A/N: Hello my beautiful readers!
I would like to say a huge 'thank you' for the support I've gotten for this story over various sites.
WARNING: This chapter contains MILD HARRY POTTER SPOILERS!
B x
LEVI IS BOLD
EREN IS ITALICS
HANGE IS UNDERLINED
Chapter 6
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Saturday PM
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(12:03) So … Hange's dog had puppies.
(12:06) OMG can I see?!
(12:17) What is it with everyone and puppies?
(12:20) Puppies are adorable little balls of energy that love you even if you're a shit human being. They're magic!
(12:25) Maybe I should keep one for myself.
(12:30) Aw you're not a shit human being, Levi. Sarcastic as fuck, yes, but 'shit' is a little excessive.
(12:33) Even for you.
(12:35) Gee thanks.
(12:39) You're welcome :D Sooo? Puppies?
(12:42) Urgh fine. Bear with me.
(12:45) [X] .JPEG
(12:48) This is Bilbo.
(12:53) OMG YOU KNOW LORD OF THE RINGS?!
(12:59) Do I look like I've been born under a rock? Yes I know Lord of the Rings.
(13:05) Oh wow he IS fluffy.
(13:08) And the others?
(13:10) You're insufferable.
(13:16) [X] .JPEG
(13:18) Hange and Sirius.
(13:22) AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
(13:28) [X] .JPEG
(13:47) And this is Belle.
(13:49) Couldn't stretch it to one last fantasy name?
(13:53) Don't knock Disney kid. You'll never win.
(13:58) Okay. I just need to ask one question.
(14:04) How do you rate FROZEN?
(14:09) Sadistically over-rated.
(14:11) IKNOWRIGHT?!
(14:15) It was a song! A FRIGGIN' SONG!
(14:19) And if anyone else had sung that song it wouldn't be nearly as powerful.
(14:23) Eren.
(14:26) What?!
(14:30) I think you have to let it go.
(14:56) Haha no! I fell off the sofa laughing and now Mika is lecturing me! Totally worth it!
(15:00) I'm going to have to apologise to your sister for ruining so many moments with you guys.
(15:03) Sadly, I need to go and be sociable so I'm being forced to leave my phone in my room for at LEAST two hours.
(15:06) That's monstrous torture.
(15:10) I know right?! Levi SAVE ME!
(15:15) What do you want me to do? Chopper my way through your ceiling and take you? Where would we even go? Run away to Hogwarts?
(15:20) … Yes. All of that!
(15:23) Go and play Eren.
(15:26) Enjoy the puppies for me!
(15:30) No.
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(18:46) Hey Eren, wanna Slytherin my bed tonight? ;)
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(18:59) I bet I can make you scream louder than a mandrake.
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(19:02) Is that a wand in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
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(19:06) OMG I just came up to get my phone and I have to read these?!
(19:08) With my actual EYES!
(19:14) Hey Eren ;) I missed u!
(19:17) I missed you too?
(19:22) Levi, have you been drinking?
(19:28) I think so. Hange poured it so … yes?
(19:32) Oh God …
(19:35) Hey Eren?
(19:36) Eren?!
(19:37) EREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!
(19:41) Yes, Levi?
(19:45) Do you wanna make the Shrieking Shack worthy of its name? ;)
(19:48) Promises, promises Levi.
(19:54) Eeeeee okay.
(19:57) Speak parsletongue to me and I'll let my snake out :P
(20:01) Fuck you, I choked on a cookie!
(20:06) Wanna choke on something else?
(20:10) Damnit Levi! Where are you getting these?
(20:15) I don't need 'accio' to make you cum.
(20:21) OMFG you're such a dirty drunk!
(20:27) R u busy?
(20:31) I was just getting ready to have a shower. Whyyy?
(20:37) Can I call?
(20:41) Maybe not the best time.
(20:46) Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeasr?
(20:51) No. Where's Hange?
(20:55) Idk I went out for a smook
(20:59) A smook? Wait, you smoke?
(21:06) Does that bother u?
(21:11) I guess I've never really thought about it.
(21:19) AHHHHHH OMG EREN HEP! HANBE IS COMING 4 ME!
(21:22) Good luck, nerd!
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Sunday PM
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(14:07) I think I drank too much?
(14:09) Really?
(14:15) Mmmm. My head is killing me and I woke up on the sofa. My back feels like a bunch of loose pebbles.
(14:17) Oof, that aged you.
(14:23) I can only hope that all this drinking is because you are so distraught at having not met me yet, as opposed to you actually having a teeny bit of a problem.
(14:29) Fuck you Freud.
(14:31) Oh yes, charm the pants back ON me. That's a twist!
(14:35) I don't have the brain power for this.
(14:39) You're lucky it's a Sunday and I have no other plans right now. I mean, I could be studying for all you know.
