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Eren was happy.
Another victory was added to his collection of games with the university team. His coach praised him with the news that another team saw his plays and was interested in him.
He was having luck.
Well, he thought that before looking at Jean and Mikasa kissing.
Mikasa always was there to support her boyfriend in his games.
—Please, go away from me. —Eren groaned, taking off his shirt. They still were in the field, but he didn’t care too much. He was sweaty and decided to change his shirt before going to the fraternity house because he preferred to shower in his own room.
—Shut up, Jaeger. —Jean moaned, separating a little from the girl to look at the boy. Mikasa just tried to reach his lips once more to avoid his boyfriend saying stupid things to his best friend.— You’re jealous because you don’t have someone praising you.
Eren just dressed, ignoring Jean’s words. But inside his mind, he said that was right.
He was feeling unhappy and grumpy, but it was the fault of a person. Himself.
—Fuck you. See you at the house. —Eren mentioned, taking his backpack before walking toward the exit of the field.
The rest of the players still were talking with their friends, girlfriends, and some of them were flirting with the cheerleaders.
—Eren!
A female voiced interrupted his walk, and he turned to see the girl behind him. But she wasn’t alone. There were other two girls, smiling at him, so Eren corresponded with a friendly smirk while thinking: “Please, don’t ask anything rare.”
After he broke up with Armin, girls came to his classes to ask out the boy.
Eren obviously rejected all. He wasn’t ready to move on from the blond guy because he still loved Armin.
—Hey. Jeannie, right? —Suddenly, Eren remembered that she was his partner for an activity of physics
—Yes. I’m glad you remember me. —The girl smiled, talking with confidence at the guy. They were a good couple for the projects, also they had some things in common.— I heard that you didn’t bring your car. Would you like a ride? We’re going to the fraternity too.
The reason why they were going to the fraternity house was that after a marvellous game, obviously, there would be a party. The players deserved it.
—I don’t know. Do you have enough space for me? —Eren asked.
In the afternoon he decided to not bring his car because there would not be enough parking space. So, he went with Jean.
But the couple was so clingy that Eren decided to let them have time alone.
Eren had three options. He could walk half of the campus, asking someone else, or accepting the offer of the girls.
And the rest of his teammates were very busy too.
—For you, there’s enough. —The girl replied, taking out the keys from her pockets.— I promise that we don’t bite, at least that you want.
The humour in her voice made Eren remember why at the class physics he had a great time. She was friendly and he needed a rise. Finally, Eren accepted her proposal.
—But you’re gonna play some songs to turn on the party or I’m gonna be very cheated. —Eren mentioned, looking at the rest of the girls to ask them if they needed help with their backpacks. Obviously, they approached the opportunity to come closer to Eren.
In the end, Eren enjoyed the time spent with the three girls because discovered two of them had the same classes. Also, the music was too good that even they sang some songs until they arrived at the fraternity house. He enjoyed the ride.
But the people that saw Eren going out with those girls swiftly created gossip.
"Probably Eren wants to taste more than one victory tonight."
—Shit.
Armin was frustrated when he read the new post on the gossip website of the college.
It sounded sexist and stupid; he swiftly reported it after reading it, trying to ignore the picture. That person was Eren.
—Idiot. —Armin mentioned, but he wasn’t sure if that was for the brunette or by himself.— That’s a misunderstanding.
He tried to say it aloud to make his mind believe it, but he wasn’t completely sure.
—Armin, I got your water. —Another voice made his mind return at the moment.
Right now, he was with Marco and Sasha. The three of them went directly to the fraternity house because they had a lot of homework and they couldn’t go to the game. Moreover, they were informed by Jean that there would be a party. So, Armin contacted Sasha because she was the person who lived closer to him, and they decided to go together.
They found Marco in the house and the trio was waiting in the living room for their friends.
They just waved Jean and Mikasa, who arrived some minutes ago, but they went upstairs. That obviously meant they would not be able for the next hour.
—Thanks, Marco. —Armin responded and took the bottle. Luckily, he wasn’t alone or it could look pathetic.
The ex of one of the most famous players of the team, alone in the living room while his ex could be with the three...
