Million Dollar Model

Chapter 9 - Pomegranate Cherry Pudding

"Mama! Papa!" The seven year old Eren ran to his parents. The sun was shining bright above, kissing his skin.

His feet ran swiftly through the sand before reaching the large beach blanket where his parents sat and ran into his mother's embrace. He snuggled his mother, inhaling her deeply immediately recognizing her. Her brown locks tickled the side of his chubby cheeks making him grin wider. Finally he looked up to see Carla moving her hair from her eyes with a gentle smile on her face.

"Mama, I wanna go in the water! Can we go?! Can we go?!"

Carla giggled softly and kissed Eren's nose before saying, "The waves are crashing onto shore and it's a rough current out there. Plus you can't swim."

The boy's smile died a little but his face changed into determination. He gripped Carla's hand. "I promise I'll stay close to shore, I won't go too far out! Plus I'll wear a floatie and papa can watch me!" Eren inhaled a soft breath.

The woman was no longer focused on her son. Instead she changed her view and stared out into the ocean, watching the current get stronger with each crash on shore. Her demeanor seemed to change. Her lips thinned and her eyes narrowed. Soon she replied, "Go ahead."

He let go of his mother's hand slowly, a look of confusion and skepticism on his face as he took a few steps back. Eren stared at his mother for a bit who sent dark sideways glances at him. But, he decided to ignore the butterflies, adjusted his floatie and ran out towards the ocean.

He took slow, hazardous steps into the big blue and within minuets his tiny, stubby feet could no longer reach the ocean floor.

"Mama, look at me!"

...

"Mommy, look at me! I can swim, see!" Eren called out, he used his small hands to keep in steady from the ocean's current, attempting to keep himself for drifting away from shore.

...

"Mommy?... Can you still hear me? I'm right here, mommy; please look at me!" He watched as Carla muttered something and stood along with Eren's father.

"Go get him, Grisha."

The man scowled and walked slowly put the ocean. "Are you sure I should get him?"

"Go get him. I'm not asking again." Her voice was demanding; threatening. The man finally dived in, the cold water gracing his heated skin. Eren only watched from afar. He was well awear his father's coming to save him but in all reality, he wanted his mom to acknowledge him. Finally, a force broke through the surface making Eren jump back but a hand caught his arm before he could drift away.

"Are you ready to go, Eren?" The boy smiled and latched onto his father, holding onto his shoulders tightly and burying his head into Grisha's shoulder-blade. "Mhn, I'm ready, I'm sure mommy's waiting for- daddy?"

Salty. Disgusting, irritating salty water that filled Eren's tiny lungs in a flash. He kicked his feet and wailed his arms rapidly as he tried to break through the water's surface but he was only held deeper into the dark blue. He could see his father staring down at him though the water offered a hazy, wavy blur.

Eren's oxygen supply was thinning and he knew he didn't have much left. He wanted to get out, the water suffocating him was hurting him in such ways words can't describe.

But in that moment, the young Eren realized a dreadful, haunting thing: The ocean is a beautifully cruel thing.

~•~

Levi woke up to a sharp hit to his face from none other than Eren's elbow.

"Oi, you shitty brat!" Levi sat up suddenly, feeling his bruised jaw line. He wanted to push Eren off the bed out of aggravation but the idea quickly slipped away after recognizing Eren's soft whimpers resonating through the room.

"Eren?" Levi glanced towards Eren. His voice was low and gentle. He watched Eren's fist curl and uncurl as he twist and turned uncomfortably.

Levi grimaced at the sweat soaking Eren's bandaged forehead

"Brat, come on wake up."

Levi looked up quickly at the heart monitor as the beeping sped up along with Eren's breathing. What the hell is wrong with him?!

Levi's heart dropped into his stomach as a swarm of bad things came to him. Without thinking he placed his arm over his chest, careful of the wires protruding from his body and shook him slowly yet forcefully.

"Come on brat, get up." He remained calm. No way in hell was Levi going to sound panicked. But he wasn't scared to say he was. Eren clutched onto the hospital sheets, making Levi's facial features soften. "Come on, come on! Wake the fuck up, Eren! Don't kill yourself, you brat! You're heart needs to slow the fuck down.."

