Cherishing You

Genre: Drama | Romance | AU | Incest | Modern Days

Rating: M

Pairing: (mainly) Rivaille x Eren, some other pairing which will be added in the later chp.

Summary: Having separated from his brother ever since he was a baby, Eren didn't remember the face of his older brother aside from his baby photos. He soon found himself slowly attached to the new guy who appeared in his family's bakery during the first day of his moving.

Disclaimer: I don't own Shingeki no Kyojin, but this fanfiction is mine. ©AsakuraHannah

Chapter 05: Runaway

Jean looked at Armin, taken back to what the blonde had explained to him about Eren's condition.

"So he was grounded? And here I am, looking forward to seeing him after three days not coming into school because of his nasty behavior. I'm being suspended too, it's his fault. Now he's free at home? I envy him…" He started to laugh as Armin glared at him.

"What? He was the one who started it." Jean stopped after Marco sent him a look.

"You're also guilty, you know that, Jean?" Jean looked at his cousin, grimacing at him defending Eren.

"He had his reason, Jean. The words you said about his father stung him." Jean looked at Armin questioningly. The blonde explained to him about the cause of Eren's father who never let him venture to the kitchen to help out. The taller guy started to feel guilty, he scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"So, I guess I hit a nerve?" He let out an exasperated sigh.

"I just want you to know the reason he acted like that. I don't really know what's going on in his family, but I heard Eren has wanted to help out since he was 10. I'm not the one who'd interfere in people's problems, but I felt the need to tell you this. You've mocked him indirectly in a sensitive wound. You have to apologize." Armin said calmly, staring into Jean's eyes attentively. Jean blinked at him, the blonde didn't make it any better.

"I…" Jean started, he was cut off after he saw Eren's sister walking towards their direction. All eyes stared at her as she entered the cafeteria, some boys blushed as she walked past their tables.

"Mikasa?" Armin looked up when she stood beside him. Her eyes never leaving Jean as she stood firm across from him, lips pursing together as the boy stared back into her black eyes.

"Jean, I need to talk to you." Jean gulped and stood up. They walked out from the cafeteria, the boy following Mikasa meekly until she stopped near the very end of the store.

"I need to talk to you about Eren. I decided to talk to you directly instead to the teachers upon seeing that you guys fought the other day. I've known you ever since Eren entered elementary school, so I know you had no bad intention towards my brother." Jean's stomach did a somersault after she turned around to face him, her long black hair fluttering nicely as she moved.

"I heard from Armin the cause. I planned on going to apologize." He replied dryly, trying not to stare too much at her face.

"I see… in that case, you should do what he told you. You two are always fighting, but he never used any violence before. I apologize as well for my brother's behavior." Jean sucked on his breath. He cursed Eren inwardly for having such a loveable sister.

"I… I never thought that I'd used my fist on him, so I'll apologize about that too. I'm sorry, Mikasa." Mikasa's lips curved into a small smile, a fact which made Jean's heart skip.

"Dad never let him bake because of his brother."

"You mean your brother, Rivaille?" Mikasa nodded.

"Dad was utterly sad after he lost his son, Rivaille had succeeded with his talent ever since he was 10 years old. He'd found his motive to make people happy after they bought and ate his creations, the bread he made being put into the recommend list when he was 12. Dad was very proud of his son, but that has all changed after Rivaille got into an accident. He felt that he'd forced his son to inherit his skills, that's why ever since Rivaille passed away, he never wanted Eren to touch anything.

Dad wouldn't let Eren touch the kitchen until he was sure Eren was ready to take over the business. He just wanted Eren to be free from his clutches. Eren was frustrated over it, he wanted to learn by heart, but his father acted like he didn't trust him enough with his shop. My Dad is weird, I know. I told you this so you knew why Eren was mad over it. You deserved to know after all those punches." Jean gave a silent nod after the short summary. Even Eren got some problem to deal with, he chose his fist to defend himself from people's ridicule.

"I understand, I'll apologize to him. Thank you for telling me about this." Mikasa nodded.

"Just don't tell him about his Dad's reason yet. I've seen him being pushed around by our parents, and had to deal with lots of customers who see him with one eye. He might explode any time soon. I'm keeping an eye of him, so I want you to keep cool whenever he is throwing tantrums."

"Roger that." Jean grinned at her. Mikasa sent him another sweet smile, leaving the poor boy alone to stare at her back until she disappeared from his eyesight. He was shocked when Armin nudged him on his waist, while Marco tried not to laugh at his silly expression. They were staring at him curiously; Jean had thrown his pride and face-palming before the two.

