Help you smile [Attack on Titan-Ereri/Riren]

Chapter XXIII: Graduation

Previously: The school year has almost ended and everyone is making plans for post high school life. For Eren and Levi, they still haven't fully decided on what to do.

•••

My high school career is coming to a close and I have to say I am relieved. It has been fun, I've had amazing times with my friends, almost no problems from bullies at least later on and I gained the greatest boyfriend in the world. Prepping for graduation though has been a pain. A lot of practicing in the freakishly hot June weather. How is it even this warm yet! I take of my sweaty graduation robes and set them on the table.

"Who's idea was it to practice in the robes, I mean seriously?!" I say, exhausted.

Levi next to me shrugs as he takes off his own robes.

"Well, we're almost done," I say smiling and move to hug him.

He stops me by putting his hand on my chest.

"You're not touching me until you take a shower," he says gruffly.

I roll my eyes. "Like you're any cleaner."

He glares at me but doesn't say anything. I lean over and kiss him quickly on the cheek.

"C'mon lets go."

We walk to my house together hand in hand. I start thinking about college, which is a topic I've been avoiding for the last couple of months. Although Levi and I have been filling out college applications together in hopes we will both get accepted to at least one of the same ones.

"You know if we don't get into the same college I could take a year off so we can still be together. I can apply to the college the next year. Plus I'll have earned some money from whatever job I get so paying will be easier," I say as we walk down my street.

Levi looks up at me with a concerned look on his face.

"That's not necessary," he says quietly.

"I want to stay with you, besides school is exhausting anyway and I wouldn't mind a break," I say sincerely and squeeze his hand. "You mean to much to me for me to let you go."

He stares off down the street, avoiding eye contact. I sigh and stare up at the sky.

"Unless you don't want to..." I say.

"I want to stay with you." He says, resolutely.

"Okay!" I say cheerfully as we walk up the steps of my house.

•••

Graduation day arrives and we are all in the line up. We are by last names, alphabetically so with the amount of seniors there are Levi and I are pretty far from each other. It's cool though we're all pretty spread out. I feel bad for Hanji, her last name is Zoë so she is going to have to stand for awhile. It's over 100 degrees outside, if I wasn't graduating I would be absolutely miserable. They start reading the names and Levi is towards the beginning so when his name is called I cheer loudly.

They get through all the names surprisingly fast. We sit through some speeches and aside from the blow horn brought by one of the parents, it wasn't that bad. Afterward we take pictures, dad and Mikasa's mom insist we take every kind of picture possible. With them, with friends, with each other, it's exhausting. While they're taking pictures of Mikasa and Annie I turn to Levi.

"If we run now they might not notice," I say grinning at him.

He looks at me like I'm a child but then says. "I might actually take you up on that."

He leans his head against my arm. I link our hands that are between us.

"Awe is little Levi sleepy?" I say enduringly.

"Shut up," he says.

Then out of the corner of my eye I see a camera lens pointed at us. It's Hanji taking a picture of us, I smile and ignore it but then Levi notices.

"Go away, glasses," he says irritated but doesn't move.

She cackles then goes to take pictures elsewhere. Once we are done we finish Mikasa and I's parents treat us to dinner and Levi comes along.

"Congratulations on all of you graduating!" Mikasa's mom says after we order our food.

"Yes and Mikasa for getting into Rose Academy. Eren and Levi good job in getting into Shiganshina University," My dad finishes.

Rose is one of the most prestigious colleges out there, both Armin and Erwin got in as well as Mikasa. Levi also got accepted but he decided to go to Shiganshina University with me. I objected, telling him that it was an amazing opportunity but he said he didn't care to and that Shiganshina had just as good a writing program. I felt guilty but was more happy with the fact that he would stay with me. Rose is only a town away but I am selfish and want Levi to stay with me.

"So what is your guy's plan?" Dad asks me and Levi.

"Um, we are both planning on getting part time jobs and stay at home for the first year, if it's cool with you guys maybe Levi can live at our house. If we earn enough money we're thinking of getting an apartment close to the college," I say, Levi and I have been talking about this but we haven't really decided anything.

"I'm not sure how I feel about my son living with his boyfriend so soon but I guess it's fine," my dad says jokingly.

Levi remains stoic throughout this whole conversation but holds onto my hand under the table. The parents move to talking to Mikasa about her plans. Eventually our food arrives and the conversation remains sociable, Levi even spoke a couple of times but mostly to answer questions.

We get back home and Levi and I lay in bed, him reading and me messing around on my phone. I put my phone down and move down the bed resting my head on the pillow, looking up at Levi.

"Hey Levi," I say.

"Hm?" He looks away from his book and looks down at me.

"Do you want to talk about the rest of the plan?" I ask.

He moves down to my eye level and just stares for a second.

"What is there to talk about?"

"You know, do you want to move here or stay with Erwin? Are you comfortable with maybe living on our own someday?"

"Yes," he responds simply.

I'm a bit taken back be this. "I mean, you have an idea of what you want to do, whereas I have absolutely no idea and I'm not as smart as you, Mikasa and Armin. I don't know I just want what's best for you."

"You are smart enough and plenty motivated, you can do whatever you want and you don't have to decide now," he says pulling my head closer so our foreheads are touching.

"I don't know exactly what is going to happen or what I want to happen but like I said before, I want to be with you when it happens."

I smile widely and blush a little. "I feel the same way Levi," is all I can say as I put as much emotion into saying his name as I can.

I pull our bodies close to the point where we are flush with each other. I rest my head atop his and say,

"I love you."

His warmth causes me to start drifting off to sleep but before I totally lose consciousness I hear his voice faintly.

"I... love you, too."

•••

A/N: Only a couple chapters left! I know this story isn't as popular as my other one but I love it just as much. In any case, thanks for reading, please comment if you will on what you think and I wish you all a good day! *AoT salute*