Additional Parings: Levi/Hanji (mentioned)

Words: 7850

Rating: T (Language)

Inspired By: I've Just Seen a Face, With a Little Help from my Friends, All You Need is Love (The Beatles, Across the Universe Versions)

Notes: So good news/bad news. Good news this is an all new fic AYYY I did something. Bad news is I'm going to have to cut this set short and end it at 25 instead of 30. I tried to go back and finish it but it's very hard to do so when your heart isn't there, and you guys deserve better than some half assed fics. So this one is finished, and there will be one more chapter that basically will just tell you the other aus I was planning, and a section of one I already wrote but couldn't finish. Outside of eventually finishing zombie au, this is it my friends. I enjoyed writing for Eren and Mikasa for as long as I did, and I still love them, nothing will change that! Thanks for sticking with me all this time 3

This came from a little writing meme where I made Eren and Levi partners on the force. I fell in love with that dynamic and always wanted to do a longer one :3 It's written over a period of time with alternating perspectives from Levi and Eren. The title is from The Beatles song of the same name.

I've Just Seen a Face

(Day 25 – Police)

"If you touch that radio one more time I will cut your hand off."

Eren groaned, rolling his head back against his seat. "If I have to hear the same song one more time I'd rather you cut my ears off."

Levi barely even cracked an expression; he kept his eyes firmly on the road as he drove. "That's rich coming from the person who's made me listen to Piano Man more times than I ever cared to listen to Billy Joel in my life."

"Hey, man, don't knock the classics." Eren tapped his hand just outside the open passenger window. It was a pretty warn night, even for nearing 1am. Which was nice since he preferred the warm weather but it also didn't make wearing a stiff, cotton uniform any more comfortable.

"I wasn't knocking the classics, just your taste."

"Charming as ever, Levi."

Levi snorted but that seemed to be the end of the conversation. That was pretty typical of him. It was a little unnerving at first, Eren being fresh out of the Academy and immediately partnered with his precinct's resident hard ass and all around grump Levi Ackerman. Eren used to try and hold conversations and they were usually pretty nerve wracking and awkward since Levi was harsh and didn't seem to want anything to do with Eren save for their job. That was what he was here for and all, but spending almost seven days a week in a car together some nights with little to nothing to do dragged on immensely when his partner wouldn't even interact with him. Eren also tended to fall asleep on those nights which made everything even worse.

It took him a few months but he finally got used to Levi's humor, how he liked interact, how he liked his coffee at 3am and now they were old pals.

"Did I ever tell you I play the piano?" Eren asked, looking back over to the driver's side.

"No, and I couldn't care less."

Well, kinda. In the least he had been told that this was the longest Levi ever really held a partner so Eren took pride in that fact. They worked pretty well on the field together, at least that's what the Captain said so maybe in reality Levi had tried to get rid of Eren but the Captain wouldn't let it happen. Eren decided he'd also take pride in that fact too.

"Yeah, since I was a kid. I think my mom wanted me to do it professionally. Instead I picked a job to give her a constant heart attack."

"Knowing what a dumbass you can be, I'd take it that's your specialty."

"Aww, thanks, partner."

Something buzzed over the radio, but it was in a different district than theirs so unless they needed back up, which it didn't sound like it, they were still just doomed to drive around all night. Not that Eren wanted anything bad to happen, but his job was kind of to find the bad, help the good, ect.

"Hey, how was your date the other night?"

Levi arched an eyebrow though didn't even bother looking over. "I didn't have a date."

"Yes, you did. You smiled when you came into work today. That means you had a date and it probably went well."

"That absolutely does not mean any of that."

Eren grinned as he glanced over to Levi. "Was it that one lady we busted for breaking into the lab? What was her name, Hanji right?"

"I have no idea what you're going on about."

"Uh-huh. I saw how you looked at her when you were booking her. You were super gentle with getting her finger prints."

"Do you still want a job? I suggest you shut the hell up if you do."

Bingo. Eren knew he nailed it even if Levi didn't want to admit it. Not that it was surprising; he never wanted to talk about "personal life when we're supposed to doing a goddamn job".

"Can we just go find some expired plates or something?" Eren asked, rolling his head to look at the window.

"No."

"It's better than just driving around doing nothing."

"Then you can do all the paperwork for a minute of finding someone's expired plates."

On second thought, Levi had a point. Eren was about to give another suggestion when he saw familiar lights of an all-night gas station in the near distance. "Hey! Can we stop? I'm starving."

Levi glanced over. "It's 1am."

"Yeah, doesn't make me any less hungry."

"You do realize eating this late is bad for your metabolism, right?"