"Craaap, Mikasa, she's so pretty. How could a pretty lady like her get such a violent brother, I have no idea! Her long black hair makes her prettier!" Jean's mouth spit curses at how lucky Eren was while Armin only chuckled and Marco sweat-dropped.

"Jean, she's engaged already. Forget her." Armin chuckled as Jean let out a huge sigh.

"Just tell us what she talked about." Marco pressed impatiently. Jean coughed into his fist, trying to act cool and started the story telling. He didn't forget to tell them not to tell anyone, even Eren himself.

Eren hummed in silence as he put the broom back to its place. The store had closed the time he finished sweeping, he waved at the last costumer and flipped the board sign right after he locked the front door. He walked inside his house and headed to the kitchen since his stomach was grumbling at him, asking for some snacks. He found his mother was in the middle of pouring the icing on a cake which seemed to be very easy. His curiosity kicked in and he hurriedly walked over to her.

"Can I do it?" Carla couldn't help herself not to smile at the enthusiasms in Eren's eyes, she let him do what he wanted, keeping a close eye on the way Eren worked on the icing.

"It's easy isn't it?" She watched him, amused as he swiftly spread the icing neatly.

"Saying is much easier than done. I can practice." Eren mumbled while carefully tilting the spatula, spreading the icing on the side of the cake. Carla was unable to hold the laughter as she watched her son's expression. The moment was broken down when Grisha entered the kitchen and saw his son holding the spatula. Seeing his lips curve down at the sight, Carla shook her head to him, but her husband wouldn't listen.

"Eren, if you have finished sweeping, go upstairs and study." Eren pursed his lips, he pretended he did not hear his Dad. Mikasa entered the kitchen, watching worriedly as she realized the uncomfortable aura.

"Eren, are you deaf? Put that down this instant." Grisha raised his tone, making Eren flinch at the scolding. The boy's grip on the utensils tightened.

"Can't you let me go just this once? I'm not even baking here, I'm helping Mom." He glared at the man who looked bemused at his reply.

"Why are you becoming a bad child now? Do you want to be locked up in your room?"

"Grisha…" Carla stopped when he patted her shoulder, telling her not to interfere.

"You are still grounded; you are not allowed to do anything than study and do house work. Go now."

"This is house work I'm doing, Dad. Can't you see that I'm trying to help out?" his protest went down after his father shook his head.

"I told you to sweep the floor only, not do something else. Stop finding excuses, Eren." Those green eyes were glaring daggers at him, Grisha could only give him a firm look.

"Do you not trust me at all? I'm trying to find a reason for this, I'm thinking that maybe I can do create something to make people happy just by eating my cakes. Wouldn't that be enough?" Carla gasped as Grisha's eyes widened. Mikasa threw Eren a surprised look, their eyes met, but she nodded, giving him an okay to continue.

"I may not be as good as my brother, but I can try!" Eren's hand was trembling as he finally said it, thinking that maybe his Dad will understand. Maybe he'd finally let him do something worth for once. Eren was utterly disappointed right after Grisha turned his back to him.

"Just go to your room and rest." Eren's eyes widened, he sent him a disbelieving look.

"Eren, listen to your Dad. You should be a good boy just like your brother." Carla tried, stepping forward. Those words stung, Eren threw the spatula he was holding to the floor.

"Right! I'm not Rivaille who is perfect and flawless at baking! How can I be better if I just watch from the sidelines? I'm not him because I'm getting suspended and fighting? I only raised my fist once! I'm sick of you who always try to make me become Rivaille but not even try to solve anything for me! If you don't like me, say so!" His eyes watered after his burst, he bit his lip and shook his head. Eren turned around, bolting to the door, ignoring his mother's shouts. He slammed the door shut and ran out from the house, he did not care where his feet brought him as long as he could be away for some time.

"Eren! Mikasa, please…" Mikasa sighed as she watched her brother disappear behind the closed door. She quickly ran outside, trying to make Eren stop. She managed to catch him before he left.

"Eren, lets go back to the house, you cannot do this."

"Shut up, Mikasa! You are not helping! They love you because you are smart, even capable of handling everything. Why don't you go back inside and leave me alone?!" Mikasa's mouth hung open, she never thought her brother would throw his tantrum to her. Eren shook his head and exhaled loudly, he didn't expect himself to go that far.

"Sorry, I… I've had enough with all these… just… leave me alone for a while… I want to cool my head…" Eren quickly ran outside the gate, not even bothering to look behind him. His sister could only sigh at the sight. she walked back to the house, shaking her head at her parent's expectant look.

