Disclaimer: I own none of the characters!

Notes: I'm sorry this chapter took so long to get up. Balancing cosplays and writing can be hella hard. But I want to thank everyone for their patience and definitely for all the kink suggestions! I've made a list and I'm incorporating as many as I can into this :3 And because this story has becoem very popular, I'm putting it as first priority over Threads of a Fairytale now (ToaF will still be updated regularly, don't worry!). Thank you everyone for all the reviews and follows and you're all just flawless. Next chapter is a sinisterly short Halloween chapter. *laughs pathetically at that stupid pun*

Also: a scene from this was based off this prompt from tumblr. Enjoy.

: / / dirty-ereri-things . tumblr post / 77523718159 / ereriful-modern-au-where-eren-brings-a-really#notes

Eren was nervous. He didn't really like the idea of Mikasa and Armin being invited to his parent's for dinner. But his mother had insisted and even called Mikasa to tell her ("I know you'll say you told them, Eren, and you'll completely blow it off. So I talked to Mikasa myself." Were her words), much to Eren's dismay. And waiting until Grisha was dead before inviting them over was apparently out of the question; again to his dismay.

They took Eren's car, since he somehow had the most gas, and parked on the street as usual.

"Wow, Eren, the yard looks amazing," Armin breathed, getting out of the car. Eren rolled his eyes.

"Tell my mom, not me. I don't give a shit about the yard."

Mikasa bumped him on the arm with a scowl on her face. "Be nice."

"Trust me, I am."

Eren knocked on the door, as was his usual ritual, and then proceeded to fish his keys from his pocket. Scratching could be heard on the other side of the door, alongside Colossus's ecstatic barking. Carla's voice followed and the door swung open.

"Down boy! Hello, kids, I'm so glad—Dammit Colossus, stop it!"

Colossus was out the door, running between their legs with a wagging tail before Carla could grab his collar. Eren and Mikasa patted him on the back but Colossus's favorite spot was right under Armin's feet.

"You kids come inside! Dinner is almost ready," Carla said, taking Mikasa's hand and dragging her inside. "Eren, you help Armin and get the dog under control."

Colossus had jumped up on Armin, paws on his shoulders, and was busy licking his face. Armin could barely hold the dog up and kept making faces every time Colossus's tongue touched his lips. Eren caught Colossus around the collar and dragged him away, Armin spitting and wiping his mouth as he laughed.

"This dog can be such a dumbass."

"Oh, it's fine," Armin laughed, holding the door for them. "He is freakishly strong though. I guess he takes after you, huh?"

"Hey, yeah—wait."

Armin giggled as he ran inside to hold the door open. It was clear, by the look on Eren's face, he was still thinking about the comment. Colossus barked and tugged Eren back to attention. Eren followed the dog into the house and he let Colossus go, right back onto Armin's shoulders as the door closed.

"Eren! He's too heavy!" Armin cried. He gave up and sat down on the floor, Colossus in his lap, as he took off his shoes.

Eren grinned, kicking his shoes off, and snapped his fingers at the dog. With a wagging tail, Colossus followed his hand and Armin jumped back up.

"Thanks," Armin breathed, straightening his shirt. He then lowered his voice, leaning in a little closer, "Hey, uhh…I know I already asked, but are you sure you're okay with us being here? I know your dad…"

"Armin," Eren groaned.

"I know, sorry!" Armin cried. He kept his voice down. "I just wanted to make sure."

"Sort of too late now. You're already here."

"I know…I just felt a little guilty being dragged over," Armin sighed. He offered a smile and Eren rolled his eyes, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Stop that. How was he at work, by the way?"

Armin nodded his head, as if clearing his thoughts with himself first. "He was fine. In a better mood than yesterday."

One of the perks of Armin interning at the hospital: Eren could keep tabs on his father without actually communicating with him. Though he was sure Armin got an earful of "be a good influence on Eren. Make sure he sees what you're doing so he'll be motivated". And for that, Eren felt guilty.

But Grisha also couldn't raise his voice at Armin in the workplace.

