Rating: M

This contains malexmale action, you've been warned!

ErenxRivialle

Filler Couples

Chapter 16:

Ghostly Figure

There was a calm, but rough wind that was blowing against the shingles of the houses, causing the shutters to bounce against the walls. The wind created a fluttering whistle, as it passed through holes in a wall or on a roof. It would have been a warm day, but the wind chilled the air.

The sky was blue, not a cloud in sight, and birds chirped, flying south for the winter months that were beginning to roll in. It was mostly quiet, except for the little voices below the building that he was standing upon. His feet pressed flat against the secure floors of his home.

The home was built strong; a simple greying color distinguished it from the houses surrounding it. It was small, Eren would admit, but he didn't mind it much. It fit his family just right, and to him, the house had memories. There were years of table scrapes on the wood floors and even more years of ever longing dirt behind the counters and appliances of the kitchen.

It was a simple place, one that wouldn't be forgotten easily.

That particular day was just like any other, however it was different for him. Adults saw the passing of days as a signal of their growing age and mornings triggered another day meant to be at work. But, in his young mind, the days were full of adventure and discovery. He always had something to do, full of energy and wonder, but today, he decided to stay around the house.

He had wondered around, before, looking in closets and under his bed for things to do. But, he soon found himself distracted by his mother who was getting chores done.

She navigated the hallways and furniture around the house with ease, her hips barely missing table corners and her feet taking her to where she needed to go. Her hair was a bit frazzled; the side ponytail she usually kept it in was becoming a bit loose, fraying hairs were spilling out from their hold. Her voice was humming a soft tune, in rhythm with her steps. With everything she had yet to do, she remained calm and collected.

Many people didn't give mothers the credit they deserve. They see them as nothing less than working class citizens, but they were so much more. For many, they were the light in their children's eyes, a role model, a cook, a maid, and anything that they needed to be. They were strong and they knew how to make things function as they should.

Eren looked on, his eyes wide with awe, a slight twinkle in the right of his eyes. His mother's dress swept across her ankles, barely sweeping across the ground. Her eyes went down to her darling son, a smile crossing her lips as she gave him a glance of attention.

She continued on her way, holding a laundry basket in her right hand and an iron in her other. It was then that Eren had decided to make his way up those narrow stairs to the roof. The door stayed locked on especially cold days, but it was warm enough, and with a small shake of his little hands, Eren opened the door with ease, the breeze almost knocking him off his feet.

He scrambled up the small landing of the doorframe, closing the door behind him. Looking around him was the vast world around him. He lived in a city, not too big, not too small it was almost a town. But, in this particular area lived hundreds of families and just about as many businesses.

The roof was flat, perfect square, only a slight cement step wrapping around the building as a banister. Eren's eyes noticed his mother must have already been up here; a thin string between two walls hung up a couple of sheets. The breeze knocked the flimsy sheets around, the white contrasting against the blue sky and the grey cement.

His mother was cleaning his families' bed sheets, which she usually did every couple of weeks or so. Before long, he heard his mother's footsteps against the feeble steps leading up to the roof. Thinking quickly, he hid behind some of the sheets, a bit of his shoe peeking out, but due to his small stature, he was almost unseen

He waited then, listening. His mother closed the door behind her, and the clack of her small heels made their way to Eren. He peeked behind his hiding spot, noticing that the laundry basket she had been carrying before was now full of more sheets.

She dug into the sheets, pulling out an undercover, stretching it and folding it down the middle. Her hands moved gracefully as if she had been doing this for years before. Everything, his mother seemed to do, seemed graceful to Eren, and he couldn't help but watch her in awe. It might have been the way any child would look upon their mothers, but Eren felt close with his own, more than he'd ever feel with his father.

The sheets were folded one more time, before she moved a couple feet next to Eren, draping the wet sheets over the line. After, unwringing it, she went back for more sheets. This time, she stopped in front of where Eren hid.

Pulling apart the covers, Eren popped out, a giant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His fingers went up, catching on the corners of his mouth and pulling his lips apart even wider, showing his mother a big smile of teeth.

Eren's mother's hand went up to her mouth, giggling into her hand, finding her son's antics silly, but amusing. The laugh was simple but it only made Eren smile even wider.

Her laugh was really sweet, Eren loved to hear it. The bird's songs hardly compared to it, and he continued to try to make his mother laugh. If he was doing something stupid or being feeble, it was often for his mother's attention and for her laughter. It usually ended with him in trouble, but to him, it was worth it.

The fluttering laugh of hers made his stomach flip and his heart turn, because, he knew, he wouldn't be able to hear it for much longer.

