Chapter 23

Eren, wallowing in his own shame and embarrassment, had decided not to risk venturing back out into the living room for the rest of the night, and fell asleep curled up in his bed.

The next morning arrives quicker than he would have liked. He looks over at his alarm clock, 11.46am, and sighs audibly, it's a lot later than he'd been expecting. Levi must have gotten up and gone to the gym without him this morning.

With a groan, he sits up and stretches his muscles, sore from the awkward position he'd slept in, and yawns loudly. He ruffles his loose, tangled hair and gets up to look in the mirror. He gets a bit of a shock when he sees the mess of make-up and grease still all over his face. The lipstick that Levi had applied with care and precision is now smeared all over his chin and upper lip and the eyeshadow has pretty much gone but has stained his eyelids in an unnatural dark colour that gives the illusion of blackeyes.

He grabs one of his face wipes from his dressing table with a grimace and begins scrubbing hard and thoroughly, aware that the longer he spends wiping down his face, the longer it will be before he has to leave his bedroom and deal with the Levi situation.

Eren's not stupid, he is fully aware that he was completely in the wrong with what happened the night before, he should never have let his personal feelings cloud his judgement in a moment where Levi was so far out of his comfort zone. Recently, Levi had been trying harder and harder, at Eren's insistence, to relax around him and just have fun as friends while they could, as lately there hadn't seemed to be any more recent news around the Titan attacks, and Eren had stupidly gone too far.

Eren's not sure when he started feeling the way he does about Levi, he's always found him attractive….he's not blind, but he thinks his feelings began growing for the man not long after he'd moved in properly and Eren was having one his bad days, sitting in the pitch dark living room and vacantly watching the TV in silence. He gets depressive spells like this every so often, thinking over all the worst mistakes he's made in his life, letting them consume his mind until he's stuck in a dark place and he can't get out.

When he gets like this, he usually just has to wait it out and hope for the depression to dissipate sooner rather than later. However, Levi, having not experienced Eren in one of these states before, had no idea how to handle it and managed to work himself up into a cleaning anxiety, dusting and shining every surface visible to the naked eye, re-arranging everything around Eren about ten times over and even vacuuming Eren himself as well. After a while, Eren became so concerned over Levi's erratic behaviour, he was able to push his depressiveness to one side and focus completely on the older man, managing to settle him down and confiscate his duster.

It wasn't a massive, life changing thing, it hadn't even been all that memorable. But to Eren, it showed him just how much Levi was beginning to care, even if he didn't vocalise it, because he'd worried and didn't know what to do to help Eren, so he did the only thing he could think of and succeeded in bringing him back to down to Earth.

With his face successfully cleansed and spotless, Eren touches up the black nail polish on his fingers before he finds himself with nothing left to do, and soon has no other choice but to finally get up before Levi decides to check if he's died in his sleep or something, it wouldn't be the first time the older man has done so.

He's sighs heavily and resigns himself to his fate before leaving his bedroom and closing the door over with a click.

The sight before him is not quite what he was expecting. Levi is sprawled across the living room sofa, staring at his phone screen, shirtless with little droplets of water from his shower still present in his hair and dripping teasingly down his pale abs and into the waistband of his very loose shorts, a pair of Eren's own if he's not mistaken. As he tries his hardest not to drool at the vision of pure sex appeal in front of him, he lets out an incredibly manly squeal that alerts Levi to his presence in the room.

"Hey kid, now that you're up, tell me, what exactly is a "ship"?" Levi asks, moving to sit up straight and looking to Eren with curiosity in his expression.

"A ship? Like…. the boat?" Eren counters with confusion, at least fifty of his brain function focused solely on the chiselled, bare chest on display in front of him.

"No, not like the fucking boat, moron!" Levi rolls his eyes.

"Well, you're gonna have to give me some context then." Eren argues, yawning and rubbing at his eyes in an attempt to look overly tired and not like he was just ogling his friend's semi naked form spread out like a dessert platter in an all you can eat buffet. Newsflash, he's a pervert and has an incredibly sweet tooth…

"Your dumbass subscribers have been commenting all morning on how you and I are now their 'ship' or that they're shipping us. I don't understand, shipping us where?" Levi asks with genuine interest, scowling at his phone as if trying to intimidate it will somehow spark inspiration.

"Ahh…." Eren stutters and blushes lightly, "…. well, it's like internet slang you know? It basically means that they enjoy watching us and they want to see more of us together…. in a sort of romantic way…. Like, as a couple…. in a relationship…. "ship", you get it?"

