Rating: M
This contains malexmale action, you've been warned!
ErenxRivialle
Filler Couples
/Edited Chapter/
Chapter 21:
Crooked Teeth
Levi let the heavy doors of the hospital slam behind him. He ignored the loud bang, taking quick but heavy footsteps to the front desk. There was a line that he'd much rather just skip, but he stood behind this young woman. She was talking on her phone nonstop. He tapped his foot impatiently.
He had drove over here as quick as he could, sped past stop signs, taking side streets he knew the police didn't frequent. Usually, he was a very cautious driver, safe and reserved, he drove the exact speed limit. He could drive a bit dangerously if necessary, but he kept himself reasonable. But, this situation was completely different. He flew down the roadways, barely missing cars parked on the side of the roads. He had been to one hospital before this, and did not find anything that seemed like Eren was there. He had a couple more to visit in the area. His mind was whirling, and he was incredibly anxious.
When he made it to the hospital, he couldn't believe he made it so quickly, parking his car in the garage, and making his way into the building. As he entered, he was hit with the smell of sanitized air. He suddenly had goose bumps.
Hospitals had always bothered him. In the past during his younger days, they were filled with trips to hospital rooms. He spent endless hours in the lunchroom, his little, pudgy fingers grabbing at the pudding that sat on the counters, paying with crumpled dollars he found in his back pocket.
He used to wander the halls, much like this one, searching for something to do, a chance to explore. He was truly young then, doctors passed him without a second glance, having work to do of their own. He was lonely then. But, then again, has anything changed.
When he had first entered the hospital, he had to remind himself to take a deep breath. Levi cursed himself for being so childish. The past is the past, and he can move forward.
He found himself at the front desk, calmer, reminding himself that he still doesn't know if it's Eren. He can't believe he has himself so worked up. It was completely irrational of him, but something in the pit of his stomach told him that he wouldn't be able to rest, until he knew for sure. Eren was his assistant. As his boss, it's his responsibility to check on him, it was the only professional of him.
But, if this damned woman would stop talking on her phone, and perhaps move forward in the line, maybe Levi would feel a lot better about all this. Or, he maybe he should just take that phone and throw it out the nearest window.
Levi wasn't even dressed. He was in sweatpants he had thrown over his underwear. His hair was in a disheveled mess, a black shirt across his torso. He hardly looked like his usual self, but he hardly cared about those things. There was something much more important at stake.
Finally, the women put down her phone, ending with a blunt "goodbye" before hanging up on whomever she was talking to. She moved up in the line, leaning over the counter, her back right ankle hooking around her left. It was a sloppy and rude way to stand. If she was at a hospital, she should have some good reason. But, she looked like she was waiting at a bar.
"I'm here for Marlowe." She picked at the dirt under her nails, seemingly bored. The women at the desk gave her a short glance before looking back down at the computer database below her.
"Last name?" The nurse asked.
"Eh, I don't know, like, Frim,er, Fruedenberg? Yeah, Freudenberg!" She exclaimed. Her voice was too loud for the busy emergency room, as a couple of people looked up at her. She didn't seem to notice, or care enough to notice.
The nurse raised her eyebrows, but took to look up the name. Levi was sure the nurse would have asked anyone else, how they would spell that, but Levi doubted the woman looking for this "Marlowe" knew how to spell it, if she didn't even know it. In a few moments, the nurse found it, printing out the copy of information. The woman shifted against the counter, fidgeting with the zipper on her long black, fur coat.
"He's currently being moved from urgent care into after surgery care. His condition is stable, however, I must ask for your name and relationship to him." The nurse was direct and fair, pulling out a pen and paper on a clipboard.
"He works with me." She answered half the question.
"And, you are?" The nurse seemed to grow irritated, having to deal with people just like her daily.
"Hitch." The woman, Hitch, smiled a big toothy grin, sliding a strand of hair behind her ear with one of her slender fingers. Although she was quite pretty, she had this stout nose that took up much of her face. She seemed something of high class, with a grey pencil dress that wrapped around her slender body, the back of it hidden by her long coat. She had short, but wavy hair that came just to her neck, almost a straw, grey color.
Even though she was slumped, she stood with certainty and confidence. She seemed prideful in every little thing she did, as if she was the center of the room. It was almost as if she sucked up the air around her, suffocating anyone she looked down upon. Levi could already tell, she was a manipulative woman, one who knew how to play the game of life very well.
