Hello & Goodbye (ereri)

Goodbye

~Eren's POV~

It had been a few weeks after my accident at home. I've given up drinking only because I'd prefer not to have a premature death from liver failure. They say the liver has more than five hundred vital functions inside the body, which I find astounding. But what I find even more interesting is that I was so close to seeing Levi cry when I was in the hospital. The expression on his face is something I'll always remember for as long as I live. He hair was a mess since he had stayed for several hours before I woke up, there were bags and redness underneath his tired eyes, and I could feel him trembling while he held my hand. 

That'll be something I'll never forget. That image will be forever engraved in my head. 

The month of August was coming to a close so Levi and I have been squeezing as much time together as possible. We both know that he'll be going back to college soon and I'll be attending my high school as a senior. We just try to avoid talking about it because it brings sadness to us both. 

To be exact, a week from today—Sunday—is the day he'll be leaving. Which is very...very depressing to think about.

Who know's what'll happen after he goes.

Speaking from my experience, I have to say that this summer was a hectic one, but in a positive way. Lots of partying, sleeping, eating, and fucking. My ideal summer. 

Levi and I had decided that today we'd go to the beach together. Just a simple date. Nothing, but the chilling ocean washing through our toes as it crawling towards the shore, the setting sun  barely sending UV lights into our skin, and the pinching of seashells on our soles as Levi and I walked hand and hand down the waters.

Pure bliss. 

The sun was inching it's way passed the horizon by the time Levi and I showed up. He had said he prefers the beach when there aren't many people around and when it's quiet. The time was around a quarter past eight. 

The sky was painted a hue of warm colors. An assortment of pinks purples, oranges, and yellows were mixed above us as we set out our large towel on the once heated sand. People had already began to pack their things to head out. Only some others stayed behind to watch the sunset. 

Laying out the large blanket, I couldn't help, but stare at Levi. He was so dainty and fragile. Maybe close to a rose or orchid. They say those flowers represent love and maturity and blah blah. Which ever he is, in my head he's the most rarest of them all.

"Hey babe," I said to my lovely partner as his eyes were glued onto the line where both the ocean and the sky touch, "You can sit down now."

Looking back at me, he gave a warm smile before plopping himself next to me.

"Should we eat now?" I asked while opening the basket of food we brought.

"Sure love," he spoke in a near whisper. 

We had packed fruit salads for ourselves as well as sparklers if we wanted to make the night more exciting. But I doubt we'll do them.

Levi and I sat in silence as we munched on our snacks. Our bodies showed no separation; he sat leaning against my arm as we watched the sky change colors. Warm to cold. 

"You know I love you?" Levi added out of the blue, "I really do love you, Eren."

Nearly choking on my watermelon I had semi-swallowed, I coughed only because I wasn't expecting him to be so straight forward.

"Love ya too, cutie," I said after fully swallowing my food and placing a soft kiss on his forehead, "With all my heart."

The seconds turned to minutes as we chatted away on the sand. We had placed our things back in the basket. This was way better than going to parties and getting wasted with people you don't even know. Then ending up passed out on the puke covered floor then waking up with a paining hangover. A lot better.

I found Levi's hand holding mine as he got up. Pulling me on my feet, out fingers laced together. The air was cool as the breeze weakened. Other teenagers were scattered across the near-deserted beach. 

It had taken me a while to get used to Levi and I going out in public this past summer. Nearly everyone from my school assumed that I was straight. But little do they know, I have a feisty, barely 5'3'' tall boyfriend. Just looking at him brings a smile to my face.

The moon's light reflected on his pale yet clear face. He practically sparkled. His gaze remained looking ahead as I took in the very beauty of him. 

Turning his head, he looked up at me in disgust since I had been staring at him nonstop for the past minute.

"What?" He stated. His grey eyes locked with mine. So serious and so assertive, but still the only set of eyes I'd be willing to look at forever.

"You're just b-beautiful," I tripped on my words.

Giving a short chuckle, he pulled me closer to him as we walked parallel to the ocean.

"Yeah know," he started, "I still find it amusing how we've been together for almost two months and you still manage to stutter like some thirteen year old middle school boy."

Despite it being an insult, I couldn't help, but feel warm. Our love is overwhelmingly warm. Almost hot. Nothing can touch or separate us.

"Shut up," I joked while ruffling his already messy hair, "No matter how many times you make fun of me, I only feel happier every time you do it!"

We both burst into laughter only because we both know it's true.

My heart had been touched.

Ever so slightly. 

"Look at the sky tonight...all of the stars have a reason...a reason to shine."

"Huh?" Levi looked confused at the words I had just mumbled to myself. I mean, I would be confused too.

"Sorry, they're just lyrics to a song I like," I murmured a little embarrassed. 

"Oh...they're pretty lyrics," he said while his had tilted to look at the dark abyss above us.

The speckled stars above glowed down on the quiet beach. They looked so close to each other, almost like they were whispering to one another. I wouldn't know what they'd be whispering about. Maybe they look down on us in awe like the same way we do to them. Would we be stars to them? 

It's about perspective. All the stars do have a reason, I guess. 

I don't have a specific reason why I love the boy I'm holding hands with. It's more of a jumble of things that combine into a single blob. He's just him.

With sand between my toes and on my feet, we continued to stroll down the shore. Sharing warmth. Looking at stars. Holding hands. Giving love.

"Levi?"

"Yeah Eren."

"When you go back to college, can we still hang out? Go on dates n' stuff?"

He hesitated before responding, "Definitely! Well I'll try...because college is a hassle. Plus I sleep in a dorm there."

My grip tightened once I answered, "Okay. But even if we don't hang out much...I'll still wait for you...even if you're two feet away from me or two hundred miles away."

"You're too kind," he joked.

Like I said before, even when he speaks. My heart is touched ever so slightly. 

"Levi, just so you know, I love you."

"I love you too, Eren."

~~~

[hooray! the end!]

[thank you all so much for all the support and commitment for reading my work]

[there's a very high chance i'll be making a sequel later on, but currently im writing a different ereri/riren book, check it out if you want]

[then again thank you, much love]