A/N: Hehe... *nervous* I'm late, I knowwww! Thing is... a lot happened in the past couple of months. I kinda... got married! Sooo... yeah. Things are a bit hectic here XP

Well, I hope you like the chapter!

Chapter Summary: Ackermans are introvert beings, often tortured by their own internal conflicts.

~Mikasa Ackerman~

"What's that brat doing here?!" is what leaves Uncle Kenny's mouth as soon as we're out of earshot.

I sigh. This is gonna be difficult.

As we take the turn that leads to our house, my mind travels back to Eren. I wince internally remembering how lifeless he seemed. Guilt and helplessness eats me out from within. Eren was there for me when I lost my parents. He's the one I've always looked up to. I thought I was ready to do anything for him, as long as it made him happy. I wanted to be able to return even just a little bit of everything he's done for me.

But now, I don't think I've ever felt so powerless before. I always thought Armin and I were enough for Eren. That we can be there for him in any situation, that we can protect him. From the world, from others, even from himself.

I've never been more wrong.

Because this time, we have failed. We've been doing everything we can think of and yet, he wouldn't open up to us. Closing himself off like that and suffering in silence – while all we could do was watch.

And then, Levi Ackerman came out of the blue and immediately, Eren sought comfort in him.

It will be a lie if I say I wasn't jealous. I was angry, furious even. How dare he leave Eren heartbroken like that and then waltz back into his life like it's nothing? Especially when my friend is at his most vulnerable. I would've stepped in and told him to leave, to never show himself in front of us again. But Armin held me back. And then he pointed it out. Something I probably would've overlooked intentionally had he not showed it to me.

Levi Ackerman was holding Eren like he's the most precious thing in the world. And Eren was finally looking alive.

That's when I knew.

We're not enough for Eren anymore. Not this time. The shorty is the one he needs. It has to be him.

I thought I was ready to do anything to make Eren happy. But watching silently as someone else came out of nowhere and claimed the most special place in his heart proved to be a much harder task than I'd previously assumed. After all, Armin and I have always been the ones Eren prioritizes the most. It's not easy to accept it when someone else takes that away all of a sudden.

Sometimes I envy Armin. He can always think rationally and choose the best course of action. People would say I'm the same, that I'm unemotional and ruthless. I do what's necessary, not caring about anyone or anything. Yes, it's true. I am like that. But not when those two are concerned. To me, Eren and Armin come before all of that. When it's about them, all sense of rationality leaves me.

So it's no wonder that I'm in a dilemma right now. On one hand, I want Eren to be happy and for that he needs Levi. That much I'm sure of. But on the other hand, that shorty is getting more priority than Armin and I. And no matter how selfless you think I am, I can't just accept it with a smile!

Well, anyway. It's not like I have a choice. Eren's emotion is what's most important right now. So, it's pretty much clear what I have to do.

Come to think of it, I need to get back to them soon. And for that, I gotta make Uncle Kenny understand the whole picture.

"He's Hange's friend", I speak once we get inside the house.

"Hange…? Hange Zoe? That eccentric neighbor of the Jaegers?" Uncle Kenny doesn't seem impressed.

"Yes. Neighbor of the Jaeger family and also Eren's friend."

He mutters something about 'weird choice in friends'. Then, as if remembering something important, spins around with wide eyes. "What was Hange's friend doin' with Eren?!"

Ah!

I purse my lips and think. How do I explain this to him? The situation is weird enough as it is. No matter how you look at it, it's messed up. Besides, he saw those two. Of course he knows something's up. I can't just make up an excuse and convince him otherwise. My uncle is too sharp for that.

So, with an exasperated sigh I decide to go with the truth.

"When Hange visited Shiganshina last November, Levi also came with them."

Uncle Kenny stares at me with disbelief. "You didn't tell me anythin' about it!"

"I didn't think it was necessary ", I say with my eyes downcast. "It's not like he was here to meet us or anything. We just happened to be in the same place at the same time. Besides, you get worked up for nothing every time you hear so much as his name."

"I don'! I could care less about an uncaring brat like him!"

"You do, uncle. Don't try to deny what I can obviously see", I reply with a sigh. "Anyway, so that's when he met Eren. And… Eren's been sort of smitten with him ever since."

I didn't think the day will ever come when I'll see my uncle struggle with what to say. He's always so sure of himself and acting like he knows everything; it's actually quite hard to make him shut up. So when I see him open his mouth to say something, then close it, then open again, and repeat the same process several times, all without being able to produce a single word, that's quite a rare sight for me.

"Wha–Whatcha mean smitten?!" he finally manages to find his voice. "He's twice Eren's age! Not to mention he's got a daughter!"

I say nothing.

"Don't tell me! He's forcing the Jaeger brat, ain't he?!" he starts pacing back and forth in the dining hall. "I knew it!"

"Uncle", I say loud enough for him to stop his movement and look at me curiously. "Nobody's forcing anyone. In fact, Levi started discouraging Eren's advances as soon as he learned he's underage. Stop assuming things on your own."

Uncle Kenny looks like he's having a hard time breathing. Honestly, I feel kinda bad to dump all of this on him so suddenly.

"It don' make no sense!" he's hissing furiously now. "Why would Eren–?!"

"Fall for him, huh?" I finish the rest of his sentence, then exhale loudly. "Eren thought he was younger. By the time he knew he was already in too deep. But then again, I guess there really is no way of telling who you're gonna fall for. Maybe he would've fallen even if he knew."

"Mika", I raise my head hearing his tone. "Eren's still a kid. He don' know what he's doin'."

"Eren is not a kid, uncle. He's turning 18 tomorrow."

