A/N: So did I mention that I got my first fan mail? :3 Thank you to Rika for that! That made my day! And again, another big thank you to Lady Mari chan! I think this means I have a beta reader... I'm not quite sure. I'd be happy if I did! :D

Well, not much for this chapter here. Hope you all enjoy! ^^

-Misty

Song of the day (It's technically not even every day. It's more like a week or something. I don't even know!): Black Bounce

By: GP Basic

A Forged Wedding

Modern AU, based off of the Japanese game:
"I... Don't think I heard you right. What did you just ask me, Rivaille?"
"I'm asking you to marry me for a month. How did you not hear me right?"

Rated M for sexual content, adult language, violence, mentions of child abuse
Couple: Riren (Rivaille and Eren)
Anime: Shingeki No Kyojin (Attack On Titan)

Chapter 21:

One More Night

"Flight two-eighty to France now boarding."

I looked over to Levi and his great grandparents, watching as they hugged and kissed him over and over again. He eventually had to stop them; who wouldn't after about ten hugs and kisses from just one person?

"Alright, alright, I get it." Levi said and waved his hand at his grandmother's face. "I'll keep eating." He grumbled begrudgingly, and I chuckled at the way he sounded like a whining child.

"You better, or I'll make Eren force you to eat." His grandmother threatened light heartedly and lightly tapped at his cheek.

"Don't bring me into that." I said with a light laugh. His grandmother motioned for me to come closer, and I did and received a firm hug from her. For all of her short stature, the women had some serious strength. Now I knew where Levi got it from. "I'll miss you," I said against her blouse.

"We'll miss you too, sweetheart." She said. I left her arms, but only to hug Levi's grandfather instead. He wasn't as strong his wife, but he still managed to squeeze a few tears out of me.

"Have a safe flight," I said before pulling back. I wiped my tears away quickly, trying to mask it by coughing, but his grandmother was too smart to fall for something like that.

"Don't cry, baby. We can come visit any time you boys are free." His grandmother said and held my hand.

"I'd like that a lot." I wiped away the rest of my tears, trying to force some sort of smile on my lips.

This wasn't a lie either. Maybe when they first got here, I would have panicked at the thought of doing this all over again. Now it didn't bug me. I would have loved for them to come visit us again, and I wouldn't mind having to stay at Levi's place for a while, or sleeping in the same bed as him, being held close to his body and enjoying the warmth. I wouldn't have care, and if Levi asked me to do this all again, I'd have to restrain myself from practically jumping on the chance to do it.

"Let me know when you land in France." Levi said, receiving one last hug from his grandmother. She kissed his forehead, and she whispered something in his ear, something I didn't catch. Levi didn't react to it, and he didn't seem deterred by whatever it was. He pulled away and dropped his head against my shoulder, and I grabbed his hand and held it in mine.

"You two behave yourselves." Levi's grandfather said, attempting a wink at us, but he couldn't pull it off. Regardless, Levi clicked his tongue and rolled his eyes. Obviously he knew on the spot what his grandfather was referring to, but it took me a moment to understand.

Oh typical. The man can't remember what his wife made for breakfast, but he remembers catching me and Levi on the couch together a week ago.

"We'll try," I mumbled with a blush and looked at the ground. There was an announcement for their flight to board again, and Levi's grandfather ushered his wife around in her wheelchair to the gate. "Have a safe flight!" I called out to them and waved my hand. I distantly heard Levi chuckle beside me, and it took a lot to keep myself together and not break out crying like a baby.

Levi's grandmother looked past her husband and over the side of her wheelchair to wave a hand at us, and we both waved back. She grinned widely before looking back to the door to the plane, and then the two were lost in a sea of people. I tried looking over everyone to see where they had gone, standing up as straight as I could, but it was no use. They had completely disappeared. I felt Levi shifting beside me, and I smiled when I noticed him standing on his toes to be taller. I tried not to smile at this, but it wasn't possible, not when it was him doing it.

"Shut up," Levi growled beside me. Obviously he knew what I was thinking.