With a gulp and a gasp, Eren's eyes opened, his chest heaving a deep breath. Why had he dreamed that? He hadn't remembered that memory for many years. He didn't even realize he still remembered it.

He brought his hand up from under the covers where he lay, pulling a finger underneath his left eye, feeling the wetness of a tear on his skin. He shook it off, drying the rest of his eyes.

His chest heaved with slight pain at the very thought of what he had just dreamed. It took him by surprise.

He rested back, feeling plush pillows at the middle of his back and against his head. He knew where he was right away, he had spent enough nights at Levi's to finally get used to waking up there.

This slight fact scared him a bit, made him almost think that he was getting used to this place, but he shook it away, putting his mind on something else. He noticed Levi wasn't next to him, but he felt warm, so that meant that he'd been sleeping here for some time, probably since last night.

He stretched his lower limbs, feeling the soft covers slide across his penis, making him realize he was naked. Stretching once more, he aligned his back so he could get out the muscles that were a bit sore. He could dance on a pole for hours, but as soon as he has sex, his muscles curse him.

"Oh, you're awake." Eren heard Levi from the bathroom door. He turned his body so he could look towards him. Levi stood proud, a toothbrush in his mouth, and a leg propped against the doorframe. He looked bored, but it was better than him being irritated at Eren, like usual.

He didn't have much clothing on; a thin pair of briefs clung to his skin, the bulge in the crotch area more than exposed. His chest remained bare, the sculpted muscles were defined and even with his small stature, Eren was sure Levi could kick his ass.

"Yeah, sorry I slept over." Eren brought a hand up to his hair, feeling the strands, and disheveling his hair.

"I don't mind. Just try not to make a big deal about it." Levi sighed. He gave Eren a small, questioning look and Eren realized that Levi could probably tell he had been crying. The redness of his eyes was probably brighter than usual.

Eren pushed back into his pillows, ignoring the look, when he remembered a small detail about last night.

"Shit, sorry. I fell asleep on you didn't I?" He felt a bit a bit bad Levi had to haul him all the way to the bed. Not too mention, he had actually fallen asleep after he had came. It was a bit embarrassing.

"Again, not a big deal. You're not that heavy." Levi said it with ease. Eren didn't think he, himself, could carry his dead weight ass up all the way to the bedroom. It only proved how childish he is.

"I owe you one, then." Eren left it there. He pulled himself up, his arms stretched out and his palms were flat against the mattress. He yawned once, feeling the kinks in his neck. He slept hard, but it felt amazing. He really needed the sleep.

Swinging his legs over the bedside, he got up, his legs feeling like jelly and he knew it was because he had been standing when they had sex last night. It wasn't something his legs were used to.

Peeling himself out of the covers that clung to his body, he walked towards the bathroom, before noticing his clothes folded in the corner, on top of a chair. It seemed that Levi had found his clothes dirty and folded them. By this point, Eren was used to this obsessive personality of Levi's, and sure, it was a bit difficult to deal with, but it was manageable.

Levi made his way back into the bathroom and Eren could hear the water running. He shook out a pair of briefs and slipped them on, following with the pair of jeans he had been wearing before. Grabbing his phone, he texted Mikasa.

I'm safe, be home soon.

She had probably been worrying, but Eren and her had found a middle ground together. He explained about his new job and about his sometimes "late nights" at the office. It was a lie, but he had come clear about the other information.

He didn't know if he'd ever come clean about Levi, but it was hard to ignore the fact that this secret may not stay quiet forever. And, he didn't know if Levi realized it either.

Shirtless, he made his way to the bathroom, where he found Levi, swishing toothpaste water around in his mouth and spitting it into the sink. The bathroom was unnaturally clean, every surface almost glistened and he didn't see a speck of brown dirt or a pubic hair on the floor.

"Do you have an extra toothbrush?" Eren asked him and Levi nodded, pointing towards the cabinet above their heads. Levi stretched up to grab it, his hand opening the cabinet and reaching up to try to grab a small basket with looked like it had various miscellaneous items inside it.

Levi's fingers barely missed the basket's rim, over and over again as he tried to reach it, but he just could grab it. Eren could see Levi's irritancy growing the more times he tried but couldn't grab it.

"Oh, here." Eren slid behind Levi, pressing his bare chest against Levi's muscular back, and reached to where Levi's fingers were. Grabbing the rim with a bit of a stretch, Eren held it with both hands above Levi's head.

Suddenly, a strongly pointed and accurate positioned elbow went straight into his stomach. The shot of pain reverberated across his abdomen, his tight stomach muscles getting the blunt of the hit. His breath came out in a raspy gasp, his eyes wide with surprise.

