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Chapter 10: Tears

I'm not actually sure if this needs a warning or not... Strangulation. Enough said.

The ground was soft beneath his body. The scent of grass and rain reached his nose. Eren cracked his eyes open. Gray clouds bunched overhead and threatened rain. He sat up slowly and glanced around.

A field of grass surrounded him, vibrant, green, and full of plant life, although nothing grew above the top of the grass. Flowers were visible in occasional patches: splotches of violet, crimson, buttercup-yellow, coral pink, and more. It rippled with the wind until it looked like a multi-colored sea. There was nothing but the plains as far as the eye could see.

Eren slowly rose to his small feet and slowly spun around in a complete circle. Some part of his mind made a note that he was on a hill that subtly broke the surface of the otherwise flat prairie. At first, he saw nothing. Then he turned around and spotted something, a break in the otherwise empty grassland. The break came in the form of a tree, massive despite the distance, and a gray patch of what must have been water. It called to him. Eren started to run.

His tiny, bare feet slapped the groundas he ran. They seemed to skim overtop the earth. It almost felt like he was flying. Eren started to laugh, breathless and exultant. Free. He was free. From what, he couldn't remember, but he was free.

He reached the tree out of breath, but too delighted to care. Eren ran into the shallows of the pond, although it was more of a small lake. Small fish darted about as he splashed his way in, sand curling up beneath his toes. The water was warm, almost tropical, and infinitely inviting. Eren waded out until he was knee-deep. Only then did he grow still. He closed his eyes and took a breath.

Only the scent of grass, dirt, and the impending rain reached him. Only the rustle of leaves, the whisper of the grass, and the slap of the waves against the sandy shore met his ears. It was peaceful. It was quiet. There was something he couldn't quite place. A sound that tickled the edge of his mind, yet he couldn't quite place it. Notes that rose and fell while a steady, soft note echoed beneath them. Almost like someone was playing music far of: a piano.

Eren opened his eyes and turned around to go back onto solid ground. He stopped. His mouth fell open and his eyes widened in surprise. A woman stood by the water's edge. Long, dark, chestnut-colored hair fell unbound to her shoulders. Brown eyes glittered at him, full of warmth and love. The woman raised her hand and smiled, "Eren."

Shock poured through him, followed by confusion and grief. Eren's lip quivered. Tears threatened as water rimmed his eyes. "Mommy…?" His voice was little more than a hoarse squeak. Her smile only broadened as she gazed at him, at her child.

Something broke in Eren and he started to cry, a mixture of grief and joy. He started to wade back towards her. "Mommy…" Eren sobbed as he flung himself into her arms.

She pulled him close until his face was mashed against her stomach and ran her fingers through his hair. "It's alright my dear…" she whispered. "It's alright. You're safe."

Eren sniffed and clutched at her dress. She was here. She was real. She was alive. Emerald eyes rose, still filled with the promise of tears. "Mommy… don't go. Not again." The music in his mind faded into silence.

Her smile faded and she glanced up at the lake behind him. "Eren… I'm sorry."

Thunder crashed overhead and a bolt of pure, white light slammed down in front of him. Something slammed down on Eren and pressed him into the sandy shore. Sand and grit filled his mouth and stung his eyes. The force turned into a foot. A familiar foot. Eren started to shake.

No… no… no.

A hand grabbed his hair and pulled his head back until he could see the owner of the foot that was firmly planted in the middle of his back. Dark brown eyes glittered menacingly behind thin glasses. "Hello son," his father snarled.

He let go of Eren's hairand picked his foot up, but he pulled the same foot back and kicked Eren in the side. Hard. Pain exploded in Eren's side and he gasped as the force rolled him onto his back. Fear constricted his throat, which started to burn.

"Now," Grisha sneered as he raised his foot again, directly over Eren's chest. "Be a good little bitch and stay quiet." The foot descended towards Eren's chest. The impact jarred him and forced a huff of air out. Eren gasped and tried to push himself away. Instead, hands caught him by the front of his shirt and pulled him to a stop.

"No…" his father whispered as a cruel smile stretched his mouth open. "You aren't going anywhere. This time… this time you're mine." The hands moved up and cupped his throat. Nonononono! Eren clawed at his father's hands. Nails bit into the skin, but his father paid no mind. Instead, he started to tighten his grasp on Eren's throat.

The pressure slowly increased. Slowly choked off his air supply. Slowly rendered him almost completely mute. Again. The child's mind spun. Horror clouded his thoughts. What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?

