Silver eyes watched as Gunther tried to heave himself up but failing and with a flash of orange light, Oluo appeared on his side looking just as tired.
"Captain, can't you hold back just a bit? You even managed to force us apart." Oluo sighed in irritation but his smile conveyed otherwise, "You alright there, Gunther?"
The pointy-haired male grunted before sitting up and grinning at their accomplished and a little bit smug-looking captain, "Good match, Captain! You and your Shifter work together way too well."
"This is cheating!" Isabel cried from where she was nursing a battered blonde. They'd been fighting them before Gunther and Oluo. Having both a short- and long-range Pair in the team was great training for them and he's seen just how sturdy those blades were.
Even managing to hold against the heavy weight of Oluo's hammer or slicing Isabel's bomb before it goes off. It was great and the extreme durability and sharpness of it was just unbelievable that even he himself could be cut if he wasn't careful, thankfully, what Eren just said about his gear being slash-proof was real. Just how far would Eren surprise him with all these things?
"I'm going to get you for this, Levi." Farlan threatened, touching the slices on his arm with a careful finger, blood was still pouring out. "Who said you could throw those knifes at me like I'm a fucking dart board? Or did you forget that those knifes sunk in the wall without even making a sound?" He hissed, pointing at the wall where the knife had embedded weeks ago. There was a slit on its place, clean and straight as if it was there to begin with.
Levi smirked at him, "What? You know me well enough to know that I won't stand there and just evade your fucking bombs, you were throwing them like a fucking terrorist gone insane. An eye for an eye, blondie. And besides it's great training for you, now that we have another long range combatant."
Farlan gave him the finger. Two of it. Levi's smirk widened to a grin.
"These weapons work way too well for me." Levi commented, looking at the assortment of weapons on his body. From the swords to the knife and finally the guns.
"Well, you've been handling knives and guns all your life. It's to be expected." Gunther said as he stood up with a grunt and walked with a limp along with his Shifter to the bench.
As Eren predicted, Levi efficiently mastered Eren in less than two weeks. He felt pride swell up on his insides, he didn't even stop the smile that lifted his thin lips and brightened his silver eyes. He'd even managed to keep Eren out of his private thoughts although that was more on Meister instincts. The others were giving him their own praises but what gave him the greatest pleasure was his Shifter's. Eren's delight was so strong Levi could feel it echoing to him.
"I can't believe it!" Eren exclaimed excitedly as soon as he appeared in shimmering lights of blue and green and with a shout of "You did it, Levi!" threw his arms around his Meister's neck. "Not even two weeks!"
Levi stood frozen, not quite knowing what to do. He could make out the varied expressions of his team over the brunette's shoulder which was now stiffening, probably just realizing what he'd done. But before the other could let go,—and from Isabel's persuasion—Levi wrapped his own arms around the brunette's waist, awkward at first but once Eren relaxed he'd held the other firmly.
"What did you expect?" Levi answered idly as he made himself comfortable on his Shifter's embrace, he didn't let go as Eren leaned away to look at him properly. It just gave Levi great opportunity to watch his pretty eyes sparkle in delight and the beautiful splash of color on his cheeks.
"Not getting a big head now are we?" Eren teased but his smile was as bright as ever, "There's still flying or should we try sparring again but with two of them?" Perhaps it was to Eren's disarming smile or the way the Shifter's body felt soft and warm underneath his hand that Levi forgot about the indisposed status of his team when he shouted,
"Let's do that. Farlan—" There were groans from different directions and a shout of 'Fuck you, Levi.' "Fine. I guess we'll just have to wait for Petra and Eld then." Levi muttered to his Shifter.
"Alright!" Eren agreed readily enough and with renewed excitement asked, "Should we fly in the meantime?" The others perked up; apparently the idea of flying had not yet lost its appeal.
It was when the comforting weight on his shoulders vanished that Levi noticed that they were hugging all this time. With a cough of embarrassment—and hell no, that heat on his face was not because he was blushing—he opened their connection and they fused once again.
Whooping in delight, Eren instructed him to get to the furthest side, "I'll take control of the gear again, Levi."
