Eren was a mess the entire day after that stupid dream.
Shitshitshitshitshit
Eren tried to concentrate on his work, but he kept zoning out.
I can't fall for the prince I can't fall for the prince I can. not. fall. for. the. prince. I need to stop being so flustered and just be myself.
Eren swept the floor angrily. He jumped nearly ten feet in the air when a smooth voice spoke up directly behind him,
"Sweep any harder and I won't have a floor left to sweep."
"Ah!" Eren spun around and nearly dropped his broom. "Don't scare me like that."
Levi had an amused look in his eyes and he crossed his arms. Eren swallowed- he was wearing casual clothes. Eren couldn't handle it when he wore tight jeans and t-shirts because he looked hot as fuck and less intimidating and oh man it was a shit storm.
"You seem jumpy today." Levi stated as he leaned up against the doorframe.
Eren huffed and turned around, "Don't you have like, important royalty things to do?"
"You've got a big mouth for a maid."
"And you've got a big head for a prince." Eren replied smoothly.
"Ouch." Levi deadpanned, but his upper lip twitched. "This is what I get for checking on my employee?"
"You scared me!" Eren defended. He sighed, but smiled nevertheless, "Can I help you sir?"
"Yes." Levi was still leaning against the doorframe. "I need you to go buy me some stuff."
Eren rolled his eyes, "Over twenty workers in this place and you're asking me?"
"Don't question me, dumbass." Levi retorted. "Everyone else is busy."
"And I'm not?"
"No, you're attacking my floor with a broom."
Eren opened his mouth to snap back, but sighed and rubbed his eye with his right hand. This damn guy.
"Fine, what do you need?"
Eren walked into Levi's office with his arms full. He dumped all the bags directly on top of the paperwork Levi was working on. He listed, "Okay, so, two three ring binders, a flash drive, that new Steven King book, a box of those unnecessarily expensive pens, ten black ink cartridges and a snickers bar. Was that it?"
Levi blinked before opening the bags to double check. He immediately grabbed the snickers bar saying, "Thank fuckin' Ra." He pulled out another object and raised an eyebrow, "…what the hell is this?"
"A stress ball." Eren answered. Levi continued to stare at him and Eren continued, "You know? You squeeze it when you're all flippy."
"You bought me a stress ball?"
"Well, technically you bought you a stress ball." Eren tapped his chin, "Considering it wasn't my money."
Levi sighed, "Fucking shit, why did I hire you?"
"Probably my good looks." Eren answered naturally.
Levi rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah, I like my partners dirty and homeless."
Eren rubbed his chin, "Chicks dig the beard."
"Dumbass," Levi chucked the stress ball and Eren caught it with one hand, "Get out of my office."
Eren laughed, "Fine, fine. You're welcome." He dodged when a pen was thrown his way. He then scrambled out of the room, leaving Levi alone. The prince sighed and began to move the bags off his desk.
That brat…I should fire him. He looked at the ball Eren had strategically placed on the desk before running away. But…I cant. He sighed; He treats me like a human, not some kind of royalty. When he got here I thought he would be timid and quiet like the rest but apparently not. Levi rolled the stress ball between his fingers. He's different. The prince's eyes suddenly shot open, Shit. I actually care about this idiot.
Levi found himself seeking out Eren's company on purpose; although Eren didn't know that. It was almost relaxing to be around someone who only thought of him as an employer. Except…the kid seemed to shrink back whenever he had guests.
It was actually pretty amusing.
Sort of.
"You're kidding me." Eren deadpanned. He leaned on his tiptoes and dusted as he spoke to Armin. "A princess?"
"That's what I heard." Armin nodded. "I was dropping off some paperwork to the boss and he-"
Eren paused, "Woah, wait what? Since when did you start doing his work?"
"Ever since Hanji wasn't enough." Armin laughed, "He pays me for it, don't worry. Anyways, I was dropping it off and I heard him talking to someone about a princess from Sina!"
"Let me guess," Eren sprayed Windex on a rag, "Another country I haven't heard of?"
Armin smiled, "It's a big island near Stohess. They're good trading partners."
