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So, let's see what happens now that Erwin is back in the picture.
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Chapter 8 The Storm of Despair Part 2
Levi couldn't believe his eyes. Erwin Smith. He thought the blond man was dead. Levi scanned him. Erwin was wearing the same military uniform he went missing in. Levi had to restrain himself from grabbing soap and a washcloth and cleaning Erwin's dirty face. Upon closer inspection, Levi noticed some dried blood on the left side of Erwin's green cloak.
"It's been five years." Erwin broke the silence, smiling softly.
Levi couldn't speak. Erwin reached out and took Levi's hand. Levi looked down at his pale hand. Erwin felt really cold.
"Levi, we need to talk about some things. So can I come in?" Erwin asked.
Levi stepped aside and let the man in. He pushed at the door, but he suddenly felt weak, so the door didn't lock. Erwin sat on Eren and Levi's conjoined beds.
"Levi... please say something." Erwin pleaded.
The short man clenched his fists. "What the hell am I supposed to say? You've been missing for five fucking years. We thought you were dead, Erwin! You've been here all this time. You never made contact with me. Now you suddenly show up when I'm in turmoil!"
Erwin stood up. "That's exactly why I came, Levi."
"What?" Levi was taken aback.
Erwin walked back over to Levi and wrapped his arms around him.
"I'm sorry for causing you so much. It's my fault."
"Why did you do it?" Levi asked icily, not returning his embrace. "That day, before you went missing... why did you tell me that I meant nothing to you anymore? Even though you walked away with my fist mark on your face, it hurt more than I let on."
Erwin tightened his hug. Talking about that day would be harder than he thought.
"Levi..." Eren whispered. "Before I tell you... know that after today, we both must move on and be in peace."
"Peace, huh?" Levi spat sarcastically. "I have no idea what that feels like."
Erwin stroked Levi's hair. "First, we must clear up the past. Then, we'll talk about the brunette boy."
Levi tensed. How the fuck does he know about the brat?
Erwin cleared his throat. "That day, your birthday... I never wanted to hurt you. But I had no choice. The mission I was assigned to was so risky, that I had a really strong possibility of dying. That mission was a success, and that's what got you, Petra, and Hanji discharged."
Erwin pulled away slightly to look Levi at directly. "I figured that if you were detached, my inevitable death wouldn't be such a tragedy for you. But... I was wrong."
"Damn right." Levi muttered. "So, what happened then, you bastard?"
Erwin released Levi. He hesitantly removed his cloak and unbuttoned his shirt. Levi gasped slightly at what he saw. There was a gaping hole in his chest, surrounded by dried blood.
"What the fuck...?!" Levi's face scrunched up in disgust. That wound... it seems to be just a black void. With a hole that deep, there is no way... he could have... survived.
Levi's eyes widened in realization. "Erwin, what the hell is going on here?"
He reached his hand out and placed it on Erwin's chest, his hand barely covering the gap. "Erwin... how-"
Suddenly, the dorm door opened and Eren walked. He was carrying several plastic bags with food and drinks. He had a "two trips are for pussies" look on his face. However, after taking one look at Levi's hand on Erwin's naked chest, his determined expression shifted to one of shock and confusion. A million thoughts ran through Eren's mind.
It's that man from before! He came here to see Levi?! Why are they so close together? Wait... don't tell me...!
Eren dropped all of the bags onto the floor, the clattering echoing throughout the entire room.
"Um, sorry for disturbing you two." Eren mumbled, backing away. "The door wasn't locked, so I let myself in. Sorry."
Before Levi could call out to him, Eren ran out, slamming the door shut.
Erwin studied Levi's face. Ever since he had met him, Levi never freely displayed what he was feeling on the outside. Now, Erwin noted the frustration on Levi's face.
"That damn brat..." Levi retracted his hand from Erwin's chest.
The tall man quickly re-buttoned his shirt. "That boy. I met him earlier. I don't know how, but he saw me."
"What the fuck does that mean?" Levi snapped, upset that Eren ran off.
"He's a kind kid." Erwin continued, ignoring Levi's question. "But, he's really confused. Like you."
Levi refrained from punching him again. "I'm not confused about anything, you bastard."
"Oh, I think you are." Erwin tilted Levi's head up with his index finger. "You may think you're in love with him, but how could you if you're still harboring feelings for me n your heart?"
