Even the Strong Cry

Chapter Sixteen

"Levi, what I'm about to ask is very imprtant- do you feel healthy most of the time?" Hanji was sitting opposite Levi on sofa, he had chosen to sit on the piano stool, rather than sit beside her.
"I suppose so...it's only every now and again that it gets really bad. Ever since Eren moved in things have been easier, it's not as stressful now that I know he's going to be okay." Levi answered honestly, keeping his voice low and hoping Hanji did the same. He knew Eren well enough to know that the young boy would be listening intently, if he wasn't already outside the door waiting. Hanji was scribbling notes on a piece of paper that she had pulled out of the envelope.
"That's a good start, it means that you aren't as far in as I expected, and that it's mostly stress related at this stage," she said, more talking to herself than him. 
"Just give it to me straight. What's wrong with me?" Levi hated what Hanji was doing. He knew that she couldn't keep him in suspense for too long, it wasn't in her nature; but he still couldn't bear waiting any longer.
"Levi...there's a reason why Eren isn't going back to the others. And it's not just that he wants to stay with you." Hanji said slowly.
"Does he already know?"
"No. I didn't want to worry him, I'm sure he would rather hear it from you" Levi ran out of patience.
"Just tell me already! What the hell's wrong with me?" He yelled and Hanji was shocked. Levi yelling was rare, even rarer than his smiles, and when he did it was scary. Levi was on his feet and was shaking angrily.
"Just quit the delays and give it to me straight. What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?"
"Levi..." Hanji muttered. "Eren has to stay with you because you can't stay home on your own any more. It's not safe. You have brain cancer, and the chances are it's growing." Hanji looked at Levi's face and was tempted to hug him. He looked like a little child who had just had their favourite teddy bear stolen. He looked young and defenceless, and his eyes were brimming with tears.
"H-how likely is it that I will survive?" his voice was weak and Hanji hated to have to tell him the truth. But it was the only way. "I've never had a case like this before Levi...but based on research you have a thirty-eighty percent chance of survival. I'm sorry..."
Hanji heard a gasp coming from the other side of the door, and she opened the door to find a shocked Eren leaning with his ear where the door had been. Immediately he rushed over and wrapped his arms around Levi's waist, making the captain look like even more of a child than before.
"I promise that I'll try as hard as I can to do whatever it takes to help you, but I'm not sure if it'll be enough." Hanji said apologetically. Eren glared at her.
"Thank you Hanji. I'll look after him from now on, I can manage just fine from here. You know where the door is, feel free to use it." Hanji was shocked to hear Eren speaking so coldly, but then again she accepted the fact that he was probably in shock about Levi.
"Eren..." Levi's voice was shaky. "Eren..."
"Yes Heichou, I'm here. I'm not going to let you go."
"I feel sick..." Levi was certainly paler than usual, and Eren didn't want to take any chances. He picked Levi up gently and carried him up the stairs to the bathroom. Sure enough as soon as Eren set him down Levi started throwing up into the toilet.
"I'm here for you Levi...always." Eren patted the captain's back gently, remembering the time when the situation had been reversed.
"No matter what happens I'll look after you..." Eren muttered sadly.
Levi lifted his head and looked Eren in the eye. "I have died every day, waiting for you..." He sang quietly.
"Darling don't be afraid, I have loved you for a thousand years- I'll love you for a thousand more..." Eren finished.
A/N I'm sorry guys if this isn't what you expected but I love keeping my readers in suspense and I love reading any feedback so keep the comments coming thank you and I love you all!