I take the same train everyday, with the same people everyday, well for the most part. People have this weird thing where routines form and they stick to it because it feels comfortable. Can't really judge them though, I always get on the same train, at the same stop, at the same time, on the same cart, everyday. And so do a lot of people. My train stop is the 3rd one, so it's not overly crowded when I get on, I could usually get a pair of seats for myself. And instead of sitting in the window seat like I should, I sit in the aisle seat and set down my briefcase in the window seat.

I know its not "train etiquette," but who gives a fuck? I don't like having to deal with people in the morning, and I don't want to have to sit next to anyone either, so i'll take up both seats, let others give up their seats.

That's usually how it went, until one fall when another man started taking the same train, at the same stop, at the same time, in the same cart. I don't know why I suddenly started looking forward to seeing this man, maybe it was how he always barely caught the train. The doors would be just about to close when he'd appear at the platform and run into the cart, barely making it.

Usually people would see that he's winded, from probably a combination of running and stairs, and give up their seats for him. He didn't always accept it, some days his did.

On one day, the same thing happened, he barely made it, by this point I was starting to wonder if the conductor knew to wait an extra couple seconds for him, but the train was extremely packed and no one really wanted to give up their seats. The only open seat was the one next to me, but I wasn't about to give it up. But he looked so disheveled, his hair was a mess of brown, his green eyes prominent against the dark bags under his eyes. His jacket was wide opened even though it was mid-fall and chilly. His shirt was untucked and wrongly buttoned. He tried to fix himself a couple times, but it proved to be difficult in a moving train without bumping into people. And as we got closer to the city, the more people piled on and he kept moving closer to me to make room for more passengers. We were still 9 stops away from mine when he ended up standing right next to me. I could hear his loud pants, must have woken up late.

I didn't even think about my actions because next thing I know, I'm picking up my briefcase from besides me and scooting over to the window seat, I looked out as we approached the city. I felt him plop himself down next to me and thank me for opening a seat for him. I just nodded, not looking at him. We weren't even to the next stop when I felt a weight on my shoulder and something tickle my neck. I looked over at him, about ready to cause on a scene when I realized he had fallen asleep on me and his hair was what was tickling ny neck.

Was I enough of an asshole to wake him up and demand he get off me? Yes. Was I going to? No. Why? I don't know, pity maybe? He looked pretty tired. I had noticed that his stop was right before mine, I'll just wake him up then.

So there I sat, with this stranger sleeping on me shoulder. We were approaching the station for his stop so I used the hand that hadn't gone completely numb from his weight on my shoulder and pinched his nose, stopping his breathing. He jolted up, "what?! What happened?!" a few people looked up at his outburst, but most people just stayed looking at their phones.

"This is your stop," I told him.

He apparently seemed to realize what was happening because he sat up and looked around. Then he looked at me, "thank you," he was blushing. It was cute.

I nodded my head to him, and he stood up, "I'm Eren, by the way," he extended his hand to me. I thought about not taking it, but I was curious, so I shook his hand.

His hand was soft and warm, it felt better than I had expected, "Levi,"

He seemed to blush again as he pulled his hand away. The doors were opening so he squeezed his way through the people and made it out just in time for the doors to close.

I smirked at myself as I saw him run down the platform, probably late.

The next day I found another pair of seats and set my suitcase down on the window seat as I sat in the aisle seat. Like every other day. Except this time, I barely had the chance to pull out my headphones when I felt someone tap my shoulder just as the train was starting to move. I looked up and met green eyes full of joy looking down at me.

"Good morning, Levi," he told me, with a giant grin on his face.

"Morning," I said, looking back down at my phone, searching for a song. I felt him poke my shoulder again and I looked up, raising my eyebrow.

He held out a cup of coffee to me that I hadn't noticed before, I glanced at the coffee and then back to him, he nudged the coffee closer, so I took it, "thanks," I took a sip, it was my favorite. I don't know how he knew.

"Good?" he asked. I nodded my head.

"Very,"

"Oh thank god, I didn't know what kind you like, so I got you my favorite," he was grinning at me, and I had to look away so I wouldn't start smiling, too.

I felt obligated to ask him if he wanted to sit down, since he got me coffee and all, but he shook his head, "I'm fine standing,"

I glared at him but grabbed my suitcase and scooted over, then I grabbed his arm and yanked him down to sit next to me. I wasn't too sure why I did that, but I felt I owed him as much.

"Thank you for letting me take your seat yesterday, and for letting me sleep on you," I looked at him as he spoke, I noticed a blush spread across his face as he continued, "I didn't know how to thank you, so I said, 'hey, everyone likes coffee, right?' so I said ok why not! And I woke up an entire half hour earlier just so I could go get us some coffee, but I still somehow ended up having to almost run here, because I didn't want to have to miss you and have to drink two cups of coff-,"

"Two?" I interrupted him, he only had one, the one that I was now holding. His blush deepened and he unzipped his jacket to reveal a coffee stained shirt underneath. I couldn't help but laugh. He went through all that trouble just to get me coffee.

