Chapter 28

Shiganshina General Hospital turns out to be your stereotypically massive building with a tonne of windows like the ones you see on TV, the dullness of today's weather making it look eerily imposing against the grey skyline. It's almost unsettling to look at, so Levi prefers to keep his eyes securely on the road and hunts to find a parking space with Eren's – again, awful – sense of direction. Although, with the night the boy has had, he feels less inclined to give Eren shit about it this time.

When Levi has fully stopped the car and parked up, he notices from the corner of his eye that Eren is looking a bit overwhelmed, as if the idea of what's potentially waiting for him inside those walls is just a little too much for him to handle at this moment in time. Levi decides to play his newly acquired boyfriend card and reaches over to take one of Eren's slightly shaking hands in his own, squeezing gently in a comforting manner.

"Hey, it's going to be okay, alright? Marco is in the best place possible and your dad told you he's doing good all things considered. He may even be awake by now." Levi offers reassuringly, still clasping on to Eren's hand, which isn't trembling so badly anymore under Levi's gentle touch.

Eren nods, "I know, it's just…a lot, I guess?" He says, not quite looking at Levi, and Levi nods because he understands, of course he does.

"Well I'll be here with you, so you can share some of the burden with me. We're together now, and Marco is my friend too, you don't have to feel like you're alone in this. Not anymore." Levi assures and Eren raises his gaze to the man, giving him a shy, grateful smile in return.

Levi squeezes Eren's hand one last time and then lets go as they make their way out of the car and into the overly large, intimidating hospital building.

Eren clearly knows the place like the back of his hand, as he leads Levi through a number of doors and down several corridors without even glancing at the signs on the walls, taking them straight towards the little area marked reception. It's astonishing to Levi that Eren can seem to navigate the hospital with perfect ease despite him getting them lost almost every time they venture out on drives when Levi is unfamiliar with where they're going.

Levi, in order to keep up their pretence of appearing solely as employer/employee, stands a respectable few paces behind as Eren as the younger man chats to the receptionist, an older woman with grey, almost white hair who looks rather delighted to see him. She obviously knows him rather well. Levi hears him thank her profusely and Eren is soon gesturing for him to follow him down yet another long corridor towards an elevator.

As they make their way past several doctors, nurses and other members of hospital staff, a lot of them say hello to Eren and he greets most of them back by name. It surprises Levi at first, until he remembers that Eren's father has worked here since Eren was born, so he'd probably spent a good chunk of his childhood in this hospital, it's no wonder almost everybody knows him or at least knows of him.

When they step into the elevator, Levi takes the time to properly assess Eren over again. The shaky hands and hanging head seem to be a thing of the past as Eren stands tall, determined and confident, like he's ready to take on the whole damn world. It's a solid front, and if Levi hadn't known Eren any better he would have believed it himself. But Levi does know Eren and knows that it's taking everything Eren has not to crumble right there in the elevator.

Levi wants to place a comforting hand on his back or tell him he's alright, that Levi's here and that nothing bad is going to happen to him again, But there are people in the elevator with them, and they promised to keep things under wraps for now, also Levi is a little unsure of how true is statement is, as he has no clue of what they'll be faced with either. The only thing he is sure of, is that he has no plans of leaving Eren again, come what may.

They exit the elevator after it stops on their desired floor, turn to the left and walk down another long corridor, passing a number of occupied rooms housing patients on their way. As they reach the midway point, a middle-aged man with glasses and long, brunet hair tied back in a low ponytail raises his hand in greeting from the other end of the corridor and Eren returns it. The man wears a long, white coat and a stethoscope, but as Levi and Eren walk closer it's his eyes that are the giveaway, both of them bright green and shining like one of Eren's own. This is, without a doubt, Eren's father.

"Reception paged me to tell me you were here." The doctor says by way of explanation, wrapping Eren in a hug as soon as he's close enough, "How have you been son?"

"Been better, Dad." Eren says, slightly choked up as he pulls away from his father, "Any update on how Marco's doing?"

