Author's Note: AAAAAAAAAH I'M SO SORRY EVERYONE I'M SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE I FEEL SO BADDDDDDDD! PLEASE DON'T STAY MAD AT ME FOR LONG!

I've been super busy lately, and that combined with writer's block is a recipe for procrastination. Again, I'm so sorry for taking so long to update! I got a lot of new requests for this story, so I will try to fulfill them in the coming chapters. As it stands, I have requests for more WinMin and more of Levi's squad. I'll admit that this story has a lean toward Eren and his friends because Eren tends to be the center of drama and his friends are more fleshed out than Levi's friends (I'm loving how some of them have been coming along since I started more time with them!), but I will try to accommodate these requests to the best of my ability. I have a little WinMin this chapter, an important event for our main babies next chapter (which I will tease at in this chapter), and then the chapter after that will be a get together of all of Levi's squad plus Eren and Armin for some good times. Hopefully that'll sate everyone. ;)

I just wanted to say how incredibly FLOORED I was by all of the feedback I got back on the last chapter! I had a feeling that the coming out scene would really resonate with you guys, but I never imagined this! I'm pretty sure that you guys broke my records for most new reviews, most new follows, and most new favorites in the two weeks following the post of the last chapter (in the two week period that I was due to update in - the numbers have continued to climb since then!)! (On the note of the coming out scene, I just wanted to let you all know that I am here for you guys if you need to get something off your chest about sexual, sensual, romantic, or gender identity. I'm questioning myself, and I understand how hard it is to try to do it alone. I am by no means any kind of expert, but I would be happy to talk to you if you want a safe place to talk about your questions and doubts. People need other people, and I am here for you!) Now is a good time as any to shoutout to everyone who sent a review, follow, or favorite my way! Thank you to the following people:

Reviews: AnimeWolf2000, YokaiAngel, Flamebiter, Hibiki Loke, BlackNecko, A World Made Happier With Yaoi, Annie the Gamer, MidnightAirhead, Abbyjohnson13, Quinn (guest), BlueMockingbird629, EllatheYokai (*fangirls to death* You're too sweet!), EreriForEternity, and Kuroko Tetsuo

Follows: bottomereninluv, Annie the Gamer (BoY and LTM), frozendivergentlover, animelover56348, AdamMarven, StiriSyrene, xXxPhantomxXx, lovelessboy, Tessa the ciclopse, Kuroko Tetsuo, LilaSkyline (YCBMBA), EllatheYoukai, GoForthAndLive, AllTheGay, black rose a.k.a jane, and MistressRein

Favorites: bottomereninluv, Zygomatic1958 (YCBMBA), Kaylove3345, Annie the Gamer (BoY and LTM), DevoraDeath, AdamMarven, StiriSyrene, xXxPhantomxXx, lovelessboy, AdelinaJesterNight, Kuroko Tetsuo, LilaSkyline (YCBMBA), EllatheYoukai, wolves32048 (YCBMBA), devilhuntermistress, angel of his world (YCBMBA), KorraRoth, AllTheGay, black rose a.k.a jane, Akakuro Karmagisa (BoY), and MistressRein

HOLY CRAP IT WASN'T UNTIL I TYPED ALL THESE OUT THAT I REALIZED THE MAGNITUDE OF FOLLOWS, FAVORITES AND REVIEWS AAAAAAAAH I WANT TO HUG ALL OF YOU! WELCOME TO EVERYONE WHO IS NEW FOLLOWING THIS STORY! I HOPE YOU ENJOY WHAT I HAVE TO OFFER!

BTW: Are you guys nuts? Mr. Michaelis is clearly a reference to Michaelis from The Great Gatsby. Definitely not Sebastian from Black Butler.

[high levels of sarcasm detected]

I love you guys so much. Enjoy the new chapter. I'll try to be more prompt in updating next time.


"Since when could you run? Eren, is there something you're not telling me?"

Eren freezes, realizing that he has been completely and thoroughly busted, and that Armin won't stop prying until he gets the truth.

"I, uh-"

"Alright, class! Get out your notebooks and open them to the next available blank page. You have a quick write today; I will write the prompt on the board momentarily. As always, you may listen to music while you work, but no talking. You have until the end of the period." Mr. Michaelis announces to the class.

Eren silently cheers as he hastily pulls out his composition book and a pen, uncapping it and quickly scrawling the date in the corner while Mr. Michaelis puts the prompt up on the board. Beside him, Armin quickly scribbles a note on a piece of scratch paper, sliding it over to Eren.

