Behind the Walls
Chapter 3 – Destiny
Disclaimer: I own nothing, including but not limited to Attack on Titan or Okane Ga Nai.
A/N 2.0: Re-posted it today after hearing anything from support, there will be no explicit content on here. See my profile for more info.
Destiny (n.) - the pre-determined, usually inevitable or irresistible, course of events
Levi stared back at the door, 'I hate Erwin, its official now.'
He watched as the knob turned on his door and the last person he wanted to see came into view.
Mikasa.
Mikasa Ackerman was his one and only daughter. Of course she hadn't known that she existed until about five years ago. His freshman year, Levi had gotten particularly drunk. Needless to say, the night ended with a girl form one of his classes, pregnant and him never knowing. Levi was still unsure whether he would have ever known if the circumstances had been different. She had told Mikasa to find him should she die. It came as quite a shock when a girl came to his office to tell him the story. Of course Levi didn't believe her, but the paternity test couldn't lie. At the time, Mikasa was entering her freshman year of high school, so Levi did all he could to make her transition into adulthood tolerable. Now, being the only family she has left, the father and daughter pair had grown quite close in the short time they had had together. Currently Levi was paying for her to get her bachelors in business to follow in her father's footsteps.
Mikasa's face darkened after taking in her father's form, "Why are you covered in bruises and bed ridden?"
Levi sighed, "First of all, I don't know how many times I have told you, but please call before you come over. I had just finished a meeting when you marched in. Second, Erwin himself has told you a million times to call him by his name. At this point you aren't being respectful, but actually rude by not respecting his wishes. And finally, demanding answers is no way to talk to your father."
Mikasa glared back at him, "Why are you covered in bruises and bed ridden, sir?"
"Well since you asked so nicely," Levi replied sarcastically, "I was walking home from the office and was mugged. That glasses freak of a physician claims I need to stay home. But I am fine and there was no need for you to come over."
Mikasa stared back at Levi for a moment. She slowly approached the bed and sit on the edge of it and looked her dad straight in the eye and said, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Levi hated that face. The look of concern that no one should have to show another, but especially not a daughter who tries to please her piece of shit father. That look was the one thing he could never return, no matter how hard he tried. No the ability to care about one's children had been removed from him by his own father years ago. Levi closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and looked back at his little girl, "Have I ever lied to you? It'll take a lot more than some thugs to take this old man out of commission. Don't worry about me, I am sure you had plans on a night like this, go have some fun."
As if on cue, another voice comes resounding through the house, "Mikasa! Hey it's getting late; the movie starts in like 20 minutes. We need to get going if we want good seats!"
Levi looks back at his daughter with a look of rage, "Was that a boy's voice? Did you seriously bring a boy to my home and expect me not to find out? Why didn't tell me you were dating someone? Is he a punk? Does he do drugs? Does he get good grades? Where is he-"
"Stop it! We are just friends and don't you dare interrogate him. This is why I didn't tell you he was here!" Mikasa countered, annoyed.
A moment later, the boy, Mikasa's age, appeared in Levi's doorway. Levi took a moment to look him over as he approached the place where Mikasa was sitting. He was dressed in a simple shirt and jeans. His shoes were worn but not tattered. His brown hair was a bit of a mess poking out in every direction, but Levi figure that was the best the kid could do. Overall the kid looked normal, then Levi glanced down at his face. Those fucking eyes. Although they didn't seem as bright, that flicker of determination still showed strong. There was no mistaking it, Levi knew this boy. This was the brat that had given him the umbrella, not even a day ago. Levi just stared at the kid, unable to find the words for the situation.
The boy smiled back Levi as he extended his hand, "Hello! You must be Mikasa's father, I am Eren Jeager. It's very nice to finally meet you."
Levi was at a loss. He knew that this was the boy, but it seemed like he didn't recognize him at all. 'Maybe this is a good thing,' Levi wondered, 'it wouldn't exactly be good if Mikasa knew the true extent of my trouble yesterday. I guess I will see how this pans out.'
Levi accepted the boy's hand and replied, "It's nice to meet you as well."
Mikasa rose from the bed and looked Levi, "Well if you are fine, then I will head out. But I will be back this weekend, so you better not plan any meetings."
