A/N: The one story I wanted to get done before summer... And basically it's over already. If you aren't already back in school, the next week and a half is when you'll be back. *Sighs* I'm sorry for such a long update. I'll explain it on tumblr for those of you who need real reasoning behind it, but I won't blabber here. You're here for the story, yes? I know it's been forever, and I really want to get it done for you guys. You've been following me for over a year now, so I better make it worth it. ^^'

-Misty

The Change You Wish to See

(Original summary, but screw the stupid character limits) Levi's never put much care into things. He doesn't put much care into things at all. Nothing ever peaks his interest. Well, that's until he meets Eren Jaeger. Levi isn't sure what it is that's so interesting about him, and it irritates him to feel these feelings he's never felt before. Regardless, he goes to talk to the boy. When he doesn't receive an answer, he just thinks that the boy is rude; however, he understands why when Eren doesn't answer him. Eren is deaf.

Rated M for sexual content, adult language, some violence, mild character death

Main pairing: Riren with some side pairs
Anime: Shingeki No Kyojin (Attack on Titan)

Chapter Thirty Eight: Passing Time with a Job

Waiting for months to pass seemed to take up a lot of time.

A lot of boring, wasted time.

It wasn't completely uneventful, but with Eren's implants slowly coming, insurance just two months away, it was easy to see the anxiety in everyone.

And it had only been a week since Armin was in the hospital.

True to his word, Erwin made sure the doctor gave him a note. This way he wouldn't get in trouble, and with the man's hollow threats of worse to come should Armin come back to work while he was off for a week kept him far away. The teen managed to have his teachers send his assignments, but there wasn't much as the end of the year neared. He did more studying in bed than his homework, Eren accompanying him so he didn't overdo it. For the most part, he managed to balance studying and being sick rather well.

His biggest concern, now that he had a chance to ward off his sickness and stress through mind numbing calculus, was passing finals.

After classes, Mikasa made lunch and dinner for her family. No news of jobs came to her, and yet it didn't seem to bother her. She came home with what was considered a smile on her face and made food, serving it to them like nothing was wrong. She was keeping calm, but whether it bothered her or not was certain.

She wasn't working, Armin was forced to stay home, missing a week of pay, and Eren felt guilty for not being able to do anything for them.

That was going to change soon though.

While Armin studied, Eren furiously typed away on his laptop. He'd managed to put the chapters he already had of his story into his computer, and now he just kept writing. Notebooks no longer needed, he continued typing until Armin tapped him on the head every few hours, telling him he needed to take a break. His fingers were apparently hitting the keys so hard that it was loud and utterly distracting, so he'd give Armin peace and mind for half an hour to make a snack when Mikasa wasn't around. He figured this would be a good time to brain storm.

When he couldn't think about the story though, he'd text his boyfriend. He had to be careful of when he did it, because Levi slept during the day to prepare for work at night, and he feared waking him too early. Late at night he'd text him too, and that was when Levi said he needed to go to bed.

A week in itself passed by slowly, and yet seemed to go by way too fast. After his first day back to work, the three teens relaxed on Armin's bed, talking about his day. He got there, completely uncomfortable, and it didn't help that people asked how he was. It was very sweet of them, but he just wanted to work and act like nothing ever happened. The day passed on too quickly for him, having been busy with work that had piled up while he was gone. Erwin absolutely missed him, because of that, so his return was greatly appreciated.

The others were glad, but with nothing to update of their own days (Eren had yet to tell them about publishing his book), they just laid on the bed quietly, the three of them holding hands and swinging them back and forth as a means of mindless entertainment. The only meagerly distracting thing could have been the lollipop in Eren's mouth, but his family was used to it. It was a distraction within the dense quiet.

"... We're a bunch of misfits, aren't we?" Armin asked after what felt like hours of silence, but has really only been ten minutes. Ten minutes had never gone by so slowly before.

"Yeah..." Mikasa agreed, her hand pushing his back into the bed and then up again.

"Why...?" Eren asked around his lollipop.