"Okay, so, why is one of them coming here?" Eren began to wipe the window. He could see Bertholt and Reiner working out in the yard so he waved. "I mean, the heir came here to get away from all that shit right?"
"Well," Armin grabbed the spray bottle from Eren, "There's kind of a …disagreement…going on between Prince Levi and the King."
"Such as?"
"Betrothal."
Eren choked on air, "Woah, that's a thing?"
"Very much a thing."
The two friends turned around when they heard Hanji's voice. She smiled as she continued, "I had to tell him that his dad sent a princess here and-oh boy he was not happy." She took a seat on the couch across from the windows the duo was cleaning.
"Is he in an arranged marriage?" Eren asked wearily.
"Not yet." Hanji crossed her arms. "But the King is definitely trying."
"See, I just don't understand." Armin huffed, "He's got four older brothers for the King to fuss over."
"He thinks Levi is irresponsible." Hanji informed, "Because he ran off to America and left the family." That's bullshit- Levi came here so he wouldn't be irresponsible. His dad sounds like a jerk.
"So the solution is marriage?" Eren raised an eyebrow. Wow, this poor guy has to deal with so much shit.
Hanji pushed up her glasses, "Apparently." She watched Eren's face fall, and she grinned, "But don't you worry your pretty little face. He doesn't care what his father says. He'll probably just entertain the princess for a day and then send her packing."
"I-I wasn't worried." Eren flushed and turned around to continue cleaning. "That bastard can do whatever he wants as long as he pays me."
Armin and Hanji shared a look before smirking, "Sure."
The princess from Sina was beautiful. Eren may be gay, but he's not blind. She must have come with at least five bodyguards- it was a bit ridiculous. When she walked in the door Levi transformed back into the charming prince again. Eren was mesmerized by it every time; he'd kiss her hand and lead her around the home like it was a castle.
Eren hid behind a door again with the other employees. Everyone peeked through the cracks to catch a look at the princess.
"Do you think she'll be as bad as the last one?" Jean questioned.
"No," Armin whispered, "This is a real princess, not some stuck up rich-man's daughter."
"Princesses can be worse." Reiner mumbled.
Christa marveled, "She's so beautiful."
"Okay, we're done." Ymir pulled on Christa's sleeve. "Let's go."
Jean snickered, "Jealous much Ymir?"
"Shut your damn horse face mouth before I do it for you." Ymir threatened as she dragged poor Christa away. Jean stood out his tongue at her retreating form. Eren squeezed next to Reiner to get a better look.
"We shouldn't spy guys, we have work to do." Marco warned. Connie suddenly shot up, yelling,
"Shit! I left a pie in the oven!"
"Connie!" Sasha shrieked. Everyone immediately shushed them.
"Shut the fuck up!"
"They'll hear you!"
"My pie!"
Meanwhile Levi stood with the princess in the hallway. He paused mid-sentence when he heard yelling. He resisted the urge to laugh, and another urge to chew them out. Instead he moved the girl through the house.
Eren ran into Levi in the cleaning closet.
No, literally ran into.
"Holy shit what the fuck-" Eren jumped backwards nearly ten feet. The heir was on the ground against the wall scrolling through his phone. "What in the name of-"
"Shhh!" Levi hissed. He looked left and right before tugging Eren into the closet and slamming the door shut. Eren fell onto his knees, now squished between Levi and the wall.
His face turned red, "Sir- what the fuck!"
"I said shush!" The prince snapped. Eren turned his voice down to a forced whisper,
"Why are you hiding in a closet?"
"It's my closet." Levi said in a low voice. "I can do as I please." Eren gave him a stern look; it was dark and his hands were on either side of Levi's waist. He was practically kneeling between his legs. Levi sighed, "Fine. I may or may not be hiding from someone at the moment."
Eren deadpanned, "Are you fucking serious? You know what, I'm leaving-" Eren moved to stand up, but Levi pulled him back down.
"Don't move or I'll fire you." He hissed.