"Sorry," I chuckled. We watched as the crowd of people got onto the plane, and then we waited a while. We sat in the airport chairs, watching as the doors closed. Eventually, though it must have been twenty minutes, the plane finally left the gate.

I once thought that seeing that plane take off would bring me relief, that I could breathe easier knowing I could go home with Mikasa and sleep in my own bed, but now it wasn't what I thought at all. I was upset, and I hated every moment of this. They were gone, I'd have to go back home, and I'd have to sleep in my bed by myself again. Don't get me wrong; I missed my sister terribly and couldn't wait to be home, but now I wasn't so sure where my home was.

When had that line vanished?

"Well," Levi sighed and pushed himself up onto his feet. "That's it then."

"That it is." I said. Levi offered his hand to me, and I took it so I could get up. I expected him to let go as soon as I was standing, but he didn't. Instead, he began walking, my hand still in his as we walked through the airport. I felt my stomach turning around in an odd sensation, like butterflies were flying around in there, but I didn't want to say anything. I didn't want it to end just yet. "I can't believe we did it."

"Neither can I," Levi mumbled.

"Be honest, Levi; when we started this, did you really think we could pull it off?" I asked.

"Hell no," He replied. "I thought we'd make it two hours tops before they either figured it out or I killed you." I laughed at him and tightened my hand around his.

"That's what I thought too. We made it though."

"Two fucking weeks." Levi practically hissed with his words. "Has it only been two weeks?"

"It doesn't feel like it." I looked down at him and said. "It feels even shorter."

"Time goes by too fast."

Was that a hint of remorse I heard? Or was he thinking too hard again?

"So... What do we do now?" I begrudgingly asked. I didn't want to, but it had to be asked. What do we do now? We couldn't just keep living together, no matter how much I wanted to, and I wanted to really badly.

"Hm," Levi hummed to himself. He looked like he didn't have much of an answer; maybe he hadn't been thinking about that either. "I guess... We go back home and pack your stuff up." He mumbled.

"... Right," I looked away, my heart clenching painfully in my chest. I really couldn't control myself today. "I guess I should do that. It must be driving you insane by now that my stuff is everywhere."

"Not as much as I thought it would." Levi said this so quietly that I nearly missed it. Nearly, but I heard it. "Even though you ended up having half of your room in mine."

"I don't know how that happened." I laughed nervously. "So I can just get my stuff together and head back home." The word "home" left a bitter taste in my mouth and rolled off of my tongue in an odd way. I knew that I was thinking of a different place to call home, and that my real home wasn't so much of a home to me anymore. I had to stop thinking that way.

"I was thinking..." Levi interjected quietly. He stayed quiet for a moment longer, and I tugged on his hand to get him going again.

"Thinking about what...?" I asked.

"It's pretty late and already getting dark. It'd take you a while to pack up and head home... It would probably be easier if you just stayed one more night. At least then you aren't driving in the dark." He suggested, but his eyes were on the floor. "I mean if your sister is okay with that though. I know she's already got her shotgun ready and waiting for me."

"Oh..." I mumbled and looked at the ground. "I guess I didn't think about that." Of course I didn't think of that, but I was mentally soaring with happiness at the idea of it. One more night was all I hoped for.

"You don't have to stay of course. I just thought it'd be easier for you."

"No, I-I get it." I rubbed the back of my neck as I cleared my throat. "Yeah, if you wouldn't mind me staying for one more night, I can do that." I finally had enough courage to look at him. He was looking up at me, but when our eyes met, he looked back down at the ground.

I saw it though. I saw what he was trying to hide by looking away. He looked hopeful, just as much as I probably felt and was trying to hide, and looking away only confirmed it, but I decided I would play ignorant to it. Someone like Levi wouldn't like it if I tried proving it.

"No, I don't mind at all." He said. I felt Levi's hand move in mine, and I was prepared to let him go. After all, there was no need for acting anymore. However, his hand held onto mine tighter and his fingers laced through mine. I smiled, continuing to hold his hand as we walked through the airport.

One more night, it made me happy, but I was upset at the same time. It was just one more night, and then it'd be all over.

