mznieceee

Your heart raced a mile a minute as your back pressed against your closet door. Scarred knees pulled tightly against your chest as you try to steady your breathing. Your brown eyes wide, irises stained red from the tears that wouldn’t stop falling. You could feel the luring presence of him standing outside the closet door. He must’ve climbed in through your window. One action that used to give you butterflies now creating a sinking pit in your stomach. “Baby, we are going to be late. You can’t do this to me. To us.” Your arms tightened around your legs, hands squeezing into the plushness of your thighs. Fear captured your heart in a vice grip, you tried to stop the shaking as you whispered a prayer of help in your mind. 

Three little knocks that sounded like canons in your head. His bruised fists tapping against the mahogany. “Please.” it's a low begging that falls from your lips. So soft anyone would miss it but not him. He hears you loud and clear. A sadistic smile twists across his face. “Baby.” he sang out, voice low and rugged. It sent chills down your spine. “Come on baby, open the door okay? It's just me. You know me” his voice was eerily calm and it made bile rise in your throat. You’ve heard him this way before.  Once, more subtly but it was there. How could you have not seen the signs?  So caught up in the whirlwind of his “love” that you failed to see the monster underneath. Not until it was too late. 

It was no use. You berated yourself. Why would you choose to run to the closet, you cornered yourself. And now… Now there was no escaping him. You felt his presence. His broad shoulders taut with tension, hair pulled from his eyes in the low messy bun you used to love so much. Those long slender fingers tapped softly as he flattened his palms against the door, just aching to touch you. He rested his head against the door, heaving a sigh. “Babydoll, whats wrong? What did I do, huh?” he whined. “I just want to fix it.” 

You squeezed your eyes shut, more tears falling. You hated the control he had over you. One sentence and you were putty in his hands. Bruises formed on your skin as you forced yourself to stay still. His nails clawed into the wood, anger building underneath his skin as he burned red. “I know you’re scared baby but you don't have to be. I’m here. They can’t hurt you anymore.” he croaked, a laugh coasting each syllable. He believed every word he said. He was protecting you, that's all. Making a world where no one could ever hurt you again. He was all you needed to be safe. You just had to let him in so he could prove that to you. “Why won’t you let me in?” his voice sounded so broken and it hurt you to your core. But you knew better. You couldn’t sink back into the pit you had drug yourself out of. He paced the floor of your bedroom, black scuffed boots marking up your wool carpet. “I don’t understand you. I’m trying to protect you baby.” his voice cracked. “You’re scaring me.” you finally spoke to him. His head snapped to the door. He rushed forward pressing against it again. It's as if his heat radiated from his body and into the wood, his quick actions seared into your skin. “No, no that's not true. I’m protecting you. You just have to let me that's all. Come on baby open the door.” You heard him shake the door knob and your fear spiked. 

“I- “ He started huffing slightly. You can’t see the pout on his lips. “I don’t want to be harsh with you baby but I need you to open the door.” He cooed. “No.” His jaw tightened and before he realized his hands slam against the wood as he screams your name, voice raw and raspy. Your heart jumps and you rushed away, crawling into a dark closet. “No. Nononono I’m sorry sweetie. Just… just open up for me. Open the door before I do, okay?” He spoke gently to you as he had always done. But it didn't comfort you like it used to. Instead it made you want to scream. “I can’t Eren.” You sobbed. His nostrils flared in agitation but the smile doesn’t fade from his lips.  He reminded himself that you loved his smile. He had to wear it for you to feel safe. “O-okay. No worries. Just…” he paused for a moment, stepping back from the door. “We will do it together. Like everything else, just you and me.” He dropped his head back and released a breath into the air. “Okay. Here we go.” It was meant to be reassuring. But it pierced your skin like needles. “One.” He whispered. You frantically searched around for something, anything you could use to help you. “Two.” He tried to give you time. Time to make the right decision. But you. His sweet stubborn girl, he should’ve known better. 

You just needed a push from him like always. “Fuck it.” He gritted stepping back. You heard the wood splinter as his foot drove through the door. You attempted to crawl past him but there’s no use. His fingers gripped the back of your neck as he lifted you from the ground. Your feet flailed about as you attempted to sling your body from his grasp but your back landed harshly against your bed. His weight overwhelmed you and your eyes met his.  The normal green hue practically erased with black from how blown out his pupils were. 