"Why are you hiding from a princess?!" Eren's voice went loud again, and Levi slapped a hand over his mouth. Eren licked his hand, and he laughed when the prince immediately flung his hand away and grimaced. Eren licked his lips subconsciously; he didn't notice but Levi did.
"Because." Levi wiped his hand on his jeans, "She's crazy."
"Oh, really now?" Eren's tone was sarcastic. "Says the prince hiding in a closet."
"Fuck you." Levi was so close Eren could feel him breathing. "She's been following me everywhere. She won't stop talking about marriage and how good it would be for our countries and blah blah blah."
"But she seems nice." Eren shrugged, "And pretty. Maybe you should give it a chance?" What am I saying?
The prince glared, "No. Shut up. I'll fire you."
"What about your brothers?" Eren breathed. "Do they have to get married?" His back was starting hurt in his bent over position. As he spoke he tried to readjust, but it really only pressed him closer to the prince.
"No, they're all jerkoffs." The heir slid back to give Eren a bit more room. "They just fuck random girls and drink their asses off in the castle."
"So you do have a castle!" Eren blinked.
"You're an idiot." Levi rolled his eyes. It was starting to get a bit hot in the cramped space.
Eren gave a short laugh, "Well, I'm leaving." He stood up to leave and Levi let him, but not before requesting,
"Hey, brat, don't tell her I'm in here."
"How old are you?" Eren raised an eyebrow.
"27."
"Who would have known?" Eren rolled his eyes and slammed the closet door shut. He noticed the door crack back open ever so slightly, and a middle finger slowly flashed through. Eren laughed so hard he snorted like a pig.
"Duck…duck…goose!"
"Connie, I will slap the dumbass out of your dumb, bald, head."
"Jeez, Jean." Connie raised his hands up in defense, "You don't have to get so touchy."
"I'm trying to watch the damn movie and you're going all duck- duck -goose up in this bitch." Jean replied.
"Which reminds me," Eren said from the floor, "Why are we all in Reiner's room and not in the theater?"
"We're not supposed to use it when a guest is over." Bertholt answered.
"That's dumb." Eren crossed his arms.
Jean snorted, "I think that poor soul would have a heart attack if she saw peasants in the entertainment room."
"You are all so mean." Marco poked Jean in the side.
Half of the group was squished between the two beds, and the others sprawled about the floor. The small T.V. was playing mean girls- they took a vote and it was unanimous.
Ymr, Christa, and Connie quoted at the same time with the movie, "I'm a mouse, duh."
The group instantly started laughing. Eren looked around at the people he could honestly call friends now; it was a strange feeling…but…nice. Really, really nice.
"I really hate this part…" Eren mumbled to himself.
He looked up at the giant chandelier that needed cleaning. Eren hadn't experienced an encounter with the princess yet, she found Levi at one point and she's still following him around. He decided that he needed to go ahead and get his job done, so he dragged the large ladder into the living room with the high ceilings. He sighed and climbed the ladder with all his cleaning supplies tucked under his arm. He adjusted the apron so he wouldn't spill anything on his clothes. He sprayed cleaner on the fine glasswork and began to clean.
It was dead quiet in the room, aside from the occasional squeak of the glass as he scrubbed. Therefore, he almost fell forwards when there was a loud,
"Um, hello?"
He yelped and steadied himself on the ladder before looking down. The princess stood looking up at him with expecting eyes. His voice was shaky, "C-can I help you?"
"Where is Prince Levi?" She tilted her head. Her long brown hair fell around her as she moved.
Eren internally smirked, So he ditched her again, did he?
He answered, "Umm, no princess, I'm afraid not. Have you checked the study?"
She dramatically sighed, "I have!" She sighed again, and sat on the bottom of the ladder. It shook, and Eren had a heart attack. He steadied himself on the chandelier, and nearly cried in relief when he didn't fall. "I've looked everywhere," She sniveled, "I don't know what I did. All I said was that I wanted to have seven children so I could name one after each wonder of the world."
That's kinda sweet. Eren's heart was still beating fast from the ladder shaking. He could see the princess down on the steps below. But seven kids?
