I know this feels like a filler chapter, but it's not. It actually serves a purpose: I wanted to allow more emotion to develop for both Eren and Levi, and also I wanted more time to pass (super original title, I know). But I tend to skip days in the story between chapters, since I don't want things to get boring and I usually only include the days with necessary plot elements, which is normal for writers as far as I know. But I wanted a chapter like this one to be included as a full chapter with the normal time between updates, so that the readers can sympathize with the way the characters feel time is passing. Eren's very nervous about this whole proposing business, so every day drags by for him as the date gets closer and closer that he has to buy a ring. Meanwhile, Levi is still trying to figure out if Eren remembers their past lives or not, and the result is a rather apprehensive man for whom the days are slower also. I just wanted to make sure you all got that. Anyhow, please enjoy this chapter!
Eren awoke on Saturday morning to an empty bed, save for a note on Levi's pillow: At the lab. I just need to feed the mice, check some notes and then it's Hanji's day. Breakfast is on the kitchen table–good luck today. –Levi
He smiled. It was rare that his boyfriend did things like this, but he decided he should be grateful. He pulled on a T-shirt with his last name and team mascot on it and a pair of jeans, and hurried to the kitchen. Glancing down at his watch, he saw it was already nearly ten. It was game day, so traffic would be awful, and he had to be at the arena by noon. Wishing he had more time to appreciate it, he wolfed down breakfast, threw the plate and glass in the dishwasher, and was out the door the second he found his keys and shoes.
Traffic was hell on the way to the arena, so slow Eren wasn't sure he'd make it before the game ended, much less began. He used the extra time spent in his car to call Levi; they agreed to have lunch at two. When he finally found parking outside the rink (thank God he was guaranteed a spot as the coach) he breathed a sigh of relief and dashed to the lockers. He arrived with just enough time to lead his team through a series of energizing pump-up exercises, gave them a few inspiring words, and sent them out on the ice. He spent the rest of the game completely absorbed, barely aware he was yelling himself hoarse as he shouted a mix of encouragements to his own team and insults to the other. His team won, and the lockers after the game were full of raucous victory shouts and well-muscled slaps on the back. Eren stood on a bench and made a speech of congratulations, then hopped down and apologized to his team for leaving so soon, but he had a date. He gave a strong high-five to each player and left, receiving a "good luck" and some catcalls. He laughed to himself and hurried to his car. Turning the radio up, he drove cheerfully to the restaurant.
Sina Bistro was a relatively small, cozy place in the shopping district. It was out of their way by a lot, so Eren and Levi generally dined closer to home, but they sometimes came by for casual dates when neither had much to do. Levi had suggested it earlier when Eren called, and Eren had agreed enthusiastically, knowing his attire wouldn't present an issue. When he arrived, he found his boyfriend standing outside, leaning against the wall in black slacks and a black dress shirt, clearly having come straight from work. There were pink and purplish lines on his forehead and cheeks from his goggles, still in the process of fading. Eren smiled and ran over to him.
"Levi!" He called, getting the man's attention before awarding him a kiss on the lips as greeting.
"Hello to you too, excitable brat." Levi chuckled at him, wrapping an arm around his taller boyfriend's waist.
"I'm only younger than you by a few years, you know!" Eren protested, taking Levi's hand off his back and intertwining their fingers as they walked into the restaurant. Levi snorted.
"That changes nothing." He led Eren to a table by the window, where they both tried to pull out a chair for each other before deciding to just sit down without bothering. Soon enough, a waitress came over to take their drink orders.
"Coffee, please," Levi ordered. Eren shot him a glance of disbelief.
"Sprite for me," Eren requested. Once the waitress left, he turned and raised an eyebrow at the man across from him. "Coffee at two P.M?"
"Shut up. You don't have to spend hours every day in the same room as Hanji," he pointed out. "Also, Sprite? What happened to being a 'grown-ass man, as you put it?"
"I can drink whatever I want!" Eren protested. "Besides, I need to drive home after this." Levi nodded in agreement.
"Fair point," he conceded. "So how was the game? I'd have watched it, but there's no TV at the lab."
"It was amazing! We totally dominated the Guards!" Eren's eyes lit up, blazing with excitement as he recounted the Legionnaires' epic victory. He was halfway through explaining his team's courageous plan of attack when the waitress came back with their drinks.
"Are you ready to order now, sirs?" She asked, readying a notepad and pen to take their orders.
"Yes, thank you." Levi interrupted his boyfriend's tale of the heroic hockey players, causing the man to pout a little. "I'll have a roast beef sandwich."
"Turkey and cranberry sandwich for me, please." Eren looked up at the waitress. Levi raised an eyebrow as the waitress excused herself to deliver their orders to the kitchen.
"Again–why?" Levi asked, incredulous.
"They're good, don't judge," replied the brunette. "Krista–that girl who hangs out with Armin sometimes–she made me try one, and they're not that bad."
"Hm. So tell me about the rest of that game?" Eren grinned and continued his story.
The rest of lunch went by that way: Eren gave Levi a gleeful play-by-play of the game, and the black-haired man sat by and listened contentedly. After paying the check, both exited the restaurant to return home for an afternoon and evening of relaxation. They shared one last deep kiss in front of the restaurant before heading to their respective cars. Behind the wheel of his vehicle, Eren's heart thrummed with the rush of winning the game and the anticipation of the day he would finally buy the ring and take a knee. In his own car, Levi sat uncertain. It's been a week since he had that dream, he thought, and he hasn't said a thing since then. A shiver of apprehension threatened to run through him, but he suppressed it and brushed off the feeling.
At home, they changed into pajamas and spent the rest of the afternoon curled up in each other's arms on the couch by the TV, and then in bed. And in that way they passed the night, and Sunday much the same. For both men, the weekend floated by at a leisurely pace. But for Eren, Monday afternoon came far quicker than he was ever prepared for.
I hope you liked this one! By the way, Eren's team is the Stohess Legionnaires, and the opposing (haven't quite decided who coaches yet- leave suggestions in the reviews!) is the Trost Guards. Thanks for reading!