"I dunno..." The blonde answered mindlessly.

"Cause we're us." Mikasa answered for him and motioned towards the two of them. "You started it though."

"Whoa wait. What did I do wrong?" Armin asked and sat up a little, Eren following to see better.

"You made him your friend." She said and pointed to her brother.

"Oh no. That wasn't me. Eren stalked me until I talked to him."

"I did not stalk you..." Eren pronounced, but then followed it with something else. "I followed you."

"Behind the damn school building?"

"What...? You want me to deny that?"

"You could have been more sly about it."

"I was eight." Eren shrugged his shoulders as he chewed on the stick remaining. Armin scoffed, more of a laugh, as he laid back down. "Hey, at least I wasn't bullying you like those other kids, or that blockhead Erwin."

"Erwin...?" Armin asked.

"Where did that come from?" His sister question with a frown.

"I remember him yelling at you. Don't think I haven't let that go yet." The brunette remarked, his head slightly tilting, as if trying to pout, but appear angry at the same time.

"Eren, he wasn't really yelling at me. He was yelling at the situation..."

"Speak my native tongue, Armin. I can't understand you." Eren signed, the annoyance practically dripping from him.

"Eren, haven't you ever heard the expression, 'Anger is just fear on its way out?'" The blonde asked him, blue eyes gazing at him imploringly.

"No," Eren said and shook his head.

"Erwin wasn't mad at me. He was scared. He was afraid for me and my safety, and it just didn't translate very well from him." He continued to explain, making sure Eren had half a mind to at least pay attention to him. "You told me that Levi got mad at you the night he got hit by that car, right? He wasn't really mad at you though, was he? He was just worried for your safety, that's all."

The brunette stared up at the ceiling, thinking about his words carefully. That had been the situation in December, hadn't it? Levi knocked him out of the way, ended up getting hit by a car, but he had yelled at him. Levi had stated that he was simply worried about him, afraid he would get hurt, but hadn't Eren gotten mad at him too? Eren remembered having an attitude of sorts with him when things had finally settled. They'd managed to get past that little tiff, but Eren's cheeks dusted a light pink when he thought about the events that transpired afterwards.

"Does it make sense?" Armin asked, hoping he had shed some light on the subject.

He could see the cogs in his head turning, processing the information, but when those golden eyes looked over in his direction, Armin began to feel reluctance for ever bringing the subject up.

"So what? You're saying Erwin's got the hots for you or something?"

How could he have possibly come to that sort of conclusion? Armin could only wonder briefly before his fist went into Eren's ribs, effectively knocking the air out of him. Eren let out a sharp gasp of pain, or maybe he was trying to gain back the air he lost, but it didn't matter. He rolled over the bed to put space between the two, effectively creating a gap in case Armin went after him again. He didn't, which left him time to lay on the floor and groan in pain.

"How in the hell did you come up with that idea?" Armin yipped, cheeks flushed red from ear to ear in pure embarrassment.

"Nice one, Armin. I think I heard a rib crack." Mikasa mumbled distractedly as she looked up to the ceiling, ignoring her brother's sounds of pain. Armin may not have been the strongest, but that didn't mean he couldn't hit. He did have something under all of his long sleeved shirts and sweaters.

"Armin, that fucking hurt!" Eren exclaimed as he pulled himself back onto the bed, rolling back onto his back, but crushing Armin's hand into his side, effectively keeping it pinned into his side. "That wasn't necessary..."

"You're such an idiot," Armin retorted under his breath as he settled on his back, ignoring Eren's pained expression. He wasn't going to have any of it, especially when he just considered his married with two kid's boss to have a crush on him.

He really didn't want his mind to take him places right now.

The teens settled, their conversation coming to a close. It was one of those days where much just wasn't needed between them. They were fine with silence, because, between them, not much needed to be said. They were completely content knowing what they needed to know. That was just how they were.

Another few minutes past. They would have been fine with more silence, but Armin heard the distinct sound of something buzzing. If was faint, and had they been talking, he wouldn't have heard it at all. However, the continuation of it made him sit up, brows furrowed with annoyance.

