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Bratness level- 2
I look out of my bedroom window when I hear cars beeping across the street. I see a couple of brown boxes which instantly makes me realise that a new family is moving in front door. I take a glance at the people that were opening the gates, and see a man and a woman entering through.
"Levi!, we'll go greet the new neighbors before we go to school alright? Get ready!"
And since I had nothing better to do anyway, I agreed to it willingly.
Mom fixes my hair a bit before she gently knocks on their front door. After a few minutes of thuds and shouting, the door opens to reveal a disheveled women with brown eyes, wearing a flowy dress, her hair in a braid.
"Hello! I'm Kuchel Ackerman, and this is my son, Levi. We saw you moved in today, just wanted to welcome you in the neighborhood."
"Oh!" she clasps a hand on her mouth "that is so sweet! I am Carla Jaeger. It is so nice to meet you!" she says while shaking hands with mom. "Let me introdu- wait, Grisha! Come down for a second! and bring Eren too!" she yells facing inside.
Eren? I didn't see a son...
My mom and the lady start talking about where she is from and why'd they move when a tall man with long hair and a moustache comes into view. And what I see in his hands make me want to run away from this house and never return.
It's a baby. I. Hate. Babies.
"This is my husband Grisha Jaeger, and this is my son Eren, he just turned two!" she says pointing towards them respectively. Mom introduces me to them and soon they start gossiping about random things, all the while I keep staring at the baby in the man's hands.
I narrow my eyes and glare at him, but what catches me off-guard was that the baby doesn't flinch or get scared. He just keeps staring at me. Rather, he soon starts smiling at me, and I could do nothing but look back at his green eyes. They were really pretty. I don't think I've ever seen a baby with such bright eyes before.
I get broken out of my stance when mom speaks "Oh no no! please don't bother. We'll definitely visit soon, but right now I actually have to go to work and Levi has school too. But if you would like to, then please join us for dinner this evening"
My mom practically begged me to take the brat to the play ground for a bit after we finished dinner. I reluctantly agreed to her request.
Eren was able to walk, albeit slowly, by now. I took him to the park and got him to the swings. He looked so happy doing everything, that I found myself enjoying with him.
"My name is Levi" I grumble.
"Wevi!" he says enthusiastically.
"Le-vi" I try pronouncing it better for him.
"We-vi!"
I purse my lips together and he just starts giggling.
Being neighbors with this brat is certainly going to be interesting, yet exhausting, all at once.
Bratness level-3
I was at the Jaeger's household. Ever after the first day we met at dinner, Eren immediately took a liking towards me, god knows why. So naturally auntie Carla started invited me to their house occasionally. And that occasionally has now turned into every single day.
I'm best friends with a 3 year old. If word of this gets out in my school, my future is doomed.
We return home after an hour of playing in the park. He was almost done by the time we hit the one hour mark, but then his competitive side showed up, and he began challenging me to races which he lost, of course, but they left him looking like a fresh cherry tomato which was beyond endearing.
Eren was currently sitting with his little legs dangling from the kitchen counter. "Hey We-vii, can you give me the valina ice cream from the fwidge?" Ah yes, the demands have started. "Sure princess." I retort and head for the fwidg- Fridge dammit!
The only thing keeping me from officially being this brat's babysitter is that I'm not getting paid. His parents did offer me though, but I politely refused. I may not show it, but I have become surprisingly fond of the brat from the way he mispronounces my name, to his chaotic nature. It's cute.
And the fact that those puppy dog eyes of his have me wrapped around his tiny little fingers does not help.
"Hey! I am not a pwincess!!!" He looks at me with furrowed brows, puffed out cheeks and folded hands. How is this kid so cute? This has to be illegal right?
I bring him the bowl filled with ice-cream and smirk "Whatever you say princess" I kiss his right cheek and he makes a gagging sound.
I make a motion of pondering on a thought and continue "Know what? I'll stop calling you that once you tell me the flavor of this ice-cream correctly."
"Oh okay um...Va- Van...Vann...V-Valina!"
I ruffle his hair "Absolutely wrong princess."
He pouts.
"It's okay, you'll get it right with more practice.... Hey c'mon, stop pouting...Eren" I poke his cheek "Erennn."
I start tickling him on his neck and that began the onslaught of his maniac giggling. The boy was unsurprisingly way too ticklish.
"We-vi sto-hehehehe stop stopppp!" I start tickling him on his tummy "Wee-viii pweaseee sto-Thump"
I stop tickling him at the sound and look down to see the bowl on the floor with ice-cream spilt from it.
"Ah fuck"
"What does that mean"
I look up and realize the terrible mistake I made. I just learned the curse word a few days ago, and instantly found out that it was basically made for me. And ever since that day, the word has become my soul-mate. I use it more than I use my mini-vacuum cleaner now, which is a lot.
"Wait no! Sorry, no-no....um, unhear that."
He makes a face showing that he was beyond confused.
I was about to elaborate when auntie Carla came in the kitchen. She told me that she would have loved for me to stay for dinner but my mom was calling me since it was almost my curfew. I was almost out of the house when I hear a spoon dropping.
"Ah fwuck!" came Eren's voice.
That was my que to Acker-get-out-of-here.
And so I ran, as fast as I could, back to my home.
Bratness level- 7
Today was the brat's parent teacher meet in his school, And like the leech he was, he made me attend it. And since I was already obliged to go, his parents decided to rather take a trip to Ikea.
