Hei-chan
Chapter 2: Love on both ways
chapter Summary:
Hei-chan becomes more affectionate towards Eren which makes Levi emotionally confused.
Notes Below
At the edge of the balcony from the left side of the abandoned castle, stood Levi as he leaned his back against the hard stone wall looking down on Eren and Hei-chan. Crossing his arms and feeling the warm summer air breathe gently against his pale face, he seemed to be lost in thought as he witness a view that he'd never would've expect to see nor take interest in.
The sun was up emitting its golden rays, warmth filling the earth as clouds soared its way above the sky creating random shades that stretched far and wide. Trees gently swayed as the summer wind blew through, cicadas being heard as they emit their signature tune, willows hummed, whispered and wooed as the breeze gently held everything in a peaceful symphony of harmony. The world seemed to emit its natural melody as the day peacefully passed by. It was almost unreal.
The weather was painfully too perfect to waste, for it may never occur again, too perfect to resist as its beauty had even tempted a young man and a little boy to abandon their chores and savor the moment.
Beneath the generous shade of a massive tree, there rested a young man, eyes closed showing off his little bundle of youth being embraced against his chest breathing evenly, a peaceful expression shone on his young face.
"It's such a refreshing view, huh?" Hanji interrupted his thoughts as she stepped towards Levi to take a closer look at the young man and the young boy. "It's been too long since we saw something so peaceful, don't you agree?" her eyes softening at the two boys, with a little hint of teasing was noticeable in her voice.
"oh..?" Levi breathed, seeming to look uninterested
"aah-aah... sure looks pleasant having a toddler with you huh? It seems like Eren's enjoying his time with the littler you, I feel envious, I wonder if I could use those on a titan, then it would also have a small duplicate of itself. It would be easier to study, also not much dangerous since it would be really small and would easily be handled. Ohh! I should make another one of those! It would really help the my research—" Hanji went on and on and stopped when Levi clicked his tongue in annoyance
"Tch! Don't you know how to shut up, shitty four-eyes? Because of this mess, we can't continue on the next step to the expedition."
"Don't worry, come on, the medicine will last, its effects are temporary!" she said as she puts on a smug face
"It's my experiment after all, besides, he'll be gone in no time—"
"How long does it take?" fixing his view down to the young one beneath them again
"I'd say a week and a half? Hahaha" scratching her head and displaying a very very sheepish smile
"Tch! What?..." Levi's words are menacing now
"This will pull us all behind, you damn shit"
"Hey, calm down, I already sent a message to Erwin, his reply should arrive by tomorrow, chill your sassy butt and just enjoy the weather why don't you."
"…"
"Besides… I'm more worried about Eren" she finally said and headed inside the castle leaving Levi with his thoughts
It was already late in the evening, and the castle was clean and spotless. Everyone was exhausted but at the same time relieved that they didn't have to fight titans for a change, it felt nice.
Eren, Petra and Eld took charge of the kitchen, using everything they could find to fix a hefty meal for an exhausting day. Luckily, the garden was full of wild vegetables and fruits. It was such a blessing, especially when they didn't have to pay for them.
Auruo was supposed to be on kitchen duty, but the weird habit of him accidentally biting his tongue, they couldn't risk splattering blood on a once in a lifetime luxury dinner at all costs.
They've found potatoes, carrots, beans, tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlics, spinaches and other kinds of root crop. It would seem like they were grown before for the higher ups in the headquarters, but was then later abandoned together with the castle. These kinds of produce were only served for renowned people, the military higher ups and royalty. So, having them just hand's reach was one of the luckiest thing you could get in this corrupt society.
Having Petra in the troupe was admirably handy at times like these, she was in complete charge of the kitchen for obvious reasons. Surprisingly enough, Eren was promoted as second in position. Eren had one thing he can be very proud of, and an ability he can say he cherished. Slicing vegetables.
Eren's mother Carla often asked Eren to chop the vegetables, even if Eren didn't want to do the task, she still managed to "convince" him to do it. Her reason was because she noticed how skillful his son's hands moved as he diced the veggies down. And because of this, Eren has earned himself an acceptable position in the kitchen as the "One who slices and dice the goods"
Eld on the other hand together with his fiancee' used to cook together at home when he came back from expeditions, he was the one who put the contents inside the pot, wash the dishes and prevent the stew from burning or over cooking, however, he doesn't know how to season them, and here is Petra's cue.
Petra can cook, dice, wash the dishes, everything. Her mom taught her at an early age, it was a natural thing for women to gain knowledge of this art of cooking at an early age.
Even without meat, valuable salt and other flavorings, she did a trick with wine, a lot of tomatoes and she dried up some fish they caught on the nearby lake to add some flavor into the stew.