—I hate the number three. —Armin mumbled before drinking a little water.— Too impair that makes my head hurt.
Sasha laughed when heard him. It was true she didn’t expect that Armin cared so much for Eren.
—What was that for? —Marco asked, a little confused because he just returned from the kitchen. Sasha took her phone from Armin’s hand to show the tallest guy the post.
—Uhm, but, luckily it is just a rumour. Don’t worry about that, Armin. —Marco mentioned to the blond, sitting next to him to cover his shoulders with his arm. His hand softly massaged Armin's back.
Armin just nodded with his head, trying to chill his humour. Moreover, the post appeared once more in his mind.
Sasha decided to change the topic before Armin feeling worse. So, she asked Marco about how his projects were.
Luckily Armin started talking after Marco mentioned he was working on a project of astronomy. Armin was a fanatic of those topics.
Like that they continued talking for almost half an hour. Then, Sasha started telling them about a strange experiment where she did not obtain a banana for a machine.
—But they were saying I was lying when I was saying the truth! —She expressed with sarcasm, remembering how she felt panicked by the situation.
—Sometimes that kind of machines do not work as are expected. —Marco agreed, brushing Armin’s hair.
—That’s true. Due to your pressure of having hunger maybe the machine confused the brainwaves. —Armin drank from his red glass after saying his point of view. The players of the team just brought many bottles of alcohol and were giving drinks to the guests. He indeed didn’t like the beer, but he hadn’t another option. He took one of the glasses to have something like his friends.— Well, look who is here.
As Armin said that, Sasha and Marco looked at the couple. Mikasa and Jean looked as if they had just taken a shower.
—Sorry. We had something to do. —Jean mentioned, taking one of the red glasses to drink a little beer before walking at the empty armchair near the living room.
People were in the garden. And some players were in the living room with their couples. Just the closest people could be inside the fraternity house, the rest was outside.
—Pizza isn’t here yet? —Mikasa asked, taking the glass of his boyfriend to drink the beer.
—Not yet. Reiner told us it could be a delay by the traffic. —Sasha mentioned before talking with Mikasa about something more.
—Today was a good game, wasn’t it? —Armin asked Jean.
—Didn't you go to the match, right?
Armin put an excuse to not go to the match. As Jean confirmed, it was not only by the homework.
After Eren and Armin broke up, they acted as friends because none tried to move on.
For Jean, the person that would move on faster will be Eren because he had a lot of invitations for dates. Moreover, he didn’t accept anything. And when Jean asked Eren if there was a reason to not accept new girls, he said he didn’t want a relationship because still there was something between him and Armin.
He was in the negation phase.
—I wasn’t there. But we are in a technological world, Jean. The game was on the fraternity page. —Armin mentioned, grinning at the boy with fun.— I saw your plays, and you deserved being the MVP.
—That’s true. —Marco agreed with the comment of the blond but before he could say something more, another voice interrupted the conversation.
—Regardless of what the people said, you are the MVP, Jean.
Armin just tried to not lead his glance at the person in front of them. He recognized who was there.
—Finally, the star of the team has arrived. —Mikasa sarcastically mentioned, raising one of her eyebrows, ready to scold him because he didn’t accept to return to the fraternity house with them. But she couldn’t say something more because Eren kissed her forehead and ruffled her hair affectionately.
—Sorry, I was busy with something. —Eren apologized at the girl before turning his glance at the rest of the boys, waving at all. Then he turned to Sasha and told her that her boyfriend was near the stairs, making her got up and walked through him.
Eren took advantage of the space Sasha left and sat after Armin; then put his arm on Armin’s shoulders as Marco, trying to excuse his movement for the little space he had on the couch.
—Did you watch the game? —Eren asked Armin before taking the red glass in his best friend’s hand. He knew Armin hated beer.— Would you like water or something more?
—I’m fine with this, thanks. —Armin mentioned, but he didn’t take once more his glass.— And I did. The second half was awesome, despite your disastrous plays.
Eren moaned at his comment, saying he was so rude.
Armin didn’t take care so much of his comment because his fanciful mind analysed the face of the player.
