…Pink Camellia...

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cursing, sadness, a little bit of violent, a bad coming out of the closet, Maybe time skip (?) and who knows what! All reviews are appreciated.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

….Dreams or flashbacks….

Chapter 4

"Fuck!"

That was all you could hear, that, and the sound of flesh hitting the ground. A raven haired boy glared at the boy that was watching him with a bored expression on his face. Dear Lord! He felt as though he would break from the continuous beatings he kept receiving, and there was no way out!

"I won… for the 88th time," Eren said cocking his hip to the side like a sassy little shit. "I guess it is time to take a break." He heard Eren sigh and head to the bench that was in the basement to rest. Who knew the Zoë family had such a huge basement they turned into a gym for Eren!

Ever since that day, Levi had continuously gotten beaten, and Eren kept saving his poor ass. Eren took it upon himself to teach him self-defense, and by that, he meant Eren beating the shit out of him and give him a few pointers as they went on and on with their lessons. Two weeks have passed since then, and to be honest, he was getting better every day. But he had a problem. No matter what he did, he couldn't win against Eren no matter how many dirty tricks he used to try and beat him. By the end of the day, he would be on his back with his head ringing loudly from the beating he got.

Levi groaned as he stood up from his place on the floor, he shook his head, trying to get rid of the annoying ringing noise. God! His body hurt like Hell. "You are a bastard, you now that, Zoë?" Levi grumbled as he starts limping to the bench that was beside the wall on the far side of the room.

"Well, you remind me every time I kick your ass, so…" Eren handled Levi a bottle of water, which the older teen took with a grateful look. "Besides, it's the only way for you to be able to protect yourself. Still can't believe that your father made you take piano lessons and not self-defense classes." Eren murmured to himself. Levi nodded in agreement.

Levi found himself thinking on the subject, he knew that his father wanted what was best for him, but seriously! Thinking that piano lessons are better than self-defense ones are kind of… he didn't know what to say, only that it left him limping home half of the time. Levi didn't know if it was because his father would like to brag about him being able to play the piano to his colleagues,or if it was for the hell of it, but come on! Mikasa took self-defense classes and piano classes, so why couldn't he? If his father thought that no one would touch him because he was an Ackerman, then he was badly mistaken. That, or his father had a huge problem with stereotyping people. Levi cleared his head of any distracting thoughts. He needed to focus on how to beat Eren, who was studying him as though he was an intricate puzzle in need of solving.

"So…" Eren started still staring at him. Levi found himself growing uncomfortable under his piercing gaze.

"So…?" Levi repeated, though it was questioning. He watched as Eren cocked his head to the side. He watched as the younger teen frowned. He saw how Eren sighed and shrugged, as though putting his thoughts to the side, much as he had.

"… Nothing, just hope that you are ready for round 89." Eren stated,standing up. Levi groaned.

It seems he will get his ass kicked… again.

ExL

He knew it was wrong… well not wrong but not accepted, after all high school is place for stereotyping teens, that and his family will roast him then disown him if they knew, but still he couldn't help it. Levi blushed softly as he gazed at a senior that played on the basketball team. He would see that boy from time to time when he was walking down the hall, and he was one of Erwin's friends, who Erwin told him, was Bi. So Levi may have a little bit of a crush on the older teen.

Levi looked at his clothes to see if they were presentable then turned back to the teen sighing the corner of his eye, he saw Eren raising a brow. He felt his face grow hot and he hid his face behind his textbook. They were in the library getting studying for midterms, so he shouldn't have been fantasizing about something that was not going to happen.

"What is wrong with you?" He heard Eren whisper softly taking the book out of Levi's hand, which apparently was upside down, that made Levi hide his face in his hands, God can it get even worse than that?!

"Nothing," His quick response made Eren narrows his eyes at him. "Really, it's nothing; let's just forget about this, Please?" Eren sighed and leaned forward, a concerned expression marring his face..

