Though the title of this fanfiction is a little dark I promise not all of this story is dark, the majority of it is actually very light - for what I have planned out that is - thought there are some warnings to be told.

Warnings: For future chapters (that will probably be tagged with a warning beforehand), there will be mentions of abuse, violence, gore, homosexual sex/smut. My story is completely fiction and the characters are not mine. Though the plot and growth are. I hope you all enjoy.


"Eren, this place is so beautiful." Armin said softly, his eyes still trained on the luscious forest as he held the door open to Bert's bar and grill. "You can definitely tell we're not in Atlanta anymore. I have never seen so much flannel and snow since... Since well, never."

"Hey, Man," the giant behind the bar called, "no dogs allowed."

Eren lifted the leash in his hand, which held Sitka in place. "He's a service dog." Eren called back.

The man's tense expression fell away immediately, "Ah, sorry," he said gruffly. The tall brunette motioned to the waitress at the end of the bar, who had stopped filling bowls with popcorn to stare at them. Well, stare at the younger man with a cane and a service dog, that is. "Sasha, go kick Ymir and Christa out of their booth and give it to these gentlemen."

Eren stepped closer to be heard over the music. "That isn't necessary. We can wait until a table opens up."

"That one just did," the bartender said, his grin making his face look about three years younger than what Eren guessed he was. "I was one second away from telling them to go get a room anyway," He gestured at the waitress skirting the crowded dance floor. "That booth is the farthest from the jukebox, so it'll be easier on your dog's ears."

Eren gave him a grateful smile and headed to the booth that the waitress was unapologetically making available for them, trying to ignore the curious stares at his quite noticeable gimp. He wondered what compelled him to visit the lively little bar his first night in town. He looked back to Armin for reassurance, but his close friend was muttering something about the bartender being so damn tall.

Sitka knocked against his knee a few times, trying to maneuver around the unaware dancers. Several people on the dance floor stopped in surprise, then scrambled to get out of the way to let them pass. So much for not calling attention to themselves, Eren thought with a sigh. But then, the hundred-pound german Shepard at the end of his leash didn't exactly make him and Armin invisible, did he? He gave a smile of thanks to the dancers who'd stopped, but then had to pull Sitka to a halt when another man gyrated backward into their path.

Sitka immediately stepped between Eren and the perceived threat. The man's partner tried dragging the guy out of the way but ended up stumbling into him instead when another dancer bumped into her trying to see what was going on. Eren pulled on Sitka's leash, his command to heel getting lost in the song belting from the jukebox.

He might have succeeded in redirecting Sitka if the man's windmilling arm hadn't smacked him in the shoulder hard enough to make him stumble. Apparently deciding his attacker hadn't heeded his first warning, Sitka gave an ominous growl and this time used his body to shove the man away.

The panicked guy shot into the crowd, pushing his dancer partner behind his back as he spun around. "Your dog just tried to bite me!" he shouted, incredulous.

"Oh no, sir, I assure you he didn't," Eren said, the last of his words sounding overloud when the song ended. He patted Sitka's head as he sat quietly beside him. He lowered his voice as he began to speak again. "Service dogs are strictly forbidden to bite anyone."

The man pointed at Sitka, completely ignoring his dance partner tugging on his arm. "He sure as hell growled at me."

"No I believe he was coughing up a hairball," Eren said sweetly. He turned and walked to the vacant table, unbuttoning his coat as he slid into the booth. Armin slid into the seat opposite of his own, a small smile perking up the right side of his mouth.

"Coughing up a hairball?" Armin asked with an unhidden giggle towards the end of his question.

"What, I couldn't exactly tell him that if he had continued dancing and battering me that Sitka would've tore a hunk of flesh from his flat ass, now could I?" Eren's own laughter erupted from him as Sitka positioned himself between his legs, beneath the table.

The waitress from earlier reappeared just as Eren had calmed himself enough to speak again.

"What's your house special?" He asked, turning to the wide-eyed waitress.

"Anything on tap," the woman replied, pulling a pad from her apron and a pencil that was tucked in her messy bun. She gave them a quick once-over, then shrugged. "We carry a couple decent wines, if you don't mind waiting for Bertholdt to hunt down a corkscrew."