"Alright." Levi stood still but then he felt a force on his back and he was so high up, his head was almost touching the ceiling. He couldn't help the surprised shout that went past his lips. Cold sweat forming on his forehead and other parts of his body.
"Don't worry, I won't let you fall." The effect was instant. Levi relaxed his legs from where he'd instinctually held it tight against his body and let it dangle comfortingly down as his body stayed in the air. He would have thought it odd but the adrenaline of being able to defy gravity, being able to fly had shot all thoughts out the window.
He zoomed in a straight line along the ceiling in a sedate pace, looking down; Levi could make out the shocked and excited expressions of his resting team.
"Levi! Kick the wall."Eren instructed as the other end came closer. With great timing, Levi kicked off the wall, and twisted his body to get back to the other side. "See, it's easy, right?" There was a groan of disappointment before Eren continued dejectedly, "But the ceiling's too low, I thought it would be fine… I'm afraid it wasn't as fun as it is outside. I fucked up."
"No." Levi was fast to object, "It is exciting. Just being able to fly this high is already a fucking miracle. Did you think that isn't enough to surprise me?" He kicked off on another wall, slanting it a bit to get to another point.
"But—I wanted to make you feel how my Meisters felt. I just realized that with a place like this—It's like… You're a caged bird…"
Eren's voice was quiet like a whisper of a dream on his mind. Levi still didn't know much about his Shifter's past but he didn't need to know to understand that Eren didn't like being confined. He'd noticed in their first week together that Eren was not comfortable in their training ground and most often than not, Levi would find his Shifter outside every break or staring outside the windows in their office. Levi did not need to know to understand that Eren's capabilities had always made him a target for other power-hungry Meisters.
"Eren." Levi started and when they came nearer another wall, an arrow shot out from his gear and embedded itself on it, keeping him hanging in place. Eren was also getting better at predicting his moves,
"It doesn't matter. With you on my side, we'll manage to break free whatever fucking cage you make up on your mind. We've got the rest of the future to fly as much as we want outside." And they did. Didn't Eren mention that he won't leave their team? Levi took his word and gripped it tight.
He could feel the smile on Eren's face, "…Of course, Levi."
The grappler hook loosened and Eren landed him softly down the ground. "Let's try again but let me go by myself. I think I could manage."
"Sure." The raven-haired man shot into the air with ease. Kicking off on a wall, he flew on a zigzag path, trying to get himself accustomed to the constant pull of gravity as he stayed airborne by some fucking divine force or the other. After minutes of doing just that, he tried changing directions by shooting the grappling hook on the ceiling and rounding himself in the air. They were easier to control that he'd expected.
"Levi, I forgot. I should make you accustomed to the feeling of falling. It's the hardest part of flying. And it would be useful in the future when you get the hang of it."
"What do you mean?" Levi asked as he stops on a corner of the wall.
"Do you trust me?"
"I do." Levi was fast to reply that even he was surprised by himself but then he felt Eren's happiness and he found that he didn't care.
"Then this is how it feels when you're about to fall. Don't close your eyes, Levi." Eren warned, "Remember the feeling. Don't be afraid. Brace yourself."
Levi did. There was a clink and then he was going down, his muscles were tight with tension and he was gritting his teeth so hard.
The ground was coming up fast and he thought he heard someone shout his name but then the danger and fear of losing one's life was really this strong. The gear won't fucking work and he can't help but to move his hands, his feet, anything to stop the imminent fall that could cause his life but—
"Levi!"
And all his thoughts are suddenly centered on Eren's voice.
"Don't close your eyes. Remember the feeling. Don't be afraid."
Gentle, calming, safe.
He remembered the feel of wind rushing past his body, like floating in cool waters, and then he was up in the air again.
"Shit!" Levi finally shouted as the adrenaline wore off. "Fucking shit!"
"Again, Levi!"
"What the fuck!" But he was falling once again but something was different.
He was not afraid anymore.
"What—" He started, only to stop. Confused. His body was going up and down as if he was bouncing on an invisible mattress with the same feeling of security that something would catch him once he falls back down. As if he was playing tag with gravity, only he comes out the winner each and every time.
