Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"You and Ymir are on the deluxe suites tonight." Eren sighed as his freckled co-worker threw the rag down that she'd had in her hand.

"I don't want to hear a peep about it or you can consider yourselves unemployed." The bitter, wrinkled woman turned in one smooth movement and walked to the service elevator. Eren listened to her short heels as they clicked against the marble tiles, mocking him.

"This is bullshit. Why do we always get the shittiest jobs." It was true. They were always assigned to the messiest areas in the hotel. The deluxe suites weren't typically any worse than the standard suites, but on this particular day, they'd had the pleasure of having a basketball team. And everyone knew that athletes, more often than not, were the worst guests.

"We should hurry up before she finds an excuse to fire us." Eren grunted as he pushed the ridiculously large cart towards the service elevator.

"Uh no. Preggos don't push the cart." She stood in front of it and waved him away. The elevator dinged and opened for the two of them.

"I'm pregnant, not disabled." Sure, he had trouble doing things he'd normally have no issue with. But it was his third trimester and he felt as though he was doing pretty well for himself. Especially since he was doing it alone.

Well. Save for Krista and Ymir; his overprotective roommates.

"Doesn't matter. Walk your happy omega ass in there." He didn't bother arguing with her. It was pointless. Instead, he put his hand on his abdomen and just waited for his baby to respond. His bump was small despite being in the third trimester but his baby was developing normally. Eren just carried differently but other people never understood or respected it.

"You sure you don't want to know the gender?" Ymir didn't look up at him as she pushed the cart into the corner.

"It's easier that way." It would be easier to let go. That's what he told himself. But he already cried every night thinking about when he would inevitably see his baby for the first and last time.

"If you say so." Silence fell as the elevator doors closed and the hum of the cords filled the emptiness left by their conversation.

"Welcome home!" Krista threw herself onto Ymir's lips and then gently hugged Eren. She put a hand on his bump and giggled. The brunet didn't normally like it when people did that but this was Krista. She was warm and happy and probably couldn't help herself. As a Beta-Omega couple, they could never have their own without scientific intervention or adoption.

"Are you okay?" He looked up to find her eyebrows furrowed and blue eyes full of concern.

"I'm okay, why?"

"Your stomach just feels kind of tight and you're sweating." She lightly rubbed clockwise circles with the tips of her fingers.

"He's fine, babe. We had a hard day." Ymir called from inside the house. Krista hummed and guided Eren inside.

"You two really should find new jobs."

"I promise you that there is nothing we want more. But ever since that old cunt found out Eren had a bun in the oven, she's been trying to get rid of him. We won't find a job this late in the pregnancy that will give him maternity leave pay. And if I quit, there's no one to make sure she doesn't eat him alive." Ymir was setting the table to prepare for the meal that Krista had almost finished.

"But I could work for—"

"No." Eren cut Krista off.

"You're not changing your life to accommodate me. You didn't work before I appeared out of nowhere, and you aren't going to start now." He bent down as far as he could to untie his shoe. Why had he never gotten slip ons?

"I want to. It's not inconveniencing me."

"No. Once the baby is officially adopted, I'll move out. Everything is fine. I can put up with it a little longer." He stood back up and grunted, the pain of his back straining getting to be a little intense.

"You don't have to—"

"I'm going to take a shower." He dragged his feet down the hallway, grabbing a towel from the linen closet. The boy heard the sound of footsteps starting after him, followed by Ymir's hushed voice.

"Give him some alone time." He locked the door behind him and turned on the water. The brunet didn't care if it was warm enough.

Alone time. Was that what he needed? Was it what he wanted? No. He wanted, more than anything, to go back home. For things to be how they used to be. To be in the arms of his lovers. He needed their reassurance and their soothing voices, cooing and calming. Eren wanted things to be okay again. He wanted to bask in a satisfying reality rather than memories of what he once had.

And what he would probably never have again.

"How about you just spread your legs and do your job, Omega." The guy's friends laughed and clapped in different rhythms. Eren really hated this shit. The perceived hierarchy.

"That's cute, Jean. Thinking that I would ever spread my legs for a disgusting Alpha like you." Eren got up off the ground that he'd previously been shoved down on.

"You would be lucky if I even looked in your direction, whore."

"Interesting. You went out of your way to start a fight and drag lil' old me into this alley. I must be the luckiest whore alive."

"I'm only doing my job as an Alpha. Putting you in your place. Doing the world a favor." He smiled his stupid horse smile.

"How do you plan on doing that? I've seen Betas—no—Omegas more ALPHA than you are. One look from them and I'd be pregnant. But you could fuck me for centuries and only shoot blanks. Take your pathetic, shrivelled dick and fuck off."

And he was on the ground again.

Bloodied nose.

It cracked. Was it broken?

It felt like his cheek would cave in.

"Stop! He's bleeding!" Armin?

His eyes were covered in something, he couldn't open them.

"Fucking christ, stop!" He heard a scuffle a little ways away.

Armin started to cry.

"Let me go! Get off of him, Jean!"

"Really, gentleman? Cornering a guy in an alleyway?" A new voice emerged. Eren didn't recognize it.

"The fuck? An Alpha beating on an Omega? What, he break up with your bitch ass?" Another voice. Slightly less deep. The wind blew and Eren caught their scents.

Alphas.

"Piss off! I don't need an Alpha's help!" Jean hit him again, probably to shut him up.

"Yeah. Clearly you're doing SO well for yourself, brat."

"Levi, attitude." A sigh and then somebody cracking their knuckles.

"This is annoying so I'm going to end it."

"I have to agree with my friend here, gentlemen. This...is annoying." There was fighting. Lots of it. Jean got off. And then someone else was next to him.

