The next day Armin's group of friends was buzzing with the topic of who J.B. was. It's like he couldn't escape, everytime he tried to change the topic it would eventually end up back on the note. Damn Sasha and her big mouth, blurting about the note without asking him first. Other than the group focusing on his note, his day went about like it normally would. His classes went about how they always do, he'd get an answer right and hear people snicker behind him. During break he had to clean the writing off of his locker, and have to scurry to his next class to avoid jerks in his grade. You know, the usual. Well, that was until p.e..
When Armin opened up his gym locker a small piece of paper fell out. After changing into his gym shorts he stuck the note in his pocket, deciding he would read it after he ran his laps. He tied and shoes and headed out the door, only to be shoved back into it when he ran into one of his bullies.
"Where you going, nerd? You've been avoiding us all day, and this is only the beginning of what we owe you."
"Why are you even picking on me? What did I ever do to you."
"Sorry, I don't understand faggot speak."
Armin got pushed back farther and farther until his back hit a row of lockers. He could feel a lock digging into his back.
"please stop," Armin whispered.
"No I'm goo-" He was interrupted by a hand yanking his hair and pulling him away from Armin.
Armin couldn't believe what he was seeing. Never since the bullying had started had anyone intervened like that. There, tugging the bully away by his hair, stood Eren Jeager.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" the bully yelled.
"What the hell do you think YOU are doing. What the hell did Armin do to you, asshole." Eren replied, kicking the back of the guys knee, causing him to fall down/
After the guy scrambled up and away from Eren, he walked towards Armin holding his hand out. "Are you okay man?"
"Y-yeah, I'm used to it." Armin took his hand and was helped up off the ground. He was still startled that Eren cut into that.
"How long has that been like that? Because you sure as hell don't seem like someone who would purposefully piss off a hippo like that."
"It's been like that since the 7th grade really… I didn't do anything to him, he just bullies me for the fact that I am gay, and he sees me as an 'abomination' so I really don't know."
"Well he's dumb, are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. I might have a bruise on my back later from that lock though."
"Hey listen… I know we aren't really friends, but if he or anyone ever messes with you again tell me and I will personally go kick them in the back of their legs while they're walking."
"You don't need to do that, I've dealt with it by myself for so long."
"But you don't need too anymore, you don't have to deal with this alone." Eren's persistent arguement was starting to make Armin uncomfortable. Taking a step back he must have had a weird look on his face because Eren let out a sigh and started scratching his head. "I'm sorry dude I really don't want to seem creepy, but you really don't need to go through this alone. If you want to, then I'll let you but if you ever need anyone to stop them you can tell me. We'd better go before coach gets mad at us." With this, Eren turned and walked out of the dressing room.
Armin felt put off, that was probably the longest conversation he and Eren had ever had. He figured Eren would be one of those people who watch someone being bullied but just walk away because it's none of their business. Feeling the outside of his pants pocket, he made sure the note was still there before walking out of the room. He could hear the coach talking loudly from his office opposite of the hallway.
He joined the rest of his classmates outside and started running his warm up laps around the track. Once he finished his fourth lap, he took a cool down lap to one of the trees located right outside the building and settled down under it. Once he was comfortable he decided it would be a good time to read the note left in his locker. Opening it up he recognized the handwriting immediately.
" I'm assuming you found my letter, since it wasn't there today. I want to tell you a secret.
I know you get bullied
I know your friends have told the bullies to stop, but I know they never listened.
I want you to know you are not alone.
It infuriates me to know that you get bullied, I'm too scared to step in, no matter how much I want too.
One day I'll stand up for you. One day I'll make sure they never touch you again. You deserve so much better and I never want to see you in pain.
I'll talk to you soon maybe
- J.B."
Armin thought that the note was rather odd, most people at his school don't bother touching up on the subject of bullying. Those who notice him in particular either walk away or join the bullying. He decided
that during lunch he would talk to Sasha about it, since she was the one with him when he read the first note.
By the end of the day nothing interesting had happened. Sasha had vaguely looked at the note before going back to her sketchbook. She seemed lost in her artwork, so Armin decided to leave her alone. The other members of his group however, excitedly took the note and discussed it while he ate his lunch. After that he got early leave and went home.
Later while eating dinner he told his grandpa about the notes and J.B. He didn't quite understand at first why this "J.B." felt the need to put it in his gym locker instead of his book locker. Armin had to think about this for a moment, and he guessed it was because he had a lock on his book locker, but there was no need for one on his gym locker.
That night while Armin was sleeping he had a dream, a type of dream that shakes your existence and you'll remember for years. He dreamed he was sitting atop a hill with a single oak tree, watching…waiting. He couldn't figure out what he was waiting for, but he didn't have to wait long. A figure slowly walked up the hill. The figure was wearing their schools hoodie, the face hidden behind a deep shadow. Armin tried to speak but found that he had no voice, instead he raised his hand and waved. The figure now stood beside him, as if trying to figure out what to say. When the figure gestured to sit beside Armin against the tree, when Armin scooted over, he slid down beside him and finally spoke.
"It's nice to see you," the figure whispered "I really don't know what to say… but thank you for meeting me here."
The voice sounded familiar to Armin, however, he could not put a face to the voice.
"I actually didn't think you would show up, I feel kind of bad for doubting you, but I guess that is how a lot of people get when they want to have a serious talk with their crush." The figure turned his head looking opposite of where Armin was sitting. "I know I'm probably the last person you'd think would have a crush on you, and honestly I'm not sure why I do either… there is just something about you. It makes me want to be able to call you 'mine' and be able to protect you when you need someone…"
Armin tilted his head not really sure what to think of this confession.
"Sadly I think my time here is almost up." The figure slowly stood up and turned to face Armin.
Armin's eyes widened with what he saw. Out from under the hood you could see a few strands of dark hair, and striking green eyes. They seemed so familiar yet so distant, something about them was drawing him in almost. Like when you watch a movie and the answer to all your questions are about to be answered, you unconsciously lean forward, so enticed in the movie that you aren't well aware of your surroundings. Suddenly, the figure spoke again.
"I will see you tomorrow Armin, I hope that maybe, maybe you'll figure out who I am soon. Until then, I will be waiting." Just like that the figure that had once stood before him disappeared with the wind.
After the figure had left Armin felt a sharp pain in his chest, and he felt like he couldn't breathe. He struggled to stand up, trying to use the tree as support. Once he was finally up he felt a wetness on his cheek, he looked up and realized that it had started raining. He backed up until his back was against the trunk of the tree, trying to seek some shelter. Once again he tried talking, this time however, he found that he could.
"I… who was that? It feels like my lung is shattering. Where did they go? Why didn't they stay longer? Why did they keep their face hidden?"
Armin grabbed at his shirt as if he could pull the answers right out of his chest. The rain was growing louder and louder, and it was drowning out his thoughts. A loud clap of thunder woke him up.
Reaching up and rubbing his eyes, he found that he had been crying, and that he still had that dull ache in his chest. This isn't good he thought where is this going to go now?
Where is this going to go?
A.N.: hey guys sorry, this probably seems like it's dragging on? orz here we see some personality to this AU's Eren.
