Party: so just pretend Levi has the back of his head like Eren or something. Like he doesn't have an undercut. Just do it ok.
Wednesday, 10 a.m
The car ride was quick, the town not being too far away. Levi sat next to him but they remained in silence.
The Jaegers lived out of town, away from distraction and loud, annoying noises. It was unspoken, but it was mostly to shelter Eren from the outside, wanting him to focus on becoming a good heir, well anyways that was what his father said. His mother was just simply overprotective, she thought it was safer for him to have a private tutor and not attend a public school.
They lived in the City of Sina, the most prestigious, richest city in all the Districts. Only those who were extremely rich or held some sort of political power were allowed to live there. Or those who aided the government in a way (to get richer). It worked like this: if you could provide a way to make Sina wealthier, they provided you with a house, education, etc. In this case, Grisha Jaeger was a brilliant scientist and doctor who gave all his research and findings to the government. This earned him a place in Sina. But, if he failed to meet these requirements, he would be kicked out. It was a really messed up system, but Sina only wanted the best. Eren's parents never exactly mentioned this to him before ...but ignorance is bliss of course.
Sina was a rather small place (with admittedly small shops) so Eren liked to spend his time in the next town over. Rose was only a short 30 minute drive anyways.
The driver, Gunther slowed the limo in front of the shop. Meanwhile, Eren glanced at the shop and grimaced. Levi told Gunther which barber to, not him. Jade eyes read the name of the store and felt his heart drop.
Colossal. That meant... he sighed to himself and he looked through the black tinted glass. Forget some old coot that would shave him bald, she was way worse.
Levi opened his door and Eren stepped out with a sour look on his face.
"Really Levi?" Eren scowled at him, rubbing at his arms in attempt to escape the chill.
His stoic servant locked the doors and glanced at him, cold wind blowing his straight, black hair. "You didn't say which one." he said simply, automatically knowing to what he was referring to. He led the short walk to the entrance.
Eren huffed, a white puff materialized around him before it dissipated and he jogged through it to catch up to his servant. He may be small, but damn is he fast!
Levi slowed and peered at him. "You didn't wear a jacket." It was more a statement than a question.
The brief, slightly warm summer had ended a few weeks ago. It was the start of a windy autumn; a prelude to yet another harsh winter. The trees were starting to change color and the flowers had begun to decay. Snow came early and it was always cold, but Eren never really learned.
Eren stuffed his hands in the pockets of his hoodie and waltzed in front of him. As he walked, he pulled on the beaded band, letting his silky, brown locks spill out. He looked over to Levi, long bangs getting in his eyes caused by the wind.
"Of course not." there was a playful smile on his lips. He opened the door, jingling as it opened.
Levi sighed slightly, inhaling the cold air and wishing it was the smoke from a cigarette. He followed the brunet inside.
Eren walked in the barber shop and looked around. It was slightly unkempt with magazines and ...scissors lying around. Luckily it was still relatively early so no one was around and Eren didn't have to wait in any line. He looked around for his impending doom but could not find her.
"Oi... Shitty glasses." a deep voice from behind him called out, startling him. Oh my god, he's got to stop doing that.
Levi walked passed him and looked from side to side while straightening his tie. There was a slight squeak and a pair of heavy feet running towards them until a door slammed open. It revealed a slightly out of breath redhead with a wide grin. She repositioned her drooping glasses.
"Levi! You're here to visit me?!" she gushed and ran around excitedly. Apparently they were friends...? Or something.
Levi scoffed and crossed his arms. He nodded his head at Eren. "Kid's here for a haircut." He looked at dying plants in vases and ew-was that a banana peel? He wrinkled his nose in disgust and wondered why he decided to come here.
"I'm not a kid.." Eren grumbled at Levi.
"Of course." It annoyed Eren that he couldn't tell if Levi was being serious or sarcastic. They go hand in hand with him.
"Eren! Hi! You're here!" the redhead exclaimed happily. "You haven't come by lately. I was worried you were never coming back.." she said scratching her head.
