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Eren knocked, rather harshly, on Mikasa’s door.
When there was no response he mumbled something under his breath and went for round two.
He heard Mikasa’s bed creak, as well as her nimble footsteps getting audibly closer to the door.
The door opened slowly and revealed a just awakened Mikasa.
“What.” She slurred out bitterly, hair sticking up and eyes held closed by sleep.
Eren gasped and grinned, “Come with me to the bookstore?”
Mikasa had to do a double take that her brother of all people was begging her to go to the bookstore at the ungodly hour of - Mikasa glanced at the clock hanging about the living room’s TV - 8:40 in the morning.
Mikasa grumbled, furrowing her brows as she pushed Eren out of her doorway.
“Go buy the book yourself..” she yawned, still half asleep from Eren waking her up to pester her to go buy a book of all things, “It’s too early for this.”
Eren groaned and regained his footing as he followed Mikasa, who sleepily made her way to the kitchen to grab herself a bowl of cereal.
“Come on Miks!” He begged, leaning onto the counter as she poured her food, “please?”
“Go ask Jean, or Connie, or Reiner.” She mumbled, staring at the bowl of cereal sleepily.
Eren sighed dramatically, and when she raised her head she couldn’t help but sigh as well.
She pinched the bridge of her nose and muttered a few curses that Eren could barely pick up on.
“Give me time to eat and get ready first.” She groaned, already shoveling her breakfast into her mouth.
Eren rejoiced, “Thanks! I’ll drive us! Tell me when you’re ready!”
“He’s sure up bright and early..” Mikasa muttered to herself as she watched Eren jump onto the couch and flip the channel onto some baking show.
..
“So why are you driving me to the bookstore again?” Mikasa asked from the passenger seat, turning her head to face Eren from staring outside the window.
Eren hummed and tilted his head Mikasa’s direction slightly, “Oh, I just wanted to buy a book for Armin.” He shrugged.
Mikasa scoffed, though it was filled with fondness for the two’s actions, “Why invite me then? Why not have it be a date or something?”
Eren shot her an incriminated look, as if that idea was the worst thing she’d ever said in her life. “I want it to be a surprise gift!” He said with all the clarity in the world, “I don’t want to ruin the surprise by him watching me buy it for him!”
Mikasa hummed; she could understand that logic enough, she supposed.
“Besides, I need help navigating the bookstore and finding the book itself.” He tacked on quietly; bingo, Mikasa knew it.
“I’ll help you, but only if you get me something to eat.” She smiled.
“Deal.” They mentally shook on it, Eren shooting her a hefty grin.
..
“What book are you looking for?” Mikasa asked as the two entered the bookstore.
Eren squinted and glanced around the rather empty bookstore.
He hummed, focusing his attention on her, “Oh, just one about the ocean. I think it has a white cover? That’s what Armin said anyway.” He shrugged, but Mikasa knew that was Eren for ‘I hope I don’t mess this up for Armin’.
She snorted and started walking over to where she knew those types of books were.
Eren jumped to follow behind her, totally lost when it came to navigating a bookstore. He’s only ever willingly entered them when he’s with Armin, or today, which is still because of Armin.
Mikasa stopped and gestured to a wall of books relating to the ocean.
“Look for ones with white spines. If there’s one thing I remember it’s that it has a white spine and cover.” Eren nodded as he spoke, reinforcing the book’s looks to his sister once more, already darting his eyes around to glance and find the book he’s looking for.
“Yeah, yeah.” Mikasa chuckled, finding it funny how focused her brother was when it came to Armin and things relating to him.
After a few minutes of looking around Eren gasped so loudly that Mikasa was sure the employee standing at the register in the front heard.
“This has got to be it!” He exclaimed, lifting up the book so Mikasa could also see it.
She nodded, “Looks like something Armin would read.”
Eren proudly paraded to the front and paid, Mikasa holding back her smile at her brother acting like a lovesick puppy.
—
Eren knocked on the door to Armin’s house, hoping he wouldn’t be too opposed to a surprise visit.
He heard him call from beyond the door that he was coming, and Eren instantly smiled, clutching the book in his hands, but not enough to damage it; he wanted it in perfect condition for Armin.
The door suddenly flew open and Armin eagerly grinned.
“Eren!” He gasped, eyes sparkling at the sight of his boyfriend.
“Armin! Close your eyes!” He instructed with a cheeky grin. Armin was skeptical and the expression on his face showed it, but he still complied, figuring he’d trusted Eren so many times and come out fine, what was once more?
With his eyes slipped shut, Eren pulled Armin’s hands out and placed the rather heavy book into his hands.
Armin nearly fell forward from the sudden weight and his eyes flew open.
He was about to ask what he did before looking down and noticing the white book he held in his hands, the exact one he’d been wanting.
Armin opened and closed his mouth, trying to find the right words to say. When his words failed him he set the book day gently and threw his arms around Eren to pull him in for a hug, not forgetting to place a kiss on his lips either.
“You didn’t have to, Eren! Really..” he mumbled into Eren’s shoulder fondly, still clutching him tight.
Eren squeezed his and lifted him up to spin him around, “I wanted to! Your reaction made it so worth it! Your face is cute when you’re excited.” Eren chuckled.
Armin sighed, Eren noticed the tips of his ears were flushed red, so no doubt his entire face was too.
“Thank you..” He whispered fondly. Eren smiled and kissed the top of his head, still happily embracing Armin like he was the best thing in the world (and he was).
Eren decided the bookstore was worth a visit every now and then if he got to see Armin like this.