Author's Note: Omg? I'm back? I just read through some previous chapters and how could you guys not tell me there were so many mistakes?! I want to die!

You know, a couple months back I had most of this chapter completed, but something happened to the site I was using and I lost everything. I couldn't bring myself to rewrite for the longest time. I love each and every one of you that left a message. It really did inspire me to write and finally update.

I like to believe that everyone can unanimously agree that hospital chairs cause back problems because they are actually rocks disguised as sitting chairs. Somewhere in the world, there are hospitals with properly cushioned seating, and I envy them. I really, really do.

The small hospital room is white and glaring, making Mikasa's skin look even paler. I grit my teeth and exhale through my nose.

There is so much going on in my head that I'm sorely tempted to headbutt a wall. As if worrying about Mikasa hadn't been enough, now I'm going around in circles about Levi. I was seventy-eight percent sure the fucker wasn't the vampire he claimed to be. Although if I think about it, he never actually said so himself. There was so much I didn't know and it was beyond frustrating. Waking up the morning after had felt like I'd been crushed under a rock.

I clench and unclench my fists in my lap, glaring at the floor. I had felt unbelievably drained, everything hurt and it had taken a good hour to rouse enough energy to get myself off the bed, and when I did, I ate everything in my kitchen that was edible. I lift a hand to my neck and shudder.

I look up at the hospital bed and feel my eyes soften. Just the thought of what Mikasa must of went through has my heart clenching and my gut twisting uncomfortably. Outwardly, she had scattered bruising, cuts, and signs of malnourishment. Inside, she had torn muscles in her arms, legs, and back, and two slow healing fractures. It has been three days since I rescued her and it wouldn't be for another two until her body was strong enough to heal at a normal rate. She has yet to wake up.

I close my eyes and lean back in my chair, rubbing my hands over my face. Armin had told me that the damage done to her mentally could be worse than what was done physically and that scared me. Mikasa was strong but everyone has a limit.

Just as I feel my eyes start to sting I hear the door to the hospital room open, a little blonde head poke itself in. I quickly rub the hint of tears from my eyes and cough the welling in my throat away.

"You're still here?"

"Nice to see you too Armin."

Shaking his head, Armin enters the room, closing it behind him quietly. "You've been here since you could get yourself out of your apartment. Aren't you supposed to be resting too? You look like shit and you smell like it too."

"I don't remember doing anything to you Armin, goddamn." Today, at least.

The little turd only laughs and pulls the chair beside me closer, sitting down with a sigh. "I'm just saying."

"Yeah, but there's a nice way to say things." I jut my bottom lip out at him.

He just snorts and lifts an eyebrow at me. "Soft spoken words don't get through to you. This past week being an excellent example."

I throw my hands up in exasperation. "Armin! We've been through this! I did what I had to, who knows what would have happened if we had waited any longer, Mikasa-"

"While valid, your decision was still a poor one, Jeager."

I swallow heavily at the voice, turning my attention back to the door where one Erwin Smith is pinning me with the eeriest polite smile I've ever seen in my life. I'm stuck between wanting to sink into my chair and flipping him the bird. Instead, I give a strangled cough.

"Uh-" I wheeze out. "Hi?" Just kill me now.

There's a shadow of a twitch on one of those incredibly thick eyebrows just before Erwin sighs in exasperation and brings up a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. I have to wonder if vampires could ever grow white hair. I might just give Erwin a run for his money.

"I'd say to take a step outside, but it might actually be better to speak in here." When my gaze flicks to Armin, Erwin only looks like he's trying not to sigh again before he continues. "The presence of Mr. Arlert was actually requested by me."

"Uh huh." At my look of suspicion, Armin elbows me in the ribs, smiling at my hiss of pain.

"Getting straight to the point, there are some questions that need answering, holes in the story that need to be filled, so to speak." I can feel Erwin's gaze boring a hole into the side of my head and I fidget like an exposed worm. "Arlert was gracious enough to explain how you were able to pinpoint a location, now I just need you to tell me what happened after you passed the barrier."

If I had a choice between explaining absolutely everything right now and ripping my teeth out, I'd have made a dentist appointment like, yesterday. Unfortunately, I still had Smith staring "patient" daggers at me so I just crossed my arms and fought off the oncoming headache to the best of my abilities.

"You remember that guy I said had helped me out when I was first attacked? He helped." All I get as a reply is narrowed blue eyes. "Kinda."

When Smith raises a brow, I can already hear the question and I lift both hands in surrender. "I wasn't lying when I said I didn't know him, I still can't say that I do since he tends to...come and go." I tug at my shirt collar and cough.

"Go on."

I relay what happened that night, minus my molestation a couple nights back 'cause, haha, yeah right. Once I'm done, we sit there in silence, Erwin rubbing his chin in thought, brows furrowed. "It seems things are worse than I thought."

I can feel a vein throb in my forehead because hadn't I been saying that since the beginning? I thank a higher power that Armin speaks before I can open my mouth, 'cuz I'm sure whatever I was gonna say would have me wishing I was still bed-bound.

"The fault, is also mine, and I know you can't deny that Mr. Smith."

