A/N: Heyyy! I'm back with another chapter! XD

Chapter Summary: The two Ackermans meet each other. Does that solve things or create more mysteries?

Enjoy! ^_^

I've intentionally stayed away from the section of the building where my own class is still going on. There are still 10 more minutes to go and I certainly don't wanna run into Shadis after the class. I can already imagine what he'll say if that happens.

"Jaeger! What has your useless ass been doing for the past hour?! Because if you think you can get away with bunking my class and fooling around, you've got a shitstorm coming your way, you worthless piece of twat!"

Nope, definitely don't need that right now.

"Hange, you wanna grab something to eat?" I shout at them. "We could sit in the cafeteria until Armin and Mikasa are back."

"Not hygienic," a certain someone replies before Hange can say anything.

Oh! So you're talking to me now, are you?

"Huh?!" I ask him, not really understanding what he means.

"Tch!" He clicks his tongue, looking annoyed. And I might be in an emotional crisis over this guy right now, but that certainly doesn't stop me from appreciating his attractiveness.

Because damn! That was sexy as hell!

"Cafeteria food is unhealthy as fuck", he continues. "And god knows when they properly cleaned that place last time. It's as good as going to a rat infested island and eating shit!"

Okay. I don't even know whether to laugh or cry.

Luckily, Hange saves me from replying. "It's fine Eren. We had lunch before coming here. You can go ahead if you want to though."

"Nah. I did too, just before you guys came."

I look at my watch. 4:05 pm. The class should be over by now. Which means, Armin and Mikasa will be here any minute.

Just as I start looking around for them, I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out. And surely enough, it's Mikasa. She's probably worried why I missed my class and ready to badger me with her lectures. So as soon as I pick up, I start speaking before she can.

"Before you start scolding me, there's someone I want you both to meet."

"Eren-"

"Mika, I promise I'll listen to your lecture after this, but for now just come to the field. And bring Armin!"

"… Fine."

I sigh, putting the phone back in my pocket.

Hange laughs. "Good to see someone who can put you on a leash."

"Yeah, like my mother wasn't enough." I grimace. But then the look on their face sets an alarm in my head. "No, don't say another word!"

Hange presses their index finger over their lips, still grinning widely.

I turn to look at Levi, who's been silent throughout the whole conversation. And for a moment, it feels like he quickly turns his eyes away from me. But I could be wrong.

I don't know anymore.

"Eren!"

I turn around hearing Armin's voice. He's walking across the field towards us, Mikasa beside him. She looks at our direction and I see a look of shock on her face, but it's gone as soon as it comes. I look behind myself to find Hange waving and grinning at them, and Levi watching them with the same bored expression. But his fists are curled at his sides. Somehow he seems a bit edgy, even though his face betrays nothing.

When I turn back, Mikasa and Armin are in front of me. I step aside to let them meet Hange and Levi.

"You guys know about Hange already", I smile sheepishly, rubbing the back of my head.

"Hello Hange", Armin extends his hand. "Eren kinda tore our ears off talking about you. It's a pleasure to finally meet in person."

Hange laughs. "I tear people's ears off talking about him too. Ask this guy", they point at Levi.

"Oh right", I cut them off. "He's Hange's friend– "

"Levi", Mikasa says calmly.

"Mikasa", Levi replies, equally calm.

I stare at them, wide eyed.

So they do know each other!

"Ahh…uhm…", I try to get the words out of my mouth. But for some reason my tongue has forgotten how to produce any legible sound.

"You guys know each other?!" Hange asks instead. I watch as their gaze alternates between the two Ackermans, gleaming with curiosity.

"…"

"…"

Great! The 'awkward silence' scene is playing now.

"Mikasa?" this time Armin interjects.

"He's…" she hesitates for a moment. "…a distant relative."

I watch Mikasa, then Levi. It looks like they've started a staring contest, eyes fixed on each other. Not blinking, not wavering. The tension in the air is so thick, it's almost tangible.

So, Hange and Mikasa both are my friends. Levi is Hange's friend. And Mikasa and Levi are distant relatives. Who are not in very good terms, as it seems. Ugh! Why is everyone related to everyone?! Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll find out Armin is somehow Hange's second cousin or something.

My head hurts.

"Well, that was a nice surprise", I hear Armin say, trying to break the tension. Hange nods their head enthusiastically.

"Hahah…" I try to laugh, but all I manage to do is sound like I suddenly have stomach ache.

"So how long are you guys staying?" the question is directed at Hange. "We could show you around."

Oh Armin! You're a life saver!

"Actually, we're leaving tomorrow."

Wait, what?

I stare at Hange disbelievingly. They can't be serious, right? I mean, I just met them yesterday after so long! And… if Hange's going, that means–

Levi!