"That's good, at least," Eren muttered, only so that Armin could hear, as they walked into the kitchen. Carla was chopping lettuce for a salad, Mikasa sitting at the bar with a glass of tea in her hand.

"Armin, make yourself at home. You know where everything is," Carla hummed as Armin slipped in the chair by Mikasa.

"Ah, thank you, Mrs. Jaeger."

Carla smiled and kept talking with them. About their classes, their jobs, their spare time; nothing in particular. But it was calm (save for Colossus) and pleasant. There was no yelling or fighting or shaming. Just simple talking, the way a visit should be.

"This looks amazing," Mikasa said, her voice raised in excitement as she peered at the plate before her. "I haven't had salmon patties in such a long time."

"Well I hope it doesn't disappoint," Carla replied.

"Oh, Mrs. Jaeger, as if your food could ever disappoint," Armin laughed.

Eren stayed quiet, eating his food and simply listening to them talk. It reminded him of when they were little. How Armin and Mikasa would spend hours at the house and they'd all play. But for lunch they'd all sit at the table, Carla along with them, and she'd listen to their childish rambling.

And the scene before him now was no different. The same energy was there, though instead of rambling, there was actual conversation. Mikasa went on about her job and even a little about Annie. Armin told them about his internship and the various amounts of coffee and espresso he was now familiar with.

Eren wondered, probably longer than he should, about his own relationship. Carla said nothing about Mikasa and Annie; she smiled and nodded and told Mikasa how happy she was for her. If Eren told his mother about Levi—about a man he met in a bar, who gave him money, who was a successful lawyer, who was ten years older—could she easily accept him? Could she really accept him and Levi?

"Eren, you're being really quiet," Carla said. "Is something bothering you?"

Eren shook himself from his glazed-over staring and smiled. "No, I'm fine. Just listening."

Carla smiled and nodded, returning to her food. But Mikasa caught Eren exhale and saw the tension leave his face. Armin quickly spoke up, taking over the conversation before she could say anything.

For dessert, Carla made scones; homemade, blueberry scones they drank alongside cups of hot coffee (decaf for Armin). They all sat in the sitting room, Carla and Eren on the sofa while Mikasa took the armchair; Armin sat on the floor with Colossus sitting proudly in his lap. The massive dog practically hid Armin from view, save for his hands and legs.

It was so laid back that they didn't even hear the door open. They didn't hear the heavy footsteps or the briefcase being slung onto the kitchen counter. But Mikasa was the first to come to attention, as she sat facing the entrance way to the sitting area; Carla and Eren had their backs turned and Armin's view was obstructed by Colossus.

"Good evening, Mr. Jaeger," Mikasa said. Carla looked around first, eyes wide as Grisha scanned the room.

Eren looked over the sofa at him, cup against his face. It was like hiding in plain sight. He felt his stomach tense and he curled his toes deeper into the sofa.

"Having a little get-together?" Grisha calmly asked. He kissed Carla on the head, as a hello, and she smiled.

"Just the kids," she said. "I made you a plate. It's on the counter."

Grisha nodded. "Alright. I'll get it later. I won't keep you from your company. Have fun."

And as quietly as he came, he left. Without another word. Eren felt his throat tighten and he sipped more of his coffee. He dipped his scone into the hot liquid and watched steam dance around his hand. He could hear Grisha in the other room, shuffling through his office.

Eren looked to his mother.

"Eren, if you need to talk to him…," Armin said.

"Maybe I should," Eren sighed.

"You don't need to," Carla said firmly, grabbing his arm. "Don't feel obliged to."

"I know but I can't just ignore him," Eren said, setting his cup down. Well, of course he could but then he'd be no better than Grisha. He stood up and ran his hands over his jeans, wiping off his sweaty palms, and made his way to his dad's study.

He stared at the closed door, tall and looming. When he was little he remembered it being the same way. An unapproachable white fortress, protecting some god-like realm. He was never allowed to enter it as a child and he still felt the same now. It wasn't his place. He was forbidden to enter, with or without permission.

He reached out and knocked against that intimidating door and waited to enter before hearing a curt "Come in".

Grisha didn't look up as Eren entered, but the sour look on his wrinkled face already told Eren he knew who it was.

