Chapter 11

Hanji: Hey, I don't think I'm going to come over to your place today. I have plans. Sorry :(

Mina: Oh... Alright then :)

Shy: Can't wait to meet your boyfriend <3

Hanji: haha no I'm not meeting Levi's boyfriend I'm meeting Erwin. He's having company :))

Mina: oh ok

Hanji: Yeah he's bringing someone along with him... You know I don't usually date people I work with though so you won't even know the guy lol. Well maybe you will, I dunno but anyway I have to go. Bye!!

Mina: Bye <33333 xoxo

Hands shaking slightly, Hanji presses send before placing her phone face down on her desk. She lets out a deep breath and buries her face in her hands as tears well up in her eyes. All these feelings she feels towards Levi is starting to become overwhelming. It's just too painful to keep lying to herself anymore. What happens if she really is in love with Levi? What kind of life does that lead to?

Her phone starts ringing loudly and she picks it up immediately. "Hi, Erwin." She whispers.

"Hey, Hanji."

"Is something wrong? Are you sick or something?" Hanji asks worriedly.

"No, nothing like that. Actually...I wanted to invite you over to my place tomorrow afternoon for dinner. Do you mind?"

"No! Of course not! I'll tell my mom and we can set something aside. See you tomorrow." Hanji hangs up.

Her parents never invited her to Erwin's place unless there was something important going on. Usually, those dinners are spent discussing the day's schedule. This is probably good news. At least, Hanji hopes it is. Tomorrow is going to be pretty busy since she's working double shifts to pay for everything for Levi and she knows her mother would have questions she needs answers to. Her mom may look gentle and soft-hearted but she's also the type to pry things out of you when necessary.

Mom! Mom! Hanji exclaims, opening the door quickly to let her mom inside. She closes the door and walks over to her mom.

"Hello sweetie, why do you look like you ran a marathon? Did you finally meet a cute boy?" Her mom says excitedly. Tell me everything.

Mom, please calm down."Hanji rolls her eyes at her mother's excitement. Her mom is like a little kid most of the time she spends alone with her, especially when she knows that she's gonna spend a lot of time with Levi. She doesn't understand how this woman ever managed to make it into the army.

But before Hanji could reply to her mother's question she hears a knock on the front door. Oh, it must be him, I'm going to go answer the door, okay honey?

Okay, mom. Have fun, love you!  Hanji waves goodbye to her and turns off the TV, rushing towards the front door.

Opening the door, she immediately notices Eren leaning against the door frame, holding two grocery bags in one hand while a small bouquet of flowers with pink petals is held in the other.

Hey, Eren. Hi. Come in... The girl offers and steps to the side so Eren could enter.

Eren walks past her and puts the groceries on the living room couch while Hanji walks up to her bedroom and takes out some spare clothes to change into, along with an old hoodie and sweatpants that she keeps there. After changing she goes back downstairs.

You ready? Hanji asks, walking next to Eren, who is sitting down on the couch, waiting.

Yeah. You?  he replies. Hanji nods and sits down next to him. Where are we going anyway?

Uh, I don't actually know yet. We're taking a walk around town. My treat ;) he smirks, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Hanji rolls her eyes at him before she grabs her backpack and puts the bouquet of flowers she picked earlier on top of them to prevent them from spilling over.

Weird. But okay. You look nice today. Very handsome. 

Shut up. Eren playfully slaps her arm lightly. And what about you? Your hair is looking beautiful today! 

Thanks, thanks. She giggled.

They sit there in comfortable silence for a few moments before Hanji speaks again. So where's this person that Erwin has brought? Is he coming to the store, too?

I'm not sure yet. I told him that it might be better if we came somewhere quiet, where nobody else is there and we don't have to hide our relationship. Which isn't exactly true, though. He's only brought us to visit you...

Oh, okay. That makes sense. She says.

As they continue to chat together they hear a car honk outside.

Ahh, someone's here. Erwin says, getting up from the couch and grabbing both their things. Hanji gets up, too, and walks over to the front door to open it and let Levi through.

Hi.  he greets them shyly.

Levi looks around the apartment cautiously, checking every corner to see if he was followed, but when he finds the house empty he breathes a sigh of relief.

You alright? Hanji asks curiously, noticing that he seemed uneasy.

Are we safe in here? The man asks suddenly, turning towards her nervously.

Why do you ask? Yes, we're here and Erwin locked the door. Why?  Hanji frowns worriedly, watching her lover carefully to see if he had any signs of a panic attack or something.

