You've been driving around aimlessly for the better part of an hour now— no clear destination in mind, though you'd gladly risk running out of gas before even stepping foot back inside that apartment. Passing the same street sign on your fifth go around, you decided to call Eren again for the third time— but to no avail, he still hasn't picked up.

"Fuck."

You curse, chewing at your bottom lip as a desperate means to fight back the tears that threaten to spill— crimson drops taste metallic on your tongue, the sensation reminding you that you're still here; living, breathing. Though, truthfully you'd do just about anything to disappear right now.

You pull into a vacant parking lot to give yourself a moment to gather yourself. Unlocking your phone, you check one more time to see if Eren has called or even texted you back, but still... nothing. You toss it onto the dashboard in frustration, allowing your head to fall back against the head rest.

You hated this; you hated yourself.

You knew he saw it. Jean must have seen everything— the way your phone laid suspiciously dead center on the kitchen table when you walked in... you were stupid; careless. How could you have been so fucking negligent? Who leaves their phone behind with such incriminating evidence? Though you surely didn't anticipate anyone to look through it.

The thoughts running through your mind were anything but sensible, deciding to blame yourself for getting caught rather than for what really deserved it.

You startle upon hearing your phone vibrate against the dash. You're quick to pick it up, but hesitant to answer when a number you don't recognize flashes on the screen. You let it ring a few times more; normally you'd just let a call like this go unanswered, but this time you're hopeful that there may be a voice you're familiar with on the other line.

"Hello?"

"Y/n, it's Armin."

You breathe a sigh of relief, happy to hear it's Eren's blonde companion at the other end of this phone call.

"Is everything okay? I saw you blowing up Eren's phone— I was worried something might be wrong."

"Yeah— well, no... not really." You respond wearily— not entirely sure you could speak so openly with Armin. There was something that still warranted an air of caution around him. "Is Eren there?"

"Yeah, but he's still asleep. We really did a number on him last night." He chuckles— silky smooth and softly-toned, just as you've come to know as Armin's way of convincing anyone to do anything his heart desires.

"Why don't you come back over? I can order some take out and we can talk about whatever's bothering you."

You should say no.

After all, you still haven't even properly talked about this with Jean yet, though it was clear that whatever was left of your relationship was in complete shambles. Though, the fact that what was intended to be a you and Eren thing, was now turning out to be more of a you, Eren and Armin sort of thing— made you curious.

Is that something you're okay with?

You've never done anything like this in the entirety of your lifespan— the thought never even crossed your mind— but you did know one thing; you enjoyed Eren's company, and Armin was always near by. It was clear they shared some sort of connection that went beyond friendship, what it was exactly didn't seem to have a label; not that it even needed one.

In any case, you didn't have much of a choice. You definitely weren't going back to your apartment, and you definitely weren't ready to face Sasha and Connie just yet— despite the fact that some of your belongings still remained in a bag on their living room floor.

With a shaky breath, you sigh before agreeing to come back over to his house. Reluctance plagued your innermost thoughts as you began to drive back to the place where you had just left only moments before. You knew you needed to go home and talk with Jean. You knew that you couldn't just dead the issue, as was the result of so many of your previous fights.

This was different— because once the talk was over, so was your relationship. Officially, anyways.

Perhaps that's why Jean was doing everything in his power to avoid it.

Armin's home was just as pristine as the first time he welcomed you into his home. No one would ever be able to imagine what happened here the night before— leftover food and empty beer bottles now replaced by sparkling counter tops and perfectly placed throw pillows on expensive leather furniture.

He was a mystery to you, Armin. The words that come out of his mouth are that of which you're never quite sure whether they're truthful or not— whether they hold some other meaning or connotation.

It's apparent in the way he seems to comfort you, rubbing small circles onto your back with a touch so delicate and soft that you almost feel reassured when he tells you that everything will be alright. Pouring your troubles out to Armin was not on the agenda for today, and yet... here you are.

He doesn't hesitate for a single moment, speaking the prettiest words of a sympathetic symphony as he apologizes for what you've had to endure. 'It's not your fault,' he says, 'he pushed you to this point' ...and for a moment, you actually start to believe him.

He holds onto you tightly as you cry into his shoulder, a subtle smirk dances on his soft, pink lips as he listens to you sob about how everything that went wrong in your relationship— up until the point where he uses them to kiss at your cheeks, tasting the salty tears that stain your skin.

Your sobs turn to sniffles as you gaze into his beautiful blue eyes. His expression is so warm and inviting, as is the adorable way his cheeks flush when you finally press your lips to his.

You've never done this without Eren present.

Is this even okay?

Not that there's anything established between the two of you, but you've already crossed that line of infidelity once... and although this situation was blurred, you weren't sure you wanted to risk doing it again.

Armin seems to have no qualms on the other hand, and he revels in the way it feels to have you all to himself, for once. He didn't consider himself to be a selfish person, but he was used to getting the things he wanted. You were one of those things— he's known it since the very first time he laid eyes on you.

The sound of the doorbell chiming through the hallway startles you out of the lip-lock, breaking your lustful trance, allowing you to fully process your actions. God, you were so beyond fucked up— self-depreciation had become a part of your inner monologue more times than not lately— but this time you really felt like it was justified.

How could you do this just moments after you left Jean? Did you have even a single shred of dignity left?

"That's the food."

Armin proclaims, wiping his kiss-bitten lips with the pad of his thumb before excusing himself to answer the door. You nod, taking his absence as an opportunity to slip away and go check on Eren. After all, he's really who you came to see.

Armin isn't oblivious to this fact; he knows you care for Eren and he knows that it's him you're interested in— rightfully so.

Still, he's patient; He doesn't mind waiting a bit more for you to come around. He's done it for so long now, what's a little while longer?

✧

Cracking the bedroom door open just ever so slightly, you spot Eren's gentle, slumbered state messily splayed over the expanse of Armin's bed sheets. You step in quietly as not to wake him— though you couldn't help but admire the way his chocolate brown tresses hang loosely over his handsome face, wisping outwards with each huff of breath that escapes from his parted lips.

He's so beautiful, it almost hurts. Does he even know it? He has to, of course; he does own a mirror after all. Still, you can't help but wonder why Eren didn't already have a partner. You were absolutely positive that he could have anyone he wanted— so, why not?

You may not know much about his personal life, but you had an inkling that it went beyond the typical 'I don't do relationships.' Maybe now you could find out more about him, without worrying about Jean and sneaking around. You certainly weren't ready for another relationship and you weren't banking on Eren wanting one either, but that was okay. You were content with the situation you had going on with him— no expectations or pressure to be someone you just couldn't seem to be— you were just...

Free.

Eren starts to stir— pretty emerald eyes peeking through long, thick lashes as he smiles when he notices you sitting next to him in the bed.

"Morning, pretty."

His voice is textured and groggy as he speaks, his eyes still heavy-lidded and sleepy as he turns the rest of his body over to properly face you.

"It's the afternoon, Eren."

You tease, chuckling as he snakes an arm around your waist and pulls you into the silky soft abyss.

"Mhmm, whatever."

He hums, pulling you in closer as his eyes flutter shut once more, burying his nose into the crook of your neck. "Just five more minutes."

You indulge him by gently running your fingers through his hair, just as you've come to know that he likes best. It's just five more minutes— but truthfully you'd give up just about anything if it meant you could escape the rest of the world for just a moment or two longer.

No, nothing is ever that simple.

Reality still exists, despite your best efforts to pretend otherwise — it just is— painfully so; you're reminded of this fact when your feel you phone vibrate mockingly in your pocket.