Chapter Text
Eren had woken from his nap an hour ago. He and his team, (which consists of Armin as his addentant-soldier, makeup and medical staff, not to mention his private-assistant, Arya), are preparing for an important flight to Hizuru. Eren, or anyone of that matter, had never traveled through a plane. The aircrafts seemed abnormal, as if they were from another planet.
Eren had been transferred into a more suitable place for his fragile state. Elite soldiers were guarding the building and his room securely. They inspected the Hizuru pilots precisely before deciding to keep them inside or outside the building. Armin was seated next to the boy, and Eren could read the wary and stress washing waves over the blond’s face. He noticed Armin’s quick glances, and immediately stiffened his worried expression, attempting to mask his exhaustion as to not bother Armin.
The boy could understand the joy and comfort Armin had been lacking due to this trip, even though it had been his dream to travel somewhere outside the walls. Eren could agree as-well. He’s scared and pressured. This gathering would be packed with important people that he had never learned to interact and socialize with, not to mention the assassins and betrayers who would attempt to murder him. Eren wanted to trust Commander Hanji’s decision. He forced himself, with all of his will to agree with their opinions, but this mission seems highly bizarre and too risky. He trusts his friends and the soldiers he had fought with side to side, but he doesn’t trust the sketchy military decisions. Eren decided to convince himself that his friends, (and Armin), would protect him with all of their will. He won’t die, they will make sure of it. Eren knows that.
“Sir, I’d like to inform you about your schedule for today. Can I do that?” Arya spoke. She held a paper-clipboard in her grasp.
“Er—yes.” Eren mentally thanked Arya for stopping his track of thoughts.
“Alright, so after half an hour the soldiers, medical staff and assistants would already be done with check-points, making sure you and Mr.Arlert are perfectly healthy to fly, and preparing your luggage. We are going to arrive at Hizuru at precisely eight in the morning after flying through seven hours in the air. The hotel Kiyomi Azumabito prepared for you will inform us of all the details we need to learn about before the Hizuru International Ball. On Saturday the gathering would start from seven to eleven after midday, then on Sunday night we would fly back to Paradis Island.”
Eren nodded without speaking any words. Just as he thought Arya had finished, she continued.
“Of-course I think you were informed of the disguised soldiers inside of the gathering. None of the Azumabito’s are informed of their arrival as to not reveal your fragile state. There will also be soldiers scattered around Hizuru located closely to the destination of the event—“
“I know this already. Thank you, Arya,” Eren huffed.
“Yes, sir.” Eren’s assistant retreaded to her spot with gracious caution.
-
Half an hour had passed already. Eren’s carefully selected team is almost finished with all the preparations and check-ups. They were walking towards the gate of the airplane, and Armin had yet spoken a word to Eren. The boy is worried his best-friend is upset—or worse, angry at him.
He dismissed his thoughts in a blink of an eye when suddenly a firm hand groped his arm.
It was Mikasa, of-course.
She held the two boys close to her. Eren could notice the subtle change in their height-difference, although Armin is far too behind, Mikasa was much taller than him.
The brunette could feel the strands which escaped from the rest of her pony-tail tingle near his cheek. Her breath was warm as she huffed in defeat. “Be careful, okay?” She spoke to her boys, and then she paused, processing the information drilled inside the back of her brain. “I—I love you, guys. You’re everything I have left,” she stammered quietly. Eren felt a familiar heat pool richly under his pores. A frown was drawn to his face, although, deep inside he truly appreciated the gesture.
Armin smiled gratefully. “We will be fine, Mikasa, and we love you too.” He attempted to look at the girl from the side, but his current position denied the try.
Eren grumbled in embarrassment. “Yeah. We aren’t kids anymore, Mikasa, so stop acting like our mother.” The boy intended for his comment to sound more harmless and playful. He regretted his saying immediately. He hoped Mikasa won’t doubt herself for it, and the look on her face proved his wishes correctly. The girl had a fond smile smeared on her milk-chapped lips.