"It's better to go at it again while the feeling is still strong." Eren voice was higher than normal and Levi noticed that the feeling of excitement and elation was not just his. "It's great to know that you really trust me."
"Of course, I do. I wouldn't fuse with you if I didn't…" After a moment he added, "I haven't screamed like that since I was born." Levi whispered with a bit of vexation.
"I'm sorry, I needed to do that. Sometimes, I won't be able to control the gear since the Meister's control is absolute once you've closed me off and once you feel intense fear I might not be able to take over. But of course, I know that you're practically fearless but it's a just-in-case scenario."
"And how will this be useful?"
"We're not really impregnable once we're in the air. They could still reach us using long-range weapons so freefalling to evade is a must. And I wanted you to feel the fear of falling." Eren explained, "I know that you've met a lot of dangerous situations before but the fear of falling to your death is different, after all, you can't fight back something you can't see nor feel."
"I see what you mean." But then again, Levi just knew that he'd been able to get pass that fear because his Shifter was there.
"Yes." A soft laugh, "I'll leave you to it, then."
Levi flew through the air once again. Not once had he went down. He'd even tried freefalling by himself and then twisting mid-air, as if evading bullets or arrows, before shooting off once again. He'd even tried different speeds from fast to slowest.
"Levi, don't you think Petra and Eld's taking too much time?" Eren's voice held much worry that it actually made Levi praise him silently but it soon vanished as he thought of it too. Glancing at the watch on his wrist, it said that they were half an hour late. It was already nearing lunch time.
"Oluo!" Levi called as he landed softly right in front of them, he felt lightheaded and he'd swayed dangerously for a bit before he finally got his bearings. "Any word from Petra or Eld?"
Oluo shook his head before a look of worry showed on his face, "Weren't they suppose to be gathering intel about our next job?"
"Yes. It's another infamous person underground. Our client was very much shady to the point that they ordered a person to talk to us directly and even the messenger's identity was hushed up but I accepted since his demand's tame enough and they were willing to pay triple our fee." Farlan said, whipping his phone out. "And we now have Eren paired up with Levi; I thought it would be a piece of cake. I'll message them just in case."
"The messenger could have been the actual client." Levi pointed out.
"I thought of that, too. He was tall but thin and I thought that no rich boss could actually have that sort of build."
"Could have been the intellectual type." Oluo argued.
"His voice sounded boyish so no."
"What did they want?" Gunther asked. Farlan glanced at him before fiddling more on his phone then finally showing them the picture of a black-haired woman.
"Information on the mission of this hardass-looking woman."
"That's it?" Eren asked when Farlan didn't say anymore. "We just need to know what this woman needs to do and then were getting paid triple? Sounds like a load of bullshit to me."
"You and I, Eren." Levi said and when Farlan cocked an eyebrow at him, he elaborated, "We both think that's bullshit, Farlan. That's way too easy."
"Well, they also wanted us to sabotage it and take whatever it was that she'd have." Levi stared at the blonde with his dead-fish look.
"And he says that now." Eren murmured causing Levi to hold back a smirk.
"He's fucking dramatic isn't he?" Levi responded, making his Shifter chuckle.
"Is it just me or are you two talking shit about me?" Farlan accused, looking at Levi with narrowed eyes.
"Fucking nailed it." Levi deadpanned, there was a soft laugh echoing on his head.
"Sorry we're late!" a familiar voice shouted from behind them and they all looked back to see Petra and Eld, looking haggard.
"What took you so long?" Oluo asked as he fussed around the strawberry blonde.
"Gathering information about them is harder than we thought. We've talked to every informant we know and they can't provide even a single clue." Eld informed them with a frown.
"That certainly makes things harder." Farlan muttered before Isabel's stomach sounded like a rumbling thunder.
"Let's think about that later!" Isabel shouted, hands already digging the bag for their lunch.
"Isabel! That's my bag, you idiot!" the blonde hurriedly took hold of the redhead's arms and pulled her back. "Be careful, there are blades in there!"
