To think he would have never known this place existed if it was not for Levi helping him that day in the bank. Yet, now, this place was everything to him. His home, his work, the place he interacted with people, new friends and Levi.
He adored the cafe, it was charming and welcoming, and most of all it was the place where his new life had begun.
Petra was a great boss, she would listen to Eren's ideas, and include him in decision making. She was not faking it, she genuinely appreciated his input and valued the hard work he did. It was fulfilling. His days here were opposite to his days spent trying to force himself to study, the thought of being a doctor and in a loveless unhappy marriage was horrible.
About two days after Levi last showed his face, Eren had some unexpected visitors. He had told Armin and Mikasa the name of the place he was working at, and they suddenly were here. He smiled brightly at them and ran into Armin's open arms.
They physical relaxed, seeing Eren happy, healthy. In fact, he was looking the happiest they had ever seen him, and much healthier, no late nights studying or stressing about coming out to his parents did him good.
Eren asked Connie to cover the front, and he sipped into a booth with Mikasa next to him and Armin opposite them. Connie took their order, lingering too long, probably to garner enough information to text Sasha the gossip.
The three of them sipped their drinks in silence, until Armin spoke up, "This place is nice," he remarked as he glanced around him.
Eren nodded, "It sure is," he was proud to work here, and Petra even said she might be willing to look into expanding based on Eren's ideas. He wanted to buy a small van, and start doing lunch deliveries to offices.
They soon settled into easy conversation and ate lunch together. Petra smiled over at the three of them, pleased that Eren was taking a break from work, and having some downtime with his friends.
Unfortunately, Eren had to bid them farewell with the promise to meet here on his day off, as he had to assist Connie, due to the sudden rush.
Armin and Mikasa visited as much as their schedules allowed. Seeing them took his mind off of Levi's absence. Eren was getting used to Levi's periods of no show. A fortnight had gone by without even a peek of Levi. Was Eren worried? Yes. Did Eren miss him? Yes. Was he adjusting to Levi suddenly vanishing for days on end? Also, yes.
He managed to book a day off that coincided with Armin's free day. Mikasa couldn't make it, but Eren was pleased that he would have a full day with Armin. They arranged to meet in town, they did some shopping, watched a film, ate out and then decided to return to the cafe for milkshakes.
Eren pushed open the door, the bell above dinging to signal his arrival. Armin took their bags and found them an empty booth. Eren greeted Connie and placed his order. On his way over to Armin, Eren froze.
In a booth opposite Armin, with a few smaller tables in between sat Levi. He was facing towards Eren, but he had not noticed him. He was glowering at the person sitting in front of him. His face was pinched, and Eren had come to recognise that as the face Levi made when he had a migraine.
Eren stood watching Levi, he was talking but it was too loud in the cafe to hear what he was saying, and Eren could not lip read very well.
He jumped when Armin tapped him on his arm, "Eren, are you alright?" he asked concerned.
Eren forced his gaze away from Levi, and focused on Armin, "Huh," he said confused, "Yeah...yeah, sorry." He announced, following Armin to their table.
It was difficult to hold a fluent normal conversation with Armin when Levi was sat across the way.
By some stroke of luck, Armin's phone rang and he excused himself, taking the call outside. Eren immediately directed his attention to Levi and Levi's companion. Who was she? Eren had never seen Levi bring anyone here. They didn't seem to be comfortable, both had tension rolling off them, and not the good kind. Levi had not noticed Eren's arrival and was deep in conversation...no debate, maybe even an argument with the other person.
The other person had a small yet well-built stature and her hair was naturally blonde. He could not see their face properly, only getting a side-on view and the girl's hair covered part of her face.
Her body language screamed that of a person feeling cornered and that of someone full of hatred.
Levi's face was starting to lose its colour, and Eren was becoming increasingly anxious. Levi moved a hand to cover his mouth as if he was trying to stop himself from vomiting. His other hand was massaging his forehead, his elbow resting on the table as he supported his head.
Eren was just about to intervene because Levi looked so faint and ready to vomit. However, the girl he was with suddenly stood up, swore at Levi and stormed out.
Levi made no move to follow the girl he looked too weak to even attempt to follow her. He held his head in both of his hands, his head bowed down.
Without hesitation Eren slid in the booth, sitting next to Levi. He placed a hand on Levi's thigh, and he heard Levi mutter, "Eren," in a strained voice.
How Levi knew it was him without even looking was beyond Eren, but he seemed to settle the moment Eren had placed a hand on his leg.
"Yeah," he answered, "It's me. You okay?" he asked.
Levi lowered the hand closest to Eren and placed it on top of Eren's that was resting on his leg. He threaded their fingers together so they were interlocking. He held their hands like that, showing no signs of letting go. His breathing evened out, and the colour was slowly returning to his face.
"You want some tea? I'll get you some tea." Eren suggested, he tried to move but Levi did not let go of his hand.
Eren sat back down, "Or not," he laughed nervously. Levi was scaring him, and he was not sure what to do.
"Please," Levi pleaded in such a contrast to his normal tone of voice. Eren was sure Levi was not the type to say please, or plead.
"Okay," Eren said, not knowing what he was agreeing to, but willing to do it anyway if it helped Levi.
Too caught up in what was happening with Levi, Eren had not seen Armin return. Thankfully, Armin was a sensible person and could read a situation. He could tell Eren was occupied, so he sat down at their booth and played a game on his phone. He could ask questions later, for now, whatever Eren was doing, was clearly important to him. Armin would allow him his privacy and not stare.
