Speak!
Chapter 14: Tease
Jean wandered down the streets with his earbuds in and his hands in his pockets. His steps were slower than necessary. I'll probably be late. Hell, I'm tryingto be late. It would probably be for the best… but I don't want it to have to be. Jean wasn't really sure why he had agreed. Maybe it's because I'm tired of hiding – of bending to Mom's demands. God, she'd flip is she knew. Fuck, she'd probably kick me out. Well, if I was lucky.
His hands clenched and he ducked his head a little more in an attempt to be invisible. It wasn't easy, but at least most gazes that landed on him continued to slide on. Jean felt twitchy, nervous. It was bad enough that he felt sick to his stomach. Is this how a criminal feels after they've done something? He probably did look like a criminal the way he kept glancing around, paranoid, and how he kept ducking down the less-traversed streets.
He couldn't help it. What if his mother happened to go out and see him? What if one of the people from their church, one of the more closed-minded ones, saw him with Armin? There was no doubt that his mother would immediately jump all over him to find out who Armin was and who Armin was to him. What is Armin to me? A friend? Jean knew that wasn't the honest answer; not really. He liked Armin too much to call it 'just as a friend like'.
And to think this all started over tutoring… God dammit, I should just go home and try to forget it. Or I should pick up a girl and date her even if I won't love her. Then Mom would stop harping on me. I could ignore Armin. Focus on something fake. A fake love. A fake life. A fake sexuality. A fake me that my mom would love.
Jean's steps slowed and he looked up at the establishment in front of him: Christian's Café. He checked his watch. 3:12. Late. Maybe he's already left. I can still turn around. I can still go home. I can try to forget about him. Try to pretend I don't like him as so much more than a friend. Jean shuddered and shoved the door open, numb inside. He glanced around.
The place looked cheerful, with walls painted in pastel colors more suited for Easter, white and blue-checkered floors, and dark brown counters that provided a contrast. He could see the kitchen staff through rectangular openings in the back wall. There weren't many people inside the café: an old woman, two men playing chess, a group of three girls who seemed to be trying to show as much skin as possible, and a golden-haired, sky-eyed boy that played with his emotions and messed with his head.
Jean's heart managed to shoot into his throat and weigh his stomach down when he saw the object weighing on his mind so heavily as of late. Armin sat by the window, his chin on one hand while the fingers of the other nervously tapped away at the table. A cup of tea or coffee sat in front of him, but he was ignoring it. He looked nervous and vaguely disheartened.
… Why does he always have to look so cute? Jean walked over on stiff legs and slid into the seat across from Armin. Blue eyes darted over to him and widened. Armin broke out into a brilliant grin, one that made his whole face light up and made the sad cast melt away. Jean felt blood flow to his face and he looked away, his gaze focused on the world outside. Why does he have to look so happy? It's just me… "What do you want?" He almost winced at how gruff and disinterested his voice sounded to his own ears. Armin shrugged. "I just wanted to see you. You didn't sound too good the other night. I was worried….about you."
Don't worry about me, you idiot. It's not like I can tell you anyways. It's not like I can let you worry about me either, though. I'm just gonna end up hurting you. I don't want to, but I have to. I've gotta listen to Mom; I can't let mom do something, anything, crazy 'cause of you… 'cause I'm stupid and broken.
Jean sighed. "Well I'm obviously fine, so you can stop worrying." It was harder to sound arrogant and irritated around Armin even though it came so easily around everyone else.
"If you're 'fine', why were you drunk? Why'd you… what was wrong with you when you saw us in the park? You've known Eren's gay. You've known I'm bi. So why attack us then and not before?" The ash-haired teen swallowed hard. I want to tell someone. Need to tell him. I need to protect him though, and… would he even believe me? Would it even make a difference? Change anything? Small hands settled overtop his, breaking him out of his mini-hurricane of conflicting thoughts and providing a small amount of much appreciated warm, soothing comfort. Amber eyes shot back to Armin for the first time since he'd walked in. "Please," Armin pleaded, his sky-blue eyes wide.
