Disclaimer: I own none of the characters!
After eating the food he had brought with him, and cleaning up the mess of bandages, Eren left his grandmother's house. He placed the spare key back where it was and quickly made his way home. He was sure to keep to the path this time, not wanting to take any chance at all. The wolves were terrifying, but he would rather run from them then try to fend off that hellspawn.
He made good time, walking into the outskirts of Shiganshina and quickly across the bridge. He did not go straight home. He walked by the little walkway to his home and down the main road. He had told his boss at the bakery that he would most likely not be able to go in to work, so he had some free time on his hands.
He walked to the small town library and poked his head inside. A little bell overhead rung and he heard Armin call out from the back room. Eren sat his basket down and pulled his hood from his head. He looked around the dusty room and walked over to a wall lined with books. Some were leather bound, others just sheets of paper. A few even had pictures; those he liked the best because they required a little less reading.
When it came to books and stories, Eren had always relied on Armin to read to him. His mother knew how to read and even write, but teaching him had been a challenge. And Eren had no patience for sitting and learning for so long. So he depended on Armin to read him books and even occasionally write things for him.
Eren looked over the books on the shelves, turning the letter around in his hands. The one Levi left him. He was tempted to have Armin read it to him. But he also didn't want to be questioned. Not that Armin would really question him; but if he did, Eren knew Armin would easily pry out any information from him.
"Hey Eren," Armin called, walking out from the back room. Eren turned around and waved to him, tucking his letter into his pocket. "You made it back safely."
"Of course," Eren said. "Would you believe it, she wasn't even there."
"So you stayed there all alone?" Armin cried. "I'm surprised! No witches got you?"
"There's no such thing as witches," Eren spat. "And even if there were, they'd all live in the bigger cities."
"If you say so. Have you seen Mikasa yet?"
"Not yet. I barely got back. I'll head over there though," Eren said. He reached for his pocket and started to pull out the note. "Hey, Armin, can you…uh…"
"Hm? What is it?" Armin asked, picking up a stack of books. "Eren?'
"Bring a book by for later," Eren said. "Because I'm sure you'll be over at some point."
"No problem. Any requests?"
"Surprise me," Eren laughed, walking back to the door. He slipped his arm under the basket's handle and opened the door. "See you later."
"Bye!"
Eren shoved the note deeper into his pocket. He couldn't let Armin see it. Not yet. He gripped the basket tighter and walked down the road, waving to people as he walked by. The same people he always waved to, doing the same routine they always did.
He walked up to the old tavern and stepped inside, looking around. It was fairly empty, save for a few patrons.
"Hey, Eren! Why don't you pull up a chair!"
Eren wasn't sure who said it, but he guessed it came from the broad-shouldered blonde sitting with a goblet in his hands. Reiner Braun had a tendency to keep everyone together like a mother hen. Not that anyone really complained; until they were all scattered throughout the town and lost.
Reiner pulled out a chair and Eren sank into it, setting his basket on the table in front of him. Next to Reiner, on his other side, sat a lanky boy with a shy face named Bertholdt. He waved to Eren and he even smiled, but he didn't say a word.
On the other side of the table sat a kid with his hair shaved short, named Connie, and by him a woman who should have been working. But instead she claimed to be on a break to have a beer instead; the freckle-faced woman's name was Ymir.
And finally, sitting on the edge, was the guy Eren hated most. His name was Jean and for some odd reason, every young girl in the town thought he was some prince charming; but to Eren he was closer to a donkey.
They stared at each other in silence for a long time.
"Whenever you two are done eye-fucking, would you like something to drink?" Ymir asked from her end of the table.
Eren and Jean both slammed their hands on the table.
"Shut up, Ymir!" Eren shouted. "As if I ever would!"
"As if you ever could!" Jean spat.
"Don't fight with me, fight with her! She said it!"
Ymir started to laugh, apparently pleased with herself. Even Reiner and Connie started to laugh. Bertholdt stayed rather quiet, however, taking a sip from his goblet. A few seconds later, the door to the back kitchen opened. Mikasa appeared, looking around.
Eren was too busy grabbing at Jean's hair to notice her. Jean had gotten a hold of his red hood and was trying to strangle him with it. Mikasa walked over to their table, a tray of drinks in her hands. She set it down and gently pried the two boys apart.
