A/N: Hello my beautiful readers!

I would like to say a huge 'thank you' for the support I've gotten for this story over various sites.

WARNING: This chapter contains sensitive imagery.

B x

LEVI IS BOLD

EREN IS ITALICS

HANGE IS UNDERLINED

ISABEL IS BOLD AND ITALICS

Chapter 13

Saturday AM

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(11:13) IS HE THERE YET?

(11:16) Dear God woman will you fuck off and let me enjoy myself for once?

(11:20) No! LEEEEEVIIIIIII I WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU'RE UP TO!

(11:24) Can I just talk to you AFTER he's gone home?

(11:27) BUT LEVI THAT'S SO LONG!

(11:29) I know. That's why I suggested it.

(11:30) LEVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIII!

(11:30) JUST FUCK OFF SHITTY GLASSES!

(11:31) Poo :'(

~0~

Levi fiddled with his phone for a moment, his eyes occasionally drifting up to look at the door. He was nervous. He and Eren had gone through a lot over the last couple of weeks and now he was going to be seeing the young man. As stupid as it was he felt like a teenager again sneaking out to meet his crush! Although –Technically Eren was the one being sneaky.

Taking a sip from his tea, Levi directed his gaze back towards the papers he was reading through and grading. Adjusting his glasses on his nose he exhaled deeply before getting to work.

He was so engrossed in his marking that he jumped a little when a hand rested on his shoulder. Glaring up, he felt his insides twist when he saw Eren's pink-flushed face smiling down at him. Levi suddenly forgot what words were and how to use them.

"I was worried I'd gotten the wrong address!" Eren gushed as he settled onto the opposite side of the booth and peeled off his gloves and scarf. "Have you been waiting long?"

Reanimating, Levi shook his head. "No, not really. About fifteen minutes."

Eren nodded his smile barely faltering. Levi looked back up at the younger man, raising an eyebrow at him. "Sorry I just … It still feels surreal that you're an actual person and I've met you and …"

"Eren."

"Yes?"

"Would you like a drink?"

Pink cheeks flushed a little brighter. "Er … Yes please."

Levi smiled before excusing himself and heading up to the counter. It was only when he got there that he realised he hadn't asked Eren what he wanted. He decided to take a risk and just order the kid some coffee to help perk him up. It was a rather cold morning.

Once he'd been served, Levi returned to their booth and was surprised to find Eren had unpacked some notebooks and a textbook from his bag. "So what is this?" he asked amused. "A study date?"

Eren blushed and ducked behind his fringe. "Sorry I just … needed to finish this off. You don't mind do you?"

"How can I? I'm grading papers."

Eren chuckled and gratefully accepted the coffee. "Ohh, perfect! I've been gagging for a buzz all morning!"

Levi smirked and settled back into his chair. He watched as Eren's skin warmed to a soft, peachy colour and how his adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. He didn't realise he was staring until Eren snapped his fingers at him. "Sorry. Zoned-out a little."

Eren cocked his head to the side. God, he was so fucking cute! "Did you stay up late again? Reading?"

"Hardly," Levi deadpanned. "I'm holding out to read the last Harry Potter."

"Oh. How come?"

"I can't bring myself to read it. I feel like I'm prolonging the inevitable, even though I know it's going to end."

Eren bit his bottom lip. "Well, if you like, maybe we could read it together?"

"Together?" Levi felt his stomach jolt. "What did you have in mind?"

"Well we have these amazing inventions!" Eren gushed and swiped up his phone. "We have these amazing things called PHONES! We can literally call one another from different ends of the country and one of us can read!"

Levi peered over the rim of his glasses. He was almost certain he saw the younger man squirm in his seat. Physically squirm, as though the mere sight of Levi wearing glasses was the hottest thing on the planet. He really was giving Levi too much power over him.

"Eren did you bring your homework here so I would help you?" Levi asked in his sternest voice.

Eren squirmed again. "Of course not!" he stated, "It's a good thing I did though, seeing as you brought your own."