"In ten years I'll be fat, blah blah, just stop here, please."

Levi looked like he was just about to cave when the radio buzzed. This time it was in their district, breaking and entering, local residence.

"Looks like you got your wish," Levi said as he flipped on the overhead lights, turning the steering wheel so he could u-turn in the road.

That was true. At least it was something to do. "Yeah, but couldn't it have wait till after I got a sandwich?"

"I'm ignoring you."

Levi tried to see the lines on his computer screen, where he was supposed to be finishing his reports for the night but everything was starting to blur. Sure, he was used to the late night shifts but sometimes he just really wanted to get some damn sleep.

Then of course there was Eren at the desk across from Levi's. The kid was humming to himself as he looked over his papers, looking just as content as he could be. Granted, he had a few empty cups of coffee in his garbage can already.

Levi sighed and looked back to his computer, though that turned to the clock real quick. Was it 6am yet? This night was just dragging. He actually liked his job, he did; he didn't even hate his partner, even if the brat talked a little too much and had the appetite of Roman royalty despite being skinny as a rail. But sometimes, even he didn't want to be here. Not that there was anything waiting for him at home save for a cat his mom made him buy just so he wouldn't be lonely. He would've rather had a fish but the cat wasn't bad even if his family thought it was stupid to name a cat Kat.

"Officer Ackerman?" a voice called from somewhere towards the front of the room.

It was only 4am so it was still pretty slow, just a few other night shifters working at their desks. "What?" he grunted back when he looked up and saw one of the receptionists standing in the doorway.

"You have a visitor."

Before Levi could ask who the hell would visit him at 4am, the receptionist turned to leave and he was left with surprise and a little bit of dread.

"Hey," Mikasa smiled as she walked into the room, visitor badge hanging from her scrubs, next to her nurses' ID for the hospital. She held up two cups of coffee she must've grabbed from a nearby café or something cause it sure didn't look like the crap they gave them here.

"Hey." Levi stood up trying to meet her halfway but he knew it was too late, Eren's attention was already peaked. Levi did his best to never really talk about his personal or family life on the job even though Eren just loved to poke and prod Levi for it. There would be no doubt Eren would someone sneak his way into this too. "What're you doing here?"

"Good morning to you too," she snorted, shoving a cup towards him.

"Yeah, yeah, thanks and good morning," he grunted, hearing Eren's chair squeak as he turned around. Great. Just great. "What're you doing here?"

"I got off early and thought I'd bring you guys something to help with the last few hours." Mikasa leaned around Levi to gesture the other cup to Eren. "I'm sorry, I don't know how you like your coffee. Levi refuses to say anything about work when he's not here."

"I mean, I can understand that," Eren said, standing up to take the coffee from Mikasa's hand. "Though I don't know if I should be offended or not. C'mon, Levi, really, nothing about me? We've been working together for over half a year now."

"I prefer to leave all memory of this place in here when I leave," Levi grunted. "You included." He was about to usher Mikasa right out the door when he saw it. She reached her hand up to tuck some of her hair behind her ear. Oh great, just great. She thought Eren was cute. Yeah, sure, he was a good looking guy, but he was also Levi's partner so no way in hell was that happening.

"Thank you so much for thinking of me too, that was very kind of you," Eren said, still watching Mikasa, a smile on his face that Levi didn't think he'd seen before.

Oh, absolutely not.

"I'm Eren Jaeger," he said extending a hand to her. "If Levi ever even mentioned my name. I feel like the mistress or something."

"Make that analogy again and you'll really regret your shift tomorrow."

Mikasa laughed but she shook Eren's hand. "Mikasa Ackerman, I'm his little sister."

"Please tell me he's always been this humorous."

She laughed again and looked like she was going to respond but Levi was done with this.

"Mikasa, thanks for the coffee but we've got work to finish," he said.

"Alright," she said not without a side glare that told him she knew exactly what he was doing. "I'll see you later then. It was nice to meet you, Eren." Mikasa waved as she started to walk away.

"Nice to meet you too," he responded, waving back.

"Get that pathetic look off your face," Levi grunted, going back to his desk to plop himself down.

"How come you never told me you have a sister?" Eren asked, placing the coffee down before sitting in his chair.

"Because I never cared to."

Eren actually didn't respond which was kind of strange, because normally he always needed the last word. Levi glanced over to make sure he didn't hurt the kid's feelings or something but Eren looked perfectly fine. He sipped at his coffee and went back to work.

