Eren
"It's thanks to Reiner that we know all about these motherfuckers" said Zeke, standing between the two men, who were looking at each other silently. "Unfortunately, we still don't have any data on the new informant. But it will probably change soon".
Informant.
This word lingered inside his head, as he met Reiner's eyes, trying to read the truth from them. Could it be possible, that Braun knew about him, but didn't tell Zeke?
The boy looked at the pale face of the blond man, trying to look cool. So, that was the moment he was waiting for. There he was, just in front of him: a detective, who was their spy in the opposite camp, a double agent, who provided them with information. Eren had known about him for six months, but had not yet had the opportunity to meet him in person. Due to Eren's stay in Marley, Grisha managed everything on the spot, though he consulted it earlier with his younger son. Hence the ceasefire.
It was only a fraction of a second, but Eren saw a glimmer of certain emotion in Braun's gaze that he knew perfectly well himself. Reiner was hiding something. Clearly, he knew a lot more than he admitted.
"You two will work together from now on. You better exchange your phone numbers" Zeke announced, smiling.
Suddenly two half-naked girls wearing only bathing suits walked by them. Zeke immediately followed them with his eyes.
"Okay, talk it through, I have something else to do".
Older Yaeger followed the two women while Eren and Reiner were left alone.
The party continued around them. They could hear cheerful conversations, noisy laughs, toasts being raised, music playing in the background. It seemed as if the world around them had not changed a bit, but the tension that was felt in their mutual silence heralded the changes that was about to come.
Reiner raised his glass to soak his lips in a cold drink. Eren watched the man silently.
"How long have you been working for my father?" The boy asked, trying to test the waters.
If Braun really did know his secret and hadn't blown the whistle on him so far, he had to count on something. Eren wanted to know him, to find out what the man might demand in return for further silence.
"It'll be a year soon" Braun confessed, lifting his heavy gaze at Eren. Boy examined the detective thoroughly. Man was taller than him and much more sturdy. Eren thought suddenly that in close quarters he probably wouldn't best him. Although, for some reason the detective's face showed some kind of uncertainty, and his eyes seemed tired. Physically Braun seemed strong, but there had to be something that was troubling him. Something that could weaken his chances of winning... theoretically speaking.
"Are you satisfied with the cooperation so far?" Eren wanted to know. He finished his drink and put it on the tray held by one of the escort girls.
"Yes. Everything is going perfectly well. I have no complaints" Reiner blurted this words out immediately. It sounded like a learned line, which made Eren sense the falsehood in his voice. "I contact Grisha once a week on average to inform him about the current situation. We solve problems on a regular basis".
"Problems? What problems? What's been happening lately?".
"Not much, fortunately. We were having a little trouble with assignments from my supervisor. Initially, he didn't want me to interview the detained dealers, and it was really important to your father. It was Ackerman's and Smith's job, but in the end I got this task".
"That's… good" Eren concluded shortly, squinting slightly. "I hope our cooperation will also be so successful".
"Couldn't agree more" Reiner admitted, then finished his drink as well and set the glass down on another waitress's tray. Then he nodded his head towards the faintly lit path around the garden that ran all the way up to the stone fountain. "Maybe you want to take a walk?".
Eren twitched slightly, immediately sensing the change in the air. Reiner's offer only confirmed his fears. Apparently the man wanted to talk to him one-to-one.
However, the boy nodded his head. If Braun wanted to play open cards, so be it.
They slowly descended the steps of the terrace and made for the flower garden that was the apple of Grisha's eye. Two men walked in silence for a while, they could hear only the sounds of the party going on behind them. As they were finally standing far enough from all the gathering, Reiner stopped and looked at Eren.
"I know about you" The man confessed, getting straight to the point. He blurted out this words as if they were weighing on his heart, and only revealing them brought him some relief. Reiner took a deep breath, then continued. "I found out about it just before you left to Marley and I had no way of contacting you. I know about your cooperation with the police".
Eren also stopped in place. His expression didn't change, only a tiny line appeared between his eyebrows, indicating that he was considering Braun's words. Reiner was breathing quickly, waiting for an answer.