Levi's face fell, realizing that Erwin was right. Did he still have feelings for him?
"You be in love with two people at the same time." Erwin told Levi. "You'll have to let one of us go."
Petra was shocked to see a sniffling Eren when she answered her door.
"Eren, what's the matter? Why are you tearing up?"
Eren wiped away his tears, choking back a sob. "He... he's Levi lover, isn't he?"
Petra took Eren's hand and gently pulled him inside her room. "Eren, what are you talking about?" She asked sitting them down on her bed.
"There was a tall blond man with blue eyes outside earlier." Eren explained. "He had on a military uniform. He asked me where the Pearl Dorms were. He said he was visiting someone. I told him and didn't think anything of it. Just now, I returned to the dorm only to find them close together. The man's shirt was unbuttoned, and Levi was touching him. I... I just ran away. I couldn't take the sight."
A sob escaped Eren's lips. He no longer had the pride to hold back his sadness.
Petra paled at Eren's description. No... no way. Is it him? Erwin Smith?
"I guess I can tell you." Petra finally said. "Yes. That man, Erwin Smith, is Levi's former lover."
Eren's blood ran cold.
"Before Erwin disappeared, he and Levi were completely in love. Even though Levi didn't show it often, you could just tell. And Erwin was so sweet... they were so lovely." Petra covered her mouth as tears spilled over. "Then, that one day, Erwin ended their seven year relationship. Levi was beyond crushed. Then Oluo, Gunther, and Eld died under his watch... Levi was devastated. And now, Erwin is suddenly back. Poor Levi... I can only imagine what he's feeling right now."
Eren stood up. He had heard enough. "Petra, thank you for telling me. I'm gonna go now."
Eren left Petra's room. She continued to cry, restraining herself from running to Levi's room and see Erwin.
There's no way... there's just no way he's still alive.
Levi stared at Erwin. Choose between Erwin and Eren? No... I can't make that decision. I can't!
"Levi, you can't live like this." Erwin told him. "You're hurting me, Eren, and yourself."
"Eren made it perfectly clear to me earlier today that he had no intention of ever loving me." Levi replied coldly. "The decision has been made for me."
"Are you sure?" Erwin inquired. "Are you sure that Eren said he would never love you because he doesn't have feelings for you? Or, is it because he's trying to protect himself from his own past?"
Levi narrowed his eyes. "You seem to know a lot more than I would like. How the hell did you know about his past?"
Erwin raised a hand, silencing Levi. "I'm just a third party member, that's all. If you choose to keep your feelings for me, then Eren will be banished from your heart forever. Are you okay with that?"
Suddenly, a loud siren went off, resounding throughout the entire campus.
"Shit!" Levi hurried over to his window and looked out. The wind was starting to pick up, and the rain was heavier. "That siren is basically telling us that the fucking hurricane is on its way here."
Levi pulled out his cell phone and dialed Hanji first.
"Levi, I'm heading for Petra's house in Trost." Hanji informed him. "Remember, that's our evacuation site."
"Yeah, I know. I'll get out there as soon as I can." Levi replied.
"Okay. Hurry!"
"Damn it!" Levi growled, hanging up. "We have to go, now!"
At that moment, there was a frantic knock on Levi's door. He opened it to reveal a worried Petra.
"Petra, what is it?" Levi asked.
Petra expected to see Erwin behind Levi, but she couldn't see anyone else in the room. Snapping out of her own thoughts, she quickly told Levi, "I'm worried about Eren! I searched the entire dorm, but I can't find him. The weather is getting worse and worse outside! I don't know what to do!"
Levi gritted his teeth. "Petra, you go ahead and get out of here. I'll look for Eren."
Petra's eyes widened. "But Levi-"
"That's an order!" Levi barked.
Nodding, Petra didn't protest further. She headed for the front doors.
Levi dug into one of his drawers and took out a jacket, not that it would do much good.
"Where are you going?" Erwin asked calmly.
"I'm going out to have a tea party in the rain." Levi spat sarcastically. "What the fuck does it look like I'm doing?! I'm going to look for the brat."
"So, you're going to throw yourself out in high speed winds and heavy rain for a "brat"?" Erwin questioned.
"Don't question my decisions." Levi snapped, zipping up his jacket. "You go with Petra. I'll drive out as soon as I retrieve Eren. The storm isn't that bad yet."