Mikasa hugged her best-friends tightly one last time before parting.
-
Eren and Armin were buckled tightly by Hizuru flight-attendants. He peered to the side of his window. The glass-clean compartment was painted with whites and blues, raging and emerging together in-order to create a perfect portrait. The magnificent view reminded him of Armin’s eyes. He glanced at the blonde, and observed how he looked like an angel sent from heaven—literally. Armin had appeared very excited when they had visited the beach for the first time, but not like this. The boy had a toothy grin slapped against his flushed face. His eyes seemed to twinkle with enlightenment, almost like dreams had been transferred into deep hues of blue.
Eren never fully comprehended his acknowledgment about the pleasant, bitter-sweet emotions he experiences when Armin exclaims about a matter that excites him, or holds his hand without second-thought, or how the boy is far too close with him than anybody else. Eren always thought that this was normal. After-all, Armin is not an ordinary boy. He’s a wonder—a prodigy, and Eren should be grateful that the blonde had picked him to share a matter so sacred and important to him. However, as time passed on, and as Eren grew older and wiser, he realized his feelings for Armin are abnormally strong and attached, unlike his respectful bond with Captain Levi, or his platonic friendship with Historia. The thoughts he thinks about Armin are not typical. The way he craves his attention and attempts so hard to try his best around him, or how he showers him with compliments and sweet statements.
Eren loves Armin, and he came to conclude, (not long ago), that any type of love is acceptable as long as it’s mutual between him and the blonde. Eren doesn’t mind Armin rejecting his feelings, or perhaps not feeling the same way. Any type of love is okay as long as Armin is happy.
“It’s so amazing…” Armin looked at the vast sea of enriched blue skies in-front of him.
“Yeah. It’s nothing like nothing like I ever imagined,” and Eren looked at the vast sea of enriched blue eyes in-front of him.
— — —
Four hours until they arrive at Hizuru.
Eren’s fascination had faded into worry and anxiety. He demanded more information about the guests attending more than once, and every single time his assistant responds with an apology and a reassurance that tells him Kiyomi Auzomabito would be informing them about everything they need to know as soon as they lay the aircraft on proper land.
His foot pebbled against the floor of the shifting airplane. The boy sighed, biting his short nails to reduce his growing tension. Eren’s thick eyebrows were furrowed in wary.
“Don’t worry too much. I’m sure you will do fine, and just in-case you didn’t, I’ll do the talking.” Armin’s voice spoke in a collected manner. Eren tried to feel irritated, but the anger soon left his mind when he realized that his best-friend’s strategy might actually work.
“Thank you.”
Armin waved him off. “It’s nothing.”
-
Four hours had decreased to two, and then soon enough, fifteen-minutes until take-off. His casual clothing had been replaced with a formal suit. His hair had been soothed with a sleek hair-gel to tame his bizarre locks. Armin was already in his Survey Corps uniform. It was charcoal and tight to the wear. His golden halo had been tied unprofessionally with a hair-tie.
Five, four, three, two, one…
The plane settled with a peaceful planting on the floor of the airport. The door was opened immediately. Eren shoved his worries and doubts with a thick swallow of the growing lump seated between the flesh of his throat.
He walked the steps slowly, and made sure he seemed ignorant and confident—Captain Levi taught him to do that.
Eren was greeted with Kiyomi’s frigid hand and superficial smile, alongside foreign figures. He, (but mostly his assistant Arya), discussed the guests, security and other matters briefly towards the location of the hotel.
— — —
Dinner was prepared almost immediately after Eren’s arrival. Before he ate the delicious supper, Eren’s staff made sure he had injected himself with a dose of Zeke’s anti-serum.
Eren was already exhausted by now. His eyes blinked slowly as he listened to Kiyomi’s rambling, probably about Marley’s position right now. Armin and Arya are the only figures interacting with the ambassador’s rant.
