A/N: My first EreRi Fanfic! In advance, I'll say sorry to whatever happens. Please enjoy, anyway!

(Posted: 06/25/2017)

Disclaimer: I only own 100MB of Shingeki no Kyojin pics, I hope that's enough.

Chapter One - Deus Ex Machina

*n. something that suddenly shows up that can solve a seemingly impossible problem*

The sky was dark and the halls were quiet, indicating that the goons outside were fast asleep. Drips of rain started and began pouring out manically.

The only source of light they have was from the candle that was only two inches tall from its use. He knew he was not alone. Only those things were the details to his dreaming state.

"Just wait here." The scene was blurry, but somehow he know it is him. "I'll come back, I promise.""Wait, please... Don't go." the other boy said, his voice trembling with fear. "They'll hurt me."Don't go...

Levi's eyes snapped open from the dream, which is more like a hazy memory. Those last two words still echoed in his mind.

He looked up the clock in his nightstand, 5:23. He sat up and checked his phone by the nightstand. He groaned in dismay, seeing that there were already fifty missed calls, all from Hange.

He took on his morning before setting out of his flat. The bar he worked on has been suffering bankruptcy for almost two months, so he had no choice but to work again in the recording studio, which he never planned on doing again. He suddenly missed the warmth of his heater and the immaculate disposition of his place.

"Your rent's due this Friday, Mr. Ackerman." Oh, rent Levi thought and answered, "I've got it covered."

The sun is up as he took a detour on a nearby coffee shop just three blocks away. There's a chime as he entered the door and walked in front the wooden counter,for there was still no morning rushm He took an order of black tea and sat on one of the tables, making use of the store's WiFi. News suddenly flooding his notification. He scrolled mindlessly as some topics were just as new as yesterday, until that he saw something of his name:

Rivaille's rumoured with comebackW.O.F.'s lead is taking a solo-flightThe true story behind Rivaille's disappearance

The said person in the news didn't absorb much because he knew that 70 percent of the news were made up. But even so, he frowned for a fraction, he told them exactly not to announce of his return yet.

He reviewed the planned tracklist for the oncoming album, the lyrics and the demos have been given to him earlier in the week. They told him to follow the trend and adapt the techno-pop style, which is far from his usual classical rock theme that they once do. At first he didn't oblige ("Such an excuse for excessive use of repetitive lyrics" his thoughts said), but they told him it's to show his versatility.

"One scalding hot black tea for Levi." The barista who usually served him told, smiling as she placed the cup in front of his table. She blew a raspberry, very unprofessional, and smirked "And two packets of sugar."

He took ahold of his cup with a Pentel-printed "Grumpy" on it, which was fine as long as his drink was not sabotaged. He ignored the sugar but kept it in his pocket and began sipping the concoction when his phone buzzed inside his pocket.

Levi groaned and slipped the sheets in his arm and answered the call. He stood up and headed outside the café. Knowing all well that it is Erwin, his manager, he spoke up first. "Shit, Eyebrows... I'm almost there!"

"Oh God, Levi. You need to go here quick." Erwin demanded. "The composer is on her way."

"I know." He rolled his eyes as he went head on busily. He sipped his tea, surprisingly unaware of his surroundings.

It's just five days when he agreed to this deal since he's been made aware of the recording company's rivalries. Levi's comeback would make a great impact. He wouldn't just agree on this if Erwin didn't pull off that "I am your bestfriend" line.

"Please," Erwin pleaded, which was very rare. "Be serious about this."

"I am!" He answered, still in his monotone voice. "I'll be on it—"

Then there came a force that managed to shake Levi down, only to be noticed as the liquid in his cup pressed against his chest, half of it managed to spill on the icy ground. Sheets of paper that were not his flew everywhere He cursed.

"I'm so sorry!" The boy, who is a bit taller than him, spoke out. The boy must be in his twenties. He was wearing a white button-ups and black jeans under his long dark-green coat. His brown hair was covered with a beanie that matches the color of his coat.

The brunet kneeled down the ground, as he attempted to gather all the things that scattered down. "I was searching for my dog and I can't see where I was going and—"

Forgetting that he was still connected on his manager's line, he hung it up. He's gonna be late for his appointment, but getting to the nearest clothes store is another thirty minutes "Oi, brat! Are you blind? My clothes have been soiled!"

"U-uh... Gomen, gomen. I didn't see you." The brunet whispered, mostly to himself but Levi heard him spoke, just by a bit and gave him a steely glare. "Please understand."

"Didn't see me?" This isn't making any sense. "I didn't know you're as tall as you're pride. Now, don't go making fun of my—"

"I DID NOT see you. I CAN'T see anything at all!" The other spoke clearer now, but still shaky. "Please, don't glare."

He tried speaking out, but nothing came out. This conversation shouldn't be happening, but observing the brunet, he is serious about what he said. The older man kneeled down to help the other but was given a smack in the hand.

"I soiled your clothes. And if I hurted your ego, I'm sorry." The said brunet managed to gather what he can despite the impairment. The said guy finally stumbled as he stood up and tried to reach out what he collected and keep it. Levi thought it's wise not to speak. "I just wasted our fifteen important minutes."

The raven-haired's steel eyes managed to connect with the other's ocean green eyes. How they stare like they can see him, unnerving, showing a hint of seriousness and bit of shyness. He remembered some people like him, they were like staring off into space, usually emotionless. This guy was an exception, must've mastered it for a long time.

"I-If you want... You can have these." He gave him a store bag, only that when Levi noticed that he handed the new clothes half a meter away from him "I-I don't need them till the day after tomorrow."

"Wait, no." Levi automatically answered. Yeah, he can be heartless when he needed to, but not in this situation. Besides, it looks like it costs more than it looks like.

"I insist." He shoved on, finally reaching the singer's hands. He added on firmly, "You're in a hurry right? Next store's thirty minutes from business district."

*What is this* Levi thought. A 'deus ex machina'? Avoiding to be rude, he accepted the clothes. His phone vibrated again. "Just. Wait a moment."

He answered it without looking on the caller ID and sported a lie, "I'm on the lobby now. Yeah, bye."

He hung up again and looked around for a certain green-eyed brunet.

But he was already gone. *How will I contact him?*

Then at the corner of his eye, he saw a sheet that was similar to what the boy from earlier was getting. He picked that up.

Missing Dog (Picture attached)Tsubasa (male brown poodle, four years old)If found please contact:Eren

Somehow, Levi heard that name before, but he doesn't know when or how. And somehow, he knew they'll meet again.

I just borrowed a dog from another universe, please don't sue me!

I'm very, very sorry if Levi is OOC. I tried. I have reasons. And I know that I tweaked the ways of the music industry by a bit (I think), also... reasons.

Besides EreRi, what ship would you want sailing in this story? I really need opinions so, please do review. It's my first multichapter (that I'm eager to finish).

And I wanna love this story and be proud of it (unlike my original works, which is a big, big disgrace)

Any questions? Reactions? Rate and review!

~-Kazzui-Addiction