leah

"Yes, Sir." you answered in a quieter voice.

Then you turned toward the stable entrance and finally left the building behind.

Sometimes you found yourself wondering whether this man had any trace of empathy buried somewhere inside him at all, or even basic human decency.

Obviosly, sure... he kills Titans for humanity. That part made sense. But as one person to another... Sometimes you genuinely weren't sure.

Then again, he was Commander Armin's closest friend. So there had to be something in him.

Or maybe there used to be, and somewhere along the way he'd lost it. You couldn't tell, and you weren't sure either why were you wondering about these things.

And then there was Mikasa Ackerman. Probably the only superior officer you genuinely looked up to.

The three of them were always together.

Every time you caught sight of them standing side by side, it looked like something straight out of a story-some impossibly cool, heroic and unshakable unit no one could ever break apart.

Like no matter what the world threw at them, they'd still be standing there shoulder to shoulder.

Sometimes you wondered if one day you, Mina, and Theo would end up like that too.

A team people looked at the same way. Just... with Theo heavily outnumbered.

After that day, the next few days passed rather uneventfully. There were no expeditions scheduled, and naturally, everyone needed time to recover and process everything that had happened. Especially the new recruits-it always hit them the hardest.

You still remembered how long you spent replaying your first mission in your head. Watching people die... watching Titans tear into them while they were still alive. It was traumatizing.

After all, hat was simply the kind of world you lived in.

But after three years in the Survey Corps, you had grown used to it. Or at least, as used to it as anyone could.

Truthfully, you didn't let too many people get close. If someone's life ended in tragedy - and in the Scouts, it often did - you knew it would eat you alive from the inside. So you kept your circle small. It was easier that way. The safer way.

You couldn't afford to grow deeply attached to everyone around you.

Mina and Theo were the exceptions.

Mina was your best friend. Theo was the next person who had managed to get close enough to break through your walls.

Of course, there were others too. You weren't some quiet loner hiding in the corner.

If anything, you had a real talent for making enemies when you wanted to. But that was beside the point.

This day you finally had a day off.

That morning, you and Mina wandered out toward the training grounds purely out of boredom. The place where the Scouts were currently stationed had a smaller open field nearby; almost perfect for close combat practice or ODM gear training. There were no cadets here anymore, of course, but plenty of soldiers still trained on their own. Self-improvement never really stopped.

You trained too. You still wanted to become stronger. That goal had never left your mind.

"I'm so bored. We should go somewhere." Mina complained as she walked beside you.

"Where exactly do you want to go?" you asked.

"I don't know. Deeper into town maybe. They hold markets all the time, we could look around for a while." Mina spoke with animated gestures, moving her hands as she explained.

"You want to go shopping?" you stared ahead.

As you rounded the edge of the building, the training field came into view. A few soldiers were sparring, some running laps or practicing drills, while others crouched near their ODM gear making repairs.

"Yes, because I've been rotating the same two damn shirts for a week." Mina grumbled.

That earned a laugh from you. "I think most soldiers are dealing with the same problem."

"Maybe they are, but I don't want to spend my normal days walking around in shirts soaked with three days of sweat."

You snorted quietly. "Even if you wanted more, we barely get paid enough for this miserable job," you muttered, brows pulling together. "And somehow we're still expected to throw our lives away out there."

It was unfair. Meanwhile, the Military Police lived comfortably like nobles. And most of the time they were useless on top of that.

"Ugh, I'm not trying to buy out the entire market," Mina said. "I just need one new shirt. One of mine's already starting to wear thin."

"But do you actually have enough money for it?" you asked, your voice quieter now because of how serious the topic was. "You're already sending part of your pay back home."

"I do. For now..." Mina muttered, though she didn't sound fully convinced herself.

"I already sent home what I could from this month's pay. But I've been trying to save a little for myself too." She gave a small shrug. "That's kind of the whole reason. So I can buy something for myself every now and then."

Your heart softened at that.

"And my oldest little brother already enrolled in military training," she continued. "Once he finishes, he'll decide where he wants to go. And if he starts earning too... it'll help."

Mina worked hard, and she was always careful with her money. It was rare for her to be the one suggesting "come on, let's go somewhere".

You honestly hated how difficult things were for her family. The money she earned - and the portion she sent back home - had definitely helped. At least enough to ease things a little. But nowhere near enough to make everything feel stable.

You were an only child yourself. Both of your parents worked, so things at home had never been bad enough for you to send money back.

Of course, if they ever needed help, you would.

And more than once, you had offered Mina part of your own pay to help her family.

Every single time, she turned you down. Saying the same thing every time. "You worked just as hard for it as I did. Don't waste your money on me." Which is weird, because it wouldn't feel like "wasting" to you.

Maybe once she had actually accepted your help. But other than that, she always insisted on handling things herself. She wanted to stay independent.

Still... putting everything else aside Mina deserved to buy herself something nice or useful.

You sighed, tilting your head with a faint smile. "Alright, alright. We'll go. Maybe I'll look for something too." At that Mina giggled and almost jumped up from joy with an ear to ear grin.

Truthfully... you probably needed it too.

That was another frustrating part of living like this; you barely had the chance to dress like anything other than a soldier.

Not that you'd ever cared much about fashion. But every now and then, you remembered that you were still a woman.

And sometimes you wanted to feel like one.

Even the thought of wearing a skirt or a sleeveless blouse made heat creep onto your face with embarrassment.

You had never been particularly fond of skirts. But sometimes, when you saw other girls wearing them, you caught yourself feeling a little jealous.

Maybe a small change wouldn't hurt. Or maybe you were about to find out.

Your train of thought and the pleasant little walk with Mina was suddenly interrupted by a loud shout.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite soldiers!"

The voice rang out from behind you. When you turned around, you spotted Connie waving wildly with a huge grin spread across his face. Sasha and Jean were walking beside him.

They were the only ones who never insisted on formal titles. Unlike Eren or Mikasa. And Armin of course, but he's the Commander so it's a must to be respectful towards him.

Jean technically expected it too... but Sasha and Connie were easygoing enough to ignore rank whenever they felt like it. You liked them a lot.

And luckily, they seemed to like you just as much.

"No way! I haven't seen you since before the last expedition!" Sasha called as the three of them closed the distance between you.

"Connie! Sasha!" you greeted with a smile, Mina doing the same beside you.

"It's been forever!" Mina added happily.

The second they reached you, Connie lifted a hand and immediately ruffled your hair with a laugh.

You grumbled under your breath and slapped his hand away.

"Wait a second - weren't other people your favorites last week?" Mina raised a brow at Connie, clearly amused.

Connie straightened dramatically and reached behind his neck to scratch at it, suddenly looking a little guilty. "That was different," he defended himself. "They brought bread."

"Ahh, so that's all it takes to steal the title of 'favorite.'" You clicked your tongue and crossed your arms, pretending to look offended.

"The bread was important," Sasha added immediately, raising a finger like she was making a very serious point. "Basically life-saving. We were starving."

You looked between them. "Do either of you even remember their names?"

"Uh..." Connie muttered, resting a hand against his chin while staring up at the sky in deep concentration. "It was something... something... C... Co..."

"Right, right..." Sasha joined in, thinking just as hard. "Col-yes! Collin!"

Connie snapped his fingers. "Ah, yeah! Exactly. My brother, my friend, Collin. That's right." He laughed like he'd known the answer the whole time.

God.

They could be such idiots sometimes. But honestly, that was exactly what you liked most about them.

Whether it was an ordinary dull day at headquarters or an expedition beyond the Walls - Connie and Sasha always had a way of making things feel lighter.

Their ridiculous comments and occasional lack of common sense somehow managed to cut through the heaviness of everyday life in the Survey Corps - turning even the dullest moments into something worth remembering.

"Hey. Am I invisible now?" Jean asked in a more composed voice, stepping around Sasha until all of you stood in a loose circle in the middle of the field.

"Good morning, Sir." Mina greeted, her smile fading just enough as she raised a salute.

You followed her lead, though not without a tired sigh. "Sir."

Jean waved a hand dismissively. "That's enough. I'm not in the mood to pretend I'm above everyone today." He looked slightly irritated. And beneath his eyes, you noticed darker circles than usual.

Mina and you immediately lowered your hands the second Jean gave you permission to drop the formalities.

"Wow, seriously? But you're so good at acting all official, Jean," You teased, folding your arms over your chest.

Jean huffed and ran a hand through his mullet, lifting his chin slightly. "Well, what can I say?" he muttered. "Some women appreciate a man who's decisive... someone discipline practically radiates off of."

That was such a typical Jean thing to say.

From everything you'd seen so far, Jean was an incredibly disciplined soldier. He liked having things under control, liked keeping order, making sure everything went according to plan.

But you'd also had enough chances to see what happened when something slipped. When things stopped going the way they were supposed to.

There had been one expedition where you ended up close to his squad when a Titan attack hit from multiple directions at once. The formation had broken apart within seconds. Orders started overlapping. Soldiers were forced to improvise. You still remembered hearing Jean under his breath afterward-quiet enough that most people wouldn't have caught it.

Muttering curses at himself. Blaming himself.

Like every casualty had somehow happened because he hadn't been fast enough. Hadn't predicted it well enough. Hadn't controlled things better.

Even with that - there was no denying he was talented. A capable leader. One of the better ones the Survey Corps had.

And Jean definitely liked attention from women. A lot.

He clearly put effort into how he looked-more than most soldiers ever bothered to. It showed.

And to be fair - you could honestly admit he wasn't bad-looking at all. A very attractive young squad leader, objectively speaking.

You'd seen him talking to women more times than you could count. Most often Mikasa Ackerman.

Though somehow those conversations almost always ended the same way - with Mikasa walking away from him not long after, and Jean standing there trying very hard to pretend that hadn't just happened.

"Ooohh... Jean-boy flirting with our younger soldiers now?" Connie teased in an exaggerated deep voice, jabbing him in the side with his elbow. "Mikasa isn't enough for you, huh?"

Sasha gasped dramatically and whipped toward Jean. "Ha! You know that's against the rules!" she said with heavy sarcasm.

Jean groaned and shoved Connie away. "What the hell are you even talking about? That's not flirting - I just said they don't need to be formal!"

You and Mina quietly laughed under your breath while Connie and Sasha continued pestering him.

Unfortunately for you, Jean caught it from the corner of his eye. His head snapped toward both of you. Then he pointed a finger your way in mock warning.

"And don't think you two are safe either." His expression sharpened - though the twitch at the corner of his mouth ruined the threat. "Laugh again and I'll have both of you running ten laps around the field."

"I wouldn't do it anyway. I run enough during training or whenever duty calls." you said with a smug little tilt of your head.

"But I said it." Jean replied, leaning forward as he looked at you with a faint smirk. "You'd have to do it."

"I wouldn't. There's literally no reason for me to run ten laps, so I wouldn't." you shot back.

Mina lightly nudged your side.

You glanced at her way and immediately caught the familiar look she was giving you. Brows slightly drawn together, sharp eyes fixed on you. Silently saying "Stop it."

"Sometimes I forget how stubborn you are, Y/n." Connie laughed. "I swear, I love the way your mind works. Maybe I should start thinking like that too. I'd spend all day sleeping instead of working."

Sasha let out an annoyed huff and crossed her arms over her chest. "As if Eren or Mikasa would let that slide."

At the sound of Eren's name, your stomach nearly twisted, and not for any good reason. Just pure irritation.

"Ugh, don't even mention Eren." you groaned. "I swear, ever since the last expedition it feels like he's haunting me. I don't even want to hear that name."

"I agree," Jean immediately chimed in.

"You agree with anything that's against Eren." Connie said, glancing over at him.

"Well, obviously." Jean rolled his eyes. "That suicidal maniac acts on impulse half the time and can never admit when someone else is right."

He let out a long, exhausted groan and tipped his head back, eyes closed, like he was already beyond tired of the subject.

Jean and Eren's relationship was... interesting.

At least from what you'd seen with your own eyes over the years. It always felt like they were arguing about something, for exapmle; formation plans, positions, ranks. Honestly, anything they could possibly turn into a debate.

But you'd also seen the quieter moments.

The two of them collapsing into the grass side by side after an expedition, too exhausted to care. Riding next to each other in silence. It almost felt like some strange love-hate relationship - except in the form of friendship.

"Actually, it's funny you didn't mention Armin." Mina said, turning toward Sasha. "Considering he's the Commander."

Sasha shrugged. "Armin wouldn't yell at anyone the way those two would. At most, he'd completely manipulate you into understanding exactly why you should do what he's asking."

Which was honestly true. Eren and Mikasa were far harsher than Armin ever was. And still, Armin was the commander.

Which made sense. He was probably one of the smartest people in the Survey Corps. Maybe the smartest. Though to be fair, you had no idea how the higher-ups compared.

Eren, on the other hand... you were pretty sure he'd lose his mind if he also had to carry the commander's responsibilities.

"The important thing is..." you finally sighed, like you were wrapping the whole conversation up. "We're alive."

For a second, everyone just stared at you. Confused expressions and sharp looks all landed on you at once. You blinked between each of them like your answer made complete sense.

"That had absolutely nothing to do with the conversation." Mina finally said.

"Maybe," you replied, raising a hand with one finger pointed up like you were making a very serious argument. "But I'm still right."

"You're weird." Jean muttered.

"Basically true." Sasha nodded once at your logic.

"You know what? Fair enough." Connie started nodding too. "She's got a point. If we weren't alive, we wouldn't be standing here talking shit about our superiors."

"Don't run like a bitch! Move those damn legs!" The sharp shout rang out from behind you.

Everyone turned toward the source of the voice. Of course-

Floch.

He stood at the edge of the training grounds with his hands planted firmly on his hips, watching the newest Survey Corps recruits as they pushed through their drills.

His eyes were sharp. There was almost something unpleasant in his expression too; a hint of disgust, like he was looking down on the soldiers training in front of him.

Floch Forster. Probably the closest thing to a higher-ranking officer without actually being one. He's just another soldier, same as you, same as Mina.

And yet somehow he always carried himself like he had authority over everyone around him. He was exactly the kind of person who'd follow orders the second they were given; especially if they came from Eren.

Sometimes it was ridiculous. The way he shadowed him so closely felt less like loyalty between soldiers, and more like he'd volunteered to be his personal servant.

"There's the ass-kisser." Jean muttered under his breath.

"I seriously don't understand why he's always trying to act so tough." Sasha sighed, still staring at Floch.

"Exactly," Connie scoffed. "And with a bird's nest like that on his head? I wouldn't have the confidence to bark orders at anybody."

"Well, good thing you don't have hair then," Mina laughed. That pulled a smile from you too.

"He does have hair," you defended Connie immediately. "Just... not very much."

At that Connie gave you an approving nod, followed by a wink.

For the next few quiet seconds, all five of you simply watched as Floch barked orders at the recruits while they trained.

The whole thing looked worse than it should've, almost like some dictator giving commands. Which was even more ridiculous considering he wasn't one.

And the funniest part was that Floch technically had nothing to do with any of this. The soldiers trained on their own whenever they had the time. No one had ordered them to be here. So from the beginning, you'd been wondering why Floch had planted himself there like some kind of instructor.

Like the old Keith Shadis back in those days. Oh, how you don't miss that man.

One of the soldiers running laps - a smaller girl with a slimmer frame - tripped on the uneven ground and went down. You couldn't even blame her, the field was rough. You aswell tripped countles times before, when you decided to run and work on your endurance.

A couple of her friends stopped beside her, laughing a little, and she started laughing too at her own clumsiness.

Then Floch snapped at them like he actually outranked everyone there.

"Hey! No talking during training! And you, get up! Titans aren't going to wait around while you take your sweet time getting back on your feet!" The group visibly shrank back.

That was enough for Jean.

He'd clearly had enough of the pointless yelling, especially coming from someone who was no better than the people he was shouting at.

"Oi!" Jean called out sharply. "Get back in line, Forster. Don't act like you're above them."

Floch visibly flinched the second he heard Jean's voice. He even stepped back from the edge of the field. "I was just trying to help them!" he shot back.

Connie let out an obnoxiously loud laugh before yelling across the field:

"Go help Yeager wipe his ass instead!"

The snort that escaped you was immediate, and you ended up bumping right into Mina as laughter shook your shoulders. Sasha burst out laughing just as hard beside you. Jean tried his best to keep his intimidating expression fixed on Floch, but the corners of his mouth were trembling too much to hold it.

Mina let out a quiet laugh too, then quickly spoke up.

"Wait- come on... let's not bully the poor guy..." she muttered, already thinking ahead to whatever consequences might follow.

"Mina, sweetheart, Floch's an asshole. You don't need to feel bad for him." Jean said, placing a hand on her shoulder to ease her worry. "I've known him long enough to know he deserves it."

Meanwhile, Floch glared at all of you from across the field. His eyes practically shot daggers, and his face had nearly turned red.

"You've gone too far this time, Springer!" he snapped. "You'll regret this!"

"Ooh, I'm fucking terrified." Connie laughed. You speak up too, still trying to catch your breath "Would be hilarious if he actually went and dragged Eren out here."

"Oh God, don't jinx it or they really will show up together." Sasha giggled.

For the next few minutes, the five of you stayed there laughing and talking, making fun of Floch and how unbelievably full of himself he was.

You knew talking behind someone's back wasn't exactly admirable - especially when it turned into outright mocking - but Floch really was one of those people who somehow managed to earn it. He was unbearably rude and looked down on everyone around him, especially the newer recruits. He'd treated all of you like that too, and sometimes still did. Ever since getting close to the higher-ups, he'd started acting like he was above everyone else; and he loved rubbing that in people's faces whenever he got the chance.