"What's that sound?" He asked. Mikasa and Eren followed, and although Eren couldn't hear it, he noticed the faint buzz through the house.

"Sounds like someone's phone is ringing." Mikasa assured. The two of them looked about, but both of their phones were nearby.

"Might be mine..." Eren uttered and sat up.

"Must be someone you don't know." Mikasa said and signed as Eren left the room.

It definitely must have been. No one ever called him, because everyone he knew, knew that he couldn't hear his phone go off. If he was aware it was ringing, it wasn't like he could talk to them. It had to be a salesperson of some sort. Some bill collector or a prank call (wouldn't the prank be on them?).

The teen made his way to his room where his phone was plugged into his charger. He had just missed the call by the time he finally got to it, but a glance at the phone showed seven text messages and four missed call. The number was unknown, so whoever it was obviously needed to talk to them. However, looking back at his texts proved that he'd seen this number before, a number vaguely familiar to him when he saw it again.

It was Gunther's number. They'd exchanged brief texts throughout the week, simply discussing chapters he'd sent, but that had been it. All of his texts today seemed to be the same. Quick messages of "Text me when you have some free time," but Eren had been busy writing all day. His phone had been in his room while he sat downstairs, working on school work and then his book. He hadn't ever noticed it go off, not even once, so whatever it was was important.

Draft

Written at 5:23 p.m.

"I hope you realize I can't possibly answer the phone."

Eren sighed to himself as he sent the message. He really did hope Gunther remembered that little fact. If not, that would make this conversation a whole lot more interesting.

Whatever had been the case, Eren didn't even get a few steps outside of his room before his phone went off in his hand.

Sender: Unknown

Received: 5:24 p.m.

"Oh I know, but you weren't answering your texts, so I knew you weren't near your phone. At least this way you'd know it was going off."

Well, wasn't that clever?

Sender: Unknown

Received: 5:24 p.m.

"Anyway, the reason I'm texting you is because my friend finally got back to me about your book, and it's all very good news!"

Eren's heart suddenly thumped hard in his chest as he leaned against the wall.

This was about his book? The publisher finally got back to Gunther about it, and he said it was all good news. He wouldn't lie to him about that. It wasn't some terrible joke, was it? No, the man was a professional. Whatever this was had to be good, and very good for Gunther to be so adamant about trying to get ahold of him.

Draft

Written at 5:25 p.m.

"Oh really? What's the good news?"

The teen tried to relax his expression, tried calming his suddenly frayed nerves before heading back to Armin's room. He wanted to remain composed so Mikasa and Armin wouldn't suspect anything, but it was hard.

What was this good news? Was the publisher going to work with his story? That was the first thought that could come to mind. Why else would it be good news unless this friend of his wanted his story to be an actual book? He couldn't come to any conclusions on his own, but he didn't want to get his hopes up.

Every time he did that, things fell apart. This was why he still remained skeptic about his hearing implants. Even if Armin's insurance was to come, even if Levi said he'd work himself into getting them, something always happened. It was just their luck. It was just his luck.

"Who was it?" Mikasa asked him as he stepped back into the room. He'd been so out of it, so deep in his thoughts that he didn't know when he had gotten back. It took a moment to respond, a moment too long, bringing a frown to Mikasa's thin lips. "Eren...?"

"Huh...?" The teen had seen her frown, followed by her saying his name.

"Are you okay?" Armin asked him as he sat up.

"I'm fine, why?"

"You looked really spaced out." Mikasa murmured, her sudden motherly instincts kicking in.

"Oh, no, I'm okay." Eren assured and fixed a smile onto his face.

"Who was calling you then?" His sister asked of him. Eren finally had the presence of mind to sit on the bed, pulling his legs to cross over one another in a more comfortable position.

