A/N: I just really wanted to write a dorky, semi-paranoid-about-everything Eren okay im sorry. i laughed while writing this so i hope by some god out there you will laugh too? maybe i just have weird humor but idk. Enjoy though! ~
Love is Over
"No! Fuck! I was so close too!" I have to hold myself back from throwing my controller at the TV screen. This is the tenth fucking time redoing the level and I've just about had it. Before I was going to do something brash and without thought, I was interrupted.
"Hey Eren, I need a favor." Mikasa busted open the door to my room, a look of all seriousness on her face. I would have actually been frightened for my life if it wasn't for the fact that she looks like that all time. I take a deep breath and try to calm my steaming rage.
"Yeah, what is it?" I gave her a look of curiosity, wondering what she could possibly be wanting a favor for. She knows how useless I am with getting shit done on time, prime example is her hounding me with every college essay and application in practically the whole state. Whether or not she actually sent them in is beyond me. I hope not because sending in those papers cost a fuckton of money that I'd rather not have her spend.
"I need you to be my designated driver for Annie and my friends tonight." She deadpanned. Going over the command in my head, I have to wonder, do I even have a choice in the matter? Knowing Mikasa that is most definitely not the case. I mean, I guess I could do it. Whisking the options in a mental mind bowl, I gathered that I would probably feel awful for telling her no because she always does things for me. I guess it's better than sitting here staying in my room, I guess ill go with the option to go out and be social. Hark.
"Okay, but I hope you're cool with me just dropping you off and heading over Armin's to hang out with him and Jean while you do your stuff then." I turn back over to my video game that I was preoccupied with before she came into my room.
"If I call you, I know for a fact you'll have your phone turned off and you'll only remember until two hours past the time you were supposed to be there to pick us up and I'm not having anyone driving drunk or buzzed tonight." Of course she isn't. Mikasa has always been extremely responsible and I can't help but admire her deeply for that. I, on the other hand, am the complete opposite. I won't even get started on the time I let Jean get lost at the amusement park all because I got happy go-lucky and ran off for dip n' dots ice cream that literally weren't sold anywhere else but there at the time. I can't say I regret it though.
"So… what do you mean by that?" I look back over to her sighing heavily and pulling her black scarf up higher around her neck.
"I know you hate being forced to sit somewhere but this is the only way I know you'll be there on time." Oddly accurate, I do give her that. "So when you drive us, I would appreciate if you just stay there. It's an eighteen and older bar. You're more than welcome to bring Armin and Jean or whatever you want with us." She adjusted her stance and put more weight on her other foot.
"Yeah, you're right I do hate that but if it's for you to have fun tonight, I suppose I'll do it. And nah, I'll let Armin and Jean have their romantic evening. Don't wanna become the cockblock wasn't pretty the last time." I shudder and give her a small smile on my face to show my resolution to help her out. She's always working her ass off with her classes, always to get the highest grade and has the best workly performance every week with her job at some high-end office. Not really sure what it is - she lost me when she began spouting off a whole bunch of numbers for that one accounting paper. But the point stands that she still needs time off once in awhile.
"Thank you so much, Eren. Really, it means a lot." She graced her face with a beautiful grin and it completely warmed my heart. It's definitely worth it if it makes her happy like that. Look at me, I'm becoming such a sap.
"Yeah yeah." I waved her off and turned back around to fiddle with more fucking blocks. Damn this fucking game and the double Catherine's. Or is it Katherines with a K? Ah, fuck it I think it's both but I suck at it nonetheless.
I heard her rush up to me and give me an awkward back-hug for just a second, let go, and went dashing out of the door to finish getting ready.
After getting momentarily distracted and moving the wrong block and making me accidentally fall off the edge and die, I've had the last of it for the night and huffed. If I keep going at this I'll seriously break the TV. I leaned back in my little bean bag on the floor and began to think of my options. Do I want food in the amount of time I have to get ready before Mikasa has to leave? But then if she walks in the kitchen and finds me stuffing my face with leftover cheesecake instead of changing into different clothing she's probably going to do something very, very violent to me.
Since it's a bar I figured I should probably change into something more presentable than my white t-shirt and light colored jeans and i'd honestly hate to look like the idiot of the group, but in this case I probably already am since Mikasa pretty much only hangs with rather intelligent people.
I get up and turn off the console and make my way over the closet to pull out something "nice" or as nice as I can manage. I decide on a nice-feeling elbow-length black v-neck shirt and a tighter fit of dark denim jeans, throwing on a thin dark brown leather jacket. I ran a hand through my brunette hair and walked out the door to sit in the living room to wait for Mikasa to get finished.
