𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝙴𝙹𝙰♡︎

Chapter 17: Three-Person Show

"Jean?"

The man's eyes turn wide. Unsure of how to use his body in this astounding moment, he finds himself taking a step back. A million thoughts scurry through his mind right now as the figure of his lover sits sprawled on another man's bed. This is the last thing he expected and the last thing he wants.

Jean whispers, "what...?"

Confused, the blonde stands up from the mattress. He gives Jean a decisive glare, picking apart this situation with a stern eyebrow raise. "What are you doing here?"

Seeing Armin up close now makes him gulp with worry. "I..." Yet even so, his mind roars to find an explanation for all of this.

The memory of the phone-call brushes over his mind and body for a second. It was all an ego-match. His eyes pop with life suddenly.

"Eren," his teeth grit with anger. "I can't fucking believe he'd..."

"What? What did he do?"

Jean stares at him soberly. There's almost anguish he obtains when being forced to lie to those wide pupils. While considering his next actions, he finds himself lost in their beauty- swimming in an ocean of bright blue.

"Jean," repeats Armin.

He sighs with defeat, "I'm sorry, man, this wasn't meant to happen. I'll explain everything tomorrow, okay?"

"What?" He watches him turn away and exclaims, "wait, Jean!"

Right as he goes to the door, Eren swings it open. Its action comes at just the right time for them to make very close contact. Barely a metre from each other, they share the same astounded gazes of two men entangled in a clusterfuck of a situation.

"Jean..." he breathes, eyes full of horror. This expression doesn't last long before turning into viscous anger. "What the fuck are you doing here? Get out, get out-!"

"Yeah, what is he doing here?" Armin butts in.

Jean steps aside, allowing the couple to make eye-contact. The air is tense. From just a glance at that blonde's vicious expression, that much is clear. He wants answers.

Eren fakes calmness in his tone, "it was a little misunderstanding. Don't worry, baby, I..." his gaze locks onto the switch near him, showing him a furious expression, "I don't know why he'd show up here."

This almost feels like he's blaming Jean. Did he completely forget about their arrangement? He lowers his eyebrows, responding in a hushed whisper, "you invited me."

He grits his teeth, whispering back, "shut the fuck up!"

As much as they want to keep their argument quiet, Armin isn't stupid. He crosses his arms over his chest, watching the two bicker with a sullen expression.

"In your bedroom?" he repeats dryly. "He accidentally appeared in your bedroom?"

Eren shoves Jean out of the way so he can speak to his boyfriend directly, "yes. Yes, it was all an accident!"

"Okay, asshole, we've been found out," Jean sighs. "You're getting embarrassing." He looks at Armin and remarks dully, "if it helps, I didn't know you'd be here too."

Armin's brows start to rise. This suggestion... it should make more sense, should rationalise what's been going on these past few months. But instead, it only raises more questions.

"Hold on," he asks with a shaken tone. "Are you trying to say that you...?"

"More than once," Jean's eyes dart up, meeting Eren's. "Regretfully."