Same, but Different

•Chapter III•

"Ah. So it's at least a thousand," she replied.

"That's a big number." Tobias commented, "Mr. Levi, is that a lot of money for a suit?"

"Yes," I responded immediately. "All of mine are three hundred or under." I shuddered.

Aki patted Tobias. "You don't stay rich by spending all your money."

Eren turned to me, "Levi, please pick one."

I grabbed one for $178 and handed it to him. It was dark gray with a black tie and a dark gray vest. "This one."

Eren nodded, going to the fitting rooms to try the suit on. He came out, pulling his hair back slightly and smiling. "If I do this my hair doesn't look horrifically messy, almost fancy."

"I think you look pretty, Daddy."

The brunet laughed lightly, "Thank you, Titan."

"You look good," I agreed.

"Kind of like after the beast in Beauty and the Beast turned human," Aki explained.

Tobias cocked his head. "What's that?"

"A movie," Aki said. "I usually watch it in French though."

"Can I see it?" Tobias asked, "I don't know French though. I know Germany."

"It's just German," Eren corrected. "But I like the suit. I'll go change back before you buy it."

"Okay." I nodded at him. "We have it in English too, Tobias."

"'Kay!" He sang, "Let's watch when we go home."

Eren came out in his old clothes, the suit folded up neatly. "I'll pay you back double."

"Sounds like a sound investment," Aki hummed. "Now hurry so we can get food."

"Food!" Tobias buzzed, grabbing Eren's hand and pulling him towards the till. "Money please, Mr. Levi."

"Titan!" Eren scolded, "You can't say that!"

I pulled out my debit card and handed it to the cashier. "It's fine."

Aki led us to the food court and to where they sold the ramen.

"Only because it's a special occasion," I said as Aki looked over the menu.

"Hey Aki, what's the best ramen type?" Eren asked, "Think there's a good way to go?"

"I can't have nutty stuff." Tobias added, "They make my throat go boom and get swollen."

"That's what happens to me when I get a bee sting," she replied. "I like the spicy kind."

"Then let's have me get the spicy one!" Tobias said happily.

Eren read through the menu once over. "Seafood ramen sounds good."

"Okay." I ordered three bowls of ramen and handed everyone what they wanted.

Eren cocked his head at me, "You're not eating?"

"I'm not hungry," I responded.

"Papa only eats breakfast and dinner," Aki responded. "I have to eat three meals though."

Eren puts his hand up, asking the waiter for a small bowl. "You won't even have a little?"

"I usually don't eat."

"Yeah but..." Eren trailed off, "Food is food, y'know?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Papa takes fantastic care of himself. He only cries sometimes." Aki separated her chopsticks after hitting them on the table.

"You cry, Mr. Levi?" Tobias asked.

"No." I lied.

"Yes you do." Aki drank some green tea.

"What about?" Tobias pressed.

"Titan..." Eren warned.

"He doesn't know," Aki responded. "He feels lonely, but sometimes he wakes up from dreams he can't remember and just cries."

"My daddy cries too!" Tobias said, "But daddy says it's because he's scared something has happened to me, or he can't find me, not because he can't remember stuff."

Eren said nothing, breaking his chopsticks and putting some of his ramen into the spare bowl, pushing it towards me. "You don't have to eat, I'm sure you do take care of yourself, but if you get hungry then just eat."

"I will," I promised. "You don't have to worry about me." I eyed Aki and she blew me a kiss. With a roll of my eyes, I returned the favor.

Eren laughed, smiling softly, "That was cute."

"I'm not cute," I scoffed.

"You kinda are," He giggled, eating some ramen.

"Don't see it."

"It's because you're short," Aki said. "Though most people think we're scary."

"Nah, you're both adorable." Eren grinned,

Tobias nodded in agreement, "You aren't scary."

"Thank you," Aki smiled.

"You're welcome," Tobias replied.

"Mr. Eren said you have pretty eyes," Aki told me nonchalantly.

I quirked an eyebrow.

Eren's cheeks faintly changed to a light pink, "W-Well, Aki said that you like my eyes because they're close to your favorite color."

"That's different," I explained.

"Yeah. We have weird eyes," Aki said, checking her nails.

"Aki, I love your eyes," I promised.

"I love yours too, Papa."

Tobias smiled, "I like both of yours eyes."

Eren scowled lightly, along with his blush. "I think you both have pretty eyes, because the color of people's eyes is usually perfect and because you guys have two colors, it's perfection twice over."

I blushed. "Weirdo."

Eren smiled, "I stand by my words. Cute."

I crossed my arms and looked away. "Whatever."

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Author's Note:

What a cute shopping spree. I hinted at a little something too. 😉

-Ari-gami aka Author-chan