"Eren, are you being serious?"

"I am being dead serious."

There was a pause, before the voices began again.

"I am not getting fries for you. McDonald's fries are disgusting and totally not healthy for you." The woman's voice spoke sternly at the other and sighed a little at the end. "I thought you knew better than that, Eren. Remember the last time you forced Armin to get you fries?"

Erne groaned in exasperation at the memory, though the action caused his throat to sear in pain.

"What does that have to do with anything? It's just fries! You can just get me a small if you're so worried, Mikasa!" Eren coughed out, and rubbed his throat in pain.

Mikasa rubbed her forehead and spoke up, "Last time you ate fries you threw up all of them and Armin was on the verge of crying because of how guilty he felt. We are not going through that again."

Eren rolled his eyes at the muttering of his older sister and lolled his head around.

"Eren, if you're that hungry then just ask for the food here." Mikasa tried to reason with her stubborn and persistent younger brother- who, by the way, was getting on her nerves, and surprisingly faster than usual.

Mikasa raised her eyebrows at the disgusted sound that came from Eren's mouth.

"That's disgusting. Fine. I'm not hungry anymore." Eren stated all the meanwhile putting on his pouty face.

"Well, that settles that." Mikasa said roughly. Eren just stuck his tongue out, and Mikasa flicked him on his head.

"Ouch! That hurt!" Eren rubbed at his forehead. It was surprisingly warm, and it stung from the flick. "My skin is sensitive," he mumbled. "Where's Armin, anyway?"

Mikasa crossed her arms and sat down. "He's visiting his grandfather. Of course, he wanted to come with me, but I told him that he should visit his grandfather instead. After all," she paused. "You'll still be here to greet him."

Eren smiled softly at her attempt at being positive. It was hard on her to stay like that, but he knew she was trying, and he loved her for that.

"His grandfather is a nice man. He did take us in when," he hesitated, "all that happened." Eren coughed to clear up his throat. Mikasa nodded slowly at what Eren was trying to say.

She quickly held his pale, cold hand that was clenching the thin blankets.

"Let's not remember. After all, that happened years ago. The only things that matter now are you, Armin, and his grandfather." She said softly.

"Don't forget about you," Eren quickly corrected her and she closed her eyes.

It was peaceful and silent. Chirping birds and the sound of the wind through the slightly cracked window eased the two siblings into a blissful moment.

"You know," Mikasa began, "maybe I'll get you your fries."

Eren smiled widely and he sat up straighter hoping that she would do just that.

"That is, once you get better and come home." She smiled. Eren could feel the emotion in that sentence and the want. Eren could feel the desire, the need, the want, the aspiration of her little brother finally coming home. He smiled.

"I'll be looking forward to those greasy fries," Eren said back, and he could feel her spirits being lifted at the notion of him finally agreeing that someday he'll finally be able to sit with her and Armin and watch TV for endless hours, and eat junk food together, and laugh together once more.

"Then it's settled. When you come home, I'll buy all the fries you could ever want." Mikasa said with hope in her voice. That hope was there and it made Eren want to do the same. To hope for a day when he wouldn't vomit everything up when he tried to keep it down, or when the blood stung his throat when he hacked it up, when he could smell food and feel hungry for once. That was what he hoped for, and although he tried to keep the hope there, it always lingered away.

They stayed that way for a long time, and Eren was sure that he never wanted that peaceful silence to go away.

"Well, I have to leave." Mikasa said as she checked her watch and began to collect her items and put her jacket on. She walked over to Eren and held his hand. Leaning over, the woman placed her lips onto her younger brother's forehead and smiled.

"I'll see you soon."

Eren stayed silent, but felt her presence beside him and her warm breath on his head, and he closed his eyes. His head hurt.

"Don't you dare die on me," the voice cracked and a little whimper was held back at the end. Eren squeezed her hand and she squeezed tightly back.

"I won't." That was all Eren could say before he felt his throat tighten in pain.

Mikasa shakily sighed and stood back up, reluctantly letting go of Eren's cold hand. Eren felt the hand quivering and the motion was uncertain.

