(Levi x Reader COLLEGE AU) This Is It [PART 1]

(A/N: So Corps, the town you and Levi live in is located in Japan! Okay, free tissues provided here. Love you all. ((-; ) 

"I think I'm going to study abroad in America," Levi nonchalantly said, his eyes focused on you. The both of you were in Erwin's, working on the assignment given.

"...Huh?" Your grip on your pencil tightened, and if it wasn't for being plastic, it probably would have snapped in half. He's going to...? 

"I'm going to be leaving in three days," he held up three fingers. "And then I'll be gone for," he held up 2 fingers, "two years." 

Your heart felt like it was going to come out of your chest cavity and stop right then and there. Levi says it as if the past months, almost a year together, were non-existent and unimportant. Levi, why are you leaving?

"... I see." You set your pencil down and sighed, looking away from Levi's gaze. "Then we should probably stop this," you chuckled sadly. "Two years is too long to maintain this. Six thousand miles apart... That's too much." 

"We don't have to break up!" Levi half-yelled, slamming his fists into the table. "I love you, don't you fucking forget that!" He held your hand in his and squeezed it as tight as ever. 

"But how will we be able to live without the other half, Levi?!" You, now on the brink of tears half-yelled back, releasing his hand from yours. "... There are three days to make your decision. And I have a feeling that you will be choosing something rather than me." 

You packed your things slowly and slipped them into your bag, wordlessly. You raised your hand. 

"Yes, (F/N)?" 

"May I go back early? I'm feeling..." You clenched your fist. "Ill." 

"Most certainly. I hope you feel better soon." 

You nodded curtly at Erwin and rushed out the door, not sparing Levi a glance.

----------

The door to your dorm creaked open, a dim light by your desk was lit. You had earphones on at the highest volume you could handle, and had your head in your arms. There were tissues littered on the ground and picture frames containing pictures of you and Levi were turned down. His beanie that he always allowed you to wear lay on his pillow, cold and yet, still smelled of you. 

"Eren, I'm f-fine. Y-you don't need to -hic- carry me in -hic- side," Levi stumbled on words, and also stumbled drunkenly into the room. Eren had Levi's arm over his shoulder and sighed loudly. 

"You're not fine, you got shit drunk past curfew!" 

"I don't need to -hic- feel anymore," Levi muttered as Eren brought him to his bed. He saw the beanie laying on his pillow and felt a twinge of pain. "But obviously the drinks w-were -hic- not enough."

"Levi, what I don't understand is why you would tell her three days before your trip and make it seem as though you would rather leave her than stay." Eren pointed over to your sulking figure, who was not aware of the two men in the room. "She's falling into a hole, Levi. And the only ones who can fix it?" Eren pointed at Levi with a frustrated look. "You." Eren then pointed at the dorm across, the one that held the name tag, KIRSCHTEIN. "Or him." 

Eren got up and walked over to you, patting your head. He pulled out a headphone and you looked up with puffy eyes. "Eren...?" You reached up and hugged Eren tightly, and he could feel the dampness of your cheeks. "H-he's going to leave me, Eren..." You began sobbing. "I don't like this feeling!" 

Eren hugged back, stroking your hair. "He'll make the right decision." He pulled away and handed you another tissue. "I'm gonna go, before Hanji burns down our dorm with her science experiments," he laughed. "If you need anything, you know who to call." 

"The police?" 

"Ha ha." 

The door to your dorm shut with a soft ker-chunk and it left you and Levi in a room, silent, together. 

"(F/N), -hic- can we talk?" 

You got up from your desk and walked over to your bed and murmured, "When you're sober." You looked at the clock that read, 1:02 AM. "47 hours," you added, crawling into your sheets. "Good night, Levi." You turned over and hugged your extra pillow, trying to make up for the lack of heat and Levi.

