Breathless •Eremika (Love. Me. Now. Or. Never.)

VIII: Drowning

Mikasa's phone beeped in her jeans pocket as she crouched in a secluded area outside the cafeteria, staring into the azure, blank sky. A part of her craved to speak to Eren again and ask him why he was acting this way. Eren had treated her roughly before, sometimes giving her a head-butt, but he had never allowed the argument to last for any longer than twenty-four hours. Besides, this time, she had no idea how she wronged him in any way. You tried, a mother-like voice in her mind said cooingly, you tried to ask him what was going on but he rejected your offer to help.

Her phone beeped again, yanking her out of the oneiric milieu. She fished it out and the screen was displaying two new messages from Armin.

Armin: Eren didn't mean anything he said. He has his reasons, trust me.

Armin: I know I'm just making matters worse but please just forgive him. You might want to check on Eren.

His texts only enraged Mikasa more. Since when did Eren have the right to be angry at anything or anyone? Why was Armin asking her to 'check on Eren'? Eren ought to be the one to offer the first apology. Not her.

Then the next text came.

Armin: He loves you, Mikasa.

She flung the phone to the ground, hugging her knees to her chest. It bounced twice, landing three meters away from her. She didn't want to see Armin's texts anymore. He was defending and protecting Eren. She dipped her head back, forcing back her involuntary tears.

"Hey," a shadow loomed over her. It was Levi, in frayed denim jeans, his black hoodie drawn over his head. Soundlessly, he settled beside her, reclining against the wall, "You look upset. I've hardly seen you like this before. Is it because of that brat?"

Mikasa whipped her head around, "How did you... know?"

He made a tch sound with his tongue, "It's not that hard to guess, no offence."

"Do you hate him?" Mikasa found herself asking.

"No," the other boy replied in monotone, to her surprise, "I have you. I don't hate him anymore."

"What?" her grey orbs widened. He didn't 'have' her.

"I'm just paying my respects to the dead and the dying, you know, so I won't hate them. Just in case they return to haunt me in my sleep," Levi scoffed, his expression neutral. What was he on about?

"Levi, what are you-" Mikasa's brows furrowed in bewilderment.

He reached his hand out, smoothing down the unkempt loops in her hair, "I have you now. He's given you to me."

"Levi, you don't own me," Mikasa shifted uncomfortably away from him, swatting his hand away.

Levi loosened the collar of his shirt and she realised that the top two buttons were purposefully undone, "Mikasa, he's gone. We can be together now, yeah?"

She could feel the heat of his breath brushing the tip of her nose. No. A sudden urge overwhelmed her, making her shudder in discomfort. Her thoughts reeled back to Eren and the way he planted those feverish kisses on her, the sweet taste of marshmallows and the bitter tang of blood. No. She didn't want to think of him. Not after what he spat at her this morning.

"No, Levi, don't try it," Mikasa turned her head away, cringing.

He draped his arm over her shoulder, "Seriously, just one kiss from me, I guarantee, will free you from your worries."

She let out a helpless yelp as he drew her nearer to him. A part of her wanted this. If she didn't, she could've pushed him away already. He wound his hand around her crimson scarf and tugged on one end, unwrapping it from her neck. Instantly, she felt a chilling breeze chafe the skin on her neck. No. Eren had given her the precious piece of garment and right now, Levi was attempting to remove it.