Hellooo, a story I will hopefully be updating often. Enjoy, and feedback is very very much welcomed, thanks a lot!
(I do not own any characters from Attack on Titan.) Warnings: Swearing, Violence, Sad times
People can never quite understand anguish unless they experience it first hand. It's similar to how faith is accompanied by an unwillingness to believe in things that cannot be seen, heard, smelled, touched or tasted. Yet hypocrisy lies in human nature and the brutal way in which we crave and search for knowledge. Only when people experience anguish will they wish to have remained unaware and above all, ignorant.
Levi walked the busy streets of London, glaring intensely at the cobbled stones. He stepped this way and that with a graceful dexterity, avoiding the forming puddles with a determination that was a rarity to witness.
"Shouldn't have bought the cheapest fucking shoes. Waterproof my ass, you thieving bastard." The mutterings rose and dipped as the dark haired man narrowly avoided the oblivious passersby speeding to be out of the sprinkling rain. Levi was in a tremendously bad mood. His earnings from last nights gig had been chopped when he slammed a patron into an expensive part of the bar. The fucker deserved it for trying to feel up an unwilling woman but then the fact that he could no longer afford a new pair of shoes made him wonder if he should have intervened at all. Whenever he did anything supposedly good, karma didn't do anything to thank him. He was too fucking nice. He knew he should be thankful the bar didn't press charges but he was no longer welcome to perform there and it was one of the nicer places. Letting out a heavy exhalation, he realised he would probably have to double his crappy shifts at McDonald's.
"Watch it you fucking moron!" A rude man he had apparently knocked into, yelled, as he continued on his way, barging Levi out of his path. Brows wrinkled together with a comforting familiarity as his mood darkened further. He fixed his guitar bag back in place and strolled on, hunching his shoulders further inwards to help placate the evil straps from cutting craters into his skin.
He probably should have left it at home, considering he was just out for a pair of shoes but he took it in a split second decision to visit the bar he trashed and apologise while offering a free performance that evening. After his purchase he aimed to visit a cheap cafe to wait for the rain to subside and gather what little courage he had to face the owner before what little daylight began to fade.
Cars whizzed past, manipulating street lamps to playfully chase after them. The image resembled an oil painting with how rain clung to the vehicles vibrant colours, contrasting vividly against the drab city background. Levi gazed, entranced, the frown melting from his face to form a gentle tilt of his lips that many would find striking.
The squelching of cheap trainers, that would have been embarrassing in a quieter setting, was masked by the roar of traffic. Levi tutted in distaste at the moist feeling. Thinking back to his plan of action he realised he should probably text Hange to let them know he wouldn't be home in time to make food. He was about to pull out his phone when the rain become more apparent, grumbling, Levi consoled himself that he'd do it at the cafe.
He checked the time anyway, 16.37, his eyes widened and his legs kicked up a gear, he'd barely be able to get a coffee! Fumbling to put his crappy phone away he proceeded to slam into a human body. Levi stumbled back, grappling with his guitar case which caused his phone to topple from his hands to land with a solid thud. Levi blinked.
"What the fuck." Levi didn't know how to react, but it seemed he didn't have to. The person who he'd bumped into was already crouched, picking up the phone and shakily exhaling in relief when there were no cracks to be seen.
"I'm so sorry, are you okay? It was completely my fault, I mean, who stops in the middle of the street to stare at cars, right? I'm really sorry. Here's your phone, it's fine, see?" Levi was numbly staring at the ground during the desperate barrage of questions but was startled when his wet phone was shoved into his face. More drained than angry Levi just wanted that fucking cup of coffee.
"It's fine, it's a Nokia after all, no way that shit's going to break even if you dropped it off a fucking cliff-" With the phone in his hand, all that filled his sight was the colour green. Very bright green.
"I still feel bad, I really am sorry."
A boy, for he could barely be described as a man was shuffling his feet in a mildly awkward way. Furrowed brows and anxious emerald eyes flitted in a state of nervousness while he fiddled with a plastic shopping bag. With no umbrella and incredibly ill-suited clothes for a rainy Monday evening in March, he stood out as a peculiar individual.
His brain seemed to kickstart.
"Tch, it's fine but listen kid, try not to stop dead next time, shouldn't you be in bed anyway." The last part was grumbled and Levi really didn't mean it but he was just a little pissed and a pissed Levi was a mean Levi.
The young man paused his shuffling and stared him right in the eyes with a semi bewildered look, as if searching for a reasonable explanation for such a hostile reaction. Then the amiable demeanour slowly shifted to reluctant animosity.
"What's your problem?" A scowl stole over his features and Levi couldn't help but mirror the look, he was not in the mood to be dealing with hormonal teens. A wet shudder shook his shoulders as the rain suddenly poured harder.
"Other than the fact that you need to use both eyes when walking down a busy ass street?" Levi didn't know why he was getting so riled up, it was just a fucking kid but he could feel his blood burning hotly, he wasn't even angry about the phone anymore but rather over the kids' attitude. The pounding raindrops were nearly deafening. A few people here and there, unaware of anything but themselves, walked around the drenched pair blocking the pavement. The roads had quietened, excluding the occasional passing car that rivalled the sound of the rain.
They stared heatedly at one another, a strange energy sparking between them, they paid it no mind but Levi couldn't quite ignore how the water clung to the boys' eyelashes, or the fiery green eyes that burned incandescent with an unreasonable amount of rage. Levi knew he'd just make it worse.
"Fucking hell, are you even old enough to be left unsupervised? Has mummy gone missing?"
