Chapter Text
There’s a disturbance in the air. A rather unpleasant one that leaves prickles on his skin and foreboding sensations of incoming doom in his guts. The early sounds of clanging and banging are what first rouse Levi, peeved from having to be disturbed from his morning reading. To his disdain, heavy languid footsteps continue to disturb the peace until they reach Levi’s floor, the sound of keys jangling puzzling him for a moment. These unfamiliar footsteps belong neither to Hanji nor Erwin.
Said disturbance comes in the form of a tall lanky kid with his truckload of boxes and tattered suitcases. Barbaric in his movements as his messy Tarzan hair, the uninvited stranger trudges in with heavy puffs as he carelessly throws his belongings on the floor. Levi doesn’t blame the caveman for not noticing his presence—the unruly bangs reaching down to his cheekbones don’t do much help in clearing his line of sight.
He doesn’t have the patience to wait either.
“Shoes.”
The kid finally looks up at Levi’s one-word greeting and a big smile breaks out. Catches Levi by surprise. He sticks out his hand with much enthusiasm, mentioning that he must be Levi, Hanji’s roommate. The black-haired male ignores him in favour of looking down to the pair of atrociously ripped pair of combat boots. They must go. The young man immediately realises and hustles to yank them off, chucking them at the entrance. Sloppy—he is lucky there is no dirt mark on the wall or Levi would be out hunting to bust some balls.
“Hanji did mention you’re sort of a stickler for cleanliness,” he comments, then proceeds to introduce himself. Eren Jaeger, Hanji’s fall sublet. He’s found this place by the last minute, thankful for Hanji’s kind acceptance. Has she told Levi that he’s to arrive today?
Hanji has told him shit. No shocker there, the lunatic is full of surprises and it leaves bitter, gritty aftertastes on Levi’s tongue. He rubs his eyes in slight annoyance, her ambiguous text of ‘I’m going on break for a while!’ finally making sense to him.
The snake.
Levi crosses his arms instead of receiving Eren’s handshake. He doesn’t do small talk and niceties; he gets right down to business.
“Shoes off inside. Washroom’s to my left. Keep it clean. Keep all common rooms clean. Wifi password’s on the fridge—it’s not unlimited so take it easy on the torrents. Thursdays’ are garbage days, we have household, recycling, and compost. Make sure you take out your shit Wednesday nights. No house parties, no smoking; take it outside. This place is to be cleaned weekly. There’s a schedule to who’s on duty—you’re on week three. No pets allowed—”
Eren opens his mouth but Levi cuts him off with a stern glare.
“—no exceptions.”
He gives Eren a few seconds to digest. Figure he’s scared off the newbie—doesn’t even allow them some time to settle in before firing the rules around. Levi watches for any sign of discomfort but surprisingly, there is none. In fact, Eren straightens himself into a two-finger salute and answers in the cheekiest tone.
“Aye aye, captain! Something tells me we’re going to get along real well this term.”
It’s a humourous lie, and they both know it.
Stay out of his way, and he’ll stay out of yours.
That’s the general rule Levi goes by when it comes to temporary roommates. He’d like to apply it to Erwin and Hanji as well, but having been friends for an unfortunately long period of time, Levi spares them the cruelty (as Hanji calls it).
To his defence, it doesn’t come in application quite often. The only time when strangers come crashing in is when Erwin goes on internship for the semester, and even then, the sensible man takes effort to interview the individuals who would occupy his room. They have a mutual understanding as to what sort of person they want in their private dwelling of 42 Marshall—responsible, quiet, and generally a decent human being who can take care of themselves as well as their living quarters.
Hanji is the exception.
Hanji’s always the exception.
And along with her unpredictable temperament comes unpredictable (stupid) decisions that hands Levi the most unpredictable consequences to deal with.
The new roommate, for the most part, keeps to his side of the space. It’s easy when lectures started and they both go by their own schedules. He’s on the other end of the hall so Levi doesn’t have to see his disheveled state in the morning with wrinkled tank-tops, basketball shorts, and a dangerously cute bedhead that seems to grow an Amazon Rainforest. No sense of personal awareness and sometimes Levi catches sight of pink nipples peeking out from his loose article and fuck is it aggravating.