"Pretty much the same as this morning, but he has woken up and Jean got him talking a little bit. It's only a word here and there from what I've seen, he's still very drowsy and he'll be in a lot of pain, so we've had to keep him sedated. But so far, the surgery looks to have been a success and I think he's on his way to making a full recovery." Eren's dad says, and Levi can almost literally feel the breath being knocked right out of him at the words. Truthfully, he'd been a little more worried than he'd let on to Eren all day and night.

"Oh my god." Eren exclaims, hand coming up to rest on his chance, "Dad you're amazing, thank you so much."

"Enough of that now." The man says with amusement becoming serious once again, "There's still the matter of the removed spleen. Like I said to Jean, it's going to be difficult for Marco to get used to the fact he'll need to be vigilant about trying not to get sick in future, and when he does get sick, it will be much harder for him to fight it naturally. He currently has an infection from his wound, so he'll need to stay here for a while longer and then stay off his feet once he's discharged. And speaking of that, we still haven't been able to check if the damage to his back is how I feared, so that also remains to be seen. But he's alive, and well for the most part, and I can't take the entire credit for that one." He says, tilting his head towards Levi, acknowledging his presence for the first time since their arrival.

"Dad, this is Levi Ackerman, he's the man who's been looking out for me. I told you about him earlier today?" Eren offers, gesturing between Levi and his father.

"I figured that." Eren's father says chuckling to himself before extending his hand towards Levi, "It's nice to meet you Mr Ackerman, although I do wish that it had been under better circumstances. You can call me Grisha."

"Likewise, sir, and please call me Levi." Levi says, shaking Grisha's hand politely in return. Grisha nods and asks them both to follow him into the hospital room just adjacent to where they stand.

The room itself is rather on the large side, as the others had been as they passed, Levi noticed that almost immediately. The walls are pure white, as is the rest of the room with the exception of the cushioned visitors' chairs which are a mint green and the little blanket over the bed which is an ocean blue. Under said blanket lays Marco with an oxygen mask over his face, he's hooked up to several machines which beep periodically, and his eyes are open but drooping closed every few seconds as if even blinking is a chore for him. He and Jean – who is sitting as close to Marco as humanly possible without snagging any of his wires – both look over as Grisha re-enters the room with Levi and Eren in tow.

Eren practically runs to Marco as soon as he spots him, mindful of the machines as he clutches Marco's other hand and leans over to kiss his forehead. Marco smiles softly when he sees Eren and Jean looks at them both with a fond expression. Levi is so relieved to see Marco moving around and breathing – although not without effort – that he almost wants to rush over himself, however this is their moment and he doesn't want to intrude.

In fact, he's about to leave them to it and take his place just outside the room, when Marco removes one of his hands from Jean's grasp and stretches it out in Levi's direction. Jean and Eren both follow the movement and their eyes land on Levi also. It's strange having 8 pairs of eyes on you all at once – as Grisha is now watching Levi too – and he's unsure of what he's supposed to do until Marco's fingers twitch in an unmistakeable 'come hither' motion. Unable and unwilling to argue with the bed-bound drag queen he's come to know as his friend, Levi moves himself over to her side, the side that Jean is currently on. With a pat to Levi's back, Jean shifts out of the way so that Levi can take his place.

Levi doesn't quite know what to do with himself and is about to apologise for his awkwardness when Marco raises his shaking hand once again to pat his fingers across Levi's cool cheek. The gesture is sweet, almost motherly and his touch is soft and reassuring, and Levi is about to object, about to tell him that he should be resting when he hears it, hears the words that Marco is desperately trying to croak out.

"T-Thank you, L-Levi." Marco says behind his oxygen mask, "Thank you."

For once, Levi is stunned silent and Eren is looking over at them with the biggest grin on his face. Jean is also smiling at the scene and Grisha nods in Levi's direction before making himself scarce. He wants to argue, wants to say that he's unworthy of their thanks, that Grisha did all the work not him, and that he was only doing what anyone would have done. But he knows that Marco is in no condition to listen, and that they'll all continue to thank him regardless, so he says nothing, simply looking back down at Marco, completely unaware of the drop of moisture that's escaped from the corner of his eye.