Your conversation was cut short by a familiar voice.

"Oi."

The deep voice reached your ears instantly.

Eren.

You and Mina turned around while the others looked up toward him.

He was only a few steps away.

He wasn't wearing his usual uniform. Instead, he had on loose black military trousers tucked neatly into black boots, along with a black button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His hair was tied back in that usual loose, messy man bun.

His expression wasn't angry. More neutral than anything, almost bored.

Like he was already irritated Floch had dragged him all the way out here after storming into his office.

"Uh-oh. Fun police is here." Connie muttered under his breath so only your group could hear.

"They're right here, sir!" Floch immediately stepped beside Eren with sharp posture and total confidence. "The squad leaders are behaving childishly and in a way unbecoming of soldiers. And these two soldiers clearly aren't carrying out today's assigned duties like everyone else is required to."

Your eyebrows lifted.

As far as you knew, today was a free day. No duties had been assigned at all. But you assumed Floch was making things up so Eren would have a reason to come out here and scold you.

"Alright, Floch. Enough." Eren sighed, pressing two fingers to his forehead with his eyes closed.

A moment later he looked at all of you.

You and Mina instinctively saluted as soon as he approached, same as always whenever a superior officer arrived.

"No trouble at all, sir. Always at your service!" Floch saluted sharply.

You and Mina nearly stared in disbelief at how hard he was trying to play the perfect soldier for Eren.

"So..." Eren asked, glancing over the group.

His eyes lingered on you a second longer after scanning everyone else. "What exactly is happening here?"

"Enjoying our day off, Eren," Connie answered with a smug grin as he stepped beside him and nudged him lightly with an elbow. "You should try it too."

"Can't really. Armin needs a lot of help with paperwork and planning." Eren replied.

"Come on. Even Armin deserves a day off. He's always thinking. Must be exhausting."

"For you, definitely, Connie." Eren shot back, nudging him aside. Even though the motion was playful, his expression stayed serious.

"HEY -"

"Anyway," Eren cut him off, raising his voice just enough to drown him out.

Then he looked directly at you and Mina. "And you two? What are you doing here?"

"The same thing they are." you answered, gesturing behind you.

Truthfully, Eren couldn't care less what any of you were doing.

And he already regretted believing Floch when he'd burst into his office making it sound like something genuinely serious had happened.

But now that he was here - and his so-called most loyal, most obedient soldier had dragged him all the way out - he felt like he had to say something before ending this and going back to work.

Then an idea crossed his mind.

Something that would keep Floch occupied instead of hovering around acting important.

And something that would satisfy Floch's weird obsession with wanting you and Mina "doing something productive."

Connie, Sasha and Jean didn't concern him much. They were his friends, and on top of that they were all the same rank. If they actually had something they needed to do, they'd handle it.

"Alright..." Eren finally said. "Since we're all already here..."

His eyes landed on you. "Y/n." Then completely deadpan. "Hand-to-hand combat with Floch. Right now. I've got work to do."

Your eyes widened at almost the exact same time as Floch's as you both snapped your heads toward each other.

"What?!" Floch's voice jumped an octave.

But the second Eren's eyes shifted from you to him, Floch visibly stiffened and immediately headed deeper into the training field, already preparing himself like he'd been waiting his whole life for this.

"What?!" you repeated, completely baffled.

Since when did he get to order you to fight someone on your day off? Wasn't the whole damn point of a free day that nobody ordered anybody around? But maybe you were the idiot here.

"And what about Mina?!" you demanded again.

Because no matter what, Mina had been standing there with you the whole time.

From the look on her face, she definitely didn't appreciate you bringing attention to that.

But she was your best friend. If you were in trouble, so was she. And if she was, then so were you. That was just how it had always been.

Eren sighed, shaking his head like he already regretted being here. "Mina. One hundred push-ups and one hundred sit-ups."

He lifted a hand in her direction casually. Mina's face nearly drained of color. "A-a hundred... push-ups... and a-a hundred - "

"But why am I fighting Floch?" you frowned, stepping closer to Eren.

"Because I said so." He looked back at you with that same sharp stare, green eyes locking straight into yours. "Go on. And because I know you can beat him."

You were pissed.

There was one damn day off this week. Sunday.

And somehow, even now, you were being ordered around and told to spar with some sleep-deprived idiot.

You didn't care that he'd added "because I know you can beat him". Even if it was supposed to be praise. Didn't matter.

You still had to answer to him, even today. That irritated the hell out of you.

You stepped forward, starting toward the field.

"I could beat you too right now..." you muttered under your breath while passing him.

That comment had mostly been meant for yourself. You'd even tried saying it quietly.

Clearly that didn't work.

Because in the next second, fingers clamped hard around your upper arm and yanked you back.

Oh shit.

"Really?" Eren's voice was low as he looked down at you from the side, standing close enough for you to feel the warmth of him.

His grip hadn't loosened. And when you stared right back up at him, your expression didn't waver either.

His eyes narrowed. Then the corner of his mouth twitched. "Then fight me, brat."

Connie's eyes lit up instantly. "Oooh yeah, no, I'm staying for this."

Sasha stared between you and Eren with wide eyes. "Oh my god..." she muttered under her breath. "Is this actually happening?"

Jean folded his arms, eyebrows raised high. "...I'm definitely not leaving now."

A few meters deeper into the training field, Floch was still standing there stiff as a damn plank, shoulders straight, waiting for you. He clearly couldn't hear the conversation - just staring blankly ahead and trying to look useful.

Poor Mina looked caught somewhere between panic and disbelief. She glanced between you and Eren one more time before quietly stepping off to the side and dropping to the ground.

"One..." Her voice came out weak as she started her push-ups. "Two..."

You barely heard her. Because your focus was locked entirely on Eren.

You ripped your arm free from Eren's grip a little harder than necessary, irritation still buzzing hot under your skin, and squared your shoulders as you stepped backward onto the open stretch of the training field. The packed dirt beneath your boots shifted slightly with each step until you found solid footing. Your weight evening out as instinct took over and your body settled into a stance you'd practiced countless times before. Your hands came up automatically, breathing slowing despite how aggressively your pulse was pounding in your throat.

Across from you, Eren looked infuriatingly calm.

He rolled his shoulders, loosening the tension in his body before planting his feet. His posture barely looked defensive at all. His weight stayed low and balanced, one foot slightly behind the other, hands lifted loosely enough to look casual - but there wasn't a single wasted movement in him. It looked almost lazy.

That just made it worse. He looked like he'd already measured the space between you, already calculated every angle, every distance, and every possible thing you could do.

That alone made your jaw tighten.

The tiny nod he gave was enough.

You moved first.

Your front foot drove into the dirt and you lunged forward, fist aimed straight toward his jaw with enough force behind it to test him immediately. Eren turned his head just enough for the strike to miss cleanly, and before your arm had even fully extended, you followed through with your other hand and aimed lower toward his ribs. That hit barely got close before his forearm came up and blocked it with a sharp impact, redirecting your arm sideways.

His hand immediately came forward toward your shoulder.

You twisted your torso out of range and felt his fingers brush past your sleeve.

Your momentum carried you through the pivot, and without stopping, you turned the movement into a roundhouse kick aimed directly at his side.

The kick landed, but not cleanly.

Eren stepped into it instead of away from it, taking the force against his forearm and absorbing it with barely more than a shift of balance. His hand closed around your calf for a split second and his leg immediately swept low.

Your body reacted before your brain caught up.

You jumped. Barely.

Your boots landed unevenly, one heel skidding slightly against loose dirt.

Finally, you were standing on both feet again.

But you barely had a second to process what had just happened before Eren came at you again. He didn't give you even a moment to breathe.

You had to focus immediately - had to block the next strike before it landed - but you were too slow.

A sharp hit drove straight into the right side of your ribs, forcing you backward with a hiss escaping your teeth.

Fuck.

That hurt like hell. There was definitely going to be a bruise there later.

But you didn't care. The competitive fire in your chest was burning too hot for that.

And the anger. The frustration. The fury pushing you forward.

From the edge of the training field, Connie winced right along with you. "Oh fuck."

You pushed forward again. Your fist. Your elbow. Your leg. Your knee. Strike after strike.

Eren blocked every single one.

And not a second too late, either. It was like he already knew what you were going to do before you even moved.

Then you spun and drove a sharp back kick toward his ribs. And somehow it landed.

For one brief second, pride flared inside your chest despite the fact that your lungs already felt ready to collapse.

This man was no joke.

"Nice." Jean muttered from the sidelines, watching the fight intensely.

But the satisfaction lasted all of two seconds. Because while your back was turned, Eren moved. He stepped in fast and caught both your wrists, wrenching them behind your back in a painful hold. You swore your shoulder was about to pop out of place. Then one of his arms slid across your upper chest and shoulders, locking you tightly against him. Your breath caught instantly as your body pressed against his chest.

You struggled immediately, desperately trying to break free from his grip, but his hold felt like iron.

Then his head lowered close to your ear. His voice came low and warm against your skin. "Not bad... but you can do better than that. Come on... show me."

And then he shoved you forward hard. You stumbled over your own feet, but didn't fall. Your heart nearly jumped out of your chest.

And he was teaching you? While fighting?

"This is insane." Sasha whispered under her breath as she stared.

Even Mina had stopped in the middle of push-ups to watch.

Floch still stood uselessly in the background, looking completely lost and trying to figure out who exactly was fighting who.

You dragged in a heavy breath. Your muscles burned. Sweat ran down your back.

Now what?

You forced yourself to think. You tried studying his stance, looking for an opening or a weak point anywhere.

Then you spotted one; his left side-

But Eren didn't let you think. He came again fast. You blocked what you could. But even then he landed another kick to your side.

Another strike. Pain sparked under your skin. You tried kicking again. But he caught your leg and shoved you back hard.

No. No... nothing was working.

He saw everything. He knew everything. You didn't know what to do.

The anger and desperation clawed their way through your chest harder and harder until logic disappeared completely.

You weren't thinking anymore. Just searching for any way out.

Do something, Y/n.

Anything.

Anything at all.

Eren moved again. And this time you stopped thinking. You trusted pure instinct.

And your leg drove upward hard between his legs.

Connie made a strangled noise. Jean's jaw dropped. Sasha slapped both hands over her mouth.

Mina whispered in horror. "Oh no..."

The kick landed perfectly, exactly where it needed to. It was probably not professional...

Eren froze for one long second. Then he shut his eyes briefly, and opened them again and showed absolutely no reaction.

Nothing.

And that somehow scared you more. Because after that how the hell was he still standing?

I'm fucked.

You barely had time to breathe. Eren moved terrifyingly fast. One arm hooked yours and yanked downward. His leg swept behind yours which made your balance disappeared instantly.

The ground slammed into you hard, air punched from your lungs.

Before you could recover, he was already over you. Eren planted both knees on either side of your body. Pinning you flat.

He forced your wrists above your head and slammed them against the dirt. Holding them there tight enough that moving became impossible.

Your chest rose sharply as you fought for air. Your heartbeat pounded harder than ever.

And Eren leaned down close enough for you to feel the heat of him. His hair had loosened slightly. A dark strand falling across his face. His voice dropped low enough that only you could hear.

"...That was dirty."

You stared up at him while still struggling beneath his weight. Trying to wrench free. Your legs kicked uselessly. Your wrists twisted in his grip.

If anything, his hold only tightened harder against the ground. His eyes stayed locked on yours. "Next time don't hesitate... and maybe you'll actually pin me instead."

Next time? Oh, hell no.

Then suddenly he let go.

And stood up like nothing had happened. Like pinning you into the dirt seconds ago had meant absolutely nothing.

He casually adjusted his shirt, while you still lay there flat on your back staring up at the sky, watching clouds drift overhead.

That had been the most intense fight of your entire life. And how long had it even lasted? Ten minutes? Twenty? You had no clue.

"That was... pretty heated..." Connie finally broke the silence.

"Keep your filthy thoughts off the training field, Springer." Eren answered dryly while fixing his uniform. Then he nodded toward you. "Get cleaned up. I've got work to do."

And with that he turned and walked off without looking back, like none of it had happened.

Your whole body ached. Your heart still pounding like hell. And your mind replayed every second. Every movement, grip, step. Every impossible moment where it felt like he already knew what you were about to do before you did.

Mina hurried over immediately. "You okay?!"

You blinked up at the sky. "I... think so."

Connie crouched beside you wearing the most shameless grin imaginable. "You absolutely kicked him in the balls!"

"I panicked." you muttered.

"Best thing I've ever seen!" he laughed.

Jean stepped over then and offered you a hand. "Not bad," he admitted. "I'll give you that."

You reached up tiredly. Jean grabbed your hand and pulled you straight to your feet.

You still felt dazed and everything hurt. By tomorrow your muscles were probably going to feel like death.

And it was still morning, which meant this was going to haunt the rest of your day.

Because all day long you were going to think about one thing.

How to get to that level.

How to move like that.

How to fight like that.

How to handle every battle with that same effortless control.

Maybe... maybe you should ask him to teach you?...

.

.

a/n: sorry if the fight scene feels confusing or hard to follow. im not really experienced with writing fights, so i just tried to make it work the way i imagined it. i hope it didn't turn out too bad!!

i hope you guys liked it, thank you for reading my fic!! <33

A low groan slipped from your mouth as you slouched deeper into the chair, throwing your head back against the wooden backrest dramatically.

"Apparently I can't follow orders." you muttered bitterly. "I endangered my squad, and now I'm not allowed to lead teams on missions anymore."

"I'm not hearing any lies." Mina replied, a smug little smirk pulling at the corner of her mouth.

You immediately shot her a sharp glare from the side.

"As if you're any better." you snapped back.

"No," Mina admitted easily, tilting her head slightly while gesturing with one hand as though she were simply stating an obvious fact. "But I usually do follow orders."

...Unfortunately, she had a point.

When it came to discipline and conduct, Mina was undeniably a better soldier than you were. She always had been more level-headed.

Mina had ended up joining the Survey Corps as well, though not because she failed to make it into the top 10. The two of you had made it - just like you used to promise each other back when you were children.

And Mina's choice hadn't been forced by you either.

The truth was, you hadn't even decided to join the Survey Corps yourself until the very last moment. Out of all, they were the closest thing to the freedom you had always imagined for yourself. The Walls felt suffocating to you sometimes, like invisible chains wrapped around humanity's throat.

The Survey Corps at least fought against those chains, even if it often cost them their lives.

Mina had ranked eighth among the top 10 recruits.

You had placed third.

Right above you was Alice Dreyse - Hitch Dreyse's younger sister - whose name alone still managed to irritate you more than it should.

And first place had gone to Theo Adler.

During your years in training, both you and Mina had gradually grown close to him. Theo had a calmness about him that balanced out the chaos you usually carried with you, which was probably why the friendship worked in the first place.

"Anyways..." you muttered, finally tearing your gaze away from Mina. "Now they're gonna have to pick someone else to lead the squad again."

"True..." Mina replied. "Although this time it's not because the previous leader died."

A dry little smile tugged at her lips as she said it, the kind of dark humor soldiers developed after spending too much time in the Survey Corps.

Then she glanced toward you again. "Who do you think they'll choose?"

"I'd bet everything I own on Alice." you answered immediately with an annoyed scoff.

"Ugh, don't even say that." Mina groaned, rolling her eyes dramatically.

But in reality, you could already picture it.

Alice Dreyse standing there with that painfully composed posture of hers, acting like she had been born to command people. She followed orders flawlessly, rarely lost control of her emotions, and knew exactly how to make herself appear reliable in front of higher-ranking officers.

She is everything the military loved. Which, unfortunately, made her the perfect candidate.

"I think her chances of becoming a Squad Leader are already higher because of Hitch." you replied, and almost immediately the image of Hitch flashed through your mind. She had made a place for herself within the Military Police, and unlike her younger sister, she was at least somewhat tolerable. Hitch still carried that same sharp tongue and smug attitude Alice had, but there was warmth in her that Alice completely lacked. You had spoken with her a few times before, and honestly, she had been a surprisingly pleasant person to be around.

"I really don't think that has anything to do with it." Mina answered. "Hitch is in the Military Police. She doesn't get to influence what happens inside the Survey Corps."

"Yeah, except everybody knows Eren Yeager fucked Hitch." you shot back instantly, grimacing as your stomach nearly turned at the thought alone. You even imitated a quiet gagging noise under your breath.

Mina raised an eyebrow at you. "That was just a rumor, wasn't it?"

"I have no idea." you admitted with a shrug. "but Hitch constantly went into his office late at night, and that part definitely wasn't made up. Whatever happened after that is between them and God." You answered before suddenly pushing yourself up from the bench, Mina quickly following after you.

"That still doesn't prove anything." Mina argued while pulling the jacket of her uniform back over her shoulders.

"Minaaa." you dragged out the last letter in a dramatic whine. "You should know by now that people with connections always end up better off." You adjusted your shirt irritably after it had once again started slipping loose from your trousers. The Survey Corps uniforms looked good in theory, but in practice they were annoying as hell. "And Hitch knows everyone. Trust me, she'll make it happen somehow."

The two of you started walking toward the exit without even discussing where you were going. At this point, moving together had become instinctive. You followed each other naturally, without questions, without hesitation, as though years of friendship had synchronized your steps long ago.

Back when you first enlisted, you genuinely believed military life would eventually tear the two of you apart. You thought the endless training, missions, and pressure would leave no room for late-night conversations or stupid jokes whispered during drills. But you should have known better. The bond between you and Mina had never been something fragile enough to snap under pressure.