Levi sighed and folded his arms over his chest. Fixing a firm stare at the younger man he leaned a little closer over the table. "Eren, are we going to have to have a word about your being dishonest to your elders?"

"Oh God …" Eren groaned. He dropped his mop of messy brown hair onto his textbook. "Don't do th-a-a-a-t!" he whined.

Levi chuckled. "Sorry. I wanted to see what it'd do to you."

"Fucker."

"Oi!" He smacked the kid upside the head. "This is a family place. No bad language."

Eren peered up, chin resting on his book and glared. "Fine. Fudger. You're a big mother-fudger!"

Levi snorted into his tea and dribbled some on his lap. He grimaced. Thank goodness he'd put napkins down there! Snatching a few more from the small silver dispenser he mopped himself up as Eren apologised profusely. "You're an insolent little turd, you know that?" he groused as he screwed the napkins up into a ball and tossed them to one side of their table.

"I really am sorry," Eren frowned, his mouth turned down at the corners.

"It's okay."

"Hmmm."

"Oi brat." Eren looked up. "Stop acting like a kicked puppy. How about we work for an hour and then grab something to eat?"

"Can't we have something now?"

Levi grimaced. "You want to eat and touch your books?"

"Only something small."

Damnit human's should not be allowed to evolve to be as cute as Eren was!

Grabbing a five pound note from his back pocket, Levi handed it to Eren. "Go on, kid, go feed yourself."

"Gee whiz Mr. Levi! A whole five pounds? Good golly I must be your favourite!"

"One more quip like that, Eren," Levi said in a low sultry voice. "And I'll bend you over my knee in front of all these patrons and given your arse a nice hiding, how does that sound?"

Eren seemed to struggle. Eventually, he leaned over the table and murmured, "Don't make promises you can't keep … sir."

Before Levi could smack him up the head again, Eren had rushed out of the booth and made his way up to the counter.

.

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Saturday PM

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"DONE!"

Levi glanced up as Eren slouched back in his seat, stretching out to the point that their legs brushed together, and flipped his books shut. "I physically cannot do anymore work when I'm this hungry."

The older man merely hummed. He glanced at his watch and watched the hand tick-tick-ticking until –"Okay, it has been exactly one hour. Are we done with this study session for today?"

Eren nodded emphatically. "YEEEES! Please can we go and get something proper to eat? If I stuff any more biscuits in my mouth I'm going to get fat!"

He felt his lips twitch just a fraction as Eren started stuffing his books back into his messenger bag. He didn't follow suit immediately. He wanted to torture the brat –teach him some patience for once. "Am I allowed to finish my tea?" he quipped as he raised his cup to his mouth.

Eren smiled wistfully. "You drink tea really weird."

Levi rolled his eyes. "We've established this, kid."

"I know. I just like knowing things about you."

"You're a nosey little shit that's why."

Eren snickered, "Aw you know you secretly love it!"

'I do,' Levi thought. He drained the last of his tea and stood up. "Come on then, brat, let's go and get some proper food." He adjusted the strap of his bag over his shoulder and made for the door, Eren hurrying along clumsily behind.

The fresh air hit him a little harder than he had anticipated but it was soon warded off when he felt the solid mass of Eren brushing up against his back. A tremor ran down his spine but he fought it off, straightened his shoulders and looked up at the younger man. "Any cravings?"

Eren paused, looking left and right up the street. "I'm not really sure. Anywhere in particular you like?"

Levi frowned. "It doesn't need to be anything spectacular."

"Pub lunch?" The older man wrinkled his nose. Eren grinned, "What? You said it doesn't have to be spectacular."

"Hmmmm but they're always so sticky."

Eren let out a bark of laughter. "Oh God!" He wiped at his eyes and tried to contain his chuckling, much to Levi's annoyance. "Okay, okay, just try it? For me?" Levi still didn't look convinced so Eren opted to reach for the big guns. "You can drink if you like, seeing as it's past midday."

"Don't tempt me."

