The Winter Project-[Levi x Eren]

Chapter Eighteen: Manipulation Part One

Chapter Eighteen:

Manipulation:

TW:Scars, self harm, offensive language

Eren's POV:
I woke up still laying on Levi's chest and I was cuddled even closer to him. I hated the fact that he saw me like that, it wasn't much but I felt a little embarrassed. I kept having that nightmare. I didn't understand why. His hand was in my hair again and I hugged him tightly and buried my face into his abdomen if he wasn't awake before he definitely would be now. He traced his fingers down my back and over my side to the front of my body "Good morning dove~" I ignored his remark and just nuzzled my head farther into his body. He slid out from me and laid down, facing me. I opened my eyes only to be met with his grey ones. "You were keeping me warmmmm" I complained and gave him a small peck on the nose, "Morning."

We sat up and I still didn't know what to think of the events from last night's events "Hey, I have to go out food shopping today. Will you be okay to stay here?" he asked. "Yeah I should be fine," I let out a yawn. He didn't say anything else and he just got up to get dressed. Just how had I really noticed the scar he had talked about on the way to work two nights ago. At the bottom of his neck there was a thin line darker than the rest of his body, it had definitely been from a knife. On the other hand, I noticed one more on his upper arm, there was a small circle-like shape on both sides of his arm. "Hey Levi, what's that mark on your arm from?" I turned back around from his closet to face me, "I got shot. During a fight," He said, not breaking eye contact or blinking once. "How..? How does that even happen..?"

"Eren. We can talk about this later," He said and turned away to continue selecting his clothes. His tone had become dark and solemn. There was definitely something he didn't really want to tell me. I didn't persist further. He threw another sweatshirt at me. "Change out of that one and toss it in the hamper so I wash it, I know you want to stay in my sweatshirt but it needs to be clean." He threw on a shirt and some skinny jeans and we walked downstairs. "You can have what you want to eat, just don't make a mess, I'll be back soon," He said bluntly and shut the door behind him. I felt that something was off. It was like when I asked about the mark a whole personality change happened. His persona he wore for school showed.

Levi's POV

I didn't mean to leave so suddenly, I didn't think he would notice my scar or ask about It. It was one of the only things I hated about myself. This was a part of my past I felt Eren might be safer not knowing, but something told me that if I didn't tell him he would be even more hurt. I drove at a more normal speed and I was left to my own thoughts. Too much went on on my brain and I got too focused on them which made it dangerous to drive. I tried desperately to make my trip quick but I couldn't shake the feeling I was being water, and normally my senses were dead on. I only grabbed what we needed plus a box of Red velvet cake mix and brownie mix I grabbed the bags and headed back to my car, a note was tapped to my windshield. I loaded the bags into my car and grabbed the note, it was not safe to read it here.

I quickly got in my car and drove home the back roads this way it would be obvious no one was following me. I wasn't just paranoid. I knew something was off. When I pulled in I put the groceries away and opened the note. "Great to see you again Levi we really miss you, our new leader isn't as good. Take him out for us won't you? 78 5th avenue 11:30 pm Thursday night. Sharp" fuck. I stuffed the note in my pocket and noticed that Eren had not greeted me, and I couldn't see him "Brat?" No response. "Oi Jeager" silence. "Shit. Kid where are you..?" I paced down the hall quickly and checked each room. I continued to call out for him but I didn't receive a response.

I told myself not to worry cause I still had to check the up stairs. "Jager Bomb!!" I yelled as I quickly walk up the stairs. An error silence filled the space, I walked into my room. No luck. Backroom, no luck. Computer room. No luck. Bathroom empty. I ran to the very end of my hall "Eren! Where are you!?" When I reached the door I fell silent and took a deep breath. Light sobs came from the other side of the door. Eren. "Eren. It's Levi, I'm home. Can I come in?" I softened my tone and I heard the small click of the lock. I turned the door handle and he sat there head in his knees, he was crying and his phone lay across the room on the floor. "What happened.?" He stayed like that for a minute. "Eren it's okay. You're safe." I said as I reached out to touch his arm. "DON'T TOUCH ME-" he slapped my hand away and sobbed even harder. A small bit of Red liquid displayed on my hand, "Eren. Why are you bleeding..?"