"Oh come on brat, you know this one." Levi holds the flash cards from one side of the couch as I look down at my lap, trying to remember the answer from the other end.

I chew on my bottom lip with a hesitant answer, "...is it the Sholes guy…Christian Sholes?" I look up with hopeful eyes. I instantly brighten when Levi smiles, "It's Christopher Sholes, but close enough." He flips to the next card.

We keep going over the different inventors for my history class for today's session. I love doing flash cards more than any other study methods. When I can do it with another person it almost feels like a game. I also get more questions right this way, and hearing Levi's often praise makes me feel funny, in a good way. Which I would never admit...out loud.

I hear the keys jangle from behind the front door. Levi pauses and turns his head towards the door as I see two mops of brunette walk in. "Oh-" My Mom says with surprise on her face, putting the groceries on the floor, "Levi! You're here." She smiles warmly, eyes sparkling. "Hello Mr. Yeager, Mrs. Yeager." He says politely, with an awkward smile on his face as usual. Mom walks over and pinches his cheeks and coos. "Aw you're so handsome. And with those manners!" I watch with a smirk as the senior blushes, I can see the tension in his shoulders from the attention. He never knows how to react to my Mom's affection.

"Honey stop that," Dad gently pulls her hand away, "You're gonna hurt him." She scoffs at him, pulling her hand away. "Oh please." She rolls her eyes, picking up the groceries and shoving half of them into my lap. "Well don't just sit there, help." She says, walking into the kitchen. "Hey-" I start loudly, grabbing the bags and running into the kitchen, "I was gonna help anyway." I say with an angry frown. She just laughs at me, putting a carton of milk into the fridge.

I start silently going about putting things away in their proper places. Now would be a good time to ask about Levi spending the night on Thursday. Perfect, actually. Mhm.

I don't say anything.

I sigh as I put cereal up in the cabinet. I'm really dreading this. I already know what Mom's reaction is going to be. I know she absolutely adores Levi, especially since he started making me keep my room and the living room clean for him. It's also no secret she's been wanting me to hook-up with him since day one. Weird for a Mom to encourage, and embarrassing to find condoms and lube with notes to Be safe! in my drawers.

I take a deep breath, deciding to just go for it and face her. "So Mom…" I start to get her attention. She hums, not looking in my direction, but letting me know she's listening. "Well I had a question for you, and you'll probably have to confirm with Dad before answering but…" She turns to look at me, lifting an eyebrow to encourage me to continue, "Can Levi spend the night on Thursday? In the guest room-I mean." I add before she can assume anything inappropriate.

She gasps, "Are you guys finally-" She starts but I groan to stop her from finishing that thought. She lightly punches my shoulder for interrupting her, rolling her eyes at my behavior. "Can I ask why so sudden at least? Last I checked you were claiming he was still just your mean tutor." She asks with a teasing expression.

"Well…" I scratch the back of my neck, "He uh...he's been avoiding going home recently. I don't know the situation but he's been sleeping on his friend's floor for the past week, so I thought he'd appreciate an actual bed." All amusement drains from her face immediately. She looks sadly towards the living room, then back at me. "Oh my...make sure he knows he's welcome here anytime. Fuck, I hate that he has to deal with that...and at such a young age too..." Her expression turns angry at the idea.

I feel my chest warm at her words, moved to have such a caring Mother. "Thanks, Mom. I'm sure it would mean a lot to him." She smiles at me, pulling me into a quick hug. As she steps back her smile turns teasing, "I still expect all doors to stay open though, Eren. I don't care what you say." She points an accusing finger in my face. I huff at that and turn to leave before she can see me blush. "Whatever, Mom." I say as I walk back into the Living room.

"Sina's numbers are looking good this season, I think they have a good chance at winning." Dad says to Levi with a hand on his chin from his position standing in front of the couch. Levi's eyes sparkle, something I never noticed before but realize has always been there when he talks about Soccer. It brings a fond smile to my face. "Rose has been doing pretty well too, though. Besides, Sina's best center got injured in the last game. I don't know if they can pull through this one without him." He crosses his arms, looking up at my tall father. I decide to lean against the side of the couch that's still unoccupied.

