If Only For A Little While

When Worlds Collide

Levi

"And that's all we have time for today class, we'll continue next week with logarithmic equations."

Students hurried to collect their things and rush out of my classroom. The sound of yelling and slamming lockers could be heard from behind the closed door of my room. Friday's were normally louder than the rest of the week since the kids were all excited for the next two days off of school. I also enjoyed the weekend since it was the only time I could set aside for myself. Generally my weekend consisted of activities such as cleaning my house and then cleaning it again so I had a lot to look forward to.

My daydreams were soon interrupted by a rap at my door. A familiar face peeked his disheveled brunette head into the classroom.

"Hey um Levi? I came to get the sketchbook you took from me yesterday." Eren's voice quivered shyly.

"It's Mr. Ackerman when we're at school. Come in." I grunted, pulling the worn book out of my desk drawer.

"Aye aye captain," he gave me a lopsided smile that made my heart melt as he shuffled awkwardly to me, tentatively reaching out for the book.

"Not so fast," I warned, "Can I ask you about something?"

"Um sure," he answered nervously. He grabbed a small metal chair and dragged it over to my desk. He straddled it backwards, propping his elbows on the backside of the chair. "What's up?"

"I looked through your sketches and-"

His eyes widened and his cheeks went flush, "I said not to look at it!"

"Don't interrupt me," I snapped, "Anyway, I noticed you tend to draw the same woman a lot. Is she your mother?"

He looked taken back by my interest in her, surprise etched in his beautiful face. "She was my mom yeah, why?"

"Funny thing actually," I smiled, opening the book to look at the nurse's warm face, "I once knew her, your mother."

"What?!" Eren jumped from his seat nearly toppling it over. He braced his hands on either side of the desk and looked me in the eye with an emotion I couldn't quite place. "When? How?"

"Sit down," I ordered, "And let me speak."

He nodded vigorously and sat down once more. He looked me dead in the eye, urging me to speak.

I sighed and told him about my youth. I told him about the yearly health inspections and how both his parents had been a part of that. I talked about how kind they'd been to me, how even though I'd seen many doctors and nurses none had stuck in my memories. None of course except Doctor Jaeger Nurse Carla.

"It's strange," I murmured, "Never in a thousand years would I have thought I'd one day meet their son." I looked up to meet his eyes and saw they'd spilled over with tears. "Eren?"

"I-I'm sorry, I just-" he broke down, unable to form coherent words through his sobs.

"It's alright," I handed the sobbing boy his sketchbook and he took it with a feverish need, clutching it to his chest like a lost lover.

When he'd finally composed himself enough to speak he spoke, his voice shook with tears that threatened to escape at any given moment. "I don't know many people who knew my parents, and ever since I met you I'd wanted nothing more than to introduce you to them. To learn you were able to meet them before they- before they-" a violent cry racked his body once more and I longed to reach for him.