(14:43) I'm so sorry. I'm a terrible person.
(14:48) It's okay I still find you punny.
(14:53) Huh?
(14:56) Scroll up.
(15:05) I just … there are no fucking words for the embarrassment I'm feeling right now.
(15:11) Awww see, before I was really tempted to mock you, but I bet you look so sad and cute bundled up on the sofa, with big bags under your eyes.
(15:15) Fuck off, shitty brat.
(15:19) Maybe next time you should just give your phone to Hange or something?
(15:23) Hmmm. That maniac would probably track you through GPS or some shit.
(15:28) She can't really do that … can she?
(15:34) Oh, touchy are we? Why? Something you don't want me to know?
(15:36) Hardly.
(15:42) Ahhh! My skull feels like it's trying to break free.
(15:47) Great. Now that songs going to be stuck in my head all sodding day.
(15:52) Don't be mean to me. My skulls going to crack open and I still have papers to mark.
(15:56) You poor man! Can I help?
(15:59) I wish you could.
(16:05) Very tempted to give everyone the same grade. Is that unethical?
(16:09) No! You'd be the coolest teacher ever.
(16:16) Oi brat! I'm already the cool teacher.
(16:19) You'll need some shades for tomorrow.
(16:23) Shades?
(16:26) For your bloodshot eyes.
(16:31) I'm sure I can dig some out from somewhere.
(16:37) So … you're a smoker?
(16:41) Er … yeah. Is that going to be a problem for you?
(16:45) I've never really thought of it before.
(16:48) I guess it's fine.
(16:54) See now I feel like you're just saying that. Do any of your friends smoke?
(16:57) … No.
(17:00) I see.
(17:04) But it's fine! I don't mind!
(17:06) I guess we'll see.
(17:09) Well –I mean –I'm sure there's things about me that you'd find weird or irritating.
(17:13) Like what?
(17:15) I crack my knuckles a lot.
(17:17) I … er … snort when I laugh?
(17:20) Oh! I have it!
(17:23) You don't have shit.
(17:25) I totally have it!
(17:29) I have a small behavioural problem.
(17:33) What sort of problem?
(17:36) It's only a minor thing. A very mild form of ADHD according to father dearest.
(17:40) Do you need meds for it?
(17:46) No. Had some when I was younger, but it's okay now. For the most part. I just can't seem to keep myself still. Something will jiggle, or I'll start drumming a very loud tune. Mika usually keeps me in check but she's not in half my classes.
(17:54) She got me a fidget-spinner for Christmas.
(17:57) Those are meant to be good.
(18:00) I broke mine.
(18:04) Of course you did.
(18:06) Hey don't judge me!
(18:08) Judging.
(18:10) LEVIIIIIIIIIIIII!
(18:13) God you sound like Hange.
(18:15) Haha!
(18:17) You're so lucky you can't scare me off so easily. Otherwise I'd disown your arse.
(18:19) No you wouldn't!
(18:22) No, you're right.
(18:24) I like you too much.
(18:27) You … mean that?
(18:30) Of course Eren. I don't say these things lightly.
(18:34) Oh! Dinner's ready!
(18:38) Time for me to reconcile with my lover, Harry Potter.
(18:41) Don't do anything I wouldn't do!
(18:45) Kid, I've already done so much you'd never even dream of.
(18:49) I look forward to finding out ;)
~0~
A gentle knocking on the front door drew Levi's eyes away from the book in his lap. Frowning down the hallway he let out a low groan, unwilling to move from his warm cocoon on the sofa. It really was warm. He had a cup of tea just within reach and the TV had been turned down to a low hum so he could concentrate. He really didn't need a distraction right now.
The knocking continued.
Summoning up his energy, he kicked the blanket from around his legs, grumbling as he stood up. Every joint creaked as he straightened up and stretched his arms and shoulders. His head still felt a little fluffy but there was only so much tea and painkillers he could take before he blacked out completely.
Padding barefoot down the hallway, Levi tugged the door open not even bothering with the peep-hole.
Isabel gave a sheepish grin as she leaned against the doorway. "Hey stranger," she grinned a little wider.
"What do you want?" Levi deadpanned.
"Farlan's on a conference call with China. Fancy some company?"
"I knew I'd regret you moving in," he said. "Fine. Come in. You know where the kitchen is."
"So hospitable," Isabel smirked weakly before edging into the kitchen.
Levi listened to her potter around, idly picking up his book from the arm of the sofa and settling back down. About five minutes later, Isabel shuffled into the room and wriggled down onto the other end of the sofa and curled her legs up underneath her.
"What're you watching?"
"I don't know. I was reading."
Isabel peered over his shoulder and grinned. "Oh, so you're powering through Harry Potter then?"
"I might be."
"I hope I get to meet this kid," Isabel snickered. "He seems to be a good influence on you."
