Unity

Chapter Twelve

Eren and I were finally placed in front of those woods we called home. We stood calmly in front of Mikasa who was staring at us confusedly. 

"Where have you guys been?" she crossed her legs and folded her hands over her knee.

"I had detention after school and Armin waited for me." Mikasa's tone became more serious.

"What happened this time, Eren?"

"Got into a fight with Jean this morning," it relieved me that he was lying to save embarrassment for me, but I was scared that he would hear a lecture from Mikasa.

"You really need to stop getting into fights." Eren nodded and pulled me back into the deep woods with him. Once he sat down, he pulled me down with him and sulked against a tree.

"I'm so done with Levi's shit." All I really could do was nod because I was still too shocked to say anything, but I managed to pull forth.

"Thanks for not telling Mikasa." Eren didn't speak for a while. He just sat still and stared at the ground and played with the dirt until he finally said something.

"You know," his voice was quiet but sure. "You really need to learn how to stick up for yourself." Now it was my turn to sit still and stare at the ground. I knew that already. I know that one of the major reasons that people keep picking on me is because I can't do anything to stop them. I'm too weak, psychically and emotionally.

"I know," my fingers traced the caked ground. "But it's really hard for me." Eren nodded and folded his hands in many ways until I noticed he felt comfortable.

"If you can't punch them back, please attack them with words. It's better than getting raped."

"He didn't rape me," I said it right after he finished his sentence.

"But he tried to." Eren looked down but turned his head back up. "I'm really proud of you, actually." I was a bit shocked by his statement. What on earth did I do that could make anyone proud?

"Why?"

"You punched Levi!" I couldn't really think of anything else but to awkwardly laugh, so that's exactly what I did. Eren smiled at me and scooted a bit closer. He touched my fingers with his pointer finger and then locked all of our fingers together.

"You know, Armin," Eren rested his head on my shoulder. "I used to be so mad all the time. I'm sure you noticed that when you first met me." He paused for a second. "But ever since the first time I kissed you I've felt different. I feel happier and less mad at the world." A large blush crept upon my face as I looked down and smiled.

"You're so sappy," Eren pulled me onto his lap so my face was towards his.

"But it still makes you blush," he leaned in and made our lips join very delicately, as if I were to be treated with too hard, I would shatter. 

Eren did not move and nor did I. Personally, I kind of enjoy it like that. No one's in a rush for anything and nobody feels like nothing needs to be done. Neither people want more, but both are enjoying it too much to pull away. It was a good balance for me, and I sense that it's a good balance for Eren, too.

After a good minute or two, Eren moved his lips up gently and pulled away from me slowly while opening his eyes. It wasn't until I looked up until I realized that he was crying, but only from one of his eyes. I didn't really know that was possible, but I guess I stand corrected.

"Eren," Eren looked down and into my eyes.

"Huh?"

"Your gold eye is crying," Eren blinked a couple of times and looked at me again.