Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

*~Chapter Thirteen~*

Eren was just opening his mouth to reply when another coughing fit took Levi over. This time, however, he was unable to hold himself up any longer and nearly would've crumpled to the floor if it hadn't been for Eren's strong arms catching him and coaxing him into a chair. His shiny eyes were filled with concern as he kneeled before Levi, absently leaving a hand resting on his thin arm.

"Shit," mumbled Levi once the coughing subsided. "That hurts like a mother."

"Are you sure you don't want any water?" asked Eren, eyes flitting back and forth between the other's.

"That...might help," he admitted glumly.

He couldn't help but hate himself as Eren pushed himself to his feet and went to get requested water. The brat seemed so concerned about him. It was mind-boggling, impossible to wrap his head around. No one, not even his sister, had ever looked at him with such worried eyes. It sent something of a thrill throughout his entire body, weak as he was.

"Thank you," he murmured almost ruefully as Eren placed a bottle of cold water in his almost equally as cold hands. He tilted it to his lips and forced himself to drink at least half of it as Eren watched.

"Damn, brat," he muttered, mildly embarrassed. "You sure like to hover."

Quickly, Eren averted his eyes and started wandering slowly toward the front of the shop. He felt Levi's gaze on him as he did so and was hyper aware of his presence, just as he always seemed to be.

"So," Levi said after a minute of awkward silence, "what happens now?"

Chewing absently on his lip, Eren turned on his heel to face the raven once more. "I think...I need to go home and grab a few things. And then I'm gonna take you home so you can get some rest."

"Tch. I'm perfectly capable of taking myself home."

Eren cocked a brow, skeptical. "You can barely stand up on your own," he pointed out. "I don't think you're capable of walking anywhere."

Levi rolled his eyes and placed the bottle on the supply table to his right. "Please, brat. You think I walked here this late?"

Eren's skepticism quickly morphed into confusion, his face twisted into a hard frown. "Don't tell me you drove here."

"No, I teleported," muttered the raven.

"Levi...seriously?" he asked, astonished.

"Yes, seriously," Levi grumbled as he forced himself to his feet. "I can take myself home."

"Bullshit."

The artist's brows lifted. "Excuse me?"

"Levi, you can barely stand up," said Eren in an almost pleading tenor. "Just let me take you home."

Levi clenched his teeth and considered it for a minute. He knew from the minute he decided to leave that he shouldn't be driving, and he could feel his energy draining out of him by merely standing there. Not only that, but as he looked into Eren's liquid turquoise orbs, he found he couldn't say no.

"Fine," he muttered. Eren visibly relaxed in relief. "But you're responsible for getting my car back."

"I'll work something out."

With that, they closed the shop up and strode back over to the café where Eren's car waited. He walked behind Levi, keeping himself ready in case the other's body gave out. It didn't, fortunately, but the way he moved scared Eren to death. His heart pounded in nervousness, though this time it wasn't due to Levi himself, but for concern for the man.