Cherishing You

A/N: :"D Omg I know I haven't update for a long loooong long time ago. But I decided I have to at least finish this while the new season SNK was running. I'll continue this to the end.

Chapter 13: Waiting

Eren stared at the ceiling in a daze. It was almost midnight, his body felt so tired yet his mind had been thinking nonstop. Armin's words continued ringing in his ears. Eren groaned to himself, he swung his arm across his eyes, trying to stop thinking. A small vibrate from his phone made him jolt in surprise. He looked over his phone to check who it was who dared to disturb him in the middle of the night. He frowned when he saw his bro- boyfriend's name in the screen. Chuckling to himself knowing that Levi also couldn't sleep, he texted him back.

"What's wrong big bro? Couldn't sleep?" He joked and pressed send. In less then a few minutes, Levi's reply appeared on his screen.

"Don't joke around with that brotherly thing. If you don't like it, don't force it. We're both gonna hurt because of it. I'm surprised you're not asleep yet. Something bothering you?"

Eren's smile ceased, he sighed and replied.

"Nothing for you to worry about. It's just Armin and his love life… I… I'm just shocked."

"Can you handle it?"

"It's okay, I'll tell you in our next meeting. What about you? You haven't sleep yet."

"Just thinking about how you are doing, you know… the test result."

Eren's felt something heavy weighing down his chest. He knew deep down he was not alright at all. What could he reply anyway? Easing the pain of his boyfriend was the top priority. He was about to type back when another message appeared at the bottom list.

"Don't you dare say you're fine."

Eren's eyes widened. He couldn't help but chuckled to himself.

"You read my mind. What do you want me to say anyway? Quit with that chit chat. We both know nothing is gonna be okay, Levi. I'm losing my mind when I think about losing you."

Levi didn't reply him. It's the most popular 'Read' notification that people hate. Eren knew best not to press the conversation further. It was too heavy, too painful even. He must be crazy to think about dating his own brother. No matter what the result was, he'd need to accept reality. The evidences were too obvious. Trying to turn blind eye about the fact would not make it any better.

'Do we really have to end the things that's just started…''

Eren wiped away his tears, rolled to his side and tried to gain some rest.

Armin looked up from his textbook. He saw Eren stroll to his seat without an eye-contact with him. His heart dropped, averting his blue eyes back to the book he was holding. His lips puckered while trying to hold himself from saying anything. He felt his vision blurred. He shouldn't have told Eren about his relationship with Jean and Marco. He couldn't help it though. It just didn't seem right for some people, but Eren had it worse. He could be dating his own brother. The pressure was too much. Making himself as the example probably was a rush decision. Armin hold the book tighter and bit his lower lip.

"Armin…"

Armin wiped his head so fast that it hurt. Green eyes met blue, Armin pressed his lips together, gulping the lump in his throat.

"I…", Eren paused, blinking for a few times while calculating the words he was going to say. "I don't think I can understand how you can love two people at the same time. But if that's make you happy, then it's alright. Who am I to judge?" Eren talked so fast that it was hard to catch. He took a deep breath and waited for Armin to reply. The blond in front of him stared before his worried expression melted down into a relieved one.

"Eren!" Armin shouted, almost toppling Eren from his seat.

A few students who were in the classroom looked at them in wonder.

"Armin! W-Wait, I'm gonna fall off!" Eren caught himself from falling, gripping on the side of his table tightly. His best friend practically clinging to him. Eren looked down on him, slowly brought his right hand and patted his head. He must be sacrificing his own love story for his sake. It's not wrong to love people, it's not wrong to love his family… his brother… Eren's eyes dimmed. It shouldn't be a problem. People always talk anyway. The brunette gave a soft sigh and smiled.

"Sorry, you must be worried."

Armin shook his head. "I was just glad that I can share this with you. Maybe it's too sudden, but I just want you to understand that some people have it worse. Maybe it's not common for you to-", Armin looked around and whispered the next sentence, "love your brother romantically, but you don't have to let people know, its your privacy. We all have privacy. It's totally fine." Armin crossed both of his forefingers in front of his mouth.

Eren nodded. "Can we really do that? With Ian pressing the matter and chasing after him like a stalker…"

Armin nodded. "The only thing we need help from is Mikasa."

Eren gaped at the name. "Oh my God, Armin. You know that's impossible!"

"Nothing can be easy and smooth, Eren. But you have to try." Armin's eyes glistened with full of seriousness.

Eren stared for a moment, and nodded. "Let's wait until the result come out."

The teacher walked in just in time Eren stopped talking. Armin quickly returned to his seat. The homeroom started with the teacher giving out a form for them to fill in which university they were going to choose for their future. Eren frowned at the paper as soon as he received it. Like as if he knew what he'd do other than continuing his father's business anyway. He looked at Armin who clearly knew what he should choose. Eren huffed at another thing he should be thinking about other than the DNA result.