"Oops!" Isabel giggled before digging the other bag. Eren appeared on Levi' side in a second and they both stared at the quarreling duo.
Levi shook his head already ignoring them as he memorized the face of the woman. Dark hair, freckle-packed face, sharp beady eyes. A strong face, definitely someone you wouldn't want to mess up with.
"That's mine!" Gunther shouted a little too late as Isabel successfully extracted a box of store-bought manjus.
"Eehh? Desert first?" Isabel shrugged, dodging the pointy haired male as he lunged for her, "Doesn't matter. I'll just—ow!" Petra had smacked her on the ass like a bad child.
Levi listened to the amused laugh of his Shifter before looking at Eld, "How's it upstairs?"
Eld glanced at the amused brunette, who was still watching the others try to pry the cake off of Isabel's clutches without damaging the confectionary, "It's pretty cloudy."
Levi nodded, visibly satisfied, before grabbing a hold of his Shifter's wrist while his other hand took a hold of his bag then he called out, "Hey! We're eating outside and Isabel, let go of that box or I won't let you eat even a bite!"
"Big bro!" the redhead shrieked in disbelief.
"Would you loosen your ass already?" Levi grumbled, watching from the corner of his eye how Eren flinched in surprise. He nodded his head and fixed his eyes upfront but his shoulders were still tense.
They were walking out today; Levi had left his car on the underground garage by the office when he'd picked the brunette up. Eren was walking alongside Levi as they navigated their way through the streets of the city of Rose. Around them people were weaving in and out of the array of stores lining the street.
"Did you forget what I taught you already?" Levi asked, careful in adding just bit of anger because he knew that Eren had kept his teachings to heart and he'd done well at last night's surveillance mission. Although it may be true that a job and a stroll in the city are two different things, can't Eren at least relax?
"No. I'm sorry. It's just—they're staring." Eren replied as he looked at his side. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath and then exhaled quite loudly. "It's a bit alarming."
Levi swept his eyes around them and true enough, there were a lot of people staring at them and that may not be much of a surprise to Levi—because he knew just how damn hot he was, not that he'd say that out loud—but the way people practically ogled Eren just ignited a bit of irritation in him and maybe, just maybe, a bit of smugness because he knew Eren was his—his Shifter, that is.
Not that Levi blamed them, Eren is quite the relief for sore eyes but those jewels stuck on his eye sockets just screamed at people to look at him—and did he just see some teenagers whip out their phones?
"How the hell can it bother you? Aren't you used to it yet?" Levi asked, curiously.
"No. How can someone be used to staring?" Eren replied just as curious before his eyes widened and then he exclaimed, surprising not only the people around them but also his companion, "Ah! It's because you're so handsome! Oh fuck. Leave a space of five meters between us, go on, shoo."
The older man elbowed the brunette in the stomach. Shooing him like a fucking dog? "Would you shut up! The hell are you spouting now?"
Eren stopped as he rubbed his sore stomach, "So-sorry."
Sighing silently, Levi looked at the stores around them before seeing something useful, "Would you like to have one?" the raven-haired man inquired, pointing his finger towards the small store of head accessories. Eren followed it but his eyes dropped on the small shop next to it and promptly blushed.
Levi dropped his hand, looking at Eren as if he's just gone insane. "What the fuck are you blushing at?"
"I-I don't think I'd need a cake." Eren muttered.
"Cake?" Levi repeated and pulled his eyes back towards the line of shops. Right next to the one he'd pointed to was a small bakery but why would Eren think of cake?
Eren, noticing the confusion on the older man's face, immediately explained, "I'm so sorry, Captain! I didn't mean to get ahead of myself! Petra—I mean, I thought you brought me out because today's my birthday!"
Levi whipped his head back and stared wide-eyed at the flustered brunette in front of him. Today was Eren's birthday? The raven suddenly remembered what Eren had said back then, "I'm turning seventeen next month."
Thank God, Buddha and all the almighties out there that he suddenly felt like taking Eren out of that office.
