Chapter 22
Disclaimer: I don't own Attack on Titan.
It's been a few days since the funeral. Erwin and I were at the station, about to leave Brass.
"Do you really have to go again?" Shirley says in between sobs.
"Sorry Mrs. Pixis but I promise I will come again. We'll go shopping next time, okay?" I said to her, holding both of her hands in mine. She nods her head and wipes her tears with a handkerchief.
"Take good care of her Mr. Smith." Pixis told Erwin while giving him a firm handshake.
"Of course I will." said Erwin.
"I'll see you soon Mousy." Pixis slaps my back.
"Don't call me Mousy!" I yelled at him. Pixis gives a hearty laugh. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too." I said to him and gave him a big hug. Then Erwin and I went on the train.
….
"How are you feeling?" Erwin asked me as the train was moving to go back to Trost.
"I'm….fine." I said softly. "I'm okay really. I'm just grieving a bit that's all."
"I understand that feeling. I have been through it enough times to understand your feelings." He said. I couldn't read his face. He seem like he was in a dark place. I reached out and took his hand.
"Do you want to talk about it?" I asked him. "Will it make you feel better?"
He doesn't say anything but stares at my hand that was holding his. I guess I shouldn't ask him stuff that would be too painful to talk about. I thought it would be helpful and it will help to get to know him better but I guess I was wrong.
When I was taking my hand off his, he grabbed it and held it tightly.
"Do you…remember Aunt, Uncle, and Grandpa Arlert?" he asked with such sadness in his voice.
'Aunt, Uncle, and Grandpa Arlert? Isn't Arlert Armin's last name?' I thought. I shook my head, answering his question.
"Well you did meet them once when you were two." He said with a sad laugh. "They were Armin's parents. Your aunt was my sister. She was a scientist, living in Wall Maria. She met a man and got married. Then they had Armin. Your Grandpa was your brother-in-law's dad." He explained but trailed off.
"What happened to them?" I asked hesitantly. He squeezes my hand a little tighter and opened his mouth.
"My sister and her husband left the walls for work and got into an accident." He said while tightening my hand even more. "It was around the time you and Nanami left me. I couldn't raise Armin because I felt like the reason your mom left was because I wasn't a good father so he went to Grandpa. After the plague, Grandpa died and left me with Armin. I was remarried by then with a kid already but I wanted to be there for Armin. I wanted him to know there's always a place for him." He looks down at the floor and starts to shake a little.
In an instant, I wrapped my arms around him. He wraps his arms around me and squeezes me tightly. I rubbed his back slowly, trying to calm him. After that we talked more. I asked them they were like and he told everything about them.
His sister and her husband were great scientists and parents. Grandpa was full of wisdom and jolly like Santa. After a while I asked another question.
"When did you and Mrs. Smith meet?" I asked with a little smile.
"I met her at a bar a year after you and your mother left." He said.
"That doesn't sound all that romantic."
"Well our first meeting wasn't like a romantic drama. She was a waitress and accidently spilled my food on me. She apologized but I wasn't all that forgiving so I yelled at her. Then she yelled at me. She told just to accept the apology or shove it."
"She said that. I can imagine it." I said laughing. I imagined that scene and started laugh even harder.
"After that, she got fired and blamed me. I felt bad. I should've just accepted the apology but I guess pride got in the way. After two months, I saw her on the streets, getting thrown out of her apartment. I talked to her and offered her to stay at my place. It was hard getting along at first but eventually we found love in each other. We got married in 6 months and she got pregnant with Lucas."
"Sounds like a romantic comedy." I said laughing loudly.
"Don't laugh." He ruffles my hair. "Oh hey, were back already." He said with a surprised look. I looked out the window and see that the train was slowing down at the Trost Train Station. The time went by really fast. It was fun talking to Erwin. I made feel closer to him not as just some guy but more as a father.
We got off the train and saw Petra running towards us with open arms.
"Oh I miss you guys so much!" Petra squeezes me in her arms. 'There's that strong grip!'
"So how's Brass?" she asked Erwin.
"It was fine." He said and kisses her forehead. She snuggles into his chest.
"Dad! Mickey!" Lucas called. He was running towards us with a large grin. "Welcome back!" he shouted. Then Armin comes up behind him and scolds him for running off.
"Welcome back Uncle, Mickey." He said when he was done scolding Lucas.
"We're back." I said with a smile. I'll miss Brass, my home. But I'm back at another. A one that isn't dirty or dangerous. It's bright like the sun and it's so fun that gives me a smile for days. Trost has become my home too.
"Come on!" Lucas grabs my arms and starts to pull me. "I got a new Spiderman comic book at home that I want you to read! It's awesome!"
"Hey slow down!" Petra shouts at us. Erwin grabs her hand and walks with her. Armin catches up to us and told us we need to study for the finals. It was loud and lively all the way home.