"You know I will protect you, right? At least, until you are stronger. And even then.." Eren trailed off. He sighed in relief as he saw Levi nod.

"Then what are you hiding?" Levi bit his lip hard and shifted, uncomfortable.

A sigh escaped through Eren's nose, and he turned to the side, slightly frustrated. Then he turned back to Levi . "Look, just know that I will be there to help whenever you need me… unless you killed someone, then sorry I won't help." Eren shrugged. Levi snorted and gave Eren a small smile.

"Yeah, yeah,"Levi grabbed his textbook back from Eren, glancing at it briefly to make sure it was no longer upside down. He shot Eren a reassuring grin. "Thanks though."

Eren stares for a little more, trying to read him, before nodding and turning back to his own textbook, and beins explaining the subject, so Levi could understand. Slowly Levi began to get what all the big words in the book meant, and committed them to memory.

Later, Levi looked back on what had occurred in the library. He hadn;t meant to garer Erens attention, nor for him to worry. It was just… no one here was that accepting of people who felt attraction to the same gender. Not to mention this was high school, where kids were bullied just because. That, and the fact he didn't want to give the jocks that beat him more ammo. And to be honest, he was scared. Scared that Eren wouldn't accept him. He had never had a best friend, and didn't want to lose his first one.

Levi drew himself out of his thoughts with a sigh and glared as the bell rang. Eren shook his head at him with a small smile. The two of them start gathering their things and headed to class, Levi glanced at the boy that was sitting a few tables from them. Levi just frowned and shook his head and headed to his next class.

He didn't notice the pair of eyes that were watching him.

ExL

Levi walked down the empty school halls and paused in front of a certain locker, Levi gazed at the locker with wonder then gazed at the letter in his shaky hands. He looked around to make sure that the hall was empty before taking a deep breath and sliding the letter in the looker and walking away as fast as he could without running.

After a long debate with himself that went back and forth for three days straight, he finally decided to confess to his crush, but honestly? Levi can't lie to himself any longer; he just hoped that the backlash won't be lethal. He really wished he was able to talk to Eren about this and ask for his opinion, but he was scared, scared of losing his family, scared of losing his friends, but… he didn't want to be scared anymore, and maybe this was the first step to do that.

"Levi!" Levi jumped and gave a small squeak as he heard someone yelling his name loudly. His head whipped to the side do fast it was a wonder he didn't get whiplash. "There you are, little munchkin!" Low and behold! Hanji Zoë, who running down the halls in top speed while wearing a denim jumpsuit.

"Hanji?" Levi questioned the mad teen that stopped before him. "What did you do?" Levi looked behind Hanji to see if someone was chasing her, to do her harm. He learned from Eren that Hanji was a trouble magnet, attracting trouble like moths to flames.

"Oh, nothing," She started, only to see Levi glaring at her. "I swear to God!" Levi sighed, and stared at Hanji with one eyebrow raised waiting for her to tell him what she was here for. "I was actually searching for you to invite you for dinner tonight." Hanji said as she starts walking down the hall. Levi followed behind, mildly confused.

"Dinner?" Levi parroted back uncertainly. Hanji grinned and nodded.

"So is the rest of the gang gonna be there?" He asked. Hanji shook her head 'No'. Levi tilted his head questioningly. "Then who?"

"Well, it's more of 'You' being invited to dinner," Hanji stated. Levi just frowned lightly. Why would they just invite him?

"Mom really loved that Eren made a best friend, and wanted to make you a thank you dinner." Hanji hummed softly as she stopped in front of her locker and grabbed what she needed, exchanging what she didn't.

"I didn't do anything for Mrs. Zoë to make me a thank-you dinner." Levi murmured.

"It's a thank you for being Eren's first friend," Hanji smiled.

