3rd POV
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Affronted teal eyes glanced over in disgust, watching people walk in the street, exchanging greetings, buying things left and right, in short, living their lives while younger children played together, their mirths, a big contrast to the solemn mood lingering in the district despite many's attempts at normalcy. This sickened Eren so much that he couldn't help but glare at anyone trying to act as if nothing happened. How could they?! Weren't they confident about the wall a year ago? Calling the scouts good for nothings, wastes of taxes only good at dying and for what? A delusional dream of freedom!
Eren gritted his teeth in anger.
What did they know about being free anyway?! Those cowards! All they do is complain while the scouts are fighting! Spitting on the sacrifices, the lives lost trying to free them while they stay safe in their home, growing complacent because nothing happened for 100 years! He hated this! He hated that instead of focusing more on eradicating those monsters, on seeking freedom, they prefer to remain safe behind walls like cattle waiting to be eaten, and oh look where it led them? To the biggest wall lost to the titans because they weren't ready! And now they want to act like everything's normal?
When are they gonna understand?! Shouldn't this be a hint for them to stand up and fight for their stolen freedom? An entire wall, his house, his family, mom- everything, lost to the titans because no one excluding the scouts deemed it important enough to kill these-
Eren was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see the gloved hand coming for his forehead.
"Ow!" startled, the brunette squeaked, his hand going for his aching forehead as he threw a dumbfounded look toward the hooded girl who just flicked it. "What was that for?!"
Colith, the odd girl who suddenly appeared in their lives last year grinned, "you look like you bit into something nasty!" he watched as she laughed, getting giggles out of the two accompanying them. "Anyway, what's the matter, lil bird? Something on your mind you'd like to share?"
Eren frowns. He couldn't understand why she liked calling him that, though he gave up on trying to convince her to stop a long time ago. He never thought he'd find someone as equally stubborn as him. The boy grumbled something, looking away with a pout, "...No" before he felt something tug on his sleeve and looked toward Mikasa with a frown.
"Are you sure you're okay Eren? Are you tired? Do you want me to carry you? You can tell me if there's something wrong." The raven-haired girl asked, her gaze softening.
He scowled, roughly pulling his arm away from her grasp "That's none of your business, Mikasa! What am I? Your ki-OW! Why d'you hit me again!"
"That's no way to speak to a lovely and caring lady, ya hear?" Colith caught his cheeks, pulling them, getting whines out of him, "Mikasa's only worried for you! You better drop this attitude or no more omurice for a month!"
Eren's eyes widened in dismay 'no more omurice?!' that's low! "Are you serious?!"
"Bet I am" the hooded girl affirmed before smirking, releasing his cheeks to his relief, "now chop-chop, apologize! I want a smile on her face!"
The 11-year-old groaned as he massaged his face. Why was she so set on him being nice to Mikasa anyway? Granted, he now lived with her, she shouldn't be this caring, right? He turned to an awaiting Mikasa who looked more amused at his plight than anything. A light blush invaded his cheeks as he mumbled a reluctant "sorry" before looking away, missing the faint pink on her cheeks.
He didn't see Colith and Armin exchange knowing looks while the raven-haired girl simply nodded in mirth, accepting the apology.
Colith had begun teaching him manners and how to be nicer toward Mikasa and people in general. He even surprised himself by actually listening to her! How was she doing this?!
The boy was clearly infatuated but he himself wasn't aware of it yet. Even Armin eventually caught up on it when he noticed his friend unconsciously place food on her plate every time they ate, but decided not to address it per Colith's request.
They resumed their walk. "Where are we going anyway?" Eren inquired suddenly, he was so focused on his thoughts that he didn't know why they were out in the first place. Wasn't it game night tonight?
"to the forest," Colith replied.
"The forest? Why?"
"to train."
he watched as she gave them a side glance, gold eyes glistening through the shadows of the hood she sported. He always wondered how someone's eyes could be this bright! At first glance, he found them freaky, but after a year, he got accustomed to it and even found them pretty! Although he's convinced to have seen them somewhere...maybe in a dream- Ah she's talking!
"I was thinking of starting your training early, after all, we only got, like, 6 months before the enlistment starts and I heard that the new instructor is scary as hell!" she shuddered, getting stunned looks from him and the two. Someone managed to scare Colith?! He should take that seriously then! "That's if you're alright with it, of course, I'm not forcing you but right now," she stopped in her tracks, compelling them to do the same and turn to them with a grimace only they could see, "I hate to admit, but you two are weak as hell."