"I'll have a scotch." Armin said.

"Make that two." Eren agreed, looking over to Armin who looked past the waitress to the crowded dance floor. The waitress departed from their table, a bounce in her step.

"You know Eren, I didn't expect Ontario to be this... Cold." Armin admitted, trying to rub some warmth back into his fingers. "This place is like a forgotten stack of mountains a hundred miles north of nowhere. For a man who's determined to get his life back, it sure looks to me like you're hiding from it instead."

Eren ran his fingers over his cane and shrugged at Armin's commentary. "It's called baby steps, Armin. This place has a population of less than eight hundred year-round residents, which means I'll finally have a sense of community instead of feeling lost in a sea of strangers." He leaned the cane on the edge of the seat near the wall and folded his arms on top of the table. "You have to admit, this adventure is worthwhile. We've already come across amazing sites, not to mention the resort. It's so beautiful, just like the brochure promised."

"Including a perfectly nice restaurant and lounge," Armin teased. "But did we go there? No; we dumped our bags in the room, headed into town, and stopped at the first bar we came to."

Eren adjusted the scarf around his neck. "I wanted to get an immediate reaction here so I'd know for certain I've made a good choice. I swear I could feel the knot in my gut loosening the farther north we drove, but... But I still don't know if it's far enough."

Armin blinked in surprise. "Are you saying you're not sure? Eren, every worldly possession you didn't give away is right now on a truck headed for Ontario, and you don't even know if this is where you want to live?"

Eren shrugged then turned in his seat to look around, taking note of the patrons thoroughly enjoying themselves, eating and drinking and dancing, then turned back to Armin. "I'm pretty sure." He gestured over his shoulder at the crowd. "They look like a nice bunch of hardworking and fun-loving folks to me, and the atmosphere in here is friendly." He leaned on the table again and lowered his voice. "And I'll bet they couldn't care less about what happens in Atlanta. This is my best chance for a real do-over, Armin."

"I hate to rain on your parade, Eren." Armin drawled, "but they probably get the national news in this three-car town. You know you can't run from your past any more than you can hide from it."

"Four years and a couple thousand miles is a damn good start." Eren sucked in a calming breath when Sitka sat up and rested his head on his thigh. "I have a chance to be my old self here," He said, rubbing Sitka's ear to soothe him. "So it won't matter if someone eventually does put two and two together, because instead of seeing a man to be pitied, they'll already have decided that I am not a victim."

Armin smiled crookedly. "Actually, it's these poor, unsuspecting shmucks I'm worried about, when they discover there's a backbone of steel hidden inside what only looks ilk a fragile man." He shook his head. "The good people of Ontario aren't going to know what hit them the first time you get an ache in your jaw about something. I just wish I was going to be here to see- Wow," Armin whispered, sounding as if he'd been punched in the chest. His eyes widening as he stared past Eren's shoulder. He grabbed Eren's arm when he started to turn. "No don't look!" We can't let them think that we're interested."

"Them?" Eren echoed, grinning. "As in male thems?"

Armin groaned. "Okay, you already know alcohol isn't my problem. I only need to get a whiff of testosterone to turn into a bar slut," he said, sliding further into the booth as he shifted his gaze past Eren again. "Throw in broad shoulders and a manly swagger and I can be talked out of my clothes faster than a guy can ask 'your place or mine?'"

The waitress set a heavy tray on the table. "Two scotches for you," she declared, setting two glasses filled with a golden liquid and ice cubes that clanked against the glass down in front of them.

"We didn't order appetizers." Armin said when the waitress set the platter between them.

"Bertholdt sent them, compliments of the house."

Eren shifted uncomfortably. "Does Bertholdt give free appetizers to all his patrons?"

The waitress tucked the tray under her arm. "It isn't what you're thinking, honey. Bert usually comps the first-timers if he thinks they're from the resort. Mount Rose has a live band on the weekends that we have to compete with, so he hopes you'll go back and tell the other resort guests that Bert's Bar and Grill is a right friendly place."

Eren relaxed, feeling bad for thinking the bar owner had been patronizing him. "Oh. Then tell Bert...um Bertholdt, thank you for us, will you?"