There was no one to save him. Not his mommy. Not Armin. Not Mikasa. Tear-filled emerald eyes clamped shut as Eren struggled to draw a breath into his young, aching lungs. There is someone to save me. There's Levi. His mouth opened again and he poured everything he had into a single scream, a tortured cry for help.

"Levi!"

Levi stared at Eren's face, the side he could see anyways. The teen was asleep, with his lips slightly parted and his face slack. It looked softer, more relaxed, than it did when Eren was awake. It certainly lacked that strange nervous cast that tended to hang around on it. He brought one hand up and brushed Eren's cheek with the back of his knuckles. The skin was warm to the touch.

Eren shifted a bit and leaned into the touch, but he didn't wake. The raven-haired teen sighed and pressed his forehead against Eren's shoulder again. He couldn't sleep. His thoughts were focused on that bruise beneath Eren's jaw. It was in such an odd place. On top of that, it must have been a strangle-shaped pole to give it that ovular shape

… Is he lying? Half-truths? I wouldn't be surprised if he is… I haven't exactly been telling him the truth. Levi wasn't sure he wanted to divulge that information yet. Zoe was the only one he had confided in, and even then, he had only given her half of the picture. He hadn't told her about Milwaukee or running away or the orphanages. She had gotten the brighter half, the places that hadn't been too bad. Levi sighed and pushed himself up.

I'm not going to get any sleep like this… Neither is Eren if I keep moving. I need something to take my mind away for a bit. He slowly swung his legs off his bed and rose quietly. He didn't want to wake Eren.

The pale teen glanced back at Eren. He's so relaxed, so open when he's sleeping… Levi grabbed one of the blankets from the end of his bed. It was made of soft, warm, dark green fabric. It came undone from its folded confines and he stretched it over Eren's sleeping form. He draped it over Eren's shoulders and leaned forwards.

"Sleep well, Eren…," the short male murmured as he brushed his lips against Eren's forehead. Eren mumbled something, but he couldn't make it out. Levi lingered there for a moment before he pulled back, turned out the lights, and left the room.

The room he sought was only two doors down from his and on the other side of the hall. The pale teen opened the door and stepped into the room. He didn't bother to close the door. He wouldn't play loud. He didn't bother with the lights either. There was enough moonlight coming in from the window that he didn't need it.

All that mattered was that he could see the piano and its ivory keys in the darkness, broken by shafts of silver moonlight. Levi was across the room and on the bench in seconds. Pale fingers touched paler keys. Their surfaces were cool and slick to the touch.

No music sat on the stand in front of him. He didn't need it, not tonight. Only one song would be played. A song he knew by heart. It would be sad if he didn't have it memorized. He had played it until he had perfected it. A composition by Debussy, "Arabesque No. 1." By far, Levi found it to be one of, if not, his favorite composition.

Levi flicked some imaginary dust off his beloved keys. His hands fell into familiar positions with his wrists arched up while his fingers barely skimmed the cool surface of the keys. The picture was clear in his mind. A woman stood by a grand piano in a music shop. The sunlight turned her orange hair into a blazing corona of scarlet. He could see her smile and hear her words, gentle but forceful. Close Levi, close. Try it again!

A sigh escaped his lips. Despite the years, he could still remember her. After all, she was the one who had continued his education in music after his mother had passed. Levi took a breath. The tense slipped from his body and dissipated into the air. Begin.

The song began with two different beats: one was a slow, but steady one that stayed low and almost unheard beneath the other notes; the other consisted of many notes that rose and fell together in quick succession. Within seconds of the song's start, a third came into play. It was higher than the notes that rose and fell. It was quicker than the slow, steady note that otherwise remained unheard.

The slow, high notes swapped between their methodical play of rising and falling like the middle set of notes. Levi swayed back and forth slightly with the rise and fall of the middle notes. The melody was soft, quiet, and peaceful. It could have been a lullaby. The middle notes slowed and grew slightly softer until the highest notes were the loudest and the quickest. His fingers fluttered and drew out the quick shift from note to note.

All too soon, the composition came to an end. The final notes faded into silence until it was once more total. Levi's fingers finally came to a stop and they rested lightly on top of the smooth keys. Threads of sleepiness were starting to worm their way into his mind. That was understandable. It was late, sometime after one.

I wonder what it would be like to play a duet with Eren… What would we play? A thought crept to the front of his mind, something Eren had told him. "Memory of a Cherished Place" for violin and piano. Opening 42. Meditation. "I love Meditation the most." Levi smiled slightly and gently pressed one of the keys down. The soft sound filtered into the air.