"Anyway," he continued once I had stopped laughing, "I was crossing the street when a cyclist almost hit me so I got startled and I spilled one coffee, but luck was on my side and I didn't spill that one," he seemed pretty proud of himself.

"That was quite an adventure you had this morning then," I didn't know why I was responding to him, or laughed for that matter. He seemed interesting, and I had always been curious about him. But had it been someone else I probably would have told them to shut the fuck up already.

"It was, I thank you for my near death,"

"No one told you to get me coffee," I countered.

"It's a thank you,"

"A simple thank you would have sufficed,"

"You dont look like the type to accept 'a simple thank you,'"

I couldn't help but stare at him, I thought about what he said and shrugged, "I guess you're right,"

Eren looked at me with a big as grin on his face, "looks like I know you better than you know yourself,"

I couldn't help but chuckle, "I wouldn't get too cocky,"

And that's how it went for a couple more weeks. I learned a lot about Eren, he was 24, his dad was a doctor, his mom loved to bake, his best friend was some kid that he said resembled a blond mushroom and his other best friend was his adopted sister. I told him about my friends, Erwin and Hange, but for the most part I liked to listen to him talk about himself.

He had just started working as a journalist for the city's largest newspaper company, and even though he had been working there for 2 months, he still couldn't get his sleeping schedule on track, which was why he was always running late.

I told him I was an editor at Trost Publishing Co.

"Woah! You must make a lot of money!" was his exact response.

I shrugged, "I'm well off,"

"Then why don't you live in the city? I'm sure you could afford it,"

"City life is hectic. I already work there, I don't want to live there, too,"

"Well why don't you get a car and drive to work?"

"I do have one, but I don't drive it into the city. Traffic's a bitch and parking's expensive. Not to mention I don't want to deal with people crossing streets,"

"Well I'm glad you hate the city. Otherwise, you wouldn't have had the pleasure of meeting me," he smiled at me while he said that, and I had to look away or else I knew I would start smiling like an idiot.

"Yeah, it's a pleasure," it was an honest statement, but for my own amusement I made sure to make sure it sounded sarcastic. I didn't have to look at Eren to know he was doing his signature pout.

I had a love/ hate relationship with that pout. I loved it because it was incredibly adorable, I hated it for the exact same reason. It made me want to just suck in that lower lip into my mouth and nibble on it and run my tongue over it, kiss him so hard it leaves him breathless.

I had to admit I had grown to like Eren, liking him as a person was strange enough, I rarely liked anyone. But I liked Eren. I wanted to take him out to dinner, or lunch, or something.

I always ended up at work either trying to force the smile off my face or frustrated because I couldn't just ask Eren out.

But I was concerned about several things. Was he even gay? Did he even like me? What if he was already in a relationship? Would he get uncomfortable if I asked him out and then stop talking to me.

I walked into my office, frustrated. Another thing had started to concern me, was age a problem for Eren? When he asked me how old I was and I said 33, he didn't so much as flinch, but changed the subject and asked me if I had any pets. I do, a cat, which Eren seemed to gush over and asked me to take pictures to show him since I didn't have any.

I must've slammed the door to my office extremely loud because it wasn't even 5 minutes later than Hange and Erwin were at my door.

"Everything alright, Levi?"

"What's wrong, Rivaille, darling?" I cringed at Hange's name for me, I blamed my mother for calling me Rivaille while I had her on speaker one day.

"What makes you two twats think there's something wrong?" I countered.

I could see a hint of concern in Erwin's eyes as he spoke, "You're moody. Some days you're like this," he gestured his hand to me, "and other days you're practically skipping and whistling,"

"Both are equally concerning," added Hange.

"It's nothing," I mumbled.

"Come on, Ri, who is it?"

I hated Hange sometimes, "what makes you think it's someone?"

"There's no other explanation. Nothing else bothers you," Erwin said.

I sighed, "I'm too old,"

"Midlife crisis coming early?"

"No, idiot. He's 24. I'm obviously a lot older," I buried my face into my hands as Erwin and Hange took seats in front of my desks. This was going to take a while.

"Does he know how old you are?" I nodded.

"So I don't see the problem," I looked at Hange, "I mean if he had a problem with it, he would've said something, right?" she looked at Erwin for confirmation.

He nodded at her and then looked at me, "she has a point,"

"I don't know if he sees us as anything more than what we are,"

"and what are you?"

Levi cocked his head to the side, what were they? Friends? Acquaintances? "We take the train together everyday,"

"But you've talked?" they didn't seem to understand the situation. I took a deep breath and explained everything to them, every last detail.

