Chapter 10

The next morning, Levi wakes up early, getting ready for work. After he's changed clothes he leaves his bedroom to go downstairs where he sees Eren already seated at the dining table drinking his coffee. He walks over and takes a seat across from him. Eren greets him with a warm smile and Levi responds the same way he always does.

So. How'd you sleep? Eren asks.

Fine I suppose. 

Did you have a good dream? 

I guess? 

Levi isn't really in the mood to talk right now. So he simply picks at his eggs. Eren notices that Levi isn't talking and quickly switches topics. So... Any plans for tonight?

Levi sets his fork down, looking at Eren seriously. There are a couple of things on my mind, but I'll let you know about them later.

That sounds fair. Eren gives him an uneasy expression before pushing his breakfast around with his fork.

After a brief period of silence, Levi breaks it. Are you sure you're okay with moving away? I don't want you to regret leaving here.

Eren sighs, running his hand through his messy hair. Well, I can't say I regret it. But I can't just stay here forever, Levi. I gotta go somewhere and meet people. Besides, there are a lot of other places that I can go. Like America. Or Europe. I don't really know where I'm going... I just don't want to stay at home, I've been staying at home for a long time.

That's true... He replies quietly. What about after you leave here? Will you keep working here or will you find somewhere else to stay? He remembers that he promised to visit Hanji in the morning. I need to talk to her about some stuff.

Can I come along?

Yes, you can. He glances at Eren. Just make sure you don't interrupt me or anything.

Okay. Have fun and text me if you need help.

I will. He replies, smiling at Eren. Eren smiles back and then they continue eating their breakfast in silence. When they finish breakfast Levi excuses himself to the toilet. Eren cleans up everything before following Levi.

When he returns he finds Eren sitting on the couch watching TV. Oh shit, he thought, he's gonna kill me when he finds out that I watched him... He quickly makes his escape towards his room.

He hears footsteps entering his room a second later.

Good morning. Erwin says in a cheerful voice.

Morning, Eren mutters in return.

Levi enters the living area. Good morning. Eren greets him as well.

Hey guys, Erwin grins and heads to the fridge to get two beers. He hands Eren one before sitting on the sofa.

How were the classes? Levi asks.

It was alright. They weren't very interesting, though. It's been a while since we had a class that wasn't about our assignment, I thought it would be different.

Really? Eren seems interested. Maybe that was what was keeping him occupied during those last few days. 

Yes. Erwin nods. It's nice to do a normal thing sometimes.

Normal things... Levi thinks. Hmm... Erwin, may I ask you something?

Of course. He replies.

If you asked me if my boyfriend was gay then would I have said no or yes? 

Erwin hesitates, thinking about the question carefully before answering. Well, I wouldn't necessarily have asked you to answer that question directly, if that's what you're wondering. Would you have answered it truthfully? Yes, I would. And yes, the answer is a definite no. 

Okay... Levi closes his eyes for a moment. Okay. Thank you.

Is everything okay, Levi? Eren asks.

I just remembered that I have to buy something. I'll be back soon. Levi hurries out of the apartment. Eren watches him go worriedly.

Why do you sound so nervous? Erwin asks, observing Eren closely.

He's just stressed about something, Eren answers.

Oh...? Why do you think that?

They don't have a good relationship, Eren explains. I can understand that because Levi is not a guy that talks about his feelings. But still, he's always doing things like making dinner or washing dishes or cleaning our house... If you ask me, Levi has no reason to act like that.

I see. Erwin replies, nodding.

What do you know anyway? Eren asks, leaning forward expectantly.

Nothing much. I can just tell that Levi knows something that we don't know. Erwin smirks, putting his hands behind his head. I could also tell that he's avoiding talking about it altogether, maybe something happened between you two.

What!? Eren shouts. We never even talked about that. Levi has always made it clear that nothing ever happened. He hasn't even mentioned it again since that day that he found out about Armin being gay.

Well, you might have missed the signs, Eren, Erwin replies sarcastically. You could have fooled me though. Levi seems pretty into you.

Shut up. Levi snaps.

Sorry. Erwin laughs, standing up and walking over to the door, giving Eren a friendly pat on the shoulder on his way out. Have fun today.

Thanks, Erwin replies, rolling his eyes. Eren watches Levi walk away and turn back toward the TV. He's still upset. I wonder what Erwin knows...

Eren sits there in silence until he gets bored of watching tv and decides to take another shower. Once he's finished, he pulls on some clean clothes and heads downstairs to join Levi.

When he gets downstairs Levi is sitting on the couch reading the newspaper while Armin is on the kitchen counter cooking some bacon. I'm gonna go to the store. Levi announces.

Alright. Armin agrees, smiling brightly at Eren. Don't forget to call us if you need help!

