A/N: Thank you to FanofBellaandEdward for proof-reading this for me! Also, a shout out to AngelQueen1325, Ern Estine 13624 and Peppermint the Cat for their supportive reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters of Attack on Titan.

Excuses, Excuses

.

.

Making excuses to go to Levi's house was becoming something of a habit as winter wore on. It was a bit of a relief that Levi's parents weren't really home a lot of the time. When asked about it, Levi had shrugged and told Eren that his Dad did a lot of business with Japan and so kept odd office-hours, whereas his Mum worked as a university professor in the next town over. It meant that a lot of the afternoons were free until late evening, which meant plenty of time for the two to have time to themselves.

Over the course of the last week they had been getting to know one another a little more. Since Levi had promised to show some restraint on his more physical desires, that left a significant amount of time aside for them to talk.

Eren learned that Levi liked his music and listened to a lot of heavy metal, rock and screamo songs, he liked horror movies and was an avid reader, mostly of horror but he had a penchant for fantasy and sci-fi too. In turn, Levi learned just how nerdy Eren was; he liked the superhero films as well as Harry Potter and Pokemon, and he had a pretty incredible memorabilia collection. He was glad that Levi liked to read books, because he'd run out of new books to explore. He was tempted to ask Levi to borrow one of his own, however he felt somewhat reluctant to ask.

Mikasa had been watching his comings and goings a lot lately. It made him feel on edge whenever he stepped in through the door. He needed to make something up almost every other day. He knew she didn't believe a word he said, but his parents did and for now, that was all that mattered. Besides, the Christmas holidays were right around the corner. He doubted he'd spend much time with Levi during that time anyway.

.

.

Wednesday afternoon found Eren in the library chewing the end of his pen as his eyes roamed over the homework in front of him. There was just something that wasn't clicking in his brain. The words weren't weaving together and making sense in his brain. Tapping the pen against his teeth he let out a heavy sigh, dropping his head into his hand.

"Hey lover."

He jumped at the voice purring into his ear.

Sitting back in his chair he looked up to see Levi smirking down at him. Eren glanced around at the bookshelves looking for any signs of lurking shadows.

"Relax," Levi drawled dropping his bag into the seat next to Eren's, his bag on the table. "Your friends aren't here."

"I was looking for yours," Eren stated with a twitch of a smile. "Don't want to get shanked."

Levi rolled his eyes, "It's not really their style." He dropped down into the chair beside Eren and propped his feet up on the chair next to him. "So why are you squirrelled away in here all by yourself?"

"Trying to work out this assignment and my brain keeps getting blocked."

"Need any help?"

Eren sighed and tossed his pencil aside. "I'd rather just set it on fire. Got your lighter handy?"

Levi smirked but folded his arms on the tabletop and leaned forward. "What exactly are you stuck on? I can help."

"That's not fair."

"So?"

Eren frowned. Levi was in the year above him. If he'd done the same subject, or could even decipher the question into English for him, it would be a big help. However, didn't that counteract the point of learning this for himself?

A paper ball bounced off his head.

"Oi!" he protested.

Levi rolled his eyes. "Give me that sheet." Without waiting, he snagged the papers up from Eren's book and sat back in in the chair, flipping the pages as he scanned through them. "Oh, you see this is relatively easy once you decode the archaic language they write this shit in." Grabbing the discarded pencil, he scribbled something on the sheet and then flipped it over for Eren to read.

Green eyes flitted from side-to-side before understanding dawn on his face.

"Shit!" Eren cursed. "I was doing it backwards this whole time?!"

Levi chuckled deeply, nodding. "You're welcome, dumbarse."

Eren blushed a little but quickly went back to his assignment. Levi sat and watched him for a few moments before clearing his throat to get Eren's attention. "So … I was wondering if you had plans on Friday night?"

Eren's head shot up. "You mean … like a date?"

Levi scoffed. "No, kid, not like a date. There's just this old-school theater and they're showing some classic. Figured you might be interested." There was a waver in his eyes as he said it. He inspected his nails, or the studs on his jacket, or the pewter ring on his forefinger. Not once did he look Eren in the eye.

It took a few moments for the younger teen to realise that Levi was nervous.

Somehow, it gave a much softer edge to the older guy, even when he scowled at Eren's understanding expression. "Eurgh!" he grimaced. "Don't look at me like that!"

"Like what?"

