I HAVE SO MANY FANFICS TO WORK ON WHY AM I WRITING ANOTHER STORY!?
IM SORRY! I CAN'T GET THIS IDEA OUT OF MY HEAD!
I don't own SNK or any of its characters.
Armin's footsteps resonated on the concrete ground as he made his way to his dad's office. It was really more of a headquarter than an office, but Armin had come to call it that simply if to have some more normality in his life.
The sound of cars driving and a few birds chirping were the background noise of Armin's thoughts. The blonde never thought too much about his father's job. He was used to the man being busy all day most days and he knew not to ask too much. He was used to going to his father's office once a week, sit in the waiting room all day, and have his father apologize and take him out to diner.
Armin loved his father very much, and he knew for a fact that the man cared greatly for him as well, but there was a part of him that felt like he didn't have a father. Erwin was never around. He got home after Armin was already asleep. The boy would always leave him dinner waiting and then would wake up with an extra blanket over his body. Erwin never went to any school events but he always left a note of how proud he was of him. That was the way their relationship worked.
Now, the building was just at the end of the street. Armin was thinking about which book in his backpack he should read while he waited for his dad, when he felt an arm around his neck and a gun against his back. The boy's eyes opened wide and he could feel his heart accelerate. There was a whisper in his ear.
"Come now, nice and easy, right here in the alley." There was indeed an alley right behind them. That was most likely where the man had been hiding before he had taken a hold of Armin. The blonde stared at the building where he knew his father, and so many military men that worked with him, were currently at. Safety was so near yet so far.
He knew yelling out was useless. There were always two guards outside the office doors but they were too far away to hear him. Maybe the man didn't know this. Maybe he could convince him that he was the one in the disadvantage.
Armin had always been physically weak. His mind was his strongest muscle, and it would have to be the one he fought with.
"Is this really wise? Taking the son of the general right from under his nose?" Somehow, Armin was able to keep his voice from shaking. He knew these were the man's intentions. This man wanted to hurt Armin's father and the thought let him momentarily turn his fear into anger. "You must feel so proud. The tall and mighty Erwin can't even protect his own kid. Maybe your feelings are getting in the way of your judgment?" The man tightened his grip around Armin's neck and the boy was breathless for a second.
"Shut up!"
"You did that because you know I'm right. Look right there. There are 2 guards. Any moment now they could just look a bit to the side and they will recognize me immediately. What does that mean for you, I wonder?" He could feel the man tense. Armin's heart felt like it was going to run out of his chest.
"There are two scenarios here and they each have consequences for one of us. Wouldn't you rather come back when all the stakes are at your favor?"
The more he talked, the more nervous the man seemed to get. Armin was pretty surprise he had let him say as much as he had. Perhaps he was getting to him?
He got his answer when he suddenly stopped feeling the pressure against his throat and back. He heard the steps of someone running and then only the sound of cars driving and birds chirping.
Armin couldn't move from the spot he had been left at. It took him a moment to realize he was shaking. He took a deep breath that sounded almost like a sob and made his way to the building at the end of the street.
He couldn't feel his legs as he walked. Erwin's secretary greeted him as he entered the building.
"Hi, Armin. How was school?"
Armin ignored Hanji's comment.
"My father?"
She raised an eyebrow.
"In a meeting. I don't think he'll be finishing any time soon."
Armin walked towards the door where he knew his father's meetings took place.
"Armin! Armin! What are you doing!?"
The moment he opened the door the conversation in the room went silent. He felt everyone's eyes on him and at the same time the only eyes he felt where his father's with their penetrating gaze. Swaying lightly, the blonde entered.
"Armin? I'm in a meeting." The man's voice sounded more confused than angry. He knew Armin knew better than to just barge in the middle of important business.
The boy didn't seem to hear him.
"Dad…" The man took in his son's pale face, shaky limbs, and wide eyes. He felt fear grip his heart.
"I think someone just tried to kidnap me…"
Erwin huffed as he made his way down the hall. When he had committed his life to the fighting of organized crime, he knew it would be dangerous. He knew he should be willing to sacrifice everything, but there was always one thing he was not willing to loose: His son. Now those bastards were targeting Armin instead of going after him directly. The day Armin was born he had promised to himself that the boy would never be harmed in relation to his work. All his life, Erwin made it a priority to keep the boy as uninvolved in his career as possible. They lived far away from the headquarters, he never informed him of what was happening at work, and he had made sure he was never interested in anything that had to do with military. Now the last one had come back to bite him. Armin was very physically weak. He had a brilliant mind (he was the valedictorian of his school) but would stand no chance against any sort of aggressor.
That was why he had just called 2 of his best soldiers, Eren Jaeger and Jean Kirschtein, to his office.
He walked into the room and the two boys stood up. Erwin stood before them and was silent for a moment before speaking.
"You have been called here because you have been assigned a new mission. You are two of our best so I expect you to be professional and efficient." The two boys nodded, still waiting for their instructions.