Eren's school was like a freaking 7 star hotel, and compared to that, my school belonged to the category called - Trash. I swear modern day kids are so damn lucky, with their two story cafeterias with menus changing everyday, to fucking learning shooting in class! I could have solved so many of my problems if I had that skill...
We enter his class to see that... it was empty. And no, we weren't late, actually we were far from late. We came an hour early. Yeah the teacher was still hanging up poorly made drawings. Thanks for nothing Carla...
Also, what is with mothers and arriving early? especially at airports?
"Oh hello Eren! So nice to see you" his teacher speaks after she notices us, crouching down to his height.
"Hi ma'am!" he stretches his hand out to her, nearly slapping her in the face. Oh dear lord why is he so loud. Good to know that he's like this everywhere though, not just with me. I mean it doesn't make sense if I'm the only one he causes hearing loss to right?
"You're in good mood today, is it because of your brother here huh?"
"No ma'am! he's not my brother, he's my best friend Levi!"
"Wait, you're Levi!?" she turns to look at me with shock clouding her features.
That's right fellas, I'm famous now.
"Uhh, yeah.." I still need to play cool you know, or people might think I'm just obnoxious.
"Wow, Eren just doesn't seem to stop talking about you. Everyday, Levi did this, Levi did that. He seems to really like you. The other day, he even made a drawing for you, actually, let me show it you real quick....uh, yeah that one" she points towards the adjacent wall to a drawing with a stick-man on a horse. Getting closer, it read 'Levi, world's best horsie because he gives the best piggy back rides!'
My heart melts, right there.
We leave his classroom after discussing his performance in school and a very, very loud 'Bye ma'am!'. As expected, Eren was doing amazing in academics and his co-curriculars , yeah, even though he's just a kid and nothing really happens at that age. I can't help it okay? I'm really proud of him. And I'd still be even if he didn't excel in school, or anything.
Well shit, I sound like his mom.
We exit his classroom when I make up my mind and head back inside.
"Hey, where are you going?" he asks me before I could go, frowning.
"I'll be back kiddo, just a second alright? Stay here."
I walk into his classroom and ask his teacher if I could take the drawing. She says nothing, just smiles and nods. I fold the drawing, hide it in my pocket, and take it home with me. I know it's just a mere drawing, and not even a very good one at that, but I think this is the first time I realized the extent of just how much I loved and adored Eren.
I felt happy.
And that, life wouldn't be the same without the loud brat. I wouldn't be the same without him...
Bratness level- 10
"Eren we've been at this for two hours straight, just pick something and let's get the hell out of here. You know you don't even need a costume to look like a cartoon, trust me."
"Ha ha Levi, and I thought I was the younger one. You need to come up with better insults you know, they're getting old, just like you."
"I'm literally only 19"
"That's right, Grandpa."
I narrow my eyes at him. He's been talking back a lot lately. Can't say I'm surprised though, I mean, he's been in my influence for almost eight years. Eight years of nothing but my sassy ass...., yeah, I wouldn't have expected anything less.
It was Halloween today and we were out shopping for Eren's costume currently. He was being super picky, not liking anything. I was already fed up by the time we left the first store. I was just a second away from convincing him to buy a pink dress and making him go as Barbie this year, but then he said that he'd only go dressed up as her if I became Rachel.
"What the hell, you watch that Barbie show on YouTube?"
"How did you get that reference?"
I pressed my lips in a thin line.
"...Never talking about this again?"
"Nope."
He narrows his eyes back at me and folds his hands in a similar manner.
Wait "Are you tryna copy me?"
"Are you trying to copy me?"
"Eren stop that"
"Eren stop that"
"..."
"..."
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Eren was testing my patience. But I had to remember that I was in public and not at home where I could just tickle him to death. I took the deepest breath in, and then exhaled. He takes a deep breath in, and just starts coughing since he did too much. Adorable little shit.
"What now you have difficulty in doing something as simple as breathing? You're a walking hazard."
"Y-you're a...w-walking....Haza-"
"Don't bother"
He pouts
He starts after a minute "You're just like the Grinch you know. As soon as I saw his face, it reminded me of you! Hey wait!, I think I know what I wanna be for Halloween!! Let's go home, Let's go HOME!" He takes my hand and drags me across the store to the the car in literally two seconds.
Wait why did I think that he'd dress up as the Grinch again?
I was sitting in their dining, waiting for Eren to come down so that I could take him Trick or Treating. Yes, embarrassing, but I'd actually admit this for once, that I had literally nothing better to do.
As soon as he comes down though, I choke on the water I was currently drinking.
He decided to dress up as me...
"How do I look!!" he runs up to me "mom helped me out!"
I see Mrs. Carla standing behind Eren, snickering quietly at my reaction. I narrow my eyes at her and she just starts laughing loudly. I then look back down at Eren.
"You look like a joker"
He smiles cleverly before replying "Don't I?"
....Fuck my life.
We go out in the neighborhood and the first house we visit is Mr. Humphrey's. It was decorated with- wait. It was decorated with colorful eggs and a big Easter bunny outside. I think Mr. Humphrey's got the date wrong...
We ring his house doorbell and Für Elise played as usual. Do old people know no other songs? Also, I swear to god the guy looks like Mr. Fredrickson from Up.
As soon as I ring the doorbell, Eren takes a deep breath in puffing out his chest and exhales, need I mention, without fail this time.
Mr. Fredrickson opens his door and looks at him.
"Hey Eren! oh looks like you became Levi this year huh, you look so good!"