"Like you wanna have my babies."

"Aw gee," Eren drawled sarcastically. "And here I was thinking I hid it too well to notice."

Levi cocked an eyebrow in amusement before becoming serious again. "So? This Friday; are you free?"

"Friday night's are sort of … the night I hang out with my family." As soon as the words left his mouth, Eren felt like a six-year-old being caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The blank expression Levi gave him did not help. "I mean –I'd love to go with you … any other day. Just … I can't go on Fridays."

Levi nodded, "Okay. Well I doubt they'll show many other things before Christmas but I'll let you know." Glancing up at the clock, Levi tapped a rhythm on his knees before standing up abruptly. "I'm going for a smoke. See you around."

"Er yeah sure," Eren frowned as he watched Levi's retreating back. His shoulder's sagged. "See you …"

He'd really ballsed that one up.

.

.

Just before his last period of the day, Mikasa and Armin accosted him at his locker. Mikasa grabbed him in a headlock and Armin laughed good-naturedly as Eren's hair was ruffled into a mess. Freeing himself, he ran a hand through his hair.

"Goddamn, Mikasa, now I have to go around looking like a slob!" he groused.

Mikasa snorted and rolled her eyes, "No more than usual, bro."

Eren rolled his eyes and resumed slotting a few more unneeded books into his locker. He'd survive the weekend without them. Once he was prepared, Mikasa waved them off, her own lesson down the other end of the hall, whilst Eren and Armin went off towards the indoor gym. As much as Eren had detested Physical Education in primary school and secondary school, it felt like an amazing challenge as soon as he'd hit college-level. At first he'd been nervous to go, considering all the body-builder types that seemed to lurk around every corner. However, once he and Armin had gone a few times, gotten to know some other guys, it became easier to stomach.

Once changed into their running gear, Eren and Armin made straight for the treadmills.

Eren took an extra few moments to stretch himself out, he'd had a rough night's sleep, before stepping up onto the treadmill and adjusting the speed and incline. Plugging his earbuds into his ears, he started the machine and adjusted his pace accordingly.

Five songs later, he finally felt his body flushing with heat and adrenaline.

He paused at the end of every song to take a gulp of water. He was going faster than Armin was.

It was only when he was through to his nineteenth song that something caught his attention through the glass window. It looked into the adjoining room where the weights and punching bags were. Through it, he saw a guy with incredible muscles on his svelte frame attack the worn, red punch-bag with repeated punches. They were fast, precise and looked lethal.

The black hair was stringy with sweat, whipping about whenever the young man moved. Eren could barely get a good angle from his vantage point. Then something else caught his attention; was that a tattoo?

His ankle rolled underneath him, sending him flying back off the treadmill.

He fell hard on the floor, his back hitting against the machine behind him.

"Shit! Eren are you okay?"

Armin's shock of blonde hair was in his face within seconds. He tried to brush his friend aside, beckoning for a drink as he did so. A few other guys shouted out their concerns, at least three pairs of muscular legs came into view. Eren groaned; he did not need to be eye-level with anybody's crotch right now.

"Here, have some water."

Eren accepted the bottle from Armin with a wan smile. "Thanks," he gushed, taking huge gulps of water.

"You okay mate?" one of the other guys asked.

Eren nodded mutely, too busy trying to get his breath back.

"He'll be okay, thanks guys!" Armin chimed before offering Eren his hand. "Come on. I think that's enough running for one day."

Eren opened his mouth to argue, however as soon as he put weight on his ankle, he grunted and staggered against the blonde boy. "Yeah, okay, you win."

Armin hooked one of Eren's arms around his neck, and together they hobbled to the changing rooms. Once changed and refreshed with a quick, awkward shower, Eren and Armin made their way out of the building, opting to go and get a bite to eat.

~0~

Levi made him feel things he didn't have words for.

It left a burning intensity in his muscles that he couldn't name. All he knew was that he wanted to touch every inch of the older boy and have that burn grow to electrifying degrees. He wanted Levi to bite every secret part of his body –even parts he'd never thought of as erotic before. He could make Eren's body sing just by nibbling on his wrist!

It was maddening!

There are a moment or two where Eren felt like maybe he has a similar effect on Levi. He'd witnessed the older boy have a few knee-jerk reactions when Eren had grazed his teeth along Levi's collarbone, and another time he had gripped Levi's arse which seemed to make said teen thrust against him even more forcefully. Eren had to assure himself he wasn't entirely focused on anything but the feel of Levi's mouth on his.