Even as cadets, when you were constantly surrounded by new recruits and slowly building new friendships, the two of you had always gravitated back toward each other. Other people came and went, but Mina remained your person, just as you remained hers.

And then there had been that moment.

The day Commander Armin Arlert stood before the graduates and delivered his speech for the Survey Corps recruitment.

Armin had a way of speaking that opened your eyes, making you see the Survey Corps from a perspective you had never considered before. It was convincing. So you had stayed where you were, motionless.

Your eyes lowered toward the ground because you didn't even want to see how many people walked away. How many chose safety over freedom. How many preferred the comfort of the inner walls over the unknown world waiting beyond them.

After the sound of marching boots finally faded, you slowly looked up.

There were barely any of you left.

Theo stood nearby. Alice too. A few others from your current squad lingered in silence, faces tense with uncertainty. And then there was Mina.

She stood slightly behind you to the right, her face visibly trembling, her eyes wide as though every muscle in her body was fighting the instinct to step away and follow the others toward safety.

Your expression immediately shifted into concern. Your brows furrowed deeply as you stared at her frozen figure.

"Mina?" you whispered in disbelief.

She looked at you after hearing her name, and despite the fear clearly written across her face, she forced a small reassuring smile before giving you a quiet nod.

As if she were trying to say: It'll be okay like this.

Later on, you had asked Mina why she stayed.

Why she chose the Survey Corps instead of the Military Police like she had always planned. Why she abandoned the safer future she once talked about so often; the future where she could help support her family from inside the walls instead of throwing herself into the jaws of death beyond them.

But Mina never gave you a real answer.

She had only shrugged lightly, smiling at you in that soft, familiar way of hers before saying she had simply changed her mind. That she could picture herself here more than anywhere else.

You never pushed the subject any further after that.

Part of you believed she probably had a good reason for changing her decision, and another part of you was afraid to hear the real answer out loud.

Because deep down, you didn't want it to be because of you.

If anything ever happened to Mina out there beyond the Walls, if one day she failed to return from an expedition and her horse came back riderless like so many others before... you knew that guilt would rot inside your chest for the rest of your life.

So instead, you buried the thought.

And eventually, time dragged both of you forward.

Back in the present, you and Mina walked out of the main headquarters building together, your conversation lazily continuing as you stepped outside. The moment you crossed the doorway, a cool spring breeze brushed against your face while warm sunlight spilled over your skin.

You let out a quiet sigh, a small smile tugging at your lips as the sun kissed your cheeks.

The weather was unusually pleasant.

The sky stretched endlessly overhead in a clear shade of blue, untouched by clouds, while the trees and surrounding vegetation glowed with vibrant spring green beneath the afternoon light.

The Survey Corps headquarters itself sat in one of the few places that actually felt alive.

Most of the time, expeditions forced soldiers to temporarily settle in abandoned forts, half-collapsed villages, or crumbling outposts overtaken by moss and silence. But this base was different. The buildings were still in excellent condition, and beside the headquarters stretched a massive open field filled with scattered wildflowers in shades of yellow, white, and violet, sections of it divided by old wooden fences weathered by time.

For a brief moment, you found yourself distracted by the scenery. It was peaceful, too peaceful for soldiers.

"Psst!"

Both you and Mina immediately stopped walking and turned around at the sound, but there was nobody there.

You exchanged confused glances before looking around the small clearing beside the path.

Then again.

"Psst! Up here!" The voice came in a harsh whisper this time.

Mina looked upward first.

"Theo?! What the hell are you doing up there?!" she asked, planting her hands on her hips.

You lifted your head as well, finally spotting him sprawled across one of the thicker tree branches above you. The sunlight hit your eyes the moment you looked up, causing them to narrow immediately, so you raised a hand to shield them from the harsh glare of the sun. Then you saw him, now clearly.

The branch was wide enough for him to lounge comfortably against the trunk, one leg bent while his arms rested lazily over his knee. A sly grin stretched across his face as he looked down at the two of you after finally being noticed.

"Hiding from responsibilities." Theo answered without a hint of shame.

You and Mina both rolled your eyes immediately, already knowing Theo was the last person who would ever actually run away from responsibilities. You let out a quiet snicker and waved him off dismissively, not believing a single word coming out of his mouth.

Theo Adler was many things, but lazy was not one of them.

He had graduated at the very top of the cadet corps and followed orders with almost irritating precision. Whether it was training, expeditions, or routine duties around headquarters, he always fulfilled every command and obligation without complaint.

"Yeah, sure." Mina scoffed up at him. "You'd break your own legs before disobeying an order. If somebody walked by right now and told you to jump down, you'd probably salute first."

You laughed quietly at that.

Theo clicked his tongue dramatically. "No, I wouldn't." he replied, stretching one leg out across the branch while lazily folding his hands behind his head. He closed his eyes with the relaxed expression of someone enjoying the best nap of his life. "Up here, responsibility can't reach me. Nobody's noticed me yet."

"Oh, so now you think you're cool just because you're sitting up there?" you asked, raising one eyebrow while looking over his relaxed figure sprawled across the tree branch.

Theo cracked one eye open and glanced down at you. "You're just jealous, Y/l/n."

You frowned slightly at that. "And what exactly would I be jealous of?" you asked, tilting your head with genuine curiosity as you wondered how much nonsense Theo could possibly come up with today.

He was always like this around the two of you. Teasing and smug. Constantly poking at people just to get a reaction out of them. But despite all that, Theo was still one of the kindest people you knew.

"The fact that I'm up here," he said with a quiet chuckle, "while you two are stuck down there."

He knew exactly what he was doing. The moment the words left his mouth, you could already feel your competitive instincts twitching awake.

"We could climb up there whenever we want." you shot back immediately, briefly glancing toward Mina.

At that, Theo leaned forward and smoothly pushed himself upright from the branch. He stepped farther along it with easy balance before loosely gesturing toward the tree beneath him like some arrogant knight presenting his kingdom.

"Then prove it."

There was something undeniably childish about the entire situation, even if none of you said it out loud. Because really, what kind of soldiers argued over who could climb a tree?

Probably not many.

But whenever you were with Mina and Theo, everything felt different somehow. Like the three of you briefly became the children you had buried the moment you enlisted in the military.

Sometimes it felt good to just exist without pressure hanging over your heads. To joke around and act stupid, even if it was immature. Because during those few fleeting moments, none of you were thinking about the next expedition, the next battlefield, or how many corpses you would have to wrap in bloodstained cloaks afterward.

You and Mina exchanged a glance, and matching smiles slowly curled across both your faces before the two of you practically lunged toward the tree at the same time.

The tree itself was large, old, and twisted with thick branches jutting out at odd angles, making it surprisingly easy to climb.

As you planted your foot against the trunk and reached for the next sturdy branch, you suddenly heard Mina's foot slip. "Shit!" she laughed out while catching herself before falling.

"Come on already!" you called out between laughs while climbing higher. "Let's show this loser!"

"Careful, Mina." Theo said with a grin as he watched the two of you scaling the tree from opposite sides like some coordinated attack.

Mina reached the branch first. She quickly pulled herself upright onto both feet and immediately smacked Theo lightly on the arm for provoking the two of you earlier.

By the time you finally reached the thicker branch where they stood, Theo stepped closer toward the trunk to steady himself. One hand rested casually against the bark while the other stretched out toward you.

He was offering help and you accepted it without hesitation, grabbing onto his hand firmly.

Theo pulled you upward effortlessly, stronger than he looked despite his relaxed attitude. But he clearly underestimated how much force he needed to use, because the sudden yank threw you off balance completely.

You stumbled directly into him.

Your hands instinctively grabbed onto the fabric of his shirt near his chest to steady yourself, fingers tightening against the material. Theo's own hands immediately snapped to your waist to keep you from slipping off the branch.

For a few seconds, neither of you moved. Your face was on the same level with his chest, and through the thin fabric of his shirt you could feel the firm muscle beneath your grip.

Theo, meanwhile, didn't let go of your waist right away either.

"Uhh... guys?" Mina suddenly spoke up from behind the two of you.

You immediately stepped away from Theo, nearly shoving him in the process when Mina spoke up behind you. The second you realized just how close the two of you had been standing, a wave of embarrassment crept over you. It had felt way too intimate; especially with the way his hands had been firmly holding your waist.

It wasn't that you hated him or found him disgusting. It was just... Theo. Theo was Theo.

Your brain genuinely refused to look at him any differently.

"Would you let go already..." you muttered while taking a few steps backward before glancing back up at him.

"I could've said the exact same thing to you." Theo replied with a small smirk, rolling his eyes before tugging at his shirt to smooth out the wrinkles you had left in the fabric.

You simply shook your head and turned away on the branch.

Mina let out a quiet laugh at the way the two of you bickered before she carefully lowered herself down to sit properly on the thick branch. You and Theo copied her movements shortly afterward, sitting down beside her until all three of you were squeezed together shoulder-to-shoulder.

Your legs swung lazily beneath the branch in an almost childish rhythm while you stared out over the headquarters from above.

From up here, you could see nearly everything.

The sprawling buildings of the Survey Corps base, the massive flower-covered fields stretching into the distance, soldiers wandering back and forth between duties, and above it all, the sun slowly beginning its descent toward the horizon.

You inhaled deeply through your nose before slowly letting the breath out again.

Your eyes wandered across every detail you could possibly absorb, almost as if you were trying to memorize the moment itself. Because in this world, you never knew whether a peaceful memory would later become something comforting to look back on.

Or something painful that would hit you out of nowhere years later.

Your silent observation was eventually interrupted by Theo's voice.

"I saw Commander Armin and Eren Yeager taking you into headquarters earlier." he said quietly, careful not to completely ruin the peaceful atmosphere. "What happened? Are you okay?"

Unfortunately, the question succeeded in dragging the entire situation right back into your mind after you had almost managed to forget about it.

"Ugh... nothing special," you groaned tiredly. "I got yelled at, and apparently I'm not allowed to lead squads anymore."

You said it like you had already accepted it, but the irritation still crawled under your skin just a little.

"What? Seriously?" Theo immediately turned toward you with a genuinely shocked expression. "Y/n, what did you do this time?!"

"Relax already," you muttered. "I don't even feel like talking about it anymore. I've wasted enough time thinking about it as it is. I should honestly stop giving a shit."

"I understand..." Theo began more quietly. "Well... maybe not completely. I still don't really understand this thing you have where you always run off following your own instincts. But you seriously need to be more careful, Y/n." His expression softened.

"And not because you're 'supposed' to follow orders," he continued. "Don't think about it like that when people tell you what to do. Think about the fact that there are people waiting for you to come back. People who need you."

His voice grew quieter toward the end.

"Mina... your parents... me..."

You understood what he meant. You really did.

Part of you even knew he was right.

But at the same time, you trusted yourself more than anyone else. You had never doubted your own reflexes or instincts before. Sure, you probably acted like you had nine lives half the time, but it wasn't like dying was your goal.

Still... If somebody had to die first, you would rather it be you than any of the people Theo had just listed.

"That got really deep all of a sudden." Mina commented from your other side.

"Ah- uh..." Theo stumbled over his words immediately afterward, his cheeks flushing pink once he realized how serious the mood had become because of him. "Sorry. I just thought I should say it..."

"It's okay." you answered softly.

You turned your head toward him, offering a reassuring smile in an attempt to smooth away the worried lines gathered on his forehead.

"I appreciate that you think about me like that, Theo. You're a really good friend. Seriously, thank you." You nudged his shoulder lightly. "But trust me. I'm not completely stupid."

Theo looked a little calmer after that, although his eyes seemed to twitch for a brief second when you called him a good friend. You assumed he was probably just tired after the exhausting expedition and did not think much of it.

"I'm glad." he replied quietly, his voice softer now.

The weight of the earlier conversation still lingered faintly in the air between the three of you, but it did not last long. It never really could whenever you and Mina were together. Before long, the mood shifted again, dragged away by the chaotic energy the two of you naturally carried around like a storm.

The next half hour passed with the three of you talking about nearly everything imaginable - the day's events, tomorrow's schedule, theories about the next expedition beyond the Walls, and random nonsense that slowly drifted in and out of the conversation.

At one point, Mina and Theo became fully absorbed in their own discussion while you simply sat there listening absentmindedly.

Then, from the corner of your eye, you noticed Commander Armin Arlert and Eren Yeager stepping out of the headquarters building again.

Mina and Theo spotted them too.

Almost instinctively, both of them lowered their voices.

You felt Theo's hands twitch slightly against your arm, his body tensing almost immediately the moment he recognized the higher-ranking officers approaching.

The three of you silently watched them. Without even needing to say it aloud, an unspoken agreement settled between all of you at once: stay quiet and hope they don't notice.

Because if Eren caught the three of you messing around in a tree instead of doing something "productive," he would definitely have something to say about it.

Though honestly, part of you still thought he'd be overreacting.

It wasn't like there was anything urgent left to do today anyway. The other soldiers had already handled the bodies from the expedition, the gears had been cleaned and stored away, and the injured had received treatment hours ago.

Armin and Eren walked away from the building directly toward the area where your tree stood, speaking quietly between themselves about something you couldn't quite make out.

Armin said something first. Eren responded with a tired sigh, tipping his head back for a moment with his eyes closed like he was already exhausted by the conversation.

But the second he opened them again, his gaze landed directly on the three of you sitting in the tree. 

He slowed slightly, a confused, almost startled expression flickering across his face for the briefest moment.

You and Mina instantly failed to suppress the smiles pulling at your lips, both of you nearly laughing at how absurdly cinematic the situation felt.

Of course he noticed you.

Theo, meanwhile, nearly stiffened to death beside you the moment he realized you had all officially been caught, as though the three of you had just been discovered committing an actual crime.

Without warning, Theo saluted right there on the branch. His hand slammed dramatically against his chest. "S-Sir, Commander!"

Eren responded with a small nod to the salute, before speaking up."What exactly are you three doing up there?" Eren asked, looking profoundly unimpressed.

Armin finally paused beside him and glanced upward toward the source of Theo's voice. The moment he spotted the three of you sitting among the branches, a faint smile settled onto his face. And it looked strangely nostalgic. As if the sight reminded him of something distant and bittersweet.

Probably because it did. For a second, the memory of his childhood crossed his mind, Mikasa, Eren and himself as children before the military, before the Titans, before the weight of command hollowed all of them out.

"We're testing whether this branch is strong enough, Sir." you answered immediately. "Wouldn't want it collapsing and killing somebody."

Eren's eyes narrowed at you instantly. "Don't joke around with me, Y/n."

"We were just messing around a little, Sir." Mina quickly added with an apologetic smile while nervously scratching the back of her neck.

"And?" Armin asked, stepping a little closer beneath the tree while looking up at all of you now. "What conclusions did you come to? Is the branch stable?"

"It's perfectly stable, Sir!" Theo answered immediatly, still saluting.

"Didn't you say earlier that you were going to feed your horse?" Eren interrupted, lifting an eyebrow while nodding toward the direction of the stables.

Oh.

Right.

Fuck.

Your poor horse.

You had completely forgotten the moment you and Mina started talking. Hopefully someone at least remembered to refill the water buckets.

"Oh, yeah! I was actually just heading there before-" you started explaining.

Eren didn't let you finish. "Then get moving. The stables need cleaning too, so you're doing that as well." he ordered flatly.

Your eyes widened immediately.

Seriously?

Last month, you had already been assigned stable duty. At this point, it honestly felt like he was specifically targeting you. Lately, it was as if Eren had started watching your every move just to catch the slightest mistake and criticize it immediately afterward. Couldn't a person exist for five minutes without someone constantly barking orders at them?

"You two as well. Carolina and Adler." Eren added, now looking toward Mina and Theo sitting on either side of you.

"The hell? I was already responsible for the stables last month!" you protested immediately. "Can't it just be Mina and Theo this time?"

"Y/n!" Mina snapped from one side.

"Hey!" Theo complained at the same time.

"With three people, you'll finish faster." Armin explained calmly, as if this entire argument was the most natural thing in the world. "The soldier assigned to stable duty this month was injured during the expedition, so someone had to take over regardless."

You let out a long sigh and briefly closed your eyes in frustration. Beside you, you could already feel Theo shifting, preparing to climb down from the tree. Mina quickly followed after him. Eventually, you forced yourself to move too and climbed down after them.

As soon as your boots hit the ground, a quiet grunt escaped you while you brushed dirt and bark from your uniform jacket. Glancing sideways, you saw your friends already beginning to walk toward the stables.

You, however, stayed behind for one final moment. Your eyes landed on Commander Armin first, then shifted toward Eren.

Eren stared back at you with a completely unreadable expression, clearly waiting to see whether you would keep arguing. And of course you would. It would not have been you otherwise.

"This isn't fair." you muttered bitterly. "Nothing about today has been fair to me."

"One more word," Eren replied flatly, "and I'll drag you to that stable myself."

You sharply exhaled through your nose to calm yourself down before giving him a loose, half-hearted salute. Without another word, you finally jogged after Mina and Theo.

The three of you spent the next hour cleaning the stables together.

You handled the usual tasks: shoveling manure, replacing old straw with fresh bedding, checking the horses for injuries, and making sure they all had enough food and water after the exhausting expedition.

When you finally reached your own horse, your entire expression softened almost instantly. "There's my good boy." you murmured warmly, smiling as you stroked the horse's nose.

The horse huffed quietly in response and leaned into your touch, allowing you to pet him without complaint.

By the time you were gathering the last piles of manure, you happened to be standing near Theo. Naturally, the sudden urge to annoy him took over immediately.

You scooped up one final shovel-full and deliberately left it balanced there.

