The Intern

Chapter 34

I should run.

That was the only thought churning through my mind and it wasn't even remotely logical. Erwin was only inches from me and I had no doubt that he would be able to catch me in an instant if I so much as attempted to get away. Still, it was tempting to at least try. I had never seen so much anger in anyone's eyes, and it was infinitely more deadly when it was coming from a man that could dwarf anyone in size. He could probably crush a car with those arms, and I didn't even want to think about what he could do to me.

"Eren," his voice struck across my name like a whip and his eyes narrowed, "Answer the question."

"I didn't mean to hurt him," I blurted out, "I wasn't even the one who asked for a break. He was."

"And with good reason, I'm sure," Erwin countered. "You can't expect me to believe that this is his fault."

"I'm not trying to say that." I shook my head quickly and took a step back. "Trust me, I know it's my fault. This is all my fault."

"Yes, it is," Erwin agreed, "So explain to me what brought it to this point. Because he seemed pretty fucking happy about your relationship a day ago."

"He still would be if you hadn't moved in on Armin!"

That was a mistake. That was a huge mistake and I knew it, yet it came out anyway. Erwin's jaw tensed and his hands clenched at his sides, the muscles of his arms tightening until I could see the veins running through them. I almost expected him to hit me, but somehow I knew he wouldn't do that. At least not with Armin waiting for us in the other room.

"So this is my fault?" he spoke carefully, his voice cold as ice, "Is that what you're trying to say? That I ruined your relationship because you couldn't learn to back the fuck off of mine?"

"You don't have a relationship with Armin."

"Every inch of his body says I do."

I cringed at the thought and looked away from him, "I don't want to hear about what you two do in the bedroom."

"Good, because I don't want to share it with you. That's for him alone."

I opened my mouth and then shut it just as quickly, not even sure of what I was going to say. I had so many conflicting emotions and I couldn't seem to keep track of a single one of them. I wanted to tell him to stay away from Armin, and yet I knew that wasn't an option anymore. I had convinced myself to back off and allow them to do what they wanted, even if I hated it to the very end. None of this was worth losing Levi over. I knew that now.

But still...

"If you hurt him," I spoke softly, barely keeping my voice under control, "I will find a way to destroy you."

Erwin reached out and grasped my chin before I could pull away, turning my gaze to his. "If I hurt him, I'll let you destroy me. That much I can promise."

"No, you can't," I retorted, swatting at his hand, "If you hurt him, it's because you don't care anymore. So why let yourself be ruined over something that doesn't matter?"

"What did I do to you?"

The question caught me completely off-guard and I stared at him, blinking, "Huh?"

"I've never lied to you, Eren. I've never tried to manipulate you, and I've never been unclear with what I want." Erwin explained as he held my stare, his eyes sincere, "I've been up front with you this entire time, and yet you're acting as if I've been lying to you every step of the way. What is it that's making me the bad guy here?"

"You have no proof that you haven't been lying, and you have no reason to tell the truth."

"I have every reason!" Erwin spoke sharply, his voice rising for an instant. He paused and glanced over at the balcony before continuing in a softer tone. "The only thing I want out of this is Levi's peace of mind. Lying isn't going to get me that."