Eren scrunched up his nose, exchanging a bemused look with the two- Armin in this case since Mikasa remained unfazed. It's true that if he wanted to join the military, he'd have to begin training! Of course! To kill them all, he needs to be stronger! Why didn't he think of it sooner instead of lazing around ?! Mikasa and Colith can easily overpower him, he can't have that! The eleven-year-old nodded before pausing once he correctly processed her words.
"Two? Why not three?"
Colith deadpanned, "Bruh I'm referring to you and Armin, sweetie. Mikasa's already a mini Hulk."
Puzzled, the boys looked at each other before turning to the Asian whose features seemed to brighten at the title, "What's a 'Hulk'?" Armin inquired.
The girl shrugged. "I don't know, but Colith said it's a compliment for strong people so I don't mind." she smiled a little then leveled the two with her signature blank look "and she's right, you two are weak."
"I'm not!" Eren glared at her with gritted teeth, feeling insulted.
"yeah sure and I'm God!" Colith laughed before pausing. "oh that doesn't work, erm whatever, Eren!" the boy jolted in surprise. "you've got the spirit! But what you lack right now is strength! You can't win a fight to save your life!"
"What?!"
"And you Armin," she ignored his squawk of offense, opting for head patting the blond fondly, "you've got the brains BUT you're the weakest of all of us, strength-wise of course, so I really want you to participate even if it's only once or twice hm? Is that okay with you?"
Eren grumbled as his blond friend easily agreed to her words. How was he okay with it though? Granted she's right, to call them weak of all things? He blinked in surprise when a hand entered his field of vision, prompting him to look up and meet Colith's soft gaze. His irritation waned at the sight.
"come on, stop sulking would ya? I'll make your omurice tomorrow, ight?"
Eren glanced back and forth between the hand and her face before huffing, and begrudgingly taking it. "whatever."
She laughed heartily as she dragged them to the interior's gate where a bunch of garrison soldiers stood. He, unfortunately, didn't see Hannes in the bunch. He wondered where that drunkard was...
"Alright, have a nice day ma'am!"
"Thanks! Come on guys, let's go!"
Hold on, now that he thought of it, how come no one's commenting on Colith's outfit? As far as he knew, no one could roam around in a red hoodie, easily spottable kilometers away without getting a few looks. So how come none of the people they passed by pointed it out?! 'Hiding'? Her face was in plain sight for Maria's sake! that's not hiding at all!
It's like they aren't acknowledging it, Heck, she greeted the fruit vendor, made eye contact with them, and got a friendly hello in return as they walked by! Even the guards remained unfazed and just wished them a safe trip after she paid their entrance fee, like they didn't just see her face?! It's not like the hood covered everything either!
What in the world, what was this sorcery?-
"You okay buddy? We can still turn back if you don't feel good"
Eren jolted as Colith's voice pulled him out of his thoughts, getting the two's attention. He quickly answered
"No! No need, let's go !"
She narrowed her eyes on him, the stare making him shift uncomfortably before Colith shrugged, deciding to resume the trek. "Alright, after me my minions!" She pumped her fists, getting a giggle out of Armin, meanwhile, Eren chose to stop questioning things when Colith was involved...
He spoke too soon.
"TADA!" Colith chirped happily as she made a silly pose.
"What the..."
Mikasa emitted a small sound, seemingly lost as well.
"Welcome to your customized training ground made by yours truly! hm hm! " She proudly patted herself on the chest before gesturing around with a wide grin, "Ahem, anyway, this is where I'll have you train for the next 6 months!" She did jazz hands before clapping, "now kiddos, what do you want to start with?"
"..." the three friends looked at each other before focusing back on her, unsure of what to do because...
"Colith..." Armin started carefully.
"hm?"
"What...are those supposed to be, exactly...?" he pointed to the strange colorful structures behind her. Indeed, what the hell were those? How did she find time to build these? Alone? In the middle of nowhere?! You know what, it's Colith. Logic doesn't seem to apply with her around.
Eren watched her glance back and forth between them and the structures, her hood lowered since they were alone in the forest, then leveled them with a funny look that implied that they should know what these things were. She opened her mouth to say something but paused as her face morphed into realization.
"Oh"
Colith proceeded to face-palm, calling herself an idiot or something, muttering things Eren couldn't comprehend before releasing an awkward chuckle.
"ight...hum..this place is what I call a 'playground',"
"a...playground? I thought we were supposed to train...?" Armin utters as a little frown came across his face, same with him and Mikasa. What the hell was she on about this time?
She responded with a chuckle, shaking her head before clapping hands with a knowing smile, "oh trust me, min' you won't be saying that once you start playing in here! Now lemme show you around!" With newfound enthusiasm, she gently ushered them toward the strange structures, introducing each one by one, and even showed how to maneuver some by using them herself. He heard Mikasa gasp lightly as Colith hung from one of them with her arms, crossing the horizontally mounted ladder named a 'Monkey bar' with ease before dramatically plopping on the ground with a flip.