Levi wanted to protest and opened his mouth to do so, but Hanji spoke not caring about what he was about to say. "Eren, well, he is not the type to make friends, always frown at the mention of them, you know?" No, Levi didn't know. So he stares at Hanji waiting for her to explain more. "He always thinks that people will leave if he made friends, childhood trauma and all of that, so he never brings anyone home. But you were the first person Eren brought home, and he proudly informs us that you were his best friend, and precious person. And Mom, well she wants to thank you for that, for being Eren's friend and looking underneath his cold persona and accepting him,"

By now, Levi's face was as red as an overripe tomato, he didn't know what to say, after all Hanji had just told him that Eren considers him one of his precious people!a warm feeling began to spread throughout him.

"You know that Eren will always protect you, right?" Hanji stated, Levi paused.

"Yeah, I know." He said. Hanji grinned and ruffled his hair,before shooting him a wave as she shot off. Levi exhaled sharply as her form shrunk steadily

This was the second time a Zoë told him that.

ExL

"Hi." Levi said smiling as he stopped near Eren, who was standing with Hanji waiting for Mr. Zoë to come and pick them up. Eren turned to Levi and smiled back. Hanji's gaze softened,and she straightened her glasses.

"You ready to go?" Hanji grinned, Levi nodded cheerfully. He had told his mother that he was going to the Zoe's for dinner. She had said yes, on the condition that Levi invited the Zoe's to dinner next week.

"You faggot!" Levi froze as he heard someone scream at him. He was grabbed by his shirt and jerked found himself staring into his crush's eyes, which were full of anger and disgust.. Levi could do nothing but open his mouth and close it, scared to speak. From the corner of his eye he saw other students start looking at him whispering to each other, pointing,

"What the fuck is this?!" The basketball player shook the letter in front of his face with a disgusted look. "Do you really think I will go out with such a… a disgusting thing like you?" Levi couldn't speak, he was frozen. The older teen let go of his hold on Levi's shirt and smirked cruelly.

"Well, than have it your way." He muttered and turned to the gathering crowd. Levi was still frozen, shock etched across his features, and unable to stop the teen. "Ladies and gentlemen! Let's hear it for the gayest cocksucker here, Levi Ackerman!" He shouted loudly with a showmans held back his tears as he saw some of the students laugh at him while others glared at him in disgust.

Levi took a step back biting his lip so hard he was he was sure it was bleeding. He heard a roar from behind him. "You fucker!" He tensed waiting for the blow to come. Only to see a blur passing him and going straight for the basketball player, the older teen turned around only to shout in pain as he got kneed between his legs then punched in the throat. "Don't you ever talk about my friend like that ever again." Levi heard Eren's voice but he couldn't see the smaller teen because of the tears that were blurring his vision, but that didn't matter to him, because as soon as he had control over his body he ran away

"Levi, wait!" he heard someone scream, but by that time he was far away from the school, he wished he could vanish from earth.

ExL

"Mr. Zoë!" Eren glared at the doorway. He walked into the quaint office, scowling silently. He heard Han sigh, and felt his concerned gaze following him as they moved to stand on one side of the room. The principle was sitting behind his desk and the Father of the boy who Eren had beat up, sat across from him. The kids name was Jayden Hunter. Eren glared at the teen, and smirked in satisfaction as he backed away in fear. The teens father frowned at Eren disapprovingly. Eren felt Han's hand fall upon his shoulder, as if to keep him calm so he didn't do something he would regret.

"Principle Pixis." Han nodded respectfully, as he walks toward the desk with Eren by his side.

"Do you know why you are here, Mr. Zoë?" The principle started. He blinked as he found himself looking at a very short student, who had apparently beaten a huge ass teen three times his size.

"Because I kicked a disgusting homophobic, nearly killing him." Replied Eren coldly rolling his eyes at the growl he heard from that idiot of a student and the sigh from his uncle.

"Why you!" J-whatever his name was stood up only to fall to the chair wincing as he held his chest. "That fucking fairy deserves it!" The teen snapped. Principle Pixis frowned at the language being used. "You should be grateful that the only thing I gave him was public humiliation and not the beating he deserves for being unnatural!" Eren growled ferally and tried to free himself from Han's hold to beat that fucker and kill him.

