A/N: Okay, so there is a bit more physicality in this chapter, and sorry for not posting this sooner!

I'm about 10 minutes past the deadline I set for myself, but I kept getting distracted, sorry!
Levi is emotionally confused, and Eren seems to take a near-death experience a bit too well.
Let me know if you like it!
I'll try to have another chapter up tomorrow!

Eren returned, holding the smallest pair of clothes he had. He had hoped that they would fit Levi properly. When he returned to the living room of his apartment though, he found Levi already asleep on the couch. Eren found himself faced with an existential crisis. He could either awaken the wrath of Levi, or he could let the man sleep. Levi would most likely get pneumonia, but Eren had to weigh his possibilities here. His death or Levi's?

Eren sighed and walked over to the raven-haired man. He lightly tapped the man's shoulder, urging him to awaken from his slumber. Levi stirred, groaning. He hated being woken up. He peeked through his slitted eyelid, to see Eren leaning over him. His eyes opened further in confusion until he realized where he was and what had happened.

He immediately slid his mask on his face, regaining composure. Eren could see him cover himself with a façade the second it happened. He looked into Levi's eyes, which seemed to say 'fuck the fuck off shitty brat.' Eren could take a hint when he saw one, so he handed Levi the clothes.

It only registered to Levi just then that he was soaking wet, and that he probably just soaked the couch. He extended his fingers to the cheap fabric to see how wet it was. It was mildly damp, but he still felt bad over ruining the poor boy's furniture. Just another thing he'd owe the kid. Levi didn't remember any of the time past when he saved the boy's ass when he saved his own.

"It's okay, you know. The couch is old. It doesn't matter if it has a little water on it now." Eren said, trying to make Levi open up a little. Eren had seen something in the older man, and he wasn't sure he liked it. Deep down, he was hurt, and something about Eren nearly dying set that off. Eren wasn't really freaking out, because when he was younger, he had promised to himself that if he had to die prematurely, he would die saving someone else. Eren had been prepared his entire life to give his life up. He knew he was never the smartest, strongest, richest, or most attractive, but he had a good heart, and he could put that to use somehow.

Levi grumbled, accepting the clothes out of Eren's hand. Eren smiled at the man, slightly concerned. Levi felt agitation prick at him. He didn't need the kid to babysit him. He was almost out of college; he could take care of himself. Levi rolled his eyes and entered the bathroom, locking it behind him. He slowly slid off his filthy shirt, shuddering at the muddy puddle water on it. Of course the kid had to literally push him over. Levi looked at his appearance in the mirror.

He was ghostly pale, and had dark circles under his eyes. Yeah, nightmares every night could do that to you. He grabbed a washcloth and ran it under the faucet, wiping off the dirty water from his body. He shivered as the wet cloth made contact with his muscled chest. He wouldn't be able to rest until he had cleaned himself off. He hated feeling dirty.

Within a matter of minutes, Levi had cleaned himself off and put Eren's clothing on. It fit enough, though they were a size too large. He slid on the white jeans – a different pair from the ones Eren was wearing on Friday. He tossed on the overly large shirt, which hung down to halfway past his waist. He felt ridiculous, but he didn't exactly have anything else to wear.

Groaning, Levi exited the bathroom, holding his folded dirty clothes. He entered the living room to find that Eren wasn't there. Levi furrowed his brow. Where did the brat go? Levi walked into the small kitchen, seeing a note on the counter. Levi put his dirty clothing on the counter and grabbed the note. Levi felt a wave of relief wash over him as he saw it was from Eren.

Levi,

I'm going out to pick up lunch, 'cause I figured you wanted to clean off or whatever. My stomach is growling, but I'll be back in about ten minutes with food for both of us. Make yourself at home!

-Eren

Levi felt a mild amount of panic flit through him, but he pushed it aside. He hadn't been found so far, so they obviously wouldn't know about Eren. Levi knew it was too late to simply push Eren aside. The kid had saved his life. Eren had been willing to give his life for Levi.

He felt a pang of guilt and admiration make its way through him. Eren had been willing to die for Levi. No one had ever done that for Levi before, other than his family, and look at where that got them. Levi cringed. He had tried not to think about his deceased family, and for a long time, he had succeeded. He couldn't help but feel how much he missed them, especially his older sister. No matter what, she was always supportive of him. She could be in the middle of homework, but she would put it aside to play with Levi.

The older man walked over to the living room and sat down on the drying couch. He rested his head in his hands. He didn't want to think about all of the things he had lost in his life. He wanted to think about the things he had – the things that made him happy.