"Although I will be heartbroken if you need to drink yourself silly just to spend time with me."

Levi rolled his eyes. "You're a manipulative little shit, you know." Still, he tried to put some actual thought into it. He hadn't gone out for the usual Friday night Chinese, so his gut felt the longing pang for chicken, rice and steamed vegetables in gooey sauces. "Come on brat let's go get some Chinese."

Eren grinned as he watched the older man march off down the street. He only needed to stride a couple of paces before he'd caught up to him. As they walked Eren kept stealing glances down at the old man and felt his insides squirm. He certainly had the bearing of an ex-soldier. Despite his height he was authoritative and demanded respect in the space of a single glare. There was something about it that made Eren want to annoy the older man just to see that glare again. It made his grey eyes smoulder and it sent butterflies through his chest.

'We're friends!' he snapped to himself as they walked along in silence. 'Do you really want him to flip-out again?'

They stopped at a small Chinese restaurant with bright yellow window frames and ducked inside. Eren had to duck his head a little as he followed Levi. The décor was standard; chunky wood benches, long flat tables, bright photos of the food hung up in thick frames. The aroma of the food just rushed over their heads and made Eren's gut grumble instantly.

"G-o-o-o-d this place smells great!"

Levi smirked in approval. "It tastes better than that, trust me."

They were seated in a more secluded table up a step near the back. It felt cosier, the lights a little dimmer but it was nearer the kitchen. Eren felt his mouth water. They glanced over the menus although Levi already knew what he was going to order. It rarely ever changed. Once they'd ordered food and been served their drinks, Eren shrugged off his coat and raked a hand through his hair before letting his wide green eyes take-in his surroundings.

"So this is where your friends drag you once a week?" he asked.

"Yes," Levi said. "Although not so much over the last few months."

"Is that because of me?"

"Kind of."

Eren's smile faltered a little. "Sorry."

Levi shrugged. "It's okay. I can promise you I don't usually … act that way."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes," he assured with a nod.

"I don't mean to be difficult," Eren said, his shoulders slumping. Maybe this was a bad idea.

"Hey now," Levi reached out and placed a hand on Eren's forearm. He'd sensed the young man was about to bolt and didn't want him to leave. Not like this. He squeezed the firm muscle through the long-sleeved shirt and looked up into those beautiful green eyes. "Stop that. That's over and done with now. Time to move on from it."

Eren nodded feeling humbled.

Their food arrived and they started eating. Eren stared over as Levi effortlessly used the chopsticks. "You need to show me how to do that one day," he stated wistfully.

Levi smirked. "If we keep meeting up then I'm sure I can help with that. Here try this." Lifting up his chopsticks, Levi presented Eren with a springroll delicately balanced between.

Eren blushed a little. "Thought you had OCD? You sure you want me germing-up your chopsticks?"

Levi glared at him. "I've had other things in my mouth besides food, brat."

Eren felt his cheeks grow redder.

"Come on."

Leaning awkwardly over the table, Eren accepted the offered springroll. He felt the weight of the older man's gaze on him the entire time. It was flooding his head in a sporadic mess of ideas, fantasies and strict reminders that this was not a date!

"Such a good boy," Levi drawled. "Now see if you can catch it."

That's how the rest of their lunch devolved into a food-catching game. Levi even went as far as to order two portions of springrolls, only four of which actually ended up on the floor. Eren was red in the face by the time they finally finished and cleared up their mess. Levi wasn't a laugher –that was one new thing Eren learned. The man would smile, smirk, do almost anything with those lips of his … but laughing? No, Levi was not a laugher.

Not like Eren at all.

Drawing in deep breaths Eren sipped at his drink. There was no immediate rush to head-out and the grey day didn't attract much more business than a few stragglers wanting somewhere warm to duck into from the cold. By the time they did get up and leave it was almost 3PM and Eren was starting to fidget as they left the restaurant.

Levi frowned up at the younger man as they walked idly down the street. "What's wrong, brat? You're fussing more than usual."