Eren chuckled sheepishly. Somehow, saying that it was her own fault for nearly chopping off his ear that one time was kind of hard. Especially when she gave that eerie look as she studied him. "Hey Hanji...Y-Yeah... um.. I've been... busy.." Levi gave something close to a snort. Eren glared at him inconspicuously but Levi had his head turned.
"Oh... well, I guess it doesn't really matter." she grabbed his arm and dragged him to a seat and forced him to sit with surprisingly strong hands. "Sit! Sit! Sit!" she laughed. Then she looked at him in the mirror and rubbed her hands. "So... what shall I cut today?" she wielded two rather sharp scissors in her hand and moved them maniacally over Eren's head.
"Hanji!" Eren yelped and jumped up clutching his hair protectively. "I just want a trim."
She lowered the scissors. "Ehhh?" she said pouting. "You're no fun Eren!" she set the scissors down on the counter in front of him and moped somewhere. "You're just like Levi..." she mumbled sadly grabbing a smock.
Eren looked over at Levi as his name was mentioned. The black-haired man was leaning on the door near the entrance, arms crossed looking bored as ever. Eren sat slowly back in the chair, it was all Levi's fault he was about to get his hair shaved off.
Hanji tied the smock around his neck and began combing his hair. "I won't shampoo it since it's kinda cold outside and I don't want you to get a cold." Instead she dampened his hair with a spray bottle filled with water. "Like this, it can dry faster."
The room rang with a jingle as the door opened. It was another customer. Hanji turned around slightly and smiled.
"Oh you can sit on that chair over there." she pointed to a chair near Eren. The man nodded and sat down. "Moffiiiiit!" she suddenly called out.
"Tch shitty glasses, shut up."
Hanji only laughed and called Moffit again. There was a faint stomping before someone else appeared through the door.
Hanji smiled. "A little help?"
"Yeah, yeah." he sighed and walked over to the customer. Moffit yawned, he was hoping for a little more sleep.
"Now!" Hanji pulled on Eren's chocolate locks a bit, "What to do with you..?"
"I said just a trim, Hanji!"
"Er... right."
x
After much hair pulling and near ear chopping experiences, his hair was finally, finally cut. It took a little more than an hour, but it was done and Eren was beyond irritated and ready to go. Levi couldn't agree more. Apparently, everyone thought like them and came early, hoping to not wait too long. So the shop was filled with noisy customers.
Eren sighed and looked at himself in the mirror as Hanji removed the smock.
"Voila! How's that?" Hanji clapped her hands.
Eren touched his slightly shorter hair, now his bangs wouldn't bother him anymore. "It's good, thanks." he smiled a bit to her. But he had suffered hair pulling and near-ear-snipping moments. There were plenty of crying babies and steam from others getting their hair straightened. Ugh that steam gives me a headache..
He hopped off the chair, his head sore from all the knots Hanji had nearly ripped from his skull. He was tired, hungry and mad. The whole time, Levi was faintly amused. And Eren knew.
Eren paid Hanji extra just so she'd shut up for a second.
Levi was wearing a slight smirk on his lips. "Ready to go, young master?"
Eren slipped the beaded band on his wrist without looking at Levi but he knew Levi was watching at him through the mirror. He's so smug, look at him. It was faint but it was there. He liked seeing Eren suffer. Okay maybe that was exaggerated just a bit... but whatever.
"Levi, I want you to get a haircut."
Hanji froze while washing her hands. Moffit stopped sweeping hair off the floor. Levi does not get haircuts.
Eren spun around facing him with a horribly innocent smile. He held the wrist with the bracelet close to his chest as he tilted his head to the side. "Your hair is getting rather long, isn't it?"
Levi's hair was perfect. Silky smooth and jet black. It snaked around his neck and ears nicely, just why would Eren want him to cut it? Oh.. right, it was Eren anyways.
The brunet turned to Hanji, "Hey, give me one of your magazines."
