Crybaby Levi (2)

*Eren's in college*

Eren sluggishly opened his eyes as the continuous beeping of his alarm clock loused him from sleep. The clock said it was…8:00. Crap. He had a test today at 8:10.

With a piece of toast in his mouth, Eren hurriedly ran out the door, shoving his stuff into his backpack and jumping onto his bike. He wished that his parents would give him a ride, but his dad was already at work, being the early morning person he always is, and his mother have gone to visit a friend of hers who just had a baby. Balancing carefully, prepared to kick off his bike when his phone vibrated in his pocket, notifying him of a message.

"Oh erap, ooh's ending a essai now*…" Eren muttered incoherently due to the toast in his mouth, jerking his phone from his pocket.

He almost dropped his phone.

The message was from Levi-san, whom Eren didn't contact with for a few months.

Levi: Oi, Eren, I'm sorry that I didn't contact you lately, but I finally cleaned up and settled down at my new house. I would like to invite you over sometime soon. Got time?

"Oh, es, es, es, es**…" Eren mumbled excitedly, his hands shaking so hard that he was hardly able to type the words.

Eren: Totally! What day? I'm free most of the days, so whatever day is fine for me. :)

Levi: How about December 24th? I've got no events that day.

Eren: Okay!

Eren stopped typing for a moment and stared at his phone. December 24th…? That's exactly a week from today, he thought. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing. Well, it was most certainly a good thing that he could meet Levi-san after all these months, but to have nothing to do on Christmas Eve? He chewed his remaining piece of toast slowly, trying to judge.

Levi: Just asking, you're in college now, right? Shouldn't you be in class right now?

Oh crap. He completely forgot about that. Eren looked at his watch.

8:10.

F***

He was late.

Eren swallowed the final pieces of toast, shoved the phone back into his back pocket, and kicked his bike off, pedaling furiously.

But even though he was pedaling like death, he couldn't help the grin that stretched on his face and the glimmer of hope that fluttered within his heart.

December 24th, Christmas Eve.

Eren looked at the mirror for the umpteenth time, making sure that his clothing was neat and stylish. He attempted to brush his hair, but his mess of curls was impossible to submit. Giving himself a final look-over, he turned around and left the house, heading for the new house of Levi-san's.

As he passed the bright shops, lanterns, and lovers in the street, a beautifully decorated cake snagged his attention. The cake was complete black, yet it looked so soft, just like freshly fallen snow. An artfully drawn picture was embedded in the cake, with a ring of white around them. While staring at the cake, Eren remembered something. A bright smile that rivaled a lantern lit up his face, and he went into the bakery.

"I want the cake on the display over there, please…"

Cradling the cake carefully in his arms, he once again set off for Levi-san's house, his face smiling with the anticipation. His steps were turned into little skips; a song hummed itself out of Eren's mouth.

He could not wait to meet Levi-san.

Eren finally found Levi-san's house, a neat apartment building with red bricks. The brunette, suddenly nervous, carefully approached the door, his hands almost shaking. He raised his hand and knocked three times. Rap-tat-tap.

The door opened.

Levi-san was standing there.

"Come in." He curtly said, and Eren carefully let himself in. His house was unfamiliar, and it gave him a nervous sensation. Sure, Levi-san and Eren had been exchanging a few emails back and forth, but it was their first time actually hearing each other's voices or seeing face-to-face. What if Levi-san was not the Levi-san Eren remembered? What if Levi-san found Eren disappointing?

"Sit here." Levi-san gestured to the sofa, which Eren gladly took. He found it a relief for his shaking legs to find a place to rest. He waited patiently as Levi-san brought tea from kitchen. It was warm and comforting.

"Oh, yes, I brought you something…" Eren hurriedly opened the box, placing it carefully on the table. He looked up at Levi, who was staring at the cake in surprise.

