Even the Strong Cry

Chapter Four

Eren was hiding in a tree beside the river when Hanji came to find him. It was only a few hours since he had talked to Levi, but he still felt numb at the thought of what the captain had said. He couldn't forget what had happened between them, no matter how much he tried. The memory was just too vivid, and would probably never leave him.  Silently he cursed himself for getting his hopes up. No matter what he may have thought there was no chance that a legend like Levi would ever pay any attention to a brat like him...no matter how good he was at slaying Titans. 
"Eren? Levi told me to get you. Are you feeling okay?" Hanji called up to him.
"I'm not interested in anything that he has to say." Eren replied sulkily.
"No! He just wanted me to run a few tests on you to make sure that you're okay. He said you hit your head pretty hard. 
"And when did he tell you this?"
"A few minutes ago; why?"
Eren sulked even more. "That happened ages ago. I'm surprised he even remembered."
"Eren...I don't know what's going on between you and the captain but this is important. He thinks that you might be hurt and Armin and Mikasa agree that you have been acting strangely since you came back," Hanji spoke gently. She didn't want to upset Eren any more, he seemed already to be on the verge of a mental breakdown! 
"Why does he even care? He obviously hates me." Eren was starting to make his way towards the ground again, but he was still keeping his distance and refusing to look at Hanji.
"Eren!" Hanji gasped. "How could you say that? It's obvious that Levi doesn't hate you. As one of his closest comrades I can assure you that whatever happened between you was no accident. Levi simply doesn't make mistakes. Ever."
As Eren's feet touched the ground a sudden wave of nausea hit him. He hadn't felt anything like it before; nor did he ever want to again. He staggered backwards into Hanji's arms, and she quickly set him down on the ground.
"I'm going to get my equipment, I'll be back in a few minutes just stay where you are!" She instructed as she ran back towards there building.
Eren swore. All the thinking about Levi had made his head pound, and everything he saw was blurry. It was a welcome relief when the darkness creeping round the edges of his vision took over and he fainted away; oblivious to the drama that he was causing among the other members of the Survey Corps.

(Time Skip)

"Jaegar! Can you hear me?" Someone was shaking Eren roughly and brewing him out of his blissful dream. As he opened his eye blearily Eren saw Levi's face looking down at him anxiously. It was obvious that the captain hadn't slept, his hair was messy, his skin was paler than usual and there were dark purple rings under his eyes.
"Thank the walls! You're alive!" Levi seemed close to tears, and seeing him so upset made Eren feel like crying.
"H-Heichou, what happened?" He mumbled.
"You fainted again! You had us all worried sick; you haven't eaten anything in three days and have been unconscious for most of it!" Levi was pacing back in forth in the confined space of the small hospital room. Eren moved to get up and comfort him but his legs weren't working properly. He fell and hit the floor with a thud. Again.
"Oh Eren, what will we do?" Levi kneeled beside him and stroked his hand sadly. A single tear rolled down Eren's cheek and Levi gently wiped it away.
"This time it's not a mistake.."  Levi whispered before leaning in and kissing him again. It was just as magical as the first, but longer. 
Maybe it would have been longer, but soon the exhaustion took over Eren and he fainted into Levi's strong arms. Levi lifted him onto the bed and sat beside him until Hanji came and told him to leave.
"I'll be back Eren...I promise" he whispered