Chapter Sixteen

"Sasha, I'm seriously going to kill you." Armin grumbled to himself as he stood at his locker. Ever since his birthday, it had become a running joke around school for people to come up and hug him. People he didn't even know. At least most people had the decency to ask first. He usually knew it was coming and accepted it.

"Are you Armin?" They would ask, or, "Are you Arlert?" and he would just open his arms and let it happen. He had to admit, there were far worse things that could be happening to him instead. But it was still a rather surreal experience to have his old bullies hugging him.

He had already been hugged once this morning and he could see a group of freshman girls considering if they were going to ask of not. Suddenly, Mikasa pushed through them. "Move." She practically barked, and the girls scattered. People were scared of Mikasa, a fact she seemed to enjoy. He took one look at her face and knew something was up.

"What's wron-"

"She knows."

Armin blinked, not understanding. "What? Who knows wha-"

"She! My mom! She knows!"

Armin wrinkled his brow in further confusion. "Knows what?"

"This!" Mikasa motioned between them and dropped her voice to a harsh whisper. "Us."

"I've never heard you call her mom before."

"Armin, you're missing the point I'm trying to make."

"Which is?"

"What if she tells Eren? Or worse, Dad!"

"So, what you're saying is that we should pre-emptively tell Eren before she gets the chance because it'll be better coming from us?" A guy could dream, right?

"No! We need to talk to her so she doesn't!"

"Why can't we tell Eren again?"

"Because it's not the right time?"

"When's the right time going to be, Mikasa? When we're giving him our wedding invitation? I'm sure that'll go over well."

"Armin." She put a hand on her hip.

"I don't mind not telling anyone else, but he's my best friend. He's basically your brother. It feels like we're lying to him. We should at least tell him."

"I'm not having this conversation right now."

"Is it because he's walking over here?" Armin watched Eren push through the crowd and stride over.

"What the hell, Mikasa? You just took off without me this morning." Instead of answering, Mikasa just walked away. Eren looked at Armin. "What's up with her today?"

"Do I look like the Mikasa whisperer?"

"I mean, sort of." Eren grinned as Armin closed his locker. "So, big day today, huh?" he playfully nudged Armin in the side.

"Yes, the stitches come out today. Just in time for Christmas."

"Those would be some wicked Christmas photos though."

"Definitely better than your Christmas card this year." Armin grinned. They had received the annual Jaeger family Christmas Card the night before, and it had not disappointed. "I personally think Grandfather should leave that on the fridge forever."

"Alright, it was Mom's idea to do the ugly sweater thing."

"And the antlers?" Armin asked, the wicked grin still on his face.

"Those were Dad's." Eren said grumpily.

Armin laughed. "I honestly don't know who looked funnier, you or Mikasa. Hey! Maybe that's what's wrong with her today! She realized she looked dumber than you and she's mad about it!"

Eren shook his head. "I highly doubt that."

"True. It's almost impossible for her to look dumber than you." Armin smirked.

"Shut up." Eren playfully smacked Armin.

Armin laughed. "Well, you're her little brother, so I'm sure you did something." Armin stopped outside his homeroom.

"By a month!" This was a slight sore spot for Eren.

"Almost two months." Armin shrugged, winding him up more.

"Whatever." Eren huffed.

"You coming to lunch today?"

"Nah. I got a test in music."

"A bad day all around for you then." Armin smirked. "I'll see you later then?"

"Yeah. See you, Armin." Eren walked off towards his own homeroom.

Lunch was a rather subdued event. Ymir was out of school that day, as was Reiner. "So, who's going to the Snowball on Saturday?" Historia asked.

"Not me." Annie said.

"Me either." Mikasa said.

"Why not?" Historia asked.

"Who would I even go with?" Annie retorted.

"I'll go with you." Four pairs of eyes turned to look at Bertolt.

"Really?" Annie asked incredulously.

"Yeah." Bertolt smiled at her.

"We could double date!" Historia beamed. Both Annie and Bertolt flushed red. "Well, I know Sasha's going with Jean, and Connie is thirdwheeling them. What about you, Armin? Are you going?

"Oh, I hadn't thought about it."

"You should come!"

"Who's he going to go with?" Annie asked.

The bell rang before anyone could answer. As everyone was packing up and leaving, Armin caught Mikasa by the hand. "Armin? What's wrong?" She asked as the cafeteria began to empty.

"We should go."

"Go where?"

"Snowball!"

Mikasa's eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"Because it'll be fun!"

"Fun for who? Besides, if we go together, people might get suspicious."

"So, we'll bring Eren along."

"I don't know if he'll even want to go."

"He'll go if I ask him."

"Why are you so determined to go all of a sudden?"

"I want to see my favorite girl all dolled up. Even if I don't get to act like she's my favorite girl."

