Forever and Always

Chapter 40 - Black and Blue

Eren Jaeger. My phone pings with the familiar sound of a text notification. I groan and sit up, looking at it and sighing. I wondered what Levi could possibly want at two in the morning his time.

yeah?

Where are you, exactly? My stomach dropped, my blood running cold in my veins. I wondered how he could possibly have known I wasn't at my house.

Why?

Got a text from your sister saying she hasn't seen you since yesterday morning. And you've been ignoring my calls.

I can explain.

You had better do it quickly. Video call me. Now.

I can't.  I typed, shaking with anxiety as I sat on the cold park bench. You'd be mad.

Not as mad as I'm about to be. Eren, where the fuck are you? I'm getting texts from Mikasa, Sasha, Petra, and your mother.

I'm not far from my house. I just don't wanna start anything.

You've already started something. I had to talk Mikasa down from calling the cops, do you understand me? What the hell are you doing? Why have you been ignoring everybody's texts? Call me right now unless you want me to get on the next flight to Los Angeles.

I took a shaky breath and hit the video icon on Snapchat. It didn't even audibly ring before Levi picked up. "What the hell, Eren? Wha- Oh my God! What happened to you?" Levi's eyes were wide as he saw my damaged face; even in the low lighting, I looked ghastly.

"Nothing, I just-"

"The hell it's nothing!" Levi shouted. "What the fuck happened, Eren? Who did this to you? I'll kill 'em!" His eyes flashed with a madness that flushed my insides with ice. I could see the murderous gleam in his eyes as he seriously contemplated the deaths of my attackers.

"That's exactly what I was trying to avoid! I wanted the bruises to fade a little bit before I let you look at me."

"Eren, this makes me wanna cry. How did this happen?" Levi asked gently, most of the rage replaced with a deep sorrow. 

"It isn't important," I mumbled, covering my face a little bit with my hoodie so he didn't have to look at the stitches.

"Baby, it's important to me to know what happened to you. I promise, I won't get involved, but Eren, my hands are tied. Mikasa and your mother are worried sick. At least tell me what happened and where you are, so that I can tell them you're safe. You look like you're at a park. Eren, this late? That's not safe at all. Don't you know all the shit that goes on at parks after dark?! I made you promise me to take care of yourself. God, I wish I could be there to keep you safe."

"I- it's just so embarrassing!" I felt myself sputter through tears. "I can't believe I couldn't take them! I was on the football team for Christ's sake!"

"Them? So you were jumped by more than one guy? Were- were you alone?" Levi asked his questions in rapid-fire, barely giving me time to process the question before he jumped to the next train of thought. He was nearly in hysterics as he demanded information from me over the phone.

All I could do is nod. I rest a hand on the top of my sore skull, squeezing my eyes shut as the tears escape out the corners.

"Eren, what's going on? When did this happen? I promise, Baby, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I won't tell your family. I'll come up with something, but please, you have to tell me. I'll tell them you're at a friend's place right now if you promise to let Petra come and get you. I'll stay on the phone with you the entire time, just what happened, Love?" Levi's voice was gentle as he stared at me, agony in his eyes. I made up my mind to tell him what had happened.