A/N: I'm back!
Chapter 12
As much as he wanted to stay there for the rest of the night kissing Levi, Eren was getting anxious that they still had a few bits to do before the re-opening tomorrow.
"One more," Eren pleads as Levi pulls away.
"No," Levi firmly replies, "Complete a task, and then you'll get one," he compromises.
Eren huffs, "Fine," Although the promise of future kisses was enough to motivate him to stand up.
"I stood up. Do I get a kiss?" Eren asks, knowing the answer but asking anyway.
"No, you do not," Levi rebukes.
Eren smiles as he walks away - he cannot help it, he and Levi, they are...boyfriends? A couple. He enjoyed their back and forth banter, when he thinks Levi is pulling him in with his charm, Levi pushes him away with an insult - he loved it.
Eren began clearing away empty boxes, wiping down the new tables, making sure that the counter is stocked - with napkins, straws, stirrers, sugar sachets, menus and everything else that needs to be in place for tomorrow. He made sure after each task he approached Levi received his kiss. It was like Pavlov's dogs but with kisses.
Levi was helping too, but he did not seek kisses as a reward. He willingly gave Eren his reward kisses though. How could he refuse, Eren would come bounding over to him like a puppy, smiling at him like a cat that got the cream. Besides, each kiss left him feeling relaxed, slightly dazed and happy. It was a nice change to feel happiness, his happiness.
The re-opening is scheduled for 10 am tomorrow, allowing, Marco plenty of time to bake fresh goods to sell and prep the other food. Other staff members can, hang some decorations, and hand out fliers; with a coupon for a free cookie or pastry with any purchased drink.
Taking a step back, Eren admired their hard work. The cafe looked amazing!
Levi comes to stand next to him, bumping his shoulder playfully, "Good job, kid."
Eren turns his body so that it is facing Levi, "I'm not a kid. Would a kid know how to do this?" he asks in a low voice.
He gently lifts his hand, resting his fingers on the side of Levi's neck as his thumb caresses his jawline, maintaining eye contact as he dips his head and trails kisses along the other side of Levi's jawline.
Levi's body is tingling in anticipation, not just for the moment Eren's lips meet his, but for how his body seems to be reacting to the slightest of touches and the prospect of what the future might hold. It certainly was intense - it was exhilarating.
Levi, still unsure, slowly reaches out and takes hold of Eren's waist pulling him closer, as he tilts his head and finally meets Eren's lips for a hungry kiss. His body relaxes instantly. Like he is melting into the kiss, all the tension and worry evaporating.
"Mmmm," he moans against Eren's lips. As much as he doesn't want to stroke Eren's ego, he couldn't help but express what he was doing to him.
Eren pulls away, smirking down at Levi, "I think someone is getting addicted to my kisses," he teased.
He couldn't deny it even if he wanted to, he was still a little dazzled and the effect Eren had on him had yet to fade away. This caused Eren to chuckle.
"Thanks for all of your help," he states, as he glances around the newly decorated cafe once more, "I really couldn't have finished it without you."
"You're welcome," Levi returns, finally finding his voice again. He checks his watch and groans, "It is late, I best head home."
Eren frowns down at him, "I guess it's too early to ask you to stay," he cheekily offers without any hope of Levi staying.
"You have a single bed, it is definitely a pass," he retorts more like his old self.
Eren chuckles again, "Cosy," he returns as he lifts his eyebrows.
"Not a chance, Yeager." Levi shuts him down, "Besides, I've made quite the show of myself as it is, I shall leave now whilst I still have some dignity intact." He somberly joked.
Of course, Eren had been smiling the whole time, "Another day maybe," he relents as he ducks his head and places a slow tantalising kiss against Levi's willing lips, draping his arms around his shoulders as lips seek more pressure.
Minutes pass, eventually Levi breaks apart, "No," he scowls as if Eren's lips are purposely entrapping him, "I must go, and you need to get some rest for the re-opening." He takes a couple of steps back, hoping some distance will knock some sense into him. Otherwise, he may spend the rest of his life stood there kissing Eren.
