Chapter Text
“Levi, I ... I really like you! Please go out with me!”
Levi was no stranger to love confessions. He wasn’t sure what he expected, really. From the moment he read the note that had fallen out of his locker he knew who was behind it—probably some lovestruck underclassman that finally gathered enough courage to face him after watching him from afar for a week or two. It had happened before, and it was happening again.
They were usually more subtle though. Despite the way the boy in front of him was shaking, he seemed pretty brave enough. The boy took a step forward, his hands clenched into fists at his sides.
Levi fixed the boy with a blank stare. His eyebrows twitched and he gave off a nasty glare. If the kid went any closer, mistaking Levi’s silence for some form of acceptance, and tried to do something disgusting like kiss him as encouragement, well, Levi wasn’t averse to a physical demonstration of how much he didn’t appreciate that.
The boy’s face blanched for a moment, but he didn’t step away. Well, wasn’t that interesting.
Still, Levi didn’t feel like wasting any more time.
“Look, kid,” Levi spoke, voice finally breaking the silence. “What’s your name?”
“Uh, Eren. Eren Jaeger.”
Eren was tall and thin. He had a head of half-messed up brown hair, almost as if he had at least tried to look neat and presentable but failed. He was also ridiculously tall and probably a freshman or something, which pissed Levi off to no end. His eyes blazed bright green, reflecting a steely determination that Levi couldn’t understand. Perhaps that determination was the only reason he wasn’t backing away. His hands were certainly still shaking.
“Listen, Eren,” Levi spoke again. After taking a second look at the boy, eyes briefly locking into those ridiculously bright eyes (hey, Disney called; they want their Bambi back), he raised his voice. “I’m turning you down. I’m not interested.”
Usually that was enough to make people blush, mumble their apology, go away, and keep the fuck away from Levi forever. Eren did blush, but he only spoke up louder, looking straight into Levi’s eyes.
“I know you probably think I’m just a stupid freshman, but I want a chance to get to know you better, Levi! Please give me a chance.” Eren said firmly. Levi didn’t think it was possible to clench your fists that hard.
“I’m not interested in you at all. Find someone your own age and move the fuck on, Eren. I’m busy.” Levi snapped.
Eren bit his lip, his own brows furrowing. He blushed even harder, though now Levi wasn’t sure if it was out of embarrassment or anger. Perhaps both.
“F-fine.” Eren mumbled.
Levi turned and walked away without missing a beat.
Hanji was late. Again. That was no surprise. If Hanji was actually on time for something that wasn’t related to science or life-threatening situations, then Levi would probably check the sky for flying pigs or sun flares.
Still, as much as he was used to her antics, he was exhausted and just wanted to go home. He was just going to have to leave her behind.
He sent her a text. Even the soccer team was finished with their practice. The sky was growing dark, tinged with orange and red and pink from the setting sun. A cool wind started to pick up, and Levi was grateful. Summer was almost here, and he just wanted to go home and wash off the disgusting grime he had probably picked up from the day.
Levi slung his backpack over his shoulder, shoved his hands into his pockets, rushed forward, and... promptly smacked into someone who had been running at high speed.
He took a few steps backwards and rubbed at his forehead. He glared at the person in front of him and almost growled out his complaint. Shit, you idiot, that really hurt.
“If you’re going to run around like a stupid chicken, you should watch where you’re going.” He said lowly. The student in front of him also seemed irritated as he rubbed at his jaw. Well, if Levi’s head smacked him especially hard on the chin then he deserved it.
“It’s not my fault you were too busy looking at the damn sky,” the other student spit out angrily. His tone caught Levi off guard, and he decided to finally really take a good look at him... and shit, this boy was gorgeous.
He was wearing a soccer jersey and had a duffel bag at his side. He had finally stopped rubbing his chin, and was instead glaring at Levi with such intensity that caught the senior off-guard. The boy’s wide eyes were a stunning shade of green that Levi couldn’t name—or hey, maybe it was more than just one shade of green, Jesus Christ, he wasn’t a damn artist but this boy was probably sculpted by a god.
His hair was brown and messy but looked unbelievably soft and damp, whether from a shower or some crazy sweat Levi wasn’t sure (and he sincerely hoped it was the former). His skin was tanned and his legs went on and on—
Okay, Levi might have accidentally been staring far longer than he should have.
“Stop looking like you want to kill me. I’m sorry, all right? You okay?” The boy asked. He still looked mildly miffed, but if he was concerned over Levi’s facial expression and mildly lecherous thoughts (hopefully the kid wasn’t a mind reader, because if so then this was going to get awkward real quick), then he couldn’t have been all bad.
“I’m fine,” Levi grumbled, a bit lower than he’d liked. “And I doubt I dislocated your jaw.”
The taller boy laughed. (Then again, most guys were taller than him, Levi thought bitterly. This bitterness was quickly replaced by the thought of shit, I want to hear that laugh again.) “No, I’m not that fragile, but thanks.”
Levi gave him another once-over and raised a brow. Well, might as well try it.
“What’s your name?” he asked. As soon as he spoke, the other boy’s grin was quickly wiped off his face. He looked miffed again, with his brows furrowed.
“You don’t remember?” He asked, almost accusingly. A blush slowly made its way across his cheeks, and despite his sharp tone he also seemed embarrassed. He looked away from Levi and brought up a hand to rub at the back of his neck.
“Have we met before? Because I’m pretty sure I would remember someone like you if we did.” Levi replied, bringing his voice down. It came out silky. “Come on, give me a name to a face like yours. I’m Levi.”
