As Time Goes By(Riren)

Chapter Six: An Invite

       The silence was still thick, and Eren began to wonder why the guy still had this death grip on him. They both stared intently at Eren, and he soon felt his face flush slightly. Eren tugged on his arm lightly, wondering if the man had at least loosened his grip, but it didn't seem that way. Moreover it seemed it had tightened. Eren held in a whimper and looked back up.

"Eren, umm, your royal highness'."

Eren didn't smile, nor did he shake the prince's hand back. That was humiliating. He didn't like these two, they didn't like him too. He had to hold in the side that just wanted to pull his arm away, yell at the to leave him alone and leave. So instead, Eren stared at the ground, tugging his arm lightly and trying to ignore the heated stares on him. Suddenly the door opened and in came a flushed Armin.

"Eren!"

"Armin?"
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After the whole insistent, the boys were left in the lounge. Sitting close together, both shaken by the events earlier.

"I'm sorry Eren, I didn't-"

"No, it's ok Armin, I should've listened to your explanation instead of running away. Forgive me?"

Armin laughed and soon Eren joined in.

"Fine, but only if you take me out to that really good coffee shop."

Eren nodded in agreement, just as the door opened again. In walked the Ackermans, with food and drinks.
They handed the two boys a drink and a bag of chips.

"We'd like to see you guys this weekends."

Armin turned to Mikasa and smiled.
"I'd love to go with you guys, it'll be nice."
"Love to go with you guys?", Eren thought. Armin must've gone insane by now then, unless he actually found Mikasa nice enough. Well, Armin has always been friendly with people but.

Eren turned slightly to Armin, hoping he wasn't really gonna give away their weekend. Was he that afraid of them?
Mikasa nodded at his answer, then turned to Eren.

"And you? Will you join us?"

Eren stared past her, refusing to look at the two hard looks the twins were giving him. Finally he faced Mikasa.

"Sorry, I have things to do, I don't have time to "hang out". Thank you though, really."

Eren forced a smile and looked down at his watch. He was gonna be late if he didn't leave now for the hospital. He turned to Armin and pointed at his watch, Armin nodded and turned back to the two Ackermans.

"Speaking of which, I have to leave now, but Armin will keep you company. Bye!"

He raced out of the room, down the street, to his apartment, got changed and then rushed off to the hospital, hoping he would make it on time.

Once he got there, Thomas turned to him and shook his head. Eren looked at the clock, realizing he was late and went to rush up to his room, when Thomas stopped him.
"Thomas you know I'm late, what is it?"
Thomas laughed at Eren's red face, pointing down the hall.
"Today the patients were taken for a walk in the national park, you'll be watching the kids on the third floor, better hurry."

Thomas laughed as Eren rushed off. He knew he was late and worse, he was late for the kids! If it was patients it might have been a little better, but- no it still would have been worse. Now he has to work later. Man I really do despise those Ackermans.

But on the bright side, he gets to hang out with kids! Nice, carefreee, smart and sweet kids. They loved him and he loved them. Now, he thought as he opened the door, what should we do today? The kids jumped up and ran to the german man, hugging him and trying to drag him into a circle of toys to play, he laughed and joined quickly.
The day was going smoothly, he happily thought.

After he put the kids to bed, each getting a kiss on the cheek from him, he went to the top floor. He had worked the hour he had missed, and now it was eleven o'clock. But there was one more stop for him.

He opened the farthest door, a room his mother lay in. Her head rested on the pillow, quiet snores filled the room and he couldn't help but smile. Her head was bald but Eren never found her less beautiful. He closed the door quietly and tried to water the flowers he brought in a week ago quietly, but that didn't work out.

Slowly, her eyes began to open, and a yawn found its way into her throat. As she blinked, she turned to where she heard the noise. Once seeing the boy, she smiled. Eren never found anything more gorgeous.

"Eren, why are you here so late?"

Eren smiled and pulled a chair over, sitting beside her, while grasping one of her hands.

"I wanted to see you that's all."

She squeezed his hand, slightly smirking at him.
"And why is that?"
Eren laughed and squinted his eyes.
"Because I love you of course."

Carla smiled and squeezed her eyes shut as an angelic laugh filled the room, replacing the silence. They sat and spoke of Carla's dreams, one was of when they were younger and Eren had ran around with out a diaper and all her friends laughed as she chased him, which Eren laughed embarrassingly at.
Carla kept bringing up the past, before anything serious happen and then soon Eren brought in stories of after she was diagnosed with cancer. When they would travel to many places before she couldn't anymore. How they lived each day to its fullest, until they returned, and they sat in the room each evening, everyday and waited for a new notice. Hoping and praying for a change. Carla smiled sadly, but never cried. She squeezed her son's hand and they both sighed. Lost in the memories of happier times.
Though, once again her eyes began to close and Eren realized how late it was. He readjusted the pillows and placed her gently on them. He kissed her cheek and put the chair back.
"I love you Eren."

Eren turned back from the door, smiling at her.
"I love you more Mom."
And with that he left, leaving a smile on both of there faces.
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Armin stared after his friend who had just ran out the door. He tried not to flinch as he heard his prince groan.

Mikasa sat next to him and patted beside her, wanting Levi to join. He glared but sat beside her none the less.

"So what would we be doing this weekend?"

Mikasa looked over to her brother who shrugged. She turned back to Armin.

"Anything you want, do you know if you could convince, Eren was it? To come too? Levi really wants to speak to him."

Armin smiled awkwardly, and looked at the ground. Mikasa was nice and he honestly liked her as a friend, but he knew Eren never really liked being forced to spend time with people who he didn't like, nor know. He debated what he should do, he could try, but Eren would probably still disagree, he had a great excuse too! Work. Always work. Armin sighed and looked at Mikasa.

This was the best for Eren.

"I'll make sure he comes."

Mikasa smiled and Levi slightly looked up. "That's great, I can't wait for this weekend, right brother?"

He looked down and then back up.

"Yeah, looking forward to it."

Sorry for the short chapter, I was wondering if I should add Eren's backstory into this. If so, the plot might change, if not it will stay how it is. Though, I wanted to ask your opinion in the end, for I'm not quite sure what I want to do.