Annie's azure eyes shot open and darkness flooded her vision. She didn't know where she was and the last thing Annie could remember was a huge black wolf ripping her leg apart.
''Annie! Are you okay?'' Eren's voice rang in her ears, she didn't respond. Annie was exhausted both physically and mentally. ''Hey Annie are you alright?'' She looked to the left and saw Eren walking towards her.
''Where the hell am I?'' She croaked. Eren knelt down beside her.
''You were right, there was a cave at the top of the hill. We have been here for about an hour.'' He explained. Annie reached out her hand and Eren pulled her to her feet. Annie looked around the cave, it was about 15 feet high and Eren had made a small fire towards the back of their den.
''Can you walk? Your leg got pretty messed up.'' The memory of the wolf ripping her leg apart flashed in her mind. Pain in her leg shot up her body causing her to collapse. Eren rushed forward and caught her before she hit the cold floor.
''Apparently not.'' Annie looked down to the floor out of embarrassment, she hated feeling helpless and weak. ''Um Eren...could you carry me over to the fire. I'm freezing.'' Eren looked down at Annie with a look of shock on his face. Since Annie's eyes were glued to the floor she couldn't see the blush rising on Eren's cheeks.
''Oh...sure thing Annie.'' Eren picked her like he did on the mountain side and slowly carried her over to the small fire that he had spent a long time trying to build. Annie noticed that he had laid out her sleeping bag next to the fire, Eren had laid his on the other side of the fire, the thought of sleeping next to Annie made him blush uncontrollably. Above the fire Annie noticed there was a flask full of now boiling water.
''Eren what are you doing with the flask?'' She asked as Eren gently placed her on her sleeping bag.
''We ran out of water, so I collected some snow from outside and melted it over the fire.'' He said with a hint of smugness. Annie laughed quietly and looked up at Eren.
''Wow. I am surprised Eren. You used your brain for once.'' She giggled. Eren looked at her with a looked of mild offense on his face.
''A thanks for saving me from bleeding to death on the side of a frozen mountain, would be nice.'' He said with a smug smile on his face.
''Well we are still lost in a huge mountain range so if we make it out I will thank you th-'' Annie screamed out in pain. As she was talking to Eren she had rolled over to look at him and hit her injured leg on a sharp rock. Eren rushed to her side and looked at her leg. Blood was seeping through the thick bandages and dripping onto the floor.
''Shit the wound has reopened, I'm going to have change to bandage okay?'' Eren looked at Annie trying to hide the fear on his face.
''Just...Hurry please.'' She said trying not scream. Eren slowly untied the bandage from her leg. He could feel the contents of his stomach threaten to rise up. He threw the bandage away, it landed with a wet squelch that made Eren shudder. Annie noticed through the fog of pain that the colour in Eren's face had drained away as he stared at the gruesome gash. Crimson blood was steadily pumping out of Annie's leg forming a frightening large puddle on the cave floor. Eren was however surprised to see how quickly the wound had started to heal. Eren reached into his bag and retrieved a large roll of bandages. Upon contact with her bloodstained skin Annie released a pain filled moan. Eren hastily coiled the fabric around her leg.
''Okay Annie this bit is going to hurt pretty badly.'' His voice was trembling, Annie bit down on her jumper and nodded sharply. Eren pulled the bandage as tight as he dare. Annie bit as hard as she could refusing to scream out in pain again.
''That should stop the bleeding for now. Just try to keep still.'' His voice reached Annie despite the pain that filled her mind. She exhaled slowly as the discomfort left her body. Eren went off to wash the blood from his hands, it was now that Annie realised that she was shaking. Annie examined her ghostly white skin and noticed that she was extremely pale. How much blood did I lose? Annie looked down at her leg and her cerulean eyes widened when she saw the shockingly big pool of scarlet blood. When Eren returned his hands were no longer spattered with blood. He knelt down next Annie.
''Come on I don't think you want to lie in a pool of your own gore.'' Annie nodded faintly. Once again Eren picked her up and very slowly made his way over to his sleeping bag. He set her down and reached into his bag and pulled out a set of rations.
''Here you need these more than me.'' He offered Annie his food. Annie was extremely hungry; a mixture of the hike up the mountain, the fight with the wolves and blood loss had made Annie extremely famished.
''No you haven't eaten anything either, if you're going to have to carry me then you are going to need your strength.'' She argued, Annie really wanted that food but she didn't want Eren to go hungry.
Eren shook his head. ''If you don't eat this you could die. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if you died Annie. So you are going to eat this food.'' He insisted.
''Why do you care so much? You could eat this food, leave me here and make your way back to the barracks.'' Eren looked at her with horror on his face.
''How could you say that?'' He was almost shouting. ''How could I call myself a human if I just let you die? What sort of monster would that make me?'' Tears were forming in the corners of his eyes.
''Because I am not worth it. I am just one person out of millions. My life means nothing to anyone.'' The words made Eren's heart stop. He looked at her with a mixture of anger and sorrow. ''Why are you looking at me like that? It's true.''
