Work Text:
Eren Yeager had always quite disliked cleaning. As a child, he'd constantly have to resist the urge to throw a full-fledged tantrum every single time his mother would come gently knocking on his door, practically begging him to clean his room. As a teenager, he'd have to always remind himself that sitting in a room full of filth was most certainly not attractive in the slightest, so as to force himself to get the motivation to at least pick up a few things from the floor. Even now, as a responsible almost-adult with responsibilities and knowledge greater than that of a fourteen year old teen or a five year old kid, he still had to constantly remind himself that dishes needed to be washed, clothes had to be folded, and things had to be picked up from the floor, had to remind himself that living in a constant mess was not acceptable.
Despite the fact that Eren absolutely hated cleaning, he did quite a good job at it. He had a habit of taking things all the way or doing nothing at all, and keeping his living quarters in order was no exception. However, this didn't mean he enjoyed it, and this was the reason he let out such a heavy sigh as he opened his closet door and realized that he'd have to go through it as soon as possible. The boxes he'd hurriedly stuffed in the back of it hardly fit, the clothes looked as though they were thrown in hastily, some not even folded, not to mention the closet was so crammed he doubted he could fit anything more than a paperclip into it, and that certainly wouldn't do.
He spent the entire afternoon looking through shoeboxes, sorting and folding his clothes, and reluctantly stuffing items he didn't need anymore into a garbage bag, even if he had formed an emotional connection to them. He had no use for them, after all. He'd form new connections with new objects, and then when they had served their purpose they'd find themselves discarded as well.
Just as he was about to yank a box of seashells he had collected into the trash, he had an idea. Tossing the box aside, he continued sorting through his closet with a newfound determination to finish, wanting to act on his idea as soon as he possibly could. He smiled a little as he imagined Armins' reaction to the gift, and before he knew it he was done, his closet looking sorted and almost brand new. He stood back and admired his work for a second before remembering he had something to do and hurrying to grab all the supplies he'd need.
Making a necklace with a seashell on it had proved to be easier than expected. He made sure to choose the largest one he had, which was also coincidentally the one he liked the most, and he was incredibly careful so as not to ruin it as he drilled a hole into the top of it, seeing as he only had one of the sort. He strung the cord through the small hole, surprised that making the necklace had taken such a short amount of time. He smiled even wider as he thought of how much this would mean to Armin, and he couldn't wait to see his reaction.
He then realized that he wouldn't have to wait all that long. It was the weekend, and Armin hadn't mentioned having any plans, meaning he was probably still in his dorm, so technically he could just walk over and give it to him right now. It didn't take all that long for him to come to a decision, and so he quickly pulled on his shoes, shooting his roommate an "I'll be back in a sec, just heading over to Armins'!", before practically racing out the door, excitement thrumming through his veins.
He wasn't sure why he was so excited. Maybe it was because he missed Armin, missed seeing his smile, missed the times when he wasn't so stressed and constantly buried in some textbook. Maybe it was because he couldn't wait to see his reaction, to see him beam brightly as his eyes grew wide - something that happened every time Eren surprised him. Maybe it was simply because he hoped they'd get to spend some time together. Maybe a combination of all. He didn't know. All he knew was that he was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet as he knocked on Armins' door.
It swung open a few moments later, revealing a very tired-looking blond, and Eren frowned, knowing exactly what the cause of his appearance was, but before he could lecture Armin about the importance of giving yourself a break from time to time, he spoke.
"Eren?" he yawned, covering his mouth with his hand as his eyes shut for a few moments. "Are you okay? Is something wrong?" he asked, a worried look taking over his expression.
"I'm fine... You sure don't look it though. How much did you sleep?" Eren answered, his eyes narrowing as he practically dared Armin to lie to him.
"Mmmh... Seven hours I think?" he said, and Eren narrowed his eyes even further, watching as his boyfriend tried to stifle yet another yawn. "Okay, fine" Armin huffed as he took in Erens' disapproving demeanor. "I slept three", and when Eren raised his eyebrows in question, he added a small "all week...", avoiding his eyes.
"What the hell Armin?" he practically yelled, causing Armin to further avoid his gaze, looking at anything and everything he could focus on except for him. "I don't care if you have a test or whatever, you need to take care of yourself! Do you remember when you started hallucinating because of this? Do you really want that to happen again?"
"I'm fine Eren, I swear. I'll go back to sleeping when I finish with this whole thing. I think I know my limits, I'm not going to make myself hallucinate again. Seriously Eren, that was just once, and it was during finals week! No one sleeps during finals week!"
