The Ereri Project!

Venue (High School)

Bertholdt is pacing because his nerves can't seem to settle. Eren knows the feeling, his own nerves are giving him jimmy legs but he's much better off sitting down than pacing like their lead vocalist. "Seriously Bert," Reiner says. "Come sit down and calm down for a few minutes."

Bertholdt just shakes his head, determined not to vocalize at all except for warm ups, and continues pacing. Annie rolls her eyes. "Leave him be, Reiner," she says.

Eren takes another sip of his water. Everyone's nervous because tonight is there first time playing in a venue this big. Plus, according to their manager a few minutes ago, they almost have a full house. Eren just wants to call Levi but if he's already out there in that crowd they might not be able to hear each other.

He ends up staring into space, fidgeting with his hands.

"-Eren. Eren!"

He looks up to see Annie and Reiner both standing in front of him. "Wha?"

"It's time to go," Annie says.

He gets up and follows them into the wings off to the side of the stage. He tries to focus on his breathing, to drown out some of the noise, but everything's loud and he feels a little dizzy. He's glad Annie shoves him when they walk out or else he's not sure he would've moved at all.

He clutches his guitar with clammy hands, scanning the crowd with his eyes. He didn't know he wasn't breathing until finally his eyes land on Levi, staring back with an excited grin and wearing a t-shirt with their band's name on it, and he finally takes a deep breath.

He can finally focus on other things after that, knowing Levi is watching makes it easier for him to pay attention to everything Bertholdt says and his own playing.

After a song or two, his nerves ease up completely and he's enjoying himself. But once he's comfortable, the rest of the show goes too fast and then suddenly they're backstage again and he's still got so much energy he runs down the hall and cheers.

Annie actually cracks a smile at his behavior, especially because Reiner is acting similarly, laughing and doing pushups to burn off the excess energy. Eren takes a sip of his water as their manager walks in with Levi in tow. Levi grins and jumps at Eren, hugging him. "You're amazing," he says, his voice coarse and barely there.

"Whoa," Eren replies. "What happened to your voice?"

Levi's expression is sheepish. "I may have done some screaming and cheering."

Eren giggles and kisses Levi.