Jean grabbed Armin's shirt collar and pulled him close. "I can't," he practically hissed. With so little distance, he could smell Armin. A mixture of some kind of spicy tea and pine. It went straight to Jean's head. He couldn't think. He acted on impulse.
Jean pulled Armin closer and kissed him.
To Eren Jaeger:
Jean KISSED me…..!
Sent: 5:45 PM, July 31st, 2013
From Eren Jaeger:
whaaaaat? 0.o
Received: 5:46 PM, July 31st, 2013
To Eren Jaeger:
Ummm, Well, I went to go get coffee with him today AND HE KISSED ME!
Sent: 5:48 PM, July 31st, 2013
From Eren Jaeger:
… But I thought Jean was homophobic?
Received: 5:49 PM, July 31st, 2013
To Eren Jaeger:
Yeah, I thought the same, but apparently he's not and his mom is the reason he did that. He really regrets it, but she is majorly against gays/bi's….
Sent: 5:51 PM, July 31st, 2013
From Eren Jaeger:
…. I'll take your word on it. That's great Armin ^^ I'm happy that things worked out for you~
Received: 5:53 PM, July 31st, 2013
To Eren Jaeger:
Thanks Eren! I'm glad they did too. But I feel bad for Jean… His mom kicked him out the day we saw him in the park.
Sent: 5:56 PM, July 31st, 2013
From Eren Jaeger:
Really? Damn that sucks
Received: 5:56 PM, July 31st, 2013
To Eren Jaeger:
Yeah… But at least she doesn't know he's gay, just like your dad.
Sent: 5:57 PM, July 31st, 2013
From Eren Jaeger:
Mm. That's good. Having the homophobic parent be oblivious is always a lifesaver
Received: 5:58 PM, July 31st, 2013
To Eren Jaeger:
I don't doubt it. So, how are you doing?
Sent: 5:59 PM, July 31st, 2013
Petra leaned further into the bushes, her amber eyes trained on a certain steel-eyed, stoic person. The raven-haired teen that was almost always the focus of her attention, turned the page in his book. She couldn't see the title from the distance, or make out much of the book itself, but it must have been interesting as Levi was immersed. The fact that he was seated in a tree instead of on one of the swings or on a blanket he had spread out on the ground proved it. Levi only climbed up trees to read when he wanted to be left alone. After all, not many people looked up.
The ginger-haired girl sighed quietly and plucked at the grass beneath her as she watched him. He looked peaceful despite the lack of expression on his face. Levi… He's happier lately. He smiles more. He doesn't insult Zoe, of all people, as much. He's changed. It was all because of 'Eren,' the boy Levi was dating. Something about Eren made Levi come out of the shell he had made.
I wanted to be the one to do that… She was more than a little jealous of Eren, but hopelessness accompanied the envy of the boy she still hadn't met. Because somehow, in some way, she was inferior to Eren. The amber-eyed girl sighed and set her head on her arm. Can I win him over? Is there any way? I wish, but…
Soft rustles caught her attention and her head snapped around. At first, all she saw was a relatively tall figure, distinctly male. She blinked and the male's features came into focus in the sunlight, dappled from the leaves. Short, white-blonde hair with a darker under-layer that he had grown out. Narrow brown eyes caught wide amber ones.
"Petra…?" Oluo said with a look of surprise all over his face. His cheeks looked pink, as if he was embarrassed or had done something physical. "Why are you on the ground?"
Petra's heart slammed to a stop as she stared up at him, unable to form a response. "Um… I like the ground?" she managed to choke out the question after a few minutes.
Oluo shook his head and smiled. "Mind if I sit down with you?"
She shook her head. The brown-eyed teen flopped onto the grass beside her, his face pointed at the canopy above. Petra sat up, her shoulder against the bush, and stared down at Oluo. "What are you doing here?" she asked after a moment.
Oluo shrugged. "I was bored, so I decided to take a walk. Plus, they sometimes start up Frisbee games by the lake if there are enough people."