Shortly after, though, Kiyomi excused herself from the table. The rest of the characters had already headed to bed.
Eren was beyond relieved. He unfastened the lock of his room. The boy took off his formal blazer and polished shoes in great speed. He didn’t mind the discomfort of his sweaty button-up shirt, or the fabric of his fussy pants.
Eren almost dozed off in deep sleep before a familiar voice addressed calmly. “You’re not planning on sleeping with those clothes on, are you?”
Eren whined, “just let me sleep, Armin.”
Armin said nothing as he dipped himself above the plush sheets. He sighed. “Tomorrow we have to make a list about the guests attending to the event.”
Eren whined, but this time it sounded more like a desperate groan. “Didn’t Arya already take care of this?” The boy looked up from the pillow his face had been nuzzled in previously. Armin had a distressed expression painted on his face.
”Shouldn’t you be more worried about this—the whole thing? Eren you’re going to be the center of attention.”
Eren’s mind suggested to list another reason to why he’s not wary, in-order to protect Armin from stress. He did not, though. “I mean—kind of. But it’s okay, you’re going to be with me there. I have nothing to worry about.”
Splotches of the dull pink splattered on the top of Armin’s nose painted his cheeks beautifully. “Flatterer,” he huffed under his breath, too quiet to be noticed and too loud to not be able to hear.
Eren twinkled his eyes innocently for better dramatic-affects.
— — —
The next day was more casual in-contrast with yesterday. Kiyomi Azumabito had not appeared this morning, apparently she had private matters to convey with, so that left Eren, Armin and their staff to investigate more on the guests information.
Eren penetrated his egg with a metal fork when Armin barged in abruptly. “In the name of Sina! Armin, what the hell?!”
“Sorry,” Armin replied sheepishly and brought a list in-front of Eren’s face, “—but look! I finally made a list.”
Eren grasped the sheet of paper in his hand. He inspected it with suspicion. “That’s it? Only like—four people?” Eren quirked a surprised eyebrow. This might actually be easier than I had predicted.
Armin chuckled. “Oh no, of-course not. There would be more than fifteen people, Eren. This is an international gathering! At-least two hundred guests would attend.”
Well then, I take it back, Eren thought. The boy huffed, “well then why are there four people?”
“They would be the most important figures in the ball. We are supposed to target them because of their interest in negotiating with Paradis.”
Eren peered at the delicate paper again. Unfamiliar names were printed on it.
| Ahmed Aljaafari, Mid-East
- Cooperative of the Hizuru Dynasty
- Sultan of Combristan
- Interested in Paradis Island’s Iceburst Stones
- Interested in cooperating with Paradis Island, [According to Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito]
| Akin Abara, West-Africa
- Cooperative of the Hizuru Dynasty
- President of Nigabi
- Interested in the science behind Titans
- Interested in becoming an ally for Paradis Island, [According to Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito]
| Adorjan Martin, Europe
- Cooperative of the Hizuru Dynasty
- Ambassador of Lottian
- Interested in Paradis Island’s Iceburst Stones
- Interested in becoming an ally for Paradis Island, [According to Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito]
| Kareena Das, India
- Cooperative of the Hizuru Dynasty
- Princess of Izackstan
- Interested in Cooperating with Paradis Island
- Interesting in negotiating military-support for Iceburst Stones, [According to Ambassador Kiyomi Azumabito]
”They’re the only people who want to cooperate with us?” Eren scrunched his nose in disappointment.
“Yes. You do realize that we are the most hated race Earth had ever witnessed, right?” Armin sighed.
“Well. Okay. This is enough information. Thanks, Armin!” Eren smiled in a superficial manner, which indicated his boredom. He wants to taste his already-cold eggs already.
Armin scoffed, “oh, we are not done yet. You’re going to finish your lunch quickly and then the makeup-staff are going to bathe you. Professionally.”
Eren’s eyes widened, and his brows furrowed in discomfort. “Bathe me?! Don’t you think you’re doing too much for a bodyguard,” the boy snarled.