"Look at me," Eren whispered softly.
Inhaling sharply, Levi lifted his head and turned to face Eren. On instinct, Eren lifted his free hand and cupped Levi's face. Eren could have sworn Levi moved into the touch.
"What's wrong?" Eren tried to understand, it didn't make sense.
"I'm fine," Levi returned, but Eren frowned at cut the rest of his words off.
"You're not fine," Eren remarked in a low but strong voice, his hand dropping away from Levi's face, "don't lie to me." He pleaded, adding, "Not me."
He sighed, "No," he relented, it felt foreign to be so open and honest about how he was feeling with someone. It was like Eren ripped the mask off his face and made him bare his soul. "I'm not fine. I will be though." He reassured.
"Good," Eren could not imagine Levi being vulnerable for long.
Levi squeezed their interlocked fingers, "Can we just sit for a bit?"
"Of course," Eren agreed.
He pulled out his phone and text Armin, saying something had come up and would he mind coming back another time. He knew Armin had received the message as he saw Armin stand, gather his bags and leave, meeting Eren's eye briefly and sending him a small goodbye smile.
And that's exactly what they did, they sat in silence, holding hands.
"Better," Eren asked after a long silence.
Levi straightened up his back, his posture back to what Eren was used to, "A little, yes."
Eren eyed Levi carefully, "Do you think you could walk?" Maybe asking Levi would dent his pride. Levi was, after all, a person who showed no weakness.
"Jesus Christ, Eren..." he snapped his voice held more strength now, "Of course I can fucking walk."
Eren smiled, this was the Levi he was used to. Eren stood pulling at Levi's hand, this time Levi followed. Eren took them upstairs to his room, they held hands the whole way. Levi's grip firm, he did not want to let go any time soon.
They sat side by side on the edge of the bed. Eren was staring down at his feet, unsure what to say, or even if he should pry at all. After an internal battle he caved, "So..." he began, glancing over to Levi, "Who was she? and what the hell was that all about?" He asked sympathetically, he did not demand.
He watched as Levi inhaled deeply and closed his eyes briefly, "That was Annie," he paused, thinking over his words, "She's a...an acquaintance."
Rolling his eyes, "Thanks for clearing that up," he teased.
Levi elbowed him, "Twat," he insulted, "It's hard to explain, she's not a friend, but she's not a stranger. She's someone who has lost her way and stumbled into my life. I lend her money, help her where I can. She has addiction issues." He explained.
Wow, was Levi some kind of good samaritan, did he make it his business to help everyone and anyone? It was weird, Eren felt dejected, he thought that when Levi rescued him, he was special. How ridiculous! Levi helped anyone, he wasn't unique.
"Eren..." Levi called concerned.
"Hmmm," he replied, meeting Levi's gaze, "Sorry, I zoned out. Continue?"
Levi frowned at him, the emotions that burst from Eren a moment ago was very negative. What had he said to cause such a change?
"What is there to say," Levi bluntly stated, "I bumped into her again, she's taken a turn for the worse, I was trying to talk sense into her. Urge her to get help. She did not take to my meddling very well, told me to fuck off and left."
That was the truth. Annie needed to go to rehab or something, but if she was not willing to, or even admit she had a problem, it was not likely Levi could convince her. She was very stubborn.
Eren pulled his hand free, and Levi felt the nausea return now he no longer had Eren's healing touch. He wanted to snatch Eren's hand back up, but he would not, he would only touch Eren with his consent.
Eren had stood and begun pacing the small room, "Okay, I can understand all that...I mean not your obsessive need to help people, but Annie's story. What I don't understand is why you react the way you do!" He stopped and stared at Levi as he spoke the last part.
Levi went to speak, he opened his mouth and closed it. Eren filled the silence, "Don't give me some bullshit that you're not feeling very well today." He pointed a finger at him, "Because I've seen you react like that before, maybe not quite as extreme, but headaches, nausea - like you're overwhelmed by it all." His voice rose as he spoke, as he was feeling more confident in his words as he spoke them. He began pacing again.
Levi stood, gripped both of Eren's upper arms, halting him. They stared at each other, the tension building and Eren's emotions getting stronger as they washed over Levi.
"I will explain when I'm ready. I-I have no idea where to start." He admitted, feeling vulnerable again.
Eren's arms were pinned to his sides, as he glanced down at Levi, he could see that Levi's eyes were full of so much emotion. Eren would feel like an utter prick if he pushed the matter.
The tension Eren was holding in his body was gone, he slumped a little and conceded, "As long as you do explain to me eventually."
"Deal," Levi accepted. He hated telling people he was a freak. He was scared that Eren would distance himself from him, and now he knew Eren had a healing touch and such an alluring presence, he could not bear to lose him.
In the spur of the moment, Eren pulled Levi in for a hug. It shocked Levi, his body was not accustomed to physical contact, let alone, Eren's talent for healing added on Eren's emotions that burst through Levi's carefully constructed walls. He hesitated, because he was in shock, it was like whiplash, but then he lifted his arms and returned the hug. It felt amazing. He couldn't remember the last time he had hugged someone so tightly before, and not a single bad feeling attached to it ruining the hug.
He could have sobbed, but he didn't. He held it together. Years and years of doing so, one hug from Eren was not going to undo all that he did instinctively. It was nice being the one who was being hugged, or the one someone cared about. He knew at that moment he needed Eren, in more ways than he could even comprehend right now. It seemed Annie was not the only one who was addicted to something, or in his case, someone.