Over the next few days, Eren attempted to learn as much as he could about Levi and those people in Levi's life. Unfortunately, even Levi's closest friends didn't have much to say. He had yet to meet a couple of them but they worked in the city and rarely came by.
From what Petra said, she had seen Annie with Levi a few times, each time Levi looked worried and under some sort of distress. No one could tell him any more than he already knew, or anything that Levi hadn't already told him.
He should be patient, Levi did say he would tell Eren when he was good and ready. However, he couldn't shake the picture of Levi looking consumed with suffering and how vulnerable he looked. He wanted to do all that he could to help him. Sometimes when laying on his bed and letting his mind wander he allowed himself to believe that he saw a difference in Levi whenever he touched him or was near. Of course, he was only seeing what he wanted to see. He wanted Levi to feel better, and he would love to be the person that did that. Besides he wasn't one for denial, he faced up to being gay, he wasn't going to deny he had a whopping big crush on Levi. Armin would probably say it was some hero worship thing because Levi was there when he needed someone the most.
Eren didn't think so. The more time he spent with Levi, the more he felt connected to him. Something within him settled down whenever he was near Levi. It was as if his soul recognised Levi was...dunno important somehow.
It sucked that Levi didn't come in regularly, well no, he did, but not to a set pattern. Eren did not know when he would show up, or how long for. It upset him a little that most visits consisted of Levi with some random. Although, occasionally Levi would visit simply to see him, and those were the best kind of visits. Levi may leave early due to a sudden headache or the cafe filling up with customers. But, on the days where Levi would come in to see him, and not leave suddenly, he would spend his time talking to him - those days were the best of them all.
Today was Friday, he had convinced Petra to close the cafe early so he could redecorate a little. He had the entire weekend to paint, set out the new tables and chairs and then add decorative items. He had other staff members help. Marco and his boyfriend had helped Eren clear out all the old stuff. Some customers took some tables and chairs, the staff took some ornaments, the rest went to a second-hand shop.
As he stood there now, he was alone, the cafe was decluttered and near on empty. The counter, display cabinets and booths that were unmovable were covered up to protect them.
Shit - this was a big job. Much bigger than his small bedroom. Sasha and Connie said they could help Saturday and Marco said he might be able to help Sunday.
He knew he needed to at least paint the walls tonight so that they would be dry in time to hang pictures etc
Before he could make a start he heard the door rattle, someone was trying to get in.
He rolled his eyes and shouted, "Can't you read, we're closed for refurbishment."
The voice that came through the door in reply made Eren's happiness soar, "I'll refurbish you in a minute if you don't let me in!"
Eren grinned, unlocking the door, he opened it enough to allow Levi to enter before closing and locking it again.
"What does that even mean?" He asked, amused. How the hell did Levi make the word refurbish into a threat?
Levi sent him a stern cool stare, "It means I'll re-arrange your face to make it look like you've had a refurbishment."
Eren snorted, "We both know you're a lover, not a fighter." He meant that Levi seemed to care for others and wanted to help and the fact he had yet to see him be violent.
Levi was looking at him strangely, after a few seconds he replied, "Who do you think you are? Micheal Jackson." He teased, although it was clear that was not his original thought.
Eren shrugged, "In case you hadn't noticed we're closed." He repeated taking a few steps closer to Levi and gesturing with his arms stretched open to indicate the current state of the cafe.
"Clearly," Levi affirmed, "I can help, and you're still capable of making tea aren't you?"
Of course, Eren would not turn down free help, not to mention time with Levi with no pesky customers getting in the way. Nonetheless, he wasn't willing to let Levi know how much the idea of an evening with him was exactly what he wanted.
"Make it yourself!" He announced, his back straight and eyes fixed on Levi.
Levi quirked an eyebrow, "If you want my help, surely the least you can do is make me some tea." Levi countered taking one step towards Eren.
"Hmmm," Eren pretended to think over his answer, his finger tapping against his lips, "Is that so?" Another step toward Levi.
Levi gave him no reply, instead, he decided to start a staring contest. Two can play at that game, Eren thought.
He stepped closer yet again, now within arms reach of Levi. He raised his eyebrows in a challenge, Levi, quirked his and continued to stare steadily at him.
Eren could mention that he had not asked for Levi's help in the first place, but that didn't seem appropriate, he did not want to risk Levi telling him to shove his offer where the sun doesn't shine and bugger off. No, he needed - wanted Levi here.
They stood locked in eye contact for who knows how long, ten seconds, a minute, hell even an hour. Eren did not know. What he did know, was Levi was way better at this then he assumed.
Giving a huge sigh in defeat, Eren looked away slightly and said, "Fine,"
As he was walking toward the kitchen he heard Levi say, "The more you practice, the more likely you are to reach your dream of making the best tea I've ever had."
Eren scrunched up his nose, "Shut up!" He called petulantly - with no malice behind it.
When he emerged with the godforsaken tea, Levi had removed his coat and had pushed his sweater sleeves up. Eren tried not to stare, but with no one else in the room, it would be rude not to look. Especially when said attractive person was talking to you.
He focused and caught the tail end of what Levi had been saying, "...I'm game if you are?"
"Huh?" He eloquently said.
Levi frowned at him, he turned and repeated, "This could take a long time. I'm willing to pull an all-nighter. I'm game if you are?"
