Vivid

"what's his world like?" Eren said as he sat on the steps in front of his university. He sighed feeling left out. The feeling that everthing Levi had done was in secrecy. He always had someone calling him, speaking to him, and noticing him. Whenever eren would ask, Levi would reply with "work." But what kind of work? Why would he always dodge the question. It eventually made him depressed thinking about it.
"Does he not trust me?" Eren thought as he stood up to go home. He had originally wanted to wait for Armin. But it seems he had other plans after all. It seems like he doesnt feel the need to be around lately either. When he noticed the marks on erens neck. He was noticably unsettled by them. He wondered how damaged he was from the rejection. Eren felt his happiness hurt his friend in some way.
"Could it be he's been avoiding me too? This is all so confusing!" Eren said aloud to himself. The young adult passed by the cafe near Levis home. He sipped from his black straw and nibbled on it out of habit. It was something Levi never appreciated. But Eren adored the way he'd cringe. Nowadays, eren only bothered to go to Levis place to admire the building. He knew Levi never really spent his time there. But he longed to feel or have something of Levis to comfort him. While tapping away on his phone. Eren walked down the street with a keys in hand. He was surprised by how relaxed Levi was about giving him a spare. It seemed uncharacteristic of him. He wondered if it was okay to waltz in when he pleased.
"I mean, I do cook sometimes, clean his apartment, do the laundry, and do /That/ with him. At least when im there," Eren mumbled, now biting the straw out of nervousness.
"You know what? He wouldn't have given me the key if I wasnt welcome... right?" He said finally having the courage to go. Eren punched in the key code to enter the building. A man greeted him once he was inside the lobby. Eren nearly had a panic attack. But now that he was inside, he felt the need to follow through. Eren barrled through the elevator door and crashed into someone.
"Ah! Sorry. I didnt notice you!"
"I-Its quiet alright..."
"Armin?"
"E-Eren! Wow uh, fancy meeting you here!"
"Since when do you come around here?" Eren asked.
"I should ask you the same." He replied, knowing the answer.
"The guy i talk to Lives here. Its kind of embarassing. But I really wanted to see him." Eren said, his cheeks reddening by the second.
"I.. just came here for a job."
"A job?"
"Yeah, but I just turned it down." Armin lied, hiding a plane ticket behind his back.
"Oh, thats a shame... hey, you could accompany Levi and I if its getting you down."
Armins eyed narrowed in anger at first. But shame washed over and made him feel guilty.
"I better not, a couple is ment to share some precious moments. Id only be in the way. Anyway, i have to go bye eren!" Armin said, before Eren could say another word.
"Bye i guess.." he said as the elevator door closed. Eren awkwardly stood in silence until he was out and walking toward levis door. He used the key, opened the door just a crack to peek inside. Then took a breath and walked in. When he entered, he notice a tall muscular blond man staring at him in the face. He was handsome and his eyes were as blue as the sky. One looked just as confused as the other.
"Uh...."
"You must be one of Levis men right?" He said hesitantly.
"One of Levis what?"
"Shit."
"He has other men!?"
"Thats not what I meant I swear. Lets be calm about this..." Erwin said, trying to calm eren down.
"Calm? Is Levi sleeping with others? Do they also have keys?!"
"Erwin, whats with the noise. We should probably get going. Or that man isn't gonna finish himself off."
"Finish himself off..." eren muttered in anger. Levi froze when he saw eren seething with anger.
"What did you say Erwin?" Levi snapped.
"I just asked if he was a part of-"
"Hes not a part of this. I don't want him to be. Leave him out of it."
"Out of what? Out of my boyfriend being a potential prostitute? Is that why you have so much cash?"
"A prostitute?" Erwin said.
"No i am not a prostitute. Now will you calm down eren!"
"I will once you tell me!"
"Eren, i dont want to nor do I have the time to explain this. I have to leave on a business trip."
"A business trip, is that what you're going to call it? What is it Levi? Don't you trust me? Am i not enough?"
"Eren, believe me, I don't want anyone else. Its complicated, I'll answer when its time okay."
"If you dont wanna tell me. Dont bother calling when you're away either!" Eren shouted before he stormed out of his apartment.
"Eren!" Levi called. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Sorry-"
"Save it, he'll cool down. Lets get on with the mission."
"You really know how to pick em Levi."
"I know." He said softly, annoyed with how things panned out. Lately, eren had been persistant in knowing his personal life. It was only natural for a couple. But for someone to be close to Levi. It was difficult to have the words for Eren. What could he say?
"Hey, your lover is a murderer, a wanted psychopath, a drug dealer. Oh and did he mention that there are people trying to kill him. If you get further involved you will be a potential target too." Levi sighed and felt the sting of erens silent treatment. Thr first day Levi figured eren would give in. After 2 missed calls. Then it came down to 5, a few voicemails, and depressed sighs. He memorized the voicmail recording and tapped impatiently waiting for eren to give up. Still, there was no reply. The three on the trip handled business as usual. They went to secret social gatherings, meetings, under the table deals. Armin felt truly happy in Levis prescence. Until he'd see him excuse himself to go outside to leave another message to Eren. New york was this lively and adventurous city. Yet all Levi could think of was coming home to eren.
Armin and Erwin tried their best to comfort Levi. It made Armin feel insignificant when Levi wouldn't look his way. Sure he met some gorgeous men. Casually flirted with them, bring them into his room and have his way with them. But it irked him to know Levi didn't feel a pang of jealousy. Armin wanted to fill the void with anything. The pleasure they gave him was not enough. No matter how hot, sweaty and rough the sex was. He'd always scream Levis name when he came. He wished the scratches and marks were levis. He wanted to know what was so special about him. When he heard eren and Levi had a spat. He was kind of happy they disagreed with each other. Their love sickened him, it was too perfect. So perfect he wanted it for his own selfish desire.
