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5 days. That’s how long Eren and Nico had been gone.
Levi stopped sleeping and eating. He stayed in his office all day smoking and drinking trying to figure out who the fuck in the Grice family was making threats to his family. Dok was giving them nothing. And he couldn’t exactly just go in and kill members of the Grice family without starting a turf war.
Hange came barging in. “Sweet lord! You look like shit Levi.”
“Thanks, Hange.”
“Are you smoking again?”
He shrugged and lit up another cigarette. “Don’t have anyone to stop me.” He stopped smoking years ago when Eren read an article about lung cancer and freaked.
Hange plucked the cigarette from his mouth and put it out. “Yes, you do. Eren is gonna be pissed if he finds out you're smoking again. When’s the last time you slept, showered, or shaved?”
Days. It had been days. The sooner he figured this mess out the sooner Eren and Nico could come home. “Don’t have time.”
Hange scoffed and pulled him up and started pushing him towards his bedroom. “Don’t have time? Who are you? I’m forcing you to shower eat and sleep tonight. No working. I promised Eren I would take care of you! I will be checking on you.”
Levi relented. Hange was serious. If he didn’t shower they would probably shower him themselves then force the food down his throat. “Fine, have someone bring up some food. I swear I’ll shower and eat.”
He felt a little better after showering and eating. He wanted to smoke but knew Eren would kill him if he smoked where they all slept. Levi laughed at himself. He could remember the days when he loved being alone. The solitude. Not being bothered, doing whatever he wanted, smoking a pack getting drunk, and passing out at his desk. Sleeping with some chick who left by morning, not having anyone care about him. Now he couldn’t even function without Eren. The house was too quiet, he missed hearing Eren singing to himself or banging around in the kitchen as he made them dinner. The loud music he played. He even missed Nico’s cries. He wanted his family.
An idea suddenly came to him. Oh, he would get Dok to talk. He pulled out his phone and called Yelena “Oi I need some information..”
The next night he was back in his basement where he had Dok tied up. “Are you ready to tell me who made the threats to Eren and my son?” Nile laughed.
“Never my lips are sealed, you'll just have to kill me.”
“I thought you might say that…” He pulled out a walkie-talkie and spoke into it ‘ Eld are you in position?’
Eld’s voice rang out in the basement ' Yes boss.’
“ You remember Eld right? He’s my best marksman. Never misses a shot.”
“Why do I care?” Nile spat out.
Levi spoke into the walkie-talkie ‘ Eld please tell our guest where you are?’
‘A nice house that’s owned by Nike Dok. From my position, I can see his wife, 2 kids, and ooh lookie here his mommy and daddy.’
Nile struggled against his bindings. “What the fuck is this Ackerman? How did you find my family?”
“I remember you telling me about your wife. Wasn’t hard to find her. You should really have guards. What kind of man leaves his young family totally unprotected.”
“Ackerman I swear. You harm one hair on their heads…”
Levi slapped him. “Not scared. I’m gonna ask again. Who from Grice’s clan is threatening my family.” Nile said nothing. Levi sighed. “Very well. You are making me do this.”
‘Eld? Who should we start with?’
The sound of a gun cocking from the walkie-talkie rang out. ‘ Personally boss, I would start with the youngest and work my way up.’
Nile started yelling. “Are you insane? They are innocent! How could you kill a child when you’re a father.”
He gripped Dok’s hair and pulled them face to face. “I don’t give a shit about any child except mine. Now start naming names or say goodbye to your family.”
“Please, Ackerman please they didn’t do anything.” Levi was raising the walkie-talkie ready to give the order. But just as he suspected Nile spilled his guts. “Fuck it was Colt! Colt and Porco Gilliard! The Grice and Gilliard family have an alliance. After you declined to join them they got pissed. I told them that if they really wanted you they needed to threaten Eren and your son.”
Levi patted Nile’s cheek. “Now was that so hard.”
He looked up and saw Zeke leaning against the door. Great.
He gave his final order, ‘Eld kill them all.’
When he walked out of the room, Zeke followed him. Nile’s screaming and crying were abruptly cut off by the door slamming shut.
“What do you want, Zeke? I'm not in the mood.”
“Did you really just kill all of Nile Dok’s family?”
