Chapter Summary: "Alert: Levi in my room!" Also, some Interesting revelation about Recon Corps XP

Enjoy! ^^

I'm halfway through pushing my left leg into the dark grey sweats when suddenly a loud knock at my door startles me. I try to stand and pull my pants up at the same time, and end up tripping over my foot on the ground with a thud.

"Snotty!" comes the shrilling voice. "You okay?!"

I fumble around for a moment before finally gathering myself, then get up as quick as a lightening.

"How long are you gonna take to change?! It's been half an hour already!"

Oh no! They're here!

"I'm done, I'm done! J-Just a minute!" I'm totally out of breath as I reply.

I hurriedly slide my legs into the sweats, then pull a light brown tee down my head. If I had more time, I'd have liked to give more thought on what I should wear. But sadly, time doesn't seem to be on my side these days.

Suck it up, Eren!

I straighten my hands, smiling satisfactorily when the joints make a loud pop. Then I slide my fingers through the mop of brown locks to see if I can somehow tidy them up a bit, but end up making it even messier than before. I look around. Half an hour hasn't even been nearly enough to clean up the mess my room has become. I could only clear the stacks of books lying around everywhere and organize them into piles on one side of the wall, take all the clothes scattered around the room and shove them inside the closet and clean up the dust a bit.

I sigh. Well, at least it's better than before.

"EREN!" another loud knock.

I walk up to the door and open it to let them in. Hange dashes into the room immediately. I'm about to retort loudly when suddenly my voice dies in my mouth. Because right at that moment, I see Levi being dragged inside by them.

Sweet fucking hell! He's in my room!

I watch nervously as his eyes scan the whole area. He takes in everything. Slowly. Steadily. Observing all the details. The walls, barely showing their whiteness underneath all the exotic posters. The bed – my eyes catch a corner of the sheet that's still wrinkled – hastily made just before they came in. The pile of books, carelessly stacked one over another. The chair, sitting alone on one side of the room and slightly rocking due to the passing wind. Without realizing my eyes start following his, trying to understand what he's thinking, to decipher what's possibly going on inside that pretty head.

My heart sinks when I see him wrinkle his nose slightly. His mouth opens, as if he's about to say something, but closes after a moment.

Why do I feel so upset about such a silly thing?

"You… don't like it?" I shift uncomfortably.

My mouth is definitely working faster than my brain.

I realize what I've blurted out a moment later and my eyes widen at my own impulsiveness. I can feel my cheeks heat up. But unfortunately, my mouth isn't done.

"I tried to clean up…" Fuck! "I know you don't like dirty things…" Shut up, you stupid mouth! "If I knew you'd be coming, I would've made time to clean up better."

Great! Now I've done it!

I lower my eyes in embarrassment. What the fuck did I just say?! Now he's gonna think I'm super weird, and it's gonna be all over before it even started.

Someone please give me the 'Biggest Idiot of the World' award!

A minute passes with awkward silence hanging in the air. And then, to my surprise, I hear a throaty chuckle. My eyes shoot up at him. He looks… amused.

"Not bad, kid."

My heart flutters in my chest. I can feel blood rushing to my cheeks. He talked to me! For the first time today, he actually looked at me and talked.

But my happiness is short lived. Because suddenly, he looks worried, like he's somehow displeased with his own actions. The furrow between his brows intensifies. And soon enough, he falls back into the same 'I'm-avoiding-you' mode, ignoring my existence and evading any eye contact.

What the fuck man! He's been like this all day! If he has a habit of ignoring people when he's in a bad mood, shouldn't he be ignoring everyone? Why just me? Why is he giving the cold shoulder to only me?!

Could it be that… I did something to upset him? I think back to the events of yesterday, trying to figure out what I did wrong. But I can't find anything that could possibly offend him this much. I mean, he seemed really into me yesterday, didn't he? And now, it's like he can't even stand the sight of me!

What happened, Levi?

I watch him helplessly.

Was I wrong to assume that you felt the same attraction I did?

"HEY EREN!"

"Gaahhh!" I shriek and jump back. "Hange! If I find myself deaf tomorrow, it's totally your fault!"

As usual, my threat is completely ignored.

"Didn't know you're a fan of RC!" Hange says pointing at the posters of Recon Corps covering my walls.

"Well, six years is a long time!" I look away pouting. "There are a lot of things about me that you don't know."

They laugh, ruffling my hair and flopping down on the bed. "Hmm…" A wink. "Does that mean my snotty baby missed me?"

I sigh. I can't deny that I'm a bit flustered at the sudden proclamation, but if you know me, then you know I don't back away from my emotions. So fighting off the urge to just deny them and laugh it off, I look straight into their eyes and smile.

"Of course I did Hange. And I know you did too."

Hange smiles back. "Sure did kiddo!"

From the corner of my eye, I watch Levi. He's been pretty much relaxed till now, but the moment he hears me express my emotions to Hange, he seems a bit surprised. His eyes dart towards me, a curious look on his face. I keep my face straight, not daring to turn my head or look at him. I can feel those eyes on me, piercing through my bones, invading the deepest corner of my soul. But I can't look back. Because I know the moment I do it, he'll look away and start ignoring me again.