Levi's mind was blank. He hadn't had anything that made him happy in the longest time. Mostly because he pushed everyone away. Levi never had anyone that had seen him as anything other than a social conquest. Everyone just wanted to use him as a way to make them more popular for befriending the heartless monster. It was one of the reasons that Levi never trusted anyone.

But now he had to watch out for Eren too. Levi owed him his life, and Levi couldn't just not repay the favor. Sure, he had pulled Eren out of harm's way twice now, and helped him out, but anyone else in Eren's situation surely would've just stayed paralyzed and would have just called out to him. Levi would've died if Eren hadn't put his life on the line, and Levi wasn't sure that he would do the same.

Levi decided then that he would find a way to protect Eren. He owed it to the boy, and what Eren had unknowingly gotten himself into was going to be more than Eren could overcome on his own. Levi stretched himself on the couch, resting his head on the armrest. He stared at the old, chipping ceiling. Levi ran his fingers in circles on his stomach. It was something his mother used to do to calm him down, long before she died.

He had always worked himself up in rainstorms like this. For whatever reason, they made him emotional. Levi didn't want to feel the emotions. He thought he pushed them all away long ago, along with human companions.

Shutting his eyes, Levi continued to draw shapes on his abdomen. The same eight shapes that his mother used to write on his stomach to soothe him to sleep. Long before he knew the meaning behind those shapes.

Soon, Levi fell asleep with those eight shapes floating through his mind.

I love you.

Levi sat at the piano, the sun in its ever-present setting form. The rays of light pierced through the trees, a contrasting soft orange accenting the darkening green. Levi played the tune he knew by heart. So many years later, and he had not forgotten it. It was the same tune he played that day. The only song that meant anything to him.

It was his mother's song. The beautiful caresses of the notes reminded him of her soft features. Levi knew what was going to happen, long before it occurred. He soaked in the image of his mother, father, and older sister sitting together. His mother and father were chatting light-heartedly, just like they had so many years ago. His sister swayed to the music, humming along. She had begun writing lyrics for them, to surprise their mother on her birthday.

Levi had been looking over the lyrics. He was vaguely aware that this was not the normal dream. He hadn't had this dream. Living through it once was enough. Levi continued the song, hoping that it wouldn't happen. He could feel it though. Deep down inside, he knew what was coming. It was like a wave building up inside him, steadily growing higher and higher. He was prepared for the crashing of the wave, and yet it wouldn't crash down.

He looked up to his sister. He had always viewed her as his idol. She was smart. She was beautiful. She was kind-hearted. His sister, though sometimes erratic, was always reliable, and Levi loved her with all of his heart.

He looped the song once again, waiting for his sister to begin singing. He signaled through the music when she should start, by repeating the measures once. He heard her take a breath.

That breath was her last.

"Levi?" Eren called out through his apartment. He didn't hear any noise, and he wondered if maybe he had already left. Eren saw the umbrella still next to the door. He hadn't left, or at least, if he did he would be without an umbrella, and Eren would have to go find him.

Dumping the bag of bagels on the kitchen counter, Eren spotted Levi's dirtied clothes, folded neatly, resting on the counter. The note had been moved from where Eren left it, so he knew that Eren was coming back at least.

Eren walked into the living room, stopping in his tracks to see Levi's face scrunched in pain. Eren's eyes grew wide and his mouth dropped open. He ran to Levi's side, as the older man thrashed on the couch. Eren grabbed the man's shoulder to stop him before he hurt himself, and almost immediately, Levi grabbed his arm and punched him in the face.

Jumping back, Eren grabbed his jaw. The short man could really pack a punch. Eren was beginning to feel himself panic. The man was having a nightmare and he wouldn't wake up. Eren rubbed his cheek, pondering his next course of action. He wasn't overly fond of hurting himself. If there was a way to avoid pain, he would take it.

Eren stepped closer to the older man and crouched down. He sat on the carpet next to the couch, far enough away that Levi couldn't hit him, but close enough that he could still wake Levi up.

"Levi!" Eren called out to the man. Levi continued to thrash on the couch, mumbling noises. Eren managed to make out Levi yelling 'onee-chan' but didn't know what that meant. "Levi!" Eren tried again, voice raised. "Levi wake up!" Eren called to the unconscious, slumbering form of the raven-haired male.

The older man's body stilled as his eyes slowly opened. He blinked a few times, in rapid succession before startling himself and sitting up. He looked around the room, panicked, before his eyes set themselves on Eren.

