The CEO

Thicc Tension

3 months later

Eren

I stood in front of the mirror, wondering if my new shorts were shorter than deemed appropriate. It was time for my morning jog with Levi, and I could feel that familiar nervousness creeping up on me again.

Oh well, at least I'm in fairly good shape.

My phone tinged once, indicating that Levi was waiting for me outside. We had grown closer in the past few months, at least to the point where Levi called me by my first name.

As for me, I was unable to control my growing attraction towards the man.

I walked out the building, thinking of him waiting. Right on cue, I saw Levi leaning against the building with his usual bored expression. Levi's eyes swept over me, pausing for a moment too long on my legs. Meanwhile I stared in awe at whatever skin Levi showed in that moment- his perfectly sculpted calves, the way his black shirt hugged his figure, outlining his obvious six-pack and his arms..
God he's so fit. What's wrong with me? Why can't I get used to this guy?

The tension broke as Levi drawled, "If you plan on standing there for the rest of the time, then go ahead. I'm off." Then he turned and started jogging away.
"Sorry!" I smiled apprehensively as I raced to catch up with the other. Damn, for someone so short, he sure runs fast.

We covered the whole compound, then went over to the sidewalks overlooking huge gardens. In the morning fog, I always admired the greenery around us. That and the fact I was alone with Levi during this time.

As we ran, I tried to catch glimpses of him from the corner of his eye. I realized how captivating Levi looked. I couldn't tear his eyes away from those gorgeous blue-grey directed straight ahead, his even breathing, and the way his raven-black hair bounced around while running. Heat started building up in my core.

"Why are you staring at me?" Levi said suddenly, his voice surprisingly soft. I felt a wave of panic as I forcefully ripped my eyes to the front, but it was too late. Levi caught my wrist and wheeled me around. I struggled in vain, his grip incredibly strong. Levi leaned in, his breathing fast and warm on my face. I tried to breathe through my nose as the two of us stared into each other's eyes, but I couldn't hold back the few gasps that flew out of my mouth as I panted.

"What?" Levi's voice was demanding. He leaned in even closer, his nose an inch from mine. "What's wrong?"
Say something, Eren. Anything. All those debates you took part in that required quick thinking should come in some use in times like these.
"You..." I could here the strain in my voice "You look...tense."
"Tense?" Levi scoffed, not moving away. His grip didn't waver. "The hell do you mean? You expect me to look fresh and bright and cutely happy at 5 in the morning?"
"No.." I winced "Sorry. I know it's not my place."
Levi glared at me and then after an eternity released the iron grip he had. Both of us stood in awkward silence for a while.
"This isn't the first time, you know.." Levi muttered. "I'm always-"
Levi was interrupted when my phone buzzed loudly. Immensely grateful, I fished it out of my pocket and looked at the screen.
Oh, no.
"Excuse me." I flicked my eyes over to Levi for an instant, who had crossed his arms and was watching me blankly. I walked some distance away, running a hand through my hair as I picked up the call.

"Good morning, sweety!" My mother chirped. Her voice sent a a jab of pain to my chest.
"How come you're awake?" I asked instead of returning the greeting.
"Well, I started waking up early to do yoga." She giggled.
"Then how come you knew I would be awake?"
"Mikasa told me." She said.
Dammit, Mikasa.
She had visited me during vacation, and of course she had blabbed to our mother about my new routine.
"So...?" My mother's voice was teasing "Got a girlfriend yet?"
"Mom, I'm too busy with work. I don't have the time. Besides, I'm not interested."
"Don't." Her abrupt warning tone sent that familiar stab of fear through my stomach. I clenched my teeth, waiting for what was coming next. In the distance, Levi was eyeing me curiously.
"Your father wants you to get married as fast as possible. I have the same wish." His mother continued "Remember what we talked about when you left for university."
Goddamit, mom, how could I forget?
All those years of forcing me to talk to girls, get into relationships or taking it further with one of my female friends. Hell, she had even asked my friend Historia whether she was interested in me sexually. If mom had known about her relationship with Ymir, both she and my father would have screamed at me for hours for having such 'impure' friends. Of course, a quick beating wouldn't be ignored too.
Thankfully, Historia had handled it well.
"Your father isn't awake yet." The voice on the phone said. "But I'll tell him to call you."
"Mom, please!" I grabbed my hair in agony. "I beg you, don't make me talk to him!"
"Eren Jaeger." The deep rage in her voice was unnerving, but familiar. "How dare you say that. All those achievements have made you proud, I see that. I can't believe you don't want to talk to your dear father, who only wants the best for you."
Some father if he was barely around during my childhood and only talked to me about prospective women and my grades.
I bit back the retort and spoke through gritted teeth "Sorry, mom."
"Hmph." My mother said "I'll call you later. Bye, honey."
The dialtone made me want to throw up. I jammed the phone in my pocket and walked back to Levi, who surveyed my expression.
"Want to talk about it?" His voice seemed disinterested but I felt warmth flooding through my chest. I smiled at him "What makes you think something happened?"
Levi raised an eyebrow "I'm sure having a casual chat doesn't involve you looking that constipated."
I laughed despite himself, then shrugged. We broke into a light jog "Oh, you know, parents. Typical of them to fuss over every single thing."
________________________________________
Levi looked at the brunette sideways. He knew he was lying, yet decided not to pressurize the brat. Although he wouldn't admit it, he had felt the tight pain of worry in his chest when he saw Eren like that. He was clearly tormented. That didn't look like a son talking to his mother or father.
________________________________________
The two of us walked into the gym that Levi had said he liked. It wasn't too fancy, and didn't involve showing everyone on the street what you were doing with your body.

I got down on a bench press while Levi picked up some weights and started lifting.
Damn. I knew I should have been concentrating on what he was doing, but how were you supposed to just not watch that beautiful Ackerman as he lifted some 15s? I caught glimpses of his tight muscles every now and then. Levi had his back to me, so I knew I wouldn't be caught staring at the muscles shifting under his shirt.
A few people started trickling in after a while, so I was unfortunately forced to tear my gaze away. My neck was cramped from being turned in one direction for so long.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Levi put down the weights and turn around to face me. Oddly enough, Levi kept looking at me as I lifted the weight in front. I could feel the perspiration rolling down my face and chest, making my clothes stick to my skin. I wished for once that Levi would look away.

"Eren," Levi finally called out. "Your shorts are hitched up."

I almost dropped the weight I had in my hands as my heartbeat accelerated faster than I could think. Levi noticed this and tutted. "Wait, you brat. I'll do it. Don't drop it."
I'll do it?? Is he serious???
Of course he was. So he walked over as I struggled to maintain a neutral expression. I could probably have pulled it off, but the bright red blush on my face betrayed me. Levi crouched down by my side. Then I felt this fingers on my upper thigh. My jaw tightened as I squeezed my eyes shut. I could feel myself trembling, and not just from the weight. It felt so good that I started to feel the blood rush to his nether regions.
It was over before I knew it, but Levi hadn't even gotten up. I realized he was staring at me. Slowly, I gathered the courage and peeled my eyes open to meet his. For an eternity contained in one heartbeat, we stared at each other.
_________________________________________
Levi's lips parted and he blew out some air, then wiped the sweat off his forehead as he got up in one fluid motion. The air was unbearably hot and stuffy. He couldn't believe that the brat hadn't heard the loud pounding in his chest.
Annoyingly enough, he had wanted to look at him. Stare at the faint blush that always appeared on his face when Levi looked at him.
Nevertheless, I shouldn't get carried away. He's my subordinate.

An idiotic, really good-looking subordinate.