“Eren, please.” you begged. Your nails clawed into his hands, sharp scratches drawing blood to mix with his already crimson stained fingers. “You promised.” He said sweetly, his fingers tightening around your neck as he forced your gaze forward him. “You said you were mine baby. Remember? You were meant to be mine. T-that's what you said.” He squeezed tighter. You took in short, quick breaths to try and alleviate the pain. “You’re hurting me.” You cried out. Eren’s eyes focus on yours, head tilted in confusion. “I would never hurt you, baby doll. I love you.” He widened his already tight smile, teeth clenched in pain. Droplets of blood stained his face. Your breath was fading, eyes threatening to roll in the back of your head. 

The words create a standstill at the table as all eyes turn to Rudo. His voice echoes louder than intended. Tone caressing the grease stained walls as the conversation seemingly levitates from the table. Forks slow. A raspy cough rings in the air. Weights shift in rickety chairs and ears that weren’t meant to listen perk up. Team Akuta’s table had just become the most interesting thing in the dining hall. “What?” Riyo lets out head tilting to the side as she stares at her youngest teammate.

Your eyes dart from person to person as you continue to sip your drink. Your vital instrument purrs against your teeth. A simple vibration responding to the emotional pressure that is slowly filling the air. The gold fanged grill sits snug against your teeth as reeling to the echoes of emotions, attempting to pry the truth from the air. Your swipe your tongue across it slowly. 

Riyo leans forward, planting her scrawny elbows against the table, green eyes sharp as she stares forward, “Don’t look at me like that!” Rudo screeches. Zanka releases a heavy sigh, “Rudo what the hell are you yelling about?” His tired eyes slowly drag over. “She’s looking at me like I am insane!”  he whines. “Well, aren’t you.” Zanka’s voice croons as he drops his head into his hand. Your lips press together to hold in your smile as the poor boy’s face drops. “You guys I’m serious. Enjin has been acting strange lately. Like yesterday for example.” he yells with a sense of urgency. “If you're talking about him jumping off the side of that building with no rope then…” Riyo starts but he cuts her off. “No, that's oddly normal for him. I mean what happened after.” Your eyes flicker up. Just enough for you to hear what the white haired boy was saying. 

“He seems…calmer somehow. L-like he is anchored.” Rudo stutters out in hopes of getting his peers to understand him.

“Hm.” Riyo’s eyes shifts as she thinks on it for a moment. “You know Rudo, I think you might be onto something.” she speaks. Zanka looks between the two of them. “Not you too.” he huffs. “It's bad enough I have to deal with Rudo’s hysterics but now you’re doing it too. What is in the air today?” he lets out. “I mean think about it Zanka. Enjin’s been more reserved in a way. He has been taking care of himself.” Riyo maps out. You take a sip of your drink again. “Yeah! And he actually thinks through his decisions,. I hear him mumbling more to himself lately.” Riyo gestures vaguely with her spoon. “It’s like he’s anchored. Like there’s something pulling him back every time he almost goes too far.” “Or,” Zanka counters, “he finally learned consequences.” Everyone stares at him. “…Okay, yeah, no,” he admits.

“People can change.” you speak up as you lean back into your seat. Your eyes scan the table at the different faces. Your eyes find Semiu who smirks at you. Her glasses tilted lightly on her face. Your eyes revert back to the other at the table. “I don't understand how you’re so calm about this.” Riyo turns her suspicions to you. “Why wouldn’t I be?” I shrug. “Because this is Enjin,” she says. “He’s our leader. His actions are how we react. If someone gets close, we should know! What if the raiders find out. They can use this person as leverage.” Rudo lets out. His voice pitched up an octave. Semi breaks her bread in half. She hasn’t spoken a word about the entire situation, allowing it to all play out. Her eyes connect with yours for a brief moment before going back to her book. 

“I overheard him the other day you know.” Riyo exhales. Your eyes slant towards her, the hum beneath your lips deepening. “It that so.” you smile, one of the golden fangs protruding from underneath your lip. 