It's not that Eren wasn't a good guy, he was. He knew how to handle his job, he always had Levi's back on the field, and even when he did mess up he fessed up and learned from it. Eren was smart, generous, and loyal, a good guy but the thought of seeing him every day and then every time Levi wanted to see his sister made him kind of want to hurl. Plus he never wanted Mikasa to date a cop. He knew the risks he placed on himself when he decided to join, what it meant for the people who loved him, but he didn't want that life for her.

Eren started to hum again. When Levi looked over Eren had this dopey grin on his face.

"Don't even think about it, Jaeger," Levi said.

"About what?"

Levi knew Eren was playing dumb and Levi had a gut feeling it would only be a matter of time until Eren worked up the courage to ask what he really wanted to. Levi wanted to hit his head on the desk just at the thought alone.

Eren tried, he really did. Days went by and he made careful consideration not to bring up meeting Levi's sister even just to tease that Levi's carefully buried personal and family life was out in the open. Oh, it was tempting, but Eren was actually more afraid of what kind of mouth vomiting he might do if he did bring her up.

He couldn't even really remember the last time he looked at a girl more than just a person walking by, sales associate, the person making his coffee that morning, a neighbor in his apartment complex. He knew while the uniform might be appealing the lifestyle was risky, and that tended to keep people away and kept him away from people. How could he go on a date when he slept practically all day and worked well into the night? It didn't really work well for a social life. Which was fine; he liked his job enough to not let it bother him very much.

That was before he laid eyes on Mikasa Ackerman, for however brief it might've been. She was not only the prettiest girl he ever saw but he couldn't forget her kind eyes as she handed him a coffee she never needed to get him. If Eren was being honest with himself, he knew he was dying to see her again maybe without Levi cutting a brief meeting short. That would require asking Levi about her though and he pretty much made it clear how he stood on the matter that same day.

"Hey, kid, are you even paying attention?" Levi's voice made Eren remember he was actually sitting in their squad car, the dark night surrounding them save for the streetlights going by as they drove down the secluded road just outside the city.

"Huh, yeah, of course," Eren said, sinking in his seat a little and crossing his arms against his chest.

"Then what did I just say."

Yeah, he had no idea what so ever. He was pretty sure he must've been zoned out for at least a half hour trying to figure out a good way to say, "Hey, partner, let me date your sister". Which he still had no idea how to do without possibly getting shot.

"Uh, that're we're on our way to go apprehend some…ones?"

Levi looked over to arch any eyebrow. "Are you not even gonna pretend you were paying attention?"

Usually Eren was pretty quick on responses but he just didn't even have a pretend excuse. "Ah, not really."

"Alright, what's wrong?"

Eren blinked at Levi. In all their time together, Eren was pretty sure that was the first time Levi ever asked that question. "Nothing, just tired I guess."

Levi snorted as he looked back to the street. "Please, you've been unnaturally quiet for about a week now."

"Are you saying I'm normally a loudmouth?"

"I absolutely am."

Eren was about to respond but Levi spoke again.

"Alright, just get on with it. I'd rather get it over with than have to sit in the car with a grown man acting like a sulky puppy dog. Ask me for my sister's number."

Eren stared at the dark haired man, panic rising up in his chest. "I-"

"Don't even bother denying it. I saw the way you looked at her, and you've been suspiciously quiet ever since. You aren't very discreet, kid."

Was it really that easy? Eren turned in his seat to face Levi. "Does that mean I can have her number?"

"Absolutely not."

"Seriously?" Eren groaned, sinking down in his seat not really knowing what else he expected. "That was such a low blow."

Levi snorted, which was about as close to laughing as he got. "You're not a bad guy, Eren. Believe it or not I don't despise you."

Huh, that was actually kind of in a positive direction. "Well, that's nice to know I guess."

"But I don't like my sister dating cops let alone my partner. I didn't even tell you I had a sister, that's how little I want you in my personal bubble."

That sounded more like Levi. "You're kinda tainting your earlier compliment."

"That being said," Levi cleared his throat as he turned down a dark road why Eren wasn't sure but he really hoped it wasn't to shoot him. "There is one, only one, circumstance where I would give you her number."

That Eren wasn't expecting. He felt himself perk back up. "Yeah? What would that be?"

Levi arched an eyebrow. "You really think I'd tell you?"

Eren supposed not but he felt a strange sense of hope. There was a chance. He figured it was a pretty small but he'd take a chance even if it was minuscule. He glanced out the window, the dark factory building looming over the car. "What're we doing here?"

"You'd know if you had been paying attention and not off in your love sick daydreams which please under no circumstances ever talk to me about."

"Even if they include you?"

