"My son... I'm sorry I know you will despise me for everything I did but you'll understand everything soon." As Eren woke up, the warm afternoon sunbeams streaming through the window illuminated his tear-stained face. Carla, sleeping beside him, stirred and asked, "Honey, are you alright?" Eren's eyes fluttered, trying to shake off the vivid dream. "Yes, I'm alright, mom. Why?" His voice was laced with confusion, his brow furrowed.
Carla's eyes were filled with worry as she gently asked, "Why are you crying, Eren?" She tenderly wiped away his tears with her fingers. Eren's gaze drifted, trying to recall the dream, but it slipped away like sand between his fingers. "Don't worry, it's nothing... just a weird dream," he said, forcing a smile.
Carla's expression remained concerned, but she nodded and patted his head. "Well, I was thinking of making some fresh eggs with bacon, and some bread... and I almost forgot, I made cookies too !" Eren's face lit up, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. "Huhhh, bacon and eggs... That's amazing!" Carla smiled, relieved and headed to the kitchen to prepare supper.
As Carla left, Eren tried to remember his dream, but it was futile. He gave up and headed to the restroom for a long shower, seeking refuge from the unforgiving sun. The cold water cascaded down his body, refreshing his mind and washing away the lingering fogginess. After a 40-minute shower, he emerged feeling revitalized, his thoughts shifting to more pressing matters: persuading Carla to leave with him, meeting Armin and finding a way to train without Levi.
As he got dressed, Carla called out from downstairs, "Son, supper's ready!" Eren hurriedly replied, "Coming!" His stomach growled in anticipation as he made his way to the kitchen. The savory aromas of Carla's cooking filled the air, making his mouth water.
In the dining room, Eren took a seat at the table, where beautiful transparent glass plates held a delectable spread of food. "Man, I've craved your cooking for so long, Ma!" Eren exclaimed, digging in with gusto. Carla chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as Eren devoured his food with reckless abandon, asking for seconds before she'd even finished her first bite.
After the meal, Eren leaned back, content but immobile, his stamina depleted. Finally, Carla's curiosity finally got the better of her. "Honey, I have been wondering where did you get all that money?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of suspicion. Eren's eyes darted around the room, his grin faltering for a moment before he replied, "Well Erwin you know, he's a kind guy, he gave it to me."
Carla's gaze narrowed, her hands reaching out to pinch his cheeks, her fingers digging in with a playful firmness that made Eren yelp in mock pain. "Owww, mom, that hurts!" As Carla released his cheeks, her eyes locked onto his ears, which were a bright, telltale red. "Eren, I'm your mother... I told you what happened to me after you left Shiganshina... And here you are, lying... Plus, your ear lobes are red, which means you're hiding something... Geez."
Carla's voice was laced with a mix of disappointment and amusement, her arms enveloping Eren in a warm, loving embrace. "Well, I guess there's no tricking you, mom," Eren conceded, his face still flushed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Eren gazed up at Carla, his teeth clenched in anticipation, as sweat trickled down his cheeks. "You won't scold me, will you...?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of trepidation. Carla's swift response cut him off, "Depends." Eren knew he was cornered, and with a deep breath, he recounted his entire journey - the rigorous training with Levi, his role as the King's bodyguard and assassin, the intense battle with Kenny, and the substantial bonus he received. Carla's eyes widened in shock, her face pale as she processed the revelations.
As Eren finished his tale, Carla enveloped him in a warm embrace, her voice filled with pride and admiration. "I didn't know my son was so brave and matured." Eren's eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and gratitude as he wrapped his arms around her, replying, "Well, I am Carla Yeager's son, so yeah, it's possible!" After their long hug, Eren revealed the staggering amount - 10 million, he collected as an assassin though most of it came from protecting the king.
Carla's eyes widened further, her voice laced with concern. "Eren, we don't need that much money. Please take it back." But Eren's determination was unwavering. "Mom, I'm giving this money to Grisha for your freedom... Don't you remember how he used to beat you, demanding money? He won't reject this offer, trust me."
Carla knew Grisha will reject it, but Eren's confidence was infectious. They made a deal - if Grisha accepted the offer, Carla would come with Eren and live in Wall Rose , but if he refused, she would stay with him. Eren's grin broadened, his eyes shining with conviction. "Okay, then it's a deal, mom." Carla nodded, her expression a mix of hope and trepidation. Both quietly sat, deep in their imaginations worried about Grisha's answer.
As the silence between Eren and Carla stretched, a faint knock at the door broke the stillness, snapping them back to reality. "I'll go check," Eren said, rising from his chair, but Carla nodded in disagreement. "Honey, don't worry, it might be the tax collectors. I'll open the door." Eren followed her, curiosity piqued.
