, removing a ten, and handing it to her. She finished the transaction and gave him his change. He dropped a few dollars in the tip jar and turned to find a seat. He spotted a seat by the window and walked towards it, not noticing the man sitting near by until he got close. Noticing the only other seat by the window was across from him, he gave a small sigh, and turned to look for a different seat.
"You can sit there, I won't bite" he heard the man say. He turned back to face him. The man wasn't looking at him, he stared ahead and had him hand extended towards the chair, a small smile on his face. Levi shrugged and sat down. The waitress came over and set Levi's coffee down in front of him and touched the man's shoulder, giggling softly. The man looked up at her and smiled. She retracted her hand and walked away. The man turned his head back to face Levi. Levi brought his mug to his lips.
"Staring is rude, you know." He man just smiled.
"I apologize if I was staring" he said and wrapped his hands around his mug and looked down at his hands. Levi tilted his head with curiosity. He raised his hand and waved it in front of the man's face, receiving no reaction.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realize you are blind." Levi said feeling a twinge of guilt. The man smiled.
"My name's Eren. What's your name?" Levi glanced at him.
"Levi"
"That's a strong name." Levi smirked.
"I suppose" he mumbled and took a sip of his coffee.
"This may sound strange, but can I touch you?" Eren asked looking slightly to the right of his general direction. Levi pondered for a moment before setting down his coffee.
"Go ahead" Eren smiled wide. He slowly slid his hand forward across the small table top before making contact with Levi's hand. He used both hands to feel over his fingers as if searching for something. His moved his hand from Levi's wrist, meeting his leather jacket and following it up his arm to his elbow then to his shoulder before moving over it, sliding up the side of his neck and resting on his right cheek. Eren paused and brought up his other hand and lightly caressed his face before moving his fingers over every dip and smooth surface of his face, memorizing every detail. His fingers trailed over his temple to his forehead and slid down smoothing out the crease between his eyebrows before sliding his first two fingers over the brows and his thumbs dragged slightly down his nose before slipping off the sides and over his closed eyes. His fingers slid down his cheeks and smoothed along his sharp jaw line and down his neck slipping passed his protruding Adam's apple and down to his collar bones, brushing over them slowly before retracting his hands from him. Levi opened his eyes as his wandering hands left him. Eren had a hint of pink dusted his cheeks and was smiling lightly, his hands wrapped around his cup.
"You're quite beautiful" he said quietly. Levi's eyes widened slightly before returning to normal.
"Thanks" he mumbled taking a sip of his drink.
They talked for a long time before Levi looked at his watch. He frowned.
"I need to leave" he said. Eren's smile dropped slightly.
"Oh." He said and tilted his head down towards his hands. Levi pushed his chair out and stood.
"Umm" Eren said before stopping and looking to where he was standing moments ago.
"Yes?" Levi asked.
"Could I touch you, again? Just for a moment?" He asked a slight blush washing over his cheeks. Levi leaned down slightly so eren's hand could reach him.
"Sure" Eren turned to where he heard his voice and slowly raised his hands before they reached his face. As soon as they made contact Levi's eyes slipped shut. Eren's hands moved slowly, taking in every detail before his hands rested on his cheeks, caressing softly before he reluctantly let go and returned them to his cup.
"Thank you" Levi stood straight again.
"You're welcome" his said and raised his hand hesitating by Eren's cheek before settling on his shoulder, giving a soft squeeze and releasing him. Levi gave a soundless sigh before turning and walking to the counter. The woman finished with a customer and looked at him smiling.
"Thank you!" She said quietly, grasping his hand. "I've never seen him look so happy. You're the first person to actually talk to him here, besides the staff." Her smile was wide. Levi slowly tugged his hand out of her grasp.
"You're welcome, but could you tell me, does he come here often?" Levi asked.
"Oh yes! He's here everyday! He sits in the same spot day after day."
"Thank you" Levi nodded giving a parting look to Eren before walking out of the cafe.
Levi returned to the cafe the next day, the bell chiming and walking to the counter and ordering a house coffee. The waitress smiled at him and waved him off. He walked towards the back and noticed Eren immediately, sitting by the window. He was holding a book with one hand and his fingers skimming across the page his stare fluctuating with emotions the more he moved his hands. Levi slowly walked to him and stood to the side glancing at the page, seeing a series of random looking bumps on the page. Levi reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. Eren raised his hand and placed it on Levi's.
"Levi, you're back!" He said smiling. Levi let a small smile grace his features.
"Yes" he sat down across from Eren, watching as Eren placed a velvet book mark in between the pages he was reading. He set it off to the side and reached forward grasping Levi's hand in both of his. His smile was wide.
"I'm glad, I thought I'd never touch you again." He trailed off. Levi concluded that by touch he meant see. Levi turned his hand and held Eren's, making him smile shyly. They began asking questions and getting to know each other. Eren talked adamantly and smiled the entire time bring more small smiles to Levi's face. Levi was enjoying spending time with the man.
"So, do you have a girlfriend?" He asked, the question innocent but it bothered Levi.
"No" he said his annoyance leaking into his voice.
"Boyfriend?" Eren asked.
"I'm not in a relationship." He said cutting off the conversation. Eren smiled.
"I'm surprised, with how beautiful you are, I assumed men and women would be lining up." He said, raising the hand not held by Levi to hide his giggle. Levi shrugged.
