Experimenting With Miracles // ERERI

Chapter 17

The days of the following week were a bit more relaxed. Eren’s fever had finally broken and receded, much to everyone’s relief. He still had migraines, and sometimes food came right back up, but he was better.

Levi was also getting better, his ribs had almost finished mending. His shoulder was still wrapped in a bundle of bandages, though Hanji said it was mainly a precaution before they began trying to rehabilitate his muscles.

Meanwhile she remained mystified as to why he was healing so quickly. The stubborn Corporal finally grew tired of her questioning and snapped at her. She decided it must be because, despite having been injured, Levi was listening to her suggestions as to how to recover quickly.

Eren stirred to the sound of a knock at the door. He yawned and opened his eyes blearily, noting that Levi had risen from his desk and gone to answer it.

“Hello sir, is Eren awake?”

He grinned from the bed, “Yeah I’m awake!”

Levi glanced over at him and rolled his eyes, “Come in then, Arlert.”

The blonde smiled graciously, “Sorry to disturb, I just wanted to give Eren something.” He offered a small wave as his gaze landed on his friend, “Hey Eren!”

"Armin,” he returned warmly, shifting himself into a sitting position. “So, what brings you to our humble abode?”

Off to the side, Levi scoffed and attempted to get back to work.

“This actually,” the other said, presenting a bag.

Instantly Eren’s eyes were upon it, curiosity visible on his face, “Okay… and what is this ?”

The blonde rubbed the back of his head shyly, “Well… it’s just something I got from an elderly man while on a supply run. I’ve been meaning to give it to you for awhile now.”

“You shouldn’t have gotten me anything else,” his friend whined, “the party and baby things were enough Armin.”

Armin shrugged, “I didn’t have to pay for it, he just gave it to me. Now come on, it’ll help you pass time since you’re on bedrest.”

Eren looked defeated but amused as he reached for the bag with a mutter of, “Fine then.” He pulled out a rather hefty wrapped package and settled it on his lap delicately. He sucked in a breath suddenly and then laughed, patting his stomach softly.

“This kid has your legs, Levi,” he breathed as he began opening the gift.

A rather prideful smirk was the only response he got.

The brunette paused in shock when he finally had the package open. In his lap lay an old and weathered book… but not just any book. He looked imploringly to his best friend, eyes tearing up a bit, “A-Armin.. Is this really-?” He cut himself off, a lump forming in his throat.

Those bright blue eyes twinkled happily, “Yes. I couldn’t believe it myself….but, it’s the same one.”

He ran his hands over the worn cover, tears beginning to trickle down his cheeks. He pulled back the cover and began turning through the pages wordlessly. Memories of sitting on the riverbank and reading through those very pages with Armin stirred from the back of his mind. Back when Shiganshina was home, back when everything had seemed fine.

Eren let out a wet laugh as the dear and familiar sketches of the outside world lay themselves out before him. “I c-can’t believe it,” he wept.

He pushed the book to the side gently and brought his friend in for a tight embrace. “Thank you A-Armin,” he cried softly, “thank you so much.”