"Armin are you okay?" Eren ask cautiously to the bathroom door, hoping that Armin would be alright since it was his first time having a hangover.
"N-No I-I'm not...My whole body feels terrible..." Armin assures as he vomits again hoping that it would be the last time.
"I-Is there anything I can get you?"
"Medicine, please I have a test soon."
"Finals are over."
"Not for my other university."
"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
"I've done finals with the flu, yes!" The blond yells back still irritated by the way he had woken up. The more he thought about what he thought happened between him and Eren the more he felt ill. Why did it happen, Armin asked millions of times to himself still having no luck in finding the answers. On top of that the math didn't seem right. Eren was no where near him when he got drunk, so how did they end up doing it. Ignoring those thoughts for the tablets of medicine that were in Eren's hands, he took the gratefully and swallowed them without hesitation.
"C-Can you please just take me to my wing so I can take a bath and get dressed?" The singer ask reaching his arms up telling Eren that he wanted to be carried there. Nodding in agreement, Eren carried the partially clothed male to his room awkwardly.
"I-I'm really sorry this happened. I-I don't even remember how I got home..." Eren states trying to destroy the silence between them.
"I-It's both our faults really, it's fine...We were drunk." Armin says sadly avoid Eren's eyes.
"S-Sorry again..." Eren repeats once more placing Armin onto his bed gently hoping not to hurt him already than he already has. Looking at the blond still, he wonders how he could make up what he has 'done' however it seems like there was nothing to be done. Backing out of the room, he couldn't help but see the sadness in the other's eyes. With a closed door to hid his face from the other, Eren curses as he paces back and fourth thinking of a solution to the problem. The sadness Armin's face could not be erased from Eren's memories.
It angered him to no end knowing that he had put that expression on the blond's face again. After all of his hard work to get the other to like him this was a major step back. Hearing his phone ring, Eren checks the caller ID seeing who it was. Rolling his yes and sliding to the green colored icon he picked answers the phone call with a firm "What!?"
"Eren that's no way to answer the phone." A high pitched voice that could only belong to Historia replied back.
"Well I'm not in the mood to be talking right now."
"Then just listen, meet me at the old cafe in five minutes."
"Why would I do that?"
"Oh come on I know something that you might care to know."
"Like what?"
"Something concerning your mother and father."
"What are you talking about?"
"Come here and you'll find out."
"Fine..." Hanging up the phone Eren runs his fingers through his hair huffing wondering what he was going to do. Going into Armin's room again finding that the other was in the shower, he grabbed a piece of paper and a pen. Writing down that he could not take Armin to school, Eren left it on the fresh pile of cloths that were left on the bed.
After that, he dashed to his car, and went as fast as humanly possible to get to the destined location. Once there he placed on a hat and sun glasses making sure no one would noticed him. Upon entering the place, he could clearly see Christa in a pink dress with a hat and sun glasses on as well. Taking a deep breath he walks towards the girl already regretting agreeing to coming.
"I'm glad you came." Christa says with a fake smile.
"Like I had the choice." Eren took his seat across.
"Well anyways, how are you?"
"Can we just get to what you were going to tell me."
"Not until I get a little catch up on you. We may have broken up but I still want to be friends."
"You beat up my wife!"
"That's all water under the bridge now, Cho Hee forgives me."
"Sure she does."
"Oh but she does, just ask her. Also how are you and Cho Hee?"
"F-Fine..."
"That doesn't sound find."
"Well we are so you don't have to ask anymore."
"Did you two get into a fight?"
"Kinda why do you want to know."
"Eren I said I still wanted to be a friend." Christa grabs Eren's hand reassuring the other that he could trust her, only to have it taken away.
"I don't think so."
"Oh come, on I'm sure you haven't vented out in a while. Trust me, I cross my heart and hope to die if I tell anyone what you're feeling."
"Still not going to tell you."
"Well then I guess you're not finding out the situation with your parents."
"Fine fine, I'll tell you!"
"You don't have to push yourself but okay."
"What the anyways we had an awkward morning okay."
"How so?"
"W-We did it for the first time...A-And we both weren't ready, a-and she's a bit hurt that she couldn't remember a-anything because it was when we were drunk..."