“No. I’m not a total monster. I’ll let him think they are dead for a few days. How the fuck did you get in here?”
Zeke smirked “ I’m your brother in law and I want to help. Let me help you.”
Levi turned to Zeke. “No offense but you are quite possibly the last person I’d ever want help from. Go home.”
Zeke grabbed onto his shoulder. “Stop. I’m serious. I can help. I know Porco and Colt. We are friends.”
He brushed Zeke's hand away. “Well, your friends are the ones who put a hit out on your brother. So please tell me are you with them?”
“Are you insane? Why would I put a hit out on my own brother?”
“You tell me.”
Zeke sighed. “Listen, I had no idea what they were planning. I know what you’re thinking, just go in and kill them…”
He chuckled, “You’re right that’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
“It’s not smart. Porco and Colt can be reasoned with. If we talk with them I can get them to stop.”
Levi thought for a moment. As much as he hated the idea Zeke might have been right. The Gilliard’s and Grices were smart, and if Zeke knew them…“Set up the meeting. But I swear I will kill them if they give me a reason.”
“I understand. Levi, I know you don’t believe me but I do love Eren and my nephew. They aren’t just yours, they are my family too.”
Levi wanted to punch Zeke. Eren and Nico were his. Zeke just happened to be the brother/nephew. “Have..have you talked to them?” Levi couldn’t bring himself to call Eren. He told himself it was the time difference that he didn’t want to risk waking them up but he knew the second he heard Eren’s voice he would beg him to come home.
Zeke looked at him sympathetically. “I talked to my father yesterday, they are fine. Miss you. Wish you would call.”
“Thanks. Let me know when the meeting is.”
The meeting was 2 days later. If all went well Eren could come home but he didn’t want to get his hopes up.
Zeke escorted him to Gillard's territory. “This might be hard for you but try to be nice.”
Levi rolled his eyes. “I can be nice.”
“Yeah. Right. Just don’t start shooting.”
They all sat at a big table. Porco was pissed. “Zeke why the fuck did you bring him here?”
Levi couldn’t help himself. “You know exactly why I’m here. You think I wouldn’t find out about you threatening my family because I didn’t join your alliance?”
Zeke held up his hand. “Enough. Levi is right. What the fuck were you thinking? Putting a hit out on my brother. You know he is protected under the Ackermans and Yeagers.”
Colt laughed. “It’s Ackerman’s own fault. He should have joined us.”
He scoffed.“I didn’t want to join your shitty alliance! I have a husband and son to think about.”
“Not for long you won’t, we know you’ve hidden them somewhere, and once we find them..” Porco didn’t get to finish because Levi was standing up and was ready to pull out his gun.
“Sit down Levi. Porco, Colt you two are smart let’s talk about this. Eren is innocent. So is my nephew. Can we not come up with an idea that satisfies us all?”
Levi sat back down and crossed his arms. “I’m all ears.”
Zeke sighed. “My father and I have talked, and the Yeagers are willing to join this alliance.”
Colt raised his eyebrow. “Really? That’s very interesting. The Yeagers definitely aren’t as powerful as the Ackermans what can you bring us?”
“The Ackermans are already in an alliance with the Yeagers...” Porco started.
Colt nodded along. “I see. Zeke, I like this idea. Obviously, we need to layout terms.”
“Wait. Call off the hit on Eren.”
Everyone looked at him. Porco shrugged. “I guess. Gonna save us a shitload. What Colt? we said $500,000 to bring Eren to us alive?”
Colt nodded. “Plus another $200,000 for the kid.”
Levi growled. “Oh hush Levi.” Colt started. “I’ll put out the word. Eren and your child are off-limits.”
“They better be Colt or I swear to god I’ll kill you and everyone you’ve ever loved.”
Porco laughed. “Still amazing to me that you actually care about someone other than yourself.”
Zeke stood up. “The Yeagers will not sign anything or join any alliance until all the hits and or threats to Eren are gone. Is that understood?”
Porco and Colt nodded and shook their hands. “You have a deal, Zeke.”
Back in the car, Levi tapped on his armrest. “A ‘you are welcome’ would be nice,” Zeke said with a smirk.
“Don’t press your luck. Was this your plan all along huh? Have your little friends threatened Eren so you could join their alliance? I should kill you.”
