Hello everyone! Wow, we're now at 1.4k reads. Thank you all so much! Soon, I will be releasing a few more shorter fanfictions, but for now, it's you and YEAGER. In this chapter, you'll see the silly side characters actually finna come tf through! Keep commenting your reactions and adding it to your reading lists, I'm so honored and ILYALL! If you've been reading for the story (and a little bit for the smut) I'm hoping that this chapter will tie up some major loose ends ;) Chow for now!
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LIBRARY
"Because of Eren or because of how we fucked?"
Kelis yawned, waking up from her dazed study session as she looked to Armin, who was caught reading Romeo and Juliet...again. He shoved the book down onto the table and started shuffling his notes once he noticed her looking at him with her eyebrow raised.
"It's actually for-", Armin stammered, unable to finish his lie.
"For-?"
"A project, this time....", Armin said, not even convincing himself.
"Seriously Armin, your lies are tragic, and I'm way too sleepy to make fun of you.", Kelis finished off, as he flushed momentarily, picking up the book again only to mark his page.
"Are you a Montague or a Capulet? There's only one right answer", she asked, her lips smirking mischievously, as Armin knew that she'd find something about his answer to harp upon. Kelis liked to argue with Armin even though he seldom 'lost' the arguments. Despite knowing this, he gave her an answer anyway, and the two began discourse yet again.
Kelis had been a friend to you since the beginning of freshman year, often at the beckoning ear when you complained to her about your peers, your studies, and your ex-boyfriend. Kelis was the voice that encouraged you to keep pressing on, despite how often times, you didn't listen to her. Kelis, unbeknownst to most, used the words she gave you continuously with a smile, to push herself as well, though she would always find herself in tears. Kelis enjoyed getting out, partying, and seeing the world, and because of this she always had a colorful friend group, meeting and knowing so many different personalities and walks of life. Armin was no different than a few of the other friends she met before, except...
Armin listened to her for once.
No matter how pressed or annoyed with the topic, Armin let Kelis get her statement out, and process it before he would respond. The two of them meeting in her Junior year, Kelis learned quickly that talking with Armin wasn't as it was with her other friends on occasion. Even in arguments Armin would eat her up, but it was only because he'd listen to what she'd say, and strategize away to pick it apart.
But it wasn't only his listening ear.
When you broke up with Kyland, you completely shut Kelis out. Kelis tried to understand, but still couldn't help but feel that you were abandoning her like Kyland abandoned you. Kelis conversed with her other friends but at the time, you were the only one that would check in to see how Kelis was doing. Not even her parents...they didn't care about her. They were the least accepting of her free nature and desire for friends. By the time she came along, they were tired of raising kids altogether, feeling that they'd given them their youth, and they explored it while Kelis was growing up.
But when it seemed that Kelis was going to lose her mind from feeling that way, Armin would ask her to study with him every week. She didn't want to pressure him with her girlish insecurities, but it would slip out every one and awhile. Same thing he'd done then, he would continue to do for Kelis. Listen, understand, and tear her strategies apart. They'd had some good times too, especially at Elidia's Lounge, where they partied together. He'd introduced her to Annie and Mikasa, who were both great company at first...but then Mikasa fell off when Eren came around. Eren and you, as her friend, who wouldn't allow anyone in her space unless they were working out with her, like she'd seen you and him doing earlier that day. The look on Annie and Armin's face when she left was all too obvious. Though Kelis wondered why he was the first one you choose to hang around instead of her, she still defended you when Annie saw you and Eren at the bar, and hinted at a coupling.
"But there's no way! She's nowhere near ready to be in a relationship you guys. She's been dealing with a really hard breakup over the summer, so he could just be going the extra mile to help!", Kelis interjected.
"Yeah, right. Try convincing Mikasa as they take free shots at the bar.", Annie scoffed out sarcastically, nodding over to you and Eren as Armin finished the rest of his drink.
"Or, may I suggest...we simply decide to ignore all of them!", Armin added in, as Annie scowled at him.
"Sounds like a good idea to me.", Kelis said, finishing her drink too as she proceeded to bother Armin to dance for the rest of the night while Annie judged them, acting stubborn but then slowly giving in to the liquor . Kelis, Armin, and even Annie, danced all night, despite what you were doing.
Dance while you and Eren were drinking.
Dance while you danced with them, finally.
Dance while you got drunk and passed out suddenly.
Dance while Eren sped off, taking you home.
Dance, even while Mikasa made her exit, shortly thereafter.
