BROKEN WINGS

Hello there wonderful ereri shippers! We want to thank you for your support. It means the world to us that you read our fic and liked it. This chapter turned out much bigger that the original plan, but we hope you like it too. We promise there will be more Levi in the next chapter. We'll also try to update more often and hope to finish our fic before our exams start. Thanks again for the support!

Chapter 2 :The doughnut incident

"So… if you blew hard into a tetrahedron with flexible faces, you could round it off into a sphere, so in that sense, a sphere can be cut into four faces, six edges and four vertices. And we see that V – E + F = 2. …". Armin's calm voice echoed through the room, as he wrote the equation on his notebook in a desperate attempt to make him understand. For the fifth time, but no one was counting.

"...Same holds for a pyramid with five faces — four triangular, and one square — eight edges and five vertices…". His voice was slowly fading as his eyes trailed over his friend's notebook, only to see it covered in random sketches, mostly a pair of dark eyes that seemed to be staring right back at him. They were actually starting to make him rather uncomfortable.

"Um… Eren? Are you listening?", he asked slowly.

"Mmm…", was all he got in response. Eren's eyes were fixed to the paper in front of him, but they seemed to be looking beyond it, at something else.

"You know…", he started, eyeing his friend that seemed to be lost in his own devises. "I was thinking lately of getting a tattoo".

"Mmm…".

"A little unicorn… On my left buttcheek".

"Mmm…".

"Cause... you know… I like the pain…".

"Mmm…".

"I fucked Mikasa last night, while you were sleeping". That should do it, he thought triumphantly.

Eren's horrified jolt was priceless. "What the fuck, Armin?!", he almost shouted "W-wait, hold on… I thought you were gay?". His voice swayed between a question and a statement.

"H-huh? W-what… No! I mean… H-how did you know?". His voice raised an octave, while his face changed at least fifty shades of red, as his joke backfired at him. Eren found it rather comical.

"Do you really think I wouldn't notice? Really?". He sat with his arms crossed and a huge smirk on his face, his voice was painted with the faintest hint of irony. "I've known you since forever". In contrast to his voice, his eyes were softened with such affection that Armin couldn't help the smile of relief that slowly spread across his friend's face.

Eren had been meaning to address the topic for some time now, but he hadn't had the chance until now. It wasn't a big deal, not for him anyway. The thing he wanted to make clear was that Armin would always have his support and love, no matter what happened. The feeling of not being accepted was not unfamiliar to him anyway. He never wanted his family to feel that way and Armin was family to him.

He never liked to put labels on people. Everyone was different and should be treated equally. Why did people always have to force others into categories? What was this obsession with labels and names? Gay, straight, black, white, christian, atheist… So many of them! Who gave a fuck?

"Thank you". Armin's voice was barely audible through his sigh. He cleared his throat and added with a much more confident voice, "My sexual orientation is hardly an excuse to avoid studying. Nice try though".

"Oh well, you can't blame a man for trying", Eren groaned as he picked up his pencil once again. Although Armin dismissed the subject so easily, he knew that it was no trivial matter for him. The tip barely touched the paper when Armin asked:

"What in the world are those eyes that you're drawing anyway? Obsessed much?" He inspected Eren's work with his big blue eyes.

"Hey! Give that back!", he exclaimed as he snatched the notebook from his friend's hands. "Mind your own business! Thieving bastard", he murmured, flipping the page.

Armin sighed, deciding not to pursue the matter further, suspecting that there was definitely something fishy behind Eren's behaviour. "Okaaay then". He looked around the messy room, wondering how a single person could possibly make such a huge mess in so tiny a room. "By the way, I'm assuming you're coming over to Jean's tonight, right?".

"That was today? Ugh!"

"Come on Eren! Don't be like that! Jean's a really cool guy. Besides, we've been planning this for weeks!".

"I never said he wasn't. But I don't know… Ever since he got together with Marco one minute they'll be talking and then the other they'll be making out right next to you! It's kind of disturbing", he said letting out a frustrated sigh. "...I'm just not in the mood to watch them be all lovey-dovey".

Armin was about to comment on the fact that Eren sounded almost jealous, but decided against it. You never knew with Eren… He stood up after collecting his stuff and headed towards the bedroom door. "Eren…" Armin started one last time.

