Chapter Text
Monday, lunch break
Although the last free seat in the crowded high school cafeteria remained empty for a full ten minutes, no one even tried to sit down.
Empty seats next to Eren Jaeger were always and exclusively reserved for Armin Arlert.
The same applied when there was a vacant seat next to Armin. This was a fact accepted by both their friends, who were currently all gathered at that table with the last free chair, as well as any students who knew the two boys only by sight.
Even people who knew them by name were sometimes unsure whether Eren was the weird blond one or the irritating dark-haired boy, that’s how inseparable the two of them usually were.
Cheeks flushed and glasses askew on his nose, Armin eventually appeared at the cafeteria door, spotting his friends' table and arriving there slightly out of breath.
He was greeted by a chorus of hellos along with a "Hey Min,” by Eren, the only person authorized to call Armin by that nickname.
"Hi everyone. Sorry for being late." Armin dropped down in his usual spot next to Eren. "Had to make a quick stop at the library and almost forgot it’s lunchtime."
Eren shook his head disapprovingly, rolling his green eyes. "One day you'll realize that you can’t eat books. Here, I saved the last pack of crackers for you." Eren pushed the small package of saltine goodness next to Armin’s tray.
"Thanks, Eren. That was kind of you." Armin's voice took on the soft note that could be heard whenever he caught Eren doing something nice for him.
With a sigh, he drew his plate closer. "I only got a few minutes anyway. Miss Ral has a chemistry test waiting for us for 5th period and I want to review my notes one last time."
"Please, don’t remind me!" Sasha, who attended the same chemistry class, groaned and buried her face in her hands but then promptly took another bite of her sandwich. She wouldn't have finished a meal early for any upcoming test in the world.
"For someone facing a test you seem in surprisingly good spirits," Jean remarked with a suspicious glance at Armin's face, which indeed seemed rather carefree. Dreamy almost.
Armin, although pretty much always at the top of his class, usually turned into a nervous wreck right before any exam and forgot how to speak or eat.
"True." Connie now also shot the small blond a sharp look. "Why so cheerful, eh?"
The delicate blush on Armin's cheeks spread a little further.
He fiddled with his cutlery. "Well..." Armin took a deep breath, an abashed smile appearing on his lips before declaring: "I got asked out on a date this morning! We’re meeting next Saturday!”
"Oooh! Nice!" Sasha, mouth full and eyebrows raised, gave him a thumbs up. She then let her eyes briefly sweep over the dark-haired boy next to Armin before exchanging a fleeting, knowing glance with Connie and turning her attention back to the food.
"Ah. I see." With a smirk, Jean leaned back so he had both Armin and the blond boy’s best friend in his sight.
"That's great, Armin." Marco's eyes too rested on Armin's neighbor for about a split second. "Who is the lucky one?"
"Floch Forster."
For a heartbeat, all eating and chewing noises at their table paused.
Only the clacking sound of Eren's spoon could be heard. He had started his dessert.
"Floch Forster?" Connie repeated at last. "Red-haired Floch Forster? Floch Forster from the basketball team?"
"Yes, the very one." Armin nodded eagerly. "Why, do you know any other Floch Forsters?"
"No, no," Connie said quickly. "Wow, that's definitely, um, news."
"Indeed." Jean's grin suddenly seemed a little stiff. "Congratulations."
"You're going out with Floch Forster. Cool." Sasha's voice lacked her typical enthusiasm.
"Yeah, that’s so... cool." Marco nodded in a rather slow motion.
Eren continued to dig his spoon into the pudding cup.
There was a strange tension surrounding the table for the next few minutes as Armin hurriedly ate his lunch. As if everyone was waiting for something specific to happen.
Armin didn’t seem to notice the sudden change of mood.
Eren kept pushing pudding into his mouth.
"Right," Armin grabbed his tray and rose from his chair. "Gotta go and get ready for the test. See you around."
"Hey. Armin."
Eren finally let go of his pudding cup and turned to the blond.
Armin stopped in his tracks.
The table collectively held its breath as the two friends looked at each other.