"My son, Armin, has been targeted by the Titans. There was an attempt of kidnap this afternoon. Your job is to stay by his side and assure his safety. This will be a long mission." He paused. A bitterness infiltrated his tone. "I'm in a crucial point in my work right now so I cannot be watching over him. I will be staying at a hotel near this building for it is very important for me to be working for as long as I can. You two will be staying at my house with my son and you will watch over him. Since it is winter break you wont have to follow him to school, but he is not allowed to go anywhere without at least one of you in his company. I don't know for how long this is going to go on, but for now I want a report every 10 days. Understood?"
The two boys nodded as they thought about their job. Eren was angry thinking about the Titan's nerve for try to kidnap the general's son and Jean was wondering what the guy was like (probably super strong considering he was somehow able to fight off the kidnapers).
Erwin's eyes narrowed.
"Now, there is something very important that I need to warn you about." Eren and Jean stood straighter at his tone. "It should go without saying that my son is off limits."
The two boys just stood there, looking blankly at the general. Erwin couldn't help saying this (two teenage boys alone with his son? Professionals or not, he was still a father.) Jean was the first to understand. He was openly gay and had been dating a solider named Marco who died in a Titan attack (half of his body blown off by a grenade). The boy hoped he wasn't blushing as he spoke. "I assure you, sir, we understand." Eren had been a bit slow to get there, but eventually realization filled his eyes.
"I apologize for saying that but I needed to make sure. Armin has… an effect on some people."
Both boys frowned, slightly confused, but decided not to ask. They accepted the mission and Erwin gave them the address to what would be their residence for an unknown period of time.
On the way there, all Jean could think about was Erwin's warning. How could the guy be afraid of that? Jean could understand parental protectiveness but really? He didn't know what the general's son looked like, but he imagined him to be just like a shorter version of the man himself. The thought of trying to hit it off with Erwin made Jean sick and he wondered again if the man had been serious about his warning.
And yet, the moment Armin opened the door all Jean could think was "Oh no, he's cute." The boy had Erwin's features and yet they had something that made them exclusively Armin's. Their eyes were the same blue, but his were softer and brighter. Their eyebrows had the same arc but he didn't have those lines that showed the stress Erwin put in trying to keep a straight face at the sight of horrible things he witnessed daily.
All in all, Jean was completely tongue tied. He was too shocked at the fact that Armin had turned out to be nothing like he had expected.
"Oh, hi. I'm guessing by your uniforms you are my new body guards, huh?" Eren seemed completely unfazed as he smiled and presented himself.
"I'm Eren Jaeger, and this is Jean Kirschtein. Just call him horseface, It's what I do."
Armin chuckled as Jean scowled at Eren.
"Nice to meet you. Come in."
They made their way into the house. The door led to a hall with two doors, one for the living room and another for the kitchen. Armin went to the living room and they followed him. There was a television on the wall and a sofa before it. The apparatus was off and there was a big book on the couch.
"You were reading?" Eren asks.
"Yeah. I'm afraid I wont be very interesting company."
"Don't worry about it, keep doing your thing." Armin looked grateful. He sat down on the couch and picked up his book. The cover catched Eren's eye. "What is it about?"
The blonde seemed to glow at his question.
"It's a book about the world's natural wonders!" Erwin never had time to travel. Maybe that was what had caused such a deep desire in Armin's heart to see the world. Ever since he was little he loved to read and see pictures of the ocean, volcanoes, deserts, and everything the world had to offer that he subconsciously knew he would never be able to see. He dreamt that maybe one day his dad and he would actually go and see the world together.
Eren didn't feel like doing a perimeter check. It was irresponsible, but Armin's gaze was pulling him in and he suddenly felt very interested about the book in the blonde's hands.
"Mind if we sit?" He asks. Armin shook his head.
"We are going to be spending a lot of time together. It's probably best that we get comfortable around each other."
Jean still hadn't said a word and he could really not stop thinking how cute Armin looked as he began to flip through the pages to see where he would start showing them things.
Jean sat to the blonde's left while Eren sat to his right. Armin choose to start with some coral reefs. He gave them a long speech about why the ocean was one of, if not the, most wonderful and beautiful thing in the world. Then he began to give them facts about the reefs and showing them the best pictures. Soon both boys became enveloped by Armin's voice. His descriptive words creating vivid images in their minds.
Eren found himself fascinated. He had never really cared to travel but suddenly he felt like he wanted to see anything and everything the world had to offer. He also felt like he had known Armin since forever as he pointed out things and made little comments that would make the blonde laugh.
Jean couldn't help but feel fondness towards the boy as he listens to Armin's inspired words. He never was a big book worm but he would take reading with Armin over anything any day of the week. People didn't seem to show their interest anymore. It was like showing you cared made you weak or vulnerable. Armin seemed to be enjoying himself greatly sharing his knowledge and passion with others and Jean realized he really appreciated that in a person.
Eren excused himself for a moment to go to the bathroom. That gave Jean and Armin some time alone. The blonde turned to Jean. He hadn't known what to think of the taller brunette since he had not spoken a word since he had walked into the house. The blonde wondered if he was the "strong and silent" type but something told him that was way off.
