Eren woke up on Monday to a heavy, gray sky. He groaned, looking out the window at the sky. He fell back down into his pillows, jamming his fingers through his hair. He really didn't want to wake up. He still hurt from that beating he got from Jean, and had a significant amount of homework he needed to get done on Sunday. Of course, like any normal person, he procrastinated, and hardly managed to get three hours of sleep. Eren glanced at the clock. He could sleep for another ten minutes and skip showering, or he could get up and do his normal routine, but go to sleep earlier in the night for once.
Eren sighed, knowing that he wouldn't skip showering. As much as he wanted to sleep, he didn't like that grimy feeling after not showering for a while. Eren untangled himself from his sheets. Somehow, he managed to wrap the entire sheet around him once. He flailed in an attempt to escape the chamber of sheets, to no avail.
Eren stopped for a moment, trying to find a way out. He wormed his arm out of the sheet, followed by its counterpart, and held it in place as he crawled out the top of it. Eren slid off of his bed, feeling both ashamed and accomplished at beating his sheet.
He walked across his apartment to the shower. He opened it and found it just as he left it, extremely messy and in need of a good cleaning. Eren stripped out of his plaid pajama pants and his boxers, tossing them to the side. He looked in the mirror, examining his bruises. Most of them were still a deep blue color, but the lighter bruises were turning a more yellowy green color. Eren yawned, clenching his eyes closed and extending his arms forward.
He entered the shower, pushing the ugly green curtain back, and turning on the shower. He always had to get into the shower directly, because he needed the first burst of cold water to wake him up, and the warm water to help him relax into the day. Eren let the water soak into his hair and he felt his muscles relax as the rivulets of warm water washed over his toned body.
Eren grabbed the soap, washing his body off. Eren briefly considered jerking off in the shower, but decided against it, considering that he was already on a tight schedule, and needed to show up to class on time. Eren hummed to himself while rinsing the suds off of his body. He grabbed the shampoo and quickly ruffled his hair with it, running his fingers against his scalp. When he was sure he had covered all of his hair in suds, he put his head back under the stream of water and let it wash the shampoo out.
Eren shut off the water, reluctant to leave his haven of warmth, and grabbed a towel from outside the shower. He dried off the majority of his body, before flicking the water on his feet off. The last thing he wanted was to step out of the shower and crack his skull open.
He didn't want to be remembered as the kid who died in the dirty bathroom with the ugly shower curtain. Eren chuckled to himself. Imagine that: Levi went through all of that trouble to make sure that Eren would stay alive, just for Eren to accidentally two days later from a wet floor.
Eren wrapped his towel around his waist and exited the bathroom. He shivered as the cooler air hit his body, his skin forming goose bumps all over. He rushed back to his bedroom to get changed because he was unpleasantly cold at that point.
Eren yanked his dresser drawer open, throwing a pair of boxers on with precision. He picked up his favorite pair of black jeans and a black shirt. He quickly arranged those on his body and tossed on his green sweatshirt. Eren glanced at the time. He had fifteen minutes until he had to leave. He would have just enough time for him to make and eat his breakfast.
Eren entered his kitchen, switching on the radio. He needed something to fill the silence. He hated living alone just for the fact that he always thought that he heard noises in the quiet. Eren recognized the song and started humming. It was really upbeat and the perfect thing to listen to on an early morning. Eren swung his hips in time with the music as he got out the box of cereal. He tossed the box of cereal on the table, hoping to have it land standing straight, but it fell over. Thankfully it didn't spill on the table. Eren always got caught up in upbeat songs.
He opened the cabinet and grabbed a bowl with a lip that flipped out. He liked the bowl because he thought it was cute. At the bottom of the bowl there was a cat face, and when you finished whatever you were eating, you could see the cat face. He grabbed a spoon, and tossed it on to the table next to the fallen box of cereal. Eren swung the fridge door open and grabbed the milk, kicking the door closed in one swift movement. He sauntered over to the table and deposited the milk and bowl.
Pouring the cereal into the bowl, Eren dramatically lip synced the words to the songs, and would've started dancing, had he not been holding cereal. He poured the milk into the bowl and pushed it aside on the table. He began to wolf down the cereal, filling his mouth until it was full, then chewing and swallowing.
He followed this pattern for a few more mouthfuls until he had finished the bowl of cereal. Eren looked at his phone and saw that he had about five more minutes before needing to head down to class in order to make it before the class started. He placed the spoon and bowl into the sink and put the milk and cereal back into their respective spots. Shutting the radio off, Eren exited the kitchen.
The dark haired brunet picked up his apartment keys from the counter and slid on his shoes. He slung his backpack which rested by the door over his shoulder. He flung the door open, trying to start his day upbeat. He gently closed the door behind him, so as not to disturb anyone with a slammed door.
