Petra's interruption had resulted in whatever it was between them come to an end.
They painted in silence, the first coat was soon completed. They paused for lunch, whilst waiting for the first coat to dry a little.
Levi could feel Eren's embarrassment, mixed in with that was confusion and desire. Levi again marvelled at how he could read even the subtlest changes in Eren's emotions, other people, it was only extreme emotions.
He wanted to reassure Eren that he too was embarrassed by Petra interrupting them, yet, he did not regret the flirting or the almost something that never happened between them. Yet, Eren was still dealing with some personal stuff, and he had ostracised himself away from society and put up so many walls that he wasn't sure how to even date, or flirt really. Fuck, he was probably more clueless than Eren when it came to relationships and how to interact with people.
He smiled at Eren, the action not very familiar on his features, he was trying to reassure Eren that this was not awkward, but he internally winced, concluding the smile was probably doing the opposite and making Eren feel even more awkward. However, the slight hitch he detected in Eren's emotions was that of happiness, it seemed Eren liked it when Levi smiled at him.
"Thanks, for helping me," Eren broke the silence between them, "It would have taken me a lot longer by myself." He met Levi's gaze and Levi could see his emotions reflected within his eyes. Eren was genuinely thankful for the help, and also pleased it was Levi who was helping.
Levi had never felt someone's emotions that were a result of what he was doing. It was always someone else emotions, emotions caused by situations he had no control over and no hand in. It was odd feeling Eren's emotions immediately due to something he said or did. It was unnerving but in a pleasant way.
"You're welcome," he managed to say, looking away from Eren, as Eren's eyes on top of the emotions he was feeling were almost overwhelming.
Normally something that made him feel too much, he would take extra measures to avoid it, to shut it out and isolate himself further. With Eren, he was drawn to him, like something about Eren was calling him. Like a moth to a flame.
Eren gave a small smile and inclined his head slightly, "You seem different today," he commented.
Levi watched Eren carefully, "I am?" he found himself asking, intrigued as to what Eren thought about this difference.
Lifting his head to meet Levi's gaze, "Yeah," Eren smiled slowly at Levi, "More relaxed,"
Mulling this over, Levi knew Eren was right, most days he was on edge, waiting for a barrage of emotions to assault him and leave him feeling drained. He usually spent most days holding it together, trying to look unaffected by his curse. When he was around Eren, not just around him, but alone with him, he felt at ease. He didn't need to try and hold it together. Eren also had the ability, to make Levi feel better, feel comfortable, make him more grounded. Eren had such a wonderful energy about him, Levi fed off that energy and absorbed Eren's emotions as his own, and usually, that became draining, yet, with Eren, it felt right.
"Come on, this room ain't going to paint itself." Eren declared standing slowly and holding his hand out for Levi to take hold.
Levi eyed Eren's hand for a few seconds before taking hold of it firmly and allowing Eren to pull him up to his feet.
"Tea first," Levi announced, using that as an excuse to leave the room. Touching Eren had caused a flow of emotions to travel up his arm and tingle across his whole body.
Petra would not mind Levi helping himself to her kitchen and her tea he had done so before.
He focused on making a pot of tea, locating a tray and loading it with the other bits they need. Stepping out of the room in which Eren was occupying, helped settle him a little. Eren certainly was remarkable.
He had helped countless people, from children who were lost to his neighbour who was a victim of domestic abuse, fuck he had even helped attractive men before, yet Eren was the only one who made him feel his own emotions instead of channelling other peoples emotions. Levi sighed heavily, and lifted the tray, carrying it into Eren's room and setting it down on the covered up chest of drawers.
Glancing across the room at Eren, Levi took the opportunity to watch him unnoticed for a few moments. Eren had his back to Levi, carefully and gently Eren was pushing the roller up and down the wall. Although Levi had teased him earlier, Eren did look cute in his dungarees.
Eren turned and smiled broadly at Levi, "Oh is the tea ready?" he asked startled. He had not heard Levi enter if he noticed that Levi had been staring he did not show any sign or release any emotions for Levi to pick up on. Meaning, thankfully he did not realise Levi had been staring.
"Shall I pour you a cup?" Levi asked, for something to say, feeling a bit out of his comfort zone.
"Sure," Eren answered, as he returned to his previous painting, adding with his back to Levi, "Are you actually going to do any work?" he looked over his shoulder and smirked at Levi.
Levi's stomach fluttered and he forced it down, instead, he chose to glare at Eren unamused.
"Don't make me paint your face again!" Levi threatened.
"Yeah, yeah," said Eren teasingly as he coated the roller in paint and started painting once more.
Levi grinned, knowing it would go unnoticed as Eren had his back to him again. They painted for a short while, pausing for a quick tea break, then finishing the final round of painting.
"Thanks for helping," Eren said with warmth in his voice.
Levi busied himself collecting their used teacups, "Don't mention it," he cooly replied.
He returned the tray to the kitchen, rinsing out the things and placing them in the dishwasher.
For the first time in a long time Levi was caught off guard, Eren had entered the kitchen and was stood directly behind him. Levi dropped a teacup into the sink but luckily it did not break.
"Sorry," Eren rushed to say, "I wanted to wash my hands," he stepped slightly to the side, "I didn't mean to startle you."
Levi frowned, why didn't he wash his hands in the bathroom? Levi moved out the way and placed the final cup into the dishwasher. Eren took Levi's place at the sink and scrubbed his hands until all specks of paint were removed.
He spun around, facing Levi, who handed Eren a tea towel to dry his hands on, "What are your plans for tonight?" he asked, aiming for casual.
Levi glanced at the clock he knew hung on the right-hand wall of Petra's kitchen, they had started painting early, and had spent most the day finishing it. However, it was still reasonably early, plenty of time left to have plans - not like he had any.
He was conscious though of the fact he had spent all day with Eren, and he needed to back off a little. If he spent too much time with Eren, he would become accustomed to the relieving effect Eren had on him, so when he once again found himself around people, it would hit him like a brick wall. He needed to step out of Eren's protective presence, to reacclimate to his usual surroundings.
"I do," he replied, thankful Eren could not sense his feelings, he didn't want to lie to Eren, "I have a works video conference thing," he added, wincing internally, why did he have to add to the lie.
He felt shitty as soon as the words had left his mouth, Eren looked downhearted, "Oh," he returned, "I'm going to be waiting for the second coat to dry, then I'll be moving my furniture back into place,"
Levi glanced around the room, "You were right, the two colours go well together," he admitted, trying to cheer Eren up.
"Right!" Eren exclaimed, pleased with himself.
They stood awkwardly for a few seconds, neither speaking, eventually, Levi said, "I better be off," he walked across the room, turning to look back at Eren.
Eren smiled at him and said goodbye, which Levi returned, before walking away and heading back home. If he didn't make himself leave now, he would stay with Eren, he couldn't afford to become clingy and dependant on Eren and Eren's healing effects. Who knows how long Eren will be sticking around for? Levi couldn't afford to become dependent and then being left alone to go cold turkey as it were.