None of it concerned the two of them so they didn't give it any attention. Especially because you and Eren would bring it to the light anyways. Kelis wasn't close with Mikasa so she wouldn't expect her to confide in her, but you wonder what she told Armin happened that night, if anything at all.
Kelis was finding that she was losing whatever argument she'd gotten into with Armin about Romeo and Juliet, so she stopped, crossing her arms. Armin narrowed his eyes at her into little slits, especially when the librarian had scolded them to be quiet.
"Whatever you say Armeeeen. All I gotta know is, who exactly is your Juliet?", she whispered out, to which his smile faded as he processed her question.
Of course he couldn't tell her the truth, could he? Even if he didn't, Kelis had her own speculation it seemed, Armin not knowing that the final words he spoke to you replayed in her dazed mind, just before Eren walked into the room. Kelis hoped and prayed that his infatuation or odd desire Armin may have had with you didn't have much footing, but from what he said to you that day, it was quickly becoming a strong reality, which annoyed Kelis more than anything.
"Don't be so cliche, Armin. She may be beautiful but...", Kelis spoke, before gathering her things. "It didn't end well for any of them in the end, you know that, right?"
"I do know that Kelis...but what do you know?", Armin asked, as Kelis' response made him feel uneasy. Could she be alluding to the fact that she perhaps knows about his attractions? That she know about that one summer night?
"I know the story of Romeo and Juliet, just like you do, very well.", she spoke while the librarian came up to the table again, earning a long sigh of annoyance from Kelis.
"Just shut up you old hag, I'm going.", she finished, walking to the door. Armin stood, watching her exit and he sighed sitting back at table. His phone buzzed as he sat Romeo and Juliet over to the side and grabbed his phone.
KELIS: don't be stupid, Arlet.
DORM ROOM
You walked out into the living room completely changed and fresh out of the shower this time, to be productive. Eren sat at the kitchen, looking through his phone in a deep concentration. You grabbed your laptop, along with some books that were strewn out in the living room, but one was missing. You scratched your head, looking at the area, not seeing anything in plain sight. You turned back to see Eren looking through his phone again, this time, the book you'd searched for was in his hand; The Great Gatsby.
"What is it about this book that it's one of Armin's favorite reads?.", he questioned, as you went to grab the book from him, he held his hand back away from you on the defense. You took a step into him trying to grab it again, before you crossed your arms.
"Can you do your Sparknotes research later? I have to return this to him.", you whined, as he rolled his eyes, relaxing his hand down and sitting the book down on his lap, his now freehand grabbing at the skin of your thigh underneath your shorts.
"And why can't he just come get it?", he questioned.
"I took it from him, so I'm returning it back.", you said, voice firm.
"I guess, whatever.", he muttered his hands briefly skimmed your Lacey boy shorts underneath.
You took the book from off of his lap and proceeded to sit, straddled and faced towards him. Today would be a busy day, and you wouldn't have him in your ear or in your space for awhile. He had meetings and other business to attend to and Fernanda had actually invited you over to her dorm this time for your project building, and with so many assignments catching up to you, you'd be sure to stay ahead by diligently working on this one too. You were on track to graduate on time as Eren had put into your head so many times. You would have done it anyway, but to see the true revenge being taken out on the Marleyean community, profiting off of it in your line of work, was nothing short of a diabolical masterpiece that assured you the reaping benefits. That's why even after the morning was spent with love making, breeding, and pain mixed with pleasure, you still found yourself determined to get things done.
Your head rested into Eren's chest as his hands slid upward, clutching your thighs before relaxing his hands and resting over your ass, Over and over. You knew that giving in and meeting his energy wouldn't be the best for either of you. Anything further than this and both of you would have to cancel your plans.
"So it's Armin first and then Fernanda?", he asked, his head falling into the crook of your neck, kissing on it before he tilted back up. You nodded, closing your eyes momentarily as you took in his scent, trying your hardest not to grind into him because of the position you were in now. Eren's hands now rested on your waist as your phone vibrated. Taking it off the table, you'd seen Fernanda's name in bold notification.
Fernanda: Are you still coming?
Y/N: Of course partner! I had a nice morning so I'm feeling productive. :)
send.
"A /nice/ morning? I'm surprised you're still walking.", Eren scoffed, throwing his head back and looking at you with a small devilish smirk.
"Oh shut it..", you said, rolling your eyes as you started to get up from his lap.
"If I told you to make me, you wouldn't be going to Fernanda's house...or Armin's for matter.", and to that, his hand cracked against your rear before you had a chance to stand completely. Jumping from the impact you looked back at him shooting darts with your eyes. You took the book and put it into the bag which held everything that you'd need for Fernanda's too...shit! She texted you back.
