Author's Note: I actually have 4 chapters of this typed and ready so here's chap 2. I hope the people reading this enjoy and as I said before I love feedback and comments so you can leave any thoughts here or on my ao3 account (TitanOr) and also on my tumblr (jeevasorriver)

I'll also be casually updating chapters 3 and 4 soon I just haven't thought about when.

Chapter 2- Apologies

The next day Eren woke up and followed his daily morning routine. His class for the day didn't start until around 2 and that was fine with him. Levi and Erwin usually didn't show up to the shop till around five in the afternoon.

He dressed himself in a way that suited his mood, he felt good so he thought he should look good as well. He wasn't conceited by any means but he could appreciate his own appearance from time to time. He stopped before the mirror to admire his look for the day. His mop of dark brown hair had that same tousled look it always did, the one that said he might have combed his hair that way but really was just a result of good genes and sleeping on the right side of bed. His large teal eyes, he liked them the most, eyes he had inherited from his mother though not the color- shined with determination and eagerness. He wore a simple, red v-neck shirt that served to compliment his naturally tan skin, denim jeans that weren't too tight but fit him well, and plain black converse. One last glance at himself and he decided he was ready to go.

He closed his door behind him and made his way to the tiny kitchen. Mikasa was waiting for him, it seemed, breakfast prepared. He smiled; she was always looking out for him.

"Good morning, my good queen. How fares my lady on this day?" he asked cheekily as he took a seat across from her at the table. As children they, and their mutual friend Armin, held great interest in tales of knightly valor, beautiful queens, and magic. The games they would play usually involved Mikasa the benevolent and powerful queen, Eren the strong willed knight always ready to serve, and Armin the brilliant wizard who never failed to join him on quests and who, no doubt, always saved the impulsive knight from an early death. Those memories were some of his favorites.

"Eren."

He looked up from the plate of food Mikasa had left for him. Her careful tone stirring up his curiosity. He was sure he hadn't gotten into any fights lately and he sure hadn't been falling behind in his school work again. So why so serious?

"Yeah?"

"Grisha called; he said he's coming home for a few weeks."

Mikasa watched him closely. She knew how much her brother disliked any mention of the man.

"Is that so? I guess he finally remembered he had kids at home."

Eren sighed and poked at the freshly made eggs on his plate. This really wasn't how he wanted to start out the day. His father wasn't a horrible person by any means, it was his parenting that he had issues with. His relationship with his father went downhill quickly, shortly after the death of his mother. He didn't blame his father for anything really, it had just been a difficult time for all of them. He wished that Grisha hadn't spent all those years after her death shutting Mikasa and him out. They were his children and they had needed him just as much as he had needed them. He hadn't necessarily neglected them; he fed and clothed them, drove them to school and back as needed, but Eren nevertheless felt the wall that had been put up warding off all those who dared approached. As he and Mikasa grew older, Grisha's appearances at home would lessen until it got to the point where they spent senior year coming home to find an envelope and a note from their father, a written apology on how he had to travel for work and that he left enough money to last however long he would be gone. His father saved lives, worked miracles some would say, but it seemed that the only thing he couldn't salvage was his own family; there he had failed.

The frown on Mikasa's face and the clearing of her throat snapped Eren out of his daze. He really didn't like thinking of his father. He gave her a sad smile and reached for her hand across the tiny table, gently squeezing it. He knew seeing him upset worried her and he absolutely hated making her worry. His sister was too good to him. He wished she would worry more for herself, she deserved more than what the world had offered her.

"It's fine, Mikasa. He was bound to come home sometime soon anyway. Hey, maybe this time he might even stay awhile, try a hand at being a real family."

"We are a real family, I'm your family." She emphasized. "And don't you ever forget it."

He grinned at her. "How could I? And what an amazing sister you are, great Queen Mikasa."

"Well then, my good knight, I must be off on my way. The kingdom won't simply rule itself." She got up and grabbed her bag off the floor. "Things are earned through hard work." She winked at him. "Get to school on time and be careful, Eren, and I don't want to hear that you've been fighting Jean again." She flicked him on the forehead as she passed by, getting a yelp out of him.

"Who told you I've been fighting with Jean? And OW. Damn, Mikasa, can't you be a bit nicer?"

"Nope. Be good, Eren."

The front door closed at her words leaving a grumbling Eren to pout and rub at his forehead.

He finished his meal and washed the remaining dishes. He had about three hours to kill and nothing to do. Yes, he thought to himself. This is gonna be a long day.

The next few hours were spent lounging around the couch, agonizing about what he would say to the two men. He was dreading the much needed conversation but it's not like he could ignore it either; they were always at the shop around the same time that he usually went. Groaning, he picked himself up from the sofa. He had to get to class. He made sure the door was closed properly- it had an annoying habit of staying open if he just pulled it slightly- and headed out.

