Look who found time and motivation to write!

Sorry for the long wait, I was really stressed because of school and started getting worse (not gonna say much here, just know I'm a very depressive, clingy person during winter) but I really want to finish this story for once so here's a new chapter. I'll try updating more regularly, I miss writing and will just have to make the time and force myself to start since motivation kicks in after 300 or something words.

It was morning when Eren came back home, having spent the night outside, just trying to comprehend the situation. He had sat on a lonely swing at the playground he used to spend his time with Armin when they were younger, remembering how much fun they always had. Why would someone do this if they didn't even want money? How did it end up like this? With him, going to what could only be the Mafia to request help. And sell his body for information. But Armin was worth it. At least that's what he told himself. He could not help being scared. The phone he had gotten was just another reminder of what he had agreed to just a few hours ago. It could ring anytime, anywhere and he would be forced to go to wherever he was ordered and - He couldn't even finish the thought.

Eren didn't even notice at first, only when a tear fell on his hands did he realize he was in fact crying. He was crying because he was selling his body. He was crying because Armin was gone. He was crying because the fear came back. He couldn't feel any safety anymore. All was fear. Something was lurking out there, trying to get him and do something horrible to him. He didn't know what but he knew it was there. Somewhere. Hiding. Disguised.

It was this fear that drove the brunet to get up and start running. He was far from home but still did not stop once. He just kept running until he got to the small house, rushing inside. It were mere seconds in darkness before Eren stormed into his room, trying to be as quiet as possible. Once inside, he looked around, seeing everything that reminded him of his brother.

Eren collapsed on the floor, pulling his legs to his chest as he tried to calm himself down. The first rays of light were already coming in through the blinds, making everything surrounding him become clearer with every passing minute. Eren knew he was close to an attack but what could he do? There were so many things that belonged to Armin; that he loved.

His legs were shaking as he got up, slowly stumbling to the bookshelf. He determinedly reached for a specific book, pulling it out and holding it close. It was Armin's favorite, he though as he slowly opened it, caressing that pages as if they were made from gold. He softly followed the words on the page he had opened, retracing the lines of every single letter.

"Armin…" He whispered as he once again fell to the floor. Eren didn't notice the man who had become his grandfather as time passed opening the door, looking at the curled up figure clenching a book tightly in his hands. Without saying a word he left again, intending to call the school and call in sick for both boys. He didn't want anyone to know of Armin or force Eren to go there and just feel horrible all day long before he was sent home because he collapsed from another attack.

Eren just stared at the book, slowly starting to make out some words. It took him a few minutes until he managed to understand what was written on these pages, crying silently.

"My troubles are all over, and I am at home; and often before I am quite awake, I fancy I am still in the orchard at Birtwick, standing with my friends under the apple trees."

He couldn't help smiling, imagining Armin saying those lines, reading this very book he now held in his hands. Careful, as if it were a treasure he closed it, holding it close to his chest for a few minutes, just clinging to the memories it held. It had been years when the blond had received this book from him, Eren remembered. He would always carry it with him when they were young, reading it over and over again, telling Eren how much he loved it. Were those times truly over? Would he have his beloved little blond in his arms again?

It was past noon when Eren finally dragged himself to bed. He didn't even think about going to school, knowing how it would end. Their room was calming. It gave him some feeling of being close to Armin even when he was gone. His smell was hanging in the air; his presence lingering in every object around him.

It was a nightmare plagued dream. Eren felt as though he was being hunted. Something had happened and now he was running. Where was he running?
Armin… that's right, that's where he was running. To Armin.

The sun was about to set when Eren woke up, drenched in sweat, his heart pounding. He looked around, still groggy as he remembered what had happened. Armin was gone. He was alone. All alone.

The feeling of being alone made tears sting in his eyes. The house felt empty. He felt empty. There was no laughter to break the silence that was becoming too loud to bear. There was nothing to make the silence go away; to make it less painful. It was all quiet.

Eren clenched his fists, soon burying his head in his hands as he started to silently scream, letting the tears fall as they pleased. It hurt. All of him hurt and was longing for the blond boy who he felt like he owed his life to. It felt as though he had done something for him, Eren could not remember. And once the screams grew louder, sounds starting to come out, it also became more painful. He was screaming, he was crying, he breaking apart.