"Have you uh, known him a long time?" Eren tried to calm the princess so she wouldn't wobble the ladder anymore. He had limited options at the moment.
"Yes." She said happily. "I've met him once before and it was love at first sight." She clasped her hands together.
She's only met him once and she's talking about kids. No wonder Levi is in hiding.
"Well…" Eren spoke slowly, "How about you check the stables? The prince really loves his horses."
"Ooh, really!" She stood up quickly, "I love horses too! I shall check there immediately. Thank you, servant."
She swiftly left the room, not noticing what she had done. Due to her weight quickly leaving the ladder, it began to sway back and forth. Thank goodness the ladder didn't fall over but…Eren did. He lost his balance completely and he yelped as he fell backwards.
He waited for the hard impact of the marble floors to slam against his back.
What he wasn't expecting was… arms.
Levi walked around the corner, only to immediately jump back behind it.
"Well…Maybe you should check the stables?"
Eren? Levi looked back around the corner. The princess was sitting on the bottom step of the very tall ladder, while poor Eren tried to balance himself on top.
He's too nice…idiot. Levi thought. He heard the princess squeal delightedly, "I shall check there immediately! Thank you, servant."
Servant. The prince's eyes practically rolled back into his head. That girl needs to get out more.
He didn't hear any noise coming from the room, so he figured it was safe to walk through. When he did, his heart nearly jumped into his throat. He saw Eren fall backwards, and he practically slid across the room to catch him. Fuck!
He braced himself for Eren to be heavier- the teen was surprisingly light. He composed himself again, for when Eren peeped open an eye to see that it was okay. The look on Eren's face was priceless- Levi had caught him princess style in his arms. It was like the room froze; Levi just stood there with Eren in his arms.
The first words out of Eren's mouth were-
"Well this is ironic."
Eren was speechless when the heir cracked an honest smile, and chuckled. Wow. He has a beautiful smile- shit what am I saying?
Levi set him down onto his shaky feet. He stumbled and Levi steadied him. "Woah, brat. You okay?"
"Yeah. Thanks, dude." He wiped his forehead, "I-im mean boss-ah I'm sorry i-"
"It's fine." Levi let go once Eren had his balance again. "I saw the whole thing."
"You did?!" Eren gawked. "Why didn't you say anything?" He jokingly shoved at the prince's shoulder.
"I wasn't about to let her find me." Levi teased. He looked back up at the chandelier, and back down to Eren. His voice resumed its normal strictness when he said, "Put that damn ladder away, you're done in here." The heir promptly left the room and a confused Eren.
He whined as Christa and Sasha pulled him around a mall; Armin was at his side, as well as Connie. "Do I have to?"
"Yes." Christa and Sasha replied simultaneously. "You need new clothes like, yesterday."
"I've got clothes." Eren defended.
Armin corrected. "You've got work clothes."
"I'm fine with them." Eren shrugged.
"Dude," Connie gestured to Eren's pants, "We can't take you anywhere if you dress like this. How do you expect to get into parties with us?"
"Uh, I don't." Eren blinked. Connie laughed and pushed at his shoulder,
"Party pooper!"
They walked into a Pacsun, and the two girls went to work. They piled shirts and pants into Eren's arms before shoving him into a dressing room. He must have tried on twenty combinations, each time he came out to be judged by the four.
"Those make his legs look good."
"I dunno, they kinda gather at his calves."
"Oh, you're right Connie!"
"But the shirt is nice."
"I think we should text Reiner for approval."
"Oh I can-"
Eren spat, "No, we do not need to text Reiner for approval-"
"Guys! What about a beanie!"
"He needs a piercing. A piercing will make him look punk."
"Is Eren punk?"
"Guys." Eren spun around so he could see the price tag on the shirt. "This is all way too expensive."
"Nonsense." Christa waved him off and shoved him back into the dressing room. "This shopping trip is very much needed.
They stopped by so many stores. Eren was almost in shock- he had never bought so much stuff at the same time. Armin or Connie would try to buy him something, but Eren would bark and tell them to shove off. (They did it anyways.)
