Sorry readers, but this isn't another oneshot, this is a a snippet of my most recently started story "Tragedy for the Holidays". A story in which Eren is trying to get over his past by moving to Ontario, Canada. The pairing is Eren/Irvin and also some other pairings mixed within. It's a bit of a change, but I hope you'll all give it a shot since I've been lacking on updating this series.

-P.


Eren ran his fingers over his cane and shrugged at Armin's commentary. "It's called baby steps, Armin. This place has a population of less than eight hundred year-round residents, which means I'll finally have a sense of community instead of feeling lost in a sea of strangers." He leaned the cane on the edge of the seat near the wall and folded his arms on top of the table. "You have to admit, this adventure is worthwhile. We've already come across amazing sites, not to mention the resort. It's so beautiful, just like the brochure promised."

"Including a perfectly nice restaurant and lounge," Armin teased. "But did we go there? No; we dumped our bags in the room, headed into town, and stopped at the first bar we came to."

Eren adjusted the scarf around his neck. "I wanted to get an immediate reaction here so I'd know for certain I've made a good choice. I swear I could feel the knot in my gut loosening the farther north we drove, but... But I still don't know if it's far enough."

Armin blinked in surprise. "Are you saying you're not sure? Eren, every worldly possession you didn't give away is right now on a truck headed for Ontario, and you don't even know if this is where you want to live?"

Eren turned in his seat to look around, taking not of the patrons thoroughly enjoying themselves, eating and drinking and dancing, then turned back to Armin. "I'm pretty sure." He gestured over his shoulder at the crowd. "They look like a nice bunch of hardworking and fun-loving folks to me, and the atmosphere in here is friendly." He leaned on the table again and lowered his voice. "And I'll bet they could't care less about what happens in Atlanta. This is my best chance for a real do-over, Armin."

"I hate to rain on your parade, Eren." Armin drawled, "but they probably get the national news in this three-car town. You know you can't run from your past any more than you can hide from it."

"Four years and a couple thousand miles is a damn good start." Eren sucked in a calming breath when Sitka sat up and rested his head on his thigh. "I have a chance to be my old self here," He said, rubbing Sitka's ear to soothe him. "So it won't matter if someone eventually does put two and two together, because instead of seeing a man to be pitied, they'll already have decided that I am not a victim."

Armin smiled crookedly. "Actually, it's these poor, unsuspecting shucks I'm worried about, when they discover there's a backbone of steel hidden inside what only looks ilk a fragile man." He shook his head. "The good people of Ontario aren't going to know what hit them the first time you get an ache in your jaw about something. I just with I was going to be here to see- Wow," Armin whispered, sounding as if he'd been punched in the chest. His eyes widening as he stared past Eren's shoulder. He grabbed Eren's arm when he started to turn. "No don't look!" We can't let them think that we're interested."


s/10322974/1/Tragedy-for-the-Holidays (I cannot put the full link, so for an easier option go to my stories and click on "Tragedy for the Holidays" Also, don't forget to review, review, review)