"Levi was, but just to get my attention. He sent a text saying I left a notebook at his place, so he'll bring it by later." He felt guilty for lying, but he couldn't say anything just yet. The anticipation was killing him, and yet he didn't even know himself what the news was. He had to keep it a secret, right down to the bone, because if he said anything, the famous luck he had would strike down and destroy everything.

More than anything, he didn't want to get their hopes up. He couldn't do that to them, not with Armin so desperately working for him. Not when Mikasa was barely scrapping by with anything left in savings.

It just wasn't fair.

"When were you at Levi's place?" Mikasa asked, her voice laced with venom. They may have been on better terms, but she still didn't like idea that they'd spend "time" together. She knew there were things going on in their relationship that bordered recesses she didn't want to visit, and as such, she'd stick to keeping it clean. This was like trying to picture ones parents having sex.

It just wasn't an okay thing to think about.

"Uhm..." Eren hummed as he rolled his eyes, looking towards the blonde sitting similarly to him.

"No," Armin instantly shot down and leaned back. Eren grumbled at him under his breath, something not so understandable before feeling his phone go off again.

Sender: Unknown

Received: 5:30 p.m.

"I think this is something that should be discussed in person. I know you can't drive, but if you could get a ride, let's schedule a time for you to come in and meet with her. If you want to talk to her directly, I can give you her number. I've already made her aware of your situation, so she's okay with you texting her."

Eren frowned at the wording. Gunther seemed very similar to people he'd met before, people who'd say or do something without seeing it as much of an insult to others. He meant no malice by any of his words, but why did he feel like calling it a situation? This wasn't something where he'd get his hearing back in a week after some medicine or something of that nature. Not to mention that he'd so freely mentioned his lack of hearing to others.

Why did that bother him so much? It wasn't like Gunther was trying to upset him in anyway, and surely not trying to do him any harm. He just seemed to be treating him a little like a child, telling people things before he had the chance to explain himself.

Gunther did nothing wrong, but this seemed to be the norm for him. Mikasa did it to him all the time, but he'd grown accustomed to it. It was expected from her or Armin. Levi had been that way at first, but he'd quickly learned otherwise on what to say around him. He'd been skeptical on things such as movies, to music, but he'd learned to understand Eren was just the same as everyone else.

Maybe he just wasn't used to it anymore? He wasn't even sure. He couldn't even place why this bothered him so much.

"And I'm staying in the car, because...?" Levi drawled out, head tilting in Eren's direction as the brunette got out of the car. Eren ran around the hood before stopping at the driver door, waiting anxiously for the older man to roll down his window.

"Cause this is business..." Eren responded with, leaning against the door.

"Sorry, I didn't realize I was dating a professional here. I'll be sure to correct myself for later." His boyfriend assured him with a smirk. Eren smiled at his comment before leaning in, kissing him briefly.

"I don't think I'll be too long." He told him.

"I hope not. I'm parked in a fire lane." Levi remarked dryly, yet he hid his true concern. Tips were nice, but they couldn't get him out of a ticket if he were to get in trouble.

"Be back soon," Eren said with a chuckle before waving him off.

He paced himself into the building and to the elevators, heading to the fifth floor. Apparently the person he was meeting wasn't on the same floor as Gunther, but the man would be there to meet him when he got there.

It was a quick ride, and he was there in a short amount of time. Obviously not enough to steal himself into composure, but close enough.

He walked out with two other people, finding this floor far more "business oriented" then Gunther's floor. There were a lot more offices, blocked off by glass windows and doors. Everyone in the room was dressed on a whole different level, not so casual any longer. He felt very underdressed compared to their suits, ties, and obviously strictly black and white policy.

Hell, all he had worn was a pair of blue jeans, a clad green long sleeved shirt that made him look ridiculous in this weather, and his backpack. He wouldn't be surprised if someone came up to him, asking if he was lost, and he surely wouldn't blame him.

There was a sudden tap on his shoulder, and Eren nearly turned around to say that no, he wasn't lost, but caught himself at the sight of Gunther.