He kneeled back, his knees buckling and he pushed away from Levi, dropping the basket and clutching his stomach with a hand as if it would ease the pounding pain. His eyes watered and he let out a cough, trying to get himself to breath.

"What the… hell!" Eren gasped out, between coughs. He brought his hand up, sticking his middle finger up at Levi who stood as if he hadn't done anything in the first place.

"You were just irritating me." Levi answered, calmly. Eren looked up, giving him an angry glance. He was about to start screaming profanity, when he realized the real reason behind Levi's reaction. A small, curt smile came to his face.

"Ha, I get it." Eren rolled his eyes, finally feeling his stomach again, and slowly readjusting his posture. Levi's eyes slanted.

"Get what, Eren?" He gave a sharp look at the younger man. His eyes danced, anger flashing across them. Eren knew he should back off, but his teenage mouth was getting the best of him.

"I wasn't trying to make you feel sh-." Eren's words were cut off when Levi came at him, causing him to yelp as Levi's body pushed him up against the bathroom wall, only a foot behind him. Levi's right arm went up to Eren's neck, threatening to choke him if he continued.

"Say one more word." Levi whispered in his ear, bringing his knee up, pushing softly against Eren's crotch. Which would have been quite a turn on if he weren't in such a situation. Levi's right arm slid away from Eren's neck and to his side instead.

"Well…" Eren was going to continue but Levi's knee was pushing dangerously into his balls and his manhood. It was a bit painful.

"Ok, ok, I'm done!" Eren spurted out, trying to squirm, but Levi was strong. Levi let go of him, backing away and began picking up the dropped objects from the basket. Eren's crotch hurt, but he wasn't frightened. He knew he had hit a touchy subject. If Eren had actually gotten the words "you're short", he was sure Levi would make sure he ended up a dead man.

Eren chuckled a bit, the whole situation amusing to him. Levi ignored him and continued picking up.

"Hey, I dropped it, I'll get it." He told his boss, bending his knees so he could begin picking up the many, scattered items.

"If something broke and made a mess. I will end you." The threat left Eren to imagine how exactly Levi would end him, but he was sure that Levi would figure out some way. Eren shook his head; a smile now situated on his lips, and began to help Levi pick up everything.

When everything was off the floor, nothing broke (lucky to Eren). He plucked a toothbrush and put the brush part under some cool water, and began to brush his teeth. He could see Levi watching him closely next to him, but he ignored the stare.

He spit out his toothpaste and wiped his mouth on a towel. He was about to ask Levi if he should leave, when Levi started to talk.

"What do you want for breakfast? We will have to eat at the counter… since, the table isn't in eating shape." He began to walk out of the bathroom, Eren following him behind him, a small blush on his face.

"Do you have eggs?" Eren's mouth watered by the very thought of breakfast. He hadn't had anything more than cereal for too long.

"Probably." Eren was just about o say that he'd like that when his phone rang from inside his jean pocket. He wasn't expecting it, so it caused him to jump slightly.

Levi gave him small look, telling him he could answer it, and went to making the bed. Eren looked at the caller ID and let out a sigh. Clearing his throat, he answered it.

"Hello?" He spoke into the receiver.

"Hey, Eren. It's Marco." His voice was a bit rushed, however, just as gentle.

"Are you OK?" Eren asked, hesitantly.

"Me? Oh, I'm fine. Well, just a bit shaken up. You better get over here, there has been an emergency meeting."

"I get it, I'll be over soon. Do you need something, are you sure?" Eren looked a bit confused, and gave Levi a look. Levi nodded, as if he understood he had to leave soon.

"Positive." He heard a reassuring smile in Marco's voice.

"Then, can you least tell me what this is about?"

"Someone broke into the Club last night." Eren took in quick breath, causing Levi to turn with curiosity. But, Eren didn't care. The only thing on his mind was the fact that someone had actually gotten inside of the Club, which was near damn impossible.

That place had cameras at every door of the building (because they could afford it), an alarm system, and well, it was frequently checked by a night officer. If anyone were to even try to get to the front door, they would be seen and caught almost instantly.

Plus, if they were getting inside, they were either looking for money, or information on a Club member, since that was the only things remotely interesting inside. But, the money was locked in a safe or taken to a bank. The idea of them pulling an employee file was much more likely.

"Anyone hurt?" Eren continued, counting on his fingers, how many minutes it would take them to get to room to room. He was trying to figure this out in his head as best as he could.

Eren heard some shouts from the other end of the phone and a bit of loud talking.

