A/N: I updated twice in one day? Yes, yes I did! You're welcome! x
Just a Kiss
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That afternoon, Levi was perched on the brick wall across from the school's driveway. Farlan and Isabel were with him, chatting and smoking. Levi wasn't smoking today. His eyes were fixed on the gates, looking for Eren's tall, lanky form coming their way. He grimaced as he saw Isabel tiptoe to kiss Farlan, out of the corner of his eye. They made a cute couple, even if Farlan's sandy blonde hair seemed odd for a goth. Isabel on the other hand, rocked her naturally flaming red hair with huge smoky eyes and a black knit beanie pressing her fringe down over one eye. Isabel ground her cigarette butt out with the toe of her boot just as Levi caught sight of Eren.
Sitting up straighter, he felt a smile pull at his mouth as Eren jogged across the road, swooped down and kissed Levi so hard, he almost fell off the other side of the wall. Luckily Eren's strong arms caught him. Breaking the kiss, he felt his face heat-up as Isabel snickered at their antics.
"You two are so sweet!" she chimed in a sugary-sweet voice. "You coming with us tonight, Levi, or are you going with lover boy here?"
"Nah, he's coming with me tonight," Eren grinned. "Sorry, Is, but you can have him over the weekend."
She rolled her eyes and swatted him upside the head. "We'll hang out tomorrow then, Levi. You're welcome to stay if you can escape."
Levi snorted, "Just see that I don't."
"We'll text you," Isabel smacked her black lips against Levi's hair, smirking as he swatted her away. Turning to Farlan, she linked their fingers together and they strode off down the road towards the bus stop.
Eren watched them go. "Lover boy?" he grinned, cocking an eyebrow at his boyfriend. "Something you want to tell me?"
Levi glowered up at him. "Certainly not. Now let me get up, you beast. The sooner we leave the sooner we can get to yours."
Eren grinned, helping Levi upright and linking their arms together. He knew Levi was still a little unsteady on his ankle but was too proud to ask for help. This was their unspoken compromise.
"So, where's your sister and Armin?"
"Armin finishes late today and Mikasa left early but is having a study session down at McDonald's. So it'll just be us for an hour or two."
"Sounds good to me."
They got home within the next half an hour by bus. Thankfully their was barely any traffic as they'd just missed the school rush. Once in Eren's bedroom, Levi hobbled a little over to Eren's bed and stretched across the cool, neatly straightened covers. "Ahh, it feels like forever since I've gotten to lie down. And it's not even been a day."
Eren smiled with a shake of his head. He set his bag down on his desk and unzipped his hoodie. Levi watched lazily from his position. Other than having taken his boots off at the door, he was still strapped up in his cargo pants and belt. He didn't have the energy to move though.
Once Eren was comfy enough, he was about to sit in his desk chair when Levi held out his hand. "Come over here," he hummed.
Eren paused in a squatting position, before taking the offered hand and crossing to the bed. "What's up?"
"Lie down with me."
Eren felt his heart jolt. It was such a sincere request, even in Levi's deeper voice, there was something soft in his tone and the expression in his eyes. Sensing his hesitation, Levi shuffled over onto his side and made more space for Eren. The tall teen laid down on his side, facing Levi, their chests practically pressed together. Levi looked somewhat nervous, an expression he only allowed to show when he was with people he trusted.
Not that Eren had been staring him a lot.
Levi pressed his lips together before tentatively pressing his palm against Eren's chest. His grey eyes flitted up to gauge Eren's reaction and almost seemed surprised when Eren took his hand in his own and kissed his knuckles. His breath hitched at the gentle kiss, the ghost of his boyfriend's lips tingling on his skin. Leaning up, he pressed a chaste kiss to Eren's lips before burying his face into the crook of his neck. The weight of Eren's arm wrapping around him and hugging him close felt like the one thing that had been missing from his life.
He wasn't going to cry.
He refused to cry.
Eren cradled his boyfriend against his chest, not missing the way a dry sob seemed to wrack through his body. He stroked Levi's sleek black hair and tried to make sure that the older boy was as comfortable as possible to just lie there and take a moment for himself. Eventually, he seemed to relax in Eren's embrace. They stayed that way for a long time, the sky growing darker outside his window. Ideally, they should have been making use of their time with no parents or siblings around, but Eren wasn't going to begrudge something that Levi clearly needed.