"I intimidate people" he said, stroking the back of Eren's hand with his thumb, subconsciously.
"Really?" Eren gasped. "I never would have known" he said. Levi squeezed his hand for a moment before lifting his other and lightly placing it on the man's cheek. Eren leaned his cheek into the gesture before lifting his hand to keep it there. Even though he couldn't see, he could experience through touch. His eyes closed and he smiled, a calm washing over his face as he relaxed.
They stayed like that for a while, Levi's thumb stroking Eren's cheek bone and a serene smile caressing his lips.
"I want to thank you" Eren said quietly.
"For what?" Levi asked, confusion edged across his voice.
"For talking to me, letting me touch you, you touching me, listening and responding. People tend to avoid me, because I'm blind. It stopped bothering me when I was young, but I live a very lonely life. Talking with you like this makes me happy, it eases the loneliness. Even if you never come back after today, I will cherish the memories you shared with me." He said his voice wavering as tears flowed freely from his eyes, but he still tried to smile, even though the edges of his lips were quivering. Levi's face sank with regret. Regret for not meeting him sooner, for not saving him from his loneliness. Levi stood, crossed to his side and kneeled by his chair, pulling him into a tight embrace. Eren wrapped his arms around Levi's shoulders and rested his forehead in the crook of his neck, while Levi wrapped his arms around Eren's thin waist, pulling him close. His hand came up to rest on the back of eren's head, and gently caressed him.
"I'll never leave you alone, I promise." Levi whispered into his hair. Eren sobbed loudly, tightening his hold on him. Levi vaguely heard the two cafe waitresses ushering people quickly out of the shop, until they were left alone. With people out of the shop Levi didn't hesitate to stand and switch their positions so Eren was sitting in his lap, while Levi sat in the chair. He held him tight, like if he let go, Eren would disappear. Eren continued to sob quietly. Levi quickly pulled out his phone and texted his boss that he wasn't going to make it to work today, and turned off his phone. They sat like that just holding each other until Eren calmed down and was only shaking slightly, tears slowing until they stopped completely. Levi slowly pulled back and took eren's face in his hands. He studied his flushed face and trembling lips, wet streaks blending together to make his whole cheek wet. Levi pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped away his tears.
"Don't cry, anymore. I don't like seeing you cry." Levi whispered. Eren nodded slowly before taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Noticeably calmer now Eren smiled and raised his hands to Levi's face before running his hand over his cheek and through his hair, tilting his face and pressing his lips to his cheek. Levi's eyes closed and he relished the feeling of the man's lips on his skin. Eren kept them there for a few seconds before pulling away. Levi raised his hand to Eren's cheek, stroking it softly and taking in all his features. His foggy green eyes were watery and puffy but the tears didn't fall. His messy brown hair falling slightly into his eyes and his cheeks pink. His face still held a young, innocent quality. Levi's face hovered a few inches away from Eren's. Levi's eyes followed his fingers movements as they trailed from his high cheek bones down the side of his face, across his soft jaw line and they slipped over Eren's slightly parted, soft lips. His fingers resting over them before being replaced by his thumb, stroking over his bottom lip. His eyes moved up to look at Eren's eyes. His eyes held nothing but the sense of a far away look. Levi moved closer to his face and removed fingers and lightly brushed his lips over his. Eren gasped softly, his lids closed and he tilted his face slightly to the side, but not making any move to deepen it. Levi's eyes flickered over his face but they closed and he pressed his lips to the other man's a little more. Eren's hand came up to caress Levi's face as he kissed him back. The kiss was nothing but sweet, slow and gentle. Levi loved the feeling of his lips on his own, it made him feel warm and it gave him a strange sensation in his abdomen, he supposed this feeling was what people referred to as "butterflies".
The kiss ended far too soon for either of them, but unfortunately people needed air. Eren rested his forehead against Levi's and placed his hands on either side of his neck.
"Thank you" Eren whispered.
"Why are you thanking me now?" Levi asked a slight chuckle, itching to escape his lips.
"For making this memorable, and making me happy." Eren said and pressed his lips to Levi's again, not giving him time to respond. Levi gave in and kissed him back with equal amounts of passion that Eren was putting into it. Their lips moved together, similarly to dancing. They pulled each other close and spent the day like that. Talking every now and then but mostly just holding and feeling each other. When it was closing time they reluctantly parted ways and Eren picked up his forgotten book before kissing him good bye and walking out of the cafe. His stick bumping into the items around him to keep him on the right path. Levi went to follow him out when he was pulled back by the two women. He stared at them with a questioning look. They were crying but he had no idea why.
"We want to thank you for showing him love and kindness, God knows he deserves it.. we also wanted to warn you." Levi frowned.
"Warn me?" He questioned. The women nodded. The younger of the two spoke.
"Eren has short-term memory loss. Every four days he forgets everything. That book he was carrying, it's his journal. He speaks to a computer and it records his words and transfers them to a machine that makes them into Brail. He reads that journal everyday to remember what he forgot." She explained. "I have never seen him so happy. Almost everyday he brings that book and sits there reading about his life as a third person looking in. It's why he asks to touch people. So he can recognize by feel and description."
Levi's heart sank at the thought of Eren forgetting him. His eyes grew in determination.
"Then I'll make him fall for me, again and again. I'll rekindle his love, every time." He told them and walked out of the shop. The two women stared after him, clinging to each other and crying, smiles on their faces.