Eren was trying very hard not to break into a smile at this point.
"Happy Halloween Mr. Brat, give me candy"
I face-palm myself on the forehead.
After a few more houses, we come up to Hanji's house. It was decorated with toilet paper. Why am I not surprised?
Surprisingly, Erwin opens the door and first looks down at Eren, and keeps his eyes on him for a minute. Then he looks at me, and then again at Eren. And then he smiles way too broad for what should be considered normal for him.
"Hanji! It's Levi and, Levi...junior."
"WHAT? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?" I hear Hanji shouting from somewhere inside. She comes up running to the door, and first, she breathes. She then looks at me and as soon as her eyes land on Eren she started laughing hysterically. "HAHAHA OH MY GOD"
She asks wiping away tears from her eyes "Alright so, which one is the junior?"
This is annoying.
"Hey brats, give me candies." Eren says, folding his hands in front of his chest and mimicking my grumpy expression.
"Eren, Oh. My. God. you look so cuteee! Here have the whole basket, you know what, take my whole house you precious little thing! Best. Halloween. Ever. Erwin, go get my camera."
We returned home with a very happy looking Eren and a very grumpy looking me that night.
Bratness level- 12
'Call from Carla'
"Hey Auntie"
"Hii Levi, did I disturb you??" Loud. Like Mother, like son.
"Oh no no, college just ended so I'm on my way home. What's up?"
"That's great. I'm sorry but would you be able to pick up Eren from from his school today? We would have but we're stuck in an important meeting."
"Oh sure no problem, I'll pick him on my way"
"Thank you so much Levi, and since you're dropping him anyway, stay until dinner okay?"
"Ah okay. See you." I smiled. It was like her to always find excuses to feed me.
My college was a thirty minute drive from Eren's and it passed me on my way home so usually, when Eren's parents were busy, they would ask me to pick him up from there.
I reach his school after 10 minutes. The bell had already rung so I was waiting for Eren.
He would usually be coming along with his friends Mikasa and Armin, but today I saw no sign of them. As a matter of fact, Eren appeared a bit gloomy.
"Hey brat, why so serious?"
"...."
"You get it?...You get it right? You just made me watch The dark knight the other day!"
Ignoring me, he just comes closer and puts his forehead below my collarbone.
Eh?
"You okay?"
"Hey Eren what happened?"
I try nudging his head up but he keeps his head rigid. So, I tilt my head sideways to look at him from his right side and see a pink hue on his cheek.
"Heh, why are you blushing?"
The hue just starts turning red.
"Eren serio-
"Ijustgotproposed"
usly- ......What?"
He exhaled deeply "I got proposed today."
".....And is that why you look like an abnormally large beetroot?" I smirked. He's cute when he's shy. "So what did you say to her-"
"It was a guy"
Oh
Oh
New territory then.
"Let's talk when we get home alright?" He nods. The ride back home was spent in silence since Eren was still embarrassed for the the time being and I didn't want to make him more uncomfortable than he already was.
We arrive at his home and after entering, I motion him towards the couch.
"Eren listen,
I-I'm...gay as well"
Eren's mouth fell in an 'o' shape.
"Yeah. Uh, I don't know, you might think it's gros-"
"I don't think It's gross Levi" he says softly.
I look at him intently "Really? Well then why were you so embarrassed today?"
He replies in a shy manner, scratching the back of his neck. "Oh that, uh actually, after the he asked me out, some of the kids around came up to me and started teasing him and me both so I just got a bit embarrassed. You should take into consideration that this was my first proposal. Anyway. Hey so..., did you date anyone I would know?"
"I did actually. It was Erwin....yeah...but It was only for like a month when we decided that we were better off as friends. There were no hard feelings involved thankfully.
Honestly, It was hard for me to come in terms with my sexuality. I first started to realize that I liked Erwin when I was 16, and since he was already out as gay I think that helped me in turn asking him out. We talked about it and agreed on the mutual attraction and started dating.
And you know, I mean up until a year ago, I used to think I maybe Bisexual, like, liking both genders. But then a girl I was dating broke up with me telling me that she thought I might be gay. Since then, I haven't dated anyone since this year of college is kicking my ass. When I told mom, she couldn't fully understand it, but she was very supportive, so at least that helped. Well yeah, there's that..."
Eren had been listening intently to me rambling about my pretty much non-existent love life probably without even blinking. When I finished my uneventful story, he just sat there, still looking at me, without blinking. After a while he starts-
"Nice"
I snorted "Is that all you've got to say?"
He looked flustered at this point "I mean...I don't really know what to say."
"I'm kidding. Anyway, so tell me, what are you gonna say to the guy?"
"Oh um, I'm probably gonna reject him, not because he's a guy, but because he's a Jean."
I chocked on air "Jean asked you out!? Seriously? ...What has the world come to. One second he's fighting with you like there's no tomorrow then the other he's fucking asking you out? What so he likes you now?"
"He doesn't. He was probably just messing with me since I'm the only one who hasn't been in a relationship yet..."
"God these kids. Don't feel pressured alright? Everything just falls in place naturally when you feel right. You'll know it once it happens and everything will just click."
The rest of the day went pretty uneventful, us being the lazy asses we were. I was watching Death Note on tv, the intense potato chip scene just ended. GOD, I mean that part is mind-blowing. As I keep arguing with myself about how amazing 'Death Note' is, but not as amazing as another series that I recently watched called 'Attack on Titan', Eren comes and flops down on the couch, face up, with his upper torso on my chest.
