Chapter Nine: Rising Bonds and Tensions
Reiner, normally composed and brooding, was completely taken off guard as Rue, with
her fiery red curls and petite frame, perched herself confidently in his lap. Her small
hands gripped the collar of his jacket as she leaned in close, her lips pressing against
his in a passionate kiss. There was no hesitation in her movements—Rue was all fire,
bold and unrelenting, and Reiner, for once in his life, was too stunned to push back.
The scouts watched in stunned silence. If Floch and Bria's earlier display had left them
bewildered, seeing Reiner—Reiner—in this position was nothing short of shocking.
Jean's mouth dropped open, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Is this really happening right
now?"
Connie blinked several times, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to shake himself
awake. "First Floch, now Reiner? What's going on?"
Even Mikasa, who had been tense and on edge since the sirens arrived, couldn't hide
her surprise. "Reiner…?" She trailed off, unable to find the words for what she was
seeing.
Armin, though also stunned, could only manage a soft, "I guess… Rue didn't waste any
time."
Reiner, meanwhile, was completely at a loss. Rue's lips moved against his with a fiery
intensity, her body pressed close to his as she poured every ounce of her passion into
the kiss. Reiner, still grappling with the unexpected attention, found himself responding,
his hands hesitantly resting on her waist as his mind struggled to catch up with his
body's reaction. This wasn't like anything he had ever experienced—Rue's energy was
overwhelming, and he was completely out of his depth.
Rue finally pulled back just enough to catch her breath, her lips brushing against
Reiner's as she grinned mischievously. "You're not as tough as you look, Reiner," she
teased, her voice low and full of confidence. "I knew you'd give in eventually."
Reiner, still trying to process what had just happened, blinked at her, his voice rough
and strained. "I didn't… I wasn't…" He trailed off, clearly unable to find the words.
Rue giggled softly, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw as she leaned in again,
pressing her lips to his in another deep, heated kiss. Reiner's hands gripped her waist
tighter this time, his earlier hesitation fading as he allowed himself to get swept up in her
energy.
The rest of the scouts could only watch in disbelief.
Jean shook his head, completely at a loss. "I don't understand anything anymore.
Reiner's… making out with her."
Connie threw up his hands. "Is this what the sirens are really about? This is insane."
Sasha, who had been observing quietly, snorted. "At least they're not being shy about it.
Rue knows what she wants."
Mikasa's frown deepened, but she said nothing. Her eyes flickered between Eren and
Luna, her unease growing.
Aria, who had been watching all of this unfold with her usual playful smile, finally turned
her attention back to Levi. "Well, well, well," she said with a teasing grin. "Looks like
Reiner couldn't resist. Guess that makes us next, Captain."
Levi didn't flinch, his eyes narrowing slightly as he shot her a cold glance. "Don't count
on it."
Aria giggled, completely unfazed by his sharp tone. "Oh, come on. You're tough, I'll give
you that, but you're not invincible. It's only a matter of time."
Levi sighed, clearly unimpressed. "I don't play games."
"Neither do I," Aria replied, her lavender eyes twinkling with amusement. She moved a
little closer, her voice dropping to a soft, flirtatious whisper. "But it's not a game, Captain.
You're strong, and I like that. And I'm not going to stop until I get what I want."
Levi's expression didn't change, though there was a flicker of something in his
eyes—perhaps annoyance, or maybe something more. "You'll be waiting a long time."
Aria's grin widened. "I'm patient. And persistent."
Levi said nothing, but it was clear that Aria wasn't going to back down any time soon.
The banter between them was relentless, with Aria constantly testing his boundaries
and Levi maintaining his usual cold, unyielding stance. But even so, there was an
undeniable tension building between them, one that Aria seemed determined to exploit.
Meanwhile, Rue continued to occupy all of Reiner's attention, her fiery kisses leaving
him completely unbalanced. Reiner, always the stoic soldier, had never been so
physically or emotionally vulnerable in front of his comrades, but Rue wasn't giving him
much choice. Her confidence and determination were overwhelming, and for the first
time in a long time, Reiner felt like he was the one being swept up in someone else's
storm.
The other sirens watched on, clearly entertained by Rue's boldness. Luna chuckled
softly, exchanging a glance with Aria. "Rue never hesitates, does she?"
