"Look I wasn't that bad and i'm completely fine to meet up tonight!". Sasha was currently debating with her friends as she sat in the back seat of the car with .

Jean was quick to correct her. "Sasha, you were sick the moment you got out of Eren's car!". He was not long picking up Sasha after she suggested that he take her out for food even though he was more than comfortable sitting in tonight. "You were just lucky Eren was in such a good mood last night or he would have killed you the moment you got some on his car door!".

"Naa he wouldn't, Eren loves me unlike you!" she said putting the debate to rest. "And can you maybe get us to McDonalds a bit quicker because i'm about to starve here!".

Jean didn't even have the energy to fight back at this stage because he knew it would be a losing battle. "Have you rang Mikasa and Armin yet and see if she wants to join us?".

"Oh shit yeah!". Sasha was prone to letting things slip her mind when all focus came to food. "I'll text Connie as well because he's always good for throwing in extras when he's on shift!".

"Of course because there's nothing better than getting an extra big mac that's clearly been dropped on the floor…" sighed Jean.

She pulled up to the very same bar she had from last night. It was only this morning that Mikasa realised that when out last night, she had only gone and left her jacket behind. It was rare for her to leave things behind, even when extremely intoxicated but it completely left her mind to go back and retrieve it when she saw Eren pull to collect her and everyone else.

She entered the now quiet bar, clearly which had been cleaned and prepared again for another crowd of people tonight. However there wasn't a single person to be seen.

She walked up to the bar, looked up and down its entire length to see any sign of life or even by chance the jacket she had originally came in for. Instead she found a small pile of leaflets. Curiosity made her pick the one from the top to read it while she waited for anyone to make their presence known.

Staff wanted? she read to herself as she glossed over the flyer.

"Are you interested?" a voice came from behind her. She quickly turned around in shock to see a familiar face. That striking, almost intimidating look while being accompanied with straight, jet black hair. Mikasa could never forget someone like him.

"Sorry, I didn't see anyone around" she said as she put the leaflet back on the top of the pile. "I'm actually here to see if I left my jacket here last night".

Without saying anything he made his way to the back of the bar. Mikasa kept her eyes locked on to him, almost fascinated by him and his unique demeanour. There was something about the way he just looked, with a white towel he assumed he was cleaning with slung over his shoulder, almost like a typical bar man you would see in any movie or television show. Almost cliche but in the best possible way.

He ducked behind the bar, out of sight for only a few seconds before standing back up with her black leather jacket in hand.

"There were a few left behind from last night but I remember seeing you wearing this." he said handing her the neatly folded jacket. You would almost think it was washed.

"Oh, I didn't think you would remember me from last night". It was funny, she couldn't help but find it quite flattering that he did recall her from the brief interaction they shared.

He leaned on the bar. "You didn't answer my question.".

She only looked at him confused.

"Do you want a job here?" he asked her, directly looking at her. His stare was something else to her.

"Why are you asking me?". Surely he would rather hire someone he knew was more than qualified for the job through an interview or even some sort of discussion.

"Last showed me you're more than capable of handling yourself in a bar with your little blonde friend and judging by the C.V that fell out of your jacket when I found it, i'm guessing you were planning to hand some out to try and get yourself some work for the year no?". He straightened himself up and folded his arm waiting for her reply.

It was true. The C.V, which she had completely forgotten was even in her jacket pocket was simply a template she had printed off to show her parents so they could proof read it for her and later hand it out to some of the local cafes or restaurants in the area but she never imagined handing one to a bar.

"Hours are reasonable for someone in your situation with school, pays good and like I said from last last, you're someone who can clearly handle themselves". He kept his eyes locked on her, waiting for an answer.

Mikasa didn't break her own stare away from him. "When do I start?".

"Next week?". His answer was immediate.

She allowed herself one more moment to think about it. "Ok sure, I'll take it" she answered. "So I will see you next Saturday then?".

"Be here Friday so I can show you the ropes to begin with and then you can have your first shift Saturday". He clearly had this in mind from the beginning. "And Levi by the way, i'm the owner and i'll introduce you to the rest of us Friday."

"Mikasa and Sounds good." Mikasa replied when she could feel her phone ringing in her pocket, catching her attention.

Levi clearly noticed it too. "Get yourself out of here and we'll talk next week."

Mikasa nodded in agreement and took her phone and began to leave but just before she was about to exit, he called to her.

"Your blonde friend doesn't want a job as well?".

She turned to him. "Sorry she wasn't a friend, just a stranger I met that night so i'm afraid you're only stuck with me".

He smirked at her answer. "Not a bad thing".

She smiled back to him and she finally took her leave to answer her phone.