Eren is sure that his face is a bright scarlet as Levi's eyes widen a fraction in surprise, "Oh…. I see. I never would have guessed that. That's quite clever actually, I guess not all of your subscribers are complete dumbasses."

He remains quiet after this, putting his phone away in his pocket and Eren feels the need to fill the silence once again.

"I wouldn't worry about it, they said the same thing when I had Marco make guest appearances as Maria a while back. People started 'shipping' us and saying how much of an amazing couple we would make. We just laughed it off, but Jeanbo got really pissed as you can imagine, didn't say a word to me for weeks. Which, to be honest, worked for me just fine."

"Tch, you know he'll kill you if he finds out you call him Jeanbo behind his back." Levi scoffs and Eren grins cheekily in response, "And you realise you could have easily fixed that right? Could have just featured him in some of your videos and I'm sure there would be plenty of weirdos 'shipping' you both or whatever. Problem solved."

"People with horse fetishes probably. I did actually suggest that myself, but for how much he loves the sound of his own voice, he despises listening to himself on camera." Eren shrugs, pulling absentmindedly on one of the drawstrings of his hoodie and turning his attention to the forgotten tv show Levi had playing in the background.

They remain in a comfortable quiet for a little while longer, until the elephant in the room becomes too big and too loud for them to ignore, and they both begin to speak at the exact same time.

"I'm sorry about last ni…."

"I should apolo…."

"You first." Eren insists with a sheepish laugh, scratching at the back of his head self-consciously.

"Tch, brat. I was going to say I should apologise for last night." Levi says gently, unconsciously covering his chest with his strong arms as he scratches at his shoulders. Eren narrows his eyes at him.

"Wait, why are you apologising? I'm the one who overstepped the mark and made you feel uncomfortable. I promised when you moved in that I wouldn't do that, and I went ahead and broke your trust."

"Well in case you're forgetting kid, I was the one who climbed on top of you. We were just messing around, like you do with all of your friends, and I froze. That's not fair on you either Eren, you shouldn't have to constantly worry about whether or not I'm gonna freak out on you. So, I'm sorry for that." Levi says apologetically, secretly hoping that Eren is to tired or stupid to see through his bullshit, carefree attitude over the incident that's been playing over and over in his head all night.

"Wow…. I've spent probably the past 14 hours worrying about what I was gonna say to you today, and then you go ahead and do that. You keep putting yourself down or blaming yourself for things that aren't your fault Levi. I…. shouldn't have done what I did, regardless of whether or not weird lack of boundaries are commonplace between myself and everybody else. I'm sorry too." Eren insists, knowing fine well within himself that his actions the night prior had been the furthest away from friendly that they could have been, short of him sticking his tongue down the other man's throat.

"How about this then brat? Nobody is to blame and neither of us have to apologise for anything again, unless the other makes it perfectly clear they're upset. Less stress and confusion that way." Levi suggests helpfully, "And it's only been a couple months, we're bound to overstep the line at times, me as well as you."

Eren smiles softly, "I guess that makes sense, and I think it's a good idea. I'm all for it, no more apologies until completely necessary, deal?" He asks, spitting into his hand and sticking it out to Levi.

"Ugh, that's disgusting! You're all about bodily fluids, what's the matter with you?" Levi scowls as Eren cackles, wiping his hand on his sweats and walking the short distance to the kitchen.

"I'm just kidding, I'm gonna wash my hands and make some coffee before Connie gets here with Kaya. Want some?" Eren asks, automatically taking two mugs from the kitchen cupboard regardless. A glance tells him that Levi's back looking at his phone, his face twisted in a grimace.

"Yeah, but first, please tell me why so many people are asking me to step on them? What the hell am I supposed to say to that?"

Eren just laughs loudly and ignores the annoyed glare he receives in return.

Connie came by to drop off a grumpy Kaya in the early afternoon, who hadn't been too keen on being pawed off to Eren and clung ferociously to her father in an attempt to avoid being held by the uncomfortable, tall man reaching out for her.

That was until Levi had appeared suddenly, and then she was practically fighting Connie to be traded off to her favourite Uncle, who gladly wrapped her in a tight hug, resting her weight effortlessly in one arm as he took her overnight bag filled with formula, extra clothes and diapers from the chuckling bald man, who nudged a sullen Eren with his elbow.