"Especially if they include me, idiot." Levi parked the car leaving the lights on as he pushed his door open. "Get out and do your job."

"Which is?"

"You'll figure it out," Levi said as he stepped outside, shutting the door behind him.

Typical. Even still, Eren couldn't get a grin off his face. He had a chance.

Levi didn't like having a cell phone. Eren typically called him some version of "grouchy old man" because of it but the fact Levi could kick the Eren's ass was usually reminded to make the kid shut his mouth. Really it was just because he liked his privacy from people and a cellphone meant someone could always reach you. Even if he didn't answer it was still annoying to hear it ring and if he silenced it or ignored the call they knew and would only keep calling.

He could hear Eren snickering when Levi's phone went off in the car. It was probably around 2am which really only meant one person unless it was some kind of freak accident in the family. Levi pulled his phone out of his pocket to see Mikasa's name on the screen.

"You gonna answer it or tell it to get off your lawn?" Eren said before biting down into some disgusting burrito thing.

"You're doing the paperwork for the rest of the night." Levi hit answer and held the phone up to his ear. "What?"

"Are you ever happy to talk to anyone?" Mikasa said. It sounded pretty hectic around her, people shouting, machines beeping, feet and wheels against plastic floors. She was probably still at work.

"Not when I'm cramped in a car waiting for someone to speed by me. What do you want?"

"Can't I just call my only brother and make sure he's okay?"

"Yeah right, what do you want?"

Mikasa had been calling him more recently for "no reason" when she never really did before. She wasn't one for mindless chit chat like him so the fact she was claiming she was told him there was something she wanted to say but couldn't quite say it. It was beyond annoying. He didn't know why people couldn't just be direct.

"How's your shift?"

"It's fine, tell me what you really want."

"I told you I just want to see if you're okay."

"You wouldn't waste your break at work just to call me and make sure a trained officer with military background is okay."

She was quiet for a moment and Levi knew he finally called her out. "Is your partner in the car with you?"

There it was, as he figured. Jesus, the two of them were apparently a match made in heaven. "I wish he wasn't."

Eren seemed to look up a little from his food, but Levi didn't think the kid quite knew they were referring to him.

"I was just wondering if you could do something for me."

He could just about picture her fiddling with her hair, fidgeting as she tried to ask something she was embarrassed to ask. "I'm not hooking you up."

"Could you get his number for me?"

"Absolutely not."

"Levi," she practically whined in a voice Levi hadn't heard in many years. "What is your problem?"

"I could list all night long."

She gave him a frustrated sigh. "Would you at least give him my number?"

There it was. The one condition. If she asked Levi, he knew he'd do it, even if he didn't particularly like the idea. He'd never actually stand in the way of his sister being happy. If she wanted to try, he'd let her.

"Fine."

"Wait, really?" Mikasa sounded surprised. "Will you ask him to call me?"

"If he can't work that out he's dumber than I thought."

"Thank you, Levi, seriously. I'm sure this is kinda awkward for you."

He snorted. "You think?"

"Talk to you later." She did sound a lot happier now at least, probably enough to get her through the rest of her shift even if he was now dreading his.

"Bye," he grunted before hanging up the call. Levi dropped his phone back in his pocket and reached over to hit Eren in the arm. "Give me your phone, kid."

"Why?" Eren asked making it clear he hadn't really been paying attention to the call or couldn't follow it.

"Just give it to me."

Eren reached one hand into his pocket to pull out his phone, one that was thankfully similar to Levi's before placing it in his hand. Levi admittedly felt a bit strange unlocking Eren's phone which was his personal possession but thankfully his background picture was just one of him and his mom, dad, and younger sister he talked about a few times before. They were similar in that regard.

Levi went to contacts and added Mikasa's number like she asked him to do and God, did he expect a seriously good payback in the form on a homemade cake from her. "Here," he said, throwing the phone back at Eren. "My sister asked me the one condition, congrats."

He blinked at Levi for a second, mouth still half full of food. Eren picked up his phone still staring in disbelief. "Does she want me to call her?"

Levi hit the back of his head against the headrest. "I'm done with the both of you. If either of you tell me anything, I even mean what you ate for dinner I'm putting in a partner switch request."

"My lips are sealed," Eren said, that stupid grin on his lips.

Levi really wasn't sure what he just did to himself.

To be fair to Eren, as the weeks went on he really didn't say anything about if his relationship with Mikasa was going somewhere or anywhere. Thankfully the kid barely mentioned her at all save for just to annoy Levi (yes, he did hear what they ate on their first date to which he showed Eren the already signed request that Levi never actually put in). He knew it had to be going fairly well though because his sister stopped bugging him all the time and because Eren spent far more time on his phone than he ever used to. He seemed to be happier on the longer nights too. He ate less junk food (but still ate enough to make Levi want to hurl) and he seemed to be more attentive, he was in a good mood almost all the time even when the work was hard that night. Eren smiled more and complained less which was good in its own way.

