Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday to you,

Happy birthday dear Eren,

Happy birthday to you!

"Okay, now sweetie, blow out the candle" said Crala as they finished singing a song. Eren tilted his head in confusion.

"Eren, watch here" said Levi as he filled his cheeks with air blew into thin air so he wouldn't blow out Eren's candle.

Eren, seeming to get it, turned towards the candle and tried imitating Levi's movements. He blew over and over again but the flame wouldn't turn off. Frown appeared on Eren face and his lips trembled showing that he was about to cry.

"Eren." he turned around to see gentle eyes of his older brother staring at him. "Let's do it together this time, okay?" Eren nodded his head as he turned towards the candle once more. This time Levi did so too. They both filled their cheeks with air and blew towards the candle at the same time, Levi's breath turning the flames off. Big, happy grin appeared on Eren's face as looked at Levi with his bright eyes. Loud, high pitched laugh filled the room as Eren clapped little hands.

"Yaaay!" Hanji shouted.

Levi looked around the room and saw Hanji, his mother and his father seated at the table as well. They were celebrating Eren's first birthday which means it's been a year since their reunion. This year really went by quickly. Eren grew a lot since that day at the hospital. Well, of course he did, it's been a whole year. Except the fact that he grew, his physical appearance hasn't changed much. His hair grew longer, also his teeth grew. Levi remembered the time when Eren's first teeth grew way too well. Another thing that they learnt about Eren is that Levi was the only one who was able to calm him down when there was something wrong with him so when his first teeth started growing he was crying all day and night for who knows how long. There were even times when Levi couldn't do to school because he had to stay with Eren. Insomnia was also Levi's good friend at that time. Right now Eren is trying to learn how to walk. Trying. He can walk about two meters, then he falls, then he cries, then Levi picks him up and tries to calm him down and that seems to be never ending circle at the moment. He will learn eventually, Levi sincerely hoped. What Levi found pretty disturbing is the fact that Eren still hasn't learnt to talk. If he at least knew couple of words Levi wouldn't be worried, but Eren still hasn't even said his first words yet. He could understand everything but he couldn't speak. Their mom said it was okay though, she said he still had plenty of time.

"Okay, let's cut the cake now" Levi snapped out of his thoughts as he heard his mother's voice.

"First piece goes to our little birthday boy" she said as she attempted to feed Eren with a small piece of cake. But Eren just kept shaking his head and turning away from the fork.

"What's wrong, sweetie? I thought you liked this cake." said his mother worriedly.

"Mmmmm,mmmm" Eren whined as he pointed at Levi with his little hand.

"Oh, you want nii-chan to feed you?" she said.

Eren just nodded his head.

"Okay, here you go" she said as she handed small plate over to Levi.

"Open wide" said Levi as he brought fork closer to Eren's mouth. Eren took cake into his mouth and smiled in satisfaction as he munched on a sweet treat.

"He likes it." said Grisha.

"Yeah dad, we can see that" Levi chuckled. Even in their previous life Eren liked sweets.

"Okay, Eren likes it and that's nice, now I want to try some" said Hanji.

"Hai, hai" said Carla as she took the knife to cut a piece of cake for everybody else. Hanji got the next piece, after her Grisha then Carla. Levi didn't really like sweets but he ate them at special occasions. Eren's birthday definitely counted as one but he wasn't able to eat right away though since he was still busy feeding Eren. Which reminded him, again. It's already been one year. It still wasn't time to think about problems that will come but that time will come sooner than he thought. Human life was short, Levi knew that better than anybody and if years kept flying by like this one did, that time will come very soon. From time to time Levi found himself wishing that Eren would hurry with growing up but lately he started thinking that that might not be such a good idea. Even when Eren grows up, who knows will they be able to have same relationship as back then. First of all Levi can't be sure that Eren will feel the same way about him, though he is pretty attached already. Second of all was their age difference, Levi was fifteen years older. In their past life age wasn't much of an issue but in this day and age it was a big deal. And last and most important of them all, they were brothers. Sure, they weren't blood related but Eren will grow up thinking of him as his big brother and not just Eren. For everybody else Levi will be his older brother and their relationship would be unacceptable. Eren promised him they would be happy in world without titans back then. In this world there were no titans, but chances for their happiness were lower than back then. In this world their enemies were humans. More he thought about it, more depressed he was becoming. Sometimes he found himself thinking that it would be better if they weren't reunited at all but he always regretted thinking like that when he remembered how much he suffered without Eren by his side. He thought he would be satisfied with just being by Eren's side as his brother but he soon realized that as Eren grew Levi's mind won't be the one deciding things. His heart will, as well as his body which is craving for Eren this much already. Levi knew he needed to find a distraction, he needed to find somebody else in order to forget about Eren. He knew it will be difficult and he didn't want to do it but he needed to. For Eren's sake and for his own.