Eren seemed clean as if he just took a shower and also his hair was a little wet. The fragrance of his perfume made Armin remember that his mother gifted that brand in the previous Christmas. Also, his breath smelled like a mix of mint and wine.
He could feel as if he lost his attention by the perfect way the hair of Eren was brushed and then raised one of his hands to take one of his hairs, feeling it before putting behind his ear.
—Your hair is messing your face. Wouldn’t you cut it?
Eren stopped complaining when noticed that the distance between them was shorter. Suddenly his heartbeat increased, and his hands felt sweaty. The desire to hold Armin was bigger.
—I thought you liked it. —Eren mentioned.
—Well, yeah. I liked it. But it seems like bettering hair. No cool. —Armin mentioned before turning his glance at the rest of his friends, noticing they looked at both. Then he blushed and cleared his throat.— So, pizza hasn’t arrived yet?
—Maybe it’s in the garden. —Jean mentioned, trying to help his best friend because he knew it would be embarrassing for him to have a lot of attention from Eren.— Eren, you should go and check.
The player, who was pouting by Armin’s comment nodded. But before he could get up, he turned to Armin.
—I remembered my mom told you about hair treatment, could you help me with that?
Armin was a little surprised, but he just agreed. They still were friends, and he should help Eren when he needed something.
—But you’re gonna treat me with pizza. So, go on. —Armin replied, subtly pushing at the brunette.
After Eren left the room, Mikasa laughed.
—I swear I’m seeing heart eyes on your face.
—Or better to say in both of you, guys. —Jean joked, laughing with his girlfriend.
—Stop it. —Armin blushed before reaching another bottle of water. Eren just took his beer, so he hoped to get wine or soda.— We’re friends. Just that.
As Armin mentioned, Marco put his arm once more over his shoulders.
—I don’t think that. I mean, he just sat here and took all your attention. Also, he tried to get my arm away from you. —Marco mentioned, looking with fun at the blond.
—And don’t forget about Eren’s attention. He came and waved us, but his glance wasn’t willing to get away from you. —Jean agreed.
—And the way he accepted his hair was messed when you said it. —Mikasa mentioned, getting up from her boyfriend’s lap to sit next to Armin.— Last week I told him the same and he just ignored me, saying people like his long hair.
Jean asked Marco about having another drink, so both left the best friends alone.
Armin kept silent, thinking about what happened.
—Armin. —Mikasa called his name, trying to get his attention once more. She wanted to talk about that time ago and it seemed a perfect time for that. Just a few people were there, talking and drinking.— Why don’t you admit it?
The blond guy just whispered.
—He’s doing fine. —Armin said.— I’ve seen him for these last days and he didn’t seem someone affected by the breakup, he even is doing better in his game.
—Armin… —Mikasa mumbled, looking for a while at the panic inside Armin's eyes. He was a little lost.
—We had an opportunity, right? —Armin replied.— But we’ve been ignorant, and time has shown me that he doesn’t need me more. He’s moving on while I’m still thinking about us as a couple…
—But you’re together as friends because he loves you. —Mikasa interrupted him, she didn't hold to see her best friend like that.— Okay, let’s stop those thoughts. I know a way to make Eren tell you the truth.
But before Armin could deny being in another plan, Mikasa took his hand and made him follow the girl through the living room as if they were searching for someone.
—Mikasa, where are we going? Eren went for pizza. —Armin tried to let go of Mikasa; but she seemed very focus, searching for someone.
Mikasa thought about the person she wanted Armin to meet. Moreover, Armin stopped her before she walking far away from the garden.
—Okay, I’m done. You know I hate being touched for a long time. —Armin excused before retiring his hand of Mikasa.
Mikasa just apologized, looking around them.
—Stop. What’s happening? —Armin asked, analysing her; but before she could reply something more, a grin appeared on her face.
—Come with me. —Mikasa mentioned before taking his hand and leading him through the people dancing until the next corner of the garden. She needed a few minutes to do her best move among those two.
Armin followed her because he was curious about what was happening. Instead of stopping in front of something strange, they stopped in front of two couples and a tall guy.
