A/N: oh god, two weeks, i'm so sorry. This chapter was quite hard to write and it's been annoying me since I started it. I still don't think it flows very well but if I fiddle with it any more I'll probably make it worse. Also my failed attempts of trying to add a little bit of humour come out in this chapter~ But thank you for all the follows/favourites, it seriously means a lot ^^ please excuse any mistakes and apologies if it isn't as good as expected
As the evening meal arrived Rivaille motioned for Eren to sit at his table, knowing Hanji would soon follow. The perfect opportunity to be able to cross her off the list. It was silly really, wasting his time on all this. But in between the paperwork, cleaning and training there was practically nothing else to do.
Eren walked over, politely bowed and took a seat.
"Hello, Sir." he mumbled, starting to eat away at the cold mess they were passing of as food.
"Evening."
He contemplated whether or not he should continue the conversation. Rivaille was quite interested in the boy's past. Yes, he had read most of it from the reports, but it wasn't the same as hearing it first hand. He wanted to know little things, like his favourite games or silly pranks he would pull. He wanted to know about him. Not about how he killed two grown men.
Rivaille just didn't really know how to word it without sounding patronising. Most memories would probably upset him anyway, so it would be best he didn't pry. At least not with others around.
"Well this sure looks like fun!"
'Ah. Took her time.' Rivaille thought, throwing a scowl in her direction. The situation wasn't as bad as it seemed. The silence was somewhat peaceful.
"Evening, Hanji." Eren smiled, welcoming her as she took her place opposite him.
They dismissed the usual research questions and skipped straight to the normal chatter. It didn't really get any of Rivaille's attention but he said the odd word here or there. Occasionally Eren would laugh at one of Hanji's poorly worded jokes, and oh god that laugh. Every time Rivaille heard it he had to force back a blush as his insides turned to jelly. Honestly, he hated it to begin with, but now he couldn't stop listening out for it. It brought him a little comfort knowing Eren was happy and smiling at times.
However the fact that it was Hanji who made him laugh - especially with such bad jokes - made him jealous. He didn't want Eren to laugh at her, or have it possibly mean more. Rivaille wanted to be the one to make him at least smile. Why on earth was he feeling like this? Jealous because of a little conversation between two peers. A conversation he himself struggled to maintain.
It was nearing the end of the evening and he was staring down into a now empty cup. He could feel Eren looking over every now and again. Rivaille put it down to Eren just trying to include him in on the conversation, or check to see if he had left yet. Probably just wanting to be alone with Hanji.
Ugh, Hanji. If in the end it turned out to be her, he would be even more concerned for the boy's well being. She would probably be over the moon and waste no time in acting upon stupid suggestions, such as bearing his 'titan babies'. For the sake of humanity, of course. Heck she would probably suggest it even if it wasn't. Rivaille made a mental note to never bring up that in a conversation. The last thing he needed was a couple of uncontrollable shifters running around and an even more hormonal Hanji. He shuddered at the thought.
Still he needed more time, and unfortunately there was only one way to get them both to stay behind.
"So, Hanji. Tell us about your latest experiments."
As soon as it was heard the rest dining room cleared whatever they had and rushed elsewhere. Knowing it was too late, Eren gulped and sat still. The possibility of him escaping was long gone. Rivaille refilled his coffee - it was going to be a long night - before nudging her too start.
"What? Seriously?!"
"Yeah, we'd love to hear about them." Eren said, playing along. He secretly hoped the Corporal would send him away.
"Oh don't worry Eren, I have many experiments in store for you."
After a couple of hours Eren finally cracked, allowing sleep to take over. His head dropped to the table and his eyes closed tightly. Rivaille would have woken him up if he wasn't so tired himself. Plus he could easily tell Hanji to shut up now and quite rambling.
"You like him, don't you."
Hanji smiled, resting her head on her hands.
"Excuse me?"
"You like him."