It was almost surreal; going from complete homelessness and despair to shopping with friends and a steady job. Eren was worried though…he couldn't work as a maid forever. He decided not to think too much on the subject.
By the end of the day, the five stopped at the food court. They sat around laughing and eating panda express. Eren was wearing one of the new outfits picked out for him; he actually didn't mind it. They were tight black jeans and a ripped up tank top under a jacket. Somehow Armin forced him to wear the black beanie; he also managed to buy new vans too- it was definitely a good day.
"You look hot Eren." Sasha nodded, "Much better than before."
"Agreed."
"Hey." Connie huffed, "You're dating me, remember?"
"So?" Sasha grinned and shoved more noodles in her mouth.
"Why do I have to do it?" Eren crossed his arms. He stood in the kitchen with some of the other staff.
"Because we're all busy." Armin defended. He handed a tray to Eren, "Just serve these to them, it's no big deal."
"Go get Bertholt to do it or something." Eren turned around. "I'm off duty-"
"Bertholt has the grace of an elephant. Please, Eren?" Sasha whined. She stood over the stove cooking while Connie was doing something with flour. Eren sighed,
"Fine. But I don't know the proper etiquette for serving people."
"Place to the right and take from the left." Connie blurted as Eren walked out the door.
He walked out of the chefs' kitchen to see the prince and princess speaking over the dining table. They sat at opposite ends, but weren't very far from each other. She seemed to be talking his ear off; of course the heir just smiled and nodded politely. He spotted Eren and raised an eyebrow. I feel so self-conscious.
He was still wearing the clothes from the shopping trip. He hadn't even had time to rip the beanie off his head. Eren didn't see, but as soon as he walked out Levi instantly became distracted. Levi thought to himself-did he get new clothes? Damn...
Eren went around and placed a salad in front of the princess; they continued to talk.
"So Miss Hexington," Levi prompted conversation, "Where do you plan to travel to next?"
She giggled, "Oh please, call me Sina."
They named you after their country? Eren mused as he walked around to place the other salad in front of Levi.
He nodded to her, "Miss Sina."
"I plan to go to Asia next-"
Eren walked back into the kitchen; he didn't notice Levi watch his ass the entire time.
The kitchen was busy from the two cooks running around like madmen. The shopping trip had apparently set back their cooking schedule a bit so…Eren felt a bit bad.
He waited around for a bit until Sasha told him to go back in and swap the plates for the main course. Balancing the plates took a minute of practice, but he finally walked back in to hear more of their conversation.
"I was thinking we could honeymoon in Africa-"
Eren almost laughed, but kept it under control. Instead he set down the plate as she continued to talk. Levi noticed his amused look and shot Eren a glare. He smirked and walked around the table to give Levi his food.
Damn this smells so good Eren thought as he retreated back into the kitchen. As soon as he walked in the door, a roll was shoved in his mouth.
"Good boy!" Sasha laughed, and Eren reached up grab the bread from his teeth.
"M' not a dog," Eren spoke as he chewed. His eyes widened, "Damn this is good."
"My bread is the best." Sasha bragged.
Connie shook his head, "Nope. Mine is."
"Ours is." Sasha corrected.
Eren just laughed and ate the rest of the roll. He sat and visited in the kitchen; Armin and Marco came and went a couple times. Connie and Sasha were just cleaning up the kitchen, waiting for the two people in the dining room to finish their meal.
"Hey Eren," Connie held up an expensive looking pot, "Can you fill up their tea? Careful, this is boiling."
"Yeah, sure." Eren grabbed the pot, being careful to hold the rag placed so he wouldn't burn himself. He pushed open the door with his hip, and almost laughed again at Levi's unamused face. He just ate politely as the poor princess talked.
"I always liked the beaches. They're so very soothing and close to nature. But, there's the beautiful luxury of a wedding in a castle."
Eren listened as he carefully poured tea into Levi's cup. He was genuinely surprised when he heard the prince talk for the first time that evening.
"Look…princess…" He set down his fork and sighed. "You are a wonderful young woman. I can tell you're very independent and you care for a lot of things, but…" Eren listened in shock as he made his way around the table.