Eren locked the door and smiled. It was going to be a good day, he could feel it. Eren sauntered out of the building with a bright smile on his face. He was going to find Levi somehow that day, and he was going to convince the older man to teach him to fight.
Eren was determined to get this done, and everyone knows that Eren doesn't give up easily. And maybe that was what Levi was the most concerned about.
Eren had made it to class on time, and nearly slept through the class. He hated being in school and studying, but now that he was paying for this school, he at least had the courtesy to keep his eyes open. Eren nearly ran out of that class. He was so dreadfully bored. The teacher just droned on and on, Eren felt like crying at one point.
Eren walked to the school cafeteria to go get some lunch. He was surprisingly hungry, and he wasn't sure why. Eren glanced up at the sky, which was nearly black with clouds. He had never seen the sky this dark and angry before a storm. He was convinced this was going to be a bad one.
He weaved his way through the crowds of people on the path, rushing to get to the cafeteria before the rain started. Eren picked up the pace, lightly jogging down the path. The campus was fairly large for one in the city, and it had its own grounds. They even had housing on campus, but Eren wanted to live in the city, not on the sheltered campus.
The scenery at the campus was beautiful though. There were various tall, delicious smelling trees, and cute, dainty flowers. The path through the grounds was made of an old cobblestone, and some of the buildings had ivy scaling up the sides. It really was a beautiful place, especially during the sunset. Many people liked to sit around the pond at the sunset and catch it reflecting off of the water. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin watched the sunset there on the first night. Eren felt truthfully blissful in that moment. He was happy, just starting college, and being there with his childhood friends. There was nothing more he could ask for.
While reminiscing, Eren zoned out. He was still dodging his way through people, at least for the most part. He knocked into a few people, but it wasn't anything they couldn't handle. Eren continued down the street, as raindrops began falling from the sky. Eren hurried his steps, not really paying attention to the rain. Eren kept thinking of his friends and thinking over what happened that night. That night was the reason Eren fought Jean anyway.
The stormy clouds coughed and spluttered as more rain descended from the sky. As it rumbled, it caught Eren's attention, and he began to move more swiftly. The path was clearing as people ducked into buildings to avoid the rain.
Eren immediately regretted not bringing an umbrella. He had seen the weather that morning, and he knew it was going to be bad, but he forgot the umbrella. He mentally smacked his forehead. He only had a little further to go before he reached the cafeteria.
Eren broke into a rain as the rain began to pour. The sky flashed and crashed, like a firework show. Eren covered his forehead with his arm so that he could see. He ran up to the door to find it closed.
Eren groaned. He had entirely forgotten that the cafeteria was closed on Mondays. Eren pressed his forearm against the glass door and smacked his head against it. Leave it to him to get caught in the rain. Eren sat down under the overhang. There was no way he'd make it back to the main building without getting entirely soaked. Eren was envious of the handful of students who passed by with umbrellas.
Eren watched as students passed by. He created stories for each and every one of them. He had nothing better to do anyway. He saw a few familiar faces, but couldn't quite place how he knew them. They were probably from his classes or something.
Eren sighed, bored, and leaned his head back against the glass door. His clothes were all wet and he was just generally uncomfortable. Sitting in wet underwear isn't exactly the most pleasant experience. Eren shut his eyes, hoping that maybe when he woke up the world would be dry.
As soon as the rain started, Levi pulled out his umbrella. He hated being wet almost as much as he hated filth. Levi was walking off campus to go get lunch, wishing the cafeteria was open. He didn't feel like walking any further than he had to. Levi watched as the students without umbrellas ducked into the dorm buildings. He found it amusing, how as soon as it began to rain, most people fled, as if it were a disease.
Levi heard the footsteps before he saw the figure.
Turning around, Levi saw Jean headed straight for him. Rolling his eyes, Levi paused, waiting for the annoying man to catch up to him. Of course Jean was probably going to wind up complaining about something. He was probably going to complain to Levi about how he wasn't being fair to Jean and how he wasn't so horrible to actually give a chance. This had happened at least once a month ever since Jean came to the school. If Levi didn't know any better, he'd say that Jean had a crush on him. He knew perfectly well though, that that was not the case.
"Levi!" Jean shouted furiously. A few students ducking from the rain turned towards the commotion, but decided it wasn't worth getting soaked over. Levi let out an exasperated sigh.
"What is it?" Levi asked, voice dripping in antagonism. He narrowed his eyes at Jean. He really didn't want to deal with the brunet's antics today.
"How could you protect that piece of shit?" Jean yelled at Levi. Levi clenched his fist, refraining from punching the boy already. So that was what this is about.