To be honest though, Levi had taken Eren out because he'd seen the way Eren would look out the window sometimes and since Eren wasn't allowed out unless he was with someone, Levi just knew that the brunette was getting bored just sitting around.
Clearing his throat, "Of course, I meant the cake…" Eren eyed him suspiciously so he hastily added, "And the hat. I meant those hats. The cake comes next…"
Not even waiting for the brunette because he just knew that he was caught lying, Levi immediately made a bee line to the store. Why the fuck was he lying?
"Captain!" Eren called from behind him, jogging to match his pace. "You don't need to feel obligated to buy me one! It was my fault!"
Levi turned his eyes to look at Eren. There was regret hidden in those mismatched eyes of his and he just knew Eren wanted a fluffed up ball of sugar. How the hell would Levi say no to that face? And besides, Eren deserved this more than anyone.
"Just shut up and accept it." Eren whined but said nothing more. Levi mentally noted that he would also need to call the rest of the team to celebrate later. The door slid open once they'd approached the door and Levi quickly took a sports cap and paid for it.
Setting it none too gently to the brunette's head, he muttered to himself, "Well then, next is the cake." Eren stared at him for a moment and Levi was ready for his comebacks but he merely nodded his head.
"…Thank you, Levi." The smile that Eren had given him was absolutely beautiful.
Levi quickly turned around, "No problem."
The smell of baked goods assaulted their nose as soon as they entered; they barely heard the bell ring above their heads. The bakery was bigger than it looked outside. There was a long line in the counter and all around, the tables were filled with chatters and from the people going up and down the stairs on the far right, it also has a second story.
"Whoa." Eren's awed voice sounded next to Levi's ear. "It's packed."
"No shit, sherlock." Levi grumbled as he stood behind an elderly woman. "But it's a wonder why there's a whole lot of people out today."
"Maybe there's some kind of event happening near here?" Eren offered, evading a body as it passed by him. Levi was about to answer but the elderly woman in front of him turned around and gave him a wrinkly smile.
"Ooh, such a gorgeous man." She commented and, like a true elderly lady, laid her thin hand on her cheek as she nodded to herself before her eyes fell on Eren and then she exclaimed, "Oh my. Oh my, my, my. Yes. Such a great day it is!"
She reached up a hand and pinched Eren's cheeks like a child. Levi laughed internally at the put out expression on the brunette's face.
"Why, I haven't seen such eyes in all my years, young lad! You could make anyone fall on their knees just to have a go with you." Eren squeaked.
Levi cleared his throat, "I don't think he would be 'having a go' with anyone just yet, old hag—ugh, Eren!"
The woman turned her head towards Levi with look and then her wrinkled lips turned up into a knowing smile that made Levi's go down, "Oh, do pardon me, young man."
"Uh, the line's moving, madam." Eren interjected. The woman merely moved a step backwards, making Eren and Levi share an amused glance.
"Now, what was I going to say again?" Her eyebrows furrowed as she racked her elderly brain, "Ah yes. Pardon me but I've overheard your conversation earlier and I can't seem to stop myself to aid you but I find myself not caring especially with such eye candies, oh yes, yum."
'Wow, old hag. Hold your fucking undies.' Levi thought.
"You see, the military police is going to be here to train in the public training arena and it had made quite the commotion amongst the active young ones like my nephew."
"Really?" Eren breathed out. His Meister had once mentioned that the leader of the Special Operations Team was an S class like him and it had kindled Eren's want to see another.
"Yes, my dear." She smiled, the line moved again and so did they, "He and his partner's currently waiting here for their arrival and oh, even I can't seem to quell my excitement. Seeing them so active brings back my own memories back in the field."
"You were part of the police?" Levi asked, not really surprised. He'd seen the sharp glint in the woman's eyes after all and the way she held herself still showed the training her body had undergone. She was, most probably, a Meister.
"Yes, I was a peace-keeper. You know that department tasked to break apart rowdy Pairs that's causing a ruckus in broad daylight." She tutted as she shook her head, remembering the days of old. "There are still a lot of battles going on out there even though there are more fighting competitions and lots of arenas allotted for such; they still see the city as their playground. At least there are less now. Still, it would have been better if they'd just stop once and for all, for the comfort of the people, don't you think?"
