Don't own the anime/manga. If I did, it'd probably suck.
Titans… TITANS!
"Hey, Eren… Now that you're in the Top Ten of all the graduates, will you still be going to the Recon Corps?" Whereas before there was loud chatter, the room filled with graduates and food went silent at Thomas Wagner's question. There were now many people who doubted Eren's bravado, seeing as he'd managed to slip into the Number 1 spot in the top ten.
Seeing all of the doubt still aimed towards him, Eren found his smile gone from his face, the graduation party ruined for him. He raised a hand to massage the bridge of his nose to relieve a bit of stress. "Honestly, you'd think by now, with all the speeches, all the extra time I put into my training," his gaze shifted over to a distant table, where Annie was seated, staring at him with one of her rare smirks, "every bit of help and support I received from my future comrades, I'd be done proving my intent."
"I-I didn't mean to offend you, Eren, it's just…" "It's just that most people would use my position to gain posting within the Military Police. You'd be right on the money with most, but I'm not most." Feeling he'd said enough, Eren made his way through the crowd, and out the exit.
…
…
"Eren!"
Hearing his name called, Eren turned his gaze from the star-lit sky to see a few approaching figures. Armin, who'd been the one to get his attention, along with Christa, Ymir, Mikasa, Annie, Reiner, and Bertholdt.
"Ah, hey guys. What're you all doing out here?" He'd think they'd be enjoying the remainder of the party instead of following him out.
"Idiot, does a frail, weak girl need a reason to be near a big, strong man such as yourself." Annie's statement was laced with half-hearted sarcasm, and could be the nearest thing to a joke she'd probably say. Moments later, she'd occupied one of the spaces next to Eren, turning the same smirk from earlier up at him as she did.
"Oi, you're far from weak, Annie. Your training was brutal." That was all Eren got to say, as more people decided to flock to him. Christa found herself sitting in front of Eren, resting her back shamelessly against his chest before he could protest. Ymir, smirking at this, occupied the other space beside Eren, leaning her head teasingly on his shoulder. Mikasa, furious at all of the shameless 'harpies', settled for sitting behind the boy, pulling his head just underneath her scarf-covered chin.
"…Uh, okaaay then," was all Reiner had to say about the situation, as he knew not to tease 'Yeager-boy' around his protective following. He simply took a seat near Ymir, turning his gaze up to the stars. Bertholdt was blinking owlishly at Eren's position, still doing so as he sat beside Annie. Armin simply came up beside Mikasa, used to this situation, more or less.
"…Can't say I'm not comfortable." Eren commented, resting one hand on Annie's own, and another within Christa's hair.
Life was great sometimes.
Ladies… Ahem. TITANS!
And other times, it was hell.
"Squad Four, man the cannons! Ward off the Colossus as best you can! We will not have a repeat of That Day!" Well, Eren seemed to be a natural for taking command under pressure. Of course, why would he be under pressure at all?
"Fuck! Sasha, get that guy hanging from your line to a med-station. We need everyone we can get, even the injured, to defend this district!" It'd taken 5 years, but the damn Colossus had reared its ugly head once again. And this time, Eren would be there to cleave its head from its shoulders.
Speaking of which…
"Die, damnit!"
…The slicing of air could be heard. Afterwards, the launching of 3DMG, followed by a cry of barely-controlled anger.
…
…
"IT FUCKING DISAPPEARED?!"
…
…
"Out of the way, asshole."
"Don't call me an asshole, Jean. We may have our differences, but we're still comrades in this. We're dealing with Titans here. Be careful." Before Jean could say anything else, Eren stalked off.
…
…
"Eren… please don't die." Mikasa currently held onto Eren's arm, the tears in her eyes shadowed by her hair.
"Don't worry about me, Mikasa. I won't die until I've accomplished my goal."
A small, unseen smile spread across Mikasa's lips. She trusted him completely, knowing his goal was at stake.
…
…
"Good luck, Eren. You'll be in my thoughts." Christa's voice muffled out against Eren's chest.
"Don't die, idiot. It'd be dull without you around." Ymir spoke, ruffling his hair.