There we go again… Eren thought recognising the familiar tone in his friend's voice and knowing beforehand what would follow.

"It will be fun and...", he hesitated, "you should go out more, you know. You are spending too much time on your own… Life is more than staying in, sketching and avoiding human interaction as much as possible".

"Fine, fine! You are starting to sound awfully like Mikasa! I have enough of that coming from her. I can't have you too!". Eren opened his worn sketchbook, indicating the end of the discussion.

"Sooo... I'll see you there then".

"Kay", Eren waved him off bent over his art, lost once again in his own universe. With an eye roll, Armin exited the room.


"Maaaan, who put a stick up your ass?! Loosen up a bit!", Connie's reeking-of-alcohol breath tickled Eren's ear and made him want to throw up the delicious lasagna Mikasa had cooked for dinner.

"That's probably because no one is sticking anything up there…" Jean teased, not being entirely sober himself, "or probably never did", he added with a smirk.

Eren finally managed to free himself from Connie's headlock and, biting his tongue to hold his comebacks, headed to the nearest couch. At least my ass isn't damaged beyond repair like yours, he thought viciously. Taking a deep breath, he sat down and tried to calm his anger with no particular success. Just go to your happy place. That's what his mother always told him. Only as the years passed, Eren found it more and more difficult to find it.

He didn't really mind fighting with Jean. It had almost became their everyday thing by now, but he knew that getting into fight no matter what the reason was something that upsetted Mikasa and only got him into more trouble. So he tried his best to avoid them as much as possible, although he never did a great job at that.

"What? Not even a snappy comeback? Nothing? Come on, you are better than that, Jeager". Jean kept pushing it definitely looking for fight, as always, despite Marco's desperate attempts to ease the tension between them.

"Just… go make out or something with your boyfriend and leave me alone, will you? I'm not in the mood...".

"Whatever Jaeger. Stay here and feel sorry for yourself. At least your mother is dead and she can't see the mess you're turning into".

"JEAN!". Marco's voice sounded at least two tones higher than usual. Everyone in the room gasped and waited for Eren's upcoming outburst.

"What the fuck did you just say, horseface?", Eren hissed through his teeth, slowly rising up from his seat. His pupils were dilated and the turquoise of his eyes was barely visible. His fists clenched so tight that he could later see the marks his fingernails had left to the flesh of his hands. "You can say whatever the fuck you want about me, but don't you ever, ever bring my mother into your stupid arguments, you hear me, you fucking asshole?"

Armin rushed to Eren's side and tried to calm him down, but Eren's mind was too clouded from anger to even hear Armin's words. He effortlessly shoved him aside and threw himself at Jean. His punch in the jaw was hard enough to make Jean lose his balance and stumble backwards. Soon enough, Jean recollected himself and was about to fight back, when he felt Marco's hands around his waist, holding him back and turning him away from Eren.

"Come on, Jean. Let it go already. You've said enough". His voice brought a change to his boyfriend's face. His features softened and letting out a sigh, he faced away from Eren. "You should also apologise. What you said was really harsh". Marco's calming voice was more than enough to make Jean comply. He could never say no to him and he certainly wouldn't start now.

"Fine", Jean muttered through clenched teeth. He took a deep breath and-

"I don't want your stupid apology!", Eren shouted, his breathing heavy.

"Eren!", Armin cried. He didn't have time to reach him, because Eren strided towards the hall and exited the house, slamming the door behind him.

"What the hell's wrong with you, Jean? You went too far this time!", Connie said as soon as Eren left, suddenly much more sober than he was a minute ago. "You know how Eren feels about his mom and you go and say that to his face? You are so thick sometimes!".

"Yeah, yeah, whatever, just leave me alone, you can lecture me in the morning, I'm too drunk for this shit".

Out of nowhere, Sasha walked in the room with her mouth stuffed with God knows how many potatoes and looked around curiously.

"Did I mif somthig?".


Eren pulled his hood further down to block the November chill. His pace quickened with every step, not caring where his footsteps were taking him. He just wanted to be alone, disappear from the face of the world. Jean was right. He was a mess, but he didn't need that horseface to remind him. Things like the loss of his mother, his absent father, being in a university he didn't even understand, let alone like, were exactly the ones that made him want to drift away from reality.

