A light fragrance of peach and orange rose along the steam from the small porcelain cup cradled in his hands. A beautiful moonlit night, soft muted light filtering into the room. It was quiet, soothing even, despite the hum of insects outside the home. Through the crystal clear panes of glass a crisp image of the nightscape granted an alluring sight to behold. A soft sigh from slightly parted lips. This was how good nights were spent. Curled up on the couch with a warm fleece blanket wrapped around his shoulders that still carried the clean scent of detergent. With the perfect cup of tea and no bombardment of noise to grate on ones nerves. Calm. Relaxing. Perfect.

Everything that this night certainly fucking wasn't.

The cold liquid that soaked through the back of his shirt had him involuntarily arching to get away from the offending wetness; knowing full well the action would not let him escape it as he had intended. Slurred apologies and giggling followed from whomever dared to soak him with the now drying beverage. His nose immediately assaulted by the fermented scent and his skin now sticky. His immediate response would've been to drop whoever had done this is the ground with the heel of his foot and return the favor. A morbid fantasy of his foot grinding into the face of this moron. His free arm rested on his bent knee, towering over the bastard with however powerful a glare he could muster, as he poured cup after cup of beer over the shitty brats face til he was spurting for air. And so help him god he'd do it till he drained every drop of that stupefying liquid in this house onto the little fuck.

Turning with every intent to do just that he falls short as he's faced with an obnoxiously tall female. Considering his own height she was probably only slightly taller than average but the fact he had to look up to meet her drunken gaze was not helping. Nor was that damned mouth of hers.

"Oh my Gawd! I'm totally sorry I didn't even see you. Gosh you're cute little thing ha ha," she rambled on as he swore he felt a vein popping out from his forehead.

Any retort he attempted was immediately swallowed up by the shrill shriek of the female in front of him as a cup of beer was unceremoniously dumped down the front of her shirt. The male behind her laughing as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled her neck.
"Now you two are even!"

The two laughed as if the scenario were actually funny. This is why he never, ever, came to these things. The shortest of the group scowled and swore the moment he found Hanji he would grab the glasses straight from her head and paint them red.

"Hey guy," the man lifted his head from the girls shoulder with a sloppy grin, "why don't I get you two cleaned up. I'll take real good care of freshening you both up real nice."

Upon the questioning brow rising on his features he took a good look at the two sloshed idiots. The female had a rather large amount of black smeared under her eyes where her caked on make-up had bled. Her hair was probably at one point in a tight messy bun, but now it lay loose enough to reach her shoulders, stray strands falling free. The wet shirt clung to her body, dark and tinted where the beer soaked in. Perhaps that would seem like a turn on to most guys. However, considering the fact that he was not most guys and the liquid forcing her shirt to stick to her body was none other than beer; which was fucking gross; he remained completely unaffected. The male didn't fare much better. His short hair a mess on top of his head, like one too many had ruffled it into such a chaotic disaster or an awful case of bed head. Both looked filthy, they smelt filthy, and he was sure that neither of them could possibly handle any type of physical exercise unless it involved copious amounts of alcohol. His face fell further. He would soak himself in bleach for days just from bumping into these wasted sperms and this guy had the audacity to imply his hormonal request to 'freshen him up' would entice him? The once solid look of annoyance replaced with absolute disgust. Even just the pad of one of their fingers would urge him to take a brillo pad soaked in hydrogen peroxide to the afflicted area. Just what the fuck is wrong with these people?

"I'll pass," he drawled out and added with a twitch of a smirk, "A fresh shit would probably have a fresher scent than you two."

The once sloppy grin turned into an angry scowl. It seemed alcohol was no longer the only thing turning the kid's face red. Even the female squeaked in a high pitch sound of irritation. She immediately went into a string of curse words while the male spoke over her.

"The fuck is your problem you fucking midget?!"

In retrospect he didn't like these parties. He didn't want to attend in the first place, nor did he plan, after tonight, to ever attend another one of Hanji's failed social experiments. So really… there would be no real consequence in beating the piss out of the drunkard who dare insult such a taboo subject as his height. He uttered the insult under his breath as he nodded to himself deeming that one word worthy enough for obliterating this shit stain before him.

One step forward and…

"Guys! Guys! Ha-ha," an arm snaked itself around his shoulders and Hanji playfully stroked his hair, "This guys like a cat isn't he? Real playful but quick to use his claws if you stroke him the wrong way. The trick is right behind the ears…," as she said this she lightly scratched behind his ear and cooed.

Amused the male and female duo broke back into grins, tension and insults lost as they both were entertained by the sight in front of them. He, however, was anything but pleased. He smacked her hand away and glared at the lunatic who dared to touch him so casually. This action, apparently, found even more amusement from the now trio.

"Aw you see there," Hanji mock pouted.

