DISCLAIMER:I do not own AOT and its characters.
Better Than Me
Eren
"Awwhhh, aren't you sweet?"
"Do you want my help love?"
"I'm sorry I'm late love!"
"Babe, you're downright cute."
"Do you want me to buy you some?"
"I'm taking you somewhere special"
"I love you."
I let out a long and heavy sigh as I rubbed my temples. I was surrounded by couples! Of all places we had to go, it had to be this freaking area!
"Armin, why are we here again?" I sighed, looking at my best friend who was currently typing his report on his laptop. He was a major in Medical Technology at my university.
"I told you we're waiting for Marco," he said without even sparing me a glance.
"But here of all places!" I raised my voice as I directed my hands to the different couples who were around us, trying to emphasize my point.
This horrid place is known as the dating spot of the city. It was the famous Titan Park. It was a plot of land that had lush of green and trees. Benches, tables, food stands, et cetera. Basically, a nice place to hangout. Especially for these darn lovers everywhere!
Armin chuckled at my reaction. "Eren, aren't you just jealous that they have found their mates?"
I blushed and slammed my hands on the wooden table, "I AM NOT!"
Armin stopped typing and raised an eyebrow at me.
I stared at him for a few moments and finally sighed as I slumped back down to my seat. I decided to rest my head on the table as I look at the people, enjoying their time. Depressed.
"Just be patient Eren. I'm sure you'll meet your mate soon!" He tried to comfort me.
"You don't know my pain…." I mumbled.
He sighed, "I know I'm lucky enough to have your sister as my mate. But, we've only found out like months back! We've only been dating for…I don't know 4 times!"
I moved my head to face him. Now, my chin is against the wooden table.
"Look, you might have not found your mate as soon as you became 13 years old like Sasha and Connie. But for the sake of everyone, pleasseeeee have some patience Eren," he pleaded.
I only stared at him once again, not giving a reply. He sighed, and continued on typing. While I, shifted my head back to its previous position, leaving me to my own thoughts.
Yes, this was a world where almost everyone has a 'the one' or a mate to be their one and only. When fate lets it or their time has come to meet, the person could sense a different aroma around another person which they find attractive. That is why there are cases when people would be shocked to find their mate to be a close friend of theirs all along or even a freaking enemy or a co-worker. They would wake up to find a person's vibe or scent is different. But they say it's not only the scent, there is also a tingling feeling you'll feel like it's a pre-stage or something before you can smell the aroma. Nevertheless, everyone had different pre-stage experiences.
But…actually…I have… a one tough secret…
I sighed for the billionth time today.
I, Eren Yeager, a 17 year old university student of Shiganshina University. I, who was patiently waiting for my soulmate, have found…him. Yes. A him. I've got no problems with it. Usually, when 2 males are mates, one had the ability to bear children. I was the one with the ability. I knew that from day one. That means I was bound to a male lover. Mom knows, dad knows, Mikasa knows, Armin knows, and dang, even my friends know.
But the problem didn't lie there.….
It was my mate… Let me recollect about the cherished memory.
Weeks ago…
"KYAAAAAA~~~~~"
I hear girls squeal as I ride my bicycle back home. I shook my head as I smiled. They were squealing at the magazine again. It was about a hot guy I heard. It was also a hot topic for women and even men at my university. I think the guy's name was…Larry? Leny? Lexi? Lany? Wait, isn't that a singer?
I shrugged my shoulders, don't care anyway. I was never into those kind of things.
Then, I finally reached home. I parked my bike at our garage and entered the house. The house was enough for the four of us to fit. The living room was on left and on the right was the kitchen and the dining room. Near the corner to it was the restroom. In between these two areas was a stair to the second floor. The second floor only composed of our rooms. One room for our parents, separate bedrooms for Mikasa and I, and a guestroom.
Anyways, I noticed the television on. Maybe, someone was here and went out to buy something. I walked to the couch and placed my bag there. I went to the fridge and drank some water, after that I was about to walk upstairs when I heard a familiar name from the t.v.
"Yess! You heard that right! We have the popular issue for months! Here on the Spotlight Studio! Let us welcome our guest folks! Leviii Ackerrrmannnn!"
