A/N: Modern AU, please enjoy!

"Take me out tonight." Those were the words that left the man's lips.

The man on the other side of the phone laughed. "Whatever you say."

That was that, he didn't ask questions. It was a quality that Levi liked in his best friend. There were no uncomfortable interrogation sessions, he would take his word for it. Just what he needed that night, as he paced outside of the place where he had lived. A brick house, three bedrooms but only one was occupied. Deathly quiet, he was sat on the porch. The sun had long gone and only the dark was left. He sat down on the porch, sick of waiting. A sigh left the man's lips as he leaned his head back. It had been a while since he felt welcome in his home. It was empty, but he could still hear them sometimes. It was often on nights like these that he would be standing outside the bathroom, thinking it was occupied. He could hear her singing but as he pulled at the handle, it would open and there it was. Empty.

His eyes had started to close, he was lost in thought. They were still there, even in his dreaming. This time, their faces were twisted, crimson splatters on the ground. No, not this again.

"Levi." A stern hand shook his shoulder abruptly.

Instantly, his grey eyes opened as they focused on the taller blond man who was stood in front of him now.

"Sleeping out here again, huh?" A soft voice spoke as Levi glanced to the side, unable to look Erwin in the eye. He didn't respond as he scrambled to his feet.

"You can't keep doing this, you'll get sick." He sighed.

"Fuck you. Let's go asshole." Following his usual reply, Levi shoved his leather jacket into the arms of the taller man. He had already started walking to the car as Erwin followed without argument.

"Charming as ever." He smiled as Levi made a face. The dark-haired man grumbled under his breath as the car was unlocked, taking his seat. Waving back his hair with his palm, his eyes were set on the path ahead. This was normal for them, for him. He looked forward to nights like these when he wasn't stuck on his own, not that he would admit that to him of course. The younger man shifted in his seat, leaning his elbow on the door. It was certainly more comfortable than the porch and not as cold.

"So, where to?" He asked as he started up the engine, already setting out from the street.

"Anywhere, I don't care." Vague as ever but he didn't complain, this was normal for Levi.

"Alright. Let's go to that club I told you about."

"Aren't you too old for shit like that?" Levi's eyes locked on him, snorting. It was petty, maybe, but he didn't care. He couldn't help it, or so he had told himself. His eyes were on his, thoughts pushed away to the back of his head. The present mattered, not the past, he had to remind himself of that.

"Hey, I'm not that much older than you." The older man shook his head as Levi scoffed, his eyes now on the road once more.

"Right. Officer Smith trying to get down with the youngsters. That's so lame."

"I don't think anyone's used that phrase since 2001, Levi." Erwin snorted, nudging him.

"Fuck off." He rolled his eyes, as a hint of a smile appeared on his lips. He didn't know how he did it, but already he felt calm, the troubling thinking already seeming to vanish. This was what he needed, to be away from that place.

"Anyway, I know you don't really drink but I thought you could use a night out and maybe a couple of drinks. It would do you some good." The blond was smiling as he drove on, he could even at the corner of his eye.

"What about you? You're driving, maybe we should get a cab instead..." His eyes switched back to him for a moment. The other man's expression didn't change, as his gaze stayed ahead.

"It's fine. Tonight's about you anyway." Reassuring, calm, that was his best friend.

"God, you sound so pathetic Erwin." He scoffed while he couldn't stop thinking why he cared. It didn't seem right, he was sure he didn't deserve any shred of sympathy. It was always the same and he didn't argue with him because he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Pathetic, it doesn't matter. As long as you're okay."

Okay, fine, happy. He was certain that those words didn't belong to him anymore. He wasn't the same kid getting into trouble without a care. Too much shit had happened, yet he didn't voice his unhappiness. Instead, he brushed it off with a lie. It felt easier to do than be honest. It was just simpler.

He was quiet after that; the rest of the journey was steeped in silence that was only stopped when the car stopped. The nightclub was loud, music blaring from every corner. He was too old for this…

"You've got to be kidding me." Levi rolled his eyes as he saw the queue of people, most looked to be at least ten years younger than himself.

