Chapter Text
Levi had fucked up... again.
He had pushed Eren away all over again. Hadn’t he learned already? Eren wasn’t like everyone else, he was special; he didn’t want the same things everyone else wanted and Levi loved him for it.
He hadn’t wanted to have sex with Eren at the drive in either, he still had no idea why he had tried. To seem cool? To tell his friends the next day that he finally fucked Eren in Kenny’s car? He didn’t even have his own car! He wasn’t cool, he was a bigger loser than he thought he would be if his friends saw how he truly acted around Eren.
There was nothing to be embarrassed about, he loved that boy. He should have been screaming from the rooftops how much he loved Eren. Not dancing with ex-girlfriends and trying to feel Eren up in a crowded parking lot.
Levi always thought he was classier than that.
He was wrong.
Maybe Eren was better off without him. Marco would never push Eren to do things before he was ready; he would be a gentleman, let Eren make the first move. Maybe Eren should be with someone like Marco...
The thought made Levi’s stomach turn. Eren should be with him, they were meant for each other. Levi just had a long way to go until he was worthy of Eren. He thought he had been trying all along, but had he really? Eren deserved the world, and this time, Levi was n’t going to let his inhibitions get in the way. He was going to work for it, he was going to win Eren over properly.
He didn’t call Eren that night, or even for the rest of the week. He wanted to prove himself before begging forgiveness. He didn’t want Eren to give him any more chances for him to just blow , Levi wanted to be worthy of being with Eren, with nothing standing in their way.
Levi threw himself into his work; studying for exams, building his endurance for track, and working on Jean’s car when he could. It barely gave him enough time to think about Eren, despite Eren being in the back of his mind at all times. He wanted to show Eren that he was smart, that he could do more than just shop class and scaring away anyone who looked at him wrong.
Though he wasn’t the only one having relationship problems...
“So, Petra’s pregnant but it’s not yours?” Levi asked as Jean explained his situation; Levi had never seen jean so upset over a girl before and felt bad for ignoring Jean and Petra’s relationship while trying to fix his own.
“That what’s she says...” Jean said, eyes focused on his task under the car hood.
“And you believe her?” Levi asked.
“Why wouldn’t I?” Jean shrugged.
“You know how Petra is, she likes to come off as tough; she doesn’t want anyone to see her with any weaknesses,” Levi explained.
“Kind of like you?” Jean asked, looking up with a small smirk.
“Yeah and look where that’s got me,” Levi rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, we’re both a mess, aren’t we?” Jean laughed, “For what it’s worth, I think Eren is great. No one thinks any different of you for falling in love with someone like him.”
Levi looked up at Jean, eyes lingering on the soft look in his eyes for a moment. Levi had been so stupid to think his friends would think differently of him if he worked for his relationship with Eren. He could be soft around the person he loved without losing the image he had built of himself.
It wasn’t even as though Eren had asked Levi to change who he was, all Eren had wanted was to be treated properly no matter the audience. Even Jean, the one who would tease him the most over it understood that.
“Thanks man,” Levi smiled, “I’m going to do what I can to get him back.”
“Good,” Jean said.
“And I don’t think Petra’s baby belongs to anyone else, you should talk to her,” Levi suggested.
“You’re right, I have to make it right. I love her,” Jean confessed.
“Then go get her,” Levi smiled.
“Maybe if I win this race, she’ll want to take me back,” Jean said.
“She will anyway, but for now, let’s beat those Titan asses,” Levi grinned.
“Yes! They won’t know what hit them!” Jean laughed, pulling Levi into a quick hug before they both pushed each other away with an awkward grunt and continued finishing up the car before the others finally showed up.
“She’s beautiful,” Hange whistled as Jean drove the car out of the school garage and into the sun. The new paint job shimmering in the sun. She was completely unrecognizable from the pile of junk Jean had bought, though to be fair, nearly all of the parts had been replaced.
“Isn’t she?” Jean gushed, jumping out and taking one more look at their handy work.
“Do you think she’ll run?” Connie asked.
“He just drove it out the door, dummy,” Farlan scoffed.
“You know what I mean!” Connie exclaimed.
“She’ll run,” Levi insisted. He may not know what he was doing in his romantic life, but there was nothing he didn’t know about cars.
“We’re racing her at Paradis Road, you coming Hange ?” Erwin asked
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” Hange shouted in excitement , jumping into the backseat as the rest piled in to Erwin’s car and followed them down toward Paradis Road.
The Titans were already there when Levi and the rest showed up; Reiner, the boy Petra had brought to the dance, looking intimidating, leaning against the hood of his shiny new car. Levi wasn’t worried, Reiner’s car may be new and expensive but Levi had built this car almost from scratch and Jean knew his way behind the wheel; Reiner didn’t stand a chance.
“So, you think you got a winner there, huh?” Reiner smirked, taking a step towards them as they climbed out of the cars. The girls and Armin already waiting behind Mikasa’s car, glaring at the crowd behind Reiner.
“That’s right!” Jean said confidently.
