The Time You Were Gone | Eremin Story

A happy memory

~Chapter 13 of part 2~

Summary
Eren is patient with Armin as he tries to teach him swim, but the cold surrounding them is too much for Armin and things take a quick turn

E

ren didn't wait a second more, he moved his feet quickly towards the coming and going water, behind him Armin tried to avoid the sand he was throwing on him with his feet.

Once their toes touched the water, Armin realized it was actually warm. He watched it for awhile before turning at Eren, who was taking his shirt off. He threw it on the sand, getting deeper into the water and not giving a single care about his pants getting soaked.

Armin laughed while running after him, feeling how the water was surrounding his lower body, getting higher and higher to his tights. He hurried to take the other boy's hand in his when it reached his stomach.

It'd be a miracle if they didn't get sick, honestly. But that wasn't a matter right now, in fact, nothing was. There were only two of them, the sea, the soft wet sand they felt through their toes and nothing else. Everything that mattered.

"Okay, try to lift your legs up in the water." Eren tried to encourage him, holding his hands in his. He couldn't comprehend why the boy in front of him was looking so cute, getting a little bit of hair in front of his face because of the slight breeze, flinching everytime a small wave passed, not even knowing what he was doing, but still trusting Eren. Even though it was obvious he was a little nervous. "Alright." Eren didn't let go of him. "Now move them like you are swimming."

The seagull on the beach continued to stare at them for a long time. It moved its head to the side, scanning their every move as it was actually interested. Then, suddenly it opened its large wings and jumped in the air, its jump actually transforming into flying, passing not much high above them.

"This is so stupid.." Armin blushed at how inexperienced he was, holding tightly onto Eren's hands for a salvation. As much as he didn't want to, the salty water was not just once now splashing through his face, even though he tried to avoid it. Right now he felt really uncomfortable, and the reminder they were alone did release some relief in him. He felt like he could sink every moment.

Eren chuckled softly. "You're doing good, babe." Armin only shook his head hastily, not even paying attention to the nickname. "Try to move your arms in synchronicity with your legs."

The grip between their hands suddenly became tighter. "There's no way you're letting go of me." The blonde commanded, but it sounded more like begging. Eren smiled.

"How are you then going to learn?"

"Are you sure that's the right way of teaching me?" Armin dodged the question with another question, and Eren gave him an 'I don't know, I've never been a swimming teacher before' look. "Eren, I know what we said earlier but.." His voice sounded hesistant now. "I'm not sure anymore.."

"If you're not ready, then that's okay." His boyfriend calmly answered. "It's important to be patient. I think some nerd said that once."

He helped Armin get on his legs again, still holding his hands and frowning at him. "I did."

"Isn't that what I just said?" His smile became more evilish, but not in a mocking way.

Suddenly, Armin felt his whole body tensig up. He pulled his hands closer to embrace himself, hoping that'd somehow help the sudden drop of temperature. The slight breeze had never felt so cold until now.

"Oh my god." He let out. "I'm freezing."

The water below then was warm, that was the reason why he thought outside of it was cold. Somehow, Eren, shirtless, didn't even leave a sign he might feel the same way. "Or maybe you're used to the constant hot weather in your hometown, that your body has fucked up." He laughed. "You don't even have an idea at what temperatures I've entered the water."