A/N: I apologise for any mistakes, I'm sure there are many - I'm too tired to notice at the moment.
Chapter Two
The other customers left, taking advantage of the lull in custom, Levi offered to watch the cafe whilst Petra showed Eren where he would be staying.
Petra rented the business premises and the apartment above it. It was a basic two bedroom apartment, nonetheless, it was convenient and relatively cheap.
Eren thanked her again as they climbed the stairs. She brushed off his thanks, stating he was the one doing her the favour, she was in need of a lodger, and a member of staff. He saved her money on the advertising fees.
Petra gave him a quick tour of the apartment, told him to help himself to food and drink, then showed him to his room. The bed was already made up, Petra explained that she had been using it as a guest room for friends.
"I'm sure you need time to adjust to everything that has happened so far today." She stated understandably, heading towards the door, "When I close the cafe I sometimes bring the leftovers upstairs if you want something to eat later." She smiled at him, before leaving, closing the door behind her.
Eren sat gingerly on the edge of the bed, of course, he was thankful to have somewhere to stay, however, it did not stop him feeling incredibly lonely and unsettled. This was not his home. Who knows one day he may feel comfortable here, but right now he felt like he was staying over at a friends house and did not dare do anything.
It was not just a matter of sleeping better in his own bed, it was also that uncomfortable feeling of "when should he take a shower?" or "is anyone else up yet?" - always trying to be the perfect guest, not knowing the other occupant's routines. It made him feel anxious.
He was overwhelmed. He could not bare to check his phone just in case his parents had called or had not - he was not sure which would be worse. Let alone the messages he knew he would have from his friends. He'd answer them later, let them know he was safe and had somewhere to stay. For now, he needed to sit in silence and just let everything that had happened sink in.
Petra informed Levi that Eren had remained upstairs. Levi wanted to go say goodbye but thought better of it. He was beginning to feel a little uneasy after the draining and emotional morning, he decided to give up on any notion of doing errands, instead, he would head home immediately to distance himself from people. He needed to centre himself again, to know what was his emotions and what was outsiders.
He thanked Petra once more, accepting a goodie bag filled with pastries and a packet of his favourite tea leaves.
Eren must have fallen asleep, he woke abruptly, noticing it was now dark outside. He rubbed his face with his hands, he was desperate for the toilet, he carefully tiptoed to the bathroom. He did not want to wake, Petra. On his way back he noticed that there were a note and a package outside his door. She had left some food for him and told him she would be opening the cafe for 8 am.
Taking the food into his room, he perched on the bed once more, eating in silence. His heart ached, usually, his mealtimes were surrounded by his friends and family, there would be laughter and love. Now he ate alone and all he felt was numb. He knew it would get better, it had to, for now, that thought was not very comforting.
After eating he sent messages to Armin and Mikasa, doing his best to ignore the drop of his stomach when he noticed his parents had not tried calling - what did he care? He cared, it fucking hurt, but if he acknowledged he cared he may breakdown and never be able to put himself back together again.
Mikasa assured him that she would bring anything he needed from his old room, as he had packed rather hastily. He thanked her and then told her he needed to sleep. He did not. He simply could not be dealing with interacting with anyone, despite having such a need to not be alone. It was awful.
His mind wondered to Levi, he had forgotten to say goodbye to him. He may ask Petra tomorrow if she could pass on his thanks - it really meant a great deal to him what Levi had done.
Come morning he had hardly slept, he ventured out to the kitchen when he heard Petra pottering around. He smiled sheepishly at her, rubbing the back of his neck he asked, "Is there any way I can start work today? I'm not sure I can cope with a whole day with just my thoughts. I need a distraction."
She handed him a cup of tea, "Sure, I can ask Connie to show you the basics, as I am going to the wholesalers."
Feeling relieved Eren accepted the plate of breakfast food offered to him, "Thank you,"
Eren realised pretty quickly that Petra was not necessarily taking pity on him. She was genuine, this was who she was. She was kind, considerate and caring. She took delight in helping others and giving them food, being useful and making people happy. She was a sweet girl, just the kind of girl his parents would force Eren to marry. That thought alone made him laugh, he was definitely gay. Petra was an attractive girl, with an extremely likeable personality, however, he felt nothing but gratefulness towards her.
