#and well… they’re with their eyes closed because eren was unconscious the first time he turned into the attack titan

[inthisvaleoftears]

oh, mi amor

[father-time-and-baby-new-year]

M-more armin vs eren drabbles please

WC: 3.2k

Title: Melted Candles

Warnings: possessive behavior, cheating, armin x reader x eren, obsession, unhealthy relationships. manipulator armin & toxic eren.

You’re fidgeting with the hem of your short dress that your loving boyfriend bought you, nursing a drink, and half-heartedly scrolling through your phone.

Sitting on the olive couch alone as the musings of a party transpire, you eye the big and colorful banner sporting the words “Happy 20th Birthday Eren!”.

“It’s like Eren to be late to his own birthday party huh?”

A smooth, gentle voice breaks you out of your trance. You turn sideways to face Armin Arlert, a pretty boy with short-cropped blond hair and wide oceanic eyes. He’s all dressed up in a deep grey turtleneck, navy dress pants, and an expensive Omega watch on his wrist.

You must have looked frightened because he chuckles as he takes a seat next to you, a respectful distance away, “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you. Are you having fun?”

“Uh well it’s a surprise party, it’s not like Eren knows he’s supposed to be here.” You have an immediate desire to slap a hand over your mouth after the words spillover. You wince, not entirely in love with the fact that it was your first instinct to defend Eren.

If you had been more observant, you would have noticed the corners of his lips flick upwards in amusement. But Armin is observant enough for the both of you. He notes the color of embarrassment in your cheeks and continues the subject with ease.

“Ah, yeah. That’s right. Eren hates celebrating his birthday, but they're always a good excuse to get everyone together" He pauses before grinning so wide it doesn't look genuine, "-maybe this is more for us than him.”.

There’s an underlying tension in his words you can’t make heads and tails off. It reminds you of how truly little you knew of Eren's very own best friend.

You smile brightly, channeling all the optimism you could into changing the topic: “Everyone’s trying their best today! Sasha did all the catering and managed to leave the cake perfectly alone even though it’s her favorite flavor. She has the patience of a saint today.”

As if on cue, there’s a commotion in the background. Jean yells at Sasha, “Don’t finish all the lemon-pepper wings Potato Girl!”

Armin laughs and it's a pretty sound, a sound that reminds you of a bell chime. Unconsciously, he shifts closer to you, knees knocking into yours.

“Yeah, you’re right. Connie's even hosting it, and he let us decorate his man cave."

You look at the streamers and balloons, and Armin follows your eyes.

“You did a great job decorating.”

You blush, “It was honestly a team effort. Mikasa did way more, I promise.”

“So humble”, he teased. As he smooths his slacks, your eyes can’t help but fall on the shine of the silver band on his slender finger, an engagement ring.

“Annie couldn’t make it today?” There’s a flash of a grimace on his face but he schools his features right away.

“She doesn’t really like parties,” he laughs softly, “She’s like Eren in that way.”

“Oh,” you paused. He was clearly hiding something but it wasn’t in your place to pry. You didn’t know much about Annie. In fact, you were a little intimidated by her icy demeanor and arctic eyes. It amused you at first when you learned she was Armin’s partner.

Opposites must attract, because where Annie was the cold seeping into your bones, Armin was a furnace radiating warmth.

There wasn’t much more to say with the conversation heading to a peaceful silence, until his arms lightly touch yours, “I’m really glad you came.”

His fingertips graze the sleeve of your dress.

You flush, “Well, I wouldn’t be a very good girlfriend if I didn't come to his birthday party.”

The pretty blond clicks his tongue, “I suppose.” He inhales, thumbs swiping the rim of his glass, “You’re too good for him. Do you know that?”

To say you were surprised would be an understatement. You don’t have a response ready but Armin continues, “I love Eren of course. Been friends with him since we were children but-” Deep sigh, “I feel like I barely know him anymore. No one knows him anymore.”

In a small voice, you squeak “I do.” But the unsureness of your tone made your words seem like it was a question.

Armin smiles, one that’s filled with mirth.

Boldly, he squeezes your thigh, the flesh right below where your dress ends, “You deserve better.” His oceanic eyes seem darker under the dim lighting.

Why weren’t you moving away? Were you letting his hand itch closer to roaming the softness underneath silky fabric?

You swivel your head around, praying no one is seeing anything. Thankfully everyone was too swept up in their own conversations. As if to soothe you, his hands draw circles on the soft pliant skin, “Don’t worry, no one can see us.”

The ring glints harshly. Admittedly, Eren’s soft-spoken best friend is just a little attractive. You didn’t always think to see him this way, but Armin changed, and all the general anxiety he possessed matured into a quiet confidence.

He reminds you of Eren in that way. But still, you're at crossroads here. Is Armin making a move on you? Is he warning you? Should you even be here right n-

Your internal monologue is interrupted by Mikasa clapping her hands, and then putting a finger on her lips, “We’re going to turn off the lights, ok? They’ll be here in a few minutes. When Eren starts coming in, yell surprise.” Armin hand’s leave your legs, the warmth gone.

“Oy, oy, oy. Don’t we need a signal?” Connie asks, confusion apparent on his face.

“Jesus Connie, if you can’t even figure this out, what are we going to do with you?” quips Jean.

Mikasa shakes her head.

Sasha lightly punches her best friend, “It’s okay Coomer, just follow my lead.”

“How will that work since you’re stupider than me?” The hazel eyed boy asks, voice dripping in concern. “Eh?” Sasha replies with an equally concerned tone.

Mikasa pinches the bridge of her nose, “I’m going to turn the light off now.”

Eren would be here soon. You barely register Armin putting his arm around the couch, not around you per se, but the proximity was close enough to send your heart racing.

In the switch of a light, the room was engulfed in darkness and excited giggles that Mikasa promptly hushed. And then was just the sound of breathing. You could hear yours and you could hear Armin’s.

Softly, the blond uttered, “I’m going to do something I’ve always wanted to do.” You could feel featherlight fingers tilting your jaw, and capturing your pillowy lips.

The doorknob rattled. Soon after, light from the hallway trickled in. A still moment. As soon as the kiss started, it ended. A flash of light exploded before your eyes and a cacophony of people yelling Surprise! rang out.

At the center of attention was Eren Yeager, who...did not look surprised at all. His eyes were not even adjusting to the light the way yours was. A tall redhead accompanied him, someone who you vaguely recognize as Floch.

The birthday boy was clad in a white button-up, sleeves rolled to his elbows and the top button was unfastened. His dress pants were slim-fitting and black.

The green-eyed boy’s face was devoid of expression. In comparison to his stoic nature, you thought your heart was going to explode.

Wryly Armin says, “Oh look, your boyfriend has arrived.” As if on cue, Eren’s eyes locked with yours.

At that moment, there were too many things to process.

Luckily, Eren was surrounded by a small crowd of his closest friends. You could hear Jean cackle, “Come on! You’re not even surprised.”

You turned your head to face the boy who took advantage of the darkness, a scarlet blush staining your face, “Why did you-?!”

He gazed at you with shining eyes like he had found clarity, not even bothering to feign guilt. With agility only he had, he took your palm in his, “I know you used to like me.”

Blood rushing in your ears, you tear your hands “What are you doing? Eren’s right there. Don’t touch me.” You hissed, scooting away for good measure.

“You didn’t deny what I said.” The blond pointed out calmly, “Yeager is no good for you. He keeps you in the dark about his life and he’s certainly not loyal..”

“I-I can’t deal with this. I never expected this from you Armin.” You shot up from the couch, trepidation filling your nerves, “Now if you excuse me, I’m going to greet my boyfriend.” You uttered the last word with as much hostility you could muster.

Mikasa had her arms wrapped around Eren. Which was fine. They’re best friends. They’ve known each other far longer than you knew him. He thinks of her as a sister.

He thinks of her as a sister.

You walked over, looming behind them. Most of the crowd had dispersed, with only Eren and the Ackerman girl lost in their own world.

What is wrong with you? You scold yourself. You didn’t usually think like this.

“[Y/N]”

Eren noticed you right away, and Mikasa turned around to face you.

“Sorry [y/n], didn’t mean to take so much of his time from you.” The dark-haired girl smiled apologetically.

You could feel guilt gnaw at you, how could you ever suspect her? She waved to Eren, and warmly thanked you, “You did so much of the planning. Thank you.” And before you could reply, she left.

That left you alone with the man himself. “Hi.” You said shyly. He smirked, “Hi babe. Long time no see huh.”

His viridian eyes slowly roamed your appearance, head to toe. You blushed under his stare as they paused longer than necessary on the dip of your neckline, and the expanse of legs not covered by the silk dress.

“So you did all this?” He teased, vaguely gesturing to the string lights, and hanging paper flowers.

He steps closer to you until he’s just a breath away. “Hardly. Just helped out wherever I could.” You whisper.

He hugs you, his tall frame enveloping yours. You feel so safe, pressed against his chest, as his arms compass the slight of your back.

His cologne is your favorite. Subtle, and intoxicating with thick notes of spice. You sniff something else, something overpoweringly distinct.

Still enclosed in his arms, you look up to him, “Did you drink?”

He takes a step back, still wrapping an arm to your waist, “I met up with Zeke. He offered me a drink.”

“Zeke?” You questioned, “You visited your brother?”

Eren was privy to sharing details about his life and you knew virtually next to nothing about Zeke, his half-brother he came recently in contact with.

He kisses the top of your head, and you can feel the loose strands that escaped his bun tickle your face, “It’s nothing to worry your pretty little head about.”

He keeps you in the dark about his life.

“You were cozying up with Armin on that couch, weren’t you?” His tone is light, containing a thinly veiled accusation.

You laugh it off, hoping he wouldn’t notice how tense you suddenly got, “No, no. We were just talking. I was sure I was going to kill myself out of boredom just waiting for you.”

Snuggling closer to him, you stand on your tippy-toes to kiss his jawline, trying to distract him from wavering thoughts.

“Oh?” He asked, “Armin wasn’t entertaining you well enough? Well, he does have a tendency to babble about nothing.”

As he talked, you had a feeling he wasn’t really looking at you, but rather peering straight behind you.

An uneasy feeling fills your lungs, “Um Eren, let’s head to the kitchen. I can fix you a plate. Niccolo did the catering so you know it’ll be really good-”

The tall boy waved your suggestion away, “Not hungry. In fact, why don’t we head over to my best friend? I haven’t talked to him in a while.” You didn't appreciate the mocking lilt in his tone.

Before you could dissuade him, he was already pulling your wrist so you could turn, hand placed on the small of your back, leading you somewhere you definitely did not want to go.

The charming blond was still situated on the couch but this time joined by a woman who was talking rather animatedly. You vaguely recognized her by her chin-length wavy ash-colored locks. Hitch.

“-Annie is so lucky! Jesus, I can’t believe you guys are engaged! And Marlowe still hasn’t worked up the nerve to-”

Eren coughed, asserting his presence. Two pairs of eyes flitted upwards. Hitch sighed dramatically, “Well if it isn’t the birthday boy. The big 2-0. You’re not a teen anymore Yeager. Think you’re ready for the adult world?”

Your boyfriend, who was never one for false pretenses and small talk, ignored her question entirely, “Hello Hitch. If you don’t mind, I would like to catch up with Armin here.”

The woman rolled her eyes, “Guess that’s my cue to leave.” As she stood up, she looked back and forth between the boys, noting the animosity that seemed to permeate the air as they burned holes into each other.

“Why are the vibes so tense? The energies you two are radiating...is reminiscent of a pissing contest”

Without really intending to, you let out a chuckle, attracting the attention of the three people around you.

Hitch’s eyes softened, “[Y/n], I haven’t seen you in a minute. Let’s go do shots with Mina and Hanna.”

Eren’s grip on you tightened, “She’s staying right here Hitch. Enjoy yourself though”

“Funny, I don’t recall asking you. Your girlfriend can’t speak for herself?”

“Uhm, thanks for the offer Hitch but no thank you, I’m not really in the mood to drink right now.” You chuckle nervously, flashing a big enough smile that will ascertain that everything is okay.

Hitch shrugs, “Suit yourself”, and proceeds to walk away.

“Well, I suppose I have to thank you for driving her away. She’s quite...talkative.” Armin breaks the silence. He addresses you both but his eyes are trained on you, “Back already [y/n]?” An easy smile spreads across his face.

You don't look at Eren’s face to gauge his reaction, but you notice how the hand around your waist squeezes almost painfully. The boys stand up to shake hands. Armin gestures for the two of you to sit but the dark-haired boy waves it away, “We prefer to stand.”

The blond gazes between the two of you questioningly but seemingly accept Eren’s response, “Okay then. Guess I’ll stand too.”

“Where’s Annie? Trouble brewing in paradise?”

Armin’s smile hardens, “Don’t know how you’d assume that. She’s just not here.”

Unease pinpricks at you. You could feel trepidation in the air.

“What a shame. Doesn’t Annie like me?” Eren taunts before delivering a line you didn’t expect, “I recall a time where she liked me much more than you actually.”

Surprise is an understatement for how you feel. You didn’t even want to register the implication of his statement. Did Eren and Annie have a past? You lightly touch Eren’s arm in a hint of a warning, “Eren-”

The blond shakes his head, “You’re really something else, you know? Talking about another woman so brazenly in front of your girlfriend? Are you projecting your insecurity onto me since you know” he tilts his head in your direction, “[y/n] liked me first?”

You fluster immediately, jaw-dropping slightly. It was true. You did have a rather big crush on the intelligent blond boy who sat next to you in a class that bored you to sleep. But there was nothing between you two beyond a handful of platonic study dates from when you were freshmen!

Too many moving variables. He was dating Annie and not being the homewrecker type, tried to squash the interest you had. Besides, you were planning to drop that class anyways, and in a twist of fate, it was Armin who had inadvertently introduced you to Eren.

Also, how did that damn Arlert know and why was he bringing it up today of all days?!

Your boyfriend sneers, “Does that really matter when she’s with me? When she’s dating me. And. Not. You.” He punctures the last words out.

“Uhm, I’m right here-” You finally find your voice, “And I’m not really comfortable with being discussed like this.”

Armin’s eyes find yours, “Of course. Sorry [Y/n]. It’s super disrespectful of me-”

Eren cuts in with words heavier than bullets, “Shut the fuck up. Always desperate to play the white knight in shining armor aren’t you? Your duplicity makes me sick.”

As if sensing an oncoming attack, Eren pivots away from you, creating some distance.

Armin closes the gap between himself and the dark-haired boy and bunches Eren’s collar in his fist, “You don’t know how to treat people, you know that? So full of yourself that you think basic decency has an ulterior motive.”

Eren’s eyes dance with mirth, “There’s always an ulterior motive with you, isn’t there though?”. He forcefully shoves his friend, sending Armin stumbling a few steps backward, “You really like pretending you’re one of the good guys when your hands are blood-stained like the rest of us.

You can hear the blood rushing in your ear and you attempt to get in the middle of the impending conflict but Eren grabs your arm with a painful force. He growls,“Step back”. You obey.

“Don’t touch her touch like that.” Armin snarls.

“She’s my fucking girlfriend. I’ll touch her however I want. By the way, just because your little fiance is giving you a hard time doesn’t give you the right to leer at what’s mine.”

At this point you realize you come to your senses, and you leave the area quickly to get help. You scan the area around looking for Mikasa. She’s reliable and always knows what to do. You try to calm your panicked heart.

Gaining speed, you nearly fall by running into someone in the long hallway. Thankfully, the good samaritan is able to catch you in time, holding your shoulders in a firm but comforting grip.

You look up, eager to thank the man who caught you. Mullet. Tall. Slight scruff at the chin. You recognize him right away.

“Woah y/n, what are you running for?” He asks in amusement but one look at your teary eyes has him instantly concerned, “Hey, hey. Are you okay?”

“I-uh,” You’re blubbering, “Armin and Eren are acting kinda strange--I think Mikasa should calm them down.”

Jean’s eyebrows are furrowed, “Strange how? She stepped out so she’s not here right now.” You bite your lips, wondering how you were going to explain the situation.

Jean grabs your shoulder, “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll settle this. Can you take me to them?”

You nod, supremely grateful to have Jean in your corner. As you guys take a turn to the living room, you hear the excruciating sound of glass breaking. “Shit!” Jean curses.

In the middle of the living room stood Eren and Armin like centerpieces, beating the ever-living shit out of each other. You couldn’t see much beyond the fact Armin was throwing punches left and right, landing some but Eren was able to dodge most.

As you move to run forward, Jean grabs you, “No. Stop. There’s glass everywhere. You’re going to get hurt.”

You’re incredulous, “I can’t just let them hurt each other!”

Jean merely looks at you with a look of pity,

[lunaekalenda]

Can I request a JeanxFem!reader where the reader is super friendly/clingy and isn't conscious of the effects it has on Jean? Like sometimes reader would just grab his hand or hold on to his arm, or even stand in front of him and put his arms around their shoulders? Reader ou does this to Jean bc they're best friends but he will never get used to it bc Jean loves them and is all "asdfghjkl" everytime it happens. But then one day reader stops doing this stuff because someone told her Jean likes them but ONLY bc they look similar to Mikasa, which breaks the Reader's cute lil heart. Angst but fluff at the end please!

hi! of course!! i hope you like it! <3 sorry if i got too fluffy at the end :’)

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❁ jean x female!reader

❁ canonverse

❁ a/n: i didn’t want to make annie like a “villain” but she’s just being really honest with what she thinks about it, she’s not trying to bother her!

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"Jean!" you yell. He smiles at you once he found from where your voice comes, and you run to hug your best friend. His tall body gives you difficulties to reach his neck, but he leans closer to you, his big hands on your waist. His heart flutters happily when he feels your warmth closer to him. 

“How was your training?” he asks. You tangle your arm with his, starting to walk calmly towards the dorms. 

When you entered here, on the military, you wanted to punch him. How he was always feeling superior. You wanted to punch him so bad.

But, after the first battle, where some unlucky friends passed away, he changed abruptly. He understood the pain of the more weak ones, and didn’t vacillate to take risky decisions in due to help the mission. He was made to be a leader, and you two worked hand by hand in the same squad. Thats how, quietly, you started to notice how funny and sweet he is, even when he tries to cover it with his prideful façade. But, since you two got really close, you can even difference what he is feeling, even when he tries so desperately to hide it.

Or so do you think.

One day, when you two were training, Mikasa passed by, following Eren. Jean got his eyes fixed on her black hair.

“You like Mikasa, don’t you?” Connie told him, joking. 

“I-I like her hair, no-o more.” He says. In that times, he was your friend, but you weren’t that close. 

Surprisingly, the more friends you became, the more strange you felt. Why did your heart a flip every time he smiled at you? Why did you felt bad when Mikasa asked something to him?

Maybe you were starting to feel something for him?

“You’re totally into Kirstein.” Petra told you. You enjoyed talking to her, she’s really nice. 

“Shut up, Petra, or else I’ll have to tell you how you look when Capt...”

“Got it!” she interrupted you and you both laughed. It was a quiet afternoon, and you two where sitting on the lake. “I think you should go for him.” she said. 

“He isn’t into me.” you answered. “He likes Mikasa.” Petra looked to the lake.

“Who knows, maybe he does feel the same...”

Petra is really positive, unless you talk about her. Then, she says she has zero opportunities.But, you didn’t want to break your special bond with Jean. That’s why you tried to keep things in a friendship, ignoring your feelings for so long.

“It was fine, yep.” you say. “But I’m hungry.” Your belly confirmes it. He lets out a little laugh.

“Let’s go and eat something first, then.” You smile and, letting go his arm, you tangle your fingers with his, walking with his hand on yours. He blushes a bit. “By the way, tonight we have free time. Do you want to hang?” Today, the Captains of the Squads gave you all free time, celebrating that you all survived another expedition yesterday. 

“Sure.” you pull him softly, his hand caressing yours in an unconscious way while you two walk towards the cantina.

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You feel the cold wind against your skin and wet hair while you walk to the encounter point you agreed with Jean earlier. You found Annie walking back to the dorms.

You and Annie haven’t talked that much, specially since her introverted nature finds your outgoing one terrible.

“Hi, Annie.” you say. She looks at you.

“If you’re searching Jean, he’s talking with Mikasa near Eren’s dorm. Just in case.” She speaks. You maybe looked concerned or down, because she looked at you for a long time. “You know you don’t have opportunities with him, right? He’s not the type of boy to fall in love with.” She says. You look at her back, kinda confused of the words she just said. “He thought he liked you, I’m sure he was confused. But then he realized you look so much like Mikasa, so he just likes the way you look like her. Never thought of it?”

“I do not look like her.” You say. 

“The same black hair that Jean loves. That’s enough for him to remind of her every time he looks at you. She’s out of his league, but maybe you...” Maybe she’s right. After all, he loves Mikasa’s black long hair. She cut it, you still have long hair. But, is all of this the truth? 

“Y/N!” Jean calls you from the place you accorded. Annie waves her hand before disappearing, going back to her dorm.

You walk towards Jean without your usual clingy ways. You walk silently, the sweater hugging your body and your gaze low. Jean is aware of your change of attitude. He gets concerned. What did he do to upset you? Maybe you don’t want to see him again. “Are you okay?” he asks, once you’ve reached him. You nod and fake a smile.

“Annie told me you were talking to Mikasa, so I decided to wait there. I didn’t want to bother.”

“You should had call me, dummy!” he says, colliding his shoulders with yours, playing. “You never bother me, y/n.”

His hazel eyes search any type of reaction on yours, but he only gets your gaze on the floor again. He stops walking and turns you to face him. “Hey, it’s everything okay?” He asks. He has lowered his voice and his tone is way more concerned. You don’t know if his kindness makes you feel good or bad. “Y/N?” He asks again. He just needs to know you’re fine, he needs to hear that nothing happened to you. Maybe, he thinks, you’re just upset with him for some reason he can’t think of. 

