Soldiers of Misfortune

Kiss and Hell

Eren POV
Of course, it wasn’t that easy. I had beat up the most loved student. Marco had friends everywhere. Levi and I had only kissed, we did go up to lay atop the tower until classes ended for the day. We didn’t talk much, he just curled into my side. After awhile I felt his breathing even out. He had fallen asleep in my arms. I smirked at that as I ran my fingers through his hair. It really did feel like silk.
When we got back, letting our hands drop back to our sides right before we entered campus, who do you think was waiting? I hung my head when I saw him there. Small against the back drop of the school. Certainly, he would have heard the rumors of what happened.
“Ar…” Was as far as I got.
“You don’t owe me anything, Eren. You don’t own me either.” Yeah, he was pissed. He didn’t get mad like other people. He didn’t yell swear or even raise his voice, often. No when Armin was mad, he became scary calm. It terrified me every time I saw it.
“We both know that first part is a lie. If you had never met me, you would have had a much better life.” I shoved my hands into my pockets. The snap of the stick on my chins reverberated around the walls. It took a second before the pain hit me. Armin wasn’t violent. Looking at him now I saw his face scrunched up. Tears were streaming down his cheeks.
“You're an idiot, Eren Yeager.” His voice shook with both fury and pain. “You’re my best friend, my brother! I can’t ever live without you. I would give you the world if I could. I would take your pain away. I know how much it hurts you just to look at me day after day…” his voice failed him.
I dropped to my knees before him pulling him into my arms, burying my face in his stomach. Denying everything he said of the pain I felt. “I am guilty of causing your blindness. I would do anything to take your place in that.”
He slapped me. “For the last time, I did this to myself. It was my choice! You have saved me so many times!” He cried. I didn’t care how we looked half yelling half crying at each other in that courtyard. But when Jean entered, when he said I looked like a baby pleading with his mother, the red rage boiled inside me.
Before I could even get to my feet, however, he was on his ass up against a tree. A small Levi shaped missile had embedded itself into his chest. The small figure stood over him kicking him repeatedly. The rage subsided in me, as fear once more gripped my heart. Erwin and I both pulled the tiny fighter away.
“Levi, stop, that’s enough.” Erwin spoke in his calm manner. The rage and anger I saw reflected in his eyes, burned in my heart. I knew at that moment, we were not good for each other. We would be like two missiles goading each other to explode. I backed away as Erwin quietly worked on calming him down.
Taking Armin's hand I lead him away. In the cafeteria, I found us a table in the back. We sat alone. Sometimes Connie could be an insensitive jerk. Then there were days like this when he just knew the two of us needed our bubble. I sat alone with Armin.
“Maybe you should reconsider being my roommate?” I suggested. Armin snorted.
“Eren, I love you to death, but you're a slob. I would trip over your shoes or get tangled up in your clothing.” We chuckled together. “Besides you never push your desk chair in.” He drew quiet. From the corner of my eye, I saw Erwin walk in. Levi was a half-step behind. A shadow to the taller man. His eyes scanned the room until they found me. I smiled at Armin, not that he could tell.
“Yeah, I guess.” It was the same conversation we had for awhile now.
“I like Erwin.” He suddenly told me. “He's really smart. Plus, he picks up after himself.” I had to chuckle at his gentle laugh.
“Smart huh, is that my problem. I’m too dumb?” I asked. His hand reached across the table to cover mine.
“You're not dumb, Eren. You're just more physical.” We laughed at that. Right.
“Why, this looks cozy.” I blinked. None of our friends would interrupt us at a time like this. When I turned my head, I was surprised to see Hange standing there. His eyes illuminated behind his glasses. They were huge as they watched us.
“Not now, Hange.” I muttered already getting a headache. He frowned.
“That’s why I came over.” He held out his hand. Two long white pills sat in his palm. “You always get a headache after a fight. Today you didn’t just have the fight but the emotional roller coaster with Armin. I figured you would need these.” I looked at him, glanced at the pills. “Honestly they are just Tylenol.” He held up the bottle.
“How do you know I always get headaches?” I asked accepting the pills. He shrugged.
“I watch you. You're quite interesting.” Once I swallowed the pills he giggled and went away.
“I will never understand that guy!” I told Armin who agreed. I left Armin at the table as I took care of our trash. I deliberately made a wide path around where Levi and Erwin were sitting. So, once I dumped the trash and turned, seeing him standing there startled me.