"I'll be one more night."

"Eren, I don't like this." Mikasa's worried tone on the other end of the line filled me with guilt. "Why can't you just come home already?"

"It's only one more night, Mikasa. It's already late and I'm not good at driving in the dark; you know that. Levi thought it was a good idea to wait until morning, so that's what I'm going to do." I explained while twisting the blanket in my hand.

"But Eren..." She trailed off and sighed.

"What's wrong, Mikasa? You can tell me if something is wrong, you know." I said.

"I just... Miss you, that's all." She mumbled into the phone. I smiled softy and chuckled.

"I miss you too. It's only for tonight, and then I'll be home again." Again, the word "home" wasn't coming out right. I wasn't sure if it sounded as odd coming out to others as it did to me. If it did, Mikasa didn't mention anything.

"Okay..."

"You aren't whining, are you, Mikasa?" I asked with a coy tone, just trying to tease her, but I was hoping it'd make her feel better.

"No," She said.

"Pouting then?"

"Shut up, Eren." She growled and I chuckled a little.

"Listen, how about tomorrow, when I'm home and have my stuff put away, we rent a movie and watch it? We'll stay up late and make ourselves sick on popcorn." I suggested. "How does that sound?"

"Good, but I've got my economics test the day after that I'd rather have rest for." Mikasa explained.

"If you've been studying for two days straight, you'll be fine. Consider tomorrow a break."

"A break. What's a break?" Mikasa tried to joke with me on her end. I rolled my eyes at her antics; her joking back meant that she was already feeling better.

"Very funny, Mikasa. I'm going to go to bed. You do the same and get some rest." I told her.

"Are you sleeping with the little midget again?" I heard the sound of a book closing shut on her end, followed by the rustle of papers and pens. Glad to know she was listening for once.

"Mikasa, come on. No, I'm not sleeping with Levi again. I'm just staying on his couch tonight." I explained and looked down at the couch as I said this.

"Why can't you stay in his guest room?" She asked.

"I'd rather not stay in the bed where his grandparents slept."

"Okay, fair enough. I'm going to go to bed, Eren."

"Alright, Mikasa, sleep well."

"I will. Good night, Eren." She said softly.

"Good night," I said and hung up. I sighed to myself as I shifted on the cushions of the couch. I pulled the blanket over my shoulders and dropped my head onto the pillow, and damn, even for a couch it was comfortable. I looked around in the dimly lit living room, my eyes widening to take in more of my surroundings. The living room looked a lot bigger in the dark then it did during the day, but maybe that was because it was a big room to begin with, and I was used to sleeping in Levi's room, in Levi's bed, with his arms wrapped around me in a protective embrace.

I sighed again.

I had to stop this. I had to stop thinking this way. This wasn't right, not now and not ever. What happened for the past two weeks was an act, and that was it. I wasn't supposed to actually gain feelings for him, for Levi, for my boss, because that's what he was.

Levi was still my boss. I had to treat him like my boss. I had to treat him with respect, not like my husband whom I had a close relationship to.

I may have learned a lot about Levi in the past two weeks, and I may know more now than anyone, even more than his own grandparents would ever know. This didn't change a thing though. It just meant that Levi was finally ready to get everything off of his chest. He was ready to talk, to get it out in the open, and move on with his life. I just happened to be someone he told it to.

It didn't even matter that he knew a lot about me too. He knew about my abusive father, knew that my mother was dead and that my father was missing. He knew I had an over protective sister and a best friend who was miles away at college right now, and I never got to see him. He knew that I had triggers, knew that I liked to sleep with something on to distract my brain, knew that I ate like a pig despite how picky about food I really was, and knew that I was a rather lazy person who needed someone to kick me in the ass to get up and move. He would know, because he had to do it pretty much every morning to get me up and out of bed.

He knew a lot about me and I knew a lot about him, but in the end, that didn't change a thing no matter how much I wanted it to. We were still bound by legal contracts and jobs, and the only way we wouldn't be that way was if I quit, and fat chance that was happening. I still needed this job, still needed to keep my own family fed, so I couldn't quit, even if I wanted to.