The boy took his time. It wasn't until the silence began to drag on that Eren looked around as if to make sure they were alone. Then he took a step towards Reiner, closing the distance between them, and asked quietly:
"How much do you want?".
Braun's eyes rounded.
"What…?" He asked, not understanding.
Eren sighed irritably, then folded his arms over his chest.
"Don't play dumb, Braun. I'm asking you how much should I pay you to keep your mouth shut".
Reiner looked even more shocked than he was a moment before, and his sincere surprise somehow infected Eren. The boy felt a certain fear that he won't be able to bribe the detective. Before he could say more, Reiner replied:
"I don't want any money! I want to help you" Braun said, looking Eren straight in the eye. "I want to help you bring Grisha down".
There was a heavy silence between the men again. Braun continued breathing rapidly. His pale face showed nervousness, but the tension that had been visible at the beginning of their meeting disappeared from his eyes. The man spoke honestly, he no longer had to pretend. Eren, on the other hand, stood still, measuring Braun with an uninterpretable stare.
Suddenly, in the prevailing twilight, there was a soft laugh of a younger boy.
"To help me bring Grisha down...?" Eren repeated in an amused tone and laughed again. His green eyes narrowed slightly. "I didn't expect that from you, really. Grisha's faithful soldier suddenly rebels? What happened, my old man didn't pay you enough?".
Reiner looked a little disheartened, but continued anyway.
"No... I just can't do this anymore. I wanted to talk to you much sooner. I understand that you were gone for a few months and you had to suspend your cooperation for a while... But now that you are back, you will meet them again, right? With Smith? And with Ackerman?".
"I must disappoint you, but it's over now" Eren whispered. The smile faded from his face, and he was looking at Reiner with undisguised dislike. "It could never work".
Braun frowned.
"What? Why? I don't understand... Why did you start it in the first place?" Reiner shook his head in disbelief. "You risked everything just to end it like this?".
"Exactly. I don't know what your plans were for me, but it's no use" Eren confessed with a soft sigh, then glanced briefly at the terrace. They still were alone. He looked back at Reiner. "You know, Braun, I have to get back. If anything happens, call me".
"No..." Reiner reached out and grabbed Eren's arm, trapping him in place. Yaeger immediately looked at the man menacingly and raised one eyebrow.
"Let go off me, damn it".
"We can't leave it like that! Only you can make the difference" Reiner raised his voice, and that made Eren's eyes twinkle with danger.
"Braun, shut the fuck up".
"Why did you quit? It's about your friends, isn't it? About Mikasa and Armin?" Reiner had to notice the silent confirmation in the boy's eyes, because he continued with even greater confidence: "Don't be stupid, Eren. You can't expect Grisha to always turn a blind eye to you...".
"Well, I have no choice. I have to take this risk. Either way, it's not your problem! Now let me go!" Eren drawled and then yanked his arm out of the tight grip.
"It's also my problem because I'm in the game, too. If i don't do what Grisha says, he will hurt my mother!".
Eren suddenly widened his eyes, then very, very slowly shook his head.
"That's so fucking sad..." The boy whispered and suddenly took a step towards Reiner. "For fuck's sake, Braun, you got into this mess on your own volition. You betrayed your people. For what? For the fucking money".
Eren suddenly grabbed Braun by the collar, his face twisted in anger.
"You came to me to ask for help... But have you already talked to your colleagues? Does Ackerman know you've been working against them this whole time? I fucking doubt it!" Eren's eyes were dangerously narrowed. He was staring at Reiner's face from up close, his gaze burning with anger. Reiner stayed silent, which made Eren keep talking. "You were the one who planted that explosives in Levi's car, right? It was you that made Erwin and Hanji injured. But that's not all, it was because of you that Mike died... And now, suddenly, you just come out of nowhere and say you want to help me bring Grisha down? Decide which fucking side you are on!".