"Oh, I thought you would have on your wedding night."
"No, s-she said she wanted to wait for the right time..." Eren lies not knowing what he could possibly tell her without revealing everything.
"I see, is she okay."
"She's throwing up a lot because of her wouldn't look at me this morning."
"Interesting, but how are you? You seem a little down."
"Well yeah, I feel really bad about it. I just don't know how to make up to her about what happened. It's not something you can take back, and you should have seen the expression on her face when I brought her back to her room. It was so sad that it made my chest hurt."
"Wow, sounds to me like you really care for her, more than you did with me."
"Well of course, you know our relationship was staged. But with Cho Hee, I-I don't know she's something special...I-I really don't know how to put it."
"Eren your married, and by the sounds of it you really do love your wife." Christa replys with a sly grin on her face, mentally screaming 'yes', for part one of her plan was going nicely.
"L-Love her? Y-You think so?"
"Yes, I'm very sure. Do you want to hear examples if you don't believe me?"
"Sure."
"From what I see, you and Jean don't get along because you get jealous when Cho Hee is around him. You also married her and learned a song in Korean just for her on New Year's Eve. Hmm, what else...Oh didn't you also give her a fat ring on her finger?"
"W-Well yeah I guess you're right. I must really love my wife more than I realized it...Do you think that's weird?"
"Eren please, you're acting like you just met her and didn't marry out of love. So no it'snot weird at all."
"You know you're awfully calm about all of this. I mean I would be angry hearing my ex rant about their happy love life."
"Well, it's now water under the bridge now. After all I called you here so we could catch up and talk."
"You know, I'm actually glad I came bit. You're really easy to talk to."
"Why thank you I try my best."
"Hey don't go all Christa on me Historia."
"Shush."
"Anyways I still want to know the thing that's going on with my parents."
"Since you told me what I wanted to hear I guess it's about the right time. Anyways, your father is trying to find a way to your mother. He even went as far as to ask me where she was."
"You didn't tell him did you!?"
"No, I would never tell a secret like that. I can't even remember the hospital and room number she's in properly."
"It's Shigansina Hospital room 855."
"Oh yeah that's what it was."
"Thanks for not telling him. Man why does he want to be with her again, he knew what he did."
"Who knows, maybe after seeing the love you had with Cho Hee his heart melted."
"How?He hated the idea of Cho Hee and I being together. He said that we would divorce and he would find a better girl! HE INSULTED HER AND I WON'T STAND FOR ANYONE DOING THAT!"
"Calm down Eren, you don't want to attract attention do you?" The blond motions to the people in the cafe who were starting to look at the two trying to get a better look on their faces.
"No I guess you're right...But it's so frustrating, some dad he is."
"Eren I think you should stop thinking about your dad, and think about your new life with Cho Hee. Soon you'll have a family with her, and she probably won't want you acting like this."
"I-I guess you're right..."
"And as for your earlier problem, I think I have the solution."
"Which one?"
"The one about Cho Hee of course. I think you two should go on a camping trip, just the two of you. In fact I have a place rented out that I was suppose to go with Annie and Ymir but Annie got sick so we can't go."
"And you're giving them to me why?"
"To make peace for what I did to Cho Hee."
"But why a camping trip, don't girl hate camping."
"Well I think Cho Hee is one to appreciate nature, so give it a try."
"She does love the ocean."
"See so the forest should be even better."
"Sure why not, I'll do it."
"Great." Christa states before digging into her bag taking out two tickets to a camping reserve and handing them over to Eren. "The trip was scheduled for tomorrow, so hopefully she'll say yes. Now I have to go, I have a photo shoot soon. It was nice catching up Eren." She says to the other before packing her things and leaving for her next destination.
Yes, just as planned Eren loves him! Now I have to secure that Armin loves him back so things can get really interesting. And the best part is, all I have to do is create one huge misunderstanding between the two.
"Eren, Eren where are you!?" Armin calls out into the empty house hoping for a reply. Huffing out in frustration the blond runs his fingers through his damp hair wondering where his spouse had ran off to in such a rush. Feeling the ring on his finger get caught int his hair, Armin delicately removes his hand and gazes upon the diamond.