Everyone anticipated dinner, they waited patiently as it all boiled down into a thick soup, surprising themselves at how well they controlled their cravings just to get the first taste. But well, they were fully aware that Levi was also there, they didn't dare make a wrong move.
Gunther being last in line for the job was responsible for setting up the table, surprisingly enough he had managed to put everything in a manner almost suitable to be labeled as "fine dining". Napkins were slid inside the cups creating ruffles that made them pleasing to the eyes. Every cutlery and utensils laid down properly beside each plates complete with soup bowls and wine glasses. It was a bit scary, Gunther being a man with almost few words being this precise in table decorating.
"Oi, Gunther, with that little table magic of yours you're already qualified to be a wife, Petra should really learn from that" Auruo teased a smug look displayed across his face taking a seat claiming it already as his
Gunther only gave him a sharp glare and continued on preparing for dinner, but leaving no utensils for Auruo to use.
"Oi, how can you expect me to eat? I was just fucking joking around with you, don't be so childish-" he suddenly snapped but was halted by a quick stab just below his rib bones from Petra
"You're the one who is childish here Auruo, stop that impression of the corporal it's annoying, plus it will make the food taste bad" she said as she walked towards the pot checking if it was ready to serve
"Hey woman, that hurts—" he yelled back biting his tongue on the process
"I'm surprised you still have your tongue intact from all the biting, even your tongue doesn't like your foul mouth" Auruo turned to hear Gunther laughing on the corner of the table just finishing his designated preparations.
The both men argued until they heard a faint cry getting louder and louder, closer and finally the door opened and they witnessed little Levi crying his little eyes out running towards Eren, Hanji behind him chasing him like a maniac on steroids.
Hanji was breathing heavily as she stopped for a quick break from all the chasing.
"Y-Y-Yoh! How's everyone doing?" she breathed as she slumped on the chair, hair messy, her spectacles cracked and crooked on her face, she looked like she had been attacked by some animal of some sort by how she looked, everyone was surprised including Levi.
"The heck happened to you shitty four-eyes" Levi eyed the still panting woman
"Hahaha, well, Little Levi here was running like wild from the laboratory after making him drink some medicine hahaha" she laughed and gasped simultaneously
Hei-chan was now running towards Eren, surprising the young man. Eren stretched his arms toward the little one as he climbed up Eren's shoulders still crying, and flushed on his face.
Eren held him face to face "Hey, don't cry, it's okay, Hanji won't hurt you, you can calm down now" giving him a very vibrant and gentle smile and slowly calming the young one down
Everyone looked at the pair dazzled by Eren's gentleness towards the little guy, a pleasant aura emitted from the two
"Aww, well would you look at that, you're a pretty effective mother Eren, being a guy and all" Auruo snorted crossing is arms only to receive another hard jab on his sides
"Auruo! Would you just quit it, that is a beautiful sight right there!" she chirped
"Haha, looks like it really likes Eren, I think we officially promote Eren to be Little Levi's babysitter until all this is fixed, don't you guys agree? Plus, we can make him drink the medicine I've been making him" Hanji stated
"EH?! Wait why me?" Eren's eyes went wide as he cradled Hei-chan against his chest while he patted his back
Everyone didn't respond but just looked at what he was currently doing and Eren quickly got the point and have a sign
"Fine, I'll do it, for this little guy" he looked down at Heichan whom looked up in response, wiping away the last trace of tears he asked him "Hey, we're almost ready for dinner, you hungry?" Heichan only nodded as he clenched at his shirt
"Well, that's a quick development, I smell something nice! LET'S EAT!" Hanji yelled as she eyed the pot of stew on the other side of the kitchen
Everyone grabbed their own seats as Petra and Auruo presented the pot on the table looking at everyone's expression, a drool finding their way at the sides of their mouths
With no further ado, Petra and Auruo filled each bowls with stew, and passing in each with some wheat bread and some water
"Ittadakimasu!" Everyone practically shouted and dug in the hefty morsels, everyone showing a satisfied smile across their face except for the usual impassive glare of a certain corporal
Levi eyed Eren and Heichan with fleeting glances, unknown to himself that a certain scientist is taking interest on his expression a slight smile bended as she ate
"Is it good?" Eren's words were heard as he fed Hei-chan who was seated comfortably on his lap. He only responded with a nod and gestured Eren that he wanted more, grabbing the bread he ate it giving an opportunity for Eren to eat as well. Both unaware the stares being given by everyone else on the table
"They look so cute, I'm a little jealous… no wait… really jealous, it must be nice huh? Having a kid to take care of" Petra whispered to the squad
"haha, yeah, It sure is nice, I mean look at them, they're really in sync with each other" Eld added munching on his stew dipped bread
"Keh, what's so great about taking care of a shitty brat—" and as soon as Auruo realized his mistake, Levi was shooting him his death glare, Petra amused by the development
"This is why I'm warning you to just shut up, or else you might really get it this time" she giggled
And dinner went on like that, chattering their way as they finished everything down to the last drop, everyone was satisfied. Auruo and Gunther was in charge of the dishes as everyone else went on with their own business
Eren was washing Hei-chans hands by the kitchen, Levi looking at them from outside, unknown to him the building lump on his throat.