Rivaille glared back, raising an eyebrow. Yeah sure, curiosity had long turned into jealousy by now. Not that he would admit it but- wait. Why was he jealous? The brat could like whoever he wants. It was just a stupid teenage crush, one Eren was probably too shy to even act upon, and it shouldn't affect him in the slightest. But it did.
Hanji continued, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"I'm surprised, I must admit. I thought you would've done something about it sooner." she teased, giggling.
"I don't like him, Hanji. You're starting to sound like a teenage girl."
"Ohh you're in denial. What is it then, the age difference?"
He winced. The age difference was painful to think about... What no. It wasn't. Because nothing was happening, there was nothing there.
"The others may not notice it, but I can. Even then you're extremely subtle. How are you planning on sweeping him off his feet acting like that? Oh and when you do be sure to tell me. I want to see if it affects his titan form." her eyes lit up.
Crap. Maybe he did like Eren.
"Tch. Suppose I did, how would I even go about it? I don't even know who he likes himself."
"You could try being more... romantic." she claimed, throwing her head back and laughing. "Oh boy, you, romantic. What a thought."
Pfft. Rivaille could be romantic. Of course he could. Just not many people had been worthy enough to actually act that way.
"Shut up, freak. No. I have an inkling on who he likes and I would rather not embarrass myself."
"See, you do care. Who would of thought it, the Corporal, falling for someone. Although I cant blame you, he is cute."
Hanji reached over and brushed a lock of Eren's hair out of the way of his face, purposely leaving her hand there longer than needed. She grinned at Rivaille, noting how he looked down, fuming.
"He actually doesn't look constipated, for one." he said, circling the rim of his tea cup with his finger.
"I bet you wish that was his entrance."
Rivaille stopped, baffled at the sudden comment. His hand accidentally slipping into the now cold tea. He scowled, flicking it onto the floor.
"...that's just weird."
"Why else would you be talking about his anus?"
Rivaille wiped his hand on a napkin, cringing at how disgusting that actually is.
"Whatever. It isn't who you think it is." she yawned and stretched, implying she was ready for bed.
"Wait, you know who it is?"
"Its painfully obvious." she chuckled, getting up to walk away.
"Well then? Tell me."
"No. Where's the fun in that."
Hanji patted him on the shoulder and headed out the door.
"Oi, what do I do with him now?!"
"Take him to bed and chain him up." she called out, obviously holding back laughter.
"HANJI."
She ran back and stuck her head round the door.
"I'm being serious. I cant carry him down there. And you call me the freak."
She rolled her eyes and went away, calling back a sleepy goodnight.
For gods sake. Rivaille will have to carry the brat down. Admittedly he looked too precious to wake up now, and like he was in quite a deep sleep. It was easier the other way. Rivaille cursed and set his cup and saucer in the sink. He was growing soft.
He walked over and pulled the boy back, picking him up in bridal style. It was difficult due to Eren's height but he managed. He hooked his arms under his legs and around his back, which inevitably made Eren's head fall into the crook of his neck.
'Damn it, the brat will pay for this.' He cursed, trying his best to slow down his heart rate. This was far too close to him, and he hated how much he enjoyed it. How Eren had this kind of affect on him.
Rivaille brushed off any more thoughts of him and rushed down into the dungeon. He just wanted the day to be over. It was strange enough falling for anyone, but this time it was completely different. Also if anyone saw them like this they would never let him live it down.
He placed Eren on the bed, removed his jacket and shoes while being careful not to wake him up. Instead of chaining him, he tucked the blankets around him and quietly locked the cell door. He figured one night not being held down will be okay, considering Eren was already flat out and snoring. Well, not exactly snoring, just the odd purr once in awhile. Rivaille shook his head at the pathetic sounds and started heading up to his own room.
This changed everything. Out of everyone, he had to fall for him. His own feelings aside, at least now Rivaille was sure, and relieved, that it wasn't Hanji.