He huffs. "That don' make him stand on the same ground as Levi, does it? Eren's far too young to become an equal partner for someone like him."

"I won't argue with you, because you are right in your position", I say quietly. "But what you said – don't you think it depends on the two people concerned?"

What am I saying? Wasn't I the one telling Eren to forget about Levi until now? Then why am I defending him?

"Mika–"

"I know it's unusual", I cut him off. I need to say this. "And I'm not saying that if it did happen, it would end happily. No one can guarantee that. But– But I saw them today… and… and even though Levi's already rejected him, I think… I think this is something more than just a fleeting emotion… for both of them. I mean, he came all the way from Stohess for him. And– And you saw the change in Eren after he came, didn't you?!"

I pause, feeling out of breath.

"Even Armin and I couldn't do what that man did just by being here", my voice lowers into a whisper. "He gave Eren a purpose. A will to move ahead."

Uncle Kenny stares at me for a long moment.

"You okay with this, kid?"

The question catches me off guard. Am I okay? And okay with what actually? Eren is vulnerable right now. He's in a position where he needs someone to protect him from the painful reminders, to comfort him, to keep him strong. And he's chosen Levi to be that someone. Am I okay with his choice? Well, I surely would've been happier if he'd decided to lean on me or Armin instead of that guy. And it's not personal. I'd have felt the same if it was anyone else in his place. But what I feel isn't of importance here. Eren chose Levi.

Not me. Not Armin. Levi.

Well, that shorty had better do something worthwhile. I will punch him in the face if I find out he's taking advantage of Eren in any way.

Eren is one of those very few people who are close to me, who accepted me as I am without calling me arrogant or self-centered. He protected and comforted me when I needed a friend the most. I look up to him as a dear friend, as family even. Am I bothered by the fact that he's attracted to another person? No. But am I uncomfortable with him relying on someone else more than me?

… Maybe.

"Yes", I finally reply. Yes, I am okay with Eren choosing Levi over us.

Only as long as it means he is happy.

~Levi Ackerman~

"Colors are very powerful, Levi."

"Yeah?"

"Yes! They have the ability to express. To give meaning to something. To form words out of nothing. And when a single color outshines all the others, engulfing everything around it with numerous shades of itself, it possesses the power to influence the whole environment around it."

"Like how we associate winter with gray or faded colors?"

"Exactly! And summer is expressed as bright and vibrant, like yellow or orange. There are a lot of examples. Like… when we think of pain, we imagine it blue. Or… we see strength in red and purity in white."

"Sounds interesting when you put it that way."

"It is interesting! Our brain subconsciously picks up on these things and tunes our mind in a way that if we are exposed to the abundance of monochrome, our emotions sync with it spontaneously. White soothes us. Yellow gives us energy. Green promises a new beginning."

"Then what about black?"

"Black… black tells us to grieve."

Sweet and beautiful Petra. Always so curious and observant about the world.

I wonder why I'm remembering her all of a sudden. Maybe because this the first time I'm attending a funeral after hers. Or maybe… because the manifestation of her words is in front of me right now.

Black.

The color of death.

A single color influencing the whole environment around it.

Known and unknown faces, all clad in formal attire of that very same color, standing side by side. It's quiet, except for the soft murmur of the guests. The power of black intensified by those gloomy looks and absence of words. Which is why even this sunny spring afternoon seems dark and sad. And smells of death.

A gathering to share pain. To connect. To comfort each other. Something that should be reserved only for the closest ones. But of course, the society begs to differ. As with any other case, it pokes its nose in here too, and demands that this occasion be shared beyond just the closest circle.

I look around, eyes searching for a certain someone. There he is. Wearing the proper clothes a son should be wearing on his father's funeral. Standing beside his mother and greeting each and every guest with perfect manner.

But… everything else about him is wrong!

The green in his eyes seems to have lost its golden spark. They look dull and subdued. And lifeless. The usual cheery grin is replaced with a polite smile, something which is forced and so obviously fake that it hurts to even see him try.

This isn't the Eren I know. It's worse than a ghost of him.

I want to go over there and hold him, or at least do something to make those eyes brighter again. But that isn't my place. I'm neither a close relative, nor a family friend like Hange or those brats, Armin and Mikasa. And getting myself involved further will only make things more complicated for the both of us. I know. I know all that. And yet, I can't help the sharp pain in my chest when it's Mikasa who holds his hand, when it's Armin who stands by his side, when it's Hange who pats his head.

And my mind, my body, my whole being screams – It should be me, me, me!

So, with clenched fists and gritted teeth, I stand far from the crowd, leaning against a tree. A location that enables me to have a perfect view of Eren.

Yes, this is where I belong. Far from him. Where all I can do is watch.

Or… so I thought.

Of course, we're talking about Eren fucking Jaeger who seems to be hell bent on making me waver. Because just as I'm trying my hardest to bury all these irrational emotions and close myself off, he raises his head and starts looking around. And I know I'm doomed the moment those weirdly beautiful emerald eyes lock with mine and the familiar brightness returns to them for a split second.

It's me! I'm the one who can give him the support he needs to go ahead!

No matter how much I try to convince myself otherwise, those stupid words keep echoing inside my head. Like a fucking tape recorder!

So before things get worse and I end up doing something I'll regret, I leave.

A/N: Okay! So this was mostly based on the Ackermans. We know how closed off both Mikasa and Levi are. It's tough to get an idea of what's going on inside their heads from their usual behavior or conversation. So I decided to delve in a bit deeper and focus on the inner conflict in their minds. To see the characters from a more intimate perspective we need to be in their shoes. That's what I'm trying to accomplish here.

I'll try to update sooner this time XP And the next chapter will be more Ereri focused. So, wait for meeee! XD