"Sorry, didn't mean to spook you." The man apologized, though he knew it was slightly useless. He wasn't even aware that Eren could read lips, but he didn't give him the chance. The man put a hand on his back and pushed him forward, directing him towards an office not far away. Another room with glass windows that left nothing to the imagination, with grey flooring and white walls. Shelves piled with books, a desk with a laptop in the middle, and a set of chairs bundled close within the center of the room.

It was far bigger than Gunther's office, if he were being honest. It looked like a more upgraded version of his office too, and suddenly, the pit of bubbling excitement turned to anxiety.

The office wasn't empty. Two people were inside, sitting in the chairs and chatting amongst themselves. He felt a sudden upheaval of nervousness as they walked in, greeted by the two of them. He looked up to the man with a hand still on his back before looking back to his peers.

"Nanaba, this is Eren." Gunther greeted and motioned towards the brunette with a large grin.

"It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Jaeger." She greeted and held out her hand.

The teen couldn't help his wandering eyes, noticing the person standing beside her moving his hands about adamantly.

She'd gotten herself a translator for him? He was both moved and slightly let down. He'd simply had the idea of using his laptop for himself, but she was one step ahead of him.

"Hello..." Eren greeted, noticing how suddenly timid he seemed. He was trying to sell a book here, wasn't he? Meanwhile he felt it hard to look into their eyes, felt how sweaty his palms suddenly were as he shook this woman's hand.

"How are you doing today?" The woman asked of him as she began walking towards the chairs. Naturally he followed, looking back and forth between her and her translator.

"I'm good. Thank you for asking." He answered as she sat down. "And you?"

"I'm doing well." She told him and pointed towards the chair. Eren nodded and sat down, his hands sitting firmly in his lap as he waited for her. He wasn't sure what to say, or what to do even.

He'd never been in a situation like this before, and still he had no idea what he was here for. He tried telling himself that it may be something completely unrelated to his book, that maybe she wanted to speak freely of the idea of it, but he couldn't help the little bubble of hope welling up inside his chest.

Damn it. He knew better than to do that. Why was he getting so worked up already?

"So Eren, Gunther sent me your book about a week ago I believe, or at least the chapters to the book. Is it still a work in progress?" The woman asked as she crossed her legs.

"Uhm... Kind of." Eren said and shrugged his shoulders. Maybe not the best way to start selling a book.

"How so?"

"Originally I was just writing it. I didn't have any intentions of getting it published, so that's why there's so many chapters." He explained, watching the man beside her keep up with the conversation.

"Hmm, I see. Have you thought about making it a multi-book feature?" She asked of him while tilting her head.

"Not really, but then again, I haven't put much thought into it at all. This idea is just about as new to me as it is to you." He said. He saw the small glint in her eyes, of something both confused and unsure.

This wasn't a good first impression.

"Have you really sat down to think about publishing your book?" She questioned and leaned forward in her chair. The brunette had a hard time looking at her translator when she suddenly took up this stiff posture.

"I want to get it published." He said.

"Why...?"

The question caught him off guard.

"Huh...?"

"You said originally you were just writing it, that you had no intentions of publishing it. So why now all of a sudden?"

Eren leaned back in his seat, looking over to Gunther for help, but the man seemed just as lost, if not more confused than he was. Maybe he should have had Levi come in with him, because he didn't know how to explain this at all.

"Uhm... My family has always taken care of me." He began, hoping that now of all times he could keep his words together and not mess anything up. "But recently, my sister lost her job and my friend was in the hospital. He's working himself to death trying to keep up with the bills and keep our house, and they won't let me help. They keep telling me everything is fine and I know it's not, so when Gunther said my book could be a best seller, well I..." He saw the suddenness of understanding cross the woman's stern features, as if it all made sense to her.

She must have known he was in it both for the money, and for his family. He didn't per say want the money, but he needed it, and he needed it for his family. His family needed his help, and he was tired of sitting around doing nothing while they suffered the brunt of the work.

She had to have known, right?

"Now I see why this became such a sudden thing for you." She said in a tone he couldn't here, but it matched her understanding of his situation. "I was very confused at first why someone who never had the idea of publishing their book before would suddenly do it without a clear direction for it to go. You can see where this poses a problem, can't you, Eren?"