"Yes?"

"I just wanted to say hi," Eren said with a shrug. He let the door slide closed and leaned against the wall. "That's all."

"If that's all, then why are you lingering, Eren? What else is it? Money? I told you already you're cut off."

Eren turned, pressing his fingers to the doorknob and he stopped, shaking. He shook his head and inhaled deep, spinning back around and firmly planting his feet on the wood floor. He clenched his fists. "Actually, no, that's not all. And it's not money. I wanted to tell you that I sold a painting."

There was a pause. Whatever Grisha had planned on saying had to be held back because it was clear, by the dumbfounded look on his face, that he wasn't expecting Eren's reply. He lowered his papers and sat back in his chair.

And even with his father giving him his full attention, Eren didn't get his hopes up. Where his heart should be racing in excitement, he was instead mentally bracing himself.

"Well aren't you lucky. And now you think you can live off of what you made. What was it, a few hundred? If that? You're just a beginning—"

"It was three thousand," Eren said. "And that wasn't the starting price, either, because several people offered to buy it that night. I know it's not enough to live off, but it bought groceries and paid the bills. And I had some left over for next month, too. I know I can't expect artistic stardom overnight, but considering that was my first try, I'd say it's a decent little push."

Grisha made a soft noise of disapproval. "So which painting of yours was supposedly worth three thousand dollars?"

"I didn't think you'd care enough to ask. But since you want to know, you can ask mom to describe it to you," Eren said. Grisha's lips thinned and Eren turned to the door, pulling it open. He smiled, feeling triumphant, and walked out of the office, closing the door as he left.

He leaned against the wall in the hallway, eyes closed, and his smile still plastered on his face. He didn't care about artistic stardom or whatever. He added that for effect. All he wanted was to do what he loved and for his father to accept it. But if Grisha was still going to put it down, Eren knew he could at least drive the man insane with curiosity.

He bit back his grin and regained himself, walking back to the living room. As soon as he entered, everyone grew quiet, looking up at him.

"Everything alright?" Mikasa asked. Eren nodded.

"Everything is just fine."


Armin had no problem staying quiet, but Mikasa was getting increasingly more curious as to where Eren snuck off to every chance he had. It was mid-October and she had never seen Eren so completely calm about his art and schoolwork and money. It was relieving, of course, but worrisome.

What was he up to?

"I've just gotten better at keeping my shit together," Eren said as he packed up his belongings. "I'm going out."

"Again? You just got back from work." She folded her arms and raised her eyebrows. "And it's early."

"Yeah."

"Eren."

"Hm?"

"Are you…doing anything illegal?" She squinted her eyes at him, watching his expression go from shocked to offended.

"What the fuck? Do you seriously think I'm that stupid?"

"Sometimes."

Eren rolled his eyes but Mikasa kept eying him, mainly his ears. There was no hint of red to them, so she knew he wasn't lying about doing shady business.

"If you're dating someone, you can tell me."

"I can," Eren mused, "but I'd rather keep that personal. Last time I dated someone, you tried to kill them."

"Last time you dated someone, you were in high school, you were fifteen and their name was Jean. I had a valid reason."

"He wasn't that awful."

"Not at first."

"Not ever. He was nice. We just weren't compatible. And I have to go," Eren hummed, running to the door. "I'll see you later!"

Mikasa opened her mouth to argue more but the genuine smile on Eren's face silenced her. She smiled to herself. He was happy, with whatever (whoever?) he was doing, and he seemed healthy and less stressed. Maybe it was yoga, she told herself, or maybe, just maybe, her brother had finally found someone.

Now if only she could get Armin to eat instead of living off his textbooks and coffee.


Ever since his run-in with Mikasa while being dropped off, Eren decided that being picked up directly in front of his apartment was out of the question. He'd walk halfway down the sloping hill, just to avoid running in to anyone. Bertholdt stayed quiet. Same with Marco. Neither of them dared to ask questions out of respect for Eren's privacy. But it definitely didn't stop them from being curious (that was obvious during any class when they'd expectantly sit next to Eren and make small talk). Never anything direct but they would casually drop hints.