Levi could only stare at the rise and fall of your back, along with your strewn (H/C) hair. The space between you both was too far. Even if you were in the same room, 5 seconds, 6 steps, 1 breath away from each other, it felt like the distance between you both was far more larger than the distance from Japan to America. The empty spot he had always kept for you was cold and still there, as if he was waiting for you to crawl in beside him. 

But you didn't. And the both of you stared at the walls of your small universe together. 

DAY 2 

"Jean, wake up before I bust the door down," you yawned, cup of coffee in hand. Yeah, it was bitter and nothing like the warm relaxing tea you usually drank, but tea reminded you of Levi, and you wanted to cry at the thought of him. 

"What the...?" Jean got up to open his door, revealing you in a loose t-shirt and a pair of leggings. In your other hand, you held sneakers that were stuffed with socks. 

"It's 3 AM, what are you doing?"

"Jean, I can't sleep in there..." He looked at your puffy eyes and tear stained cheeks, and the prominent eye bags proved your point. "He's going to leave to America in a day, and I know I'm acting really selfish right now because I made the decision to cut him off without even talking it out... But he needs to make a choice," You stated, tears stinging your (E/C) eyes. "And it's so clear... That he wants to leave." 

Jean sighed and pulled you inside his warm dorm room, the TV emitting a dim light. His room had two beds, but with the lack of a roommate, he was alone. He had clothing on the spare bed, which he pushed off onto the floor. He pulled out a spare blanket and his own pillow and placed it onto the bed. "You can sleep here," he said tiredly. He got back into his bed, pulling the sheets over him. "You should have more faith in the person you love," Jean added. "Because I have faith in you." 

You felt heat rise to your cheeks and you made a noise in agreement. "Nnn..." 

You walked over to the bed that smelled of Jean, a strong, masculine scent that you loved in your adolescent days. Now it made you nostalgic. You used to love Jean, but... No! You can't. 

You got into the bed and lay your head on the pillow, a bit warm from Jean. You snuggled happily into it, as this is the closest you'll ever get to having someone next to you. 

BZZT. 

LEVI ACKERMAN
3:04 AM
I love you... 

LEVI ACKERMAN
3:30 AM 
I'm a piece of shit, huh? 

LEVI ACKERMAN
6:03 AM 
I'm sorry. 

The sun barely peeking out from behind the blinds, you threw your phone into a pile of clothing on the floor. 

"Woah, don't get so violent. It's only 7:30 AM," Jean chuckled from his small kitchen. He walked over, already dressed in a gray t-shirt and black skinny jeans, and in his hand, a cup of coffee. He handed it to you. 

Your nose crinkled at the smell of the bitter liquid ventured to your nose. "Ew." You stuck your tongue out at him and covered yourself with the blanket. "Coffee tastes like shit." 

"You were just drinking it 3 hours ago you know," he sighed placing the cup down beside the bed. "And I know you wouldn't want tea, either." 

"Hmph."

He ran his hand through his messily neat hair and sat down beside you. His eyes wandered down to your hands and he grabbed them, making you flinch. 

"Jean!" 

"He gave you this ring, didn't he?" His fingers fiddled with the small gems. "A promise ring: To be by one's side until this ring is replaced with a wedding band, correct?" 

"Cut the crap." 

"I think he'll make the right decision. He promised you that with this, at least." Jean released your hands and removed the blanket from your face, flicking your forehead. 

"You've also got about..." He checked his watch. "About 10 minutes to get dressed and cleaned up before I leave on my scooter." 

You groaned and got up, pinching Jean's ear. "I really hate you, stupid horse..." 

"9 minutes." 

"SHUT UP!" You sighed, face palming. "You know how to push my buttons don't you..." 

"Childhood buddy~" He sang. "Also, 9 minutes and 30 seconds." 

"JEAN!" You punched his side and muttered, "I have no clothes..." 

He sighed and walked over to his wooden dresser, throwing a teal sleeved baseball tee at you. "Anything else, mil'lady?" 

