A/N: It only took me like, what? 2 weeks to update this? Psh, no problems. xp Anyway, hurray for an update! This chapter contains a diss towards myself and morals! I was not aware that this story was going to have morals! However, when I look at it now, it does indeed have morals! That should be in the trigger warnings.

Warning: This story contains painfully true morals.

-Misty

The Change You Wish to See

(Original summary, but screw the stupid character limits) Levi's never put much care into things. He doesn't put much care into things at all. Nothing ever peaks his interest. Well, that's until he meets Eren Jaeger. Levi isn't sure what it is that's so interesting about him, and it irritates him to feel these feelings he's never felt before. Regardless, he goes to talk to the boy. When he doesn't receive an answer, he just thinks that the boy is rude; however, he understands why when Eren doesn't answer him. Eren is deaf.

Rated M for sexual content, adult language, some violence, mild character death
Main pairing: Riren with some side pairs
Anime: Shingeki No Kyojin (Attack on Titan)

Chapter Eleven: Deal

What lead to what happened that night could only be described as a series of unfortunate events, but the end results weren't as predicted.

Eren told Levi and Hanji to join him and his family at his house at seven. He said the turkey would be done by then, so all that had to be done was set the table and eat. It sounded like a sound plan, didn't it? It should have been.

However, fate was a cruel thing. It was a sick joke played on him from God, as was much of his life, but as said before, the end results weren't as bad as he thought.

He was nervous all day, and seeing Mikasa on edge, waiting with the knife to carve the turkey didn't help him any. Armin was nervous too, more so because he was afraid of what Mikasa would do when Levi got there. He was sure she wouldn't blatantly kill him, but harsh words would be exchanged. That he was sure of.

Levi knew just how much she disliked him, loathed him really, and that was no secret to anyone else. Even Hanji was a little skeptical of the night, but she hid that skepticism well with a warm pan filled with baked potatoes and a smile. Levi simply ignored any looks that came his way the moment he entered the house, because looks were being thrown at him.

"Thank you so much for inviting us!" Hanji chirped in her usual excitement that could match a child at Christmas. Armin took the pan from her to set it in the kitchen, but not without a bone crushing hug from her that managed to make him squeak. "It's been forever since I've seen you!"

"Y-Yeah," Armin huffed, rolling his shoulders to relieve the ache her hug created.

"It's only been a few days Hanji. He was in the store last week." Levi reminded her while taking off his coat. Eren took it from him and hung it up on the coat hanger by the front door, a nervous smile spreading his red cheeks. When he turned back to his friends and family, he was met with what could be the most awkward silence he'd ever heard, and he was deaf. Even with his lack of hearing, he could tell that it was ungodly quiet in the room, and that was because Mikasa had just walked in, donning a soft, lace sweater that covered a pale, pink t-shirt. She looked very nice, but her stare was frightening. Eren wanted to duck and cover behind Armin and Hanji, but he was surprised when he saw Mikasa's hand lift.

"Good to see you again," She said, but also signed to prove that she was behaving herself for Eren.

"Good to see you too." Levi said with a nod of the head. Mikasa looked down at the paper bag he was holding, and it didn't take a rocket scientist to know what she was silently asking him. "Oh, I brought some soda." He said and lifted the bag.

Mikasa took it quietly, and just as quiet as she had entered, she left. Armin was a little bit better at hiding his sigh of relief, but Eren all but gasped and heaved the air out of his lungs that he had been holding.

"He brought soda, because he nearly burnt his apartment down trying to cook something." Hanji explained before sauntering off into the kitchen.

"Hey, you know I spilled something on the burner. That's the only reason the smoke detector went off." Levi corrected, but the woman was gone before he could even finish his sentence. Armin chuckled to himself before following her, carrying the pan of potatoes with him into the kitchen. Levi scoffed and rolled his eyes, ready to follow them, only to be stopped when Eren grabbed at the sleeve of his shirt.