He was slowly making his way when he heard a voice. He knew exactly who that was. He gripped the handle to his bag even tighter; he really didn't want to deal with this right now.

"Hey, Yeager! I know you heard me, don't just walk off like you didn't."

The brunette saddled up to his side, the smirk that always seemed plastered on his face there now.

"Kirstein."

Jean wrapped an arm around Eren's shoulders and looked down at him.

"What's wrong, Old Spice? "

"Jesus fuck, Jean, didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?"

Jean had had the annoying habit of calling him that for as long as he could remember. He couldn't fathom why and had long since stopped trying to figure out the guy.

The taller boy simply snickered and shrugged. "You know you like it."

Eren rolled his eyes and smiled. "You wish."

"Yeah you're right I do."

Eren snorted. "Yeah right, you and I know damn well Marco is the only one for you."

Jean threw his head back and laughed. "True, but if he wasn't you'd be right at the top of the list." He winked at him.

It was Eren's turn to laugh at the ridiculous comment. He had known Jean since middle school. The boy had annoyed him so much in his youth that it had been almost impossible for them to interact without fists flying in every direction. When he had first met him, Jean had had the same views on omegas that everyone else around him had. Jean's beta status had made him believe that Eren would be easy pickings. Of course Eren quickly put an end to that. They came to a truce and honestly, they both realized they didn't mind each other's company much. It was just their similar attitudes and stubbornness that had created conflict between them. The two had mellowed out over the years and developed a close sense of camaraderie. Eren now counted Jean as one of his closest friends; he had sure earned it.

It wasn't the first time Eren mused on Jean's proposition. He knew that while the man joked about taking him that Jean wouldn't hesitate if he actually agreed. Jean had Marco as his alpha but it did not mean he could not take an omega of his own. Even with Jean's faults he knew he would serve well as his mate. However, Eren just didn't have any feelings other than friendship for him nor did he delude himself into thinking Jean had any for him. Perhaps physical attraction and a platonic emotional attachment, but certainly nothing like the relationship he and Marco shared. Jean's invitation stemmed from the fear of Eren's status as an unclaimed omega. The chances of Eren being attacked by a wild alpha would decrease significantly if he were to accept one or a beta as his own. But he couldn't form such a bond out of fear. Still, he appreciated that Jean looked out for him.

"So seriously what's up, Eren?"

"Nothing much just stressing a bit over all these project deadlines. They're absolutely killing me but I think I have a good handle on them. How about you? Have you talked to Marco recently?"

Marco had joined the military straight out of high school and was currently stationed out somewhere in the Middle East. Eren knew it was killing Jean to have his mate so far from him and so near danger.

Jean grinned and his eyes watered slightly. "He's coming home."

Eren's eyes widened. "No way! You're serious? When? How? Holy shit, Jean, that's fucking fantastic!"

"I know! He just called me up last week and said that they were pulling out a good portion of the troops and that his unit was one of them and shit. He's coming home. I can't even believe it myself. They're wrapping up whatever it is they're doing over there and he'll be home hopefully by the end of the month." His voice broke at the last sentence.

Eren grabbed Jean's hand and pulled him in close, wrapping the other around his waist and burying his head into his shoulder.

"That's great, man. I'm so happy to hear that, you and Freckles will be reunited again!" Eren laughed and Jean followed suit, swallowing the tears that threatened to appear.

"Thanks, dude." Jean muttered into the crook of his neck.

"No problem. Just remember if there's anything you ever want to talk about I'm here. Everyone is. 'Kasa, Armin. We're all here."

Jean pulled back, releasing Eren. "Yeah, I know." He cleared his throat and pulled his signature smirk. "Look who's going soft, goddamn Old Spice."

"Fuck off, Kirstein. Look, now you've made me late for class."

"Chill, Yeager. Not like you do well in any of your classes anyway. Always doodling and shit when you should be taking notes." Jean teased him.

Eren scowled and said, "Whatever forever," and proceeded to flip him off.

Jean got a kick out of that, shoulders shaking as he roared with laughter. Eren left him and headed for class and stopped briefly as he heard Jean shout at him to text him after class. He waved him off.

Eren had to endure the dirty look his professor gave him as he walked into class 15 minutes late. He didn't care, talking to Jean and hearing the news of about Marco made his day. It had even distracted him from his thoughts concerning Levi and Erwin.

He tried to remain focused for the duration of the class but his thoughts kept drifting off to the alphas. He still didn't know what he would say when he saw them or if they would even want to speak to him after his outburst but he would try. He would try because he was not a coward and his parents had not raised him to be one. His mother had taught him that communication was key, and though he had often rolled his eyes at that he couldn't help but be grateful that she had implanted that thought into his being. Eren spent that class session ignoring his teacher's frown and hyping himself up. He could do this.