Levi shrugged, he didn't give a shit about other people's comfort and besides all these illegal battles comes in handy sometimes, "These lazy shits are probably thinking that signing up for competitions take too much time and Arenas are for professionals. What I think is that whoever's in position should get their fat ass moving and fix the system."
Eren bumped their shoulders softly to get his attention and when he did, he gestured towards the old woman, "My, such crude language!" Eren laughed softly, "But I think you are right, young man."
"Next please!"
"Oh, finally here. Well then, I guess I'll see you, gorgeous men, in the arena later?" Eren looked at him with wide pleading eyes. Levi was very much tempted to say yes but he managed to shake his head.
"Oh, that's too bad, huh?" She pat Eren's head softly, "Don't worry, pretty boy; they train with the public sometimes so you'll be able to see them again. Have a nice day, then!"
Levi felt himself liable for some explanation as soon as the woman was out of earshot. "We can't, Eren. Anything to do with the police is a no-go."
"Of course, Captain. I just thought it would be good to see if the commander's in there." Eren acquiesced.
"The commander's worst. They may not know how we look like but our bodies are pretty telling by itself, already. I don't think they'll let us go without going all Sherlock Holmes on us." Eren laughed softly and their conversation was cut off once the elderly woman had left with a short nod to them. "Go on, choose."
Eren looked reluctant at first but after his eyes shifted to the large display case, his eyes brightened and he skipped closer. Levi muttered 'brat' under his breath but smiled an amuse smile, anyway. They walked out of the bakery with a brown and gold box of red velvet cake, Eren was smiling far too bright next to him, effectively tripling the amount of eyes watching them.
"Anything else, you'd like?" Levi idly asked. His phone rang, telling him that he'd gotten a message. Taking it out of his pocket, he swiped it once and the screen moved showing Gunther's message,
"Captain, keep Eren occupied! Knowing you, you didn't know today is Eren's birthday. We'll be finished with the preparations here in an hour so we're leaving him to you until then!"
"Those assholes." Levi muttered under his breath, shoving his phone back after typing a quick reply of, "Damn you. Make it quick."
"What's the matter, Captain?" Eren asked. Levi glanced at him; contemplating about where the hell would they pass an hour. He didn't go out much, most of what he knew were for escape routes and Eren had mentioned that he was not familiar around here.
Levi shrugged, throwing the thoughts into the air, "To the park. Let's go to the fucking park where children run around like headless chickens and dogs dump their shits everywhere. I'm sure you'll like a change of pace."
"You think I like watching dogs shitting their ass out!" Eren shouted indignantly, "Fuck no!"
"I was kidding, stupid." Levi smirked, feet already moving towards the direction of the park. "You think I'll go anywhere with shit decorating the ground? It's as big and green as your left eye. I'd bet there's a shit ton of people in there right now but there's quite a lot to sit on."
Eren stared at him for a moment, a blush tainting his cheeks. Levi hid his smile.
Just as he had said, there were a lot of people milling about but thankfully, they were sitting down the grass with picnic clothes laid out so they managed to hog a bench for themselves by the sidewalk, behind them a huge tree provided them safety from the heat of the sun.
"I can't believe it. There's actually such a paradise around this big ass buildings." Eren murmured in awe as he looked around. Huge trees lay abundantly everywhere to give shade to people, there were famous quotations written on boards that were nailed into the tree trunks. The sidewalk was lined with green bushes and flowering plants that were encased by small fences with plank cards saying 'Do not pluck the flowers. Thank you.'
"Paradise, huh? I like that." Levi commented, leaning back and swinging an arm behind Eren.
"I lived in the province with my parents. Everywhere I look there are big and small trees. It's just green everywhere that it gets boring sometimes but now that I'm in the city, I find myself missing nature."
Levi watched the sway of brown hair as cool wind played with it softly. Eren had been giving him snippets of his life before they met. It was just random things but it was enough for Levi to understand him more and Levi found himself sharing his own even though he did not like sharing anything about his past. It felt far too much like giving up your soul.