"What about you? You've been really quiet."
Jean coughed nervously.
"Yeah, I don't know what's up with that."
Armin smiled.
"I thought as much. You have the air of someone more…"
"Annoying?"
"I was going to say outspoken, but sure." He chuckled. "Besides, Eren called you 'horeseface' and I'm thinking a shy and quiet guy wouldn't win such a title."
Jean scowled.
"Eren's just a jerk. Don't mind him."
"Did I hear my name?"
The two boys on the couch gave a light jump. Armin smiled innocently.
"Ready to read about deserts?"
It soon became late but none of them seemed to notice. It was not until the blonde gave a tiny yawn (talking for so long must be tiring) that Eren looked out the window and saw the darkness.
"Wow! It's dark. We should really do a perimeter check, Jean." Reluctantly, the two soldiers got off the couch. Armin stretched.
"I think I'm going to go to sleep. I'm sorry I didn't even give you a tour of the house but there really isn't much to see. There's just the kitchen, the living room, my room, my dad's room, and the bathroom. My dad said you guys would take turns sleeping on the couch. I tried to convince him to let you guys take my room but he wouldn't listen. Sorry."
Jean spoke out for the first time.
"The couch is fine. Don't worry about it." Armin smiled at him and Jean hoped he wasn't blushing.
"Alright. I'll see you both in the morning, I guess." With that, the blonde left for his room.
The impact of his knees against the ground hurt a lot. Armin tried to struggle against the bonds that held his arms and legs but it was no use.
"Stop moving!" Someone yelled and hit him hard on the side of the head with a gun. The pain blinded him and he fell onto his side. His eyesight was blurry and he thought he saw red. He tried to lift himself up but the pain was too much.
The man behind him laughed. "Look who joined our little party." Two men were dragging a large figure towards them. The person had a bag over their head and yet Armin already knew who it was. They hit the man behind the legs so they would buckle and he would fall on his knees. They removed the bag and it was, precisely, Erwin.
"Dad!" Armin called out. His father's face was full of terror. It was an expression that he had never seen on his face and he never wanted to. Out of the corner of his eye Armin could see his own blood pooling under his head but he didn't care. He was too afraid of what was going to happen to his father.
"Isn't this cute? The family is reunited." Erwin's mouth was covered so he couldn't call out to his son but Armin knew the man was calling his name. The boy could feel tears threatening to fall. He had never been more afarid in his entire life.
The man sighed and clapped. "But all good things must come to an end. Time for business, men." The two men that had been holding Erwin were suddenly holding guns. They pointed them at his father and Armin felt his blood run cold. The last thing he was aware of was his dad's terrified gaze, 2 shots being fired, and Armin's own scream filling his ears.
Jean sighed as he crossed his arms. Stupid Eren convincing him to take the first shift. He turned around and saw the shorter boy's sleeping face. Jean considered looking for a pen and drawing on his face, but he needed to focus on his task and keep watch for any signs of danger for Armin.
The thought of someone wanting to do harm to the blonde seemed ridiculous, but then again the Titans were known to be merciless killers with no conscious. He reprieved a shiver as he almost let himself think about Marco. The Titans would definitely have no problem killing Armin.
Jean wouldn't allow that. Ever.
That's what he was thinking about when he heard a muffled scream. It wasn't loud enough to wake up Eren (and they had been trained to be light sleepers) but it caught Jean's attention. He quickly ran to Armin's room.
When he opened the door, the blonde had just sat up. He was gasping like he couldn't catch his breath and tears were flowing down his cheeks. Jean quickly made his way to him.
"Are you al-" before he could even finish, Armin had clung to him. He had put his arms around the boy's torso and had buried his face against his chest. Jean was startled, but not tense. He sat down at the edge of the blonde's bed and rubbed his back.
"There. It's ok. What happened?"
Armin was still slightly breathless but he was able to answer eventually.
"Nightmare." Jean nodded. He had thought that was the most likely reason but someone could have also tried to snuck into his room or something.
"It's ok. Everything's fine. It's not real." He immediately regretted saying that because he didn't know anything about Armin. Maybe the nightmare was about a bad memory. For all he knows; it could be real.
Armin was beginning to calm down but the tears had not stopped flowing.
"I know… I know..."
Jean sighed. He hated seeing the blonde like this. He laid his chin on top of Armin's head and held the boy close.
The stayed like that for a long time. Eventually Armin was breathing like normal and there were only dry tear marks left on his face. The blonde sat up and rubbed his face.
"I'm glad you're ok. I'll be outside if you ne-" Jean had been pulling away but Armin quickly took hold of his sleeve.
"You- You should stay." He bit his lip. "It's… really cold."
It was a crappy excuse and they knew it, but Jean smiled fondly. He didn't say anything as Armin made room for him under his blanket. Once he was lying down, the blonde quickly positioned himself against his chest and held him tightly. It was, indeed, a cold night but Jean had never been warmer.
Eren would definitely be angry that he left his post, but in the end what he had to do was take care of Armin and no one would be getting to him while he was wrapped in Jean's arms.