The Misanthrope

Chapter 7

xXx

The next day, Eren could hardly wait to meet up with Levi. The older man had said that he'd wait for him at the town square, next to the bookshop. In the past ten years, after the humanity had won against the titans, a vast amount of books have been reprinted, now no longer forbidden. Levi wanted to take the opportunity to browse for some books, while Eren agreed happily and decided to buy Armin an early Christmas present. He'd have to go on his own some other time to pick something out for Levi, though.

As he approached the bookshop, his mouth dropped open when he saw Levi. Eren was so used to seeing him in regular slacks and shirt, that he was shocked speechless at the military uniform. It was nothing strange to see the veterans strolling around town in their uniforms, but no one looked as good as Levi, or at least Eren believed so.

He noticed that there weren't any straps going around Levi's legs or torso. He practically looked like a recruit from the pictures in Eren's textbooks, the only difference being the 'wings of freedom' patches on his jacket.

A few more steps and Eren was standing in front of Levi, raising his hand in a greeting gesture, smiling bashfully.

"I hope you're not waiting for too long," Eren managed to say after Levi's smirk melted a bit of his nervousness away.

"Nah, I just got here a few minutes ago," Levi took a step towards the bookshop. "Shall we? You pick the next destination."

"Okay," Eren grinned and followed.

They've separated in the bookstore, each looking for something else, until they've finally met at the counter after ten minutes. Eren peeked at the few books that Levi decided to buy, but not recognizing any.

"Did you find something for your friend," Levi asked.

"Uh, yeah," Eren handed the book to Levi and then almost squeaked as the man put it on top of his own pile.

"It's on me," Levi informed, looking amused by Eren's panicking.

"But you don't have to..."

"You're right, I don't have to," Levi gave him the look and Eren dropped the subject instantly, chewing on his lip to stop himself from smiling too much.

xXx

They ended up walking slowly through the fair, browsing through the numerous stands that offered different foods, items, herbs and jewelry. The traders liked to brag about their stuff if it came from the 'new territory', as they called it.

Still being so young, Eren could barely mask his amazement when they've stumbled upon a stand that was full of seashells of different shapes, sizes and colors. He was nearly obsessed with anything having to do with seas and oceans, so the seashells and conches were no exception.

"Oh wow," he gasped, staring at the collection.

"You like these, huh," Levi asked, eyeing the shells suspiciously. "You do realize they're remains of dead... things?"

"Shut up," Eren giggled, lightly shoving the older man. "Don't ruin them for me. They're pretty."

"Pretty," Levi repeated, shaking his head. "You're like a magpie, I swear."

The old merchant lady was giving them an amused look.

"Why don't you pick one and I'll throw in another one for free," she said, smiling at Eren. "For your sweetheart."

Eren blinked at the offer, confused. "My sweetheart?"

The woman quickly glanced at Levi and then winked at Eren.

"O-oh, we're... Ah, he's..." he sputtered, embarrassment burning his ears even though it was really cold outside. "I'll think about it," Eren babbled and hurried away from the stand, leaving Levi to catch up to him.

He went to cool his head at another, more boring stand, and stared at the items until Levi joined him.

"Hey."

"Hi," Eren managed out, still awfully mortified.

"Here," Levi said and poked him in the arm with something. Eren's eyes widened at the beautiful brown and white striped conch.

"Levi..."

"The lady insisted," Levi shrugged and shoved the conch into Eren's jacket pocket. He fished out another one from his own pocket. "I got the same, uh, dead thing," he smirked.

Eren laughed lightly and there was a moment between them. He felt his heart pounding wildly and Levi looked like he was about to say something, when an unfamiliar voice interrupted.

"Levi-heichou, is that you?"

As Levi turned to look at the man who approached them, Eren saw that all the color had drained from his face.

"Mr. Ral..."

"How are you, heichou?" Mr. Ral shook his hand, his face pleasant, but his eyes old and tired.

"Please, sir, just call me Levi... I'm... I'm okay. And you?"

Levi looked like he might be sick and Eren unconsciously took a step closer. He wondered who that older man was.