—Hey, Lee. —Mikasa waved and smiled at the guy who was aside from the couples. Armin raised one of his eyebrows with curiosity because the girl usually didn’t have so many friends.
The blond didn’t care so much and looked at the guy who was smiling at his best friend.
The boy was…
"Oh, hell."
Armin hated lies, so he must say that guy was a ten.
—Mikasa. It’s nice that I’ve met you here. —The guy, Lee smiled at both. He had short wavy black hair, making his face appeared more drafted. Armin swore he didn’t see someone like that before.
And when the almond green eyes met with Armin, the blond stopped breathing.
—I thought you wouldn’t come. —Mikasa mentioned, but then noticed the glance of his friend on Armin.— By the way, this is Armin Arlert. My little friend of the biotechnology degree.
—Nice to meet you, Armin. I’m Lee Yuan.
—Nice to meet you too, Lee. —Armin mentioned.— Your name is so cool.
Mikasa knew that was the perfect moment to let them alone.
—I’m gonna check if the pizza has arrived. Armin, stay here. —Mikasa swiftly said to avoid the blond to go with her. Luckily by her, Armin's eyes still were on Lee.
He felt a little nervous but didn’t care so much because Lee asked him once more about his career to verify if he listened well.
—Yes, I’m studying biotechnology. What about you? —Armin asked and looked at how the two couples aside the guy mentioned something about going to dance, and the boy just nodded to turn his attention once more at him.— You can go if you want, maybe I should go and check for that pizza too.
—Don't worry, they’re gonna dance with their couples. I will be the third wheel so I prefer avoiding problems. —Lee funnily mentioned, smiling at the blond.
Armin was not sure if it was by the way the cheeks of the boy lifted or by his dimples, but he had the desire to touch his face.
— I’m studying for a medical degree at the University of Verona. But I’m here because I obtained a scholarship for the project related to the development of vaccines and equipment with the new technologies of ultraviolet rays.
Armin's mind stopped overthinking how good-looking was him when he heard the project of the guy.
—Excuse me, but you said you are part of a project, right? That project is the CIU, right? —Armin cleared his throat, trying to seem relaxed.
The CIU was one of the newest projects that were implemented when Armin entered the university. But it was necessary to be in the fourth year of the career and get grades higher than 95. Armin had the grades, but he still was in the third year.
—Yes, that’s the name. —Lee answered, a little surprised because the majority of the people didn’t know those kinds of projects. The R&D community was so little in that city.— Have you heard about that?
—Of course! Next year I’m gonna postulate for it. —Armin's voice was filled with pride.— I'm studying the theories by the ultraviolet lights and the development of new diseases.
Lee could not avoid his excitement too.— Have you heard about how Frantz could mix with... Oh, sorry but I didn't meet someone in the same area as me. Would you like to talk more about that?
Armin nodded with excitement and then convinced the guy to sit on the grass. Both started giving their opinions on the new theories and their projects, without taking care of who was around them.
Mikasa witnessed the moment Armin had a “click” with the guy.
Obviously, she wasn’t introducing Lee to Armin because she wanted the blond to have another boyfriend. No.
The reason was that she knew someone would be very jealous if would see that interaction.
Mikasa walked once more inside the fraternity house, looking around the place to take a beer and then walking toward the living room.
Sasha, Jean, and Connie were playing a card game next to Reiner and his girlfriend.
Marco, Annie, Berthold, and Eren were talking on the next couch to them. All of them were eating nachos and held a beer.
—Hey, babe. Where did you go? —Jean asked Mikasa when noticed her presence. Mikasa sat in his armchair.— I thought you went for pizza.
—I did. But there wasn’t yet. —Mikasa replied and analysed the cards that her boyfriend had. She subtly laughed because Jean always had bad luck with card games and Connie took advantage of it.
—That’s why we are eating nachos. —Eren mentioned, turning his attention to the girl after checking behind her. Mikasa understood that he was looking for someone.
—He’s not here. —Mikasa commented, making Eren frown.— He’s with a friend.
—But I brought him nachos because pizza hasn’t arrived yet. —Eren groaned, but he didn’t care too much to return his attention to the conversation he was having with the rest of his friends.