What even was a 'monkey', had Eren asked curiously to which she spaced out for a few seconds before replying that he'd understand in 4 years. Answer that did nothing but confuse him more! He heard her utter a 'mmm...monke Jaeger' before snickering though.
'???'
You know what, he won't bother asking what that was about. She's weird enough as it is.
His blond friend asked if she created the names herself which was a valid question since the only thing he knew in the bunch was the "swing", otherwise he had no idea what the others were. Colith made a noncommittal sound before giving a vague reply.
Weird.
Through the explanations, she invited them to try the structures. Hesitant, Armin and Mikasa complied, going for the 'merry go round'- where was she even finding these names- while Eren stood aside, incomprehension written on his face. What about training? Did they walk miles to the neighboring forest just to have fun? Was this a joke?
Seeing that he hadn't followed, Colith turned to him with a raised brow, having expected him to join. "not gonna try?"
He huffed "Why? I don't see how this is going to help me fight titans."
"Eren Eren Eren, sweet Eren." A groan immediately left his lips, having recognized her tone. It was the 'you know I'm right, therefore do as I say' tone "what did I tell you?"
The teen pressed his lips in a thin line before reluctantly uttering,"...no titan related stuff until our enlistment"
As unbelievable as it sounds, she had managed to make him promise that and knew damn well that he would never break a promise.
"Exactly," with a sigh, he let himself be dragged by her, knowing full well she had him, "now get your butt over here and go have fun! Armin and Mikasa seem to enjoy it, look!", He blinked, glancing up at the two and true to her words, they were actually having fun.
His eyes widened in befuddlement. He's sure he's never seen Mikasa's face this bright before! She further shocked him by letting small giggles slips as she ran, pushing the merry-go-round as Colith showed earlier, on which Armin was clinging for dear life with a grin on his face before jumping on it and letting herself be taken by the movement, silky raven strands flying through the motion as the two laughed. He had never seen his friends this...happy.
"See? Everything isn't just about titans." Colith's voice broke his daze. He looked up to see her observe the two with a soft smile, "the more you obsess over them, the more you'll miss moments like those. When was the last time you saw them like this?"
The boy muttered softly, still floored, "I...last week when you made those sweet fritters-"
Colith laughs, a prideful look blooming on her face, "they were good, huh?"
He uttered a distracted "Yeah" before quickly shaking his head to focus back on the conversation, putting an end to his delicious food thoughts.
"tell me Eren," her hand came resting on his head, fingers fumbling with brown strands. "what is freedom to you?"
He paused, blinking a few times before asking where that question came from. She simply told him to answer.
"Well, to me...freedom is being able to freely go outside without obstacles blocking my way, to discover new things..." he remembered Armin's words "sea of fire...land made of ice...fields of sand, so many things to discover...I'd die to see those one day." he uttered thoughtfully before his face morphed into a harsh glare, "no matter what's waiting for me in the future, I'll do anything to get to that! I won't let anyone take my freedom away. Titans only succeeded because we weren't ready!" He balls his fists as tight as he can, anger growing, "if only they didn't exis-"
"ight, okay calm down Rambo-"
'rambo?'
"Now, what I get is to you freedom is, first, going outside no matter what, right?" He nodded. "really? No matter what?" He frowned but still nodded anyway, he watched Colith sigh, what? Did he say something wrong? "now tell me, what are you ready to give up to achieve this?"
"eh?" He blinked, not understanding the question.
She motions for him to look at his friends. He did so in confusion "Would you sacrifice those smiles for freedom?"
Eren's heart instantly missed a beat, his eyes widening in alarm. What was this question?! What- but she wasn't done.
"what If I told you there was a way to get it but for it to happen..." her face went blank, no trace of emotion left as she spoke with a tone displaying nothing, which wasn't something he was used to! This... Looked so wrong on her. "you'll have to server the bonds you currently have with them."
A sudden ringing noise overlapped Armin and Mikasa's laughs as Colith stood, witnessing the way Eren's face morphed to horror. He was speechless. Server bonds?! How did things get to this? What-why did she ask this? What's the reason behind this question...?
He blinked, he hadn't even noticed he was looking down. He quickly glanced up to see if she was joking but to his shock, her face stayed unchanged.
"h-hey-"
"whould you?" He jolted.
Maria, she was serious...
Puffs of air escaped his lips as beads of sweats rolled down his face. This question was messed up on so many levels, but if..he truly had a choice on the matter... Would he...Would he forsake their happiness for his selfishness. In the name of freedom...Would he abandon them...?