"Oi you hippo, get off me!"
He made no move to get up, so I just huffed and continued watching.
At one point, Eren began watching the tv too when after a while he takes out his phone and starts texting. He was texting in his friend group, from what I could see from my angle.
'Levi looks like L from Death note' it read.
"I do?"
"Huh?"
"Why do I look like L?"
"Oh uh...Alright don't get mad, but your height and your dark circl-"
I kicked him off the couch and he landed on the floor with an 'oomph'
"Okay yeah I should have seen that coming" he says rubbing at the top of his knee.
I smile widely at him with my teeth showing and his eyes widen with his expressions aghast. He points at me and screams,
"SATAN!"
Bratness level- 14
"Eren, talk to me"
I try knocking on his door again.
"Look, is this seriously how you wanna leave things? I thought we talked about this."
I broke the news to him about me finding a new job about a week ago. I had been trying to land it ever since I laid my eyes at the listing. As expected, Eren was beyond happy when I told him about this, but I knew that wouldn't be for too long.
"Hey why don't you seem happy? I mean you never seem happy, but you look like you're almost....sad? Did you get the job or not?"
"I did get the job. But...It's not here. It's in New York."
"What?" he frowns and looks at me in disbelief.
"I'm sorr-"
"No! no, I'm happy for you. W-when will you return?"
"I honestly have no idea but I'll try to come soon alright?"
That was the extent of our conversation that day. I know he wasn't happy about this but he still seemed fine. But now all of a sudden he's started acting up. I don't know what's going through his mind right now.
"You know I'm gonna call you everyday right?"
"Look I'm sorry. If I could get a position here, I would have, but this is a once in a lifetime thing and you know I can't miss it... Eren, just say something please" I beg him, but still get no response.
"Fine then. I'm almost done packing and the cab will be here soon. If you decide upon changing your mind, then come see me off." I sigh and walk back to my house to finish packing my stuff.
after an hour or so, I finally finish packing when the cab arrives. I walk out with my luggage and my bags and see Mom talking to Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger outside, along with my friends. Everyone got really emotional, specially my Mom. Fuck, I'm second guessing this.
After I say goodbye to everyone I turn around to look for Eren. And there he was, half hiding behind his front door, looking at me.
I start walking up to him, and he immediately comes running up to me and hugs me. I wrap my arms around him. "I'll miss you so much Levi" he says sniffing in my shoulders.
"I know buddy, I'm gonna miss you too, a lot. Now listen, don't be a brat when I'm gone alright? And study hard. I'll keep calling, and I'll try to visit if possible. Try not to grow up too much alright?" I wink and break the hug.
"Mhm" he nods and smiles.
"Okay then, I need to go now, see you soon?"
"Hey uh, here" he hands me a book. Oh it's the book I lent him a few weeks ago since he was interested in reading The Kite Runner "I finished reading it. Take it with you please."
I nod at him and hug him once more, kissing him on his forehead.
"Huh would look at that. You don't gag anymore when I kiss you."
He starts blushing "just go!"
I laugh and head for the cab. I roll down my window and wave to everyone. Seeing Eren trying to wipe his tears furiously and waving me off made my heart clench.
I was eager to see where everything leads me to, yet it held an uncertainty about the future. I was happy that I'd start working for a big company, yet sad that it made me leave everyone I cared about. Among all this, It was hard to admit, but I was scared too.
I was feeling so many emotions at once, but most of all, I was excited for what's about to come...
Bratness level- 19
Five years.
It's been five years since I've seen anyone close to me. These five years have gone by way too fast, yet too damn slow, all at once.
This goddamn job has kept me rooted in the same place for Five. Fucking. Years. Don't get me wrong, I love the job, but just being away from everyone sucked the life out of me, even though I hate people in general.
But now, since I just got my transfer letter accepted last week, I'm moving back, finally.
God I've missed everyone.
I called up Hanji to let her know about my move, and as soon as I even got the words 'moving back' out of my mouth, she screamed on the phone 'WHAAAAAAT!?' 'HOW!? 'WHY!?' 'DID THEY FIRE YOU?'
"Hanji!, Jesus, Calm dow-"
"NO! Shut up and tell me when you're coming back. Oh my god, I'm arranging a party! I hope I'm the first one you've called. You can surprise everyone at the party!! Oh my god that's such a brilliant idea!! Hey Moblit! , come pat me on my back! Oh wow Eren is going to be so excited, He'd been like a lost puppy the first year that you were gone! And even Erwin, and your Mom! Oh my god, I need to prepare so muc-
I tuned her voice out as I started thinking about Eren. His stupid texts had made my life in New York just a little bearable. In the first two years we were texting and calling regularly but as time went on, Eren got busy with his high school and I started getting busy with my job when I landed a promotion, so the frequency declined. I couldn't even begin to explain how much I've missed him and his is dorky smile.
"-uest list. You just bring yourself okay? And wear something nice! Alright, I've got so much to do!! BYEE!"
I didn't hear a word she just screamed.
Whatever, nothing new.
I came a day early before Hanji's party to get located in the house and move all the boxes in. Mom already knew I was coming back but cried nonetheless. It was so good to see her.
Shit, I'm never leaving again.
The next day I arrive at Hanji's about half an hour late because I couldn't decide between what tea flavor to buy as a gift to take to her party. That's when a literal genius in the form of an employee working there comes up and suggests me "Why don't you just buy them both" and I look up to her from the box I was holding and take a deep breath. Then out "...Yeah that'd be a good idea."
