Guilded Cage

Armin

After I was done with Hange I went to the library. Jean helped me get settled on the couch. I sat there reading the book. It took a lot of effort to get into. The language was long and at times a bit boring. Eventually though I got used to it. I didn’t realize how much time had gone by until I heard a soft knock on the door frame.
Looking up I saw a small blond haired kid standing there. He had to be near my age but he was so much smaller than me. His blue eyes shone as he smiled seeing me. Maybe he was lonely too.
“Hello, Eren, right?” he said tilting his head to one side. When I nodded, he stepped into the room. “I’m Armin, Uncle Levi said you would be expecting me?”
“Um, Uncle?” I said. He laughed as he took off his coat.
“Well, he isn’t really my uncle. Neither is Erwin.” He stated as he hung the coat up in a closet I hadn’t seen before. “My folks died when I was four.” He went on with his back to me. “My grandfather took me in but he died eight years ago. I lived on the street for a few years.” He turned to face me. “Levi found me. Said I looked like Erwin, so he took me to him. Erwin took me in, telling everyone I was his nephew.” He walked up to sit beside me. “So, I call them both Uncle now. Levi hates it.” His laugh was so carefree. “The vein in his neck jumps whenever I say it.” I laughed with him. How could you not?
“What’s your story?” He asked. “I mean if you’re ready to tell it.” He added. I shrugged.
“My dad owed some debts to Levi's uncle.  He took me in exchange when dad couldn’t pay them back. He hung me on a cross.” I told him, looking away. “While I was there, mom and dad came to get me back. Kenny wouldn’t hear of it. Dad tried to fight him but Kenny killed him.” Plucking at the blanket I had covered up with I felt the tears well in my eyes. I went on anyway. He had told me his story. It was only fair. “Levi came. He saw me haning there.” I swallowed. “He uh, came back the following night. There was a fire.” I swiped at my stinging eyes.
“My mom, she never left me. But that night…” His hand fell to my arm but he remained quiet. “Levi tried to get her out. Gave her to a bartender to get her out of the building. He said he was the only one who could get me down.” My words came faster as I tried to get it all out before my throat closed up. “When I woke up here. He told me my mom, well no one made it out.” I rushed on.
“Why are you in the wheelchair?” he asked softly. I wiped at my face. That part was easier to tell.
“I hung on that cross for a month. My muscles became weak from no use.” I stated. He nodded like he understood. I glanced at him. His head was turned away from me as he looked around the library.
“Since you've been here, have you gotten outside?” he asked turning to face me. A warm smile on his face. “Uncle Levi said I couldn’t take you off of the grounds, but he never said I couldn’t take you outside.” Blue eyes crinkled shut as he smiled seeing a loop hole in his instructions.
“Yeah, Levi doesn’t know if Kenny is still alive or not.” I informed him. The hand on my arm went to his chin.
“He's probably keeping you indoors so they can’t spy to see if you’re here or not. I know where Levi's camera's are.” He rubbed at his chin. “They might have hacked into them to watch. Of course, Levi would know. If they are using drones or something we just need to stay under cover.” I watched him.
Was he expecting an answer from me? The longer he talked I realized he was talking to himself. Coming up with his own strategy. Smiling I waited. It only took him a few more minutes to figure it out.
“Got it!” he giggled. “Come on let’s get you in your chair.”
“You remind me of Hange.” I told him.
“Oh, I’m not that scary!” we laughed as he helped me to my chair. When we reached the steps. I stood up to hang onto the door as he wrestled with the chair. It took him several minutes to get it through the door. My knees began to wobble.
An arm came out of nowhere to catch me from falling. “What is going on here?” Levi demanded. Where had he come from? I gapped at his face just inches from my own.
“Oh, uh we were going for a walk, Uncle Levi!” Armin cried out. I saw it. The vein jumping in Levi's neck. Was it because…
“You don’t want to be an uncle, because it makes you feel more like Kenny.” I whispered watching his chiseled face turn to hard stone. He swept me up into his arm. This was impressive as I was easily a foot taller than him.
“Shut up, brat.” He growled only loud enough for me to hear. Placing me into my chair he stood back. “Remember I told you not to take him outside.” He reminded Armin.
“No, you said not to take him off of the grounds. If we go down the storage elevator and out through the kitchens we will bypass the interior cameras. That would deposit us outside in the gardens. The trees cover the sky until we get into the gazebo. He should have fresh air.” Armin stood as tall as he could fighting for his plan.
Oddly he was just a bit taller than Levi. The sweet innocence of his face contracted the hard marble of Levi's. They stood locked in a silent battle. Armin didn’t back down under the cold stare of Levi.