Fernanda: Sounds good! Red or White Wine?
Wine? Why would we need wine to study? Not that you'd deny either though.
Y/N: Hit me with your best shot ;)
You put your phone in a small purse that resided next to your bag. You threw in headphones while Eren shuffled around you. You didn't need to ask him what he was doing, you knew that he was due for meeting to discuss the plans. Plus he said something about seeing Annie today, and her, more than anyone, had been at the forefronts of some major push for this plan, along with Eren. Some called it villainous, but you more than anyone understood that someone needed to pay, and you weren't necessarily a part of it, but you'd serve a purpose in the long run. Plus, you didn't really question Eren because eventually he'd be bound to spill it to you sooner than later. That was his version of pillow talk, which sounds boring yes, but when he's sliding his fingers inside of your warm cunt then it suddenly gets a lot more interesting.
Anyways!
You walked over to him with all of your things in tow and looked up, eyes demanding a kiss from him. He was in his phone like usual, but he broke his gaze and met your lips halfway. With that, you grabbed your things and left, as he'd answered a call he'd gotten as you left, but you didn't hear what or who was calling.
--
ARMIN'S
Meanwhile, while Armin waited for you, he sat at his desk, looking over some plans and strategies strewn out over the desk. On top of it, he had a spiked coffee, the empty bottle of Bailey's shattered in the garbage can. He slowly started gathering up the papers and cleaning his desk. You'd told him you were coming to return the book, so he figured that this was your final attempt at warning him to keep his distance. He didn't like that. Armin, normally so fair and unwavering, found that his affections, no matter how rooted in good will they were, were no competition for the passions fired in his heart. Was it so wrong to pursue his sexual awakenings with you, in spite of Eren? Armin wished that Eren'd share more about your intercourses, as guys in the locker room would do, while the other men gawk and stare. Armin wished he could share the summer he had with you to Eren, and the decision he'd made when you were without him...when Armin fulfilled your exploration efforts. But Armin knew he couldn't, as this was a bit more complicated that locker room talk.
However, Armin considered that Eren wouldn't have told you of his dealings with Mikasa (even though he swore he would), and learning of them from her mouth himself, Armin knew without need to explanation, that this would be something that as their longtime friend, he had no business telling anyone. It's not that it mattered anyways, especially if Eren had actually told you about it like he said he would. But this was something else that Armin couldn't talk about. Normally, he'd obsess over why Eren and Mikasa played as if they were done with each other, as he usually would. But, Armin's mind just wandered back to you, wondering why he couldn't let you go.
But what about you? What was it about you?
You'd entered Armin's world and was already marked by Eren's eye. You didn't know Eren but the rest of them that did knew that at that party he'd set his eyes on you, maybe even before them. He'd seen you first, he'd gotten to you and obtained your heart. But even you wavered, right? No, you made yourself clear. But then you and Armin tossed under the sheets of his room, a couple of times, but it all came at a head that summer night. Armin stood up, as this was all making his head throb painfully. He'd finished the cup of coffee and walked into his room, looking at his spotless sheets, his eyes unable to deal with the recollections of his mind. He saw that night play over and over, he'd watched your friendship grow in a matter of moments, and come at a standstill afterwards. But despite that, he was thankful that he was able to encounter such an intimate moment with you, whether you faced him or the sheets as he'd pumped inside of you.
You knocked on the door, and Armin stopped for a moment, the knocking shaking him out of his thoughts. Soon, Armin opened the door, and met you with a small smile. He ushered you to come in, and though you momentarily hesitated, your feet slowly walked into the apartment. Armin was as neat as he's always been, his home peaceful. You looked through your bag of things.
"How are you?", he asked.
"I'm good Armin. I have to meet up with a partner later on so... I wanted to give you this.", you spoke, holding the book out to him. He took the book, running through it before setting it down.
"Thank you, I hope you enjoyed it.", he spoke, his voice cautious to your ear.
You walked around, knowing that you should leave, but your curiosity got the better of you. You peeked into his room, nothing seeming out of the ordinary, until you saw an old familiar book at the foot of his bed.
"You're reading Romeo and Juliet...again?", you called to him, looking back before you walked up to the book, picking it up and seeing his bookmark on a certain page.
"What can I say? I love a good forbidden romance story.", he responded, now standing over by his desk.
"They're way better in books than real life, huh?", you wondered aloud.
"How would you know that?", Armin asked, and the question rubbed you the wrong way.