That made Mikasa smile. "I never said you couldn't act like I'm your favorite girl. Just no couple stuff." She squeezed his hand. "Fine. I'll go. But you have to get Eren on board." She picked up her backpack. "I'll see you later."

Armin smiled brightly. "Okay!"

Convinving Eren was not nearly as difficult as Mikasa believed it would be, and the blond found himself in the Jaegers' living room on Saturday evening. Neither Eren nor Mikasa were ready yet, so he sat with Mr. Jaeger. "So, how's school going?"

"It's fine, sir."

"Good to hear. Have you started looking at colleges yet?"

"Not really."

"Well, you still have time. I'm sure with as smart as you are, you could get into any school you wanted to."

"Yes, sir. Thank-"

"Can I give you a little bit of fatherly advice?"

Armin looked up at Mr. Jaeger's face. "What is it?" The Jaegers had a penchant for acting like parents to Armin, which he didn't mind so much, since he didn't have parents of his own.

"Don't go somewhere that doesn't meet your full potential just because you want to stay with these two." Armin stared at him. "In this situation, you have to think about what's best for YOU, and your future. Do you understand?"

Armin slowly nodded his head. "Yes, sir."

"Good lad." Mr. Jaeger patted him on the leg.

Armin's mind whirled. He'd never really thought about college. Of course, it had always been considered a given that he would go, but he had never really sat down and pictured himself at school, so he had never considered that he would not go to the same school as Eren and Mikasa. He'd never thought about them not being together. He didn't like the thought. What was his life without them? And for that matter, what did he even want to study in college? What did he want to be when he grew up? Growing up was much closer than he had realized. He was already 16.

He was pulled from his thoughts by Eren. "I don't see why I have to wear a stupid tie. It's not like it's the prom. It's Snowball!" Eren marched into the room, a blue tie draped around his neck. He had on a white button up shirt, and blue slacks that matched his tie. He looked…really nice.

"It's a semi-formal, and no son of mine is going to anything with the word formal in the title looking like a bum." Mrs. Jaeger appeared behind Eren. "Besides, Armin's wearing a tie." Armin glanced down at his own outfit. He had opted for a grey button down, black slacks, a black vest, and a teal tie. Mikasa had helped him pick it out, stating it accented his eyes.

"There's no use arguing, Eren." Mr. Jaeger stood up. "Do as your mother says and tie your tie."

Armin rose to his feet as well, knowing Eren incapable of tying a tie." Armin had shown him numerous times, but Eren just couldn't do it. "Come here." Armin sighed.

Eren dutifully clumped over, and Armin deftly knotted the tie. He heard a shutter sound and looked up in time to see Mrs. Jaeger lowering her camera. "You kids are growing up so fast."

"That doesn't mean you have to take embarrassing pictures of me." Eren grumbled, adjusting his tie.

"It's not embarrassing. It's sweet. 20 years from now, when you're grown up with your own lives, you'll thank me for all of this pictures."

"Well, this is as good as it's going to get." Mikasa's voice came from the hallway. She stepped into the room and Armin's jaw about hit the floor. Mikasa had on a periwinkle dress that went down to her midthigh, and silver high heels. The dress had these sort of floaty sleeves that just covered her shoulders. Her hair was done half up and half down, and clipped back with a silver hair piece. She looked like the most beautiful girl Armin had ever seen. He heard the shutter sound again.

"MOM!" Eren snapped. Armin realized Mrs. Jaeger had taken a picture of the boys, not Mikasa.

"You boys look like you've never seen a girl dressed up before." Mr. Jaeger laughed.

"Not Mikasa." Eren said, shaking his head. "You're not wearing your scarf."

Mikasa rolled her eyes. "It doesn't really match the outfit."

"Well, next time you should wear red. It would look better on you." Eren crossed his arms and looked like he was pouting.

Mikasa huffed, but Armin spoke up before she could say anything. "I think you'd look beautiful in any color.

She smiled at him. "Thank you, Armin."

"Eren, be nice to your sister. She looks lovely." Mr. Jaeger chided.

Eren sighed. "Fine."

"Alright, you three. Get together so I can take pictures." Mrs. Jaeger shooed them into the foyer. Armin ended up in the middle. "Look at them so beautiful in blue."

"I can't believe my children are going to a school dance. I never imagined the day." Mr. Jaeger said.

"It was Armin's idea." Eren said with a shrug.

"Oh, was it?" Mrs. Jaeger gave them a knowing grin.

"Well, it's nice you guys are doing something Armin wants to do." Mr. Jaeger said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Eren asked, crossing his arms.

"It's just that it's usually the Eren and Mikasa show, with Armin tagging along."

Mikasa laughed. "You're wrong, Dad. It's normally the Eren show, with Armin pulling the strings."