It mixed with another sound, a fainter sound. He pulled his finger away and listened. The sound came again, a little louder. Levi pulled the fallboard into place and rose slowly, quietly. Soft steps carried him to the door of the dark room. He poked his head out and glanced both ways. Nothing moved in the shadows. Once more, the sound reached his ears. It came from his left… from his room.

The raven-haired teen slunk down the hall towards his room. The sounds grew louder, more incessant as he went. He slid into his room and stared through the darkness. In the gloom, he could make out no movement. The sound broke the silence again, clear, loud, and full of fear. It was a whimper.

Levi flicked the light on and the sudden brightness was almost blinding. Silver eyes flickered a few times before they fell on the body lying on his bed. Eren's entire body moved or twitched in some way.

It almost looked like he was trying to kick someone, an unseen assailant. His hands were at his throat and clawed at the skin. Tears slipped from his eyes while his mouth parted as he gasped. Every muscle was locked out and rigid. Red welts started to rise on his neck where he clawed. Eren's eyes flickered beneath his eyelids.

Levi was frozen. Shock rooted him to the spot. His mind wouldn't function. All he could do was stare at the tan teen on his bed. Eren sucked another breath down and his face tightened. "Levi!" The scream burst from his mouth, filled with panic and terror.

Levi snapped out of his daze and was across the room in seconds. One hand grabbed Eren's and pulled them away from his throat. Red welts covered the tan skin. Blood trickled out of a few spots were the skin had broken. Eren still thrashed about, unable to wake.

Two thoughts came to mind of how to wake Eren: shake him or slap him. Hopefully the second option wouldn't be needed. Levi pressed Eren's hands against his chest and vaulted up onto his bed. The pale teen straddled Eren's waist so he could pin Eren's arms to his sides. That would keep them in place for a bit.

He grabbed Eren's shoulders and started to shake him. All the while, whimpers continued to fall from Eren's lips. Levi shook him harder. "Eren! Eren, wake up!"

Emerald eyes snapped open, wild and full of terror. The teen's limbs stilled, but his muscles remained taut. It almost felt like Eren was tensed to heave against Levi and bolt like a terrified animal. Gray and green eyes met. Concern filled the former while the latter was blank with panic. Eren's chest heaved beneath his knee. His nostrils were wide and his mouth was clamped shut. The red welts on Eren's neck drew his eye. That was unavoidable.

"Eren…" Levi whispered. "Eren… you're fine. You're safe. I'm here. I'll keep you safe." Recognition slipped through the fear-induced haze and Eren shuddered. Watery green eyes clenched shut as Eren went limp. Levi let go of Eren's shoulders and watched Eren's face for a moment. The tears that started to leak from Eren's eyes didn't go unnoticed. Neither did the tremor that started.

The steel-eyed male shifted back a bit and pulled Eren up until their foreheads were pressed together. Dull green eyes flickered open and met soft gray eyes. Levi pulled Eren's head down onto his shoulder and wrapped his arms around the boy's chest. Chestnut hair caressed his cheek while the aroma of melons and lavender tickled his nose.

With his arms around Eren, he could feel every tremor, every twitch that rolled through his distraught form. Eren shuddered again and his entire body heaved. A sound tore from his throat, a soft sob. One of Levi's hands started to rub circles in the middle of Eren's back while the other tangled itself into the thick, silky, brown hair on the back of Eren's head. He could feel the flinch that rolled through Eren's body as his hand ghosted over the back of the teen's neck.

Eren shuddered again. His hands came up and clutched the back of Levi's shirt. Levi could feel Eren's heart hammering against his chest. The frantic thrum showed no signs of slowing.

"It's alright Eren…" he whispered into the boy's ear. "You're fine. You're safe. Nobody's going to hurt you, okay? I'll make sure of that. I won't leave you. I promise." Pale hands rubbed slow, random patterns on Eren's back and head. His voice was soft, quiet, and soothing. Eren's heart began to slow, from a frantic beat to something that was a little faster than normal.

Another shudder rolled through Eren. It was accompanied by a loud sob. Wet spots started to form on Levi's shoulder. If it had been anyone else, they would have been off his shoulder, off his bed, in an instant. Levi only pressed Eren closer and continued to stroke the back of his head. "Don't hold it in. If you want to cry, cry."