I knock on Hanji's door and as soon as it opens it, she crushes me into a giant hug.
"Finally! Ah I've been waiting so long, come in! We've missed you so much!" she screams in my ear.
We talk a lot about our school days and then our jobs, where we get joined by Erwin. We just give each other a bro hug and start discussing about our lives, news, and stocks. Yeah, that's how you know you've started getting old.
Later on I get approached by Mr. and Mrs. Jaeger when they accidently bump into me, and as soon as they notice me properly, their jaws drop. I was getting another pair of bone crushing hugs from them. They were really happy to see me, especially Carla who talked my ear off in telling me that I had gotten more muscular but still lack in the height department at my age. And that I should come over to her house and eat more food. Yeah I don't think she took biology seriously.
I start looking around for Eren, apparently he was running late.
I was broken out of my stance when some of our batchmates from school approach us. They were pretty surprised to see me. Everyone looked so different. I wasn't sorry that I couldn't remember half their names. As we get into a flowly conversation about their wives and their kids, ugh, Hanji goes and opens the door when the bell rings. I was almost sure it was the pizza delivery guy, but then I hear Eren's name.
My ears perk up like a goddamn dog as soon as I hear his name. Tch.
After a minute, Eren came into view with Hanji behind him and her palms over his eyes, covering them up.
"Hey where are you taking me? Let goo!" He kept repeating while trying to pry Hanji's hands away. She stops him abruptly in the middle of the dining room and removes her hands from his eyes, his back towards me. Hanji grins up at him and Eren starts looking left and right simultaneously? "What? What happened?".
I seize the opportunity, come up behind him and whisper "Hi princess".
His back straightens and his hand comes up to his mouth. He turns around with wide eyes and shock written all over his face. After a second his face breaks into a big smile. He envelopes me in a desperate hug. Honestly, this was long due.
"Oh my god, I've missed you so much" he whispers.
"You know, I never said this before, but you look homeless."
He lets go of me to look at me clearly "You come back after what...five years, and this is the first thing you say to me?" He looks at me with fake disappointment, shaking his head.
"Well that and", I look up into his eyes. My joke dies down on my tongue when I see that his eyes look even more beautiful and brighter now. Were they always so captivating? I shook my head and smiled.
I was beginning to get bored out of all this fake laughing and praising these people's children for learning how to walk and poop. This party had gone on for way too long and I think I'd like to talk to Eren more. Apparently he was on the same page because he comes up to me and asks me if I wanted to get out of here, to which, I very enthusiastically, said yes.
We got out of the party after saying 'goodbyes' to everyone and keeping clear of Hanji's hugs. Since it was almost spring, the weather was pleasant outside with gentle winds blowing. After a minute of comfortable silence, Eren speaks up "Wait so.... this means that party was over you coming back then huh. Well that definitely makes sense considering she planned it out of nowhere." we fall into a steady conversation while walking. We passed the old playground with its rusty swings and broken merry-go-rounds. I remembered our secret spot that Eren made up for him to hide when I became the police and him the thief. No matter how many times we played, he always went and hid there in that one freaking spot.
"Hey, remember the secret spot? Wanna go there?" I ask.
"Oh yeah! I haven't seen it in ages!"
We once again get into idle chattering, talking about random things. This went on for about an hour when It was getting late and we supposed we should return.
I look around the old place one more time, bringing me more memories of the simpler times. My gaze lands upon Eren who was looking at me with soft eyes and an expression I couldn't decipher.
At once he comes and hugs me again, with his arm going around my waist. I wrap my arms around his broader shoulders, almost standing on my toes because now, I was nowhere close to his height.
I bask in the hug, and for a fleeting second feel like I may just kiss him in this position, but instantly shake that thought out of my head.
"I'm so glad you're back Levi." he says, whispering in my ear. It almost makes me feel giddy.
I sigh and feel a calmness wash over me "I'm glad to be back too Eren."
2 days later
Eren was looking....smart.
He was wearing an olive green polo t-shirt with black jeans shorts and his long homeless hair in a messy bun. He was looking....good.
His shirt was complementing his jade green eyes. The shirt and the shorts were fitting, to say the least, showing off his toned, tanned, arms and legs. Gym was clearly working for him.
He was looking....attractive.
Oh god, what am I thinking. "Shut the fuck up" I whisper to myself.
"Huh? you said something?"
I replied with a shake of my head as a no, without looking up from the book I was holding. I could bet my soul I was blushing at the moment. I turned around and placed the book in the order of height and collection in my bookshelf. We had been unpacking for almost an hour and were close to finishing. I didn't take too much with me when I moved to New York, except some books, work stuff, and of course, my precious vacuum cleaner.
"I think we're done here. Let's finish up your room now."
"Uh- yeah, okay."
My room was clean even before I came, courtesy of my mom keeping up with my high cleaning standards. I started with my cupboard and shelves while Eren was in the washroom filling the cabinets and drawers.
I take out my books from my bag and start placing them in the shelves one-by-one when a piece of torn paper falls out from 'The Kite Runner'. I had a habit of keeping papers in books like this since I always find it very exciting to see old pieces written by me. I bend down and grab the piece of paper and turn it over. It read
3rd April
Dear Levi,
I'm going to miss you a lot.
This may come off as rude, but please don't make new friends.
Please don't forget about me.
I love you, so much.
Eren.
There was a tear stain beside where he signed off.