.
They must have dozed off because the next thing they knew, the overhead light was flipped on and Mikasa's voice called into them. "Wake up, you two! Mum says dinner's going to be ready in about fifteen minutes. So, try and make yourselves look presentable."
She gave a wicked grin as Eren threw a shoe at her. She ducked out of the room just in time, meaning the converse rebounded off the wardrobe door.
"Eurgh!" he flopped back down on his bed, nearly crushing Levi in the process. The goth was rubbing gingerly at his eyes, trying to get the grit out as well as not smudging his make-up anymore than it already was. Eren pressed a chaste kiss to his forehead. "Are you feeling any better?" he murmured.
"I guess so," Levi said in a hushed voice. "Why are we whispering?"
Eren frowned. "I don't know. Just … felt like a soft moment."
Levi rolled his eyes but didn't comment. Eren was almost sure he saw a small smile on his lips.
Getting up, he stretched his cramped muscles and raked a hand through his hair before dropping down into his desk chair. He swivelled in semi-circles, watching as Levi roused himself from the dead and tried to straighten himself up. He was wearing an unusually colourful shirt today, black and sky-blue striped with long sleeves. Eren bit back a shy smile, as Levi adjusted one of his ear studs. His rings gleamed in the light. The weight of his own ring on his right hand made Eren feel a little giddy whenever he was consciously aware of it. He loved it.
Levi stood up, the chain linking his wallet to his belt clinking softly. "Come on, kid, lets go and help your mum set the table."
Eren's eyes grew wide. "Set the table?"
"What?"
"That's just … oddly endearing of you."
"Gross, you make me want to scour myself with steel wool."
"Good, then maybe you can find some charm under there under all this bitterness."
"Har-har," Levi deadpanned, leading the way out of the bedroom. Eren snickered as he followed him downstairs.
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Carla was busy in the kitchen, putting the finishing touches on some type of pasta. She smiled over at Levi and Eren as they entered the kitchen. "Good evening boys," she said. "How are things at school? Will you be staying for dinner, Levi?"
"If it's not an imposition, Mrs. Jaeger."
"Not at all, the more the merrier."
"School's okay, mum," Eren shrugged. "It's mainly just revision now and then I get to choose a course to drop."
She frowned up at him. "You shouldn't sound so happy about that."
Levi tried to bite back a smirk. Eren jostled him, anyway, knowing what his immediate would be. They'd had this discussion themselves a few times as well. "Not everyone can be a smart-arse like Levi here."
Levi rolled his eyes. Eren took a stack of plates from one of the cupboards and nodded towards the cutlery drawer for Levi. Carla ripped off some kitchen-roll for him to use as napkins. Carrying his bundle into the dining room, Levi fished the placemats out of the cupboard and then helped set the table with Eren. Mikasa grabbed glasses for everyone and started pouring out the drinks just as the timer in the kitchen started to chime. As Carla started playing the food up, she called out for Eren to come and help her with the salad. As he brushed by, Eren ran his hand along the small of Levi's back, giving him a wink over his shoulder before he disappeared into the kitchen. Levi gripped the back of the chair a little tighter, his heart skipping.
the chair a little tighter, his heart skipping.
Mikasa jostled him and gave him a knowing smirk.
He was about to say something sarcastic, when he heard the front door open and close.
"I'm here, I'm not late at all!" Grisha called out, his face a little flushed as he untangled himself from his coat and hat, knocking his glasses askew in the process.
"By the skin of your teeth!" Carla reprimanded teasingly from the kitchen.
Exhaled loudly before walking into the dining room. He smiled when he saw Levi. "Hello Levi, how are things? How's the arm healing?"
"Pretty good. Doesn't sting as much anymore. My ankle still feels a little … weak."
"It should be fine by the time summer holidays are in fall swing," Grisha assured. "And the … counselling sessions? How are they going?"
Levi shrugged, nonplussed. "They're going. I'm not convinced how much they're helping but it does feel nice to vent out about some things."