"I will kick you both out if I have to," she said.
"He started it," Eren mumbled. Mikasa flicked him on the nose and started to pass out goblets.
"Doesn't matter. Behave yourself."
Jean snorted and picked up his cup, tilting is head back to drink from it. Eren lunged over the table, tipping the end of his cup forward before Mikasa could stop him. Jean spilled his drink down the front of his shirt.
"Dammit Eren!"
Eren laughed and Mikasa and pinched his ear. Eren reluctantly started to settle down, sinking into his chair. Reiner slapped him on the back, laughing even harder.
The door to the tavern opened again and everyone looked around. Armin ran inside, a bundle of books in his arms. He smiled at everyone and hurried over.
"Grandpa is closing the library up early today since it's been really slow," Armin announced. He sat the books down and Eren looked them over. "And I figured everyone would be here."
"Lucky guess, kid," Ymir said. Mikasa dragged a chair from another table and tugged Armin into it. Without a word, she disappeared into the kitchen again, only to return with something to drink for Armin.
They all chatted with each other, each one going around and telling any interesting stories. Eren warned them all of the wolves in the forest. Of course he only received some scorn from Mikasa for veering off the road. It was expected, he figured, but he kept his meeting with Levi a secret. He didn't want to get yelled at for that too; especially in front of everyone he knew.
He and Armin stayed around until Mikasa was free to leave, even after everyone else had left. Eren looked through the books Armin had with him. Most had colored pictures, to his delight. And then he remembered the note he had tucked away in his pocket. He still didn't want anyone to really know but…
"Hey, Armin," Eren whispered. Armin looked around at him and leaned in to listen. "Could you read over something for me?"
"Sure. What is it?"
Eren pulled the crinkled note from his pocket. He handed it over and Armin looked at it. He started to laugh and Eren's eyes widened.
"W-What does it say?"
"It just says "Thank you again, brat. Don't die on your way home". And then it's signed by someone named Levi," Armin said. "Which Levi is it?"
Eren tugged the note away and stared at it, trying to make some sense of the words. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, looking at the words on the paper. Now that Armin had read it to him, he could make out a few of the words. But it was still practically undecipherable.
"Eren?"
"He's no one," Eren said. "Sort of."
"Then why is he telling you thank you?"
"It's complicated."
"What's complicated?" Mikasa asked, lingering over their shoulders. Eren flinched and shook his head.
"Nothing. Are you ready to go?"
Mikasa reached over his head and grabbed the note, walking away. Eren jumped to his feet and chased after her.
"Give it back!"
"Who's Levi?"
"No one."
"Eren."
Eren rolled his eyes and threw his hands up. "Just forget it. And keep the note. Are you ready to leave yet?"
She gave a frustrated sigh and picked up the rest of her belongings. The three of them left the tavern as a rowdier crowd started to file in. It was always the same; during the say, the tavern was a safer spot to relax. But by the evening a more abrasive group would take over and usually had to be monitored by the town guard.
Eren didn't care what they did as long as he and his family were far from it.
He was ready to be home. He craved the feel of his own bed and his mother's cooking. It had been one night but he was thankful to be back. But the sight welcoming him home was not what he wanted.
Hannes stood at the front door to his house, talking to his mother. And the look on her face was distressing. Completely distraught.
"Ma!" Eren called as he ran up to the house. "Ma, what's wrong, what's going on?"
Hannes stepped aside and rubbed his head. Carla looked at Eren and shook her head. Mikasa and Armin ran up behind Eren, both of them waiting for answers.
"It's really nothing you kids should worry about…," Hannes said softly. Carla rubbed her face on her apron.
"Just money," Carla said.
Always money…
"Again?" Eren asked. He took off his red cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"I'm really sorry," Hannes said. "I'm doing what I can. Trying to get these payments overlooked and lowered again but it's not easy."
"You've done enough," Eren said, rubbing his mother's back. "We'll come up with the money. Mikasa and I are both working."
"I can give you money too," Armin said. "I'm always over here; it's only fair."
"N-No, no," Carla said. "No. I'm not going to accept money from you, Armin. We…We'll figure out something."