Aria grinned. "That's what makes her so fun. Reiner doesn't stand a chance."
The sirens were clearly in their element, each of them pushing their chosen mates in
their own way. What had begun as a strange, tense interaction had quickly transformed
into something far more intimate, far more intense. And the scouts, for all their training
and battle experience, were completely out of their depth.
Rue, still perched comfortably in Reiner's lap, pulled back from the kiss with a satisfied
smirk. "See? I knew you'd come around, big guy."
Reiner, his breath coming in short, shallow bursts, could only stare at her, completely at
a loss for words.
And as the night wore on, it became increasingly clear that the bond between the sirens
and their chosen mates was only just beginning.
…..
Meanwhile, Luna and Eren stood just a few paces away from the rest of the scouts,
their conversation quieter, but no less intense. Eren's arms were crossed over his chest,
but his eyes were locked onto Luna's, and there was something palpable in the air
between them—an undeniable tension. Luna, as always, carried herself with that
effortless confidence, her white curls glinting in the dimming light, and her blue eyes
gleaming with quiet intensity. Her body language was open and bold, as if she already
knew the outcome of whatever unspoken game was happening between them.
Eren wasn't saying much, but his gaze never wavered from Luna. His normally guarded
expression had softened ever so slightly, and while he still carried the weight of
everything he had done, everything he planned to do, there was something different
here—something raw that Luna had managed to draw out of him.
Luna smirked, taking a step closer, her voice low but filled with intent. "You feel it too,
don't you, Eren? This connection. It's not just some passing thing."
Eren's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't step back. "I don't believe in connections like
that," he replied, his voice gravelly. "Not anymore."
Luna tilted her head, the smirk on her lips deepening. "You can say that all you want,
but I can see it in your eyes. You're fighting it, but there's something pulling you toward
me." She moved closer, her hand brushing lightly against his arm. "You and I are more
alike than you realize."
Eren didn't flinch at her touch, and though he didn't say anything, the tension between
them was almost suffocating.
Mikasa stood a short distance away, her eyes glued to the scene unfolding between
Eren and Luna. Every moment they spent together, every subtle glance, every brush of
contact between them felt like a dagger twisting deeper into her chest. She had always
been protective of Eren, always tried to stay by his side, but things had changed since
Marley. Since Eren had told her—no, spat at her—that he hated her. Her heart clenched
at the memory, and now, seeing him engage with Luna—this siren, this outsider—was
more than she could take.
Her fists clenched at her sides as she tried to contain her growing fury. The jealousy, the
hurt, the betrayal—it all swirled together, boiling over inside her until she couldn't hold it
in any longer.
Mikasa snapped.
"What do you think you're doing?" Mikasa's voice cut through the air like a blade, sharp
and cold as she marched toward them, her eyes burning with jealousy and anger. "Eren,
are you serious? You're just going to throw everything away for her? For a fish
woman?"
Luna's smirk vanished, and she turned to face Mikasa, her eyes narrowing slightly,
though she remained calm. "What's your problem, Mikasa?"
"My problem?" Mikasa seethed, her fists shaking at her sides. "You've been here for
what? A few days? And suddenly, you think you know Eren? You think you can just
waltz in and claim him?"
Eren turned to look at Mikasa, his expression unreadable. "Mikasa—"
"No, Eren!" Mikasa snapped, cutting him off, her voice trembling with barely contained
rage. "Just a few days ago, you told me you hated me. You told me that I was nothing
but a slave to my instincts, that I didn't have a mind of my own! And now you're—" She
gestured angrily toward Luna, her voice filled with bitter disbelief. "Now you're suddenly
moving on to her? A siren?"
Luna stepped forward, her gaze unwavering as she faced Mikasa head-on. "I want him
because I see the strength in him," she said calmly, her voice low but firm. "I see what
he's capable of. You might think you know Eren, but he's clearly not the same person
you used to know."
Mikasa's fists clenched tighter, her knuckles turning white as she took a step closer to
Luna, her anger boiling over. "You don't know anything about him! You've been here for
all of three days, and now you think you're going to swoop in and take him away? Eren
doesn't need you. He doesn't need any of you sirens here!"
