A/N) Ever hear the words: insomnia gives birth to creativity. That's pretty much what has happened in this situation. I can't sleep, I promised an earlier chapter, here we go! So yeah...without giving anything away as to what I have done here: I apologize for nothing! Just love it okay? Well I hope you all do. Remember this is all for everyone that has followed the story. I really feel like there are stories out there far better than mine, and to know some of the people I look up to read this, is just incredibly heartwarming! So thank you all!
The next morning Eren hung his head in dismay in Levi's car "I can't believe I missed all the black Friday sales. I'm such an idiot. Now, I will have to buy all my Christmas presents full price."
"While I won't argue the idiot part," Levi chuckled at the glare he received "Isn't it worth a few extra dollars, to not get fucking trampled by people, who aren't exactly feeling the Christmas spirit?"
"The sales are worth it Levi! I'll punch a bitch for the right price."
Levi shook his head "I've always hated Christmas."
"What? Why? It's the most wonderful feeling in the whole world, to be surrounded by friends and family. Exchanging gifts, and believing in Santa again. While Jack Frost himself, nips at your nose!"
Levi huffed "Not when everyone is too busy with Christmas and forget it's your birthday."
Eren choked on his tongue "Your birthday is on Christmas?"
Levi set his jaw, and nodded.
"Oh Levi! What an amazing day to be born! I'm jealous!"
"Don't be. Growing up it was like "Merry Christmas, oh it's Levi's birthday, well half these gifts are for your birthday." I eventually grew to hate the fucking holiday. It's petty now, but my hatred set deep. I hate Christmas, because it's my birthday."
"I'm going to have to change your mind on that Levi."
Levi just rolled his eyes as he pulled into a parking lot.
Eren gazed out the window "This place is huge." he saw the men in suits standing outside, with guns strapped to their sides "And I suddenly feel like my life is in danger, and I am totally under dressed."
Levi parked, and unclipped his seat belt "You're safe, as long as you don't try to steal something, and you look fine. Come on."
Eren felt self conscious when Levi grabbed his hand, and pulled him into the large store
"Welcome the Shinganshina Jewelry." A chorus of voices said.
"Oh, Levi!" a man said, walking over to them!
"Hello Gunther. I brought him with me." Levi said, tugging a blushing Eren forward.
"Oh, he is young!"He saw the bracelet and necklace Eren was wearing, and smiled "It's nice to have a face with a name, Eren. I'm Gunther, Levi and I have been friends for awhile now. He came straight here for your necklace and bracelet."
"Oh, well it's nice to meet you then." Eren responded.
"Mhm, let me know if you need anything. Feel free to look around."
Levi looked at Eren, who was looking around like an excited puppy "Everything here is so expensive and sparkly."
"Sparkly speaks dollar signs. Money is no object, brat. Pick something that screams, I want my boyfriend to wear that."
Eren got butterflies in his stomach. After receiving his bracelet, while in the kitchen, Levi gave him an official title of boyfriend. It made him feel warm and fuzzy, to finally really be with Levi. He looked up and down the glass cases. Levi let him go alone to talk with Gunther. There were so many pretty things, but he just didn't see something that said Levi. But what was Levi? An old grumpy asshole...well, deeper than that. The love of his life, his world, his everything, yes. But what kind of jewelry says that? He wanted a bracelet for him, so they matched. But there were so many. He saw one that caught his attention.
"Can I help you?" a pretty girl, with red hair in pig tails, came up from behind the counter "My name is Isabel."
"Hi! I'm Eren. I have a question."
"Well Eren, I might have an answer."
"That bracelet there," he pointed it out "What's that say?"
She pulled a key off her wrist, and unlocked the case. She pulled out a white gold bracelet, with a rose clasp at the end, with a word engraved on it
"This is a special order bracelet," she said "The person who ordered it hasn't been back to get it in five years. I remember this. Hmm, it's German, but I'm not sure what it says. Hey Gunther, come here!"
The blonde man walked over to her "What is it?"
"What's this say?" she asked him.
He laughed "With a last name of "hunter" you can't read German?" he asked Eren, who just shook his head "It's für immer, it means forever."
"für immer...forever." Eren took the bracelet in his hands, and carefully examined all the intricate details. "I want it." he turned to look over at Levi, with a lopsided grin, as he handed Isabel the bracelet.