After around 20 minutes, Levi excuses himself from the group to go and grab them some coffees, as despite the few hours of sleep he managed earlier that morning, they are all running on fumes. Jean especially, who looks almost dead on his feet.

He makes his way out of the room and down the corridor, and is about to go in search of some directions or find someone to ask where the nearest machine is when he hears someone come up behind him.

"Levi, wait up a second!" Jean calls out and is almost jogging to catch up with Levi, who swivels around at the sound of his name.

"What's the matter? Is it Marco? I was only gone for a minute…" Levi asks, and Jean raises a hand to cut him off, giving him a dumb half-smile in his goofy way to say everything is okay. Levi can't help but find it endearing on this occasion, when any other time he would have scowled at the younger man and told him to wipe the stupid look off his face.

"Yeah, he's fine, he and Eren are talking right now, making amends for last night or whatever. They've fought before and no doubt they'll fight again, but they'll be alright in the end, always are. But actually, I came out here to speak to you about something…actually, it's more to ask you something really." Jean says awkwardly, shifting from foot to foot and scratching at the back of his neck.

"Okay, then spit it out kid, I'm getting constipated just looking at you." Levi says to lighten the mood and Jean laughs heartily in response, slightly stunning a nurse passing him by for a second. Levi resists the urge to snort at his stupidity, honestly Jean and Eren are so similar it's a wonder that they are constantly at eachother's throats.

"Right, well, the thing is, since Marco woke up a few hours ago, he and I have been talking a lot. He was actually a lot chattier earlier, I think I might have worn him out." Jean laughs a little nervously, "But anyway, he brought up the wedding and we agreed that we want to get married as soon as possible."

Levi raises an eyebrow at this, "Are you sure about that Jean? Maybe you should both take some time to yourselves before you think about something like that, enjoy being engaged for a little while? You've just been through a shock, and you've seen your whole lives flash before you, it's only natural you're feeling vulnerable and want to solidify your commitment to eachother."

Jean nods, "You're right in a way, but honestly? Marco and I should have done this a long time ago, we've just always put it off…or I have, to be honest. You see, the thing is, Marco and his parents moved here about 10 years ago from Jinae, and we got together when we were 15. But even though we've been with eachother since we were kids, my parents…well, my dad, believed this was just a phase and that I'd grow out of it. Since then we've just sort of kept our relationship out of his way, he didn't seem so mad when he couldn't see it in front of him, so we've never really done anything…meaningful like marriage, I guess."

Levi cringes internally at this statement, knowing that he'd been and somewhat is, still of the opinion that Jean's father holds of his son and his partner. He'd known to an extent that Jean's family were difficult when it came to the subject of Marco, not so much his mother, but his father definitely, but hearing it out loud makes him angry. It makes him angry that a man who is supposed to love his son unconditionally could look at Jean and Marco, and see anything but the amazing relationship they have with eachother. The love they share is something that not even Levi can deny, and Levi's contempt for Jean's father in this moment shakes him to his core. How can he feel this way about a man he's never met…when he's felt similarly for an incredibly long time now? What makes him so different? Is it Eren? Are his feelings for Eren and his friendship with Jean and Marco what make him different?

"But things are different now," Jean continues, "I love Marco, and I've seen what it would be like to lose him. And I swear, I will never ever take him for granted again. I've loved Marco and have wanted to marry him since we were teenagers, and I'm not scared anymore. I've never been so sure of anything in my life, and if it means my parents never want to see or speak to me again…then I can live with that. I can't live without Marco."

Levi nods, "Then don't let him go. Keep him close and do all of those things you've been wanting to do but been too afraid to. You two live together, you own a club together, you bring out the best in eachother…so do what's best for you, nobody else, and do it without any regrets. Now, what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"Sorry about that, I almost forgot. Marco will be asking Eren now if he wants to be his best man at the wedding. We've talked about marriage before, and Marco always said he'd ask Eren if we ever did it. I've never thought about it all that much, but I assumed I would ask Connie if the time ever came. But now I know for certain exactly who I want up there with me. Levi, will you be my best man?" Jean asks, twisting his fingers together in nervous gesture and still smiling like the dumb dork he is.