"Some husband huh, I should be glad he's gone...But why do I feel so sad that he did...I guess I shouldn't have thought he could change.I'm such a fool..." Armin says aloud to himself before looking to the side to see a slip of paper laid on the bed with his name on it. Walking over to the cream paper, he grips it and opens the fold to finally figure out why Eren had left. Taking in a deep breathe, the university student skims over the letter once before reading it aloud to confirm what he had just read.
"Dear Armin, I had some business to do so I can't drive you to school. I'm super sorry about everything, and promise to make it up to you somehow cross my heart and hope to die...I knew he wouldn't pull through..." Armin comments shortly after reading feeling a lump start to form in his throat. Swallowing it down, the blond pats his cheeks a few times to distract his emotions.
"No, no you're not sad. You'll get through this Armin,like you're always have, always prepare for the worst. It's only January, so I have a few more months until we divorce and I can live my normal life. Right now I need to get on the next bus to the university quickly. Okay, fighting!" The blond shouts out, as he grabs his bag and runs to the bus stop. Getting onto the bus, he took his seat quietly next to an old lady who seemed pleased that someone wanted to sit next to her instead of ignore her presence.
All throughout the ride however, Armin opened a book and began to do some last minutes cramming. Still exhausted and sore from the night before, the blond fought through the pain so that he could ace all of his exams. Arriving at the school, Armin made a mad dash to his classroom almost bumping into a woman a bit shorter than him with the same blond hair. Choosing to ignore her, he ran as fast as he could until he was finally present when the teacher started to do roll call. As he started to set up his things however, the blond still could see the woman that he bumped into. Taking a moment to fully glance at her, it seemed as if she was not even taking their exams with the rest. The woman in question just stayed there with her hat and shades on in the classroom making it a point to look at Armin. Noticing this, the blond quickly looks back down to his scantron and starts to scribble down his name and began his exam.
-After Finals, Outside of Classroom-
"Ahhh, I can finally breathe again!" Armin shouts to the sky allowing the world to hear his joy with being done with his finals. Stretching his arms up high, Armin closes his eyes and allows the muscles in his torso relax for once.
"Glad you can, does that mean you can spare sometime in your busy schedule for me?" A familiar voice says from Armin's right interrupting his moment of tranquility, but Armin didn't mind. After all why would he if it was his best friend who said those words.
"Jean, what are you doing here!?" Armin questions turning towards the brunette who smile brightly towards him.
"I thought you would appreciate it, after all I know how you get after test. You've been stressed for weeks, it's time for you to relax."
"You're the best you know that?"
"No I don't actually, will you repeat that for me so I can record that?"
"Aww come on, no way."
"Please for me~!"
"Okay, but just one more time. I don't want people getting the wrong idea again."
"How so? You're not Cho Hee right now and there is no one here to mistaken our friendship as a relationship."
"True but still."
"Fine fine, just say it."
"Okay you're the best Jean!You always know what to so and say!" Armin exclaims into hid friend's phone happily, and within a swipes on the screen Jean locks his phone and looks up to Armin.
"Thanks, now what do you say we go to the karaoke bar and sing our hearts out huh?"
"Sounds fun, lead the way." The blond commands as he pushes his friend towards the school's parking lot where Jean's care waited for the two. On the way there, the mysterious woman Armin had encountered now three times yet again comes into sight seeming to follow Armin to wherever he was going. Again choosing to ignore the woman, Armin thought of his encounter with her as just a coincidence. In no time, Jean and Armin had reached the karaoke bar where Jean had already rented a booth for them. Happily following his best friend along, Armin now took the time to wonder why Jean was out waiting for him. If he recalled correctly Jean was suppose to be in acting classes. Sitting down on one of the long seats in the booth, Armin set his backpack down on the floor before looking up to Jean who was looking at a menu across him.
"So, now that I think about it why are you with me. Not that it's bad or anything, but isn't it time for your classes?" Armin ask as he crosses his legs, and leans forward.
"Well about that," Jean begins as he places the menu down, "I skipped class shhh." He says bringing his index finger up to his lips and giving a flirty wink towards Armin's way earning him a shove from the other."