"Hi, Levy..." Eren mumbled quietly, his eyes big and wide and asking for something. Levi barely suppressed a smirk as he lifted his hand.

"Hey, brat." He signed.

Sure, his sign language wasn't the best, and Eren didn't know he was learning it so they could talk, but that was one thing he made sure he knew how to sign.

Eren's mouth all but dropped, but Levi didn't bother to stay and savor the moment. He made himself scarce, walking into the kitchen to find out what kind of trouble Hanji was getting herself into, which she wasn't. Hanji was being good, calm, and relaxed, helping out Armin and Mikasa set the table and with whatever else they needed.

Well, that was one less thing to worry about.

"You got two different sodas?" Mikasa asked while inspecting the two litter bottles of soda Levi had gotten.

"Yeah, I know Eren likes diet, but he said you and Armin don't drink it." Levi explained. Mikasa hummed a quiet response before setting the sodas on the counter beside the cups.

"That was the one thing Levi couldn't catch on fire no matter how much he tried." Hanji said in a sigh.

"Hanji," Levi hissed. The woman was quiet for a moment, staring at him with wide eyes before leaning over to Armin to mumble in his ear.

"Bet he couldn't catch gasoline on fire." She whispered in his ear. Levi groaned before sitting at the table, not caring for any specific order they may have wanted to sit. It didn't seem to be that way as Armin sat down beside Hanji, and Eren plopped right in between Hanji and Mikasa.

Which left Levi next to Mikasa.

"Do you say what you're thankful for?" Hanji asked, though her attention was on the fifty pound turkey in the middle of the table.

"Uhm, yeah, we do." Armin mumbled. "We weren't sure if you did though."

"I do! Levi doesn't like to, but he can suffer for a few moments." Hanji mused. Levi opened his mouth to respond, but Hanji was already continuing before he could utter a syllable. "I'm extremely grateful for my new job where I get to work with my best friend. I'm grateful for my health, my home, and my new friends!" Hanji spoke while shaking Mikasa's shoulder.

This was there the misfortune began.

The suddenness of Hanji's "personality," because that was all Levi could think to call it, knocked Mikasa's drink against her arm, but thankfully she didn't drop the cup. It wouldn't have been much of a worry, except that the drink was of a purple hue, and Mikasa's pale pink shirt was forced into the cross fire.

"Oh, I am so sorry!" The older woman apologized profusely.

"Hanji-" Levi began.

"It's fine," Mikasa said softly while patting a napkin into her damp sleeve. "I know a few tricks for getting stains out. This is easy."

"Mikasa always knew how to get rid of the worst kinds of stains." Armin said with a nervous laugh.

"I had to take care of you two. It shouldn't come as much of a surprise." Mikasa mumbled while setting the damp napkin down on the table. "Carla, Eren's mom, taught me some good tricks especially for blood."

"Oh? Were you two trouble makers?" Hanji asked, and to Levi's annoyance, signed as well. Was he really the only one who couldn't follow what was being said?

Obviously it was. Eren raised a hand and responded, making Hanji burst into laughter. Levi wanted to scowl at what he was missing, but Armin helped him out.

"He said that I was bullied a lot as a kid. Mikasa and Eren were always there to fight for me, but Eren seemed better at receiving punches than giving them." He told the older man. Levi let the information slowly process through his head as he nodded.

"Tis the season of giving!" Hanji joked. "So, who wants to go next?" She asked.

"I'll go," Mikasa said softly, her hand lifting to sign. "I'm grateful for my healthy family, and for my very understanding job."

"That's it...?" Hanji asked.

"That's it." The teen responded.

"I-I'm thankful for the same things, and for my school, and for my health." Armin spoke up and said. Levi wanted to curse at himself for not understanding most of what they were signing. Some of it looked familiar, but most of it was just odd hand motions. "I'm also thankful for the roof over our heads and for this wonderful dinner that Mikasa made."