Eren felt much more confident.
…
…
Words weren't needed, as Annie decided that actions spoke louder, in this case especially.
Eren's first kiss was unexpected, but welcomed wholeheartedly.
Titans… TITANS!
The pain caused by his lost leg was excruciating, more than he could've thought the severing of an appendage could feel. He felt so stupid, allowing the adrenaline pumping within to affect his judgement. Because of that, right after he'd come out of killing a few 5-meters, he'd flown dangerously close to the waiting maw of a 3-meter, and the lack of his left leg was what he had to show for it.
His goal, now pushed so far out of reach by this single mistake. He'd be retired, without even reaching the Scouting Legion's induction ceremony. Damn the Titans, damn humanity, damn himself, damn-
"AGH! SOMEONE, HELP!"
"A-Armin! Hold on, friend!"
Hastily, Eren leapt across the gap between the two buildings, with the help of his 3DMG and still-pumping adrenaline. From there, he dove desperately into the bearded mouth of the Titan, gripping the slimy hand of his friend, and throwing him out in a burst of almost-inhuman strength. Without realizing it, steam was coming off of his stub of a leg.
"Armin, get out of here. Go, now! I'm useless without my leg!"
"No! I won't leave you behind, Eren! You still have so much to-"
A bloody, broken arm flew past Armin's face. The Titan had closed its mouth, and swallowed.
…
…
"Eren Yeager… Cadet of the 104th Trainees Division, Rank 1 among graduates… has been registered as K.I.A.!" Armin's tears had dried up, but the despair on his visage remained.
"…I'm going. I'm going to kill every last Titan, whether you all are with me or not…" Mikasa breathed out, her face devoid of emotion. "Eren wouldn't want us to give up after this. He'd want us to fight on, to continue to protect humanity in his stead. If you're too much of a coward to do so, stay behind."
Almost everyone followed her, and the ones who didn't, were content to take out their frustrations on the Titans that now surrounded them.
…
…
'I'm sorry, Eren. I'm out of gas, now. All I can do is fight on foot, and hope I get lucky.' In her grief Mikasa had recklessly spent most of the gas in her 3DMG on the travel between various Titans. She slaughtered all in her way with ease. But now, she only had her swords to rely on, as a 15-meter slowly approached. Poised to strike out, Mikasa faltered only slightly upon hearing a second, just-as-big by its footsteps, Titan approach from behind.
She dared not turn, knowing if she did, her will to fight would vanish. Eren wouldn't want that.
"P… Pro…" It was guttural, a truly mortifying and garbled voice that tried to pronounce a two-syllable word.
"Pro… tect…" Finally, Mikasa did turn, wondering if it actually was the Titan behind that spoke. Just as she did, she found herself tossed in the air, unable to see anything. Save, of course, for a giant, muscled arm flying high above her peripheral, straight into the jaw of the first Titan.
"PROTECT!"
She'd never found herself admiring a Titan, ever. They were all human-killing beasts, right? Well, she'd never seen one Titan beat another to death, all while screaming a single word. For all she knew, no Titan had ever spoken.
Finally, she got a glimpse it, as it had calmed down long enough to stare down directly at her. It looked rather muscled and well-proportioned, unlike most Titans she'd seen. Two different rows of teeth, one set higher than the other. Sharp, dagger-like, intimidating. Its eyes were the same shade as Eren's, which caused her heart to pound. Even more convincing was its medium-length brown locks, coming down just a bit more than Eren's had. Pointed ears that seemed to twitch at the slightest sound, as well as an equally sharp nose that inhaled in short, quick bursts.
Upon finishing her inspection of her Titan savior, she noticed its arms twitch, and its legs come together. It roared, slamming a fist each against its back and chest. No way…
It pledged its heart.
Titans… TITANS…
And there it is, after a few days' delay. I spent those days watching Ep. 24 over and over, as well as playing SMITE/LoL. Weird mix, I suppose. Anyways, I finally got myself away from that stuff long enough to update. Cheers.
Anyways, seeya.