Cosplay Husband

17. Happiness at a Funeral

EREN: My mom's funeral took place the following weekend, but for me it lasted nearly all week.

As a result my grades were slipping more than usual, despite calling my professors telling them of my absence.

The Saturday was the actual funeral. I paced in the hall of the funeral home, greeting family members I hadn't seen since last Christmas and even longer than that.

Armin finally appeared with a bouquet of lilies, and my heart thudded. On top of thinking about what life would be like without my mom, I had been thinking about what my life would be like with Armin.

"Hey," he smiled faintly.

"Hey," I nodded.

"These are from my grandpa and me," he handed me the flowers.

"Thanks," I held them awkwardly, trying not to drop them.

He followed me into the room where my mother's embalmed body rested in a casket.

"She looks peaceful," Armin said.

"Yeah...at least she wasn't really mad at me about Mikasa." I shrugged.

At 10:00 a.m. we sat down for the service. I kind of glazed over the service, continuing to wonder what I'd tell Armin. I hadn't really spoken to him all week, and I couldn't leave him without a response to his confession.

I glanced over at him in his suit, and my heart did a skip. It was nice of him to come to the funeral...

When the service was over, I got into my car with Armin in the shotgun seat. We rode silently back to my house.

We picked up conversation when we entered my house.

Mikasa was in the kitchen, chatting with Dad. My black eye was healing and was now yellow, but it throbbed once Dad glared at me. I was sure he was going to blame me for Mom's death since I stressed her out at dinner the previous day.

I found this as an opportunity to talk to Armin. He was trying to make conversation with one of my aunts. I strode past him and grabbed his arm.

"Wh-what are you doing?" He stammered.

I didn't answer. I dragged Armin away from everyone and to my bedroom. He sat on the bed, and I sat next to him.

"Armin...I've been thinking about what you said last week, and..." My hands fidgeted as I struggled to find my words.

"What is it?" He asked softly.

"Armin...I really like you, too. I've decided that now. I really like you, like as more than a friend." I announced.

It seemed like an eternity until he answered.

"I...I'm glad to hear that," He smiled, tears pooling and dripping down his face.

"Will you go out with me?" I added. He nodded.

I grabbed his shoulders and pursed my lips. Then, I planted my lips on his. Armin wrapped his arms around my neck and I pulled him closer by the waist.

I closed my eyes, savoring this. It felt strange to find happiness at a funeral, but it didn't seem impossible.

When we broke away, we gazed into each other's eyes, and for a moment I thought I saw a shadow in my vision near the door, but I decided it was just an illusion.