He had a reservation at Brown's Hotel but their opulent tea room would probably only suffocate Eren... Consoling himself that he could go there the next time, he called to cancel his reservation. The problem now though was where to take Eren for tea. It was rather late to reserve a spot at a nice place and there were a few he knew well enough to get preferential treatment but they would be again too stuffy for his mercurial, rebellious ex.

Will he even like having tea in the first place? Just because he likes trying new things and drank a cup of Earl Grey aboard does not mean he will enjoy this… Fuck. It's probably the worst date idea ever. It's probably boring. What if he gets bored? What if he gets bored but cannot tell me because I'm his boss? Shit. Did you even think this through before suggesting? No, you did not.

Why did he act so impulsive around Eren even though he was certainly not the type, he did not know. Thanks to an unfathomable trick of fate, Eren's presence awoke his own youthful eagerness—he could swear he was over it; apparently he was not. Isabel probably would have a nice laugh about this situation.

Alas, the fact remained: he asked his ex, who currently happened to be a colleague, out for tea and he would have to ensure that it would go smooth. He thought of taking Eren to one of those new places that also served coffee and non-traditional tea menus but the mere idea repulsed him so much, he could not bring himself to commit such heresy against this beloved custom.

After almost an hour of mulling over and trying his best to not reveal the plans to Hanji, who would definitely go ecstatic with the news and overcomplicate the mess he was already in, he remembered this small shop they had gone with Petra the year before when they had been in town for LBF. Apparently Petra had found it online and in spite of his initial worries that it looked too chic to be good, the tea was fine and the food was actually delectable. Owners were also very helpful and attentive and as much as incapable of human communication Levi was, he appreciated such people and had a thing for supporting small businesses, especially if they were clean and bullshit-free. Certainly, he enjoyed the exquisite selection of tea in more expensive and established places but he did not enjoy the vainglory of such 'elite' spaces. Thus, once in a while, he liked to shake it up and try more modest venues with satisfactory menus.

The Tea Rooms, it is, then.

Gods of fortune were on his side for the first time in months and there was actually an open spot which he happily reserved.

A few hours later, he dropped by the first floor where Eren was supposed to be training the interns; he found the brunet happily chatting with a young man. Man? Scratch that. "Boy". Such youthful features—kind of made him realise how Eren had matured himself, though Levi also realised that he liked this maturity. How the lines of Eren's face were stronger and more well-defined now and the way he held himself, with more confidence and gravity, though his eyes alight with the same passion as he spoke enthusiastically about god knows what. The boy he was talking with was rather… beautiful. The unpronounced word stung Levi's tongue but he would have to admit at least internally that the shitty intern was indeed beautiful. Based on the fact that he could not understand a single word they were speaking and the nostalgically familiar melody of the foreign speech, this pretty boy had to be the 'Umut' he heard about.

He felt pangs of jealousy in his stomach and cursed himself.

Because it was unnecessary. More importantly, it was unfounded. The most importantly, it was definitely not his place. But the infuriating thing about feelings is that, they don't listen to reason. Nor are they concrete things that you could smash and crumble into dust; no, they are slippery abstract eels swimming around in the sea of your soul and good luck exterminating them—you're forever doomed to experiencing their shocks once in a while and the repulsive writhing born out of their motions. However frustrating it was to experience the nauseous envy, he was thankfully mature enough to not succumb; it was one thing to have them, but another to give them the reins. He never did. He would never. And he wanted to believe—no, rationally speaking, he knew— that this was what mattered. Everyone held repugnant inclinations at times; what's crucial was not acting upon them, he reminded himself.

Still, he must have seemed rather intimidating and displeased—though in all honesty, it could have been his normal appearance too, which often translated as such to most strangers—the intern started giving him nervous glances, which led Eren to discover his presence.

"Oh Levi, it's already the time? I didn't realise, sorry."

He forgot about you because he was talking to a cutie—look at that kid and look at yourself; look at his soft skin and Levi, for god's sake, you have wrinkles between your eyebrows from too much glowering. Of course you'll slip off his mind when he's busy with such hot stuff. He blinked to slap away the poisonous whispers of jealousy; he was better than this god damn it. The neutral line of his lips arced down as he directed his fraudulently bored gaze to the intern for a second and then to Eren. He asked with a level voice:

"If you're busy?"