"No, fortunately. But, I have to go everyone is a bit panicked. See you as soon as possible. Bye!" The line went dead almost immediately, and Eren ended the call and brought his phone down. He looked up at Levi who had finished his bed and was staring intently at Eren.

"I have to go. Someone broke into the Club." Eren told him, he started grabbing the rest of his clothes and putting them on his body, his head of hair even messier than before.

"They find the culprit?"

"No, I don't think so, that's probably why I have to go down there. Only Club members know how to remotely get around the security systems." His shirt slipped over his head. He started looking for his car keys.

"So, its one of your co-workers."

"Not exactly. It's more likely but all of us are loyal." Eren sounded disheartened. He didn't like the idea of anyone he was close to in that Club breaking into the place. They had a trust with one another that Eren had never felt with his family. It was different, but just as strong.

But, if he had to choose anyone, it would be Jean. That guy was just a pain in Eren's ass.

"Apparently not." Came Levi's sarcastic comment that made Eren turn.

"They're my friends, watch it." It was the first time Levi had ever seen Eren look so scary. His eyes were dark, a look of anger causing his skin to fold between his eyes and his nose to crinkle. His mouth turned down into a frown that all but made him look like the teenager he was. Eren's body was rigid, the muscles in his shoulder tensing. It was the first time he looked like a true adult.

"You're right. Sorry." Eren looked on in surprise at his apology. He didn't think he wasn't going to get an apology often out of Levi, so he better dwell in it as long as he could. But, he appreciated the understanding.

His things in a bundle in his arms, Eren was about ready to leave.

"I'll be to work today on time."

"You better." Levi gave him a curt nod as a wave before Eren left the room and went to his car, making his way to the Club where he was sure, problems would arise between members.

Levi watched his back as he left in a rush. He continued picking up things around the room. Trying to ignore the nagging thing in the back of his head that was trying to tell himself. He couldn't figure it out, he knew there was something there, but he couldn't pinpoint him. Maybe, it would hit him later.

[]

The freshly air-conditioned Club was feeling a bit stuffy inside this current day. The amount of people rushing in, worry in some of their foreheads, and lack of sleep in others eyes, was making the Club feel crowded and moody.

Eren was one of the last to arrive, Ymir arriving just a bit after him, saying that she didn't care what happened, don't ever wake her from her sleep again. Everyone stayed a bit away from Ymir after that, but as soon as she saw bright-eyed Christa, her whole demeanor changed.

Jean looked annoyed as always, and he didn't have Marco around him since Marco was taking care of others and informing everyone of what was going on. Reiner and Bertholdt stayed close to each other, talking with Connie and Sasha about crazy notions of what they thought had happened. Eren was pretty sure he heard Sasha mention that she once heard of someone who broke into a place and took only a sponge and a slice of meat. It sounded ridiculous but Connie was enticed by the elaborate story.

Mina, a shy brunette girl with her hair usually in pigtails, was talking to Thomas, an older, more confident gentleman. Everyone had someone to talk to, no matter what about. It was sweet, that such an odd group of people could get along fairly easily.

Eren was about to join the two, Mina and Thomas, when he heard a loud grunt from the door entrance.

Almost everyone turned, they knew who it was, the head Boss of the Club. They grumbled to themselves, not many enjoyed his company.

He was a tall man, bald and old, wrinkles were permanently stuck around his face, mostly on his forehead and around his eyes. He had strong eyes, wide and always angry. No one really knew his past, but there was a rumor going around he was some drill sergeant or something in his younger days. But, his name was Keith Shadis, an evil man with anger permanently in his voice.

"Stop your panicking." He bellowed, his voice loud and annoyed. Many listened to him, their eyes scared and wide. Eren thought it a bit funny as the newbies stood a bit taller, fear draining to their face. For many, the last interview for a job here was through the Shadis. He usually scared the shit out of them, but if they lasted, they got the job. It was almost a guaranteed way to know if they would last or grow squeamish.

"You all know someone broke in last night. WHICH ONE OF YOU FUCKERS WAS IT?" The newbies stood back a couple of steps, while the older employees stood their ground, letting him pass. What he was doing was trying to break them, but no one was biting.

Shadis walked into the room, walking around, giving everyone a glare, his hands behind his back. Many shrunk back, but no one said anything. It was obvious from the start it was no one here.

"If it wasn't anyone of you, then who was it!?" He screamed again. Again, no voices spoke up. He stood right up to Sasha, quickly maneuvering his feet so he could get right in front of her. He made himself as big as he could so he could scare her even more.

"WAS IT YOU?" He yelled in her face. Sasha's face flushed and she looked like she was about to scream too. Usually she had food in her pocket to keep her calm, but she had gone empty last night and didn't have time to fill back up.

