My Heart Just Dropped

Sasha POV

Sasha sat quietly with Armin in his kitchen. He had wanted to go outside, but Klara had vetoed that. "You know, I'm going to be sitting outside, in the dark, for several hours. If I can do that, then why can't I sit outside now, while the sun is out?" He huffed.

"That's probably why she said no. Because you're going out later." Sasha answered.

"It's just stupid."

"She's just trying to take care of you."

"Yeah, well, she's smothering me."

They sat quietly for several more minutes before Sasha spoke up. "So, do you want to talk about what's actually bothering you, instead of complaining about your mom?" She was worried about him, especially after his outburst at lunch.

"I don't know." He sighed. "Do you think I'm not good enough for Eren?"

"What?" THAT'S what was bothering him? Sasha found the idea absurd. "Of course, I don't. If anything, you're too good for him."

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are. At least how he's acting right now."

"Is this what you told Mikasa?" He asked, a faint smile on his face.

"I just told her that she didn't have to put up with his crap." She shrugged. She sort of felt bad for what had happened to Eren, but he had it coming in her mind.

"Uh huh." Armin shook his head. "Do you think they'll stay broken up?"

Sasha shrugged. "I'm no expert on relationships, having never been in one myself, but I think they need to work through some stuff on their own before trying to get back together." Sasha reached across the table and took Armin's hand. "They really do love you, Armin. No matter what your brain is telling you." She gave his hand a squeeze. He gave her a sad smile in return.

"All right, what do you want for dinner?" Klara bustled into the room. Sasha wondered where she disappeared to sometimes.

"You're making dinner now?" Armin asked, sounding rather incredulous as he pulled his hand out of Sasha's. "It's only four."

"It takes time to make things. And besides, you are eating dinner before going out. I won't have you filling up on candy."

Sasha giggled. Klara sounded like such a mom. "Can I have dinner here? Papa's working a bit late, and we won't have time to eat before trick or treating. And I WILL fill up on candy."

"Of course, you can, Sasha. You're welcome here anytime." Klara patted Sasha on the head. "Now, maybe you can tell me what you want, since grumpy pants won't tell me."

"I'm not grumpy." Armin replied, in a tone that sounded pretty grumpy. He even crossed his arms. That made Sasha giggle even more.

"Okay, Grumpy Pants."

Armin looked between her and his mom. "I can see I'm being ganged up on, so I'm going to take a shower." He stood up. "And furthermore, I wasn't going to fill up on candy. I haven't been full in two years. That would require me to actually be hungry first." He left the room.

Klara looked really sad. Sasha couldn't stand it. She rose to her feet and wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sure he meant it as a joke."

"I know." Klara smiled sadly in a way very similar to the one Armin had given earlier. "I just wish he wouldn't joke like that." She gave Sasha a pat on the shoulder. "How about we do little naan bread pizzas?" She asked in a very obvious change of subject.

"Uh, sure." Sasha gave her a smile. She could see where Armin got his need to hide his feelings from. Klara set about pulling various ingredients from cupboards and the fridge.

"Whatcha' cooking today, sweetheart?" Sasha turned to see Armin's grandfather standing in the doorway.

"Make your own pizza." Klara said without looking, as she was digging around in a cupboard by the stove.

"That sounds like more effort than I want to give towards my dinner." He crossed his arms.

"Well, it's a fun idea for the kids, Dad." She straightened up, holding a pizza pan. "You're welcome to figure out your own dinner if it's not to your liking." Klara looked upset. Her father immediately backpedaled.

"I was just joking, honey. It's fine." He held his hands up. Sasha could see why Armin didn't really like his grandfather. He seemed like the sort of man who whined and complained to see how far it would get him, then claimed he was only joking if people got offended or upset. The kind of person who got annoying very fast.

She heard the garage door open and close, and then the side door opened to reveal Mr. Arlert. "Hello, everyone." He said in a jovial tone. He seemed to be in a good mood today. "How was your day?" he asked Klara, giving her a kiss on the head.

"It was fine. Did the shopping today."

"Sounds exciting. Hello, Sasha!" He exclaimed, turning his attention to her. "Staying for dinner?"

"Yes, sir." Being happy suited him, but Sasha didn't think she saw it very often.

"Well, that's fun. I'm going to take a shower."

"Just check that Armin didn't use all the hot water." Klara called after him.