Eren was breathing fast, staring at Reiner indignantly. Very slowly, his face began to change. He widened his eyes as if suddenly realizing that he had gone too far, that he had revealed those feelings he should be hiding deep within himself. Eren released the man and took a step back. Reiner stared at Yaeger with a similar surprise, but for him it turned into understanding.
"My god. You care about them" Reiner whispered, his heavy gaze still fixed on Eren. "That's why you distanced yourself. That's why you became Grisha's right hand man... To protect them from the inside. Am I right?".
Eren pressed his lips together, and only after a while he replied in a low voice:
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't need them anymore, that's all. Anyway, I don't care what someone like you thinks".
Eren's last words dripped with pure contempt. Reiner shook his head, and this time it was he who laughed.
"Someone like me? Oh, and you think you're so different?" Braun asked, drawing Eren's eyes at him. "You said I betrayed my own people? Well, you 're right. But it's still better than you, who apparently betrayed your own family. You tell me to decide which side I'm on, but maybe you should answer that question yourself. Which side are you on?".
Eren clenched his fists. He looked, as if he was barely resisting the urge to attack the man. Braun saw it, but continued unscrupulously:
"You think we're so different, but you know what I think? I think we're just the same".
Eren's fist hit him right in the face. Reiner gasped softly, neither in surprise, nor in pain. The next blow came right away, Eren punched the detective in the stomach, drawing a short moan from his mouth.
Braun decided to fight back. He hit Eren on the cheek, then blocked his next blow. Yaeger growled in anger and swung again, but his opponent managed to dodge. Then something Eren hadn't expected happened. He felt Reiner grab him by the neck with the full length of his arm, as if to choke him, locking him in a vise-like grip.
"What the fuck...".
Eren's eyes widened suddenly as he saw Grisha coming towards them. Kruger was right behind, just like his shadow.
Grisha watched their efforts, but apparently he must took their jostling for typical men's wrestling, because he applauded briefly.
"Oh, I can see that you too get along very well. Am I not interrupting?".
"No, we're just fooling around... Reiner was just showing me some moves he learned in the police academy" Eren confessed, releasing from Braun's grip and allowing himself a lopsided smile. His breathing was quick and his hair was completely disheveled, so he smoothed it down quickly.
"And I just said that Eren is perfectly trained and I'm sure you're proud of him" Reiner replied, adjusting the fabric of his shirt, then folding his hands back and lifting the corners of his mouth.
"That's great to hear. I'm glad you guys get a long" Grisha said and looked at his son. "Eren, I've been looking for you. I want you to join us, Magath and Yelena are waiting".
"I'm coming, father".
The boy glanced at Reiner, their eyes met. Boy's gaze was incredibly meaningful.
"Report to me if anything happens" Eren confessed in a hollow voice.
"Sure. And you try that moves I showed you" Reiner replied, without taking his eyes from Eren's eyes. "I think they might be helpful".
Eren frowned briefly, then followed Grisha and Kruger. He turned back only once to look at Reiner one last time. The man was still standing alone on the garden path, staring back at him as well.
The boy turned his head and looked ahead.
He couldn't let the situation from a moment ago destroy his peace. He doubted that after that long time Reiner would tell Grisha the truth about him. Besides, he also doubted that his father would believe this. His own son, being a mole... That didn't add up.
But he knew he had to be careful.
Annie
Since they left the party, Armin didn't utter a single word, which was unlike him.
Annie was looking at the blond man every now and then, mainly focusing on driving the car. Arlert was sitting next to her, staring at the window on his side. His pale strands were still slightly tousled, but the boy didn't seem to be paying attention to that at all.
The girl frowned. She never thought Armin's silence would irritate her more than his endless chatter.
She didn't quite understand what exactly happened at the party.
She was sitting by the pool when Armin suddenly approached her. They started talking about casual topics, she was really enjoying it. At one point, the conversation turned to some other issues, those related to her job. Arlert asked her about an article that appeared in one of the local newspapers, he wanted to know if Grisha was doing anything about it. Her evasive response was apparently enough to him, as always, he figured out the rest. Armin knew very well that it was Eren, who was now responsible for carrying out all of Grisha's orders and delegate the tasks to others.
