Flowers for the Wounded (Levi x Eren Fanfic)

Chapter 5: Unexpected Guest

The car ride home was almost euphoric. I never thought I would miss the smell of fresh air. Sometimes, the stale scent of powdered pills and too much fresh linen was annoying for so long. I almost felt like melting the moment we were zooming down the road and the window was cracked open just a little bit. If I was a dog, I would be hanging my jaw out the window and breathing in the wind. I'd do anything to feel this refreshed. Although, the part I was really looking forward to was finally being able to take a long-deserved bath. The room I had only had a shower with one of the sitting shelf seats for older people.

At least, I didn't have to be manhandled and ragged down by a bunch of people like Kenny. I'd hate to be the one to wipe his skinny bone snug ass. If you painted him grey, I bet he'd look like an ugly greek sculpture, cut to be precise and as proportionate as a platypus. At least, I can clean myself now even with fewer fingers. Maybe, I could get my mom to let me use her mint bath salts or the lemon rouge orchid bath bomb. Anything was better than antiseptics and piss poor lukewarm water. Although, I suppose I would be satisfied even with a normal bubble bath.

We took about an hour pit stop to get a few small groceries and some new books that my mom wanted. I relished in eating some salted foods as much as I wasn't fond of them. Tacos were one thing, but so were french fries with a good chocolate milkshake. After finishing up, we were back on the road with pleasant quietness.

I broke away from my trance as I recognized my neighborhood. I realized that the street was much more crowded than I remembered. I saw blurry colors floating in the distance that made blood drain from my face. Undoubtedly, those were balloons and within the silhouette of the living room window were bodies jumping around.

"Mom, what have you done?" I deadpanned. I could see that shit-eating grin grow on her face through the rearview mirror as she suddenly seemed very eager to arrive home.

"Nothing much, I just happened to tell a few people you were getting out today, and we all collectively decided to throw a party for your return. It's only a small handful of people like your friends, Erwin, Mike, Nanaba, Hanji, and a few others. Besides, I got your favorite matcha green tea cupcakes," she crooned. While I suppose I appreciated the gesture, I was hoping for a quiet return. Honestly, I have no idea why I thought I would get peace.

"Cupcakes do not make this better."

"Cupcakes and ice cream, then," she remedied.

"Nope," I replied.

"Oh, okay... So I should return the three bags of 60 green tea choco bars." I involuntarily let out a huge gasp.

"You got them?"

"Only for good kids."

"I'm not a kid anymore."

"You'll always be my kid, and you have to be my kid in order to get green tea choco bars."

"You are a cruel woman," I mocked.

"Yeah? Well, you're a cruel midget."

"Ah no, don't be like Kenny now."

"Unfortunately, some things must run in the family. Now, be modest to our guests and your welcome wagon, yeah?"

"I'll consider it."

"I'll accept that from you," my mom concluded. We pulled into the driveway, and I sent a final farewell to the sweet silence. Mom ushered me into the house, and I swear I stepped into hell.

"Levi! You're alive!" Hanji glomped my small frame which was soon followed by more hands. There were cheers coming from everyone, but at some point, I was finally freed. A little red zipped through the room full of bodies, and I was given the last hug by Isabel, Farlan's girlfriend. She was a free spirit with street smarts accompanied by an equally arrogant nature. Now, I should not advocate for using her brain to prank people she didn't like. But, I commended her ability to stick up for herself in many situations. I suppose she might have picked that up from Farlan and me though.

"Big brother, I was so worried about you," she sobbed. "Auntie Kuchel told us what happened, and I couldn't even sleep knowing you were hurt." I gave her a small smile and tried to play off my injuries.

"Thank you for being worried about me, but I'm okay now. I'm kind of like a chicken since I lost two fingers, but I'm still the same old Levi," I said. She laughed and shook her head.

"You're not a chicken. You're like a tortoise! That's what Erbear told me."

"Erbear?" I was a little confused since this was a new nickname that I couldn't associate with. Isabel seemed indifferent to my confusion and just pointed to the kitchen.

"He's in there drinking the juice. I know you don't say it much, but don't forget to tell him thank you! And if you don't, I'll get Farlan to help me drag your thanks out of you." Without another word, she disappeared again between the legs of the guests. I made small talk around not really wanting to engage too deeply in conversation but soon sauntered to the kitchen only to be shocked at who I saw.

That goddamn doctor was standing there off to the side of the counter sipping on a small cup of apple cider that mom provided to everyone. He must have arrived sometime while we were running errands, but I found it both charming and odd for him to be here. Eren had freed himself from his work clothes and now wore some loose jeans and a navy blue wife-beater. I gulped as I made no clear motion to hide my attention to his lean tanned biceps and sharp jawline running down into his neck. His Adam's apple bobbed as he drank and really made a porcelain figure with his collarbones. He suddenly seemed to notice my presence and waved me over.

"Well, it's certainly good to see my patient up and around outside of the hospital. You've adjusted well, and that's more than I could ask for," he commented. "Although I have to say, I never imagined you actually knew this many people considering how reserved you were." Grabbing drink myself, the words in my mind seemed to mix in my throat until I found my voice. It was the first time I was truly speaking to him in private, or at least, as private as it could get in a house party.

"It's nice to be out. I really am grateful for what you've done for me. I'm not sure I would have recovered this quickly without you. Although, I'm a little surprised to see you here. I find it quite hard to believe you left the hospital just for my sake," I replied. Eren gave a gruff sigh bemused at my answer.

"I was hitting the end of my shift anyway. Even I have a life, and part of that life means being a good neighbor." I paused mid drink and looked him over again suddenly clicking. Eren watched carefully as the cogs began to move in my brain and helped himself to another cup.

"You're the dude who moved in two weeks ago," I stated. Eren hummed in response. "Holy shit."

"And you wonder why your mother knows me so well," he snarkily replied. Everything suddenly made sense as to why he was so greatly acquainted with my family outside of his father's prestige. It was a mystery as to why I hadn't noticed before. I wasn't really sure where to take the conversation suddenly feeling ashamed at my own ignorance. I was taken out of my thoughts as a new presence suddenly stepped into the kitchen. "Oh, Mikasa!"

"Who's the small one?" she asked. I was immediately wary of the girl. She seemed to be an acquaintance of Eren's. I could tell she was the calculating type with the way she very much held a judging notion of simply meeting me. Eren suddenly seemed a little tense.

"This is would be Levi," he awkwardly responded.

"Levi," Mikasa repeated. She suddenly smirked and gave Eren a knowing look. "Eren, I need to have a word with you. Alone." Eren nervously glanced over at me to which I shrugged despite feeling a pit of dread fester in my stomach. I didn't really like the fact Eren was submitting to this girl's demands. But, I refuse to assert control over his life. That is in no way my right regardless of how I feel.

But, I felt like I had to start thinking about how to proceed. The fact was things were evident now: I had a crush on Eren and wanted him in my life.