I gulped.
This was most likely about the time when he handed me the book before seeing me off.
Wait did Eren...did he have.... feelin- no surely not...
I know 14 is a young age, but...what if he did actually like me?
No wait I'm sure it was just platonic and I'm over-thinking this.
Though...I can't help but think, what if there's a chance that it was more than that?
Maybe I'm just looking too much into this. I look over my shoulder and see Eren arranging medicines and humming a song. He looks so happy, and seeing him like this makes me happier.
Hugging him that day felt so nice. Talking to him face to face after so long that day, felt so nice. Just being around him makes me feel so fucking nice....
Fuck I think I'm starting to like him.
I was broken out of my stance when Eren waved a hand in front of my face. "Levi, you okay? You've been staring at me for really long."
I panicked and crumpled the paper in my hand and just moved away from him. "Yeah. I-I'm okay. Let's finish up."
I might have looked mildly normal on the outside but internally I was freaking out. I like someone nine years younger than me, and it's not just anyone. It's Eren fucking Jaeger who I've known since he was two.
At that moment, I felt afraid. Afraid that if my feelings don't go away soon, and if I end up revealing them to Eren somehow, I might scare him away. He might start thinking of me as a creep and leave me. And I was in no way willing to try that out.
But at the back of my mind, I felt a sense of familiarity over this. Even after all these years, even after I was away for five years and wasn't even slightly interested in anyone in New York, I choose to like Eren Instantly, of all people. The kid I apparently started liking way too much. I say this is all my mom's fault.
And yet again, I find myself feeling too much at once, just hoping I don't get overwhelmed down the line...
1 month later
I close my eyes and take a deep breath in. "God please know that this has been a good life. Please let my mom know one last time that I love her very much. I'll look upon her from heave- "
"HEY!, can you not?"
I roll my eyes with a huff and look out of the window. The lake was a one hour drive from our homes so we took my car and Eren insisted to drive. Now, he was actually a good driver, but I saw no reason to back away from some harmless theatrics.
It had been a month since I had admitted to myself that I liked Eren. Well obviously ever since then, I've been feeling way too much of him. Just looking at him, or even the briefest of touches makes my breathing ragged. Just what in the absolute fuck has become of me.
He asked me to go for a drive a few days back, so here we were, at a lake, in the winters, for swimming.
I set up a sheet on the ground, and take a spot on it. Eren takes his shirt off....
.
Anyway.
-And runs to take a dip. As soon as he goes, he comes back again because after a while I hear someone coming out of the water. I look up and immediately regret my decision. I try, I really try to not stare. But I do, and he looks like a walking Adonis, with his hair pushed and his body glistening. Wait I just realize...how pathetic me and my thoughts truly are.
While I was sitting and wallowing over my thoughts, Eren comes back and sits behind me. I don't pay attention to anything until I feel hairs on my back followed by a forehead pressed between my shoulder blades.
What...
As if this couldn't get any stranger, I feel warms hands slide around my waist and lock in front of my stomach in a tight hold.
Platonic platonic platonic, this is all platonic-
He lifts his head from my back and for a fleeting second I feel bad that he did, but then I feel a soft kiss on my nape. My eyes widen in disbelief and I freeze
He lifts his head again and I feel his nose brushing the skin on my neck. I clench my sheets in my fist. Goosebumps break out all over my skin.
"Eren" I whisper.
"Eren.." I was surprised I was able to get any word out at all.
He tightens his hold on my waist and hides his face in the crook of my neck.
"I'm sorry" his voice cracked "...shit I-I'm so sorry- "he tries to remove his arms from around me but I find myself not ready to let him do go, so I put my hand on his.
"No" I respond.
"...What?" he sounded surprised.
I finally turn around and look him in the eye. He was barely holding back his tears.
"You....you don't get to do this. Don't think I haven't noticed you touching me more, looking at me more, and then backing out of it as if nothing happened. You've gotta tell me what's going on with you Eren"
He says nothing so I continue "Now seeing you not respond to anything, I just feel like you're using me somehow. A-are you in any way confused about your sexuality and wanted to try it out since I was the closest to you?"
I feel desperation wash over me for answer so I slam my fist on the sand "Eren say something goddam!-"
"I LOVE YOU!" he looks me straight in the eye with a pained expression. His breathing shallow. And I just stare at him with a blank expression. "OKAY? I've been in love with you for so long! The 5 years you've been gone have been so hard for me, you won't ever understand. I felt so alone during that time, I thought I'd lose my mind. But then, It felt like everything might be alright when you came back. But instead I ended up feeling even more lonely, no matter how much time we spent together, because I was and still am, so madly in love with you. And I just couldn't tell you because even though I knew you wouldn't abandon me, I thought you'll feel uncomfortable with me feeling this way or disregard my feelings, blaming it on my age. I mean just look at your expression now, I can't even make out what you're feeling!" he then holds his face in his hands and his whole body shakes.
I crawl forward and stop in front of him. Sitting up, I get closer until I bring my knees on either side of his folded legs. He looks up at me and I feel my heart shatter seeing his dejected face. He surges forward and wraps his arms around my waist, his forehead on my stomach, and starts openly sobbing. I release a shuddering breath and instantly sought my hands on his head to soothe him down.
He calms down after a few minutes, while I continue stroking his hair.
"When?" I find myself asking.
He looks up at me, unsure.
I nod my head as a sign to tell him that 'it was okay'.
"...Thirteen."