"Sure, honey. You need anything else, you just holler for Sasha."

"Wait," Armin said when Sasha turned away. "Can you give two single men far from home a little advice as to who's safe and who's not?" He flashed his winning smile. "I just spent four days cooped in a car, and my legs are in serious need of exercise." He waved towards the dance floor. "Are there any lechers out there we should avoid?"

"Well, now," Sasha drawled, "That would depend if dancing is the only exercise you're interested in."

Armin arched a brow while Eren sat back in his seat, astounded in the change of attitude his friend showed. "I guess that would depend on the guy." He leaned to the side to see past Sasha. "Like those two," He said, covertly pointing at the end of the bar. "If I were to ask one of them to dance, would I be risking life and limb?"

"Those two?" Sasha asked in surprise. "Hell, you don't mess around kissing a bunch of frogs, do you?" She shrugged. "If you don't mind dealing with brawn and brain, the Smiths and Braun are good men."

Armin took a long drink of his scotch from his glass, emptying it of its contents and started to slide from the booth

"Hey," Eren yelped, reaching across the table to grab his arm. "You can't just walk over and ask one of them to dance."

"Why not? Sasha said they're harmless."

The waitress snorted. "Honey, calling the Smiths and Brauns harmless is like calling a tiger a pussycat. I said they're good men; I didn't say anything about them being harmless." She leaned down when the music stopped and lowered her voice. "The only complaint you'll get from any man or woman brave enough to leave here with one of them is that dawn arrives way too early." She looked at Eren then back at Armin and smiled sadly. "I suggest you gentlemen might want to start a bit lower on the food chain."

Eren groaned inwardly. Now she'd done it; Sasha might as well have just clanged the dinner bell. Nobody loved a challenge - especially one that involved men - more than Armin.

His friend actually rubbed his hands together. "Oh, I don't know," Armin started, eyeing the two men at the bar again. "I've always felt kissing frogs was a waste of time." His eyes suddenly widened. "Oh shit, they're coming over," he said, grabbing Eren's scotch and finishing that one too.

Eren gawked at his friend then ordered another round. After giving what appeared to be a sympathetic look, Sasha disappeared into the crowd. Eren played with his empty glass, only to notice his hands were trembling. It didn't help that Sitka had sat up again to rest his chin on his thigh, his heterochromatic eyes filled with concern. "I am going to kill you," he said as he gave Sitka a reassuring pat.

"Hey, you're the one looking for adventure," Armin countered, sneaking another peek at the approaching men.

"Baby steps, Armin," Eren reminded him. "I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with brawn and brain. And by the look in your eyes, I don't think you're ready, either."

"What you're seeing is pure, unadulterated lust," Armin whispered, leaning on the table. "They're positively gorgeous."

"Then where the hell are they?" Eren asked, not daring to look. He sighed in relief. "They were heading to some other table, not ours."

"No, somebody stopped them to talk." Armin finger-brushed his hair back before settling back into his seat. "Okay, here they come. Put Sitka against the wall so they can sit down."

Not really sure how Sitka would react to two strange men invading their space, Eren nudged him over his legs. Oh god; he had thought he was ready for this, but his racing heart said differently.

"I can't imagine what Bert was thinking when he tucked you two way back here in the corner," a deep-timbered voice said from above him. "He usually likes to show off handsome patrons."

Eren looked up, his smile freezing only half-formed when his eyes landed on the tall, blue eyed, broad-shouldered, clean-shaven man standing next to another equally gorgeous and no less intimidating giant.

Nope; he definitely wasn't ready for this.

"Would you gents like some company?" the second man asked.

Armin immediately scooted towards the wall. "We'd love some," he said as he motioned for Eren to do the same.

Sitka scrambled right across Eren's legs when he scooted over and planted his solid body between him and the giant sliding into the booth beside him. He immediately clamped his hand over Sitka's snout when the man reached down to him. "Just let him sniff you fingers," he instructed. "He's... Protective."

The guy gave a chuckle. "So I noticed. Is that part of his job description?" he asked, turning his hand palm up to tickle Sitka's chin as the dog sniffed his thumb.

"He sort of comes by it naturally," he said, releasing Sitka when he felt him relax again his leg.