His eyes flickered to them. Would he risk destroying this?
However before he could answer, the hand on his scalp moved, startling him out of his musings. He legitimately forgot it was there in the first place.
"My freedom ends where that of others begins" Eren jolted at her words. He had...never heard that one before. "look kid," Colith sighed, dropping the blank demeanor, settling for weariness unfit on her, "I'm not telling you to give up on your dream and di-erm", she coughed in her fist then carried on, "I mean, your wish to get the hell out of here's completely understandable, heck even the air's better outside than here"
"Huh?"
"it's one thing to strive for freedom, but it's another to walk on someone's else. Your dream is legitimate alright, just don't turn it into an obsession that might make you lose important things. I ain't saying to forget the past, god no, I can be petty too, But just...think about the present moments. Mikasa and Armin are there for you. They're all you have now. your new family." both hands went to cup his cheeks as she gave him a meaningful look, "This may sound a bit corny but hey, have some trust in them never hesitate to share your doubts with them, hm? Don't think we didn't notice you glare at everyone, even made someone shiver like a leaf haha, you menace! I might need to take lessons!" She cackled, causing him to pout, not his fault if they were pathetic.
"I just..." she exhaled, bringing their foreheads together. Eren felt a feeling of being swaddled by something warm. It was...comforting. "I just want you to be kids for the next six months alright? No more thinking about revenge, just try to have fun, After that, you can do whatever you want unless it's bad." Her face turned sour, "there's no way I'll let you guys go on a wrong path. Just know that I'll do my best to make things right. Don't forget that I'm here now and that I'll protect you all, so if you ever need a break, let me take over." he felt her press her lips on his forehead before leaning back with a soft smile.
The warmth on her face, her words...they were so...genuine that he couldn't do anything but scrutinize her in awe.
Why.
Why was she like this...?.
There was no malice, only affection...and it strangely reminded him of...
'mom..?'
His eyes went wide in mortification and found himself blushing at an alarming rate. He reeled back with a squawk, confusing Colith who watched him freak out with an imaginary question mark popping over her head.
Did he just-he can't believe he just- nononono what the hell brain?!
His uncharacteristic freak out got Armin and Mikasa's interest who glanced over just to see him adamantly avoid Colith's questioning attempts by whipping his head away every time her face came into view. What's got into him? They quickly jogged over to see what was going on, though the boy never let a word out. In the end, they all went home, exhausted after Colith decided it'll be a good idea to play tag, and whoever was tagged had to confess a secret. Less to say, Eren's never run so much in his life.
Once home, they all collapsed on the couch exhausted by the day while Colith went to fix dinner. He was still floored over the fact that she managed to carry them all to the house like they weighed nothing and got more shocked when nobody questioned it!
WHAT WAS WRONG WITH PEOPLE?!
The night went as usual, with her making tasty food they eagerly ate before going to bed. Despite the earlier chaos, Eren found himself unable to sleep. He was still thinking of that question she asked him earlier in the night.
He had observed her. Her eyes, despite shining every time he saw them, seemed to sadden every time he spoke of revenge which he couldn't understand. What's to be sad about revenge? His revenge? Was she sad on his behalf? Why? He felt like she was dreading something bad, and was trying to avoid it at all costs. What had her on edge every time he spoke of eradicating titans? Was it because it came out of his mouth? Well, that's none of her business! She shouldn't care about his motivations! And after what he saw...he couldn't just let it go! He vowed to kill them all! He shouldn't care about what she thinks!
...Right?
He frowned, shifting on his back to stare at the ceiling.
Why does he care about her words tho?
"If I told you I could turn into a titan, would you hate me?"
What the hell was this question? Her, at titan? What nonsense was this?
"They're monsters, we're humans. Even so, that's impossible. What's with that weird question, Colith?"
What nonsense was this.
"You didn't answer me. What would you do if tomorrow I was one? Would you kill me? Would you despise me?"
He cringed at the panic he went through at this question. He closed his eyes, burying himself in his blankets, an embarrassing whine leaving his mouth as he thought of the answer he immediately blurted out.
"I'd protect you!"
He couldn't believe he said that. Was this because it was her? If she was a titan, even though that'll never happen, would he kill her? Deep down, despite his hatred for them...if she became one...there's no way he'd hurt her.
He couldn't understand the reason behind this question though, but it looked like his answer relieved her because her shoulders sagged before she caught him in an unexpected hug that left him more confused about the situation. Heck if he knew why.
The boy yawned as he began to doze off.
"I wonder why that question..."
It was only 4 years and a week later that Eren remembered and finally understood the meaning behind that question.