Eren's eyes darkened at Mikasa's outburst, and though he didn't shout, his voice was
cold as ice. "Mikasa, this isn't about you. It's not about what you think I need."
Mikasa's heart dropped at his words, and she felt the sting of his rejection all over
again. She stared at him, her chest heaving with emotion. "Eren… how can you say
that?"
Eren's gaze flicked back to Luna for a brief moment, then returned to Mikasa. "I'm not
the person you think I am anymore. I've made my choices. I'm moving forward, and
you—" He paused, his voice hardening. "You need to accept that."
Luna, sensing the tension between them, remained silent, her blue eyes watching
Mikasa closely. She didn't need to say anything. Eren had already said enough.
Mikasa's eyes burned with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She shook her
head, her voice trembling with hurt. "You're making a mistake, Eren. She doesn't care
about you. She's just using you."
Luna raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but pointed. "I'm not using anyone. I chose him
because I see the man he's becoming. I want to help him become stronger. You're the
one who can't seem to let go."
Mikasa's gaze snapped back to Luna, her anger flaring once more. "Don't pretend you
care about him! You're just here to take what you want, like all of you sirens!"
Luna's eyes flashed, but her tone remained composed. "I care about him more than you
realize, Mikasa. And you're right—he's not the same boy you've been protecting all this
time. He's made his decision. Maybe it's time you accepted that."
Eren's expression remained dark and unyielding as the weight of his words settled over
them. Mikasa, her heart breaking all over again, took a step back, unable to stand the
sight of Eren and Luna any longer. She turned on her heel and walked away, her body
rigid with tension as she tried to hold herself together. He said nothing, but the look in
his eyes said enough. This wasn't just about Luna and the undeniable chemistry they
share, this was about gaining the power to protect Paradis from Marley and any other
threats. And Mikasa didn't understand that.
Luna stood tall, her posture strong and unyielding as she watched Mikasa storm off,
tension still lingering in the air between them. Her eyes flicked to Eren, her expression
sharp yet composed. She wasn't the type to be intimidated, not by Mikasa, not by
anyone. Luna had always been a leader, confident in herself and in her choices. But
one thing she didn't tolerate was unnecessary complications—and right now, Mikasa
was a complication.
She turned to face Eren fully, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his. "Eren," she began,
her voice calm but firm, "you need to fix this. Whatever is going on between you and
Mikasa, it's going to get in the way if you don't handle it."
Eren's expression remained unreadable, his arms still crossed as he watched Mikasa's
figure retreat into the distance. His jaw tightened, though he didn't say anything right
away. He knew Luna was right—Mikasa's attachment to him had always been a point of
tension, but now, with Luna in the picture, it was only going to complicate things further.
Luna didn't flinch as she stepped closer, her presence commanding as she continued. "I
don't have time for these kinds of distractions. You and I—we could have something
powerful. But if you're going to let her jealousy interfere, then maybe you're not ready
for this."
Eren's gaze shifted to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I'm not letting anything interfere.
I told her what she needed to hear."
Luna raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Clearly, it wasn't enough. She still thinks she
has a claim on you, Eren. You need to make it clear to her where you stand."
Eren's expression darkened, but there was no denying the truth in Luna's words. His
past with Mikasa was complicated, tangled in years of shared history and emotions he
hadn't fully processed. But Luna wasn't someone who tolerated loose ends, and she
certainly wasn't going to sit back and let Mikasa get in the way.
"I'm not saying you need to cut her off completely," Luna continued, her voice cool but
unwavering. "But if you want to move forward with me—if you want to pursue this
bond—we can't have her constantly interfering. I won't allow it."
Eren's jaw clenched, but he didn't argue. Luna was right, and he knew it. Mikasa's
feelings for him had been a source of tension for a long time, but things had escalated
since his return from Marley. Her protectiveness, her attachment—it was suffocating.
And while he had tried to push her away, it was clear that it hadn't been enough.
Luna, sensing his internal struggle, softened her tone slightly, though her confidence
didn't waver. "You're strong, Eren. I see that in you. But strength also means knowing
when to let go. If Mikasa can't accept that you've made your choice, then you need to
make her understand. I won't compete with her."
Eren's eyes flickered with something unreadable—anger, frustration, perhaps even
guilt—but he nodded slowly, his gaze turning cold once more. "I'll handle it."