Life in the underground held no good memories, meeting Isabel and Farlan perhaps, but no more. Eren seemed to like it though, especially those times where Levi would share his failures during a mission or the wrong decisions he'd made but Eren had never mocked him, rather he'd listen raptly as if Levi was sharing his honorable exploits instead.
"It's better than seeing mossy rocks and muddy grounds." Levi muttered.
Eren looked at him and smiled, "You did mention that walking around makes you feel like walking in a pigsty. Can't walk without boots on and painting your pants with mud."
"It's true. I think I even acquired the skill of painting the back of my clothes with just walking around." Eren laughed and Levi smirked along with him. A ball came out of nowhere hitting Levi in the knee. He glowered at it before Eren finally scooped it off the ground.
"I swear the ball just deflated with the power of your glare, Captain." Eren chuckled as he played it with his fingers before a blonde child appeared in front of him, panting.
"That's mine!" the child panted, he flinched when he saw Levi, "S-s-sorry for causing you trouble!" The child bowed down so low his forehead touched his knee and Eren gushed at him.
"It's fine. Don't mind Mr. Grumpy over here. He just ate something bad a while ago and," Eren made a show of leaning closer to the child and whispered, "You know, he needs to go."
The child's brown eyes widened in realization before he looked at Levi and said, "There's a toilet over there. I went there earlier and there are tissues… Just don't forget to buy one." And with a lower voice added, "I forgot. And I had to wait half an hour until mommy got me some. I was about to resort to using my favorite pocketbook but I couldn't make up my mind…" After one last encouraging nod, he ran back where he came from.
Eren bent over as he laughed hard. "Oh fuck! Tell me he did not just say that! Oh my God!"
Levi felt his lips turning up, Eren's laugh was just infectious but Levi was a man of control so he cuffed Eren hard on the head. "So I look like I'm constipated, huh? Get ready; your training tomorrow is tripled."
Eren paled and squawked, "Anything but that!" Levi merely lifted an eyebrow. "Shit… Uh, sorry?"
"You dug your own grave, Eren." Levi smirked. Eren glowered at him for a moment but Levi determinedly kept his eyes on the opposite direction.
"You've got to show me that skill sometime." Eren squished out. "I think it's quite a handy skill to amuse children. I think they'll like you more."
"Fuck you. Children adore me." Levi glared at him. "They are silenced in awe with my mere presence."
"More like intimidated in silence."
"Come again?"
"Nothing."
An excited shriek made Eren jump in his seat. Levi tensed as he saw a woman run in their direction. She was dressed in civilian clothes but from the telltale goggles and wild, greasy brown hair, he knew that this was Hange Zoe, part of the Special Operations Team as both researcher and fighter.
What she was doing there when she should be at the training arena, he would not know and he'd bet that even her teammates wouldn't as well. Most probably, they also did not know that she wasn't with them, anymore. Hange Zoe was known to be quite the eccentric woman and Levi knew that she was one of those people who danced along the defining line of genius and insane.
She skidded to a stop by grabbing a hold of Eren's shoulders. They almost toppled over from the force of it but Eren managed to plant an arm on the space between them to prevent them from kissing the ground.
"Oh my God! I can't believe I'm meeting another S class! You're an S class Shifter aren't you? This is my third time! Thank you, Lord!"
Levi would have punched anyone who dared to do that but this was not just anyone. This was a man of the government and a part of the greatest, most elite team there is. Just messing with them could play Levi and his team's downfall. Gritting his teeth and crossing his arms to keep them by his side, he satisfied his flaming anger by glaring at the bespectacled woman.
"What form? Do you have a Meister? Or are you a part of a Team? Can you show me your form?" She was getting closer and closer and Levi saw the way Eren's shoulders got tenser and tenser. He glanced at Levi, a silent question of what he should do, his fists were balled on his side and when Levi shook his head, he bit his lip and looked at the woman.
"Wait!" The woman stop, thankfully and looked at Eren with much attention, it was creepy. "Uh… I'm not an S class…"
She finally leaned away, confused. Eren scooted closer to Levi, the box of cake lay forgotten on the other side.