What a slob the kid is.
And acutely ignorant. Or Levi wishes him to be but deep inside, he’s aware of the cheeky cleverness that lives inside the youngster. He’s also alarmingly aware of how lenient he is on the new tenant. No exceptions means no exceptions—the rule only ever forgoes when it comes to Hanji (what can Levi do about her?). And now, Eren can be a part of that special group, for he can violate house rules on his first week at 42 Marshall and still live to tell his feat.
“I wouldn’t say violate,” Eren cuts in, “that’s a strong word. How about ‘overlook’?”
Levi gives him a deadpan expression. “It’s a fucking turtle, Eren, and you keeping it makes it a pet. I said no pets allowed.”
Eren holds up the small container and looks through the glass with pleading eyes. “Look at how small she is! Jewels doesn’t bark, she doesn’t pee or poo anywhere, she stays in her little box! You won’t even know she’s here—in fact, you haven’t noticed her ‘till today...”
But that’s because Levi has a sense of privacy and doesn’t nose in to other people’s business, unless need be. It takes care of not having to be involved with matters he doesn’t want to be later on. One casual walk by Eren’s opened room today, however, has Levi’s attention fixed on a suspicious green dot that seems to move with life. Eren thinks he can hide his secrets.
Does he take Levi for a fool?
Sensing his impending reproach, Eren lowers the container and peers at Levi with the biggest set of eyes. A complete fail of an attempt, for his eyes are shielded by thick strands of brown hair and can barely be seen. He really needs to get a haircut. Buzz his head bald, if Levi has a say in it. But as if grasping the situation, the small turtle creeps out of her shell and slowly bobs her head, pleading along with her master.
“Please don’t kick us out mister, we have nowhere to go.”
“The house across from us is renting out.”
“But your much needed presence is such a delight to us!”
Eren Jaeger. Entering his third year, studying mechatronics and has an apparent passion for it. Possesses a distinct love for superhero movies, judging by the many posters already dominating his walls, and owns quite an impressive collection of books. Does some music on the side—guitar and piano (keyboard really, but Levi can’t tell the difference) and keeps a pet turtle named Jewels. Has a knack for creating little messes all around the common rooms, leaving subtle traces of his presence in a way such that Levi cannot call him out for it and ends up cleaning after him begrudgingly.
Already a week in and the twerp is stirring up the household peace.
It’s the willingness to do so that surprises Levi the most. Not so much willing, he corrects himself, but maybe acceptance is more of the right word. Acceptance of Eren’s forgetfulness and blunders when he forgets to take off his boots, put the salt shaker back to where it belongs, hang his jacket in the closet, wipe clean of the sink after dishwashing, put the damn toilet lid down after a session.
And now, acceptance of a pet in the vicinity of his living space even though no rapid animal of any kind has been allowed in the apartment for three clean years.
He blames the much-too-early sun that breaks into his room followed by a different kind of sunshine that seems to wake up just as impossibly-early as him. Levi’s unused to the good-morning’s and how-are-you’s that greet him. Eren’s blast of supercharged beams of light and energy frazzles Levi’s sleep-deprived state and leaves him in a state of momentary turmoil. And it continues into the night, when they return from campus and Levi is once again hit with Eren’s relentless sparks of energy.
Fuck if that smile is too bright and cheerful.
And fuck if it follows him everywhere whenever Levi is out of the safety of his room.
Eren Jaeger does not have an inkling of what personal space is. It’s like he has a sensor built in specifically for Levi—whenever the senior is out and about the common area, Eren is out and about, striking up conversations and attempting camaraderie to which Levi purposely avoids. Relentless, blindly relentless and it’s almost as if Levi doesn’t want to break up that smile so he lets Eren indulge in the basics.
Scratch the surface.
What year are you? Fourth.
Program? Accounting.
Hmm, that’s pretty interesting. Don’t bullshit—it’s stale and boring as fuck.
Are you here by yourself, is your family here?
Only the surface.
Levi forgoes that question and leans against his doorframe. “You’re my roommate, not my interrogator.”
Eren is the least bit affected by his standoffish.
“My best friend used to be my roommate back in first year.”