Zanka nearly chokes on his food. “Overheard what?” She leans in closer. “I was walking past his room the other day and I heard him talking.” Riyo’s eyes shift from left to right slightly uncomfortable. “His door was cracked. I wasn’t trying to listen.” Zanka can’t help but roll his eyes “Everyone says that.” She glares at him, pointing the end of her spoon in his direction. “I heard him talking. It was low and his voice was calm, almost caring.” Rudo’s brows pulls together in a frown. “Talking to who?” She scoffs at his ignorance. 

“Obviously, I couldn’t see who it was,” Riyo says. “But I heard him say, ‘I know. I’ll be careful.’” Zanka’s mouth drops open and his eyes widen at her words.  “And then,” she continues, “‘I’ll be back soon. Don’t wait up for me.’”

The silence is heavy. A thick coating of different emotions fill the air. Hearts racing and eyes shifting from left to right. Even members from other teams have leaned in to eavesdrop on the conversation. Zanka is the one to break the silence. “That’s like… illegal.” Rudo rubs his face. “That’s intimate.” Riyo chirps. “It almost feels…domestic,” Zanka adds. “Who the hell could have domesticated Enjin.” Your soft chuckle coasts from under your breath. Riyo’s head snaps to you. “Seriously y/n this isn’t funny. We are really concerned for him.” she breaths out a sight through her nose. “Enjin is a big boy. I’m sure he can handle himself.” you speak. “You’re assuming vulnerability from Enjin based on one sentence.” Semi speaks, her gaze flickering between the three of them. You glance at her. She meets your eyes for half a second longer than necessary. The humming had settles softly within you although the tension was still coating the air. But before another sentence can be uttered, the door swings open. 

Slow, calculated footsteps hit the floor as the sound amplifies. The air shifts as it always does when he enters a room. You don’t look yet. You don’t need to. Enjin walks in like he owns the damn place. His presence is always felt before it's seen. His eyes scan the table, the widened eyes, stiff shoulders, half eaten food. He raises a brow. “What the hell are you guys looking at?” There was a silence layered with anxiousness. He stood there waiting patiently. 

“Are you in a relationship?” 

Everyone’s heads snap to Riyo. Her question had been louder than she intended and now all eyes were on Team Akuta. Enjin stops, golden eyes blinking. Then laughs. Loudly. Completely unbothered. “Whoa.” he says leaning down over the seat next to you. “You’re not my type.”

Her mouth drops open and chaos erupts. “ENJIN!” Rudo gasps aloud. “THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!” “YOU DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION!” His team’s voices carry through each table, ears and eyes tuned in to the chaos of the Akuta show. Zanka’s hand slam down on the table. “Deflection!” he cries out. Your lips press together and you exhale slowly through your nose to keep yourself from bursting in laughter. “Admit it Enjin! There is someone there.” Rudo lets out. “Yeah, I heard you talking all soft behind your room door. Now spill!” Riyo chimes back in, finally recovering from his earlier statement. Enjin’s eyes flicker to the side of your face. You try your best to hold it in. “Don’t deny it. I even heard you whispering the L word.” she points her bony fingers at him. Gasps erupt at the accusation.

“I told you someone heard you.” 

A wave of shock crosses the room as everyone turns to none other than…you.

Enjin’s head drops with a chuckle. “Damn,” he says walking closer to you. “Guess the walls here are too thin.” He leans down closer, his tattooed hand coming up and gripping your chin as he pressers his lips softly against your forehead. “Hey wifey.” he says softly before plopping down in the seat next to you, his arm falling against the back of your chair. 

The dining hall detonates with voices.

Riyo’s jaw drops. “You?”

“You’re married?!” 

“Since when?!”

Your demeanor cracks as you gift him a smile, golden fangs from your vital instrument, Nelly, flashing at him. Enjin pulls you closer to him as he directs his attention to the rest of his team. “So is this the pressing conversation you all were having about me?” he asks. “You wanted to know about my wife?” he asks. “Wait, you didn't mean that figuratively. You’re actually married.” Rudo whispers. “Have been for years.” Enjin shrugs. Riyo stares. “You’re the one he was talking to in the room that night.” You give her a nod.