"… evi, Levi." His mother's voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Are you okay honey?"

"Yeah mom, why?"

"She's been calling you for a while now but you wouldn't respond. What are you spacing out for?" said Hanji.

"Nothing, it's nothing" said Levi.

Xxx

"Zoe- chan, thank you for coming over to celebrate with us" said Carla smiling kindly.

"You don't have to thank me auntie. Of course I came. I consider myself Eren's big sister after all." said Hanji.

"You are his big sister" Carla smiled once again.

"Okay then, see you soon, bye." said Hanji cheerfully.

"Bye sweetie."

"Bye, Hanji" said Levi.

"Levi, come out with me for a second" said Hanji dragging him out of the house.

"What's this all of a sudden?" he asked.

"Levi what were thinking about today, and don't try to tell me it was nothing 'cause I'm not buying that."

"It's nothing Hanji. I was just thinking about future." He answered.

"Levi…"

"I know Hanji! I know. We can't be together and there was never any hope for us to begin with." He sighed in frustration.

"Levi, I'm not saying that. I-"

"You're not saying that, but you're thinking that! You're telling me not to get my hopes up! I get it! Just stop making it more painful!" he shouted.

"Levi-"

"Bye Hanji" he said as he went back to the house slamming the door behind himself. Leaving Hanji there with painful expression and tears in her eyes.

Xxx

That night before he fell asleep Levi regretted shouting at Hanji earlier that day. He made a mental note to himself to apologize to her tomorrow. He suddenly chuckled remembering Eren's smile when he tried the cake earlier that day. Images of Eren's smile and sound of his laughter that still filled his ears made him feel a little better. His angel was always able to fix his mood. All of a sudden he got the urge to go little one's room and embrace him tightly but he dismissed that thought quickly remembering that Eren would probably be asleep by now. And so once again he fell asleep with thoughts of his little angel in his mind.

Xxx

"Here you go, you can have mine." said Levi as he handed his piece of cake over to Eren.

"But Heichou, don't you want to eat it? We rarely get to eat this kind of thing and you always give me yours."

"You know I don't like sweets Eren. And you always whine how there is too little so just take it" answered Levi.

"Well thank you then though I still don't understand how can someone hate sweets." said Eren, munching on his cake.

"Even if I did like them I would do this because I love you" as he said that Levi placed a light peck on Eren's lips.

"I-I love you too…" stuttered Eren as he blushed and looked away.

"But Eren, don't think I'm doing this for free" said Levi, smirk forming itself on his lips.

"W-what do you mean?" stuttered Eren once again, blush staining his cheeks.

"Come to my room tonight and if you want to find out" Levi whispered seductively into Eren's ear.

Eren quickly stood up, his cheeks becoming even darker shade o red.

"Heichou, you pervert!" he shouted as he turned around and ran away. Levi chuckled as he watched Eren running away.

'No matter how fast you run, you'll never escape me. Eren' he smirked.

Xxx

Levi opened his eyes as he felt rays of sun on his face. He had another dream about Eren. He chuckled at the memory. That night was really fun. It was worth giving up on the dessert.