He spoke slowly, probably so that he wouldn't bite his tongue. When he did that, it was easy to notice how he had stopped mimicking Levi. I'm glad he's being himself again. I like him better when he's not trying to imitate Levi….or anyone else for that matter "Oh…"
They sat in silence for a long time. Petra's eyes shot between Levi and Oluo. The short male still sat in the tree, his book still in hand. Oluo's eyes were shut, his breathing even, but the way he moved occasionally let her know that he was still awake. She wanted to watch Levi, but she didn't want to leave Oluo. She felt conflicted. It was strange. No one else made her feel quite as conflicted when it came to watching Levi or being with the other person. The orange-haired teen hugged her knees to her chest, settled her hands on top of her feet, and heaved a heavy sigh.
A brown eye cracked open and glanced at her. "Feeling down?" Petra shrugged. "Do you want to tell me?"
The short teen glanced at Oluo and worried her lower lip. "The guy I like is in love with someone else…" Something about saying it made the realization slam into her. Levi might like her, but he didn't love her. He loved another. He loved a boy named Eren. Eren, who made Levi smile more. Eren, who made Levi come out of his self-imposed shell. Eren, who made Levi happier than Petra had ever seen him. Her chest ached with that realization. Did I ever really have a hope with him?
A warm hand settled over her hands. Amber orbs slowly made their way up to Oluo. His face was blood red and his deep brown eyes settled on everything except Petra. "H-He must be an idiot to not like you," Oluo choked out. Petra's face flushed, almost as dark as Oluo's The taller teen sucked down a breath, sat up, and looked Petra right in the eyes for the first time that day. Oluo was pale, almost like he was going to be sick at any second. "You're… you're an astounding woman. Petra, I… I really like you, okay?"
Oh. Petra stared at Oluo for a long time, an eternity really. In the five years that she had known Oluo, she would never have guessed he would utter those words. To anyone. Petra swallowed hard and stared at the older teen. The question in his eyes was painfully obvious.
Oh God, what do I say? She couldn't say yes – she still liked Levi. Do I really like Levi? Do I actually love him, or do I love the image of him I created? Does it matter either way? He has Eren now. I don't have a chance. Not against him. Levi… He's only going to see me as a friend. I've just seen him as something to obsess over. I don't even know why, not really.
Oluo's hand tightened around her's, his was warm and soft. His face was pale and hopeful. Petra bit her lip. What should I say? Yes? No? Oluo's been by my side for everything. I know everything about him. I barely know anything about Levi. I don't know what I should do. He deserves a chance. "I… Yes."
A grin flashed onto Oluo's face. His teeth clamped down, straight onto his tongue, hard enough that blood started to flow down his chin. "Ow, ow, ow! Phuck!" Petra shook her head and grinned. She pulled a small cloth from Oluo's pocket – one that was specifically for when he bit his tongue – and pressed it against his face.
"Hold still you idiot," she said with a teasing eye roll. Even as she pressed the cloth to his bloody tongue, Petra couldn't help but smile. Maybe, just maybe, this is what I need. Maybe it's time I said goodbye to my thoughts about Levi.
Eren held up a shirt so he could eye it critically. It was light gray in color, with a collar and white buttons. He already had black skinny jeans on. He just couldn't decide on what shirt. Is this good? Too preppy? Argh, this is where Armin would be useful. It's too bad he doesn't come over anymore. Dad took care of that.
With a soft sigh, the chestnut-haired boy refolded the shirt and set it back in the drawer. After a moment of rummaging, he held up another. It was green in color, like that of a deep leaf. It looked nice in a kind of casual way. … This will work.
With the shirt in one hand and a brush in the other, he edged over to his door and crept across the hall. The house was silent. He was the only one home. Even so, the other day had set him on a new edge. Belts made him cringe and every sound his father made sent Eren into a corner to cower. Admittedly, his father had made no violent advances since then, but it was only a matter of time. His father was like a bomb with a timer that couldn't be seen. Something could come at any time.
Eren shut the bathroom door and twisted around so he could see his back. He sighed with relief. Most of the bruises had faded to a dull yellow, tinged occasionally with light spots of blue or green. Only one patch, just above his right hip, retained that purplish color, but that too had started to fade. Form quick, fade quick. If they form at all, that is.