"Well, baby-steps. Sometimes just getting it out in the open is a good thing."
Levi agreed with a smile and a nod as Grisha took his seat at one end of the table. He went into the kitchen to help carry the plates into the dining room. Carla smiled gratefully at him being so polite. He'd never felt so inclined to help his own mother in such a way beyond the age of ten, but there was something sweet about Carla Jaeger. She exuded warmth and hospitality. It was something his mother could learn a thing or two about.
They sat down at the dining room table and slipped easily into idle chatter, catching up on the day's events and such. It was comfortable and just so easy. Levi would have felt envious if he wasn't being included, welcomed with open arms, into a family affair. He readily participated in the on-going conversations, feeling relieved when no one snapped at him, or told him that his opinion was clearly an educated guess at best. He didn't have to roll his eyes in annoyance either. He liked being included into Eren's family like this.
When the subject of the second years graduation prom came up, Levi inwardly cringed. He explained how his band was meant to play at the gig, but at the same time he didn't know what had happened with any of that. He would need to ask Hange and Mike about it. It wasn't as though they weren't prepared, it was more that their prom was in about three weeks and he had given absolutely zero thoughts about it.
"Will you be going with him, Eren?" Mikasa asked.
"Of course, we already agreed. I just … I wasn't sure if you still wanted to after all that's happened," he trailed off sheepishly, casting a sideways look at Levi.
The older boy shrugged. "I'm happy to still go, it just means probably no dancing."
"I'm a terrible dancer anyway!" Eren laughed.
"You can always slow-dance," Carla smiled. She turned her gaze to Grisha, "Your dad and I used to slow-dance all the time in the kitchen before you two came along."
"Why in the kitchen?" Mikasa frowned.
"Well, we used to have all carpet throughout the house," Grisha said. "You can't bust a move on carpet."
"Dad no!"
"Gah my ears!"
Levi couldn't suppress the laugh as both Jaeger teens cringed so hard at their dad, a professional practitioner of medicine, jiving about in his chair. He had to wipe at his eyes to stop his grey eyeshadow from running down his cheeks. "Oh, this is brilliant!" he choked between laughs.
Eren covered his face in his hands and tried to sink lower in his chair. Mikasa was shaking her head with her eyes closed, trying not to look up at her dad, her cheeks flushed pink.
Just as the laughter was subsiding, a loud knock came from the front door.
Everyone turned to one another, silently asking who that could be. Levi frowned, watching as Carla sighed, wiped her hands on her napkin before getting up to answer the door. She'd barely reached for the latch when another series of sharp, impatient knocks came from it. She waited a moment, before opening the front door. Levi tried to crane back in his chair but was unable to see who it was.
He didn't catch what was said but he distinctly heard Carla say, "Wait a moment. I'll get him."
Turning back to the table he hissed, "Fuck."
"Levi?" Carla gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I'm afraid your parents are insisting you go home with them."
"How did they even find me here?" he groused. "It's not like I leave your address lying around."
"Are you kidding?" Eren protested. "It's night! Why could they possibly want him home other than to one-up us?"
"Eren calm down," Grisha sighed. "If Levi's parents insist, he has to go, then it would be best for him to go. You are welcome to stay, though."
"I'd rather just go, Mr. Jaeger," Levi said morosely. "I don't want them to ruin your evening any further." Standing up from the table, he gave Eren's shoulder a squeeze before accepting a hug from Carla. "Thank you for having me for dinner, Mrs. Jaeger. I'm sorry I have to leave."
"You're welcome anytime, dear," she gave a sympathetic smile.
"Levi, what's taking you so long? It's already late enough!" his mum's voice snapped from the front door.
He ground his teeth together, clenching his eyes and fists tightly before taking a deep calming breath. Visibly relaxing, he went to the coat rack to pull on his leather jacket and stuff his feet into his boots. He called out one last 'Thank you!' before the front door was shut with a little more force than necessary.
The four of them stared in the direction of the hallway for a while, Eren trying to keep his temper in check. Levi hadn't even finished all of his food. It sat there at his spot, looking unwanted and forgotten. It made Eren's insides twist. He clenched his jaw and returned to toying with his pasta, suddenly not in the mood to eat.