Hannes nodded apologetically. "I'm really sorry, Carla. You know I am. If there's anything I can do…"
"I know, Hannes," she said. "I'll…figure out something by tomorrow."
It had been going on for months now. Always short on payments and taxes. And every time, Hannes had managed to move around enough rules to let them slide by. But then Carla got sick and the already difficult taxes became even harder. And keeping up with the garden was becoming impossible.
After dinner, Eren, Mikasa and Armin cleaned up the kitchen. And once they had finished, they ventured out into the garden and barn to work outside. Carla retired to her room to rest. Eren didn't mind the work. He hadn't done much almost all day, so anything he could do to help didn't bother him.
The three of them worked until the sun started to set. They washed up at the well and started to go back into the house. They were tired and ready to relax for a while before worrying about their money.
The wind blew cold, almost too cold. And the chill settled over Eren's shoulders. He looked over his shoulder and at the setting sun. A sudden sinking feeling settled in his stomach.
"Eren. What's wrong?" Mikasa asked.
"I…I don't know," Eren said. "I just felt uneasy suddenly."
Mikasa walked over to him and pressed a hand to his forehead. Eren huffed as she touched his cheeks and neck.
"You don't feel feverish. Are you light-headed from working? You should lie down."
"I'm fine!" Eren cried. He sighed and kept walking toward the house.
They lit candles and settled in the sitting room around Armin. Eren picked out the book; the one with the most pictures, despite its loose binding. He didn't know what the story was about, but he gathered it had something to do with a group of people living within a wall, in fear of being eaten by monsters.
"What it called?" Eren asked, tapping the cover.
"Attack on Titan," Armin replied. Mikasa leaned her head on Armin's shoulder in silent excitement. She didn't smile, but her emotion was in her eyes. And that, both Eren and Armin, could read.
Armin opened the book, revealing the pictures and started to read when there was a commotion outside. The three of them looked to each other and stayed quiet as the noises continued on. Eren rose and ran to the door, swinging it open.
It looked like a parade.
Black horses stood in the street, all of them in front of a black carriage. It was solid black too, save for the silver crest painted on the door. Among all the black, there was a white horse and on it sat a tall man with blonde hair. He was talking to a rather distressed Hannes.
"What is that?" Armin asked, peeking his head out under Eren. Mikasa joined them, poking her out over Eren's. He suddenly gasped.
"What is it, Armin?!" both Eren and Mikasa called.
"That…that's the seal of the palace," Armin said. "The crest of Rose. The crest of the prince!"
Eren squinted to see the crest better in the dark. It was a round piece, featuring the profile of a woman. Like a cameo, almost…
He gasped and slowly slid back into the house, his heart racing. Surely, it couldn't be.
The man dismantled from his white horse and opened the door to the black coach. Armin and Mikasa watched as a rather short man stepped out of the carriage. He was dressed in all black; the same deep black as his hair, but his skin was deathly pale.
And he was walking in the direction of their house.
"Eren," Armin said, stepped back from the door. Eren had slid down the wall and was hiding his face in disbelief. He couldn't even look up to face Armin. "Exactly which Levi did you save? Because you know the prince of Rose is named—"
"I never knew that," Eren whispered. He kept his hands over his head, tugging at his hair as the reality set it. "I never knew that. I never even knew this kingdom had a real prince."
"How could you not know that, Eren?!" Mikasa hissed. She turned, briefly, to look at him and quickly look back out the door.
Seconds later, Eren heard the door to one of the rooms open. His mother appeared, looking terribly ragged. Her hair was a mess and there were heavy bags under eyes. She coughed with her hoarse voice and pulled a shawl around her thin shoulders.
"What the hell is with all the yelling?" she rasped, coughing again. "Why aren't you kids in bed? Why is the door open? Eren, get your ass off the floor."
"Ma, you don't understand."
Carla pulled Armin and Mikasa from the door and looked outside.
"Oh…"
Levi stood before her, a rather bland expression on his face. Carla looked over her shoulder to Armin and Mikasa, and then to Eren.
"Eren, what the hell did you do?"
"I didn't do anything!"
Levi cleared his throat to catch their attention.
"I apologize for showing up at such an ungodly hour and uninvited," he said, his voice calm and smooth. "But this is the residence of Eren Jaeger, am I correct?"
