STRONGEST HOPE (ERERI❤RIREN)

CHAPTER 6 - DISAPPOINTMENT

After dinner, Levi took a shower and dressed. He spent his evenings and nights with Erwin to keep him company. He didn't know what else to do to help him. He couldn't be chipper and encouraging like Hange, but he could reassure the Commander that he wasn't alone by, well, not leaving him alone.

Erwin was physically better. While he wasn't as desperate as that first night, Levi could still see hopelessness in his eyes. Hange said it would take time to heal his heart, but it scared Levi. He believed that they needed to find a way to engage his mind or else he would lose interest in life. He'd tried reading to his friend, but that only went so far. He knew Erwin needed something to wrap his brain around. Something that would challenge him. How then? He was at a loss.

As he approached Erwin's room, he heard Erwin speaking to someone. Levi huffed and rolled his eyes. He always tried to get here after everyone left. Don't these people ever go home? He pushed the door open and startled the Commander. Levi froze in the doorway when he saw the other half of the conversation sitting across the table from the Commander. Eren with tears in his eyes, jumped to his feet at the sudden intrusion. Levi's face turned ever so red. He raised his hand in a hold-on gesture. "I...um. Forgive me. I didn't realize."

Erwin glared at Levi, and then turned to Eren. "Eren, please don't feel like you have to go.

Levi started to back out of the door, embarrassed by the look on Erwin's face, but Eren let out a big breath and looked at both of them. "It's okay, really. Um, I didn't realize how late it was."

Erwin moved to stand up, but Eren shook his head. "Please sir, don't get up. I appreciate you taking the time to speak with me."

The Commander grasped Eren's hand in a firm shake. He smiled and told Eren that the visit had been good for him as well. Levi marveled at the smile on Erwin's face. It was the first real smile he'd seen since the accident.

Levi looked into Eren's eyes as he passed him in the doorway. "Sir, excuse me," Eren said in a low voice.

Levi was flushed with warmth. He felt disoriented. He stepped into the hall as the boy walked out. "Yeager."

The boy froze and put his head down. "Sir," he said, turning slowly around, barely able to look at Levi. His ocean eyes looked stormy, and his chin shook.

It was Levi's turn to feel nervous. "I, uh. I wanted to thank you for..."

Eren interrupted him. "Oh, it's no big deal." He looked around as if trying to grasp something from the air. "Really, just doing my duty."

Levi's eyes flashed primal. His lips tightened. "Your duty?"

Eren sensed that he was in a dangerous place. He tried to make light of it. "Yeah, you know...just helping a comrade out...no big deal." What the hell?! What a stupid thing to say!

Levi's voice was low and barely controlled. "Yeah, sure." He glared at Eren. "Considering what a shit you are, it's the least you could've done." He turned and stepped into Erwin's room, slamming the door behind him.

Eren stood stunned. Tears streamed out of his eyes. His throat hurt, and he clenched his fists. If he could beat the shit out of himself right then and there, he would. Honestly. A perfect chance blown. What an idiot. He staggered down the halls and eventually made his way down to his cell.

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