"Bad Jeanbo!"
"Hey I thought we promised not to call me that anymore!"
"Well someone has to play your mother when she isn't here to kick your ass."
"I mean I guess, anyways I actually came to take you out on a very selfish goal."
"Hmm, and what's that?"
"I need your help with something."
"Sure is it acting, singing, or is it something else?"
"Something else."
"Cool, so what is is?"
"I want you to help me plan how I'm going to confess to the person I like."
"Wow, you're really going to do it! Nice man, man I thought you never were going to do it. You kind of struck me as a weenie to be honest."
"Says the one who always giggled when we played hide-and-seek."
"Hey I'm not a weenie because I did that. If you're gonna go there shall I remind you of the time you were scared of a squirrel?"
"We never speak of it."
"Exactly, don't play a game you know you're gonna lose."
"Yeah yeah, but anyways what do you think I should do for her?"
"Hmm well can you describe her to me?"
"Well how do I put 's just someone who is always running through my thoughts I guess..." Jean contemplates as he cautiously eyes Armin to figure out what he could possibly say without giving it away so easily. Seeing as the other was eagerly leaning in closer towards him,Jean assumed he should come up with examples quickly before confessing right there and all, he wanted to have the perfect confession, one where it would show the blond his heart and see that he wasn't lying. Something that Armin could brag about to his friends when they asked about his new boyfriend and the amazing way he asked him to be in a deep breath, Jean giggled gently before looking up and finding the words to describe Armin.
"I can't possibly find the perfect words to describe her."
"Well ya kind of have to if you want to convince her that you like her."
"I know, but you know it's like when you look at a picture of something so beautiful you can't just describe it with simple words. You have to find the precise words to describe it, so you do the picture justice."
"Well think of it this way Jean, we're not in Shakespearean times so you don't exactly have to make a ballad or anything."
"I know, but I just love her so much. I want it to be right."
"Well here, why don't we talk about venue before the actualy confession. After all if you can make it romantic enough without making it obvious that she's getting confessed to should be the best."
"If it were you what would you like to see?"
"Hmm, maybe something near a beach. Yeah a beach, you could invite her out to a beach night. You two could watch the sunset, and then at night start a bon fire and have friends around so it's a party. Then take her away to somewhere private decorated you just say it out loud."
"But wouldn't the decorations pull a red flag."
"True, then just use little fairy lights and say a near by restaurant put it out."
"And then maybe I could have a little activity to do with her."
"Yeah, and then you confess!"
"Sounds good. When should I do it?"
"Out of nowhere of course, but on a good warm night too. I mean yeah it's winter, but hey it's been warm lately in California."
"True."
"Is there anything else you wanted to do for her?"
"Maybe sing or have a track playing of her favorite music."
"Oh what music does she like?"
"K-pop actually."
"Whoa I like her already, she has good taste in music."
"Yeah, I just need to pick some songs."
"Well we're at a karaoke bar, let's find some songs out."
"Okay, should I go first or should you? I mean after all you do seem to know more in this music genre than I do."
"You start, it's best if you pick it from the heart."
"Okay, then hand me the book then." Jean states grabbing the book that Armin had handed to him flipping through the pages and skimming each and every song for a title that spoke to him. In the meanwhile, Armin took the menu and starting ordering digitally what he assumed would be best for Jean and himself to eat while they sang. Once the song was picked, Jean stood up and took the microphone and began to punch numbers into the system. Taking a few deep breaths, Jean turned to look towards Armin who held a tambourine in his hand anxiously waiting for the other to start. With a soft smile, Jean pressed the play button.
On the screen appeared the words Ready For Love by Megan Lee. Taking one last deep breath, Jean could hear the instrumental playing in the background as well as Armin clapping along to the beat happily as he began to sing. Soon into the song, Armin came up to sing along with him dancing as he did so. Jean who could only smile at this action played along with the blond and continued to sing his heart out towards Armin, even if the other was to oblivious to know his true feelings.
(Ready For Love By Megan Lee)
Baby I love you, Yes I do
Like a lie, I laugh and cry because of you
Just wanna be with you
Can you hear my heart?