The hands that grasped the back of his shirt spasmed once. Eren's shoulder shook once, twice, and then they didn't stop shaking. Hysterical sobs wracked Eren's body and tears that Levi couldn't see dripped onto his shoulder. He kept running his hand along Eren's back and rubbing soothing warmth into the back of the teen's head.

What happened in his dream? What scared him so much? Will he even remember? Scratch that, will he even want to tell me about it? His fingers stilled in Eren's hair as he stared down at the young teen's shoulder. Why was he clawing at his throat?

The pale fingers resumed their previous action. Levi wasn't sure how long it took, but Eren's shoulders eventually ceased to heave and the teen went limp against him. Sometime after that, his shoulder started to dry.

After a few moments, Eren pulled his head away from Levi's shoulder. His face was a mess. Normally vibrant emerald eyes were dull, bloodshot, and red around the edges. The rest of his face was a mixture of red and white. The scratches on his throat weren't quite as visible as they had been. "Sorry…" Eren whispered through chapped lips. His voice cracked halfway through the word.

The hand on the back of Eren's head came up and cupped Eren's cheek. "Don't say you're sorry," he whispered. "Are you okay?" Eren gave a noncommittal shrug. Levi stared at Eren for a moment. Gray eyes fell back to the scratches on his neck. "Come on. Let's get those cleaned up." Eren's hands slowly loosened on Levi's shirt and the raven-haired teen stood.

The nerves in his legs slowly started to come back to life. Levi took Eren's hand and gently tugged on it until the taller male swung his legs off the bed and rose. He pressed Eren close as he directed Eren to the bathroom. Pale fingers flicked the light on and patted the countertop. "Sit here."

As Eren situated himself, Levi started to dig around the bathroom. A washcloth, some cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide, and a box of Band-Aids joined Eren on the countertop. Levi glanced at Eren as he ran warm water over the washcloth.

The younger teen looked exhausted. He looked defeated. In fact, he almost looked like an injured animal. His eyes flickered around. He flinched at every noise. He sat with hunched shoulders and muscles that went between tense and loose at every sound. Levi turned the faucet off and squeezed the excess water from the cloth.

"Tilt your head back." He kept his voice soft. Eren went to tilt his neck back before he hesitated. Green eyes slid over to silver eyes, nervous and apprehensive. "Please?" Levi whispered.

The chestnut-haired teen bit his lip, but tilted his head back anyways. Gray eyes fell onto the red scratch marks. They travelled up to where the bruise was. Small and blue, with yellow discoloration around the edges. That's was why Eren had been holding his head oddly, always slightly down and to the right. Even after he had first noticed it, Eren had continued to tuck his head, as if that could wipe it from Levi's memory.

Levi gently pressed the cloth against Eren's neck. He didn't miss the not-so-subtle-but-obviously-an-attempt-to-be subtle jerk of Eren's head at contact. "It's alright," Levi murmured. "This won't hurt… the peroxide is the only thing that might." He continued to dab at Eren's neck. The brown cloth rasped over the light brown skin. The tiny droplets of blood came away.

Once his neck was devoid of the minuscule streaks of blood, Levi set the cloth into the sink so he could grab the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a cotton ball. "It's gonna sting a bit," he murmured as he doused the ball of white fluff in the clear-ish, strong-smelling liquid.

Eren's face tightened as Levi brought the cotton ball beneath his neck. Levi dabbed one of the scratches. Eren pulled back slightly. A pale hand went to his knee and squeezed it. "Bear with it. It'll be done soon."

A soft sigh was his response, but Eren leaned forwards slightly. Levi's lips twitched up slightly and he dabbed at Eren's neck once more. From there, the process was quick. Perhaps the Band-Aids were a bit much, but Levi believed in safe rather than sorry. Germs were disgusting, but the thought of an infection that could have easily been prevented was downright horrifying. Eren wouldn't get an infection, not on his watch.

Levi put the items back in their appropriate places. To put them anywhere else might as well have been sacrilege. Once he was done, Levi washed his hands thoroughly and plucked his contacts from his eyes. The world slid out of focus and became a blur that only vaguely made a shape unless he squinted or it was within a few feet of him. Eren slipped off the countertop and waited until Levi was done and he was ushered out of the bathroom. It was almost two o'clock.

"Eren… do you want to go back to sleep?" The taller teen glanced back at Levi and bit his lip for a moment. He turned his back on Levi and walked over to the bedside table where he had set his phone. Levi squinted and followed. He plucked his glasses from his nightstand and slid them into place. The world sharpened once more.