"Well clearly you don't know your own limits, and hallucinating from sleep deprivation is not normal Armin, I don't care if it was finals week" he said, frustrated that his idiot boyfriend refused to take care of himself.
"Whatever. Did you come here just to yell at me like a child? Because if you did you can leave" Armin said, looking straight at him this time and leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed.
Eren sighed, giving up for now. Armin was stressed, and overworking himself was the way he coped with it. It was a part of him, and however annoying it may be he wasn't going to break his habit of doing so anytime soon. Eren couldn't change that about him, couldn't blame him for something that was out of his control, the only thing he could do was be there for him in times like these and make sure nothing got out of hand.
"I'm sorry" he said, watching as Armins' cold demeanor softened. "I blew things out of proportion. I know you're stressed, and I know things have been hard lately, and I honestly trust you not to pull anything stupid like you did during finals week. I'm just worried about you... So I brought you something". He pulled the necklace out of his pocket, watching as Armins' eyes grew wide as he admired the seashell. "It's not much but I thought you'd like it. I was cleaning out my closet and I thought this might make you feel a little better" he mumbled, thinking for a moment that Armin might think that it was too simple, get upset with him for putting almost no effort in.
"I'm sorry too" Armin whispered, looking away again. "I know I worry you so much and I wish I didn't, but I just don't know how to do things any other way. I try Eren, I really do, but it's a habit. I know I'm a shitty boyfriend and I'm sorry for that, I really don't want to be distant and snappy and make you feel bad... I-I can't believe you'd do something like this for me... even when I'm so horrible to you" he breathed, taking the gift in his hands.
"You're not a shitty boyfriend, and you most certainly aren't horrible to me. I love you Armin, I love you so so much. And I'll love you even during your stressful times, as frustrating as it may be sometimes. Now, can you take a break for a little while? I've missed you" he breathed, leaning in to kiss Armin on the forehead, watching as his cheeks grew red. He found it funny how it was so easy to make Armin blush, loved the way he reacted to affection.
"Yeah, I can take a break. Do you wanna come in? I can make some tea and we can just hang out for a bit" Armin said, smiling. They loved those quiet moments they had together, just sitting around in a comfortable silence and doing nothing, or talking about anything and everything, laughing at jokes and recalling memories, or sitting huddled close on the couch with nothing but the feeling of each other and whatever movie they had turned on going through their minds.
"Are you sure I can come in? What about Jean?" Eren asked, remembering the time Armin had invited him in without notifying his roommate and Eren had walked in on him changing when Armin had asked him to look for something.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about him. He's not here right now, think he said something about heading to the library to finish an assignment or something" he answered, giggling slightly as he remembered how absolutely furious Jean had been and how Eren had fervently rambled apology after apology.
"Oh, that's good then" Eren replied, smiling softly as Armin stepped aside so he could enter the dorm. "Has he admitted he's dating Marco yet?" he asked, seating himself at the small table as Armin locked the door.
"Not yet" Armin answered, starting to boil the water for tea. "You'd think he'd confess after I watched them make out yesterday, but he's been avoiding the topic completely. Come to think of it, I think he's studying with him right now. I honestly think he's avoiding me since yesterday. Thought I was asleep, but I stayed up to review some things. You should've seen the look on his face when he turned around and realized I was still awake" Armin laughed as he poured some of the steaming beverage into two mugs. "It's fine though. They'll tell us when they're ready, no need to force them. Kinda wish they'd admit to it sooner though, having to restrain myself from calling Marco his boyfriend when they make it so goddamned obvious is honestly draining me of energy".
"Yeah" Eren agreed, carefully sipping his tea. He suddenly noticed that Armin fell silent, and he looked up to see his boyfriend admiring the seashell, turning it around and examining it as though it were a diamond. "Y'know Armin, for someone who talks about the ocean so much you sure act like someone who's never seen it before" he joked, finding it adorable how Armin always looked so fascinated whenever he'd talk about the ocean or showed him pictures of family vacations. When Armin didn't answer, his eyes widened as he finally put the pieces together. "Oh my god, you've actually never seen the ocean before have you?" he gasped, astonished.
"Yeah, I've never seen it. At least, not in person. You've showed me loads of pictures but I've never actually been. I lived really far away from beaches, so my family never took me. Looks absolutely beautiful, though. I wish I could see it" he answered, smiling softly.
Eren then stood up, setting his hands on the table as he formed a plan. "Alright, get your ass dressed. Right now. Pack an exchange of clothes too" he ordered determinedly, almost laughing at Armins' confused look.
"Why? Don't tell me-" he asked, Eren cutting him off before he could finish his sentence.