Golden eyes shifted down into his lap after reading the words, his heart pounding painfully in his chest.

He should have never gotten his hopes up. Never. It was always the same, but he had hoped, just this once, that it would be different.

Why did he bother?

"Most people, when looking to publish their stories, have clear views of where they want their stories to go. They see it as a lifelong commitment to bring it to life, maybe see it become a movie, see it grow. As of now, you don't really have these visions. All you're looking for out of it is to help your family."

He felt his eyes burn, the notion of familiarity and disappointment aching in his chest. He wouldn't cry, not in front of them, but lord help Levi when he got back to the car.

"I guess..." He uttered. He barely had the will power to walk out of the room, to keep his eyes on the moving hands of her translator so he wouldn't miss anything.

"Eren, I'm not saying that's a bad thing." She told him, noticing his sunken eyes and slack shoulders. "Doing this for your family is an extremely wonderful thing. However, reading earlier chapters from the story indicates that it's lacking direction, an end to the story. You were originally writing for yourself, which is where the plot holes and missing pieces began to build. Now that you've given it a goal from nowhere, it's suddenly lacking the detail it needs near the end, the real clear picture people need. Writing to get it published and help your family is great, but now you're just writing it for the sake of finishing it and making money for them."

Eren noticed the woman pull a small notepad from across the table into her lap. Written on it looked like notes, little bulletins and key points she had to go over.

"Like I said, it isn't bad. I know you aren't doing it for you, but for them, or else I'd think you're a teenager looking for an in to fame. Your story lacks a very clear goal, but keeps its integrity through character development."

"The character is trying to end the Titans." Eren excused.

"Which leads to several different sub plots, such as getting to the basement, patching up the hole in the wall, and getting outside of the walls. Every time these are brought up, they are quickly overshadowed by something else and ignored for a few chapters, only to be brought up again and later ignored. I see the story and the progress, but it's a bit of a slow build, then a drop right back to the start."

Well, the teen couldn't argue with that. He'd originally guessed it like that from just constantly writing. He knew it was there, but he'd never worried about prying eyes and criticism. He hadn't thought to change anything though after hearing such praise. Gunther hadn't said anything and neither had Levi, but he had just assumed they were being kind. Nanaba, however, was being truthful. This was the constructive criticism he needed, even if he didn't like it.

"So... It shouldn't be a book..." Eren came to the conclusion on his own, lips pulling tight to keep himself together.

"I didn't say that." The woman told him, almost as if she was scoffing in a way. Maybe that was just the posture she took up; Eren wouldn't know without hearing it. "I do see what Gunther is talking about. This has the makings of becoming an incredible story that people will adore. It just needs some TLC."

"Really...?"

"Of course. Tell you what..." She began and leaned forward, setting the notepad aside. "I'm going to give you two months. Revise this for me with what I've told you from today. I'll give you some notes I wrote down, and when we meet again, I want to see that story I'm imagining."

"Two months?" He groaned out. His story had taken him years to write, not two months. How was she expecting him to rewrite and edit everything in two months? "How am I supposed to write everything in two months?"

"Well you want to publish it, right? Deadlines have to be met."

"In two months?" He couldn't help repeating himself.

"That's work for you, Mr. Jaeger." Nanaba said and stood, leaving the boy to gawk.

Work.

As in... A job?

A real, honest to goodness job?

His heart suddenly pounded in his chest at the idea that this was suddenly a job. He had not once thought of his writing as a job. Not now, and maybe not ever, but thinking about it gave him a fleeting sense of happiness.

"So do we have a deal, Eren?" Nanaba asked, noticing the suddenly interested look in his big, golden eyes.

"Yes!" He quickly agreed, not needing her translator to finish for her. He didn't need to think twice about it now.

A job. That meant he could finally provide for his family.

A/N: So unconsciously (?) I put some view points I've read about the manga into the story... Whoops.