On this particular afternoon, it was a cold hard day that paved the way for how the upcoming weeks of Christmas would be. Levi had managed to wrestle Eren out of his shirt, leaving him in only a gym vest, and was setting out to leave a hickey on his belly-button, when the younger boy glanced down and saw the tell-tale black of a tattoo peaking out the back of Levi's shirt. He'd see the beginnings of a sleeve on one arm, however he was curious as to what was on the other boys back.

"H-hey! Levi?"

"Uughn?" came the response from his navel.

"Can I –ah! –can I see your tattoos?"

Levi shot him a dark look. He gave a long, deliberate lick up Eren's stomach before cocking an eyebrow. "You can see them," he stated, gesturing to his tattoo-sleeve.

"No … um … the one on your back …"

There was silence.

Daring to look up at Levi in the eye, Eren shrank back from the hardness of those grey eyes. His insides knotted together. "I … er … never mind. It's not important."

Levi narrowed his eyes. He held Eren's gaze as he deliberately lowered himself and resumed marking Eren's hipbones with love-bites. However, Eren felt too humiliated to feel them. He stared intently up at the ceiling, heat pooling at the back of his skin as he tightened his fingers around the duvet.

Once again, he seemed to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.

He was almost too glad when Levi's phone buzzed, a message from his parents, and their time was cut short. For the first time in weeks Levi's parents were going to be home for dinner. Eren shrugged into his shirt, buttoned it up and was out of the front door within fifteen minutes. He couldn't remember if he'd even said 'goodbye' to Levi at the door or not.

His palms itched the entire way home.

When he got in he made no secret of the fact that he was in a bad mood; he tossed his coat on the bannister, kicked his shoes off at the wall and threw his bag behind the door, not evening wincing when he heard the crunch of his water bottle. He hurried up to his room and collapsed face-down on the bed. He muffled a scream into his pillow and punched the mattress a few times, cursing his social awkwardness. A part of him knew he should have just enjoyed it while it lasted but that didn't mean to say that he'd wanted to end so quickly. He'd barely been sneaking over to Levi's house for three weeks and now … what? That was it?

As selfish as he felt, he didn't want that to be the end.

.

.

He must have fallen asleep because when he rolled away from the pillow, his room was almost completely black. Grabbing blindly for his phone he checked the time. 7PM. Dinner would be ready soon. His stomach gave a lurch in protest –no, he didn't really feel like eating right now.

Instead, he grabbed his dressing gown from the end of his bed and decided to take a shower.

On his way towards the bathroom he bumped into his sister as she was coming out. "Oh!" she blinked in surprise. "I didn't realise you were home."

"I fell asleep," he shrugged.

"Aren't you coming down? Dinner's ready?"

Eren shook his head. "I'm feeling a bit run down. Gonna take a shower and hope that clears my head a bit."

"Want me to save you something?"

He pondered this for a moment before nodding. "Okay, sure. Maybe I'll be hungry afterwards."

Mikasa gave him a tender smile and a squeeze on the arm before side-stepping him to get to the stairs. Eren watched her go before shuffling the rest of the way into the bathroom.

The shower didn't do much for him.

It cleared his head a little and his appetite did perk up but other than that, he didn't have the mental energy to do anything. Wiping the steam from the mirror, Eren set his towel aside and stared at his reflection. He couldn't help but frown. Since starting college he'd built up a little bit of muscle definition in his arms and legs, which was good, however he didn't really look that athletic. He looked –and felt –more like someone who exercised just enough to make sure their heart didn't explode whilst eating a doughnut.

He heaved a sigh.

He wasn't built like most other guys; he was tall, fairly lanky and had the sparsest amount of hair on his chest. He could easily see himself being overlooked for someone more built, more dedicated to the gym.

The four large love-bites on his chest and hips didn't help matters

Nor did the ugly mangled scar on his thigh.

He'd been lucky as, up until now, he and Levi had barely removed any clothing in front of each other. That meant he didn't need to discuss the scar or how it came to be. It was a little too personal to tell a casual hook-up.

Running his fingers over the scar, Eren bit his lip.

Would many people be willing to overlook something so crude and ugly?

Would it make them look at him a little more closely and question why there was a scar on his left thigh?