"He totally likes you, Rivaille!" was the first thing Hange said when I finished.

"I think so," Erwin said, "I mean, he obviously has to know you're not all that nice if you won't even give up your seat to the elderly. And he chooses to talk to you,"

I didn't say anything, was it possible for him to like me? "Doesn't change the fact that I'm 9 years older than him. I mean I have my life pretty established and he's still trying to figure it out,"

"You're thinking too far ahead, darling. Just ask him out before you do anything else,"

"Alright, I'll do that soon,"

Erwin raised a big as eyebrow at me, "do you need a wingman?"

"I'm trying to get something out of this, not a fucking lay," both of them seemed to be pretty taken aback by this, "what?"

"I thought you just wanted to bang him,"

"What makes you think that?"

"You've never wanted anything serious with anyone, before,"

That was true, but Eren was different, there's so much about him that I like, I used to look forward to weekends so I wouldn't have to deal with people, but now I looked forward to weekdays so I could see Eren.

There was a knock at the door and we all looked to see Petra peek her head into my office.

"Yes, Petra?"

"You guys have a meeting with Pixis in 10 minutes,"

"We'll be right out, thank you,"

Once she had closed the door, Hange all but jumped out of her seat, "well what do you guys say we continue this very interesting conversation about our precious Levi's love interest over lunch?"

"No," I was done talking about this.

"Well take you to your favorite cafe a few blocks down," damn, Erwin for knowing me so well.

"Fine, but I won't talk about it if I don't want to,"

"Good enough! Now, come on boys, we have books and things to discuss,"

Their meeting ended up running a little long than we expected, so the cafe was crowded when we got there. Luckily the place is pretty big so I told Erwin my order and went to find us a table. I found one by the window and watched the people walk by.

"Levi?" I froze at the voice. I turned to see green eyes looking down at me.

"Hi, Eren,"

"I didn't expect to see you here,"

"I dont usually grab lunch at this time, meeting ran a little long," he nodded at me. It seemed we didn't know how to act in an unknown setting, "do you come here often?"

"At least once a week. But for whatever reason, this is my second time this week,"

I chuckled, "its Tuesday," I could see his eyes light up when I laughed.

"I just had to have another panini," he smiled down at me, "are you here by yourself?"

I shook my head, "I'm with my friends," his face seemed to fall a little. He looked like he was just about to say something when Erwin and Hange appeared behind him. I introduced them.

"Oh, Levi's told me about you two," he said.

Erwin made a confused face so I added, "we take the train together," that seemed to register in their heads.

"Oh! Levi's told us about you!"

I noticed a faint blush dust over Eren's cheeks, "he did?"

"Yeah. And he never talks about anyone," Erwin said as he sat down across from me and Hange sat down next to me. They were so obvious, leaving the seat next to me open. I could predict their next words.

"Why don't you have lunch with us?" yup.

"Oh no, I actually have to get going," he glanced at his watch, "and if I leave now, I will barely make it,"

"As always," I smirked at him as he blushed, but laughed, then he said bye to us and ran out the door.

"He is so cute! And totally into you!" Hange said as soon as the door had closed behind Eren.

"Shut up," I mumbled and started eating my food.

"Just grow some balls and ask him out," Erwin said, not even looking at me. I just continued to eat my food while Hange kept talking about how cute Eren was, as though I didn't already know.

The next day, I was waiting for the train when I felt a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Eren.

"You're early," I said. Eren had never gotten here earlier than when the train was just pulling into the station, and it wasn't supposed to come for another 5 minutes, "let me guess, they told you something at work?"

Eren shook his head, "nope, just didn't want to be in a rush today," I raised my eyebrows at him since I noticed he hadn't buttoned up his coat right, so obviously he had been in a hurry. I pointed it out to him and he blushed again, "I'm not good with buttons?" he said nervously.

I sighed and handed him my briefcase, he took it and I started to unbutton his coat, making sure to take my time.

"What are you doing?" he asked me.

"I'm helping," I didn't look at him, "so are you going to tell me why you're really hear earlier?"

"I wanted to see you," he said quietly, I almost didn't hear him. My fingers stopped for a moment on the third button before they started again.

"You see me everyday,"

"Yeah, but I wanted to see you...more," by now I had unbuttoned and was now back at the top, making sure to line them up right.

I was very careful when I spoke, I could feel my cheeks getting hot, "then what do you say to dinner?"

"With you?"

"With me,"

"I'd really like that,"

I let out a sigh of relief, I was finishing up the last button and I looked up at him, he was blushing harder than I had ever seen him, "tonight at 6?" he nodded, "great," I took my briefcase from him.

We stood together in silence, I have to admit, I was overjoyed. I wanted to jump up in the air and tell the guy closest to us (who always seemed to have the faint smell of clay) that I had finally grown the balls to ask out the green- eyed hottie from the train. But I wasn't that kind of person, so instead I stood there, waiting for the train. I could feel my mouth curling up in a smile and from my peripheral vision, I could see Eren wasn't even trying to hide his own smile.