Luna's smirk returned, though it was subtle. "Good. Because if you want to bond with
me, there can't be any distractions. You and I—we're meant for something bigger than
this. But I need to know you're fully committed."
Eren met her gaze, his expression hardening with resolve. "I'm committed."
Luna's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. She had seen the potential in Eren from the
moment she laid eyes on him, and she wasn't going to let anything—or anyone—stand
in the way of what they could accomplish together. But she needed to be sure that Eren
was ready to move forward without the weight of the past dragging him down.
"Then prove it," Luna said softly, her voice carrying a weight that was impossible to
ignore. "Make it clear to her. Once that's done, we'll talk about what comes next."
Eren didn't hesitate this time. "I will."
Luna nodded, her confidence unwavering. She wasn't going to settle for anything less
than complete commitment, and she wasn't afraid to push Eren to make the tough
choices. She knew that forming a bond with him would make them both stronger, but
only if there were no complications holding them back.
As Eren turned his gaze toward the horizon, his thoughts clearly focused on what
needed to be done, Luna stood by his side, a silent but powerful presence. She had
given him the push he needed, and now it was up to him to take the next step.
And when he did, Luna would be waiting—ready to take on whatever came next.
Eren stood near the edge of the camp, his eyes scanning the horizon. The air was
heavy with tension, but his expression remained hard, unreadable. He knew what had
to be done—Luna had made it clear. If he wanted to move forward with her, if he wanted
to bond, he needed to deal with Mikasa. He couldn't let her feelings cloud his path any
longer. He wasn't the same person she thought he was, and it was time she accepted
that.
He spotted Mikasa not far off, her back turned to him as she stood in a quiet corner,
arms crossed tightly over her chest. He could see the tension in her posture, the way
her shoulders were stiff, her breathing uneven. It had been days since the last time they
really talked—since he told her the truth about what he thought of her. And now, after
everything that had happened with Luna, things were even more complicated.
Eren took a breath, steeling himself, and walked toward her. "Mikasa," he called out, his
voice even but firm.
She turned around sharply, her eyes already blazing with anger. "What do you want,
Eren?" Her voice was cold, cutting, but he could hear the pain beneath it. "Haven't you
said enough?"
Eren stopped a few feet away from her, his expression still hard. "We need to talk."
Mikasa's fists clenched at her sides, her body trembling with barely contained
frustration. "Talk? About what? About how you're throwing everything away for some
fish woman you just met?" She spat the words like venom, her voice cracking slightly.
"Is that what you want to talk about?"
Eren's jaw tightened, but he didn't rise to her bait. "You don't understand."
"Oh, I understand perfectly," Mikasa snapped, her eyes flashing with fury. "You're really
choosing her, aren't you? You're choosing that siren, that thing, over me. After
everything we've been through, after everything I've done for you, you're just going to
throw it all away? For her?"
Eren's gaze didn't waver. "It's not about that."
"Then what is it about, Eren?" Mikasa's voice was trembling now, her emotions boiling
over. "You told me you hated me. You told me I was nothing to you. And now you're…
what, falling for someone you barely know? A literal fish? What does she have that I
don't?"
Eren's expression darkened. "This isn't about you and her. It's about me, Mikasa. I'm
not the same person anymore. I've made my choices. I'm doing what I have to do to
move forward."
Mikasa's fists unclenched, then clenched again, her body shaking with anger and hurt.
"So this is how you move forward? By abandoning me? By abandoning the people who
care about you?"
"I'm not abandoning anyone," Eren replied, his voice cold. "You're the one who can't let
go. You're the one who keeps clinging to something that doesn't exist anymore. I'm not
the person you're trying to protect. I don't need your protection."
Mikasa stared at him, her chest heaving with a mix of anger and heartbreak. "You don't
need my protection? That's all I've ever done, Eren! I've been by your side through
everything, and now you're telling me I don't matter?"
"You don't matter like that," Eren said bluntly, the words hitting Mikasa like a physical
blow. "I need you to understand that."
Tears welled up in Mikasa's eyes, but she refused to let them fall. "I can't believe this.
You're really doing this. You're really throwing me away."