“We are not going to be ‘best friends’.”
He receives a pout and Levi very much so would like to slap that off because Eren’s teasing behaviour is getting to him—appallingly not in an annoying way.
“Not going to paint each other’s nail, talk until three in the morning and go out for midnight snacks?”
Levi glowers at Eren before disappearing into his room. “Stay away from my nails.”
Eren is a quick learner though.
Quickly learns his messy ways and puts in real effort to fix his sloppy habits. Levi can’t deny that he’s impressed. He witnesses, many (many) days later, how much attention Eren puts into making sure his belongings are in place and not thrown around carelessly. Cleans up after himself so Levi doesn’t have to.
And on the latter’s part, he tries to ignore the way Eren looks to him as if expecting some sort of acknowledgement or approval.
He doesn’t truly recognize the scope of Eren’s musicality until many nights later, when his evening reading is joined by a faint sound of guitar, followed by a soft progression of simple melody. Levi doesn’t seem to be aware of this accompaniment until the third roommate, Erwin’s sublet, finally crawls out of her room and snaps him out of his reverie.
Eren plays well—strums well. Too well.
Fuck, is there anything the kid can’t do?
He asks that question a little too soon when a rich, airy voice broke out, lifting the silence with a soft hum that quickly progressed into whispered singing. Levi can’t make out the words that are muffled by thin walls, but he feels he doesn’t need to. This steady tone makes peace with his mood and further delves him into the calmness of literature in his hand.
He is unaccustomed to noises at night.
But this one...this one is rather pleasant. Eren’s not rocking up the entire neighbourhood anyway, so Levi doesn’t have the authority to cut him off. He doesn’t need to. In the back of his mind, he thinks he doesn’t want to.
And so, Levi lets him off again.
Another exception.
.-.
Just as quickly to discovery Eren’s romantic side, Levi learns of his violent rage.
It starts out quiet, silent almost. Tonight, Eren’s not performing one of his tunes. Levi figures the boy is studying (for once), given how tranquil the atmosphere at 42 Marshall is for once. Following a bit of case studies and short reading, Levi dozes off to light sleep.
Only to be stirred awake by unexpected obscenities from a usually amiable mouth.
“FUCK! No no no...no—no get away dumbass!”
He doesn’t suspect the offense to Eren’s vulgar language is due to nightmares of monsters and ghosts. Even with walls standing between them (though questionably thin), Levi can still detect the echoing clacking of mouse and keyboard.
“Wait for m—yeah, just camp there. The fuckheads are targeting you so Ima head over to you now. No stay put, you ignoramus!”
Levi huffs in amusement at Eren’s odd and wide choice of insults. His assessment takes a dive when a bang hits against the table followed by another violent contact. Sounds like his keyboard and headset.
“WHAT NOW – SUCK MY ELONGATED DICK.”
An exhaustive sigh draws out of Levi. As much as he’d like to stay awake and hear Eren’s dirty-talking, a good night’s sleep seem to be the better choice.
“Oh fuck me—asshole thinks he can cut me off!”
Levi doesn’t bother to knock. Perhaps it is too late at night and his mind is muddled from (lack of?) sleep that he forgets his basic manners and flings the door open in a murderous glare. His annoyance quickly dissipates once grey eyes settle themselves on a rather naked Eren (flush pink nipples?)—plus the boxers of course. Tanned and defined, muscle taunt and stretching to accommodate Eren’s odd choice of posture in his seat.
He forces himself out of daze when Eren grabs his headset off, wearing a guilty expression. The flashing light of the video game reflects off his face in taunt.
“Sorry...was I too loud?”
“No, please yell it to the world to suck your elongated dick.”
Eren flushes from the bottom of his stomach to the top of his ears. Levi admits never having to see such an amusing sight.
“I-I’ll keep it down...”
Levi doubts he’ll keep his vow. Slips back to bed anyway and with much effort, he grumbles himself to sleep wondering why anyone is crazy enough to wear so little when the autumn temperature is so low.