"Hey, Theo!" you called loudly to grab his attention.

The second Theo turned toward you, you swung the shovel backward with a mischievous grin already spreading across your face.

"Y/n! Don't you dare!" Theo shouted instantly, horrified, already preparing to retaliate with his own shovel.

You snorted quietly and made a dramatic throwing motion before stopping halfway through. Obviously, you were not actually going to throw horse shit at him.

Theo, unfortunately, committed fully. His arms swung before his brain could catch up. And unlike you, he did not stop halfway.

The entire shovel-full flew directly at you.

The manure smacked against your upper body before falling down on the floor.

Behind you, you heard Mina gasp dramatically. Theo immediately slapped a hand over his mouth in horror, accidentally dropping the shovel in the process.

For several long seconds, absolute silence filled the stable.

Slowly, you looked down at your ruined shirt, staring at the stains and disgusting remnants now smeared across the fabric.

"...Are you fucking kidding me, Theo?!" you exploded suddenly, glaring at yourself in complete disgust.

"How was I supposed to know you weren't actually gonna do it?!" Theo defended himself immediately.

"I'm not that stupid!" you snapped back. "God, this entire day is an actual nightmare..." you groaned miserably.

"I'm really sorry, Y/n!" Theo said immediately.

You were already rubbing your forehead in frustration while the smell finally started hitting you properly. Your entire upper body twisted dramatically as you mimicked gagging, looking like you were seconds away from throwing up.

Eventually, though, you knew you could not stay genuinely angry at him. It was not like Theo had known you were bluffing. For all he knew, you really had been about to launch horse shit directly at him.

But honestly... even if you had done it, the only thought running through your head was: Man the fuck up and take it.

Theo immediately offered to give you his shirt. He had practically already shrugged off the Survey Corps jacket from his shoulders and started pulling at the fabric underneath, but you stopped him before he could continue. You told him not to worry about it since everyone would be heading back to the sleeping quarters soon anyway, and you could just change there.

You could survive smelling like death for a little longer.

Not long after, the three of you finally finished everything inside the stable. The trash was taken out, the tools were returned to their proper places, and the horses had all been cared for properly.

Once everything else was done, you decided to stay behind for a little while longer to brush your own horse properly. Between all the other tasks earlier, you had not had the chance to do it carefully, and now that the stable was finally quiet again, you wanted to take your time.

Mina and Theo understood immediately and simply nodded.

After saying goodbye to them, you walked over to the nearby shelf where the grooming tools were kept and grabbed one of the brushes before returning to your horse's stall.

You carefully brushed through his coat while gently petting him with your free hand, calming both him and yourself at the same time.

By the time you finished, the stable had fallen almost completely silent.

You stepped out from the stall and turned to close the gate behind you when you suddenly heard footsteps approaching from the stable entrance.

Your head snapped toward the sound.

Eren.

He was walking toward his own horse, whose stall happened to be near the front of the stable.

Eren briefly glanced at you, though he barely acknowledged your presence before focusing on the horse instead. You watched as he crouched slightly to inspect the small injury the animal had gotten during the expedition.

Poor thing.

You had tried helping earlier when you passed by, but the horse had only backed away nervously and whinnied at you in distress. Yet now, standing beside Eren, it remained perfectly calm.

The horse trusted him completely.

It was strange seeing that side of Eren Yeager.

But apparently, it existed.

Suddenly, the rumor you and Mina had talked about earlier that day crossed your mind again: the one about Eren and Hitch had something going on.

You let the thought linger for a moment, wondering whether someone like him could actually be gentle with another person the same way he was with his horse.

Your gaze stayed on him as he worked.

Eren carefully lifted the horse's front leg, moving with an unusual amount of patience. The horse shifted uneasily for a moment, but he immediately soothed it by running a steady hand along its neck.

"Woah... okay, okay. Good girl." you heard him murmur in a calm, almost unrecognizable tone.

And to your surprise, it actually worked.

You decided not to say anything and quickly shoved the brush back onto the shelf, nearly tossing it there in your rush. You wanted out of the stable as fast as possible. The last thing you needed today was another interaction with him.

Keeping your gaze lowered to avoid even accidental eye contact, you started walking toward the exit.

Right as you passed him, Eren suddenly spoke. "Did you give him fresh water?"

His voice made you stop immediately.

"Yes, Sir... Why wouldn't I?" you asked, almost confused by the question itself.

"Revenge." Eren answered simply while straightening up from the horse and closing the stall gate again.

A scoff escaped you instantly. "I don't punish animals just because their owner's irritating," you replied without an ounce of shame.

"Irritating, huh?" Eren repeated before finally turning toward you properly. "Your mouth's getting real fucking bold lately. And you're disrespectful as hell. You should learn when to shut up and listen."

"I'm only telling the truth." you answered, brows furrowing as you looked up at him with narrowed eyes.

Eren clearly did not like your tone. Or the fact that you never took anything he said seriously.

Without warning, he stepped closer and suddenly grabbed the front of your shirt near the collar.

His fist tightened hard around the fabric before yanking you forward slightly, pulling you close enough that your faces were only inches apart.

Your eyes widened at the sudden movement.

Instinctively, your hands shot up to his wrist, half-expecting him to lift you off the ground with one hand alone.

But for a brief second, your thoughts caught on something entirely different.

You had never seen him this close before. And you had never realized just how green his eyes actually were.

"You're fucking lucky you're not under my direct command." Eren muttered, his sharp gaze locked deeply onto yours. "Otherwise, you would've been trained properly a long time ago. Like a damn dog."

His voice was not loud. If anything, it was quieter than usual; low and rough enough to send a strange tension through your entire body.

For the first time in your life, Eren Yeager actually made you hesitate.

But even now, that still changed absolutely nothing about your opinion of him.

You did not answer immediately.

What exactly were you even supposed to say in a situation like this? Especially when it felt like he was one wrong movement away from ripping your shirt straight apart.

"You'd better pull yourself together and learn to listen when a superior gives you an order." Eren continued, his tone sharp and dangerous. "Because if you don't, I'll break that attitude myself."

His grip tightened slightly against your collar. "And trust me," he said quietly, "you're really not going to like the way I do it. Understood?"

A small breath escaped through your nose, only then realizing you had been unconsciously holding it the entire time.

Your eyes flickered between his.

Now that he was this close, you could actually study his face properly for once. The sharp lines of his jaw, the faint shadows beneath his eyes from exhaustion, the intensity in his expression that never seemed to soften no matter the situation.

Then, finally, you gave a small nod.

"I asked if you understood." Eren repeated more quietly this time, giving your shirt another rough tug.

"Yes, Sir." you answered in a lower tone. Not fearful or intimidated. Just sounding enough like someone who had supposedly understood the warning being given to them.

Oh, but you absolutely had not understood at all.

If anything, the entire situation only made you more curious.

.

.

a/n: i might've dragged it out a little too much considering these 3 chapters only cover one day. sorry!! but different things are finally gonna start happening in the next chapter

also, i probably won't update the story for about a week because of personal reasons. but don't worry, nothing bad happened!!

you can always follow me on tiktok for more updates!! tiktok: haelygr

thank you for reading and supporting!! i appreciate it so much!! <33

She clearly already knew you must have done something incredibly stupid again if the Commander himself-and one of his highest-ranking subordinates-were personally escorting you through headquarters.

You shot her a mischievous look, dragging your tongue slowly against the inside of your cheek before biting lightly against your lower lip in exaggerated dramatics.

Mina snorted under her breath almost instantly. She lifted a hand in front of her mouth while puffing out the inside of her cheek with her tounge, moving her hand up and down in a very inappropriate imitation.

It took you less than a second to realize what she meant.

Your hand immediately flew over your mouth as you struggled to contain your laughter, trying desperately not to let the two "veterans" walking ahead of you notice the silent exchange happening behind them.

The interaction between you and Mina was mostly an ongoing joke anyway, never something meant seriously. Practically everyone in the Survey Corps knew that Commander Armin and Eren carried themselves very well - and objectively speaking, they were both attractive men. Which, admittedly, made sense considering they were seasoned soldiers in their mid-twenties.

Most of the girls around headquarters were completely head over heels for them.

It was understandable though.

Armin, despite holding the rank of Commander, was known for being remarkably kind and patient. He rarely raised his voice unless the situation was truly severe. Whenever recruits or soldiers struggled with something, he was usually the first person willing to help without making them feel incompetent for asking. With his calm voice and gentle demeanor, he often explained things multiple times until everyone understood properly.

Eren, on the other hand, was the complete opposite.

He was cold, distant and intimidating.

He almost always wore the same stern expression, his brows permanently furrowed as though the weight of the entire world rested between them. Sometimes you genuinely wondered whether he had simply been born looking irritated, because you had never once seen him smile, or even look remotely relaxed.

Eren gave orders sharply and without patience. He did not repeat himself unless absolutely necessary. If you failed to hear him the first time, then that was considered your own problem and potentially your own death sentence for lacking awareness.

Still, despite his attitude, countless girls hovered around him after missions and training sessions alike. They fluttered around them shamelessly, twirling strands of hair around their fingers and batting their eyelashes in painfully obvious attempts to gain attention.

Armin always remained polite, carefully maintaining professional distance and respecting the strict regulations written into military conduct; specifically the rule forbidding close personal relationships between commanding officers and lower-ranking soldiers.

Eren kept his distance too, though in a far harsher and colder manner than Armin ever did. Maybe that was exactly what fascinated so many girls about him - that unreachable, untouchable nature of his. He was difficult to approach, difficult to read, and even harder to earn kindness from.

Actually... kindness? You weren't entirely convinced he even knew what that word meant.

Still, unlike many others around headquarters, you were not particularly dazzled by people in higher positions. You would admit that both of them looked good, sure, but beyond that, you genuinely could not understand the obsession.

Especially not with Eren.

That man looked like he has a bush growing in his pants since his teenage years. It honestly sent a chill down your spine whenever you overheard girls in the shared dormitories whispering about him at night like he was some unattainable fantasy.

As you silently joked around with Mina, Eren tilted his head just enough to notice that you clearly weren't taking the seriousness of the upcoming discussion very seriously at all.

With visible irritation, he suddenly reached behind himself, grabbed your upper arm firmly, and yanked you forward in front of him to abruptly end your little moment of amusement.

You stumbled slightly between Eren and Armin, hissing quietly at the painful strength of his grip.

A quiet growl slipped from beneath your breath as you continued walking ahead of them now. Honestly, the situation almost made you feel like you were being marched toward your own execution. But by this point, you knew the routine far too well to feel genuinely nervous about it anymore.

You already knew exactly how this would go.

Commander Armin would calmly explain what you had done wrong, why your actions had been reckless, and precisely how you had endangered the entire squad during today's expedition. He would remind you that the battlefield beyond the Walls was not a place for impulsive decisions and that one careless action could easily lead to multiple deaths.

Meanwhile, Eren Yeager would stand nearby silently glaring at you with those piercing green eyes of his, occasionally muttering something half-audible under his breath-usually an insult, or at the very least something along the lines of "useless."

Then they would dismiss you. That was the pattern.

The moment the three of you stepped inside the office, your body moved almost automatically toward the chair positioned in front of the desk at the far end of the room. You had sat there enough times for the motion to feel painfully familiar by now.

Without saying a word, you dropped yourself into the chair with a long sigh, slouching back into it comfortably.

Behind you, you heard the office door click shut softly. Probably Armin closed it.

A moment later, both Armin and Eren walked past you toward the opposite side of the desk. Armin settled into the chair reserved for the Commander himself, smoothly pulling himself closer to the desk before reaching for a few neatly stacked papers from the organized pile beside him.

No, but seriously, the office was absurdly tidy. Every document perfectly aligned, every object placed with careful precision. Honestly, the entire room looked so organized it almost felt unnatural.

Eren, meanwhile, moved beside the desk and leaned his lower back casually against the windowsill behind it. He crossed his arms over his chest, his posture relaxed in appearance only, because the sharpness in his stare made it impossible to mistake him for anything close to calm.

"Y/n." Armin finally spoke, adjusting himself slightly in his chair as he glanced down at the papers in his hands.

"Commander." you answered in the same quieter tone, leaning farther back into your seat with your arms folded loosely in your lap.

"I think both of us already know what the biggest issue was today." Armin began calmly while flipping through the documents in front of him, handling the entire conversation with the same casual composure one might use while discussing the weather or today's lunch rather than a dangerous incident during a Survey Corps mission.

"Not entirely, Sir." you answered in a calm, controlled tone, even though deep down you knew perfectly well what the real issue had been.

You had spotted an Abnormal Titan near the edge of the forest. You had seen it clearly, recognized the way it moved differently from the others, yet you still led the three-person squad under your command toward it without a word. You hadn't fired the black smoke signal meant to report abnormal sightings either. Not because you forgot or you panicked.

Because you were convinced you could kill it. And that was the truth, because you did kill it.

The fact that the Titan had charged at your squad like a rabid animal and nearly torn one of your comrades apart was another matter entirely. But the important part, in your eyes at least, was that nearly wasn't the same as actually. You had killed it in time. Everyone made it out alive.

Commander Armin lifted his gaze toward you for a brief moment, dissatisfaction flickering across his otherwise composed features before his eyes returned to the papers in his hands.

"You failed to report the sighting of an Abnormal Titan," Armin stated evenly, his voice remaining frustratingly calm. "And without authorization from a higher-ranking officer, you redirected your squad toward the target, forcing both your team and nearby soldiers into an extremely dangerous situation."

You inhaled slowly, jaw tightening before leaning forward slightly in your chair.

"We were outside the Walls," you argued. "That alone IS dangerous. And if I remember correctly, everyone in the Survey Corps is supposed to be capable of killing Titans, so I don't underst-"

"That's not the point."

Eren's voice cut through your words sharply from behind Armin.

The interruption caught you off guard just enough to silence you. Your eyes lifted instinctively toward him while Armin remained completely unfazed, calmly continuing to skim through the documents as if he already expected Eren to step in.

A faint frown pulled at your brows while you waited for him to continue.

"The issue," Eren said as he pushed himself away from the windowsill, "is that you ignored the orders that were given before the mission even began."

His boots echoed heavily against the wooden floor as he slowly circled the desk, every step measured and deliberate. The deep tone of his voice filled the office effortlessly, carrying the same suffocating authority that made newer soldiers freeze during drills.

"At the beginning of the expedition, it was made clear that today's objective was not Titan extermination," he continued. "The purpose of the mission was to push farther beyond the Walls without unnecessary interference or delays. We were trying to advance deeper into unexplored territory."

He moved around the side of the desk, passing beside your chair with slow, controlled movements.

"But apparently..." he muttered darkly as he walked behind you.

You refused to look at him. Instead, your gaze stayed fixed on the desk in front of you so intensely it almost felt like you were trying to bore a hole through the wood itself. Your jaw clenched tighter with every word leaving his mouth.

He stopped beside you, close enough for you to feel his presence looming over your shoulder. Then he leaned down slightly "...nothing gets through that unbelievably thick fucking skull of yours." He tapped the side of your head twice with two fingers.

The gesture wasn't hard. If anything, that somehow made it worse.

Heat immediately flared in your chest, irritation crawling violently beneath your skin as your eyes snapped upward toward him. Eren's expression remained cold and unreadable, brows knitted together in that permanently stern way, as if the world itself exhausted him beyond repair.

You swore the man looked physically incapable of relaxing.

Your fingers curled tighter against your lap.

"And yet," you muttered under your breath, "the thick skull managed to kill the Titan before it killed anyone else."

There was silence for a few seconds.

Armin sighed softly from the other side of the desk, already sounding tired of this conversation before it could escalate further.

Eren, however, just stared at you.

That stare alone was enough to make most recruits shrink into themselves. It was sharp and almost oppressive in a way that reminded you exactly why people both respected and feared him inside the Survey Corps.

But you had never been particularly good at backing down.

"You think results justify stupidity?" Eren asked finally. "You think surviving one reckless decision suddenly makes it acceptable?"

You tilted your head slightly, stubbornness burning behind your eyes. "I think nobody died."

Eren scoffed quietly through his nose, straightening back up to his full height.

"And that mindset," He replied coldly. "is exactly what gets soldiers killed later."

For a moment, the room fell silent again except for the faint rustling of paper beneath Armin's hands and the distant sounds of soldiers moving through the headquarters outside.

Then Armin finally set the documents down neatly onto the desk and looked directly at you.

"Y/n," he said calmly, though the disappointment in his voice landed harder than shouting would have. "your skills were never the issue. Both of us know you're talented. The problem is your inability to understand that the Survey Corps does not function on individual impulses."

His blue eyes held yours steadily. "No matter how strong a soldier is, once they start acting separately from the formation, they stop being an asset and start becoming a risk."

A quiet sigh escaped your lips.

Maybe Armin was right. No - he was right. There was a reason he stood where he did now, carrying the title of Commander of the Survey Corps. His mind, his ability to strategize and predict outcomes several steps ahead, surpassed that of nearly every soldier and officer within the Walls. People followed Armin Arlert because he saw things others couldn't.

But at the same time, this conversation had unfolded exactly the way you predicted it would.

Just like almost every other month.

At some point, you had genuinely started wondering why they didn't simply accept that this was how you operated. Both you and everyone else in the Corps knew perfectly well that your performance was exceptional. You were one of the strongest soldiers among the younger ranks, talented with ODM gear, fast in combat, reckless to a fault-but effective.

That was the main reason you still remained in the Survey Corps despite the endless lectures and disciplinary meetings.

They needed your strength and your instincts.