What a childish petulance. You just want him to openly choose you over a kid, when you two had plans so he will obviously choose you. What a miserable old fuck you've become congrat—

Eren laughed nervously. Levi blinked again and perhaps his façade shook ever so slightly because he had not expected Eren to act… so anxious. Was this a good sign? A bad sign? What the hell kind of a sign is this?

"No, nope! We're done! I was just too engrossed in chit-chat, you know how I am…"

Being an editor, having done theses on classics, leading a life that revolved around literature, he found it ridiculous how simple implications of the most mundane words took his breath away or grazed his flesh so tenderly. "You know how I am"—he wanted to ask, "Do I?" Do I really know how you are? Do we still have that intimacy? Because for the love of god, I feel as though I do and I so fucking want to, but do I? Really?

With that—with the subtlest tangential meaning of a few words the venom rising in his veins was diluted and one end of his lips curved up in contentment.

"Okay, good."

Eren's nervous face relaxed and he beamed then, "I'm ready but—Oh, so sorry, how rude of me. Umut, this is Levi—Levi Ackerman. He's the managing editor of non-fiction dep and my boss."

The kid's hazel eyes widened and his mouth opened and closed multiple times, before he could stammer an introduction:

"I—I'm Umut. Umut Kaya. Uh—It—It's a—nice to meet you?"

Levi was rather surprised at the teenager's shaky words and alarmingly red face and as oft-happened, his bafflement was shown via a suspicious glare which seemed to further fluster the young intern.

"Nice to meet you… too?"

Then the kid's lips pulled and he smiled so large that both Levi and Eren exchanged bemused looks.

"I—I'm sorry, God, I must look really creepy right now. It's just I've been following your writing here and there since forever and I really like the way you write and also the subject matters you tackle are always so interesting. Like, I read your piece on looting—the one The New Inquiry published, just like two weeks ago, and it was one of the best I've ever read on the topic, so well-articulated…"

Now this was an unexpected development. Eren was so befuddled that he was pursing his lips—a habit Levi had first deciphered years ago when they were still dating. It was very endearing and commanded his attention more than the intern who was rambling and ogling him with obvious hero-worship. Though that definitely worked like a charm on his ego. He allowed himself a smirk which almost instantly drew an irritated side-eye from Eren.

"No need to be so nervous. Eren told me great things about you, I'm glad we have such talented young people in our company."

Umut giggled and that seemed to trigger Eren as he moved forward towards Levi and almost hissed; "I guess we should leave otherwise we'll have to go for dinner than tea? Hmm? See you tomorrow Umut! It was great meeting you!"

Levi nodded his head towards the intern in goodbye and received a cute little wave of hand in return. It reminded him the small gestures of affection Eren used to bless him with in their school days; air kisses, seductive-yet-timid glances, cheerful hand-waves… He smiled at the memory as they walked down the stairs.

He was not fully aware of the silence nor his smiling till Eren suddenly stopped at the exit of the building.

"What?"

"You… don't have to smile like you've won the lottery just because a kid complimented you."

The look of disbelief he projected at Eren was mainly because… Wow. Where did that come from? He was honestly surprised and couldn't understand the rationale behind such a belligerent comment. Eren must have realised how strange his words were as well because he shook his head and nervously chuckled just a second later.

"Uh. Sorry. It was just weird, you usually don't smile so openly—no, not weird weird, just… different. Yeah. Different. Actually, never mind. Let's go, it's getting late."

Eren took off in quick steps and Levi followed him with warring thoughts wreaking havoc in his mind.

Why is he so bitter? Is he jealous? Could he be jealous? Over me? Nah. Probably not. Shit. The hell it is then?!

Drive to the Tea Rooms was spent in such uncomfortable silence that Levi started to doubt the whole idea of taking Eren out on a date once again. His young colleague had basically glued his face onto the window and stared outside in a serious manner, eyebrows drawn together and lips tightly lined. Was he displeased? Had he changed his mind but couldn't tell Levi? Or was it the thing with the intern that caused the sour mood? Perhaps indeed it hadn't been a flicker of jealousy set loose but instead a genuine irritation over Levi being so easily influenced these days—but he was not. Well, in contexts outside Eren, at least. The whole reason he had been grinning unconsciously had been the fond memories rather than a stranger's compliments but how to explain this? In fact, revealing the fact could come as disgustingly sappy or worse and he surely did not want to give off any such impression. So he sighed. Then Eren sighed. The entire trip could be summarised as a series of sighs.