"Aww don't pout Eren, you know she loves Auntie Rogue, she just can't tell that you're the same person yet. Give her some time and you won't be able to get rid of her, trust me, I miss the good ole days when she only wanted Sasha!" Connie laughed good-naturedly, slapping Eren on the shoulder and leaning over to give his daughter a kiss on the cheek before leaving with a reminder they could any time and a wave.

A couple hours later, Eren returns to the living room after going to his room for a little while, to find Levi sitting on their comfortable arm chair with Kaya on his lap, reading through a children's picture book on animals, the latter giggling loudly when Levi does the sound of a horse for her. He smiles at the sight and leans on the frame of the doorway, watching them for a little while longer before speaking.

"You telling her stories about Uncle Jean, Levi?" Eren says, grinning and folding his arms as he raises an eyebrow.

"You really need to stop with the horse jokes, kid. He's gonna hear you one of these days and I'll have to stop him from attacking you, I'd rather not deal with that clean up, you'd need to give me a raise. And…. are you wearing make-up?" Levi asks suddenly, squinting with his reading glasses on to get a good look at Eren's face. Eren ducks his head self-consciously, turning away to face the other direction in an attempt to hide himself.

"So, what if I am? It's hardly new for me." Eren says petulantly, scratching the back of his neck and turning back around to watch Kaya as the child chews on the corner of her book in disinterest.

"Yeah, but you've straightened your hair too, and you hardly ever wear make up unless you're working, you're wearing eyeliner today and…. is that lipgloss?" Levi asks, trying not to stare at the shiny, cherry coloured, pillow lips. It's just because Rogue wears that shade, he swears by it.

"What's the big deal? I just wanna look nice…." Eren protests, and Levi is hit with realisation.

"Eren, have you gotten all dolled up and put make up on because…. you want Kaya to recognise you as Rogue?" Levi questions with a smirk, and Eren huffs, shoulders drooping.

"It's not fair! She's my niece too and won't come anywhere near me! I thought maybe if I looked more feminine today, she might see a resemblance…. I know it's real stupid and you can laugh at me all you want, but I actually thought it might work." He says, looking at Levi uncomfortably.

"I'm not laughing at you idiot, I just didn't realise it bothered you so much. Come over here and see her, she's only little, she won't bite much." Levi sighs and shakes his head in amused exasperation, patting a tiny patch of space next to him on the arm chair. Eren strops for a few more seconds before plopping himself down next to them both.

There isn't a hell of a lot of room on the chair, as expected, so their legs have to intertwine a little to allow them both to sit comfortably. They could easily move to the larger sofa, but Kaya is staring at Eren with wide, curious eyes and the last thing he wants to do is spook her right now by moving her around too much.

Eren matches Kaya's inquisitive stare for a few minutes before she carefully manoeuvres herself from Levi's lap and puts a tentative on Eren's leg, not quite decided if she intends to crawl on him or not. With a brave resolve and a look to Levi for encouragement, she crawls slowly away from him and on to Eren, her tiny fists grabbing his T shirt as he grins, lifting her the rest of the way and placing her against his chest, her feet flat on his thighs as he holds her in a standing position.

Kaya garbles playfully as she puts her hands all over Eren's face, screeching and knees bouncing as he laughs at her sudden enthusiasm. Levi watches the pair in amusement, smiling a little as Eren plays around with Kaya, his maturity shining through as he handles her with the utmost care and looks at her like she's the most important person in the world.

He can't help but stare at them longingly, for so long that's all he's wanted, to be able to hold and look at a child of his own like that, treating them like the little prince/princess they'd no doubt be to him. Suddenly, Eren is grinning at him happily, his eyes glittering like the most precious gemstones and his breath catches a little….and then the smell hits them both.

"Oh Kaya! That's just lovely." Eren complains, lifting the little girl up and holding her at arm's length, "I think somebody needs their diaper changed and quickly! I'll just pass you back to Uncle Levi."

Eren hands Kaya off to a dumbfounded Levi, sitting up from the couch and making to leave the room, "Wait, why are you giving her to me?" He asks, as Kaya begins whining in discomfort.

"Well, this seems like it's more your thing anyway, you like clean stuff. Clean away! Besides, I have to set up my room for the video today." Eren calls, as he heads out of the living area and towards his bedroom.

"Oh, I see how it is! You're only interested until it comes to the dirty work, I'll remember that!" Levi says, yelling after him and grabbing Kaya's bag of fresh diapers.

Filming Eren's palette announcement video had been quite the event, to put it lightly.