Grisha sighed heavily, "The sooner that boy gets away from those parents, the better."
Eren couldn't help but silently agree.
~0~
Levi kicked the front door closed as soon as he was allowed to shuffle through. He delighted in the glare his dad threw him and the way his mum flinched at the loud sound. He shucked off his leather jacket and slung it on the coat hook by the door, before going to stomp up the stairs with his boots still on. He really didn't give a fuck about the carpets anymore. Not that he ever did.
"I don't want you going over to that boy's house anymore," his dad stated matter-of-factly.
Levi froze, halfway up the stairs. Turning slowly, he glared down at his dad. "Why the fuck not?"
"He's not a good influence on you. You need to focus on your exams in the next couple of weeks not swanning around with useless brats like that."
"In case you aren't aware, Dad, I smoke during school hours, I've been fucking boys religiously for the last two years and done a bunch of stuff before even then! So please, tell me how the fuck my boyfriend is a bad influence on me!"
"Boyfriend," his mum scoffed. "You know, we dealt with all those other boys because we knew this was just a phase, but claiming one of them is your boyfriend is just sad, Levi. You need to grow up."
"Grow up? GROW UP?! Eren is my boyfriend you miserable bitch! He has been my boyfriend for the last three months in case you didn't notice!"
"Don't talk to your mother that way!"
"I'll talk to her anyway I please when she insults my boyfriend," Levi sneered.
"Go to your room, I'm sick at the sight of you!"
"Oh, so you drag me away from dinner and aren't even going to feed me now before throwing me up into my prison? Real classy, Dad. I'll make sure to add that to the charges against you. Negligence and starvation. They'll emancipate me in a second."
"Levi, just shut up! You're a spoiled brat who has no idea how the real world works! You fucking went and cut yourself just for someone to pander to your goddamn ego! You don't know what it takes to raise a child and provide for them."
"Well, neither do you."
"Go to your goddamn room!" his dad hollered.
Levi rolled his eyes, anger thrumming through him as he banged his way up the stairs as loud as he could. He hoped a photoframe or two fell as he did so. It wasn't like many of them were of him, anyway. Once in his room, he slammed the door shut, casting his eyes around the room looking for something to throw against the wall. There were a few mugs on his desk, so he grabbed them and hurled them across the room. They shattered, his pens flying out everywhere from one, dark dregs of coffee from the other. It left a small, brown stain. He kicked his shoes off up at the ceiling, barely taking any satisfaction from the dents they made. Then he went to his chest-of-drawers and pulled out every single drawer, and tossed them into a heap on his bed. As soon as the chest was empty, he dragged and pushed it across his floor, wincing at the wood-on-wood squeak it made. It took a while, sweat pouring out of him, before he was able to press the chest up against his bedroom door.
He was not going to be harassed by them anymore.
Straightening up, he panted heavily, wiping sweat from his forehead. The adrenaline he felt was simmering down a little. Using what was left of his rush, he swiped up the shards of porcelain and dumped them in his bin, before organising his drawers across his bedroom floor. Once done, he dropped back down onto his bed with a sigh. At least he had his phone and laptop with him and it was Friday night, so there was no need to go out the bedroom door unless he really needed to.
Opening his group chat with Issy and Farlan, he took a photo of the chaos of his bedroom and sent it to them.
.
Levi: I finally barricaded myself in. SEND PIZZA!
Issy: You're like a right little princess locked up in your tower!
Farlan: Where exactly would the guy deliver the pizza TO?
Levi: My bedroom window obviously.
Levi: I'll toss out my hair.
Issy: Your hairs shorter than Farlan's!
Levi: Not mine, dummy. I keep a bag of human hair under the bed.
Issy: EW! WHY?
Levi: Emergencies, like getting pizza.
Farlan: Dude, I worry about you.
Farlan: I told you to get rid of the human hair LAST YEAR!
Levi: Clearly, I ignored you.
Issy: I thought you were at Eren's tonight? What happened?
Levi: My parents somehow tracked down his address and practically barged in!
Levi: I didn't even get to finish his mum's cooking and I've been sent to bed without dinner.
Farlan: What are you? 5 years old?
Levi: IKR?
Farlan: Mate, that sucks.