"Eren! Are you okay?! Can you see?" Armin wiped at his eyes with something. He opened them, seeing a bloodied sleeve. The brunet hadn't realized he'd bled so much. He sat up and saw the two strangers finishing up their brawl. And he saw Jean creeping away. But this fight wasn't over. He hadn't even got a hit in yet. So Eren grabbed a glass bottle lying on the ground and jumped up after him. Armin yelled at him, saying something he couldn't be bothered to understand.

And he smashed the glass over Jean's head. The horseface went down, clutching the back of his head and Eren hopped on top of him swinging and punching as fast as he could. Jean cried out, calling the Omega crazy and other insults that didn't matter.

"Really? I'm only doing my job as an Omega...putting you in your place...doing the world a FUCKING FAVOR!" And then he was yanked off before he was ready to stop.

"Let go! Let me go!" A small man walked to face him.

"You want to go down for murder, kid?" The guy had black hair and an undercut; much better than Kirschtein's. He looked tired and unbothered.

"We'll take your friend home and you to a hospital." He looked up to see the owner of the deeper voice. A tall, broad Adonis with perfectly styled blond hair. Wow. What a duo they were.

"I'm not going to a hospital."

"You need to be looked at, fucking brat." The raven haired man began to argue.

"I'm. Not. Going."

"Why are you being so damn difficult!"

"I'M NOT GOING!"

"STOP ACTING LIKE A LITTLE ASS KID!"

"Uh, his dad is a surgeon...and we used fake ID's to get into this club…"

"What? How old are you?" The blond sounded concerned.

"Noneya, old man." He tried to be snippy but Armin answered at the same time.

"20, sir."

"ARMIN!"

"Sorry…" The taller blond holding Eren in place chuckled.

"Well. We'll take you to see our friend. They're a doctor but they have their own medical practice. No connection to your father." The brunet sighed. It wasn't an ideal situation but he was also concerned about his nose.

"Fine. But Armin comes with."

"Hoh? You don't trust us?" The shorter man smirked at him. Why did he have to be so attractive while doing it.

"This is fucking terrorism…" Eren mumbled under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, eyebrows. Hands off." He squirmed in the firm hold before the man released him.

"The hell do we do about this fucker, Erwin? And those fuckers?" The man, previously referred to as Levi, kicked at Jean's unconscious body.

"I'll have them collected. They can report if they want but it looks like they jumped an Omega. So I doubt there'd be much done about their complaints." 'Erwin' called someone and went back and forth for a few moments, giving only a location and brief explanation.

"Let's go." The two men began to exit.

"Do we just leave them? What if they get...robbed or something?" Armin looked at the scattered men on the ground.

"How tragic that would be." Levi adjusted his jacket unapologetically.

"We have someone coming for them. They'll be here in a couple minutes." Odd. More than odd.

"Come, children." Erwin waved them over.

"We aren't kids."

"Sure you aren't." Erwin and Levi walked slower, matching Eren's pace, as if to make sure the brunet didn't fall behind. Strange. More than strange.

It made Eren's chest feel fluttery. Almost...giddy.

That was definitely weird as hell.

"Eren! Are you okay? It's been over an hour!" He heard Krista's muffled voice through the door.

"Yeah...yeah...sorry…" he quietly said as he turned off the now cold water. He stepped out and patted himself dry with the towel as best as he could and then headed into his room. Eren didn't bother to put on anything besides a pair of underwear before getting into bed.

The brunet just sat in quiet darkness, staring at the blur of his bedroom wall. He was exhausted but his eyes refused to stay shut. His body was buzzing. Eren was hurting. He was hurting for his lovers. Yearning for their touch.

He felt the baby kick, as if telling him it was okay. But it wouldn't be. Not when he'd left them with only a note that said "I'm sorry." Not when he'd have to give up the life growing inside him. The life that he couldn't help but love.

"I brought you some food...if you'll just take a few bites…" she sounded unsure. She sounded scared.

"...yeah. Come in." He sat up and turned on the dimmest list in his room as she sunk in and shut the door behind her.

"I covered the rolls in cinnamon butter," she sat down onto his bed and handed him a plate. He loved the cinnamon butter. It was homemade.

"Thank you." He lightly tapped the other foods with his fork, unable to bring himself to take a bite.

"What are you going to do? Y'know, when you go back. I can't imagine things will go back to normal." She pulled all of her hair to one side and twirled the ends.

"Probably not. But I should still go back. I kind of just bailed on everyone." He set the plate down, contemplating what exactly would happen when he actually did go back.

"You never really told me why you left. Or how your life was before you came to live with us." She was curious. Always had been. Eren knew it took a village to keep the girl from asking about his past. Krista was a worrier; but mostly just when it came to Eren. With him showing up tear-soaked, cheek tinged black and blue, she never once believed that he was okay.

"There's not much to say. My lifestyle and the people in it just...wouldn't agree with my situation." It wasn't that simple. And when was anything that simple for anyone?

"Can I...see their picture again?" Eren knew what she was asking. After one of his previous breakdowns, he'd been able to do no more than sob with the crumpled photo against his chest. So of course they'd seen it.

Eren reluctantly reached between his box spring and mattress, sliding his fingers until he felt the blunt edge of the photo. He pulled it out, keeping it face down so he could prepare himself before letting their features invade his mind.

Krista took it, silently acknowledging that he wasn't ready to look. She stared for a hard minute and smiled.

"Handsome. Do you know whose it is?" He shook his head.

"Then they're both…"

"Alphas."

"Must've been hard on you," she giggled and nudged his arm. He laughed but he couldn't agree. Nothing was easier than being with them. Of course relationships were complex but actually being with them, loving them...it was natural.

"How did you guys get things going? It's not common for two Alphas to coexist in a relationship like that." She started tracing what he figured were the outlines of their hair. They did have amazing hair.