"He needs some time to be alone… Let him be… You guys are pressuring him… That thing Eren said about Rivaille, I'm the one who gave him a clue, after all, that's the only thing which has been in his mind for years. Why is it so hard to be more open about this, Dad?"

"I'm surprised he's more persistence about it nowadays… I just… don't want to lose my son again…" Grisha shook his head. A flash of memory went through his mind, his heart clenched in pain. The glare Eren threw to him, it was like Rivaille did when he told him his bread wasn't worth eating. The boy worked extra hard just to be recognized, that went to waste as soon his father hit him on his face, telling him that he wasn't worth to be a baker. The time he saw the grave stone before his eyes, he regretted every little thing he did. He watched as Eren looked at him, full of curiosity. He promised to himself he wouldn't let Eren go through the same trouble again. He tried not to let him near the kitchen, but he knew he couldn't keep him away much longer.

"You should do something, Grisha. I don't want to lose my son again…" Carla shouted in frustration. Mikasa frowned at her, wondering what it was exactly that had gone wrong.

"You are overreacting, Mom…"

"You don't understand… Grisha, why are you so harsh to him? Didn't you have enough with when your son ran away?! I don't want to risk losing another!" Carla yelled, she was about to run outside, but Grisha held her firmly.

"Carla, don't act so panicked."

"You two, can you stop fighting? I need some explanation here? Ran away? What do you mean by ran away? Brother… Rivaille? Wasn't he supposed to be… dead…?" She didn't like the way her parent stared at her, as if guilt creeping up to their face.

"I tried to hide this fact and turn my back on it but… I guess we can't hide this from you anymore, Mikasa. As the oldest sibling, you should know…" Mikasa's heart sank as she watched her cry.

"What's going on? Is there something that you are hiding from us?"

Eren cursed loudly as soon as he found out that he had run out without bringing anything with him, let alone his mobile phone. He stood before the locket in the train station without any money. He was speechless as the realization hit him that he had nowhere to go, not even a few cents in his pocket. The teen ran his hand through his hair in frustration. He refused to bend down to his knees and go back home. His anger wasn't going down yet and he refused to meet his father in the face.

"If you are not going to buy anything then go away." A sound made him screech, he quickly moved away from the locket and muttered an apology to the man. He sighed and leaned against the wall tiredly, watching as people ran up to the train before the gate closed and some walked out and up the escalator. Eren slid to the dirty ground, staring blankly at the train buzzing quickly. The speaker announced the last departure and there goes his plan to go to Armin's house. The only friend he could count on in a time like this, now he had no choice but to stay in his spot unless he cooled his head off.

"Hey brat, don't sit there, it's dirty." Eren was about to snap angrily at the person when his eyes clashed into teal-gray eyes, staring at him with a confused look.

"Levi…" His voice caught in his throat, not sure how to speak the moment Levi offered his hand. He took it and brought himself to his feet, smiling at him hesitantly.

"What are you doing here at this hour?" Eren looked to his side, avoiding the subject. The man's lip twitched as he smirked down at him.

"Did you just… run away?" Eren's face heated up.

"Leave me alone!" He snatched his hand away from his grip, ready to turn and leave. His collar being pulled from behind prevented him from going anywhere.

"Let me go!" He protested, but the man had dragged him a few steps.

"You are not going back to your house, are you? At least come to my apartment, you can pour everything out there." Eren gaped at him, he didn't know whether he should be upset or happy on the invitation.

"That time, they went to the field-trip with two buses. The police said that the bus which collided with the gasoline truck got one extra child. Soon, we heard that the son of that single parent is missing. They even put his photo on the news, but some of the corpses found with burnt on their faces… We can't be sure but…" Grisha decided to open it.

"So, the one we… build a stone was not Rivaille… your brother was never found. He's missing." Mikasa's whole body was trembling with cold sweat.

"Dad, are you saying that the grave we visited was actually empty?" Mikasa's voice quivered as she looked at her father mortified. Carla sent her a sad look while wiping her tears.

"It was only for a memorial. We don't know where he was or what happened during the trip, but there's no trace of him at all. Even the teacher went to the list of the student's name in the bus. We checked but he was nowhere to be found. There is no information whether he was dead or alive." The moment she heard her, Mikasa's vision went blank. Carla screamed as she caught her daughter in her arms with Grisha tried to calm her down, telling her that she had just fainted.

TBC

A/N: The single parent they were talking about in this chapter is in chapter 3, during Levi's trip to the lab (Levi's train of thoughts on the news) if you missed it ;D