Erwin raised an eyebrow. "This is going way beyond the call of someone who dislikes people. I think you're really in love with Eren."
"S-Stop. It's not that simple." Levi headed for the door.
"Oh, but it is." Erwin smiled. "And you must choose."
Ignoring him, Levi walked out of the dorm and into the swirling storm outside. He was met with a rather strong wind. The rain made it difficult for Levi to see.
Damn it... where is he?!
Levi covered his face with his arm. "Eren!" He shouted.
~.~.~.~.~
Eren sat in the marine biology building's pool room. He was soaked head to toe from the rain, but he didn't really care at this point. Eren hadn't moved from the edge of the pool for a good thirty minutes. He stared at his reflection.
What am I doing? Why am I here? What's the point of moping around like this? Why am I so upset that his old lover came back? I told Levi I would never be able to return his feelings. I'm starting to regret telling him that more than anything else. Levi... I'm so sorry. You were already hurt, and I just stuck the knife in deeper. All I've done is hurt people. I said horrible things to my mother... Armin got bullied right along with me because of my carelessness. I'm a monster. The world would be doing a great service if it just killed me now...
Eren felt an airy nudge on his back, almost beckoning him to fall into the pool. Eren didn't put up any resistance. He fell into the pool. Forcing himself down, Eren released all of the oxygen in his lungs and closed his eyes.
I'm such a hypocrite. I told Levi to look towards the future, but I can't do it. My future looks bleak without Levi in it...
Suddenly, he felt two hands grab him. Eren flailed in response. No! I want to die on my own terms.
Before Eren could think anymore, he was roughly pulled out of the pool and onto the hard ground. Eren coughed up the water that almost filled his lungs. He didn't have time to recuperate. The same two hands grabbed Eren's shoulders and forced him to look at the perpetrator. He was met with Levi's furious gaze.
"I knew you would be in here! What the hell is wrong with you?!" Levi shouted, shaking him. "Why would you put your life in danger like this? First you decided it would be okay to run around in a fucking hurricane, and now you tried to drown yourself in the same water you claim to be passionate about?! You're a fucking idiot! You were about to throw your entire life away. I should beat the shit out of you for that!"
Eren trembled, his tears mixing with the pool water. "I...I'm sorry!" He choked out.
Levi's intense stare softened slightly. "Dumbass... if you had died, I don't know what I would have done."
Eren's heartbeat started to pick up speed. "I wasn't thinking straight. I was wallowed in myself. I'm sorry."
"You weren't thinking straight when you kissed me, either." Levi scoffed, attempting to lighten the mood. His attempt failed.
"No!" Eren grabbed Levi's arm. "Those are not the same thoughts! Don't compare them!"
Levi's eyes widened at the outburst. Shaking Eren's hand off, Levi stood up. "We have to get out of here. The storm is getting worse."
Eren hesitated. "What about... Erwin?"
Levi froze. "You... whatever. That idiot isn't my sole concern right now. Come on."
Levi took Eren's hand and the two ran out of the building. The wind had picked up speed considerably, and the rain was blinding. Levi almost felt like he would get picked up along with the debris swirling around.
"Shit!" Levi seethed, barely able to move forward. There's no way we can drive out of here now. Our only hope is the dorm!
Unbeknownst to Levi, a metal bin was picked up by the wind and hurled directly at him. Eren saw the bin just in time.
"Levi!" Eren shielded Levi's body with his before the bin could harm him. The bin struck Eren is the head, knocking him out cold. Levi... I don't want you to get hurt anymore.
"Eren...?!" Levi was slightly frightened when he felt Eren's body go slack. "Eren!"
To Levi's shock, Erwin suddenly emerged from the storm. The wind and rain was not hindering his movement at all.
"Erwin, what are you doing here?" Levi barked. "I told you to with Petra!"
Erwin smiled. "I couldn't. This is where we say goodbye, Levi."
Levi's eyes widened. "What?!"
"You've decided. And so has he." Erwin replied, gesturing towards the unconscious Eren.
"What are you talking about?" Levi grasped Eren firmly.
"When you both were in the pool room, your feelings for each other finally collided. You said you didn't what you would do if you lost Eren. Eren did not want you to mix his thoughts of death with the kiss he shared with you. Now why would he say that?"
"How... how do you know all of this? Erwin... what is going on?!" Levi asked, frustrated.
