No Longer Alone

Three

Umit

My eyes gaze upon the large building up ahead as we gallop out the forest. I glance behind me to see the brunette looking up ahead, his teal-green eyes glistening in the moon light.

I learned that his name was Eren. He had convinced the captain of the Scouts to let me stay and he'd watch over me. I couldn't believe it,a total stranger,helping someone who tried to rob him blind.

Noticing my staring, Eren smiles and rubs my head in a gentle manner. I couldn't help but lean into his warm touch. Its been so long since I was given a caring gesture.

"Welcome to HQ." He says once we stopped in front of the building. He climbs off the large animal and spreads his arms upwards to catch me. He caught me with ease and sets me onto my feet. Eren then grabs his belongings that he had bought from the market after rescuing me.

He motions me to follow which I did as we entered the building. It was old and made of stone. Eren lead me to what seemed to be the wash room. He places the stuff on a rack and begins to undress. I stood there awkwardly as he does this, not sure what to do.

He then runs the water letting warm steam rise from tub of water. Once filled, he climbs in.

"Umit?" He calls noticing me standing near the door.

"Oh was I suppose to get in?" I asked shyly.

"I wouldn't brought you here if I didn't want you to. "He replies. Slowly I undress feeling a bit awkward. "I'm not going to do anything okay,I know it feels weird to bathe with someone you've just met but Heichou would've thrown you in and scrubbed all the dirt off you himself." He shudders as he says this possibly from experience.

I nodded in understanding. I climb in the warm water a relived sigh escapes my lips. Its been a while since I bathe in a actual tub with warm water. Eren grabs a sponge and bar of scented soup. He silently asks for permission to wash me off. I give him the go ahead.

Eren was gentle as he scrubbed me clean and didn't add to much pressure on the cuts I had. He then washes my hair, massaging my scalp as he does so. This reminded me the times I bathed with my parents. A fun and relaxing time as we washed our long exhausting hours away.

I grin at the thought and planned to surprise Eren. Cupping a hand full of bubbles I turn around and smear it on Erens face. I gasps in surprise. I laugh when I see my masterpiece. Around his jaw was a bubbly beard and slight mustache.

"Oh we want to play games do we?" He grins widely.

Eren suddenly jumps at me tickling my sides. Our laughs could be heard through the halls but we didn't care.

After our bath war, Eren grabs the stuff he brought with us. As I dry off I notice him pulling out a small shirt and trousers.

"I hope they fit but if not we can buy something else." He says handing me my new freshly set of cloths.

I slip them on and they were a perfect fit. I smile at the feeling of being completely refreshed. Five years of filth is never a great feeling.

Eren them leads me out to the halls and into a room where a few other people sat around a table with bowls of stew in front of them. My stomach growls hungrily as my eyes first laid sights on the food.

Eren has me sit down as he went to grab our food. As I wait, I couldn't help but fidget at the curious eyes staring at me.

"So what's you're name?" A blonde with long bud hair and blue eyes asks. He gives me a friendly smile, easing my nervousness.

"Umit." I replied.

"Where are you from?" A pretty girl asks with a gentle smile.

"S-Shiganshi. "

Everyone is silent at this. It wasn't surprising. To talk with someone from that city and survived the horrors of that day is a miracle.

"I'm back, hey what's with the long face?" Eren says coming into the silent room. He places a bowl and piece of bread in front of me.

"N-nothing. "I replied. He prys no more as he sits next to me and begins to dug into his meal.

I take my spoon and dip it into the stew. I rise it up to my lips and take a bite. My taste buds danced once it touched my tongue. I ate it all with in seconds along with the bread.

I then noticed everyone was staring at me. I mentally wanted to hide. Was it odd to eat that way? Eren then places his own bowl in front of me which shocked me from my thoughts. It was still half full as if it was never touched.

I wanted to object, but the man called Heichou, gives me a look that told me to eat it. Not wanting to anger him,I thanked Eren and ate slower this time.

Once dinner was done, Heichou takes me away from Eren and down the halls and to a bedroom. It was plain with only a dresser, desk and bed.

"We'll get you more things later down the road. "He says. Just as he was about to leave, I grab the corner of his shirt stopping him from leaving. "What,need a bed time story. "He say a in annoyed tone which I ignored.

"Where's Eren?" I asked.

He sighs as he removed my hand. "Erens...busy." But by the way he said it made me doubt that Eren ever was.

I enter the room, closing the door behind me. I wait till the the moon was not visible from my window. Everyone should be asleep by now. Grabbing a candle and lighting it,I creep out of my room and down the wide narrow halls.

I searched through every room to no prevail. Eren didn't seem to sleep in any of the upper levels of HQ. So I made a trip down stairs where I find a door. Opening it I find a winding staircase that lead down.

At the end of the stairs I notice it was a dungeon. Only one cell was occupied and in it lay Eren on a bed,his arms chained to the wall but free for movement. I was utterly confused on why he was being treated like a prisoner. No one would've guessed he was since be was free to roam the halls and outside of HQ.

Since I was small and mostly skin and bone,I was able to slip through the bars of the cell. I went to Eren's side and gently shake him out of his slumber.

"Hmm? Umit,what are you doing down here?" He asks googly.

"I-I can't sleep." I replied.

He stares at me with half open eyes for a minute before scooting over and lifts the covers. I climb in nexy to him after blowing out the candle. He drapes the covers over us as I snuggle in closer to him for warmth.

"Night Umit." He yawns and falls back to sleep quickly as his eyes close.

I smile, I felt so safe around him, no longer will I have to worry about being chased, being beaten for trying to survive. But really how ling will this last?

Looking up at his sleeping face,I hoped I wouldn't be thrown back on the streets. I'll be a good boy, he's done so much for me already. Its the least I can do.

"Night, Eren."