Harboured love

Promises: pt 2

Erens pov
'Wait... what? a collar' I thought to myself 'that's pretty permanent' I shake my head blocking out my negative thoughts 'that's a good thing'
I take a deep breathe and begin fiddling with my hands 'it not like Levi would care' my heart hurts at the thought 'Levi'.
"You alright I'm there?" Jean shouts out from the kitchen practically making me jump out of my skin.
"Y-yeah" I shouted out with a false sense of confidence.
"Great we should get going, shops will start to shut soon as it's getting dark" Jean shouted out through the kitchen.

The car Journey was short and it wasn't very exciting either; I personally had come to that conclusion.
Jean hummed and tapped along to the song that was playing on the car radio while I stared solemnly out of the car window, wondering what Levi was up to.
Anxiety started to rush through me at the sudden thought of the future. Would I have to live with Jean forever? What would it be like? Would Levi replace me with a new Neko? The thought had my blood boiling making my growl slightly.
"Are you okay?" Jean asked, looking surprised at the act of aggression the Neko had just displayed.
"Fine" I muttered as I turned to face the window, once again.

"Traffic was bad" Jean awkwardly stated, rubbing the back of his neck; in a obvious attempt of small talk.
"Yeah" I agreed quietly as I looked at the shop we were walking in to.
"Can I see your available collars in stock" Jean asked the woman at the counter; she soon disappeared behind a small curtain and came back with a large tray.
There was a variety of pretty collars lined up in multiple different colours.
There was a red one that had the same patterns a snake would, I trace my fingers along the small scales feeling the fabric beneath my fingers.
There was a thin one that was laced in shiny silver stones, they were cold yet beautiful...and somehow it reminded me of him

* * *

Levi's pov

"I don't know what to do Hange" I admitted to one of my childhood friends. Despite how crazy she was she always provided good advice.
"Sounds to me like you got yourself into a sticky situation" she hummed thoughtfully as she took a sip of her coffee.
"No shit" I mumbled under me breathe.
"Well he's recently been taken in, and you know the guy right?" Hange questioned, looking at me.
"Right" I confirmed taking a sip out of my coffee.
"He's not dangerous? And he's given Eren a home so what's the problem" Hange asked, the question itself was innocent enough but it's still angered me.
Why?
Because I was better for him.
"Oh Levi..."  her pity showing in her eyes.
"Can you figure out where he lives?" I asked eagerly.
"No but I can find out where he's heading" Hange eyes looked sad almost.
"I was talking to a work college of mine who's close friends with Jean, he said that Jean told him he was taking the Neko shopping for a collar"
Collars were important to Neko's it allowed them to feel safe and included with their 'owners' and families.
If Jean provided Eren with a collar would the Neko want to come back?
"Let's go" I grab my Jacket and leave a tip on the table and make my way to the door, Hange following behind me.

I slam open the door to the store, Hange running to catch up with me.
"You" I growl out, staring at the man in front of me.
"Levi what are you doing here?" I looked over to where the question had come from.
Warmth flooded me immediately as my eyes found their way to the Neko.
Eren stood with his ears flat against his head, his eyes large and staring directly into mine.
I walk over to the younger; he looked...nervous?
Did he hate me that much?
"Eren.." my voice coming out smoother and softer than expected.
The Neko leaned into the soft touches that I was giving him on his ears and let out a quiet purr.
Before I could say another word I was pulled into a tight embrace; the Neko nuzzling into my chest as he cried silently.
"I'm sorry I left you" the younger sobbed into the ravens chest, and Levi could practically feel his heart breaking at the sight.
"Shhh shhh, it's okay" the older whispered as he continued to pet the Nekos tangled locks.
Levi bent down to meet the Nekos gaze, "let's go home shall we?" Levi asked Eren softly, taking his hands in his own.
Eren practically jumped into Levi's hands at the words that had just come out of the ravens mouth.

'Home'
What is a home really?
Eren knew one answer to that question, one answer he had known the entire time.
Home was wherever Levi was.
He didn't need any fancy clothes or furniture, just Levi.