"Unfortunately, since you are not his family or on the list, you have not gained access to his room." Hitch about threw a fit at this, shaking her head aggressively, the jingle of her earrings ringing. At this point, Levi just wanted her to move on, so he could take her place at the counter.
"That's troubling." She growled, pulling out her phone, her fingers swiped across the keys. She didn't even look down at what she was doing, her eyes flashing with annoyance.
"Ma'am, if you do not mind, could you please step aside so I can take care of the rest of the line." The nurse was trying her best to stay calm, but it was obvious she was growing irritated at Hitch's frivolousness. Hitch chose to ignore her, clicking a few more buttons before looking back up the nurse. She leaned across the desk and stayed silent.
The nurse was opening her mouth, ready to speak again, when the phone next to her rang. Answering it, she spoke into the phone. In a matter of moments, her voice changed from polite to weary to almost something like fear. Clicking the phone off, she turned back towards Hitch.
"I'm sorry for the delay, please go to room A3 and someone will guide you to the room you need." Hitch sprang up, back straight, clapping her hands together like a seal. She looked absolutely delighted, her smile almost dangerous at this recent news. Tipping her head to the nurse and continued in the direction of room A3.
As annoying as she was, Levi was a bit suspicious about the whole ordeal, as it was quite strange. But, he realized that it was his turn to go up to the counter, and he hardly cared anymore. Stepping up, he spoke to the nurse.
"Can I help you?" The nurse asked him.
"Yes, I had seen on the news of an employee of a place I frequent, who had been sent here. As odd as this sounds, I was worried it was someone I know very well. Could you tell me the name of who was emitted?" It was odd of him, he knows, but he was hoping she could find him what he was looking for. The nurse looked skeptical, and he really couldn't blame her, for he did seem quite suspicious. But, he was hoping that this was enough.
"Can you tell me the name for the business? We may have it in our records if that was where he was found." Levi looked away from her for a moment.
"Club Sina." The nurse's eyes widened and a faint blush crossed her cheeks. It would have been almost funny if the situation had been different. The nurse coughed softly in her arm, trying to gain back her composure. Levi guessed she's been inside that place before.
"Ah, yes, two employee's were emitted her. However, due to the circumstances, I can't disclose their names. But, I can tell you, they were both male." The nurse told Levi, to Levi's disappointment. That narrowed down the possibilities. But, if she couldn't tell him about the situation, then it must be serious. He hated being this desperate, but he needed to know.
He drew in close to the woman, using his upper body strength to hold him onto the counter. Leaning forward, the woman looked worried, wondering what Levi was going to do next, but Levi just moved closer to her.
"Please, one of them may be my lover." He moved back now, two feet on the ground, standing straight. The woman looked surprised, at the least, a bit nervous now. She gave him a cold look, taking a pause, before looking back down at her screen.
"I am trusting you, do not make me regret it. The names are Marco Bodt and Eren Jaeger. For you, but that's all the information I'm giving." The woman stayed strict, keeping to her word.
With every word she spoke, Levi was just hoping this trip had been nothing, he had might have built this whole thing up to be much more than it was. But, now he knew, he was right to come. But, he wasn't at all calm, if anything; his body was now rigid, overcome with a sense of uneasiness.
Hell, Levi wanted to know if he was okay, but if it was that serious, was he going to stay fine? It was this unknowing that was the worst part for Levi. He was fucking worried, and he wouldn't even pretend he wasn't. This wasn't about being professional anymore; he was generally concerned, no matter how much he tried to deny it.
But, he needed to calm himself. He wouldn't let himself lose control. If he let himself, he was sure he would lose himself right now, but he needed to remain calm. He's watched too many people in his life get hurt, for him to lose it now.
Grabbing all the will he wad left, he faced the nurse.
"Please, tell me the room numbers."
"Sir, I can't do that."
"Ma'am, I am very patient, try to understand."
"Sir, I will call security." It was a threat, and maybe, it was best for Levi to get thrown out of here. Maybe, then he would be able to leave without knowing. But, right now, he was too frantic.
"He's with me." A voice sounded behind Levi, causing him to turn. At first, he didn't recognize him, but soon enough, he remembered who it was.
With dark hair underneath the lighter hair on top, Levi recognized him as one of the strippers that had been at the Corporation's New Year's party not too long ago. Only, this time, he was dressed normally. A pair of faded jeans on his legs, and a regular t-shirt on his torso, it took Levi a moment.