Levi stopped shaking Eren and instead took his hand and swallowed thickly. He held Eren's hand tightly and smoothed the sweat filled bangs from his eyes. "You piece of shit..." he muttered.

The mumbling became rapid, and his breathing was uneven. Levi's heart panged in his chest as he caught his mother's name and a man named Grisha? in Eren's frantic spew of words.

A nightmare? How childish. Levi thought. He rubbed smooth circles on the back of the teen's hand, mumbling softly.

Eren gripped Levi's hand before his eyes flew open. Panicked sea green eyes enlarged and frightened. He reached out to search for anything solid, finding grip with Levi's shoulder. His grip tightened as Levi wrapped his arms around Eren's torso, holding him securely. Eren shivered before struggling to release himself of Levi's embrace.

"No! Stay away from me!" Eren cried. He waved his arms around before hitting Levi on his back. The shorter man threw Eren down on the hospital bed wincing in pain. His hands balled to fist as he stood on his feet and tried his best no to hurt Eren. That was the last thing he wanted to do.

"What the fuck was that for?! You're the one pissing yourself in your sleep like a bitch!"

Eren growled, hauling himself back and away from Levi. "Stay away from me! Don't touch me! Don't hurt me anymore!"

"What the hell are you talking about? Hurt you? I tried to help your dumbass."

"You're all against me," Eren clawed at his face, his breathing became ragged again as he began to rock back and forth. He started past Levi and the shorter male noticed his darkened orbs. "You're all against me... you-you-you're all pigs!"

"Who's against you?"

"All of you! Mom, dad, Mikasa, Armin, Petra, you! You're all monsters, just leave me alone!"

"...Did you vomit your brains out too or are you just that fucking stupid? It's a damn nightmare, get the hell over it. Why are you taking it seriou-"

"Shut up," Eren spit bitterly.

"Eren-"

"I said shut the hell up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" Eren tugged at his hair, resting his back against the wall with a distressed look. Levi opened his mouth to say something but nothing cane out. Instead, he looked at Eren with no emotion. He stood about a good length from Eren, completely unphased by his uncharacteristic behavior. Eren's eyebrow twitched making Levi wrinkle his nose.

"I want you to die. Go crawl in a hole and croak! How about I kill you? One slit to the neck? A stab through the heart? Huh? Or-or how about a gunshot to the head? T-there all quick and painless!"

"I don't know what medication they're giving you, but it's driving you bat shit crazy." Levi began walking out but before he could reach the door a loud crash was heard, followed by quick footsteps.

An elongated beep filled the room.

Levi turned quickly, a sharp object slicing the first layer of skin on his cheek. Eren's arm launched back ready to strike Levi. The man noticed the object was a large white piece of glass which he recognized as the flower vace Carla got him.

"You can't kill me, if I kill you first! I'll kill you all! I'll kill all of you!" Levi maneuvered to the left, avoiding the attack. He pushed Eren back said, "Are you fucking insane?! What the hell's gotten into you?!"

"What's going on in here?" Levi and Eren turned to see a man standing in the door way taking in the situation. "Why did your monitor flat line?"

"He's trying to kill me!" Eren exclaimed quickly, his hands searched the floor for the glass to try to finish Levi off.

Levi sent a dark glare at Eren. "Kill you? You're out your goddamn mind, Jeager. If anything, I was trying to avoid being killed by that angsty, over emotional teenager."

"I'm not over emotional, you're all trying to hurt me! You're all a threat-"

"Stop fucking saying that! The only thing that's a threat in here is you! Trying to go on a killing spree with a fucking glass vace; that sounds pretty fucked up to me!"

A broad hand rested against Levi's shoulder. He pushed the hand away and turned on his heels. "Is there something you want?" he asked coldly.

"I believe visitor hours are over. Please, come with me,"

"..." Levi's brow furrowed questioningly. It was only quarter past the hour and visiting time was over at eight forty.

...but then again, getting the fuck away from Eren before he tries to slaughter his guts over the wall with a Get Well card seemed like a good idea. The hospital worker called in an assistant who guided Eren safely back into bed while the man escorted Levi out and to the waiting rooms.