It was then that Armin decided to confront his friend. It was a bit unlike him. The boy had had two drinks before, but Annie didn't think that was the reason. Armin just had enough of it all.
She had gotten to know Arlert a bit in those last months. They didn't meet often, every few weeks at most. The girl visited him in his apartment, where they drank coffee together. Sometimes they met in the city, in quiet, intimate places. During that time, she had learned several things about the boy, one of which was his deep attachment to Eren and Mikasa.
Armin was worried about his friend. He didn't understand why Eren had decided to work full-time as Grisha's puppet. His departure for Marley was totally unexpected. Young Yaeger didn't consult his friends on this decision. Arlert had seemed a little depressed these few months, it was obvious that he missed Eren, though he never said it aloud.
Apparently that evening it was the last straw for him. Armin could no longer just sit and watch his friend's moral decline. The boy decided to talk to Eren about this matter at the worst possible moment, during the welcome party. Young Yaeger couldn't remain passive to such a reaction. He had to show everyone who was in charge. He also had to show Armin that although they were friends, Eren wouldn't let anyone speak up to him like that.
Annie understood Yaeger well. He had to take care of his reputation if he didn't want Grisha to start doubting his devotion.
Still, the sight of Armin being battered, was for some reason hard for her to accept. That's why she decided to take him home.
When she parked in front of a small tenement house where the blond lived, she looked at the boy and cleared her throat.
"We're here. Do you need help to walk upstairs?" Annie asked, trying to sound neutral.
"No. Thank you, Annie" Armin muttered, then opened the door and got out of the car. The girl noticed that dried blood was still visible under his nose. Same as on his shirt. Boy looked at her briefly, then added: "Take care of yourself."
Then he closed the door and started towards the tenement house. The girl looked after Armin in disbelief. That's all? She was driving such a long way only to hear that cold words for goodbye? Where have all those long looks and endless conversations gone? She always had to evacuate by force from each encounter until now, Armin liked to prolong their meetings as much as he can.
Annie wanted to start the car and drive away, but the sight of Arlert immersed in such a grave mood didn't give her peace. She pursed her lips. After a while she fell out of the car and walked quickly towards the low building.
She went inside, jumping a few steps at a time. When she was at the top, she knocked on a well-known door.
Armin opened it right away. He raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw Annie. The girl felt a twinge of triumph, finally seeing some emotions on the boy's face. But suddenly she noticed something else. Armin probably planned to go to the shower immediately after coming home, as he was not wearing a t-shirt any longer. He also managed to wash his face. Annie looked at his naked chest literally for a second, but still felt the flush on her cheeks.
She tried to ignore this view, but couldn't help noticing that Armin was quite well-built for someone who spent so much time in front of the computer. He was lean, his arms slightly muscled, as was his belly.
"Sorry" Annie blurted out, staring at the wall. "I just wanted to ask if you're sure you were okay. You looked a little pale, I didn't want you to faint or anything. Not that I care about you, nothing like that, it's just... If something would happen to you, it would affect me and my work. Besides, Grisha would be angry with me for not helping you...".
Man, what am I even saying? Annie thought, starting to panic. Had she forgotten how to speak properly? She didn't understand her own reaction, especially since nothing had happened between her and Armin in all these months. He only sometimes held her hand as they sat next to each other, but never did anything else. Annie would never admit that she was waiting for him to make the next move. After waiting long enough, she assumed Armin thought of her only as a friend and she was ready to accept it.
Therefore, she was surprised by what happened next.
Armin suddenly took two steps towards her. Suddenly he was close to her, so close that she couldn't help but look at his naked chest. Annie widened her eyes, not understanding what was happening.
The boy's face looked much softer than a few minutes ago. The tension that was visible earlier had almost completely disappeared, leaving room for tenderness and quiet gratitude. Armin even allowed himself a slight, if slightly sad smile. Annie blinked as the boy raised his hand and moved it towards her face. His fingers touched her cheek and stroked it gently. Armin was staring straight into her eyes. Although he was a few years younger than her, he was taller.