"Oh, hello." The nurse suddenly grew quiet, embarrassed as she began to shift her feet. It was obvious she knew him.
"Hey, Sandy, can you let him go, he's a friend of mine." The nurse, Sandy blushed as the guy gave her a smile. He was quite charming, and it was not being lost on her, no matter her position in her work. She quickly turned to the counter next to her, grabbing badge.
"You are cleared, Jean. Your guest must wear this." She handed the badge to Levi.
"Thank you! We really hope we'll see you again this Friday night." Sandy nervously bounced her leg, her hands beginning to fidget as she played with them underneath her desk. She nodded.
"I'll be there." Jean smiled even bigger, nodding his head.
"Can't wait to see you, Sandy. I'll make sure to put on a show just for you." He winked and Sandy about slipped out of her chair.
Grabbing Levi's arm, he led him away quickly, his strides long. Levi's mind was still trying to catch up. But, he had just been helped in, so he had to to at least thank him. Pulling his arm out of his hold, Levi and Jean stood in the middle of the hallway.
"Thank you for that. You're that stripper that was at the New Ye-"
"Shut up!" Jean flew forward, covering Levi's mouth. Levi didn't even try to show his disgust, knocking his hand away, trying to wipe off the germs that may have possibly been on that hand of his.
"Filthy." Levi clucked.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. That's just a side job, so you have to keep quiet about it. I actually work at Club Sina with Eren, I've seen you there before." Now that Jean mentioned it, Levi remembers seeing the boy the same night he had first met with Eren. He believes he went on stage right after him. He was pretty popular, too.
"I remember. So, then, why are you helping me now?" Levi was getting suspicious about the whole thing. If Jean had just thought of him as a customer, then he never would have just let him see Eren. His eyes narrowed, trying to figure this boy out.
"Oh, it's fine, don't worry. I know all about you and Eren's gross relationship." Levi was just confused at this point.
"Did Eren tell you?"
"Fuck no, we hate each other, he wouldn't tell me shit. Truth is, some lady with glasses was complaining the whole time I was giving her a strip tease about you and him getting into this huge fight. From what I understand, it was your fault?" Jean continued walking, allowing Levi to follow him as they talked. Levi raised an eyebrow at this. That shitty four eyes, keep personal business to her goddamn self. He didn't even want to know how many people knew now.
"That doesn't explain why you're helping me. Even if you know, you hate Eren, yes?" Levi knew he got him there, since Jean's face shifted for a moment as he tried to come up with the right excuse. He seemed stuck in his words as his feet pounded against the tiles of the hospital. Finally, he let out a sigh, defeated.
"Because, I'm a good guy, okay?" Jean finally told him, looking out of the corner of his eyes of Levi. Levi gave him a funny look, but dropped it, realizing that Jean obviously didn't want to talk about it.
So, they walked silently together, side by side. Levi didn't know where he was going, or what he'd be expecting. But, it couldn't be the worse, if Jean was leading him to Eren. But, he was still nervous, wiping his hands across his pants.
Doctors and nurses walked quickly beside them, passing them as they went from room to room. A couple patients wandering the hallways, a couple hooked up to machines, and others able to move only with a wheelchair. When, they passed the children's ward, the noise of giggles and whimpers filled their ears.
Levi tried to wipe the goose bumps off his arms. These hospitals had always bothered him, full of dying, unhealthy people. Sometimes the air was sanitary, and other times quite contaminated. So many different types of people gathered here, it was quite difficult to tell who'd be seen next. These types of places depressed him. He never did like them.
"They should be in room D543, Marco and Eren are roomed right next to each other." Jean stopped in front of a closed door, much like all the others, painted white and thin. He knocked quietly, before just letting himself into the room. Levi followed, allowing the scene before him to unfold.
To the right of him, was a bed, and a person was lying in it, hooked up by machines, breathing steadily. They seemed to be sleeping. Open curtains surrounded their bed; pale, but not allowing light through. Chairs surrounded the bed, and Levi recognized the person sitting in the chair right away. It was the server who had served him last time. Connie, Levi believed his name was, looked up, his eyes almost popping out of his head at the sight of Levi. Levi simply ignored him.