Levi wasn't alone for long as his much taller friend with the dark moustache and beard joined him.

"I see we're now hiring girls you happen to randomly run into on nights out now yeah?".

Levi looked up at him. "Come on now Mike, you've seen what she was like last night. See can clearly hold her own in a bar like this".

"Hmm…..so is that the only reason?".

Levi simply walked away. "I got things to clean.".

"That's great Petra, thanks for that but you're definitely sure?".

Eren was currently alone in the car, in a very empty parking lot on the phone to the pizzeria. Annie and himself had just pulled in when his phone began to ring. He had stuck to his word and after she had delivered her very pizza on his behalf, he took them to get an ice-cream, McDonalds since she claimed to be very partial to a McFlurry. However, when his phone rang just as he pulled up outside the building, she offered to go in and buy them. Eren offered the money to pay for them but she was quick to decline it, offering to pay for them herself. Now Petra was telling him that he could take the rest of the night off, since with the extra pair of hands doing deliveries, she said it was only right that he get off early for all the cover he had done for them previously.

"Of course Eren! You've done so much good for us recently and now we've someone else on tonight, you take the rest of the night to enjoy yourself". Even though Petra was giving him permission to head on early, Oluo was clearly arguing with her in the background. "And don't worry, you'll get a full nights pay as well whenever you come around to pick that up!". Now you could definitely hear Oluo shouting.

Eren couldn't help but laugh. "Thanks Petra, you're far too good to me and sure i'll see you when I come pick that up!".

"Sounds perfect!" Petra said from the other end. "Now go enjoy the rest of your night and maybe treat that pretty young thing to something nice!". She managed to get that one last tease in before hanging up on him quickly before he could say anything back.

He just shook his head as he put his phone back in his pocket. He was just glad Annie didn't have to hear that. Speaking of Annie, he turned his head to look at. He was parked right up next to the McDonalds window so he had a clear view of her leaning over the counter. He couldn't keep himself from looking at her.

Still wearing his hoodie, she also had her black leggings that, for whatever reason made Eren feel things that almost made him sweat, his heart race and mouth dry. God she looks so good, especially leaning over like that with her… .

All of a sudden his new thoughts were cut short when Annie was now turned around, leaning against the counter, facing him.

Her expression was that same stone, cold, emotionless stare he was more than familiar with now. Had she noticed him looking at her in a way he wasn't even sure about? She continued to stare him down and as he did the same, not wanting to break the eye contact while his heart rate continued to rise.

All of a sudden, she raised a middle finger at him with a slight cheeky smirk before winking at him. Eren laughed as he returned the gesture with his own middle finger. She only stopped when she had to turn around and pick up the two McFlurrys that were now prepared and ready for them to take.

As he now watched her make her back to the car, stopping along the way to pick up a few napkins, his phone rang again. As he picked it up, expecting to see the Pizzeria to come up again, he was surprised to see Mikasa's name pop up. It wasn't completely surprising to him as Mikasa was always one to call him while he worked to keep him company which he always enjoyed. However, just for tonight he thought she would more than understand that he didn't answer at this time since he already had some more direct company just about to come back to the car. He silenced his phone, making a mental note to message her later as Annie opened the passenger side door, entering the car.

"M&M as requested." Annie said as she gave him the frozen treat.

"Thank you kindly!". Eren didn't take a second before he was already taking his first spoonful. "And you went with?".

"Smarties." she replied before quickly digging into hers as well.

There was a comfortable silence between them both as they simply enjoyed their treats but it wasn't long before Annie spoke again.

"So when's the next delivery then?". She asked between bites. "And I swear to God I'm not putting that hat back on!".

Eren stopped wolfing down for a moment. "Actually, I'm just off the phone with Petra there and it turns out they don't need me with an extra pair of hands to help out. Plus I think they feel bad for all the shifts they had me cover".

Annie turned her head away from him, looking down at her ice-cream. Disappointment began taking over. She wasn't ready for her night with him to end, she just really liked being in his company, more than she even realised.

"So I guess you'll have to leave me home then I guess…". She didn't want to see the annoyance on her face so she kept her eyes away from him.

"Why is that now?". She could hear the concern in his voice causing her to turn to him.

Her sudden stare shook him slightly. "I mean, if you need to, like, right now if you need to get home I can but I was thinking, if you want of course…". He stopped himself when he found himself continuing just to ramble and was just embarrassing himself.

Annie didn't want an awkward pause between them to develop so she picked up where he had so awkwardly left off.

"Sorry I just thought, you know since you were done with work and all you would want to get yourself back home and….and I just maybe jumped the gun with that…".