"Y'know Armin, for someone so intelligent you really have no common sense. We're going to the beach. Now get dressed and pack an exchange of clothes, I'll take care of everything else"
"Isn't it really far away though? And what about-" he was cut off again as Eren leaned over the table and pressed their lips together, Armin tensing for a second before letting himself relax into it.
"You-you can't just kiss me to shut me up when you feel like it" he breathed as Eren pulled back.
"Oh really?" Eren answered, smirking in a way that made Armin have the slight urge to smack him across the face because oh my god he knows he's so annoying and that he can literally kiss me to shut me up whenever he wants because honestly I think it's hot but why the fuck is he being such a prick about it .
"Yes! You need to listen to what I have to say! What if it's important, or urgent, or mmph!" Armin almost fell backwards this time, not expecting Eren to do it again. "You know what? Fuck you Eren" he breathed as they pulled apart again, his chest heaving as breathed heavily.
"Gladly"
"Now is not the time for your stupid jokes, you idiot. Now can you please tell me how the hell you plan on dragging me to the beach when I have things to do and we're so far away from it?" he groaned.
"Armin... We're literally an hour drive away from the nearest one. Also, your things can wait. I promise it'll be fun, didn't you say you wanted to see the ocean like three seconds ago? Well now's your chance!" Eren tried to convince him, and when Armin just frowned and crossed his arms, he moved over next to him and tried again. "Come onnnnnn... You promised me you'd take a break. Please Armin? You'll enjoy yourself, I swear. You deserve it, and don't you think it'll be a little more enjoyable to come with me instead of spending the afternoon reading over the same paragraph again and again?". Armin sighed in defeat, and Eren practically beamed with joy because oh my god he agreed and I get to spend time with him and his first time seeing something he wanted to see so much is gonna be with me and I'll finally get to see him relax after all the work he's put himself through.
"Okay, fine"
"Thank you" Eren said, kissing his forehead again and watching as whatever was left of his boyfriends' frown melted off of his face. "Just get dressed and I'll pack. Be ready in half an hour okay love?"
"Alright" Armin answered, heading over to his room, and Eren doing the same, the cups of tea left on the table - forgotten.
Half an hour and a lot of rummaging through cabinets later, Eren made his way back to Armins' door. This time however, it wasn't his boyfriend who opened the door. This time, it was Jean.
"I think you broke your boyfriend Yeager. He's been running around grinning like some idiot holding a seashell on a string muttering about you and the ocean for the past ten minutes, what the hell did you do to him?" he joked, and Eren smiled at the thought of Armin being so excited.
"I told him I'd take him to the beach since he's never been" he answered, watching as Jeans' eyes widened before he turned his back to him and yelled:
"You've actually never been to the beach before Armin?"
"Yep. Never seen it" he heard his boyfriends' cheerful voice from inside the dorm. "But I'm about to. Is Eren there?"
Jean nodded, stepping away from the doorway so Armin could walk out. "Um... Have fun I guess. Don't drown or anything, you're actually a pretty good roommate and if they bring someone else in here I swear I'll go insane" he joked.
"I won't drown Jean, I know how to swim and I'm not that incompetent" Armin joked back, rolling his eyes in mock offense.
"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Go do your mushy romantic stuff" Jean replied, closing the door behind him.
"Ready to go?" Eren asked, turning to look at Armin.
"Definitely" he replied, and they set off. The drive wasn't very long, only about an hour, and honestly they both found it quite fun. Eren blared music at what was probably the highest volume and Armin rolled the windows down and let the wind blow his hair in every direction, screaming along the song lyrics as every worry and negative thought seemed to drift away in the wind.
They finally reached their destination, Armin practically bouncing from excitement. He didn't quite know how to take it all in - the smell of salt in the air, the winds that seemed to be just the slightest bit stronger than they were anywhere else, and most of all the excitement. The excitement of finally getting to see something he'd wanted to see for years, to do something he'd been waiting for since he was a child.
When they finally made their way down to the sand and spread out a blanket so they could sit, choosing a spot far away from all the people, he was almost ecstatic. It was bet7ter than anything he'd imagined - the sand shone in the sun, covering his feet as he walked, the sky was clear and blue, and the ocean itself just had to be one of the most amazing things he'd ever seen in his life. It was so incredible he had to take a moment just to stare, to watch as the waves crashed and foamed, making the most calming sounds.
"Wow..." he muttered, suddenly incredibly thankful that he'd agreed to this.
"It really is beautiful isn't it?" he heard Eren say from beside him.
"It's not just beautiful - it's absolutely breathtaking" he breathed.