And right now – even if it's just for a few more moments – I want to feel the sweet burn of those sinfully gorgeous eyes on me.

To my utter dismay, the moment is soon ruined by a certain loudmouth.

"Guess what Eren?!"

I let out another sigh. His eyes have hastily been directed elsewhere. The trance is broken.

"What?" I ask Hange, trying to hide my disappointment.

"I'm a fan of RC too!" they reply with a grin.

That I can totally picture. Hange Zoe. Wearing shorts and a baggy t-shirt. Bare footed. Playing rock band songs in full volume and dancing like crazy all around the house. Yup, definitely possible!

"I just had a very vivid imagination…" I mumble. Then turn my gaze to Levi. He looks aghast. Like he's just remembered a very awful memory. For some reason, I have a feeling that this memory of his is similar to my latest imagination.

Poor him!

"Those guys!" Hange continues. "They're really awesome, you know! Specially Mike! That guy left the band, but they all are still such good buddies."

Err… what?!

"Hange?"

"Yup?!"

"Why are you talking as if you know them personally?"

They smile mischievously and wiggle their brows. "Who said I don't?"

Huh?

Huh?!

"What the-?!" I jump in front of them. "You do? You really do?!"

In reply, they simply wink.

I throw my arms up in exasperation. "C'mon Hange! TELL ME!"

"Well, Mike's been friends with Erwin since their childhood. So…"

"Mike… you mean Mike Zacharias? The Mike Zacharias?!"

Hange laughs seeing my enthusiasm. "Yeah, that one."

"Wow…"

I start daydreaming. Recon Corps. My idols. Mike, Eld, Olou, Gunther. And Hange knows them!

"Hange!" my voice is unusually loud from all the excitement. "Have you met them?"

"Who?" they smirk, obviously playing dumb.

"Hangeee!"

"Alright, alright!" they burst out laughing, clearly enjoying the situation. "Yes, I have."

"All of them?!"

"Yep. And let me tell you. The new kid? He's amazing! He–"

"Hange." Levi stops them before they can finish the sentence. They make eye contact for a second, and Hange nods.

"Sorry Eren", they smile sheepishly. "I probably spoke more than I should have."

I nod appreciatively. "I understand." Then I turn back to look at Levi. "I'm sorry. I'm the one who got all overly excited."

He shakes his head. "You did nothing wrong kid. It's your favorite band. You're supposed to get exhilarated." He narrows his eyes at Hange. "It's you who should learn to behave more maturely. Quit shitting words at every chance you get."

"Aww Levi. I love you too!"

"Fuck off!"

"C'mon! Don't be so cruel!"

"Say another word and I swear I'll shove that head of yours up your shithole."

"You're no fun!"

"At least I'm not psychologically disabled like someone here."

"Nope. You're vertically disabled."

"…"

"…"

"What. Did. You. SAY?"

"Nothing! Nothing! Just saying how much I l–o–v–e you!"

I watch them with amusement. And unknowingly, a smile finds itself around my lips.

"Mmmm… Carla! Thws ws doo goodh!" Hange speaks with their mouth full.

Mom laughs. Levi gives them a disgusted look.

"Don't talk while stuffing your mouth."

Hange swallows the food and takes a sip of the champagne they brought earlier. "Chill out shor– I mean Levi! Carla knows me!" Another sip. "And you!" They continue, pointing their finger at mom. "You are the best cook in the entire world!"

"Thank you Hange." Mom continues to laugh.

As you can see, I'm in the middle of this weird conversation that is currently going on in our dinner table. I'm sitting next to mom, who's currently refilling the glasses with more champagne. I'm not allowed, of course. Still underage. So I've been served soft drinks as compensation. And obviously, I'm sulking.

I am trying to make an impression on the guy sitting across me, you know! And drinking soda while he sips his champagne isn't really helping my cause.

Anyway, as I was saying, Levi and Hange are sitting across us. Hange across mom, and Levi next to them. So yeah, we are currently sitting face to face and watching as mom endures Hange's out-of-control stream of praises.

"Ah, this is del-licious! Seriously, even the best restaurants in Stohess can't cook a steak this good! Isn't that right, Levi?!"

"Tch! Behave yourself, shitty glasses", Levi shoots them another glare, then turns to mom. "It was a very nice meal Carla." There's genuine appreciation in his voice, even though his face remains neutral. "Thank you."

Mom beams at him. "That's very kind of you to say Levi."

Wow! Okay, let me get this straight. He speaks nicely to my mom, shouts and curses at Hange, and outright ignores me!

What the fuck is his problem?!

A/N: I love the interactions between Levi and Hange XD They're too much fun to write! Anyone wondering about 'the new kid'? I'll reveal who it is when the time comes! ;)

Oh, and next chapter will focus mainly on Hange and their past! So, wait for it! XD

Thanks for reading! ^^