"He is like a cat isn't he? So cute," the girl giggled.

"That temper on him has some bite," the drunk mumbled thoughtfully, "too bad he won't be joining us. I do like a bit of teeth and claws."

At the lame comment he nearly gagged, more so even when as he dragged the female god knows where to do what he was currently denying any knowledge about. She took the time to turn and look over her shoulder while curling her hand and making meowing sounds towards him laughing and stumbling all the same.

At least he was free from two of three idiots. Now to deal with the third…

"If you're quite finished I'd appreciate it if you'd back the fuck off."

"Aw, come now Rivai! No harm no foul. You just need to relax… have some fun!"

He ground his teeth, "Fun? Fun would be tying you upside down to a tree like a piñata and beating the shit out of you with a stick."

Hanji laughed unperturbed by the obvious threat, "Oh come now, you wouldn't dare, and too messy you wouldn't want to stain your clothes or deal with the clean up!"

"Tch, whatever. I need a shower compliments to your most charming of guests."

Hanji chuckled eyeing the mess made of his clothing. No wonder he was breaking out the death threats so early.

"Help yourself upstairs. You know where my room is," Hanji smiled a bit too wide, "you could borrow some of my clothes too. I did get this lovely little number recently, cute with lace and a tight fit, not to short either, reaches a few inches further than the no nos."

That wasn't too short?

"In your dreams shitty glasses," Rivaille spat turning on heel. The prospect of a shower sounding heavenly at the moment. He tried his best to ignore the shout behind him.

"How'd you know?!"

Making the small trip up the stairs to Hanji's room and the sanctuary of a private shower seemed more like an endless journey. Stumbling drooling ingrates blocked his path. Sloppy teens making out, rough housing, laughing far too loudly… He had half a mind to kick each one over the banister. Once finally making it up to the room he opened the door cautiously hoping no one decided to 'occupy' it. He wouldn't put it past these savages to become indecent; as proven by the two flakes that provoked him earlier. As he stepped inside he stiffened noticing the light in the bathroom was on. A think ray of light peeking under the door and along the crack of its opening. He heard a muffled voice, the sound of the shower, and immediately bristled. Hell. No.

Without caring what sight might burn into his retina's he ripped the door open. No one was going to stop him from washing this filth off him god dammit, and he damn well knew no one was supposed to be in here anyway.

"My patience is running fucking thi…," his brow furrowed at the sight before him. As if the night couldn't get any worse.

"Get out," the poisoned seeped through his teeth as the shocked male in front of him hastily jumped backward and bolted past him out the door. Rivaille didn't budge from his spot in the room even as the guy bumped his shoulder. With a huff and a brush of his hand through his hair he stepped forward to assess the damage done.

He reached into the shower and turned the water off and pushed the curtain out of the way. A frown marred his features as he took a look over the individual in the tub. His long legs hung over the side of the tub. His head propped up uncomfortably against the other side of the tub and the tiled shower wall. His lip looked split, water mixed with the blood to drip more fluidly down his chin. The kid's hair was mostly matted to his head but there was an obvious area that was most likely pulled, yanked, or held, if the angry red of the scalp or the strands standing about had anything to say about it. The kid was shivering, wrists bound by his own belt, at least he assumed it was his. At least he still had all his clothes intact, ruffled from a bit of a struggle no doubt, but whether it was just hazing or something else entirely the kid was lucky he showed up when he did. Though this wasn't anything he himself wanted the least bit to do with at all.

Fucking Christ.

"Hey kid, I'm going to help you out of there alright?"

He wanted to add if this kid was dumb enough to strike him he'd knock his ass out but he figured that would do little for the kid's nerves and more than likely further complicate the situation.

He was surprised when unfocused eyes opened half way to register who was now speaking. His pupils far too large and Rivaille's gut sank.

As he lifted the boneless boy out of tub he found himself glad that despite his small stature he was strong enough to lift this brat. He was dead weight as Rivaille wrapped the towel around his body as best he could with only one available hand to work with. He stepped out of the bathroom walking over to the bed before placing the boy down on the mattress. Finding the light he flicked it on and searched through Hanji's closet for something dry to throw the boy in. After a few moments of browsing through all her clothes from her 'tom boy' faze he found a large shirt and a pair of basketball gym shorts. Returning to the bed he heaved a sigh when he noticed the unfocused eyes trying their best to glare at him in question to his intentions.

Ignoring him completely Rivaille unbound the boy's wrists and sat him up struggling to pull the cotton shirt over his head. He took a smaller towel and dried off the kid's hair and body as best he could before slipping the worn shirt over his head. It wasn't until he frowned at having to replace the clothing on his lower half that Rivaille scowled.

"It'll be fun Rivaille. Come hang out it'll be great," he mocked the words Hanji had said to him prior to this disastrous excuse of a get together.