Silver eyes flickered up and stared at Eren's face as the tall teen typed. His face was wan and drawn. He looked nervous and exhaustion was evident in the planes of his face. Levi's gaze slid down to his neck, to his shoulder, and down the length of his arm. All the way to his ever so slightly discolored hand. There was a yellow tinge to it, with a few, indistinct blue spots just below his knuckles. "Eren… what happened to your hand?"

The same hand twitched, but he continued to type. Levi didn't look at the message. He waited until Eren was done before he read the it. It only took Eren another minute to type it out and show Levi.

Yes but… Can you stay with me? I hit my hand on a wall by accident. It's nothing

Levi looked up at Eren. The emerald-eyed boy refused to meet his gaze. It was blatantly obvious that Eren wasn't going to say any more on the matter. "I'll stay with you." That earned him a nod and a wan smile, the latter of which made his chest tighten. I don't want to see Eren looking so sad, so tired, so…defeated. It's not right, not for him. Levi set his glasses next to Eren's phone and waited until Eren was on the bed before he crawled up after him.

It took a few moments to get situated, but they finally ended up facing each other with the blanket draped over their bodies. There was barely an inch of space between their heads. Levi's arm was slung over Eren's side, his palm pressed against the boy's back. In turn, one of Eren's legs was twined with Levi's.

Levi pressed his forehead against Eren's and sighed quietly. "Are you alright now? Tired?" Eren nodded. "Good… You know, you really scared me there for a minute. I didn't know what was going on."

Eren shuddered slightly and snaked his arm over Levi's side. "Sorry…" he whispered. His voice was hoarse, almost inaudible.

Levi remember Eren's scream. That must have hurt so much… Yet he keeps talking. He's trying to reassure me as much as I'm trying to reassure him.

The shorter male pressed Eren closer. It took a few moments, but he shifted up a bit more so he could rest his chin on Eren's head. Fluffy chestnut strands of hair tickled his chin and neck. He started to hum quietly. First, he hummed "Canon" in D Major by Pachelbel before he switched to "Arabesque No. 1".

Eren stayed silent as Levi hummed quietly. Only when he had finished "Arabesque" did he make a sound. "Levi… I'm sorry." The words were so soft that Levi almost thought he had imagined them. He pulled his head back a bit and peered at Eren's face. The boy's eyes were shut tight and his breaths were slow and even.

Levi set his head back on top of Eren's head. "No Eren… I'm sorry. Now, stop talking. I know it hurts and a I doubt you're doing your vocal chords any favors." Eren flinched slightly as Levi started to hum again, not wanting to give Eren a chance to cause himself more pain.

An ear-piercing cacophony of bells jarred Armin awake. He rolled over and slammed his hand on his phone. It continued to ring. Armin punched the accept button and put the phone to his ear. "Who is this? Why are you calling at…" he spared a glance at his alarm clock, "At two o'clock in the freaking morning?!"

"Aaarmin," the voice sang. It was vaguely familiar, but it sounded strange. The voice was definitely masculine, but it sounded thick, low.

Eren never called. Armin's father was, and had been, out of the picture, so he definitely wasn't on the other end of the call. It made no sense for his grandfather to call him when they were in the same house, so it wasn't him. Nor was it Eren's father. It wasn't Levi. Marco was out, along with several others.

All that came in response to his questions was lots of giggling. Drunken giggling. Armin pulled his phone back and checked the Caller ID. Jean Kirschtein. The short teen put the cell back to his ear. "Jean, are you drunk?"

"Only tipsy," Jean muttered. He sounded like he was pouting, much like a guilty child would sound.

"Jean…"

"I had to be," Jean protested.

"You had to be? Why?"

"Don't ask Armin," Jean begged. He begged. He actually begged. "I can't tell you…"

"Then why did you call me?"

"Cause I wanna hear you talk… Talk, Armin, please? For me?"

Armin pulled his phone away again and stared at it for a moment. Thoughts slammed around in his head. Jean sounded positively miserable. He sounded like he was about to cry. That surprised Armin the most.

The fact that Jean Kirschtein, usually so upbeat, full of grins, and ready to squabble at any moment, sounded as if someone had just run over his dog, Pepper. It was all too easy to imagine Jean sitting in his room, alone and in tears. That thought pulled on Armin's heartstrings. Not fair… He'll call to talk when he's drunk, yet he can't realize I've got a crush on him. Idiot…

Armin started to talk. He assumed Jean meant talk about anything, and anything was what he talked about. "Well, the Sequoioideae, also known as the redwood tree, has three subfamilies: Sequoia, Sequoiadendron, which is from California and Oregon, and the Metasequoia, from China. The Metasequoia are much smaller. The Hyperion Tree is the tallest tree in the world. It's a Sequoia sempervirens. The thickest, by volume, is the General Sherman Tree, which is a Sequoiadendron giganteum."