"There we go, all clean, did you enjoy tonight's dinner? I helped make that you know!" Eren boasted as he carried Hei-chan outside the kitchen and headed to bed
"Yes, I enjoyed it very much, I want to eat Eren's food forever!" Hei-chan was smilling now as they passed by older Levi by the door making Eren blush a deep red. It seemed like a marriage proposal and it was the first time they saw Hei-chan actually smile
"Uh-uh-uh.. uhm… okay! I'll make Hei-chan's food from now on!" he flustered his voice a little louder not meaning to ignore the older Levi as they exited the room. Hei-chan smiled and buried his head on Eren's shoulders clasping on the fabric, a loving smile crossing his precious face, and they headed off to bed passing by older Levi.
"The damn shitty brat" Levi clenched his fists hard "Smiling like that aware that I'd be looking. And Eren being all flustered about a little kid, how sick" and as soon as he realized what he was thinking he covered his mouth to prevent a gasp he felt that familiar lump on his throat yet again
"What the hell is happening to me.." and breathed a heavy sigh only to be startled by a sudden hand on his shoulders that belonged to Hanji
"Yoh~"
"What is the matter with me!?, am I sick or something?" Levi said with annoyance trying to control that pesky lump on his throat and his difficulty in breathing.
"well, what do you feel?" Hanji said taking full interest on the surprisingly innocent corporal
"I don't fucking know, It's just that I find it hard to breathe evenly when I see Eren and that little brat together, It's hard to swallow like I have never drank water in a day, and I try to drink as much water as necessary when I feel like that" he stated hiding his eyes in confusion and in shame as he showed what he considered a delicate side of him to Hanji, but deciding it couldn't be helped, he needed to know what the heck was going on with him, the feeling is too foreign to guess.
"aww, you poor poor thing-" she took the time to pause as she quickly dodge the incoming kick thrown by the corporal
"Don't fucking underestimate me you fucking woman"
"hahaha, calm yourself Levi" she said at the middle of her signature hysterical laughter
"hmm... Let me ask you... have you ever "liked" somebody? anybody? anybody at all?" she showed an ear splitting grin
"huh? liked somebody? as if! I don't have time for foolish things" he scoffed and crossed his arms against his chest
"well, what do you think about Eren then?"
Levi paused for a good 3 minutes and answered "What does Eren have to do with this?"
"hahaha, oh the heart of denial" she cooed
"what was that?" his eyes were a flare now
"Let me make this simple, all the statements you said earlier is the sign of jealousy. Especially felt because Eren, whom was once the center of attention was YOU, is now giving it all to the smaller version of YOU, ironic isn't it?
"In other words, you like him, you love him, you have FEELINGS for your favorite little brat!"
"Do you get it now?" she grinned
Levi was speechless, all this talk about liking and loving was too overwhelming, even for him at his late 30's, he couldn't believe it. For all his years, he just had to be liking a person who was half his age and more importantly a GUY!
The shock was too much for him and the only thing that he could to at that moment was to swallow the building lump on his throat
Hanji getting the idea stood from his post, patted Levi's shoulder's and gave a smile that showed understanding and comfort
"Hey, it's okay, If you love him you love him, in the midst of all this war between titans and humanity, nobody cares about age nor gender anymore, don't take it too hard" she said seriously, Levi swatted her hand away from his shoulders in embarrassment
Levi was about to say something only to hold it in covering his mouth and headed to the opposite direction of the hallway a tint of pink creeping across his pale face
Damn it...
End note:
Yoh! How's everyone doing~ Finally updated chapter 2 of Hei-chan, I had tremendous fun writing this, I hope all of you enjoyed!
oh and I really love hearing from you guys, thank you so much for the reviews, you guys are my inspiration! hope to hear from you guys soon :)
Chapter 3 will be out in a bit~
I don't really know why I like to piece everything little by little and not just putting it all in one Goddamned chapter, but that's my style, hope it's okay to you guys! :D
see you in a bit for chapter 3! after this will be updating SNK HS AU tomorrow :3