AIN'T TALKIN' 'BOUT LOVE

CHAPTER 17 - GLITTER AND CRIMSON by ALL TIME LOW

☆ This chapter includes homophobic behavior and language. Take care of yourself, first and foremost.☆

SPOTIFY LINK https://open.spotify.com/track/4LpT15R6GqcKGjT92R8kfS?si=4ac634f73121476b

Eren leaned against the elevator walls, speeding up towards Levi's penthouse offices, Reeves Financial Firm. He looked at himself in the surrounding mirrors and hoped that he looked like the snack he actually felt like, wearing a bright white linen button up, rumpled and comfortable, with the front hemmed edges lying softly against his worn jeans. His aged brown leather belt cinched his waist, anchoring his look in scuffed brown leather oxfords. Chin length hair swept back in a haphazard short tail, released mahogany strands that framed his tanned face and strong jaw.

Eren smiled at himself. His ocean eyes sparkled at the thought of getting to fully ogle a dignified Levi Ackerman in one of his classically tailored suits without having to fit it all in a door's peephole. God, he hoped the suit was navy. So elegant. He couldn't figure out which Levi he'd like to get fucked by more...leather and jeans Levi or Ralph Lauren broadcloth Levi.

Levi had reluctantly agreed to allow Eren to come up to the offices when the boy flat out lied and said he wasn't familiar with the surrounding area...not enough to find the little record player parts store on his own, that is. Eren had frowned and stared at the ceiling for just the right amount of time for it to be more inconvenient for Levi to explain than if he just let Eren come up. The huffing was impressive; he had to hold back his laughter, but in the end, it was well worth it.

The mirrored doors opened onto a small seating area next to what appeared to be a receptionist's desk. The young man at the desk spoke on the phone, but smiled and lifted a finger for him to wait.

As he did, he let his view span the vast floor plan, filled with spacious offices, glass sliding doors and a million green plants. Since it was on the top floor, the entire floor was encased in floor to ceiling windows that looked out on downtown Lumbre, spread like a carpet around it. He could see the gulf just blocks to the east, glittering emerald green in the sun.

Looking back across the offices, it almost seemed like it was a college dorm setup. A cluster of individual, smaller office spaces converged on a larger room with two couches and two armchairs in the center surrounding a huge table that had sections which could be lifted up to be used as impromptu desks or dining tables, whichever was needed. In the corner of each of these large rooms was a kitchen area and on the opposite side was a huge TV with every game console you could imagine, an exercise bike with a screen, and a treadmill.

What was exceptional to Eren was the environment and the people's obvious satisfaction with being there. He had never seen a workplace that looked and felt as harmonious. Isabel said that Levi ran the business. He wasn't sure how that fit into his life or to what capacity he orchestrated what seemed to be very conscious, compassionate choices for these people.

His thoughts were interrupted by the presence of someone standing next to him. He turned to a softly smiling blonde guitar player who he knew for a fact, his best friend wanted to fuck. Eren stuck his hand out to Erwin and smiled widely. "Dude, you look pretty different from what I'm used to seeing." Dressed in a dark gray suit, with shiny shoes, Eren had to take a breath. This man was unbelievably gorgeous.

Erwin's chuckle was deep and warm as he shook Eren's hand. "Good to see you, Eren."

He glanced around the office and frowned. "Are you here to see—"

"Ereennnnn!" came a squeal, as arms threw themselves around his neck from behind.

Ducking quickly and firmly grabbing the person by the shoulders, Eren couldn't hide his nervousness. When he saw it was Hange, he dropped one of his arms to his hip and started to breathe deeply. "Oh shit, Hange." He shook his head, trying to match his reaction appropriately to what happened.