Armin glared back at his best-friend. “Yeah, well, your 'bodyguard' is practically doing everything for you! I’m the one who organizes everything, I’m the one who had started conversation with Ambassador Kiyomi, I’m the one who made this list.”
Eren clicked his tongue. He’s beginning to feel the irritation of Armin’s overthinking itch at the back of his brain. “Yes. Sir.” Eren gritted through his fang-like teeth.
Armin nodded once. “Good.” The boy disappeared without a trace out of the room.
Eren figured the overpressure of Armin’s doubts had been pushing him too far. He shouldn’t be another factor to why Armin would worry. Eren should—has to be cooperative and strong. For Armin, (and perhaps for Paradis Island, too).
He brought a slimy bite of egg-yolk to his mouth, and hurried with his food.
-
Eren’s bath had been prepared. Warm water surged towards the pearly tub in fluent motion. Rose-buds had been scattered at the corners of the space. Candles flickered under the dim light, they smelled pleasantly sweet. The boy took a minute to appreciate the display in-front of him. Even the robes he’s wearing are soft and fluffed to the touch.
“Do you like your bath, sir?” Arya exclaimed behind him. She held her clip-board tightly.
Eren produced an audio that sounded like a cow whimpering in pain. The moment of relaxation had been ruined. Arya successfully killed the mood. Again.
The boy rotated his head to the side, he looked his assistant in the eye—oh, how much he fantasized about pulling her with her perfectly-swirled bun and throwing the girl somewhere far away. “Yes. I like it. Very much. Thank you,” Eren forced himself to seem pleasant, or at-least neutral.
“I’m glad, Mr.Jeager! How about you hop in and then I’ll call the staff to bathe you.”
Eren frowned at the use of the phrase 'bathe you', though he said nothing.
Arya fastened the door delicately after leaving. Eren unhooked the ends of his robes to the tips of shoulders, until they reached the ground. He didn’t bother picking the article of clothing. He had other people to do that.
Eren soothed himself inside of the bath. He released an audio which indicated his relaxation. Eren smoothed the muscles of his arm in-attempt to decrease the growing tension between the folds of flesh and bone. His head held titled to the head-board of the tub. Eren began scrubbing his body with expensive soap. The scent of mint roamed the peaceful atmosphere of the bathroom. Eren then began combing his locks with luxurious shampoo that seemed to twinkle under the shimmery light of the candles.
He heard a knocking sound midway through washing the roots of his hair. Eren rolled his eyes, and used a cloth to conceal his private parts. “You can come in, just stop the knocking!”
A team of two figures excused themselves as they sat near the tub. One of the staff had specialized in creaming and cleansing Eren’s naturally-oiled face, (they made sure to use special face-wash’s and creams for Eren’s acne-scars). While the other had began scrubbing the sticky dandruff stuck inside of his wet hair.
Eren wouldn’t believe that he had thought this would be awkward and odd. This is probably the most relaxing situation he had ever experienced. Is this how snobs and rich people live everyday? He asked himself through the magnificent silence.
-
“Looks like someone had a good time,” Armin smiled. He’s already wearing his pajamas, but from the look of his exhausted eyes and nerdy black-framed glasses, the boy is nowhere near sleep.
“Yeah,” Eren flashed his famous grin. “What are you still doing? Go to sleep. Tomorrow we might die, and I wanna make sure we both get really satisfied.”
Armin chuckled. “We are not gonna die, Eren. I assure you. I’m just updating my list so it can be a little more relatable and accurate, y’know? Starting conversation is important.”
Eren clicked his tongue in disapproval. “Okay. Well. Don’t stay up to late.”
“I won’t, I promise,” Armin smiled.
Eren sighed and hugged him quickly from the back. He began walking towards his own bedroom.
“Make you get a ton of beauty sleep, okay? Tomorrow’s a very important day for us!” Armin semi-shouted.
Eren scoffed. “Yeah, yeah.”