Levi stared at them, they stared back. The classroom was silent except for the sounds of Armin reading in the corner. Levi finally spoke, tired of watching them squirm. "Do you know what you did wrong?" they nodded but neither spoke. Levi looked at them for a moment longer and then called Armin over. Armin came over hesitantly and Levi pulled him in front of him and rested his hands on his shoulders.
He turned Armin to face Eren and Jean. "Armin. They're going to apologize to you." Armin nodded and looked at them expectantly. Eren spoke first "I'm sorry Armin." Armin nodded then it was Jean's turn. Jean looked embarrassed "I'm sorry to." Armin nodded then turned to Levi who let him go back to his book. Levi turned back to them "Now you're going to clean this whole classroom. I want it spotless." Jean looked like he was going to protest but Eren elbowed him in the side.
As they got busy Levi went over to Armin "Come on Armin. We're leaving." Armin nodded, giving him a small smile. They left the classroom and the boys cleaning behind. Armin reached up and grabbed Levi's hand and held it as they walked. Levi was surprised at how quick Armin had come to trust him. He'd only been with Levi for a few days but already he was acting like this. It was a good thing but Levi was still surprised.
Levi got Armin buckled into the car and they went and bought Armin another book. Then they went home. Levi would have to get Armin enrolled in school soon but for now it wasn't that important. Armin went to his room to read the new book and Levi began to grade some papers. Armin came back in the room about 30 minutes later and tugged on Levi's arm. Levi looked at him. Armin smiled "Can I have a snack Levi?" Levi looked at the clock "No. Dinner will be soon."
Armin nodded then hopped up on the couch "What are you doing?" Levi started grading again but answered "I'm grading papers." Armin nodded then hopped off the couch "I'm gonna read some more." then he left. Levi didn't even look up. He finished grading about 20 minutes later then went to make dinner. He called Armin when he finished and Armin came into the room. Armin smiled when he saw what they were eating "I love hamburgers." he said Levi smiled and they began to eat.
After dinner Levi helped Armin take a bath and then helped him change into his pj's. Armin settled into bed and smiled "Goodnight Levi." Levi smiled back "Good night Armin." Levi left the room and sat down in the living room. He turned on the TV and began flipping channels till he settled on the news. They were doing a report on some child abuse charge, he was barely paying attention until he heard a familiar name
"...Danny Rodall and his wife Martha were taken into custody on child abuse charges. They police received an anonymous tip. They had suspected Martha and Danny for a while but couldn't get a warrant but the tip off was the thing they were looking for. They found a diary detailing the abuse of 12 children over the years, all but five of these children are children that have been found dead on the streets. The police are not revealing the names of the five unaccounted for but do say that Martha and Danny abandoned all the children in the streets and the five may have been found and are still alive."
Levi blinked in shock before what he'd heard fully hit him. Armin was one of 12, only five of those children had lived and Armin was one of them thanks to Levi. He needed to thank Hanji somehow. It have to be something special. Just then he heard a loud cry coming from Armin's room. He ran there and opened the door. Armin was sitting up in bed crying. Levi rushed over to him "what's wrong Armin?" Armin latched onto him "I had a bad dream."
Levi rubbed his back and nodded "What was it about?" Armin sniffled "I dreamed that I was in a dark room and couldn't see, then you showed up and you made the room bright again. But then you suddenly disappeared and the room was dark. Then it started to hurt me. The darkness hurt Levi. Where did you go?" by the end he was sobbing even harder. Levi furrowed his brow and held him close.
That sounded like a very disturbing dream, and thinking about it on the psychological side it even made sense. Armin viewed Levi as some kind of savior, or light, so he would fear Levi getting taken away. Levi sighed "I didn't leave Armin. I'm right here, it was just a dream." He whispered comfort until Armin calmed down. Armin got fidgety then. Levi looked at him.
Armin looked back hesitantly "Can... can I sleep in your room tonight?" Levi blinked "I... don't..." Armin looked close to tears again so Levi just sighed and nodded Armin brightened and hugged him. Levi rolled his eyes but smiled and let Armin follow him to his room. Armin crawled into on side of the bed and Levi crawled into the other side. Armin snuggled up to him and Levi let him. Armin smiled "Goodnight Levi." Levi smiled "Goodnight Armin."
Armin was asleep much faster than Levi. He was still thinking about Armin's nightmare and what he'd heard on the news. He wondered if he should tell Armin about it. He fell asleep then, with Armin held carefully in his arms. The next morning Levi took Armin to school with him and let Armin read at the table again. He looked around the room with sharp eyes and was pleased to note that it was mostly spotless. The bell rang and the classroom filled up quickly.
Levi took roll and class began. He taught until lunch then he gave Armin the lunch he'd made him and went to his own desk to eat. He watched Armin more carefully this time, not wanting a repeat. A few people approached Armin, including Sasha but Levi didn't find any of this that much of interest until Jeager approached Armin. Levi watched them like a hawk but wouldn't interrupt unless needed. Armin looked up as Eren approached.
Eren stopped in front of him "Hi Armin. I'm really sorry about yesterday. It was stupid of me." Armin didn't say anything. Eren smiled and it was only slightly awkward "Anyway Armin. I just wanted to say sorry." Armin finally spoke up "Okay. I forgive you." Eren beamed "Really?" Armin nodded, giving a small smile. Eren sat down next to him "What are you reading?" Armin smiled and began to talk about his book.
Eren nodded in interest now and then and Armin only paused to take bites of his sandwich and chew before he was off again. Levi watched and internally sighed, of course Armin would make friends with the Jeager brat. He also knew for sure that the way to get close to Armin was through books. He'd suspected it before but now it was confirmed.
About halfway through lunch Jeager had introduced Armin to Ackerman, who it seemed had been hiding a bit of a mother underneath her tough exterior because she took to Armin right away. All three talked through lunch and Levi just knew that if he let this continue Armin would want to keep being their friend but he would let it go, because Armin looked so happy and he deserved a good friend. Jeager was annoying and Ackerman was to protective but it was clear that they were good people so Levi let it happen, even if he might regret it later.
All right! Eren, Armin, and Mikasa are friends now. I just love the thought of Little Armin with big bro Eren and Big sis Mikasa. Even if they're not really related. Anyway, sorry it took so long to update but I've been having some motivation troubles lately. I've got the beginnings of chapters for like 2 or 3 different stories. Some are ones on here and I think one is new. Anyway enjoy this shamelessly cute friendship scene to make up for Armin's nightmare.