I sit there stunned, Erwin himself only staring back at Armin expressionless, because, wow, who talks to Smith like that? Armin does. Apparently.

Its quiet for only a moment longer before the great blond vampire smirks- what the fuck- and shakes his head. "While involved, I believe that you were more of...damage control." He looks at me then. "So to speak."

My middle finger itches.

Armin chuckles. "I won't deny that."

Seems like the itch traveled to both middle fingers. Curious.

"I have a proposition for you Mr. Arlet." Armin tilts his head in question. "How would you like to join us?" When Armin only stares blankly, Erwin continues. "Not necessarily the Recon Corps, but Sina."

Armin only gets an, uh, out before my hand is flashing out and pressing against his mouth. "No."

"I don't think I addressed you, Jeager."

I glare. "No."

My hand is gently pushes away, Armin giving me a meaningful look before turning his attention to Erwin. "Uh, that's a nice offer, but I'll have to think about it. I don't think I'm ready for anything like that."

Smith nods. "I understand. I didn't expect an answer right away. Giving it some time will be good."

I only watch the exchange with crossed arms, jaw clenched. They talk a little longer, but I don't care enough to listen, only registering when Erwin finally leaves the room.

"Eren." I scoot as far from Armin as I can in my little rock of a chair. He sighs. "Don't be like that, it wouldn't be a bad idea. If anything, I would be able to help you more. You know, without being attacked."

I roll my eyes. "You really think working here is that much better? If they find out about the things you can do, who knows what kind of things you'll have to fight against."

Armin rubs his chin thoughtfully. "They wouldn't have to know everything."

I can feel the exhaustion creeping up again. "They'll find out. Trust me." I was sure Smith had dirt on me that I didn't even know could be dug up.

When Armin only laughs, I scowl. "Oh, get that look off your face, you don't need to get any uglier." Well, now. "I said I would think about it, that doesn't make it a sure thing."

"It's never good when you say that, you think about it too much." Armin outright grins at that. "Ugh, and you call me ugly."

"Shut up." He gives me a nick on the shoulder, shaking his head. After a minute of silence, I look up to see his eyes focused on Mikasa, a mix of grief and anger shining in those ocean blue.

"Do you think she'll be ok?" I whisper.

He swallows hard. "I don't know."

"I don't know if I want to find out." I bury my face in my hands. "I don't think I would be able to handle seeing her broken. She's so strong..."

I feel Armin gently settle his hand on my head, fingers lightly playing with the locks. "Maybe, it's your turn to be strong for her. I'm sure she would rather see you safe and with that stupid smile on your face than crying, right?"

I take in a shuddering breath and nod. "I'm sure she'll wake up asking if the apartment is ok."

I can hear the smile in Armin's voice. "I'll bet she won't even notice that she's injured when she sees the bruises on you. She might even add a few after she finds out how reckless you were."

I choke out a laugh. "God, you're right." I sigh, looking up again at Mikasa then Armin, a shaky smile ghosting over my face. "Thanks."

Armin grins back, his eyes a little red. "Anytime."

An hour later we're back at my apartment, Armin's expression one of horror at the mess in the kitchen and it takes an amazing amount of willpower not to laugh. "Did you decide to eat as a fucking wolf, Eren, what the fuck?"

"Uh, maybe?"

"Maybe? How do you not- ok, you know what? I don't care." He just throws his hands up and goes for the broom in the corner, mumbling angry nonsense.

I snort behind my hand, making my way to the bathroom, calling out behind me, "Gonna shower!"

There is a faint, thank god, from the kitchen before I close the door. I grimace as I peel off my clothes, just about every inch of skin is a slowly fading bruise and it looks like I lost ten pounds. I can't help but think back to a couple nights ago and I want to die.

I mull things over as I wash myself. Armin might know what Levi is, but do I really want to talk about it with him? There was something off about that man, but did I really care enough to start asking questions? The last time I thought I wouldn't see him again, he turned up like the undying cockroach he was. I could always ask him myself, but that idea sounded as great as a papercut between your fingers.

I groan as I rinse off, conflicted and cranky. After pacing back and forth for twenty minutes, I decide to deal with this like I do with every problem.

Shoved away until it became an even bigger problem.

I open the door and make my way to my bedroom, Armin's voice echoing down the hall. "It doesn't take that long to jack off Eren."

I choke a little as I pull on a shirt and some loose jeans, making my way back to the living room. "You know Armin, usually people ask if they were taking a shit, not busting a nut. What's wrong with you?"

"Its really fun to mess with you. It's so easy." Wow.

"You know, I'd be mad, but you just cleaned my house, so I'm letting it slide." I pull out a chair, dropping myself onto it heavily. I look around and whistle. It was really clean. "How does being my wife sound Armin?"

"Uh, gross. That's not even remotely funny."

"It wasn't that bad."

"I threw up a little."

Wow.

Author's Note: I love Armin. I really do.

I can't promise regular updates and I'm sorry. I am a single mother, a full time student, and a full time worker. Some days I just wish I could sleep.

Thank you for putting up with me. I love you all. Kisses.