The last remark seemed to make him snap because shockingly fast, the young man swung a fist sending him stumbling backwards. Pain throbbed sweetly through his synapses like an old friend. A distant gasp from a passerby greeted his ears but he could barely hear it over the roaring of his blood. Levi's glower became downright menacing. He hated unnecessary attention. Bringing his eyes forward, he slowly rubbed his sore chin while green eyes glinted with superiority. The roaring got louder, making his fingers twitch.
Well, that wouldn't do.
His fist flew before he could process it, knocking the cocky shit off his feet and into a large puddle behind him. Satisfaction rippled through Levi before he caught sight of the brats plastic bag. Multiple eyes followed the shopping bag as it went skidding across the damp street into the path of an oncoming truck. Seconds dragged by as they all watched the truck approach at a frightening speed. Suddenly, the boy began to sprint towards the road and Levi knew from the moment that he scrambled to his feet that he wasn't going to make it.
Fire raced through his veins as he ran after the stupid brat. Reaching out he grabbed his collar and yanked with a strength fuelled by fear. The truck harmlessly fluttered a few auburn locks before the force of Levi's pull dragged him backwards into strong, secure arms. The boy yelled manic protests as the contents of his bag were crushed. The truck driver sped onwards, blissfully ignorant.
The boy slumped, staring at the remnants of his purchases with frozen disbelief while Levi effortlessly dragged the dead weight away from the road and a few shocked drivers. Once safe, he dropped the boy like a hot pan. The rain continued to pour.
"What the fuck is wrong with you." Levi was shaking, hand clutching his guitar bags straps in a death grip as he attempted to move them back into place. Muscles spasming with adrenaline and nerves shot, he gave himself permission to lecture the reckless kid in front of him.
"It's a fucking bag, what the fuck could have been important enough to risk your fucking life!"
"Shut up!" The boy clambered to his feet but stumbled slightly towards the road and Levi's instant reaction was to reach for him again. A hand slapped his away, cracking their knuckles together in a painful collision which caused Levi to swear through gritted teeth. Furious green eyes distracted him from the pain.
"You don't know anything!" He screamed with a ferocity that made Levi hesitate, stunned, making the initial anger and fear dissipate to a bone deep weariness.
"I know you would have been flatter than a fucking pancake if I hadn't dragged your stupid ass away from that truck." Levi said with the intention of being placating but the statement simply did the opposite.
"You have no fucking right to lecture me when it's your own fault in the first place! What do you expect me to say? Thanks!?" His deep, heavy breathing seemed to be the only thing keeping him calm enough to keep his fists to himself. Levi felt shame creeping along his cheeks, that was exactly what he expected. The young man seemed to assume so if the disgust in his eyes was anything to go by. Levi was just about to utter a quiet but heartfelt apology when a jolly ringtone interrupted him. The brat didn't spare him a second glance when he caught sight of the caller ID, walking a fair distance away to stand beneath a little overhang from a closed charity shop.
Levi continued to stand in the rain, stumped and feeling a little lost as to what to do next. He was unsure whether to carry on with his plan and visit the bar. Checking his phone he realised he missed all cafe opening hours so there would be no courage gathering available. Maybe he should just go home and hide away rather than try to make amends with a stranger. The sky was becoming more overcast by the minute and Levi sighed, ruffling his soaked hair he winced as his hands brushed his undoubtedly bruised face. Slowly, he made his way over to the brat who was speaking hushedly into a phone that looked just as cheap as his. The kid glanced his way before hurriedly finishing whatever he was saying and ending the call. A dark glare was thrown his way before he turned, undoubtedly to walk away but he paused as Levi spoke.
"Hey, I'm sorry." He remained facing the street, which Levi would have found insulting if he had any energy left, the adrenaline spike left him with what felt like a sugar crash.
"For being a dick I mean, not that you helped much. Who'd of thought a puny thing like you would swing first." His jaw snapped shut when he realised the tired ramblings coming out of his mouth. So much for apologising. It probably seemed like he was trying to further antagonise him, the thought made him cringe, his jaw already ached. Levi rubbed his face in remembrance as well as in mild annoyance at himself. The kid still hadn't turned around, nor had he left, but his tense shoulders gave away his irritation. Levi had best get going, but he threw a line over his shoulder as he passed the rigid form in an attempt to humanise himself.
"The name's Levi by the way, sorry again."
"Eren." Levi paused in his steps. The rain was far too loud for a whisper to be heard. His trainers squelched as he faced the boy once more who was now staring at the wet tarmac. The shiner he'd given him stood out against his tan skin. Unsure as to whether he had heard anything, Levi opened his lips to ask but was cut off.
"Look, thanks for saving me but if you hadn't been so much of a dick as you best put it you wouldn't have had to do so and I would have still had those fucking meds." With that, the boy stiffly walked past him and into the rain that had become a light drizzle, he didn't look back and Levi blankly watched him retreat before he disappeared behind a corner. A numbness spread through his blood as he slowly realised what the departed words meant. His stomach suddenly clenched, he felt ill at the connotations and wasn't that ironic because he was undoubtedly the reason a sick family member wouldn't be getting better. Not only that but he'd also caused more financial strain for the obviously struggling kid. Ashamed was too kind of a word and he felt thoroughly deserving when a lorry hurtled past, spraying him with puddle water. He didn't even feel it, he was too absent to care about the germs or his previous plans and responsibilities. He slowly began to follow the familiar path to home, numb from the rain and the crushing guilt. He thought he'd learned from his mistakes.