“It takes more than a coat of paint to make it at Paradis Road,” Reiner said as his friend's ooh’d behind him. “Not thinking of changing your mind, are you?”
“No way,” Jean growled.
“Good, because we’re racing for pinks,” Reiner said.
“Pinks?” Levi scoffed.
“Pinks you punk! Pink slips, ownership papers!” Reiner explained, as though Levi were an idiot.
Levi laughed lightly at the sarcastic tone as he seethed; clenching his fists and taking off toward Reiner before Erwin grabbed him and pulled him back. A good idea in theory, Levi had too much to worry about with Eren to spend the night in jail for beating the snot out of some asshole. Though it didn’t help his fury as the other crowed laughed dismissively at the action. Jean had better kill Reiner in this race.
“I got this, don’t worry,” Jean promised, leading Levi back toward the car.
“Hey Jean, take this for good luck,” Mikasa said, holding out a dirty, old penny she had found on the ground.
“Thanks Mikasa,” Jean grinned, before he lost his grip and dropped it onto the ground with a light chuckle before bending to pick it up.
“Jean, the car is perfect! You’re going to win for sure!” Connie exclaimed, opening the door to jump out, only to knock the corner straight on Jeans skull.
“Oh fuck,” Levi said, running over as Jean fell to the ground.
“You alright? Erwin asked, taking off his jacket to lay under Jean’s head as Levi leaned over him.
“Yeah yeah , I’m fine,” Jean laughed, trying to sit up, only to fall back down from dizziness.
“Do you want me to drive?” Levi asked softly, looking into Jean’s eyes. It was a hit to Jean’s ego for sure, but he was in no state to drive and he knew it. With a reluctant nod, he agreed.
“Don’t worry, I’ll win this thing for you,” Levi promised, clapping Jean on the shoulder and running over to the car to get into position as Reiner leaned over the side of his own car.
“Rules are, there are no rules. To the second bridge and back.” He said while Annie tool position in front of the cars, holding her scarf in the air for the start.
Levi’s hands gripped the wheel, eyes scanning the viaduct for the best route for the race. As long as he didn’t get too close to the stream and Reiner didn’t pull anything too nasty, he should be fine. He could do this, there was no way he would allow Reiner to win this race.
As soon as Annie waved the scarf, Levi’s foot was too the floor; taking off with a trail of dust behind him. The car worked just as Levi knew it would, revving beautifully with each gear change, speeding down the concrete just slightly ahead of Reiner.
That was until Levi felt the other car bump against him, a loud screeching noise as the blade on Reiners hub cap tore through the metal cover of Levi’s side door. Levi’s temper flared as the bastard destroyed the side of Levi’s car; his anger only fueling his determination to win, only to turn Reiners car into scrap metal when it was his.
They made it to the second bridge, tire marks painting the concrete as they both skidded into a sharp turn, taking off in the direction they had come. Neck and neck once more with Reiner coming in close once more with that evil grin on his face.
Levi lost a hubcap this time, though able to escape onto the side ramp before much more damage could occur, and giving himself a boost when Reiner had to fall behind to avoid the opening below.
They were almost back to start; Reiner riding his tail and catching up quick. Levi’s eyes scanned the distance, he had one chance; it would go either perfectly or terribly wrong, but there was no time to worry.
Levi floored it toward the stream, holding his breath as he hit the ramp. He felt himself fly through the air, hitting the other side of the stream hard but making it over. The car would need some major work after that jump but she was holding on as he sped back to the start; Reiner in his rearview mirror, pounding his fists on the steering wheel as his car stalled in the middle of the stream.
Everyone ran toward Levi, cheering; pulling him out of the car and hugging him in excitement. He was excited as well, proud to have won the race and showed up that asshole from Titan High. He’d enjoy driving that car around town like a trophy, though it wouldn’t be satisfying without Eren in the front seat beside him.
As though the thought of Eren made him magically appear, Levi’s eye caught the sight of Armin running off to the side toward where Eren was sitting. Too far to join in on the fun but close enough that he must have seen the race. Levi wanted nothing more than to run over and hug him, his celebration was nothing without his love by his side.
He knew he wasn’t ready, he still had to prove to Eren that he was worthy of him, so he just stayed where he was; watching Eren and Armin talk in the distance while the rest of their friends celebrated around him. His heart aching as he watched Armin pull Eren toward his car; Eren’s eyes catching on Levi’s for only a moment before climbing in and driving away.
Levi would find a way back to him. It was a promise.
His first step, although small, was to finish gym class. It wasn’t extravagant and had nothing to do with his relationship with Eren, but at least it would show Eren that he was more than just some tough guy; afraid to wear anything but a leather jacket.
He wore his school sweater with pride as he walked through the end of school fair. Excited teenagers racing around him with yearbooks to sign, summer plans to make, and colleges to talk about. He didn’t care for any of them, he just wanted to find Eren; there was no way he was spending his summer without Eren by his side.
He caught eyes with Jean, who looked him up and down with a look of playful disgust before giving a nod of approval and continuing on his way toward the Ferris wheel where Petra and Armin were coming down over the top.