“I’m fine.” You’re not. You’ve been binge thinking about what Annie said to you, and you ended believing that maybe that’s true. That you’re just a Mikasa impostor on his heart.

“You’re not fine.” He says. Your skin feels electricity when he holds your hand, trying to avoid you from walking away. He searches your eyes once more, but now, they’re full of tears. His eyebrows move in a worrying expression. “What happened?” He asks. His tone is now sweet, trying to calm you.

“Well, now I know why you always pat my hair.” you say. At the end, the logic Annie followed is totally right, at least in your brain. “It is like touching Mikasa’s, right?”

His expression is now extremely confused. What are you doing bringing up Mikasa in a conversation that has nothing to do with her?

“Mikasa’s?” he asks. You wipe your tears with your hand quickly.

“You liked her when she entered, so probably you keep liking her. And my hair looks exactly like hers. Are you using me?” You ask. Your brain thought all of this in one second, this was kinda messy and you don’t know exactly what is happening. Jean is as confused as you are, he doesn’t know how he made a mistake like that. Make you think he’s in love with Mikasa when he’s in love with you. 

“Listen, Y/N...” he says. This wasn’t the confession scenario he built up in his head, but he needs to clarify things now, before this weird conversation ends with you two ending your friendship. "I did like Mikasa. I liked her when we entered, yes. But it was just a platonic love. We're friends. The point here..."

"I'm your best friend, Jean." you say. "You can tell me if you like her, I'll be okay with that. I gave up on you on any way."

He looks surprised. You liked him? You liked him all this time? As he liked you?

“What?” he asks. “Gave up?”

“I liked you, Jean Kirstein. A lot. My heart was out of my fucking chest every time you hugged me and I couldn’t think straight if your body was behind mine. But you were probably thinking about Mikasa and how beautiful she is...”

“No.” his face is serious when he looks at you. Both of his hands go to your cheeks, taking with his thumbs a couple tears that run fast down to your chin. “Because I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” he says. Your teary eyes look at his, searching a joke or something like that, but his eyes are more serious than ever. “I knew it was maybe a one-sided love, because I thought you’ll never be interested in me. Every time you acted clingy, my heart was about to explode of happiness. I feel so good when you’re around me, y/n...” he passes one lock of your hair behind your ear. “I knew i was in love  because I didn’t care it was one-sided, if you were happy, I was happy. That’s why I got so concerned today. Even knowing maybe it was my fault, I couldn’t see you looking sad. I couldn’t. Because I’m still so madly in love with you, I care about you and your well.being so much that I felt the pain of your eyes myself. Sorry for making you feel that way.”

There’s now a silence between you. Jean is probably giving you space to understand all he said, and your brain is having an emergency reunion. He does like you, and you’re still so in love with him... After all, all that happened was because a misunderstanding from you. You feel so silly now...

“Sorry.” you say. “I misunderstood things.”

“But that’s because I never told you clearly what I felt.”

“It’s all my fault.” you try to convince him that he’s wrong, that you were the one confused. “Now I probably lost all the opportunities to be with you and also our friendship.”

“Don’t be that drama queen, dummy.” he says, his voice a low whisper. “I think we just need to honestly tell each other what do we feel now.” He says. 

Telling the other? Telling what?

“I’ll start, then.” he says, “I fell in love with my clingy best friend and I’m still so in love I wouldn’t mind dating her.”

His words made your heart beat faster. After all, where you hiding feelings that were probably reciprocate? 

Probably.

“Come on, don’t be shy!” He laughs sweetly when he sees your blushed cheeks. His thumb makes soft circles on them. “I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this now, but you’re so fucking pretty...” his gaze gets lost in your face, admiring every single part of it.

“I also still love you, but don’t let your ego raise.” he laughs and so you do. Now, you can look at his face freely, how his hazel eyes have such an intense gaze...

“So, now that this is arranged, why don’t we act as if this never happened and you let me confess in a proper way, hm?”

“Sounds great.”

[halcyonstorm]

Hey! I hope you're well. I started watching AOT and realized that levihan was a ship. And after reading the manga Ive come to the conclusion that they were more than friends if not just friends. Mostly because I saw Levi act with Isabella, a friend and a sister of sorts even Farlan. But with Hange he was just different. And thats what made me feel maybe it really was something more. He was a different Levi with her. All the teasing and the overprotectiveness, the unnecessary sass and hostility sometimes, but that makes me wonder WHY? Why was he like this towards her? And when was the moment he fell for her or decided to befriend her that way that yes I will tease this person from now on. At first I thought its because of how they met maybe but their first meeting was so sweet. Hange seemed impressed by him and he even thanked her for her compliments. I didnt think their interaction would lead to something like this. So what are your thoughts because I wonder alot on this. Also can someon pls tell me why Levi looks at her that way in aot 4 when hange meets the kids with him and says if they dont understand us we'll meet them and teach them. Like. What happened? Thank you !

Hi! I am well, thanks! And thank you for leaving me an ask! I always appreciate hearing what people have to say. I’m gonna try my best to answer your question without going on any tangents lol (but I can’t promise I won’t). This is going to be long.

Mostly because I saw Levi act with Isabella, a friend and a sister of sorts even Farlan. But with Hange he was just different. And thats what made me feel maybe it really was something more.

I 100% agree with this. When I read the manga and watched the anime, I thought maybe Isabel was a love interest (AT FIRST). When I realized she would call him “aniki” (brother) and the way he acted around her (patting her head), I knew there was a different relationship between Isabel and Levi. He saw her as a little sister and was always trying to avoid his two friends from getting into trouble. That’s why he decided for all of them to join the SC after all.

But with Hange he was just different. And thats what made me feel maybe it really was something more. He was a different Levi with her. All the teasing and the overprotectiveness, the unnecessary sass and hostility sometimes, but that makes me wonder WHY? Why was he like this towards her?

I think that the reason Levi had always acted different with her than anyone else was because of their first interaction. It was not in the anime but it WAS in the manga where Hange approaches the trio saying “I was watching you at that crucial moment!” (Not to mention the chapter Hange appears for the first time is called “Hearts” and in 139 we see “...hearts” over her head). At this point, Levi, Farlan, and Isabel were ready to kill Hange since they thought she found out about their plan to kill Erwin. What actually happened was she had seen how cool they all were and wanted to pay them a compliment. Ever since that trio left the underground, Hange was the first person to show them kindness. I don’t think this is something Levi would forget or take lightly. If it were me, I’d definitely remember that moment. I know there is a post somewhere comparing how Levi looked at Hange for the first time vs how he admired the nature outside the walls for the first time. After Farlan and Isabel died, who did he have? Practically no one. It’s my own HC but I’d like to think that Hange stuck by his side. Levi and Hange both have lost so many comrades that they found solace in each other. They bonded through grief I suppose. Also, I think Levi was intrigued by Hange’s personality. Their personalities complement each other: Hange is extroverted, loud, messy; Levi is introverted, quiet, reserved, clean.

When I first saw them, I definitely felt some romantic attraction of sorts. We eventually learn he is a clean freak, yet he has no issue grabbing her hair (which probably was greasy and unclean). Also, I believe that wasn’t in the manga and Isym requested it be added? I can be wrong with that, but I think that if there was nothing planned for their relationship, he wouldn’t have requested it. From the second I saw them, they reminded me of an old married couple. The way they bickered and how Hange never felt threatened by him.

One of my favorite scenes is when Hange enters the room that Levi’s squad is in at the castle.

E: Oh, I’m not sure if I have the authority to help you.

H: Levi, what is Eren doing tomorrow?

L: Cleaning the courtyard.

H: Okay! It’s settled!

See how she doesn’t ask permission? See how Levi doesn’t retaliate? If it were anyone else, I’m sure that 1) someone wouldn't ask that and 2) Levi wouldn’t have responded that way. We have seen all throughout the anime and manga that he usually goes along with whatever she wants to do. Remember in the OVA where Levi grabs her and yells at her? She doesn’t retaliate from his tone either. She SMILES at him. Why? Because he is expressing concern for her. He is showing he cares about her (also he’s grabbing her and bringing her close again). Eventually at the end of the OVA, we see how Levi tells Hange that Erwin agreed to capture titans for experimenting.

And when was the moment he fell for her or decided to befriend her that way that yes I will tease this person from now on… Also can someon pls tell me why Levi looks at her that way in aot 4 when hange meets the kids with him and says if they dont understand us we'll meet them and teach them. Like. What happened? Thank you !

I am not sure if there was a specific moment, but I do believe it definitely developed over time. One specific moment is the one you mentioned later on in your message, “If you don’t know something, go figure it out. Isn’t that what the Survey Corps is all about?” Levi looks at Hange almost in a surprised manner. In my biased LH eyes, it shows that Hange really is a brilliant and wonderful Commander, and Levi is appreciating her and her intelligence. In reality, it is most likely because it is something similar to what Erwin would have said as Commander. In all seriousness, her statement is entirely true. I think we can all learn from and use that statement in our everyday lives. But I think that in this moment, he possibly starts to realize how much he admires the Commander. We can also see Hange taking her own advice in chapter 126? 127? Where she forms the alliance with Pieck. She is not sure how to stop the Rumbling, so she goes to figure out how she can by talking with Pieck. As it turns out, she is successful in forming the alliance.

Overall, I think that Hange and Levi complement each other perfectly. Even if you aren’t looking too deep, I think their relationship is quite obvious. I mean… why would you ask someone to live with you if you didn’t care for them or even love them? I think that this is one of the points that other shippers bring up to break up LH (how L dislikes H or vice versa). Levi didn’t reject her. If Isym wanted him to reject her, he would’ve made him say something similar to Erwin’s “Give up on your dreams and die” statement when Erwin stated his selfish dream and was willing to sacrifice all of humanity for his selfish desire. Hange told him while he was unconscious and “not listening”, and he didn’t reject her. He says “if we run and hide, what will that get us?” and “I know you aren’t able to stay out of the action” when he sees her building the cart. We also see Levi “confess” or “respond” in 132 to Hange’s statement in 126. “Dedicate your heart”?? OMG Do not get me started on that lol.

Getting back on track, the pair is almost always together in the anime. They’re together in the manga panels when they don’t have to be. They don’t even need to speak actual words to communicate. They are the sun and moon, two wings of a bird. Levi is almost always looking at Hange in the official fanarts. We know from the smartpass AU’s that Hange says “he is a good guy” and “he doesn’t say what he means.” That’s why I think they use nicknames frequently. Four-eyes could be seen as an endearing comment coming from him. Also, Levi making Hange chocolates in the Junior High manga?!?!! Oh, yeah, its definitely to shut her up.

Im sorry for the huge tangent but I hope some of this answered your question. I enjoy reading the levihan analysis’ from other blogs. Thank you for reading if you did read this far. Have a good day/afternoon/night <3

[daddysfangirls-anime]

True freedom

warning: angst, language,

Summary: Reiner Braun x titan shifter reader. Reiner fighting Eren and y/n after she decides to not betray the survey corps and fights him with Eren

“I see...That’s it. I’ve been here too long for my own good. It’s been three long years... We were just kids... we didn’t know anything.”

“We didn’t know any better,” she said but he ignored her

“If only I never knew that there were people like this...I... I wouldn’t have become...such a half-assed piece of shit!” the anguish was clear in his eyes.

“I like these people. I like the half-assed piece of shit you’ve become”

“It’s too late now... I don’t know what’s right anymore. But the only choice for me now...is to face the consequences of my actions...and as a warrior-”

“NO” (Y/n) ran up to him “ forget it, forget it, let us pretend, let us keep pretending to forget everyone live our lives like we're living now. It’s better than being stepped on and used back there. Let’s stay here. REINER PLEASE”

“... fulfill my duty to the bitter end!”

“REINER! (Y/N)!” Bertholdt shouted “Are we doing it?! Now?! Right here?!”

“NOW We’re not doing it at all they don’t deserve this” neither of them listened to her Reiner missed her to the side. If she wasn’t going to help she was a nuisance and a traitor he would be sure to report her once they returned.

“Yeah. We settle this... right here, right now!”

“NO” (y/n) said jumping up trying to grab his arm but he kicked her back. He didn’t give two shits if she was his girlfriend and he cared about right now was the mission. She screamed as Mikasa Jumped up slicing Reiner’s arms and Bertholdt’s neck.

(Y/n) jumped up and ran trying to pull Eren with her “ EREN! RUN!”  Mikasa clipped her ankles basically cutting off her feet “ RUN AWAY! GO!” she screamed pushing him forward but Eren just falls back. The others run trying to get to them but Bertholdt changes and the heatwave from his transformation pushes everybody back. Reiner’s titan form catches Eren and (Y/n) before they fall off the wall. He then jumps off the side of the wall and slides down with of them in his hand.

(Y/n) wraps her body around Eren shielding him from the flying debris. She cries in his ear “ I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry” He doesn’t say anything as a few of his own tears fall on to her skin instead bring his palm up to his mouth and biting down. The blast of Eren turning into a Titan pushes her back throwing her off and into the trees where she falls unconscious.

-

(Y/n) woke up to find several people standing above her and none of them looked happy, Especially Mikasa. She sat up and her face immediately collided with Mikasa’s fist.

“owie”

“Mikasa!” Armin said pulling her back

“The little bitch deserved it. They took Eren. Where did they take him? WHERE?”

“... to the next wall. They’ll meet up with the boss and take him away.”

“WHERE?! WHY?!” She cried struggling against Armin. (Y/n) tried to stand but was met with several swords to the neck held by her friends, and humanity's strongest. Damn this was a bad situation.

“ Listen, We need to move fast. They haven’t gotten away completely we can chase them down. They’re going to use their gear and Reiner. Bertholdt’s titan is too big to move as they need him to so the armored titan is what they’ll use. They won’t suspect us to follow them right now so that’s what we’ll do follow them now. Do the unexpected. Once they passed the next wall we’re screwed. We need to go now-”

“ you turn into a titan?” Levi asked pushing his blade deeper into her skin cutting her skin. She stands to let the blade cut deeper into her skin.

“Yes, and you can kill me super easy. I’m trying to help. Are we going to sit here or get a move on Eren needs saving.”

She pushes the blades away from her in the process she cuts her skin but she doesn’t care instead of letting her abilities heal her and show everyone the truth. She starts running towards the wall. Armin screams her name but she doesn’t listen instead, letting her teeth sink into her skin making herself change.

-

“What are you doing?”

“Hey, babe! we thought we lost you back there” Reiner said as he jumped down and landed on the branch (y/n) was standing on. He moved in to hug her but she stepped back. He noticed her glass eyes and an angry look. “What’s wrong?”

“What are you doing?” she said in a more stern voice the anger more clear.

Reiner looked confused for a moment like not even he knew what he was doing before he came to his senses and looked at her with a determined look. “ Our mission. What we came here to do in the first place. What are you doing?”

“Opening my eyes and looking past all the brainwashing that was done to me and lies that were told to me. These people aren’t monsters or demons there just that People. People unaware of the rest of the world people who are trapped behind walls unaware of the prejudge and segregation they are being put through.”

“(Y/n) stop-”

“Tell me Reiner did any of those people look like monster or demons to you? If they were true monsters it wouldn’t have been so easy to blend in. They are just people. People in cages.”

“THEY ARE MONSTERS. And our mission is to end them.”

“Well... then I’m a monster too.”

Reiner stepped forward cupping her face “ It’s okay. Let us just forget about this I won’t tell our superiors what you’ve done and we can pretend this never happened, okay? Let us just pretend this never happened” kissing her but she fought against him and pushed him away.

“Go ahead and tell them because I’m not going back. I’d rather live chasing freedom with the monsters than be a peasant and swim in lies made by high-class bigots.”

“(Y/n), I’m sorry ... you’re going to regret this” Reiner then pushes her off the tree branch.

She didn’t stop him as she fell back listening to the screams of Ymir and Eren as fell wind wiping past her ears and tears spilled. And here she thought this asshat was her soulmate.

-

(Y/n) were walking back to the cabins slowly. They had just finished helping Eren with his gear the boy had done very well it was a wonder as to why he couldn’t do it in training.

“He’s contagious” (y/n) whispered to Reiner as she motioned to the others in front of them.

“What?”

“Eren, he’s contagious running around like that he gives everybody hope in a strange motivational serial killer way. He gives me hope, isn’t that weird.”

“It is. Eren is motivational in his own strange way. Hell, I want to follow the little shit too.” Reiner laughed as he laced his fingers with hers kissing the back of her hand.

“I like it here. I really like it here.”

“It’s not at all what they prepared us for”

“Yeah... it’s a whole new world.” She smiled kindly as she looked up at the night sky where the stars shined bright.

“And we’ll conquer it together.” Reiner smiled sinisterly as he looked down at the camp area where everyone slept

-

So much for together.

-

(Y/n) in her titan held Eren Close to her chest and Mikasa sat on her shoulder. They watched as Reiner ran away Bertholdt and Ymir hanging off his shoulder. They didn’t win they didn’t get Eren and they lost (Y/n) they’d be returning as a disgrace, that was for sure.

“AAAAAHHHHHHH” (Y/n) her voices echoing off the mountains Reiner didn’t stop he didn’t even turn around he kept going not looking back. And they were gone just like that.

(Y/n) turned around and followed the others creating a path without titans as help as they made it back to the walls. Climbing the walls she helped injured  soldiers and a few horses over putting Eren and Mikasa down on the other side she climbed out of her titan body to stand in front of them she could hear a few horse galping towards her and other soldier drawing their swords at her. Eren and Mikasa didn’t bother.

Mikasa stepped forward and pulled (y/n) into a tight hug.

“Thank you”

“ I should be thanking you guys. If you weren’t my friends, if you weren't kind to me I would have ran off with them.”

“But you didn’t” Armin said pushing Connie's sword down. Her friends followed the unknown soldiers didn’t.

“You know you have a lot of explaining to do “ Eren said stepping forward speaking to her for the first time since everything happened. She shrugged she already knew she had a lot of questions to answer she had told a lot of lies that she now needed to explain. She needed to explain who she really was.

A few soldiers came up and roughly handcuffed her and kicked her on to her knees the others watched conflicted. This was their friend. But, was it?  “If you left with them you wouldn’t have to go through any of this” Eren said still confused on why she helped.

“I Know” she looked up at the sky the sun was slowly setting and the skylights darkening. Then she looked at the walls “ But these walls their better than where I originally came from. You might not like them Eren but these walls are the closest thing I’ve ever had to true freedom.”

“(Y/n)” she looked up as Eren kneeled down in front of her “ Thank you”

[asciendo]

Trost Has Fallen Part 2

Make it Right Series Chapter 11

Jean was the cocky bastard that walked around like he owned the place. Y/N couldn’t stand so when the time came that you were his sparring partner, you couldn’t wait to teach him a lesson.

Little did the both of you know, that sparring match would be the start of your unexpected relationship with Jean Kirschtein, that will change your life, and the rest of the Scout Regiment forever.

Chapter 1/Chapter 2/Chapter 3/Chapter 4/Chapter 5/Chapter 6/Chapter 7/Chapter 8/Chapter 9/Chapter 10/Chapter 12/Chapter 13/Chapter 14/Chapter 15/Chapter 16/Chapter 17/Chapter 18/Chapter 19/Chapter 20/Chapter 21

Tag list:  @empty-glass-full-of-emotion @dai-tsukki-desu

Disclaimer: It's not exactly how it happens in the anime in terms of which group is gathered together and timeline may change as well

Jean felt like he had no hope. Titans were in the wall, he was stranded with the other cadets and their ODM gear has run out of gas. He was slumped down to the ground with his head buried in his hands. Despite the sounds of screams and building being destroyed, all that Jean could think of was you. You were out there fighting the Titans and due to his selfishness, he was stuck here wondering if you were okay.

The rest of the cadets seemed to have given up, until Connie suddenly stood up from his seated position next to Jean. "Fuck the titans. I'm not dying here." Connie grunts and Jean rolls his eyes. "Like you have a choice." He laments.

"Fuck it. We should try to make it back to HQ and resupply."

"Are you crazy?! We barely have enough gas! It's a suicide mission!" Jean yells back. "I agree..." Bertholdt begins and Jean looks up at him in disbelief. "Shut up, Berhtoldt. Why the fuck would I listen to you?" Jean says through gritted teeth. Ever since he's noticed you getting close to Bertholdt, his presence seemed to anger Jean even more.

"Cut it out, Jean. Keep your attitude in check." Reiner growls and Jean huffs. "We should make a dash for it while we can...I'd rather die trying than stuck here like useless Titan food." Connie sighs.

"Will my death mean anything...after this..." Marco states which causes Jean to stare at him in sadness. Marco was always the positive one, seeing him give up made Jean realize how hopeless they really were.

"Fuck." Jean curses and shuts his eyes. Suddenly, Mikasa arrives and all the cadets stare up at her.

"Has anyone seen Eren?" She breathes and you all look to Armin who's shaking at the corner. Armin tearfully begins to name all the ones they've lost as Jean looks down. Mikasa seems unfazed and continues to berate the rest of them to fight, calling them cowards.

Jean's head shoots up. He's been called a coward too many times in the past few weeks. His mind suddenly takes him back to your argument by the lake. He sees your face clearly, the pain in your eyes and the disappointment in your voice. The word "coward" comes of your mouth and Jean's heart drops just like it did when he left you.

Jean stands up as soon as Mikasa leaves. "I'm not dying here." Jean says which causes the other cadets to look at him. "Keep your engagements short. Use as little gas as you can. Don't give up." Jean commands which leads everyone to look at him in confusion as he was against them trying to make it back to HQ. "What's gotten into you?" Connie asks but Jean continues forward. "Let's go." Jean commands and the rest follow him.