"It is, isn't it?" Eren spoke again, and Armin could hear the smile in his voice. "Do you wanna walk around for a little bit, maybe explore a little?" he asked.
"Yeah, that sounds nice" Armin answered, smiling softly as Eren then reached over to hold his hand, intertwining their fingers and swinging their arms.
They walked around for a little, Eren telling him all about various family vacations he'd been on, telling him about the time he'd been stung by a jellyfish, and Armin listened contentedly, his eyes never leaving the crashing waves, his feet getting wet from the splashing water, coating them in soft sand.
"Whoa Armin look" Eren suddenly paused his story, and Armin looked over to where Eren was pointing, seeing a small cave they hadn't seen before. "Do you wanna go in there?" Eren asked, and when Armin nodded, he practically dragged him over, his green eyes almost gleaming with excitement.
"Oh my god it's beautiful in here" Armin breathed as they entered it, his voice echoing on the rocky walls.
"Yeah, I've never seen anything like it. There are so many shells here too, look" Eren agreed, pointing to the line the waves reached as they drifted close. He was right, hundreds of seashells adorned the sand, decorating it in a most beautiful way. "Find some that you like. We'll take them back with us, might brighten up our rooms a bit" he laughed.
Armin nodded, smiling as he knelt on the wet sand, Eren right beside him, and slowly picked out a few, taking a moment to examine each of them. He couldn't believe he was actually here, actually living his childhood dream. They stayed there in a comfortable silence, the crash of the waves echoing in the cave, just kneeling there and collecting seashells like little children, Armin gasping whenever he found one that he thought was especially pretty.
"I think that's enough now, hm?" Eren laughed as they both realized that they had collected so many they couldn't hold them all anymore. Armin nodded, giggling as he started working on throwing them back into the ocean, Eren following suit, saving a few that he thought were especially beautiful.
"You know" Eren whispered once they had finished, "if you want, I can make you so many more necklaces like that", he pointed to the one currently hanging around his neck. "If it means I'll get to see you smile like this I'll make you a thousand seashell necklaces" he muttered as he leaned over, their lips crashing together just like the waves crashed upon the sand, the sounds of the ocean the only thing accompanying them as they shared what Armin was sure had to be one of the sweetest moments he had ever experienced. It was one of those perfect moments he'd forever think about, one of the memories he'd keep close to his heart. It was sweet and loving and beautiful, and Armin was loving every second of it. He loved how Erens' hand made its' way into his hair, tugging on it softly, loved the way the air smelled so strongly of salt, and loved how he had such a caring boyfriend, who did such amazing things for him and cared for him so. Most of all, he loved the way the golden rays of the sunset basked them both in such a pretty glow, making Eren almost shine.
"Your clothes are all wet" Eren whispered as they pulled back. "You can change in the car, you brought an exchange right?"
Armin fell silent, his eyes growing wide as he remembered that he did not, in fact, have a change of clothes. Out of all the things he could've forgotten, he forgot the most important one, literally the only thing Eren asked him to bring?
"Damn it Armin" Eren sighed, making sure not to make Armin think he was actually all that upset with him. It was just that it was cold and Armin was dripping wet and he'd catch a cold if they stayed outside any longer. "It's fine. But you better hope you don't get sick" he said, taking Armins' hand and leading them back to the car. Armin started shivering as the sun set completely, making Eren force him to wrap himself in what seemed like a thousand towels as they sat in the car and began driving.
"Thank you for taking me here Eren" Armin said, looking out the window as the scenery zoomed by. "It was amazing and I feel so much better now".
"You're welcome angel. We can go again soon if you want, I love seeing you so happy"
"That would be amazin-" Armin was cut off by a sneeze. His own sneeze.
Shit.
"Armin I swear to god if you catch a cold right now in the sleep-deprived state you're in I will literally strangle you" Eren said, his green eyes narrowing.
"I'm fine, I didn't catch a-" another sneeze.
Fuck.
Armin did, in fact, catch a cold that day, but it was fine. Everything was fine because he'd had the time of his life, and his all his worries disappeared, even if only for a few hours, not to mention he got to sleep in Erens' dorm for a day when Jean started grumbling about how he was infectious. He also discovered that Eren was serious about keeping his promises, adding two new necklaces to his newfound collection.
Armin would forever keep those moments, those memories, etched in his mind, go over them when he was having a hard time, remembering how carefree and happy he'd felt that day when he'd seen the ocean for the first time, all while running his fingers over the necklace he'd now constantly have hanging around his throat.
Who would've thought a hastily-made necklace would lead to such a beautiful thing?