Again, the brat is smiling goofily at him.
"Stop it," he announces as he heads towards the door, unlocking it and calling out as he leaves, "I shall see you later." He hurries away before his body betrays him and rushes back towards Eren.
He hears an amused soft, "Bye," as he closes the door.
Giddy, was not a word in his arsenal, nor was it one he would ever use out loud, yet here he was, feeling, dare he think it - giddy. Maybe, he was not destined for a cursed life after all. Maybe, just maybe, he can have his own feelings of happiness.
Returning home, Levi knew he wouldn't be able to sleep. Instead, he showered, found a suitable outfit to wear to the opening, and caught up on some much-needed work.
Come morning, Eren was practically skipping as he covered Petra's eyes with a blindfold, leading her down the stairs and into the cafe. He prayed that she would like what he had done.
He slowly unties the silk scarf from around her eyes and announces, "Ta-da!" then waits.
She gasps, then after a few moments spins on her heels and grabs Eren in a surprising bone-crushing hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she squeals delightfully.
As she steps away Eren can see that she is extremely satisfied with how it all came together.
"No, thank you for allowing me to take over, also you supplied the money," he points out as he nervously rubs the back of his neck.
Petra swats at him, "Shut up," she tells him although there is no malice behind it. She moves to look around at all the different decorations, the menu, smiling as she does so.
It pleases Eren to see her so happy, he owed her after all. She gave him a roof over his head, a job and more importantly friendship. He felt more like himself now than he had ever done before.
Slowly other staff members begin to arrive chatting excitedly about the new look, about what their roles will be today and generally about their lives and gossip.
No one seems to be worried about the opening, everything is ready, all the food has been prepared by Marco, the waiters and waitresses have fliers to hand out, samples and enthusiasm that cannot help but be contagious.
Eren can see a few people outside, none of which is Levi. He minutely shakes his head, he cannot be so dependent on Levi. Besides, he will have a hectic next few hours he was sure of it.
Petra steps outside and greets the small crowd gathered outside. Eren can see some regular customers, thankfully they too look happy. Petra gives a small speech, cut the ribbon across the threshold and announces the cafe open. She steps aside to allow the first customer in, remaining at the door welcoming people inside.
Eren is behind the counter, with two others, ready to serve the small hoard of customers, some already presenting the flier for a discount or free beverage/pastry.
It seems the hours fly by, they are selling out of goods quickly, but Marco is just as fast at bringing out freshly made batches. The air is filled with delightful smells of coffee, sweet treats, fresh breeze through the door and chatter, even the occasional laughter. It's perfect.
Eren is too busy restocking muffins in the display cabinet he does not notice Levi entering. He gives a small startled jolt when he hears, "I'll take one of those, please." In Levi's distinctive voice.
He smiles up at him, placing all but one muffin in the display cabinet, standing up and plating the other muffin, he hands it over to Levi with a smile.
"I wondered when you would show up," He honestly informs him.
Levi remains standing, he does not want to sit at a table and the stools around the counter space are taken. He can feel the buzz in the air, and also flowing out from the people surrounding him. He can tune into Eren's emotions easily and decides to fixate on Eren's joy at seeing him, otherwise, he may become overwhelmed.
Ignoring Eren's comment he says, "Busy, that's good news. How's it been?"
Eren releases a deep sigh, "Manic, it's slowly starting to die down now." Not like you could tell, the place was crowded. Luckily, Petra had scheduled extra staff for today for that very reason.
Eren glances over at the cashier, "I'm going to take my break now," before walking around the counter and over to one of the few remaining empty tables. He looks behind him to check that Levi is following, and smiles at him when he sees he's right behind him.
When they settle Eren reaches out and cups one of Levi's hands, "You alright?" he asks in a concerned whisper.