"What in god's name is wrong with him? Is there a reason he's completely out of it? This kid is bouncing off the homicidal manic walls and it's creeping me the fuck out."

The man sat down with a long sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose and mumbled, "When you first brought him here and we did tests, we found a drug in his system. It's unidentified at the moment but for now it's along the lines of PCP to legal highs. Though, it's more likely PCP due to his unstable, psychotic state. He's been having some really bad hallucinations. There's also some alcohol in his system which is also affecting his nervous system and we may or may not let him go depending on his condition later in the week."

Levi took a tissue from the table and sat down, wiping his bleeding cheek. "PCP?" he said with a rise of a brow. "Drugs are for fucking idiots. Where the hell would he get PCP or any of that shit?"

"In the Sina district it's easy to obtain from local dealers. Do you want a band-aid for that?"

"No. This isn't about me, this is about that mentally unstable brat in the room. I always knew he had problems. From first glance he looked like the type of kid who would crack easily but he's the opposite. But I never liked the idea of giving him alcohol but it was only to fuck with him."

The doctor tapped his chin. "Who gave him alcohol?"

"We were at a dinner party at my house. A friend of mine made her favorite dessert which does contain some alcohol."

"You're lucky it wasn't full on liquor. Otherwise, Eren would've overdosed right then and there and that would have been death on your watch. Do you know anybody who lives in Sina who may be able to get their hands on drugs?"

Levi nodded. "Yes, a few close ties."

"Are they family?"

"I have a sister. That's it."

"What's her first and last name, date of birth and age?"

"None of your fucking business, born in Shitember and she's fuck you years old. Any more questions?"

"I uh... no sir."

Levi took a seat in front of the doctor, cozying into the cliche furniture. "When I came back upstairs, I found Eren laying on the floor and his nose was bleeding. Which is one of the reasons I brought him here."

"He hit his head pretty hard which may have triggered something. I wouldn't say he was dying but he was pale and cold which I could understand why you were scared. Bringing him here was a good thing, if we didn't put him on treatment soon enough well..."

Levi stood quickly and said, "I've heard enough. I'll be back to check on the brat later."

"Wait, where are you going?!" The doctor called.

Too late. Levi was already out the building, inhaling deeply the fresh November air. He zipped up his jacket as the winds started to pick up. He walked to his car with long, quick strides and when he was inside, started it and pulled off.

~•~

The first thing he did was head downtown, made a few turns stopped at two lights then finally turned into the city plaza and parked near the large building with the name ACKERMAN on top.

He paced inside quickly to avoid the soft chills. It's been while since he's last been inside Mikasa's gym. The last time he was here was about four months ago when she didn't have lunch and Levi offered to bring her something.

He could hear the loud music mix in with Mikasa's strong voice followed by synchronized hits to a punching bag. "Alexandrea, your jab should be with your opposite hand. You're right-handed, correct?"

"Right!"

"Then you should be punching with your left hand." Levi walked past the receptionist counter who flashed a quick smile to the man. He walked into studio B-3 and knocked on the open door.

"Oi, Mikasa," he called. The woman's head whipped around, he hands still correcting her student's faults. "Levi? Why are you here?!"

"It's Levi!"

"That's the actually Levi!"

"Mikasa, you know him!?"

"Ah! I want your autograph!"

"Me too!"

"Can I get a picture!"

"No, I want the picture!"

The man groaned and took a few steps back as the swarm over young to middle-aged women began to crowd him. Mikasa only stood, placing a gloved hand on her hip before sighing heavily. She sent a threatening look to her older sibling, making him roll his eyes in annoyance.

"What happened to your face?"

"Oh my god is he bleeding?! Someone get a paramedic!"

"I know CPR!"

"I know it too!"

"CPR and an ambulance is unnecessary. It's a fucking cut." Levi responded, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You're so cute! I bet the cut's from Eren!"

"Where's Eren? I want a picture of him too!"

"Are you guys still dating?!"

"I hope you didn't break up!"