Carla opened her mouth and nodded, trying to force a smile. She snapped her neck around to glare at Eren, who was still a crumbled mess on the floor. She snapped her fingers at him.
"Eren, come here and see your guest," she said through gritted teeth. "Now."
Eren slowly got to his feet. He shuffled to the door, passed Armin and Mikasa who were still in quiet shock. Carla grabbed Eren by the arm once he was within her grasp.
He nervously smiled at Levi. Up close Eren could see the details of his fine clothes; the intricately woven materials and the delicate designs on his coat and shirt. The man—prince—tugged at the cravat around his neck and rings glittered on his long fingers.
Levi raised an eyebrow.
"Well?"
"Eren!" Carla snapped, slapping Eren on the arm. "Show some respect! Invite him inside."
"Oh. OH!" Eren gasped. "Yeah, uh…please come in?"
"Thank you," Levi said, as if he had been waiting decades to say it. He stepped over the threshold and walked passed Eren and his mother. His blonde haired guard remained outside, standing firmly with his sword at his side.
Levi glanced at Armin and Mikasa but did not say anything to them as he glided into the room.
"Uh…should I take your coat?" Eren asked, looking to his mother for better instruction. Levi shook his head.
"That's not necessary."
"Do I offer you tea?" Eren said. Carla shook her head and pushed Eren to the kitchen.
"This way, your highness," Carla said, gesturing for Levi to follow.
Their kitchen served as their dining room, a small table in the center with a few chairs pushed up to it. Carla offered Levi whichever chair he wanted and he happened to take Mikasa's before she could claim it. Carla sat next to him, holding back pained coughs as she smiled her best. Eren took his normal seat, leaving Mikasa and Armin to squeeze into a single chair.
"I'm sorry I'm still here," Armin whispered between Mikasa and Eren. "But I'm really curious about this."
"Trust me, I want you to stay," Eren muttered. "I'm curious too."
"I just want to know what trouble you got into," Mikasa spat back.
"I'm not in trouble!"
Carla tapped her hand on the table at them. The three of them quieted down and looked to Levi. He had folded his hands neatly on the table in front of him.
"Are you his mother?" Levi asked Carla, gesturing with his head in Eren's direction. Carla nodded.
"Yes, your highness," she said. A cough erupted from her throat and she pulled her shawl closer around herself. "I am. And I apologize for any trouble he may have caused you. And if it's any expense we can pay it—"
"Don't lie about that, ma!" Eren cried. "You know that we can't. Don't make empty promises."
"Eren, you shut your mouth!" Carla hissed. "I will not have you misbehaving in front of our prince. I will send you to your damn room!"
"That's not necessary," Levi said. "In fact, it's just the opposite. Your son actually saved me."
A silence fell over the room, only interrupted by another coughing fit.
"Eren…saved you?" Mikasa asked in disbelief.
"Yes. I saved him and he in turn provided me with shelter for the night," Levi said calmly. "And for that, I'm truly thankful."
"You saved the prince and you didn't tell me!?" Carla asked.
"I didn't know he was the prince!" Eren shouted back.
"How could you not know?" Armin cried.
"Eren, how did you save someone?" Mikasa asked. "You can barely take care of yourself."
"Ma, can you please send me to my room now? I'm fucking done with everyone."
"Not until you explain how you didn't know he was the prince," Carla replied firmly. Eren dropped his head to the table, covering his hair with his arms to drown everyone out.
He heard Levi take a long breath. "I felt it was only fair to offer my thanks again. And to offer a proposal."
The room grew quiet again and everyone turned their eyes to Levi. Even Eren looked up.
"I was told, by Eren himself, that you were sick, Miss Carla. And that you had financial problems. Trouble with the animals and such. So I've brought with me medicine, from my own doctors. Ten bags of gold. And a few animals, in good health. Chickens, goats and a milk producing cow."
Eren's eyes widened. He sat up, listening to the list of goods Levi had on him. At this very moment. It was overwhelming. Impossible. With all of that, his mother would get well. They wouldn't go hungry or be in any need. And then the money. All of that money. Ten bags of pure gold. One gold coin could easily pay off five months worth of taxes. And Levi had ten bags of it.