Oh, okay that makes sense.
"Sure," he answered, pleased at the prospect of spending all evening and night with Levi. He didn't have work tomorrow other than redecorating. He could catch up on sleep later.
The new colour scheme had been agreed on by all the staff, Petra had told them she wanted everyone to like it, seeing as they would be staring at the decor for the next few years at least.
There were a lot more plants, this pleased Eren immensely. Some were fake, just in case the real ones died, but most were real. Various succulents and cacti, modern contemporary lighting and chairs. It definitely would give the cafe a whole new image.
"Shall we begin?" Eren invited bowing to Levi jokingly, then straightening up to hand Levi some masking tape, "we need to tape off the sockets, skirting and where the wall meets the ceiling." He knew he didn't need to explain why to Levi, Levi would know it was to stop the paint bleeding through onto places they didn't want that colour paint to be.
Levi shook his head at Eren's antics, grabbing for the tape and having a little tug of war for it with him, as Eren wouldn't let go.
"Idiot," Levi said after he finally managed to pull it out of Eren's grip.
This only caused him to smile like a buffoon.
"Want some music whilst we work?" Eren genuinely asked.
"Sure," Levi deadpanned, "anything to block you out."
Eren gently shoved Levi, "Ass," he left to switch on the sound system for the cafe. He was mindful to keep the volume at a level that they could hear the music but low enough that they could still hear one another talk.
He didn't pick anything, in particular, he put it on to a radio station and paid no mind to what radio station either.
They settled into a quiet routine, both taping and making progress. Eventually, a song came up that made Eren freeze. The song that was currently playing was his father's favourite. He would play it most evenings whilst he was in his study. Eren grew up with this song, he knew every word he knew how to play it on piano - an instrument his mother had insisted he learned as a kid. He memorised the song to try and please his father, he played it for him on his parent's wedding anniversary. The song had so much sentimental baggage to it. There was never a possibility that he could listen to it and not think of his family, his father in particular.
A heavy sadness engulfed him, the weight of the memories enough to make him feel weak. He moved to sit at a cloth-covered booth. Levi appeared crouching in front of him almost immediately.
"Eren?" He called softly, a softness that Eren took to heart. A softness Eren liked to pretend was only for him and never used for anyone else.
He lifted his head, he told himself he was not going to cry, it was just a song. Yet, he could feel the tears threatening to spill as he met Levi's concerned gaze.
"I'm okay," even though he wasn't and the look Levi gave him told him he wasn't buying it. "I'm being silly," he tried instead.
A hand - Levi's hand, reached out and squeezed his knee, "Even so, whatever it is, has upset you. Please…" he paused taking a steadying breath, "let me help."
How could Levi help? It was a song, a stupid song that stirred up stupid memories and made him think of his stupid father.
"It's stupid," Eren declared, wishing he could at least think of another word, any other word but stupid.
"If it has this effect on you, then it's anything but stupid." Levi wisely said.
It pleased Eren to note that Levi had not removed his hand, it remained gently holding his knee/leg.
"That song," he finally gave in, "it was...it was my father's favourite." That was all he offered as an explanation, yet Levi understood.
"May I?" He asked and Eren wasn't a hundred percent sure what he was asking. No matter what he was asking, Eren knew his answer would be yes.
He dipped his head slightly to signify his consent. Next thing he knew Levi had moved to lean on his knees, up fully as he pulled Eren into a hug.
Well fuck! He was not expecting that. For Levi to...to be the hugging type, to initiate contact, to do that!
He instantly felt much better. The rawness of his emotional episode still lingered, but nothing mattered as Levi was holding him.
Not wanting to break this weird spell, Eren remained silent, lifting his arms to wrap them around Levi. Levi seemed to relax a little in his arms and that made Eren smile.
So much for getting a head start on the painting. After what felt like an eternity, yet felt nowhere near as long as what Eren wanted, Levi broke away. He stood and fetched Eren some tea.
"Thanks," he had no idea if he was thanking Levi for the hug, or the tea, either way, he was thankful for both.
"Better," Levi asked although he knew Eren was feeling better.
He had sensed instantly when Eren's mood had switched to a sombre one. He was by his side as soon as physically possible. He ignored the overwhelming rush of sadness that flooded through him and concentrated on the person that was feeling this first hand. It caused him extra pain to think that the person who was feeling this way was Eren. For a change, he wanted to help, not just so he could get rid of the second-hand emotions eating him up, but to help the person who was feeling that way. To make Eren happy again, to comfort him, protect him. Take all of it - he'd take all of Eren's sadness gladly if it meant he didn't have any.
It felt right to offer Eren a hug. Again, although he knew that hugging Eren would alleviate some of his own sufferings, his actions were not to benefit himself, instead, his actions were solely based on helping Eren.
The hug was everything. He had never been held the way Eren holds him. As cliche as it sounds his heart truly skipped a beat. Not like he would ever admit that shit out loud.
"Better," Eren reassured, Levi.
"Good," Levi was relieved, he couldn't help but add, "because a little stunt like that won't get you out of decorating. There is no way I'm doing all this by myself."
Eren stood and sent a small smile over to Levi, "You and me until the bitter end," he confirmed.
Taking that as his cue to back off, Levi picked up his disregarded tape and resumed his taping.