The announcement itself had only taken several minutes and a little bit of demonstration on Eren's part to show the features of it and a brief explanation on how to use it. He promised to do a full tutorial in another video before he and Levi eventually went on tour to promote it.

This then led to the revelation that Levi, in addition to being Eren's roommate and friend, is also working as personal security for Eren as he begins his career with Sina Enterprises. Levi was then invited to join for the rest of the video with Kaya, who Levi learns has also made a couple of appearances on Eren's channel with Rogue before, and he was treated to the sight of Kaya getting to put make-up all over Eren's face to make him to look "pretty". She then turned to Levi with a bright red lipstick and a grin, Eren's booming laugh telling him he was screwed.

It's near Kaya's bedtime when Eren comes over to the couch Levi is sitting on and begins cleaning him off with a wet wipe.

"That better not be the same one you used to clean Kaya's butt or I will end your life slowly and painfully, brat." Levi threatens, yet not making the effort to stop a giggling Eren.

"Relax, it's a fresh one, thought you could use a scrub down and you've been wearing it long enough now, I'm sure she won't mind." Eren says, indicating Kaya, who is now on the floor, yapping away and cuddling up to the giant purple hippo that Levi had gifted her with.

"Hmph, I guess not. You did well with her today, Eren. Never seen her that comfortable around you before and you managed to change your first diaper, you should be proud of yourself." Levi says sincerely, watching Kaya as she begins to yawn before turning to face Eren, who has become red faced and bashful at the compliment.

"Thanks, but I don't think I'll be in a rush to do that again any time soon."

"Clearly, I thought you were gonna pass out for a minute."

"And you would have let me?!" Eren teases in mock offence, hand placed over his chest for dramatic effect.

"We had a smelling salt right there, you would have been fine." Levi jokes, batting Eren lightly with his foot.

"And you call me disgusting."

"You are disgusting." Levi insists, supressing laugh at Eren's scowl.

"Do you ever think about it?" Eren asks suddenly out of nowhere, breaking Levi's trance of watching Kaya drift in and out of sleep against her toys.

"Ever think about what?"

"Having children of your own one day? I know you said before that you wanted them, but have you ever actually considered it?" Eren elaborates, looking at Levi from across the couch with an odd look on his face.

"Of course, I have." Levi responds, inspecting his hands as he answers, "I've thought about it a lot actually. I'm not getting any younger and the longer it is, the more I come to terms with things."

"Come to terms with what?" Eren asks curiously, unconsciously shifting closer to the man next to him.

"I want to have a baby, but there's a good chance that it may never happen for me." Levi explains, a look of sadness lingering in his eyes as he locks his gaze with Eren.

"What are you talking about Levi?! You have plenty of time to have children. If this is about you being a virgin or not finding the right person then you're not thinking of all the options that you do have. You could adopt? Or find a surrogate mother?" Eren suggests, tentatively placing a hand on Levi's slim shoulder, he can still feel the muscle through the woollen fabric of his sweater.

"Not many adoption agencies like the idea of a single man with a sordid past and a full-time job with unsociable hours adopting a baby by himself, believe me, I've checked. Thoroughly." Levi responds miserably, "Before Alice took me in, I was between homes and still in contact with my Uncle, even when I began living with her and Isabel I was trying to impress him, doing shady work and acting like the "real man" I knew he wanted me to be. Did things I'm not proud of Eren, and I can never go back and change that, you of all people know how something like that can feel."

"Yeah, I know." Eren says, "But your past doesn't make you a bad person, you told me that yourself."

"I know, but that doesn't change things in the eyes of society. Single men have a hard enough time of adopting as it is, never mind someone with my kind of record or career history. I have no chance of being chosen, my rejection notices to several different agencies have proven that."

"Oh Levi, I'm so sorry." Eren soothes, rubbing little circles into Levi's shoulders and back gently, "What about surrogacy? I know it can be expensive, but it would be so worth it if it worked out for you, isn't it worth a try?"

"I've considered it before, Hange offered for me years ago, but then she got sick. Ovarian cancer, ridiculous considering her aversion to sex in general, but I guess that's just life. She doesn't like to talk about it, and I don't blame her, we almost lost her then but she's a fighter. Unfortunately, it took away her ability to have children. She and Moblit are fine though, they got through it and made their peace with the fact they wouldn't be parents, but they do have enough animals to have a massive petting zoo."

