Chance Encounter

Once again

(Eren's POV)

That guy gets on my nerves! What's his deal?! He saves me, acts like an ass about it, then leaves. But I guess it was my fault for getting into this situation. I should have realized Erwin would pull something like that.

Oh shit, I never thanked that guy-

no, Levi-

for saving my life! I have to find him before grace period ends!

I looked up at the clock and it read 4:00. 'Thirty minutes', I thought to myself. 'I've got thirty minutes to find him, or else I may not ever see him again.' As much as I disliked him for being so rude, he saved me.

I ran out the door and down the hall, narrowly avoiding crash collisions a few times. I can spot a familiar face among the largest crowd or from a mile away, but I couldn't seem to find Levi anywhere.

I mean, how could I forget his face?

Wait, what am I saying?! I'm not saying he's cute!

Damnit, I hate how I word things...

After about ten minutes of searching, I got an unpleasant surprise. A group of girls spotted me. And they ran after me. Shit, why now?

I turned around and dashed down the hall, desperately trying to escape those crazy chicks. They ran after me and kept up a good pace, so I couldn't outrun them. I figured the only option left was to hide.

'Where's the one place that no lady dares to enter...? Oh! The men's bathroom!'

(Levi's POV)

After I finished recuperating, I decided I would head home. I don't want to stay here longer than I have to just to be reminded of him...

'Wait, what was his name again? Ah, Eren. That's it.'

I went to step out of the bathroom and the moment I did, I heard footsteps booking it down the hallway.

'Shit, I don't want to get trampled! They'll run right over me I'm so short!'

Oh yeah, did I ever mention my height? I'm only five foot three. Yeah, I'm a shorty, but I can beat the absolute shit out of anyone with the exception of Erwin.

I slunk back into the bathroom, my back against a stall. Suddenly, out of nowhere, someone ran into the bathroom and nearly fell over.

It was Eren. Out of all people, why Eren?!

I stared at him with wide eyes. Then I thought 'Wait, does he realize I'm in here?'

He had his forehead against the wall with his eyes closed, so I guessed he didn't know.

I eased backward into the stall and slowly, very slowly, closed the door. I didn't have the guts to approach him. Then he started talking to himself, sounding winded.

"I think I lost them... Thank God, now I can start looking for him again..."

'Wait, what? Who is he looking for?'

"But no matter how hard I try, I can never find him anywhere... I have to thank him... I may not ever see him again...!"

Oh my God.

He's talking about me, isn't he? He... He wants to thank me...? Even after I was so mean to him? How could he even think about thanking me after what I did? This boy's got a good heart...

In the middle of my thoughts, I heard a thud.

What happened to him?

I opened the door a crack and saw something I've never seen before. Something I never thought I'd ever see. Something I never wanted to see.

I saw Eren, on his knees, crying.

He was genuinely crying over me.

I never wanted to make him cry.

 He's too nice, too sweet...

He doesn't deserve it.

I opened the door and slipped out of the stall, and made my way over to him without alerting him. I stood behind him, watching him shed tears over an asshole like me.

I felt so bad, but I couldn't let him know. He'd use my feelings against me. That's what everyone does. They worm their way into my heart, and when I tell them my feelings or experiences or my past, they taunt me and tell everyone else.

They'll all laugh at me, calling me a coward.

That's why I don't show my true feelings. But... Eren in the first person... Who has ever cried over me... I've made plenty of people cry, but because I hurt them emotionally.

But this man... He's crying because he wanted to see me... To thank me... Maybe Eren is an exception. Maybe he won't hurt me.

Besides, I... I do have a crush on him...

I kneeled down behind him and hugged him around his waist. He instantly flinched and freaked out.

"Wh-who's there?!"

He struggled to get out of my grip, but I refused to show my face or let him go. I'd wanted this so bad for so long. I hugged him a bit tighter, and he struggled more, but then he froze. I looked at him, confused, then he said, stuttering, "L-Levi...? Is... Is that y-you?"

My eyes widened. He recognizes me? But how?

(Eren's POV)

It finally dawned on me. It was Levi. His touch seemed so familiar to me... I don't know why...

"L-Levi...? Is... Is that y-you?" I managed to say. The moment I did, all of his slight movement seemed to stop. Maybe it wasn't Levi? Oh shit, what if it's not?! Then he'll think I have a crush on him! Then I heard a mumble.

"Y...yes... Eren..."

My eyes widened. It was Levi! I instantly turned around and hugged him tight, and he seemed surprised, but after a few seconds he hugged back.

"Oh Levi, Thank you! Thank you so much for saving me! I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier. Please forgive me!"

I ended up spilling my mind to him in one go. I hope he won't think I'm crazy.

"Oh, you're welcome..." He took a deep breath, then continued. "Let me apologize... For being so rude to you... I really am glad you're safe..."

When he finished, I pulled back a bit, staring into his eyes. They were just like his hair, an elegant charcoal color.

Why do I have the urge to kiss him? My eyes wandered down to his lips, and he seemed to notice, because he instantly stiffened.

"H-hey, Eren, s-shouldn't we go somewhere a-a bit more... Private...?"

(Levi's POV)

I could tell he was staring directly at my lips. But why did I ask to go somewhere private?! Damnit, now he's going to think I want to make out with him or something!

I instantly looked away, hiding my embarrassment. "I-I'm sorry, I d-didn't mean it like that... Don't get the wrong idea..."

I could feel myself getting slightly aroused. Damn, he keeps staring at me like that, I'll want to kiss him...

Well, I already do, but I can't resist much longer with him staring at my lips like that...

Then he does something unexpected.

He stands up and grabs my hand, pulls me up and starts walking down the hallway, dragging me with him. There are people in the halls, and they're staring at us.

"Oi, E-Eren, what are you doing?"

He stays silent.

Where is he taking me? What does he plan on doing with me?!