Please let me sleep tonight. Don't let anyone hurt me. Please. He begs with pleading eyes.

What? What happened, Levi? What's wrong? Hanji asks worriedly, gently caressing Levi's cheek and trying to pull him closer.

Just tell them that I am ill. I'll try my best to convince them that I need to stay at home. They'll probably agree. Erwin said before.

Wait, Levi, you can't stay at my place forever. They're going to notice eventually. What if they decide to force me to take care of you? Hanji asked with an expression of worry.

Please Hanji... Please promise you won't take me away from my job. I have already taken way too much from everyone... Please, you're all that is left for me...I can't lose you too... Levi pleaded, pulling himself away from Hanji's touch and staring at her with teary eyes. His breathing seems heavy and shallow. 

Hanji's mouth opens slightly in surprise at his sudden outburst. She reaches out and pulls Levi to her chest, softly kissing the top of his head. She doesn't know what to say, so she chooses to say nothing, for now, holding onto him tightly and rocking her body slowly as if that would somehow calm him down. After a while, Levi stops crying and he leans his head against her chest.

Hanji holds onto him as he stands up and walks upstairs without saying anything. He disappears behind the door to her bedroom and Hanji follows him. Levi is standing by her bed, arms wrapped around himself as he stares blankly at the floor. Hanji places her bag by the wall near the door before closing the door shut behind her, making her way to stand next to her boyfriend.

What did he mean by that last statement? Why won't you take care of me? You shouldn't have to take care of me when you're such a wonderful doctor and so smart! Hanji says frustratedly, trying her best not to shout.

It...it wasn't like that.

Then explain to me!

Levi inhales deeply, his face still facing downwards. He takes another deep breath before letting it all out, Hanji, I...I can't tell you.

"But what if it's dangerous? How am I supposed to trust your judgment after this? You didn't even tell me that you work at a hospital! You could've gotten hurt or worse!

Don't put words into my mouth. You don't know everything. I'm fine. It's just...complicated. You don't need to know right now. Levi tries to sound confident although he sounds almost panicked.

If it's a medical condition then I deserve to know. I want to help you, Levi. I want to be able to do something for you. Please, trust me. Just give me a chance. Hanji pleads, grabbing both of his hands and staring straight into his red and watery eyes.

I...I can't explain now. I'm sorry Hanji.

He's going to leave me if I push further, Hanji realizes. There s no point asking anymore. She lets go of his hands and crosses her arms over her chest, refusing to allow herself to feel hurt by him rejecting her. He's going to find someone better than her someday. He will and then he's going to forget all about her. She should stop thinking about him and focus on her own life. If this is how it's gonna end then that's what will happen.

Goodbye Levi. She whispers, avoiding his gaze and walking out the room.

Hanji. Hey.

She stops walking, turning her head towards the owner of the voice. She saw him standing there with a smile on his lips, waving his hand in her direction, motioning for her to come closer.

She raises her brows at him. How long have you been standing there? She asks with a small smile on her face.

Not very long. I wanted to talk to you about something. Can you join me? He asks, pointing at the empty coffee table behind him. She nods and walks closer to him.

What's up? She asks curiously, seating next to him on the empty coffee table.

Levi hesitates for a second before looking up at her face, searching hers. I want you to meet someone. Someone important to me. Hanji, I want you to meet my parents. I want to introduce you to my family.  

What...? Hanji's eyes widen as she listens intently to Levi.

His parents. I want you to meet them. Hanji, please... I want you to meet my mother. Levi's voice cracks as he says this.

Hanji starts sobbing and wraps her arms around Levi, hugging him close and stroking the top of his messy blonde hair lovingly.

I'm sorry, Levi. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. She mutters between sobs. I'm sorry. She repeats.

I know you hate me. You have every reason to hate me. I know you don't trust me, not really. I get that now. But please, please don't cry. I'll never forgive myself if you start crying because of me. He whispers.

She lets out a loud sniffle before she speaks. No matter how much I hate you, I'll always love you. I want you to know that. Please believe that. Levi lifts his head, resting it on Hanji's shoulder. I can't thank you enough, Hanji. But I hope you can at least accept my apology...

Yeah. She smiles weakly at him.

Thank you. He mumbles against her neck.

Okay. Now go get changed and pack some clothes. Erwin announces while pushing his chair away from the kitchen counter. We're leaving in ten minutes.

The two look up from their conversation and stare at Erwin blankly.

Erwin stares back. So...? Are you guys coming?