Then Eren gave Armin a pat on the back. "Good luck with your test. You’re gonna get the top grade like you always do, so no idea why you keep stressing yourself out every single time. But I'll keep my fingers crossed for you anyway.
"Thank you, Eren." Armin beamed a sunny smile at him. Then he gave a farewell nod to the rest of the group and left.
As soon as Armin was out of sight, all heads at the table turned to Eren.
Eren, once again busy with his dessert, didn’t notice the silence until a few seconds later. Lifting his head, he was surprised to find everyone staring at him in bewilderment.
"What?" he asked, confused.
"How can you be okay with this?" Sasha burst out.
"How can I be okay with what?"
"Armin going on a date!" Jean sounded impatient.
The confusion on Eren’s face intensified. "Why would I have a problem with Armin going on a date?"
"Well, because...," Connie started.
"We thought...," Marco hesitated.
"Because we thought if anyone was going to ask Armin out someday, it would be you," Sasha unapologetically summarized the unspoken thoughts around the table.
Eren almost choked on his spoon.
"Me going out with Armin?!" Now it was his turn to stare in bewilderment. "What on earth makes you say that?"
The responses poured in like a tidal wave.
"Because you two got some serious couple vibes going on."
"Because Armin seems to flat-out worship you sometimes. God knows why."
"Because you're being so protective of him and you’re always looking out for his well-being."
"Because of the way you hang on his lips whenever he talks about his weird plans and ideas. Like you want to kiss him."
"What?! You guys are nuts!" Eren's cheeks burned with indignation. "There is no kissing going on here! We’re best friends and that’s it! May I ask how long you’ve been discussing my alleged love life with Armin!?"
"For years," Jean replied nonchalantly. "We’ve even placed bets on when the two of you would finally come out as a couple."
"Yes, and some of us bet their entire allowance on you being the one to make the first move." Connie threw him a reproachful look.
"Well, that’s what you get for betting on something so stupid!" Eren tossed his spoon on the table. There was still pudding left, but he had lost all appetite in view of these outrageous revelations. "I'm very sorry to disappoint you and your dirty fantasies, but I'm not even into boys. Especially not into my best friend! And neither into any other guy currently present at this table, in case that’s been discussed and bet on as well!"
"Hey, hey, please don’t be upset, we didn’t mean it that way", Marco said in a soothing voice. "I think we’re all just a little surprised to find out we were completely misinterpreting things. We thought you would mind Armin going on a date with someone else. But if it doesn’t bother you then everything’s fine."
"It doesn’t," Eren confirmed grimly. "One more time for the record: Armin and I are just friends. I'm totally okay with him going on a date! Okay?"
"Okay, okay!" Sasha raised her hands in defeat.
The remaining time of their lunch break passed without another word being spoken.
Eren was sulking, while everyone else quietly mourned the shipping dream that they had cherished for so long only to find out it would never come true.
It was an even bigger disappointment than last year when the rumor about the school's swimming pool getting a water slide had turned out to be false.
"Oh well, but it's nice that others finally start to notice what a great catch Armin is, no?" Marco tried to break the sullen silence as they all rose from their chairs and dispersed to their respective classrooms.
Monday, 5th period
Eren had a hard time focusing on class in the following hour, feeling way too upset and embarrassed by the rumors that lunch had brought to light.
He and Armin dating.
What a load of bull.
Armin had been his best friend since childhood. No, not just his best friend. His soulmate.
They were close, closer than to any other friend or even family member and they planned to spend the rest of their lives together.
How silly of their pals to suspect romantic intentions just because Eren was willing to defend Armin with his life and to his last breath if necessary.
Such insolence to suggest that he, Eren, could fall in love with a guy!
As for Armin, it had been kind of apparent that he was attracted to boys long before his coming out a few months ago, but Eren was clearly into girls. At least into those in video games. He also liked it when his sister, who had started her freshman year at this high school last summer, reported to him that some girls in her class thought he was "cute in a chaotic kind of way". Whatever the hell that meant.
It was just as ridiculous of their friends to assume that Armin might have feelings for him simply because the small blond admired him and had shown boundless trust in Eren as long as anyone could remember.