Before he knew it, the brunet was throwing whatever he could reach around, unable to stop as he tried to get the fear to disappear. What if he didn't get Armin back? What if he wasn't even alive anymore? He wanted him back right now. He wanted to hug the blond until his hands grew numb and he had to let go. Why was this happening? Why couldn't they be together?

It wasn't until he threw the book he had been clinging to as he slept, that he calmed down, stopping every movement. Eren wiped his tears away, getting up to collect the book. It had not taken any damage but he would have to be more careful from now on. It used to be Armin's treasure and now it was his.

He was still hugging the book when he heard a sound he did not know. It took him longer than it should have to realize the phone he had gotten from Levi was ringing. Did he already have information on where Armin was? Was he already closer to getting the other back?

Hope was starting to grow in his chest as he picked it up, hands shaking as he accepted the call.
"Y-Yes?"

"Recon. Ten. Be there. And shower before you come. If you smell as horrible as yesterday you'll regret it." The voice sounded emotionless and still demanding, knowing Eren would come, no matter what he said. He wanted his beloved brother back after all.

Eren slowly let his arm drop. It hadn't even been twenty-four hours since he had made the deal and he was already being called out as what he could only call a whore. He didn't care though. This body was not of importance. Only Armin was. Only his safety was important. Eren's wasn't. He'd do anything for him.

Once Eren was sure their grandfather was asleep, he collected his things, having showered and changed before heading out, this time taking the bus. It only made his anxiety worse, having to sit still next to someone who had no idea the boy next to them was about to whore himself out for information on where his brother was. Eren got off a few stops early, not able to keep sitting still any longer. He might not be able to run but at least walking should be fine. It wasn't hot anymore so he should not end up sweating too much before he got to the club.

Today the slim, tall guy was waiting outside, making Eren swallow as he stared at the club from the other side of the street. He sat down in front of a building, just staring at the club for some time. It was still early, he had about ten minutes left before he needed to be there, so he just stared at the man at the front. And he stared back, not once looking away from Eren as he sat there.

At exactly ten Eren finally got up, slowly crossing the mostly empty street until he was in front of the club. He looked up at the man, wondering what he was thinking as he made an apologetic face before stepping aside, letting the brunet in without a word.

Eren wanted to ask how he was supposed to find Levi but in the end decided against it, just entering the club, immediately feeling dirty in a way he didn't before. It didn't take him long until he found who he was looking for. Without hesitating for even a second he started walking, ignoring even when someone groped him, only stopping when he stood right behind Levi.

"Let's get this over with."

The smaller male turned around upon hearing his voice, chuckling slightly. "Calm down and drink something." He motioned for the man behind the bar to prepare a drink for the boy. "Sit down."

As much as Eren hated it, he knew he had no control over this situation and would just have to do whatever he was told. "I don't want anything," he stated, sitting down slowly.

"Oh you should drink something. The alcohol will help you relax. And you won't get information until morning anyways so drink up." A glass was placed in front of him and Eren stared at it as if it was going to kill him. "It's not poisoned," Levi said, noticing what the boy must have been thinking, "I wouldn't poison the one I want to fuck, that's pretty dumb."

With trembling hands, Eren finally picked the glass up, downing it all at once, not caring what it was. "I don't care about pain as long as I get my information."

With a shrug Levi silently got up, starting to head to the more private part of his club, Eren following him without having to be told so. It were a few minutes until they reached a locked door, the club much fuller than expected for the evening and coming through the crowd of drunk kids trying to hook up rich men was nothing one got through easily.

By the time they had the door unlocked and were in the less noisy room, Eren started to feel the alcohol's effects kick in. It must have been stronger than he thought. It didn't taste bitter or burn his throat that badly either so it must have been some special stuff. Most likely expensive and disgusting without being mixed.

Soon another door was unlocked and Eren felt himself being guided inside. He immediately noticed the bed on one side of the room and another door on the other side as well as some champagne on a small table. Was this supposed to be some sick joke? There even were rose petals everywhere.

"Get on the bed," a command came from behind him as the door closed. Eren could hear the key turn in the lock, knowing there was no way out anymore. He slowly started moving, shaking more than he had all day long. He sat down, watching Levi walking to the other door, opening it to show off the bathroom hidden behind it.

"I swear if you collapse here…" he mumbled as he made his way towards Eren. So this was it. No way out now. He was going to give himself away.

There was no escape anymore.

The book is my favourite book by the way. Black Beauty, if you haven't read it, read it. It's awesome. The quote is from around the end, one of my favourites.