It turned out that Connie was also likeable and friendly, it was easy to forget that he was going through hell when making comfortable chit-chat with Connie. Eren grasped the basics pretty quickly, but would definitely need more experience working the register and the coffee machine. Simple things such as taking customers their orders, wiping tables and re-stocking the display were tasks he could do without difficulty.
Surprisingly the cafe was popular, at various points in the day it would fill up, all the tables would be taken up and the queue for takeout long. Petra returned about midday, unloading a van full of stock - Eren helped. She forced Eren to take a break, he wanted to continue to work through it, he did not want to stop and think.
He mentioned Levi, enquiring whether he frequented the cafe often, as he wanted the chance to thank him in person. Petra said that it depended on how he was doing, sometimes he'd not come in for weeks, other weeks he'd come every other day. She was quite vague and Eren wondered if Levi suffered from depression or something, having worse days than others, resulting in him not venturing outside of his home.
The days rolled by pretty much the same. Although Petra had initially said that the position was only part-time, Eren had worked every day. He said he did not need paying, he just needed something to do. He told her to count it as his rent - he'd work for free. She refused but allowed him to work. Even during the quiet periods, he would do inventory, he found new ways to make things run more efficiently, he came up with ideas on how to make more money and bring in customers during the calmer moments. Petra said he was a genius and could not believe her luck.
He had finally managed to get the hang of the coffee machine and register, he was working out front alone as Petra and Marco (another welcoming member of staff who Eren found friendly) were in the kitchen, coming up with new dishes to add to the menu.
Eren was re-filling the napkin dispensers, when the tring of the bell over the shop door rang out, indicating a customer. He looked up and saw Levi, for some reason he held his breath, it was unexpected, seeing him.
Levi approached the counter, offering a polite hello, "Hi," Eren returned feeling nervous, apprehensive even.
He ordered a very specific blend of tea, waiting at the counter instead of finding somewhere to sit.
Concentrating hard, Eren ensured he made the tea perfectly, he did not want to disappoint Levi.
He handed over the tea with an uncertain smile, "Here, I hope it is satisfactory,"
Levi had not left his house since that day he first met Eren, opting to get his grocery shopping delivered to his door. It had taken him a few days to shift the uneasy feeling that had engulfed him that day.
"I have every faith that it will be acceptable," Levi returned.
Levi was relieved when he walked in to see Eren working. He was busy re-stocking the napkins, allowing Levi a few moments to watch him unnoticed. The first thing that struck Levi, was the emotions coming from Eren. They were not toxic, they were not sad, yet the general sense he picked up from Eren was still just as intense and powerful. Usually, the lesser, smaller, everyday emotions did not register with Levi, only the big ones. Although he could not necessarily decipher Eren's emotions, he felt the overall presence of them. Levi was right, Eren was clearly a passionate person who poured out everything he was all at once.
When Eren had looked up and noticed it was him, Levi saw his eyes grow wider and his mouth slacker, he was surprised, then he smiled at him and a wave of happiness washed over Levi. It caused Levi's stomach to flip.
Levi took a seat at the counter, opposite where Eren was sorting the napkins, just down from the register. The place was devoid of other customers, besides he wanted to speak with Eren. He was drawn to him, most people he tried to avoid, but Eren had an aura about him that was alluring.
"How are you finding it, working here?" Levi asked casually.
Eren smiled, not a strained or sombre smile, it caused Levi's stomach to flip again. This was a whole new set of sensations - he had never been like this around someone before. Not his emotions, he had felt it second-hand through experiencing other people's emotions, but never his own.
"I've always worked hard at whatever I've been doing." Eren pointed out confirming Levi's theory that Eren was passionate and driven.
"Studying to become a doctor, it was not my dream, I did not enjoy it. My drive comes from doing what I enjoy, and not forcing myself to do something. I'm much happier working here, then learning to be a doctor. I feel freer." Eren admitted sincerely, knowing he would not say this to just anyone, he felt like he could share things with Levi.
Levi admired that about Eren. That he was honest - open, he did not try to deceive you. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was a highly passionate person. Eren worked hard, he trusted his intuition and Levi was certain he would persevere.
"I've always worked hard at whatever I've been doing. My work-ethic comes from doing what I enjoy, and not forcing myself to do something."
The only way Eren could explain it, was before when he was hiding who he was, his sexuality, when he was forcing himself to live a lie and to pursue a career he did not want, life was colourless, life was without joy and meaning. With the odd burst of happiness from his friends, to get him through his hopeless existence. Now, slowly colour was returning to his world.
