Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

38 ⚕︎Liberation✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 38
⚕︎Liberation✍︎
Eren

lib·er·a·tion

/ˌlibəˈrāSH(ə)n/

noun

the act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression; release

I've grown used to falling asleep with him only to wake up to an empty bed in the morning. Today was just like any other day, I went through my morning routine with Ryder and Xander before moving on to training with Lynne. She let me run today so I wouldn't use my wrist. Ryder and Xander mysteriously disappeared for the hour long session only to reappear slightly disheveled.

Guess my boyfriend is a match maker now.

After practice I shower so I'm clean for Levi and I throw my ball around. The picture Isabel drew me is taped up to the wall by my pillow. I catch the ball as the door opens and Levi enters.

"Hello, brat." Levi closes the door and sits on my bed. "How are you?"

"I'm good." I shrug and set the ball down.

"On a scale from one to ten?"

"Seven."

"Can I make it an eight?"

I chuckle. "Probably. I'm not sure how though."

He hums before pulling out his personal cellphone and pulling up a video of Izzy wishing me a good morning before kissing me. Seeing her brings a smile to my face and I wish I could reach through the screen. "I'm glad she still thinks about me."

"If I take you out of here for the day, can you be a good boy?" He quirks an eyebrow with a grin.

My eyes widen. Out of here? Does he mean back out into the real world? It feels like real life doesn't even exist anymore, like it's another dimension that I'm no longer allowed into. The prospect of crossing over is immediately making my heart pound.

Outside.

"Freedom."

I nod my head. "Yes, yes, I can be good."

He frowns. "It's only for today, because you aren't discharged, but it's still something."

I nod again to show I understand. My heart sinks knowing I'll have to come back but lifts again when I remind myself that Levi and this place come as a packaged deal. I can make myself come back because I know I'll be with him. "Okay."

"I was able to convince Eyebrows to allow me to take you out for the day on the premise that I take you tuxedo shopping for court. I'll be the only one coming with you as to not draw suspicion. Although there won't be any ocean time, I may have organized it so that we 'accidentally' bump into Iz." Levi runs his fingers through his hair.

I bite my lip, buzzing with energy. I rub my wrist. "So I won't be restrained or anything?"

"We could run."

We don't need to.

Levi looks slightly hurt. "No... Should I restrain you?"

I shake my head. "No, it's okay. We're okay." I grab his hand with my uninjured one and rub my thumb over his palm to ground myself. My instincts are to run but I don't want to. All I want is Levi. All I need is Levi and if I remember that then I'll stay with him.

He nods and brings his hands to the bottom of my gown and starts to lift it.

I let him. "What are you doing?"