Eren tugged the shirt over his head and then started to attack his hair with the brush. It was a mess. His hair, while soft and fluffy, was a pain to work into submission. The only time it had really stayed flat was when Mikasa had straightened it and applied a copious amount of hairspray. After a few minutes, Eren simply gave up on his hair and darted back into his room. He jammed his shoes onto his feet and snatched his phone up to fire a text as he stuffed his wallet into his pocket.
To Levi Rivaille:
I'm on my way over now
Sent: 2:25 PM, August 5th, 2013
From Levi Rivaille:
Okay
Received: 2:25 PM, August 5th, 2013
Eren spared a moment to grin tenderly at Levi's name before he tucked his phone into his pocket and left his house, Levi's CD's in hand. It was a warm day, but cooler than the days before. No clouds littered the sky. I'm not ready for winter, but at least then I can cover up more. Especially if Dad gets more violent…
The emerald-eyed boy shuddered and gripped his arms, fingers digging into his biceps. Don't. Just don't. Today's supposed to be a good day. A good day. I don't have to see Dad until tomorrow. I'll be with Levi and Armin's family. Eren hunched over and quickened his pace. Within a few minutes, he stood on Levi's doorstep. He knocked on the door.
It opened to reveal a familiar-yet-not face. It was as if someone had taken Levi, copied him, and then altered the copy. The copy was taller, with a broader frame and features that weren't quite as fine and delicate as Levi's were, yet the faces were still similar in the arch of the eyebrows and the thin nose. Light blue eyes replaced gray ones, and the black hair was longer, with streaks of gray slowly working their way in at the roots. There was no doubt that it was Levi's father. "Ah… you must be Eren?" Eren nodded. He offered the elder Rivaille a wave and a small smile. Mr. Rivaille smiled in return. It was hesitant, but genuine. "It's good to meet you," Levi's father said as he stuck his hand out.
"Good to… meet you," Eren whispered as he tentatively shook the man's hand and stepped inside.
He's upstairs. I'll… I'll leave you two to it."
The teen left his shoes by the door and crept up the stairs, straight towards Levi's room. It was as clean as the other day, if not cleaner. Levi has high standards… Eren thought idly as he glanced around. The CD's were put away. All of the books except for one were put away. Levi's bed was crisply made. He took the CD's and set them on the desk, beside the book. The bathroom door opened and Levi strolled out.
He was dressed in tight, white jeans with a broad black belt and a light blue button-down that he had tucked in. Overtop, Levi had thrown on a sleeveless black vest with white buttons. A silver necklace dangled around his neck, small but noticeable.
A thin, pale hand wrapped around Eren's wrist and pulled him close. Another hand tangled into his hair and tugged him down. "Hello," Levi breathed. He smelled of lavender, cotton, and mint toothpaste. Without his glasses, his eyes were brighter, lighter, and bigger, like gray pools that Eren could just fall into.
Hey…" he whispered in return.
A small smile tugged Levi's lips upwards and he kissed Eren. After a moment, Levi's head settled on Eren's shoulders while the shorter teen's arms snaked around his waist. "I'm glad you're here," Levi murmured. Eren could feel his face start to burn. He tightened his arms around Levi and hummed. I'm glad I'm here too.
An hour passed and the slowly approaching second hour found both of the boys on Levi's bed. Eren's head rested on Levi's legs while pale fingers entangled themselves in his soft, brown hair. Levi's other hand rested on Eren's cheek, where he occasionally ran his thumb along the younger teen's jaw; running it along his lips when he felt like it as well.
In the background, his mother's cassette ran on side one. One side of the cassette was filled with renditions of songs that her friends had played for her. The second side was her actually playing a variety of songs, all for the piano. "Spring" by Vivaldi serenaded them, the only sound in their relaxed silence.
Levi ran his fingers through Eren's hair slowly. We should probably get up soon… I don't want to. The raven-haired teen sighed quietly. Eren's head shifted on his leg as he twisted to peer sideways at Levi. His emerald eyes were wide with curiosity, probably of Levi's sigh. "I don't want to get up," Levi said simply. Eren grinned and tapped at his phone for a moment before he passed it to Levi.