"I'm not throwing you away," Eren said, his voice quieter but still firm. "I'm telling you the
truth. I can't be what you want me to be. I never could."
Mikasa's breath hitched, and for a moment, her voice cracked as she spoke. "You don't
even care, do you? After everything… you don't care."
Eren's eyes softened, but only for a second. "It's not about not caring. It's about doing
what has to be done."
Mikasa let out a bitter laugh, her voice filled with pain. "You sound just like him. Just like
the person you've been trying so hard not to become. You sound like a monster, Eren."
Eren's face hardened again, and the softness in his gaze disappeared. "Maybe I am.
But I've accepted that. And if you can't… then you need to let me go."
Mikasa's eyes blazed with fury, the heartbreak etched across her face now
unmistakable. "You're pathetic, Eren. You're really choosing some fish you met days
ago over me. You're weak."
Eren didn't flinch, even as her words cut deep. "This isn't about weakness or strength.
This is about moving forward, Mikasa. I'm going to fight for our future, and I'm not going
to let anything hold me back."
Mikasa's voice trembled with raw emotion as she spat back, "And you think bonding
with that siren is going to make you stronger? You think she's going to give you what
you need to win?"
Eren met her gaze head-on. "Yes. She can give me what I need to survive. And if you
can't accept that, then this is the end."
Mikasa stood frozen, her heart shattering as she realized just how far gone Eren was.
The boy she had known, the boy she had fought for, was gone, replaced by someone
colder, someone driven by a purpose she couldn't reach.
"Fine," Mikasa said, her voice low and filled with pain. "If that's what you want, then go.
Be with her. But don't expect me to stand by and watch you destroy yourself."
Eren's gaze didn't falter. "I don't expect anything from you anymore."
Without another word, Mikasa turned on her heel and walked away, her entire body
trembling with the weight of the confrontation. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes,
but she refused to let them fall. Not in front of him.
Eren stood there, watching her disappear into the distance, his face expressionless. He
had done what needed to be done. There was no turning back now.
As the wind picked up around him, Eren turned his gaze back toward the sea, where
Luna waited, patient and confident. He had severed the last tie holding him to his past,
and now, he was ready to move forward.
No matter what it cost.
Mikasa stormed away from Eren, her heart pounding in her chest, every step she took
filled with rage and hurt. The confrontation with him had been brutal—more than she
had expected—but the fury that had been boiling inside her since Luna showed up had
only grown stronger. She had barely made it a few paces before she turned on her heel,
her eyes blazing with unchecked anger. If Eren was going to push her aside, if he was
going to fall for that siren, then Luna was next.
Without hesitation, Mikasa marched straight toward Luna, who was standing near the
water with the rest of the sirens, each of them gathered around their chosen prospective
mates. Eren, Armin, Levi, Jean, Connie, Reiner, Bertholdt, and Floch—all of them stood
watching, talking in low voices with the sirens, unaware of the storm that was about to
break.
Luna stood tall, her arms folded loosely as she exchanged a quiet conversation with
Eren, her blue eyes still brimming with the same confidence and calm that she always
carried. But the moment Mikasa came barreling toward her, her gaze flicked up, and the
atmosphere shifted. The other sirens noticed too, their attention snapping toward
Mikasa as the tension in the air thickened.
"Mikasa, what are you doing?" Armin's voice wavered as he took a step forward,
sensing the danger.
Mikasa didn't stop. Her eyes were locked on Luna, her fists clenched tightly at her
sides, her whole body trembling with rage. "You," she spat, her voice trembling with fury,
"you've been here for days, days, and you think you can just waltz in and take
everything away from me?"
The other scouts exchanged nervous glances, unsure of what to do. Even Levi raised
an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard by Mikasa's sudden outburst.
Luna, however, remained calm. She didn't flinch as Mikasa closed the distance between
them, though her blue eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "This isn't about you, Mikasa,"
Luna said, her voice cool and steady. "Eren made his choice."
"His choice?" Mikasa seethed, her voice rising. "You manipulated him! You used your
stupid siren tricks, your powers, whatever it is you do to get into his head. He wouldn't
have chosen you if you hadn't—"
Luna cut her off, her voice sharp. "He chose me because he knows what he needs to
survive. This isn't about manipulation. You're the one who can't accept that he's moved
on."