As Jean zooms through the air, he sees titans closing in. His heart drops as it dawns upon him that there would be no way to make it to HQ without sacrifice cadets on the way. One of the cadets Jean doesn't recognize suddenly runs out of gas. Other cadets rush in to help him, Jean shouts to stop them but it's too late as they're suddenly caught by titans and eaten. Jean shuts his eyes and continues to HQ.

As soon as Jean reaches HQ, he collapses onto his knees. His decision caused multiple deaths, blood was on his hands and he doesn't know how he can live with himself. He enters the building and sees the supply soldiers hiding and rage suddenly hits him. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!" he yells which silences the room. "W-where you guys hiding here the whole time?" his voice shakes as he stares at all the soldiers coming out of their hiding places.

"Y-yeah...there are titans out there..." one of them whispers which angers Jean even more. "NO SHIT THERE ARE TITANS OUT THERE! People DIED because of you!" Jean starts to move forward but is pulled back by Marco.

Suddenly, Titans start to burst through the walls. The cadets scatter and try to hide behind whatever form of cover they can find. Out of nowhere, an abnormal titan starts to fight off the titans. Stunned, Jean's eyes grow wide at the sight of the abnormal titan fending off the remaining titans.

Mikasa, Connie and Armin arrive and tell him that the abnormal titan is helping them which Jean can't believe.

In need of a way to clear out the Titans that have infiltrated the headquarters' supply room, They search the building for weapons, eventually finding buckshot rifles amid the Military Police Regiment's supplies. Armin devises a plan to clear out the Titans in the supply room using the rifles to blind them so that others can cut their napes.

As they resupply, Jean's morality is down. He couldn't help but think about all the lives were lost because of him. Suddenly, Marco sits beside him. "I killed those people..." Jean sighs and Marco places an arm on his shoulder.

"No...you didn't." Marco says and Jean looks up at him.

"Wh-what?"

"You're a good leader actually." Marco began and Jean stared up at him in disbelief. "Your skill at recognizing a situation as it unfolds, gives you a clear grasp of what needs to be done now, you know? You made the right call. It's what got me moving. It's why I'm alive now."

"B-but—" but before Jean could finish, Mikasa and Armin they're going to observe the abnormal titan, so he, Reiner, Berhtoldt and Annie follow. The abnormal titan is being eaten by its fellow titans and Reiner suggests they help him. "Are you serious?! Helping a titan?!" Jean yells but before Reiner could argue, the abnormal titan breaks free and collapses. Suddenly, the back of the titan's neck opens, and an unconscious Eren is left sitting on top of the Titan's body. Jean is left frozen as well as the others, as Mikasa rushes down to rescue Eren. Jean's mind completely goes blank as he tries to internalize that Eren was responsible for the rampage they just witnessed.

Jean, Annie, Reiner and Bertholdt are put on standby with their fellow cadets, and are ordered not to tell anyone else about what they witnessed. Hearing an explosion coming from the Wall, Jean and the others who witnessed Eren's transformation recognize what is happening and immediately go to investigate.

During the mission to seal Wall Rose using Eren's Titan form, Jean, Conny, and Annie are given orders to lure Titans close to the Wall so that they can be killed using cannon fire. However, while they are working, Jean's ODM gear breaks and he is left stranded in the middle of the city.

Jean spots an abandoned building and takes shelter. As he slumps on the ground, his eyes shut and tears are streaming down his face. His mind goes to you. How he wasted the last few moments of his life hating you for for fighting for what's right when he could have been entangled in your arms in complete bliss. Suddenly, Jean spots a nearby corpse equipped with gear. Waiting until there are no Titans nearby, Jean attempts to take the corpse's gear for himself, but has a hard time getting it off the body. Jean finally manages to equip the gear while Annie, Connie, and Marco distract approaching Titans, and despite having a difficult time controlling it, manages to use the gear to maneuver his way to safety atop the Wall.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You got separated from Armin after Thomas was eaten. Youi regrouped with Christa and Ymir and found your way to a top of a building. Your eyes widened as you witnessed an abnormal fight of other titans who were entering HQ. Closing your eyes, you hoped Jean was alright. Despite everything that was going on, the screams, the destruction, your mind shot back to Jean. A heavy feeling in your chest set in, with the idea that if something were to happen to either one of you, you last left off on the worst of terms.

Thankfully, you got word that cadets were gathering on top of the Wall. Fighting of the remaining titans, your heart drops as you fail to rescue one of the cadets with you as she's devoured, her blood splattered on your blouse. Tears stream down your face as soon as you reach the top of the wall.

Looking around, you see Annie, Connie, Bertholdt and Reiner staring at you, Christa and Ymir in relief. Then your eyes land on him. Jean. Your eyes grow wide as your eyes meet his. Bertholdt helps you up from your crouching position and his breath hitches as he sees the blood on your shirt.

Suddenly, Bertholdt is pushed back and you feel strong arms grab you by your shoulders. You look up and you're met with Jean's crazed eyes, tears streaming down his face. The rest of the cadets stare at him in confusion at his sudden concern for you as you were always bickering and arguing in training.

"A-are you okay?" Jean's shaky voice surprises you. You weren't sure if you were alright, you witnessed the deaths of your fellow cadets and words weren't coming out of your mouth. "T-There's blood...everywhere..." Jean's eyes were scanning your body looking at the blood all over you.

"I-It's not my blood..." You manage to break out looking up at Jean whose eyes were filled with panic. "W-what..." Jean stammered as he continued to hold you by your shoulders. "It's not my blood." You said more clearly and Jean's eyes suddenly shifted to relief. He held you there for a moment then suddenly, pulling you into his arms and embracing you.

You were stunned at first, but then quickly melted into his embrace and let the tears flow out of your eyes. To you and Jean, it was just the both of you in each other's arms on the Wall as you stayed that way, with everyone else looking at each other in shock at the sight of you and Jean, holding onto each other for dear life.

[sasa-gay-yo]

Just Us (Chapter Ten: Request)

← Chapter Nine 

“We only have a bag of flour to give you this time.” He handed me a bag smaller than any ones they had before. I knew this might be the last time they would give me anything for my bread, so I took it without any word, but not without a nasty look. The cloth tied around my mouth hid my frown from him as I looked down at the small bag that even had a hole in it. This wasn’t going to make more than twenty loaves and I knew I was quickly running out of my own supply. I had tried to use my extra money to stock up as harvest came, but the price of wheat flour was so ridiculous, only the government could afford it. They bought most of the stock themselves and were hiding it. This small bag of flour was probably scooped out of a big box as they laughed in tricking me. 

I walked out the doors of the stock yard, pausing as the soldiers carried out another covered body on the stretcher. I wondered if I could recognize the person if they showed me their face. I had started giving the people my own names and using the interactions I had with them to guess their positions in Shiganshina. Some refugees were nice and would have a conversation with me while I ate my allotted rations on the edge of the stage they set up. It was a precaution so the refugees couldn’t run and push over the food stand like they had done a few months previous. It happened on my day off, so I wasn’t there to see it happen, but the next day, a stage had already been built with stairs that forced them into single file lines. If they pushed each other, the Garrison now had an above view to punish and hit those who forced themselves in line. 

I had conversations with some children and taught them a hand game from my youth to pass the time. Some of their parents would talk to me too, if they were young, and ask about the situation outside of the stockyard. Since violence had increased outside the barracks, they easily found a scapegoat and restricted the refugees to only the stockyard. It had no effect on the violence, but it seems the citizens of Trost found comfort in having someone to blame for the slow downfall of humanity. 

The trio never talked to me. Their grandfather always greeted me with a smile in line and I would give him the four loaves of bread for the children. The boy, Eren Jaeger, would get into fights with the guards more and more, but he would always be pushed to the ground or saved by the girl. It reminded me so much of myself. Was he getting beat up because it was something to do? Maybe it was the only thing that would make him feel something throughout the day. I desperately wanted to approach them and talk to them, but I never was able too. As soon as I would spot them, they’d disappear to some place in the stockyard and the smaller children would crowd around me to play the “clapping game” as they called it. 

Everyday I walked home alone, knife gripped in my pocket, I thought of what I would say to Eren Jaeger if he ever was thrown on my doorstep. He probably wouldn’t care for the pity of an older woman who had no relation to him. He also probably wouldn’t care about my time in the Underground and how I thought he acted like I did. I had made a game plan and everyday would go over it and tweak some parts. I’d have the trio help me make bread, talking to them about anything. Slowly, I’d tell them I was an orphan and maybe find some relation with them. The only adult figure around them seemed to be the grandfather and that made me wary because of the situation they came from. Their parents were no doubt killed by titans. 

I took the cloth off of my mouth as I got far enough away from the stockyard and took a deep breath of the slowly freezing air. It was going to get cold again, but the farmers had predicted a nicer winter than last year. We’d be lucky to get any snow this time, but it was better because they could chance growing more late winter crops. I decided that for the end of the year, I might as well open my shop and keep the tradition of year-end and winter pastries, hoping people would buy even without the fresh fruit. Another motivation is that some of my supplies were going to go bad and I didn’t want to lose more money than I had already. People like something sweet when they’re going through a bad time, so I’d hope they’d want my sweets. 

“Eva! Eva! Eva!” I looked up and saw Elias running towards me, paper in hand. He had a growth spurt over the summer and fall months, and now he was almost to my chin. His hair was also much too long, but he wouldn’t let me cut it because apparently the other boys at school also had hair like his. During summer and current late fall, I had taken them in pretty much everyday, commissioning them to make bread with me and giving them a few slices. Since Wall Maria had fallen, their parents had gone a bit crazy and so had a lot of other people in Trost. The Order of the Walls had grown into a huge following and not just a tiny cult anymore. They were going to build a church soon in the city square and the kid’s father was too busy with that to care for the proper needs of his children. I mended their clothes, helped them with homework, and even let them sleep on my couch when they got a little too full after dinner. Their parents didn’t even notice their absence when I brought them back home. 

“Yes, Elias?” He pushed a piece of paper into my hands and I saw the hundred percent he had gotten on the spelling test we had worked on together. I was awful at spelling, but I knew enough to help him. We would use flour, spread out on the table, to practice spelling words. This past list was increasingly difficult and I had to even look at it again a few times. 

“I got a perfect score on the spelling test!” his smile beamed up at me and made me stop thinking about the year-end and the refugees for a few seconds. 

“I’m proud of you Elias. You practiced hard for this.” He started following me back to the café and I knew he probably would want to come in and do his homework on Levi’s table. It was funny that Elias had such an unconscious affinity for him. His favorite toy was still the horse, he would sit at his table and do homework, and he started drinking tea because I refused him coffee. When Elias sat at the table doing his homework, it helped to fill the void that was left. 

Levi hadn’t returned in four months, almost five this coming Monday. The only thing I had was the button down and two letters he had sent before his work consumed him. I was waiting on a reply from a letter I had sent maybe three months ago. I knew that he was still alive and right outside of Trost, but only cadets would come in and out for refugee security. Everyday, I would hear them open the gates a six and I would open the window of my apartment, hoping to see him on his horse. I’ve probably watched the Scout cadets come into Trost so much, they must know my face by now. 

I missed him. 

Elias grabbed my hand unconsciously as we walked and broke me out of my thoughts for a second time. It seemed that there were three reasons I woke up everyday. The refugees, the kids, and the Scouts. It’s good that I had things to live for now. 

“Can I do my schoolwork in your café, Eva? There’s a lot of people over at Daddy’s house today and June’s at the bookstore.” June had recently got an apprenticeship at the book binder’s shop as he had no sons to pass it down to. I had given him the recommendation and once he saw the knowledge June had about books, he accepted her in. She was mostly selling books to people, proving her worth to the book binder, before she got to learn the secrets. Sometimes she would bring back broken books he had given her and think of the ways she would fix it. I was surprised at how close she actually was in her guesses. However, her new job had left Elias to fend for himself and grow up now without his sister at his side. He would play with friends, but once they had to go home, he was by himself. I was happy to indulge him in anything he wanted to do since I was alone too. We’d be lonely together. 

“Of course, Elias. We can go pick up June when she’s finished too.” That was good enough for him and he ran ahead, turning right out of the alleyway to get to the door of the café. I wonder who would fill my days once Elias was old enough to gain an apprenticeship. Jonas would be off somewhere delivering, the kids would be gone, and Levi would be on some expedition. Maybe I’ll get a cat.

“E-Eva?” I turned the corner and stopped walking to survey the scene. My stomach instantly dropped and I felt like I wanted to throw up. Why were these two here? Elias looked up and the tall, blonde man, instantly recognizing him. Their faces didn’t seem distressed and they were just leaning against the wall of the café, horses tied to the wooden posts. He can’t be gone, I would have felt it.

“Miss Evylnn Flynn?” He was the first to speak up and Hange kicked herself off the wall, wagging her finger at me. 

“I knew you were lying to me! Both of you!” They weren’t sad or upset. He had to be fine, but why were they here and not him? I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed to not see him behind Erwin’s shadow.

“Miss Flynn, we would like to have a word with you in private?” Erwin gestured to the door of the café and I swallowed hard. Was I in trouble? Why is the Commander here to talk to me in private? 

“Elias, you can go up to my apartment and do your school work on my desk. I’ll come up and get you when I’m done talking to the Commander.” Elias looked back at me, his eyes whimsical. He was pretty much meeting his hero and I was pushing him away from it. Erwin looked down at the boy and smiled. To pay him for listening, I’d ask Erwin to talk to Elias. If he had time to come and talk to me personally, he could spend five more minutes to entertain Elias.

“Can you do that for us, Elias? I promise it won’t take too long.” He nodded rapidly and Erwin reached down to fluff his hair. As soon as he was done, Elias ran up the stairs to my apartment, shutting the door with a slam. I’d have yelled at him if I wasn’t in this situation. My heart was speeding up and, if they could, my palms would be sweating. 

“Miss Flynn?” Erwin turned and gestured to the café door again. I nodded once and walked over, unlocking the door and leading them both in. What could they want? My mind was running through a hundred scenarios. Most of them ended with something happening to Levi. The other popular answer was that I was somehow in trouble. 

Once the door closed behind me, I got the nerve to turn around and smile at them. Hange’s presence made me slightly more comfortable, but this was the first time I had met Erwin. His energy was completely overwhelming and even if he looked nice, you could tell the amount of power he had. It was like the positive version of Levi. 

“Can I get you two anything to drink?” I whipped my hands on my jacket, looking to the floor. 

“Do you have any juice? I’m so thirsty, I barely had time for lunch!” I smiled a bit at Hange and walked over to the icebox I had. The only consumers of the juice were Elias and June, so it was nice to give it to someone else. 

“C-Commander?” I asked, silently cursing at my stutter. How was he more intimidating to me than Levi had ever been? He smiled at me and nodded before sitting down at the center table. I picked out another glass bottle and took one for myself. Hopefully they liked orange.

They both were just staring at me, waiting for me to come and join them. I handed them the juice and paused for a few seconds before sitting down. They both seemed so relaxed and I was exactly the opposite. My hands were fidgeting under the table and I dare not look at Erwin. Levi would probably yell at me for how shy and weak I seemed to them. Hange even downed her juice and let out a big ‘ah’ as she slammed it down on the table while we sat there. Only then, I realized the thin film of dust on the table. If Levi found out I sat his Commander on a dirty table, it would be over for me.

“Miss Flynn-”

“Eva. You can call me Eva. If we’re going to be seeing each other multiple times, it’s better to be one first name basis.” He smiled a bit, probably to calm me down, and continued. 

“Well, Eva… I don’t know how to begin this conversation, but I believe I can start by asking you what your relationship with Captain Levi is?” I blinked and looked at Hange. She was leaning forward, smiling at me, expectant at my answer. Had they found out? Was there a reason Levi might have told them about us? What if there’s only suspicion and I’m the one who outs us because I wasn’t careful? Was Erwin trying to intimidate me off of a hunch Hange had? 

“Why are you asking?” I wasn’t going to give them a straight answer. Erwin smiled a bit, a genuine one this time, and put one hand up.

“We have no ill will with the conversation. Both Hange and I are just curious about the situation our Captain may be in. The way you answer, however, might lead to some concerns.” Well, that makes me not want to answer your question, Commander. I took a sip of my juice before sitting up straight again. If we were to have this conversation, it would have to seem like I was being truthful. My hands were still shaking as I sat them on my lap.

“What has the Captain said?” Hange almost jumped out of her chair.

“Barely anything! I’m aching to know how Levi is when he’s with you! Is he a cuddler? Does he know nothing about relationships?” My eyes widened at her answer and it made me believe that he had to have said something to them. But, why? Did they back him into a corner?

“I’m sorry to disappoint, but the Captain and I are only friends. I haven’t seen him in over four months since I closed my café.” Hange leaned back in her chair and laughed crazily. I was starting to see what Levi meant. 

“I appreciate the loyalty you have to Levi’s and your private life, however, he has already informed us of you two’s relationship. We are only finding time now to come and visit, but we’ve known for a month.” I choked on my juice at Erwin’s words and wiped my mouth, swallowing hard. 

“He… did?” It was squeak and that got Hange laughing even more. So, how did they know if they were being truthful? Erwin nodded and handed me a handkerchief from his coat pocket. I thanked him and wiped the leftover juice off my hands.

“He believed it best that, as the Commander, that I know about your existence for various reasons. Hange also happened to be in the room because she is the only person who has officially met you and vogue for your personality. I had no idea about your visit to the Scout Headquarters until yesterday and that is a security risk.” I nodded and tried to calm down my racing heart. It was… interesting to finally have someone know about our relationship. Especially the Commander of the Scout’s. It was also concerning that the one who gossips the most in the Scouts also holds that information. Levi had told me how Hange revealed weekly who was having sex with who during boring meetings. 

“May I ask, what were his reasonings?” 

“As Commander of the Scout Regiment, I am the first line of defense for my soldiers. I pledge to protect them as best I can within our job description. This pledge of protection goes to their families and loved ones as well. I believe it to be Captain Levi’s intention that you are also under this hedge of protection concerning this period of political and societal unrest we are currently experiencing. He told us about a recent mishap you had with the refugees in Trost.” 

“Oh, yes, that makes sense.” He shifted in his chair and pulled out an envelope from his jacket. 

“Another reason is that I have personal services that deliver mail much faster than the average carrier and much more secretive as well. Currently, the Scout’s are being monitored for reasons I cannot reveal to you. He believes, and I concur, that if your existence is publicized to the government, you could be used as bait or a bargaining chip. Some in the government are not happy with Captain Levi’s placement and rank in the Scouts and the repercussions of his past come back to haunt him. If not now, sometime in the future.” I took the envelope off the table and recognized Levi’s wispy handwriting. A response to my letter. This made my heart sing with joy. He hadn’t forgotten to write back, but he was pushed in a difficult situation that didn’t allow him to. I shouldn’t have doubted him so much.

“Did the monitoring begin around three months ago?” He nodded and I noticed Hange was looking between be and the letter. She’s very curious about Levi’s private life, and I couldn’t blame her. I had been that interested in him as soon as he walked into my café. 

“There is information that the Scout’s have been given that can be perceived as a huge security threat if society gets wind of it. I also agree with the government’s judgement on that and am trying my best to limit security breaches in the Scouts.” That’s when the real reason they were here hit me. It wasn’t to deliver a letter and oogle at our relationship. I was a security threat to them. I was in trouble. My mind went back to the night Levi and I had before he left. Had he told them about that too? How much has he said?

“I see. That is why you came here today, I assume.” I looked him right in the eyes and he didn’t seem to have any anger in them. I remembered Levi and I’s conversation about Erwin. I wasn’t going to know at all what he was thinking until he specifically told me.

“I have known Levi enough to build trust with him. I trust him with information that is top secret and dangerous for society. If certain things get out, it could cause riots and more civil unrest as the expense of the Scouts. Levi has told me that you support the Scout’s endeavors the most out of any branch of the military. I hope that the support you have for us also translates into loyalty.” He didn’t blink, waiting for my response. 

“He hasn’t told me anything of that nature, Commander. The only thing he has told me is that he cannot morally support whatever the Scout’s are doing at the beginning of the coming year.” Hange seemed to let out a sigh of relief and I even saw Erwin sit back an inch. I understood why they might be on edge about that. They have no idea how Levi is when he is with someone like me and I am someone who frequents the refugee camps. 

“Yes, that seems to be a common theme among our officers. However, we do not have the power needed to fight back against orders directly from the government. I hope that once the plans reach the public ear, your support of the Scouts and Captain Levi doesn’t waiver. It would be a shame for the Captain to have a good thing leave him for something that he didn’t have a choice in.” I took another breath and noticed my heart was slowing down. I wasn’t going to be thrown in some dungeon and tortured for the information I don’t know. That made me feel better about this conversation. 

“Now, I must plainly state the requests we have for you. They shouldn’t be unreasonable, but I will say this is the first time we’ve had someone of Captain Levi’s rank be involved with a normal citizen. I think you can see why we have the need to be cautious and explain common Scout things to someone who isn’t in our place. You could be a security threat if you do not know proper protocol.” That was only slightly demeaning. 

“Yes, Commander. I do understand the need for me to know what I can and cannot do or say.” He smiled again and it amazed me the duality he had. He made you feel welcomed with his smile, and then completely intimidated with his status and demeanor. 

“As you are in a relationship with someone who is given classified information on a daily basis, it can be possible for it to easily slip out of Levi when he isn’t thinking. We ask you not to repeat anything you hear from Levi, even if you disagree with it. There may come a time when people you know are involved or put in danger by the operations of the Royal Government, therefore I’m asking you to bear some of the pain of a Scout officer in these situations.” 

“It seems you’re setting me up for the coming year, Commander… or at least you have a situation in mind currently.” Hange smirked and pointed at me. 