Haha, me neither
Levi hummed and passed the phone back. Before his hand had time to return to the silky chestnut mess known as Eren's hair, the phone was passed back to him. Bemused, Levi took it from Eren. I never quite realized how quick he types. Or I just keep forgetting. Either way, he never ceases to amaze me.
Can you play the piano for me?
The pale teen smiled as he passed the phone back. "Sure. But only if you play for me one day." Eren grinned at Levi and nodded. "Alright, c'mon," Levi said as he sat up. The music room, as Levi fondly called it, was filled with light that streamed in from the open window. The curtains shifted around with a soft breeze that smelled of fresh-cut grass and the neighbor's flowers. Levi slid onto the bench. The piano lid was down. While it wasn't his favorite way to play, it could keep the sound down, which meant his father wouldn't be disturbed.
Eren leaned against the side of the piano, his chin propped up on one hand. He looked so relaxed, so peaceful, that he almost seemed like a different person. When Eren had first arrived, he had seemed so tense, so nervous. Time simply melted that tension away until Eren was almost all smiles and laughter. The chestnut-haired teen grinned over at him.
Levi raised the lid over the kids. His fingers brushed over the smooth, white pieces. "Any requests?" he asked. Eren shook his head. Levi smirked and positioned his fingers. "'Claire de Lune,' by Debussy," Levi announced.
The first few notes sang through the air, short and sweet. The notes were quiet and low. They easily slipped into silence and melded together to create a peaceful harmony. Levi swayed to the subtle beat as his fingers waltzed overtop the gleaming black ivory. The song sped up and Levi's hands flew. One silver eye cracked open. Eren stared at him, rapt with admiration. Levi smirked and let the last notes fade into silence. "Beautiful…" Eren whispered.
"Mm… do you want to hear another?" An energetic nod met his question. Silver eyes shut once more as Levi pondered over what to play. I'll play "Nocturne in B Major, opus 32, No.1", by Chopin. "Nocturne" started out a little faster than "Claire de Lune" had, but it was just as soft, just as tranquil. Slim fingers fluttered over the notes and sent them drifting into the air. Slowly, they grew in volume and then lapsed into silence, after which they returned, barely audible.
When the song reached its end, Levi slipped from some to song: "Embraceable You" by George Gershwin; "Piano Sonata 35, 1st Movement" by Franz Joseph Hayden; "Arabesque no. 2" by Debussy; "Fantasie-Improptu, Opus 66" by Chopin.
He was halfway through Chopin's piece when an incorrect note jarred him from his music-induced trance. Slate eyes snapped open and shot over to the key, too far away from his hands to have been played by him. The notes faded into silence, his fingers frozen on the keys. A tan finger stretched up from the offending note. Eren smirked at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I thought you wanted to hear me play?"
"Do…" Eren murmured. His smile never wavered. It only seemed to broaden. A blush joined it as Eren stumbled his way through the next few words. "Too dis…tracting when you… play." The younger teen's voice grew fainter as he went and his face tightened slightly.
Levi touched the back of Eren's hands with his fingertips. "Hush, you idiot," he said softly. "If it hurts, just type it out." Eren nodded sheepishly and pulled his finger away. Levi shook his head and started to play again. It only took a few notes for his eyes to close again. Within a measure, he was immersed in the song again.
Another wrong note sang through the air. Levi's hands faltered, but he continued to play. One gray eye cracked open and stared Eren straight in his entrancing emerald orbs. "Enjoying yourself?" Eren waggled his eyebrows teasingly and retracted his hand once more.
The black-haired teen shook his head and let the song fade into silence before he switched to another, one of his own creations. From the beginning, it was fast-paced and had a general aura of happiness to it. There was a set of notes that held a familiar pattern: a second for his little finger before the ring and middle finger came down, a millisecond apart. There was a slight pause before his middle finger hit another key, another pause, and then his ring, middle, and pointer fingers hit their notes in rapid succession. Levi used that pattern to set the tempo of the entire song. Beneath the notes, he heard the rasp of cloth, but Levi didn't pay much attention. The song had absorbed him.
Warm breath brushed his ear and strands of dark hair fluttered as Eren gently blew against Levi's lobe. The raven-haired teen faltered for a moment, startled at the sudden action. Arms curled around his waist while a chin came to rest on his shoulder. Levi sighed quietly and shook his head, bemused, as he continued to play with Eren draped over his back.
