Chapter 10

I can breathe.

I feel like the earth has finally started spinning in the right direction. The sky is no longer falling, and I can finally breathe.

It's been two months since I had gotten out of the hospital. Everyday has been somewhat of a blessing, as I continue my life from where it was interrupted by that attack. Although I had been to the police and reported what happened, it was too late to do anything. But all of that paled in comparison to how life was after the fact.

Everyday I go to Levi's house after school, and it honestly feels like a second home to me. I had honestly never thought of watching over Bella as a big thing, but it has turned me into somewhat of a softie. Especially today...

"Eren, what are we doing here?" Armin asked, his hands on his hips. I had dragged Armin to the nearest toy store, on the hunt for something perfect for Bella's birthday.

"It's a present for Bella! She's turning 6 tomorrow and I've been too busy to get her a gift. Since you are my friend, I thought you'd have some insight on what little girls like."

"And how exactly would I know?" Armin asked, coming closer to me to intimidate me.

"Because you're a little bitch?" I got out through a fit of giggles.

With a punch to the head, Armin sighed.

"Well don't girls like dolls and stuff?" he asked, looking at the isle across from us.

"Yeah, I guess. But I want to get her something memorable and something she'll actually want to keep forever." I smiled at the thought of watching her grow up, and being present for next years birthday…

"You really like these guys, huh?" I stopped to look at him, smiling as he looked at me with his confused expression.

"You should really meet them." I urged, looking at the action figure isle.

"You know what, I will. I should go with you tomorrow!" he stated as he crossed his arms defiantly. I stopped to look him in the eye, watching as he didn't waver from his position in front of the dolls.

"If you are serious about this guy, you need to get clearance from me first. I won't let you hit rock bottom again if this guy doesn't hold up to my standards, got it?"

"Armin…" I can't believe what an amazing person he is. After the incident with Jean, I know he's watching out for me, which makes me thank my lucky stars for my life now.

"Well hurry up, the clerk is giving you a crazy scary glare right now." he chuckled, walking away from me. I hurried after him, laughing like there was no tomorrow.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw it. It was just what I was looking for, and I couldn't have felt more relief flush over me as I saw it.

"It's perfect…"

XxXxXx

As we walked up to the door, I felt nervous. Second thoughts ran through my mind as I clutched the bag in my hands, waiting for Levi to open the door.

Armin had ended up coming along to, wanting to pick apart the guy I was going crazy about, and that had me even more anxious.

"Breathe." Armin laughed, clapping a hand on my back.

Then, my breath got caught up in my throat as the door opened.

A lady with huge framed glasses held the door in bandaged hands, a huge grin gracing her face.

"Welcome, welcome! You must be Eren! I've heard so much about you! Please come in!" she waved her hands dramatically and motioned for us to come in.

"And you must be Hanji-san! It's so nice to finally meet you." I smiled, bowing politely as we walked in.

"You're so cute!" Hanji winked at Armin, moving aside so he could follow me inside.

"Uhh… Thank you?" Armin chuckled uncomfortably.

I walked into the living room, and smiled at the warmth that radiated throughout the display in front of me.

Little girls laughed and ran around the room, with all the pristine furniture pushed to the outer edges of the room and covered in plastic. I laughed at the measures taken to salvage Levi's precious furniture.

"EREN! EREEEEN!" Isabella ran full speed towards me, and flew directly into her reserved position in my arms.

"Hey Bells, happy birthday! What a big girl you've gotten to be!"

"Eren! I'm six today!" she grinned, showing me on both her hands.

"I know! You're so old, I'll have to call you granny from now on!" I laughed, kissing her forehead.

"Does that make you a grandpa?" I was taken aback at how quick and serious she was with that comeback, causing me to laugh uncontrollably.

"Is this her?" Armin called from behind me, a little disgruntled.

"Yes! Bella, this is my best friend, Armin. Armin, this is the birthday girl!"

"Hello, Bella." Armin offered his hand for a handshake. What a weirdo.

"Hi… You have really pretty blonde hair." she smiled sweetly, watching as Armin blushed.

"You are very kind, thank you." he smiled back. This kid needs to get out more…

"Eren." a low voice called, causing me to stop breathing all over again.

"Levi!" I smiled, walking towards the stressed looking man.

He wore a long sleeved white shirt that had the sleeves rolled up to his elbows,probably from preparing for the party, and sweat pants. He looked like he was ready to keel over and sleep for a thousand years. It must be stressful to be responsible for a group of little girls.

"How are you?" he smiled, standing up from where he was perched on a barstool.

"I'm just happy to see you. You did an amazing job by the way, pulling this party was probably a lot of hard work." Small talk is not my forte, I just really loved listening to his voice as he talked or complained about anything.

"There are so many kids… I need a drink." he sighed heavily, watching me slyly put Bella down so we could have some "adult time".

"I know the feeling. But it looks like you did a wonderful job." I looked around at the pink and white streamers and balloons that adorned the walls and tables. Party favors and toys were strewn about the room, probably driving Levi crazy because he hates any form of clutter. It just made me want to hold him and kiss the hell out of him that much more for his cute quirks.