"It was more than coexisting." They loved each other before they loved Eren. Working side by side in an unnamed stealth team for the government required that much time be spent together. Levi had once told him that, initially, he didn't like Erwin at all.

"I walked in, years of training in a multitude of combat styles under my belt, and this shit-eater completely annihilated me in our first one-on-one's."

"I remember your eyes, how quickly they processed and expressed every emotion as I pinned you on the ground...that was when I knew I wanted you." Erwin played with the rim of his champagne glass, smiling at the memory. Levi just rolled his eyes.

"And the whole time he's falling in love, I'm planning his assassination."

"What changed then?" Eren looked up at Levi from sitting on the floor, between the shorter man's thighs.

"Hormones. The big ass tree went into a rut and turned me on. After that, all of his advances that I had previously snubbed and rejected, were…less repulsive. I started to think about other things and one conversation led to another…"

"And that conversation led us into bed." Erwin smirked at his angry counterpart.

"Aren't you the one always blabbing about discretion?"

"This is different. This is our good little boy. We don't need to hide all the juicy details from him." Erwin reached down to caress underneath Eren's chin before pulling back with a wink.

"You seem like you really loved them."

"I do." He hadn't meant to say it out loud, but it was like he was unable to hold it in. Sometimes it was physically painful. Price of being an Omega, he supposed.

"Eren...why didn't you stay with them?" He shook his head. And he shook it again. And when he felt tears welling up, he shook it some more.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. Please don't cry, okay?" She held him tightly and comforted the best way a Beta could.

He wished he could go back with them. Or atleast live out their time together just once more. Appreciate it. Feel it. Memorize every part of it. To start from the beginning and fall in love all over again...he would be so happy.

Armin left early, nervously making up some excuse about forgotten assignments.

"Your nose is definitely broken. But it should heal over just fine, Eren. Your pretty face will stay pretty," the doctor, Hange or whatever, cleaned and taped up his nose. He now looked like he'd just gone to a plastic surgeon.

"Now...I have to ask…" The doctor slowly adjusted their glasses before looming over him like inevitable death.

"Would you like to participate in a...study?" Hange looked like a predator in this light and Eren wasn't sure he should say no. For his safety. But then he found himself scooped up and out of harm's way.

"Leave him alone, shit-glasses."

"BUT THIS IS SUCH A RARE SITUATION, CAPTAIN!" Their hands locked up as if possessed and they arched back towards the light, resembling a scene from an exorcism flick.

"There will be more broken noses, I assure you." Erwin began fixing Eren's hair and mumbling something about regret.

"Now now, Commander. Don't play all coy. This research has nothing to do with Eren's broken nose." Hange grinned some unseemly grin at the man who's large eyebrows furrowed.

"Then what is it you want, four-eyes?" Levi began to curse at them while Erwin seemed to piece together what the doc was getting at.

"Uh, Levi…"

"Every single time we introduce someone to you—" The shorter man continued in his arguing.

"Perhaps we should—"

"Shut it, Shitwin!"

"Sorry, Levi." Hange sighed.

"And—wait, what the fuck did you just say?"

"You're right. I shouldn't act like this to new people." Hange hung their head as if feeling guilty.

"Of course I'm ri—" But before Levi could finish, that strange grin was returning to the doctor's face.

"Especially new people you two want to mate." Erwin sighed, Levi stuttered, Eren blushed, and Hange...cackled.

"WHAT BULLSHIT ARE YOU SPEWING!" Levi grabbed the stethoscope and chased the doctor around the small examination room.

"YOU CAN'T DENY IT! THE TRUTH IS IN THE PHEROMONES, LEVI! I'LL HAVE TO AIR OUT MY CLINIC FOR A WEEK BEFORE I LET PEOPLE IN HERE!"

"HAH?! MAYBE PHEROMONES WOULDN'T CLING SO EASILY IF YOU'D CLEAN THIS SHIT HOLE ONCE IN A WHILE!"

And that went on for a while before Erwin took Eren out to the car, whispering his apologies. Eventually, Levi followed and the three sat in the car without saying a word.

And they sat there, not saying a word, right up until they pulled into their driveway.

"What about the kid?" Erwin looked back, slightly shocked at Eren's presence.

"Fuck, I forgot…"

"You...forgot?" Levi was now wearing a matching expression on his face. The two stared at each other, as if communicating telepathically.

"I can get a taxi or something."

"No, absolutely not. Where do you live?"

"...by the university." Eren looked down at his bruised knuckles.

"The university an hour away?" Levi deadpanned as if he'd heard an awful joke. And then thunder ripped through the sky, followed by an instant downpour of water pellets.

"That's the one." He cleared his throat and was going to mention a taxi again when Erwin chimed in.

"I'm going to assume that because tomorrow is Sunday, you will not have to attend any classes. Is my assumption correct?" Eren nodded.

"I will also assume, based upon the sheer amount of pheromones you've been releasing in response to ours, that we all feel some sort of mutual attraction, as it were." He nodded again.

"My third and final assumption is that you may feel apprehensive, perhaps even scared, when I ask if you'd like to stay here tonight so that none of us need risk our lives in this increasingly harsh storm." Eren waited a moment, but nodded again.

"My solution, which by no means restricts you from just going home instead, is that we will lend you our bedroom for the night. You can lock the door and feel safe while we sleep elsewhere." Sleep there? Could he do that? ...should he do that?

As if answering for him, the wind picked up to a dangerous speed and incredible force, moving the car an inch forward. Looks like he didn't have a choice. It was either survive uncomfortably here or die trying to avoid it.

"That's fine," he spoke quietly, or the howling wind drowned him out. But Erwin heard it anyways and began fighting to open the door before struggling to keep it attached to the vehicle. As the gentleman he obviously tried really hard to be, he helped Levi out (who didn't really appreciate it) and then Eren.