And then, when they arrived and were walking the small distance from their parking spot, as if the rising tide of unease within Levi was not enough, Eren just had to stop abruptly right in front of the shop. Fuck, this is it, something's wrong and he'll want to leave and shit, why didn't I ask if something was wrong?! I shou—

"It's here?"

"Yes?"

"It's… teal."

"The paint? Yeah?"

Eren scrutinised him for a second that felt like a century to Levi—well, okay, not a century, but definitely too fucking long. He was ready to ask what the issue was when Eren cracked a smile, then softly tittered, then outright cackled.

"What?"

"Nothing, 's just… nothing, actually." Eren shrugged and pushed through the door. Levi tried to relax the deadly knots in his stomach by telling himself that Eren's laughter must have been a positive sign and perhaps his anxiety had been unnecessary. This idea became further strengthened as he caught the brunet's gaze bouncing across the space, taking in every detail with pleased curiosity as they were taken to their table.

Thinking that Assam might be too bold of a start for their date, considering that it was also afternoon, he asked for their Darjeeling. It was a tasteful second flush with the perfect colour and the vintage china teapot it came in was a nice touch that seemed to enchant Eren. In fact, for almost a minute or so after they were served as Levi poured the tea for the both of them, the young man simply gaped at the feast before him.

"You know…" he mumbled then, his eyes now focused on the golden-rimmed teacup adorned with pretty pink flowers, "this is really nice."

Despite his best efforts to look nonchalant and the undeniable fact that Eren had not even taken a sip from the tea or tried any of the food to warrant such a comment already, Levi smirked to himself.

"You didn't even try anything yet."

"Yeah well I'm sure it's gonna be delicious since you brought me here and you're so stuck up about 'quality' with these kinds of things…" Eren took a modest sip from his tea and hummed, "Mmm, as expected, it's very good."

Levi pushed the tiny porcelain cup of jam forward; "Try the scones with this—it's homemade raspberry jam."

After gobbling a piece of scone with it, Eren ardently agreed… and for once Levi couldn't find it in himself to chide the younger for talking while chewing or eating so ungracefully. Soon, it grew silent again but unlike the ride before, it was peaceful and content. They ate with only hums of approval disturbing the quiet. Levi recalled those mornings they used to share together whenever Eren stayed at his place, back in university; only few words exchanged yet it had still felt so much different, so much more satisfying than having breakfast alone.

"This was a bit surprising actually." Eren said then, more than half an hour later when they were already out of a whole pot of tea and Levi had ordered a second, jasmine this time.

"Me having tea is surprising to you?"

Eren snorted softly; it was a ridiculous sound, like that of a piglet or something, however Levi found it rather cute.

"I mean… I thought you'd take me to a really high-brow place."

"You'd probably hate it."

"Yeah, I probably would. But… do you like this?"

"Quite a bit. The tea is good, the food is nice." The company is great, he thought but could not bring himself to admit and instead continued with: "It's not like I enjoy luxury per se, the famous tea rooms often serve better tea, that's the only reason I visit."

"Doesn't seem like your first time here though?"

"Petra took me here last year."

"Oh that makes sense. This is a total Petra-place. I had thought that maybe you brought a date or something before…"

"Why would you think that?" Levi could not help his emotional shock show in his voice in the form of a slight strain and this caused Eren to blush a bit.

"I—I don't know. It seemed like the perfect place for a date." Eren first stammered and then added with an awkward sneer; "Plus, I bet all your dates during your PhD were for tea instead of lunch or dinner."

There was no reason for either of the arguments to infuriate Levi but he was so. He was not sure what agitated him more; the fact that Eren was talking about Levi's possible past dates during… well, their own date? Or was it the silly jab at his love for tea? Regardless which, he snarled: "First of all, I lived hours away from this place during my PhD. Second, I couldn't afford 25£ for tea as a student. And thirdly, I didn't even really date back then."

Maybe that was too much information. Shit, that definitely was too much information now Eren will think I'm a gloomy misanthrope. But… I am a gloomy misanthrope. Great.

"You didn't date anyone?"

Rather than scorn or pity that he was expecting, he was shown plain bemusement which in turn confused him; so much that he could not even be disturbed at the demand of confirmation.

"Kind of? A few flings only."

"Why?" Eren was scandalised, that much was apparent, the last remaining finger sandwich he had sneaked still firmly between his fingers and long-forgotten. Okay, this is even weirder. Fuck, what does he need me to say?