''Your life means nothing to anyone, that's what you think. THEN WHY DID I THROW MYSELF BETWEEN YOU AND THE FOREST FLOOR WHEN YOUR GEAR BROKE? IF YOU LIFE MEANS NOTHING TO ANYONE THEN WHY DID I HAUL YOU UP A FUCKING MOUNTAIN IN A BLIZZARD?'' Eren was now screaming and tears were cascading down his cheeks. Annie stared at him with a look of astonishment. No one had ever said anything like this to Annie. Her own father rarely showed any signs of affection or care to his daughter. Reiner cared for her like she was a younger sister. Bertolt cared more than anyone but Annie could never understand how much he truly cared for her. Eren was different. Eren was never afraid to show how he felt. Eren was hot headed with a shorter temper then anyone Annie had ever met. It took Annie what felt like hours to formulate an answer and when she did Annie spoke in a whisper.
''You never answered my question. Why do you care about what happens to me so much?'' Her voice was barely audible. Eren wiped the tears from his eyes Is it now? Do I tell her now? Fuck it! If she can't tell it then I will tell her.
''Because you are my friend. Because I admire everything you do. Because I want to be able to fight like you. Because whenever I see you my heart starts to race. Because...Because I...'' He paused and looked at the floor.
''Because you what?'' Her voice was weak. What is he saying? Why is my heart pounding?
''Because...Because I think I am in love with you.'' His voice never faltered as he said this. Annie stared at him her icy blue eyes widened as the words left his lips. What now? This is what I wanted right? So why can't I say anything? In her head she could hear her father screaming at her. He was yelling that she should dismiss his feelings, she should leave him and let him freeze to death. ''Well...say something.'' His voice was a lot smaller now. Annie's mouth was moving before her brain realised it.
''I think I will have some of that food now.'' Her lips were curling into a small smile. Eren sighed and pulled the ration pack out of his pocket, he walked towards where Annie was sitting. He extended his hand out to Annie, she grabbed his hand and pulled him close to her.
''There are many things about me that no one knows and maybe one day I will trust you enough to tell you.'' Eren's face was only a couple of inches from her own, she could feel his hot breath against her cheeks, both Eren's and Annie's hearts were racing. Eren was the one to break the trance, he pulled his hand from Annie's grasp and went to stoke the fire. Annie gave him a look of confusion Did I say something wrong? Eren came back holding a small cup of steaming water.
''Here this will make you feel a lot better.'' He handed her the cup and sat next to her. Annie brought the cup to her lips. The rising steam warmed her face and a smile of pleasure spread across her face.
''Thank you Eren.'' She took a small sip of the hot water and relief flooded through her body. Her fingers tingled as the heat flowed through her body. Eren took a sip of his own drink, his blue fingers returned to their normal colour. No one said anything for the next few minutes, they just sat there and warmed up thanks to the water Eren had been boiling. However they soon ran out. Eren went out to collect more snow but when he reached the mouth of the cave he turned back shivering violently .
''There is no way we can go out in that wind.'' Annie could hear the wind raging outside. Without the heat that had been supplied by the water Annie began to shiver. Eren could also feel the comforting heat leaving his body as he looked at the shaking girl a thought crossed his mind. Maybe we should...No you moron she wouldn't want that. Right? But we are going to freeze. ''Um Annie don't punch me for this but...maybe we should try to...share body heat.'' His voice was trembling. Annie looked up and him, her face was bright red despite the stinging cold.
''Fine. I don't want to die of hyperthermia but if you tell anyone...I will break all of your fingers.'' Eren laughed nervously. He sat down next to Annie and wrapped his arm her shoulders, he gently pulled her close to his torso. Annie rested her head against his chest like when they were on the mountain. Once again she heard the comforting sound of his racing heartbeat. With his free hand Eren reached for the sleeping bag by the fire. Both Annie and Eren squeezed into the sleeping bag, Annie felt warmth flow around her body, Eren had rested his hands on Annie's lower back and Annie had her face in the crook of Erens neck, her breath against his neck sent shivers down Eren's spine.
''Eren did you mean what you said earlier?'' Her question made Eren's stomach flip. Oh man I shouldn't have said anything He scolded himself.
''Um...yeah I did. I didn't want to tell you like this. I was just really angry about how you were talking and it just slipped out sorry.'' Eren sighed as the words left him.
''You really need to learn how to speak to girls don't you.'' She giggled.
''I'm talking to you aren't I!'' Eren replied shuffling in the cramped sleeping bag. ''You know you may not think your worthing saving or helping but to me. To me you mean a lot.'' At these words Annie pushed her head against Eren's chest. This feels really nice. Eren feels warm against me and his heartbeat is so warming...I want to stay like this.
''So Ann-.'' Annie punched him in the gut.
''Less talk. More sleep.'' Before Eren could reply Annie was fast asleep in him arms and it wasn't long before he fell into a dreamless sleep.
When Eren woke up Annie was still pressed against him. So it wasn't a dream. He looked up towards the cave entrance, outside he could tell it was night. The wind had died down a little bit but he could feel it blowing against his face. ''Oh shit the fire is out.'' At the sound of his voice Annie stirred.
