If Only For A Little While

Misunderstood

Eren

"Mika! Armin! I'm home!" I called out, shucking my shoes off at the doorway and dropping my bag on the ground of the small apartment.

"Eren!" Mikasa cried running over to me, squeezing me tightly, "Where the hell were you? I was worried sick! The last time I saw you, you'd stormed off I was afraid you were mad at me!"

I laughed and ruffled her hair affectionately. "I'm fine Mika, I just had to do something after school, no biggie."

She stepped back and crossed her arms over her chest, "Armin told me you'd went home with friends, I called Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Conny, Sasha, Historia, Ymir, and Marco. Hell I even called Jean but no one knew where you were."

"Yeah," I rubbed the back of my head, "I was actually in detention, but like I said no biggie. Mr. Ackerman just had me clean-"

"You had detention with that man and you didn't even tell me!?" She grabbed me roughly by the shoulders, "Do you have any idea what could have happened to you!?"

"What the hell Mikasa!? All he did was make me clean his classroom. What's your problem?"

"Have you not heard the rumors about him?" Mikasa's expression teetered on the edge between angry and aghast, "People say he used to be associated with gang activity. He's dangerous Eren, I don't want you to be alone with a man like that."

"Rumors don't mean shit," I tore out of her grip and stormed down the hallway to mine and Armin's room. I paused and then called back to her again, "I thought you were better than that. Also I have detention with him again tomorrow."

"Eren wait-" I slammed my door shut, cutting her off. Armin looked up from his book, gaping at me. I flopped onto my bed and closed my eyes.

"Eren what are you doing?"

I opened my eyes and turned to glare at my friend, "What the hell do you think? I'm trying to sleep."

Armin cocked his head to the side and closed his book. He stood up and made his way over to my bed, laying himself beside me. He stared thoughtfully up at the ceiling before answering, "I mean why are you treating Mikasa so badly? She only wants to protect you."

I rolled over so I was facing away from him. "Well she doesn't need to. She's not my mom nor will she ever be. I wish she'd just act like a sister." I grumbled.

Armin sighed, " You can't really blame her. Someone had to become the responsible one after your mother's death. Lord knows your father won't ever. You don't even know where he is. Since you refused to act mature and take charge Mikasa was forced to and I think she's doing a pretty damn good job."

I didn't look at him, I knew he was right but I wouldn't admit it. "Well she doesn't ever give you shit and you don't have any parents either. Plus with your grandfather's death and all."

"Well I don't act as reckless as you do for one, plus technically I own our apartment." Armin chuckled.

"How long do you think we can live on our own like this before someone realizes you're grandfather's dead and we're paying his bills with shitty part-time jobs?"

"I'm not sure," the blonde boy's distress was evident, "But as long as we can stick this out until after we're 18. Otherwise- we- they'll-"

"They'll stick us in a foster home," I murmured softly, "Separate the three of us."

"That can't happen." Armin stated defiantly, "We have to stay on the down low. So Eren, please try to stay out of trouble. Please, for Mikasa. For me."

"Fine," I gritted out between my teeth. I hated it when he was right. You'd think I'd be used to it considering the kid was almost always right.

"Thank you," he beamed at me, and reached out to give my hand a squeeze. He stood up and made his way through my clutter over to his own, neater side of the room and event back to studying.

I mulled over in my head what he'd told me about Mikasa. I knew that she meant well, but I just wished I could make her see I didn't need her to act like a mother to me.

Because my mother was dead.

A soft rapping at the bedroom door stirred me out if my thoughts, "Eren, Armin, I made dinner if you two are hungry."

"Be right out!" Armin answered Mikasa's invitation, one hand wrapped around the doorknob. He turned to face me. "You coming Eren?"

"Yeah," I stood up and lightly smacked the back of his head.

"What was that for?" He whinnied.

"For being a little know-it-all. C'mon, let's go eat."

_______

I ran as fast as I could through the desolate streets. Trash littered the ground of the alley, rustled to life by the movement of my feet.

My breath came out in short, quick bursts. My chest ached with each stride I took but I couldn't stop running. My adrenaline kept me from faltering for now but I knew it'd wear off eventually. I just hoped I could escape my pursuer before that happened.

My heart raced in my chest, fluttering in my throat. I could almost feel it bursting out of my chest. I wanted to stop running, I wanted to turn around and face my pursuer head on.

But I couldn't. My only remaining option was to keep on running.

I could hear the heavy sounds of footfalls growing nearer to me. Their owner growing closer with each step. I pushed myself harder to get away, exerting myself further than I ever had before. Then again I'd never known fear like this before.

My foot struck the side of a small stone causing me to tumble forward. My exhaustion gave way and I fell into the pavement, catching myself with my hand, skinning my palms and knees in the process. I turned to see my pursuer gain on me. I scrambled to my feet but it was too late. in one fluid motion he was on top of me pinning me down. He gripped the back of my hair, pulling my head back.

"Don't think about running again," he growled breathlessly into my ear, "You're too tired to go any further and I'd rather you didn't over complicate this situation anymore than necessary. Are we clear?"

I nodded, my voice constrained against my absence of breath. He was right, there was no point in trying to escape my fate now. He had me and I'd never be able to get away now.

I looked into the face of my captor, accepting my fate. I was his now, and I would always be.

As if sensing my acceptance Mr. Ackerman smiled coldly, brushing a bit of dirt of my cheek.

_______

I awoke with a start, cold sweat beaded on my forehead and dripped down the side of my face. Panting as if I'd really been running I rubbed my eyes I'm an attempt to wipe the dream from my mind.

My lips parted and I shuddered at the memory of my teacher's crushing weight against me. The harsh way he'd possessed me.

I looked over to my nightstand where my sketchbook sat opened to the drawing of uh older man. His lips curled almost mockingly at me.

In my dream I'd been scared of him. He'd hunted me down and crushed me against the pavement and yet it hadn't been a nightmare.

My emotions were a jumbled mess of conflicting thoughts. A mixture of fear and anger swimming in an emotion so foreign to me I couldn't name it. one thing however was for certain.

The primary feeling that I felt was one of acceptance.

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So I was up until 3am writing this chapter so you all had better like it XD

Anywho I may have been tired and made some errors so feel free to comment any mistakes I made ^_^

-KarinParker