Levi rolled the eyes. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Farlan and I have been trying to get you to read these books and love them for the last ten years minimum. Now, some kid talks to you for a month and you read them? Not only one to try it out, you're going through the whole stack!"
Setting said book aside, Levi took his glasses off and turned to look at her, raising a sardonic eyebrow. "Do you have a point Issy?"
"You l-i-i-i-i-i-k-e him!" she chimed, nudging his shoulder.
He stiffened slightly but gave her a tight-lipped smile. "He's a good kid. Mad and very emotional, but good."
"Well if you ask me you could use a little more emotion in your life."
Levi snorted. "Yeah sure. Cause you lot aren't enough for me."
Isabel chuckled and sipped at her tea. Lifting a corner of his blanket, she wriggled under it and nestled her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad you've found someone," she hummed.
"It's not like that, Is."
"I know, I know," she waved her hand. "But … it is nice to see you smiling more." She tilted her head to look up at him. "Are you going to meet him soon?"
"We're sort of skirting around the subject."
"Have you asked him about it at all?"
"Yes. He seems to want to meet me too."
"That's good isn't it?" she frowned at his sombre expression.
"I just –what if he doesn't like me?" He looked across the room at nothing in particular. His chest felt tight. "He already had an issue with me smoking. What if he –takes issue with other things?"
"You're over-thinking this, sweetie."
"I just … He seems perfect."
"In what way?" Isabel asked, cradling her mug in her hands.
"He just … He's been through a fair bit in the last few months alone, even before I came along. He just … sort of gets through it and makes jokes."
"Coping mechanism?" Isabel frowned.
"Maybe," he picked at the blanket spread over their laps. "I don't think so though." He glanced at the redhaired girl beside him. "I called him the other night. Per Hange's threats."
"Oh God YES!" Isabel grinned, "I bet that went down like a ton of bricks."
"It was a bit rocky but … Issy, I think we clicked. I never click with anyone and –when I heard his voice –it felt so wonderful."
"Really?" she breathed.
Levi nodded. "He –I told him my age. I'd been hedging around it for a while as you know, and I finally told him over the phone."
"Oh right. How did that go?"
"He laughed at me. Told me I'd been stupid for being so worried. As soon as I heard him laugh –ARGH!"
Isabel laughed and squeezed his hand. "Oh, Levi! Careful or you might just get some colour in those cheeks!" She reached over and pinched his cheeks.
He swatted her hand away and tutted at her. She shrugged with a smirk before turning her attention to the quiet TV. They relaxed that way in quiet companionship for an hour or so before another quiet knock came from the front door.
"Oh, that's probably Farlan," Isabel yawned, unfurling herself from the sofa.
Levi tossed the blanket off him and swung his legs over the edge of the sofa. Together, he and Isabel padded down the hallway. On the other side of the door a 5'6" man with dirty blonde hair and shadow on his jaw leaned against the doorframe.
"I thought I'd find you here," he grinned down at Isabel, tucking her under his chin as they hugged.
"Well I figured it was easier instead of making noise in the next room."
Levi smiled at the pair of them, arms folded across his chest. They'd been together for years and he should be used to seeing them acting affectionate towards one another. It never really niggled at him until now.
"Okay well, I think we should all head to bed," Farlan chuckled quietly. "We all have work in the morning."
"I'll be right in," Isabel smiled as Farlan dropped a kiss on her forehead and made his way back down the hallway towards their flat. Turning to Levi, Isabel cocked her head to the side. "You can text me if you start to feel over-whelmed you know?"
"I know it's just –bad habits."
She smiled sympathetically before leaning in for a hug. "It's alright, chickpea."
"Eurgh, what did we say about no nicknames?"
"That it's a lame rule and you need a boot up your arse?" she smirked.
Levi rolled his eyes, a smile teasing at his mouth. "Go to bed, woman."
"Fine!" she pecked him on the cheek. "I like this new you."
Furrowing his brow he asked, "New me?"
"This version of you. I've never seen it before."
"WHAT, Issy?"
"I just like seeing you in love, that's all," she stuck her tongue out before backing out of the doorway. "Have a good night!"
"Oi, I'm not in love!" he stated leanig out of his door and glaring down the hallway.
"Sure thing!" Isabel called back before closing her front door.
"I'm not," Levi ground out to no one in particular before closing his door.
Just as he was getting ready for bed, shutting off all the lights as he carried his book into the bedroom, his phone buzzed in his pocket. It was from Eren.
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(23:13) Sorry I've been quiet. Had 'family-night'. Hope your night was okay. Have good dreams. E x
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Levi found himself staring at that small 'x' for a moment longer than necessary before Isabel's words resurfaced in his head.
"Shit!"
A/N: For the actual pictures feel free to find this story on Archive of Our Own under the same name :P x