"Principle Pixis." Mr. Hunter gazes at Eren in disgust. Han frowned and glared at the other man. "I see that my son didn't do anything wrong, he was merely protecting himself from such… such a horrible person, so I don't see why we are here?" He gazed at his watch with an annoyed expression on his face. Eren twitched.

"In my personal opinion I think my son was heroic to expose such a rotting thing going on in your respectable school, and you should punish those who deserve it, like Mr. Zoë over there." Mr. Hunter gave one of his charming smiles, or rather, tried to because it looked like a shark's grin to Eren.

"Oh, Wow, no wonder where your son got his judgmental attitude." Han drawl out in a bored tone. Eren smirked and scowled at the glare that Mr. Hunter shot him.

"Well, then," Principle Pixis stated, gazing at the people in the room. "As you can see I can't let either of you walk away without punishment," He stated glaring at Mr. Hunter who opened his mouth to protest. "Mr. Zoë, your son was at wrong for starting a fight in the school ground, but from my point of view, he did it to protect one of his classmates from being bullied for his sexuality." Mr. Pixis sighed and rubbed his temples. He knew he was going to have one hell of a headache. "Mr. Hunter I can't ignore that your son was the actual reason of the fight, not only that but he was bullying his classmate and insulting him for his sexuality, which is not acceptable in any cases in this school."

"So what!" Snapped Mr. Hunter all the while glaring at the principle. "You are going to punish my son for making a fairy know his worth?!" Eren growled again and tested Han's hold on him, hoping that he will let go and let Eren have a go at the idiot who insulted his friend. "Mr. Pixis! You can't d-"

"Enough!" Snapped principle Pixis making Mr. Hunter close his mouth. "I don't tolerate that kind of behavior in my school." Mr. Pixis frowns, the corner of his lips falling downwards severely. "Mr. Hunter as you seem to not want to abide by the laws of the school, I deeply regret having to expel your son, now if you please, get your ass out of my office, now!" Mr. Hunter growled, tugging his son all the while screaming threats at the principle. Mr. Pixis groaned and resumed massaging his temple. He gazed at Eren with an amused twinkle in his eye. Eren tilted his head in confusion.

"I have been waiting for this moment for two years," He muttered. Eren's lips twitched up at the corners. "Though I am sorry to say that you have to be punished too," Eren nodded and straightened his back; he could feel his uncle ruffling his hair with a tired sigh. "Your punishment will be… detention for two weeks!" Mr. Pixis said as he got up and start stretching. Eren paused and blinked. that, well that was a light punishment all things considered. "Now, off you go! I want to return home to my husband." Eren's jaw dropped before he grinned. He mouthed a quick 'thank you' to which his uncle smiled and once more gave a nod of respect.

Eren stared at the door then looked to his uncle. "I'm going to see Levi," he whispered, Han nodded understandingly and watched him with worried eyes.

Eren ran to Levi's house.

ExL

Eren soon found himself standing in front of the Ackerman's mansion, and pounded on the door. He had run nonstop, not even slowing to catch a breath. His heart was like thunder in his ears, and felt as though it would burst from the fear that Levi might do something stupid. He hoped not. Eren let out a sigh in relief as the door opened to show Kuchel. She looked very stressed, brows furrowed.

"Eren…?" She whispered. Her eyes narrowed. "What are you doing here?" She questioned him, tone stern. Eren paused and frowned at her.

"Where is Levi?" He asked. The woman fidgeted and crossed her arms, glaring at Eren.

"Not here." She said. Eren rolled his eyes and gently pushed Kuchel to the side and ran to Levi's room, ignoring Kuchel as she shouted after him.

When Eren reached Levi's room he grimaced as he heard the sound of sobbing coming from behind the door. He growled. He should have killed that bastard when he had the chance. "Levi, open the door." He said as he knocked on the door, and heard the sobbing die down.

"Go away!" Levi snapped through the door. He sighed as he felt Kuchel's strong grip on his shoulder. He just glared silently and knocked again.