The moment the guy went out. I now know the reason why people fawn over him. He had this undercut. Piercings on his right ear and his narrow eyes. He has expressionless grey eyes, yet it looked so mesmerizing. The dark circles under his eyes only added mystery to his being. He was stoic. Scary looking. But, dang, he looked soooooo hot.
Suddenly, my heart beat fast. Really fast. My hands turned sweaty. My head started to ache. I took steps back. I was feeling dizzy. Then, pain flooded to my chest. I grunted. I fell down to my knees and my right hand gripped my shirt. I was breathing heavily. WHAT THE HECK WAS HAPPENING TO ME?!
"Erennnn, I'm home! I just went out to buy some fruits!" My mom's cheery voice called out.
Listening to my instincts, I quickly dove to the remote and turned off the t.v. in a one swift go.
Crash!
"EREN! EREN ARE YOU OKAY!?" My mom, who was holding bags from a store, came running from the door as she looked at me, splattered down the floor. My lower body was on the couch as my upper body was on the floor.
I nervously grinned at my mother. It was the total truth. The pain was gone now. ""Hehe… I am now!"
My mother walked over to me and started her loving ranting.
For the past few days, I have been testing myself. I tried to watch Levi on the shows he have been visiting and I end up turning off the t.v. I bought magazines that had pictures of him and I end up throwing it across the room. Everything had the same results. I ended up in the same situation and unfortunately when I hear his name, I started to feel giddy.
I haven't even met the guy face-to-face, yet he is already making me feel like this!
That is why here I am now at a freaking doctor's office for a check-up. He was a friend of mine that I helped out once while his wallet was snatched away. Connie and I ran to help him as Armin and Sasha followed us. He offered us lunch to thank you and we accepted. Since then, we visited his clinic often to chit-chat. He was a trusted friend so I told him of my problems.
"Hnnnnnnn," he looked over at the clipboard. Everything was so intense, I could only hear the wall clock ticking as I awaited for the results. Then, he finally looked at me and said, "Eren your test results turned out fine. There is nothing wrong with you."
...WHAT? HE CALLS THIS FINE!? "B-But Doctor Moblit-"
"I should congratulate you though!" He smiled at me.
"For what?" I was utterly confused. Congratulate me for what? Being pregnant? I haven't even slept with a guy yet! I would only do that with my mate for crying out loud!
"For finding your mate!" He said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
...
...
I blinked and blinked. Trying to decipher if this is real or not.
"Eren?"
I didn't respond. I was still trying to grasp reality. My mate? That guy? On t.v.? That scary hot guy? You've got to be kidding me... This isn't real right?
He just smiled at me and said, "Cases like yours are rare. Having attacks when seeing a glimpse of your mate. We, doctors, don't even know why it varies from person to person. But yours is quite troublesome. But still, isn't it amazing that your mate turned out to be a model?"
"WHAT!?" Late reaction.
He lightly laughed at me.
"This isn't funny doc! How can I get rid of this!?"
Doctor Moblit then said, "Well it's only a pre-stage. It will get over in time. There is another way which is you and your partner get into a official relationship with legit love. Confess to each other and your heart and soul will be at ease."
"HECK! As if I could do that!" I said in a very tone that thinks that it would be soooo impossible. It would be weird if a no name like me claims I AM YOUR MATE to a famous one. I could imagine the ruckus I would create in the media...
"Wait for it to get over then."
"Oh, I could! But now I am conscious of my mate, one way or another I would want to see his face! Heck, his on t.v. and magazines for goodness sake!"
Doctor Moblit raised an eyebrow at me, "Well, you didn't know him last year. That's when he started to enter modeling you know. You already gained a skill to avoid him!"
"THE HECK!?" I said as I rose on my feet. "Of all pre-stage experiences to have! It has to be this one! Doc, I also want to see my mate without clutching in pain!"
Doctor Moblit thought for a while as he rubbed his chin in thought. He then stood up and pulled out something from a cabinet. He walked back towards me and handed over small bottle of pills.
I tilted my head in confusion, "What are these for doc?"
"It suppresses your pre-stage. The effects varies though. Make sure to take one pill a day, however if you start feeling it again when you see your mate immediately take another one. The maximum pills you can take is 4 times a day. Never go beyond that limit," he informed me.