It was Eren's turn again to take the reigns of this conversation. "We don't have to only hang out when I'm delivering pizzas," he said following with a soft laugh. "I don't know about you but I think I want to be with you a lot more outside work!".

A warm, buzzing sensation went through Annie's body hearing that. "Is that so?". A small smirk couldn't help but break out on her face.

Eren smiled too. "Definitely!".

She took another spoonful, making sure it was one full of smarties. "So where you thinking of taking me?".

Eren placed his McFlurry between his legs so he could start his car. "Oh I got a place in mind".

"Mikasa, I'm sure he's fine and is just really busy tonight". Armin, who only moments ago was about to settle in for the evening with a book, found himself being invited out to join his friend for a quick meet up. He was quite keen to do so seeing that his previous illness caused him to miss the night out but for now he found himself instead counselling Mikasa.

"I'm just worried because even at this time he would have texted back that he was too busy!". Mikasa had picked up Armin on the way to the meet up location. She had tried to get through to Eren on the way to share with him on the way she got a brand new job but there was no response. Not even a message saying why he couldn't pick up and that just wasn't like Eren.

"Yeah but he can also be really forgetful as well". Armin didn't want the worry for Eren overshadow the joy she should be feeling for getting a new job. You couldn't even blame Eren for not getting back to her as everyone at some point had been guilty of being busy with something else. "So are you excited about working in an actual bar?". Armin thought it was just best to change the conversation.

"Sorry? Oh, yeah, oh yeah definitely. I have to admit though I don't think it's settled in yet that I'll be working in a bar of all places". Mikasa wanted to be excited but her mind just kept going back to wondering why Eren hadn't messaged her back yet.

The drive didn't take them long before they already found themselves pulling up beside Jean's car, where Sasha and himself had taken themselves over to the benches outside the McDonalds more than likely waiting for their orders.

Mikasa and Armin both made their way over to their friends. With the summer evenings still with them, they understood why they had sat themselves outside.

"Yooooo!" called Sasha when she saw them approaching. "We ordered you guys your usuals!".

"We?" Jean questioned knowing that he had paid for everyones including Sasha.

Armin always enjoyed their interactions. "Thanks guys!". He took a seat next to Jean, while Mikasa joined Sasha on the other side.

"So have you guys heard from Eren?". Mikasa was quick to ask her other friends.

The confusion was clearly on their faces. "Why? I thought he was working tonight?". Even though Jean asked, Sasha had already guessed Eren simply had not replied to a call or message and she was needlessly panicking.

"Yeah I know but he just didn't get back to me when I tried to call him about my new job…".

Sasha jolted the moment she heard those words. "Shut the fuck up, you got a new job?!".

Armin decided this was the perfect opportunity to keep this conversation going. He knew if he didn't, Mikasa wouldn't continue to get herself down about Eren not getting back to her. "Yup and it's a great one too!".

"Then why are we still waiting to hear what it is?". Jean was now getting impatient himself, knowing that Eren's whereabouts was taking priority over something newsworthy.

Mikasa now had all eyes on her. "Oh, yeah I ended up getting asked to work at The Underground".

Sasha just squealed. "Oh my God Mikasa, that's amazing!".

She gave Mikasa a surprised and tight hug. "Oh just think of all the free shots you can give us girl!".

"Jesus Sasha, of course your mind would go straight to that!" Jean chastised.

Sasha shot him a dirty look before turning her attention back to Mikasa. "So tell us everything!".

Mikasa was about to share with them the entire details of the story, starting with originally going to the bar to retrieve her jacket but was interrupted by a familiar face coming from the entrance of McDonalds, with a tray in hand piled with a variety of different orders.

"I never get tired seeing you in that uniform" Jean teased Connie as he placed the tray in the centre of the table.

"Shut the fuck up dude". Connie was really only starting a ten hour night shift and was in no mood to be reminded how much he hated the uniform he was forced to wear throughout.

"So how's Connie?" Sasha asked quickly, grabbing everything she had ordered like it she had only seconds to make claim to them.

He only sighed. "Don't get me started. "We're understaffed, the toilets blocked and they're asking me to work again tomorrow and…..wait, where's Eren at?".

He now had four people staring at him with confused expression.

"Why would Eren be here if he's working?". Mikasa was quick to ask the question now she knew Eren was involved. "I haven't been able to get through to him at all tonight, was he here? Was he ok?".

Connie felt like he had touched on a sensitive topic. "Oh, I could have sworn I had seen his car parked out here when I was cleaning. I was going to go out and say hi to him but the manager is on my case for slacking off all the time which is total bull!".

"Aren't you meant to be working now?" Jean asked.