Erwin just continued to smile. "You both put your lives in danger for each other. That's one of the highest acts of love someone can do. Eren has fully taken over your heart, and despite his fear, you have taken over his."
Erwin placed a hand on Levi's shoulder. "Levi, prove to Eren that you will never hurt him. Let him know that there is no shame in loving another man. You are the ultimate piece in Eren getting over his fear. Give yourself to him, and he will do the same for you. Cherish each other always."
Erwin retracted his hand, and he started to fade into the storm.
"Erwin! Where are you going?!" Levi cried, reaching out to grab Erwin. He was no longer tangible.
"Levi, I will always love and care about you. Now, we can both be in peace." Erwin waved slightly before disappearing completely, leaving Levi and Eren behind to face the storm together.
Eren sat in darkness.
"What time is it? What day is it? I feel like I've been in here forever." Eren groaned, standing up. "I feel... lonely."
Eren walked around the black limbo. After awhile, he bumped into another person. Eren jumped back when he saw the person's height and black hair. "Levi...?!"
Levi turned around, staring at the brunette intently.
"Levi! I'm so happy to see you!" Eren cried. "I thought I would never see you again!"
Eren wrapped his arms around Levi in a hug. Scoffing, the shorter man pushed him way.
"Why are you hugging me, brat? Wouldn't that be considered "gay" by your terms?" He asked.
"No... no! I don't care about other people's eyes anymore! I may be afraid... but I'm willing to act on my feelings for you. Levi, I lo-"
Before Eren could finish, Levi disappeared. "Levi? LEVI!"
Levi sat on their bed in the dorm, watching Eren intensely. The two were completely soaked. He had to wrap gauze around Eren's head to stop the bleeding. The brunette looked distressed, and he was sweating profusely.
"Well, I better get a damp washcloth to put on his forehead." Levi sighed, standing up.
Eren jolted awake, grabbing Levi's arm, tears streaming down his face.
"Levi! I love you! I love you!" Eren shouted. "I'm sorry I suppressed my feelings until now! Please believe me. Levi, I'm in love with you!"
Levi's mouth gaped slightly at Eren's confession. "You're not hallucinating, are you? That bin hit your head pretty hard."
"No! I am serious! Please, Levi. I love you..." Eren looked down, tightening his grip on Levi's arm.
"Eren... are you sure?" Levi whispered. "Do you know what you're getting yourself into?"
"Honestly, I don't know what I'm getting into." Eren replied truthfully. "But I refuse to sit on my desires any longer! I'm in love with you. I have been all this time. I was just too terrified to admit it. I'm still afraid, but I know I won't be soon. I'm not going to run from my feelings anymore."
Levi felt his heart race, something he hasn't felt in five long years. But was he ready to admit out loud that he loved Eren? To his relief, Eren looked around and brought something else up.
"I probably shouldn't be confessing to you with Erwin still here. Where is he?" Eren asked.
Before Levi answered, he ran through key suspicions in his mind.
The same uniform... the fatal wound... wondered why Eren could see him... third party member... knowing everything what went on between me and Eren... cold to the touch... becoming intangible... disappearing into thin air... talked about moving on and finding peace.
"Eren... do you believe in ghosts?" Levi asked.
Eren tilted his head to the side. "To a certain extent, kinda. I mean, I sort of believe that people that have not completed their purpose when they die roam the earth... but that's just my superstitious side talking. Why do you ask? What does that have to do with Erwin?"
Levi looked away, smiling softly. "No reason... I just think that Erwin finally completed his purpose."
Eren gasped. "Wait... are you saying-"
"Stop talking." Levi ordered, placing his index finger on his lips.
Eren cupped Levi's cheek, turning his face back. "Shall we... try it again?" He murmured into Levi's finger.
"What?" Levi asked, leaning in closer.
"The kiss." Eren replied, lifting Levi's finger off. "This time... I'm in my right mind."
"You better." Levi replied, closing the gap between them.
As the hurricane raged outside, the two new lovers' own storms have finally moved on.
Wow... what a roller coaster. Is it weird that I almost cried while writing this? Probably.
So, what's next for Levi and Eren? And what about that hurricane outside? Will it put a damper on their new found romance?
You: Duh. It's a category five hurricane. Why wouldn't it?
You're right. I'll go hide in shame.
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