Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

•~Chapter Nine~•

I love this chapter, and I have no excuses for that.

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*~Three Weeks Later~*

Eren was awoken by the incessant buzzing of his phone on the night table next to his bed. He fumbled to reach for it, peeping one eye open to check the caller ID.

It was Alex, and the notifications at the top told him it wasn't the first time she called. Snapping to alertness, he answered it.

"Hello?"

"Hey. I'm headed your way. Get up and get ready."

"What? Why? What's going on?"

"I'll explain when I get there."

"O-okay..."

"See you in a few."

She hung up, leaving Eren in a state of confusion and disorientation. With two other missed calls from her and a text message asking, 'You up?', it could only have to do with Levi. Not knowing whether he should be worried or what, he stumbled his way out of bed and toward the bathroom for a much-needed pee. Once done, he jumped in the shower in hopes of chasing the sleep from his body. When the doorbell rang, he was still running a towel through his hair as he made his way down the stairs to answer it. Of course, Carla made it there first and sure enough, Alex was the one on the other side of the threshold.

"Oh, hello, Alex. Come on in," invited Carla, stepping aside. Alex thanked her and stepped in, shutting the door in her wake.

"What's up?" Eren asked, throwing the towel over his shoulder.

Alex lowered her sunglasses and cast him a smile. "I have fantastic news," she said. Eren raised his brows. "Levi's being released today."

"What? Seriously?" Pure joy and mild confusion rocketed through Eren's being; he took a step toward her.

She nodded in confirmation. "Seriously."

"But...he's not supposed to get out for another couple of weeks..."

"I know, but Rose called me last night and said he's made a ridiculously fast recovery and they've decided to release him because he doesn't need the immediate care anymore. Believe me, I was shocked, too."

Eren searched her face. His skepticism wouldn't allow him to believe her completely, even though he knew she was telling the truth. It just seemed too good to be true.

"Go finish getting ready," Alex continued.

"Right..." Eren mumbled. He hurried back up the stairs as Alex and his mother broke into idle chatter while they waited for him.

He ran into a sleepy Mikasa halfway down the hall.

"What's going on? Who's here so early?" she mumbled.

"Alex," Eren answered hastily, disappearing back into his room to comb his hair and find a pair of shoes.

"Who?"

"Levi's sister. He's getting out of rehab today."

Mikasa blinked at him from the doorway. "I thought that wasn't supposed to happen for like another month..."

"We all did." He swiped his wallet and keys from his desk, along with Levi's belongings - the raven's own wallet, keys, and phone along with the baggie containing his body jewelry.