Don't think that we are done with this conversation. I will find out what you're hiding from me.

Eren looks over at Armin, his eyes meeting Armin's icy blue ones, and he feels a chill run down his spine, knowing with upmost certainty that Armin will keep his word. Eren crumples up the note and sticks it in his pocket, sighing to himself as he copies down the prompt and starts writing. Armin scribbles in his notebook at a furious pace, and about half way through the period, he clicks his pen loudly to let Eren know that he is done, dropping his pen between the pages and turning to bore his eyes into his desk neighbor. Eren sweats under Armin's intense gaze, cracking ten minutes later and pulling the note Armin gave him back out of his pocket and scratching out a quick reply on the back and leaving it on the corner of his desk for Armin. He snatches it up quickly and reads it, giving Eren a nod of confirmation when he's done.

Meet me at the park on Hermina Boulevard. 3:30. Bring everyone.


Eren drags his feet when the final bell rings, dreading having to recount everything again, but, as promised, he shows up at the park at exactly 3:30. Everyone else is already there: Armin, Mikasa, Connie, Sasha, Jean, Marco, Ymir, Christa, Annie, Bertholdt, and Reiner. As soon as Armin spots him, all attention is on him as he slowly walks over to join the group.

"Armin said you had something to tell us. Is something wrong?" Mikasa asks, standing close to Eren's side.

"I, uh, have something I need to explain to you all. It's imperative that it's kept a secret, but I trust you guys to keep it to yourselves, and to yourselves only. Can you guys do that for me? If not, leave now, no hard feelings."

No one leaves, in fact, they all huddle closer to hear what Eren has to say. After taking a deep breath, Eren recounts the happenings of Friday afternoon, from the moment the last bell rang up until the moment he woke up in Levi's apartment. Everyone listens intently, a million emotions crossing their faces. They are confused as Eren talks through how Alexander lured him into the trap, shocked when Eren explains his healing ability, and angry as they learn what Thomas, James, Francis, and Hunter did to him. By the time Eren gets to his retaliation, their faces are unreadable, too many things going on at once to distinguish one feeling from the others. There is a beat of silence after Eren finishes his tale before anyone speaks.

"So… the rumors… they were all true after all?" Connie whispers.

"Yeah…I feel bad because of how far I went, because they didn't deserve all of that, but I wasn't quite in the right mind… Granted, that doesn't excuse anything… Look, I'll understand it if you guys hate me now or think I'm a freak…" Eren trails off, keeping his eyes low.

"I don't believe you. Show us." Jean demands.

"What?" Eren snaps his head up.

"Show us. Show us that you can heal, and we'll all believe your story."

Eren slowly makes eye contact with everyone in the circle, their gazes meeting his with confidence.

"Okay…"

Eren pulls his bottom lip between his teeth and bites down on it hard, wincing as he breaks the flesh and blood comes pouring out of the cut. Sasha shoves a napkin at him, and Eren places it on his chin to catch the blood as it trails down his face. A moment later, a puff of steam forms, and everyone watches in wonder as Eren's lip repairs itself before their eyes.

"Ish it done yeht?" Eren asks, keeping his mouth open even as he feels the last of the heat leave.

"I think so." Armin replies.

Eren wipes up the blood on his chin and wipes at his lip, picking up the last of the red stain to reveal a perfectly formed lip. Eren scans the group with great trepidation while he waits for a reaction.

"Oh my god, Eren, that is so cool! It's fucked up but it's so cool!" Armin fangirls.

"Armin's right. This is sick. Where was this when we used to fight in middle school?" Jean remarks.

"You guys don't think I'm some freak?" Eren asks, self-conscious.

"You're a freak, but you're our freak, and nothing is going to change that." Mikasa plainly states, and everyone else nods in agreement.

"Fuck, you guys…" Eren murmurs, eyes brimming with tears.

For the second time that day, everyone surrounds him in a group hug as Eren cries with relief and joy for having the greatest friends in the universe.


Saturday afternoon finds Eren seated at his computer with his phone beside him as his fingers fly over the keys with satisfying clicks. He manages to fill out the first six entries on the form before he gets stops, not sure what to fill in for the time. He looks at his phone, then back to the form, hesitating to pick it up.

I want this to be a surprise, but since it's on a work day… And I'd need him to pick me up anyway… Aaah, fuck it.

Eren snatches up his phone and calls Levi, his hand opening up his planner and scanning over his weekend homework before flipping the page and looking at what is due Monday the second and Tuesday the third. The call connects, and Eren's attention is immediately on Levi's silky voice.