'Doesn't matter now,' he thought wearily as he towelled himself dry and slid into his dressing-gown.

It was only as he was drying his hair that something clicked in his brain; whilst he had been entirely willing to take his clothes off for Levi to ravish him on their secret get together's, he couldn't help but notice that the older teen was not willing to do the same.

Was Levi ashamed of his tattoos? Did he think Eren would judge him for them?

A hard weight settled in Eren's stomach at the thought of not having gotten to see Levi's body properly just once. Not a fleeting glance when he was changing tops, but a proper look. They'd never kissed or teased one another with their shirts off. Eren had to wonder if it was a personal reason on Levi's end, or if he didn't like the way Eren looked and so didn't want to take more layers off than necessary.

The thought sucked.

Returning to his room Eren picked his phone up off his desk and tapped out a quick message to Levi asking if he was free the following day. He needed to get this sorted out once and for all. If it was going to be the last time Eren saw the moody bastard, he might as well make it worth the weeks of merciless teasing.

Levi responded within moments.

.

[19:41] My parents should be gone by 1. You can come by around then.

.

It wasn't exactly the welcome-wagon, but it would do.

.

.

The following afternoon Eren waited patiently until 1:15PM before walking around the corner of Levi's road and heading straight for the front door. He was hesitant to knock on the door in case Levi's parents were still at home, however he reasoned that the moody sod would have warned him if that were the case.

Levi answered the door, his expression blank as always and motioned for Eren to come in.

Once in the attic, Levi sat down on the edge of his bed. He sat forward, arms resting on his knees as he stared up at Eren expectantly. The younger teen hesitated in the middle of the room, not really wanting to sit down for what he had to say. He'd had it all worked out in his head, however now he felt at a loss for words. It didn't help that Levi's gaze was so intense it made his spine turn to jelly.

"Well?" Levi groused, breaking the silence. "I assume you didn't come all the way here to stare gormlessly at me."

Eren tried to be articulate and have some self-control. He tried not to let his fear come through too much. At least, that's what he tried to tell himself later.

"Why don't you touch me?"

Black eyebrows shot up.

"Are you retarded?" Levi's lip curled up. "I touch you all the time. I've been doing my best not to touch you too much."

Eren bristled. "I said I was a virgin, not that I wanted you to treat me like glass!"

Levi raised his hands in surrender. "Well sorry your highness! How the fuck am I supposed to know if you like shit if you're silent the whole time?"

"I'm not silent!"

"You're damn well close!" he snapped. Raking a hand through his jet black hair, Levi sighed. "I have been doing my best to make sure you're comfortable, that you actually want to be here."

"Why else would I come over?" Eren asked with a frown. Surely it had been obvious from the get go?

"How am I meant to know?" the goth kid snapped. "I don't actually know much about you, brat. For all I know this is some weird prank put on by you and your mates."

Eren rolled his eyes.

If any of his friends knew where he was sneaking off to, they'd call the psyche ward.

"It's not a prank," he said. Levi shot him a deadpan look. "Honest. Believe what you like, Levi, but I actually like you."

Said teen scoffed.

Crossing the room, Eren shoved Levi's shoulder earning him a bemused glare in response. "I fucking like you, despite that you scare me shitless and this is the craziest thing I've ever done. I. Like. You."

He had never been so forthright in his life.

Levi stared up at him with bright, grey eyes before hissing out a 'shit!' under his breath. "You really do, don't you?" Eren nodded. Levi frowned. "Why? None of those things you just mentioned are 'good' you know?"

"I can't really explain it." Eren sat down on the bed beside Levi, making sure to keep an inch or two between them. "All I know is … we haven't done anything with out clothes on or anything and … freaked me out I guess."

"Kid, I was respecting your boundaries."

"I know, I know! It's just … I know you've had boyfriends before and –"

"Who said I had boyfriends before?"

Eren blinked. "Er … well … haven't you?"

Levi scoffed. "I fucked them. They were barely around long enough to become my boyfriend."

"Another reason that made me think this was a bit …" he shrugged, trailing off.

Levi watched as the brunette beside him fidgeted awkwardly. Truth be told, he had to restrain himself for his own piece of mind as well as Eren's. If he'd had it his way he'd have bent the brat over the second he'd gotten him alone and had his way with him. He'd had fuck-buddies before, sure. He didn't make a secret of it. However, to see someone as classically handsome as Eren feel self-conscious was enough to kick his libido down a peg or two.