“You’re smart, Eva. I can see how you might last around Levi’s.” I wonder what they think Levi and I’s interactions are. They probably don’t think I’m the one who makes him suffer with my words more than he does me. Imagine if they knew how much I made their Captain blush. I smiled thinking about it. 

“The next request. As I extend my protection to you, I request you do the same to Levi and any Scout who is in need of assistance. Captain Levi was once a wanted man, and the government could easily turn their back on him if they deem it worthy of their agenda. There might come a time where you will have to shield or protect Levi or members of the Scout Regiment from the Royal Government. I’m best stating that, as someone in a relationship with the Captain, you may need to lie and commit treason for his or our safety. You are a part of the Scout Regiment now, and that is some of the responsibility that comes with it.” I sat there and thought that one over. It was a huge request, but not one that would easily deter me from Levi and the Scouts. I thought of the Garrison soldiers kicking down Eren Jaeger everyday, or Mitras not dispatching any MPs or food supplies to the districts struggling to stay alive. If I knew it was for the better, I could easily betray them. I owe nothing to the government.

“You don’t have to accept this right awa-” I shook my head and stopped him. 

“No, I can do that. The government has never done anything for me. I can easily betray them for a cause and people I believe in.” This made both of them smile instantly. 

“Levi was right, your loyalty and regard seems to be astounding, Eva. I believe he has found a fine woman to be with.” I looked down at my hands, trying to hide the blush with my hair. I don’t know why that compliment hit me the way it did, but people admiring our hidden relationship made me happy, I guess. Especially the Commander. It wouldn’t happen much more than this, so I should savor it.

“Am I able to make requests, Commander?” I looked up at him again when my blush subsided. 

“Erwin. You can call me Erwin, and I will try my best to accept them. If it is something I cannot do, I will have to refuse. Our positions of freedom are very different, Eva.” I nodded and took another sip of my juice. There has been something bothering me since Levi and I had talked about Erwin. 

“If you are asking me to put my life and reputation on the line for the Scouts and Levi, I must request that equally. I understand you cannot predict the outcome of expeditions, and I know we both know that Levi won’t die simply because of that. I’m specifically asking for you to protect him against the government.” He crossed his arms and I still couldn’t tell what he was thinking.

“I don’t think I know what you mean, Eva. You can’t be asking me to commit treason for one soldier? I am unable to do that.” I shook my head at him and formulated my next sentences. I also had a specific scenario in my mind. 

“If the government asks something of Levi that would lead to his certain death, no matter how it will help society, I want you to do everything you can to protect him from that fate. Refuse his service. Discharge him from the Scouts. Anything it takes. I know he’ll take it, no matter what they give him, but I want to be selfish for him. He’s too valuable to humanity to be lost in such a simple manner. ” 

“It seems you’re setting me up for something, Eva… or at least you have a situation in mind currently,” he mimicked my words and it made me smirk a bit. We could play the same game with each other. It felt nice to be able to be on the same level with him right now unlike the last few minutes. We were bartering back and forth. I was in my element. I could never match his strategy or intelligence, but I knew how to make a deal. 

“Secondly, give him more breaks. Every time I see him he’s tired and complaining about the amount of paperwork he has to do. I haven’t seen him in person in almost five months because of whatever you seem to be planning. At least a monthly break. You know how he gets when he’s overworked.” This made Hange laugh again and I noticed then how quiet she had been throughout Erwin’s requests. It made me think how intelligent she was as well. All the officers must be. She had her quirks, but she knew when to be serious.

“That… that is something I cannot promise you. I can try my hardest, but when we are as busy as we are now, I cannot let anyone slack off because their family requested it. You must see I have to be fair about it.” I frowned, not liking that answer, but I knew he wasn’t going to change that. I was being more selfish than I could be right now. I even had one more, morbid request to get through. This one was one that I had thought about over the last few months. What if. 

“Lastly, if Levi does die, I want you to tell me directly, Erwin,” I looked up, locking eyes with him to make sure he knew how important this request was, “I won’t believe any random cadet or Garrison soldier who comes to deliver the news and I won’t believe it if I don’t see him come back with the rest. I’ll make up excuses and scenarios. I want you to tell me personally that he’s finally gone and let me go get his things from the HQ. If it comes from you, I know it’s true. It doesn’t have to be in person, a letter would suffice, but I want it directly from you Erwin,” my eyes were pleading for him to accept, “Can you do that?” He looked back at me after thinking for a few moments. 

“Yes, I can do that, Eva. However, a letter can easily be copied and someone can steal my signature. If I do send you something… I’ll send it along with my bolo tie,” He pointed to the green orb on a cord around his neck,  “I can’t assure how quickly the news will come, but you will be the first civilian to know. This request, however, I have no anticipation of needing to do any of this.” I nodded, accepting that answer. We both had equal confidence in Levi’s ability.

“Thank you… Erwin.” I sat up and looked to Hange, waiting for her to say something. She had been leaning more and more forward as I talked through my requests. She wanted to say something, but wouldn’t interrupt her Commander for it. 

“Oh, it is my turn! I only have one request for you and then a ton of questions to ask you! Is that okay? I know you have the kid to take care of. By the way, son? Brother? Who is he?” I held my hands up and shook them ‘no’ when she said son. 

“He’s just a boy I watch because his parents don’t. I take care of him and feed him. He has an older sister, too.” 

“Ah,” Erwin nodded, “Captain Levi also told me you take kids off the street and give them a second chance. Is he one of those children?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“No, he has a home and family. What else has Levi told you about me?” I didn’t know we were just giving out information about each other to people. Hange answered my question again. 

“You own a café where he gets tea. It’s your past caretakers café. You were given it after he died. Uh, what did he say about your character? He said you’re fiercely loyal, which is definitely true, and that you’re very charitable, hence taking care of the kids. He didn’t say it all nicely like that, but I think you can guess how he said it.” 

“He said something to the effect of ‘She has this awful part of her where she puts all her faith in anyone and takes in brats to give them a second chance’, which, I understand why Levi sees that as a bad thing, but I find it nice to be charitable.” It made me laugh for the first time, Erwin trying to mimic Levi’s tone of voice.

“My request!” Hange hit the table, like she just remembered that she had one to give. I wonder how crazy this one was going to be. 

“I’ll try my best, Hange.” 

“My request is that you make him happy,” My heart skipped a little when she said that and she continued after she heard no protest, “We don’t know much about him or the way he thinks, but we do know what he’s been through. The expedition before he met you, his two friends from the Underground were eaten by titans when he wasn’t there to save them. He was getting so temperamental and would blow his lid at anyone just like that when we came back. No one could blame him, he had just lost his friends to titans and he found out that he didn’t even need to. There are a lot of details, but I’ll leave that to Levi. Anyways, we needed to get him out of HQ, so I recommended this café because I think your strawberry turnovers are excellent! After he came here, he started to change. Mellow out as much as Levi could. All the officers started wondering why he’d changed so rapidly and we thought he was sneaking out to go drink himself to death. Then, I saw you at the year-end festival with him. I knew then it was you, and think of the amazing confirmation he gave me when he kept requesting me to go get you after his injury!” I felt tears well up in my eyes for some reason. I remembered how he looked when he walked in: tired from death. I didn’t know it was the death of his friends that made him that way, and here I was trying to tease him over some tea. I was such an idiot. 

“I think you’ve made Captain Levi feel something he’s never felt before. He still acts the same towards us because he has to keep up this façade, but with you, I’m sure he’s completely different. Actually, he has gotten more relaxed around the cadets and makes them run a bit less. Slowly, your impact is breaking into his everyday life. So, my request is that you keep doing that. He’s a broken kid, but he’s found someone to heal him. That’s what he told us you do, isn’t it?” The way Hange was looking at me, I just wanted to cry then. I don’t think anyone’s ever said something like that to me. She’s putting me at such high regard for something that I so desperately want to do for others. It was a confirming moment telling me that I was doing something right. 

“I-I promise, Hange.” Her smile grew bigger and Erwin slowly stood up, signaling her it was time to go. I stood up too, but held my hand up to him.

“Yes?” 

“I have a last, small request for you, Erwin. That little boy, basically as Commander of the Scouts, you’re his hero. He’s starting to have this obsession with them ever since I got him this toy. If you could just talk to him for a bit and tell him about the Scouts? You know, minus the bad things?” He huffed once in laughter and agreed to do it. When I yelled to call Elias down stairs, he almost fell on his face when he tripped on the kitchen door. He looked up at Erwin expectantly. 

“Elias,” I put my hands on his shoulders, pushing him forward, “This is my friend Commander Erwin. He knows how much you like the Scouts and can tell you about it if you want…” I trailed off at the end, but Elias had already ran up to Erwin, looking up at the man three times his size. 

“How big is a titan?!” I smiled as the two blonde haired boys sat.

Hange came over to the counter where I was sitting and hopped up there with me. I didn’t mind and made room for her, staring at the interaction that was happening in front of us. Elias was even showing him the toy I had bought. 

“So… What does Levi think about the kids?” She so badly wanted to prod Levi’s brain and find out how he ticks, but she’d have to do it through me. Now that they knew everything, I’d guess I’d tell her a little bit. 

“Levi bought him that horse. Elias doesn’t know it, but Levi said he wanted an eight year old boy to have what he wanted at that age. He’s only talked to June once I think, but he helped her win over some boys in her class. I don’t think he could tolerate Elias’s questions as much as Erwin is doing right now though.” She nodded.

“When you two have kids of your own, I think he’ll like them a bit better than he does other people’s kids.” I choked on the air and coughed loud enough that both Erwin and Elias stopped their conversation and looked over at us. Hange just waved them off and patted my back. Kids? He hasn’t even kissed me yet. 

“Hange, we’ve only been together for a few months, and for most of them I haven’t even seen him.” She shrugged and gave me her crazy smile again. 

“I don’t know, you two seem pretty compatible. Now, I haven’t seen you interact, but from what I can tell, you like each other enough. I’ve never seen someone hang around Levi as long as you have. Mark my words, you’ll have cute kids. I want to help name one!” I gave her a crazy look, willing her to stop talking about the topic. Imagine if she mentioned it to Levi, how irate he would be with her. I can’t even talk about sleeping in the same bed with him. 

“Hange, we’re not-” Erwin stood up and patted Elias’s head again. Thank gods they were done. I don’t know if I could deal with any more of Hange’s future visions and questions. Is this how Levi feels with me?

“Hange, it’s time for us to get back. We have another meeting soon and Levi’s waiting to reprimand us for coming here when he said not to.” She puffed out air like she wanted to continue our conversation further, but hopped off the counter and walked to the door with Erwin. 

“It was good meeting you, Eva. I’m sure we will have many more of these in the future.” 

“Bye, Eva! Bye, Elias! Don’t worry, Eva, he’ll be home soon! Hold on a bit more!” Hange screamed as she walked out the door behind Erwin. I could still hear her gossiping as they got on their horses and rode off back to HQ. 

“Eva, why did they want to talk to you?” Elias broke the silence as I stared at the door. Home. He’ll be home. Was I home? 

“Elias, can you keep a secret? A super, super top secret that no one else can know?” His eyes widened and he nodded over and over again. 

“Yes, I can. I promise!” I smiled down at him and ruffled his hair a bit more. 

“Even Erwin doesn’t want you to tell this secret to anyone.” That got the boy more excited to know, and I knew it would keep his mouth shut. 

“I promise! Tell me, tell me, tell me!” If Levi had already told two people, I guess I could too. What’s the harm in telling an eight year old boy? 

“Captain Levi and I are together.” He pulled a weird face, sitting down at the table and pulling out his school work. His excitement immediately dropped away.

“That’s it? I thought it was going to be a fun secret, Eva.” This little boy is incredible. The first person I tell, and he could care less.

“You’re the only person in Trost who knows, Elias. It is a fun secret!” I tried to defend my relationship in front of the eight-year-old. I guess he was picky on which Scouts he liked. 

“Eva, can I have some juice please?” I gave him an annoyed look as he completely skipped over the subject. I should’ve told June first and not a little boy who still thinks girls have cooties. 

“No, you can have it after you finish your homework.” He groaned at my payback and shifted back and forth in his chair. I didn’t waiver and decided to ignore his pleas in favor of reading the letter I had been anticipating for months. 

His handwriting was so nice and I wondered even who taught him how to write so well in the first place. My handwriting was awful because the orphanage had a limited budget for pencils and teachers. I could barely read cursive and only used it to sign my name. When I told Levi this is a response to his first letter, he had laughed at me in his reply, but wrote it all in print for me. Even his print was perfect. It made me annoyed, but they were pretty to look at in addition to their contents. They weren’t love letters by any means, but they were nice to receive and imagine what he was doing. 

Dear Mara (This one doesn’t seem to fit your face, but it’s the only one I could think of), 

As you requested in your last letter, for some reason, my daily routine: 

4 AM - I am either up or wake up from an hour or two of sleep to take a shower. The water pressure is the best at this time as no one is taking one.

5 AM - I make myself tea, now, it’s the peppermint you sent me. I thank you for that, but now my tongue can’t stand any other flavor that’s not on par with it. I’ll light a candle and do some light paperwork and plan the morning workout for the cadets, waiting for the sun.

6 AM - The cadets have 30 minutes to get ready in full gear and come to eat breakfast until seven. I eat early, limiting the interactions I have with Hange as she’s loud in the morning. 

7:30 AM - Training starts with a morning run and workout. They might do hand-to-hand after or work on ODM. Whatever I feel like sitting and watching that day, I make them do. On the days when they’re getting really annoying, I’ll make them practice ground maneuvers since it’s hard to kill titans with no trees. Recently, we’ve been starting to go over formations for the mission I can’t tell you about. 

12 PM - We eat lunch, and recently it’s been bad. The food shortage has hurt our stock and I know the Garrison probably laughs at us as they get to eat meat. We ran out of meat last week.

From then on, the cadets have classroom work to do to memorize our signals and formations. I usually do more paperwork and we have officer meetings over and over again until dinner at six. After that, surprise, paperwork again. We went to the capital to get talked over again last week, so that was a break in my routine, but other than that I do paperwork until my eyes hurt, then I’ll go make more tea and take some biscuits from the canteen. Sometimes there are small disputes I have to settle, cadets to discipline, or one-on-one meetings with Erwin. Recently, he’s asked me if I want to create a Special Operations Team with the best Scouts for the next mission and beyond. I’ve been studying and reading over the files of each Scout. Maybe, you can help me form the team if I come across any trouble picking, but it’s not like there are many to choose from. 

I plan to tell Erwin about our relationship soon. During our meetings in the capital, my position is always questioned and threatened by the four heads of the Royal Government. If they find out about any weakness, not that you are weak now that I’ve trained you, they might use that against me. If I tell Erwin about you, he can give you certain protections. Other than him, I have no intention of telling anyone else and it hasn’t seemed to come up in regular conversation. Hange always has something off to the side to say about you, and I suspect she knows something, but she keeps quiet around others. If she doesn’t keep her mouth shut, you might not hear from her again. Perhaps I will tell my Special Ops Team since trust is needed for a team to work, but that won’t be for another few months or even a year.

You asked me if I needed anything and currently, I would like a bit more tea, if possible. I’m limiting myself to three cups a day since my tea leaves are dwindling. I’m struggling without you and your tea, but I know you can’t ship yourself here through the carrier system. I was right about the cuddling… I miss it and it does make it difficult to try and sleep, knowing a much more comfortable option exists. I won’t go on more because I don’t miss your teasing. Hopefully, I will see you in the next month's time, but right now, it seems the Royal Government is about to monitor us. Going back and forth to you might harm you, and I won’t risk that. It’s helped, this feeling of missing you, by the cadets used for refugee security. It’s been reported almost everyday that a light-brown haired woman, no older than 30 with light green eyes leans out a window about a café with a red lettered sign and stares at the Scouts coming in during the sunrise. I knew right away it was you. I hope you’re getting enough sleep and not being irresponsible with the amount of hours you work on the refugee’s bread. 

I must now go to another officer’s meeting in Erwin’s office to discuss something boring. I’d rather be helping you knead dough for a thousand loaves then sit in his office one more time. 

My questions for you: Has the Garrison brought those brats you said to sponsor over yet? Have you decided to open back up the café? Has the girl gotten her apprenticeship? Have you told Jonas that if he touches you one more time while I’m going, I will break his fingers? You said you might cut your hair, is this true? Have you yet? 

Till your next letter and next delivery of twenty grams of peppermint tea, 

Captain Levi

Chapter Eleven →

Chapter Masterlist

xx Everyone say thank you to MAPPA for Levi and Armin’s faces <3

[bleedingspades]

Beauty and the Titan prt. 1

Eren X gn Reader

Angst

You wake to find the walls destroyed, and meet a very strange Titan and like a fool you follow it.

Warnings ⚠️: season one spoilers, talk of suicide, parental abuse, physical abuse, blood, death, and body dismemberment! And this is unedited but I’ll reread and edit as time passes haha! ⚠️VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED ⚠️

Pain, you’re head feels as if it’s about to burst , open your eyes. Open! Please, please, please open, you beg yourself. But all your body wants to do is sleep. But isn’t that bad? Stay awake!

A constant ringing in your ears and the dull sounds of shouting or screaming, what happened? You feel someone step on your hand. But yet you can’t will yourself to pry your eyelids away from each other. As if they’re destined to stay closed for forever. You can hear foot steps run past you. Tired so tired..can’t stay awake

Darkness closes in silence hugs your mind. Peace

The ground starts to rumble, stirring you from your unconsciousness. Something else, then you hear it. A boy is yelling, shouting a name. E-eren.. yes that must be it. He’s calling out to Eren, whoever that is. But you can hear another voice

“We can’t die hear..can we Armin? You were the one who told me about it, that’s why I want to go.. outside.” Is that Eren speaking?

The other voice yells out for Eren to hurry then you hear a snap. He’s screaming now. You don’t think you’ll ever get that sound out of your head. You don’t want to open your eyes now. Afraid of what you’ll see. All that it sounds like is around you is death. Always death. Why is this world so cruel...?

How long have you been laying there.. feels like days. The chaos that’s happening now, can’t have been before the last thing you remember. Which is your father striking you for stealing a piece of bread. After that, everything went dark. If he’d fed you, maybe you’d have behaved. But that night it was raining. How long have you been outside even, since he struck you cold in the kitchen?

You slowly pry open your eyes. You can see the sky and smoke. It’s cloudy. You sit up and see a grey haired man standing ahead and he’s .. he’s definitely not a man. That’s a Titan. There’s Titans on this side of the wall? But how? Where’d that boy who was yelling go? Maybe the Titan got him. Probably got Eren first.

It looks at you, and instead of fear you just feel empty. So this is it? Ok. Better a Titan then your own father. After all he hates you for everything that happened with your mother. No reason to breathe anymore. Finally a release from this reality.

You stand up and hold your arms out to the Titan. You’d rather not die but what’s the point in trying to fight something like this. Born with a frail body how could you do anything? The Titan starts to walk towards you. Closing your eyes you wait.

But you feel hot liquid splatter your face. You look up at see a hand has broken out from inside the oldy Titan. The Titan falls forward, the wind making your hair rush back with force. The Titans back is rippling.. and tearing. More blood spatters on you as a Titan breaks out of the fallen one. Looking up at, you watch it as it roars. You can feel it’s emotions, how it sounds. So angry, and definitely not ready to die.

This is the most beautiful creature you’ve ever seen. Are you crazy for thinking that? Yes beyond crazy. After all it’s a Titan. Behind you you can hear another Titan approaching. But you can’t turn around as you watch the beautiful Titian stomp on the head of the old one.

The steaming blood is dripping from you as it coats you with each lift and stomp. The Titan from behind you walks past you to attack the other one. It didn’t even go for you. None of them except oldy. You watch as the newcomer easily dies by the hands of the angry one.

After they’re dead the Titan begins to leave, you decide to follow it. In awe you run as fast as you can to keep up with it. Your lungs burn but you can’t bring yourself to leave it. You watch as it saves some cadet with a red scarf. Killing the Titans around her. A boy swoops down and grabs her bringing her to a rooftop.

There’s another cadet waiting for them. But you can’t hear what they’re saying. You just keep following your Titan. And it seems the cadets think he’s safe and follow too. You remember watching the scouts leave for the outside the wall missions. But your mom said they were playing a losing game. And she was right each time they came back with fewer people who’d died for a game they lost anyways. But your brother loved the thought of fighting for a world his sister could be at peace in. So he joined the scouts.

All that came back, was his hand. The ring he got from you for his birthday one year on it. That’s how you knew it was him. You were home alone that day when a captain by the name Levi Ackerman showed up. And said he failed to save him. From what you knew he wasn’t a very emotional man and didn’t do these types of things. But he’d been to a few family dinners. Don’t know how your brother got him to go. So you assumed he needed to give your family some closure. Or to help his own.

After that day everything in your household was dark. Your mother always laying in bed. Your father trying to do his best but ended up passed out drunk on the sofa anyways. And you, left to cook, clean, and do the shopping. When it came time to feed your mother, she’d always yell and tell you she wished it were you who’d died. After all you could barley mange to lift a full laundry basket. Born with unusually smaller bones, small lungs, and a weak immune system.

“Why couldn’t the useless one die” she’d say. Though you never cried. Because it was just grieving, that’s all. Right? And then one night she died and your father blamed you for that. And eventually it was your fault for everything. Levi didn’t visit anymore, which was okay. You didn’t want him to know how your father was doing or what happened to your mother. What if Levi hated you too if he’d found out.

Even though you know this Titan isn’t doing this to protect you, or anything like that. You just can’t shake the feeling that it’s special that it’s not just an abnormal. For some reason you want to protect it. It’s the only thing that’s ever saved you. Even if it was unintentional. This Titan has done more for you then your own parents, so you’ll return the favor. If need be you feel like you’d die for him.