Arriving at the Legionnaire Bar, I parked the van that mikasa had to borrow to fit all her colleagues on the side of the road and was forced to do a parallel park. Mikasa screamed at me a few times because I almost hit the car behind me and I slightly nudged the car in front but honestly, who the fuck is ever good at parallel parking? And also to plead my case, people almost rarely have to do the damn thing. Well except now, but that's because this must be a busy street.
"Alright everybody out before people notice my horrible parking job." I said to all eight passengers and I got a few laughs, and others grimaced. Mikasa a bit of both and Annie just glared at me but I just shrugged, I really didn't have it in me to care. I wasn't lying either so there's that.
Walking in I really didn't give much thought to how boring these next few hours would be. As soon as we walked in, Mikasa and her friends or work people, whatever they are, went to some sort of back table and left me. Well, well, well, I see how it is. I guess I'll find my own little table to call home for the night I guess.
Before turning over to go find somewhere to spend the next few hours, I heard Mikasa yell over her shoulder, "Don't do anything stupid, Eren!" I just scowled at her in return. How many moronic things could I do when I'm just by myself? I shake my head at the little trust she placed in me.
Looking over the whole bar, I find a little haven in the corner at the actual bar and to my delight, it has a television right by it. Wonderful, just the way to pass the time. Trudging over, I take a seat at one of the stools and took my jacket off and hung it on the back of the chair.
Getting more comfortable in the seat and almost snuggling deeper in the dark leather, I look up to the TV almost above my head. It takes my vision a moment to get settled onto the picture since I am so close to it and I have to hold back a gurgled noise of distaste. Baseball. I fucking hate baseball. Stupid bats hitting the balls and keeping some sort of score. That's as far as my knowledge of the sport goes. About only twenty minutes pass and I find that I am bored out my mind already.
Now I'm forced to listen to baseball and oh man are those peanuts on the counter calling my name?
Looking around to make sure no one has their sights on the prism of peanuts like I do, I slowly bring the little jar of happiness to the front of my being. Yes, these peanuts are mine now.
I pop one in and chew the roasted, salted goodness. One turns into two,and two starts turning into seven. Damn these little bastards are good.
"... - I swear you need to cheer up! I didn't bring you here to be a snarky little shit the whole night. Loosen up." Came a female voice, and soon body preoccupying the seat next to me.
"Ugh, stop it. You're making me sick with all your nagging." Another person?! I look around and notice there are a mass amount of other seats available throughout the whole establishment and they just happen to choose the seat next to me? Oh c'mon man, what the hell!
To make matters worse as soon as this woman sat down, she reached her hand right in front my face only to lower it to take a handful of my peanuts that I was in a lonely heavenly bliss eating earlier. I feel a white fury well up in my chest which I can't help but feel a bit stupid reacting over because it's peanuts, but still, they were my peanuts! She stole my peanuts! I turn to send a shocked glare her way.
She doesn't see me and keeps waving her hands dramatically to tell a story to her friend. She doesn't notice my dwindling rage, but her friend that had an almost unnatural serious look on his face certainly does. My widened eyes narrow at this guy who was now looking at me with laughter in his icy gray eyes.
His snickering stare causes the woman with a high ponytail and glasses to turn to me with inquisitive, excited eyes.
"Oh, didn't see you there! Hi, I'm Hanji." This woman named Hanji beamed and sent a curdling grin my way.
Seriously? I'm a living, breathing human being - not even really in the corner seat of the bar and she didn't see me? I mean I know I'm not the most attractive of men out there, but this is just being harsh…
"Yeah." Thats the best she'll get out of me, rudeness be damned.
"Aren't you a shy one! How cute!" And thus commenced her patting on my back and I flinched from the sudden to get out of this unwanted touching, I send pleading looks to her friend and of course all he did was a slight shaking of his head and plastered a smirk on his face. Damn you, damn you to hell. It was wrong of me to put such faith in a complete stranger.
"Hanji, I think you've frightened the kid." The man sent blank eyes to this woman named Hanji and she let out several guffaws. The sounds made me twitch.
"I think I'll just… take my leave… yeah." I hop off the stool and go to grab my jacket but I'm stopped by the hyena. I turn around to send her a deer-caught-in-headlights stare until she lets go but she doesn't. Her manic grin doesn't even falter. What the hell does this woman want? First my peanuts, and then me? Oh hell no, I'm not in the mood to meet cannibals tonight.