"I'm Reiner Braun," the man beside Armin said. He gestured at the man sitting beside Eren. "And this is my half-brother Irvin Smith."

"You gentlemen decide Mount Rose's lounge is too tame for your liking?" Irvin asked, deciding to lead their conversation.

Eren stiffened. "How do you know we're staying at the resort?"

"I saw the two of you arrive this afternoon." His easy smile kicked up a notch. "I was leaving the parking lot in the side-by-side when you were unloading your luggage."

"Side-by-side?"

"The two-seater ATV. Mr...?" he asked, holding out his hand to him - much the same way he had to Sitka.

Well, since Sitka hadn't bitten him, he shook Irvin's hand. "Eren Jaeger."

"Armin Arlert," Armin chimed in. "And Eren and I are just friends. So, do you two work at the resort?"

"Irvin does," Reiner said. "I'm in construction." He motioned to Sasha - who was already on her way over with their drinks - to come over. "Can we buy you two a drink?"

"We already have another round on the way." Eren said gently, smiling at Sasha as she handed him his scotch. It burned all the way down to his toes as he took a small sip of it.

Reiner caught Sasha's attention, "Another six scotches please."

Eren nearly choked on his drink, he shot a questioning look to Reiner.

"Don't worry your head, Eren. Another round for you two and four for Irvin and I to split. We can't let you two get ahead of us." Reiner's burst of laughter made Eren jump but he settled right back down and began chuckling under his breath. He really was paranoid.

"Order us up another sampler while you're at it, would you, only ask Connie to leave off the fried cauliflower and double the wings." Irvin requested.

Realizing Irvin and Reiner were regulars here, Eren couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not, considering they appeared to be settling in for the evening. As soon as Sasha left for the drinks Reiner spoke up again.

"Where are you gents from and what brings you to the land of the ice and snow? If you're leaf peepers, I'm afraid you missed the fall foliage by over a month."

"Actually, Eren's moving here," Armin said. "And I'm just along for moral support. I have planned on flying back to Atlanta at the end of the week."

Both men turned their gazed to Eren. "You have family here?" Irvin asked.

"No," Eren told them. "Well, my maternal grandmother war born in Ontario, but she moved to New York City when she married my grandfather."

"Ah, so you're both from Atlanta?" Reiner asked. "Because neither one of you has much of an accent."

"I'm originally from Sweden actually, my family moved around a lot," Armin explained, "we moved to Atlanta almost twelve years ago." He nodded at Eren. "He moved there around the same time my family did, although he's from Germany."

"Ontario isn't exactly a bustling metropolis," Reiner said, looking at Eren. "Have you come here for a job? I can't think of any local business other than the resort with the clout to lure a city boy into the wilds of the mountains, unless you're an artist or a craftsman and plan to open a gallery."

"I'm neither. I was an officer after I got out of the army, I'm in the midst of getting transferred up here and if that doesn't work out I'll seek another place I can transfer to." Eren said. He felt his cheeks heat up when the two men turns to look at him with bright smiles.

"It's a rule of thumb in our family that all the men are to serve one stint in the military. We both served for the army as well, Irvin just got out of his third stint last year." Reiner said his gaze switching proudly to his half-brother and then back to Eren. "Is that how you got your, uh injury?"

Reiner gave a sharp hiss and threw a severe look to Irvin who looked right back at him with an are-you-serious expression. The blonde mouthed 'what is your problem?' to the man Eren shared a booth with. Deciding to help Reiner out Eren cleared his throat.

"The accident occurred after I finished my four year stint in Afghanistan." Eren said softly, rubbing the back of his knuckles.

The subject dropped since Eren didn't offer anymore information than what he had, he could tell from the atmosphere that they'd expected him to shed some light but neither were about to pry any further.

Reiner gave a soft snort. "Well I'm sure Jean's lookin' forward to some more help around town, he's a family friend and the local sheriff. And while you're here, I hope you are aware that the snow here is measured in feet instead of inches and we get wind chills that reach forty below."

"And that you don't mind winters that last six or seven months," Irvin added. "So, are you planning on buying a place or renting?"

"I had hoped to buy a small house, maybe on the lake."