I exhale deeply with the onslaught of emotions looming over me. He's been feeling this way for six years, holding back because he feared rejection. I was right there, with him, and he still couldn't talk. I knew he was sad when I left, but never to this extent. I felt worse knowing that he had to go through these emotions alone because I was the only one he was used to opening up...
I lower myself, almost sitting in his lap.
"I'm sorr-"
"Please don't be, it's not your fault." he requests, sniffling.
We sit there in silence for a while.
He then starts to speak and I just look at him, with only one thought crossing my mind "We...we should head back now, it's getting la-"
The last thing I see are Eren's eyes, wide, before I leaned forward and placed my lips on his. They were so soft and warm. I start moving my lips, but Eren doesn't react. I suddenly feel like this was a terrible move on my part and start pulling back, but then Eren doesn't let me. He puts a hand behind my neck and pulls me closer. He takes his other hand intertwines our fingers together. I wrap my other hand around his shoulder and melt into the feeling. We kiss each other with the same sort of desperation until we pull back to breathe.
After we catch our breath, the first thing Eren asks me with a hopeful expression "Why?"
And I find myself answering him back without hesitation "I love you too."
The second thing Eren asks me "you're sure about this?"
"Are you?"
"Yeah. I don't think I've ever wanted something more than this." He replies instantly.
I smile.
"Then I am too."
2 weeks later
Everything felt so surreal.
After our trip to the lake, Eren and I started dating. And as surprising as it was, considering my brain was at war every other day regarding the age gap, It was nearly impossible for us to keep our hands to ourselves once we started going out.
We didn't tell our parents about us yet, but we were slowly trying to gather up our courage to come out to them eventually since we were both a little unsure about their reactions.
We got comfortable with all forms of intimacy. I started getting used to the fact that Eren wasn't the kid I used to know, anymore. He was a fine man, more importantly, my fine boyfriend.
Saying that, felt surreal, like something straight up from a dream.
I look at his sleeping face, an mere inch away from me. He slowly wakes up about an hour later. As soon as he registers his surroundings he looks at me and smiles.
"Happy Birthday" he says softly.
I push a strand of his hair behind his ears gently "Thank you" and return the smile.
He stretches, basically his soul out, and starts getting up.
"You were rough last night" he says rubbing his lower back.
"Oh. I'm sor-"
"I'm not complaining Levi" He gives me a smirk over his shoulder. Cheeky brat.
He gets up to look for a pair of tracks to wear in my drawer. It makes him look like he's wearing kid's clothing, and I try to take no offense.
"Enjoying the view?" he says after I ogle his boxer clad ass.
I huff.
"Wait! I forgot it's Christmas too!" he turns to me and smiles again "Merry Christmas you Grinch!"
I snort back and smile "You too Cindy Lou."
Eren snickers and bends down to give me a kiss but I smack my palm flat over his face "No! go brush first."
He looks at me with fake hurt and a pout, but then it soon changes into a mischievous smile. "It's funny you know. You're disgusted by me kissing you before brushing, yet you're more eager to do it after I suck yo-"
"Shut up, and go brush your fucking teeth!" I shriek.
"Oh what a sight to behold. Levi Ackerman blushing." Eren chides.
As soon as he turns around to walk over to the bathroom, I give him a swift kick on his ass.
We were currently at my house, Eren was upstairs in my bedroom, working on his thesis since the Wi-fi setup was there. I was downstairs in the dining, reading a book, while mom was watching Tv. She was constantly checking the time on her watch for some apparent reason but I paid no mind to it.
After a while she gets up and walks inside when I get a message from Eren.
Eren:
Hey stranger ;)
:You
?Winking at strangers? Did your parents not teach you anything
Eren:
Not nearly enough. I see you're pretty old yourself, maybe you could teach me a few things?
:You
.Pretty old huh? I didn't see you complaining last night
We get into a steady conversation of talking about nothing but absolute crap, because that's what we do, when at a point my book falls off my lap. I don't notice at first, but then I see a white sheet poking out through in-between the pages. As soon as I see the page I take my phone and send the picture to Eren.
:You
Sent a photo
Look what I found
It was the drawing Eren made in kindergarten of me and a horse saying I was the 'Best Horsie'.
Eren:
Oh god... I don't remember making that. It looks so bad.
:You
.Well I absolutely do because you were very proud of it. Also about the looking bad part, good thing you said it first
Eren:
Hey...
:You
?Yeah
Eren:
I'm not sure if it's so true.
I think I give better rides, If you catch my drift.
(͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)
I face-palm myself on the forehead.
Eren:
Hey by the way,
Is your name winter, because you'll be coming soon.
:You
You horny little shit
?Are you seriously googling pick up lines right now instead of working on your thesis
Eren:
Okay I just thought of an original one.
Are you my homework? Because I’m not doing you, but I definitely should be.
:You
Oh god, stop it
Eren:
If I was a judge, I’d sentence you to my bed.
:You
.With the amount of the study breaks you take, I don't think that'll be happening any time soon
Eren:
Your outfit would look great on my bedroom floor.
:You
.Eren. You of all people, should know that, that isn't going to turn me on, in the least
"Why are you smiling so much?" I look up and find mom watching me with suspicious eyes.
"Oh uh nothi-"
"Anyway, I'm going out to get some groceries and snacks for tonight."
"You know I could go get them for you right? Plus, why are you dressed up so nicely for grocery shopping?"
She narrows her eyes at me again. "Nothing" she says and heads out. Was that weird?