Issy: Want us to come rescue you?
Levi: No need. I have a plan. Those two can go fuck themselves.
Farlan: What are you gonna do?
Levi: Well, knowing my parents, they won't bother checking on me for the rest of the night. So …
Issy: You're gonna sneak out?!
Levi: Yup. Wouldn't be the first time, won't be the last.
Farlan: Ah, I remember you did that a bunch last year.
Issy: Good times!
Levi: If I have to stay any longer in this house, I'll murder someone.
Levi: Might as well go where I'm actually wanted.
Issy: We want you too, hun!
Levi: I know but … You guys need couple time.
Farlan: Our baby's all grown up!
Issy: Not by much. I think our smoking has stunted his growth.
Farlan: He started it.
Issy: We ALL know that's not totally true!
Levi: Guys, I CAN read this, you know?
Farlan: We know.
Issy: We know ;)
Farlan: So, when are you gonna do it?
Levi: Probably after midnight. Once I know they're asleep.
Issy: And who says all great fairytales end at midnight?
Levi: Yeah, I'm a regular prince charming.
Farlan: What does that make me then? A mouse?
Farlan: I don't want to be a mouse.
Issy: Aw babe! You can be the fairy godmother if you like.
Farlan: … I'll stick with the mouse.
.
Levi felt calmer as their chat spiraled as it always did. It dwindled a little here and there, mostly when one of them was getting ready for bed or Isabel went to take a shower. They stayed up with him until midnight came around, before they wished him luck, demanded to know all the details first thing in the morning, and then said 'goodnight'.
Sitting up in his bed, Levi strained his ears for any indication that his parents were still awake. There was no light coming from underneath the door, so that was already a good sign. He stayed that way for a few minutes and upon hearing nothing, he quietly made his way around the room, grabbing clean underwear and a fresh shirt from his splayed drawers. He folded them into his messenger bag before stepping up onto his bed and opening the window. It whined a little on its hinges as he pushed it outwards. The roof of the garage was barely three feet down, so it was easy to gently lower his bag and then himself onto it with barely any sound. He then pushed the window to, so it looked as though it was closed from the outside.
Getting down from the garage roof was a little trickier thanks to his ankle still feeling tender. He dropped his bag down first, and then slowly brought himself to the edge of the ledge on his arse, before easing himself down with his hands hooked over the top. His arms quaked at the sudden strain, but he wasn't about to rush anything. Finally, with his arms fully extended, he dropped down the rest of the way, making sure to land on his good leg. Straightening up, he let out a sigh of relief. Getting up onto the garage was easy enough, by stepping on the neighbour's wall and hoisting himself up. But it was too narrow a wall to jump down on, especially in the dark.
With one last glance at the house to make sure no lights suddenly turned on; Levi set off down the road to catch the last bus.
.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Eren grimaced a little, blinking blearily around his room. He had drifted off to sleep whilst reading in bed. His bedside light was still on and glared right into his eyes. He checked the time and groaned. It was just gone 1am. He rolled over onto his back and slung an arm over his eyes, his head feeling jumbled.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Frowning, he glanced around the room. Where was the noise coming from? Pushing himself upright in bed, he nearly jumped out of his skin when another sharp 'tap!' resounded from his bedroom window. Clawing the curtains open he glanced around before pushing himself up to peer out of the window properly. He froze when he saw a dark figure standing outside at the corner of his house. What did he do? They'd obviously seen him now, so there was no hiding that. Maybe they had the wrong house? Curiosity got the better of him, so he unlatched the window and pushed it open.
"Who is it?" he called as quietly as possible. He didn't want to disturb his parents.
"Eren, it's Levi!" came the hushed voice. "Can you let me in?"
Eren was suddenly wide awake and pushing the window open wider. "What are you doing here?"
"I snuck out. I'm going to climb up. Keep the window open for me."
"Are you crazy?" Eren hissed. "Your parents are going to kill you! And -and you can't climb! Your ankle is still bad!"
"Good enough for this," Levi grunted as he started to climb up the stubby little tree outside Eren's window. He'd seen Eren do it, but somehow the kid had made it look effortless. Eventually, he reached the ledge and -with Eren's help -was able to haul himself inside through the window.