The people Eren really wanted to avoid, while Levi was around, were Reiner, Connie, Jean and Ymir. Three for teasing and one for the obvious.

And of course there wasArmin. There was no easy way for him to break it to his friend that he was (sort of) dating an older man. And for his money. Sort of.

Then Mikasa. She was already suspicious and Eren really didn't want to explain to her that he was fucking her adoptive cousin for gas money.

Eren hated bothering with titles and specifics for their relationship. He slipped into Levi's car, setting his bag on the floorboard with a sigh. Levi tapped him under the chin with an affectionate finger and Eren smiled.

"You look like a pleased little kitten," Levi hummed, driving back down the hill. "With your shit-eating grin."

"You always do that," Eren laughed. "The finger-chin thing. Well…at least the last few times we've seen each other you have."

"I'm not allowed to kiss you. I needed some way of greeting you without making you uncomfortable. So it's either a chin tap or straight to fucking."

Eren's eyes widened and his cheeks heated up red. He looked down at his hands, nervously fidgeting with them as he sat back against the chair. He tried thinking back to every little tap on his chin; to every lingering touch. Levi chuckled softly and Eren scrunched up his eyebrows.

"You didn't bring the Porsche today," Eren muttered.

"Well aren't you a spoiled shit," Levi teased. "I need to take it to get washed. The thing is fucking filthy from when it rained. I wanted to get it washed and go for a drive but work has had me so fucking swamped."

Eren started to laugh. "You're so ridiculous."


Eren wiped a finger across the Porsche's pewter surface, leaving a clean-ish stripe in the dust. Levi rolled his eyes as Eren wrote "Wash me, Daddy", complete with a sad face, across the window.

"Are you fucking serious?" Levi asked, shaking his head, amused by the childish grin on Eren's face.

"If I wash it, can we go?" Eren mused, tilting his head back to look over his shoulder. He even gave his hips a generous shake to make sure he had Levi's attention. And it certainly made Levi narrow his eyes in a predatory gaze. He walked over to Eren, sliding his hands over the boy's hips, and gripped them firmly, as if testing to see how much pressure they could take. He kneaded the round mounds of Eren's ass and admired just how tight those jeans were.

Eren hummed in approval and tapped his fingers against the car as Levi rutted his hips against him. There was no real friction through their jeans, but the vulgar gesture left enough to Eren's imagination to make him grin.

"Why do you like this car so much?" Levi mused, pushing his fingers under Eren's shirt to feeling his warm skin. "Do you like it because it's fast? Or because of the way it purrs on this ass?"

He punctuated his words with a loud slap to Eren's rear. Eren bit his lip.

"Both. But also because it's a convertible and I like riding with the top down."

"That was a strangely innocent answer," Levi winced. "That's fucking weird coming from you."

"Do you want me to talk dirty about the car?"

"That's even weirder."

"Leviiiiiiiiiii," Eren whined. "The weather is so nice. I don't want to be cooped up in the house all day. Pretty please, daddy, take me for a ride?"

"Persistent little shit. The bucket is over there. I swear to whatever god there is Eren, if you scratch my car—"

"I'm a good boy," Eren cried, clenching his fists in excitement. "I'm going to go change into something that won't weigh me down when it's wet."

Levi watched Eren bounce away, shaking his head at the boy's excitement over something as simple as a promised car ride. It was truly something special.

But that daddy comment was even better.


By the time Eren had changed, Levi was already sitting outside, his Porsche parked in the sunlight. The garden hose had been pulled out and the bucket filed with soapy water. All the cleaning supplies were neatly stacked in a small caddy right next to the bucket.

Levi had stretched out in a lounge chair, a stack of paperwork in his hands. With the way his house sat, the wide driveway to the garage looped around to the back. And with the way Eren was dressed, Levi was glad they were out of sight from the neighbors.

Eren pranced out in a pair of track shorts and a simple white tank top. He was all beautifully tanned skin and long toned muscles. Levi lowered his papers to watch his cute pet bend over to pick up the water hose. There was nothing seductive about his movements but that innocence made Eren even more irresistible.

