EREN: "So you actually found who wrote the wanted poster? Was it a hot chick? Did you get laid?" Each time Jean opened his mouth I forced myself not to shove something down his throat.

"It was just some nerd who was trying to make friends." I said, leaning against the small desk in our dorm.

"Shit," Jean muttered, "I was kinda hoping it would be a hot girl who was into Cosplay and threesomes."

"Even if it had been a girl, I wouldn't have introduced you," I pointed out.

"Aw man, you can't keep all the hotties to yourself," Jean whined, "first it was Mikasa, and now this. Maybe it's a good thing it turned out to be a guy."

"I told you not to mention her anymore," I insisted.

"Dude, what if he's gay? What if he tries to hit on you?" Jean suggested.

"What difference does that make? He's still a loser. And at least I'd find out if I'm popular with the ladies and the men, unlike you who's popular with no one." I said.

"Oh, I'm so hurt," Jean whined sarcastically. "Tonight at seven there's going to be a welcome party for the freshman. I bet that kid isn't going to go, so you should at least ask him. Maybe you can find out what kind of people he's into and stuff."

"So, basically just be nice and not an asshole like you?"

"Jäeger, I'm trying to be helpful."

"For once..." I scoffed.

"Alright, don't take my advice; just ditch the kid or something." Jean shrugged, standing up to leave.

Out of frustration, I stormed over to the door and trudged down to Armin's room.

He was sitting in a nest of mangas and other comic books when I found him.

"Hey, Armin, are you going to the welcome party tonight?" I asked.

"H-huh? Yeah, sure. I don't really care for parties, but I might miss something important if it's like an orientation." Armin said.

"Okay, cool..." I replied. We stared at each other awkwardly for a little while.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you that the upcoming con is called FantaCon and it's in three weeks. So, I guess you have three weeks to finish the books. There are only three in the series, though, and they're pretty good-well, at least I think so-so you'll probably be able to finish them before the con. But I need to take your measurements for the costume." Armin finally said.

"Oh, yeah...Do you want to take them now?" I asked.

"Sure. I'll be able to get the costume done quicker." Armin said. He rummaged through another box and pulled out a butter cookie tin. He opened up the tin and inside was sewing supplies. He pulled out a measuring tape and stood next to me.

"Uh...do you mind..." He mumbled to the point of inaudibility.

"What?" I asked.

"...taking off your clothes so I can get your measurements?" He finished hurriedly.

"Uhh..." My mind went blank. I literally just met this guy less than an hour ago and now he was asking me to take off my clothes?

"I-if you don't want to you don't have to!" He insisted hurriedly.

"N-no, it's not a big deal. I'm your Cosplay partner now, so I have to." I told him.

Shakily, I took off my shirt so he could take my chest measurements. It might have been my imagination, but his touch seemed to linger on my skin.

"Um, legs too, if you don't mind." He added.

I unbuckled my belt and slid my jeans off. I gulped. I might've been in my boxers but I felt completely naked in front of this kid.

He was on his knees, taking the measurements of my thighs. His face was really close to certain places.

I heard footsteps in the hall, and I realized I hadn't closed the door. They stopped directly in front of this room.

"Jäeger, you getting some finally?" A familiar voice called out.

I froze. God fucking dammit.

"Kirstchien, it's not what it looks like. Get the hell out of here." I demanded through gritted teeth.

Armin stood up. "Yeah, I was just taking his measurements for his costume."

"Wow Jäeger, you're really milking this one, aren't you? Good luck." Jean's footsteps started up again when they stopped and I heard two voices go, "Oomf".

"Hey, watch where you're going!" Jean said.

"Sorry," the other voice replied.

Yanking my pants up, I turned to face a tall guy with black hair and a sprinkling of freckles across his cheeks.

"Hey Armin, who's the hottie? Trying to replace me already and take him for yourself?" The guy smirked.

"Oh, Eren, this is my roommate Marco Bodt." Armin said, rolling up his measuring tape.

"Marco Bodt, flaming homosexual for pay. Actually, I'm a flaming homosexual for free, but if you pay me it's not like I'm gonna turn you down." He said, holding out his hand to shake.

I took it. "That guy you bumped into is my roommate Jean Asshole-I mean Kirstchien."

Marco glanced at him. Jean was glaring at me, but his gaze often switched to Marco.

"Uh, Eren, I'll just get the rest of your measurements another time. Here are the books. I'll see you at the party." Armin said, shoving the books into my arms and shoving me out the door.

"Hey wait, I forgot my shirt," I added.

"Keep it," I heard Marco tell Armin.

Armin opened the door barely wide enough to throw the shirt through.

"Well that was weird," I said.

Jean muttered a gay slur, and I kicked him. "That guy seemed nice."

"Whatever. I'm going out to see if there are any cute girls on campus." Jean muttered.

I decided I might as well hang out in the dorm and wait for the party to start.


A/N: Okay normally I don't write author's notes but I wanted to point out that this chapter was originally called "The True Measure of a Man is His Ability to Strip in Front of a Stranger" but the title was too long...ah well. At least there was some ambiguity in the title.