"Yeah, why?". Connie wasn't alway the best when it came to his priorities at the time.

Mikasa was once again quick, this time about getting the conversation about Eren. "Connie, was it Eren? Did he come in? Was he working?". The questions seem endless.

"Well, yeah, well that's what I thought but I saw some blonde girl get into the passenger side after she got some McFlurrys and holy shit my dudes, she had the coldest stare i've ever seen!".

"So it wasn't Eren then?" Jean was quick to point out. "Unless he's now blonde and has completely changed his gender that is?".

"Dude, I swear it was his car, I could have sworn it was his licence plate!". As Connie and Jean continued to bicker, Sasha and Armin gave each other a look that signalled to each other that this conversation needed to change topics and change right now judging by the worrying look on Mikasa's face.

"Look maybe it was just the same car Eren has? Plus Connie can't read so who knows what the plate said?". Sasha made sure to add some sort of humour to all of this.

Armin was quick to join her. "Yeah and like Jean said he's meant to be working so he might have just popped in here for a quick bite to eat during his break if he actually did end up coming here!".

"Yeah but what about the blonde…". Before Connie could finish a loud voice could be heard shouting from the entrance of the building. "SPRINGER, FOR THE LAST TIME GET OF YOUR ASS AND GET BACK TO WORK!".

Connie moaned as he got back to his duties while the other couldn't help but laugh.

"So Mikasa, tell us everything about this job!".

Sasha didn't know what to take from the possibility of Eren out and about and with a unknown girl but for now she put it down to another stupid Connie story and make sure Mikasa took it that way as well.

"Honestly I can't really explain why I love it here so much". Eren and Annie were currently sitting on the sand that covered the beach where they currently found themselves. He went over and over in his head earlier where he could take her to start introducing to some of the new sights she was struggling to get used to and sure why would his favourite place be a bad start?

He continued to talk about his fondness for the beach. "I've always had a thing with the sea since I was a kid and always find myself here when I just need to think or need to clear my head".

Annie simply looked towards the sea as she listened to him. With the sounds of waves against the shore and the smell of the sea in the air, she couldn't help but agree with him. On the way he had shown her a few of the other sights ranging from his own local gym and the various shops and stores when she mentioned her flat was in serious need of stocking up with food.

She turned to him. "I can understand this being your go to happy place, if you want to call it that because I feel the same way about the gym.".

"So how often do you find yourself in the gym then?". He still wanted to get to know as much as possible about her. "And what are your favourite exercises or machines?"

She took a while to think about an answer. "Honestly I don't think I pick just one for either because for me it really comes down to anything that helps with my training.".

"Training?". It was at this point Annie that his questioning was justified as she had not gone into as much detail yet.

"Oh, yeah I've trained in Muay Thai as long as I remember. My Dad got me into it.".

Eren's eyes widen. "No way! You do Muay Thai? Like I've seen videos of it on youtube and I've always wanted to give it a go!"

Annie found his excitement not only cute but almost flattering. No one had ever shown as much interest like he did.

"You gotta show me some! Try it on me!". He was now standing looking down at her with excitement in his eyes.

Annie looked up at him and laughed at him. "Don't be stupid, i'm not going to drop you on your ass and end up hurting you.".

"Come on Ann please! I'll be fine, I promise I'll be fine! Just one move, just one!".

How could she say no to him? "Fine."

She got up and took him by the arms to position him directly in front of her. "Ok one last warning, this will hurt like a bitch and I don't want to hear you whining about it after right?".

He just stood there giddy. "Deal but sure you can just let me know when you…".

Before he could even complete his sentence, he now found himself crashing on to the sand from a perfect sweep from her leg. He didn't even have time to react to that before then quickly followed him down, locking his arm and head in position making it impossible for him to break out.

Annie was enjoying this much more than she thought. She loved trying out her techniques again after being away from the gym too long, for her anyway. She enjoyed it so much, she had failed to mention to Eren that he might have to actually say when he wanted her to stop choking him out.

She only remembered when she saw the colour in his face begin to slowly vanish. At that point she quickly released her hold around his neck and he let a much needed breath out.

For fuck sake… she cursed to herself. Of course she would allow her own excitement to get the better of her and now she's probably made her look like some sort of freak of nature in his eyes.

"Are….Are you ok?" she asked and he just continued to get his breath back.

There was still no reply. She began again. "Look, i'm really sor…"

"That was Awesome!" he cut her apology and he looked back at her.

Both still lying in the sand, he eyes widened in surprise as she looked back at him, confused at first but then just relieved that she didn't cause any serious damage.