"I am so sorry," she said in a hushed voice. "I am so sorry that I can't do anything to help you." Eren stared at nothing, wanting nothing more than to say that it was okay, but he couldn't form the words. It was painful, hearing his sister break down in front of him, and not have the power to get up and hold her, to not see her. Eren felt his throat painfully clamp up and his eyes stung.

Eren heard his sister shuffling around, before she hugged him tightly. Her body was shaking and Eren was about to lift his hand to hold her until she let go and he quickly placed his hand back down on the bed.

"Okay, I-I have to leave- yeah. Goodbye, Eren." And with that, Eren heard his sister storm out of his room and he clenched his throat with his hands.

The next second he was sobbing and gasping. He was crying and his shoulders were shaking heavily under the violent, wracking sobs of his body. His throat burned and seared with every sound and whimper he made, but he couldn't calm down.

He sat there, his hands covering his face and his throat. His eyes were filled with tears and nose dripping with snot. It was disgusting but there he was, bawling like a baby.

"I'm so sorry…" He whimpered silently. "I am so, so sorry..." and he repeated those words over and over again. "I'm never coming home… Oh God…"

Eren fiddled with his hands as the rain pattered down on the window. He blinked slowly and stared at blackness, an abyss that stared right back. His breathing was heavy, though, and it seemed to be the only thing that made sound. His chest felt a brick and it hurt. It hurt so much, but he tried to never show it. Eren slid a hand underneath his pillow and heard the crinkling of paper and he quickly slid his hand back out.

He wondered and wanted so desperately to know what was on that piece of paper, but he couldn't fucking read or see shit and that annoyed him so much. It made him frustrated and irritated and angry. He furrowed his eyebrows together in concentration, but he didn't even know what he was concentrating on.

That made his brain seemingly thump heavily against the walls of his skull and he groaned. Those headaches would surely put an end to him.

The news of the runaway patient died down, and things were going back to the way they used to be: calm and boring. Eren didn't like it. He wanted those rumors again, and he wanted that man to come back. That odd man- rather, criminal- brought adrenaline to Eren's veins and Eren felt intoxicated with it.

Eren had picked up that small slip of paper back then, not knowing what it had on it, but he picked it up regardless. He didn't know who that slip of paper belonged to, but it felt like the moment to pick it up and so he did.

The encounters with the man had been unexpected and they made Eren feel real. Not like some porcelain doll, ready to break at the slight touch of a finger. It seemed reckless and stupid to want the man to come back, but Eren knew that wouldn't happen. The days would go by over and over and over again and the seasons would change and everything would, but nothing did change completely.

He'd spend the days chatting with his friends and saying nothing and eating nothing. He frowned at the thoughts and looked down in dead silence.

The door slid open, but Eren didn't look.

"How are you, Eren?" There was that sweet voice again.

Eren nodded slowly, "I'm fine." As usual, the same answer. These days were getting repetitive. It was the same routine and the same people. Even saying these days were a boring schedule was once said in the past, maybe more than once. Everything blended together and nothing stood out.

"It's raining, you know." Oh, that voice.

"I know. I like it, though. What about you," Eren inhaled a little, but his lungs stung, "Petra?"

"Oh, I like it too. It's soothing."

Eren inhaled deeply, but that sparked something and he lifted up his arm quickly to cough into it. He stopped and breathed in and out repetitively, hoping to calm his nerves as well as his lungs.

"Are you alright?" She asked and Eren nodded.

"I'm fine." He said once more, but his voice was raspy and unclear.

"Sure doesn't sound like it," Petra said and she sat beside the dazed boy. "Are you sure?"

This time Eren didn't nod. He didn't say another yes, and he didn't acknowledge the question. He just sat there.

"I'm tired."

Petra laughed softly, but it sounded dull. "Well, I'll leave you alone." The woman stood up and left the room, closing the door behind her softly. He felt slightly guilty at not starting a conversation with the polite woman, but he couldn't talk. Not today. He was sick today, or more so than usual. He was tired from crying for an hour straight and his eyes were lazily hanging open.

Eren clenched the blanket tightly within his fists and brought it up to his face, hoping the warmth would encase him a cocoon of heat.