"A hair straightener, eyeliner, something to cover up my eye bags, and possibly some pancakes?" You smiled cheekily. 

"Why did I bother asking?" He opened the door to his dorm and grabbed your keys that you left on his counter. "Your pancake obsession has gotten worse since high school!" He called back, shutting the door behind him. 

You laughed a bit and removed your PJ shirt, pulling Jean's t-shirt over your head instead. It smelled strongly of his cologne, and made you feel dizzy. You shook it off and began to pull your socks on. In the bathroom, seeing that Jean did not have a spare toothbrush, you just used his mouthwash, hoping that it was enough to keep your mouth minty fresh for two hours worth of class. 

Jean strolled in with your hair straightener and hit you over the head with it. "If you think about getting comfy over here at 3 AM ever again, I'm going to leave you outside." 

"Bleh!" 

-----------

"And why are you two late?" 

"Because this woman takes all the time in the world to get ready," Jean complained, walking to his seat. "Sorry." 

"Nn..." You walked towards the empty seat beside Levi and avoided all eye contact with him. He must be getting the wrong idea... 

"I hope you're feeling better, (F/N)." 

"Y-yeah... Thanks, Professor Erwin." 

"Ne, Levi, that isn't your shirt huh?" Hanji whispered from behind Levi. "She walked in with Jean too... Do you think??" 

"Whatever she does is no longer my concern," Levi responded loud enough for you to hear him. "Didn't you hear? We broke up." 

Hanji smacked Levi with her notebook. "Then why is that still around your neck?" Hanji pointed at the other half of the promise ring and chuckled. "Your act is transparent." 

He quickly hid the necklace and Hanji snickered at him quietly. You waved to Eren and her with a small hand gesture, and they returned it with grins. 

"Good morning, (F/N)~" Hanji sang in a high pitched voice, making you a bit uncomfortable. You pulled out your chair and turned in it. 

"Uh... Yeah. Morning." 

"Did you get enough sleep?" Eren asked concernedly, worry in his teal green eyes. "I left you there around 1 AM so..." 

"Yeah! I'm fine, eheh... I slept over at Jean's though, I couldn't sleep alone..." You trailed off. Oh crap, Levi must be getting the wrong... Wait, why am I...? He clearly said we have no ties anymore... We're just roommates and classmates. Like before.

You turned away from Eren and Hanji and back to the powerpoint projected on the large screen in the front, and pulled out some paper to scribble out some notes. Jean didn't find your laptop, so it'll have to do. 

You accidentally bumped into Levi's arm while he typed and felt your heart stop. Shit. 

"Shit, sorry!" You apologized quickly, scooting further away from him. Damn. 

"Tch. Be more aware of your desk space," he spat, furiously tapping the backspace key. Fuck. 

"...Right." 

A few minutes later, you found yourself staring at Levi's screen, who used to have a background collage of you and Levi making a cheesy heart. Now, it held the galaxy photo that was usually shown on most mac books. Oh, that reminds you. You need to change it as well. 

Levi opened his Facebook and revealed a chat to some girl, Petra... Ral? 

You didn't have a Facebook because you thought it was a waste of time, listening to others post uninteresting crap and statuses as you pretend to care. 

LEVI ACKERMAN: Still on for tonight? 
PETRA RAL: Anything for u. Y r u contacting me now? 
LEVI ACKERMAN: Just meet me at my dorm at 8. 
PETRA RAL: :* Yea. <3

You quickly averted your eyes, heart pounding in your chest. What the fuck? What the fuck fuck fuck?! Breathe. Breathe, you can't have a panic attack here... 

You buried your head into your arms and breathed deeply and slowly, trying to calm yourself down. So Levi was meeting a girl... In your shared dorm? Is he an idiot? Looks like you'll be spending another night in Jean's... 

LEVI POV (Not first person. Story told from his view.) 

