He heard the soft footsteps approaching him in the eerie silence of the empty office but thought it was the cleaning lady and did not pay much attention, internally happy that there was no loud vacuum cleaner tonight; he had a lot to finalise and the damned thing's cries jumbled up his mind every time he stayed late for work.

Staying late for work at the office and chatting with the cleaning ladies had become almost a routine in the past week, thanks to the extra odd jobs Levi assigned him in addition to his main project. He would have to admit that trying his hand at different things around the office helped diversify his skill-set and assisting others meant exposure which meant better career growth. Nevertheless, it was tiring, especially with how being a newbie editor naturally brought so many trial-and-errors of its own.

"Why are you here?"

He jumped on his seat, quickly turning to the owner of the voice that he knew so well but was shocked to hear then and there.

"Levi?"

"I asked you a question?"

"Oh… I-I just have some stuff to finish."

Levi pointedly glanced to the thin stack of papers Eren was working on and then turned his sharp gaze back to Eren's face.

"Is that the outline? Bouteldja's?"

"Yeah…"

"We have a soft copy policy."

"Yes."

"Each doc is automatically saved and backed up in the cloud."

"Yes. I know."

"So why the fuck are you working on a hard copy that obviously has her own hand written notes?"

Eren was about to explain the reasons, though he doubted they could satisfy Levi, when he realised the implication of Levi's statement and the words he was aiming for were completely lost, fading inside his mouth as his mind wandered elsewhere.

"Wait," he said, his eyes confused and tired but trying their best to focus on Levi's stoic face, "how do you know those notes are hers?"

Levi sighed exasperatedly as if he was dealing with a child; Eren remembered how the mere action dragged him down into a deadly swamp of insecurities in the past when they had been dating. Now though, he could not feel any such effect, knowing how Levi made these same gestures of gripe again and again to any and all, not just him. In fact, often they were not even intended for the person he was speaking with, but were due to his frustration with his own lacking communication skills… Not that Levi ever admitted that, but observing closely, it was rather evident.

It's interesting how I know these subtle details about him better now than before, despite the fact that I'm not sleeping with him or preparing him breakfast anymore… Do you have to perhaps move away from a person for a bit to realise certain things about them? Are they not visible when you are too close?

"It's not your handwriting…" Levi first said after a few seconds of silence, his words dragging and voice uncomfortable, then almost as a correction in hindsight he hurriedly added, "Also you are holding a red pen, her notes are written in blue."

"Oh…"

Did he actually remember my handwriting? Or was it the colour of the pen? I mean it must be the colour because that's what's the most obvious. But he said the other one first. Why did he say that first?! He must have recognised my handwriting. But even if he recognised my handwriting, it can't be because he remembers from before! It's probably because he saw those stupid self-motivation post-its I sometimes put on my desk. Shit. I should stop doing that. I probably look like a weird office-version of a soccer mom who leaves—

"Eren?"

"Ah, sorry… I was just—"

"Sleeping with your eyes open?"

"No! I'm not even sleepy… It's not even that late yet. I was just thinking…"

"Thinking? Jeez, don't hurt yourself. Are you planning to answer my question by the way? No rush, it's not like I'm your boss or something."

After a momentary glare, it was Eren who sighed this time and averted his eyes from Levi's face, honestly intimidated and slightly feeling guilty, though he found the chiding he received unfair and unnecessarily rude.

"I know we have a soft copy policy and I do have a soft copy… But she feels much better and more motivated when we work on a hard copy. So I'm entertaining her for now and applying any changes to the soft copy as well… We'll fully switch back to soft copies after the outline, got her to agree to that already."

Levi stared at him. It looked indifferent yet it was too intense and concentrated to be truly indifferent – this kind of stare was very characteristic for Levi and despite a full academic year spent in each other's pants or the recent weeks of bickering in the office, Eren could not fathom its meaning at all. It was as if Levi was devoid of any emotion yet at the same time overflowing with them. This manic dualism always mesmerised Eren a bit, his mind running in circles trying to decipher it.

Levi sighed then; his peculiar sigh that translated to the word "but". I feel like I'm almost a Levi expert… Like 'almost'. I bet Hanji knows more of his sighs and their meanings. Maybe I should ask them if they've been able to crack his weird 'apathetic-but-not-really gazes' as well.

"That's not good practice. You're doubling the work for yourself."

"I know… I know… But she's a first time author and I'm a first time editor, so… Isn't it okay? Just to warm up?"

"Tch."

When Levi suddenly left without any further comment, as if "tch" was some kind of a joker statement that said anything and everything that needed to be said, Eren was torn between exhaling in relief or ruminating till he got ulcer. He felt relief for not being subjected to Levi's wrath; the man was very stubborn about procedures if he believed in their efficacy, and if not he did not care at all for them. Eren would not argue in this case, because he was in the wrong and Levi was in the right; working on a hard copy did mean twice the work for him. However, the fact that he was simply left back to his work without any word, not even a "good night" or a curt "whatever", also suggested dissatisfaction on Levi's part and it was the worst.