You watch as he finishes off the rest of the Titans, then falls. I-is he going to die? You question yourself, no it can’t take him out that easily.. wait there’s a boy. Attached to the nape of the Titan. You see the girl cadet and the yellow haired boy land near him. They hug him and cry. For reasons unknown to you, you feel jealous. Maybe because you don’t have anything like that. The last person to hug you was Captain Levi. The day he told you of your brothers unfortunate death. But it felt hollow, like it was just custom. Not heartfelt.

You don’t even realize that your feet have taken you up to where they’ve brought that boy. From where your hidden you can see the lines underneath his eyes. But he doesn’t need to have his eyes open for you to know he was your Titan. This situation, from the looks of it they probably thought he’d died.

Then you get it, you remember hearing yelling. “Eren” that was the name. That boy must be Eren, he must’ve transformed in the belly of that old Titan. Probably for the first time in his life. He’s almost like a werewolf, you’d read about those in fairytales.

“Hey you what’re you doing here?” You hear a stern voice ask. You look to see a boy with mean look on his face. Kinda looks like a horse you think to yourself.

“Well?” He asks you.

“U-uhm I was..” you stutter, you can feel your cheeks are pink. You feel like you just got caught doing something scandalous.

“You should have gone to safety, when you had the chance” says horse boy.

“Uh I never really had that chance.” You tell him

The yellow haired boy looks to you, he recognizes you.

“Jean, I’ve seen them before.” He says.

Jean looks at him dumbfounded

“What, where? What are they supposed to be one of us?” He questions the yellow haired boy.

“No, I saw that they were laying on the ground near where Eren was- where he was.. eaten. I thought they were already dead.” He explains. You blush a bit, but you don’t blame him you’re sure you look incredibly horrid.

Jean looks to you, his gaze traveling up and down. He makes a disgusted face. Plugs his nose and backs up.

“Pew it really stinks.” He complains backing away.

“I’m sorry” you look down at you boots “I was passed out and when I woke up, a Titan was walking towards me and then, out popped another Titan. Then he started killing all the Titans so I followed him.” You say quickly. Keeping most of your reasons to yourself for why you followed Eren in the first place.

If the yellow haired boy hadn’t approached you he wouldn’t have heard anything you just said. You do smell and Armin know that smell. Titan blood it may disappear but to him it leaves a scent... of death.

“Oh, well are you okay? We should get a first aid kit, you’ve got some scrapes and such. Oh and my names Armin Arlert.” He says to you.

“I-oh .. uhm I’m y/f/n. And i think I’ll be alright, how is Eren.?” You say. You look to the sleeping boy. He looks distraught and anything but peaceful. Just pure exhaustion. You imagine transforming into an actual Titan is extremely taxing on his body. Especially if it was his first time transforming. What if all Titans are human or what if they were once, upon another time...

“I wish i could say it’s nice to meet you but under the circumstances it could be better. Well she’s Mikasa Ackerman, and that’s Eren Jaeger. Eren seems to be ok, though that’s right now. He’s in danger, all the corps will see him as a threat. We have to find a way to convince them he’s an asset to humanity.” Armin explains.

You keep your gaze locked on Eren. If they try to hurt him you’ll barricade his body with your own if it comes down to it. Armin is right mostly. Asset isn’t the word you’d use for Eren, but you don’t think they’ll be calling him a savior any time soon.

The wind blows lightly causing Erens hair to sway from his face a bit. He really is handsome you think to yourself. You wonder if his eyes are green like his Titan, and if his attitude as brave as the Titan. He seems stubborn already. You can’t wait till he wakes up.

Authors notes:

👌Okay okay okay this is a good end to part one right? To be honest this was going to be a one shot with Armin, which will happen but then I got carried away and started to dream a bit more for this. Hope you enjoyed and follow my blog for prt two in the Beauty and the Titan series. 👌

Please don’t forget to reblog and share! 💖

Don’t copy my work please!

[isayamasideblog]

Sharing a Room HC

Mikasa and Eren sharing a room. Both in AoT world and out of it.  

Yes, they have shared a room and they don’t see anything wrong with it

This is why their relationship is so hard to define and they are the definition of “What are we?” 

They sleep in the same room when Mikasa barely moves in with them. 

They’re kids so Eren’s parents find nothing wrong with it especially when they notice that Mikasa feels safe around him ever since the incident.

She was such a good daughter and she had the safety her parents provided for her ripped away and the thought of never seeing her parents again takes her sleep away. 

Eren sleeps on the floor, sometimes Carla joins them. Grisha doesn’t sleep there with them, but sometimes he waits until they are all asleep then he leaves.  

But let’s say Eren wakes up and sees Mikasa staring out the window late at night. She’s just missing her family. 

Eren would just stare for a bit, before saying “You should get some sleep,” and Mikasa will just sit there and whisper, “I can’t sleep.”

She’d still be looking out the window when she feels her bed move and sees how Eren makes himself comfortable in the bed. 

She’s so close to crying as he looks at her and says, “Let’s go to sleep”

She’d nod and lie down next to him and just having his presence nearby is enough for her to find sleep.

They do this a lot as kids.

After the wall breaks, they do this with Armin. Being around each other helps them find sleep on those sleepless nights. 

Now skip forward to their training days, they can’t really do that because 1. They are older 2. They aren’t allowed. 

Eren wonders why he can’t sleep the first few nights. He has to hang out with Mikasa until his eyes are drooping and then he heads into his dorm, other than that he twists and turns trying to find sleep.

But whenever Eren is badly hurt, they don’t say anything if she spends the night in his room, because Eren’s unconscious. 

The entire night she is there, right next to him. Eren would wake up, and at first he’d be confused about what just happened in battle, but when he sees her he feels better. If she’s there that means the mission went well.

He’d be very quiet, he doesn’t want to wake her up, he figures that she’s been up all night watching over him. 

When Mikasa got her ribs broken that one time, he remained by her side and would check on her constantly. 

That night she claimed that she was fine because she hates being weak around him. Especially since he feels at fault about what happened to her. She doesn’t want him blaming himself. 

She tells him to go rest, but he is adamant on staying, “I’ll leave once you go to sleep.” She smiles and then slowly falls asleep. 

Eren is too tired to go to bed, and just sleeps sitting down on the chair next to her and with his head resting on the bed. 

When Eren wakes up, Mikasa is not in bed. She’s doing crunches on the floor lol. 

After that the only way they sleep together is if they're out on a mission and they have to sleep outside. 

When Eren’s out at Marley, he rarely gets a good night’s sleep. He sometimes imagines Mikasa next to him and that’s when he’s able to sleep. 

Mikasa also can’t get sleep when he’s away. Her mind is filled with thoughts of him, “Is he eating, is he okay, is he safe?” She too has to imagine him sleeping right next to her, just like when they were kids.

Now, let’s take this out of the AoT world

Let’s say Eren and Mikasa have to share a room for the first time, hotel mistake, you know the drill!

They are so so nervous. Eren’s like I’ll sleep on the floor. And Mikasa’s like no, the bed is big enough. 

 So eren’s like okay then, yeah. They put a row of pillows between themselves, and say goodnight to each other. But 15 minutes later Eren’s like: “are you sleeping?” And Mikasa’s like “No.” so then they turn the lights on. And they just sit there like, “now what?” 

 Mikasa then proceeds to ask him questions and Eren does the same

They spend the entire night asking themselves questions, until they drift off to sleep.

When they wake up, they see that during their sleep they gravited towards each other and are now cuddling.

Eren’s got his hands over her and he’s holding her tightly, his nose is buried in her hair, meanwhile Mikasa is drapped over his chest and she’s enjoying the warmth of his body and finds comfort listening to his heartbeat. 

They are so flustered about it, and they apologize, but in their heads they think how it was the best sleep they’ve ever gotten 😴

[satelitesdejupiter]

Boreas

Summary:

Boreas: the north wind that brings winter.

.

.

Prompt: What if Mikasa had been kidnapped and bought by a rich lord, who raised her in a dome, meeting Eren at 19y.

Chapter 1: Winter

The first time he heard her, she was at the piano.

The meeting to discuss the establishment of the clinic had become an unproductive chatter after three quarters of the bottle of whiskey.

Grisha was not as strong for drinking as he was, and barely blinked when their three partners shifted the subject of investing in the necessary infrastructure to matters relating to their personal assets, women and gambling.

A game of trickery had started when he stood up uneasily, his head aching. He had spent the last few days adjusting every detail of the budget needed so that it didn't end in a night. He got up with the excuse of going to the toilet, and as soon as he reached the indicated place, he tried to relieve the tension with water on his face. He had so much to resolve.

Paradis was lagging behind. Bringing advances in materials, medicines and treatments known on the continent was a challenge. Consolidating that society was the best chance to break with technological stagnation.

That was it.

He had to remain patient.

He wiped his hands and left, listening to a familiar melody from a distance. He approached the stairs, trying to recognize the notes that were being played in a pleasant cadence.

Unconsciously he climbed a step or two to get closer, and when he realized how invasive he was to be inviting himself to a more private area of a stranger's house, he returned to the drawing room.

"Young Yeagar, I waited for you, but you took too long and we started another match," his host justified waving his glass of whiskey.

Sandes was a tall and haughty man with blond hair tucked at the level of his ears, what favored the framing of his angular face and made him look youthful, even though he was close to forty.

"Okay, I got distracted by a song from up there."

Sandes offered a wan smile "It must be the servants playing the piano".

"It must be someone with knowledge, in addition, she had a  beautiful tone."

The eyes of his other partner, Rotchford, darted between them.

Sandes's hand tightened on the glass “Effect of alcohol. Take a little more with me” he indicated to sit down.

"You can't meddle in a man's secrets," Ruthford mocked with the cigarette between his lips and Eren sat down, pouring himself a whiskey, choosing not to dwell on it.

The night turned out to be a long one, with more card games and even betting. Eren tried to concentrate, but when he said goodbye, the sound of that melancholy melody still hadn't left his mind.

xxx

Eren Yeager was a man of science. Myths, fallacies and legends of ghosts had no place in his world of logic and study.

On other occasions when he visited Sandes' mansion he always saw the attic light on, just as there was routinely the sound of sad music coming from a room on the first floor. He even asked Grisha if he knew about anyone else living with the lord of the mines, however he replied that it was not known to him that he had family or aggregates outside of Mitras.

He chose not to mention it any more, but his curiosity was still piqued. And that did not go unnoticed by Rotchford.

He was at the solstice lunch organized by Sandes when the minority partner caught him watching the attic window.

"Sometimes I also expect her to show up, Yeager."

Eren looked at him questioningly, but he just returned it with a discreet little laugh "But don't get too excited, I hope the day he gets tired of her for years".

The doctor waved at the partner with growing discomfort and after a few more drinks he said goodbye claiming to have a family commitment. Which was true, since Carla enjoyed getting the family together at the time.

Only a few days later he finally saw her.

She was at the piano playing a tense melody. "It's the less devastating  thing I've ever seen you play, and yet ...", he said as soon as he entered the room, moved by the curiosity of weeks.

He couldn't see her face, but by the silhouette at the piano she was dressed well, white and fine cloth robes marked her thin body and made sure she was not a maid.

Despite making sure she heard  him, she did not answer and continued to play, the notes increasingly aggressive, loaded. Not wanting to give the impression that he just came in through sheer intrusion and lack of education, he decided to justify his sudden entry, but before he could, her voice overlapped the melody.

“Summer is neither sad nor happy. Just raw. The sun can be exhausting, good times precede bad and there is no summer without storms. ”

She continued to play as if he hadn't interrupted her, perhaps waiting for him to withdraw, and he even thought, but it turned out that she was good.

He listened until the end and when she passed the score she stopped a few seconds before starting again.

He decided to apologize.

"I'm going to leave, I just came in ..."

"Curiosity," she stopped playing, turning to him.

Her face was delicate, shaped by short, dark threads. Her rosy, well-designed lips stood out on her fair skin, and together with her dark curved eyes and sharp apples, she gave her a beauty hard to compare to any woman he had ever met.

"Yes. My name is Eren Yeager ”.

"Doctor Yeager's son."

"Do you know my father?"

"Everyone knows Dr. Yeager"

Eren can only agree. His father was known and respected on the three walls. He was even a trusted doctor of the royal family, despite refusing any official position, he was always required in special cases.

"Do you mind if I hear some more?"

"Sandes will kill you," she turned, playing again.

" Why would he do that”?

"You are smarter than that."

"If you don't mind, then I'll stay."

"At your own risk."

xxx

A few more days passed before Sandes arranged another meeting. The previous one had been canceled due to something unforeseen, which allowed him to spend more time listening to Mikasa. That was his name. It sounded familiar, as if he had heard it a long time ago, though unusual. They didn't speak much that afternoon, and he heard her until one of the servants went over the message.

He must have been very busy, since he warned that he would be late again.

When he crossed the garden, he saw Mikasa again. She was leaning back in her chair, eyes closed, her skin illuminated by these was approaching, dhe opened her eyes.

"Eren" she greeted and he accepted that informality without strangeness. Her first name sounded good on her lips.

"You did that?" he pointed to an embroidered cloth on the chair beside her. There was thread and needles on the table.

She acquiesced, "There is not much to do here."

"It's very beautiful. My mom would be in love. She likes these things. ”

"You can take it to her."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I do one of these in a couple of hours," she declared with disinterest.

“If you are so fast, you should sell your talent”, he took the carefully worked fabric. Carla would like the gift, "It is very well done".

A line that made up her millimeter-blank face fell away, and she looked at the fabric.

“I'm not that good, my mother was. There was a bridal shop that only bought her work” Mikasa said in a soft voice, as if she had lost herself in a very pleasant old memory.

"What about your father?" Eren asked, assuming she didn't have. No father would let such a young daughter live as a man's lover, even if he was wealthy.

"He hunted, fished, planted ... We lived a very secluded life."

Eren almost invited himself to hear more, but his intention was suspended.

"Yeager," Sandes greeted him approaching and Mikasa stood up, looking at him tensely,"I'm sorry I'm late, some appointments have busy me".

"Okay, I just arrived."

"Mikasa, get in" he ordered in a low tone, however, a vein popped out of his temple.

She looked at him hesitantly, but swallowed, disappearing between the pillars of the mansion's hall.

With her departure, Sandes soon invited him to sit down. He treated him with cordiality, offered him a wine, heard about the planning of hiring and purchasing equipment, but there was also an impatience, the trace of animosity in his tone was almost palpable. In some moments his attention went to the attic. Eren feared he had  causing trouble for her.

"Mikasa was embroidering when I arrived, she hadn't even noticed me," he commented after a while, interested in leaving no room for any misinterpretation.

Sandes took the glass of white wine and shook it, "I am a great wine lover, Yeager. A cheap can be used to have fun and kill time, but the good ones ... those worth being appreciated take time. They're expensive. Believe me, once you put your hand in a really good, really good bottle, you don't want to share it. "

Eren's fist clenched, and he felt disgust. Hate.

He had fought several times in his life, his parents were the greatest witnesses, but he never felt such contempt and the desire to dislocate someone's jaw. Sandes, if he was aware of his intention, did not show it.

"Mikasa" he pointed out as if he censored the fact that he brought his name, "it's my business. We can keep the good terms if we respect this restriction".

"Whatever".

Sandes smiled with satisfaction.

xxx

On occasions he chose to be more careful. He doubled the requests for meetings and excuses to show up at the house. He arrived a little earlier or did not actually leave until he was due, and he was always careful not to be seen.

She was always in the music room or in the greenhouse, where he once saw her come in from a distance and followed her, as in an unspoken agreement about where it would be more discreet to see each other.

She did not speak much, spent most of her time playing, or embroidering, but she was an attentive listener. She didn't forget any details about his parents or Armin. Once she gave Carla a curtain with delicate embroidery of peonies, just because he commented that they were one of her favorite flowers. In fact, Mikasa was always more open when he talked about the family, and sometimes she would let something out about her own parents. They had been very loving for what it seemed.

However, Mikasa did not allow him to probe her past too much, every time he went in that direction, she became evasive, and he was afraid to push it further away.

It was a mined area and one day it was inevitable to cross it.

It happened when she played Spring and he talked about Armin's longstanding plan to see the sea. His busy schedule had never allowed it.

"I wish you were with me," he said without knowing what he expected.

She offered him a sad smile. Like a child saying that she cannot .

She had never smiled at him, and the first was one that wasn't even genuine.

"I don't know how you can live here, like a bird in a cage."

“I don't live” she continued to play, “Sometimes I think I died here. That I died a long time ago. This would be just the place that I  haunt. That after all  there is nothing out there for me. ”

“You look very alive to me. What is wrong with you?"

She stopped playing.

"Eren, my life cannot be fixed by you or your good intentions."

"And about you?"

She kept her eyes down.

"Do you want to spend the rest of your days locked up here?" he insisted wanting a reaction.

Mikasa looked at him. A hard and impenetrable look.

“I am a harlot, Yeager. This is just a small kingdom palace, but enough for me. Maybe one day I want a bigger one, but it won't be on a trip to the beach that I will get it ”.

Eren held his incredulous look, "Mikasa ..."

"Do not come back".

No more words could be said. When he closed the room doors behind him, he heard the sound of Winter.

xxx

She played that day until her hands didn't want to respond.

What was she doing?

She couldn't drag him into her cursed life. That was her burden.

It was so easy to let him get closer. Be invaded by his presence.

One day she didn't even know him, the next he seemed to be everywhere. She spent the week waiting for him to show up. The expectation of seeing him started to fill his days. It was ... a feeling that had no place in that world.

"Sing for me," Sandes asked dismissing her effort to ignore his presence since he entered the room.

"My throat is not good," she made a sharp sequence.

"One won't hurt, I need some relaxing music."

"You can turn on the phonograph."

He got up from his chair.

“Mikasa, what are you missing? I do everything to please you, and you can't sing a song for me? ”

"I was only offering options, I can't sing."

He sat next to her and closed the keyboard.

“You can't obey me, that's the problem. I ask you to let your hair grow and it appears even shorter. I ask you to stay in your quarters when I receive visitors and catch you giving confidence to strangers.” His fingers touched her face and she looked away.

"No, no" she repelled his touch and he pulled her closer. "I will no longer accept your disdain."

Mikasa held his gaze and he loosened his grip.

“Sing”, he opened the keyboard and went to sit in the previous place.

Mikasa nodded, her expression charged with bitter perception.

It was Winter.

She had to walk carefully on the ice.

Then she sang, sweet and smooth like a bird in a cage.

[erenthecoordinate]

How confident are you that Levi is alive? Will he be able to fight again? I’m happy he might be alive don’t get me wrong but I don’t know what else he can do?

I’m actually very certain that he is presently alive right now.  I’m also inclined to believe he will remain alive for the series’ end.  At the minimum, he’ll be around during the finale climax and have some sort of role in it.

Reasons to believe he is alive now:

The cliffhanger status concerning the severity of his condition shows that there is at least skepticism over his demise.  I don’t recall Isayama ever doing this with another character.  Ymir may be the closest example, and even then her fate was implied and the act was (sadly) offscreen.  We know Levi’s whereabouts are in Paradis, and we know that he is in critical condition, so that needs an answer.

Hange was also quick to “confirm” Levi’s death.  We don’t see them checking for a heartbeat, pulse, or breath.  While they are knowledgeable about the functions of the thunderspears, the primary warning since the weapons’ introduction was that the handler’s limbs would be torn from the body at close proximity.  We’ve seen flesh melting and faces blown off from direct contact, but this is the first secondary contact injury, so it’s hard to say what happens.  It isn’t farfetched that the scorching electricity from the spear would fry someone’s organs, and blood around the mouth and nose can indicate internal damage in the chest and lung area, but with the eyes bleeding it can also be due to a head injury rather than by explosion.  Either way, Hange makes a point of saying Levi died from internal injuries, since there is reasonable doubt when observing his superficial ones.

Hange was tense when Floch offers to check a pulse, which could mean they were offended by the disrespect to Levi’s body or because they didn’t want to reveal the truth.  Hange doesn’t appear depressed or frantic when declaring Levi dead.  I imagine we’d be able to see those emotions clearly. 

And of course, once Zeke distracts Floch and the rest long enough, Hange takes initiative to jump in the river with Levi, which would be a wasted effort to carry the extra weight if Levi was indeed just a corpse.

I also think the injuries we do see are very prominent and intentional.  The deep scarring on his face shows that this is more than likely a permanent character design change.  It would be a waste to emphasize the marks with thick outlines if it wasn’t going to be a consistent alteration from here on out.  It even appears on the volume preview sketch, albeit on the opposite side of the face.

His missing fingers (possibly hand) are also notable because the last thing they grab is the weapon that was going to cut up Zeke’s legs again.  It’s a grim testament to his last actions before being literally thrown into this life-threatening situation.  If those are the only fingers missing, he still has the fingers (and thumb) he favors for his reverse grip, which is another ironic twist to his injuries.  He has that special strength but now lacks the support.

Also, there is the fact he is an Ackerman, with healing properties beyond that of a normal human being.  Enough said.

But can he really fight again?  Hm.

It depends on the time frame between now and the climax, how severe his injuries are, and if there will some compensation for the handicap he gained from the incident.

Time seems critical and Marley is already on the island.  If the climax only involves Marley, then Levi won’t have time to heal to be of any physical support.  If the climax involves international forces, there may still be time.  I predict it will take at least a few to several days for Marleyan forces to attack Paradis, especially since Pieck has Eren held at gunpoint.  They’re probably hoping to secure the Coordinate before eradicating the island entirely.  In which case, Eren needs to stay out of their hands long enough for that to happen.  But again, time is critical, it just depends how soon danger will arrive.