"The Gods clearly aren't happy with someone." Erwin shielded his eyes as he entered the garage door code.

"Who would be happy with any of these cretins? It's like a goddamn circus trying to navigate these streets." Erwin sighed, letting Levi make his usual bitter "I hate the world" comments.

The garage took an eternity to open, what seemed like it anyway, and they rushed in the moment their heights allowed it.

"Alright. I'm telling you right now, you better drop that shy shit long enough to strip down before walking inside. We're all soaked." Levi was looking directly at the brunet with a look that could kill, but when the smaller alpha raked the boy over with those same killer eyes, it was obvious he wanted more than to avoid tracking water in the house.

"Or, my precious Levi, you could grab him a towel first so that he won't have to walk around half-naked." Erwin tilted his head, again using his apparent telepathy to speak.

"Where's the fun in that?" The dark-haired man laughed, shucking off his clothes so quickly that Eren had minimal time to react and released a high-pitched squeak before turning away in embarrassment. Both Alphas tried to suppress their laughter while the Omega did not care to hide his discontentment with them.

The youth heard Erwin begin to disrobe as well, so he adjusted his clothing, focusing on the disgusting clinging fabric for distraction. It didn't take long for Levi to return with a towel, though the man was still not changed.

"Here, brat. I'm going to leave out another towel and some clothes for you. Feel free to use the master shower. And just drop your wet clothes here by the door," the smaller Alpha spoke quickly and walked away even quicker, Erwin in tow. Eren undressed pretty quickly himself, wrapping the fluffy towel around himself before stepping in. The first thing he saw inside, apart from the modern simplistic design, was Erwin sitting on the couch in only his boxer briefs. He looked up at Eren and smiled.

"I'm not here to ambush you, just figured you may need help finding the bedroom," he smiled gently as he stood and motioned for Eren to follow him upstairs.

"So uh, I take it you two are an item?"

"You are correct." Erwin briefly stated that he knew it was weird for two Alphas to be together only to have Eren scoff and dismiss him.

"Love is love. And it's your business, not anyone else's."

When they weren't speaking, it was hard to look anywhere but the sculpted ass directly in front of his face. And he found himself wishing he had appreciated the view more when they reached the bedroom. He peeked at the man's muscular thighs once more and sighed.

"Something wrong?" The tall Alpha was clearly amused, knowing damn well what Eren had been up to.

"I'm tired!" He ran inside the bedroom, letting out a small 'thank you' before closing the door.

Eren decided he would shower, sleep, go home and forget any of this ever happened.

Except, an hour or so later, he couldn't bring himself to sleep.

The bed was perfectly comfortable, he'd taken pain medication to combat the throbbing of his nose, and the oversized pajamas were so light and cozy that he could barely feel them on his body. The accommodations were not the problem, no.

The problem was that he was nothing short of swaddled in both Alpha's scents. It was logical, seeing as how they slept in this room every night. And probably did...other things in this room.

Fuck, he really needed to keep his mind out of the gutter. That last thing he wanted to do was humiliate himself by leaving mating pheromones all over their bed.

Eren decided to get a drink of water and woosah. He could control himself for one goddamn night, he was no animal. But when he exited the bedroom and made his way to the steps, he heard his two gracious hosts going at it like there was no tomorrow. And when he heard the dirty talk, there was no going back.

"I saw you looking at that boy, like you wanted to hold him down and fuck him till he fainted," Erwin said huskily.

"What about you? Don't think I didn't notice you scenting the air more than usual, you want to fuck him just as badly," Levi sneered. Eren heard the man moan and the telltale sound of skin meeting skin.

"And what if we did? What if we went in there right now and ravished him? Mark up those plush thighs, fill his slutty mouth. Don't you want to taste that sweetness between his legs? Don't you want to hear him scream for us?" The taller Alpha laughed as Levi keened and grunted, letting out a string of curses at the imagery his lover had provided him with.

Eren felt no fear; he knew it was just fantasy. But he found himself longing for it to be reality.

He noticed the slick that had begun to trickle out and started retreating to the bedroom, only to step on a particularly creaky spot on the floor. The sounds stopped. They knew he was there. And all too quickly the dark-haired Alpha swung the door open.

"Oi, no peeping you—" he was smiling at first, making some teasing remark while his cock was out in full glory. But the smile disappeared in an instant, as if he'd run into a wall. He noticed Levi swallow particularly hard before the man gripped the doorway.

"Eren, go back to the bedroom and lock the door." With those words, Erwin appeared behind him asking what was wrong until he too found himself assaulted by the scent of Eren's arousal.

"It'll be fine. Just go back to the room and give us a minute to calm down." Eren shook his head. This was the bravest he'd ever been and probably would ever be, and it was only due to the haze of desire that overtook him when he looked upon these two men.

"Don't wanna." That was all he had to say. The two Alphas didn't question it. They didn't hesitate. They just grabbed him and pulled him into their arms. All three men accepted and let themselves give in to instinct.

Chapter Text

He'd been in a daze his entire shift. Ymir scrambled to make sure their boss didn't notice, but she prodded at the Omega any chance she got. Eren never provided a clear answer, always saying that he was "fine" or "just tired."

It wasn't until after their shift that Ymir cornered him. She was clearly very worried about him, and while he appreciated it, he couldn't take it. He insisted he was fine. Until he wasn't.

“Oh fuck,” was all Eren heard from the beta as he clutched his abdomen. She was driving like crazy, speeding and using serpentine moves through traffic. Eren heard her call Krista at one point, but nothing was really registering with him. The amount of sheer pain that he felt. There was a tearing sensation so intense he nearly passed out multiple times.

