Sorry for not updating last week and making this a shitty chapter. But still, enjoy.

*****

"Did something happen, Levi? Why are you crying? Why did Eren leave?" Rein sounded so utterly confused being in the dark. He kept on looking at me with a questioning gaze but I couldn't find it in myself to speak. It's like all of the words I know was stolen away from me, rendering me speechless.

Rein sighed and ran a hand through his hair before he moved to stand in front of me. I kept my gaze away from him, opting to look at the floor. He let out another sigh before I felt his arms moving to wrap around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. He stayed still in his position and I can feel myself slowly relaxing into his arms, his presence despite being gone for too long still familiar enough to bring myself comfort.

I let my head fall onto his shoulder. My tears kept on flowing, but I can feel it coming to its end. The liquid soaked his shirt but he made no move to stop it. Instead, he tightened his grip and started rubbing small circles on my back.

"Shh, it's okay, Levi."

I don't know if I can believe that.

It only took a few minutes before I ran out of tears and the shaking of my shoulders ceased. Pulling away from Rein's hug, I wiped my face using the sleeve of my shirt. Looking back at him to thank him, my eyes was met with the mess I made on his shirt, causing me to scowl.

"Ah fuck. Sorry about that. I'll get you something to change into." I turned on my heels and made a move to the stairs but I wasn't even able to make two steps before he caught my arm, wrapping his hand around my wrist.

Turning to look at him, I wasn't surprised to see the confused look still plastered on his face. It also didn't help that he looks so much alike with his twin, causing my stomach to twist unpleasantly.

"Levi, please. Can you tell me what's wrong?" Guilt washed over me as I look at him, like I was thrown with a bucket of cold water. I didn't like the way he looked at me, didn't like the expression his face is bearing, but what can I fucking do? If I tell him everything, it may cause a fight between them, and I don't think that neither Eren and I can handle another stress. No matter how selfish it sounded, it's the only thing that I can do.

I shook my head. "Nothing. It's just a misunderstanding."

His grip around my wrist tightened. "I don't think—"

"Rein." I cut him off, sounding exasperated because I am. I am so, so tired, so exhausted that all I wanted is to curl up on my bed and sleep without ever waking up. To just escape all of these and go to some place that I wouldn't ever worry again.

"I'm sorry. Shit, I know that I should respect your decision but, hell, it's hard to when I don't have any idea about what's going on in here."

"It's okay. Humans are curious creatures, after all. I couldn't blame you." I subtly pulled my arm away from him, his hold loosening before he completely released. "I'm going to take a shirt."

I walked away and this time, he didn't stop me.

When I reached my bedroom, the first thing I did is to wash my face with cold water, doing my best to wash away the dried tears and making myself as presentable as I can. I don't have to look in the mirror to see the blank look that took over on my face, tired and totally fucking done with all the bullshits.

Finished with cleaning myself up, the next thing I did is go to my closet and choose a shirt for Rein to choose. Even though I doubt that my shirts will fit him comfortably, his twin spent too much time here to leave enough necessities, especially clothes when he spent the night with me.

Seeing his things in my closet sent a bitter taste in my mouth, like a large pill was stucked in it and leaving the unwanted taste. I need to remind myself to transfer it to a box. Or I better make Rein send it back to its owner.

Picking one of the available shirts, which is a plain maroon shirt, I made my way out of my room and back to the living room where I know Rein will be at. When I arrived, I was relieved to see the small unsure smile he sent my way, knowing that he wouldn't be bothering me to talk about what's happening between his twin and I. Resisting the urge to let out a sigh, I went to him and handed him the shirt which he reluctantly took.

"My shirts wouldn't fit you but I think that that shirt will."

He looked at the shirt before putting his gaze on me, staring at me for a few seconds before returning his eyes back to the shirt. "Is this your ex's shirt?"

I nearly winced at the spiteful undertone his voice has as he asked me the question. Maybe asking him to return Eren's things wouldn't be such a good idea.

I swallowed. "No, that's Eren's."

He raised a brow. "Eren?"

I cursed inside my mind. "Yeah, he's been here before. He left that once he slept over."

Even though not totally convinced, he just nodded, stood up and went to the bathroom without another word. When he's out of my sight, I let my body fall to the couch, slumping before rested my elbows on my knees then shoving my face into my palm.

I wasn't even able to take some time to rearrange my thoughts before my phone rang, earning a groan from me before I took my phone out of my pocket. Looking at the screen, I saw Hanji's name flashing in it. After another ring, I tapped the answer button before bringing it to my ear, leaning my head back against the coach.

"Hello?"