"YES, YES IT WAS ME." Sasha yelled back. Everyone looked at her, confusion in all their faces, because they all knew, it wasn't her.

"No, it wasn't." Shadis told her. Sasha had just screamed out the answer she knew he was looking for, hoping he would stop with this investigation.

"Yeah, I'm sure, it was me!"

"No, it wasn't." Shadis repeated.

"I think Eren did it." Jean chimed in.

"What!? No, I didn't. You probably did it to blame it on me!" Eren fought back.

"No way, it was you!"

"It definitely wasn't me! Christa was here late last night anyways!" Eren added.

"What? Are you blaming me! Everyone knows I stay late to pick up the extra, fallen money!" Christa shouted at Eren.

"Oh, come on!"

"It was you!"

"Really? You little liar!" The yelling went on a few more minutes before Bertholdt spoke up, quietly.

"You know, Annie has been awfully quiet…"

"Oh, really!?" Annie challenged back.

"SHUT UP." Shadis bellowed at the group of them. Their fighting was stupid and pointless. He found it irritating and stupid. He continued to question why he had hired such a bunch dumbass employees.

He put his hands into his suit pants pocket, clucking his tongue. His stripped black and white suit was crinkled at the ends, and a bit worn out, like he'd been wearing it for years. Eren couldn't figure why, he was probably rich from being the manager of this place for so long.

"If anyone has any information on what was taken, it is to be reported to me right away." He told them all sternly. It was then that there was a collected realization. What Shadis didn't realize was that he unconsciously told everyone what had been exactly taken. It was someone's files, because if it were money, he would have just said money. The files were much more important. If someone had gotten hold of the files, it would give them complete access to someone's history and present life.

With this in mind, with the types of creeps that regularly entered, it only presented a fear of a crime happening to any of them. It has happened before, the story was a bit unspoken, but many knew about it.

Years ago, when the Club first opened, a dancer, unaware, gave someone their address when they were talking about a popular coffee shop down the road from their home. They were gone a couple weeks later. A missing person report had been reported, but no progress had been made.

It was a mistake on his part, but now it was the Club's mistake, and Shadis realized, now, that it could end in a lawsuit. Any information was needed, but unfortunately, no one knew anything.

Shadis went back to his office after that, making phone call after phone call. Everyone stayed around a bit, gossiping and trying to understand the situation. They felt better surrounded by their friends and co-workers.

Eren found Marco right away, because he knew he'd have the much information out of any of them.

"Hey, Marco, what's going on?" Eren asked quietly, he didn't want to create more panic, but he needed information.

"Truthfully?"

"Please."

"I'm sure you know, but, a couple people's files got taken out and copied. They're back in place, but the information is out there." Eren had thought it had been something as such. At least Marco had confirmed his suspicions.

"Do you know who's?" Marco looked around carefully.

"No, they won't tell me anything."

"What, why?" Usually Marco was the most informed of them all. He was the boss's secretary after all; he seemed a bit reluctant to share information. That didn't mean well. Eren gave him a small, pleading look.

"You can't tell anyone."

"I swear." Eren brought his right fist up to his heart, and his left arm behind his back, almost like an official military stance. It was his way of promising to Marco that he'd be careful about the information given to him.

"Swear it."

"The camera's caught someone, but it was only in a few frames, and the figure could hardly be distinguished. But, they do know, it's someone familiar with the building." Marco told him, nodding his head as he spoke. Eren took a deep breath, full processing what he had been told. He thanked Marco, and Marco left him when Jean began to give him a stink eye for talking with Eren.

Eren decided to leave after that, worry ceased on his forehead, but he had to get to a class. Not too mention, he had work afterwards. The whole situation was dangerous, and Eren wasn't just worried about himself, but for his co-workers as well.

But, he wished he could make a connection between the crime and anything at the Club, but his mind came up blank. He rewound his conversations at the Club over and over again in his head. Every word spoken that he could remember, or any of the creepy advances he might have gotten either. But, none seemed to stand out to him other than the usual.

By the end of his drive, he thought he had gone over everything, but he skipped one important detail that had yet to be realized.

I had so much fun writing this chapter, it had a lot of plot progression, yo, did you guys see those (cliffhangers?). For once, I actually got this out on time, amazing, I know. I'm trying to get this story going, I mean I'm already on chapter 16! Which is why, I also want to thank all you who have been so supportive of this story, I appreciate it a lot, you guys rock!

Next week comes the Christmas Special, just see it as like an OVA, so I mean it's not important if you read it or not, but it's open to all! And it's pretty much pure smut!

Thank you all! Please continue to Review, Favorite, or Follow!