Mikasa seemed to be the same way when Levi saw her. She seemed brighter, not quite as exhausted as she always was from her long hospital shifts. He supposed it was a decent trade off; as long as he didn't have to know any more details than they were seeing each other. He absolutely didn't want to know how serious it was, hell, he didn't even really want to know if they broke up (unless it was the dumbass' fault, then Levi might actually have words to say). Still much to Levi's surprise, he really didn't know anything about their relationship. How long had it even been now? A few weeks? Months maybe? He didn't pay that much attention to ever really. That's how he liked it.

Levi stood outside of Mikasa's apartment door, hand still raised from when he had knocked. It wasn't like this was how he wanted to spend his morning off. He loved his sister, yeah, but his mother forcing him over for breakfast and then forcing him to send left overs to Mikasa when he could be at home doing something productive was tedious.

"C'mon, Mikasa," Levi said even though he wasn't sure if she could hear him let alone if she was awake since she worked last night. The glass container was also getting uncomfortably warm in his hand. He moved to pull his phone out of his jacket pocket to just call her; if she didn't answer he was taking the food and leaving.

"Hang on," a voice called, though Levi had mere seconds to realize it wasn't a female voice before the door opened.

Eren had his typical grin on though he was looking over his shoulder at first cause the moment he realized it was Levi at the door oh that grin faded real fast. In fact Eren looked more horrified than anything else which Levi would've taken great pleasure in if the fact his annoying partner was standing in Mikasa's doorway wearing just a pair of sleep pants.

"Who the hell answers the door without a shirt on," Levi grunted, shoving the plate of food into Eren's arms.

"I…um, well it's like…" Eren sputtered but there really wasn't much explanation needed, not when Mikasa did finally show up at the end of her hallway inside the apartment, pulling her hair up in a ponytail and wearing his missing shirt. Just his missing shirt.

"Who is it?" she asked innocently.

Eren didn't answer at all, he merely stepped aside and she froze much like he had.

Again, it would've been amusing if he just didn't find out what he did. "Morning, sunshine," he grunted, crossing his arms. "There's food."

Mikasa looked positively baffled where as Eren hadn't moved an inch. Okay, this was enough of this; Levi would rather forget this interaction ever happened.

He turned to Eren. "Don't be damn late tonight."

"Er, yes, sir."

Levi turned and left without a look back though once he was about halfway down the hall he did hear the door shut. He didn't stop till he was in the elevator going back down to the main lobby. He supposed he couldn't say he didn't know how seriously they were taking their relationship anymore. So now he had to have probably the most awkward night of work of his life with a kid who could already be pretty awkward.

"Wonderful," he murmured to no one but himself. He sighed and hit his head back against the elevator door.

Though if he was going to be honest, he supposed Eren was better for his sister than someone off the street no one knew. At least Levi knew Eren wasn't going to get one night and ditch her. He was a pretty loyal guy, and judging by the way he was looking at her before he noticed Levi was enough to know his devotion level.

Not that Levi would ever say that aloud. Ever.

"You wanna come with us to the cabin?"

Eren nearly dropped his phone on his face. He looked over at her, nestled in her armchair nearby, laptop in her lap as she watched him innocently. He moved his hands down, resting his phone on his stomach while he pushed himself up to his elbows from his spot laying on his back on her couch. She looked like his answer wouldn't bother her one way or another, but he also saw the way she was biting at her lower lip; she actually was nervous to hear what he had to say.

"Like with your parents and stuff?" he asked, trying to be eloquent but he was admittedly a little caught off guard. It wasn't that he never met her parents, or even that they knew they were dating but to stay over the weekend with her family, that was…that was a step.

"Ah, yeah." Mikasa reached up to tuck some of her hair behind her ear; another nervous tell. They had been together for almost half a year now, he was getting used to those small habits she had. "I mean you don't have to, I just thought it might be fun. I always like going so I thought you might like it too."

"Hey, hey," he said, trying not to laugh at her rambling; not that he was any better when he was nervous. "It's fine. I'd love to come, provided it's okay with everyone."

She looked absolutely relieved and he honestly still couldn't believe he had a girl who was as kind and gorgeous as she was and also put up with him. She might be the sister of his partner which made things still a little awkward but Levi never brought up that day he caught Eren at her apartment a few weeks ago and he sure as hell was never going to bring it up.