Because it was when the brat was completely natural, Caribbean-blue eyes blown wide and face oblivious to wandering eyes, that Levi found him truly captivating. Breathtaking.

"Don't have a heart attack, old man," Eren teased, spraying the car down with water. "I'd hate to call Life Alert when you said we'd go on a drive."

"Stop rambling and get to your chores, brat," Levi deadpanned. "Or else no rewards."

Eren pouted and threw the hose down, picking up the soapy sponge from the bucket. He leaned over the hood of the car, spreading his legs and arching his back, as he squeezed soap out of the sponge. Levi raised an eyebrow, neglecting his actual work, to pay better attention to the show being put on.

Eren was doing a half-assed job of cleaning, as to be expected. Levi could see streaks and he kept forgetting to rinse. But within minutes Eren was soaked and his thin clothes clung to his body, accentuating the dips of his lean muscles.

Levi watched it all shamelessly, his papers lying loose between his fingers. Eren looked over his shoulder as he wiped down a window. With a grin, he reached for his shirt, pulling it over his head and tossing it aside. Levi raised his eyebrows, pupils blown in interest and arousal because holy shit, Eren's body looked even better in the light with droplets of water trickling down his muscular back.

"Fuck…"

"Huh?"

Levi shook himself from his unblinking stare. "What?"

"I thought you said something," Eren said, spraying the car down with water. "I think I'm just about done."

"You did a shitty job," Levi sighed. Eren threw down the water hose and turned to glare Levi down. "But I'll give you a fucking A for looking good."

Eren certainly perked up at Levi's words. Running a hand through his hair, to push back wet fringe, Eren proudly strutted over to Levi. The moment he leaned on the edge of the lawn chair, Levi let his papers slip from his fingers and onto the grass.

"So do I get my reward, daddy?" Eren hummed, straddling Levi's waist. He may have been soaking wet and making a mess, but Levi found touching him impossible to resist. He rested his hands on Eren's waist, fingers lingering over the top of his shorts.

He was pleased by the sight of the growing bulge poking through the thin shorts. "I think you should get a little treat before we go."

Eren gripped the back of the chair and moaned at Levi's breath against his bare chest.

"Do I get daddy's cock?"

Levi may be enchanted with Eren's innocence, but he easily fell prey to the boy's deliberant seductiveness, too.

He let his hand slip from Eren's waist to palm him through those wet shorts. A delicious moan escaped Eren's parted lips and he let his head loll back.

"I'll give you this for now and then you can go change," Levi said, flicking a tongue against Eren's pert nipple. "Be a good little kitten for daddy and you can get some cock later."

"Ahh…fuck, Levi…" Eren's voice squeaked as Levi squeezed his cock through his shorts. His legs shook as he rocked his hips, his breathing heavy and his eyes hooded with desire. "P-Please…"

"Pretty please, daddy," Levi demanded, tugging on the waistband of Eren's shorts.

"Pretty…pretty…Daddy—ahh…"

Eren sharply exhaled though his nose as Levi pushed his hand into those wet shorts. He starting moving his hips, just as Levi's fingers barely grazed his cock and groaned at the lack of contact. Levi grinned, still ghosting his fingertips over Eren's length, and enjoyed the pouting fit Eren was having on his lap.

"Levi I said please!"

"I know, but I love watching you squirm like a cock hungry brat."

"I am cock hungry, fuck."

Levi wrapped his arm around Eren's waist, keeping him still, and gripped his cock with his hand. He gave Eren a few long, slow strokes before he stopped the teasing. Eren's legs shook and his breathing grew ragged, completely wrecked within seconds. He thrust his hips into Levi's hand, grabbing at Levi's shoulders, his hair; anything he could get his fingers around.

"Don't bite your lip," Levi snapped. "I want to your filthy little cries."

Eren let his lip slip between his teeth with a whimper. He dropped his mouth, panting harder with each jerk and twist of Levi's hand.

"Ffff—Fuck Levi!"

"You love this don't you?" Levi purred against his chest, swiping his thumb over Eren's slit, smearing precum down his length. "Being outside with your cock in my hand. Tell daddy how much you love this."

