Chapter 4
You gather the supplies you need for making the cupcakes from your kitchen and pack them into a bag. After you confirm that you've packed everything you'll need, you zipper the bag shut. You pause for a moment and take a deep breath to calm your nerves, not understanding why you feel this way over such a simple task.
You realize that it's not the task itself you are nervous about, it's the person you are doing it with. You try to tell yourself that it's not a big deal, you're just helping out a student that asked for assistance. You usually aren't nervous around other guys being that you live with one, work with them and have a few guy friends. You hate to admit it to yourself but something about Mr. Ackerman had you feeling like a schoolgirl with a crush.
For the past few days you have tried your hardest to convince yourself that you're just over analyzing this, that you just see Levi as a platonic friend. Deep down, you know that it's really because you are frightened by the fact that the last time you felt this way about a man, fate had cruelly torn you both apart leaving a gaping hole in your soul that could never be filled.
It had taken at least 3 years to become a functional human being again after Mike's death. Those years contained your darkest moments. So painful that at one point, you had lost the will to live. If Eren and Mikasa hadn't come to check on you when you stopped answering calls and texts, the overdose of pills you swallowed would have succeeded in taking your life. Your friends had you rushed to the hospital just before it was too late. When your friends were allowed to visit you, their outpouring of love about how much you meant to them had given you a second chance and motivation to pick up the broken pieces of your cracked heart and start on the road to put them back together.
It was not an easy journey but you pushed through it. There were countless hours of therapy, a hospital stay and support groups. Even after you had settled back into something resembling a normal life, the fact that you lived n a small town where everyone knew each other had threatened to send you back into a depression.
Everywhere you went the loud whispers about your attempted suicide followed. Thankfully you decided to move to the city to start over instead of succumbing to the gossip of others.You still attend a bereavement group twice a month near your apartment to connect with others who also suffered a loss. It serves as an outlet for your emotions and you are able to help newcomers mend their broken hearts giving back what was given to you in your time of need.
You snap yourself out of the sad flashbacks and bring your thoughts to the present time. You pick up your bags and head towards the door of the apartment. You pass Eren on the couch surrounded by junk food playing some obnoxiously loud battle game. "Save me a cupcake please?" He calls out not even turning to look at you eyes glued to the tv screen. You smirk. "I'll think about it." Eren frowns but goes right back to button mashing. You shake your head and exit the apartment.
You are currently being dragged down the hallway by an excited Claire who had answered the door as soon as you rang the doorbell. She was already wearing a pink apron with a smiling cartoon cupcake on the front. You pass a few rooms in a blur and can't help but notice how neat and tidy the house is, one would never guess there was a young child living here. You smile as you think of how someone might think a child lived in your apartment from the state Eren would leave it in.
Finally you arrive in the kitchen panting slightly from trying to keep up with Claire's pace. The kitchen is also clean and tidy as expected. All the necessary bowls and utensils lined up on the counter ready to go. You try really hard not to laugh when your eyes land on Levi, who is leaning against the counter. He is wearing the exact same apron as Claire, smiling cupcake and all in adult size.
"What's so funny, (y/n)?" Levi asks raising an eyebrow at you, his expression totally serious. You blush slightly. "You two look adorable!" You can't help but blurt out. Claire giggles. "I got Daddy the apron for Father's Day, Auntie Hange helped pick these out for us!" Claire exclaims happily. "I think the pink suits you nicely Levi." You say still trying not to laugh. "Tch, it takes a real man to wear pink, (y/n). He says with a hint of a smile.
After the batter was mixed and poured into separate bowls, a different food coloring was added to each bowl. You show Levi and Claire how to fill the cupcake wrappers, adding one layer of each colored batter. You can't help but smile as you watched Claire standing on her step stool carefully trying to pour the batter into cups as Levi helped her lift the bowls. After all the cups were filled, the pans were placed in the oven to bake.
While the cupcakes were baking, you all cleaned up the dishes from making the batter. Soon the cupcakes were baked and had cooled off. You each took an icing bag and added frosting to the cupcakes. After all the cupcakes were frosted they were placed in sealed containers and placed in the extra refrigerator in the garage, except for 5 of them so everyone could try one.
Levi smirks. "I guess you were right brat, these cupcakes are pretty good, still not as good as my cookies though." He says to Claire. Claire smiles and whispers in your ear. "Don't listen to Daddy, he's just jealous." She giggles. Levi fakes a frown and crosses his arms over his chest. "I am not jealous brat." Claire giggles again and hugs Levi tightly. "You're so funny Daddy." Levi just sticks his tongue out at her.
"Well it's getting late and I have to go home and feed Mr. Eren his dinner." You say as you grab your jacket and bags. Levi and Claire walk you to your car. You say goodbye to Levi and Claire. You give Claire a hug and tell her you will see her in school on Monday. Claire then takes your hand and pulls you to stand in front of Levi.
"Now give Daddy a hug too because that's what friends do." She says seriously as she places your arms around each other while you both stand there awkwardly. Claire decides to help by gently pushing Levi forward which causes Levi to stumble slightly and he falls forward and his body pressed against yours. You freeze for a minute and then you both jump back, both of you blushing.
You quickly move towards your car after telling Levi you would see him at the picnic next week. You get in your car and pull away from their house having plenty of time to think about what just happened.