Off Record [Ereri/Riren] ✓

42 ⚕︎Dread ✍︎

Off Record
Chapter 42
⚕︎Dread ✍︎
Eren

dread

/dred/

verb

anticipate with great apprehension or fear

We feel relaxed, sated, and relieved. We feel safe in Levi's arms and I'm extremely grateful to Ryder for understanding, despite the fact that Titan is still a little bit upset. Levi had been right, if Ryder had tried to take me away from Levi then Titan would have stopped him, even if that meant he had to go as far as to kill him. Nothing can stand between us.

"How did you get them to merge like that?" Ryder asks. "It's fascinating."

Levi plays with our hair. "I told them that I'd let them top if they did it together." He shrugs.

Ryder raises an eyebrow and nods, finishing the cleaning.

"You think Titan is just an animal." I lock eyes with Ryder, Titan's glowing defiantly. "But he's more than that."

"You're still a scared little boy. A child."

I close my eyes and feel Titan dissipate, leaving only me as he retreats to the dark corners of our mind.

"I'll leave you two now." Ryder stands and walks over to Levi. "and I am sorry, Levi. I'm sure you understand that I was just trying to do what was best for Eren." he apologises sincerely.

Levi nods, pulling me closer. "Enjoy the rest of your day."

Ryder leaves with his supplies and I look at Levi.

"I'm sorry," I say. "I should've been more careful. I shouldn't have let him see."

"It's fine. We're fine." Levi kisses me. "Are you tired? You look kind of exhausted."

I nod meekly. "Yes."

He picks me up and tucks me in. "Want to see pictures of Isabel on our shopping trip until you fall asleep?"

I smile. "Yes, please."

Levi scoots in next to me and pulls his phone out. "She had a lot of fun. The food court was her favorite. She ran around and tried a bunch of free samples like it was the best thing in the world. Isabel absolutely loves sushi apparently."

A picture of Isabel eating with chopsticks is pulled up.

I chuckle. "That's adorable."

I wish that I could've gone with them. I long for the life I've been promised and after getting a taste of it, it became painful to wait. I've always resented being sick but never this much. I want to go home to my family but it feels as if I'll never actually be able to, as if that's just a fantasy to keep me going.

"I'm glad she's settling well into society." I touch the picture as if I could reach her.

Levi cups my face gently. "It's still hard for her and she's been asking about you a lot, but she's trying her best. This is a picture of her in Claire's. Izzy wants her ears pierced, but she wants you there when it happens."

"Aw, that's sweet." I'm happy to hear that she still thinks of me. I continually worry that I'll prove not to be a good enough father for her. I want to be the best I can for her.

Levi nods and goes to his jacket quickly, pulling out a box of something called Pocky. "Izzy made me buy these and liked them, so she bugged me again to get you some."

I smile and take the box, opening it. "I've seen these around but I've never tried any." I take a bite off one end and moan. "'Is good."

"I've heard." He laughs, crawling down back bedside me. "I'll sneak you in some more shit that isn't for sex."