Eren tried to focus, his eyes closed and brows knit tight together. "I fucking love it, da—Fuck!"

Levi turned his wrist just right, with just enough pressure to squeeze out a sharp cry and orgasm from Eren. The brunet fell forward, cum splattering on to his stomach as his shoulders slumped and his legs quivered around Levi. He whimpered in pleasure and buried his face into the crook of Levi's neck, letting his body come down from its sudden high.

A gentle smile spread over Levi's face and he ran his clean hand along Eren's shivering arm, up his neck and to his mess of wet hair. Eren sat back, Levi's hand still threaded through his hair, and returned the little smile with a shy innocence.

Innocence because he was no stranger to a rough, quick fuck but he was still being acclimated to the intimacy that was meant to follow. That Levi was showing him.

They held each other's gaze for what could have been an eternity.

"Good?"

Eren nodded, unable to find his words just yet. Levi rested his hands on Eren's waist, drawing softer circles with his thumbs that made Eren squirm with a delightful giggle. The smile never left Levi's face and Eren raised his eyebrows at him.

"W-What is it…?" His voice was small, and still trembling.

"It's nothing."

"But—"

"Levi?"

The soft, searching voice made Levi tense up. His stomach dropped and a feeling of sickness came over him. Eren slapped a hand over his mouth out of fear, hearing the woman's voice as well. Levi pulled his hands back in just enough time to see a woman walking around the sidewalk.

Her eyes widened once she spotted them.

Eren looked around at her, out of curiosity, and then back to Levi. It was the same woman they had run in to the night they went out to eat. From the way she was dressed, Eren could see she was a professional, like Levi; a skirt suit and heels, her auburn hair swept from her face and a stack of papers held to her chest.

His cheeks lit up red and he started to mumble in a voice only Levi could hear.

"Fuck, I'm sorry, what do I do? What do we do? Oh God, Levi…"

A gentle hand to the small of his back quieted Eren down. He took a breath as Levi sat up straight, regaining his composure.

"It looks like you forgot we had a little meeting today?" Petra asked, shaking the papers in her hand.

"I was distracted," Levi replied.

"I can see."

Eren wanted to die. It was bad enough he was half-naked, coming down from his orgasm, and wet on top of Levi, but now there was this woman. And from their tones, they weren't on good terms either.

Levi slid from under Eren's body and picked up the towel he had placed out on the ground. He draped it over Eren's shoulders, pulling it tight to cover the boy up.

"Why don't you go inside, get dried off and warm and we'll head out in an hour," Levi said, patting Eren on the head.

Eren nodded and held the towel cautiously around himself. He looked back to the woman, who was standing shaking her head. Without a word, Eren nodded, tried to smile at her and then ran off into the house.

He slammed the door behind him, breathing hard. It was terrible. Of all things to go wrong, it had to really go shitastic wrong.


Eren sat with his sketchpad open, doodling on Levi's bed and waiting for the two to finish their business. He kept the door cracked, hearing an occasional snarky remark from Levi or even Petra laughing. He heard the same names repeated, over and over.

Aururo.

Erwin.

Hanji.

Eren recognized Hanji's name as his own professor from Trost. Erwin was someone new. But judging from what he could understand, Aururo seemed to be the most important out of the others mentioned. There was tension, he could tell, but nothing that couldn't be smoothed over. They were going over legal documents, separating things equally…?

And then he heard his name. Muttering. "Isn't he a little young?"

Eren certainly perked up then. He crept to the door of Levi's room on his toes and pressed his ear to the crack to listen. There was more mumbling, something he couldn't make out but it was Levi speaking.

"Don't break his heart, too."

"I wouldn't do that intentionally to anyone. Especially not him."

Silence.

Eren could sense the tension again. He swallowed hard, pressing a hand to his chest and to his racing heart, as if that would slow it down. The sincerity and concern in Levi's voice made Eren's knees a little too weak and his heart flutter a little too much. He wanted it to stop; he didn't like feeling so…invested.

