"Sup Faggot."

I stop mid-step, one hand is on the handle of the front door, backpack on and keys in the other hand. I sigh loudly as soon as I recognize the voice, not even bothering to look at him as I shut the door and set my keys back down on the table. I finally turn towards the couch, crossing my arms while I look down at my shitstain of an uncle.

"You're back." I say boringly, "Thought you would be gone for the longer this time. What has it been, a month? Pretty sure last time it was 4." I glare at him. He gives me a sickening smile, one that immediately indicates his drunken state I had not yet observed. He slowly sits up and looks at me, "Maybe I missed your ugly face. Got any money?" He slings an arm around my shoulders. I immediately push him away, causing him to stumble to the floor.

"I'm not giving you any fucking money. God it's not even afternoon yet and you're already drunk," I stomp back over to get my keys again, "I have to go to school, when I come back the house better not be a wreck. Also if you're going to go around fucking a bunch of poor women again then take them somewhere else, I can't do homework over the moaning." I open the door and glare at him. "I'm sure you'd like it a lot better if you gave up being a fag. You should join me, maybe you'll finally figure out that you're not gay." I clench my fist at his words, trying to hold back the urge to smash his face in. I put all my anger and disgust into my voice, "Just take it somewhere else asshole, okay?" He gives me a drunken thumbs up at that. I already know he's not going to remember what I said, or if he will even remember talking to me at all.

I slam the door on my way out and get into the car as quickly as I can. I sit in my car for a moment, just feeling the dread for the next few weeks till he leaves again. At least I have practice….and I can try to stay over at Hanji's or Erwin's a few nights...not to mention tutoring the brat….I nod then put my keys into the ignition, convincing myself that it'll be fine. As I drive off, I already know I'm late for school.

You're late Hanji texts me from her seat as I finally sit down and get my paper out for notes.

We're in class, shit stain, stop texting me.

I glare at her from the side.

We're just worried about you, Levi, you're never late. Erwin texts next.

It's fine, just got distracted

I tap irritably at my phone, knowing full well the worried expressions that I'm pointedly ignoring from my two best friends.

A few minutes later Hanji sends, He's back, isn't he?

I let out a sigh that they both catch. I don't even have to respond, they already know the answer. I feel Erwin's hand on my shoulder, he squeezes lighty and sincerely. "Mine and Hanji's doors are always open, you know that." He whispers in my ear. I usually hate physical contact like this, but I let it slide because of the nice sentiment. A rare warmth towards my friends fills my chest. I nod as a response, then go back to giving my full attention to the teacher with a hidden smile.

"Funny seeing you here." I say as I set my backpack down on the table. I was going to leave after I walked Mikasa and Armin to the library but on my way out I saw Levi sitting with his nose in some school work. I've never seen him here after school before, so I decided to let curiosity, and boredom, take me to his table. I smile fondly as I watch him slowly raise his head and give me a scowl.

"You get lost?" I let out an annoyed sound at his insult, "No I walked Armin and Mikasa here. I was going to leave but...you seemed more entertaining." I smile at him and he lets out a disbelieving huff. "Yeah, right. I'm trying to get some work done before practice so if you would leave, that'd be appreciated." I ignore his request, setting my hand to prompt up my head. I let my eyes look over at the work he mentioned. "It doesn't look like much."

He rolls his eyes, missing the usual playfulness, "Or just ignore me, shitty brat." He looks back down at his papers and starts writing something down. "It's all due next month, I'm getting ahead." My eyes widen at his admission, "Next month? Not even Armin gets that far ahead!" Someone shushes me as I get too loud, I give them an annoyed look but quiet down anyway, "Why don't you just go home?"

He groans loudly, earning himself a shush as well before he glares at them hard. He sets his pencil down and leans back in his chair, fixing the table with angry scowl. "I don't exactly want to be home right now."

He looks upset, or possibly just angry as he says it. I can tell he's not going to elaborate so I don't bother asking. He picks his pencil up and starts writing again, seemingly ignoring my presence. He seems to get like this sometimes, from what I can tell from one year of his tutoring. In the past I didn't really care, I would just move on and avoid making him more angry. This time though...maybe I feel bad. He does so much for me, and although he is paid, I still feel like I've done nothing in return. Besides, after the movie night I feel like I can at least call him my friend at this point. I think on it a moment longer before finally making up my mind.

"Would you," I pause to see if I've got his attention. He looks up with an annoyed, yet questioning, look. I continue, "Would you like to come over to my house?" His eyes widen in shock, and I totally understand, I'm shocking myself too to be honest. However, I power through and keep talking before he can respond, "I mean-you don't have to. I just figured it's better than working on some assignment you really don't have to do. And I have video games. I know you said you play with Erwin so…" I look over at a bookshelf to my left to avoid his stare. Levi is silent. After a while I start to fear rejection. God it's not like I asked him on a date stop being a baby. I squeeze my eyes shut as I hear him stand up suddenly.