“Fine. But anything happens to him…”
“It won’t I swear!” Armin's voice softened a little. Levi gave a curt nod.
“Reiner will be near, if there is any trouble just yell.” He turned away without saying anything more to me. Calling over his sholder as he took a few steps away he told us Jean would bring our food out to the gazebo. Armin was smiling like he had just won the lottery. I chuckled, after Levi vanished again.
“I have no idea how he shows up out of thin air!” I complained as Armin wheeled me toward the elevators.
“Oh, that’s easy. There are secret passages all throughout the main house. Some say they connect to all the other building too. As far as I know, only Levi knows where they all are. Krista and I found a few, last year.” The cargo lift dinged open. He pushed me on.
“Who's Krista?” I asked.
“The cooks granddaughter.  She comes and stays for summer and school breaks sometimes. Her parents are supper busy. Royals for ya. But she’s cool.” He moved to stand in my field of vision as we rode the elevator down. Once we reached the basement level, he pushed me off.
We entered a busy kitchen. “Ah, Armin!” I large woman in a blue apron with a huge wooden spoon called out.
“Hello, gran!” he called waving. Her small round eyes dropped to me, then darted away. Everyone was turning their backs as we made our way through. The path was unhindered. If we came close to something the object would mysteriously vanish so we could pass. No one else spoke to us.
The cool air hit me in the face. “Armin! What are you doing?” Jean yelled rushing up to us. He held a thick blanket in his hands. He bound it around my lap and legs. Then gave me a jacket to put on. Another man about his height held Armin’s jacket out to him as well.
“Thanks Jean. I forgot it was getting cooler out. After all it is fall now.” He grinned accepting the jacket to put on.
“Wait what? It was spring when I came here!” my eyes darted around them. They exchanged looks. The blond beside Jean was the first to crack. He laughed. The others followed.
“Dude it still is!” he laughed. “Did you see his face?” he pointed at me chuckling he walked away.
“Sorry, Jean likes to play pranks.” Armin whispered. “Last night got a late frost. The warmer weather should be coming soon.” We headed out along a paved path. This lead right up to a gazebo.
“Uh, Armin?” I asked.
“Hmm?” he sounded like he was lost in thought.
“Um, you know I can’t walk yet?” I pointed out.
“Huh? Yeah, I know.”
“Then how am I to get inside the gazebo?” I asked pointing to the four steps that lead up to it.
“Oh.” He stopped to look at it. Then he laughed to himself. “Well, I guess Jean will help when he comes with lunch…” he said.
“He already put it up there.” Levi appeared from behind a tree. “I was waiting for someone to see this mistake.” Marching up to me he bent to pick me up.
“No, wait.” I placed my hand against his chest. “Could you, uh…” his heart was beating very fast, yet his face was impassive. I blinked. “uh, just help me?” I asked. “I mean guide me as I walk up?” With a soft groan Levi held out a hand instead.
I reached out to take the warm fingers. He pulled me to my feet, he was strong! Slipping to my side, he put a hand under my elbow. Armin, rushed to the other side but didn’t touch me. I got my feet under me moving me up to the railing. Tightly I gripped the wood.
“I won't let you fall, Eren.” I looked at him. Those intense grey eyes bore into mine. I nodded. Turning I concentrated on picking my feet up. One step at a time I carefully made it to the top of the gazebo. Levi stayed walking with me until I reached the table a few steps away. He gave me a rare half smile.
“I think you're getting stronger.” I smiled triumphantly back.
“Do not try to help him down alone.” He told Armin. “I will be back in an hour or so to help you.” Armin nodded. Levi left with a quick wave behind him.
“He seems to like you. That’s a good sign.” Armin smiled.
“Yeah, I guess.” I stabbed at a potato in the salad. “Sometimes it just feels like I went from one cage to another.” I sighed before putting the potato in my mouth.
“I’m sure it will be better once you get your strength back.” He was such a happy go lucky kid.
“Maybe.” I muttered. We ate in silence. When we were done, I sat back.
“It’s nice out here. My mom had a small garden behind our house. I used to help her grow vegetables in it.”
Armin smiled. “Yeah. My grandfather had a boat. We would go out on Sundays to fish. It was great.” We talked about things we both liked. Before I knew it, a cold voice spoke from the steps.
“You seem to be getting along.” Levi looked tired. One hand was holding the railing of the steps. “If you don’t mind, Eren, can Armin take you down to therapy this afternoon? I am in need of Jean running an errand for me.”
“No, if he doesn’t mind.” I glanced at him.
“I’m sure he would love to see Hange. Why don’t you stay for dinner, Armin.” He offered.
“Will you join us if I do?” he asked. Levi smirked.
“Sure.” He helped me walk back to my chair. Armin took me down to Hange.