My only love has blossomed inside the pain
Love is you, filling up my heart
Like the stars, you're so bright
I can't explain with words
It's a fate-like love
So I pray that my love will be told to you
A sweet dream's romance
You're all I want
Your breath that embraces me
Is like the silent wind
Love is in my heart
Baby I love you, Yes I do
Like a lie, I laugh and cry because of you
Just wanna be with you
Can you hear my heart?
My only love has blossomed inside the pain
You'll get to know my heart some day
I'll wait for you
Even if I try to avoid and turn around
It's only you, love
Uttering the lines, Jean was surprised to see the English translations on the screen actually convey his feelings well in a song. The song spoke his feelings better than he could ever do with just writing them down alone. Hearing the cheers of Armin as well helped to lift his mood a bit more knowing that the blond seemed to love the song more than Jean himself. Laughing together with his crush, Jean made sure to cherish this moment with him afraid that this may be the last time that he will be able to act so casually with him. The consequences of his confession were great, but to Jean Armin was a treasure he couldn't give up on. And if he didn't act quickly another would take him from him.
"That was a great song Jean! It is perfect use it! If you don't I will cut you!" Armin threatens kindheartedly pushing the edge of the tambourine.
"Got it, I'm actually shocked at how much it relates actually. It's like everything I wanted to say in a actually even portrayed how I felt."
"That's the power of music. It's powerful enough to influence people or explain things some are not so confident in saying."
"Yeah you're right."
"Aren't I always."
"Yeah yeah, smarty why don't you pick a song that expresses your feelings. I know you must be going through a lot of stress with Jaegerbombastic at home."
"Ugh tell me about it, he's just so ugh!Sometimes I wish I could get him out of my mind, he's just so frustrating that he comes back in my thoughts Can you believe he ditched me this morning after he said he would take me to school. That jerk."
"Well yeah I can believe it, but you sound really upset about that. Didn't you expect something like that to happen?"
"W-Well yeah, but I thought he changed since New Year's and after what happened but no! I can't help but be sad that I started to expect things to change. He didn't even say where he was going, so I was left wondering where he went."
"I-If I didn't know any better, I would say you had a crush on him." Jean suggest nervously.
"Crush on Eren Jaeger, please don't make me laugh."
"When you think about it it kind of sounds like it, you do talk about him a lot."
"Well you talk about him a lot."
"Yeah but with me."
"True, but still we both promised not to fall for each other."
"Hopefully."
"By the sides you know I've always been a realist, so a rich model like him would never go for an average looking otaku k-pop obsessed nerd, no one will."
"I know someone who will." Jean dares to say wondering if he should confess to Armin now, now that he seems so doubting of himself.
"Then that person must be a fool." Armin replies with eyes looking to the ground sadly. "I would hope they would stop so that they wouldn't get hurt when they see how I am now. If I can't even love myself how can I love another?"
"Armin!" Jean exclaims catching Armin off guard as he was taken into a warm embrace. "Stop saying these things, you're special and worth so much and it hurts me when I hear my best friend say something like this. Please stop thinking so lowly of yourself."
"..."
"I know things are tough for you, and I know you're trying to be strong and figure everything out. But please don't stoop down to this level, and don't ever let some guy like Jaeger be your basis on someone who's worth something. You're so special to me Armin, and because of that I want to see you shine more than you ever have to anyone."
"J-Jean."
"A-Armin I...I...I just want you to be happy." Jean states as he feels Armin return his embrace. Looking down at the other, he noticed a small smile on Armin's face.
"Thank you Jean..." Armin replies in somewhat of a whisper glad he had his friend there to knock some sense into him. "I-I'll try to think of myself better. But it's just recently the life I've been living feels like a dream. And I just want to wake up from it so I don't encounter all of these events, but they just happen."
"You know you can vent to me about everything;I'll listen."
"Yeah, but there are something I can't tell you yet. I honestly do but I can't."
"Then I'll wait, after all I've been waiting half of my life to see you again."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I miss our days back in England."
"Me too."
"I sometimes wish that we can go back to those days."
"Same, but at the same time I don't."
"Why is that?"
"Another secret."