Yet when he looked down, he realized he was clenching Levi's pillow to his chest. Not the pillow he slept on, but the pillow Levi slept on because Eren liked the way it smelled. And when he looked at his artbook there were only sketched pictures of Levi in it. He wasn't even wearing his own clothes; he had pulled on one of Levi's shirts.

The feeling was sickening and he wanted it to stop. Even if it did feel a little nice…

He listened to what he could of the conversation and then heard chairs moving against the floor. Eren ran back to the bed, his sketchpad in hand, and heard the two mumble goodbyes. The door opened and closed. And then footsteps.

The door to the bedroom opened and Levi stared at him, looking exhausted. He rubbed the bridge of his nose.

"Levi…"

"Let's go."

"Huh?"

"You heard me. You wanted to go for a drive. Let's go. Get some shoes on."

Eren hesitated. "We…We don't have to. You seem really stressed. If you want I can go…?"

"You should know by now, dipshit, that I always have something making me fucking stressed and pissing me off. I'll cool the fuck down while I'm driving. So either get your ass up, shoes on and in the car or I'm leaving without you."

Eren quickly obeyed and found his shoes before Levi could say another word.


It was a much needed drive indeed.

Within minutes of driving with the top down on his Porsche, Levi's entire demeanor changed. His brow softened and he didn't press his lips together in such a thin line. He relaxed back in his chair, his arm on the car door and his head resting against a lazy hand.

Eren tried not to watch him. He kept his eyes on the lake they drove around, relishing in the cool air and soft waves of the water. They would pass by joggers and bikers and people with their dogs. Eren stretched out, raising his arms above his head and staring at the sun through his fingers.

"Is that my shirt?"

Eren looked to Levi. The man didn't look at him, his eyes instead on the road. Eren tucked his hands behind his neck, glancing down at the St. Anger t-shirt he wore.

"Maybe."

"It looks good on you."

Those certainly weren't the words Eren was expecting. He flushed and looked away as Levi laughed.

"Cute little shit."

Eren rolled his eyes. "I never pegged you as the type to like Metallica until I saw this shirt."

Levi snorted. "For your information, I've been a fan since before you were born. Back in college, a few friends and I went on a road trip to catch three of their concerts. Stupidest, fucking weekend of my life. I missed classes, stayed hungover, snorted more drugs I care to remember. But we had a blast."

"Wow…," Eren laughed, running his hands over the shirt. "That's intense."

"Never do that sort of shit. We did end up backstage one night and we got a few pictures with the band. That's how Hanji met her husband, Moblit. He was a roadie."

Eren knew enough about getting backstage from movies to know what that implied. He chuckled and turned back to Levi, just to see that the man's faint smile had started to fade. As fond as that old memory may be, the pressing issue at hand was heavier.

Levi parked the car, facing the lake, and rested his head against his seat. He scrambled through his pockets, pulling out his cigarettes and a lighter. Eren watched him light one and breathe a thin trail of smoke into the air.

He sighed.

"I'm sure you have a shitton of fucking questions about…what happened at the house," Levi said. "So, for right now, I'm willing to answer them, you shitstain."

"You're so cheery."

"Fuck you."

Eren rolled his eyes and grabbed Levi's free hand, raising it to his head. Levi started to run his hand through Eren's hair and Eren contently sighed, listening to Levi's breathing even out.

"I would rather you not be a stick in a pile of shit and you pay me attention."

"Fuck, you're spoiled rotten," Levi said. "And it's my fault but I'm honestly pleased with it."

"Good."

Levi's cigarette went unnoticed, ash falling away off the side of the car. Eren practically purred with Levi's hand in his hair and in the most non-sexual way he could. It was gentle affection he craved and Levi was showering him in it.

More joggers went by. More people walking their dogs. A few boats on the water. Levi made snarky remarks where he could. Eren laughed and somehow ended up with his head against Levi's shoulder; and Levi's arm around him instead of in his hair.

It wasn't really cuddling. Even if Eren did link their fingers together to hold Levi's hand.

"Godammit," Levi sighed, "that woman is my ex-wife."

Eren's eyes widened. "Oh fuck."

"We weren't married long. Maybe about three years. And for about a year of that she was cheating on me with one of my office workers. We got divorced and now we're just taking care of a few remaining legal matters. Just property shit, nothing too awful."