"I think I might need to get home," the brunette said, his face falling. His entire demeanour looked miserable as though gravity had increased on his body.

"You think?"

"Well I said I was going to be out studying with a friend. It'll take me an hour or so to get back so …"

Levi suppressed a sigh. "So you need to get going?"

"I guess so."

"Want me to walk you back to the station?"

Eren stopped and frowned down at Levi. "Are you –aren't you mad at me?"

"Why would I be?" Levi deadpanned. "I knew I couldn't have you all to myself the entire day."

Eren's lips twitched in a faint smile. He lifted his hand and gave Levi a playful jab with his fist. "You're pretty amazing, you know that?"

The older man scoffed. "Shut up, brat."

.

.

As they made their way through the town towards the train station, Eren let his hand brush against Levi's, almost daring the older man to reach out for his own. He didn't seem to acknowledge the faint touch, not even after the third time it happened. Suppressing a sigh, Eren directed his attention towards pinpointing the train station. The temperature had dropped and a part of Eren was eager to get home and warm himself up properly. At the station entrance –noting that he had ten minutes until his train arrived –Eren turned to Levi and rocked on his feet.

"Today was nice," he said.

Levi hummed in agreement.

"Could we maybe do it again some time?"

"I'm free on the weekends," Levi swivelled his gaze up to the brunette. "If that's okay with you? I don't want to disrupt any other plans you have."

"I'm sure it won't be a problem," Eren grinned.

Levi nodded. "So shall I expect to see you next Saturday?"

"If you like."

"I would."

"Good." They stood in silence before Eren let out a laugh. Reaching out, he grabbed Levi's arm and tugged the older man against his chest and squeezed. "I had a really great time, Levi."

"It wasn't anything special," Levi scoffed, squirming out of Eren's grasp. His whole body was flushed and his mind was starting to reel.

Eren shrugged. "I had a great time because of you, idiot."

"Says the brat who is YOUNGER than me and clearly easily amused."

Eren rolled his eyes. "One day you won't be so grumpy and stand-offish with me."

Levi averted his gaze. Being so close to Eren wasn't good. His mind was a mess of thoughts, feelings and ideas all infused with the soft cologne clinging to the young man's coat. "I had a good time too."

The grin Eren was wearing was ear-splitting. His green eyes darted to the timetable on the board and said smile faltered. "This is my train," he sighed and raked a hand through his hair. "I'll come up and see you next Saturday. I promise!"

"Go before you miss your train!"

Eren laughed as he dashed down the length of the platform. He made the train with moments to spare. Levi was left to watch after him, feeling exasperation and amusement flood through him. His phone buzzed within moments and he felt said amusement twitch his mouth as he dug his phone out of his pocket.

(15:56) So has he left yet? Give me GOSSIP! ;P

(15:58) FUCK OFF FOUR EYES!

~0~

"I'm really not sure I understand what they're asking me on this."

Levi glanced up at the frowning young man and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Trouble?"

"It's just … it's like they sound the questions in an overly philosophical way just to make it harder."

Levi snickered and beckoned for the sheet. Eren handed the whole thing over, pouting as he did so. Snatching the paper from the student, Levi glanced over it, his mouth twitching into a strained smile after a while. "This isn't that hard, kid."

"Well it must be because I don't get it."

Levi rolled his eyes a little before standing up and moving over to Eren's side of the table. The brunette shifted up in surprise to make room. Spreading out the sheet between them Levi took a pen out and started to explain the question in an easier-to-grasp way. He even wrote it out in Eren's notebook for him. Eren watched the older man work; the way he pointed his pen along the sentence, the quick, sharp scratching of his pen and the way his low, rhythmic voice spoke so close to Eren's ear. His face was so smooth, so stoic, like a beautiful Greek statue. Eren swallowed thickly.

"Is that easier for you?" Levi asked.

