Chapter Text
It had been an extremely long day, too long. It had been exhausting and painful too. but it was nothing new for a young college student known as Eren Jaeger. He had extremely hard classes that his father,Grisha, had forced him to take. He could still remember how his father sat them down at the table, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. How his disgrace of a father wrapped his hand around the cup of steaming coffee and told Eren what courses he had to take and what college he had to go to if he wanted to stay in the family. It was some speech about how everyone in the Yeager line were doctor's bullshit. Oh how naïve Eren was then. The fear of losing the only family had made him agree and now he was paying for it. His father paid for his school but anything else like food, clothing and his depression meds were up to him. Let's just say that the economy was shit and no good jobs were available. So here he was with three jobs and university work all the while trying to keep up good mental health. Not easy.
It was really late, probably 3 am. Eren didn't know really his phone had died long ago. He was walking aimlessly in the dark city of Shiganshina. Cold and without a sweater or a coat, not that he cared. Not many people were around, and anyone that he did see was either drunk or in an extreme hurry to get home. 'Probably to a loving family' Eren thought glumly as he dragged his feet against the concrete.
What even is the point anymore..?
If he left he'd lose everything..
He wouldn't survive..
Eren's walking slowly stopped as his vision clouded. Soon a flashback overcame him. The image of his old best friend Armin came into view. The same blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. he was young only 14 but he had the largest smile on his face.
"Stop crying Eren. It'll be ok" He smiled as he bent down and extended his pale arm. It was clear that Armin was extremely sick. But the sparkle never did dull in his eyes. Eren wiped his face quickly with his bloodied sleeve. A he remembered that day, he had gotten into a bad fight with Jean and his mom ad yelled at him, the cause of his tears. "I'll always be here Eren. Whenever you're sad just call me.." He smiled again. Oh how Eren missed that smile. Before he knew it Armin had stood back up and slowly walked away in a very bright light.
When the vision faded Eren slowly blinked away any tears that were building up. Although his cheeks were already wet. Armin, as far as he knew was that his little blonde friend was alive. He still had the cancer that almost destroyed him but he was a fighter. They had lost contact once Eren's mom had died andGrisha had turned abusive. Eren lost contact with everyone except Mikasa but even she left one his depression got to much to handle. Not many things went right for Eren.
He didn't know where the need came from but he found his feet moving on their on, carrying him to a gas station. Leading him right to a payphone.. The young man didn't realize just how badly his hands were shaking as he shoved his hands onto his jean pockets and grabbed a few quarters. It took the boy a few tries to put the coins in the small slot. after a few well placed curses and groans he finally got the coins in. Eren drew in a breath that rattled his frail chest. Picking up the receiver and placing it to his ear, his let out a hiss at how cold it really was. He could see his breath in front of his face. Should he really do this? Should he really call Armin? It isn't too late to back out. No. Eren clenched his fist tightly around the phone. He had to-he needed to do this. He quickly punched in the numbers and he didn't bother to check over the numbers before connecting the call. Goosebumps arose on his skin, he didn't know if it was from the old or from his nerves. 'Probably both' he deemed in his head. Eren froze as he heard a voice on the other end. A small hello. Eren instantly jumped into the call.
"Hi Armin.. I-it's me Eren... I-i'm s-s-sorry that I left you. B-but I'm not... I'm not in a ...good place.. I want.." He paused slightly as tears stung his eyes. "I want to die.." He choked out his voice barely a whisper. "I-i still live at home.. pathetic right?" Eren chuckled humorlessly before continuing. "B-but Dad.. he..... he isn't very nice... Armin.. I-i try so..so hard t-to be the perfect son.. b-but i-i'm just a fuck up.. Like my dad always says... I-i I'm so tired... I don't want to live..well I suppose that isn't true, I'm reaching out to you.. My last-ditch effort." Eren was beyond sobbing now as he ranted.
It never once occurred to him that this wasn't Armin. Soon that robotic voice chimed in about adding more money. Eren cursed as he grabbed the last few coins out of his pocket. "Armin..? Say something.." He begged. Eren heard shuffling on the other end as someone cleared their throat.
"This isn't Armin." The person stated monotonously. "I'm surprised Jaeger that you didn't know that Armin died."
Eren froze. His friend? Dead? No..No that can't be.. A choked sob came out of his lips as he crumpled to the ground, phone still in hand. Big fat tears streamed down his face. He just ranted to someone who knew Eren and Armin. That brought on a whole nother crying fit. He had never told anyone what his father had done to him..what he had done to himself. But now someone knew.