"Wow, Levi. So sounded so tired. I've never heard you like that before. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I brought one of my hand up and massaged the bridge of my nose. "I guess. I don't know, Shitty Glasses. Is the word 'okay' isn't existing anymore or it's just fucking avoiding me?"

"Is there something wrong?"

I clicked my tongue, closing my eyes. "Maybe you should ask if there's something that isn't wrong. That'll be much more fucking easier to answer."

"Tell me what happened, Levi. Is he bothering you? If he is, I'll talk—"

"No, Hanji. It's just that Rein is here."

I didn't hear any word coming from the other line. I didn't end the call, knowing that Hanji is still there, just being speechless at what I said. After seconds of silence, Hanji spoke, their voice quiet.

"Rein? As in the real Rein?"

"Yeah."

"Oh God, Levi. Do you want me to come over?"

"Levi?" I snapped my head to where the voice came from and I saw Rein making his way closer to me. I raised a hand at him before returning my attention to Hanji.

"I appreciate it, Shitty Glasses, but no thanks. I'll just contact you later. Bye." I ended the call and tossed the phone to the table, gentleness and care be damned. Rein looked at me, confused by my action, before shaking his head dismissively. He proceeded to sit beside me, keeping just a good foot away from me, and from there he relaxed his body, mimicking my position.

There was only silence between us, permeating the air and everything between us. It's so quiet that I can hear the beat of my heart, fast and unsettled, as if reflecting the turmoil that's currently going on inside my mind.

I closed my eyes once again, breathing in heavily and holding the air in before slowly releasing it. I felt something warm near my hand that's resting on the couch and soon it was over it. Opening my eye a little, I looked down and saw Rein's hand over mine, resting over it comfortably. Not minding the action, I just closed my eyes again and basked in the silence.

"Well, this day's tougher than I thought it would be." Rein's voice ended the silence between us minutes later. I opened my eyes and looked at him in the corner of my eye without turning my head to his direction. He's wearing a frown on his face that greatly resembled his twin's, and it made me remember of the times when Eren wore that expression whenever he's frustrated or confused. I quickly dismissed the thought.

"Is it?" My voice is barely above a whisper, but still audible in the silence. He nodded, his hand moving on top of mine to squeeze it.

"Yeah, but still, I guess it's worth it. After all..." He looked at me, a sincere smile found its way to his lips, and the sight made my heart clench. "I saw you after a very long time. It's enough to make up for all of the questions that arised."

For the second time, I am quickly overcome by guilt. Here he is, genuinely happy to see me, to see his best friend that he hasn't seen for more five years yet all I ever thought was about how I can hide to him what happened between Eren and I in the past months. I felt so selfish, and I'm so mad at myself for not considering the efforts he made to be back here again.

I didn't notice that I spaced out for too long until Rein brought me back to reality with a soft nudge. I snapped my eyes back to his face, which was currently sporting a worried look.

"Did I make you think of something again?"

I shook my head. "No, it's okay." I smiled and miraculously, it doesn't feel as forced as the others I made earlier. "Again, welcome back, Rein."

He smiled widely again, and I ignored the urge to compare it to the ones Eren had made before. How it would make me feel lightweight, forget all of the worries and everything around me, how it could lighten up my day with just a single sight of it.

Instead, I focused on the person in front of me. He hummed, pulling me closer to him before caging me in a hug.

"It's good to be back to you, Levi."

*****

I was rudely woken up by the bright sunlight shining down on my face, taking me away from the dream that I was having though I couldn't remember any of it. I was blinded by the light the moment I opened my eyes so I closed it again, soon reopening it to adjust to the brightness of my room.

I looked over to my curtains and saw that it wasn't close, which made sense of why my room is too bright for my liking. With a scowl, I stood up despite the protest of my muscles, and I closed it before padding towards the bathroom.

After finishing my daily morning routine as well as taking a shower, I went back to where my phone is resting on the nightstand before I traipse from my bedroom to the kitchen.

Arriving at the kitchen, I worked to make myself my daily cup of tea, letting the water in the kettle boil as I put some tea leaves in a cup. Then I checked my phone for any messages despite rarely receiving it nowadays.

When I tapped my messaging app, Hanji as well as Rein's names were highlighted. The first one I read was the one that came from Hanji, seeing that I received it first.

Hey, Short Stack! I'm going there in your apartment and you can't tell me otherwise. :P

I rolled my eyes. As if telling them that I don't want them here would make any fucking change. Their head is as strong as a fucking cement.

Not bothering to reply to their message, I tapped back and opened Rein's message this time.

Good morning, Levi. Can I visit you later? I need to ask you something.