Dad seems to think about it a moment longer, "...hm. We'll have to see how the game turns out, but I'm still rooting for Sina." He says stubbornly. It can be very hard to change Dad's opinion, something that I've had first-hand experience with, causing many arguments between us.

I didn't realize Mom had walked in till I heard her gasp. The room turns towards her to inspect the source of the noise. "Oh what a great idea! Why don't you watch the game with us tonight, Levi?" She smiles, walking over to stand in front of the senior. "Oh no, I-" He starts to make an excuse but Mom quickly bips his nose to silence him. He stares at her finger as she says, "You should watch the game, eat dinner, then you can stay the night, since it'll be late. You're already staying over tomorrow, why not two days?" She says as if asking a question, Levi opens his mouth to protest again but Mom just moves her hand to pat his head. "I've already decided. You're staying." She leaves no room for arguments in her voice. Levi waits a very long moment before giving up and nodding his head in response. "Great!" She says, walking away to go upstairs.

Dad and I look at each other knowingly as soon as she's gone. "That woman.." He says, sighing, "Simply can't argue with her. Seems like we'll get to discuss more when the game starts." He pats Levi's shoulder on his way towards the stair, following after Mom.

Levi and I sit in an awkward silence for a few minutes. His expression looks conflicted and confused as he stares forward. I can tell he's thinking about something that's upsetting him. I start to worry that maybe we pushed him too far. "You really don't have to stay if you don't want to, Mom will understand." His head turns towards me suddenly, like he forgot I was even here. "Oh, no it's fine I guess. Your family is...really nice." I can hear the strain in his voice as he says it. I know he's trying to be detached from whatever is bothering him, and although I feel bad, I choose to not acknowledge it. I try to take Armin's not to pry and just distract. Let him open up when, or if, he wants to.

"...So, video games? We got a few hours." I smile at Levi. He tries to smile back at me but it's missing something, "Maybe later. I gotta go get my overnight bag from Erwin's first," He pauses, and I think I see a small bush on his face, but I figure I must be imagining it, "...do you want to come with me? Erwin and his goddamn mansion is like an hour away, so." He scratches the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Okay let's go then." I say easily, grabbing my jacket from the coat hanger and slipping it on. Without turning my way, Levi sits up and opens the front door. I follow him, used to him walking ahead of me at this point. I climb into the passenger seat as Levi already has his keys in the ignition. We don't talk for a few minutes as he drives. I lean against the window for a while until an idea suddenly comes to my mind, making me sit up straighter.

"Oh my god!" I start, causing Levi to jerk and swurve a bit at the sudden noise. I shrink back a bit after he gets the car straight, "Sorry, sorry," Levi gives me a venomous side eye and I smile despite it, "When we get back we should totally watch Legally Blonde!" I turn my head towards him. I see him let out an amused huff of air. "Was that really important enough to almost cause a wreck?"

"Yes, Levi. I take these kinds of movies very seriously." I say back, and he laughs shortly at me. "You mean shitty chick flicks?" He says, still facing the rode as he drives. I scoff, "I already told you, I'm determined to change your mind. You can't continue to live with such an incorrect opinion, I have to save you." I keep my voice serious despite the grin on my face. Levi laughs at me, "Okay, brat. Bring it on. I'll watch your stupid movies, but it's not going to change anything."

"Uh-huh. You say that now but, we'll see…" I shrug playfully. Levi takes one hand off the wheel and pushes my shoulder at that. I laugh loudly, "Hey! You're driving!" I yell, trying to fight his arm still pushing me. "I'm a good driver." He says smugly, giving me one last shove before he goes back to two hands on the wheel. "Smartass." I say, as my laughing dies down.

As soon as we get back, I get netflix pulled up on my TV and put on the movie. Levi and I sit on my bed, backs against the wall, facing the TV. I turned off the lights but, as per Mom's request, the open door lets in the hallway's light and brightens the room.