Mikasa's fists clenched even tighter, her knuckles white. "Shut up!" she screamed, her
voice shaking with raw emotion. "You don't know anything about him! You've been here
for a few days, and you think you understand him? You think you can replace me?"
By now, the other sirens had gone quiet, their expressions ranging from concern to
intrigue. Aria, standing beside Levi, glanced over at Luna, her playful smirk gone,
replaced by a look of curiosity. Bria, still lounging near Floch, raised an eyebrow,
watching the confrontation unfold with an amused glint in her eye.
Jean and Connie exchanged anxious glances, both of them clearly unsure of how to
intervene. "This isn't going to end well," Jean muttered under his breath.
Armin took another step forward, his voice pleading. "Mikasa, stop. This isn't the way to
handle it."
But Mikasa wasn't listening. She took another step closer to Luna, her eyes burning with
rage. "You don't deserve him," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "You just
slithered out of the sea and decided you wanted him. You don't know what he's been
through. You don't care about him. You're just using him to save yourself."
Luna's eyes flashed with a hint of irritation, though she remained composed. "I'm not
using him. I chose him because I see his strength. You're the one who can't let go,
Mikasa. Eren has already made his decision. You're just making it harder for him."
"Harder?" Mikasa's voice cracked, her anger spilling over as tears threatened to fall.
"You don't know what hard is. I've been there for him through everything. I've fought for
him, bled for him, protected him—and now you think you can just take him away from
me? You think I'll just let that happen?"
Luna's expression hardened, her voice growing colder. "You don't get to decide who
Eren chooses. And you don't get to threaten me because you can't handle the truth."
Mikasa's breath hitched, and for a moment, she stood frozen, her fists trembling at her
sides. Then, with a sudden burst of fury, she lunged forward, her hand reaching for the
scarf around her neck as she closed in on Luna. "I'll show you what I can handle."
Before she could get any closer, Eren stepped forward, grabbing her wrist in a firm,
unyielding grip. "Mikasa, that's enough," he said, his voice as cold as ice.
Mikasa's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching in her throat as she stared up at
him. "Eren…"
Eren's gaze was hard, distant. "I told you. This is over. You're not going to touch her."
Mikasa's heart shattered at his words, but the rage inside her didn't die down. She
yanked her wrist free from his grasp, her eyes blazing with fury. "You're really choosing
her over me? After everything, you're going to defend her?"
"I'm choosing the future I need," Eren said flatly. "You're the one who can't let go."
Mikasa's voice broke as she glared at Luna. "You… you're nothing to him."
Luna finally spoke again, her voice steady and composed. "I'm everything he needs
now. You don't have to like it, but you will accept it."
Mikasa's hands clenched again, but this time, she didn't lash out. Her whole body
trembled with the effort of holding herself back, but Eren's words—his cold
rejection—had already cut her deeper than any physical blow.
The other scouts were silent, stunned by the intensity of the confrontation. Even Levi,
always so composed, glanced between Mikasa and Luna, clearly unsure of how to
intervene.
A tense silence settled over the camp as Mikasa stood there, breathing heavily, her fists
still trembling. She glared at Luna one last time before turning on her heel and storming
off, her heart breaking with every step she took.
As Mikasa disappeared into the distance, Luna remained standing tall, her expression
calm but resolute. She had won, but the tension between them was far from over.
The silence that followed Mikasa's departure was thick and heavy, like the aftermath of
a violent storm. Everyone stood frozen, processing the intensity of the confrontation that
had just unfolded. The tension hung in the air, palpable, leaving the scouts and sirens
alike in varying degrees of shock and disbelief.
Armin was the first to speak, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. "I've… never seen Mikasa
like that before." He glanced over at Eren, who stood motionless, his gaze still fixed on
the spot where Mikasa had stormed off. "Eren, are you—"
"I'm fine," Eren cut him off sharply, his tone cold and dismissive. His arms were crossed
tightly over his chest, and his expression was unreadable, but there was a hardness in
his eyes that hadn't been there before.
Levi, who had been watching the entire situation unfold with a silent intensity, let out a
low sigh. "She'll need time," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone in particular.
