Hey guys!
So, after a long Thanksgiving of family, reading Aruani fics, and listening to some old music, I've become inspired. u_u
If you're looking for a summary, I don't have too detailed a story planned out; I usually roll with it and see where it takes me. The general basis is that Armin's parents pass away and he has to move in with his grandfather, who lives in a rather crazy neighborhood. I'm guessing you could guess what happens. XD
Well, in any case, I don't own SNK (thank god. I wouldn't have been able to make it as amazing as it is) and I hope you enjoy!
One: the Grandson
"Is this the real life? Or is this just fantasy? Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality..."
A calloused hand pressed down on the radio dial before returning to grip the steering wheel.
Armin's gaze drew away from the front of the car, back out the rain-speckled window. The landscape blurred into bands of color; he didn't care. His mind was on autopilot, only the most basic functions being driven by his grief-stricken brain. Otherwise he was numb. He just didn't care.
His aunt sniffled. The sound was alone, just like the boy, in the otherwise stagnant and suffocating vehicle.
He wanted it to end, just for a little while.
The funeral had been beyond depressing. The only ones that had decided to show were a few family members and Armin. The priest came, of course, to direct the funeral, but that was all. In that moment, Armin was reminded of how "bizzare" his parents were in the eyes of their neighbors. Nobody cared enough to attend the double funeral of his mother and father. Nobody cared enough to hold the umbrella over his head as the rain drizzled from the clouds.
D-don't cry, he internally stammered, his eyes threatening to water once more. You've cried enough.
Cruel fate had stolen his parents from him. Cruel fate threw him into the backseat of his aunt and uncle's car, alongside his cousins, one too young to understand and the other too estranged to care. Cruel fate was driving him miles away from the place he called home, to start anew with his grandfather, the father of his mother.
"Armin," his uncle called suddenly.
The blonde jumped, his head snapping off the cold window pane. "Y-yes?"
His uncle adjusted the rearview mirror, so they could look one another in the eye. "I'm sorry, son."
Armin's throat constricted. He choked on his words. Gripping the book in his lap a bit tighter, he nodded. "Th-thanks..."
With awkward hesitance, the uncle readjusted the mirror, eyes focusing on the slick roads ahead. The road was easier to deal with. The road didn't require a kind of comfort the uncle couldn't give.
"Mommy?" the cousin asked. "Why weren't Aunty and Unc there?"
Armin looked at his aunt, who stiffened in her passenger seat. "Um, well..." His aunt shifted, turned her body to look at her daughter. For a second, her eyes flickered to Armin. But only for a second. "Auntie and Unc...well...sweetie, they passed away."
"Passed what away?"
Silence.
"Sweetie, don't ask questions, okay? Just...just read your book."
"Mommy..."
Armin's older cousin, the estranged one, was a dark girl, eyeliner caking the rims of her eyes, unperturbed by tears. "They're dead."
"Hey," the uncle warned.
"What? They are." His cousin crossed her arms over her chest, scratching her cheek. "That's what passed away means."
"Mommy?"
"For God's sake, just tell the kid what happened," Armin's uncle struggled.
His aunt sighed. "They went to heaven, sweetheart."
"Heaven?"
"Yes."
"Or hell," the second cousin argued.
"Jesus," the uncle groaned, shaking his head.
"What? It's not like I'm wrong. That's the alternative, isn't it?" The older cousin looked at Armin for the first time that day. "They took you to church, right? You know what's up."
Armin shook his head slowly. "They...never went. To church, I mean."
His older cousin feigned a concerned look. "Yikes. Well, then, the latter seems more...realistic."
"Shut up," the aunt warned tiredly, glaring at her daughter.
THe older cousin, turned way, sinking further into the middle seat. She clicked her tongue. "Or they went to heaven. Whatever."
The younger cousin sat a moment, looking at Armin. "Well, if your mommy and daddy went to heaven, where are you going?"
"Gr..." Armin looked desperately to his aunt. He had never been without his words before, his throat had never felt so tight.
"We're bringing him to grandpa's house. He's going to live with grandpa."
"You get to live with grandpa?" The little girl's eyes shone. "You're so lucky!"
Armin looked at the cover of his book. So many things, so many phrases, ran through his mind. No, I'm not lucky. Haha, yeah, I guess so. I haven't seen Grandpa in such a long time though... Shut up. I want my parents back.
In the end, his mouth refused to open.
He turned to look out the window once more.
"Can you turn the radio back on?" the older girl asked.
Reluctantly obliging, not wanting to stew in the pitiful silence, the uncle pressed the dial once more, the radio panel glowing a soft green.
"Nothing really matters, anyone can see. Nothing really matters, nothing really matters, to me."
Well, what did you think? ^_^
I'm excited to have this going, but I can't promise super consistent updates. BUT ILL TRY MY HARDEST DAMMIT.
Anyways, reviews are always accepted and I hope you guys keep reading.
Peace, L.