I was awoken from the sunlight shining onto my bedside. My view was partly-impaired with bandages over one side of my face. Despite my vision, I recognised the Yeager house instantly. I shifted my head a little to the other side to find Eren' father, Dr. Grisha Yeager, standing by my side washing his hands at the nearest sink.
'Dr. Yeager?' I was very groggy in my voice. I must have slept for a very long time. Dr. Yeager turned around in shock. I think he didn't expect me to wake this early.
'Ah, Armin your awake.' He said in a big relief. He turned off the tape and dried his hands very quickly. I tried to sit myself up straight but instead I failed and got a rush of pain in my arms and back. Grisha quickly came to my aid.
'Please Armin don't get up, at least not now. You have had serious injuries all over your body. Any sudden movements can cause you great pain. I tried my best to fix what I can but that's not a lot I'm afraid.'
He tucked me gently back in and I looked at my right side where the sink is and saw a large pile of bloody bandages. I then thought of home and my Grandfather and how worried sick he will be about me.
'Has my Grandfather-'
'Been informed.' Grisha finished. 'He was around earlier I filled him in on the details. He'll be happy to know your awake.'
Will he? He must be furious at me for doing such a stupid thing like this. The repercussions for this is going to be more damaging than I thought. I look down at my hidden body covered in bed sheets. I can only wonder what the full extent of the damage is.
'How long will I be here? I don't won't to be a burden.'
Grisha put his hand up to me as if to stop me from going down a route I'm sure he has seen in many patients before. 'Nonsense, Armin. Your always welcome in our house. Besides, I'm sure Eren and Mikasa will be happy for you to stay here.'
They probably would. Probably. Grisha continued. 'I've recommend to your Grandfather that you should have at least a few days bed rest here. I'll come and check on you each day and then we can see about moving you back home.'
I have no other choice by to follow the doctor's orders. I simply remain silent.
I heard voices from downstairs, followed by hurried footsteps up the stairs. The door swung open with Eren gliding in. 'Armin!' He ran over to by left side where I could see him better.
'Eren.' I half smiled at him. It was always like him to make an entrance like that. I could tell by not looking at him that Grisha was going to scold him for doing it. But it never matters to him if it concerns me.
'I heard you starting to talk from downstairs and I had to see you.' He said in such excitement.
I then saw another figure walk in and all ready knew it was Mikasa. Wherever Eren goes, Mikasa follows.
Grisha looked at her as if in defeat with what to do with the sudden visitors. Then walked to the foot of my bed and looked at Eren.
'You can have five minutes with him Eren and then Armin needs some rest if he is going to recover.'
Eren nodded in sadness. He wanted to be by my side, day and night.
Grisha then turned to me. 'I'll be downstairs. Carla will bring up some soup for you later.'
The Yeager household was always kind to me and there gratitude hurts me more than my body.
'Thank you, Dr. Yeager.'
'Also, call me Grisha.'
I bit my tongue for a moment. 'Force of habit.' I chuckled.
He smiled and nodded. As he was about to leave, he turned to Mikasa. 'Five minutes.' He then left the room to us three.
I didn't know what to say. They must all be angry at me. Eren, Mikasa, my Grandfather – everyone. Disappointed in me, the anointed "smart one", for doing something so dumb. I began to feel a tear roll down my cheek.
'I'm sorry.' I felt my voice cracked.
Eren looked at me confused. 'For what?' He questioned.
I put turned my head to look up at the ceiling. 'For all this. For being such an idiot.' I couldn't look at him or Mikasa. I felt ashamed for my actions.
'Your not an idiot, Armin.' I heard him say. 'Your a hero.'
I turned my head back to his side to see his face. Eren had that look in his teal eyes that I knew that came from his heart. He was being genuine in his statement.
'You saw Sasha in trouble and you helped her. Others would have walked away and not give two shits about her. You didn't.'
He put his hand on my shoulder still looking at me. 'You went in and saved her. Not only that, you stayed behind to take a beaten for her.'
Mikasa walked up to me and grabbed a handkerchief from her pocket. She leaned forward and wiped away the tears on my cheek. 'Don't beat your self up over this one, Armin.' She told me in her usual quiet demeanour. 'You should take pride in your courage.'
I lay there with my sudden epiphany. I reflected back on my decisions today. Then it was clear. I was a hero today. I felt warm inside. Is this happiness? The pride Mikasa spoke about? I'm not sure right now? But it felt good and it was always thanks to these two friends of mine.
I looked at them both with wide open eyes. 'I don't know what to say...thank you.'
'You don't have to thank us, Armin.' Eren stated.
Eren lowered down and gave wrapped his hand around mine. Mikasa did the same, putting her hand on top of Eren'. No surprise there.
'We will always be here for you when you need us.'
These two always made me feel apart of something. Whenever I was down, they give me something to keep me going. We were in silent appreciation for a short moment. Then Eren tilted his head to face me.
'Maybe next time we can teach you how to fight.'
I looked at Eren' smirk which turned into a giggle. Then I started to grin and then laugh. He laughed too. I could tell, Mikasa formed a small smile under her scarf.
It was a joke we shared amongst ourselves that Eren had always wanted to teach me how to defend myself. I always came up with an excuse for him not to teach me. It seems he didn't want to let the opportunity to slide away that easily.
There was a knock at the door and it was Carla Yeager, Eren's mother. Her very presence warms the room for me, especially with that smile of hers. I think she reminded me a little bit of my mother.
'Armin, you have another visitor.'