"Jean, he was defeated. You continued to beat him. If I did not intervene, you would have been charged with murder. Now get out of my face, or do you so desire to fight me again?" Levi challenged. Jean, seeing the violent spark in Levi's eyes, backed off, but Levi could tell the man would not give up so easily.
"Fine, fine. Go fuck your little bitch." Jean taunted as he left. Levi felt his whole body tense up in anger as he stormed over to Jean's retreating form. He grabbed the collar of Jean's shirt and pulled down abruptly.
"Don't," Levi glared at Jean, who had fallen to the ground after being nearly choked by his own shirt. "You," Levi kicked Jean's abdomen, watching as he curled over, his head nearly touching his knees. "Dare," Levi jammed his boot into the boy's exposed side as hard as he could without severely injuring him. Levi knew his limits better than other people did. "Assume a damn thing about him and me," Levi kicked the boy one last time for good measure. He was thoroughly enraged with Jean. The last thing Levi needed was a rumor going around about Eren and himself going around.
Levi turned and continued on his way. He was hungry, and he desired to get food. He refused to let Jean hold him up any further. Levi didn't want the freshman Eren knowing who he was. If he did, then nothing good could come out of it. He'd probably try to get close to him, and Levi couldn't find it in himself to continually hurt the boy. The way the young brunet was just so beaten up and hurt awoke an overwhelming urge in Levi to protect him, and Levi couldn't afford that responsibility.
Levi approached past the cafeteria, seeing a sleeping figure leaning against the door. He figured it was just another kid seeking shelter from the rain, until he recognized the black eye on the sleeping figure. Damn it! Levi thought. He didn't want to have to have any more interactions with the brunet, for the kid's own safety, but he couldn't just leave him there.
Levi grumbled, heading over to the cafeteria. At this rate, the kid was going to get himself killed before the end of the week. Levi ducked under the overhang, seeing that the boy's clothes were sopping wet. Levi rolled his eyes. Of course he would get stuck caring for this kid. Didn't he have friends or something?
Levi kicked the boy's leg, waking him. Eren jumped up, startled. He was even more startled to see Levi leaning over him. At least Eren was awake.
"Get up, shitty brat. You're soaked." Levi commanded. The wide-eyed Eren immediately obeyed.
"What are you doing, Levi?" Eren inquired. Levi visibly cringed at the use of his name. Eren smirked to himself, so it was Levi. Levi glared at the younger, taller student. He groaned, running his hand through his perfectly styled hair.
"Don't you dare tell anyone that I let you stay at my apartment or I swear to Go-" Levi started, advancing on Eren. Eren raised his hands in a defensive position.
"Alright, I get it. I kind of already told Mikasa and Armin already though. They wouldn't tell anyone thou-" Eren was interrupted by a swift kick to his shin. Eren dropped to the ground, gritting his teeth and trying not to cry out in pain. "What the fuck, Levi?" Eren cried at Levi.
Levi felt guilty for kicking the already injured freshman, but he did have appearances to maintain. "You live close, right?" Levi asked, not meeting Eren's eyes. Levi had to drive Eren away somehow, but it didn't help when for once, maybe he didn't want to drive someone away.
"I live just down there. I got caught in the rain though, and I kind of forgot the cafeteria isn't open on Mondays." Eren's face flushed brightly at the admittance of his own mistake. Levi stepped back out into the rain, under his umbrella.
"C'mon shitty brat. I'll take you home." Levi said, with a fake irritation in his voice. Eren nodded, ducking under Levi's umbrella.
"Thanks, Levi. I promise I won't tell that you have a soft side." Eren teased, ruffling Levi's hair. Levi's eyes widened at the comment, but his head snapped around, and he halted his movement when Eren touched his hair. Levi glared at the taller of the two men, imagining him on fire. The only one that was ever allowed to touch Levi's hair was himself. Levi was tempted to kick the boy again – to make him drop in submission – but a reminder of the guilt he felt before held him back.
"Don't touch me." Levi settled for that statement. He felt like he'd said it furiously enough that Eren would get the message. Levi internally cringed when he looked at the younger student's face, seeing regret on it. Great, Levi thought. This kid is one big bag of guilt. Levi sighed, and continued walking.
Eren followed soon after, not saying anything. He knew as soon as he reached out to ruffle the shorter man's hair that he had made a terrible mistake. Eren's face flushed red, feeling embarrassed. He had to remember that this man wanted absolutely nothing to do with him, yet somehow they had crossed paths twice, and Levi had helped him out.
They exited the school grounds and walked onto the sidewalk. Levi looked up at Eren, questioning where to go. Eren stared back, unsure of what Levi was asking. Eren had been too busy thinking of how badly he had messed up that he hardly noticed when they stopped.
