My eyes opened a few minutes later to everyone's worried faces, "Sorry, I blacked out for a second," I mumbled, "I'm okay, just a little tired."

"You're not okay," Hanji said putting her hand against my forehead as a force of habit. She let out a sigh and removed her hand upon realizing what she was doing.

"Look Hanji I'm okay I really am. I just haven't gotten much sleep lately and I'm exhausted."

I sat up and locked eyes with Eren whose thoughts were just as panicked as Hanji's, but he wasn't showing it on the outside unlike she was. I looked to Erwin who was deep in thought. He came to a realization and it was clear on his face I've been found out. I didn't even need to look at his thoughts to know what he figured out.

"Levi," he started.

"Here we go with the lecture," I mumbled.

Hanji looked to Erwin and then back to me, "is there something I'm missing?"

"Please tell me I'm wrong," Erwin said looking at me really worried.

I just shrugged. "I don't know what you're talking about?" I mean it's not like I could read his mind at the moment with my headphones in.

Erwin kneeled down in front of me and pulled out my headphones. "Levi tell me you aren't doing what I think you're doing." He said and I heard his thoughts come through. I don't want to say it out loud because if I do Hanji will throw a fit. Are you or are you not reading everyone's minds during the class.

I took a deep breath, "so what if I am?" I said with a huff as I put my headphones back in to stop the already forming headache.

Erwin let go of my hand and let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine you leave me no choice," he rolled his eyes.

Shit, "please don't," I mumbled.

"Hanji, this idiot was using his power to read everyone's thoughts," Erwin said it out loud and I knew I should start digging my grave.

"You're doing what!" She yelled I swear the whole gym echoed. "Levi that's dangerous, you can't! Whatever happened to you not wanting to violate people's privacy? This- "

I couldn't take it anymore. I know this violates people's privacy I don't need that thrown in my face, but at the same time, the prevent deaths moral takes priority here. "Look I know what I'm doing, I just can't sit by and watch as people die. I'm hoping that no one ends up relapsing or having those kinda thoughts, but I can't stop thinking about the worst-case scenario. Don't even try and tell me that there's nothing to worry about, because I know both of you are just as worried and don't say what I'm doing is irrational, because I know you would be doing the same exact thing if you had my powers." I've been listening to their worried thoughts along with everyone else's and they've been worried about how this lesson will turn out. Well, maybe I could actually make a difference.

I took a deep breath before calming down. I didn't realize how much I had raised my voice. I looked up at them before calmly continuing, "I just don't want to sit by knowing I could have prevented a death and didn't." I took a deep breath and looked Hanji dead in the eyes, "not again."

She walked forward and took my headphones out before grabbing my hands. Hon that's not your fault please don't ever blame yourself for that. Her thoughts were gentle and calming. She gave my cheek a little pinch before giving me a smile. Erwin and her were the only ones to know about my power trigger and what happened in my past. They are the only ones I've ever trusted enough to share even a fraction of what happened. Even without knowing everything they know enough, and when I say certain things they know they can't win.

She took a deep breath before giving Erwin a look. They knew I weren't going to back down. She let out a deep sigh. "Fine," she rubbed her temples. "I know it's pretty useless asking this of you since I know how determined you get, but please don't push yourself too hard. If you need a break then take it." She said putting my headphones back in so I didn't have to do it again.

I gave her a small smile. I know they are just worried about me, but this is something that I have to do. "I will. The last thing I want is to put myself out of commission at the worst time," I sighed. I gave Eren's hand a squeeze. "I have him watching my back so if I give him a look he knows to get me out of there."

"So you knew about this crazy plan of his?" Erwin asked turning to Eren who has been awkwardly watching us argue for the last few minutes.

"Well, yeah, but I knew I wouldn't be able to stop him," Eren shrugged awkwardly not making eye contact.

The door opened and I pulled my hand back and we watched as Armin and Mikasa came back in. "Oh, there you guys are," Armin said giving us a big smile. He took one look at me and saw my headphones in. "Oh good your headphones are in," he said and I nodded giving him a thumbs up before turning to Hanji and Erwin.

"They don't know about my power they just think I get overwhelmed easily without headphones," I whispered so they didn't say anything that would expose the truth.

Hanji and Erwin nodded. "Are you all friends?" Hanji asked and Armin happily sat next to me.

"Yup," he said excitedly.

I felt my cheeks heat up. Oh no. She's going to embarrass the shit out of me.

"It's about time," Hanji cheered, "I thought he would never make friends aside from us, now he has three," she elbowed Erwin. "Our little boy is growing up," She said happily.