Obviously, you were nowhere near the level of the two men standing in front of you. Comparing yourself to Commander Armin or Eren Yeager would have been laughable. Those two had years of experience carved into their bones, years of bloodshed beyond the Walls, years spent surviving nightmares most soldiers never returned from.

Still, you stood out.

"Okay, Commander... I understand," you finally said, lifting your gaze toward Armin.

Then, before either of them could continue, you grabbed the arms of the chair and shifted forward slightly, preparing to stand.

"So now that we've had this conversation, can I go?" you asked casually. "I still haven't fed my horse and-"

"Sit the fuck down." Eren's voice cut through the room instantly, though hé wasn't shouting at all.

Okay, damn.

The low, sharp command alone carried enough weight to make the atmosphere tighten around you like a noose.

A frustrated breath slipped through your nose before you dropped back into the chair again. Your hands tightened more firmly around the armrests now, fingers pressing into the worn wood hard enough to strain your knuckles.

God, you hated this man sometimes.

Just because he outranked you, he thought he could speak to you however he pleased.

"There are nicer ways to say that, Sir." you muttered bitterly under your breath.

"There were nicer ways to explain your orders during previous expeditions too," Eren answered immediately, his tone flat as he returned to the window and leaned against the frame once more. "you still ignored them."

...Fair enough.

Across from you, Armin finally leaned back in his chair, his expression growing more serious than before. A pen rested between his fingers as he slowly rotated it against the surface of the desk, his thoughtful gaze fixed on you.

"Y/n," he began calmly, "I'm going to have to revoke your squad leadership privileges."

Your eyes widened instantly.

Armin continued. "With behavior like this, you are not fit to independently lead a team."

"What?!" The word left your mouth louder than it should have, your shock overpowering whatever discipline you had left. "But I just got permission to lead one!"

"I know, Y/n," Armin replied quietly, and somehow that calmness made it sting worse. "But it's necessary. For the sake of the others... and for your own sake as well."

His blue eyes held yours steadily. "I can't trust you like this."

The finality in his voice settled heavily over the room. He tilted his head slightly to the side before giving a small glance toward the office door.

"You may leave now."

Your brows pulled together tightly as you stood from the chair at last, irritation and disbelief still burning hot beneath your skin. The wooden legs scraped quietly against the floor as you pushed it back.

You turned toward the door, but not before casting one final glance toward Eren.

His mouth had nearly curled into the faintest smirk, the corners twitching as if he had almost laughed for a second before forcing himself back into that usual cold, unreadable expression.

Like he was trying very hard to remain serious.

As soon as the door shut behind you, Armin gently let the pen fall onto his desk and released a tired sigh. Both hands dragged slowly down his face before he leaned his head back against the chair, exhaustion briefly showing through the composed facade he usually carried so well.

Eren remained exactly where he was by the window, though his gaze lingered on the door you had just walked through for a moment longer.

"She's unbelievably fucking irritating." Eren muttered at last. "I've said it a thousand times, and I'll keep saying it-someone with that kind of attitude doesn't belong in the Survey Corps."

"Eren, you know perfectly well how skilled she is." Armin replied calmly as he began reorganizing the mission reports scattered across his desk. "I'm not about to hand over a soldier like that to the Garrison or the Military Police. Her abilities would rot away there. The Survey Corps needs someone with her talent."

Eren rolled his eyes at that, though deep down he knew Armin was right. That was the annoying part. He was almost always right.

"Yeah, I know," Eren grumbled. "but she's horribly undisciplined. I told you from the beginning that she looks like the type who refuses to learn."

"She can learn," Armin corrected gently. "She just chooses to learn the things she personally sees value in."

"So apparently discipline isn't one of those things." Eren scoffed under his breath.

At that, Armin slowly turned his chair toward him, a faint teasing smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "She reminds you of someone, doesn't she?"

Eren grimaced immediately.

He absolutely hated the implication that Armin-his best friend of all people-was comparing him to some reckless bratty girl with authority issues.

"Don't look at me like that." Eren muttered before finally pushing himself away from the windowsill.

He walked over to Armin's desk and planted one hand against the wood, leaning slightly forward so they were face-to-face.

"And you still think it was a good idea to take her directly under your command because you thought you could 'fix her'?" Eren emphasized the last words, obvious disbelief hidden beneath his otherwise neutral expression. He genuinely couldn't picture Armin successfully forcing you into obedience.

"She just needs time," Armin answered.

There was still patience in his voice. Hope, even.

He truly believed this was only a phase you would eventually grow out of. Even if you were no longer a child, even if your stubbornness had already rooted itself deeply into your personality, Armin still held onto the belief that one day you would mature into a proper soldier worthy of the uniform you wore.

Eren, however, looked entirely unconvinced. "She absolutely fucking doesn't." he replied flatly. "She needs to be trained properly, Armin. Like a damn dog."

His expression never changed as he said it. "You put a leash on something like that and only let it loose when you want it to bark."

Armin's brows immediately pulled together at the harsh comparison. "That's a bit excessive, don't you think?"

"Obviously I don't mean it literally." Eren said with a quiet scoff. "I mean she needs to learn that she acts when she's ordered to act. Not whenever her impulses decide for her."

"Maybe you're right..." Armin sighed quietly, his gaze drifting toward the corner of the desk as though he had fallen into thought.

Armin was not a man of cruelty. He never had been.

Ever since they were children, he had believed that most conflicts could be resolved through understanding, patience, and cooperation; as long as both sides were willing to meet halfway. Even now, after everything the world had done to him, after the endless bloodshed beyond the Walls and the unbearable responsibility placed onto his shoulders, that part of him still remained.

He could never treat a soldier - especially a young girl under his command - like some animal that needed to be broken into obedience.

That simply wasn't who Armin Arlert was.

Compared to the Commanders who came before him, compared to Erwin Smith especially, there were moments when Armin genuinely felt lesser. Less commanding and imposing. Less capable of carrying the overwhelming authority that the title of Commander demanded.

Sometimes he still wondered if he had truly deserved the rank Erwin Smith left behind for him.

"But this is how I choose to handle it." Armin spoke again at last, lifting his eyes toward Eren. "Maybe it isn't the ideal approach for someone with Y/n's personality... but I still believe she can change."

Eren watched him quietly, his brows faintly furrowed; not out of irritation this time, but because a subtle trace of concern had settled across his expression instead.

He knew exactly how stubborn Armin could become once he believed in something. That unwavering determination was one of the reasons they had remained side by side for so many years. Eren himself wasn't much different.

"As you wish." Eren muttered, lowering his head slightly before shutting his eyes for a brief moment. "You're the Commander."

"Yes." Armin answered softly. Then, after a short pause, his voice became quieter.

"And if anything ever happens to me... you know you'll be the one after me."

.

.

You weren't built for quiet compliance.

You were a street kid through and through; always outside, always running, always coming home with dirt on your knees and a story that didn't quite explain how you got it. And you weren't alone. Mina, your best friend, was always with you, your partner in trouble, your accomplice in every bad decision. Together, the two of you were unstoppable.

"Don't go near the gates today! The Survey Corps are returning!" your mother warned one afternoon, barely looking over her shoulder as she stirred a pot in the kitchen. The smell of dinner filled the small house, warm and comforting. A sharp contrast to the excitement already building in your chest.

"Yeah, yeah, of course!" you and Mina answered at the same time, exchanging quiet snickers. You both already knew you wouldn't listen.

The Scouts.

The only people allowed beyond the Walls. The only ones who had seen the world outside. That alone was enough to pull you toward the gates like gravity. You admire them.

No... you envied them.

They were free in a way no one else was. They rode across open land, fought Titans, saw horizons that stretched farther than rooftops and stone streets.

Why them... and not you?

You wanted to know what lay beyond Wall Maria. You wanted to see Titans with your own eyes, terrifying or not. You wanted to understand how many there were, how they moved, whether the stories exaggerated their horror or barely scratched the surface.

More than anything, you wanted to fly.

To soar through the air with Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, weaving between rooftops like a bird cutting across the sky. The thought alone made your chest tighten. Freedom. That's what it meant. Not being boxed in by expectations and living by commands barked from someone else's mouth.

But even you understood the contradiction.

To become a soldier meant discipline, training, orders, hierarchy. It meant listening.

And that was the one thing you'd never been good at.

You wanted the freedom... but not the structure that came with it. You wanted to live however you pleased, not march in step with everyone else. So despite your fascination with the Scouts, you never seriously thought about joining the military.

It felt like trading one cage for another.

You and Mina ran toward the gates, breathlessly weaving through narrow streets until the crowd came into view. Even from a distance, the noise reached you first - murmuring voices, restless shifting, anxious whispers layered with bursts of excitement. A mass of people had already gathered near the entrance, waiting for the Scouts' return.

The atmosphere felt strange.

Some people leaned forward eagerly, admiration bright in their eyes, ready to welcome the heroes home. Others stood with crossed arms and hardened expressions, muttering bitterly under their breath - calling them wasteful and useless. As if every expedition beyond the Walls was nothing more than a pointless sacrifice.

And then there were those who said nothing at all.

They simply prayed quietly and with full of desperation. Fingers intertwined, eyes fixed on the closed gate, hoping - begging - that someone they love would come back alive.

"Look! The gate's opening!" Mina gasped, excitement bursting from her voice as she tugged hard on your sleeve. "Let's climb those crates!"

Before you could answer, she was already pulling you along. You squeezed through the crowd until you reached a stack of old wooden supply boxes piled unevenly against the stone wall. Mina climbed first, balancing carefully before grabbing your wrist and hauling you up beside her.

From there, you had a clear view.

You waited, perched on the edge, legs swinging slightly - anticipation buzzing under your skin. Your heart beat faster with every second. This was it. The Survey Corps's returning from beyond the Walls. The people who saw the world you'd only imagined.

Then the gates creaked open.

The heavy wooden doors parted slowly, groaning against the stone. The crowd quieted almost instantly, like a breath being held all at once.

Your faint smile froze.

At the very front rode Commander Erwin Smith, his expression is impossible to read. There was no pride on his face, no victorious smile after returning from beyond the Walls - but there was no visible disappointment either. Only that same cold, unreadable composure that seemed to follow him like a shadow. Beside him rode Captain Levi Ackerman and Squad Leader Hange Zoë.

It was the first time you had ever seen them up close.

You had imagined this moment differently for years. You thought meeting people like them would feel inspiring, like finally standing before the heroes everyone whispered about with awe. The strongest soldiers of humanity. The people who fought titans face-to-face and survived.

But the reality in front of you felt miserable, than anything else.

The rest of the soldiers began to ride in behind them.

Your eyes instinctively followed the returning Scouts more closely now, since they were finally near enough to properly see. Among them, you noticed a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy riding silently on horseback. His expression looked hollow, painfully exhausted, his eyes fixed only on the horse beneath him as though he lacked the strength to look anywhere else.

Not far from him rode a nearly bald young man with short gray hair, while behind him sat a brown-haired girl with her hair tied back, visibly injured but still alive. Even from a distance, you could see the fatigue written across her face, the way she leaned slightly from exhaustion as the horse carried them forward.

Behind them came another soldier, a boy with a light brown mullet, his entire body was tensed with barely restrained stress. His hands were gripping the reins so tightly his knuckles had nearly turned white. There was something hardened in his expression. Like he lost all his faith; not in the squad or his comrades, but in himself.

The following soldiers rode in on exhausted horses, their uniforms torn and stained. Some had their arms wrapped in thick bandages, others leaned heavily in their saddles as if staying upright took all their strength. A few couldn't even ride - they were seated in carts dragged behind the horses, faces pale, bodies barely moving.

One man was missing a leg entirely. Another clutched his side, blood seeping through cloth that had already been wrapped too many times.

And none of them looked at the crowd.

Not at the families waiting. Not at the hands reaching. Not at the voices calling their names. Every face was heavy, hollow, weighed down by something invisible. Their eyes were distant - like parts of them were still out there, beyond the Walls.

Then came the wagon that carried the dead.

Bodies laid side by side, covered with rough cloth. The ones they had managed to bring back intact. The silence in the crowd deepened, thick and suffocating. There was no cheers, nor applause. Only the creak of wheels and the dull rhythm of hooves against stone.

Your excitement drained away instantly. You watched the scene in horror, wishing you could somehow unsee it.

Your gaze drifted slowly across the returning soldiers until you noticed him.

A boy sat in one of the carts, propped carefully against the wooden side. His expression was calm - almost blank - but not empty. His eyes scanned the crowd surrounding them, sharp despite the exhaustion. A muted green - like dull glass catching light.

His brown hair had been pushed back, though strands fell forward again, partly held in place by gauze wrapped around his forehead. The bandage looked fresh. Beside him sat a short, black haired girl, her posture was tense, and her eyes were flicking toward the boy every few seconds as if checking whether he was still conscious.

Your attention lingered on him, when suddenly his eyes found yours.

You stiffened slightly, surprise widening your gaze. His stare didn't move. It locked onto you with unsettling focus - like he expected to find something there.

Recognition, maybe. Or disappointment. You don't really know.

His brow creased faintly. The expression that crossed his face was subtle, but you caught it - almost frustrated and disheartened. Then, abruptly, he looked away, turning his head sharply before lowering his gaze to the wooden floor of the cart.

As soon as the moment broke, your mind raced, thoughts tangling together.

This wasn't freedom.

It didn't look like soaring through the sky. It didn't look heroic or exhilarating. It looked painful and disappointing. Maybe... it wasn't as thrilling as you'd always imagined.

Until one day...

"You're enrolling in military training."

Your father's voice was firm, leaving no room for misunderstanding. He stood in the doorway, arms crossed, expression already set as if the conversation had ended before it began.

Your head snapped up. "...What?"

Your voice came out sharper than you intended. The word snapped through the room, cutting into the quiet hum of simmering stew and crackling firewood.

Your father didn't flinch.

"You heard me." he said, calm and immovable. "You're enrolling in military training when you're old enough. We've already decided."

Already decided.

The words hit harder than the announcement itself. Your fingers curled into your sleeves as you stared at him, disbelief quickly twisting into frustration.

"No," you said immediately. "I'm not!"

Your mother finally turned from the stove, her expression tired rather than surprised. This was exactly the reaction she'd expected.

"You don't get to refuse." she said gently, but there was firmness underneath. "This isn't something you can argue your way out of."

"Yes, I can!" you shot back. "I don't want to be a soldier!"

"You don't have to become a soldier." your father corrected. "Not necessarily. You'll go through training first, like everyone else. After that, you'll choose. Garrison, Military Police, or the Survey Corps." He listed them like they were simple paths laid out on a map. But to you, they all sounded the same. Orders. Discipline. Structure. People telling you what to do from sunrise to nightfall.

Your eyebrows knitted together as you listened to your father. Not quite understanding him. "Either way I'm going to be a soldier." you muttered as a matter of fact.

"Yes." he replied without looking at you now. Then he grabbed a newspaper and opened it, gently shaking it so the papers would straigthen out.

"I don't want that!" You protested still angry. And the way he was so nonchalant about it, made your blood boil. You felt so misunderstood in that moment.

Your father glanced up at you for a second with an unimpressed face as he went back to his newspaper, a tired sigh leaving his lips. "This isn't about what you want."

Your jaw clenched. "Of course it is. It's my life."

"And you're still a child," he answered without hesitation. "A child who runs wherever they please, ignores every warning, and treats danger like a game."

"That's not tr-" You started.

"It is," your mother added quietly. "You don't listen. Not to us. Not to anyone."

You looked between them, heat creeping up your neck. "So you're sending me away?"

"No," your father said. "We're sending you somewhere that will teach you discipline."

"Same thing..." You scoffed. "They'll just yell at me all day."

"If that's what it takes." Your father shrugged as he turned the page of the newspaper.

The simplicity of his answer made your chest tighten.

You knew exactly what military training meant. You'd seen cadets before - their straight backs, synchronized steps, clipped responses. They moved like parts of a machine, not like people. Every mistake corrected. Every hesitation punished. Every disobedience remembered.

They wouldn't tolerate someone like you.

You already started imagining different scenarios, already overthinking how your life would look like there. You could already see the instructors barking at you. Other trainees glaring when you stepped out of line. Constant correction because of your wrong formation. Constant pressure. No running off. No wandering the streets with Mina until sunset.

It felt suffocating just thinking about it.

"I don't want to live like that," you said, quieter now. The weight of your thought creeping more into your head and your heart that yearns freedom.

Your mother's expression softened, but she didn't step in to defend you.

"You can't live without discipline either," she replied. "That's not freedom. That's just... drifting."

You opened your mouth to argue, but then your father interrupted.

"You go near the gates when you're told not to. You wander the streets at night. You climb roofs. You ignore warnings. One mistake - just one - and you could get hurt. Or worse." He said with lower tone. The one that made you realise how seriously they're actually took the way your mind worked.

"I can take care of myself." You still tried to protest, still wanted right for your own needs and words.

"You're 11." Your mother let out an almost humaliting laugh at your words.

Silence stretched for a moment.

The fire crackled. A spoon clinked softly against the pot. Outside, distant voices drifted through the street, muted and far away.

Your father exhaled slowly.

"The training will teach you responsibility and self-control. You'll learn to follow orders, to think before you act. And when it's done, you'll choose your path. If you want safety, you can join the Military Police. If you want to protect the Walls, the Garrison. If you still crave the outside..." he paused, studying your expression, "...then the Survey Corps."

You shook your head anyway. "I don't want any of them."

"That's not an option." He argued back.

Your hands balled into fists. "You can't just decide this for me."

"We can," he said, not unkindly, but without hesitation. "And we are."

Your mother stepped closer now, wiping her hands on her apron.