"T-That…that's very generous of you," Carla said, her voice quivering.
"What's the catch?"
Everyone looked to Mikasa as she spoke. Her eyes were firmly fixed on the Levi. The prince smiled, apparently amused by her question.
"It is very generous, but there has to be a catch. And it's not out of the goodness of your heart because Eren saved you. You saved him, so you're even now. What do you want in return?"
"I want Eren to come back with me."
This time, no silence fell over them. Everyone got to their feet, slamming their hands on the table.
"You want me to sell my son!?"
"You can't be serious!"
"You can't take my brother away!"
"I'm not an object!"
The comments and protests kept flying at Levi. Eren was infuriated. His entire body was shaking, burning with anger and hurt. He was offended; really offended that Levi would propose something so sickening. He wasn't something to be sold. He wasn't property.
And yet even with the flying, raging comments being thrown at him, Levi did not move. He did not respond. His expression remained firm and his hands still calmly folded on the table in front of him.
Another coughing fit suddenly erupted from Carla, this one forcing her back into her chair. She held her stomach and covered her mouth as she shook. Eren ran to her side, rubbing her back as Armin ran to get water.
Mikasa kept her eyes on Levi in a hateful glare.
Carla's face turned red. Eren could feel her skin warm under his fingers. And he was sure he saw speckles of blood on her shawl.
His own breathing hitched in his throat and the sudden reality of the situation painfully sank in. His mother needed that medicine. His mother needed that money. His mother needed healthy animals. Eren looked back to Levi and the calm, almost cocky expression on his face. It was like the prince already knew his answer.
"I'll leave you to your decision," Levi said, standing up. "I'll wait outside. Inform me of your decision once it's made."
He bowed, politely, and turned away. He saw himself out as no one moved. The tension in the room ceased as they heard the door open and close.
"That pompous bastard," Mikasa hissed. "Who does he think he is? Saying something so…disgusting…"
"It's ridiculous," Armin added.
"I…I'll do it," Eren muttered. Carla jolted up, grabbing his arm. Mikasa's eyes widened in horror. Armin knocked over the cup of water he had placed on the table.
They all looked at to Eren, all trembling.
"Eren…no…you can't do this," Carla cried. Tears swelled in her eyes and Eren hugged her tight.
"Ma, it's okay," Eren said. "It'll be alright."
"No!" Mikasa shouted. "You can't do this to us. We need you here."
"You have Armin," Eren said with a weak smile.
"I'm not strong like you!" Armin shouted. "Eren, no! You can't leave to go live with him! You can't sell yourself like this!"
"I'm practically an adult!" Eren yelled. "I'm a man and I have to do what's right! I have to…I have to take care of you all. And this is the only way…"
"Eren, stop," Mikasa said. "There are other ways. You can work here. Earn money."
"But it's not enough," Eren said, shaking his head. "It's not enough to keep the house. And it's not enough for medicine. And we need those things now. And we can get them now and that's what matters. Ma…you have to get well."
"Eren, don't you dare leave me," Carla sobbed. "Don't be like him."
The words hurt. And knowing that she said it hurt even more. That she was even thinking that.
"Ma, I'm nothing like dad," Eren said, stroking her hair. "I'm not going to turn my back on you. On all of you. I'm not going to disappear."
She shook her head as her entire body collapsed into another fit.
"Levi has enough resources to give you all a comfortable life," Eren said. "And…if that means I have to be his dog then I'll do it. I don't care."
For the first time, in a long time, he saw tears in Mikasa's eyes. She wasn't trying to hold them back. They just started to pour down her face. He held out his hand to her and she ran around the table to him. She wrapped her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. Armin hugged him from behind, burying his face into Eren's shoulder.
Eren stood there, hugging the three people he cared the most about. His heart sank deeper into his stomach. He knew it could be the last time he saw them. The last time he held them. And so he knew he had to savor the moment for all it was worth.
As Eren walked outside, he saw that the animals Levi had brought with him were already unloaded. They were all fat and healthy, like the prince said. There was a crowd of people from the village, watching the spectacle unfold.
Hannes ran up to Eren, looking frantic.
"Hey, what's going on here?" he asked, breathlessly. Eren shrugged and pulled his red cloak tighter around himself.
"It's complicated."