"Belive it or not I'm usually a pretty positive person," Eren laughed nervously.
Levi took a sip of tea, watching Eren closely, "I can believe it," he reasoned.
Eren was smiling again, he had not realised how out of sorts he was feeling until Levi showed up. Being in Levi's presence soothed him.
He resumed the restocking of the dispensers, as Levi casually drank his tea. It was not an awkward silence, more of a comfortable pleasant silence, both subconsciously pulling strength from each other.
A couple entered the cafe, Eren took their order and they headed for a table close by. Eren made their drinks, taking them over, handing the food order to Marco. When Eren returned to Levi, his head was bowed and he was rubbing his temple.
"A headache?" Eren asked worriedly.
Levi looked up and Eren noted he no longer looked relaxed, every line in his face was tense, his jaw clamped tight and his eyes revealed he distressed.
"Shall I get you some pain relief?" Eren asked, his hand resting on Levi's forearm.
Levi's brows unfurrowed momentarily, "It's worth a try," he reasoned, but knew from experience this type of a headache could not be banished with a pill. However, the moment Eren had touched his arm, he felt a slight easing. Eren's general being flowing into him, helping to sooth him.
Eren returned handing Levi some tablets and a glass of cold water, "Here, I hope it helps."
It wouldn't but Levi would take them just in case.
The couple were arguing in low hushed tones. Levi dug the heel of his palm into his eye socket rubbing, hoping to alleviate the tension behind his eye. It was uncomfortable and tiring - headaches such as this would develop swiftly and were always severe.
Feeling useless, as he watched Levi suffer, Eren topped up his tea cup, the only thing he could do in that moment. Maybe Levi suffered from migraines, they were the worst. Fuck, what if Levi had a terminal illness? Meaning the difficult days Petra had referred to being days Levi struggled and needed to stay at home to rest.
A sense of dread filled Eren, like a stone tossed into the ocean and it sinking to the bottom. He did not know Levi, he was not sure if they were even friends, but he knew he could not lose him.
"Wow," Levi muttered feeling dizzy. Now Eren's emotions were changing, supplementing the intense emotions he was picking up from the couple.
"Eren, I'm fine. Please, calm down." He reassured, trying to at least tame Eren's whirlwind of emotions, he was not sure he could handle all three people's emotions attacking him.
Eren gaped at Levi, how did he know that Eren was feeling distressed? This had happened in seconds, and Eren could barely make sense of it himself.
Levi reached out and placed his hand over Eren's that was resting on the counter, the small rush of relief was welcoming, "Try not to worry," he requested earnestly.
Eren worried his bottom lip. How could he not worry? Levi was an expert at keeping it together, never revealing any emotion, his face expressionless, his posture and body language impeccable never giving anything away. Watching the usually stoic Levi become expressive, but not in a good way. Not from smiling or laughing, not happiness, but pain, distress - it was difficult to watch and not fret.
"Please," Levi softly asked him.
Eren took a deep breath, trying to do as Levi had requested. To push the negative emotions away, to concentrate. He could feel the warmth of Levi's hand, his fingers squeezing his hand in a silent plea. He focused on that, on how nice it was to be holding Levi's hand, that comforted him somewhat.
"Thank you," Levi stated, he did not let go of Eren's hand until Eren was called to fetch the couples food order.
As Eren approached the table, he could hear part of their conversation.
"...you lied to me. You cheated on me, and now you expect me to raise a baby that might not even be mine?" The man demanded filled with outrage.
They spotted Eren approaching and became deadly silent. Eren placed their food in front of them, hurrying away.
He returned to Levi, he wanted to hold his hand again, but thought better of it, he did not want to overstep his place.
"I think they're having relationship issues," Eren whispered to Levi, ducking his head to be closer to him.
Levi's stomach was rolling, his head was pounding and he felt completely spent, "Yeah, I figured."
The couple were being blatant about it, they spoke in low but firm harsh tones, their body language screamed confrontation - Eren could see how Levi assumed that was the case.
Levi wanted to get out of here but knew if he tried to stand he would be unsteady on his feet.
After watching Levi holding his head in his hand, Eren felt compelled to reach out and touch him again. He put his hand on his upper arm, "Do you want to go lay down?" he was not sure how far away Levi lived, but knew Levi was in no fit state to go home no matter how close he lived.