"I'm sorry that happened to her, that must have been terrible, for all of you." Eren remarks, looking a little white and slightly in shock, "What if you found somebody else? Maybe it would be easier if the mother was a stranger? Less attachment that way."

"I don't think I could do that. I always need to have a sense of…. control in my life. I can barely go out to eat in restaurants without knowing who's handled the food and for how long without having a nervous breakdown, never mind not knowing full history and background of the woman who'd be carrying my child. I'm messed up in the head, it's actually probably better this way, can't taint a pure, innocent life with my bullshit." Levi says finally, pulling away from Eren to straighten up and continue watching Kaya with stony resolve.

"Don't say that, don't you ever say that! You would make an amazing father, aside from my own dad I have never met anybody more deserving of the title. You deserve the right to have children, because any child would be lucky to have you as their parent. I've heard the way you've spoken about those kids you looked after all those years ago, I've seen the way you are with Kaya, hell the way you are with me! You'll be the best dad a kid could ask for, I just know it." Eren declares proudly, and Levi suddenly wants to cry, instead inhales a deep breath and leans into Eren's touch once more.

"Regardless, not much chance of me meeting someone and having rugrats now. It feels a little too late, in my head at least. I've only ever been in two relationships, one ending because we couldn't stand living together and she didn't want sex at all, the other because it's all she wanted, I wouldn't give her that, and I wasn't man enough for her or whatever. Not exactly the best experiences for someone looking to settle down and have a family, when I haven't even been intimate with anybody ever." Levi states casually.

"There's a first time for everything." Eren teases, "And who said you weren't man enough? Your Ex? I don't think you've ever told me about her, you've only ever spoken about Hange."

Levi nods, "Do you remember the college student I told you that I moved in with when I was still in the military? Her name was Rico, we shared an apartment for around half a year before we got together romantically, I was always away for work and she was usually out for classes or study sessions, so it was a while before we started anything. She was…. unintended, but she was strong willed and sensible, I liked that about her. We went out on dates or watched movies at home, made dinner together and things were good, at first. We even spoke about the possibility of having a family together."

"Wow, it must have been pretty serious for you guys then?" Eren remarks, and Levi shakes his head.

"It seemed so at the time, but we weren't together all that long, about 7 or 8 months. But I…. tried rushing to the end, I guess. Had somebody tell me how much she loved me, how she'd fallen for me not long after we met and that she wanted to build a life with me. I was so used to seeing death and destruction all around me, and Isabel was starting her own life with Farlan, I guess I got a little caught up in the illusion. I liked her enough, but I didn't love her all that much, I thought I did mind you, but my body told me what I needed to know in the end."

"You couldn't make love to her?" Eren asks shyly, and Levi smirks in amusement at the redness covering Eren's cheeks.

"No, I couldn't. I did try, but there was no feeling, no drive to do so. I just didn't want it, I was happy with the way things were. After a while, Rico started getting incredibly frustrated with me, would tell me how a real man wouldn't allow his woman to have to please herself, how many other guys were begging her to go home with them and how I was the only thing stopping her, but that her patience was wearing thin."

"That's terrible! If she'd loved you half as much as she said she did, she'd be patient with you, she'd let you take things at your pace and not try to pressure you into something you were so clearly uncomfortable with. I hate this woman already and I haven't even met her." Eren says angrily.

"Well, you're not gonna like what's coming." Levi mutters under his breath, "I came back home from a tour of Mombasa, don't ask, but I had been gone for nearly three weeks and found her in bed with a guy from her class. A guy she'd specifically told me not to worry about. I kicked the guy's ass and threw him out of the apartment. She didn't even apologise, said she was done waiting for me to tend to her needs, and that she found someone who was willing to treat her right. She did however, generously offer to stay in a relationship with me as long as I was able to accept that she'd be going to him for sex until I could 'man up' and do it myself. Needless to say, I packed my bags and crashed on Erwin's couch until I found a new place."

"That bitch!" Eren exclaims, covering his mouth and looking over worriedly at Kaya, who is startled by the noise, but continues playing with her toys without a care for her uncle's use of language. Eren begins speaking again once he's satisfied his niece is otherwise occupied.

"I can't believe she did that to you Levi! I swear, if I ever have the misfortune of meeting her in person, you're gonna have to hold my earrings. But I am glad you felt like you could talk to me about that, I don't like the idea of you bottling things up like this, especially things that can make you feel less than perfect in yourself. I don't want you closing yourself off from me. I care about you so much, you're such a good friend to me, I want you to know that you can always tell me anything."

