(DISCONTINUED) Fucked Up {An Ereri AU}

10

Author's Note: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ARMIN! ❤

Armin stared at Eren, being sure he had fallen asleep before he had left. Eren was oddly still, which slightly creeped Armin out. Eren always stirred about in his sleep, especially since they had left their old group. Nightmares, most likely, but he never spoke of what they were about to anyone. Though, Armin was sure he had told Levi. They had been oddly close, and the way Eren looked at Levi and Levi looked back made Armin think suspiciously of their "friendship." He never acknowledged it though, afraid he would lose his tongue from Levi's blade.

He wasn't quite sure Eren was still alive, and the mere thought of losing his best friend hurt him. His chest seemed to hurt for a second, but he realized Eren was most certainly alive, as his chest moved up and down.

Armin left the room, debating whether or not he should do it. Debating staying in his room, and falling asleep. But he had to know. He couldn't allow his theory to go unknown, collecting dust in the back of his mind. So, he tip-toed down the steps hesitantly.

He neared closer and closer to the room Levi and Hanji had once been in. He couldn't hear anything through the door, so he wondered if they were asleep, but he doubted it. The pain they had endured may keep them up.

He took the keys from the nearby hook. They faintly jingled as he inserted one into the keyhole in the door, then another, and another, until he found the right key. He turned it, hearing the soft click of it as the door unlocked, allowing him passage inside the room.

He opened the door, closing it behind him. He looked up, realising Reiner and Bertholt were staring at him. They were indeed not sleeping. His heart sped up, he felt horrrified. The glares they were giving him as they sat in the dark made him shudder.

"Reiner." Armin stated as calmly as possible. "Bertholt."

"Hello." Reiner spat back. "Wanna untie us?" He asked with a soft chuckle.

"They really must've scrambled your brains in here," Armin smiled, suddenly realising something had clicked in his mind. He wasn't as nervous anymore, now remembering they were tied up and could do nothing. "Because you are insane if you think I am letting you go." Armin walked closer to them.

"Why would they let you come in here to torture us? A skinny little kid?" Reiner grinned with pleasure, despite Armin attempting to show no reaction. He wasn't here to be taunted or played with like a rag doll. He knealed down in front of Reiner, staring into his eyes, which proved difficult for him to do. He was frightened, partially by Reiner. But he had to look into his eyes, to assert some sort of dominanace.

"Why would they allow someone like you back in?" Armin questioned, his voice firm and stern, yet slightly hushed. He didn't want to wake anyone and be found. He thought he heard stirring around upstairs, but ignored it. He had to remain calm, and panicking about unknown noises from the floor above them, acting like a scared child, would do him no good.

He could hear the creaking of steps, someone was coming, but he did not budge. He did not move. As he heard the footsteps get closer, he ignored them. He did not move a single muscle. "We passed the test proving we were capable of living here."

"How would you pass a sanity test?" Armin questioned.

"You've met Annie, right?" Reiner chuckled. Bertholt acted unfazed, wincing every few seconds as he moved a finger. Some of his nails were ripped off. Two, on each hand, to be exact. "She must not be very good at her job. Combat, yeah. Tests? No."

Armin smiled, which left Bertholt and Reiner confused and worried. "Thank you." He mumbled to Reiner, standing up and turning around, nearing the door. He heard the faint shutting of the front door. What was that? He thought, worry flooding his system. He brushed it off. Stay calm.