Memories

Chapter 3

Summer 1929
The wind hits their faces as they ride their bikes. The sun is at its zenith as they bike up the mountain. Armin and Eren race to see who is the fastest.

"I won," said Eren when they arrived at the top of the mountain.

"Shut up, Eren. Next time I will win, just wait."

"Armin, we have known each other for more than 10 years. The only thing you do better than me is studying," affirmed Eren, giving Armin a light punch on his arm.

They put the blue and white picnic towel on the ground and lay on it.

"Eren... did you know that shooting stars are not stars?" started Armin, and Eren turned over to look at him. "They are meteors, rocks that come from space and are attracted by Earth's gravity. When they fall into Earth's atmosphere, there is violent friction with the air, causing them to heat up to thousands of degrees and producing their amazing glow."

"Oh my god, Armin, you are such a nerd."

Eren looked down and saw that his hand and Armin's were close.

He wanted to touch him.

He wanted to touch him a lot.

The only thing going through his mind was Armin's soft skin on his.

Eren wondered if Armin felt like he did.

Would Armin hate him if he knew?

"Eren..." whispered Armin, bringing Eren back to earth. "Can I touch your hand?"
Eren's heart skipped a beat.

Eren touched Armin's hand, first the pinkies. The blond's hand was cold, whereas Eren's were hot. They held hands and lay there.

"Armin, did you know that no hero from ancient Greece was ever happy?" said Eren.

"Since when have you been interested in Greek mythology, Yeager?" asked Armin, giving a small laugh.

"Since you left your Greek mythology book in my room before you left for your trip. I had to find something to distract me from the fact that I missed you," Eren said, laughing. "By the way, you still haven't told me what happened on the trip."

"Ahhh, that..." Armin let go of Eren's hand. "Well, I am not sure if you will want to continue being my friend after this."

"Armin, we have been friends our whole lives. There is nothing you can do that will make me stop being your friend."

"Uhm, well... I kissed a boy on the trip," said Armin, and Eren's face was pure shock, "and I think I liked it."

Eren had never kissed anyone. Ever. There weren't any girls who were interested in him and he did not really have had interest in anyone either. His life was going to school, hanging out with Armin, and coming back home. And he liked that routine.

"Uhm, well, now you are one step ahead of me. Damn, Armin, we were supposed to have our first kiss at the same time so we would be equals," he said, acting as if he were angry.

"Eren, you've never kissed because you don't want to. Everyone knows that Historia has a fat crush on you," said Armin, laughing.

"Armin, do not remind me of that crazy girl, please. Her name gives me chills."
"I think we should do an experiment."

"I think I know what you will say, and the answer is no," Eren said, laughing.

"You are my best friend, right?"

"Yes, but I am starting to regret that."

"Let's try it."

"No."