I know this movie so well, I could quote every line if I wanted. So I decide to pretend to watch and look at Levi from the side to gauge his reactions instead. Despite what he said, I can tell he's really getting into it. It's almost cute how honest his reactions are. I feel almost giddy watching him enjoy himself so much. I end up forgetting to pretend and just turn my head completely to focus on him, he doesn't even notice.

"That Waren guy is such a dick." Levi pinches his brows in disgust. I laugh quietly, "I know, right?" I reply immediately and he goes back to silently watching the movie. After a while I forget about watching his expressions and I find my eyes wandering around his face.

It's really unfair how attractive he is. His raven colored hair is always styled in a perfectly combed undercut with a middle part. I mull my eyes over his sharp jawline, then down his thick neck with a prominent adam's apple.

I go back up to his eyes, I can barely see them from this angle so I find myself subconsciously moving closer to see. I always thought his eyes were just grey but now I can see the dimension. A ring of dark gray fades into a sparkling silver, and small freckles of brown around his focused pupils. I wonder if anyone else has seen his real eye color before, it's so beautiful and unique. I have the urge to try to capture it in a painting, almost.

I go down his nose, I realize that it's slightly crooked, probably a soccer injury. Then to his lips. He's smiling at something in the movie, and I can't help but blush at his dimples again. I find myself moving closer without thinking. His smile is so wonderful, pretty, cute, beautiful...just everything. I feel like I would do anything to invoke that expression. I imagine what it would be like to kiss that smile, subconsciously tilting my head as I get closer. They look so soft, warm, inviting...

I watch as his eyes turn towards me, and I freeze but forget to stop staring despite being caught. We stay silent for a few moments, him staring and me still in a daze. "...what?" He says a bit breathlessly, finally snapping me back into reality. I jump back and look at the TV with a prominent blush on my face. "Nothing!" I say quickly, my voice going up to an awkward pitch. I can feel his eyes on me, but I ignore him. "I gotta go!" I say as I sit up suddenly, he looks confused, "I gotta go...pee, I mean, yeah. Be right back." I avoid making eye contact as I walk out with my head down.

I practically run into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me and pulling out my phone to immediately call Armin's contact. I drop onto the toilet lid as it rings. "Yes?" He answers calmly, not knowing of my inner turmoil. "Armin! Oh my god Armin! Oh my fucking god I'm such an idiot!" I say frantically, but keep my voice at a whisper shout to avoid being overheard.

"Is something wrong?!" He says matching my frantic tone, not bothering to keep his volume down.

"Yes oh my god! I like Levi!" I say, pulling my hair with my free hand.

In my panic I don't even hear Armin pause until he bursts out laughing. I stand up as I whine, "It's not funny Armin!" He keeps laughing at that though, so I sit back down and frown angrily waiting for him to finish.

"Okay," He says, as his laughter dies down,"Okay, okay. Sorry. Yes. You like Levi." He says, sounding amused at me.

"Armin." I say, with a pout.

"I know, I'm sorry, really. That was just unexpected."

"Unexpected?"

"Well not the you liking Levi part, but you made me think it was some emergency."

I huff and answer with a quiet voice, "It is an emergency." I cross my arms stubbornly.

"Yeah, yeah. So what brought about this realization?" He asks.

I hesitate for a moment, "...I almost kissed him." I lift my hand to scratch at my cheek.

"You what?! Eren!" He says in a loud shocked voice.

"I know! I know, okay?!" I say back.

Armin sighs, "Eren, I'm really glad you're not denying it anymore. But please know you can't kiss your crush without explicit permission." He gives me his parenting tone.

I roll my eyes, "I know, Mom." He huffs at me, "I wasn't going to do it...I really wanted to though." I admit. He hums at me sympathetically. I gasp as a sudden realization comes to mind, "Oh god Armin! Everyone's going to give me so much shit!" I groan, "Oh god, and Jean! He's going to hold this over me for so long!" I facepalm into my free hand as I hear Armin laugh.

"Yup. Can't save you from that, sorry." He says.

"You won't say anything, right? I don't want anyone to know yet."

"Of course, Eren. I understand." He responds, and I can hear the smile in his voice.