"Thanks, doc. I owe ya," I said as I placed the bottle of pills inside the front pocket of my hoodie. I started to take my leave.
"No need. You can drop by anytime if you need help or even call me. Good luck with your mate!"
"Thanks," I said as I closed the door.
Present
I sighed at the memory. I could only stare at my mate on t.v. shows, magazines, and even billboards. He was waayyyyyyy out of my league.
I heard he was only doing modeling as a part-time, but his rising in popularity like he was a full-time. He was the heir of the prominent gaming industry here… I don't know anything more. I didn't want to listen to the media about what type of person he is. I wanted to know it directly from him. I let out another sigh and decided to ask from my best friend.
"Hey Armin, do you know Levi Ackerman?" I sat up straight and propped an elbow on the table, leaning on my palm.
He suddenly stopped typing and looking at me with shimmering eyes. What the?
"HOW COULD I NOT KNOW?!"
I flinched at his sudden reaction.
"He's everywhere! I salute him! Aside from being a model. He's one of the future owners of Sina Gaming Industry! In partnership with the hunk, Erwin Smith! Ackerman is a genius, I tell you! He was one of the creators of the virtual game Attack on Titan! He and his team said they only did it as a past time! PAST TIME EREN!"
I nodded vigorously as I started to feel bad, really bad. My mate was a hotshot and here I am an average teen.
"He rarely works as a model! But now, he has to go to entertain those shows since people are requesting for it! In addition to that he's a senior at the Rose University! A Business major! He accelerated, which only made him go through it for 3 years! This year is his last year! Last time he went to college, he took Computer Programming and finished it in a breeze! Plus, he's only 3 years older than us!"
I twitched at all of this sudden information.
This time he lowered his voice, "But rumors say his hard to approach and to get along with. He has a straightforward and harsh nature. People tend to avoid him due to his anti-social nature. Talk about a downside."
So that's why host in shows tends to stutter. Ackerman does emit an intimidating aura.
Armin then switched back to his normal voice level, "But people still fawn over him, saying it only adds to his charms. And he still haven't found his mate yet. Everyone goes gaga, hoping Ackerman is their mate."
I gulped at that. Heyyy Armin, the mate your talking about is right here. Yeah, as if I can say that.
"People do have assumptions…"
"What assumptions?" I asked.
Armin grinned and continued typing, " they said Ackerman's mate is also the same level as him. Beautiful, witty, you known the ideal mate that could match up to him."
I deflated at this. I was going to disappoint a lot of people. I am typically a nobody! Just a Public Relations major! I'm no genuis! I sulked at the thought that I couldn't stand equally with him…
"Eren, why did you ask?" Armin said as he focused on his work.
"Curiosity," I simply said. It wasn't a lie anyway. "People have been talking about him all day. So, I just have to ask."
Armin nodded, totally unaware of my sadness.
I planted my face on the table. Suddenly, there was a vibration. I looked up to see Armin checking his phone.
"Marco says he'll be here in a few minutes."
I nodded as I planted my face again. I was thinking…should I really enter Ackerman's view? Should I let him know I'm his mate? The real question here is… will he even accept me?
I have nothing to offer him…
I can draw... paint.. and write... those were my hobbies...
I entered Public Relations program, because I had a knack of persuading people...
I can cook...but not as great as Sasha and Connie...
I'm not graceful as Christa...
I don't think I have charms...
Heck.
Am I even freaking worth it?
I sighed and mumbled, " I don't think so.."
"You said something Eren?" Armin asked as he continued on typing
I sat up and tried to smile, " I just realized it's better to hide from the enemy than to be targeted and be fired at." I just used figures of speech in order to hide my thoughts.
"It all depends on the game strategy though and the flow of the game. But if you have no bullets to return fire then you should go duck and hide."
Yeah… It was better this way… admire from afar…support in the dark… bottle all the love inside…. My mate deserves a better person than me…
Author's Notes: Truth to be told, this story is created out of whim. But, I don't want to drop this story. So, I'll be posting at least once a week! I really love RiRen, when I came to FanFiction and try to read some I was like this site needs MOREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE AND IMMA GONNA ADD MOREEEEEE. Anyways, I encourage PMs and reviews to get me motivated and I accept suggestions or your reactions! Please do, I need PUSHERS and MOTIVATORS for me to finish things!