Well - at least Eren had never assumed that Armin's unrestrained enthusiasm for him could go beyond friendship.
Granted, Armin's respect for how much faster and stronger Eren was, for his fearlessness, and the fact that he never let anything or anyone hold him back was quite flattering, but surely Eren would have noticed in all these years if there was more to it than platonic affection.
Right?
While changing classrooms for 6th period, Eren spotted his sister in the hallway, moving in the same direction.
Since none of her giggling girlfriends happened to be around, he decided to seize the opportunity and get a second opinion.
"Hey, Mikasa" Eren walked up beside her and opened the conversation without much ado. "Say, did you ever have the impression that Armin wants to be... more than my friend?"
His sister raised her eyebrows in surprise. "Well hello. More than your friend? What exactly do you mean?"
"What I mean is..." Eren squirmed. He wasn't used to talking about uncomfortable topics like romance, much less with his sister. "Did it ever seem to you like Armin had any special, um, ... feelings for me?" Once again, his face felt way too hot.
He had expected Mikasa to declare this idea to be absurd immediately. Instead, her expression became pensive.
"Hmm. To be honest, it used to look like he did. Considering how he always clung to you and idolized you like you were some kind of superhero. But whether that behavior was based on more than just friendly feelings is something only Armin himself can answer you. Now that he has become more independent, my impression would be that he simply likes you a lot. Like best friends do, you know. Why, what’s got you thinking about this all of a sudden?"
"Oh, no reason. It's just that the others made some stupid remarks about it during lunch today. Turns out my friends have been secretly discussing whether Armin and I are holding hands when no one else is looking."
Mikasa rarely participated in gossip and based on her "I see" Eren could not tell whether this rumor was news to her.
He kept walking next to her in silence and added: "Armin is going on a date. With Floch Forster."
"Oh?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm. Good for Armin."
"Yeah. Good for him."
"I guess that means he has more than friendly feelings for Floch then."
"Oh. Yeah. Guess so."
"Well, see you later." Mikasa had arrived at her classroom and went inside.
"Later," Eren mumbled.
For some reason, the conversation had not given him the satisfaction he had hoped for, even though Mikasa had confirmed that she would not necessarily classify Armin's behavior towards him as a romantic interest.
Armin having feelings for you that are strictly friendly while having feelings that are more than friendly for the boy who asked him out is exactly how it should be, no?
Monday, 6th period
Although Eren had spent the last hour doing little else but thinking about Armin, he had almost forgotten that they were both attending the same English class.
Armin was already sitting at their table, and his relaxed expression suggested that his chemistry test had gone smoothly. Not that Eren had expected anything else.
"Hey Min," he whispered as he plopped down next to him. "Did you show those alkali metals who's boss?"
"Eren." Armin's face lit up at the sight of him. "I think so. Not sure I named all the compounds correctly. But the section about protons went quite positive. Positive, get it? Ahm, you know, because protons always carry a positive charge…"
Eren found Armin's brave attempts at occasional humor very adorable.
During the next fifty minutes, Eren made a serious effort to stay focused on Mr. Smith's words about Shakespeare, but it only took a few minutes before his thoughts started wandering back to the unfortunate cafeteria conversation.
He recalled Marco’s words. "It's nice that others finally started to notice what a great catch Armin is."
Marco was certainly right about that.
It had always frustrated Eren when other people failed to appreciate Armin's marvelous uniqueness - including Armin himself.
The blond was incredibly smart, but in Eren’s opinion, he never gave himself enough credit for it. His best friend focused far too often on skills he lacked and not nearly often enough on the talents he possessed.
It was not just Armin's sharp intelligence that Eren found enticing. Armin had such an endearing and engaging nature, wrapped in a charming exterior.
Unfortunately, especially when it came to his looks, Armin's self-confidence was not great. This was something Eren couldn’t understand at all.
Armin was gorgeous.
Yeah, his friend was one of the smallest students in their grade and he had quite a delicate build, but that didn't affect Armin's objective handsomeness.