He talked about anything that came to mind: information that he had researched or read; books that he had read recently; music he listened to; what he had done that day, even that week; anything and everything really. Armin even ranted about how plane tickets were going up, which would make his travels around the world more expensive. Nearly two hours passed with minimal input from Jean before the other teen said something during one of Armin's lulls. "Armin… I'm sorry. Really. I am. I didn't… those awful things I said…"

A soft, strangled sound came over the phone. It took Armin a few seconds to realize what it was: a sob. Jean was crying. "Jean. Jean, are you alright?"

"I'm good, I'm good," the ashen-haired teen muttered.

His voice was thick again, but this time it was with tears. Armin's chest constricted. "You can tell me Jean. You really can."

There was a sharp intake of breath on the other side. "Sorry Armin. I've got to go. Sorry for bothering you."

The call dropped before Armin could say anything. The blonde teen pulled his phone away and stared at it until the screen went dark. Tears prickled at sky blue eyes and slowly started to drip down pale cheeks. "Idiot…" Armin whispered into the darkness of his room. What is he not saying?

The return to consciousness was slow. Eren wasn't exactly sure when he woke, but his eyes opened after a while. His mind, drugged with sleep, was slow to process. For several moments, he simply stared at the ceiling. White, smooth, and illuminated by the sunlight that seeped through the half-open curtains. It was all he could focus his hazy mind on. That and the warm, somewhat heavy weight settled on top of his chest.

Eren raised his head slightly so he could see. A mop of messy, pitch-black hair rested in the middle of his chest. Levi's left hand was still locked with his and rested by his right hip. The silver-eyed teen was halfway splayed on the left half of Eren's body. His left leg was thrown over Eren's leg. Eren shut his eyes again and brought his free hand up to Levi's head. He ran his fingers through it, reveling in the silky texture. So soft… it's like petting a cat. Except Levi's a lot cuter. And warmer. Jesus, his hair is so… soft.

As he lay there in the silence, the unsettling dream from that night crept back into his mind. Eren sighed. It had started out so good, only to turn into sheer terror. Even at Levi's he couldn't quite escape his father's influence. A knot of unease settled into his stomach. Going home definitely wasn't high on the list of things he wanted to do.

After a few minutes, Levi shifted beneath his touch, slowly tilted his head back, and pressed against Eren a little more. Silver eyes, half-open and glazed with sleep, met green orbs.

"Mornin'…" Levi murmured with a voice low and rough with sleep. It was positively sexy and he could easily imagine waking up to it every day. Eren hummed quietly in response. He continued to pet the silken black strands. Levi let his head returned to its former position. "Having fun there?" Another hum came in response. "Let's just stay here all day…"

Eren smiled and looked back at the ceiling. It sounded like a good idea. Scratch that, it sounded wonderful, but doubtlessly his father was looking for his favorite punching bag. Maybe I could just text him… tell him I'm staying another night… No. I can't. He'd be pissed. I don't know what he'd do if I did that…

He didn't realize his fingers had fallen still until Levi shifted on his chest again. The sable-haired teen peered at him. "Much to my distaste, we should probably get up. Get breakfast. Make virgin sacrifices. The whole nine yards." Levi said it all in a deadpan. Eren couldn't help but laugh. Just the way Levi said it made it funny, even if he wasn't trying to be. It took a few minutes to rise from bed and grab their phone and glasses respectively.

I really like it when he's wearing glasses. It makes his face a little softer, his eyes a little bigger, and just gives him an aura of being even more refined than usual. That aura was slightly ruined by the messy mop of jet-black hair and storm-gray eyes that were still hazy with sleep; making him appear a bit younger and a lot cuter. And by his coarse language, but he liked him like that. Levi didn't really curse in an angry way: it was more spontaneous, more a part of his personality. It was something that just came with Levi and it wouldn't be right if it was any other way.

"Alright… first things first. Coffee. Do you drink coffee?" Eren shook his head. "Ah… what a pity. Drink of the gods, that is. Can't survive without it. A cup a day keeps the idiots away."

