I like you

15. Forgive & Forget

After a long crying session Levi turned to his best friend, Hanji.

"I know I was wrong to keep that from him but... I didn't want him to suffer"

"There are certain things you can't protect others from shorty" Hanji replied earnestly

"I guess I couldn't protect him from myself after all"

"Don't say that, what you did wasn't cool, but you didn't mean to hurt anyone"

"I'm just so fucking stupid"

"Maaaaybe a bit but your also kind, that's why this whole shit show happened"

"Kind? I just broke the heart of the man I love" Levi replied with pain

"You kissed Erwin because you didn't want to hurt him and you didn't tell Eren because you didn't want to hurt him. Yeah, stupid but also kind"

"You might be unnecessarily honest"

"Someone has to be. So, what are you gonna do?"

"Ask for forgiveness?"

"Hey Eren I'm sorry I hurt you I didn't mean too, please put your dick in me?" Hanji joked

"No! Not exactly... I guess I should do what's long overdue, cut ties with Erwin for good and then see if Eren will have me back once I explain"

"Well sounds like a plan, I really am dying to know how it goes, maybe you can wear a microphone?"

___________________________________________________

Meanwhile Eren had gone to Armin's aid

"I really fucked up this time, Armin"

"You know I wouldn't lie to you, you kind of did but this can be fixed"

Despite Armin's positive attitude, Eren was just too depressed to contemplate a good outcome

"What he did really hurt me, but not enough for me to want to leave him... we can work through this can't we?"

"I think if you both want to, then you can"

"I do, but I was too harsh on him Ar, what if he doesn't want to?" Eren replied with despair

"I think he will but I guess what both he and I are wondering is why did you get so mad? Do you not trust him?"

"Despite what I told him I know he didn't do anything more than once and he would never do it again it's just that... sometimes I feel like he's still in love with him"

"That night, from what I gather, he didn't go to Erwin with any romantic intentions" Armin commented

"Yeah but it still happened... they used to be so in love, Levi basically thinks he owes his life to him"

"I think they did love each other and saved each other in a way, but it sort of sounds as if Erwin has manipulated Levi in some ways"

"I don't know Ar, I just feel so confused, and hurt... and guilty"

"One thing's for certain, you both love each other"

"Can someone love two people at a time?" Eren inquired

"I don't know but in those three months he never went to anyone but you"

_____________________________________________________-

Back to Levi and Hanji...

"I can't meet Erwin in person"

"Are you gonna break up with him over the phone!?

"It's not a breakup and yes! Now shush, it's ringing

"If you get nervous just throw me the phone, I'm great at impressions Hanji offered

"You're not" Levi replied

"I'm not what?

"No, not you, hi Erwin"

Levi gave Hanji a dirty look and then focused on the call

"Hello Levi, what do you need?" Erwin asked

"Nothing. I'm just calling to say... I'm resigning"

"I heard, to go off to college right?"

"Yes."

"And live with Eren"

"Yes..."

I'm not so sure he'll have me anymore

"Doesn't this sound familiar to you Levi?"

Levi was trying to process what he meant and then it began to make sense, which made Levi petrify, what if he was destined to the relive the same fate?

"You're going to grow apart, you'll get lonely and one, or maybe both of you will cheat. I'm guessing it's going to be you but hey I don't have a problem with that..."

With that remark, Levi realized that it wouldn't be the same because the way he once felt for Erwin was not even close to the love he felt towards Eren, both men weren't alike in any way. Levi himself wasn't the same.

"No. We're not, we are not like you and me" Levi spoke firmly

"Because you love each other, right? We were in love too"

"Yes... at first, I did love you Erwin, I will never deny that, but we got to a point where I mistook gratitude for love..."

Now the silence came from the other line, Levi knew that saying that to Erwin would hurt him but he had now realized that truth, even though it hurts, it demands to be said out loud

"Okay Levi, then go, but I won't be there to pick up the pieces anymore." Erwin replied coldly

"I know."

With that, the phone call ended and so did they. A tear fell from Levi's face but what he felt was mostly relief. He was now ready to tell Eren the truth.

"Okay four eyes, here goes everything... Send"

Text messages:

Levi: Hey, do you think we could talk?

Eren: Hi, we probably should

Levi: Want some Chinese?

Eren: Sure, I'll come over

"Okay, green light, so leave please, I am really grateful for your help, as always but I need the place for myself"

Levi began to push Hanji out of his apartment

"I guess being kicked out is part of my duty as your fairy godmother"

"I'm not kicking you out, I'm kindly showing you the exit" Levi joked

"Okay Levi, but I will hug you until you lose you breath next time I see you, just to spite you"

"Okay, okay and I'll let you if it makes you happy"

Levi got Hanji out and shut the door. As rude as this may seem, that's just their weird-ass friendship. Levi stood against the door and let himself fall to the ground, his breath heavy and his hands shaking, afraid of losing Eren.

DISCLAIMER: None of the characters or anything related to Attack On Titan belongs to me. It is in it's entirety intellectual property of Hajime Isayama.