"I must have been born without skin

for all the energy of the universe

has made home in my heart.

I am a mess of thick, tangled emotion."

Levi

He didn't know how long he sat there waiting for Eren to fall asleep, but he knew it was a long time. Levi really, really hated cuddling, but since the kid just lost his mom, he gave in. Levi tried to stay awake-really; Eren was just so warm, and he'd stayed up the night before taking care of him. Levi drifted off to sleep, trying so hard to remain, only to fail in the end.

Levi woke up, quite confused too, with Eren holding tightly onto him. Trying not to wake the brat, he shuffled off the bed and went to the kitchen, soon realizing he wasn't in his own dorm. The events of last night came back to him and he felt bad for getting away from the kid, but decided that making breakfast would be a better idea than just sitting there hungry. Looking around Eren's dorm, he found the ingredients perfect for pancakes. He heard shuffling from the bedroom, knowing Eren had awoken. Since the pancakes had finished, Levi put some on a plate, along with some bacon, grabbed the maple syrup, and headed to the bedroom.

"L-Levi?"

"Hey; how are you holding up?"

"I-I think I'll be okay…"

Levi knew he was lying; he may not have known Eren too long, but he knew when anyone was lying.

"Alright. I made you some breakfast." He handed the plate of pancakes and bacon over smiling. It wasn't a real one; it was more of a "I'm sorry" smile.

"T-Thanks Levi….I'm sorry i-if I was annoying you last n-night.."

"Tch. You have no reason to be sorry, Brat. It's not your fault."

"I know, but still-"

"No, it's not your fault so you will not apologize, ok?"

Eren shut up as he ate his pancakes in silence. Levi saw tears falling off of his face and used his hand to wipe them away.

He put the plate of food on the nightstand and took Eren in his and pet his hair.

"Shh, Shh. It' be ok, Eren; don't worry. Everything will work out." He cooed not knowing if what he said was completely true.

They sat there until Levi decided to try to get Eren to take a shower, besides, the last one he'd had was early that morning. Eren reluctantly obliged to Levi's request, but stayed put. Levi took the matter into and carried Eren bridal style into the bathroom and turned on the water.

"Are you ok or will you need help?"

"I-I think I might be o-ok."

"I'll take as a no."

He could hear Eren give a quiet sigh in relief. Levi helped the kid undress and put him into the bath. He was surprised by the lack of tension in the room but it was still awkward.

"L-Levi?" Eren nervously mumbled.

""Yes, Brat?"

"T-Thank you- for everything.."

Eren may have been wet and naked, but Levi didn't care as he was dragged into a hug.

"It's ok, kid. There's no need to thank me."

"B-but-"

Levi interrupted him.

"I already said its fine."

Eren quieted after that, and Levi let him go and went to walk of before he heard his name being whimpered.

"L-Levi? C-Can you stay for a little b-bit? I know it might be weird because we're both guys and I'm naked, but I…I really don't wanna be alone right now…"

"Um..sure…" Levi felt a bit awkward, but sat down beside the tub as Eren talked to him.

"Levi, you might hate for this, but I noticed something…I don't…odd that you do."

Levi was confused; what odd thing could he possibly do?

Eren continued. "You act…I don't know…nicer..around me I guess. You usually completely ignore people or just flat out threaten them-you've done neither to me. Why is that?"

Levi was reluctant to reply; he didn't know how to explain his feelings when he didn't even know what they were.

"I-When I first saw you…I don't know what it was..I-I just couldn't get those gorgeous eyes off my mind…" Eren slightly blushed at the compliment.

"When I realized our dorms were close, it didn't help. I wanted to talk to you, but I guess I was…scared? I'm not sure. I didn't know if you'd reject my offer to hang out or get coffee or just, I don't know, watch a fucking movie. All that I know is that I can't forget about you- no matter how hard I try, it's fucking impossible because you just kept showing up; in class, at my dorm 3 am in the damn morning, or like right now, how I want to avoid you but I'm pushed into taking care of you and I try to pretend I don't care but obviously that didn't work…" He awaited for Eren to reply to soon notice he was being hugged again.

"I think we should hang out more, Rivaille. I believe we would make great friends…maybe more."

"How do you know my name?"

"I lived in France for a while so I know a bit here and there." Eren smiled; all the shit he'd been through and he was smiling; this caused Levi, against his will, to let out a gentle smirk. He was glad Eren didn't notice, or if he did, he neglected to bring it up.

Eren was washed and Levi carried him to bed (it was already about 1 am) and almost left the room before Eren said something.

"Sleep with me, please. I don't want to have any nightmares tonight."

Levi didn't question it; he just got into the bed as the Brat huddled up next to him.

"Ay, Brat, what do you think you're doing?"

"Cuddling?"

Levi let out a sigh in defeat; the kid had been through hell that day and he didn't want to make it worse so he just let it go. They fell asleep just like that.

Poem: Of course, Andrea Michelle and her book Kalopsia.

Note: This is getting good! Well, for me I guess-since practically (literally) no one is reading this other than me, but whatever. I hope if you actually did read it that you enjoyed it! Please review and tell me what you think! (I'm really hoping to get some awesome shit in there for all you sadists like me so if you don't enjoy gore or others getting hurt or it's a trigger for you there will be a warning just so you know; that is, if I ever do get that far) I'll be updating soon my peeps!