Chapter 92: Poor Eren
"Fuck, fuck, fuckkkk… it's not a beauty it's... it's a beast..." Eren's frantic thoughts echoed in his mind as he bolted down the dimly lit hallway, his entire appearance a walking disaster.
Dark circles clung stubbornly under his wide, panicked eyes, his belt hanging on for dear life as his pants threatened to betray him. His white, long-sleeved shirt was barely staying on his shoulders, half-buttoned and flapping wildly with each desperate stride.
His hair was a disheveled mess, sticking out at odd angles, and a faint trail of saliva clung to the corner of his mouth. Every muscle in his body trembled with exhaustion, his legs screaming for mercy, but the most horrifying—and painfully obvious—detail of all was the steady wisp of steam rising ominously from his pants.
"Levi… Save meeee!!!" Eren's mind screamed as his feet pounded against the floor, the sound echoing like a war drum.
Somehow, through sheer adrenaline and terror, he managed to keep his balance, his legs wobbling as if they might collapse beneath him at any second.
Levi's room felt like it was miles away, situated at the very end of the never-ending hallway. The distant door loomed like salvation itself, and Eren's heart threatened to burst from his chest with every panicked step.
He rounded the final corner, a shaky breath escaping his lips. Almost there… Just a little more!
"EREHHHH!!!"
Mikasa's voice thundered through the castle, sharp and relentless, sending chills down Eren's spine. He didn't need to turn around to know she was closing in—it was a sound he dreaded, especially after last night.
Finally, Levi's room finally came into view, and without hesitation, he pounded on the door.
"Levi! Open up! Please! Save me!"
In a matter of seconds, the door swung open, revealing Levi, standing there with his usual blank expression. His eyes blinked slowly as he scratched the back of his head, still wearing his cravat and buttoned sleeping shirt.
"The hell..." Levi muttered, his voice laced with annoyance, before another sharp cry pierced the air.
"Erehhh!!!"
Eren stiffened at the sound, his body tense. He glanced back to see Mikasa's aura drawing nearer, a mix of concern and something else, and it only made his stomach churn. He turned back to Levi, desperation in his eyes.
"Levi... Please... Hide me just for a while..." Eren groaned, his voice tight with panic.
Levi sighed deeply, looking Eren up and down with a hint of disbelief. "The fuck happened to you?"
Before Eren could respond, Petra's tired voice drifted from the bed, cutting through the silence. "Who's at the door this early, love?"
"It's Eren..." He replied his glare shifting back at the poor kid on the verge of crying, staring at Levi with big puppy eyes.
Levi sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Fine, idiot... get in," he muttered, stepping aside to let Eren stumble into the room.
Eren practically collapsed onto the edge of the neatly kept bed, his breathing ragged, while Levi shut the door behind him with a click.
Petra, still rubbing sleep from her eyes, sat upright, her brows knitting with concern as she took in Eren's disheveled state. She offered him a gentle smile, though worry tinged her voice.
"Eren, what happened? Are you okay?" she asked softly, leaning forward to pat his back as his chest heaved.
"Wa... Water..." Eren wheezed, clutching his side like he'd just run a marathon. "Petra, please... water..."
Alarmed, she jumped up without hesitation, grabbing the jug from a nearby table and pouring a glass. She quickly handed it to him, and Eren downed it in seconds, barely pausing for air. "More..." he croaked, holding out the empty glass like a man lost in a desert.
Petra glanced at Levi, who stood silently with his arms crossed, an unimpressed expression on his face. She poured him another glass, watching as Eren gulped it down with the same desperation. Finally, Eren leaned back, catching his breath, while Petra placed a hand on his shoulder.
"What's wrong? You're scaring me, Eren," she said, her tone more insistent now.
Eren just nodded clutching the sides of the bedsheet balling the fabric in his fist.
Levi snorted, breaking the silence. "I swear, if this is about something stupid, you're dead kid..."
Levi's gaze drifted downward, his eyes narrowing as he noticed the faint trail of steam rising from Eren's pants. His expression remained deadpan, though the annoyance in his tone was unmistakable.
"And the hell is wrong with your pants?" he asked, arms still crossed as he arched a skeptical brow.
Levi's gaze shifted upwards, settling on Eren's teary, defeated eyes.
"I... I'm an embarrassment," Eren blurted his tone dramatic, his voice cracking. "Levi... I'm an embarrassment to our lineage..."
Levi raised an eyebrow, his expression as blank as ever.
"Tch... wimp,"
Though his words were sharp, Petra's reaction was immediate—her eyes softened as she scooted closer to Eren, wrapping him in a comforting embrace.
Before Eren could gather his thoughts, a booming voice echoed through the castle halls once more.
"EREHHHH!!!"
The sound sent a shiver down Eren's spine. His wide eyes darted toward Levi, who remained unphased, though his lips curled in slight irritation.
Suddenly a loud knock followed at the door, sharp and demanding.
Eren's face twisted in disbelief as he turned to Levi with pleading, bulging eyes. "Save me, brother!" he whispered hoarsely.
Levi let out a scoff, crossing his arms. "Tch. Idiot."
"Quick, under the bed!" Petra urged, her voice hushed but firm.
Without hesitation, Eren slid under the bed, his startled expression barely hidden as Levi moved to the door.
When it swung open, it revealed Mikasa standing there, her scarf loosely draped around her neck, which bore visible red kiss marks. Her eyes burned with determination, fists clenched, though her expression turned from concerned to dissapointment and somewhat rage upon seeing Levi.
Levi, on the other hand, didn't flinch. "The hell do you want?" he asked, his tone as annoyed as ever.
Mikasa narrowed her eyes at him. "Oi chibi... I'm looking for a guy," she said, her voice steady but laced with irritation. "Green eyes, stronger than you, taller than you, and much more handsome than you."
Levi's deadpan expression didn't budge. "Yeah, I've seen him," he replied flatly, glancing back into the room. Beneath the bed, Eren frantically shook his head, silently begging Levi not to give him away.
"Where is he?" Mikasa pressed, her gaze never wavering.
"In my bed tied up with ropes... All naked and oiled up... Just finished one of our Man-To-Man backshot sessions..." Levi shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
"Even though he's married to you now... He's still mine and mine alone kid..." Levi smirked witnessing her frustration at his words.
Mikasa's fists tightened in irritation,"I'm gonna..." She groaned, but her attention shifted as Petra stepped into view, her pregnant belly slightly more pronounced.
"Mikasa!" Petra greeted her warmly, pulling her into a friendly hug. Mikasa returned the gesture, visibly grateful for all the support Petra had given her, especially during her wedding and relationship.
After their brief reunion, Mikasa got straight to the point. "Petra, have you seen Eren?"
Petra blinked, then smiled nervously. "Eren? Oh! I think I saw him running toward the fields earlier. Looked like he needed some air. Jogging, maybe?" She let out an awkward laugh, the excuse sounding flimsy even to her.
Surprisingly, Mikasa's expression softened, shifting to one of worry. Her voice, unusually gentle, broke through the tension. "Eren... Oh, I'm such an idiot. I should've known he wanted some fresh air. Thank you, Petra."
With that, she turned and left, heading toward the fields in search of him.
The moment the coast was clear, Eren slid out from under the bed, gasping for air as if he'd been holding his breath the entire time. He stared at Levi and Petra, both of whom had turned their attention back to him.
Levi crossed his arms, his bored tone cutting through the silence. "Alright, idiot. Now, start talking. Why is that idiot chasing you."
"That... That thing is no idiot... It's... It's a monster... A beast..."