Even the emergency room was a daze. He could hardly acknowledge the shit being thrown at him. Placental abruption. Hemorrhaging. Emergency cesarean. Krista was saying things to him, trying to keep him awake apparently. He didn't even realize she'd shown up to the hospital. She was grabbing his face, asking him something over and over again.

“Do you want me to find them?” When he finally processed what she was asking, he didn't need clarification on who she was talking about. He did want them. But he couldn't pull them into his mess. Not after leaving like a coward. Eren turned away from her, letting his tears fall silently as he slipped into unconsciousness.

Eren had once overheard a conversation between Erwin and Levi, regarding children. He hadn't heard what led them into discussing the topic but he did catch the end in which both men unanimously agreed that they were “not built to be parents.” It hadn't affected the youth much at the time as he himself had no desire to have children. The actual fertility rate for male omegas was so low that most people would never see a pregnant male omegas in their lives. Not even two months later, when the test clearly showed two lines, he was sick. Terrified.

He couldn't tell them. How could he tell them? Eren didn't tell anyone for the first month after he found out. But he decided he needed to tell his father, who'd been paying for his education. The brunet went in person to have dinner with Grisha.

It was a mistake.

Eren left with a black eye and was essentially disowned. He spent a lot of time crying and spiraling before grabbing any belongings in his dorm that fit in a backpack and heading to stop by Erwin and Levi's place. He entered with his spare key, and took in his surroundings. Eren slowly inhaled and withheld a sob. He quickly scrawled out a note, saying the only thing that came to mind.

I'm sorry.

An apology soaked in tears and so far from an explanation. He knew they'd be angry, but he didn't want to saddle them with a responsibility they didn't want or agree to. Eren gently set the key atop the note and left. When he started walking down the road, he wasn't even sure where he was going at this point but Eren knew he needed to go far away.

The brunet walked for at least a couple of hours, ignoring catcalls and offers from strangers. He searched through his phone contacts, knowing that most of his friends weren't an option. They lived in dorms or simply didn't live far enough. But then he saw Krista’s contact. He hadn't spoken to her since high school, but they were really good friends. She was always a kind person. He wasn't even sure this was still her phone number, so he was relieved to hear her chipper voice almost immediately.

Eren had very lightly explained his situation, to which Ymir and Krista drove out to him immediately. They were still about two hours away by car, so he sat at a picnic bench waiting for them to arrive. The youth spent his time deactivating all of his social media and decided it would probably also be a good idea to change his number. Maybe even get a new phone. He was sure his father would remove him from the data plan soon enough anyways.

Eren's phone started ringing, he almost picked it up thinking it was Krista. It was Levi.

Eren let it go to voicemail.

It rang again. And then to voicemail. Over and over again until Erwin started trying. He eventually decided to just send Krista a text that he'd be turning off his phone but his location would remain the same.

Upon arriving at their house, the two women were very welcoming. It took all of Eren's energy to appear grateful. He very much appreciated them, it was just difficult to feel anything but misery at the time. Then, when Eren was laying down in their guest bedroom that first night, he turned his phone back on. There were tons of text messages and voicemails from his lovers. The texts mostly said the same things. Telling him to answer the phone, what was going on, did they do something wrong, etc. The voicemails however were hard to listen to. At first, the two men just seemed confused. Levi was of course angry. But the latest voicemails were far more than that.

“Eren, whatever we did, we can fix it. We can fix this. Just come to us,” Erwin seemed to be pleading.

“You fucking brat, you're scaring the shit out of me. Pick up the god damn phone!” Levi was still yelling, but Eren could hear small sniffles in between. He couldn't bear to listen to the rest. The omega already knew that he'd probably broken their hearts. There was little chance they'd forgive him when it was all over, especially since he probably would never tell the whole truth. Eren decided to keep his phone number. Just in case, he told himself.

After a few months, the two men seemed to give up and ceased contacting him. The brunet didn't know if it was more painful to see their attempts to reach out or to hear nothing at all. But he couldn't blame them either way. Despite things having developed how they did, Eren knew he'd never regret a single moment with them. Even if one day their mouths spat venomous hatred and deemed his actions unforgivable. He was even a little happy at times that he was able to carry the child, though his time with the baby would be very brief. Once the baby was out, he would sign his rights over to Krista and head back to town to see if maybe there was a chance he could get his life back.

Eren opened his eyes and was a bit too disoriented to really see anything. But he could hear a heart monitor, footsteps passing by, and soft breaths. When he finally regained his vision, he realized he was in a hospital bed. The youth looked over to find Krista asleep on a small chair across the room. The door cracked open and Ymir walked in.

“Eren, you're awake! How are you feeling?” Ymir’s excitement alerted Krista who also jumped up and ran to his side.

“Does anything hurt? I can call for a nurse,” Krista rubbed his hair affectionately. He shook his head and looked down at the bump now missing from his abdomen. Eren lightly touched the area and searched the room for the missing baby.

“Don't worry, she's in the nursery. I didn't know if you'd want to see her or not,” Krista explained.

“She?” So it's a girl, he thought and imagined who she'd look like.

“Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—” Krista started before Eren stopped her.

“It's okay, Krista. Um…I think I want to see her before I go,” he whispered. Her eyes went wide, she nodded vigorously and looked at Ymir.

“I'll be right back,” Ymir stated before heading out. Once she'd cleared the doorway, Krista turned to him again.

“Eren, I think you should tell them.”

“Krista, I can't, you don't understand. I can't ruin their lives,” Eren shook his head.

“Listen. Ymir and I will love that baby no matter what. Whether as her parents…or as her fabulous gay aunts. You don't have to make the decision now. Take her back with you. Talk to them. Give them a chance. If things don't work out, we'll still be an option.” Krista grabbed the brunet's hands and pushed something against his palms. He looked down to see his treasured photo of Erwin and Levi.