"Hello?"

"Hello to you too, Mr. Sex Appeal." Eren purrs.

"You know, I could get used to you calling me that." Levi teases.

"Mr. Sex Appeal? Wouldn't you rather I just moan your name instead, Levi?" Eren teases back, moaning Levi's name as suggested.

"I will come over to your house and make you eat your words if you keep this up, mon amour." Levi threatens.

"You say that like it's a bad thing." Eren simpers back.

"Don't tempt me, brat." Levi warns good-naturedly.

"As much as I love mon amour, brat is just so much more… us. It's got history, y'know?"

"I couldn't stop calling you brat even if I tried."

"I'm sure you have. Not."

"Well, you're not wrong. Anyway, as much as I love hearing your voice, any particular reason for your call? Not that you even need one." Levi assures.

"What time do you get off work on Monday?" Eren questions.

"Let me check my schedule…"

The line goes quiet for a moment and Eren double-checks his own planner before shaking the mouse to wake up his computer.

"I actually get off early tomorrow; my last appointment should end at 2:30."

"Would you be willing to pick me up from school on Monday? School ends at 3:00."

"Of course. Can your mom not come get you or something?"

"Yeah. Thank you, Levi." Eren purrs, holding the phone with his left hand so he can finish filling in the form on his computer with his right.

"Brat…" Levi growls, his voice threatening, not with malice but with promise.

"Okay, okay, I get it! I'll stop… for now. I love you and I'll see you after school on Monday."

"I love you too, Eren. Try not to have a shitty weekend."

"Thanks, you too!" Eren laughs, hanging up just after Levi does.

Eren puts his phone down, hitting submit on the web form and penciling a time and address into his planner under the Monday section.

"Hey, mom!" Eren calls.

"What, sweetie?"

"Levi's going to pick me up after school on Monday, is that okay? I probably won't be home until 5:00 or so."

"Sure! Have fun, sweetie!"

"Thanks, mom! You're the best!" Eren claims whole-heartedly.

"Damn straight!"

Carla smiles when she hears Eren's boisterous laughter all the way from the kitchen.

It's good to see Eren so happy and full of life. Levi's been good for him. They have something really special. It reminds me of when I was engaged to Grisha… I can only hope that they don't end up like we have…

Carla shakes her head and cuts the sandwiches she just finished, bringing two plates, one for her and one for Eren, over to the table.

"Eren! Lunchtime!"


Eren is abruptly woken by the sound of his phone playing the Love Stage! theme song right in his ear. Eren fumbles around trying to shut the phone up, but when he registers it as Armin's custom ringtone, he scrambles to answer the call.

"Eren!"

"Armin, what the actual fuck? Why are you calling me so damn early in the morning?"

"Eren, it's literally 10:30. Most people would be awake by now, idiot!" Armin chastises.

"It's Sunday; I'm allowed to sleep in." Eren groggily defends.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever! Eren, I need your help!"

"What is it, Armin? What's wrong?" Eren asks, sitting upright in bed.

"Erwin is going to be picking me up in an hour and I have no idea what to wear!"

"Shit, Armin! Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Eren yells, stumbling out of bed and throwing a t-shirt, jeans, and underwear on his bed.

"Well, he texted me ten minutes ago asking me if I was busy, and since I said I wasn't, he said he would pick me up in an hour!"

"Fuck, I'll be there in five minutes. Tell your grandpa that I'm coming over and get your ass in the shower." Eren commands, nearly tripping trying to get his pants off and hold onto his phone at the same time.

"Got it. Thanks, Eren!"

"Don't thank me yet."

Eren hangs up the phone and pulls on the rest of his outfit and some flip flops before running down the hall to the bathroom. He looks at his reflection in the mirror and groans, grabbing his brush and trying to hopelessly tame his messy locks so he doesn't look like he literally just rolled out of bed. He quickly rinses his mouth with mouthwash, knowing that he lacks time to actually brush his teeth, before running to the door. Upon realizing he didn't grab his cellphone, he runs back down the hall to grab it quickly before leaving.

"Eren, what's the rush for? It's Sunday, sweetie." Carla calls out to him.

"I know, but Armin needs help getting ready for his date!"

"Got it! Go make him cute for his hot date!" Carla cheers as Eren reaches the door.

"Thanks, mom!" Eren yells, finally departing for Armin's house.

Eren is on Armin's doorstep in less than a minute and he takes a moment to catch his breath as he waits for Armin's grandpa to answer the doorbell.

"Good morning, Mr. Arlert!" Eren greets when the door opens.

