Complications Throughout Generations

Chapter 193

Eren's POV:

Basketball season was finally over so I had more free time. My dad and I moved out of the Ackerman's house and back into our own. When we finally settled in, we realized all of mom's things were gone so it was officially just the two of us. A lot can happen in two months.

My birthday is in about two days and I think the only thing I want is to be left alone. No gifts, no parties, no surprises.

"You're going to be 17, son. Are you sure you don't want to at least go out and have dinner?" My dad asked as he pushed around the shopping cart in Walmart. I let him take me to the grocery store because that's the least I can do with all that he's done these past few months.

"Yeah, I'm sure." I said quietly, not being aware of my actual volume due to the music playing in my ears. It was my favorite Radiohead song 'Burn The Witch'. I'm starting to think that listening to music is all I'm going to have left of Levi but I can't give up yet.

"How about I make you something? Anything you want."

"I'm okay with just ordering in...if that's okay with you."

"Of course it is. Do you want anyone to come over?"

I shook my head. "Just us."

"Okay." He nodded with a soft smile.

He's really tried his best even still with us being back in our home. It's apparent that all he ever wanted was redemption. He knew the life he had bestowed upon me the first time and it scarred him deeply. His goal was to make me feel loved and supported at all times. I'd say in this lifetime he's exceeded that goal. Who would have thought that Grisha Jaeger would bring home the trophy for best dad award?

Later on, we arrived back home and took in all the bags filled with snacks, frozens, amongst other things. I had tried to take in as many as I could which resulted in deep red marks on my forearms. I guess that's a sign of hard work.

"Eren, someone's calling you." My dad had said, putting away groceries as he heard my phone vibrate on the kitchen table. It was Hange.

"Hey, Hange, is everything okay?" I answered.

"Eren, I need you to stay as calm as you possibly can. Are you with your dad?" She responded.

"Yeah." My throat went immediately dry. I wasn't sure what to expect.

"Put the phone on speaker." So I did. "We just got a call from the hospital." She sighed in preparation. "He's awake. But they're running more tests right now so we can't see him just yet." I nearly dropped the phone but I latched onto my dad's wrist for support. "But from what they told me...he has some brain damage."

"W-what kind of brain damage?" I stuttered. I was stuck between being happy he's awake but also being scared that it's incredibly severe.

"All they told me was that he's extremely lucky to not be a vegetable with the amount of Zolpidem he took along with the size of his body. Basically what they were saying was that him even being in the state he's in right now is a miracle."

"It's not a miracle, he's just an Ackerman." I smirked at the obvious logic. "Levi is too stubborn to die. That'll never change I guess. Doesn't even matter if he wants it or not. This world isn't finished with him yet."

"Don't I know it." Hange sounded relieved.

It's been almost 6 months of nothing but agony. I've gone and visited him in that hospital bed every day. Even though I've been with him physically, it's still not him. I've missed his voice. His eyes. I've seen nothing but closed eyes for 6 months. I just want to see those beautiful blue gray eyes of his. I just want him. Always him. Always Levi.

"Thank you, Hange. Are you okay?"

"I'm okay. Are you?"

"Yeah." I tried to sound convincing. "Just text me if they call again, okay?"

"Of course. Bye, Eren."

"Bye, Hange."

I slapped my phone down on the table and before I could move another muscle, my father pulled me in for a tight hug.

"I told you it was gonna be okay." He mumbled in my ear, keeping me close. "Everything will always be okay."