Ah, shit. She saw. Plan B. Levi's eyes studied your sulking figure. Nothing stopped him from wanting to touch your soft (H/C) hair, wanting to hold onto you and never let you go... Tell you he won't leave you for some shitty school program... But everything in his mind told him it was wrong. That he should put you up with another shitty test, one that will make or break your relationship. But it looks like he already broke it. He studied your hands rested on your forearms, and focused on the shining band on your finger. "A promise that I will always stay with you, even if I fuck up... Already broken." 

Hanji and Eren watched with concern and worry it their eyes. What's going to happen... Between you two? 

YOUR POV 

"(F/N), wake up! Class is over!" Jean was poking your cheek, sitting in Levi's chair. "Oi, you think this is funny? I'm hungry, let's go!" 

Yawning, you responded, "You don't have to keep watch over me all day... I'm fine!" You got up and stumbled, and Jean caught your arm. 

"You almost had a panic attack in class. I don't think that's 'fine'. Come on, you can tell me what you saw that made your eyes pop out of your head on the way to the cafe," Jean muttered, pulling you out of the room. 

--------

"He what?" Jean yelled, slamming his fist into the table. "Aw Jesus Christ, I had some hope that that guy would do something intelligible like the man he is, but damn he is one big idiot!" 

"Jean..." You clenched your fist, averting your eyes from the window. "They're here." 

And there they were. Levi with his arm around another girl's shoulder, a girl with obvious fake breasts and an overly caked face, with ginger hair. They both laughed loudly as they strolled into the cafe, and sat down in the table beside your booth. 

"Hey," Jean reached over and grasped your hand. "Then two can play this game, right?" He smiled kindly. A kind warmth and sense of security in his eyes, it made you remember the days you spent with him in Rose. He was someone you loved as well. It wouldn't hurt to have a bit of revenge, you guessed. 

You squeezed his hand in return. "Right." 

LEVI POV (Not first person, just what he's seeing.) 

"Hey, you've got something on your cheek." Jean fucking Kirschtein sitting in a booth with (F/N)... Jean leaned over and caressed your cheek, making you blush a light pink. 

"T-thanks..." You muttered. He smiled a sweet smile and leaned back. Damn, Jean knew how to make you flustered like a school girl.

"Heh." 

"Levi? What's up?" Petra asked, looking up from her cell phone. "It's her?" Petra turned towards your booth, observing your neat features. (H/C) straight hair, bright (E/C) eyes, slim but fit body, a killer cute smile... "She's nothing like me." 

"Tch, I know that, she's perfect." He sipped his tea and glared at Petra. "Unlike you." 

"That's rude, Levi! That's not how you treat your new girlfriend!" She snickered. "I don't understand why you're making things so complicated with her. Why don't you tell her you love her? Take her away from that boy?" She pointed a fake nail at you. "You might be letting her slip through your fingertips." 

"You think I don't know that?" Levi spat, fists clenching. "She's acting this way because I'm leaving tomorrow! She knows I love her, and I know..." He looked over at you, who was laughing at Jean. 

"You really got caught by your mom?! Is that why you came to school crying?! Pfft!" You laughed harder, tears leaking out of your eyes. "I'm never going to let that go." 

"Shut up, or I'll tell everyone when you..." 

"...I know somewhere inside of her heart, she loves me too." 

"Huh, I haven't seen this side of you before Levi." Petra leaned over and whispered in Levi's ear. "Although it would be better if it was navigated towards me." She winked seductively, making Levi audibly cringe. "Although, I still don't understand why you're blowing this so out of proportion... Why don't you tell her you'll stay? You're like a girl." 

"Ewgh," he pretended to choke on his tea. "It's too late for me to say those things. She's not going to listen." 

"So you're really going to leave?" 

"I think I'm going to ---" 

He was disrupted by the sound of the door's bell ringing, signaling that someone had left. He watched the back of your head, (H/C) hair blowing in the wind, walk out side by side with Jean, his arm around your waist. 

And damn, did he ever wish that was him.

What a cruel game of love.