''Eren? What's happening?'' She yawned.
''The fire has gone out and it looks dark outside.'' He explained as he exited the sleeping bag.
''Dark? How is that possible?'' Annie shivered at the cold now that Eren wasn't there to warm her.
''Yeah the blizzard stopped us from seeing the sun so we couldn't tell the time. Anyway it looks like the wind has calmed down a bit, I am going to look for some firewood and some food just stay put I won't be long.'' Eren tried his best not to sound tired.
''As if I have a choice.'' She sarcastically gestured to her leg. Eren laughed before he gathered his equipment and left into the darkness. Annie crept back into the sleeping bag, she curled her body into a small ball holding onto the warmth Eren had left behind. I guess now he is gone I can heal my leg a bit The only thought in Annie's head shifted from her hunger to her leg. Under her many layers of bandages Annie felt her torn flesh knit back together, she felt muscle connect to muscle and skin to skin. The heat against her skin was almost unbearable. Annie limped to the mouth of the cave and cupped her hands in the snow. She pressed the cold powder against her bandage and moaned as she felt the snow melt against her leg. Annie turned her gaze towards the sky and she gasped at the view that met her. The moon was high in the sky, illuminating the already white snow. The eerie light of the full moon turned the entire pass a ghostly white. In the distance she could see the forest in which she and Eren had spent many hours walking in. The lack of clouds meant that the light from the full moon was not disturbed. In the very far distance Annie thought she could make out the unbroken edge of Wall Rose. Seeing this monolithic structure brought back many memories of what she had done. Of what she and her friends had done. Annie tore her glaring eyes from the wall. Annie looked back up towards the moon and wondered what her comrades were doing now. On the other side of the pass Reiner was skinning a wild boar he and Mina had tracked. Bertolt was looking down from the top of the tallest peak of Rose pass. He marveled at the sight wondering if Annie was watching the beautiful night.
An hour later Eren had returned with a surprisingly large amount of firewood and in a matter of minutes Eren had built a roaring fire. Eren stared proudly at his creation as Annie rummaged through his pack.
''Did you find any food?'' She asked as her stomach let out a loud grumble.
''Well it isn't exactly cake and honey but I found some berries and a couple of rabbits that had been caught in a snare that someone had laid.'' He explained adding a large log to the inferno.
''So you stole them?'' She sighed.
''I was hungry and I knew you were to so...yeah.'' He shrugged
Annie went about skinning the carceses Eren had 'found' while Eren crushed the berries and collected more snow for melting. The smell of roasting meat made both Annie and Eren's mouths water, it had been so long since they had fulfilling meal. The swill they were given in the mess hall wasn't exactly filling.
''Is it ready Annie? Come on I am starving here.'' Eren asked.
Annie shot him a murderous glare. ''For the hundredth time, be patient.'' Eren opened his mouth to make a sarcastic comment about her cooking skill. ''And if you say anything about my cooking I will roast you over this fire.''
Eren didn't have to wait long, only a few minutes later Annie came over to him hold two skewers of Rabbit meat. ''Here now quit bugging me.'' She held out one of the smoking skewers and Eren grabbed it instantly.
''Oh man Annie your cooking is great, that felt amazing.'' Eren rubbed his full stomach and moaned in pleasure.
''I will take that as a thank you then.'' She laughed. After Annie had finished her own Rabbit she sat down next Eren and rested her head on one of his broad shoulders, immediately Eren blushed but he returned the gesture by resting his own head on her golden hair.
''So Annie about what I said earlier about...'' He paused.
''About being in love with me?'' Her voice had a hint of curiosity in it.
''Yeah that...could you not tell anyone. Please Annie I will die of embarrassment and Jean won't let me hear the end of it and Mika-'' His shaking voice ignited a fire deep in Annie's body, she felt energy flood through her veins. Without realising what she was doing Annie reached up and sealed Eren's lips with her own, she had no idea what she was doing but whatever it was it just felt...right. Eren's jade green eyes widened in shock. It took him a few seconds to understand what was happening, upon realising that Annie was kissing him he gave himself up the the kiss entirely. Eren parted his cold lips and kissed her back, his hands clasping her coral pink cheeks. Warmth engulfed Annie's body as her lips moved against Eren's. Neither of them wanted to be the first to break the embrace, but Annie pulled away slowly and looked directly into Eren's eyes and Eren looked directly into Annie's eyes.
''I love you Annie.'' His voice was a trembling whisper.
Annie gave a small sly smile. '' I know you do.''
YYYAAAAYYY it finally happened 7 chapters i and finally they kiss!
This one was really really fun to write and I can't wait to write more romantic stuff with these two. Anyway please follow, favorite and review.
p.s Please check out my Bertolt x Ymir story ''The heartbeat of a monster.
p.p.s Please check out an Annie x Eren story called ''In memoires'' by Mangajuicexd it is absolutely amazing.
p.p.p.s In the future I might MIGHT be including a couple of other ships. Like Mina x Reiner or Reiner x Krista etc