Levi considers this for a moment, pauses for half a beat and resolves to take Eren's advice. Leaning closer into his friend and ensuring he has a good view of Eren's face before he says the words he'd only ever said to one other person in his life.

"You know, I used to want to be a woman so badly" Levi says, watching for Eren's reaction at his words and checking that Kaya isn't listening in.

"I was so envious of them, the way they could walk around without a care in the world, not having to prove themselves to everyone all the time. Or so I thought at least, I was young, a moron and never had a positive female influence until it was far too late.

I wanted to be a woman more than anything, for many reasons which I won't bore you with, but mainly so that I could have my own children on my terms. I could just go to a sperm bank, be able to go into an adoption agency without all the condescending glares or force myself to open my legs for someone if it came down to it, not caring about the need for a life partner or relying on one to give me a child. There was a time I used to think about it more than I thought about anything else. I can only imagine what my uncle would have said or did if he found out what was going on in my head." Levi lets out a rueful laugh and Eren is once again left in awe of him.

"Levi…." Eren begins, voice barely a whisper, "…. Thank you for telling me that. I know that can't have been easy for you to say."

Levi simply shrugs, and Eren just wants to pull him into the tightest hug, but he refrains knowing Levi is a flight risk, and may never open up like this again if he thinks Eren is pitying or patronising him in any way. But they do share a look, a meaningful look that subtly says "tell me all about you, you can tell me anything, it won't change how I feel about you."

As Kaya begins lolling her head back and forward in slumber, Levi sees his cue to change the topic to something lighter and put the child to bed, poor thing must be exhausted.

"I better put Sleeping Beauty over there in her crib so she doesn't hurt herself." He says, as he attempts to stand, but Eren beats him to it.

"Let me, her crib is in my room anyway, you can make us something to eat though. I'm starved." Eren insists, rubbing his stomach pitifully.

Levi nods and makes his way towards the kitchen, grabbing the baby monitor as Eren picks up Kaya and carries her to his bedroom. She snuggles into him in her sleep, and Eren has to suppress his delighted grin at having the little girl show him this much affection. He'd been rather self-conscious that she would grow to dislike him, it had bothered him a little more than it probably should, but his fears have been proven wrong and he revels in the moment a little longer before he settles her in bed.

She is sleeping ever so soundly as he lays her down in the crib, placing her favourite stuffed animal from under his arm next to her and gently caressing her chubby cheeks. He speaks softly to her for a little while before he leaves.

"Please don't grow up too fast, little one. Just stay this way for a little while longer, where it's safe and you're protected, always. You're so loved Kaya Springer, by so many people and you don't even realise it yet. Your Mommy and Daddy love you, your Grandparents, Uncle Jean, Marco, Armin and Reiner, Auntie Mika, Annie, Historia and Ymir. I love you too sweetheart, and I think it goes without saying that Uncle Levi loves you more than anything in the world." Eren says with a giggle as the child stirs happily in her crib.

"But you already know that, don't you? Have that man wrapped around your little finger. He fell in love with you the moment he laid eyes on you, and I think you did too. I think you knew instinctively that he was going to protect you, take care of you, treat you like gold and show you just how much he thinks you deserve it. I think you knew how amazing he was just by looking into his eyes once, and once you'd looked into those eyes, you knew there was no going back, that's he etched his way into you life and into your heart, and now you wouldn't have it any other way." Eren smiles warmly.

"You're just like me that way, kiddo, we're not all that different you know? There's just one big difference. You look at him with all the love and affection in your heart, and he gives it right back to you tenfold. What I wouldn't give for that…. but I guess it's just the way it has to be. And that's okay, but just promise me one thing sweetie, no matter how old you get, never forget how much everybody loves you. And we'll never let you forget it either."

Kaya begins to snore peacefully, before she can hear the end of Eren's monologue.

Unbeknownst to Eren, however, his speech hadn't been completely unheard.

As Levi continues stirring the spaghetti sauce in the large pan over the stove, he's left in an almost trance-like state of shock as he registers the words coming through on the baby monitor.

He sets the spoon aside, turns of the heat of the stove and rests his hands either side of the kitchen workspace. He bows his head and sighs deeply, panic beginning to set in as his breathing becomes laboured and he can't think of how to even respond to the conundrum he's been faced with. Eren will be heading back out in a matter of seconds, and he doesn't know what he's gonna be faced with when he does.

What he does know however, is that he's gotta think of what the hell he's gonna do about it, and fast.