Complications Throughout Generations

Chapter 170

Eren's POV:

Historia's Halloween went well shockingly. Not that it usually doesn't; it's just that there was no extra drama. Somehow, everyone was normal. But what I'm paying closer attention to today is Levi.

His first day back to school since Kuchel.

I texted him 'good morning' the way I always do but I didn't get a reply. That could mean one of two things: he's freaking out or he's still not ready.

I was already at my locker after first period and he was nowhere in sight. But she was...

"Hange!" I shouted, catching her attention. She came over to me with dark circles under her eyes. "Jesus Christ, you look like you just got hit in the face by a crowbar."

"Thank you, Eren. The reminder was much needed. Now what do you want?" She yawned. I stared at her like it was obvious. "He's here...hiding."

"Hiding?"

"You have no idea what it took for me and Mikasa to convince him to come today."

"Would that explain the corpse look on your face?"

"4am, Eren, 4am. That's when we finally got him to calm down."

"Why didn't you call me?"

"Because he begged us not to. Which would also explain why you probably haven't seen him."

She seemed emotionally drained. She was always one to stay strong but her feelings weren't as disciplined as Mikasa or Levi's around others. I knew Hange needed a break.

"Thank you." I sighed. I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a small squeeze. "I'm sorry, Hange." I whispered in her ear. Her entire body went stiff. She gripped onto the back of my shirt and squeezed tighter. "I know I never got the chance to say it to you...after mom died."

"It's okay," she sniffled, "no one did." She pulled away and wiped her small tears with a smile. "I mean, I expected it. I wasn't adopted for too long. I guess I didn't really count." She was referring to the funeral. Now that I think of it, she's right. Everyone just gave their condolences to Levi and Mikasa. Even after she went up and spoke about her in front of everyone there, the numbers were very slim.

"Hange, please don't say that. You know she loved you just as much as she loved Levi and Mikasa. She was so happy to call you her daughter."

"Who knows." She smiled and shrugged, still wiping her tears away.

"No, I know for a fact. Kuchel considered you to be her own way before you were adopted. You were a part of that family from the very beginning."

"It's true." Mikasa walked up to us with Annie at her side. "Sometimes I even felt like mom wanted me to be more like you. So believe Eren. She loved you more than anything, Hange."

"I loved her too." Hange tried to force away the saddened face but it stayed just as long as the tears did.

The day went on and my mind was still set on Levi. I pretty much figured out where he was. The library. Once I walked in, I immediately spotted him with his head laying on his crossed arms. I sat down next to him before putting my hand on him, not wanting to scare him.

"Levi," I whispered. He didn't move a muscle. "It's me."

"Oh, really? I thought it was Mikasa." Never a moment without the sassy remarks.

"Come here." I wrapped my arms around his waist and with no struggle, I pulled him onto my lap. He rested his head on my shoulder and stayed still. "It's almost over."

"I don't know what happened." His voice was just above a whisper. "My teacher said 'it's nice to see you' and that was it. I just left the room and couldn't go back."

"You think maybe we could get you transferred to classes with me, Hange, or Mikasa?" That was an idea I just thought of on the spot and I feel like it's pretty solid.

"Maybe."

"I just want you to be okay, Levi."

"I don't know if I'll ever be that." He laughed a little but seeming hopeless.

"You will be." I kissed the top of his head and kept him close. "I know you'll be."

"Someone's optimistic."

"I didn't put us back on this Earth just for you to get a completely shit life twice."

"I don't know, Eren. This life feels just as worse as the first." He sighed. It hurt my feelings a little bit but I know he didn't have me in mind when he said it. I don't blame him.

"I'll fix it."

"Oh yeah? You got some Founding Titan in you still?"

"No, just the will of God."

"Perfect."