"So... Eren still isn't talking to you?" Armin asked to make himself feel better.
"For the last fucking time yes. Hes intent on knowing this part of me. But i dont need his head on the line like mine." Levi snapped.
"Sounds to me like you and eren are different people. Eren is stubborn, if you aren't serious and wont tell him. He will get angry and resent you Levi. You know, maybe its best you two break up. Especially since you want him to be safe." Armin suggested.
"Break up?"
"it shouldn't be that hard."
"... Eren isn't just a toy to me like you think Armin. Aren't you supposed to be his friend?" Levi asked, looking disgusted.
"Not if im in competition for your affection." Armin thought.
"To tell you the truth, im afraid of losing him becuase of this. Thats why i don't want to tell him. Hes much more than a lover to me. If he said he would give me up. Id disappear within that instant. I love him that much." Levi said feeling his heart ache.
"Why do you love him so much?"
"The truth is, he isn't perfect. What more can I say?" He replied.
"But im not perfect either. Why wont you love me?" Armin desperately wanted to say.
"He'll have his time to cool off. Then he will come back to me." He said stared at his small phone. It hurt to see him happy with someone else. Silence killed him until his phone vibrated. He wanted someone to feel his pain. But taking it away with sex and drugs helped him cope. Armin couldn't stop this sickly obsession. He knew it was bad. He knew Levi wasn't his, but he couldn't quit. While Armim ached, Levi planned. He couldn't stand the thought of Eren ignoring him. When he returned, Levi went straight to Erens house. Eren secretly adored the way Levi chased after him. He had secretly saved levis voicemails. Craving his affection, wanting his touch, lusting for his attention. Knowing Levi wasn't playing around with his feelings made him feel secure. Eren was angry, but that all subsided into longing. Wishing levi wouldn't know he was too embarassed to apologize first. When Eren heard a knock on his door. He felt his heart drop thinking it could be Levi.
"Should i pretend im not home? Should i answer? Should i tell him to go... No... I hate that thought," eren sighed, laying on his couch. He stood up and placed his hand on the door. He slowly opened it, surprised to find annie staring at him.
"Annie?"
"Hey, do you know if Levi is back." She asked.
"Not really... its been 3 weeks."
"And you haven't been talking to him?"
"No, not at all."
"Very well then, I'll take my leave," she sighed and turned away.
"Wait, why did you ask me?" Eren said, as annie was walking away. She stopped and turned toward eren.
"Isn't that obvious? Aren't you two an item?"
"How do you know that?"
"In our line of work, word gets around. Especially with a man who doesn't sleep around." She answered.
"What do you mean by "our line of work" is it some kind of close circle?"
Annie looked away and bit her lip.
"You could say that.. anyway, if Levi hasn't told you yet. Hes doing you a favor, I wouldn't tell you either." she sighed.
"Whats that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing really, if you don't know where Levi is. Ill be leaving now. If you see him, tell him I'm finished." Annie said before taking off. Eren stood there confused by her words.
"Why is he doing me a favor?" Eren wondered, pressing his phone to his lips. Levi sat next to erwin tapping his phone. He chatted with Armin content with the seating arrangements. Levi rested his chin on his white knuckles. His patience being in the form of a 5 hour flight. Armin noticed this and sighed.
"Oh, don't mind him. He just wants to go clear things up," Erwin said, noticing Armins discomfort.
"Oh, yeah. I'd hate to have a relationship like that.." Armin said, stabbing levi with his words.
"You'd be lucky to have a relationship at all with all the shit in your head. We're all in the im fucked up department. So yeah, shits gonna happen." Levi snapped.
"Levi!"
"Excuse my french, but I'd prefer it if Armin stopped asking about eren."
"Whys that?" Erwin asked, looking at Levi. Levi stared at Armin for a minute.
"No reason," He said as he narrowed his eyes and looked away.
"Erwin, Love is such a funny game isn't it. You have the time of your life, you get frustrated, and gamble your heart away."
"I'll say," Armin mumbled.
"If love was a game, who would you ask to play?" Erwin asked, hoping for a serious answer.
"Again with the game thing sir?"
"Dont be so angry, just be honest."
"... I'd ask the man in the man in charge of my heart," Armin said, without a doubt.
"And who is that?"
"Im not sure I can say it anymore." Armin whispered in erwins ear. He glanced over to Levi feeling guilty. He was beautiful. Even if he was infuriated by his prescence. It was difficult not to think of what erwin had mentioned the rest of the flight. When they landed, Levi pulled out his phone and walked in the opposite direction.
"Levi? Where are you going?"
"Sorry, I won't be leaving with you."
"Very well then, have a good night levi" Erwin told Levi.
"Good night." He said, before darting away from the two. Armin felt weak, he wanted to spend the car ride with Levi. However, he felt erwins hand press onto his back.
"Lets go shall we?"
"Y-Yeah," he replied hesitantly.
Hanji waited, giddy for their arrival. She practically bulldozed the Erwin and Armin down.
"Oh Armin you dog! Did you cozy up to your superiors?" She teased.
"No, business as usual." He replied flatly, not amused by her remark.
"You're acting like levi... speaking of bastard, where is he?"
"Playing a game,"
"Hm? A game?"
"One I hope he wins," Erwin said, before entering the vehicle.