Eren shut his eyes tightly, and he gasped. His nose stung, and his throat burned. His heart pumped so slowly that Eren could've easily been convinced that maybe he was just dead and all this was just some strange, agonizing dream.

Eren exhaled heavily and he ran his hands over his cheeks. They were burning and he felt his eyes sting with pain.

He sighed. He was bored and blind. Oh boy, was this a way to live. He felt guilt for not allowing Mikasa to feel real happiness- not like she used to. He felt guilty because he was wasting everyone's time on his well-being, when in the end, he would be gone. He would disappear, and nobody would see him again.

He used to be afraid of monsters- and sometimes he still is. He was scared that something would be there in the darkness, ready to take his life, and he'd curl up in a ball under his blanket. Even now he was still frightened- only not as much. He'd cower a little and wrap his arms around his body, but then he'd stop and think.

He'd think things and then he'd stop curling up in a ball. He'd think things and he'd sprawl all over the bed, throwing the blanket off himself. Eren would think that if those monsters would truly come and take his life, he realized he didn't care. He didn't care anymore. If anything, if those monsters were real, he'd welcome them with a big smile on his face.

He loathed feeling guilt, and he loathed himself for giving up. He was blind and his body was slowly dying. What hope was there for him? There was nothing, and if those monsters killed him, he'd realized that it would be the same as living. Those empty feelings and the pitch blackness of his surroundings.

It was the same as death, and he didn't know if it frightened him so much into thinking that it wasn't scary at all, or that he didn't mind at all.

"Hey, Armin, could you get some water for Eren?" Mikasa asked the blonde boy standing beside her, and the boy nodded and ran off. "Thank you!" She called out after him and the boy yelled back, "You're welcome!"

"You didn't have to make him go fetch me water, Mikasa. I wasn't that thirsty," Eren chuckled, but his searing throat made it sound funny. Mikasa sighed and crossed her arms.

"Yes you are, Eren. Don't lie to me." The older woman strictly said and got comfortable in the seat she was currently sitting in. "This is my day off, and I'm going to spend every minute with you and Armin."

Eren smiled at the thought of it and also snuggled up in his bed. Maybe they could spend the whole day chatting and sleeping. Eren closed his eyes and sniffled a little. That sounded nice.

"So, Mikasa, have you made any friends at Berkeley?" He asked. Mikasa stayed silent for a while.

"I actually have." She said softly.

Eren brightened at that, only a little bit. "That's great! Who are they?" He asked, hoping he wasn't prying too much, but Mikasa seemed comfortable.

"Well, I made friends with a girl named Sasha. She's a hungry girl alright. But she's sweet." She began and Eren felt a spark of happiness in his chest. It was nice knowing his older sister was having some fun.

"Anyone else?"

"Well, if you insist, Eren, I'll tell you all about my friends." Mikasa said. "Besides Sasha, I met Connie. He's her boyfriend, and boy, is he insane. When the two of them are together," she stopped talking and Eren leaned forward subconsciously, "just no."

Eren felt his lips being tugged wider and he laughed a little, but it sounded harsh and Eren cringed at the sound. Mikasa raised her eyebrows at that.

"You know, that's the first time I've heard you laugh in a while. It's nice." Mikasa said hushed and covered her face with the blankets, not speaking about the hoarse tone of his voice.

"Okay, well, anyone else?" Eren persisted. Mikasa sighed.

"There's also Christa. She's an absolute sweetie."

"They sound really nice."

"Oh, they are. Just a bit too crazy for my liking, but I can tolerate them." Mikasa stated.

The door slid open and Armin came rushing in with a bottle of water. Mikasa jumped at the sudden sound and Eren gasped a little, a cough coming out at the sudden intake of breath.

"I got the water!" Armin announced and Mikasa rolled her eyes.

"Why did you come barging in here like that?" Mikasa shifted in her seat and looked more awake then before. "Nearly gave us a heart attack."

Eren nodded, agreeing with his sister. He placed a hand over his chest, implying his erratic heartbeat.

"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, but on the bright side," Armin stopped and Mikasa smiled in confusion, "look who I found!"

