"I'm sorry. . . .Eren. . . "

Thick, dark lashes fluttered slightly before tan lids slowly opened to reveal pure, glowing gold eyes to a silent, still room. Uncaring if the ray of sunlight coming through the window practically beamed in he eyes, only making them glitter and sparkle like endless trinkets of gold treasure sitting underneath the sun.

Eren blankly stared up at the ceiling for several seconds, unmoving and staring at nothing particular with an unfocused gaze. That gaze broke away when the sound of the old, chipped door creaking open caught his attention.

His posture tensed, as he realized now that he had none of his weapons with him and that he was vulnerable to any attacker. His body still felt sore in some places and it made him wince to even move a muscle. Despite that, it was nothing he couldn't endure. He could fight using his fists if needed. He was just as good as fighting without weapons as he was with them.

Mina walked in with her faded and worn out notebook clutched against her chest. Shutting the door, she turned around and met Eren's eyes which startled her and caused her to yelp in fright, knocking back against the door.

"Ah! E-Eren! You scared me!" She panted lightly, pressing a hand against her chest to calm her racing heart. She hadn't expected her patient to wake so soon and especially quietly.

Eren closed his eyes briefly before opening them again fully. They were now their captivating and vibrant, natural forest green color with gold, blue, and violet around the irises.

He sighed and forced himself to sit up, as Mina approached him, concern evident on her pretty face. He glanced at her before saying apologetically, "Sorry, Mina, I didn't mean to scare you."

Mina shook her head, a small smile forming on her face. "It's fine, Eren, I just didn't expect you to wake so soon with how bad your wounds were. . . ." she trailed off with a grimace, remembering the state Eren had been in when he was carried into the building by Levi. His deathly pale body had so many scratches and wounds; large chunks of flesh missing in his arms, shoulders, legs and neck. Some flesh even hung off him from where it had been pulled.

At first glance, Mina had panicked, knowing that whoever gets bitten turns immediately after their deaths--- she had been reluctant to help but when Marco shouted at her to help him, she quickly obeyed. Just the sight of Eren's mauled and bloody body made her sick to her stomach. She had argued that there was no use in even trying to save him, that he had been bitten too many times and lost too much blood, that there would be no way he could recover from multiple bites---- But then something amazing had happened before her eyes.

Steam began to erupt from Eren's wounds, and she and Marco watched in gaping astonishment as the injuries were slowly, very slowly, healed. The skin had sewed back together like there had never been a big, missing piece of flesh there in the first place.

Eren stared at her, and asked, "How long was I out?"

Mina blinked, checking her notebook before looking back up and replying to his question. "Uhm, for about three days now."

Eren stiffened. Three days?! I wasn't supposed to stay that long. . . .

He nodded his head, murmuring a quiet "thank you" before looking down at his bandaged hands. The white bandages snuggly wrapped around his wrists and arms. Then another thought came to him. He shot his head up and looked at Mina, eyes demanding as he hastily and worriedly as asked, "What about Sandman? Is he alright?"

Mina furrowed her brows in confusion at his words and sudden change in mood. "Sandman. . . . ?" She questioned.

Eren could've face palmed himself if he hadn't been too preoccupied in knowing Farlan's safety. "I mean, Farlan, is he okay? He came back, right?"

Recognition flashed in Mina's eyes before she nodded enthusiastically, smile beaming. "Oh, yes! Of course. He's in the hall right now though, eating breakfast with his group." Then she thought for a moment, seemingly trying to remember something while tapping her chin. "Also. . . . if I recall. . . he had wanted updates on your condition and that he wanted to be notified immediately once you awoke."

Eren's eyes widened slightly before he cleared his throat, refusing to acknowledge the small blush rising to his cheeks at the mention of Farlan worrying over him. "Alright, thank you, Mina." He smiled softly at her.

She grinned back at him and waved her hands. "No problem! Oh! You also have your first visitor!" She giggled and ran to the door, yanking it open.

Eren didn't have time to react before a blur of black attacked him, tackling him down against the bed.

"Mika!!" Eren shouted as he was relentlessly licked by the black wolf who was wagging her tail furiously and whining, licking every inch of Eren's face. He tried to get her to sit still but it seemed like the hyperactive wolf had missed him too much as she nuzzled his cheek and neck with small whimpers escaping her.