Despite his words, it happened almost half an hour when a player came to Eren and mention that pizza had arrived; so the brunette swiftly walked through the hallway. Mikasa didn’t stay behind and walked aside him.
—You’re so hungry, right? —Mikasa asked with fun. But Eren couldn’t answer because when they arrived at the garden door Armin and Lee were walking into the house. Both laughing while holding two plates of pizza.
—Oh. Hi guys. I was going to tell you that pizza came. —Armin announced, smiling warmly at the pair.
— Thanks, Armin. —Mikasa mentioned, but she changed the topic through the tallest guy. —Lee, let me introduce this egocentric player called Eren Jaeger.
Mikasa turned her attention at the player, trying to not cheer because the meeting among those three was earlier than she thought. But she couldn’t continue the party because clearly saw that Eren was so relaxed with the guy.
—I think is not necessary, because this guy is one of the best mathematicians in my class. —Eren said, smirking before patting Lee' shoulders.— It’s amazing that you came, Yuan.
—I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to party with Jaeger. —Lee mentioned, smiling back before returning his attention to Armin.— Wanna go for a drink?
—Of course! Maybe we find soda in the kitchen. —Armin replied before walking toward the kitchen.
The girl was surprised. How did Eren even meet him? And why he didn’t show an impression by Armin having Lee as a friend?
—I know you’re thinking about how I met him. But first, you need to try more if want me to be jealous.—Eren funnily whispered to Mikasa and then walked outside.
—You could tell me! —Mikasa said, following the guy.
Even if her plan went wrong, she still wanted pizza.
Contrary to his words, Eren was jealous; too jealous.
The first hours of the night he was fine about Armin meeting and talking with someone intelligent and hot as Lee because Eren met him and knew he was a good boy and straight.
But...
"Why is he still with Armin?" Eren thought when his glance fell once more on them.
Some hours happened since Eren talked for the last time with Armin. It was almost 12:30 am. Eren was sat in the living room, looking discreetly at the couple aside from the principal hallway.
Eren liked Lee, he was a good friend. But that night Eren prepared something to make a move among him and Armin.
—And when I was checking the proportionately there was a mistake by the .5 distance of length. So, we weren’t wrong. The machine was. —Lee told Armin, making the blond surprised and praised him.
Eren couldn’t hold it more and moaned before turning his glance at another part of the living room and drank the rest of his beer.
—Beautiful couple, isn’t it? —A female voiced made Eren pout.
—Would you shut up? —Eren replied at Mikasa. She was next to Jean, this time both of them were playing because the rest of their friends were dancing. Just Mikasa and Jean didn’t accept it because they didn’t like to dance. Also, Eren didn’t accept because he didn’t have a couple.
He seemed pathetic, even Connie invited a girl to dance while he was spying on Armin and Lee.
—He’s having a good night. Why don’t you try the same? —Jean asked at the guy without looking at him. He was very focused on the game because his girlfriend was smarter, but he wasn’t ready to give up.
—They are just friends! All have a good time with friends. —Eren replied, ignoring that strange feeling of panic inside his chest.
—Eren. Armin just met a guy, talked all night with him, danced next to him and even drank beer with him. Do you think is something he usually does with friends? —Mikasa questioned.— I mean, our Armin wouldn’t do that.
—He even didn't do it when you were dating. But now, he’s single and enjoys the night. Before he just would be sat next to you, talking, drinking soda, and whispering the lyrics of the songs because you never asked him to dance. —Jean admitted too, enjoying having the opportunity to scold Eren.
Eren blushed.
It was true that they never danced or sang together in the previous parties because they said that was not for both.
—But we decided together because we don’t like attention. I mean, if he wanted to do those things with me, he could tell me...
Mikasa interrupted him but her glance didn’t move from her cards.
—Move on and catch him. Maybe he wanted to talk with you too.
Eren felt inspired and got up from the couch, suiting his clothes.
—I’ll do. —He promised and then walked through the hallway.
His heartbeat increased each step, and his hands were sweaty once more. Suddenly the beer he drank didn’t help too much because his mind was fulfilled with anxiety to know what to say to the blond.