He was barely sixteen beats back into the song when Eren's head shifted, his soft brown hair tickling Levi's cheek as he went. Soft lips brushed the skin of his shoulder. The touch sent a shiver down Levi's spine, but he didn't falter. Eren's lips parted and he gently started to suck on the smooth, white skin. Levi's hands froze again. It must have amused Eren, because the corners of his mouth twitched up as he continued to kiss Levi's shoulder. The raven-haired teen brought one hand to Eren's head, but he didn't push him away. Eren gently bit down on Levi's neck. His mouth shifted away and he started his gentle attack on another part of Levi's neck.
That's it, he asked for it.Levi stood slowly and grabbed Eren's wrist so he could pull the younger teen around the piano. The raven-haired teen pressed his back against the side of the large instrument. I'm glad I left the lid down.
A twitch of his wrist pulled Eren up against him. His arms slipped around Eren's waist and pinned him there. Their faces were a hair's breadth apart. With so little space between them, Levi could watch Eren's face burn brilliantly with a blush of embarrassment. He could see a faint scar on Eren's right cheek. He could see the blue accents within the luminous emerald depths of Eren's eyes.
An intoxicating scent of mint and melons filled Levi's senses. Soft, chestnut strands brushed across his face. Happiness burned in Levi's stomach and a small smile turned his lips up as he pulled Eren in. Eren's mouth was soft, his lips willing. Levi let his eyes slide shut as he turned his head a little. The edge of the piano dug into his back, but he ignored it. Thin fingers tangled themselves into silky strands of brown hair. His other hand danced across Eren's waist.
Levi gently nibbled on Eren's lower lip and slid his tongue in. A soft, breathy sound escape Eren as Levi explored his mouth. The pale teen smirked and slipped his fingers beneath Eren's shirt. Eren jerked slightly as Levi's fingers skimmed across his back, but he didn't break away. Instead, his arms wound around Levi's waist. Heavy breaths filled Levi's ears as their tongues danced together.
Levi leaned further back until one foot barely touched the ground. The other, he brought up slowly between Eren's legs. Eren gasped against Levi's mouth as the smaller teen gently rubbed his knee against Eren's crotch. Silver eyes cracked open to look at Eren, who had pulled away slightly, his green eyes wide. His face was flushed, his lips parted. Both of them panted quietly.
"Um… sorry?"
Eren shook his head and smiled softly at Levi before he leaned back in. Levi pushed Eren's shirt up a little further and he deepened the kiss again. Their tongues twisted together. After a few moments, Levi tentatively moved his knee again. A breathy moan escaped Eren, but he didn't pull away again. Levi broke away and pressed his mouth against Eren's jaw.
Quiet gasps filled his ears as Levi gently bit his way down to Eren's shoulder, careful not to leave a mark. Every little noise that Eren made sent excited shudders racing down his spine. Levi nuzzled Eren's neck. His mouth latched on to a patch of skin and he nipped and sucked at it while his knee continued to rub Eren through his jeans. Eren's breath hitched and his fingers dug into Levi's shoulder.
"Hey Levi, when are you two supposed to be leaving?"
Gray eyes flared open and shot up as Levi pulled away from Eren's neck. Levi pushed himself up a little so he could see. Against him, Eren froze. His body was stiff. Faint tremors carried over from him to Levi. His fingers dug harshly into Levi's shoulders and back. His breathing had stopped altogether. Levi could feel Eren's erection die against his knee. Levi's father showed up in the doorway. He blinked a few times. "Hey," Levi said nonchalantly.
"… Am I interrupting something?"
Just a little… Probably a good thing though. "It's fine," Levi said. "We're leaving in a few minutes." His father nodded and looked at them one last time before he walked away. This time, Levi heard him moving down the steps. How did I miss that before?
Levi sighed and shook his head. "Damn…" It's probably a good thing he came in… I don't think either of us were wanting to stop. He could still feel Eren shaking against him. Levi pushed Eren back a little more so he could see the younger teen's face. Eren was pale and wide-eyed. They stared at each other for a moment. "Eren… are you okay?"