He glanced at Luna, who remained calm and composed, despite the firestorm she had
just weathered. "But she's not going to let this go easily."
Luna met Levi's gaze, her blue eyes unwavering. "I didn't expect her to."
Aria, still standing beside Levi, shifted her weight, her usual playful demeanor muted by
the gravity of what had just happened. "That was… intense," she said softly, though her
eyes remained locked on Levi, as if still trying to gauge his reaction to everything.
Jean and Connie exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unsure of how to process what
they had just witnessed. "That was… something," Jean muttered, running a hand
through his hair. "I mean, we all knew Mikasa had feelings for Eren, but I didn't think it
would blow up like that."
Connie nodded, looking slightly pale. "Yeah, I thought she was going to hit Luna or
something. I've never seen her so… angry."
Bertholdt and Reiner, standing quietly near the back, seemed equally stunned. Reiner,
still processing everything, shook his head slowly. "She's never going to accept this."
Floch, on the other hand, had his attention elsewhere entirely. He leaned back against
the sand, lounging comfortably with Bria draped across his lap, her hands wandering
lazily across his chest. While everyone else was still tense from the confrontation, Bria
didn't seem fazed in the slightest.
"Wow," Bria said casually, her voice filled with playful amusement. "That was crazy." She
let out a soft giggle and then, without missing a beat, she pulled Floch in for another
deep, passionate kiss, her arms wrapping around his neck as if the entire scene that
had just unfolded had barely registered in her mind.
Floch, though clearly flustered, didn't protest. His hands hesitantly found their way to
Bria's waist, though he glanced awkwardly at the others as if to say, Is this really
happening right now? But Bria didn't seem to care. She kissed him with a renewed
intensity, her body pressed against his as if the world around them had faded away.
The other scouts, witnessing the scene, exchanged a few bewildered looks.
Jean groaned, running a hand down his face. "I'm never going to get used to that."
Connie, despite the heavy atmosphere, couldn't help but laugh. "Floch really lucked out,
huh?"
Levi, ever the pragmatist, ignored the scene entirely, his focus still on Eren and the
sirens. "This isn't over," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else. "Mikasa's
going to come back. And next time, she won't be as easily talked down."
Luna, standing beside Eren, crossed her arms. "I'm not afraid of her," she said simply.
"She's a complication, but one that Eren needs to deal with. I've said my piece."
Eren, who had remained silent through most of the exchange, finally spoke. His voice
was cold, distant. "I've already dealt with it. She'll understand eventually. Or she won't. It
doesn't matter."
Armin looked at him, his expression filled with a mix of concern and uncertainty. "Eren…
I'm not sure it's that simple."
"It is," Eren replied flatly, not looking at Armin. "This is the only way forward."
Aria, sensing the shift in mood, leaned toward Levi, her lavender eyes twinkling again
as she tried to lighten the tension. "Well, I'm just glad no one threw any punches. That
could've gotten messy."
Levi shot her a quick glance but didn't respond, his attention still focused on the larger
situation at hand. There was too much at stake to let distractions get in the way.
As the group slowly began to recover from the confrontation, the sirens quietly resumed
their positions with their chosen mates, though the tension from Mikasa's outburst
lingered in the air. The bond between the sirens and the scouts was still fragile, and
now, it was more complicated than ever.
But for now, the storm had passed. And as Bria continued to kiss Floch, oblivious to the
weight of what had just transpired, the others were left to wonder how long the peace
would last before everything boiled over again.
Later on that day, Levi was in the middle of his usual training routine, the graceful,
deadly precision of his movements on full display as he tore through the air with his
ODM gear. His eyes were sharp and focused, his body a blur as he zipped between the
trees near the beach, slicing through his imagined opponents with ruthless efficiency.
Every movement was calculated, every strike executed with cold, methodical skill.
Aria stood a little ways off, leaning against one of the taller rocks near the clearing, her
arms folded and her sparkling lavender eyes never leaving him. She hadn't said a word
since Levi started training, but the sly, seductive smirk on her lips spoke volumes. She
was watching him like a predator, her gaze both playful and intent, clearly enjoying the
sight of him in his element.