“Petra! Get off of that thing in your condition!” Jean yelled
“Forget about it, it was a false alarm!” Petra yelled back.
“What??" Jean said, running toward the entrance.
“I’m not pregnant!” Petra shouted happily as it came to a stop.
Levi smiled as he watched Jean run towards her, likely saying something cheesy and embarrassing before pulling her into a kiss. Levi was happy that they would work it out, the two were perfect for each other, now if only he could do the same.
“Whoa whoa , what’s this?” Farlan said as he and Connie came up behind Levi, pulling at his sweater.
“Who’d you swipe this from?” Connie laughed.
“No one, it’s mine,” Levi said proudly as they stared at him in shock.
“Levi Ackerman, turning jock?” Farlan asked.
“You deserting us?” Connie asked.
“Oh come on guys, you can’t follow me around all your life,” Levi said, pulling back his sweater and straightening it up as the two looked at him as thought he had just kicked their dogs. “You know you mean a lot to me, but Eren does to. I’m going to do whatever I can to get him back,” Levi explained.
Connie was about to say something but Farlan grabbed their attention before he could; moving all of their eyes toward the boy walking toward them.
Levi’s mouth went dry and all the air in his lungs escaped as he took in the image before him. Eren dressed in the tightest leather pants Levi had ever seen, along with a leather jacket, slicked black hair, and was that eyeliner? While Levi had always thought Eren looked gorgeous, no matter how mild and conservative he dressed, Levi couldn’t deny that the Eren walking toward him was the sexiest creature he had ever laid eyes on.
“Eren?!” Levi exclaimed, unsure of what to say
“Tell me about it, stud,” Eren said, his voice low and sultry; green eyes shining beautifully in the sunlight.
“You... you look... Gorgeous,” Levi said, taking a step toward him as he pulled off the sweater slowly. Falling to the ground dramatically as Eren turned away from him; pulling off his own jacket to show his tight black shirt and bare shoulders underneath.
“Do I?” Eren asked, “Gorgeous enough to get you attention?”
“You always have my attention,” Levi said, crawling toward him.
“Then you better shape up. My heart is set on you, but I need to know that you want me too,” Eren said.
“Yes, you’re the one that I want. The one I need, I love you Eren. Just the way you are. I’m so sorry for not realizing it sooner, for acting terrible toward you when others were around, and making you think that I didn’t love you with everything I am,” Levi said
“That’s all I want, for you to accept me the way I am,” Eren said, slipping his arms around Levi’s neck as Levi pulled him closer.
“I do. You’re perfect the way you are and I’m ready to treat you the way I should have from the start. I’ll never disappoint you again,” Levi promised.
“Good,” Eren smiled, leaning his head down and capturing Levi’s lips in a kiss, “Now how about we go to your place and I’ll show you how Armin sewed me into these pants,” Eren whispered into Levi’s ear seductively.
“I didn’t think you were ready,” Levi said, looking up into Eren’s beautiful eyes.
“I am now,” Eren shrugged with a coy grin.
“Okay guys, we’ll see you later,” Levi said, grabbing his sweated off the ground and pulling Eren toward his car.
“Wait, it’s the last day of school. What if we never see each other again?” Armin exclaimed.
“ Oh, come on, that’ll never happen,” Jean said.
“How do you know?” Farlan asked.
“What do you mean, how do I know? We just go together, one of a kind, best friends.” Jean said.
“We’re one of a kind, we’ll be friends forever, I promise,” Levi said.
“We’ll always be together,” Petra smiled, cuddling into Jean’s side.
“Exactly,” Erwin said, kissing the top of Armin’s head.
“Great, we’ll meet you guys at Marley’s later,” Levi said, pulling a giggling Eren to his car and driving them both back to his home.
“Eren, do you even realize how beautiful you are?” Levi whispered, tossing a swollen lipped and flushed face Eren back onto his bed as his eyes roamed over his perfect form.
“I bet you say that to all the boys,” Eren laughed, welcoming Levi into his arms as the smaller boy crawled over him.
“Only one comes to mind,” Levi grinned, capturing Eren’s lips in another kiss as his fingers pulled at Eren’s shirt.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Levi asked after pulling the thin fabric over Eren’s head.
“Yes, I just never wanted to do it in your stupid car,” Eren grinned.
“Hey!” Levi growled playfully, before kissing him gently, “I didn’t either, I don’t know why I did that.”
“No more trying to be cool with me around your friends?” Eren asked.
“Never, I don’t care if the world knows that I’m a lovesick fool for you,” Levi said.
“Perfect,” Eren smiled as Levi began pulling off their remaining clothes; both laughing at the difficulty of getting Eren out of those ridiculous pants and holding him close.
Levi couldn’t believe he had almost fucked up his relationship with Eren. He couldn’t imagine missing out on this moment; laughing together over his pants, holding each other close, and burying himself deep inside as Eren let out beautiful cries of passion into his ear.
It was a perfect ending to a less than perfect year, and Levi considered himself the luckiest man in the world to find himself in bed with Eren.
It had been a difficult road, but they had found their way back to each other, and Levi was never letting go.