"Good morning to you too, Eren. Armin told me he'd be expecting you. Come on in."

"Thank you!"

Eren toes his shoes off at the door before making a beeline for Armin's room. He hears Armin's shower still running down the hall, so he invites himself into Armin's room. He goes straight for Armin's closet, knowing some of Armin's more dressy articles might be there. He starts throwing tops onto Armin's bed, mainly sweaters and button-ups, but stops when he comes across a special top.

Oh my fuck, this is perfect!

Armin chooses that moment to walk in, wrapped up in a blue robe. Eren steps out of the closet to address Armin.

"Go back, put on moisturizer. I know you have it. All over, Armin. I don't want to see you again until you are done, understood? Dry your hair too, while you're at it."

"Yes, sir!" Armin salutes, running back to the bathroom to put on lotion.

Eren pulls the top he spotted earlier out of Armin's closet, quickly and haphazardly hanging up all of the hangers he pulled out earlier before going to Armin's dresser. He opens and closes a few drawers before coming across the one with shorts in it. He pulls out pair after pair until he comes across some high-waisted black shorts, throwing those onto Armin's bed to join the top. Eren backtracks next, going back to Armin's closet to look for shoes. When he finds a pair of shiny black loafers, he cheers quietly, placing them at the base of the bed. Eren examines the outfit carefully, knowing that it is missing something, but he isn't quite sure what. He snaps his fingers comically when he figures it out, diving back into Armin's dresser, digging around in the top drawer to find some socks. He goes through them carefully and compares them, but eventually narrows it down to two pairs of long socks, one pristine white and the other baby blue. He compares them to the outfit carefully, but in the end settles on the white ones, tossing them on the bed and putting the blue ones back. Armin returns to find Eren digging through his underwear, and he blushes red.

"Armin, what's the sexiest pair of underwear you have?"

"Eren! We aren't going to have sex! It's just a picnic!"

"A picnic sounds fun, but c'mon Armin! What happens if he accidentally leaves dessert at home and takes you back to his place and decides to eat you instead?" Eren teases, waggling his eyebrows.

"Eren!" Armin protests, flushing a deeper shade of red at the thought.

"I'm just saying, you don't want to be caught off guard. I mean, after he sees you in the outfit I picked for you, he'll be half-hard the whole date."

"Oh god, Eren, what did you pick out?"

"Look on the bed." Eren suggests, going back to digging through Eren's underwear and triumphantly pulling out a pair of light blue boy shorts.

"These will do. So, what do you think, Armin?" Eren asks, tossing Armin the underwear.

"Don't you think that's too much?" Armin asks nervously.

"Of course not, Armin! Besides, if you thought it was too much, why would you buy a sailor top?"

"Touché…" Armin sighs.

"Now hurry up and put it on so I can see already!" Eren commands, turning around as to give his friend some privacy.

Armin huffs but dresses quickly, tapping Eren on the shoulder when he's done. Eren turns and smiles gleefully as he takes in Armin's appearance, from the loose, cropped white sailor top with a black collar and blue ribbon, to the black shorts that fall to about mid-thigh, and down to the white knee-highs and the black loafers.

"I knew it would be perfect! Erwin is going to eat you up!" Eren teases.

"Why did I ask for your help again?" Armin groans.

"Because you know I would make you damn cute. Now what to do about your hair… I could muss it up with a little gel… or maybe I could add a little braid or two to the side? Do you have any hair ties?"

"I do, actually. Let me go get them real quick."

"Bring your brush, too!" Eren calls as Armin disappears back down the hall.

Armin returns a moment later with his brush and a small box of hair supplies. He opens it up to reveal clips, blonde bobby pins and various hair ties. Eren pats a space on the edge of the bed for Armin to sit down on and sits down behind him, picking up his brush and going to town on his hair. He carefully works through the few remaining knots before working on styling it, pulling it back into a low ponytail, making sure to leave the shorter strands in the front loose and two long strands behind Armin's right ear. He pins back the stray hairs on the base of Armin's neck up before going to town on the longer strands, neatly braiding them each into two tiny braids before tying them off with clear elastics.

"Okay, I think you're set! I think I did a pretty good job, if I may say so myself."

Armin gets up to take a look in the mirror and gasps.

"Wow! This is amazing!"

"If I had more time and materials, I could have braided some beads in too. I can save that for next time though, if you would like." Eren offers.

"Heck yes! Thanks Eren, you're the best!"

"Anything for my best friend. Though, in exchange, I want to hear all of the details about your date with Erwin."