"You can have the damn peanuts, okay! I'm sorry!" The best way out of this I figure is to express my dumbfounding stupidity in a surreal case of misunderstanding, and why not use the peanuts as an excuse to excuse myself. I try to pull away but she keeps a firm grip. Both her and her friend blink at what I said, straight-faced, and then the woman started her cringing laughter once more.
"Thats great. You know what? I think you and my friend Levi here would make excellent friends." She exclaimed. Her friend Levi? That smirk just melted instantly off of his face and he looked at her in disbelief and subtle anger.
"Don't lump me in with a moron who gets defensive over peanuts - "He tried to get out but this woman named Hanji interrupted him.
Moron who gets defensive over peanuts? Who the hell does he think he is, calling a stranger, me at that, a moron! Well, I know I'm not the smartest person out there, but I definitely would be considered a step above being senseless. Trying not to start anything for the night, I grit my teeth and get over it. For now. But this woman is still latching her death grip onto my arm.
"Just ignore him, come come. Sit back down. " I stare at her for a few seconds before making my decision. Her friend named Levi has stopped listening to her and is now talking to the bartender to probably order a drink.
I swallow loudly and sit back down, albeit hesitantly. I just need to calm down, Mikasa is in the near vicinity. Nothing is gonna happen, she'll recognize my screams if push comes to shove.
"So what's your name?" Hanji asked while ordering her drink.
As if I would actually tell her my real name, she has another thing coming.
"... Larry. " Inwardly grinning to myself for such a genius impromptu name. All the shoulder pats from scholars shall be rewarded to me. Looks like I'm officially apart of Mikasas social circle for once. As if. More like inwardly vomiting my insides out. The name is so lame that I have to hold myself back from slowly dragging my nails down my face.
Apparently Levi thought so too because he had a little comment of his own. "That's really unfortunate."
I should probably take a defensive stance over this fake name because if I agree, then my decision for giving them a fake name would have been for naught. "'The hell you say?! Making fun of my name?"
Levi obviously didn't care for offending me and just snorted, starting to drink his little fruity drink the bartender set in front of him.
"Well, Larry, it's nice to meet you." I have to hold back a cringe from her using the name. If they decide to stay here by me the whole night I wonder how long I can keep my annoyance down from the repetition.
"Likewise." Like hell it's nice to meet you.
I can't help but feel a bit sorry for myself because earlier I said that I would be somewhat like a social butterfly and here I am messing everything up, even telling people names that aren't even really mine. I can see the disappointed stares Mikasa would set upon me now.
"So you're at a bar, and yet you have no drink?" Hanji said with a hint of friendly surprisement. I turned over to glance at her and see her taking a large gulp of her… beer I think? It looks like beer, with its orangish-yellow tint and bubbles at the top in a tall mug. Levi was just flicking his little umbrella around in his drink. I find it hilarious that such a serious looking man has such a cute drink but I have a feeling that I probably shouldn't voice it or laugh out loud. I guess ill settle with keeping the giggles down by holding them in my throat and almost suffocate.
She's asking me why I have no drink? Well thats obviously because I'm only eighteen but if I tell them that that then they'll just call me a kid that should go home. Since they are obviously a bit older than me, I suppose I should try to come off as more friendly than a paranoid teenager that I actually am.
"Ha-ha." I scratch my neck awkwardly. "Just not in the drinking mood tonight I guess. Just came here to watch some good baseball. Ha-ha." Oh fuck me.
"You don't come off as a baseball fanatic." Yeah, yeah, nobody cares for your monotone snarks, Levi. If I step off my rolling anger-wheel towards this man I'd probably feel a bit bad from him calling me out on my blatant lie but honestly, all I'm concerned for at the moment is dissolving their view of me being 'stupid'. I would also like to know if they're out to kill me, 'cause you know there's always a chance of having a hugeass plot twist and they drag me out of here after being 'friendly'.
"That's what a lot of people say, actually." I let out a breathy laugh. Of course that's what everybody says because they all know I fucking hate the sport.
"I bet!" Hanji remarked loudly right by my ear and I force myself not to duck my head from the shrill, happy sound.
I guess the only way out of this is to start normal, civil conversation. Maybe under their weird exterior there's some redeeming qualities, no serial killer qualities I hope, that will at least make them a bit more tolerable and if I succeed by some chance maybe I could land myself some older friends. I say this but I really am no person to judge since I'm coming off as incredibly dense and creepy at the same time with a fetish for protecting my self proclaimed peanuts. Yeah, I've got no social talents. Probably why the only close friends I have are Armin and Jean.
