Chapter Text
"Honestly, I am done with all these shitty babies," Levi groaned to Erwin as they passed yet another group of freshman acting like numbskulls. It was only the third month, and he was already tired of the younger generation's antics.
"I don't know I think they're kinda endearing," Erwin smiled at a large group of freshmen, "they're kinda like puppies." Levi was always more of a cat person.
"Levi!" A familiar voice rang out through the cacophony of chaotic sounds. A tall brown haired streak broke through the crowd and ran up towards. "Levi I need to ask you something." Levi walked faster and Erwin followed.
"Um, I think someone is calling you," Erwin said.
"Yeah I know," Levi was practically running by then but his short legs made him easy to catch up to.
"Levi!"
"What!"
"I need to ask you something," Eren muttered, looking down at the shorter man.
"You already said that. Just ask, I don't have all day."
"Um," Eren mumbled while twiddling his fingers and blushing.
"Don't tell me your asking me out," Levi said bluntly. There were always freshman kids developing crushes on Erwin, but he never really had many suitors. He almost always scared them away.
"No way," Eren said frantically blushing like a tomato, "that's not it!" Erwin snickered at his reaction.
Levi tried not to get offended, "well, what is it?"
"Can you tutor me in literature?"
Levi paused, that was not what he expected. "No," Levi finally said, "ask Armin." What kind of person asks someone they barely know to tutor them, when they already know someone who can?
"Armin won't do it. He says I'm practically unteachable," Eren said, "please Levi I can't afford to fail this class, I'm on a scholarship."
Levi was conflicted. He was pretty sure that even if he did agree to tutor Eren, he would have the patience to deal with him. But he also understood what Eren's situation was like. He sighed knowing he would probably regret his answer, "fine I'll tutor you."
"Thank you," Eren practically shouted before shooting Levi a blinding smile.
"I'll give you a week before you start to regret it," Erwin smirked.
...
Levi didn't even last four days. He tried to be patient, but Eren was an idiot when it came to literature.
"This is so hard," Eren whined as Levi tried for the fifth time to explain the simple idea of symbolism.
"What's so fucking hard to understand," Levi snapped, "symbolism is when an object in the story, isn't taken at its literal value, and is instead used to represent an idea or another object."
"Yeah I get that, but how can you tell when something is supposed to be a symbol or not? Why the hell don't authors just say what it is, like in a metaphor?
"Authors don't just go around saying everything, they try to leave stuff up to the reader and get people thinking."
"Oh," Eren said, "I guess that makes sense."
As much as Levi complained he had to admit Eren was making progress, slow progress, but progress none the less. The first day Levi started tutoring Eren was a catastrophe. At first Eren didn't even really know the difference between metaphors, and expressions. But he was slowly developing a firm grasp on more abstract ideas like ambiguity and symbolism. He still wasn't quite at a college level but he was improving.
"Oi, Levi can we take a break? I'm starving," Eren's piercing green eyes locked on to Levi's, and he gave him a pout. Levi swore Eren was using magic, because he was planning to say no, but instead he agreed.
"Fine brat," Levi spat, "make it quick."
"Aren't you coming?"
"No just go to the cafeteria and bring me back a chicken salad and some pasta."
"Ok," Eren said, "I'll be back in a few."
Levi pulled out his phone and sent a text to Armin.
Levi: You were right. Eren is practically unteachable.
Armin: Have you given up yet?
Lev: nah Eren isn't completely unteachable he has made progress. To be honest he learned a lot in four weeks.
Armin: wtf are you ok it sounded like you're becoming fond of Eren
Levi: no
Levi: He is irritating
Armin: ok...
Levi: he is
Armin: if you say so
Levi: HE IS!
Eren choose that moment to sneak up behind Levi, "who are you texting?"
Levi yelped and almost dropped his phone. He glared at Eren, "It's none of your business!"
"Why are you blushing? Is it your girlfriend," Eren teased.
"No!"
"Then is it your boyfriend?"
"No! I'm not even blushing," Levi shouted.
"Ok," Eren said, "I'll figure it out eventually." He set Levi's food in front of him. Levi opened the bag.
"I said chicken salad, not chicken pasta, idiot," he complained.
"Oh well, you'll survive," Eren shrugged.
"It's probably gonna be gross."
"No it's not, just try it,"
Levi ate it. It was good.