" I wouldn't and you wouldn't know either.", you spat out sharply, before immediate regret settled in, feeling as if you'd been too harsh. The two of you shared a look before you sighed, setting the book down and turning to talk to him.
"Look Armin I-"
"I think Kelis knows.", he interjected before you could get anything else out.
A look of confusion spread across your face, but Armin continued to talk, rather fast.
"And eventually others may find out too who knows? So... I think you should tell Eren."
"You think I'm going to tell Eren?"
"Why not, y/n? You guys are always so open and honest with each other right? So why not do it now?"
"Armin I can't-"
"If he can tell you about how he slept with Mikasa during the break then what's the harm in this? Sure he'll be upset but if you worked through it then so can he, right? I don't like holding secrets or anything I'd rather just-", Armin pleaded, taking a step towards you, but you'd shut down completely at his statement, feeling your stomach drop.
"He slept with...Mikasa?"
--
MEETING
Eren left minutes after you'd left to meet with Annie, ending a call with a supplier of the drug the small group had been curating. For now they've only been able to test it on lab rats, but realizing that they had to test it and the antidote on someone with the titan gene, it really put a dent in their plans, because they knew that no one willing would want to take it, but without the test subjects, would their plans hold true? Even with the antidote, the chance of survival was 50/50, and for those with the titan gene, that could mean death. While Eren wanted Marleyeans to suffer, he wasn't necessarily sure if he wanted to snatch some up to be test rats, and just administering it at a street party wouldn't really help him be able to study the results.
"So what are you going to do?", Annie asked, as he sat in her car, driving to their meeting at the Lounge.
" I don't know, but I have to figure it out, and soon...there's no way we can test the drug on someone willingly, it's intent is to hurt people.", Eren said with a sigh.
"So if that's the intent then what's the harm in grabbing some randoms from their city and testing it out? If it's something that needs to be done-"
"Those randoms have families."
"Look who's suddenly realized that a year into planning.", Annie said with a roll of her eyes. "Newsflash so will the politicians, workers, and partiers that take it, nevermind the people you /actually/ want to destroy and see dead. You knew the risk when you came up with this, you can't be anyone's hero.", Annie went on, blankly.
And she was right, this is what Eren wanted. To destroy Marley from the inside, Eren was willing to sacrifice anything and anyone. So why would getting people be so hard for him to settle on? Annie didn't have a clue, and frankly, she didn't care. She had her own reasons for doing this, and it wasn't because she was too fond of Eren, either. Eren didn't respond to her, knowing she was right, so there wasn't much to say.
Eren slid out of the car and followed behind Annie inside the lounge. The two walked onto the second floor where you and Eren had what you technically considered your first date, but really, Eren was saving you from yourself. The inside was empty, the two of them walked past the bartender and the outside lounge, up to an elevator. Walking out, they were in a small enclosed room, which wasn't spacious, but it was the only place plans like this could be discussed. Annie and Eren were the first ones there, not expecting too many after. Armin was supposed to come to, but Eren knew that you were going to meet with him to give him the book back, so you knew he'd be late.
"How are you and Y/n?", Annie asked as she sat down in one of the five meeting chairs, as if she'd been listening to Eren's thoughts. Eren didn't really know how to vocalize his affections for you to Annie, descriptions like that were poetic, thought out...Armin would probably know what to say.
"We're fine, she's graduating on time and everything is going according to plan.", he spoke succinctly, trying to keep the conversation short, but Annie was one to pry.
"How much does she know about your War on Marley?"
"Everything. Surprisingly, she's seems to be okay with it. But I'm keeping her as far away from all of these odd dealings as possible. I don't want to be the reason that she gets hurt."
"Oh my goodness, you're in love with her aren't you? When I first met her I didn't think she'd last with you.", Annie exclaimed, laughing to herself but Eren didn't find her amusing and he didn't respond. He checked his phone, where were the others?
"Did you tell her yet? And not during sex, did you tell her to her face?", she continued, before Eren flushed, his hard demeanor settling down for a moment.
"If I did, do you think I would tell you? Armin likes to spill his guts, not me."
"You're right! That hopelessly romantic idiot would!", she laughed again, letting her hair down to readjust her ponytail again.
"Speaking of my hopeless friend...do you think he has a crush on her?"
"Eren, come on. It's Armin. If you had to ask me that, then you know what the answer is."
And with that, the final three members walked into the room. One being BigShot, the drug manufacturer and shady creator, another trusted Ally, Selena Sasha, and finally Mikasa Ackerman. Eren and Mikasa found each other's gaze but Mikasa quickly broke it, and Annie chuckled a bit and shook her head, noticing the quick exchange. With that, the meeting commenced.