“Levi I swear. I had nothing to do with this. I want Eren to come home as much as you do.”
Levi didn’t believe him, but he was too tired to fight.
He forced himself to wait another 2 days before he called Petra to bring Eren home.
“ Petra? Have someone fill up the jet.”
“What? Really? It’s only been 10 days. You said 2 weeks?”
“Yes. That’s an order. Put Eren on the phone.”
“Hello?” Levi sighed it was so good to hear Erens voice.
“ Hi, doll.”
“What Levi? What’s wrong?”
“Everything is fine. I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“No. You are in so much trouble! You don’t call for 10 days! And all you can say is ‘hi?’ I’ve been worried sick! Nobody will tell me anything!”
“I’m sorry. I wanted to call but..”
He heard Eren sigh. “ I know I miss you too. We both do.”
“I miss you both so much it hurts. But it won’t be long now. I sent Petra to fill up the jet.”
“Are you serious? We can come home?”
“Only if you want.”
“I have to go. I need to pack! I wanna leave as soon as the plane is ready. I love you.”
Eren hung up the phone before he could reply. He smiled to himself It won’t be long now. He walked up to his office and noticed how dirty it was. The whole room and hallway smelt like cigarettes and alcohol. Fuck.He better get a cleaning crew in here. Eren would kill him if he smelt cigarettes and probably forbid him from holding Nico.
Levi arrived at the airport hours early. He watched the jet land. His heart pounding in his chest. Finally, the ladder was attached and Eren was walking down holding Nico. Levi couldn’t wait; he ran to them as soon as Eren was off the ladder. Levi was picking him up and swinging them around. Kissing every part of Eren’s face he could. “I love you. I love you. Never again. I’m never letting you out of my sight again.”
Eren was laughing with tears in his eyes, “Good. I’m never leaving you again.”
Nico fussed in Eren’s arms. Levi immediately picked him up. “My son! I missed you. I promise to never leave you again.”
Eren smiled. “I see how it is Nico, you cry the whole flight then as soon as papa holds you you’re fine?”
Levi laughed kissing both of Nico’s cheeks. “You’re just sick of each other.” Levi was never going to put Nico down again.
Eren kissed Nico’s forehead. “You could say that. By the way, you are on diaper duty for next year.”
Levi couldn’t wait. “Sounds good.”
That night Levi allowed Nico to sleep between him and Eren. But Levi didn’t sleep, he just watched Nico sleep. Eren was staring at him. “Sleep Levi, you look exhausted.”
“Mmm later. I want to look at you.”
Eren smiled and caressed his face. “Ok. I’m not sure if I can sleep either.”
“Did you get any sleep while you were gone? Because you look just as exhausted.”
“Barely. The first couple of nights Nico didn’t sleep at all. Then I was too nervous to sleep. I worried about you. If you were taking care of yourself.”
Levi smiled and kissed Eren’s palm. “I didn’t sleep either. I wanted to fix the problem as quickly as I could. I missed you. I miss you taking care of me.”
“Mm, I’m talking to Hange tomorrow to see just how much you feel apart without me.”
“I’ll admit I fell apart. I forgot what it was like to live alone.”
“How sweet.” Eren closed his eyes probably trying to fall asleep.
“I was wrong.”
Eren opened his eyes. “What?”
“Before you left I said that you and Nico were my weakness, I was wrong. You aren’t my weakness, you make me stronger. I hate the person I was before you.”
“Levi…” Eren carefully reached over Nico and kissed him. “We are better together. Who knows where I would be without you.”
“I’d probably be dead.”
“No, you’d just be a huge asshole.”
He shrugged, “Also a probability.”
Eren yawned, “I’m gonna try to sleep. It’s nice not to have Nico screaming.”
“Sleep. I’ll take care of Nico tonight.”
Eren nodded. “Do you remember how to change a diaper? Make a bottle?”
“Of course.”
“Don’t look so smug. You’ll be singing a different tune when he wakes you up screaming.”
“I’ve been waiting for 10 days to take care of my son. I’ll do it with a smile on my face.”
Eren chuckled. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Once Eren and Nico were both sleeping peacefully Levi thought this was so much better than sleeping in solitude.