"Hange, don't be silly! You can't leave so soon!" I blurt out, panic taking over my mind. My body feels numb, except a foreign feeling of dread sitting at the pit of my stomach.

"Sorry Eren", Hange looks at me, eyes apologetic. "We could only take three days off from work, and Stohess is quite a long way from here. So…"

"But–"

Hange pinches my cheeks to cut me off, then ruffles my hair. They squint their eyes as their lips curve into a genuine smile.

No more words are needed.

So they really are leaving. It's not like I don't understand their situation. They have their own lives there, and this was just a short visit for Hange to make peace with their past. And Levi, he just happened to come with her. My meeting Levi was just a coincidence, nothing more. It's too foolish to think that this was all destiny. That somehow it was meant to happen.

And yet, looking at him right now, I can't help but wish that it was. Because I've never met a guy who's enamored me this much in such a short time. Sure I was attracted to his looks at first. I mean, come on! Who wouldn't be? But that's not all. The person I've seen in these two days is more than just good looks and sexy smirks. More than those snide remarks and an awful sense of humor. I know it's too little time to get to know someone. But even in this short period, I've seen a lot of things.

I've seen a friend. Who helped his friend free themselves from the pain of past memories. I've seen a stranger. Who has a crude mouth and a sharp sense of cleanliness. Who – even though he knew nothing about me – listened to my banter and was surprisingly considerate. And I've seen a mysterious man. Who stands before the window in the middle of the night and stares at the open sky with wistful eyes.

And now, I want more. I want to know more. I want to be more. More than just a friend of a friend, or a friend of a distant relative.

More than a friend even.

He must have felt the longing look I've been giving him, because suddenly his eyes are on mine. They're cold. Colder than a snowstorm. And sharp. Like a knife. His gaze pierces through my chest, stabbing my heart, sending a tingling feeling rushing through my blood. There's a warning in those eyes. Something that tells me I should stay away. But all it does is entice me even more.

The next hour is spent chitchatting. Well, mostly Armin and Hange carrying out a conversation, me watching Levi, Levi watching nothing in particular, and Mikasa watching the both of us. Then, when the sky is taking up the orange hue of the setting sun, we decide it's time to leave. We hop on our feet, brushing the dirt from our clothes that's gathered due to sitting on the ground. Except Levi, of course. He never sat down in the first place, walking around aimlessly while the rest of us sat in a circle and conversed. Something about not getting his clothes filthy. Well, since it's him, I suppose that's expected.

I pull the straps of my backpack over my shoulders, Armin and Mikasa doing the same. Their houses are on different areas. So this is where we part ways. I say goodbye to them. Hange does the same. And Levi, well, he makes a grunting noise that could be interpreted in a thousand ways. But for now, we decide it's probably some kind of farewell. Mikasa nods at them, while Armin is as cheerful as ever, asking them to visit again. And then, when we're ready to go, I see Armin eyeing me discretely. A look that I know very well.

"We need to talk. Don't forget!" – is what he means. I groan inwardly as I remember this morning's events once again. I hoped he'd forget. But apparently, that doesn't seem to be the case.

Well, I guess it can't hurt to hear his thoughts.

Now then, time to go home.

"Eren."

Or not.

I turn around. It's Mikasa this time. I sigh loudly, irritation clearly visible. She remains unfazed though, used to my reactions after all these years. Her eyes study me carefully before she speaks.

"Call me tonight." Her eyes flicker towards Levi for a brief moment. "We need to talk."

What the–?!

Not Mikasa too!

I hear someone snicker behind me. And sure enough, Hange is shaking with poorly concealed laughter. They're probably thinking how I'm gonna get scolded by my friend for missing today's class. I bite back a retort that almost gets past my lips. No use getting angry at either of them. Because Mikasa won't even bat an eyelash. And Hange. If anything, they'll be even more amused.

Such a bizarre collection of friends I have.

I shake my thoughts away and mutter a small 'okay'. And as expected, it brings another bout of laughter from Hange, which I conveniently choose to ignore.

"Oi, four eyes!" to my surprise, Levi speaks. Probably for the fourth or fifth time today. "Shut your damn trap already."

Hange of course, laughs harder than before, but controls themselves soon after. And by control I mean tightly pressing their lips and far too occasionally trembling with mirth. What else can you expect from Hange? At least they're silent now.

I let out a breath. This was one hell of a weird day. I glance towards Levi – hoping to thank him for saving me from further embarrassment – only to frown in disappointment.

He's looking away. Again.

A/N: I just had to add that little bit of Shadis in the beginning. That guy was so much fun to watch in SnK and if you're up to date with the manga, you know the importance of his character in later arcs!

And Levi's pain-in-the-ass behavior will continue for a few chapters I'm afraid. Why, you'll know in time! ;)

I hope you're all enjoying reading this story as much as I'm enjoying writing it! Thanks for reading! ^^