Eren ginned and followed Levi out of his room. He glanced in the rooms as they passed. Two had shut doors but the third door they passed, the second on Eren's right, was open. He peered in as they passed. There was a baby grand piano sitting inside. Jade eyes brightened, but Eren continued to walk. I knew someone was playing last night. Levi was playing. God, it was beautiful. I want to hear him play again. Soon. Preferably, when I'm conscious.

Some of the stairs creaked as they went down. Levi's steps were almost as soft as Eren's. It was hard to resist the urge to test each step so he could find an absolutely silent path down.

He followed Levi down to the first floor and into the kitchen. It was more of a kitchen-dining room hybrid, as it extended to the right so it could fit an oak table big enough for six. The cabinets were made of dark red-brown wood and the counters were topped with smooth, gray stone. There was a lot of chrome. Levi wandered over to a coffee pot that sat between a knife block and a toaster. He grabbed a mug from the cabinet above and started the coffee maker.

"What do you want to eat? We've got cereal, eggs, Pop tarts, human flesh." He smirked at Eren with the last one. "Cannibalism is the latest fad." Eren rolled his eyes and grinned. "Seriously though, what do you want" The taller teen shrugged and typed out a quick message.

Whatever you want

"Coffee and cereal it is. I can cook, but it's too damn early."

Its 9 45

"… And your point is?" Eren grinned and shook his head. The knot of unease loosened a little. Around Levi, it was easy to relax. Easy to smile. Easy to forget. Even if it only lasted a little while. Two small white bowls were set onto the stone countertop with loud clicks and two spoons were delicately set beside them. Levi opened one of the cabinets and peered inside. "What do you want?" Eren looked over his shoulder. There was one box of cereal on the top shelf, an opened blue box on the shelf below, and things that definitely didn't resemble breakfast foods around and below them.

"Actually… the only choice you've got it Cheerios. Or you can have a blueberry Pop tart." Eren held up one finger. "Cheerios then." Levi stretched up onto his toes and fumbled at the box. Pale fingers skimmed the bottom edge. All he managed to do was push it back a little further. "God dammit… I need a chair."

Eren reached over Levi's head and grabbed the box. He set it down on the counter. Silver eyes flickered up to meet his and Eren smiled sheepishly. Levi crooked one finger. "Bend down." Eren complied and bent down until their faces were a few inches apart. The scent of lavender and cotton tickled his nose pleasantly. The sable-haired teen leaned forwards and skimmed his lips across Eren's forehead.

"Thank God one of us is tall. Now stop being so tall. It makes you hard to kiss." Levi pulled back and grabbed the box. There was a faint red tint to his cheeks. He does realize that turning away can't hide his blush, right? He's adorable…

Armed with bowls of cereal thoroughly drowned in milk and coffee for one, they sat down and ate in companionable silence. Once they finished eating, Levi grabbed their clothes from the dryer. Apparently, the pale teen had gone downstairs at some point during the night in order to put their clothes into the dryer.

Eren changed in Levi's bathroom. Going home in Levi's clothes was definitely not something that would be safe. He wouldn't have done it, not even if his own clothes had been ruined. That would lead to too many questions. As Eren changed, safely locked in the bathroom, he checked his messages. Dad (1). The chestnut-haired teen swallowed nervously and opened the message.

From Dad:
Be home at 11
Received: 1:43 AM, July 29th, 2013

It had come last night, probably when he had fallen asleep the first time. Eren checked the time. 10:15. He'd have to leave soon. He leaned down and pressed his head against the countertop. Dammit… I don't wanna go home. I want to stay here. After a few moments, Eren straightened up and sighed. The door unlocked with a click and he walked back into Levi's room, already typing out a message. Levi glanced up as he left. The blanket they had used last night was folded on top of his bed, as were his clothes. Silver eyes ran over the message when Eren showed it to him.

I've got to go. My dad wants me home soon. Sorry

Levi waved his apology off and took the clothes Eren had slept in. "Don't worry. Parents are demanding sometimes." Or they're abusive and make demands that if they aren't met, you're beaten…

Eren trailed after Levi as the pale teen dropped the tank top and sweats into the washing machine. The raven-haired teen walked back to the front door with Eren before the machine rumbled to life. Since he had come with nothing but his phone, there was nothing to gather and make sure he didn't forget.

Eren grabbed his shoes and pulled them on. As he tied them, Levi put a hand on his shoulder. "Wait here," Levi said. Emerald eyes followed Levi as he darted up the stairs and disappeared. He pulled the final knot and straightened up. Faint clacks reached his ears. What is Levi doing?