If he is rendered unconscious for a while after rescue, he would need to wake up before the story calls for character assistance.  Fortunately, resting can speed up recovery time, depending where he and Hange take refuge.  They will appear again with the main cast, but time for healing and waiting out the proper moment to evade danger is a must.  If Levi’s injuries are solely superficial, such as cuts to his body and blown digits, he’ll recover fast enough to stand and be of some verbal assistance.  If Ackergenes kick in for speed-healing he could be coordinated within a week (see: his leg/ankle injury and Mikasa’s broken ribs all healed within 2 weeks when normally those injuries would take longer).  If there is internal damage, it’s a matter of how severe it is to continue being life threatening or how he is able to move afterward.  Ackerman blood or not, they are still human to some degree.

But-- I am a sucker for the strongest characters coming out of their struggle by fighting in the end.  While realistically, the possibility is not looking great, there can be compensations for his physical limitations.  We know that 3D maneuvering is not impossible with a missing arm.  Levi has handled single-blade weapons in his underground life; it would be an excellent callback to his roots, a time where he used to make his own decisions.  Except now he has extra discipline and extra understanding of his desired purpose.  There can be an on-the-spot solution like wrapping the blade handle to his injured hand or arm so that it acts as an extension of himself (this one is definitely wild wishful thinking but I’ve seen fanart haha).

Otherwise, Levi may become more of a groundwork assist than an offensive soldier.  It can still work thematically, no longer having to be the big sword of the military.  He would have to put his focus onto his military weaknesses along with his emotional ones, such as proper communication and teamwork.  I think he would, however awkward, still be a good verbal support as well.

And then we got the most important factor- plot relevance.  If the story really wants to portray Levi’s lesson as a tragic one, he will have no physical use for the remainder of the series.  But I’ve criticized the excessive bleakness of this manga, so I think it would be more effective for Levi to understand his emotional flaws and change his usual actions.  Make him regret his choices, but then give him the opportunity to not be consumed by his vendetta.  Giving him that chance instead of forcing him in a state of inactivity will benefit his character, if Isayama truly isn’t finished with his development.  There is so much to work with and even in the little time left Levi can be a complete character with very little to no loose ends.  It would be too boring to force him to be a benchwarmer and have him potentially seethe in his resentment.  Especially since his mistake was one with no witness besides his enemy.  He would be too easily validated that his state wasn’t his fault and there is a possibility for no lesson learned for him.  Giving him free agency and having him decide to pull back would be great development and bring him closure from his vengeful mindset, which is the biggest counter to his heroism.

Plus, I believe Levi still has some unfinished business with some characters.  If he were to die later, it’d be premature to write him off with these loose ends.  Zeke is an obvious one, and I’ve mentioned it before.  That’s not to mention Levi is thus far the only one from the other party to know that Zeke’s plan is euthanasia and genocide.  Survival to the point of speaking would give Hange (and therefore the others) information and they would have to decide whether they can trust that Eren wants this or if there is something more going on.  But it gives them a chance to come up with a counterattack or line of defense.

Levi hasn’t had proper time to react to Eren’s scheme-y actions.  All we know is that he doesn’t believe Eren should be the one to be sacrificed for it.  While it’s possible to get some flashback relevance from him, interaction between him and the main cast (Eren included, and probably especially) has been expected for a greater part of this chapter.  Instead, we’ve gotten a bit of Levi and Zeke banter, with very little input from Levi.  Reactions to seeing his state from all of them instead of word from Hange would be effective in stirring their emotions and perhaps affect their actions going forward.  As for Eren, if he truly had been adamant of caring about his friends and comrades, it’d be another moment to see if there is a break in his emotional deadpanning when Zeke directly caused this damage.  It’s quite different from Sasha’s death, who was killed by a miscalculation, as Zeke calls it.  It is why this is lamented over up to now and so forth.  This is no mistake.  So will Eren grit his teeth to suppress because he has to or is he really so distanced from people that he no longer cares about their fate?  Whatever the case, actually seeing the damage (unlikely to be dragged to him in corpse form because what is the point there) can provoke a response and an additional clue to the uncertain characters as well as the readers.  

Also, and I brought this up when looking at this scene in ch105, but I feel like this interaction here needs some explanation.  I think is could serve as some importance.  Eren seems to react a tad bit and this is before he goes stone cold in Paradis.  We already have other characters’ reactions to Eren post-Marley, I would like to have more input by the normally silent observer Levi.

And I’ve already mentioned a possible role in Hange’s own epiphany about themselves.  But he would be the most beneficial support for them, while also realizing a sort of independence within himself.  Neither would have to follow in Erwin’s shadow anymore.  Release that pressure. They support each other while trusting themselves.  It’s a dynamic they have always had before Hange was commander, but now with full-fledged confidence, it’ll be refreshing for Levi as well to encourage that growth instead of lingering in his past vendettas.

A greater question to “why does he need to be alive for this” is “why does he need to be dead?”  He can accomplish stirring these turmoils in other characters just as or more effectively than if he were dead.  Yes, he is strong, but he isn’t an answer to all their problems.  He is injured to an non-measurable degree at the moment.  Even if Levi has a history of kicking Zeke’s ass, they will know that having him guarded by Levi isn’t a foolproof plan.  Is being incapacitated not enough?  Can’t other character still step up to the plate on the offensive even if he is still living?  What purpose besides “it’s a grim story and everyone dies, blah blah” is worth telling without being either dull or frustrating?  

There is still potential for his presence in the story.  I dished out some ideas.  If Isayama does absolutely nothing with Levi’s aftermath, then perhaps I’ll have confused questions over why these loose ends still exist even at the end.  But so far we can only guess (and hope) that there is a purpose yet to be shown.  It’s too early to say there is nothing for him when there is still more story left.

To some degree, I expect him to play a role in taking down the “biggest obstacle” of the story (why wouldn’t you have your most popular character participate in something like that?).  This can mean his physical state is still capable of externally fighting or he must represent morale support to those who will end up fighting in his place.  I hope whatever ends up happening to him will be respectful to the character he was created to be.  He honestly deserves it.

[karaliswrites]

