House Cat [Neko!Levi x Eren, Attack on Titan]

Chapter IV

Tuesday came again and Eren was nervous. He really wanted Levi to stay from what he could tell Levi was at least not openly opposed to the idea. He talked to Armin and per Neko ownership traditions if he wanted Levi to be in his Neko he should give him a collar to signify it. So Eren followed his advice. The entire day at work he was nervous wreck. His boss actually let him go thirty minutes early because he looked sick.

He decided to go to the library because one, he wanted to avoid Levi and two, Armin worked there. Armin was putting away books, so as long as no one saw them they could talk for as long as they wanted. Armin had always been a bookworm and was smart enough to do whatever he wanted in life but he loved working there at the library.

"I don't know why your stressing so much over this, lots of people have Neko's and asking one to be yours isn't that big of a deal and he seems to like you just fine," Armin said while tip toeing to put a book back on the shelf.

"I know I know, he is just different and I want to do this right. I know stuff has happened in his past and I want him to be able to trust me," Eren absentmindedly ran his fingers along the book spines.

"It sounds like your over thinking this."

"Yeah, yeah."

Armin gave him a curious look and Eren saw his ears twitch slightly, which usually happened when he was trying to solve a puzzle or work something out.

"What?"

"You aren't normally like this, are you feeling okay?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well you usually don't get this nervous and your pretty confident in your feelings and opinions and have no problem expressing them. This time it's different maybe it's not just being Levi's owner that got you acting this way."

"Nah, it's probably just me overthinking it like you said," Eren said hastily.

"Sure," Armin said smiling at his friend.

"I better get going so that I'm home on time, see yeah Armin," Eren said looking at his watch as he turns to leave.

Armin waved goodbye with his free hand. Then Eren remembered something and turned back around.

"Hey what's with the flowers at the front desk where you usually work?" He asked.

"Oh the owner started putting them there a little while ago."

"Huh," Eren said and then left.

•••

When Eren got home Levi was preparing dinner. Eren wondered why he was starting so early, according to Levi it took a long time to cook. So Eren left him to it and locked himself in the art room. He was working on a painting for himself, which is something he hadn't done in a long while but he felt inspired. Painting calmed him down quite a bit.

Two hours later Levi called him in for dinner. They ate in silence which wasn't too uncomfortable considering how antsy Eren was. Levi honestly found it slightly amusing and could've tried to help Eren calm down but he found it entertaining to watch. After they finished eating Eren did the dishes while Levi sat on the couch grooming his tail.

Once Eren finished he went to his room to get the box that contained the collar he had bought. He walked out but stopped before entering the the living room. He just stared at Levi not brave enough to approach.

"Just sit down and stop being so nervous," Levi said bluntly, looking up a him.

Eren breathed a heavy sigh and sat down next to him. He thought hard about what to say, anything he had thought of beforehand sounded stupid now. Levi then sighed, then reached out and touched Eren lightly on the shoulder. Eren looked at him surprised. Levi rolled his eyes and took his hand away but maintained eye contact.

"Look, your overreacting this isn't that big of a deal, people get Neko's all the time. Also you have nothing to worry about, I would never hate you for asking that's the whole reason why I've been here this week. If anything I should be hoping you don't kick me out because all I really do is clean. I like it here and you are tolerable and that's saying a lot," he took a long deep breath.

"I would like to be your Neko."

Eren was shocked and once it all sunk in he was overjoyed. He gave Levi a big smile and leaned over and hugged him. Levi felt awkward from the gesture but was nonetheless very content. Eren was on the verge of tears as he pulled away from the hug. Levi noticed this.

"Oi, brat don't cry this is awkward enough as it is."

Eren laughed a bit at this. He then opened the box that was on his lap. He pulled out a midnight blue collar with a silver fastener. It fit Levi's style very well. Levi could almost feel a smile coming on.

"Well, put it on," Levi invited.

Eren tried his best to not screw up as he put the collar on Levi. Once on, Levi touched the new accessory on his neck. He looked at Eren and then looked down at his feet.

*cue flashback music*

"I lived with my mother until I was ten, we lived with an old couple but when they died she left me in another families care I hopes I would have a better life. That family had a six year old girl and a boy my age. The daughter, Isabel adored me and I was quite comfortable with her which I guess is why I'm used to Mina. Her and Farlan became my family but after five years they had to move and couldn't keep me. After that I wondered around, stayed with a rich lady who I payed no attention to me for awhile. I got stuck with some other people who weren't the nicest but I basically just cleaned for anyone who would take me. They were involved in something illegal and got caught and the police put me in Erwin's custody who then introduced me to Hanji and now I'm here," once he finished Eren wanted to hug him again and cry.

And he did just that, Levi rolled his eyes again but after saying all that he was fine with the affection and physical contact. Eren broke the hug and took a deep breath, sniffling a little.

*Cues music once again*

"My mother died when I was eight and my dad wasn't around much. I went through problems with depression but I had good friends like Armin. People always ask me if going to college and living on my own is weird but it is honestly nothing different than what I normally had. I love having someone to come home to and a place to actually consider home," it felt good to get that off his chest and if Levi trusted him that much he felt he should return the favor. Levi genuinely appreciated it and was more happy with the situation than he could ever admit.

That night they fell asleep once again with Levi curled atop Eren's chest.

•••

A/N: Am I a lazy writer by getting the back stories all over with early? Probably but I've been planning this chapter since I came up with the idea for this story and I'm happy with how it turned out.