"Thanks." I say as I hear my Dad call us for dinner downstairs.

"Gotta go, thanks again." I say and hang up before walking out and- I immediately collide with Levi.

As Eren leaves the room I try to focus on the movie again but I know I can't. I was handling these new feelings so well then that brat just had to get so close to my face. I blush thinking about it, bringing up my legs to hug them to my chest. For a moment it almost seemed like...he was going to kiss me, but I can't help but to blame that on wishful thinking. That still probably would've been the perfect chance to do something about this stupid crush. But of course all my socially inept self could say was '...what?'.

I groan aloud, hiding my face in my hands. I hate this and it's literally only been a few days. I hate being a blushing mess at the simplest things. I usually have much better control on my emotions. I'd think I'm being super obvious if it weren't for him being so dense.

I hear Eren's Dad call for dinner suddenly, which makes me realize Eren never came back. I pause the movie, and get up to find him. I walk by the bathroom and I can hear silent whispering, but before I can decipher anything the door opens and I find myself falling over. My eyes widen as two hands grab my waist and hold me mid-fall and we both still. I look up and realize it's Eren and I'm extremely close to his face again. I blush immediately and wire my mouth shut, not having the ability to speak. He blushes too, and being this close, I'm sure it's real.

"...Hello there." He says as he finally pulls me the rest of the way up. He removes his hand from my waist but doesn't step back, looking down at me with a hesitant smile. I don't have the courage to keep looking at him this closely so I decide to step back. I cough awkwardly, looking away. "Thanks for catching me. Although you were the one that bumped into me." I tease him, hoping to seem normal. He laughs, I smile at that, "Whatever, let's go get food." He says, turning towards the stairs. I slowly follow him, finally getting the chance to settle my rapidly beating heart.

I hear someone behind me and I turn around to realize I forgot about Eren's sister. She looks down at me and gives me a confused frown, "What are you doing here, Ackermen?" She says with a stone cold tone. I roll my eyes at her, "You're Mom basically forced me to be here, Ackermen." I respond easily, used to her tone with me. She scowls then bumps my shoulder as she rushes past me. I scoff at that and start down the stairs.

She and I have always...not quite got along. She's the most goddamn protective sister I've ever met. She threw a huge fit when I started tutoring Eren, claiming I couldn't 'be trusted to be alone with him'. During some of our first sessions she would sit down with us and glare at me the whole time. After a while she let up a bit, though.

However, in practice I can tell she intentionally tries to out-do me and glares daggers at me most of the time. I'd complain but, for one, I don't care. But also she's really good and actually a pretty good person to keep me on my toes. I would never admit that her rivalry isn't as one-sided as she thinks, but I can't deny the good competition she brings.

I make it to the bottom of the stairs and follow the smell of food. As I walk into the kitchen I watch as Mrs. Yeager is filling plates with food, passing one to her husband when it's full and he walks over and sets it down in a spot. Mikasa is setting the table with silver-ware and Eren is making drinks. The homey scene hurts my chest, but I choose to ignore the feeling and walk over beside Eren's Mother.

"Anything I can help with Mrs. Yeager?" I know I sound overly polite but I don't know any other way to act without letting out any crude language. She smiles at me, "You can start calling me Carla, honey." She says as she frees her hands, giving the last plate to her husband. She pats my shoulder, "You're sweet but I'm good, thank you for asking. Let's sit." She moves her arm around my shoulders and takes me with her to the table. She leaves me at one of the chairs, letting me go and moving to what I assume is her own spot.

I pinch my brows slightly as I sit. I put my hands in my lap as I look down at the food. I feel guilty having not done anything to earn this food or help to prepare it. It's not very often that I get a real meal like this, relying on mostly what I can afford to make myself. I look over as Eren loudly plops himself into the seat between Carla and I. He doesn't even hesitate before diving into his food. I'd be disgusted if I didn't find it somewhat enduring.