But when he walked near the stairs, he saw how Lee was saving his cell phone in his pocket.
Eren felt more relaxed when one of his problems swept away. Luckily Armin hadn’t the idea of going to the room of Yuan or he would feel very sad because the blond moved on.
—Going home too early? —Eren asked Lee.
—Yes. Tomorrow I’ll go to a seminary and need to be ready at eight. —Lee answered, keeping that warm smile that made Eren impossible to hate him. He indeed was a good boy.— See you later, Eren.
—See you, Lee. —Eren patted his shoulder and then left the guy walked alone toward the door.
It was until he couldn’t see him more than Eren looked at Armin, who still was standing near the stairs with a red glass on his hands.
—You two have similar hobbies, right? I thought of you when heard the type of project he was working on. —Eren admitted. It was true for him to avoid the thought of Armin meeting someone that share his dreams or his hobbies. Aside from Eren.
—Also, he told me he could help me with some aspects of the research and I’m so glad to meet him. —Armin agreed, leaving his red glass on the closest surface. He had enough beer for at least his next life.— And he’s hot so, his presence wasn’t bad.
—Too hot that he could be considered as your type? —Eren tried to sound casual as if he were asking a friend and not at his ex-boyfriend.
Armin avoided laughing, but the smile still was on his face when turned through Eren.
—You’re wrong. —Armin mentioned.— He’s cool. Moreover, I like those guys that can mess things up before they happen.
When Eren understood, he blushed.
—You… —Eren started, clearing his throat because Armin just walked closer for each word he mentioned until he was an inch apart from Eren’s body.— Wanna go upstairs?
Eren didn’t think twice about what he asked, he just let his instincts said that and when he realized his words, he blushed more and tried to excuse himself.
—I mean-n… the question was supposed to be about… —His fanciful suddenly stopped thinking and he couldn’t create any good excuse. Even if he tried, nothing could be a good option. Leaving just the option to excuse by his indecent proposition at Armin. —I’m so…
—I wanna go. —Armin interrupted his words. A subtly blush covered Armin’s face and his hands felt sweaty.— Just, let’s go.
Eren nodded twice before leading the way to the second floor.
Mikasa saw the couple disappear upstairs.
—That’s a good sign. —Jean whispered next to her.— I hope this help to confess their feelings.
—I hope the same. —Mikasa agreed and then turned her attention to the boy.— Let’s give the entire night to them. We still have a card game to finish.
At the end of the night, Mikasa won all the games until she left her boyfriend won one because she felt bad for Jean.
—Should we knock or just open it? —Jean asked.
—I think if we knock maybe they could wake up, and Armin isn’t kind when someone wakes him up. —Mikasa mentioned, trying to analyse the two options they had. Nothing was good.
Some hours later; Mikasa, Connie and Jean were in front of Eren’s door.
The clock announced the four of the morning. The party finished and they had curiosity. Armin and Eren disappeared from the party and no sound went out of Eren's room.
—Mikasa, just open the door. —Connie whispered.— They wouldn’t kick you if you’re the person who interrupts whatever they are doing. You’re their best friend and a woman.
—I agree. —Jean mumbled.
Mikasa took the handle and opened the door slowly.
Then the three of them started walking inside the room just to get an image that they didn’t expect to have.
—Well… they are so fucking nerds. —Jean whispered, getting a kick from Mikasa.
She returned her glance on the bed to notice both guys sleeping in the middle of books. Armin was on the left side, his head on one of the books. Eren was hugging two notebooks on his chest, a pair of glasses on the top of his head.
—These dorks... —Mikasa mumbled, silently walking through the pair to get the fragile things on the bed; like the glasses, the laptop that was in the middle of the guys, and their phones.
Jean took one picture of the guys, saving it as blackmail.
—Just let’s go. —Mikasa mentioned, leaving the couple continued to sleep.
The guys followed her. When they went out, they started talking about how absurd the thing was about Eren and Armin getting the opportunity to do something more passionate. But they decided to study.
Mikasa couldn’t avoid smiling.
That was the type of friends she had.
And once more she considered them as one of the best couples even without being a couple.