Rumor Has It

I was actually really proud of this one.  May be some references to the manga but not really spoilers per se

~~~~~

Eren wants to punch Jean in the face.  Well, at least more than he usually does.  Captain Levi, Connie, Historia, everyone’s noticed by now.  Even the thickest of skulls are aware of it — skulls as thick as Jean’s.  Eren doesn’t want to admit he’s seen it too.  He doesn’t really want to admit it’s even there in the first place.

He shakes his head and runs a hand through his mess of chocolate hair.  It’s not so much the rumor that bothers him so much.  People have been judging him and talking about him behind his back for as long as he’s been alive.  No, that isn’t what’s upsetting him.  What’s upsetting him is the nauseating twist of his stomach whenever someone mentions it.  It’s the immediate reaction he has to deny everything because there’s no way they’re right.  They can’t be.  When it was first brought to his attention, he didn’t believe it.  He just thought Mikasa was finding another way to criticize him without directly stating it in that vague yet specific enough way she does.  So he ignored it.  Because she didn’t know what she was talking about — what would she know?  But then someone else said something.  It wasn’t necessarily rude or demanding an answer, Hannah was just curious, asking questions because she couldn’t help it.  And Eren had been unnecessarily sharp with his tone and snapped at her questions.  She immediately apologized and Eren felt horrible for lashing out.  

The next couple times, he figured it was just a rumor and after a moment of considering it’s inconvenience and wondering if he could stop it, he decided it was just a stupid rumor.  And it wasn’t true.  Surely it would dissipate with time and it would probably only stay between a certain amount of people.  Oh no.  He was wrong.  Soon it had spread to more and more until the entire cadet corps was secretly whispering in the dark.  Eren didn’t like it.  He had become even more agitated than usual and had put a considerable distance between him and his friend, thinking maybe everyone would finally shut up and forget about it.  But everyone just assumed they were fighting.  And it made it worse.  People would come up to him asking if he needed any advice or claiming they were there if he needed someone to talk to.  And Eren had told them he didn’t need any advice or any cheering up.  He would be perfectly fine as long as they stopped bothering him about it.  It was quieter after that, as most had either shut their mouths for fear Eren would beat them to a pulp otherwise or they had just grown to accept it as fact no matter how many times it was denied.

But there’s something about Jean saying something that really gets to Eren.  He wants to believe it’s because it’s Jean and he doesn’t need him to harass him anymore than he already does.  But even he knows that’s not true.  What gets him so worked up is that Jean is the most oblivious person on the face of the earth.  He’s about as dense as a brick and if anything was going on, he wouldn’t know even if it slapped him in the face.  But somehow even he knew.  And though he knew Jean was only telling him to mess with him, it made him finally start thinking for a second.  Maybe they were right.  He could understand a few people gossiping just for the hell of it, but when the entirety of the people he knew were telling him something was off, something definitely was.  Though of course it wasn’t for the reason they thought it was.  Absolutely not.  Never in all eternity would that ever happen.  That was just how things were.  How they always had been.

Eren finds his feet leading him to the familiarity of the barracks and has no idea what it is he’s doing.  But he marches on, bursting through the door and once his eyes fall on a mop of blond hair, he immediately regrets this decision.  “Eren!” the boy says with a small grin, as if he’s been startled.  “You scared me.”

He sees ocean eyes shift, calm waves turning to the beginning of a storm.  “What’s wrong?”

It hits Eren as more of a statement than a question and he finds his mouth moving for him.  “We need to talk.  Alone.”

He doesn’t comment on the fact that they’re already alone and rises from his bunk.  Eren is grateful for his lack of interrogation as he follows him outside and towards a secluded area by the sparring grounds.  When he finally turns around, the blond is pure worry.  “Eren, what’s going on?” he asks and the brunet doesn’t think about any words coming out of his mouth.  “Something’s wrong.”

“Wrong?”

Eren sees the sudden panic in ocean eyes and takes a second to clarify.  “I’m fine,” he says and he visibly relaxes, making Eren’s heart skip a beat.  He shakes his head softly.  Now after thinking it over, he can see what everyone has been talking about and it’s so obvious that he had no idea why he hadn’t noticed before.  “It’s about the corps.”

“The corps?  Why, what happened?”

Eren curses himself under his breath.  Nothing he’s saying is coming out how he wants and it’s causing unnecessary stress and concern.  “No, I mean —”

He sighs in frustration, clutching at his hair.  But the blond is patient with him which he again appreciates.  “People are talking,” he says finally and something in sapphire eyes tells him he knows what he’s talking about.  But he doesn’t want to assume anything.  “As they do.”

Eren stares at the ground, finding his breathing is strangely erratic.  He imagines he’s furrowing his brow and averting his gaze, biting his lip the way he does when he’s nervous.  Eren shakes his head again because he shouldn’t know that.  He hears the hesitance in his voice as he asks, “What are they saying?”

At first Eren doesn’t answer and he isn’t sure why.  He’s the one who wants to talk, so why isn’t he talking?  But he knows it’s not that he wants to talk.  He needs to.  “They’re saying…,” he starts, feeling a familiar tightness in his chest.  “It’s weird.”

He gets the feeling again that he knows exactly what he’s talking about, but he doesn’t blame him for not bringing it up.  Though he does sort of wish he would to spare him the trouble, but knows he wouldn’t do something so selfish.  Not to him.  “They’re saying what’s weird, Eren?”

“Us, Armin.”

He looks up to meet cerulean eyes.  “That we’re too affectionate, too close, to be just friends,” Eren says and he’s actually surprised he’s made it this far.  He sees the blond avert his gaze and can almost see the wheels turning in his head.  He’s trying to think of something.  Something that will get him out of this situation a little longer and Eren wishes he didn’t know him so well.  Armin doesn’t say anything for a moment and Eren doesn’t know what to, so they just stand there in silence, an almost tangible tension settling over them.  “You know, don’t you?  You’ve heard about it,” he doesn’t really ask as much as state.  “Yeah,” Armin says after a moment and Eren can tell he’s given up with trying to find an excuse.  “Yeah, I know.”

“So you might also know why I’m here.”

If he was honest with himself, he wasn’t even entirely sure why he was here.  But he was hoping Armin was smart enough to figure it out for the both of them.  He sees something flicker in ocean eyes and takes a step closer, feeling like he blond has come to a conclusion and he wants to know what it is.  “I...I can’t say that I do.”

“Armin,” he says and there’s a couple directions he can go.  “We both know that rumors have to start somewhere.”

He tears his eyes away.  “Where there’s smoke there’s fire.”

Armin swallows and looks up at him and the shimmer of fear he sees in his eyes makes Eren’s heart ache.  “And are you trying to put that fire out?”

“I’m trying to figure out who started it.”

He takes a step back but the brunet follows after him.  “Eren…,” he trails off so Eren speaks for him.  “I’m not blaming anyone, Armin,” he says and it’s sincere.  “I honestly don’t care who was the first to say something or how it spread.  I care about why it happened in the first place.”

He sees Armin put up his walls, trying to block the boy out but he’ll have none of it.  He observes Armin’s face, stepping closer as he steps back until he hits the trunk of a tree and Eren has him cornered.  He enters his personal space, noticing the frantic breathing and flushed cheeks.  “Do you…,” he says softly and he can see Armin trembling.  “Do you like me, Armin?”

He doesn’t need to ask what he means.  He takes a breath and something about that makes Eren’s stomach somersault.  “I don’t think that has anything to do with this.”

“Don't avoid the question, Armin.”

Ocean glances to emerald and it’s all Eren needs before Armin slips under his arms and moves back towards the deserted field, his back facing him.  Eren feels something shift in his chest and feels a pang of guilt as he sees Armin cross his arms across his chest, seemingly shrinking in on himself.  He reaches out and places a hand on his shoulder, hating the way he flinches.  “Armin,” he says gently but the blond shrugs him off.  “Don’t say anything.”

“Armin —”

“Don’t!”

The raise of his voice sends a shot through his heart but doesn’t sway him.  He’s messed up and now he needs to make things right.  “Look, it’s not a big deal,” he tries and when Armin turns around he feels himself shatter.  An ocean of tears is spilling from his eyes and Eren sees a mix of hurt and anger burning there.  “Not a big deal?!” he asks and Eren steps back unconsciously.  “So you don’t care about me anymore, is that it?  You shut me out because of some stupid rumor and because you care more about what people think than considering your best friend?  And now you know the rumors are true, so you try to make this out to be some little crush that’ll go away after a few days?  I’m in love with you, Eren!” he shouts before turning and walking away.  It takes a second for Eren’s feet to move but when they do, he’s running after his best friend, grabbing his arm and pulling him back around.  “I’m not trying to make this out to be a little crush,” he says and Armin is listening.  “I...I know how much this means to you.”

“Do you.  Do you really.”

“Yes, I do.  I didn’t mean to make you upset, I just…”

A knot forms in his throat but he forces himself to speak.  “I just wanted to know if…what they were saying was true….”

Armin doesn’t say anything and Eren kind of hopes he would so it would kill this unbearable silence.  “If you really… thought of me that way….”

“What does it matter to you?  Did you want to find out just to mess with me?  To ridicule me for ever thinking such a thing could happen between us?”

Crystalline tears are running down his cheeks and Eren wishes he knew what he could say to make it better.  “I wouldn’t make fun of you, Armin,” he says and something about the way he says it makes the blond meet his eyes.  “Especially not for something like this.  I was just….”

Eren’s never been particularly good with words.  He can’t just talk and have everything turn out the way it needs to like Armin can.  He doesn’t know exactly when to offer reassurance, how to explain what he’s feeling, or what he can say that can make Armin’s tears go away.  So he takes a second, staring into ocean eyes, wondering if this were the other way around, what would he want to hear?  What would Armin say to him that would put that gentle smile on his face and make him feel like whatever was wrong never happened?  But he knows this is a delicate situation and right now he needs to be there for him so he has to think of something and think of it quick.  But he doesn’t want to rush into it and say something he wants to take back.  Words tumble around in Eren’s mind, becoming mixed up and tangled until nothing is making sense and he isn’t sure he understands English anymore.  He has to say something, do something.  Anything that will fix this.  Because this is all that matters and if he loses Armin, he loses everything.

He must be taking too long because Armin turns his head.  “It’s fine.  You don’t have to say anything.  You don’t have to comfort me or say you feel the same.  I get it.  It won’t happen and it never will and leading me on is just going to hurt us both.  Just forget it ever happened,” he says seemingly final, and turns on his heel to leave.  But Eren can’t let that happen.  He hasn’t said what needs to be said so he grabs Armin’s shoulder and spins him around with a bit more force than he intended.  “Armin, wait, I’m not — I don’t … You’re really … I don’t mind that you … it’s not that I ….”

He groans in frustration with himself but Armin doesn’t seem to really care about his fumbling.  “What I’m trying to say … I-I just ….”

Eren takes a breath, staring into ocean eyes and finds something there that pushes him forward.  Something that makes him desperate to figure out what he wants to say and gives him a boost of courage he thinks he needed.  Something in him snaps.  “Goddamnit, Armin!” is what he says as he grabs the front of his shirt and crashes their lips together.  He feels shaky hands come up to his nape and tangle in chocolate hair, and he’s kissing him back just as forcefully.  Eren lets all of his frustration out into the kiss, somehow trying to show Armin what he means by kissing him senseless.  What he’s doing doesn’t fully register as his mind is focused solely on the feeling of Armin’s mouth as it glides against his.  He takes fistfuls of golden hair and the front of his uniform, pulling their bodies flush together.  His tongue slips between Armin’s lips and into his mouth, feeling warm breath pant quick and heavy against his skin.  Their tongues dance, hands grabbing hold of anything they can reach, as if to reassure themselves that this is really happening.  Eren feels like something in his chest is about to explode but he can’t tell if it’s his heart or his lungs.  Maybe both.  He doesn’t want to pull himself away from the familiarity of Armin’s lips, but he does anyway in his natural instinct to breathe.  He tries to catch his breath, staring into ocean eyes and watching them flit over his face, as if they’re searching for something.  “I care about you ...,” he decides to say and though it isn’t exactly what he wanted to say, it’s a start.  “More than anything or anyone else in the entire world.  I want to explore the outside world with you.  To see the ocean with you....”

Eren’s lost track of what he’s saying now.  Words are just beginning to flow and he thinks it might be easier this way.  Something about kissing Armin restored whatever composure he had lost to help him fix the holes he had dug for himself.  “And I don’t want something like this to have such an effect on you.  I can tell you’re upset and I hate that.”

Cerulean eyes still stare, lips still unmoving.  “I don’t want some stupid rumor to come between us.  I’m sorry I pushed you too hard, I just needed to figure things out and I didn’t know how to do that.  Do you forgive me?”

He looks at Armin with almost pleading eyes, his heart aching in anticipation.  Then the blond gives a small smile.  “Of course I do.”

Eren grins, pulling Armin towards him to kiss him again.  The blond melts into it, taking fistfuls of chocolate hair as their mouths glide with renewed passion.  His hands are on Armin’s lithe hips, pulling him closer until they run out of oxygen and are forced to pull away.  Eren leans his forehead against Armin’s, letting out a sigh of what might’ve been relief or perhaps unadulterated joy.  He sees the blond’s lips curve into a smile and he can’t help reflecting the gesture, feeling like he’s on top of the world.

[emmabodt]

Mission Success: Chapter 12

 It had been almost a week since they had gotten back. Porco had stopped attacking Reiner every time he'd seen him, settling for either ignoring him completely or giving him a death glare. Eren had more or less gotten comfortable with his new home, settling in quietly. Ymir and Krista had hardly been seen other than at meals; Bertholdt guessed that that was Ymir's doing. She had been really clingy as of late.

Bertholdt woke up one morning to something-or someone-poking him in the ribs.

"Bertholdt! Wake up, man! You can't sleep in today! Bertholdt!"

Green eyes opened to find excited golden ones bearing down on him. Reiner was practically bouncing with happiness as he slapped the awkwardly positioned giant on the back." Come on, buddy! Get up!"

Bertholdt groaned as he got up from his ass-in-the-air position, straightening the cricks in his neck. "Reiner....why are you getting up this early? And waking me up too? Go back to bed."

Reiner roughly grabbed his friend's shoulders and started shaking him." Bertl! Get up! We're going home today!"

Bertholdt blinked, once, twice, before his head caught up with his ears." Wait, today!?"

"Yeah, so hurry up and get dressed!" Reiner practically threw the giant's clothes in his face before rushing out the door. Bertholdt rushed to get dressed, forgetting that he was still tangled up in his sheets and landing on the floor with a loud thud. Wincing, he pulled himself back to his  feet and quickly pulled on his clothes and shoes before bolting from the room.

A few minutes later, Bertholdt crashed through the door to the Warrior's cafeteria, where Reiner was shoveling food down his throat. Across the way, Pieck watched the blonde with a bemused expression while Eren and Porco had a stare down. Zeke calmly watched them all, nodding at Bertholdt over his coffee in greating. Bertholdt nodded back respectfully before heading towards the table that the food was laid out on and filling himself a plate. He then rushed over to Reiner as carefully as he could and sat down.

Reiner looked up from his half-finished plate of food and shot the giant a grin as he sat down.

"Better eat that quickly. It's almost noon." Bertholdt gaped at him.

"Wait, what?! It's noon already!? How long did I sleep in?!"

"A good long while. I got up at around eight and did a little paperwork to wait for you to get up. Next thing I know, it's noon and you're still in bed."

Bertholdt looked down at his plate and began eating." My bad."

A few minutes of silence followed as the boys eagerly ate their food.

"Wow. I thought the only person capable of eating that fast was Sasha."

Bertholdt offered Eren a quick smile." We have to eat fast so we can spend more time at home."

"Oh." Awkward silence filled the space as Eren sat down next to Reiner just as the blonde finished his plate.

"So...Eren...how are holding up?" Reiner asked, glancing down at the brown haired boy. Eren shrugged.

"It's not as bad as I thought it would be. Other than the Marleyans, this place is actually really cool. I just...miss Armin, Mikasa, and the others. Life isn't really the same without them here."

Reiner looked down at his plate as Bertholdt sighed." You're right. It doesn't feel the same without those guys."

Bertholdt's head snapped up. Is he out of his mind?!

Reiner continued, ignorant of Bertholdt's hardening stare. "Man, I bet those guys would- OWW! What the hell, Bertl!?"

Bertholdt had kicked Reiner in the shin, hard, under the table, as his green eyes sent warning signals.

"What's wrong, Bertholdt?" Eren asked, looking between the two boys in confusion. After a moment, Bertholdt slowly inclined his head to a table in the far corner. On the table was a gramophone. When Reiner followed the the tilt of his friend's head, his eyes widened." Oh... I forgot about that..."

"Forgot about what!?"

Bertholdt immediately turned his gaze to Eren and shook his head desperately. The boy seemed to get the point, because he immediately dropped the subject." So...you guys are going home today?.."

.................................................................................................................

Half an hour later, Bertholdt and Reiner strolled out the door into the bright Marley sun. They immediately trained their gaze on the ground, ignoring anyone and anything around them as they stared at the cobblestones below their feet. Liberio was a mile away, and with their absence from the city, they got quite a bit lost. It took them almost half an hour to remember the right path and arrive in front of the gates to the Eldian internment zone.As they approached, two men-a tall one and a short one-stepped out.

" Passes!" The taller one yelled when they got closer. However, before the boys could pull their brand new papers out, the short one broke into a grin.

"Holy shit! It's Braun and Hoover! They're back! Welcome home, boys!"

The taller one squinted at their badges and their faces before a small smile formed on his lips." Well, well, well, you two have shot up like weeds. Especially you, Hoover. How the hell did you two get so big?"

Bertholdt smiled nervously and fiddled with his hair as Reiner laughed." I don't know how we got this big, sir, but Bertl was always destined to be the tallest."

"Damn right! You guys coming to see family?" the short one asked. Bertholdt nodded.

"Yes, sir, we are." The shorter man's grin became even bigger.

"You're in for a surprise, big guy. You're a-Mmmph!"

"Shut up, Meriadoc! Don't tell him," the taller one scolded as he clapped a hand over the short man's mouth." Let him find out when he gets home! It'll be better that way." Bertholdt blinked and smiled; these two were the same as always.

Meriadoc huffed and removed the hand." Fine. Peregrine, open the gate for the boys, will ya?"

"Of course. Enjoy your day, Warriors," said Peregrine, holding out his hand. Reiner looked at it hesitantly.

"Please, I would love to shake your hands; it's been five years,"he said reassuringly. Reiner blinked, then smiled and took the hand, shaking it firmly. Bertholdt shook it next, hoping his palms weren't too sweaty. Peregrine hummed approvingly." You boys are real strong. Keep up the good work."

A few minutes later, the boys walked through the barbed gate into the familiar town of Liberio. Bertholdt could see Reiner practically light up with happiness as they went by all the old shops. The giant himself was uncharacteristicly giddy,unconsciously quickening his pace and almost leaving Reiner in the dust.

Eventually, the boys entered the market square, stopping for a moment to let memories come and go. Before they had signed up for the Warrior Program, he and Reiner used to meet up here to play. It was the halfway point between their houses, so every day they would make the short trip that always resulted in races through the market.

"Well, Bertl, this is where we go our separate ways. See ya tomorrow, man." Reiner gave his friend a smile before turning his back. Bertholdt nodded and did the same.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Reiner." With that, Reiner's fist bumped his back, while Bertholdt's hit his shoulder. Then the giant walked forward, to his waiting parents.

As he headed home, everything around him began to fade as the thoughts in his head began take over.

Will Mother know who I am when she sees me?

Did Father recover from that illness? Is he even alive?

And what was Mr. Meriadoc talking about?

These thoughts went around and around his head until he found himself at his door. He blinked, slightly surprised that he'd gotten there so fast. He blamed it on his long legs.

Bertholdt stared at the door for a minute, his mouth suddenly dry. Beads of dry sweat popped up on his forehead as he lifted his fist to knock, listening intently to the sounds within. He heard a muted "I'll get it!", then the pitter patter of tiny little feet running towards the door. A second later, it opened a crack, and tiny little green eyes peeked through at him silently. Bertholdt blinked, confused to see a little girl at the door. Maybe she was a niece or a cousin?

"Hi, there," he said softly, bending down a little." Is this the Hoover's house?"

The little girl blinked at him, once, twice, before turning her head to look down the hallway.

"Mama! There's a giant at the door, and he wants to know if this is the Hoo Ber house!"

This time, Bertholdt heard heavier, slightly slower steps approaching the door." Mae, what have I told you about answering the door? You have to come get me!" a woman's voice scolded gently, coming closer. The giant's throat closed up; he knew that voice. It had been so long since he'd last heard it...

"My apologies, sir." Bertholdt's eyes refocused on the woman in front of him, bent over the little girl. She quietly told the girl to go back inside before straightening to face him." How can I help...."

Her eyes traveled up his tall form to find the red armband on his left arm, getting wider as she slowly lifted her head to look up into Bertholdt's emerald green orbs. Her hands covered her quivering mouth as he offered her a soft smile.

"Hello, Mother. I'm home," he said gently as her grey eyes filled with tears.

"B-Bertholdt?..."

He nodded his head once as she took tiny steps toward him. Her hands left her mouth to clasp his long arms, tears overflowing and gliding down her cheeks.

"Bertholdt...look at you...you're so big...my baby has finally come home..." she whispered, reaching up to hug her son. The green eyed giant immediately reciprocated the hug, holding his mother tightly as a few tears slipped from his eyes. He felt something click inside him, and he knew that for the first time in a long time, he actually felt whole. It was like the burden of guilt he had carried for so many years had been lifted off of his shoulders.

His mother soon relinquished her grip on him, tugging him toward the door eagerly." You're father is going to be so happy to see you: he's missed you so much."

He quickly followed her, letting her pull him down the hall he knew so well. He used to put on his boots right there; his second favorite coat still hung on the peg where he left it five years ago. Pictures from his childhood lined the wall while boots of various sizes lined the floor. He was home at last.

"Henry! Henry! Henry!" she yelled, pulling him towards the living room.

"Janette? Is something wrong?" a rough voice called. Bertholdt's throat clenched cruelly. It was the one man he cherished more than anything; the man who taught him everything he knew about a gun, the person who had taught him how to hunt, and the reason he had joined the Warrior Program in the first place.

"Henry! He's home!" With that announcement, he and his mother entered the living room, where a dark haired man with green eyes sat on the couch in front of the little girl who answered the door. The moment the man layed eyes on his son, his eyes widened and he slowly stood.

"Bertholdt...son...you came back..." he whispered, fighting back tears as he stood up to embrace Bertholdt. Bertholdt gently wrapped his arms around his father, taking great care not to squeeze him.

"Of course I did, Father. I said I would do my best, remember?" he said gently before releasing his old man, who studied him carefully.

"Well, I'll be damned, son. I always knew you would be tall, but I didn't expect you be six foot three."

Bertholdt chuckled." It just happened. I don't know how."

"Who is he?"

All heads turned to look at Mae, who was tugging on Janette's skirt. She smiled bashfully at Bertholdt before hoisting the girl on to her hip.

"Mae, this is your big brother Bertholdt. Remember, we told you about him?"

Mae blinked at her baffled older brother before her face lit up." This is big brother Ber Holt!?"

Henry leaned a little closer to his son and whispered," We found out that your mother was carrying a few days after you left. She was devastated that she didn't get to tell you beforehand."

Bertholdt nodded, speechless with delight. He walked toward his little sister and bent over a little so they were face to face.

"Hi, Mae..."

She bashfully bent her head." Hi...brother..."

He smiled at her." You know you're really pretty right?"

Mae bobbed her head before hiding her face in their mother's shoulder, eliciting a giggle from the brown haired woman." Mae can be a tad bit shy..."

Bertholdt chuckled and straightened himself." I guess it runs in the family."

Both his parents laughed at that, and the next few hours were spent telling Bertholdt about their life with Mae. At some point in time, Mae had recovered from her shy spell and proceeded to climb on her brother/plaything. Bertholdt let her, even letting her dangle from his arms as his parents regaled him with the stories of how Mae would follow them around and ask about the boy in the pictures, or how she would sit by the window and just wait for him to come home. This was when she developed the opening the door habit.

Over dinner, Bertholdt told them what little he could about the years he spent on Paradis. When he told them about the giant Titan forest, his sister popped up in her seat.

"There are trees bigger than a Titan!?"

Bertholdt had smiled at her." Yes. In fact, some of them were even taller than my Titan."

The reunited family talked late into the night, so happy to be together that they wanted to stay together as long as they could. Mae had fallen asleep shortly after dinner, curling up into Bertholdt's side. Bertholdth followed her an hour later, his light snores alerting their parents that he was no longer listening.

He was alive. He was home. He was happy.

.................................................................................................

Word Count: 2349

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭BERTHOLDT! MY BOY! COME BACK!😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

I wrote Bertholdt's homecoming first because he...he...he...I CAN'T SAY IT! This amazing boy was my favorite character, and therefore he deserved a happy ending. I gave him a little sister for extra cuteness. Enjoy, my readers.

Edit: Kudos to anyone who knows the characters that I took the guards' names from 😊

[x-fantasy-is-my-reality-x]

Attack on Pranks: Chapter 4 (Showdown)

Mikasa waited impatiently for Christa and Ymir to finally leave and for Levi to return. Now, she could finally get her revenge for that day in court. She clenched her fists as the famous Titan-killer closed his door, before confidently stalking up to it and pounding a fist against it.

 Unlike the others, she refused to cower in the face of a death more gruesome than anything the Titans could come up with. The black-haired girl tensed in anticipation, but there was no movement behind the door. Frowning, she tried again, with the same result. You’re kidding me! He can’t have gotten tired already!

 Or if he’s purposefully ignoring me……she growled aggressively, a sound not lost on Levi.

 The Captain knew who was last and was tempted to ignore her completely. I don’t have time for her petty bullshit.

 Levi had seen the way she had looked at him during the court session and had no doubts that it would have gotten ugly if the small blond boy hadn’t stopped her. But from the way the door was creaking on its hinges, Mikasa would probably break the door into a thousand pieces if he didn’t open it.

 “Ugh!” He groaned as he got up and grasped the door handle, preparing for the worst. The knocking had finally stopped, and it was all quiet. Slowly, he turned the doorknob, his other hand gripping his sword handle tightly. You never know what those crazy cadets would do, especially after all those interesting stunts they pulled in the last few hours. He had barely opened it a centimeter before it was blown wide open, smashing into the wall. The screws popped off and clattered to the floor. Unfortunately, at least to Mikasa, Levi had managed to dodge it and was about to throw one of his blades at her but she was gone, flying down the hall.

 What the Hell?

 The Captain frowned in confusion as she sprinted gracefully away; he had honestly thought she was going to come into the room and attack him. He shook his head and chased after her, weaving through the hallways until he followed her through the door to the entrance of the castle, where she stood waiting on the other side in the middle of the courtyard. 

 Hearing the commotion, Erwin and Hange followed the noise to the window, where they could see Levi and Mikasa trying to glare the other down.

 “Hey look!” Connie called out to Bertholdt, being the first to notice. “Go get the others! They won’t want to miss this!” Bertholdt nodded and ran off to gather the others, where they watched through a window on the second floor, not too far from where Erwin and Hange were. They stuck their heads out and climbed over each other to try to get a better look from the one window, forming a massive pile of bodies. Reiner, thankfully for everyone else, was stacked on the bottom, next to Bertholdt who had begun to sweat like a faucet. Then Jean and Eren were squished next to each other, nearly standing on top of the two on the bottom, trying to shove the other out of the way for a better view. On top, Connie and Armin were struggling to not fall as the boys on the bottom staggered because of Jean and Eren’s bickering.

 “Hey move over horse face ” Eren growled, shoving him into the wooden frame.

 “No! Why don’t you asshole?” He accidentally squished Reiner’s face into the window sill, while Armin squeaked as Eren began to wriggle around.

 “Can we not do this right now?” Connie yelped as he nearly fell off, clinging onto the curtain, which began to rip.

 “Ugh you’re such a bitch!”

 “Big talk coming from you Jeanie boy!”

 “Come on guys!” Bertholdt whimpered as Jean’s foot struck him in the head.

 All the ruckus drew the attention of the girls, who were trying to sleep in their own rooms.

 “Are you kidding me?” Ymir grumbled angrily as their shouts echoed down the hall. “What the Hell are they even doing at this time of the night?”

 “Maybe we should go investigate,” Christa suggested.

 “Fine by me if it’ll make them shut up.” Ymir sighed.

 “Where’s Mikasa?” Sasha asked, emerging from her own bed.

 “Who knows? Probably going at Corporal Shorty or something.”

 They followed the boys’ voices down the hall, where they found a scene of complete chaos. Eren was hanging out the window by his fingertips, kicking against the castle and screaming bloody murder while Reiner and Armin tried to fish him back in. Bertholdt was laying on the ground with a large bruise on his face, spread-out like a giant rug while Connie and Jean, the latter whose shirt was half ripped, were arguing in the corner. Most of them were only half dressed or in their underwear. The girls gawked at the spectacle in front of them, but the males didn’t even seem to notice.

 “Armin pull!” Reiner urged, half his body hanging out the window giving the girls a full view of his ass. Well that’s something I never want to see again, Ymir mentally groaned.