I remembered to ask him for his number before he got off his stop and I texted him almost as soon as the train left his stop. (Levi, Eren)

Hey, it's Levi, just giving you my number.

That has to be the stupidest text ever. I groaned at myself, but there was no other way to not try to sound desperate, so I pressed send.

It wasn't until a few hours later that he texted me back, I was in my office, reading over a manuscript about a women who has a shit ton of cats who goes on a date and then falls in love with a man who both hates and is allergic to cats. This had to be the stupidest thing ever. I was going to kill Hange, she had already read this manuscript. Either she was trying to give me a slow and painful death or she was just being the worst person in the world. I thankfully put the manuscript down when I heard my phone vibrate.

Hey. Sorry for the late reply. Barely made it to work, then apparently no one else can write this article about How To Tell If Your Pet Secretly Hates You. God, I hate that we have to do these pieces now.

I smiled at the text.

At least you don't have to read an entire manuscript called 'Purrfect Date?' I'd gauge my eyes out but then that means I can't stare at yours tonight.

Did I really just send that? I did. Wow. That has to be the worst line ever.

Yeah, about tonight...

Who sends a text like that? Just say what about tonight!

Yeah...?

Some story just broke about the oncoming elections, which means late night tonight. I'm sorry. Can we reschedule our date?

I stared at my phone, of course I wanted to reschedule. But that was only if he was being sincere. Maybe he just said yes on the train to lessen the awkwardness. I groaned and put my phone down, sitting back in my seat and looking at the ceiling. My phone buzzed again.

I can probably sneak away for lunch in like 20 minutes if you're interested.

Ok, I'll agree to that, and if he someone manages to bail, I'll know he's not really into me. God, I'm a 33 year old grown as man, but I was acting like a 17 year old teenage girl.

I'll treat you to a panini at Cafe Wall Maria.

A man after my own heart, I'm swooning.

I was trying to come up with something clever to say, but Hange decided she wanted to walk in.

See you in 20. Send.

"Rivaille, who are you texting. You seemed to be smiling. It wouldn't happen to be Eren, would it?"

I contemplated telling her, I was just about to tell her that yes, it was Eren, but I glanced down at my desk and saw the stupid manuscript, "it's none of your business," I stood up and grabbed my jacket, "now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to lunch," I walked right past her before she could say another word.

I was almost to the cafe when I started to think that I should have at least humored Hange a little bit, Eren did say 20 minutes, and it had only been 5. I rounded the corner and I almost stopped dead in my tracks when I saw Eren nearing the door. I called out to him. He spotted me and jogged to walk the rest of the way with me

"Levi! Hi! You're early," he teased.

"I should be saying that to you,"

"I wanted to see you,"

I couldn't help the strange feeling in my stomach, "you were going to see me anyway," I walked ahead of him into the cafe.

"Yes, but now I get to see you more," he smiled down at me as we waited in line.

"So, I have such pretty eyes you wouldn't gauge yours out?" he asked as soon as we were seated with our food.

I knew what he was talking about, but I chose to act as though I didn't. I cocked my head to the side and stared into his eyes. They really were something else, "I don't know what you're talking about,"

"Come on, in the text you said my eyes are pretty,"

I smirked, "I remember no such thing,"

He began to pat his pockets, probably looking for his phone, 'yeah, I'll show you," he patted each pocket again.

"Left your phone at the office?" I took a bite of my panini.

"I might've, guess I was in such a rush to get over here, I forgot it," he looked up at me sheepishly, I smiled at him.

"So you're forgetful, lucky, and have some nice as eyes. I feel like I know you already,"

He pointed a finger at me, "there! You said it!"

"Said what?"

"That I have nice eyes,"

"I said you're forgetful and lucky,"

"And after that?"

"I feel as though I know you,"

"You can't even admit you said I have nice eyes?" he finally started to eat some of his own panini.

"I can't admit to something I didn't say,"

"I don't like you," I could see the playfulness in his eyes.

"Then why are we on a lunch date?"

I smirked as his blush, "ok, I lied about not liking you,"

"I lied, too,"

"About?"

I knew he was expecting me to say something about his eyes, "I do have pictures of my cat,"

I laughed as he practically jumped in his seat, "lemme see!"

And that's how we spent the rest of the hour, me showing Eren pictures of my cat and teasing him every chance I could. His laughter was contagious and I couldn't help but laugh every time I could. He had a distinct blush on his face the entire time and it got deeper every time I teased him.

Even though I had a few blocks to walk back to the office, I was still smiling by the time I got back, and that was all thanks to a small date I had with Eren.

There will be a second chapter up in the next couple days so stay tuned!