Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

23 ⚕︎Legitimacy ✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 23
⚕︎Legitimacy ✍︎
Levi

le·git·i·ma·cy

/ləˈjidəməsē/

noun

ability to be defended with logic or justification; validity.

I think I've fallen in "love" with the brat. I don't know when it fucking happened, but it did and I don't know if it's a good or a bad thing. Maybe it doesn't have to be a "good" or "bad" thing. Maybe it just... is.

My hands scrub at my skin as the showerhead pours scalding liquid all over my tender skin. I smell like Eren and it's weird. It's not necessarily a negative thing, but I feel dirty because of not showering yesterday due to my depression.

Eren's and my appointment is in thirty minutes, but I should get there in time. I let the shampoo rinse out of my hair before working in the conditioner. My scalp receives the much needed massage that it yearned for and my hair gets the moisturization that I personally feel it's been lacking before I wash my body twice and then conclude my shower.

I dress quickly and then grab a bagel to eat on the way to work. Eren has work with Lynne, so I don't know what type of mood he'll be in.

I'm in Eren's room before he even is.

"Oi."

"Oh, hey."

"Tired?"

"A bit." Eren slumps. "But it's not too bad."

"What did she have you do?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"We usually start off with laps then she lets me know whether we're working on cardio, legs, upper body strength and then we go from there." He explains. "Today was upper body strength so we lifted weights and I attempted a pull up."

"Did you fail?"

"Yeah, I failed. This time!"

"You'll do it eventually. I used to hate them. Now I only dislike them. They're helpful regardless."

He nods. "Yeah."

"Are you sweaty?"

"Um," he looks himself over. "Not enough to be noticeable. I usually take a shower after but sometimes I do it before."

I can't stop a scowl from playing on my face. "Disgusting. Why before and not always after?"

"I use it as an excuse not to work out right after I get up." Eren shrugs. "If it bothers you, I can go shower."

"I'll take you to the shower. You know how I am." I get up from my place leaning against the back wall. Eren stands as well.

"Yeah, I'll make sure to shower after from now on."

"Thank you." I lead him to the showers and sit down, his change of clothes and towel in my lap.

Eren turns the water on. "Ryder's usually too embarrassed to look at me." He says. "Not you though."

"It's not like I haven't seen you naked before." I can't help but chuckle at the fact that he's never seen me naked. I'd always kept my shirt on. If it didn't have to come off, it just didn't.

"True." Eren works the shampoo into his hair.

"Does it make you uncomfortable?" I ask even though I'll watch regardless.

"It did the first time, not now though. Only slightly. Makes me feel like should be putting on some kind of show." He laughs.

"Like you could pull that off."