With every passing day his urge to get lost in his own ideal world, the one that he had complete control over, was even greater. That world he designed was without pain, misfortune, misery… death. But its most important feature was that it was imaginary. Ever since he was little his mother would call him a dreamer, her eyes not condescending, but filled with tenderness. That world was the only thing that kept him sane when his mother passed. That world and Mikasa.

A loud horn shook Eren from his thoughts and he barely had time to step aside as a car drove past him. He looked around and, not recognising his surroundings, he groaned and decided to follow the course he had taken before, hoping it would lead him back home.

He instantly regretted his decision to return so early. The smell of alcohol was so strong that it almost burned his nose. He's home early today, Eren thought bitterly. That was why he chose to go home later than he wished to. With a loud sigh he closed the door softly and entered the living room.

Sprawled across the couch, his father was snoring noisily. Eren stood for a moment to inspect him and wondered how a person like that could once have been a successful geneticist. No matter what he said, he loved his father. That's why it pained him even more to see him like that. He took off his father's shoes, picked up the empty beer cans from the floor and headed toward his bedroom.

He stopped outside Mikasa's room and peered through the door. He saw Mikasa sleeping with her head buried in her textbooks. Always the hard worker, he chuckled as he approached her.

"Mikasa… Mikasa, wake up. You're sleeping on your desk. Again", he said softly.

"Mmm… Eren. You're back", she said sleepily.

"Yes. Come on, let's get you to bed". He lifted her and set her down on her bed, tucking her inside the covers.

"Did you have fun?".

"We'll talk tomorrow. Now sleep, okay?". But she was already asleep. He smiled lazily and kissed her forehead before exiting the room.


The next day was as boring day as usual. Eren somehow managed to pull it through, while making his best to avoid Jean. Thankfully today he worked the night shift at his work, so wouldn't have to worry about his father. He worked at a little coffee shop, where nothing unexpected ever happened. It wasn't a difficult job, it didn't require any special qualifications. Even he could do it.

He arrived at Sonny 'n Bean's Cafe fifteen minutes early. He opened the door and heard the familiar ring of the bell above him.

"Eren! You're early!". Sasha's loud voice echoed through the almost empty shop, causing the few customers to turn their heads and stare at her.

"I regret it already", Eren teased.

"Oooh, come on Eren! I know you love me.", she said winking.

"Do we have to fight for Sasha's hand now, Eren?". He heard Connie's voice from behind him.

"Don't worry, Connie. She's all yours", he chuckled. He liked hanging out with those two, because even though they were a couple, they didn't make things awkward for the rest of them, like the horseface and Marco.

"Hey, Eren… Do you mind if I leave a bit earlier, now that you're here? Pretty please?", Sasha asked, giving him the best puppy eyes she could master.

"No, it's okay. I don't mind waiting for you to finish".

"Just steal her away", Eren said waving them off, having already his apron on.

"I know you were the best!", squealed Sasha at Eren's ear. She kissed him hastily on the cheek before throwing her apron oh his head.

"See ya!", they cried in unison and left the shop hand-in-hand.

"See ya", he muttered under his breath, getting ready for another boring day at work.


Just another half hour, he thought impatiently. His shift seemed to last forever and Eren couldn't wait to go home to finish his sketches of that pair eyes that were engraved in his memory. Who the hell drinks coffee at eleven o'clock at night? The coffee shop was deserted except for an elderly couple that was sitting in the corner. A bouquet of roses was placed on the table, while the couple was taking their time drinking their tea. Eren, given their behaviour, suspected it was their anniversary, but that was no excuse for being out so late. Aren't old people supposed to sleep early?, he thought lazily.

He decided to clean the espresso machine for the third time that night in order to kill the little time he had left. He was standing with his back at the entrance when he heard the bell, indicating that a new customer had entered the shop. Are you fucking kidding me right now? He turned around and opened his mouth to tell the customer that he was about to close for the night, only to shut it again the moment he lifted his eyes on the newcomer. The stranger had sat on the far corner of the now empty coffee shop. His hood was on so that it hid his face from Eren's view.