Defeated, Eren sighed and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her and stroking her silky, black fur as she plopped herself onto his lap and her head on his arm.

Well looks like I'm not going anywhere. He thought with a smile, fond small.

Mina, who had been standing in the doorway watching them with a big smile, said, "I'll go bring you breakfast," then disappeared, shutting the door and leaving Eren alone with Mikasa who had calmed down somewhat but still wagged her tail.

For a few minutes, he continued to pet her fur, fingers running through the soft black strands that slipped easily through his fingers, as there was a firm knock on the door. "Come in," he permitted, not once taking his eyes off Mikasa.

Farlan walked in with a tray of food. A grin arose on his face once his gaze landed on Eren and he walked forward, setting the tray of food on the nightstand beside the bed before taking a seat himself in the chair on Eren's left side. "Hey, firefly," He greeted.

Eren looked up at him, lips twitching slightly when his vibrant eyes met Farlan's pale blue ones. "Hey," he greeted back before pausing his stroking. Which caused Mikasa to growl. He chuckled and went back to petting her coat of fur.

Farlan smiled. "It's great to see you awake again," He said before pausing and hesitating, smile faltering.

Eren noticed his internal struggle and rose a perfect brow at his behavior. "Farlan?"

Farlan shook his head and met Eren's worried gaze with grateful eyes. "I wanted to say thank you. . . . for saving my life." A dark blush began to bloom on Farlan's slightly tan cheeks. "If only I hadn't been. . . ." he trailed off, looking down at his lap in shame and guilt.

He was startled when a warm, soft hand cupped his cheek, tilting his head up so that his eyes looked directly into Eren's beautiful, glittering ones. Eren's smile was angelic as the sunlight from behind him made him practically glow in beauty.

"Farlan, please don't blame yourself, it wasn't your fault, okay? We ran into trouble, and you were in danger. I did what I had to, not because I promised Levi but because you are my friend, I would've risked my life for you either way," Eren said softly as he stroked Farlan's cheek with his thumb.

The sincerity and reassurance in Eren's words made Farlan smile albeit he couldn't ignore the disappointment when Eren called him a friend. Had he expected more?

"Thank you, Eren. . . ." He leaned into the warm palm, seeking comfort and inhaling the soothing, flowery scent Eren emitted.

And that was how Levi found them. Eren with his hand on Farlan's cheek, as they gazed into eachother's eyes with a certain affection that Eren himself rarely showed to anyone. And it irritated him.

He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway, "Oi, you love birds done?" He snapped a little more harshly than he intended. Which caused Mikasa to growl threateningly.

Farlan jerked away suddenly, face beet red as Eren leaned back and looked towards the dark haired alpha's direction.

"Levi!" Farlan flushed in embarrassment at being caught. "Couldn't you have knocked or something?" He scowled, ignoring his racing heart.

Levi blinked at him, expression devoid of emotion as he said nonchalantly. "Why? Were you two going to fuck?"

The blonde's eyes widened. "Dammit, Levi!" Farlan shouted, face an even darker shade as he stormed out the room.

Levi watched his friend leave with amusement and a bit of hidden satisfaction dancing in his dark eyes. Then he shifted his gaze to the omega who was staring back at him, unamused.

"Were you standing there the entire time?"

Levi tilted his head, looking into the endless pool of fresh green eyes. "Would it have mattered?"

Eren casted his eyes down to Mikasa, watching as his hands continued to softly stroke her fur. "No." He simply said.

"Tch."

Silence filled the room. Though it wasn't an awkward kind of silence that perhaps would have happened a couple of days ago if Eren was left alone with the alpha. Instead it was a comforting one.

"Farlan was worried about you. We were supposed to leave two days ago, and head back to our quarters but Farlan refused to leave until you woke up." Levi said as he scrutinized Eren; watching as locks of chocolate hair fell forward like a curtain over the omega's eyes.

Eren fought a smile. "Ah, he's stubborn." He laughed softly before realizing his slip up. He cut his laugh midway and cleared his throat, biting his plump, red lips. "So are you guys leaving now?" He asked, slight disappointment lacing his tone.

He didn't actually want them to leave, or he himself did not want to leave either. He actually enjoyed Farlan's and Isabel's presence despite knowing them only for a few days. They were bright, and funny, like Jean and Marco.