Mikasa leaned over and hugged her father still in the bed, not squeezing too tight. Levi watched her daughter exit the room. Eren stayed a moment longer, staring at Levi sitting in the bed, "I promise your daughter is safe in my hands. Don't worry, she is just a friend and I have no intentions of doing anything."
Levi shot daggers at the boy. How dare he presume to tell him such things! Levi simply looked back at the boy, cracked his knuckles, and said, "I'm sure that's the case. But remember Jeager, I am an influential man. If want something, I have people who make it happen. Have a lovely evening."
Levi smirked as he heard Eren gulp loudly and turn to exit the room. Levi grabbed his laptop and got to work.
Levi never thought that processing some simple paperwork would be so difficult, but the world seemed to think that it needed to be. Just when Levi had finally got focused he was interrupted by:
From: Hanji
Subject: Pills
Hey Levi! Just wanted to see how you were feeling. I wrote up a script for some pain medicine if your pain feels like it is worsening. Just tell me if you would like it filled, and I'll go get filled and bring it by tomorrow.
'Why does everyone think I am in some sort of extreme pain? It's not like a bomb exploded on me! Glasses freak,' Levi thought annoyed.
From: Levi
Subject: Re: Pills
I am fine. I don't need an addiction in my line of work. Now if you could leave me alone, I need to keep my company afloat.
After replying to the tedious message, Levi got back down to business. He began typing up a proposal when suddenly his phone buzzes again:
From: Erwin
Subject: Condition
Hey, where did you go? I came home to find you were gone, no note, no call, and no text? What did Hanji say?
Levi glared at his phone. He was very tempted to not reply, simply because he didn't have time for that. Unfortunately he knew if he didn't reply, Erwin would come over, and he really didn't have time for that.
From: Levi
Subject: Re: Condition
I am fine, perfectly fine. I didn't want to impose, so I went back home. And before you get any ideas, Isabel said she will be staying here until I am ready to go back to the office. So, don't worry about me, just keep this city under control.
Feeling satisfied that he wouldn't be receiving anymore disturbances; he went back to typing away on his proposal. Not five minutes later his phone promptly buzzes again. Levi picks up his phone to chuck it when he glances at the message:
From: Mikasa
Subject: no subject
In the rush I forgot, I love you and show those injuries who are the boss!
Levi's rage faded has he reread the short message. Levi took his laptop off his lap and lay back in bed, 'I suppose I didn't screw her up too bad after all.'
From: Levi
Subject: Thanks
Thanks kid. Have a good night.
Upon reviewing the day's events in his mind, there was one part he could stop thinking about. Eren Jeager. No matter what he did his mind kept floating back to the kid. But how could they not? Eren was a mystery wrapped in a bigger mystery. What was the boy doing out so late the night before? Why did he bother to stop to help a complete stranger in a storm? What were the chances of him meeting him again in a situation like this? These questions circled Levi's mind never able to find the answers.
What about him so special? He didn't look any different than your average student. He didn't speak in a remarkable way. He didn't have any sort of presence at a first meeting. But if he wasn't special, why was he debating this mentally?
"That fucking brat pisses me off!" Levi shouted. It wasn't until after he shouted did he even realize that he done so.
A moment later Isabel burst through the door, "What are you shouting about?!"
"Nothing, sorry for disturbing you," Levi replied, quickly.
Shaking her head, Isabel crossed the room and took Levi's abandoned laptop from the bed. Levi immediately sat up and said, "Where do you think you are going with that? I need that."
Isabel turned back to look at him, "You can have it back in the morning. For now, you will go to sleep. If you are determined to go to work again a week, you need to make sure you are getting plenty of rest."
Before Levi could protest, Isabel had left him.
Irritated, Levi rose from his bed and turned out his lights. After making his way back to his bed, Levi's mind went back to the conundrum that is Eren Jeager. Levi decided that it was fruitless to try to solve that mystery. There was one thing Levi knew for sure, he knew that he would be seeing a lot of that brat in the days to come.
And there ends chapter 3! They've met, and Levi knows him, but does Eren know...? But in all seriousness, thank you for your support, and please read and review. As I have been saying at the top as I reposted this but should it get removed again, I won't be reposting it again. It can be found on AO3 as well.