Jumping forward towards the sitting brunet, Levi wrapped his arms around him. Eren tensed, panicking. Who was this man and what had he done to Levi? Levi nudged his face against Eren's shirt, and Eren could've sworn he felt tears leaking onto his shirt. Eren hesitantly wrapped his arms around Levi.

Shaking, Levi subconsciously pressed himself closer to Eren. Eren tightened his grasp, rubbing the older man's back.

"Hush, Levi. It's alright." Eren said, mustering up his softest, most comforting voice. "D-do you want to talk about it?" Eren asked nervously, fearful of overstepping his bounds. Levi slid away from Eren, not meeting his eyes. He shook his head, wiping his eyes. Eren had figured that whatever Levi had just dreamt of must have been horrible. He figured the man wouldn't want to talk about it.

Levi sat still for a moment, recollecting himself. He shut his eyes tight, balling his hands into fists, before reopening his eyes. They were still red and puffy from crying, but Levi had reigned his emotions back in. He was embarrassed that all of a sudden, this kid had come along, and after only meeting twice, he had exposed more of himself than he had to other students who had known him for years.

"I swear to God, brat," Levi started, his voice uncharacteristically shaking. "You tell anyone what you just saw, and I will see to it that I end you." Levi threatened, the venom in his voice growing stronger and stronger as he ended the threat. Eren nodded, frightened, reaching up to his jaw, reminding himself of just how strong Levi was, even when he was sleeping.

The movement didn't get passed Levi, as he suddenly felt concern wash over him. There was a newly forming bruise where Eren was lightly touching his face with his fingertips. He hadn't had that bruise before he left, for what Levi had noticed.

"Where did you get that bruise?" Levi asked, trying to sound disinterested. He internally scolded himself for appearing so weak around the younger boy. Levi vaguely wondered if maybe he had been found, but they were now targeting Eren to get at him. Levi's eyes widened ever so slightly at the possibility.

"Well, I walked in and couldn't find you, so I put the food down in the kitchen and came in here. You were having a nightmare and stupid me," Eren laughed shakily, scared of Levi's reaction. He could tell the man loathed himself to a certain extent and didn't want to worsen it. Eren reassured himself by telling himself that Levi was strong and he probably didn't care. "I grabbed your shoulder to wake you up and you punched me," Eren admitted, face flushing bright red.

Levi's mouth drew into a straight line. He had punched Eren? He flinched, thinking back on his dream. It was more horrid than usual. Levi sighed. It was closing in on the anniversary of his family's death. He just didn't expect the dreams to get this bad. They had never been that bad before.

The taller boy watched as the short man's brow furrowed in worry. Levi intrigued Eren. Eren never knew how the man was going to react. He was unpredictable, and in Eren's entirely predictable life, he had to admit he liked the change. There was always an element of surprise. Eren had to admit though, he was glad that the older man hid his emotions in this case.

Eren himself felt like falling apart, but he couldn't. He had to take care of Levi, even if Levi didn't think he needed taking care of. Suddenly, Levi stood up, startling Eren out of his reverie. He held out his hand toward Eren – a peace offering. Eren accepted, and hauled himself upright.

"So, brat, you said you got food, right?" Levi asked his cold façade back in place. Eren nodded enthusiastically and led the other alumnus into the kitchen.

"You know," Levi started, in between mouthfuls of bagel. "If I ever accidentally hurt you, feel free to fight back." Levi offered, giving an almost-an-almost-smile to Eren. Eren swallowed his piece of bagel.

"I've never really had any formal fighting training," Eren trailed off, his eyes not meeting Levi's. He took another bite of his plain bagel, relishing in the taste of the cream cheese, and avoiding having to talk further. Eren's lack of fighting knowledge was the main reason he was hardly ever able to win a fight. He focused on chewing, avoiding looking at Levi.

Levi glanced at the boy, his eyebrows rising. How was this boy unable to fight? From what Levi could tell, Eren had put up a really good fight against Jean. Normally, Jean hardly got a scratch on him. If that was Eren without any fighting lessons, Levi wanted to see him with them.

"I can teach you." Levi offered, his voice disinterested. Eren looked up at the older man with bright eyes. Levi's eyes widened at the sincere determination in the younger man's eyes.

Eren pushed the mouthful of bagel down his throat. "You'd do that?" Eren asked, voice soft.

"Sure." Levi replied. "I'll show you right now, if you want." Levi got up from his seat, leaving the second half of his bagel on the plate. "Oh, but when is your next class?" Levi asked. He didn't want to get in the way of Eren if he had a class.