They fell into a tangled heap on Eren's bed. He was sure they'd made a lot of noise, but no one started running down the hall screaming, so he figured that they were safe. For now, at least. Closing the window, Eren turned to where Levi was tugging off his boots and pulling his jumper off over his head. He didn't have a jacket on, and it wasn't the warmest night outside. Coolness emanated off of him.
"You're crazy!" Eren huffed a laugh as Levi stood up and shoved his cargo pants down, the buckles and chains rattling as they dropped. "Shh! You have to be quiet!"
Levi chuckled before bending down and stealing a kiss from Eren. His cool lips sent pleasant shivers through the younger teen, and he obediently shut his mouth with a dopey grin as he watched his boyfriend strip down to his t-shirt and underwear. Shuffling over to press his back against the wall, Eren pulled the covers back for Levi to crawl in next to him.
"Just so you know," he said quietly. "My parents are two doors away and it's already late …"
Levi cocked an eyebrow at the unspoken warning. "Relax, kid, I am not about to take advantage of you right now. Well … maybe a little," he teased as he skimmed his cool fingertips up Eren's shirt, seeking the warm skin beneath. "However, that's not why I came over."
Eren's expression fell into a frown as Levi wriggled down against the pillows and pulled the covers up around them. "Shit, did something happen at your house? What did your parents do?"
"Believe it or not, they sent me to bed without dinner." Levi rolled his eyes. "Like I'm a child."
"Fuck, do you want me to sneak you something? I can go downstairs, it's not a problem."
"No, I'm -I'm not really hungry anymore." Levi sighed wearily, letting his eyes fall closed. He looked so helpless. Reaching up with his bandaged arm, Levi edged closer and hugged Eren. "Can you just … hold me? I really need that right now."
"Of course, babe, I'm here. I've got you."
Levi sighed contently, "… thank you."
Dropping a kiss to his forehead, Eren chuckled. "You don't need to thank me, silly."
Levi looked up through his fringe to see Eren looked down at him with such adoration in his sleepy green eyes. His heart swelled and suddenly his mind went utterly blank. All that existed in that moment was the two of them wrapped in each other's arms in the lamplight. His heart did a little happy skip in his chest and every emotion he had been feeling all day threatened to burst out.
Cupping his face in his hand, Levi leaned up and kissed Eren, softly and deeply. He threaded a hand through Eren's hair and down his neck, tracing every part of him as he could reach. The kiss didn't deepen any further, nor lead to anything else. Eren was giving Levi so many firsts; before Eren a kiss had always been a gateway to something, but now a kiss could just be a kiss, with no promises or demands or anything else attached.
It was just a kiss, and it was perfect.
Eren fell asleep not too long after they'd caught up on all that had happened since dinner that evening. Levi promised to show Eren photos of his room later, as they were both starting to yawn a little. Eren got snuggly and ended up with his head nestled against Levi's chest. Not that the older teen minded; his brain was still wired enough for him to scroll through social media and read some of the latest news. He did turn the bedside lamp off, though, so as not to disturb Eren.
Even when he'd gotten bored with his phone, Levi's brain would not shut itself off.
He got a surge of butterflies in his stomach whenever Eren shifted next to him and brushed his hand against Levi's leg or stomach or nuzzled deeper against his chest. He lightly brushed Eren's hair out of his heads then trailed his fingers down the teen's cheeks and jaw, before going back to ghost over his lips.
He loved kissing Eren.
In fact, he loved quite a lot about being with the kid. He couldn't deny that he was eager for Eren's company, even though it was an alien feeling to him. It was a welcomed one, though. On top of that, the damned brat made him smile. He helped take care of him when he did stupid shit and wasn't afraid to call Levi out when he was talking out of his arse. At the same time, Eren seemed to be able to control his temper a little more and was making remarkable improvements in his handling of his schoolwork, especially Chemistry. Not to mention, just being with Eren made him feel weightless and happy –
"Fuck!" he breathed out, glancing down at Eren half-hidden against Levi's shirt. His heart was drumming in his ears as he stroked Eren's cheek with his thumb. "I've fallen in love with you."
A/N: Please feel free to leave a review!