Eren suddenly felt the urge to lean over and kiss him. It came out of nowhere and his chest instantly tightened as the idea flashed across his mind. His mouth opened and closed soundlessly for a moment before he coughed himself back to reality. "Um … Yes, that's better."

Levi smiled a little as he straightened back up against the booth. Eren flushed a little, the pen feeling sweaty in his grip. He tightened his hold on it and started working his way through the question. He was hyper-aware of Levi's thigh resting gently against his own. Most of their morning went on in this fashion to the point that Eren was giddy and fidgeting like a love-sick schoolboy.

"You really do act like a teacher, you know?"

Levi cocked an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Just the way you act," Eren shrugged. "Your mannerisms."

Narrowing his eyes, Levi looked over the rim of his glasses. "Are you mocking me, brat?"

"N-No! I just meant that –well –I kind of like it." Eren felt his cheeks flame up. He forced his gaze back to his assignment and ground his teeth together. God, he was going to kick himself! "Never mind," he mumbled.

"No, I want to know," Levi said. "I want to know what makes me act like a teacher."

"Just like … the way you explained stuff … to me –I don't know!"

"You know," Levi hummed quietly, leaning closer to Eren's ear. "You're very attractive when you're flustered."

That had the desired effect; the red dots on Eren's cheeks exploded, covering his face in a bright red blush. "L-e-v-i-i-i!" he whined, dropping his head onto his textbook as Levi chuckled beside him. What an arse! He could see the effect he had on Eren and he was tormenting him with it! He clamped his arms over his head, earning another chuckle from his companion.

"Am I being mean to you?"

"You know you are," he grumbled.

"What can I say? You're fun to torment."

Eren pouted, turning his head to one side so that he could look up at Levi. The man was actually smirking down at him! "You're an evil fucker, you know that?" he grumbled.

"You're just reiterating that I was right to call you 'brat' from the start." Pulling a face, Eren yelped when Levi smacked him upside the head. "Don't be a brat, brat."

Eren chuckled before straightening up and fiddling with the fraying sleeve of his shirt. He was thinking deeply about something and Levi was willing to wait for the kid to get the words out. Patience was needed with Eren, he knew that much. He seldom had it at work, or even with his own friends, but he took extra care to make sure that Eren didn't actually feel like a nuisance to him.

"I've been thinking …"

"Oh? About what?"

"Well … About my birthday and shit."

"It's next Friday isn't it?"

"Yeah," Eren hummed. "I'm having a family-only thing on the Friday evening and then was going to do something on the Saturday."

"Like what?"

"Just a house-party I guess." He shrugged, "I'm not really sure."

Levi waited patiently. He was torn between reaching out for the young man and keeping his hands on the table where he could see them. He didn't want to get the kid all flustered again.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come … but then I suppose house-parties aren't really your thing anymore?"

"They weren't really my thing in the first place," Levi stated, wrinkling his nose. "We could do something on the Sunday perhaps? If you're not too hungover?"

"I guess."

"I can come down to London."

"Yeah that'd work."

Levi frowned a little. Eren's demeanour was closing off. He hadn't given the right answer to the party invitation. Damnit! Just when he thought he was getting on the same wavelength, the brat pulled the rug from under him.

"I can try and make it down on Saturday –providing you don't think it'll be weird."

"Why would it be weird?"

"You and your friends are all ten plus years younger than me."

"Well it's not like you look your age!" Eren protested.

"Perhaps," Levi agreed. "However, I also don't look your age."

Eren furrowed his brow. There was no arguing that. Whatever age Levi looked it definitely wasn't twenty-one. "I suppose doing something on Sunday isn't the worst idea."

Levi smiled weakly but knew that it didn't quite reach his eyes. There was a disappointed, hollow feeling in his chest that felt suffocating. He tried not to let it show. Instead, he cleared his throat and asked, "Do you want to get food?"

"Yeah sure. Chinese again?"

"Sounds good."

.

.