“Damn, you should have a bell!” I cried. He didn’t look up at me. Instead, he lightly punched my chest, right above my heart. Then turned around and went back to Erwin. What the…? I touched my chest. Feeling something in my pocket. I didn’t look at it yet. Instead, I went back to take Armin to his room.
Later lying on my bed, I thought about how tomorrow was Friday. Levi had only been in my life for a week. I pulled the note from my pocket. “Meet me, my room, 8.” Was all it said. I knew I shouldn’t go. My instincts of the two of us together weren’t good. He was like a pull on me though. I glanced at the clock. 7:15. I had enough time to shower.
Gathering my things I went to the end of the hall where the showers were. Stripping down I wrapped a towel around me as I let the water warm up. I brushed my hair and teeth. By that point steam was coming from the shower. I stepped inside, just as I heard the door open.
“Yeah, it was like he just went berserk. Then that new kid… what he did to Jean. I think something is wrong with them.” A voice said.
“Yeah, Eren's always been a bit hot headed, but he wouldn’t ever go after Marco. Marco's like the sweetest person here.”
 “Do you think there is something going on between them?” the first voice asked.
“Marco and Jean, oh hell yeah. The way Marco always bullshits Jean's shitty attitude…”
“No, I meant Yeager and Ackerman?” I heard a wet smack.
“Jealous? You always did have a thing for Yeager.” They laughed then I heard two more showers turn on. I quickly washed dried and got the hell out of there. It was no secret that I was gay. Hell half the school was.
Head down I walked back to my room. I only had boxers and a t shirt on.
“Eren?” a voice called out. Levi was leaning against his door frame.
“Let me, uh drop this stuff in my room.” I told him. He didn’t move. I dropped the stuff on a chair just inside the door. He frowned when I turned around.
“You are going to take care of that, right?” He asked.
“Yeah, later. I thought you wanted to talk to me.” He kicked off from the door frame to spin around and enter his room. I walked in behind him. He was in the corner.
“I uh…” He stopped then went to pull the door closed. He glanced over at me from under the flop of hair. God I couldn’t take this. I slammed him against the wall, my lips finding his all to willing. This was insane right? We were nuclear at best together.
“Eren?” a voice called from outside. It wasn’t Armin so I ignored it. Lifting Levi up into my arms I began to explore his body. That was when the fire alarm sound.
“Fucking shit!” Levi yelled. I laughed but set him back down. I was out the door without a word as I met Armin at his door. His blue empty eyes darted around.
“I’m here.” I whispered taking his hand. I watched his shoulders relax. A smile touched my lips. We walked together down the stairs. Following the flow of bodies, we went out to the courtyard.
“Eren?” the same voice called. What the hell? It was only now that I recognized it.
“Mikasa? This is a boy’s school, what are you doing here?” Armin asked. She laughed.
“Can’t a girl come break her brother out for a night?” she teased. Her eyes taking in my lack of clothing. “It’s not even eight why are you half naked?” She demanded.
“Well, there’s this thing called a shower! I had just gotten out of it when the alarm rang.” I hissed at her.
“Mikasa Ackerman, please explain what you are doing here?” one of the teachers came strolling up to her.
“Sir!” she did a stupid salute thing. It looked more like she was trying to punch them. “Our grandmother fell down the stairs. My parents are with her at the hospital. I just came to tell my brother that, sir!” she half shouted. I rolled my eyes. Both sets of our grandparents were long gone.
“You're telling me you had nothing to do with the alarm?” the teacher inquired.
“No sir!” she did the salute again. I could tell the teacher was seeing through her bullshit.
“Get off my campus, Ackerman!” Mr. Pixus demanded.
“Yes sir. Sorry for the…”
“Is that a girl. Holy shit Yeager you didn’t tell us your sister was so hot.” I sighed.
“Mikasa…” I warned. Yup I was too late. She punched the kid in the face. I squeezed the bridge of my nose. That headache was coming back.
“Go, just get out of here.” I hissed at her. She smiled did a little bow.
“Sure, brother dear. I will see you on visiting weekend.” With that she sashayed her ass away.
“She'll never change.” Armin giggled beside me. I snorted.
“Maybe you can take her on as your sister?” I offered.
“Oh no, I’m too delicate for that!” We laughed. I saw Levi glaring at me from across the square. Suddenly the alarm quieted. We were allowed back in. After I took Armin to his room, I saw Levi.
He looked right at me and deliberately shut his bedroom door. Got the point. Leave him alone. I went back to my room to flop on my bed.
“You going to take care…” Connie began.
“Later, just shut up!”  I whispered covering my head with the pillow. I fell asleep. Tomorrow wasn’t looking any better.