At this point in time, I really wanted to.

I rolled onto my side to face the wall of the couch. I couldn't sleep, not when my mind was racing. I had left my headphones in Levi's room, and I wasn't about to go in there and run the risk of waking him up. I didn't want the television on either. If it was on, I'd be too distracted, and then I'd just end up awake all night watching stupid porn that would be the only thing on. Why couldn't they play cartoons at night?

I shifted again so I was on my back and looking at the ceiling. I knew the real reason I couldn't sleep, but I just didn't want to admit it. I couldn't sleep, because I wasn't in Levi's arms. His body heat wasn't keeping me warm, and his heartbeat and breathing weren't the things distracting me and putting me to sleep. I didn't want to admit it, but somewhere deep down, I already had, and I knew it.

"Eren," I practically jumped out of my skin at the sound of my name being said after having the world around me quiet for so long. I sat up quickly from the couch, looking around for the source of the voice until I came upon Levi standing by the archway, shirtless as usual with his pajama pants on (And I would pretend I wasn't staring at his abs). He was leaning against the wooden frame, arms crossed over his chest. However, I couldn't make out much of the details of his face in the dark. He didn't look happy though. "Sorry, did I wake you up?" He asked.

"N-No, you just scared the crap out of me." I tried playing it off like it was nothing, but my voice shook too much for it not to be nothing. I was reminded of a horror movie where a person's name was called out, they turned around, and then they were dead. Of course that movie came out when I was twelve and scared me shitless, but I digress. "You can't sleep either?" I questioned and fixed the blanket around my hips.

"No," Levi looked to his hand for a moment, playing with his nails before looking back up at me. He waited, and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say something now or not. I looked at the blanket again, shifting uncomfortably in my spot.

What was I supposed to say? What was he waiting for? What was he hoping to hear? I didn't know, but how could I say that? Levi probably wouldn't like it if I said something akin to that.

"Uhm..." I looked up from the corner of my eyes to look at him. He was still staring, still waiting? Damn it, what was he waiting for?

"Eren," He said, his voice low and somehow sending shivers up and down my spine. What was that for?

"Yes...?" I finally lifted my head to stare at him.

"It's only one more night..." He said softly. I tilted my head a little, hoping for him to elaborate more on his statement. He did. "Why don't we just make it last?"

I didn't need a well thought out and detailed biography to explain that one to me. I may have been a little dense at times, but I knew what he meant.

Just one more night, and then everything would go back to normal. Why don't we just pretend like the world we were living in for two weeks is a reality for just a few more hours? We'd be asleep anyway, so it wouldn't be long, but it was something that was better than nothing.

"Levi..." I said quietly. Levi walked up to the couch and held out his hand for me. I untangled myself from the blanket and took his hand, letting him pull me from the couch. We walked in silence, but I was relieved to be holding his hand again, to be so close, and to get one last chance to sleep in the same bed. At least I would get one more decent night of sleep.

Levi's bedroom door was already open, so I could already see his bed in the dark room. His bed sheets and blankets were practically everywhere, like he had tossed and turned in an attempt to sleep. Something in my heart clenched at that, like he couldn't sleep, because I wasn't there. This is what I hoped for, what I wanted, but I couldn't get my hopes up. All I could do was try to hide my smile, but apparently I didn't do well.

"Shut up," Levi said, but it came out rather breathless like a sigh, like he didn't want to sound (or try to sound) angry.

"I didn't say anything," I said. Levi shook his head a little as he lay down on his side of the bed, and he sat on his knees and watched me as I slowly crawled onto the bed. I felt his eyes on me as I pulled the blankets back to settle in them, but I smoothed them out first from his previous use before pulling them up to my shoulders.

Levi eventually settled beside me leaving the blankets on his lower waist as he lay on his back. I watched him close his eyes, watched him breathe, watched every little thing, and it felt like was trapped. I couldn't look away.

No, that was a lie. I didn't want to look away.

"Hey..." Levi said when he looked at me. His voice made me jump a little, but I was glad some of the silence was destroyed. I couldn't hear his heartbeat from this far away, and my mind was wandering.