Levi is so taken aback by the question, that he feels as if all the English words in his brain have fallen out of his ass, and it takes him a full minute before he can say a thing, yet Jean still waits for him, smiling all the while as he patiently waits for an answer.

"I…I don't quite know what to say. I know that we're friends and everything, and you're sure about the wedding and all…but have you really thought this through? Are you sure you don't want to have Connie instead? He is one of your best friends and I don't want you offering me this if you think you need to repay me in some way…"

"It's not like that!" Jean defends himself, "Not at all. Yes, you saved Marco's life, and don't argue because you were just as responsible for that as Dr Jaeger, he wouldn't even have gotten here if it hadn't been for you. But that's not the reason Levi, I'd like to think you and I have become good friends since we met, in fact if I'm honest I've been counting you in my head as one of my best friends for a while now. We see eachother all the time and you're without a doubt one of the coolest people I've ever met in my life. And please don't feel bad if you don't think of me like this, I just wanted you to know." Jean says, eyes downcast a little in embarrassment, clearly he hadn't been planning on revealing so much to Levi about his thoughts on their friendship.

"Tch, don't be stupid kid, of course we're friends. I wouldn't put up with your lame ass if I didn't think of you as such. It's just that I've never had many friends in my life, I've only ever really had Erwin and Hange, and now Eren…but all of my other friends…well, I've lost them all over time in one way or another. But I do think you're a cool kid, and yes, I do think of you as a good friend, a best friend even if you give me time to comprehend that. Still, I am a little concerned you aren't asking Connie…"

Jean chuckles at this, "Actually, Connie will be fine with the decision, you see he never asked me to be his best man when he married Sasha. He asked his brother instead, one that he hardly ever talks to at that! I swore I'd get revenge on him for that one, and so he'll probably just laugh it off when I tell him I picked you instead. But on top of that, I really want you to be my best man. You saved Marco's life, you've been a great friend to me and honestly? You've been an incredible influence on Eren. He's been far less of a pain in the ass since you've been around…and I can see he really cares about you."

Levi takes a deep breath, "You know Jean, I wasn't comfortable in the beginning…being brought into your lifestyle in the way I have. But having said that, I don't think I've ever met such a nice group of people in my life. You knew I was a piece of shit, yet you still invited me into your home, into your lives, into your family…I will always be grateful for that, and I'm sorry for how I treated you all back then too. Even now…I'm still getting used to things. And in terms of your offer, I would be incredibly honoured to stand as your best man…I can't promise that I will be a "best" man for you, as this is still relatively new for me, but I do promise that I will do my best to be a good one for you both." Levi finishes, and it's the most honest he's ever been with Jean, and he can't help but feel a weight lifted.

Jean full on beams at him, "Thanks Levi, you don't know how happy that makes me. And…please don't take this the wrong way, but I really don't think you understand yourself one little bit. None of us have ever thought you've been a piece of shit. Ill informed? Troubled? Hesitant? Yes, maybe. But we just wanted you to see us for who we are, and you have done exactly that. And you…well, I don't have to tell you all about everything you've done for all of us, and selflessly at that. I think you underestimate yourself…I think that, without a doubt, you're already a good man." Jean says, and Levi can't think of anything more to say, not that Jean lets him anyway.

Without another word, Jean pats Levi on the shoulder with a smile and walks back towards Marco's room, leaving Levi in the corridor all by himself with his disbelief.

Levi is just about managing to work the coffee machine in the lobby, and is placing a sealed cup in a holder on the side counter when Eren walks in. It's just the two of them in the room, and Eren grins at him.

"He's doing so well, I didn't think he'd be so awake right now, but he's up there chatting away. He even flirted with one the nurses when she came by to give him his medicine. Poor girl didn't stand a chance." Eren laughs and Levi snorts in amusement.

"Well he's a strong one, I've always known that about him. He's so sure of himself, whether he's Maria or not, you can't help but feel drawn to him. Don't think any of us should have doubted him in the first place." Levi says, filling up another cup and placing it in the little holder. Eren moves beside him and leans on the counter-top next to the machine.