"I don't know… I guess I was more focused on other aspects of my life and it became cumbersome? People start expecting a lot at that age on. Suddenly, it becomes about moving in together, getting a cat, buying a house… "

"Are you kidding me?! I mean… I understand changes in commitments and expectations and whatnot but… I bet there were many who made a move on you, so I'm surprised you didn't reciprocate any of them…"

"I didn't say I never reciprocated; I did try once or twice, but it never worked out for long. And, no, not everyone worships my lousy ass as though it's the goddamn Holy Grail."

Eren's eyes flickered with contempt which caught Levi unprepared; "You can actually say that after what happened—what, just an hour ago?"

"I'm not saying it never happens but it's rare and usually with young people who're not yet that well-read and think my crap is golden."

"Your crap is golden! God… You act so pompous and flawless all the time; from the way you move to the way you dress. I bet people would be shocked if they heard this kind of bullshit from you." Eren huffed and then taunted almost as an after-though, "And here I thought you liked 'em young?"

Levi's cheeks, despite his wishes, reacted with a darn crimson blossom—because no, he did not per se "like 'em young" in fact—

"You were the only one."

"Huh?"

"God damn it Eren, you were literally the only person with whom I dated who was younger than me. Not counting a few others who were a couple months or a year younger."

Eren gawked at him; "For real?"

"Yeah, you idiot. That's why I had been super self-conscious…" And still am, he swallowed.

"You were? You were self-conscious because I was young?"

"Of course."

"I—I never thought you were. I always thought it was only me because you were… Well, it's just hard you know. To be younger I mean. It has its own struggles." He cast his gaze onto his half-empty cup of tea and finally started nibbling the finger sandwich.

"Guess you'll get to see the other side too, now that you're not so young anymore and surrounded by hot young things instead…" Levi teased, mostly teased—honestly. He was not feeling the despicable claws of jealousy on his skin at the moment. He was even smirking as he said it and his message was accurately understood by Eren, because the brunet simply shrugged and rolled his eyes.

Then he grinned. That mischievous grin he often donned before uttering a particularly cheesy pick-up line or something, in the past.

"Nah, I'm still into older dudes."

"Hmm… Is that so…"

"Yeah. Maybe you broke me. I don't know. Maybe I just never met the right person who happened to be younger."

Levi stared at him as he carefully covered his treacherously smiling mouth behind the cup of tea.

"Well, whatever floats your boat but I'm not taking responsibility for it."

Eren giggled with his mouth full, Levi found the scene disgustingly—literally disgustingly—cute. Fuck, he's messing with my brain again and there goes all my sense of aesthetics and—

"So…" Eren drawled, pausing to a take long sip from his tea and his eyes were nervously wandering over the dainty pastry stand that now only had crumbs of the food they devoured, "you're not into young ones? Not at all?"

"Nope."

"Does that mean you wouldn't date someone younger?"

"It means I wouldn't date someone just because they are younger or specifically pursue younger partners."

"Oh, so what kind of a person you'd pursue then?"

You. Fuck. We're on a goddamn date, why are you asking this?

It was honestly flustering Levi and he was not used to being so; the increased body temperature and the moisture spreading over his palm were very discomforting. The way Eren was smiling gently was not helping at all.

He didn't have words to describe it and the only description that made sense in his mind at that moment ("You, motherfucker, you currently constitute the whole of that population") felt too soon. He rarely suppressed the blunt edge of his brutal honesty but his mind dictated to proceed with caution. Thus, he stared. He stared at Eren. Wordlessly trying to transmit the intense emotional turmoil he was hardly containing and perhaps he was successful because Eren's complexion started turning into deeper and deeper shades of red, and he could swear the young man had almost stopped breathing for the fraction of a second there.

"Someone who understands me, I guess…" He mumbled; he had not planned on saying anything. Actually, what had he planned? To stare till Eren forfeited? He had not been sure what, but he had definitely not thought of saying anything. Especially not something so cliché and full of unresolved teenage angst.

"Fair enough…" Eren whispered, simpering and Levi veiled his own expression with the teacup once again.

"Would you like anything else?" Their waiter came by after several minutes of Eren's charming gaze and a serene quiet.

"I'm full." Eren admitted and Levi concurred, plus they had things to do back at the hotel—work things, work things to do, you shithead what the fuck you were just about to think.

"No, thanks. Could we get the bill, please?."