With his golden hair almost reaching his shoulders - which some idiots liked to call "girly"; Eren thought Armin's golden locks were simply beautiful - and his bright blue eyes, Armin's appearance offered a perfect blend of cute and attractive.
Yes.
Armin is cute and attractive.
It was normal to consider your best friend cute and attractive when he was without a doubt cute and attractive, no?
Absolutely. Real bros vouch for each other's beauty.
Apparently, Armin's good looks had now also been noticed by Floch.
And god knows who else.
Eren thoughtfully observed his cute and attractive friend. After a while, Armin noticed his gaze and offered him a quick smile across the table before bringing his attention back to The Merchant of Venice.
Eren felt the corners of his mouth turn upward immediately in response.
Armin's smile was contagious. It drew dimples in his face and gave his eyes that special glow.
Affectionately, Eren thought about their first encounter. Back then, he had been captivated by those big blue eyes right away. How Armin's parents had ever found it in their hearts to deny him a wish when he looked at them pleadingly was a mystery to him. Especially considering the heart-breaking picture of how Armin's eyes would be glistening whenever he was close to tears.
Which, unfortunately, had often been the case in his younger years.
Minor injuries, a lost toy, other kids teasing him - it didn't take much to make little Armin cry.
Eren, who took his duty as a best friend very serious from the start, had made it his job to stop Armin's tears quickly every time.
He started taking band-aids with him (along with a piece of chocolate for comfort) whenever they went outside to play so he could treat scraped knees and little scratches.
He helped search for lost plushies, until late at night if necessary, refusing to give up until all of Armin’s missing loved ones were found safe and sound.
If anyone dared to attack Armin, be it with words or with deeds, Eren would instantly rush to his defense. He never shied away from a fight, no matter how many opponents he had to take on.
Granted, he had not always emerged victorious from those brawls...
Steaming with fury, Eren watched the three older boys laughing and running away, leaving him behind with scratches and streaks of dirt all over his bare arms and legs, messed up hair, and a tear in the hem of his shirt.
Armin, being in no better state, sat on the ground next to him, sniffling and teary-eyed. "I'm sorry." His voice was barely understandable.
"What are YOU sorry for?" Eren asked testily.
"You're always getting into trouble because of me. I-if I wasn't so weak, you wouldn't have to come to my rescue all the time and end up getting attacked too."
"Armin." With an angry look on his face, Eren crouched in front of him. "You're not weak. Those bullies are weak. Takes three of them to take on someone smaller. They’re friggin' cowards!"
"Well...that's true," Armin mused softly, now sniffling a little less. "They only ever go for someone they can easily defeat. I bet none of them would even dare to start a fight if they were on their own. They're the actual losers."
"Exactly." Eren gave him a grim nod. "They only feel strong as long as they're part of a group. You know what, I'll have my sister teach me some moves from her judo class, and the next time those guys try to ambush you, I'll kick their asses!"
Armin hiccupped and even managed a little giggle.
"Come on." Eren offered Armin a hand to pull him up. To his surprise, Armin threw his arms around him as soon as he was standing.
"You're the best friend in the world, Eren." Armin hugged him tightly.
"If you say so," Eren murmured sheepishly, awkwardly patting Armin on the back with one hand while quickly using the other to search for a piece of comfort chocolate in his pocket to distract the little blond.
Fortunately, soon after this incident, the time followed when it wasn’t tears but dreams and excitement that made Armin’s eyes shine.
Armin found beauty and fascination in things that other people deemed either unimportant or downright off-putting, and talking about those things would turn his eyes into sparkling sapphires.
Eren remembered the day when a huge wolf spider had strayed into the classroom at their elementary school. While most of the other kids had shrieked and moved away from the creepy-crawly, Armin had carefully guided the spider onto a piece of paper while gazing at it affectionately. He had placed the animal in his empty lunchbox and released it into the bushes in the schoolyard after class, much to the incredulous stares of his classmates.
Armin's dreams were often met with a lack of understanding as well.
For example, when he looked at images showing glowing lava flows pouring over the edge of an island while wishing he could be there.
But that was exactly what Eren liked about Armin: There was so much more to him than met the eye.