As Carla turned the door knob, a warm smile spread across her face. "Armin!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with delight. Eren's eyes widened in surprise as Armin stepped into view, his sapphire eyes gleaming in the sunlight. His tall frame was clad in a blue short-sleeved shirt and trousers, his hair messy and damp with sweat.
"Hello, Aunt Carla! Grandpa made some stew today, so I brought it for you," Armin said as he handed the bowl to Carla, his smile wide and cheerful. Eren's voice was barely audible as he whispered,
"Ar... Armin." Armin's gaze shifted, his eyes locking onto Eren's, and his expression transformed from surprise to disbelief. "Eren!" he breathed, his voice filled with emotion.
Eren's smile broadened as he rushed towards Armin, enveloping him in a tight hug. "Wow, man, you've grown a lot since the last time I saw you!" Eren's eyes sparkled with happiness, his voice filled with excitement. Armin's shock gave way to joy, tears welling up in his eyes as he hugged Eren back. "Eren... , you've grown yourself."
Carla's gentle voice interrupted their reunion, "Well, now that you two have had your moment, why not come inside and have a chat for a while?" She patted their dense hair, her eyes shining with warmth. As they broke apart, Eren and Armin exchanged a look, their grins mirroring each other's. They followed Carla into the house, the warmth of their reunion lingering in the air.
As they sat on the couch, their arms draped over each other's shoulders, Eren and Armin delved into their respective journeys over the past two years. Armin's eyes gleamed with mischief as he teased, "So, my friend is rich now, eh? When are you treating me with your soldier's paycheck?" Eren chuckled, his expression playful. "I'm not a soldier yet, Armin, just a trainee. But don't worry, I'll buy you anything you want. "
Carla's voice interrupted their banter, "Armin, I've made some bacon and eggs. Wanna eat?" Armin declined, but Eren persuaded him and he eventually agreed. As they reached the kitchen both sat on the respective chairs waiting for their meals. Carla remarked, "What are you doing, young man? I thought you were full." Eren grinned, his eyes sparkling. "Well, I thought, why not join Armin? He won't be comfortable eating alone, right, Armin?" Armin laughed, nodding in agreement.
As they continued sharing stories and dreams, Armin's eyes widened in surprise. "Shit, Levi? You mean The Captain Levi is your cousin?" Eren nodded, pride shining in his eyes. Armin's gaze met Eren's, his voice filled with awe. "Man, that guy, girls are head over heels for him... He's like a role model for them." Eren's expression turned puzzled. "Levi... He's popular among girls?"
Armin nodded, and Eren's mind raced with the revelation. He thought to himself, "Why wouldn't girls like him? He's a skilled fighter too and on top of that Levi's partner... Maybe his identity isn't known to the public yet ... And Petra... She might have competition soon. She need to hurry up or her ideal Captain Levi, whom she had a crush on for years, might be taken away!"
As the moon cast its silvery glow over the house, Armin bid farewell, leaving Carla and Eren alone. The air was heavy with anticipation, the trees swaying gently in the breeze like sentinels guarding secrets. Just then, Grisha's cart appeared in the distance, his approach as silent as a ghostly apparition. Armin hesitated, his curiosity piqued by the impending confrontation, but he knew it wasn't his place to intervene.
Grisha entered, his hat covering his long parted brown hairs, his eyes cast downward like a penitent seeking forgiveness. "I'm back," he announced, his voice laced with a mix of exhaustion and trepidation, like a man surrendering to his fate. Carla grasped Eren's shoulders, her fingers digging deep into his flesh like talons, a precaution to protect Grisha from another ambush.
"Honey, I thought you were coming back after a week," she said, her voice firm but wary, like a guardian protecting her cub. Grisha's gaze remained lowered, his eyes fixed on the floor like a supplicant, as he explained, "I received a message from a colleague that she had everything under control, so I didn't need to come." The air was thick with tension, the silence between them like a palpable force field.
Eren's anger simmered, his mind replaying the painful memories Grisha had created like a macabre dance in his mind. Carla's hospitalization, his own suffering – the wounds still fresh and raw. "So, you're back, huh," Eren said, his voice low and menacing similar to a predator stalking its prey. Grisha hesitated, his words stuck in his throat.
"Yes, Eren... I... I..." he stuttered, his eyes pleading for mercy like a condemned man begging for a reprieve. Eren's gaze was unforgiving, his eyes blazing with fury . "You don't need to give excuses, Grisha. I only came here to take Mom back with me to Wall Rose. The briefcase I threw earlier contains about 10 million. It's for all the money you could've ever spent on me or Mom, so I'm giving it all back. In other words, I'm asking you for a divorce, here and now. I won't let Mom stay with you."