"I-i'm Sorry...' He said over and over, he felt like the world was closing in on him. Eren found it hard to breath and he sat there gasping for air.
He didn't even know who this person was and that made his panic attack worsen. Someone knew. Someone knew. A voice cut through his panic. It was rough and Eren recognized it instantly. But it did little to calm his nerves. It was Levi.. Levi Ackerman his ex... "
Oi brat! Calm down! Where are you? " He demanded and Eren shook his head as if Levi could see him.
No No No Why did it have to be Levi that found out? Levi broke Eren's heart. He couldn't handle it.
"I-I gotta go" He said hurriedly as he scrambled to his feet.
"Eren! I'm coming to get you! don't hang up-" He was cut short of Eren hanging up.
The moment he did all energy left him and he crumpled back down to the ground. He rocked back and forth on the cold ground. He was shaking from both the cold and his panic attack. The panic and the feeling of helplessness blinded him and he lost track of time. He couldn't move. His body wouldn't listen.Eren didn't know how long he was there, sobbing. The sobs wracked his body and made his eyes hurt. He felt.. so tired. He wanted to sleep forever.
He was there for probably an hour and a half when he felt something being draped over him. Eren jumped and raised his head, fear shone clearly through his green eyes. The lights of headlights made him squint through his blurry eyes at the man in front of him. He gasped and froze as he recognized him. It was Levi.. The usually neat man looked disheveled, his hair was wild as if he had been pulling at it and running his hands through it. But the thing that shocked Eren the most was that his face showed more emotion than he had ever seen. Worry blinded his features as he got on his knees and looked at Eren. His grey eyes roamed his body checking for any injuries. His ex let out a content sigh as he found none.
"Eren.." He murmured as he turned his gaze to the boy, all Eren could do was look away and bite his lip.
He was not ready for Levi to be hugging him so tightly let alone be hugging him.
"Don't ever scare me like that again.. I thought you were going to be dead when I found you.." He squeezed his eyes shut, not wanting Eren to see the tears building in the older man's eyes.
"Why? W-why did you come.. I'm useless.. I couldn't even keep you happy enough to stay... I couldn't stop my dad from hitting me... I didn't.. s-s-stop myself from hurting myself.. I-I can't do anything" Erenwhispered into the man's shoulder.
It had been so long since Eren was embraced like this. He loved it, thought he wouldn't admit that.
"No..No Eren..shh.. You are clueless Brat. You made me so fucking happy." Levi grimaced at admitting his feelings but he had been foolish enough to hide them. " I left because I was scared I was going to hurt you.." He murmured "But.. it seems I already have.. I'm so fucking sorry brat. I made this relationship turn into chicken shit."
Eren found himself laughing at Levi's word choice. His tears were slowly stopping and he slowly pulled away to meet Levi's gaze.
"as for your father.. Wait until I get my hands on him... He'll regret hurting you.. For you hurting yourself... That won't be happening anymore. Eren.. I won't let anyone hurt you anymore.. including yourself.. I care about you too much for that." He grumbled out, loving words were never his skill.
But Eren still looked at him, mouth open before tears began to flow from those green eyes that held so much love and he threw his arms around Levi's neck.
"And we are welcoming back the crying.." Levi muttered as he wrapped his arms around Eren's waistbefore picking him up.
Eren wrapped his legs around Levi's torso quickly as Levi walked to his car.
"Can.. Can me and you try again Eren? I feel horrible every night.. I miss you so much.. You can live with me.. be who you want.. I can be your family.." Levi pleaded, the last thing this man wanted was for Eren to go back home to that father of his.
Much to Levi's relief Eren nodded slowly and nervously after what seemed like forever.
"You're tired.." He murmured as he set Eren down in the passenger seat, finally seeing how Eren kept forcing his eyes open.
"Get some sleep. I promise you're safe.." He said as he kissed Eren's forehead.
The raven haired man soon climbed into the driver's side and began to drive. Eren was snoring softly beside him. Levi had driven all around the city trying to find him. He had become frantic and would stop and ask anyone he seen-which wasn't that much- if they seen him. Almost all had said no except for one. A girl, probably 16 with blue eyes and blond hair. She was extremely gentle and kind and she told him where she had seen a boy who fit Eren's description. He had just sped off, a small amount of guilt ate at Levi for not thanking her. But it soon disappeared as he seen Eren. The streetlights illuminating his face every so often.
He was safe.
Now and forever.
Hopefully..
But things never go right for Eren..