Because despite all their bickering and his own snide remarks about Levi – mostly within the privacy of his mind or Armin's ear – he desperately desired some kind of recognition from his manager. It was obvious how Levi excelled in his job and considering it was the career Eren had dreamed of since high school, acquiring Levi's recognition and respect would mean he was moving in the right direction.

And perhaps there was more to that – to that particular want in him that required praise, not from just any superior or business-insider but Levi specifically. But he preferred not to think about it.

Actually don't think about Levi at all. Are you an idiot? You have to finish reviewing this and then you still have to proofread the blog entry for next week. Shit. When will I actually be home tonight…? Will I even be able to go home tonight? Could I maybe stay at the office? The sofa in the atrium looks comfy enough… But I bet Levi would raise hell. Shit. No. No. Don't think about Levi. Not thinking about—

Soft steps approached him once again and this time, he was not caught unaware, still he was surprised. Especially so when a cup of coffee was placed in front of him near the sheets he was working on. The steam rose in a tantalising dance over the hot beverage and the foam was shaped in a lovely but simple leaf pattern. Eren recalled how Levi used to prepare the best coffee, even though he had preferred to drink tea more; the skill was apparently a legacy of his undergrad years spent working at a café. Eren could not help stare at the modest paper cup, courtesy of their office cafeteria which also had an extravagant espresso machine that Eren never used; too many knobs and settings and the only time he had tried, he had almost burnt his hand accidentally. Hence, he opted for the other coffee machine, the automated one that poured the liquid with the press of a button but of course the end results of the two machines were starkly different. He was doomed to shitty coffee at work unless Petra or others pitied and made him a cup as well using the espresso machine while they prepared one for themselves.

Levi cleared his throat and when Eren reluctantly turned his gaze back at him, he realised for the first time in a long time how awkward Levi looked. He seemed… almost unsure. His lips were in the same displeased and unreadable line as ever, but somehow he seemed tense.

"It's shitty practice. Procedures are there for a reason. But you are a first time editor and she is a first time author. Basically: you're both brats. So go knock yourself out, masochistic shit. But if you screw up, you own it. Also, I don't give a fuck that you're creating extra work for yourself and staying late: you're still coming to work tomorrow in the morning properly."

"Yeah… Okay. I wasn't planning to come late or anything."

"Good. By the way, don't even think of sleeping at the office."

"What? Why would I—"

"Because youwould."

At the insinuation – even though it was very accurate – Eren glared and received an equally confident glare. Their mission to glare each other into submission lasted only five seconds or so and expectedly Levi was the victor, when Eren huffed and puffed and turned back to his work, mumbling a half audible "thanks for the coffee by the way."

Levi apparently ignored the bit about the coffee and instead muttered a "good night" before walking away towards the hallway that led to elevators. However, after just a single step, he halted and asked, without turning his face to Eren,

"Do you have money for the cab? Don't take the bus at this hour, it's not safe."

"Yeah, I'm good."

Levi sighed loudly – again 'that' sigh. The one Levi made when it looked as if he was tired of the other person but was likely tired of his own endeavours in human communication and the miserable fate of being a social animal. Eren wanted to chuckle all of a sudden.

"When you have too much to do, you can take work with you home instead. Don't stay too late in the office for fuck's sake… it's unsightly. If you need a laptop, ask IT, I bet they have at least a shabby one lying around."

"Yeah, that's a good idea. Thank you Levi."

He reclined on his seat a little and scrutinised the proud back of the short man who did not reply him but simply walked off and soon disappeared around the corner at the end of the hallway. Eren turned back to his work then, making a mental note on asking IT for a laptop the next day, and slowly sipping from his coffee.

It had a lot of froth and was very sweet, just how he liked it and just how Levi hated yet apparently still remembered it.

.

.

.

.

"So then she said that my 'enthusiasm' was 'commendable'! Can you believe that? She actually said that! She complimented me! Me! I think I can die happy now."

Eren exclaimed with cheer to Petra who smiled at the young man's joy as she sipped from her cranberry juice. Levi snorted from the other side of the table,

"She was trying to politely say that you were fucking annoying and your mouth was in constant diarrhoea."

Hanji elbowed him on the side rather forcefully and he unconsciously let out a moan at the sudden pain. While the distasteful comment caused Eren to scowl fiercely, he internally felt happy for the punishment handed by Hanji's elbow and perhaps a little turned on by Levi's moan that still sounded so familiar in his ears, despite the years. All in all, knowing that Levi was just being his usual arsehole self and not meaning any particular disdain, his contentment was unscratched.

"Well, she liked me more than you that's for sure…"

"You know I was her editor once right?"

"What?!"

"Calm your tits. It wasn't for a book… just a paper."

"Still! Fuck. That's so awesome. Shit, you're so awesome."

Oops. Okay that… 'That' was not the right way of putting it. Or rather, it was the right way of putting it but exposing it was not the right choice. Shit. Eren immediately dropped his gaze down to the bottle of beer in his hands hoping the blush flaring over his ears went unnoticed in the dim lighting of the bar.

Levi snickered and muttered something about "easily hyped brats".

Hearing the comment that certainly lacked any reference to his slip up, Eren could breathe easier again.