Grisha stood there, his eyes wide with fear, like a rabbit trapped in a snare, as Eren's words pierced through his heart. Carla stood frozen, her eyes fixed on Grisha, her expression unreadable like a sphinx impatienly waiting for Grisha's response. "I... I... I can't..." Grisha stuttered, his voice barely audible, like a whisper in a hurricane.
Eren's rage boiled over, his eyes flashing with anger like a lightning bolt illuminating the dark sky. "Why! Huh, you tortured her. I'm giving you all the money you could ever ask for. Leave us alone now, you understand." His voice was a low growl, like a beast ready to pounce on its prey.
Grisha was hesitant but after muttering enough courgae his response was resolute, his eyes locked onto Eren's. "Eren, even if you offer me all the wealth this world could offer, I will never let Carla go... She's my life and I love her. ." The air was heavy with tension.
Eren's rage boiled over, his body trembling with fury. He broke free from Carla's grasp, advancing towards Grisha with a fierce determination ready to kill him. Carla's cry of "Stoppp! Eren, don't hurt him!" fell on deaf ears, her voice lost in the turmoil.
Grisha, too, ran towards Eren, as Grisha's hat hiding his emerald eyes got loose falling on the wodden floor that creaked beneath their gazes met in a flash of intensity. Eren froze, his eyes locked onto Grisha's, which pleaded and begged. Grisha fell to his knees, his hands shaking, his eyes streaming with tears like a dam breaking. "Eren, when I saw you, I wanted to say you've.... You've grown so big. I was really happy to see you've returned. I thought that we could live like we used to but now I realize that it was just a mere dream ."
The air was thick with emotion, the silence between them like a palpable force field. Grisha's words poured out like a confession, his tears falling like rain upon Eren's shirt. "I'm sorry I couldn't become the father you deserved. After all I put you through, you have every right to despise me. If only I'd let you be my son instead of seeing you as a burden." His arms encircled Eren, holding him tight, his tears soaking into Eren's shirt like a bitter reminder.
Eren stood frozen, his voice firm but laced with pain. "Let go...Let go of me, Grisha." He pushed Grisha away, freeing himself from his grasp. "I can't forgive you for what you did to me or what you did to my mother. Even if I gather enough courage to forgive you for all I suffered, I can't forgive you for what you put Mom through."
The atmosphere was heavy with anguish, the silence between them like a chasm waiting to be bridged. Eren's eyes blazed with anger, his voice a low growl. "You beat her only because she spent money on me, for running away... Even this job you got is because of my request from Erwin. You are nothing, Grisha! Nothing! " The words hung in the air like a challenge, the tension between them palpable.
"That's enough, Eren," Carla whispered urgently, her breath caressing his crimson ears as she approached them. "Don't you remember our deal?" Her eyes pleaded with him to relent.
Eren's gaze faltered, his anger wavering as Carla's words struck a chord. "Eren, sweetie, trust me, Grisha isn't the same person we knew. He has changed a lot... so for my sake, forgive him." Her voice was laced with a gentle desperation, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "He's taken care of me ever since you left... I've forgiven him, so why don't you too? I know it'll be hard, but please, I beg you, honey."
Carla's words were like a balm to Eren's soul, soothing his anger and pain. He clenched his teeth, his eyes fixed on Grisha, who remained on his knees, his eyes filled with hope. Eren's resolve crumbled, his heart heavy with emotion. "Aghhh..." he grunted, his arms opening wide as he hugged Carla and Grisha.
The three of them stood there, locked in a tight clasp, their hearts beating as one. Grisha's smile was like a sunrise, his eyes shining with gratitude. "Thanks, sweetheart, I'm grateful," Carla whispered in Eren's ear, her voice barely audible.
The bittersweet past seemed to fade away, leaving only the present, filled with hope and redemption. The air was thick with emotion, the silence between them like a warm embrace, enveloping them in a sense of forgiveness and new beginnings.
As they embraced, the tension and anger dissipated, replaced by a sense of forgiveness and reconciliation. The past still lingered, but it no longer defined them. They had taken the first step towards healing, towards a new beginning.
As they pulled back, Grisha's eyes shone with tears, his smile genuine. Carla's face radiated hope, her eyes filled with a sense of peace. Eren's expression was softer, his eyes still guarded, but a glimmer of acceptance shone through.
The three of them stood there, a weak sense of unity between them. It was a start, a fragile shoot of hope that would need nurturing, but it was a beginning.
As they stood there, the moon reached its zenith, casting a silver glow over them. The night air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers, a symbol of new life and renewal.
And in that moment, they knew that no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together, as a family.