...

"Often times, I wonder what would have happened if fate had never intervened. Would I be alive? Would I love in the same way? Would I kill others without mercy and bathe in their blood? There have been many times where I have had to bring someone to tears. To break them till they were an till they were a soulless empty husk. Their cries used to haunt my dreams, but now I feel a storm brewing in my mind. Sometimes, I feel grateful for the life I have chosen. Other times, it fills me with sorrow, bitterness and hate. It uses Love to keep us going and bonds to make us strong. But those loving relationships we have are what kill us the most. More often than not I wished I could disappear again. So I wouldn’t have to hurt again.. So we could live a happier life, but I knew sooner or later I’d have to face them once again."

In the dead of night packed Eren his things rather quickly. He shoved most of what he could carry into a duffle bag and stormed down stairs. Getting out this cage he called home was his priority. He had fought with his mother about going to Trost and plotted his escape in the months before this golden opportunity. His mother was caring, but only for her own self interest. She wanted him within her line of sight at all times. She was controlling and He hated being a convenient tool for her to use. They barely spoke and when the subject would arise it would spark an argument. He couldn’t stand being cooped up anymore. Not when he had this opportunity to fly. His mother was out tonight fucking god knows what, He wrote a note for her and headed out.
The town he lived in was small. There was nothing to do, no one to hang out with, No good schools, No jobs, Just drugs. In the time he had lived there he had picked up a gun and had killed a man that tried to rape his mother. She responded with anger and has held against him ever since. He had spiraled into drug addiction at one point. Smoking weed and dealing drugs used to be how he would survive. That was until his mother found out what he was doing. He was sent to rehab and she would not let him set foot in her house unless he was clean.The boy had nowhere else to go so he obeyed. He got clean and pulled his shit together. But in that moment of clarity he realized his mother didn’t love him for who he had become. But the money he was going to bring home to her. She would leave him alone with a few dollars or none at all. He had to pick up a job just to pay some of the bills his mother never bothered to pay. That life of busting his ass day in and day out for her was done. He threw the duffel bag in his car and got in. He knew there would be more opportunities for him in the city of Trost. He started his car and adjusted his mirrors. In the mirror, A discolored line stretched right over his jugular caught his eye just as it always had.
"How ugly.." He thought looking away.
His heart beat rapidly as he pulled out of the driveway and drove off. Anxiety’s cruel sickly fingers wrapped around Eren's neck, it felt as it were slowly crushing his windpipe again. He became extra attentive while driving in that moment. His reflexes were always sharp, and he made sure to look at mirrors and out the windows. If he got too tired he knew to pull over and rest. He was always like that, it was just instinct not to be careless while driving.
“Keep going, Move forward, you’ll lose your chance.” He thought to himself. This is what his life was now, he was effortlessly trying to find something to fulfill his unsatisfied heart. In his past life death came to him in the cruelest and quickest manner. A few months after losing Levi, Eren was never satisfied with the outcome. Even after he had married Isabel and had a child with her. that love wasn’t the same as when he had first fallen for Levi. Even if he was reborn his heart still called for Levi’s warm touch instead of Isabel’s. Though he could not recall Levi’s face or name. That burning desire he had for the man he once loved brought him to Trost. After a few hours of driving Eren finally saw his new home in view. Eren soon pulled into the driveway of his new house.
He parked and barreled through his front door excitedly. It was difficult getting it furnished while paying bills for his mother. But those sleepless nights were worth seeing his hard work pay off. It warmed his heart knowing this place would be his and only his.
“Relax today, work tomorrow.” He thought. Eren whistled a soft tune as he took his duffel bag inside. He threw it on the recliner, flopped on his couch and relaxed. Eren sank into the cold cushion. He felt at peace, no more small boring town, no more hellish mother, he all the opportunities in the world. The boy closed his eyes fell into a luscious dream.
Armin finally made it to his stop and waited at the station for the person that was supposed to pick him up. Armin waited and waited, but no one seemed to be showing up to get him. Midday turned into afternoon and he was one of only a few people left in the bus station. It felt like the entire world was laughing at his existence. He was told that a friend of his mother’s was going to pick him up, but there he was hours after getting off the bus. Day had slowly crept into darkness as the moon rose into the dark sky. The pudgy blond curled up on the bench he'd been waiting on and cried quietly. He was the only one left in the station now, so he wasn't worried about anyone seeing his tears. Right now, he was alone in the world, he felt like no one gave a shit about him. He just wanted to go back home to his mother. At least /she/ cared enough to keep him around. He wondered if this is how it would stay forever….