Eren didn't get a chance to respond before Ymir was back, cradling something tiny against her chest. She approached the brunet and gently traded off the infant to his arms. He looked down at her, asleep and unaware of any pain. Ignorant to the mistakes of her parents. She was innocent.

“Why is she so small?” He slipped his finger into her tiny palm.

“Uh, yikes, I didn't know how to break this to you Eren but…your daughter…she's a BABY! GASP!” Ymir threw the back of her hand against her forehead in mock despair. He rolled his eyes and looked at her wrist. Babygirl Yeager, it said. He wasn't even sure what he'd name her.

“She smells good,” he remarked as he nuzzled her face. Krista looked hopefully at the action. He looked back at her, realizing that maybe his heart had made the decision for him. When he sighed, Krista smiled triumphantly. Ymir also seemed to be in on the realization.

When Eren left the hospital, he'd go back home to Erwin and Levi. Hopefully they'd find it in their hearts to forgive him. He didn't expect to pick up their relationship where it left off, but at the very least, he hoped they could be on good terms.

Eren was thankful for pain pills he was prescribed. Not only did they take care of the pain from his surgery, but they relaxed him enough that he wasn't absolutely shitting bricks at the thought of seeing his ex-lovers again after bailing.

Ymir went to quit her position at the hotel, as well as turning in Eren's resignation. He'd never seen her so happy. He asked her to use his last paycheck to grab things for the baby. With all the stuff she showed up at the hospital with, Eren had the slightest inkling she may have dipped into her own paycheck as well. But she wouldn't admit to it if she had.

So now, Eren sat in the back next to the baby while Ymir and Krista were in the front singing along to the radio. He was glad that at least his decision to keep the baby was a positive decision for them. The last thing he wanted was for them to feel like they had the wool pulled over their eyes. But with their energetic dispositions, the omega felt maybe this was what they'd wanted all along.

The baby stirred a little, he gently cooed and shushed her, petting her chocolate locks. He loved how baby hair felt so silky. The youth felt content looking at her peaceful face. And then the all too familiar street came into view. He watched, heart in his stomach, as they pulled into the driveway. There was a part of him that hoped they wouldn't be home so he'd have an excuse to back out. But the garage was open. And there was Erwin, just stepping out of the driver's seat of his car and looking curiously at his uninvited guests.

Fuck.

“Do you want us to go first?” Krista turned to him with a sympathetic smile.

“Please.” His voice cracked, he felt too ashamed to even look at the man. She nodded and stepped out with Ymir. He heard Erwin turn on his "neighborly charm” though the actual words spoken were lost on him, muffled by the car engine still running. He could see it—the exact moment they mentioned Eren. His head whipped so fast to the car, the man even squinted to see through the tint. Erwin quickly ran inside, gesturing to the house as he hustled in.

Then the two women walked back to the car, opening the doors on either side of Eren. Ymir grabbed the diaper bag and assisted Eren out of the car. Krista grabbed the baby out of the car seat and followed the other two to the front door. This time, it was Levi who opened the door. Erwin stood just behind him. Both alphas had a look of sheer disbelief. Eren was hiding just behind Ymir, barely peeking over her shoulder. It took everything he had to not cry on the spot. Both alphas stepped aside, allowing them into their home.

“Eren. What. The. Fuck.” Levi wasn't yelling. He didn't even sound angry. His voice never raised above a whisper. The brunet looked to Ymir.

“We, uh, didn't tell them about her yet,” she threw a mischievous grin.

“Her?” Erwin looked even more confused. Krista entered behind them, holding the “her” in question. He was sure things looked really odd now. He disappeared for nearly eight months and then showed up with two women they didn't know and a baby. Eren cleared his throat and accepted the baby from Krista. Now that the youth was holding her, he could see the realizations in their eyes.

“Shit,” Erwin covered his mouth. The blond now looked like his eyes would bulge out of his skull. Levi just looked shellshocked. Frozen in place. Ymir put a reassuring hand on the youth's shoulder before turning to leave.

“Wait!” He desperately grabbed onto their arms.

“This is probably something you guys need to discuss alone. We'll wait outside in the car. We won't leave until you tell us to, promise,” Krista kissed his cheek and slipped from his hold. She set the diaper bag down near him and he watched them walk out. Leaving just the three men now. And the baby, of course. She began to fuss, perhaps sensitive to Eren's distress.

“It's okay, baby, hold on,” he cooed as he searched the bag for one of her pacifiers. His ex-lovers still stood there, watching him in wonder.

“I suppose we should sit,” Erwin almost appeared to be regaining some of his composure. Almost. The two alphas sat on the couch, Eren sat on a chair opposite of them. They seemed displeased. Or maybe it was the baby causing that. Levi's face had contorted into a scowl.

“Is this why you left? Without so much as an explanation?” Well, now Levi was angry. The brunet looked at them apologetically.

“I don't expect you to forgive me. I know I fucked everything up. And maybe I shouldn't have come back but Krista convinced me to let you guys know before I…” The youth paused and took a deep breath.

“Before I gave her up.”

“You're giving up the baby? Why?” Erwin hardly ever seemed stumped, but Eren had certainly surprised him.

“Why leave in the first place! Did you really have to run from us?” The shorter man stood and began pacing the floor as he continued.

“I went insane, Eren! We went mad with worry! Do you have ANY idea, ANY AT ALL of what you put us through?!” The tears the omega had held back were pouring down his face with a vengeance.

“I was scared, I was alone, I had nobody!” He tried to keep his voice controlled, so as not to startle the baby.

“You had us, your friends, your family! Don't give me that crap!” Erwin guided Levi back to the couch as the raven ranted his pain.

“Eren. We were always here for you.” The blond kept his voice controlled per usual, but the pain in his eyes was obvious.

“I know you guys didn't want kids, you didn't want to be parents! We didn't even think it was possible for me to get pregnant!”