Rudo looks between you and Enjin slowly. As if his brain was recalibrating the situation “…Married,” he repeats more to himself than anyone else. Enjin hums. “Mm-hmm.” Zanka snaps his head up just enough to glare. “Don’t mm-hmm us. How do you hide an entire marriage front our team.” Semiu sits back and crosses her arms. “I’m surprised it took you so long to figure out.” she says. “Well excuse us, we all can't see the future.” Zannka pouts. “Oh I didn't need to see the future. I was there when it happened.” she states matter of factly. More shock fills the room. “WHAT THE HELL IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?” Rudo screams out. “I mean who would miss their twin sisters wedding.” she says as she kicks her feet up on the chair next to her. “Sister?!” Riyo nearly faints. “What the hell as today turned into.” Zanka groans. 

Rudo finally exhales. “Okay. Okay.” He rubs his face. “Let’s back up a bit here so I can understand.” “I’m with Rudo on this one,” Zanka says. Rudo takes a breath trying to process it. He hasn’t been with the cleaners long but he’s for sure been on the team well over a year now.. “So how…how long has this been a thing?” Riyo clips onto his sentence “And how married are we talking?” Enjin snorts as he responds with a simple, “Very.” Zanka’s eyes roll. “That gives us nothing.” Rudo clears his throat. “Legally?” Enjin tilts his head at his youngest team member with a smile. “Legally, physically, mentally, Spiritually, Practically, Permanently. All of the “ly”s you can think of.” “That's not a good answer!” Riyo whines. “Enjin, play nice.” you press your elbow into his side. He rolls his eyes playfully. “Fine, it's been…a while. Before some of you joined the team actually.” Zanka nearly snaps his neck with how fast he looks to his leader. “YOU’VE BEEN MARRIED THIS WHOLE TIME!?” his voice shoots up three octaves.

“Were we just not important enough for you to tell us this information?” Riyo lets out. Her shock stuck to her features. “It wasn’t important enough information to tell.” Enjin grins widely. “You tell us when you change socks!” Zanka’s exasperation shows through his actions. “Those are operational decisions.” Enjin smirks. Poor Zanka damn near cries and he releases a laugh. “I hate that that makes sense.” You lean back and revel in the chaos of tema akuta much like the other tables around you. “And you didn't help! You sat here with us the whole time!” Riyo shifts to you. You smirk softly. “Yeah. A-and you didn't say a thing. You just let us talk.” Zanka hops in. “You were wrong,” you reply calmly. Riyo squints her eyes at you. “We were right.” “About him being in a relationship, yes” you say. “But not about anything else.” Your eyes fall to Rudo who just stares at you. You nod at him, giving him the courage to speak up.  “You’re really married to Enjin?” You smile bright at him. “Yupp.”  Zanka leans back, staring at the ceiling. “I knew there was something suspicious about her.” Enjin laughs out loud again. “You think she’s the suspicious one?” he says with a look. Riyo folds her arms. “You hid a whole wife.” “I hid my personal life,” Enjin corrects. “There’s a difference.” 

“I can’t believe this. We fought with you. Dined with you. Live under the same roof and none of us managed to figure this out until now.” Zanka exhales. “Yeah, you would think you guys would’ve been more perspective.” Enjin shrugs. “She practically lives in my room.” “Speaking of,” you turn to him. “You clearly need ot make sure you are closing the door tighter at night.” you give him a look and he responds by pressing a nother kiss to your forehead. Riyo looks at you again, expression complicated. “You know what loving him means down here.” she says softy. “I do.” you nod. “Yet, you chose to do it anyway?” she asks. “He chose me first.” You say.  “And I always will.” Enjin chimes in. “Wow, our chaotic leader. A husband.” Enjin smiles. His team notices it now. The way his shoulders are relaxed. His body isn’t tense. There is a softness to his features and gentle look in his eyes. Yet, his hands still wrap around your protectively. 

“So,” Rudo pops back in. “How did you two meet?” Everyone’s attention everts back to you. Enjin gives the widest smile they have ever seen. “She almost killed me,” he says.

“WHAT?!” 

“IT KEEPS GETTING WORSE!?” 

“That actually makes sense..”