Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

*~Chapter Nine~*

Okay. So from here on, things get pretty dark. I honestly didn't hold back, but I also honestly didn't really ever plan on sharing this publicly when I started writing it. I'm just warning you now. ;P

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"Eren, honey, come inside."

Sudden warmth on his hand snapped him out of his state. Carla had reached out with both of her hands to take his and was coaxing him back toward the warmth of the house. Almost mechanically, he followed her in and let her shut the door behind him.

"You're freezing," she murmured. "Take your shoes off and come in. I'll make some hot tea."

"No! No tea," he mumbled hastily.

"Alright. Cocoa then. Just start warming yourself up."

Eren complied with her words, though he wasn't sure what force compelled him to. He was still imagining Levi's scars, his broken face, the cracking in his voice...his confession.

He ended up lying in the reclining chair, staring into space. He was vaguely aware of Mikasa staring at him from the couch and Carla reentering the room to cover him with several soft, heavy blankets.

"Eren, sweetheart, what happened?" she asked, bending down and gently caressing his still-frozen cheek with her warm palm. "Is Levi alright?"

The teen visibly flinched at the sound of the name; his gaze fell away from hers. "I...can't see him anymore," he mumbled almost inaudibly.

"Why not?"

"It'll just be a repeat of Dad." With that, he buried his face into the warm blankets in front of him.

"Oh, honey..." Carla gently kissed his forehead. There was no way she knew exactly what he meant by those words, but it was more than likely she had an idea. "Get some rest, alright?"
He didn't respond and felt her walk away.

"So he's a druggie, too, huh?" Mikasa asked. Eren couldn't see her, but even she sounded sad. "Shoulda seen that one coming."

Eren ignored her. A few minutes later, Carla came in and placed a steaming cup of brown liquid on the table next to him. "Do you want anything else?"

"Um...just my phone. And my headphones. Please."

She retrieved them from the kitchen counter and placed them next to the mug on the table. He felt her brush his hair back one more time, kiss his forehead, and then disappear again, this time with Mikasa.

"Why are you babying him?" asked the girl.

"I'm not sure what happened out there, but I can tell it wasn't good. He needs all the comfort I can offer," explained Carla in her motherly tone.

"Why? What's the big deal? So his coworker's an addict...why is it affecting him so much?"

"He has feelings for Levi, Mikasa. That's why."

"Jeez. I don't understand adults."

"Just try not to disturb him, okay? Let him rest and collect his thoughts."

"Yeah, whatever."

Eren stuffed his headphones in his ears after that, turned it up as loud as he dared, and tapped shuffle. He let the smell of the blankets around him, - the scent of home – and the music lull him to sleep.