It’s when Eren comes back one day with his hair tied up experiences his initial spiral down. First time Levi’s ever seen him like that and it’s a different look. Older, wilder, even less tamed than his shaggy look. Only a few stray strands fall in front of Eren’s face and when Levi finally gets a chance, he witnesses the tidal wave of ocean-green—his eyes as crisp as spring grass yet rich and full of forest life.
He’s struck for the tiniest fraction of a second before looking away, staring into some other colour to disillusion his mind. Levi’s asked if he’s okay, Eren oblivious to the mass effect his eyes have on everyone, and the black-haired man replies in a curt yes.
That is the only time when Levi has caught a glimpse of true green.
It’s enough to feed this nagging urge inside Levi—to brush aside the long bangs Eren likes to keep. Disorderly, unfinished, unkempt. How does the boy study, play his guitar, play video games when all this hair is blocking his view? It needs to be out of the way—tamed, controlled, rid of so his eyes can see better, brighter, farther.
“You need a haircut.”
Levi tells them as it is.
Eren looks up as he exits the bathroom, fresh out of shower. His wet hair falling a curtain in front of his face and it irks Levi not being able to see him properly. Eren pulls a vexed look and crosses his arm.
“And who are you, my mother?”
Levi shrugs and turns back to his assignment. His choice in the end, whether or not to destroy his eyesight.
“I don’t want the other roommate to be scared off by your caveman-ish look.”
“Sure you don’t want me to fend off unwanted guests here?” Eren teasingly asks, whipping his hair around like a dog, splattering droplets of water around. Levi sends a warning glare and the boy only grins.
“More like attracting fleas and lice to your jungle of hair. Do you wash it properly? Shampoo twice, conditioner once.”
“Yes mother, just like the way you taught me,” says Eren with a playful eye-roll. He twirls a strand of hair thoughtfully before inquiring Levi. “Can you do it for me?”
The older male halts on the brazen question and looks to Eren, now shy and timid than before.
“I’m lazy to go to a hairdresser.”
“There’s one right beside campus.”
“It’s hard to find a good one!”
“And you trust my hands?”
“You do it for free!”
Levi sends a narrowed gaze to which Eren sheepishly slouches under.
“I—I’ll treat you to bubble tea...”
He has a particular dislike towards that diabetes-inducing drink (not even real tea for fuck’s sake). But somehow, he ends up standing behind a seated Eren with piled newspapers under their feet. The brunet waits patiently, a refreshing smile slapped on his face and Levi does wonder how an acquaintance of two weeks, especially one as grumpy as him, can be trusted with the fate of his hairstyle so easily and full-heartedly by Eren.
It is Eren after all.
So he takes a small handful of damp brown hair in his one hand, lines it up to the scissor in his other hand. Snips, snips, snips. Combs softly through his thick tresses—boy does have soft, fluffy hair. Levi takes note of tiny whorl swirling just below Eren’s bigger one—a source of his unruly hair. Smooth skin, he silently remarks, as he subconsciously runs a finger along his hairline. A healthy glow to his tanned complexion.
When he is done, it’s a new, yet the same look for Eren. Still a tangled mess, still a wild forest of brown, still a few boyish tresses that stick out against gravity. Though his frontal now in exposure, Levi marvels in his finished work.
Under the evening light, he sees glowing chartreuse lining his irises. Like delicate wine of the same name floating just above the surface, Eren’s eyes glimmer more than ever. They shine, and not only with artificial light, but with some sort of hope. Expectation.
Eren rubs the back of his now bare neck. “H-how do I look?”
Levi gives no words, he softly hums an approval.
.-.
The night after, the man rolls to his side with a troubled mind. In less than a month, without his full awareness, invisible strings have pulled him into a foreign area that he has so carefully avoided for years. He’s irked, muddled in vexation, unable to fall asleep because this new disturbance at 42 Marshall is a little more unexpected than Levi had expected.
It’s because there are not one, but two strangers in this house, he reasons with himself. He’s only used to one. And by the end of these four months, they’ll have moved out and on and so will Levi. ‘Tis but a mere rattle of a change. No shit he can handle it.
“Hit me up-hit me up-hitmeup..oh shit oh shit ohshit—FUCK”
Levi pulls a pillow over his ears, Eren’s raging hammering through the walls as another session of game-night continues.
Fuck indeed.