Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

*~Chapter Twenty~*

Eren awoke to the faint aroma of mint and cigarette smoke, a much brighter environment, and what felt like an infinite amount of warmth before he even knew he'd fallen asleep. He felt completely comfortable and secure - almost as if he was at home in his own bed - and had next to no desire to sit up or even open his eyes. The foreign smell of a cigarette was what snapped his mind into perspective and had him sitting up and becoming aware of a blanket that had been placed over him.

Immediately he knew he'd gotten too much sleep, for his head felt heavy and pounded in time with the thumping of his heart. Though he knew where he was, he remained a bit disoriented and slightly irritable. His eyes were scratchy, as well, though he figured that just had to do with crying so soon before falling asleep.

"Morning, brat," came a scratchy voice from across the room.

In the midst of running a hand through his hair, the brunet gyrated to see Levi seated in his normal spot on the opposite couch. He was cocooned in a blanket with his sketchbook in his lap and a pencil poised between his shaky fingers. He appeared even worse than the previous night - eyes still bloodshot and the circles surrounding them seemingly darker, even after sleep.

"Hey," mumbled the teen, still trying to find his way back to full consciousness. "How you feelin'?"

"Like the epitome of hell," responded Levi casually. "You?"

"I'm okay. How did you sleep?"

Levi merely shook his head. Eren didn't need a verbal response; he looked more tired than he had before going to sleep last night. Harsh tremors rocketed down his already quivering body more frequently than usual, and despite being wrapped in a blanket, he still looked like he was freezing. His eyes were blank, as well...washed out and almost lifeless.

Carefully, Eren stood up and, taking the blanket with him, moved to Levi's side to wrap it around him as best he could without asking the man to move.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Guess I should be after puking up that piece of toast, but no," he mumbled.

"Is...is there anything I can do, then?"

"No. Just take a few minutes for yourself, Eren. Shower. Find something to eat. I don't care. I told you I don't want you to end up unhealthy, too."

"Alright..." Eren figured he couldn't really argue with that. He was in pretty desperate need of a shower and his foggy headache could be due to lack of food as well as oversleeping. "But we still have go to grocery shopping."

Levi huffed as he doodled little circles on the side of the page in his sketchbook. Eren didn't wait for more of a response before he stood, grabbed his bag, and headed down the hall to shower.

Once showered, having changed clothes and brushed his teeth - hastily, due to being hyper aware of the contents below the sink - Eren rejoined Levi in the living room to see he'd curled up right where he sat, further concealing himself in the blanket. In fact, all that was visible was part of his arm wrapped around his knee and a clump of his unruly hair. Eren's heart squeezed painfully at the sight. He desperately wished he knew better how to help, what more to do to make this any less agonizing for him.

An involuntary frown plastered into his features, he silently padded into the kitchen and retrieved a glass of water.

"Here," he murmured, holding it out to the man.

Slowly Levi lifted his head. There was no mistaking the moisture on his cheeks. Mumbling a thanks, he reached out and took the glass with both hands and sipped at it, keeping his eyes away from the concerned teen. Frown deepening, Eren sunk to the floor.