Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

41 ⚕︎Expose ✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 41
⚕︎Expose ✍︎
Levi

ex·pose

/ikˈspōz/

verb

make (something) visible, typically by uncovering it

I'm brought out of my thoughts due to this incessant tapping on my office door.

"Enter," I practically growl.

Ryder steps in, closing the door quietly behind him. "Do you have a minute?"

"I suppose." I close Jean's file.

Ryder walks further in, looking tense, and stands in front of my desk. "Um... look, Eren has these..." Ryder sighs, frustrated that he can't get his words out. "What are you doing to Eren?"

"Counseling him. Why?" I ask. "Want to take over?"

"I don't know." Ryder shifts. "I can't deny that he's gotten much better under your care but occasionally, I see him hurt. Yesterday his torso was covered in bruises. A few weeks ago his back was torn up like he'd been whipped. I've asked around, no one else has done anything to him and I highly doubt he could do it to himself so that just leaves... you."

I look at Ryder. "So what am I being accused of?"

"Abusing him." Ryder says. He can't look at me when he says it but his voice doesn't falter. "I haven't talked to Erwin or anyone... yet. I wanted to hear what you had to say."

"No. I would never abuse Eren."

"I know but I need to hear another explanation. You can understand how this looks, you're a smart man."

"I feel like you're dead set on not believing me."

"I want to believe you, more than anything. I've already talked to Eren, he won't say anything which is even more suspicious. He got extremely defensive." Ryder runs a hand through his hair and tucks it behind his ear. "I'm here to listen. I don't want this to be true."

I groan. "Ryder— Look, I'm going to be frank. Eren and I care about each other and have come to understand each other. There is no ill will between us. I won't abuse him and he won't abuse me. We... protect each other in a way."

"Then where did the markings come from? That is one question that you refuse to fucking answer. Just give me another explanation and I'll drop it." Ryder pleads.

"Oh. Eren's just a masochist and we had sex," I deadpan.

Ryder's jaw drops. "You what?"

"I fucked the brat's brain out, both times, with consent."

Ryder sits down in a chair. "But you... you don't even like men?"

"I like Eren."

"So this has been happening? The whole time? That's against even more regulations, you are the last person I'd think would do something like that."

I shrug. "I mean, what I'm doing isn't exactly against this hospital's policy. I won't get fired for planning to have the brat moved in with Iz and me after he's discharged. In fact, Erwin told me to do whatever it takes, to just keep it off the record."

"I... I don't know what to say. I don't know if I can even believe that. Are you pretending you have feelings for him?"

"No." I snap.

Ryder flinches. "You fell in love with him?"

"I wouldn't say it as... gayly, but yes, I fucking love my brat."