"We have a cousin who's a real estate agent," Reiner said, filching a cheese stick off their platter. "We could hook you up with her tomorrow if you'd like. Tell me what room you're in, and I'll have Annie come see you in the morning."

Eren shifted uncomfortably, suddenly feeling claustrophobic between the wall and Irvin's large body.

"Reiner knows better than to ask for you room number," Irvin soothed when he hesitated, shifting slightly away from him. "Annie can have the front desk call you room. That is, assuming you're ready to start house hunting."

"Ah...yes, I'd like that," Eren said before quickly taking a sip from his scotch.

Sasha showed up with their drinks. "Connie's backed up in the kitchen, so it'll be a few minutes before that platter comes out. I'd say you've got enough time for a dance," she added, shooting Armin a conspirator's smile when another slow tune started.

Confirming Sasha's claim that the Braun's had brains as well as brawn, Reiner stood up and held out his hand. "Would you care to dance?"

Armin slid from the booth before he'd even finished asking.

"How about you, Eren?" Irvin asked, although he didn't move.

Shit, was he really ready for dancing? He desperately wanted to feel another person's warmth around him again - even, or maybe especially, a stranger's - but then, he wasn't in any hurry to embarrass himself, either. Eren adjusted the scarf of his neck, finally deciding to take it off. He tried to ignore his insecurity about the large scar peeking up from his shirt collar.

"Um... I haven't...I'm not at all that steady on my legs sometimes."

Irvin lowered his head level to his. "I won't let you stumble."

God help him, the gentle timbre of his faint brogue already had him feeling weak in the knees. Still unable to look at him, Eren leaned back to glance under the table. "I don't know what to do with Sitka."

Irvin chuckled and stood up. "I'm afraid he'll have to find his own dance partner."

Eren took a fortifying breath, scooted across the seat, and stood up. "Stay," he commanded Sitka when he tried to follow. "You can watch me from right there."

Irvin took two steps and stopped well short of the dance floor, then turned. Eren hesitated only a second before stepping into his arms, which he gently closed around him in a loose embrace. Irvin slowly began swaying them to the music, and he lifted his hands to his broad shoulder and closed his eyes on a silent sigh. Maybe, just maybe, he was ready for this; when he thought about it he was unable to remember the last time he'd been this close to anyone who wasn't interested in poking and prodding him. And suddenly Eren knew he'd made the right decision to stop physical therapy and simply get on with his life.

Irvin was a good head taller than his own five-eleven, which meant he had to be well over six feet tall. Large men usually made him uncomfortable - an affliction he hadn't had until four years ago - but Irvin had a way about him that seemed to put him at ease. Maybe it was the fact that Sitka had accepted him after only one sniff. Then again, maybe it was because he also thought Irvin Smith smelled nice. Sort of outdoorsy, like fresh air and the woods. And... Well, male.

He certainly was solid. He might imagine his shoulders were made of granite if they weren't so warm, and his hair - a bright, sun-streaked blonde - was short but there was definitely enough to grab. He was also apparently good for his word about not letting him stumble, and Eren soon found himself dancing as naturally as if he hadn't nearly lost the ability to walk four years ago. He could stay in his embrace all night, he decided with another sigh, resting his head against the crux of his shoulder.

As the song began to wind down Eren's leg began to feel numb and he stumbled against Irvin, who held him upright and smiled down at him. Eren blushed as he felt himself returning the smile.

"I'd offer to dance with you longer but I'd rather your protector not chew off my limbs if he saw you stumble again." Irvin's deep voice sent shivers down his spine.

"Yeah, we should probably get back. He looks ready to have a fit." Eren smiled as Irvin led him back towards the booth, with a steadying hand wrapped around his waist.

They had settled back into the booth when Sasha was placing the platter next to the other, half-eaten one. She threw a soft smile to Eren as he hobbled back into his seat, pushing Sitka against the wall once more. Sitka rested his big muzzle on his thigh, seemingly throwing a glare to Irvin who had slyly put his arm behind Eren's shoulder and engaged Eren in a deep conversation about their times overseas.

Soon thereafter Reiner and Armin shuffled back into the booth opposite of them where Reiner joined in on their conversation, Eren got Armin chatting about his career as a Nurse and how they'd met.