Right. Eren gives Levi a short hug before heading outside.

"Where are you going?" Levi asks.

Toilet. 

Ok... See you later then.

Later. Levi waves goodbye as Eren exits the front door. He stands up from the couch and grabs his wallet and car keys. Before driving away, he checks the weather forecast. Today's supposed to be sunny and cool. Perfect for gardening, he thinks. He parks his car next to Mikasa's truck and hops out. After putting on his gloves he walks briskly over to where Eren was watering his flowers yesterday. He crouches down and starts to water the flowers.

"Howdy, Mikasa." He calls when he reaches her.

"Hello, Levi," She replies calmly without lifting her gaze from the book she's holding.

"You seem tense." Levi continues. "Has something happened?"

Mikasa doesn't respond for a little bit and Levi almost worries that he might have hurt her pride. However, eventually, she says, "No. Everything is fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am."

There's a comfortable silence between them and Levi finishes watering her plants before walking back to her truck to grab the hose. Mikasa watches Levi work silently. The sun shining above Levi makes his white shirt shine brightly against his skin and she stares transfixed. She feels a strange tingling sensation all of a sudden; a feeling of admiration, affection and admiration mixed with something else that she can't quite put her finger on. Mikasa suddenly snaps out of her trance when Levi speaks up once more.

"Do you want some water?" Levi asks, offering her a bottle.

She slowly turns her attention back to Levi and realizes how close they were standing. His eyes are staring down at her face and he's wearing a slightly concerned expression. It takes Mikasa a minute to realize why Levi looks so worried; she's probably too far gone over this whole situation to notice what was actually going on.

"Ah, sure... Thanks," She mutters softly, taking the offered water bottle.

Once they are done and Levi leaves the flower garden behind they start driving to the market.

As usual, the trip isn't long and neither of them talks much on the journey. But when Milla gets back to her truck, she notices something.

The light on her phone display has changed.

What the...? 

[From: Levi] 

Hey, it's already evening, wanna eat dinner together? 

[To: Levi] 

Sounds great, Levi ;) 

[From: Levi] 

See you tonight <3 

Mikasa smiles slightly. She didn't mean to flirt with Levi, but who wouldn't flirt? It wasn't exactly like he hadn't flirted back either. That's why they're dating in the first place.

She starts to drive back to her apartment while checking her messages. There's a message from Hange.

Did Levi text you today? Are you still coming tonight??? I'm really looking forward to this dinner :)

Yeah, I'm here now, she types back. Shouldn't we talk to Eren about this first?

Don't worry, he said. It'll be fine, he says, smiling.

So... Is Eren going to dinner? 

Yep. He's already dressed.

And he's not bringing someone?

No. No one is invited yet, so it should just be the three of us. 

Hmm... Okay then. Let's discuss it tomorrow at lunchtime okay? 

Sure. Later, Milla.

Milla puts away her phone after responding.

She glances over to Eren, who's laying on their bed with his phone in hand while scrolling through his Instagram feed. He stops at the photo he took of Levi the other day when they went shopping at the market and sends it to himself.

Smile~

Levi, who's standing by the kitchen counter eating breakfast looks up upon hearing Eren enter the kitchen and greets him, "Good morning," He says.

"Morning, Levi," He replies as he comes closer to his husband. Then he stops and furrows his brow, frowning. "Who's that?" He asks, pointing to the picture Eren posted of him and Levi.

"That's Levi. I was telling you about him yesterday. We're dating now." Eren says proudly.

Dating?! Really?

Yes, seriously. He told me that he loves me and that we're dating now. Eren adds happily.

"Wow, I didn't realise that you guys were dating." Erwin comments, surprised.

Neither did I. Neither did Armin. Eren chuckles, shaking his head. "But we figured it out. Levi and Armin are totally dating now.

Huh... I guess so. Erwin nods thoughtfully.

After finishing the last bite of his food Eren looks around the table for any trace of breakfast left. He finds none. Erwin has already finished all of his food and cleaned the dishes. Eren looks up and sees the time and sighs in annoyance, realizing that he should start moving soon.

Bye. I'll see you at school tomorrow. Eren says with a slight smile.

Yeah, bye. Erwin replies, smiling back.

Erwin watches Eren leave the room and turns his attention toward the dishes which are still left on the table. He starts washing the dishes, humming quietly to himself. A small smile forms on his lips as he remembers the events of last night.

He can remember everything about last night very clearly. How the atmosphere around the camp had been filled with happiness and excitement. Hanji and Erwin would keep teasing Eren and making funny comments while Levi looked on amusedly. They ate dinner early due to Levi needing to get some paperwork done.

It felt so real and easy. So domestic and intimate.

He misses the warmth he feels whenever Eren is near him and wants nothing more than for him to be able to feel this again.