"Okay, let's go." He says, already walking away. I open my eyes and stare at his retreating figure. After a moment I realize what's happening and leap into action, grabbing my backpack and running to catch up. As we walk side by side I let out a relieved sigh, and feel an embarrassingly bright smile break out on my face. "Okay, okay. We have about two hours before you need to start getting ready for practice, so no story driven games. I have first-person shooter games, do you like those?" As we walk to my house, I go off on an excited rant about my different games, not leaving him time to answer any questions. I swear I can see him smile a few times, which makes me think that I definitely made the right choice.

"No no no no no! Ugh!" I almost throw my controller in frustration, but having already been grounded several times for breaking them, I set it down before rocking back into my bed. I cover my eyes with my arm, "This isn't fair! You can't be this good at this game! You didn't even know the controls until I showed you!" I lift my arm and point an accusing finger at Levi's amused face. He sets the controller down, leaning on one arm to smirk in my direction, "Maybe you're just shit."

I pause. I can barely feel the corners of my mouth moving into a dopey smile. I didn't realize I'd miss that smirk until I hadn't seen it on his face all day. I think back to our previous interactions, how I would always intentionally try to make him pull that expression. I would never admit it but it's just so uniquely him, no one else can do it like him. He has the most smug deposition, but his little dimples, straight white teeth, and subtly raised eyebrow make it way cuter than he realizes. I blush at my admission, I usually try to keep these thoughts locked away, not even allowing myself to think about it. But these past couple hours have been….nice. I don't know how to explain it but I'm really just so genuinely happy seeing him act more like himself.

I accidentally end up being silent for a few moments too long. I snap out of it before he can voice anything about my strange behavior. I spring up and grab my phone. "You should probably go…" I say with an obvious blush on my face. He stays silent a moment longer, with a seemingly confused look on his face. Then he nods, standing to get his backpack. "Can I change in your bathroom?" He asks, I nod my head a bit too aggressively and he gives me another weird glare. "Unless you gotta go, you seem constipated." He says with another smirk. This time I don't let it get me and I promptly throw a pillow in his direction. He quickly grabs it and throws it back square in my face. I groan as he walks out into the hallway. Annnnd he's still an asshole.

I run downstairs to the kitchen and grab a water bottle for him, and after a second thought, an apple from the counter. I jog back up, swinging my door open to find him already done changing and putting his school clothes back in his bag. "Here," I put out the food and drink, "Water, and an apple since you haven't eaten. I would get you more but you don't really have much time so, yeah." I smile as he takes them from me silently. We walk quietly down the stairs and to the door. I'm about to say my goodbyes as his hand reaches for the handle but he passes and swings around to look at me.

"Thanks. I know I'm an asshole, that's just the way I am and I'm not apologising for it but," I roll my eyes playfully at him, "I had fun. This was really nice of you. Uh. Thanks." I can just barely see a light blush on his face as he looks down at the floor. I stop myself from thinking about how cute he looks, instead I smile, "Aww are you embarrassed?" I poke him in the forehead. Expectantly, he punches my arm, causing me to grab it as I wince. "I deserved that," I say, not bothering getting mad, "I had fun too. I don't really mind doing this again. It was kinda nice seeing you outside of tutoring recently, you may even be a little nicer than I thought." He takes a step out of the door, and follow him outside. "Oi," he starts, "People tend to be nicer when they don't have a stubborn brat complaining for hours." I scoff at him as we walk down the sidewalk. We argue and banter all the way to the soccer fields.

I flip Eren the bird as we arrive at the soccer fields, he returns it with a genuine smile on his face. It throws me off a bit how nice it is, but I shake off the feeling before turning around and running up to my bushy-browed friend. He gives me a questioning look, glancing to where I left Eren standing by the bleachers. I give him an annoyed glare, understanding his insulation. I flip him off with both hands, raising my eyebrows, daring him to say anything. He just laughs, giving me a 'we'll talk about this later' look before he kicks a ball in my direction.

Practice goes really well. Even better than usual. Our last game is coming up and everyone is determined to win. I'm one of the few seniors this year, and like the others, I'm hoping to catch the attention of college scouts at this game. I'm not exactly swimming in money, so I need a scholarship, or else I can't go to college. I stop myself from thinking about it too much before I feel myself delve into anxiety and stress. We stand in a circle, listening to Coach give us a speech before dismissing us.

I run up to Erwin, grabbing my water bottle as he swigs his. He gives me the side eye as I start drinking. "You seem...better. Since this morning, I mean." He seems to choose his words carefully. I try to shrug non-committedly, "Yeah, I guess." That immediately earns me a suspicious glare. He and I both know I was with Eren before practice. Usually I would respond with an annoyed remark or insult. I curse myself for slipping. He opens his mouth to stay something but I cut him off. "Is it okay if I stay over tonight?" I ask him. He knows that I'm distracting him, but he seems to let it slide. "Of course, I'm glad you're feeling better, though." He smiles genuinely and I let my drift back over to the bleachers.

He turns his head as soon as I see him, but I can tell Eren was already staring at me. I smirk in his direction, feeling a warmth in my chest different from this morning. He turns his head back around as I keep my smirk up, crossing my arms at him. He rolls his eyes playfully, then starts getting pulled away by his sister. He sheepishly waves at me as he walks away by her side. I give a small wave back, not realizing that a small smile formed on my face.