"You need this," she said softly. "You're bright, brave and curious. But you have no restraint. No patience. If you don't learn that now... life inside the Walls will crush you."

"I don't need them telling me what to do." You raised your voice a bit. Maybe to try to have some presence. To make them realise you have a voice too. But they already knew that, it just did not matter that much to them.

"Everyone has someone telling them what to do," your father replied. "That's how survival works here."

You hated that he might be right. Still, the thought of losing your freedom - even the small scraps of it you had - made your stomach twist. You looked away, jaw tight, eyes burning with frustrated anger.

It wasn't fair, none of this was fair. They were deciding your future like it was nothing. Like you were just another problem to fix.

The finality in his voice left no room for argument. The decision had already been made.

You were angry.

Not the loud, shouting kind - but the quiet, simmering anger that sat heavy in your chest and refused to fade. Still, you couldn't argue with your parents. The decision had already been made, and no matter how much you protested, the outcome wouldn't change. What they wanted, would happen. It always did.

Because, truthfully... what could you even do?

You could burn with frustration, insist you knew what was best for yourself, convince yourself that you understood freedom better than anyone else - but none of that gave you power. You were still just a child. Your thoughts didn't outweigh their authority.

You could run away, you supposed. Leave home in the middle of the night and follow your own path. Live however you wanted, without rules and without anyone deciding your future for you.

But how? You were 11.

That alone made the idea collapse before it even formed properly. The world inside the Walls wasn't safe enough for a lone child. Crime lingered in the narrow streets, especially in the poorer districts - theft, disappearances, rumors of kidnappings whispered between adults when they thought children weren't listening. You wouldn't last long alone. Not without money, protection, and somewhere to sleep.

And even if you tried, your parents would never allow it. They'd search until they found you. So you were left with only one path.

You had to enlist.

Thankfully, Mina would be going too. That small detail softened the dread slightly. At least you wouldn't face the training camp alone. At least there would be one familiar face in the sea of strangers waiting to break you down and rebuild you into something more obedient.

⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘⫘

The days slipped by faster than you wanted them to. You were 12 by that time.

The date approached - the day you'd report to the training grounds, receive your assigned quarters, and move into the barracks where you'd live throughout your cadet training. Everything about it sounded suffocating. Shared rooms, strict schedules, wake-up calls before sunrise. Drills until your muscles burned.

You wouldn't say you were excited. Why would you be?

You didn't crave discipline. You didn't want commands. You definitely weren't looking forward to having every mistake pointed out, every careless movement corrected, every impulsive decision punished.

And yet...

You wanted to be strong. Really strong.

Strong enough that no one could push you around. Strong enough to choose your own path one day. Strong enough to reach the freedom you'd always dreamed about.

Maybe... this was the price. Something for something.

You and Mina wandered across a wide meadow not far from your small village. The grass brushed against your legs as you walked, swaying gently in the warm breeze. Mina dragged a long stick along the ground, occasionally swinging it through taller patches of grass, slicing them down with careless enthusiasm.

"Are you looking forward to it?" she asked, not looking at you, still swatting at weeds.

"Of course not," you muttered, almost sighing in irritation. "Why? Are you?"

Mina let out a quiet giggle. "Not really... but at least we'll be together." She turned toward you then, offering a soft, warm smile that eased the tightness in your chest, just a little bit.

Your expression softened. "Yeah... you're right." A small smile tugged at your lips.

For a moment, the tension eased.

"So... where do you want to go after training?" you asked as you approached a wooden fence separating the meadow from a grazing field beyond.

You both climbed up, balancing carefully before sitting side by side on the top rail. Animals dotted the open land - slow-moving, peaceful, unaware of the worries pressing on your minds.

Mina swung her legs lightly. "...Maybe the Military Police," she said quietly.

"The Military Police?" you frowned, turning toward her.

Inside the Walls, the Military Police Brigade lived the most comfortable lives. Stationed in the interior districts, far from Titan threats, they enjoyed safety, stable food supplies, and better living conditions. But only the top ten graduates from training were allowed to join. It wasn't just a choice - it was a competition.

Mina nodded faintly.

"I'd have a good life there," she said, voice soft. "You know how cramped it is at home. My parents... my two little siblings. We're barely managing. If I make it into the Military Police, I can send money back. Help them live better."

Her grip tightened slightly on the fence. "I want that. For them and for me."

The breeze moved through the grass below, quiet and steady, while her words lingered in the air between you.

"You know only the top ten get the chance to join them, right?" you said, glancing at her with quiet concern.

You knew Mina well. Probably better than anyone else. Physical endurance had never really been her strength, and balance... well, that wasn't either. The two of you had wrestled plenty of times while playing, roughhousing in the grass or shoving each other in the dirt - and more often than not, you'd come out on top.

Of course, that didn't necessarily mean anything. Training would be the same for both of you. Everyone would be pushed. Everyone would improve. Maybe Mina would surprise you. Maybe she'd pull herself together and grow into a capable soldier.

Still... because you knew her so well, a small, uneasy feeling lingered.

Her expectations felt too high. Like she was building a future that depended on abilities she hadn't yet proven she had.

But you didn't say any of that. You didn't want to crush her hope. Not when it meant so much to her and that dream was clearly holding her together.

Despite being a troublemaker, being stubborn and impulsive, you weren't heartless. Empathy existed in you - just... selectively. It showed itself most toward the few people you truly cared about. Mina was one of them.

"Yes, I know," Mina nodded firmly, her voice filled with determination. She turned toward you, eyes bright with resolve. "And I'll do everything I can to get in."

Her gaze almost sparkled at the thought, excitement flickering beneath the seriousness.

"In fact... I'll make the top three. I'm sure of it!" she added, her tone suddenly lighter, more hopeful.

You huffed out a small laugh. "Alright, then. Let's do it. I'll be in the top ten with you," you said, smiling faintly. "We'll survive hell together."

Mina blinked, then tilted her head. "You want to join the Military Police too?"

"Ah... no." You let out a soft scoff mid-giggle, shaking your head. "Honestly, I don't know. I'd rather not go anywhere at all."

Her eyebrows drew together slightly. She understood. She knew better than anyone how little you wanted this - how the decision had been forced on you, how the thought of strict discipline sat poorly with your free-spirited nature.

Still, she didn't press.

"Hey." She gently nudged your arm with her elbow, trying to pull you out of your thoughts. "Look on the bright side. You'll get stronger. Maybe so strong you'll be able to beat almost everyone."

You let out a small laugh.

"I doubt it... but that would be nice." Your gaze drifted across the open field, thoughtful now. "I want to be strong. I want... presence, I guess. When I'm older. I don't want people looking at me like I'm some stupid kid they can boss around."

The words came out quieter than before. Because that was the truth underneath everything. You didn't just want freedom. You wanted control. Over yourself. Over your life. Over how others saw you.

And maybe... this was the first step toward that.

"Race you to that tree!" Mina's voice rang out suddenly, bright and sharp, snapping you out of your spiraling thoughts like a hand yanking you back to the surface.

Before you could even respond, she had already jumped down from the fence, boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. She pointed ahead, toward a large tree standing several meters away, its branches stretching wide against the open sky.

You barely had time to process it, but instinct took over. You pushed yourself off the fence and landed beside her.

"Oh, we'll see who's the fastest when they make us run laps in training," Mina called over her shoulder, laughter threading through her voice as she took off without warning.

"Hey- that's not fair! I wasn't even ready!" you shouted after her, already breaking into a sprint.

Your feet pounded against the earth as you chased her, breath quickening, heart racing.

"Come on! Stop whining! The instructors won't tolerate that!" Mina shot back, her voice carried by the wind as she ran.

"I hate you!" you yelled, frustration lacing your words, though it wasn't real.

You ran faster, until you closed the distance between you.

Both of you were laughing now, breathless and wild, as the tree grew closer and closer with every stride.

And when you finally reached the tree, nearly at the same time, hands slamming against the rough bark, you couldn't even tell who had won.

It didn't matter. Because as your laughter slowly faded into quiet breaths, something heavier settled in your chest.

A realization.

How much you were going to miss this. More than you could ever put into words.

.

.

You look around the room, making sure no one is paying much attention to you. You slowly push yourself off the counter you were sitting on and start making your way out of the same door Eren walked through a minute ago, but an arm wraps around your waist from the front just as you're about to pass Satoru. Of course he would notice you walking away and stop you.

You stumble back a few steps and turn your head toward him, his eyes locking with yours. There's that cocky grin on his lips, his eyes slightly half-lidded. His cheeks are flushed from the alcohol he's been drinking all night.

His eyes scan your features before he leans in close, his lips almost brushing your ears as his warm breath hits your neck.

"Running away already? I didn't even get a drink with you."

You roll your eyes at his comment. "Calm down, Gojo. I'm just going to the bathroom." You raise your left hand and slowly stroke his arm up and down. His biceps instantly flex under your touch, making sure you feel how built he is. But oh, you know.

"Mm, need any help? You know I'm really good at helping girls out in the bathroom," he says with a smirk. His arm remains around your waist, his calloused hand making small circles on your side where your shirt has ridden up slightly. To be honest, it feels tempting. The way he looks at you, like a needy puppy, but also like the devil himself crawling out of hell. You probably would have accepted his offer, but you're on a mission. Besides, let's make him work if he wants to get you into bed so badly.

His comment almost makes you roll your eyes again, but instead you squeeze his bicep once and remove his arm from your waist with your free hand.

"What a gentleman," you say, sarcasm dripping from your voice as you give him a small smile. "Maybe later, yeah?" You reach up under his jaw, gently squeezing his cheeks together and moving his head side to side before letting go and walking away.

Satoru lets you go, but not without watching you leave, admiring the sway of your hips in your tight skirt.

Ah, yes... he's never going to give up.

You finally make your way outside the living room and walk through the small hallway. You stare at the three doors in the hallway. The one on the right is Historia's bedroom. On the left, the first one is the bathroom, the second one is the guest room.

Hm. Where would I smoke if I were Eren?

You ask yourself in your head. Eventually, you take a few steps forward and reach toward the door on the right, Historia's bedroom, since that was the closest. As your hand hovers over the doorknob, the door suddenly swings open, revealing Armin and Annie.

Oh.

So that's where they have been the whole time.

Their hair is messy, Armin's glasses were slightly sideways on his face. The three of you stare at each other for a few more seconds. Before you could observe them any closer, they gasp, both of them blush furiously, and literally slam the door shut on your face.

What. The. Fuck. Did I just saw?

Your eyes remain on the already closed door, hands still frozen in the air as try to process the things you just saw. A moment later, after you almost imagined what could have been doing and how, you just shake your head with a proud smile and turn away, heading towards the guest room instead.

"Freaky losers" You murmur to yourself with a grin.

Meanwhile Eren is actually in the guestroom. The moment he left the kitchen, his steps automatically led him into this room. The room was dark, the only light coming from the moon shining through the clear night sky, and it wasn't nearly enough. So he walked further into the room and switched on the small lamp on the other side of the bed.

Now the room was at least brighter, though not by much. It created a calm, cozy atmosphere, the kind Eren preferred when casually smoking his blunt.

He sat down on the bed and fished out the cigarette from the small plastic bag and lighted it. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, leaned back supporting his upper body with his elbow on the bed as he took a few puffs.

That's when you gently open the door, peeking inside, not wanting to disturb anyone if they're fucking. You feel relieved when you see no one else in the room and Eren sprawled out on the bed instead. You confidently step inside and switch on the main lights, just to mess with him.

"Look who it is." You grin widely, almost as if you won something by catching him smoking in secret. "The Eren Jaeger is doing drugs, huh?" You step further inside, closing the door behind you.

Eren jumps slightly at the sudden intrusion, quickly lowering the joint.

"Tch. The hell are you doing following me?" His green eyes narrow defensively, but there's a faint flush on his cheeks from being caught. "And yeah, so what? Mind your own business" He takes another quick drag, blowing smoke to the side.

You shake your head a bit and take a few steps closer to the bed.

"Since when? I've never seen you smoke anything."

Eren lets out a dragged-out sigh and sit its up a bit more, one hand still supporting his weight, making his arms flex. You stare at it for a second. It suddenly reminds you of the time when those same arms were gripping around your thighs making it impossible for you to close your legs, while he was devouring your pussy like a man who was starving with a fucking satisfied smile on his face. The way he was staring up at you like-

Fuck.

You snap back to reality, shaking your head and blinking a few times. You turn your gaze away, pretending to observe the curtains instead.

"Well, not all of us have that perfectly polished personality and behavioral standard you seem to carry around, sweetheart." He says as if it's a simple fact, as his eyes scanning your body.

Meanwhile, your eyes narrow slightly at his cocky and condescending remark. Obviously, you know he's this type of a person, still you can't help but feel a flicker of anger and rage going through your head whenever you hear him talking like he knows everything.

"And what now? You gonna snitch on me or something? Run back to the others and tell them what bad boy Eren's doing?" A lazy smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. He's acting casual about it.

Fuck him for being so insanely handsome, even if he's dancing on your last nerves. Even if he's the one that ghosted you and acted like nothing ever happened and continued sleeping with bunch of girls.

You raise an eyebrow at him. "And what if I will?" You ask challengingly.

Eren just scoffs at your words, though there's a hint of wariness in his expression. "You wouldn't".

He stares back at you, holding your gaze, his fingers fidgeting with the joint. He takes another long draw, the smoke drifting from his lips as he blows it out.

"You're too much of a good girl for me, to rat me out, aren't you?"

Your teeth presses together tightly when your hear him say that. Your jaw tightened visibly, which made Eren widen his smirk. He loved the effect he had on your right now. The way his words made you react so visibly, and the way you were staring at his arms before, because yeah, he did notice that too.

"You can't know that," You answer before taking a sharp inhale through your lips and exhaling as you walk a bit further inside the room. Your eyes wander around.

You've slept in this room before. Whenever the party dragged on too long. Whenever going home felt like too much effort. Historia has three guest rooms, people crash here all the time.

That's how it happened.

One night. Two weeks ago. This exact bed.

You swallow.

"Maybe I'm actually gonna snitch"

"Oh yeah?" Eren watches you pace as he taps ashes into an empty soda can nearby. "Then why'd you follow me up here instead of just yelling for Mikasa right away?" He leans forward now, elbows resting on his knees, joint dangling between his fingers.

You're facing away from him, staring at some stupid flower decoration on the shelf when you hear him talk. He's right though. You could have snitch as soon as you saw him leave the kitchen with that little plastic bag. You could have told Mikasa, - he's stepsister, who would protect him even from a fly - just to see him get scolded by her.

"You don't give a shit about me smoking, do you?" His voice lowers slightly. "You followed me here for another reason, baby."

"As if" You scoff, turning around. "Just wanted to make sure if you really doing what I thought you are doing."

Although, deep down you know he is right. Of course, checking on him wasn't the only your only reason, but hoping that you could repeat the night you can't forget till this day.

Eren exhales sharply, almost laughing. "Sure, sure"

"So now you know. What're you gonna do about it?" He tilts his head, green eyes glinting with amusement. "Join me? Lecture me? Or just... watch?"

"I don't think lecturing is ever gonna work, especially on you." You say studying him as he takes another drag.

"Smart girl" Eren chuckles lowly, then pats the empty space next to him, motioning for you. "Then just sit, will you? You're makin' me dizzy with all that pacing."

You glare towards him with a skeptical look on your face for a few second, then you decide to listen to him and walk to the bed and sit down leaving a good amount of space between you too. Not wanting to look so desperate, but to Eren you already looked like you would fold at any given moment.

"Good girl," He purrs, the word rolling off his tounge a little too naturally. Then he notices the distance you've kept between the two of you. "You don't have to stay way over there, you know" His gaze flicks to your face, a brow arching.

"I don't bite."

Your brows twitch. "Don't get so ahead of yourself. I won't fold at your words so easily."

Eren laughs at your response, clearly unconvinced.

"Don't be so grumpy now. I just said you could sit closer." He leans closer to you, close enough for you to slap him if you wanted to, but not close enough to invade your personal space. His eyes rakes over your face, studying your expression. "And last time I checked, you didn't mind my words when I had you face down on the pillow." He pats the pillow that was lying by the headboard of the bed.

You almost choke on your own spit at that, and you snap your head toward him, only to see him smiling satisfied by his words.

"You're a fucking asshole, Jaeger" You scoff and cross your arms in front of your chest. "That was a huge mistake. Should've never happen at all."

Lies. Lies. Lies.

You just don't want him thinking he can have you whenever he wants. Even if part of you knows he probably could. So you try your hardest to seem to be nonchalant about that topic, but you're failing visibly.

"Mistake, huh?" He takes a last drag from his joint while eyeing you thoughtfully, then he stubs it out in the empty soda can. After that he turns his gaze back to you, he stares at you, taking in your body, the way your clothes hugs your body. He sees the way your skirt rode up a little in your thighs.

"I think you're bluffing." He inches a little closer, his voice dropping slightly, almost mocking. "I think I can crack you, given the chance."

"Jesus... How can you talk like that? You have a fucking dirty mouth, Jaeger." You glance at him with a tired expression with eyebrows furrowed. You kick his leg by moving your left leg sideways, but not hard enough to hurt.

As your leg swings making contact with his he reaches out and grab onto your knee, giving it a light squeeze. Eren snickers at the kick, clearly not fazed by it.

"Hey, hey. Be nice."

He grins and his hands reaches around, under your knee and gives a playful tug, pulling you closer until your thigh brushes against his leg.

You could already feel your body reacting to his touch.

The way he squeezed your knee and tugged you a little closer sent a wave of heat through your body that definitely shouldn't have felt this intense. Your skin felt warmer where his hand rested, like his touch had somehow burned straight through the fabric.

