Mistaken Message (Levi x Eren)-

Outside

Eren looked up as the bedroom door opened just a crack.

"Eren? They're gone." Levi said as he stepped inside, watching the boy carefully. He hadn't seen Eren explode like that in awhile, it worried him to see his green eyed beauty so upset. He regretted causing the boy so much pain, and he wished he could've kept his emotions in control back there.

Eren said nothing, turning his head to look away from Levi. He couldn't stand to look at him now. He had made a mistake. Responding to that anonymous message had been a mistake. He had put himself in this situation and now he was stuck. He knew he loved Levi, he knew that Levi cared about him too. But Eren couldn't stay here. If that meant leaving Levi, so be it. Well, that's what Eren wanted to think. But then a tiny voice inside his head reminded him of how hurt Levi was, how much he wanted to help the man. He hated that voice. But it was persistent and finally Eren turned his head to look at Levi. He felt guilty immediately when he saw how distraught Levi looked. He looked absolutely miserable about the fight earlier.

"Take me outside." Eren demanded, he needed to see how much freedom he had. He needed to see if his wellbeing really even mattered to Levi. He had to know.

"Eren..." Levi started to say before Eren cut him off.

"Rule number 1. Eren will not leave the apartment unless accompanied by Levi or someone who has Levi's trust to protect Eren. Right? Well I'll be accompanied by you." He reasoned, he knew the rules by heart by now, and he knew Levi couldn't argue. If Eren could even get a few minutes in the sun, a few minutes of fresh air, a few minutes of the public, he could clear his head. He could think properly and he could find out the truth. He really did think he loved Levi. He really did with all his heart. But Mikasa's words had struck him. What if he was being brainwashed? What if he didn't love Levi? He needed to know. For that, he needed to get outside.

"You're right... But are you sure you want to go outside? Now? You're upset Eren, you need to calm down."

"I need to calm down?! What was that out in the kitchen then! Were you being calm?! You nearly tore me in two and I can't stand being in this apartment one more fucking second Levi!" Eren snapped, he couldn't take this. He needed this. He needed to blow off steam. But when he looked at Levi's face that had now gotten icy cold he regretted his words.

"Fine. Let's go outside. Let's let your shitty face see some sunlight." Levi said as he stood, pulling Eren up as well. He had given Eren clothes, he had made Eren food, he had kept Eren safe, and in exchange Eren had snapped at him. But, Levi wasn't cruel, and he knew now that the boy loved him back. He knew he had to be nice now. Levi knew that he had to keep the boy, and maybe the boy could learn to protect himself. Maybe Levi could give him some more freedom. This was the test, if he could be good, if Eren could prove himself, Levi would think about letting him out more. Levi pulled on his shoes, shoving Eren's shoes at the boy.

Eren stared at Levi in confusion before taking the shoes, putting them on quickly. He wasn't sure what was with Levi's nee change in attitude but he was wary. Levi was unpredictable, as far as Eren knew he might end up dead in a ditch from this outing. But he wasn't going to back out now, he would have to try to trust Levi. Even if he hated this cold demeanour that Levi had just adopted.

"Thank you for taking me outside.." Eren muttered as Levi opened the door, hoping to relax the man a bit, but it was to no avail as the man only grunted as he grabbed Eren's hand, pulling him down the hallway to the apartment buildings elevator, pressing the down button. When the doors opened Levi pushed Eren inside first before following. Levi hated having to push and pull his green eyed beauty everywhere but he had to keep up this illusion. He had to pretend he was still mad. When they took their first steps out of the apartment building Eren shielded his eyes, staring at the ground.