Levi sighed. With a smile like that, Eren found something. He walked over to him. "Yes, brat?"
"Look!"
Isabel held up the bracelet, and Levi had to give it to Eren. It was tasteful, and elegant "What's it say?"
"It's German...it means forever. I promise, for me. Forever, for you. I promise, forever."
"You're going to make me feel emotions and shit, Eren. Stop."
"You guys are so cute." Isabel blurted out "I'm sorry, that was unprofessional! W-would you like to try the bracelet on for size, sir?"
Levi held his wrist out to her. It fit perfectly on his delicate wrist. "Perfect. I'll wear it out. Let's skip telling me the price, so the brat's head doesn't explode, and here is my card." Levi handed Isabel his card, and Eren frowned
"I'm not stupid. I saw the hefty price tag next to it. I did what you said. I saw it, and knew my boyfriend needed to wear that."
They smiled at one another, and Levi put his arm around Eren, pulling him close. Someone broke them out of their happy bubble
"Levi?" A girl with shoulder length red hair asked.
Levi sucked in a breath. Eren was confused, until Levi stuttered out a "Petra."
Eren's eyes went wide. This was Levi's ex wife? She was gorgeous, slim, and had soft eyes. He saw a man walk up behind her, and wrap an arm around her. Oh, that must be the "bastard she cheated on me with, Oluo." As Levi put it.
"Hey Levi." The man said.
Eren cocked his head curiously. This man, looked like he wanted to be Levi. Almost like an older, wrinkled, Levi. From what they wore, to how they stood, was completely identical. Eren couldn't imagine why Petra would leave Levi with his young face and hot bod.
"Oluo." Levi gritted out. That wasn't good, Levi slipped right into his old self.
"Still playing around with young boys, I see." Petra said with a smirk.
Eren glared at her, but Levi spoke first "Yes, but he's a keeper. Not just a fling. Plus, he's faithful, which is more than I can say about, some people."
Eren winced from the sting in that comment. He was glad to not be on the opposite side of that statement.
"Well Oluo and I, are celebrating our five year anniversary. Have fun with your boy toy, Levi. Kid, word of advice, he may seem sweet at first, but eventually you'll get tired of his crap."
Isabel came over, and handed Levi his card and the receipt. Levi immediately began tugging Eren out, but he broke away from him. Eren walked over to Petra
"What do you want kid?" She asked.
"With all due respect, ma'am, I don't think I need to take your advice. Levi has been, nothing but amazing to me since we met. Maybe, you would have seen that, if you hadn't been to busy getting fucked by other guys," he shrugged "But it's your loss. Levi's cock is probably way better than this wrinkly bastard's anyways. Happy anniversary. Hope you packed lots of Viagra. My man sure doesn't need it."
Petra and Oluo both sported equally red cheeks, and dropped jaws. With a cheeky grin, Eren spun around and sauntered over to Levi. Levi pulled them out quickly, and Eren was a little scared he might have crossed the line. When they walked out, Levi pushed his back against the wall and laughed. Genuinely laughed. Not a snicker, or a chuckle, a full out belly laugh. Eren is pretty sure his cheeks would hurt, from how wide he smiled to Levi losing his composure like this. The man laughed so hard, tears formed in his eyes. He grabbed Eren by his cheeks, and kissed him "For years, I have tried avoiding Petra like the plague, because she always had a snarky comment about something! This is the first time, someone has ever embarrassed her like that. Brat, you're amazing!"
"Oh. I should have said something about how tight I am compared to her, or how you're addicted to cock. Oh well, I will have an arsenal, in case we ever see her again. I'm just glad you aren't mad."
"I...I freeze up around her. When I see her, I get both good and bad memories. But this time, I thought nothing good. Why should I?" He grabbed Eren's hands, and kissed his knuckles "I have someone perfect right here."
Eren blushed, as they walked back to the car "I'm far from perfect, Levi."
Levi opened the door "You're perfect for me, Eren. I wouldn't accept less from my boyfriend."
Eren felt those butterflies again. He was feeling it again. The desire to tell Levi those three words, but he would wait, until Levi was ready. So he just said it in his mind. Because, he truly loved Levi. He felt it right in his heart, down into his soul. He loved this man. As they drove, he saw the new bracelet Levi wore on his wrist. für immer, indeed.