Play my Clarity | eren x levi

| ♬ Bar 26 |

(AN: please keep in mind that i (unfortunately) have never been to a competition before myself. (band trips don't count because we're all in a group) i'm using your lie in april scenes as a reference. also, in past chapters it is said that this competition was supposed to be in england. i kinda screwed up.)

It was hot behind stage and Eren thought his skin was going to melt right off his skeleton.

He wasn't nervous, but it was as if he could feel the stage lights even if he wasn't in front of the audience yet. A few people actually approached Levi, asking him questions and praising him. He looked dashing and was quite charming, whereas Eren thought he looked like a sweaty mule. Damn Levi always seemed to be a little more superior than he was somehow.

There wasn't too many musicians there that night because after all, it was like a finale. All the great and talented were gathered here, only the ones that managed to catch everyone's attention from the past. Levi, on the other hand, was a god compared to everyone else.

"Can you stop that?" Levi said as he watched Eren's fingers shake uncontrollably.

"Hmm this? Just a natural reflex," Eren said.

"You're nervous," he stated.

"Of course I am, you idiot," the teen said a little too loudly, attracting some more curious eyes to stare at them. "I've been looking forward for this my whole life."

Levi took his hand and intertwined his own fingers into his and squeezed lightly, getting even more attention. "Okay you were right; you might mess up."

"Thanks," Eren replied sarcastically.

"But that's only if you think you will. Just believe you won't mess up and you won't."

"You really think so? Sorry to burst your bubble, but you're overestimating me and having way too much faith in me."

"Of course I am, you moron, because it's you. What kind of boyfriend would that make me if I wasn't so supportive?"

A few people around them were snickering now but tried to make it not so obvious that they were eavesdropping.

"You're flattering," Eren said, once again using the same sarcastic tone of voice.

They didn't talk much later after that and silently decided that they would just wait with one another. Eren was sure Levi wasn't aloud to be back stage, but it seemed like no one cared nor had the guts to tell him so.

It was strange how the very presence of someone he used to detest would make him feel so whole, so wonderful. It was like having a pet cat because they didn't talk, but sometimes they can make your heart feel so full that it would explode. Only Levi wasn't a cat, he was more; he was something that Eren would never trade for in the world and he loved him so much he could cry a waterfall. The overwhelming euphoria he felt when he was with him was crushing and squeezing at his poor heart.

His worries were always erased.

The show soon began after long and tedious minutes. The sound of the crowd hushed down and Eren could hear the clacking of dress shoes echoing from the stage. The announcer finally showed up and he could see the side of his head from where he was. He wore a bright smile, almost fake, and had a microphone held in his hand.

"Thank you for coming tonight! I'm sure every musician here appreciates your company. Up first, we have Kalista Adeline with her amazing and outstanding talent with the violin." His voiced boomed and bounced off the walls.

Eren didn't pay attention much soon after that, because when you're scared it's like all senses are wiped away from the face of existence. Time went by in a flash and he could feel his heart shattering from all the heavy heartbeats it had to endure. Like glass, it was going to be smashed by the adrenaline. His ears were like a wall when the sound of the bow gliding along the violin failed to be heard. It was like his first competition all over again. Feeling like he was trapped inside an aquarium; slow, dragged movements and sounds that were too faint and mushy to hear. Like a rock slowly sinking to the bottom...