I look down at my phone again and see Eren's message.
Eren:
Are you feeling down? Because I'd love to feel you up ;)
I get up, leave my phone on the couch and walk upstairs to my room to see the door already open. I poke my head inside the room to see Eren laying down with his back on the bed. He was holding his phone in front of his face and giggling.
I walk inside and stand on the edge of the bed, near his face. I brush my hair back before crossing my arms. "So. You were saying something?"
He looks at me from where he was lying down and starts laughing. "Hahaha oh god. Your reactions were priceless!"
And I just come closer to him till I'm looming over him.
"I didn't find it funny" I whisper as I take his phone from his hand and throw it on the other side of the bed. I come closer and straddle his waist, leaving barely an inch of a gap between our faces.
"Levi your mom-"
I don't let him finish since I capture his lips in a hard kiss and make him lean back so I'm fully on top of him. I place my hands on either side of his face before I pull back and see Eren's eyes blown wide. And I could say without a shadow of doubt, that it'd be the same for me as well.
Eren opens his mouth to say something but I cut him off again by ducking my head and kissing him. I pry his lips apart immediately and slip my tongue in his mouth. He moans, wrapping his arms around my neck and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. He has always tasted like sweets, which I naturally don't like, but this flavor? I seem to love it.
I break away from the kiss due to lack of oxygen and just stare into his eyes "you look beautiful."
"I thought you said I looked homeless" he says, panting.
I hum "Beautifully homeless" and duck down so that our chests were pressed against each other, pressing open-mouthed kisses to his neck. He tilts his neck on the other side to give me more area. I feel his warm hands on my waist, sliding under my shirt. The other hand coming up to run through my undercut.
"Fuck Levi, you're a true Ackerman" he says moanin- wait... what. I stop my onslaught on his neck and lift my head to look at him. "What?"
I ask and he starts blushing furiously. He refuses to tell me, so I threaten him by trying to get up from his waist, which he absolutely didn't want me to, so he starts talking.
"I uh, I read somewhere on the internet that Ackerman's are very determined and uh- have a great stamina." he says while trying to look anywhere but at me.
I stare at him for a full minute before I drop my head down and cover my face with both my hands.
"Stop laughing Levi please!" he whines while he tries to pry my hands away, which in turn just makes me laugh louder. Eren was apparently very embarrassed, and not to mention, horny at this point because he just straight up brings his hands and starts palming me through my pants.
I choke back on my laugh and a moan escapes my lips. Eren takes that as an opportunity and grabs my waist, switching us around. I drop down on the bed and he climbs on top of me. He instantly focuses on my throat, nipping on it which leaves me a moaning mess. I slip my hands inside his boxers, and cup his ass as his breathing gets ragged when we hear the door open.
We turn to the side to see mom standing at the door, her eyes wide, and jaw practically on the floor. She shrieks and starts apologizing furiously, clasping her hand on her face, and runs away after forcing the door shut.
Needless to say, my boner died down at that very moment.
Eren points out after a minute of silence "Shit. This is bad."
"You think?" I grumble.
Having no other option than facing the situation, we head down stairs after fixing ourselves properly. We hear noises coming from down stairs so we start pacing ourselves when we see basically everyone we know standing in hall, wearing Christmas hats, looking at us with concern. I'm guessing that happened because mom just screamed and ran. Well, time to come out now. I take a deep breath in and exhale. Here goes nothin-
I feel Eren take my hand and intertwine our fingers together. Everyone's eyes dart down to our linked hands. I continue looking ahead at them, but now with a small smile on my face.
"We...are together" he says and smiles, albeit a bit nervously. But surprisingly everyone else just grins up to us, because apparently they knew this was gonna happen soon anyway. And to quote Mr. Jaeger's exact words "the sexual tension was palpable."
Eren just turns around to hide his face in my shoulder, and I'm sure he wants nothing more than for the ground to swallow him up. Same Eren, same.
Yet one person seems to be just breaking out of their daze because she screeches, from the top of her lungs, "WHAT!!!"
She starts shouting at this point "YOU GUYS ARE TOGETHER!? WHAT!!? WHEN? HOW!? SOMEBODY GIVE ME THE DETAILS!!" she practically starts crying and we sigh. We tell everyone about whatever took place in the past two months between us, sparing a lot of minor intimate details, and by the end of the story we could practically see hearts in everyone's eyes over how much they loved it.
Later that day, after we celebrate Christmas along with my birthday, we settle down in the hall on our sofas.
My gaze falls upon Eren, who was happily engrossed in unwrapping his presents. He possibly notices me staring because he suddenly looks up, directly, towards me. His smile widens upon catching me staring, and he winks. Then takes his palm, kisses it, and blows it out towards me.
I pretend to catch the flying kiss, motion to roll it up, aim for the dustbin, and shoot inside. And Eren just starts laughing, holding his stomach.
And my heart melts, like it does every single time at that laugh, without fail. It made me feel so much love and so much adoration for him, like I wanted to be the only one to make him laugh like that.
Yet again, I find myself feeling everything at once. But the one thing that I don't feel this time is that I'm not afraid anymore.
Bratness level- 21
I look out through my bedroom window when I hear noises coming from outside. Looking down, I see one particular brown haired brat, carrying two taped boxes with him. He looks up, sees me looking at him and huffs.
"A little help here please?" he shouts from across the street.
"Where to Mr. Jaeger?" I say smiling down at him.
He smiles back and winks "Your room Mr. Ackerman."