But you didn't pull away.

Hell, a part of you almost wished he would pull you even closer, drag you around like a damn ragdoll if he wanted to.

Your stomach tightened slightly, a nervous flutter mixing with the warmth spreading through you. It was frustrating how easily your body reacted to something as simple as his touch, like your nerves had decided to betray you without asking

"And what's wrong with having a dirty mouth, Leah? Not used to it by now?" His gaze locks on yours.

Just as you were about to answer the door suddenly cracks open just slightly. You instantly slide away from Eren, creating an appropriate distance between you two. Although you could still feel the radiation at your knee from the way he held it.

Eren lets out an annoyed sigh as you pull away from him, he is about to protest when the door opens fully and Mikasa steps in.

"Tch. Speak of the devil." He murmurs as he hides his mouth by rubbing his face.

Mikasa raises an eyebrow as she glances back and forth between you two.

"What are you idiots doing in here?"

You look at Mikasa and give her a reasurring smile "We were just talking, Mika. We will be downstairs in a second."

Mikasa narrows her eyes at you both for a moment, clearly suspicious, she stares at your for a few second, as if asking silently if everything is okay. You notice the silent communication she creates with you and nod your head ever so slightly. When she sees it, she doesn't question anymore, trusting you, and decides to let it go.

Eren, on the other hand, rolls his eyes, shifting his position on the bed to look more casual.

"Yeah, we won't be long." He gives you a sidelong glance.

As soon as Mikasa closes the door, you turn your head and glare at him. "You idiot, making us look suspicious!"

"Oh, we look suspicious?" Eren answers almost boredly, unfazed, leaning back on his elbows "You're the one who stormed in here like a detective on a raid. I was minding my own business."

You let out a long sigh getting tired of this long-ass conversation without anything actually happening. Without commenting on his last sentence you stand up. You fix your skirt and glance at him from your shoulder.

"I think we should go downstairs. Mikasa is probably worried about you, and also the girl whose neck you were literally eating a few hours ago. Also, I promised Satoru to get drink with him.."

Eren glances at the door, then back at you, voice dropping just a notch.

"Tch" He scoffs. "Stalker much?"

"No actually. You just seemed to make out right next to the kitchen door. Even if I wouldn't want to acknowledge it, I did." You answer as you walk to one of the wardrobes that has a big ass mirror on it, so you could fix your hair and check your makeup if it's messy or not.

You see Eren through the mirror as his eyes bore into your back. He stayed silent for a second, not really wanting to drag the topic any longer. Then he tilts his head watching you brush the knots out of your hair with your hands to make it look better. "Saturo?" He snorts. "Please. He's a joke. And an absolute disgusting simp for you." He almost say it annoyed. Like it's bothering him.

You can't help but smirk when you hear his tone. So he does care after all...  and you already planned how you're going to use it against him.

"Don't be so rude now." You turn around after you make sure you look good. "Satoru is fuckboy, but he does know how to be a gentleman."

"Really now?" He props his chin on one hand, watching you with his signature lazy half-lidded and bored gaze. Clearly, he doesn't have any interest of talking about Satoru right now.

"Really. He offered to help me out in the bathroom. Think I should accept it?" You ask looking at him.

His jaws clench visibly. He doesn't smile now like before, when things were about teasing the hell out of you. "I dunno, you tell me." He shrugs.

"What if I want to?"

At that Eren lets out a scoff, his head tilts sideways, eyes scanning the room around a bit before it settles back right on you.

"Then I guess you're more of a mess than I thought." His voice is low. "But let's be real..." green eyes locked onto yours. "You don't want Satoru. You came up here because of me. You stayed... because of me."

A moment of silent passes.

"So if you're gonna play games... at least be honest about who you're really playing with."

It somehow makes you satisfied that you got a reaction like that out of him. "That's for me to know and for you... to find out." You smirk, already walking towards the door and grabbing the doorknob with your hand.

"Always running." He mutters, more to himself than to you. He runs a hand through his hair, the movement quick and irritable. "Predictable."

"Oh come on. You like some challenge, aren't you? I'll give it to you. See you downstairs, yeah?" You flash a smile then open the door.

Eren narrows his eyes slightly as you open the door, his gaze following you with a knowing glint.

"Yeah... see you downstairs." He runs a hand through his hair, his usual lazy expression tinged with the slightest hint of irritation at your retreating figure.

After a few seconds, he pushes off the bed, a mix of irritation, desire, and a strange sense of anticipation at the challenge you dropped.

Meanwhile, you already making your way towards the kitchen, hoping to still find some drink and a slice of the birthday cake, because you didn't get to have a bite from that due to your little adventure. On your way, you still think about your conversation with Eren.

And Eren? He's mind is racing too:

She thinks I don't notice. She's terrible at hiding it. And she really thinks she followed me up here because of the joint. Please...

She came up here because she wanted to see if I'd look at her the same way I used to.

I do.

That's the problem.

I still remember the way she sounded. The way she grabbed onto me like she'd lose balance otherwise. The way she looked at me after, like she hated that she didn't regret it.

And now she's standing there talking about Satoru.

Satoru?...

That bleach-haired clown thinks he has a chance?

He's loud. Flashy. Tries too hard.

I don't try at all and she still came up here.

She's poking. Testing. Waiting for me to snap.

She wants a reaction. She got one.

But I won't give her the satisfaction of begging. That's not how this works.

Let her walk downstairs. Let her laugh with Satoru. Let her pretend she doesn't want this.

Let's see who she'll follow at the end of the night.

You step inside the kitchen, there's only a few people now, everbody is gathered in the living room drinking, dancing and just simply having fun. You walk towards the counter and stare at the left over cake. Luckily, you still have a chance to taste it, so you grab a plastic plate and a fork form the side and serve yourself a cake. You turn around leaning back againts the counter and have a bite from it.

A few moments later Gojo approaches you with his typical confident stride, a lopsided grin plastered on his face. He props himself against the counter next to you, arms crossing over his chest as he glances over.

"There you are. I thought you got lost or something. Been looking all over for you."

"Ahh, did you now?" You smile as you have another bite from the cake, but the frosting of the cake makes contact with the corner of your mouth. Gladly, Satoru notices it.

He reaches upwards to your face, palm gently cradling the side of your face. The sudden contact makes you freeze slightly, your eyes shifting sideways to look at him. He chuckles at your expression then he moves his thumb, wiping the bit of frosting from your face before pulling his hand away.

"Well.." You start speaking turning your head towards him. "Thanks-" Only to see him licking the frosting off his thumb.

This motherfucker.

Satoru just smirk like he's enjoying the reactions he's getting out from you.

"So," he said casually like he didn't do anything" You disappeared suddenly. Where'd you go?"

"I had to fix my hair and makeup in the bathroom." You lie smoothly as you take a last bite from the cake before placing it on the counter behind you. It was just too sweet for you in the moment to eat a whole slice. "I'm here now." You smile at him.

He leans in a bit, voice dropping with playful sarcasm. "Right. Hair and makeup took you twenty minutes? Must've been some serious touch-up." He's swirling the drink in his hand before taking a sip. "Or did you just go hide from the party?"

"That too... the noise was too much for me. But now I'm kinda feeling it" You shrug your shoulders a bit.

Satoru chuckles at your excuse, his smirk softening into a lazy grin. "Too noisy for Miss Social Butterfly? That's a first."

He leans back against the counter, taking another sip of his drink before eyeing you up and down with a teasing glint. "And now you're feeling it, huh?" He raises an eyebrow. "What did you do upstairs, take a shot of espresso or something?"

Before you can answer Satoru, Eren steps into the kitchen, his gaze lands on you and Satoru, and his expression darkens slightly, though he quickly schools it into a nonchalant smile.

"Hey."

His voice is calm, almost too calm. He moves to the counter, grabbing a beer from the fridge and popping it open before leaning against it, a few feet away from you and Satoru.

You see it so clearly. He's observing isn't he? Trying to see if you would actually back down and not play along little? That piercing gaze he has, only wants to make you fuck around just a little bit more.

"Lets dance." You say suddenly with a smile as you grab Satoru's hand and guide him to the living room. But not without giving a look back to Eren. The type that said "if you want me, come get me".

Eren's jaw tightens the second you take Satoru's hand, his green eyes narrowing as he watches you lead him away. His fingers flex around the beer bottle, knuckles whitening.

But he doesn't move - not yet.

Instead, he takes a sip from his beer, watching your hips sway as you walk off with that knowing look in your eyes.

The challenge is clear. And Eren Jaeger was never one to back down from a fight.

He crushes the empty beer can then lazily throws it into the sink and pushes off the counter - following at a leisurely pace like a predator who knows its prey isn't going anywhere.

You dance with Gojo. Your arms lazily wrapped around his neck while you smoothly sway your hips at the beat of the music

Satoru has a goofy grin on his face as he dances with you, clearly enjoying the atmosphere. His hands rest loosely at your hips as he watches you move to the music.

"You look so fucking sexy right now." Satoru whispers againts your ear, hands gripping you hips. "I could eat you up right now."

"Yeah?" You breath out againts his neck. "Then why aren't you?"

"Don't tempt me." He almost growls, pulling you closer, so your bodies are pressed together now.

Eren, on the other hand, is anything but oblivious. He watches you both from across the room, his eyes dark and focused, following every movement you make with a mix of irritation and growing hunger.

You glance at Eren for a second, you can't help but smirk at his almost grumpy expression. Then you turn gaze away from him and stare back up at Satoru. You grab one of his hand from your hips only to guide it down to your ass. Oh, and he wastes no damn time to grip on it hard and pull your lower body even closer to his. So close that you feel something poking your stomach.

You gasp and almost wince at the way he roughly pulls you closer.

Eren's jaw clenches, eyes blazing as he watches you press into Satoru, guiding his hands exactly where you want them. The smirk on your face? For him. A challenge wrapped in smoke and sway.

And Eren's done waiting.

Without breaking eye contact with your dancing from, he takes one slow step forward. Then another. The music fades into background noise as he cuts through the crowd like a storm with a single target.

You're still grinding against Saturo, whispering something against his neck, but Eren sees the way your pulse jumps when you notice him closing in.

"Touchy today," he murmurs, voice low enough only you can hear it as he stops inches behind you. His hands lands on both side of your hip; hot, possessive. Then slowly drags up your side while keeping his burning gaze locked onto Saturo. "Mind if I cut in?"

"Why cut in?" You turn your head to look up at him with a smirk.

"You can just join right here..." You pull on Eren's hands so now he's pressed up against your back.

So there you were. Dancing in the middle of the crowded living room sandwhiched between Saturo and Eren. And you fucking loved every second of it.

Eren smirks, a dangerous glint in his eye as he lets you pull him flush against your back. His hand slides up to your throat -lightly, possessively- while the other travels around your waist and stops right under your stomach, pulling on you. He leans down, breath hot against your ear.

"Bold move," he murmurs, "playing with both of us."

In front of you, Saturo grins. His hands still on your ass, squeezing it hard once, while his lips leaves small kisses right above your ear.

"This cool with you, Jaeger? Or are we about to start World War III?"

Eren doesn't look at him. His eyes stay locked forward on the way you're smirking like you've already won.

And damn it... he hates that he loves it.

Honestly, Eren wouldn't normally do something like this if he were completely sober. Not that he's wildly drunk or high right now. But the earlier joint, the alcohol, and the warmth and movement of your body against his had stirred something inside him.

And the fact that Satoru is only centimeters away from him, pressed against the front of your body, drives him a little crazy.

He doesn't want Satoru touching you, he wants to be the only one touching you. And yet...

Yet there's this strange feeling stirring inside him, something he can't quite explain. Something about the whole situation that only makes him harder, even though he doesn't fully understand why.

But he wants it.

"Tch." He rolls his eyes but pulls you tighter against him, "Just don't get in my way."

Then, with slow intent he drags his lips along the shell of your ear.

"Move for me," he growls

You bite down on your lips at his touch and you do as you're told and you grind back againts him. But you also pull on Gojo by bringing your hands up by his chest and grab onto his collar to get him pressed up againts you at the front.

The air between the three of you crackles, heat, tension, something dangerously close to a game neither boy meant to start, but you still got them both wrapped around your finger, and now there's no backing down from neither of them.

Jean lets out a low breath as you pull him flush against your front, his hands instinctively tightening on your hips. He's warm, hard in all the right places... but it's Eren behind you, the one whose possessive grip rides up your side again, whose teeth now graze your shoulder through your shirt.

"Greedy," Eren breaths into the curve of your neck, "but I like it."

You grin at his comment. You're fucking loving this shit. It might be actually the best day off your life.

Then you wrap one of your arms around Eren's neck behind you. The other around Satoru's neck.

You turn to glance at Eren with a smirk and a knowing look. Then you bring Gojo closer to you and kiss him on the lips.

As Satoru felt you pulling him closer, he was already leaning in too, and kissed your lips. Satoru kissed you - at first gently, as if he were testing how you'd react. But the moment he felt your eagerness, the way you leaned into it instead of pulling away, he stopped holding back. One of his hands slid up to cradle your face, his thumb resting just in front of your ear while the rest of his fingers tangled into your hair.

His breath carried a faint minty coolness, and his lips were unbelievably soft. You wonder why didn't you let him do this sooner. Well, now you regret it, because this man surely knows how to make someone melt. Your hand that was holding onto the back of his neck is now traveling up to grab onto his white, soft hair, grabbing a handful of it.

He nips at your bottom lip, and who are you to deny it? Your lips part and you let his tounge slip right past you lips and taste you.

The moment your lips meet Satoru's, Eren lets out a low, dangerous sound- half growl, half laugh - like he's watching something he both hates and loves.

His hand at your throat tightens just slightly, possessive and warm as he watches you Gojo pushing his tounge deeper into your mouth right in front of him. But instead of pulling you away... he leans in closer, his breath hot on your neck, his hips rolling against yours with slow intent.

"Kiss him all you want," he murmurs against your skin, voice rough with challenge. "But you feel that?" He grinds back against you harder.

"This cock? This is what you going to take it in you." Then with a smirk he bites down gently on your shoulder.

You pull away from the kiss with Satoru, you're panting slightly as you stare up at him. He looks so fucking hot. Lips parted, eyes half-lidded, cheeks flushed and his hair is even messier now from your hand.

You turn your head, now looking up at Eren behind you. Fuck, he's so beautiful. His green eyes stares right into yours. You can almost see the desire and impatience behind them. Then you pull on his neck that was still wrapped arounf him, and bring his lips into contact with yours.

The kiss is a little aggressive, almost like Eren is trying to make you feel just how long he's been waiting for this since you stepped into his room.

His tongue moves gently against yours - God, your whole body tingles when his hand slides to the back of your neck and tightens slightly against your temple.

He deepens the kiss even more, your tongues practically battling each other over who's the one in control.

It had always been a bit of a game between you and Eren.

After a few moments, he pulls back slightly - but only enough so he can speak, while your lips still brush softly against each other, a thin string of saliva connecting them.

"Greedy," he repeats, voice rougher this time. "You want it all, don't you?"

He grins - a cocky, dangerous grin - and grips your hip hard.

"You want both of us."

"Yeah... I do" You don't deny it. Why would you? It's too far now to protest or deny anything that just happened. So you just say what you actually want and  grin againts his lips.

But your mind is still wavering between what's right and what's wrong. The little angel on your right shoulder whispers that you should stop this now, people could see what's happening, they could notice the two of you going up to a room together. You shouldn't be doing this.

Meanwhile, that sly little devil keeps murmuring in your ear: do it, do it. All three of you want this. You want it too. Think about the pleasure, about how complete it would make you feel...

And in the end, he wins. Because of the way Eren stands behind you, the way his body warms yours, the way you can feel his hardness pressed against your ass, the way his hands hold your body like he never wants to let you go.

And Satoru - standing there in front of you, looking down at you with those beautiful blue eyes, that teasing, dangerously handsome smile that can sweep any woman off her feet. The way his hands rest on your hips, tightening around them every now and then.

You can't resist it.

That's it... this is what you want.

"Why dont we... take this upstairs?" You smile seductively at both of them.

Eren and Satoru exchange a look at your suggestion, their eyes darkening in unison. Both of them so horny right now, and wants to fuck you senseless that even if they doesn't really like each other, they don't fucking care.

They just want to see you in all the sinful position ever existed. Want to see your hole sucking in their cock. Want to see your pretty, juicy and pouty lips wrapped around their cock.

They want to fucking destroy you.

Satoru is the first one to speak, his voice rough with restrained desire. "Upstairs, huh?" He smiles crookedly before leaning in and pressing a kiss just below your ear. "I'm game if Eren is."

Eren's grip on your neck tightens, and his gaze is heavy and hot when he looks at you again. "Lead the way."

With that being said the three of you made your way to the nearest empty guestroom. You were so horny, you didn't even look around if anyone noticed. You could care less. You just want to be manhandled by these man.

The guest room door clicks shut behind you, muffling the bass from downstairs. Moonlight spills through the blinds, painting silver stripes across the floor as Eren flicks on a dim lamp.

As you step through the door, Satoru is the first to pull you toward him by the waist. Your back practically bumps into his chest. His hands are already on you - one of them slowly but roughly slides up your stomach all the way to the underside of your breasts, your top riding up with the motion, while his other hand curls around your neck. He leans into your neck and immediately bites down hard.

You let out a soft moan and gasp, your hands gripping his arm.

"Get ready," he murmurs. "This is going to be the best night of your life."

Within moments, Eren is standing in front of you, a smug smile on his face.