"Thanks… Is this your friend?" Levi asked, noticing Armin standing next to me.

"Yeah. Armin, this is Levi. Levi, this is my best friend Armin." I smiled.

It feels like I'm introducing my boyfriend to my parents, seeing as how I like Levi and Armin is my third mom (behind Mom and Mikasa).

"Nice to meet you." Armin smiled, extending his hand towards Levi. Levi reluctantly took it, probably because Armin is a stranger in his home. Armin must have noticed this, because his smile fell slightly, meaning he's calculating.

"Same here, Eren speaks highly of you all the time." Levi grinned.

"And I saw that Hanji-san has gotten out of the hospital. I'm glad to see she's doing alright."

"Yeah, the dip shit finally got out of the hospital on good behavior. I swear she's the craziest person I know, behind you of course." he rubbed the bridge of his nose in mock irritation, and all I could do was laugh.

"Eren is pretty reckless, what did he do to you, Levi-san?" Armin laughed, walking closer to Levi.

Shit. He's totally going into "Eren's-my-baby/mama-bear" mode. I can't watch.

"Alright little kiddies! It's present time! Come on Bella, you're gifts await!" Hanji declared in a sing song voice.

Perfect timing, Hanji-san. I was getting a little nervous there, Armin can be pretty relentless when it comes to judging people, especially if I really want to be with him. If only I could recount how many times he had knocked down Jean to his face.

XxXxXx

"Alright, last one!" Hanji-san called, handing Bella my present.

I felt my whole body tense as Levi's interest was peeked. He sat next to Bella in the circle of giggling girls. I felt like the parent here, watching Levi and his little sister gawk at all her little presents.

"It's from Eren! Can you read me the card please, Nii-chan?!" she squealed, jumping up and down where she sat.

"Sure… Dear Bella,

Happy birthday, Sweet Pea! I hope you have a wonderful day, and that we can celebrate many more birthdays together! Hope all your wishes come true on your special day, Princess.

-Love Eren" Levi paused towards the end, looking up at me.

Heat sprung to my cheeks, and I felt warmth pool into my stomach. I feel like I'm gonna die under his gaze.

"Eren…" a small voice called, breaking my eye contact from Levi.

Isabella had opened the present without us noticing, and held it tightly to her chest.

Tears were falling down her cheeks, and she shook like a fallen leaf where she sat.

"Thank you… I love it, Eren… Thank you…" she cried, rubbing her new friend in her arms and burying her face in it's face.

I had gotten her a black and white cat plush, with black button eyes and a red bow with a bell tied around it's was about 5 inches shorter than Bella, and was probably just as heavy. On it's foot, it had it's name embroidered in a beautiful cursive thought. It read "Bella" in Italian, which means beautiful.

"Oh… sweet heart." I sighed, walking over and getting down on her level. She threw her arms around my neck, holding me like she hadn't seen me for years.

"I love you so much!" she whimpered, refusing to budge in the slightest bit. The room had gone silent aside from some idle chitter chatter amongst the girls. I looked over at a speechless Levi, and just smiled and hugged Bella back.

"I love you too." I whispered, rubbing her hair.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the once composed Levi crumple, and I saw a tear or two shed as the party began to come back.

XxXxXx

"Hey, that was a really smooth move you pulled back there, hot stuff." Hanji-san chuckled, wrapping an arm around my neck.

"You think? I just wanted to get her something she's actually keep and love." I chuckled, rubbing the back of my head as a force of habit.

"Seriously? You are like, a freak of nature, Eren! What a cutie!" she squealed, pinching my cheeks.

"Yeah he is…" Levi said, walking up with a dish towel in his hands. He had just finished the dishes after the party had ended. We had all tucked Bella into bed about an hour ago, and that little girl fell asleep with a smile on her face.

"Hey, Levi." I smiled, watching him look anywhere but towards me.

"Hey, Eren… Can I talk to you for a minute?" he asked, motioning for me to follow him.

"Sure…" I felt cautious as he lead me towards the empty hallway.

He stopped, then turned towards me with a look of pain on his face.

"What you did for her today, and what you said… I can't thank you enough." he looked like he was about to break down. His eyes finally met mine, and it was clear to see he was emotional.

"There is no thanking or gratitude needed. I did it because I wanted to. Besides, I love her to death!" I tried to reassure him, only to be met with more tears.

"That's why I'm thanking you. It just means so much to me to see someone care so deeply for us."he rambled. I've never seen him like this.

I panicked…

I grabbed him in a hug, holding him tightly to his chest.

"Shhh... Just breathe. That's it... Listen...You know, it's about time you guys got some serious love and someone you can depend on. I know I'm just a student, but I'll always be there for you. You know what I'm saying?" I whispered, feeling his arms slowly accept me into his embrace.

He nodded slowly, and I couldn't help but feel courage pump through my body.

"Levi… I know it's sudden, but I really need you to know something."

He pulled back to let me talk, and listen.

I think I'm ready.

I took a deep breath, and began.