"So, u-uh, what brings you here tonight?" This will have to do. Levi just glanced over as if he could care less that I just said something and Hanji starts bouncing right in the seat.
"Well, since you asked, it was such a long day at work, filing paperwork and what not, and this crabby man had nothing but negativity to emit so I dragged him in here to cool off." Hanji sent a grimace to Levi and leaned forward on her arms on the bar edge. Yeah, I can totally see him doing that too even though I've known him less than ten minutes.
"Tch, whatever." Levi said nonchalantly and took a drink of his alcoholic beverage. Angry all the time and could care less when people insult him, and a woman that is obviously overly ecstatic with everything, I can't help but be amazed the two opposites are friends.
"A-ah, I see… " I just barely murmured.
I can't remember how long I just sat there staring off into space, drowning out Hanji and Levi's bickering. I caved in and started to buy lemonade, water, and coke at times. Occasionally when I was especially zoned out, I would suddenly catch Levi's eye and Hanji would turn to ask random questions, all of which I pretty much just replied "Yeah" too.
"Wow, this beer is running right through me. I'll be right back. Don't steal my best friend while I'm gone, Larry!" I cringed as she hops off the stool and rushes to what I would assume would be the bathroom. This is going to be more awkward of an encounter than I thought - she left me to deal with her friend that was as nonsocial as me. In this case I would say nonsocial as a choice instead of being birthed with the unfortunate ability to not talk smoothly as I have. I swallow what little saliva I have left in my mouth.
I slowly look over to the man two seats over to try to look for something to break this damnable silence, as reluctant as I am to do it (it's painful like listening to nails dragging themselves down a chalkboard). I'm finally able to see what he looks like since the woman was in the way earlier.
If I'm being honest to myself, this guy is attractive to the point of being almost beautiful. His black hair styled neatly in an undercut looks absolutely silky and his small build suits him well. If I'm being even more honest to myself, I'd also say that that black dress shirt that's in no way loose around his torso suits him a little too well.
I shake myself out of my staring and feel a heat burn my cheeks. Oh my god, I was literally just checking this asshole out, what's wrong with me? Going against my bodily reactions and my thought process that's going out of whack at the moment, I hesitantly look back over to Levi and find him looking back at me.
"You look like you have to take a shit, why don't you go take care of that and better yet, join the crazy woman while you're at it." Levi said with a straight face and I just gaped at him like a fish.
Screw being weirdly attracted to this overly blunt douchebag. Mikasa and Armin have always told me I was quick to blow my fuse - and I end up slamming my hands down on the bar counter top and turn to him with angry eyes in a show of uncalled-for tenacity.
"You know what, fuck it - just screw off. You're friend is weird but she's at least tolerable! Go take your serial killer tendencies elsewhere and get out of my corner!" I have to admit though, I wasn't planning on saying the last part. Way to go with not trying to sound childish.
Obviously meant to be somewhat menacing, but just made Levi raise his brows in a display of slight surprise. He turned his face into his hand and let out a quiet laugh. So now he's laughing? I let out an aggravated gust of air. Trying not to get worked up anymore than I am, I turned to my forgotten peanuts and grab a few to pop into my mouth and chew, attempting to soothe my hotheadedness.
"What's the matter, Larry? Something get under your skin?" Levi said with a smirk on his face and leaned against his hands, elbows set on the edge of the bar. Fight against the rage, Eren. You can do this. Breathe. In and out. Yeah, not working. I shove another handful of peanuts into my mouth. This man must live for making human beings feel unwanted anger.
Electing to ignore him, I turn my line of sight to Mikasa on the other side of the bar laughing with her friends. How long have we even been here for? I turn to look at the clock and see that only an hour, maybe hour and a half, has passed. Damn, I have no idea what time she wants us to leave but I really hope it's soon.
Wait, why don't I just go sit somewhere else? I'm an idiot for not thinking of this sooner!
"I really can't put up with you anymore. Bye." I hurriedly hopped down from the stool and grabbed my jacket on the back of the chair. Throwing one last loaded look back to Levi, I seen he was looking back with a sneer on his face, leaning back against his chair. Goddamn this smug bastard, I can't take this anymore. As soon as I turn to leave, Hanji comes back.
"Ah, Larry! - Levi! What did you do?! Why is our new friend leaving?" Followed with "Why do you always assume it's me?" and one last annoyed "Because when isn't it you?"
Since I can't find it in me to care anymore or listen, I just head on over to Mikasa and her friends and take a seat, eliciting startled looks.
"Please don't ask."