Eren swallowed hard and tightened his grip on Levi's hand.

"Is that why you wanted a cute play thing? To help you through this?" Eren asked. He tried to make his voice as calm and as steady as possible. But the mere thought hurt him more than he wanted to admit.

"I'm going through a fucking divorce. I went out drinking to cope with the stress. Taking in a stray to pamper wasn't on my fucking agenda. That's extra stress and money."

"So I'm a burden?"

"No but you are a shitty, self-defeating brat. Stop thinking you're annoying me. If I didn't want you around, I wouldn't have you around. That's just it. The bottom line. I invite you over and take care of you for a reason."

Eren felt that same flutter in his heart that he had felt earlier while waiting for Levi in his room. He still didn't like it and it still made him a little sick. But he was still wanted it…

"Petra always said I wasn't affectionate enough. And so I'm making it a point to change," Levi continued. "But I've made a promise to myself to never tolerate anyone ever cheating on me again."

A sickness came over Eren that had nothing to do with his feelings for Levi. He squeezed Levi's hand tighter because he suddenly hated himself even more. He really was the type of person Levi didn't want. He was the type of person undeserving of Levi's love.

No, not love. Levi could never love him. The man was too good. So absolutely perfect.

And Eren knew he was so absolutely flawed.

But for the first time, in years, Eren craved the tenderness of someone's lips. He wanted to kiss Levi right then. He wanted to taste Levi's mouth and explore the wet cavern but just thinking about it made Eren tremble.

He resorted to curling in to Levi as much as he could, to be as close as physics allowed. "I'm sorry you went through that. That's…that's awful…"

"Shit fucking happens."

They didn't say a word after that. Not for a few minutes. They watched more people pass, carrying about their business, but this time Levi didn't comment. He lips thinned and he dragged on his cigarette.

"She's pregnant."

Eren tensed under his hand. "Oh…"

"Not with my baby. His. Auruo's. It's just…I should have saw it coming. All of it. They were supposed to be together and I knew it and I just fucked it up. Now I'm fucked up. I'm sorry I fucked myself up."

"You're not. You couldn't have known that would happen," Eren whispered. "It's not like you're a psychic or something weird. Shit just…fucking happens."

Levi made a noise that could have been a laugh. Eren smiled.

"Levi, we're dating, right? Sort of exclusively? I don't know what the rules are for this sugar daddy thing and I don't want to fuck up."

The words left his mouth before he could really think about them. But Eren had to make sure. He couldn't be the reason why Levi hated dating for the rest of his life. He didn't want to contribute to more of Levi's pain and distrust.

Levi shrugged. "I guess." Eren sat up and turned to look at Levi.

"It's not like I've been with anyone since we've been doing this…whatever we're doing. I just want to make sure. I don't want to hurt you, too."

Levi didn't reply. He flicked away the rest of his cigarette and rested his arm on the car door. He propped his head on his hand and narrowed his eyes, looking out over the water. His features visibly sharpened and Eren knew that he was done. Closed up and locked tight.

The hurt was written across his face, as clear as the cloudless sky. It was the pain of someone who had been so hurt by someone and Eren could see just what it did. What he had been doing with Jean and to Marco. And it was terribly wrong. He choked back a sob forming in the back of his throat.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. Stop apologizing. You didn't do anything, Eren."

Eren shrank back into his seat. "I know but I brought it up. I'm sorry."

"For the last time," Levi said, turning around to face him, his tone sharp enough to shred metal. "Stop apologizing for shit that's not your fault. It's annoying."

The word was on the tip of his tongue and Levi knew it when he shot Eren an unforgiving glare. Eren bit back his "sorry" and Levi threaded his fingers through Eren's hair.

"Thanks," Levi said and a sweet smile spread right over Eren's lips.

Eren pushed forward to rest his head against Levi's shoulder. Levi draped his arm over Eren's shoulders, to keep him close, and turned his eyes back to the lake.

"You're welcome," Eren mumbled, his voice barely about a whisper. He felt Levi's muscles tense and he knew the man was smiling.