"Hi," I mumbled, my voice muffled under the blanket. Maybe it was the dark, but I thought I saw the barest hint of a smile on Levi's lips before he rolled onto his side and held out an arm.

"Come here, idiot." He chastised. I couldn't care for the insult, not that it was much of one after the two years I've spent with him. I squirmed under the blankets and found my way into his arms, my own instantly curling around his chest. I felt his fingers run through my hair, and I sighed, my breath fanning against his collar bone. I closed my eyes, pressing my ear against his chest to hear his heartbeat while he continued threading his fingers through my hair. It was the most relaxing thing I had felt in ages, and I forgot how much I actually appreciated this gentle touch.

I had to savor this moment, of course. It would be over soon.

"That's better," Levi said quietly. I opened my eyes to the rumbles I felt within his chest from talking, and I looked up at him curiously. His dark eyes were already on me, and my heart broke out into a drum choir when I caught his gaze.

"L-Levi..." I stuttered and shivered when one of his hands pressed into my hip.

"Hm...?" He hummed, his eyes still looking into mine.

I wanted to say it. I wanted to say everything: I want to stay. I want to stay with you. I don't care about this professional relationship shit anymore, I just want you. If it means I have to quit and find some mediocre job at a fast food place then I'll do it. Please, I don't want to be alone.

Don't leave me alone. Please let me stay for a little while longer. I want to be here in your arms like this for just a little longer. Is that so much to ask for?

I couldn't say it though. Even if I did, I knew it wasn't possible. I couldn't be with Levi, more than likely because he didn't feel the same way for me, and even if he did... Even if he did, I knew better. It wasn't like I could quit either. I'd been given a miracle when I got this job, and I could waste it, not for some stupid selfish reasons.

I knew that. That didn't mean it wasn't easy.

I felt a warm hand against my cheek, the same hand that had been sitting on my hips minutes before. I hadn't broken eye contact with him, so it came as a bit of a surprise when his eyes slipped shut. I thought this was his way of finally trying to sleep, but I was given an even bigger surprise.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips into mine with a gentle, slow, and hesitant movement. He was hesitant, but I wasn't sure for what. Was he questioning his own actions, or was he questioning if I would run or not?

I didn't plan on running, and I made it quite clear by moving forward a little and putting pressure into the kiss. It wasn't meant to be passionate or filled with pleasure. In fact, it was just the opposite. It hurt more than any physical pain I had ever felt. It felt like it was turning directly into physical pain, making my heart clench and my lungs ache with desperation.

I wanted him. I wanted him so much that it physically hurt. I didn't want this to end, but I knew it had to. It had to come to an end eventually.

When he pulled back, I thought I was prepared. When he opened his eyes and looked at me, I was proven wrong when I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I didn't bother wiping it away, but I tried keeping it together so I wouldn't cry anymore. Levi's eyes quickly followed the tear, however, and he leaned forward to kiss it away. I lifted my arms to wrap around his neck, my hands clinging to his shoulders, and it took a lot out of me to not dig my nails in his and hold onto him forever.

"You need your rest..." Levi softly whispered against my ear where the tear had disappeared to. "You should go to sleep."

"I don't want to." I practically sobbed. I didn't care how childish I sounded; I didn't want to sleep. If this was the last moment of this life I had, I wanted to be awake for it for every second of it. Work be damned; I'd suffer through an exhausting day if it meant I'd have a little more time left.

"I know, Eren, I know." Levi pulled me close, keeping my head pressed against his shoulder. This way I could listen to his heartbeat, and this way he could hold onto me the way he was now, his arms wrapped around me and keeping me warm and safe. "I don't want to either..." He said this so quietly that, if it wasn't dead silent around us already, I would have missed it.

Or maybe it was me. I felt my eyes growing heavy, sleeping knocking at my doorstep. I wanted to fight every last bit of it that I could, but Levi's arms were warm and secure and knocking me out cold.

I didn't want to sleep, but he wasn't giving me much of a choice, was he?