Same, but Different

•Chapter IV•

I knelt down and pulled Titan into my arms, the brunet struggling against my grip. "I love you, 'kay?"

"Yeah, I know." I let him go as he continued to squirm. Titan turned around, kissing my cheek. "Love you too."

I smiled, letting him run to Aki and Farlan. "Be good, Titan."

"I will!"

"I'll keep him safe, Mr. Eren!" Aki vowed. "Mr. Farlan is really good and abides by all traffic laws!"

"That's good to know," I laughed. "Thank you, Farlan."

"You're welcome," Farlan said. "Make sure you take care of yourself, Levi."

Levi scoffed. "It was that one time."

"Whatever," Farlan chuckled, taking the children to his car.

"What one time?" I asked Levi after I waved goodbye to the kids.

"I collapsed due to exhaustion. It's nothing."

"What do you mean 'it's nothing'? It's definitely not nothing. Levi, if that happened while you were out and about, or in a foreign place, what do you think would happen? What if it happened when you were with Aki, that'd be horrible to go through as a child. Take care of yourself better, okay?" I scolded.

"Aki was there and she's fine."

"It's scary, Levi." I replied, "I mean, I'm twenty-three but if that happened to you while I was around I'd be scared outta my wits. I'd be like, running around the place trying to figure out what the heck I was supposed to do."

Levi laughed. "Aki just took my phone and called 9-1-1."

"Well, I sold my phone for money, and I feel like rummaging around your pockets is weird when I'm not your kid." I replied, "Plus Aki is really mature, more mature than I am half the time."

"Aki is perfect," Levi agreed.

"She is," I hummed. "Titan too, in his own way. He's clumsy, and loud, and really difficultly stubborn, but I wouldn't change a thing about him. He's my boy."

"Tobias is perfect." Levi nodded. "He's the sparkle in Aki's life right now."

"I think you're her sparkle too," I said honestly.

"Thank you." Levi fastened his watch around his wrist. "You're Tobias's sun."

I laughed bittersweetly. "He's his own sun, shining a light that keeps everything warm and bright. I'm the darkness that forced it out of him, forced him to have to be positive because every now and then I lost the will to."

"Eren," Levi said as he pulled my hair up into a messy bun, "You're a good dad. I promise."

I turned around to grab the coffee from coffee machine, and hide the faint discoloration of my cheeks from such a minor touch. "Thank you," I said quietly, "it means a lot."

"Of course. No matter what your situation, you didn't once leave your son or use him." Levi patted my back. "Just remember that." I heard him sigh. "Well, I have to go. Hold down the fort for me. Okay?"

"Will do," I saluted with a laugh. "Did you want anything for dinner?"

"I'll have what the kids are having." He chuckled. "If you get overwhelmed, my number is on the fridge and the house phone is hanging up on the wall by the fridge."

I nodded. "Grilled cheese, garlic bread, and whatever else it is."

"Have a nice day, Eren," he said before I heard the front door click closed.