(A/N: I'm back! Honestly, I should be updating my other stories, but I'm more excited about writing this one. This story is my first one for Levi/Eren and I just recently got back to writing, so please be patient with me! I haven't gone to college/university, so I'm sorry if I make any mistakes about it!)

Rated: M for future chapters

Warnings: Tragedy, Angst and a slow build to conflict

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters or SNK

Enjoy!

Updated: 6/8/15

Where It Began

I have so many regrets. It's intoxicating. Everyday, I'm reminded of every single one of them. It's suffocating me.

If I had the chance to go back and change them all, I would immediately take it. I'd give anything for a second chance. Sadly, I'm here suffering.

Regrets have two consequences; living with regrets and dying with them. I know how horrible it is living with regrets, but it seems, I'll be experiencing how it feels to die with regrets.

It was six years ago. I was in my last year of university, majoring in Fine Arts. Painting and drawing always fascinated me. Every minute of the day, I was drawing in my notebook, or in the art room, painting.

It was no surprise how popular my paintings were. They would always be sent in for competitions and majority of them; I would win. The prizes were mostly money, which was convenient for me. Living in a small apartment complex wasn't easy.

It was a warm Tuesday afternoon and I was heading to the art room like always. It was my only retreat from a stressful day of non-important subjects.

Passing the many classrooms, I jogged until I came to the music room. The familiar singing voice seeped from the room. Every time I passed by, I would always hear it. It soothed me. It made me want to delve into a blanket of comfort. I never once thought of entering and seeing who it was, until that day.

I don't know what made me do it, but I grabbed for the slick handle and slowly and carefully, I opened the door. I don't know what I was expecting, but a ray of light shone from the almost ten feet tall window; right in the middle of the room. Dark ruby red curtains were splayed on the sides of the window, giving it a fancy look. My eyes wandered around and slowly set on the person upon me.

His slim back was to me. He slowly turned himself towards me and almost gawked at the sight of me. However, his face turned to a bright red and he closed his mouth tightly. I didn't mean to make him embarrassed.

I narrowed my eyes on him and muttered, "Sorry."

He sighed and shook his head. "No, it's okay." He shifted on his feet and slightly tilted his head to the side, "Not a lot of people come here at this time. You're the first, actually!" His smile was bright. His expressions changed rather quickly.

"Uh, I always hear your voice when I come this way..." I drifted off and let my eyes wander to the piano behind him. "It's really nice." No, it's more than nice. It's beyond beautiful, just like an angel.

"Thank you!" His smile radiated. I stared at it and finally focused my eyes on his face. His round eyes made him look younger, but then again, I didn't know how old he was.

"Hey, aren't you Levi?"

I shifted my eyes back on him and said, "Yeah." I narrowed my eyes at him, "Why?"

Next thing I knew, I had an excited boy in front of me, almost losing air. "I love your art so much! I've always admired your talent," he rambled on. It was usual for me to come across admirers like him, except he was different; somehow and someway. "Your colors...they're so...vibrant and soothing. The scenes you paint, they're breathtaking." His rosy pink lips rose up in a perfect curve. "I don't know how you do it," he breathed out.

I should have smiled. Instead, I nodded and let out a small thank you. I wasn't sure on how to respond. I would always say "thank you" and just leave. I've always been like this.

We stared at each other and the atmosphere had slowly gotten to an awkward feel. "Uh, it was nice talking to you, but I need to get to the art room." Just as I was about to leave, I stopped and turned back. "What's your name?" I asked, narrowing my eyes on him.

"Eren Jaeger."

"Eren." I tested his name. The way my mouth reveled in just saying his name; intrigued me. "Huh, well I guess I'll see you around." With that, I waved at him and headed outside the room.

Not even a minute later, he was calling my name. I turned my head and saw him standing right outside the music room. "Um, is it okay for us to go home together?" he nervously asked. He thinned his lips and glanced away.