--
"Oh, well...", Armin stammered out, his face flushing red. "I'm guessing he really didn't tell you then-"
"You knew he didn't fucking tell me Armin, you know he didn't-"
"He told me he planned to talk about it with you, and it was so long ago I just assumed-"
"Oh, so he told you he planned on talking about it with me. You guys talk so much about everything else, Why didn't you tell him, huh? When he told you about how he was fucking her? Why didn't you tell him about how you fucked me?!"
"Because I was ashamed!", he blurted out. Your heart fluttered a bit, knowing the truth but not wanting to say it aloud. You knew it, this entire time, but you didn't want to say it. That's why he flipped you away from him, that's why he hit it from the back, he didn't want to look at you. He was doing what you were...right? It didn't matter anyways, because you two didn't work. You were meant for Eren...that fact hadn't changed...but to say you were angry was an understatement.
"Well, hopefully I never make you feel /ashamed/ again."
You walked out of his room and past him, grabbing your bag and swinging open the door, readying to storm out, before you feel Armin's hand grabbing at your wrist, turning you around. You gasped, ready to pull away again but your eyes were locked into his.
"I think you misunderstood me.", he spoke quietly, hand firm on your wrist as he grabbed the door with his other hand, closing it behind you.
"It's not you, I'd never be ashamed of y/n I had an amazing time. I'm ashamed of myself for how much of a coward I've become. I didn't strategize a plan after sleeping with you, I couldn't plan out the courage to talk to Eren because I can't just tell him we slept together...because then I'd have to tell him that ever since then I've desired you...and I want you all to myself.", Armin finished off, and as you looked up to him, you realized that the distance between the two of you grew less and less, in fact, if you looked up at him too long, you'd might kiss him.
"Well, now that we got that out of the way...", you began to croak out, avoiding his gaze. "You don't have to worry about it, Armin. I'll talk to him."
With that, you pulled away from him and opened up the door, walking, tears threatening to fall down your face, as he called out your name a few times, but you wouldn't let them until he was further and further away. You kept walking, and walking, and walking some more until you felt the tears fall from the well of your eyes. What the hell were you crying for? Was your heart not truly set in Eren's affections? Were you betraying him by not disclosing what happened between you and Armin, but on that same note, wasn't he betraying you? Not telling you that during your break your fear that he'd default back to his ex- girlfriend was something that actually happened? Why didn't he tell you? I suppose he can wonder the same thing if he knew there was something to tell. And how did Kelis get suspicious about the two of you? Why couldn't you say anything to Armin when he bared his soul out to you? There were so many thoughts in your head, you felt as if your brain was one step away from exploding.
But there was no time for that. No time for you to shut down, think long, or cry. You forcefully wiped the tears from your face and realized that you were more than a few minutes late, you were almost an hour behind. Your feet made haste to the dorm halls and elevators, continuously checking your eyes and wiping dry tears, Fernanda couldn't see you like this. Finding the elevator, you texted Fernanda and told her that you'd be there soon. Walking up to the dorm, the halls were empty and it seemed as if no one lived there, but after you heard footsteps scurrying to the door to meet you, you'd presumed you knocked at the right place. Fernanda met you at the door. Her hair was up in a high ponytail, sports bra, and low hanging sweatpants, a computer in one hand, bottle of wine in the other. How was she even able to open the door?
"And here I thought you weren't going to show, I was prepared to drink all of this wine by myself.", she said, motioning you to come inside. "We've got a lot of work to do, I'll go ahead and pour you a glass."
You watched as she disappeared into the depths of her dorm, the format and layout just a bit different from yours, with rooms actually shared, unlike you, who paid just a bit more to be alone. You looked at one of the mirrors that was on the way to the living room as you walked inside, giving your face a final tear check and clearing your throat. Fernanda wasn't a target of any hard conversations today. You two had work to get done, and after she handed you a glass of wine, you settled down and started to work.
--
MEETING
Meanwhile, there were heavy discussions about the plan Eren had crafted, now officially called 'War on Marley'. The plan was simple; pinpoint out the major politicians that made Marley so corrupt, the figures that toyed with and exploited the community, and anyone else who was responsible for their odd ways, to be introduced to this new drug, which would not only make them more alert, smarter, and boost their brain activity. It would boost it so much, to where their brain would explode if they took more than three, and they'd be addicted to it until they died. Those in leadership with the Titan gene would die quickly , according to BigShot less than 48 hours, the pill has a chemical that is vehemently dangerous for those with the titan gene, not even allowing for them to experience all of the addicting benefits before they'd fall out from a brain aneurysm.
