Let Go [Eruren/Riren]

Moving On

   It was a cold winter morning. Snow was able to be seen out of a foggy window, some ice on it glistened against the sun's rays. Kids can be seen making a snowman from across the street, parents watching over them to make sure they don't get hurt. All lawns were covered in fluffy snow.
   Eren was just making some hot chocolate for himself, stirring the hot liquid inside to melt the mini marshmellows and candy cane bits faster. He loved winter so much. He hates summer with a fiery passion. Winter is such a nice season to bundle up and be comfty. He prefer to be shivering than sweating, that's for sure.
   He glanced up at the kitchen clock and grinned softly. Time has really flown by. He can't remember the last time he was sad. To think he finally moved on from his painful past really surprised him. At least, he's in peace. For now. He still has memories to throw away. He's holding onto them for now, but emotional baggage is less of what he needs now. He found a significant other who has stayed by his side through thick and thin no matter what. He couldn't feel any happier. Maybe he finally found the one.
   As if on cue, he heard footsteps getting louder and louder towards his direction. He chuckled softly and smiled a little, soon feeling strong muscular arms wrap around him. He leaned the back of his fluffy head against the broad male's chest, in a peaceful bliss.
   "Good morning, Eren. You seem to be in a good mood today." The calm blonde smiled down at the brunette with a warm heart.
   "Ah... yeah. I can't help it. I'm being giddy and corny again, Erwin." He sighed softly before turning around to wrap his arms around the said male, closing his eyes. "We've been together for almost a year now. I can't help but think about how far I've and we've gotten. I've been feeling a lot better in my life ever since you came into it. I was in the pits of hell and you pulled me out of it. I really can't thank you enough nor think about any way to ever repay you. Even now, I'm at a loss on how lucky I got."
   Erwin smiled down to Eren and kissed the top of his head. "You've became stronger yourself. Give yourself some credit, hell, even most of it. Your determination and strength has brought you to feel at ease now."
   "You're right." He looked up to Erwin and smiled. "Thanks. Oh.. Uh... We should open up our presents now, right?"
  The taller male nodded and gently held Eren's hand, leading him to the living room where the loads of presents awaits them under the Christmas tree. Eren couldn't help but smile at the amount of gifts their friends given them. Eren has his gift for Erwin under the tree as well. He hopes his beloved would like it. It's simple but it was from the heart.

   They take a seat on the couch, opening the many colorful gifts given to them. Some gifted them matching mugs, sweaters, shirts, even pajamas. Some gifted them chocolates and cookies. A few were gift cards and fuzzy socks. Eren laughed lightly at a card their friend Hanji gave to them. It was of a snowman waving its sticky arms to Jingle Bells, pepe the frog's face replaced by the snowman's actual face. It made them laugh at how silly yet creative Hanji was with her card.
  'Enjoy the gifts, love birds!!
       P.S. GET MARRIED ALREADY'
   Eren giggled softly and opened up Hanji's gifts. It was full of sex toys, lingerie, and some chocolates. "Jeez. This time she went all out, huh? Well, I did complain getting ugly Christmas sweaters she made last year. I guess she did this for revenge? Or..." He laughed softly before putting the box aside. "Yeesh. Anyways. Moving on to my gift to you!" Eren gave Erwin his present and clapped his hands together. "Um...it's not much, but uh...Ah... I hope you'll like it."
   Erwin raised a brow and gladly took the present with a smile. "Thank you. I'm sure I'll love it either way, Eren." He kissed his boyfriend on the cheek before opening the present. It was a plushie of Erwin wearing a Christmas sweater. The Christmas sweater has the words in cursives 'I love you' and was colored in red, green, and white. Erwin smiled and then laughed softly. "It's amazing!"
   "It squeaks, too! Squeeze it!"
    Erwin does so and laughed some more as it gave out a few squeaks. "No wonder why you locked yourself in our room for three days straight."
   "Yup! Hard work pays off though." Eren smiled back before looking down at the plushie. "I wanted to give you something fun and personal. I also got us matching ah...r..rings..." Eren murmured before pointing at the present box Erwin opened.
    Erwin looked in the box and found matching silver rings. He took them out and smiled. "Customized, too, huh?"
   "Yeah! When we put our rings together, it makes a full heart. Really cliché, but I'm not that creative." He laughed awkwardly before resting his hands on his own lap, looking away. "I...hope you uh...like my..stuff.."
    "Are you kidding? I love them!" Erwin gave Eren a big squeeze before kissing his cheek once more. "You squeaked, too. How cute~"
   "Sh-Shut up! You squeezed me hard. A-Anyways... Um.. What did you get for me?" Eren looked up to Erwin with a light blush, twiddling his thumbs and feeling nervous.
  "Well.. Remember you told me you don't know how to ever repay me? Eren, everything we've been through, everything you've been through, we've managed to come back stronger than ever. You taught me valuable lessons and I've always been happy whenever I'm with you. Eren..I really want to make you happy for the rest of our lives. You can repay me this way..." Erwin took out a small wrapped up box out of his jacket pocket. He then kneeled in front of Eren with a soft smile, opening the box to reveal a silver ring with an emerald jewel that matched Eren's eyes. The jewel would even look greenish-blue depending on the lighting. It was beautiful like a shimmering ocean. "Eren... Will you marry me and be with me for the rest of my life?"
  As soon as Erwin kneeled in front of him, he bit his lips together to avoid any tears. But after Erwin popped the question, tears were streaming down his cheeks. He felt as if he was dreaming, but this wasn't a dream. This was reality.
   Eren nodded and covered his mouth with a whimper. He took a deep breath and took Erwin's hands in his. "Yes... Yes! Yes.. Yes, Erwin..yes.. Yes.. I will." And with that, Erwin gave Eren a hug and kiss.
   They spent the rest of the day watching movies they loved and cuddled until night time. Eren fell asleep in Erwin's arms, the ring given to him around his ring finger.

    The next day, Eren looked down at a half-hearted necklace that has engraved letters on it.
   'OVE
        OU'
   The whole heart together would spell 'I LOVE YOU'. Of course...the other half belongs to his previous lover.
   He shed a tear and smiled faintly, a rush of memories flooded his mind. He then looked at a drawing he did. It was of him and his previous ex holding hands and smiling together happily. He looke back at the necklace and thumbed the engraved letters. He placed the drawing and necklace away into a box full of junk that will be in the dumpster soon. He took one last look at the drawing before looking aside, eyeing a photograph of him and his ex. It was the day they went to Disneyland together. They were wearing Mickey ears and smiling in front of fireworks that appeared above the ferris wheel. He sniffled and held back his tears. He didn't want to cry about the past anymore. Though, he doesn't feel as hurt anymore. It was as if the pain just vanished inside him right after he was about to cry. He placed the picture into the box.
    One last picture to go.
    The last picture had them kissing in front of the fireworks.
     Eren took a deep breath and settled the photograph into the box as well before closing it.
     "It's finally the time to say goodbye... I think I'm ready.... I'm...letting you go now... Levi...." A tear streamed down his cheek before he looked over to Erwin coming into their room.
   "Eren? What's wrong?"
   Eren looked down to the box once more and smiled a little. "Nothing..."