"Well you were the one who wanted to go out, remember?" That grin again. Scowling, he reached up for his jacket, snatching from the other man's grasp.

"You always have to be a fucking know it all, jerk." He mumbled as he already took his spot in line. He was lucky that it didn't take too long before it started to dwindle and he was free to take off, towards the bar. Erwin followed him without compliant, standing beside him as he hopped up on a stool.

"I'll have a whiskey." Levi's attention was towards the bartender.

"I'll get this one, and a water for me." Erwin nodded.

"You don't have…" He didn't get to finish his sentence.

"No it's fine. You deserve it, my friend."

There it was. That stupid grin again. He wouldn't change, not that he wanted him to. Drink in hand at last, he knocked it back, his throat burning.

"Another?" The blond asked without questioning. Why did he had to be so damn irritating?

He didn't answer, but he had already ordered another for him. He was too good to him, had been since they met.

"Okay, I'm going to the bathroom. I'll be two minutes. Okay?"

"I'll be fine, don't piss yourself, now go" He practically shoved the taller man as he walked away to the men's bathroom that was at the other side of the club.

Drink in hand, he watched him leave. He was not a big drinker, it tasted like acid, vile and putrid. How he longed for a cup of tea but it didn't have the same effect. All he wanted to do was forget who he was, just for a while. The music was still overbearing, his ears ringing already. This was not the best of plans, he was tempted to call it a night as soon as Erwin came back. In fact, that was what he was about to do as he jumped down from the stool.

Making his way through the crowd, he froze. It looked like them. A red headed girl, a tall brunet. It sounded like them but it wasn't.

"Levi…" He turned around but of course it was not her. All he could see was the blood, their bodies. 'Fuck, no, no not again.' He backed away from the crowd, knocking back the drink that was still in his hand. He went back for another, another, until he could no longer see straight.

Lost in the sea of people, he couldn't find him.

"Levi where are you?" It was them, it was his fault. People were staring as the brunet froze, cupping his face with his hands

"No!" The glass smashed on floor, the sea of eyes still on him.

"Levi!" A familiar voice shook him away from his living nightmare. He didn't move at first, he couldn't. arms wrapped around him and he folded into them.

"Come on, let's go home." His embrace was comforting but his words had the opposite effect.

"No! I don't have a home Erwin!" He shouted, trying to push him away but Erwin's arms wouldn't budge. Why did he have to be like this?

"It's okay, you can stay with me."

He didn't contest as he staggered back, following him. He wasn't sure how much he had to drink, but already his stomach was churning. Cupping his mouth, he was already there beside him.

"You okay?" His vision still fuzzy, couldn't tell if it was an expression of genuine concern or sarcasm.

"Yes, I'm..." He paused, turning his head. "Just give me a minute."

Erwin nodded as he waited for him. Retching, he never felt so ashamed. He had made a fool of himself and he still felt so damn empty. Wiping his mouth, a tissue he luckily had in his pocket, he turned back to his friend who helped him into the car.

"You don't have to do this..." Levi slurred as the other had already fastened his seatbelt.

"It's no problem. You're my best friend, you know that." A hand brushed his cheek, his eyes on him again.

"You put up with all my shit, I'm sorry…" His eyes didn't leave him. It was true, ever since they met he was sure he did nothing but cause the other man trouble. Yet he never complained, even when he had breakdowns in public.

"No, I don't mind it." He shook his head as Levi grabbed his hand, holding it there.

"You should, I'm pathetic." It wasn't a lie, it was how he viewed himself. Before Erwin could protest, he drunkenly crushed his lips against his. He wasn't thinking, it was a reckless, stupid move but he didn't feel him move away at least not at first.

It was only when he realised what he done that he pulled away first. "Shit sorry, I screwed up."

"You didn't." His eyes looked sincere, he didn't break away his gaze. Levi looked away, he couldn't look at him. He just wanted this night to be over.

"Just drive."