"You gotta teach me some of that!". The excited tone clearly indicated his breath was back to normal.

"What? You're not serious?" she replied with a slight laugh at his childlike wonderment.

"No, I'm dead serious! Would you teach me some of your moves?".

Annie, still lying on top of him just looked down at him. She had never once thought of actually teaching someone her techniques, the desire never being there but once again he was different. The excitement she felt only trying her moves again after so long filled her with so much joy and energy and that was matched with the thought of actually continuing that with him.

She flicked her bang behind her ear. "Well, yeah I guess I could teach you a few things if you want."

A wide grin took over his face. "Awesome, I genuinely can't wait!".

She matched his wide grin with a slight smile of her own as they continued to lay there, her on top of him simply taking each other in. She noticed a bit of sand had got into his hair and without warning or evening thinking began removing it. He didn't even think to question it as she did.

The sand was more than gone but she continued to lightly put her fingers through his hair as she continued to look at him laid out, using one free hand behind head.

"You know…" she began, "I've never felt this way before about anyone.".

"What, uh, what do you mean?". His heart rate had already picked up pace hearing that.

To be honest, she didn't really know herself. "Just, I mean, wanting to be around someone as much as I want to be around you all the time.".

A buzzing sensation went through Eren's entire body hearing that.

She continued as she still played with the ends of his hairs playfully. "People, friendship, relationships…..all of these things are really foreign to me most of the time. I don't really understand them and never wanted to. I always thought most of them were just a distraction but…..but I'm definitely glad I met you Eren.".

Eren kept looking at her, still smiling throughout as he listened.

"Yeah, don't ask me why but when I kinda pissed you off the first time I met you, it broke me more than I could ever imagine. Like, I've annoyed plenty and gotten on the wrong side of people but I don't think I felt guilt like I did when I upset you…".

"I wasn't upset with you!". Her reminder came with a playful tug of his hair which got a laugh from him.

"Ok, ok, whatever you say!". He knew it would always be easy to agree with her.

"But seriously, I find it really hard to get you out of my head and pretty much have you on my mind all the time. I just hope you don't think I wanted to be your friend because we had some similar interests but I, and i don't really know myself when I say this but, but I…..see us more than that".

"Yeah…..Yeah I can see that".

Did both of them realise that pure instinct was driving their faces closer and closer to each other. Both their breathing becomes heavier.

Their foreheads were now connected as they continued to lock eyes.

"You're amazing, you know that?" Eren let out.

Annie's face flushed red from the remark but smiled at the compliment. "Hmm, I guess you're not too bad yourself.".

Eren's hand now found itself on her waist without evening trying as she now fully laid out on top of him, inches closing in between them second by second. Both of them knew how close they were but didn't care. Thankfully the beach had no visitors this night so they had no worries about being spotted by strangers but at this stage, I don't think that would even bother them.

Both of them knew they wanted more but for the life of them didn't know what that really was or how to get it.

Oh my God, do I just go ahead and do it? Went through Annie's head.

What is happening, what is happening, what do I do? Raced through Eren's.

However all thoughts where cut off by a ringtone come from Annie's back pocket.

Both jumped at the sudden noise as Annie rolled from top of him to take the phone and place it up against her ear. She hadn't even taken the time to check the name.

"He…Hello?" a still flustered Annie answered. "Hitch?".

Eren himself quickly tried to get his head together as she had her conversation. It was almost like his body was completely under autopilot and he really didn't know what happened those last few minutes.

He thankfully composed himself before she was off the phone.

"That was a VERY drunk Hitch asking for a lift home." she said putting her phone away again. "You wouldn't mind if we picked her up on the way home would you?".

Eren got up and extended his hand to her to help up. "Of course I don't mind, I am the hero after all, always there to pick her up!".

Annie smiled as she rolled her eyes and took his hand to get herself back to her feet. "Don't let your head get too big or you will end up dragging it through the sand.".

As they made their way back to his car, it was Annie's turn to think about those last few moments they shared together on the sand. What was that feeling and why didn't I want it to end? Where….where are we about to kiss? No….no that can't be it. We kiss and there is no way we can keep being together like this, it would be too awkward right?

She looked at him as he turned to her and smiled. "All ok Ann?"

She came back to reality. "Oh, yeah of course. Let's go get Hitch before she goes missing.".

He nodded as he began getting his keys ready to open the car.

Annie was quite grateful that he wasn't acting any different after what they had shared back there. In her head, the best option had to be to leave it or she would end up losing him altogether and for the life of her, she didn't know why that thought hurt her the way it did.

The incredible thing though, the two awkward, young adults had no idea that they still kept their hands held together all the way to the car without a second thought.