The door banged closed behind him; furious footsteps were heard as Levi came near him. "So, Eren," Levi stood in front of him, his arms crossed over his ribs "what do you want?"

The boy pulled the elastic from his hair making it fall over his neck. He combed it up with his fingers and secured it in a bun again. He glanced back at the door and then at the man before him that watched him with an arched eyebrow "Are you two together?"

"Tch" Levi heckled "Since when do you ask your professors who they're fucking?" Eren clearly talked out of place, he could see Levi was aggravated. He understood his mistake – he should have gone with Armin and the others to the city instead of faking a headache to come to the professor's house. What was he thinking? What was he even doing there? Eren's face suddenly darkened; he realized the man had just answered his question without even wanting to. They were together. He felt his blood boil in his veins, a dark cloud of heavy feelings filled his chest. He was failing the promise he'd made to himself; why was he acting like this? This was 'making a big deal out of it', he had to remain cool and face Levi who still carried that angry look on his face. Eren jerked his head upward to meet Levi's livid glare that softened at the boy's exasperated eyes, "Ere-"

"I should go" shot the boy turning around toward the exit. As he pulled the door open a hand landed on the wood forcing it to close in an unexpected bang. Levi stood behind him, his firm hand still on the door caging him in less than a square meter. Electricity traveled through his body as soon as he realized his position. He spun on his feet, his back now glued to the hard wood, looking down at the same heavy look Levi always had. "Why are you here, Eren?" Asked Levi in a gruff voice. He took a step forward in Eren's direction, making the hairs on the boy's nape prickle. "You've been acting weird the whole day which is none of my business – you could've thrown a chair out the window for all I care – but," Levi exhaled and licked his top lip. The taller wanted to interrupt, but the man continued "you took time of your life to come to my house take time of my life for a reason and believe me, you are going to tell me that reason." Levi eagerly wanted an answer, the boy could tell, he had undoubtedly interrupted something. What's the reason? Just say something, stupid! I'm here because… Why am I here? I missed you. No! I came here to apologize for being a dick to you… again… He'll think I'm joking. Help! Yes, help, I need help – tutoring! The boy struggled to give an answer and Levi didn't wait for it "You're not the only one going through shit today, kid." He took a step back still looking up at dazed green eyes.

"I'm sorry" Eren rubbed the back of his neck "I didn't know." He watched Levi walk toward the couch, the lines of his bare torso moving in each step. "I know…" the raven man understood he couldn't take his frustration of having hurt a friend on his student. He faced him once more, "you can go if you want to, Eren."

"Professor-"

"Levi."

"Levi," Eren corrected "I-" he wasn't sure what he was going to say. Maybe answer the question, though he didn't know what had caused the urge to visit the professor. However, before he could finish the sentence, his annoying ringtone resonated from his pocket. He thought it might have been Mikasa checking up on him, he quickly made up his mind to mute and ignore the call. It wasn't her.

"What, Armin?"

"It's Mikasa," The blonde's voice seemed off, it was high-pitched and muffled by other agitated voices on the background "she's missing."

"What?" Eren's eyes widened as his heart dropped to his stomach. Levi noticed the tan skin of the boy's face become as pale as his. He stood up and paced slowly headed toward Eren as if the floor was thin ice. "Where are you?"

"Downtown. Near the subway station" Levi could hear Armin's concerned tone through the phone.

"Don't move, I'll be right there" For a moment after he ended the call he stood still, eyes wide opened staring at the window. The trance was broken when he felt a hand grip onto his arm. "Eren, what happened?" the usual stone-cold look was gone and replaced by a worried one. His tone soft and caring. "Mikasa's missing." As he spoke those words a spike of adrenaline shot through his body. "I have to go." He brought his hands to his head in desperation. Levi's hands landed on his chest trying to keep him calm and avoid panic. He reached up to Eren's cheeks squeezing them in order to catch his gaze, "I'll go with you. Let's go." Levi looked around for a second as he tried to find his shirt and pulling it behind him as he headed for the door.

Mikasa wasn't answering her phone, but during the fifteen-minute trip Eren didn't stop trying. "Your friends." Levi pointed his chin to a group of three people standing against the wall of the subway station. As they got closer, he could see Armin on his phone, but he didn't seem to be talking, for he was biting his nails. Sasha was leaning against Jean eyeing the floor, the latter stared at the blonde in agony. The girl was the one who noticed Eren and Levi, she slowly straightened her back and informed the other two. They had visited a music store nearby and were going to get ice cream when they realized the black-haired girl was gone. Eren wanted to blame them for not being careful, for not paying attention. How could she be gone? He should have been there; he should have protected her. He clenched his fists in frustration.

"How long has she been gone?" Levi asked the group

"Thirty- maybe forty minutes." Armin responded. He seemed relieved that the professor was there.

"Have you called the police?" They shook their head. "Maybe it's time to." Levi dialed the number and brought the phone to his ear, but before anyone could answer, Sasha gasped "Guys, she's here", and ran towards Mikasa who looked like she had seen a ghost. Her nails dug into the red scarf that covered her mouth, her dark eyes blazed with concern. The brown-eyed girl grabbed her wrists asking her what had happened in an unnecessary shrill. "I heard someone call me," she began to explain, "a man with an old-fashioned hat." She looked around at her friends' reaction, they all shared the same lost gaze. Professor Ackerman, however, stared at her through narrow eyes, his forehead creased.

"A man called you and you followed?" Jean criticized.

"He called my name."

"Mikasa," Armin interjected incredulous. How could she be so reckless? "he must have heard us calling your name." The girl shook her head and turned her face at the cobblestones lightly kicking them with the tip of her ballet flat. "He called me by my full name." She mumbled. Jean grasped her arm abruptly, startling her. Mikasa looked at the dirty blond, she could see his eyebrows waggle and his eyes wide, gawking. "What did he want?" he inquired in a deep tone.

"He told me I was his only family besides his nephew whom he doesn't talk to. He said he was my dad's cousin…" The raven-haired girl dropped her head back and fixed her eyes on the moving clouds. "It's weird. How did he know about me?"

"What's his name, then?" asked Eren overwhelmed by the reveal.

"Kenny." A voice from behind them huffed. Levi sensed the five pairs of eyes glued to him.

"So, it is true," Mikasa stepped in his direction, "you do know each other. He mentioned you…"

"Yes." The man admitted. "You should be careful, kid." She half smiled in disapproval "That man is dangerous," he warned, "he's a criminal."

"Funny." The girl faked a smile and got closer to the professor, whose brows drew together at the acid tone of her retort. "He said the exact same thing about you."