Eren nodded his head. "He DOES know how to manipulate us rather well. All of our friends, really."

"All he has to do is bat his pretty blue eyes, and fall all over themselves to do what he wants." Mikasa laughed.

"Aw, you think my eyes are pretty?" Armin batted his eyes playfully.

"I think you're exaggerating a little." Mrs. Jaeger said.

"Really, Mom? Has there ever been something you didn't want to do, but you did it anyway because Armin asked you to?" Mikasa asked.

"Well…"

"It's that angelic quality about him. Historia has that too." Eren said, ruffling Armin's hair.

"Get off." Armin smacked his hand away, making Eren laugh.

"Alright, well I have a question for all of you, then." Mr. Jaeger said, crossing his arms.

"What?" Eren asked.

"If Armin controls all of us, like you say, who controls Armin?"

Armin made eye contact with Eren, before they both looked back at Mr. Jaeger and said in unison, "Mikasa."

Mr. Jaeger laughed. "It's good that you know the answer."

"All right, put on your coats. You're going to be late." Mrs. Jaeger said, setting her camera down and putting on her own coat. "Say goodbye to your father."

"Goodbye, Father." Eren gave a mock salute. "I leave for the war."

"You're absolutely ridiculous. Let's go." Mrs. Jaeger nudged Eren towards the door. Armin noticed she picked up the camera again.

"Goodnight, sir." Armin nodded to Mr. Jaeger.

"Have a good time." Mr. Jaeger smiled at him, before giving Mikasa a kiss on the top of the head. "Don't grow up too fast." He whispered.

Mikasa smiled at him. "I'm trying." Mr. Jaeger glanced between her and Armin. Armin knew in that moment that Mr. Jaeger knew about them. Before any of them could say anything else, Mrs. Jaeger popped her head back in the room.

"Come on, you two. I've barely got Eren contained in the car."

"We're coming." Mikasa groaned. The pair of them followed Mrs. Jaeger to the car. Eren was sitting in the front seat. "Why do you get the front seat, Mikasa demanded.

"Because I got here first." Eren shot back. Armin just climbed into the backseat and avoided the argument. Mikasa conceded and climbed into the back with him. Mrs. Jaeger started the car and they were off.

"So, are you guys excited? First school dance!"

"No." Mikasa said flatly.

"Eh. I wish I didn't have to wear this stupid thing." He pulled at his tie.

"What about you, Armin?" Mrs. Jaeger asked.

"Oh, I've been to school dances before."

"What? When?" Eren demanded, spinning around to look at him.

"Well, for one, Snowball last year. You know, when I asked you to go and you told me that you would rather cut your own foot off than go.' Armin crossed his arms.

"Oh." Eren said simply, turning to face front again. "I think I played video games that night."

"That certainly sounds like you." Mikasa shook her head.

"Why didn't you go, Mikasa?" Mrs. Jaeger asked.

"Armin didn't ask me." Mikasa shrugged.

"Yeah, so I hung out with Connie and Sasha and Marco. It was fun. Sasha was pretty much only there for the food. Connie was only there to get into mischief with Sasha. But I did get to have some nice conversations with Marco."

"That's nice, sweetheart." They pulled up outside the school. "Now, can one of you please take my camera and get some pictures for me?"

"Ew. No." Eren got out of the car, followed by Mikasa. Mrs. Jaeger looked sad.

"I'll take the camera."

Her face brightened. "Really? Thank you, sweetheart!" She handed him the camera. "You know, you're the best I could have hoped for. Be good to her."

"Always." Armin said, taking the camera and getting out of the car.

"Finally." Eren huffed. "It's freezing out here. Let's go."

They walked inside and the place was packed. The dance was being held in the cafeteria and the gym, which were very close to each other. They saw Historia, who waved them over. "Oh my goodness, you made it!"

"Jaeger, what are you wearing?" Ymir smirked.

"I could ask you the same thing." Eren fired back. Ymir had on a dark blue button up, and a suit vest over top, with a red tie.

"You look nice, Ymir." Armin said.

"Thank you, Armin. I see we have similar tastes in fashion." Ymir motioned to Armin's vest. Historia had on a poofy red dress that matched Ymir's tie.

"You look lovely, Historia." Armin smiled at her.

Historia beamed back at him. "Thank you, Armin! You guys look wonderful!"

"Where's everybody else?" Armin asked.

"Well, Sasha and Connie are getting food. Jean went off with Marco and Bertolt somewhere…and Annie…" Armin's eyes drifted to where Annie sat, in the corner by herself.

"Oh boy."

"Yeah."

"Mikasa, I'll be right back."

"Mikasa, let's get food." Eren said, seizing her hand and pulling her away.

Armin approached Annie slowly. "Hey, Annie."

