Carousel of Affection [Attack on Titan/Black Lagoon Crossover] [Complete]

Armin

Armin's Perspective

I promised Mikasa that I'd make up for our missed date on Monday and she, Eren, and I would go to the range this evening. I spent my moments driving home preparing my ears for just that. While they do distribute "noise canceling" earmuffs, I tend to leave with a raging headache. This time, I may be able to think around that; I can tell them—Mikasa, mostly—about what Levi said at work. Eren properly could care less about anything involving Levi, since he hates his guts.

I pulled into my driveway at a sharp 8:30pm, parking next to Mikasa's van. The night wasn't to cold, but more chilly instead. It was just under 35° so I could walk without shivering every so often. I took my coat from the passenger seat, tossing it around my shoulders, and grabbed the rest of my work items and keys. I stepped out of the car's warmth and the cold air hit my face painfully hard. There was a wind that came with the cold that wasn't present upon my leave from work. I pushed to the house door after locking the car. Though my key chain was very skimpy, I had to look amongst a few other links before I found my house key. And when I did, I dropped my keys. That violent shiver I hadn't had before returned after being in the cold for a while. Why do I have to be anemic?

When I looked up from the ground after getting my keys, Eren was standing in front of me with the door held open. "Need a hand, Armin?" He asked confusedly with his hand held out to me. I struggled to reach for his hand and let him pull me inside of the healing warmth of my house.

I blew into my hands, trying to warm them. I set my things down by the steps, not bothering to walk upstairs but instead wanting to be warm. Eren took the task for me instead. Mikasa was on the couch, watching some chick flick on the television. I went over and sat beside her, wrapping my cold arms around her waist and pulling myself into her. "Do you want something or are you just cold?"

"I'm just c-c-cold is all." I stuttered through a shiver, tightening my arms around her. She put her arm around me, smiling and continuing to watch the movie. Two girls were yelling at each other about some guy that the first girl liked but the second didn't approve of her interest. I laid my head on Mikasa's chest, letting my eyes fall shut and Mikasa put her arm around my shoulder. I was a little tired but I didn't want to skip out on them again.

"When are we leaving?" Eren asked when he came downstairs, plopping himself on the cushion next to us.

I shrugged, looking up at Mikasa expecting an answer from her, "After this movie, it's getting good. I think they're gonna fight." I chuckled, nestling my head back on her chest and slowly falling asleep to the sound of her rhythmic heartbeat. I still have yet to tell them of today's events but at the moment, I don't quite have the strength. For now, the little I do have will be used to watch this movie and share Mikasa's body heat.

My phone vibrated in my pocket but I was too comfortable to move. I groaned lazily, triggering Eren to reach and get it. "Here," he hissed, tossing the phone in front of me, "It's your little boyfriend."

I looked at the phone, blushing now, "In my dreams..." I responded meekly, reading the text message in my head.

"Armin." -8:45pm. I always found it odd, his way of greeting me. No hello, or good day. Just my name. Not to mention, we're texting. Me, Armin, and him, Levi, are texting. Did he want something from me? Texting is informal, so it can't be too huge. I shuttered against Mikasa, making my heart throb with anxious questions. "You okay, Armin?" She asked curiously, looking down at me, brushing my hair out of my face.

I returned the glance, sharing a small, unworried smile with her and nodding. I exhaled, looking back to my phone. Perhaps I should at least respond, in spite of my nervousness. "Yes?" -8:50pm

"Good, you're there." -8:51pm.

"What?" I said aloud, tripped by what the message read. Good, you're there? Well, of course, am I not supposed to be?

"Should I shoot him?" Eren responded shortly after my outburst. I looked at him wide-eyed, "Eren!" He shrugged, looking back to the screen, "Thought he did something, is all..."

"Well, yes. Do you need something?" -8:53pm

"God, you're a slow response..." -8:54pm

I smirked, feeling the energy I lacked before and stood to go to my room. The upper level of my house was a lot warmer than downstairs. Now, I was comfortable, cozy, and near my charger so I could text freely:

"My apologies. I'm in a better position now." -8:56pm

"There's a joke for that." -8:57pm

"Immature..." -8:57pm

"Maturely childish, I prefer." -8:58pm

"You never answered my question as to if you needed something." -8:59pm

"Oh? Well, I just wanted to clear my mind is all. I've been thinking a lot lately." -9:00pm

"About what if I may ask." -9:00pm

"The weeks ahead, and some other things." -9:01pm

"You sound like you need a friend" -9:02pm

Before he could reply, there was a knock at my bedroom door. "Armin, we're ready to leave." Eren said from the other side. I shouted a quick 'okay' back. Levi hadn't responded when I glanced at my phone again and as much as I wanted to sit in my bed and wait like some school girl, I also didn't want to blow my friends off. I grabbed my spare wall charger, and slipped into a different set of clothes as quick as I could before practically leaping down the steps to catch up with them as Mikasa set the house alarm. I just hope my response wasn't pushy or discomforting...

___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
Author's Note: I wouldn't be surprised if you lose yourself while reading the texts. I just didn't know exactly how to write them. So let me know if you have trouble following. Also, to the ones interested in my coming ereri fic, see the disclaimer on my page. I'll start posting parts at or near the conclusion of this one.