To that, the girl smiled and nodded her head.

"Amen to that," Hanji agreed enthusiastically.

"Eren...?" Mikasa questioned. Eren lifted his hand and signed his response with a smile. Levi found himself grinding his teeth together as he tried picking up what it was, but he could only recognize a few, such as "thank," and "happy." He did recognize his name, as well as the others. That was a plus side. A few smaller things he could make out, but anything bigger than that left him clueless and wondering why everyone was happy and smiling.

"That was sweet, Eren." Hanji cooed.

"That was. Thank you for that, Eren." Armin said with a big smile. Levi waited for someone to let him in on what Eren had said, but it seemed like he was forgotten about for the time being.

"Okay, Levi, your turn." Hanji announced in her chipper time.

And for all of the times he was forgotten about, the one time he wanted it to happen, and all of their eyes were on him.

He noticed Armin set his fork down, his hands lifting and ready to translate whatever it was Levi was about to say, and what was he about to say?

Hell if he knew.

"Uhm... I-I'm thankful for my job... My home..." A child could tell that Levi was having trouble with this. However, Levi saw Eren's eyes light up as he spoke, as if all of this was putting him on cloud nine. There was no sense in making him fall back down to Earth, right? "I'm thankful for my friends, who have been kind enough to invite me over for thanksgiving..."

At that, Levi saw Mikasa barely roll her eyes. Eren's grin widened considerably as he watched Armin's hands and fingers move deftly, like a professional. It was a little nauseous making trying to follow those hands. How Eren could do it he didn't understand.

"... Okay, I'm done." Levi finished lamely.

"I am so proud of you, Levi." Hanji praised him in a way that made him feel sick. Levi simply sighed, trying to calm the storm raging in his head; lord only knew it'd become a serious headache later on.

This really wasn't easy.

"Alright, so unless anyone else has anything to say, we can eat." Armin concluded and picked up the nearby bowl of steamed potatoes that Hanji had brought.

"Me," Eren said and reached for the bowl.

"Don't do that. You'll knock something over." Armin signed with a small laugh. Levi watched quietly as the four of them began reaching for food, passing it around, or starting up a conversation.

Truth be told, Levi hadn't done this kind of thing before. This was all new to him, new and uncomfortable, because he wasn't the best at social things. While he was a naturally talkative person, he didn't get the chance to do it often, so this was something he lacked experience in.

"Levi...?" Hanji asked while holding out a plate for him. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Levi answered. "Just trying to figure out where I start." He attempted. While Hanji knew that wasn't the case, the others took it for what it was and continued getting their plates ready.

Dinner consisted much of the same manner. They got their food, they ate, Hanji tossed around hundreds of jokes that got Armin and Eren laughing until they cried. Some of those jokes even made the stoic Mikasa crack a tiny smile and a light chuckle. Levi was barely able to hide his.

Levi found out that Armin was a lot like his parents. He loved to travel, loved to learn about everything the world had to offer. He loved to learn about the ocean especially. He loved learning about exotic fish, and had plenty of books on them as well. He said he wanted to travel someday, to go to the ocean, but money was always tight, and he couldn't swing it. He couldn't even put away five dollars every month, because his paycheck went to food while Mikasa's went to bills.

"You two work so hard, and it's really commendable. Don't you ever take a break though?" Hanji asked with a slight frown.

"Wish we could," Armin uttered. "But vacations are pipe dreams these days."

"Tell me about it." Levi openly agreed. "I know where you stand on that subject."

"Your job doesn't pay well?" Mikasa asked, trying to make light conversation.

"Not really. The only reason I can afford as much as I can is because I only work. I'm there from eight to eight every day, and weekends the shop closes early. Even then though, everything goes to bills and food. Sometimes I write letters to Santa hoping he'll cover clothes." Levi joked.

The table filled with an agreeable chuckled, because everyone seemed to be in the same boat. They all knew that position, so it wasn't hard to disagree with.

