Behind Bars

Chapter 5

Edited by grayed-ace

Eren never thought that being in an isolation room would be quite so torturing. He didn't have any problems with small spaces, he actually liked them as it feels warm and cozy to Eren.

It was not the lack of company that was eating him, but his own thoughts. He was worried. Worried of what Levi would think of him now. Levi looked so disappointed, it hurt Eren to the core. He tried to think of other ways that could appeal to the raven, but he kept thinking back on the 'what ifs'.

Levi probably deserved more than a criminal like him.

Eren slapped his face at the sudden realization. How could he forget such an important factor? Surely, no one would want to date a criminal.

Just in time, the door swung open. Eren didn't even look up because he was so preoccupied with his own thoughts and worries. He was losing his self esteem and confidence fast, he didn't know what to do anymore.

"Hey, Eren. How are you?" Petra sat next to him when he noticed that the inmate was still dazed.

"Hey..." Eren managed but he couldn't face Petra with his usual smile right now.

"You really did a number on Jean." Petra giggled, hoping it could brighten up the brunet.

"Hmmmm."

"Eren, your time is up. You can rest in your room now. Captain never forces anyone to work after a punishment."

"Okay." Clouded with swirling thoughts, Eren tried to walk out of the room with Petra trailing behind him.

"And you had a visitor."

******

Eren was not sure if he was happy to see Mikasa in his current state but he knew better than to just lay in bed and let his brain torture himself. Eren wanted to face this.

"Eren, what did we just tell you? You know... about the fighting?" Mikasa sighs, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Kasa, I decided to pay for my crimes." Eren blurted out with his head hanging between his shoulders. He doesn't want to stall anyone. He realized how much their lives have changed since he starting this kind of living, yes, they can get what they want but is it really worth it?

"What?!"

"You're all safe and that is enough for me. I'll speak up and admit my own crimes and be done with this."

"Eren are you insane?! You can have the chair for this!"

"Don't. I deserve it."

"No! No, you don't!" Mikasa was crying now, she grabbed both of Eren's hands and held them tightly in hers. "No, Eren."

"Kasa, promise me you'll stop this. Buy a cozy house and be a pet walker like you always wanted, you said like dogs so much, but you could never have one because of our jobs."

"What has gotten into you?! Why so sudden?! Did they hurt you in there?"

"No, they didn't. I just realized how fucked up I was."

"Eren-"

"Kasa, please." Eren squeezed her hands in his. "Use our money to go get mom. Please. No more running or hiding anymore." Eren begged.

******

Mikasa didn't take the news lightly. She was eventually dragged out by the guards when visiting hours were over. Eren knew it was for the best, he knew he shouldn't have let Mikasa join and look at what he had ended up as. They were cowards. Running and hiding. Eren just realized how redundant their lives were when they entered that lifestyle. If only Eren could send a message to Armin, to anyone on Freedom, he will.

Eren found himself walking casually to Levi's office. Oh, he wished Levi was there. He knocked three times at the door with raven's name plate attached to the front. A tired "Fuck you" came from the door and Eren didn't waste any time and immediately let himself in. He wanted this to be over.

"Yeager-"

"I'll admit my crimes." Eren blurted out.

"Yeah, that's nice. Welcome to jail."

"I've committed other crimes. Before the one I'm in here for. I can list them down for you."

Levi was silent. He narrowed his eyes at the brunet.

"So, yeah. Put me to sleep or in the chair. I don't care anymore." Eren eyed the floor between his feet.

There was a pregnant pause and Eren felt like dying already. Well, Levi should see how horrible he is now. He looked up and the raven still hadn't done anything yet. After a moment, Levi let out an annoyed grunt.

"You're smart, that's why you were able to rob banks. But you're still an idiot." Levi swiveled his chair, turning his back on the depressed brunet. "This jail was not built for punishing unfortunate people like you, fuck it, okay, it can be a form of punishment but the real purpose is to give you a chance to think and, well, change."

Eren was taken aback by Levi's little speech. It was short and not at all full of colorful words but the meaning touched something deep inside Eren's depressed heart.

"It doesn't happen in one night. What makes you think some sentences lasted years? Well, it's up to the person though, or whatever." Levi mumbled the rest as he grabbed a box of biscuits.

Eren fell to his knees, sitting on the floor like a child who just realized his mistake. Levi turns to face him, offering the box of opened biscuits.

"And nobody deserves to be put to sleep or the chair. Everyone deserves a chance, even a drug addict, murder like me."

Eren's eyes widened at the guard. Levi? A drug addict? To top that, a murderer?

"You want some? I thought brats liked sweets."

"Y-Yes, I do like sweets." Eren took a piece before Levi took the box back. He eyed the guard, simply admiring him. This time it was not just his looks but his character, and Eren was itching to know his story. How did Levi end up here? Being one with the law? How did he manage to stand back up after the drugs? Levi looks so well and fit, one can't tell that he ever tasted drugs, or much less had his hands once covered in blood.

Eren had so many questions but one thing he knew was that he was so damn in love. This time, it was much more. He wanted to be with Levi, to have his trust where they can freely share their secrets and be the best of themselves.

"Oi! If you get crumbs on my damn floor you are scrubbing this clean!"

Levi didn't talk much, but every word became seared on Eren's dying heart. Once again, he found his smile.

"Yes! Sir!"