Annie shivered a little, feeling that gentle touch on her cheek. Her heart quickened instantly, she felt an incredible warmth inside her, covering her entire body, from the forehead to the fingers. Still, she tried to save herself with sarcasm.
"Do you have any idea of what you're doing?" She asked in a chastening tone. Or at least she wanted it to sound that way, but she failed. Her breathing was rapid, making her voice sound very weak.
"Oh yes. I know" Armin said and then, without waiting for her next question, he leaned over and kissed her.
When she felt the touch of the boy's lips on her's, her whole world trembled in its foundations. Armin kissed her slowly, taking his time, . He did it very subtly and without overbearing, as if he wanted to make sure Annie didn't mind first. He quickly had to understand that she didn't. As usual, Armin guessed everything. He knew perfectly well how to steal her kiss to make her crave for more.
The boy tore his mouth off her lips. He did it so their eyes could meet, but Annie wouldn't let him do that. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and this time she pressed her lips against his mouth, finally showing him her own passion. Armin accepted it willingly, he allowed her even more. Annie ran her trembling hands over his cool skin. She stroked his shoulders, chest and back, still kissing his lips. Armin hugged her tightly, pressing her body against him and kissing her back. Suddenly he sighed softly against her lips as Annie reached for his pants and swiftly unbuttoned the fly. Before she could do anything else, this time it was she who gasped in surprise as she felt Armin lift her up.
She quickly wrapped her legs around him, letting him carry her into the bedroom. Once inside, they collapsed together on the soft bed, returning immediately to exchanging kisses. They hastily took off their clothes, wanting to move on to the next stage. Annie felt that it still wasn't enough of her, that she wanted more. Even though it was her first time with Armin, she didn't mind the rush.
The boy paused only for a moment to reach into the drawer and take the condom out of it. Annie smiled at this sight. That was what she would expect from a well-mannered man like Armin. When the blonde's eyes fell on her again, Annie blushed slightly. She was lying under him, completely naked. On the one hand, she felt a little ashamed, but on the other, she wanted more. Armin must have seen it in her gaze, but before he could fulfill her desire, he leaned down and began to caress her neck with his lips.
Annie sighed loudly as she felt the boy's warm tongue against her skin. Yeah. It was something he would do. He couldn't get straight to the point. A man like him had to be sure that she was ready.
Leonhart closed her eyes, savoring the sensation. She groaned as the kisses moved lower to her breasts. She thought Armin would stop there, but his lips traveled farther, marking a wet trail along the length of her belly. She groaned loudly and squeezed her eyes shut, squirming in pleasure and forgetting the whole world.
When she was already breathing fast, Armin backed off. He rose on his elbows and returned to the level of her face to lean over her and look at her. Then she felt that he too was ready. As their bodies adjusted to fit together, Annie let out a loud sigh. She was waiting for this. She put her arms around the boy's neck and looked into his eyes, enjoying the moment. Armin moved slowly inside her, watching her face.
"Are you okay?" He asked in a low and dreamy voice. His breathing quickened, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Another thing, very much in his style. He had to make sure everything was okay.
"Yes, more than okay" Annie whispered, stroking the boy's cheek. Armin hugged her tighter, they kissed again. Then he started to move a little faster, soft sighs came from his mouth every now and then. They both were at the verge of it. Annie cuddled up to Armin's shoulder, trying to suppress the scream rising in her mouth. Armin twined his fingers into her hair, the girl felt his body trembling. She also came, tried to control it, but it was impossible. She moaned loudly, while breathing hastily.
After a while, they both looked into each other's eyes as if they had only realized what had happened just now.
"Oh shit" Annie blurted out.
She raised a hand and brushed back a strand of hair that was stuck to Armin's forehead.
"I love you, Annie" Armin confessed.
He smiled as she saw her lids widen in surprise.
Annie wanted to say something, but was completely unable to. She would most willingly take a vow of silence at this point, never to speak again in her life, for no answer to such a confession could come to her mind. Only a soft "eeehhh..." came out of her mouth, which made Armin laugh out loud.