"It's not the worst job though. People don't come in much, so I'm reading every day and cleaning dust. It could be worse."

"So, just out of curiosity," Armin mused with mashed potatoes on his cheek. "Why is it that you can take out books from there like it's a library if it's a shop?"

"Because my manager is a dipshit who thought it was a good idea." Levi retorted. Armin and Eren snickered, Hanji nodded her head with a grin, but Mikasa didn't seem to take the dipshit comment lightly. "Alright, my turn for curiosity."

"Shoot," Armin said.

"Why is it that Eren doesn't work?" Levi asked. Armin looked up at Levi with his food up to his mouth, but then his eyes drifted over to Mikasa. Levi felt like he got the hint when he looked over at her, seeing her jabbing at a turkey thigh with her fork... Lightly, but the intentions were still there.

"Well... There's not much he can do..." The blond began. "I-I mean there's plenty Eren can do. He's smart and strong, but... People aren't very accepting of people with disabilities." He muttered.

Mikasa fork clinked into her plate loudly as she dropped it. The four of them looked to her, watching her wipe her mouth with a spare napkin before setting it down on the table.

"I'm going to the bathroom." She announced and stood up from the table. They watched her leave the kitchen and disappear down the hall, but the door that shut didn't sound like a bathroom door.

"Armin...?" Eren questioned. Armin smiled at the brunette before signing to him, explaining that Mikasa had to go to the bathroom, however, Eren's argument was that the bathroom was the other way. Armin assured him that she went to the bathroom, but Eren wasn't stupid. He knew something was up.

"Well uhm... So, are you getting ready for Christmas yet?" Hanji looked over to the two teens and asked.

"We pulled the Christmas tree from the basement yesterday, but we're waiting for a few days before we put it up." Armin answered just as Levi stood up.

"Levi...?" Hanji asked.

"I have to go to the bathroom." He answered before walking out of the room. Levi followed the direction Mikasa had went, finding himself back at the front door. She hadn't left, had she?

When he looked through the glass panels, he saw her standing on the porch, leaning against the railing with her hands holding her arms. Levi checked to make sure she wasn't crying or having a hateful fit before he opened the door to go outside. He was met with a gust of cold air and a glare from the girl, but the cold was worse than her stare. He'd seen worse.

"We thought you left." Levi said as he shut the door behind him.

"No. I just needed fresh air." The teen explained while tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Because of what I said," Levi corrected her. He leaned against the railing beside her, noticing the girl turn her head when he looked at her. "Hey, I get it. I know you don't like me. We're alone, so you don't have to hide it."

"I'm not good at holding back. It's good practice." Levi would have laughed had he known it was a joke, but the sad truth was that it wasn't a joke.

She meant it.

"Well then let's practice." Levi said and turned to face her. "I get that you're protective of Eren, but what is it I've done that's made you hate me so much?"

"Nothing," Mikasa responded.

"Eren would like it if we could get along, and I'm trying. You could at least try too." To that, Mikasa breathed in and let out a heavy sigh, the air leaving her in a foggy puff of air.

"... I don't like anyone who takes Eren away from me." Mikasa mumbled, as if hesitating to speak the truth.

"Who said I was taking him away? He's your brother, and that's not changing because of me."

"Doesn't matter. He wants to spend time with you, and Armin and I don't get enough time with him already. I know it's selfish, but that's just how it is."

"Okay, you're right." Levi nodded his head slowly and agreed. "But what if Eren spent time with me during the day when you aren't around?"

"How so...?"

"Eren wants to spend time with me, but I don't disagree that he should spend time with you two. You're his family, and I know I've said this to him before."

"So what do you suggest?" Mikasa asked.

"Let him work at the shop with Hanji and I." Levi explained to her. Levi saw the words processing in her head, and saw the look of realization forming on her face as they sunk in.

"Wha-"

"Before you say anything, Hanji works the same days I do. Even if I wanted to do something to Eren, she'd never allow it."

