Can We See The Ocean Now? (Eremin)

by Bauhaus.x

AU *Mikasa hangs around with Annie, Bertolt and Reiner. She is not friends with Armin and Eren.* High School was a great thing for some people, not so much others. Jean was a bully, and so were his friends. Or at least most of them. Except Marco. Armin and Eren find themselves victims of the abuse, through no fault of their own. The bullies picked on the weak, of course.

2. Chapter 2

Armin lay on his bed, clutching his book to his chest tightly. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. His body ached. He hated this. Everything. He hated the way he was humiliated nearly every day, he hated how he was so weak. He wanted to help himself but mainly Eren. He hated seeing Eren hurt more than he hated to be in pain.

He sat up slowly, wincing at the feeling. It felt as though he was hit by a bus. He could never forget the oh-so familiar pain. Each slap, each kick, each punch, each insult scarred him. He could never forget. It was becoming unbearable. He had nothing but Eren. He was a burden on Eren. Eren could have so many friends. So much opportunities, but Armin held him back. He was a burden. Without him, Eren would only have himself to look after and protect. It would be so much easier for him.

His toes reached the floor as he pulled himself up, stiffly walking to his desk. The book still held to his chest.

He sniffled as the tears fell once again. He let himself collapse onto his desk chair as he rested his head in his arms.

"I'm so useless…" He sobbed. "I'm a burden…"

He wiped his eyes after ten minutes or so. His eyes were stinging from crying. He looked at the book. He opened it to the page he left it on and started to read.

The books took him to a better place. They were an escape for him. They made him feel free, helped him forget his problems for a while. Each word took him deeper and deeper, each beautiful chapter bringing him further and further. He wanted to see everything. He wanted to escape.

After a few hours, he put the book down. He needed to shower. He got up and stumbled towards the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind him. He stripped his clothes and turned on the shower, waiting for the water to heat up before stepping in.

He sighed and leaned against the wall as the water hit his body. It was warm but not too warm. It helped with the pain.

He washed his body and hair before stepping out and wrapping a towel around his waist. He dried off and reached for his night shirt.

Armin pulled his night shirt over his head and climbed back into bed. He drifted off as soon as his head hit the pillow.