Mr. Arlert paused in the doorway to the hallway and looked back at his wife. "What was the point of buying a house with two bathrooms if we still have to fight for hot water?"

"He's your son." Klara said without looking.

"I didn't use all the hot water." Armin stood in the hallway behind his dad. He was rubbing his hair with a towel. "I don't even take hot showers. They hurt my skin."

"Well, there you go." Mr. Arlert said, before disappearing down the hallway.

"Are you ready to eat, sweetheart?" Klara asked.

"I guess." Armin grumbled. "Just give me a minute." He disappeared down the hallway towards his room.

"You didn't ask me if I was ready to eat." Armin's grandfather said, pouting slightly.

"You're 64 years old. She shouldn't have to ask you." Armin said, reappearing as he pushed past his grandfather.

"You should treat your grandfather with more respect." He crossed his arms.

Armin just stared at him for a moment before turning his attention to his mom. "So, what are we having?"

"Make your own pizza!" Klara waved her arms, revealing the counter where she'd laid out all the ingredients. "If you guys make them quick, I'll pop them in the oven first, so you'll have time to get dressed."

"Get dressed for what?" Armin's grandfather asked.

"It's Halloween, Dad."

"They're a bit old for trick or treating, don't you think?"

"We're not going trick or treating." Sasha chimed in. "We're handing out candy to trick or treaters."

"And you have to get dressed up for that?' He sneered. "Seem's stu-"

"Do you have to talk down to everyone, Alvin?" Mr. Arlert stood in the doorway, looking irritated.

"Ed." Klara said in a warning tone. Armin wordlessly started assembling his pizza.

"No, really. You demand respect from your grandson, but what have you done to earn it? Belittle him and his friends?"

"Don't talk to me like that. Klara-"

"I'll remind you that this is MY house and you pay nothing to be here. If you don't like it, you're more than welcome to leave." The two men were standing practically nose to nose, staring each other down.

"Daddy, please." Klara pleaded softly.

"Whatever." He snapped, storming out of the room. A few moments later, a door slammed, making Klara jump.

"He behaves worse than a teenager." Mr. Arlert huffed.

"You didn't have to embarrass him like that." Klara sighed.

"He was insulting your son, Klara…again. You may not stand up for yourself, but you should stand up for Armin."

"Ed, please."

"Sasha, come make your food." Armin said softly from behind his mom.

"Oh, goodness!" Klara gasped, turning to look at Sasha with a slightly horrified expression on her face. Clearly, she had forgotten that she was there. "I'm so sorry, Sasha!"

"It's alright." She replied as she walked over to stand by Armin. She felt bad for Klara, with all this stress in her life. "Families can be difficult sometimes." She quickly put her pizza together. Armin grabbed her hand and pulled her from the room.

"Sorry about all that." He said softly.

"It's alright, Armin."

"It's really not, though. He just pushes Dad too far, sometimes." Armin sighed as he sank onto the couch. "He used to be contained, until Grandma died. She brought out the good parts of him, and reined in the bad. All we seem to bring out is his nastiness."

"He's probably still grieving." Sasha sat down next to him. She put a hand over his. "When did she pass?"

"Four years ago. It was very sudden." He said softly. "Grandpa tried to keep living in the house, but he got really bad. He's lost without her. So, when we bought this house, Grandpa came to live with us. Mom tries her best, but sometimes he's just so mean to her. He wants everything to be like Grandma did it, but Mom isn't Grandma." Armin shook his head. "I know I should be nicer to him, because you're right. He's still grieving. They'd been together since they were teenagers. But I just don't like how he talks to my parents, especially Mom. She's his only child."

"It must be hard."

Suddenly, raised voices came from the kitchen. "And where would he go, Ed?"

"Into one of those homes, like all the other old widows and widowers!"

"We can't afford that!"

"We never spent the money from selling their house! We could us that."

"We all agreed that would be for Armin's college fund!"

The voices lowered, but Sasha still heard every word. "Honestly, Klara, do you actually think he's going to need it?" Sasha's jaw about hit the floor. How could Mr. Arlert say that? She turned to look at Armin. He was as white as a ghost.

"Armin?" She said softly. He stood up and started walking towards the door. "Armin." She said, louder this time. She grabbed his arm. "Talk to me." Still silent, he pulled out of her grasp, and walked out the front door. "Armin!"