UnderWater

Chapter 10

The cafe I work at wasn't far from Armin's. It took about five to ten minutes walk.

I was greeted by Marco, who was in the morning shift with Sasha. Jane, a tall blonde girl, who was in the lunch shift with me, was already taking orders from the customer. I worked directly after I changed into my uniform: a white button up paired with a brown vest and black pants.

We have fifteen minutes break for lunch at two in the afternoon. And while I'm at it I checked my phone for any texts from Armin or Mikasa. However, there was none.

We began the closing routine to end the day at the cafe. In the weekends the cafe closes at four, while in the weekdays we close at five. The cleaning routine took about one hour, so we be done at about five or six pm usually.

We take turns locking the doors. Unfortunately today was my turn, so I was the only one left behind for it.

After double-checking the locks, I directly headed towards Armin's. Hoping he'll be in a better mood when I arrive.

A delicious aroma lead me to the kitchen in the small house. I gasped a lungful of air with the heavy scent of food. I didn't forget to take my shoes off at the front door, though.

I placed my bag beside the sofa and sat at the kitchen counter starring at the blond who was stirring something delicious, from the smell of it, in the pot.

"That.. smells nice.." My mouth waters fron the smell it gave off.

"Hi to you, too, Eren," The blond smiled, the curves of his mouth informed me that his mood had improved.

"Hey," I greeted back with a grin, while still eyeing the stew.

"It'll be ready in a minute, could you help me set up the bowls?" he let out a soft chuckle, when he caught me drooling over the dinner he's making.

"Sure.." I got up to grab the bowls from the cabbinet,

I waited for the stew as patiently as I could. A few minutes could be a long time for a hungry person.

And thank god, he had made several dishes other than the stew: potato salad, garlic bread for the stew and pannacota for dessert.

Don't ask me how he could make those, 'cause all I know was that he took literature in university, not culinary.

We started eating as soon as after the stew was ready and finished shortly after that. There weren't any left overs considering how hungry I was.

He practically got back to his book at the living room with a glass of juice in hand. Same goes for me, except I wasn't interested on reading a book.

I was starring at the ocean from the window opposite of the sofa where I was sitting. The waves were rolling and retreating again, and again. It seems to be playing tag.

The longer I stare at them the more I was drawn to them. As if they were playfully inviting me to join them.

"..E-Eren?" Armin's voice snapped me back to reality,

"Hmm?" I responded, indicating he got my attention.

"..A-are you.. really okay?" He said with a look between concern and horror,

Silence surrounded us for a few moments, I could sense he was tense to hear my answer. But I was eyeing him, looking confused.

"I-I'm just worried okay? It's just.. you.. look.. weird.." He mumbled softly at the last sentence. I couldn't hear some of the words.

He continued to mumble to himself as he lowered his gaze from me. He burried his face to his knees. I couldn't see his expresssion. But then his body begun to tremble.

He wasn't like this, not recently that is. These days he could suddenly call me in the middle of the night just to check on me, sounding in panic for some reason.

He didn't tell me what the cause was, and I couldn't think of one. Almost all of the time he spent was at the library, working, or being cooped up in the house reading.

I assumed Mikasa didn't know about this, as she hasn't come running here to check on him or anything.

I got up from the sofa and squated infront of him. Now I could  hear sobs and sniffles from him.

"Armin.." I was trying to get his attention, so I could get him to focus.

"Hey, I'm fine, okay? I'm not hurt. Look.. I'm okay, see?" I placed my hands on his shoulder, trying to assure him somehow.

He looked up from his knees, revealing his big glossy blue eyes to me. I could still hear sniffles, as he tried to calm down.

I could only offer him a reassuring smile.

Yes, that was all I could do. Smile.

Even when my thoughts were a mess, not knowing what made him like this make my heart aches.

I feel useless.

I wiped away the tears from his eyes, and looked at him straight.

"See? no harm done" the smile was still on my face,

He was confirming it by searching me with his eyes, looking for any scars. But he found none.

He began to relax in my arms, as I pulled him close to a hug.

We stayed like that for awhile.

When his breathing came back to normal, I suggested him to sleep early. He nodded in response. I walked him to his room and tuged him to bed. Gave him a small peck on the forehead as a 'goodnight' .

We both stayed silent, until I was sure I heard small snores from him. I got up from the bedside and closed the door.

I need some time for myself. Or I'll be going to bed with messy thoughts in my head. And that would result into not sleeping at all.

I walkedout to the beach, inhaling the fresh salty air. I didn't bother to put on some sandals, as the feeling of the sand in between my feet relaxed me in someways.

I walked along the shore, looking at the moon above.

I could never get used to the beauty of the ocean, day or night.

There was a calming silence in the night. And all I could hear were the waves crashing to the shore.

The moon was a quarter, though, but it still shone at the surface of the water.

I closed my eyes, feeling the breeze blowing softly.

I could never hate this feeling. The ocean was vast. It feels like there were so much freedom.

I just couldn't hate the ocean, even if it was the one who took them away from me.

But I know I couldn't blame it. And still I couldn't hate it. Because in the begining, it was all because of me.

_________________________________________
A/N:

ヽ（´ー｀）
Sorry it took so long to update it
,Shit happens (×_×;）

But, here ya go!

And please feel free to comment and vote and.. do anything you like, except sue me @_@.. please don't , hehe..

Enjoy the reading~ （＾_＾）