I didn't even know if we went the same route home or whatever. Something told me to accept his offer. It wouldn't hurt anyway. "Sure," I answered.

Eren let out a sigh of relief and grinned. "I'll wait for you!" And with that, he quickly went back inside and continued singing where he left off.

I stared at the tall, mahogany door. How strange. A swift turn, and I continued my way towards the art room.

Honestly, I was surprised. The brunet boy was sitting right outside the music room. He was deeply absorbed in his music. He didn't even notice me walking towards him; not until I was standing right in front of him. He froze and glanced at me. With quick legs, he jumped up and gathered his belongings.

"Ah, sorry I didn't notice you."

That's when I really noticed the height difference. He was four inches taller than me. I wasn't sure if I should feel jealous or pissed off.

"Well, let's go."

He strode right by my side. I could feel his eyes upon me, but I let it slide.

I didn't really understand, but he found me interesting? I just had a feeling.

We stepped out of the cool school building and were hit with a blast of warm breeze. My vision was blurred by the blazing sun.

"Levi," he called out to me. "Why do you like to paint so much?" he asked. His eyes were fixated elsewhere. I only glanced at him and turned back to focusing ahead.

I hummed and shrugged my shoulders. "I've always liked to paint. I don't really have a reason to it."

"What do you mean you don't have a reason." He furrowed his eyebrows. "You must have a reason!"

I never really thought about why I paint. I just painted; to relieve stress, when I was over-thinking or just simply bored. Do I love painting? Yeah, of course, but I didn't consider it a real reason.

"Maybe you haven't found the reason yet."

Part of me wanted to agree with him; the other part wanted to just completely go off and rant how he didn't know me.

He doesn't know me at all.

"I guess," I finally responded. I completely ignored the subject and focused on the scenery around us.

It was autumn and we were surrounded by hundreds of orange, red, and brown colored trees. The leaves swayed in the breeze; every so often a leaf would fall and land softly. However, the sky was just marvelous. It was a blanket of orange and pink swirled all around.

I never noticed when we arrived to the station. Together we boarded the train. It was merely empty and quiet.

"How come we both take the same train, but I've never seen you here?" I asked Eren.

"I usually leave early," he immediately answered.

I watched as he turned around and faced the sliding doors. He muttered something about the now night sky, but I wasn't paying attention. At that moment, I realized how intriguing his eyes were. Them themselves were a blanket of sea colors. Blue and green splattered in a swirl that made it actually look...beautiful. To top it all off, his deep brown hair just complimented his creamy, tan skin. Not to mention, made his eyes just pop.

This boy—

"Earth to Levi!"

was a masterpiece.

"What?" I glared without thinking. I noticed him step back and look away. I was distracted and didn't think at all. I let out a sigh and assured him, "Sorry...I didn't realize what I just said."

He seemed to understand and continued to look outside. Since when was the ride this long? "Do you smile?" he asked.

I raised an eyebrow at the odd question and joined him. "I smile when I'm painting." We bumped elbows, but I didn't mind. "Let me ask you a question." He hummed and turned his full attention on me. "Why are you so interested in me?"

He froze and was stricken by my sudden question. It was such a sight to see him all flustered. "I-Is that how I come off as?" he stammered. Eren could barely keep his eyes on me.

"Sort of." I was being honest.

He sighed and gave a clumsy smile. "I sort of look up to you," he said.

"Oh." That was all I could say. I should have said more.

His stop had come and it was time for him to leave. "I'll see you tomorrow, right?" he said right after he stepped out. His bright eyes anticipated for my response. His lips were slightly curved in a small smile.

I swallowed and straightened up. "Sure," I replied.

Eren grinned and waved just as the doors closed. After that, I was left with the memory of his warm smile. Deep down, something told me that he would soon be in my life a lot more.

We would cross paths countless time.

(A/N: I know the first chapter was fairly short, but I promise later on the chapters will get longer! btw please look at my profile, thank you!)