Her eyes gleamed as she watched Levi twist in the air, his blades flashing as he cut
through the targets he had set up earlier. The muscles in his arms tensed and flexed
with each movement, and Aria's gaze lingered on every detail—each ripple of strength,
each subtle shift in his posture. It wasn't just admiration for his skill; it was something
deeper, something she was trying to provoke. She batted her eyelashes, the corners of
her lips twitching as her smirk widened. She was trying her hardest to get a reaction out
of him.
But Levi, of course, didn't give her the satisfaction.
Aria's smirk grew more mischievous with every passing minute. She leaned forward
slightly, her lavender hair falling over her shoulder as she watched him with unwavering
focus. She could tell that Levi knew she was watching him—he was too perceptive not
to notice. But as usual, he didn't acknowledge her presence, his expression cold and
impassive as he moved through his training with unyielding focus.
Still, Aria wasn't one to back down easily. She had already decided that Levi was her
chosen mate, and she wasn't going to let his stoic demeanor deter her. If anything, his
resistance only made her more intrigued. She loved the challenge, loved the fact that
Levi was so different from the others. He wasn't easily swayed by beauty or flirtation,
and that only made her want him more.
As Levi finished his final pass through the trees, landing with a soft thud on the ground,
Aria tilted her head slightly, her smirk deepening. "You're really something, Captain,"
she said, her voice soft but dripping with playfulness. "Watching you fight… well, let's
just say it's quite the experience."
Levi didn't respond immediately. He sheathed his blades and unhooked his ODM gear
with practiced efficiency, his expression as unreadable as ever. After a moment, he
turned to glance at her, his gaze cold and distant. "What do you want?" His voice was
sharp, cutting through the silence like one of his blades.
Aria's smile didn't falter. If anything, it only grew wider. "Just enjoying the view," she
replied, her tone light and teasing. She batted her eyelashes again, her lavender eyes
twinkling with mischief. "You're a sight to behold, you know that? The way you move,
the way you fight… it's impressive. And attractive."
Levi's gaze narrowed, but he didn't rise to her bait. "I'm not interested in your games,"
he said flatly, turning away from her and heading toward the nearest tree to reset his
training equipment.
Aria let out a soft, amused chuckle, clearly unfazed by his cold response. "You say that,
but you haven't told me to leave yet." She shifted her weight slightly, her arms still
folded as she continued to watch him with that same smirk. "You know, Levi, I've never
met someone who could resist me for this long. It's... refreshing."
Levi didn't stop what he was doing, though he shot her a quick glance out of the corner
of his eye. "I'm not like the others. You're wasting your time."
Aria's smirk deepened. "Maybe. Or maybe you're just more fun than you realize." She
uncrossed her arms and took a few steps closer, her gaze never leaving him. "You can
pretend all you want, but I know you've noticed me watching you. You can't hide
everything, Levi."
Levi didn't respond, his hands busy resetting the straps on his ODM gear. He was trying
his best to ignore her, to shut out the constant barrage of flirtation and teasing, but
Aria's persistence was starting to wear on him—not that he'd ever admit it.
Aria, sensing that she was getting under his skin—at least a little—let out a soft,
satisfied hum. "You're tough, Captain. I'll give you that. But I like a challenge. I've
already decided that you're the one I want, so you might as well get used to me being
around."
Levi paused for a brief moment, his eyes flicking up to meet hers. "You're wasting your
time," he repeated, his voice colder this time. "I'm not interested."
Aria's smirk didn't waver. "We'll see about that," she said, her tone light but filled with
confidence. She batted her eyelashes again, taking another step closer. "I've got time,
Levi. And so do you."
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Levi's gaze remained locked on hers, and
though his expression was as hard and unyielding as ever, there was a tension in the air
that neither of them could deny. Aria knew it, and despite Levi's best efforts to remain
aloof, he knew it too.
But for now, Levi refused to give her the satisfaction of a reaction. Without another
word, he turned away and resumed his training, his movements just as sharp and
precise as before.
Aria's smirk remained, her eyes gleaming with amusement. She wasn't in any rush. She
had made her choice, and if Levi was going to resist, it would only make the eventual
victory all the sweeter. She watched him for a moment longer, her heart racing with
excitement at the prospect of what was to come.
And as Levi continued his training, Aria remained nearby, silently watching, waiting,
and—despite his best efforts—getting under his skin little by little.