Hanji bit her lip and hurriedly gave him a hairstyle magazine. Eren opened it and hummed to himself while tapping his chin teasingly. "Let's see..." Hanji glanced nervously to Moffit who just continued to sweep.
"Um.. Eren, maybe this isn't a good idea.." she started.
Eren only waved his hand at her as he flipped through the pages. "Don't worry about it- oh!" he gasped over a specific haircut and nearly giggled, "This one! You'll get this one." he turned the magazine and showed it to Levi.
Hanji looked at it too and gasped. It was an undercut.
Levi stared at it blankly.
Eren smirked with mocking eyes. "You'll get it won't you?"
The brunet heaved a big sigh and threw the magazine on to the counter when Levi said nothing. He strolled to the exit where Levi stood next to. He gripped the doorknob and pushed it open, the bell jingled in response.
Eren barely glanced at him. "Make sure you get it done." He froze a bit, "Today. You can take the rest of the afternoon off. I'm leaving without you."
Levi merely nodded, unfazed as the door shut closed. Hanji shared a worried look with Moffit.
Eren scowled, No way he is getting away with messing with me.
x
Eren ended up staying out longer than intended.
He was running around the Rose Mall buying a lot of unnecessary things, which was always bad. He had bags and bags of clothes and pointless accessories hanging from his arms. In fact, it was starting to hurt. Eren stopped walking and looked at the dozens of bags and sighed, his bangs blowing up. Now this is where he would force Levi to hold them all. Eren gasped and shook his head violently. No, he could do this alone. Levi was busy getting his hair did anyways. He probably won't do it. Eren laughed to himself. Whatever, he was mad earlier. He wasn't so mad anymore since he just went shopping.
The brunet continued to walk, looking around at the stores. I've all ready been to all of them. "Hm.. where should I go next..." he said to himself.
"Hey!"
Eren paid no attention. He was in a mall, it was full of people and noise.
"Hey Eren!" Now Eren turned around, searching for the owner of the voice. He gave a big grin when he saw a long haired blond wave to him.
"Armin!" Eren wobbled over to the fountain ledge he was sitting on. Armin laughed because he resembled one of those girls in high heels.
Eren dropped his bags next to the blond's feet and tackled him in a hug around his neck. Armin squeaked and tried hard not to tumble into the water behind him.
"I haven't seen you in forever!" Eren gave a huge grin and pulled on blond locks playfully. He sat next to him and pushed his shoulder playfully. "What are you doing here?"
Armin was a friend from overseas so it was really weird to see him here. Armin was a petit young man with long blond hair and cornflower blue eyes. He was a little shy yet extremely smart.
"I'm here for you!" Armin smiled. He was wearing a casual white button up shirt and black slacks.
Eren tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean 'for me'?"
"For your birthday." Armin chuckled softly and scratched the back of his head. "It was actually supposed to be a surprise. I didn't think you'd be here, haha."
"You came here all alone just for me?" Eren gasped. It was a 10 hour flight from where Armin lived and although Armin could very well afford it, it was very tiring.
"Yes. Well actually-"
"Eren?" a shocked voice called in front of them.
There stood a black-haired girl holding two cups in her hand with a shocked look.
"Mika-" a blur was all Eren saw before he felt two strong arms circle around his neck.
"Eren. What are you doing here? Are you hungry? Are you alone? Why are you alone?"
"Mikasa, you're here too?" Eren asked, ignoring her usual questions.
Armin laughed, "That was the other surprise."
Mikasa calmed down a bit. It didn't show in her stoic face, but she was very happy. She was also Eren's friend that lived overseas. They only saw each other maybe once a year because of that. The three knew each other because they all used to go to the same private school when they were younger. But Armin had gone to live with his grandfather while Mikasa was transferred to another school.
Mikasa handed Armin a cup. She turned to Eren. "Eren. Do you want one? Are you thristy? I can go get another."
"No! No! It's okay, sit down." Eren rolled his eyes with a smile. Mikasa always acted like this.
Armin sipped on his drink while Mikasa fussed with Eren's newly cut hair. They talked about their lives, school and new friends.
