YEAGER.

Chapter 6: A Long Time Coming...

After meeting back up with Eren and convincing him that nothing was wrong, despite all you'd discovered, you proceeded to also tell him that you had to pick up some research books with Fernanda. He agreed, taking the opportunity to go to the dining hall to grab something, because he hadn't eaten and you didn't cook. He didn't protest it though, as your apartment had an energy that made him uncomfortable.

You threw some headphones in and sent Fernanda a text, letting her know that you were two minutes away, as the elevator had always been fairly close to the dorm room. Plus, there weren't too many in the library in the mornings. So you'd get what you need, and go to meet and discuss everything that's been bubbling up inside about him. Slipping through, you walked out the door and came down the elevator. There was a lot on your mind but no real time to bring it up now. And your mind couldn't even truly comprehend Armin's final words. Armin was upset with you, it seemed, prior to your last conversation.

--

"I didn't tell him, Armin.", you spoke quietly on the phone. You were in the bathroom, bathwater running. Emergency blunt in hand, you slowly began to dip in, but the water was too hot. You exhaled. Eren was asleep, but you didn't put it past him to overhear what could be said, so the water continued to rush to the brim.

"No matter what, huh?", he scoffed.

"It's more complicated then that Armin", you started, but nothing came out of your mouth to say.

"No, It isn't.", Armin responded, and you heard him shuffling papers in the background, putting them away. "You're  telling me that despite Eren cheating, lying, and being a manipulator, that you can't be the honest one? That we just keep him happy and you lie to his face?..."

"Look, we have a major plan of destruction we need to accomplish, and anything other than that only complicates and threatens our main goal. You know that, so I don't have to keep convincing you...and anyways...Mikasa and Eren slept together on our break. I slept with you, so what's the noise about? It only makes things more difficult.", you mutter brashly, grabbing a towel from the top cabinet, and your products from under the sink.

Armin hadn't responded for so long, you'd thought that he hung up. But you could hear his labored breathing, as he tried to find a response.

"You think it was just during your break, Y/N? Could  you really think it was just then? I mean, he didn't even see if you were in your dorm before he went to meet back up with her. You ever wonder why he didn't stay the night after the first time you slept together?"

"You just always find new facts to throw in Armin. At least he knew how to hurt me behind my back.", you accused, shakily, your breath hitching as you heard his words. 

"Mikasa's off somewhere laughing at you. Something about you gets to her and she doesn't like you,. It could be that you're the one Eren's willing to leave her behind for and she knows it, even if he can't commit to that fact in its entirety, yet."

So Eren had cheated on you? Why was Armin telling you this now? No, no, you couldn't linger on this. It didn't matter at the moment. You had to continue. But damn, it did hurt your heart just a little bit more.

"Your point, Armin? ", you asked, clearing your throat. "I'm not going to talk to him about it. And you don't have the courage to, as you've said before, so don't try to force me to. /This/ needs to rest. For good. If we can be friends I'd like that but if not-"