Armin closed the door shut behind him when he entered his house. The sound of running water reached his ear His nose smelled the curry soup. Before he stepped inside, he nodded at the photo of his deceased grandfather. He checked the shoes, recognizing it as Jean's. Marco should still be in his part-time job. His strolled inside and found his lover still wearing a complete outfit. Jean clearly headed straight to Armin's house right after his part-time job.

Armin sneaked behind him while wearing a big grin. He circled his arms around Jean's torso, making him jolt in surprised with a loud shout.

"Armin! Don't sneak up on me like that!"

Armin laughed and peeked over his cooking. The sausages sizzled in the frying pan, the scent made Armin's stomach growled. Jean chuckled at the sound. He pinched Armin's cheek while shaking his head.

"Where's Marco?" Armin asked, watching Jean turned off the stove and put the sausages on the cutting board.

"He'll come by at eight. Can you wait that long? He told us to go ahead and eat, though."

Armin nodded. "I'm starving."

"Alright, let's eat first." Jean picked up the rice and dumped it in the frying pan. He cut the sausages and mixed it in with the rice.

Armin watched him cook, spacing out until Jean's voice snapped him back to reality. Their eyes met and Jean raised an eyebrow at him. Realizing that Jean was done with his thing, Armin flushed and quickly backed off from the kitchen island.

"L-let's eat." Armin chuckled, trying to hide the fact that Eren's relationship had bothered him. Clearly his boyfriend wasn't that easy to be fooled.

"Armin, I swear… If I don't know you better, I'd probably ignore you. Talk." Jean said after giving Armin his plate full of fried rice sausages.

Armin puckered his mouth and took the plate. "Just… It's about Eren and his boyfriend."

They sat together and started digging in their food. Jean took a spoon full of fried rice, munching and swallowing before replying him.

"What's his problem now?"

"They do DNA test, remember?"

Jean's spoon stopped in mid air. "Right. Have the result come out yet?" Armin answered by shaking his head. Jean put the spoon down and sighed. Armin continued.

"I don't know what to say anymore besides waiting. Eren looked like he wanted to end the relationship but I told him to keep going. He was still confused."

"He's clearly confused. If they still want to make things work, they gotta make a fast decision."

Armin's reply was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening. Marco came into the dining room in a few seconds with a cheerful face. His face changed when he saw his two lovers stared at him with an awkward silence.

"Hey… Did I interrupt something?"

Jean shook his head and got up to grab the plate for Marco. "Nothing to be concerned about. It's just Eren and his DNA test with Levi."

Marco took a seat beside Armin and patted his head. He leaned down and pecked Armin's lips. "I'm sure things will work out for both of them." He gave Armin a tender smile.

"But they need to make a quick decision or it'll be the end of their relationship. The test hasn't even come out yet and they're already acting as if it's the end of the world. I cannot imagine what will happen when the result came." Jean snickered. He put the plate full of fried rice in front of Marco.

"But with so many evidence between them, it's something natural for them to react that way." Marco pulled the spoon up. "Anyway, you're early."

"Yeah, boss told me to go home early."

"Glad you can join us." Armin nodded and smiled.

"Let's eat." Marco said.

The three of them dugged in and enjoy their dinner.

Hanji stared at the computer screen. His fingers paused for a second before continuing to type the formula. She mumbled to herself, frown deepened for any missed calculation in her jumbled mind. He blocked a few words and pressed hard the delete button. Hanji slammed the desk with a lough shout just in time when the the door opened by her assistant. Moblit jumped in surprised at the shout and grimaced at his partner.

"Hanji-san, please do your work quietly. You're scaring people off."

"There's no one other than me in the room!" Hanji exclaimed and pointed to the tubes and jars across her. She spun around in her seat, sighing loudly. "And my babies." She chuckled and pulled up her glasses above her head.

"And me now. I'm surprised when you suddenly shouted."

"Fine fine… Any news?" She dismissed his complained with the wave of her hand.

"I'm here to send the document of the progress." Mobilt gave her a white envelope.

Hanji snatched the envelope with a loud yell. "FINALLY!" She spinned around excitedly and gave a quick dance.

"Please treat it kindly. And also, the DNA test-"

"What about it?!" Hanji gasped.

"It's progressing well."

"Don't make things sound like it's an emergency!"

Moblit chuckled hearing her snap. "You shouted as if something turned wrong when I entered. It's a payback."

Hanji rolled her eyes and flicked his forehead. "Shut it! My mind is so full right now I feel the need to shout. Is it gonna finish soon?"

"Probably next week." Moblit nodded.

Hanji looked to the glass barrier for the next room laboratory. She could see Levi sitting in front of the computer in full of concentration..

Next week… Things gonna be tough for both of them.

