Chapter Text
Maybe he wasn't the most presentable, but Eren knew how to make an impression.
Eren woke up early in the morning, jumped out of his bed and took a long shower, washing his hair until it was shiny. He combed his brown hair and fixed it the best way he could.
He dressed in his best and only white shirt, ironed and clean, and a pair of black dress pants, he polished his shoes and prepared for the big day that awaited him.
Saying goodbye to his mother and older brother, Eren ventured through the streets, walking carefully not to get even the slightest bit dirty until he finally reached a familiar brown house.
He rang the doorbell and waited patiently, because he knows that he always takes his time.
When the door opened, Eren took a deep breath, his heart pounding and his hands shaking. But he needed to ask the question.
"G-good morning!" Eren greeted with a smile, trying not to seem desperate or nervous. "Uhm, I have something important to ask you, sir."
Levi Ackerman, Armin's adoptive father, looked him up and down before snorting and letting him into his home.
First test, passed.
"What do you want to ask?" Levi asked quickly as he walked to the living room, Eren knew the protocol and quickly took off his shoes and placed them impeccably at the entrance.
"Ah, w-well, it's related to... Armin."
Levi paused for a second, turning to look at Eren with clear curiosity in his eyes.
"Oh? What happens with him?" The older man asked cautiously, Eren swallowed and approached carefully.
Second test, passed.
"It's not something... uh, bad..." Eren began. "I... I love Armin too much and, well..." It's now or never. "I would like to ask him if I can have his hand for the rest of my life."
Again, Levi stopped, looking at Eren as if he had suddenly transformed into a 15 meter monster, not with fear, but with disgust.
"You... Want to marry... My son?"
Eren felt his heart stop when he noticed the twitch in his eye, he swallowed and took courage.
"Yes sir!" Eren exclaimed, bowing exaggeratedly. "Please allow me your blessing to-"
"Absolutely not."
"Huh?"
Eren stood up only to see Levi's face, his displeasure had apparently gradually increased and now he just seemed to want to kick him out of his house, out of Armin's life and out of the world in general.
"W-why not?" Eren tried, desperation growing in his chest.
"1. Your cleaning and hygiene is lacking, 2. Armin is not ready for a commitment like that and 3. No means no."
With each word, Eren's world destroyed beneath his feet.
"B-but!"
"But nothing, you won't have get my blessing, not even when i die." Levi finished finally taking Eren out of his house.
Eren let the older man get him to the exit, being practically dragged out and with the door closed against his back.
His eyes were wide in shock, his mind was blank and his stomach felt churning.
Could he no longer see Armin?
He felt humiliated even when there was no witness, his pride was hurt and he couldn't help that horrible feeling of rejection that burned so much inside him. Was that all?
Why did Levi had to be so cruel?
Letting out a tired sigh, Eren walked out of the entrance of the house, walking back towards his house with his head bowed.
"Eren!"
Suddenly, the voice of an angel stopped him, and when he looked up he saw him.
His beautiful angel, his Armin was returning from his extra classes, with one hand in his backpack and the other waving at him, Eren felt as if the whole world stopped just for them.
Armin ran to get to his side and Eren waited patiently for him, knowing that he was neither the fastest nor the one with the best stamina, at least when it came to running).
"Armin!" Eren exclaimed happily once his blonde was within reach of him to hug him with all the love in the world. "How was your class?"
The blonde let out an affectionate snort and reciprocated the hug.
"It was fine, today we only investigate marine animals." Armin responded happily.
Without even thinking about taking Armin to his home, Eren took his hand and "unconsciously" led them to the park that was a few meters away.
"Did you see anything about the jellyfish?" Eren asked with a goofy smile.
"Eren, you always ask me the same thing."
"...But did you see anything?"
Armin laughed loudly, making those horrible feelings finally fade away. That was because Armin's laugh was just magical.
They both walked, their hands held softly and sweetly when the blonde noticed something about Eren and stood in front of him.
"Hey, are you wearing your only shirt?" Armin commented. "And ironed?"
"Uh, w-well..."
"And your hair is washed!"
"Y-yeah i... Hey! I always wash my hair!" Eren complained when he noticed the words of his beloved.
"But not so... Impeccably." Armin murmured slightly embarrassed. "Did you went somewhere important?"
Eren felt his heart stop for a second, he didn't want to lie to him but he didn't want him to find out either of that humiliating event in his home.
"Well... I-I went to look for a second job." Eren said quickly, he could feel his ears heat up at the obvious lie. "I was rejected, I think the boss hates me or something."
Armin looked at his boyfriend softly, he sounded so defeated, Armin gently took his hands and smiled sweetly.
"Eren, don't worry. Maybe that job wasn't for you and that's it."
"But I wanted it." Eren whined.
"Hmm, maybe you can try another job with someone else, right? Not everyone is going to hate you like that boss."
Those words resonated in Eren's chest who felt his world light up once again and a new plan began to formulate in his mind as he kissed the cheeks of his blonde lover with gratitude and love.
Eren Yeager never gives up.