There was a cure, but as BigShot reiterated, the antidote would be a liquid administered by needle, in which it's properties would break down the drug's properties, and dissolve it from the body in less than 4 hours. There were a few issues with that though, one being what Eren and Annie discussed in the car. It was only 75% effective with normal humans, so even despite the anecdote, their bodies wouldn't be able to rid of the substance all the time, so there'd be about 25% of humans addicted to it, forever. Second, when it came to the titan gene humans, the anecdote would either save them, or, if unable to fuse with the titan gene, it wouldn't take, and they'd be dead by brain aneurysm. So while rats satisfied the human testing, no one really dared to volunteer unless they were 50% ready to die. Annie had discussed kidnapping a few people and testing their titan, but Eren knew even that was risky. But no one had any other options.
"Look, the product's going to be ready by go-time. The funds are in order, and we're ready to 'distribute' whenever you are Mr. Jeager.", BigShot stated.
"What's the plan of distribution again?", Eren inquired.
"The founding members of Marley will be having a gala in less than a month. There are two secured tickets for you and whoever you choose to bring.", Mikasa started off, her eyes still avoiding contact, her face stoic.
"Then afterwards, there will be several parties where Selena and BigShot will hang around. They'll be giving it to junkies for free, as well as selling it to a few naïve college kids. Eventually, new will spread, people will get addicted, and we may even see some deaths, since we can't know entirely who's got the Titan Gene, and some people will attempt to take three or more", Mikasa continued.
"Finally, we will introduce the antidote through the grapevine, just like we introduced the drug. BigShot's pharmaceutical company is unheard of around here, but they will agree to make the antidote and sell it to hospitals outside of Marley, and it will be free for any non-residence caught in our plans. However, the only person living inside of the city who will be able to administer the antidote for a high cost will be your new girlfriend, Jeager. So she'd better graduate on time, or else she fucks the rest of us up."
Eren rolled his eyes, waving Mikasa off. "Let's just focus on making sure everyone in the room completes what they need to."
"And why isn't she here? Do you not trust her? Because you really shouldn't bring people into such a plan like this that you don't trust!"
"You're right, and while I'm at it, I should kick the people out that I shared a different title with in the /past/, in case they hold any animosity towards me.", he spat back, as Mikasa grabbed at a pocket knife and stood over him in less than a second, the two sharing a stubborn gaze with each other.
"Don't start what you can't finish, Mikasa. I still have the scars from when I fucked my girlfriend this morning, I guess I don't heal as quickly.", he muttered to her, and after staring at him a little while longer, she relaxed off of him, huffing as she threw the knife down, standing back upright with her arms crossed, a bit stunned from his statement.
Eren cleared his throat, standing up out of his chair as she sat back down into hers, picking up the knife she threw down, walking out of the room without saying anything. As he walked downstairs and out of the lounge, Armin walked in, a bit disheveled as he stumbled into a chair, falling into it with a groan of relief. Everyone's eyes were on him and his splotchy face, hair tossed by the wind. His glassy eyes looked over to Annie's inquisitive eye as he smiled softly, before bursting out into tears. Everyone shifted uncomfortably in their seats, and said nothing.
With that, the meeting was adjourned.
--
FERNANDA'S DORM
After a few glasses of wine and Fernanda somehow getting your mind off of the affairs of your heart, the two of you did made great progress on your project and were almost ready to present in less than two weeks. Although you had to admit that no matter how much you laughed and giggled to Fernanda, your heart and mind were all over the place. Perhaps she'd noticed, but if she did, you didn't think she'd say anything about it.
You stood up, stretching yourself out yawning, as it was starting to get late, you looked down to Fernanda who was completely surrounded by project papers, still working diligently. You let out a loud, obnoxious groan, before laying down over the papers, blocking Fernanda's work and wrinkling a few while you were at it.
"Oh my god why would you do that!", Fernanda whined out, as you laughed, looking up to her now.
"Because I'm tired of assignments, work citing, presentation planning. We're so close to being done it's not even funny.", you said, relaxed with the wine.
"So you're saying that you're done for the day? Fine, but we still have this wine to finish....or maybe you want something stronger?", Fernanda suggests, noticing that you'd been in and out the entire night, as focused as you tried to be, she knew something was off.