"H-He can't work there!" Mikasa sputtered while beginning to pace. Levi could only stand by and watch, not keen on losing a limb if he tried to stop her.

"Why...?"

"He has no idea how to work-!"

"He'd learn on the job."

"He doesn't have good patience-!"

"Neither do I. The job doesn't require it."

"People aren't kind to him!"

"I'll beat their asses for you.

"You're crazy!"

"No matter what you say, my argument beats yours." Levi came back with. Mikasa huffed with annoyance and leaned down against the railing again. This time though, she covered her head with her hands, feeling the beginnings of an oncoming headache. "It wouldn't be so bad. Eren would be making money, and he can help you pay bills. It wouldn't be anything big, but it's a start."

Mikasa rolled her fingers against her temples, trying to calm the thoughts inside of her head. It was too much to think about in such a short amount of time.

"It's not a hard job either. I know I complain about it, but that's because I've been there for five years and it's become repetitive. I know I shouldn't complain though. I should be lucky to have it."

"Okay, I get it." Mikasa huffed with an annoyed tone.

"You don't sound like it." Levi uttered. "Is there some reason you're protective over Eren besides what I'm seeing? Is there something more between you two that I don't know?"

"There's a whole story you don't need to know about." Mikasa mumbled.

"Enlighten me."

"I don't feel like it."

Once again, Levi was left in the dark. Their past was shrouded in secrecy, and Mikasa just wouldn't budge, just like Eren. He thought about asking Armin, but going behind their backs would cause problems, and what if Armin didn't say anything either? It was just another problem to add to the list.

"Alright then," Levi sighed and tapped at the railing supporting the two of them. "Think about the offer. I'm going inside before my toes freeze off. Feel free to join us."

"Wait," Mikasa stopped him just as he began making his b-line straight for the front door. Levi looked back at her while he stuffed his hands into his pockets, hoping to keep them warm as the teen began thinking it over. He could tell that she was thinking over it hard too. Just the look on her face said it all.

"I'm heading for the door." He warned.

"Okay, okay, just... H-How much does your job offer?" Mikasa asked, her head falling into her hands.

"Its minimum wage and you get a few holidays off. If you're hoping for health insurance and stuff like that though, unfortunately there isn't any offered up," Levi explained, his head tilting to the side.

She was really considering it? Levi couldn't have fathomed that she would, but when looking from where she stood, he saw just how much another paycheck would probably help. Not to mention that she wanted Eren happy, and if he got to work a little, then at least he'd have something there besides being home all day. It was all a plus from where Levi saw it, and all she had to do was say yes. At the same time, however, saying yes probably meant she'd be losing something with it. Levi wasn't sure what it was she would lose; her dignity, her self-respect, the list was probably endless. Either way, it meant she'd lose something, and that was where the real fight began.

"I could pick him up once he's done with school work, and I could drop him back off when you guys get home. You wouldn't be losing any time with him." Levi continued. He knew that her biggest concern was not seeing her brother, and she had to be reminded that she wouldn't lose time with him, and neither would Armin. They'd have time with Eren as well, and an extra paycheck to help. It wouldn't be much, but it'd be something to work with.

"... If I see Eren's grades drop even the slightest, it's over." Mikasa warned, her eyes glaring daggers off into the distance, but at what, Levi didn't know. "He has to get his schoolwork done every day, on time, and needs to be home on time. If he's even a minute late-"

"So that's a yes?" Levi asked, hiding the oblivious shock he was feeling. Mikasa sighed heavily, letting go of whatever emotion she was holding in.

"... Yes," She caved in. Levi felt like this was some sort of huge victory, like what he had just accomplished and climbed was some fifty meter wall. He didn't think she'd even think about it let alone agree to it, but he managed... Somehow. "But, if anything at all happens to Eren, I swear-"

"Listen, if anything happens to Eren, I give you full permission to beat the shit out of me. You can even kill me if you want to. I'll stick a note on my desk that says, 'Don't charge Mikasa Ackerman with my murder, because I deserve it.' How does that sound?"