Levi rested his chin on his hand. Next week… Moblit gonna give him the important news. It's like everyone in this hospital was expecting both of them to be related. He pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing over his chaotic mind. Levi opened the drawer and found a copy of the document Ian had given him again on the other day. The man clearly didn't know how to stop, annoyed him to no end. He pulled out the envelope, pulling out the papers to check on his name.

Rivaille Jaeger.

Seeing that Jaeger's Bakery every day it's obvious enough that Eren's full name is Jaeger. He didn't need to confirm himself twice. Eren was about to take over his father's business in the future. He got his path chosen ahead of him already. What if they were related? What would Levi do? He was now a doctor, he could not be a baker. Eren was more suited for the role.

Levi grimaced at the thought. It was as if he was standing on the two pathways. All of the sudden he didn't know what he should choose. He slammed the drawer shut and stood up to leave his office. The man badly need some coffee right now. He brought the document with him.

Levi briskly leave his office. He foot brought him to the cafeteria in the lower ground of the hospital. As soon as he reached the cafeteria, he snatched the paper cup and filled it with the sugarless coffee. He grimaced as the taste didn't reach his favourite at all. He was sure Jeager's coffee was much better than the one he was having. He paused in the middle of his thought, realizing his own routine. Someone interrupted him, Levi looked behind to see Auruo had running toward his direction.

"Levi! There's an emergency! Erwin want you to help!" The man shouted and bit his tongue as he talked.

Levi slammed the cup and ran outside following Auruo. On his way to the ward, Levi caught Eren running inside the hospital.

"Levi!"

"Eren? Wait, we have emergency at the moment. Can you wait?"

Eren nodded. Levi didn't need to ask what's inside the bag. Surely Eren had brought the breads he used to buy daily. Levi looked around, his eyes landed on Auruo who was squinting his eyes at Eren up and down.

"Auruo, can you take care of Eren for a moment?"

Surprised by the command, Auruo spluttered. "B-but I want to he-" He bit his tongue in the process of talking too fast.

"I'll manage just fine!" Levi patted his shoulder and ran to the ward.

Eren and Auruo looked at each other.

"Uhh… I was just dropping this actually." Eren said and showed the bag full of breads.

"He told you to wait, so you have to wait, brat!" Auruo flicked Eren's forehead. "Follow me."

Eren pouted and held back his retort. He followed Auruo to a certain office. Inside the office, Eren immediately knew it was Levi's. The neat surrounding was pretty much familiar. Eren dropped the bag full of breads on the table as soon as he stood inside.

"Don't touch anything." Auruo said when Eren touched a brown map on his way to Levi's desk.

"Oh sorry…" Eren mumbled and put the folder back on top of the keyboard. His green eyes looked at Auruo who stood by the door, watching his every move.

"Can I as you something?"

"I'll answer depends on your question, brat."

"Stop calling me a brat! Oh man, why is everyone I met today so rude?" Eren cursed loudly and winced when Auruo spluttered only to bit his tongue. "I was just curious if any of you are Levi's childhood friend and remember who he was before he work for Erwin."

Auruo's eyes widened. "What's your connection to him?" Auruo strolled to Eren, eyes never leaving him.

"His… brother… maybe. We don't know until the DNA result come out."

Both of them stared at each other in silent. For a few second Auruo seemingly lost for words before he cleared his throat and speak.

"I am one of them. We used to call him captain as a playmates because he's always a leader person."

Eren looked at him surprised. He listened intently when Auruo continued.

"I'm keeping an eye on him. He lost his memories after what happened in that bus accident and his life was changing afterwards. I knew by now that he's happier with his current life."

"What happened?"

"Apparently his father was pretty violence to him that sometimes he wish he could be adopted somewhere else."

Eren felt like he was being suckerpunched on his stomach. "But why?"

"Everytime we play he always end up having bruises on his face. Looks like his father forced his skill onto him that Rivaille felt pressured by it."

Eren's eyes widened. He couldn't remember since he was still a baby that time. That explain why his father was somehow traumatic of having him handled the kitchen. He gulped at the thought of his violence father.

"I… I guess that make sense." He whispered and nodding to himself.

Auruo stared at him and frowned. "I understand if you want your brother back, but he was enjoying his life right now. I hope you won't drag him back to the place he doesn't belong." With that, Auruo turned around and walked outside the office.

Eren looked back to the brown envelope. He picked it up and check the inside. Its nothing but a patient's information, much to his disappointment.

The sky was getting darker by the time Farlan walked back from the court with Isabel in his arms. By Ian's help, things went smoother for them. Now that Isabel was under his care, Farlan had nothing to worry about. His mind went to the next thing that needed to be taken care of. His old friend who was missing. He remembered the boy named Eren said it was his brother. From the perplexed look on his face, Farlan didn't need to be told twice. Eren clearly didn't know that his brother could be alive somewhere. Either that or his family was covering the fact from Eren.

"It's more complicated than it should be." Farlan mumbled to himself.

Isabel threw him a questioning look, but she didn't ask anything.

To Be Continued...