"But…" She looked at him with worried eyes.
"I really don't want to marry anyone right now." He spoke as politely as he could. "I apologize, princess, that you came all this way under that misguidance."
"Ah, maybe we can push the wedding back a couple months? Is that enough time?" She smiled.
"Princess…" Levi sighed, "We're not engaged." He said it?!
"What?!" She pushed her legs to the ground, sending her chair back a couple inches. She didn't realize that Eren was behind her, and knocked the employee.
Eren panicked. In an attempt to not spill the boiling tea onto Sina, he jerked backwards. The scalding water spilt all over his hands, but he didn't drop the china teapot.
He hissed to himself, and his eyes began to tear up from the pain.
"Oh my!"
The sound of Levi's chair sliding against the wood floor ripped through the room.
Eren looked at the giant spill on the floor and stuttered, "Ah-I'm s-so sorry I'll clean this up right away."
The prince was at his side in a second. He practically ripped the teapot out of Eren's grip and set it at the table next to Sina. He softly grabbed Eren's now red and shaking hands and looked them over before dragging the teenager into the kitchen.
"S-sir I'm fine, it's just a-"
"Shut up." Levi snapped. The two burst into the kitchen; Sasha and Connie jumped at the intrusion. Levi barked at the cooks, "Connie, clean up that mess. Sasha, get me a first aid kit." The two hesitated, and Levi nearly yelled, "Now."
The couple scrambled out the door, and Levi pulled Eren over to the sink. He switched on the cool water; Eren let out hiss, and then a sigh of relief. His skin burned but the cool water was a nice contrast.
He couldn't stop watching how carefully Levi grabbed and observed each of his fingers.
Eren tried to speak again, "I am so sorry-"
"It's not your fault." Levi's voice was still harsh. "You saved that girl from burning her face off."
"I- uh-"
"At the expense of your hands." Levi continued. Eren tried to pull his fingers away, but Levi continued to hold them under the water.
"It's okay, really." Eren persisted, "You need to go be with the princess."
"Do not tell me where I need to be." Levi fumed. Eren flinched at the rough tone.
"Sorry…"
Sasha came into the room with the first aid kit, and Levi immediately took it from her. He gave her new orders, "Go escort the princess to her room."
"I can wrap his fingers, if you need, sir." Sasha offered.
"No. Go do as I said. Please." The prince set the kit on the table, and Sasha nodded before leaving the room. He turned off the water and dried off Eren's fingers carefully. They were still red, and were already beginning to peel.
He grabbed the bandage tape and tore off a strip using his teeth. He looked up at Eren as he began to wrap his fingers, "Does it hurt?"
"N-no." Eren lied.
Levi gave a small amount of pressure to his palm, and Eren flinched. He sighed, "Doesn't hurt, yeah? You liar."
Of course his hands hurt but he didn't want to look like a wimp. He didn't realize his eyes were watering so badly until a droplet fell out of his right eye. Levi looked up and wiped it off with his thumb. Eren's face turned multiple shades darker. Levi sighed,
"I'm sorry I yelled."
"No, you have the right to be mad." Eren shrugged, "I'm a dumbass."
"No." Levi finished one hand and moved onto the next. Eren watched as he gently covered every digit. "It was just an accident. This will heal in a week or so."
"Yeah…okay." Eren wiggled his left hand and winced. It was quiet as Levi continued to work. Eren whispered,
"At least I saved the teapot."
Levi let out a short laugh, This brat…I swear. He finished off his other hand and sat back, "There. Done."
"Thank you." Eren nodded. His eyes shot open when Levi smoothly raised his injured hand to his lips. He placed a gentle kiss to the top of his exposed knuckles. He did the same for the other hand, and then took a step back. Eren's face was blood red. "H-hey-"
Levi's upper lip twitched and he walked out the door saying, "Take care of those hands. I need them."
I had so much fun writing this oh my gosh
I cant believe how many people like this, seriously thank you so much ;u; I want to give you all hugs
I really love hearing your opinions, so please let me know what you liked so i can keep doing it
Have a wonderful day ~