𝐄𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐎𝐟 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 | 𝙴𝙹𝙰♡︎

Chapter 20: Epilogue

"So, is everything going to plan?"

Her voice leaks from the device into the entire room, pouring the words into those four, compact walls. Through the shared kitchen with its pots and pans out and about, the hamper lobbed on the ground, and the collections of clothes in two distinct sizes. Ricocheting off the floorboards and whipping through the ceiling fans, each syllable leaves the man in silence.

There's no plan to love, he reminds himself. Planning it removes its passion. What plan could be made? His heart chose its direction.

Whether it chose right is still up for debate.

Eren smiles, as if at ease, "that's right."

Mikasa asks slowly, "and he's...?"

He turns his head slightly, looking over at the blonde's figure. His back is facing him as he is focused on their window sill. It's become Armin's most visited spot in the apartment. The glass is barely reflective, mainly showing the performance beyond it- a street with chatting individuals.

Even as he hears Eren on the phone call, stating his name, he doesn't turn around.

"Armin's alright. I think." Then it becomes softer. "It's been different since the move."

"Sorry to hear it."

Truthfully, Armin can't tear himself away from this window pane. Something about it just draws him in. It's a spell that others would shrug off, or even dislike, because they can't enjoy what first meets their eyes. But there's freedom in escapism- in a sight, in a possibility- at a distance.

An acquired view.

A few minutes pass before the sound of a ended phone call plays. Eren places the device down on his kitchen table, eyes travelling over the furniture. Everything is new, even down to the wooden surfaces. His gaze shifts up, meeting the blonde's back yet again. It's a wistful sight that seems to make his knuckles clench. Why a person would spend their time looking away, staring at everything they don't own, is beyond him.

He considers these thoughts as he steps towards Armin- the subject not flinching, even as he hears his boyfriend stamp his feet forward. Eren brings two arms around his waist and squeezes, pulling the man closer to him. It's a movement forceful enough to make Armin give up his stare.

Turning his head back, he mutters, "hey."

"There are other things here than the window."

"I know."

Eren asks though he fears the answer, "why do you like it here so much?"

"It's just..."

As Armin stares off into the vast distance, surveying the groups of people as they shift back and back, he feels a pang hit his chest. Something sharp.

"Let's stick together. This place can be rough at night."

"A cool view?"

He forces a smile, nodding like a reward. "Yes."

He forces a smile in return. "I see." A reward for a reward, tit for tat. "I always knew you'd like a place in the city."

"Yeah."

Silence falls between them with that very last line, choked out by the blonde painfully. After it's all said and done, he shuts his eyes. One slow sigh falls from his lips.

Even after two years, the memories don't stop.

As he gazes back out at this view, Armin's mind returns to the day he went back to work. One week after it all started to shatter.