Eren’s eyebrows shot up and he looked back at Levi, with his eyes wide and his face steaming red. He looked scandalized, almost. For a split-second, Levi swallowed in horror. Shit, did he sound too desperate? He was already regretting everything. If this beautiful kid thought he was a creep then he was already halfway to his grave.
Great job, Levi. Intimidating people since 1996.
Maybe flirting with the stranger you bumped into was a bad idea. Gorgeous stranger, bad idea.
“I don’t know if I should be glad or not that you don’t remember me. Um, I’m Eren. Eren Jaeger.” The boy said warily, looking back at Levi. He met Levi’s steel gray eyes and shifted on his feet.
Levi raised a brow. What did he mean?
Oh, wait. It was coming back now.
Tall and lanky. Embarrassingly messy brown hair. Shaking fists. The love letter. That cliché confession after school. The kid’s bravery to actually demand that Levi go on a date with him. Eren Jaeger. Little Eren.
Levi’s brows raised in surprise. So he had turned out pretty hot. Well, puberty did wonders. As did athleticism. Had it really only been a year?
He was starting to see the similarities between the awkward freshman and this beautiful stunner right in front of him. Well, Eren’s transformation wasn’t half bad. In fact it was the complete opposite.
“Congrats, Eren, you’ve gone through a great deal of improvement.” Levi muttered, eyes twinkling in appreciation. “It might be a year late, but if you still feel the same then I’m definitely reconsidering my original answer.”
He expected a startled blush and wide eyes. He expected a spluttered “R-Really?” and then maybe a shy smile. Levi did not expect narrowed green eyes.
“Did you expect me to spend a year hung-over your rejection?” Eren accused. He was pouting. Shit, he was pissed off, but it was adorable. Levi couldn’t stop looking at him. “I know you’re known as a heartthrob, but I wasn’t obsessed with you.”
Was that a rejection? Holy shit, did a sophomore just reject Levi Ackerman?
“I’m not asking the Eren Jaeger who confessed to me last year. I’m asking the Eren Jaeger right now, the same one that bumped into me after sprinting in the middle of the damn football field and almost knocked me onto my ass. It’s a coincidence that you two are one and the same.” Levi said. He didn’t remember the last time he spoke so much to a nearly-stranger. Other than threatening other people and telling them to piss off, that is.
“Why are you asking me out right now then?” Eren asked. Levi gritted his teeth. Wasn’t it obvious? Did Eren just want him to admit it?
Levi was being generous. To make his growing irritation known, however, he narrowed his eyes and glared at Eren. Maybe he could intimidate the kid to get over his rejection from last year. Really, wasn’t Eren glad that he was trying to forget about that mess?
To Levi’s surprise, Eren glared back. It was so familiar that it made his chest hurt a bit. Oh well, that was one thing that didn’t change.
It didn’t need to change, though.
Oh wow, he did not just admit that.
“Why the fuck do you think? You’re ridiculously attractive.”
“So what?”
Levi glared at him even harder. Wow, this kid was a pain in the ass. Maybe he’d let you be a pleasure in his.
Shut up, Levi.
“’So what?’ What kind of stupid question is that? Why the hell did you ask me out last year even though we’d never even met before?” Levi bit back.
Levi only belatedly realized that he probably asked Eren out for the same reason. Oh well, that meant they were even, right? Eren should just go out with him and have some fun. A lot of people thought that Levi had a stick up his ass, but it seemed like Eren had an even bigger one, goddamnit.
The more he thought about it, the more embarrassed Levi got. What was the point of this again? Shit.
Eren looked more embarrassed now. He was still blushing, and his hand was clenched tight around the handle of his duffle bag. He refused to meet Levi’s eyes and looked away. He looked adorable.
Levi’s heart swear to God skipped a beat. There goes his blood circulation.
“I was a freshman. I thought you were so cool.” Eren mumbled.
Levi smirked.
“Well, I think you’re adorable. Go out with me, Eren. Let’s have some fun.” Levi said lowly. He almost purred. Now commencing attempt two at seducing Eren Jaeger.
“I—-“ Eren paused, still looking away. Levi hated that. He wanted to see his stupid big bright eyes. Levi wanted Eren to smile and laugh at him. Levi also wanted to make out with him, preferably against a wall or even in his bed, but that could wait.
“Eren!” someone called out loudly. Eren turned his head and stared at the source of the voice. In the middle of the football field stood a girl with a red scarf. Beside her was a short blonde who was waving his arm. The girl yelled out, “We’re going home! Hurry up!”
“Ah, right! Sorry, sorry!” Eren yelled back. He ran a hand through his hair and Levi resisted the urge to flatten it down for him.
He gave Levi one last tentative glance.
“Sorry, Levi, maybe another time.”
Eren quickly turned away and ran towards his friends, clutching his duffel bag tight.
Levi stood still. A breeze ruffled his clothes as he was eventually left alone. Was that a rejection? Or a promise? Did he even have any hope? Did he just make a fool out of himself?
Levi’s fingers twitched. It was a very gentle rejection.
Still, he was determined to change Eren’s mind. He didn’t know why, but he wanted to very badly. He hadn’t wanted something this badly in a while.
As Levi watched Eren run off, his eyes trailed on the younger boy’s figure. Great, Eren even had an amazing ass.
Watching Eren and his butt run off soothed Levi’s little heart and took off some of the burn.
Well, Eren would be his. Very soon. He was going to make sure of it.
Third time's usually the charm.