Eren bit his lip, not knowing if he should approach the stranger or not. He couldn't deny that he was a bit scared. He could tell that the man was not here for coffee. Those worries though quickly disappeared as he heard a hiss of pain coming from the stranger. Was he hurt? Without a second thought Eren hurried at the staff room, grabbing the first thing that came into his view. He hurried outside and stood awkwardly for what it seemed like a decade before starting to walk towards the stranger.

He decided to clear his throat to get the man's attention. Only he couldn't summon his courage to do so. He just stood there, next to the stranger, waiting.

"The fuck you looking at, brat? I doubt you're being paid for this". The stranger's voice was deep and hoarse, as if he had been yelling. Eren had started to regret his decision to help him. Maybe I should just leave him alone. But he couldn't bring himself to do that. Lost once again in his thoughts, Eren didn't notice a very familiar pair of cold eyes looking up at him.

"What? Are you deaf or something?", his voice sounded uninterested, almost eager to get rid of him.

Eren felt his cheeks hotten and tossed the thing he had grabbed from the staff room on the table.

"C-cold… You..s-should umm..put it..on y-you know". He couldn't even make coherent sentences."Umm..you sound hurt so…. I thought I…"

"You thought you could play doctor, huh?"

"N-N-No! I'm sorry… I will leave you alone". He hurried away from the stranger and retreated to the counter.

"Tch! What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?". He scratched his head with a deep sigh, letting hood fall back down on his shoulders. In his hand was a bag of frozen doughnuts.

"It's-". Eren didn't have time to finish his sentence. His eyes fell on the stranger's face and he just stood there, gaping at him. It was him, the guy from the auditorium. The guy whose eyes he had been drawing for the past week. Why was he acting like that ? He didn't even know the guy! Eren stop being such a weirdo!

Eren let himself observed the guy, he was curious after all. He was wearing black skinny jeans tucked into black Dr Martens. On top of that, a band t-shirt was visible under a jacket so thin it couldn't possibly protect him from the cold. Eren was pleased to notice that he was familiar with the band on his t-shirt. Joy Division were one of his favourites. He had straight black hair that placed his face evenly. When he turned, Eren noted that it was an undercut. Who even had his hair cut that way nowadays?

"Oi brat, hasn't anyone told you that staring is rude?". He hadn't noticed the man turning to him again, the doughnut bug in his hands.

"S-Sorry! It's the first thing that I found in the staff room that was cold", he explained pointing at the bag.

The stranger turned his head down again and Eren could have sworn he had caught a glimpse of a smile, as he placed the frozen doughnut bag on his right eye, where a dark bruise had already started to form.

Several minutes passed without either one speaking or attempting to start a conversation. That was until a mug of boiling hot tea was placed in front of the stranger.

"I thought you could use something warm", Eren said softly.

"I didn't order this. And I'm not carrying any money".

"Don't worry. On the house".

The man eyed the cup carefully before taking a sip. "Thanks", he mumbled.

They didn't talk for a little while, each lost in their own thoughts. Eren retreated to his counter, in order to leave the guy enjoy his tea in peace. Suddenly looked at the clock and realised that he should have closed the shop seventeen minutes ago.

"You're weird". The man's voice shook him from his reverie.

Eren didn't answer, not knowing what to say. He just waited for the man to elaborate.

"Are you always so unguarded around people?", he continued, pausing to take another sip from the tea. He seemed to enjoy it. "I mean, you haven't even asked me my name".

"Well...", Eren hesitated. "You haven't asked for mine either".

"That's because it's written on your nametag, dumbass", the stranger said with an amused look on his face.

Eren's face became tomato red and with groan he covered it with his hands. That way, he didn't notice the stranger approaching him.

"Anyway", said the guy as he leaned closer to the counter, "don't be so quick to trust people from now on. Especially those who seem to come from a fight".

"Thats because you're so little you look like a little girl".

"Who did you call little, kid?", he said with narrowed eyes, his tone not as hostile as it was before.

"No one in particular". Eren's teasy tone surprised him, but choose not to comment on it.

He just shook his head, placing the now empty mug on the counter and looking right into Erens eyes. "Thanks for the tea...", he paused a little as a small playful smirk appear on his face, "Eren".

And with that, he exited the coffee shop as if nothing had happened.