"What? But the CIG said that you were one." She muttered as she took a hold of a device strapped on her hip.
Levi's silver eyes zeroed in on it and he eyed it skeptically. He didn't know whether it could only tell what class and type a person is or if it could tell other information as well. Like his name or whatever, which was unlikely since he wasn't a registered citizen but that was all the more alarming if he was scanned and nothing came up…
Levi felt cold sweat form on his body when she pointed the device at Eren. It beeped once—making Levi flinch at his seat—before a laser shot out of it and scanned Eren's head up and down, and then she was shrieking again. Levi was lucky Isabel's wasn't as shrill as this. She hadn't even glanced at Levi's way once. How rude could she be?
"I knew it! I knew it! And you're even unbound! Unbelievable! I'm so not gonna take off my lucky panties ever again!" Levi did not fight the grimace that occupied his face.
She was jumping up and down, before she stilled and took a hold of Eren once again. There was some sort of crazed look on her face now. Eren squirmed on his seat, clearly uncomfortable and Levi pulled his arms tighter to his chest, chanting a mantra of 'hold it, hold it. Fucking hold it. Damn you shitty glasses.'
"What's your name?" She asked breathlessly, leaning closer once again. That simple question took a load off Levi's chest but then her next question got his anger going past the maximum level in an instant, "Would you be mine?"
"Fuck you, you bitch!" Levi roared, punching the woman off the brunette and into the ground. She went down with a surprised yelp, glasses askew on her nose as she looked up at him. Eren stood and quickly grabbed a hold of Levi's arm before pulling the raven away from her as he moved to follow her to the ground.
"Calm down, Levi!" Eren panicked before whispering in his ear, "I thought we shouldn't lay a hand on any officer? Calm down, please."
Levi clicked his tongue and sucked in a harsh breathe before letting it out in a loud exhale, it seemed to have help some but he took a hold of Eren's wrist. The contact giving him more comfort as their connection echoed along his skin. Their shortest fusion time was three seconds but from the way things are, Levi would bet that all they'd need would be a second.
His Shifter smiled at him comfortingly before looking back at the frowning woman still seated at the ground and glaring daggers at the older male. Levi glared back harder.
"Who the fuck is this rude midget?" Eren firmly planted himself in between the two.
"Uh, sorry but who are you?" Eren mocked innocence, "It's very rude to suddenly show up in front of people's faces like a stupid child and demand things you shouldn't be demanding about."
She flinched, obviously picking up the insult, before standing and dusting herself up. Clearing her throat she started with a more calm voice—very much unlike her personality earlier and Levi was starting to believe that Hange was not an eccentric, the woman was fucking insane— and offering a hand, "Apologies for my behavior. My name is Hange Zoe, member of the elite squad lead by Commander Erwin Smith of the Rose branch."
"Eren and the man behind me is Levi." Eren took a hold of her hand and firmly shook it. "He's my Meister."
Her face clearly showed her disappointment, "Eh? You already have a Meister?" and as if not believing it, she pointed the CIG on him. It beeped and scanned him. Once done, Levi almost smirked as her scowl deepened.
"No wonder." She muttered before putting the device back to its place.
"Yeah. 'No wonder.' Done now, shitty glasses? Good. We'll be taking our leave then." Levi said through gritted teeth and tugged Eren, who immediately shot his free hand for the box of cake.
"No wait!" She shouted, running after them, "It doesn't matter if you already have a Meister! It's fantastic even! I could still study you!"
"No is no, Hange Zoe of the elite squad." Levi mocked, "Find your own Shifter."
"Wait!" She shouted again, Levi clicked his tongue but waited anyway. "Here, it's my personal contact number. Contact me when you changed your mind!" Eren accepted the offered card and Levi dragged them out of there.
"This is fucking problematic." Levi just hoped that the rumor about Hange Zoe being a stubborn individual was not real.
I think being sassy is an inborn talent. I can't form a sassy enough reply so there you go. Lame ass comebacks for the win, lol.
I actually have a lot of sassy replies but then I remembered: It must be in fucking english.