"Where's Eren?!" Levi felt a wave of guilt come over him hearing Eren's name. He chewed his bottom lip softly and said, "Eren's a little sick right now."

"He spoke to me!"

"Nuh-uh! He spoke to me, he was staring at me with those pretty eyes!" These woman act as if Levi wasn't human but an object. Of course he could speak what the fuck did they think he is?

"Wait...Pretty eyes...? The only one with pretty eyes is Eren..." Shit, he said that aloud. And the crowd screamed in delight, immediately snapping photos of the model. His eyes darkened realizing the stupid mistake.

A loud sound rippled through the air, causing Levi's heartbeat to jump. It was Mikasa's whistle and it worked to. The women lined up in front of the trainer as she stood displeased by their behavior. She let the whistle drop and rest against her chest.

Hm... maybe Levi should get a whistle instead... or just use Mikasa as a bodyguard.

"You're actions are unacceptable," Her voice was calm and commanding. Her voice was one of a leader, it was no wonder why everyone listened to her. "Now," she bent down and picked up a bottle of water and drapped a towel around her shoulders.

" I expect all of you to get back to work and go through all the drills until I get back."

Levi smirked as he watched the women begin, getting into their beginning poses and finally getting to work. Mikasa walked past her brother without a word, leading him outside the gym. Once they were outback she immediately asked, "Why are you here? I told you not to come unless I call."

"I know, I know," Levi closed the door and ran his hand through his locks.

"That's the exact reason you can't come around here. I don't want my name in media."

"I understand that, alright? I would'nt come here unless I really need too."

Mikasa smoothed her hair back and tied it up in a bun. "How's Eren? Is he okay, has he been released?"

Levi shook his head. "No. He's paranoid as fuck right now and tried to slit my throat with a glass vace," he turned his face, showing her the irritated wound on his face. She walked to her brother and rubbed the cut with her thumb. "He did this? What did you do?"

He pushed her hand away. "How do you know I did anything to the shit?"

"You always do just to get a sick laugh out of it. Remember, you put the poor boy in a maid outfit and heels."

"Like that'll be the last time..." He muttered. "But this time I didn't do anything except try to make sure he was alright."

"I see."

"PCP."

"What?"

"The doctors believe he has PCP in his system, though it hasn't been confirmed yet. I left in charge of dinner, you helped cook the meat but you made the sweet potato salad, the mashed potatoes... the macaroni."

Mikasa rose an unimpressed brow. "I did. Eren told me he likes macaroni and it's been a while since he's last had it. So i decided to make some."

"He told me he bit into something hard."

"Okay...so?"

"PCP can come in capsules, meaning you hid a pill in his food without him knowing."

"Levi, that is the stupidest assumption I've ever heard. Do you have any proof? Why are you throwing me under the bus when I didn't do anything?"

"It have to have been you. You were the only person in the kitchen."

"You're terrible. Why would you think that?! I would never hurt Eren!"

"Bullshit! You're trying to get rid of him so nobody can take me away from you. I'll always be your "big brother" huh? You can't stand the fact that someone else will have me."

"Open your damn eyes Levi! I would never hurt Eren, he means something to me; he's like an alternate version of you. Why would I want to hurt someone who's means something to me? And it makes it worse that your spewing all that crap about me! Of course you'll always be my big brother, you're all I have. You and Eren are the closest things I have to call family, so why would I try to get rid of family?!"

"..."

She marched to Levi and gripped his shoulders tightly, shoving him harshly against the building. "Answer me,"

"Let me the fuck go!"

"No! I can't believe you right now!" He grip tightened and she brought her head to Levi's chest. "How could you think so poorly of me? I've known you for eight years, dammit. We've lived through hell, we know what it's like to go days without eating and not knowing where we're gonna lay our heads that night. If I hurt Eren, I'd hurt you; if I kill Eren, It'd kill you too. I don't want you to suffer. You didn't let me down so why would I let you?"

"...Look I-"

"You're stressed out. You're worried about Eren and I get that," she raised her head and released her strong grip. "But you can't go around accusing people because that'd look bad on your part. Especially if you're wrong." Levi could heard the sharpness in her voice. Like venom from a snake pulsing through him rapidly,

She opened the gym door. "I have a class to get to. I... I should go,"

"Wait but-!"

