Bruises and Caresses

Chapter 4

It had been about 3 months since Levi had hit Eren, and things were going great for the both of them. Eren's bruises healed, Levi quit being controlling and abusive, and Eren was able to see his friends again without any worry or hassle. The two of them had even decided to get engaged. Levi had purposed about a month after he made his promise to Eren to stop being abusive.

They had already started planning the wedding, thanks to a little help from Armin, who had been helping make calls, reserve dates, etc.. Eren couldn't be happier..

"Hey, I'm home." Levi announced as he walked through the door.

"Hi, Levi!" Eren said cheerfully as he greeted him, "How was work?" he asked, while giving his lover a kiss on the cheek.

"Boring as hell.." Levi replied while wrapping his arms around Eren.

"Aw, I'm sorry your day was uneventful.." Eren said while returning the hug.

"Maybe you could help me with that.." Levi said with a smirk forming across his face. Eren blushed slightly, "Oh?" he asked, "And how could I do that?"

"By letting me take you out for a nice and romantic dinner, you brat." Levi said in a playful yet loving tone.

"You don't need to do that, Levi-"

"Yes, I do." Levi said as he cut Eren off, "You've been working so hard planning the wedding and taking care of the house while I'm gone, you deserve a break. Now go put on some decent clothes, tonight's a treat." Eren obeyed and went to change, his face still blushing.

That night, Levi took Eren out to their favorite restaurant they only went to on special occasions. Then, he took Eren on a romantic walk through the park where they found their favorite spot they always went to where they had a perfect view of the stars. Everything was.. perfect. Eren was overwhelmed with happiness. The perfect night, perfect fiancee, and what seemed to be a perfect life. What seemed to be at least...

About 2 weeks later, it happened again.. Levi lost his temper and hit Eren..

Eren couldn't even remember what the reason was.. *slap* "You damn brat!" Levi yelled as he hit Eren, making him fall to the floor. "Are you a complete idiot?!"

Eren laid on the floor of their apartment as he tried to protect his face from Levi's painful hits, which made Levi start to kick him since he couldn't get to his face. He whimpered in pain at each forceful kick, "P-please.." he begged, "Pl-please s-stop.."

Levi looked down at the whimpering Eren, "Oh, so now that brats going to beg, huh?"

"Pl.. ease, L-Levi, I-I.."

"Save it! You think begging's going to get you anywhere after what you did?!"

"But Levi, I-!"

And yet another kick. "I said shut it! I don't feel like listening to your lies!"

"I-I'm not lying..!" Eren didn't even know what he had done.

"Playing dumb, are we?"

"Levi.. I.. I really don't know what I did to upset you!"

"Are you completely oblivious?" Levi asked in an annoyed tone, "I saw you hugging with that little blonde boy, and I've noticed how much time you two have been spending together.."

"Oh.. that's what it is then.." Eren thought to himself.

"You're always around him, you're always meeting up, having private conversations, don't you think all of that sounds a bit suspicious?"

"Levi, it's not what you think! Armin's just been helping me with the wedding plans, that's all, I swear!" Eren exclaimed, "Armin's just a friend, he's just helping me is all!"

"Why didn't you ask me for help?!" Levi asked, still annoyed.

"Because, you've been so stressed out and busy with work lately and trying to save up extra money for the wedding and there's so much planning that we have to do, I didn't want to stress you out even more!"

Levi paused for a moment, "Then why was he hugging you?"

"Because he's happy for me, that's all.." Eren explained. "He said he's happy forhow far I've come and how much I've grown, and how happy he is that I found someone I love, he said he's happy for the both of us and wishes us the best in our new life together..!" Eren was silent for a moment. "He's nothing more than a friend.." he reassured.

"Just a friend..?" Levi asked.

"Yes.." Eren replied, "He's just a really close friend, that's all.."

Levi was quite for a moment. "Well, then.." he began, "If he's nothing more than 'just a friend' to you, then you'd have no problem getting rid of him, would you?"

Eren's eyes widened. "L-Levi! You don't really mean that, do you?!"

"If he's 'just a friend,' it shouldn't be a problem, now should it?"

"B-but, I-"

Levi walked over to Eren grabbed his face with one hand. "It's me, or him.. Choose wisely.." he said looking directly in Eren's eyes. "After all, I'm going to be your husband soon.. Best you not have any distractions as my wife."

Eren had no words. He just sat there on the floor as Levi turned and walked away. Him and Armin had been best friends since they were practically toddlers, he couldn't imagine just getting rid of him like that. They were super close, like brothers almost. They knew everything about each other, he couldn't just get rid of his best friend that had been there for him through almost everything.

"Oh, and clean yourself up, will you?" Levi said looking over his shoulder, "You're a mess.."

"Why is this happening to me..?" Eren thought, "Why.. Of all people, is this happening to me..?"