Eren Jaeger x Reader- Cut My Strings For You

AU

Eren arose with the sun on a day most spectacularly bright and warm. It correlated well with the middle of spring, for flowers opened greatly for their incoming energy source. For a few moments, he made believe that the star only rose for him as if to assure him something wonderful for today. But he knew it was harmful to pretend for too long.

After dressing and freshening up he made his way to the kitchen to fix a quick breakfast before leaving. Unfortunately, the refrigerator door was abruptly shut as he opened it. He turned to his side and found his aunt with her hand on the door.

"Not happening, punk. On a budget this week."

"We've been on budget weeks got three straight months now-"

He fell to the grimy floor, and even before he landed be tasted the blood in his mouth. He knew better than to get up or to even think about striking back. Instead he briskly left the house, ignoring her jabs at his character.  The door slammed behind him due to his displacement one last time, for it fell from the rusty hinges. It looked appropriate with the exterior (and interior) squalor.

He decided to try to see if longtime friends Mikasa or Armin were busy, and more, see if he could crash at any of their places for the night later on. Worse comes to worse he was no stranger to sleeping in playgrounds, or even forsaking slumber. He had to cross the city to get to where they lived, and he dreaded the walk. Only more people to give him nasty looks. It's not as if they ever bothered to wonder why he was sporadically busted and bruised; they were complacent in silently judging him. His hunger pangs grew painful, so he stopped at a fruit stand. The farmer had an apple bushel. Only wanting to purchase one, he was terribly disappointed when he found he didn't even have enough money for a single piece of fruit. Angrily he walked away.

"Can I help you?" He warmly asked the next customer.

"Yes please, may I get six?"

He gladly bagged her produce while she kept an eye on the boy who was just in front of her. After paying she darted over, ending up right behind him. She was unsure of how to approach him, but she tapped on his shoulder when they were isolated from others, being on the beginning of a dirt road. As he turned she held an apple to him. He stared at her, rather confused.

"Take it," she said, "I have plenty."

"Um... No." He said awkwardly. She frowned.

"And why not? I know you wanted one before when you were in line, I was behind you."

"Look, I'm no charity case, so don't treat me like one. And why the hell are you following me?"

"I'm not treating you like a charity case, I'm treating you like a human being. Is that, and the concept of thank you foreign?"

"What makes you think I can trust your food?! You could have laced them with something!"

"I wished I laced them with Prozac because God you are depressing!"

"Just go away!"

"An apple a day keeps anyone away, you know."

Eren was quite taken aback. He was certain his rude behavior would have warded her off instantly, but instead she insisted again he take the fruit. Only to quiet her, he took it and began eating. He couldn't externalize the gratitude both he and his stomach felt. She smiled at him, watching him eat, and he quickly became uncomfortable.

"What are you looking at?"

"Your face. It's so handsome, who hurt it?"

He must have bruised his cheek from the incident earlier that morning. He lightly grazed the injury and it stung, causing an inaudible groan.