Covered Eyes (No Name Levi X Eren)

Chapter 19 ~ The Concert

When we finally decide to go to the theater, (seeing as how we got into town early) Sawney walks Eren up to the balcony where our manager reserved the brat and himself a seat in the very back. I was a little nervous to not be able to see Eren, but felt slightly better realizing Erwin would be there next to him.

The three of us get into our suits and bandages as the Kyojins get the instruments set up backstage. After it was just a matter of waiting our turn.

We have two bands before us, then we go, and I would be flat out lying if I said I’m not feeling nervous. For the first time I am down right scared to mess up and disappoint the fans, okay fan. I don't want to disappoint Eren. I know that once he finds out who we are, it could very well change everything. I don't want to ruin his view of us, I'm terrified I won't live up to his expectations.

He's quickly become important to me, and the idea that I could be just another example of “don't meet your heroes” is annerveing. What if I slip up? What if my voice cuts out? What if everything goes wrong?

I manage to remind myself that we'll be fine by taking a deep breath and stopping the “what if” game. The hour before our performance feels like an eternity, every painful moment being filled with the playlist for this concert. We know what will be played and when.

When we're told it's show time, we all smile at each other and Hanji squeezes us into a hug as per usual.

There aren't any lights as we walk onto the stage, the crowd screaming as they know we're about to start. I can't see Eren, but I know he's there. This is for him, I can't admit it aloud, but this whole performance is just for him. No one else matters to me.

The lights fade in and the crowd goes wild. When they reach their max, Hanji and Mike start with ‘Kneel You Pigs’ as planned. It's always our opener, and then whatever songs follow are decided before, and depend on our mood.

“Alrighty Piglets,” I sternly say to the crowd. “On your knees.”

The crowd screams as we play our set. Everyone sings along with us, as a single community. For a moment, no one in the building is alone, the energy is amazing. Lights swirl around the crowd and every now and then, I think I can make out Eren in the balcony.

All of us are sweating by the time we get to our finally, ‘Matchless Warrior’. It's one of my favorites and seems fitting for who's in the audience.

“Thank you all for coming out!” Hanji exclaims as they throw their guitar pick out into the crowd. Mike follows shortly with his drumsticks.

We all bow and the lights dim out rapidly. It takes a moment to adjust to the darkness and leave the stage. The crowd cheers as we return to the dressing room. The adrenaline of performing lingers while we await the rest of our group.

I never tire of that rush, it's the best feeling I've experienced over and over. We can all pretend that we're calm and tired right after the performance but each one of us would run a mile if asked to.

Sawney knocks on the door, returning with Erwin and Eren. The brunette looks like he's going to burst, shock and excitement in his eyes.

“I… when…” Eren stammers, before just softly laughing. “You guys were amazing, I mean you are amazing, I mean…” He's bright red and I can sense he feels like we're untouchable.

Hanji laughs. “Thanks Eren, and you don't have be so nervous, it's still just us,” they say before I can say the same.

Eren hides his face as embarrassment writes itself on it. “I'm sorry, it's just, you guys have saved my life, more times than I can count, in more ways I can explain and I can't believe that it was you who saved me again. And I can't believe it was you guys the entire time. And I-”

I smirk a little, softly. “Eren, it's okay,” I speak as I offer my hand to him. He looks at it, scared still. I wish I could just take off the bandages now, to remind him that it's really just us. But we keep them on until we get on the bus, for our private lives’ safety.

When he finally takes my hand, I pull him to my lap (there's no other place for him to sit) and he starts to relax a little as he rests against me. Erwin talks business with Hanji and Mike, figuring out when we need to come back for a new album.

Eren eventually calms down enough that he can talk to me again without stuttering, and my attention is his.

“I don't want to be cliché, so I'm not going to say anything about being your biggest fan, but... I am so happy that… well that I was able to know you as, you, before I knew you as someone unreachable.” He quietly speaks, making me softly laugh.

“Eren, that's sweet of you, and I don't want you to think of us any differently, we're still people, and friends, okay?” I smile to him.

He nods. “I think that shouldn't be a problem.”

I can still tell he's trying to come to terms with this. “Are you okay?” I softly ask.

“Y-yeah, it's just… I feel so stupid, it's really obvious now that I know.”

“You're fine Eren, there were more important things to worry about.”

He turns more towards me. “So couple of questions…” I raise an eyebrow, knowing he can't see it. “Do I have to call you guys ‘L’, ‘H’, and ‘M’, when you're in concert costume?”

“We’d prefer you did.” I nodded.

“Okay, and how can you guys see through those?”

I laugh, didn't he just say he didn't want to be cliché? “It's a thin material, like the cloth used for windows. The view isn't perfect, but we've gotten used to it.”

“Ahh…” Eren trails off, moving his fingers over the cloth, touching my face gently. I could be mistaken, but he might be biting his lip.

It takes a little before we're able to leave the theater back to the tour bus, all the while Erwin talks about what's next for us. Eren even mentions that ‘Eyebrows’ is a good nickname for the blonde. Once we leave and get into the bus, all of us change as we drive to the studio.