The boy pressed his face against the hollow of her neck. Only then the answer did come to her mind.
Levi
He stopped the car in the parking lot in front of the police building where their department was located. He turned off the engine and looked at Erwin, who was sitting next to him. The man rested his neck against the headrest of the chair, then looked back at Levi.
After yesterday's meeting with journalists, Shadis gave them another assignment. Keith had apparently figured out that regular field trips would improve Erwin's well-being, and he was apparently right. Though they could use some successful tasks.
They checked two locations they had received from dealers interviewed by Reiner and Gelgar. Ackerman had expected both places to be a flop, and they were indeed. One turned out to be an empty warehouse and the other turned out to be an abandoned shed.
"It doesn't make sense" Levi muttered, shaking his head. "Instead of wandering aimlessly, we could have done something more useful".
"We had to check these places anyway, you know that" Erwin replied, lifting the corner of his mouth, then reaching out his left hand to open the door. The right arm was still in a sling, moveless. "If not us, someone else would...".
Levi's eyes widened slightly. He fell out of the car and circled it in a flash, then grabbed the handle and opened the passenger door before Erwin could do it. The blond looked at his friend and raised his eyebrows, then laughed sincerely. He got out of the car and stood next to Levi, putting his good hand on his shoulder.
"Levi, really, you don't have to help me all the time. I can handle it myself. I have to get used to this life somehow".
"Not on my watch" Ackerman grunted, slamming the door behind Erwin and then locking the car. "You'll be completely fine. That's an order".
"Since when are you my supervisor?" Erwin laughed and then moved with Levi towards the building. "My physical therapist tells me the same, but I find it a little hard to believe".
"You better believe it. From what I've read, your trauma may be mostly psychological" Levi confessed and looked at his friend, but when he saw Erwin rolling his eyes he quickly fell silent. He knew that if he was in Smith's shoes, he also wouldn't like to raise the subject of his own indisposition.
They headed towards the common office. At one point, they almost ran into Gelgar, who emerged from around the corner.
"Levi! Erwin!" The man exclaimed at the sight of them, smiling cheerfully. "How was it? Have you checked that two locations? Do we have any lead?".
"Two dead ends" Levi muttered, looking at his friend with polite indifference. "Get your job done, huh? I don't feel like traveling from one empty point to another".
"Shit…" Gelgar swore, sighing softly and crossing his arms over his chest. "I was worried that these two guys were bluffing. Tomorrow we're going to question the third guy, Waltz. Maybe he will shed some new light on our case".
"I really hope so, because I'm fed up with driving without any sense.
"And I have enough of questioning these bastards..." Gelgar sighed. Suddenly he blinked and looked intently at Ackerman, as if something had occurred to him. "Hey, Levi, I have an idea. How about if we switch for a few days? I'd love to take a ride with Erwin in the field, and you would help Reiner with the interrogations".
"Ehh..." Levi frowned and quickly glanced at Smith, who was standing next to him. Erwin looked back and nodded vigorously. Levi moved his eyes back at Gelgar. "Well, I don't know".
"Even Shadis said it would be a good idea, especially since you don't like Reiner too much, huh?" Gelgar wanted to know.
"You know, there aren't many people Levi tolerates..." Erwin began, but stopped when Ackerman's killing glare fell on him. He smiled slightly, then added, "But I think it's a good idea"
"Okay, fine" Levi muttered, sighing softly.
"Great! I'll let the commander know" Gelgar said cheerfully, then pivoted on his heel and walked away.
"What a nice surprise. Okay, now you probably want some tea?" Erwin asked, returning his gaze to shorter man. "Levi?".
It was only now that Smith noticed the sudden change in Ackerman's body. Levi stood still, lost in his own thoughts. Erwin waited a moment, as he apparently knew the sight well. Levi finally shook off his own thoughts and looked at the taller man.
"Erwin, I have an idea. I know we're finishing work soon, but I need your help. I warn you that this may take us all night".
Smith didn't look disheartened though, on the contrary, he nodded, his eyes shining with a familiar glow.
"Whatever it is, I'm in".