"When he told me he wanted to move to Ontario I was really surprised." Armin pointed his finger as he wrapped his hand around his scotch and finished it off. "What was up here, I wondered, why would anyone choose to live hundreds of miles north of nowhere? And now being here I can completely understand why he'd want to come."

"They'd want to come up here so they could get away from the loud noises, rude pedestrians and clouded atmosphere." Eren drawled before Reiner and Irvin could answer.

Armin put his glass back down "I told you alcohol makes me weird." he muttered, darting a quick glance at Reiner. "Except I'm beginning to think testosterone is the real culprit."

Eren groaned, and Reiner stood up with a laugh. "I believe I can cure that, let's dance."

Irvin decided Eren had probably had enough dancing for one night, as he'd noticed a slight tension creeping into his face that made him worry his legs might be paining him. Then again, it might have something to do with the text message he'd received a few minutes ago that he'd read but hadn't replied to. He suspected Sitka was also attuned to the subtle vibe he was giving off, as the dog had sat up and was resting his head on Eren's thigh again.

Irvin slid an arm on the seat behind him and leaned in close so he could hear him. "I won't consider it rude if you want to respond to your text," he offered.

He gave him an appreciative smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Thanks, but I'd rather not." His smile turned derisive. "Responding to Mikasa's constant requests for updates on my 'harebrained notion to move to Ontario' sort of defeats the purpose of leaving Atlanta, wouldn't you say?"

"Mikasa?"

He gestured dismissively. "An overly protective ex-sister-in-law."

Eren smiled at Irvin again, lowering his voice as the music quieted. "But thank you, it's thoughtful of you, I apologize if you thought I was focused on the texts more than you right now."

Irvin returned his smile, "Not at all. How long have you had Sitka?" He asked, effectively changing the subject.

He rubbed Sitka's ear. "He had two years of service dog school, with six months of it concentrated on his specialty." He snorted. "And then his handler spent a couple of months training me."

"Training the two of you to do what, exactly?"

Eren's face heated at the clearly unintentional euphemism Irvin had made, but then gave a negligent shrug. "Sometimes my legs just...get tired, and Sitka helps out by fetching things for me and stuff like that." He looked back to Irvin from Sitka. "I've tried to teach him to cook, but he insists on tasting everything first."

Eren could tell that Irvin didn't quite believe Sitka's role, but he didn't offer any more information. He was just thankful Irvin was the type to not pry into others' matters. He gave the appropriate chuckle. "I imagine the big man has quite an appetite, yet he hasn't once begged for a handout."

"Probably the hardest part for me was learning not to spoil him rotten by giving him treats. But he's been trained not to be distracted by food." Eren admitted looking a little guilty.

Sitka stirred beneath the table, whining as he began tugging on his leash to get Eren's attention.

"Now?" He whispered tightly. He gave Irvin an uncertain glance as he took hold of Sitka's face, but it was long enough for him to see his anxiety. "Are you sure?"

Sitka gave an equally anxious whine, and Eren straightened and stepped over to their table and grabbed his coat, scarf and cane. "Sorry, but I have to take him out. I'll be back in... About twenty minutes or less." He shot him another forced smile. "Sometimes he takes even longer. Sorry."

"I'll go with you."

"No!" He sucked in a deep breath, although he could see it did little to quell his growing urgency as he started scooting from the booth and towards the crowded dance floor. "I mean, thank you, but I don't... Sitka won't... He's shy, okay? We need to be alone."

Eren quickly deserted the tall blonde man at the booth and hurriedly walked out of the bar. As he pushed open the door Sitka was right there by his side, rushing him faster towards the car. He pulled at the handle to find the door locked.

"Safe place Sitka, s-safe place." Eren felt his knees give out as he slammed painfully onto the snow packed ground. His cane slid just out of his reach and Sitka licked at his hands and face, nosing him to get up and go.

Sitka's whine was the last thing he remembered before his vision blurred and horrible memory flooded his mind. Sitka settled on top of his body, his head tucked in the crux of his neck and his massive body absorbing Eren's jerking spasms as one of his hands curled like a claw, lashed out at the empty air.

His movements were defensive, as if he were fighting off tiny invisible enemies before Eren's body became completely still.