"I only have one class on Monday." Eren supplied, getting up out of his chair. "Here, we can move the coffee table in the living room." Eren led the way out of the kitchen and into the living room. Eren walked to the far side of the coffee table, and Levi went to the near side. The both lifted the wooden table and made their way behind the couch, placing the table gently. This way the table would be out of harm's way.

Levi walked into the center of the room, removing his shirt. Eren couldn't help but eye the muscles that man had. Even without the accentuating morning light, Eren could clearly see the defined muscles. Levi stiffened momentarily, feeling uncomfortable underneath Eren's speculating gaze.

He tore his eyes away from Levi and took off his own shirt. Eren wasn't particularly muscled, but he had enough for Levi. Levi saw the bruises still marring the boy's body. They were mostly all a deep purple color, like the black eye that he had.

Levi took note of that, and made sure to avoid any abdominal hits for that point. Levi folded the much-too-large shirt and placed it on the couch. He didn't have any more classes on Monday either, so he figured that he could take his time teaching Eren.

Lightning flashed from outside the window. Eren flinched. Levi took that as a good opportunity to start the fight. He immediately grabbed Eren's right hand, nimbly twisting it around behind his back, and turned Eren around, slamming him into the wall.

"Never let yourself be caught off guard." Levi whispered in his ear. Eren's ears burned hot as his face flushed with embarrassment. He hadn't known that they were starting. "Okay, now it's your turn. Come at me." Levi encouraged, standing in a fighting position. One fist was closer to his face, while the other arm remained lower, protecting more of his abdomen.

Eren charged at him, punching the fist that protected his face. Levi's fist smashed into his mouth. Well, the kid had style at least. Levi had never seen anyone pull that move before. Eren quickly wrapped his arm around Levi's neck, holding him in a loose chokehold.

"Well, that's a good move and all," Levi started. "But it's too easy to escape." Levi jabbed Eren's side that had lain in the grass and received the least amount of damage. Eren immediately let go, falling to the ground. He hated when people jabbed his sides. He was extremely sensitive in his abdominal area.

Levi took the advantage, straddling and pinning Eren to the ground. Eren's eyes widened at the sight of the attractive male on top of him. Swallowing thickly, Eren stared into the grey eyes of the older male. While Levi's body may have revealed nothing, his eyes were another story. Eren could see a sea of emotions in his darkening eyes.

Eren couldn't think of anything else than letting Levi just bend him over and fuck him mercilessly into the couch. Heat pooled in Eren's stomach at the thought of reaching his high with the man on top of him. He was just so close and so warm. He could just close that gap.

Snapping out of it, Eren swallowed and cleared his throat. Levi seemed to snap out of it too, and almost instantly got off of Eren. "Sorry," He muttered. "That was actually really creative, using my defenses against myself." Levi praised, watching Eren's face glow. Levi couldn't get the image of Eren below him out of his head. He just looked so – dare he say it – cute .

It was Eren's turn to catch Levi off guard, as he tackled the older male onto the couch. Eren pinned Levi's hands above his head, on the couch's arm rest. Eren's knee landed in between Levi's legs, and Levi couldn't help but be entirely aware of presence so close to a certain place.

Their eyes met, and for some reason, neither were willing to break away first. They remained like that for a few moments, before Eren climbed off of Levi. Levi was immediately disappointed at the lack of an attractive freshman above him. He figured it was for the best though. Levi didn't want to have to be involved with anyone overall, much less romantically – or so he thought.

Eren was facing away from the man on the couch. That was too close for his comfort. He knew that if he made any move on Levi that Levi would push him away. Eren wore his heart on his sleeve, but even he knew that was pushing it. He didn't even know if Levi swung that way. Eren cringed at that thought. He was surprised that Levi hadn't attacked him for it already yet. Eren didn't even know why he did it – he just felt the hormones running through his system and went for what he wanted.

Turning around to face Levi, he found the man already behind him. With a growl, Levi grabbed the boys shoulders and pinned him against the couch. Straddling the boy's lap, Levi looked into Eren's eyes. "What, were you just going to leave me hanging there?" and with that, Levi's lips slammed against Eren's.

With eyes open wide, Eren reciprocated the kiss. Levi's tongue found its way into Eren's mouth, caressing Eren's own tongue. Eren moaned, fingers about to wrap into Levi's hair before remembering Levi's previous reaction to hair touching. Levi felt the boy hesitate, and broke the kiss off. A trail of saliva still connected the two alumni, and Levi looked at Eren's face. His eyes were half-lidded, and his mouth remained open. Eren's eyes slowly opened further, questioning Levi.