 “I’m trying!” Armin squealed back, nearly joining his friend dangling from the window. The poor boy was trying his hardest, leaning on the tips of his toes and sweating so much that he rivaled Bertholdt, who was still clutching his face on the ground. But there was only so much you could do when your arms were as thick of strands of spaghetti.

 “Don’t step on me!” Connie’s foot landed right where the gentle giant’s head was, but luckily, Bertholdt was able to dodge in time. “Watch out!”

 “Sorry big guy but some horse-faced asshole is trying to kill me!” Connie glared out Jean.

 “Big talk coming from you cue ball!” He retorted, taking another wild swing.

 “Don’t you dare drop me!” They heard the Titan-shifter’s scream coming from by the window.

 “You know what let’s just go back to sleep,” Ymir whispered. “They’re all insane.”

 “Agreed.”

 They tiptoed back into their rooms, oblivious to the storm that was about to blow.

 “What do you want?” Levi asked, his eyes narrowed as they circled each other like sharks. He already knew the answer.

 “Revenge for that day in court,” Mikasa snarled. “You should remember.”

 He scoffed, only angering Mikasa further. “You’re too attached to that idiot for your own good, it’s really a shame.”

 Hange and Erwin watched in trepidation as two of the strongest members of the Scouting Regiment were about to pounce on each other.

 “This is gonna be amazing!” Hange squealed, while Erwin watched silently, though he too was anxious to see what would happen.

 Mikasa lunged with a fist at Levi, who twisted out of the way to grab her arm. They had no doubts in their minds that the force behind Mikasa’s punch would have been enough to knock out a wild raging tiger. Levi let go and she retaliated by swiping at his head, missing by an inch. He ducked and threw her over his shoulder by the arm, flinging her a good twenty feet away from him but Mikasa twirled midair and landed on her feet.

 “That’s it!” She roared, going berserk and charging at him. Levi met her halfway, where they clenched hands and began pushing each other, trying to make the other one back down first.

 “I’m not losing to you!” She snarled, veins popping out her forehead. Any normal person’s bones would have been instantly crushed by the force between their hands, but neither of them was normal by any standards.

 “Oh, is that so?’ Levi mocked coolly. Faster than a blink of the eye, he swept her legs out from under her and forced her down onto the ground. “You become reckless when you’re angry. And besides,” he narrowed his calm gray eyes. “You might be strong, but I’m still Humanity’s Strongest.”

 No matter how she thrashed, Mikasa couldn’t break free of his iron grip.

 Levi raised a fist high above her head, and she struggled harder than ever, her heels gouging deep scars into the ground.

 “Go. To. Hell!” Mikasa groundout. The Commander and Hange held their unconsciously held their breaths in anticipation, and the air seemed to still as they waited for the finishing blow.  

 “HELP!!” A screech suddenly pierced the air like a bullet, distracting them from their fight. Both Ackermans snapped their heads around to find Eren’s hand gradually slipping out of Reiner’s as the blond boy tried desperately to hold the weight of both Eren and Armin, who had also tipped out the window. Bertholdt was desperately reaching out for his other hand, but both Levi and Mikasa could tell that he wouldn’t make it in time.

 They separated, and both began sprinting towards the window, blades of grass flying through the air underneath their boots.

 “Hold on Eren!” Mikasa shouted.

 “Damn shitheads!” Levi cursed, only a couple meters away.

 Eren’s hand slipped, and then everyone was screaming. Hange from a couple rooms over, leaning so far out the window that Erwin had to pull her back so that she didn’t join them, and Bertholdt, Reiner, Armin, Eren, Jean, and Connie creating a harmony of horrible teenage shrieking. Least to say, no one in the castle was asleep anymore.

 Mikasa tumbled to the ground with Eren in her arms, though it took a couple seconds longer for him to stop yelling like had seen a titan taking a shit on his house.

 Levi caught Armin a little more gracefully, immediately dropping him like a sack of potatoes and leaving the terrified boy to crawl away uttering a small thanks.

 “Ugh!” Levi huffed, shoving a finger in his ear. “They should really push up the recruitment age up a couple years, so I don’t have to deal with your horrible pubescent voices.”

 After the three were reunited in a huddle on the ground, Levi turned on them, a dangerous glint smoldering in his eyes. Eren swore he saw the tortured ghosts of the other countless recruits that the Captain had probably forced to scrub the floors until they died, burning in a Hell full of fiery brooms and boiling laundry detergent.

 ��Now,” Levi said slowly, and Armin could feel his soul withering up and dying inside of him. On the second floor, all the boys shrunk back out of sight. “What shall your punishment be?”

 For the next couple of days, all the girls excluding Mikasa could hear was the sound of furious scrubbing throughout the halls, day in day out. And the occasional sob and cuss word that they whispered when they thought no one was looking.

 Not too surprisingly, Levi figured out who was responsible for unleashing a bunch of slobbering teenagers upon him at 4:00 in the morning, and least to say, he got his revenge. Erwin now had no eyebrows and all of Hange’s equipment had mysteriously disappeared, sending both of them into hysterics.

 “Uh are those draw on eyebrows?” Sasha whispered to her friends in the dining hall two days after the incident.

 “Yes,” Levi replied coyly as he waltzed by, a small smirk on his face.

 Life was always interesting in the Survey Corps.

[haruyuri]

Attack On Titan // Manga Analysis

contains spoilers.

this post is focused mostly on the Marley Arc and Sasha’s death. read at your own risk.

Ah, I said I would do this, here I am.

I believe pretty much all of the Attack On Titan fandom is pissed right now. Whether you are a manga reader or not, I’m sure you’ve come across with the most recent spoilers.

Yes, Sasha Blouse is dead.

We shall start with some background on her, using the anime. She was rather irrelevant during season one, I think we all agree. She was simply the ‘potato girl’, or the girl who spoke in a ridiculously polite way, but, during season two, she gained some focus for her character. Truth is she was meant to die in chapter 40, more or less, when she fought that one titan with the arrows. (Titan that was confirmed (i think) to be Connie’s father.)

She was unharmed. She didn’t have her gear on, but she did save a small child from a titan and fought it with something she was good at, shooting arrows. But though, I think she isn’t given enough credit for this. She had this whole episode for herself and still, she was still ‘potato girl’.

Throughout the whole anime, Sasha is seen as a goofball who has an incredibly high appetite. Sure, she is a rather positive character, so is Connie, but both of them have their own demons as well.

Believe it or not, Sasha was rather important during the Uprising Arc. She was one of the chosen to be part of the new Squad Levi, as long as the other 104th soldiers and she had an important role in protecting Eren and Historia.

After she takes care of Levi’s wounds, she stays on guard all night as the squad is eating and drinking.

She then takes part in the rescuing of Eren and Historia, as they know their whereabouts and, shall we not forget, she saves Connie’s life.

And, later on, it’s Connie’s time to attend to her safety, in the Return to Shingashina Arc. Being hit by the debris upon fighting the Armored Titan, Connie takes her unconscious body to a roof and everyone begins thinking about the Titan Serum. Though, she’s not injured to that point and the debate is then between Armin and Erwin, Levi ending up deciding to give it to Armin.

Even more, as they return to Trost and she finally recovers, she is exhonerated with a damn medal. Sasha is a worthy soldier.

And finally, we get to the shitty Marley Arc. Personally, it has been my least favorite arc so far. Now, having read chapter 105, I feel like I’ve wasted all the time I’ve put into reading this manga. I used to love every bit of it, even with the death and all the angst, I still looked forward to the next chapter. Now, I don’t. Now I’ll think “Ah.. Another chapter. I’ll read it later.” and just go on with it.

Alright, let’s get this Arc straight, shall we.

We had a heck ton of chapters that made us though “Where the fuck is the Survey Corps” since only hobo looking Eren and mentally fucked up Reiner were on the show. Sure, we got to know some stuff about the Marley dudes, but they’re not that interesting.

It seems to me that Eren left to Marley on his own accord, that he probably even disobeyed his superiors orders (That’d be Commander Hange and Captain Levi) and even wrote them a letter.

Both Hange and Levi show their discontent with Eren’s development and behavior. Eren, who used to be Humanity’s Hope is now nothing but a suicidal soldier, who uses himself as bait and causes his comrades to die.

He was, for a long time, talking to Falco, bonding with him so that he could get to Reiner. I’m not sure how I feel about Falco though, because he seems to be a good person and he felt deceived by Eren, because he thought Eren was a good person and he was surely though that the people of Paradis were monsters. 

Falco felt used by Eren and realizes he was lied to. The kid probably has trust issues, who knows.

Despite knowing that his name is Eren Jaeger, he still goes for Kruger. He’s upset, he understood Eren is a bad guy, I guess.

But anyway, Eren masters up to fuck Reiner in the head even more and bam- he goes batshit crazy and turns into a titan. Nothing we haven’t seen before, right?

Well he goes and kills the Thor look alike and ye, look it’s a new titan!!!

You are one creepy fucker, Tybur woman.

And, of course, the rest of Marley had to come, right? We get a better look at Pieck’s cart titan and Zeke’s beast titan as well. Let’s not forget what Levi promised Erwin before he died. He would take down the beast titan.

But, surprise surprise. Zeke is betraying Marley. Or.. You can’t be that surprised, c’mon, he betrayed his own parents.

Here’s how it starts:

Eren seems a bit unamused to me, I don’t know, woops.

On another note, both Levi and Jean talk about ‘time’. That’s another confirmation note to the fact Zeke is actually on Paradis’ side (apparently) and Levi killing him, for now, is an act.

Pieck knows that Zeke just betrayed him, so.. my question is. Why didn’t she do anything about it? She probably just realised that Levi did not kill him, that he acted as if he did. So why did she just carry on battling and didn’t do anything? Hm.. Fishy.

But moving on.

Let’s talk about another character. Gabi Braun. She’s just 12 and also an Eldian and Warrior Candidate. Her goal is to kill Eren Jaeger, who trampled over her home.

So here’s the thing about Gabi. First of all, she’s a brat. Second of all, she has a superiority complex. Third of all, she doesn’t listen to anyone. We all know Falco is more inteligent than Gabi and less impulsive than her.

Don’t talk back, you brat.

But here’s what pisses me off. She made it clear. Eren Jaeger is her target. Sure, she holds a grudge against all Survey Corps members, but mostly, Eren.

So why, why did she have to kill TWO soldiers before she got Eren?

She killed Lobov and, right after, she didn’t even aim. She grabbed the gun and shot. She had no idea if she’d get anyone or not. But she did, she killed Sasha with one shot.

What was the damn  logic? She shot randomly. Did she even know if she’d get someone? As much as she knew, she could’ve shot against a wall. Her aim wasn’t defined, she didn’t know what she was doing.

But no. Poor innocent Sasha had to take the damn bullet. No one was expecting that, Jean and Connie are dumbfounded as Sasha falls backwards. 

Some people are supporting Gabi in here, saying she’s protecting her home, but let’s get something straight. If Sasha hadn’t hesitated back then, Gabi would be dead. Sasha spared Gabi��s life and how did Gabi thank her? She didn’t. She killed her. She killed the one who granted her the miracle of life when she could’ve taken it away.

And of course, the Survey Corps flip. Sasha is obviously dear to everyone, we can tell that everyone sees Sasha as a close friend, or even a relative. While Jean and Connie, the closest people to Sasha, try to take care of her, the others are quick to pin Gabi and Falco down and hit them. They’re seriously pissed that a brat got in their ship and shot one of them.

We all know Jean is an emotional guy. But, seeing try to stay collected, giving orders as he sees Sasha slowly slip away from life.. Damn mate.

Also, Connie asks her to hold on until they go home. I still wonder why.

Also, y’all know what pisses me off? When I’m sad/upset and people still make fun of me. And this happened here. Everyone’s sad about Sasha’s death, some people are probably sad over Eren’s state and how the Survey Corps are treating him and Sasha’s last word is ‘meat’ ?

Seriously now, m e a t ?

At this point, I can’t help but believe Isayama is toying around with us. Sure, Sasha became known at the ‘potato girl’ and someone with high appetite, but is that what her whole character is about? Apparently.

And know what hurts the most?

This probably happened about five minutes before she was shot. Both Jean and Sasha are reflecting on their mission, on what they have to do and how they have to kill. And of course, Connie plays the positive guy. Sure he ain’t smiling, but he’s glad he’s alive. He’s glad his best friends are alive. Jean and Sasha are pretty much everything that Connie has. Sure, he might be a bit close to the others, but Jean and Sasha are definetly the closest people to him. He’s lost his family, he’s lost comrades and now.. Well, he lost Sasha. 

We can see the closure between Sasha and Connie and I’m not saying this because I’m a Springles shipper, but I think that there was something more than friendship, but of course romance would never, in a million years, be relevant to Attack On Titan. (cue; Hannah and Franz died rather quickly)

Sasha was smiling after Connie said she was special and soon they were happily talking about dinner. They just wanted to hang out and relax now.

But no. Sasha had to be murdered.

Jean is stressing out. Sasha is dying in front of his eyes. He’s probably thinking that he couldn’t protect her, but deep down he blames Eren for this.

The other soldiers have beaten Gabi more than Falco, of course, Falco isn’t even bleeding, but they threaten to kill both.

Gabi’s speaking shit and how they’d let the commander know and Jean just tells her she can tell Zeke in person.

On another note, Pieck is talking about Yellena, and how she knew Zeke was betraying them with Yellena’s help. Once again, why didn’t she do anything or report Zeke’s intentions to the other warriors?

Zeke wasn’t expecting that. He probably wouldn’t expect Gabi to murder two soldiers either. He thinks that these kids ruined his plan. I’m still not sure what the plan is, but well, the Corps seem to know.

Well, seems like Gabi ruined things for ya, Beardie. But calling those kids miscalculations is almost the same as called them failed abortions. Yikes.

I’m still very confused about this page, about the conversation between Levi and Zeke. Of course Levi would want to kill the one who killed Mike, got other soldiers to die and was heavily involved in Erwin’s death, not to mention he promised Erwin he would take down the beast titan. And, no matter how much he has to team up with Zeke now, Levi keeps his word.

And well, this was it. I don’t have anything else to complain about. I hope y’all enjoyed this if you reached this line. Maybe if I read chapter 106, i’ll add more to this,

[snkpolls]

SnK Chapter 103 Poll Results

The chapter 103 poll closed with 2,013 responses. Thank you to everyone who participated!

Another month, another chapter that left people feeling excited! 98% of poll takers rated chapter 103 from good to excellent!

I just cant wait for the next chapter. I'm so HYPED

I like that Isayama for the first time since rts showcased a fast-paced action-packed chapter. Too many questions rn, but imo zeke is 100% w/ paradis, falco won’t die and the female titan will appear, regardless of its inheritor. Eren’s transformation was jizz-worthy

This chapter was both so thrilling and yet so frustrating.  On one hand, so much is happening in just the right amount of panels and it seems Isayama has learned the art of pacing in this arc more successfully than others.  I'm a sucker for tragedy, so the conflicted misery of what is going on is satisfying given the history of the series.  On the other hand, I am still very frustrated in figuring out what exactly is going on, what is being implied, specifically anything involving Zeke

I don’t know what to say. I feel so empty. But the chapter is great!

This month it was a tie for most emotional moment between “Falco trying to encourage unconscious Reiner” and “Armin finally appearing, looking haunted”. We are happy to see that people who love both sides of the conflict were able to have a good emotional tug with this chapter! 

Pretty much every panel that included Falco.  This poor, traumatized child who ran into a literal war zone to get help.

Why are all my waifus getting killed.

With Reiner having no will to live, I guess he’s just going to stay in that crystal thing. Why do we have so many shifters in crystals now (Annie, Lady Tybur and now Reiner)?

I absolutely loved the scene between Falco and Reiner. That was one of the most emotional and sweet moments in SNK. Reiner was ready to sacrifice himself to save the child. I truly love how warm and protective he is towards children. I hope that both will survive. I want Reiner to find happiness and see how great person he really is. He made mistakes but regrets them. He learnt his lesson. Now is time to move on.

This one was a landslide win with Armin’s entrance taking the victory. It seems that months of waiting to see his return finally paid off! We’re sure many of you guys are hoping to see his Colossal form next month!

Eren transforming three times within a half an hour is incredible, but the most amazing part of the chapter was Armin's entrance as the colossal titan. The explosion looked catastrophic, can't wait to see it animated!

I literally screamed when I saw Armin, I’m so happy to see him with the Survey Corps, but his face worries me slightly. I’m also sad we didn’t get to see his titan form.

Not as epic as the last one but so glad to see Armin again. Sasha's sniping skills and Eren mindblowing everybody (Porco in particular) were the best parts.

While the majority of you guys are certain Zeke is only acting on his own agenda, there’s plenty of division on whether he could be siding with Eren alone or with Paradis as a whole. One thing that does seem certain to the majority is that he’s definitely not working in Marley’s favor. 

Zeke probably thinks he and Eren are the same because they were both manipulated by Grisha or so he thinks. If he realizes that Eren probably doesn't hate their dad, Zeke's attitude towards his brother will possibly change. 

Zeke's the one with most awareness that the cycle will repeat so long as shifters exist, his unique perspective is knowing what Grisha taught him as well as having the total trust of the Marley from a young age, and having physically gone and seen the island and witnessed their struggles with the titans, and met Eren who is the direct result of Grisha's continued plans.  There is no one who should be more impartial and aware that this is a unending cycle, it seems he's finally coming to terms with having to do something about it after all his life simply being a pawn of people in what he assumed was a more influential position than him.

Every chapter I say "This is definitely the chapter we finally see what Zeke is up to" and every chapter it just gets more confusing...

I seriously doubt that Zeke is working with Paradis. One thing would be to act like an enemy but he literally killed a bunch of SC soldiers, I doubt the SC would be ok with that. Also, Levi looked PISSED AF! I doubt Zeke died and he's still suspicious but I'm betting on him having his own ulterior motives.

I don't think Zeke is working with the SC. It was hard to answer these questions when the options contradict my feelings and understanding of the chapter so much.

So. Good ol' Zeke. He's like David S. Pumpkins; he's his own thing. I'm still of the belief that he's working towards his own objective but now I'm more open to the idea that he may have something set up with SC via Eren as his point of contact (who, of course, is definitely working with/for SC). But it's clear that even if they are both aware of the chain of events unfolding before their eyes, both sides have something they want badly in the end and will probably "betray" each other without hesitation to get it at some point.

The survey corps has a plan but Zeke and Eren also have a separate plan they're not aware of. And on top of all of that Zeke has his own plan for his own personal agenda.

Zekerets

The general consensus is that there’s more in store for Zeke in this story, even if it means he managed to transfer his consciousness to his Eldian ass. ;) Most of you are positive we will be seeing more from Zeke in future chapters!

If Zeke is dead, I will watch the live action movie 10 times in a row

Levi cut Zeke out of the Beast Titan's neck while everyone was distracted by Armin's transformation. Then after Zeke made his getaway, Levi blew the shit out of the rest of the nape to destroy the evidence and make everyone think Zeke was dead.

Zeke escaped upwards using 3dmg right as levi was supposed to attack him, causing zeke to be assumed KIA

Well, looks like Zeke has been vaporised, playtime's over kids, let's head back home now!

I find it hard to believe that Zeke got taken down this easily again. I also find it odd that we don't see the clothing he's wearing inside his titan, but we do see what the others are wearing in their titans. Looking back, it seems that's the way it was before, too. But I think it would be a cool plot twist if he had 3DMG equipped this time, considering he did take Mike's 3DMG a while back.

While the majority believe that Levi is working along with Zeke, there is division on whether Levi has decided to let go of his promise to Erwin to kill Zeke. Over half of the voters believe that Levi still intends to kill Zeke when all is said and done, but a good 31% of you believe that he may have decided to let it go for the greater goal.

If the Zeke-Survey Corps alliance isn't real then Isayama must be the biggest troll ever. Also, I believe Levi has always shown that he'll do what's best for humanity/Eldia (even if it means doing unpleasant things) so I don't think the alliance is as far-fetched as other people believe.

Still waiting for that sweet Levi's Revenge™

Levi!   I love how emotional Levi gets when it comes to keeping his promise to Erwin; nothing can get a rise out of him anymore or get him to max rage except Zeke.  I hope we find out sooner rather than later what Zeke is up to, but there is no way that Levi is going to let him walk out of this alive, even if he is part of the current plan.  

Regarding Levi wanting to Kill Zeke, while he'd prefer to kill him by his own hands we already know he'd be willing to feed him to someone so the Titan power isn't lost. I personally think Zeke agreed, since he has a a year left at best,

While there was a small shift in ratio, the majority of you guys still believe that Pieck is not totally trustful of Zeke. There have been plenty of analyses floating around believing that she may have seen Zeke leaving the Beast Titan after Levi’s attack. 

The question about Pieck being mistrustful of Zeke isn't worded very well because if I answer yes it makes it seem like I'm part of the 70% and haven't changed my mind when I'm in fact part of the 30% and haven't changed my mind.

This question was mainly for fun, but Lady Tybur decidedly wins the award for Best “Bitch Please” Face™. Hopefully we get more fun looks from her next chapter! 

Imma let you finish, but Lady Tybur has the best side eye in all of SnK

Ms. Tyber has the best death glare!

There’s some division on this question, but it’s a near-tie between Armin getting involved in the fight and the Paradis crew’s ticket out of Marley showing up. 

They'll drop sour cream bombs

At this point John Cena might as well show up.

Annie will arrive (let me dream)

I think time is running for them to scape "safely", but not necessarily through a zeppelin

I think what Jean & Zeke mean by "It's almost time/times running out" is that Eren needs to make contact with Zeke before the Colossal Wall Titans arrive so Eren will be able to control them. If Eren doesn't touch Zeke before the Wall Titans arrive, everyone including the SC & Eldians will die.

I believe that the question about the lights up are relationed with Hanji, after all, Armin is too distance. In fact, I think that the thoughts about an escape through a zepplin are a little bit awkward.  And I think that zeke escaped using the DMT, wich he took when he said goodbye to piecke and porko, before eren showed up.

Most of you still believe that Jean is clinging onto his humanity (and with good reason after he called Floch out in the previous chapter for being too zealous). The expectation is that he will avoid harming Falco or that someone else will step in and do the dirty work instead. 

I noticed that jean is only attacking the shifters on shiganshina battle arc. which can tell a lot about his war ethics and strategics. he’s only fighting those who declared war on them first, almost as if trying to ignore those who got caught up into it.

Jean will kill Falco. I think becasue it's a callback for that girl from MP that Jean couldn't kill from Uprising

Last month nearly all of the scores were tied with both pessimism and optimism about Annie’s fate. This month, there seems to be more optimism, but most people are still hanging out in the area of uncertainty. We hope to get a clear answer soon!

Since Eren said that the crystal was, as expected, unbreakable AFTER pointing out it was like Annie's, I take that to mean he has tried chewing Annie's crystal open but failed like he did this time. I'm not sure why so many people seem to be taking this to mean that he was able to eat Annie when the scene actually reassures me that he hasn't

I had absolutely no hope for Annie being alive, but seeing Lady Tybur being conscious while inside the crystal changed my mind. Annie could still be alive. And if she is, she spent YEARS in the crystal while being aware of her surroundings??? I am shook

It has already been hinted several times that Annie would eventually return. I don't think Isayama would forget about her, and if it appears to be true, that she's returning next chapter, I hope to see her work with the Survey Corps, or a backstory/flashback, which explains the reason why she'll be working with the Survey Corps from now on.

Almost 35% of you are ready to just see Lady Tybur kick the bucket already, but a good 28% of you would at least like to see her have a chat with Eren first.

why do so many people want lady tybur to die?? i don’t understand?? she’s cool and has done nothing wrong to anyone like ever??? she’s even called a villain?? excuse me tell me one villainous thing she did?? she’s a decent human being but i guess how dare she beat eren’s ass up and defend her people... 🤦🏻‍♀️

Eren needs to swallow her whole (insert lemmy face)

Over 60% of you believe that the Survey Corps’ goal is to kill the enemy titan shifters.

I strongly disagree with having only 2 options in the "capture or to kill them?" question. The real answer, is, I believe, either one. If they can deprive Marley of a weapon and add it to their strength, is clearly the ideal. But, if the choice comes down to kill or they escape, they'll absolutely just kill them. Depriving your enemy of a weapon is always a better choice than letting them continue attacking you with it, in the hopes you could take it later.

I still maintain that the goal was to avoid any and all combat with the shifters; hence Pieck and Porcos trap. (Why bother setting the whole thing up? Why not just kill them?) My guess is that capturing them for their titan powers was the next step, although that's obviously failed. I feel like the end game here is to gather all the titan somehow and unite them for...??? Something??? World peace??? Shit, that sounds like a good idea. Unrealistic but good.

It’s a near-tie between believing that either Zeke orchestrated capturing Porco and Pieck or believe that he did it as a larger plan with the Survey Corps.

Maybe Zeke wanted to isolate Pieck and Porco in the trap, to save their lives?

Most of you seem to have given up on figuring out Trapdoor-kun’s identity. But a fair chunk of you think it could have been a current day Eldian restorationist! There’s still a good amount of you who believe it’s Connie as well.

Hiroyuki Sawano

Erwin it was erwin. You thought he was dead? You fool he's not!  He's immortal,  he's still here and  with the strength of his eyebrows he will kick everyone's ass.

I really don't care at this point

One thing is certain, at least 65% of you guys believe that the Jaeger Brothers have the best Eldian asses! It seems nice booties run in the family! 

I can forgive people supporting  Marley, but WHO THE HELL VOTED ON ZEKE ASS?????

Everyone who chose zeke’s Titan as having the best ass is a furry goodbye

Levi is jealous of Zeke's Eldian ass.

porco got a nice ass uwu

That question.... I don't care about titan's butts -_-

I like Eldian asses

Predicting who Isayama kills off has always been difficult, but over half of you believe that Pieck is going to be toast in the next chapter, with Jean following in  second, Porco a distant third.

Gabi you better not be aiming that rifle at my husbando Jean also can everyone of Paradis and Eldia have a party at the newly created bay, I want the warriors AND the SC to live please and thank you

Pieck and Porco will likely die next chapter 😪

I swear to god Flocke if you lay even one finger on little Falco or Gabi I will personally hunt you down, you'll be lucky if I find you first though. Because other wise the Armored titan will kill you dead. You will then, rest in pieces.

Protect Jean and Falco 2k18

pieck cant die, nor can any 104th  members

At 57%, a majority are thirsty for answers on the Paradis Crew’s last 4 years. 

I need Paradis flashbacks but first I'd like to be sure no one major dies, thanks.

I stg we'll have that fucking Paradis flashback right before Levi's death. Fucking Isayama.

I really don’t want a crap ton of flashbacks I’m Ngl I just kinda wanna get moving I know the q and a said stuff but like that’s my thought at the moment.

I really hope the next chapters a flashback to paradis i mean it would be neat for the 104th chapter to be a flashback ABOUT THE 104TH

As expected of the redditors, you’re still the overwhelming majority of the poll takers! ;)

ANY OTHER CHAPTER THOUGHTS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

So chomping down on Lady Tybur's crystal won't break it and apparently neither will the thunder spears. We still haven't seen Eren try to use his hardening ability to break it but honestly, I think his only option now is to use the coordinate. It could be revealed soon that only the person inside the crystal can break themselves out and by using the coordinate, Eren can order her to do so. After all, we've seen Eren control mindless titans, but would unlocking the full powers of the founding titan allow him to control shifters as well?

Bertholdt's death was such a surprise to Porco... When Reiner returned to Marley, he gave his full report about what had happened, so if he was aware of Bertholdt's death, then he would have reported it, thus leading to Porco knowing that Bertholdt was already dead. Does that mean that Reiner has no idea that Bertholdt is dead? Was he hoping that Bertholdt managed to escape and was still alive on Paradis?

"Friendship ended with mr Kruger, now Reiner is my best friend." - Falco

Personally I'm not a huge fan of action heavy chapters like this as they take a few read throughs to get a good picture of what's going on. Although I do think the intention at the minute is to make us feel a bit lost as to motivations and who is supporting who. So I'm going to roll with it and be surprised when the reveals happen.

I think Porco will get Marcel's confession memory soon.

Even if it's all a plan made by Zeke and Scouts, the fact that SC soldiers still died , unaware of the bigger plan, makes me really sad. It's like with the plan to capture Annie back in the Giant Trees forest and Stohess. Back then it was Erwin who organized the plan, now it's Hanji's turn?

I. WANT. ANNIE. TO. RETURN.

I want Bert to Mufasa the fuck out of Reiner

Zeke is lucky he had royal blood as a bargaining chip to convince Paradis to team up. Otherwise he stood no chance if they had to fight for real. I don't think Zeke is a master planner, maybe he has an end goal, but he isn't a genius who has planned every step to get there. He gets lucky and bailed out by others and his conveniently relevant Senju DNA too often to be a keikaku master.

GIB COLOSSAL NO-LONGER-COCONUT

In before Jean's thrust into mortal danger via Gabi and Armin shows up to save his ass at the last second YET AGAIN

everyone simmer down like people in this fandom need to steal some of erens drinks from his apparently extensive alcohol stash like gdi I’m losing it guys I have a family and stuff I have alife and y’all losinf it and making me go crazy too like w t f.

Honestly, I was over the moon when Levi took down Zeke, but it did seem a little too easy...I highly doubt Zeke would go down easily. Also, Armin's haunted expression broke my heart. You can see the pain in his eyes, and that makes me even more curious about what's happened on Paradis over the last few years.

In my first read i thought that Armin had a ponytail and i got excited. Some users corrected me and when i re-read the chapter i found it was just his hand. I feel betrayal

Eren has more stamina than the Energiser Battery Rabbit: he can just keep on going, and going, and going...

I spent the entire chapter going "Get back in the damn titan, Porco!" I died with the panzer squad. RIP me."

Low key I have had no idea what’s been happening since 101