"Really?" she breathed, an excitement filling her eyes. He had to wonder how long she was waiting to ask him.

"Yeah, course, Mik. A whole weekend with you? Count me absolutely in. I just have to make sure they approve the time off."

"My parents already said it was fine," Mikasa said but the excitement did start to fade a little bit as she spoke.

"But…" Eren supplied, feeling there was some sort of catch.

"Levi's going too and I haven't asked him yet."

"Well, it was a nice thought but I'll see you when you get back."

"Eren," she snorted. "He's not that bad."

"No, he's not. I'd take a bullet for the guy without hesitation as my partner." Eren flopped back down on the couch. "But as my girlfriend's brother? No, he absolutely hates me."

"Stop it," Mikasa laughed, moving her laptop to the side table so she could stand up. "He doesn't hate you, he just isn't super great with interacting with others."

"Wow, he could've fooled me."

She grabbed her phone off the armrest of the chair and pushed herself to her feet, moving so she could climb up over him. She put her knees on either side of his waist, effectively pinning him as she fiddled with her phone. "We'll find out then."

"Oh, this is gonna go grandly," Eren said, rolling his eyes.

She put her finger to her lips as she held the phone up to her ear. "Hey," she said, glancing away which told him Levi answered. "Nothing really…what makes you think I want something?"

Eren had a sister yeah, but she was still really young. They fought over if he was going to take her to see the new Disney movie or the new Marvel movie. But he found himself caught in between it with these two all the time. He'd never say they didn't love each other, because Eren absolutely knew they did but they were completely big brother and little sister.

"Okay, fine," she continued, letting Eren tap his fingers against her legs. "You know the weekend up at the cabin, with mom and dad? Yeah, how much would you mind if Eren came too?"

He arched an eyebrow as he watched her face go from normal to annoyed real quick.

"What do you mean never in a million years?"

"I told you so," Eren said, but that only earned him a swat to the chest.

"You won't even consider it?" she asked. "No…I don't care if you see him every day, I don't…I'm being unreasonable? Are you serious right now?"

Yeah, this was exactly how he thought this conversation would go. He knew Levi didn't actually hate him, but he just really, really like to keep work and his personal life separate and Eren was very much invading both aspects of those worlds. It probably was a weird adjustment; it was kind of weird not to see Levi in uniform, so Eren sort of got it.

"Okay, no, sorry, I tried to be nice and ask first, but you're being incredibly unfair. See you in a few weeks." With that Mikasa clicked off the phone. She sighed as she looked down at Eren who was still watching her.

"So see you when you get back?" he asked.

"No, you're coming," she said, a smile pulling at her lips. "My parents said it was fine so Levi can deal with it."

"Oh okay, like nothing can go wrong with this plan."

If she had any problems with this he wasn't sure considering she leaned down to kiss him and he forgot what they were even talking about.

It actually did go about as well as Eren expected.

While Eren really did like Mikasa's parents, both of whom really seemed to like him too he also had to deal with an immensely grumpy Levi. Thankfully for the most part he took to hiking by himself and leaving Mikasa and Eren to do as they pleased, until dinner when the awkward conversation seemed to come right back up.

It was clear Mikasa was still mad at her brother even though she did get her way in the end. Her parents seemed to be okay with the sort of low key bickering; probably used to it was more like it. Hey, at least the cabin and the surrounding area was stunning. He hadn't been camping since he was a kid with his parents so it was absolutely nice to get away from the city for a little while. Plus he didn't have to work so that was immensely better…even if he was sitting next to his partner at the dinner table.

Yeah, it was admittedly a little weird. Eren supposed he couldn't be too mad at Levi.

"So Eren," Mrs. Ackerman, or well, Vita as she insisted he call her as, started. She was sitting next to her husband at the head of the table, Mikasa eating her burger across from Eren. "As you know Tom was an officer like Levi was too."

If that was a cue for Levi to say something he didn't take it, he just continued to cut up his vegetables on his plate.

"Ah, yes, ma'am, Mikasa mentioned," Eren said with a smile. It was absolutely not Levi who said anything about it.

"I guess it's not too surprising she started seeing a cop too," Vita said, her eyes had that same teasing glint Mikasa had.

"Unfortunately," Levi grunted, but hey it was the first thing he said at the table so there was that.

"Aw, c'mon, buddy, I'm not that bad," Eren said.

"You're not bad at all," Vita said, jumping back in the conversation. The approval from Mikasa's mom sure did feel nice, even if he could never get it from Levi. "What would you like to ultimately do on the force?"