"And by the way, I wasn't the only one in the kitchen."

~•~

Levi felt like shit. He rested his head against the steering wheel and mumbled a rant of profanities. Not only was Eren homicidal and in the hospital but he pissed off his Mikasa as well. Plus he had no fucking idea who put Eren in this predicament and his chest would not stop pounding on top of that; god, he was tired of this bullshit. He couldn't stop thinking about Eren and what he did to Mikasa was shitty and knowing that made him feel more like shit.

Oh today is just a win.

Why couldn't he be a sociopath and not care bout how others felt and not feel sympathy for no one but himself? Sometimes, life just isn't fair.

His phone buzzed and annoyed he read the text.

Hanji: Holy shit! Eren's crazy! We're at the hospital BTW

Levi: I couldn't have fucking guessed. And I know, it's just a drug he took that's making him paranoid as shit. Who's with you?

Hanji: Erwin and Carla. He's vicious towards him mom... he's kinda scaring me D: This is like a horror movie and Eren's a psycho escape patient who goes on a wild killing rampage wand kills everyone he hates!

Levi: You're a psycho escape patient four eyes. Oi, shitty glasses, do me a favor

Hanji: No, I do not have advice on how to grow taller

Levi: You're lucky I'm not in the same room as your blind ass. I need you to tell me what you can on PCP

Hanji: ...

Hanji; You shouldn't do drugs. No matter how depressed you are

Levi: Thanks doctor fuckface, I really needed the medical tip. I know that and it's not for me. The doctor says he has that drug in his system and that's fucking with his nervous system. So what do you know about it, I don't have all fucking day.

Hanji: Well, back in college when I was studying to be a scientist, I tested how drugs effect the human body and the state of mind. PCP also know as Phencyclidine or commonly called Angel Dust. It's basically a hallucinogen. It was developed as an anaesthetic and painkiller. It might make you feel really happy and upbeat but in Eren's case, he's very panicky and paranoid. He believe things that aren't true which makes him more aggressive and violent. That's about it...

Levi: Alright shitstain, thanks

Hanji: Anytime short stuff ^_^

Levi: By the way, was anybody else in the kitchen with mikasa yesterday?

Hanji: I dunno

Levi: Fucking useless as always

Hanji: I didn't have to explain PCP to you! Take your ass on Google next time!

Levi scowled and turned on his car, pulling out the parking lot and pulling out onto the main road. He gripped his wheel as the words "next time" invaded his head. It made him sick to his stomach knowing Hanji said those words. As if Levi would let something like this happen to Eren again, Mikasa would never forgive him! Mikasa?

Levi scratched his head aa he said his thoughts softly, "Is it really Mikasa who'd never forgive me?... Or am I using her as an excuse to not forgive myself?"

Damn brat. What the hell is he doing to Levi? His feelings have never been this intense before and it was extremely sickening! It's just worry for the brat. Everyone who's acquainted with the fucker are having these mixed feelings too. It wasn't just Levi...

He glanced to the passenger seat where his brat should be sitting. He should be in awe at the sights, watching the sunset with the roof down just the say he likes it. Then Levi should be making sarcastic jokes to the brunette who'd reply with something equivalent to the comment but sugar-coated.

...Maybe Mikasa's right.

Eren is an alternate version of Levi; while he's a brash and insulting person, Eren is possesses great amounts of selflessness, perseverance, fortitude, and vigorous determination. Eren is special; to both Levi and Mikasa. Eren's that positively Levi and Mikasa needed in their life to mix things up a bit. And Levi wasn't going to let that slip away so easily.

He smiled light and said, "I swear, Eren, there won't be a next time. For your sake, Mikasa's and mine."

*^^*^^*^^*^^*^^*

NOTE: THIS STORY DOES NOT BELONG TO ME XD

By the way, calm down. The bad stuff will be gone soon :3 My mother forced me to turtor my brother for all his major subjects if I wanted to use the computer D; I feel like kicking the shit out of him

P.S: Read 'Plot Twist' for me xD The second chapter was up