Mikasa remained quiet for a moment, her eyes narrowing at him, deep in thought.

"... I like that idea." She agreed.

"Great, now can we get back inside?" Levi asked while motioning to the door.

"Did your toes freeze off?" Mikasa asked, probably enjoying the idea a little too much.

"Yes, and now my balls are next." Levi retorted.

"Eren doesn't need to hear language like that." Mikasa said from behind him. Levi wanted to remind her that Eren didn't hear at all, but he didn't want to push it. He didn't want to spoil the victory while he had it. Instead, he simply hummed in agreement while they made their way back to the kitchen for dinner.

Hanji, Armin and Eren were still at the table, eating away and trying not to choke on their food while Hanji made them laugh. Without needing to speak, Hanji signed away at the two of them, and both had tears in their eyes from whatever it was she was telling them. Eren had to spit his food into his napkin to avoid choking, and Armin had to down a cup of water if it meant collecting himself.

"We're back," Mikasa announced softly.

"Welcome back!" Hanji greeted and signed. Armin and Eren's laughter died down when he saw the two of them take their seats at the table, but Eren was too cautious to ask what had happened.

"H-How was the bathroom?" Armin asked without signing.

"Pleasant." Levi replied and picked up his fork. "Armin, could you translate something for me?" He asked.

"Oh, y-yeah, sure." Armin said and turned to Eren. He lifted his hands just to get Eren's attention, and when he did, he waited to Levi's response.

"Tell Eren that, if he wants to work at the shop, he can." Levi said. Armin's hands began to move, but once the words clicked in his head, he stopped. He looked over to the two that had just rejoined them and stared, his blue eyes wide in disbelief.

"Really, Levi...?" Hanji beamed, her grin stretching from ear to ear.

"Yeah, but only if he wants to."

"What...?" Eren asked while shaking Armin's hand. He couldn't read their lips; they were all talking too fast, and he wanted to know what was being said that had Armin frozen in shock.

"Eren, do you want to work with us at the shop?" Hanji signed to Eren, yet she couldn't help but bounce in her chair from excitement. Eren's reaction was instant, confusion and excitement that would match Hanji's. He didn't get what was happening yet though, and Levi was slightly anticipating Eren's reaction when he heard he could work with them. "Levi says you can work in the shop if you want to!"

"Really...?" Eren asked, his own smile becoming wide.

"Eren, this means that your school work has to be finished on time every day, your grades need to stay up, and you need to be home when Armin and I are. If any of those rules are broken, this deal is off." Mikasa said and signed to him. Eren didn't even need to be told twice. All he did was jump up from his seat and tackle Mikasa. Had she not grabbed onto Levi's chair, the two of them would have fallen to the floor, chair and all.

"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Eren cheered while pressing sloppy, brotherly kisses all over Mikasa's face.

"Oh gross, Eren!" Mikasa shouted, but it fell over deaf ears. Hanji laughed at their actions, watching as Eren attempted to climb into the teen girl's lap, but that was where she truly kept him from crossing the line. The motions only seemed to make Hanji laugh and smile harder. It was hard to decide who was happier about this: Her or Eren?

Levi rolled his eyes at their behavior, just a brief glance at Armin occurring from it, but it was enough for something to catch his eyes. He looked back at the two rowdy teenagers for just a moment to make sure that it was them that Armin was looking at and not something else. When he looked back over at Armin, he could only confirm it. He thought the blond would be happy by this new predicament, and he did look happy, but Levi was the oldest one here. He had gained some knowledge of facial expressions over the years.

The smile on Armin's lips was very apathetic. He was trying to look happy for Eren, from the smile to the raise in his brows, but his eyes spoke another story entirely, and his smile could only do so much.

He wasn't happy about this at all.

A/N: Morals~