"Sooo," Petra drawled, suddenly her voice taking an elfish hue, "since I'll be on maternity leave in April… Levi, who're you gonna take with you to LBF?"

She was looking at Levi, her eyebrows wiggling and eyes glinting but Eren was already too taken by the idea itself to focus on the ongoing innuendo,

"LBF?! Levi will be going to the London Book Fair?!"

"Yeah, him and me. We go every year and take along at least one assistant editor too, to help with stuff and coordinate the interns there," Hanji replied helpfully and with a wink.

"It's a pain in the ass," Levi scoffed, glaring daggers at Petra and ostensibly not bothering to actually answer her question.

"Um, since, y'know I'm Petra's replacement and all—no, I mean not 'replacement' as in 'replacement' but like since I'll be taking over most of her duties once she's off, so maybe I –"

"Will you continue to mewl? Because I don't think I'd like a mewling coy kitten as an assistant in the fair. It'd suck balls and LBF already sucks balls."

"How can you say it sucks balls?! And hell yeah I want to tag along, it's pretty much my dream and you know it, you asshole."

Levi raised an eyebrow while Petra and Hanji looked at Eren with their mouth agape with bewilderment. O-okay fuck, maybe loudly chiding and cursing your boss based on the assumption that being your ex he still remembers about your passions… maybe that's not a very good idea, even if you are kind of tipsy and can blame it on the alcohol. But you're actually not that tipsy, are you Eren, you dumbass, you just can't control your anger. Or passion. Shit. Blame it on the alcohol. Quick, blame it on the alcohol.

"Um, I think I drank too much."

"Well… alongside indeed knowing that you were a useless LBF fanboy, I can also recall you being a lightweight… though I don't remember you ever being shifaced from just a single beer."

Eren pouted in a mix of anger and irritation, while a certain anxious giddiness started flowing in his veins… Fuck, he remembers, why does he remember? And is he seriously openly referring to our past when there are people around?! Fuck what do I do?!

Hanji, thankfully, boisterously guffawed and suddenly hugged Levi tight while ruffling his hair as though he was a cute child (which Eren felt was a very morbid thought) and did not seem to mind the poisonous look directed at them from the man's piercing eyes.

"Isn't my li'l asshole so mischievous sometimes? No worries Eren, my sweet baby boy, we'll take you along. I mean, I'll grab Moblit with me like always but no problem, this li'l Grumpy Bear will choose you."

"Says who?!" Levi spat, "and call me 'lil' one more time, I'm gonna rip your vocal cords out!"

He was struggling to get out of Hanji's grasp but failing to do so, which made Eren ponder because though he had learnt rather sorely that Hanji's grip was indeed tenacious, Levi was the strongest person Eren had ever met and could probably get out of their clutches if he wanted. So him 'struggling without hope' meant he was not trying too hard, perhaps to not accidentally hurt Hanji and the thought was… rather endearing. He recalled roughly how Levi would sometimes talk about this 'one freaky scientist' friend of his who was studying away at Berkeley. He had always used the harshest words and peppered his descriptions with the rudest commentary, though his voice had been the fondest and he would beam those rare smiles and even chuckles whenever he had talked of them… Eren had always thought it was something akin to the bond he had with Armin and hoped that they would continue to be so strongly attached even when full-fledged adults, even if they would end thousands of miles apart like Levi had been from his friend.

"Oi, brat. Why are you grinning like an idiot? Remove that shit-eating grin from your face or you're back to only dreaming of LBF. I can't deal with your fanboy flails on a business trip of all things."

Eren cleared his throat awkwardly and tried his best to smooth his lips into a line but failed spectacularly. The biting words that stood in such contrast to the amused gaze couldn't fool him after all and he realised just why he had liked the man in front of him despite so many things going wrong back then.

"Nah, 's not about LBF, though I mean, I am ecstatic about it. I'll be professional, no worries…" He paused for a second, a certain impish urge tearing down his sense of survival and added calmly as he brought the bottle back to his mouth, "sir."

Levi slightly choked on his own drink and glared at him but Eren didn't miss the soft pink of his normally too pale cheeks. Oh. So he does remember 'that' too… And he kinda still likes it too? Probably. Or is at least affected by the idea? Oh goddamn, he'd even be hotter shouting commands now. Maybe that's why he's so iffy about me calling him 'sir' in the office. Hmm.

Maybe he could take it a notch further. Maybe indeed Levi was not a perfect idol to be revered, as Armin put it. Maybe thinking that only in terms of "maybe"s itself was so fucking stupid. He grinned again,

"Um, I was actually smiling because I think the 'Grumpy Bear' comment was dead on."

Petra and Hanji chortled while Eren smiled sheepishly; hoping Levi would continue to take it as… 'gracefully' as so far and not turn his murderous intent onto him instead. Levi sighed and shook his head, something about "suicidal brats" and Hanji nodded energetically, whispering about "youngsters these days not respecting their elders" only to earn a punch on their shoulder from Levi.

As Eren watched Levi squabble with his best friends, he thought that he would really enjoy the upcoming trip and not solely because of the fair itself…