Levi dropped his fork on the plate. "Can we please not talk about work?"

"Relax, Levi," Tom said. He really didn't look old enough to have a son as old as Levi was but Eren could tell the wear on Tom's face from the many years as a cop and probably raising two kids too. "It was a simple question."

"It's one weekend," Mikasa said, clearly having kept her peace enough. "Can you just be happy for once?"

"Be happy about what exactly?" Levi drawled. "That you're sleeping with my partner? Thrilling."

Eren nearly choked on the bite of food he had taken but the rest of the table was as quiet as these mountains around them were. He couldn't exactly risk looking at her parents, who probably assumed as they weren't exactly teenagers, but saying it aloud in front of them was a whole other story. He tried to cover his mouth as he coughed, looking up at Mikasa who was bristling.

"What is your problem?" she said. "You've been nothing but rude about this whole thing."

"Hey," Vita said, her voice a bit more commanding than it had been before. "Both of you are adults, stop acting like children."

"Oh, I'm acting like a child?" Levi said, leaning back to cross his arms against his chest. "I told Mikasa how I felt about this situation and she did what she wanted anyway."

"Because you were being ridiculous," Mikasa said. "I have every right to want to do things with my boyfriend but you make it so impossible."

"I never asked you to date my partner, don't put this on me."

"Yeah, well, you should've brought your girlfriend then, make it even. Don't take it out on me either."

Levi tensed, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't have a girlfriend."

Oh boy, this was probably going to go grandly.

"Okay, then who was the woman who answered your phone the other day."

Levi clearly didn't have a good answer because his jaw was clenched in that way that made him look angrier than usual.

This was more than a little tense, even Tom and Vita were looking at each other like they were unsure if they needed to stop this (or they really just wanted to know if their loner son finally had a girlfriend). Eren was admittedly not great in these sorts of situations, especially when it wasn't even his family.

"It is Hanji, isn't it? I swore I saw you texting her the other night," he blurted out.

Of course, when Levi turned his head to glare at Eren, he knew it was probably his cue.

"You know, I'm just gonna go upstairs," he said, gesturing vaguely to the stairs. "I'll, um, yeah."

Mikasa looked towards him as he stood him, her face softening like she only just realized the situation he was put in.

"It's fine, okay," he said, giving her a smile before he quickly, very quickly, hurried up to the room he was staying in.

Only when he was sprawled out on his back did he remember to breathe. He reached his hands up to rub his face. He really didn't want to come between Levi and Mikasa, Eren knew how close they really were and he'd never want to be the cause of a huge rift. But he also knew he loved Mikasa, and he wanted to be with her, there was no question there.

Man, and he thought his family fought.

Levi closed his eyes, letting the cool night air blow over him as he sat on the porch overlooking the view. The mountains, the lake, the moon shining down, the vodka in his hand, it was all pretty calming. He took a sip as the door creaked open.

Eren poked his head out but the kid nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw it was Levi sitting there. "Ah, sorry, I was just looking for…I'll, you know, go back-"

"Will you sit your ass down, kid."

Eren hesitated but he did as he was told, sitting down in the love seat that was next to Levi's chair. He tilted the flask towards Eren but he waved his hand as a pass.

It was quiet, just the sound of the crickets, the frogs, some birds off in the trees.

"For the record, I don't hate you," Levi grunted.

Eren paused for a moment. "Are you sure about that?"

"Yes," Levi snorted. He moved the flask to his lips, taking a sip, feeling it burn down his throat. Apologies weren't his thing. He already had to do it to Mikasa tonight, but she was his sister, it absolutely wasn't the first time. Eren was different. He wasn't family, but at the same time he was, whether from dating Mikasa or the fact that he was Levi's partner. He just didn't know how to express none of this was actually Eren's fault.

"This hasn't been…easy."

"I know," Eren winced. "I know you hate mixing your personal life with work and well, here I am on your family vacation."

"It's more than that." Levi sighed, rolling his head back against the chair. "I never wanted this for her. I never wanted her to date a cop. I never wanted her to have to worry about getting the call that you aren't coming home. Mikasa is tough, but it would destroy her."

Eren didn't say anything.

"If that wasn't enough, she's never gotten this far."

"What do you mean?" Eren asked, though his voice a little hushed.

"She's never been this serious, she's never brought anyone here before. Usually cause she didn't like the guy she was dating that much or because they could never keep up with her work schedule. So I've never had to deal with…" He waved his hands in a general direction. "This before."

Now Eren really looked like he didn't know what to say. What an idiot, how could he not know that girl was utterly in love with him?