Meanwhile, Levi drove into the night, he zoomed past the empty streets. Freedom awakened inside him, the weight of a heavy heart was no longer there. He wanted to get to know the city again, its siren call lead him deep into the unknown. He decided to fall back on his instincts for once and allow himself to be swallowed up by the city’s mysterious wonders. He drove to places people could only dream of being whisked away to. He stumbled upon tall perches and felt the wind kiss his cheeks. The cold nipped at his nose as he walked through alleyways and stalked through homes of the wealthy. He found a hill where the lights of the city looked like never ending a sea of lanterns. He felt alive again yet something in his heart was missing. He felt his heart sink knowing there was something out there waiting for him. He had to find it, but in process of mapping the city out. He got lost in places that were still hazy in his mind. It didn’t bother him but he wasn’t too happy about being lost either. He had parked near a sidewalk and a bus soon came in his line of sight. He figured it would at least get him out of this maze of a city. Following its route he managed to find the bus station which appeared to be close to the center of the city. It seemed to be vacant of passengers for the most part. Until a blond caught his eye. From the way he was tucked into a tight ball he didn’t seem alright. Normally levi wouldn't bother with someone like him. But this city had its mysteries, that person was one of them he could feel it in his chest. Levi rolled up to a parking spot and got out of his car. He could hear soft whimpering as he walked up quietly approaching weeping boy.
"Are you okay?" Levi gently placed his hand on the person's shoulder. Armin flinched, looking at Levi in surprise. In that moment their eyes met Levi felt his scar pulse. He knew this was someone who used to be dear to him.
"I-I'm okay!" He squeaked, quickly wiping his tears away. "J-just waiting to be picked up....."
"It's dark out here.. when the fuck were you going to get picked up?" Levi muttered. The pudgy boy pulled his knees closer to his chest, his eyes cast to the laces of his shoes.
"I was supposed to be picked up six hours ago...." he said just above a whisper.
“this doesn't sound like a favorable situation." Levi crossed his arms and sighed. He sat down next to armin and leaned on the back of the bench.
"This town can't be safe for everyone.."
"It's...in mafia territory......I know." He sniffled.
Levi listened to the boy sob and weep pathetically. It made him think of someone he had seen once in a dream.
"Relax, they don't pick off just anyone. It's not like you're alone anyway.” Levi sighed.
"They forgot about me… People always forget about me..." he said quietly.
"Are you sure about that?" Levi turned to face him and took in his features. Every detail of him was as exactly as he had remembered. The only difference was in weight but that was never a detail Levi cared for. Guilt cut through Levi as he looked away.
"Armin.." He whispered softly.
Armin looked at him in surprise.
"H-how do you know my name?!" He exclaimed.
"You're just… someone I knew from way back then is all, come with me," Levi placed his hand on Armin's shoulder. The blond looked at him warily, his eyes traced every detail of Levi’s face.
"Wh...where have I seen you before?" He asked.
“Don’t you remember me?" Levi whispered softly.
"I....do feel a faint connection to you..." He mumbled. Armin bit his lip and slowly reached out to touch the other's arm. Something was different about this encounter. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but an alarm off in his mind.
"We should get going then, it's getting extremely late."
Armin was still hesitant, he scooted back withdrawing from Levi’s touch.
"But my things… I don't even know where I'm supposed to go, I don't want to burden you."
"Come with me, Just don't make a mess.” Levis headlights lit up as walked to the car. His eyes illuminated and glowed like that of a predator stalking its prey in the night. He stopped and turned around to face Armin. He noticed the boy stare at him in wonder.
"Or would you rather I let the wolves eat you?"
Armin squeaked and got up, grabbing his suitcases. He quickly followed Levi, thoughts of the boy getting kidnapped, robbed, raped or killed terrorized his mind. Though he was pretty sure nobody would want to fuck his pudgy ass, but everything else was a concern. Levi popped open the trunk of his car and put his suitcases inside neatly. Levi slammed the trunk as he watched Armin hesitantly step into the passenger's seat. He walked over to the other side of the car and pushed his key in the ignition. He twisted the key, turned on the car and pulled out from the parking lot. He didn't know exactly where to go yet. But he knew there was a convenience store around somewhere.
"You don't mind running around and getting lost do you?" He asked Armin as they circled through the city.
“W-What?” He looked at Levi with a horrified expression.
“Relax, take a shitty joke once in awhile or you’ll get constipated.” he sighed.
“Well, wouldn’t you feel the same way?”
“Not necessarily, I’m just getting to know this life.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s a long story..”