The green-eyed teen hesitantly nodded. "Star…" he swallowed hard, "Startled…"
"Sorry about that…" Levi stretched up and kissed Eren on the forehead. Eren flinched away at first, but he didn't on Levi's second attempt. The raven-haired teen slid off the piano. "Come on. We've got to go."
Levi sat on the tan couch in the Arlert's living room. Eren sat to his right, with Armin at the other end. Mikasa was perched in a tan armchair near Armin. Their grandfather – who insisted that Levi call him 'Gramps' – was the one they were waiting on.
It would only be a few more minutes, hopefully. Levi was tired of being eyed by Mikasa. She alternated between smoothing out the bottom of her knee-length black dress and rubbing the edges of the red scarf. All the while, she stared at him, as though she was a scientist and he was her subject. Admittedly, they probably hadn't started off their meeting quite right.
"Mikasa, this is Levi." Armin said.
Mikasa looked him over with a critical eye. "… He's short," she muttered into her scarf. Both Armin and Eren laughed quietly as Levi glared at the younger – and taller – girl. Eren kissed Levi on the temple before he could snap at Mikasa.
I'm still tempted to punch her. She looks like she could hold her own. Besides, you never talk about height to a 'vertically challenged person' as Zoe calls it. Levi ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. Just stop thinking about it.
Armin had opted for a navy button-up with black slacks. He was the main source of conversation between the four, both verbally and in ASL. Some of the sign language, Levi could understand except for when Mikasa, Armin, and Eren signed too fast for him to keep up.
At least it's good practice for me. He watched as Eren caught Mikasa's attention and signed something to her. She grimaced and shook her head. Eren signed something again. "Stop glaring at Levi. It's-" Levi lost the rest as Eren sped up. Mikasa rolled her eyes but nodded in consent.
Eren smiled at her and snuggled up next to Levi. The raven-haired teen draped his arm over Eren and pressed his nose against the top of Eren's head. He raised an eyebrow at Mikasa, who shook her head slightly. She couldn't hide the small smile on her face – one that Levi was willing to bet was of approval.
Gramps appeared a moment later, keys in hand. He was dressed in a simple gray button-up shirt and black slacks. "Come along you four," he said with a kind and broad grin on his face. "It's time to go."
They crammed themselves into the Arlert's car, which could thankfully fit five people easily and comfortably, especially if four of them were skinny teenagers. Armin and his grandfather supplied most of the conversation, which Mikasa and Levi occasionally joined in. Eren sent his input through either Armin or Levi. They spent the half-hour ride bouncing through a variety of topics: music, art, travel, and more. It helped the ride pass quickly.
The coliseum lot already had some people trickling in. At the moment, not many had arrived, but Armin assured Levi that more would. They found a parking spot and slipped in. The seats were first come first serve, so they found seats about ten rows up from the stage, right in the middle. They watched as the orchestra began to set up and tune their instruments to perfection. People trickled in until the coliseum was relatively full.
At six o'clock, the lights dimmed.
In the cover of darkness, Eren's hand slipped into Levi's and their fingers tangled together.
The lights slowly came to life on the stage, centered on a woman dressed in a sun-yellow dress with a small circlet in her hair. A glossy black violin was tucked beneath her chin. Levi watched as she drew the bow across the neck of the violin.
Levi squeezed Eren's hand. "Thank you…" he whispered. Eren smiled and squeezed back.
Chapter 14: End
So I'm sorry it took me so long. Softball, a biology project, END GAME, and a power outage (because yaaay, Mother Nature) kinda held me up. Haha I've gotta thank Cal for fixing up the JeArmin part. Also, JeArmin and Olutra because 1) More ships yay~ and 2) because they give me feels. So I should hopefully have another up within a week or so, but no guarantees. Have a good day/night/existence!
MiyukoLove: Thanks :D Haha there'll be more on it next chap~ Maybe
satori02: Haha excellent! No you're not, you're just sensitive. Thanks ^^
HarukaKoi90: Thanks and thanks again! (Now I sound like Sky High...)
huangangelin: Mm, a little bit ^^ Yup! That they are XD