Since he was reunited with Eren he had dreams about their past almost every night. He didn't know where did all those memories come from. They have only been together for five years. How many more dreams will come to him in the future, he wondered. He stood up to take a shower and have some breakfast. Today was Saturday so he didn't have school.

After he finished taking a shower he went to the kitchen where he found a note from his parents.

'We had some urgent job at the shop. We won't be back before dinner. Please watch Eren for today. If something happens call us and if you need help call Zoe-chan.

Love you.

Mom and Dad.'

Levi sighed as he put the note back on the table. His parents held antique shop at the town centre. They would often go to the shop all of a sudden and leave him a note like this so this wasn't new.

Instead of having breakfast he went to Eren's room. He got closer to his bed and saw that Eren was already awake. Eren looked up and a huge smile appeared on his face as he saw his brother standing there. He chuckled expanding his hands towards Levi showing that he wants to be picked up. Levi took Eren out of his bed and placed a small kiss on top of his head.

"Good morning, Eren."Levi whispered. Eren just smiled in response.

Levi knew he didn't need help with Eren but he still decided to call Hanji. He wanted to apologize for what happened the day before.

He went to his room to take his phone. He picked it up from the desk and he put Eren down so he could dial Hanji's number. Eren whined in protest.

"Just for a little bit, okay?" said Levi as he patted Eren's head. Eren just nodded weakly.

"Hey, Hanji." He said

"LEVIIIII" came her usual response from the other end.

"Hey Hanji, listen, I'm sorry that I snapped at you yesterday. I know you were just trying to help and…"

"It's fine Levi. I know that my words can't go against your feelings for Eren. And you want me to come because your parents are out and you need to watch him."

"How did you-"

"Your mother called me this morning and said that she and your dad had some urgent job at the shop and asked me to come later and help you watch Eren."

"So I didn't have to call you because you would have come here anyway."

"Well yeah but I waited for you to call me anyway. I wanted to hear an apology." she chuckled.

"You sneaky little shit!" he hissed.

"Aww, come on Levi don't get angry. You'll scare Eren away."

"Whatever, just get your ass here!"

"Hai, coming right away!" she said, voice cheerful as ever.

As Levi hung up he looked down on his bed to see Eren whining and expanding his hand towards him.

"You really are impatient, aren't you?" said Levi as he picked him up and placed a light kiss on top of his head. His heart filled with warmth all over when saw Eren smile once again. At times like this god himself prevented him from kissing Eren's lips. But he wasn't going to turn into a pedophile now. He promised himself that he would try to keep his self control but if he ever lost it he will at least wait until Eren grows up. His train of thoughts was interrupted when he heard a doorbell. It was probably Hanji so he went to open the door with Eren still in his arms.

"LEVIIII" she shouted from the other side of the door about to throw her arms around him like she always does but she quickly stopped when she saw that he was holding Eren.

"Hey there, little guy" she smiled, pinching Eren's cheek. Eren whined in protest.

"Hey Hanji, come in," said Levi.

"Excuse the intrusion" she said as she walked into the house and took of her shoes and her coat.

"You want something?" asked Levi.

"Tea would be nice and if there's any of that cake left" she grinned, she really liked that cake.

"Tea is okay, but there's no more cake because someone practically devoured it yesterday. I swear you looked like a titan for a moment there." He said.

"Ehhh, did I really eat everything? That sucks" she frowned.

"Here, watch him while I make us tea." said Levi handing Eren over to Hanji. Eren whined in protest but quickly calmed down after Levi kissed his forehead gently.

"How are you always able to calm him down like that?" she asked.

"I know him. And he is really attached to me so I guess that would be it" He replied.

"Do you think he remembers?" asked Hanji.

"Who knows" he sighed and with that he left to the kitchen to make tea for Hanji and himself.

"Now, what shall we do until he comes back?" she said turning her head to look at Eren.

"L-L-L" it looked like he tried to say something.

"Are you trying to tell me something?" Hanji furrowed her brows in confusion.