Levi froze, realizing what he had just done. He had just become romantically involved with Eren, and he hadn't meant to whatsoever. He didn't understand it, but deep inside him was this need to be around the boy and make him feel better. Levi didn't know that he needed this until it happened. Levi realized with a mild start, that he would let this boy do anything to him, and he would allow him. Levi nodded, resolving himself to deal with his emotions later. At the moment, he had a readily available boy who looked absolutely ravishing.

Eren noticed the change in Levi's demeanor. He began to fear that Levi realized the mistake he had made. Eren closed his mouth, searching for words to say; he didn't know how to apologize. He opened his mouth to say something – anything – but before he even had the chance, Levi descended upon him again. Eren's mouth was already open, and Levi's tongue invaded once more, enticing Eren to relax.

One of Levi's hands slid up Eren's chest, rubbing the hardened bud on his chest. Eren let out a soft mewl. Levi let Eren be dominant for a few moments, his tongue inside Levi's mouth. Levi bit down on Eren's tongue and let out a guttural noise.

Eren, upon hearing the noise that Levi made, rolled his hips into Levi's. Eren's fingers ensnared themselves in Levi's hair, tugging lightly. Levi groaned, rolling Eren's bud in between his fingers. Levi broke off the kiss, his mouth traveling down to Eren's neck. He bit down on Eren's collarbone. Eren writhed under Levi. He hadn't even known that he was that sensitive. Levi sucked and licked at the same spot on Eren's collarbone.

Both boys were becoming increasingly aware of the growing bulge in their pants. Just as Levi was slipping his hand into Eren's pants, the phone in Eren's pants began to ring. Both boys broke away, exasperatedly groaning. Neither one wanted the phone to be answered, but one glance at the screen told Eren that it was his sister calling, and he wasn't allowed to ignore her.

Flipping the phone open, Eren answered. "What's up, Mikasa?" Eren asked as Levi sat down next to him on the couch. Levi recognized Mikasa in several of his classes; guys were constantly hitting on her and she would simply brush them off. Levi stood up, waiting for a break where Eren could listen.

"I'm going to shower." Levi stated, walking down the hall. He had almost given a boy he hardly known a hand job right there. In fact, Levi was entirely prepared to go all the way with the boy right then. He was glad that Mikasa called, to a certain degree. It kept the two males from doing something they might regret. Levi wasn't even sure what he felt for the boy.

Levi closed the bathroom door behind him, locking it. The last thing he wanted was to be interrupted by the brat. Was the kid even a brat? Levi had no idea anymore. He knew that he wanted to be with Eren – he wanted to fuck the kid into next week too – but a nagging voice in the back of his head kept telling him just how bad of an idea it was. Levi could be the reason that some serious injuries happened to Eren, and he wouldn't be able to stand himself if that happened. Levi had dangerous enemies, thanks to his father, and he refused to get Eren ensnared it that. Eren deserved better, but Levi simply couldn't let Eren go.

Levi stripped down, and started the shower. Stepping into the cool water, Levi relaxed. Eren wasn't the one who needed Levi – Levi needed Eren.

"Alright," Eren said, holding the apartment door open with one foot. "Just, uh, be safe, okay? Look before you cross the street." Eren handed Levi a piece of paper, holding his cellphone number. Levi took it, figuring that he would stay in contact with the boy. Levi couldn't stay away, he knew it.

Levi nodded, wishing Eren a farewell. He arrived home with no incident. He sighed as he entered his home, placing the laundry he took home with him in his laundry bag. He'd have to do his laundry on Wednesday, rather than Friday.

It was late when Levi had left, and he was exhausted. It had been a long day, and Levi was resigned to going to bed. Levi trudged into his room, peeling back the covers and curling up underneath them, not even bothering to remove the borrowed clothing from Eren.

Levi drifted off to sleep, tormented by nightmares for the second time that day.

A/N:

Okay, so next chapter will see Levi's dream which will hold a significant turning point. It will also speed up time quite a bit about halfway through the chapter. I'm not going to say anything about the fifth chapter yet, but look forward to it. -nudge nudge-
Feel free to let me know if you liked it or not... essentially from here on out, Levi is going to act almost entirely out of character around Eren... Sorry... but if you don't want that, feel free to let me know, and I can try my best.
Like I said before, I'll try my hardest to have a new chapter up tomorrow, but if I wake up around noon again, I might not get it done as soon as I want it to be done...
I'm actually shocked by all of the positive comments I've been getting on this and ILYASM guys!