"So why are you guys here?" Eren asked, enjoying the water on his fingertips.
"We were actually going to buy you a gift." Armin said.
"A gift!?" Eren immediately became excited, jumping up and down. He loved presents.
Armin nodded, smiling. "Yup."
"What are you getting?"
"We're not going to tell you, Eren, it'd ruin the surprise!"
Eren pouted. "Fiiine." He looked at Mikasa, hoping she'd tell him.
But she only turned to the side and sipped her drink quietly.
Eren sighed, "Where are you guys staying anyways?"
"Just a hotel around here. After your birthday, we have to leave." The blond answered.
"Aw.." Eren was hoping they'd stay a little longer, but it was only natural. "Well.. make sure you dress up for my party!"
"As what?"
"Like ..princesses and kings and stuff."
"Of course." Armin joked.
"What!" Eren puffed up his cheeks.
"Nooothing." The blond laughed.
Mikasa was silent the whole time except when she occasionally touched Eren's hand to make sure he was really there. She hadn't been able to visit with Armin the past three years because she had been extremely busy with school.
She looked around curiously among the crowds of people walking and buying things.
"Eren?"
"Yeah?"
"Why're you alone?"
"Huh?"
"I mean like you usually have that clean-freak midget around you." Mikasa said straightly.
Eren laughed. "Oh Levi."
Mikasa scanned the mall again, as if he would jump out. "I'm happy he's not here but I'm just bothered that you were alone. What if you got hurt?"
"Hey don't say that about him, he'd get mad." he teased. It was no secret Mikasa hated Levi, and vice versa. "He's just a little...busy today is all."
"Eren did he hurt you?" Mikasa grabbed his shoulders, "Is that why he's not here?"
"Yeah, he's usually always around you. You never give him days off." Armin tapped his lip in thought.
"Tch... " Mikasa tightened her fingers into a fist, "I knew I was right to be worried. He always cursed or made you feel bad."
"No no no!" Eren waved his hands frantically. "He didn't do anything! He's just doing some errands and I wanted to be alone."
Mikasa let him go but still held a suspicious look. Eren was never alone. As much as she hated Levi, she knew he'd protect Eren when she wasn't around.
They talked more for about an hour before Eren glanced at his phone. It was around 6 p.m. He stood up and gasped. "Oh! Dinner's almost going to be served."
"I didn't realize how late it was, sorry Eren." Armin said.
Eren gathered up all his bags and turned to them. "Why don't you guys stay for dinner?"
Armin shared a secret glance with Mikasa. "Today we can't." Mikasa said.
"We need to take of some things." Armin smiled. "We'll see you Friday okay?"
Eren studied them for a bit before he nodded. He waved as best as he could and wobbled to the exit while calling Gunther to pick him up. Eren almost bumped into a couple of people. He heard Mikasa and Armin laugh at him from a distance.
x
When Eren got home, he shoved all his bags to all the maids flitting around him.
"Dinner's almost ready!" one said.
"Yeah, yeah." he waved them off. Eren walked in the direction of the dining room and sat down.
"Oh Eren, you're back!" Carla said.
"Hi mom." Eren said back lazily. He was in a fairly good mood. He'd seen his childhood friends, bought some crap, and now was about to eat delicious food.
"Your haircut looks good. I'm glad you listened."
"Thanks." he yawned. Walking around and searching for the right Gucci sneakers really made his legs feel sore.
He looked around as dinner was being served. It was just his mom, him and a few of his father's guests.
"Where's father?" he asked half curious.
"He has some... business to take care of." Carla said with a slight nervous look on her face.
Eren didn't notice. "Okay."
Carla decided to change the subject. "Eren, once you're done eating, you have to help me invite all the people to your party."
Eren's eyes widened in horror. "No!"
Carla ignored him and continued. "And plan the party, set up the decorations, tell the cooks what to make."
"That's soooo much work!"
Carla only laughed.
Party: im not done teasing Levi yet! :3
And I think Mikasa is too cute with her over protectiveness :3
R&R!