Levi frowns, "Yes,"
"I mean, it is busy and this is a lot of people to...um...digest..." he knew that was not quite how he should describe what Levi could do, but he had no idea how to word it.
Realisation dawns on Levi, Eren is already trying to protect him, "It's fine, I can block it out, for the most part, it's still there but not at the forefront. Besides these people are happy, positive emotions although still draining, are much better than negative ones." He explains, never having explained it to anyone in detail before, it felt right to be talking to Eren about it.
A squeeze of his hands lets him know Eren is pleased with his response, "I'll get you your tea when it settles a bit," Eren explains apologetically.
Here Eren was on what was presumably his first break of the day and he's worried about fetching a drink for Levi and not himself. Eren was truly a selfless person.
"No rush," Levi returns, "I can stay for a bit." He confirms.
Eren smiles brightly at that, and Levi's stomach flips at the sight.
Eren begins to tell Levi in detail about how the morning has gone so far, slowly the people around them disappear. There remain a few customers, but it is not as packed as it was before. Eren stands and heads around the counter to begin making himself and Levi a drink. He orders them both, a panini and heads back to the table, placing Levi's tea in front of him.
Levi wonders not for the first time if Eren was sent to him because he had suffered so much and he deserved to be taken care of, to feel at peace, to be loved.
"What?" Eren asks around a smile.
Levi ducks his head to focus on stirring his tea, "About time, thought I was going to die of thirst." He sneers jokingly.
There was that glorious chuckle he has come to adore.
"Sorry sir, if you would like to complain I can fetch the manager." Eren remarks as he adds sugar to his beverage.
"That quite alright, just do better next time," suggests as he looks up and catches amused eyes staring back at him.
"I'll try my best," came his reply.
Not long after their food arrived, Levi should not have been so surprised that Eren had thought to order him something too.
They ate in relative silence, with the occasional comment, joke or lingering look. Once their plates had been cleared Eren reached across and took hold of Levi's hand once more.
"I missed you,"
"Don't be daft," Levi scolds, "you saw me less than ten hours ago." No way was he going to confess that he had also missed Eren.
Eren shrugs, "Doesn't change the fact that I missed you," he states confidently not affected in the slightest by Levi calling him daft.
Eren's touch feels warm, comforting, he has that feeling of being settled once more.
"When do you have to go back to work?" Levi enquires.
Eren glances at the clock, and smirks, "About fifteen minutes ago,"
Shaking his head Levi states, "Favouritism that is, Petra ought to watch out, the other staff don't revolt."
Before Levi can register what is happening Eren has moved across the table closing the space between them, placing a soft gentle kiss on his lips, before retreating again.
Eren responds as if there was no kiss, "Well deserved extended break, considering my efforts to get this place up and running again."
Outwardly Levi seems unphased, internally he is - yes giddy - Eren had casually kissed him and carried on like normal, whilst he sat there feeling like he was floating.
He was curious and also slightly scared about how he would feel once their physical relationship levelled up. Could he handle the assault on his senses?
"Earth to, Levi," Eren called, waving a hand in front of his face.
"I was saying, I should probably get back, will you wait around for a bit?" He seemed nervous, worried about Levi's response. Completely unaware that Levi would do anything Eren wanted.
"If you fetch me another pot of tea, I might consider it," He cooly states, as he pushes the empty pot towards Eren.
Eren stands and picks up the teapot, "I can manage that," he agrees, before walking away.
Levi looks around for the first time, his attention previously had been solely focused on Eren, his emotional raider had too. He spots a table in the corner better suited to him. Unlike his current table, it is out of the main thoroughfare and is secluded.
Once settled in his new spot that outlooks the entire cafe so he has his back to no one, he takes out a newspaper and begins to read. Moments later Eren places a freshly made teapot in front of him, placing a kiss on his temple before he leaves to serve some new customers. Levi smiles behind his paper, no one will see the momentary break in his indifferent mask he projects to the world.