One moment he was afraid of the virtual monsters appearing in some horror game, and the next he was dreaming of deadly adventures like watching a volcano erupt at close range.
Eren's smile grew wider.
Of course, he would join Armin even on the craziest adventure.
They had started making plans for a trip around the world as early as middle school, and over the years their list of spectacular and not entirely safe places had grown and grown. One day they would visit all of those together.
Unless...
Eren's smile suddenly faded.
Unless one of them had a boyfriend or girlfriend at that time.
A strange and unpleasant feeling spread through Eren's stomach.
He had never really thought about this possibility. Dating, love, partners, these things had always been in the distant future. None of it had seemed particularly interesting to them so far.
But now Armin had made the first step in this direction and agreed to a date.
Suppose in a few years they were no longer the most important people in their lives because there were now boyfriends and girlfriends who had a greater right to accompany them on travels?
Eren wondered what would be worse - to be left behind alone or to tag along as a third wheel.
No way his inner voice protested. No way Armin would ever forget about your friendship because of some guy, just like you wouldn't forget him over Princess Zelda or Jill Valentine.
They would always be best friends.
But yeah - it would no longer be just the two of them going on such adventures.
Still Monday, 7th period
During math, the last class of today, Eren sat next to Connie. He didn’t even pretend to pay attention to the magic of trigonometry anymore. His focus was gone for good.
Eren couldn’t stop stressing over the idea that Floch might soon play a central role in Armin’s life.
You're overreacting. It's just a date.
A harmless meeting that most likely won't go anywhere and that no one will even remember in a few weeks.
What did people do on a first date anyway?
Getting to know each other, Eren assumed. Finding out whether they are compatible.
Okay, so they get to know each other – so what?
In his opinion, Armin and Floch had nothing in common and they would probably come to this conclusion themselves after spending an entire evening together.
Probably.
Eren didn’t know all that much about Floch Forster.
He was a ginger with a rather strange hairstyle. He played on the same basketball team as Jean. He was averagely entertaining. A bit of a daredevil sometimes. Total opposite of Armin.
Still - maybe a date would reveal that Floch and Armin had quite a bit in common after all. It might even turn out that they got along well, resulting in a second date.
The strange and unpleasant feeling in Eren's stomach area made a return.
Even if it results in a dozen dates – just this morning, you were quite vocal about letting everyone know that you are "totally okay” with Armin going out with someone, so it shouldn’t be a problem if their little rendezvous turns out to be successful.
How exactly did one determine whether a date was a success anyway?
Eren thought he had once heard that successful dates usually ended with a goodnight kiss.
On the cheek.
Or on the lips?
Eren frowned.
"Eren?" he heard Connie whisper beside him in a worried tone. "Are you alright? You look like you’re feeling sick, man."
"M' fine," Eren murmured absentmindedly.
No, no way that Armin would allow Floch to kiss him.
Holding hands, maybe, at the very most. His best friend was way too shy for something as intimate as a kiss.
Then again - if there was one thing Eren had come to learn about Armin Arlert over the years, it was that you should never underestimate him.
Maybe Armin wanted to be kissed.
Caught extremely off-guard by that idea, Eren was only vaguely aware of the ringing of the school bell.
It would be Armin's first kiss.
How mesmerizing would Armin's eyes sparkle in such a meaningful moment as experiencing his first kiss?
Well, only the person who kissed him would find out.
"Eren. Eren! Oi! The bell rang. School's over. Are you gonna spend the night in here?" Connie's impatient voice hit his ear. "Seriously, what’s the matter with you today? You know what, suit yourself, I'm off!"
Eren's brain did not react.
It was blocked by Armin's image.
His wonderful, cute and attractive best friend Armin.
Armin's first date.
Holding hands.
Armin's first kiss.
And all of this would happen with another boy.
With Floch.
Armin is going on a date with Floch!
"Damnit!" Eren shot up from his chair, making the remaining students around him jump in alarm.
"I'm not okay with it!" He grabbed his backpack, blindly storming past a startled Connie and out of the classroom.
"Not at all!"