What Started Out as a Crack Ship, Turned into a Romance

"It's Just a Game."

After Eren quickly hid the bottle they all laughed, trying to loosen up from the tense game of truth or dare. The three casually talked until it was after midnight and they all went to sleep, not wanting to face the wrath of Eren's mother. As always, Armin was the first to wake up and after dressing he cooked breakfast for the three of them. Mikasa awoke to the smell and went to the kitchen. When he saw her walk in, he greeted her with a smile. "Good morning Mikasa. Did you sleep well?"

"I did." she nodded.

"I'm glad."

After she sat he put a plate of eggs, bacon, and toast in front of her before looking in the direction of their room. "Is Eren going to come back from the dead any time soon?"

"Hell if I know."

He nodded and went to bedroom to wake up Eren. She started to eat while she waited, watching Armin leave. He reached the room and turned on the light before going over and shaking Eren. "Time to wake up Eren."

He got a groan in response.

"Wake up Eren."

This time he didn't get a respone.

"Don't make me tell you again." He yanked the covers off of Eren.

Hearing this Mikasa shook her head. "GET UP!" Mikasa yelled from the kitchen.

"Yes ma'am!" Eren immediately sat up and Mikasa smirked before going back to eating. Armin walked out of the room and set down plates for him and Eren before sitting and eating his own breakfast, not noticing how hungry he really was. Mikasa had just finished her's when they came down and Eren proceeded to stuff the food down his gullet while Armin ate cleanly. "The two of you..." Mikasa sighed and the two looked up at her questionably. "Pitiful."

They both pout. "Eren is the messy one . . ." Armin stated when he finished and cleaned his dishes.

"You two are both too much of what a human should be."

"What do you mean?" Armin asked.

"Never mind."

They nod and Eren cleans his dishes as well before they grabbed their things headed to school with Mikasa staying in the back. When they reached the school they went their seperate ways. Armin tried to shrink into the crowd, not wanting to be spotted by the bullies. However, he ends up being cornered  by them anyway and he hugs his books close. "Please leave me alone . . ."

They laugh in response and start beating him up, sure not to leave anything on his face, learning from past events. Mikasa headed up to the bullies, crossing her arms at the sight. "Alright, break it up, back up."

The moment they see her they back up and run. Armin hugs his stomach and slides to the ground. He learned how to contain pain a long time ago. "Why me . . . This is why he'll never love me . . ."

She went and knelt by him "Don't be so quick to say that."

"But I'm weak . . ." He sniffles a bit, looking at his scattered books.

She helped him pick up his books. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"He would probably want someone strong . . ."

"Why?"

He took the books from her and stood, trying to hide a slight wince. "Because he's strong himself . . . He wouldn't want someone who is constantly beaten up . . ." He looks down when the bell rings, signalling that there were 5 more minutes until class started.

"Strong and strong fight, strong and weak work together." She sighed, "I should go."

He nodded. "See you at lunch." He gave a soft smile before heading to his science class.

She headed off on her own and Armin walked into the class before sitting in his spot and waiting for the class to start. Students loudly talked around him while he stayed quiet due to being ignored anyway. Levi entered the class room, nonchalantly taking his seat. Right as the bell rung the teacher took attendance and the proceeded to explain the partner lab they were supposed to do. Armin sat there and watched as everyone chose their partners, sitting there alone, waiting to be left alone like many times in the past. Once the room was mostly paired up, Levi looked around the room only to see that there were four people left, including both him and Armin. He silently stood and went to sit beside Armin, hating the other two. Armin, looked up, surprised to see him sit next to him but also blushing a bit due to nervousness and the fact that his crush was right there. "The other two are awful. You don't mind if I work with you, do you?"

"N-not at all . . . I normally do all the work anyway." He mumbles the last part.

"I'm used to the same situation."

"Really? I expected you to be the one to slack off." He giggles a bit, honestly a bit surprised.

"I do seem like that I suppose. There is no point in slacking."

Armin nods, "There is no benefit."

"Exactly." Levi split the papers, handing one to Armin, "If you research this, I can focus on these."

Armin nods happily and pulls out a pair of reading glasses. He put them on before flipping through the book and begining to work. "That's a good look for you." Levi said quietly as he continued his research.

"Hm?" Armin looks up at Levi, moving the glasses down his nose so he can look over the rims to not get dizzy.

"The glasses. Normally they make someone look like a whimp but, they look good on you." he continued working.

"Thank you." Armin blushed a bit, happy at the comment. "Do you mind if I listen to music? It helps me focus."

"Go ahead. I'll probably do it myself."

Armin nodded and pulls out an iPod. He uncoiled the earbuds and put them in before turning on his music, which was loud enough for Levi to hear a heavy bass and drum line. Levi almost smiled, he didn't of course, but was tempted. It sounded quite a bit like his own music which he put in after him. Armin bobbed his head and lip sinced a few lines before getting the paper done by the end of class, like always.