"I manage somehow," the older man said softly. "I was worried about you. You disappeared, just like that..."

"Yeah well," Levi fidgeted uncomfortably. "I wanted to get away from everything."

"I understand. You deserve peace and quiet, my dear lad," Mr. Ral gave a genuine smile and patted Levi's shoulder. "I'm glad to see you are well." He then nodded at Eren and went about his way, a nostalgic look on his face.

Levi watched him go, trembling slightly. By some twisted coincidence, a few people had heard Mr. Ral talking to him and were now looking in his direction, recognizing the war hero.

"Levi-heichou!"

"It's the hero!"

"Levi-heichou!"

Eren reached out to put a hand on Levi's shoulder, but as he touched him, Levi jumped as if he was burned, staring at Eren. He reminded the boy of a caged animal, eyes cold and narrow; dangerous. Levi began to hyperventilate as more people surrounded them.

Suddenly there was a tight grip around Eren's wrist.

"Eren, get me out of here before I hurt someone."

The boy immediately began to run, not looking back. All he needed to feel was that tight hold on his wrist as he was pushing through the crowded fair. Eyeing the corners of the streets, he finally took a turn into a blind alley and stopped there, panting for air.

Levi let his hand go and stumbled further into the darkened alley. After a few seconds, Eren heard him vomiting and coughing.

"Levi," he called, going after him. He found him leaning against a wall, still fighting the nausea.

"Disgusting..."

"I'm sorry I made you go to the fair," Eren began miserably.

"Stop it right there," Levi raised a hand, slowly stepping away from his mess. "You didn't force me into anything. I wanted to go with you."

Eren nodded, gazing at his feet. "Who was that man?"

"It's a long story..."

"I have time," the boy countered.

"You have to go home. It's pretty late."

"No. I'll go with you. You're still pale."

Levi cast him a look. "I can probably kick you hard enough that you'll be flying to your home, into your mama's lap."

"I'll take my chances," Eren smiled, seeing the threat as a sign that Levi was feeling a bit more like himself again.

xXx

When they've finally arrived to Levi's home, Eren got comfortable in his 'spot' in front of the fireplace while the older man rushed inside the bathroom to brush his teeth.

While he waited, Eren pulled the conch out of his pocket and examined it in front of the soft glow. It was the size of his closed fist and he suddenly remembered the words from one of the books he and Armin read when they were little. If you pressed a seashell to your ear, you could hear the ocean.

Eren did exactly that and almost giggled when he heard the whooshing sound.

He also heard a deep chuckle behind his back. A bit embarrassed, he removed the shell from his ear as Levi approached to sit down on the couch, a pleasant minty smell wafting through the air around him.

"Are you feeling better?" Eren asked.

"Yeah."

"Will you talk to me now?"

"Shh, not yet," Levi let his head fall back against the couch. "Give me that thing," he pointed at the seashell. "I've left mine in the bedroom."

When Eren handed the shell to Levi, the man pressed it to his ear without hesitation. He smiled. "This is nice," he murmured.

"And what should I listen to now," Eren teased lightly.

"Oh. Well, go to the bedroom, my jacket is on the bed. I don't wanna get up now."

Eren did as he was told, a little excited since he'd never seen Levi's bedroom before. He entered the room, looking around. There wasn't much to see in the light of an oil lamp, but he managed to notice that the bed was huge and flawlessly arranged.

Not wanting to nose around too much, he found the shell in Levi's jacket and hurried out of the room. As he circled around the couch, he found Levi sound asleep on it, his hand slack but still somehow holding the conch against his ear.

Levi looked so peaceful, so beautiful. Eren wondered what darkness was hiding inside that head. He gently took the conch from Levi and set it on the small coffee table. Taking one of the novels that Levi had bought earlier that evening, Eren sat next to Levi, instead of his regular place on the rug. Blushing a bit, he cautiously took Levi's hand and held it in his own as he started reading the book, hoping that he wouldn't find out.

A couple of hours later, Eren also drifted to sleep, Levi's head resting against his shoulder and his fingers still gently interlaced with Levi's.

xXx

To be continued...