Strictly Business

The Bench

Levi was finally finished with the paperwork that had previously piled up on his desk. He rubbed at his eyes and took off his glasses. He put them away and started packing his bag. Before he left he stuck his head into Hanji's office to say he was finished for the night.

"See you tomorrow then," He muttered and went to leave.

"Levi," She hummed to stop him leaving.

"What?" He looked back at her with a raised eyebrow

"Eren left his jacket...why don't you go and visit him?"

"What are you trying to do?" He asked and turned, leaning against the doorway. He crossed his arms and pressed his tongue against his teeth.

"I just thought it was a nice thing to do. If you really don't wasn't to see him, I'll do it," Hanji eyed him through her glasses.

"No. I'll go," he said firmly "He doesn't need you bugging him and keeping him awake this late," He huffed and turned again.

"That sounds like a very bad excuse to see your secretary outside of work, Levi," She smirked and leant her chin in her knuckles.

"You brought it up, shitty-glasses," he gave her a backwards wave as he walked out. "Goodnight,"

He left her there and walked outside. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing his locks back just as it started raining. He sighed and started walking home. He had lifted Eren's jacket and had it looped over his arm. Maybe he would spot him walking back. It was just then that Levi realised he had no idea where Eren lived. He frowned to himself and decided to just head home. It was too late anyway, he was probably sleeping. Levi kept walking home and when he was about halfway home he noticed someone on a bench. The rain was heavier than earlier and he couldn't help but stare. They were probably one of the few homeless people in the area. He tried not to groan as he thought about how dirty they would be as he walked past. He was about to avert his gaze but he noticed they were wearing a suit. He frowed and couldn't help but take a closer look. He covered his nose as the strong smell of wine radiated off of them. "Drunken bastered," He sighed and started to walk away when he saw the tie wrapped around his arm. It looked familiar... "Eren?" He tapped his body with his foot. "Eren you lazy, drunk asshole, get up," the only response he got was a small grunt then a sharp intake of breath. Levi and Eren where completely soaked now and Levi grunted back at him. He moved to the bench and shook Eren. "Why are you drunk?" He tried to ask but it sounded more of a snap. Eren's eyes shot open and he looked up in confusion.

"D-drunk? What are you taking about?" He mumbled. His speech wasn't slurred but it was shaky.

"You stink of wine..." he grunted and Eren paused for a moment before making an 'ohhhh' sound.

"I must have spilt some..." he lied, hoping Levi would buy it. His dad must have thrown one of his cooking wines. He held in a groan of annoyance and gave Levi a small smile. Levi didn't believe it but he didn't press the matter since it was clear that Eren wasn't drunk. He looked at the tie that was wrapped around his arm and spotted the dried blood that was crusted around it. He walked forward and tugged on his, making it fall away. Eren tried to grab it and stop it falling but he was too late. Levi's frown deepened and he got the wrong impression.

"Are you stupid!? Did you get in a barfight?!" Eren blinked at him then snorted. Levi frowned as he started laughing.

"Do I look like the rough and tumble kind of guy?" He smirked and Levi glared at him.

"No, you look like the kind of guy who just got his ass handed to him by a 'rough and tumble kind of guy'. Now get up. You need to go home," Eren looked down at his hands as Levi spoke. His face and stomach were still throbbing from his dad's punches. He sighed a little and decided to not let Levi get involved.

"I'm waiting on a friend picking me up," he lied again and tried to keep a straight face but he always struggled. Levi raised and eyebrow and crossed his arms. He clicked his tongue before he spoke.

"You were fast asleep when I found you," Eren panicked a little at that and checked his watch. It was smashed but still ticking...just. He shrugged and hid the smashed watch from Levi's sight.

"I had just got off the phone with them. They'll be here any minute," a third lie.

"Who will?" he asked and Eren cursed mentally,

"My friend,"

"Name?"

"Armin," he tried not to feel guilty for lying but he didnt expect Levi to understand the situation.

"Ah...Your boyfriend??" He watched as Levi dropped his arms, suddenly uninterested. It was Eren's turn to raise and eyebrow as Levi's behaviour suddenly changed. "Whatever crap you and him get up to just make sure you aren't late tomorrow," He hissed then walked off. Eren breathed a small sigh of relief when he was out of sight then hugged his knees to his chest once again as he drifted off to sleep again.