"Please Levi," Eren started. He shrugged Kuchel's hand from his shoulder. "I promised you, remember? I promised to protect you always, and I don't go back on my promises, you are my friend." He felt Kuchel pause and felt her puzzled gaze. Her breath hitches slightly as the door opened. She went to enter the room only to be stopped by Eren, who shook his head. The teen stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. Kuchel stared at the door, feeling helpless.

Eren grimaced slightly at the state of the room. It looked as though a tornado had hit it twice before inviting a hurricane. His gaze fell on the person who was lying on the bed with his back to him; Eren opened his mouth only to close it. He made his way to the bed and laid next to Levi. the latter tensed, as though expecting to be hit.. Eren frowned sadly. After a few moments of thinking, his mouth opened to tell a story that was long forgotten.

"When I was young… younger then now, eight or nine can't remember clearly," Eren whispered loudly so only Levi can hear him in the silent room. "Some students wanted to play a game, a made up game called XOXO that have a complicated rules, but the most popular ones are, if a person said O he will get a hug, X meant kiss, and if you didn't play that stupid game they will challenge you with the most stupid dare," He let out a breath and gazed at the ceiling trying to gather his thoughts. "A stupid game for the boys, so they could be able to get a kiss from their crushes," Eren could feel Levi shift a little bit, which meant he was listening. "One day I was my class, reading. I never went out to play with the other children, which lead to them treating me like I was invisible half of the time. So imagine my surprise to hear the door open and a blond boy-Steve was his name if I remember correctly- run to stand in front of my desk and look at me with a nervous smile, I looked at the door, still thinking that his friends will be there, I saw none, when I turned to him," Eren smiled a little bit as he remembered what happened. "He looked at me with a shy face and said X, now I could have told him to get lost, or accept a challenge from him, but for some reason… I just stood up and kissed him, he blushed and ran out of the room. I had stood there looking at the door with wonder. It was then I knew I liked boys more than girls, which to be honest made me scared." Eren's eyes took on a faraway look as he tried to remember what happened next. "When I returned home that day, I looked at my mother -My real one not the Zoë family who adopted me- I told her what happened."

"What happened?" Levi whispered. Eren hummed softly and looked at him. "When you told her, what did she do?" he asked as he turned to his side to face Eren, making the younger boy look at him and smile.

"She asked me 'Eren are you proud of yourself, about what you told me?' I remembered telling her 'Yes' She then smiled at me and I could see how the pride shone in her eyes at my answer, like what I have just told her was a treasure by itself." Eren took a breath and gave a sad smile. "She said as long as I was happy, as long as I love that person with my whole heart, she was content with that. It was then, I knew how much Mom loved me and how much I was proud to be her son." Eren saw Levi tear up at that and tried to wipe his tears away. "She will be proud of you, if you told her she will." Eren said making Levi's lips tremble at that.

"What if she isn't?" His voice cracked at the 'if'. Eren pulled Levi into a hug.

"Then I will be here, and I'm proud of you Levi, so proud, you are very strong, so don't let an unworthy person make you feel that way." Eren could feel how shaky Levi was, so he hugged him tightly.

They stayed like that until dinner time.

ExL

Dinner was a silent affair; Levi was sitting next to Eren, still raw from what happened this morning, wanting to stay next someone who will have his back. Eren gaze at Levi's father Kenny Ackerman, who was wearing a suit for dinner having just come back from work, Kenny was looking at the document that was beside him unaware of the dilemma that was Levi. Mikasa was wearing a pink sweater and some jeans, and gazing at Levi every now and then with a confused looks before returning to her food. And then there was Kuchel, whose eyes never strayed from Levi, a worried and hurt look adorning her face. Eren stared at his clothes, hoping that he wasn't too underdressed for this dinner.