Fernanda had been attracted to you since Kyland introduced you two as partners for the project. However, out of the respect she had for you beyond her attractions, and her respect for your relationships and affairs, the flame died down. She tried to talk with you past the project, but unless you were laughing at the boys, you wouldn't open up to her, and she didn't blame you, but she'd grown discouraged. At least here in her dorm, she had an opportunity to talk to you without any distractions, other than her own roommates, but they were barely in the dorms and Fernanda seldom crossed paths with them.
"Stronger? Then we really are done with this project for the day.", you smirked, as Fernanda rolled her eyes, getting up as she shook her head to you. You started to gather your project papers, separating them according to your assignments, and started shoving your things into your bag. You turned around to say something to her, but found yourself sucked into a flashback of the past day's events.
Armin's hand gripping your wrist...closing the door...Eren sleeping with Mikasa...
God, snap out of it!
You shut your eyes and shook your head to somehow physically wipe the flashback away, and as you looked to Fernanda, she'd already poured up some dark liquor on the rocks. You walk into the kitchen, taking the glass before sitting in the dining chair, watching her come and sit besides you. You taste the liquor before throwing some back.
"Hennessy for the hard days.", Fernanda spoke, throwing some back herself as you two watched each others faces contort into disgust and then relief.
"I'm surprised you were able to get this on campus, last place I had a real drink was the lounge off campus."
"Yeah, I'm sneaky with it, but honestly, nobody cares as long as they can't see it.", Fernanda shrugged, setting the glass down. "So, are you going to let me in on why you almost finished my second bottle of wine and you're downing that Hennessy like no tomorrow?"
"Fernanda-"
"Is it Eren?", Fernanda asked, and you slowly shook your head. It wasn't him entirely but...
"Should he be the reason I'm drinking right now?", laughing lightly, but there was no humor in your voice. You downed the rest of the drink while Fernanda toyed around with hers, sloshing the liquid around the glass.
"You know y/n...you can talk to me... As a friend or...whatever. I could use a few more myself."
At first, you didn't know if you even wanted to both Fernanda, but you felt like the least you could do was fill in in just a little? It'd been so long since you had 'girl talk'.
"Sometimes I just wonder if maybe it was all too soon. I'd left Kyland, met Eren, got with him, and then we took a relationship break, just to get back together, months in? What was I thinking?", you started off, your words falling out like vomit, you were drunk now, and lost reserve.
" I didn't even give anyone else a chance...and he-he just- Eren has his own baggage going on with that bitch!", you yelled, before your head started throbbing in pain from your sudden outburst.
Fernanda didn't seemed fazed, but she didn't respond. In that awkward silence, you'd gotten up and poured some more of her Hennessy in the glass, and she didn't stop you. Not closing it back up or sitting back down, you turned back to face her as she finally inquired of you.
"You wanted to give someone else a chance?"
"Well, no...not really.. I don't know!", you sighed hopelessly, taking down another swallow.
"It sounds like you're struggling with the affairs of your own heart and whatever Eren's got you going through is just another stressor... I could see it since you first walked in. Didn't you tell me you were going to give... Armin...his book back?", Fernanda slowly spoke, the realization settling in.
"Anyways, fuck both of them. Fuck Armin, Eren, and while we're at it fuck Mikasa too. She only hates me because she doesn't know me. I didn't hang out with Eren because I was even into him, I was just trying to get over Kyland and...oh what do I know...it doesn't even matter.", you turned away from her, leaning against the kitchen countertops and burying your face into your hands.
Fernanda, who had finished her drink, found that in this moment, maybe you just needed to get it all out. Just talk about everything you were feeling and thinking, because little did she know, the guilt from the summer, the pressure of your graduation, and little to everything you'd held inside and you were way overdue for an outburst like that.
Fernanda took the Hennessy, pushing the short cork back in, and put it in the freezer. She then stood next to you, looking at you as she outstretched her arms, inviting you in for a hug. You reciprocated, letting her arms wrap around, as the tears that attacked your eye ducts earlier made their return. It was good, in that moment, the affection not being from a lover or partner, present or past, but from a friend that genuinely didn't want anything else from you, but your company. Without the presence of Eren or Armin, you didn't feel alone.
--
YOUR DORM
Eren shut off his phone until he made it back to campus, mind racing a mile a minute. Did Armin's crush on you have any substance? Was that why he was lending you books? And how even did you know where Armin lived in the first place? He'd never gone with you before, so did you go by yourself? And let's not even get started on Mikasa, she knew Eren's intentions with you but still, Eren couldn't find himself completely untangled from the webs of their extensive relationship. In fact, today was the first day he could sense their history finding a true end, once he talked about you. Eren was decided on you and you alone, even if it wasn't /always/ that way...and surprisingly, Fernanda made him come to that conclusion a long time ago.