As he moved to unbutton and remove the wet denim from the kid's body a weak shaking hand tried its best to grip his wrist to stop him. He raised his brow to look at the other male whose breath was ragged and eyes piercing despite the drugged pupils and heavy lids. His hands were just as frightfully cold as the rest of his body.

"Please," Rivaille spat bitterly, "Don't lump me together with that creep. Let me change your pants into these," at this he lifted the shorts in view for the boy to focus on, "So I can take a fucking shower and get this beer reeking on my back off."

The brat looked unsure at first before either relenting or his body just losing its strength all over again. He paused only for a moment before stripping the kid of his remaining clothing, hastily drying him and slipping on the shorts. That being done he placed the kid higher on the bed and covered him with Hanji's comforter.

"Sleep it off kid," Rivaille commanded as he wiped the corner of the kid's mouth free of whatever blood remained.

Before running straight for the shower he decided it best to lock the door so no one could enter. Last thing he needed was that creep to show back up while he was in the shower.

He was calling this party off for Hanji. Just not right yet. No, first he needed a shower. Then he could deal with this bullshit.

Showered, changed, beer free and a text to Hanji about what just happened and the party was cut off. The music, the god awful fucking music, was turned off and the noises outside died down as people shuffled out. Hanji placed a cheerful face on and said goodbye to the majority of guests trying to smother the rumors for the party's cancellation before they started. A quiet knock on the door and Rivaille opened to Hanji pulling him into the hallway asking him for a more detailed description of what took place. Frowning she nodded as he reiterated what he witnessed and the state the brat he found was in.

"Well, sounds like he was slipped a roofy. It doesn't really sound like he's drunk at least. How is his breathing? Do you know if he'd been drinking?"

Rivaille scoffed at the bombardment of questions. He knew about as much as she did as far as all that was concerned.

"How the hell would I know if he was drinking or not. I found him in a fucking tub."

"His breathing is fine though," he added.

Hanji nodded, "Well as long as he isn't having trouble breathing he'll just have to sleep it off. Do you mind keeping an eye on him until he wakes up?"

"Hanji," he warned not thrilled at all at the idea.

"If he wakes up to see another stranger hovering over him he might lash out. At least you could handle that much easier than I could, and sides, you practically saved him from that guy. Who knows maybe he'll develop some idol worship," she winked before started down the stairs before he could refuse her request, "I'll be cleaning up downstairs if you need me!"

Forget hanging her from a tree. He'd settle for dropping her off the roof and dusting his hands clean of it on his way out the front door.

Begrudgingly he turned on his heel and stalked back into the room pulling her computer chair closer to the bed. He checked the kid's forehead for a temperature relieved to find now. He dared to smell the kid's breath for alcohol against what every OCD ridden nerve in his body screamed for him not to. To his surprise there was no scent of strong alcohol or beer, which would have increased the risk of things progressing further south for the kid, and he was in no mood to deal with a hospital or ambulance at the moment.

Some time passed before the brat started to stir. His eyes shot open as he tried to jolt up no doubt confused by his surroundings. Rivaille simply pressed him back softly against the mattress and told him to relax. That no boogey man were lurking about and that he just needed to let this drug run out of his system.

A small nod and an audible gulp and a rasp of some broken word suspiciously sounding of thanks.

Rivaille sighed and told him not to move as he got up and fished a paper cup from Hanji's bathroom and filled it with tap. Returning to the room he helped the kid sit up and pulled the cup to his lips with an order to drink. The boy complied greedily, no doubt his throat dry. After he finished the cup placed the cup on the stand.

The brat opened his mouth as if he was going to speak, his form still wavering a bit as he tried to fully focus stubbornly.

"You don't have to tell me what went on," he assured not sure if that's what was bothering the other or not. Examining his features he noticed dark brown brows folded in frustration. Green eyes dropped to focus on his hands which rubbed at his raw wrists. Brown damp locks hung limply as his mouth formed into a thin line.

"I…," he cleared his voice when the syllable came out in a raspy tone.

"Di- Did he?"

The question died off his tongue as he looked back to the marks on his wrists.

Rivaille hummed in understanding, "No, you both were fully clothed."

A soft sigh of relief and an even softer thank you followed.

"Anybody would've done the same no reason to thank me kid," though he knew very well others could've very well just turned a blind eye just as easily, as was probably the case for him to be in that situation in such a crowded place to begin with.

"Stop calling me a kid," Green eyes focused on his own in mild irritation though the words restrained from being to rude. The guy did protect him and he wasn't the type to disrespect someone who came to his aid, but the kid thing was getting old.

"Brat."

Silence settled over them and Rivaille thought he was happy about that, so what possessed him to ask the kid his name was beyond him.

He abandoned glancing over his wrists to lift his head as high as he could with as best a smile he could muster for the situation, "Its Eren. Eren Jaeger."