Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

*~Chapter Six~*

"So you saw him like that," Levi murmured. He, too, bore a grim expression, though not for the same reason as Eren.

"Yeah. Still haunts me, too. We still don't know if it was intentional or not, but we don't think so because he didn't leave a note or anything...and Mom says he would have, but I'm not so sure."

"I'm sorry you had to go through that." Levi's voice was flat, his eyes downcast.

"Don't be. It's not your fault or anything."

"Then I'm sorry I asked."

"I'm...actually kinda glad you did. Sometimes you just gotta get things like that off your chest, y'know? I'm sure I get on Armin's nerves with it since he's the only one aside from my mom and I who knows what truly happened. And you now, I guess..." Eren self-consciously stirred his tea.

"Armin?" snorted Levi. "That's kind of a ridiculous name."

Eren frowned. "He got it from his grandfather. He's been my friend for as long as I can remember."

"Hm."

"So, I told you my sob story. What about you?"

"What do you mean?"

Eren rolled his eyes with a lighthearted grin. "Please, Levi. I know you've been through a lot of shit. I shared mine with you. Now it's your turn."

Levi wrapped his trembling fingers around his empty cup and stared into it. His eyes took on an almost vacant expression; it was a bit concerning until he spoke. "I suppose that's fair." He drew in a deep breath, buying time to choose his words carefully. The last thing he wanted was to scare Eren off right then and there. "My mom died when I was 18...so about five years ago. She was driving in a rainstorm and lost control of the vehicle. Ended up rolling down a hill and into a river." He half-shrugged.

"Wow," breathed Eren, eyes wide. "That's terrible."

"I suppose."

"You don't seem too shaken by it."

"My mom wasn't much of a mom, to put it simply. Yeah, she fed us and took care of us, but I don't think she ever loved us. Can't say I care too much, though. Love isn't my forte. I guess in the end that made her death that much easier to get over."

This only seemed to add to the mystery that was Levi. Eren, being who he was, could never imagine his life without his mother or without loving her to pieces. It seemed unreal that there were people out there who didn't love their mothers as much as he adored his. He sat there, absentmindedly staring at Levi, trying to wrap his head around the concept.

"What, brat?" asked Levi in a hard tone, breaking Eren from his pondering. "You're staring. Again."

Quickly, Eren averted his eyes and mumbled, "Sorry. It's just...my mom. I can't imagine losing her like that. It baffles me how you seem so whatever about it."

"I wouldn't say I'm whatever about it...she was still my mother."

"I understand. So then...what about your father?"

"Never met him."

"Why not?"

"Dead beat. As soon as he learned my mom was pregnant with me, he ran off."

"So do you and your sister have different fathers?"

"Yup."

"Sounds...complicated."

Levi shrugged and sat back again. In the dim light flooding out from the kitchen, Eren could see how bloodshot his eyes had become and how much more exhausted he appeared in the past little while. He'd started to shake again as well, and was absently scratching at his arms.