Annie looked up at him. Armin was taken aback. Annie looked like she had been crying. "Hey, Armin." She said softly.

Armin sat down next to her. "What's wrong?"

"This whole thing is stupid. I shouldn't have come."

"You can't have been here long enough to feel like that. What happened? Why aren't you with Bertolt?"

"Because he's stupid!" she snapped back.

"No, he's not. You've always thought of Bert as your friend. Did you guys have a fight or something?"

"No! Yes…I don't know." She huffed. She crossed her arms and sighed, seeming to deflate as the fight seemed to go out of her. "I thought it would be different."

"Different how?"

"I don't know. I thought he would bring me flowers and hold the door open for me, and stuff like a real date."

"I take it he didn't do any of those things, then?"

"No! He was awkward the whole car ride, and took off with Jean first chance he got. He didn't even ask me to dance." Her voice cracked a little.

"Do you want to dance?"

"Of course not! That's stupid!" she huffed, then softened. "But I would like to be asked."

Armin knew how that felt. That feeling of wanting to be included. To feel normal. "You look nice today. Really lovely." She had clearly dressed up for this event. She had on black dress pants and a fancy white sweater with a scoop top. She still had on her converse, but hey, she should have comfortable footwear.

Annie smiled slightly. "Thank you. You're the first person to say so."

"Really? Bertolt didn't say anything?"

"No. He didn't."

"What a jerk." They both looked up to see Eren standing there. How he had gotten up next to them without either of them noticing was a mystery to Armin. "Pigs in a blanket?" he held out a small plate.

"No, thanks." Annie said.

Eren sat down on the other side of Annie. "You do look nice today."

Annie looked at him, surprised. "You think so?"

"Yeah! I wish my mom had let me wear my converse." He loosened his tie.

"Me too." Mikasa walked up, carrying two cups. She handed one to Armin. "Do you want some lemonade, Annie?"

Annie looked really surprised. "Uh…sure." Mikasa handed her the cup. "Thanks."

Mikasa sat down next to Armin. "Do you want to hang out with us tonight?" Armin asked.

"I can't believe Bert ditched you for Horseface." Eren said, shaking his head.

"You guys would let me hang out with you?" Annie asked, looking to Armin for reassurance.

"Of course! You're our friend." Armin patted her hand. Annie looked near tears, and took a sip of her lemonade.

"Hey, is this where the losers are hanging out? Because I'm down." Ymir called out.

"Ymir!" Historia exclaimed, following behind.

"What? I said I'm down!" Ymir stepped in front of Annie. "Hey, no one gets to make you feel like shit. So, fuck him, either metaphorically or physically. That sure would destroy him, if you fucked him and then ditched him."

"YMIR!" Historia's face was red. "Annie, I'm so sorry about her."

Annie cracked a smile. "Thanks, guys."

Eren stood up suddenly and held out a hand to Annie. "Come dance with me."

"What?" Annie looked as taken aback, as did everyone else.

"We're at a school dance. We might as well dance."

"We might as well not." Annie retorted.

"Come on! Armin and Mikasa are going to dance."

"We are?" Mikasa asked.

"I guess so." Armin said, standing up and holding out a hand for her. She took it and stood up.

"Oh, alright." Annie huffed, setting her lemonade down and taking Eren's hand. "But only for as long as she does." She nodded towards Mikasa.

"Come on, Historia. We won't be left out of this shit show." Ymir grabbed Historia's hand. The six of them walked out onto the dance floor. They were soon joined by Connie and Sasha, who seemed to really enjoy jumping around to the upbeat music. But soon enough, a slow song came on. Historia and Ymir transitioned right into slow dancing. Connie and Sasha disappeared as quickly as they had appeared. Armin looked to Eren and Annie, who were both flushed red.

"We don't have to-" Eren started.

"It's fine." Annie grabbed his hand, while placing her hand on his shoulder.

Armin looked to Mikasa and raised an eyebrow. Did she want to slow dance? She shrugged in response, so he took it as a yes. He placed one hand on her waist and took her hand with the other. She mirrored Annie's pose with Eren, albeit much closer. Armin smiled. This was wonderful. He leaned his face towards her's, resting his forehead against her own. "You look beautiful tonight." He whispered.

"You don't look so bad yourself." She smiled softly at him. "Eren actually doesn't look uncomfortable over there." Armin glanced over. She was right. If anything, he looked sort of…happy? He was resting his cheek on the top of Annie's head, as they slowly swayed to the song. He grinned at Armin, wagging his eyebrows slightly.

Armin rolled his eyes. "Unbelievable."

The song had just about ended when they heard a voice call out, "Annie?"

They all looked to see Bertolt standing there, mouth open, Jean and Reiner standing behind him.

"Oh boy." Mikasa whispered.