"Hanji quit embarrassing him," Erwin rolled his eyes despite also having a big smile on his face. He dragged her away from us with the excuse to work on the next portion of the lesson.

"We got worried when you guys didn't come out of the gym," Mikasa said and Armin cut her off.

"Yeah we thought Levi might have collapsed again," he said and I saw Hanji's head turn to face us so fast.

"Again?" she asked from across the room.

"Shit," I mumbled. "I think I need to leave," I said to Eren.

"Not so fast young man," Hanji said walking back over to us. "What does he mean, you collapsed?" Her tone was worried, but her emotions were everywhere.

"Erwin help," I looked and he shook his head. "You reap what you sow."

"You're no help," I said before forcing myself to my feet. "Well, for the rest of my break I think I'm going to go for a walk," I said before quickly heading to the door. The other three followed me.

"Sorry did I get you in trouble?" Armin asked.

"Only a little, but she'll get over it," I shrugged. Hopefully.

After we walked around for a few minutes Jean and Marco joined us, or I should say joined Eren. Jean and Marco were talking to him for a minute while Mikasa and Armin were in their own little conversation. I just stood awkwardly by Eren as he talked with Marco. Jean eventually just let the two talk and he looked at me and opened his mouth to speak. It actually surprised me when words came out of his mouth directed to me.

"Um, hey," he said quietly.

I just gave an awkward smile and a wave. God, I'm bad at this whole opening up to people. How does one interact with others? How did I become friends with Armin and Mikasa? Well, Mikasa just kinda went with it and Armin I had to connect through interests. Okay, what are Jean's interests? Marco. Well, that won't work. Shit, I'm just awkwardly standing here the silence is getting really loud.

"So um, class," Jean nodded before looking like he was mentally facepalming.

Good, I'm not the only awkward one. "Yeah," I nodded back.

I watched as Eren tried to keep a straight face watching us. "You guys are so awkward," Marco finally spoke up before covering his mouth realizing he said that out loud, "sorry."

"No you're right," I let out a little awkward smile before turning back to Jean. "How about we start over," I said awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. "Hi, my name is Levi," I said and Jean looked a little lost as he said his own name.

"Jean," he said before letting out a smile. "Nope still awkward," he said laughing a little.

"Dang well, I tried," I gave an awkward shrug.

Marco just gave me a smile, before asking if he could talk to me alone for a second. "Um sure," I said looking between Eren and Jean. They looked just as I was.

We walked a little farther away and just kept walking as Marco started to talk. "After two years of being roommates and me trying to be your friend you never once said a word to me, but nowhere you are trying to be friends with everyone," he took a deep breath, "I don't get it? Was it just me?"

"No," I said quickly, "it's hard to explain, but I'll try my best since you deserve an explanation. "I was going through something and it was really hard for me to get close to people. I don't know how but Eren managed to pull me from that mindset and I realized just how much of a dick I was." I sighed.

"Are you two dating?" Marco asked and my eyes shot up to his.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because of the way you smiled when you said his name," he said with a smile of his own. "I've caught myself doing the same thing when I talk about Jean."

I let out a sigh and gave him a little nod, "yeah, but um could you maybe not tell anyone about us? I'm not really ready to be outed to everyone," I lied. I mean being outed doesn't bother me, but everyone finding out Eren and I are dating still makes me nervous.

"Hey believe me I get it," Marco nodded, "I won't tell anyone, "Jean's the same way."

"Yeah, I'm just really sorry I didn't give you a chance earlier you do seem like a really nice guy and I would like to be friends, but if it is too late I completely get it," I mumbled a little awkwardly.

"Hey I completely get it, I just wanted to make sure that if your issue was with me then I could give you space."

Damn, that is both really nice and also heartbreaking to hear. "You are too nice," I mumbled, "but no my issue was just that my brain is an asshole."

"Well good to know, I'm just glad that it seems you're finally getting more comfortable around people and that you're finally able to be yourself."

"Yeah, it actually feels great to talk to people again," I said letting a little smile slip onto my face.

"I'm glad to hear that," Marco said giving me a light pat on the shoulder. We headed back to the rest of the group and were greeted with smiles and two new faces.

"Hey, Levi it looks like people are finally able to talk to you?" Sasha said happily before getting elbowed by Connie.

"That's mean," he whispered.

"Well, I don't know what changed but if you're making friends then I want to be one of them," she said giving me a big smile.

"Me too," Connie said giving me a thumbs up.

Well, even with my headphones on, I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed. However, the feelings of panic don't even compare to how happy I am right now. I never thought I would have another friend and here I am surrounded by people who want to be friends with me.

"Alright class," Erwin called from the doorway. "Break's over."

"Shit, that's the last thing I wanted to hear."