Eren's eyes slowly fluttered open again, his hair was stuck to his forehead but he wasn't sure what made it cling more the snow or his own sweat. He pushed himself into a sitting position, some of his muscles still spasming back into control. He froze with his hands on his face, a sob wracked his body and he found Sitka forcing his muzzle into Eren's arms.

"S-Sitka, you're the smartest, bravest dog in the w-whole world." He bit down on his trembling lip and heaved out a heavy breath. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

The muffled crunch of boots alerted both him and Sitka of another person coming close to them. Sitka gave a low whining growl but it was cut short when Irvin appeared at the fender of the car parked next to Eren's own.

"Eren, are you okay?" Irvin's concerned voice pierced through the wintry air as he rushed to Eren's aide.

"Mm, fine. I fell on the ice trying to get a doggy bag from the car. Sitka's been coaxing me into getting up for a few minutes. Sorry to worry you, Irvin." Eren lied, reaching out for his cane only to be swept to his feet by two very strong arms supporting his back and knees.

Sitka whined as Irvin settled Eren back on his uneasy feet before retrieving Eren's cane from the dog that's stuck like a magnet to Eren's leg again.

"We'll have to get you some traction cleats if you plan on staying here. It gave me a shock to find you like that, how long have you been laying there." Irvin asked, giving him another look from head to toe.

"I can't really say, five maybe ten minutes. Honestly it didn't feel like it was all that long and I'm not feeling cold or numb anywhere. Well, other than my legs." Eren whispered the last part, rubbing the back of Sitka's ears to soothe him.

Irvin offered his praises to Sitka with a cautious pat to his muscled shoulder.

"Let's get you back inside, I know what'll help warm you up." Irvin guided Eren back to the building but as they were going back in the door pushed open and two bodies entangled with one another rushed outside.

Eren's eyes widened as he deciphered his friend in the mass and hid him smile successfully when the two recognize him and Irvin together.

"Eren!" Armin said in surprise as his eyes adjusted and he fixed his shirt. His face faded a deep red as he looked between Irvin and Eren then to Reiner and himself. "We were just... It's not... I was..." Armin sighed, and finished tucking his shirt into the waist of his pants. But then his eyes suddenly widened when he got a good look of Eren's snow plastered coat. "Eren, are you alright?" He stepped forward, reaching out to brush off the snow, his mouth was pulled into a thin line. "We'll talk later."

Eren cleared his throat and looked between Armin and Reiner.

"Oh, I was going to tell you that I'm going to have Reiner bring me back to the resort...later." He whispered, leaning more towards Eren and trying to seem inconspicuous.

Eren nodded and looked back to Irvin, he couldn't decide whether to wipe the smug, knowing, smirk off his face or Reiner's right now. "I'll uh, see you later Eren. Be safe."

"See you later, you too." Eren replied heading back into the bar with a slightly more noticeable limp than before. He stopped short when he noticed the booth they'd been sitting in had been occupied by another group of party goers. Irvin guided him by the small of his back towards the bar.

"We can finish our drinks at the bar." He whispered close to his ear.

"I think we should just call it a night." Eren declared, smiling up at him and patting him gently on his forearm letting his hand linger for a second longer than he should have. "But I had a wonderful time this evening, Irvin. Thank you." He gave his arm another pat, then turned and headed over to Sasha at the bar.

As dismissals went, Irvin decided as he followed, that was as good as any - if it had come from a married person. Irvin followed him to the bar, his eyes falling to look at Eren's defined buttocks that looked fantastic in his well-fitted dress slacks.

"Did you say Reiner paid for both bills?" Eren exclaimed, looking to be in a foul mood from the news. "Damn brutish man," Eren muttered before taking out two twenties and passing one off to both Sasha and the second to Bertholdt who looked shocked as Eren closed his hand over the money for him.

Sasha snorted, shoving the twenty in her apron. "Fat lot of good it did your friend," she said, shaking her head.

Eren laughed. "Did you ever consider that maybe Reiner and Irvin are the ones who should have made sure Armin and I are harmless? Because all us 'city folk' are taught from the cradle how to turn tigers into pussycats."

Eren visibly tensed when Sasha's gaze flickered over his shoulder. "He's right behind me isn't he?"

