Hey there! So this is my first SNK fic. This is also posted on AO3 under the same title but I decided to post it here as well since I use fanfiction more than Ao3. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1- When Love Leaves

"We are really going to miss you Armin."

Mikasa offered the blonde boy a small smile, tears threatening to cascade down her doll-like face and stain the red scarf around her neck. Her straight black hair covered her sorrow filled expression. Armin sniffled, wiped the liquid sadness off his face, and offered the silent girl a smile. The smile contrasted the blonde's state. His big blue eyes were bloodshot, tears falling in large globs despite his attempt at holding them in. His gaze was then directed to the boy next to Mikasa.

"Eren…"

Armin whispered, trying to get the sulking brunette to face him. Mikasa lightly elbowed Eren and gave him a disapproving look in a silent "You're being rude." Eren scoffed and faced Armin without really looking at him. Armin sighed.

"Eren please, look at me", he pleaded.

Eren's jaw tensed at the desperate tone. He took a deep breath and looked up at Armin. Eren's eyes were bloodshot, his nose pink, eyebrows furrowed, and lips pulled downwards. He was holding back the tears as hard as he could, not wanting Armin's last memory of him being this broken pile of teenage emotions. Armin swore he felt his heart rip in two.

"How can you leave us Armin? How can you leave… me?"

Eren's voice cracked. He cleared his throat. It was harder for him now to actually face his best friend and realize that this wasn't all just some sick joke and Armin really was moving to Trost. Armin was actually leaving… he hated it. Why couldn't Armin just stay here in Shiganshina instead of studying in Trost?

Armin's lips began to quiver. Armin was always fairly sensitive, especially when Eren was angry with him. Eren noticed the slight movement of his best friend's lip and felt like the biggest dick. Making Armin cry was the last thing he ever wanted to do. He pulled the blonde into his arms and massaged little circles into his back. He cooed apologies until Armin's sobs were reduced to his previous quiet sniffles.

"I'm so sorry! But I swear I'll come back because… I love you… b-both of you!"

Armin flushed at his little slip up, not that they would take his little statement romantically. He'd be dreaming if Eren ever…

Eren placed his hands on Armin's face, wiping away some stray tears from his face.

"I love you too, Armin,"

Eren smiled. His turquoise eyes displayed such an overwhelming mix of emotions, Armin felt he was drowning in them. He wanted to tell Eren how he really felt about him. How much he HAS been feeling this since they met in middle school when Eren came to rescue him. Armin had yelled back at his attackers, calling them out on their bullshit, but of course that didn't make their punches any softer. Then came this wild boy and beautiful girl out of nowhere and beat the bullies up… well it was mostly Mikasa. Eren got some lucky punches here and there, but mostly he just blocked the kids from hurting Armin. Oh, how he had fallen for that grin Eren gave him afterwards. They were inseparable after that. He loved how excited Eren would be when he brought a new book to read together or when Eren would blush when he asked for help in his studies. He loved Eren's grandiose determination and how evident it was in those honest eyes of his. He felt like crying again. He was leaving behind everything he loved: Eren, Mikasa, his grandfather, even the people he said "Hi" to everyday. Armin wrapped his arms around Eren's waist and buried his face in Eren's chest. Eren returned the hug tighter and pat Armin's head. The boys stiffened as they heard a tinkling giggle. They turned towards the sound and found Mikasa holding up her camera phone. The boys automatically unlatched from each other.

"Mikasa!" Eren yelled as he huffed. His face bloomed a bright pink. Mikasa just laughed and walked to Armin. She hugged him tightly and littered his face with little kisses. Armin's blushed darkened with every kiss.

"I love you too Armin. We should get going. We don't want to miss your flight, no matter how much we want you to." Mikasa gave Armin his plane ticket with a bittersweet smile. Armin's eyes widened.

"Ah! You're right! We should go."

"I'll drive", Mikasa said. She grabbed the car keys to her little blue Prius, a present from their dad, and carried Armin's duffle bag. The boys nodded and grabbed the rest of the bags from the now vacant room.

"Bye grandpa, I'll miss you", Armin hugged his grandfather. His grandfather ruffled his blonde hair and chuckled.

"I'll miss you too Armin. Have fun, study hard, and don't forget about us."

"Of course I won't grandpa! I'll be back soon before you know it."

Armin smiled. He followed Eren and Mikasa to the car. An hour later he was on the plane to Trost and a minute after he was gone. Eren watched the plane take off along with his heart. The car ride back home was filled with a thick silence. Mikasa couldn't take it.

"You didn't tell him your feelings."

Mikasa broke the silence. Her obsidian eyes were still on the lessening traffic. Eren huffed in response and sunk down in his seat.

"I know Mikasa", Eren crossed his arms and pouted. "It's not like we're never going to see him again."

"But he can always find someone else. Armin's cute, and a lot of girls AND boys will fawn over him. He won't wait for you forever."

"He's never BEEN waiting for me Mikasa! And that's even more reason to stay quiet. I'm not about to be some selfish bastard and bind him to me. I love him, you know I do, but I'm not going to stop him from loving someone else. I want Armin to be happy… even if I'm not the one to make that happen."

Eren whispered the last part. He looked torn to shreds and his eyes looked at nothing in particular.

"Eren…" Mikasa knew Armin loved him back, but she promised Armin not to speak a word about it to Eren. Mikasa just sighed and kept driving. The car ride continued in silence.

They'd see Armin again, they knew they would.

Armin dropped his luggage onto his dorm floor. Those ten hours sitting on those airplane seats were not kind to his backside. He moved his stuff to the right side of the room. The left side was already organized with his roommate's things. There were a few band posters, Armin recognized MCR and Arctic Monkeys, some 1st place soccer trophies, and neatly stacked psychology and gothic literature books on the small desk. They were the same books Armin needed to buy. The door to the dorm opened and an ashen-haired boy walked in.

"Oh, hey, you must be my roommate. I'm Jean Kirschtein. Nice to meet you", he held out his hand. Armin happily shook it. Jean had a handsome face with a cocky smile. His double hued hair went from a light ash colored to a dark brown undercut. He was rather tall and built, probably from playing soccer if the 1st place soccer trophies on his stand were real.

"I'm Armin Arlert. It's very nice to meet you too."

"You wanna come with us to the café? My buddy Marco and I are going for some ice cream."

"Uh, sure. Let me just get my wallet", Armin took out his black, Edgar Allan Poe themed wallet from his duffle bag. Jean chuckled.

"Nice wallet. You like gothic literature?"

"I love it. I'm taking Gothic Lit and comp with Mr. Farlan"

"And psych with Dr. Moblit?" Armin nodded. Jean grinned.

"I guess we'll be seeing a lot of each other." They began walking out the dorm. They headed towards another dorm, probably Marco's. Armin began to think this wasn't so bad. Maybe things will look brighter

.

.

.

Maybe.

A/N

If you see anything confusing or a mistake please tell me in a review or message me!