It was just gone 5PM when Levi waved Eren off on the train back to London. He'd stayed longer than he should have and had panicked a little when they'd realised the time. Levi turned away from the train station and made his way back to his flat. He'd barely stepped off the staircase before Isabel's door opened and she grinned at him. Voices flowed out from the flat and Levi cringed visibly when he recognised Hange's voice among them.

"You've been waiting for me," he deadpanned, heading towards her door. Resisting would be futile since he only lived down the hall.

"Gee, what gave it away?" Isabel grinned as she closed the front door behind him.

Levi rolled his eyes and braced himself before heading into the living-room. They were all there –Hange, Mike, Farlan and Isabel –with beer cans and popcorn spread out over the coffee table. "You lot really need to get a life if the only entertainment you have is keeping tabs on my life."

"TELL US EVERYTHING!" Hange demanded, her wide eyes crazed behind her glasses.

Levi glared at her and took his time going into the kitchen and pouring himself a glass of red wine. If he was going to do this, he wasn't going to be doing it entirely sober. Returning to the living room, he settled down into a vacant beanbag chair and schooled his face into an expressionless mask. "Go on then. Ask your questions."

"What did you guys do?"

"Homework, grading, eating food and making jokes. Just like every Saturday," he answered drily. "Next?"

"Have you asked him out on a proper date?" Mike frowned. "Like to the cinema or to an actual restaurant?"

"No. Next."

"Why haven't you asked him out on a date?" Isabel asked, quirking an eyebrow.

Levi bristled a little. "I don't want him to freak out," he finally admitted after a sip of wine to calm his nerves. "At the end of the day, I want him to trust me."

"To what end?"

"I don't know yet. We haven't discussed it."

Isabel and Hange shared a look before matching smirks appeared on their mouths. It was terrifying. "You're scared!" they chimed.

"Nope."

"You totally are!" Isabel squealed. "Oh, that's so cute!"

"Shut it," Levi sneered in a cold, measured tone.

Farlan nudged him on the shoulder from his own beanbag chair. "Be nice. They're only teasing."

"I don't see why," Levi snapped.

"Because you're in l-o-o-o-o-ve!"

"Fuck me, not you too?"

"Afraid so."

"You lot suck." He downed the rest of his wine before scrambling out of the beanbag with as much grace as humanly possible. "I need another one if you lot are going to keep this up."

Two glasses of wine later and they'd steered onto the subject that Levi had tactfully been avoiding all night; Eren's birthday the following week.

"You have to do something for him Levi!" Hange squealed. "You can't not do something! It's his twenty-first!"

"I'm aware."

"So? Any ideas?"

"Nope."

"Come on Levi," Farlan edged forwards awkwardly, his long legs flailing a little. "What do you guys talk about?"

"He's a pretty average guy," Levi shrugged.

"BULL. SHIT!" Isabel cackled. "Come on! Does he drive?"

"No."

"Does he … like books?"

"Sort of."

"You could get him some Harry Potter stuff?" Farlan suggested.

"Not good enough," Isabel waved him off, her face scrunching up in concentration.

"I'm sure we can think of something!" Hange stressed, her own brows furrowed.

The room fell quiet, the air humming as the girls worked their brains. Farlan, Mike and Levi looked on with a foreboding sense of doom looming at the back of their minds.

"I've got it!" Hange squealed, making them all jump.

"No, you don't," Levi grunted.

"I totally have it!"

"Well don't keep me in suspense!" Isabel pouted.

Grinning wickedly, Hange leaned over the coffee table and practically smooched Isabel's ear as she clumsily murmured her idea. Levi watched in horror as the redhead's eyes went wide and her mouth stretched into a manic grin. "Oh, my GOD that's PERFECT!"

Levi shuddered.

Turning her head towards him, face reminiscent of the exorcist, Hange asked, "Hey Levi. Do you still have that box at the back of your wardrobe?"

He narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"I think we need to go and dig it out."

He tensed up. "No."

"Yes."

"No."

"YES!"

"Fuck you shitty glasses!"

"It's time for a reunion!"

A/N: See! I'm nice to you guys! x