Mikasa watched as Armin hauled in a boy with two shades of hair. Eren was quiet the entire time, just listening to the ruckus his friends made.

"Who is this?" Mikasas asked slowly, not recognizing the face of the stunned boy Armin was currently holding in his grip.

"Don't you guys remember? Or… Mikasa," Armin corrected himself slowly, quickly looking in Eren's direction.

Eren shook his head slowly, knowing Armin felt guilty about what he said. He smiled at his friend, hoping Armin would get the signal.

"No, I don't remember." Mikasa said, staring at Armin. Armin rolled his eyes.

"Jean!" Armin exclaimed, gesturing to the boy he was gripping. The said boy yanked his arm from the blonde and rubbed it wincing at the contact.

"Ow, that hurt Armin. Thanks for the warning." The boy said with a slight hint of attitude in his voice.

"Oh, Jean. Right. I remember you." Mikasa said, her tone monotonic and uninterested.

Jean then felt nervous at the woman's stare- well, more like glare- and he avoided his gaze with her. Armin smiled and then walked over to Eren, who was currently just watching them.

"Eren, this is Jean. Jean, this is Eren. Jean was one of our friends in high school." Armin introduced them politely and Eren greeted by waving his hand. Jean waved back, but then abruptly stopped the motion. Armin noticed and just shook his head.

"You're blind, huh?" Jean asked. Eren blinked and gripped the bed sheets.

"Um, yeah. I-I am." Eren said awkwardly. Nobody ever outright asked him or stated it like that, so the boy in front of him asking it in such a nonchalant voice made him a tad pissed off. "Is there a problem with it?"

"No," Jean snapped back. The blind boy's voice was snarky and filled with attitude and sarcasm. Jean did not like it one bit. "Geez, calm down. It was just a question."

Armin looked down awkwardly and looked back at Mikasa to help. The air was getting tense. Armin swore he heard Eren growl.

"Okay, I think you need to calm down." Mikasa stated, her chin resting in her palm. Jean huffed and walked away from Eren who was glaring and ready to pack a punch.

"So, Jean, what are you doing in the hospital?" Armin asked, the air was still heavy and awkward. He hoped that talking would lighten the mood.

"Visiting Marco."

Armin raised his eyebrows. "Marco is here?" Mikasa took her chin off her hand at the comment and she looked interested. Jean stayed quiet for a couple of seconds before opening his mouth again.

"Yeah, he is." Jean's voice sounded forced.

"Why?" Mikasa asked.

Jean furrowed his eyebrows and shut his eyes. "He was in a car accident a while back. H-He's in really bad condition. I just came by to see him."

Armin frowned at that. Mikasa just looked down.

"Oh, I'm really sorry." Armin said.

Jean just shook his head. "I'd better leave."

Armin was about to say something, but Jean swiftly left, closing the door behind him. Armin looked down. Eren felt the mood turning sour and it upset him.

"Who's Marco?" Eren got the nerve to ask them. Armin looked up.

"Marco was one of our friends in high school, too. He was a great guy. He was nice and polite and everyone loved him." Armin began chuckling. "Everyone always teased him for his large amount of freckles."

Mikasa smiled at the memory of high school. Eren nodded slowly, suddenly feeling guilty for lashing out at Jean, but the guy was asking for it.

"Well," Armin concluded, clapping his hands together, "let's watch TV!"

Eren brightened at that and Armin quickly shuffled to move his chair beside Eren's bed, motioning for Mikasa to do the same. Mikasa grinned and she quickly got and scooted her cushiony chair beside Armin and Eren.

"Okay, what do you guys wanna watch?" Armin said as he grabbed the remote and flicked through the channels. "We've got Judge Judy, the whole Cartoon Network channel…"

Eren smiled and felt warm for once in his life. He supposed that this was what contentedness felt like; just being happy and warm and nice. This was nice. Everyone he ever loved was with him, and he knew his mother was there somewhere with them. It was perfect.

Eren closed his eyes, trying to lull himself to sleep. But nothing ever seemed to work. Not to mention, the constant beeping of his heart monitor just kept waking him up. He knew Mikasa and Armin were snuggled up in their pillows and blankets already asleep, for he could hear their rhythmic breathing of inhales and exhales.