Instead, Levi got a bit closer, wondering if that was Eren, he could see the dark hair, but not the face. Getting even closer, letting his feet almost drag him towards the bed, a series of thoughts, good and bad, rushed through Levi's head. He felt hot all of a sudden, like he needed some air. But, he willed himself over. Pushing closer, he began to take notice the features, dark brown hair, slender body, strong cheekbones, and freckles. Wait. Levi thought for a moment, realizing that Eren didn't have freckles.
Just then, the toilet flushed, pulling Levi's attention to the bathroom in the corner. The door swung open, and out came Eren in all his glory, only he looked much different.
"Did you need help wiping, after all?" Connie stood up from the chair, moving closer to Eren to ruffle his hair. Eren winced at the contact, trying to pull away from Connie's hand, unsuccessfully.
"No, gross Connie, I don't want you touching me there." He tried to pull away again, only this time he could. But, he had failed to notice Levi, as his attention was on Connie. They messed around a bit more, before Jean found his chance.
"That incompetent, Eren?" Eren's nose flared in Jean's direction.
"I can still beat you up horse." He responded, challenging him. He was about to come at Jean when he noticed something out of the corner of his eye, something too familiar.
"Levi?" He let the word slip out of his mouth, letting the word hang in the air. Levi didn't know how to respond. After everything that had happened, Levi was just relieved to see him. But, their relationship was strained at the moment. Just because Eren was in the hospital wasn't going to change that.
The air was suddenly awkward between the two, as neither knew how to take the initiative. They both had so many questions. The two other men quickly got the gist of the situation, or at least Jean did.
"Connie, er, help me get a water from the vending machine."
"Huh, why?" Connie asked, not pulling his eyes away from the scene unfolding. Connie was pretty entertained, slightly disappointed Sasha had left to get food from the cafeteria and wasn't around to witness this. He remembered the strange man, Levi apparently, from the Club.
"Hey, aren't you that dude I served yesterday?" Connie brought up, unaware of the situation. Eren's eyes widened in confusion, turning towards Levi, demanding an explanation.
"We are leaving. Right now." Jean panicked, feeling the air almost fizzle around them. He grabbed Connie's arm, pulling him away from the scene. Connie gave a bit of a fight, but Jean was able to pull him through the hospital room and behind the door.
"What were you doing at my work? No, wait, what are you doing here?" Eren couldn't find the right question to ask, but Levi had some explaining to do. But, Levi was waiting to give his apology, and this was his chance.
"First off, I'm here because I saw on the news, someone was attacked. Secondly, I apologize." Levi kept his face stone cold, his eyes unchanging, making it hard for Eren to know if he's serious or not. But, he decided to focus on one thing at a time.
"Apologize for what?" Eren asked, edging him on. Levi looked like he wanted to choke on his spit. He had only expected to say "sorry", and he thought that'd be enough. But, apparently Eren wanted more than that.
"I apologize for making those comments." Levi shifted his weight.
"What comment?" Eren started to find slight amusement in this. It was the fact that Levi looked so uncomfortable at this whole effort. It's one of the only conversations Eren had ever seen him put so much effort into; it was a bit comforting in a sense.
"The comment about your other job." Levi was almost biting on his tongue. He hated being wrong, and he hated admitting he was wrong. It was painful for him to even do this. But, he knew that he should.
"And, why was the comment wrong?" Eren sounded something of a mother, scolding her child. Eren tried to hide the smile that was daring to flash across his face. He knew he should be taking this much more seriously, as Levi was giving quite the effort. But, he couldn't help take light of the situation. Maybe, that's what helped him cope with it.
Levi pursed his lips; giving Eren a look that would have froze anyone else, before continuing on.
"Actually, that's why I went to your work. I have seen my wrong." Levi told him finally, and Eren knew that was the most he was going to get out of the stoic man. He really did try, the best he could, and Eren could tell it was hard for him to be proven wrong.
"That's the most I'm going to get, huh?" Eren asked, just making sure, before Levi nodded, confirming his words.
After a small silence, Eren felt almost relieved, slumping his shoulders and taking a deep breath. They had been at wits end for so long, Eren didn't know how much longer he was going to hold up. And, finally, after all of this, the guy finally apologized. He was exhausted.
"Thank you, Levi." Eren was sincere, truly touched that he would even apologize. He let his words carry everything he wanted to say. His voice was warm, apologizing for his behavior too. But, also giving away how low he was feeling. It was like all his pent out stress had come out in such three silly, simple words, just for Levi to hear.
