No Name [Ereri/Riren Fanfic] [COMPLETED]

Chapter Fourteen

     It's been about a week or so since our band's day off and my indirect confession, and everything is as it was before the addition of Eren. This week would be our last week before starting our new album, so we needed to figure out what songs we were going to write and then later perform on the album's tour. I'm really hoping that Eren will be able to write all the songs with me and that he'll write a couple of his own. Not only did I know he was capable in singing and playing the kind of music I sing, but I also knew that he was capable of making his own kind of music that could and would reach out to those who hear his music.

     The day had gone by so fast already that I hadn't noticed that it was already three in the afternoon, and that much time had gone by without my eyes seeing the brunet in question. Reaching for the TV remote, I switched it off and got up from the couch to go looking for him since I felt like doing something other than being a lazy bum. I looked around the house and came across Miche and Hanji. I had asked them if they saw or at least knew where Eren might be but neither of them knew. Without much luck there, I continued my search.

     On the second floor there wasn't much change in my search. He wasn't in his room or any other room on the second floor, so I decided to walk back down stairs but as I was going down the stairs I heard a singing voice and something like a guitar. I stopped in my tracks and listened carefully for where the sound would be coming from and then thought of where he could be. Rushing back up the stairs and down the second floor hall, I found myself at the door that led to my personal singing slash recording booth. The door was open ajar so I carefully went inside only to hear the brunet singing with passion and strumming his guitar with vigor.

     "... Home, home, home, home. See the flames inside my eyes. It burns so bright I wanna feel your love. No, easy baby, maybe I'm a liar. But for tonight I wanna fall in love. Put your faith in my stomach..."

     Something inside of me stirred. It was the same feeling I got the first time I met the brunet; an indescribable feeling. However, hearing him in his element like this is exactly what I wanted to see. I wanted to see him actually enjoy something after getting away from his father's abusive grasp.

     "... now. We're going through the motions, hoping you'd stop. And oh, I've only caused you pain, you know. That all my words will always be low. Of all the lies spoke. When you're on my road walking me home.."

     I suppose this might be a new song he'd been working on since he woke up this morning, but if this was a simple outlet for bottled up emotions that's perfectly fine too. I sat down in a chair I found and continued to listen to him. I don't know if did something or made some kind of noise, but whatever it was made Eren stop what he was doing and look right at me. I didn't flinch or anything, I was happy to hear him sing and play.

     He stood up and came out to visit me from the recording booth within the room we were in and set his guitar against the wall before taking a seat next to me.

     "H-how much did you hear?"

     "Enough to know it was sung with great passion. You plan to share it with us to put into our new album?"

     "... I don't know... Your music is more rock than acoustic."

     "It's like I told you before; a change every now and then won't hurt anyone."

     "Maybe, but I'm new and not a whole lot of people were thrilled about my joining."

     "Then prove them wrong. Like I told you before, you've got talent. So show everyone how wrong they were by showing that talent."

     He thought about it and then gave a light smile. I think he's been showing more smiles as of late, and for that I'm grateful. I'm grateful that he's begun to share his wonderful personality with me and that he's willing to open up to me about anything he wants off his chest.

     Eren allowed me to help him in writing the songs he'd been working on since he woke up this morning, and it was a lot of songs. I was impressed with how many he had started on within one day thus far, so much so that I decided to help finish all of them but two of his choosing. Reason being is because I wanted him to have at least a few songs as his own, his original songs. I thought that he could possibly sing one or two for solo acts, and if he did that I'd stop worrying about him in moving on. Let's face it, I'm not going to stop worrying about him until he does something that gives him his wings back and frankly that's being able to perform solo in my opinion. If you can do that without faltering or running away again, I call that a win.

     Turns out he had already come up with names for every song and a name for the album; the album being as simple as x the deluxe edition. Some songs included the following: One, I'm A Mess, Photograph, Runaway, Thinking Out Loud, Afire Love, and I See Fire. He told me that he was going to include one or two bonus songs and that he'd like it if I did a duet with him on those bonuses. Subtly excited, I agreed to do it.

     We had fun, yes, I had fun, writing his songs and figuring things out so Miche and Hanji would be able to figure out how to play them as well. I suppose every time I'm with Eren time happens to speed up even though I'd like for it to slow down, so we both jumped a bit when we heard a knock on the door and saw Hanji walk inside with caution. She simply came in to tell us that dinner was ready and to head down stairs to grab a plate. After she left I sighed and started neatly organizing the papers surrounding us into a neat stack, and as I was doing so the brunet helped while he spoke.

     "I know I'm probably sounding like a broken record at this point, but I want to thank you again for all that you've done thus far. Seriously, it's more than what Mikasa or Armin would've done."

     I was surprised by this and simply couldn't respond with anything other than, "Really?"

     "Yup. All they did was absorb whatever I told them and they went about their day. It was frustrating at first but I later decided that it was fine because I at least had people who I could talk to about my problems just to let out my frustrations from home."

     "Eren, you need friends and family who would take action if they heard what you had to say instead of just sitting on the sidelines. Your friends are in the wrong and it sounds like they always have. Here, we'll get you the help and support you need for you to get back on path your mother would've wanted you to be on."

     The brunet was about to pick up the last piece of paper but stopped himself when he heard what I had to say. I could tell he was thinking about what I told him before he picked up the paper and stood up and heading for the door. He opened it and waited for me to follow his lead. As I was leaving through the door the brunet stopped me.

     "... You don't know what my mother wanted for me, but I appreciate your support..."

     He then slipped past me and headed for his room before heading downstairs emptyhanded. I stood in place with shock and that shock was from how quickly he had changed his behavior. Had I said something wrong? I must have because his voice wasn't the soft and quiet voice I'd come to know, no, instead it was cold and harsh. Perhaps I don't know Eren like I thought I did. I might need to be a bit more careful.

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So, here's chapter fourteen! So, how was that change in Eren's behavior for ya? That surprise you? I had to organize my thoughts and the background stories for some of the characters in this fanfic so I could keep things understandable and not confusing. So, with a reference now I feel like I can finally shape up the mold I've already created for the big plot and write out this story to the end. Not saying I have a solid plot for this yet, nope, but it's getting there so don't worry! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you in the next one!!!

~ Author-san