Fernanda was waiting at the elevator for it to come so she could go back home after starting her project with you and getting some things done. Eren followed after her, but he wasn't in pursuit of her, rather, the distance from the elevator to your dorm room. Once Eren saw Fernanda was out of sight and the elevator dinged, he put the phone up to his ear, listening as Mikasa asked how his day was, how'd he been, and if it was really over between the two of them.
This was a cycle that they'd went through time and time again, whether it was Mikasa or Eren doing the calling. Eventually, their relationships fell to the wayside. The only difference that day, was that Fernanda never got on the elevator. Instead, she followed Eren's voice back a few steps in the hallway, listening to him poorly attempt to 'be loyal and shut Mikasa down'. Fernanda, who'd just seen the chemistry the two of you shared, walked towards him, and once Eren seen her, he quickly ended his phone call and tried to remain inconspicuous and normal.
"Who was that?", Fernanda asked, watching him slide his phone into his pocket.
"Who are you to ask?"
"I just know it definitely wasn't y/n...and I didn't hear a male tone ringing from the phone.", Fernanda pressed.
"Look, I don't know what you thought you heard, Fernanda. But I was just taking care of business, something that you college brats don't seem to understand. Business. Working. J-O-B", Eren shot back, briefly forgetting his pending graduation date as well.
" I know what I heard and you did too which is why you rushed to end the call once you saw me, and you didn't take it in front of /her/"
"Whatever, I don't have to listen to this."
"Hey, Eren!", Fernanda called out as he started walking, rushing up to him she grabbed at his wrist, not strong enough to turn him around but he stopped, momentarily. "Don't break her heart because you can't let someone else go. No one deserves that."
Eren paused, slowly turning back to her, "Thanks for the advice, Ferdinand. Can you let go of me now?"
"Yeah, sorry.", Fernanda mumbled, finally releasing her hold and watching Eren walk back to your dorm. Sighing, she turned back around and found the elevator again, walking in.
Ever since then it pressed on Eren's mind and he wondered if he was truly ready to let Mikasa go, and he was. Yes, he had slept with her during your relationship break but the two of you were at odds and toxic, so you needed space from each other. Eren didn't need to use that space to go fuck his ex, but he did, so there was nothing else to really say. Yet, after nights of countless lovemaking, arguing, pillow talk, and spending days together, Eren found that without you, there was this emptiness within him. If Annie was right and Armin did have a crush on you, what did it matter? What did any of that matter? With that meeting, and for the first time in his relationships, he defended you, checked Mikasa, and showed not only her, but himself, that he was ready to leave their romantic past in the past. Eren knew, that with the War on Marley that him and Mikasa wouldn't be able to completely separate, but he was confident in knowing that he could put their romantic aspects to rest.
Eren stepped onto campus and finally turned his phone on, messages coming through, but he didn't check them. He got into the elevator and went up to your dorm floor, as late as it was, you should've been back from Fernanda's by now. He knocked, and then knocked again, waiting patiently.
No answer.
Eren looked at his phone again, seeing that Annie texted him, Mikasa did too, but nothing from you, not even an update. He knocked again, and after you didn't answer, he groaned, figuring that you'd probably were still at Fernanda's. He got in the elevator, going down to her floor, and walking the halls, as he smelled the faint scent of your perfume from Fernanda's door. He knocked, and knocked again, until he heard Fernanda's footsteps walk towards him. She open the door, not impressed with who she'd seen.
"My baby's in there?"
"She is, but she's sleeping.", Fernanda replied.
"That's okay, I can just carry her back-"
"No, I think she wants to just crash here for the night. I'll tell her you stopped by, goodnight Eren.", Fernanda said shortly, closing the door.
"Fernanda let's not-"
SLAM.
Eren jerked back and then blinked, furrowing his eyebrows in confusion. His eyes flas[]]]]]hed briefly, and he considered the fact that he could bust down the door and take his girl in tow, but it was too late to cause such a scene, and Fernanda wasn't worth it. He closed his eyes, letting his brief rage simmer down, before he started back towards the elevator, he looked through his text messages and read Annie's.
Annie: Meeting ended shortly after you left.
Armin was bawling his eyes out. Inconsolable.
It was pitiful to watch, but no one knows y. Talk to him soon please.
Eren had an odd feeling...and he didn't like it one bit. Little did anyone know, what was brewing between the webs of everyone's relationships and friendships, would soon come to ahead, and nobody could truly prepare.