"Perhaps you're right. Listen, Levi…" Eren begins, but Levi's glare stops him in his tracks.

"Please don't say 'Thank you' again, honestly I've had enough for today. Your father did all the work and I'm getting far too much credit for doing some simple first aid. I'm happy, ecstatic even, that it all paid off in the end, but all this praise is just getting to be a little too much. In my life, you never got thanked for doing something as simple as that, it was just expected of you and then you just got on with things. I'm not used to all this." Levi says shyly, and it's all Levi can do not to grab him and kiss him senseless.

"Okay, I won't say thank you, but I do want you to know how much your support has meant to me in these last 24 hours. I…love you, and I can't imagine doing this without you." Eren says, eyes on the floor. Levi puts the cup he'd been filling down and places fingers under Eren's chin, so they're eye to eye.

"Silly brat. There's nowhere in the world I'd rather be. I love you too, I mean it." Levi says, and Eren breaks out into a smile. Levi removes his hand but doesn't leave Eren alone just yet.

"I also heard that Jean asked you to be his best man." Eren says teasingly, "How do you feel about walking me down the aisle when the day comes?"

"Tch, that's right. Are you gonna be wearing a suit or a bridesmaid's dress then?" Levi asks with a smirk and Eren giggles.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Eren asks mischievously, before pulling Levi close and kissing him on the lips.

Eren has to lean down to do so, and Levi is fully focused on the fact that this is the first time they've kissed while Eren has been out of drag completely. He doesn't let it deter him though, and he determinedly pulls Eren closer, sinking his hands into the softness of Eren's grey sweater and running his fingers of one hand through his loose brown hair. The younger man had cut himself shaving this morning in his eagerness to get to the hospital, and Levi finds himself nuzzling the little spot next to his lips.

Eren whimpers softly when Levi does that, and finds himself pulling Levi even closer, deepening their kiss further without opening his mouth to offer Levi entry just yet. He uses his hands to grip Levi's hips tightly and smiles into the kiss before Levi shocks him by nibbling his lower lip gently. Eren is just about to open his mouth and probe Levi's own with his tongue to beg for entry…when the door opens, and Grisha Jaeger enters the lobby.

The two spring apart like they've been burned with scolding hot water, attempting to act natural as Levi continues pouring one coffee more than he needs and Eren looks around stupidly like he's just spotted an incredibly interesting spot on the wall. However, one look at Grisha's face shows that he's not convinced in the slightest and looks at the pair of them in amusement for a few seconds before putting them out of their misery.

"So, I'm guessing this is a new development then? One you wish to keep under wraps? Either that, or Levi must have a bad case of haemorrhoids and Eren, you must have a stigmatism. Do you want me to refer you to some specialists or do you want to tell me why you both look like you're in pain?" Grisha asks, barely hiding his smirk and the mirth in his tone. Eren looks timidly to Levi, tittering uncomfortably before Levi rolls his eyes.

"Yes sir, we're together, and it's fairly new so we don't wish to tell anyone about us just yet. Because of what's happened with Marco and, to be frank sir, all of our friends are fucking crazy." Levi says honestly, not wanting to beat about the bush about it any longer.

Eren stares at him wide-eyed but Grisha just laughs at the crassness of Levi's statement, "Duly noted, I've met most of your group…and I know my daughter…I can see why you'd want to keep this to yourselves for the time-being, your secret is safe with me, for now. But Levi, you must come over for dinner at our house some time, my wife Carla would no doubt love to meet the man our son has been mooning over for months."

"Mooning over?! What are you talking about, I only told you about him last night!" Eren snaps defensively.

"Yes, and you were very informative on how amazing this Levi is…and what was the word you used? Incredible?" Grisha offers teasingly, clearly revelling in his son's discomfort to the point even Levi has to smirk at the sight.

"Oh my god, you're so embarrassing! What did I ever do to deserve a father like you?!" Eren laments with a pout, grabbing a coffee out of Levi's holder and storming out of the room in a mortified huff.

Grisha simply chuckles at Eren's retreating back and locks eyes with Levi, who blushes at the thought of Eren's dad catching them making out practically on the counter.