By the end of class he shot up from his seat and darted quickly out the door, pulling out his phone to shoot a quick text to Jean inviting him over later that night for pizza and binge watching horror movies.

He slowed his pace as he made his way off campus, trying to buy himself time. He gnawed at his lower lip, thinking of all the worst case scenarios that would more than likely happen. He hoped none of them would come true but with his luck anything was possible.

The small shop soon came in sight and Eren's nerves shot up. He willed himself to keep moving until finally he was standing right in front of the glass door; he pushed it open and heard the familiar jingle. Stepping in, he saw Annie at the counter and smiled seeing a somewhat friendly face. Well, friendly by Annie's standards. He quickly walked up to her to place his order.

"Didn't think I'd be seeing you around here for a while, Eren, especially after your little run in with those two alphas. I had almost forgotten why they called you the 'suicidal bastard. But that sure as hell brought back some memories."

Eren scowled. Annie would choose today of all days to suddenly become "Chatty Cathy." He hadn't glanced around yet so instead of choosing to risk it and he asked Annie, leaning forward, voice hushed.

"Uh, are they here?"

Annie snorted at that and shook her head. He took a peek and found himself staring right into the eyes of one of the men he had not been ready to confront just yet. He whipped his head around back to Annie so quick he thought he saw stars. He glared at Annie and the blonde had a look on her face that resembled something close to amusement, but she had schooled her expression back to its normal state before he could be sure.

He all but hissed at her. "Jesus fuck, Annie, I thought you said they weren't here."

"You said they. Obviously it's only one of them."

He huffed. She handed him his drink. Damn her.

"Good luck, Eren." She said waving him off.

"Gee thanks."

He left her and turned toward Erwin. Well, the odds certainly had worked in his favor, at least it was only one of them. He didn't know how long he would last under Levi's heavy gaze. He stood awkwardly before Erwin's table. He felt that the man had had his eyes on him the whole time.

He coughed. "Hi, do you mind if I sit here?"

"Not at all."

Eren sat down trying to decide what to do next when the man spoke.

"Eren."

He looked up at him.

"I'm sorry."

Eren could do nothing but stare at the man, shocked that an alpha who he had known for no longer than a few hours apologized to him, an omega. He hadn't been this caught off guard since that time in junior year when his friends had played Truth or Dare and Armin had been dared to kiss Eren. The normally timid boy had caught him by the shoulders, held him down and planted one right on him. That had been an enlightening experience but none of that compared to how he felt now. He was still in his stunned daze when Erwin continued.

"I know that an apology may not seem like much or make up for Levi's or my own actions yesterday but we would both like you to know that we hadn't meant to insult you in any way. I know Levi can be very blunt but it's just his nature. He regrets what he said and that you seemed so troubled by it. We, by no means, meant any harm."

Erwin finished his short speech and waited for Eren's response. The silence between the two stretched on as he gathered his thoughts. Honestly, not once had it crossed his mind that they would apologize or even come close to it without him requesting for an apology.

They really weren't like any of the alphas he had met before- aside from the ones within his family and friend circle. Levi and Erwin were on a level of their own. Most alphas would never dream of doing something like this. It would be considered beneath their station. But here was Erwin which raised the question in Eren's mind- where was Levi?

He stared Erwin dead in the eye, never wavering. He appreciated the man's sentiments but he still couldn't trust someone he had just met especially if they were alphas.

Eren nodded. "I accept your apology but I think I need to offer one of my own. I reacted really strongly and I shouldn't have made such a scene." He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm sorry too." He smiled at Erwin.

"It was not your fault Eren. I admit we came on too strongly."

"You said earlier that Levi was sorry as well, if that's true then where is he?"

"We both talked and we thought that if you did decide to come back then it would be easier for you to speak to one of us rather than it being two against one." The handsome man smiled at him. That smile should be illegal. Eren thought to himself. "I know Levi is rather straightforward about what he wants but he honestly does regret how he spoke to you. I don't believe he wished to offend you."

"I see, well, I'll still like to speak to him in person."

"Of course, I'm sure he's more than willing."

"Alright then, how about same time tomorrow?" Eren got up and Erwin followed suit.

"Perfect." The word rolled off his tongue causing Eren to shiver in response. Being around these men did all kinds of things to him.

Erwin held the door open for him and they walked out together. They stopped a few feet away from the door and turned to each other. Erwin held a card out to Eren.

"In case you need to contact me, feel free to do so. Goodbye, Eren. It was a pleasure seeing you today." It didn't matter how many times Eren saw this man smile, it would always manage to cause that rush of blood to rise to his face.

"Bye, Erwin."

Eren stood there long after the man had vanished from his sight. It wasn't until Annie came out to kick and yell at him to get a move on that he finally began walking home. He checked his phone and saw an angry text from Jean asking him where he was. He texted back saying he was on his way now and pocketed his phone. He groaned. What kind of shit did he manage to get himself into.