"I'm going to fuck you so well..." he says as he slowly raises his hands and cups your face with them. "You'll be begging me not to stop."

It feels like the calm before a storm.

Your heart is pounding, adrenaline rushing through you, your blood pressure probably skyrocketing. You've never done anything like this before. A small amount of hesitation still lingers inside you. Honestly, you don't even know what's going to happen.

But you're far too wet, far too sensitive down there, and you want their touch too badly.

Then suddenly Eren kisses you.

Rough and hungry, your teeth nearly clashing.

Eren begins pushing you backward, forcing you to take a few steps back. Satoru follows as he continues working at your neck.

You reach the edge of the bed. Satoru steps aside, and Eren pushes you down onto it. You fall back, catching yourself on your elbows as you look up at them.

The look in their eyes - the hunger, the way they look like they could devour you - is indescribable.

"Now..." Satoru begins as he steps closer to you. He leans down so the two of you are at eye level. Then he bends over you, bracing himself with both hands on either side of you.

"Take off your top. And your bra."

And you do it without any backtalk.

Your hands move almost automatically, like you've been given a command. You slip out of your top and toss it somewhere onto the floor. Your hands move behind you to undo your bra, but Satoru is far too impatient. One of his hands already reaches behind your back and unhooks it with practiced ease in a split second.

Then his hands slide down your back, gently, carefully. With his strong, muscular arms he wraps around your waist and lifts you slightly, moving you farther onto the bed so you're sitting in the middle of it.

Meanwhile, Eren has long since taken off his shirt, he's only wearing his pants now. He walks around the bed and climbs onto it behind you from the edge. His hands glide along your sides.

Then he leans back against the headboard and pulls you onto him by the waist. Your back falls against Eren's warm, muscular body. You can literally feel his heartbeat against your back.

His hands reach forward and remove the already unhooked bra from you. So now you're sitting between Eren's legs, leaning back against him with your upper body completely bare.

Satoru crawls closer, his hands immediately pulling your skirt down, which you help with by lifting your hips.

Eren's hands close around your breasts, gently starting to massage them while he leaves small, soft kisses along the back of your neck.

You can't do anything but lose yourself in the feeling. Your lips part slightly as you let out a quiet little moan.

One of Eren's hands slides up along your chest, over your neck and your chin, and then his thumb brushes against your lower lip.

"Where did all that big talk go, hm?" You can practically hear the sarcasm and smugness in his voice. "I thought you weren't going to give in so easily."

"Fuck-" you start to say, but his index and middle fingers slide into your mouth.

"Shh... you're prettier when you're not talking," he replies as he begins moving his fingers gently inside your mouth.

You let out a soft humming sound as your lips wrap around his fingers and your tongue brushes against them.

After tossing your skirt aside, Satoru begins kissing your stomach. His warm breath against your skin sends butterflies straight through your insides.

You watch him as he kisses his way down from your stomach all the way to your underwear.

When he gets there, he lowers his head between your legs, right to your panties where your pussy is hidden beneath the fabric. He's teasing you... you know it.

He grips your knee from underneath and pushes it up toward your upper body, spreading your legs slightly, his forearm pressing firmly against your thigh so you can't move it away or close them.

His breath is almost hot against your pussy. And you're so desperate, you need it so badly by now that you try to lift your hips just to make contact with his mouth.

Satoru grins at the movement as he glances up at you.

"Tch, baby," he murmurs, pressing a tiny, barely-there kiss against your covered center, then he slaps your clit with his right hand lightly. "Patience is a virtue."

He leaves a few more soft kisses there, before finally dragging his tongue slowly from your entrance up to your clit through the fabric of your panties.

At that, your eyes nearly roll back. Your pussy is practically throbbing from the contact, and you whimper as you accidentally bite down on Eren's fingers in your mouth.

Eren hisses softly, though not in real pain. He pulls his fingers from your mouth and gives your cheek a light slap.

"We don't bite, do we?" he says, then cups your face in his hand and turns your head to the side so he can claim your lips in a hungry, passionate kiss. The kiss between you is wet and sloppy, your lips almost melting together while saliva only deepens the heat of it.

Meanwhile Satoru slides your panties aside.

"Fuck, Y/N... you have such a beautiful pussy," Satoru murmurs before pressing a kiss to your clit.

The sensation makes you moan straight into Eren's mouth, and Satoru uses both hands to spread your outer lips apart before drawing your clit into his mouth and beginning to suck gently.

Satoru sucks gently at your clit, soft, messy sounds coming from between your legs. Then his tongue drags lower, all the way down to your entrance, where he almost seems to make out with you there. His lips feel so good against you that it makes your head spin, and little moans slip from your mouth.

Satoru hums against you, the vibration making your body tremble as he keeps going, eating you out like it's his last meal, like he's the one getting all the pleasure from it instead of you.

Sounds keep slipping from your lips without your control, and Eren keeps almost kissing them away from you.

Then, as if Eren and Satoru share the same mind, Eren reaches down under your knee and lifts your leg higher, giving Satoru easier access. A small sigh and gasp escape you, and in response he pushes his tongue into your mouth, tasting you deeply, almost wildly. 

Satoru pulls back for a moment and wets his middle finger with his tongue. At first he just teases you with it, circling your clit, then slowly tracing around your entrance as if gathering your slickness.

Then he finally pushes his middle finger inside you.

Eren breaks the kiss and leans back slightly, watching as Satoru's finger sinks deeper into you.

You take shaky breaths, soft whimpers slipping out of you as Satoru moves his finger in and out of you. Then he curls it slightly, the motion brushing almost perfectly against your G-spot. Your head falls back against Eren's shoulder as a fragile moan escapes your lips.

"Yes... that's it... such a good girl, baby," Eren whispers into your ear, his teeth grazing the edge of it lightly. He grunts softly as he watches you getting fingered by Satoru, it makes his already rockhard cock twitch againts your backside.

"Fuck..." Satoru mutters under his breath as he watches the way your pussy throbs around his finger, more slickness spilling from you.

For a few minutes the same kind of "torture" continues. They're being so gentle... while you're craving something rougher, something more intense.

"Please... more..." you finally moan. "Rougher... please..."

At that, Satoru's eyes almost light up as he glances up at you.

"Yeah, sweetheart? Rougher?" he asks, still moving his finger inside you. "What do you want rougher?"

His gaze drags over you slowly. "You want us to fuck you?"

All you can do is pant and nod again and again. "Yes... please... I want it so bad..."

At this, Satoru and Eren exchange a glance. There's a dangerous little look in their eyes when they hear your words.

Eren's lips curl into a slight smile. "Alright then," he says calmly. "Wet us up, baby."

Satoru's grin only grows wider at that, raising hismself up to his hand and slaps your bare and wet pussy a few times, then he slowly pulls away from you and takes a crawls back until he reaches the edge of the bed. Eren does the same, but not before taking your hand and gently pulling you along with him.

You end up sitting at the edge of the bed while the two men stand in front of you.

Without breaking eye contact, both of them start unbuttoning their pants. The slow, deliberate movements make your stomach tighten with anticipation. They slide their pants down, along with their boxers.

Both of their cocks spring free the moment the fabric drops.

Holy fucking shit.

Your eyes drift from one to the other-right, then left, right, then left-almost in disbelief at the sight of them standing there in front of you. Sitting between them like this, with both of them fully hard, sends a wave of heat straight through your body. Caught in front of the two of them like this, you feel small, like a rabbit standing between two hungry wolves.

You swallow softly, clearly turned on by the view. But you don't hesitate.

Your hands reach forward, wrapping around them carefully, starting to stroke them slowly.

Satoru lets out a low breath, almost like a relieved sigh, as if he's finally getting something he's been craving for a long time.

Eren hisses softly under his breath. He's so sensitive already, so worked up that the feeling makes his stomach tighten. The tip of his cock is flushed a deep red, painfully sensitive from how aroused he is.

So you lean forward first toward Eren.

Your tongue slowly drags along the underside of his cock, starting from the base and sliding all the way up to the tip in one careful motion.

Eren's hand immediately moves into your hair, gripping it gently as he holds you there.

Just as you're about to take Eren fully into your mouth, Satoru suddenly grabs your face under the chin and turns it toward him.

"Hey," he murmurs with a crooked grin. "Spit on mine first."

You blink for a second at the request, but in the end you don't resist. Without arguing, you lean slightly toward him and spit onto the tip of his cock.

Satoru's shaft twitches faintly at the warmth, and you begin to spread it with slow, gentle strokes of your hand, moving up and down while your fingers glide over the slickness.

Then you turn back to Eren.

This time you take him fully into your mouth, your lips wrapping around him while your tongue carefully traces along the underside of his cock, brushing over that sensitive spot just beneath the tip.

Both men let out low sounds almost at the same time.

Your hand continues working Satoru slowly, your fingers moving in small circles near the head of his cock while your thumb rubs the sensitive spot beneath it.

Meanwhile, you begin taking Eren deeper and deeper into your mouth. The more you move, the more saliva gathers, making everything wetter, slicker. Some of it even slips past your lips, trailing down the side of your mouth.

"So fucking pretty.." Eren's grip tightens slightly in your hair as he starts guiding the rhythm of your movements, gently helping you move along his cock. "Doing so good, baby."

You whimper around his cock from the praise and eventually you take him deep enough that the tip presses against the back of your throat, triggering a small gag reflex.

"Fuck..." He moans out. His jaw tightens and a deep groan escapes him.

After a moment he releases your hair, and you pull back, breathing deeply as you catch your breath. Your cheeks are flushed now, your lips swollen and glistening with saliva.

Then, almost instinctively, you turn toward Satoru to give him the same attention.

"Thought you forgot about me for a second." Satoru says with a cocky smirk, as his hand reaches to your cheeks from under your jaw, gently stroking you with his thumb.

"How could I?" You answer with a ragged breath and a small smile on your lips.

Your hand continues stroking Eren in slow, circular motions, as you begin lowering your mouth onto Satoru as well, gradually taking more of him each time.

It feels like Satoru might even be a little bigger than Eren - but you keep that thought to yourself. Both of them are big enough to make your mind wander for a moment, a fleeting thought crossing your mind about just how overwhelming it would feel if both of them were inside you at once.

After you've given both of them equal attention, Satoru takes hold of your hair and gently pulls you away from him, the movement leaving you with the strange feeling of being almost suctioned off, like you had to peel yourself away.

Eren is the first to lean down and kiss you again. His hands come up around your neck as he deepens the kiss, and he can almost taste the remnants of what you'd just done lingering on your lips.

When he finally pulls back, Satoru leans in next, almost impatiently, eager to claim his turn. With him, the taste of you and the taste of himself mix together between your mouths as he lightly bites your lower lip. Slowly, he begins guiding you backward until your back presses against the blankets on the bed.

After that, Satoru shifts away slightly. Eren straightens, his voice sounding different now - lower, sharper - his gaze fixed on you in a way that feels almost strict as he finishes pushing his pants down the rest of the way.

"Turn onto all fours," he says.

And you do.

You do it because the whole situation has you shaken to your core, because you're so overwhelmed with need and anticipation that you want it, want it so badly that it almost feels inevitable. So you obey without a word.

And it's strange. Really strange. Because earlier you had been so defiant, so ready to snap back at him, ready to insist that his words didn't affect you at all.

But now that it's actually happening, now that the moment is real, your legs nearly tremble just from the way he looks at you while speaking those words.

Your body reacts faster than your mind can even fully process what's happening. Before your thoughts can catch up, you're already turning around without hesitation.

You end up on all fours, your hips lifted slightly while your chest presses, along your arms against the bed. Eren moves behind you, while Satoru kneels down in front of you.

What you still don't understand is how they seem to communicate without saying anything at all, some silent understanding passing between them about what they're about to do.

But you don't question it. You just feel it.

Eren's hands glide over your hips and the curve of your backside, gripping firmly at the soft flesh of your hips and thighs before giving you a quick smack that makes you jolt slightly. You don't scream, just a soft, startled sound escapes you.

"Look at you," he growls, "offering yourself like you don't know what we're gonna do to you."

Meanwhile, Satoru kneels in front of you and reaches for your chin, lifting your face up. Automatically, you push yourself up a little on your hands and look up at him.

"You better not look away," he murmurs, "not when I'm about to make you moan into my cock."

"Open up, baby. Let me feel that pretty mouth."

You confidently open your mouth and stick out your tongue, welcoming Satoru back into your mouth as if this were something you were meant to do all along, because right now, it is. At the same time, Eren grabs your thigh and spreads your legs wider, which makes a gasp slip from your lips.

Satoru grips your hair more roughly now, guiding you as his length slides in and out of your mouth.

Eren grabs your ass cheeks and spreads you open a little more so he can see your hole and pussy better. He leans forward and lets a bit of spit fall, a small drop landing right on your hole. The sudden sensation makes you flinch slightly, not expecting it.

He wraps his hand around his cock and lines up behind you, using the moisture to guide himself as he slowly begins pushing into you. Gradually - little by little- he moves in and out, easing deeper each time until his cock is kissing your cervix.

Your body trembles as soft moans escape you with every movement. The vibrations travel through Satoru, making him growl quietly as he tightens his grip in your hair and begins moving more firmly against your mouth.

Eren doesn't wait much longer. He starts thrusting into you, slow at first, letting you adjust. Then his hands grip your waist on both sides, his fingers pressing into your skin as he holds you tighter and begins moving with more strength, thrusting into you rougher. The sounds of your bodies meeting fill the room.

As the rhythm builds, your whole body starts moving with it, while Satoru's movements push deeper into your mouth as well.

You feel completely overwhelmed by it all. You've never experienced anything like this before, it almost feels like you've slipped into another world. Your hair is messy, your cheeks flushed, and saliva keeps slipping from the corner of your mouth. Tears begin to gather in your eyes as Eren moves behind you in steady, powerful motions, while Satoru holds your hair and continues guiding you, murmuring soft praise about how beautiful you look and how well you're doing.

It's simply too much.

And before you can stop it, tears start slipping down your face.

Satoru suddenly pulls you off him and lifts your chin so you're forced to look at him.

"You're cryin'?" he says, a deeply satisfied smile spreading across his face.

"Aww. Poor baby," Eren's voice comes from behind you. Then he leans forward, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you upright onto your knees while continuing to move behind you. "Too much?"

Satoru moves closer to you, practically sandwiching you between the two of them again, just like on the dance floor. Eren grabs both of your arms and pulls them behind your back, holding them there with one hand. His other hand reaches forward to your chest, where he starts kneading your breast, gently rolling your nipple between two fingers.

"Fuck... I... so... good..." you try to speak instead of just moaning, but you can barely get the words out because it feels too good.

Satoru cups your face in one hand and kisses you roughly. With his other hand, he guides his cock down to where you and Eren are already connected, then drags the tip of it along your clit. He begins rubbing himself against you, slow circular motions at first, then pressing a little firmer against your clit.

"Could you take me in too, baby?" he whispers against your lips before kissing you again. "Hm? Could you do that for me?"

Goosebumps spread across your skin, and a shiver runs down from your neck along your spine. Taking Satoru too... You hesitate for a moment, a little nervous, afraid you might actually split apart from something like that—but you know you won't. And you're so curious... so lost in the pleasure already that you'd probably let them do anything.

Satoru notices the way you hesitate, the way you don't answer immediately, like you're trying to find the right response in your head.

"Just the tip," Satoru says, positioning himself where Eren is already inside you. Eren slows down, giving him space in case he wants to slide in as well.

In the end, you nod.

"Just... yeah. Just the tip."

Satoru smiles. "Good girl. You're such a good fucking girl, baby," he murmurs while leaving small kisses on your lips, the corners of your mouth, and your chin. Then he slowly begins pressing the tip of his cock in beside Eren.

The sensation is intense - almost painful - but with how wet you are, it slides in more easily than you expected, at least enough for the tip to fit.

You whimper softly, trying to steady your breathing while both of them are inside you. Satoru and Eren both groan under their breath; the feeling is different for them now too, tighter, and incredibly good.

Eren starts moving again, and now Satoru does too. Eren's hand slips down from your breast to your clit, where he begins rubbing slow circles.

Satoru moves as well, and despite saying it would only be the tip, he gradually starts sliding a little deeper inside you.

You're seeing stars at this point. That familiar pressure begins to build low in your stomach, and your breathing grows faster.

Eren leans down and bites lightly at the skin where your neck meets your shoulder. "Fuck... you're clenching... gonna cum?"

One of Satoru's hands rests on your hip while the other cups your face, kissing along your cheek. "Come, baby... come on our cock. Milk 'em with that pretty pussy."

They both start thrusting a little harder now, chasing the feeling. You can't hold on anymore. Everything is too much - the sensation, the intensity - and when you finally come, it feels like your whole body explodes with it.

Your head drops forward onto Satoru's shoulder as a broken cry tears from your throat, the pleasure so overwhelming that tears stream down your face.

Satoru grips the back of your neck, holding you steady. "Yes... oh fuck... that's it... let it out, baby."

"That's it—oh, fuck, yeah," Eren groans, tightening his grip on your arms behind your back as he starts moving harder again, just like Satoru. They're chasing their own release now.

A few seconds later they finish too, their breathing heavy and deep as they spill inside you, both of them groaning and cursing under their breath at how good it feels.

Eventually their movements slow. The room fills with nothing but deep, ragged breathing.

Carefully, they pull out of you, but they keep holding you upright, because the moment they move away your legs nearly give out.

They help you lie down properly on the bed while you're still almost in shock from everything that just happened.

Satoru and Eren stay beside you until you manage to collect yourself again. They help clean you up, wiping you down before taking care of themselves as well.