Levi dropped his hand from his temple, tilting his head up at Eren, he reached out and took hold of Eren's other hand, interlocking their fingers, "Can we just stay like this for a moment?" Levi had never felt this vulnerable and exposed.
His friends knew he had bad episodes, they often helped him get home, gave him space - which resulted in him dealing with the aftermath on his own. He wanted to push them away, keep them at bay. He needed the space. With Eren, it was the opposite, he needed him close, needed to feel his touch, feel Eren's warmth and emotion flowing into him - it was calming.
Eren did not question it, he nodded, "Of course we can," he smiled warmly at him.
It could be because he spent most his life avoiding people, avoiding touch - that it had become this unattainable thing for him. Yet, here he was initiating touch, drawing comfort from it and relishing how it made him feel. Not all touching was bad.
Communicating nonverbally, Eren had no clue what was happening just knew that Levi did not seem as troubled when Eren comforted him. It was strange for him, he was not used to touching strangers, or even his friends, necessarily.
Levi could not only sense other people's emotional states, he had the ability to receive emotional signals solely by touch. It was something he strived to avoid, as most of the signals he received via touch were unwanted ones. Eren was the first person he desired to be touched by.
It was exhilarating and frightening all at once. It was a disadvantage to feel someone else's emotions before they themselves even knew what it meant. He could sense that Eren got nervous around him, and at his touch, that he was worried for him, and most of all that Eren simply seeing him made Eren feel happy. Levi could feel Eren's journey and his own experience alongside it.
Eren tugged on Levi's hand, dragging it across the empty space between them, to come to a stop over Eren's heart, "Better?" he asked.
It was. The room around him had faded, and all of his focus and energy was directed at Eren. He found that he no longer felt the betrayal and hatred radiating from the couple, all he could feel was Eren's desire to make Levi feel better.
He was stunned, he was used to helping others, making others feel better, helping them heal - he had become accustomed to having to piece himself back together after an episode, it was a shock to hear, see and feel Eren wanting to help him.
"Much better, thank you." He may conceal his true feelings from people, but he vowed he would not do so with Eren.
Petra appeared from the kitchen, took one look at them, their joined hands still pressed against Eren's chest, "I'm just going to the accountants." She informed Eren, nonchalantly as if she saw Levi being intimate and affectionate on a daily basis. She did not.
"Okay," Eren returned, no intention of dropping Levi's hand.
Eren hoped that no new customers would interrupt whatever this was. The couple's shouting grew louder, the man stood, glaring down at the lady he told her he was leaving and not coming back.
He stormed out, leaving the lady to sob into her hands. Eren let go of Levi's hand, "Do you think I should do something?" Eren asked. He disliked seeing anyone cry, let alone a vulnerable pregnant woman.
Levi shrugged, now that the connection between him and Eren was broken, he was starting to get overcome by her emotions.
Eren made a hot chocolate, extra cream, with sprinkles and mini marshmallows. He took it over to the lady, placing down gently so not to startle her. She looked up at him, face streaked with tears, "I-I didn't order this."
"I know, it's on the house," he explained smiling.
"Oh,"
Eren reached out and touched her shoulder and Levi could sense her emotions quieting. It seemed Eren had the ability to calm whoever he touched and not just Levi. He was a healer of sorts. A pang of jealousy shot through him, he only wanted Eren to sooth him, but that was selfish and Eren was simply being kind.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, "T-thank you,"
Eren inclined his head, removing his hand and heading back to Levi.
"Have you always been this compassionate?" Levi teased aiming for lighthearted.
This caused Eren's brows to pull together as he thought, "I wouldn't say I am compassionate, just hate seeing people suffer unnecessarily."
Levi lifted his teacup and drank the remaining tea, placing it down firmly he stood. Now that the hostile, angry man full of hate had left, and the lady was calmer, he could manage to stand. He ought to leave before she started sobbing again.
When he glanced at Eren he noted that Eren looked crestfallen, it was pleasing to know that Eren did not want him to leave.
"Thank's for the tea. I think the tablets have started to kick in now, I will be fine." Levi assured.
Eren watched him intently, "When will you be back?" He blurted. He did not want Levi to go. Who knows when Levi would return?
Levi shrugged one shoulder, "Depends," he returned, "I try to time my visits when I know that it will not be crowded in here."
"See you soon, I hope." Eren sincerely said as a goodbye.
Levi chose not to reply, with one last look at Eren, he turned and left. He had a few errands to run and needed to get them done before the effects of Eren's touch wore off.