“We weren't expecting it and I won't dare say we were prepared but we would have figured it out. You didn't have to go through this alone,” Erwin explained.

“I couldn't. You don't understand. I would have been a burden. My dad…wasn't very happy. He cut me off. School, bills, allowance, everything! I would have become your burden, Erwin. I couldn't just show up knocked up and jobless!”

“And why not? You think we would have turned you away? We were the ones who knocked you up in the first place! Of course we would take care of you, you shitty fucking brat! You were OUR brat! We loved you!” Levi dropped his face into his hands. Eren couldn't find the words to respond. The baby started crying and spit out her pacifier.

“...she's probably hungry, um, do you mind if I use the kitchen?” Eren began pulling out a bottle and a can of formula. Levi looked up at him furiously before snatching the items from his hands and stomping off to the kitchen. The man went to pour some purified water into the bottle and stopped, then turned back to the omega.

“How much? And how long? Fuck, I don't know how to do this shit…” he trailed off. Eren turned to Erwin nervously.

“Um, would you mind? Just for a minute,” the brunet held out the baby in his arms. Erwin stiffened and rubbed his palms against his pants.

“Of course,” he held his arms out almost robotically. Eren wanted to laugh at the comical sight. Once the fussing creature was securely in Erwin's arms, he turned his attention back to Levi and joined him in the kitchen.

“Right now she drinks about this much every couple of hours. She has quite the appetite though, don't be surprised if she's suddenly drinking more,” Eren explained. He showed the shorter alpha how to check the temperature and make sure it was safe for baby.

They came back to find Erwin rocking the child gently, a smitten expression on his face. Levi cleared his throat.

“Hand it over. I didn't make this bottle for nothing.” Erwin was now snickering, experiencing Levi's robotic posture as they exchanged the baby again. They didn't say anything for a while. There was nothing but the soft suckling on the bottle.

“Tch. Of course she's just your fucking doppelganger. What's her name, anyways?” Levi had relaxed significantly since their tense conversation earlier.

“She doesn't have one,” he mumbled. Both Erwin and Levi looked at the brunet questioningly.

“I didn't want to take the chance to name her away from Krista and Ymir, I didn't really know how this would all turn out,” he continued.

“Those two women, that's who you've been with all this time?” Erwin asked. He'd moved closer to Levi, softly brushing against the baby’s hair just as Eren had been doing since he first held her.

“I knew them from High school. They live out near Sina. They've taken good care of me,” he confirmed.

“I see. Well, invite them back in. I'd hate for them to sit out there any longer,” Erwin sighed. Eren walked over to the front door and waved the two women inside. They seemed just as nervous at this point as the brunet himself. They greeted the alphas once again and followed Eren to the extra chairs. Krista was the first to speak up.

“I assume you'll be keeping the baby then?” She looked at the now milk-drunk infant still in Levi's arms.

“I don't think—" Eren had started, only to be interrupted by both Erwin and Levi's unanimous decision.

“Yes.” Krista made some sort of giddy sound and clapped.

“We brought some extra things for the baby to get you guys started,” she smiled and grasped Ymir's hand.

“You guys want to keep her?” Eren was dumbfounded.

“I don't know, I guess she's sort of cute or whatever,” Levi said with a smirk.

“I wasn't expecting that, well, we can work out some sort of schedule I guess. I saved up money so I should be able to get a place,” Eren said.

“Eren Yeager, what the hell are you talking about? Do you not want to stay here with us?” It was shocking to hear Erwin take such a tone, it was far more typical of Levi.

“You want me to stay here? Won't that be, like, kinda awkward?” The two alphas were looking at him with expressions of absolute confoundment.

“Why would it be awkward? We're partners and raising a child together,” Erwin responded.

“Huh?!”

“Fuckin’ hell, Yeager. Did you guys talk at all while we were out there?” Ymir looked around with eyes that saw nothing but idiots.

“Do you not want to be with us anymore, kid? You know what, don't even answer that. You're not going anywhere so bring your shit inside and get over it,” Levi handed the baby back over to Erwin.

“Oooo,” Ymir teased. Krista giggled at the interaction. Eren was as red as a maraschino cherry. He didn't know whether to be happy or not. Regardless, he decided to obey Levi's orders and started towards the car.

“No the fuck you don't. You nearly died a few days ago. We will go get your shit,” Ymir grabbed Krista. Erwin stopped them with a concerned line of questioning.

“What are they talking about? Are they serious, Eren?”

“You didn't tell them that either? Man, maybe it'll be easier and quicker if I hear what you DID tell them,” Ymir let out an exasperated sigh.

“Alright, babe. Chill. Erwin and Levi, right? How about you guys help us grab the stuff and I can show you how to properly have her buckled into her car seat while we're out there,” Krista was eagerly waving for them to follow. The two men looked at each other but ultimately followed her out, with Levi making sure to give Eren a pointed stare.

The omega was left alone, and very rattled by the situation. He had few expectations of how this visit would go and none of them looked anything like the current predicament. He thought, if everything continued to go well, maybe he'd reach out to his friends as well. If his ex/present/maybe lovers had accepted him back into their lives, maybe his friends could forgive him as well.

It was a while before they actually came back inside carrying things. Eren assumed Krista had taken the time to explain what the brunet had failed to.

“You guys have anywhere specifically you want this stuff to go?” Ymir was carrying a giant box that Eren didn't even know was in the trunk. Some sort of automatic rocker.

“We have a couple guest bedrooms, we'll just make one of those the nursery.” Erwin led Ymir up the stairs, both carrying tons of stuff. When Krista and Levi walked in together, the shorter man wouldn't even look the youth in the face anymore. He looked like he'd been crying. Krista now held the baby in the car seat.