Sasha rescued him from the awkward moment, grabbing his forearm and dragging him down the bar - wrongly thinking she'd moved them out of earshot. "Then you better start thinking like a wilderness boy, honey." Sasha teased, "at least when it comes to Smiths, since Armin told me you're moving here." She leaned closer. "The Smith's and Braun's and just about every other dominant name around here are like one big Brutish clan, and are a good chunk of our population. And although their wives are real friendly, all the men are so old-fashioned it's scary, even the ones born here. So you might want-"

Irvin stepped over and took hold of Eren's arm before Sasha could do any real damage, and started for the door. "Thanks for the service, Sasha," he said with a wave over his shoulder. "I believe I'll walk you to your car, Eren, and then follow you to the resort to make sure you arrive okay. It's starting to mist, and it may freeze on the road."

"How much of that did you hear?"

Irvin stopped in the parking lot to face him, and folded his arms over his chest, accentuating the amount of muscle he really had. "Enough to wonder how many tigers you've turned into pussycats since you emerged from your cradle."

Eren strode off, forcing Sitka to break into a trot to keep up. "I was talking about...other people," he said when Irvin fell into step beside him. He fished his keys from his pocket and opened the back door of his black Ford Taurus AWD FFV. "So you don't have to worry; I'm so out of practice, I don't even remember the rules of engagement," he muttered distastefully, tossing his cane into the passenger seat.

Eren waited until Sitka had jumped into the backseat before shutting the door softly and reaching to open his door. Irvin caught Eren's arm, and slowly turned him to face him. He held Eren's jaw up with his index finger and tilted his head upwards.

"Perhaps all you're needing is a bit of a reminder," Irvin drawled, capturing his gasp of surprise in his mouth.

Eren went perfectly still, not resisting but not participating, either, it appeared as if he wasn't quite sure what was happening. Eren certainly tasted as sweet as he looked, and not ten seconds into the kiss Irvin began to worry that his own arrogance might end up ruining his chances of seeing him again. That is, until he felt Eren's hands slide up between them to settle on his chest; not to push him away, apparently, but to grip his shirt as if he were afraid he'd stop.

Not likely, and not anytime soon. He slid an arm behind his shoulders and tucked Eren's head in the crook of his elbow, dropping his other hand low on his back to pull him more intimately against his body. Eren's lips parted enough to allow his tongue to go in search of Irvin's, and Irvin felt him shiver. Then he felt Eren soften at about the same time he made a sweet sound that sent all Irvin's blood to his groin - which told him that if he didn't stop now, he might not stop at all.

He lifted his head to find Eren's bluish-green eyes staring up at him, unblinking.

"A friendly pat on the arm might be how you handle this sort of thing in the city," Irvin said, his voice sounding thick even to himself, "but in the wilderness, that's how we say good night to someone we just spent the better part of an enjoyable evening with."

Eren's cheeks flushed. But when he still didn't move, Irvin decided to kiss him again. Only his heart nearly pounded out of his chest when he pressed a hand to his face and kissed him back - although hesitantly, as if he were worried his boldness might encourage him to ask for more liberties.

But Irvin came by his patience honestly, thanks to his upraising. And since Eren was moving here, Irvin was content to let him grow comfortable with him at Eren's own pace - assuming his sweet torture didn't kill Irvin first.

He heard Sitka growing restless inside the car, which suggested the dog wasn't used to seeing his master wrapped in a man's arms being repeatedly kissed. Then again, maybe the big man was jealous. If that was the case, he'd have to make sure he and the dog came to an understanding. Irvin reluctantly lifted his head again, but only enough to first kiss one of Eren's burning cheeks and then the other before nudging him upright to stand facing him.

He started to say something but stopped, then tried again - only to drop his gaze to his hand, still clutching Irvin's shirt. His fingers unclenched and he started to give his chest a pat, but stopped mid-pat and chuckled.

Irvin bit back a laugh and opened his door, helped him inside and handed him his seat belt. "Welcome to Ontario, Eren," He said, softly closing the door.


Thanks for reading! I hope to update more frequently than my other fanfiction uploaded, feel free to leave your commentary, it is much appreciated.

-P.