"I didn't mean to make you feel awkward about all this," he finally murmured, reaching out and placing a hand on Eren's thigh.

Eren shrugged. "It's fine."

"We can do whatever you're okay with," Levi insisted. "However, just know that if it gets too much I am removing myself from the situation, got it?"

Eren glanced over at the older teen and swallowed hard. Those made-up eyes sent his insides spinning. Why was it hot when Levi wore eye-liner? He nodded.

Levi gave a firm, heated squeeze. He was already hard for the brat. He cupped Eren's jaw and kissed him, his tongue slipping inside instantly as the kid moaned. Easing down onto the bed, he shifted his weight on top of Eren, a leg slipping between the younger teens thighs. He stiffed momentarily when he felt cool hands slip up the back of his shirt, but it passed.

"Do you want me to take your shirt off?" he growled.

Eren nodded.

Levi slipped the top off over Eren's head, messing his hair up, before quickly pulling his own shirt over his head. Both of them were flustered as he pressed himself down against Eren, grinding his dick against the bulge in the brunette's jeans. He moaned deeply into Eren's mouth, quickening his pace a little. Eren moaned, his hips beginning to thrust up at the friction burn. It was so good and at the same time not good enough.

Levi braced himself up on one arm, continuing his thrusting harder and harder, imagining he was sliding into Eren's tight body. He'd be so tight, so hot, so perfectly –

"Shit!"

Eren convulsed underneath him, his nails digging into Levi's thighs through his jeans as he came. Levi stared down at those red cheeks as Eren panted, desperately trying to regain his breathing. He was dazed.

"Give me two minutes," Levi grunted, slithering off the younger teen. He made his way quickly to the bathroom. He needed to deal with himself quickly.

Eren lie over the edge of the bed, completely worn-out and embarrassed. He'd come in his jeans! How childish was that? It hadn't even been that long, barely a few minutes! If he couldn't handle some over-the-pants grinding action, then how the hell would he deal when or if they went any further?

Propping himself up on his elbows he glanced around the room. Levi had most likely gone to deal with himself elsewhere, after-all he had promised.

That gave Eren a few moments to sort himself out.

By the time Levi returned, Eren had adjusted himself as best he could, the sticky mess already drying on his skin. The older teen looked no different, with only slightly messier hair. Eren gave him a weak smile before averting his gaze.

"Sorry I ditched you," Levi's deep voice broke through his thoughts. "If I'd stayed –I wouldn't have been able to stop myself."

"Maybe next time … You won't have to leave." Eren was surprised the words even came out of his mouth, and yet there they were.

Levi seemed just as surprised. He blinked, silent for a moment and then smirked. "Yeah. That'd be nice."

They lapsed into silence.

"I should probably get going," Eren grumbled in a reluctant manner. He truly didn't want to go anywhere, but he had promised his parents he'd only be gone for an hour or two tops. If he stayed any longer he'd need to start thinking of more convoluted lies.

Levi nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon."

Levi nodded. "Okay. I'll see you soon."

"Are you … er … Busy over Christmas?"

"Well my parents will be taking time off. I doubt I'd get much free time. I can always let you know."

Eren grinned. "Okay. I'd like to see you. Two weeks feels too long already."

Levi's expression remained impassive. He didn't know how to process Eren's words so instead he just nodded. If he said anything else it would most likely be harsh and shatter the softer atmosphere they'd finally accomplished.

"I'm sure I'll have a day or two free. I'll let you know and then maybe we can hang out."

"Sounds good," Eren smiled. It had been a good idea to come here after all. "Okay, I really need to go. My mum'll have a fit if I'm not home by six."

Levi walked him down towards the front door, leaning patiently against the banister as he watched Eren bundled up into his coat and woollens. They said their goodbyes, Eren hovering a little, wondering if they had the sort of agreement where he could just kiss Levi without any other physical necessity, or if that was only reserved for getting off? In the end, he held back.

"See you tomorrow, Levi."

"See you kid. Be safe."

This time Eren got all the way to the third neighbours house before he heard Levi's door slam closed.

A/N: So my lovelies, this is to be the final update whilst I am away on holidays! I will be gone for three weeks -back on the 19th August -so please leave lots of love and reviews for me to read in my down time ;) Hope you all have a great summer!