" L-L-L-Le…" Eren still struggled with his first words.

"Come on Eren, come on, you can do it" encouraged him Hanji.

"Levi nii-chan" he finally said. Hanji's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Oh my god, OH MY GOD!" she shouted as she quickly placed Eren on the couch.

"Stay here, okay?" she said as she rushed into the kitchen to find Levi. She bumped into him on the way though.

"Hanji, what's happening? I heard you shout. Is there something wrong with Eren?" Levi was panicking.

"No, everything is fine. More than fine actually" she grinned.

"Why are you grinning like that? What happened?" he asked.

"Eren just said his first words and you missed it. That's what happened" she said with satisfied smirk on her face when she saw Levi's face.

"No way. Are you serious?! What did he say?" Levi asked excitedly.

"Come here. I think it's better if he tells you himself." she said, dragging him towards the living room. When they entered the living room Eren was still there, sitting on the couch.

Both, Levi and Hanji lowered themselves to Eren's eye level.

"Come on Eren, tell Levi what you told me just now" said Hanji.

Eren nodded his head trying to remember how he did it last time.

"L-Levi nii-chan" it got out more smoothly this time. Levi's eyes widened and his heart started beating so hard he thought it was going to break through his chest. Eren said his name, Eren's first words were his name. Only when he felt Eren's little hands on his cheeks did he notice that a lonely tear rolled down his cheek.

"Levi nii-chan, easy…" said Eren as he patted his head. He remembered that Levi always did that to him when he was upset and Eren would always feel better. Levi couldn't take it anymore and he burst into tears as he placed his hand onto his mouth. Those weren't sad tears though. In fact, hasn't felt this happy since that time Eren confessed to him back then.

He took Eren onto his arms as he saw him bursting into tears as well. Eren thought he upset Levi and it made him sad. He wanted to say that word you have to say when you do something bad but he couldn't remember it now.

"Shhh, it's okay Eren shhh" Levi patted his head as Eren wrapped his little arms around Levi's neck.

"Eren, look at me" said Levi, pulling away a little bit. But only a little bit because he didn't want to upset Eren any further. Eren lifted his head to look at Levi, still sniffing and crying. Levi had stopped crying already but it could be clearly seen that he cried just a moment ago.

"Eren, you didn't upset me okay? People don't cry just when they are sad. They also cry when they are happy, do you understand that?"

Eren nodded his head, slowly calming good.

"And you should know that nii-chan is very happy that your first words were his name." Levi added placing a light kiss on Eren's forehead. Eren smiled.

"Sniff, sniff. So touching" Hanji pretended that she was crying as well.

"Shut up damn four-eyes" Levi smiled as well.

"Listen to me Levi. You got lucky that his first word was your name but I'm gonna teach him his second word. He is gonna say that before he says 'mom'. I'm serious" said Hanji.

"Let me guess. Titans." said Levi.

"Titans." They heard Eren repeat.

"Did you hear that?! He did it, he did it! Oh god I'm so proud!" Hanji squealed.

Levi just laughed. Maybe their future wasn't so hopeless after all. But just maybe.

A/N ( Hey guys. I updated a little earlier than I said I will. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I want to thank you all for all the support and love you've been showing me, it really means a lot. I love you all and I'm glad you like my story so far.

There is one thing I need to ask you guys. You know that in this chapter Levi said he needed a distraction in order to forget about Eren. Well I plan to make Petra that distraction which means that Levi and Petra will be dating for a little bit. It's gonna be painful for me to write that because I'm Ereri purist but I have to for the sake of this story. So the thing I need to ask is: Do you want to see a chapter about how Levi and Petra got together? Personally I think I can continue without that chapter but if I did Levi and Petra would just be together out of the blue and without explanation so I'm asking you guys do you want that chapter or not. This story will still be Ereri, don't worry about it, but I have really cute scene between Eren and Levi planned and for that I need Petra.

That would be all I have to say. Thank you again for the support and for reading my story!

Bye, bye.)

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