"I must admit, I'm pulling his leg a little…Mikasa told me about you months ago. I had been a little concerned when she referred to you as an arrogant, short-ass, bastard, but she's always been one to exaggerate, especially when it comes to Eren. But she soon changed her tune, so I didn't think too much of it. She did say my son has become rather fond of you, and now I've seen it for myself, I would have to agree." Grisha says, smiling the entire time.

"Oh…uhh, do you want this?" Levi asks lamely, holding out the cup of coffee in his hands awkwardly, "I made one too many and I figured this is why you're probably here right?"

"Yes, thank you." Grisha responds gratefully, taking the cup from Levi's hands, "But no need to be so nervous, I'm not going to tear your head off. Actually, I'm rather glad I was able to meet you today. I'm not lying when I say I knew how fond Eren is of you, he's never been one to be good at hiding his feelings, and I have to say, from the little I know about you. I'm rather glad. You seem good for him."

"Really? I-I mean, Mikasa wasn't my biggest fan when we met, and I've not exactly been all that forthcoming to her since then." Levi says, cursing himself internally for stuttering like an idiot.

"Maybe not, but she's also a good judge of character and believe me when I say, if she really deemed you unworthy, you wouldn't be here. That girl would make your life a living hell, sooner than see you sticking close to her brother. It says enough to me that she changed her mind about you. And honestly, from what I've heard, I also think she respects you, not that she would say it outright. And I can see why, what you did for Marco yesterday, well, let's just say that there is a good chance I would have never seen him alive again if you hadn't stepped in. And I've seen the way you've been reacting to people telling you that, you've been underestimating your involvement. But if nothing else, take it from me, I'm a doctor. You helped save that man's life." Grisha assures him, sipping his coffee as he watches Levi through his long lashes, he has a lot of Eren's mannerisms and it's a little unsettling to Levi.

"I…Okay, I'll take it from you because you truly did the work that saved his life. Thank you for that. And I'm truly grateful for your words, and I promise you sir, I will do my best to take good care of Eren so that he will never end up in Marco's place. I swear on my life I'll do what it takes to protect him." Levi says honestly, looking up at Grisha with sheer determination.

"I never doubted that for one second, I also heard about how you leaped in front of him. That shooter could just as easily have been aiming for Eren, and you put my son's life before your own. I don't think you realise how much that truly means to me, to his mother, and everyone he knows. I don't think there is anyone better equipped to take care of my son, and I completely entrust his life to you." Grisha says, using his free hand to pat Levi on the back with a smile, and Levi's shoulders droop in relief at the action.

"Thank you, sir" Levi says, and Grisha waves him off, reminding him once again to call him Grisha.

"Can you just do me one favour Levi? And I understand if you don't take this to heart, but please at least hear me out anyway." Grisha requests, and Levi nods an affirmative, "Take care of yourself too. You've spoken highly of my son, and how you will give your own life to protect his. But please, don't do that lightly. I can tell you right now that Eren would never be the same if he lost you, and that's purely based on how little I know about you, it's just sheer observation and what i've heard from Mikasa. Your life is important too, don't give yours away so easily."

Levi takes a moment to think about this, think about how Eren would feel if he knew Levi would risk his life a million times over if it meant that young boy with the vibrant eyes could go on living himself. It hadn't even occurred to Levi the extent of which he would be willing to go to protect Eren, but he knows now that he's said it out loud, that it's true, it's so true that the thought frightens him.

Still, Levi shakes the thoughts from his head and nods to Grisha once again, "I will do my best Grisha, to take care of both myself and Eren to the best of my abilities."

"That's what I like to hear, son." Grisha says with an honest smile, and Levi feels himself blushing in response. He picks up the coffees in the holder and makes to leave the room so that he can take them upstairs to Jean and Marco.

"Oh, and just so you know," Grisha begins, "I'll be sure to keep your secret from my wife a little longer, as she is also a little, as you described "fucking crazy."

Levi feels himself snorting before he can help it, and hurries out of the room in embarrassment as he hears Grisha laughing to himself from all the way down the corridor.