My brows knitted together as I frown. What would he ask? Is it that important that he needs to ask it to me in person?

Not giving any more thoughts to it, I just typed 'Okay.' as a reply before going to the stove to get the kettle and pouring the hot water into my cup.

Taking my cup of tea with me, I went to the living room and turned the TV on before settling in the couch, browsing through shittons of shitty channels until I found something that's good enough.

Instead of paying attention to it, I spaced out, my mind floating over what happened in the past few days that Rein has arrived. It went as calm and fast as it can be and without Eren's presence in it, everything went on smoothly. I've been juggling my time between my studies and having myself sort everything in my mind out, spending my time with Rein as well as Hanji and the others if I can. Rein's presence is something that I got used to live with easily, somehow fitting in my life comfortably as if a lost piece in a puzzle.

Although there are times where I couldn't help but subconsciously compare the twins, I am getting used to stop thinking about Eren when I spend my time with Rein because despite their similarities, they are different in whole other ways and I know how so damn wrong it is to compare them to each other.

The knock on my door cut me out of my trance, loudness picking up more and more in each knock. It doesn't need a genius to know that it was Hanji, so I stood up to stop their annoying antics.

I threw the door open for them, their hand stopping in midair as they attempted to do another knock. A bright look covered their face in an instant, and I couldn't help but scowl at how much energy they're having despite it being morning.

"Hey there, Shorty! You feeling good?" Without waiting for my answer, they pulled me into a hug before throwing their hand over my shoulder, pulling me inside with them. I pushed them off of me and glared, turning my back on them to close the door. They went off to the living room and got irritated at the fact that they didn't remove their shoes.

"Oi, Hanji! Get your flat ass over here this fucking moment!" A second after, Hanji came back, an offended look settled on their face, though I knew that it is just fake judging by the playful glint in their eyes.

"My ass is not in any way flat, Mr. grump."

"It is as flat as a fucking wooden board. Now, get your fucking ass in here and remove your shoes."

They muttered something under their breath but did what I say. After that we made our way to the living room, only to stop halfway when a knock was heard once again.

Hanji looked at me with a questioning look. "Who's that?"

I forgot to tell them that Rein will be here. "It's Rein. He texted me that he'll come over."

They just hummed as a response but I can see the curiosity in their eyes.

I went back to the door and opened it for Rein. I was greeted by a bouquet of red roses as well as an unsure smile coming from Rein.

"Good morning, Levi."

I stayed silent, my eyes moving between Rein and the bouquet that he's holding in his hand, before I took it and let him in. "Good morning, and takes for the flowers."

The smile on his lips grew wider. "No biggie."

He waited for me to close the door and went together to the living room where I saw Hanji sitting on the couch while watching TV. They tore their gaze away from it to look at us, to look at Rein, and I don't know what I should feel by the way they're looking at him, like they're trying to look straight into his soul.

Finally, after a minute or so of full silence, I cleared my throat and started to introduce them to each other.

"Rein, this is Hanji. Hanji, this is—"

"Rein Yeager, Eren's twin."

I flinched at the blank tone in their voice and Rein looked at me with a look of mixed confusion and surprise. I just shrugged and he looked at them again.

"Wait, it's nice to meet you but, how did you know my name?"

"Oh, I've met your twin before. Eren Yeager, that hot guy and gorgeous eyes." Hanji looked at the air dreamily, and I wanted to wipe that stupid look off of their face. Due to jealousy or annoyance, I don't know.

"Hanji." My voice held some sort of warning and shoot them a deadly glare.

Rein, not aware of what is happening, pursued. "You've met Eren before?"

Hanji ignored the looks I gave them and turned their attention to Rein, nodding their head. "Yeah, I met him before because of Levi. He's cool and kind, a total package if you ask me."

Rein smiled, not even a hint of jealousy reflecting in his eyes. It was full of pride. "You bet."

Once again, Hanji nodded before looking at Rein from head to toe, giving a pleasant him. "Hmm, you're not so bad yourself."

A light tint of pink settled on his cheeks at the compliment Hanji gave him and I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"W-well, thanks, I guess..."

Hanji looked at me, looking full of mischief, before returning their attention to Rein.

"Let's get to know each other, Rein."

*****

Author's Note

Look who did an update instead of reviewing for her tests. Good job, bastard!

Well, I didn't update last week and I felt bad for it so I made this. Sorry if it's so shitty.

I may be able to make an update next week, but this week will be too busy so I won't promise much. But I do have a oneshot that I'm planning to finish soon so I can update it on Christmas, aka Levi's birthday!

So, thank you for reading this. 'Til next time then.