Solitude where we are least alone

Part seven: Stay With Me

"Eren?" Annie called, bringing him out of his reminiscing state.  "Are you ok?  You have a weird look on your face."  Eren had a sort of glint in his eye that showed him remembering something from the past and a focused look on his face.

"Yeah." Eren said. "I was just thinking about our days in the cadets and how you fought me hand to hand combat for all that time."

Annie laughed. "It really worked against me in the end, huh?"  She said referring to how Eren nearly killed her in Stohess after she lost her fight.

Eren turned serious.  "Annie... I'm so sorry."

Annie was oblivious as to what he was apologizing for. "What are you talking about?"

"I can't believe that it even crossed my mind that I wanted to hurt you let alone kill you.  Even if you changed your mind and decided to continue your mission, I'm not sure I would have it in me."

"Eren, I promise you that won't happen.  Look at me."

Eren looked up just like Annie instructed.

"I don't want to ever hurt you again either." Annie said with remorse.

They were now only inches apart.  Eren felt his heart flutter and Annie felt the same.  They both began to lean in and- "OI, why don't you two kids get a room?"the store manager yelled bringing the two back to reality.  They both turned tomato red at the thought of what just happened and Eren went up to pay for the clothes that Annie decided she wanted and apologized for the disruption.

As they left the store, Eren heard his stomach growl realizing that it was already 1:30.  "Guess I'm hungry." He said. "Want to stop at that restaurant?"

"Sure!" Annie said trying to hide a laugh but failing miserably.

"Shut up!" Eren said jokingly.

"Is Ewen hungy?" Annie teased.  Just then, her stomach let out a growl too.

"Does Annie need a snicky snack too?" Eren countered.

They decided on a Italian style place (even though there is no Italy in AOT).  They got a pepperoni pizza and Annie got a root beer.

They got the drinks and Annie took a sip. "Mmmmmmm!  I love root beer!" She chimed.

Eren laughed at how excited she was over a simple drink and thought it was cute how hard ass Annie even had a laid back, unguarded side.  But why would she show it to me? Eren thought to himself.  Just then, they got the pizza and Eren dropped the thought.
They finished their shopping for the day and at the end, Eren stopped at a bakery to get Connie and Sasha their pastries. After that, they decided it was a good time to head back to Annie's house.

When they got back it was already 7 PM.  "I better get going or else I'll get questioned as to where I was." Eren said knowing he was not the best liar.

Annie had just gotten out of the shower and walked into the room. "Eren? She said.

He looked up to see one of the most glorious things he had seen in his life.  Because standing in front of him was Annie wearing just his t-shirt that went down to her mid-thighs and her wet hair out of her signature bun hanging just below her shoulders.  "Huh?" Eren asked noticeably stunned.

"Can you stay here with me tonight?"