"What the hell does he have that I don't?" the lockers make a clattering noise as Eren leans against them.
Armin follows the boy's angry glare to see star mathletes, debaters, and football players Levi Ackerman and Erwin Smith silently walking down the hallway, their dull eyes fixated on the path being cleared before them by their peers. Their bodies move in perfect synchronization, the heels of their boots making a pleasing and perfectly-timed repetition that isn't at an obnoxious volume. Both of their postures are precise, and there's only a hairsbreadth between the left side of Levi's back and Erwin's right arm.
"Um.. What are you talking about?"
"Erwin! What the hell does Levi see in him?"
Armin raises an eyebrow. What on earth is Eren talking about? What the hell does Levi see in him? Erwin and Levi aren't dating.. are they? He doesn't recall either of them mentioning a relationship, let alone one with each other. "I.. I still don't understand.."
Eren seems to ignore him and continues shooting daggers at the back of Erwin's head. "I have nice eyes and good muscles. I'm a good leader. I make good arguments. I can play football, too. And do math."
"You're terrible at math, Eren.."
"Am not."
"You failed two major tests in a row and haven't turned your homework in for almost a month because you haven't done it and aren't planning to.."
"Okay, so I can't do math! But that doesn't make him better than me! Maybe I'm not a blonde with the body of a God or a straight-A student or built enough to be a tackle, but still! I can be a good boyfriend, much better than that asshole."
Armin has never been more confused in his entire life.
And he's listened to Mikasa complain about girl things.
"I actually want to kill him." Eren mumbles while impolitely stabbing his potatoes with his fork, his eyes locked on the table where Levi and his posse are seated.
Armin looks over at the table just as Marco sets his tray down and tells Eren "Murder is never the answer, Eren. It's illegal". Levi is sat between Erwin and science Olympiad and fellow debater Zoe Hange. Levi's seat is much closer to Erwin's than it is Hange's, and Erwin's arm is lazily rested on the top rail of Levi's chair. The smaller boy seems to be leaning into the touch. If it were anyone else trying to do that to him, Levi most likely might have punched them.
Maybe they are dating.
Armin makes the mistake of accompanying Eren to football practice that afternoon. During his time in the bleachers, he completes all of his homework (good), gets flirted with by a few cheerleaders (embarrassing), watches Eren almost get into a fist fight with Jean (bad), and rethinks his life's choices when Eren "discreetly" tries to kick the ball in Erwin's face (absolutely terrible).
While waiting outside the locker room for Eren to finish changing, Armin ponders Erwin and Levi's supposed romance. He isn't close with either of the two, but they do talk sometimes. Neither have mentioned dates, but they could of course be keeping it secret. They're practically always with each other and don't usually talk to anyone else, with some exceptions.
But even if their relationship were a secret, wouldn't Erwin's eyes show it? There isn't even a glimmer of appreciation or infatuation in either of their eyes when they look at each other. Maybe Armin has never seen Levi show any type of emotion ever, but Erwin - though also extremely stoic - isn't as cold. Surely he'd see something.. right?
The door opening draws Armin out of his thoughts. Out walks a freshly cleansed Levi carrying his bags in one hand and a water bottle in the other. He gives Armin a small nod as a way of saying hello. Armin returns the silent greeting and watches Levi lean against the wall, his sharp yet bored gaze drilling holes into the door.
When Erwin exits the room, he gives Armin a small smile before approaching Levi. He attempts to slip an arm around the raven head, only for his gesture to be dodged and to be kicked in the shin.
"Don't touch me, dickhead, you're still sweaty."
Erwin chuckles and the two make their way out the building without another word.
Armin stares at the door with wide eyes. His heartbeat is all too fast, and his palms are starting to feel a bit sweaty.
Eren was right.
Levi and Erwin are dating.