Footsteps reached his ears a moment later and then Levi reappeared, something clutched in his hands. Three things to be precise. All of them were CD cases.

Levi stopped in front of Eren and held them out. "Listen to them. I think you'll like them." Eren hesitantly took them and peeked at the covers. The first was a Sabaton album: The Art of War. The second was a Breaking Benjamin album: Phobia. The one on the bottom was an All Time Low album: So Wrong, It's Right.

That one didn't really surprise Eren. Lots of music that Levi listened to didn't seem to fit his personality at first, before his deeper layers were revealed. That's was when everything that didn't seem to fit quite right before turned out to fit perfectly. Eren glanced up at Levi and smiled shyly. He pulled his phone out again and typed a quick message.

You sure?

"Of course," Levi said. "If I wasn't, would I be handing them to you?" Eren shrugged and pocketed his phone. "Exactly," Levi murmured. The word was accompanied by a flick of his wrist.

Two pale arms looped around Eren's neck and pulled him down. Levi kissed Eren on the corners of his mouth before his mouth finally brushed against Eren's. Eren shivered, but it wasn't in fear. The hesitation wasn't as long as usual. His arms wrapped around Levi's waist and pulled the smaller male closer. Jade eyes slipped shut and Eren let Levi take control.

He'd rather have more time with Levi and be late rather than leave now and get home on time. Lavender and cotton invaded his senses. Levi's lips were soft beneath his, unlike his own. The pale teen's kiss was slow and sensual as Levi took his time. Eren didn't mind. He enjoyed every second of it. Much to Eren's not-so-subtle disappointment, Levi pulled away soon, far too soon for his taste.

The raven-haired teen kept his arms looped around Eren's neck and peered up at him, his face blank, but his silver eyes bright. "Text me soon." Levi smiled. Not one where only the corner of his mouth curled. Not a smirk. A true, genuine smile, albeit a small one. Blood rushed straight to Eren's face and he nodded.

He's smiling. Actually smiling. I knew it'd be beautiful, I knew it! I want to see that smile more… I want to see it every day, every hour, every minute. Levi chuckled and opened the door. "See you soon." Eren nodded and glanced at Levi one more time before he left. The smile still graced his face.

The emerald-eyed teen smiled in return and waved before he turned and started the walk back to his house. His mind was a hurricane of thoughts, and in the eye of that storm sat Levi. Perfect, beautiful Levi. Eren smiled and stuck his hands in his pockets. Just being around Levi was like breathing fresh air. He could forget. He could relax. He could let himself be normal. Well, as normal as he could get.

Eren crossed the street and sighed heavily. It's too bad it can't last. That I have to go home… to him. Back to my father. Back to the heavy fists. The shouts and curses. Back to the pain. Eren shuddered and clenched his hands.

A fresh knot of anxiety settled in his stomach. Over the course of twenty minutes, the knot only grew until it seemed like it was going to overwhelm him. The walk was long, but the walk up to his porch was even longer. His father's car was in the driveway. It was one of his days off.

Oh God… I forgot. Please be unconscious, please be unconscious. Please don't be awake. Please don't be drunk. Please don't be in a bad mood. Please, please, please. He stopped in front of the door and stared at the knob for a few moments. His hands were shaking. Fuck, his entire body shook, not just his hands. Eren swallowed nervously and grabbed the door handle.

Chapter 10: End

Important(ish) notice: I'm currently looking for cover art for this story. If any of you would like to submit any art, just PM me about it. Many thanks and perhaps a little something special will be given in return ^^ If you are willing to draw something, please let me know by the tenth. Thank you dears~

Sorry, this probably would have been up sooner, but I was playing Skyrim as a lovely, thieving, and murderous Argonian, and playing softball... But hey, it's a long(ish) one ^^ Aaaanyways, have a wonderful day/night/existence~

Anon (Marisa): Thank you ^^ That's a good question and easily answered too. The bruise is on the underside of his jaw, so its pretty hard to see anyways. Then, there's the way Eren holds his head: he tilts it so the bruise is harder to see.
Satori02: Yup ^^ I see him as the type to listen to things that most people wouldn't expect for some reason. Thank you ^^ ... I need money now.
Flawless Flower: Thank you ^^ Yes and yes~ I'm glad you think so ^^ Oh yeah, that's gonna be interesting~
EternalWinterSleep: A bit of a mix between mine and my brother's tastes, but they are all songs I like. I tried to pick what would fit. Thank you ^^
Anon: Thank you~~ As for the latter half, well, that will come in time. Patience, patience.