"Well until the day you decide to tell me, I'll be by your side waiting."
"You've always been there huh?"
"Where?"
"By my side?"
"Yup for as long as I can remember."
"Can you promise me one thing."
"What?"
"The day you confess to your crush, can we still be the same? I don't want to lose you as a friend. I'm sorry if this request sounds selfish or anything, but I can't imagine my life without you?"
"Armin you have nothing to worry about. I'll make sure everything will be the same."
"Good, now let's continue on with karaoke!"
"Sounds like a plan, but first you mind if I go to the bathroom?"
"Nope not at all." Armin says as he backs away from Jean to approach the song list allowing the other to leave the room. Closing the door behind him, Jean walks outdoors to take a quick breath. Leaning up against a wall he looks up the the afternoon sky and sighs deeply. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jean begins to search his thoughts on what he should do next. After his talk with Armin, he couldn't help but wonder why Armin was constantly thinking about Eren now. Maybe it was the fact they lived together and saw each other a lot, and how involved with each other was the reason why. All Jean knew was that he was slowly losing to Eren in that moment.
Biting his lip, Jean tried to prevent the tears that wanted to escape his it seemed hard to keep in when you know that the person you love may not love you back. Especially when you've only been playing the friend who will do anything to make you happy. Huffing out in frustration Jean closes is eyes and calms his nerves. But the thought of Armin laughing happily and kissing Eren filled his mind causing him to open his eyes once his head through his hair he lets out another sigh as he looks around making sure no one was there to hear what he was about it say.
"Please don't doom me to be the sorry sucker of this love story." Jean asks the heavens as if they would listens to his pleas.
"Sounds like you're in a love triangle huh?" A feminine voice coming from Jean's side says as she comes into Jean's field of vision.
"Jesus!Who are you!?" Jean inquired putting his hand on his chest to check if his heart was still beating.
"Jean come on, really you know me." The woman says removing her glasses and hate to reveal her blue eyes and blond hair.
"C-Christa, what are you doing here? A-And more importantly did you hear what I just said?"
"I was just around and happened to hear you plea to the heavens, and look an angel came to help you."
"You know I seriously doubt that."
"Oh shush, anyways I couldn't help but notice your predicament and wanted to help."
"What predicament?"
"Your little crush on Armin."
"Wait how do you know his real name?"
"We had an agreement, don't worry I'm keeping the secret."
"How did you find out?"
"Long story, anyways what would you say if I could get you the person you want to love you back?"
"I'd say I don't believe you, I barely even know you."
"Well we can get to know each other, after all I love playing cupid."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"What do I have to do then?"
"Well not a lot really, just keep doing what you're doing. The nicer you are to him the more he should start to like you. Just always be by his side, but also drop hints of romantic interest so you won't be in the friend zone."
"I actually want to confess to him."
"Hmmm, wait a few weeks before that. He's been talking to me a lot and he seems really stressed right now, too stressed for a confession really."
"Really, thanks then. When do you talk to Armin?"
"We text each other every now and then."
"Oh."
"After you are able to confess tell me, then I'll tell you what to do when he is trying to think of an answer."
"Okay got it, but why are you helping me? No offense you seem like the type who wouldn't talk to me."
"I wanted to help really, I mean is it wrong of me to do so?"
"Not really I guess, but the fact that you're helping me out of the blue seems a bit suspicious."
"Think nothing of it, in fact text me tonight so we can figure out a way to win Armin's heart." Christa suggest pulling a business card our of her purse and handing it over to Jean who took it reluctantly.
"Thanks I guess."
"Now get back to Armin you must have been gone for a while. And remember if you need any help call me and I'll come running to help you."
"I-I'll keep that in mind." Jean turns around to slowly walk away from Christa. Looking at the card in his hand he pockets it for future reference in case he would ever need it. Meanwhile Christa stood there with a sinister smile as she kept her eyes on Jean who slowly walked back to his karaoke booth.
"Don't worry Jean, you may not think you need me now but you will after I get those two's feelings to grow. And when that happens you'll be begging for help, and when you do I'll double cross you making sure Armin suffer!"
Admin: Is it sad I myself don't like this chapter, but I have to put it in for development.