Flowers for the Wounded (Levi x Eren Fanfic)

Chapter 3: Angel with a Stethoscope

There's a point where white noise becomes louder and irritating. It festers like a piece of meat kept long past its due date and becomes hard, decayed, and shriveled lying in wait. And somehow, I find myself filling a void with noise that flickers on a soft blue glow. Like a rabbit hole growing out of thin air, the ceiling stared back at me. The beeping was starting to feel faded and replacing it was a rather harsh scolding that only a mother could give. I tried to move but found myself exhausted and tingly like I was laying on a bed of pins all long my arm that irritated your skin more than hurt you. I could only manage to move my head slightly and focus on a little commotion one bed over.

An outburst of laughing drew my attention and I could finally focus on two distinct shapes hovering in the light coming from the hallway.

"I wasn't doing shit. I was in a chair," a slurred voice echoed. It was no doubt Kenny with his gruff disposition leaking off his tone. From what it looked like, he was under medications quite heavily, and it suddenly clicked why. He was covered in bandages and stabilizers attached to his limbs. Both of his legs were suspended and hanging from the ceiling in a large sling that accompanied a full cast straight up from his toes to his groin. He had more than one tube hooking him up to various machines that churned like a dryer rotating with a dark red substance within its canal. An exasperated sigh followed Kenny's stupid comment and from the way she rubbed her temples, I could tell it was my mom.

"Levi was just beginning to be comfortable behind the wheel on the main roads. He wasn't ready for any kind of freeway or highway whatever it may be. You're as high as a kite right now. Tch, I don't even know why I bother. Oh! Levi, you're awake!" She immediately came to my side and patted me on the forehead. I could see now how heavy her eyes were. Dark bags hung from red puffy sockets and yet, she still held a steady smile. "I was so worried. Thank god, you're okay. How are you feeling, bunny?" I swallowed dryly, and she got the idea of grabbing a small cup of water just under the amount I was allowed to have according to the doctor's orders. Once my voice was back, I realized I didn't know what to say. There was a shadow of disappointment to mom's eyes, and while I knew it was aimed towards Kenny, I couldn't help but feel responsible as the one who drove.

"I'm sorry." It was all I could think of. The only thing I had to offer. I was sorry for my stupidity for not trusting my own judgment. I was sorry for not taking responsibility for Kenny and instead left my life in his hands when he wasn't even behind the wheel. I was sorry for freezing up and panicking instead of adapting to the situation.

I was just sorry for letting things get as far as they did.

"I'm just glad you're safe," she answered. She leaned down and lightly hugged me shaking a little but I could see a weight had lifted off her shoulders. "I thought I lost you and after seeing the shape the EMTs brought you in on, it's a miracle you're both alive. You lost two of your fingers and broke four ribs. Your leg was all twisted hanging from their socket, bunny. Kenny was in worse shape with a gaping hole in his stomach. He had been flung from the truck and went through a guardrail. He shattered both legs, but he'll be able to recover with therapy. You both shook hands with death so closely. And I... I was scared you wouldn't let go."

"How long have I been out?" I asked. She stood up and wiped her face trying to keep composure.

"A little over two weeks," she answered. "You were moved out of intensive care last week and were under a coma. I'm impressed to say that Kenny woke up about two days before you. I had you put under Dr. Yeager's care. You remember him. He's the tall handsome one that you flaunted over when I had to get my ankle looked at." I tried to rack my brain for who she was referring to but only found an image of a lanky old man with glasses who was gentle and somehow reminded him of a troll all the same. Mom chuckled at my narrowed brows and gently rubbed them away.

"I don't remember him like that," I bluntly stated. She rolled her eyes and nodded towards the door.

"You'll see," she said. As if on cue, a doctor walked into the room with all attention on a clipboard. This man was nothing like the Dr. Yeager I remembered. He had soft dark brunet hair that was a little unkempt and light teal-grey eyes that flickered in the soft lighting. True to my mom's word, he was indeed on the more vertical end and had a strong fit lean frame. He saw me awake and smiled as he set down the clipboard and grabbed his little instruments. He walked with an edge of confidence that made you want to trust him instinctively. Without even speaking, he already brought warmth and comfort to the table shadowing over me in a sensitive way that made you feel special. He acknowledged my mom and went about looking over my injuries.

"Good evening, Mrs. Ackerman. I didn't expect to see you here. I thought you would have gone to work by now," he greeted. My eyes became as wide as saucers. I was shocked at how erotically sultry his voice was. There was a light edge to it, but puberty did him right leaving him with a mildly deep baritone voice.

"Today's actually a day off for me, so I figured I would stay a little longer. I'm glad I did so I could see my baby awake," my mom answered. Eren huffed a little and nodded in understanding.

"You certainly gave us quite a scare, Levi," he mused. I audibly gulped finding myself with an abruptly dry throat again.

"You can't be Dr. Yeager," I exasperated. "You don't look like a yeti who came out of the woods and got a medical degree."

"Levi! Don't be like that," my mom scolded. The doctor snorted at my comment and followed protocol to listen to my heartbeat.

"It's quite alright, ma'am. The Dr. Yeager you're probably thinking of is my father, Grisha Yeager. My name is Eren Yeager. Due to a budget cut, a sister hospital is short-staffed of experienced personnel. My father is one of the best in his area, which means he's going to be in charge of training the new hires and most likely the interns. So, for the time being, I'll be servicing you in his steed. It also saves on paperwork since my father and I are practically identical in terms of detailed information minus sensitive identity. Now, how are you feeling? You were under quite a bit of morphine for the pain and whatnot as you've faded in and out of consciousness." I blinked profusely trying to break away from his watchful gaze and flexed my body stretching only to realize I couldn't really move anything except my head. My hand had the most tingling after the loss of my fingers. It was obvious I couldn't really feel anything, but I felt a sense of spite kick in.

"I feel everything," I said. Eren raised a brow with that perfect arch that let me know he knew I was a lying little snitch. He tapped my leg a few times and found no rebound. My leg jiggled a little but overall had no muscular reaction.

"Hmm, I see you do indeed feel everything. The meds have definitely kicked in," he muttered under his breath. "Alright, I'm going to take your blood pressure and listen to your heart, sound good?" I took a sharp breath as he gently took my arm and wrapped it with the pump. He began to squeeze the nozzle slowly lightly laying the stethoscope against my pulse and clamping my hand just beneath his armpit. I could feel enough to know there were strong muscles flexing against my limp hand. The death halo kept going until he finally let me go.

"123/79. Not too bad," Eren noted. He went on to listen to my heartbeat laying the cold metal circle on my chest. Even though he was wearing the stethoscope, he still leaned in closely. His brows pinched together as he pulled away much to my dismay.

"Your heartbeat is a little elevated," he stated.

"That's not the only thing that's elevated," I dryly responded. I wasn't sure if it was really me talking or the drugs but it finally earned the reaction I was looking for. Eren didn't verbally reply but a pink color flushed his cheeks as he frantically began finishing up the exam. When he finally finished, he bid farewell avoiding eye contact with me and quickly looked over Kenny who had knocked back out. His obnoxious snoring echoed like a bear was in the room.

I could only stare at the closed door even though I knew Eren wouldn't be coming back for some time. My mom was quickly catching on to my forlorn yearning and smirked towards me. I could sense her devil's eye already scheming something.

"Mom, don't you dare," I cautioned, however, she innocently turned to look out the window. I groaned knowing I couldn't do anything to stop her.

"I haven't the slightest idea what you mean, bunny," she mused, yet a mischievous allure drenched her voice. I could only hope she wouldn't do anything embarrassing.