#aot insert

Eren knew the world wasn’t kind. 

He learned that from an early age. He knew that death was everywhere, crushing and existing in every crack. It consumed without care. 

Oh, but how he prayed it wouldn’t consume her. 

Amiee stood, looking over the walls. Her hair flickered back and forth in the strong wind. He could only stare as the light hit her eyes and made them glow every shade of brown possible. Even for such a cold winter day, the sun shone for her and created some sort of halo that the church would kneel before. 

“Hey, Eren.” She was smiling softly, one hand on her tactical manoeuvring equipment. “I wanna get married.” “Yeah?” He smiled. Though he usually had a frown, some sort of confused, angry look on his face, Aimee always managed to soothe it. “Yeah. While we still can.” 

“You’re not gonna die.” He sighed, rising from his squat. “I’ll make sure.” “Hm.” She smiled. There was a little, happy huff with it, and the chill winter air puffed out. It was a reminder, warm despite the weather, of the next week. 

January 22nd. Aimee’s birthday. 

It was a situation, to be honest. Some of the other corps were going forward and getting her gifts, and Jean had already stolen his idea (a nice dress she had been looking at from inside Wall Sina). The bastard. 

Eren huffed a bit but stopped when Aimee cast him a curious glance. 

“Something on your mind?” 

“Nothing!” He barked, nervous. “Don’t worry about it.” “You’re pouting!” 

“I am not!” 

It was crunch time. 

Two days before Aimee’s birthday, and he was wandering the streets of Wall Sina, looking at all the stalls and the greedy idiots manning them. Some were hawking snake oils that he was sure in a funny way were fakes and others that were gesturing to things that he was sure were just stolen. 

He needed to find a birthday present. Fast. 

The roads wound around as he worked his way up the market, noting that the quality of the goods went up with time. He had a sizable chunk of money he had set aside for it, but there was nothing sticking out. 

Aimee deserved the best. 

He knew it. All his friends knew it. Hell, even some of the superiors knew it. She was soft and kind and had a heart bigger than anyone else within the walls. She was like a statue from the Palace, or even better, some divine figure that everyone would pray to for redemption. He would pray to her in a heartbeat. He loved her. Good god, he really loved her. 

“Necklaces! Rings! Bracelets!” 

Eren turned to see an old woman crowing over all of the others, waving a pretty gold necklace over her ware. His head titled and he stalked over a bit, curious. 

“You, there, boy!” She gave a grin that lacked several teeth. “Do you have a girl at home?” “Uh…” He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, sceptical about her sales tactic. “Why?” “You look lost.” She smirked, but without malice. “Looking for a gift, hm?” 

“U-uh-!” He gasped, arms falling with surprise. “Oh, don’t be so shocked! Come, come. We’ll find her something.” The old lady waved him over with a comforting glance and gestured to all of the strange jewellery she had. Some were pure metal, twisted and bent into different ways, while others were dainty like they had strung snowflakes on a chain.

“Tell me, boy.” “Don’t call me boy.” “What does she like?” 

Eren looked over all the trinkets and stones and poked at some of them, wondering if Aimee actually would like them. She was always overwhelmingly grateful for everything she got, but Eren wanted to make sure that this was something that she actually liked. “Something durable, for the road.” 

“I see.” She nodded and moved some of the bracelets and rings out of the way. “Is she in the Corps?” “Yeah.” Eren nods, crossing his arms again. There was some worry on if a ring or bracelet got stuck on her gear, and he moved everything but the necklaces. “Hm? Oh, I see.” The woman nodded sagely. “Then consider some of these ones.” She held up several, colourful pendants. Most of them were too bright for anyone’s taste, really, but then he saw a duller green one. It was pretty, but only pretty, not the best possible.

“It matches your eyes,” The crone cooned. “What are her eyes?” “Huh?” Eren jumped a bit, no longer staring at the gem. “Oh. Brown.” 

“Here.” She handed him another necklace that was a deep, deep brown. When it hit the light…

Oh god. It was just like Aimee’s eyes. 

“Wait. Do you think…?” “Matching necklaces.” She hummed, looking proud of herself. “I’m sure it would be a sweet thought. It was how my wife proposed, in fact!” “I’ll take them both.” He held them delicately. Suddenly, the necklaces didn’t look dull or just okay. They looked like they were meant to be side by side, warming next to each other like stars. 

“I’ll take them both.” 

January 22nd. Judgement day. 

He stood inside a too-crowded bar with a very sour look on his face. Yes, he loved Aimee. Yes, she was his girlfriend. 

Yes, she was talking with literally everyone else.  

Okay, so maybe he had just arrived, and she was oohing and aahing over the dress Jean got her, or the fact that Levi even showed. Maybe he had already drunk a couple of pints because he saw several people trying to flirt with Aimee, only for her to shove them away with a playful scowl. 

Okay. Maybe he could walk up to her. 

He kept a grip on the bar front as he walked over to her. He wasn’t tipsy (yet) but he was certainly on his way, glaring at the stupid fucking horse bitchboy that laughed a little too hard at Aimee’s joke. He couldn’t blame him; she looked stunning as usual, glowing under the warm lights of the bar and warm with her own light. Jean was talking to her about the dress and the two very expensive rocks weighed down his pocket and burned a hole in his wallet. 

“Hey, Aimee.” He wrapped an arm around her (bare?! When did she change into that dress?!) shoulder. “Happy birthday.” “Eren!” She lit up, jumping with a grin. She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed kisses all over his cheeks. He could feel the heat rush forward, and let the giddy grin take over his face. 

“H-hey! I got you something!” “You did?!” She gasped loudly, as though she didn’t expect it, and he felt pride well up at the look in her eyes. 

“Close your eyes, okay?” 

“Aww…” She pouted and it twisted at his heart, especially for something so small. “Okay!” “Whew.” He let out a sigh before he cracked under her gaze and procured the green necklace, stepping around and lifting her hair out of the way. “You’re trying upshow me!” Jean protested, scowling, but Eren nearly growled in response. “Yeah, well, she’s not your girlfriend, huh?!” 

“You fucking-!” “Oh! Is it a necklace?” Aimee cooed, letting a dainty finger trace over the stone. 

“Yeah. It’s...it’s special, too.” “Oh!” Aimee gasped. Eren pulled away from clasping the ends and put on his own necklace, being quick before standing stiff. 

“Uh...open your eyes.” Eren pursed his lips as she slowly opened those hues he loved so much, and when she pulled it up a bit to see, he could see a bit of confusion on her face. 

“It’s pretty!” Her eyes glanced to him before lingering on his necklace. “Wait…” “They’re, uh...they’re supposed to be like, us being together...always…” He could feel his confidence wilt before her stare, and Jean snorted. “Seriously? That’s so sappy!” He started wheezing, slamming his fist onto the counter until Aimee let out a shriek. “Eren! Oh my god! That’s so sweet!” 

Suddenly, he was attacked with kisses upon kisses, more than when he walked up to Aimee. He nearly toppled over the bar but managed to steady himself, laughing and willing his heart not to burst. 

“Glad you like it!” He managed to get it before Aimee placed her lips on his. Eren’s eyes went wide and the bar fell mute as she proceeded to give him a soul-sucking kiss. His mind swam and his heart raced as she pulled away with a sweet smile that made him sigh shakily. 

“Thanks, Eren.” 

Her voice was so soft, so quiet, that all he could do was smile and hold her head close.