Levi looked trapped, not sure how to respond. He'd been thanked before, but hardly enough to count it as appreciation. But, the boy was strange. One moment he could downright annoy Levi, but the next, he was pulling him closer. And, now he felt like a little fucking schoolgirl as he felt a-not too familiar warmth spread to his cheeks.
Eren about stopped breathing altogether, watching as Levi's face got suddenly very red. He'd never seen this side of Levi. Ever. It took by complete surprise.
"Are you blushing?" Sure enough, he was. Levi looked murderous.
"Fuck off, shitty brat." He spat at Eren, causing Eren to let out a quiet chuckle.
Levi moved forward, grabbing Eren's collar, threatening to hit him. But, Eren's laughter only grew louder, simply releasing all his pent up frustration at one time.
Levi threatened to hit him one more time, but Eren knew he wouldn't do it.
"Okay, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Plus, you wouldn't hit an injured person, would you?" He held up one of his hands. Levi dropped him right away, moving away, so relieved that he was okay, that he almost forgot Eren was still injured. Alive, but injured.
Levi had moved away so quickly, Eren was surprised he let go so willingly. He had only been playing around.
"Hey, I'm fine, seriously." Eren was trying to reassure him without sounding like liar.
"Idiot, you don't look that fine." Levi replied, finally getting a full look of the boy in front of him.
A long sling, wrapped around his torso, holding his left arm in place against his side. There was a cast that wrapped around three of his fingers, but there was something tied around his shoulder, as well. Bruises and cuts, red and swollen littered his face and arms. It was noticeable that some were from concrete, but Levi has seen enough to know what the big bruise on the side of his face was from. He had seen it on the first day Eren had come to work, too. A bandage wrapped around his head, but despite that, Eren was smiling.
"The doc says I broke three fingers and two ribs. I dislocated my left shoulder, and got a major concussion. But, he didn't believe me when I said I broke my tailbone and thought I needed a wheelchair." Eren winked, trying to make a joke. Levi just shook his head at his stupidity.
"Unfortunately, Marco wasn't so lucky. A coma, the doctor said." Eren let his voice fall a bit here, making the presence of the boy in the bed over, known. Levi bent his head, politely. Slightly feeling guilty to know that it was Marco in that bed, and not Eren.
"Idiot, what happened?"
Eren was about to answer, when a different voice entered the mix.
"Hey, where did everyone go?" Levi followed to the voice, taking notice of a girl about Eren's age he guessed. She was pretty, with her hair up in a ponytail, matching brown eyes. She had a bit of food coming out of her mouth, looked something like a French fry. But, she was holding a box of cereal in her left hand.
"Oh, hey, Sasha." Eren greeted her, nodding his head in her direction. She smiled at him, offering him some cereal by holding the box out. Levi though she was quite the strange girl.
Through the next few hours, Levi stuck around, getting to know Eren's co-workers, but in reality, they were much more like his friends. He let them have their fun, and kept nothing hidden, as now they knew his identity. Did he feel a bit awkward, intrusive almost? Yes. But, Eren was smiling, having fun despite the situation.
It was obvious, Marco's conditioned bothered them all. But, they seemed to be taking the best of the situation, playing with the wraps around the room, and messing with the television volume. Levi would never want to deal with them personally, but he found himself intrigued by how different they all were, able to converse, brought together by a simple strip club.
They were nice people, right for Eren, even that Jean. The mood was light, despite the seriousness of what must have occurred the night before. But, even so, Levi felt content. And, for the first time in some time, felt at ease.
Fuck, sorry for the lateness of this chapter! I've been sick for 3 whole weeks and my brain has been mush and ugh. I finally went to the doctor, got some medicine, and finally write like a normal person haha. Anyways, I really enjoyed writing this chapter and I hope I answered some questions you all had, (no more cliffhanger!). And, a little of Levi's past was revealed (or shit that i had to make up sorry ugh creativity).
Someone didn't understand the title, Crooked Teeth, and it's because Crooked is another word for astray or askew, like the way Levi viewed Eren's struggle. And, I've heard someone use the expression "Show your Teeth", like tell the truth. So, Crooked Teeth, for Levi's apologize. It's kinda complicated, but if none of you noticed, all of my chapter titles are from song titles.
Thank you all for the feedback on this story, ugh you guys are the best. I never expected for this to get so much attention. Thank you all so much!