"Duly noted."

"Including if you guys have sex."

"Oh my god, Eren, no!" Armin cries, getting flustered once more.

Eren is about to keep teasing Armin when the doorbell rings. Armin grabs his phone and makes a break for the door, Eren hot on his heels. Despite their rush, Armin's grandpa gets to the door first. Armin stops short and blanches, pulling Eren back around the corner and hurriedly hissing in Eren's ear.

"I haven't told my grandfather about Erwin yet… What do I do?"

"It's too late to do anything, really. Just trust in Erwin to make a good impression." Eren whispers back, pushing Armin towards the door as his grandpa opens it.

"Good morning, sir. You are Mr. Arlert, I assume?" Erwin greets, quickly getting over his initial surprise that it wasn't Armin answering the door.

"You would be correct. And you would be?"

"Smith, Erwin Smith. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." Erwin beams.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, too. Is there something I can help you with this morning? If you're looking to sell me something, I'm afraid to tell you that you are out of luck."

"No, no, no. I'm actually here to see Armin, if that's quite alright?"

"What's your business with my grandson?" Armin's grandpa questions, narrowing his eyes in suspicion.

Eren gives Armin a little shove, cuing him to go rescue Erwin from his grandfather's questions.

"Grandpa, Erwin and I are dating." Armin steps in, smiling up at Erwin.

Eren notes with glee Erwin's reaction to seeing Armin. There is a subtle intake of breath, a subtle twitching of his hands that suggests that he wants to reach out and touch Armin, and a certain intensity in the way he looks at Armin, carefully looking him over with a neutral expression while his eyes betray the war between his lust, his restraint, and his admiration for the petite blonde.

Nailed it. And at this rate, Armin will get nailed too. That is, unless his grandpa decides to be a total cock block…

Armin's grandpa looks between Armin and Erwin, observing with quiet scrutiny the way that Armin looks at Erwin and vice versa. After about thirty-seconds, Armin begins to sweat a bit, nervous what his grandpa will say. He fidgets in place as his grandpa engages in a brief staring contest with Erwin with an intensity that suggests that he is testing Erwin's will and examining his soul and intent simultaneously.

"If he makes you happy Armin, then I see no problem with this. Mr. Smith, I expect that you will treat my only grandson well; if I hear even a peep about you pushing him too far or too fast, there will be consequences depending on the severity. I will have you know that I was quite the hunter back in my day and I still have my shotgun and ammo in the garage. Do you hear me, young man?"

"Yes, sir. I'll treat Armin like the prince that he is, and if I don't, I will gladly accept any punishment that you deem necessary given the circumstance."

"Very good. Make sure you bring him back by 9:00 PM for any evening dates. Later than that can be negotiated at a later time."

"I will make sure that he is punctual at the latest."

"I'll hold you to that. You two have squandered enough time here; go on and enjoy your date." Armin's grandpa grins, giving his grandson a gentle push toward Erwin.

"Thanks, grandpa!" Armin calls as Erwin escorts Armin to his car.

Erwin opens the passenger's side door for Armin, making Armin giggle and blush, but before he can enter, his grandpa calls out one last thing.

"Don't forget to use protection, you hear me?"

"Grandpa!" Armin protests, turning bright red while Erwin laughs.

"Just making sure. Have fun!"

Armin quickly disappears into Erwin's car to avoid further embarrassment, and his grandfather watches from the doorway as Erwin drives off.

"Armin's enamored, isn't he, Eren?"

"He most certainly is." Eren comments, coming out of his hiding place.

"That's why he called you over on such short notice and dressed up so nice, isn't it?"

"That would be correct."

Armin's grandpa sighs to himself, offering Eren a tired smile.

"I'm sure he'll be happy, but I can't help but worry about him. I'm too old for this. Will you keep an eye on him for me so he doesn't get himself in too much trouble?"

"Yes, sir. I don't doubt they will be happy together, but if it would put you at ease, I have no problem with keeping tabs on him. I'm sure my mother would have undoubtably asked Armin the same of Levi if she had met him earlier on."

"I heard about the engagement from Armin, by the way. Congratulations, and may you be happy together and grow older than I am now."

"Thank you, Mr. Arlert. That means a lot to me, coming from you."

"I'm glad. I'm sure that you're ready to go home now; I'll see you again soon!"

"Yes. Thank you for your hospitality. I hope you have a good afternoon, Mr. Arlert!" Eren bows at the door.

"You are always welcome here, Eren. Bye now." Armin's grandpa waves as Eren makes his way down the driveway and toward home.