Hannes looked at Eren's reddened eyes and then to Carla standing in the doorway. She was still crying, Mikasa holding her tight.
"What the hell?" Hannes muttered.
"Look, just help my mom with the new animals when you can, okay?" Eren said. Before Hannes could reply, Eren walked away.
The blonde guard walked by him, holding a case in his hands. Eren turned as the man walked up to his mother, offering the box to her. Armin took it, nodding and talking softly with him. Eren could only assume it was the medicine.
He stared at the carriage as the door was flung open. Levi was inside, sitting as proper as he had been inside the house.
"I assume you came to a decision."
"Shut the fuck up," Eren hissed. "You cheated."
"I didn't cheat," Levi said. "I just knew which resources to use."
Eren rolled his eyes and looked back to his house. His home. His warm home where his bed was. He had packed a bag with all of his clothes; not that there were that many. He held it to his chest with shaking fingers, feeling the lumps and curves of his belongings.
He didn't notice the other man smelling his red cloak behind him and he was too furious to care.
"I just want to leave," Eren said, throwing his bag onto the carriage floor.
"Then take a seat."
"I'd rather walk," Eren said, stepping away from the carriage. He pulled his cloak from the man still smelling it and wrapped his arms around himself.
"That's a long ass way to walk," Levi hummed.
"I don't care," Eren said. "I have to spend the rest of my life with you. I'd like to savor my last few moments without a monster like you."
Levi's eyebrow twitched at his words. The prince leaned forward and grabbed the coach door, slamming it shut. He was mad, Eren could tell. And that lightened his spirits a little. At least he knew he could piss Levi off.
Eren quickly regretted his choice to walk after a few miles. He was surprised he even lasted that long. The road was unkind to his feet. And he had to keep avoiding stepping into horse shit the entire walk. The thought of it made him think about home already. It made him remember Jean, and his stupid horseface. And how Reiner always neighed at him, and how Bertholdt would shyly laugh. Ymir would snort and Connie would always take Jean's side. And he remembered how Armin would always stare at Jean and cling to his every word. But how Armin would read to him and Mikasa on late nights.
And then his mother…
He felt lonely, suddenly. He pulled his hood over his head and covered his face. He wanted to run away. He wanted to run home and take it all back. But he couldn't be a coward. He couldn't go back on his word. It was the right thing to do. He had to do it; to save his mother and their home. He would do whatever he had to. Someone had to take care of the family.
His foot came down into mush and he gasped. Horse shit. Great. He tried to kick it off his shoe as he walked, dust and dirt and rocks flying all around him. It was awful and it smelled. Eren groaned and he heard a soft laugh.
The guard on the white horse fell back, slowing to match Eren's pace.
"Are you sure you don't want to ride inside?" the man asked, nodding his head at the carriage. Eren looked away and shook his head.
"No. I don't want to be anywhere near him."
The man smiled. "That's understandable. Perhaps you'd like your own horse?"
"I'm not good at riding. I'd probably fall and kill myself. Actually, that's not a bad idea. Give me a horse."
The man shook his head and laughed again.
"You're welcomed to ride on here with me. I don't mind."
Eren looked up at him and considered the offer. His feet were sore, his legs were tired and his shoulders were aching. The man on the horse looked normal and wasn't smelling him at the moment either. Eren saw no harm in it.
"Fine." He shrugged and the man stopped. Eren grabbed on to the saddle and pulled himself on. It was terribly uncomfortable to sit so close, but he was off his feet at least.
"Hold on," he said.
Eren grunted and the horse trotted off quickly. Faster than what he expected. He grabbed the man around the waist, holding on to him tight. He rested his chin on the man's broad shoulder and heard a laugh.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, sir," Eren said. He pulled his hood back over his head.
"Irwin," he said. "My name is Irwin."
"Mn."
Eren didn't care. He was too tired to care or talk or even listen anymore. He just wanted to sleep and to be left alone. He wanted to crawl into his warm bed and wake up to the bright morning and his mother yelling at him for breakfast. He wanted Mikasa to pour water on him to force him to get clean. He wanted to hear Armin laughing at them.
And as it all sank in, as he kept his eyes closed against Irwin's shoulder, he knew that wasn't going to happen.
He was truly stuck.