He shut his eyes in frustration. Today was the best day he'd ever had in a long time. His family was here and they all had a good time talking and teasing and doing whatever they wanted to do. It was just natural for him to enjoy their presence and attention. That's all he wanted. Attention and love and care.

He sighed in exasperation. Of course, that made him sound selfish. Wanting any kind of affection made one sound self-centered and gross.

Living was just too hard for him. Doing any one thing made him gasping for breath or keeled over coughing up pain. It was all just too much for him and his frail body.

Eren sat up and surprise when a loud slam came from the left. That was definitely not the door. The only thing on his left was the window, and that thing was rarely open. God forbid insects came in and drained him of all his blood, or so Petra claimed worriedly.

It was silent for another while, and he was contemplating waking up Mikasa and Armin, because neither seemed to have woken up from the loud sound. Eren gulped audibly and he broke out in a cold sweat.

"God, don't get so panicked." The deep voice spoke, but in a hushed voice. Eren supposed it was to not wake the slumbering visitors.

Eren blinked dumbfounded for a really long time before stuttering out, "Um, w-what? You're t-the guy…" Eren could never forget that voice.

The intruder stood at the foot of Eren's bed.

"Yes, I am 'that guy'. Good thing you're not stupid."

Eren panicked as he heard footsteps make their way towards him and he leaned to the right, hoping to avoid whatever the man was trying to do.

"That'll make this much easier." The man concluded. Eren felt a hand grip his hair and he almost yelped.

"God! Let go!" Eren whispered violently as the man just gripped even tighter. "Jesus!" Eren had a wave of nostalgia come over him as he remembered the previous meeting with the man. It seemed that whenever they crossed paths, the rude criminal just seemed to take it on his shoulders to abuse him.

"I'll let go. I just want that paper you stole from me."

Eren felt himself blank.

"That was yours?" Eren felt his stomach begin to swirl around and he felt sick.

"Yes, and you took it. Give it." That voice sent shivers up and down Eren's spine and he knew that man could easily rip apart his throat if he wanted to.

Eren quickly reached under his pillow to retrieve the letter and the man snatched it from his hands.

"Okay, you can let go now!" Eren hissed at the man. The grip on his hair tightened and Eren let out a whimper.

"The name's Levi." The man said, and Eren would have rolled his eyes had his hair was not being pulled at a force that Eren swore he'd lost at least ten strands of hair.

"I kind of f-figured that out," his throat had gone dry. "Now would you kindly let me go?"

The grip slackened and Eren let out a sigh of relief.

"You meddle a lot in business that isn't yours, brat."

Eren gripped the sheets. His scalp was on fire, but he wouldn't let the man have that satisfaction of having hurt him.

He glared as he heard the footsteps inch away, closer to the window. Eren hissed in agony as his throat clenched and he sputtered little coughs. Eren gripped his throat, but the burning was still there.

"Nice eyes, brat."

And with that, the window shut closed once again and Eren jumped in his skin. Eren coughed into his throat and began to rub his scalp, hoping the pain of his hair being ripped out would go away.

Eren let the words process into his mind what the criminal said to him and he let his hand fall to the soft blankets draped over him. He furrowed his eyebrows.

That was the first time anybody had ever said that to him.

"Mm… Are you okay, Eren? I heard you coughing." Mikasa woke up and Eren quickly replied.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Eren responded, hoping Mikasa wouldn't pry.

"Alright, but if anything happens and it hurts, tell me or Armin. Please?"

Eren smiled at her generosity.

"Promise."

A/N: Wow, this update was overdue by two months. I am a failure. It's always easier for me to write scenes in which Eren and Levi interact and I don't know why but my fingers fly across the keyboard whenever they cross paths.

Poor Eren just gets hurt everytime Levi comes around. But don't worry, he's fine. Sort of.

Anyway, thank you for all the support! I love all of you guys! You're all so nice and it just gives me fuel to finish this story. It gets sad, though, but that's much later on. Thank you all so much!

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