"Mom," Eren heard Levi whisper, but the room was so silent he could have shouted. Eren could feel how every eye in the room turn to Levi, waiting. "I want to tell you something…" Levi paused as his mouth opened , then closed. His hands started shaking, not knowing how to tell them. Levi let out a shaky breath as he felt Eren's hand take ahold of his, calming down a bit, before gazing into his mother's eyes with a sad look. Kuchel nearly got out of the chair and ran over to her son. "I'm… I'm g-gay Mom, sorry that I can't be the perfect son." Levi held Eren's hand tightly nearly cracking it with how much force he was putting behind it.

Kuchel paused, she glanced at Kenny who had pushed his papers aside and was staring at Levi, looking him up and down up and down with a frown. "Is that why…" She didn't finish, the scowl on Eren face was answer enough.

"Levi," She sighed softly. Levi flinched and Eren glared at her. She smiled and turned her eyes back to Levi who was staring down at his food with a pained expression. "I'm happy, you know," She said. Levi's head whipped up so fast it was almost inhuman, she smiled, and Levi's lips trembled. "I'm proud of you Levi, never think otherwise, I just wish you had more confidence in me, but as long as you are happy, that's all I care about." Kuchel stood up fast and went to Levi holding him tightly, her lips trembling as she felt her baby boy shake against her.

"What's gay mean?" Asked Mikasa, looking from Levi to her Mom, then her Dad who was frowning, then she turned to Eren, who smiled at her softly.

"Gay means two people of the same gender who love each other, two women or two men." Eren answered making Mikasa nods her head and gaze at Levi.

"Are you gay Eren?" Mikasa asked a little bit excited about that, it will be cool to tell her friend about it, she was sure that Armin will be happy. And not to forget if Eren was gay he could be with Levi! Didn't he say gay people loved each other?

Eren hummed as he felt Kuchel look at him, but he ignored her, Levi need her more than he needs her. "Yes I am." Eren answered making Mikasa grin and nod her head.

"Levi," Kenny's cold voice sounded, and Levi stiffened. Eren narrowed his eyes at Kenny who was staring at him with a calculating look. "To be gay is nothing to be proud of," He starts, making Levi lower his head in shame, and Kuchel glared at him heatedly. "It's how you are gay that you have something to be proud of," Levi raised his head to look at him, Eren tilted his head and gazed at Kenny, it seems like the older man wasn't what he thought he was, Eren gave a smile to the other man. "Don't let anyone tell you how you should be, young man. I raised you better than this." Levi's breath hitches and his father stared at him with pride.

"What did happen this morning, darling?" Kuchel whispered running her hand through her son's hair. She felt her son start shaking in her arms.

Kenny frowns and glared at the boy that was sitting beside his son, only to see the boy give a death glare to the knife as if he wants to take it and stab someone with it. "You shorty what happened?" Kenny asked. He received an eye roll.

"Some idiot thought it would be cool to force a person out of the closet without their consent in the most humiliating way." Eren growled at that. Kuchel gasp softly gaze at Levi who hid his face in shame. Kenny was raging at that, How could they! Didn't they know that no one and he meant no one messed with an Ackerman.

"Where are they?!" Kenny hissed, standing from his chair, eyes narrowed dangerously, he was going to destroy whoever thought that they could mess with his son.

Eren smirked coldly making Kenny blink. "Expelled from school, and thrown into the hospital with a broken jaw, six fractured ribs and the ability to never be able to play any sport for the rest of his long, long and pathetic life." Eren cackled madly. Levi stared at him like he was crazy.

"Y-you really did that?" Levi said in wonder. Eren smirked and nodded. Kenny could do nothing but laugh at that, he was still going to destroy that boy though.

…

…

…

The next day Levi and Eren went to school, each holding a sign that said. "I'm proud to be 'Gay', and nothing you do can change that!"

Sorry if the coming out part made some of you uncomfortable, but know this!

Always be proud of what you are, never let anyone change that, because you are strong, don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Read and Review.

and let me know what you think. I am always open for suggestions.

Nazaki-Sama.

Beta'ed by NarutoUzumaki2005