"Tomorrow's your birthday, right? It was a little early, but I got you your birthday cake…"

Eren cautiously watched Levi-san, scared that maybe he'll be angry that he wasted his money on such things. Then, much to his surprise, thick, pearl-like tears began to run down his face, and the little, ebony-haired man broke into a sob.

Then Eren finally realized.

He was still the Levi-san Eren knew.

"Oi…you…shouldn't…have wasted your money…on something…like this…"

Levi-san struggled to get his words out over the heavy cascade of salty tears he was shedding, trying his best to stop his tears but failing miserably at it. Not able to hold out, Eren burst into laughter, earning a glare of Levi-san.

"What are you laughing about…there's nothing funny here…"

Eren only laughed a little more and pulled Levi-san into a hug. He struggled for a moment, but gradually relaxed and hugged him back.

"Well…I guess I should say thank you for the cake. I forgot that it was even my birthday tomorrow."

"What? You didn't even realize your birthday?"

"Yeah, when I was at your house, your family always celebrated it for me, but since I moved away, I kinda got careless…I guess."

Eren detached himself from the small man, gripping him firmly by the shoulder.

"I swear that I will come to your house every single year on your birthday and celebrate it with you!" he announced. Levi-san only gazed at the brunette boy, lovingly tousling his hair.

"Hm, when I first met you, you so tiny and could do nothing but be annoying…now you're big and saying that you'll celebrate my birthday for me. You've really grown up, huh?"

"Yep. And I'm taller then you, too!"

"Shut up."

They talked for a little while, laughing and smiling as they ate the cake. The cake was delicious. The soft bread melted in their mouths, giving off a rich flavor accented with a heavy sweetness. It actually tasted so good that Levi-san almost cried again, but Eren stopped him from it. Watching Levi-san wipe his tears from his face, Eren grinned widely.

Tomorrow, his workmates will probably give him a surprise party or something, I'm sure. Eren thought.

And when they do, Levi-san's sure to cry his eyes out just like today.

But I'm glad that I beat them to it today; I made him cry first.

I hope I can do this again next year, too…

No, I will do this again next year.

Eren and Levi-san had a very enjoyable time, but the time flew by and it was soon time for Eren to go back to his home. Eren smiled and said good-bye, hugging Levi-san tightly as he tried to stifle his sobs.

"A big brat now you are…" He murmured.

"You're no longer the little boy I knew, are you?"

Eren hugged him more fiercely, resting his chin on top of Levi-san's hair.

"No. I might look different on the outside, but I'm still same little boy you knew inside, Levi-san."

Levi-san looked up to Eren's face, looking as if thoughtful.

"But now you're all grown up…you should call me just Levi, instead of Levi-san now."

"L-Levi?" Eren mumbled, flustered.

"B-But how can I…?"

"You can do it, I'm sure. After all, the only thing you have to do is take away the san."

Eren looked down at the little man, resisting the urge to kidnap him right now and then.

"O-Okay, Levi-san…no, I mean L-Levi…"

Levi-san, no, Levi, stood on his tiptoes and softly brushed his fingers across the top of Eren's messy soft chocolaty locks.

"Okay. You should go now. It's getting late."

"Okay. I'll visit you later."'

"Bye, Eren."

"Bye, Levi."

Eren walked back the streets he had taken on his way to Levi's house, a little hop bouncing him alone. The streets were filled with bright lights, shops, and lovers. And his mood perfectly fit with his surroundings. A song began to hum itself, soon sprouting into a cheerful, melodic song. He looked up at the dark sky, closing his eyes and just feeling the cool air. A hint of coldness touched the tip of his nose.

A snowflake. A perfect, unique, and beautiful snowflake.

More snow begins to fall. Eren looks back at Levi's house, eyes bright turquoise eyes full with life.

"Happy birthday, Levi. Happy birthday."

-End of Crybaby Levi-

*Oh crap, who's sending a message now…

**Oh, yes, yes, yes, yes…

A/N: This is for Martiniy. y too. Anyway, finally! I manage to write a middle-longish chapter for at least once in my life! Well, thanks for reading and please review!