Crack of Sunlight (Ereri/Riren)

•~Chapter Twelve~•

Eren stared at himself in the mirror, unblinking. There was no way this wasn't too much. It really wasn't a lot, but probably too much for a first date, especially for someone who was going on a first date with a person he was already with.

"I think you went overboard," he said quietly, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt.

Sasha's hands batted his away. "Nonsense," she said. "It's not too much but it's not too little."

He sighed as Christa piped up, "I think you look great."

"Thank you, Christa," said Sasha.

Eren shook his head at himself. He'd only let the girls help him because they wouldn't stop begging, and once half an hour passed he couldn't take it anymore and broke down. Presently, he stood in front of the long bathroom mirror behind the door at home wearing what was practically a tux shirt, sleeves rolled to the elbows, and faded skinny jeans. He'd managed to talk Sasha out of doing his hair and was counting on his mom to hide at least a change of a shirt on the front seat of his car.

"Come on, guys, it's not like I'm getting married or something." He rolled his eyes.

"No, but this is your first date since high school."

"What does that have to do with anything?" he mumbled. Technically it was his first date ever. High school...that...didn't really count. For anything.

"Stop being a grump or you'll ruin the night. Come on, let's go downstairs."

The girls practically dragged him down the stairs by his ears. In the living room, Mikasa lounged on the couch watching TV and his mother waited with Sasha's phone.

"Are you serious?" he grumbled as she stood and snapped a picture. "You guys are seriously taking this out of proportion."

"We're serious," said Sasha and Christa in unison. Sasha took the phone and tapped the front camera icon to snap a picture of all three of them. And then several more until Eren ducked under her hand and out of the way.

"Okay, enough, enough," he grumbled.

At that moment, Sasha's phone chimed with a text message. "It's Connie, gotta go! Have fun, lover boy!" she blew him a kiss and herded Christa out the front door.

"Girls are freaking crazy," he mumbled.

Carla chuckled. "Good thing you're not going out with one then, huh?" She enfolded him in a hug. "I left the shirt on the front seat of your car as promised," she said. "Even I think this is a little too much for a first date." She tugged at his sleeve and smiled. "Even though I think you look so handsome." She reached up and ruffled his hair, earning a wild blush.

"Stop, Mom," he complained.

"Are you nervous?"

"Yes..."

"Don't be. You'll have fun."

"So you're not gonna give me one of those mom speeches about how your little boy is 'all grown up' and stuff?" he joked.

"You are grown up, but I already knew that." She winked and kissed his cheek. "Should I be expecting you home tonight?"

"Probably not. It's just, um...things are harder for Levi when he's alone, y'know..."

"You don't have to explain anything to me, dear. I know. Now go before you're late, and have fun."

"Thanks, Ma. Love you." He kissed her cheek and headed for the door. "Bye, 'Kasa!"