"How stupid are you? Did you forget where your home is?" Levi snapped. Eren stood still, face glowing brighter than before. The rain continued to pour down; splashing onto Eren's already soaked sneakers. Levi stared expectantly at Eren, waiting for him to face reality and tell him where to go.
"Down there for two blocks, then we make a left, and go on for three more blocks, and then make a right and it's that block there." Eren explained, stumbling over his words as he stared into the grey eyes of the black haired man. Levi nodded, still showing no expression other than irritation.
The two males hurried down the street, trying to get to Eren's as quickly as possible. They both walked absentmindedly, hardly paying any attention to the world around them. They were both wrapped up in their thoughts.
Eren looked at all of the various street signs. There were a few stores that he took note that he would like to visit, even just to see what was inside. They all had strange names, and if they didn't specify what they were from the window, Eren didn't really know what it contained, and he was a curious person naturally. Eren halted at the crosswalk, waiting for the signal.
There were surprisingly a lot of cars for a rainy day at lunch. Eren wondered why there were so many cars around, and why they were all going so fast.
Eren felt the rainwater on his head again, and looked over towards where Levi should've been, to find him stepping into the street, just as a car was coming.
Eren's eyes widened, as he momentarily panicked. Levi didn't seem to notice the car that was flying down the road, and it didn't seem to notice him either. Without thinking, Eren raced forward towards Levi. He was sure he was going to get himself killed, but he wouldn't mind if he did it protecting another person.
Eren's hands met with Levi's back, and managed to shove him nearly across the street. Levi's eyes widened as he realized what was going on. He looked over his shoulder, fear blatant on his face. He looked at the oncoming car, and down to where Eren was currently getting up.
"No!" Levi cried, tossing the umbrella across the crosswalk, and running to Eren's side. He gripped Eren's shoulder, and pulled the brunet towards himself. Levi refused to lose any more people. He couldn't watch anyone else die. He straight out refused to.
The car soared past, just in time for Levi to turn himself around, while holding Eren. The car slammed its brakes, and honked loudly at the two boys standing in the street. Levi was paralyzed in fear, after the car passed. He held Eren against his chest, or well, held himself against Eren's chest. Eren wrapped his arms around Levi, and encouraged him to the sidewalk.
Levi hardly noticed when he was walking. His eyes were wide, and Eren examined his face. It was the only time that Eren had ever seen the man displaying any emotion whatsoever. Levi started shaking in Eren's arms. They were both soaking wet at that point, and Levi was gripping the back of Eren's shirt with such an intensity that he could've been trying to strangle something. Eren held the shaking man, looking into his eyes. They seemed distant, as if Levi were in an entirely different place. Eren picked up the umbrella, dumping the water out of it onto the concrete, and held it up over them.
Eren adjusted Levi so that he could still grab onto Eren's shirt, but with one hand. Eren guided him down the last block, allowing the man his quiet that he needed. He was still shaking, and to be entirely honest, Eren was scared too. Although Eren would admit that he was more scared for Levi than for himself.
Eren opened the door to his apartment building, guiding Levi in. He felt almost as if Levi were his child or something, the way he was clinging to him. Eren shut the umbrella, and guided Levi into the building. They walked into the elevator, and Eren hit the 5th floor button. Levi was still shaking, and he was dreadfully pale. Eren heard him murmuring 'no' over and over again.
"Levi?" Eren asked, and the man turned to him, snapping out of whatever zone he had been in. He was still very pale, confused, and scared, but at least he could make sense of the situation now. "Levi, are you alright?" Eren asked as they exited the elevator. Eren held the umbrella in his left hand, and Levi's hand in his right. He knew the man had some sort of trigger, and the fact that he was walking at all was enough for Eren to thank the higher powers for.
"Shitty brat," Levi began, trying to sound tough. "Do I look alright?" His voice wavered and cracked, and Eren could feel his own heart breaking with the man's. Eren squeezed the man's hand reassuringly. Eren held the umbrella in his legs as he pulled out his key to unlock the door. He flipped on the lights and held the door open for Levi.
Levi was still shaking, and Eren pressed the back of his hand up to Levi's forehead. He didn't have a fever. Eren led him to the couch, and told him to wait while he got changed and then he'd bring out dry clothes for him.
Levi sat on the couch, a chill seeping into his bones, though he wasn't quite sure that it was from the rain. He knew this feeling. He knew it all too well. It was the same feeling he had the day he lost his entire family. He was alone and the world was collapsing around him. The walls he had built so high – Eren had just seen past them. Levi was surprised at how easy Eren seemed to take the whole 'almost dying' thing.
Levi collapsed on his side on the couch. It was too late. Eren had seen him. Eren had seen more of him than even his grief counselor had seen.
Levi didn't know it then, but that simple fact there would be enough for Eren to strive forward into solving the mystery that is Levi.