"So yeah, it's been tough, and I took it out on her and I took it out on you. You're a big brother so I'm sure you can understand to an extent even if your sister won't be dating anyone for a long while. Still, yeah, I'm sorry or some shit."

Eren whistled. "Is it the end of the world? Should I start preparing a bunker?"

"Try me again, smart ass."

Eren snorted, but he gave that doofy half smile of his. "You do listen to me."

"More than I ever wanted to." It actually felt kind of good, to tell him how it felt, to have him understand a little more why Levi had been so angry. It made him feel a lot less annoyed, which he supposed was why people expressed their feelings and not bottled things up. Figures.

"Hey, thanks, Levi. I'm sorry I put you in this position. I'd tell you I'd call it off for your sake but even I'm not that dumb."

"If…" Levi said pointing his flask towards Eren. "If you ever break her heart, they will never find your body."

"You know, I believe you."

Levi held the flask out again and this time Eren took it.

"If you touch that radio one more time I will cut your hand off."

Eren groaned mainly for dramatic effect, hitting his head back against the seat but he didn't argue. He was in way too good of a mood to actually be bothered by the radio. Well, nervous mood, but good nervous…if that was a thing.

"You're unusually quiet today," Levi said, glancing away from the road to look over at Eren.

"Huh? Oh, well, maybe its cause you haven't taken me for coffee in the past hour. I'm gonna fall asleep here and get fired."

"You're not going to get fired, dumbass," Levi snorted. "And I didn't take you for coffee after the two cups you already had cause then you're just going to harass me to take a piss all night."

"That's a fair point."

Levi turned down a yet another dark road, aimlessly driving waiting for something to happen.

"You know," Eren started, reaching his arms over his head as much as he could in the cruiser. "It's been over a year since we've been partners now. How does that make you feel?"

"Like I really need to hand in that partner transfer request already."

"You can't deceive me." Eren leaned in a little, making sure when he spoke again it was in the most sing song voice that would drive Levi insane. "You love me."

"I tolerate you, brat, get it right."

Eren plopped back into his seat. "Eh, close enough for you."

Levi snorted but didn't say anything else and Eren didn't try and pry anything from him. It had been over a year, almost a year and a half now. While he admittedly still liked to poke Levi's buttons they still had a better understand of how the other operated and Eren would even say they were friends; as much as you can be friends with your girlfriend's older brother.

That thought shot a jolt of adrenaline through Eren. He had been avoiding it for a few days now, something Levi knew since he was always asking Eren why he was being so quiet. The words just weren't easy, even less easy than in a quiet car and when he did get the courage up, they'd get a call and have to actually work. Figures right?

Everything was quiet now though, and he should just do it and get it over with. He knew it would make him feel better if he did but he also didn't want to die.

"Jesus Christ, Jaeger, just spit it out," Levi said, making Eren nearly jump out of his skin. "It's been days, just say what's on your damn mind."

They were good partners at least; they knew each other's tells way too well. It was here, his perfect time to just say it. He just had to…say it. Well, might as well just go for it now.

"Would you hate me if I married your sister?" Eren sputtered, completely not the way he wanted to ask in the least.

Levi arched an eyebrow as he glanced over at Eren. "It depends."

He could only blink in response for a moment. "Depends on what?"

"Are you hypothetically asking me if you happen to marry my sister would I hate you? Or are you trying to tell me that you actually currently would like to marry my sister."

"Er…the latter?"

"You don't sound very sure about that."

Eren took a moment to turn to face Levi better, also trying to let his racing pulse calm down. "No, I am serious. She's the only person I'd wanna spend my time with. I know we've only been together for a year but when you know you know." He paused. "I was more worried about telling you."

Levi didn't say anything at first, he just watched the street as it was laid out in front of them. "Mikasa is her own damn person you don't need to ask me shit."

Wasn't quite the answer Eren had been looking for, but honestly he wasn't sure what he expected.

"But if you were to ask me, you'd be the only person I'd trust to make my sister happy cause you already do."

Eren couldn't hold back the grin pulling at his lips. While he hadn't even thought about how he'd ask her yet, now he knew Levi wouldn't completely hate it. He leaned back in his seat once more, reaching for the radio knob before Levi promptly slapped his hand away.

"Hey, man, what the hell," Eren said. "That actually hurt."

"Did you not hear me not more than five minutes ago?"

"Yeah, but that was before we could be family."

"That absolutely doesn't mean I'm listening to you radio hop for the next five hours."

"Even if we were br-"

"Don't you even dare say it."

Eren snorted but didn't push it any further. Levi would change his mind one day…possibly.