After however many more trips, the beta-omega couple bid their farewells. Krista almost wouldn't let Eren go.

“I want you to know you're welcome in our home anytime, but I'm so happy this turned out good,” she smiled and wiped tears from her eyes. He wanted to walk them to the car, but he was now outmatched by four people insisting he take it easy.

He watched through the window as they drove away. He felt a bit of sadness. Krista and Ymir had been his home, his family, his friends, and his support the last eight months. He hoped they would visit often.

“There's a bassinet upstairs that Ymir and I set up, I'll put her in there,” Erwin smiled as he scooped the infant from the car seat. Eren was left alone with Levi, who still hadn't looked at him.

“Look, I'm sorry if I'm stupid, but I'm confused. Are we all a thing again?”

“Yes. I told you. You're not going anywhere. And you're grounded for the rest of your life.” He huffed and looked away, but Eren caught the blush heating up the alpha’s ear. Erwin walked back downstairs with a baby monitor in hand.

“Precious thing is out cold,” Erwin sat back down on the sofa and looked between Levi and Eren.

“Okay. Both of you. Papa’s lap. Now,” he beckoned them over with his fingers.

“Shut it, Shitwin.” But Levi went over anyway and curled up next to the giant. They looked over to Eren, waiting. Cautiously, he stood and approached them. Levi yanked the youth down as soon as he was in arm's reach. Eren winced and clutched his abdomen.

“Fuck, I forgot. Lemme see,” the dark-haired man asked but was already lifting Eren's shirt. Both alphas observed the healing incision. Levi let his fingertips ghost over the staples holding their omega together. Then his fingers wandered lower ever so slightly.

“Levi. He just had surgery, you have to wait,” Erwin had an eye to his voice as he gave the warning.

“I know, damn it. I'm just touching him,” Levi grumbled before pulling Eren's shirt back down. The omega hadn't failed to notice that both of their scents had held a steady hint of arousal ever since they first saw him. He was thankful Krista and Ymir hadn't mentioned it.

“It's really hard trying to masturbate while pregnant,” Eren suddenly said. The two older men looked at him astonished, and then both fell into fits of laughter.

“Is that why this photo is so crumpled? I thought it felt sticky…” Erwin held Eren's secretly treasured photo between his fingertips.

“Hey! That's mine!” He tried to take it back but was too limited in movement to even have a chance.

“Actually, it's ours. You know how fucking stupid it looked to have an empty frame sitting around? I thought I was going crazy trying to figure out where that damn thing went,” Levi snatched the photo from Erwin.

“Hmph. It's mine because I took it. Finders keepers,” Eren stuck his tongue out at the shorter alpha.

“Once a brat, always a brat. Put that tongue away before I bite it,” Levi leaned forward with a threatening chomp. Eren leaned into both men, sighing in contentment.

“I really missed you guys,” he whispered as he started to quietly sob. Erwin pulled them both close, and Levi held his free arm around Eren until his body stopped shaking.

“Let's go take a nap, you probably need it.” Erwin grabbed both of his lover's hands and led them up the stairs. It was reminiscent of the first time Eren had been in their home.

When they got upstairs, Eren's eyes darted nervously over to the baby’s room.

“It's alright, we've got the baby monitor and she's just across the hall,” Erwin said. Eren nodded and allowed himself to be carried to the bed. They all got under the covers and held each other close. But the brunet couldn't stop his mind from racing.

“I was miserable without you guys, I hope you know that. It wasn't a fun time for me if that makes up for me bailing on you,” he mumbled.

“Honey, your heartbreak and struggle does not make us happy. We'd have much rather found out you were living some grand life without us,” Erwin whispered into his ear.

“Seriously, brat. Even if you left us for some punk,” Levi added.

“Actually, scratch that. You better have not fucked some other asshole,” he practically growled out.

“I didn't fuck anyone else. I mean, you guys appeared in my dreams sometimes but that's the closest to real sex I've had in eight months.” When Eren finished his sentence, he could practically hear the dark haired man purring.

“Don't you worry, once you're recovered, we'll make a mess out of your ass,” he spoke low and let his hand lightly rub against Eren’s thigh.

“You're dancing on the line right now, Levi,” Erwin spoke up.

“I'm just talking, eyebrows. Just because you haven't gotten laid in months either, you can't take a little dirty talk?”

“Do you guys not sleep together anymore?” Eren looked between them.

“Losing you was very difficult for us. We've been going to therapy, finding ourselves and each other again.” Erwin caressed the omega’s cheek so softly, as if he was worried the youth would startle if he was too aggressive.

“Fuck, I'm sorry,” Eren groaned and covered his eyes with his forearm.

“Don't apologize. We're coming back stronger. We've been treating it like we're dating again, it hasn't been all bad. In fact, while we're on the topic, I was going to ask you to join us in our therapy sessions,” Erwin spoke slowly.

“Yeah, make someone else talk about their fucking feelings for a change,” Levi snorted.

“Yeah, sure, if you think it's a good idea. You guys could ask anything of me right now and I'd probably do it,” Eren reflected mostly to himself.

“Well, we won't be taking advantage of that. Right, Levi?” They looked over to the shorter alpha who was busying himself with his own nails.

“Speak for yourself, shitbrows. I got a couple ideas now,” he said as a conniving grin graced his features.

“I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that. Eren, have you thought about any baby names?”

“None. A nurse told me we have sixty days to submit her name. I thought maybe you guys would want to choose now, since you didn't really get to be a part of the other baby stuff,” he suggested. Erwin and Levi looked at each other and then quickly reached for their phones. In no time at all, they were bickering back and forth. Comparing meaning and popularity of names. Eren chuckled at how intensely they were focused on their task.

He watched them for a while, content to just hear their voices and soak up their scents. It was starting to feel like he never left.

God, he was so glad to be back.