He frowned, his green eyes dulling in despair. Why was he holding himself back? What was keeping him from actually having a friend? Someone to be there and care for him. To have by his side through rough times and to support him when he needed it. For as long as he remembered he had always been alone. He never once had a friend or someone close to one and deep down, hidden beneath his cold mien and guarded eyes, he deeply craved, yearned for one.

He wanted to laugh, and smile and giggle and tell stories by a campfire. He wanted to belong somewhere too. He wanted friends he could call a family, friends that would protect him too just like he did to others.

He wanted----

"Eren?"

He looked up from his coloring book, eyes brightening at the sight of his father standing in the doorway. "Papa!" He quickly stood and ran to his father, hugging him around the legs.

There was a stiff, hesitant pat on his head and---

"C'mon there are some tests I need you for."

Eren's heart sank. The sharp pang of hurt in his chest forced him to pull away and look up at his father who stared down at him with cold, emotionless eyes. Eyes that never shined like his did when he saw his father.

"But I don't want to. . . They always hurt, papa! Those people always hurt me!" His eyes watered. "Can we just stay here? We can color! I'll even let you use my favorite coloring book!" Then he glanced around his room, and ran to his drawers, pulling one open before shutting it. He ran back and held up a piece of paper, eyes shining brightly in excitement. "See? I made this for you---"

His father turned away, ignoring the paper that was being held out to him. Without looking back he said, "Come. We can't afford to be late. After the tests, you will train, understood?"

Lip trembling, Eren let the sheet fall from his small hands as he nodded numbly. "Yes, papa. . . ." he whispered before following his father down the hall, away from his enclosed room.

On the way down to the lab station, Eren heard joyous laughter. Children laughter. He perked up and ran to one of the windows, tiptoeing so that he could see properly through the clear glass.

Three kids, all boys, ran around the room, chasing eachother giggles left them as their eyes were filled with joy and happiness. One of them tumbled and fell, causing the others to trip over him and collapse on top of him. They burst out into a fit of laughter.

Eren watched them with longing eyes. The pain was back in his chest again, and it hurt more than ever. Though not as much as when his father had rejected him.

Suddenly, he was pulled away from the window and he looked up to see his father dragging him away. Without thinking he asked, "P-papa? Why don't I have any friends?" His voice was small and quiet.

His father said nothing as he continued to drag Eren away, the jovial laughter from the kids getting fainter and fainter.

Eren looked down, a single tear rolled down his cheek as his lip began to tremble. He swallowed the large lump in his throat as he wiped his tears away silently.

What did he do wrong to deserve this?

"--ren! Oi brat!" A hand clamped down on his shoulder and automatically, Eren snarled, twisted and deeply sank his sharp teeth into the flesh, drawing blood.

"Fuck!" The voice hissed in pain. The hand was yanked away and Eren blinked a couple of times.

He looked up and paled at the sight of Levi clutching his bleeding hand. He felt his canine teeth retract and guilt flood him at the wound. "L-Levi . . . I-I'm sorr---"

"It's fine." Levi shook his head in reassurance before pulling out a small piece of cloth from his pocket, and wrapping it around the wound. "It was my fault for scaring you. I shouldn't have touched you."

Eren bit his lip and glanced down.

Levi stared at him before looking down and adjusting the cloth on hand. "You were crying. . . ." he murmured.

Eren froze. Crying? 

He reached a hand up and felt along his eyes and surely enough, it was wet. "Oh." He mumbled, just as he was about to wipe the tears away with his hand, a cloth was held out to him. He looked up with wide eyes and into Levi's emotionless ones.

"Here." He only said.

Reluctantly, Eren took it, their fingers brushing briefly before he used the cloth to wipe his tears away. "Thank you," Eren said quietly. So quietly Levi nearly missed it. Eren was going to hand the cloth back when Levi held a hand up to stop him.

"Keep it." The alpha said then turned away, and began to head for the door. He paused, hand on the knob and said, without looking back, "You should eat. You look like shit." Then opened the door and left the room without another word.

Eren stared at the door in shock before looking back down at the cloth. 

Maybe it's time to let go of my past. . .

He smiled. 

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Soooooo. End of chapter 8! 😆 Riren moment yay!