I smile tentatively, turning to Carla. "Thank you for the food Mrs. Y-" I pause as she gives me a warning glare, "I mean, Carla. It looks great." I finish awkwardly and she smiles warmly towards me. "Of course, sweetheart. Thank you, and you're always welcome. I just wish my children had the same manners that you do." She says sweetly, then I hear her kick Eren from under the table. He yelps and looks up at her. "Mom! What was that for?" He whines, and she just shrugs and sends a wink my way. I can't help myself and start laughing at that. Feeling more comfortable, I pick up my fork and start to eat.

I feel like I'm intruding too much if I try to contribute to the conversation, so I settle to listen to the Yeagers talk. They banter and tease each other as dinner continues and I find it harder to ignore this longing tugging at my heart. I wish I belonged here but I can't help but to feel out of place. I don't belong at a family dinner with such a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

"Hear that, Levi?" I perk up as I hear my name being called. Eren's Dad, Grisha, gives me a cocky grin, "Mikasa here agrees with me, Sina is winning tonight." He gestures to his daughter. She looks mad at him for bringing me into their conversation. I feel like soccer is a safe enough subject, though, so I respond.

"You think they can win with their weakass center replacement? There's a reason they've barely played him this season." I look at Mikasa, she glares at me, as usual. I take a second to glance at Carla and Grisha after the curse word, but they don't seem disapproving. Carla actually looks weirdly giddy. "I agree he's not the best but I think Sina's strong defense will be able to back him." She says, easily accepting the challenge of debating with me. I put my elbows on the table on the table as I respond, "They're usually strong, yes. However, they still have to struggle with teams that have similar skill sets to theirs, like Rose. This game is going to be much harder since they have to defend even more, therefore I don't think they'll pull through."

Mikasa mimics my position as she says, "This game determines who goes to finals, though. Also with an injured teammate to win for, I think they'll play even better than usual." I scoff at that, "I don't believe in emotion affecting game play. If anything, it can make you distracted and sloppy." She sends me a glare, "Well I think you're wrong." She says, stubbornly. I shrug at that, knowing there's nothing else to say.

"You guys are such nerds." I turn to Eren as he teases us and kick him under the table without thinking. He winces, "Really?! You and my Mom, I swear.." He grumbles, as everyone bursts out laughing at him. "If you don't want to get kicked then stop doing things that warrant a kick, idiot." I say teasingly. He puffs his cheeks in a pout and I smile.

Carla suddenly starts gathering dishes and I rush to help her. She tries to stop me but I insist so she lets me. We carry everything back into the kitchen, putting them in the sink. I look down at them with the bits of food on them, sticky liquids and possible germs from salvia and other sources. I start to feel a familiar itch under my skin. "...can I do the dishes?" I ask, opening and closing my fists as I continue to look at them. "Oh you really don't have to-" She starts to say but stops. I can feel her glare on me before she says, "...Sure. I'll dry." She says, and I look up at her and smile.

We do our tasks quietly, me washing and scrubbing then her drying everything I pass her. I feel much calmer, and peaceful after we finish. "Thanks for letting me stay the night..." I say as I wash my hands. "You're welcome." She gives me a hesitant smile as she pauses, "Levi, listen," She starts, putting both hands on my shoulders as I finish drying my hands, "As an adult in your life who cares...I want you to know you're welcome here any time, alright? I know you're just my Son's friend and tutor but you're a good kid and I like you," She smiles whole-heartedly, "I'm always here for you and know that you will never be an inconvenience for this family." She pulls me in for a hug and I instinctually tense up at the contact.

My first instinct is to be mad that Eren obviously told her more than I wanted her to know but...I can't help but to feel grateful for the kind words. The admiration I have for this woman just keeps growing as she keeps showing me such unconditional kindness. Thawing Levi Ackermen's heart must be a trait that runs in the family, I humor. I finally let myself relax, leaning into the warm, motherly embrace. I refuse to let myself cry, despite the wetness in the corners of my eyes. "Thanks." I respond with a whisper as she squeezes me harder before letting go.

This fanfic is on archiveofourown (Ao3) as well, with an edited version of chapters 1 and 2 !!!! Please check it out if you want !!!! Thank you for reading